Magnesium wheels and motor

[cwah]

Hello all,

I start to see some seller giving these magnesiums wheels and even with motor for sale:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-Black-REAR-5-Spoke-Magnesium-Alloy-Hub-Motor-Bicycle-Wheel-/261567456145?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item3ce6a2a391

The first thing I think when I see something like this is how I'm going to do if the motor fail or if the rim fail? Do I need to change the whole wheel?

I can't see the benefit of this type of wheels apart from aesthetic..

Any good reason to use them?

 

[flecc]

Easier to clean than spoked wheels, no spoke rusting, no loose spokes, no need for a rim tape or instances of a protuding spoke causing a puncture, can be used with tubeless tyres and not going out of true with normal riding will be the main advantages.

If a motor fails a new motor core can be inserted in the existing hub shell, and the toothed rack in the hub shell is also replaceable, as are the bearings.

Of course rim failure would mean a new wheel, but that is unlikely with normal riding if severe potholes are avoided.
.

 

[cwah]

so better than normal wheels in many ways? I have having the wheels getting untrue over time.

But I fear with this type of new technology it may not last as long as normal wheel.

Have you tried some magnesium wheels for a little time?

 

[EddiePJ]

Unless you can have them regularly crack tested, I wouldn't even think about using magnesium wheels for road use. They are susceptible to crack in road use, and any exposed magnesium will quickly deteriorate.

I used to quite regularly see magnesium wheels that had hairline cracks when I was racing GP250's and in part importing them from Japan. I'd have the ones fitted to my own bike tested fairly regularly just as a matter of course. Paint can hide all sorts of nasty suprises.

 

[VictoryV]

Unless you can have them regularly crack tested, I wouldn't even think about using magnesium wheels for road use. They are susceptible to crack in road use, and any exposed magnesium will quickly deteriorate.

I used to quite regularly see magnesium wheels that had hairline cracks when I was racing GP250's and in part importing them from Japan. I'd have the ones fitted to my own bike tested fairly regularly just as a matter of course. Paint can hide all sorts of nasty suprises.

Magnesium alloys are very susceptible to salt water. We lost a Jaguar in the sea off Lossiemouth - the pilot was OK, but the magnesium wheels were dissolving in the hour or so it took for the tide to go down for us to reach the crash site. The wheels were considered so dangerous being under pressure from the still inflated tires that we had to shoot the tires to deflate them before proceeding with the aircraft recovery. So the effect of winter salting to de-ice roads could be disasterous if their protective coating is compromised.

 

[cwah]

Ok I think I'll give up on the magnesium wheels...

Too much risk for not enough benefits