Rim Shattered

[Trauma154]

What would you guys suggest be done about a shattered rim? I just jumped short on a little double and the Warp 9 just shattered. I can't believe the rims are cast. Has this happened to anyone? I am worried if I replace it with another Warp 9, how dangerous that could be if it happened on a 50 mph or faster jump. The spokes were undamaged. If I replaced it with an Excel rim, will I need to drill the spokes holes bigger? Your suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[OneLapper]

The rims are not cast. They are extruded into the the rims cross section profile then rolled, then welded.

I think you had a crack for quite some time and then it failed in spectacular fashion. I just replaced my front rim with another Warp 9 Elite. My old one had taken quite a beating and I didn't think I was going to get another season out of it. Paid $100 delivered from my local KTM dealer for the Warp 9 rim, took a couple hours to lace up and true.

 

[snydes]

Here you go if you want another Warp9...
New Alta Motor MX Front RIM and Tire Dunlop Geomax 80/100/21 | eBay

Personally, I’m not impressed with Warp 9 products, but for the price of that wheel it’s hard to pass up.

 

[privateer703]

So if we wanted to go with a different wheel mfr, what would be compatible?
edit:
I guess the question is more about the hub. I'm sure I could lace many different wheels to the hub, but if I wanted a new, complete wheel, what would I look for.

 

[snydes]

I’m told the rear wheel is interchangeable with KTM, I’m not sure the year range though. There were two different axle sizes on the KTM’s, you would want the smaller of the two, or just change the bearings to the smaller ID bearing. You would have to use the Alta spacers though I believe. The front hub is unique to Alta.

 

[Judaslefourbe]

Warp9 uses the same rim manufacturer as other high end brands so don't blame them on this one (though defects do happen)
They make the hubs in-house.

For reference, there are only 2 big names in the MX aluminum rim world.

As for different brands, you can use anything "KTM" as long as you make a rotor spacer that is 7mm wide and the proper wheel spacers/bearings.
Dubya has made wheels for Alta race bikes. You could reach out to them (and you will end up with the same rim and different hub haha).

 

[snydes]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the KTM front hub is narrower so by just using wider spacers I believe your rotor will not be aligned properly. I don’t think that’s the case with the rear.

 

[privateer703]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the KTM front hub is narrower so by just using wider spacers I believe your rotor will not be aligned properly. I don’t think that’s the case with the rear.

Do you mean by using wider spacers you COULD align with the rotor right? So I might have to get the front hub from Warp 9, since this hub is unique to the Alta.

 

[Philip]

From what I know, the Alta's front hub also has the brake rotor 7mm farther out to the left than the KTM's front hub. So they are not directly interchangeable. Besides the 7mm wheel spacers you have to add a 7mm spacer under the brake rotor, or under the brake caliper.

 

[snydes]

Here’s a post from @Mark911 about a hub modification he did to use his stock Alta wheels with KTM clamps. If you wanted to go the other way, than the rotor would have to be spaced out, which wouldn’t be advisable.
Front hub mod

 

[Tuner]

Standard rims (including those used by Warp9) are often of 7010 Aluminum. Performance rims (including the Warp9 Elite series) are of 7050 or 7075 Aluminum which is considerably more durable than the 7010 Aluminum. That said, we never had a rim "explode", though we did see broken spokes, bent rims and cracks with the likes of Josh Hill, Jimmy Hill, Axell Hodges and Darryn Durham.

 

[Judaslefourbe]

To be clear:
Rears can be swapped with KTMs
Fronts need to have the rotor or caliper relocated because the forks are 14mm farther apart compared to KTM (hence you will also need longer spacers).

Measure once, cut twice.

 

[Fod]

Maybe there is a set of upper and lower clamps that can solve the spacing. Was there a reason to the wider spacing?

 

[snydes]

Maybe there is a set of upper and lower clamps that can solve the spacing. Was there a reason to the wider spacing?

Several owners have gone to KTM clamps. Here’s a discussion on it.
Rim Options, Triple Clamp Options?

 

[Mark911]

I think the issue with the front is getting the wheel AND rotor properly centered (KTM front with Alta forks). The axle spacer(s) can/will center the wheel but I think you'll need to shim the rotor out as well. I'm not positive, never tried this combo.

 

[Philip]

Maybe there is a set of upper and lower clamps that can solve the spacing. Was there a reason to the wider spacing?

Blame the SM. I think the wider triple clamps spacing was done for the SM's wider 4-piston caliper.

I like the appearance of the fork legs being farther apart. A thigh gap is fashionable now.

 

[Rix]

What would you guys suggest be done about a shattered rim? I just jumped short on a little double and the Warp 9 just shattered. I can't believe the rims are cast. Has this happened to anyone? I am worried if I replace it with another Warp 9, how dangerous that could be if it happened on a 50 mph or faster jump. The spokes were undamaged. If I replaced it with an Excel rim, will I need to drill the spokes holes bigger? Your suggestions will be appreciated.
View attachment 2984

 

[Fog 25]

I believe Warp 9 will rebuild the whole wheel for $100 plus shipping.
I just had my front rim crack and had to replaced it. 52 hours.

 

[Fog 25]

 

[Fod]

I am going to the garage to check my rims!