Jeff,

Yes, there is middle ground. And even on that middle ground I would not choose a 55 profile tire on my syncro.

You what fire roads and logging roads are like, they can be pretty nice and well graded then you hit a hole. 

Everything is a compromise, and I can see the benefits of a stiff low profile tire when you are on the highway. And if that is all yo rive I your syncro then fine. But who the heck has a syncro and only drives on paved roads?

Alistair

> On Mar 19, 2014, at 7:27 PM, Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> There is a middle ground between highways and rough rocky roads...
> 
> Perhaps fire roads or graded roads?  Also, snow?
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Jeff
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Alistair Bell
> Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 7:16 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Tires and Wheels - The best laid plans of Mice and Men.....
> 
> For a syncro that is actually used on anything but highways I think it is
> folly to use 55 profile tires. You need sidewall depth to reduce the chance
> of rim damage when you use your syncro on rough rocky roads.
> 
> Alistair
> 
> 
> 
>>> On Mar 19, 2014, at 4:04 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Again,
>> If going for the expense of new heels, I would go right for 16 or if
>> handling real important 17 inch wheels. Many more handling and
>> performance tire choices including XL versions. To get more rubber on
>> the road you need to wider and to get a better footprint you need to
>> go softer. The 225/60-16 is amongst my favorite compromises. Due to
>> ready availability of the AR95T wheel I have been installing some
>> 225/55-17XL tires. Awesome handling. For Syncros I have also used the
> 235/55-17XL.
>> 
>> Dennis
>> 
>>