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Thread: Picking the radius for a kicker?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Boulder, CO
    Posts
    38

    Picking the radius for a kicker?

    I've been working on a backyard jump, primarily for my 8 year old son. We set up some scaffolding for an in run and built a kicker-to table and landing ramp. It came out better than expected, but I know i can do even better.

    The limiting factor for our set up is our lack of horizontal space and lack of snow. This forces the in run ramp to be a little to close to the jump. The jump is 3 feet high with a hand carved snow transition. I want to build a wooden ramp or form that has a cleaner transition. My main question is about weather a good transition/ kicker should be built with a consistent radius, or if it should vary throughout the distance, getting tighter towards the end.

    Seems like it should have an easier longer radius that eases the transition off the steep in run and then tightening as the lip of the jump approaches. Also knowing the ideal take off angle would help figure out the radius/transition. I assume it should be somewhere around 45 degrees. The other parameters are as follows: 11 feet of tower height, 3 feet high to 7 feet of table and 7 feet of landing ramp. The way it is set up now a good pop just barley gets the skier enough air to make it clear of the table and on to the sloped landing. A very quick hockey stop on (sometimes dry) carpet is required to stay out of the juniper bushes beyond.

    The present ramp is the stairs from his trampoline covered in snow. I'd like to replace it with a form that allows snow to be packed into it then removed after it get frozen solid. The for will be about 8 feet and both ease the end of the in run and form a better kicker.

    Right now it is not great for an adult, but it is about the coolest thing Riley has seen in his back yard. the smile it brings is fantastic.

    I think with some improvements to the transition and more snow it could be more enjoyable for me too.

    Thanks for your help.

    EDit: how do you get pictures to come out bigger?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    SLUT
    Posts
    3,342
    you're thinking to much.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    fuck Grouse
    Posts
    1,763
    fuck off you should consider yourself lucky to have enough space/materials/snow to build a jump in your backyard

    this isn't the fucking world championships of freestyle aerials
    holy fucking shitballs

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Dumont, Blue River
    Posts
    226
    Dave that almost makes me stop picking on you city gapers... almost!

    Nice use of the backyard btw!!

    Hey, not sure if I can help from the pics, but I'd be willing to come down to the shitty & lend a hand in person.

    What I was going to tell you though, I have a number of adjustable kink rails at the other place in empire that I'd be happy to donate, they're SUPER ideal for starting out & would be a good platform to adjust to a different configuration as he gets better, you just change the legs out.

    I haven't used them in years so would love to see them being used.

    Riley is a lucky litte fukr!!!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    city of parks
    Posts
    150
    That looks fucking dangerous!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Boulder, CO
    Posts
    38
    Thanks Kaleb. We have one cheesy skater rail, but the paint is chipping off it and it is too "grabby"

    I'll take your help anytime you want to come down.

    I need the long plank back at work pretty soon, so I need to build a wider in run out of wood to replace it.

    I suppose it isn't the safest thing he could be doing, but it doesn't seem too bad to me. I bet it is safer than riding his bike in traffic, but no one mentions that.

    Are you worried about the jump or falling off the ramp? For an 8 year old he rips pretty hard: he can get over the lip of copper's new half pipe and clear the tables down the middle line in catalyst terrain park. He lands 360s off the right jumps. This thing is a baby jump for him, but thanks for worrying.

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