"Dubs"?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,838
Likes: 374
From: Mobile AL
"Dubs"?
Why are oversize wheels called "dubs"? Seriously, I'm that out of touch. I don't know the derivation of this word, and none of the children who use it seem to know either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena TX
I've wondered the same thing. I know they call 22" rims "double dueces". I remember when the 16" wheels came out on Corvettes and IROC Camaros and that was a big deal. I believe they are making 26" wheels now. To me these big wheel/tire combo look like a garbage can lid with a bicycle tube stretched around the outside.
But I guess I'm old too. I remember when a set of Ansen Sprints or Cragar SS wheels were the ultimate.
BL
But I guess I'm old too. I remember when a set of Ansen Sprints or Cragar SS wheels were the ultimate.
BL
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Clinton Township MI
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Race Director
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From: Inverness FL
St. Jude Donor '07
Bill
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,838
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From: Mobile AL
Thanks
I had guessed it might be a historical reference to Roman General Marcus "Lil Dub" Dubious, who had 48" aluminum wheels on his chariot. Being only 3' - 6" tall, he needed the large wheels to appear fierce in battle.
Now I think the Wikipedia answer is probably right. Although..... "Lil Dub's" wheels did look like they were spinning even while his chariot was stopped! Coincidence?
Now I think the Wikipedia answer is probably right. Although..... "Lil Dub's" wheels did look like they were spinning even while his chariot was stopped! Coincidence?
Last edited by jerrybramlett; Apr 28, 2007 at 12:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
I've wondered the same thing. I know they call 22" rims "double dueces". I remember when the 16" wheels came out on Corvettes and IROC Camaros and that was a big deal. I believe they are making 26" wheels now. To me these big wheel/tire combo look like a garbage can lid with a bicycle tube stretched around the outside.
But I guess I'm old too. I remember when a set of Ansen Sprints or Cragar SS wheels were the ultimate.
BL
But I guess I'm old too. I remember when a set of Ansen Sprints or Cragar SS wheels were the ultimate.
BL
They look like the solid rubber tires/wheels used on trucks at the beginning of the last century.
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Cartoon Character
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Can't be more than 114... Arizona
I asked this question at the Chrysler booth at SEMA a couple of years ago because they had "Dubs" as their theme and being a middle aged Anglo Saxon I had no idea what it meant either... When he stopped laughing the young man of colour told me it was urban slang for the letter "W" , refering to larger than needed wheels. You get "Dubs" if you want your car to have the toylike "Hot Wheels from Mattel" look apparently...
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From: Huntsville AL
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11
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From: Granbury Texas
In the late 70s there were some FIA sportscar rules which limited the width of the wheel. The only way that Porsche could get a bigger contact patch was to increase the wheel diameter.
Now fast forward to today (or a few years ago). There are lots of street wheels which are huge for "bling" purposes only. The F-body forum has already argued this to death.....that bigger diameter rims actually result in slower quarter mile times because of heavier unsprung weight. Now for a RACEcar, the larger wheel allows bigger brakes. However, to go faster, this bigger wheel is required to be equal in weight (or less) to the original wheel. Thus LOTS more expensive. I currently run 15" wheels and stock K-H disc brakes on my 63 Z06 RACE car because that is required by vintage rules. I currently run 14" Stoptech brakes on my 04 Z06 because the new Z06 needs better brakes, and Stoptech is currently "state-of-the-art". HOWEVER, this larger brake requires larger 18" wheels to fit over the larger brakes, and in order to fit larger wheels which are also lighter than stock, this requires very expensive Kinesis K27 wheels. Speed costs money.
Now fast forward to today (or a few years ago). There are lots of street wheels which are huge for "bling" purposes only. The F-body forum has already argued this to death.....that bigger diameter rims actually result in slower quarter mile times because of heavier unsprung weight. Now for a RACEcar, the larger wheel allows bigger brakes. However, to go faster, this bigger wheel is required to be equal in weight (or less) to the original wheel. Thus LOTS more expensive. I currently run 15" wheels and stock K-H disc brakes on my 63 Z06 RACE car because that is required by vintage rules. I currently run 14" Stoptech brakes on my 04 Z06 because the new Z06 needs better brakes, and Stoptech is currently "state-of-the-art". HOWEVER, this larger brake requires larger 18" wheels to fit over the larger brakes, and in order to fit larger wheels which are also lighter than stock, this requires very expensive Kinesis K27 wheels. Speed costs money.