Problem with Speedboarding

[Russ Phelan]

I'm used to riding slalom and LDP boards, with a Bennett or Skennett up front, and a tracker RT-S in back. I wedge the front +22 and the back -14.

Now I love going fast. I own an 09 Rayne Avenger, outfitted with Bear Grizzlys, and 85a JimZ.

The problem is, when I ride my speedboard, it feels crazy. I can't deal with the fact that the back truck turns so differently. I've literally fallen off of my board while riding at only 10 mph or so, just because my body isn't used to leaning into a turn in that way. My legs are just so damn used to that Tracker in back.

I've dewedged the rear Bear -17. Still, it's way too squirrely for me. I can't dewedge it anymore, as the kingpin is already being driven right into the ground. Not to mention the back of my board is obviously ending up way higher than the front.

So tell me, riders of slalom boards. What the hell are you guys rocking when you do DH? How do you get that feel to transfer over to a more stable truck setup? Or do you just train your legs to accept two completely different feels?

Thanks,
Russ

[snozzboarder55]

sounds like more of a problem with technique rather than speedboarding.

hows the bushing situation looking on your trucks?

[Russ Phelan]

sounds like more of a problem with technique rather than speedboarding.

hows the bushing situation looking on your trucks?

Like I said, JimZ 85a. It's not a technique issue, it's the fact that speed trucks (even in their lowest angles) have ridiculously high angles compared to what I'm used to riding. I'm used to my back truck being completely dead.

It feels soooooooo weird to ride a board that turns in the back.

Russ

[snozzboarder55]

Like I said, JimZ 85a. It's not a technique issue, it's the fact that speed trucks (even in their lowest angles) have ridiculously high angles compared to what I'm used to riding. I'm used to my back truck being completely dead.

It feels soooooooo weird to ride a board that turns in the back.

Russ

sorry i meant what other bushings do you have at your disposal? jimz are a dead feeling bushing in my opinion.

you could always flip the hanger, im not the biggest fan of that but people do it and it works. it is suppose to replicate the feel of a lower degree truck.

you could also check out the tracker 219 truck. it has the bent pivot just like the rts. ive been wanting to try to a tracker in back to get the slow steering feel in the back. but im not sure of the stability of the truck at higher speeds.

[Ian]

Dewedge the back maybe? I don't have any experience with bears but a randal 50/42 setup had a dead back for me. If you like the bears and want to stick with them i suggest some dewedging, and messing with bushings.

[Russ Phelan]

Dewedge the back maybe? I don't have any experience with bears but a randal 50/42 setup had a dead back for me. If you like the bears and want to stick with them i suggest some dewedging, and messing with bushings.

My rear Bear is dewedged to 30 right now. Problem is, I'm used to a rear angle under 20 =/ I'm thinking the answer is to switch trucks, I just don't know what to switch to. I wish I could just take my slalom setup, and make it more stable, just in the same wedging proportions.

Russ

[Russ Phelan]

sorry i meant what other bushings do you have at your disposal? jimz are a dead feeling bushing in my opinion.

you could always flip the hanger, im not the biggest fan of that but people do it and it works. it is suppose to replicate the feel of a lower degree truck.

you could also check out the tracker 219 truck. it has the bent pivot just like the rts. ive been wanting to try to a tracker in back to get the slow steering feel in the back. but im not sure of the stability of the truck at higher speeds.

I have every duro Khiro in barrels, cones, and tall cones. It's definitely not a bushing problem, it's the truck angle.

Basically, where can I get a lower truck angle than 35?

That tracker 219 looks interesting. I'm just not so hot on stacking mad wedging on my speedboard, for stability reasons.

Russ

[rosewood thief]

You can get randals, baseplate only in 28*. They are bear compatable. So it will be wayy cheaper than getting new trucks

[d-dub]

Randal Skateboard Trucks - Downhill, Longboard, Slalom, Luge

first one on the page.

[Russ Phelan]

You can get randals, baseplate only in 28*. They are bear compatable. So it will be wayy cheaper than getting new trucks

Brilliant, thank you both. I didn't realize that I could use that plate, thought I'd have to switch to those strange luge trucks.

Now I'll only need like 8* of rail wedges, and I'll be set.

Strange that it costs so much more than the 35* though...

Russ

[Rouleau]

try 50/35 randals.... blahblah

switch to barrel bushings. hard in back/soft in front.

[d-dub]

wedge the front the same amount you dewedge the back. you'll like it a lot.

[Wolfin]

Get a 35* plate for the rear, and then dewedge some more!

Or ride an Evo.

Oh - and for your kingpin clearance problem:

A) Shorter.
B) Invert it, put the bolt head roadside.

[Russ Phelan]

Get a 35* plate for the rear, and then dewedge some more!

Or ride an Evo.

I was thinking about the whole Evo thing. It does kind of seem like a downhill slalom board to me...I just don't know how I feel about how low it is, since I've been a topmount addict for my whole life.

Russ

[d-dub]

I was thinking about the whole Evo thing. It does kind of seem like a downhill slalom board to me...I just don't know how I feel about how low it is, since I've been a topmount addict for my whole life.

Russ

also, coming from slalom, you'll like your foot way up on the truck too. cant do that with an evo.

i dh with slalom guys and they've got their setups at like 57/20. way high up front and way low in back. trust me on the wedging thing. i know you'll like it.

[Wolfin]

I was thinking about the whole Evo thing. It does kind of seem like a downhill slalom board to me...I just don't know how I feel about how low it is, since I've been a topmount addict for my whole life.

Russ

It really is, the rear (assuming you're using 50* plates) doesn't lean unless you run soft bushings (or flip the hangar), and then only a little.

But first, see what you can do with the truck setup, because a deck is a big change, and more money. Plus it's nice to have spare plates and bushings and stuff around!

Also where do you live? I might be up for trades

i dh with slalom guys and they've got their setups at like 57/20. way high up front and way low in back. trust me on the wedging thing. i know you'll like it.

Makes me think of Radikals, Dragon Claw up front, Dragon Tail in back.. Mmm.

[AJ]

just skate more, you'll get used to it.
Falling off is part of the learning process.

[Russ Phelan]

Also where do you live? I might be up for trades

I live in New York City.

Russ

[d-dub]

just skate more, you'll get used to it.
Falling off is part of the learning process.

i know where you're coming from but skating a setup you hate isn't fun. and when you hate something, you hardly ever get used to it.

[Russ Phelan]

just skate more, you'll get used to it.
Falling off is part of the learning process.

If I get used to it, then I'll fall off of my slalom boards I'm not exactly a beginner...

also, coming from slalom, you'll like your foot way up on the truck too. cant do that with an evo.

i dh with slalom guys and they've got their setups at like 57/20. way high up front and way low in back. trust me on the wedging thing. i know you'll like it.

Totally true. I'm going with the lower plate in back, and wedging both. Thanks a bunch man, and thanks everyone who contributed.

Russ