Why do B&M's have pre-drops?
Just curious...is it to build up speed before making the drop or does it have something to do with the chain release?
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-Glitchey
Who was at BGW on April 28th.
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-Glitchey
Who was at BGW on April 28th.
Well,I'm no engineer, but I think it has to do with chain release. I've noticed on many steel coasters that th chain may end a few inches before the threshold of the drop. I wouldn't say speed, because on Top Gun at PC, there is a set of trim brakes after the pre drop, and on the front seat, you can fell a little stopping before the drop.
I love this feature on Dragon Khan and Kraken, it just builds more tension before the drop. On the engineering side, if you look at Krypton Coaster at Movie World Spain you'll notice the lift hill goes stright into the drop in the same direction as the lift hill, so I think that it isn't done for the chain release.
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Editor - CoasterForce
http://www.coasterforce.com
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Editor - CoasterForce
http://www.coasterforce.com
The "B&M Dip" as it's known is most likely so that the front car doesn't slowly pick up speed on the first drop, like on most steel coasters.
-Raven_Rider
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"Hold on tight, with all your might, and enjoy your flight on the Raven!"
-Raven_Rider
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"Hold on tight, with all your might, and enjoy your flight on the Raven!"
Because its cool! Really, It takes strian off the lift chain when the front of the train starts to build up speed.
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My Signature doesn't Suck
anymoore!
Proud giga buzzer!
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My Signature doesn't Suck
anymoore!
Proud giga buzzer!
I was also going to note to ask why Nitro doesn't have one? Are they starting to take pre-drops out of their designs?
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-Glitchey
Who was at BGW on April 28th.
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-Glitchey
Who was at BGW on April 28th.
As far as i know, it is to reduce strain on the chain, but it also produces some of the best first drops in the world. Raging Bull, anyone?
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WARNING: THIS POST MAY ACTUALLY INCLUDE SARCASM AND OR HUMOR. PLEASE CONSIDER BEFORE RESPONDING.
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WARNING: THIS POST MAY ACTUALLY INCLUDE SARCASM AND OR HUMOR. PLEASE CONSIDER BEFORE RESPONDING.
I don't know of the technical aspects, but it does make for a good bit of anticipation and tension to think you're going over the drop and look like a fool for the 3 seconds before you REALLY do drop and scare yourself silly...
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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html
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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html
I believe that a lot of the pre-drops are a home to a set of trims, that can be applyed if another train hasn't cleared the block for some reason. I may be full of crap too though...
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"Johnny Rotten shot me with his BB-gun."
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"Johnny Rotten shot me with his BB-gun."
I think that the new B&M hypers are going to be without the dips. But I do believe that the dips are used for chain release, and so the train doesn't pick up speed slowly on the drop.
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Let the bears pay the Bear Tax, I pay the Homer Tax.
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Let the bears pay the Bear Tax, I pay the Homer Tax.
anyone know where I can find some great Raging Bull Pics?
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Deja Vu - Think you've experienced it before...think again!
X - Xperience the Xtreme - It breaks all the rules!
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Deja Vu - Think you've experienced it before...think again!
X - Xperience the Xtreme - It breaks all the rules!
There are good photos of a lot of coasters at www.joyrides.com.
The only possible thing that I can think of is that the slower disengagement from the chain means less wear on the chain dogs. SOB would be a good example of wear on the chain dogs. Ever hear the sound they make when the train crests the lift? That's the chain dogs skipping over the train as it begins to move faster than the train.
Other than that, I can't imagine any other reason for it.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
The only possible thing that I can think of is that the slower disengagement from the chain means less wear on the chain dogs. SOB would be a good example of wear on the chain dogs. Ever hear the sound they make when the train crests the lift? That's the chain dogs skipping over the train as it begins to move faster than the train.
Other than that, I can't imagine any other reason for it.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Joyrides is great! SFMMlord, also check out www.coastergallery.com Joel has over 200 different coasters represented there. (Some of my pics are on there too :) )
I kind of missed that dip before the drop on Nitro. The way Raging Bull yanks you down that first hill because of the dip just can't be beaten!
I kind of missed that dip before the drop on Nitro. The way Raging Bull yanks you down that first hill because of the dip just can't be beaten!
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