|
Remote Control Cars: Which
is Better Belt Drive or Shaft?
Question: Should I go with belt driven or shaft driven remote control cars?
Okay so you know you’ve got two options when it comes to transferring power from the engine or motor to the drive wheels of most any remote control cars. Belt or shaft drive.
Like a lot of stuff, which system is better is subject to often heated debate.
Ultimately though, I guess you could say it comes down to the drive system with the BEST driver. Because who ends up in the winner circle is maybe 80% driver and 20% vehicle.Still if you want run with the big dogs (and who doesn't?) it may be helpful to know the pros and cons involved here. So let me lay some of them out for you.
Yes hardware counts. Just not as much as the person behind the wheel. Regardless if we're talking belt or shaft driven remote control cars.
Pro: Belt Drive Offers Higher Top End SpeedsAs you can see the debate over belt vs shaft is a topic loaded with pros and cons. With no clear cut winner.
Maybe. Maybe not.
Con: Belts Are Prone to Debris Damage
When off roading stuff can get stuck in the belt. Be it pebbles…sticks…small rodents…you name it. When that happens forward progress can grind to a halt. As the belt self destructs and/or unsuspecting gears are eaten alive.
Pro: Belt Driven Remote Control Cars Are Lighter
Since belt driven remote control car are lighter and handle better does that make them better for racing or not? Maybe. Maybe not.
Con: Belts Stretch
It happens. Eventually all belts stretch some. When that happens to you you’ll experience slippage. And will end up having to adjust the tension.
Still when someone claims belts require a lot more care, you might ask yourself, compared to what?
Pro: Shafts Don’t Stretch
This is a given. That and every bit of power put out by the engine or motor will transfer straight to the ground.
Con: Shaft Implies Stripped Gears
True. Sometimes gears strip. Then too gears wear out and have to be replaced.
But so do belts. Only belts wear out faster.
Pro: Shaft Drive is More Responsive
Some claim shaft driven remote control cars or trucks may be more responsive and may offer better acceleration.
Con: Belts Naturally Stretch Under Hard Acceleration
So all power generated doesn’t transfer to the tires.
Pro: Belt Driven Are Easier to Drive
This one’s good news and bad. The bad news is a belt driven vehicle might be less responsive to the throttle. The good news is that makes it easier to drive. Because it’s more forgiving of driver error.
Con: Belts Can Suffer From Dry Rot
But I gotta tell you if this a much of a problem you gotta get your vehicle out more. Dry rot doesn’t set in overnight.
Pro: Belts are Quieter
Quieter being relative of course. But belt driven remote control cars are said to run a bit quieter.
Still which is better FOR YOU? Remote control cars driven by belts or shafts?
Dunno.
Besides if you think about it logically you can’t help but come to this conclusion. If one drive system was REALLY and truly superior that system would dominate. Because who wants to run a loser?
Yet both shaft and belt remote control cars have co-existed for a long time now with winners running both.
So in the end, you probably want to go with what will work best for you and how you intend to run and where you intend to run your remote control cars.
All Rights Reserved 2002-2005 AwesomeRCCars.com
5449 Hazelwood Rd Columbus OH 43229
Phone: 614-436-6822 Email: