Topic: Re: Surprisingly Chinese tires were not disappointing me (but now they are)

[Slow_lane]

When I bought my 2015 Kia from a dealer last fall they had swapped pretty worn out OEM tires for Chinese Cachland 861's size 215/45/r17.  I thought to myself what a disaster these tires are going to be. The salesman agreed they are not the best tire but they are better than worn out OEM. I really thought I would be replacing them by the end of this summer.

Well I have driven about 6,000 kms on them so far and surprisingly I have no complaints. No shimmy's, not shakes, no tire has gone out of balance. I find they perform quite nicely. They run very smoothly. I believe the tread depth started at 9/32nds and they are down to 8 now. They may not end up being the longest lasting tire. I have dedicated Pirelli snow tires so I cannot comment on performance in snow. Looking at tread design I would not expect it to be too good.

For the mileage and type of driving I do they seem to work pretty darn good. My only complaint is that they might have gotten a bit noisier. I am not even sure that is the case.

Tires this size do not come cheap. They start at $160 each for name brand tires. I can get these Cachlands for $80. If they continue to perform like they have so far I would seriously consider buying them when the time comes.

[EV Dan]

I've rolled on no-name tires when I was young and broke. I've had equally disappointing Dunlops on a new SUV. Nowadays I won't trade cheap price for an extra metre or two of stopping distance. Sure, if there are instrumented tests done on the cheap tires in question I might consider them, but it has to be from CR or another reputable source who wouldn't have a vested interest in promoting them. Usually by the time all these conditions are met and tests are published the "great deal" formula falls apart.

[ktm525]

Oh they will disappoint you eventually.

[rrocket]

Pirelli are Chinese tires now...technically.

[Slow_lane]

Pirelli are Chinese tires now...technically.

Wow!!! Out of 4 sets of tires (Cachland, 2 sets Pirelli & Blizzak) I only have one set of non Chinese tires (technically)!!!! 

[ktm525]

Rather than focusing on country of origin I focused on your description "cheap". In my experiences cheap tires tend to disappoint.

My Pirelli's are Brazilian, I hope they don't go bald. 

[Fobroader]

I just wouldn't do it....there are lots of places to save a buch, tires are not one of them and buying offbrand ones from China, no thanks.

[quadzilla]

...buying offbrand ones from China, no thanks.

So if they were cheap, off brand, and from Canada, you would buy them?

[Fobroader]

...buying offbrand ones from China, no thanks.

So if they were cheap, off brand, and from Canada, you would buy them?

Nope....the fact they are from China makes it worse, but I wouldn't buy some Beaver Tail Performance Tire just because its made in Saskatoon.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Smooth no bump ride? 

顺畅无碰撞 ?

 

[Angry Chicken]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

[Slow_lane]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

I do not get it? Does it by chance relate to the long running Hercules tire debate?

[tenpenny]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

I just need to know what to inflate them to.


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[EV Dan]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

I just need to know what to inflate them to.


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Call Canadian Tire, the dealer, a local indie for the recommended pressure in your Hercules tires. Add the recommended numbers. Divide by 3. Discard the result. Pump it up to 50 because it's on the sidewall, duh! Go down from there in 2 psi increments for the smooth no bump ride 

[EV Dan]

Surprisingly Chinese tires are not the disappointing me

[Ex-airbalancer]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

I do not get it? Does it by chance relate to the long running Hercules tire debate?

If you have to ask 

[Angry Chicken]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

I just need to know what to inflate them to.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Call Canadian Tire, the dealer, a local indie for the recommended pressure in your Hercules tires. Add the recommended numbers. Divide by 3. Discard the result. Pump it up to 50 because it's on the sidewall, duh! Go down from there in 2 psi increments for the smooth no bump ride 

That’s about right. Then ignore all of the above.

[random006]

Smooth no bump ride? 

I get it.  Maybe 20 other people on the forum do, too.

I do not get it? Does it by chance relate to the long running Hercules tire debate?

I would not use the word "debate" to describe that merry descent into a very strange rabbit hole.  "Hilarious" and "weird" do come to mind, though.   

But yes, it does indeed have everything to do with the Hercules thread.

[Slow_lane]

Not long after I post the good things about the Chinese tires my car was equipped with, don't I hit a real nasty pothole and blow the sidewall out of one. Not really the tire's fault at all. However having low profile tires really has its downsides on these sh$ty Montreal roads.

Now for the downside of having an off-brand Chinese tire. Try and find a replacement!!! They are as rare as hen's teeth.  I had such a hard time finding a replacement I almost decided just to buy a new set of tires. Luckily I happened to find someone selling 3 used Cachlands in my size. He had 3 for sale because he also blew a tire and could not find a replacement. I am buying all 3. So now I can go out and smack more potholes. 

This is why when I do buy a set of tires I try and buy a popular brand and common tire. Then when you need one the chances are you will find one.

One final note for all those who cars are equipped with inflator kits. This was my 3rd tire failure since 2010. All three involved damage to the sidewall of the tire thanks to 2 potholes and 1 piece of metal on the road. Those inflator kits are useless leave you stranded when there is a slash in the tire. Get a spare tire!!!

Pls note: For every pothole I hit I have dodged 1000.

[EV Dan]

Thanks for the follow-up, slybry. All I would say is you are a true fan of these tires