Aluminum Wheels

[Echodawg]

Ok, been lurking for awhile and now ready to build. What are the pros and cons (or what is preferred) in regards to aluminum wheels versus chrome plastic? Is it all a matter of personal taste, weight, looks, durability or just doesn't matter?

 

[DaViolentOne]

They add weight, for sure... But they also add a fair bit of rolling mass to the axles.. I've seen a Clod shear a stub shaft off with aluminum wheels and Red Rocks on them with hardly any kinda binding.. It just up and sheared against a log...

I read in an RC mag once, too, that the main difference between plastic and aluminum is about 9dB of sound, depending on height dropped from...

I think it mostly comes down to personal pref... I've seen some I like, but, Can NOT justify the cost for them when I can get a full set of wheels and tires for about the same $$... Maybe down the road once I've retired or won the oottery, but, I'll go with my Maximizer beadlocks for now...

 

[K_B]

For me, I bought alloy wheels not because they were alloy, but because they were beadlocks. That was the clincher for me (no pun intended). I also have a set of Delrin beadlocks. I swap out tires alot so gluing and ungluing is a pain although loosening 64+ screws is just about as big of a pain. There's also the Axial beadlocks in which the wheel itself is molded plastic and the ring is metal. And they're much cheaper than the alloy beadlocks.

 

[seanhawk]

For me, I bought alloy wheels not because they were alloy, but because they were beadlocks. That was the clincher for me (no pun intended). I also have a set of Delrin beadlocks. I swap out tires alot so gluing and ungluing is a pain although loosening 64+ screws is just about as big of a pain. There's also the Axial beadlocks in which the wheel itself is molded plastic and the ring is metal. And they're much cheaper than the alloy beadlocks.

ha yeah i bought those rc4wd beadlocks so i could swap out tires, but once i got all the rings on i dont think i would ever want to take them all out to swap on tires..theres to many damn screws..i just changed the rings on the front and it took a while.

 

[K_B]

Like 64 screws weren't enough, after I saw yours, I just bought FrankyRizzo's 12-hole beadlocks 96 screws... yeesh...

 

[DaViolentOne]

Gotta love Maximizers... 32 total for all 4 wheels... Outer only.. Inners are molded into the wheel...

 

[seanhawk]

Like 64 screws weren't enough, after I saw yours, I just bought FrankyRizzo's 12-hole beadlocks 96 screws... yeesh...

hah yeah 96 screws get to be alot..I think its worth it once you get them all in though...it looks great

 

[dittohead]

i think the biggest advantage is you get a way stronger hex area with an alu. wheel. you can run them with alu. hex's and you will never strip a wheel/hex again. I have stripped a few plastic wheels and hex's and it really sucks, especially since there isnt a LHS here that stocks anything. I will eventually move up to alu. wheels, but not for a while.

 

[foodstamp]

biggest advantage is you get a way stronger hex area with an alu

ya, ive stripped some plastics, which is wered becouse my truck is a mudder

 

[Echodawg]

Thanks all, atleast now I have an idea.

 

[Jeeper Creeper]

If you can afford them....get them. I have one set and think they should last forever.