To Suede or Not to Suede, That is the Question.
 

I have been on the fence as to what steering wheel I should get. I really want a suede wheel because well, I just want it. But am I being silly? Does it make the driving experience that much better? If I occasionally drive the car without gloves, is that a problem?

As you may know, I spend a lot of my time at the drag strip where suede is not really necessary. However, I am building the car so I can do as many track days as I can afford. My track day friends list is growing.

The car is in no way a street car. However, I think I will register the car and drive it on occasion to various car gatherings.

Get it. Live it. Love it.

In fact, I highly recommend the Momo 78 in suede.

This is Florida. Get the suede and never grab a hot wheel again

My current wheel is suede. Wasn't a problem when new but over time is gradually accumulates dirt and grime - to the point that when I drive without gloves (to/from the track) my hands get dirty from the wheel now. There's probably some sort of cleaning product for suede that would solve this issue for me, but there's just been 100 other things on the list above that...
Feel-wise though, it's the tits.

-Ryan

For a daily driver I would say no, suede goes bad after lots of use without gloves especially in the florida heat.

In your case I say go for it, suede wheels feel awesome and as long as you clean it every now and then you will be fine with the occasional no-gloves usage.

the real question is:
to gloves, or not to gloves

Driving with racing gloves on the street is unpleasantly hot. Vintage style driving gloves is not my style...

You can always protect the suede from greasy hands with a pink fury cover.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1402989604

I drove a Lambo LP-550-4 with a suede wheel here in Orlando at the Exotic Driving Experience. But the end of my 6 laps my hands were covered in dirty bits of suede dust. I love the feel of them but there is the trade off with their longevity.

suede pretty much requires gloves. That blackness coming off the wheel onto your hands isnt crud it leather. If you keep it up eventually the suede will wear off completely and it'll be shinny an smooth.

part of my steering wheel is suede. I think its glued on, and now its separating some (it started with the previous owner). Its pretty obnoxious honestly.

Mine looks similar to this:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1403009996

The perforated leather on my Momo is fine with and without gloves. Grip has never been an issue. And your grip strength is arguably stronger than mine due to the amount of physical labor you do with your hands. So either would probably work fine.

I store my wheel in the house and out of the humidity.

echo what sixshooter said. I have a perforated leather momo competition in my track car that gets street driven to the track. If my car were track (glove use) only I'd have a momo mod 78 in it.

I've had m sport wheels in previous bimmer street cars. The secret to keeping the suede in good condition and not matted down/shiney is a sweater lint shaver and a metal wife brush. :vash2:

My only complaint with the Momo Competition is that it's flat. Even with the NRG QR and Daikei airbag Boss Hub, I NEED THE WHEEL TO BE CLOSER.

I've used a Momo team in my car many a hot-humid-summers without AC and never had issues with grip.

For taller miata owners, it's hard to beat this wheel as the size and slight off-center steering axis frees up TONS of room around the knees.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1403017293

This said, I do love the look/feel of a brand new suede wheel.

-Zach

The only time I drove a car with a suede wheel the owner noted its "always dirty", but it makes more sense that it is the actual leather coming off.

I wonder why no aftermarket steering wheels are made with a product such as Ultrasuede or Alcantara? I have sat in a seat that had some custom Ultrasuede sections sewn in to the leather, it has amazing grip, doesn't deteriorate like suede, and it was years old and didn't show any signs of age, except he said it used to be a little darker.

That or any kind of sports grip, like a baseball bat or tennis racket or golf clubs.

You can always wrap with sports grip yourself.

Thats what I did (my wheel was just bare aluminum). It doesnt quite come out as well as you would hope, having an actual sheet of the grip material to wrap the wheel like they do with leather would be worlds better.

I think suede it will be.

As far as hubs go, I like the adapter built by Miatacage that fits over the factory spines, and is held in place by the factory retaining nut.

Dont all the adapters do that?