Bicycles on alloy wheels: pros and cons, choice

Bike on alloy wheels is still a rare occurrence in Russia. Nevertheless, hundreds of times more people ride bicycles with ordinary and spoke rims. Nevertheless, the advantages of cast bicycle rims are present.

The parameters by which casting is chosen instead of knitting needles - as an alternative to the classic knitting needles - are as follows.

• The number of transitions connecting the sleeve and the rim circle. The more of them, the more confidence inspires such a wheel. If it is possible to choose a wheel with 7 converging in the center of the supports - instead of 5 - prefer it.
• The diameter of the rim. Just like the outer size of a regular spoke wheel, cast rims vary in size: 24, 26, 27.5, 28 and 29 inches.
• The material and structure of the rim. As you know, a box-shaped double profile of the outer circumference of an aluminum rim is almost the only option. Less commonly used is a magnesium-aluminum alloy.
• Sleeve material. If it was 100% aluminum, it would quickly wear out - steel balls and other parts of the sleeve drum would groove in it just a dozen or two kilometers. The use of aluminum ball bearings and the hub is generally not justified - the mechanism, again, would fall apart under the weight of the rider. The disc wheel hub has a steel insert - like the one-piece hub that snaps into a regular bike wheel.
• Cyclist weight and riding style, road quality - characteristics, exceeding the values ​​of which will immediately lead to irreversible damage to the disk rim.

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

• Less wind resistance when riding. Narrow and flat supports (several of them) have less resistance to air flow than 36 or more spokes.However, only riders will feel this fully, for whom 30 or more kilometers per hour on a bicycle is the norm.
• The rim will not “eight” over time, if shock and vibration are below acceptable values.
• Maintenance cast wheel is not necessary. Even when you wash your bike after each trip to the slush and dirt, it is much faster and easier to remove layers from the “tape” blades than to wash them from each of the many knitting needles separately.
• High wheel strength. It is able to withstand the weight of a cyclist 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 appearance of the wheels.

• Sensitivity to Strong Shocks. With a “hard” high-speed collision with tram rails or “plunging” into a curb, support or pole, the wheel is not repairable and is immediately thrown into the scrap metal. Riding along rocky roads and dirt, broken asphalt over several tens of kilometers, will lead to beating that is incompatible with normal driving. If a steel spoke "forgives" such negligence to the owner of the bike, then for a cast spokeless rim this is fatal.
• Still less weight with conventional wheels. By paying for cast, you get an average increase of 325 g per wheel.
• Increased rigidity. Unlike steel knitting needles that absorb excessive vibration, aluminum wheels “shake the soul” out of you on potholes. Combined with an aluminum frame, you get even less riding comfort. If it weren’t for the depreciation fork - normal, and not the visibility that is put on inexpensive bikes up to 20 thousand rubles - and the same rear suspension that is working properly, you would quickly become sick to ride such a bike.
• Finally, the high price will blow you away. You can slightly reduce costs by ordering a similar bike in Chinese or European stores. If the model is the same - you will save no more than 20% of its cost in Russia. For a reduced price, you will pay with a long wait - from 10 to 100 days.

Unlike dozens of popular companies that specialize mainly in bicycles and spare parts for them, alloy rims produce 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 with an average quality.

At the same time, you are very likely to protect yourself from fakes. An alternative solution is to buy a regular mountain or road bike with spoke wheels and replace the rim with knitting needles with solid wheels.

The Due model from BMW has a slightly arched frame. Cast rims have 6 blades. The rear wheel wing is pointed. Despite the lack of a significant number of gears, the bike is able to quickly gain speed. The wheels are equipped with disc brakes. The fork has spring-oil cushioning - this makes it possible to ride a bike 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 configuration is as follows:

• Aluminum frame with a size of 19 inches - suitable for growth in 155-195 cm.
• 26-inch wheels with rims made of aluminum-magnesium alloy, semi-slick or partially aggressive tires.
• 21 (3 front and 7 rear) speed. Shimano Tourney class switches.
• Mechanical disc brakes with a circle diameter of 16 cm.
• Spring-rubber damper of the fork with a stroke of up to 10 cm. There is a damping damping system, the stiffness of the stroke is adjustable.
• Adjustable seat angle and weight.
• Additional accessories: a bottle with a holder, a bag, an anti-theft cable lock, a stop lamp, a pump and hex keys.

Cast rims are not just aluminum, but an alloy of increased strength based on it. The multi-stage transmission is complemented by Shimano disc brakes. Two models - red and black - are almost identical in parameters:

• folding frame for height 165-195 cm;
• 16 kg weight of the whole bike;
• 130 kg load for the convenience of heavyweights;
• 24 speeds (8 at the rear, 3 at the front);
• double magnesium-aluminum reinforced cast rims;
• 26-inch wheels
• disc-based mechanical braking from Boli MT116 with a shaft of 160 mm;
• Suntour XCM oil-spring design;
• 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 thickened tires make it possible to drive on dirt roads. However, Land Rover has a number of other models at different prices.

• Experience sport - from 37000 p.
• "6-50 PRO" - for city roads and lanes. From 55000 p.
• 6-50 TEAM - mountain model, from 92500 r.
• "6-50 HYDRO" - hydraulic braking system, the cost of a bike from 73,000 p.
• DYNAMIC - full suspension model, plug with dulling damping. From 98000 p.
• ROUTEFINDER PRO - for any roads, from 54600 r.
• ROUTEFINDER HYDRO - A universal bike with a hydraulic brake and 27 speeds. From 79000 p.
• ALL ROUTE 833 - for any roads, with 21 speeds. From 35000 p.
• ALL ROUTE 733 - similar to the previous, but female model. From 41000 p.
• Ascot - a city bike for women. From 38000 p.
• WINDSOR - a bike with a reliable boot and protection against splashes from under the wheels. Gel saddle. From 38000 p.
• CORDONZA - child 6-speed. From 25000 p.
• Cavello - for girls from 5 years old, from 25000 p.
• Casella - for girls from 8 years. 18 speeds, reduced landing. From 26000 p.
• CRIADOR - for boys from 8 years old, with 18 speeds. Suitable for training before sports races. From 26000 p.
• Bravo - interesting to preschoolers, from 19500 p.
• Mimi - for preschoolers. From 19500 p.
• G-4 - full suspension bike, the frame is folding. Model for heavyweights up to 160 kg. Biker height - 150–195 cm. From 20,000 p.

Hummer Tactical Mountain Bike - model for the military. It has 2 speeds, brakes on disk pads, and the tires from the kit are protected from punctures by several layers of Kevlar. The frame is made of aviation aluminum alloy. The frame size is 16-21 inches, which allows bikers of any height to use this model. When folded, it occupies a space with a plane of 1 m2. You can assemble a bike “out of the box” with the help of one lever that comes with the kit. When folded, he stands firmly, leaning on the bandwagon.

The Hummer EcoBike model allows you to ride at the expense of the engine at speeds up to 40 km / h only due to the engine. If you increase the speed of the pedals, you will accelerate to 80 km / h. Biker weight - up to 150 kg. The bike is ideal for travelers. 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 require recharging. A standard charger charges the bike in 10 hours.

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

HIPER Engine BF201 - alloy bike. Mileage from each charge up to 55 km, speed - up to 25 km / h, runs on battery 10.4 ampere-hours. Battery voltage - 36 volts. 20-inch wheels, folding model, 6 speeds on the rear derailleur. Suitable for summer and off-season travel conditions in Russian conditions. Weight is not the heaviest - only 26 kg in assembly. In the city, it replaces travel by public transport, because due to pedaling it allows you to drive a little more than you take a round-trip bus. Three modes are available:

• due to pedals without the help of a motor;
• due to the motor only;
• in mixed mode.

Buyers speak differently about the bikes of famous automobile brands. Some emphasize the elegant - in comparison with models of bikes that have simple spoke wheels - the appearance and presentability of both the rims in particular and the bike as a whole. Others emphasize that these bicycles are not suitable for aggressive riding with sharp braking and a bad, “killed" road. Opinions are divided as follows.

Alloy Wheel Bike - similarity to a car from the same manufacturer: three-blade wheels look gorgeous. The subtext here is this: the car owner, who bought an X-6 from BMW, has the idea to buy a bike, say, an X- model for an active “post-work” vacation. Or he searches - and finds - a bike from competitors. A good combination - for example, a BMW-X6 car and a bike from Mercedes-Benz. Mention in passing that “I have a BMW and Mercedes” - to inspire myself with a halo of mystery and wealth, to intrigue the listener.

A bicycle with cast rims is something that, on the contrary, should not be invested in. This desire to paint in front of friends, acquaintances and passers-by. It is impossible to straighten the rim without knitting needles - if the rim “stick” on either side, you will immediately feel a beating and / or vibration when driving. A damaged wheel is changing urgently. Otherwise, the sleeve mechanisms will come a quick and inevitable end. For an amount of about 15,000 rubles, which only cast rims cost (mid-price bicycles emphasize this expense point), you can get more than durable and wear-resistant spoke wheels that can withstand at least several thousand kilometers of impassable roads and broken roads before they will appear "eights".

Or surplus money spent can be invested in improved gearshifts, brakes or fork cushioning. A bicycle with cast rims, notes another part of users, is nothing but a waste of money. And what a shame, this money will go to something that is better not to meddle outside the city streets and avenues in the city center. This situation affects residents of villages and towns, where not all street roads are in good condition. Buying alloy rims, Russian bikers will sharply limit themselves in the freedom of riding.

It may turn out that after buying a “cast” bike you will change your mind and sell it right there. The best way out is a model of a bike with cast wheels that can be easily replaced with ordinary spokes. Such a “downgrade” will save you the rest of the kit, and you will continue to ride your favorite bike.

See the next video for an overview of the alloy bike.