The best multi-speed transmission

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by squirrel

In your case, you apparently did not have to sacrifice anything for the weight savings. In our case, bulding our own lightweight transmissions would mean not building the rest of the robot! due to limited resources.

I think if you set the weight budget about 10 lbs under the max weight allowed, and you keep track of it during build, you can probably get the robot done within wieght. Also if you start with a heavy drive base, it's easier to shave weight off it at the end if needed, than if you start with it as light as possible.

I think the main advantage to reducing weight on the robot is so that if you go over (as we along with many other teams did) then its just another piece that can be lightened.
I understand the worry that you would add the weight higher on the robot but I believe that the trade off of guaranteeing lighter weight over messing up where you put weight is worth it.

Also I find it easier to simply not put weight high rather than trying to monitor your weight all along with a heavy gearbox.