20" Tire Choice?

[keamoro]

I need a set of rims for winter tires, and was thinking of just getting the 20" and buying winter tires. But will Rivian sell them without the All Terrain tires and sub true winter tires?

Also, does it really take that big of a 20 mile hit on range?

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[emroch]

The range hit is (mostly) from the tire, not the wheel. If you put an AS on the 20" you'd probably get back to the same 330 miles as the 21" (see also the premium trim's 20" AS option).

Rivian is not currently selling just the rims, and it doesn't look like they sell R1 rims without tires either. You'd have to buy them with the AT and sell the tires after swapping them out.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Depends on the SC. Some will let you buy just the wheels, but it’s going to cost you a big chunk. Better off searching for used factory wheels or go aftermarket. And don’t buy tires from SC even if they offered. There is no need to do that and pay high prices. Your local tire shop or any of the chains shops as well as online ones (Discount Tire, TireRack, etc.). As for installation, the only things that are specific for the Rivian are lifting instructions and lug nut torque specs. And that information is in your Owner Guide and official tow operator guide. Read it. Know it. So you know what to show shops you work with or know when they aren’t doing it right and are about to damage your car. The rest of the work involved in swapping tires are the same as any other car. You’ll want to pick a shop that can road force balance the wheels. You should also own a set of jack pucks. Lots of threads on these topics/items.

 

[windblowlc]

The range hit is (mostly) from the tire, not the wheel. If you put an AS on the 20" you'd probably get back to the same 330 miles as the 21" (see also the premium trim's 20" AS option).

Rivian is not currently selling just the rims, and it doesn't look like they sell R1 rims without tires either. You'd have to buy them with the AT and sell the tires after swapping them out.

I bought a set of 20" Dark rims from my SC and installed my own winter tires. Have used them on both my R1T and now my R1S.

 

[ksurfier]

I need a set of rims for winter tires, and was thinking of just getting the 20" and buying winter tires. But will Rivian sell them without the All Terrain tires and sub true winter tires?

Also, does it really take that big of a 20 mile hit on range?

Buy atomic wheels then get whatever tire your heart desires, done.

 

[Flying Squirrel]

For my R1S, last winter I bought the following from Tire Rack with Discount Tire doing the install, as I did with multiple Teslas before without any issues (this is my 4th EV). Tires were great in snow, but yes there is a 20+ hit on range. That's why I stick to EVs with ~400 range.


Rims: 20X8.5 MSW TYPE 52 GLS BLACK
Tires: NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R5 SUV XL, 275/60R-20

 

[Augsburg]

I believe the trade-off between 20" wheels and 21" wheels is the height of the tire "sidewall". Rivian says all tire/wheel combos are 32" in diameter (total tire/wheel outside diameter). Therefore, a smaller wheel results in more "rubber" tire sidewall. I've always liked a slightly smaller wheel with a taller sidewall, because the tire wall can then absorb bumps a little better and avoid rattling my fillings on today's pothole-filled streets. The Jeep/Bronco guys typically go for smaller wheels and higher sidewalls for off-road driving. The benefit of a larger wheel is less tire sidewall, which gives a firm ride and sporty handling with less tire flex when going around a corner. The racing guys go for the large wheels and short sidewalls to get the best high speed racing performance. Aside from the sidewall height and bump absorbtion vs perforce angle, the tire choice also affects your handling and range. A/S generally have less tread and tire wall flex, and lose less energy going down the road - therefore better range. A/T tires, especially with a smaller wheel and taller sidewall can flex more internally reducing range. In the case of the R2, 330 miles for A/S 21" wheels and 307 miles for A/T with 20" wheels. Of course, the tread on A/S is optimized for paved roads and A/T tires give a little better traction off-road and in snow. The different tread can make A/T tires nosier than A/S, (however the tires on our current car with A/T are not noisy). Finally, A/T tires may have a softer rubber compound and may wear out faster than an A/S.

 

[Jeremy3292]

BRING BACK BIG SIDEWALLS

 

[emroch]

I believe the trade-off between 20" wheels and 21" wheels is the height of the tire "sidewall". Rivian says all tire/wheel combos are 32" in diameter (total tire/wheel outside diameter). Therefore, a smaller wheel results in more "rubber" tire sidewall. I've always liked a slightly smaller wheel with a taller sidewall, because the tire wall can then absorb bumps a little better and avoid rattling my fillings on today's pothole-filled streets. The Jeep/Bronco guys typically go for smaller wheels and higher sidewalls for off-road driving. The benefit of a larger wheel is less tire sidewall, which gives a firm ride and sporty handling with less tire flex when going around a corner. The racing guys go for the large wheels and short sidewalls to get the best high speed racing performance. Aside from the sidewall height and bump absorbtion vs perforce angle, the tire choice also affects your handling and range. A/S generally have less tread and tire wall flex, and lose less energy going down the road - therefore better range. A/T tires, especially with a smaller wheel and taller sidewall can flex more internally reducing range. In the case of the R2, 330 miles for A/S 21" wheels and 307 miles for A/T with 20" wheels. Of course, the tread on A/S is optimized for paved roads and A/T tires give a little better traction off-road and in snow. The different tread can make A/T tires nosier than A/S, (however the tires on our current car with A/T are not noisy). Finally, A/T tires may have a softer rubber compound and may wear out faster than an A/S.

Also worth noting that these particular AT tires are a special formulation specifically for Rivian. The retail tires of the same name have different ratings and a different rubber compound (not sure if the tread is any different). The Rivian version is more similar to a road tire.

By many accounts the 20" AT is not noisy because of its relatively tame tread design. And with a special rubber compound, it will likely last longer than a typical AT. Compared to the AS, I suspect it will still wear out more quickly, and it does have more squish/rolling resistance which causes the range drop.

@keamoro are you asking about a second set of rims for winter specific tires, or are you looking at which rims you'll get with the car, intending to swap the tires after purchase?

 

[Mos Eisley]

BRING BACK BIG SIDEWALLS

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

IMO, winter wheels needn’t be fancy like factory or most aftermarket wheels. TireRack has a MSW model that is much more affordable with same +48 offset and width as factory wheels. There is also that one RAM wheel that is even cheaper and could be made to work with the right size hub ring. Forum search RAM 2363. The difference in cost of wheels is better spent on tires. Where it actually matters.

 

[rfkxyz]

A/S is optimized for paved roads and A/T tires give a little better traction off-road and in snow.

Not so fast - I've seen examples of AT (non-3PMSF) having worse performance ratings in snow than comparable AS. This misfire w/ BFG T-T T/A+ is perplexing - I just clicked through ALL 32 sizes of T/A+ on TR, ALL are 3PMSF except for R2 size -

"BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ is severe snow service rated and carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol."

• 
  Severe Snow Service Rated: No

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfgoodrich-trail-terrain-t-a-plus

We have Pirelli WeatherActive on three cars, I hope R2 size comes along eventually.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Not so fast - I've seen examples of AT (non-3PMSF) having worse performance ratings in snow than comparable AS. This misfire w/ BFG T-T T/A+ is perplexing - I just clicked through ALL 32 sizes of T/A+ on TR, ALL are 3PMSF except for R2 size -

"BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A+ is severe snow service rated and carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol."

• 
  Severe Snow Service Rated: No

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfgoodrich-trail-terrain-t-a-plus

We have Pirelli WeatherActive on three cars, I hope R2 size comes along eventually.

Has anyone actually tried to contact BFG? It may just be a simple clerical mistake or the size is so new that it hasn't been tested for the rating or results not yet entered into the system. Even if it doesn't... not a big deal to put on chains or snow socks when required. Or swap to a set of winter tires like Blizzaks.

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