What does forged wheel mean?
2 Answers
Forged wheels are wheels manufactured through the forging process, which can maximize the removal of internal pores and cracks. Multiple forging is often employed to ensure the elimination of material defects in all aspects, increase internal stress of the material, and achieve better toughness, significantly improving impact resistance and tear resistance at high rotational speeds. Center Bore (CB): Refers to the size of the wheel's center hole. Although wheels with different center bore sizes from the factory specifications can be installed using adapters, it is not recommended for safety reasons. Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD): For example, a wheel with a PCD of 5x120mm indicates it has 5 lug bolts forming a circle with a diameter of 120mm. This value should also conform to factory specifications.
Forged wheels are directly formed by high-pressure forging of a solid aluminum block using machinery, unlike ordinary cast wheels which are made by pouring molten aluminum into molds. There's a reason they're expensive—the molecular structure of the forged aluminum is exceptionally dense, making them not only lightweight but also highly impact-resistant, with a lower chance of deformation when hitting potholes. For car enthusiasts who modify their vehicles, forged wheels are the top choice—each wheel can be 2-3 kg lighter than cast ones, improving fuel efficiency and handling. The downside is the painful price—domestic forged wheels start at around 8,000 RMB for a set, while imported big-name brands can cost 20,000-30,000 RMB. If you come across 'forged wheels' at suspiciously low prices, they're likely counterfeit cast wheels—those can crack dangerously!