Are rollercoasters designed for short people?

I had a heck of a time on Villain at SFWoA since my legs were locked in place against the front of the car. I couldn't get any air-time unless the lap bar was raised ridiculously high. I noticed that on some of the Arrow loopers at Six Flags Great America, (Demon in particular) that my legs would be locked against the front of the car. I'm only 6'1", but I have long legs. Do any other tall riders have this problem?

Im 6' 3", and Ive had the problem on some rides. The solution, Ride in the fron of Arrow trains. Immense legroom.

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Red Wings Suck!!!

Yeah, I have a friend that is captain of the football team, he's 6'3 290 lbs, he couldn't ride in Villain because of his size, I guess that coasters company's can't really cater to people of that size though.

I heard that X has a height restriction, and won't allow any riders over 6'4". Is this true? Say it ain't so....

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;)I like what I hear;)

www.mp3.com/ethyl

When (IF) I design my own rollercoasters, all my coasters will fit big people. I'm 6'1" so I'll make sure of it. If you don't have enough leg room I recommend a floorless coasters. ;)
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www.geocities.com/coasting_ohio for Real/Defunct/mini coasters and parks for RCT

I had the same problem with Demon, and with V2 at SFGA. I was able to ride Demon, but unable to ride V2. I am 6'10" and it is a dissapointment not getting to ride a coaster because of height and size. I rode every other coaster in that park, but not V2. I think the engineers need to look at the height of people today. We are getting taller and taller each day. They should be mindful of this point and design rides accordly.

I'm 6'2" (but have long legs) and so most rides give me at least a little bit of trouble. The Arrow Mine Trains and the Schwarzkopf cars always seem to give me the worst trouble. We need to remember that the average person in this country is under six feet tall. Trains are designed to safely contain a person of average size. On top of that, many design companies are based in Europe where the average height is not as tall as it is here.

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James Draeger
http://draegs.tripod.com/
"Legend is a wooden Jesus"

I'm not sure that you can say coasters are designed for short people, more like average height people maybe 5'6" to 6'. I am 5'2" (kind of short) and I often experience 'ear-banging' on coasters with OSRs. I don't know for sure (because leg room isn't a problem for me) but, I think I'd prefer being cramped to having my ears smashed any day!

ACEerCG said:
...On top of that, many design companies are based in Europe where the average height is not as tall as it is here.

it shouln't matter where the compainies are at...if they're designing for an american coaster, then they should design it with the typical american human dynamics table.

--seth

nasai said:
I heard that X has a height restriction, and won't allow any riders over 6'4". Is this true? Say it ain't so.

No, I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Deja Vu, which has a 6'4" height limit. X, so far, has no maximum height limit. As for fitting in trains, try crossing your ankles, you will get much more leg room. Also, on Arrow loopers, make sure you sit in the front of an individual car. Much more leg room there as well.

Nasai:
Actually, Deja Vu is the ride with the 6'4'' cap. There is only so much clearance between the train and the station floor. Theye must ensure that nobody's feet will come anywhere close to the station as the train speeds 60mph through it.

In general, yes. Coasters are designed with restraints that are tight enough to hold in those who meet the minimum height requirement. Otherwise, the requirements would be raised, and smaller people would not be able to ride AT ALL. Unfortunately, taller people are less comfortable as a result, but MOST still get to ride anyway. If you have a chance to scout the train, you will find certain seats have more leg room than others.

*** This post was edited by LoadedG on 8/22/2001. ***

Yes...Tall People are the minority in this. I'm 6'2" and the only problems I've had was with SOB and Flight of Fear. I was mildly cramped on FoF, but SOB really hurt...
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Millennium Force: The Future's Riding On It
Visit! www.geocities.com/festivekiwi

Not "short" people necessarily but for "average" people. We are getting taller and taller, but I'm not sure that designers are taking that into account - average is probably defined by insurance companies (OUCH!). I saw one guy try to get on SOB, ride-ops (gotta love 'em) tried like heck to cram this poor guy in, but he would NOT fit. His wife rode without him, though, and I applaud her for that.
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rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you

Saviourmachine, and LoadedG...

Thanks for the info. I didn't necessarily believe it, but I had heard rumors, and just didn't know what to think. Thank God. I have a lot of buddies that are over 6'4"...that would just kill them. I can squeeze in! Makes sense with Deja Vu...I could just imagine all the clipped toenails lying in the loading area. LOL!

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;)I like what I hear;)
www.mp3.com/ethyl

Not to mention that The Villain uses those horrible Gerstlauer trains! Those things have no leg room at all! Not to mention that the wheel assemblies make for a very rough ride! If they put standar PTC trains on The Villain it would easily be a top 5 wooden! Better yet, call up GCI and have them deliver Millennium Flyer trains.
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*** This post was edited by Coaster131 on 8/22/2001. ***

I am almost 6'6" and I find that if I cross my legs I can fit in to some of the smaller cars. When I went to Cedar Point I had a hard time getting on Cedar Creek Mine Ride and Magnum.

I'm 5'7" and I experience trouble on some coasters... most of my height is due to these long legs of mine..
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AIM: Pritti Kittie

Idora... Always in memories

Im 5'9" and 150 pounds usually I never have any trouble getting into cars but when I went to Cedar Point all the trains there feel so small I felt smashed in those cars.
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Don't Fight it, Ride it, RAGING BULL!
My Top 5 Coasters:
1. Raging Bull 2.Millenium Force
3. V2 (SFGAm)
4. Viper (SFGAm)
5. Cornball Express /Raptor

The only problem I have (being about 6'1) is on Demon and Shockwave @ SFGAm. It's not the leg room, that doesn't bother me much. It's the shoulder harnesses... they are mounted too low, and as you go through the ride, they get tighter from the high Gs on the loops. By the end of the ride, my shoulders feel like they are about to shatter. V2 is also a problem with that, but not as much (maybe because it's too much fun to notice it as much.)
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Hey, SFGAm management, can I buy a couple cages of Sky Whirl?

TrBiggar said:
It's the shoulder harnesses... they are mounted too low, and as you go through the ride, they get tighter from the high Gs on the loops. By the end of the ride, my shoulders feel like they are about to shatter.

I know what you mean. That happens on a lot of rides with OTSR's. I usually spend most of the ride pushing up on the restraints. If you mount your elbows against the back of the seat and puch up with your hands on the restraint during the ride, it will usually stay up.