What Do All Those Numbers Mean?
Along the rim of an ATV tires lies a bunch of numbers similar to what's on a regular car tire. Knowing what the numbers mean is crucial to optimum performance and finding the right set of wheels which we'll get into for the next section.
ATV Wheels
Without a good set of wheels, those ATV tires won't help you all that much. Skimping one to go big on the other doesn't really work when it comes to tires and wheels. Inferior tires can of course ruin a day's ride but also affect the longevity of the wheels. Same goes with subpar wheels. Cracked or broken wheels won't do much good either and may even slice a hole in your tires. It's best to consider the ATV wheel and tire as one.
Manufacturers use several materials to construct wheels. Depending on how hard you ride and whether or not you enjoy cruising along trails verses racing makes a difference in the type of rim to buy.
Steel wheels are the most cost effective but they are heavy. Aluminum alloy is a popular alternative to steel because of the price and the wheel is much lighter. Magnesium alloy is about 30 percent lighter than aluminum and just as durable on the track or trail but can rust.
DWT Racing took to "labeling" their wheels to make it easy on consumers. The Label series of wheels are made of aircraft grade aluminum in varying thickness.
The Sport Blue Label is the lightest in their Sport series and is recommended for recreational dune riding. The Sport Red Label is the strongest line intended for moderate riding. The Sport Black Label is strong and lightweight designed for light to moderate riding.
Read on to learn more about wheel offset, bolt pattern and wheel sizing.
Wheel Offset
If your ATV handles stiff or perhaps too loose and you want to change how your 4-wheeler handles then Offset comes into play. Offset allows you to change the width of the front and/or rear end to make the AT handle to your liking. Check out the diagram for reading ATV wheel offsets.
Measuring Wheel Bolt Pattern
ATV wheels come in three lug patterns: 3-Lug, 4-Lug and 5-Lug. Knowing your wheels lug pattern isn't all that important because wheels are set-up for specific ATVs. So, when you look for new wheels your decision is narrowed down by the make and model of your ATV. However, if you have an existing set of wheels and unsure what ATV the lug pattern fits then you can measure the bolt pattern and find out. Use the following graphic to help you measure your wheels bolt pattern.
How to Read Wheel Sizing
Like ATV tires, wheels offer a bunch of numbers imprinted on the rim to help you find the right size. Larger wheels offer more power, smaller wheels give more speed. Depending on your ATV you may be limited in what size wheel is usable but you should be able to go larger or smaller depending on need. Of course, we'll mention what does not need mentioning but just in case - you'll need the same size tire as your wheel.
Along the rim of an ATV tires lies a bunch of numbers similar to what's on a regular car tire. Knowing what the numbers mean is crucial to optimum performance and finding the right set of wheels which we'll get into for the next section.
ATV Wheels
Without a good set of wheels, those ATV tires won't help you all that much. Skimping one to go big on the other doesn't really work when it comes to tires and wheels. Inferior tires can of course ruin a day's ride but also affect the longevity of the wheels. Same goes with subpar wheels. Cracked or broken wheels won't do much good either and may even slice a hole in your tires. It's best to consider the ATV wheel and tire as one.
Manufacturers use several materials to construct wheels. Depending on how hard you ride and whether or not you enjoy cruising along trails verses racing makes a difference in the type of rim to buy.
Steel wheels are the most cost effective but they are heavy. Aluminum alloy is a popular alternative to steel because of the price and the wheel is much lighter. Magnesium alloy is about 30 percent lighter than aluminum and just as durable on the track or trail but can rust.
DWT Racing took to "labeling" their wheels to make it easy on consumers. The Label series of wheels are made of aircraft grade aluminum in varying thickness.
The Sport Blue Label is the lightest in their Sport series and is recommended for recreational dune riding. The Sport Red Label is the strongest line intended for moderate riding. The Sport Black Label is strong and lightweight designed for light to moderate riding.
Read on to learn more about wheel offset, bolt pattern and wheel sizing.
Wheel Offset
If your ATV handles stiff or perhaps too loose and you want to change how your 4-wheeler handles then Offset comes into play. Offset allows you to change the width of the front and/or rear end to make the AT handle to your liking. Check out the diagram for reading ATV wheel offsets.
Measuring Wheel Bolt Pattern
ATV wheels come in three lug patterns: 3-Lug, 4-Lug and 5-Lug. Knowing your wheels lug pattern isn't all that important because wheels are set-up for specific ATVs. So, when you look for new wheels your decision is narrowed down by the make and model of your ATV. However, if you have an existing set of wheels and unsure what ATV the lug pattern fits then you can measure the bolt pattern and find out. Use the following graphic to help you measure your wheels bolt pattern.
How to Read Wheel Sizing
Like ATV tires, wheels offer a bunch of numbers imprinted on the rim to help you find the right size. Larger wheels offer more power, smaller wheels give more speed. Depending on your ATV you may be limited in what size wheel is usable but you should be able to go larger or smaller depending on need. Of course, we'll mention what does not need mentioning but just in case - you'll need the same size tire as your wheel.
