Mini crawler breakage?

[TheRadWarrior]

So since I don't have any rc's yet, I've been looking at something like a redcat ascent 18 or a axial scx 24(because yes), but I've never had any of my buddies get any crawlers, so my knowledge is very limited. So I need your guys help! My main concern is how often do they break and what are some things that I NEED to do to have fun with it?

 

[Doom!]

Because mini crawlers are so small and light, you don't get much breakage. I think a dead servo, burnt out motor or bent drive shafts (if plastic). Are the biggest worries.

 

[PonkyKong]

Hear me out. I was excited for mini crawlers. But I didn't enjoy it at all. Because of the existence of 10th scale crawlers. Maybe the SCX30 for desktop is cool to drive. But strongly consider larger trucks also. Since they can do more. With more terrain.
All aside. Axial SCX24 and SCX30 is the way to go if you go the mini route. Then you can use them indoors easier.
Being a hater makes me not like small scale. But lets me be a hater so I respect it.

 

[Tunedfrog]

SCX24s, I haven't broken anything yet.

 

[WickedFog]

The small scale stuff is my jam. Getting older, I have to use a magnifying headset sometimes, but I even did that when I was young. But some of these old fogies like to whine about not being able to work on small scale stuff

Fortunately, as @Doom! said, breakage is far less common on a crawler than something that goes fast and sees a lot of air time flying over jumps. That is... unless you're one of @majin's relatives, in which case I would say "buy lots of spares"

 

[Doom!]

Breakage is very rare, anyone who knows me, knows how many mini crawlers I have tried, and collected, that is saying something. I have seen the rare servo or motor die, but that is just RTR quality electronics in general.

The only real part I have personally destroyed was a plastic drive shaft that got too much torque while the steering was binding on a rock when I couldn't see it. Most maintenance is just upgrade parts.

 

[Tunedfrog]

I'm used to grabbing small things. HUH , what?

 

[majin]

The small scale stuff is my jam. Getting older, I have to use a magnifying headset sometimes, but I even did that when I was young. But some of these old fogies like to whine about not being able to work on small scale stuff

Fortunately, as @Doom! said, breakage is far less common on a crawler than something that goes fast and sees a lot of air time flying over jumps. That is... unless you're one of @majin's relatives, in which case I would say "buy lots of spares"

did you see my post in the get in mail thread lol, went to buy 1 spur gear, saw they only had 3 left in stock so i got 2 of em left one for someone else if they need it lol
I'm on the fence on workin on em still, in a sense it is easier, theres less to em, but then theres the size issue lol,
i honestly didnt think i would like the smaller scale trucks, thanks to @Doom! i found out i love em for the indoor winter, i kinda forget each summer how much i enjoy the smaller scale trucks

So since I don't have any rc's yet, I've been looking at something like a redcat ascent 18 or a axial scx 24(because yes), but I've never had any of my buddies get any crawlers, so my knowledge is very limited. So I need your guys help! My main concern is how often do they break and what are some things that I NEED to do to have fun with it?

the crawlers typicaly are much tougher than the bashers in a general sense.
but we are going a small% of the speed, that doesn't mean we dont break just that its not as violent typically.
if you're just getting started a few things youll need asap to have fun are simple and will be one time purchases unless you go with the cheaper method (amazonium metals)
if you're getting an RTR then youll just need a charger, a set of hex drivers typically 1.5mm-2.5mm for 1/10 scale truckstypically and 1.3mm-2mm drivers if you're going the 18th scale route.

the trucks come pretty solid off the batt.

especially dependant on the truck you get. lets say for instance you gran an ascent fusion pro, well it comes with a lot of upgrades out of the box, so youd not NEED to spend anything untill something breaks. that being said youd probably order
a brushless motor under 100-200 bucks
a set of nice beadlocks 30-70 bucks
nice set of tires roughly 60-80 bucks
maybe you want a new body for it 40-100
some fancy shock towers 20-40
some brass weight down low to increas capablity 50-200 depending on how deep you wanna go.
all that is persoinal preferance mostly.
the prices often scale down typically with the size in some cases typically.

it like anything else depends on how much you're willing and want to spend. a stock truck will be all you NEED to have fun. but how much fun depends on what you like?
a l ot of the upgrades are for just to personalize as well

 

[WickedFog]

did you see my post in the get in mail thread lol, went to buy 1 spur gear, saw they only had 3 left in stock so i got 2 of em left one for someone else if they need it lol

Yeah, I saw that

 

[cimh]

These things take some rough handling. I have an scx24 and an FMS 1:24 FCX24 Power Wagon (both with mildly customised wheels / suspension) My Gchildren love them and enjoy destruction derbys. Basically you win a point by crashing into your opponent and tipping him over. I am very surprised at how tough the cars are in the face the battering they get from 2 boys. So far slight cosmetic damage but no breakages. I'm not worried about things getting broken as fixing them is cheap, easy and fun. The scx24 is on its second motor but its 4 years old so that's not bad. Of the 2 the axial feels like the strongest and most easily modifiable / repairable but I do like the 2 speed gearing of the Power wagon .

 

[RLB454]

One of the small crawlers is a great way to get into RC's, a lot of reasons already listed. For pretty much under $150, you can get a great ready to run rig, truck/battery/transmitter/and a usb charger. As you get into it, upgrades are not real expensive, and a ton of fun to tinker on them. Between the two you mentioned, Acsent 18 and SCX24, my honest opinion is the Redcat hands down over the Axial (ok, this might get me flamed ). I have a few SXC24's and they are awesome no doubt, but I also have a couple 1/18 rigs, one being the Acsent 18 Apex, and another a comp rig. For a first rig, I would go the 1/18th, a lot more capable all around than the 24th. Trust me, you will wind up with a 24th down the road, these things aere like rabbits and just seem to multiply. If you can afford the extra 100 bucks, I highly recommend the Acsent 18 Apex, it is straight up one of the best performing crawlers right out of the box.

Some dont like the tiny screws and bits on the minis, but I find it very relaxing to tinker on them. I have more minis than all my other rigs combined, and I am most likely going to stop in the hobby shop again tomorrow and walk out with the SCX30...I tried to resist, but....

My Apex. It has since been treated to aluminum shock bodies, metal links, brass rear diff cover, and brass servo mount.

 

[Xraycer]

But some of these old fogies like to whine about not being able to work on small scale stuff

.

 

[Xraycer]

I have a bunch of 1/10 and 1/8 scale rc, but for the past 5 years or so, I’ve only really been interested in the "itty bitties".
Will you like the small scale? You won't know until you try it. Bigger is not always better.