tps5352
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Interesting thread, as it highlights one of the more pressing issues (some) Rivian drivers face around wheels and tires. There were probably many drivers (who innocently ordered the optional 21-inch wheels and) who went through the same thing when it was time to replace the rubber. (How many folks ordered 21" wheels for their Gen 1 vehicles? How could we know?) The 21-inch wheel and tire story is just one issue I uncovered when writing about Rivian wheel and tire sizes, here.
Let me steal a couple of illustrations from that post:
|||↑|Selection of aftermarket|↑|||||||||||||||||||| Figure 4 (Gen 1 wheels/tires) from here.
||||||||tires is very limited for
||||||||||||a 21-inch wheel.
I keep editing these figures, as I learn more information and confirm facts. But the figures and tables summarize some of the key issues Gen 1 Rivian drivers faced (and, even though Rivian OEM 21" wheels were discontinued, Gen 2 drivers still face):
Most of my driving will be on pavement, so road comfort, tire durability, and range are important to me (sporting and all-terrain performance, not so much). Since I prefer higher profile tires. I'll probably choose to get the optional All-Terrain Package, in part due to the 20-inch wheels, and (hopefully) 34-inch tires (but maybe 33" by then?). From there I can eventually switch to more road-friendly 34-inch tires. (A second Rivian or aftermarket wheel-set is always an option.) And, hopefully, Rivian will provide some sort of software update soon that allows drivers to conveniently re-program for different wheel/tire sizes using the car's software screen.
My plans are just one of many possible strategies. In general, new buyers may, want to:
Let me steal a couple of illustrations from that post:
|||↑|Selection of aftermarket|↑|||||||||||||||||||| Figure 4 (Gen 1 wheels/tires) from here.
||||||||tires is very limited for
||||||||||||a 21-inch wheel.
Figure 5 (Gen 2 wheels/tires) from here.
I keep editing these figures, as I learn more information and confirm facts. But the figures and tables summarize some of the key issues Gen 1 Rivian drivers faced (and, even though Rivian OEM 21" wheels were discontinued, Gen 2 drivers still face):
- Vehicles may offer up to six wheel+tire options (sometimes exclusive to specific model versions, but usually universal to all models).
- The first time I visited my local Rivian service/sales center (to get the 'lay of the land' and begin the process of selecting a particular model-version) I was looking at all the different wheels based solely on aesthetics--what did the the wheels look like and did I like the appearance?
- What I needed to consider (and eventually did) was so_much more, including:
- What my primary/secondary/tertiary driving types would be (like pavement, pavement, and pavement, with a little gravel thrown in).
- Wheel size (20", 21", and 22" diameter). (The 21-inch wheels were Gen 1 only, but they are still available new from Rivian or used online.)
- Tire size (33" and 34" diameter).
- Sidewall height (as determined by wheel and tire diameters), and its impacts on ride comfort, handling, range, tire durability, et cetera.
- OEM tire brands (Pirelli, and one Goodyear) and models.
- Tread design and intended purposes of the various tire models.
- The range of potential replacement aftermarket tire models available (so important, as this Thread points out).
- The need for and availability of speedometer software reprogramming, when tire sizes are changed.
- A tire's Load Index, and why it is important.
- Online lists of Rivian-applicable aftermarket tires (e.g., here).
- Online tire calculators (e.g., here).
- Immediate and long-term costs.
- Et cetera, et cetera. (The list goes on...)
Most of my driving will be on pavement, so road comfort, tire durability, and range are important to me (sporting and all-terrain performance, not so much). Since I prefer higher profile tires. I'll probably choose to get the optional All-Terrain Package, in part due to the 20-inch wheels, and (hopefully) 34-inch tires (but maybe 33" by then?). From there I can eventually switch to more road-friendly 34-inch tires. (A second Rivian or aftermarket wheel-set is always an option.) And, hopefully, Rivian will provide some sort of software update soon that allows drivers to conveniently re-program for different wheel/tire sizes using the car's software screen.
My plans are just one of many possible strategies. In general, new buyers may, want to:
- Assess what their driving needs will be.
- Become familiar with all the Rivian OEM wheel-sets, and...
- Online lists of Rivian-compatible tires and tools (like tire calculators).
- Choose the vehicle that best fits their plans for ultimate wheels and tires (whether it is to achieve a particular tire size, save money over the long-run, etc.).
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