Need some education of wire wheels please

[KWTownsend]

I am working on a speedster project that has kind of evolved...

I have a set of '26-'27 wire wheels and hubs, but I think this brass-era looking speedster would look better with some 30x3-1/2" wire wheels. However, I know next to nothing about them.

Buffalo? Houk? Pasco? Pharis? What are the pros and cons of some of these? Which are more common? What would be a reasonable price for a set of 5?

Please edumacate me...

: ^ )

Keith

[Les Schubert]

I have been running Buffalo on my 13 touring for 20 years. They were new reproduction and cost me $2500.00 Cdn 25 years ago!!
I also now have a set of Phelps originals in 30x3-1/2 for a future project.
They generally cost considerably more than the 21” ones

[TRDxB2]

Pro's
more spokes look neat but are expensive
'26 spokes are the least expensive
Con -the other special stuff you'll need to run them
Houk wheels http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1365555690
Buffalo wheels
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1365555690
https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12873
Pasco wheels
viewtopic.php?t=23074
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1380982625
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1535774800
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1510492526

[Allan]

My preference is Hayes, for different reasons. They come in both 21" and 23" sizes. They are demountable at the rim. This means a fully mounted spare requires no whole wheel as a spare.The rims/tyres are interchangeable with others I have on my T's. It also means that on tours, the spare tyres from standard cars of others can be borrowed if needed. It is also easier to find good replacement clincher rims than it is to find good laced wire wheels with good rims.
They might not look as sexy as some, but that is in the eye of the beholder.

Allan from down under.

[speedytinc]

My preference is Hayes, for different reasons. They come in both 21" and 23" sizes. They are demountable at the rim. This means a fully mounted spare requires no whole wheel as a spare.The rims/tyres are interchangeable with others I have on my T's. It also means that on tours, the spare tyres from standard cars of others can be borrowed if needed. It is also easier to find good replacement clincher rims than it is to find good laced wire wheels with good rims.
They might not look as sexy as some, but that is in the eye of the beholder.

Allan from down under.

Allans point taken. Demountable required or preferred? Pretty or functional? Hayes probably flex more if racing? IMO. Budds. Much like a buffalo. Heavier, Less flex. They typically have a large pin or 2 on the hub in case the wheel got loose Stay on longer than a Buff. See as little as $3500 for 5. About the same as Buffs.

[Kevin Pharis]

I’m sure y’all can assume what my opinion is about what brand of wheel to choose... but I would like to point out that there are many stories out there based upon wheels, hubs, and nuts that were run long after they should have been scrapped. When a wheel falls off nobody ever asks about the condition the wheel, hub, and nut... just the brand.

I have seen people wrap tape around the hub threads to “tighten” the nuts. Drive cogs worn so bad the ratchet locks break due to wheel movement. Hubs bored out to accept Ford wood wheel hubs and welded together. Bent, broken, neglected, abused, and worn out are all words I use to describe most of what is left at swap meets.

I recently had a tire blowout while on tour with a newly acquired ‘15 touring with “nice” original Buffalos. Upon closer inspection I found that 2 of the rims were sharp as razors. The rear hubs had worn drives, worn tapers, worn keyways, and worn threads. 2 of the wheel centers were bent, and each wheel was missing several spokes. And the hub nuts have been subject to several pipe wrenches over the years.

Straighten the centers, new rims, new spokes, new rear hubs, new paint, new tires, new tubes, and the car is finally back one the ground. Too bad the caps look like crap... guess I’ll put new caps on it too

Moral of the story... quality parts produce quality results. Many of the original design options were decent enough when they were new... but what condition are they in now...?

[RajoRacer]

I believe a "runnable" set of accessory wires, no matter the brand are few & far between. I learned an expensive education regarding this subject so just call Kevin P. and get yourself on his "build" list - you won't be sorry or have any regrets (checkbook, maybe) - his workmanship is by far better than any "used" set you might find !

[Original Smith]

I believe the Buffaloes are the best looking, however from a practical standpoint I agree with Alan above. Being able to have a demountable rim is a real plus. Next, I think 26 wire wheels look terrible on an early car.

[Kevin Pharis]

Adding to Frank’s list of wire wheel links...

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/599638/696044.html