1. yes.. wheels are just for winter
2. they were one of 2 17" wheels at Volco (1010tires.com) that would fit over the breaks
3. What's with all the rack-hating? I love the rack.. and it's actually functional.. not for show

. the entire reason I traded my RX-8 for the MS6 is because I surf in the summer and board in the winter, and the RX-8 didn't like to do either one (crap in the snow, and doesn't take a surfboard too well)..
Aside from that though, I actually do like the wheels better than stock.