Blue Hubbard Slickers: First Official Model!

[snosk8]

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

Blue,

Is this your preferred method of riding hills/mountains?  I have tried a small snowboard top deck and a center mount riser.  Never on one skate but, on two different rides.  What are the optimal conditions for this double decker edge design.  Are there inserts in the sub or is it mounted like a ski?  Do you ride other snowskates? 

It's Cool

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

SNOSK8,
     This type of board is my preferred method of riding.  The goal was to make a board that is useable in a
variety of conditions.  It's great for cruising.  The double edge design works great on groomed runs and in
fresh snow.  It all depends on the steepness of the hill and the depth of the snow.  In wet/sticky snow you have to keep your speed up similar to other snowskates.  On groomed runs, you ride on the subdeck/ski and then when you do a hard turn, the top edge cuts into the snow.  For powder/deeper snow, the top edge actually helps start the turn.  The rockered curve of the top board makes it turn faster.  It feels awesome in soft snow.
     I like to ride on backyard/golf courses/woods trails and also at the ski mountains so I was aiming for a board that could generally do everything.
     In the new subdecks, there are inserts in the center of the subdeck for the BHS setup and then also inserts farther out where rocker or other hinge trucks would go.  I have even tried the top deck by itself in soft snow.  The idea was to make the pieces useable together or in whatever other configuration someone wanted.   Rob

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

SNOSK8,

here's the rest of what I was writing that wouldn't fit in the other response.

As for other snowskates, I have a bunch of boards that I have made either scrapped together or from scratch and then I also have a Burton snowdeck.  Some of them work great and some of them don't and I mostly ride these double edge boards when I go riding because they generally work everywhere.

I think that's what is so cool about snowskating is that there are all of these different versions that ride differently in different conditions, etc.

Thanks for the feedback
Rob

[predog]

Predog,

I like the aluminum.

What is the comment?

Rob

Rob,
No comment other than, great design. Good to see that I am not the only one thinking along these lines. There is also some British company that did something similiar but on a smaller scale with a long ski. Are you using the standard four hole pattern on skiboards  / snowblades 4x4? Also, curious what the wood weighs.
- Jim

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Predog,

thanks for getting back and checking it out.  For inserts, I have 4cmx4cm inserts in the center where the riser piece is and then two inserts in front and back where hinge or other trucks would go.  So, the subdeck can be used with my riser/truck piece and top board, with hinge trucks, or with two subdecks as skiboards.  I was trying to make it as versatile as possible.  As for the weight of the wood, it's a little heavy because I wanted to make sure that they are strong and durable.  They're a little time consuming to make but when they're finished it just looks awesome with the wood coloring, etc. 

Thanks again
Rob

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Barontieri,

I forgot to respond to your question about a video.  You can see one on the BHS website here:

www.bluehubbardslickers.com

It's a bunch of clips going from one of my earlier prototypes to the finished prototype.  I will try to get
another video up soon.

Thanks
Rob

[snosk8]

My experience with a center mounted riser has been that torsional pressure causes failure.  Also I find that the ski has a flat spot on the base where the riser is mounted. I can imagine that through design and better hardware these may not be issues.  Have you guys had similar experiences.

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Snosk8,

I've been riding my prototype (pictured above) from last spring(2011) until now (January 2012) without any problems.

Thanks for the feedback
Rob

[danlast]

that seems bad if your top deck is edging the snow. i ride some seriously steep stuff and ive never had/wanted my top deck touch the snow. i could be wrong as ive never been on a double edged snowskate but it seems like it wouldnt do anything. i need to see a better video

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

danlast,

thanks for checking the boards out and for the questions.

The boards ride well on most snow and groomed runs.  I'm not sure about "seriously steep stuff" but I've been having a great time with them on normal ski/snowboard runs.  The edges definately do something when you are turning.

I'll try to get some more footage of the new boards on groomed runs so that you can see a better view of how the edges work, etc.

Thanks again for the questions
Rob

[wyomingriviera]

I just checked out one of your prototypes down at Infinite...Nice!  Looks really clean and well built.  Keep it up! 

How often do you make it up this way?  I'd love to take it for a spin at sugarbush sometime...

[BlueHubbardSlickers]

Hey wyomingriviera,

I was literally just up at Sugarbush a couple of days ago but I didn't see your post until after I left!  Thanks for checking it out and sending the feedback.  It's great to hear from someone that's seen one of them in person!  Thanks http://www.infinitesportsvt.com

I'll try to make it up there again soon and you can try out my demo board that I ride.  Send me a message or let me know how to contact you and I'll let you know when I'll be there.  My contact info is on the BHS website here:  http://www.bluehubbardslickers.com

Thanks again
Rob