DNA Wheel Review, do you like them?
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD
Upfront... I'll fully admit that this could all be bullshirt... but I trust the guy and pay for his knowledge... so I took his advice.
The issue is that low profile tires (in a section view) have a distinct flat, ovular shape... whereas tubes are essentially just round when they're inflated. This causes three distinct issues he brought up:
1) The tube can easily crease or bind inside the tire when it's inflated.
2) (Kind of related to #1) The tube will shift (a lot or a little) as it's inflated to conform to the oval shape which causes the filler tube to become pinched in the rim.
3) The inflated tube (since it wants to be round) will exert unequal pressure on the tire which will increase wear at the center point... and affect handling as the bike is leaned toward the edge of the tire.
The issue is that low profile tires (in a section view) have a distinct flat, ovular shape... whereas tubes are essentially just round when they're inflated. This causes three distinct issues he brought up:
1) The tube can easily crease or bind inside the tire when it's inflated.
2) (Kind of related to #1) The tube will shift (a lot or a little) as it's inflated to conform to the oval shape which causes the filler tube to become pinched in the rim.
3) The inflated tube (since it wants to be round) will exert unequal pressure on the tire which will increase wear at the center point... and affect handling as the bike is leaned toward the edge of the tire.
Awesome,... can you recommend where to purchase DNA wheels?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 447
Likes: 4
From: Sin City
I had fitment issues with my DNA wheels, Front wheel was sent with wrong spacers inbetween the bearings. Had to press spacer out of old wheel to put in new wheel. Then the wheel wouldn't center without having to grind down the caliper mount. I do like them now that there on and functioning properly with no leaks. I will never buy from them again though. Customer service also sucks.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
It is VEE it is ok not as nice as i would like it to be.No black or brown spots on it but the white just doesnt look bright white to me. If I could get another brand I would but cant find anything else. It has only been on a few weeks havent rode it yet but it still has air it none has leaked out
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield
Nice a friend of mine returned his because of a recall he said so he is just stretching a 90 for his which I will prolly end up doing as well. I will go with dna just unsure if I'll go 3 or 3.5. I think they look well and with anything you could have a problem nothing j's always perfect.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 10
From: Rhode island
I like mine and would buy/ recommend again, esp for price. I was between the HogPro matrix and the fat spokes and went with the DNA and got a shotgun shock for same price as the HogPro wheels ( still love the hogpros)
Quality is good, but I too have had some rust (no pitting) that I have to stay on top of
Quality is good, but I too have had some rust (no pitting) that I have to stay on top of
Last edited by kozy22; Jan 10, 2014 at 08:05 PM.
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I would not run a skinny 90/21 tire on a 3.5 rim without a tube. The bead has trouble sealing when you put a tire smaller than is designed and recommended buy a tire company on a wider wheel. Your indy is lazy in my opinion. Regardless, mounting that skinny 90/21 on a 3.5 rim is what I did for a long time with a tube in a DNA wheel that leaked. DNA again? Never. Do I sell their wheels? No. There is a reason and they are more hassle for the customer although they are easier to sell.
Seen a lot of chrome issues with their stuff and mine rusted as well as I live near the coast. Price wise they can't be beat.
Regardless we sell Sinister fat spokes and only unsealed with a tube as if you work somewhere that deals in wheels you learn very quickly that the added time and hassle to the customer when there is an issue is not worth the amount of money that is made on the wheel. To those that are happy my hat is off. To those who are not I understand. I ran these wheels with tubes on two bikes for many many many miles without issue. Did I ever get stranded in the middle of nowhere due to my tubes? Nope. Did I ride to the middle of nowhere often? Yes. 80K on one bike that had these wheel and 50K on the other when they were sold.
For our business we make choices that will keep our customers happy and DNA is not a part of that equation. We all understand that money is does not grow on trees and one wheels costs half of what the other does. I'll spend my money with a company whom makes all the parts in the USA, pay more, and be happy knowing that I am support in the economy of this country. Your choice is up to you. But, in order to be able to operate in the USA items always cost more.
I think about it like this. I might be helping to pay the salary of a guy who lives right down the street or whose children go to school in my area. Who knows. In some ways it is a big world, in others it is a very small world. Whatever you choose, enjoy your wheels and your bike.
To finish this off I had a customer (from the forums) come and get a tube with Dyna beads in it today as his DNA 21x3.5 Mammoth spoke started to leak. Search the touring section for DynaJ. I won't bother digging up all the threads that are negative about DNA, they have built their own reputation and everyone who reads the forums regularly knows about it.
Last little bit here. Fat Spokes look great but I finally put a billet wheel on my bike and it is so easy to keep clean and looks equally good in it's own right. No pics here as I no longer ride a softail.
Seen a lot of chrome issues with their stuff and mine rusted as well as I live near the coast. Price wise they can't be beat.
Regardless we sell Sinister fat spokes and only unsealed with a tube as if you work somewhere that deals in wheels you learn very quickly that the added time and hassle to the customer when there is an issue is not worth the amount of money that is made on the wheel. To those that are happy my hat is off. To those who are not I understand. I ran these wheels with tubes on two bikes for many many many miles without issue. Did I ever get stranded in the middle of nowhere due to my tubes? Nope. Did I ride to the middle of nowhere often? Yes. 80K on one bike that had these wheel and 50K on the other when they were sold.
For our business we make choices that will keep our customers happy and DNA is not a part of that equation. We all understand that money is does not grow on trees and one wheels costs half of what the other does. I'll spend my money with a company whom makes all the parts in the USA, pay more, and be happy knowing that I am support in the economy of this country. Your choice is up to you. But, in order to be able to operate in the USA items always cost more.
I think about it like this. I might be helping to pay the salary of a guy who lives right down the street or whose children go to school in my area. Who knows. In some ways it is a big world, in others it is a very small world. Whatever you choose, enjoy your wheels and your bike.
To finish this off I had a customer (from the forums) come and get a tube with Dyna beads in it today as his DNA 21x3.5 Mammoth spoke started to leak. Search the touring section for DynaJ. I won't bother digging up all the threads that are negative about DNA, they have built their own reputation and everyone who reads the forums regularly knows about it.
Last little bit here. Fat Spokes look great but I finally put a billet wheel on my bike and it is so easy to keep clean and looks equally good in it's own right. No pics here as I no longer ride a softail.
