Article
STEEL WHEELS VS. ALLOY WHEELS FOR OFF-ROAD USE
2023-08-08
If you’re in the market for a new set of rims, you may be contemplating the benefits of steel wheels versus alloys. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
PROS:
– Malleable and resistant to high-impact forces
– Easy to bend but hard to crack
– Strong centre
– Can be re-shaped / repaired on a trail or remote area
– Affordable
– Widely available, even in remote regions
CONS:
– Weak edges in terms of distortion and bending
– High heat-conductivity
– Prone to rust if scratched
– Limited sizes specific to off-road use and/or high-profile tyres
– Slightly heavier
– Harder to balance if distorted
– Limited design styles in terms of customising
PROS:
– Extremely rigid and resistant to mild impact forces
– Hard to bend or distort
– Have strong edges
– Won’t rust if they're scratched
– Are better suited to low- or medium-impact forces
– Are easier to balance
– Have a wide range of styles available
– Offer a wide range of sizes for most vehicles
– Have low heat conductivity
CONS:
– More likely to crack in the event of a severe impact
– Seldom available in remote areas
– Are difficult or sometimes impossible to repair
– Are more costly than steel wheels
– A crack in the bead area will allow air to leak from the tyre
– There's a greater risk of theft
SUMMARY
We tend to think of steel rims as the stronger option, but in many cases, alloy rims are far less likely to distort and are, therefore, less likely to cause other problems, such as balancing.
However, if the wheel is exposed to extreme impact forces, particularly if the tyre is flat or significantly deflated, alloy wheels are more likely to crack. Needless to say, a cracked alloy rim is almost impossible to fix on a trail and is likely to leak air. The wheel may also have to be scrapped.
In contrast, steel wheels are far more malleable, making them easier to bend – especially on their edges – and almost impossible to crack. In other words, most steel wheels can be knocked back into shape with a hammer in emergency situations. Put another way: It's highly unlikely that a steel wheel will leave you stranded.
As far as other damages go, a steel wheel will naturally rust if badly scratched. However, in most cases, the corrosion is surface-level and easy to brush off and repair. Of course, alloy wheels won’t rust, but because they typically cost more, it’s often harder to stomach damage to the rim.
Typically speaking, steel wheels tend to weigh more than equally-sized alloy rims, but the differences are often marginal, and the impact on fuel consumption is more likely to be affected by your tyre choice, particularly if the tyre is a Light Truck variant, as opposed to a P-Metric alternative.
In many ways, debating ‘steel versus alloy’ is encapsulated in the Chinese proverb, “The green reed which bends in the wind, is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in the storm.” So, the question of which is best depends on the storms (i.e. trails) you hope to tackle.
On that note, another equally important question is, "Are all steel wheels equal in strength?". The answer to that question may surprise you… But more on that later. In the meantime, check out our wide range of steel and alloy rims here.