Hi all,
PicS attached.
38mm Drum type is just meaning without brackets for calipers. ie, Type of fork for drum brakes.
Wheels are going to have tubes, but you can buy light weight racing tubes. I can modify the wheels to run tubeless, it's not hard and I have done it before, however! this is a race bike, it is intended to run at full speed and or full effect at all times, a tyre deflation could be fatal, this is not a risk I will take with someone eases life. I can live with the weight of two tubes for that reason.
Alloy wheels, although these could be used in some classes, they are not allowed in others, I don't like the look of them either and especially on a bike with drum brakes, so these are not an option.
Strength, well, spoked wheels are far easier to check for damage and condition at track-side than alloy wheels so for safety alone and for this reason for me spoked wheels are an advantage.
The wheels will far exceed the frame stiffness in my opinion so little point worrying here.
End goal weight. Absolutely as low as it is feasibly possible within the rules!! Remember that the new crank will weigh about half of a std stroke SFC light crank, and Titanium rods are on order, the primary gear drive has saved over a kilo, etc. but really hoping to be below 150kg and the absolute goal is to be on the grid at 200kg with rider.
I may be dreaming here but you have to have a goal and a dream in order to achieve it! (hahaha)
Next job is to modify the fork lowers and wheel hubs to take a hollow tube spindle for more weight reduction and less un-sprung weight
Jules