Quote:
Originally Posted by X1blue
I was wondering if someone can help me understand how wheels affect ride quality:
Steel v light alloy hubs: alloy hubs look better and weigh less. Theoretically less inertia means faster acceleration but when you consider the weight loss per wheel against the weight of the car, I wonder if you can really note a difference between the two? And how does less weight affect ride quality (firmer, softer etc)?
Wheel width: I have read on the web that wider tires make for a bumpier ride. I have also read that smaller tires make for a bumpy ride!! Has anyone seen an authoritative source on how tire width affects ride quality? Assuming that rim height is constant (ie 205/55 R17 = 225/50 R17 = 245/45 R17) how does ride quality vary with width?
Hub size: plus one or two will improve cornering theoretically at the expense of ride quality as moving from 17” to 19” reduces the wall height. Is anyone ware of brands/ models of tire that are ‘soft?’ Goodyear promotes their Efficient Grip XL as tires with a ‘softer’ rim for comfort.
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Anytime your sidewall length gets shorter , your ride will become more firm ( or harder ) . That is the designed purpose of the shorter sidewall - that is to reduce the tires sidewall flex in the turns therefore giving you more control of your vehicle . Unfortunately the hard ride characteristics come with that improved driving control . It's just " the nature of the beast " ! As the vehicle's owner , you have to decide if the improved driving control is worth the reduced ride comfort .