New Caterham Superlight Wheels

[JBH]

Well...it took almost 5 months, but they arrived today. 6 & 8 X 13 in anthracite



http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/150694670_Wheels2 Reduced.jpg

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1756508638_Wheels4 reduced.jpg

I don't have a scale so I can't tell you the weight. They seem light, though not as light as the magnesium originals.

Cost: about $1000 for all four

[slomove]

Huh, that sounds like a good deal. And from Caterham?

[JohnCh]

Nice choice! I just ordered a set in silver today, but stayed with 6" all around. According to this (http://213-04.com/T.asp?id=116252) post on Blatchat, the 6" weighs 4.78kg and the 8" is 5.44kg. Quite a bargain at the price.

-John

[Birkin42]

What is the bolt pattern and offset for these wheels?

[JBH]

They are cast wheels with the Caterham inscription on the inside. If I measured correctly the bolt pattern is 4X108. The markings on the inside of the wheel indicate ET 24 for both the front and rear wheels.

I thought it was a great deal considering the deplorable state of the dollar.

Those weights seem about right.

[JohnCh]

Caterham told me the 6" wheels are et24, but that the 8" wheels are et39 with a backspace of 5.9375". I wonder if that was wrong, or if the offset stamped on the 8" wheels is incorrect?

-John

[JBH]

It looks to me like the mounting face for both wheels are about 24mm from the centerline. Both wheels are definitely marked et24

Blatchat confirms the front and rear are both et24: http://213-04.com/T.asp?id=97653

[JohnCh]

I'll circle back with RMSCI and ask about this. They inquired about offset on my behalf last week and sent the following information:

13"x6" (front)
.96875" offset (24.6mm positive offset)
4.375" backspacing

13"x8" (rear)
1.53125" offset (38.9mm positive offset)
5.9375" backspacing

If I had known the 8” was et24, then I might have opted for those. The et39 would have caused more headaches with new spacers and longer studs (the et24 6” will fit perfectly using my existing 25mm bolt-on spacers) so I decided to stick with the narrower rim.

-John

[Boxologist]

Al will be drooling all over these. not that I am not:cheers: :cool:

[Al Navarro]

Al will be drooling all over these. not that I am not:cheers: :cool:

Actually, there is another configuration being tried by a lister who shall go unnamed that I am even more curious about....

[JohnCh]

Actually, there is another configuration being tried by a lister who shall go unnamed that I am even more curious about....
Al, you big tease! At least give us a hint about the setup.

-John

[Al Navarro]

Hmm..I'll just say this...is there any reason the 15" CSR wheels won't fit a narrow car with some modification? They are 9" wide at the rear.

(No, I am not the person trying this. I'm sure he or she will report how it words when the time is right. I think I'd get the Rial wheels at Fluke if I were to upgrade.)

[JohnCh]

Interesting. Hopefully the Unknown Lister will post pics.

I did a lot of research on 13" wheels over the last few weeks. My first choice was the Rials, but the tanking dollar and soaring fuel prices have changed the landscape for me a bit. For example, although the Rials are reasonably priced, the shipping from Germany is outrageous.

Below is a little table I put together based on conversations with each manufacturer. Shipping prices for wheels shipped from within the US are set to $80 which is an estimate. Prices for wheels shipped to me from Europe are actual quotes from the manufacturer/dealer. The CXRs are a great value and include custom offset at that price, but I just couldn't warm to the looks. Not an ugly wheel, just too busy for my taste.

http://www.usa7s.org/aspnetforum/upload/1684550440_wheels table.jpg

Edited to add: all weights are for 7" wide wheels except where noted.

-John

[JohnCh]

I'll circle back with RMSCI and ask about this. They inquired about offset on my behalf last week and sent the following information:

I checked back with RMSCI and it turns out I misunderstood a bit. Those measurement provided above were taken off of wheels they had received a while ago, they were not numbers received from the factory. Given that the 6" et corresponds with the et24 JBH found on his wheel, it seems unlikely that RMSCI measured the 8" wheel incorrectly. Rather, it looks like the early 8" wheels may have had a different offset, or that particular wheel was bad -- the cast wheels are machined to achieve the corret backspacing. I'll let you know if they find out anything substantive from the factory.

-John

[Alaskossie]

Al,

I believe that I am your "mystery lister." The wheels and tires are still en route, and my Seven is still up on sawhorses, so it may be a while before I can give you a first-hand report.

Alaskossie

[JBH]

I can't speak for other sevens, but on the Superlight, there is no way to put a 15" wheel under the front wing without raising the wings. I am not sure that advantages outweigh the issues it creates. Besides requiring significant modifications, the 15" wheel will likely raise the ride height and increase the unsprung weight.

[scannon]

Ben at RMSC loaned an 8 x 15 CSR wheel with tire mounted to Alaskossie for a test fit. We also tried it on my SV and although it appeared to have adequate clearance of about 3/8" between the tire and rear watts link, both Ben and Nathan strongly advised against it as they said the tire will hit the watts link under hard cornering. It would require a bit of re-routing of my exhaust where it tucks under the car after the muffler or a change to side exit exhaust.

The wheel/tire combination really looked good on my car and I probably would have ordered a set had they not so strongly advised against it.

Since Tom decided to try it anyway, I will wait and see if he has issues with them on his narrow body Caterham.

Skip

[JBH]

I think it's the front wing that is the issue, but I can see the clearance of the Watts Link in the rear could also be a problem.

Just as a reference point, I run 6X13 wheels in front fitted with 185/60 Hoosier race radials. This is the maximum tire width (7.28 in/185 mm) and diameter (21.74 in/552.19 mm) that can fit under those cycle wings without modifications. If someone can find a 15" tire that has similar diameter and no greater width, it will work.

In the rear, I run 225/50 on 8"X13 wheels with no problems (diameter = 21.85 in/554.99 mm and width = 8.85 in/225 mm).



Of course, those with clamshell wings can run any size they like. :7fume:

[Alaskossie]

I think that front cycle fender clearance is a problem only if you try to fit 15-inch wheels and tires on a Caterham that was originally supplied with 13-inch wheels and their corresponding cycle fenders and mounts.

If you fit 15-inch wheels and tires on a car with the appropriate 15-inch cycle wing mounts, there should be no problem. At least that's my assumption -- I ordered my Caterham with 15-inch wheels, and no one said the proper cycle wings and mounts would not work. Dry runs with this combination show no interference.

[pksurveyor]

Caterham has two cycle wing sizes. One for 13/14 inch tires and the other for 15/16 inch tires.

[JBH]

Posted: Saturday, March 01, 2008 5:03:00 PM
Caterham has two cycle wing sizes. One for 13/14 inch tires and the other for 15/16 inch tires.
Alaskossie

Posted: Saturday, March 01, 2008 2:16:24 PM
I think that front cycle fender clearance is a problem only if you try to fit 15-inch wheels and tires on a Caterham that was originally supplied with 13-inch wheels and their corresponding cycle fenders and mounts.

If you fit 15-inch wheels and tires on a car with the appropriate 15-inch cycle wing mounts, there should be no problem. At least that's my assumption -- I ordered my Caterham with 15-inch wheels, and no one said the proper cycle wings and mounts would not work. Dry runs with this combination show no interference.


Ahhh...I learned something new - I thought the Superlight was 13" wheels only.

[Hank]

I apologize if I skipped over the part where you stated the place you bought these wheels? I order my Megabusa in a few days and I need to order these wheels at the same time! I emailed US Caterhams, but no response.

[JohnCh]

I bought mine from Ben at Rocky Mountain Sportscars (http://www.rmsci.com/). He is a good guy and can get you sorted.

-John

[Hank]

I'm so damn confused on these wheels. Ben @ RMSC states the 13x8" rear offset is 39mm. Blatchat states et24. If I were to purchase the 13x6 fronts, and 13x8 rears would I need spacers or not?

[bsimon]

Just to clear things up...or muddle them more;

The 15" rear wheels on Tom's car are 9" wide CSR wheels. I've had them on my pre 96 chassis with no issues, save maybe the stock over-running ARB. My ARB is highly modified to fit.(bent) The offset is just a tiny bit less than the 15 X 9 Kodiaks and 225/50/15 tires that I normally run. The tires on the Kodiaks run a good .250". away from the radius rods. I don't have any scuffs in the powder coat. The CSR wheels and Avons run 3/8" away.

[manik]

The Image Wheels that Westfield specs for the Megabusa are: 7x13" and an offset of ET23.

The BRM wheel, in your choice of color naturally:

http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/wheels/large%20cast/brm_13.jpg