The essential points about DuBro wheels

• Understanding the importance of DuBro wheels on a radio-controlled airplane.
• Choosing the right diameter according to the weight and type of airplane.
• Discovering the main ranges of RC airplane wheels offered by DuBro.
• Adapting your wheels to the takeoff and landing terrain.
• Improving the safety, rolling, and longevity of the RC landing gear.

Download the DuBro catalog.

Wheels: an often underestimated element

When a modeler builds an RC airplane, they generally spend a lot of time choosing the engine, servos, or radio.

Wheels often take a back seat.

However, they play an essential role in the behavior of the aircraft on the ground.

Even before takeoff, they ensure the taxiing, absorb irregularities in the terrain, and contribute to the stability of the airplane. During landing, they absorb a large part of the energy produced by the contact with the runway.

Ill-fitted RC airplane wheels can cause difficult takeoffs, bouncing on landing, tipping over, or premature wear of the RC landing gear.

Conversely, properly sized DuBro wheels immediately improve the model's behavior and make its use much more enjoyable.

Why are DuBro wheels so popular?

For several decades, DuBro has been recognized as one of the leading manufacturers of accessories for RC modeling.

Among its most popular products are DuBro wheels, used on thousands of radio-controlled airplanes worldwide.

The brand's success is based on several criteria.

First and foremost, the quality of manufacturing is remarkable. The materials used offer an excellent compromise between lightness, strength, and shock absorption capacity.

The catalog is also particularly comprehensive. Whether it's a small electric airplane, an RC warbird, an aerobatic airplane, a large gasoline model, or a scale model, there is generally a suitable reference.

Finally, DuBro wheels are known for their ease of assembly and compatibility with the majority of landing gear available on the market.

What is the role of wheels on a radio-controlled airplane?

Wheels serve several essential functions.

The first is to allow smooth taxiing.

A properly sized wheel facilitates the acceleration of the airplane during takeoff and improves its directional stability.

The second function concerns shock absorption.

During landing, a significant amount of energy is dissipated by the tires. A quality wheel reduces the stresses applied to the RC landing gear, which helps preserve the aircraft's structure.

Finally, wheels also influence performance.

An overly heavy wheel increases the total mass of the aircraft.

A wheel that is too small risks sinking into the grass.

An unbalanced wheel can generate vibrations.

The choice of DuBro wheels should never be left to chance.

The main selection criteria

Before selecting a pair of DuBro wheels, several criteria must be taken into account.

The first is the weight of the airplane.

The heavier a model is, the more the wheels must be able to support significant loads.

The second criterion concerns the terrain.

A perfectly asphalted runway does not impose the same constraints as a grass field or a roughly maintained strip.

The third element is landing speed.

Fast airplanes place more demands on the tires and often require more robust wheels.

Finally, realism can also come into play, especially for scale model and RC warbird enthusiasts.

The different families of DuBro wheels

The DuBro catalog includes several ranges designed to meet very different needs.

Each family has its own characteristics.

This diversity is one of DuBro's main strengths. Whatever category your plane falls into, there is usually a suitable wheel available.

Diamond Lite Wheels: the versatile reference

The Diamond Lite Wheels are among the most popular models in the range.

Their high-quality foam provides an excellent balance between lightness and durability.

These wheels are perfect for trainers, sport planes, electric models, and many gas-powered planes.

Their low weight helps reduce the total mass of the aircraft while maintaining excellent shock absorption capabilities on uneven terrain.

For many hobbyists, they are a particularly safe choice when looking for a versatile solution.

Big Wheels: the solution for challenging terrains

Not all terrains have a perfectly maintained runway.

Many clubs have grass runways, sometimes uneven.

In this situation, DuBro Big Wheels offer a clear advantage.

Their larger diameter makes it easier to overcome small irregularities and reduces the risk of tipping during takeoff.

These wheels are particularly appreciated on bush planes, tow planes, large models, and some aerobatic planes operating on natural terrains.

They also improve rolling comfort while reducing stress on the landing gear.

Why use quality wheels?

The price of a pair of wheels represents a relatively small part of the total cost of a remote-controlled plane.

Yet, their impact on the aircraft's behavior is significant.

Well-chosen DuBro wheels lead to smoother takeoffs, softer landings, and better ground stability.

They also help preserve the RC landing gear, attachments, and the aircraft's structure.

Investing in suitable wheels is a wise choice, both for novice pilots and experienced hobbyists.

How to choose the right wheel diameter?

The diameter is the primary criterion to consider when choosing DuBro wheels. It directly influences rolling qualities, takeoff ease, and the aircraft's behavior during landing.

A wheel that is too small quickly reaches its limits on grass terrain. It sinks further into the ground, increases rolling resistance, and can cause the aircraft to tip when powering up.

Conversely, an oversized wheel adds weight, sometimes alters the aircraft's aesthetics, and can create more aerodynamic drag.

The right compromise is to choose a diameter large enough for the terrain used, without unnecessarily penalizing the model's performance.

What diameter according to the type of aircraft?

These values are indicative.

The model manufacturer may sometimes recommend a specific diameter to respect the landing gear geometry.

Adapting wheels to the terrain

The type of runway greatly influences an aircraft's behavior on the ground.

On a perfectly maintained asphalt runway, relatively small wheels generally offer excellent performance. They reduce rolling resistance and promote rapid acceleration.

On the other hand, a grass runway often requires larger diameter wheels.

The Big Wheels DuBro help to easily overcome terrain irregularities.

For very rough terrains, they become almost essential.

Pilots operating on natural runways quickly notice the difference between a standard wheel and a large diameter wheel.

Wheels for trainers

The RC trainer is usually a modeler's first aircraft.

It should be easy to fly but also easy to use on the ground.

Medium-sized DuBro wheels offer the best compromise.

They absorb small shocks well, facilitate grass taxiing, and reduce the risk of tipping over.

For a training aircraft, durability is more important than realism.

Wheels for warbirds

RC warbirds require a slightly different choice.

Realism often plays an important role.

The wheels should as closely as possible match the proportions of the replicated aircraft.

However, they must also remain sufficiently performant to operate on club terrains.

The Scale Wheels DuBro range allows for a balance between aesthetics and efficiency.

They offer a realistic appearance while retaining the necessary rolling qualities for regular use.

Wheels for aerobatic planes

Aerobatic planes perform repeated takeoffs and landings.

Their landing gear undergoes significant stress.

The DuBro wheels used on these models should be:

• lightweight;
• perfectly balanced;
• able to absorb shocks;
• strong enough to withstand sometimes heavy braking.

The Diamond Lite Wheels particularly meet these requirements.

Wheels for large models

Large gas planes represent a special case.

The weight can reach several tens of kilograms.

Mechanical constraints become very important.

In this situation, Big Wheels DuBro offer several advantages.

Their large diameter facilitates takeoffs on grass.

Their structure effectively absorbs terrain irregularities.

Finally, they reduce the stresses applied to the legs of the RC landing gear, which helps preserve the aircraft's structure.

Materials used by DuBro

The reputation of DuBro wheels also relies on the quality of the materials used.

The foams used provide an excellent balance between lightness and absorption capacity.

They resist crushing well and retain their properties over time.

The hubs are designed to ensure good concentricity, thus limiting vibrations during rolling.

This quality of manufacture explains why many modelers use the same wheels for several seasons.

Should lightness be favored?

It can be tempting to choose the lightest wheels possible.

However, this is not always the best solution.

A slightly heavier wheel but better suited to the terrain will often allow for shorter takeoffs and safer landings.

The gain obtained from reducing a few grams is generally very small compared to the benefits of a properly sized wheel.

The goal should always be to find the best balance between weight, robustness, and ground behavior.

The most common mistakes

Some mistakes are frequently made when choosing RC airplane wheels.

The first is to keep the wheels delivered with the aircraft even if they are not suitable for the terrain used.

The second is to prioritize only the aesthetic aspect.

A very realistic model will be difficult to use if its wheels are unable to roll properly on the club's runway.

Finally, many modelers forget to check the wheel axle diameter.

Before placing an order, it is essential to check the compatibility between DuBro wheels and the RC landing gear of your model.

By considering these criteria, it becomes much easier to select a pair of wheels that will truly improve the performance and usability comfort of your remote-controlled airplane.

Properly installing DuBro wheels

Choosing good DuBro wheels is a first step. However, they must be installed correctly to offer their full performance.

Before installation, check that the axle diameter matches the hub perfectly. A wheel that turns with too much play will wear out more quickly and may cause vibrations during rolling.

The wheels must also turn freely. Excessive tightening of the wheel collars or nuts can create a hard spot and increase rolling resistance.

After installation, roll the plane for a few meters to check that both wheels turn freely and that the model maintains good directional stability.

A few minutes of checking often help avoid many inconveniences on the field.

Additional accessories

DuBro wheels work with various accessories that also contribute to the reliability of the RC landing gear.

Among the most commonly used are:

• Wheel Collars;
• Wheel axles;
• Adapter rings;
• Spacers;
• Lock nuts;
• Wheel supports;
• Aluminum or fiber landing gear.

Using compatible components results in a more reliable and durable assembly.

How to maintain your wheels?

RC airplane wheels require little maintenance, but regular checks significantly increase their lifespan.

After each flight day, it is advisable to remove dust, grass residues, or small stones that may accumulate around the axles.

Then, check that the wheels turn freely and do not show any cracks or deformations.

On thermal models, take the opportunity to check that oil or fuel splashes have not damaged the different landing gear parts.

Finally, regularly inspect the retaining collars to ensure they remain properly tightened.

These few operations help maintain smooth rolling for many seasons.

When should you replace your wheels?

Even quality DuBro wheels eventually wear out.

Several signs should attract your attention.

A foam that permanently deforms.

A cracked hub.

A wheel that turns difficultly despite a clean axle.

Uneven tire wear.

An insufficient diameter after several years of use.

Replacing a pair of wheels is a simple and relatively inexpensive operation. It often allows for immediately regaining a much more pleasant behavior during takeoff and landing.

Comparative table of the main DuBro ranges

Frequently Asked Questions

Are DuBro wheels suitable for electric planes?

Yes. The DuBro catalog includes many references specially adapted for electric planes, from small leisure models to large planes.

Can Big Wheels be used on a trainer?

Yes, provided that the diameter is compatible with the landing gear.

The Big Wheels DuBro are particularly useful when the terrain is grassy or uneven.

What is the best wheel for a warbird?

For an RC warbird, it is generally preferable to choose Scale Wheels DuBro, which offer a good compromise between realism and rolling qualities.

How to determine the correct diameter?

The manufacturer of your plane usually indicates a recommended dimension.

If in doubt, it is advisable to measure the original wheels and check that the new references remain compatible with the landing gear.

Are DuBro wheels compatible with all brands?

In most cases, yes. Thanks to the different bore diameters and available accessories, the DuBro wheels can equip a wide variety of RC planes, regardless of their brand.

Why choose DuBro wheels?

Over the decades, DuBro has established itself as a global reference for RC airplane wheels.

The quality of materials, the variety of dimensions, and the richness of the catalog make it easy to find a solution suitable for virtually all models.

Whether you are building a trainer, a warbird, an aerobatic plane, an RC glider, a bush plane, or a large gasoline model, DuBro wheels offer an excellent compromise between robustness, lightness, and rolling comfort.

Their design also helps preserve the RC landing gear, reduce stress on the airframe, and improve safety during takeoff and landing phases.

Find DuBro wheels at Scientific-MHD

To select the most suitable DuBro wheels for your RC plane, it is useful to compare the different ranges available based on the model's weight, type of terrain, and required axle diameter.

Scientific-MHD offers a wide range of DuBro wheels, as well as associated accessories such as locking collars, axles, RC landing gear components, and many other components for equipping RC planes.

By choosing wheels adapted to your model and flying conditions, you will benefit from smoother takeoffs, more comfortable landings, and longer-lasting equipment.

Thus, DuBro wheels represent a lasting investment for all enthusiasts of model aviation, from novice pilots to the most demanding model builders.