72V ONYX Tire and Spoke Rim (Fitment and Behavior)

This page is part of the ONYX Suspension Wheels

Related:

• ONYX 72V OMEGA Rear Shocks
• ONYX 80V Rim Repair

This post provides a structured reference for building and upgrading 72V ONYX wheels.

It covers:

• Spoke patterns and their mechanical impact
• Aftermarket rims and spoke sizing specifications
• Required tools for wheel assembly and truing
• Tire sizing, fitment limits, and clearance constraints
• Tire selection for daily use and performance riding
• Advanced setup considerations for high-power builds

As power levels, weight, and riding demands increase, wheel and tire configuration becomes a critical factor in reliability, stability, and overall performance.

Simple Overview

If you just want the safe, proven setup:

• Spokes: Cross-laced (3-cross or 4-cross)
• Rims: 17" aluminum, 2.15"-3.0" front, 2.5"-4.25" rear
• Daily tire: Michelin City Extra 2.75 × 17
• Performance tire: Michelin Pilot Street 2 (90/80 front, 100/80 rear)
• Pressure: 32 PSI front and rear

Everything below explains why these work best.

Spoke Patterns (Cross vs Radial)

Cross-Laced Spokes

• Spokes cross each other (2-cross, 3-cross, 4-cross)
• Handles hub motor torque
• Better braking force support
• Even stress distribution
• Long-term durability

Best for:

• Hub motors
• Disc brakes
• Heavy batteries
• High power builds
• Off-road riding

Radial-Laced Spokes

• Straight from hub to rim
• Lighter
• Slight aerodynamic benefit
• Poor torque handling
• High hub flange stress

Best for:

• Front wheels without disc brakes
• Low power bicycles

Verdict

For ONYX builds:

Always use cross-laced spokes.
Prefer 3-cross or 4-cross for maximum strength.

Rims (17" and 18")

Common aftermarket options:

Spokes - Front (17" wheel)

Specifications:

• Length: 185mm
• Diameter: 3.0-3.18mm
• Count: 36
• Nipples: Included

Spokes - Rear (QS205 motor, 17" wheel)

Specifications:

• Length: 105mm
• Diameter: 3.0-3.2mm
• Count: 36
• Type: J-bend

Nipple sizing:

• Middle: 4.7mm
• Top: 5.7mm
• Head: 8.7mm
• Rim opening: 4.5mm

Tire Fitment Basics

Stock setup

• 17" rims
• 3.0" tire width
• ~3.0" sidewall height
• ~23" total diameter

Clearance limits (stock swingarm)

• Front: ~3.5" wide, ~2.8" sidewall
• Rear: ~3.9" wide, ~3.1" sidewall

Wider tires may require:

• Taller fork stabilizer
• Extended swingarm

These limits are based on real-world fitment and account for flex under load, not just static clearance.

Tire Fitment Reference (Stock Geometry)

Front Tire Fitment

Rear Tire Fitment (Stock Swingarm)

Fitment Notes

• Taller fork stabilizer may be required for larger front tires
• Rear fitment depends on true mounted width, not labeled size
• Knobby and dual-sport tires (Shinko 244, etc.) run larger than street tires
• Always verify clearance under full suspension compression

Rear Swing Arm Compatibility

The stock ONYX rear swingarm supports a wide range of tire sizes and riding styles, but has defined clearance limits that must be respected.

• Supports up to ~4" rear tire width
• Stable at high speed (up to ~95 mph)
• Maintains front-end stability under acceleration

Limitations:

• Less comfortable for passengers due to shorter wheelbase
• Becomes more sensitive at higher power levels beyond stock

ONYX has developed wider and extended swingarms:

• Increased rear clearance for larger tires
• Extended wheelbase improves stability
• Better suited for passengers and heavier loads

Rear Swing Arm Tire Compatibility

Rear Swing Arm Rim Compatibility

Tire Size Systems

Two formats:

• Inch sizing (3.0")
• Metric sizing (90/80)

Metric reference:

Example:

90/80 = 3.5" wide × 2.8" sidewall

Tire sizing directly affects:

• Overall diameter
• Acceleration vs top speed
• Clearance at fork and swingarm
• Motor load and efficiency

Tire Load and Speed Index Explained

Tires include load and speed ratings that define safe operating limits.

Speed Rating

• P = 93 mph
• R = 106 mph
• S = 112 mph

The speed rating defines the tire’s ability to handle heat and structural stress at sustained speeds.

High-power ONYX builds should use:

R or S rated tires minimum

Load Rating

Load index defines how much weight a single tire can safely support.

Examples:

• 46 = 375 lb
• 50 = 419 lb
• 52 = 441 lb
• 57 = 507 lb

Load rating directly impacts:

• Sidewall stability
• Heat buildup under load
• Resistance to deformation

Heavier riders, passengers, or upgraded battery setups benefit from higher load ratings.

Common Tire Models (Comparison)

Weight, load index, and speed rating vary by exact tire size. Values above reflect common ONYX fitment sizes.

Tire Types by Use

These categories reflect real-world tradeoffs:

• Daily tires prioritize longevity and wet grip
• Performance tires prioritize traction and handling
• Mixed-use tires balance road and off-road capability

Always follow sidewall PSI limits during mounting.

Reference

For tire specs, comparisons, and purchase options:

• 72V ONYX Tires

Two Tires That Matter Most

Michelin City Extra

• Long tread life
• Strong wet grip
• Puncture resistant
• +10% longer lifespan vs City Pro
• +24% improved wet grip
• Water siping improves rain performance

Recommended sizes:

• 2.75 × 17 (best balance)
• 3.0 × 17 (mostly aesthetic increase)

Michelin Pilot Street 2

Performance setup.

Front:

• 90/80 × 17
• 112 mph rating
• ~3.5" width fits front without rubbing

Rear:

• 100/80 × 17
• 106 mph rating
• ~3.9" width fits rear swingarm perfectly

Characteristics:

• Closest feel to slick-style grip
• Significantly improved cornering confidence
• Higher grip results in faster wear

Recommended pressure:

• 32 PSI

Tire Diameter vs Acceleration

Tire diameter directly affects motor RPM required to maintain speed. Smaller diameters increase acceleration and torque at the wheel, while larger diameters reduce RPM and favor higher top speed.

Key Behavior

• Smaller diameter → higher RPM → stronger acceleration
• Larger diameter → lower RPM → higher potential top speed
• Increased diameter adds motor load and reduces effective torque

Reference

For additional context and updates:

• ONYX Tire Diameter RPM

Tubes and Flats

Best practices:

• 2-3mm thick tubes
• No slime
• No tire liners
• Use rim protectors

Slime can introduce imbalance and moisture-related corrosion.
Tire liners can shift and create uneven wear.

Tube Compatibility

Use thicker tubes (3mm) for puncture resistance in daily riding. Use 2mm tubes for easier installation and lighter setups.

17" Tubes

18" Tubes

Rear Axle Torque (Quick Reference)

• Axle nut: 24mm
• Torque: 80 Nm
• Brake caliper bolts: 12 Nm
• Clean axle before install
• 1-2 drops threadlocker

Advanced Clearance Notes

• Shinko 244 (3.0") requires taller fork stabilizer
• Rear tires over 4.0" require extended swingarm
• Metric sizes above 100/80 may interfere with front clearance

Clearance should always be verified under compression, not just static fitment.

Final Recommendations

• Zero drama: Michelin City Extra
• Maximum grip: Michelin Pilot Street 2
• Mixed use: Shinko 244
• Budget: ContiStreet

Wheel setup affects:

• Acceleration
• Top speed
• Motor load
• Braking
• Stability
• Range

It is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make on an ONYX.