TR Motorsport F1 Wheels

[Vertigoo]

Has anyone tried the TR Motorsport F1 Wheels. I am looking to put new wheels on my Elise, and Im wondering if it is worth the extra money and the half inch narrower wheel for the reduced weight from the Rota Torque's I am also looking at.

[glagola1]

Wheel width always trumps weight. In actual tests, there has been no significant difference found between wheels that are the same size and up to 5lbs heavier.

Street tires enjoy being a little stretched and they suffer from being pinched.... typically.

[Apex_in_sno]

Originally Posted by Vertigoo

Has anyone tried the TR Motorsport F1 Wheels. I am looking to put new wheels on my Elise, and Im wondering if it is worth the extra money and the half inch narrower wheel for the reduced weight from the Rota Torque's I am also looking at.

I've had them for years, and like them a lot, thinking of getting another set.

[spumoni1984]

I've got them too. No problems at all, I think they're great!

[darkSol]

Love mine to death. A LOT easier to clean than the stock LSS wheels!



(and 13.9 lbs. lighter to boot )

[9and3]

Originally Posted by glagola1

Wheel width always trumps weight. In actual tests, there has been no significant difference found between wheels that are the same size and up to 5lbs heavier.

I'll put this politely by simply saying: That's a unique statement.
Can you please provide references to these actual tests?

[hifiandmtb]

^^^ Exactly. Difference in what?

Wheel design affects ride quality (related to weight), acceleration (related to weight & size) & handling (related to weight & size).

[glagola1]

Scans of a Grassroots Motorsports test:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm2.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm4.jpg

I'm focused on tenths of seconds. I don't care about ride quality or aesthetics.

[9and3]

Originally Posted by glagola1

Scans of a Grassroots Motorsports test:

I'll admit one of those results is surprising, but the other two are irrelevant or predictable. GRM's narrative conclusion supports your no-significant-difference position but the actual test results paints a different picture (at least to my perspective).

1. 1/10 of an autocross-second is absolutely significant at the top tier of a/x'ing but I would have incorrectly guessed more gains from a low-power car on an autocross track;
2. Lighter wheels are as relevant to HP as a light-weight flywheel, limited slip diff, or dual-speed wipers;
3. Half a second on any major race track would be significant. Half a second on the test facilities short one-minute track is HUGE! Extrapolating to a more common 2-minute per lap track, these light wheels would be about a 1-second advantage. And for perspective, consider the reoccurring costs associated with slicks to shave 3-8 seconds per lap. I can not agree that there is 'no significant difference'.

Of course, if those results are not significant to you, that's fine too... we're just here to have fun.

You mentioned tests, since you had this one saved, do you have any other tests conducted by groups other than GRM? Just curious, no big deal.

[ERP]

Originally Posted by glagola1

Scans of a Grassroots Motorsports test:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm2.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...5MurF/grm4.jpg

I'm focused on tenths of seconds. I don't care about ride quality or aesthetics.

That test is certainly counter intuitive! It concludes that a wheel weight difference of 4 lbs per wheel has no significant affect on lap times and that a skinnier tire was quicker than a wider tire.

[glagola1]

Yeah, I don't really have any other tests... besides my own where I've had lighter sets of wheels in the same size and I couldn't tell the difference when I was on course.

With regards to the original poster, I'd say he has nothing to gain by going straight to the lighter wheel if he is going to lose rim width.

[Vertigoo]

Tough decision, but I think I am going to go with the TR Motorsports, since is 8lbs per wheel difference over the Rota Torque. Does anyone know a place they are available besides TireRack, as TireRack is backlogged on the front wheels until Jan 30th.

[glagola1]

The wheels are manufactured for Tire Rack and it's their house brand. Good luck finding them else where.

[Nazxul]

You might want to consider that the TR wheels are not much different from the LSS wheels you have. These wheels are a little bit lighter than LSS but does the cost justify the slight upgrade? LSS wheels are a pain to wash but they are great wheels.

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by Nazxul

These wheels are a little bit lighter than LSS but does the cost justify the slight upgrade?

On a dollar per lb. basis it's not too bad.

13.9 lbs. of unsprung weight savings over LSS is nothing to scoff at...

That's more than...

Factory lined softtop 11.5 lbs. (or)
Factory touring option 12.0 lbs. (or)
Full 2-gallon plastic gas can 13.5 lbs. (or)
Stock -> Odyssey PC680 battery savings 12.0 lbs. (or)
Stock -> SpeedGlass lexan windshield 12.1 lbs. (or)
Complete stereo removal 11.8 lbs...

[Vertigoo]

Originally Posted by glagola1

The wheels are manufactured for Tire Rack and it's their house brand. Good luck finding them else where.

Ahhh... I just got the "TR" in TR Motorsports

[Vertigoo]

Originally Posted by Nazxul

You might want to consider that the TR wheels are not much different from the LSS wheels you have. These wheels are a little bit lighter than LSS but does the cost justify the slight upgrade? LSS wheels are a pain to wash but they are great wheels.

I have the 2005 Standard Elise so my front wheels are 16x5.5 in the front which makes the tire choices very limited and very costly.

[Dougster]

I run them and love them but I run 17x7.5 with Star Specs on all four corners.

215/40-17
245/40-17

Not many wheels out there that are as light and easy to clean.

[darkSol]

Doug - looks great in solid black.

I wish they came this way from Tire Rack (hated the black with silver lip look) so I got the polished version.

[Dougster]

Thanks. They were ok in the silver but didnt look very good with the orange until i painted them black.