Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

Don’t let its small stature fool you. The Losi Mini-B may present as a small package, but as we found out, it delivers big fun in all the right places. If you are limited on the space you have to drive your RC, you’ll absolutely love smaller scaled vehicles to help you scratch that itchy RC-itch. Even if you have all the space in the world to run your RCs, a pint size vehicle is still a fun proposition.

We recently picked up this 1/16-scale Losi buggy to drive around in and around the office. With its brushed motor and electronics set up, we quickly learned that the Mini-B isn’t just a novelty RC. The buggy has the pick up and go that you expect from larger vehicles and its handling makes it a breeze (and hoot) to drive.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

ALL INCLUSIVE

Losi offers the Mini-B as an all-inclusive ready to run (RTR) package, which means everything is included with it. No extra batteries or charger to buy, when they say everything is included, they mean that everything is included with it. Yes, even waterproof electronics with a 2.4Ghz radio system come ready to go. We love this turnkey RC-fun solution.

FAMILY TREE

The Mini-B comes from Losi lineage, which means that there’s plenty of competition buggy DNA engrained into it. Think of the Mini-B as a TLR 2WD buggy packed into a 1/16th package. In fact, its suspension geometry is taken from the track and competition proven TLR 22 racer, making it one nimble buggy.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

Losi includes a 2.4Ghz radio system with batteries in this completely ready to run package.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

Featuring TLR 22 suspension geometery, the surefooted Mini-B is also fitted with 7mm bore oil-filled threaded shocks.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

“We think that its low-slung polycarbonate body and wide stance make it a real looker on the track and on our shelf.”

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

The Mini-B’s Dynamite 47T brushed motor is powered by an included Dynamite Reaction 2.0 7.4V 2S 650mAh 20C LiPo battery.

The buggy comes in your choice of three different color schemes, each boasting a miniaturized TLR body. We think that its low-slung polycarbonate body and wide stance make it a real looker on the track and on our shelf.

RACE READY

The buggy features a mid-motor configuration on its 1.5mm thick 6061-T6 aluminum plate chassis for better balance. Its mid-motor configuration not only replicates the 1/10-scale version of Losi’s buggy but also provides a better balanced chassis allowing for enhanced performance on a multitude of surfaces. The mid-motor layout also helps bring balance to the dynamics of steering and traction.
Losi includes a host of option parts to make this RTR track-ready right out of the box. Its suspension is tunable thanks to adjustable turnbuckles and 7mm bore oil-filled threaded shocks, which are found on all four corners. The threaded shock collars on the injection-molded shocks allow for easy preload and ride height adjustments. Also impressive for a small-scale RC, the shock bodies feature a bottom loading, re-buildable shock cartridge with dual o-rings to help keep the oil in the shocks. Set up the Mini-B for a day at the clay or carpet track or even for a day bashing at the park.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

Flipping the buggy over reveals its 1.5mm thick 6061-T6 aluminum plate chassis.

Motivating the buggy is a Dynamite 47T brushed motor that is powered by an included Dynamite Reaction 2.0 7.4V 2S 650mAh 20C LiPo battery. Making sure that the power translates to useful traction is a slipper clutch that keeps things balanced. Smoothing out the drivetrain is a set of ball bearings that reduce friction and provides longer run times. If you’re looking to deck out your Mini-B, you’ll be glad to know that Losi offers a long list of aluminum options and upgrades for the buggy.

OUT FOR A RUN

We charged up the battery and headed out to the office parking lot to see what the Mini-B could do. We set up some impromptu jumps and pylons and had at it. On asphalt, the buggy was confident and accelerated quickly. It wasn’t going to break any speed records mind you, but for a 280-sized motor, it scooted about quite well. It was easy to control and nimbly darted around the pylons. The buggy even took the jumps high (relative to its size) and landed softly. Due to the overall size, we thought that we could take it indoors for a romp.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

Mini-B is decently quick for its size, especially as we navigated the tight areas around our work desks and chairs. It drove well, allowing us to avoid bumping into the office furniture. A few drivers took turns at the controls and all agreed; the miniature buggy is seriously fun, on slick concrete and office carpet.

We really wanted to stretch its legs on dirt so we decided to take an extra-long lunch break and head over to an outdoor off road track to see what it could really do. Taking jumps and other obstacles that are designed for 1/10 or larger scale buggies and trucks, we thought the Mini-B might be out of its element. We were wrong. The little buggy gobbled up the dirt and wanted more. We found that the tires it comes with were slippery on the loose dirt, but it was still a real pleasure to drive.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

“Smaller means compact driving areas and usually also means smaller budgets too, which we really like.”

Final WORD

Smaller means compact driving areas and usually also means smaller budgets too, which we really like. Getting to drive in more areas ups your wheel-time, which is a good thing in our book. Modifying and fixing damage on the Mini-B is sure to be less costly than those of a 1/10-scale buggy, which is another great aspect to the 1/16-scale vehicle. With the DNA of Losi’s 2WD buggies worked into it and an all-in price of $150, we’re really quite pleased with this little off road racer.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Losi Mini-B Brushed RTR 2WD Buggy

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Updated: November 4, 2021 — 10:03 AM
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