Thinking of one of these.

[Beagler]

The 13 in. Not got car yet due 24 th. Any one any thoughts. 
 

http://www.astralisteeringwheels.co.uk/woodwheels.html

[Tony P]

Well.. the brand, historically, has a link to the Lotus Seven Club (or, at least, to one of its longest-standing stalwart members).

[Beagler]

Thanks Tony justt wondered if there were any caveats.

[ACFowles]

I found the wheel that came with the car as slightly too small and thick rimmed.  It was replaced with a 13inch Astrali just like you are looking at.  If I was doing it again I would get a dished version as I had to get a spacer to help it clear my thighs.

[Beagler]

Thanks, ACFowles thats just the info I wanted.

[ACFowles]

 

[Benton]

Assume an appropriate steering boss is also required?

[ACFowles]

Depends what is on there to start with.  If it is a 3-bolt then you are correct but in my case it fitted the existing boss...

[Beagler]

If it doesnt bolt straight on can I get a boss to suite.

[ScottR400D]

What car is it going on, how will it be used?

I have two wheels for my car; one is 270mm, the other 290mm so both are much smaller than 13". They do feel different to each other and I would think the difference in feel between the smaller one and that Astrali would be significant so would recommend you get the car and see how it is with whatever it's got before you decide on changing. I would also try to test a bigger wheel before you commit, if possible. 

I prefer the smaller of the two I have, it's a little heavy at low speed but feels really good once rolling. 
 

 

[Tazio]

I'm with Scott, I have a 290mm ( 11.4 inches) wheel, which to some is quite large, but for me it's perfect, so purely on a driving basis any 13 inch wheel would feel too large to me requiring larger steering inputs.

[Beagler]

The wheel in my BMW X1 Msport is 14 inch. I had a woodrim in the Morgan. Dont like the Momo wheel so the Astrali 13 inch seems ok. Will wait till car comes. Just trying to get a heads up.

[Beagler]

Its going on this,

 

[Tony P]

I’d imagine that 13-inch is at the large end of the viability scale for a modern Seven. The MotoLita wheel, as seen in the second of ACFowles’s pic is about 11.5 inches; that wheel became the de facto ‘standard’ item for many years (it was, strictly speaking, an option), and a lot of folks opt for a smaller one.

It will depend rather on your height, your seat choice and your driving position as to whether you can actually get your legs under the wheel and drive comfortably. I’d advise not splashing out on a new wheel until you’ve tried driving with the one supplied. Even if you then want to change it purely on aesthetic grounds it will give you an idea whether a change of size is desirable or viable for you. 

[Beagler]

Sensible advice. I was wondering whether any wheel larger than the original would abstruct access and egress.

[ScottR400D]

Even a 270mm wheel can be a bit in the way for some. 

[Beagler]

Looked for a 11.5 in woodrim and havnt been able to find one. Anyone have.

[SLR No.77]

Moto-Lita Mk3 Wood Rim: https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering-wheels/mark-three-wood-rim-flat/

Stu.

 

[Beagler]

Thanks looked on that site but missed sizes just saw 16 inch.

[SLR No.77]

A riveted wood Moto-Lita is a true steering wheel investment, I wouldn't fit one to the Caterham (I prefer a leather Momo) but this is an old one I've recently refurbished for the Mini we're rebuilding:

 

Stu.

 

[ACFowles]

Great choice of vehicle BTW, whatever steering wheel you decide is right for you 

[Beagler]

Thanks for that. Thats very encouraging from an experienced owner and gives me confidence I made a good choice. its in paint having a yellow stripe on bonnet just now before delivery.