Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 21T 48DP 1/8 Shaft AS1339

Overview

The Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear 21T 48DP is a premium upgrade component designed for RC enthusiasts who demand the best performance from their RC cars and trucks. Whether you're running a competitive race setup or enjoying weekend bashing with your RC vehicle, this pinion gear represents a significant step up from standard steel alternatives. The 21-tooth configuration is ideal for balanced acceleration and top-end speed, making it a popular choice across a wide range of 1/10 and 1/8 scale RC buggies, trucks, and shortcourse vehicles throughout the UK RC community.

This lightweight, hard-anodised pinion gear delivers proven performance benefits that experienced RC racers and hobbyists have come to rely on. Built from 7075-T6 aluminium, one of the most advanced aerospace-grade materials available, the AS1339 offers superior durability compared to traditional stamped steel pinions. The hard-anodised finish provides exceptional wear resistance, meaning your pinion will maintain its precision mesh with your spur gear for longer, translating to more consistent performance, better acceleration response, and reduced maintenance intervals. For any serious RC car or RC truck builder in the UK, upgrading to Factory Team aluminium pinions is one of the most cost-effective performance enhancements available.

The 48DP (diametral pitch) specification ensures compatibility with a vast range of modern RC drivetrains, whilst the 3.2mm (1/8-inch) shaft bore fits motors with standard 1/8-inch shafts. This is a true Factory Team hopup component—the kind of upgrade used by Associated's race teams and top competitors worldwide. Whether you're looking to improve your RC vehicle's reliability, reduce unsprung weight, or simply benefit from faster gear changes and easier identification of tooth counts during setup, this pinion gear delivers tangible, real-world advantages.

Key Features

• 7075-T6 Aluminium Construction — This aerospace-grade aluminium alloy is significantly lighter and stronger than conventional steel pinions, providing weight savings that improve handling and acceleration whilst maintaining exceptional durability under the stresses of high-speed RC driving.
• Hard-Anodised Finish for Long Life — The hard-anodised protective coating creates a surface that resists wear, corrosion, and damage far better than bare aluminium or painted finishes, ensuring your pinion maintains its shape and precision engagement with the spur gear throughout its service life.
• Two Set-Screw Holes — Dual set-screw mounting points provide secure, reliable attachment to your motor shaft with multiple fastening options, preventing slippage and ensuring consistent power delivery to your RC car's drivetrain under acceleration and braking.
• Laser-Etched Tooth Count — The tooth count is permanently laser-marked onto the gear body in large, easy-to-read numbers, making quick setup changes faster and eliminating confusion during pit time—essential when you're swapping gears to tune your RC vehicle for different track conditions.
• Factory Team Hopup Specification — This is genuine Associated Factory Team competition-grade equipment, representing the same quality and performance standard trusted by professional RC racing teams and factory-supported drivers worldwide.
• 48DP Pitch Compatibility — The 48DP specification ensures perfect compatibility with the vast majority of modern RC car and truck drivetrains available in the UK market, whether you're running a TC class racer, an off-road buggy, or a shortcourse truck.
• 3.2mm Shaft Bore — The 1/8-inch (3.2mm) bore diameter is the industry-standard motor shaft size for most competitive RC vehicles, making this pinion a true plug-and-play upgrade for countless models and chassis designs.

Technical Performance

The 21-tooth pinion configuration represents an excellent middle-ground choice for balanced RC performance. With 48DP (diametral pitch) gearing, this tooth count provides crisp acceleration without sacrificing top-end speed—ideal for mixed racing formats where both out-of-the-box punch and sustained velocity matter equally. The 7075-T6 aluminium alloy used in its construction is the same material specification found in high-performance aerospace components, delivering a superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to conventional steel alternatives. Hard-anodising adds a protective oxide layer measured in microns that dramatically increases surface hardness and corrosion resistance; this means your pinion will maintain dimensional accuracy and smooth engagement with your spur gear far longer than untreated alternatives. The precision manufacturing ensures that tooth profiles mesh perfectly with standard Associated spur gears, eliminating noise, vibration, and drivetrain slop. The 3.2mm (1/8-inch) shaft bore is the universal standard for modern brushless motors used in competitive 1/8 and 1/10 scale RC cars and trucks throughout the UK. With dual set-screw holes, installation is straightforward and secure, and the laser-etched tooth count enables rapid gear ratio adjustments during setup and tuning. This is not a toy component—it's genuine Factory Team equipment engineered to deliver consistent, reliable performance in demanding competitive environments and intensive recreational use alike.

What's in the Box

• Associated Factory Team Aluminium Pinion Gear, 21T, 48DP, 1/8-inch shaft (AS1339)
• Pre-installed set screws for immediate use

What You Need to Complete

• RC vehicle with 1/8-inch motor shaft and 48DP drivetrain (most modern Associated TC, SC, and buggy models)
• Screwdriver (Phillips or appropriate set-screw tool, typically included with RC vehicles)
• Optional: threadlocking compound for permanent set-screw installation

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a pinion gear and why would I upgrade from the standard steel version? — A pinion gear is the small driver gear mounted on your motor shaft that meshes with the larger spur gear to transfer power to your RC vehicle's wheels. Upgrading to an aluminium pinion like the AS1339 offers three primary benefits: weight savings that improve handling and acceleration response, superior durability and wear resistance through hard-anodising, and easier identification thanks to laser-etched tooth counts. Many competitive RC racers in the UK consider pinion upgrade one of the highest-return-on-investment modifications available.
• Will this pinion fit my RC car or truck? — The AS1339 is compatible with any RC vehicle featuring a 3.2mm (1/8-inch) motor shaft and 48DP (diametral pitch) drivetrain. This includes most modern Associated TC class racers, shortcourse trucks, buggies, and crawlers, as well as many other brands' vehicles using standard 48DP drivetrain specifications. Check your vehicle's manual or contact our knowledgeable team at RC Model Shop if you're unsure about compatibility.
• What does 48DP mean and why does it matter? — DP stands for diametral pitch, a measurement that defines the relationship between a gear's tooth count and its pitch diameter. 48DP is the industry-standard specification for high-performance RC car and truck drivetrains, ensuring your pinion will mesh perfectly with associated spur gears and deliver efficient power transfer with minimal noise and slop.
• How does the 21-tooth configuration compare to other pinion sizes? — The 21-tooth size offers balanced performance: smaller pinions (like 17T or 19T) provide quicker acceleration but lower top speed, whilst larger pinions (like 23T, 25T, or 27T) emphasise top speed over acceleration. The 21T is an excellent all-round choice for mixed racing formats and recreational bashing, making it popular across many track types and driving styles throughout the UK RC community.
• Is the hard-anodised finish really better than standard finishes? — Yes, absolutely. Hard-anodising creates a ceramic-like oxide layer on the aluminium surface that is significantly harder and more corrosion-resistant than painted finishes or bare aluminium. This means your pinion will resist wear from constant mesh with the spur gear, maintain dimensional accuracy longer, and require less maintenance during the season—particularly important if you're racing in competitive environments or running multiple events.
• Can I use set-screw threadlocker on this pinion? — Yes, many RC racers apply threadlocking compound (typically medium-strength formulations like Loctite 243) to the set screws for permanent installation during racing season. This prevents vibration-induced loosening, particularly during intense driving. For recreational use or frequent gear changes, you may prefer using set screws without threadlocker for easier adjustments.
• Why choose Associated Factory Team components over other brands? — Associated has been manufacturing precision RC components for decades and maintains strict quality control standards. Factory Team components are the same parts used by Associated's factory racing teams worldwide, ensuring you're getting proven competition-grade equipment. The hard-anodised finish and precision tooth profiles are hallmarks of Associated's engineering excellence.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the ASSOCIATED FACTORY TEAM ALUM. PINION GEAR 21T 48DP 1/8"SHAFT AS1339 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.