Aero wheels

[JRod0802]

The mock up or the design studio fake spokes? Since they are different, which do you like better?

I meant the mock up... but now that I read this:

Hrmmm, hrmmm. The shiny plastic disk on the aeros doesn't do it for me. If the black shininess were replaced with matte anodized aluminum, I'd be on board.

I can't help but agree. Now that I see the shininess, I can't unsee it.

 

[onlinespending]

I like the two-tone aero wheels for the Model S. They'll look much better from any reasonable distance, since they'll resemble normal rims with the black portion being perceived as dead space.

 

[Trnsl8r]

What I'm curious to see is how those duotone wheels look when the car is in motion.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

I think they might look good w/ the interior silver colored too maybe?

It would be easy to do w/ contact paper/vinyl

 

[drbradfo]

I think they could have been clever and made each of the spokes a Tesla T.

 

[ddenboer]

I was told on Friday that stores will have full versions of these rims in first week of May, and that the returned these half rims because they were not correct.

 

[onlinespending]

What I'm curious to see is how those duotone wheels look when the car is in motion.

should look primarily black, with the edge and small center circle still silver.

 

[TEG]

As long as we're talking tweaking aerodynamics, anyone think there might be an aftermarket for rear fender skirts? Ugly, yes, but would reduce drag.

There is a whole thread for that:
Wheel Skirts

 

[jcstp]

aero-wheels are in the designstudio now!

 

[dsm363]

aero-wheels are in the designstudio now!

Is there something new? They've been there for awhile now.

 

[jcstp]

Is there something new? They've been there for awhile now.

just me that have not gone to the design-studio for a while, and noticed them for the first time! sorry

 

[dsm363]

just me that have not gone to the design-studio for a while, and noticed them for the first time! sorry

No problem. Wasn't sure if they had changed something that I missed. Thanks.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Are the 'real' Areo wheels as shown in the design studio or as the mock-up partial wheels are?

One has black in the 'spoke' area (DS) while the other is all silver (mock-up).

I think I like the Studio version a little better

 

[DuncanWatson]

ckessel is completely correct about his assertion that a 5% improvement in aerodynamics will equally affect ICE vehicles as well as electric. Heck it is true of human powered streamliners as well. The extra inefficiences of an ICE vehicle just mean that the $ savings for an ICE vehicle is even greater. And the fact that the operating costs of a human powered vehicle is measured in burritos generally means that aerodynamics improve a bikes potential speed but rarely affect operating costs.

Being familiar with the aerodynamics of record setting hpvs (human powered vehicles) means I have a higher tolerance for the appearance of aerodynamic vehicles. I like the aero rims.

 

[richkae]

I would be happy with something like this:

or this:

or this:

I don't want the two tone paint. Just a nice subtle wheel. Anybody else?

 

[jerry33]

Doesn't matter to me, as long as it works. However, since the have been no actual wheels made yet, only mock-ups, it's a bit early to really tell.

 

[AnOutsider]

@Duncan Never been a fan of those style of wheels, but somehow the aeros don't bother me much. I sorta like them. I still want the 21's, but wouldn't scoff @ the Aeros if I were stuck with em. I do prefer the version with the black in the spokes though.

 

[DuncanWatson]

@Duncan Never been a fan of those style of wheels, but somehow the aeros don't bother me much. I sorta like them. I still want the 21's, but wouldn't scoff @ the Aeros if I were stuck with em. I do prefer the version with the black in the spokes though.

I hear you. Either way it would be the choice I would go with. Aerodynamic improvement pay for themselves in this case.

btw - there is a much more senior member named Duncan and it is not a name prone to collision normally.

 

[ckessel]

Aerodynamic improvement pay for themselves in this case.

Just out of curiosity, how do you figure that? Given the cost of electricity, particularly in WA, you won't save enough to make a big difference.

Let's be generous and say .10 per kwh and 85 kwh gets you 300 miles, so you get 3.52 miles per kwh with normal tires. Over 100,000 miles you'll use 28409 kwh. Gaining 5% efficiency means you save 1420 kwh or $142. The 19" aero rims cost $1500. You'd have to drive around 1 million miles to save enough on electricity costs to pay back the aero tires.

Or is there some other valuation I'm missing that would make the aero tires pay for themselves?

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Maybe in an intangible way? By getting you that extra 5% range that saves you from getting stuck in a seedy part of town?!!!

But, seriously, your math adds up. May break even sooner in areas where the electrons cost more.