"Wheels" vs "Rims"

[URY914]

Why is it that when you are under, say 30 years old, the round things that yours tires are mounted on are called "rims". And if you are over 30 they are called "wheels"? I think a "rim" is one of the parts of a wheel, but I'm over 30 so maybe I don't know.

What do you think?

[Planter91C2]

that's funny. in high school they were "rims" this was back in 1985 1986 1987.

all the camaro guys wanted "cragar rims" or "centerline rims"

now i guess, because most cars come with wheels instead of rims and hubcaps. the word "rim" has been replaced with "wheel" in american lexicon.

although you probably could still find a group of throwbacks who still have their high school hairstyles and listen to classic rock saying "rims" while admiring their 1978 z28's

[Stuttgart951]

I see this as more of a "rice" thing. I refer to wheels as wheels... thats what they are afterall - but the 16-20 year olds who saw The Fast and the Furious and got in an accident racing their VTEC's (Very Terrifying Economy Car?) after the movie call them "rims" because I imagine it "sounds cool" or something of the like.

Im relatively positive that if you asked them to identify the "rim" slim to none could actually do it.

[Zeke]

Bicycles don't have wheels and wagons don't have rims. I think it has to do with whether the outer portion can be remove from the inner portion. Or, as someone said, there wouldn't be rules if not for the exceptions.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Isnīt; Rim + Tire = Wheel ?

[Planter91C2]

Originally posted by Roland Kunz
Hello

Isnīt; Rim + Tire = Wheel ?

maybe, but when cars are sold they specify "aluminum wheels" or "steel wheels" not having anything to do with the tires.

what about the "wheel enhancement" business.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

"aluminum wheels" = tire on aluminium rim
"steel wheels" = tire on steel rim

Grüsse

[URY914]

So Roland,

When the air leaks from your "tire+rim=wheel" do you have a flat wheel or a flat tire? Rim + tire does not equal wheel.

Also,

"Aluminum wheels" =wheels made from aluminum
"Steel wheels"= wheels made from steel

PS,
put the pipe down and get some help.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

OK logig says if you run your tire flat your wheel is also flat but you canīt run the rim flat .

The wheel is the "system" your car uses to drive, stand, roll.

The systen has different named singular components.

Look at a Tank who runs not on wheels but uses rims to roll the chains over

If you look at a computer everyone calls them computer yet there are Macīs, servers, Notepads, Notebooks, Pocket calculators, Game boys....

But donīt nail me on that, Iīm german and my english is based on hearsay from my friends & neighboors.

But they are al ovoer 30 as me too.

My gues is that over the years the rims used on the wheels got larger so you could see the tire hight shrinking. Modern wheels just look like a big rim with a protective rubberbelt around it.

PS: Iīm nut sure about "pipe down".

Grüsse

[Z-man]

Well, back in the '70's they were "Mag Wheels" (Magnesium alloy was used often for wheels).

Nowadays, I think the ricer's call 'em "Dubs."

I call the metal-based stuff: Wheels.
I call the rubber stuff: Tires.

'Nuf said.
-Zoltan.

PS: Roland: if I could speak/write German as well as you can write English, I'd be happy!

[Stanley]

i believe that "dubs" are used to call wheels that are 20in. 24inchers are called "dubs+4"

[adrian jaye]

In Porsche Circles they ar generally known as "Elephant Mint's"