Aspect Ratios - Zero?

[Mike’S-a-loon]

Hello all,

A question about aspect ratios: I am sure most of us know that the aspect ratio of a tyre is the percentage of sidewall height relative to the tread width. Recently I ordered Vredestein 185R15 Sprint Classic Tyres for my P5b, which Vince (Enigmas) is currently embroiled in the "quick recommissioning" of for me. (Thanks Vince, I am eternally in your debt)


He asked me what the aspect ratio of the tyres is, as they are quite high in the sidewall (Which is what I was after), and upon further investigation on the Vredestein and various other Tyre Co websites I can't find any reference to one, other than zero. Does this mean a zero aspect ratio, or "No aspect ratio"? Mathematically there has to be one. Any ideas? (Please note, there is a 70 aspect ratio version of this tyre, but these ain't them).

[Mike’S-a-loon]

Well, a little deeper into the google-machine and I think it means they are 80 or 82, which is known as "full profile" in tyre circles. (Are there Tyre Circles? I know there are definitely circular tyres...)

[tonys]

I was going to say exactly that (^) before I saw your update; from memory, aspect ratios didn't really become a 'thing' until they introduced low-profile tyres, in the 1970s IIRC. I remember when everybody wanted the latest alloys with the newer low-profile 70-series tyres (ie Rover SD1 with 195/70-14 rather than the standard 185-14s.), and the profiles have just become lower and lower ever since.

[Sam Bee]

I cannot see the point of the more extreme versions. A friend of mine has a new Merc' with very low profile tyres, sidewalls look about 2" high, recently hit two 'normal' potholes and wrote off two tyres and one alloy wheel - very very expensive indeed.