Why do some 20s look small and others don't

[LouisvilleSlugger]

I see some of the pics on the site of people'e rides w/ their 20s and some just look small. I then see some and the srt8s and they look like a perfect fit. Why is this? Is it the choice in tires? Some tires I see look round and bubbly opposed to some that are more squared off like a set of 22s. I am looking into getting wheels in the near future and this is driving me crazy. I like the look of the 22s, but I also like that the 20s don't effect the performance as much. Any help on why some look small and some don't would be graetly appreciated.

[lowriderman3]

It can be the size of the tires, but some aftermarket rims have like a 1" lip on the very outer edge front of the rim, which makes the rim look much smaller.

[05magmn]

I Think if a car is lowered it makes the rims and tires look larger. Maybe an optical illusion with the tire to fender gap? Take two awd cars both on the same rim diameter, one lowered and one stock, the lowered cars rims always look bigger.

[lowriderman3]

^^Ya that is true too for sure!

[BobF's 6POINT1]

Some with colored spokes and chrome lip tend to look small. Also, wheel like the SRT tend to look bigger because of the big flat faced spokes. In fact, I think the Charger wheels look slightly smaller than the others.

[SilvaSurfer]

All of the points and causes have been covered... The size of the tires, and car being lowered or not, and finally the type of wheels and color all play apart on the appearance in size..

[sidetrack]

IMO, 275/40/20's look bigger than 255/45/20's.
Probably an optical illusion due to more sidewall rubber showing on the 255's.

[RandysWay]

All the points above are spot on. In my case, I think that its the rim design (no additional steps to the lip, too) as well as the air bags.. these are 255/45/20's, by the way.

http://i30.tinypic.com/2whl5sl.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/10s6e1e.jpg


-R

[89grand]

It's funny though, I've thought the exact same thing. I think the SRT8 wheels look right, then I see other 20" wheels that look small, but then 22" wheels usually look too big.

I just bought a set of 20" wheels on 55/45/20 tires and they look pretty good. I'll get pics later.

[FactoryD]

All the points above are spot on. In my case, I think that its the rim design (no additional steps to the lip, too) as well as the air bags.. these are 255/45/20's, by the way.

http://i30.tinypic.com/2whl5sl.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/10s6e1e.jpg


-R

So sorry to butt in...

That Charger is sexy! :pepper:

[AlbertaAMX]

Lowered cars look really good on 20's. If they are stock height it doesnt have the same effect.

[NVRDUN]

Here is a comparison of my car with 20's at stock height and lowered.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/nvrdun_2006/dodge/DSCN1564.jpg


http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n21/nvrdun_2006/dodge/DSCN3210.jpg

[moparknighthawk]

The profile (height) of the tires themsleves has alot to do with it. If you look at a 15 inch rim on a truck with a 75 profile (235/75/15) vs a Neon with a 15 inch rim and 55 profile (205/55/15), you might think the Neons rims look bigger. Just an example. It has to do with the height of the sidewall. :)

[bob102386]

also if the wheel has any lip it will appear smaller than if it has the spokes all the way to the edge of the rim with no lip

[moonstreaker]

I think the biggest factor is whether or not there is a step in the lip, or if it's rounded. Comparing the Foose legends to the Nitrous. Even though the wheels are almost identical in design the legends look bigger because there is no step.

http://www.402motoring.com/products/GXj5064dHidV751xRN76/largethumb/image1.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c48/rimguy/Wheels/Nitrous-Legend-M.jpg

[1fastsedan]

Wheels with a lot of spokes or that "web" look to them seem to look smaller too. You need those substantial wide spokes to keep it looking big. I agree about the lip too, the deeper the lip, the smaller the wheel looks (to me anyway).

[ICLOSEM]

I agree my 22"s look like 20's . everytime i look at it makes me want to get my springs done more and more