Wednesday, October 30, 2013

You Spoke Up

Most posts get none or maybe one comment, but the post on 12 spoke wheels got a few people interested. 
 This is the billet wheel from IK Works Japan that Irish Rich mentioned. 

 Rich and Zeeman both mentioned this wheel from W&W. It will be produced in sizes 16"and 19". Whats' up with all those hub holes? That looks like a problem waiting to happen. to be fair, read the latest comments from the source.

Here's the Performance Machine billet version Rich mentioned seen here on Cole Foster's Special K. I'd forgot about them until Rich spoke up. From the Joyrides Art Co. blog. 
Besides the trouble to manufacture, to me, they don't cut it. The center hub where the spokes connect is very narrow making the two side's spokes almost inline which defeats the dimensional look of the originals. Instead it produces a less interesting wagon/stage coach wheel effect. From the Joyrides Art Co. blog. 

4 comments:

Noot said...

Who wants their bike to look like a stage coach? . . . plus, some of these "performance builds?" use them, and they ain't real light if you know what I mean? That, and tiny, air choking air horns, goofy pipes, etc.

WhitelinePsycho said...

I dunno, different spokes for different folks. I can appreciate the potential for weakness in the hub due to so much material being drilled/cast out and embrittlement with old, high mag content originals but the 'look', on purely aesthetic terms, is pretty 'classic' in as much as drag inspired speed stuff goes. I can see what you mean by the wagon wheel feel but feel it's pretty harsh, I reckon they look nothing short of smart. As for Special K, it will forever remain a top tier example of melding the best of restrained contemporary styling with a big tip of the hat to the glory days of yesteryear. Thought provoking posts Chris, cheers.

Irish Rich said...

Chris, until I "spoke up"? Haha, that was a good one!

Paul Jung said...

Re. W&W 12 spoke wheel
The wheel was designed to work with drum brakes as well as with disc brakes, the latter via adapters. Manufactured in collaboration with Rick’s Wheels in Germany. This company makes wheel since 20 years and the hub design is very similar to what they use in their own products. There will be no problem "with all those holes" as long as you keep your bolts tight, just as you naturally do it with your stock HD hub. Prototype wheels are on the road since one year and many miles without problems.

Paul / W&W Cycles