What rim size is best ?

[shano79]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on 15 vs 16 inch rims. pros and cons.
Mainly interested in 110 fender comments.
Cheers.

[rrturboD]

I made my choice re rim and tyre size after a call to a couple of outback tyre shops.... eg. Do you have any standard RRC tyres (I forget the size) ..short answer ... in a couple of days., BUT do you have any 31x10.5x15 ... all said yes, and had a variety of brands and patterns ... so it was a swap to 15" rim....

[JDNSW]

It depends how you define "best". As far as offroad performance goes, the rim size is irrelevant, all that matters is overall diameter. To get the same overall diameter with 15" as 16" you need to get a wider tyre, which may have issues with turning circle and general wear and tear on the running gear. But the differences are not large going from 15" to 16".

But rrturbo's point is perhaps the most important if you are going anywhere far from home - choose a tyre size you are going to be able to get easily. Retaining the original 31" tyre diameter this gives you the choice of the tyre he mentions on the 15" rim or 2.25/85 or 7.50 on the 16" rim, both of which are widely available in a variety of brands and treads. If you want to increase the overall diameter, the 16" wheel has definite advantages as with the 15" you start to get into problems with width, and may run foul of legal limits sooner.

John

[rar110]

Agree, work out what size tyre your most likey to want and decide a rim diameter and width. Tyre size availability in Cape York, Kimberley and like places is going to be an issue if you intend travelling there. I destroyed 3 tyres on a gibber stone road to the Kimberley. 235/85 R16 was readily available. 265/75 R16 and 31x10.5x15 would also be widely available I'd say.

[86mud]

Will a 15" rim fit a Defender or does it 16" to clear the brakes calipers?

Thanks
Andrew