Assuming tire is same height and width does a 8" 9" or 10" wheel change anything ?
I know smaller diameter wheels allow for a little bit of a smoother ride and better traction. The smaller wheel also allows the tire to fold under when turning.
There's a difference between high and low profile tires in the sand.
Biggest difference...tire pressure.
Higher pressures allow you to have more control in the sand, while lower pressures give you more traction.
A small wheel benefits more from low pressure because the footprint spreads out more, and at the same time a higher pressure will make the tire balloon and appear rounded at the footprint...meaning it won't float well and has a tendency to dig in deeper which can rob power.
A large wheel benefits from higher pressures because it allows the tire to maintain a flatter shape and stiffer structure for handling, while low pressures are very detrimental to the tire since there's very little rubber between the ground and the wheel.
If you drop pressure too much with a big wheel, the tire is more likely to pop a bead and cause damage to the wheel...landing a jump on a hard surface or hitting a big enough bump can deform the wheel.
Likewise, a small wheel with low psi has more cushion and the tire itself gives as opposed to translating that force to the bead area, but at the same time it exposes more of the sidewall to damage and can cause handling problems.
Your terrain and riding style determines what size wheel you should use.
If you ride fast or race in the dunes, go with a big wheel and higher psi.
If you hill shoot or jump in the dunes, or for all-around performance, go with a small wheel...pressure is further determined by how much air you get and how often...bigger jumps, more psi, fewer jumps and cruising, less psi.
I've had both, and much prefer small wheels with big tires and just enough pressure to manage some decent jumps without ballooning the tires out.
Big wheels are great for high speed level sand, but they'll wear you out in choppy sand for all those times you're not screaming in top gear in smooth sand (shocks help, but don't fix the problem).
Regardless, it's not always a matter of wheel size and psi, sometimes it's a combination of those along with total weight, construction of the tire, and numerous other factors that all go into what type of setup is best tuned for you, the quad, and the terrain you ride at.
Tuning all of these factors in is what makes the most enjoyable, capable, or successful quad out there...you can have an awesome quad and rider but lose the race because the wheel setup wasn't right.
It's a lot of work, takes a lot of time and money to figure out the perfect combo, but that's why people build quads...it's their hobby.
To better answer your question, what is your intended purpose for your paddle use, that would make it easier to get input from members who do similar riding.
I guess it would mainly be for launch in a drag race situation. I have 8 paddle haulers on 8" rims ,9 paddle extremes on 10" rims, and 8 paddle haulers on 10" rims. Was wondering which would be the best to start with. For some reason I think the 9 paddle extremes would be best. But wasnt sure if the 8" wheel on the hauler would be better even though it has one less paddle on it.
how long of a race and what type of sand? for a long up say around >100m, 21'' 8 paddle on an 8" rim. the tire has more of a balloon shape and will float better on loose sand and 8 paddles from my experience with numerous hill shooter bikes will work will for approx 55-70ish whp for that distance. for a short run on more paddle will help with the launch and since the run is short the extra paddles will not hold you back like they do on a longer race. once the atv is rolling too many paddles will slow you down. from practicing numerous time with launches and watching personal videos i made the you have a large wheel and lower profile tire the tire tends to sink in the sand on a hard launch before it grabs vs a balloon tire that slowly crawls before it grips. on hard packed sand you can get away a lower profile tire and if its a short run, more paddle will get you going sooner provide you can control your launch and not wheelie over, a long swinger helps. the extreme has the same size paddle as the standard hauler just a thicker base so they do not damage as easily if you rider over hard packed dirt on the way to the sand.
I ran the 9 paddle on my hybrid and the 8 paddle on my zilla. The zilla seemed to have a better result because it let the tire spin more and get my R's up!
I run a 8 paddle on my ltr,hooks up well and im running a + 4swinger
I'm running a + 4 on both as well I got the 9 paddles cheap didn't need them bought for the price thought it would be better but I think ill stick with the 8 paddles
think of it as a spare set or you can sell/trade for zilla parts
here is my ltr kicking up sand going up a dune with some friends
http://youtu.be/w_qjMB_Tv4s
that looks like a pretty sweet spot to ride!