Trim Brakes on Mantis in CP

I have a picture that shows what appears to be trim brakes on the drop hill of Mantis. Are their really trim brakes their?? Why would you put trim brakes on the drop?? dont you want to go fast their? I have never seen brakes on a drop hill before.

Then you've never been to Cedar Point.

The trim brakes are to obviously slow the train down. Mantis was going so fast through the loop that some people were apparently close to passing out. (So I've heard) I've rode it before the brakes were installed and it wasn't a big difference to me, but the park felt that it was needed. To be honest I can't feel any difference going down the hill with the brakes functioning.

-Shawn
*** This post was edited by Coasterfreakbailes 6/10/2003 10:12:37 AM ***

The trim brakes on the first drop on Mantis actually make the loop more fun IMHO. When the brakes are off, you just feel strong positive Gs. With the brakes on, you get a little bit of hang time and weightlessness at the top of the loop. It's more interesting and entertaining that way.

It was a blocking issue - had to control the speed so three-train operation could be maintained, but ever since the 3rd train has taken up residence under the transfer tracks, never to see the light of day again, the brake is only on during really busy days when the "GP" factor is high.

------------------
"You know we got a good thing goin and I don't wanna see it end" --Reel Big Fish
-- Brett

"Then you've never been to Cedar Point."

No, i have never been, going for the 1st time this august. Are their other coasters that have trim brakes on the drop hill in CP? So it sounds as if the trim brakes were added after the coaster opened. you would think that they would know exactly what the forces in the loop would be when they designed it. I guess it was just to intense, at least in CP's mind, for most people. How long did it run without the trim brakes??

This weekend, I noticed Mantis & Mean Streak at Cedar Point & The Beast at PKI have trims on the drops.

[sarcasm] What? There are trims on the Beast?? [/sarcasm]

------------------
Shaun Rajewski
CoasterLine
http://www.coasterline.com

Tuffy,

yes, CP has two coasters with trims on their first drops...Mantis and Mean Streak.

Mantis ran all of 1996 (its opening year) without the trims, and when it reopened in 1997, it had a trim brake on it. Then in 1999 the seatbelts came. And in 2001 (or 2002, I forget) it became only a two train operation.

------------------
Top Thrill Dragster -- The most intense, unbelievable, and spectacular fifteen seconds on any coaster, anywhere, ever.

2 trains in 2001, Lengendary...(just confirming)

------------------
Shaun Rajewski
CoasterLine
http://www.coasterline.com

In all honesty, I haven't noticed the trims on yet this year. I could be mistaken though. Mean Streak is almost like a dead stop at the top of the hill. If you're in the front you get to hang there for a few seconds.

PittDesigner said:
It was a blocking issue - had to control the speed so three-train operation could be maintained, but ever since the 3rd train has taken up residence under the transfer tracks, never to see the light of day again, the brake is only on during really busy days when the "GP" factor is high.

When I was there on 6/03 and 6/04 I walked right on to Mantis and the park was basically empty, but the trim brake was on the entire time.

Considering the *PiA factor* loading stand-up coasters, two trains RUNNING is really the only sensible choice....single-training (like Chang) means wait times become excessive, and three means *perpetual* stacking...

Lets count the coasters at CP with trims somewhere on the ride. Mantis, Mean Streak, Magnum, Gemini, and Iron Dragon, if I remember correctly. And yet they still get awards for being the best park.

Now this might have been because I am so short, but I found Mantis to be the most painful, and headbanging ride when I was there. I have ridden almost identical B&M's, but Mantis is the only one that ever banged me more than a Vekoma.

------------------
I hate it when "cooaster enthusiasts" put down coasters. Why can't we just have fun on all of them?

Tuffy303 said:
I have a picture that shows what appears to be trim brakes on the drop hill of Mantis. Are their really trim brakes their?? Why would you put trim brakes on the drop?? dont you want to go fast their? I have never seen brakes on a drop hill before.

O lord,,,,,,,,, where did all these new people come from? You've never seen a trim break on a first drop? Welcome to Cedar Fair my friend!

------------------
"You know its a good ride when you come into the final break run wiping tears from your eyes"-me

I've ridden Mantis before the trims, and after the trims were added, and I'd have to say it is much better with the trims, more hang time, and the severe pain is gone! It's good that you cannot feel the trims going down, but sometimes yo can hear it.
------------------
1. Top Thrill Dragster
2. Raptor (without trims)
3. Millenium Force
4. Incredible Hulk
5. Kumba

When we visited about a week and a half ago, the trim was indeed on. However, my ride on it seemed to be a little better than I remembered.

rollergator said:
Considering the *PiA factor* loading stand-up coasters, two trains RUNNING is really the only sensible choice....single-training (like Chang) means wait times become excessive, and three means *perpetual* stacking...

Speaking of Chang, while visiting SFKK during SRM weekend, it had two-train operation. Not only that, but when our train made it back, they didnt stack! It felt really strange not stopping on the brakes right outside the station on a stand-up.
*** This post was edited by Krypton 6/10/2003 5:29:57 PM ***

The trims are necessary, IMO, because B&M stand-ups tend to age badly, and I'm sure there were lots of complaints of roughness....I expect someday soon that Chang, and later even Riddler, will eventually sport some first-drop trims.

edit: I don't believe I've ever seen two trains on Chang....I was *almost* convinced that it, like TR, only HAD one...;) Getting a second train for TR, and making the necessary modifications, would be my TOP priority for KK (after, of course, doing *something* about the bridge, ROFL)....
*** This post was edited by rollergator 6/10/2003 5:47:32 PM ***

nightride said:
Lets count the coasters at CP with trims somewhere on the ride. Mantis, Mean Streak, Magnum, Gemini, and Iron Dragon, if I remember correctly. And yet they still get awards for being the best park.

What do trims and qualities that a park the best have in common?

------------------
2002/2003
KWTM

When I was there last year you could definitley hear the brake. It makes the drop so much louder and pretty much drowns out the sound in that area for 2 seconds.

------------------
If practice makes perfect but noone is perfect, then why practice.