Demise of buzzbars - what's up with these lapbars?

Just wondering why it is that the springs on lapbars these days seem to be SO loose. I try to leave my restraints a little on the loose side (ok, you caught me...a LOT on the loose side). Riding DBH (PTC trains) last week, I realized that as the ride breaks in and gets faster and wilder, the laps come down nice and snug right after the bottom of the first drop. Cheetah (Gerstlauers), same thing. Is it me, or did the springs in "the olde days" keep the lap bars from ratcheting down so tight? (I'd WAY prefer buzzbars, but it seems they've gone away for good)...
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PoTP acolyte - remove fear to reply
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

Not entirely...Cornball Express (2001) got the old handlebars. :)

Thank you, Mr. Spackman!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I actually prefer the ratcheting individual lap bars. Being a "big dude," I find that an individual bar on two or three clicks is way more comfy than than a buzz bar.

I've gotten in the habbit of just holding the bar up when I need to in order to keep it from clamping down during the ride. It would be nice if they used stronger springs to do this for us, though. :)

I think the "springs" thing is a park by park decision. For example, the springs on ROAR @ SFA are very loose and will almost always 'self-staple' on the first drop. In contrast, just up the road a piece @ PKD, if your not careful the bars on Grizzly can knock your teeth out because they pop up so hard. In fact, it's sometimes hard to hold those bars DOWN far enough to staple someone. That's good-good stuff! :)
jeremy
--neither a fan nor enemy of buzz-bars...though the sound is cool

2hostyl, how can you NOT be a fan of buzz bars...I understand that for larger patrons they can be uncomfortable with violent airtime, but you don't have that situation going on...
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Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

I wish EVERY wooden coaster had PTC trains with buzz bars.

I don't, Buzzo. Because EVERY wooden coaster would include those few that have the Prior & Church cars, the NAD cars, the GCI cars, the Ed Vettel cars.........

Well, you know the old saying: "All generalizations, including this one, are false."

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I thought it went "all generalizations, EXCEPT this one, are false"...just messing around. C'mon callers, ask for some tech support here, I am SO bored...as for IB's Cornball, it HAS buzzbars - man have I GOT to get there this summer. Hooray for state jobs, and LOTS of leave time!
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Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

Just because I remember riding coasters like that when I was small. I never felt safe in those contraptions because the bar never touched me (still dont). I always felt like I was going to fly out and well I just didnt like that feeling. In fact, for that reason alone I didnt like wooden coasters (save Beastie) and would only ride coasters that went upside down because I knew they had individual restraints. Heck, I was even a bit leery of mine rides (though I liked the themeing).
jeremy
--NBSC: Natural Born Scaredy-Cat

Buzzbars, lapbars...personally I don't care. Once I learned to stop concentrating on the type or position of the lap bar I started getting much more enjoyment from the ride.

Given the choice between not being able to ride at all and a falling lap bar or being stapled by a ride-op, I'll always choose the ride.

Your mileage may vary.

Matthew -- not lecturing, just giving my .02 cents.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 12/20/2001. ***

I agree. Enjoy each ride for what it is!

THE FIRST COASTER I KNOW OF THAT HAD RATCHETING LAP BARS WAS THE PREDETOR AT DARIEN LAKE. I RODE IT THE FIRST YEAR AND THE BARS WERE LOOSE AND THEY PUSHED THEM DOWN HARD ON YOUR LAP. I SAW A OPERATER GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE BECAUSE OF THAT AND NOBODY STOPPED THE GUY. THEY STILL FELL DOWN DURING THE RIDE

Its still a shame about Raven's buzz bars. I still think that it runs consitently as the best coaster in the world, but back in the old days, i feel like no other ride could touch it.
And why post if you don't care? I don't see how anybody could not prefer buzz bars, considering the incredible amount of freedom they offer as oposed to the rachetey things.
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*** This post was edited by ravenguy98 on 12/20/2001. ***

Cyclops at Big Chief's has buzz bars and let me tell you trhat coaster has the most intense airtime of any coaster I have ever been on.
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Does CCI know how to make a bad coaster?

Virginiareelfan, welcome aboard. Please adjust your cap locks button to the "off" position. Thank you and enjoy your ride.

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Until you get a parking space with your own name on it, you're still part of the GP.

push down, then pull up on the Caps Lock button, and enjoy your day at the buzz....just teasing, LMAO!
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Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

thank you, intamin fan.

Well...if you want the old bars go to Knoebels. Phoenix has the buzz bars, and it is great when you come across the bunny hops in the home strech, you come out and almost over the bars. As for the Twister they had PTC install special stronger springs so that you wouldnt get crushed into the seat. It is great leaving the bar up a little and flying all over the place!
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Phly the Pheonix

Ravenguy98, I agree. Buzzbars are so much better. Of Silverwood's two CCI's, Timber Terror has them, but Tremors has rachet lap bars, which can tend to come down on you. Both rides are PTC's.
*** This post was edited by coasteray on 12/20/2001. ***

*** This post was edited by coasteray on 12/20/2001. ***

PhoenixPhan, gotta say one trip to KG and Dorney, I have become a Schmeck-head (anybody seen Red Dwarf?)... after TylerE mentioned that Wild One is bascially a Schmeck redo, I am now CONVINCED. The buzzbars on Phoenix are there to keep you phrom phlying out! My #1 woodie...

As for Twister, I made the mistake of marathoning at the end of the Phunphest on the right side of the train...great ride, I'm hoping my ribs heal before next year's event...LOL. The ride doesn't have much air after the first two hills, but has laterals, high-G turns, INTENSITY. Then, since the restraints DON'T come down, you get a surprise shot of nice air out of the tunnel as you HOP onto the brakes. The tight springs are a BIG plus, IMO...In short, KNOEBELS ROCKS!

coasteray, your point about Silverwood and its woodies are a perfect example of my point...more recently-built coaster trains seem to have a lot more individual ratcheting bars (with loose springs) and individual seatbelts and seat dividers - "ALL this safety just isn't good for my environment"...this message brought to you by FoMH, the Friends of Mr. Hankey.

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Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!