new to DH

[thelostsheep]

a longer wheelbase is less likely to suffer speed wobbles right?

is it also harder to slide?

and does the width of the board affect wobbles also?

longer wheelbase, in theory, is more stable. but it is also less maneuverable. bigger turning radius.

ability to slide comes with practice, with any board.

width of board does not really affect wobbles. it's more of the rider's ability to maintain balance at higher speeds.

[GhengisChron]

yes, but i mean how maneuravable does a speedboard need to be? its not like your carving right? its kinda granted that a sharp turn is gonna be a bitch at high speeds.

i know sliding comes with practice, but pretend you are used to sliding a really long board. if you hop on a shorter board is it likely you will over slide and spin out?
i'v just been sliding around on a shlong. sorry if i sound noobish to anything downhill.


and i'm wondering about the width because you would think that the further out the rail is from the trucks, that any weight you put on it would be translated into more lean than a board with a rail closer to the trucks. like there is more leverage. so if you repositioned your foot if you are tucked and going straight at a high speed, wouldn't there be more chance of wobble on a wider board?

[thelostsheep]

yes, but i mean how maneuravable does a speedboard need to be? its not like your carving right? its kinda granted that a sharp turn is gonna be a bitch at high speeds.

i know sliding comes with practice, but pretend you are used to sliding a really long board. if you hop on a shorter board is it likely you will over slide and spin out?
i'v just been sliding around on a shlong. sorry if i sound noobish to anything downhill.


and i'm wondering about the width because you would think that the further out the rail is from the trucks, that any weight you put on it would be translated into more lean than a board with a rail closer to the trucks. like there is more leverage. so if you repositioned your foot if you are tucked and going straight at a high speed, wouldn't there be more chance of wobble on a wider board?

maneuverability is relative to the rider. it depends on how YOU want it.

as long as you know how to slide it works for any length. but yes, shorter boards might be easier to slide because you need less effort to throw them around.

i believe the leverage for turns you're looking for is more related to the Concave of the board and not how wide it is. steeper concave, less effort to turn.

just as the answer to your first post by Blix, you need to choose the board which you think you like first. skill comes after you practice with whatever board you choose.

wobbles will eventually go away because YOU are used to the speed and not your board.

this thread might be of help:
The Downhill Skateboarding Survial Guide

[GhengisChron]

no i completely understand speed wobbles isn't the boards fault, its the rider. and i understand there are things you can do to your board to make it less prone to wobble.

i just dont want to go out and buy a bunch of #### only to find out its exactly what i dont want.

[gavmck]

i just dont want to go out and buy a bunch of #### only to find out its exactly what i dont want.

Find out what you DO want then.

Want to grip?
Want to drift?
Want bigger, tank like wheels?
Want smaller, high acceleration wheels?
Want lots of lean?
Want lots of turn?
Want boobs?

[snozzboarder55]

Find out what you DO want then.

Want to grip?
Want to drift?
Want bigger, tank like wheels?
Want smaller, high acceleration wheels?
Want lots of lean?
Want lots of turn?
Want boobs?

yes
yes
no
yes
no
yes
2 double d yess!

[thelostsheep]

no i completely understand speed wobbles isn't the boards fault, its the rider. and i understand there are things you can do to your board to make it less prone to wobble.

i just dont want to go out and buy a bunch of #### only to find out its exactly what i dont want.

chill...

you can watch these videos from Motion Boardshop, they're quite informative
Longboard Clinic - Downhill Boards

Longboard Clinic - Downhill Boards Pt.2

or you can visit the nearest longboard store and try their demo boards (if they have 'em).

cheers!

[gavmck]

Want to grip?yes - Topmount
Want to drift?yes - Drifty wheels
Want bigger, tank like wheels?no
Want smaller, high acceleration wheels?yes - 70mm wheels
Want lots of lean?no - high angle trucks
Want lots of turn?yes - high angle trucks
Want boobs? 2 double d yess! - BOOBS

Ching! You've won!
The survey says buy yourself a topmount with some high angle trucks and drifty wheels

EG. Avenger, 50 degree randal 180s and purple potangs.

While you wait for it to arrive, go look at some boobs.

[streetheap]

longer wheelbase, in theory, is more stable. but it is also less maneuverable. bigger turning radius.

ability to slide comes with practice, with any board.

width of board does not really affect wobbles. it's more of the rider's ability to maintain balance at higher speeds.

While I mostly agree here, I do believe board width has much to do with how a truck responds, and how tippy a setup can feel. If you've ever ridden 200mm+ trucks on a board you're used to riding with 180s, you know what I mean. (the "de-evolution" being a narrower board on the same trucks)
I think you are spot-on about concave affecting truck response though. This is especially evident when riding a board that may be uncomfortable and/or never allows your front foot to settle ( esp. at speed in a tuck). The trucks never really feel centered. Very difficult for most new guys to handle.
Conversely, a board which is very difficult to lean or doesn't turn enough will also lead to problems, for obvious reasons.
There's so many variables when choosing a setup that feels right. It invariably comes down to simply spending a lot of time riding (which is the best part anyway).

[rosewood thief]

Alpha Skateboard Co., Inc.
This section of the Alpha website is extremely informative about truck geometry and wheel base vs. turning radius. Read it, you will thank me.

[skatermansam]

so i got a new rayne hellcat setup.
orangatang orange in heat wheels and randals.
im riding and loving it, im new to dh but love the speed
i have been riding in my neighborhood by myself
today i saw a car turn through a corner and wasnt expecting it to be thier, i was fine just thought about how i need to learn to slow down
i can slide ok, but only can do one.
im not good with the whole drifting thing, like i cant through speed checks
i tried to do the slide i know later on today but it seemed that i felt like i was just falling, like my board kept on going straight as if my feet werent controlling it.
what can i do to try to combat this?
could it have been my wheels that i got yesterday?
thnx

[xjweezyx]

could it have been my wheels that i got yesterday?
thnx

ur wheels arent great to learn slides on but they def slide. if you got them two days ago you need to break them in for more smooth controlled slides. take a few hours dedicated to sliding and the should break in.

[OKY]

So I am new to DH and have been longboarding for a couple years just to get around. I have recently started to learn slides and i am having a lot of trouble doing predrifts. I can get the board to slide but I can't pull it back under me. Both heelside and toeside I either slide it into a 180 or I slide to a stop. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?

[terapin]

So I am new to DH and have been longboarding for a couple years just to get around. I have recently started to learn slides and i am having a lot of trouble doing predrifts. I can get the board to slide but I can't pull it back under me. Both heelside and toeside I either slide it into a 180 or I slide to a stop. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?

YouTube - Pre Active Pre Drifter

these guys are great but i found comming in with more speed makes it easyer

[Blix]

Also check out the first few pages of this thread...

[OKY]

Also check out the first few pages of this thread...

I was looking through the entire thing last night. and went out and tried it this morning and i tried different hand placement, grabbing the rail or not just couldn't get the bored to come back under my feet.

[OKY]

Thanks for the video terapin, i think it may have something to do with my shoulders positioning.

[Bookworm]

Want to grip?yes - Topmount
Want to drift?yes - Drifty wheels Indys!
Want bigger, tank like wheels?no
Want smaller, high acceleration wheels?yes - 70mm wheels
Want lots of lean?no - high angle trucks
Want lots of turn?yes - high angle trucks
Want boobs? 2 double d yess! - BOOBS

.

oh wait, that IS what you ride!



and pre-active predrifter is funny, louis sure can skate but he's not too good talking to the camera.

[terapin]

Thanks for the video terapin, i think it may have something to do with my shoulders positioning.

no problem this vid realy helped me 2

[acidfernandez]

Hi Mr. Blix

I just have a question if you dont mind, Im getting a Landyachtz switch, can I use a gullwing charger ( coz its cheaper).

Thanks and Happy Holidays