[FTC]: Can I add non-slip material to 4" Tetrix Wheels?

[F Elliott]

Rookie Coach alert!

We had our robot on a ramp for the first time tonight and the traction of our rear-wheel gear drive 4" Tetrix wheels is not what we are wanting. We wanted to use 4" Hi-Grip AndyMark wheels but we ran into difficulties mounting them in a satisfactory way so we went to the Tetrix wheels. Now we are having to rethink.

Reading various forums, it sounds like teams attach (glue?) strips of non-skid to their wheels. I know sheet materials are legal (and several non-skid sheet materials have been posed and approved in the rules forum) and glue/adhesives are legal... but how does increasing the diameter of the 4" wheel come into play and aren't we modifying a standard part by doing something like this?

I'm posting here before I ask in the rules forum because: (a) I'm a total FTC novice and I'm not even sure I'm asking the questions correctly, and (b) I get great answers fast here on Chief Delphi!

THANKS!