Beadlocking Wheels

Chris In Milwaukee

Ain’t no mo’
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Hi all,

I know some of you are hard-core crawlers and some stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Just was watching a video on an upcoming Icon wheel that is kind of a different spin on the beadlocking wheel. Regardless of your opinion of Icon (I know some of you have strong feelings), this approach seems a lot easier to maintain than the usual bajillion-bolt ring. Opinions on the subject?

And on that note, do tires never really lose their bead on the inside surface? No wheel I've researched, proper beadlock or not, has any sort of retainer on the inside surface.

Either way, they'd be really cool in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot. No parking block or curb would be safe.

 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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Yucaipa, CA
Hi all,

I know some of you are hard-core crawlers and some stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Just was watching a video on an upcoming Icon wheel that is kind of a different spin on the beadlocking wheel. Regardless of your opinion of Icon (I know some of you have strong feelings), this approach seems a lot easier to maintain than the usual bajillion-bolt ring. Opinions on the subject?

And on that note, do tires never really lose their bead on the inside surface? No wheel I've researched, proper beadlock or not, has any sort of retainer on the inside surface.

Either way, they'd be really cool in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot. No parking block or curb would be safe.

I'm very curious about these as well. Actually seems like it could be a great option if it holds air well (assuming it has O-Rings on those bolts). Method has that wheel with the extra lip on the bead to be a semi-beadlock. I've heard good success with that for the casual wheeler, so this seems like this would be great for something a little more abusive than the casual wheeler.

There are double beadlocks out there (Hutchinson is one). Most beadlocks are only on the outer bead since that is where majority of the load is placed when aired down and/or cornering hard.
 

kasnerd

Danny's Red Headed Step Child
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The marketing is working...

Ring bolts...it's only 20ish and it's quick. it's less about those bolts and more about having to mount your own tires. Yes the inside bead can still unseat but with the Icon design, it will allow the tire to slip/spin whereas with a ring lock, unless it gets ripped out of the beadlock groove, it'll stay on.
 

kasnerd

Danny's Red Headed Step Child
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A lot of folks do crazy stuff like gluing or adding some layers of tape to the bead area on the wheel to help hold the tires on while under extreme loads.

edit: I used to have the Method 702s. They were nice and had them aired down to 15psi through some flat corners/sand and did fine. Went as low as 10 by accident on one without a compressor (impulse romp on the way home). They didn't see any rocks at low psi so can't comment on that but it's gotta be better than a layer of duct tape on the wheel.
 

kasnerd

Danny's Red Headed Step Child
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Looking at this again... If they are flow formed (aka rolled x$) instead of from forged billet (x$$$$) I would be concerned about the stresses along the wheel where the bolts are.

They have o-rings to hold air. Seems like it would be a hassle to deal with o-rings when changing tires more than reg beadlocks.

I don't see this being worth the money, and would suggest the Method 702s for lower speed, casual use and stick to beadlocks for the rough stuff. Time will tell.
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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Looking at this again... If they are flow formed (aka rolled x$) instead of from forged billet (x$$$$) I would be concerned about the stresses along the wheel where the bolts are.

They have o-rings to hold air. Seems like it would be a hassle to deal with o-rings when changing tires more than reg beadlocks.

I don't see this being worth the money, and would suggest the Method 702s for lower speed, casual use and stick to beadlocks for the rough stuff. Time will tell.
Most folks don't run forged wheels though, and I don't think Method even has an option for forged wheels. Comparing apples to oranges here.
 

kasnerd

Danny's Red Headed Step Child
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Nice. Never knew those were an option.

yea I looked at those awhile back, but seeing the TR in person it was pretty easy choice. both in money and appearances. I am good with my flow formed TRs. I asked Harry and Jesse at what point are forged wheels no longer a luxury and become an necessity. "1000hp and +100mph or if you are a vendor and get them cheaper, put them on everything!"
 
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