Cannondaleriders

Looking for some opinions. I have 9x9 Hipers right now on my rear, but Im thinking about doing more MXing this season, so Im wondering if it would be worth getting new 8 inch rear rims to run 18 inch tires on. I have also seen many members on here that are running 9 inch rear rims with 18 inch tires. It would obviously be easier if I could just keep the 9's I have now and put smaller tires on those, but if it's a big disadvantage running the larger rim, I might consider switching. What do you guys think?

i dont have any experience with 8 vs 9 but i dont seem to have any issues with a 9 inch rim and 18's. prob just a harsher ride

With an 8" vs 9" you would get less rotating mass and faster accelerations. Unless you plan on doing just mx racing I would stay with the 9".

u lose top end.....quicker off the start with smaller tire or rim.....

If the overall size of the tire is the same the rim makes no difference wether it is 8 or 9.

since the rim is smaller it would have to affect it somehow wouldn't it derno....?...i realize that a tire 1 size can fit either a 8 or 9 but going smaller( rim wise) wouldn't it in return spin faster regardless of the tire size...?..or am i not understanding this correctly...?....

You are correct that it should spin faster due to less rotating mass, and there would be more sidewall flex too. Flex would make the suspension seems better. You know more air in the tire and all.

What I was getting at is if the Tire outer dimensions are the same on both rims then the final top speed would be no different. 18" is 18"

...just an FYI guys, but note the Cannondale 8" rear rims on the '03 Cannibals have a wider offset than the 9" rears... if that matters to you.

i got it now derno.....thanks.

and if your worried about to end just change the sproket. I am now running a 15/36