Open Spokes vs Closed Spokes?

[rcadden]

Delving into the vast depths of wheel research, and wanted to focus on style first.

I see that many of what I'd called "closed spokes" (might be a more official name) are pretty popular. Ones like this:

Versus a more "open spoke" wheel like this:

And some "mid-spoke" options like this:

It *seems* to me that the "closed spoke" would be somewhat dangerous, as they severely restrict airflow to the brakes, which, when offroading, are likely to get quite a bit of use, whereas an "open spoke" would increase airflow in/around the brakes and keep them from getting too hot.

OR is the "closed spoke" better for offroading by "protecting" the brakes better, keeping rocks/debris out, and thus the "mid-spoke" is kind of a nice solution?

Or is it all functionally meaningless and purely an aesthetics thing?

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[Chocolate Thunder]

Or is it all functionally meaningless and purely an aesthetics thing?

This. Get whichever one you like that fits.

 

[Pig-Pen]

your brakes arent getting heated up enough when offroading to be an issue. i also dont think the brakes getting damaged by rocks is really an issue. as said above, get what you like.

of course, more metal = more weight.

 

[GATORB8]

Your post got me wondering, and I actually found a research paper from Penn State that analyzed it.
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1012.5236&rep=rep1&type=pdf

The main contribution factors to effective automobile brake cooling were found to be​

vehicle velocity, wheel material, wheel vent area, the thermal storage capacity of the rotor,​

and rotor type (solid or vented).​

• The contribution of the wheel to rotor cooling is considerable; it can not only affect the​

airflow pattern through a vented rotor, but can improve heat dissipation by conducting​

heat away from the brake components. Wheel ventilation plays a significant role in​

brake disc cooling, the larger the open area the greater the cooling effect, (and the​

greater its contribution to the vehicles drag, (Hucho 1998)). Alloy wheels have much​

better thermal conduction and storage capabilities than steel wheels, and combined​

with a usually larger open area will significantly increase the heat dissipation from the​

brake rotors.​

​

That said, unless you are tracking the Jeep or towing heavy loads often (which it can't really do anyway), I don't think you are approaching temperatures that would cause fade. I'd go with whatever you like best.

 

[rcadden]

Thanks all! I prefer the "mid-spokes" option and have found a number of ones that I like, so this was really helpful!

My Sahara Altitude also has upgraded brakes, so that should help from a cooling standpoint (though it seems that's a minimal concern anyways)

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