Grippy wheels up front?

[AGENT WD-40]

I am looking to buy some new slalom wheels because my 80a Manx are starting to slide. I am going to buy some 80a Zig Zags for the back, but what kind of wheels should I get for the front? Is grip even necessary up front? I was trying to decide between the 83a and the 86a. I am still a newbie to the whole slalom thing, but I dont know enough to make a decision. BTW this setup is for TS/HS

[easy]

How much do you weigh? Lightweight go 83; heavyweight, 86 with an 83 out back - over/under ~ 150 lbs or so.

[AGENT WD-40]

I am about 150-155 lbs. If the 80a Manx are sliding out, wont the 83a ZZs slide out even more?

[bpz]

Durometer isn't the end-all decision for how wheels handle... you gotta take shape, urethane formula, size, etc. all into consideration. They're two completely different wheels!

[easy]

Not meant to bust your chops, but the sliding is likely not related to the wheels - they grip better as they get older (generally). Before dropping coin on wheels, try snugging up the rear truck, add some dewedge and check your stance. The manx should be "grippy" enough - unless you want new wheels - play with the setup first.

[chaindog]

ziggys are grippier than manx for me, even in higher duros

[AGENT WD-40]

I am still a total newb to slalom, but I still cant figure out why the wheels were sliding out. The back truck is tight and dewedged, I keep my knees bent alot, I try to counter steer (or whatever that is called), etc. The only thing I could have thought of was the asphalt quality. The strip that I slalom on is smooth, but the surrounding asphalt is very rough. The wheels slid out on a tight offset and my wheels were on the rough asphalt. I think that could have been the problem, but I am not quite sure. They have only slipped out that once, but it was some scary sh!t. I didnt even see it coming. I am also considering buying an offset for the rear to add some traction. We'll see, the slalom bug just bit me

[bpz]

It's more than likely your stance/form and weight distribution, as a beginner I find I get antsy when I start pumping hard through a course and I start to lean forward, which takes weight off the back and makes it slide around. Keep weight on both feet.

[AGENT WD-40]

That is most likely it. I can feel myself lean forward when I start trying to pump harder....I will work on that...

Thanks alot Sofa King

[bpz]

No problem. How close are you to the races they hold at Pump Station and stuff? Sorry... I don't know California at all. The best thing you can do is run some cones with experienced guys and ask them if they can give you any tips with your form. If anything, try to get a video of you running cones and post it up here, I'm sure there are tons of guys who can point out little things that'll make a big, big difference.

Most of the turning comes from the front truck, but I've begun to put the majority of my weight on my back foot. I feel like my pump is both faster and more powerful, and I no longer have to worry about sliding the back truck out. Obviously everybody's style and stance will be different, I say set a course and try changing different things to see what works best. Run the course with the stance and style you use now. Run it again, but turn your feet forward more. Run it again, and put more weight on your back foot. Run it again, and bend your knees a lot. See what feels the best and what works the best. Go from there.

Timing systems are handy, but a simple stopwatch will be better than nothing. Good luck

[onetwotapas]

That is most likely it. I can feel myself lean forward when I start trying to pump harder....

I could be wrong, and its difficult to tell over the internet, but I think you're trying to pump using mainly your legs. I was instructed that most of the power that you generate while pumping comes from your shoulders. Be sure those bad boys are swinging, and that your arms always lead. I dunno, its bleedin hard to describe over the net, not to mention the fact that im still working on it myself. But when i started rotating my torso(how the hell do i say this?) my pump got a lot stronger. i know that probably doesnt help, but im pretty sure thats where you're going wrong.

[seament]

It's more than likely your stance/form and weight distribution, as a beginner I find I get antsy when I start pumping hard through a course and I start to lean forward, which takes weight off the back and makes it slide around. Keep weight on both feet.

yeah, i noticed that too a few days ago and that opened the door to sliding a bit.

[Lynnibob]

You may be best off to get used to sliding. Learn to recognize a slide, and when to lay off the turn, or absorb the slide with your knees. You WILL slide again, and you should just take it as part of pushing your limits. What you DON'T want to do is to slide your board 180 and wind up on your head. Some guys never learn to control a slide, and they end up on their head every time.
Other than that, if the road is slippery, loosen the back truck a touch. Sometimes they slide when they are too tight because the wheels aren't allowed to turn around the corner.
And as the other said, put weight on your back foot.
Unfortunately for your pocketbook, it is good to keep a quiver of wheels from your spongy 76's for bloodcurdling hills, to the 86 or 88 for Pumpstation quality roads. 2 wheels each. Then you can adjust for the course, cause one set of wheels is tough to pick.

[willpumpforcone]

You may be best off to get used to sliding. Learn to recognize a slide, and when to lay off the turn, or absorb the slide with your knees. You WILL slide again, and you should just take it as part of pushing your limits. What you DON'T want to do is to slide your board 180 and wind up on your head. Some guys never learn to control a slide, and they end up on their head every time.
Other than that, if the road is slippery, loosen the back truck a touch. Sometimes they slide when they are too tight because the wheels aren't allowed to turn around the corner.
And as the other said, put weight on your back foot.
Unfortunately for your pocketbook, it is good to keep a quiver of wheels from your spongy 76's for bloodcurdling hills, to the 86 or 88 for Pumpstation quality roads. 2 wheels each. Then you can adjust for the course, cause one set of wheels is tough to pick.

nicely said lynn very nicely said

[AGENT WD-40]

Ive only been to Pump Station once but I am looking forward to the next one.

@ Lynnibob: Were you sliding on Saturday at Oceanside? My friends said they saw a woman sliding and talked to her for a while but I am not sure if it was you or not. They said the woman had semi-short hair and was wearing like a Coast Longboarding shirt or something like that. My friend said he saw you at Slidefest, so I assumed they were talking about you...

Also, thanks for that info, I will definitely use some of your pointers.

[Lynnibob]

Yeah, WD, I was at moonlight beach and saw that really steep hill and had to hit it. I met your buddy. I think his name was Sean. (Sorry dude, I forgot your name). It was his birthday. Then we played on the Vewdo boards.

[AGENT WD-40]

Yeah, I wanted to go to his party, but I had work. He was stoked when he said he saw someone sliding. I am bummed I didnt get to meet you.

[Lynnibob]

Come out to the Pumpstation Slalom clinic on May 6. It's at 9-12 in the morning, but if it goes like the last one, it'll be set up all day. There's usually free swag, usually by ABEC 11.

[ChrisChaput]

How wide are your trucks and how long is your wheelbase and how much steering is in your front truck? If the the answers are, "Too wide, too long, and not enough", then your board will tend to push more, and to turn and track less.

[GPymp]

"Too wide, too long, and not enough",

Things I wish my wife would say..





**and now back to our scheduled program "I am new and what wheels should I get?"