|   Anyone know anything about BMX wheels? | Lucky
Jan 8, 2004 8:03 AM | | I posted the following on the BMX page, but traffic is pretty sparse over there. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to race this year (cast didn't come off - probably 2 more months plus 2-3 months of rehab). If I do, I'd like to have some lighter wheels. Rim width recommendations, anyone?
"The cast should be off my arm on Wednesday, and I'm starting to think about next season. I'm toying with the idea of replacing the sturdy, but heavy stock wheels on my Haro cruiser with some lighter race wheels. I'm relatively light and don't get big air. I do this for fun, but I'm not really competitive, so I don't want to spend outrageous sums of money. I'm thinking of the DK low flange hubs. They seem to be a good price for a light sealed bearing hubset. My biggest quandary is what width rim to use. I don't feel the need for heavy duty rims. I ride my mtbikes pretty hard and use ~400 gram rims. Sun has a couple cruiser rims for about $30, the ICI-1, based on the CR-17A, which is 1 1/8" or the Chinook (CR18) which is 1 3/8". What width tires can I use with these rims? Any other recommendations? And speaking of recommendation, and suggestions on tires? The MaxDaddys I have are pretty wide, 2.0, I think. Would I stil be able to use them?
I plan to use 36 hole 3x DB spokes, unless there's a good reason to do differently."
Kathy |
| Yes, but it isn't so much rim width... | LT1
Jan 8, 2004 4:03 PM | | ...as it is manufacturer and construction. For example, there are many "DH" rims as wide or wider than a Mavic 521 but I would never use them for DH racing - they just wouldn't perform or hold up as well as the Mavic.
Specifically, I ride mtb and 4x/DJ bikes but I do have a 24" Pro Stock 3. I was having the same problem with a wheelset as you - what to use for rims and hubs. I decided on Suzie Low Flange Sealed Hubs built 4X on 24" Sun Ryno Lites. I am running Kenda cheapy tires 1.95" front and rear.
Now, I've seen the DK hubs and they are similiar, I do not believe you will have any issues using these. Places like Dans Competition (www.danscomp.com) carries them, as well as replacement axles and bearings.
I only went with 4X because that was the only spoke length my wheel builder could get reaonably quick. You should have no problem finding the correct length for 3X and I would recommend this over 4X. If I break a spoke, I am really screwed in replacing it (the 4X lacing on a low flange hub means I might have to remove a spoke or two to replace a broken one). There is only a marginal amount of strength increase with 4X. 3X will get you the best weight-to-strength ratio for your needs.
Honestly, I am not a huge fan of Sun rims but for a cost effective, reasonably strong, and reasonably intermediate weight wheel set, that was about all that I really liked and I could easily find. I am suprised, though, the 24" Ryno's have held up remarkably well, and they are not super heavy, either. The 2 other Sun Rims you have suggested are basically 24" XC rims, they'll work but they WON'T last. I would suggest the Ryno Lites, if you don't pound the poop out of them, they will last much longer.
If you decide to go with the Chinook (I don't recommend the ICI-1 - more on this later), though, you can still run your 2.00" tires, they will work fine. I would suggest you stay with the Maxxis, there are really very few good 24" Cruiser tires available. 24" DH, no problem, but most of these are too wide for Cruisers. I can just fit a 1.95" on the back of my Pro Stock, and thats using a longer wheelbase setting. 1.75" in the back is more what this bike likes. If you run the Ryno, no problem running the 2.00" Maxxis tires, they will handle them just fine.
For comparison sake, I run 2.1" Tioga DH tires (which are really as wide as everyone elses 2.35" tires) on XC rims on one of my mountain bikes. The rim is a Mavic 517 which is in the 1 1/8" width range, although I wouldn't want to go much wider in the tire.
Anyway, I hope that helps. Just to let you know, I am in the 140lb weight range, you didn't mention your weight. If you are in the 110 to 115lb range you could probably use the Chinook, I wouldn't recommend the ICI-1, it's just not good enough except for kids up to the 85lb range. If you are in the 115 and up, I would consider the Ryno Lite. |
| re: Anyone know anything about BMX wheels? | speak
Jan 9, 2004 9:47 AM | | Kathy,
The rims you chose are for 24" Junior Cruiser size tires. The typical 24" tire like the MaxxDaddy (24" x 2.0") won't fit on these rims. It's not easy to find tires to fit the Jr Cruiser size (24" x 1 3/8"). Jr. Cruiser rim diameter is 541 ETRTO. The rim diameter on your Haro cruiser is 507 ETRTO.
You can find Sun rims in the 507 ETRTO (a.k.a.24" x 1.5) size in the CR18 model which is the lightest double wall rim they have at 420 grams. It would be good choice for you. That's pretty light for a cruiser rim.
Your hub choice is good too. The other thing you could consider to lighten the weight if you are smooth is 28 hole wheels with 15 gauge spokes and alloy nipples. The Sun rim is available in 28h configuration, but I'm not sure about the hubs.
Mike/Haro Bikes |
| I had no idea about the rim diameter difference.... | Lucky
Jan 10, 2004 10:27 AM | | Thanks! BMX is a relatively new game for me.
Any idea where I can get a pair of CR18's in 24x1.5"? I'll probably stick with 14/15 DB spokes, since I've always had good results with them on and off road for many years. I'm not sure I want to go all the way down to 28 spokes, but I'll consider 32 if the hubs and rims come in that drilling. I may not get big air, but I don't consider myself to be really smooth either, though I try.
Kathy :^) |
| I had no idea about the rim diameter difference.... | s peak
Jan 11, 2004 1:20 PM | | any shop could probably order them for you if they don't already have the. Shops specializing in BMX and/or are close to a track should have rims in stock or should be able to get them for you easily.
Mike/Haro Bikes |
| I was hoping for an online source.... | Lucky
Jan 11, 2004 5:49 PM | | as the two shops I know of that specialize in BMX racing are both an hour's drive away in opposite directions. My local shop only carries freestyle bikes. I've never seen a race rig or accessory in the store. If the rims are in QBP, they still might be able to get 'em for me, though. Thanks.
Kathy |
| give me a day and I'll have a source for you (nm) | speak
Jan 12, 2004 11:48 PM | | |
| Lucky - e-mail me for a rim source | speak
Jan 14, 2004 3:01 PM | | Lucky, I asked Sun for an on-line source to order the rims you are looking for. I don't think they could find one who has the rims. So, if you e-mail me at mikev(at)harobikes.com and let me know your e-mail address, I will forward it to Sun and someone from their customer service dept will contact you directly so you can order the rims from them.
Mike / Haro Bikes |
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