youngTL

I was just wondering, are larger rims structurally weaker than smaller ones of the exact same design? I would think so, because if you hit a curb with the larger rims, there is more length in the metal with which to flex, and more free space for it to deform. Is this a good assumption?

Crazy Bimmer

I would say it depends how much rubber is protecting your rim job

1killercls

Perfect answer. :gheylaugh:

Shoofin

I wold say

youngTL

But yeah, if you have big rims, you generally need to have low profile tires, or else you'll be rubbing your wheel wells when you go over bumps. So maybe larger rims are also weaker because of the thinner tires that are required.

bigman

the bigger the rim, the smaller the rubber. Think about it this way. You never here of people destroying a 16 or 17 stock wheel that has say 50 or 60 series rubber on it(under normal conditions). But you always here people bitching about destroying 19's and up by hitting a small pot hole. Shit, i wreked an 18 once by driving over a pebble i think.

CLpower

even w/o the rubber issue, larger wheels are most likely weaker

415ua5

i fucked up my 19s on the shittiest little bump. im thinkin about a downgrade to 18s, these 225s are way to fucking thin

Ken1997TL

Yes they are weaker, not to mention more vulnerable because of less sidewall.

And of course, they're heavier contributing to poor fuel economy since there is more mass to rotate.

mclarenf3387

Don't forget harder to stop due to greater rotational mass.