Drag brake or not to Drag brake that is the question?

[Take 'A' Chance]

Just interested on people's opinions regarding drag brake.

1. How much is too much?
2. What benefits can i expect from more or less?
3. Is it cheating?

As a newcomer back into the sport i find myself using the highest drag brake setting on my Orca Esc, this is because my brain doesn't respond fast enough to the speed of the car and without it i probably would crash at most corners.

What do people think about this as my lap times without are shocking compared to that of with, should i just turn it off completely and practice with the brakes on my own in the hope that it will improve my lap times in the long run.

Any other tips regardig this subject would be much appreciated...

[Skye]

I'm quite new to the game as well (about 6 months) and I am with you, I need drag brag as I it's one less thing to worry about on top of everything else. I do think if you can run without it then you are better off as you can vary when and where you brake. The key to it is getting the right blend really, if you are racing indoors you can get away with just putting it high and forgetting about it, but if you try that outdoors on damp astro you won't manage a lap as you will be constantly facing the wrong way in every corner.

For me, the best option is to set drag brake at a medium low setting and then try to add extra braking when needed (and when your brain can think quick enough. )

[Take 'A' Chance]

I think even though it may be a little bit of punishment on the ego i should use less drag as its got to be good for my reaction times.

[cigbunt]

its not cheating but if you cant react to your car maybe you should slow down lol

I think its better without for 2 reasons

• More Predictive control - some times rolling is sufficient rather than braking
• Less heat build up - extra drag = extra heat

[arransmith27]

Originally Posted by cigbunt

its not cheating but if you cant react to your car maybe you should slow down lol

I think its better without for 2 reasons

• More Predictive control - some times rolling is sufficient rather than braking
• Less heat build up - extra drag = extra heat

Agree totally

I run about 10 drag brake on my Tekin RS Pro, as it provides a natural slow down effect similar to a brushed motors.

Anymore drag brake can make the car difficult and unpredictable to control - especially with 2wd

[Take 'A' Chance]

So really i am looking to learn to drive with a natural slowdown effects of the motor as this is how the car would handle without all the driver Aids/Cheats.

Would you say that drag brake is there for beginners/intermediates when used at a high level.

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by cigbunt

its not cheating but if you cant react to your car maybe you should slow down lol


I think its better without for 2 reasons

• More Predictive control - some times rolling is sufficient rather than braking
• Less heat build up - extra drag = extra heat

Originally Posted by arransmith27

Agree totally

I run about 10 drag brake on my Tekin RS Pro, as it provides a natural slow down effect similar to a brushed motors.

Anymore drag brake can make the car difficult and unpredictable to control - especially with 2wd

i dont see how you can agree with him your for it and he says its better without?

in my experience i use it in 2wd to act like the old braking of brushed motors

[Take 'A' Chance]

So the more experienced driver who has been brought up on the brushed systems and probably less well refined buggies with regards to ceramic bearings etc only use it so as to give them a feel that they have been used to whilst racing prior to brushless etc.

Is this a good thing or having no drag brake and learning with the new less drag brushless motor and bearing combo's pay dividends in the long run.

[DCM]

Never use it, hate how it feels, if I need to slow the car down a little, left thumb back a touch.....

[Jason A]

I think the easiest way for you to make your mind up is to try it

Run the car without drag brake

Then run the car with a little drag brake.

See if you find it easier or harder to drive.

[Take 'A' Chance]

Jason, Thanks for the input but as i am beginning out i would rather learn the right way if you know what i mean, or the way with the most plusses.

[arransmith27]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

i dont see how you can agree with him your for it and he says its better without?

in my experience i use it in 2wd to act like the old braking of brushed motors

I'll get my coat....

[Take 'A' Chance]

Why have you pulled?

[DCM]

I find that sometimes, it makes the rear a little skittish with motor braking and drag brake, if you can drive without it and learn to use the brake, better.

[arransmith27]

Originally Posted by Take 'A' Chance

Why have you pulled?

Lol, no - just realised i've contradicted myself....

It's been a long day

[cigbunt]

Originally Posted by arransmith27

I'll get my coat....

we do agree.. i think 10% is default as pose to 80% which is the max my speedo does

i just checked mine an its on 10%

[tomtom]

My point of view only but when I started again I use lot and got a rather unpredictable feel cornering and the car seems to be quite nose heavy on jumps (the car, even mid motor, didn't jump flat).

After asking here and there most don't use any to be able to control the feel in corners and the correct amount of steering braking produces.
Some others good drivers use some all the time as a part of their driving (around 10% for most).

So I put 0% and learn to drive (still am). Once familiar with the track I try to put it back on and learn to control jumping accordingly. Found a small amount helps but on high speed corners I sometimes need some rolling at neutral and the tight once need some manual breaking action nevertheless.

Guess it's all about finding the good amount for a track that will help on most corners, with some rolling on high speeds ones and not too nose heavy on jumps.

Rear motors need more than mid. Almost no drag brake on dirt/low grip to control sliding and a little more than usual on carpet. Too much kills lap times.

I've got a lot of things to learn to manage still, from shocks to gearing, links, diff setting, etc and drag brake is a nice tool to adjust on the track to fine tune the way the car cornering feel/jumps.

[Take 'A' Chance]

So my esc gives me the option of 0 5 10 15 20 and 25%

because this is a percentage of the motor rotation as i slow down it will give me a % less of drag?

is this correct or can someone enlighten me..

[mark christopher]

the idea of drag brake is to add a slowing effect to the motor, as brushed used to do, thats wht speedos in brushed were fitted with push in on road, to eliminate any drag

if you use a small amount it s fine, you dont want it to handbrake turn, i dont use it in 4 wheel drive, but on 2 wheel drive its enough to transfere weight to the front and helps turn in for me,

[Spoolio]

It's not a test, there isn't a right way or a wrong way. Everybody drives differently and most cars are set up to suit the drivers preferences, so basically whatever works for you is absolutely fine i wouldn't worry about it too much. One mans meat is another mans poison and all that.