09nytrorider
Newbie
I have been looking at switching out my wheels and and wanted some input on whether to go with 3 wheels or 2 wheels on the rear axle. What are the advantages/disadvantages for each setup? I've been looking at OFT Racing's setup and they offer 2 or 3 between the rails setups. Is there any difference to having wheels on outside of rails vs inside? Any advantage/disadvantange to going with 7", 8" or 9" wheels on rear axle? Thanks for any suggestions! Let's ride 
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tapex_07
TY 4 Stroke Master
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2009
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- Snowmobile
- '10 Nytro MTX SE IMPULSE 174x3
'14 Viper XTX SE MPI 159x14x1.25
'07 Apex RTX SC2 MPI 128x1
Idk about 2 vs 3 on the inside, but romoving the outside wheels helps reduce drag in deeper snow, helps make the sled roll easier, and takes weight off(depending on how heavy your billet wheels are). As far as diameter, you really want to at least match the size of your drivers to help reduce rolling resistance. Going over an inch is about the max a person would want to go. Yes you can go more, but it really doesnt "help" anymore..
-drew
-drew
dhkr123
Expert
The more wheels you have, the more even the track pressure at the point of greatest stress... however, every additional wheel/brearing adds a little bit of resistance. Probably negligible though.
Most of the removal of outside wheels is part of WEIGHT reduction, not really for reducing drag. If you look at all the hardcore mountain sleds trying to get rid of every extra ounce, you'll find that they probably have 4 wheels in total -- 2 at the back and 2 on the top.
I personally like a 4-wheel back axle setup. If any one bearing blows, or even 1 from each side, you won't be left stranded. Just as long as you don't lose 2 on the same side, then you're walking.
Wheel size.... don't bother messing with stock. The stock wheel size is a balance between clearance and resistance. You go with a taller wheel, then when you land hard on the back, the track will hit the tunnel. You also have to be concerned about the offset of the shaft from the rails. If you go with a taller wheel, then you MUST go with an offset axle, otherwise the wheel will protrude below the rails and end up creating tons of resistance, hit things hard, and ultimately break prematurely.... and not necessarily the wheel will break. Could break your rails.
More important than the height of the wheels is the material that the outer edge of the wheel is made out of. The harder this material, the less resistance. If you're going to be 100% deep powder, it is OK to go with metal right to the edge. If you like spikes in your track or operate in areas with rocks/dirt/other abrasives, then you compromise by using wheels with rubber.
Most of the removal of outside wheels is part of WEIGHT reduction, not really for reducing drag. If you look at all the hardcore mountain sleds trying to get rid of every extra ounce, you'll find that they probably have 4 wheels in total -- 2 at the back and 2 on the top.
I personally like a 4-wheel back axle setup. If any one bearing blows, or even 1 from each side, you won't be left stranded. Just as long as you don't lose 2 on the same side, then you're walking.
Wheel size.... don't bother messing with stock. The stock wheel size is a balance between clearance and resistance. You go with a taller wheel, then when you land hard on the back, the track will hit the tunnel. You also have to be concerned about the offset of the shaft from the rails. If you go with a taller wheel, then you MUST go with an offset axle, otherwise the wheel will protrude below the rails and end up creating tons of resistance, hit things hard, and ultimately break prematurely.... and not necessarily the wheel will break. Could break your rails.
More important than the height of the wheels is the material that the outer edge of the wheel is made out of. The harder this material, the less resistance. If you're going to be 100% deep powder, it is OK to go with metal right to the edge. If you like spikes in your track or operate in areas with rocks/dirt/other abrasives, then you compromise by using wheels with rubber.
northerndoc
Expert
I run 2 8" wheels inside the rails on my 09 XTX. I did it to make the sled roll on it's side easier in deep snow. I do a fair amount of trail riding too, and haven't noticed a reduction in handling. I don't run studs though.
mach9
TY 4 Stroke Master
Because of the tip up on XTX you can get away with a set of bigger rear wheels without much concern about the axle placement.
You would lose some of your tip up though.
You would lose some of your tip up though.
