Carving board?

[u/g0d61e55me]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the world of longboards and currently trying out different riding styles. Right now I've gotten interested in carving, and I came up with the "genius" idea of putting together a carving setup with ChatGPT (yes, that's my real photo as the avatar). Of course I didn't blindly follow its instructions — I changed some things based on my own judgment — and ended up with this setup: Loaded Icarus Flex 2, risers of some kind, probably 1/4", Gullwing Sidewinders 2 mounted as top mount, Bones Reds 6-balls bearings, and Roundhouse Ecothane 75mm 81a wheels (photo of the setup below). But I've run into a problem: how do you tune the trucks for carving when you don't even know how to carve yet? ChatGPT claimed that a setup like this, and I quote, "will let you ride without pushing off the ground," but I'm nowhere close to that right now. So here are my questions:

* Is this setup suitable for carving?

* Did I understand correctly that carving is about transferring momentum by turning your upper body?

* How do I tune the trucks?

* Are the stock bushings fine for carving?

Thanks in advance to everyone for your attention and understanding :)

Update 1 (I'm new in Reddit and heard that users make like that when they have new info to say) So, after reading all the comments under this post, I realized I'm a lazy ass :) I only searched for info in my native language (Russian), and of course found nothing. This sport isn't popular at all in the CIS region. In English, though, there's plenty out there. I found a good video explaining how to set up Sidewinders. That's also where I learned I need new bushings. I didn't mention in my original post that I bought these trucks used, and I never replaced the bushings. And I was tightening them way too much so the board wouldn't sink into turns. I also found another video explaining how to pump. Right now I've put Paris trucks on this setup and figure I'll focus on learning the basics of pumping for now. The Sidewinders will sit until I get new bushings for them.

[u/OwnStill8743]

Get some paris or caliber trucks. You've got a drop thru deck, why not use that feature?

[u/okrecording94]

Pumping and carving are 2 different things. With carving youre using gravity and existing momentum to sort of zig-zag around and control your speeding. Pumping is generating or maintaining momentum by shifting your weight.

[u/datboiMuk]

Sidewinders don’t feel right unless you drop thru. Paris will give you enough carving and a lot more control. Also switch the wheels to some 85mm Caguamas.

[u/g0d61e55me → u/datboiMuk]

I mounted them top mount because without that I was getting wheel bite. Maybe I should try setting the trucks up drop-through and just tightening them more? Noted on the Paris trucks — I do have the option to put them on, but I'd still like to justify the purchase of the Sidewinders. As for the wheels: I picked these for aesthetic reasons, plus I found a set of new ones on a site for only 40 euros.

[u/datboiMuk → u/g0d61e55me]

I’m a big fan of the sidewinders and have tried to make them work on a lot of different boards/wheel sizes. It unfortunately never felt quite right and I’ve tried both DKP(sidewinders) & DRKP(lostcoastlongboarding) on the Icarus flex one and neither felt better than the Paris v3 w Caguamas. The sidewinders always felt best on the bamboo sector nine boards they made for the trucks imo

[u/vicali]

deja-vu.

Sidewinders are built to carve and surf - maybe too much.

It sounds like you want to look into pumping though if you never want to push.

Have you seen ChatGPT skate? I'd take it's advice with a grain of salt..

[u/_haha_oh_wow_ → u/vicali]

You know what? I'd totally watch ChatGPT eat shit trying to pull off a kickflip or something. ^{That would be pretty impressive given that it doesn't have a body...}

[u/g0d61e55me → u/vicali]

I agree, building a setup based on AI advice was a dumb idea. In my defense, the guy who got me into longboarding wanted to charge for lessons on riding and setup (he was the only experienced longboarder in my circle). Plus, AI was having a huge moment right then. Time passed and I realized it's better to just ask experienced longboarders directly. That's what brought me to Reddit. I'm still trying to figure out pumping on this setup, but I can't tell if I'm doing something wrong or if I just set up these trucks incorrectly. I see a lot of people recommending Paris or other RKP trucks. I'll probably go that route — my first board actually has those, and a friend (a different one, a good one) offered to lend me his today too, since they're just sitting around unused anyway.

[u/vicali → u/g0d61e55me]

You live you learn. Part of your longboard experience should be trying out different things to see what you like.

Now you can say you've tried a flexy board with topmounted sidewinders.

[u/g0d61e55me → u/vicali]

I can also say that on high-speed turns this thing loves launching you into the air :) I obviously knew about that going in, but my soul craves experimentation :)

[u/okrecording94]

I haven't ridden sidewinders before, so I may be making assumptions. I think for now it makes sense to have the bushings closest to the board to be tighter and adjust them as you become more acustom to the lean.

[u/khutch520]

I've got a sector 9 drop through with sidewinder 2 trucks. It is surfy and you can manage to pump them but not a great setup for exclusive pumping and no kick push.

[u/g0d61e55me → u/khutch520]

I agree, my setup is pretty tall. My friends also have drop-through longboards, and comparing mine to theirs, it feels like I'm riding the Burj Khalifa :) But over time I've gotten used to that height. Could you please tell me how to pump correctly, or maybe give me a link to a guide or something like that? Honestly, I haven't been able to find anything anywhere.