Newbie Question, do I want a foam or rubber car?
#1
Newbie Question, do I want a foam or rubber car?
So, I've been running offroad 1/8 during the summer, now that winter is here, I've been looking for an onroad electric to run on the local indoor carpet track. I am thinking about getting a TC, right now either an Xray or a TC5.
My big debating point at this point is whether to get rubber or foam setup. While I will be running on carpet during the winter, during the summer I want to run the car on a large asphalt track as well. At this point, I don't want to spend the money on two cars.
So based on the fact that I'm a beginner to the onroad scene, would it really make that big of a deal if I were to buy, for example, a TC5R and put foam on for the carpet and then go back to rubber for the outdoor? Or visa versa? Or should I look at picking up something like a T2R or regular TC5 that is just an overall TC and not really surface specific?
My big debating point at this point is whether to get rubber or foam setup. While I will be running on carpet during the winter, during the summer I want to run the car on a large asphalt track as well. At this point, I don't want to spend the money on two cars.
So based on the fact that I'm a beginner to the onroad scene, would it really make that big of a deal if I were to buy, for example, a TC5R and put foam on for the carpet and then go back to rubber for the outdoor? Or visa versa? Or should I look at picking up something like a T2R or regular TC5 that is just an overall TC and not really surface specific?
#2
The major question is, do they run foams at your track? Not all carpet tracks run foam.
If you want a TC5. Check this out:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...is-spares.html
The T2R is also a very nice car as well, but the FRP chassis might not be stiff enough for carpet racing.
If you want a TC5. Check this out:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...is-spares.html
The T2R is also a very nice car as well, but the FRP chassis might not be stiff enough for carpet racing.
#4
That seems like the crux of the whole situation. Only you can really decide that. Here is what I've always heard. A foam specific car on asphalt will suffer because the chassis is too stiff making for an ill handling car. On the other hand a rubber specific car on carpet with foams will also have issues because the chassis flex makes for a ill tempered car. Now take all of that with a grain of salt as I've never raced foams on carpet, so I have no real frame of reference for it.
#5
That seems like the crux of the whole situation. Only you can really decide that. Here is what I've always heard. A foam specific car on asphalt will suffer because the chassis is too stiff making for an ill handling car. On the other hand a rubber specific car on carpet with foams will also have issues because the chassis flex makes for a ill tempered car. Now take all of that with a grain of salt as I've never raced foams on carpet, so I have no real frame of reference for it.
#6
If you race rubber vs other cars running foams you will be at a big traction disadvantage. Now if you are running in a class that is all rubber tires then, yes I'd get a rubber spec car. As when you switch to asphalt you'll be in much better shape.
#8
Well. I have my TC5R for sale. I like the car, but bills are forcing me to sell it off.
#9
choose rubber. foam is a PITA and a bad driving school IMO
#10
Foam for the carpet and rubber for the asphalt thats all.i think the tc3 is a better car,its a record breaker and has sum of the fastest acceleration
#12
If money gets too tight I may have to sell off some of the package contents.
#13
With what you'll be using it for I would recommend the "rubber" car.
It'll be easier to drive and more versatile than the "foam" car.
You can stiffen a rubber car enough to be able to run foam in a stock/spec class just fine. Then you can soften the car to run rubber outdoors better than a foam car would be able to.
I have an Xray T2R that I switch back and forth between foam and rubber. I use a CRC carbon top deck ($25) and the optional Xray posts to turn the car into a rock with foams; and use the stock deck for rubber.
I showed up set up for rubber this weekend but the rest of the racers wanted foams, all I had time and energy for was changing the ride height, droop, and rollout and went for it with foams and still had a sweet handling car.
In conclusion, get a more versatile, forgiving, adjustable "rubber" car.
It'll be easier to drive and more versatile than the "foam" car.
You can stiffen a rubber car enough to be able to run foam in a stock/spec class just fine. Then you can soften the car to run rubber outdoors better than a foam car would be able to.
I have an Xray T2R that I switch back and forth between foam and rubber. I use a CRC carbon top deck ($25) and the optional Xray posts to turn the car into a rock with foams; and use the stock deck for rubber.
I showed up set up for rubber this weekend but the rest of the racers wanted foams, all I had time and energy for was changing the ride height, droop, and rollout and went for it with foams and still had a sweet handling car.
In conclusion, get a more versatile, forgiving, adjustable "rubber" car.
#14
Tech Master
iTrader: (35)
Definitely get a "rubber spec" car. Run rubber tires on carpet, not foam (a little more challenging sometimes); then you'll be good to go for the asphalt with that car with some setup changes only (and driving style).
Also, do yourself a favor and get an Xray. It's more expensive, yes; but it's fit and finish along with ease of setup is definitely worth it.
Also, do yourself a favor and get an Xray. It's more expensive, yes; but it's fit and finish along with ease of setup is definitely worth it.