Improving the KOP Skyway wheels

[Billfred]

For a lot of teams, the Skyways we've seen in past Kits of Parts have been solid, reliable wheels with a price that's hard to beat ($0). But it seems that lately, particularly with the rise of the AM Shifter and hard defense, that more and more wheels are biting the dust (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/24706).

Some folks rectify this with other wheels, but sometimes that's just not an option due to cost (or time). Has anyone figured out a good way to make these wheels survive a three- (or six-, or nine-) day thrashing?

[Stephen Kowski]

never had a problem with them myself, we had one set that we ran at two or three competition with out one single problem....i think one of the most common mistakes i see that causes problems is that teams just bolt their sprocket straight to the plastic wheel hub and never put a bearing in the sprocket...

[Cuog]

Have spares. Sometimes the best way to ensure you will make it through is to make sure you can fix anything that can go wrong.

[Peter Matteson]

We tried in 2005 but couldn't find a way. We must have broken the 6-8 we had in the 2 regionals we went to. I know you say cost is an issue but have you looked at buying their pneumatics? They don't beak easily and you could in fact reuse them for a 2-3 years before the tread wears off.

[sanddrag]

Step 1: build practice/demonstration/programming robot that won't see combat.
Step 2: install Skyway wheels on said robot
Step 3: purchase Colson wheels
Step 4: machine aluminum hubs for Colson wheels
Step 5: install colson wheels with custom hubs on actual FRC robot.

[Madison]

For a lot of teams, the Skyways we've seen in past Kits of Parts have been solid, reliable wheels with a price that's hard to beat ($0). But it seems that lately, particularly with the rise of the AM Shifter and hard defense, that more and more wheels are biting the dust (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/24706).

I'll admit that I don't pay too much attention to these things, but has breaking these wheels been a problem for a lot of teams? This is the only time I've heard or seen of them breaking.

How were they connected to the drive?

In the past, we've cut wedges that fit into three of the six pockets on each wheel -- on both sides -- then bolt a sprocket to those wedges. This spreads the load out along the whole spoke and we've not once had an issue with the wheels doing anything they're not supposed to do.

[Billfred]

How were they connected to the drive?
I can't speak for 1902 (or anybody, for that matter), but it seems that the standard way of doing it is to use the plastic hubs that come in the kit and grab the spokes, which are then bolted together on both sides of the wheel. This allows for teams to use just about any FIRST-targeted sprocket (either KOP, IFI, or AM).

[Peter Matteson]

Our breakage was a result of the wheels coming off the ground and slamming back down. It seemed like after a few hot/cold cycles from shipping they became brittle. Until 2005 we hadn't had as big an issue. This caused us to look at alternatives and we used the IFI last year which were great after me made a few changes to them. For 2007, well that's TBD. We plan on comparing IFI v2, Colson, and something I'm not sure even we can make work. :D

[Gdeaver]

The broken wheel referenced in the picture appears to have been modified. Our team has used the KOP wheels unmodified in a 4 powered wheel configuration and never had a problem. Maybe it's the modifications that are causing the problems.