rubber tire prices?
#31
Tech Master
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Like adamge, we're running the Jaco Blues on high traction carpet here, and we don't seem them fall off at all. Nobody is going faster with a newer set. We usually just run them until they tear, or start to feel inconsistent on the track. I don't know about 50 runs, but it's a lot. I'm not saying we're all world-class racers around here, but it's pretty damn competitive, and you can bet we'd be throwing on new rubbers if there was any perceived difference. If anything, it's a disadvantage, 'cause they take forever to scrub in.
I'm pretty sure at IIC last year most guys ran one set of blues the entire week, practice and all. Maybe it's just this particular tire, but they really do seem to last forever. In fact, I can't think of any form of R/C racing that's getting better tire life than we are.
I'm pretty sure at IIC last year most guys ran one set of blues the entire week, practice and all. Maybe it's just this particular tire, but they really do seem to last forever. In fact, I can't think of any form of R/C racing that's getting better tire life than we are.
I'm generally racing on low traction carpet. You might be right about new tires being 2 tenths faster - I wish local racing was competitive enough for 2 tenths to affect race results.
#32
Super Moderator
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The prices are what they are for the same reason you pay $30 for a few pieces of steel, low batch runs. If you take material costs out of the equation focus on conversion costs then the biggest variables are cavitation of molds, press size, and batch size. Less change over = more efficiency. Higher cavitation of mold = more parts in same amount of time. RC is a niche industry and everything is specialized. The surprising thing is why prices haven't gone up? If you look at what RC equipment costs in the 80's versus now you will see that prices actually gone down if you factor in inflation.
#33
Tech Lord
iTrader: (32)
Could be...the track opened the first week of March so it is barely 3 months old, and we have been through 3 layouts to save wear and tear on the carpet. We have six races a month, with 6-10 cars per class average in touring, WGT, and 1/12. The tires you hear squealing are the guys running Sorex's, they are way louder than anything else. I was running RP-30's (orange car), silver car was running blues, and the green/white/orange car (the one tangled in the marshal's shoelaces ) was on CS-27's I think.
Have you guys considered going to a spec rubber tire? It seems like you're missing out on half the joy of rubber tires without a spec. Those Jaco Blues are pretty great on carpet, they last quite a while.
#34
Like adamge, we're running the Jaco Blues on high traction carpet here, and we don't seem them fall off at all. Nobody is going faster with a newer set. We usually just run them until they tear, or start to feel inconsistent on the track. I don't know about 50 runs, but it's a lot. I'm not saying we're all world-class racers around here, but it's pretty damn competitive, and you can bet we'd be throwing on new rubbers if there was any perceived difference. If anything, it's a disadvantage, 'cause they take forever to scrub in.
I'm pretty sure at IIC last year most guys ran one set of blues the entire week, practice and all. Maybe it's just this particular tire, but they really do seem to last forever. In fact, I can't think of any form of R/C racing that's getting better tire life than we are.
I'm pretty sure at IIC last year most guys ran one set of blues the entire week, practice and all. Maybe it's just this particular tire, but they really do seem to last forever. In fact, I can't think of any form of R/C racing that's getting better tire life than we are.
#35
Tech Master
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At our asphalt track we are lucky to get 3-4 runs on jaco greens and 5-6 out of blues.running 13.5.17.5 is a little easier on them but not much.New tires are almost mandatory for the mains.
hoping the new SJR are better.
hoping the new SJR are better.
#36
Tech Master
iTrader: (1)
I gotta call shenanigans on this...true the tire may physically last 50 runs, but there is no way it will remain competitive that long. After about a dozen heat cycles the rubber loses it's stickiness and your laptimes show it. At my local carpet track, new tires are 2-3 tenths quicker per lap than tires that are only three race meets old. I don't ENJOY paying through the nose for fresh rubber, but I like being fast so I suppose I will continue to do it. Like CarbonJoe said, go price some 1/8 offroad tires if you really want to be sick...between tire cost, fuel cost, and replacing a motor (that you have to wear out I mean break in before it even hits the track) every 6-8 gallons, I say no thanks...I sold my nitro offroad stuff last year and went lipo/brushless in my TC with the cash
-rocky b
-rocky b
#38
Tech Regular
iTrader: (5)
SJ-Rs are the bizness. I have a set for asphalt with 15+ runs that still hook up great. Sorex have always been the real deal for wear and now with this insert/wheel combo the push is gone and they have great traction. We are going to a spec SJ-R for club racing on asphalt at a couple local tracks.
#40
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http://www.rctech.net/forum/2007-bas...lowood-ms.html
We have discussed going to a spec tire, but we are so new to the game that we want to pick a tire that most everyone will be comfortable running, plus everyone still has tires left over from running outdoor so we weren't ready to make everyone go out and buy new tires just to try running on the rug. I definitely see the benefits of going spec though, and we will probably look into it more as we get more experience. The funny thing about the Blues is that when the track was completely green, just laid down, they hooked up awesome. But as more rubber and foam was put down, they have started to gunk up as soon as they get to temp, whereas the CS's, RP's, and Sorex's don't have this issue.
-rocky b
Last edited by flatspunout; 06-11-2009 at 11:15 PM.
#41
Also, rule of thumb, stay away from anything more than 2 degrees of camber.
#42
Tyre wear...
One reason why I love a high bite carpet track, and use 40 shore foams.
Additive on for the first round, and that is all I put on all night.
(IMHO) adjusting your droop and gearing as tyres wear is a very small price to pay for using foams.
Being 40 shore they are not prone to chunking too, and if you are chunking you need to work on your setup more to stop you finding under/oversteer and crashing, or stop tapping the boards full stop.
I know its not a definitive answer, but a high bite track helps me, and usually level out the playing field. It can be easier to dial out grip with harder tyres,/springs than to try and find grip on a track that has little or none...
And cheaper in the long term with harder tyres, and using less additive.
One reason why I love a high bite carpet track, and use 40 shore foams.
Additive on for the first round, and that is all I put on all night.
(IMHO) adjusting your droop and gearing as tyres wear is a very small price to pay for using foams.
Being 40 shore they are not prone to chunking too, and if you are chunking you need to work on your setup more to stop you finding under/oversteer and crashing, or stop tapping the boards full stop.
I know its not a definitive answer, but a high bite track helps me, and usually level out the playing field. It can be easier to dial out grip with harder tyres,/springs than to try and find grip on a track that has little or none...
And cheaper in the long term with harder tyres, and using less additive.
#43