What is the point of alloy wheels?
Some say weight saving, but surely that is wiped out by just one passenger.
Is there any practical reason for alloy wheels beyond them looking good?
Rockingrabbit
What is the point of alloy wheels?
Some say weight saving, but surely that is wiped out by just one passenger.
Is there any practical reason for alloy wheels beyond them looking good?
Rockingrabbit
Rockingrabbit gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
Usually, it's the other way - factory steels are often lighter than factory alloys.
Sure, that's because most factory alloys are fairly thick castings - for a good reason, in order to withstand potholes and the like...
Is there any other reason needed?
You could say that about any weight saving on a car. Weight reduction is always good. However, most road car alloy wheels save very little weight.
Only that you can't lose your wheel trims.
Although for the same tyre & strength the alloy one would be lighter.
In article , Adrian writes
In principle the less the unsprung mass the better; hence the quest for lighter wheels and the use of alloys on high performance cars. Like so many things today I suspect that most alloys are 'fake high performance' fashion accessories.
"Duncan Wood" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
Not IME.
Competition alloys are light, but they're fragile. Steel road wheels are surprisingly light without tyres on.
I've only tried comparing like with like & find the opposite to be true. I've not noticed the minilites being fragile.
True enough, but then you can't replace your alloys for less than
20ukp a set if you scuff the life out of them."Duncan Wood" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:
PROPER Minilites aren't (or weren't) alloys. They were magnesium. Nor are they anything approaching cheap...
Unalloyed magnesium isn't much cop either. You can get miniltes in magnesium or aluminium from minilite, you're very unlikely to bend either. You bend alloys because you put rubber bands on them, I've never seen a bent Stag alloy either.
Another reason given sometimes is more air gets to the brakes to keep them cool (a steel wheel is more or less a complete disk without many gaps in it).
But brakes work very well these days for most purposes anyway.
You're missing the point about *where* the weight is saved. Not all weight saving is equal. Weight in the wheels is "unsprung weight" and the less unsprung weight you have, the better your shock absorbers and suspension will be able to work to maximize grip and traction.
I would agree though that most alloy wheels are entirely cosmetic and may not be lighter than steel wheels.
Tim
I'm not making a point about where weight is saved!
Indeed. And the lower profile tyres will increase the wheel rate. And you can fit bigger brakes.
Do you know anyone that wants some stag alloys? Very cheap to clear?
some cars have alloy wheels AND a wheel trim (not many I agree)
Nope, 5 more here :-(
It would seem a wise idea if you've got one those Teddy polos...
Not really. I'm sure larger steel wheels could be produced that would allow larger brakes and provide enough air.
Mate of mine just got a new BMW 325 with 19" alloys and rubber band tyres. Must be a bit bumpy I said. He agreed.
Of course a lot of people try to convince themselves that lower profile tyres give better handling with a smaller sidewall, but surely that's more down to the tyre construction and its pressure, look at F1 tyres after all.
Z
I'm fairly sure that F1 tyre aspect ratios are limited by the regulations.
I'm fairly sure that an F1 car still corners better than my mate's 325.
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