MadMardigan Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with Hobby Design wheels. I'm trying to build my 1:1 2005 Subaru Impreza that I have Enkei RPF-1 wheels on, and they seem to be the only ones still making them. I've got the 1:25 Revell STi kit, so I'm hoping the 1:24 wheels are good quality and won't look TOO big (a little big is okay). I'm also curious where to source tires from, I mostly build muscle cars and older sports cars, so I don't have any low profile tuner tires in my stash. FYI I've got BFG G-force 2's on my 1:1. Also wanted to know if anyone has dealt with mediamixhobby.com. They have the wheels in stock and for a decent price, but I don't want to get ripped off. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 (edited) I have used/do use HD wheels, I have not had an issue with the ones that I have got . I cant say about the place, I get mine on Ebay for the most part Edit- I took a look at the site, and the cheapest set of wheels is $5 more then for that same set of wheels on Ebay, and shipping is $8 , when the last set of wheels I bought, the shipping was $2, $23.90 vs $12 http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=hobby+design+wheels&_sop=15 Edited July 18, 2013 by martinfan5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMardigan Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 I don't usually like dealing with E-bay, but I just did a comparison and got $16.38 + $3.50 shipping for E-bay ($19.88 total) or $13.92 + $6.59 shipping for mediamix ($20.51 total). Not a huge difference. I think my best bet might be hobbyeasy.com. $12.56 + $2.45 registered shipping ($15.01 total). So... tires? Scale issues? Anyone want to weigh in? ~MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exotics_Builder Posted July 20, 2013 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Earlier versions of HD wheels needed a lot of cleanup and some were poorly cast, as the wheels I got for the Ferrari California. They have cleaned up their act and the wheels are much better. Some of their earlier wheels came with tires, but lately not. HD does sell tires separately, but are low aspect ratio and wide. Very few are big and little, if that is the effect you are looking for. This is one set that fits the Novitec Rosso wheels for the Ferrari F12: Good tread detail, but no sidewall detail (like Revell tires). Of course, with low aspect ratio, sidewall detail would be tough to pick out anyway. Here is a set of 19inch Bridgestone Potenza RE050 (305/40R19) tires they also sell: Additionally, Aoshima and Fujimi have reissued several of their tire/wheel sets. Getting them is hit or miss as modelers usually jump at them when reissued. And, they are usually only on Japanese sites. An example is: Another tire option is Pegasus Hobbies. They do sell tires, both higher aspect ratio and rubber band type. You can do some mix and match in sizes. They do stretch, so a sixteen inch can fit an 18 inch wheel and an 18 can fit a 19-20 inch wheel: If you are looking for a specific brand or tread pattern that is tougher. Many of the Fujimi/Aoshima older reissues are still shod with older Pirelli P-Zero treads. HD sells specific tire and treads, but limited size, especially if you are looking for big and little. Other than Ebay, try Mediamix Hobby: http://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/shop/index.php Hobby Link Japan: http://www.hlj.com/top/Aut Hobbysearch Japan: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/car/ HobbyEasy Japan: http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/page/advance_search_result.html Regardless of what you choose in wheels, you will need to consider how to adapt them to the hub/brake option you have. There are adapters marketed, but strictly oriented to Tamiya or Fujimi/Aoshima. If adapting to Revell, Revell of Germany, AMT, MPC or Polar Lights, there will be work. You will also need to allow for kit or aftermarket brake sets. HTH. Gerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMardigan Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 Wow, that certainly is a wealth of information. Thanks Gerry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Jon Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Excellent post Gerry! Only addition I would make, is to see if someone has to sell tires from their Tamiya kits, which many do having used bigger HD wheels in their builds The Tamiya 18-20" tires, in particular Ferrari kits - F50, Enzo, 458, California, etc - have good quality tires, including sidewall marking detail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exotics_Builder Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Excellent post Gerry! Only addition I would make, is to see if someone has to sell tires from their Tamiya kits, which many do having used bigger HD wheels in their builds The Tamiya 18-20" tires, in particular Ferrari kits - F50, Enzo, 458, California, etc - have good quality tires, including sidewall marking detail Good point. But, again look for tread type as the F50 is older and Tamiya didn't do a 458 or California. Fujimi and Revell did 458's and Revell only for the California. For example, I am using different wheels and tires on my Calfiornia build. The F12 Berlinetta from Fujimi has pretty decent tires in the kit as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Hello, Getting back to the workbench has re-ignited my wheel fetish It's been a long time so I am trying to get up to speed on aftermarket wheels/tires. I found some great looking wheels on ebay form a company called Hobby Design. Never heard of them before. Any experience with them? Any US retailer? What tires to use? I'm always looking for high performance or racing wheels/tires combos. Not rubber band style tires. Any comments? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exotics_Builder Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 The newer ones are much improved in quality than the hit and miss earlier versions of a couple plus years ago. Hobby Design also sells tires of various types and will fit Pegasus 18" tires in most cases. There are some Hobby Design wheels and tires amongst these photos: http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/Basement%20Hobby%20Stash/Wheels http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/Model%20wheels%20and%20Tires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
om617 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Hobby Design is some of the best in business when it comes to aftermarket parts and trans-kits. Very high quality. A more afordable option is http://www.eightyone81.com/category/products/rims/ Very nice quality parts here too. As for tires you can check out http://www.scaleproduction.de/ The shipping can be pricy,but maby if you contact them and are in for several sets they can give a good deal. Also here the quality is top notch. Not sure if this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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