Utility Cycling - Worksman Port-O-Trike PTCB: No rim brakes, steel or alloy wheels?

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Huge Zits
02-13-12, 10:23 PM
Hello,

I will be purchasing a Worksman Port-O-Trike PTCB for my mom soon and was wondering if the $45 alloy rim upgrade is worth it in this application. This particular model has a coaster brake and a front drum brake, so from what I understand there won't be any friction directly on the rims.

Steel or alloy rims?

Sirrus Rider
02-14-12, 12:21 AM
Hello,

I will be purchasing a Worksman Port-O-Trike PTCB for my mom soon and was wondering if the $45 alloy rim upgrade is worth it in this application. This particular model has a coaster brake and a front drum brake, so from what I understand there won't be any friction directly on the rims.

Steel or alloy rims?

Alloy is lighter and won't rust; however, as you point out the upgrade won't be significant for braking.
Huge Zits
02-14-12, 02:33 PM
Yeah, I'm leaning towards the steel rims since they won't be the braking surface.

$45 seems reasonable for the alloy upgrade, though. If braking surface is the only practical reason in this application, I won't upgrade.

Ranko Kohime
02-14-12, 02:53 PM
Steel would make the better braking surface anyway, I believe, so with or without rim brakes, it's a question of a few ounces of weight, and so really not worth the upgrade.
squirtdad
02-14-12, 03:12 PM
Steel would make the better braking surface anyway, I believe, so with or without rim brakes, it's a question of a few ounces of weight, and so really not worth the upgrade.

This is absolutley incorrect. Steel is inferior to aluminum for rim brakes. If it gets a little wet it has almost no braking capacity.
bendembroski
02-14-12, 04:50 PM
This is absolutley incorrect. Steel is inferior to aluminum for rim brakes. If it gets a little wet it has almost no braking capacity.

+1
Nightshade
02-15-12, 11:11 AM
Hello,

I will be purchasing a Worksman Port-O-Trike PTCB for my mom soon and was wondering if the $45 alloy rim upgrade is worth it in this application. This particular model has a coaster brake and a front drum brake, so from what I understand there won't be any friction directly on the rims.

Steel or alloy rims?

as a long term user and owner of the Worksman brand I'll share this with you about rims.

The steel rims are nice and very strong on all Workman's BUT the chrome is just a thin coating that rusts VERY quickly. The allow rims will all come with stainless steel spokes so the whole alloy wheel package is a good investment to avoid any rusting.