Beginners question
Beginners question
03-02-2003, 04:33 PM
#2
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Jon,
There are probably more than I will name here, but these are a few advantages around 3 piece wheels.
Since the 3 piece have a outer and inner rim you can easily repair wheel damage by replacing 1 piece or if you modify your car some how our change to another car and what to keep the wheels that can be resizes easily. In these cases you retain your center piece usually and probably on of the rim halves. Costs are much lower to do this rather than buy a whole new wheel. I cannot prove this but I find that the 3 piece wheels are lighter in weight that 1 piece wheels.
Some disadvantages to 3 piece wheels are cost. They are usually expensive by comparison to a 1 piece wheel. Three piece wheels can be more fragile as well (light weight properties cuase this), but repair is easier without an entire wheel replacement.
Just some thoughts. Hope this helps.
There are probably more than I will name here, but these are a few advantages around 3 piece wheels.
Since the 3 piece have a outer and inner rim you can easily repair wheel damage by replacing 1 piece or if you modify your car some how our change to another car and what to keep the wheels that can be resizes easily. In these cases you retain your center piece usually and probably on of the rim halves. Costs are much lower to do this rather than buy a whole new wheel. I cannot prove this but I find that the 3 piece wheels are lighter in weight that 1 piece wheels.
Some disadvantages to 3 piece wheels are cost. They are usually expensive by comparison to a 1 piece wheel. Three piece wheels can be more fragile as well (light weight properties cuase this), but repair is easier without an entire wheel replacement.
Just some thoughts. Hope this helps.
03-03-2003, 10:41 AM
#4
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by kary993:
<strong>Jon,
I cannot prove this but I find that the 3 piece wheels are lighter in weight that 1 piece wheels.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That is not always the case Kary. Take for the example the factory RS 3 piece speelines and compare them to the factory 5 spoke one piece MY02 rims. The later are very much lighter than the speedlines...
Of course I agree with you on the repair facts etc.
<strong>Jon,
I cannot prove this but I find that the 3 piece wheels are lighter in weight that 1 piece wheels.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That is not always the case Kary. Take for the example the factory RS 3 piece speelines and compare them to the factory 5 spoke one piece MY02 rims. The later are very much lighter than the speedlines...
Of course I agree with you on the repair facts etc.
03-03-2003, 02:50 PM
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Danny,
I agree with you, but what you are comparing are wheel technologies that are many years apart. Nonetheless, you are correct that a 1 piece wheel can be lighter than a 3 piece wheel. In general, though, I think you would agree 3 piece wheels are lighter?
What will the aftermarket wheel makers do if Porsche puts out a 1 piece wheel that is close or as light as their 3 piece wheels?
I agree with you, but what you are comparing are wheel technologies that are many years apart. Nonetheless, you are correct that a 1 piece wheel can be lighter than a 3 piece wheel. In general, though, I think you would agree 3 piece wheels are lighter?
What will the aftermarket wheel makers do if Porsche puts out a 1 piece wheel that is close or as light as their 3 piece wheels?
03-05-2003, 08:43 AM
#6
The biggest advantage of 3 piece wheels is that they can be customized for sizes as Kary pointed out - if the manufacturer is willing you make make any wheel fit any car so long as the bolt pattern fits. Related to this is that the manufacturer has the ability to make all of the pieces forged (ie. Kinesis) or only the lip or the center since forging results in a stronger and lighter wheel but at additional costs. Or the center can be magnesium while the lips are forged. It for these reasons that racers tend to use 3 piece wheels. Just to make things more confusing, there are also 2 piece wheels available on the market.
My understanding is that all else being equal a one piece wheel will be lighter than a three piece as there are no bolts, overlapping materials, etc (An 18" Volk wheels can be as light as 17lbs!!). Also some 3 pieces wheels were notorious for air leaks, although this is not a problem nowadays.
I personally think that the forged vs non-forged decision is more important than the 1 vs 3 piece.
My understanding is that all else being equal a one piece wheel will be lighter than a three piece as there are no bolts, overlapping materials, etc (An 18" Volk wheels can be as light as 17lbs!!). Also some 3 pieces wheels were notorious for air leaks, although this is not a problem nowadays.
I personally think that the forged vs non-forged decision is more important than the 1 vs 3 piece.
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03-09-2003, 09:21 PM
#8
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Another thought with three piece wheels in addition to the above is that you can upsize from 17" to 18" of vice versa like my 18" BBS wheels seen below.
Jim
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/BBS9resized.jpg" alt=" - " />
Jim
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/BBS9resized.jpg" alt=" - " />
03-10-2003, 04:05 PM
#9
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Jim Bell, are those tires from Chick or Woodman? I've been running Hoosiers and I could not keep up with a driver that had Dunlops this weekend. I plan on getting used Dunlops from Chick. Apparently they can be had for around 3 bills for a set of 4, used. You don't have Chick's # do you? Lastly, what can I expect from Dunlops if I've been used to Hoosiers, as far as wear rate is concerned?
03-10-2003, 09:45 PM
#10
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Arthur,
Got the wheels from Bob W and the tires from Bob C. I'll be at CMP this Friday. First time using Dunlops, so I don't know what to expect from them. I've always used Pirelli slicks from him before. Pirelli said no more selling used tires so that option is gone now.
Maybe I'll see you there?
Check your mail.
Jim
Got the wheels from Bob W and the tires from Bob C. I'll be at CMP this Friday. First time using Dunlops, so I don't know what to expect from them. I've always used Pirelli slicks from him before. Pirelli said no more selling used tires so that option is gone now.
Maybe I'll see you there?
Check your mail.
Jim