For example, a Racing Hart C5 (3 piece), versus an imitation (1 piece)?

 

It's supposed to allow you to repair only the damage section of the rim. I think it's just for looks.

 

Pieces are removable in pieces.

 

just plain looks better

 

In theory, it often allows you to make a stronger and/or lighter product than you can when forced to cast the entire piece at once. That does not necessarily mean though that the C5 3-piece anything more than 3 piece.

 

1 piece - everything is pretty much cast or made into a one piece from being spun

2 piece - the center is often welded or bolted to the 'rim' portion of the wheel itself. Two different processes to make each piece, and strength concentrations are delt with separately

3 piece - the same as the two piece, but the three piece is for the larger wheels - typically anything over 8" or is it 8.5", will be a three piece or at least two on the rim portion. They can't spin that large of a rim, so there are two pieces that are put together to make the one rim piece and then its bolted onto the hub portion of the wheel.

 

I think having those allen wrench bolts around the rim is silly if it's a one piece rim.

I think I'll have to see what the weight difference is and if there is a noticable difference in quality.


Huh?

 

The advantage to a three piece rim is adaptability to many applications. You can take an assortment of components and fit almost any car without having to invest enourmous amounts of money in dies to forge or cast wheels which may only fit one car.

 

They tend to be heavier.

 

All things being equal, thats right. But the point is that the three piece is custom sized, so there is no equivilant available in a cast or forged wheel. Like a 18 x 10 Fikse for the S2000, yeah its heavier than a 17 x 8 Volk, but is the Volk available as a 18 x 10 in the correct offsets for the S2000? So in those terms, the three piece is the lightest available wheel.