If you are into adventure bike riding, you would have realized that nearly all of them run on a spoked wheel. But have you ever thought about why do adventure bikes have spoked wheels?
Adventure bikes have spoked wheels because they are sturdier, more flexible, easier to maintain, more durable, cheaper, and look cooler than alloy wheels.
Let’s take a quick look at their makeup and history.
Aluminum and Steel vs. Magnesium, Carbon Fiber, or Cast Alloy
For decades now, adventure bikes have been using wire-spoked wheels. The wheels are made from aluminum and steel rather than magnesium, carbon fiber, or cast alloy.
The material makes the wire-spoked wheels more durable and elastic than the cast alloy wheels. It is also easy to repair spooked wheels, making it realistic for adventure bike riders.
The spoked wheel comprises an aluminum or steel rim, a hub, and between 36 and 44 wired spokes depending on the wheel size.
Spokes: Flexibility Under Tension
The rims are attached to the hub by the spokes. The spokes are usually on the hub’s outer side and run to the middle of the rim. They don’t run straight instead they run tangentially along the radius from the hub to the rim, and they are mounted in pairs that cross each other in the middle.
When carrying a load, the spokes work mechanically like a flexible wire under tension. They can flex and bend to a certain degree, enabling you to tackle rough terrain.
The tension in the spokes puts the rim into shape, protecting it from going oval in case of an impact. Maintaining even tension of the spokes in the rim can keep the wheel perfectly round. A wheel that is not round will jiggle and cause a vibration when riding.
Why Spoked Wheels Are Better Than Alloys for Adventure Bikes?
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There are only two wheels you will see rolling around underneath bikes: the alloy wheels and the spoked wheels. However, for Adventure bikes, it is mandatory to have spoked wheels. The following are the reasons.
1. Sturdiness
Spoke wheels are more robust than alloy wheels, and hence they are used chiefly for adventure bikes. The wheels are highly flexible, providing enough allowance to jump with ease from building heights and high elevations while retaining the hold and grip over the rider and the bike at the same time.
2. Flexibility
When comparing the two, spoke wheels are more flexible than alloy wheels. The reason is their capacity to absorb shock during a hard landing. The shock absorption process starts with the tires doing their glory and then transmitting the job to the wheels, which transfer the blow to the suspension.
3. Maintenance
Spoke wheels are preferred for a smoother ride, especially if you are using a lousy road, because of their ease of maintenance. Their alignment is cheap and can be serviced easily.
If you land too hard up a trail with spoked wheels and bend a spoke or dent a rim on a rock, replacing the specific parts is inexpensive and straightforward. You can bang a bent rim into its standard shape in a pinch by adjusting the tension on the affected spokes.
On the other hand, when your alloy wheel gets dented by a pothole or gets a crack, then the entire wheel needs to be replaced. Very expensive and may end your journey abruptly.
4. They Are More Durable
Each individual spoke can withstand massive amounts of tension. Spokes have many pressure points making the spoked wheels more durable on rough terrain. The spokes give strength in three planes:
- Radial. This aid in resisting deformation when hitting a rock or a pothole.
- Lateral. Bikers lean over to turn; the side-to-side movements are limited unless you slide on every corner.
- Axial. It transfers braking and driving force from the hub to the outer wheel, proportional to spokes on each side.
5. Spoke Wheels are Cheaper
Spoke wheels are manufactured from cheap materials like aluminum and steel instead of carbon fiber or magnesium. This makes spoke wheels cheaper than expensive alloys. You will also not need to empty your pocket to repair spoked wheels. They are simple, and no specialized equipment is required to repair them, and the service providers are also many.
6. Spoke Wheels Look Cool
The shiny spoked wheels look cool on adventure bikes. If you make yourself a theme bike, it will be incomplete without a pair of spoked wheels. Yeah, my opinion…you caught me!
Top 3 Spoked Wheels and Accessories for Adventure Bikes
1. JFG Racing Spoke Wheels Accessories
The wheel comes with a spoke balance, 8 pack reusable brass weights refill kits and a metric cruiser. The wheel features a uniform width that allows multiple weights stacked along the spoke for a precise balance.
The advantage of the wheel is the set screw clamps to the spoke, in that they work with special outer spoke rims and the comical weights that attach to the spoke nut. It is suitable since the weight has a relief chamfer on one end to enable it to fit over most spoke nipples and nuts.
You can check out other JFG products here: JFG Motor
2. Mototeks, Inc Fat Spoke Wheels
It is a 21 x 3.5 52 fat spoke wheel for Harley touring bagger. It is made of chrome steel rim, aluminum hub, and stainless-steel spokes. The wheel does not require extra modifications and spacers; it is plug-and-play. The rotor option comes with 2 stainless steel rotors and stainless bolts, and the wheel is sealed for tubeless applications. The tire options are a 120/70-21 black wall tire mounted and balanced.
3. Avon 21 Inch Wheels
The Avon wheel is 21 inches. The Avon cobra chromes offers superior performance and a stylish cobra-themed design. The unique tire design with detailed aesthetic features and bespoke snakeskin appearance, and embossed Cobra logo.
It has perfect wet braking and stability, enhanced compounds, and new construction to deliver improved stopping distances in wet braking tests.
Final Thoughts
It is evident why adventure bikes have spoked wheels. For mountain bikers and dirt bikers, you should go for spoke bikes as they prove to be more durable, are easy to repair when they break down, and are more flexible. You won’t need specialized equipment to repair them and there are many service providers around.
Alloy wheels may be better for highways, but the spoke wheel gives a perfect balance for the adventure.
