Traditionally motorcycles and cars came only with spoke wheels. If you remember how classic Impalas used to gracefully show-off their spoke wheels complementing the long extended hoods and tails, a typical classic example. Not just the Impalas, but every other classic car back then had spoke wheels. Also, when it comes to motorcycles, be it the original Royal Enfield or Jawa bikes, they all came with spoke wheels. So how the transition to alloy wheels did took place and why was it important?

Spoke wheels comprise of spokes wires which are beaded into the wheel rims. This construction of spoke wheels provides its strength and flexibility. Spoke wheels are generally shod on to tubed tyres since they cannot support tubeless tyres because of the air leakages which happen through the holes in which spoke wires are laced out. This is one of the main negatives when spokes wheels are compared to the alloy wheels.

Spoke wheels are generally more flexible and durable when compared to alloys, this is the reason why they are used extensively in the off-road bikes and cars. On the other hand, spoke wheels are heavier compared to alloys and they are not as preferable as for high speeds as the alloy wheels, hence all the modern day sports bikes and street bikes come with alloy wheels.

What makes alloy wheels more preferable for modern bikes?

The proficiency and advantage of alloy wheels lies in its basic construction. Since aforementioned, alloy wheels are lighter compared to the traditionally used spoke wheels they provide an added advantage of overall weight reduction which is a very critical factor when modern day bikes are taken into consideration. Alloys are universally produced with the process of casting or forging (for higher strength), and light weight metal alloy (mostly aluminium or magnesium) are used in the making of alloy wheels. This process gives alloy wheels a significantly reduced weight.

This weight reduction helps the bike to deliver more power to weight ratio punch, and at the same time adds to slightly better fuel economy. That said, the other advantage of alloy wheels can be seen when out straight performance and handling is taken into consideration. Since alloy wheel are proven to provide a more stable ride, and agile handling they are naturally more preferred. But on the other hand, spoke wheels are tougher to endure bad roads compared to alloys. Also, spoke wheels can be easily repaired in case the wheel or the spokes get bend. On the flip side, if the motorcycle jumps in a crater size pothole pray to almighty that your alloys stay intact or it might get you stuck right in middle of the road and will charge you a bomb when it comes to replacement. While spoke wheels have a greater chance to endure the same pothole compared to alloys.

Alloy wheels are generally shod on to tubeless tyres which are far better for day to day bikes compare to the tubed tyres. These tyres can be taken up to far greater triple digit top speeds because of their design and construction geometry. They tend to be cooler when running, are more puncture resistant when compared to its counterpart and they do not tend to blow up as seen in cases of the tubed tyres. Since alloy wheels are designed to support tubeless tyres while spoke wheels are shod with tubed tyres, this naturally makes alloy wheels a more favorable choice.

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