Why does everyone prefer 15x7 wheels over 15x6.5 wheels? Tire width range is pretty much the same so whatever fits on 6.5" will fit on 7" so why all the craze?

6.5 inch wheels are lighter by 3lbs or so and a little cheaper.

So do you prefer 3lbs or 1/2 inch?

And yes, I searched the archives but I must suck at it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Another Drew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

So do you prefer 3lbs or 1/2 inch?
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what tire? most likely, i would say go with the extra 1/2 inch.

 

Not all wheels weigh the same. Not all wheels cost the same. You just cant make gross generalizations when it comes to that. Hoosiers are alot wider than kumhos. And so forth.

A wider wheel *will* put more rubber on the ground.

I noticed a pretty good improvement from going to a 6.5" wheel over a 6" wheel (205/50/15 azenis), on track. A 7" would have been even better.

 

If you put a wide tire on a narrow wheel it will cause the tire to bow out reducing the contact patch. The surface of the tire will look like "(". With a wide tire on the proper width wheel the surface will look more like "[".

You get a better contact patch with a 15x7 then a 15x6.5 wheel.

Weights are all relative because you can always pay more money and get a wheel that is lighter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Another Drew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">6.5 inch wheels are lighter by 3lbs or so and a little cheaper.
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This seems like an incorrect conclusion. If you compare wheel weights from companies that make both a 6.5" and 7" wheel - (like volk, ssr) you'll see that the weight difference is not 3lbs.

 

women would want to lose three pounds
men want to gain half an inch


edit: ohh about wheels, the 15x7 wheel discussion will never die down. Just run what you like and then be happy. Not to be negative but i think the discussion is pretty pointless because everyone will have their ideals and their evidence.
I've come across this confict many many times on h-t, dont feel alone!

 

[QUOTE=JDM EK9]women would want to lose three pounds
men want to gain half an inch
QUOTE]

LOL!!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JeffS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If you compare wheel weights from companies that make both a 6.5" and 7" wheel - (like volk, ssr) you'll see that the weight difference is not 3lbs.

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True. I was just comparing the differences between two wheels that I'm considering right now. I was also sort of guestimating the additional weight from wider tires too.

 

i have a feeling this gentleman is asking about this specific wheel in which others have contributed on another forum the difference between the 15x7 and 15x6.5 is 3 lbs. not sure if its entirely accurate quite frankly.

http://crx.honda-perf.org/foru...=2144
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...53414

only 2 sets left.... was at 9 yesterday... expect them to be relisted soon on ebay from ppl who want to make a quick buck...

 

Oh, I see.

There's not much need to rush into a purchase though. Discount Tire is constantly selling cheap wheels on ebay.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Another Drew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So do you prefer 3lbs or 1/2 inch?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think there's a "your mom" joke in there. Evan?

 

there are instances where a "smaller" contact patch would be more beneficial....in my experience. I guess it depends on what your doing with the car.

 

&gt;A wider wheel *will* put more rubber on the ground.

*Misconception alert* - no it will not. In short the contact patch will get wider but it will also get shorter. The final size is dictated by air pressure and weight, and has nothing to do with the width of the tire.

Between a 6.5 and a 7, the 7 will bulge less with say a 205 or a 215 tire. Because of this turn in may be slightly better on a 7.

Cheers,
Roy

 

It is a misconception in the world of theory but in the real world it's true.

Due to the lateral forces on the tire there is a minimum air pressure that you need to keep the tire from rolling over and the tire wiggling like jell-o. By running a wide wheel you can keep the contact patch wider and have a higher pressure. Win Win.


Modified by Geratol at 9:20 AM 10/2/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rapid_roy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">*Misconception alert* - no it will not. In short the contact patch will get wider but it will also get shorter. The final size is dictated by air pressure and weight, and has nothing to do with the width of the tire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I suppose my own eyes deceive me then. Oh well, good luck with your 225's on a 5" wide wheel - saves weight right?

 

A wider wheel will also assist in supporting the sidewall better. So the contact patch will be better because there is less sidewall roll over. Of course this is assuming that you have sufficent tire pressure at operating temps.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I suppose my own eyes deceive me then. Oh well, good luck with your 225's on a 5" wide wheel - saves weight right?</TD></TR></TABLE>

He's right tho...and there's many articles to reference...here's just a few.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...t.htm
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=0996
http://216.239.41.104/search?q...UTF-8

If you measure the contact patch of a 245-wide Hoosier and a 195 wide Hoosier with the same air pressure, they will measure exactly the same in square inches (or centimeters). What will be different is what you see in the TireRack link...short and wide versus long and thin.

 

&gt;By running a wide wheel you can keep the contact patch wider and have a higher pressure. Win Win.

Yes but, increasing the pressure will decrease the size. Both in theory and the real world.

I am not saying there are not benefits to a wider wheel/tire, I am saying that regardless of the width the CP will remain the same.

Cheers,
Roy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM EK9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">women would want to lose three pounds
men want to gain half an inch


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LMAO

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rapid_roy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">&gt;A wider wheel *will* put more rubber on the ground.

*Misconception alert* - no it will not. </TD></TR></TABLE>


a 225/45-15 hoosier on a 8.5" wheel puts 3/4 of an inch more rubber on the ground compared to a 7". this is not a misconception, but a reality. right now i am too lazy to take pictures, but please trust me on this.

 

what he's saying is that the 8.5" wheel will put down a 3/4 in *wider* patch but it'll also be shorter. He's right, but I think it's a ridiculous point to make b/c the wider patch will help cornering and the longer will help acceleration. Just about everyone here will take a little hit on acceleration traction to get more cornering b/c we ( 's) don't have enough power/torque for there to be an issue.

I also went from a 6" in wide wheel to a 7.5" with the same tire (205 Azenis) and got a MUCH wider patch which resulted in a huge difference in performance.