Advantages of split-rims?
Discussion
most of the spun rims are just polished, so if you use most of the popular wheel cleaners, which are acid based, then you will end up with them looking a mess. they have to be re-polished to get rid of the marks. (speaking from experience here!)
they can also be a bit more prone to corrosion if not kept clean and waxed.
they can also be a bit more prone to corrosion if not kept clean and waxed.
On road cars they're a design conceit. Their only function is to make your fingers bleed in winter months attempting to keep them clean. Always helps when corrosion gets under the lacquer and makes them look like a blind welders bench. Clearly a manufacturers design fault but not honoured by warranty. 
Not bitter at all, honest.
Never again
Not bitter at all, honest.
Never again
Split rims can be very light, but are often considered to be too weak for daily driving use.
You can adjust the offest whilst keeping the same tyre width, simply by swapping the rim edges for different ones.
They are also very useful if you have a specific application. For example they are handy for mounting very wide tyres with a stiff sidewall, as you can put them on without overstretching the bead (just assemble the wheel around the tyre).
You can adjust the offest whilst keeping the same tyre width, simply by swapping the rim edges for different ones.
They are also very useful if you have a specific application. For example they are handy for mounting very wide tyres with a stiff sidewall, as you can put them on without overstretching the bead (just assemble the wheel around the tyre).
Ease of construction for low volumes is one reason they exist - ie same centres can be used with different rims to provide different offsets etc for high powered vehicles with wider rears.
Also, it allows manufacturers to use different technologies for the rim and the spokes - like a forged centre with spun rim. cheaper and easier to manufacturer than a full forged wheel but with many of the benefits.
There are also some possible benefits in racing, where a rim may be replaced if damaged without the need to junk the whole wheel.
.. i think?
:-)
Alpineandy said:
The real benefit is that you can get them in any off-set. If you don't drive a car with a 'mainstream' wheel off-set then your bu99ered when it comes to buying 1 piece alloys.
They are usually much lighter as well (and much weaker).
They are usually much lighter as well (and much weaker).
A pig to get new sealing rings (gaskets) for, especially when they are an extremely rare make
Alpineandy said:
Sam_68 said:
(offsets are not usually a problem, since you are working with standard hubs and suspension)
Do you know of any 1 piece alloy wheels for a 3 stud A110 alpine?
Please say yes, cos none of us owners can find any...
What precise spec. are you after (diameter, PCD, offset)? Normal solution would be to find something with the appropriate diameter, offset and rim width then request undrilled wheels from the manufacturer, so that you can use any wierdo PCD and bolt arrangement you like. Have you spoken to TechDel or Technomagnesio?
Alternatively, get some new hubs machined up with a sensible bolt pattern!
Sam_68 said:
[quote=AlpineandyDo you know of any 1 piece alloy wheels for a 3 stud A110 alpine?
Please say yes, cos none of us owners can find any...
Please say yes, cos none of us owners can find any...
What precise spec. are you after
Have you spoken to TechDel or Technomagnesio?
[/quote]
Offset is the problem, it's all off-set.
Del-tech won't do 3 stud.
I haven't spoken to anyone else properly because they want more money for 'one offs/limited runs' than it costs for split rims.
I do have the factory 1 piece rims as well but alternatives are limited to splits or expensive 'custom jobs'.
I'm sure we're not the only owners with this problem as many manufacturers had different ideas in years gone by, which don't match todays uniform world.
Alpineandy said:
Offset is the problem, it's all off-set.
What do you mean by 'all off-set'? Surely the hub face can't be in line with the outer rim of the wheel?! 
What actual offest figure(ET) do you require, and what rim width? I assume 13" diameter? What is the PCD of your 3-bolt fixing and what is the bore of the centre spigot?
I'm sure there must be some wheel, somewhere out there that can be machined at low cost, if you buy it un-drilled. I can understand TechDel not wanting to supply 3-stud fixing themselves, because it opens them up to product liability issues, but have you asked them (or anyone else) for undrilled wheels?
Alternatively, as I suggested previously, why not just have a batch of hubs made up that give a sensible bolt pattern and offset? Hubs are a cheap, simple bit of machining work for a limited production run, if a few owners club together.
Having said all which,
I did said:
(offsets are not usually a problem, since you are working with standard hubs and suspension)
30-odd year old, limited production French rally cars are not what you'd call usual. I'm assuming that even if I could identify something that would fit, you'd probably be concerned with correct aesthetics? A car like the A110 really ought to be running with the original {Gotti?), very distinctive alloys, shouldn't it?
You can still get correct pattern Wobbly Web wheels and 26R wheels for classic Lotus' that were orinally built in tiny numbers, even compared to A110 production figures, because owners are willing to invest the money in making their cars look right. Are there not enough Alpine owners about who care enough to do the same?
What problems do you have with the split rims? Is it cost, aesthetics or fragility for rallying?
Sam_68 said:
What do you mean by 'all off-set'? Surely the hub face can't be in line with the outer rim of the wheel?
No, it's face is in line with the inner rim of the wheel (nearly)
Sam_68 said:
I'm sure there must be some wheel, somewhere out there that can be machined at low cost, if you buy it un-drilled.
Not that I'm aware of (and if there was, would I want it on my car?
Sam_68 said:
Alternatively, as I suggested previously, why not just have a batch of hubs made up that give a sensible bolt pattern and offset? Hubs are a cheap, simple bit of machining work for a limited production run, if a few owners club together.
Why would I want to do that?
Sam_68 said:
What problems do you have with the split rims? Is it cost, aesthetics or fragility for rallying?
You originally mentioned :
Sam_68 said:
they're really nothing more than a design conceit for road use
They're the only suitable option for some of us.
Alpineandy said:
Sam_68 said:
I'm sure there must be some wheel, somewhere out there that can be machined at low cost, if you buy it un-drilled.
...if there was, would I want it on my car?
I don't know, would you? It was you who asking for alternatives to expensive, fragile split rims for a 3-stud Alpine.
Alpineandy said:
Sam_68 said:
why not just have a batch of hubs made up that give a sensible bolt pattern and offset?
Why would I want to do that?
Because it would give you access to a vast range of cheap, suitable wheels and, if approached correctly would save on unsprung weight into the bargain?
Alpineandy said:
You originally mentioned :
Sam_68 said:
they're really nothing more than a design conceit for road use
They're the only suitable option for some of us.
No the're not - I've just given you two other options (undrilled wheels of the correct offset, and alternative hubs). Split rims are just the only option you're willing to consider.
You asked for suggested alternatives to your 'expensive, fragile split rims' and I offered you some.
I accept that there may be a handful of cars for which split rims are the most convenient compromise, but they will represent a tiny fraction of a percent of total split rim sales. For the other 99.98% of cars, they are nothing more than a design conceit for road use.
Don't take it as a personal attack on you, Alpines, or buyers of split rim wheels generally. I have no problem with people buying split rims purely for aesthetics...that's their choice.
But...The original question was what the advantages were, with particular reference to the fact that many top spec cars wear them. If it had been with reference to competition cars, or to rare French hybrids with weird hubs, the answer might have been different.
You can send mummy back to find teddy where you threw him out of the cot, now!
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