Starting to feel 2wd isnt for me…..

[Kpowell911 2245]

Hello, Im Starting to feel 2WD Rcs are not for me. They just dont ‘bash’ (used term lightly) Im talking about my BBX & Astute 2022. I just cant seem to dial them in to be ‘useable’ compared to 4wd.  I appreciate I maybe over powered, with brushless set ups, but I also had this issue with my Rustler/Stampede VXL, and other 2WD RCs.  It seems as soon as you brake, they 180, regardless of surfaceMaybe sell my Astute 2022 & BBX for a Hot Shot or a Top Force EVO? BBX looks so cool though! Hmm.

Is it a set up issue? An over powered issue? Or is 2WD just not for me?

[skom25 2179]

I had to decrease Brake Endpoint to 60/80% in my brushed DT-03, to not slide on brakes.

RWD is different than 4WD but can be fun to drive. It is harder to control, but gives some kind of satisfaction, especially when there is some dust on asphalt.

RWD are also much faster in terms of acceleration/ Top Speed than 4WD. I have feeling, that DT-03 with Sport Tuned motor is equally fast or maybe just a bit slower than TT-02B with Super Stock.

You can check my comparison videos. Both cars had exactly the same electronics and Sport Tuned motors.

 

[Twinfan 2013]

Like 1:1 cars, 2WD requires a different driving style to 4WD or FWD.  2WD is less forgiving, you need to me more precise with inputs and more aware of grip levels etc.  When you get it right though, they can fly due to less weight and less drivetrain losses.

So it'll come down to whether you're interested in learning the difference, and how to get the best out of it, or if you just want some easy fun.  That will dictate if you should stick or twist  

[Pablo68 1118]

I honestly think 2wd cars feel a bit more nimble. 4WD are great, they pretty much go where you point them. I do think they are prone to understeer a bit, but that can be fixed by set up. You are less likely to spin out I think if you drive them right.
Regardless of car you are driving, get into the set up of your transmitter, you can sort out a few problems by doing that.

[markbt73 5850]

Practice. Practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more. This applies to any vehicle. 2WD vehicles require a lighter touch, typically, and some changes in driving style.

For one, go easy on the brakes, and brake in a straight line, before you get to the turn. Then slowly increase the power throughout the turn, and once it's pointed straight in the new direction, give it the beans. You'll get around turns a lot quicker that way. And yes, you'll spin out learning it. That's part of the process. Start out slow, and gradually get faster until you spin out, then back off. Eventually you'll get faster.

4WD, as you have discovered, is a bit more "point and shoot," and you need to brake later, partway into the turn, to let the front tires grab so it doesn't understeer. But you can't get back on the throttle as quickly, or you'll just plow straight ahead out of your line. Much of the same applies to FWD, by the way, in cas you're curious.

There is no magic bullet, I'm afraid. No adjustments, no settings, just learning a different driving style, and practicing. And maybe you're right; maybe it isn't for you. I've tried drifting a few times, and I don't think it's really for me. I don't want to slide around all the time. But do try going slower, and practicing. You might surprise yourself.

[glancyguy 69]

I had similar challenges as a Tamiya fan on and off for 35 years. I recently committed to really understanding the relationship to throttle, suspension, and cornering. Almost all my 2WD buggy driving is on asphalt.

I have learned that tires, motor, endpoint, and ABS make all the difference. The FlySky GT3 has endpoint adjustments and ABS. I set mine to 80% and FST respectively. Proline Holeshot or similar block tires for all my Tamiya 2WD as Tamiya’s kit tires are terrible on asphalt.

For my NovaFox, I run Torque Tuned, BBX I run a BZ, and DT-02 I run 19T Radon. If I go BL, no lower than 13.5T. Setting up to 20% drag brake can also help. I can choose power by switching between NiMH, 2s, or 3S lipo.

All my 2wd Tamiya buggies stay straight now on braking. I’d go so far to say that my BBX is as controllable as my DF-02 and DF-03.

For driving style, as others have mentioned, you simply can’t slam throttle and then slam brakes when cornering with a 2WD Tamiya. You have to come off throttle entering a corner and then find the sweet spot to come on throttle through apex and coming out of corner.

On a sidenote, I picked up a Top Force Evo recently, added Proline hole shot tires and a 13.5T Hobbywing setup and was BLOWN AWAY at the handling of a 30+ old designed buggy. 

 

[Pylon80 3684]

After spending the last few years driving RWD cars and then a FWD exclusively, I had gotten used to nothing working out of the box unless I practice a lot and spend the effort to make sensible and accurate setup changes. Practice is much more important than the 'magic setup' that does not exist, but you still have to have things reasonably adjusted (at least symmetrical etc). Having to be gentle and accurate can be nerve racking but it's a form of enjoyment in the hobby.

Then last year I dusted off and started running my rally car both on-road and off-road and this time in full AWD (no more one-way bearing). I just went "wow!"... It is so much more forgiving. The car does seem to just 'work'. Brakes better, accelerate better, you can mash the throttle out of the turns (which almost feels like a sin 😅). It felt like instant fun. Not usually my thing but I would lie if I said I didn't massively enjoy it 

In the end it's a hobby so the best car is the one that gives you the most enjoyment. Sounds corny but it could hardly apply better than when choosing 2WD or AWD

[Kowalski86 4274]

Learn better brake control, that's all that there is to it.

If the 2wd Rustler/Stampede VXL use the same rear tires as the XL5s, neither of those tires are that great. Talons are meant to slide to reduce the likelihood of traction rolling.

I have the opposite problem, I like to use 2wd to "e-brake" entering turns, and to force oversteer out of turns. 4wd doesn't have that same dynamic, it's just "point and shoot".

[Elbowloh 1295]

I'm new to RC and have just finished my BBX, 13.5 BL on 2s.

I've driven it a little, and have to say that ive had no issues with a not going straight on braking, not had to change a thing from initial build. As good as my DF03 and Durga in that respect.

On steering I've noticed it really oversteers when you come of the power, it just suddenly turns in really sharply. 

[OnTheTrail 1239]

9 hours ago, Kpowell911 said:

Maybe sell my Astute 2022 & BBX for a Hot Shot or a Top Force EVO? BBX looks so cool though! Hmm.

Is it a set up issue? An over powered issue? Or is 2WD just not for me?

Before you sell the BBX, try the aftermarket stabilizer.  It certainly will not be the end all and make it brake like AWD but it certainly should help to squat the rear end as well as put a little more weight on the inner front during turning.  Should help with braking into turns as well.  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386167065525?hash=item59e959cbb5:g:CJ4AAOSwcn1k9fXw&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4PNAkqVGnj6P7ttVXMu%2F99ffi69jCv07ZlFo1fNeuYD1pnxj3r53b%2F1B9ncPxwzlkjbhClr8DNcDrG3uF6D8bJYQVhd1ZYUingXUvuxPby7Go5YttyXs4kMwKQfx%2BBcT8ayiIQcBKQyrEQ8y1AqM0feQAG4nevHJe8opCI2S23IsvuCH%2B2C7bU83j1J2fLcgZHVapGHvtfCWnRtegt6wJWAusdPg63s4ymqqQkzwV2rhf%2BQ5yrGue3kKkiILkFTle%2FoGoitX4KGaKg9p2osfzGAyVYs%2Bm2xeo1q1qMI4ZrOa|tkp%3ABFBM5piBn59j

 

[Kpowell911 2245]

8 hours ago, skom25 said:

I had to decrease Brake Endpoint to 60/80% in my brushed DT-03, to not slide on brakes.

RWD is different than 4WD but can be fun to drive. It is harder to control, but gives some kind of satisfaction, especially when there is some dust on asphalt.

RWD are also much faster in terms of acceleration/ Top Speed than 4WD. I have feeling, that DT-03 with Sport Tuned motor is equally fast or maybe just a bit slower than TT-02B with Super Stock.

You can check my comparison videos. Both cars had exactly the same electronics and Sport Tuned motors.

 

I think Im just too over powered, I have 5400kv brushless systems on 2S. Maybe Ill dig out the superstock and 1060’s

[bRIBEGuy 3378]

On 1/11/2024 at 12:18 PM, Kpowell911 said:

I think Im just too over powered, I have 5400kv brushless systems on 2S. Maybe Ill dig out the superstock and 1060’s

Oh man that is so much power!!!    I ran a 5600kv in a 4wd on-road car on 2S and even that was a handful!

Less power, and a lighter touch (as other have mentioned).  2wd is a different beast... and driving it is a bit more of a masochistic art that some love and others do not.

[Sogogi 3361]

14 minutes ago, bRIBEGuy said:

Oh man that is so much power!!!    I ran a 5600kv in a 4wd on-road car on 2S and even that was a handful!

Less power, and a lighter touch (as other have mentioned).  2wd is a different beast... and driving it is a bit more of a masochistic art that some love and others do not.

4100kv on my m06 was too much… 

[F-150 635]

I'm a 2wd guy. I like 4wd for the tech and coolness of how great their engineering are. Simply amazing at how much effort is designed into these awesome little cars.

Try some stickier tires or mess around with the shocks.... Make her dig at the points she wants to spin out. 

Tinker more with it, man... That's the fun part imo....when she starts handling the way you want, it feels awesome that you learned how to tune the setup. 

Have fun...

Man I love these little cars😅

[Juggular 5088]

In 1985, I had a Grasshopper.  I hated 2WD.  I wanted 4WD!!  

Then I was disappointed by Double Dare (Kyosho) and HotShot.  Wild Dagger was alright.  2WD Wild Willy 2 was fun (2000), FAV was funner (I know... I just wanted to say funner).  

Since then I'm back to being a 2WD guy (by choice, this time).  As mentioned, it requires a bit different driving technique. 2WDs don't like too much power too quick. (That's why my M-06 stays stock).  They don't like losing too much power too quick, either.  

Like we say here in Tamiya Club... when in doubt, get more and test out.  I would not go for Hot Shot, though unless you are into nostalgia.  I love my vintage Hot Shot. It's historic. But it drives like a 1930's truck driving on a rough cobbled street, carrying a thousand loose spoons and forks on its bed.  Low ground-clearance coupled with heavy weight isn't the best combination either. Modern 2WD BBX might do better on rough surfaces.  Manta Ray is a good little buggy, so Top Force Evo should do better (I only have Manta).  

 

[twaleta 161]

On 1/11/2024 at 4:25 AM, Kpowell911 said:

Hello, Im Starting to feel 2WD Rcs are not for me. They just dont ‘bash’ (used term lightly) Im talking about my BBX & Astute 2022. I just cant seem to dial them in to be ‘useable’ compared to 4wd.  I appreciate I maybe over powered, with brushless set ups, but I also had this issue with my Rustler/Stampede VXL, and other 2WD RCs.  It seems as soon as you brake, they 180, regardless of surfaceMaybe sell my Astute 2022 & BBX for a Hot Shot or a Top Force EVO? BBX looks so cool though! Hmm.

Is it a set up issue? An over powered issue? Or is 2WD just not for me?

Its not a setup issue or power issue.Its just that you havent mastered da wey 

[twaleta 161]

Are you new to 2wd?

[Kpowell911 2245]

3 hours ago, twaleta said:

Are you new to 2wd?

Not really, but its been maybe 20 years since Ive used them mostly. Back then theyd have been brushed

[Big Jon 686]

Sounds like you have way too much power. 2WD cars like softer power, so two-pole sensored systems are the way to go. Usually a 17.5 is plenty; a 13.5 would be about as much as I’d want unless you only run on high-grip surfaces. A looser slipper makes driving fast easier, and you’ll be able to tune the brakes with a decent ESC. You’ll be surprised at how little brake you end up with.

Plenty of focused practice will help a lot - not just ripping up your yard or the street, but concentrating on hitting your marks, noting brake and acceleration zones, and finessing your control inputs. Suspension tuning makes a noticeable difference once you have the right tires, and is an enjoyable rabbit hole. Driving fast with a 2WD is incredibly rewarding, even though it takes a lot of effort. You can go pretty fast with a 4WD with minimal setup or concentration, while going fast with a 2WD requires solid concentration and at least an OK tune. Even something like a DT03 responds to tires, spring and oil changes, ride height adjustments and toe changes, and can be a lot faster than one out of the box.