What are the good and bad pionts on aluminuim wheels..

It's seems to me they would damage easy beig softer metal...but lighter and wouldn't rust...

 

Generally speaking, if a designer needs to keep a steel part light, he can make it stronger out of aluminum, since it is about 1/3 the density of steel. This is expecially true when the part is designed to take bending forces. A thick chunk of aluminum can easily beat a steel part on a diet, but it costs a lot more.

As far I have been able to read, some thinner aluminum wheels bend easier than the steel ones, but the better aluminum wheels are the strongest. Many things on our kawasakis are made stronger out of aluminum than if they were made out of steel.

Rocks will always chew aluminum wheels more than steel. My steel wheels hit the rocks but not as much damage. That's why the big rolled edge on alum.

I have a set of steel and a set of aluminum wheels. I wish I had spent a few more bux to get aluminum wheels to save to save weight. My 28" mudzillas are on the steel wheels. The steel wheels add 3lbs per rim over the good aluminum ones. Every pound keeps you grounded, less sliding, less wheelieing.

Unless you are having tractor pulls against a heavier quads, lighter is better.

 

something else to think about. would you rather the aluminum wheel bend
or a suspension part? i would rather the wheel myself...