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Struggling with wheel choice

ranieri

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Are the 21s really going to be that bad in snow? They're all-season after all...
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I don’t think I noticed this before, but it seems like the 22” OEM tires are the least expensive to replace. They are also the second highest tire range.

It would be crazy to try and tow with 22” right? Also wouldn’t forged wheels be better for towing?

Starting to think about the 21” again as well. But what would happen if Pirelli decided to stop making this niche tire for any reason? Especially if Rivian started to struggle. Also not fun that this is the most expensive of the bunch.

Getting back to the 20”, I thought for sure there used to be more selection available. Did some required specification show up to eliminate several of those options?
 

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They will be much much better than the Zeros on the 22's...
This is how Pirelli themselves rates it. It concerns me that snow isn’t even listed for the 21s.

20”
- 9/10 Wet
- 8/10 Dry
- 9/10 Off Road
- 9/10 Snow
- 7/10 Comfort
- 8/10 Mileage

21”
- 8/10 Wet
- 8/10 Dry
- 3/10 Off Road
- ?/10 Snow/Winter (No Rating)
- 9/10 Comfort
- 9/10 Mileage

22”
- 9/10 Wet
- 9/10 Dry
- 4/10 Off Road
- 8/10 Winter (Not snow, general cold weather)
- 9/10 Comfort
- ?/10 Mileage (No Rating)
 

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If the 21” tires disappear, you buy aftermarket 20” rims and tires. there will be options.

You deal with that if and when it happens.

Starting to think about the 21” again as well. But what would happen if Pirelli decided to stop making this niche tire for any reason? Especially if Rivian started to struggle. Also not fun that this is the most expensive of the bunch.
 

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For the 22s, potential winter options so far that seem to fit specs:

1) Michelin X-ICE Snow SUV 275/50R22 115H XL BSW

2) Nokian Hakkapelitta 10 SUV 275/50R22 115T XL
 

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I don’t think I noticed this before, but it seems like the 22” OEM tires are the least expensive to replace.
OEM tires from Tirerack.

20”: $394
21”: $415
22”: $436

There are many cheaper 22” tires but they don’t seem to have an XL load rating.
 

Gsxr150

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Living up north and almost never going offroad myself, I viewed the options this way:

20s
+Best snow performance of OEM tires
+Only size you can currently get a real winter tire in that meets load and speed reqs
+Best ride comfort / most pothole proof
+Best aesthetics / wheel quality (forged)
+Likely best tread wear (due to depth)
-Biggest loss of range
-Worst road noise
-Worst on road performance
-Cost

21s
+Free (pays for half of second wheel/tire set)
+Best range by a considerable margin
+Best road noise
+Good on road performance
+Good tread wear
-Poor snow performance
-No other tires options currently
-Worst aesthetics / wheel quality (cast)

22s
+Best on road performance
+Good range
+Multiple replacement all season tires available, some with very good snow performance
+Good road noise and aesthetics
-Worst ride comfort
-Poor snow performance
-Still a cast wheel
-Worst tread wear
-Cost

For me, the 21s are a no-brainer if you live in a climate without snow. With snow in the picture and not wanting a second set, I see the options as either eating the efficiency cost of the ATs or putting a better AS tire on the 22s. Reason leans toward the 22s, but I'm going 20s because of how terrible our Model Y ride quality is. And because they look awesome.
What state do you live in? I live in Minnesota
, if anyone would like another assessment of the Verde and Zero's in the snow.
 

BigE

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Living up north and almost never going offroad myself, I viewed the options this way:

20s
+Best snow performance of OEM tires
+Only size you can currently get a real winter tire in that meets load and speed reqs
+Best ride comfort / most pothole proof
+Best aesthetics / wheel quality (forged)
+Likely best tread wear (due to depth)
-Biggest loss of range
-Worst road noise
-Worst on road performance
-Cost

21s
+Free (pays for half of second wheel/tire set)
+Best range by a considerable margin
+Best road noise
+Good on road performance
+Good tread wear
-Poor snow performance
-No other tires options currently
-Worst aesthetics / wheel quality (cast)

22s
+Best on road performance
+Good range
+Multiple replacement all season tires available, some with very good snow performance
+Good road noise and aesthetics
-Worst ride comfort
-Poor snow performance
-Still a cast wheel
-Worst tread wear
-Cost

For me, the 21s are a no-brainer if you live in a climate without snow. With snow in the picture and not wanting a second set, I see the options as either eating the efficiency cost of the ATs or putting a better AS tire on the 22s. Reason leans toward the 22s, but I'm going 20s because of how terrible our Model Y ride quality is. And because they look awesome.
Something to remember, with any tire for a Rivian, you need a minimum 115 Load rating. In looking at TireRack, there are only 1-21" (OEM) and 1-22" (OEM) that meet the load rating requirement. With the 20" there is a variety of options. Also, with the 20", you can drop down to a 60 series (275/60/20) which opens up a lot more options. With the 60 series 20", if I'm remembering correctly, you are down to the same size as the 21"—just food for thought.
 

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ranieri

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I need clarification on the snow rating of the 21s. I've pretty much only ever had all-season tires on my cars (I had Blizzaks on an Audi years ago), and never had trouble in snow with AWD.
 

ranieri

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jollyroger

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OEM tires from Tirerack.

20”: $394
21”: $415
22”: $436

There are many cheaper 22” tires but they don’t seem to have an XL load rating.
I think I mixed up the as + and the zero for the 22”. Gotta stop posting late at night on vacation several time zones away
 

Condor

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Something to remember, with any tire for a Rivian, you need a minimum 115 Load rating. In looking at TireRack, there are only 1-21" (OEM) and 1-22" (OEM) that meet the load rating requirement. With the 20" there is a variety of options. Also, with the 20", you can drop down to a 60 series (275/60/20) which opens up a lot more options. With the 60 series 20", if I'm remembering correctly, you are down to the same size as the 21"—just food for thought.
I had the same thought… If I stick with 20” wheels and go with a 275/60/20 tire there are two strong choices including a Pirelli Verde and Scorpion AS Plus 3. I figure one of those has to be pretty close to the stock 21” Pirelli. I only wish someone would bite the bullet and do some range testing with one of them.
 

BigE

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I had the same thought… If I stick with 20” wheels and go with a 275/60/20 tire there are two strong choices including a Pirelli Verde and Scorpion AS Plus 3. I figure one of those has to be pretty close to the stock 21” Pirelli. I only wish someone would bite the bullet and do some range testing with one of them.
Totally agree. Also, Michelin has a Defender LTX which is a great all around tire in the 275/60/20 size. I think it has a 115 load rating and is priced in the $260 range. From memory so I maybe off.
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