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| Freecarving (251 Posts)
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Lively Bushings
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On 7/6/2005 lonerider
wrote in from
United States
(65.249.nnn.nnn)
Is it just the Suregrip "Dance" bushings? I've found Single/Double/Power "cushions" for sale here - http://www.netskate.com/qplparts.asp#sgpt (I guess I could drop by my local rollerskating rinks). You say these are very lively, I noticed you also mentioned the white khiro barrel bushing. I didn't like the blue conical bushings with the built-in washers that much... they were ok, but didn't feel that lively. Do you feel that the Khiros or the Bones Hardcore softs are more lively than the Radikals?
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Carvestik + bombing...
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On 7/5/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
Yeah, I Love the Carvestick for it's lean and steering. Going fairly fast wasn't hard to do, BUT, Footbraking damn near spilt blood! Having a board that steers quickly, makes sharp turns, and can Bomb a hill, that's one of those things that has proven to be very difficult to create. Loaded boards seem to be a good blend of manuverability, speed, and pumping flex. Insect and Comet also seem to have that blend in some of their decks.
Lonerider, bushings are amazing little 'tune-up' features, far and away the most cost-effective means of improving a board's steering. The shortage (now) of Stims is entirely my bad. If I had just kept that little bit of info to myself a few years back... The Radikal bushings in the softer duros are luckily a good substitute. Lucky for us that when Mark sees that he needs something, he just goes and gets it made. For other higher-rebound/softer bushings, take a good close look at what the local RollerRink has to offer. "Dance" bushings in the softer duros seem to be fairly lively, and are usually a taller, square-shoulder shape.
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Loaded with Radikal Bushings
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On 7/5/2005
lonerider
wrote in from
United States
(65.249.nnn.nnn)
I love my Loaded Vanguard (recommended to me by PSR I believe), it is the first skateboard I've ever owned as I am a longtime carving snowboarder who was looking for something to do during the warm months. I weigh 150 lbs and I have the flex 4 which I like a lot (rides like no other longboard I have ridden). I have it setup with Randall R2-180s which carve great ... *if* you get the right type of bushings. I started out with Khiro medium blue bushing and they were pretty good and I liked the Loaded already... but a few months later I took PSR's advice (again) and got some Radikal bushings (buy a pack of 10 at radikaltrucks.com), sanded them down to fit the trucks and put them in... *so* much of a difference. I really love the Loaded board now! Maybe since you've skateboarded for a while it's not surprising for you, but for me... switching out these tiny things that cost $3 and completely improving the ride was a big surprise. I know people talk about Yellow Stims, but they just aren't easy to get anymore... eventually I'm going to try some Bones Hardcore Soft bushings to see if they have more rebound... but I'm definitely satisfied with the Radikal bushings.
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carving boards
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On 7/4/2005
surfinsmiley
wrote in from
United States
(220.99.nnn.nnn)
I forgot to say why not a carve stick. I hear they are not fond of high speed runs.
I live in downdown tokyo and the traffic is deadly. Alot of times when I`m carving hills the traffic will come in big lumps and force me to bomb straight downhill, after the traffic has cleared I just try to slide off most of the speed before resuming controlled carving. Most of the roads I use are single lane at best so I also need to consider that I am forced to go (to) fast at times.
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carving boards
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On 7/4/2005
surfinsmiley
wrote in from
United States
(220.99.nnn.nnn)
Thanks PSR,
I have read lots of your stuff, both here and on the snow carving site. It sounds like you know what your about, and looks like it too in the videos!
With regards to flexboardz, I think alot of people are just watching and wondering how good they`ll be. I`ve actually been in contact with them urging them to send out some demo models to people like yourself.
Maybe you could try to get a demo off them directly?
I think I`ll get myself a loaded vangaurd for starters.
I`m also into kiting with my dirtsurfer, so I`m also thinking I`ll get a flight deck from ground industries and some of the giant urethane wheels they offer to make it a dual purpose board, Kite on the beach and carve on the roads.
Thanks for your advice and help.
I`ll get back to you on the snow site about a snowboard set-up.
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Training for Snow
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On 7/3/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
The best board for lean that uses urethane wheels is the little brother of the Carveboard, The Carvestik. It turns very sharp turns, and dosen't cost or weigh as much as the Carveboard. However, it lacks adjustability in the trucks, and thus you're 'stuck' at certain level of resistance underfoot, which curtails the speed potential a fair bit.
Original Trucks, with their single/spring/cam turning action can Lean and really crank Tight turns. Paired with sticky urethane like Red Avalons or 75A Abec 11 Grippens, you can make arcs that'll almost scare you, even on longer 'traditional' pintails. Add camber and a medium flex to that pinner, and you've got a seriously flowing ride.
Loaded decks seem to have only one 'weak spot', that being energy return. They're flex rated, so I may have been on a deck too soft for my needs (it was 'correct' for my weight, but I still bent it pretty deeply). However, Loaded is Definately making Quality stuff, and these decks can be set-up for your tastes by choosing the truck/wheel combo to suit your local hills. Loaded boards LIKE deep pumping turns, and Love sticky wheels.
For 'Surfy' look into Seismics or Randals R-II's. For more aggressive speeds maybe Tracker Darts/RTS or a 'speed' truck like Jim Z's or Randal R-I's. Going bigger on the wheels, from the 70mm/soft catagory up to 76mm/medium-soft might also help haul along, so long as Wheel Bite dosen't rear it's ugly head.
I haven't tried the 'Loaded Hammerhead', but the idea is Very intriguing to me, and I'd think one could lay in some nice arcs with that board! Silverfish has a rewiew on that board, with very positive feedback.
The 'Flexboards' too seem to have great promise, yet I'm a bit concerned with 'return-to-center' feel (the BMW totally lacked that,like having someone put a Ford Expedition steering rack into your M-3,and then overboosting the powersteering pump), as well as the turn radius. Anyone try one?? [I'd love to hear about these!]
Meanwhile, Surfinsmiley, put some better trucks (Seismic,Exate,Asphaltplayground) on your 40", and maybe upgrade the traction/speed of your wheels by getting stickier Slalom/G.S. wheels (Abec 11 Gumballs,big Manx,3DM Avillas) on it to get more steering, grip, speed out of the board.
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snow carving trainer
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On 7/3/2005
surfinsmiley
wrote in from
United States
(220.99.nnn.nnn)
Hi guys and gals,
I am looking for a skater for training freecarve snowboarding during the summer. I just started snowboarding last year because I moved to Japan.
Saw some dudes "carving" and instantly knew that was the direction I wanted to go.
I had a freeboard but that just gave me bad habits. I still have a dirtsurfer and a 40" board with indy trucks and soft wheels, both fantastic, but not really like snowboard carving.
I want the most carve orientated skateboard in production.
My friend has a carveboard that I totally love.
I`ve never ridden randals but I think the loaded vangaurd looks good. Originals and seismics also look great.
The one that has most caught my attention on the net is the ground industries street machine.
Also a new french company "flexboardz" sound like they have the old "BMW" steering system in a bigger but lighter series of boards.
Please help. I have 25 years surfing and skateboarding expirence, but I really don`t know where to start with a dedicated carving skater.
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Carving Randals
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On 6/24/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
If you like 'em, that's probably a 'good thing'. Randal's do well stock, but Really come alive with a bushing re-fit, and when the 'just right' amount of wedging is dialed in. Khiro's wedge-kit is a good buy for those willing to tinker with that kind of thing.
Gullwing's "Cruiser" is similar, maybe a tad taller?, and seems to be fairly well recieved, but I haven't been on them but twice.
IIf you're serious about Speed, and Grip, then look into trucks like Jim-Z's.
Here's a link below.
http://www.speedparts.ca/
Seismic has spring-loaded trucks that feel a bit different, kind of just roll off into turns, and push you back to center. Nice for a surfy feel with softer springs, a bit quicker 'edge-to-edge' when fitted with medium-stiff springs. They, like Randal, also come in two different steering geometries (30* and 45*) for stable turns or quicker turns. Also, they do well when 'wedged' just so...
Tracker's Dart, and Sixtrac seem to carve well, but not as deep a turn as Randals.
Both GrindKing and Webb have 'longboard' trucks out that steer more aggresively.
I still like the small-roller Z-Rollers for that kind of dual-purpose truck, one that carves well, but also will deal with the 'urban obstacle' factor, like that tasty tar embankment down the local drive-thru...
Then there's "Uptrucks", which feature a bonded urethane construction for a smoother turn and ride. I haven't tried them yet, but hope too soon!
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trucks
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On 6/23/2005 chris
wrote in from
United States
(68.80.nnn.nnn)
hey i was wondering if anyone could tell me of any other good carving trucks like the randals because i am thinking of getting another pair
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Carvin' Snow
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On 5/13/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
Thanks for the props Trish! Curt, btw, once had a vid snippett online where he carved one of those 360* carves around an entire Ski-School Instructor's Clinic, who had put themselves right smack in the Middle of the trail. It was classic(I say this as a Full-Cert AASI Instructor) PSIA "do as we say, not as we do". ALL of the Instructor's heads turn in sync as Curt barrels at them, below them, back Uphill around them, and then along on his merry way! I made sure the Ski-School Director saw that, but not before showing it to the Snowboard School Staff!
You can clearly see JG's(of Madd Mike's Raceboard fame) influence on Curt's style, what with the loose arms and all.I only wish I could Bend like he does! He's one of the best 'ice riders' I've seen, absolutely carves Every frippin' turn, no matter how sketch the conditions. That's why he rides Madds boards almost exclusively. I prefer the bigger boards like my Tanker. The one I used (besides my Madds 158) in this vid is my midsized 182cm. I also run a 162cm and a 200cm Tanker, which are great freecarving/freeriding boards, as they grip on Eastern Ice, and yet float in the Fluffy stuff quite well. I ride both hardshells and softboots, but prefer hardboots for use on the skinny boards(like the Madds or the Coiler)and on the bigger Rad-Air Tankers. I only wish I could get that much body-lean and edge-grip from a skateboard, but if I did, I'd likely end up eating a guardrail along the way!
Still, Skateboarding is the cross-training one should have if you want to rule come wintertime. The nice thing is that Snowboarding then becomes your crosstraining for the Summer months. Nice how that works out! ;-D
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PSR video
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On 5/13/2005 Utah Trish
wrote in from
United States
(63.230.nnn.nnn)
Hey PSR,
That was a way cool video. I live in the valley of snow and I was a ski instuctor at one time (PSIA!) but I now favor the heat and Mnt. Biking and longboarding. But after seeing your snowboarding and how much it is like longboarding, I am definantly going to buy a board and fill the gap from the winter blaaaas to summer. You and your buddies rock! Thanks for the inspiration.
Utah trish
Proud charter member of the downhillbillies
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What I'm cross-training for!
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On 5/5/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
Here's a snippet of Video that shows why I use a carving skateboard all summer long. Keeping the muscle memory is key in the off-season.
http://derf.dyndns.org/~derf/snowboard/ver1.wmv
A good carveable skateboard is just one tool to use, but Is cheaper than buying gas for the boat and wakeboarding.
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New Club
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On 5/4/2005
Robbie
wrote in from
United States
(69.109.nnn.nnn)
Just started a new downhill skateboarding club called the THE ROAD DOGS. We are in San Diego and wanted to know if there are any other downhill clubs out there that are into carving, road trips and madness.
You can e-mail me at happybarrels@hotmail.com
Cheers,
Robbie and THE ROAD DOGS
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originals
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On 5/3/2005 Dankdownhiller
wrote in from
United States
(65.1.nnn.nnn)
The org. are a sweet ride.After a little bit of riding they seem to develop a loose condition that I battle with still today.They turn like no other I have ridden!!I really can turn tight with the 6's about an 8'rad.I have them on a Subsonic swift 38 stiff and when you lean it carves.I lovve my current set-up.I had the trucks on the 47 they came on.I'm 36 years old and started ridin again last year after a purchase of that board.That company treated me more than fair!But after all I still want a Carveboard!!!
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original trucks
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On 4/18/2005 haole haole
wrote in from
United States
(128.223.nnn.nnn)
anyone skate original super carve trucks. they use a spring loaded hanger that torques when you turn. i wanted to know what kind of results you guys have had wihth those. ive ridden my friends carve stik and am looking for that same kind of ride, but cant afford 220 for a new complete. im planning on getting the original s-8's for my sector9 carver.
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carvers
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On 4/13/2005 GlenD
wrote in from
United States
(204.120.nnn.nnn)
I get how the old carvers work, I'm not getting the geometry of the new ones and how they would pivot the same. Shouldn't have skipped school so much when I was young I guess. It looks to me that the kingpin would restrict the side to side motion too much. I'd love to see them in action somewhere.
How are the carvers on bank riding. Like at Revere or some place like that. I can imagine them pivoting when trying to hold a carve across a bank. Am I wrong on this?
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carvers axle/kingpin design
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On 4/13/2005
peters
wrote in from
United States
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
Carver put the axle's horizontal line behind the kingpin's vertical to create a pendulum effect - I think that's the key for both models. whereas Randals and most other truck setups have the kingpin bisect the axle. so the CX really does achieve the same effect with only one moving part, and you can quickly adjust that with different bushing duros. the C7 is more 'relaxed' though with all the fancy machinery - so each has a unique ride, I like 'em both.
these are definately GREAT for mellow surf on flats and inclines or declines -- but I'd also stick to randal / gullwing / seismic too for any kind of big hill!
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carvers
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On 4/13/2005 onedrop
wrote in from
United States
(141.150.nnn.nnn)
wow those cxs are steep! they are much simpler than the c7s which i have and love. i wonder how they can feel just like them though without the swivel mechanism. i run mine about medium loose on the bushings front and rear and loose on the front swivel. i like to use them at slow speeds on flats or on really mild slopes the best, doing cut backs and full circles. anything going downhill, i'll take out my landy drop carve w/ randals.
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carver trucks - CX and C7
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On 4/11/2005
peters
wrote in from
United States
(64.236.nnn.nnn)
hey glenD - on Carvers you gotta have riser if you want decent sized wheels on the deck. Even with a full INCH of riser for both the C7 and the CX models my Kryptos (70mm) still come really close to touchin' the deck at max pump. If you're inclined to surfing and carving lines you'll pick up the feel of the deck in just a few minutes.
btw, I'm really diggin' the CX's over the C7's. They've got the same feel using a much simpler design (see pics) plus they're tighter and more responsive. For mellow lines, flatland and soulcarving these are a sweet ride.
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Pumping how to, kinda
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On 4/11/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
I grabbed this stuff, using the "Search" function on this site, limiting the scan to 'longboarding,freecarving,sidewalk surfing,riding techniques,slalom',but I knew who to ask for author-wise, a certain Mr Gilmour,The Guru IMHO. I hope this helps a bit.
On 8/5/2000 John Gilmour wrote in from 18.202.xxx.xxx:
The best desciption of how to pump I have read was written by Dan Gesmer enbtitles pumping , Gyrating or Power Turning. I'm sure he has a copy at seismic. pumping can be very efficient if you have hte right board set up and his trucks. Pushing is still more efficient, but pumping with his trucks is almost twice as easy to go long distances than pumping with regular trucks.
First I learned the arm motion and timing from tic-tacking a regular kicktailed board.
Then I got on a very short board with very loose trucks with quick turning geometry trucks. I used California slaloms at first- but Bennetts are a good choice as are Lasers. You'll have to buy an old junk deck to get these off ebay.
if you try to learn to pump on a slower turning truck like a common street truck....I doubt you'll ever get it. indys turn slower than the above trucks and Tracker slower than that. Seismics would work well. If you want to make it easier you can run your trucks with both wedges thick ends pointed inwards- skinny sides to the tip and tail. Use soft grommets- hard urethane street grommets will make learning to pump almost impossible.
Then find an excellent surface..... note not a good surface but an EXCELLENT surface that is high traction. Some of that pink sidewalk stuff is really good- your street isn't a very good place to learn as it may have oil and antifreeze on it making it more slippery.
Try to turn the board while twisting the rear of the deck and pushing the board laterally.
If your timing is off you may have some difficulty getting this. To assist you can find a hill that is not steep enough to coast down.... but almost enought to keep going. Try pumping on this grade...if you can keep going- you are learning how to pump. your front foot tilts teh deck and the back foot pushes it out to the side and down.
Then go to flat.
Then try an uphill.
If that does not work you may favor one side over another when pumping as many do.
So pick your favored side and try to pump in a very very very very large circle- at least 30 feet in diameter.
your downforce has to match in timing to the lateral force and twisting motion and your hand motion.
if that fails...... get a large deck like a fibreflex pintail- and bounce on that when you pump (this is bad habit though) once you get the rhythm you can go to a regular board
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Carver trucks
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On 4/10/2005 GlenD
wrote in from
United States
(216.102.nnn.nnn)
how long does it take to get used to the carvers and what about wheel bite.
I can't use randall's on any board without cutouts. I have seismics, Indy's, Invaders, Baku's and Exkates and use these on different boards but none of them have the feel I'm really looking for. The tortions and seismics want to return to center too much, the invaders, trackers, indys don't carve hard enough.
Wheel bite is a big issue wth me because I'm a big guy and I have a special gift of being able to compress bushings well.
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P.S. PSR
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On 4/6/2005 tom t
wrote in from
Canada
(64.228.nnn.nnn)
Oh, and they don't exactly "shorten" the feeling of the board...they just make it feel "swoopy" at the front. Anyone who can pump or carve should easily pick it up in half an hour.
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PSR
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On 4/6/2005 tom t
wrote in from
Canada
(64.228.nnn.nnn)
Hey PSR,
They definitely turn super-tight, and yes, they wobble if they're really loose...I tighten the front truck bushing and leave the swivel adjustment "just-snug".
Ultra-aggressive speed-pumping makes an otherwise boring sidewalk or alleyway a lot of fun; a small flatspot turns into an endless, meditative carving session.I skate mine every day at lunch, when I don't have time to hit the hills.
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Tiki as downhill carver
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On 4/5/2005
Ethan
wrote in from
United States
(67.169.nnn.nnn)
I'm still using use Comet's TIKI for downhill carving. Its a great deck, I love it as much now as when I bought it last year. Its my most trusted deck.
Have mine set up with 180mm seismics ( quickturn 45 degree baseplates with red springs in front, and quickturns with light green "medium' springs in back). I weigh 165lbs. For hard carving I use 80a Grippins, which are great cause you can carve super hard but still slide em, and then rotate them so they dont cone. For slide/carve sessions try the yellow Comet wheels.
This setup carves hard but isn't TOO turny in back. I go 15-35 on this setup in around SF.
For narrower streets & sidewalks with banked driveways at lower speeds I use the 34" inch Comet Scramjet. This deck with seismic quickturns 150mm is an INSANELY CARVEY. I'm doing freaking circles back up the hill on SF's butter smooth downhill street called Rivera on the scramjet...but its a lil short for me to get in a proper drop knee position. But man that board can carve hard and manuever in tight spaces.
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Carver Trucks
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On 4/5/2005 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(69.161.nnn.nnn)
Tom, how much do those 'shorten' the feel of the board? They look like they turn Super-Tight! Oh, and do they wobble?
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