Speed Reduction

Optimizing Speed

For nearly all applications, motors spin faster than is optimal. Although speed can be important, in most cases the added torque gained via speed reduction is needed to get the performance you are looking for.

Optimizing Drive Speed

How fast should you be? Speed vs. Pushing Learning to drive Robotic Legend has created a nice tutorial on how to calculate speed.

Optimizing Weapon Speed

Spin up timeis as important, if not more important than how fast a spinning weapon spins at top speed. Although some smaller robot classes can get away with direct drives for their weapons, in most cases reducing the speed via a gear or belt will give you better performance.
Top speed

Gears

Pros Cons

Chains

Pros Cons

Belts

Pros Cons

Friction

Pros Cons