Most motorcycles, cars or trucks now have a selection of black alloy wheels to choose from. The materials used in the construction of these wheels may be either magnesium or aluminum alloys or, ever more frequently, a combination of the two. The wheels are much lighter without losing any of their strength. Besides looking good, they are very good conductors of heat.

Lighter wheels have the effect of improving the road handling capabilities of a vehicle by reducing its unsprung mass thus lowering the suspension to enable the tires to grip better. Alloy compositions are not always lighter however, than their counterparts in steel. An overall reduction of the vehicle mass may definitely contribute to better fuel utilization.

The performance of the braking system can be greatly improved by the efficient removal of heat through the metal alloy composition under difficult driving situations. This, in turn, will reduce the possibility of the brakes failing because they overheat.

There is no doubt that these wheels improve a vehicle's appearance, but not only that, their resistance to corrosion allows them to be used in their natural state not requiring paint or covers to improve their aesthetic appeal. They may be designed with bolder, more intricate patterns to make them appeal to a wider customer base. This contrasts sharply with the pressed steel sheet method of manufacture where the components are welded together with no attempts to conceal the welds, making it necessary to paint and cover the rims with hub caps to improve their appearance.

An alloy, being a combination of metals, is prone to galvanic corrosion as a result of the metals reacting with each other when specific conditions are experienced. If preventative steps are not taken, this could result in air leaking out of the tires. Repairing damaged alloy wheels could prove to be difficult, but it may be cheaper to have them repaired than to replace them because of the cost factor. Depending on how badly damaged the wheel is and how the owner feels, to repair may be the better option.

Because the alloy types cost more than the steel, they are not normally fitted as standard on new vehicles. More often than not, they can be supplied as an extra option for new vehicle purchasers. Because of their popularity, this type of wheel is now being fitted as standard to a growing number of economically priced vehicles. For many years, high priced sports and luxury vehicles have been fitting them as standard, with exclusive large sizes being the preferred option.

Being a valuable, expensive accessory, they have become a target of thieves, which has prompted manufacturers to come up with methods of protection such as locks on the wheel nuts. These can only be removed by way of a specially fitting key. Most of the wheels produced are cast but a great many are forged. Forging produces a lighter and stronger product, but they are a lot more expensive.