Rims to rappers are like snow to Eskimos-whether called dubs, blades, paper plates, or shoes, oversized wheels are an integral part of hip-hop auto culture. But for NYC-based artists, doing it big carries a big risk. Potholes lurk on the streets like hip-hop police, inspiring some rappers to-gasp-keep stock rims on their cars. Sure, they don't have the whip appeal of 24" spinners, but there's nothing fly about constantly repairing and re-chroming your wheels. "It's not practical at all," says rims expert Daryl Robbins of the Wheel Collision Center in Allentown, PA. "Bigger wheels affect braking distances and cause the suspension to react slower."

Havoc of Mobb Deep agrees: "I was catching flats every three days," he says. "Once you throw rims on your car, it never rides the same." Aesthetically, monster dubs also lack grown-man refinement. "Size used to be cool, even if it was ugly, but it has to look good now," says Funkmaster Flex, a man who knows his wheels. So, to recap, oversized rims are costly, impractical, and ugly. But hey: They spinnin', man, they spinnin'! Home » MEN'S STYLE » Gear » Rides » CARS » No Spin Zone