Stretching Tires

[The Wolf]

I've seen a few members on here with narrow tires stretched onto wide rims. What is the general consensus here regarding that? I'm thinking safety, tire wear, aesthetic appeal, etc. For those who do it, is it to save money on tires? To fit higher offset wheels under the wheel well? For the look? I can't imagine there'd be any handling benefit because of the smaller contact patch..

[midnightfxgt]

Looks.... thats all. It can also be very unsafe depending how stretched they are.

[Xerox]

I've seen a few members on here with narrow tires stretched onto wide rims. What is the general consensus here regarding that? I'm thinking safety, tire wear, aesthetic appeal, etc. For those who do it, is it to save money on tires? To fit higher offset wheels under the wheel well? For the look? I can't imagine there'd be any handling benefit because of the smaller contact patch..

I think that's how it got its start.

[Pokey]

I wouldn't do it for 2 reasons. It looks wee tod did AND I'd be scared that they'll slip off during cornering causing an instant 0psi tire!

[The Wolf]

I'm a little surprised tire manufacturers don't make angled sidewalls. From a geometry standpoint, it makes a lot of sense (to me anyway). Seems like the tire could withstand a lot more lateral force.

[bhadreshl]

I'm a little surprised tire manufacturers don't make angled sidewalls. From a geometry standpoint, it makes a lot of sense (to me anyway). Seems like the tire could withstand a lot more lateral force.

Engineering is more than geometry. It is also about balancing forces.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

It's to fit lower offset wider wheels under normal fenders. It started because in some parts of Europe the tire tread cannot extend past the fenders.

[dentinger]

It's to fit lower offset wider wheels under normal fenders. It started because in some parts of Europe the tire tread cannot extend past the fenders.

then the drifter's caught on, and started stretching tires, then the mk4 jettas/golfs started, then the whole tuner scene caught on...

[f12e5h]

I will be stretching my summer tires this year, but I'm not making them "hella stretch" just enough to get them in there. I'll be running 17x8 in the front and 17x9 in the rear with an offset of 35. if their not flush I'll be adding spacers.

[viethoang]

then the drifter's caught on, and started stretching tires, then the mk4 jettas/golfs started, then the whole tuner scene caught on...

As long as you can find a shop willing to do it.

[MistaChin]

I will be stretching my summer tires this year, but I'm not making them "hella stretch" just enough to get them in there. I'll be running 17x8 in the front and 17x9 in the rear with an offset of 35. if their not flush I'll be adding spacers.

Oh you definitely won't be needing spacers...with a 9" wide wheel and 35 offset you'll probably need to camber it a bit more if anything.

[f12e5h]

Oh you definitely won't be needing spacers...with a 9" wide wheel and 35 offset you'll probably need to camber it a bit more if anything.

that's what I was hoping =)