I have a matt francis graphite xxx-t and I was driving with some of my friends out on our track and I let one of my friends drive, I put a new reedy spec motor in it and it was a lot faster, he slammed one of our tiki torches and snapped the front graphite arm in 3 places, I have heard from the guys at the hobby shop that graphite is good, but can also brake if it hits weird spots, were as plastic seems it would be more bendy. What do you think I should replace with, a graphite or plastic, money isn't the problem, just durability.

Generally speaking the graphite parts are a little lighter and stiffer but these attributes also lend it to more readily breaking when running into objects such as your friend did. In my opinion the part probably would have broken in either form (plastic or graphite) but generally the plastic composite is a "little" more forgiving in the breakage department.

Well, for instance on my revo I broke the bottom of an arm and didnt even notice for awhile because it wasn't a problem it was still somewhat together, I guess when this stuff breaks, you know.

i would most deff go with plastic if you are not going to be racing at a weekley basis at a hobby shop track . just my 02

Brandon

You may want to read this article from Associated's web site.

http://www.rc10.com/misc/article.graphite_myths.htm

Martin Paradis

And for racing that even depends. With my T4 I used a plastic chassis with graphite A arms. Many Associated team drivers race full plastic trucks. For smooth tracks graphite seems to be better, for rough tracks plastic tends to be more forgiving because it reacts a little slower.

keep in mind of course, graphite also holds a better re-sale price should you decide to get rid of it at some point.

Im not liking the graphite so far. The part where the front skid plate bolts to that front carbon piece keeps ripping the bolts out and stripping it.

maintinace comes along with beating up on rc cars. the more you abuse them the more they break and wear out.. it wont matter what the parts are made of..