ITP wheels too heavy?

[pismorat]

I have a set of paddle tires on my '85 250R that are on ITP cast wheels. They are heavier than my old setup and I'm wondering if this is doing a detriment to me (literally slowing me down). Any experience or advice? I have an old setup that I might switch back to and do a comparison on my next trip to the sand.

[Red Rider]

Definitely. Heavy tires and wheels will rob power.

[oldskool83]

a light way rim is key, non rolled or enforced edge...you will bend it. A light 2 ply tire vs a 6ply tire you can feel.

[pismorat]

I think I'll weigh the ITP's vs. my older set tomorrow and see which is lightest. Holding them by hand, they don't feel way different, but I'll see what the scale says.

[pismorat]

I weighed them: the cast ITP wheels and paddles are 19.5 lbs. each. The old set of Gecko's I was running on no-name alum. wheels are 17.5 lbs. The knobbies I run on hardpack off are 16.5 lbs. I assume that 3 pound increase is why I feel the difference in acceleration and feel like it bogs way more...on top of being in deeper sand with more traction.

[Rob Canadian]

You are going to have to weigh just the rims. Unsprung weight.

[oldskool83]

3lbs is not much to throw power off. Might want to look more into diameter of tire and your jetting. There might be 10 trikes in the world with spot on jetting...