Member Since: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 229
Why 17's off road???
It seems to me, from my limited observation, (pick the guy who doesn't have a clue about 4 wheel driving), that many people choose to have 17's off road. Why??
My limited logic tells me, that an 18 or 19 inch rim would give more ground clearance, (all other things being equal). So, why not have 19's that would give an extra inch of clearance??? With same sidewall height, this, on face value, would seem to be the way to go.
Anyone happy to take the time to share why I am off track here (if you will pardon the pun).
Wheel size increases, sidewall depth decreases. Look at a pic of a car with 17s on then one with 19s and you'll see the sidewall is shallower on the latter. The overall height of the wheel/tyre combo is the same (within half an inch or so) regardless.
17s are popular as they give more sidewall, hence the potential for more flex and more scope for reducing pressures to increase your tyre footprint on sand. That said, the 19" MTR never seems to give anyone any problems (apart from getting hold of them for a reasonable price).I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
10th Oct 2007 11:40 am
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
The larger the rim, the lower the tyre profile so that you end up with the same diameter . circumference of tread.
Small rim + fat tyre = comfy ride, ease of climbing rocks / roots etc but a wishy-washy high-speed cornering.
Large rim + thin tyre = super road holding, bruised bum on potholed roads and ruined sidewalls when offroading
Andy2006 D3 finally swapped for a 2016 D4 Graphite in Graphite grey. No mods
10th Oct 2007 11:40 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
The rolling radius of 17", 18" 19" and even 20" will all be the same.
Cos of this, the larger the wheel, the less height on the sidewall.
The bigger the sidewall, the less the rims are prone to damage.
well that's my bit!
edit: one minute too late in response...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
Last edited by ronp on 10th Oct 2007 11:43 am. Edited 1 time in total
10th Oct 2007 11:41 am
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
ya beat me, ND 2006 D3 finally swapped for a 2016 D4 Graphite in Graphite grey. No mods
10th Oct 2007 11:41 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
The overall dimension of the wheel + tyre combination doesn't really make THAT much difference to ground clearance.
The biggest reason for the 17/18 vs 19" wheels is that when yoiu are extreme off roading or in particularly rocky terrain, the sidewalls of the 17" have greater distance between the rock and the wheel that the 19" do. Thereby reducing the possible damage to the actual wheel.
20" wheels would be damaged very quickly as there would be less tyre sidewall to take up the impact.
The smaller the wheel, the thicker the rubber needs to be around it to keep to the same overall height.Bodsys Brake Bible
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
10th Oct 2007 11:48 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
AndrewW wrote:
Large rim + thin tyre = super road holding, bruised bum on potholed roads and ruined sidewalls when offroading
Thats a bold statement 19" MTR's are the weapon of choice for most of the regular off-roaders here not many ruined sidewalls I know of 18" with the new AT2's are gaining popularity too. The main reason that 17's are popular is because of greater terrain tyre type & availability TBH21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
Hey Getafix, is that a DarwinFish in your signature? Looks remarkably like this one....
Been meaning to get one for the back of my car I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
10th Oct 2007 11:56 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15263
NoDo$h wrote:
is that a DarwinFish - Been meaning to get one for the back of my car
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
19" MTR's are the weapon of choice for most of the regular off-roaders here not many ruined sidewalls I know of 
