Tech-Law

Just want to have a frame of reference. TIA

Greg Fishman

http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/ has some pics.

nota_troll

http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/forged.htm

ESL

Could someone explain to the idiot here (me) exactly what is meant by reverse lip or everse drop center?

Greg Fishman

It is easier to see than describe. Basically with a reverse drop wheel you get a larger center piece and makes it look like you are running larger wheels

reverse drop wheels




non-reverse drop wheels

hn

Wow, it does make a difference. Now I know why some 3 piece wheels look good and some don't. Only if the retailers put this piece of info on their web sites I bet they would sell more. Thx

Edit: This is the exact reason why I didn't go with the RH 3.6 wheels, beside the weight.

David in LA

If you take a look at any rim you will notice that the front and back pieces are not symetrical - one side has a step as this is required so that a tire can be mounted (watch how a tire is mounted on a rim next time you are at the shop). Traditionally the piece with the step is on the outboard side (and thus has a smaller inside diameter) while the piece without the step was inboard. Someone got the bright idea to reverse the two sides so that the side with the step was inboard, and so the outside half would have the larger inside diameter and the overall rim would look to be of a larger diameter. You can see how the rim halves differ in the photos of the Kinesis K58 (btw one of my favorite rims) that Greg has posted above.

Viken

That, and the inner and outer rims are reversed to achieve the look.

David in LA

wow...it took Viken only 13 words to say what I needed a full paragraph to say!

ESL

I get it! Thanks guys!!

Tech-Law

I wonder if reverse drop adversely affects the physics of the tire/wheel connection. It seems like the outer edge would be under more pressure during cornering than the inner? I'm certainly no expert here...

Greg Fishman

Tech-Law,
I asked a friend who owns a wheel company about this and he didn't see any issue. He said you won't see them on race cars because it will make the wheels slightly heavier due to the larger center.

David in LA

I'm not sure I understand this....AFAIK the only non-insignificant adverse effect of reverse lips is that the center piece is a larger diameter and hence heavier. not sure why the outer edge would be under more pressure - if you are making a right turn than for one wheel the outer edge may have more pressure but then the inner edge of the inside wheel would also be under pressure; turn the other way and the pressure is reversed

Viken

Actually, there is one more issue. The outer lip, which is now used inside, is not as strong as the inner lip used outside. This might cause them to bend a bit more easily when used with substantial negative camber on the wheels.

KeithR3

I'm still confused...so what is a good wheel that looks good, that makes it look like you are using larger size and is good for regular street driving?

If you guys keep this up...I'll stick with stock. Now cut it out!