The Wheel Game: Why I Ditched Dead Weight and Chose SlyFox
Let’s be real—upgrading your wheels ain’t a casual move. This is deep-end performance shit, and it comes with a price tag to match. You’re dropping serious coin, probably stressing over specs, buried in Reddit threads, forums, and YouTube reviews until your eyes bleed. So let’s simplify the chaos and walk through it, Rippers style.
First, Should You Even Do This?
If you care about performance, the answer is: Hell yes. Wheels are unsprung weight, and cutting that is like giving your bike a shot of espresso straight to the veins.
Here’s the breakdown:
Sprung weight = suspension-supported (frame, tank, seat)
Unsprung weight = not supported (wheels, brakes, swingarm)
Dropping unsprung weight is the cheat code to sharper handling, faster response, and a ride that feels alive. Swap out those stock boat anchors? You’ll notice immediately. Your bagger becomes a street-brawling ballerina. Agile, flickable, straight-up savage in the twisties.
Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum: I Chose Survival
Carbon wheels sound sexy. Lightest weight. MotoGP vibes. Problem? They can fail. Rare? Sure. But not unheard of—and when they do, it ain’t pretty. We’re talking crash reports and cold-ass manufacturer responses. I read enough to tap out.
So I went aluminum. Strong. Reliable. Proven. No gamble. Just results.
Enter SlyFox
I could’ve gone straight to Performance Machine. But here’s the move:
SlyFox Track Pro wheels look great
They're made by Performance Machine for SlyFox
Style, function, and quality? Box checked.
Oh, and they’re backed by Alex Fox—yes, son of the Drag Specialties founder.
I wanted performance, but I also wanted a look that hits hard. The Track Pro wheels hit that sweet spot between function and flex. Why blend in when you can blow minds at the gas station and on the backroads?
Size Matters. Don’t Be That Guy.
If you’re chasing lap times or carving up canyons, don’t go bigger than stock. That 21-inch front hoop might win at bike night, but it murders handling. Stick with stock sizing—or maybe slightly smaller up front for quicker steering.
And remember: new sizes = new geometry. If you swap dimensions, be ready to adjust everything from fenders to suspension. I kept mine stock to keep it simple—and sharp.
Final Take
Upgrading your wheels ain’t just a flex—it’s a leap in performance. You’ll feel it. You’ll love it. You’ll wish you did it sooner. And if you go with a trusted brand like SlyFox, you’re not just getting a good wheel—you’re getting a damn good reason to ride harder.
Ride Fast. Ride Free. Ride Rippers.
— Bagger Shawn
Founder, Steel Rippers