Overview
The Fastrax M1 13T Steel Pinion Gear (5mm) MOD1 is an essential replacement and upgrade component for RC enthusiasts in the UK who demand reliability and precision in their drivetrain systems. Whether you're a seasoned competitor running a high-performance RC car or a weekend basher looking to maintain peak performance, this steel pinion gear offers the durability and consistency needed to keep your RC model running smoothly. Steel pinion gears are the backbone of any RC drivetrain, transferring power from your motor to the main drive system with minimal wear and maximum efficiency.
This Fastrax M1 pinion gear is manufactured to exacting standards using high-quality steel construction, making it significantly more durable than plastic alternatives. The 13-tooth configuration provides an ideal balance between acceleration and top speed for most RC applications, whilst the MOD1 module specification ensures compatibility with a wide range of RC cars, buggies and crawlers from leading manufacturers. The 5mm bore diameter is a standard size found on countless RC models, making this gear a practical spare part or performance upgrade that belongs in every RC enthusiast's tool kit.
When you invest in Fastrax pinion gears, you're choosing a brand recognised for quality engineering and attention to detail. Whether you're replacing a worn gear after months of bashing or upgrading for better performance and longevity, this M1 13T steel pinion gear delivers the reliability expected from a professional-grade RC component. Available now at RC Model Shop, your trusted UK RC retailer, this gear is in stock and ready to ship to your door.
Key Features
- Steel Construction — Manufactured from hardened steel rather than plastic, this pinion gear resists wear far better than standard alternatives and maintains precise tooth engagement even under demanding driving conditions, ensuring your RC car performs consistently over extended periods.
- 13-Tooth Configuration — The 13-tooth count is a proven sweet spot for RC applications, offering a balanced compromise between quick acceleration off the line and reasonable top-end speed, making this gear suitable for general-purpose bashing, racing and crawling.
- MOD1 Module Specification — The MOD1 module (metric pitch 1mm) is a standard specification in the RC hobby, ensuring this gear is compatible with most spur gears and motor pinions found across popular RC brands including Traxxas, Losi, Team Associated and many others.
- 5mm Bore Diameter — The 5mm shaft bore is one of the most common motor shaft sizes in RC cars, making this gear a universally applicable replacement or upgrade component that fits the vast majority of brushless and brushed motors.
- Precision Engineering — Fastrax pinion gears are manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring smooth operation, reduced backlash and reliable power transmission without unwanted noise or vibration during driving.
- Drop-In Replacement — If you're replacing a worn or damaged pinion gear on your existing RC car, this Fastrax gear is a straightforward bolt-on replacement that requires no modification to your vehicle.
Technical Performance
The Fastrax M1 13T Steel Pinion Gear represents the kind of engineering excellence that RC enthusiasts have come to expect from quality aftermarket components. Steel construction provides several tangible benefits over plastic alternatives: improved wear resistance means your gear maintains precise tooth engagement even after hundreds of runs, reduced friction losses allow more of your motor's power to reach the wheels, and the hardened material withstands the shock loads generated during aggressive driving, jumps and high-speed impacts far better than injection-moulded plastics. The MOD1 metric pitch specification is the industry standard for RC cars in the UK and worldwide, ensuring seamless compatibility with spur gears from quality manufacturers. At 13 teeth, this pinion provides an ideal power delivery curve for general-purpose RC driving: the gear ratio is neither too aggressive (which would sacrifice top speed and strain components) nor too tall (which would reduce acceleration and climbing ability). This flexibility makes the M1 13T an excellent choice whether you're running a buggy, truggy, short course truck or crawler. The 5mm bore diameter accommodates all standard motor shafts from 380-size brushed motors through to modern brushless outrunners, making this a genuinely universal component for the RC car UK market.
What's in the Box
- Fastrax M1 13T Steel Pinion Gear with 5mm bore diameter
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will this pinion gear fit my RC car? — The Fastrax M1 13T Steel Pinion Gear is compatible with any RC car or truck that uses a MOD1 metric pinion with a 5mm bore diameter. This includes models from Traxxas, Team Losi, Team Associated, Axial, HPI, Mugen and many others. If you're unsure whether your specific model is compatible, our team at RC Model Shop is happy to help—simply contact us with your RC car's model number and we'll confirm compatibility.
- What's the difference between steel and plastic pinion gears? — Steel pinion gears offer significantly superior durability and longevity compared to plastic alternatives. Steel resists wear and maintains precise tooth engagement far longer, generates less friction and heat during operation, and withstands shock loads from jumps and collisions without chipping or cracking. Plastic gears are lighter and slightly cheaper, but wear faster and are more prone to failure under hard driving conditions. For serious RC enthusiasts, steel is the proven choice.
- Why would I need a replacement pinion gear? — Pinion gears are consumable parts that gradually wear with use. You may need a replacement if you notice your RC car's acceleration feels sluggish, the drivetrain produces grinding or squealing sounds, or you spot visible wear on the gear teeth. Alternatively, you might choose to upgrade to a different tooth count to adjust your vehicle's performance characteristics—switching to a 12-tooth gear for more speed, or a 14-tooth for better acceleration and climbing power.
- Can I upgrade the tooth count on my RC car? — Yes, many RC enthusiasts upgrade their pinion gears to fine-tune performance. A lower tooth count (like 11T or 12T) creates a taller gear ratio, improving acceleration and hill-climbing but reducing top speed. A higher tooth count (like 14T or 15T) creates a shorter ratio, boosting top-end speed at the expense of acceleration. The 13T configuration is a proven middle ground, but experimenting with different counts allows you to dial in your RC car's performance to suit your driving style and terrain.
- How often should I replace my pinion gear? — The lifespan of a steel pinion gear depends on driving intensity, terrain and maintenance practices. Casual bashers might replace theirs every 6-12 months of regular use, whilst competitive racers may change gears more frequently to maintain peak performance. Regular inspection of your gear teeth—looking for wear, chipping or deformation—helps you determine when replacement is needed. Keeping your drivetrain clean and well-maintained extends gear life considerably.
- Is this suitable for beginners? — Whilst the Fastrax M1 13T Steel Pinion Gear is a spare part rather than a complete RC car, it's absolutely relevant for beginners. This gear is an ideal first maintenance component to learn about, as fitting a pinion gear is one of the most straightforward RC modifications. If you're a beginner purchasing your first RC car, we recommend keeping a spare pinion gear on hand—it's inexpensive insurance against drivetrain failure during your first bashing sessions.
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 M1 13T STEEL PINION GEAR (5MM) MOD1 FASTM1-135 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: FASTM1-135
- Product Type: Steel Pinion Gear
- Tooth Count: 13 teeth
- Module Specification: MOD1 (metric pitch 1mm)
- Bore Diameter: 5mm
- Material: Hardened steel
- Construction: Precision-engineered with tight tolerances
- Finish: Steel (hardened)
- Compatibility: MOD1 metric standard RC cars, buggies, trucks and crawlers with 5mm motor shafts
- Compatible Brands: Traxxas, Team Losi, Team Associated, Axial, HPI, Mugen and others using MOD1 specification
- Stock Status: 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.
