Should the Rear Wheel Be Larger on Cars?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential advantages and disadvantages of having larger rear wheels on cars, including considerations in drag racing, aesthetics, and vehicle dynamics. Participants explore various contexts such as street cars, drag racers, and fictional vehicles like the Batmobile.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that larger rear wheels can provide more surface area for better traction, particularly in drag racing scenarios.
  • Others argue that larger rear wheels may be primarily for aesthetic reasons, as seen in the design of the Batmobile.
  • A participant humorously claims that larger rear wheels would allow a car to roll downhill without needing power, prompting further clarification from others.
  • Concerns are raised about practical disadvantages, such as the need for additional spare wheels and tires with larger rear wheels.
  • Some participants note that certain performance cars and motorcycles utilize larger rear tires to manage forces related to acceleration and drag.
  • Discussion includes references to specific racing regulations, such as those in Formula 1, which dictate tire sizes for performance reasons.
  • Weight distribution is mentioned as a factor influencing tire size, with a preference for equal traction between front and rear tires in street cars.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of viewpoints, with no clear consensus on the advantages or disadvantages of larger rear wheels. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on specific contexts, such as racing regulations and vehicle types, which may not apply universally. There are also unresolved assumptions regarding the implications of larger rear wheels on vehicle dynamics and performance.

ashishsinghal
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Generally all cars have equal sized wheels but few like batmobile (the tumbler from dark knight) have larger rear wheel. What is the advantage of larger rear wheel.
 
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In the case of a drag racer you want your rear wheels to have the maximum possible surface area touching the ground.

[The more surface area, the less force per unit area. The less force per unit area the softer the compound you can use. The softer the compound you use, the stickier you can make it]

On the other hand if you are building a dragster, you want your front wheels to have low aerodynamic drag and to be as light as possible.

In the case of a Batmobile, the overriding motivation is almost certainly to look cool and to give an impression of "there must be some physical principle that they're taking advantage of".
 
If the rear wheels are larger, then you're always rolling downhill and don't need any power! ;)
 
phyzguy said:
If the rear wheels are larger, then you're always rolling downhill and don't need any power! ;)

Didn't really get you! Do you mean that a car with larger rear wheel will start moving on its own!
 
jbriggs444 said:
In the case of a drag racer you want your rear wheels to have the maximum possible surface area touching the ground.

[The more surface area, the less force per unit area. The less force per unit area the softer the compound you can use. The softer the compound you use, the stickier you can make it]

On the other hand if you are building a dragster, you want your front wheels to have low aerodynamic drag and to be as light as possible.

In the case of a Batmobile, the overriding motivation is almost certainly to look cool and to give an impression of "there must be some physical principle that they're taking advantage of".

can't get you. I am unfamiliar to many words you are saying. It will b a great help if you please explain yourself.
 
phyzguy said:
If the rear wheels are larger, then you're always rolling downhill and don't need any power! ;)

I guess that's why those high wheelers came out of style. Going uphill all the time was annoying.

Ordinary_bicycle01.jpg
 
ashishsinghal said:
Didn't really get you! Do you mean that a car with larger rear wheel will start moving on its own!
It was a joke.
 
ashishsinghal said:
Didn't really get you! Do you mean that a car with larger rear wheel will start moving on its own!

Why not? :confused:
Gimee one good reason. haha
 
ashishsinghal said:
What is the advantage of larger rear wheel.

An obvious DISadvantage is that you need two spare wheels and two spare tires. But I guess Batman has some special powers to fix that problem :smile:
 
  • #10
Some rear wheel drive sport cars (Corvette Z06, Ford GT, Viper), and almost all street motorcycles (rear wheel drive) have larger rear tires. Part of the reason could the rear tire is providing force to overcome drag when ever the vehicle is moving, so it's a wear issue. Otherwise the forces are related to acceleration and braking.

Formula 1 rules regulate tire size and front tire is smaller. The possible factors include aerodynamic drag since it's an open wheel car and more slippage at the rear tires in racing conditions, plus the constant force on the rears to overcome drag.

http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/technical_regulations/5277/fia.html

On the other hand, Lemans Prototype race cars have large front tires and they appear to be about the same size as the rear tires. Audi's R18 e-tron quattro is a diesel + electric hybrid, and uses electric motors at the front for all wheel drive.

wiki audi r18 e-tron quattro.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
Weight distribution is also a factor. In a street car you want the front and rear tyres to stick equally.
 

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