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Post by Joel on Feb 17, 2007 8:47:54 GMT
I have experimented with it myself and everyone say Tom W trying it out at Cadwell.
the theory is that standing up and pushing gets you off the line far quicker than paddling using your arms. I personally find that there isn't a major advantage. Yes, you get off the line much quicker, but you loose so much time and control when trying to get down into the prone position that it undoes all the advantages.
All this is accademic tho. Geek as I am I have just been re-reading the IGSA Rules. Rule XV, part E. states "Paddling a street luge or classic luge at any time from a standing, kneeling, squatting or headfirst position is an automatic disqualification."
So there you go folks, never mind
Joel
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Post by windy on Feb 17, 2007 14:30:22 GMT
the way i push i dont think it would be such a disadvantage, working on the tecnique though, practicing pushing off uphill!!!!!
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Post by windy on Feb 21, 2007 17:43:07 GMT
Still on the subject of bad starting. when i checked the truck plates after Cadwell they were not in line with each other ie front and back werea few degrees off the straight, would the geometry of the trucks negate this ,ie self aligning or would they fight each other and slow you down, i It seemed to run fine once i hit the gradient .
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Post by TomW on Feb 22, 2007 9:22:05 GMT
Hi Windy,
Yes, you will need to get all your trucks aligned as accurately as possible. If they are out by even a couple of degrees they will slow you down. This is the most difficult part of building a good streetluge - getting the truck mounting plates at each end in line with each other.
The "neutral" direction of the truck (i.e. the straight line) is determined by the direction of the king pin. If your pins are all slightly out of alignment, they will slow you down, as each truck will have a slightly different "straight line" position.
My previous comment about the self-aligning nature of the trucks, was with reference to the way that each hanger is free-floating relative to the next. However, it is important to get them all in line to start with.
Check your truck alignment by taking all your hangers off, and placing your luge upside-down on the kitchen table. Now squat down and look along the line of king-pins from either end of the luge. If you see any leaning over, or out of line - adjust the truck at the baseplate until you get them all in line. You will find that there is a fair degree of slop in the rubber riser pads between the truck and the luge. So if you haven't bolted the trucks down evenly, on both sides, they might tend to pitch over where the rubber is compressed. Riser pads are not absolutely essential, but I find they do take out a lot of the "road buzz" vibrations. If you can find them, I find that the harder compound pads are best - try some of the old-skool style ones, they tend to be a bit stiffer.
So long as your king pins are in line - you will be fine. Do not be confused if after you have aligned your kingpins, and replaced your hangers - your hangers look a bit out of alignment relative to each other. This is because they are sitting on their bushes with no weight on the wheels. As soon as the wheels touch the ground, they will all line up again.
Ride hard, stay safe.
Tom W.
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Post by windy on Feb 22, 2007 18:59:07 GMT
Once again i bow to thy knowlege! The baseplates are all aligned now but checking with the lazer pointer (handy gaget that) the king pins are more out than they were previously, so i will follow your little set up and then see hoe it runs. thanks Tom!
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