ASK Cubby – Another Week Of Your Astute Questions

“X-MAXX TIRES

Cubby,

Hi Cubby, how ya doing? I am a huge fan of the Cub Report! Before I spend all my money on a new set of tires for my X-Maxx, I wanted your opinion. I know you have one, what kind of tires are you running on yours?

Chad P.”

Cubby- Yo hey there Chad, good hearing from you again. You know the drill, send me your snail mail for a sticker pack.

About those X-Maxx tires, I have been running Pro-Line Badlands for a long time on mine. I run the 8S Traxxas power system, which for me is good power, without being so much that I trash a bunch of parts. The Badlands on my truck only see soft surfaces like topsoil, sand, and grass, which of course they are epic on.

However, we are now testing the new Pro-Line 4.3″ Pro-Loc Trenchers, which have been outstanding. They may not have quite the grip in the loam, but they really rock on harder surfaces, especially on pavement. Look for a full write-up some time next week.

“Bandit Motor

Dear Cubby,

The motor in my Traxxas Bandit has finally died. I want to get a replacement motor, which would have to be brushed. I don’t feel like switching over to brushless, and I can’t really afford it anyways, what motor would you recommend?

Martin W.”

Cubby- Hello there Mark, thanks for writing in. I get a lot of questions like yours, so here ya go.

Most RTRs that end up in consumer hands come with a brushed motor. Most of them are nearly the same, and most really aren’t bad motors. Ya, I know, some know-it-all-guy on FB goes off constantly on RTR motors, but that is probably because he has a pile of trucks, along with a pile of brushless systems, just laying around his house. Not everyone has the cash for brushless, I do now, but I have not forgotten the days when I did NOT.

These days, I am a big fan of the kit/brushed/sealed stock Traxxas motors. I take the time to water-dip mine to help break them in. This allows them to perform noticeably better, plus they also last significantly longer than just running one WFO out of the box.

I would recommend replacing your burnt out stocker with another stock unit, but please learn to break it in properly before installing it. The stock motor is dirt cheap (and many people just give them away), yet puts out loads of usable power for months (if broken in properly). It is simply a great bang-for-the-buck, with a big emphasis on minimal bucks.

Do you have a crazy question? Need a crazy answer? Have a rant that you just have to get off your chest? Email me- thecubreportrc at gmail dot com.