Will my ride quality suffer with lighter wheels?

[raynist]

Thinking of getting PF01’s in 17x7.5 to replace my stock wheels on my 2018 EX-T.

I don’t want ride quality to suffer.

Has anyone gone to a much lighter wheel and noticed a difference.

I am keeping my stock tires.

Thanks!
Ray

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[fenix-silver]

Lighter wheels shouldn't have much impact on ride quality. I suppose a heavier wheel dampens bumps some, but that's mostly a guess. I wouldn't worry about it. I had PF01's on my old WRX and I LOVED those wheels. I was sad to sell them. I feel like on most cars at stock or +1 sizing they look way better than RPF01's.

 

[PowerPerLiter]

I did go much lighter than stock...if my math is correct I lost 13lbs per wheel and tire. You definitely notice in in all categories. It does ride rougher only because it has a similar effect to increasing spring rate. The "resonance" has increased a decent amount (road noise). Everywhere it helped with the "performance" side of things.

 

[fenix-silver]

Interesting read on the matter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_mass

 

[Gruber]

There is no benefit whatever of heavier wheels. Wheels should be as light as possible.
There is a benefit to larger wheels, but obviously larger wheels will be heavier if they are made the same way.
So the best wheels would be very large and almost weightless. Like bicycle racing wheels, but for cars they would need to be a little wider.

 

[gtman]

So the best wheels would be very large and almost weightless. Like bicycle racing wheels, but for cars they would need to be a little wider.

So if these wheels were super light, this would be ideal?

 

[Gruber]

^Exactly.
Of course, the car wouldn't necessarily have to sit so high.

There are two separate issues:
----> sprung vs. unsprung mass for sticking to the road - not so relevant for smooth roads
----> rotating vs. nonrotating mass for best acceleration/breaking (dynamics) [I meant braking ]

Formula 1 is changing to bigger wheels; of course the reason is mainly marketing. The point is that the impact on performance is not great because the Formula 1 tires are already light enough and large enough and there are additional air resistance issues because they are very wide.

Bigger wheels have a potentially greater momentum, but they turn slower, so the two effects partially cancel. If all the mass was located at the circumference, there would be no difference for kinetics (acceleration) because the speed at the circumference is equal to road speed, regardless of the wheel size. If the tire is light and skinny, the big wheels may actually carry less kinetic energy of rotation.

https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/formula-1-pushing-for-bigger-wheels-in-2021-1044392/3115713/

 

[raynist]

I did go much lighter than stock...if my math is correct I lost 13lbs per wheel and tire. You definitely notice in in all categories. It does ride rougher only because it has a similar effect to increasing spring rate. The "resonance" has increased a decent amount (road noise). Everywhere it helped with the "performance" side of things.

Thanks

I love the way the car rides right now - it soaks up the bumps from our crappy PA roads very nicely.

90% of the reason I got rid of my 2015 Honda Fit was because of the stiff ride the way I felt every bump and crack in the road - maybe I shouldn’t do it.

 

[PowerPerLiter]

Thanks

I love the way the car rides right now - it soaks up the bumps from our crappy PA roads very nicely.

90% of the reason I got rid of my 2015 Honda Fit was because of the stiff ride the way I felt every bump and crack in the road - maybe I shouldn’t do it.

If I could do it again I would have left stock on and just switched wheels and tires for only autocross days.

 

[PhilF]

Thanks

I love the way the car rides right now - it soaks up the bumps from our crappy PA roads very nicely.

90% of the reason I got rid of my 2015 Honda Fit was because of the stiff ride the way I felt every bump and crack in the road - maybe I shouldn’t do it.

My wife has a 2016 Fit EX (CVT) that is primarily her grocery-getter, currently has about 7k on it. Last May, to put some highway miles on it, I drove it to Dayton Ohio from Harrisburg Pa. At the time, my daily driver was a 2016 Civic EX-L Coupe, so it was an interesting comparison. Once adjusted, seat comfort was fine and I was really surprised at what a pleasant driver it was, much quieter and smoother than I expected for a 900 mile round trip, 95% interstate in varying conditions. Tires were the factory Firestones pressure set to 35psi before the trip, I averaged about 44mpg overall for the entire trip. Perhaps there were some changes from 15/16, but even in comparison to my Civic, the Fit was a pleasant experience for me. The only real drawback for me was the mediocre sound system and no XM radio.

 

[raynist]

If I could do it again I would have left stock on and just switched wheels and tires for only autocross days.

Thanks - I was only looking at those wheels because I like they way they look and are lighter - figured it could help acceleration and MPG but I am not willing to give up ride quality.

Thanks for your help!

 

[raynist]

My wife has a 2016 Fit EX (CVT) that is primarily her grocery-getter, currently has about 7k on it. Last May, to put some highway miles on it, I drove it to Dayton Ohio from Harrisburg Pa. At the time, my daily driver was a 2016 Civic EX-L Coupe, so it was an interesting comparison. Once adjusted, seat comfort was fine and I was really surprised at what a pleasant driver it was, much quieter and smoother than I expected for a 900 mile round trip, 95% interstate in varying conditions. Tires were the factory Firestones pressure set to 35psi before the trip, I averaged about 44mpg overall for the entire trip. Perhaps there were some changes from 15/16, but even in comparison to my Civic, the Fit was a pleasant experience for me. The only real drawback for me was the mediocre sound system and no XM radio.

Mine was an EX CVT also - with the short wheelbase I could feel every bump in the road plus it was very small for me at 6’3” and 230.

 

[gtman]

I think lighter wheels are a smart move. Better handling, acceleration and MPG. Two keys to help maintain near stock quality ride quality are:

1. Don't go too low profile on the tires.
2. For street use, go lighter but not insanely so. Super lightweight wheels are more track than street friendly.

 

[PhilF]

Mine was an EX CVT also - with the short wheelbase I could feel every bump in the road plus it was very small for me at 6’3” and 230.

Could be the difference, I'm 5'9" & 200 lbs, the Fit isn't a good "fit" if you're over 6'. Ours will get some Michelins next, the Firestones aren't the ideal tires for the Fit! Adequate, but very mediocre. Factory supplied tires are usually disappointing.

 

[raynist]

I will use my stock tires so maybe that would be a difference between my situation and PowerPerLiter?

If I could do it again I would have left stock on and just switched wheels and tires for only autocross days.

I think lighter wheels are a smart move. Better handling, acceleration and MPG. Two keys to help maintain near stock quality ride quality are:

1. Don't go too low profile on the tires.
2. For street use, go lighter but not insanely so. Super lightweight wheels are more track than street friendly.

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