Tire Rack Rim Width Specs?

[OK-944]

Sorry to keep flogging this horse…but now I’m confused. Looking to get a set of four 16/8 rims, and to Tire Rack for a set of 225x50x16 Conti. Extreme Contact tires all around (square setup). Tire rack classifies these tires as “Ultra High Performance” (all season), and also specs the rim width range as 6 to 8 inches.

Looking further…tire rack also specs out the same (6-8”) rim width range for non high performance (touring) rated tires of the same size/width as those Conti’s. Why is this?

Shouldn’t tire rack at least “highly recommend” that performance-rated tires be mounted to the wider (but still in spec) rims…while a touring tire be mounted to narrower (but still in spec) rims? Or am I missing something?

In my case…while I certainly do not want to end up with a “track monster,” I do want a somewhat sportier/responsive feel than what I’d gotten from my 215x60x15 General Altimax (touring) tires, while not compromising too much on around town/highway driving - but I’m still inclined to go to the 8” rims for the Conti’s, because I really don't want the sidewalls to feel mushy around turns. Make sense?

Jeeesh…this would be so much simpler if more performance-oriented tires were available in the 15x7 size!

[tims944]

i think youre way over thinking this,... there are a ton of perfectly viable options in 225/50/16s that wont be as grippy as track and still last you a good 20k km +

[v2rocket_aka944]

Tire rack is just telling you what FITS, not what is recommended for optimum performance.

Since the tire is flexible it can be mounted on rims between 6-8" width...that's all. And that's info from the tire MFR, not Tire Rack themselves.

It's up to you to decide where you want the flex to be.