avon zzs below freezing temperature.

[Windsurfer]

Hi all, I wrote Avon but did not get a reponse yet. 

I am in the process of ordering avon zzs tyres and was questioning if the compound can `see` freezing temperature. I would be woried about zzr but I do not know about zzs

I want to ship some tyres to Canada and it`s  still really cold here so thew tyres would be exposed to low temps (could be around 0F) while transiting for shipping. The race coumpound tyres I use to have where sensibles to low temps. 

do you have any clue? Best regards.

[aerobod - near CYYC]

You shouldn't have any more issues with shipping ZZS tyres in Canada than other high performance summer tyres. I've had Pirelli slicks shipped from Toronto to Calgary in the winter, the key is for them not to be roughly handled when the rubber is cold and left for at least 24 hours at room temperature before any attempt is made to mount them.
 

[NCronin]

I remember driving a hire car from Peace River to Alberta during a winter working session a few years back. As they (Hertz) had hired out everything with winter tyres, snow chains et al, they offered me an upgrade to an SUV with the mandatory Canadian rock chip in the front screen but only fitted with summer tyres. 

I then drove for several hours watching the outside temp gauge gradually fall to -35. I had eyeballs on stalks for the entire trip but will never forget what a great experience it was. 

[Toughie]

Windsurfer,

I've just spotted your query.  I'm the bloke responsible for Members' Benefits, and we do get some additional Club benefits from Avon.

As well as the technical guide they wrote for the Club, but now share with Caterham, which you can find here:-

https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/guides/avon-tyre-information

They also give us a contact number, which they are happy for members to phone, which can be found in the Members' Benefits section here:-

https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/membership/special-offers-members/avon-tyres

 

Anyway, having seen your post, I took the liberty of phoning Adam at Avon Motorsport, myself.

Adam says that ZZS does not have a temperature sensitive compound.  He did, however, say that speaking entirely personally, he wouldn't like to think of his own tyres being in a frozen container for any great length of time.

I asked if they had a North American distributor that you could buy from, thus obviating the need for you to have them shipped out at prolonged low temperatures.  Adam suggested you might like to try Roger Kraus Racing, who are one of Avon Motorsport's US distributors. Here's the link:-

https://rogerkrausracing.com/

Good luck.  I hope you can get it resolved satisfactorily.

 

 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

The other alternative to Avon ZZS tyres on a Caterham in North America is to use equivalent tyres from other manufacturers that are at the lighter end of the scale (the ZZS and ZZR are not nearly as light as the CR500 were, so there are other tyres of similar weight).

For 13" wheels (6" front, 8" rear, or same size as front if 6" rear):

Toyo Proxes R888R 185/60-13, 225/45-13

Nankang AR-1 185/60-13, 235/45-13 - a bit heavier than the ZZS, but much better grip and reasonable on wet roads

For 15" wheels (6.5" all around):

Toyos Proxes R888R 195/50-15

Yokohama Advan A052 195/50-15

Dunlop Direzza ZIII 195/50-15

 

[Windsurfer]

@toughie: wow! thanks a lot for taking the time to call Avon for my question. Like I said, I did it already but it was via the generic contact system. (always easier when you have a name) i will try to pospone the shipping as late as I can then. I already have to order some apollo wheels via Caterhamparts.co.uk. I think it make sens to order the tire at the same time and get them installed before shipping. (i might not save a lot of money) Hard to tell...

@aerobod: I am getting wheels from caterham at the same time. But yes, the next tires will probably be toyo r888.

thanks to all for taking the time to answer my questions. 

best regards

[aerobod - near CYYC]

@windsurfer, sounds like best to get the tyres fitted by Caterham if you are buying the wheels, too. Some years ago on one of my typically annual UK trips I put 3 Caterham wheels in a well padded box and the 4th in with the dirty clothes in one of our suitcases and brought them back to Canada as checked baggage, to save on the shipping charges.

[Windsurfer]

@aerobod

I like! i will most likely come back form my next trip to UK with extra luggages ;-)

[Toughie]

Windsurfer,

Our Club contact details at Avon are on the Members Benefits page, if you need to try to contact them again.

Other than the concern about the temperatures, using a specialist company familiar with the tyres (in this instance, Caterham) is probably a good idea, as Avon have previously told me that the fitters have to be careful with the beading on ZZR and ZZS, as this can easily be damaged on fitting.