Hello everyone, Has anyone out there used the Coker Tire TRX tires ? They are currently $421 each and in stock with a date code of 4218, (the 42nd week of 2018). They do have a "-B" molded in the sidewall after the TRX, because Coker has made some changes in both manufacturing detail and in the tire compound, all to build a better tire, they say. My only comparison is the TRX made by Michelin and sold by Longstone Tyre in the UK at $473 without tax. There are several mentions of the Longstone units here, but not much about the Coker tires as another replacement. Thanks, Gary
Hello Gary! Maybe I don't get it but Coker Tire doesn't "make" anything. Coker just claim "all of the Michelin vintage line is made by Michelin in europe" If something has been changed in the manufacturing it has be changed by Michelin. Coker and Longstones TRX are identical. At least, from what I understand...
There are three thread types TRX/TRX-B/TRX-GT. "TRX-B" is the thread type used in our tires, see https://classic.michelin.com/fr/Gamme-Collection/TRX.
I agree that Coker does not make "our" Michelin tires or any other tire branded as "Michelin"; they would be swatted like a fly if they did! However, I do believe they actually manufacture tires for the pre-1945 skinny tires for most of the early model cars. Glad to hear about the 'B' designation on treads. Ken
Michelin is not so picky: first of all bear in mind that they do have registered almost no patent until the late 80's ("secrecy" was the way to go), second I presume they wouldn't mind if some other manufacturers were to support our niche (not so profitable) market. Avon used to make TRX tires and back then Michelin did not complain. Avon is now selling some new TRXs (220/65/VR390), and still no fierce opposition from Michelin. No Avon tires for our cars unfortunately...
Good day, I suspect the reason for the lack of patents was the actual requirements of the patenting process. For example in order to register a patent the inventor must fully disclose their "secret sauce" as it were as part of their patent. Thus if the "secret sauce" contained some interesting ideas, etc then the competitors could benefit from this disclosure. Hence, this is one reason that a lot of specialty products are not patented. Cheers, Sam
Good day Gary, I have had nothing but excellent service from Longstone and I found their pricing to be much better than Coker. Adding to this I found the Longstone was more enthusiast than corporate and so it made the whole experience that much better. Cheers, Sam
Coker is a well known US based dealer for Michelin Classic tires, just like Longstone is in the UK and Stuckey Tires in Australia. There is misinformation on the web ( unusual huh!) stating that Coker bought the Michelin TRX molds. Coker don't claim to make the TRX .( but they do make other vintage tyres) All the Michelin TRX tyres come from the same Michelin plant. Michelin did license their TRX technology to Avon ( and perhaps others) in the 80's /90's. Avon still supply one TRX size to suit the Jag XJ40, probably because it was the OEM fitment. The TRX "GT" was only made in a 45 series profile and has a different tread pattern to the TRX. The TRX GT will fit a 412 but it reduce the already limited ground clearance to an unacceptable level (first hand experience) .
In 81 they licenced (for free) the technology to competitors, just as they did earlier for the radial tire. There is a news article back then that predict that based on this generous donation, all future cars would use TRX... Article in French and low resolution, but so biased that it is quite fun to read. I just can't find any-more the corresponding specifications, but if memory serves me well the GT has a specific groove, so even if it fits on regular TRX-B rims, it is normally intended to be used on TRX-GT rims. I am buying my rubber to a local distributor that was offering them for 360€ including 20% VAT and shipping costs... Unfortunately they only ship to France/Belgium/Spain and as of 2019 price has recently raised to 408€, that's still a good deal, but 2018 price was unbeatable. Since last year, quite a few online store are now offering Michelin Collection tires which is very good news. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ok guys, great info from everyone.....Thanks a bunch ! What have I learned ? 1. Coker does not manufacture the TRX tires. 2. Michelin still makes them and uses distributors to sell them, both Coker and Longstone and others. 3. So both Coker and Longstone companies should be selling the same product. 4. Or Coker sells the "TRX-B", and Longstone sells the "TRX" ? I need to buy 4 tires, just trying to understand why the difference in tires, if they both come from the same manufacturing plant. They are only about $50 difference in sale price, except VAT of course, but I am leaning toward the Longstone tires. I would rather not have the sidewall say "-B" on it. Gary
well, that’s the first time I hear about a TRX “B”... not totally clear: from Michelin’s website our 240/55 are necessarily TRX-B but I can’t remember something like a B written anywhere on my tyres... Maybe something like a new rubber compound? I have just asked on the website let’s see if I get an answer.
Both Coker and Longstone confirm their stock is dated 3817 at present. Question is whether or not to delay buying until fresher dated tires become available?
Here is a Michelin link giving the availability of Michelin Classic Tyres: https://classic.michelin.com/en/Classic-Tyre-range, then click the yellow colour window called "Tyres - Available - PDF" near the bottom of the page, this will download the PDF file with the current data (as of today the last refresh date is 15 Feb 2019).
Roger.....I did ask Coker about the -B, the tire specs show the description as TRX-B, and when they replied to my question, they stated that yes, the -B is molded into the sidewall to confirm this tire is new & improved. ONSilver…..Coker sez their date code is 4218, or 42nd week of 2018. Gary
which tyre pattern will I get when I order a new set of TRX-B 240/55VR415? the original which looks correct Image Unavailable, Please Login or this one which does not look correct on these cars Image Unavailable, Please Login Because on many sites you see pictures of the correct pattern and the description states TRX-B?
If you look back to the archive in 2017, these tires were already listed as TRX-B (even though the marking on the sidewall was "TRX"). So you normally get the same look (?) On the Michelin classic page, they state that their tires is period correct thread with modern compound, so even if the tires is updated, Michelin selling point is that they keep the vintage look. As a side note if it were not for the different sizes, TRX/TRX-B do have the same pattern (unlike GT). I've asked Michelin Classic about the "new" coker tires, no answer yet, but will report back any response from them.
Thank you raemin. Maybe Longstone Tyres can chime in because on their site the pattern is the wrong one for our cars: https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/trx/240-55vr415-michelin-trx.html Of course I could ask them directly but I think it is interesting for all of us.
If I understand correctly here are three types of sculpture for TRX tyres: TRX, TRX-B and TRX GT. For the TRX 240/55 415, the sculpture is TRX-B.
confused... here is a tire with the original TRX pattern and TRX-B on the sidewall https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-NEW-MICHELIN-TRX-B-240-55-415-94W-TIRE-WO-LABEL-68812-Q8-/143029357973
Just got a response from Julien Papon (Michelin Collection). See abstract. For those who do not read French: this is a brand new tire with new structure and new rubber. They do not recommend to mix these tires with the old tires which is the reason why they have a "new" name. Every distributor will receive this version from now on. So we can speculate that it's a better tire, and judging by the photo it still looks great. Only downside is that we have to change the whole set, instead of just 2 (as I used to)... I presume this upgrade is the reason why my local distributor was selling non "B" version for so cheap a few months ago. Interesting: Michelin have re-issued the PB-20 super soft tire whereas they used to offer TB-5 (hard) & TB-15 (medium) only. No idea on the actual rubber used for the TRX-B, but now they have quite a few blend of rubber to play with. For sure a softer TRX would be great. Waiting for the first review! Le 25/02/2019 à 09:20, Compte-Fonction Pneuretro a écrit : > > Bonjour Mr, > > Merci pour votre message. > > Le TRX-B est bien une évolution du TRX, au niveau de la structure et de la gomme. Il n’est donc pas mixable avec l’ancien TRX. > Comme vous pouvez le voir sur notre site, tous les TRX livrés dans cette dimension sont désormais des TRX-B : > https://classic.michelin.com/fr/Gamme-Collection/TRX > Vous les retrouverez dans cette version quel que soit votre revendeur.> > Bien cordialement. > > Julien PAPON > Manufacture Française des pneus Michelin > Service des Pneus Collection > 36 rue Clos-Four > 63 040 Clermont Ferrand > http://classic.michelin.com/fr > +33 (0)4.73.41.75.00
Thanks to raemin ! Wonderful ! At last, the answer we are looking for.....the "-B" tire IS different, and is the NEW style tire from now on. Better, to be sure, not too much different, but not to be mixed with the old style tire. Good, so now I can order TRX-B tires. Gary
Aha! just when you thought you knew what was happening Longstone but in to make it more complicated. This is a picture from my 1979 Michelin book Image Unavailable, Please Login These are pictures of the 240/55R415 TRX (which is a TRXB) that is on my shelf today. no jagged edge to the tread pattern. you can buy them here https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/trx/240-55vr415-michelin-trx.html I buy them direct from Michelin. Image Unavailable, Please Login This could be the explanation to the difference. from my year 2000 Michelin book. the jaggedy ones are H rated Image Unavailable, Please Login I have however noticed we have been slapdash with the pictures of our TRX which we will fix, hopefully next week. I will let you know if i find out more. However it is now Friday night, and i'm off to the pub!
I just received one new TRX for my 412 from Longstone - excellent shipping and service . It is marked B, and made in Serbia, who knew. It will become the new spare (as I wrecked the old spare sidewall when I had a flat even though I stopped asap). I need 4 more, but despite reassurances about condition, I am reluctant to buy them 'new'' with a date code of 3817. Coker has the same date in stock. So I think I have to wait - the present tires on the car are still in great shape with a date code of 1408. Comments?