Why are the old RC10T 3 piece wheels so rare?

[EMC]

It seems like the old 3 piece RC10T wheels were pretty solid, and the feature of not having to glue them would be desirable, why are they so rare now? Seems like ebay searching only turns up a few sets that are pretty expensive. Oddly, front 3 piece wheels are easy to find. Why did associated move away from this design in later models?

[RC10th]

I assume they molded the rims in quantities, ie 10,000. Rear ones have all sold out but there is still an abundance of fronts left.

Unfortunately most modern tires don't fit the 3 piece wheels due to internal sidewall webbing.

[hugger19]

i would say the rears get beat to hell and somtimes get tires glued even thought not needed so they are the first to the trash.

[EMC]

Are these 1 piece replacements correct for the 1/4inch old style roll pin axles on the 10T?

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&W=003179677&I=LX2948&P=K

[RC10th]

Yes, those are correct for the 1/4" axles.

[blk05wrx]

I've given up on the three piece wheels since they don't fit a modern tire. They're also super heavy compared to the solid wheels. They still make the 1/4" solid wheels and I found some for $7.99 a set and glued on modern turf tires. The vintage tires didn't work at all on the turf.

[EMC]

I've given up on the three piece wheels since they don't fit a modern tire. They're also super heavy compared to the solid wheels. They still make the 1/4" solid wheels and I found some for $7.99 a set and glued on modern turf tires. The vintage tires didn't work at all on the turf.

Speaking of tires, comparing my old stock tires and 90's era proline's to some new proline trenchers I picked up for bashing, what the hell happened to tire construction? My old tires are real rubber. These new tires with foam feel like a pair of latex gloves! Do they even hold up? What's this nonsense about having to put freaking gorilla tape on the insides? (Apologies for being an old curmudgeon)

[klavy69]

its all about traction anymore. You want a soft tire for a hard track and days of soft loamy tracks are mostly just memories anymore. These days tracks are so hard and tires are so soft that they balloon so badly they pull off the rims with the high powered brushless systems and the gorilla tape on the inside of the tires helps keep the tires from ballooning so bad.

Todd

[EMC]

I assume with old brushed motors, even modified ones, that ballooning/expansion is not a concern with modern tires, is that correct?

[klavy69]

I assume with old brushed motors, even modified ones, that ballooning/expansion is not a concern with modern tires, is that correct?

Correct. Some will but most won't balloon near like a nice soft newer tire...

Todd

[EMC]

I have my new one piece wheels that fit great but have an interesting issue. My 11/32nds socket won't tighten the rear wheel nuts (asc6296) quite tight enough on account of the angle of the "cone" shape of the wheel and the small width of the nut. The old 3 piece rear wheels have more clearance to allow the socket to fit deeper into the wheel hub area if that makes sense. I wonder if I need a smaller diameter RC wheel nut wrench instead of the regular socket for these wheel nuts.

[blk05wrx]

I have my new one piece wheels that fit great but have an interesting issue. My 11/32nds socket won't tighten the rear wheel nuts (asc6296) quite tight enough on account of the angle of the "cone" shape of the wheel and the small width of the nut. The old 3 piece rear wheels have more clearance to allow the socket to fit deeper into the wheel hub area if that makes sense. I wonder if I need a smaller diameter RC wheel nut wrench instead of the regular socket for these wheel nuts.

I had this same issue and just hit my wrench with a grinder/dremel a little bit to make it a little thinner.

[EMC]

I have my new one piece wheels that fit great but have an interesting issue. My 11/32nds socket won't tighten the rear wheel nuts (asc6296) quite tight enough on account of the angle of the "cone" shape of the wheel and the small width of the nut. The old 3 piece rear wheels have more clearance to allow the socket to fit deeper into the wheel hub area if that makes sense. I wonder if I need a smaller diameter RC wheel nut wrench instead of the regular socket for these wheel nuts.

I had this same issue and just hit my wrench with a grinder/dremel a little bit to make it a little thinner.

Good tip, thanks!