How many rivets on a wheel is "too much"?

[JohnSchneider]

We use a wheel similar to an IFI traction wheel and we use 4 rivets at the seem, and them about 2-3 around the perimeter.

It helps to use an epoxy between the wheel and the tread before the rivets.

[Tristan Lall]

There is such a thing as too many rivets: when the inspectors start having to worry about your metallic wheels.¹ Though FIRST doesn't like hard things in contact with the carpet, they've been reasonably lenient with the fasteners used to secure tread to wheels. (Consult the 2012 rules for details.)

Edit: If you're interested in a bit of history about metal on carpet and tread fastening, see this thread.

¹ I long for the days when those were allowed.

[sanddrag]

I've found that two in each end worked fine, if installed properly with the tread tight around the wheel. Now keep in mind, this was on custom wheels. After previous seasons and once plunging into my hand with a drill (stupid mistake) while changing treads, I became so tired of dealing with treads that I decided to go with Colson wheels. Install them once and never touch them again (even over parades and demos on asphalt). You do take a bit of a weight penalty, but in my mind it was worth it for the zero-maintenance aspect.