When will we see a beefier 4WD from Kyosho\Losi\AE?
11-13-2008, 08:38 AM
#17
I agree - 1/10 4wds are not fragile and dont need to be made beefier. But even so, I'm not too optimistic about the future of 1/10 scale off road. 4wd 1/10 scale is getting more expensive and 1/8 buggies are getting less expensive. A B44 kit is $340 compared to $460 for an RC8 and Hotbodies D4 is actually the same price as a D8 @ $375.
The newest 1/8 buggies steer like crazy and have no problem carving up tight indoor tracks frequently found in colder climates.
With all the recent developement into 1/8 scale escs, motors, lipos and potentially lower prices with economies of scale (more shared parts between nitro & electric) its only going to be a matter of time electric 1/8 scale buggy takes over.
The newest 1/8 buggies steer like crazy and have no problem carving up tight indoor tracks frequently found in colder climates.
With all the recent developement into 1/8 scale escs, motors, lipos and potentially lower prices with economies of scale (more shared parts between nitro & electric) its only going to be a matter of time electric 1/8 scale buggy takes over.
Last edited by Ed237; 11-13-2008 at 08:49 AM.
11-13-2008, 08:45 AM
#18
In general the newer wheelers appear to hold together better than before.
For me my best beater wheeler was the Academy SB Sport V1. The nylon parts on that were like almost RPM flexible, you would sooner strip a screw out on a hard impact than break a plastic part. Even came with a pogo stick like hard plastic wing, similar to 1/8 scale wings in material I would think and durability.
They have since improved with the latest version, SBV2 Pro which uses more race spec stuff and material. it also still retains a lot of durability.
The B44 also impressed me with its durability at a recent event. The guy really was pounding it hard, and other than chirping the diff, he was good to go durability wise.
All in all, I think most of the cars out now have improved beyond the XXX4 in durability. I would like to see losi come out with something new too, but I wouldn't be suprised if they don't.
For me my best beater wheeler was the Academy SB Sport V1. The nylon parts on that were like almost RPM flexible, you would sooner strip a screw out on a hard impact than break a plastic part. Even came with a pogo stick like hard plastic wing, similar to 1/8 scale wings in material I would think and durability.
They have since improved with the latest version, SBV2 Pro which uses more race spec stuff and material. it also still retains a lot of durability.
The B44 also impressed me with its durability at a recent event. The guy really was pounding it hard, and other than chirping the diff, he was good to go durability wise.
All in all, I think most of the cars out now have improved beyond the XXX4 in durability. I would like to see losi come out with something new too, but I wouldn't be suprised if they don't.
11-13-2008, 09:18 AM
#20
Tech Apprentice
11-13-2008, 12:01 PM
#21
Tech Regular
There's a lot of great things with 1/8 scale 4wd for durability compared with 1/10 scale racers:
1. gear diffs
2. center diffs for great steering and may eliminate the need for a slipper
3. overall stronger parts
Costs are close because most 1/10 use expensive carbon fiber main chassis, while the larger 1/8 scales use less expensive aluminum chassis.
What's better? That depends on your local track size and layout.
1. gear diffs
2. center diffs for great steering and may eliminate the need for a slipper
3. overall stronger parts
Costs are close because most 1/10 use expensive carbon fiber main chassis, while the larger 1/8 scales use less expensive aluminum chassis.
What's better? That depends on your local track size and layout.
Last edited by haulin79; 11-13-2008 at 12:11 PM.
11-13-2008, 12:46 PM
#22
When some of you guys become better drivers you will realise that 4wd electrics are stronger then they have ever been and will not break your cars as much.
To be on top with a 1/8th scale car you still have to tear it down all the time. It's no different.
To be on top with a 1/8th scale car you still have to tear it down all the time. It's no different.
11-13-2008, 01:03 PM
#23
I've only busted one part on my Academy SBV2 so far and that was out of driver error on my part.
I've watched the B44 take a beating far worse than most other cars and still keep going strong.
If you take the XXX-4 out of the mix, most of the 4wd cars on the market today are plenty strong.
Just remember, 4wd are not built for bashers, they are built for racers.
I've watched the B44 take a beating far worse than most other cars and still keep going strong.
If you take the XXX-4 out of the mix, most of the 4wd cars on the market today are plenty strong.
Just remember, 4wd are not built for bashers, they are built for racers.
11-13-2008, 01:36 PM
#25
I dont think that a vehicle which that you can really only use at a track is necessarily a good thing.
An 1/8 electric buggy is a race vehicle that you can bash hard as well.
Once nitro/electric race cars and bashers used 90% of the same parts hobby shops could actually afford to carry the parts for your vehicle.
There are so many upsides to electric 1/8 scale that its impossible to deny that they are the future.
An 1/8 electric buggy is a race vehicle that you can bash hard as well.
Once nitro/electric race cars and bashers used 90% of the same parts hobby shops could actually afford to carry the parts for your vehicle.
There are so many upsides to electric 1/8 scale that its impossible to deny that they are the future.
11-13-2008, 01:51 PM
#26
Not for me and most of my friends. We normally finish at the top of our class (expert buggy/truggy) and we don't do a whole lot to our cars. We've been in this hobby since the 90's and started in 1/10th electric. 1/8th maintenance is NOTHING compared to 1/10th. Shocks and diffs alone.
11-13-2008, 02:58 PM
#28
I have no complaints about the durability of modern race spec 4WD buggies, Mine have survived what I thought to be killing blows.
And only time will tell if 1/8th electric is a fad or a long term trend, Bigger cars and faster motors require more space to run them and I'd bet the vast majority of back yard bashers are content with a mild motor and 20 minutes of run time from a $10 battery.my car running brushless is way to fast for the back lawn
And only time will tell if 1/8th electric is a fad or a long term trend, Bigger cars and faster motors require more space to run them and I'd bet the vast majority of back yard bashers are content with a mild motor and 20 minutes of run time from a $10 battery.my car running brushless is way to fast for the back lawn
11-13-2008, 03:23 PM
#29
i believe that a lot of the times it is not the car but the driver. this is a very popular class because of the amount of speed that is packed into a small 1/10th scale car. This makes a lot of novice/amateur drivers want to own one because they may see others drive them so well and keep them in control but soon enough they find out that this fast little rocket can not be driven like a stock t4 or b4 and take the beating at mod speed. These cars are very durable within reason. Not meant for bashers but of course everyone has the right to own one. the more the merrier, just don't hack me.....hahaha.
11-13-2008, 04:59 PM
#30
I dont think that a vehicle which that you can really only use at a track is necessarily a good thing.
An 1/8 electric buggy is a race vehicle that you can bash hard as well.
Once nitro/electric race cars and bashers used 90% of the same parts hobby shops could actually afford to carry the parts for your vehicle.
An 1/8 electric buggy is a race vehicle that you can bash hard as well.
Once nitro/electric race cars and bashers used 90% of the same parts hobby shops could actually afford to carry the parts for your vehicle.
However if a person is looking for a vehicle that is track and bash worthy, then they should not be looking at a 1/10 4wd to begin with. There are plenty of other choices out there that meet this need...including the e-1/8, slash, slayer, e-revo, e-maxx, rustler, t4, the list goes on and on.
But to address the need for a tougher 1/10 4wd I still say that they are plenty durable when driven like they were intended.
The only truely fragile buggy is the xxx-4. AE, Kyosho, Academy, Tamiya, etc...all make some pretty tough 1/10
