[thefro526]

I've had experience with both IFI Traction wheels and AM Plaction wheels, neither are a bad option, it really comes down to preference.

IFI's are nice because of some of the features noted above; they're essentially bulletproof for FRC applications, come in wider standard widths and are an IFI product. (Who doesn't love IFI?)

Plactions are great because they're less expensive and lighter, but their standard method of tread attachment leaves something to be desired and they can have robustness issues. In my first experience with plaction wheels, the team I was on decided to try to use them without anything to retain the tread ends (Just relied on the grooves in the wheel body to retain the treads) and we started losing treads after an hour or so of practice. Since then, I've always shot a rivet into each free end of the tread and one ~180* opposite of where the tread meets. Seems to solve the problem easily. One of the things that many people seem to forget/overlook about plaction wheels is that it's possible to make a plaction wheel of any reasonable width that you can think of - it's just a matter of cutting a piece of Sch40 PVC (Diameters escape me at the moment) to the right length and getting the right screws.

My only complaint about plaction wheels is that they can't accept a 22T Sprocket #35 plate sprocket directly without a spacer. This isn't a deal breaker for most teams, but can add an unneeded hassle if you're not expecting it. Also, I've always drilled out the sprocket mounting holes with a #9 Drill Bit (Through hole for a 10-32) and then used a 10-32 SHCS with a Lock Nut to retain the Sprockets as I've never been a fan of shooting self tapping screws into the wheel body.