what do you guys think of these 18" moped rims?

[auraslip]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALLOY-ALUMINUM-RIM-18-X-1-40-WM0-36-HOLE-/160724781952?hash=item256bf18b80&item=160724781952&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

$40 a pop and supposedly alloy? Could be a perfect size. OD would come out to just slightly less than a 24" bicycle wheel with hookworms.

 

[Kingfish]

If I don't know the manufacturer then I won't buy it. $40 for a rim is really cheap; it makes me ask: "What's wrong with it?" That said, you might want to look at DOT tires instead of 24" Hookworms which I learned today that they are in short supply. A DOT tire would have similar parameters to a front wheel of a Harley, and would probably work just the same - plus it would be more rugged.

Have you looked at Buchanan Rims? The one on eBay looks like a Sun rim (or knockoff).
~KF

 

[Drunkskunk]

Looks Chancy but maybe good.

Tempting, too. Some nice light spoked rims would look good on my motorbike. But they only have 3 left.

Motorcycle rim won't have a bead like a bike rim, but there are some decent motorbike/moped tires available in sizes down to 1.75"


Try Treatland.tv or 77mopeds for tires and tubes

 

[auraslip]

The whole reason I'm transitioning to non-bicycle rims is so I can use thicker, safer, better tires. I run a hardtail so big tires could make a big difference.

Is $40 cheap for a rim? There are 2 places I can get 17" steel moped wheels laced into bicycle hubs for $50 a pop plus shipping. Bicycle rims are cheaper than that too.

 

[Drunkskunk]

cheap-ish for aloy. But if you can get 17 already laced in bike hubs for $50, jump on it.


Bada$$ tire for 17 or 18 would be :
https://www.treatland.tv/michelin-M62-gazelle-17x3-00-tire-p/michelin-gazelle-17x3-tire.htm
17X3" Those Gazelles are some of the best all weather tires for mopeds.

 

[auraslip]

I would have already order them from stevil knevil, but the rims are steel. The tires are gonna be heavy enough as it is! I built the battery box out of balsa wood in anticipation of this build being HEAVY.

JRH has some 17" and 18" alloy rims. I'll have to ask him about the prices.

Gazelles look so sexy. I hope I can find something similar in 18" or wtvr I finally end with. I'm going to have to make a jig to test out the optimal height for my bike. I want the largest OD possibl, but I don't want to be tip-toing at stop lights with my xxl frame and wide battery box.

 

[Drunkskunk]

I have some 17 and 18 wheels here. the 17"s are off a moped. the bare front wheel, with 11 gauge spokes and hub is 7lbs, steel. the rear, including a 17X3" tire and motorcycle tube is 13 lbs. also steel. The 18's are 18.5 pounds with tire, but those are steel mag wheels.

Aluminum will be lighter. but half the weight is the tire and tube. half the weight of what remains is the hub, spokes, and nipples. that leaves roughly 1/4 of the weight being the rim. if you go aluminum, you can shave that weight by about half. Worth it for weight, but its not a lot of weight difference.

 

[auraslip]

drunkskunk, thanks so much for that info. it makes comparing everything so much easier. I'll have to come down to dallas if you guys ever do your ebike dallas meet up again.

18.5lbs / 2 (half in the tire and tube) = rim + spokes + nipples / 2 (half of that being rim) * 2 wheels = 9.25 of steel rims (I'd like to see the expression a weight weenie road biker would make if I told him my rims are 10lbs)

Now aluminum is supposed to be 1/3rd the weight of steel, but It's not quite as strong so they have to use more of it. So maybe half as light? MAYBE - No rim has their weight listed.

And doesn't spinning/rolling/unsprung weight make a huge difference? You'd think they'd list it! If I can save 5lbs I think it might be worth it!

 

[auraslip]

I mis-read your post drunk skunk about the mag-wheels. So I made this comparison spreadsheet:

17" wheelset with pirellil ml75 and stevil knevils steel wheels would weigh around 8lbs more than a 24" hookworm and rhynolite wheel set. About 4lbs in difference would be in the tires alone. 8lbs extra is a lot on a bicycle, but on an ebike?

If anyone has any more information about moped tires, let me know. I'd like to expand this and get the weigh of a bunch of moped tires and rims.

 

[auraslip]

I ordered the rims. Now it's a question of tires.

IRC NR35s

or Gazelles?

Gazelles are slightly more, but look like they'd have a higher rolling resistance.

And then it's tube and rim strip time. New world to me. I know nothing about motorcycles.

I'm assuming (hoping really) I can use standard bicycle spokes and nipples to build these wheels up.

 

[Drunkskunk]

The Gazelles will get better traction on everything that isn't clean dry concrete. But those N35s are a sexy looking tire.

 

[auraslip]

I've had the rims for a few weeks. Sadly I'm not gonna use them. Too expensive to get custom made spokes and new rubber. Really bummed out. I think these would be the absolutely perfect size for an ebike.

They seem about double the weight of a 24" bicycle rim.

I'll sell them for $80 shipped anywhere in the US.

 

[sn0wchyld]

I've had the rims for a few weeks. Sadly I'm not gonna use them. Too expensive to get custom made spokes and new rubber. Really bummed out. I think these would be the absolutely perfect size for an ebike.

They seem about double the weight of a 24" bicycle rim.

I'll sell them for $80 shipped anywhere in the US.

its probably too expensive, but can you check shipping to aus?

 

[Kingfish]

They look very good for the purpose. No one in your area makes spokes? Can you have Buchannan make them? Hate to see your efforts go to naught. You are so close to fulfilling a dream.

Best, KF