The Ford Barn

lcslaw · 01-31-2015, 06:57 PM

I just brought home a 26 T touring. Hasn't been driven in several years but ran when it was parked. Has been kept dry. I am getting new tubes in the tires and the wood spoke wheels look and feel solid but I question their longevity if I drive it on tours. How much trouble to convert to wire wheels?

29spcoupe · 01-31-2015, 07:10 PM

You will need to buy wire wheels and hubs, they will fit right on the car with no problem. 4 hubs and 5 wire wheels may run you as much as $1200 to $1500 for all. If the wooden wheels are in nice shape, there really is no need to change them. If your split rims for the wood wheels are not in good shape, they run over $150 each.

4

Steve Jelf · 02-01-2015, 10:45 AM

Wood wheels in good condition are fine. If they're not in good condition, your choice is wire wheels or new wood. The latter costs less. If "correctness" matters to you, 1926 open cars came from the factory with wood. BUT wires were available as an option, so either is correct. It comes down to which looks better to you and what you want to spend.

jwaldrich · 02-01-2015, 04:01 PM

I have both and like both. Wires are pretty much maintenance free where as wood is not BUT... if you start with good wooden spokes that have a good top-coat they will be pretty much maintenance free for many years to come.

Willie in Houston · 02-02-2015, 03:12 PM

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Wire wheels seem to be totally maintenance free. Wood spokes sometime get loose and can be tightened fairly easily. If wood spokes do get loose, do not continue to drive as they will continue to get more and more loose until they become dangerous.
When on tour, I make a point of checking all four wheels by grabbing the tire and pulling very hard "In and Out". There should be no movement of the spokes.
If I had a good set of wood spokes on a car, I would not change to wire wheels. WHY?????

01-31-2015, 06:57 PM	#1
lcslaw Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 4	what's better wood or wire wheels? I just brought home a 26 T touring. Hasn't been driven in several years but ran when it was parked. Has been kept dry. I am getting new tubes in the tires and the wood spoke wheels look and feel solid but I question their longevity if I drive it on tours. How much trouble to convert to wire wheels?

01-31-2015, 07:10 PM	#2
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 762	Re: what's better wood or wire wheels? You will need to buy wire wheels and hubs, they will fit right on the car with no problem. 4 hubs and 5 wire wheels may run you as much as $1200 to $1500 for all. If the wooden wheels are in nice shape, there really is no need to change them. If your split rims for the wood wheels are not in good shape, they run over $150 each. 4

02-01-2015, 10:45 AM	#3
Steve Jelf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Parkerfield KS Posts: 526	Re: what's better wood or wire wheels? Wood wheels in good condition are fine. If they're not in good condition, your choice is wire wheels or new wood. The latter costs less. If "correctness" matters to you, 1926 open cars came from the factory with wood. BUT wires were available as an option, so either is correct. It comes down to which looks better to you and what you want to spend.

02-01-2015, 04:01 PM	#4
jwaldrich Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Orting Wa Posts: 290	Re: what's better wood or wire wheels? I have both and like both. Wires are pretty much maintenance free where as wood is not BUT... if you start with good wooden spokes that have a good top-coat they will be pretty much maintenance free for many years to come. __________________ John from Kapowsin T&A Guy

02-02-2015, 03:12 PM	#5
Willie in Houston Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 252	Re: what's better wood or wire wheels? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Wire wheels seem to be totally maintenance free. Wood spokes sometime get loose and can be tightened fairly easily. If wood spokes do get loose, do not continue to drive as they will continue to get more and more loose until they become dangerous. When on tour, I make a point of checking all four wheels by grabbing the tire and pulling very hard "In and Out". There should be no movement of the spokes. If I had a good set of wood spokes on a car, I would not change to wire wheels. WHY?????