I've noticed forum members hating on other members for what they assert is the incorrect usage of the words "rim" and "wheel." I'm curious what kind of consensus there is on this, if any.

I have always been under the assumption that "rim" refers to the part of the wheel that the tire is mounted to, and "wheel" refers to the entire rim/tire combo. In my mind, you put a tire on a "rim", and you put a "wheel" on a Jeep. My "tires" are 35" Goodyear MT/Rs and my "rims" are 17" Method double standards. Thus, my "wheels" are 35" MT/Rs on 17" Methods. And yet many members seem to insist that "wheel" does NOT refer to the entire combo and just refers to the part that the tire is mounted to. In other words, they would insist that my "wheels" are 17" Method Double Standards.

If that is the case, then I'd like to hear from these people what their rationale is. If you believe that "wheel" just means the "rim", then how do you refer to the entire wheel+tire combo?

 

Are you looking for a bar fight?

 

To me, they're the same thing. But then again where I'm from all SUVs are called trucks even if they're not on a truck chassis. So really use what you think it means.

 

I never understood this either. Everyone I know in my family and what I heard growing up was rim is what the tires mount to and a wheel is a rim+wheel combo.

It wasn't until I joined this forum that I seen people were calling rims wheels.

My grandfather almost slapped me in the face when I tried telling him that rims were called wheels. He's been drag racing since he was 16. He said all his life they have been called rims. He said it wasn't until about 10 years ago when he first heard people start calling rims wheels.

But he also mentioned it is a good argue because when you say you have a bent rim, its usually the small outer rim of the wheel. Which makes more sense to me. Because just like on anything round, the most outer edge is going to be the rim

 

I never say anything about it because it's not really important, and through context, it's easy to know what the writer means.

However, my use of the word rim refers to the outer edge of a wheel; the portion that retains the tire.
Some rims are removeable, some are connected to the hub with spokes, some are a permanent part of the wheel.

My use of the word wheel refers to the complete assembly, from hub to rim; tire not included.

 

What you call a "rim," I would call a "bead."

 

The thought did cross my mind that I might be starting a dust-up. I tried to word my question in a way that hopefully will not make anyone feel defensive. So I remain optimistic that we can keep this thread mature and adult.

Yes, I realize I probably just made you all start laughing with that last comment.

 

I agree with the common definition above -- A "wheel" is a combination of parts depending on how it's made, with the "rim" being the circumference, both inner and outer and can be described as flangeless, or flanged, or with a pronounced bead (trucks/4wd heavy duty). If a wheel is multiple pieces, then there is an inner wheel, outer wheel, and the wheel center, which includes the hub and spoke design.

"Wheels" are called "rims" in conversation, but technically it's an incorrect reference. Unless we're talking about wheel mechanics and build specifically, I'm just as happy to let the issue slide if someone asks "what kind of rims are those?" or "are those rims aluminum?", etc.

I once worked for a wheel maker. True story.

 

The inside of the rim is the bead seat. The bead is on the tire.

 

Wouldn't that part be called the "bead"? Or is the bead part of the tire as opposed to part of the rim? Rhetorical question: no need to reply. Unless you know the answer of course.