Slalom/Freeride board?

[Tagsrover]

I'm sorry if this is a nooby question, but despite all my searching I still can't come to a conclussion.

SO basically would it be possible to have a freeride cruising board that could also be used for slalom? I know that a slalom specific board would be better, but this being only be second board, and never having tried slalom I would rather have it be multipurpose.

I'd be looking at something around 30 inches in length, set up with tracker rt-s/rt-x combo, or randalls (these probably wouldn't slalom?) so would the trackers be too loose to freeride, with mellow cruising, maybe changing the bushing out, or would all of this require 2 boards??

Sorry that this is a long/complicating/open ended question, but i thought this would be the best place to continue my search.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Brute379]

General info.
a slalom board is typically in the 33" range.
Trucks used are typically 106mm-129mm. 85mm-90mm are used by some to good effect.
Wheels are most generally in the 66mm-70mm range.

GS speeds can top 30mph.

Check your area, there is always dif setups to try.

[Nasty Nathan]

It wouldnt be to loose the only problem would be height but if your chill taking on and off risers that would be fine. I would recomend a pps because they don't really have the whole kicktail slalom thing that I would think wouldnt be that great for crusing and they have a good length to wheelbase ratio.

[bucksaw87]

sounds like you're describing maybe a GS setup...boards around 34-36" in length with 22-24" wheelbase. TS boards, 30-33" in length with 19-21" wb, are fun for commuting...but i wouldn't use one for "freeride." for trucks, on a GS setup...i'd look at bennett 6.0's, tracker RTS 149 combo, or with a rts 139 and 5.0 bennett; 139 or 149 rtx/s combo; or randal 125's, low angle baseplate rear, high angle front. 70mm zigs, bigzigs, or 69mm hotspots (i personally am not a fan of the 69mm s9 race wheels)

i'm assuming you want a board that's solid for a little speed, but can still turn and carve and stuff; on top of all that, a beginner setup for slalom...that's what i'm basing my recommendations on

[Tagsrover]

I guess i'd be looking more for a freeride board, but with the ability to do larger slalom courses, like GS. Specifically the arcane chico?

Mainly what I'm trying to figure out is if slalom trucks are too turny to just cruise around and push on??

And this would be my second longboard, after a while on trick decks and 2 years on a topmount pintail i'm looking for a pretty different deck to mix it up on.

I think bucksaw is in the process of organizing a slalom event about 3 hours from where i am currently, so i'm hoping to make it out there and see if i can try some runs on othere people's boards

Bucksaw, totally posted this without seeing your response, so yes, your last description "board that's solid for a little speed, but can still turn and carve and stuff; on top of all that, a beginner setup for slalom" is exactly what I'm looking for, i don't know if that is possible or too much to ask but that's what i was trying to get at

[bean-a-reano]

You could, my main get around deck could be considered GS like. I have bennetts and kryptos (hotspots ATM) But yeah a bushing change/wedge tweak and you are slalom ready. Go for bennett front randal or tracker back. You will thank me later.

[sloweyefasthand]

My set up (or soon to be...waiting for the trucks and wheels to arrive)
30" Bruce Logan
Front truck Bennett 4.3
Rear truck Tracker RT-S
Bennett Alligators

I plan on just cruising around/pumping with it.

I would imagine it would be great for slalom...although I've never tried slalom before. I plan on giving it a shot soon.

[nsc1120]

main problem I see is you want a freeride board set up pretty symmetrically for when/if you are riding switch

on a slalom board your back truck should be pretty dead compared to how loose the front is.

if you don't plan on riding switch ever then it would be a lot easier

[bho]

The way I see it "free riding" is just that, free. You are free to do whatever you want on any skateboard. Its meant to be fun. So, with that said I agree with bucksaw and say heck yeah get a killer GS setup and a wedge kit and go skate. In terms of the trucks being too turny, the guys that race GS hit over 30mph while dodging cones. Hell, you could even make up your own new skate genre, call it "free pumping" or something. And look at it this way. If you don't wind up enjoying skating this setup for all-around/free ride, then you still have a sick slalom setup.

I've been considering doing the same thing actually. I think a good GS deck on maybe some 139mm or 149mm RTS/X combo, wedge kit, and wheels of your choice would make a fun-as-hell board for all around skating.

[zionboard]

I'm sorry if this is a nooby answer, but recognising myself in your quest, I consider purchasing a seismic temple fish complete.
I hope it to be really multipurpose (and even take it to the local bowl), excellent for freeriding and expect it could be used for slalom as well - considering the wheelbase and truck combo AND the fact Dan is behind these.
I know that a slalom specific board would be better... but I'm not into a dedicated deck either.

[nikko3188]

i have a rayne timeline(33.5) and i read somewhere that some people use it for GS. i have it set-up with tracker sixtracks making it more carving oriented but narrower trucks will do the trick. i havent tried 149 rts/x but many people seem to like it on this deck.

[Speedo]

Originally Posted by Tagsrover

I guess i'd be looking more for a freeride board, but with the ability to do larger slalom courses, like GS. Specifically the arcane chico?

Mainly what I'm trying to figure out is if slalom trucks are too turny to just cruise around and push on??

And this would be my second longboard, after a while on trick decks and 2 years on a topmount pintail i'm looking for a pretty different deck to mix it up on.

I think bucksaw is in the process of organizing a slalom event about 3 hours from where i am currently, so i'm hoping to make it out there and see if i can try some runs on othere people's boards

Bucksaw, totally posted this without seeing your response, so yes, your last description "board that's solid for a little speed, but can still turn and carve and stuff; on top of all that, a beginner setup for slalom" is exactly what I'm looking for, i don't know if that is possible or too much to ask but that's what i was trying to get at

You might want to consider either the Fullbag HS or the Rayne Libido, set up with Randal 125s or Trackers.

[cam75]

strictly speaking what is freeride?dh people talk about it as riding down a mountain. for me its doing what you can with the terrain on hand.
just my preference but this is a sick board for carving, slalom and commuting
ultimate foamcore
i made it, so dont trawl the internet for a place to buy one.
zigzags+bennet+seismic=fun

[Tagsrover]

By freeride I wasn't meaning downhill, more like cruising/commuting/ and possibly small hills and garages. I'm not so much looking for a board as for a possible truck combination, and just if slalom trucks are slalom specific only. But i think with proper wedging and bushings i could get a multi-purpose setup. Thanks to everyone who responded