Why lighter wheels

[Starlite033]

Hello all

Hoping some of you seasoned regular can clear up a curiosity for me.

First I noticed that wheel weights were popular for this particular aspect of R/C as it appears to help keep the wheels planted on rock.

Then I noticed that some manufacturer's (VP for example) go on in their videos about how they have made their wheels as light as possible.

This seems contradictory but I am assuming that it is because the truck handles best with heavy wheels in the front and light ones in the back. Is it more complicated?

Thought?

Star

 

[SVEN]

Less rotating mass gives the truck a snappier feel, less resistance to overcome. Weight is added to the knuckles to get that front bias without sacrificing the responsiveness. It's also much easier on stubs when you take a tumble.

 

[Stompper]

VP wheels for the most part are pretty heavy especially compared to plastic. . Maybe they are touting their wheel weight vs other manufactures of aluminum wheels?

 

[Starlite033]

Sven

Are you saying it's best to have the weight's someone low on the truck other than the wheels? From a driveline/steering point of view that makes sense too.

Where is the best place to put lead to increase weight bias in the front? Should I use Axle Weights?

Thanks

Star

 

[Crank]

Weight is added to the knuckles to get that front bias without sacrificing the responsiveness. It's also much easier on stubs when you take a tumble.

Only relevant now if you don't plan on running sorrca events. :roll:

 

[Starlite033]

Stomper

That's a fair point. I don't own any so I can't compare but I know my 2.2/3.0 Proline Titus wheels weigh significantly more than any of my other SC wheels. I don't even use them any more, they are all bling, no function at SC speeds.

I guess if you competitors wheel weighs 20x OEM and yours only weighs 12x OEM then you're in the lead.

Peace

Star

 

[Starlite033]

Crank

Can you please elaborate? What about that statement is irrelevant? Front weight bias? Putting weight on the knuckles? I'm sorry but I don't know enough about Scale Crawling to understand the meaning of your post.

Personally I won't be competing though so SORCCA rules won't bother me.

Star

 

[Crank]

Crank

Can you please elaborate? What about that statement is irrelevant? Front weight bias? Putting weight on the knuckles? I'm sorry but I don't know enough about Scale Crawling to understand the meaning of your post.

Personally I won't be competing though so SORCCA rules won't bother me.

Star

It was just a jab at the new sorrca rules.:ror:

Knuckle weights are a great way to get the weight up front, but not cause undo stress on the rotating drive line.
The lower the weight the better.

 

[Starlite033]

It was just a jab at the new sorrca rules.:ror:

Knuckle weights are a great way to get the weight up front, but not cause undo stress on the rotating drive line.
The lower the weight the better.

Well thank god I couldn't find a SORRCA event if it was happening in my backyard.

Thanks for the quick answer too.

Star

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

The only time heavy wheels help, is during a competition to rock a rig back and forth for a rollover. It takes a certain amount of inertia to execute.

Otherwise, as light as possible. VP wheels are light for a metal wheel.

 

[Starlite033]

OK

Now I am just letting myself get confused.

No way I am going to argue with Mr. Holmes but I was under the impression that many people weigh down the front tires and their crawlers to avoid tipping over backwards.

Is this considered a band aid solution?

Is it not the best practice?

Is that tipping a symptom of improper suspension tuning or is it just considered overkill unless you are competing somewhere and have the power and durability to push all that extra weight?

This thread is beginning to make me feel less then enlightened. Hopefully I get a eureka moment before everyone gets tired of answering my questions.

Take care.

Star

 

[JohnRobHolmes]

You are right that low and forward weight bias is good for crawling. On the other hand, wheel weights are killer on a drivetrain. It's a balance. Knuckle weights are the best choice. I tend to run zero wheel weights and learn to drive more carefully, it's a lot more fun than piling on weight for stability. I've got 13 years of stable trucks piled up, now I'm more interested in driving tippy scale rigs that don't just walk up everything.

 

[Starlite033]

Okay Guys

I think I have my head wrapped around it for now. I think there's enough here for me to figure out how to proceed.

It's been a pleasure.

Star

 

[fr8cture]

VP wheels for the most part are pretty heavy especially compared to plastic. . Maybe they are touting their wheel weight vs other manufactures of aluminum wheels?

11oz for a set of 4 2.2 methods...I don't personally consider that heavy for a scale wheel.

 

[Starlite033]

And the OEM Axial wheels are 2.25oz so they are ~5x lighter.

Either way I was trying to understand why the VP were so light if heavy wheels were preferred. I got my answer from Mr. Holmes.

Star

 

[fr8cture]

Yeah and look terrible. Anyways vp is quite light compared to other aluminum options.

 

[m0nster]

I run a rather small amount of weight on my front wheels (motoworx LE) 3.5oz per wheel. I have heard of some running nearly a half pound on each front wheel and that is completely overkill in a scaler. imho.

 

[Starlite033]

Yeah and look terrible. Anyways vp is quite light compared to other aluminum options.

I will happily agree with you on those points. For me though the VP wheels are at a price point I cannot consider for my use. They do look like an amazing set of wheels though.

Star

 

[STANG KILLA SS]

agreed. it also has to do with comp vs scale.
in sorrca scale competitions knuckle weight are illigal. so wheel weights are a must.
in comps they want light wheels for all the above reasons. so they add the low stability back with knuckle weights.

 

[fr8cture]

Not sure why knuckle weights are illegal. Black ones like blue monkey sells are not that noticeable. Alot less than uncoated brass wheel weights. Jmo.