Crawler tires

[woody]

just picked up a new set of tires for my new Losi Comp Crawler (build pending) and wanted to post up some pics of my current assortment...

In order, as show in the attachments, from left...

• Losi Rock Carver with memory foams on Proline beadlocks
  --I've been running these on my Axial since I bought it...made by Pitbull (yeah, I love their stuff), these are a soft compount and have amazing traction...the carcass itself is even 'textured' for additional traction. My only complaint is in the sidewall, they roll over a lot on turns and can make keeping your line a bit tough...note these are installed on a RTR chassis, with full weight
  
• Hot Bodies HB Rover (white) with Proline two-stage foams (unmounted presently)
  --new tires for installation on the LCC...these are rumor'd to have the same roll issues as the Rock Carvers, but the two-stage foams should cure much of that issue. Planning to mount on stock LCC beadlocks for now and weight the fronts - rumor has it these can wear out in a few weeks, but at $12 a pair, who cares
  
• Proline Hammer on Axial beadlocks
  --these were the original stockers on my Axial and have never been used - lol. Obviously, a shorter tire than the rest...no comment on performance, since they have done nothing but sit on the shelf...
  
• Losi Rock Claws on Losi beadlocks
  --unused but installed on the new LCC...haven't heard much good on their traction or performance, and they are obviously shorter than my other options as well
  

and of course, the obligatory pics, including a side shot of the HB's and two stage foams

 

[woody]

a couple beadlock assembly pics...took apart the OEM Losi beadlocks and removed the Rock Claws...the rear rims are left without weight (may add stick-on later)

 

[woody]

interesting that some of the irritations involved with assembling 1:1 beadlocks are the same....but at least the tools are smaller

 

[cruiser88]

Totally sick

 

[woody]

and now, some unbiased testing....

First off, the tire stacks....on the left, the Losi Rock Carvers with memory foams that I've been running...in the middle, the Proline Hammers with stock foams that came new on the Axial...and on the right, the HB Rovers and two stage foams...

Secondly, the test rig...my 'pretty well' built up Axial...

And finally, the test bed....the front landscaping

 

[woody]

First up, the stock Proline Hammers that came on the rig stock...tires/rims are unweighted, so I didn't expect much...

As part of this, I took a height measurement at the centerline of the rear axle (since all are running unweighted in the rear)...I picked centerline because the axle stub will be consistent among all combo's and any rig setup.

per the tape, 2-5/32"

Thots:

wow, these sucked...lines I know I can crawl with my current tires were unmakeable, and I had to bump over a few things that I normally crawl. No tire flex to speak of...no wonder these were never ran

 

[woody]

so, off to my tried and true set of Losi Rock Carvers....these have always impressed me with their traction, and did not disappoint again...

height at axle centerline: 2-1/16"

Yes, despite being nearly identical in unloaded height as the Proline stockers, the memory foam and soft carcass squatted them ~1/4" more...however, traction was perfect, and they wrapped obstacles easily...3rd pic shows the obvious tire bulge and these hooked as expected

 

[woody]

and finally, the new HB Rovers....I've read a lot of good things about these, so I was hopeful...

centerline height: 2-15/32"

Height was awesome, and that added centerline height made a couple steps look easy, where the Carvers would have to find traction. However, I was less than impressed with the tire flex...may take some more time to get them to break in, but the Losi's definitely had the advantage in this area.


FINAL CONCLUSION?

tossup presently between the height of the HB's and the traction of the Carvers...suspect it'll make sense to pick and choose the tire based on where I'm wheeling at - and at ~$50 a set of 4, that's not a bad option to have

 

[Gumby]

I'm currently running Pro-line Hammers. I have star cut the memory foam and that helps a bunch. I also added 4 more oz to the front for a total of 8oz. They still don't have the height or the stickyness that I need. Until I get steel rod ends and another Punisher drive shaft it might be all the stickyness I can take right now.

I ordered new x3 soft compound 5.55 inch tall Out Croppers. I should pick up another set of rims too so I don't have to keep switching them out. The steel rod ends are coming at the same time so hopefully I can try them out without breaking.

I'm also thinking of going with longer uppers to improve anti-squat and more adjustable shocks with softer springs. I think some traction issues are suspension set up.

 

[Gumby]

You gotta get a set of micro mini drivers. So much better than allen wrenches.

 

[weez440]

great comparison. i would love to see how my 2.2 mudslingers stack up against the others.

 

[Mike C]

Woody you should come out to Taylors falls some time and run with us

You can get the rovers for half the price you paid from TCS crawlers as well, they are around $12 a pair