Crawler kits for beginners?

[JimBear]

What would be a good entry-level kit (something to build, in 1/10 scale) for someone just wanting to dip a toe in? I was thinking of the Rock Socker, but perhaps there is something else that is decent in the 200-300 euro price range (the vehicle only)?

I am running a SCX24 indoors, and I guess we can assume for the moment that it would be simple, just-for-fun, outdoors crawling.

[BuggyDad]

The crawler world isn't big on kits, it's mostly RTR. When I had a similar question last year (first crawler kits to build with my 9 year old for similarly just-for-fun outdoors crawling) I settled on the Element Enduro. It's a pretty standard crawler layout, nice quality, is good value for what it is and roughly in the price range you talk about, plus a few extras, and it exists in kit form. It's sturdy, fairly simple, and I understand it to be a genuinely decent performer (although I know nothing about other crawlers). Worth a look anyway. 

[Willy iine]

@JimBear CR01 is a fun chassis to build and drive.  It has a large turn radius especially if you have the diffs locked (as you should if crawling is the goal) even with 4WS activated.  For mild crawling outdoors, I don't see why not.  

By the time you add all the necessary electronics I think you'll be in striking range of the TRX4...  I'd get that if outdoor crawling is the goal.  If building is the goal, then CR01.   The TRX4 offers so much features like locking/unlocking front and rear diffs separately remotely, 2 speed transmission, etc.

I don't know how your indoor crawling space is like, but if you're just driving over binders and books it might get old pretty quick.  I recommend getting the Kyosho terrain, locking the tiles together, and making your own bridges and stuff.  That enhanced my MiniZ 4x4 fun by like 10x.   

 

[Frog Jumper]

I love my CC02…

i was am still am a crawler noob.  The CC02 is the only “crawler” ive ever driven.  And like all Tamiya kits, its versatile and do a lot of different things.

 

[smirk-racing]

4 hours ago, Frog Jumper said:

I love my CC02…

i was am still am a crawler noob.  The CC02 is the only “crawler” ive ever driven.  And like all Tamiya kits, its versatile and do a lot of different things.

 

Quite versatile!

 

[Tamiyastef]

CMX chassis kit from MST, budget left for any nice body from Tamiya you'd like to slap on 

Or just a CC-01 if you still can find one

Yes it's the same body on that CC-01 as on the CMX

[JimBear]

Some great suggestions, thank you!

I guess perhaps it might turn out to be mild crawling, and tinkering is (almost) always fun. @Tamiyastef - do you mean the MST CMX L version?

What I haven't figured out yet, is if the Rock Socker (Sock it to'em, James Bond!) is if it uses a silver can 540? Sounds off for a crawler, but what do I know?

[Tamiyastef]

@JimBear I have this one:

That can be build in 242, 252 or 267 mm wheelbase exactly as the CC-01 only with the MST CMX the longer drive shaft for 267mm is included.

CC-02 can be build to these wheelbases  also and even some more I believe. 

[Frog Jumper]

I’m not sure the MST CMX is still sold/supported?  I was looking at those but ended up with a cc02 instead.  Mainly bc I couldnt find an CMX here in the States…

[ADRay1000]

13 hours ago, Frog Jumper said:

I love my CC02…

i was am still am a crawler noob.  The CC02 is the only “crawler” ive ever driven.  And like all Tamiya kits, its versatile and do a lot of different things.

 

You beat me to it. Fun build, driving a slow rc is more fun than I’d expected. 

[JimBear]

58 minutes ago, ADRay1000 said:

/.../ driving a slow rc is more fun than I’d expected. 

Yes, I agree on that - I found the idea a bit silly at first, but well ... one can change ones' mind, right?

@Tamiyastef - yes, that is the one I meant. I found them at tamico.de, going through their crawler category.

@BuggyDad - good to know the options, going to have a look at the Element too.

[Frog Jumper]

2 hours ago, ADRay1000 said:

You beat me to it. Fun build, driving a slow rc is more fun than I’d expected. 

Yeah i need to get back into it (been busy with home renov) but I love the necessary planning and precision of driving a good crawler course.  No blasting over a rock, you have to think of angle of attack etc.  its a fun change from ripping back and forth on a grass field.

[Frog Jumper]

I’m going to show off here…

https://youtu.be/qOqhEx4wsBs?feature=shared
 

[Mad Ax]

Based on what I have (older Axial SCX10, MST CFX-W, Gmade BOM, Element Enduro and some homebrew stuff, I'd say the Element Enduro is probably the best in terms of budget vs performance.  Kit versions available and you can throw on whatever body you like.  Great transmissions and silky smooth shocks are a big plus point.  It's a very capable kit, so if you like the whole crawling thing then it'll have what you need when you go hit the courses, just add better tyres, weights, and electrics and you'll be keeping up with everybody else.

I don't have a CMX / CFX but have had one on my list for a long time, because they look so good with Tamiya bodies.  A good option if you wanted a smaller, more street-scale rig with a Tamiya hardbody.  Should be great for hillwalking (see my thread) and a good starting point for a truescale build if you decide you like the more scale-correct end of the crawling hobby.

That said, you really can't go wrong with any of the kits - Gmade, Axial, Traxxas, I think the Carisma trucks come in kit form as well.  Always check what you get in the kit - some are bare chassis kits that need you to get the wheels, tyres and body separately, as well as all the electrics.  Tyres are expensive if you want genuine brands - in my experience there is a noticeable difference in performance, but cheap tyres from Aliexpress etc. work just fine for trail running and will be perfect to get you started.  You can upgrade later if you want to.

[BuggyDad]

If you do go for the Element kit you need wheels, tyres, body and of course electronics. Also bumpers. I went for a direct order from Injora for wheels, tyres, motor, servo, bumpers. My aim was "about the best of the cheaper options" across this stuff and I feel like (without much evidence) I achieved that near enough. Figuring the bits I bought would be good enough we'd wear them out rather than breaking them or getting fed up with them, and would last long enough that when we do wear them out we'll know enough to judge whether we'd go for better for twice the price next time. Injora throw out offers pretty constantly so sign up and wait for those. 

I guess most of what we have would have shortcomings exposed by experienced users but none of what we have has so far come up seriously short in any obvious way to us novices. Except perhaps pivot linkage play in the steering, which I think is the plastic pivot balls in the kit. I've bought some stainless ones but not fitted yet.

Oh and also - crawler bodies are quite pricey. 

But we've broken nothing at all, IIRC. 

[JimBear]

I have been looking at some of the options - this far the MST looks great. The Tamiya CR-01 Rock Socker is still in there, too, since it is a more "complete" package. Perhaps the idea will turn out to be more of a trailrunner, rather than an all-out crawler. Not sure if the RS would work for that?

I guess I need to get another TX/RX combo too.

[87lc2]

If you're only going to have one crawler, get a proper 1/10 scale truck like the Axial, Element, CFX-W, etc.  I have the tiny MST CFX and I love it, but it's only useful in pretty easy terrain.  I also have a CR-01 which I love as well, and while capable its more of a quirky novelty type truck.  If I were to only have one crawler it would be an SCX/Element of some sort since they are versatile and can do everything a crawler/trail truck needs to do. 

Your question about the CR-01 and the 540 motor - Yes, they come with a stock silver can and it matches the truck well with the planetary gear transmission. I still run the stock motor in mine even though it has 2.2 monster tires on it, runs just fine.

[JimBear]

@87lc2 - thanks for the clarification on the CR-01 motor. I am still not sure yet whether I am going to go seriously crawling in severe terrain, but if so, maybe an Axial comes to mind. Or a Gmade R1 Rock Buggy.

[87lc2]

2 minutes ago, JimBear said:

@87lc2 - thanks for the clarification on the CR-01 motor. I am still not sure yet whether I am going to go seriously crawling in severe terrain, but if so, maybe an Axial comes to mind. Or a Gmade R1 Rock Buggy.

No problem.  Yea, as others have said it all depends on where you plan to use it!  But in general, any of the 1:10 scale trucks will do everything pretty well so if you're not sure that's a good place to start.  I do love my CR-01 though so I wouldn't blame you for getting one.  They're pretty versatile and also surprisingly capable. 

[BuggyDad]

It's not so much that we drive ours on any "severe terrain", more that for us the standard 1/10 crawler is a good match for just a walk in the woods where you can test it on steep banks or climbing over the odd root or rock etc. And driving through a good sloppy puddle or ditch. They seem to match quite well to the common features you find like the kind of bank you end up with by 4x4 tracks through woods because that's about the max gradient soil will hold to. If that makes sense. So the "tough but doable" driving challenge presents itself naturally. 

[Tamiyastef]

I'm impressed with the performance of my CMX. 1080 esc, 55t brushed crawler motor on 3S lipo, stock tires but steel beadlock wheels.

This is only a small rock off course (however I believe most of us would be really hesitant to get a go at this on 1:1 scale)

This is the more serious stuff IMO. It also drove up there along the left and along the right.

Descends go very well also IMO.

It went through this passage without much trouble.

And back the way it came

I'm always happy when I can show off my Defender 

[Tamiyastef]

This was my CC-01 Pajero on 1.55 Thompson tires:

[media]

Pretty capable also but because of the limited ground clearance and steering angle I switched to the CMX chassis.

[JimBear]

Great examples, @Tamiyastef!

Since I am asking a bunch of questions ... is an older Axial SCX10 (version 1) "better" than the CR-01? I have a feeling for hopups/spares situation for the CR-01 but am totally lost on the SCX10.

[87lc2]

7 minutes ago, JimBear said:

Great examples, @Tamiyastef!

Since I am asking a bunch of questions ... is an older Axial SCX10 (version 1) "better" than the CR-01? I have a feeling for hopups/spares situation for the CR-01 but am totally lost on the SCX10.

The first version of the SCX10 uses the AX10 axles I believe and there is a ton of aftermarket around for them.  The SCX10 II uses the AR44 axles, and the SCX10 III I have no clue, haven't gotten there yet    Having both 1 & 2 you can't go wrong with either, but I do hate the steering/link setup on the 2 so for simplicity's sake if I could only have one I'd take the original.  It just works and there are millions of parts for them. 

[Shergar]

I’d say SCX10:1 parts are thinning out, SCX10: 2 parts still seem plentiful. SCX10: 2 or 3 or TRX4 over a CR-01 every time if you intend to crawl away from a shelf 👍