pyro-hippo Posted February 10, 2009 (edited) Hi guys! I've been doing reviews for years already, but this is my first one here at Eurobricks! So wish me luck! Stats that I just can't leave out Set index: 7746 Name: Single-Drum Roller Release: CITY Construction 2009 (Feb 2nd release) Price: 30USD, 20GBP, 40SGD Pieces: 208 Minifigs: 2 **Disclaimer: Prepare to be disappointed. I was.** Okay, now pretend I didn't just say that. Alright, how about this guys... LET'S MAKE THIS A PICTORIAL REVIEW. Happy? First we start with the box-art. I mean, who doesn't? Unless you bought it without even looking at the box first... Flipping over the box we see some basic features and details... With, as with every CITY set, the classic "easy-build" diagram... Nothing too spectacular here... And within... pure brick goodness!! The DSS... nothing much, even plain-looking. I mean, these stickers don't seem like they could help a lot with the design... The huge pieces used for the roller in front are shown here. Apparently they seem to be from the Castle series. There are 5 pieces of them, all in dbgrey. Also featured are the monster-truck wheels we'll use for the rear later on. Here we have our list of parts... Random instruction booklet sneek peek... Alright, on to the review proper. First page of instruction booklet shows you how the set is split into 2 parts! Interestingly, the way it's really split up is different from the way as shown on the box... *Sound of bricks being poured* --- BAG 1. First, we start off with our protagonists. Two construction workers with super-super-recycled torso's and faces. Apart from increasing your minifigure strength, or driving your roller for ya, these guys just add to the piece count. After our first page, our guys finally have something to do. Hmm... This could make a pretty decent impulse set all by itself! Let's start with construction (ironic...) proper, shall we now? Our first few steps build up the base for the vehicle. I won't even call it a "skeleton" because it's just boring brick-on-top-of-brick stacking. Lights and stickers at the back add detail to the vehicle! A little help here!! Thanks! And... OH! We're done for Bag One already! Wasn't that rather quick and uneventful? Now let's move on to Bag Two! And... oh! We haven't even touched the huge pieces yet! Some interesting bits from Bag Two includes... Continuing with where we left off, our friend could sure use a little shade... *Cough*Disappointment*Cough* Wahey! The cockpit isn't pivoted or hinged!! You need to actually remove the roof, just to seat our minifig! Never mind, let's forget about that little let-down just now and move on to the huge roller up front... Not surprisingly, this is where our technic axle comes into play. ("play" being a pun, if you so wish! ) Plus we put 5 more of 'em Castle-wheels on the axle, and we're half-done. We use these pieces to attach the front roller to the vehicle. *Cough*juniorisation*Cough* Now let's put these on... And before you know it, we're *almost* done! And.. a few more details... and we're DONE! From various angles... Alright now, let's wrap it up shall we? Kudos for... Nice to roll about. Solid front "wheel". 2 minifigs instead of just one. Interates fine into town; just make sure you have a construction site and roadplates! Yellow&black goodness! Front roller wheels can turn left and right, by 2 notches. Moderate size. Under the huge rollin' wheel... Boring build. (alliteration not intended...) No cool LEGO building styles/techniques. <insert that tiresome argument> pieces for the front rollers. (debatable.) Extremely recycled minifig designs. Yellow and black with no almost no other colours. Stickers rather redundant. Limited play possibilities. Slightly small size for its price. A little flimsy at the hinge. Et Cetera. All in a nutshell, on a scale of one to ten, ten being best.... Price 8 Piece count 7.5 Building technique 6.5 Overall form 8 Playability 8.5 Minifigs 3.5 Overall: 42/60 Siango's commentary: If you are a fan of CITY Construction, get it!! Otherwise, save that dough for something else way cooler. Thanks for reading... hope that was good! Signing off, Siango Lee Edited October 24, 2011 by Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteFang Posted February 10, 2009 Siango? Your sign off looks very familar despite of that wierd nick... Do me a quick favour. Could you resize your images to 640 x 480 instead? The current resolution is 1024 x 768 and it will create slow connection for some of our members down here whom are on dial up. Putting that aside, this is an extremely good review contribution. Superb clear crispy photos, and it is defintely a well noted review. Thnaks for sharing it with us. By the way, I have featured this review in Classic-Town.net. Good job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bonaparte Posted February 10, 2009 A fine review of a fantastic set. I've helped you this time and resize your images. I think this review is ready to be headlined! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asuka Posted February 10, 2009 Thanks for that very comprehensive review, pyro-hippo. A pretty detailed set, a charming model and these yellow hexagons with clip look very interesting. Of course, some doors would add a lot to the playability of the set... I really wonder why TLC expects all the kiddies to deconstruct their vehicles every time they want to place a MF into them. The front lights could 'work' better on a higher position like on top of the roof too, perhaps... never mind. It´s just a freakin´steamroller... and not only girls alone wanna have fun! Mwuhaha! You keep playin' where you shouldn't be playinand you keep thinkin' that you´ll never get burnt. Ha! I just found me a brand new box of matches yeah and what he know you ain't HAD time to learn. These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you. Nancy Sinatra Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pate-keetongu Posted February 10, 2009 Thanks for the review! Set is cute I think, this will be only bigger city set that I will get! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bamaker Posted February 10, 2009 Really good review, Siango I almost purchased this set yesterday for a rainy day activity, but the price scared me off. If it ever goes on sale, I may pick it up and try to mod it to have a Power Miners color-scheme Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joebot Posted February 10, 2009 This looks like a really nice $20 set ... it's a shame that it costs $30. The set gets bonus points for being a new type of vehicle. After years of endless bucket loaders and cranes, I can't ever remember TLC making a steam roller. Thanks for the review!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Loganwan Posted February 10, 2009 Thanks for the review. Fun review for a not so fun build? It does look easy and uneventful, but that seems to be the order for the construction sets. They do not break any molds in the original department. I do love the construction sets thought. I am glad it at least comes with two guys, and one of them gets the tamper so he is not just standing around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liquidcross Posted February 10, 2009 Great review, Siango! This set's been on my want list since it was announced. The $30 price point is the big thing holding me back, unfortunately, but your review is pushing me to buy it! Must...resist...! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Patriot720 Posted February 10, 2009 Your review gives me the urge to goto S@H right now and click add to cart!! Anyway, great review. The new construction sets are really nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SeaKing61 Posted February 10, 2009 I still can't decide about this set. It's a pretty unique lego set and, like the bulldozer, is a welcome change from diggers and dump trucks. My only problem is it seems slightly too big. Like the chassis has been built to the scale of the front roller, rather than the scale of a minifig. An ingenious idea by a Lego designer to use that piece, but it just doesn't quite fit sizewise in my opinion. I'll most likely still buy it though Laurie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Svelte Posted February 10, 2009 Yes, the minifigs are boring but City 09 is spectacularly unspectacular in that department (at least, so far.) The build is OK as well. I also actually think that the speckle wheels as used in the Tower Attack set would be aesthetically more interesting than dark bley, and would add to the effect of asphalt being rolled in the construction of roads and so on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffjcc Posted February 11, 2009 Nice review. I have to say the scale is kinda big. I think I'll pass on this one! The Bulldozer looks a bit more exciting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Posted February 11, 2009 I have looked at this one a few times at TRU, it looks nice and is a change from the past city construction sets, I just can't justify the cost right now. Maybe when it comes on sale. Any way thanks for the review. nice job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CommanderCody77 Posted February 11, 2009 Great review and it would still look okay if you flipped it around Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyro-hippo Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) Firstly, a big thank you very much to everyone for your warm compliments!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it Secondly, many thanks to boneparte for helping me with the resizing and posting it on the headlines! Will resize pics before posting next time! Thirdly, a big hi to whitefang from S0937 forums! Fourth, svelte corps, great suggestion to use the tower raid wheels! Fifth, 'just wanna re-iterate that although I might have cast the Roller in a *slightly* negative light, ultimately, it's your choice to get it or not to; my opinions are only subjective, and the photos would serve more expository purpose! And finally, once again, thanks to everyone for reading (and enjoying), and hope to be pleasing y'all with more reviews soon! stay tuned!! Edited February 11, 2009 by pyro-hippo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MatthewUSA Posted February 13, 2009 Thank you for the great review pyro-hippo. I found your review very informative. Your pics were GREAT!! They certainly showed the great detail of the set. I have been wondering about this set. I thought TLG could have done a better job with the roller and the hinge. I had heard it was a click . Plus I have thought this set was just too large. I don't think I have ever seen a roller quite this big before. A great idea for a set this large would be a landfill compactor. Model On!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Optikal Illushun Posted February 13, 2009 i think its a tad to wide on the drum. 4 wide is plenty. for $30 its kind of expensive but looks decent. probably pick one for to round out the set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legofan Posted February 14, 2009 Siango bro! Wonderful review there! Thank you so much for creating a wonderful review on the roller! Nice roller, but seems kinda costly and also rather huge to be displayed. Among this and the bulldozer, i'll still choose the later more ~ Thanks again bro! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canada_7 Posted January 6, 2011 Bump...I was wondering if anyone had any shots of this thing beside its other 2009 construction-site-themed set counterparts? Pictures with it being beside 7630 Front-End Loader, 7631 Dump Truck, 7685 Dozer and any of the other sets in that line. I tried searching Brickshelf but there weren't any pictures of it beside anything else. Or perhaps just someone can speak of the comparison in size to the other sets? I have the other 2009 construction sets and am somewhat tempted to buy this set from Lego S@H as it's currently 50% off for $19.99. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
