What size steering wheel for MGB?

[Parabola]

I've currently got a 12" Mountney leather steering wheel in my 71 MGB GT.
The steering is really heavy at low speed, probably not helped by slightly wider than standard tyres on the Rostyles.

Was going to swap it out for a 13" one. Would this be a bigger enough jump to make a noticeable difference?

Thanks

[MG Mark]

Considering that the original was a 15.5" diameter wheel for a 70-77 car, dropping to a 12" wheel is one heck of drop in the turning moment that your arms can impart to the wheel! I never changed the wheel on the MGBs I owned, but on my MGA which has pretty much the same front suspension set up as a B, I changed from a 16" wheel to a 15" wheel to give me clearance of the wheel rim from my legs when using the clutch (which it did); it did not make the steering particularly heavier, was much nicer to use as a result, and gave the right degree of control over movement. Advice then from me is to go for the largest wheel size that you are comfortable with when in the car and using it.

MG Mark

[SB - Nigel]

Original steering wheels on even on the Midgets were 15.5" and had thin rims (much nicer than the later and current style of thicker rims IMO)

So I agree get at 15" the steering will be much nicer and put the Rostyles back to normal width and things will feel even better

If you want wider tyres (which can be worst for grip in some conditions) swap the wheels for 14" alloys (only Minilite (copies) look good to me)

I've had two Spridgets and two B's but stuck to or changed to original size steering wheels without over-sizing tyres or wheels and these have been best to drive on the road IMO

ETA: I short so have my seat very forward and have thick thighs and a good beer belly and still have a 15.5" steering wheel in the Midget with no problems (155/70 tyres on 13" 5J wheels)

Edited by SB - Nigel on Tuesday 9th March 00:44

[chard]

I have just swapped my 14 1/2" motalita to a 16" wheel on the sunbeam big improvement in the steering.

I was going to fleabay the motalita jobbie but if yu want to save me the trouble.................should make a big difference.