Help for New Slalomers! (please read)

**spidydt** · 11-12-2009 08:53 PM

i have randals rII150s and i started to learn how to pump and im starting to get the hang of it. im not into the slalom racing (yet) i wanted to learn how to pump so i can push twice and make it to my next class. I read that its better to have loose trucks in the front and tighter in the back so i tried it and it does work but my question is, since i have randals, if i put a 42degree baseplate in the rear and keep the 50degree baseplate in the front ill be able to dewedge the rear truck without wedge risers right?

**Petary791** · 11-12-2009 08:59 PM

Basically yes. Your 42º baseplate will turn less than the front 50º. Something to keep in mind though is that 42º baseplates are significantly lower than 50º so you may want some more riser anyways.

**spidydt** · 11-12-2009 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Petary791

Basically yes. Your 42º baseplate will turn less than the front 50º. Something to keep in mind though is that 42º baseplates are significantly lower than 50º so you may want some more riser anyways.

yea i got some 1/2" risers laying around ill throw that on and ride around and see how that works for me
im still in the process of trying out diff setups in the attempt to find the "sweet spot" and have a nice setup that feels right to me

**GPymp** · 11-12-2009 09:23 PM

**Petary791** · 11-12-2009 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by GPymp

Keep your rear truck lower. It also adds to the "deadness" you want from your rear truck. I haven't seen too many slalom pro's with matching height trucks.

SNAP, I never thought about that. Great point. Now that I think about it, my slalom boards are setup that way.

**spidydt** · 11-12-2009 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Petary791

SNAP, I never thought about that. Great point. Now that I think about it, my slalom boards are setup that way.

now that im looking at my board, i flipped my rear randal and lowered it by 1/4" so if a 42degree baseplate is lower i might like the setup8)

**Whereisnumnum** · 11-12-2009 09:47 PM

once i get really fast pumping the hell outa my board my back wheels slde out and yes i know im riding even degree trucks but beside flippin my rear truck what can i do to prevent that

**spidydt** · 11-12-2009 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by Whereisnumnum

once i get really fast pumping the hell outa my board my back wheels slde out and yes i know im riding even degree trucks but beside flippin my rear truck what can i do to prevent that

you can dewedge the back trucks a couple of degrees making it less turny and more stable

**ALPHA-Q** · 11-13-2009 12:14 AM

Hi, looking into getting into slalom racing and have a complete but idk if it is an ideal size or not, its 26in. overall with a 16in. wheelbase. Does this sound good to any of you? i have it set up with amber tunnel rocks, bones reds bearings, and randall 125 with the stock 42 degree base plates and unflipped hangars.

**Whereisnumnum** · 11-13-2009 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by spidydt

you can dewedge the back trucks a couple of degrees making it less turny and more stable

k thanks and also can i flip my rear hanger will that help?

**GPymp** · 11-15-2009 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by ALPHA-Q

Hi, looking into getting into slalom racing and have a complete but idk if it is an ideal size or not, its 26in. overall with a 16in. wheelbase. Does this sound good to any of you? i have it set up with amber tunnel rocks, bones reds bearings, and randall 125 with the stock 42 degree base plates and unflipped hangars.

Not sure why I get a neg rep from you?

Anyway..

I would research what is out there. I posted a link to sk8kings which offers a great line.

In your research you will find that your board is fairly short for racing. You can make it work for practicing in a parking lot but..
Slalom races will have several courses of significant length. As I am constantly learning slalom, I enjoy a medium length board (30-31 inches) My boards have multiple truck hole placements which allow me to go from a medium to long slalom course. I have a board just for tight.

If you get one board, get one that you can stretch from a short/medium course to a medium/long course.

Your current trucks will work. I would shoot for a wedging of 50-60 degrees in front to 35 degrees dewedging (and more) in the rear.

These are only suggestions and I am no way near a pro. I have learned enough to keep me going through the cones.

**Kevin in Edmonton** · 11-21-2009 05:52 PM

Okay I've searched... and I didn't want to start a new thread.

I have never owned a slalom deck, and was wondering how wide would a bennett and bigzig be? I'm getting a Fullbag Red Baron, and wanted to get the right width, since I know in slalom you have to be really picky....

thanks.

**msk** · 11-21-2009 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by ALPHA-Q

Hi, looking into getting into slalom racing and have a complete but idk if it is an ideal size or not, its 26in. overall with a 16in. wheelbase. Does this sound good to any of you?

That's a pretty short wheelbase. Not too many people are running less than 18" for tight, and for hybrid and GS you'll want even longer. My preference for wheelbase is to use the longest one that I can get through the course (18"-20" for tight, 20"-23" for hybrid, 23"+ for GS), as a longer one allows me to get more power from the pump...

**GPymp** · 11-21-2009 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by Someone100

Okay I've searched... and I didn't want to start a new thread.

I have never owned a slalom deck, and was wondering how wide would a bennett and bigzig be? I'm getting a Fullbag Red Baron, and wanted to get the right width, since I know in slalom you have to be really picky....

thanks.

I would not get any wider than the 4.3 Bennett

As for wheels you have listed Retro Big Zig's. Those are too big. Get Zig Zag's instead.

**AJ_** · 11-22-2009 09:31 PM

Hi! just found out how to pump and looking at getting into slalom. gonna start off just pumping and dodging softdrink cans but maybe get serious later on. how does a homemade board ( maybe 26 - 32'') with 50/35 125 randals and zigzgs or avilas sound? open to suggestions but i would like to make my own board cos i'm kinda on a budget.

**GPymp** · 11-23-2009 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by AJ_

Hi! just found out how to pump and looking at getting into slalom. gonna start off just pumping and dodging softdrink cans but maybe get serious later on. how does a homemade board ( maybe 26 - 32'') with 50/35 125 randals and zigzgs or avilas sound? open to suggestions but i would like to make my own board cos i'm kinda on a budget.

This thread has all the answers you will need. I would make your board 31-32" As for the wheels and trucks..this thread has most, all the answers.

**afi1014** · 11-23-2009 06:48 AM

want to try GS is 36inch board good for a gs board with a 24inch wheelbase?

**Kevin in Edmonton** · 11-23-2009 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by GPymp

I would not get any wider than the 4.3 Bennett

As for wheels you have listed Retro Big Zig's. Those are too big. Get Zig Zag's instead.

Well I originally bought the bigzigs for rough ground/grip ect for 5 bucks off a friend (minimal wear I may add) so I don't feel like buying MORE wheels...

Why are they too big? Less manuverablity/acceleration?

**yerkeswood** · 11-23-2009 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Someone100

Why are they too big? Less manuverablity/acceleration?

exactly. They will be dramaticaly slower for tight and hybrid. You can use them for GS. I'd recommend 66 mm for tight, 66-70 for hybrid (depending on how big the hill is), and 70-75mm for GS ( I use 73).

**Kevin in Edmonton** · 11-23-2009 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by yerkeswood

exactly. They will be dramaticaly slower for tight and hybrid. You can use them for GS. I'd recommend 66 mm for tight, 66-70 for hybrid (depending on how big the hill is), and 70-75mm for GS ( I use 73).

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