Overview
The Fastrax 32DP 21T Steel Pinion Gear (5mm) is a precision-engineered replacement gear designed for RC enthusiasts who demand reliability and performance from their radio control vehicles. Whether you're running a crawler, buggy, truck, or specialist RC car in the UK, this steel pinion gear offers the durability and consistent performance that serious RC hobbyists expect. As an essential component in your RC drivetrain, a quality pinion gear ensures smooth power delivery, reduced wear on your motor and spur gear, and optimal handling characteristics across a wide range of driving conditions.
This gear is engineered specifically for use in RC applications where precision meshing with your spur gear is critical to overall vehicle performance. The 32 diametral pitch (32DP) specification is a standard RC gearing size that works across numerous popular RC car platforms, making this an incredibly versatile upgrade or replacement option. Whether you're a weekend basher exploring the capabilities of your ready to run RC car or a competitive racer fine-tuning every aspect of your setup, having quality replacement gears on hand is essential for keeping your RC vehicle running at its peak.
Built from hardened steel rather than softer materials, this pinion gear resists the constant rotational stress and mesh contact that occurs during normal driving, offering extended service life compared to cheaper alternatives. RC Model Shop stocks this gear because we understand that enthusiasts across the UK deserve access to genuine Fastrax components that integrate seamlessly with their existing setups without compromise on quality or performance.
Key Features
- 32 Diametral Pitch (32DP) Profile — The 32DP specification is a standard gearing size used across numerous popular RC car platforms and drivetrain setups, making this gear highly compatible with many existing RC vehicles and allowing you to experiment with different gear ratios to find the perfect balance between acceleration and top speed for your driving style.
- 21-Tooth Configuration — The 21-tooth count provides a specific gear ratio option that, when paired with your existing spur gear, determines your vehicle's performance characteristics, allowing drivers to adjust acceleration versus top speed to suit their particular track conditions or driving preferences.
- 5mm Shaft Bore — The 5mm shaft diameter is a widely-used standard in RC vehicles, ensuring compatibility with most modern motor shafts and allowing for quick, straightforward installation without requiring special adapters or modifications to your existing setup.
- Hardened Steel Construction — Unlike plastic or softer metal alternatives, this gear is manufactured from hardened steel, providing exceptional resistance to wear, stripping, and the constant mechanical stress experienced during acceleration, cornering, and sustained high-speed running, resulting in a longer service life and more reliable performance over time.
- Precision Engineering — Fastrax gears are manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring perfect mesh alignment with your spur gear for smooth power delivery, reduced noise, and minimised mechanical play that could otherwise compromise handling and acceleration characteristics.
- Direct Replacement or Upgrade Component — Whether you're replacing a worn original gear or upgrading to higher quality steel construction, this pinion gear drops straight into your existing drivetrain setup without requiring additional modifications, making it an accessible upgrade for any RC car owner in the UK.
Technical Performance
The Fastrax 32DP 21T Steel Pinion Gear delivers the precision engineering that serious RC enthusiasts demand from their drivetrain components. At 32 diametral pitch with a 21-tooth design and 5mm shaft bore, this gear operates at the intersection of compatibility and performance. The hardened steel construction ensures that this component resists the continuous rotational forces and meshing contact that occurs thousands of times during a single driving session, whether you're running a brushless RC car on a competitive track or putting your ready to run RC vehicle through demanding off-road conditions. The precision manufacturing tolerances mean that when properly meshed with your spur gear, this pinion delivers smooth, efficient power transmission with minimal backlash—critical for maintaining responsive steering and consistent acceleration characteristics. In the context of RC car performance, a quality steel pinion gear can mean the difference between smooth, predictable handling and the unpredictable behaviour that comes from worn or improperly meshed gears. This component is essential for anyone looking to maintain their RC vehicle at peak performance levels or for those seeking to upgrade from less durable plastic alternatives.
What's in the Box
- Fastrax 32DP 21T Steel Pinion Gear (5mm)
What You Need to Complete
- Compatible RC vehicle with 32DP spur gear and 5mm motor shaft
- Basic tools for gear installation (hex keys, screwdrivers as required by your specific vehicle)
- Your existing RC motor and drivetrain setup
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Fastrax 32DP 21T Steel Pinion Gear compatible with my RC car? — This gear is compatible with any RC car that features a 32DP spur gear and accepts a 5mm shaft bore pinion. The 32DP specification is standard across numerous popular platforms including many Traxxas, Tamiya, Team Losi, Team Associated, HPI, Axial Racing, and Mugen options. Check your vehicle's specifications or consult the manufacturer's documentation to confirm compatibility before ordering, or contact RC Model Shop for guidance on fitment to your specific model.
- What is the advantage of a steel pinion gear over plastic alternatives? — Steel pinion gears offer significantly greater durability and resistance to wear compared to plastic options. While plastic gears are lighter and initially cheaper, they strip more easily under load and wear faster, particularly in high-performance or heavy-use scenarios. A hardened steel pinion gear like this one provides extended service life, more consistent performance over time, and ultimately better value for serious RC enthusiasts who run their vehicles regularly.
- How does gear ratio affect my RC car's performance? — The 21-tooth pinion, when paired with different spur gear sizes, creates different overall gear ratios. A higher tooth count on the pinion (or lower on the spur) produces a lower gear ratio, offering better acceleration but lower top speed. Conversely, a lower pinion tooth count provides a higher gear ratio with faster top speed but reduced acceleration. The 21T configuration offers a middle-ground approach that works well for general-purpose driving, but you can experiment with different tooth counts to optimise for your specific track or terrain conditions.
- Will this gear require modification to fit my RC vehicle? — No. The 5mm shaft bore and 32DP profile are industry-standard specifications designed to fit directly into any compatible RC vehicle without modification. Installation typically requires only basic tools and takes just a few minutes, making this an accessible upgrade even for newer RC enthusiasts.
- Is this suitable for beginners? — Yes, absolutely. While replacement gears are sometimes thought of as advanced components, the Fastrax 32DP 21T Steel Pinion Gear is straightforward to install and understand. Beginners benefit from using quality steel gears from the start, as they'll experience fewer gear failures and more consistent performance from their RC car, allowing them to focus on developing their driving skills rather than troubleshooting drivetrain issues.
- When should I replace my pinion gear? — Replace your pinion gear if you notice stripped or missing teeth, unusual grinding noises during acceleration, or excessive play in the drivetrain. Regular inspection during routine maintenance will help you catch wear early. Even if visible damage isn't apparent, replacing gears periodically as part of scheduled maintenance ensures optimal performance, particularly if you run your RC vehicle frequently.
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 FASTRAX 32DP 21T STEEL PINION GEAR (5MM) FAST32-215 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.
- Brand: Fastrax
- Model Number: FAST32-215
- Product Type: Steel Pinion Gear
- Diametral Pitch: 32DP
- Tooth Count: 21T
- Shaft Bore Diameter: 5mm
- Material: Hardened Steel
- Availability: In Stock
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.
