Help for New Slalomers! (please read)

[Ogre]

Hmmmm... thanks.
I'm just hoping that 4Prez will ddo for now.

I know you're light.. but just the same.. carfeful8) on those soft lips of InHeats

[GPymp]

..dont forget helmet and pads. its a must. You wont see a slalom pro without one. If you race in a slalom event, you wont be allowed on the course without a helmet.

And the simple fact it will save a life.

[Kevin in Edmonton]

..dont forget helmet and pads. its a must. You wont see a slalom pro without one. If you race in a slalom event, you wont be allowed on the course without a helmet.

And the simple fact it will save a life.

don't worry man, you will never catch me without a helmet... ever.
Kinda a rule for the skaters of 780...

[PurrCrabs]

Well, I've begun planning the slalom setup I will be getting for Christmas. Looking to do Hybrid/tight, and to pump around, just for fun (for now... I'll likely get a little more serious with this in the near future)
Heres the setup I have planned: please critique, and tell me how I should start wedging
Fullbag Louis Ricard pro model
106mm FT-RTS or RTX front, RTS back
Seismic Avalons 84a front, 80a back (IME I'm not a fan of Zigs, and although the only ones I've used extensively were 66mm86a, I'd like to try something else)
Khiro rail wedge kit
Grip, hardware and a custom bushing setup from Sk8Kings (Retro or Venom?)
What do you think?
Will I possibly need additional flat risers for wheel clearance?
Your thoughts and time are appreciated, I really want this to rock... I love hills but I'm not amazing at Dh or freeriding and I want to diversify

Also, shortly after Christmas (or maybe before) I'll be making $200+ (not including any money I get from family FOR Christmas) and will likely be buying an Airflow, and bushings and any other goodies I need
Will be getting some Smith Scabs knee pads, and a full-face of some kind too. (and possibly elbow pads)

Anyone know if there are any wigglers on Long Island?

(PS I like parenthesis)

[Gary in VA]

Purr,

Sounds like a good setup. Might consider Hotspots instead for wheels. Also think about a Seismic 105 30 degree truck for the rear. Makes a great traction truck when set up with stiff springs.

[tedzepplin]

Well, I've begun planning the slalom setup

Everything you've picked out should be excellent except for the trackers. I know that they are about the only low cost option but I've never ridden a slalom board that felt good set up with trackers. They need tons of wedging to even start to turn sharp enough and then they feel tippy. Someone needs to make better low cost beginner's slalom trucks. I know people have won races on trackers. Some people may like them. I don't.

I've seen local beginners try skating slalom. they usually start out with trackers and are constantly adjusting their boards trying to make them ride better.

The bad thing is that I don't know of a low cost option that's better. There used to be a medium priced truck called Splitfire.

Get the trackers if you have to. be prepared to struggle through the cones. then save up for something better.

[GPymp]

I think Ted is making a point though quietly.

Purr where do you see yourself in 2 years in regards to the type of skating? When I restarted skating several years ago I knew it would be slalom. So I made some investment. (money and time)

For a moderately priced truck and ease of setting up..the Skandal might be a good investment. The rear is set up on a 35 degree plate, slight dewedging to get it closer to the 20's. (degree) The front plate is at 50 degrees, so light wedging is needed to get it to 55+ degrees.

I think a Tracker starts closer to 45 deg in the rear. (not sure)

I own several Splitfires (had as many as 8 at one time) and if you can find one (good luck) You will see the "traction" light.

I have on my HS/GS board a Pro Splitfire (w/bearing) for the Front and the Rear I have a Virage. (57deg/15-18 deg.) To give you an approx price that you might eventually be spending, just on trucks: $350-450. The Rear Virage is amazing, by the way.

On my TS board I have a generation one GOG in the Front and 90mm Splitfire on a 28degree Randal plate in the Rear, dewedged about 3-5 degrees. I had a pro slalom racer run through some cones on my TS FB-JITT and he said "Gary, its dialed."

I run Venom's in the rear on both rigs (green 93a and red 97a ) and a combo of Bitches, abec Reflex, Venom's on the front. (depends on the course.)

As for Wheels, I run PPS Racer X 80a in the rear. (both boards) On the TS Front I run 86a Zig Zag's. The HS/GS I just purchased PPS Racer X 84a for the front. Still testing them. Bearings are Garver ceramics.

I am just a bottom feeder slalom racer, everyone has a perference. This is just what I like right now.

So..its really all about what is comfortable.

[sniffleless]

Try a Bennett Vector 4.3 as a front truck. Teamed with a Tracker RTS rear you have a decent beginer truck set up. You will want a few extra flat risers for the Bennett. Bennetts turn real deep and you may want a little more clearance but it will way out turn the Tracker.

I'd also suggest the Hotspots for wheels. Good wheels. The Black Ops formula is very nice. The 84/80 combo is a good basic duro combo.

I prefer the Retro bushings. More options in duro for a better range of adjustment. I like theVenoms but I wish they had something softer than the blue.

If you are ordering from Sk8kings call them up or e-mail them. They will give you all the help you need on a set up and then some. They are a great source of info. Many a slalom skater come up to Richy at the races for info and advice on fine tuning their set ups, my self included.

Louis Ricard board is very nice. Then again I'm partial to the Fullbag line of skateboards. But good choice. You should be happy with that board for sure.

The Airflow rear is a great truck. I have been using one for awhile now and had it teamed up with a Skennett (Sk8kings modded Bennett). This is a great GREAT combo. A good mid level set up. I highly suggest going this route. For me it was worth every penny. I'd say if you are serious about slalom forgo the Trackers and spend your money on the Airflow/Skennett combo. If you are already going to be getting the Airflow after Christmas, then just get the Skennett instead of buying the Trackers. In the long run I think you will be happier.

[Kevin in Edmonton]

Try a Bennett Vector 4.3 as a front truck. Teamed with a Tracker RTS rear you have a decent beginer truck set up. You will want a few extra flat risers for the Bennett. Bennetts turn real deep and you may want a little more clearance but it will way out turn the Tracker.

I'd also suggest the Hotspots for wheels. Good wheels. The Black Ops formula is very nice. The 84/80 combo is a good basic duro combo.

I prefer the Retro bushings. More options in duro for a better range of adjustment. I like theVenoms but I wish they had something softer than the blue.

Whaaaaa? This is my exact setup except 81a hotspots all around...


Anyway, I wanted to ask a simple question...

Why do slalomers get such fancy bearings?
Do they make THAT much more of a difference in slalom?

[msk]

Anyway, I wanted to ask a simple question...

Why do slalomers get such fancy bearings?
Do they make THAT much more of a difference in slalom?

Not all bearings are designed equally. If you look at a bearing manufacturer's catalog, you'll see literally *hundreds* of 608 bearing variations, depending on what conditions they'll be used in, and what kind of loads and speeds they'll need to handle. Slalom involves lots of side loads, so a bearing that is designed to handle those will be faster when there's lots of hard cornering involved. Some bearings, like Rockets, Oust, and a few others, were specifically designed with these loads in mind.

How much of a difference do you need? Many races are decided by a hundredth of a second...

[PurrCrabs]

Thanks guys... I see myself getting obsessed with slalom... every time I skate I'm weaving leaves and pebbles and such, I enjoy the challenge.
I think I'll just skip the Trackers and go right for the Airflow/Skennett setup.
I'm going to get 4 1/8" flat risers to adjust height as needed, and 3" hardware that I'll cut to size. I'll get Black Ops Hot Spots instead, I was looking at them last night after I made my last post.
Few more questions... 10* wedge on a Skennett front to start, and keep the front slightly taller, correct? No idea how to start wedging the Airflow though (and do I need to buy baseplates?)
Will any wheelbase be best to learn on? (19.5, 20.25, 21.5)
I plan on using a bushing toestop at first, then making one out of wood when I know how I need it shaped for my foot
There is a slight chance I could get a Splitfire, but the Airflow is only a little more money and definite that I could get one
Anyone got pictures of their setups with any of the stuff I'm likely getting? Pictures of the Airflow colours? I've got the colour choice so I might as well pick what will be more visually pleasing

Hopefully getting into slalom young, I'll be able to keep up with the older guys by the time I get to a race. Well, maybe not keep up, but at least show you that us youngin's don't all hate our elders and roots

[Xgecko]

Anyway, I wanted to ask a simple question...

Why do slalomers get such fancy bearings?
Do they make THAT much more of a difference in slalom?

1) slalom races are often settled by 100ths or even 1000th's of a second (at least at the pro level)
2) Slalom is a disciple where pros race against normal guys like you and me.
3) slalom is a disciple for gear geeks
4) see http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...-you-suck.html
5) if I have the same (or better) gear as XXXX I can skate as fast


try 20.5" WB to start

Bennets don't like much more than 5º-7º of riser
my Split is -5º and enough riser to make the board level

[Kevin in Edmonton]

Not all bearings are designed equally. If you look at a bearing manufacturer's catalog, you'll see literally *hundreds* of 608 bearing variations, depending on what conditions they'll be used in, and what kind of loads and speeds they'll need to handle. Slalom involves lots of side loads, so a bearing that is designed to handle those will be faster when there's lots of hard cornering involved. Some bearings, like Rockets, Oust, and a few others, were specifically designed with these loads in mind.

How much of a difference do you need? Many races are decided by a hundredth of a second...

Oh ok...

Thanks a bunch everyone, here's my new setup
Fullbag Red Baron
Bennett 4.3 front
tracker RTS 106mm back
Reflex combos
hot spots, 81a (gonna try to find 2 84a's)
Redz for now, cleaned out and put this Quaker state grease stuff, they roll nice and fast.

[sniffleless]

It's true that the Bennetts don't like too much wedging. I have run them at 10* fine but 7* works better. I think I am running mine at 5* on my Red Baron right now and that feels fine. I can turn fine and they don't seem to dive as bad. And you will want to use more risers with the Bennett/Skennett to adjust for the deep turning you get from this truck.

That is the only problem with the Bennetts. They can dive on you. If you're running really soft bushings and you put too much wieght on them ,esp real fast, they can over trun. The nose banks real steep and sometimes the board can turn away at like a 90* angle throwing you off. It's happened to me. If you know that it can happen and at what point that will happen you can work around it. It's good to know the limitations of your set up. Don't let this scare you. Just know that it can happen. Just the price to be paid for the great turning you get from them I say.

With the kick on that Louis Ricard you have to wedge to compensate. I think Fullbag uses a 5* kick so I'd say get that Khiro wedge rail kit and wedge 5* for the kick and I like 15* on top of that on my Fullbag. That was what Mig told me to try I think.

I like the Oust bearings alot. That is what I run in my slalom rigs. Smooth running and fast and hold up to all the torgue and turning.

On the wheelbase question. It will depend on the type of course you are running on...BUT.... I have been told that it is good to practice on the longest wheel base option you have on your board. If you can make a course on the long wheel base you should have no problems doing it on the shorter ones, is the logic.

Someone, that is a good set up. How you like that Red Baron? I love mine. That is pretty close to the set up I've been riding on that board for a while. I just switched over to the Airflow/Skennett on that board. The Airflow just has more grip over the RTS. Still that is a classic set up.

[Boldiesoverbasra]

The Tracker RT-S hybrid Ritchy, @ SK8KINGS, puts on the front of his completes is a nice truck. Not to be underestimated. Skennetts are nice too, I have one myself, but a 4.3 standard Bennett is just as good. Unless you have a really narrow rear truck, the 101mm Skennett is prone to understeer w/ anything wider in the back. If anything run a wider truck up front.
It's been mentioned here before, but keeping the rear end of your set lower than the front up will add to the dead feeling you want. This bit of advice helped me a lot.
Splitfires are great. I've been buying and hording them as of late. I've found most of mine for $80-$100 ea. I prefer them to the Airflow mainly because of the BP options you have availible.I'd just be afraid to throw down $500 for a set of trucks or $300 for a deck and not notice the effects like a more experienced rider would.
These are just my opinions--I'm a noob at this as well.

[Kevin in Edmonton]

Someone, that is a good set up. How you like that Red Baron? I love mine. That is pretty close to the set up I've been riding on that board for a while. I just switched over to the Airflow/Skennett on that board. The Airflow just has more grip over the RTS. Still that is a classic set up.

Don't have it yet... I'm just dreamin

For my birthday fo sho. Glad it's a good choice. Yeah, might get that airflow down the road.... but I'm just learnin.

[PurrCrabs]

1) slalom races are often settled by 100ths or even 1000th's of a second (at least at the pro level)
2) Slalom is a disciple where pros race against normal guys like you and me.
3) slalom is a disciple for gear geeks
4) see http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...-you-suck.html
5) if I have the same (or better) gear as XXXX I can skate as fast


try 20.5" WB to start

Bennets don't like much more than 5º-7º of riser
my Split is -5º and enough riser to make the board level

I love a discipline where everyone mingles and the pros and groms aren't separated. I want to learn from the pros when I'm a grom, and teach the groms when I'm a pro (or when I'm good, you get the idea)
I'm also a HUGE gear whore/gear geek

I guess I'll start with 5* wedged Skennett, 10* dewedged Airflow (5 for the tail, 5 additional) with 1/8" hard flat risers to add a little wheel clearance. Does that sound like a good starting spot? I will tinker a bit but I want to know a good median to start at. What should I space my trucks to to start... 101mm front, 100mm rear?

If anyone can share technique tips, rules, etc, I'd be very grateful too. I'm new to slalom completely, with the exception of dodging things on my Knuckleduster, and pumping and dodging things on my friends Landy Dingy (tiny thing)

This is quickly becoming an obsession and I haven't even started yet...

Oh, and if any New York (Long Island? NYC?) wigglers would want to get together and having a practice/learning session and maybe just some longboarding too, I'd love to, I need to learn somehow

[Xgecko]

I am on a 90mm Geezer Indy front and a 90mm Split rear (spaced to about 96mm) feels very comfortable to me

[PurrCrabs]

Should I space the back truck wider, or thinner than the front for an Skennett/Airflow? I think I'll run the Skennett at 101, although I'll try wider also, so should I have the Airflow at 95, 100, 105?

Anyone know if Sk8Kings sells the Airflows with baseplates (I assume yes) and do they come with the brass spacers in the picture? or should I be emailing them about that

[sniffleless]

Sk8kings does sell the Airflows with the base plates and the brass spacers. At least they did when I bought mine.

I had been told that running the rear a little wider gives you better traction in the rear. Although I tend to try and run them about as matched as possible.

Don't be afraid to wedge the crap out of the rear. With the added leverage from the kick I had to dewedge the rear more than what I was used to. Mig told me that for the Fullbags that the 5 for the kick and a 15 on top of that was what he recommended and it worked for me. I was having a hard time getting that rear to work for me until I did that. Also I had to go with harder bushings than normal too. Now I really like the rear way wedged like that. That's just my story though.

You think you are obsessed now? wait until you start riding and go to your first race.