EV tidbits

[rcjordan]

Rivian's configurator shows an expected 40 mile range loss with 20" wheels versus the standard 21".

[rcjordan]

Some EVs (Rivian) are said to have no glovebox.  That would be pretty close to a deal-breaker for us. (Current Dodge van has dual gloveboxes.)

[Travoli]

>40 mile range loss with 20" wheels versus the standard 21".

Odd, I would expect the opposite from smaller wheels.

[rcjordan]

>smaller wheels

I've been driving Grand Caravans since the 90s. They started out with 15" wheels, then 16", then 17"  --I read that this was to increase gas mileage to meet fed standards.

[ergophobe]

More inertia, less rolling friction. So in stop and go, the small wheel might do better.

If you ride an old-school mountain bike with 26es and upgrade to a 29er, you'll feel the difference, especially as you have to roll over small bumps.

[Rupert]

If you ride an old-school mountain bike with 26es and upgrade to a 29er, you'll feel the difference, especially as you have to roll over small bumps.

are you not on a 27.5?   Or a mullet?

https://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/mountain-bike-wheel-sizes-26in-650b-and-29in-explained/

I never went for the 29, but do like my 27.5

(sorry off thread)

[Travoli]

I was always taught (and had first-hand experience) that larger wheels are heavier, and therefore take more energy to turn. That was important in 90's Hondas where torque was scarce.

The trade-off is that larger wheels generally look better. Also, less tire sidewall is better for handling.

That all assumes same overall outer diameter of the tires. Larger overall wheel/tire diameter is worse for MPGs because they are heavier and the larger tire contact patch has more rolling resistance.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15130598/upsized-wheels-tires/

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/how-does-wheel-size-affect-performance/

[rcjordan]

>torque

I think you're right.

[ergophobe]

>>more rolling

Are you sure? I'm sure there's some sort of curve, but road bikes are generally more efficient with larger wheels up to a point (29 is much more efficient than a 2) and, again, mountain bikes have upsized as well because if you hit any sort of irregularity, with a large wheel it's not as steep of a "climb"

But with a big wheel, you have to set it motion, which is costly, which is why I was thinking big wheels would be bad for stop and go and good for cruising at a steady speed.

>>27.5

I went straight for a "niner." It felt very cumbersome to maneuver at first, but the advantage in terms of rolling resistance and traction (contact area) were worth it for the non-technical stuff I ride.

[Travoli]

>Are you sure?

Not sure about contact patch area increasing with overall tire diameter. Google isn't being very helpful with that one. I did see information that weight of larger diameter wheels/tires is the main issue. I do agree that larger diameter is very helpful for smoothly rolling over irregularities.

[Brad]

Ford surprises F-150 Lightning owners with accessory that can recharge stranded Teslas

https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/7/23158382/ford-f150-lightning-tesla-adapter-charger-power

Zing! Hit!

Elon is probably foaming at the mouth right now.

[rcjordan]

I've seen posts that say both Tesla and Rivian body panels are not tightly fitted.  I recently heard the same first-hand from a Tesla owner.

[rcjordan]

Tesla's 'unlimited' connectivity plan, including navigation, now expires after eight years (theverge.com)

[rcjordan]

^another

Tesla locks 80 miles of customer's battery range for $4,500 ransom : assholedesign
https://old.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/w9mwai/tesla_locks_80_miles_of_customers_battery_range/

[ergophobe]

>>heard the same first-hand from a Tesla owner.

But he then went on to tell you how much better this was than the old-school tight panels on cars from legacy car companies and how he just can't imagine ever owning another car with tight panels.