The terms “wheel” and “rims” are often used interchangeably. Depending on where you’re from, people call the “wheel” the “rim,” while other places call the “rim” the “wheel.” Although people use it interchangeably, the terms are very particular in the original technical sense. While the two are often discussed together, they are not identical.
A wheel is an entire metal on which a tire is mounted. A car wheel consists of many different components that contribute to the overall aesthetic and performance. To understand the features of a wheel, let’s better understand each of the constituent parts.
The center bore (CB) is the opening in the center of a wheel that allows the wheel to fit on an axle. Around the center, bore are the lug holes which depending on the cars, have different Pictch Circle Diameter (PCD). Going outwards are the spokes, they connect the center disc to the outer ring of the wheel. The spokes are one of the significant elements that contribute to the style and aesthetic of a wheel’s design. The openings in between the spokes are referred to as the windows. The size and style of the spokes determine the size of the windows. The wheel’s perimeter consists of the rim, valve stem holes, outer lip, and barrel. These components are the structures necessary for mounting the tire.
All of these components together are called a wheel.
Like a basketball rim, the term "rim" on a wheel refers to the outermost part of the wheel. It consists of the barrel rim, the bead, and the flanges. Rims serve as a supporting surface for tires and help to secure them to the wheels firmly. A rim ensures proper tire-rim fitting, as well as keeping the air inside the tire.
Rim is the outermost part of a wheel.
As a wheel company, we do not refer to a wheel as a "rim", because the word "rim" has its specific meaning and represents a specific area on a wheel. The reason why people use the word "rim" interchangeably with "wheel" is that most people are used to using the word rim and will understand when the word is used in conversations. There is no right or wrong when it comes to how to name things, as long as people can understand and communicate with each other, there is no need to hinge on the choice of wording.