magnesium wheels for street?

[arrick]

I picked up some forged Mag Marchesini wheels yesterday for the M1100 build I am working on. I was able to compare them side by side with a forged aluminum and stock and was immediately compelled to buy them. After speaking with a rep from Marchesini, I am confident in the durability and I can’t wait to experience them on the road.

One question I had for them was: Why don’t they run carbon wheels in any racing series? Apparently, they are too rigid. I don’t think any of us mortals would find the rigidity of a carbon wheel inhibiting to our riding, but I thought it was interesting to know.

[thought]

i'm guessing that, much like a too strong/brittle steel for swords vs a softer flexible steel, the cf rims wont flex enough for high speed bumps and would crack faster.  so the metal/mag wheels still have enough minor flex to accommodate the rigors of higher speeds?

[atomic410]

alot of race clubs do not allow carbon wheels.  I believe the AMA doesn't either, but I could be wrong

[Speeddog]

A CF part can have whatever flexibility is necessary, just depends on the layup of fibers.

IIRC, I saw a recent picture of a Moto2 bike with BST's.

[DRKWNG]

A CF part can have whatever flexibility is necessary, just depends on the layup of fibers.

This.

The beauty of creating things with carbon is that the developing engineer can manufacture whatever characteristics they wish, and change these characteristics simply by altering the lay/weave of the fiber sheets. 

[EEL]

I dont think most mag wheels are DOT rated for streed. I know BST's are

To get a DOT rating you need do a drop test with 400-something points as a point load on the wheel

Found a video
TUV/DOT Testing of BST Carbon Fiber Wheels

All things said, I think this is more strict than anything you'd see on a track.