> Doesn't a wheel with negative offset, mean that the centerline of
> the wheel is inboard?
Nope, that's backwards to the way most people use the term negative offset.
One thing that might help remember : "reverse" wheels have a negative offset
> It also seems to me that the really important dimension is the backspace.
Depends on what you're interested in. To me, they're just two different
ways of measuring the same thing.
> My understanding of backspace is one half wheel width
> minus offset. So minus
> a minus offset will increase backspace.
Right. Increasing the offset (ie making it more positive or "minus a
minus") will increase the backspacing.
Adding a spacer reduces both offset (making it more negative if it was
already negative), and backspacing.
TireRack's diagram might be a little clearer :
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/offset.htm
Randall
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