[d69chris]

Buy a cheap cast wheel if you are worried about material waste. They do recycle all the trimmings.

Do you know just how many recycled beer cans it takes to make those expensive rims??

It's 11 cases per wheel.......that's a lot of beer to drink! They have to pay someone to do that, which increases their overhead.

Seriously, they cannot charge more than the market will pay. As stated already: quality materials, high tech equipment, US labor, and overhead & profit add up.

Cheap imports may look good for a while, but may not last. The ability to fix a 3 piece wheel by changing a hoop or center is a plus. Not buying a whole wheel.

What's the old saying.....you don't get something that's needed when it good and cool if you don't shell out some of the clams in your dusty old wallet.