RC cars have become very popular for recreational activities. Several components make up an RC car; the shell body, the chassis, the motor, the tires, the remote controller, and the battery. One of the most important parts of an RC car is its tires; it is necessary that your RC car has and uses the right tires.
The best RC tires are ARRMA DBoots Hoons 42/100mm Gold Belted RC Tires, Hobbypark OD Rubber RC Tires, and Traxxas 6973 S1 Tires. When sizing an RC tire, you will require a precision caliper and an inch ruler. The terrain of operation determines the type of RC tire you get for your RC car.
RC tires wear out like full-sized car tires and need to be replaced. Some are also superior to others; there are two things to consider when purchasing new tires and RC wheels for your model. The first is the size, while the second is the surface or terrain of operation.
How Do You Size RC Tires?
When determining an RC's wheel offset, digital calipers and a flat surface are the two most important tools for sizing the RC car tires. There are three main procedures for sizing an RC car tire; however, it is best to use a digital caliper for more accurate and precise measurements.
The first step to sizing an RC tire is to use a digital caliper to measure the width of the rim. After getting the width measurement, you should divide it by two to get the tire's radius. The next step involved is measuring the depth of the mounting hex slot.
You will have to measure the distance between the inner mounting hex and a piece of flat material, preferably a cardboard box, placed over the inner side of the rim. The breadth of the box is included in this measurement. As a result, remove the box's width from the total.
Next, you will calculate the offset of the RC tire. The offset is calculated by subtracting the tire radius from the depth of the mounting hex slot. However, you will have to take measurements for both the left and right tires. A negative value indicates that the mounting hex's depth is less than the tire's radius.
Best RC Car Tires
The tires are one of the most important parts of an RC car; normally, your RC tire will eventually wear out and require replacement. Getting a new RC car tire requires lots of consideration; hence, you should know the best RC car tire to get that is suitable for your RC car. Below are some of the best RC car tires.
ARRMA Gold Belted RC Tires
ARRMA Gold Belted RC Tires is a multi-surface all-road tire with a molded-in belt for increased stability at high speeds and excellent traction in all circumstances. It is pre-glued onto a multi-spoke 17 mm hex wheel for a more fashionable appearance and increased strength.
This tire has high-quality inserts with exceptional tread support that have been specially designed to provide the ideal aggressive grip and comfortable handling. Its inner wheel bead diameter is 3.27 inches, the outer wheel bead diameter is 2.95 inches, and the overall diameter is 3.94 inches.
Hobbypark OD Rubber RC Tires
Hobbypark OD Rubber RC Tires is compatible with only 1/10 scale on-road RC cars such as HPI, Exceed RC, Redcat Racing, Associated, Tamiya, and HSP. This tire is made from rubber, wheel rim, and quality plastic; however, you must check the size of the tire with your RC car before purchasing it.
This RC tire is not glued on the rim but mounted with foam inserted. The diameter of this RC tire is 2.56 inches, its width is 1.02 inches, and its drive hex is 12 mm. You can also use these rubber RC tires with a Traxxas 1/16 E-Revo; however, if you have a 12 mm adapter, you can use the tire on your 1/18 scale models.
RC Drag Tires
RC drag tires are also known as racing slick or slick tires; they have a smooth tread. This tire provides unrestricted traction; as the name implies, this tire has no tread in order to enhance tire contact. One of the RC drag tires you can get is DragRace Concepts AXIS 2.2/3.0" Belted Rear Drag Racing Tires.
How To Glue RC Tires
Your RC car will not perform well if the tires come off, no matter how powerful the engine is, how proficient you are as the operator, or how finely calibrated the suspension is. Gluing your RC tires is a way to prevent the tires from falling off during operation. The first step in gluing your RC tires is to prepare the wheels and tires.
Create vent holes in the wheels and tires, cut foam and manufacturing slag to size, and clean and scour the areas to be bonded. Apply the glue equally around the bead before you peel the tire, and ensure it is firmly mounted and secured. Then, allow the glue to cure for 10 minutes before bonding the other side.
What Is RC Wheel Offset?
The offset of an RC tire is the distance between the mounting surface of the hub and the wheel's centerline, measured in millimeters. You will need to measure the radius of the tires and the depth of the mounting hex to calculate the offset of an RC tire. After determining the offset, you can figure out the wheel offset.
Wheel offsets are divided into positive offset, negative offset, and zero offsets. There is a positive offset when you position the hub mounting surface to the sides or front of the wheel. The higher the number, the lower the lip on the wheel and the wheel face will be further forward.
However, when positioned towards the back or brake side of the centerline, it creates a negative offset. A negative offset creates the appearance of an inset; hence -44 is a greater depth than -12. The offset is zero when there is an alignment between the hub mounting surface and the wheel centerline.
Knowing and understanding wheel offset is important when looking for new wheels, even if they are original wheels from another model. Most people buy RC wheels primarily on their appearance and stud design, but offset is an important aspect of installation fit.
Your wheels will strike your fenders if the offset is too low, and your wheels will hit your inner suspension components if the offset is too high. If you go with a bigger wheel but leave the offset the same, you are already bringing the wheel face closer to your fender. You must consider the offset while adjusting the wheel width for a proper fit.
How Do I Find Out My RC Offset?
The offset marker ET followed by a number is stamped on most OEM BMW RC wheels. "Einpresstiefe" or "insertion depth" is abbreviated as "ET" in German. Following the "ET" stamping is a number indicating the offset in millimeters. The ET35 marker indicates a positive offset of 35 mm.
To find your RC offset, you should place a straight edge across the tire and lay the wheel or tire combination on the floor. Divide the distance between the floor and the straight edge by two. Then divide your answer by two to calculate the wheel's centerline and measure the hub flange to the straight edge. Subtract the smaller number from the larger number, and you will get your RC offset.
Final Thoughts
Your RC car's performance depends on how good the tires are. When you notice your RC car tires are getting worn out, it is time to purchase a new one. However, you have to know the right tire size for your RC car by following the steps used in sizing an RC tire.
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.