[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by ben2go

Spud, why did you go with narrower rims? I would have stayed with the same size. You're more of a dirt guy than I am. Maybe you know something I don't.

I laced the 2.50-17 rim to the rear wheel for three main reasons.

1. The narrower rim makes it much easier to change the rear tire, especially at trailside.

2. The narrower rim gives me a larger selection of tires from which to choose for proper fitment. The Suzuki DR650 and Kawasaki KLR650 both employ the 2.50-17 rim on their rear wheels.

3. The 2.50-17 alloy rim is much lighter than the 3.00-17 steel rim.



I laced the 1.60-21 rim to the front wheel for better off road handling, lighter weight, and a much greater selection of knobby tires from which to choose. Narrower front tires work much better in mud and sand than wider front tires. The narrower front tire bites deeper into the loose/soft earth while seeking, and finding better traction. The wider front tires tend more to float over the loose/soft earth, and are much more likely to wash out. The wider tires are also much heavier, adding to the unsprung weigh of the wheels.