Truck

Onroad 1/10 Nitro Car.
Which is better? I heard a lot of pros in my local track said that belt drive is better than the shaft drive because it handles better when the car turn at the corner. Belt drive does not need to brake early before turning, the pros said. However, I saw a lot guys here in the forum saying that the shaft drive TC3 is also good. And right now, Kyosho make a FW-05 shaft drive on-road and I don't think TC3 is still better. I also saw a lot of competitions in magazine and the top 10 winners have belt drive system car. The best car right now is the MTX-3. And then the list in order would be: Serpent 835, Sepent 705, Kyosho V-one-R, HPI R40, Serpent Impact M2, Mugen MTX-2. Am I right? I am confused.

SS Nitro

My Feedback: (-1)

For more speed belt, for bashing and no rocks, shaft.

dg2b

There are many previous posts concerning this subject. Seach for them.

Pros never really use the brakes and resort to using one ways. My opinion is belts are better because I race. For parking lot bashing, I'd say belts still.

Boost-Dragon

actually in the latest comparison between the v-one-r evolution and the FW-05R the 05R came in first. both of them using the same engine and radio.

CaNaDiAnRaCeR

how does belts give you more speed?

NitroNoob

Don't have a ton of experience with Nitro, but I guess the same things can apply with electric cars. Anyways..., I find that my belt cars have slightly more top end speed and is more stable when braking. But with my TC3 it exits corners alot faster than any of my belt cars, and the chassis rolls more freely.

PitStops

My Feedback: (1)

belt drive more moving part = more rotating mass

shaft drive less parts = less rotating mass

I do run a NTC3 and I have no problems keeping up with the belt drives on the track,
I think it comes down to more of tuning and setup more than a difference of belt or shaft.

my Ntc3 does seem to be easier to wrench on than my Yokomo GT4.

This is only my opinion, and not intended to be the start of a massive mudslining debate
as shaft vs. belt is already one of the great debates.

Bryan

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

I've got both, and I don't think there are really any dis-advantages to shaft drive. The drive train is much freer and I think transmits power more efficiently. Belts are fine, but personally, I prefer shaft drive. Perhaps if I raced I might have a different opinion, but I think in the next couple of years, there will be more shaft drive cars comming out. I've never had a drivetrain related problem w/ a shaft driven car, but I've had several belt failures. 1 was because a stone got kicked up by the F. tire, and nicked the pulley and damaged a tooth, which chewed up the belt. On a prepared race track however, belted cars rule! But you don't see many full scale (1:1?) cars w/ belt drive...unless you just got the Jan. issue of Road & Track

Mr Coupe

Any idea where I can see that comparision between the VoneR and the FW-05R ?????

Nitroaddict

Latest issue of RCCA just did that.

dbow

My Feedback: (1)

A lot of people would rather have the shaft drive stuff but some of the better models still use belt. I would not run a shaft driven car and would only have belts.
Rocks are an issue depending on where you run, usually tracks are prepared and there should not be a problem with debris.
Parking lots on the other hand that have not been swept and prepared can cause a lot of problems with the belts. In most cases my parking lot racing consists of swept areas but I have spent plenty of money and time in the past replacing belts and pulleys because I ran on unswept areas. Rocks just love to get into the drive system and so forth.

I guess it depends on where you run as to which is better, I think both are good in the right situation.

Dbow

Mr Coupe

RCCA A US Mag ??

Nitroaddict

yes. RCCA Radio Control Car Action. Basically, they said the liked the V1RR Evo better, but the FW05 put down slightly faster lap times.

PitStops

My Feedback: (1)

You can still pick up rocks in your gears on shaft drive lost a race that way.

h82crash

It is a matter of personal preference. Years ago shaft was all the rage. Then belts. Now shaft again...It is so competitive among MFR's they push the latest design trends. A trend is all it is. What I like now is both styles are currently available, so it's your choice.

Boost-Dragon

if you ask me shaft and belt are about the same but each has it's advantages and disadvantages so there both not perfect but i still perfer shaft over belt. but i have never owned a belt car so my judgement might be a little one sided.

raceme

couldnt you make like a custom shield to cover the belts. it might take some time but probably worth it

proptop

My Feedback: (8)

Believe it or not, I stuck some pieces of strapping tape on the bottom of my Tornado's chassis openings and it works pretty good...Keeps a lot of grit and stuff out...Looks kinda funny, but I figure if it works, who cares?!