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| Q&A: Slalom Pro Mike Maysey (2489 Posts)
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Finding the right flex
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On 2/13/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
David,
I really don't know how to say this except to just say it: what you have found with the Turner Hybrids is the result of a manufacturer attempting to mass-produce skateboards that almost MUST BE personalized.
The Hybrid comes in three flexes: soft, medium and hard. Unfortunately, words like that are so conditional. As you discovered, your 265-lb friend found a board just right that you found way too stiff.
Although I understand budgets and money, I think you are going to continue to suffer the "I-wish-there-was-something-in-between" syndrome until you can order a custom board. Take into account, though, that "custom" does not mean extravagent or outrageously expensive. I'm just talking about what Rick Howell and Chicken are doing regularly. (I believe Gareth Roe also builds to order, but since I'm not certain, I won't say it's a fact.)
The way this works is pretty simple: you tell a manufacturer what you weigh and how much flex you want (soft, medium or hard.) He takes it from there. The question arises, though, "well, how do these guys know how to make a board that'll be just right for me?" Well, for Rick's part, it comes with almost 30 years experience. Similarly, Gareth and Barret have progressed rapidly and they too can produce a board that will give you what you want. And let's not forget, Turner did the same thing: it was called the classic full nose and cut aways. Bobby always wanted to know your weight and riding preference. He then would lay up the board so that it suited YOU and not a certain demographic that he could then sell 500 units. That ain't the way it worked.
Again, I know some people are working on a budget and the sale price of the Hybrids is a great deal. Just remember one thing: you get what you pay for. Sometimes when you find a board at a really terrific price, you have to also make a few compromises. One of those is almost always not getting that board with the in-between flex that feels just right.
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Thanks for the story
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On 2/13/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
This is a cool place to come and start your day.
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Hybrid flex rating
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On 2/13/2003
David E
wrote in from
(63.74.nnn.nnn)
I tried two different (brand new) Hybrids just recently, and I, too, have been impressed with how stiff these boards are. The medium *almost* worked for me and I weigh right at 200-205 lbs. If the medium was just slightly more stiffer it would be perfect.
Early last season I tried the stiff-flex version, whos owner
already has several nice boards (Ick, Turner, G&S, etc.) and
at his weight (195lb?) he did not like it and up for sale it went. I considered it, but found at that time I could not flex the thing to save my life and consequently, courses
were really hard to make on it(t least the runs I was able to try). The board was sold to "big Josh" the guy from Concrete Wave who tips the scales at 265lbs (at least)and
hes now happy with it (as far as I know). Recently, I tried it again, after he's had it now for several months and its clearly broken -in and flexes better for me, but still stiff. I just wish there was something alittle in between the two flexes, but maybe I'll get a stiff version anyway, and see how it goes.
This is a good forum, Mike! thanks for doing it.
DE
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High camber boards
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On 2/13/2003 Henry J
wrote in from
(12.148.nnn.nnn)
If I may-
Brian, check out www.cometskateboards and look at their street slalom series. These decks were inspired by a boingy euro deck that Jonothan picked up over there. It might be what you're looking for!
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Camber
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On 2/12/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
I think Indiana and Airflow make boards with pretty high camber.
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Camber
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On 2/12/2003
Brian "Brain" Morris
wrote in from
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I like lots and lots of camber, like the feeling that your standing on top of the McDonalds Arches. Are there any boards around that have a sick amount of camber?
Brian
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sex for flex
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On 2/12/2003
Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
oh yeah, ICK Retro Flatties DO flex. I inspected Gormans @ JPL and it is one SICK deck.
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Randals for slalom
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On 2/12/2003 Hamm
wrote in from
(63.175.nnn.nnn)
a cutdown R2 hanger on a 35degree baseplate works SO good on the rear of any slalom board. More traction than any offset I've tried. However in the front I do use the RT-X.
I am the biggest Randal proponent and have tried every possible combo for slalom, but the facts are facts and the stopwatch says I'm faster w/the RT-X in front than a cut-down R2.
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Randalls
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On 2/12/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
Hey John,
If they work for you, more power to ya. I tried them when I first started slalom and they didn't work for me. Maybe the cutdown hangers will work better.
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randals.
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On 2/12/2003
john airey
wrote in from
(63.113.nnn.nnn)
Mike, I feel like I have to confess:
I put a randal downhill baseplate (30 degree kingpin?) on
the back of your old fatboy and a normal randal (50
degree kingpin?) baseplate on the front. this is
like wedged and de-wedged but with no wedges. a
regular baseplate on the back would be too turny I
agree. the 150mm hangars are a bit wide but
geezer x is making me some 120mm randal hangars.
maybe it is bad, but it is really fun and there is
a lot of grip in the back.
I would not go so far as to recommend something
crazy like this since I am not an expert but I
like it. I will come to GGP again and if you beat
me by 25 cones instead of just the 20 or so like
last time I tried to follow you down the course, I
will take them off and put on the tracker rtx/rts
I have.
whew, I feel much better for confessing.
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Hybrids
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On 2/12/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
Glenn,
As you progress in slalom, you'll want a stiffer board. I've come to realize that very recently.
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Dave's Hybrid
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On 2/12/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
Dave,
If you are a wide stance rider you may want to consider the wider Hybrid XL. It will have plenty of room for your feet and will work fine for courses with cone spacings of 6' and over. I use mine for everything from GS La Costa style and Slalom Morro Bay style. Your Seismic and Fulltrack will be fine. Don't get Randall's anywhere near that board and use 80's in the back with 85's in front.
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Skate like Dunn
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On 2/12/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
Glenn,
Thanks for the compliment.
Nobody has ever told me that. I did do a lot of practicing with PD last season, but I think we have completely different styles.
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Dave's Hybrid
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On 2/12/2003
Dave
wrote in from
(67.2.nnn.nnn)
Thanks for the help.
Should I consider the XL/Hybrid? I think I will be a wide
stance rider. Will I have room with the cutouts on the
smaller Hybrid? Will the XL work on most courses or is it
getting too large to make the tight cones?
Will my 110 seismic and fulltrack be too narrow for XL?
Would Randal 150+B2 149 be ok?
Avalon 80a rear 85a front?
Thanks Dave
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More Ick reflections
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On 2/12/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
I hate not being able to edit these posts like on "another" website!
I just remembered: Ohm was there that day. He's an Ick man. I don't remember hs quiver, but maybe he had a white one also?
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White Ick?
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On 2/12/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
George,
Was that a white cut away with blue grip tape? The only white Ick I remember being at Cambria that Thursday was mine. I don't think Noah has an Ick. He rides Turners and Roes (I think.)
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flex
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On 2/12/2003 george g.
wrote in from
(159.87.nnn.nnn)
I have to go with what Rick Howell says too, it took me a little while. i can pump my Ick farther and with more accuracy than anything i have ever ridden. he had me stand on the board before i bought it. i have ridden other Ick
sticks and to be honest with you they freaked me out a little. i rode somebodys (Noah H) white one on the Cambria hill in an informal practice and it scared me (i could not control it). but i outweigh him by 50 lbs. get something that fits you. Rick Howell probably has more slalom knowledge about his board for you than anyone so get it from the master.
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Tk's flex
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On 2/12/2003
Wesley Tucker
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
So what you're saying is I need a flexible girlfriend?
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Flex is like sex
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On 2/11/2003 TK
wrote in from
(24.128.nnn.nnn)
Its a personal thing.
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Hybrid
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On 2/11/2003
Glenn S.
wrote in from
(68.5.nnn.nnn)
Brady,
How many mediums Hybrids have you tried? What is the purpose of having camber if the deck dose not flex?
Glenn
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medium or?
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On 2/11/2003
Brady
wrote in from
(66.21.nnn.nnn)
Medium can mean differant things to differant decks.
I`m also close to Dave`s weight and that means a big differance. Youse tinys (200# +) talking about flex for us heavyweights (150#) means notta.
I have a ROE Hester med and it`s perfect for my weight. But the decks construction is designed to have a crisp snap. The Turner Hybrids on the otherhand don`t snap like the ROEs but rather insulate the bumps on the road.
So I would say that a Turner Hybrid that just barely flexs under ones weight is the right board for that rider.
Also keep in mind that there are those that DON`T want any flex to thier decks..I guess thier reasoning is that it robs your body energy transfer when initiating turns.
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Soft or Medium for Dave
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On 2/11/2003
Glenn S.
wrote in from
(68.5.nnn.nnn)
I am going to disagree with the advice for dave to get the Medium Hybird.
I skated Brent Kosick's, Lynn Krammer's, Tiger Williams, and Wes Carpenter's, Medium Hybrid before I called Howard Gordon and told him that I thought they were a bit too stiff. At 160lbs when I just stood on the deck it would not go flat, and when I pumped it hard it still barely went flat, and did not go past flat at all.
I have been under the impression, and this is what Rick Howell(of ICK Sticks) says too, that when you stand on a deck it should go flat, and when you pump it should go just past flat. And of course when you de-weight it goes almost to the it's original camber.
I'd say talk to Howard Gordon first and see what he says before you buy a Medium. When I talked to him about it, even he said that he felt the a Medium was too stiff for him at 175lbs sometimes. And he also said that the weights on the website were outdated.
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skate like Dunn
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On 2/11/2003
Glenn S.
wrote in from
(68.5.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
When I watch your style it looks to me that you look alot like Paul Dunn with your own twist. I would venture to guess that you have practiced skating slalom with Paul Dunn more than anyone else. Which would be a good thing. Am I right?
Glenn
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My Arms
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On 2/11/2003
Mike Maysey
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
John, I don't like to waste a lot of energy flinging my arms about. I try to be as efficient as I can especially when skating tighter courses.
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weight
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On 2/11/2003
john airey
wrote in from
(63.113.nnn.nnn)
Mike,
Doesn't seem like some extra weight would be much of a
factor in skating as long as strength and cardio is
sufficient? some guys have plenty muscle and
strong heart + big lungs under the padding and go fast.
plus you stay warmer longer in the water. have another
slice of pizza.
Mike you pull your arms in close for the tight cones. Is
that on purpose or just something you do instinctively?
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