hockey2 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I was at a resort this weekend with some flat areas. When ever I was on the flats my board felt like it was fighting to be on one edge or the other. Does that make sense? Instead of gliding, my knees felt like they wanted to initiate one edge or the other to keep from spinning out. Any ideas? Canting? Lift? Maybe it's just normal... I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie00 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 is your board detuned at the nose ? a board that is not detuned will want to turn on the flats. is your base competely flat ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crucible Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 My first thought was whether your base was ground flat as well..... Base high (convex) or base low (concave) will both cause the dreaded "shimmy" when run fast on the flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave ESPI Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Just give your board a partial bias to either the heel or toe side while riding in the flats, and you will be fine. Setting one edge and riding it with a slight bite in the snow will eleminate the "shimmy". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Just give your board a partial bias to either the heel or toe side while riding in the flats, and you will be fine. Setting one edge and riding it with a slight bite in the snow will eleminate the "shimmy". But one shouldn't HAVE to give a bias. Riding flat should be possible on any given equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transistor Rhythm Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Stiffer, shorter and narrower boards in general act more nervous when ridden flat. The first board I rode was near impossible to ride in a straight line. Stable when in a turn, really unexpected crashes when riding in a straight line. Some boards are just made to turn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockey2 Posted January 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 THE "Shimmy"! That's it! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only who has experienced this. I'll just engage an edge a little bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideGuy Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I have taught quite a few people that have had trouble in the flats. I always tell them to put pressure on one edge or the other (just like what Dave said). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I think it depends on the board you're riding. For instance my boards on or over 180cm I can all ride them flat in a straight line without they want to take one edge or another. My Coiler Stubby (170cm) wants to be ridden on a edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heroshmero Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Weight your front foot a little more. That will reduce the board's tendency to hook at the tail and 'shimmy'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Pressure on one edge or the other is the easiest way to do it. But I just stand neutral and haven't had a problem with any of my boards. You have to be willing to accept a certain amount of drift if the "flats" aren't quite flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcarver Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Do you have any bevel in your base edges? I run 1 degree and have no problems with going on flats unless it is uneven/grooved. If you run flat base edge it might cause it to catch more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photodad2001 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 But one shouldn't HAVE to give a bias. Riding flat should be possible on any given equipment. True, but only if the "flat" is "flat". Tracked snow or choppy, slushy, cruddy, whatever... even in the flats will play with your boards direction a bit and keeping a subtle edge keeps you going straight. Equipment can't do it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcarver Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 my 163 volkl does get "squirrely" on flats.. i thought i was doing something wrong. maybe it is just the length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 It honestly sounds like a number of you need to check for edge-high bases and base edge bevel. None of my boards from my Madd 158 to my Coiler NSR 185 exhibit this behavior, and they all have reasonably flat bases and a 1* base bevel. I *have* experienced this behavior in the past and when I've checked there has almost always been some very obvious edge-highness or a complete lack of base edge bevel, sometimes both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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