[MrEss]

You guys lead the market.In your collective opinion, How many years away are we from being able to buy a set of carbon fiber wheels? You guys know where the manufacturers are at, technologically. My guess is they will be either German or Japanese in origin. But when? I know 4x108 will not be on the menu of first sizes to bake a batch of ( like never!) To sell. But, I will have moved on by then anyways. Please feel free to share!

 

[Die Trying]

Shelby made composite wheels in the late 80s for the csx. They were called fiberide wheels in the shelby dodge circles. Those were a fiberglass and plastic composite. Materials and manufacturing has only improved since then. You could have carbon fibre wheels tomorrow if a company was so inclined to make them.

 

[MrEss]

Shelby made composite wheels in the late 80s for the csx. They were called fiberide wheels in the shelby dodge circles. Those were a fiberglass and plastic composite. Materials and manufacturing has only improved since then. You could have carbon fibre wheels tomorrow if a company was so inclined to make them.

So. What company could I call to get a set of DOT approved wheels made? Have you looked into what processes are required to end up with a dot approved cf wheel? These are not a mass produced item, yet. So I am reading a Car &Driver article on the new ($50k) Shelby GT350/GT350R and there is mention of the R package ($13,500) including 19 inch carbon fiber wheels that weigh a stunning 18 pounds apiece. Being a track package these are most probably not dot approved for street use. But its a start! A low volume production, cf wheel. The firm contracted to supply the wheel is an Australian craft shop Carbon Revolution. So, MrEss will now go out on a limb and predict 5 to 7 years to refine the process issues and make limited Applications available. Available does not equate to off the shelf. I doubt these will ever be made in a fiesta fitment, but my next Mustang will have em'!

 

[FORZDA 2]

I have US DOT approved carbon fiber wheels on two of my motorcycles. Made by BlackstoneTek in South Africa. They're not cheap.

http://www.blackstonetek.com/

 

[MrEss]

I have a question for you. Do the cf wheels on your bike have molded in seats for the hub and inflation valve? I would assume the lug pockets to be inserts as would be the hub on a cf bike wheel. Any machine finishing would compromise the structure.

 

[FORZDA 2]

Well, kinda. The hub is aluminum and fastened "inside" the carbon fiber wheel. Here is a photo of the rear wheel on one of my bikes.

 

[MrEss]

Well, kinda. The hub is aluminum and fastened "inside" the carbon fiber wheel. Here is a photo of the rear wheel on one of my bikes.

Thanks for posting the image. I am intensely interested in having a set of cf wheels when they become available for a Mustang I will have that also does not yet exist. So, they theoretically fit perfectly at this point in time!

 

[benarmato]

Check Dymag (www.dymag.com). They announced a two-piece wheel with a carbon rim ages ago but it looks like it's still not available.

 

[MrEss]

D

Check Dymag (www.dymag.com). They announced a two-piece wheel with a carbon rim ages ago but it looks like it's still not available.

Dymag appears to be stillborn.I was just perusing Stangtv and read an interesting article on the CF wheels on the new GT 350R and Ford GT. I still believe it will be five to seven years before wheels of this material will become somewhat more available to the serious enthusiasts.