Choosing Between Aluminum and Carbon Wheels

Carbon wheels have been around for quite some time and have always been popular. They provide the advantages of both wheels and tyres in a lighter weight, at a reduced cost, and with better resistance to wear and tear. Carbon is also an environmental of modern biofuel production, which makes good sense that the Tyre industry is interested in making use of this material as well. With these advantages and many more, carbon wheels are the perfect choice for your new car.

One of the most important things to remember when buying carbon fibre wheels is that you should fit them to an aluminum rim. The reason for this is because carbon fiber is not yet a widely accepted replacement for aluminium in the automotive industry, largely because it is quite expensive and because many people question whether carbon is as strong or load-bearing as aluminium. If you get carbon rims fitted to an aluminium rim, the chances are that your car will have significantly less wear and tear, which will lead to longer service life and better resale value.

Another thing to bear in mind when buying carbon wheelsets is that you should buy tyres that complement the wheels, rather than the other way round. For example, if you choose to go for mud tyres, then you need to fit them to the rear wheel. This is because the wrong pair of mud tyres can do a lot more damage than good to your car's aerodynamics. However, if you go for speed rims, then you might be better off with the front mud/speed tyres, as this will make your car look much better and will help with its speed performance. It is a good idea to get an alignment kit too, as this can help your car with its handling.

The final thing to consider when looking at carbon wheelsets is the type of hub or bearing that they have. Most road wheels are made from aluminum, which is fine if you want minimal weight and high performance, but there are ones now available made from carbon and magnesium. Carbon fibre is strong and lightweight, while magnesium offers greater strength as well as greater handling. One of the downsides is that these types of materials cost more, and they also rust. On the plus side, these are more expensive and harder to repair.

When it comes to choosing a wheel brand you should always stick to reputable names such as Royal, spokes and hub companies such as NAPA, Kartop, spoke mounts, etc. Although there are some cheaper wheel brands available, you should steer clear of these as they won't last as long and they can be cheaply made. A good tip when shopping online is to read customer reviews before making a purchase. The major brands such as Royal, spokes, hub companies and others all have customer reviews listed on their websites. Also, read through the warranty information to see whether or not the wheel you are thinking about buying has a warranty.

Before you decide on a particular set of carbon wheels or an aluminum wheelset, make sure you do your research beforehand. Find out what the wheels are made from and read through the warranty information. Talk to other users on the forums or blogs relevant to the model and make sure you get a sense of whether the wheel will suit your needs before committing to a purchase. If you take your time, finding a carbon fiber wheel that outperforms an aluminum wheels can be done quite easily.