Wheel Talk Part 1: Weight
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The Story of Wheels, Part 1: Weight
This time, I'd like to talk about wheel weight.
Of course, it goes without saying that lightness is justice.
As one example from my own experience, in 1995, I put PVM magnesium wheels on my ZZR1100D1.
The effects were:
① Better acceleration
② Better deceleration
③ Lighter lean-in and quick turns
④ Improved appearance
Especially for ③, the bike used to lean in with a "zu-it" feeling, but now it leans in with a "su-it" feeling. I compared it with a friend who had the same bike at the time, and it felt like a completely different machine.
Recent OEM wheels, especially for high-end large models, have been made lighter in terms of perceived weight.
For example, the ZX-10R features Marchesini forged aluminum wheels as an upper-grade or genuine optional part.
The weight difference between OEM wheels and Marchesini wheels is only a few hundred grams.
However, the ride quality feels significantly different. The reason for this lies in the part that is lightened.
OEM products achieve weight reduction in the hub area, while aftermarket products, including Marchesini, reduce weight elsewhere, especially in the rim.
So, why don't (or can't) OEM products lighten the rim? It's because the manufacturing methods are different.
※I will explain materials (magnesium, aluminum, etc.) separately.
With some exceptions, OEM products are generally cast, and aftermarket products are forged.
Cast products are cheaper to manufacture but have lower strength, so they require a thicker cross-section.
Incidentally, in terms of weight per unit volume, forged products are heavier due to their higher density, but their superior strength means they can be made lighter for the same strength.
Imagine swinging a plastic bottle held in your hand, versus swinging it tied to your upper arm.
The former would feel heavier, which is like the OEM wheel. In contrast, aftermarket wheels are like the latter.
Even with the same weight, the perceived heaviness differs when the mass is further from the center of gravity/pivot point.
Reducing unsprung weight truly has a noticeable effect.
The possibilities expand when combined with high-end aftermarket suspensions and lightweight swingarms! Many people who try aftermarket wheels once repeat the purchase because of their effectiveness.
I myself have replaced the wheels on my ZZR1100D1, ZZR1100D5, ZX-12RA1, and ZX-10RD with aftermarket ones.
Now, when it comes to tubeless wheels for the CT125, GANESHA is the name!
Thanks to all of you, we are very popular as pioneers in tubeless wheels for the CT125.
And now, GANESHA has released new tubeless wheels under the RIN brand!!
These RIN wheels are approximately 200g lighter (for each front and rear wheel) compared to the OEM wheels.
This weight difference in unsprung mass is quite significant.
Since GANESHA wheels use the OEM hub, the weight reduction is purely in the rim.
As mentioned earlier, weight reduction in the rim is extremely effective!
Furthermore, being tubeless means there's no inner tube, allowing for even more weight reduction, so I hope you'll enjoy it.
This time, I'd like to talk about wheel weight.
Of course, it goes without saying that lightness is justice.
As one example from my own experience, in 1995, I put PVM magnesium wheels on my ZZR1100D1.
The effects were:
① Better acceleration
② Better deceleration
③ Lighter lean-in and quick turns
④ Improved appearance
Especially for ③, the bike used to lean in with a "zu-it" feeling, but now it leans in with a "su-it" feeling. I compared it with a friend who had the same bike at the time, and it felt like a completely different machine.
Recent OEM wheels, especially for high-end large models, have been made lighter in terms of perceived weight.
For example, the ZX-10R features Marchesini forged aluminum wheels as an upper-grade or genuine optional part.
The weight difference between OEM wheels and Marchesini wheels is only a few hundred grams.
However, the ride quality feels significantly different. The reason for this lies in the part that is lightened.
OEM products achieve weight reduction in the hub area, while aftermarket products, including Marchesini, reduce weight elsewhere, especially in the rim.
So, why don't (or can't) OEM products lighten the rim? It's because the manufacturing methods are different.
※I will explain materials (magnesium, aluminum, etc.) separately.
With some exceptions, OEM products are generally cast, and aftermarket products are forged.
Cast products are cheaper to manufacture but have lower strength, so they require a thicker cross-section.
Incidentally, in terms of weight per unit volume, forged products are heavier due to their higher density, but their superior strength means they can be made lighter for the same strength.
Imagine swinging a plastic bottle held in your hand, versus swinging it tied to your upper arm.
The former would feel heavier, which is like the OEM wheel. In contrast, aftermarket wheels are like the latter.
Even with the same weight, the perceived heaviness differs when the mass is further from the center of gravity/pivot point.
Reducing unsprung weight truly has a noticeable effect.
The possibilities expand when combined with high-end aftermarket suspensions and lightweight swingarms! Many people who try aftermarket wheels once repeat the purchase because of their effectiveness.
I myself have replaced the wheels on my ZZR1100D1, ZZR1100D5, ZX-12RA1, and ZX-10RD with aftermarket ones.
Now, when it comes to tubeless wheels for the CT125, GANESHA is the name!
Thanks to all of you, we are very popular as pioneers in tubeless wheels for the CT125.
And now, GANESHA has released new tubeless wheels under the RIN brand!!
These RIN wheels are approximately 200g lighter (for each front and rear wheel) compared to the OEM wheels.
This weight difference in unsprung mass is quite significant.
Since GANESHA wheels use the OEM hub, the weight reduction is purely in the rim.
As mentioned earlier, weight reduction in the rim is extremely effective!
Furthermore, being tubeless means there's no inner tube, allowing for even more weight reduction, so I hope you'll enjoy it.