Smaller diameter wheels allow for increased sidewall height for a better ride with a decrease in turn in. They are usually lighter than taller diameter wheels, but this is not always the case.
Any time a wheel is lighter than stock, it requires less power to spin, stop, and increases traction, comparing same width to width. The suspension has less weight to control so it has more pressure available to keep the wheel planted.
Wheel diameter and offset affect capable performance in a give and take sort of way. In the case of diameter, the taller the diameter from the stock wheel, the further outward from the hub the weight of the wheel sits, however the smaller sidewall increases turn in. With offset, going lower than stock, the further towards the fender the wheel located from the hub. Both the increase in diameter and lowering of offset can be explained, for example, like this: You are holding a 5lb ball in your hand at your shoulder. As you move the ball outward, it requires more strength to keep it level. Weight plays its part in the comparison of a 3lb ball to a 5lb ball.
Keep one thing in mind, if you are racing and/or auto crossing, weight, diameter, and offset matter more so than for a street car. Weight is always a good thing to lose as it has the most impact on performance and longevity of components. People do go a little crazy with the weight of wheels when bench racing on who has the lightest wheel. Finding your mix of appearance, specs, color, availability, and price sometimes is less about the ultimate wheel out there and more about the best wheel, as defined by you, for your money.
Any time a wheel is lighter than stock, it requires less power to spin, stop, and increases traction, comparing same width to width. The suspension has less weight to control so it has more pressure available to keep the wheel planted.
Wheel diameter and offset affect capable performance in a give and take sort of way. In the case of diameter, the taller the diameter from the stock wheel, the further outward from the hub the weight of the wheel sits, however the smaller sidewall increases turn in. With offset, going lower than stock, the further towards the fender the wheel located from the hub. Both the increase in diameter and lowering of offset can be explained, for example, like this: You are holding a 5lb ball in your hand at your shoulder. As you move the ball outward, it requires more strength to keep it level. Weight plays its part in the comparison of a 3lb ball to a 5lb ball.
Keep one thing in mind, if you are racing and/or auto crossing, weight, diameter, and offset matter more so than for a street car. Weight is always a good thing to lose as it has the most impact on performance and longevity of components. People do go a little crazy with the weight of wheels when bench racing on who has the lightest wheel. Finding your mix of appearance, specs, color, availability, and price sometimes is less about the ultimate wheel out there and more about the best wheel, as defined by you, for your money.
