Avante

[Live Steam Mad]

Question - Why did Tamiya put wheels/tires that were the same width front a back on the Avante when pretty much every other 4WD car anyone ever made, including Tamiya, had narrower wheels/tires on the front?

Yes I would like to know the answer to that as well, it's one of the defining things about the Avante that creates the unique looks when it's running.

Also same question in reverse please, I would have thought it more logical to have the fronts the same width as the rears with all cars. Why did they reduce the size of the front tyres width with racing cars and for 1/10 off road buggies (Top Force etc.) ?

Cheers,

Alistair G.

[Lemming]

Yes I would like to know the answer to that as well, it's one of the defining things about the Avante that creates the unique looks when it's running.

Also same question in reverse please, I would have thought it more logical to have the fronts the same width as the rears with all cars. Why did they reduce the size of the front tyres width with racing cars and for 1/10 off road buggies (Top Force etc.) ?

Cheers,

Alistair G.

Just a thought, based on road cars (think Ferrari, Lambo, Aston etc)...

Wide rear tyres = more grip

Narrow front tyres = easier to turn - faster direction changes

Huessing it might be along those lines. The front tyres have less need of grip than the rears (understeer is less of an issue than oversteer to correct) and need to react quickly enough and bite well. Hence rwd buggies (Dyna STorm etc) have extremely narrow fronts as they are simply used for quick direction change and good edge bite (no traction required = tiny width).

Hope that makes sense of what was in my brain whilst I was trying to write this....

Steve

p.s. Good advice from 94eg! - anything faster and you risk serious damage in the event of an "off". Personally I am happy with 19,000rpm, but 25,000+ is OK if controlled carefully (BZ, RZ, TZ)

[Carlos 959]

No wonder my porsche used to fly when i had it years ago with a Technigold.Think if i win the Avante i'll keep it as it is.I do need a new set of cells and a good quick charger,seems that times have advanced quite alot on the electric scene!The last time i was using electric cars 8.4v and 1400mah were quite good now you can get over 4000 mah!!

Any recommendations on batterys and chargers guys??

[Lemming]

No wonder my porsche used to fly when i had it years ago with a Technigold.Think if i win the Avante i'll keep it as it is.I do need a new set of cells and a good quick charger,seems that times have advanced quite alot on the electric scene!The last time i was using electric cars 8.4v and 1400mah were quite good now you can get over 4000 mah!!

Any recommendations on batterys and chargers guys??

I'm a cheapskate, so I try to keep costs down. Posted this on another forum for another guy...

Bear in mind that a lot of the modern batteries are bigger than the originals. Check how much space you have (Avante for example won't fit the newer 3300mah batteries) and check if the manufacturer has dimensions to get an idea.

Batteries are not too bad (check out Vapextech on ebay) and you can get cheap chargers (the Prolux from Modelsport) which should be OK as a start point to keep prices down. If you get back into it more, you could do with a decent charger which can cycle batteries (discharger, then recharge) and is a quick charger. The BMI Digipeak is quite good but unavailable (however there is a Prolux version on Modelsport, but it is out of stock).

Not the best stuff for a racer, but good for bashing...

Steve

[terry.sc]

Question - Why did Tamiya put wheels/tires that were the same width front a back on the Avante when pretty much every other 4WD car anyone ever made, including Tamiya, had narrower wheels/tires on the front?

The Avante having same width tyres front and rear definitely wasn't unique, just very late.

Examples with the same size all round were,

Hirobo 44B range, Zerda, Alien, Jealousy

Kyosho Progress, Gallop, Optima range, Rocky range, Shadow, Mid and Turbo Mid

AYK Viper, Radiant range, Radiant Pro

Yokomo YZ834B, Wonder Dogfighter

Tamiya Thundershot range

You will notice all except the Thundershot range were much earlier than the Avante.

Earlier designs had a problem with understeer, which was cured by fitting bigger front tyres to give more front grip. Later the better chassis designs gave a better balance, the extra grip wasn't needed so they could go to narrower tyres. By running narrow fronts you reduce the contact patch with the ground, reducing friction and giving more speed and acceleration. The narrower tyre also reduces both the drivetrain and unsprung weight. The narrower tyres also help the steering geometry, there is a smaller contact patch further out so the steering isn't trying to twist such a large tyre.

[MAD RACER]

The Avante having same width tyres front and rear definitely wasn't unique, just very late.

Examples with the same size all round were,

Hirobo 44B range, Zerda, Alien, Jealousy

Kyosho Progress, Gallop, Optima range, Rocky range, Shadow, Mid and Turbo Mid

AYK Viper, Radiant range, Radiant Pro

Yokomo YZ834B, Wonder Dogfighter

Tamiya Thundershot range

You will notice all except the Thundershot range were much earlier than the Avante.

Earlier designs had a problem with understeer, which was cured by fitting bigger front tyres to give more front grip. Later the better chassis designs gave a better balance, the extra grip wasn't needed so they could go to narrower tyres. By running narrow fronts you reduce the contact patch with the ground, reducing friction and giving more speed and acceleration. The narrower tyre also reduces both the drivetrain and unsprung weight. The narrower tyres also help the steering geometry, there is a smaller contact patch further out so the steering isn't trying to twist such a large tyre.

The Kyosho Optima range had the same tyres front and rear too. I did use both tyres types on the optima and Mid and found better grip with the fater tyres.