New for later summer 2023, the SDS Colson Wheel combines the competition-proven robustness of the Colson Performa Wheel with a custom hub for seamless integration into the MK4 and MK4i Swerve Modules. The result is a setup that provides extended wear life and a simplified replacement process.
Colson Performa Wheels have been used extensively in BattleBots and FIRST Robotics Competitions, including at the championship level. The durable co-injection molded construction of a thermoplastic elastomer tread permanently bonded to a polyolefin core helps ensure the wheel can withstand the rigors of robot competitions, while being friendlier to non-carpeted surfaces.
The unique hub design in conjunction with the custom Colson Wheel eliminates the additional tolerance stack-up introduced by the molded wheel at the hub/wheel interface. This integration results in a hard screw joint robustly clamping against the aluminum hub while accurately securing the wheel.
Hubs being Machined
These wheels are in stock and ready to ship. We have them available as a complete kit (wheel + hub + screws), or just the wheel. To convert your existing MK4 or MK4i Swerve Module from a Billet Wheel to Colson Wheel setup, order the Wheel Kit.
New swerve modules orders can be configured either Colson or Billet Wheels. If you have a swerve module order that has not shipped yet and would like it to be configured with Colson Wheels, reach out to us at [email protected] with your order number.
Awesome Patrick!!! I’ve been wanting to build something like this for our swerve bot for doing demonstrations etc when floor protection isn’t available.
Team 88’s testing suggests that you can get slightly higher grip out of Colsons (colsons tested 1.01 CoF while the stock black tread tested 0.96). This combined with the higher durability and easier swapping makes these kind of a no brainer.
I also take some bonus comfort in knowing that 3538 ran colsons on their swerve drive throughout the 2023 season and managed to place top 10 in FIM, and 7th by epa in the world, so their choice of tread clearly didn’t hold them back.
Does the existence of TTB selling cheaper versions of COTS products “kill” the original or vice versa? And in any case, why are you asking SDS that instead of that other vendor directly.
I dunno; there are definitely pros and cons to each, which is why I asked the question that I did. I should have worded it more like, “What are the pros and cons of this compared to that?”
I was just asking the users in the thread who are more familiar with these sorts of things than I amAndyMark. Should I have created a separate thread for that question?
708 ran colsons with custom hubs on SDS MK4i lots this year and they were great. We’ve historically been a colson team due to the drivability and not having to deal with swapping tread. We ran the same wheels all season and saw no significant wear (2 district events + district champs + driver practice).
We don’t have any hard traction data but anecdotally/historically colsons tend to perform well on mixed surfaces. Traction was much better on the charge station than with the standard rough top wheels.
