Would you go with 20" wheels or 21" wheels on Launch Edition R2?

[Jeremy3292]

Man, I was so excited to order my R2 this morning I didn't even think about tires. I should've checked this thread first! I went with the 21' because there wasn't an upcharge (and my test drive was on 21' and I liked 'em). But having chewed through a bunch of EV tires on my RWD Bolt, I know these can go faster than expected (hoping AWD mitigates that somewhat). But the kicker is Costco doesn't carry 21' tires! I guess time will tell when it comes to how painful that gets.

I'm sure you can edit your order still, if you wanted to of course.

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[Eric9610]

Just remember that the actual tire savings will be on the 3rd set of 20's.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Man, I was so excited to order my R2 this morning I didn't even think about tires. I should've checked this thread first! I went with the 21' because there wasn't an upcharge (and my test drive was on 21' and I liked 'em). But having chewed through a bunch of EV tires on my RWD Bolt, I know these can go faster than expected (hoping AWD mitigates that somewhat). But the kicker is Costco doesn't carry 21' tires! I guess time will tell when it comes to how painful that gets.

Don't worry about it. By the time you need new tires there will probably be more alternative options. Or you can change the wheels to 20" factory or aftermarket.

 

[aak7268]

I mean, I am looking to do more road trips than off-road trips...so maybe it is the best option. But yes, I'm hoping there'll be good aftermarket options when I eventually need them in 3-ish years.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I mean, I am looking to do more road trips than off-road trips...so maybe it is the best option. But yes, I'm hoping there'll be good aftermarket options when I eventually need them in 3-ish years.

And as mentioned in previous post(s), if you change 20" wheels and run the same Scorpion MS tire in 255/60R20 size, you'd get the same range as the factory 21". The ride would just be a little softer and the steering response a less immediate. But that's really splitting hairs. The differences aren't dramatic or detrimental.

 

[Zathras]

IMO, that sounds like BS based on over-generalizing the differences between forged and cast wheel manufacturing processes. IF that is indeed the difference between the two sizes. Even so, a cast wheel is not necessarily inferior to one that is forged. Forging simply allow a wheel to be made just as strong as a heavier one made from casting. There are good and bad forged wheels just as there are good and bad cast wheels. There is a thread on this, with links to videos demonstrating the different manufacturing processes.

The crux of this wheel choice "dilemma", which feels like an exaggeration to characterize it so, is down to current state of alternative tires, the nuances of handling/ride quality, and individual aesthetic tastes.

Unless they want to torpedo themselves, no OEM would knowingly offer a factory wheel option that is significantly weaker than the other. No matter how they're made, all factory options have to meet the same load requirements plus a very healthy margin of safety.

I guess my main concern is, will I have more options in a few years for replacements for 21” Pirellis or am I stuck?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I guess my main concern is, will I have more options in a few years for replacements for 21” Pirellis or am I stuck?

You will have more options. For a while the R1 had only one tire option in 275/55R21. Now, after Rivian had discontinued that wheel size for the R1 (starting with gen2 and MY25), there are now total of 5 tire options including a AT.

 

[DaveA]

I guess my main concern is, will I have more options in a few years for replacements for 21” Pirellis or am I stuck?

In 3 years there will hopefully be 150-200k R2s on the road so there should definitely be alternatives. The 21s were so silent on my drive, its what I picked too.

 

[Zathras]

You will have more options. For a while the R1 had only one tire option in 275/55R21. Now, after Rivian had discontinued that wheel size for the R1 (starting with gen2 and MY25), there are now total of 5 tire options including a AT.

Thanks. That's great to hear. And no doubt it will happen considering the R2 will be selling way more units at ever-increasing numbers.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Thanks. That's great to hear. And no doubt it will happen considering the R2 will be selling way more units at ever-increasing numbers.

Exactly. Supply and demand.

 

[rfkxyz]

Good info and it makes sense to me bc the AT tires are a watered down Rivian version, and in this case watered down is a good thing. Not 3PMSF and a different rubber compound, likely for range and NVH. Probably the least "aggressive" AT you can find yet still capable.

Still capable except in snow? Not worth the overall range loss, I'd prefer AS.

Per Tire Rack, "BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ is severe snow service rated and carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol."

Seems R2 size is the sole exception. How shrewd.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Still capable except in snow? Not worth the overall range loss, I'd prefer AS.

Per Tire Rack, "BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ is severe snow service rated and carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol."

Seems R2 size is the sole exception. How shrewd.

Sorry, I live in the southeast and was more thinking about mountain trails and off road stuff. I try not to ever think about snow in my life haha. Rivian worked with BF Goodrich for their own OEM version, likely for better range and NVH. I would rather have AS too but not at the expense of getting those ugly 21” rims they offer! The “mild” AT is fine by me on the nice 20” rims.

 

[CD1973]

Yes. But 19s might not fit because of brake clearance. And EVs are heavier than ICE counterparts of the same overall size. Having "oversized" brakes is not only a good thing it's a necessity for sake of optimal safety. It isn't done just for looks. You call it oversized when it's actually right-sized for the job at hand.

There was a time when performance brands/models did not dress up their large brakes. It was done only once they realized they could charge even more money if the brake calipers were painted and branded. A move that may have been inspired by the aftermarket.

Are the brakes different between the Base, Premium, and Performance?

 

[JeffnReno]

Are the brakes different between the Base, Premium, and Performance?

After asking AI about the brakes on different trim levels of the R2, it seems the paint color may be the only difference but it went on to say that the suspension is the biggest difference since only trim that gets the Semi-Active Suspension will be the Performance trim. That and the various modes like rally, sand, and launch plus the 656 hp are notable.

 

[Thedude]

Still capable except in snow? Not worth the overall range loss, I'd prefer AS.

Per Tire Rack, "BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ is severe snow service rated and carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol."

Seems R2 size is the sole exception. How shrewd.

I wouldn’t worry about it. The 3PMSF is a joke and solely there to market tires. All it means is that tire had 10% better traction during acceleration on snow than the standard tire and doesn’t test anything with braking, cornering, ice, etc.

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