20" Rim in Front???

Why do some heavy duty cross country riders run a 20" front rim???

someone reply... is it for the increased traction dur to tire width, turing, beefier tire ability?????

It does better than a standard 21" rim when braking becasue it has a greater surface area in contact with the ground. Also, becasue of the taller sidewall it really hepls with hard direct impacts on sharp rocks and roots. I have a friend who runs one and swears by it.

There used to be American riders who swore by the 19" fronts when the Europeans ran 21". The Americans found out that the Euros knew best. The 19" and 20" work OK but if you do have a flat they can't be ridden any farther and they are heavier than a 21. If you think that the 20" are hot then look where the 23" tires went. They were popular too for a couple years.
Don't waste your money,
IMHO,
DR

Dwight may be right, but Ty Davis swears by the 20" front rim/tire combo. The outer diameter will remain the same as the 21" thus giving you an extra 1/2" side wall on the perimeter of the tire. This I understand is what a lot of the west coast desert racers use in order to avoid flats through the rock sections of a race. For us mortals we may never know the difference be it 20 or 21".

I love my 20" on the front. It has saved my rim many many times.

No waste of money here.

KaBooM :thumbsup:

I used to like 17" rears on my Husqvarna 250XC also but I gave them up too. Never noticed that much difference. Same with the 20" , So why ? Not a lot of tire manufactures are going to make 20". Look how long it has taken the tire guys to all make 19" rears .
Cher'o,
Dwight

I run a 20 inch for rocky races here in the utah desert.
works great for me! seems to steer a little faster. possibly more durable due to more tire.i say try it all and finds what works for you.make up another rim and have both.
good riding!

The outer diameter will remain the same as the 21" thus giving you an extra 1/2" side wall on the perimeter of the tire.



The 20" set up is actually 7mm shorter than a 21" set-up. So you don't benefit from the full sidewall gain...

There is an article about this in the June 2003 Motocross Action Magazine on page 174.

Mike

I suppose if I relied on everything Motocross Action Magazine told me as biblical that would be okay. But I choose not to. On rechecking not only is the 20” tire available in various heights but is wider in all cases than the 21” tire thus benefiting both in side-wall height and width.

I just got a 20" rim assembly for my YZF, and will let you know what benefits or problems I run into this spring/summer. As for right now, I'm running Trelleborgs in the 21" size since they don't make a 20", otherwise I'd slap that puppy on and give you a first hand account from a real individual, not some mag trying to sell you a snow job!!! :worthy:
Maniac :usa: