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Tuning the Skateboard |
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Just like a Congo drum, the skateboard is a delicate instrument that requires precise tuning. There are several aspects to consider when tuning a skateboard. Some aspects (wheel base, concave, shape, truck size, wheel size) are decided when you purchase the skateboard. Others (truck tightness and Riser height) can more easily be adjusted later. Understanding what each element of skateboard tuning adds to the performance of the skateboard will result in more harmonious skateboarding.
Truck tightness is the easiest element to change, and therefore the most difficult to decide upon. Many skaters constantly oscillate between tight and loose trucks. If your trucks are too tight you wont be able to turn. If they are too loose, you will get wheel bite and speed wobbles. The correct balance between loose and tight trucks is determined by your goals. If you want to carve, you must have looser trucks. If you want to be accurate and technically perfect, tighter trucks are the way to go.
Riser height is another important element of skateboard tuning. If the skateboard is too high off of the ground you won't get good pop when you ollie. If its too low, your wheels will rub on the bottom of your board when you turn (wheel bite). Riser height is related to truck tightness in that if you have tighter trucks, you can get away with lower risers because wheel bite will be reduced.
What size wheels to get is a frequently asked question. This choice is also related to both riser height, and truck tightness. Bigger wheels will result in a need for larger risers, and consequently less pop. However, they will allow you to roll over rough terrain more smoothly. Small wheels allow the board to be lower to the ground, resulting in great pop, but if you hit a crack you may go flying.
A bigger wheel base makes for better carving, thus long boards are the ultimate in carving. Concave helps the board stick to your feet in the air. Truck width determines the balance between how quickly your board will flip, and how well you can stay in grinding position.
An interesting phenomena that must be recognized in order to be satisfied with your tuning is that each maneuver has an optimal tuning arrangement. Tight trucks may be good for one trick while loose trucks are good for another. This phenomena has long been known in the world of music. For instance, if one attempts to tune a guitar for pure chords, problems are encountered. If the guitar is tuned for a G chord, the A chord is off. The only way around this is to accept it, and expect it to happen. Therefore, tune your skateboard for your favorite trick, and be ready for a bit of resonance during the rest.
From : skateboard.about.com |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 2:43 am |
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actually i have found that if a board is higher off the ground you will get more pop. less contollable, yes, but still more pop. because the tail is higher from the ground it means it is steeper, as if the tail was steeper.
also a shorter tail will result in more pop. i once skated a board for ages and the tail was about 4 inches long and i could kickflip about a foot off the ground and up 2 stairs with out the end of the tail touching the ground. 5-0s were rather hard though  |
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