• Registered: 2015-02-24
  • Posts: 26

Topic: NRG Wheels

Hey everyone, I need a bit of the hive-mind to check me here.

We've got an NRG QR hub attached to some sort of wheel (not 100% sure, it could be a grant?), that we don't particularly like.  We've been throwing around the idea of swapping steering wheels.  One of the guys I run with sent out a link to NRG wheels.  We can get a wheel we like in the neighborhood of $130.  The other option would be a sparco/momo for 200+.

I'm a bit terrified of the NRG wheels, from what I've read, they're a touch flimsy and I don't really want to end up in a situation where I'm holding the rim if it somehow detaches from the spokes, or it gets bent during white knuckle, three wide racing.  Am I justified in that? are there teams out there running NRG wheels with good results?

B Class winning Club 991 Prelude
  • n0m4d
  • n0m4d
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  • From: Wilton, NH
  • Registered: 2009-06-04
  • Posts: 288

Re: NRG Wheels

We have run a $50 eBay no-name wheel on an eBay no-name hub for at least 25 events over 8 seasons.  It's aluminum and pleather.  I would definitely describe it as "a touch flimsy" from day one.  It's exactly as flimsy as it was on day 1.  We have some drivers that I would not describe as gentle on things since we have ripped out shift knobs and pushed accelerator pedals thru the floor.  I'm not endorsing nor discouraging you from buying whatever you think is the safest but either wheel will likely work just as well.

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  • From: SF, CA
  • Registered: 2015-02-11
  • Posts: 592

Re: NRG Wheels

My track day Miata came with an NRG wheel and hub. I would say the wheel is definitely flexy. I cannot recommend for Lemons.

Also the hub could be easier to get off in an emergency. But I'm quite able to get in/out with taking off the wheel.

On our Lemons car, we were using a non-name brand wheel. One of the spokes fractured on track. This was at the hands of the most man-sized of our very manly drivers although he asserted he was being very gentle with car. We put a splint on the broken spoke and sent the car back out.

We then decided to spend up and get a name brand wheel - in our case a Momo. It's a well made wheel, feels good in the hands and inspires us to be super-duper racers. I'd recommend the name brand wheel route.

25X Loser - Delinquent Racing - '86 Rust-Tite Merkur - 9 years (when do I get to stop?).
  • From: Seattle-ish
  • Registered: 2011-06-16
  • Posts: 654

Re: NRG Wheels

We've run NRG wheels and QR hubs on both our builds; zero complaints.  And you can use the horn button contacts for push-to-talk if you have a radio.

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  • Registered: 2015-02-24
  • Posts: 26

Re: NRG Wheels

This is all very interesting (don't want to quote every post hah)

It seems like there are a few good stories about the NRG. 

Billybobster - when you say non-name brand do you mean NRG? or just a off the rack ebay wheel?  I guess my hope here is that the NRG is a bit better than shitty ebay?

B Class winning Club 991 Prelude
  • From: Killingworth, CT
  • Registered: 2016-07-07
  • Posts: 26

Re: NRG Wheels

I run an NRG wheel, quick disconnect, and hub on my track day turned Lemons/Chump car for the last two years.  The wheel has a little flex to it for sure.  I actually emailed them and they said it was designed to have a little flex, and suggested I try it before sending it back.  I've run dozens of track days and our first race with no complaints from anyone.  I did use different allen screws with a little Locktite though.  The ones that came with the wheel and hub were kind of cheap and kept backing out. 

The only thing I would do different is the quick disconnect.  Don't get me wrong, its fine and serves its purpose.  But there is a little button you have to press down while you pull up on the disconnect.  With gloves on and in a rush its a PITA.  But it works just fine.

Here are links to exactly what I have.  Decent prices and the wheel is on Prime, so free 2 days shipping!

Wheel - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 … &psc=1
Quick Release - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 … &psc=1
Hub - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 … &psc=1

  • Registered: 2015-02-24
  • Posts: 26

Re: NRG Wheels

snowman wrote:

I run an NRG wheel, quick disconnect, and hub on my track day turned Lemons/Chump car for the last two years.  The wheel has a little flex to it for sure.  I actually emailed them and they said it was designed to have a little flex, and suggested I try it before sending it back.  I've run dozens of track days and our first race with no complaints from anyone.  I did use different allen screws with a little Locktite though.  The ones that came with the wheel and hub were kind of cheap and kept backing out. 

The only thing I would do different is the quick disconnect.  Don't get me wrong, its fine and serves its purpose.  But there is a little button you have to press down while you pull up on the disconnect.  With gloves on and in a rush its a PITA.  But it works just fine.

Here are links to exactly what I have.  Decent prices and the wheel is on Prime, so free 2 days shipping!

Wheel - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 … &psc=1
Quick Release - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 … &psc=1
Hub - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00 … &psc=1


FWIW, I think the button is a gen1/gen2 thing.  We've got one of the gen2 hubs and we don't have the button, or were able to remove the button.  We love the hub, it's super nice to not be able to put the wheel on anywhere other than straight on. I like that wheel a lot and for sub-hundred bucks it may be worth it to take a shot on

B Class winning Club 991 Prelude
  • From: Killingworth, CT
  • Registered: 2016-07-07
  • Posts: 26

Re: NRG Wheels

Oh yeah, I love that it forces it straight on.  I'll have to see if I can get the button off.  I don't know why I never thought of that.

  • Registered: 2015-02-24
  • Posts: 26

Re: NRG Wheels

yeah, I believe that during the battle that ensued, we figured out that the button could be removed.  check me on that though

B Class winning Club 991 Prelude
  • From: NH
  • Registered: 2010-01-20
  • Posts: 3,299

Re: NRG Wheels

I'm fairly certain you can remove that button. Look on the surface above the button and you'll see a small set screw. Back that off and it should come apart. (disclaimer I don't own one, but I've looked into them a few times and that button was a main sore spot for me before someone said it was removable)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81HUV2eiqqL._SY355_.jpg

20+ Time Loser FutilityMotorsport
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  • From: Killingworth, CT
  • Registered: 2016-07-07
  • Posts: 26

Re: NRG Wheels

Ooohhhh.....good call.  I'll try it!

  • From: Westminster MA
  • Registered: 2017-01-17
  • Posts: 92

Re: NRG Wheels

name brand just ship from overseas and save


http://www.murraymotorsport.com/product … ring-wheel

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  • From: Seattle-ish
  • Registered: 2011-06-16
  • Posts: 654

Re: NRG Wheels

The button absolutely comes out of the QR hub release rings; I've taken it out of our last two hubs.

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