Designing custom wheels

When it comes to upgrading your vehicle’s appearance, there are very few things that have the transformative power of a new set of wheels. And if you are looking for a brand that’s synonymous with style and the art of personalisation, Mecca Luxury Alloys is fast becoming the go-to brand for savvy enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on quality. 

Every choice you make will have some impact on your cars appearance and / or performance. If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry... our team are THE experts and can handle all of this for you if you prefer or work WITH you to help you make the right decisions. This process ensures that every wheel we produce is optimised to enhance performance and aesthetics and thoroughly tested to meet all safety standards.

We take pride in offering our clients the opportunity to truly customise their rims with unlimited colours and finishes. With our state-of-the-art technology and highly experienced and knowledgable team, we can create any design that our clients desire, from classic to bold with vibrant colours. Whether you want a matte, glossy, or brushed finish, we have an array of options available to create the perfect look for your vehicle. With our custom colouring and finishing options, the possibilities are endless, and we can help you create a one-of-a-kind look that truly reflects your style and personality.

Whilst we will help you with the specifics relating to hardware and fitment, below is a list of other important elements to consider when deciding on the consutrcution and configuration of your new set of custom wheels. Every choice you make can have an impact on either the performance or overall aesthetics of your car, or both in some cases so it is iomportant to choose wisely and listen to the advice of experts.

 

1. Construction Configuration

1 piece (monoblock), 2 piece (duoblock) or 3 piece options are avilable depending on your budget, car, and specific requirements. For more information, read our in depth article here.

 

2. Wheel Finish

From classic silver and matte black to more unusual choices like candy red or brushed gold, they offer a range of choices. Your choice of finish can make a bold or subtle statement. For instance, matte black wheels can give your ride an aggressive, modern look, while brushed gold adds a touch of luxury and exclusivity.

 

3. Custom Paint And Powder Coating

If you have a specific color in mind that’s not in Rotiform’s standard finish options, don’t fret. Custom paint and powder coating allow you to unleash your creativity. Whether you are envisioning a vibrant teal, a deep cherry red, or something entirely unique, custom paint and powder coating can bring your dream wheels to life.

 

4. Profile

Wheel concavity refers to the wheel face curvature profile on a monoblock (one-piece) wheel or wheel center on a modular wheel. Concavity is different from “dish depth” on a modular wheel. When looking from the side, a wheel with large concavity has a wheel center that’s sunk in. A wheel with no concavity has a wheel face profile that’s flat. The profile options available to you are somehwat dictated by the fitment specs of your car with relation to the concavity / dish style that can be achieved with your custom wheel design. What affects wheel concavity For off-the-shelve flow formed or cast wheels, the face concavity is pre-set. What you see in the picture is what you are getting. For custom wheel designs, wheel face concavity depends on three factors: wheel width, offset, and brake clearance.

As stated above, these factors affect how the wheel profile looks and poses physical constraints on what can be achieved while providing the best fitment. At Forgelite Wheels, we design each set of wheels with the proper brake clearance and maximum concavity that greatly enhances your vehicle’s appearance. In addition, we send wheel renders before putting them into production so you know how the wheels will look when they are finished.

Wheel Width

Wheel width and offset together determine where the wheel mounting hub would be, and the depth in relation to the wheel face. A wheel in 20x8.5 ET+35 will appear to have a flatter face profile (less concavity) than a wheel in 20x12 ET+35.

Wheel Offset

A wheel in 20x10 ET+15 will look much more concave than a wheel in 20x10 ET+50 because the mounting hub is 35mm closer to the wheel center line (dip inwards).

Brake Clearance

A wheel made for cars with small brake calipers can typically have more concavity than cars with big brake calipers. for example: on high-performance cars. The front wheels usually have less concavity because the front brake calipers are usually bigger, and the wheel face profile needs to be flatter to clear the brakes.

 

5. Spoke Design

The spoke design is where you can really make your wheels uniquely yours. Mecca Luxury Alloys custom design system means you have unlimited on this essential design element for your wheels. Choose to go with an intricate, multi-spoke pattern or a  minimalistic, clean designs or . A web-spoke design can give your vehicle a modern, high-tech appearance, while a classic mesh design exudes timeless elegance. You could also consider other current trends that have become increasingly popular for various reasons such as aerodisc, floating spoke or traditional classic styles such as covered which typically feature on older muscle cars. There are certainly different styles that work better with some vehicles than others, our design team can offer guidance with your wheel spoke style if you are not sure what will work best with your car.

5. Lip Size

Just as the cherry on top of a sundae can make it exceptional, the lip size of your wheels can add that extra oomph to your vehicle’s look. A larger lip can create a deeper, more pronounced visual impact. A smaller lip, on the other hand, can provide a sleek and understated look.

6. Center Cap Options

The center cap may seem like a small detail, but it’s like the finishing touch on a work of art. Consider what resonates with your style – whether it is a subtle branded cap or something more personalized.

 

7. Staggered or Square Set Up

Simply put, a square setup uses the same size wheels and tires on all four corners. A staggered setup has wider wheels and tires on one end of the car— usually on the driven axle and typically the rear. For example, running 18×8.5 wheels up front and 19×10 on the rear. This is common with many rear wheel drive vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, BMW, Mercedes, Dodge and others. A square setup means that the tires are equal at all 4 corners of the vehicle and that there is no difference in tire width between the front and rear axles. While most vehicles, performance and non-performance come stock with a square setup, many who decide to upgrade to aftermarket wheels choose to keep a square setup to optimize the lifespan of their tires.

Staggered wheel setups are more commonly associated with personal handling preferences/driving style, and are intended to accommodate performance vehicles. The wider tires provide balancing and handling characteristics while also providing adequate traction for high horsepower vehicles.

One issue you may encounter while running a staggered setup if using the car for performance purposes, is understeer. Understeer is a vehicle’s tendency to “push” through a corner, which becomes negatively affected when running smaller width tires up front. Having less control and handling leads some drivers to prefer to go from a staggered setup to a square setup in order to reduce the odds of understeering in harsh driving conditions. The second issue would be the inability to rotate your tires. Because you are running wider tires in the rear than the front, you’re unable to rotate your back tires to the front and vice versa. Due to this, the longevity of your tires may dramatically decrease, especially in a racing environment where burnouts and cornering cause major wear. You’ll be spending a pretty penny on tires if you like to burn rubber.

Many that choose to upgrade their wheel and tire setup are willing to go the extra mile to change the entire look of the vehicle. This includes adding fender flares or for some, a full widebody kit that dramatically changes the vehicle’s appearance. Both choices allow for wider wheels and tires to fit and look great.

 

Other customisation considerations

Other customisation options after you order your wheels that can enhance your vehicles appearance and really complete the look you wanted by getting new wheels in the first place are your tyres and suspension.

 

Tyre Choices

It is most likely you will need to get new tyres to suit your new wheels. Your choices of tyres can significantly affect the look and performance of your customised wheels. So, while choosing your tyres, consider factors like size, sidewall height, and tread pattern. For instance, low-profile tires can contribute to a sportier appearance, while all-terrain tires might be more suitable for an off-road vehicle. Premium brands often provide more durability over time and restrict in car road noise compared to cheaper options. The team at Mecca have a lot of knowledge in relation to tyres and can offer expert advice if required. 

 

Suspension Modifications

When customising your car, your wheels are just one piece of the puzzle. To fully realise the potential of your wheels, consider suspension modifications. You can consider lowering your vehicle with coil-overs or air suspension to provide a perfect stance for your ride. 

 

Conclusion

Personalising your wheels lets you add your own style to your vehicle. So, go ahead, customise your Mecca Luxury Alloy Wheels and make your dream car a reality.