Whether you ride for work or play—or both—choosing the right wheels is a great way to optimize your UTV or ATV. When you’re looking for wheels, the biggest decision to make is the material of the wheels. The material you choose can impact everything from performance to cost, durability, weight, style, and maintenance needs. And since steel and aluminum are the most common types of wheels, this guide will focus on comparing those two materials. Let’s get rolling!
We’ll dive into the gritty details as we get into the guide, but if you’re looking for a topline comparison, we’ve got you covered here.
If that’s the information you need to make your decision, all you have to do is go pick up a set from the SuperATV selection and you’re ready to go! If you want to get more in-depth, let’s dive into the details.
Traditionally, steel has been known for its toughness and durability, especially when compared to aluminum. While steel wheels are still some of the strongest around, aluminum wheels have come a long way in the durability department, making both viable options for many riders. However, if you are going to be hauling heavy loads, steel’s resistance to bending is a key factor to consider. Aluminum wheels, on the other hand, are rigid and strong enough to handle some strain, but are prone to cracking due to extreme impact or weight.
Since steel wheels are inherently stronger, it makes sense they are the heavier of the two options. Depending on the type of performance you need, your wheel material can make a real difference. Aluminum wheels are light enough that they can make a noticeable positive impact on your quad’s or UTV’s handling, acceleration, and fuel efficiency. Steel wheels will make your machine less nimble and can drag acceleration down a bit, but they are ideally suited for applications that require unwavering stability.
Aluminum is naturally corrosion resistant, even in damp or salt-saturated environments. That doesn’t necessarily mean that steel wheels are a no-go if you live along a coast or in a place that is often rainy or muddy—steel wheels require more regular maintenance and cleaning to keep corrosion to a minimum.
Beyond corrosion resistance, your wheels can impact the maintenance of other parts of your ATV or UTV. Steel wheels tend to hold heat, which can increase wear and tear on your brakes, bearings, and other important components. On the other hand, aluminum wheels are excellent at dispersing heat, which can extend the life of those parts.
In general, aluminum wheels will cost more than steel wheels. However, many riders find that the value of aluminum wheels in the long-term at least matches the up-front savings you’ll get with steel wheels. For example, since they are less likely to corrode, offer improved fuel efficiency, and are better at dispersing heat away from your brakes and other critical components, aluminum wheels may save you a decent amount of money in the long run.
When choosing your wheels, you can’t forget how they look. If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd while you ride, you’ll find that aluminum wheels offer more modern and stylish designs. Steel wheels are generally less stylish and more utilitarian, reflecting the fact they’re usually found on workhorse machines.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing wheels for your UTV or ATV is the way you ride. If you tend to do more rugged utility work or hauling, steel wheels may be your perfect fit. Do you like to hit the trails a bit after working, steel wheels are still a good choice for low-speed trail riding.
If you’re into sport riding, high-performance racing, or ripping up trails, aluminum wheels can give you the edge to stay ahead of the pack and squeeze the top-end performance out of your machine.
When it comes to deciding steel versus aluminum wheels for your ATV or UTV, the choice really comes down to what best matches how you ride and what you want to get out of your rig. If you’ve settled on aluminum, SuperATV has a great selection that you can choose from. If you’re looking for even more in-depth advice on the best wheels for your rig or have questions for our team, drop a comment below or get in touch with us! We’d be happy to help you find the answers you need.
