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I'm not sure that last bit is to do with this question Adam. I suspect that when you went to 18" instead of 16" you're talking rim size and on the larger size you went to a lower profile tyre. I'd be surprised if you significantly increased the overall wheel diameter. For example, I'm about to have a go with some 18"x8" wide rims instead of my current 15"x7" rims. Much bigger you might think, but the set of 235-40R18s I'll be fitting are actually slightly smaller in overall diameter than the 225-60R15s I'm currently on. So much bigger wheel, slightly wider tyre, but slightly shorter contact patch (although very marginal for both) Where I'm hoping to gain is in much better control of the contact patch.
Anyway I think the question is about overall diameter which is an interesting point. I've looked at a lot of wheel/tyre combinations recently because I've been trying to match up the overall diameter of my current tyres which is about 655mm. I've actually found it quite difficult to find virtually any tyre over 650mm diameter for any rim size. I think the Toyo 245-40R18 is just over and maybe the Dunlop D02 in that size, and I think Hosier do some, but thats about it. Is there some law of physics that says manufactures don't want to do circuit racing tyres any bigger? Centrifugal force problems perhaps?
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