Chris Burr Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Hi guys, about to trade my 125 roadsport for a 420R. I like the look of the anthracite Orcus wheels but have the option to have the 13" Apolo black wheels. What do people recommend? Is there any benefit to upgrading to the 13" wheels other than looks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 I don't think the many people think the 13 inch wheels necessarily look better, but by all accounts the lighter weight wheels and more flexible sidewalls suit the car better.Duncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 13 inch all day long... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy7 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 I've run both 13s and 15s on my 140 Supersport and its certainly true the 13s offer a better handling set up and better options on tyres for ultimate handling. On a track I'd say they are a must have. For looks however and perhaps touring the 15s are better. I'm a tart.. I like the looks of the 15s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 As you're buying a 420R I assume you'll be tracking it. In that case the 13s, 8" and 6", are a must IMO.Even if not tracking it, the 13s would be my choice, the 7's too small to look good with bigger wheels. Again, IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Stone Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 For me. Barnby Wheels all day long.Nearest ones to those are the Apollo 13 inch with black centers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garth Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 Also changed from 15" to 13" a while ago and I think the ride is slightly better - I actually prefer the look of the 13' - particularly on the slightly wider rears! More second hand tyres seem to become available for 13" rims if you ever need them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Burr Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 Thanks guys, much appreciated responses. For me I still think I prefer the look of the 15s but it sounds like I will enjoy the 13s more, so that is the choice I'm going to make. Can't wait to get my new 420R in 13s! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 13s work better as you can tell from the comments Can't see why you would want an R pack, a pack which according to Caterham is track focused, be compromised with wheels (and lack of tyre choice) for looks, after all the tyre is actually the only thing touching the ground without it nothing makes scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I would agree with Chris. Having a dry sumped, 6 speed R400, not far from a 420R, it's much happier on track than on road. It's OK on the road but on track it comes alive, rides better and drives so much better when you can let it stretch it's legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goslima1 Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I had an K series R300 in 2004 which had 15" wheels as I felt it looked better. I now have a 420R with 13" wheels (6" on the front and 8" on the back) and it definitely rides better than my R300 did. However I didn't track my R300 and have yet to track my 420R. The 420R is, in my opinion, very easy to drive on the road thanks to the Duratecs characteristics (lots of torque etc)....with the caveat that you cannot explore the performance. As its likely to be relevant to the comments above I have 5 speed not 6. Good luck with the new car ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjuniper Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Chris BYou know the real answer is both... 13" for your track days and 15" for all other activities.I went for the 15" wheels on my 270R (nowhere near as powerful or as much fun on track as your 420R will be I'm sure) and got myself a set of second hand 13" wheels (6" front, 8" rear) that I am more comfortable getting marked, chipped, scuffed, pebble dashed when on track. Allows you some slightly more aggressive tyre choices also for your track days.I too think the Orcus 15" look better but also agree that the wider rears on 13" look good. In an ideal world purely from a looks perspective would be some 15" Orcus alloys that are wider at the rear - similar to the 15" multi-spoke wheels that the CSR variants came with.Have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 What tyres are you using on those rims? Are the rolling radii the same? I have two sets of Apollos, one with CR500s and one with ZZRs. The ZZRs are slightly wider and taller but still fit under the wings OK. The RR is 3 or 4 mm higher on the ZZRs which is as far as I'd like to have them vary. When I change the CR500s I'll fit ZZS for the road which should mean they're exactly the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oysterman Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Are the Barnby wheels lighter than the apollo wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomiam Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 I purchased a 2nd hand R400D with 15" wheels. I swapped them out for 13" and have not looked back. For reference I compete in sprints and do plenty of track days. Second hand slicks are dirt cheap and plenty of tire choice in new. 13"s feel more agile and imo... suit the look of the Caterham better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now