205/55R15 on 7.5" rim. Will it stretch?

[WBizarre]

Hey guys, I'm considering options for summer tires. I'm planning to put them on 7.5" Ronal LS, and my tire options seem very limited. I understand 225 is the optimal width for a 7.5" rim, but is 205 acceptable? I'm buying for the drive, not for the looks, so any unsafe stretch is a no-go.
I've seen pictures of people running 205's on 7.5" - some look perfect, others look a little stretched. Most seem to fit well and look safe.
I simply can't find 225 or 215 tires that aren't DOT track tires. My current top pick is the Dunlop Direzza DZ102's 205/55/15, which seem to be a nice mid-high range summer tire. Should I step down in profile to 225/45/15? Am I overthinking it?

[TrentW]

I'm running 225/50 G Force Sports on 7.5" Ronal LS and it's perfect for me. Some 20 year old saw my car at a show last year and called them balloon tires. It's matter of preference and ride quality. 205's will be fine, but a 205/55 might not be my choice. Lots of 205/50's available. Remember, two different brands in the same size can be measure quite differently. Tire Rack lists actual sizes.

And thank you for not wanting to stretch!

[WBizarre]

Thanks! 205/55/15 is a factory size, correct? Phew, I checked the extended specs on tire rack, and they 7.5" is the top of the range that will fit. So at least it's warranted by the factory to run it. Measured rim width is 6.5", however. I actually like the meaty tire look, especially on older cars, and I'd love to run 225's, but availability is tough...

[3vilE30]

I have 205/45 yoko s drives on a 7.5 and it looks good too me. I think with 225's there would be some bulgeness. 225 on a 9 would be perfect, right now I have 215/35 on a 9 and there's some slight stretch happening.

[econti]

I have 205/50 on an 8, and it fits nicely. Enough stretch that it's very predictable on the limit, but not so much that it looks shit.
The tyre I run has a lot of rim protection as well

[ForcedFirebird]

I have 205/50 on an 8, and it fits nicely. Enough stretch that it's very predictable on the limit, but not so much that it looks shit.
The tyre I run has a lot of rim protection as well

We do the same on one of our endurance cars. 205/50 on an 8". They certainly aren't "stretched" as I put them on with my old school tire machine and no cheater/ether bomb - but - when laying the wheel on the ground, the wheel lip will contact at the same time as the side wall.

[WBizarre]

Thanks everyone, that alleviates my niggling worries. Going for the 205 Direzzas.