CarbonFiber Wheels

Do not buy carbon fiber wheels.

I'm not going to mention names, but a certain racing organization has banned a certain manufacturer's carbon fiber wheel due to repeated failures on the race track.

Seems that the laminate that holds carbon fiber together looses it's strength when heated up during excessive heat applications, such as the race track. I've also seen carbon fiber wheels crack when hitting pot holes on the street that a normal metal rim wouldn't even notice.

Yes, it is possible to have a carbon fiber rim for many years on a motorcycle with no issues, but there is a higher chance for failure.

Haven't seen any made for cars either.

85_SS_302_Coupe said:

The catch is that the center hub of the wheel where it bolts on is made from aircraft grade aluminum, just like your typical Weld Draglite or whatever. CF wheels have been in use in road racing for a few years now, Le Mans and Daytona and such... Those cars are so flimsy though that it really doesnt matter what you make the wheel out of, if you run over a rock the whole car's gonna fly apart.

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Really, which ones?

I'm with a Speed GT team here in Dallas, while I don't have to look at all the cars I haven't seen any carbon wheels on any one in our series or the support ALMS series We are not allowed to run any carbon wheel, or rotors in our class. The ALMS guys, I'm not sure about the wheels but they do get the carbon brakes which are very nice.