3Likes2wd or 4wd buggy for first class after novice?
03-22-2019, 07:43 PM
#1
2wd or 4wd buggy for first class after novice?
I'll be in novice for a while (4wd bring-what-you-have truck), but eyeing another class. Local shop/pro is suggesting 4wd buggy over 2wd, because it's more consistent to drive when the track conditions (indoor clay) are not as good as they are right now (hard high traction).
I want a buggy, but thought next step would be 2wd, which I know can be harder to master but would definitely teach me skills.
Thoughts?
I want a buggy, but thought next step would be 2wd, which I know can be harder to master but would definitely teach me skills.
Thoughts?
03-22-2019, 09:57 PM
#2
Tech Regular
I run 2wd and 4wd buggy, 17.5T in both. I got the 4wd first then added 2wd later. If i had started with 2wd I probably would've given up as it is much less forgiving. 4wd is fun and a much easier car to drive. 2wd is so rewarding though when its running right, but can be a handful depending on track conditions etc. 2wd also teaches you throttle control and shows the importance of good lines so I believe it will improve your driving. I broke my 4wd one race day and just packed up and went home as my 2wd was not behaving and I was hating it, I didn't stay to finish the day.
If running 1 class then I would suggest 4wd. If you will carry on in novice and can run your 4wd truck then get the 2wd buggy. If you have to give up novice and pick a new class then i would get the 4wd buggy. Its just easier and more fun. But really, why not both 2wd and 4wd buggies?
If running 1 class then I would suggest 4wd. If you will carry on in novice and can run your 4wd truck then get the 2wd buggy. If you have to give up novice and pick a new class then i would get the 4wd buggy. Its just easier and more fun. But really, why not both 2wd and 4wd buggies?
03-23-2019, 06:13 AM
#3
If I was gonna introduce a family member into RC, I would get them a 4WD, tune is way more forgiving and easier to drive, plus tire wear is less expensive with 4WD making it more economical. Just on economics alone, I choose to run 4WD Truck as my second class instead of 2WD Buggy.
03-23-2019, 06:40 AM
#4
Except for Australia, I am not aware of anywhere that runs 17.5 4wd. 4wd buggies are not easier to drive in my experience (I race both classes). They’re faster, and they usually steer faster. Setup is more complex. I’d get the 2wd. Less stuff to break and guaranteed turnout at the track. A well set up 2wd is a joy to drive.
03-23-2019, 09:43 AM
#5
The local track runs 13.5 and Mod 4wd. I'd be trying 13.5. The only 17.5 they have is 2wd
03-23-2019, 04:30 PM
#6
We race the 13.5 4wd and it’s a lot of fun. Plenty powerful enough, but still driveable so people can actually race each other. Still harder to drive than a 2wd/17.5, imo, but I am still trying to chase some of the “twitch” out of my b64.
03-23-2019, 05:00 PM
#7
2wd 17.5 is easier? I'm being told it is harder, that's why they are suggesting 4wd.
Is it consensus that 2wd is easier to drive than 4wd?
Is it consensus that 2wd is easier to drive than 4wd?
03-23-2019, 05:09 PM
#8
2WD has fewer parts where there is less maintenance, fewer bearings to clean and fewer pins/out drives to replace, etc.
Overall, 4WD is easier to drive and far less challenging to get a decent setup. If you have a medium to high traction track AND a local pro who is willing to setup your 2WD for you, then it's possible to get a very nice performing 2WD, but if you are going it alone without any pro assistance, then 4WD would be the best option IMO. If you're running on a clay track, then take notes on saucing methods, this is critical for 2WD to perform well, but pretty much any saucing method will do fine for 4WD in most cases.
Probably the hardest part with tuning a 2WD is adjusting the slipper and ball diffs as they are all done by "feel", if you don't know what you're doing then this can be VERY frustrating... with a 4WD using all gear diffs, it's pretty much fool proof to get a perfectly consistent tune after every rebuild.
03-23-2019, 05:32 PM
#9
My opinion is almost exactly the opposite of Bill's. Mine is of no more or less value, we've both been at this a long time.
I just find 2wd easier, less tire wear, less likelihood of breakage easier to set up, all of it.
I just find 2wd easier, less tire wear, less likelihood of breakage easier to set up, all of it.
03-23-2019, 07:02 PM
#10
4wd cars can do pretty well with a larger variety of tires. They can also feel at home on big 1/8th scale tracks.
2wd might require precisely one type of tire, or you don't stand a chance at all of being competitive. And that tire changes every week. Gets expensive quick. That class is also highly competitive. With racers that have never moved on to faster cars for 30 years.
The "learn more skills in 2wd" is BS. 4wd buggies slide, oversteer, and drift just fine.
I wish that all of my time wasted in 2wd was spent in 4wd. Except 2wd sct, that's still fun.
I'd go 4wd.
2wd might require precisely one type of tire, or you don't stand a chance at all of being competitive. And that tire changes every week. Gets expensive quick. That class is also highly competitive. With racers that have never moved on to faster cars for 30 years.
The "learn more skills in 2wd" is BS. 4wd buggies slide, oversteer, and drift just fine.
I wish that all of my time wasted in 2wd was spent in 4wd. Except 2wd sct, that's still fun.
I'd go 4wd.
03-23-2019, 09:02 PM
#11
this^
I have 2 regrets:
1) Starting out with 2WD and literally wasting the first 3 years of my racing with RTR's, it wasn't until I got my TEKNO SCT410.1 about 6+ years ago when I finally started getting competitive simply because 4WD was insanely easier to drive... just point and shoot
2) Not taking maintenance and tuning more seriously, I should've spent more time talking to pro drivers at the tracks and asking A LOT more questions... it's hard when you are first starting out because you don't even know what questions to ask, and that's exactly where to start when talking to a pro... say something like "will you please look over my car, maybe give it a test drive and see if you can make any tuning recommendations to make it easier for me to drive" then take notes on what they are doing.
I have 2 regrets:
1) Starting out with 2WD and literally wasting the first 3 years of my racing with RTR's, it wasn't until I got my TEKNO SCT410.1 about 6+ years ago when I finally started getting competitive simply because 4WD was insanely easier to drive... just point and shoot
2) Not taking maintenance and tuning more seriously, I should've spent more time talking to pro drivers at the tracks and asking A LOT more questions... it's hard when you are first starting out because you don't even know what questions to ask, and that's exactly where to start when talking to a pro... say something like "will you please look over my car, maybe give it a test drive and see if you can make any tuning recommendations to make it easier for me to drive" then take notes on what they are doing.
03-24-2019, 06:43 PM
#12
Well..... I'll side with David on this one. All the points made so far are right on the money... but notice that the last post mentioned "point and shoot".... which would be the main reason I wouldn't go 4wd. Not going to argue about learning more because I think they are both the same just simply different. I'm also biased because I LOVE 2wd stock 17.5 as a racing class. For me the perfect drive is more satisfying than just going "fast". Also 4wd requires more motor, more battery, more tires, more money.... And if you look at full scale racing the progression is typically 2wd to 4wd. All the modern cars are so good you can't go wrong either way. Maybe spend some time at the local track chatting with folks, I'm sure someone would offer you to drive one.... either one... you'll be fine.
03-24-2019, 08:07 PM
#13
03-24-2019, 11:42 PM
#15
Tech Regular