I'm considering on using wheels that are 1" in diameter smaller for the following reasons:
1. 225/55r17 wall height is what's on XT (I'm aware that XT's rim is 18" btw)
2. tires in that size are lighter, cheaper, quieter and have good reviews
3. I don't need 8.7" clearance and I'd be fine having .5" less
4. Lowering center of gravity by 12.7mm could improve handling
5. Less rotational weight could improve acceleration and braking (by about 5%)
6. Full size spare would fit in the place of the doughnut
So far, based on what I could find, it appears that 12.7mm change in radius would not affect alignment. (it would affect speedometer by 3.4%)
I read that number one concern would be scrub radius. Based on my (back of an envelope) calculations I should use rim with 3-4mm higher offset to keep the scrub radius the same (use wheels with 50-53mm offset). My calculation was based on assumption that struts are angled at about 25deg.
What I don't want is handling, alignment or tire wear problems. I see a lot of benefits in changing the wheel size and I'm curious if anyone has done (on earlier models perhaps) it and to what effect?
1. 225/55r17 wall height is what's on XT (I'm aware that XT's rim is 18" btw)
2. tires in that size are lighter, cheaper, quieter and have good reviews
3. I don't need 8.7" clearance and I'd be fine having .5" less
4. Lowering center of gravity by 12.7mm could improve handling
5. Less rotational weight could improve acceleration and braking (by about 5%)
6. Full size spare would fit in the place of the doughnut
So far, based on what I could find, it appears that 12.7mm change in radius would not affect alignment. (it would affect speedometer by 3.4%)
I read that number one concern would be scrub radius. Based on my (back of an envelope) calculations I should use rim with 3-4mm higher offset to keep the scrub radius the same (use wheels with 50-53mm offset). My calculation was based on assumption that struts are angled at about 25deg.
What I don't want is handling, alignment or tire wear problems. I see a lot of benefits in changing the wheel size and I'm curious if anyone has done (on earlier models perhaps) it and to what effect?