Which new tires for crawling steep rocks?

[BroncoAZ]

After some marathon crawling sessions on my camping trip last weekend, it is time to look into a wheel and tire upgrade on the bomber. I was overall very pleased with how the rig performed when crawling steep granite faces, but loss of traction was a hindrance. I did a good job of pulling the glued beads off a good portion of each rim and the foam in the stock tires is far too soft, allowing the tire to fold over itself with minimal load and while sidehilling. I will be using some wider beadlocks, either the SSD Rock Racer or the Axial Method beadlocks to mount new tires.

For tires, I am/was interested in the Pitbull Rock Beast II, I like the idea of wider tires to bite more rock that are also taller to keep from dragging the belly. After the amount of crawling I did last weekend I can't help but wonder if the additional height from tall tires might make the rig more prone to rolling over either sideways or backwards on steep faces. My other thought was about skinnier tires having a better contact patch than wider tires. My biggest challenge was having the tires lose grip on steep faces, causing the tires to grind against the rock as the rig slid backwards. Would these tall fat tires be a step backwards?

 

[2Shoes]

Typically with real life Rock Crawling, you want a taller, wider tire in the softest compound to create the most friction to hold your vehicle in place. Weight also plays a part in this. I would go for the taller, wider tires in the softer compounds. I know the Trepadors, Rock Beast, and a few others on RPP Hobby are listed as having special compounds that help traction when crawling. I'm planning on running the Rock Beasts with a 55T motor and a lower gear ratio since I'm not looking for high speed out of my Bomber.

 

[SCREAMER]

From my limited experience, Rock Beast IIs, Swamper TSLs, and now the Flat Iron XLs have been awesome tires for just about every terrain including steep rock climbing. TSLs get the advantage when water is present. Foams will make as much difference in performance as the tire themselves. I'd recommend looking at Crawler Innovations double deuce 6.0 comp cut inner with medium outers.

 

[cmbscx10]

From my limited experience, Rock Beast IIs, Swamper TSLs, and now the Flat Iron XLs have been awesome tires for just about every terrain including steep rock climbing. TSLs get the advantage when water is present. Foams will make as much difference in performance as the tire themselves. I'd recommend looking at Crawler Innovations double deuce 6.0 comp cut inner with medium outers.

X2

I ran Rock Beast IIs w/stock Axial Ripsaw foams in my 8lb Wraith before i even knew who Crawler Innovations was. I was really happy with the way they performed once broken in. Then i learned who Crawler Innovations was, did some research made a few calls to CI and stuck Crawler Innovations double deuce 6.0 comp cut inner with medium outers (No tuning ring) and 2oz of weights F/R. For my terrain which is Granite Rocks, Decomposed Granite mix with clay powder this combo impressed me so much that i am putting the same combo on my Bomber which will be at least a 1lb heavier.

I have ran regular Flat Irons and while they were very very good, they just didn't hold quit like the PBRB2's for me and my terrain.

I don't have any water to worry about but would like to try Swamper TSL Non XL's someday.

 

[BroncoAZ]

Looks like I am trying a set of the Rock Beast II then. Thanks.

 

[Drm31078]

Any issues using a 5.5 DD foam with the Rock Beasts?

 

[Lanky]

I couldn't be happier with the flat Iron XL's... I mostly crawl with the bomber, I went with a LURC wheel to narrow the track width as much as possible, Looking for a shorter trailing arm/ shorter length shock at the moment.

My logic would be shorter trailing arm for less belly drag, but lower the height for best LCG. The bomber is quickly becoming my favorite RC