Alloy Wheels - Why

[catmandoes]

Why do people buy alloy wheels for Quads ? Considering the punishment they get when off-road seems to make much more sense to use steel ones. I know they look plush but they dont seem very practical.

[RED PRED]

Quite right, my lovely alloy wheels are in a right state at the rims after countless scrapes, mine are fairly light in weight so a benefit there but many alloy wheels particularly on cars are often heavier than their steel counterparts .
The main reason for them is that they look great .

[NJK]

But steel wheels would have a heavier sprung weight.

[catmandoes]

I need Heavy ;) to move my bulbus mass around :)

I guess if they are lighter thats thats a good reason for having them when racing. Do you reckon Alloy is weaker than steel ? Dont suppose strenght would be much of a issue as the intrinsic shape is strong anyway.

I was considering getting a new set of wheels equiped with more road orientated tyres. low priority but would be good to have. I kind the Kenda Claws great off-road but drag on the road abit.

I would imagine a set of steel wheels wouldnt cost so much especially as there are probably some going second hand, people replacing them for alloy.

[NJK]

No alloy's are as strong as steel wheels as long as they are designed correctly

[quadsuk.net]

i have got 3 sets of alloys for my renegade ..i got them because they look ok and they where cheaper than steel:eek:

[RED PRED]

Are you sure wheels are not an unsprung weight as they are attached to the quad before the suspension units ?

[NJK]

Every action has an opposite reaction and that crap.

[pottsy]

alloys should be lighter and generaly are on quads but not cars car wheels tend to be more about style
wheels are part of the unsprung weight hence if they are lighter then the quad should accelerate and brake faster but by frations of a second so unless you think that makes it worth it stick with what you have
but if you want the ultimate go carbon ie hipers