Why the switch to big rims?
- Thread starter bryan8252
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Sparksalot
Supporting Member
Hobert
Full Access Member
ProfeZZor X
Full Access Member
If I had to guess, the reason would be one thing... Performance. Actually I didn't have to guess, it was more of a common sense conclusion, and physics. It would seem that gone are the days of large squishy sidewalls that provide additional sway and wobble to the vehicle when in turns. Larger wheels and lower sidewall tires provide less body roll, and more driver control, which are ideal when navigating such a large vehicle like the Yukon/Suburban.
I could be wrong, but with SUV performance models within the likes of Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes, and even the Tesla Model X, GM is playing catch up to "get with the times".
I can say from my own personal experience of having 24's on my vehicle with low profile tires, it certainly does perform much better. Granted it is lifted 3 inches, I still get much better performance out of this setup (24x14 on 33.12.50r24) than I ever would from my factory wheels. And truthfully, you could NEVER convince me to go back to the stock setup.
I could be wrong, but with SUV performance models within the likes of Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes, and even the Tesla Model X, GM is playing catch up to "get with the times".
I can say from my own personal experience of having 24's on my vehicle with low profile tires, it certainly does perform much better. Granted it is lifted 3 inches, I still get much better performance out of this setup (24x14 on 33.12.50r24) than I ever would from my factory wheels. And truthfully, you could NEVER convince me to go back to the stock setup.
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Switching to larger wheels beyond 20" is really a matter of appearance, not function. "Performance" usually depends on tread design and tire compound more than tire/wheel size. It may be the case that there are more performance oriented tires in a particular size than the other. But the performance gains of larger wheels, alone, in terms of body roll, etc. are not a significant factor. The increased weight of a larger wheel absolutely hinders performance.
If this were not the case, you wouldn't have people at the track usually looking for wheel options that are light, strong, and just clear the brakes (as small of a diameter as allowable) while still having appropriate tire options in the max performance summer, extreme performance summer, and streetable track/competition tires.
If this were not the case, you wouldn't have people at the track usually looking for wheel options that are light, strong, and just clear the brakes (as small of a diameter as allowable) while still having appropriate tire options in the max performance summer, extreme performance summer, and streetable track/competition tires.
Marky Dissod
Full Access Member
Once inboard brakes stopped being a thing (if ever), wheels were going to grow with brakes.
Iron rotors convert kinetic energy to heat better than any other metal (titanium rotors have been tried, what a farce), but iron is heavy (be grateful tungsten rotors are not a thing).
Ceramic rotors have outstanding heat capacity, but need to be slightly larger than an iron rotor to dissipate heat at the same rate.
Either we're stuck with heavy rotors, or stuck with bigger heavier wheels, or both.
Those would be stiffer swaybars, and to a lesser extent, stiffer springs.
For me personally its about how it looks on the vehicle, these 21+ GM's look best with 20-22" wheels as the vehicles are so large and the wheel openings look empty with smaller rims.
Ours had 20" and looked ok but I went with a 22" as it seems to fit the style of the Yukon the best. Again just personal preference.
As for the ride quality, did not notice any difference from 20" to 22"
For my 2020 Ram, I don't like anything over 20" on that style, I see some of them with 22" and don't really like the look.
I have a very picky taste when it comes to wheels for my cars, I will spend months trying to find the right look. My Valiant has custom-made Boyds rims in 15" and most of the time I dont go with custom rims on my old cars, but these just complements the car so well and I get so many comments on the rims. At the last car show, a gent offered to purchase the rims! I am still amazed at how many times I get complements on these wheels.
Ours had 20" and looked ok but I went with a 22" as it seems to fit the style of the Yukon the best. Again just personal preference.
As for the ride quality, did not notice any difference from 20" to 22"
For my 2020 Ram, I don't like anything over 20" on that style, I see some of them with 22" and don't really like the look.
I have a very picky taste when it comes to wheels for my cars, I will spend months trying to find the right look. My Valiant has custom-made Boyds rims in 15" and most of the time I dont go with custom rims on my old cars, but these just complements the car so well and I get so many comments on the rims. At the last car show, a gent offered to purchase the rims! I am still amazed at how many times I get complements on these wheels.
jforb
Full Access Member
I think you'll find the marketing guys did marketing surveys and discovered they could make more money by offering larger wheels, which are "trendy".
Apparently they were right. Look how much extra they get for 22s on a new vehicle.
We can argue that they improve performance...well, they probably do in some ways, but they they probably hurt it in other ways.
In the end, it's neat that those who like big wheels can get them, while those of us who don't want them, don't have to pay the extra expense.
Apparently they were right. Look how much extra they get for 22s on a new vehicle.
We can argue that they improve performance...well, they probably do in some ways, but they they probably hurt it in other ways.
In the end, it's neat that those who like big wheels can get them, while those of us who don't want them, don't have to pay the extra expense.
ProfeZZor X
Full Access Member
You're absolutely right... I forgot to mention that in my post.
I personally prefer the 22s. My wifes 21 yukon xl and my 23 sierra both have the black 22" gmc wheels. The ride is smooth. On our 2 previous suvs which were an 18' Armada and a 15' Yukon, we had 20s and i dont see any drop in ride quality. I agree that these trucks have gotten so big that for me smaller wheels dont look aestically pleasing as the larger wheels. I am not sure I would ever go any larger than 22s as I dont trust my wife driving with a thinner tire but glad to see there are options for both sides of the crowds when it comes to wheels.
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