Because some guides, like some people, are not car nuts. They're just regular people working a customer service generalist job. If they hear from another that wheels don't fit, they repeat it.
I meant between Rivian factory wheels. But do you know what exactly is different? Couldn't be size. I can't imagine Dual getting a bigger caliper than Quad. Just curious.
The caliper is ever so slightly different. A group of us was going to try and investigate it further when we were trying to buy some discounted wheels from Thuren, but we never ended up connecting the wheel with a couple of Gen2 vehicles.
Interesting.
Thanks!
Wow thank you so much for your so comprehensive and thoughtful observations. My Gen 1 OEM Wheels are the top left in your picture above. And my 2026 Dual Performance comes with the bottom right 22" aero Wheels in the picture of Gen 2 Wheels.Interesting.
Rivian itself may have (accidentally?) perpetuated the idea(/fact/myth?) that certain Gen 1 and Gen 2 wheel-sets are not 100% interchangeable. I and others commented previously on compatibility (or lack thereof), for example here. However, there may indeed be important wheel-related differences between the Dual and non-Dual models; I don't know. (This is where factual reports by owners of the cars in question are particularly valuable.)
AFAIK, there were two 20-inch wheel designs used in Gen 1 vehicles--the All-Terrain "Classic" and the All-Terrain "Bright"/"Dark" wheels. You did not say which ones your Quad came with, but I assume that all Rivian 20-inch wheels have the same key dimensions, including offset. Is that correct?
Gen 1 Wheels & Tires
Generation 2 wheel-set options varied somewhat from Gen 1.
Gen 2 Wheels & Tires (not including 2026 Quad Max info)
You are getting the Dual with Performance Upgrade, correct? So it seems to me that the two optional 2026 20-inch wheel-sets (All-Terrain "Classic" and All-Terrain "Dark") should be identical to what fit on your Gen 1 Quad. But I am not the expert. (BTW, I assume that the snow tires on your Gen 1 wheels are correctly sized and properly safe for use on Rivian vehicles, right? So tires should not be the problem.)
An alleged change in front brake calipers (e.g., on the 2025 Dual models) might indeed be a legitimate reason for caution,...or not. (I believe Rivian originally used the big, strong front Brembo brakes for Gen 1 R1 vehicles.) Is the supposed brake caliper change only on the more-economical Dual Standard, or was it for all Dual models? If there has been a brake caliper change, that might suggest the need to pay attention to wheel offset. But since I am unaware of a generational change in Rivian wheel dimensions, I am at a loss to explain an alleged wheel-set incompatibility (unless one ventures into aftermarket wheel/tire products).
The whole issue might simply be due to Rivian Gear Page website information not yet being fully comprehensive and complete in covering all possible iterations for all the model-years and wheel-tire sizes, (For [much] more about Rivian wheel/tire size, see this.) Or perhaps confusion by tire industry companies between the Dual Standard and other Dual model variations; I don't know.
For perceived liability reasons (whether reasonable or not) Rivian and its wheel/tire providers are likely to conservatively promote only OEM accessory/parts formats without any changes. As we know, car companies tend to shy away from customization, no matter how small, unless they themselves have fully researched it, deemed it legally safe, and indeed offered it themselves.
Conclusion: To be absolutely safe, where there is smoke there may be fire; or not. Tire store companies like to sell wheels/tires. So if they are instead saying that certain wheel-tire sets are not compatible, best to listen until you definitely confirm otherwise. Become familiar with Rivian wheel/tire dimensions and offset data. And if in doubt, of course stick with recommended OEM wheel-sets for the Rivian model (i.e., 2026 Dual R1S) in question. But by all means also note the advice of experienced Rivian drivers (in this Forum) who have driven both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles.
Please let us know how this turns out.
My Gen2 doesn't have pre-2025 wheel options in the swap menu. Gen1 does have the 2022-2024 and 2025 wheel selection.
Interesting, i was wondering what options the 2026 Rivian tire-swapping section of the settings screen provide? Thanks.
I think you're right, but I still prefer to 95% of traditional car sales people who assume every person walking in is as dumb and unprepared as they are! My heart goes out to Rivian employees who've now passed the cool aid phase of excitement and "have an adventurous day" company culture to same old Detroit BS of lay+offs, restructuring and being asked to say wrong things to customers. I can sense the change, sadly.
