First off, starting from the bottom of your response, since we are talking snow tires, the difference in performance between 17 and 16 inch tires is not vast. However, if you mean snow performance, the 16s will perform better as they will normally have a narrower tread. That said, my 255 40 17 rims are a LOT closer to getting smashed than my 225/55/16 rims are (as in there is apprx 18% more sidewall on the 16s). Also, as I pointed out, there are a lot more potholes in the winter and you hit a lot more of them. Don't get me wrong, as you pointed out, each and every rim can be bent - just that the 16s have less of a chance and work better in snow. That's my point.