i have a question that im sure that has been ask before, but i couldnt find it doing a search...for all u dragracers, which is "faster" - lighter rims (smaller) with bigger tires(taller) OR heavier rims (bigger) with smaller tires(shorter)...the reason i ask is that i have 22-11-9 extremes. from what i understand is lighter than going with like an 8in rim with a taller tire...but after looking at some of the pics from some of the faster drag racers in our ds community, i see more of a smaller rim with a taller tire..... im looking for accelaration purpose, not duneability...thanks in advance for your responce..

 

If I remember correctly, a larger wheel with a smaller tire would be lighter. With that said, almost all drag only quads I see run 8" rims with tall tires. I can only assume that the additional sidewall flex offsets the negative effect of the extra weight.

 

Weight is the big factor!!!! All my rims are 8"

 

As my understanding is with the smaller rim & bigger tire is that you can gear down for launch & the tires will grow in size (at high RPM's) to make up for the gear down. Boy I just sound stupit with this post[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

In my opinion a 8" rim with a 21 or 22" tire is much better for drag racing than a 9 or 10" rim in the same tire! Years ago i thought aluminum would be lighter than rubber...... but i was wrong go with a 21x12x8 or 22x11x8 and if your talking paddle tires try to get the most rollout your bike will pull!

 

From what I understand the further away from the center of axis the harder it is to turn (enertia) , but if what your turning is extra lite , it seems it would kinda cancel eachother out .

 

taller tires provide a larger footprint thus allowing you the ability to transfer more power to the ground! There is also a small gain to be had from the flexability of the sidewall under launch ( the wrinkle you see in the dragsters comes to mind ) .

I would give a vote for taller tire with smaller rim and if money was no object get the tires shaved down real close to the chords.

 

thanks everyone for your replys... what is the most commen tire size for the guys that run the 8" rim?

 

Ther are 2 advantages to light wieght tall paddle with 8"rims.
1) is the rotating mass , the 8" rim (.125)and triple-buff tire are the lightest combo you can get, thisdoes especially well with 2 stroke engines which have a very nearoww power band, and thrive on High RPM's

2) Just as important is the ROUND top ,and tall side wall you will find on a drag set-up. A tire that is round on-top will give you much better acceleration vs. a traditional flatter top paddle tire. Using a 8" rim with a taller 23" tire gives you the max effect. If you notice at the dunes the top 3-4 inch layer of sand is dry and very loose, if you take your hand and scoop the sand it does'nt take long to get into the better more wet sand. A round top tire will blow through the top layer of sand getting to the miost sand thus, propelling you forward quicker. a wide, flat top on your paddle tire will not digg down any futher than the top layer,and you will spin way to much,and to long.


their are other little benefits, but these two are the most critical.



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