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| Buttboarding (778 Posts)
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Buttboarding Info |
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On 11/26/2002
Mathew
wrote in from
(65.174.nnn.nnn)
Thanks you guys! good info.
I think it would be easier for me to measure from my tail-bone. Any idea how far my tail-bone should be from the front trucks?
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On 11/25/2002
Eric C
wrote in from
(63.196.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mathew, the best thing about buttboard, is that it costs about $10 for the deck. Play around a bit. Make 3 or 4 different boards with different setups for each one. When I first started on buttboard, I found a sheet of cheap, 5-ply plywood and made several different layouts and variations. Once I found a couple keepers, I recreated them using my top quality 11 ply birch. And by messing around with new decks, you can "accidently" stumble across something that works better than the previous model. Anyways, best of luck.
-Eric
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On 11/25/2002 PSR
wrote in from
(216.114.nnn.nnn)
Matthew,lay on your deck,no trucks,but on a set of wheels tipped on their sides and placed in the "ideal" spot,where you think the wheelbase feels best.While doing this,be sure that your hips are at least 4" behind wherever the front wheels go.I'd guess that at 6' tall,you'll be MUCH happier on a 38"-42" wheelbase.Once you're fairly sure you are seated where you want to be,and your front wheels are far enough in the lead of your hips,pencil mark those spots,and that's where you'll mount up the trucks.
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On 11/25/2002
Mathew
wrote in from
(65.174.nnn.nnn)
Front truck position?? (i am building my buttboard)
I've been looking at pics and trying to figure out the best place to mount the front truck. 32 inch wheel base is one measurement I've seen. But i am 6' and sort of "long in the back, and short in legs". So I'm thinking I should go a little forward with the front truck.
Any help would be appreciated!
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On 11/19/2002 Mario
wrote in from
(148.87.nnn.nnn)
Bob, much thanks for the info. The skin friction thing makes sense to me. It's like my roof rack that howls when it's close to the roof, but quiet when it's further up.
I'm hanging like a gibbon trying to stretch my arms now....
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On 11/18/2002 Bob Swartz
wrote in from
(68.48.nnn.nnn)
Buttboard Ride height vs speed
Mario- The only thing lowering your buttboard will do for "speed" is allow you to get a better push off. Luge is slightly fast because of several factors. Weight - Heavier objects have a higher terminal velocity and carry momentum longer over flats, hills and rough stuff. The larger wheels also help carrying momentum. Also the body position on a luge if properly riden is much more relaxed and aerodynamic.
The only reason a luge is real low to the ground is for the center of gravity. A lower CG is in relationship to the truck pivot is more stable at high speeds, but objects moving across the ground with a clearance of less than 3 inches moving at high speed actually create a dammed cushion of air, creating skin friction and at least one other high tech term that will reduce your speed. Lately I dont even worry about getting close to the ground. I leave room... alls you have to do is scrape the road once and you lost all you were trying for.
One way to get your buttboard faster is to stretch your arms to the length of an ape's and you will have it made off the line.
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On 11/18/2002
Mario
wrote in from
(148.87.nnn.nnn)
A question on ride height... or frontal area...
At the SF Gravity Festival, the luges were over 3 seconds faster than the buttboards. Some of that has to do with weight (24 pounds heavier I think), and some of it has to do with the wheels (most wheels were 10-15mm larger), and trucks (they have spin axles). But could that account for 3 seconds? I think a lot of it must be that the luges are much lower. Rian kept saying that his buttboard felt really high after getting off his luge.
So, on to my question: My current buttboard comes in well over the 3 1/8" minimum ride height IGSA rule. Would there be a noticeable difference in speed if I could drop myself by 1"?
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On 11/13/2002
hc
wrote in from
(207.212.nnn.nnn)
http://www.skateluge.com/product.htm
(thx mario for the update)
looks like they have hand brake version of the 'brakeboard'.
Brakeboard doesn't require special wheels unlike the 'skatebrake'.
check out their skeleton board.
a local skater just bought one, will test it soon.
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On 11/12/2002
dan
wrote in from
(12.98.nnn.nnn)
i am new to the sport but i love it! i was wondering if anyone knows any good spots to buttboard in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. so far i can only go down this small hill on my street and its pretty boring because you cant get much speed or go for very long.
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On 11/11/2002 Mario
wrote in from
(148.87.nnn.nnn)
The SF Gravity Fest buttboard race was a mixture of bad and good. This was my first official race so there was a lot to learn.
Everything got off to a slow start; the 7am tech inspection happened at 9:30. But we got in some good practice runs and found out that no braking was required on the whole course (an uphill runout even). Qualifying on Saturday was dry and our spirits were up after a week of hard rain.
Qualifying 1) John F. 2) Eric H. 3) me (Mario) 4) Rian J. 5) Eric Coe 6) Scott P. 7) E.K. 8) Mark J. (he didn't make qualifying or he would have been 2nd or 3rd).
Sunday morning's mandatory 8am riders' meeting happened close to 10am. That pushed practice off schedule. We had time enough for one or two practice runs and then the sky opened up and it rained and rained.
At 1:00 the rain had stopped but the course was still very wet. We all wanted to race, so we did. Much respect to the standup and inline guys, as they had to go first (and dry the track for us somewhat).
When it came time for buttboarding (classic luge) we were given a sighting lap (as was everyone) to find out where the puddles were, where there was no grip, etc. Eric Keepo (E.K.) found out that green Kryptos and rain don't mix and got a compound fracture to his leg on the sighting lap. He's the nicest of people and it was just a damn shame. Eric, get better, we all want to see you back on the track. I'll make you some rain tires for next time...
In the race we did a head-to-head format (2-man) instead of 4-man. Which was probably safer and got us more races, but it isn't as much fun.
I won my first race. In the second race I was up against Richard. I got the holeshot from outside and led the race. He dove inside and passed my in the final corner. We were touching each other and about 2 feet apart at the finish. If you have to lose, that's a good way to do it.
The next race against John Fryer I also led from the start. When I approached the final corner I cut inside to take away the inside line. Didn't matter, he was drafting me on the straight and pulled to the outside, again I was beaten by a couple feet.
There were other races just as close. In the race for 5th place they were side by side the entire race. Awesome.
A note on wheel selection. As long as you didn't ride Krypto Greens you had a shot at it. Here are the final results and wheels.
1) Eric Coe (Flashback 75?)
2) Richard Hodgekins (Krypto blue)
3) John Fryer (Krypto clear)
4) me (Flashback 72)
5) Mark Johnson (Avalons)
6) Rian James (Flashback 75)
7) Scott Peer (Kryto Red)
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On 11/4/2002
E.K.
wrote in from
(204.246.nnn.nnn)
It is great to see that a few of the buttboarders are coming to San Fran this weekend. I will be there with my buttboard and also stock bike. I have been looking at using ABEC 11 flashbacks. Currently I have a combo of krytos greens and sector 9s on my board. This combo worked o.k. at the West LA College races but cornering was tough. It sounds like the course in San Fran will not be as techincal so maybe this combo will do. Just in case I will be bring some flashbacks. Hope to see you all at the gravity fest and I will be the crazy island boy from Utah in the all black leathers.
Laters brahs!
ek
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On 11/4/2002 hc
wrote in from
(207.212.nnn.nnn)
tap plastic have camping close cell foam mats for $10
(they have a neoprene like feel)
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On 11/4/2002 PSR
wrote in from
(216.114.nnn.nnn)
Frank,the stuff Andy is using,the Fluid soft-top is available longskate.com and was on 'special' (in Camo colors) for $19/roll.It's very sticky,and is self-adhevise;put it down with a few patches of carpet double-stick tape to "fit" it first,as once you use it's adhesive backing,it's on there for Life! I cut it length-wise,and ran two strips about 3-1/2" wide down the board along the edges.That allowed good cushioning,room for my spine,and added traction when I corner hard.Where you put padding is up to you,but definately try to protect the shoulder-blades,and try to keep your butt on the board when leaning. Mario's Wet-suit foam sounds excellent,but may be expensive?.Still,I've used foam bits from Kayaking shops in the past,so...One other spot I put more 'cush' to is under the thigh,just ahead of my butt-helps enormously with leg fatigue on bumpy/long runs. As for bolting hardware,make sure it's flush to the deck(don't use bolt heads that protrude up if possible),and then consider putting foam around the screw heads,but be sure you can still get a screwdriver/allen key to the screw/bolt heads.
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On 11/4/2002
Mario
wrote in from
(148.87.nnn.nnn)
For padding I used 1/4" wetsuit neoprene. I just happened to have a bunch of it lying around so that's what I used. It seems to work well. On my last board I covered everything from just behind the front truck to the rear truck. This time (I had less scrap neoprene) I put a 12" x 12" pad in the seating area (right behind the front truck).
As for wheels, it's pretty hard to beat the 75a Flashbacks. I've tried Power Paws, Labedas, Aluminators, etc., and the only wheels that I think are better than the Flashbacks are Krypto Greens, and the only place they are better is in the parking garage, which is way smoother than any street I've ever been on. I've made some timed runs with 72a and 75a Flashbacks and they are the same speed. I think the 75a will last longer so that's my recommendation.
I checked out the course for the SF race this weekend. It's wide, decently smooth and pretty fast, I heard 71mph for the grav bikes and mid 60s for the luges. It has only 3 turns, so it isn't a technical course. Which is good in a way because I think it will make for some very close racing. It looks like the finish area will have an uphill runout, which should save on sneakers...
I hope to meet some of you at the races. I have ugly purple and yellow leathers and a black helmet with a checkerboard strip around the bottom.
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On 11/3/2002 Andy
wrote in from
(68.36.nnn.nnn)
Those wheels should be good if they are 70mm. I use the flaskbacks, which are fine too but the th radiused profile of the flywheels should give you less chance of wheelbite on the bottom of the deck (I am assuming the contact patch on the flywheel extends less far towards the outside of the deck than does the contact patch on the flashbacks.) I also have a few sets of Krypto Classic K's. They are actually slightly smaller than the flashbacks (around 68mm even though the sell as 70mm). The to have the radiused outer edge and help give you clearance from the bottom of the deck. They also cost a lot less than the Abec's. I am just as happy using any of these wheels.
I have a Fluid soft top on my buttboard. I split the 6' length (or whatever size it was??) with my buddy and we both soft topped between the truck bolts. That is, the entire middle of the board between the two truck mounts. It doesn't act as too much padding, but it does help you stick to the board. That seems to me to be important.
For the padding, lay on the board and see what you think. You may like the contact with the deck for rider feedback. But a little padding in certain areas my work for you. But I would suggest you lay on it and see where it would feel right to you.
Good Luck!
Andy
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On 11/3/2002 Frank
wrote in from
(139.177.nnn.nnn)
I need some advice about wheels for my first buttboard that I am building. Give me your opinions. I have a set of Flywheels 70mm and 75 durometer which I was planning to use. I am going to use a Lott Classic deck; any suggestions about how to and where to place some padding on the deck. Thanks
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On 10/30/2002 Mario
wrote in from
(148.87.nnn.nnn)
Made a new buttboard yesterday. This time I started with 1/4" 5-ply baltic birch. I glued two sheets with Titebond in a simple jig to make it concave with about a 36" diameter curve. Last time I used 26" which was too tight.
Today I mounted rails, sanded wheel wells, and finished with Watco. I was going to paint it, but the 10 plys look so cool on the edges I have to leave it exposed.
The board has a bit of flex, but it's stiffer than my last one. I was making them more and more flexible, but then I found out that I couldn't turn the board if there was too much flex (it just mushes out instead of leaning).
I just have to add a little bit of something grippy to the top and I'll be ready for SF.
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On 10/30/2002
EK
wrote in from
(198.60.nnn.nnn)
Howzit fellow buttboarders!
Just got back from West LA College and it was a blast! Those who didn't make the trek (12 hours one way for this crazy island boy...) miss a great gathering of buttboarders and other gravity freaks. I did my first offical stock gravity bike race and I was stoked! Besides a few small bruises (and one big ouch on my pride... ha!), I came back with alot of knowledge of improving my bike and riding skills. And great friends with pros like Mad Mac and Earl "the Squirrel" Ross. As for buttboarding, I gained more tech. insight and improvement of my board and me as a rider. I really believe that the only way you can fully enjoy the rush of this sport is to race. Riding along side with other buttboarders takes it to a higher and bigger level of rush. Well got to go, getting boards (and bike) ready for San Fran. Hope to you out there in Nov.
Peace. ek
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On 10/29/2002 Andy
wrote in from
(68.36.nnn.nnn)
I put some pics off a great hill up on my website if anyone wants to check it out. I screwed up the video this time and that really hurts! So no video but the pics are good.
The hill was in Virginia and was a ton of fun. If you look at the pictures, I think you'll understand why.
If you care to, go to www.alienXworld.com and go to the buttboarding section. There is a session called Covington in the menu.
What a great road!
Andy
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On 10/28/2002
kevin
wrote in from
(24.170.nnn.nnn)
i was just at the igsa race on ohio and i think the rules on buttboard trucks are almost anything that is mass produced is good. if you do run a truck like the randell luge truck you have to have seized bearings in the hanger so the axle can not just spin and spin
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On 10/28/2002
Mario
wrote in from
(148.87.nnn.nnn)
I think I'm going to race in the IGSA race in SF on 11/9-10. I haven't been on my buttboard since three unfortunate get-offs in a row, but I think my confidence is back enough to try again. And the location is close by, so I really can't waste this opportunity.
My only question is the IGSA ruling about trucks. Does anyone know if I can run a R2 in front and a R2/Downhill in the rear?
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On 10/28/2002
joseph
wrote in from
(144.137.nnn.nnn)
Frank i am learning to buttboard (i've been learning for ages but cant ride much due to political problems concerning luge) and i strongly recomend placing foam on various parts of the board to give you grip. when you get a bit of speed the vibrations from the road can move you around a bit. also if you can make the buttboard with concave for extra grip.
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On 10/27/2002
sean c
wrote in from
(158.136.nnn.nnn)
frank, you can make you're own "Lott Classic". here's the specs for it
http://www.geocities.com/sidestreetluge/buttboard.html
sean c
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On 10/26/2002 PSR
wrote in from
(216.114.nnn.nnn)
Frank,Carharts are fine,as long as you slide only so that the Rivets don't rub and heat up!Still,that's better than Jeans,or anything that can MELT onto your SKIN.Work on BRAKING and Cornering,and the speed will come along when you're ready for it.As for Randals,check the "Trucks" forum for advice on bushing and wedging selection (may want to "search" for this stuff) to get them to behave NICELY at speed.Long before this was catagorized as a seperate sport from Luging,I ran hills often in jeans with selective patches of leather put in strategic places,often going Way Stupid Fast.I'm cheap and from Rural America,but it was the early 80's anyway,so who knew? Helmet,That I'd splurge on,but a decent Racing Snowboard Helmet is decidely better than an old Protec SK8 helm.Snowmobile SNELL-rated helmets work great,btw.Lott's boards are nice,and seem to be pretty well thought out.You can go that route,or make your own,just stay within the overall size parameters and use quality hardwood,preferably ply type of at least furniture grade.I'll tell you this; Once you understand your new cornering limits,and speed control factors,you'll be looking for hills steeper and longer than you've ever done standing up!
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On 10/26/2002 Frank
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
I recently attended the Bainbridge,Ohio event and was totally impressed by the buttboarding. I am a long time longboarder and would now like to try buttboarding.I have scanned these posts and I understand that I should buy and read Lott's book. I was also considering buying one of his decks and using some randal 180s and flashbacks. I am 180# and 5'11" ; any comments about this setup for a beginner? Also concerning safety gear when learning at lower speeds how do you economically try this activity without buying an expensive helmet and full leathers? Can one safely use a snowboard helmet and protec pads under some carrhart workwear as long as you are going slow? I apologize for this newbie post but I would like to get some info so i can get started as soon as possible. I would appreciate any other general info that you can give so I can get out there and have some fun. I got the fever! Thanks.
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