Most of us drive around on the wheels that are fitted to our vehicle, without really thinking much beyond the state of the tyres and when they will next need replacing. In fact, the chances are that most drivers won’t realise that the wheels themselves can be formed using one of three different methods, or that these different methods impact price, strength and performance.
Flow-formed wheels is one option – but before we get into the value of these wheels, we first need to understand what flow-formed wheels are and how they compare with the alternatives.
What Are the Different Methods for Wheel Production?
There are three ways that wheels can be manufactured:
- Casting
- Flow-forming
- Forging
These scale up in terms of their price and their supposed performance, with casting the most commonly used method and forging reserved for only the highest performance vehicles.
How Does Flow-Forming Compare?
Flow-forming sits somewhere in the middle, taking the casting process and building on it with an extra step. This step takes the ready-cast wheel and heats then spins it, applying pressure to stretch and compress the metallic structure simultaneously.
The end result is a wheel which can afford to be thinner, but which enjoys superior strength – making the flow-forming wheel stronger but lighter.
In contrast with both the traditional casting method, and flow-forming, forging follows a different process and uses force to not only shape the metal but also to reorganise its structure for maximum strength. The end result is a wheel that can withstand the same strength as any other wheel, using significantly less material – lightening the wheel and the overall vehicle even more for optimum performance.
Are Flow-Forming Tyres Worth the Cost?
It’s important to note here that flow-forming tyres are not the most expensive option – that title is reserved for forged tyres.
Which leads us to ask, is it worth spending a bit extra on wheels if you’re not going to get the very best ones?
Flow-formed wheels have the advantage of being stronger but lighter than cast wheels. While the production of flow-formed wheels is limited by existing moulds (unlike forged wheels which can be fully customised), they do improve vehicle performance and are popular among drivers who want to enjoy better handling and acceleration while keeping costs on a more affordable level. They are durable and strong, with a marked premium on cast wheels – but don’t match the price or performance specifications of forged wheels.
Do I Need to Upgrade My Wheels?
The switch from cast to flow-formed or even forged wheels is a matter of preference, based on cost and the kind of experience you want to enjoy when driving.
Our team can advise on whether a wheel upgrade is necessary, and can help you ensure that you select the right tyres to balance performance with durability, safety, and cost.
