those numbers are probably a bit optomistic... generally the hubs and spokes are the same between the wider and narrower wheels with the small amount of additional material added in the rim... maybe a pound if two... same with the tires... most weights are fairly close dependent on manufacturer.
one exception i can think of is the later 5.5" stock wheel with three spokes taper out towards the rim where as the old stock wheels tapered in towards the hub. the point being there is more mass near the rim in the older three spoke wheels, so even if they both weigh the same the newer three spoke wheels will turn, start, stop easier even if it's an inch wider because the older wheels had more mass further away from the center of rotation. I believe the five spokes are even lighter than either of the three spokes.
but ride what makes you happy...
if you buy aftermarket wheels you'll find that the majority of the rear rim sizes are 5.5" to 6" anyway... not to mention most of those aftermarket wheels are truely near 8lbs lighter.
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Originally Posted by mary2al
The 4.5/170 is something like 8 lbs lighter than the 5.5/180 -- guys pay a lot of money to loose that much weight from their rims!! I'm even thinking of trying a 160 P Road next.
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