Thread: Wedgetop vs. Roughtop
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Unread 04-01-2012, 22:16
zaphodp.jensen zaphodp.jensen is offline
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AKA: Pierce Jensen
FRC #3130 (East Ridge Robotics Ominous Raptors (E.R.R.O.R.'s))
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Re: Wedgetop vs. Roughtop
The difference in traction from roughtop and wedgetop is going to be stronger. Roughtop has individual "fingers," which increase the surface area in contact with the rough carpet, while the wedgetop only has the wedge pattern, which is going to have to bend as one. This will decrease the amount of plaction in contact with the ground.

What the tires look like (Surface Contact View)
Roughtop:
- - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Wedgetop:
X
X
X

Or: Think of it this way: Which is going to have more surface area when pressed against the ground with ~120 pounds on it: A Pine tree branch, or a dowel rod?

The pine branch's needles are going to compress and increase the surface area in contact with the surface, while the dowel rod is going to not compress as much, and have less area in contact with the ground.