Are speed checks used in DH (standup speed checks)

Jordo · 09-14-2008, 06:36 PM

Just curious as to whether or not I should continue trying to do standup speed checks. I've seen videos of people grabbing the rail in DH and sliding a bit for speed checks so maybe I should just focus on doing those instead of stand-ups. Am I right?

I have 83mm 75a flywheels and I've practiced them going at a decent speed, but they don't seem to hold if I manage to get it 90 degrees to me. Most of the time the back just slides out 45 degrees then I go back into riding.

I'm pretty much wanting to figure out how to slow myself down for hard turns without footbreaking (as I'd like to slow down a bit faster, and I won't be riding with other people so something more efficient would be nice).

Only thing I can think of that would do that would be sliding (which would pretty much stop me completely unless I was going super fast on these wheels for the slide to last long enough), or perhaps some form of speed checking, however I'm guessing standup's wouldn't be very safe as if you mess up you're getting flung off the board

Thanks guys, sorry for the noob question lol. Just trying to prepare for a huge hill bomb that has a tight turn right at the bottom and I have no idea how people make it.

EDIT: Ok I think standups for downhill isn't a good idea, at least with 75a's haha, just tried one going a little on the fast side and got it to 90 degrees but shortly after it flung me off instead of sliding me to a stop, can anyone recommend the best thing to do? I can do colemans and frontside 180s but I always end up riding switch, I guess I should just practice on pendulums then instead of checks

animal · 09-14-2008, 10:50 PM

stand ups in DH are an art, subtle, dangerous, but once mastered one of the most valuable skills in the arsenal.

experiment with slight carves and just pushing your wheels out a lil more every time.

its possible it just takes lots of practice and lots of balls.

ps wear as much protective gear especially that helmet ! .

jeffrey · 09-14-2008, 10:53 PM

You could try a pre-drift before the turn. A little handsdown slide before the turns and it cut you right into the apex.

andrew_cruise · 09-14-2008, 11:13 PM

dudewe cant tell you what style of riding you should do. just ride more and you will create your own style and solutions to problems you might encounter.

assumeivan · 09-14-2008, 11:15 PM

I've realized that many of the riders that can stand-up slide during DH proficiently are sponsored. This has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

Rarrazz · 09-14-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assumeivan

I've realized that many of the riders that can stand-up slide during DH proficiently are sponsored. This has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

So if I get sponsored I'll be able to stand-up slide while DH'ing?
Cool!

animal · 09-14-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assumeivan

I've realized that many of the riders that can stand-up slide during DH proficiently are sponsored. This has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

its a sick skill !

dgsblb2 · 09-14-2008, 11:21 PM

I don't think I've ever seen someone stand-up speed check in DH. Ive tried doing little small speed checks and my board is just too big to maneuver like that. I can most certainly grab the rail and do a pendy and then keep going, but as for standing up, eh. When I'm cruising however, stand up checks are my favorite thing to do.

Brady · 09-14-2008, 11:21 PM

You dont see people doing standup slides when racing. Doing a small predrift into corners is good but when you are racing with 5 other guys you dont want some guy pulling a random slide in front of you.

dgsblb2 · 09-14-2008, 11:22 PM

I'd also like to add that if anyone can show me a video of someone doing a stand up speed check on a 40in+ board while going over 35mph, I would sure like to see it ha.

A.J. · 09-15-2008, 02:36 AM

I do it all the time.
Actually its all i think about.

latenite · 09-15-2008, 03:06 AM

speed checks are great when youre freeriding, i bust them out before turns, to cut speed quickly and easily, or just anytime i feel unconfident. just having the ability made me much more confident when downhilling, sure you can always coleman or pendy to cut speed, but knowing how to speed check is a great skill to have. you may never use it in a racing application, but that doesnt mean you shouldnt learn it.

plus they are very easy to pull off, biggest obstacle is to overcome the fear of falling, and to commit to doing it. try to be going at least 15-20, its easier when you have some speed. go into a hard carve as you bend or knees a little bit. then push out with your knees and push the back of your board out. most common mistake is probably losing balance when pushing the board out and falling backwards, so be sure to wear a helmet. once the board kicks out a little bit carve back to going forward. the first speed check will be a little wheel scrub, then as you get better it will get easier and easier, the board will go more and more perpendicular to the road, and you will have to do less of an obvious carve to initiate the speed check.

btw 83mm 75a flys are some of the best for smooth drifts.

andrew_cruise · 09-15-2008, 06:43 PM

king brian and his proteges

/thread

A.J. · 09-20-2008, 08:27 AM

you are SO one of 'em.

KyleDH · 09-20-2008, 08:33 AM

Ask yourself this: If I was at the front of a pack in a race scenario, would I throw a standup?

rivers · 09-20-2008, 08:48 AM

Kevin Reimer threw a beauty of a stand up speed check before the second pin in the techy section of Peryagudes in one of the heats, he had a fair old lead though. It was sick to watch!

A.J. · 09-20-2008, 08:53 AM

He did the same in munnsville.
He had raggie on his ass, then kev gave him the stare of death.
you know the look right?
its the look that says; O hai dare, im about to pull a standy. so you best dun watch yo self.