[RDgolfer]

Going down rte 31...big bang...miles away from home...thumping and more thumping...I have to say, 17 inch wheels and low profile tires=big problems on bad roads, which are everywhere in my territory...going to have to go with 16 inch dia rims, with larger dia tires...thump thump thump....RS200 now please...first car I buy with Power Ball win

 

[XR650R]

Haven't bought an ST yet, but I'm irrationally fixated on it, and I have the same concern. I read somewhere that Ford was going to offer 16s with all-seasons for 2015, but it didn't happen. That leaves owners to their own devices. Save the 17s for when the roads are fixed, and use 16s most of the time. You've been around a long time, so I'm curious to see what wheel/tire you settle on. Can you get an identical outer circumference with a 16? I dunno.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm on the stock size 215-45-17's on my SVT in Minnesota and can't imagine running any less sidewall, the roads here are horrible.

 

[Sekred]

Tire diameter and circumference calculator.

http://www.csgnetwork.com/tiresizescalc.html

 

[Jonnyz]

I've always thought that using the steering wheel was a good fix to hitting potholes... But if that doesn't work smaller sized rims can make it less frightening

 

[XR650R]

Not always. Snow, rain, darkness, etc. can make you not see them. If you could see every pothole plain as day, sure. We get them on interstates around here after some bad snow. It can be months before they can be properly fixed, and then there are spots where it's so messed up, you have to slow waaay down, and crawl over them like a 4 wheeler in low. Last year was really bad. Folks in the northern parts know what I'm talking about.

 

[Jonnyz]

Well I live in Colorado so I think I also know a thing or two about bad roads and next time ill make sure I use italics to denote sarcasm

 

[XR650R]

LOL! Sorry. Missed it. I lived in So Cal for many years, and knew a lot of people who never drove in winter weather.

 

[RDgolfer]

So...took the car to a dealership...Chevy...all Ford's went home...bent rim from pot hole...yet, the alignment wasn't affected...99 USD to find out if my car was going straight...whatever...at least I know

 

[eRic]

haven't bent any OE wheels on my Fiesta ST thanks to skills developed from autocross. looking ahead and slaloming around potholes. Now in winter I'm running 16" SVT Contour wheels with 195/45-16 tires.