These wheels are better in several ways:

Lighter than even the 4″ solid tailwheel

Smoother and quieter  – completely eliminates the Sonex tailwheel rattle

Reduced stress – Flexing of the tire reduces shock loads on the tail-wheel castor and pivot fitting.

Better grip – The tire conforms with the runway surface to provide better grip, especially on sealed surfaces.

Tony Richardson (Sonex 813, Jab 2200) recently fitted the lightweight Nylon/aluminium wheel.  Read his comments on the Sonex Australia site.

Tailwheel assembly

This consists of an accurately machined 4130 steel pivot fitting with sintered-bronze bushings, a light 4130 steel castor to fit the larger-than-standard wheel and a lightweight nylon/aluminium wheel.  Total mass is only 675 grams (1.5 pounds).  Price: A$330

Can also be supplied with the all aluminium wheel (middle photo)- total mass is 750 grams (1.65 pounds).  Price: A$340    

Nylon/Al wheel

This is the type I use on my own Sonex.  It is fitted with quality 6000RS sealed ball bearings and a bearing spacer, enabling full tightening of the axle nut.  The wheel is machined from PA6 nylon with a removable 6061 Aluminium rim half.  Standard tire fitted is 6″ x 1.25″ 4 ply.  Mass of wheel and tire is less than 340 grams (0.75 pounds).       Price: A$ 200  Wheel and tyre as shown

Aluminium wheel

The same design as above but machined from 6061 aluminium.  It’s heavier duty, but mass of wheel and tire is still only 440 grams (less than 1 pound), lighter than the stock Sonex 4″ tail-wheel.

Price: A$210  Wheel and tyre as shown

Tailwheel castor

The castor is fabricated from 4130 steel.  Mass is only 150 grams (0.33 pounds), but the design of the castor is much stronger than the Sonex steel castor.  Price: A$80

Tail-wheel pivot fitting

This fitting is machined to be a close fit on the Sonex titanium tail spring.  It incorporates a steel sleeve running in sintered-bronze bushes.  The sleeve allows full tightening of the pivot bolt.             Price:  A$ 80      

Steering Strut

Made from 3/8″ 6061-T6 Al polished rod and fitted with 1/4″ studded rod ends.  Eliminates steering slop.  Price:  A$80

150 x 50 (6″ x 2″) heavy duty tailwheel Coming soon (maybe)

These are a little heavier than the 6 x 1.25″ wheels but also heavier duty.  Weight depends to some extent on the brand of tyre as it varies considerably.

Here’s the trial wheel fitted to my Sonex.  It all feels the same so now I need to find how long it lasts.

Gallery of the parts in use

The Nylon 6″ tailwheel fitted to my Sonex

View of the right side – removable al disk retained by 4  screws for easy tire replacement.