Cybertruck owner Trbizwiz, who also owns a Model X Plaid and Model Y Performance, is actively planning to replace his truck's standard 18-inch wheels and tires with aftermarket options, specifically to "offset the ride quality loss from losing air suspension." This decision shows a growing trend among Cybertruck owners to modify their vehicles immediately after delivery, driven by perceived shortcomings in factory configurations. The core problem is a fundamental dissatisfaction with the Cybertruck's ride characteristics and the factory's choice of components.
This corrects what many perceive as fundamental design and packaging flaws that compromise ride quality and utility. Owners are spending thousands, or at least hundreds, of dollars on modifications like wheel covers and aggressive all-terrain tires, not for pure customization, but to address what they view as functional deficiencies. The industry context suggests that when a manufacturer delivers a vehicle that doesn't meet basic ride quality expectations, the aftermarket steps in to fill the void, often at the owner's expense.
Tesla's decision to equip the Cybertruck with a fixed-height suspension on some trims, combined with wheel choices that introduce excessive unsprung mass and stiff sidewalls, results in a ride quality that transmits every pavement imperfection directly into the chassis, often upsetting its balance over broken surfaces. This forces owners into costly aftermarket solutions to achieve a baseline of damping control and articulation needed for both on-road composure and off-road traction.
"I am planning on sticking with the 18's to offset the ride quality loss from losing air suspension. I'm between these two wheel options.
The HALODISC 2 Wheel Covers for Tesla Model 3 Highland 18" Photon Wheels by HALOBLK Store feature a glossy black, minimalist design with a smooth, solid face. A smaller angled view is shown in the lower left, both on a white background.
In full disclosure, there is no current Halodisc from Halo for Cybertruck, so don't get too excited. I did reach out to them, and they said one is in the works. I suggested that Tesla sold a lot of trucks with 18-inch wheels, which will probably require an upgrade for nearly all of them need an upgrade. Halodiscs need to be removed to adjust the air pressure in the tires. I think if I were off-roading, I would want to take the discs off, so it's not a huge issue for me. But something to consider.
Falken Wildpeak AT4s probably 285-75-18 (34.8 inches) under $1500 per set of 4 installed!! (I'll use jeep card rewards and get them for free. If I had the truck today, Jeep has buy 3 get 1 free. Jeep dealers don't love working on Teslas, but they do love money! Buy 3, get 1, ends this month. The next one will probably be in Oct. I wish Tesla had a similar CC rewards program.
The wheel cover option is the lowest cost, and adding aero to my wheels, while maintaining the low weight, and possibly offsetting the addition of the tires. The look is not for everyone, but I think paired with these tough tires and the futuristic looks of the Cybertruck, it's going to look really cool, for a low-cost upgrade.
My second choice would be the Paradox wheels. They are lower cost relatively to other Cybertruck-specific forged wheels, and they have the floating center hub, which is cool. But it has their logo, which is fine, but somewhat less cool. I think an LED backlit SpaceX logo on either of these wheel options would be fire. I'd also love it if the Halodisc covers had a floating hub.
Long story short, the 18-inch wheels are very appealing to me. I'd probably want this setup even if I got a premium."
Trbizwiz's detailed exploration of aftermarket options reveals a calculated approach to mitigating a factory deficiency. His focus on the 18-inch wheel size is critical; it's a direct acknowledgment that larger wheels, often prioritized for aesthetics, exacerbate ride harshness, especially when paired with a non-air suspension. The fact that he's eyeing 34.8-inch Falken Wildpeak AT4 tires, a choice typically made for serious off-roading and improved traction, further reveals the dual purpose of his modifications: better ride and enhanced capability. This isn't about vanity; it's about making the truck usable for its intended purpose.
Tesla Cybertruck: Aftermarket Wheel and Tire Options for Improved Ride
- The Tesla Cybertruck offers 18-inch and 20-inch wheel options from the factory, with the 18-inch wheels typically providing a more compliant ride due to a taller tire sidewall. Owners are frequently seeking aftermarket solutions to enhance ride quality, especially on trims without air suspension.
- Aftermarket wheel covers, like the HALODISC 2, are being considered by owners to improve aerodynamics and aesthetics on the 18-inch wheels, with some models designed for the Cybertruck specifically. These covers can cost as little as $229 for a set.
- Some owners are upgrading to aggressive all-terrain tires, such as the Falken Wildpeak AT4s in a 285/75-18 size (approximately 34.8 inches in diameter), to improve off-road capability and further cushion the ride. A set of four can cost under $1,500 installed.
- The Cybertruck's fixed-height suspension on some trims, a departure from the originally promised adaptive air suspension across the line, is a primary driver for owners seeking aftermarket ride enhancements. This forces buyers to invest further to achieve the desired comfort and capability.
The mention of "losing air suspension" is a direct jab at Tesla's product segmentation. This immediate aftermarket intervention by a multi-Tesla owner demonstrates the gap between Tesla's promised Cybertruck experience and the reality for early adopters. The subsequent introduction of lower-cost trims without this critical component leaves owners like Trbizwiz scrambling for solutions. This is a classic bait-and-switch, where initial promises are walked back for cost savings, pushing the burden onto the consumer.
Reddit user Mini2nut, who has a Dual Motor Cybertruck on order, weighed in with a practical suggestion: "The mounting system for the Halodisc ll wheel covers is very ingenious.
I would recommend trying out the $229 wheel covers first before dropping $2k+ on a set of Paradox 18” wheels."
Mini2nut's advice to start with the $229 wheel covers before committing to a $2,000+ wheel set is sound, but it also shows the financial implications of these factory compromises. Owners are now budgeting hundreds to thousands of dollars after purchasing a new vehicle, simply to achieve a level of ride comfort and aesthetic appeal that should have been standard. The "ingenious" mounting system of a wheel cover shouldn't be a primary concern for a brand-new truck owner; the truck itself should be designed to meet expectations.
The discussion then shifts to the availability of these aftermarket solutions. Trbizwiz's direct contact with HALOBLK about Cybertruck-specific Halodiscs, and their response that one is "in the works," points to a nascent but growing aftermarket industry trying to keep pace with Tesla's rapid, often unpredictable, product rollouts. This is not unusual for a new vehicle, but the urgency with which owners are seeking these parts suggests a deeper need than mere customization.
The idea of using "Jeep card rewards" for tires at a Jeep dealer is particularly telling. It shows the lack of a comprehensive, customer-centric ecosystem from Tesla that other established manufacturers have built over decades. Tesla's focus remains on direct sales and proprietary service, often leaving owners to fend for themselves when it comes to common automotive needs like tire purchases and installation, or even basic rewards programs. The fact that a Cybertruck owner is looking to a competitor's dealer network for a better deal on tires reveals Tesla's continued immaturity in the retail experience.
The final comment from CYBERTRUCKco, a site sponsor and Cybertruck owner, offers a direct trade for OEM 18-inch wheels: "CybertruckFox said: I ordered the Non-Premium AWD Cybertruck last week and I really prefer the Cyber wheels, but unfortunately they do not offer them on the non-premium model.
I likely will just buy them from eBay or Tesla directly, but I wanted to know if anyone has done something similar, and if you notice any difference in the ride quality or performance.
Thank you! I'll trade you a set of Cyber rims for the OEM 18's if in SoCal!"
This exchange with CYBERTRUCKco, offering a swap of "Cyber rims" for OEM 18s, reveals another layer of Tesla's configurator shortcomings. Owners are forced into a secondary market or direct negotiation to get the aesthetic or functional wheel they desire, simply because Tesla doesn't offer the preferred options on specific trims. This is not about choice; it's about restriction, and it forces owners into a convoluted process to get the truck they actually want.
The Cybertruck's initial configurations, particularly regarding wheel size and the absence of air suspension on certain trims, are driving owners directly into the aftermarket. Originally, the Cybertruck was touted with adaptive air suspension across the board, a feature important for both ride comfort and variable ground clearance. Tesla's strategy of segmenting critical features like air suspension, combined with a limited wheel catalog, forces owners to spend additional money and time to achieve a baseline experience that should have been delivered from the factory. This pattern of delivering a product that requires immediate owner-funded remediation is not a sign of innovation, but of an incomplete product strategy.
What are your thoughts about the Cybertruck and the direction Tesla is heading?
Are the updates just bloatware, or do they have a real effect?
Let us know in the comments.
Image Sources: Tesla Media Center
About The Author
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, covering sports cars, luxury vehicles, and performance culture. His reporting focuses on explaining the engineering, design philosophy, and real-world ownership experience behind modern vehicles.
Noah has been immersed in the automotive world since his early teens, attending industry events and following the enthusiast communities that shape how cars are built and driven today. His work blends industry insight with enthusiastic storytelling, helping readers understand not just what a car is, but why it matters.
Noah is also a member of the Southeast Automotive Media Association (SAMA), a professional organization for automotive journalists and industry media in the Southeast.
His coverage regularly explores sports cars, luxury vehicles, and performance-driven segments of the automotive industry, including the evolving culture surrounding Formula Drift and enthusiast builds.
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