Beadlocks, this does not make any sense

[phil12345678910]

Hi,

I noticed that in every video I watched about beadlocks installation, every one was screwing the ring on the wheel with the tyre lips not even clamped between the two

Am I missing something or are beadlocks only there for cosmetic purposes in the RC world

thanks

(here you see that guy pushing the front half of the wheel in the tyre, then he screws the black ring AGAINST THE WHEEL ITSELF)

 

[WickedFog]

They are just cosmetic usually. The wheel lock ring (red part in pic) actually grips the beads.

 

[majin]

the ring is more decorative but the rim itself should be seated on the lip on the tire then when you tighten the hex's on the RIM it pulls down hella tight and clamps down around the lip locking it in place, most of mine dont have that ring but a few do.
when we clamp down the hub itself is when the locking happens,

 

[Chubaka]

Thanks. I'll keep this in mind on my next rim job.

 

[WickedFog]

Thanks. I'll keep this in mind on my next rim job.

Wrong thread

 

[phil12345678910]

that's what I thought, that ring is useless on RC cars

 

[WickedFog]

that's what I thought, that ring is useless on RC cars

Beadlocks are more meant for rock crawlers and bouncers. The beadlock rings make them look like the real thing. So it's more for looks. But not useless. Heck, just look how much extra traction you get from all those screws.

 

[phil12345678910]

but if these screws are there to maintain the ring on the wheel, what does it have to do with traction ?

 

[WickedFog]

but if these screws are there to maintain the ring on the wheel, what does it have to do with traction ?

The screws will also bite on the rocks.

If you don't want to use the clamp ring, you don't have to. Does it upset you that it's not functional? Could you imagine how much a pain it would be to install a set of 1/10 scale tires on wheels using a clamp ring like that? OMG!

 

[ahr43]

Beadlocks are more meant for rock crawlers and bouncers. The beadlock rings make them look like the real thing. So it's more for looks. But not useless. Heck, just look how much extra traction you get from all those screws.

Absolutely, Kevin. Here's an aftermarket opportunity to offer bead-lock screws in heavier brass to further aid in traction and hang even more weight off the suspension.

No longer use bead-locks in any of my applications. But similar considerations apply when using replaceable inserts and always change out the Allen-head caps screws for lighter button-heads when changing tire sets from MT to SCT or ST. Statically may not make much of a weight difference, but dynamically, yes.

Caveat, have used a mix of allen-head and button head to when balancing a wheel in need of aid. Never tried it on a bead-lock, but it may have some fine-balancing utility there as well.

-AC

 

[phil12345678910]

sorry I still dont get it nor why I should be upset, all I see is thousands of screws to attach a decoration to pretend to be the real thing
I am not upset I just try to understand why people dont clamp the rubber lip between the wheel and the ring

also I am not into crawlers so I am not into rocks, more like flat terrains and muscle cars

 

[WickedFog]

If they did design them to be functional in the small scales of RC, RC enthusiasts who used them would all be bald from pulling their hair out. You would have a very tough time getting the tire located and seated properly that way, given our RC tires are soft, and don't have a rigid inner lip that is standardized throughout the industry to be the same from one brand to the other.

It's mainly for looks. And let's face it, there are far crazier things people do to make their RC's look cool than taking 15 minutes to put in a bunch of screws. You ever seen how much work it takes to properly paint an RC car body and put any kind of detail into it? What's that shiny new paintjob for? Why do all that work? It doesn't make it ho faster.

Because it looks cool as hell. That's why.

There are hours, and days, and weeks in this build that has absolutely nothing to do with functionality or performance.

 

[Greywolf74]

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[Mike2507]

The screws will also bite on the rocks.

If you don't want to use the clamp ring, you don't have to. Does it upset you that it's not functional? Could you imagine how much a pain it would be to install a set of 1/10 scale tires on wheels using a clamp ring like that? OMG!

I have a set of bead locks. It's about 20 minute install for a set of 4.

 

[MVRCA]

Reasons:

1. It looks cool.

2. Helps protect edge of tire from rock strikes. We replace these rings with some frequency on our rock racers, and it's far cheaper than replacing the wheel half. Usually, you need to buy a new wheel if you damage the edges; not many places sell just the front wheel half. The rings are cheap and readily available.

3. To a small extent, it helps keep the tire from twisting around the wheel when things get stuck.

4. Looks cool.

Once you install the ring, you don't need to do it again. You can easily change tires and foams from there on out. When we service our beadlock wheels for either tire changes or foam changes, we take the wheel parts and drop them into an ultrasonic cleaner to get all the dust and grit out from the parts.

Some companies like Treal RC offer wheels with and without the outer ring, so there is room for personal preference. Unless you're rock racing, there really isn't a need other than looks.

You can see the wear on the edges of the rings on this Ryft.

 

[Chubaka]

Reasons:

1. It looks cool.

2. Helps protect edge of tire from rock strikes. We replace these rings with some frequency on our rock racers, and it's far cheaper than replacing the wheel half. Usually, you need to buy a new wheel if you damage the edges; not many places sell just the front wheel half. The rings are cheap and readily available.

3. To a small extent, it helps keep the tire from twisting around the wheel when things get stuck.

4. Looks cool.

Once you install the ring, you don't need to do it again. You can easily change tires and foams from there on out. When we service our beadlock wheels for either tire changes or foam changes, we take the wheel parts and drop them into an ultrasonic cleaner to get all the dust and grit out from the parts.

Some companies like Treal RC offer wheels with and without the outer ring, so there is room for personal preference. Unless you're rock racing, there really isn't a need other than looks.

You can see the wear on the edges of the rings on this Ryft.

View attachment 200918

Rock on my friend.

 

[MVRCA]

Rock on my friend.

Don't make me post a photo of this beast in mid-flight. You're gonna want one!

 

[Chubaka]

Don't make me post a photo of this beast in mid-flight. You're gonna want one!

I already do.

 

[MVRCA]