Are 21s really that bad?

[Kaycee1980]

Hello folks. Ive been really thinking about upgrading from 20s to 21s.. but I saw so many bed vibes about 21s on reddit. I wanted to ask are they really that temperamental? And if so, what about them are so bad? I live in central Florida so the roads aren't terrible.

 

[segbrk]

No. They are low profile summer performance tires and they come with the normal pros and cons of low profile summer tires. They did have (it seems) a higher rate of developing bubbles at first, but a new version of the tire has been released since then (look for the LM2 label). If you're comfortable with avoiding nasty potholes and you won't have them on in below-40F temperatures, you'll be fine. I'm just about to put my set back on for the season here.

 

[JGard18]

I swapped from 19s to the 21s about a month ago. I love them. They barely ride any differently, but way more grip and handling response. I do make sure to avoid potholes, though

 

[Kaycee1980]

I swapped from 19s to the 21s about a month ago. I love them. They barely ride any differently, but way more grip and handling response. I do make sure to avoid potholes, though

How much driving tange did you lose from the swap?

 

[JGard18]

I had the 19s on during winter and these during the warmer days, so it’s not been noticeable. But overall it’s definitely less efficient

 

[Kaycee1980]

How much driving tange did you lose from the swap?

I meant range*

 

[Genghis]

Yes… on SoCal roads They’re actually fine unless the roads are damaged and lots of potholes which our freeways and surface roads have right now!

 

[AustinAir]

Do NOT get 21s. It makes the car hardly roadworthy unless you live in a city where the streets can double as a skating rink

 

[Adnillien]

I have over 26k miles on my 21's with zero problems. Almost time for new tires. You do have to watch for potholes but they are fine and handle extremely well.

 

[Kaycee1980]

I have over 26k miles on my 21's with zero problems. Almost time for new tires. You do have to watch for potholes but they are fine and handle extremely well.

What's your range with 21s?

 

[Adnillien]

What's your range with 21s?

I average 3.3 to 3.4 mi/kWhr.

 

[borski]

I sold my 19s after realizing I didn’t want to put them on again.

I have never had a single issue with my 21s over 25k miles or so, but I hit a screw twice on my 19s. Go figure.

Replaced the fronts after wear, replacing rears in a bit.

A++ would pick again for the Northern California climate and road trips.

If your approach to potholes is “hit them,” rather than “swerve or avoid them”, don’t get the 21s.

If you’re willing to and capable of watching the road and not hitting massive potholes at full speed, the 21s will do you very very well.

Other people will say it’s not them, it’s the tires. Okay. But the fact that mine have had no issues and some people have popped a dozen? I’m gonna call that “not a defect,” and instead probably how people drive, or people using summer tires below 40-45F.

And there’s nothing wrong with not knowing how to drive on low profile summer tires; it’s not exactly taught and requires more attention to avoid road hazards.

But the tires are great. I have no complaints.

YMMV.

 

[Cosmo Cruz]

What's your range with 21s?

Just did the swap two days ago. Temp. 70 degrees F now and getting 3.44 mi/kWh on the 21" summer Pirellis @ 44 psi
Have seen 4.11 for 25 miles but even I don't believe that. Thing is all the careful driving you do in the right late with the adaptive cruse on...doesn't seem to prevent sudden surges of acceleration, braking and brisk cornering.

The battery definitely suffers cold, is what I mean.

 

[Bobby]

Love my 21s. They look fantastic and the handling is excellent.

 

[bproberson]

I love the look of my 21", but.....I just had a second tire replaced yesterday after hitting a pot hole I did not see traveling only about 10 MPH, more $$$. When you do need a replacement, a replacement can take a few days to get as they are not regularly stocked. Just keep that in mind. You might loose a little range efficiency with the 21", but it is not a deal breaker.

 

[borski]

I love the look of my 21", but.....I just had a second tire replaced yesterday after hitting a pot hole I did not see traveling only about 10 MPH, more $$$. When you do need a replacement, a replacement can take a few days to get as they are not regularly stocked. Just keep that in mind. You might loose a little range efficiency with the 21", but it is not a deal breaker.

How often do you check your tire pressures? (Not blaming the victim; it can happen to anyone, I’m just curious - also curious what PSI you run them at)

 

[bproberson]

How often do you check your tire pressures? (Not blaming the victim; it can happen to anyone, I’m just curious - also curious what PSI you run them at)

Often, and it was not a psi issue. I keep mine at around 44 psi

 

[WildRide47]

Do NOT get 21s. It makes the car hardly roadworthy unless you live in a city where the streets can double as a skating rink

I have my 21's inflated to 45lbs and have had no problems(going on 3 years), even going over small potholes.

If you like to take curves and love handling get the 21's.

If you drive sedate, then get the 19's.

 

[borski]

Often, and it was not a psi issue. I keep mine at around 44 psi

That sucks! Sorry that happened to you. So far so good on my end, but I know that won't last forever, as potholes can sometimes sneak up on you! I run mine at 42PSI, fwiw; I know a lot of folks keep it at 44/45, but I have never had an issue at 42 so I do not desire to tempt the tire gods by 'optimizing' any further