It seems as if there aren't many low profile tire options for 14" rims in the US. Does anyone know where I can find a 195/50/14 in the states? Of course, I may just not be looking very well. If I can't find some, I suppose I'll have to get a 205/50/14 in some sort of race tire. Thanks in advance!

 

You can try a 155/65-14 instead.

But, really though, what car can use such a small diameter tire (< 22")? Even my Spitfire used a larger diameter tire...

 

Thanks for the reply!
However, I think the 155/65 would be much too narrow.
If you think that the 195/50 would be too short, would a 195/55 be a better option (if it is even made)?

 

Tell us what car these are for, and we can figure out the correct tire diameter for it, and from that (and the wheel size) pick a tire size suggestion.

So far, you're going about this in the entirely wrong order.

155 is too narrow for what? All that matters is the diameter, load rating, and whether the tire is approved for the wheel size or not. We can't determine width requirements since the wheel size wasn't provided.

 

Those both sizes you mentioned are very hard to find, and even found will be very expensive.

To closest size to what you're looking for is 195/60R14 (very popular size, and you have bigger choice), other wise you should step up to 15" rim.

Do you need them for drag?

195/55/14
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...55&diameter=14

205/50/14
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...50&diameter=14

 

Thank you for the advice. That's too bad they're so hard to find. I'd rather not use a drag radial, but a road race/street radial would be just fine.

I would rather not say what the tires will be going on. I really only want to know where I could get the tires and what sizes are similar (giving me more options that I did not know of). The help has been great! I do like the 195/60 that you showed me as well and, although a little on the balloon side, it is definetaly an option now.

 

The problem with availability here is the diameter. Less than a 22" tire diameter is a very small tire, is very hard to find, and is certainly not going to have much availability in performance oriented tires.

Step up to a 23" diameter (such as the 195/60-14), and the availability opens up dramatically.

Road race tires being acceptable, and stepping up in diameter:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...55&diameter=14

 

Wow! Thanks for that link! A 55 would still be just perfect. I think I'll go with the 205/55 Ventus Z214 C51 Medium. It looks like they even have better hydroplaning resistance than BFG Drag radials (not that I would EVER want to be caught in the rain with either). I wasn't really looking for a performance oriented tire to start but now that you've showed me these, thoughts of hitting up the local road course have come to mind ! Thanks again!

 

You do understand that a 195/60 and a 205/55 pretty much have the same amount of sidewall, right?

 

I do now. I understand what each number stands for but I am no good with understanding how the ratios work. Would you mind explaining that? If not I can just google it but it would be nice to have it in layman's terms.

 

This is explained in the FAQ.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/wheel-tire-56/9658-forum-rules-faq-read-before-posting-1188922/
As math:
195mm * 0.6 = 117mm
205mm * 0.55 ~= 113mm

This explains a bit why you're going about choosing tire sizing completely backwards. If you're looking for a "low profile" tire, the aspect ratio alone is useless. My Integra came with 195/55-15s. A set of 275/35-15s has about the same sidewall height, despite the 35 vs 55 aspect ratio differences.

 

Okay, so that's how it works! I get it now. Thanks!
This will make choosing tires much easier for this project and every other project.

 

Now you should be good with ratios :-)

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

YOU have to keep as close as possible to the stock tire and wheel diameter.
The diameter of the wheel/rim is fixed, so you have to be careful what size tire you will choose.

 

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

This site has most Honda's in its database already, if you're looking for a quicker solution. Plus, you can compare multiple tire sizes, and check availability for those sizes.

 

Awesome links! Thanks guys! On my walk through the parking lot yesterday I was comparing the tires of the cars I walked by. It felt really cool to know this stuff :D

 

Thanks a lot!