Spoked Wheels?

[bugatti_gokart]

I'm curious if anyone has had any success with using spoked wheels? I'm building a kart using 16" bicycle wheels, but I'm curious if anyone has any experience using wheels from say a scooter or similar?

I could go hog wild and use motorcycle wheels (such as Cycle Karts but I'm trying to keep it a bit more tame and geared for kids. The wheels for Razor motorcycles (MXZ 500) that are available at PartsforScooters.com seem like great candidates but before I ponied up $30 each I wanted to see if anyone has used anything similar.
The bicycle wheels I'm using are ok for the moment but definitely won't stand up to decent turning or any speed to speak of.

I wouldn't be against different wheels, provided they were larger than typical kart wheels.. in the 16" range.

Thanks,
Jas

 

[KieranM]

spoked (bicycle) wheels are designed for bikes and they are better supported on bikes,that been said there is no harm in trying the bike wheels as i dont think they will be under alot of stress and strains. i would not be too sure if they would last though, for if you were to take a sharp corner i am not sure how they would hold up as the weight is being forced to one side an intern making a weakness point at which ever side is holding the weight.

I would certanly try the bike wheels anyway, as it suits your creation.

 

[motor_head]

dirtbike wheels would be alot better than bicycle wheels they have much heavier spokes

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

My grandfather made a wagon for lawn tractors using bicycle tires in the back, they are not very suitable for heavy loads and will bend pretty easily, i wouldnt trust them cornering.

 

[bugatti_gokart]

I wouldn't be against not using spoked wheels, but really need something that in the 16" range. The taller they are of course introduces issues with force on turns, etc. Even a solid wheel in that range would be good...something akin to old soap box racing wheels.

 

[Mukura]

I know this is quite an old thread now, but I've been reading up the last couple of weeks and had an idea the other day that you should easil get away with 14mm axle 20" BMX rims - 3 cross 48 spoke pattern, competition gauge spokes - you could probably even get away with a (Standard) 36 spoke wheel on a 10mm axle if you change up the lace to 4 cross and look at tying and soldering the crosses of the lace up, should make for a pretty strong wheel. The axle is the biggest question for me... 14mm is massive and can be found here and there, 10mm is super readily available..

On another note - breaking spoked wheels - I've seen a bicycle with a suicide brake on the front wheel using a coaster brake and a length of chain with a spring on it... which gets me to thinking, both front wheels could have such brakes, linked to a foot pedal, surely...?

http://ratrodbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17872