Reply to "Help me choose my new wheels"

Hi Jan.

I like the 10 spoke Campy look too, for certain cars. I have a narrow body however and would prefer the early style Campy clones. But I have six reservations:

(1) I'd like to stay away from two piece or three piece wheels, boutique wheels, etc. I prefer a one piece cast wheel. The TSW wheels, or wheels available from Enkei racing, are just as strong, lighter, and cost $200 to $300 per wheel, depending upon size. I can purchase a set of 4 wheels on eBay for $1000. Plus the price of longer wheel studs and spacers.

(2) The vendors offering the Campy clones have not kept up with the current sizing in tires. I would not spend $2.00 on 17" wheels, let alone $2500.00. I perceive purchasing 17" wheels tantamount to sleeping on a bed of nails or beating myself with chains. Acquiring larger Campy clone wheels leaves me having to deal with American Republic Wheels directly (difficult), accepting their compromises, AND spending 2-1/2 times the amount of money. That seems like a similar situation, again tantamount to sleeping on a bed of nails, etc.

(3) The vendors have a predilection for 335mm rear tires, I prefer 285mm tires on 10" wide wheels. On the front I prefer 245mm tires on 8-1/2" wide wheels.

(4) Both the front & rear tires should be inset from the edge of the fender the same amount.

(5) The wheels should be designed for tire pairs that are approximately 2" different in diameter front to rear, so after leveling the chassis, the front and rear tires are positioned within the fender arches with equal spacing.

I want my car to look the best it can. Even a Hyundai has issues 4 & 5 sorted out. For $2500 (or sometimes more) I think the wheels I purchase for my $80K Italian classic should also have those issues sorted out.

(6) I want painted wheels that don't have to be polished. For $2500 they should at least have a clear coat! Perhaps my car, intended to be a daily driver rather than a show car, excludes me from using such wheels? Or perhaps my Okie ancestry makes me too pre-occupied (nice way of saying lazy) to polish wheels all the time.