Bead grip vs. Beadlock wheels

[Upnover]

Got the new wheels in the standard length apex valves will not work. The valve stem does look protected IMO. Not sure I plan to get the longer apex stems May just go with regular ones. I have staun deflators that I may just keep using.

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[LSJKU]

Got the new wheels in the standard length apex valves will not work. The valve stem does look protected IMO. Not sure I plan to get the longer apex stems May just go with regular ones. I have staun deflators that I may just keep using.

Seems like Apex would have a list by now of which valve stems work with whatever wheel, at least the popular wheels. Thanks for the info!

I too will keep my deflators for now.

And the wheels look awesome. Great choice. We need pic's after you get them mounted.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Got the new wheels in the standard length apex valves will not work. The valve stem does look protected IMO. Not sure I plan to get the longer apex stems May just go with regular ones. I have staun deflators that I may just keep using.

What doesn't allow the Apex RPVs to work?

 

[Upnover]

What doesn't allow the Apex RPVs to work?

The standard valves are too short. The release mechanism wheel. I think their XLs will work just fine.

 

[Duc Hunter]

Loving my Method 703 beadgrips. Bought my JLURD with Method bead locks on them. Heaven, tires were a nightmare to get balanced, etc. Bead grips, for me, balance like a charm, any tire shop will swap a tire on them if you need a tire (ask me how I know), and bead grips saved me a fair bit of weight. I’ve run 8PSI and not burped a beard.

 

[TheGrendel]

I’m pretty certain you’re confusing the MR709s with either the Icon Recon Pro or Teraflex Nomad wheels. Both the Recon Pros and Nomads have a 4 piece rash ring.

AFAIK, the MR709s are relatively “new”, releasing in the last couple months.

The downsides to the MR709 (in my eyes) is that the rash ring and hardware adds a considerable amount of weight; they’re in the ballpark of what a beadlock wheel weighs. Check the wheel specs on Method’s product page and then compare to the standard MR703. I’m not sure if the number listed includes the weight of the ring and hardware or not, but if it does, then they weigh quite a bit. Disappointing as this was the style of wheel I was hoping to go with.

why are you so concerned about the weight? it's nearly meaningless other than to make it a little tougher to mount and dismount from the vehicle.

i don't know where this weird obsession in the last 2 years about wheel/tire weights on offroad rigs came from.

 

[theMANIMAL]

why are you so concerned about the weight? it's nearly meaningless other than to make it a little tougher to mount and dismount from the vehicle.

i don't know where this weird obsession in the last 2 years about wheel/tire weights on offroad rigs came from.

That’s an easy one. My wrangler may not be my primary daily driver everyday, but it spends a majority of its life on road, completing mundane on road travel.

While I’ll gladly take my Wrangler on hard trails, if I’m realistic with myself, I’m lucky if I get to drive it offroad 20 days out of the year. Why would I compromise handling characteristics for something that the vehicle spends <5% doing? If I had a tube chassis buggy that started life as a Jeep or Toyota and that gets trailered to and from the trailhead like so many guys do, then sure, I could ignore wheel weight and wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[yokramer]

That’s an easy one. My wrangler may not be my primary daily driver everyday, but it spends a majority of its life on road, completing mundane on road travel.

While I’ll gladly take my Wrangler on hard trails, if I’m realistic with myself, I’m lucky if I get to drive it offroad 20 days out of the year. Why would I compromise handling characteristics for something that the vehicle spends <5% doing? If I had a tube chassis buggy that started life as a Jeep or Toyota and that gets trailered to and from the trailhead like so many guys do, then sure, I could ignore wheel weight and wouldn’t worry about it.

If you were that concerned about .5mpg savings maybe the Jeep was the bad choice to begin with.

 

[theMANIMAL]

If you were that concerned about .5mpg savings maybe the Jeep was the bad choice to begin with.

It’s not about MPG (at least for me), it’s more about enjoying driving it. Heavier wheels affect the vehicle every time you accelerate and brake.

I’ve already been down this path with my first Wrangler; heavy steel bumpers and skids. The JKUR 3.6 and 5 speed was adequate on a stock Jeep, but add in all that weight and it wasn’t as fun to drive. Slower acceleration, longer braking distances, more heat. Heavy rotating mass has the same effect but worse.

 

[yokramer]

It’s not about MPG (at least for me), it’s more about enjoying driving it. Heavier wheels affect the vehicle every time you accelerate and brake.

I’ve already been down this path with my first Wrangler; heavy steel bumpers and skids. The JKUR 3.6 and 5 speed was adequate on a stock Jeep, but add in all that weight and it wasn’t as fun to drive. Slower acceleration, longer braking distances, more heat. Heavy rotating mass has the same effect but worse.

I mean its a box on wheels and stick axles, expecting it to be a performance vehicle is a bit of a stretch. Chasing weight savings is a losing game in a Jeep.

 

[theMANIMAL]

I mean its a box on wheels and stick axles, expecting it to be a performance vehicle is a bit of a stretch. Chasing weight savings is a losing game in a Jeep.

You’re absolutely right, it is indeed a box on wheels. I never said I was expecting performance vehicle handling or acceleration, nor am I “chasing weight savings”. Rather, I’m trying to be mindful of the weight I DO add.

Let’s get back on topic.

 

[yokramer]

You’re absolutely right, it is indeed a box on wheels. I never said I was expecting performance vehicle handling or acceleration, nor am I “chasing weight savings”. Rather, I’m trying to be mindful of the weight I DO add.

Let’s get back on topic.

Discussing buying on the look and style you want vs worrying about weight is 100% on topic. Do you like the wheels and beadlook style buy them stop worrying about a few pounds.

 

[Terrymo]

…stop worrying about a few pounds.

I told my wife that exactly one time early in our marriage. Learning occurred.

 

[yokramer]

I told my wife that exactly one time early in our marriage. Learning occurred.

Unfortunately for you the wrong person was taught a lesson?

 

[gek]

Any real life experience running Method Bead Grip wheels? I don't do extreme trails, mostly 5-6 rated in Moab & Sand Hollow, sometimes a 7. Price difference is significant between Bead Grip & Beadlock. Just got back from Sand Hollow & several people had positive things to say about the Bead Grip wheels. So looking for some real expert input that's always available on this forum. Thanks.

I have routinely ran method 316s (non beadgrip) at 10-12 lbs on 7 rated trails in Moab without even a slight issue. Bead grips will be more than enough for what you are doing.

*I did just switch to bead grips though, thanks @Krondor.

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