What size go-kart wheels are best?

[danjwant]

I know all around you see mini wheels on go-karts, but surely bigger wheels would be better?

I've got two petrol scooter wheels ready for use. They'll be rear mounted with smaller wheels on the front. Would that be an ok set up or am I talking a big problem here.

Why are such mini wheels used, what's wrong with bigger wheels?

Please, I need some recomendations on wheels: big, small...?

 

[brendonv]

Bigger wheels means its harder for the engine to turn them over. Although bigger wheels cover more distance per rotation so theres two things to factor in there. I run 12"s on mine which seem to be pretty good. When it comes to running pulleys though 15" would have been better since the pulley is about 1cm from the ground
I use to run 10" but there no good for offroad and gives u hardly any ground clearance. I say get 12"-15" tyres. No bigger.

 

[danjwant]

Ah, I thought there would be some problem with big wheels. Thanks for the help once again mate.

 

[JHen]

Yeah, the tires are basically a gear. Bigger tires will result in faster speeds, but less power. Small wheels are the opposite, more power less speed. This is because your engine turns the wheels at x rpm, your speed will be x*(wheel circumference) inches per minute. A 12" tire will have you going 37,680 inches per minute if spun at 1000rpm, or 52mph, where as a 6" tire will have you going half that, 26mph. However, the large tire will also rob half the power that you would get using the small tire. Trade offs abound.

 

[solomon]

My manco kart uses 15" tires and takes off quick, it's all based off gearing.

 

[fowler]

obiously u must consider want u r driveing on when u decide what wheels u use

 

[jace]

12" tires are pretty good

 

[brendonv]

Street 10", off road 15".

 

[jace]

but 12" is a pretty good comprimize for light off road and street

 

[dave1701]

'tall depends on gearing

 

[bajagokart]

i run 22x10x10's on my rear end but i also need to for offroading

 

[danjwant]

Cheers guys for the input, that'll definately help.

 

[Angus]

Big wheels and tyres weigh and cost more than small ones. They also have higher wind resistance.

 

[fowler]

i dont think wheel wind resistance is a big issue on karts not at the speeds they go
(unless u get very serious about your track racing and i mean very serious)

 

[freeman508]

it reely depends on wat ur doing with it like when i off road i run 17" but on street i use 10

 

[freeman508]

and deppends on wat style go kart u have

 

[freeman508]

and the gearing and there so much that depends on it like on ur engine size to so give me sum moore details

 

[r97]

see the little edit button your post, i would suggest you use it so you don't end up with 5 posts for one sentence! also can you stop bumping random threads.

p.s. you have a computer, computers have spell check.

 

[redsox985]

I second r97. Stop the bumping and please try to condense to one, understandable post.

 

[kart mania]

wow i run 18's and they work fine(there old lawn mower tires)
and for street use old golf cart tires i think there 14'' or 15'' they work fine i only got a 9hp honda and i fly!
but i can go up hills like no ones buisness hmm must be ma sproket....