Tire/foam, the over asked question

[Flippinrigs]

Okay guys, I have a set of 2.2 tsl sx NOT xl. I've looked but all I've found have been for the xls. I just not new wheels and while I'm doing the wheels and have them apart I'm going to go with new foams as well. I'm thinking crawler innovations of course, but which ones?? And my rims nor tires are vented, and I'm kind of leery about venting tires, and don't want to drill holes in my new metal wheels. Any suggestions? Thank you

 

[Brake Weight]

What's the intended purpose of the rig?

 

[Duuuuuuuude]

Vent the tires. Punch a few evenly spaced 1/8" holes between the lugs. It won't hurt the tire at all.

Holes in wheels will trap dust/dirt and water. The only way to get it out is to disassemble.

Holes in tires will let all that back out, no disassembly required.

 

[Flippinrigs]

What's the intended purpose of the rig?

I do mostly rock crawling, trailing and hillclimbing. It's a wraith based tuber, so it's a decently heavy rig, probably around 8 pounds

 

[Brake Weight]

I do mostly rock crawling, trailing and hillclimbing. It's a wraith based tuber, so it's a decently heavy rig, probably around 8 pounds

I'd say the CI Single Stage or their Dual Stage. As for the size, find the specs on those tires and compare to what's offered.

 

[Flippinrigs]

I'd say the CI Single Stage or their Dual Stage. As for the size, find the specs on those tires and compare to what's offered.

They're about 5.5 inches tall, should I get their 5.5 inch tall foams, or get the 6 inch one's that will press out more?

 

[Brake Weight]

That's on you. If you stuff the taller foams in it won't conform like the 5.5s would. But will it really matter. I'd personally go for the 5.5s.

 

[mikemcE]

Send Eddie at CI a note, he will recommend a great starting place


Hang up and Drive

 

[84yoda]

CI DD CC 5.5" medium front, firm rear.

 

[TacoCrawler]

While I might agree in some circumstances...

I wouldn't vent my wheels or tires if an quality alloy beadlock seals well, as it should.

More importantly is selecting what foam inserts will work best for you.

I prefer the CI DW inserts as those do not allow the tire to roll over the bead or buckle the sidewall under drive load.
...especially when sidehilling at extreme angle.

IMO... Trapped air and firmer inserts inside the tires work well for heavier crawlers.

Lightweight comp rigs may require a softer tire sidewall.
But I don't comp or care what those folk do.

You do not need vent the tires/wheels to make them work well.

 

[Flippinrigs]

While I might agree in some circumstances...

I wouldn't vent my wheels or tires if an quality alloy beadlock seals well, as it should.

More importantly is selecting what foam inserts will work best for you.

I prefer the CI DW inserts as those do not allow the tire to roll over the bead or buckle the sidewall under drive load.
...especially when sidehilling at extreme angle.

IMO... Trapped air and firmer inserts inside the tires work well for heavier crawlers.

Lightweight comp rigs may require a softer tire sidewall.
But I don't comp or care what those folk do.

You do not need vent the tires/wheels to make them work well.

Can't the DW foams be cut and trimmed to be softened up to meet your needs?

 

[TacoCrawler]

Can't the DW foams be cut and trimmed to be softened up to meet your needs?

the CI's DW can be altered somewhat by cutting down-sanding or removing the ribs altogether.

But in order to truly alter them you'll need a lathe to turn and cut-sand them ribs lower or make the grooves deeper.
Without a lath you could trim the ribs down or cut them cross width
to make them more pliable.

But no reason to do that IMO...

'cuz IMO if ya want a softer tire...
I'd recommend CI's dual stage inserts instead.

Those are more tuneable for the lighter weight crawlers.
As their outer foam rings offer more selection... soft, med. or hard.

But there is a trade off when having too soft of tire.

 

[Brake Weight]

I run the Single Stage on my Bomber and Wraith. I have a lighter, dedicated crawler based on a R1 chassis and it has the Dual Stage with medium outers. Way better for the light rig.

I made some out of a giant pool noodle a few days ago for my Bomber and will try them tomorrow if the weather permits. I don't like running my RCs in the wet. OCD about it almost. These noodle foams are 1/4" shorter than the CI SStage and a little bit firmer.

 

[TacoCrawler]

If you could slice off a coupla thin tuning rings from that noodle
they'll likely come in handy for filling in the tire's sidewall a little more.

What's the pool noodle width as opposed to the CI foam next to it ?

The CI foam looks to extend past the wheel rim slightly to fill out-into the sidewalls a little more.

Let us know how firm that is... how well it holds up !?
And if you still like it. :| :?:

 

[Brake Weight]

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=576758

 

[travis c.]

the CI's DW can be altered somewhat by cutting down-sanding or removing the ribs altogether.

But in order to truly alter them you'll need a lathe to turn and cut-sand them ribs lower or make the grooves deeper.
Without a lath you could trim the ribs down or cut them cross width
to make them more pliable.

But no reason to do that IMO...

'cuz IMO if ya want a softer tire...
I'd recommend CI's dual stage inserts instead.

Those are more tuneable for the lighter weight crawlers.
As their outer foam rings offer more selection... soft, med. or hard.

But there is a trade off when having too soft of tire.

No lathe needed, a drill press with a 2" hole saw bit works just fine."thumbsup"

 

[Brake Weight]

I've turned glue on wheels on a drill press with an axle stub to remove glue and old rubber with a small coarse wood file. Works well.

 

[CrawlinMike]

Interesting thread. A few years ago I took a Traxxas stub end, melted off the plastic that the ball normally goes into and ground that end flush with the shaft. Now it fits into my drill press and I can just bolt on any wheel with a 12mm hex. I've used it to turn down foams and cut a few Traxxas wheels narrower. Nice little jig. Pool noodle-cool idear

 

[Flippinrigs]

Double Deuce 5.5
Is this for just 1 foam? It doesn't specify so I'm going to assume it is, but I just couldnt justify spending 70 bucks on just foam alone..

 

[CrawlinMike]

Double Deuce 5.5

Is this for just 1 foam? It doesn't specify so I'm going to assume it is, but I just couldnt justify spending 70 bucks on just foam alone..

That's for a pair. I finally spent that for a whole set on my Yeti with rock beast2s and it made a massive difference. It was hard for me to justify spending that on tire foams, but after seeing the difference I'd do it again.