Riding an RC vehicle is undoubtedly one of the most adventurous hobbies that allow you to release your “fight or flight” hormone and get into beast mode. However, as an RC vehicles enthusiast, you probably know that releasing adrenaline can sometimes mean crashing, breaking and damaging your vehicle’s tires in several ways.
On the other hand, choosing spare tires for your RC vehicle can become overwhelming, as there are a plethora of different brands and manufacturers offering different types, features and conveniences. So, whether you accidentally crashed and damaged your tires, or it’s time to upgrade your first RC vehicle, we put together a couple of tips you might find useful on your buying journey.
Choose a Reputable Brand
As we already mentioned, the market nowadays is overflowed with a plethora of brands offering tires for your RC vehicle. Truth be told, not all of these brands offer equal quality and value for the money you pay. So, instead of choosing something cheap or the option that seems ideal, make sure you do your homework and search for a reputable brand that will satisfy your needs and preferences.
Talking about reputable brand RC enthusiasts worldwide trust, don’t hesitate to explore the wide range of Proline RC tires on the market. This brand has been on the international market for over 35 years, and still managing to be one of the greatest market leaders in the industry.
As a world-class manufacturer and a 12-time world champion, the Proline RC range of spare parts are manufactured to satisfy RC enthusiasts through cutting edge designs and high-performance products. On top of that, Proline’s team of experts has always been dedicated to maintaining excellence in tooling, manufacturing, packaging, shipping and customer service. The fact that Proline RC kits have acquired over 40 readers choice awards speaks enough for this brand’s innovative manufacturing processes and the team’s commitment to providing high-quality parts and kits for your RC vehicle adventures.
So, don’t hesitate to get your next tires from Proline RC Australia wide hobby stores, and join the huge community of RC enthusiasts that recognize excellence and proven performance.
Get the Right Size
Once you pick a brand that offers high-quality RC tires and excellent customer service, make sure you pick the right size of tires for your vehicle. At this point, it’s important to know that the size of your RC vehicle’s tires will typically be determined by the scale of the vehicle itself. If you’re not sure about the scale, you can find it in the model specs section in the manual that came with your RC car or contact the manufacturer.
Generally, RC vehicles fall into the following tire size categories:
- 1/10 RC Buggies typically have differently-sized rear and front wheels and require narrower tires than other RC types. However, these buggies typically use a uniform tires size of 2.2 inches/5.558 cm and also require rims of the same width.
- 1/10 RC Trucks have uniform sizes for both, the front and rear wheels and require uniform sizes for tires and rims (2.2 inches).
- 1/10 RC Short Courses have completely different wheels and tires. And as much as each of these vehicles’ tires has different diameters, have in mind that they only fit on short course rims.
- 1/8 RC Buggies have uniform wheels that let you experiment with different tires and mix different brands to determine the best performance,
- 1/8 RC Truggies have the same tire size but might feature different outer diameters of the rims and wheels, which makes them slightly different from other RC cars.
Consider the Terrain
When you buy your first RC vehicle, it for sure comes with pre-installed tires. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re the best option for the specific model, as the terrain where you’re about to ride plays a huge role in the performance.
At this point, know that the tires are responsible to give you the proper grip and help you to develop speed faster, especially on more challenging terrains. While some of them might be knobby and better for off-road surfaces, others are smooth and more suitable for casual riding in your neighbourhood.
So, before you invest in something that doesn’t fit your requirements, it’s best to get to know the different types of tires according to the terrain they’re intended for:
- Slick tires are mostly suitable for flatter and smoother surfaces like tarmacs and pavements.
- Full spiked tires are designed to provide a good drip on muddy and grassy surfaces.
- Mini pins are mostly suitable for home use, especially for carpets and deeper piles.
- Mini spiked tires are considered the best as they offer a good grip on most surfaces and develop speed way faster than full spiked ones.
Pick the Right Compounds
Except for the size and the terrain, it’s also important to pay attention to the compounds, or the materials that go into creating your RC vehicle’s tires. Rubber is one of the main compounds of the “recipe”, as it makes for a strong and flexible material that provides great traction and acts as a cushion of the wheels.
However, keep in mind that tires may contain other compounds such as black carbon to reinforce the tire and give it an authentic black colour. Hence, almost all the RC tire manufacturers use colours to illustrate the level of firmness of the tire compound.
On the other hand, know that there’s a huge difference between hard and soft tire compounds. Harder compounds are considered more durable, but not that great for situations when you need a good grip. Therefore, when riding on difficult terrains requiring an excellent grip, make sure you go for softer compounds. Not only will they provide you with the stability you need, but they’re also better at developing speeds on challenging terrains.
Now that you gathered some knowledge about the most important factors of RC vehicle tires, you’re ready to hit your favourite hobby store and choose proper tires for the next adventure with your RC vehicle.
