Q: I was looking at various motorbikes the other day, or more specifically the wheel choice on the different machines. Therefore my question is, and in your opinion, what’s stronger, a spoke wheel or a cast alloy (mag.) wheel or rim? And also, which one is the lighter option.
Just thought I’d ask because it’s something I’d like to know as I browse through my mountain of brochures once again.
Peter Forsythe
A: Without doubt the stronger wheel/rim is the spoke version otherwise every off-road bike in the world and hard-core adventure bike wouldn’t have them fitted from the factory. The spoke wheel also has more built- in ‘flex’ than any form of cast wheel, which is ideal for high jumps or rough terrain whilst off-road.
But generally a cast or especially the magnesium version is indeed lighter than a spoke wheel and they’re also easier to make. A spoke wheel also generates more drag than a cast wheel, which isn’t ideal for tarmac road racing and high speeds. Even racing bicycles tend to have ‘flared’ spokes for this reason, or even solid wheels used inside a velodrome. Hope that answers your question?
