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

[rfkxyz]

I'm back to debating this a little (in my own mind).... I wish that one of the three models they had at the ATL block party would have had the 21". Would have been nice to see in person.

I kind of like the look of the 21" wheel better, but the 20's are nice. Potholes, snow, etc. still leans me to the 20's. Of course we also don't know yet what the upcharge will be for the 20's.

Yeah I'm debating myself between Premium 20" vs. Performance + "upgrade" back down to 20" - figure $4k to Performance + $$ TBD for 20"? My plan is to keep it forever so transaction cost isn't a factor as much as I just don't want to fleece myself.

We have Pirelli WeatherActive 3PMSF on our three cars - but not available (yet?) in R2 20" size. What I'd really like is 20" 3PMSF that doesn't bother w/ AT - not a lifestyle factor for us.

"Scorpion WeatherActive is Pirelli's Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire developed for the drivers of CUVs, SUVs, and pickups... all-weather tire to meet industry severe snow service requirements for the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol alongside its all-season performance."

We won't be early-adopters so have time to see how it all shakes out.

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[Kbucv [Banned Scammer]]

I think am going 21”

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'm back to debating this a little (in my own mind).... I wish that one of the three models they had at the ATL block party would have had the 21". Would have been nice to see in person.

We won't be off roading, but my R1T has the 20" AT tires, so could if we wanted to, as we have a capable vehicle. The R2 will be our primary vehicle - around town, road trips, etc. My wife doesn't care about what wheels, I'm sure.

However, given last winter - I didn't like taking our MachE in the snow, felt super squirrly to me. I would like to have the best traction and performance in all conditions. I know dedicated snows are best, but would rather not go that route.

I kind of like the look of the 21" wheel better, but the 20's are nice. Potholes, snow, etc. still leans me to the 20's. Of course we also don't know yet what the upcharge will be for the 20's.

Anyway - musing for the day.

A little bit of overemphasis on anecdotal experiences and neglecting the factors that actually created those experiences. Wheel size has little to do with how a car feels in winter conditions. It’s the tires that make contact with the ground. Did the Mach-E have same tires the R2 will have? Was the tire engineered for winter conditions? How does it compare to its competition? How much winter was it designed to handle—rain? light to mild wet snow? heavy snow and ice?

And judging by some of the other posts it’s clear some are still not aware that, while more dirt capable than the run of the mill AS, the BFG Trail Terrain T/A+ is not a true AT. It is essentially their answer to Goodyear’s AS/AT hybrid (Territory AT); aka all-weather. And if it meets 3PMSF standards, basically a AS with greater winter performance envelope than a AS M/S.

R2 will have higher production numbers. There will be a greater business case for aftermarket wheel option. Whatever you take delivery of, you can always change wheels. Same goes for alternative tires options. There will be more, even for the 21”.

10 pages… Not like you are legally bound to keep stock wheels.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Rims don't really affect range or rolling resistance - it's mostly down to the tires. The only affect a rim specifically would have would be the difference in weight of the wheel/tire combo. All else being equal (i.e. same tires on 21" vs 20") you'll have negligible difference in range and rolling resistance.

10/10 Tires play majority role. Wheels factor into angular momentum of inertia, and rotational mass. And that isn’t necessarily affected by size, but how the wheel’s mass is distributed within itself. With more mass concentrated closer to axis of rotation, the less impact that mass has on efficiency.

Where weight (unsprung mass) play a greater role:

• Steering feel/response and suspension performance: Less weight, less force/work required to move it. Lighter total wheel/tire package yield a more responsive steering. Heavier package will make steering heavier, less responsive. Take two dumbbells, one light, one heavier. Hold each in hand and throw punches.
• Wear & tear on all suspension components: More weight, more force, more wear. The stress/strain you feel in your muscles and joints during the dumbbell experiment, that's like the stress each suspension component and pivot endures. Overtime, higher than designed stress levels has potential to lead to accelerated wear rate and premature failure.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

I'm not worried about tires, and replacement options, I'll figure that out if/when the times comes.

Funny enough, I haven't made a non-damaged-required tire purchase in years, our leases usually run out before the tires need replacing (and years ago I almost always wound up with an aftermarket setup on my vehicles).

Anywhoo, I like the idea of a little more sidewall for a "knockaround" vehicle, I slightly prefer the 21" from a pure aesthetic take, but the 20" is still a terrific looking wheel. Would absolutely consider going aftermarket if the 20" is a signficant upcharge.

And it's a wheel. WHEEL.



WHEEL.

 

[Teledatageek]

A little bit of overemphasis on anecdotal experiences and neglecting the factors that actually created those experiences. Wheel size has little to do with how a car feels in winter conditions. It’s the tires that make contact with the ground. Did the Mach-E have same tires the R2 will have? Was the tire engineered for winter conditions? How does it compare to its competition? How much winter was it designed to handle—rain? light to mild wet snow? heavy snow and ice?

And judging by some of the other posts it’s clear some are still not aware that, while more dirt capable than the run of the mill AS, the BFG Trail Terrain T/A+ is not a true AT. It is essentially their answer to Goodyear’s AS/AT hybrid (Territory AT); aka all-weather. And if it meets 3PMSF standards, basically a AS with greater winter performance envelope than a AS M/S.

R2 will have higher production numbers. There will be a greater business case for aftermarket wheel option. Whatever you take delivery of, you can always change wheels. Same goes for alternative tires options. There will be more, even for the 21”.

10 pages… Not like you are legally bound to keep stock wheels.

Mach-E has all seasons. I'm thinking more like the stock 21's coming with the R2. The Mach-E was not great in pretty much any snow, based on my experience.

I feel like the 20's with the AT's are going to be the better bet for me with R2. Then maybe different tires at some point - better in snow, etc vs. off road (which we will likely never do). I had AS tires on my Lightning and it was pretty good in the snow.

I hear you on not having to keep the stock wheels - but I don't seem to keep vehicles long enough to justify the expense of another set of wheels. One of my vices.... The R2 could be an exception, we'll see.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Mach-E has all seasons. I'm thinking more like the stock 21's coming with the R2. The Mach-E was not great in pretty much any snow, based on my experience.

I feel like the 20's with the AT's are going to be the better bet for me with R2. Then maybe different tires at some point - better in snow, etc vs. off road (which we will likely never do). I had AS tires on my Lightning and it was pretty good in the snow.

I hear you on not having to keep the stock wheels - but I don't seem to keep vehicles long enough to justify the expense of another set of wheels. One of my vices.... The R2 could be an exception, we'll see.

The AS coming on the 21" R2 are Pirelli Scorpion MS—Mud & Snow.

And the sizes, 255/60R20 vs 255/55R21, have exactly the same overall diameter. So the visual difference is only down to design of the wheels. Chances are you'll be about due for new tires around the same time you decide to get a different car. Having more options (20") allow you to maybe replace with lower cost alternative prior to selling the car. But maybe by then there will also be lower cost 255/55R21 alternatives, like there is now for the Gen 1 R1's 275/55R21. Who knows.

If you don't want to spend $ on another set of wheels, then the decision is simple: Buy the car with the factory wheels you prefer and deal with the rest later.

 

[algo]

I'm hoping that once consumers get their hands on R2s that someone will figure out if 19"s will fit. I'd be very happy if I could get some bronze 19"s to wrap in something with taller sidewall.

I'm an idiot as I forgot the standard trim comes with 19"s

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'm hoping that once consumers get their hands on R2s that someone will figure out if 19"s will fit. I'd be very happy if I could get some bronze 19"s to wrap in something with taller sidewall.

What? 19" is the planned standard wheel size for the $48k base trim. And the $45k version planned for late 2027 is just one with less range/battery. Compatibility of aftermarket 19" wheels would be down to bolt pattern, offset and brake clearance. That is unless higher trims have larger brakes (I would be surprised if they do).

 

[algo]

What? 19" is the planned standard wheel size for the $48k base trim. And the $45k version planned for late 2027 is just one with less range/battery. Compatibility of aftermarket 19" wheels would be down to bolt pattern, offset and brake clearance. That is unless higher trims have larger brakes (I would be surprised if they do).

Ah you right, I'm an idiot I believe all trims have the same size calipers & rotors from looking at images. Now I am hoping that 18"s could fit.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Ah you right, I'm an idiot I believe all trims have the same size calipers & rotors from looking at images. Now I am hoping that 18"s could fit.

I'd like an 18" with something like a 275/65-18 tire, hahaha, nice ~n~ chonky

I have zero idea about the fitment/spacing, but there's a huge assortment of tires in that size, and a 0.2% speedo variant so very close in terms of overall diameter (1mm shorter overall height)

 

[Teledatageek]

The AS coming on the 21" R2 are Pirelli Scorpion MS—Mud & Snow.

And the sizes, 255/60R20 vs 255/55R21, have exactly the same overall diameter. So the visual difference is only down to design of the wheels. Chances are you'll be about due for new tires around the same time you decide to get a different car. Having more options (20") allow you to maybe replace with lower cost alternative prior to selling the car. But maybe by then there will also be lower cost 255/55R21 alternatives, like there is now for the Gen 1 R1's 275/55R21. Who knows.

If you don't want to spend $ on another set of wheels, then the decision is simple: Buy the car with the factory wheels you prefer and deal with the rest later.

You're starting to change my mind to 21"! I kind of think the AS 21's will be ok for our purposes (which is no off-road - have an R1T for that). Just want to have something reasonable in the snow. The AS Goodyears on the Lightning were pretty good.

Better range is a plus, given this is going to be our road trip vehicle (we think...).

What are your thoughts on less sidewall with the 21"'s e.g. - pot holes, etc? I chatted with the Rivian interior design guy who was at the ATL event - he drove his from Normal, IL to California on 21's - said they were great (but of course, right?).

 

[Jeremy3292]

And the sizes, 255/60R20 vs 255/55R21, have exactly the same overall diameter. So the visual difference is only down to design of the wheels.

The sidewall on the 20" will be larger, no? More cushion and less likely to damage via potholes than 21".

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The sidewall on the 20" will be larger, no? More cushion and less likely to damage via potholes than 21".

Slightly larger. 8.3% difference. https://tiresize.com/comparison/

What are your thoughts on less sidewall with the 21"'s e.g. - pot holes, etc? I chatted with the Rivian interior design guy who was at the ATL event - he drove his from Normal, IL to California on 21's - said they were great (but of course, right?).

It's all subjective. We know the R1's suspension is compliant and not harsh. Yet we've seen select few coming here claiming their kidneys are being liquified.

Ride quality isn't all on the sidewall size or wheel size. It's only one of the many factors. Tire design and how stiff the sidewalls are is one of those many factors. As are compression and rebound settings of the dampers and tire pressure. You'll just have to do demo drives of both to find out for yourself.

 

[algo]

I'd like an 18" with something like a 275/65-18 tire, hahaha, nice ~n~ chonky

I have zero idea about the fitment/spacing, but there's a huge assortment of tires in that size, and a 0.2% speedo variant so very close in terms of overall diameter (1mm shorter overall height)

Sounds like a wonderful plan!

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