New to offroad

[Buck_Rodgers]

Hi there, I'd just like to ask for a bit of advice with regards to offroad racing.
I have tried to read up on a few models for offroad and as a relative beginner (Currently race indoors only on carpet track 1/10 and v12 circuit) i fancy having a go off-road.

Now advice i've seen/read so far is that its best to go 2wd as a beginner, 6.5/7.5t brushless. What i'm a little confused about is what model car to go for in order to have a simplistic car, but also being competitive.

The conclusion i've come to so far is a B4FT. That sounds like one of the cheapest and most competitive solutions to me. But is it?

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

[peetbee]

Whilst I wouldn't say that 2wd is better than 4wd, the 2wd is likely to be the cheapest option.
Either a B4 or an XXXCR would be competitive, B4 is more popular so there's a good chance that someone you race with would be able to help with setup and parts if you get stuck.
A 7.5 is ample for 2wd especially if you're running lipos

[mikeyscott]

Whilst I wouldn't say that 2wd is better than 4wd, the 2wd is likely to be the cheapest option.
Either a B4 or an XXXCR would be competitive, B4 is more popular so there's a good chance that someone you race with would be able to help with setup and parts if you get stuck.
A 7.5 is ample for 2wd especially if you're running lipos

Agreed with the above, however I would add that a 7.5 and LIPO is very very RAPID! I'm running a B4 with a 7.5 and LIPO

[Buck_Rodgers]

Yeah i thought the b4 was prety popular and a relatively good choice. cheers peetbee.
As for the 7.5 and lipo, yeah thats pretty much what i was gunning for. I'll just take it easy when getting used to the car or it'll end up in bits :) I'll have to trek to my local outdoor club (oswestry) and check 'em all out and see whats what. Cheers Gents!

[tiny tom]

I run a b4 with lipo and find that a 8.5 is fast for me, might be worth looking at the xcelorin because it is a cheap unit. I know that they have had there problems because I have had them to, but now have them sorted out. And race the car with no problems touch wood, but break it crashing hard

[Buck_Rodgers]

I was thinking of the xcelorin actually :) seems pretty good value. I just have a budget Brushless setup at the moment, and its not BRCA approved and all that.

Cheers Tom

[millzy]

Speak to Brian Preddy he runs in the Mid west and is Losi Team manager- he will be able to help you out with the losi brushless system

Ian Southwell who is always around this forum is another good person to speak to

[dibble34]

I have the losi combo and can't knock it. Our club is quite a casual setup but cars vary. The most common by far is the B4, but there are also some zx5's, xx4's, xxx cr's and b44's to name a few. I started with 4wd, i would say the best thing is to try a couple of cars and see what you like.

[Buck_Rodgers]

cheers millzy.

Dibble cheers for you're input too. Trying a few is no doubt how it'll happen over the next few years, trying to keep costs down at the minute, so trying to do it as economically as possible really and hopefully getting it right first time (if you get me)

[jono83]

hey if you come along to oswestry tomorrow night and other members will be happy to give you some advice i will be there about 7pm ask for jono

[millzy]

Just dont aks for Ash

[jono83]

:lol::lol:LOL

[Buck_Rodgers]

cheers guys... erm.. Why not ask for ash? :? or shouldn't i ask lol

[jono83]

lol its jus a joke mate nothing wrong with ash

[Buck_Rodgers]

thought so. Just a character then i'm sure. Maybe be there tomorrow then... if i can tear myself away from poker night!!

[Welshy40]

Whilst I wouldn't say that 2wd is better than 4wd, the 2wd is likely to be the cheapest option.
Either a B4 or an XXXCR would be competitive, B4 is more popular so there's a good chance that someone you race with would be able to help with setup and parts if you get stuck.
A 7.5 is ample for 2wd especially if you're running lipos

Ditto to Pete, I got a B4 after 9 years away from the scene and its fantastic. Simple to set up, takes a hammering and cheap to fix. 7.5 is perfect and you dont really need another motor at all.

Look on the set up sheets and try some of the setups and one will suit your style of driving.

The Losi system is good as well and cheap as chips so would be a good option, I use the Novak GTB and a 7.5 Orion Vortex which is great for club and regional events. Im still learning but enjoy it less messing around with skimming etc.:thumbsup:

[jim76]

don;t rule out an RB5 if you plan to do 2wd. A second hand one won't set you back too much. Spares are reasonable, but you won;t need many as it is built like a tank, ideal for people new to offroad. Also handles great, takes the best bits from the B4 and the Losi CR together.

[peetbee]

thought so. Just a character then i'm sure. Maybe be there tomorrow then... if i can tear myself away from poker night!!
It's more that he's a very keen advocate of Losi, in fact you might be able to accuse him of being biased!!

It's worth mentioning though that I've just changed from the B4 to the CR and am very pleased with it so far.

[Buck_Rodgers]

cheers welshy. Looking more and more like the B4 and xcelorin will be my weapons of choice. (i used to use yuasa batteries) lol

[Buck_Rodgers]

ahh, b4 RB5 and cr in the mix....hell i dunno :) depends which i can pick up cheap :), cheers all once again

[mikeyscott]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=160334071777

Then sell the bits you don't want'

[Lee]

You really can't go wrong with a B4, and when you want to go really quick you can upgrade to an X6 :D

[Buck_Rodgers]

cheers mikey, alresdy on my watch list. Looks a little battered though. theres a few on the forum here i got my eye on.
Upgrade to x6? thats an aftermarket upgrade yeah?

[mikeyscott]

cheers mikey, alresdy on my watch list. Looks a little battered though. theres a few on the forum here i got my eye on.
Upgrade to x6? thats an aftermarket upgrade yeah?

It's ok as I've seen it racing and it runs well. It's owed by a chap who knows how to set-up his cars and look after them. I found it last night on eBay

[Buck_Rodgers]

i shall keep tabs on it. maybe the photo just doesn't do it justice!

[mikeyscott]

I think it's just the shell. Just an excuss to get a pro shell painted ;)

I'm planning on getting the GT XKR paint job on my B4 :)

[Buck_Rodgers]

pro shells cost loads. One colour for me with a few stickers.... Cheapskate i know. I guess pro shells last longer on buggies then they do with scales and definately mardaves!, that was getting expensive :)

[Welshy40]

cheers welshy. Looking more and more like the B4 and xcelorin will be my weapons of choice. (i used to use yuasa batteries) lol

No probs, I was in the same boat as you and couldnt choose either, but made a gamble on the B4 after seeing Neil Craggs worlds win online, it looked like it was on rails and that sold it. Plenty of second hand ones around and spares are readily availale almost anywhere in the world so thats another benefit.

Shells - you can buy ready painted ones from associated for £20 which is a bargain. Cheap and cheerful.

Yuasa, yup what fun that was getting the results with those cells.:thumbsup:

[Buck_Rodgers]

A mates dad used to (and still does work for them) we tried seeling them at the club but no-one wanted them lol

[Welshy40]

A mates dad used to (and still does work for them) we tried seeling them at the club but no-one wanted them lol

Aaah but the reason Fabiix were no good was they were over charged before you bought them. If you buy from Yuasa they should be fine.:thumbsup:

[Buck_Rodgers]

but still, no-one wanted them lol, i thought they were pretty good. altough at 14 anything was good! :)