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| Q&A: Slalom Pro Mike Maysey (2489 Posts)
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Wood
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On 12/12/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(67.24.nnn.nnn)
Here's what I know now...
I already know wood is good.
heheh, he said WOOD!!
I know that all of my slalom boards, since I began skating slalom, have been getting progressively stiffer.
I know...stiff board = hard wheels
Here's what I've observed and experienced...
It seems to make sense (somehow,in my twisted little mind) that a wood plank would perform well. Luca performed well at both the Worlds and Paris on a plank of wood with rock hard wheels in Paris and harder than average at the Worlds. Heck, I have experience in a race myself when I got second in SF at the Gravity Fest Slalom Race on a thick wood deck that PD made for me with carbon fiber on the bottom and no flex. The Sf Gravity Fest wasn't a race with Gary Holl and I going at it like the Mid-Town Races were. Hackett, Olson, Carrasco (winner), Clayton Scott, Hutson, Paul Dunn...all came out to race.
I did have a bit of trouble getting that board up to speed in the course because it was an uphill push start. For the first 8 cones you pumped uphill. Then you crested the hill and skated headlong into a Warren Miller looking pitch. At one point during the race, I remember wishing for a smiggin (technical term) more flex so I could generate more speed at the top. Carrassco was riding a board with a hair bit of flex and I was told he beat me in the top of the course. I think if there had been ramps for the start, I would have been stoked on zero flex.
Stiff boards are more predictable for me. I've never had trouble getting back oncourse on a stiff board. I rode some very flexy boards early on in my slalom skateboard learning and they about killed me. I started riding flexy boards for this and stiffer boards for that. I finally did away with the flex boards and began riding stiffer and stiffer boards until I got on a plank of wood with carbon fiber sttached to the bottom.
These days I only worry about truck tension and wheel duro/diameter. It takes one major variable out of the equation for me. If I can always predict what and where my board will move, all the better. Who wants to second guess how to move themselves to get back on course? Then I can look at how tight to run my trucks and how hard can I go with my wheels before I lose traction?
You know what's funny...I say all this right now, but who knows.
I just had an interesting thought.........
Most dual suspension mountain bikes have what's referred to as 'lockout.' The shocks have valves on them that can be shut off making the suspension inactive. Wouldn't it be cool to have a board that had controllable flex or 'lockout?' Think of it....At the beginning of a run you could make the deck flex responsive, then it could became stiffer as the riders' speed built. Maybe it could could be built to sense speed or maybe the amount of force you're throwing into it? Personally, I think flex is best at the beginning of a push start run. Ramp starts are probably best on a board with the flex turned off or with the 'lockout' turned on. If the ramp start is no giving riders enough go, the board could be set to flex in the first 5 cones or 8 cones or something like that.
Question to manufacturers....Is there a material that can be built into a board so that it flexes up to certain speed and then shuts itself off? Or could there be something built into the deck so it could be either flex or not? Electronics??
Stream of consciousness on 'Sunday.'
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Wood
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On 12/11/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(199.41.nnn.nnn)
OK Mike, Your homework assignment this weekend is to ride the crap out of that board and come back and tell us: Is stiffer better?
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Mike E-mail me
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On 12/9/2003
Keith Hollien
wrote in from
(128.227.nnn.nnn)
Mike e-mail me your phone #.
Hollien@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
Later Keith, Teams Radikal & RoeRacing.
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more
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On 12/9/2003 hc
wrote in from
(68.123.nnn.nnn)
http://www.skateboarding.com/skate/skate_biz/article/0,12364,363208,00.htm
from transworld
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longboarding history
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On 12/8/2003 hc
wrote in from
(69.104.nnn.nnn)
kaz,
the 70's 'skateboarder' magazine had this article on longboarders.
http://www.nosewheelie.com/99-04/feature.html
As for 'pre sector nine' days, back when I was cruizing around in high school and college (early 90's), it was quite rare to see a longboard.
sector nine, i believe, have done a lot in promoting longboarding as its own thing and creating a longboard market.
and internet sites like ncdsa have help a lot of spreading the longboard knowledge.
hc
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history lesson
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On 12/8/2003
david
wrote in from
(192.211.nnn.nnn)
first, get a copy of the concrete wave the book by micheal brooke, second watch dogtown and the z-boys. bet you can get everything you need from those....oh yea, a movie called "stoked: the rise and fall of gator" is coming out in theaters soon, it takes place where dogtown left off.
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longboarding history
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On 12/8/2003
kaz
wrote in from
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
Hey,
My name is Kaz and I am trying to find out a little bit about the history of longbarding, All I can find is stuff on boarding in general. How it started from a mix of surfing and scooters and then is just goes into skateboarding, but when does longboarding and skateboarding break apart? When did longboarding become its own identity? What was longboarding like before companies like Sector 9 started. Who were some of the first sufing companies to make longboards and who were the surfers who used them? Where did longboarding start to evolve from and where is it going?
thanks,
kaz
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F13
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On 12/8/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(64.161.nnn.nnn)
Hamm, I just got it built yesterday. Haven't had time to ride it yet. It's very stiff, very short and has a nice kick tail on it. I can't wait to rip some TS on it.
Wood is Good
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F13
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On 12/8/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(199.41.nnn.nnn)
so Mike, hows that stiff wood board working out??
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Smokestack
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On 11/25/2003 Michael
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
The deals done.
I reckon the Smokestack is THE best selling Pro Slalom board in the UK this year.
The royalties may even pay for all the cups of tea Simon gives me when I'm round his place.
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Smokestack
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On 11/25/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(65.234.nnn.nnn)
yeah, that Smokestack looks like a sick ride...
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Smokestack
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On 11/25/2003 Kenny Mollica
wrote in from
(68.249.nnn.nnn)
Niall-
Get the smokestack and put a radikal on the front and use one of your midtracks for the rear. You will love it.
Talk to Stride-he will show you the way.
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Thanks from Niall
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On 11/21/2003
Niall Horton-Stephens
wrote in from
(81.130.nnn.nnn)
Quick thanks to all those kindhearted people that took the time to humour my lack of up-to-date knowledge on slalom kit. Coming round to idea of Pocket Pistol... maybe smokestach... they're sooo light, but like the look of the Roe too + all the people there have been really helpful with advice on forums. Will consider trying my old mid tracks for TS, but like what I've heard on the 105 Seismics... like the look of the Radikal or PVDs... so if an elderly relative snuffs and leaves me a pilein the near future, may consider (are they really worth so much money?). Wheels... everyone says Avalons, so will probably go 85 /80 split. Hope to post in future to verify following equation...
Former young bloke on old fashioned kit = Slower time than old bloke who can hardly even touch his toes anymore on shiny new deck.
Thanks again + Mike thanks for your offer for me to mail... may well do when I come to set up.
:-) from London.
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Niall
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On 11/20/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(64.171.nnn.nnn)
Email me direct if you want to ask me anymore questions...
I can see that everyone has their little affiliations (as do I) but my best advice has to be to look at ALL the options...also, don't worry about narrowing your trucks or any of that kind of crap right now. Stock stuff works great...that's almost all I use and I'm in the top 10 in the pro class in almost every race I enter. I do have some wheels I've cut down, but beyond that I use stock stuff all the way.
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GS/Hybrid
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On 11/20/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(64.171.nnn.nnn)
Dave, sorry I missed you guys in WVa...I'm so broke right now I can't pay attention. Travelling is completely out of the question for me at this point and probably for the future...at least until I have a sponsor helping me to travel or I land a job that will afford me the luxury of travelling more. I have no idea about that board. Maybe it was mine, maybe it wasn't.
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Niall's Set up
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On 11/20/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(64.171.nnn.nnn)
What you want is a set of avalons, Tracker trucks (RTX ft, RTS rr) and a good deck. There are many decks out there to consider. Check out all the manufacturers. Don't get too bogged down in the rhetoric. But be open to suggestion. Angled risers help a ton
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Narrow trucks and stiff decks.
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On 11/20/2003
Geezer-X
wrote in from
(149.2.nnn.nnn)
Monkeywrench Machine Works (www.monkeywrenchmachineworks.com)
can narrow your Trackers, Indys, and Randals as well as installing 8mm CrMo axles. Their Duallie conversion allows you to run multiple widths with one set of hangers. 90-110 is what we do the most. Kenny got 88s. As for planks, Vlads been on them for ages, as has UR13.
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Neill's Crossfire...
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On 11/20/2003
Geezer-X
wrote in from
(149.2.nnn.nnn)
I neglected to mention that the whole rig shouldn't be more than about $225 US. You're in the UK right? Contact Michael Stride at Octane Sports.
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Hutson replacement
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On 11/20/2003
Geezer-X
wrote in from
(149.2.nnn.nnn)
Get a Roe Racing Crossfire with a Tracker RTX on the front, and an RTS on the rear. Dewedge the rear truck, and leave the front flat. Get a set of 3DM Avalons, 85a front, and 80a rear, and use biltin bearings. If you really want the whole mess to work, get some Tracker stimulator bushings and trim them down in diameter, and put kingpins in your trucks that are 1/4" longer, so you can use full sized bushings top and bottom. This is a modern race ready setup that is also superb for running imaginary cones on the way to the cafe, and being a wood/carbon fiber laminate, will feel not too unlike your Hutson, just snappier, turnierm grippier, and much, much faster. Trust me, I raced in the 70s, the new stuff is ***SO*** much better.
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Niall's new deck!
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On 11/20/2003
Niall Horton-Stephens
wrote in from
(81.130.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Henry... looked at Ick site... will give it serious consideration. Appreciate the thought.
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Niall's new board
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On 11/20/2003
Henry
wrote in from
(128.2.nnn.nnn)
WWW.ICKSTICKS.COM
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GS/Hybrid
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On 11/19/2003
DAve G
wrote in from
(63.191.nnn.nnn)
Mike
missed you in W.Va this year!!
I recently acquired a proto type G/Hybrid w/ a 5" graphite strip, slightly offset to the right..It is marked #4 from the series of 0 thru #8 Howard thinks it was your's..any knowledge?
Dave G
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My 1977 John Hutson Santa Cruz deck is dead - advice on replacement?
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On 11/19/2003
Niall Horton-Stephens
wrote in from
(81.130.nnn.nnn)
Question... I've been riding a circa 77' Santa Cruz John Hutson Graphite Deck since... 1977! Running mid tracks, Belair Wings at front, RR Henry Hesters at rear... and always been supremely happy with it.. absolutely loved it.... until disaster... the deck is now road-kill... almost snapped in half. Now I'm trying to get a hold of the same deck (if anyone has one....), but wondered, as I'm really out of touch with slalom developments in recent years, are new decks much better? Is my current running gear way off the pace? Would I really notice a difference switching my deck allegiance? Always fancied a Turner... (are they shipping SR71's?)is the character of these going to be way different to what I'm used to with the Hutson board? Also, love the look of the Pocket Pistols + seem incredibly light. Should I change my trucks... what's the hottest thing out there for wheel / truck combos. Angled truck risers a help? narrow front / wide rear? Your thoughts much appreciated (and any info. on tracking down the Santa Cruz!). Sorry... loads of questions but it's my first post to this GREAT site. :-)
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ts
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On 11/18/2003
mike maysey
wrote in from
(65.234.nnn.nnn)
Henry,
This past season all my boards, from ts to gs boards, were gravitating toward being stiff and almost completely flex free. As a matter of fact, PD made me a wood plank with a layer of carbon fiber on the bottom. The board felt fast when I tried it the first time. I ended up with a second in the GS at McClaren Park on that plank. It was stiff as a....... board.
Stiff is better for one reason. When I slalom skate, I usually pump hard at only one point in my turn. The rest of the turn I use to either set up for that pump or to set up for the next pump. On a flexy board, if I pump hard and fast the board often feels like it 'lags'. I think, for me, by skating on a board that's rock hard I can translate my power/downward thrust through the board and wheels and make a turn at the precise point I want. (I can also ride harder wheels than on a flex board.) On a board with flex, it feels like it takes the board too long to react to me, messing up my timing. I think this holds true especially if I get off-line in a tight course on a flexy board. It's very very difficult for me to pull back into a course and back on-line in a ts course. On a stiff plank (I skated a serious session a couple nights ago on my Maha) I was able to compensate immediatly when I got off-line. The stiff board doesn't 'lag' when recovering from the last turn. The stiff board was simply right there under my feet waiting for me to make the change I need to make to stay in the course and NOT plow a bunch of cones.
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ts
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On 11/17/2003
Henry
wrote in from
(128.2.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mike-
At Breck this past summer Kenny and I had a short conversation about what type of board works best for ts. Kenny was having issues really makin his Pistol 32" work for him through Sunday's course... and we sort of came to the conclusion that for ts you either need high camber flexy pumpable board or one with absolutely no flex at all... what do you think?
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