A wheel is metal upon which the tire is mounted. Elementary you may say but we want this site to be educational for all our enthusiasts. Wheels come with a recess in the middle to make tire installation and removal easier. A rim is formed around the outer edge of the wheel. The spider, the centerpiece, has bolt holes to mount the wheel to the hub. Choosing the right wheel is also about heat conduction. Heat conduction helps dissipate heat from the brakes. This improves braking performance in demanding conditions, also a reduction in the chance of brake failure from overheating. Sprung and unsprung weight are factors in choosing the right wheel. Sprung weight brings your suspension to life utilizing all its features. Unsprung weight is just weight. If you have to have the weight then you might as well use it.

Alloy wheels are made from an alloy of aluminum or magnesium. The earliest alloy wheels were magnesium alloys. Magnesium alloys were popular in the 1960s but people now favor aluminum alloy.  Lighter wheels can improve vehicle handling. Lighter wheels reduce unsprung mass allowing suspension to follow terrain more closely and improve grip. Not all alloys are lighter than steel wheels. By installing lighter wheels, you can also improve fuel economy. Alloys allow an attractive bare-metal finished look which requires a sealant such as paint or wheel covers. Eventually they will start to corrode over time but refurbishment is widely available. If preventive measures are not taken, these wheels are prone to galvanic corrosion. Alloys are more difficult to repair but repairs are normally cheaper than replacement. Alloys are not included as standard equipment due to their higher expense, they could be offered as an optional package. Alloy wheels have gained popularity since 2000. Now they are offered on economy and subcompact cars as well as luxury vehicles.

Steel wheels in contrast to alloys are usually pressed from sheet metal and welded together. This process leaves unsightly bumps and must be painted to avoid corrosion or hidden with wheel covers. Steel wheels are also heavier than alloy. There are multiple arguments about the comparison and contrast of steel wheels and alloy wheels. From the information I have gathered, it is my determination that it's more of a personal preference. There is a weight difference between the two but not significant enough to make milestones in performance improvement.

A safety consideration to keep in mind is wheel vibration. You can feel the vibration on the steering wheel especially when driving speeds between 20 to 70 mph. Causes for this problem are normally excessive tire run out, but also could be a bent rim which would need immediate replacement. Bent Rims could cause problems with your alignment.