Sneak Peek Losi 2.2 Rock Claws

[todd1803]

Side note: I hate Moabs, no traction IMO. Both 1beatjeep and I agree as well as all of us in Norcal.

That's exactly what I found with Moab's vs Mashers.



I can't wait to get a set of these to test. A lot of people just don't want to believe the the existing choices might not be the best possible tire.

 

[rockwerks]

That's exactly what I found with Moab's vs Mashers.



I can't wait to get a set of these to test. A lot of people just don't want to believe the the existing choices might not be the best possible tire.

trust me 99% here are always looking for a better anything!. Im hoping these are all and more than we are looking for.

 

[NaZ-T]

Very nice reveiw Sicj "thumbsup"

Side note: I hate Moabs, no traction IMO. Both 1beatjeep and I agree as well as all of us in Norcal.

Thats funny how it differs fom place to place. UTRCRC is split down the middle on this, but the Moabs have won every UTRCRC comp this year.

I agee that the heighth is over rated 5" is just about perfect IMO

I am very excited to try a set (I have back orderd a bunch for my shop)

Keep up the great work Losi.

 

[noob@this]

Question for any of the testers, or Rich:

What (in your opinion) would be the "ideal" rim width
to run these on ?

TIA

NooB

 

[sicj]

The set I tested them on were stock Axial bead locks. That width seemed perfect. Any narrower and the tread gets too narrow, which my also affect the performance of the tire.

But the tires looked perfect on the Axial bead lock width.

 

[Rockpiledriver]

1beatjeep and I were the two testers that Rich is referring to.

1st impression:

Tire too soft, too short. Disappointed by looking and feeling them. I'm use to a stiffer tire (Masher)

The Setup:

The way Rich had the tires setup on the test set with the Axials and the firm Losi race foams was the PERFECT setup for a guy (Rich) that's just getting into the 2.2 crawling scene. The tires were setup very well.

On my rig I run Mashers that are siped and the center lugs are cut with no foams, inner wheel bead narrowed and 12 oz (total) lead shot in front 6 oz. (total) in the rear.

Losi setup was Axial bead locks, smaller (standard 1/10 size) Firm race foams, 8oz (total) front rear.

So off the bat by front end is a little lighter than I run, but through the testing the less weight up front was minute, rarely affecting the performance of my rig.

Testing:

The main thing I was concerned with was the 1/8"-1/4" loss of clearance. I run a belly dragger tuber that has a 2 1/8" center height so a loss in GC is a big deal.

I hit the same comp lines I did previously with my Mashers and I'll tell you what you forget all about the decrease in clearance. It's honestly not that big of a difference when you get down to it. The performance of the tires is what counts and the traction is there and it's better than the Mashers. Side note: I hate Moabs, no traction IMO. Both 1beatjeep and I agree as well as all of us in Norcal. Since this tire performed better than the Masher it KILLS the Moab.

Descending side hilling (where any rig loves to push instead of take the line your pointing for) was where it really shined better than the Masher. With the softer compound and the race foams supporting the sidewall of the tire it gripped like no other tire. The tire pushed very little and the sidewall went into action performing great. The foams Rich put itn the tires never let the sidewall fold under the wheel.

The reason why this tire performs the way it does in due to the tread design more so the compound IMO. Mashers have big thick lugs with wide spacing between them. So when you searching for traction the lugs hit then miss, hit...and miss. Because it's like a tractor tire. Moabs also have thick lugs but they just spin and don't offer the traction nearly as good as the Masher. The other big factor is the tire is round like a 1:1 tire not squared off corners like the Masher. I think that's the only real area the Moab is better than the Masher. Folding a squared corner forms a V in the sidewall and also makes a very squirmish unpredictable tire when the tire is folded like that. On the Losi, rounder tread to sidewall transition made the tire hold better when it was rolled under.

Height:

Height concern. ALL of use have our rigs setup for Masher/ Moabs. Wanting a tire that's a half inch taller is something no ones rig is ready for let alone the driver IMO. There is a fine line between wheelbase and tire height. 12.5" is the perfect wheelbase for a 5" tire. If you go .5" bigger the wheelbase will need to be extended to keep the rig as stable as it was with the 12.5"/5" ratio of the current STANDARD/LEGAL 2.2 setup. Taller tire more ground clearance but a increase in the center of gravity of the rig as well. Side hilling will be decreased dramatically.

The best thing about keeping the Losi tire around a 5" height is it doesn't limit it to just full competition rigs. It can also be used on 2.2 Scalers and is a perfect 38" scale tire for a bruiser body etc... 1beatjeep ran the Losi's on his 2.2 Bruiser and I'll tell you want what a great scale tire. With the rounded sidewall and the lugs/sidewall lugs the truck looked fantastic.


Longevity:
The Losi Blue compound was a perfect choice on Rich's part (told me he could go even softer :shock: ). Since the tire was made to compete against the current limited selection of tires, it had to be made better. Just as in 1:1 competition. BFG's and Pro Comp's are super soft, wear out quick but provide that traction that people want. I see this tire wearing faster than any current 2.2 tire but not so fast that you'll be buying a set every two comps. This will be 4-5 comp life tire. Even though the tread design has a slight directional tread pattern, you will be able to run these backwards without a dramatic performance difference.

In The End:

Don't let a visual impression sway your decision on passing up these tires. You will doubt the performance of these tires all the way to bolting them up. Once you run them you will be surprised and happy that there is a new tire available for Rock Crawling. Even more happy that it has an edge on any other tire on the market currently.

From full comp rigs to scalers this IS the new tire to run.



Closing:
Great job from Rich on pretty much guessing and brewing up a new tire that really is great. After Rich seeing the West Coast Axial event he can see that there is no sign that this genre of RC is ever going to slow down. It's here to stay and support from a 20+ year company just goes to show we've carved out a notch on the RC belt for sure. Thanks to Rich for twisting the company's arm and letting him go through with a tire they didn't want him to make. Keep it up!

I have been testing these tires for a few weeks now and this review could be my own word for word.

These are a great new tires I would recommend to anyone. "thumbsup"

 

[Brandon]

Nice writeup sicj, will you be at the folsom comp with these? I really want to check them out now :shock:

 

[run2jeepn]

I think I'll run a set on my High Lift....To Small for my Comp Rigs...

 

[G-crawler]

Will these tires be made in 40 series size?? Pls, Pls, Pls say they do!! "thumbsup"

 

[admiket]

they will look good on my 2.2 clod

 

[BENDER]

I got a chance to check out a set of the new Losi Rock Claws today. So far I'm very impressed. The full foam provided worked very well, because of the tires thin sidewall and tread. The smaller lugs and soft compound will tend to lend itself to fairly quick tread wear, but honestly that's what I want.........soft grippy rubber. Plus, the rocks here in Colorado are really abrasive. I'm going to try a few different foam set-ups in an effort to wear these tires out before I give them back to jason. ;-) :lol:

A big thanks to Losi for recognizing us as an upcoming niche in R/C. "thumbsup"

A few pics........showing the tires height. The Moabs are on 1" wide wheels, the Losi's are on standard un-narrowed Axial beadlocks.

 

[666]

Dam it looks as though you have chewed the tread up fast! Where was the testing facility? I notice something differant in your link setup, yes/no?

 

[BENDER]

Dam it looks as though you have chewed the tread up fast! Where was the testing facility? I notice something differant in your link setup, yes/no?

That's all top secret info.

 

[666]

That's all top secret info.

:roll: Ah I see, well umm, I guess umm.....I guess I will just have to see!

 

[BENDER]

:roll: Ah I see, well umm, I guess umm.....I guess I will just have to see!

:lol:

We were at Finish Line right as Dan was closing up. That tire pictured was the absolute worst wear I could find on all 4 tires. Jason and I took turns beating on them, so that didn't help.

I did make a few changes to the 2.2 too. ;-)

 

[Rich Trujillo]

Thanks guys for the feedback, I"m really looking forward to seeing how these work in all the different areas with different setups.

Someone asked about a 40 series size...sorry but no plans right now.

Thanks again,
Rich

 

[G-crawler]

Someone asked about a 40 series size...sorry but no plans right now.

Thanks again,
Rich[/quote]

Ok i see, but it should be nice with a new tire even in the superclass imo!

Nice work anyway! keep it up!

 

[BENDER]

I'm just finishing up installing the Kreepy foams in these tires. Wow..........are they soft now. I'm not sure if I should bolt them onto my crawler or replace the pillows on my bed. :lol:

I'll get some testing in at Red Rocks tomorrow and report back. ;-)

 

[Wrecker]

I'm just finishing up installing the Kreepy foams in these tires. Wow..........are they soft now. I'm not sure if I should bolt them onto my crawler or replace the pillows on my bed. :lol:

I'll get some testing in at Red Rocks tomorrow and report back. ;-)

I can't wait to see these bad boys in action tomorrow!!

 

[666]

I'm just finishing up installing the Kreepy foams in these tires. Wow..........are they soft now. I'm not sure if I should bolt them onto my crawler or replace the pillows on my bed. :lol:

I'll get some testing in at Red Rocks tomorrow and report back. ;-)

Will you be testing how well you sleep or?

Can't wait to hear the results!!