Spoked vs forged

[Junkie]

My new bike has Excel rims on Talon hubs and I'll be installing an Outex tubeless kit next time I have the tires off. I had great luck with the same kit on my Excel/Talons on my YZ so I figured I'd go for it again.

I found a set of Marchesinis with some minor chain rash for a fairly good price. Same sizes (16.5 front, 5" rear).

Am I likely to notice much difference between spoked and forged? I think I'd like a spare set anyway, but I could find a set of Warp9 or similar for significantly less money. Obviously they'd be nowhere near as sexy.

There are two reasons I'm questioning buying the Marchesinis: first, it's a 16.5 front (which seems to be losing popularity). Second, they're from an 09 KTM so I'd need to swap out spacers (and I think bearings) front and rear.

 

[R3DS!X]

I remember going back and forth on a friends bike at the track who had forged wheels. I felt like the handling was slightly different, more forgiving on the spokes, and the turning quicker on the forged but also wasn't sure if it was just me telling that to myself. Either one will go fast and I would rather have the tire swapping ease of forged wheels if I had my pick.

And I would skip the 16.5 and stick with the spokes if those were my only two options.

 

[Junkie]

if it was a 17" front I'd be all over it... even with the 16.5 I'm working on figuring out what it takes to make fit.

a grand for a set of Marchesinis is just hard to pass up.

 

[Map8]

How old are the Marchesinis? They don't last forever. I'm sure you know to check very carefully for even minute cracks.

 

[Junkie]

They're aluminum rather than mags, do the aluminum ones really wear out?

They're 10ish years old but have sat unused for the last 9ish years. They aren't perfect but aren't too marked up beyond the chain rash.

 

[Map8]

I'd be shocked if you found any used ones without chain rash. If they are from a race bike, I'd just check them carefully for cracks.

I've seen some spectacular chain-snapping, flat landings at races and I've seen Marchesinis from race bikes with cracks in them.

 

[R3DS!X]

The chain rash aint nothing to worry about but that old dunlop can fuck right off.

I dunno man instead of spending a grand on a set of Marcs that ain't really what you want i would save that grand for a pair you do want.

Another thing is the 16.5 is gonna be more twitchy so I'm not sure if that factors into your riding style or what you're looking for. I think you were eying that chineseium steering damper so you might not be a fan.

 

[Junkie]

I thought the total tire height was about the same for 16.5 vs 17 because the sidewall is taller on the 16.5, is that not the case?

the tires are 100% junk, yes. as I said they've been sitting for 9 years.

I haven't ridden the bike enough to know if it needs a damper and I'm having the suspension redone right now anyway, was mostly just curious.

 

[R3DS!X]

I think it's more from less rotational weight. gyroscopes n what not

 

[G2G]

I am a hoarder of Marchi rims. Its all I run on my KTM's and my Huskys. Benefits of the forged rims are no issues with tubes or tubeless system failing. No issues with front calipers hitting the spokes esp if you are running stock triples and radial brakes. Once you run a 16.5 set up its hard to go back to 17. You will love it.

 

[ABC]

And I would skip the 16.5 and stick with the spokes if those were my only two options.

I Agree 100%