why still using spoke wheels?

[InvolvedPatriot]

I'm sure there is a perfectly logical reason but it escapes me. I would think with all the new materials out there someone could come up with a strong/light mag wheel for a dirt bike. whatda'ya' think?

[valverde]

Good question, not sure though? They tried the mag concept out on BMX years ago and I think the problem was making something strong enough but still lite enough. You would think we would be seeing those disk wheels like the cyclist use, since technology has advance quite abit since my days in BMX.

[Mainjet2001]

Your solid mag wheels will not accept a hit (basically) without breaking.
Your bendable rims and spokes will. The current wheels are engineered to do that meaning that they soak up and dampen the forces that the wheel gets on impact loads.

The dirtbike wheels are a sacrificial lamb so to speak.
This means that the rim will deform first, bending the spokes (or breaking) and saving the hub.
That would not occur with solid rims.

Another point is if you buy better rims and stronger spokes and use them on stock hubs, you have then made the hub the weak point. You should update the hubs at the same time.

[InvolvedPatriot]

I understand what a motorcycle wheel has to withstand, It just seems there would be some type of composite (???or something???) that would get us into the modern age. We have been using spokes as far back as horse drawn wagons(maybe farther back) and with all the advances in technology we still use spoke wheels. We don't use spoke wheels on cars anymore, unless you drive an old Impala then you gotta', 'cause it looks pretty b!+(#in'...although I understand the weight issue comes into play here.

Just thought it would be an iteresting topic...Seems like there would be at least one company out there that makes a mag wheel (or something other than a spoke wheel) for a dirtbike. They make them for sportbikes and choppers.

[MotoMan]

You know I have thought this many times myself....but I always came back to the strength/weight thing. It seams that the "give" of the spokes is necessary and there isn't any other way (that we have found....yet. ) to achieve that and stay light.

[InvolvedPatriot]

I guess I just have to put my mind to it and this could be my $1 million idea. When I develop them anyone wanna help w/ R&D?

[Wheaty316]

Mike Metzger actually developed something similar about 5 years ago to the old BMX Tuff Wheels..not sure why it never took off but they did look cool...pretty pricey if I remember right.

[jaswhitt393]

I would think wind flow too. As windy as it is here I wouldn't want to jump with solid wheels...

[VET393]

I think the spoke wheels are more forgiving in the aspect of quick repair. You bend one at the track and alot of times you can pull it back with the spokes enough to keep going, you bend a mag(custom) wheel you may be out for the day, unless you have spares.

[ossagp]

There are some practical aspects. Does your dirt bike spends some time at extreme lean angles,,,does it take some severe forces vertically. have you heard of major manufacturers who built a frame that was "too stiff".

Flex or flexure (never knew that was a word until roadracing motorcycle builders started using it) is a part of keeping you hooked up to the ground without being beat up by it. Of course the roadracing crowd has a different set of obstacles to overcome than we do, in part.

Those of you who were around so cal 30 years ago probably saw quite a few tt and half mile bikes built with "mag" type wheels. they were adequately light. some may remember a worth desert competitor trying them. I wish I could remember Gene's last name. Kaw 350 taken way out size wize and lots of other tricks including a one off frame. they showed up on MX tracks as well. even on a production motorcycle.

Making one that will do all that we want and need will probably come, but the price of doing it now would exceed what your motorcycle costs ,,,,the flex or give is quite necessary given our current frames and suspensions.

[ossagp]

Main,,you must remember a RickmanMetisse (tr6 powered) rider who drove a Jeep pickup,,white,,,camper shell,,,ama stickers on it,,,Gene,,,,was it Staniffer or similar??

[Kenny400]

All the mechanics/physics of spoked and mag wheels aside, I think some sort of mag or non-spoked wheel just wouldn't look right on a dirtbike.

[Silver_Fox]

Originally Posted by Kenny400

All the mechanics/physics of spoked and mag wheels aside, I think some sort of mag or non-spoked wheel just wouldn't look right on a dirtbike.

The same was said about radiators too.

[ktmrider21]

i agree with the flex theory. rims today are plenty strong for what people use dirtbikes for... at least most people. and they are fairly light. if u wanted different rims for a weight issue, i don't think rims would be the place to look for a weight loss.

[Mr.Boof]

Originally Posted by jaswhitt812

I would think wind flow too. As windy as it is here I wouldn't want to jump with solid wheels...

Very true, we have high winds sometimes too, and with solid wheels, you would be all over the place, very goood point.

[InvolvedPatriot]

thinking....I wonder if you could make a composite(or something) wheel that has some give in it like they do with brake rotors? Where it "floats". (that idea I mean, not necessarily the same construction)

Even if it wasn't "better" than a spoke wheel at first, maybe a step in that direction. It would seem that a wheel could be designed in this way that would surpass a spoke wheel in performance. More resilient, less maintence, no rust, any color you want (think of the bling factor), different styles (maybe even spinners hahahahahahahaha).

Don't get me wrong I ain't no spoke hater I just think it is an idea that would sell if it ever got off the ground.

[Keetoman393]

A buddy of mine had some on his titanium framed mountain bike and found out one thing... they aren't as forgiving (soft) as the spokes are and if/when you crash, you better hope you don't get an arm or leg caught in it!

[superrooster]

Originally Posted by InvolvedPatriot

I'm sure there is a perfectly logical reason but it escapes me. I would think with all the new materials out there someone could come up with a strong/light mag wheel for a dirt bike. whatda'ya' think?

I think that its all about keeping the bike areo dynamic and the ability to replace the spokes....which puts more money back into the manufatcers hands

[MotoMojo17]

Forget different wheels-keep the spokes. Just improve them. I don't know why there aren't some type of ratchet-style tighteners for spokes, so they can be tightened but wont come loose as easily. Now THAT'S what the hell I'd like to see If you needed to loosen them or take them off, there could be a 'switch' or something to take the part that snags off of the ratchet. Or, it could be like holeshot devices and just engage after you turn the spoke a certain amount and have a release switch.

[b dawg 311]

hehe, try jumping a 90' double with a solid mag wheel.... let me know how it goes...... :

Brandon