Benjamin,
I agree with you wholeheartedly (except for your criticism of us of course!!
)
It is unfortunate that in one breath HRE is criticized for making wheels that are "too heavy" while our "competition" is applauded for making wheels that are irresponsibly light weight. And now we introduce a material that can get us to a lower weight safely and we're being criticized.
If you notice, the weights of our 1pc forged aluminum wheels are in-line with our quality competitors, namely BBS and Champion. Why is this? It's because the same physics that apply to them apply to me. I can make a 17lb wheel any day of the week, but that doesn't mean it is safe to go on a 997TT. Oh... but they've tested it. Not enough. It turns out that it helps if you test to the correct load rating for the application and the use the right spec. We actually multiply the designated TUV load rating by a factor of safety before designing the wheel to that spec. Why? We've found that simply going off of max axle load isn't enough. Not even close. If it were that easy to make them lightweight, wouldn't Porsche do it themselves? Do any of us have more resources than Porsche? I don't think so.
This shows the difference between good marketing and good engineering. We'll stick to the good engineering. We want to be in business for the long haul. We're not going to sell a bunch of wheels and then going running off with all the money once the fatigure failures begin... and they will begin. It just takes time.
So on to carbon. It turns out that the stiffness of the carbon barrel is actually much higher than the stiffness of the aluminum barrel. In fact, in fatigue, the barrels are load rated MUCH higher than the aluminum center simply because you have to design the rim around impact. Okay... so is it brittle and is it going to shatter into a million pieces under impact. Nope. If you hit a curb or something you'll definitely damage it, but you'll have a localized failure which is what you want and should expect.
As for us not knowing and/or not caring, I want to extend an invitation to you to visit HRE anytime. I can give you a personal tour (above and beyond my normal tours) and show you how we do it and why we do it that way. I think you'll be impressed by our knowledge and expertise, our capabilities, our honesty and the most of all the integrity that is simply infused in all of us here.
If you want to criticize us after that, feel free. I welcome constructive criticism. It keeps us moving forward. I just prefer it is based on facts and reality.
My $.51.
Thanks,
Alan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Benjamin Choi
i ain't no professor myself but internet car forum folks think to think in just one dimension, just maybe one or two conditions...
there is no free lunch. what you give up in weight (lightness) you sacrifice rigidity of the wheel. a car moves. the wheels also aren't always in a perfect circle. if the wheels aren't rigid enough to support the vehicle, then it has trouble putting rubber down onto the pavement for traction.
weight v. rigidity. i have a hard time believing given HRE's absolute lack of motorsport experience, field R&D that they spent the dough to truly get this balance right.
there is a reason why big arse multinational companies like BBS and OZ do not offer 20" 20lbs wheels. cuz ya can't unless you make some major sacrifices in durability and performance.... HRE doesn't know or care. they make pretty wheels, i love them, but would never ever get these.
plus the whole point of the rim part is to make the wheels circular shape pop... having it in CF makes it blend in with the tire which makes it look absolutely whack esp in motion.
my $.50
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