Well I have an opportunity to start up my own wheel line with something from a design factor that will change the way people look at the wheel industry.

The wheels are going to be two piece design, forged barrels, forged centers, and light weight.

They are going to be 19", 20", and 22".

They will be custom, and will be for the sport car market.

I thinking about offering 3 designs to start!

A five spoke, a mesh, and maybe something else (please help).

I'm just looking to get some ideas of what kind of other spoke designs people would want.

Your imput would be great!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

 

i'd like something wide and super light for racing. prefer 17s for lower cost of tires.

 

The six spoke rims with a concave look is always been one of my favorites.... LE37, TE37...

For the 350Z market I would say simple spoke design, Big lips, and lightweight (which you said forged) so your good there.

 

definitely try to make it more affordable to compete with the big dawgs like HRE and Iforged.

But try to also offer a stepped lip design!

 

i could be wrong, but i can't imagine there is a large demand for 22" rims in the sports car world. it might be better to start with producing more standard sizes (say eliminate the 22, and make 17 and 18) until there is enough capital inflow for special projects.

 

Well there is a huge market for 22" look at the Dodge charger + other domestic sports cars, porshe suv and sports crossovers.

I would not go with a custom 17" or 18" rim why?

Reason not many people are going to shell out cash for a two piece custom rim to replace their stock size rim (17" + 18").

Most if serious track people will buy a one piece cast of forged wheel and save their custom rims for the street.

90% people upgrade to one size or two sizes bigger with custom rims.

Most guys on the 350z that go with a two or three piece rim either go with 19" or 20" in volks, I-forged or HRE (the market I'm tying to get into).

In my many years of selling rims I had very few orders for 18" or 17" custom rims from the Z crowd or otherwise.

Thanks for the input though.

 

I disagree. The more serious track guys are interested in a smaller wheel with larger tire. I've also seen way more 18"s on this site than 20"s. Are you making a show wheel or a performance wheel? I wouldnt constitute 22"s on a Dodge Charger anything performance but thats just me. What about the vast majority of the market which is Hondas, Mazdas, Toyota/Scions? Most people arent fotunate enough to drive Z's and G's and if they are they are going to look at Rays and Work way before you. I don't know I may be wrong, just seems like you are looking at a very small market that doesnt have much potential.

 

One piece of advice. Don't copy other products. If I see you release a Volk look-a-like I will diss you in front of everyone.

 

Ok look at the above post via volks (95% Z owners are running 19's).

I will fill a niche market my overall design is something that will change the rim market forever (its going to be patented).

I'm not going to knock off other peoples designs.

On a side note serious track guys for performance would go with LE37T's (one piece forged).

I bet only a hand full (less then 10%) of people on this board have a 2 piece or three piece rim in 18".

Also find me a true forged two piece 17 inch rim (they do not exist Volk or other wise).

Custom 2 piece rims in 18" sizes are hard to sell and expensive to manufacture thats my point (+ small niche).

I would offer an 18" rim only after I saw a huge need and they would have to be the lightest 2 piece 18" rims on earth to sell.

Car manufactures are upping stock sizes every year hence the demand!

Look even high end porsche's + corvette zo6's are going to 19".

 

just make sure you offer a killer color choice and you shall be good.

 

Ignoring the 18" crowd is a huge mistake in my opinion - there are far more cars that like to run 18s over larger setups. I would run 18s for track use over 19s anyday due to performance and overall costs (of initial wheel purchase and continual tire purchases). Not many people can afford to have a set of custom track rims and a set of custom street rims - do not ignore the crowd wanting both.

 

i guess use track guys won't get support

 

I have 18's.

 

Why dont you enroll in multiple forums of the types of vehicles you will be marketing to and take a census of wheel size.

 

i totally agree. who would really want to plop down big cash on bling if its not really bling. for all you guys saying 18's or nothing just remember that 18's are the new 17's and in a couple years 19's will be the new 18's.

i say rock on buddy. i for one would like to see a 2 piece wheel with a smaller lip in favor of a reasonable drop center and a spot for factory tp sensors.

 

The market I'm going for is people in their mid twenties and up! I'm not trying to sell young entry level or first time car buyers (that market is highly covered by Axis, Enkei, Rota, Motegi, 5zigen and so on).

These rims are not going to be cheap so it will only be reseved for people with a higher taste in quality, style, and custom offsets (just as the purchaser of HRE, I-forged and Volk rims)

You hardly see custom rims on Scions, Toyotas, Mazdas or Hondas! Only a small percentage of these car owners buy full custom rims! They go with cast or what they can afford (i'm sure i'll sell a few custom sets to these owners but not many).

I'm telling you serious track guys will not want the weight of a two piece rim. They will want to save money for tires, track time, + they will want have the lightest unspung weight rim they can possibly get. If they are really on a budget they will opt to go with a cast wheel or just track on their stock wheels with wider spacers.

 

Good job Paul! Nice to see a good guy doing some things. I will never forget the pics of you in that Hick outfit in front of your new Mustang hahaha

 

wrong at the track everyone runs 17 or 18's. If your going to go for a "light performance wheel" then your shooting your self in the foot for not doing it in those sizes. Just my 2 cents

 

I think if the OP wants to make non track rims, then he should specialize in 19 and up. I like my simple light 1 piecers, and the OP will not be in consideration for MY money, but it's best to specialize.

Good luck!