RC Crawling growth!!!

[Cloak]

I'm looking forward to rtrs like the Axial crawler because I think that is exactly what we need to get younger crowds into this hobby. It is relatively inexpensive as a comp worthy (hopefully) rig goes and there are loads of routes for improvements if/when they need to make them.

Plus when people get into this, they'll say "I want to do that, what do I have to go buy". You point them to one truck in a box, they buy it, charge the batteries and go. They will ease into the addiction side afterwards.

I guess basically I'm saying thanks Axial for making a gateway drug to sucker more people into this money pit called rc crawling.

 

[toyofast]

Have you checked out the prices of the new games they play setting at a computer or in front of a TV. Getting into RC gets them outside and being active and social. Becoming part of a club or just participating in a family event.

We own one TV in our house. We have an Xbox but only have one game and one controller, needless to say it hardly ever gets used. I never had a video game machine until I was in high school and I then got an old school Nintendo system(NES), which my little sister still has.

I grew up on bikes, camping and being outside. My son is only 2, but he'll never have a TV in his room, we will not buy another game system to play and he will not become strapped to the computer like most kids. We do have 2 computers, my laptop and the "family" PC. My wife and I even give each other limits on how much time we can spend on the computer(s), unless it's for special projects.

My son already loves to help me wrench on the 'Pede and he also gets to steer the brushless beast down the street....he's hit the trees in the front yard many times. He will be involved....


The biggest thing for most kids to overcome will be to get their parents to invest/buy all the tools, parts, kits, radios, servos, tires, wheels, spare parts, bodies, batteries, chargers, and lots of other small things. If you were to add up all the "normal" comp ready parts for a 2.2.... you'd be nearing the $1000 mark fast. Sure you can buy cheaper items but if you want them to last and not have to have issues with them at a comp you'll need to pony up for good quality items.


I think perhaps 5-6 years down the road, a special age based classes might be able to work. Crawlers are still not as mainstream as the rest of the RC hobby. Look back to 2003, crawlers we very far and few between. I only knew of a few folks in Utah, Colorado and Oregon that were on the web and crawling..... excluding the huge numbers in Australia that had been there for quite a while, they were #1 in the crawler world and were the one place that had a crawler only based business(MTPA).

I'm not shooting down the idea behind this, I just don't think we are even close to it yet.

 

[Wicked_Jester]

I personally think it would be a great advagtige to the growth of our sport/hobby to have a class such as, 12 years and under, in local and national level events. I do think they should have easier courses! A kid that is getting rewarded will want to stay in the sport/hobby and help make it progress!

I also have to agree that AXIAL is helping this sport out greatly with his new kit, and if he were to hook up with a few othe companies and make a full rtr crawler out of the box, I think it would bring a lot more people from all age groups into the sport!

If AXIAL were to make a package such as:

Axail ax10 scorpion kit
airtronics blazer radio
novak rooster crawler esc
integy 55t lathe motor
and all the othe little thing besides a battery and charger. And sold it rtr for around $390-$400 it would bring a lot of people into the sport that dont want to spend $1000 plus into a comp rig, some of us will put that kind of money down for a rig and not think about it, but there are other people that amount of money isnt avalible!

 

[Rckcrwlr]

Having a kids "follow the leader" comp puts everyone on the same page. Have one of the elder members be the leader so that the "kids" can see the lines and copy them.

I think that is a great way to get them involved. They can also use one of our miriad of rigs that are sitting on the shelf.

My girls, 13 & 10, are very interest. This is something that we are going to try to implement in the future.

 

[Rok_Dok]

I was going to post yesterday but wanted to give it a little more thinking time before I posted.

From someone who doesnt have a kid (that I know of) and dont mind kids there is two ways this needs to be looked at. I am not wanting to make this a NEG. post at all just want to state a few things.

At the last comp I attended one of the guys brought his 6 yr old who was EXTREMELY well behaved (no kidding implied) and he patiently waited his turn and on his turn did very well (got lucky as hell a couple of times) but by far did about 10 times better than I thought. His dad ran than another guy ran then he ran dads truck for his run, everything worked out.

I can see that his dad was WAY more into his sons ride and making sure his sons exposure to the comp was positive (which is a good thing) and went well. which would lead me to believe if there was a KIDS group, dad would have had 100% attention there and then pulled him away from his competing dropping a small # of guys further down.

To allow both to take full advantage of crawling you would almost need to have the kids run a diff. day, but then who is going to take the extra day to run all the crap out and run the kids seperately? I think you would have a hard time getting ppl to do this regulary.

If kids run with the "group" they have a chance to interact with the drivers who can give them help and tips as they drive and it also doesnt drive the adults away from the kids. I and most moms would prob prefer the seperation just due to language and content of conversations but I think it would deprive kids the interaction with the more "experienced" group and it isnt about winning its about doing it.


If you had scoring changed a little or even had the kids group running inside of the adult group with points going for a kids division on the same course it might work. Another thing is how many guys can afford to plunk down $500 extra cash to give the the 6 yr old to thrash on?

 

[Wicked_Jester]

I think If it could be run like scca gt class racing is run, multiple classes at once, it would work out great because it would put the kids in the group with the adults and let them interact with the bigger group, but yet they would be rewarded for winning there own class/ age group.

Have a winner for the older class, a winner for the youth class, and an over all winner

As far as telling the rig apart, you can run number plates with different color backgrounds, just like they do in every other form of racing! And if a rig is used for both a father and son they can run both colored number plates, and the numbers they are giving for that event, just as they do in 'normal' rc racing!!

 

[WheelChair]

Most parents that are not into RC's will not want to fund a $500-$1000 "toy" for their kid to drive. I know I had a hard enough time getting my father to purchase a new $20 stock motor for me once a year so I could race back in the late 80's. Sure the parents(fathers) that are currently involved in RC crawling wouldn't care about blowing $120 for new tires and beadlocks for their "toy". I could not see a non-rc'ing parent spending that much money for tires/wheels when they all serve the same purpose.

I know that once my son can do more than turn the steering wheel on my radio, he'll have his own crawler....

I spent less then $300 on my wheely king and Its ready for the comp this weekend!

You don't have to spent $500 - $1000 to crawl rock.
My super has less then $500 into it...

When wade figures out how to drive, he is going to be on the scene with a brand new wheely king!

@ 21 months he already props the trucks up on rocks and pushes them over things. Try's to crawl the dog...

When I let him drive he pins the throttle and rams the fence, but he does get a few turns in there before impact!

Yet another reason to over build! The learning process!

And another thing....

WHY CAN'T THE KIDS RUN DAD'S CRAWLER?

if your so worried about money....

Kids cost money... Either he gets leggos, or a crawler.... either way kids cost money! Hell, I'd build the kid a leggo crawler and get the best of both worlds!

 

[toyofast]

I spent less then $300 on my wheely king and Its ready for the comp this weekend!

You don't have to spent $500 - $1000 to crawl rock.
My super has less then $500 into it...

You missed my point. To get most kids into this part of the hobby their parents will need to purchase...

-Battery charger(good quality)
-Batteries, at least 3-4 packs(~$40-50 each)
-Soldering iron/gun
-Solder station
-Battery connectors(Deans)
-Radio(Spektrum so no frustration with crystals)
-Servo(s)
-Tools(most kids just entering this hobby will have nothing)
-Truck kit, TLT, WK or Axial... what about $150-220?
-ESC(brushless capable?)
-Motor(s)(brushless?)
-Chassis, ~$60-120
-Bearings
-Gears, pinion/spur
-Upgraded parts(axle-c's, CVD's, servo mounts, etc..)
-Spare parts
-Tires
-Wheels
-Tackle box to hold supplies
-Dremel w/bits
-plus more...

There is a lot more than just a kit to get into this hobby. Most people tend to forget about all the small things that get used for this hobby. If a kid has nothing, which means nothing....someone will have to buy the stuff. So some will say make it yourself... who will drive the kid to the hardware store to BUY the items needed.

In the end, after buying the tools, kits and needed supplies..... Anyone will be right up too $1000. Common sense would tell you that.

I too can say that I have only $300 into my 2.2 rig.... But it's what was used to make that 2.2 is what counts. If you had to use tools, did those have to be purchased or

 

[WheelChair]

You can buy a WK for around $200. comes with EVERYTHING!

Buy him a single Phillips Screw driver and some zipties, BAM he's got a crawler.

Simple as that.

I only have 1 battery for my WK....

I did not need ANYTHING other then a screwdriver to crawl with it.

Yes I have made some insano mods to it but the day I got it I was crawling with it for $0. Using no tools other then what came with it and a phillips screwdriver.

You can't sway my thoughts on that.

I know I am not giving my kid a soldering iron or a dremel.


We are talking about getting started... not full on R/C CRAWLIN and competing.

IT CAN BE DONE.

 

[Wicked_Jester]

You missed my point. To get most kids into this part of the hobby their parents will need to purchase...

-Battery charger(good quality)
-Batteries, at least 3-4 packs(~$40-50 each)
-Soldering iron/gun
-Solder station
-Battery connectors(Deans)
-Radio(Spektrum so no frustration with crystals)
-Servo(s)
-Tools(most kids just entering this hobby will have nothing)
-Truck kit, TLT, WK or Axial... what about $150-220?
-ESC(brushless capable?)
-Motor(s)(brushless?)
-Chassis, ~$60-120
-Bearings
-Gears, pinion/spur
-Upgraded parts(axle-c's, CVD's, servo mounts, etc..)
-Spare parts
-Tires
-Wheels
-Tackle box to hold supplies
-Dremel w/bits
-plus more...

There is a lot more than just a kit to get into this hobby. Most people tend to forget about all the small things that get used for this hobby. If a kid has nothing, which means nothing....someone will have to buy the stuff. So some will say make it yourself... who will drive the kid to the hardware store to BUY the items needed.

In the end, after buying the tools, kits and needed supplies..... Anyone will be right up too $1000. Common sense would tell you that.

I too can say that I have only $300 into my 2.2 rig.... But it's what was used to make that 2.2 is what counts. If you had to use tools, did those have to be purchased or

With the setup you have above^^^ that something you would see someone that has been in the sport for a while running not an entry level crawler such and a wk or axial

wk rtr 210
wheels and tires 50
a second battery 15
and the stuff to strech the wk to 12.5" wb 70
and some basic tools 45

total is $340 that is far from $1000

and for a kid that would probably be a decent rig to start out with!!

 

[WheelChair]

total is $340 that is far from $1000

and for a kid that would probably be a decent rig to start out with!!

HELL YEAH! YOU KNOW IT!

 

[Double J]

I think some of you are thinking way more into this than we need.

For the most part parents will have a majority of the tools. What they don't have you can also purchase second hand like I have done. Drill $2 garage sale, soldering iron (not great but??) $.50 garage sale, sander $3 garage sale, screw drivers a box for $2 GS, sockets and socket set $10 crafts man at again another garage sale. Drill press new harbor frieght $35, Air compressor $20-$50 garage - then new from harbor frieght for $110, router $1.50 garage sale.
I think you get my point everything doesn't have to be purchased at once. But you only need the basics to get started, if they enjoy it then you can slowly build up their (your) tool collection as time and experiance goes by.
But more than likely DAD will be into it as well so the kid will only really need the basics, chassis, axles and so on, which dad will probably have part of them for it.

I think running the kids at the same time as the adults is a good way to do it and maybe have a different scoring set up for them or just seperate the kids scores from the adult scores and have the same point/penelties, but the kids will have their own leaders and so on.

 

[WheelChair]

i AGREE ALL THE WAY Double Hooter!8)

Kids LOVE trucks to begin with.

It only makes sense for the fathers to be working on the rigs with their kids!

I like the idea of seperate kids and adult overall scores."thumbsup"

 

[Double J]

I also got my 5 yr old a crappy nokia(??) RC Jeep for $3 at a garage sale, for him to learn how to use the controls. I love garage sales they wanted $10 for the truck and had no scratchess on it at all, looks like it was in the closet for a while, is about all it's seen.
We are still working on that "control" thing... son you need to turn sometime.:lol:
I make sure I'm next to him so he doesn't hit the cat.

 

[AJf]

um im only 14 i have 2 nylints and am getting ready to start my first tlt sumwat scaler build my parents wont help me out at all exept for my dad has tools and stuff but yea everyone has tools i think the kids should atleast put up half the money to guarenty the parents arnt throwing away the money and so the kid will take much more care of it and also make the kid fix it up and w/e cause it happend to my bro i do everything and i no how to do stuff (building ect..) and he dont so i no how to work wit the tools and fix a prob if it happends to him hes like put it on shelf w/e idc i wont use everagain and i love to fix the stuff and mod it and make it better

just my $.02

o yea and 1 of the biggest hold backs for me is getting to the lhs and hardware store and walmart and places to get supplies i get so fed up with it i bike mile and half to lhs and bike back...its a bitch but i get my stuff and it works out but this holds me back weeks on stuff cause i dont have enouph time to do this long ordeal

 

[Etype R]

You missed my point. To get most kids into this part of the hobby their parents will need to purchase...

-Battery charger(good quality)

A peak charger is good enough to get started, not everyone stays in it for the long haul.


-Batteries, at least 3-4 packs(~$40-50 each)

Only need two packs for a crawler.... And even a custom built pack from CBP is cheaper then you qoute.


-Soldering iron/gun

$15 gets you a weller.


-Solder station

Most people do not even have a station that have been in the hobby for years. Think basics, not what you run....


-Battery connectors(Deans)

Bender still runs tamiya plugs, and wins.


-Radio(Spektrum so no frustration with crystals)

AM or FM is just fine....


-Servo(s)

in 2.2 a 645 or 5645 is all they need, but yes that is needed.

-Tools(most kids just entering this hobby will have nothing)

a set of hex drivers, #1 and #2 phillips driver, some flatblades, pliers and needle nose to get started, and a tamiya wrench.

-Truck kit, TLT, WK or Axial... what about $150-220?
-ESC(brushless capable?)
-Motor(s)(brushless?)
-Chassis, ~$60-120
-Bearings

Bushings work fine... I ran bushings for a entire season, won plenty of comps with them.

-Gears, pinion/spur
-Upgraded parts(axle-c's, CVD's, servo mounts, etc..)

Don't need any of that to get started.... Other then servo mounts.

-Spare parts

Until you know what will break, not needed.

-Tires
-Wheels
-Tackle box to hold supplies

Most people have something they can use to get started.

-Dremel w/bits

I never use my dremel, I find a hacksaw and file are faster and cleaner most of the time.

-plus more...

There is a lot more than just a kit to get into this hobby. Most people tend to forget about all the small things that get used for this hobby. If a kid has nothing, which means nothing....someone will have to buy the stuff. So some will say make it yourself... who will drive the kid to the hardware store to BUY the items needed.

In the end, after buying the tools, kits and needed supplies..... Anyone will be right up too $1000. Common sense would tell you that.

I too can say that I have only $300 into my 2.2 rig.... But it's what was used to make that 2.2 is what counts. If you had to use tools, did those have to be purchased or

You do not need most of the crap you listed to get started in this hobby... Most vetrans don't even have all of that stuff, I still run FM on everything I own.

 

[trickedoutTLT06]

I wish there was a club around here..I would compete! "thumbsup"

 

[JasonInAugusta]

My two year-old has a Tracer TLT with a Super Rooster, 55 turn, and an old JR XS3.

TLT: $70 (at the time)
Tracer: $100
55 turn: $30
Super Rooster: $85 on eBay. Don't need a SR though; any old ESC will run a crawler.
XS3: One of my old radios that I figured would be good so he could run any time, just dial the freq and go
Battery: Old Orion 2400 Ni-Cd. I think I've had it since '98 or so. :lol:

He's two right now, so I'm trying to teach him control.

When he's older I'm not going to cut him any breaks. I think if he wants to compete he needs to learn to compete and be competitive just like everyone else...regardless of his age.

There's no Junior Varsity in the game of life.

Shot of him with is 1:18 Nylint.

 

[M715ForLife]

Im 13 (almost) and have a WK (B-Day gift) and my clod.

I may have dumped 150 into my clod.

15 percent support from the fam. :roll:

I saved for ever to buy my ESC.

I made my chassis out of Shelf strips, because it was free, and you know what, it works DAMN well.

Made my wideners.

My dad bought the tires.

I can rip my rig apart in 15 mins, because I didnt buy it, I made it.

Bring it on Veterans, bring it on!

BTW, why have a kids class? Ill compete with the old people anyday! :lol:

 

[AJf]

I wish there was a club around here..I would compete! "thumbsup"

same if i had a club around here i would also compete