Quick answer
The KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 is a 1.9 aluminum beadlock wheel that requires SLW hubs to set your track width and offset, so pick hubs before you mount tires. It is a strong choice for scale builds where you want licensed looks and adjustable width, but it is not a cheap set-and-forget wheel. Pair it with tires that match your terrain, and check hub and clamp ring availability before ordering.
KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2
Wheel questions come up fast once you are holding a set of beadlocks and a bag of hubs. The KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 is a licensed aluminum beadlock wheel, and most of the confusion around it is not about the wheel itself but about the hubs, offset, and tires you choose to go with it. Get those three right and the rest of the install is straightforward.
This FAQ answers the specific things crawler builders ask about the KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2: how offset is set, what it weighs, what tires work, and what to check before you buy. Answers are short and standalone so you can jump to the one you need.
How is offset set on the KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2?
Offset on this wheel is not built into the wheel itself. The KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 requires SLW hubs, and the hub you install sets how far the wheel sits in or out. That means two builders with the same wheels can end up with different track widths depending on hub choice. If you already run SLW hubs on another 1.9 set, you can often move them over rather than buying new ones.
Because offset is hub-driven, plan your hubs before you mount tires. Changing hubs later means pulling wheels apart, which is more work than deciding up front. If you are unsure what width you want, start with the hubs you already own and measure before ordering replacements.
- SLW hubs are required; the wheel does not set offset on its own.
- Hub choice changes track width, so decide before mounting tires.
- Reusing hubs from another 1.9 beadlock set can save money.
How much does a KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 wheel weigh?
The catalog listing for this wheel does not publish a weight figure, so any number you see quoted elsewhere may not apply to your exact configuration. What we can say from the supplied facts is that it is an aluminum beadlock wheel, which generally sits heavier than a plastic wheel. Final weight also depends on the hubs you install, since hub material and size add mass.
If weight matters for your build, weigh one assembled wheel with your chosen hub and tire rather than relying on a single spec. That number is the one that affects your crawler's behavior. For builds where low weight is a priority, aluminum beadlocks may not be the lightest option available.
- No weight is published in the supplied catalog facts.
- Hub material and size change the final assembled weight.
- Weigh your own assembled wheel for a number you can trust.
What tires pair well with the KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2?
This is a 1.9 beadlock wheel, so it is designed for 1.9 tires that work with a beadlock clamp. The supplied facts list molded clamp rings and anodized beadlock rings in the package, which is what holds the tire bead in place. Match tire size and compound to your terrain first, then confirm the tire is intended for beadlock mounting.
For scale builds, many crawlers pair licensed wheels with a tire that matches the same look. The practical rule is simple: choose the tire for grip and height, and let the wheel handle the mounting and offset. Do not pick a tire just because it looks right if it does not suit the ground you drive on.
- Use 1.9 tires intended for beadlock mounting.
- Pick tire compound and height for your terrain first.
- The package includes molded clamp rings and anodized beadlock rings.
What comes in the box, and what do you still need?
The supplied facts list the package contents as two front rings, two rear rings, two anodized beadlock rings, two molded clamp rings, one screw kit, and one instructions sheet. Note that this is a two-wheel set, not four, so budget for two packages if you are building a full rig. You will also need SLW hubs, which are not included.
Vanquish Products notes that these wheels pair well with Center Hubs XD Series VPS07720 and VPS07721. If you want to change the look or finish later, the catalog also lists optional brass clamp rings and scale hardware. Check what you already have on hand before ordering so you do not buy the same parts twice.
Center Hubs XD Series
- Package covers two wheels, not four.
- SLW hubs are required and sold separately.
- Optional brass clamp rings and scale hardware are listed.
Are KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 wheels right for your build?
These wheels suit scale crawler builds where licensed KMC styling, aluminum construction, and adjustable offset matter. They are a poor fit if you want the lightest possible wheel, the cheapest option, or a wheel you can mount without buying hubs. If your build is a stock plastic-wheel rig and you are not ready to choose hubs, this set adds a step you may not want yet.
One more practical note: anodized aluminum shade can vary between batches, and the catalog flags this for anodized parts. If color matching across a build matters to you, order what you need together rather than in separate purchases.
- Good fit: scale builds wanting licensed looks and adjustable offset.
- Poor fit: builds needing the lightest or cheapest wheel option.
- Order anodized parts together if color matching matters.
What should you check before ordering?
Confirm three things: that you have or will buy SLW hubs, that you need two-wheel sets rather than a single four-wheel package, and that your tires are meant for 1.9 beadlock mounting. Also decide whether you want the optional brass clamp rings or scale hardware at the same time, since ordering together avoids a second shipping wait.
If you are also refreshing worn drivetrain or axle parts while the wheels are off, that is the efficient time to do it. Pulling wheels and hubs twice is wasted bench time.
- Confirm SLW hub availability before ordering.
- Check tire beadlock compatibility.
- Bundle optional rings and hardware into one order.
KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 quick checks
Hubs before tires
SLW hubs set your offset and track width on this wheel. Choose and fit them before mounting tires so you do not have to break the beadlock down twice. No hubs, no offset decision.
Two wheels per package
The package contains parts for two wheels. A four-wheel crawler needs two packages, plus hubs and tires. Count packages before checkout.
Weight is configuration-dependent
No weight figure is published in the supplied facts, and hub choice changes the final number. Weigh your own assembled wheel if weight matters. Measure your build, not a spec sheet.
Tire compatibility
Use 1.9 tires designed for beadlock mounting. The included molded clamp rings and anodized beadlock rings do the holding. Match tire to terrain first.
Anodized color variation
The catalog notes that anodized aluminum shade can vary. If matching matters, order the anodized parts you need in one purchase. Order together for closer color matching.
Catalog facts behind these answers
- KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2: Vanquish Products 1.9 Aluminum KMC XD229 Machete V2 Beadlock Wheels, officially licensed KMC XD Series Wheels, requiring SLW hubs. Offset is set by your hub choice, not the wheel, so hubs must be planned before mounting tires.
- KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2: Package includes 2pcs front rings, 2pcs rear rings, 2pcs anodized beadlock rings, 2pcs molded clamp rings, 1pc screw kit VPS05000, and 1pc instructions sheet. The set covers two wheels, so a four-wheel rig needs two packages.
- KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2: These wheels pair well with Vanquish Products Center Hubs XD Series VPS07720 and VPS07721. Gives you a known hub pairing to start from instead of guessing.
- Volk Racing 1.9 TE37XT M-SPEC Beadlock Wheels: Vanquish Products 1.9 Aluminum Volk TE37XT M-SPEC beadlock wheels use 0.8 inch wide clamp rings and require SLW hubs. A useful comparison point if you are choosing between licensed 1.9 beadlock sets for the same build.
The KMC 1.9 XD229 Machete V2 rewards a little planning: pick SLW hubs for your offset, confirm you have two packages for four wheels, and choose tires for your terrain. Do that and the install is simple. Do it in the wrong order and you will be pulling beadlocks apart twice.
