Difference Between Rims

2818 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by ROSKO, Mar 10, 2006

Tom W.

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2006

What's the difference between motocross rims and road bike rims? Are flanged much better than non-flanged? I saw this ad on Craigslist and was wondering if they're worth looking in to.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/mcy/138681280.html

Thanks,

Tom W.
'70 CL350

Edited by - Tom W. on Mar 03 2006 4:56:22 PM

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Geeto67

· #2 · Mar 4, 2006

quote:
What's the difference between motocross rims and road bike rims? Are flanged much better than non-flanged? I saw this ad on Craigslist and was wondering if they're worth looking in to.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/mcy/138681280.html

Thanks,

Tom W.
'70 CL350

Edited by - Tom W. on Mar 03 2006 4:56:22 PM

MX rims are usually hella skinny and huge to boot. on an MX bike a 21" diameter rim is not uncommon at all. Also the trar tire on a dirt bike is usually as skinny if not skinnier than the front tire of a road bike. Finally, MX rims take different spokes, thinner and some a lot less than a road tire would. IF you are considering these rims I would suggest you match them up to your current ones as best you could.

In my opinion flanged is better because the tire stays on the rim when you have a flat. Most modern street spoked rims are flanged.

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Geeto67

· #5 · Mar 4, 2006

quote:
Tom,
I run dirt bike rims on all my road race bikes. They are fine if you choose the right size. Most dirt bike rims use 36 or 40 holes just like street rims. Dirt rims do come in a lot of 19 and 21" sizes which you wouldn't use on a street bike but their 18" rims are usually available up to WM3 in width...enough for most 500cc and below street bikes.
I run Excel 18" 36 hole WM2 rims on my race bikes....unflanged...the flange they speak of is on the inside (spoke) side of the rim...like original Akront's, British rims etc. Has nothing really to do with how the tire is mounted or retained...the flange is no where close to the bead of the tire. Flanges were a design aspect of alloy wheels back when materials and design made them necessary for strength....the design has carried over mostly out of momentum and the fact that there are still some cheapo spanish and chinese companies turning out crap rims that need the flanges for strength.

One thing about flanges to remember...they are a tad heavier and fill up nicely with garbage. Big hp 350-500cc bikes...I'd still use them. 350cc and below...no need. A good Excel unflanged dirt bike rim will work great.
JohnnyB

I stand corrected on all points. Tell me something branson, what is it called when the rim has a (for lack of a better term) flange that keeps the tire on the rim in case of a flat? I'm not talking the internal bead lock blocks but something in the rim itself.

I used to spend lotsa time in the cycle salvage yard in louisiana trying to get mx swingarms to fit older 70's street bikes. Some of those 80's mx'ers have weird spoke configurations. I saw one once that had something like 20 spokes in it, but I think it was an older trials bike.

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