Make me faster than my friend!

**boardsportspectacular** · 12-13-2006 03:14 AM

OK here's the skinny. I cannot keep up to my fellow bomber and I hate to lose. What would you do to my setup to make me faster.
His setup: Rayne Demonseed, Randal DH stock bushings, Biltin Abec 7's, 83mm Flys 78a. He weighs about 170lbs.
My setup: Homade topmount (see attached) 13x50x5/8" flat with 8oz fibreglass on both sides, Randal 180 stock bushings, Biltin Abec 7's, 90mm Flys 78a. I weigh 145lbs and my tuck is better

My board is flexier and I am lighter, that's the only real difference. I used to ride Sector9 goddess of speed wheels and the new bigger wheels helped a noticable amount. Do I just need to buy a tub of beefcake and bulk up? HOW CAN I GO FASTER!!!
Thanks,
K.

**D.T.** · 12-13-2006 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by boardsportspectacular

OK here's the skinny. I cannot keep up to my fellow bomber and I hate to lose. What would you do to my setup to make me faster.
His setup: Rayne Demonseed, Randal DH stock bushings, Biltin Abec 7's, 83mm Flys 78a. He weighs about 170lbs.
My setup: Homade topmount (see attached) 13x50x5/8" flat with 8oz fibreglass on both sides, Randal 180 stock bushings, Biltin Abec 7's, 90mm Flys 78a. I weigh 145lbs and my tuck is better

My board is flexier and I am lighter, that's the only real difference. I used to ride Sector9 goddess of speed wheels and the new bigger wheels helped a noticable amount. Do I just need to buy a tub of beefcake and bulk up? HOW CAN I GO FASTER!!!
Thanks,
K.

close your eyes!

your welcome,
dt

**Metalhead8290** · 12-13-2006 04:12 AM

i dont know how to help you but...that is a nicelooking top mount.

**charlietidd** · 12-13-2006 05:21 AM

The 83mm will get up to speed quicker then the 90's so if its a short hill that may be the problem

**longboardorific** · 12-13-2006 05:27 AM

also r-2's are kind of high so you might want a board that makes you lower to the round so you feel mor comfortable. i also second charlies advice

**boardsportspectacular** · 12-13-2006 06:16 AM

Thanks Metalhead8290, that was board #2 from over 2 years ago and it's still my fav. Drop deck in the works as I write. Slopes, angles, triganomatry...
The start of the run is usually where I can keep up with him. It is in the middle when we are up to speed that he passes me or takes off on me. If it were a long hill he would be so far ahead...
No doubt the board is high with the big wheels and trucks plus 1/8 riser plus a skinny shock riser but comfort isn't a problem yet. Our test hill we have been running is a 70km/hr hill and probably just under 1km long.
Does anyone think a flexier board is slower? What about weight of rider, is this a significant factor? These speeds aerodynamics are in action so is the drop deck helping him?
Thanks guys for your input.
K.

**Lit** · 12-13-2006 07:03 AM

swapp boards for a run

**longboardeur** · 12-13-2006 07:15 AM

Who said your tuck is better, you?

Photos of you in tuck with your helmet and leather suit would help.
Drag is what slows you down the most, think aero.

But RII are famous for bent axles so look into that too.
And the comment on 83 flys is spot on, they will get you up to speed faster.

To go fast you need:

1- a good tuck
2- a good tight suit with no bumps or wrinkles and a good helmet.
3- a good push
4- Straight axles
5- the right wheel for the occasion
6- the best line on the course
7- lubricated bearings
8- confidence helps

**Basch** · 12-13-2006 07:57 AM

To be faster than the other guy you kneed to know how to slow down the most effective and the latest befor a turn

**tsmith25** · 12-13-2006 08:24 AM

draft him. its the only way youre gonna keep up since he weighs more unless you have a much better tuck than him. but it sounds like your tucks are even and you dont weigh as much. so work on your tuck and for now get right in behind him when he passes you. or let him get the slight advantage on the push then tuck in behind.

i raced my friend shane(i hate cops) on sunday and i knew if i got the start he would draft me and win so i eased up a little on the start and got in behind him and managed to draft past as we came out of the corner on bottom of the run we were on

**I hate Cops.** · 12-13-2006 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by tsmith25

draft him. its the only way youre gonna keep up since he weighs more unless you have a much better tuck than him. but it sounds like your tucks are even and you dont weigh as much. so work on your tuck and for now get right in behind him when he passes you. or let him get the slight advantage on the push then tuck in behind.

i raced my friend shane(i hate cops) on sunday and i knew if i got the start he would draft me and win so i eased up a little on the start and got in behind him and managed to draft past as we came out of the corner on bottom of the run we were on

im still eating nothing but mcdolands! haha

i need too get bbbbbbbbbiiiiiggggggggerrrrrrrrrrrrr

**gorillabiscuits** · 12-13-2006 10:29 AM

I dont think the big wheels help. He weighs more than you and using smaller wheels so he is accelerating faster.

**Directive0** · 12-13-2006 10:30 AM

at mcdonalds comment

^ yes indeed, get diabetes and liver failure for skateboarding, I like that idea!

**Crappysurfer** · 12-13-2006 11:34 AM

if your board is flexy it will steal lots of energy and make you a lot slower
EDIT: i see your board has flames on it, that should already be making you faster, WHAT HAS THIS WORLD COME TO???

**fike101** · 12-13-2006 11:40 AM

Stiffen it up and put some bones swiss six and lube the crap out of it
also tuck tuck tuck
maybe flip you hangers if you are feeling wobbly

**Basch** · 12-13-2006 11:59 AM

weight is def an issue I can outrun some of my friends purely on my weight. If I race somewhene that weighs 30 to 40 kg less than me I almost wont even have to tuck

**tsmith25** · 12-13-2006 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Directive0

at mcdonalds comment

^ yes indeed, get diabetes and liver failure for skateboarding, I like that idea!

i told him he should go to the gym and put on muscle...

**Mister Surly** · 12-13-2006 01:06 PM

wear a back pack filled with lead shot

**Rabid Skunk** · 12-13-2006 01:06 PM

Push faster. Get a better tuck. I doubt it's your bearings, but cleaning them never hurts.

**D.T.** · 12-13-2006 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by boardsportspectacular

The start of the run is usually where I can keep up with him. It is in the middle when we are up to speed that he passes me or takes off on me. If it were a long hill he would be so far ahead...Thanks guys for your input.
K.

nice board.

sandbag let him take a push or two before you take yours. and stay right on him try and take a few extra pushes so you have some steam.

play around with air braking with your hands and arms

if your wanting to pass him later, you can let yourself fall back a few meters (without falling out of his draft) by air braking then slingshot past him.

one key to being aero is keeping your back FLAT. your overall height is not as important (this has been proven in wind tunnels) you want to minimize your frontal surface area.

try to tuck and lock your rear knee just below or into the back of your front or leading leg's knee. this will help.

your trucks are not your problem. if you really want to be lower just flip the hangers so the 180 is facing down. this will make them lower than reg randal speed trucks.
again dropping your height a few mm isnt going to suddenly make you faster.

personally i would sell your flys and buy a set of pink gumballs, they wear out fast but they have really high rebound and are one of the fastest wheels on the market.

i would only ride the big flys if you had an uphill grade in the middle of your hill your racing on.

if you really want to be aero ride without a shirt - just dont fall and wear slide gloves and a helmet (a full face with a visor will help alot), always!

bulky clothing will add drag no matter how good your tuck is.

and if all else fails, close your eyes!

skate 4 fun,
dt