New Carbon Fiber Wheels. Is this product a good/safe idea?

[Wrecked944]

These guys claim to be selling carbon fiber spoked wheels with aluminum exteriors. They don't indicate how much the wheels weigh (hmmm...). In theory it should reduce unspring weight and rotating mass. But is it safe?

http://www.01designsystem.com/

[RickM]

Hmm, wonder who tested them? I'd think with a product like this they'd lay it all out on the table.

[widebody911]

When I see a TUV certification, then we'll talk.

[masraum]

my bet is that it's a cf overlay on an AL center for a carbon fiber look

the newest bling for the ricer kids

[Slant930]

I have carbon fiber wheels on my mountain bike, Spinergy wheels, but carbon fiber wheels for your car? I am a little skeptical, especially at the prices they are advertising. It looks to me like almost a carbon fiber "cover" over a normal wheel to me. It does make one wonder about the possibilities though...

Timothy

[Elombard]

I would think F1 etc. would be using Carbon wheels if it was a good idea?

[Jack Olsen]

I think if it were anything other than an aluminum rim with a trendy skin, they'd list the wheel's weight as part of its specifications.

[deanp]

There is a company that is making carbon fiber modular wheels for ATV use. It is not your usual "bling bling" carbon fiber, looks more like a molded plastic part. The good part was they were modular and made replacing tires easier on ATV's, I don't recall them having much of a weight savings over the traditional reinforced aluminum wheel.

Here is the link for those that want to see the technology / reasoning behind the wheels:

HiPer Technology

[}{arlequin]

they make cf wheels for sportbikes, but they definitely don't see the stresses that automotive wheels see. i would keep it simple....

[Eric Coffey]

Just checked out the link. That is some serious bling, yo. I will GUARANTEE that those (01design) are simply CF overlays. I will also go out on a limb and say they are one-piece, with the modular fasteners just for show as well. If they were real modular wheels with CF centers, they would cost much more for one wheel than the guy is charging for a whole set.

}{arlequin-

Yep, Marchesini makes (very expensive) CF moto wheels. Their 17"x6" 5-spokes (rear) weigh under 4 pounds!

[cegerer]

If those were real CF spokes and not an overlay, they'd be priced more than $1400 per set. Hell, my carbon/kevlar/ceramic bicycle wheels listed for over $800 .......

[arerrac]

Do you guys think that an aluminum skeleton may be under the CF. I know that some full CF bikes (bicycles) use a aluminum skeleton for strength then cover it with a CF skin. It is amazing how strong these bikes can be. A 18 pound bike can support a 200 pounds rider and take the beating that goes along with poor road surfaces.
Just throwing it out there for $hits and giggles.
-W
Then again, it could be bling bling sticker job!

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by arerrac
Do you guys think that an aluminum skeleton may be under the CF.

Nope. Mfg. costs of that kind of technology are not reflected in the asking price. I am guessing cheap, sand-cast, heavy, one-piece wheels with carbon fiber "skin" and fake wheel bolts. In other words: BLING.

[Leland Pate]

Why doesn't someone email and ask for clarification?

[Randy Webb]

Just did -- will report back.

[vash]

i put a superlightweight carbon handlebar onto my mountian bike. i almost snapped my collar bone. somethings you dont want to risk. it was actually pretty funny, when the handle bar snapped, i stayed upright for a long time, i was trying to operate the brake on the half floating around. it was like a remote brake switch. who knows what a CF wheel would do in heaven forbid a crash...

[geof33]

Ya, there has to be an aluminum frame under. The lay-up of the CF is not very precise, as indicated by a couple of the close-ups of the spokes. Also, the area around the "fasteners" doesn't look particularly good either.

[Pete000]

I remember back when in F1 motor cycle racing they tried all composit wheels and they gave up on them because of reliabilty issues...

[911pcars]

I believe TUV (I can't find the umlat) is the spec only in Germany - requirements are high. Japan has there own. USA uses SEMA specs (or none?).

I suppose you could call these, "aluminum wheels with CF spoke caps".

Sherwood

[nostatic]

plastic is spastic...