Do you think Vekoma's new track will be smooth?

I think it will be semi-smooth, but not as smooth as a B & M or Intamin.

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Well it's Vekoma... How smooth can it be? I say semi smooth, just a bit smoother than current. Unless they're do dumb to make it smoother. I think they've learned by now though.

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From the looks of the motorbike coaster, it looks like they've gone to trackworking school.

Are you talking about the kind of track they use on the motorbike coasters & some of their kiddie coasters, or is this something different? If it's something different, then can someone give an example of a coaster that uses it or post a link to a photo?

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The current track is pretty smooth as it is. The new stuff will prolly be real smooth.

Can you fill us in on some information?

What is the difference between the new track and the current track? Is the track found on Expedition:Everest (the motorbike coasters, and the kiddie coasters) new or current?

I think what matters are the wheels and the trackwork itself. Not the track type.

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I say semi-smooth, the way I see it Vekoma can only go up in terms of smoothness level.

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The new track is the track being used on Expedition Everest. The old track is the track that looks just like Arrow's, because it was made at the Arrow track making place.

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Oh. I definitely think that the new track will be MUCH smoother! But really, if you think about it, it's not really the track that makes it smooth or not (excluding the trackwork- pumping, etc.). It's really the chassis. I've noticed from pics that the upstop wheels on Vekoma chassis are a few inches AWAY from the track. That results in a lot of bumping around. Look in [URL="http://rcdb.com/ig926.htm?picture=2"]this[/URL] picture an you will see what I mean. Look at the upstop wheels.

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"If you focus on your giants, you stumble. If you focus on God, your giants tumble."

Yeah, Vekoma modeled almost every basic element after Arrow, that is why the coasters are rough. I haven't ridden an Arrow I didn't think wasn't rough. What really matters is the smoothness of the track, how the transitions are made, and how the wheels are spaced. If you look at Arrow and older Vekoma models that use the inner side friction wheel assembly you will notice that the upstops and side frictions have quite a bit of "play" with the track. When maintained properly B&Ms and Intamins have no "play" between the track and wheels, which is a major factor in how the coaster rides.

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[QUOTE=Cephas]I think what matters are the wheels and the trackwork itself. Not the track type.[/QUOTE]

You're partially right...it has to do mostly with the lack of springloaded wheel assemblies and the track-to-track transitioning, and we all know most "old school" Vekomas (AND Arrow loopers) are infamous for their horrible transitions. It (roughness of coaster) never had anything to do with the track style, like this topic thread suggests. Vekoma engineering in the past was just not up-to-par with the likes of B&M and some other makes.

[QUOTE=Gemini78]Yeah, Vekoma modeled almost every basic element after Arrow, that is why the coasters are rough. I haven't ridden an Arrow I didn't think wasn't rough. What really matters is the smoothness of the track, how the transitions are made, and how the wheels are spaced. If you look at Arrow and older Vekoma models that use the inner side friction wheel assembly you will notice that the upstops and side frictions have quite a bit of "play" with the track. When maintained properly B&Ms and Intamins have no "play" between the track and wheels, which is a major factor in how the coaster rides.[/QUOTE]

The big gap in the wheels I really don't think is a huge factor. Vekoma and Arrow had issues because the track was shaped so poorly. Demon at SFGAm and Loch Ness Monster are pretty smooth coasters because they don't have any fast lateral transitions or fast banking. They're not perfect and jiggle around a little bit, but they don't hurt because the hideous transitions are not present.

Dodonpa is a newer ride that is pretty bad entering/exiting turns and in the tophat. Why? It's a new ride, the wheels are all made great and everything, and the ride is heartlined. However, since the trackwork absolutely sucks and has no transitions into the turns, something kind of necessary at 100+mph, the ride in turn is not very good. The tophat has the worst design I've ever seen has extremely strong air because of it. The shallow transition into the first set of brakes is bad also. This is the kind of stuff people wail on Arrow for all the time, and it was built within 5 years.

Tophat:
[url]http://drkssk.fc2web.com/zekkyou/fujikyu/02fuji-web/dt-2.jpg[/url]

Brakes
[url]http://www.coasterclub.org/trips/reports/2005/japan/day13/DSC_0012.lbpwyed2.JPG[/url]

Wow, that top hat sure does have alot of pumping.

I see that the points of inflection on that top hat are vertical tangents. I wonder why S&S made sure to do this, it sure makes for a bad top hat.

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Where's the poll option for "We'll wait and see?"

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Quick judgements made on no factual data whatsoever are always best.

Hard to say. I have yet to experience their new track and won't get the chance to until 2007 when i return to Disney for EE but on a ride like that you lind of want it to be a little rough.

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