[EricH]

Originally Posted by Matt H.

I would seriously discourage you from deciding on a drive train for next year before you know what next year's game is. Mechanum has its place in some games, but not in others.
Some cons to mechanum:
Suspension is essentially required
High Weight
Low pushing power (fine for this game not for others)
Expensive/Time Consuming (you will either have to buy/make four transmission/wheels our mechanum promo-bot cost well over $1000 dollars for drive train alone.)

I'm with you on most things here, Matt, but I'll disagree on suspension. A "flexible" frame can do just as well.

Originally Posted by DarkFlame145

I think Andymark.com has good mecanum wheels. McMasters might also.

My team looked at mecanum wheels from places other than AndyMark. According to the lead researcher, AM is the ONLY place that sells them in FRC sizes. So the only other option is make your own... That can take a while.

Oh, and Rupnick--I wouldn't tell Flaming Chickens that. (At least, I think it was 1540 that had mecanums and climbed right up a nice plastic Beach'Bot ramp at SD 2007. If not, I think it was 1425.) You just said that they had a hard time doing what they did with ease.