A Little Bit About KMC Wheels

What's the first modification you would make to your truck? For most people the answer is tires. Most truck owners start by upgrading their stock tires to ones that are better suited for their needs, and while they're down there, why not replace the stock wheels with some aftermarket rims?

KMC Wheels from KMC Wheel Company are a great way to add a little flair to your truck, Jeep, or SUV. As far as aftermarket rims or wheels go, KMC wheels definitely add to the aesthetics of your ride without sacrificing high speed performance. KMC wheels are made with great attention to detail as well as performance, which is why they are considered one of the very best brands of wheels out there.

What's the difference between rims and wheels? None. Rims just sound more "street." One of the few differences, which you will rarely see, is that a rim is sometimes joined a little more flush at the lip where a tire seals. Whatever you call them, KMC wheels are considered one of the best (if not THE best) manufacturers of aftermarket wheels and rims. They have been in business for almost thirty years and have always focused on making quality, stylish products for truck enthusiasts.

What size wheels should you get? If you're looking for a serious street performance wheel, then KMC wheels sized 16 inches to 19 inches are the way to go. If you're looking for something a little more urban that screams "look at my sweet ride," then 20 inch KMC "dubs" or larger KMC rims are what you want. Check out some truck forums and blogs to see examples of what might work for your rig.

Everyone has their own style and preference when it comes to color - from flashy chrome to matte black. There is no right decision, so choose the size that will make you happiest and make your truck look the best.

When choosing your wheels, brand and size are not your only decisions to make. You also need to decide between steel and alloy wheels (also referred to as chrome wheels). KMC Wheel Company started out by making steel wheels in 1982, but they currently only make alloy wheels so if you're purchasing a KMC wheel, then that's your only option. Steel isn't used as much by the top manufacturers, even though it's cheaper, because wheels made from alloy are better. Alloy wheels are lighter, which can help reduce fuel consumption, they don't rust, and they reduce rolling resistance, which can help your car's speed. Of course price is a factor for most consumers, but you should weigh the cost of sacrificing quality for a lower price. You don't want to buy a set of rims that will get ruined on your first off-roading trip. You don't want your investments getting bent out of shape after just a few days.

If you're going to spend a considerable amount of money on aftermarket parts, you want to make sure you're getting quality that is backed by experience and care. KMC guarantees that you will love the wheels you choose; that is why they back up their products with warranties. You could even customize your KMC wheels if you're going for the really unique look. KMC rims on your ride will definitely have you rolling in style! KMC Wheels Like No Other!

Restoring Cars and Best American Racing Wheels

Many individuals who decide to restore cars do not realize how time-consuming the project can be. When a person is going to completely restore a car, they may not include American Racing Wheels. Many of the individuals who restore old cars must use original parts including wheels and tires.

Restoring an old car can be difficult and will require some knowledge of each part that has been used in the manufacture of the car. An individual will want to contact other people, or car clubs, that also restore cars. Having a large network will help you to get the parts you need in a timely manner.

The older a car is, the harder the parts are to find. It then becomes even more necessary for a person to join as many car clubs is possible with individuals having the same make and model, and even year, of a car. The Internet is an excellent source when looking for groups of people who have the same interests in restoring cars.

If your car is very rare, or has not been made for several years, the parts may be scattered throughout the world. Starting at your local salvage yard will often have beneficial results. Many individuals who are restoring their cars spend time at these yards.

Most car clubs have a large membership and send out regular newsletters regarding upcoming events, availability of parts, and special notes regarding restoration. These groups normally have members from regions or countries you might not be familiar with. By joining a club, or more than one club, you will be able to broaden your network of individuals who are knowledgeable in restoration.

Showing a car through a club will necessitate that specific regulations and requirements be met. The car will have to be registered with the club you are partnering with. There will also be specific standards that must be met regarding that type of paint used on the car, the type of tires put on the car, and other aesthetic features that are visible on the car.

Getting insurance on a car that you are restoring will be important. Some people do not get insurance on cars before they are in running condition, this can be costly. If the car is damaged or destroyed while it is in your shop, it will not be covered unless you have an established insurance policy.

In some cases it is not possible to find original parts for a car that is being restored. When this occurs the car club, or other people who restore cars, will have the name of machinists able to create an exact duplicate of the part needed. In some cases the machinists will be located several thousand miles from your location and having a wide network in your club will make finding them much easier.

When you first begin restoring your car, finding car dealers in your area who sponsor car clubs will be beneficial. Many car dealers sponsor car clubs for individuals who have the same make and model of cars they have. These dealers often have access to rare or hard to get parts and are able to acquire them at an affordable rate.

In some cases the dealer will provide financial support when an individual is going to show a car in another city or town. The dealer will also have contacts for individuals within their dealership who have access to older and restored cars. In most cases, they will know an individual who has knowledge and expertise in your year and model of car.

How Do You Measure Custom Wheels' Overall Quality?

Custom wheels (such as the 17" wheels) offer a convenient and easy way to enhance the look of any car. The addition of attractive and unique customized wheels can significantly add more value to your auto. Moreover, they can greatly influence the car's overall look. However, you should be aware that custom wheels can require a big investment. Therefore, you have to stringently evaluate the available options for you. When buying a set, you should focus on the assessment of the wheel's finish. Remember that custom wheels come in a wide variety of finishes, and to determine what type of finish suits your car, you have to know more about the characteristics of the different wheel finishes available.

The most important question that you need to ask yourself when purchasing custom-made wheels (such as powder coated 17" wheels) is how you can determine their quality. The truth is buying custom wheels is pretty much like buying other kinds of auto accessory. You have to ascertain good quality to get the best value for your money. To ensure that you will make a quality purchase, here are some important criteria that will aid in measuring the wheel's quality.

Correct or Proper Fitment

Remember that precise fitment is necessary to ensure that the aftermarket wheels you will be purchasing will suit the lugs and bolt patterns of your car. Generally, you can differentiate an accurate fitment as good, better, or best. In addition to that, you also have to pay attention to important wheel components such as the wheel diameter, offset, center bore, brake clearance and lug hardware. It would be best if you have your car checked first before deciding to purchase a particular set of wheels.

The Reputation of the Wheel Manufacturer

The credibility of the wheel manufacturer is a very definite indication of quality. Remember that reputable manufacturers have already proven themselves by supplying consumers with high-quality custom wheels for a long period of time. A credible reputation can never be established overnight, therefore, opting for custom wheels that are manufactured by trusted brand names will guarantee you with good quality.

The Type of Protective Finish Used

The quality and type of protective finish used on customized wheels will establish how long you will get to enjoy their physical look and visual characteristics. Rims coated with high-quality finish will absolutely ensure long-lasting quality that will be appreciated for years.

If you are planning to procure custom wheels, like for example custom alloy 17" wheels, make sure to take note of the preceding criteria to ascertain that you will find the ones with the best quality!

Types of Wheels For Trucks

Before you get to the looks, you must choose the type of wheels to buy. There are two basic and distinct types of wheels, steel wheels and cast wheels. The steel ones are heavy duty, meant to withstand a lot of weight. Full size trucks mainly and off road trucks mostly have steel wheels installed by default, the Chevy wheels are an ideal example. Steel tires are extremely durable and more affordable than cast alloy ones. The steel used in their manufacture is extremely consistent in composition so they have weight balanced equally all over leading to greater durability.

Cast wheels are made up of aluminum alloy. They are flexible, strong and rust resistant, meaning ideal for high speed vehicles. They handle drags and sharp turns really well but they wear out quickly in off road conditions.

Traction is the next most important thing to consider about tires. Simply put the traction or drag is the friction between the tire and the track. Technically it's the force that keeps the car balanced. When tire material is dense and flexible it causes more friction and the engine will have to work harder. Thus higher fuel consumption. These wheels can withstand a lot of weight and last longer. Tires like the Chevy wheels are made for off-road tracks and so have high traction design.

If you have a sports utility truck or the like, you should also consider tires with low traction. Low traction tires are made to reduce friction, thus they use lesser fuel but wear out more quickly.

It is a known fact that a tire's width determines its road grip. Well, that's basically because broad tires expose more surface and thus increase surface friction. If you are a speeder, you would definitely like a wide tire that doesn't let you lose grip and doesnt let you slip.

These are the basics of getting a good tire. There is a third aspect, the looks.You can choose from big, high and wide, with aluminum & gold & silver rim, steel nuts with chrome tops, chrome angles and the list goes on. You can keep on adding detail, let your wallet loose and your tire will completely change your driving experience and become an object of awe.

So what you really need to know when going to buy wheels is what type of surface you would be driving on, then your speed and fuel conditions and finally the lavishness of the looks.

How to Buy Cheap Chrome Wheels Safely Over the Internet

Buying cheap chrome wheels over the Internet is nowhere near as difficult as you may think, or may have heard.

There are many sites on the internet nowadays that list hundreds, or even many thousands, of different options. Some of these sites are very good. Some of them are not so good. Normally you can get a very good impression of the sites quality within a few minutes of surfing around the website.

There is no doubt that your best chance of finding the really good deals are on the very big auction sites. eBay is just such a prime example. The problem with the large auction sites like eBay is that they are simply just too big. It can be quite an effort to sift thorough everything to find what you want.

Luckily, nowadays there are websites that constantly import all the relevant eBay listings, and present them to you in a manner that is often much easier to navigate. Most of these sites are run by very helpful enthusiasts, like myself, that are very keen to assist you in making your decision.

Shopping on these sites is no different to shopping on eBay itself. In fact when you click on any item in the listing you are immediately transferred to that item listing on eBay. Once on the eBay listing you can find out more about the item, or complete your sale with the particular eBay seller.

You can ensure a safe and hassle-free shopping experience for yourself on these auction sites simply by keeping your wits about you. Make certain that you are dealing with a reputable dealer. This is very easy to check on eBay because they give each seller a "rating". Deal only with the sellers that have a very good positive rating.

Also, if you have any questions about the item then be sure to ask the seller before you make your bid. Once you have won the item then it is to late to start asking questions. All good sellers will answer your questions quickly and completely.

Make sure what the cost of shipping is going to be before you bid. A great deal can quickly turn into a terrible deal if the shipping price to your location is very high. Chrome wheels are heavy, so it is very important that you check the shipping.

Lastly, if you have the option to pay by Paypal then use it. That way you do not have to provide your credit card details to somebody that you have not met in person. You also have the option to cancel the deal through Paypal if for some reason you do not receive your order.

Staggered Wheels in Detail

Enthralled by Staggered Wheels? Then let's get to the nitty-gritty.

For a recap; if you look at the Nissan 350Z Wheels, you'll notice that the rears are almost always bigger than the front wheels of the vehicle-which is exactly what Staggered Wheels are. They come on cars, trucks, & even planes. They are put on these modes of transportation to make it seem more powerful & for sensible reasons; like it helps the driver (or pilot) maneuver the car (or plane) in a finer way. When it comes to planes, Staggered Wheels are necessary only because it helps control the plane in a better fashion & also keeps the steadiness when taking off or landing.

When a car has Staggered wheels, it not only makes the car look all fashionable & stuff, but it also adds traction to the road (since the tires are wider)-which clearly means better control of your car. This then leads to better braking & turning those sharp curves that you always accelerate on. This makes the steering lighter & more receptive to the driver.

Every great invention must come with some unplanned difficulties; unfortunately. So as much as you want to go faster in that sleek-looking car of yours-you might not want to exceed speed limit. For one, you'll get a speeding ticket; and secondly, since the wheels are much bigger & wider than the front ones, it makes it complicated to break in a short time-which means you can't be texting! Or talking on the phone. Or doing whatever you do that can distract you while you're driving. Another thing that may hold you back would be that you can't rotate your tires. Since the rear tires are meant to only be in the back & the front tires only in the front, this can impact the tire by making it wear out faster.

If you do plan on purchasing these wheels for yourself or whoever it may be, you might-no, you're going to have to-change your style of driving to accommodate the wheels on your vehicle. This may take a short while or may take you a long time; either way, you're going to have to change your expectations. But hopefully this helps you with your decision.

Toe, Caster, and Camber - Aligning Your Vehicle's Wheels

The straighter your car's tires are aligned, the longer they'll last and the more responsive they'll be to your steering commands. Under ideal circumstances, the wheels should be be directed straight ahead, parallel to each other and perpendicular to their respective axles. The problem is, they periodically edge out of alignment and need to be adjusted. Otherwise, you'll notice premature tread wear, which means you'll need to replace the tires sooner. You'll also notice pulling, vibrating, or a sluggish response while you're on the road.

Wheel alignment is primarily based on three factors: toe, camber, and caster. Each of these factors addresses the angles of your vehicle's wheels, though they do so from different perspectives. This article will introduce you to toe, camber, and caster, so you'll understand what might be causing your treads to wear prematurely.

Proper Toe Alignment

In terms of tread wear, toe has a more significant effect than camber or caster. Toe is a measurement of the angle in which your tires are pointing when viewed from directly above. As noted, your tires should be aligned so they are parallel to one another. This is known as zero toe. If the front of your tires point inward toward each other, there is "toe-in." If the back of the tires point inward, there is "toe-out." Both circumstances will cause a feathering pattern in the treads.

Because your car's suspension system has a bit of "give," the alignment of your wheels will change slightly when you drive. For this reason, your mechanic will align them with a small amount of "toe-in" or "toe-out" in order to offset the effect.

Proper Camber Alignment

Camber reflects the manner in which the tops of your wheels tilt when viewed from the front. If the tops tilt inward toward the center of your vehicle, camber is said to be negative. If they tilt outward, it is said to be positive. In both cases, you'll eventually notice premature wear on the shoulders of the treads.

Similar to toe, the tilt of your tires changes slightly when you drive. In fact, these tiny changes occur continuously as you drive over bumps and dips. This is due to your suspension system; the struts and arms move to compensate for variances in the road. Their movement causes changes in camber.

Proper Caster Alignment

Caster measures the tilt of your steering axis when you are looking at it from your vehicle's left or right side. The ideal setting is when the axis is perpendicular to the road. If it is tilted toward the rear of your car, caster is said to be positive. If it tilts forward, it is said to be negative.

Unlike toe and camber, caster does not have a direct influence on the wear of your treads. Instead, it affects steering response. Even though the ideal setting is perpendicular, mechanics will usually set camber slightly positive. The reason is that doing so improves the response of your wheels to your steering commands without sacrificing stability.

The Importance Of Periodic Checks

The alignment of your vehicle's wheels will change as parts in the suspension system wear out. These parts include the struts and control arms, which play an important role in maintaining the proper alignment. Thus, plan to have a mechanic align your wheels on a regular basis (once a year is usually sufficient). If you neglect to do so, your treads will wear down prematurely, needlessly forcing you to invest in a set of replacement tires.

How to Properly Care For Your New Alloy Wheels and Some Products to Help You Do the Job

There are different types of alloy wheel cleaners available in the market. Alloy wheels look great but if they are covered with grime and dust they will give a bad look of your car. A good car can be let down by ratty, scuffed and tarnished wheels. Replacing the whole set of alloy wheels can cost hundreds of dollars and with good care of your allow wheels you can contribute to the beauty of your car. A good alloy wheel cleaner is essential for your car.

Regular cleanliness is required to get the optimal performance from your alloy wheels. The aluminum body wheels can vehicles can now be restored to their original beauty if you use a right cleaning product. Some of the best alloy wheel cleaners include the following.

Alloy Body cleaner
The alloy body cleaner is very powerful cleaner that uses a phosphoric blend of acids to remove the deposits of corrosion, grime and dust.

Laser tech
The laser tech cleaner is a phosphoric based acidic cleaner that is used for the alloy wheels to give them a brightest look.

Alloy-shine excell
The alloy-shine excel product is an acid wheel cleaner perfect for removing the dust, grime and corrosions from all types of wheels including steel, painted and alloy.

Silicone Free dressing
The silicon dressing can be used on all types of rubber surfaces including tires. This product provides weather resistance long lasting effects.

Alloy Wheel Cleaner
This is a mild alloy wheel cleaner used for removing the brake dusts and road salts from the wheels.

Rubber Gloss
The rubber gloss product is specifically designed to increase the appearance of the rubber surfaces. It provides the excellent results on mats and mud flaps. The rubber gloss is silicon free and a non flammable solvent.

Tire Shine Pro
The Tire Shine Pro cleaner is blended with the fine oils to provide the long lasting weather-resistance shine.

Quick Wheel Detailer
It keeps the wheels sparkling every day and produces natural shine.

Clean Wheels
The clean wheels product brings the sparkle back to the dirty and deteriorated wheels.

Wheel Care
The wheel care is a professional wheel resin based wax. It makes the wheels easier to clean, resists brake dust buildup and provides and long lasting protection.

MetalMate
This product has been tested and claimed as one of the best alloy wheel protection product. It makes the wheels really bright and it's very easy to keep off the dust with MetalMate.

This only represents a sampling of the car care products available on the market today. There are many more available that you can find from the resource below.

Gadgets For Chinchillas - Wheels

Chinchillas love running, jumping and they are beautiful to watch. However, you just cannot leave them carefree. When not in captivity, you have to be apprehensive about their safety. You always cannot allow them to play out side the cage. They are mostly active in nights and you cannot spend all through the night with them. Now we need something in the cage, which makes them playful and gives peace to us.

What we must buy now? We have chinchilla and a cage; consider buying a wheel. Search for a metal wheel, instead of plastic. Plastic is detrimental to chinchillas. Get a bigger wheel than that you have for hamsters in the market. Make sure you do not have any holes in the wheel to avoid any skidding and injuring of chinchilla's legs. Once you get a wheel and place in the cage, chinchillas try to get on top of it initially; this results in skidding at high speeds. Of course, they will soon realize that it is not correct for them unless they are very silly. Arrange a shelf over the top to abate chinchilla leaping onto the moving wheel; this will avoid causing injury. It takes time for chinchilla to stop the wheel. Therefore, better you keenly observe them for few days, until they understand the physics.

Different wheels are readily obtainable in the market and they range from cheap to expensive. So, shell out some time to buy a convenient wheel for your chinchilla. Buy a wheel of 15 meters in diameter. Do not go for a smaller wheel unless you have a baby chinchilla. Smaller wheel causes not only discomfort but also conduces backaches, as chinchilla arches his back while rolling. One of the foremost things to remember while buying wheels is that there must be no gap where the chinchilla runs. Gap causes injuries to tails and legs if caught. You can even go for a modernistic type of exercising gadget for chinchilla, which is an exercise saucer. This will help you in watching your chinchilla without any obstruction.

You have wider variety of wheels, though expensive, are best for your chinchilla: Ed Wheel, Silver Surfer, Chin Spin and Valley View. Their wheels have diameters of 14-16 inches and they manufacture especially for chinchillas. Now that you are acquainted with wheels, you must have an idea that which type of wheel is suitable for you chinchilla. Go and get one today!

Make Your Car Stand Out From All Others

When you think of your wheels, they can be considered the equivalent of the shoes that are chosen to compliment a nice suit or a sexy dress. When the right ones are picked, the entire outfit is set off. It is the same with your wheels and choosing chrome wheels are that little extra accessory that can make your car stand out from the rest of the cars on the road.

The need to spend entire days shopping for wheels is something of the past. Today, the Internet provides the perfect shopping center for anyone that is looking for accessories for their car. Instead of taking the whole day to run around and comparison shop, the entire process can be handled in minute's right from the convenience of home.

Another bright spot to shopping online is the fact that the wheels are often priced much cheaper. Many of the online retailers are either drop shipping or buying in bulk to get pricing that a brick and mortar store will never be able to get. This means that the product can be sold to the consumer cheaper and even when shipping is factored in, the savings are still fairly significant.

It is important to check the size of the wheel to make sure that when the order is placed, the wheel that shows up will indeed fit your car. If you are looking for something other than chrome, that request will more than likely also be able to be accommodated. It is pretty amazing how many different varieties of wheels are available online from a single store compared to live shopping.

One of the parts of shopping online is the ability to look as the different brands and seeing how they would like on your car. Comparing the most basic of designs all the way through the most sophisticated or eye catching wheels that is featured will enable you to find the true fit for your car. This is not possible at a regular store for a variety of reasons.

While chrome will look great on many of the cars that are just not being introduced, it always looks good on vintage cars. Some of those older muscle cars are where chrome wheels first became famous and to this day, they make the cars look truly special. The difference today is that you have the advantage of having modern technology make them look even better than before.

When ordering the wheels online, they will be in your hands before you know it. Installation is easy enough, but someone who is not mechanically gifted may choose to take them to their local garage and have them professionally installed to make sure there are not problems. However, even when paying the additional fees for the installation, it is still unlikely that the price will cost anywhere near what it would have been where you to buy them directly from the shop.

Inside Centerline Wheels

Centerline was brain-child of founder Ray Lipper in 1970, who is known as the grandfather of modern aftermarket wheel industry, a SEMA hall-of-famer and motorsports lover and driver. Since it's inception, Centerline has always continued to focus on building the best, most advanced rims in the entire world.

Center Line uses a process known as cold forging to create a strong wheel that maintains its luster and quality. They have designed a rotary forging press, the only of it's kind in the entire world, it compresses a rock solid billet of aluminum with over 4,000 tons of pressure, at 300 revolutions per minute.

This process not only rearranges the aluminum molecules, but it aligns them in a pattern that gives it more strength to withhold the outside forces of the outside world. Because of this process, CenterLine rims are much lighter, stronger, and more durable than any other wheel on the market.

Centerline Racing Wheels

For a racing wheel, I recommend going with the competition race & street wheels as they are the lightest and are the best wheels for racing drag at the track.

Centerline Truck Wheels

The most popular truck wheels are by far the Centerline Archer rims. They come in two different sizes: 20 inch and 22 inch in diameter. The next most popular wheels are the Voltage... It's chic finish, and clean lines make it a standard in the truck/SUV world for a light customer billet wheel.

Why Are OEM Wheels So Important?

Do you want your car's performance to be top of the line? Would you like full control of your car? Of course you do, which is why you need Original Alloy Rims. Of course the engine is a HUGE part of the well-being of your car, but so are your Factory Wheels. Who would've thought, huh? I always thought they just came with the car & there; but apparently they contribute to so much more than people think.

Okay; so before Alloy wheels came along, there were Steel Wheels that came on cars which made the car have unnecessary weight and pretty much slowed the car down. There are still some Steel Rims today that tend to slow the car down, but it's pretty much just a power to weight ratio if you compare it to a vehicle that has regular Factory Alloy Rims.

The rims that you see on today's cars are more aerodynamic and tend to be lighter so that the vehicle can function to its full potential. They are the typical option for the automotive market today considering they improve mileage and disperse of heat faster than regular steel rims.

When a driver upgrades their rim a size or two, not only does it make the car look extremely nice; but it also upgrades the production of the vehicle that they are driving. The term is considered to be "Plus Sizing", which pretty much makes sense. Plus Sizing is something that benefits the driver & the Factory Wheel-it gives the driver better control of the car when he or she is steering; especially when they approach tight or small corners. Let us take an example; shall we? Say you want to get Infiniti Q45 Wheels -the Chrome ones-those are 18" x 17.5". All custom Alloy OEM Rims, including chrome, all consist of magnesium that happen to be x-rayed and put over heat so that way, they have a better look and are subject to be more resistant to accidents or cracks that may happen while you are diving carefully.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that the Factory Wheels you have on your car right now are the ones that you've always wanted; but did it ever occur to you that they might be slowing you down instead of having your car work to it's capacity? Neither did I.

Longboard Wheel Guide - Understanding Your Longboard

If you've got yourself a longboard, then you must be one of many enthusiasts who take to the streets to cruise for a ride. But this activity is not always about having fun. You also need to ensure that your longboard is properly taken care of to make sure that you've always got a ride when you need one. Need to change your longboard wheels? Here's a longboard wheel guide you can use.

The basics

Longboard wheels are designed for use in cruising and transport, ranging in size but available between 65 to 100 millimeters. Since they are bigger than other skateboard wheels, they are more stable and provide the user with a more comfortable ride. Because solid polyurethane combined with their size would make the wheels thick and heavy, hard plastic cores are usually used instead.

The issue of hardness and softness: a longboard wheel guide

Longboard wheels, as well as other skateboard wheels, can come in varying degrees of hardness, measured using the durometer A scale. The softest kind of wheels are rated at 75a, while the hardest are there on top with ratings of 99a. For those beyond the durometer A scale, it might be better to rely on the B or D scales, which have more accuracy and cover a wider range of hardness types.

Choosing your wheel: a quick tip

Wheel size is not just about finding something that fits your skateboard. Rather, you also need to factor in your own body size. The smaller you are, then the smaller your wheels will be. As for a longboard wheel guide, bigger folk actually have the advantage of using longboards since the wheels needed by a longboard are bigger, with sizes between 65 to 100 millimeters. This means that there won't be much need to go looking for the right wheels when you're big person using a longboard.

Global Trade and the History of the Wheels of Commerce Considered - A Book Review

How much do you really know about the history of economics and free trade? I feel as if I know more than 99% of the people on the planet, but perhaps that's because I've studied a three-part volume entitled the wheels of commerce. I think you should pick up a set for yourself. If you'd like to learn more let me explain what I mean and describe to you what's in volume 2 as an example;

"The Wheels of Commerce - Civilization and Capitalism; 15th through 18th Century, Volume 2" by Ferdinand Braudel, 1979.

The 15th and 18th Century is when capitalism really took off. In this particular second volume we see the slow evolution towards what we consider today to be economics. The first volume explained how "economic life" started and how using a unit of trade increased and individual's, or family's quality-of-life. Now, in this volume we see how cross roads became trading points for villages, towns, and cities and how the wheels of commerce started turning.

Indeed, this is a tale of economic history; how capitalism and trading changed everything forever. How free and open markets with shops, distributors, traders, dealers, salesmen, bankers, and even what might now be considered a stock market in Amsterdam were only the beginning. This book tells of the London Royal Exchange, French and Dutch banking, and the exchanges of paper money and distribution in China, bankers and India, and the ships that distributing goods, and those using the silk Roads all participated in what we consider today to be global trade.

The book explains merchants and trading circuits, and self-regulating markets. During this time were the first uses of the words; capital, capitalist, capitalism. It is interesting that most economic textbooks have a brief chapter or two perhaps on how it all got started, but it is very interesting to read a huge three volumes set of books on the subject. It's amazing to me that we do not teach economics as we used to in the schools, and I bet if we did, we wouldn't have the types of economic crisis as we do today. I hope you please consider all this.

4 Wheels Or Rubber Tracks

In the UK we tend to use 4 wheels to get around and then when the snow or bad weather comes, we rely on our 4x4 vehicle to help us trough the rough roads. But in other countries used to rougher weather than the UK, they have used vehicles fitted with rubber tracks for decades to get them across the snow. Bearing in mind that when bad weather does hit the UK, the whole country shuts down then pretty much the whole of North Europe laughs at us.

Rubber tracked vehicles are used in the UK, but tend to be restricted to building sites and working areas where heavy work needs to be done. They are rarely used for public transport or used on public roads like other countries and maybe this is a lesson to learn.

Actually these mini excavators, diggers or snow clearers have a multitude of uses that consumers could find useful rather than just business use. Many invest in ride on mowers for the summer, but are unaware of the benefits of having mini vehicles that runs on rubber tracks for when the weather turns to bad. They are not that expensive either, especially in the second hand market being disposed through the many auction houses up and down the UK.

Even parts for these mini diggers are cheap enough with most suppliers able to provide new rubber tracks for under £100, the same price as a cheap set of 4 wheels for an old car. You can hire mini excavators and diggers, but trying to get one when the snow hits maybe just a bit too difficult, plus you need a trailer attached to a vehicle that has 4 wheels to deliver it in the first place, something that may not happen with 2 foot of snow.

Of course there are areas in Scotland around the ski resorts that do use rubber tracked vehicles to get around and to do work on the ski slopes. These vehicles can be bigger and of course have a bigger job to do, but as the weight of the vehicle and load is spread across a larger rubber area than wheels, these vehicles are able to travel across loose snow as well as having more grip in hard snow.

There are many specialists that provide parts to these mini vehicles up and down the country, but unlike normal garages tend to supply business only and often have a service quicker than the local garage. This is because if they do not repair or get parts out quickly, building sites and businesses could grind to a halt and much money could be lost over a £100 set of rubber tracks as an example. To summarise on this point, there is probably a more efficient service for parts and repair for vehicles like this than the family car. Of course we won't be driving these little vehicles to work, but they do make some work fun, manoeuvring these things over rough, muddy or now covered ground and at a surprising speed.

Forged Wheels For BMW

Feel like your BMW is just like every other 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series or X Series out there? Then it is time to replace those factory wheels with a custom forged wheel that will set your car apart.

Not Every Forged Wheel is the Same
There are a variety of factors that separate mainstream FW manufacturers from top quality forged monoblock or 1 piece and 3 piece wheel companies. HRE, DPE, and Vorsteiner are all renowned wheel manufacturers that produce top quality wheels that are built to order and application. When choosing a custom FW for your BMW, you want to consider the weight, materials, style and finish options. Top quality 1 piece and 3 piece FW manufacturers produce their wheels from T-6061 based alloy. The center barrels are machined from 1 single piece and not welded together like lesser quality manufacturers.

The HRE Monoblock series is the pinnacle of 1 piece FW production in that each wheel is fully machined from a single block of high strength alloy for maximum weight savings and optimal strength to weight ratios. This provides for a wheel that is track ready and suitable for street use. In addition, their unique designs will set your car apart and allow for a variety of styles and custom finish options.

Types of Forged Wheels
There are 3 main types of forged wheels for BMW- 1 Piece or Monoblock, 2 Piece and 3 Piece. Like their names, each is constructed using 1, 2 or 3 pieces. A 1 piece wheel offers maximum strength to weight ratios to provide the strongest possible wheel at the lightest weight possible. 2 Piece wheels are typically more affordable and are made from a center piece and separate outer lip. A 3 Piece wheel improves upon the 2 piece design with a separate lip, center and barrel. This allows for maximum customization as well as reduced weight.

Custom Options
The advantage to custom forged wheels is that they are built to order and to your specifications. A dealer will take into account your vehicle application to spec the correct size and offset so that the wheels sit flush with the fender and do not rub with the recommended tire range. Most wheel manufacturers including DPE, HRE and Vorsteiner can spec the wheels to clear a larger brake system as well as maximize the lip size if you choose a 3 piece forged wheel.

Forged wheels can be done in just about any color option and in some cases, like with Vorsteiner V-302 wheels, a 3 tone center. You can choose to match the color of the car or do an aggressive finish like matte black or matte silver. In addition, for 3 piece forged wheels, you can customize the lip color for a truly unique look.

While not the most affordable option, forged wheels are the only way to get a custom look for your car. They are also the pinnacle of wheel production and will provide the best quality and lowest weight.

Purchase Tire Packages to Save Money

Purchasing automobile tires and wheels separately can be a very costly investment. The tires alone can cost nearly $600 each for a sports car or luxury import. Plan to tack on about $400 each if new wheels are also desired. However, purchasing wheel and tire packages can save the consumer a lot of money because these products will be discounted when bought together.

An Internet search will result in a list of companies who offer these packages. The consumer can then select the appropriate size and type of wheel and tire and compare prices. The automobile user manual provides information regarding the proper size of tire and wheel. The styles of tires are countless, as are the styles and colors of wheels, so plan to spend some time browsing the online pictures of each product.

SUV and light truck owners are not out of luck, because there are packages available for their type of automobiles. Even those with special needs like off-road or 4x4 tires and wheels can find a package that is just right. Those who live in climates that experience heavy ice and snowfall may want to consider purchasing a winter tire package in addition to a regular package.

Additional cost savings may be found by using a company that provides free shipping. This benefit is not to be underestimated, because the weight of tires and wheels makes their shipping quite costly. In addition, any balancing and mounting charges should be clearly displayed, not hidden in the fine print. Many companies include these charges in the per-tire price, in order to eliminate confusion.

Using the Internet to find and purchase packages will result in a less time-consuming and much more convenient shopping experience. Most online companies accept several forms of payment and offer fast methods of shipping. The tires and wheels will arrive quickly and undamaged, ready for at-home or professional installation.

The real advantage to purchasing wheels and tires as a package is the discounted pricing available. The products will be compatible with each other and installed as new on each wheel of the car. Even wear is then assured throughout the life of the tire and wheel.

Some Web sites have a closeout section that will include packages at an even more discounted price. The discontinued styles of wheels and tires are located in this section. There is nothing wrong with these products; they are new but the prices have been slashed because the manufacturer elected to cease production.

Spinning Wheels - Why Use Them to Make Your Own Yarn

Having your own spinning wheel allows you to make the most beautiful yarn exactly the way you want it. You are in control of the colour, thickness, warmth, strength, choice of fibre and twist. You will find it rewarding to create your own unique yarn and if you run out of yarn, you can always spin some more.

Fibre Choice
The choice of fibre is almost unlimited when you learn to spin. You may prefer to save time and buy wool tops that are already prepared and dyed or you can save money and card wool from local sheep. You can try wool from rare and unusual breeds such as the North Ronaldsay sheep that eats seaweed. If you are feeling adventurous, you can produce your own fibre and start growing a patch of flax on an allotment or raising tussah silk worms on oak leaves.

You can even go a step further and blend fibres to get your own mix that is as warm or as soft as you want. By blending mohair with Blue-faced Leicester wool for example and spinning it finely you can create you own 3-ply warm and strong sock wool.

Relaxation
The soothing repetition of spinning together with the comforting feeling of touching soft warm fibre can help you relax after a stressful day. Spinning can also be inspirational, hands and feet are gently occupied giving the brain space to think and I often have my best ideas while sitting by the spinning wheel.

You may feel satisfaction from knowing that somebody 32 thousand years ago was doing exactly what you are doing now, spinning fibre. You can dream of spinning flax near a pyramid watching a pharaoh pass by, creating embroidery wool with a drop spindle in a castle, spinning by the shore for the sail cloth of a Viking ship or spinning alpaca in the Andes. Then you come back to the present knowing that you can spin for pleasure, rather than having to spend more time than you want twirling a drop spindle just to be able to clothe you and your family.

Advantages of Hand Spun Yarn
In contrast to the mechanical regularity of most commercial yarns, the variation in the thickness of the hand spun yarn introduces an attractive unevenness into knitting, softening lines and adding a natural look to your work. Instead of getting bored with the predictability of commercial yarns, your eyes delight on the diversity of hand spun yarn and your hands get excited by the pleasant surprises that the next stitch brings.

Hand Spun yarn is also a great motivator. You may find that you cannot wait to get back to work on your knitted scarf, and you will most likely end up with no abandoned projects. When you use natural dyes on your hand spun wool, your jumpers have a natural vibrant quality to them that comes only from hand-crafted work.

Social Activity
Modern spinning wheels are easy to use and maintain, and the new travel wheels are light and fold neatly into a canvas bag. Having a portable wheel allows you to turn spinning into an enjoyable social activity through attending spinners meetings and taking part in their demonstrations.

Get Your Dream Wheels With Vrimz

Owning a car is more than just practical, today the vehicles we own and the way they look can create a certain style and image. Of course most cars are far more desirable than the models that were sold even just a decade ago, but the problem is that today very few cars are unique or original. Most would have the same generic design and feel. If you want to make yours stand out from the crowd then you should get a set of dream wheels with Vrimz - a well known name in auto accessories and modifications.

It is often the wheels on our motors that are noticed first. After all it is these that grip the road and give us control. Although most of today's manufacturers understand the popularity of chrome and alloy rims, the fact is that when millions of vehicles are fitted with these as standard the charm soon wears off.

You can give your car a fresh new look by getting hold of a set of customized rims. This is actually a relatively economical option and you'll be amazed at the difference it makes to the car's appearance. If you love to catch the attention of other drivers then you will be doing so all the more often by choosing a set from Vrimz.

You may be wondering what sets this company apart from the hundreds of other auto accessories and modifications firms that are in operation today. Well for a start they offer a service which is very unique and would help make certain that your new rims look perfect on your vehicle.

You can upload a photo of the car that you are planning to modify and then with an easy to use online tool you can remove the current wheels then try out a massive selection of the latest rims to get a real feel for how the vehicle is going to look. Just imagine the effort and confusion that this can cut down on. No longer would you need to drive to an auto store and spend many hours checking out how different rims look in person. It can all be done from the comfort and convenience of your own home and without having to take a day off work to do so.

But the advantages do not stop there. The website is actually packed full of features that would help you get a clearer idea of how certain modifications are going to look. You can even raise the level of your car, or drop it down closer to the ground, change the size of the wheels for a more dominating appearance, and even alter the background of the photo you uploaded so you can check out how the mods would appear in different situations.

If you want to get other people's opinions then it is possible to let other users make a comment or give a rating.

You may end up with a set of rims that you would not have even entertained the idea of getting at the outset. Before you know it you will have a car that is not only original, but also the envy of all your friends.

Mani Wheels (Prayer Wheels) In Tibetan Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism is somewhat unique in the sense that it integrates a variety of prayer items into its process of worship. One such item is that of the Prayer Wheel. As more and more people are becoming interested in Tibetan Buddhism, additional interest continues to grow in the peripheral items connected to such worship. That is why many will purchase prayer wheels for their decorative value. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with making such a purchase as prayer wheels do make excellent decorations. However, there is far more to prayer wheels that merely their ability to look nice on a mantel. Such items reflect a deep and rich traditional of Tibetan culture and religious worship that has lasted for many centuries.

For those not familiar with what a prayer wheel is, it can be considered a cylinder made mostly from wood or metal. Mantras are common drawn on the exterior of the wheel and the practice of spinning the wheels can spread the mantras and prayers in the same way evoking them orally would. A more demonstrative method of achieving this integrates rolls of thin paper placed on axles within the prayer wheel. These think papers will contain many prayers and mantras which are then weaved through the aforementioned axles. As the wheel is spun, the printed prayers will travel through the axels and spread the prayer words into the wind. This concept it similar to the development of a prayer flag which, essentially, serves the same purpose of spreading mantras and invocations via the wind.

Again, while many people in the Western World are discovering the prayer wheel in recent times, it is most definitely not a new invention by any stretch of the imagination. The wheel was first developed in Tiber roughly 1600 years ago taking its inspiration from the words of the Buddha himself. Specifically, there is a phrase attributed to the Buddha that mentions "turning the wheels of the Dharma." Such words proved to be the inspiration for the development of an actual prayer wheel designed to spread the teaching and beliefs of Buddhism through the turning of the wheel.

The spinning of the wheel and the twirling of the written mantra through its axels is also a symbolic representation of the human body. Specifically, it is intended to represent the flow of energy through the chakras found in the meridian (acupuncture) points of the body. In a way, by being in tune with the energy the wheel projects, it may be possible to interconnect your meridian energy into the energy the prayer wheel is able to present.

Some mani wheels will also integrate sound vibrations as a means of spreading their mantras. Basically, when the wheel is spun it will resonate vibrations which are intended to tune into the meridian points of the body and create a harmonious synergy of the chakras. This, in turn, can aid in the development of eventually attaining enlightenment since internal spiritual energy is enhanced with the practice.

The prayer wheels are not only believed to be the source of spreading the good words of Buddhism, they are also believed to be able to extract positive things from the environment as well. Specifically, it is possible for a prayer wheel to "capture" good karma and feelings from the natural world as it is spun. In time, the wheel can accumulate a great deal of positive energy while also expunging negative emotions from the vicinity in which it is placed.

There are various different sizes of wheels that can be procured. Most are familiar with 'furniture' type wheels that are placed in the home. Again, the decorative value of these wheels motivates people to purchase them. However, it would not be accurate to assume that these are the only size wheels available to own. There are common handheld wheels and then there are also very large prayer wheels that are more akin to mini-monuments. And, of course, there are all manner of sizes in between. Mani wheels truly are an amazing innovation from the world of Tibetan Buddhism. Acquiring such a wheel can prove to be a wise move for those that are serious about their study and practice of Buddhism.

PW for Children

Believe it or not, there are potter's wheels for sale out there that are targeted towards children. These adorable toy sets include an actual working wheel, foot pedal, clay (no baking required), paintbrush, sponge, cutting string, crystal mosaic pieces and other tools. Working with clay together is a great way to get some good quality time with your children.

These pottery wheels are made of plastic, but have a big impact when working with clay. Most of the wheels for children operate from the power of batteries or AC adapter. This power is what turns the clay, so an AC adapter is probably the better choice. If you use batteries as your main source of power you are sure to go through plenty of them! The pottery wheel generally has an adjustable tool arm that you can use to help shape your clay. The clay that is included with your pottery wheel kit will not require any firing or baking. This means that you can create your very own piece of artwork on the wheel and then simply let it dry to complete the process.

To get started on your creation together, simply place a small amount of clay on your Brent pottery wheels. The key thing to remember when working with your clay is to make sure that it is always wet. If your clay isn't wet enough it will make working with it rather difficult. Keep a small bowl of water nearby to dip your fingers in. Turn your pottery wheel on and begin shaping the clay into whatever piece you choose to make. The wheel kit should include plenty of pottery tools to add a special touch to your pieces. When you and your child feel that you have made the perfect piece, simply use the wire tool and slide it underneath to separate it from the wheel. You will then need to place your clay into a safe place where it won't be harmed while it dries completely.

Once your clay piece has dried, it is time to decorate it. Working with the clay is a lot of fun for kids, but decorating the finished product can be just as fun. There are so many different ways you can finish your piece. Use the special paint included in your pottery wheel kit in place of high fire glazes. This will result in a finish that doesn't require firing in a kiln. You can paint someone's name, stripes or other shapes that you dab with a sponge onto the clay. There are so many different ways that you can choose to decorate that your child's imagination will begin to run wild

Cheap Custom Wheels

Looking for cheap custom wheels? Cheap custom wheels don't have to be of poor quality. Cheap wheels can mean great looking custom wheels at a low price. Here's how to find them!

Many of the custom wheel manufacturers change their line of custom wheels frequently. When they do they are often left with old stock. Many of these custom wheels are then sold to "discount wheel warehouses". On line discount wheel warehouses are the place to buy cheap custom wheels. Visit discount wheel warehouses on line and shop around. You don't have to settle for scratch and dent sales. You can find last years great looking custom wheels at a price you can afford.

It's not that unusual to find custom wheels selling from about $100.00 to $150.00 each especially if you own a small import tuner car. Here are a few examples of wheels pricing by manufacturer for custom rims that will fit a 2001 Honda Accord .

The manufacturer ASA (Artisan Spirited Alloy) makes a model JS1 custom wheel that sells on one web site for $99.00. This wheel is silver with a machined lip and the size we priced was 17X7. TRMotorsport's model RB5 is bright silver painted wheel that sells for $124.00 in size 17X7. Also don't forget eBay for cheap custom wheels.

You can save hundreds of dollars just by taking some time to compare the discount car rim deals you can find online. Many online automotive merchants offer your wheels balanced and shipping all for free. Something to consider if you want the cool custom look without the expensive payments.

American Racing Wheels Will Dress Up Any Ride

When it comes to wheels, American Racing Wheels has something for just about any ride that is on the road today. The company is at the forefront of wheel designs and is one of the most sought after brands on the market today. They offer everything from contemporary designs to wheels that will compliment the classic cars that have your jaw dropping when they roll down the street.

Anyone who is a drag racing fan will be very familiar with American Racing Wheels, even if they do not actually know them by name. They introduced their Torq Thrust® wheel in the late 50's and it is now considered one of the iconic wheel designs for hot rods. It is probably because of this very tire that their vintage lines continue to be so popular today.

While hot rods made them famous, they have moved along with the times and even have off-road wheels that are among the industry elite. Off-road driving can be very demanding, but rest assured that American Racing Wheels are up for the task. They actually have a special coating to protect the wheels during this abuse of off-road driving and racing.

A quick online search will make anyone privy to the numerous designs that they offer. There is also a tool available on line that can show the car owner what these wheels will look like on their car. It is a great tool to use when you do not have the actual time to get down to your local dealer and need to order the wheels online.

Some of the more popular wheels that are out on the market today are the Twenty Inches Strong, Dropstar and TIS Modular wheels. These wheels gained quite a bit of momentum in the celebrity world as they were using them on their cars and that of course means that their fans wanted them on their rides as well. Today, all of these wheels are readily available for anyone to improve the look of their ride.

As you can probably imagine, the company has worked side by side with many of the top professional drivers to make sure that the wheels will not only meet the demand of the everyday driver, but can also handle the rigors of the racing world. Having professional racers offer their input ensures that the tires will stand up to any test put to them.

American is known for quality and there may be no better wheel on the market than their forged wheels. This is very time consuming and costly process, and while these wheels are definitely on the upper end of the pricing scale, they are more than worth the price. For their money, the consumer gets what may literally be one of the best wheels on the market today.

Hot Wheels Modified

wrote and article about two months ago on the popularity of Hot Wheels. I did it because I found some sites to feature on my hobbies page and I had not realized how popular the toys were to collect. Do not let the title of this article fool you, I am not modifying my previous article. Out of the approximately thirty articles I have written in the past months the article about Hot Wheels was my most popular. I decided to look more into this hobby.

Part of my research consisted of trying to contact some webmasters focusing on Hot Wheels. I tried to find out what it is about these toys that drew such a following. The owner's name is Steve Zalimas. He has been playing with and collecting these cars since he was little. He does not recall what drew him to it. He did not even know other people collected them until the last ten years or so.

What Steve did share with me is the not only are the original Hot Wheels worth money but he makes most of his money off of his modified cars, hence the title of this article. Steve said he has been modifying these cars for a few years now. The modifications consist of things as simple as changing wheels to a more rare set of wheels, unique paint jobs, turning hard top cars into convertibles and more. No car he modifies is the same. He cannot remember all the different combinations he has done over the years but estimates they are in the dozens.

Steve also indicated that he has built a nice list of repeat customers over the years as well. "This is not a high production business by any means. You are working with very small cars and some of the detail work involved to produce a high quality car is time consuming and requires a lot of patience." This was a quote offered by Steve in one of our e-mails back and forth. He also told me that he will even do a car based on a customer's specifications on a rare occasion. Steve spends most of his time on the collecting of the cars because the rare cars are just not plentiful enough to supply his modification side of things. He did ask me to pass along a message, which I will gladly do because he gave me the courtesy of helping me in researching this article, that if you do not see a car on his site for sale to contact him. They sell off faster than he can produce them so he may be working on the exact modification you are looking for.

Redesign Hydro-Electric Wheels to Run on Fine Sand For Mars Colony Power

Hydro-power is a great way to generate electricity here on Earth, and water is pretty plentiful for the most part right? Well, not always and each time you dam up the water and restrict the flow you immediately have other issues to the flows of water, and quantity downstream, as well as the modifications you've made to the eco-system along a river or water way. So, hydropower isn't always the best choice, but it is one option which should be looked at, especially if you have a lot of fast moving water and elevation change near you.

But what about colonies on other planets, should we have a plan for hydro-power for space? Should NASA draw up plans of hydro-electric power, after all where ever we put human colonies, they are bound to need electricity to power up their iPhones and favorite search engine online. Well, what about Mars, yes, a Martian Colony, remember there is no running water on the surface of that planet from what we can see. There might be running water below the ice caps at the poles, but it's hard to say really.

So, if we put a Mars Colony away from a solid above ground water supply, then for sure we will need to figure out a way to make power, and hydro-electric power is thus, pretty much out of the question right? Well, maybe not entirely, let me explain my thinking on this.

You see, fine sand could turn a wheel or system, and we know that fine sand can flow through an Hour Glass. If we watch an hour glass we see that the fine sand flows a lot like water in a spiral vortex flowing fashion, and that ought to be enough to turn a spindle or wheel to generate power. One thing that the surface of Mars has a ton of is sand, and giant sand storms to boot. Oh, so you are thinking wind-turbine also? Well, perhaps a combination might be an idea.

The sand blows into a hopper at the edge of a crater, and then it flows through an hourglass type system and fills up the crater. Once the crater starts filling up, move the hour glass along the side rim until it's all filled in, then pick up the system and start on a new crater. You could do that for 10s of thousands of years and make it really nice and flat for future cities? Anyway, think on this.

Best Mercedes E Class Alloy Wheels

The two reasons why you would want to install a set of alloy wheels on your Mercedes are simple: you want to either reduce the weight of your car resulting in an increase in performance and fuel efficiency of you want to up the style quotient of your Mercedes.

Your car's wheels play an extremely important role in defining the safety, performance as well as the handling of your important supercar. While alloy wheels may be considered as something that only car enthusiasts and race car drivers opt for it is important to understand the other biggest benefit that these wheels constructed from space-age materials offer.

The one benefit that is often overlooked when it comes to Mercedes alloy wheels is that how important these wheels are in helping dissipate the heat from constant bake use. Not only does this increase the life of your brakes, it also goes to a large extent in lowering the maintenance costs that you will incur over the span of the ownership of your Mercedes.

Another benefit that alloys offer is the marked increase in road that you will experience which mainly results from being able to install road-going flat run or tubeless tires. There are thousands of designs and styles available which you can go for depending upon your taste and the performance increase you are looking at. With a little research you can find the best Mercedes alloys for your prized car. The best advice that anybody could possibly give you on choosing the right alloy wheel is that you should look for a style that matches the characteristics and the tone of your car.

The Evolution of Steering Wheels For PlayStation 2

The so called "racing wheel" is a staple of the modern video game entertainment center. Steering wheels for PlayStation 2 have come quite a long way from the old days, just like every other aspect of video games. To watch how far the technology has developed in the last forty years, in the racing wheels alone, is really something.

Early Steering Wheels

The earliest known ancestor of the modern racing wheel is actually the paddle. You remember those, right? They were those old controllers people used in the seventies with the big spinner wheels in the middle. They gave tighter, better control in racing games than a traditional joystick, but... They did not exactly make you feel like you were driving a car, for obvious reasons. Still, these analog paddles introduced an important idea to the world of video games: Analog control. Where a joystick or directional pad allows for eight directions and one speed, the analog wheels would let you turn sharply or gradually left or right depending on the situation, allowing a whole new level of control for racing games.

Home Racing Wheels

Towards the end of the seventies and into the eighties, more and more home controller wheels started popping up. To take these wheels apart and look at the insides, they were built on the exact same hardware as the analog paddle, but, they would put the wheel in your hand and allow for a much more real, intuitive control, and a much more natural gaming experience. At this point, there was no "force feedback", so they would use springs to give a sense of resistance.

Force Feedback Wheels

This brings us to today. Many modern racing wheels use electric motors to give resistance. At first, these were just used for the "rumble" effect, so the wheel would shake during a crash. But now, the technology has gotten to a point where the physics system within a game can feed information to your racing wheel as such that the wheel responds to the road in-game. This allows for the most realistic possible racing experience short of signing up to become a stock car driver, and it really blurs the line between driving game and driving simulator. However, some of the best and most responsive racing wheels actually do not use force feedback, as the manufacturers do not think that the technology has come far enough just yet. If you are looking to get a wheel for your PS2, the choice is really yours as to whether or not you think force feedback is worthwhile, or just a distraction.

American Racing Custom Wheels - Part 4 - Vector SE (Series 47)

American Racing has again introduced the classic vintage Vector SE Series 47 wheels. The Vector SE was originally introduced by American Racing on that very popular orange 1969 Dodge Charger, the General Lee. The General Lee was the star of the 1970s and 1980s hit TV series The Dukes of Hazzard.

The Dukes of Hazzard was about racing on the backs roads of Hazzard County, Georgia. In the early 1980's the TV series was thrilling Saturday evening viewing. You just could not miss one single episode as the Duke Boys (Bo and Luke) tried to get away from, out fox and out jump the tricky and materialistic Boss Hog along with his child like henchman Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane as they run around Hazzard County in their souped-up orange Dodge Charger named, The General Lee.

The popular TV series ran from 1979 to 1985. The cast included John Schneider (Bo Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke); Sorrell Brooke played Boss Hogg and James Best portrayed the not so bright Sheriff. The sexy Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke) dashed across the screen wearing the skimpiest of cut-off shorts provided the glamour. Country singer Waylon Jennings narrated the episodes and also gave us the theme song "Good Ol' Boys." Episodes can still be seen on Country Music Television (CMT)

American Racing considers the Vector SE the "Official Landing Gear of the General Lee." Choose sizes 15 X 7 inch and 15 X 8.5 inch with many different offsets, back spacing and bolt circle patterns for that just right fitment. American Racing Vector SE Series 47 wheel have the style and appeal that brings back many memories of the 1970s and 1980s. If you remember the classic looks of the General Lee then you will love these wheels.