Bicycles on alloy wheels: pros and cons, choice

Bicycles on cast disks are still a rare phenomenon in Russia. Still, hundreds of times more people ride bicycles with regular and spoke rims. Nevertheless, cast bicycle rims have their advantages.

The parameters by which casting is selected instead of spokes - as an alternative to the classic spoke - are as follows.

• The number of transitions connecting the sleeve and the rim circle. The more there are, the more confidence such a wheel instills. If it is possible to choose a wheel with 7 supports converging in the center - instead of 5 - prefer this one.
• Rim diameter. Just like the outer dimensions of a regular spoke wheel, the alloy rims vary in sizes: 24, 26, 27.5, 28 and 29 inches.
• Rim material and structure. As you know, the box-shaped double profile of the outer circumference of the aluminum rim is almost the only option. Less commonly used is a magnesium-aluminum alloy.
• Bushing material... If it were 100% aluminum, it would quickly wear out - steel balls and other parts of the bushing drum would have made grooves in it for just a dozen or two kilometers. The use of aluminum ball bearings and a hub is generally not justified - the mechanism, again, would collapse under the weight of the rider. The disc wheel hub has a steel insert - like the one-piece hub that snaps onto a regular bicycle.
• Cyclist weight and riding style, road quality - characteristics, exceeding the values ​​of which will immediately lead to irreversible damage to the disc rim.

The advantages of a cast rim over a disc rim are obvious.

• Less wind resistance when driving. Narrow and flat supports (there are several of them) offer less resistance to air flow than 36 or more spokes.However, only riders will fully feel this, for whom 30 or more kilometers per hour on a bicycle is the norm of life.
• The rim will not "eight" over time, if shocks and vibrations are below the permissible values.
• The cast wheel does not need to be serviced. Even when you wash your bike after every ride in mud and mud, removing build-up from the "ribbon" blades is much faster and easier than washing them off each of the many spokes separately.
• High strength of the wheel. It can support a cyclist's weight of up to 110 kg with a quiet ride - this is stated by most manufacturers of "cast" bikes.
• Outstanding design... Alloy wheels for a bicycle bring it closer to the car - in terms of the appearance of the wheels.

• Sensitive to strong shocks... In case of a “hard” high-speed hitting tram rails or “cutting” into a curb, support or post, the wheel is not repairable and is thrown out immediately on scrap metal. Driving on rocky roads and dirt, broken asphalt for several tens of kilometers will lead to beats incompatible with normal driving. If the steel spoke "forgives" the owner of the bike for such negligence, then for a cast spokeless rim it is fatal.
• Less weight is still with conventional wheels. By paying for the cast ones, you will get an average increase of 325 g per wheel.
• Increased rigidity... Unlike steel spokes, which absorb unnecessary vibration, aluminum wheels "shake the soul" out of you in potholes. Combined with the aluminum frame, you get even less ride comfort. If it were not for the suspension fork - normal, and not the visibility that is put on inexpensive bicycles under 20 thousand rubles - and the same properly working rear suspension, you would quickly no longer want to ride such a bike.
• Finally, the high price tag will blow your mind. You can reduce your costs a little by ordering a similar bike from a Chinese or European store. If the model is the same, you will save no more than 20% of its cost in Russia. For the reduced price, you will pay with a long wait - from 10 to 100 days.

Unlike dozens of popular companies specializing mainly in bicycles and spare parts for them, bikes with cast rims are produced by popular car factories. Therefore, the cost of such bicycles is much higher. For the amount paid when buying a bike from Mercedes or Audi, Green Bike, Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, Hummer, Lamborghini, you can buy a multi-speed folding bike from, for example, Strida or Dahon, which uses parts of above average quality.

At the same time, you are most likely to protect yourself from counterfeiting. An alternative solution is to buy a regular mountain or road bike with spoke wheels and replace the spoke rims with solid ones.

The BMW Due has a slightly arched frame. Cast rims have 6 blades. The rear wheel fender is sharpened. Despite the absence of a significant number of gears, the bike is able to pick up speed quickly. The wheels are equipped with disc brakes. The fork has a spring-oil shock absorption, which allows the bike to ride on rough terrain with dirt roads. But the color of the frame - neutral white, aggressive red, etc. - does not affect driving performance.

The line of models Lamborghini L1… L10 has minor differences. Their general equipment is as follows:

• 19 "aluminum frame - suitable for 155-195 cm tall.
• 26-inch wheels with aluminum-magnesium alloy rims, semi-slick or partially aggressive tires.
• 21 (3 front and 7 rear) speed. Shimano Tourney class derailleurs.
• Mechanical disc brakes with a circumference of 16 cm.
• A spring-rubber damping fork with a travel of up to 10 cm. There is a dull damping system, the travel stiffness is adjustable.
• Saddle adjustable in angle and weight.
• Optional accessories: bottle with holder, bag, anti-theft cable lock, stop lamp, pump and hex keys.

Cast rims are not just aluminum, but a high-strength alloy based on it. The multi-stage transmission is complemented by Shimano disc brakes. Two models - red and black - are practically the same in terms of parameters:

• non-folding frame for a height of 165-195 cm;
• 16 kg weight of the entire bike;
• 130 kg load for the convenience of heavyweights;
• 24 speeds (8 behind, 3 in front);
• double magnesium-aluminum reinforced cast rims;
• 26-inch wheels;
• mechanical braking based on Boli MT116 discs with a 160 mm shaft;
• oil-spring design of the Suntour XCM fork;
• Trust aluminum pedals;
• leather saddle from Vader.

This bike model has a folding frame that allows you to transport the bike on a bus or train. 28-inch wheels and thicker tires make it possible to ride on dirt roads. However, Land Rover also has a number of other models at varying prices.

• Experience Sport - from 37,000 rubles.
• "6-50 PRO" - for city roads and country roads. From 55,000 r.
• "6-50 TEAM" - mountain model, from 92500 rub.
• "6-50 HYDRO" - hydraulic braking system, the cost of the bike is from 73,000 rubles.
• DYNAMIC - full suspension model, fork with dull damping. From 98000 rub.
• ROUTEFINDER PRO - for any roads, from 54600 r.
• ROUTEFINDER HYDRO - a universal bike with hydraulic brakes and 27 speeds. From 79,000 r.
• ALL ROUTE 833 - for all roads, with 21 speeds. From 35,000 r.
• ALL ROUTE 733 - similar to the previous one, but female model. From 41,000 r.
• ASCOT - city bike for women. From 38,000 r.
• WINDSOR - a bike with a reliable luggage rack and protection against splashes from under the wheels. Gel saddle. From 38,000 r.
• CORDONZA - children's 6-speed. From 25000 rub.
• CAVELLO - for girls from 5 years old, from 25,000 rubles.
• CASELLA - for girls from 8 years old. 18 speeds, low landing. From 26000 r.
• CRIADOR - for boys from 8 years old, with 18 speeds. Suitable for training before sports races. From 26000 r.
• BRAVO - interesting for preschoolers, from 19500 p.
• MIMI - for preschoolers. From 19500 p.
• G-4 - full suspension bike, foldable frame. Model for heavy weights up to 160 kg. The height of a biker is 150-195 cm. From 20,000 rubles.

Hummer Tactical Mountain bike - model for the military. It has 2 speeds, brakes on disc pads, and the included tires are puncture-proof with several layers of Kevlar. The frame is made of aircraft grade aluminum alloy. The frame size is 16-21 inches, which allows this model to be used by bikers of any height. When folded, it occupies a space with a plane of 1 m2. You can assemble the bike "out of the box" using one lever included in the kit. When folded, it stands firmly, leaning on the footrest.

The Hummer EcoBike model allows you to go with the engine at a speed of up to 40 km / h only due to the operation of the engine. If you add pedal travel, you can accelerate to 80 km / h. Biker weight - up to 150 kg. The bike is ideal for hikers. For autonomous recharging, it is advisable to buy a powerful solar battery - the built-in one has a capacity of up to 15 ampere-hours, and it may need to be recharged. The standard charger charges the bike in 10 hours.

Black One Totem FS-26-DFW - mountain bike, 21 speeds, 26 "wheels. This is an entry-level alloy wheel bike. Spring fork travel - up to 6 cm. Entry-level mechanical disc brakes (1 of 8). Bushings based on industrial bearings of the initial amateur class (second). The pedal mechanism and transmission are also in the first class.

HIPER Engine BF201 - electric alloy wheels... The mileage from each charge is up to 55 km, the speed is up to 25 km / h, it is powered by a 10.4 amp-hour battery. The battery voltage is 36 volts. 20-inch wheels, foldable model, 6-speed rear derailleur. Suitable for summer and off-season travel conditions in Russian conditions. The weight is not the heaviest - only 26 kg assembled. In the city, it replaces trips on public transport, since due to pedaling it allows you to travel a little more than you travel by bus in both directions. There are three modes available:

• at the expense of pedals without the help of a motor;
• at the expense of only the motor;
• in mixed mode.

Buyers speak differently about the bicycles of eminent auto brands. Some emphasize the elegant - in comparison with the models of bikes with simple spoke wheels - appearance, presentability of both rims in particular, and the entire bike as a whole. Others emphasize that these bicycles are not adapted for aggressive driving with hard braking and bad, "killed" road. Opinions are divided here as follows.

Alloy wheel bike - similar to a car from the same manufacturer: the three-bladed wheels look gorgeous. The subtext here is this: a car owner who has bought an X-6 from BMW is fired up with the idea of ​​buying a bicycle, for example, a model X-, for active "after-work" rest. Or he looks for - and finds - a bike from competitors. Not a bad combination - for example, a BMW-X6 car and a bicycle from Mercedes-Benz. To mention in passing that “I have a BMW and a Mercedes” - to fan myself with an aura of mystery and consistency, to intrigue the listener.

A bike with cast rims is something that, on the contrary, should not be invested in. This is the desire to show off in front of friends, acquaintances and passers-by. It is impossible to straighten the rims without spokes - as soon as the rim is "led" to either side, you will immediately feel the beats and / or vibration while driving. The damaged wheel is replaced urgently. Otherwise, a quick and inevitable end will come to the bushing mechanisms. For an amount of about 15,000 rubles, which costs only cast rims (bicycles in the middle price range emphasize this consumable item), you can get more than durable and wear-resistant spoke wheels that can withstand at least several thousand kilometers of off-road and bumpy roads before there will be "eights".

Or the surplus money spent could be invested in improved derailleurs, brakes, or fork damping. A bicycle with cast rims, notes another segment of users, is nothing more than a waste of money. And what a shame, this money will be spent on something with which it is better not to meddle outside the city streets and avenues in the city center. This situation hits the residents of villages and settlements, where not all street roads are in good condition. Buying cast rims, Russian bikers will sharply limit themselves in the freedom of riding.

It may happen that after buying a "cast" bike, you change your mind and immediately sell it. The best way out is a model bike with cast wheels, easily replaceable with regular spoke ones. This "downgrade" will save you the rest of the body kit, and you will continue to ride your favorite bike.

For an overview of a bicycle with alloy wheels, see the following video.