Post by Boy Ipoh on May 3, 2010 18:08:16 GMT 8
Speedboarding / Downhill skateboarding (DH)
Downhill longboards, or speedboards, are used for riding down hills as fast as possible, and keeping the board under control. These boards are usually 95–110 cm (35 – 44 inches) long and very stiff to improve stability. It is also very common to use these boards for "freeriding", which is a form of non-competitive speedboarding that incorporates drifting, sliding, and carving purely for the enjoyment of the rider.
The trucks are often attached to the ends of the board to maximize the wheelbase, but sometimes closer together to allow for easier maneuvering on more technical roads. A longer distance between the front and rear wheels, known as the wheelbase, will increase stability, while a shorter wheelbase will decrease the board's turning radius. In order to lower the center of gravity, downhill longboards sometimes feature a lowered platform. The deck may be mounted below the baseplate of the trucks (drop-through configuration), by the shape of the deck itself (dropped-deck) or both (double-drop). These styles of boards were first produced commercially by Jody Willthingy and Ian Comishin of Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada, although skaters had been cutting drop-through holes in their decks long before.
Wider trucks with lower pivot angles (to increase stability at the expense of turning capability) may be used as well as axle bearings that rotate independently of wheel bearings to further increase top speed. (Note; this theory is disputed and many people believe that axle bearings are not beneficial to speed, but are beneficial in the rare case of bearing failure[citation needed]). A new type of downhill truck was invented by Jim Ziemlanski of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada that incorporates the use of a spherical bearing on the kingpin which allows the hanger to pivot on a precise axis without any of the slop caused by bushings compressing under the weight of the rider. Downhill longboarders sometimes use leather suits and streamlined helmets to protect themselves as well as reduce aerodynamic drag.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkAKTvJ0DxA&feature=related
Downhill longboards, or speedboards, are used for riding down hills as fast as possible, and keeping the board under control. These boards are usually 95–110 cm (35 – 44 inches) long and very stiff to improve stability. It is also very common to use these boards for "freeriding", which is a form of non-competitive speedboarding that incorporates drifting, sliding, and carving purely for the enjoyment of the rider.
The trucks are often attached to the ends of the board to maximize the wheelbase, but sometimes closer together to allow for easier maneuvering on more technical roads. A longer distance between the front and rear wheels, known as the wheelbase, will increase stability, while a shorter wheelbase will decrease the board's turning radius. In order to lower the center of gravity, downhill longboards sometimes feature a lowered platform. The deck may be mounted below the baseplate of the trucks (drop-through configuration), by the shape of the deck itself (dropped-deck) or both (double-drop). These styles of boards were first produced commercially by Jody Willthingy and Ian Comishin of Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada, although skaters had been cutting drop-through holes in their decks long before.
Wider trucks with lower pivot angles (to increase stability at the expense of turning capability) may be used as well as axle bearings that rotate independently of wheel bearings to further increase top speed. (Note; this theory is disputed and many people believe that axle bearings are not beneficial to speed, but are beneficial in the rare case of bearing failure[citation needed]). A new type of downhill truck was invented by Jim Ziemlanski of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada that incorporates the use of a spherical bearing on the kingpin which allows the hanger to pivot on a precise axis without any of the slop caused by bushings compressing under the weight of the rider. Downhill longboarders sometimes use leather suits and streamlined helmets to protect themselves as well as reduce aerodynamic drag.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkAKTvJ0DxA&feature=related
