New 21" tire option - Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 275/55-21 @ $380

[jeeden]

Yup, same here. Pirelli's have come as OEM on so many new cars I have had the last 20 years and IMO they have all worn fast, unevenly, and while they had good dry performance, they weren't very good on wet and horrible in snow. I never knew just how bad until I tried something else and then I was a convert to Michelin's. Vehicles included 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2017 Explorer platinums/Eddie Bauers, 2005 Ford Focus, and 2015 Ford Mustang.

When the 2015 mustangs came out, there was a tradition in the community to use the burn out feature to melt them down in the dealer parking lot on delivery and then have them take the mustang back into the service bay and put new tires of a different brand on.

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[moosetags]

I have been driving heavy (8,000#) Diesel pick-up trucks for many years. I have always used premium brand LT AT tires on them. I most often used the Michelin brand. The average mileage I would get from the was 35,000 miles. This is just a fact of life with heavy trucks pulling heavy trailers.

We have have only 5,000 miles on Opal with no discernible tread wear on her Pirelli 21's. Now that Michelin will be producing tires in the 21" size, We will likely eventually go with the Michelins simply because we prefer that brand.

Brian

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Some efficiency notes on the Michelin Defender LTC M/S2 tires compared to OEM 21" Pirelli AS:

So far, anecdotally, I am seeing about a .2mi/kwh decrease on my normal commute going to the Michelin from OEM Pirelli. This is not a result of scientific testing, and weather may be a factor still. Additionally, I have reason to believe that at least some of the difference is due to my wheel choice AW10 wheels from Atomic, having a slightly more aggressive width.

My commute is 26 miles each way, with about 20 of those miles on the interstate. My house is about 500ft higher than work, so my efficiency going to work is almost always higher than returning. The reason I think the offset is the primary factor is that low speed efficiency seems to be the same or even better, but at 75mph on the interstate it has been lower so far. I attribute this to the very slight changes in aerodynamic profile. The difference is roughly equivalent to what you lose/gain with the aero covers.

I do plan on doing a 100mi out and back on the interstate at some point to test this theory and compare my observed efficiency against what I have recorded from the 21" OEM. If there's someone out there in North SATX who still has OEM 21s and wants to meet to drive the same route together and compare, I'd be happy to work on that.

Again, anecdotal observations, but I've had enough trips to start comparing. I'm pleased with the outcome because the wheels look so much better, ride is as good or better, wet handling seems better, and tread life should be significantly improved. Also the Defenders are likely far more capable off-road. The trade off is worth it, for me.

 

[djsider2]

Some efficiency notes on the Michelin Defender LTC M/S2 tires compared to OEM 21" Pirelli AS:

So far, anecdotally, I am seeing about a .2mi/kwh decrease on my normal commute going to the Michelin from OEM Pirelli. This is not a result of scientific testing, and weather may be a factor still. Additionally, I have reason to believe that at least some of the difference is due to my wheel choice AW10 wheels from Atomic, having a slightly more aggressive width.

My commute is 26 miles each way, with about 20 of those miles on the interstate. My house is about 500ft higher than work, so my efficiency going to work is almost always higher than returning. The reason I think the offset is the primary factor is that low speed efficiency seems to be the same or even better, but at 75mph on the interstate it has been lower so far. I attribute this to the very slight changes in aerodynamic profile. The difference is roughly equivalent to what you lose/gain with the aero covers.

I do plan on doing a 100mi out and back on the interstate at some point to test this theory and compare my observed efficiency against what I have recorded from the 21" OEM. If there's someone out there in North SATX who still has OEM 21s and wants to meet to drive the same route together and compare, I'd be happy to work on that.

Again, anecdotal observations, but I've had enough trips to start comparing. I'm pleased with the outcome because the wheels look so much better, ride is as good or better, wet handling seems better, and tread life should be significantly improved. Also the Defenders are likely far more capable off-road. The trade off is worth it, for me.

Sounds like you’re handily beating the 20” AT tires though.

 

[LL75]

Some efficiency notes on the Michelin Defender LTC M/S2 tires compared to OEM 21" Pirelli AS:

So far, anecdotally, I am seeing about a .2mi/kwh decrease on my normal commute going to the Michelin from OEM Pirelli. This is not a result of scientific testing, and weather may be a factor still. Additionally, I have reason to believe that at least some of the difference is due to my wheel choice AW10 wheels from Atomic, having a slightly more aggressive width.

My commute is 26 miles each way, with about 20 of those miles on the interstate. My house is about 500ft higher than work, so my efficiency going to work is almost always higher than returning. The reason I think the offset is the primary factor is that low speed efficiency seems to be the same or even better, but at 75mph on the interstate it has been lower so far. I attribute this to the very slight changes in aerodynamic profile. The difference is roughly equivalent to what you lose/gain with the aero covers.

I do plan on doing a 100mi out and back on the interstate at some point to test this theory and compare my observed efficiency against what I have recorded from the 21" OEM. If there's someone out there in North SATX who still has OEM 21s and wants to meet to drive the same route together and compare, I'd be happy to work on that.

Again, anecdotal observations, but I've had enough trips to start comparing. I'm pleased with the outcome because the wheels look so much better, ride is as good or better, wet handling seems better, and tread life should be significantly improved. Also the Defenders are likely far more capable off-road. The trade off is worth it, for me.

I'm in coppell area and would definitely do it, but I have the R1s with 21", so comparision will be a little off since the R1T apparently more aerodymic than the R1s. Plus my r1s tires are at 4/32 so, that also an unfair test since your defenders are brand new.

 

[abirozy]

Yeap. I was able to get msw with the defenders tires including tmps at tire rack for 2950 shipped.. My 21 pirellli is 2k already. Easy decision

I apologize if I sound uninformed, but what is "msw" and do you have links to the wheels and tires? My 21's are starting to wear pretty bad and I was thinking of going to 20's. Much appreciated.

 

[LL75]

I apologize if I sound uninformed, but what is "msw" and do you have links to the wheels and tires? My 21's are starting to wear pretty bad and I was thinking of going to 20's. Much appreciated.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/20-msw-wheel-now-available-at-tire-rack.21068/

With michelin defender ms/2 275/60/20

 

[abirozy]

Going to need new 21” s00n. Currently going through the whole “should I switch to 20s?” fiasco.

doing the same... have you made decision?

 

[abirozy]

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/20-msw-wheel-now-available-at-tire-rack.21068/

With michelin defender ms/2 275/60/20

thanks. they look like great option. I like the BR more, but the price is hard to stomach. ?

 

[elektrode]

doing the same... have you made decision?

I switched. I made a spreadsheet where I estimated 3 sets of 21s for the next 45k miles vs 2 sets of Mich 20s. With the price of buying new Rivian 20” wheels, I’ll still come out ahead according to my math. Plus, I like the 20s look better.

So far efficiency wise the Mich are performing about the same. Won’t know until I make it through summer - cold weather efficiency blows in general.

The Mich have less traction and are less performance/sporty, but those 21s wore really fast.

 

[ksujeff99]

thanks. they look like great option. I like the BR more, but the price is hard to stomach. ?

But on the flip side, the MSW should get marginally better efficiency with their, same as stock, offset.

 

[LL75]

thanks. they look like great option. I like the BR more, but the price is hard to stomach. ?

Another option




https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=WI35090513948GB&wheelMake=RADIUS&wheelModel=WI35&wheelFinish=Gloss+Black+Painted&showRear=no&autoMake=Rivian&autoModel=R1S&autoYear=2023&autoModClar=275/65-20

 

[LL75]

I switched. I made a spreadsheet where I estimated 3 sets of 21s for the next 45k miles vs 2 sets of Mich 20s. With the price of buying new Rivian 20” wheels, I’ll still come out ahead according to my math. Plus, I like the 20s look better.

So far efficiency wise the Mich are performing about the same. Won’t know until I make it through summer - cold weather efficiency blows in general.

The Mich have less traction and are less performance/sporty, but those 21s wore really fast.

How many miles did you drive with the defender already? So far what efficiency did you get? Are you saying they are do not get good traction as the stock 21" pirellli?

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

thanks. they look like great option. I like the BR more, but the price is hard to stomach. ?

You should look into @Atomic Wheels as well. They have a few options that look great.

 

[doit82]

This is where I got my replacement 21's. A good deal compared to most places......

https://thmotorsports.com/15144904-...le&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping#

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