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Automobile Magazine.... big wheels and it's affect on ride quality
- Thread starter eye.surgeon
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- Model S
In my opinion 21 inch wheels are more about looks than performance. It's not necessary to run thin profile to get road feel. Right tire is enough. Sidewalls of racing slicks are extremely stiff and provide more feel with higher profile.
There are no 21 inch racing tyres produced. 20 inch is very rare. (I'm not talking about drag racing. Not an expert in that.)
WRC cars set for tarmac have a bit higher profile
Oh and how are these guys able to turn in at all?
There are no 21 inch racing tyres produced. 20 inch is very rare. (I'm not talking about drag racing. Not an expert in that.)
WRC cars set for tarmac have a bit higher profile
Oh and how are these guys able to turn in at all?
I'm no expert on racing but there are plenty of Formula One races on non-canted road surfaces.
The *wheels* are all the same size; this is about smaller diameter rims vs larger dia rims. Comparing one to the other be sure to inflate to 48-50 psi or its apples<=>oranges.
Rotational inertia may actually be *greater* with the 19in rims due to the tire density>alum density [this tidbit from @jerry33], but in any event this should not be significant.
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Rotational inertia may actually be *greater* with the 19in rims due to the tire density>alum density [this tidbit from @jerry33], but in any event this should not be significant.
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That's a confusing statement. 'Wheel' and 'rim' are interchangeable terms, 'rim' in context of automobiles being a more slang term that's roots to the days of spokes.
If you're talking about 19s vs 21s on a Tesla [with the same model wheels/tires], the 21s will always have higher mass and rotational inertia than the 19s. The 21" wheels are much heavier than the 21" tires are lighter (many pounds for the wheels and a pound or so for the tires), and the larger diameter wheel pushes a significant bulk of its mass farther out...so its all bad from that angle.
I'm also not sure about that density statement. For those tires that use steel in the sidewalls I suppose the rubber+steel density could be about the same (+/-) than aluminum, but I'd be surprised if it was ever enough more that it could possibly make a difference. I'd like to see where that statement comes from.
I was trying to show that big rim/ low profile is not necessary for good performance. Having driven on five F1 tracks, I can say that turning the steering wheel is required to do a lap
I was trying to show that big rim/ low profile is not necessary for good performance. Having driven on five F1 tracks, I can say that turning the steering wheel is required to do a lap
Correct. My bad. I wasn't thinking F1.
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Technically, they're not interchangeable (even though people use them that way, similar to how theory is used when the correct term is hypothesis). The wheel is the entire "metal structure" including the rim when the spokes are fused to the rim, the rim is the part of the wheel that touches the tire. So a wheel has rim width, rim diameter, etc. Of course it used to be easier (and still is on some large trucks) because the wheel was the part with the hub and spokes and the rim was the part that holds the tire.
Fair assessment. I should have specified that I was speaking of their colloquial interchangeability, and specifically in the context of a car enthusiast webforum.
Merrill
Merrill
It may not happen when you grow up because when I ordered my Model S I got the 19's because I wanted to be practicle and after 6 months thought why do I want to be practicle and purchased the 21's. I really think the handling is better and so are the looks, yes you have to deal with curb rash and tire wear etc. but would not go back. My age my dictate my decision because I'm at the point in my life that I do not want to wait to enjoy it.
tonybelding
Active Member
Except that some of us don't think huge rims wrapped in skinny low-profile rubber look good. To my eyes that's ugly. So... It's the worst of both worlds, from where I sit.
Agreed. I am not a fan of the "rubber band" tire look. But aesthetic preferences are idiosyncratic...
dhanson865
Well-Known Member
And others think the 21"s are great.
I have had 21" tires on this car and on my Porsche Panamera 4S before. Low profile tires absolutely do make a difference in handling, and but it also impacts ride quality if you have poor roads. Where I live, there are roads that are acceptable for 21" tires.
I also think the Tesla 21" wheels are attractive just as they are. I have no problem with them offering smaller rims for others, but I don't want to sacrifice the handling abilities, nor do I like the looks of small wheels on such a big, high performance car.
I hope Tesla does not let their existing customers make demands to neuter the car to the point that car enthusiasts will no longer consider it. I've heard that the current P85D no longer has staggered wheels ... Disappointing.
I have had 21" tires on this car and on my Porsche Panamera 4S before. Low profile tires absolutely do make a difference in handling, and but it also impacts ride quality if you have poor roads. Where I live, there are roads that are acceptable for 21" tires.
I also think the Tesla 21" wheels are attractive just as they are. I have no problem with them offering smaller rims for others, but I don't want to sacrifice the handling abilities, nor do I like the looks of small wheels on such a big, high performance car.
I hope Tesla does not let their existing customers make demands to neuter the car to the point that car enthusiasts will no longer consider it. I've heard that the current P85D no longer has staggered wheels ... Disappointing.
Law&Disorder
Member
The New York winter (and my bankrupt suburban county's inability to pay for repairs) has left the roads near me so destroyed that I'm afraid to put my 20" summer tires on. I've got less than 7000 miles on my BMW M5 and I already had one of my fancy summer wheels destroyed by a pot hole last year.
I just ordered my P85D with the stock 19s, if the handling is acceptable, I may never buy a set of big summer performance tires.
I just ordered my P85D with the stock 19s, if the handling is acceptable, I may never buy a set of big summer performance tires.
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