Handling differences with cast vs laced wheels?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Handling differences with cast vs laced wheels?
I saw a post a while back where the person said that he had removed the factory profile laced wheels that came on his '09 ultra and put on a set of the standard OEM cast wheels so that he could run tubeless tires and he said he noticed that the bike handled much better with the cast wheels. Has anyone else done this and noticed a difference in handling? Any opinions as to why this would be?
I can't understand how it could make much difference, but who knows?
Just extremely curious.
I can't understand how it could make much difference, but who knows?
Just extremely curious.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
That's true. I wonder if his had gotten loose and he hadn't noticed it? Maybe that's what made the difference. It seems like if the spokes are properly tight, the wheel should be pretty stiff.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
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From: Davie, FL
Cast wheels are ridged
Cast wheels are ridged and do not flex. Good and not too good
with good suspension this would be a good thing, however with stock stuff it could be considered part of the suspension.
When I first started riding was before and during the big highway infrastructure expansion. Not as many good roads like we have now. Too poor to own a Hydra glide, so a ridged and 25 pounds of air in a set of spoked wheels was the ticket as there was no cast type wheels back than.
Same principle applies now except once you upgrade your suspension to great components the spoked wheels do flex which is what you feel. Go slow and you will never know the difference if you got spoked wheels.
Now you can fill in the spaces and decide which way you want to go and what is best for you.
with good suspension this would be a good thing, however with stock stuff it could be considered part of the suspension.
When I first started riding was before and during the big highway infrastructure expansion. Not as many good roads like we have now. Too poor to own a Hydra glide, so a ridged and 25 pounds of air in a set of spoked wheels was the ticket as there was no cast type wheels back than.
Same principle applies now except once you upgrade your suspension to great components the spoked wheels do flex which is what you feel. Go slow and you will never know the difference if you got spoked wheels.
Now you can fill in the spaces and decide which way you want to go and what is best for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I switched from laced to the solid 9 spokes I had chromed. Very little difference, if any. The laced wheels are known to flex more, and provide a little better ride. But it's so slight that I couldn't really tell much difference. And I've been riding for a lot of years.....
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