Like Those Big Wheels, Do Ya? Here Are Some Reasons Why You Shouldn't...

This test wasn't too accurate because the speed rating and width vary from the 15-19in rims,If the 15in steel wheels had a wider tire it would stop faster than the 19 inch tires because of less unsprung weight, the only reason the larger tires stopped faster is because they offered more grip with the extra width, no surprise there, on thing this article didn't say is that all the bearings and ball joints... will wear faster with larger heavier tires.So if you want to look like a gangsta its going to cost you some money,lol

You do realize that they're are larger after-market wheels that weigh less than the stock wheels?

Did you notice the chart that stated the weight? The best rims would be forged aluminium, they are stronger and lighter, and for tire choice you could get a lighter tire by avoiding steel belted tires' ie arimid.. This test was not accurate because of different widths, wider tires always stop better, exept in the rain.

Pops recently purchased a smaller than factory set of after market wheels and tires for is Ecobrick. Reduced the combined wheel and tire weight by 25%. That is significant.

Not to mention in some cases larger brakes are needed for the increase in wheel mass.

"Not to mention in some cases larger brakes are needed for the increase in wheel mass."

- What a bunch of crap!! Which cases are you talking about? Big wheels can actually weigh less than the stock wheels, and when they are heavier, they are only about 5 or so pounds heavier per wheel.

I'm sorry but an increase of about 25lbs of the total vehicle's weight, doesn't justify the need for larger brakes. You do realize that when you drive around with passengers that you are carrying around more weight than larger wheels will ever add? Yet larger brakes aren't needed when you add the passenger weight.

And don't even bring up "unsprung" weight. A minimal increase in unsprung weight doesn't necessitate the need for larger brakes.

A few years ago at the SEMA show I was involved with one of the newer wheel companies that manufactured and sold wheels that were well beyond the normal 18" to 22" range. They were not only larger in diameter they were very wide. The problem his customers were having was braking. So along with there line of wheels, they also had a brake upgrade that solved the problem. I remember lifting one of the wheel/tire combos and it definately was not lite.

"A few years ago at the SEMA show I was involved with one of the newer wheel companies that manufactured and sold wheels that were well beyond the normal 18" to 22" range."

- Just because you need brake improvements for wheels "well beyond the normal 18" to 22" range", doesn't mean that you have to improve a vehicles brakes when you are putting on 19s. You cant even get wheels that size to fit on a normal car. I still fail to see your point.

And I've seen 24s on escalades all the time without having to improve the brakes. Just because that wheel maker makes super heavy 22+" rims doesn't mean that all wheels that size are the same. That was only one manufacturer dude.

As I said " In Some Cases". I Never said 22+ rims are all the same. Never said you have to improve a vehicles brakes when your putting on 19s. The Only thing you got right was "That was only one manufacture" Now you got it dude.

Tiny wheels aren't coming back guys.

I've always been amused at people who choose to replace their stock wheels with larger rims and thinner tires without making any other suspension or brake changes. Their cars were never designed to work with this wheel combination and I suspect they are getting a worse ride as well as poorer performance. It's also interesting to me that many people seem to associate lighter wheels (rim/tire) or wider wheels with better performance when there are so many other factors that influence tire performance. Has anyone ever seen a F1 racecar with large rims and thin tires?

People who change to larger wheels are just doing this for aesthetics. If they believe they are gaining performance benefits it's only in their minds. This article just helps to prove it.

Its called rotational mass, thats why these heavy 24 and 26" wheels need bigger brakes. I have seen the brakes get hot to the point that the grease boils out of the wheel bearings and pow your wheel goes flying off in the middle of the road somewhere. Plus it looks STUPID!! I mean on cars like the one above jacked up and ignorant looking.