Blue Hubbard Slickers: First Official Model!

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Hey, this is Rob from BHS.  http://www.bluehubbardslickers.com

Check out the first available BHS snowskate model!

This model has a short snowboard on top, a truck/riser piece in the middle, and a ski on the bottom.
It allows both edges to hold on the snow.
The truck/riser piece holds and supports the snowboard in a rockered shape for better turning!
There is a video of some prototypes and the finished model on the BHS website.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks Rob

[AlexanderTH3GR8]

Hi Rob, nice board. The thing that concerns me about the top deck is the metal edges, too
dangerous if u get hit in the face (I mean more damgerous cause of the metal edges).

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Hey AlexanderTH3GR8,

thanks for checking the board out.  Yah, the metal edge is sharp, but it's not that big of a deal.  It's the same thing that you deal with when riding any kind of snowskate.  You don't want to fall in front of the snowskate.  I always wear a helmet and sometimes pads for that reason.  Thanks again.

Rob
Blue Hubbard Slickers

[Jordan]

Interesting concept, my friend shaun trott was trying to sell me on the double edge awhile ago. What is the benefit? Are they the same radius and will they flex/move together? What snow conditions are they intended for?

[chiller]

on steeper terrain when the upper edge catches you will actually loose leverage.

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Thanks again for checking the board out.

Generally, the idea is that the top board will help the board float better in deeper snow.  
This board is pretty big at about 30 cm wide and 110cm long.
The idea with the edges is that you have both grabbing when you turn.  Like any snowskate, it really changes a lot depending on the snow conditions.  I have a bunch of different setups where I change the height of the center truck piece.  The low setup is easier to learn and is fun for cruising small hills but the higher one is better for turning.

Rock Out
Rob

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Hey Jordan,

I didn't realize that I forgot to answer some of your questions.  The edges are the same Radius and yes, the
idea is that the ski and the top snowboard both flex.  The top board doesn't flex as much though.  The riser supports the top snowboard and it can still flex farther.

Here's a picture of some of the new graphics.



Rob

[Jordan]

When you are standing on the top deck is your weight not arcing it in an unnatural curve in relation to the subdeck? When the topdeck is flexing down and the subdeck is flexing up does that fuck up the handling? Seems like if the top flexed enough it could interfere with the subdeck.

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

The riser/truck piece stops the top deck from flexing downward too much.  If you stand on the tip or tail, it will flex down a little bit.  Mostly what happens is that when you press on the front or back of the board, the ski will flex and the top deck leans forward or backward.  The top deck can still flex some in the normal direction that a snowboard does in a turn.

The reason that it works is that the top deck is attached in the middle of the board and the riser/truck piece is curving up away from the ski.  So, the top deck is actually held in the flexed up position all the time.  Here is a picture from the side of the prototype.  I have to take some pictures of the new pieces still but this gives the idea.

[barontieri]

interesting concept, I'd love to see some videos of your prototype in action.

[predog]

This is far too similar not to comment.

http://decembersnowskates.blogspot.com/2009/11/sneak-peek-into-predog-trucks.html

www.predog.com
trucks and leashes

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Predog,

I like the aluminum.

What is the comment?

Rob

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

barontieri,

you can see some video that shows some different boards and then this one on the BHS website here:

www.bluehubbardslickers.com

Rob

[Baden]

Seems like the metal rails on the top is handy for when the flex of the sub bottoms out.
Still looks like a shin-cutter, when you bail hard & fall forward.

Are the metal rails on the top essential?

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Hey Baden,

as for falling, I recommend wearing a helmet, pads, protective clothing, etc.  Hockey pads are cheap
and then there are also all of the pads for snowboarding/skateboarding/ etc.

The top edges are essential for guiding the turn and adding a little more grip.  The edges let the top board
cut into the snow easier.  Also, like you were saying, when the ski bends up, the top edge/rail is
there to cut into the snow/ice.  It's similar to making edges on the subdeck ski.  You can ride/make
a subdeck with no edges and it will still work.  They just ride differently.  Putting the edge on gives the
side of the board/ski some help cutting into the snow/ice.

Thanks for checking the board out.
Rob