tire sizes ...
we've all seen those rediculous 22 inch rims on tiny ass cars with tires that have like half a centimeter of sidewall ... that's bad
the thing is, you dont want tiny ass rims either cuz you cant fit a decent brake system in it, bigger rotors means more brake torque (assuming the tyre's grip isnt the bottle neck)
idealy shouldnt you have the smallest rims possible that dont interfere with your braking system to lower weight ??
moving up a size means reducing the sidewall height, although this does mean less flex and less deformation of the contact patch, it does make the handling at the limit alot more difficult to control (no/less warning at the transition between grip and slide)
although the area of the contact patch doesnt affect grip, the shape (which dictates how and where the patch deforms) does, what's the ideal shape of the contact patch ??
please advise
matra im lookin at u :P