Most modern motorcycles come shod with alloy wheels and with good reason. Apart from aesthetics, they offer various advantages over steel rims. Before diving more into more details about alloy wheels, a very common question arises - what are alloy wheels and why have they become such a popular choice in two-wheelers and four wheelers?
Alloy wheels are wheels that are made from an amalgamation of metals, likely magnesium and aluminium. This blend provides more strength along with weight optimisation.
Alloy wheels started to gain popularity in the 1960s. However, with casting technology still in its early stages, they were more prone to failure. Once further refinement was achieved in the casting technology of these wheels, they became mainstream not just in personal vehicles but in motorsports as well.
There are various methods of manufacturing alloy wheels, namely: -
• Casting – This has been the most popular method of manufacturing alloy wheels. It has been further subdivided into low-pressure casting and gravity casting. Since the raw materials are easily available and the manufacturing process is relatively simpler, the price is a lot more affordable.
• Forging – This is a complicated process which involves heating, rolling, and hammering, and as a result, the structure of the alloy changes. Alloy wheels made with this process are usually stronger and more lightweight. However, manufacturing alloy wheels through this process is expensive.
• Flow Forming – This technology involves the application of pressure to the inner wheel while spinning the casing after it has been cast. It is technologically the most advanced method of manufacturing alloy wheels.
The key difference between the original cast wheel and flow forming technique is the thickness of the wheel. The pressure applied to the inner barrel of the wheel makes the product thinner and lighter, and as the aluminium in the wheel is compressed and stretched, the process increases the strength of the alloy wheel, endowing it with greater shock resistance.
Key Benefits of Alloy Wheels
Here are the key advantages of alloy wheels: -
• Rust-Free – The composition of different metals makes the surface corrosion and rust-free and can help the alloy wheels last longer and retain their shine.
• Weight Reduction – Thanks to the manufacturing process, alloy wheels tend to be lighter than steel wheels. Also, weight reduction serves multiple benefits like better riding dynamics and enhanced fuel efficiency.
• Performance – Alloy wheels, being lightweight, are more agile, put less stress on the suspension, and offer better steering control. Furthermore, alloy wheels also open up the option of custom tyres for better performance.
• Visual Appeal – Steel wheels come with a standard design which may vary from OEM to OEM. Further, for alloy wheels, there are multiple options for colours, designs and sizes which are either colour-coordinated or have a theme that the vehicle is based on.
In terms of modern-day motorcycles, it’s a significant advancement that has not just revolutionised how we perceive wheels, but also enabled OEMs to push the envelope of performance thanks to the benefits that alloy wheels offer.
Read More:
Alloy Wheels VS Spoke Wheels For Two-Wheelers: Pros And Cons
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