How Harb Carvers Turn
When a Harb Carver is tipped on one set of its wheels the skier?s Center of Gravity (CG) begins to fall toward the center of the instantaneous arc, if enough tipping force is applied. The front wheel sets a different radius than the back wheels; this is proved by the wheel marks left on the pavement. Each track left by the Harb Carvers has two lines, one from the front wheel and one from the back wheels. The front wheels describe a smaller arc; the back wheels a slightly larger arc. It?s the force developed from the front and back wheels working in unison that allows the Carvers to turn and skid through a turn. The force generated by the wheels is called ?lateral or side force? also called grip, produces the turning. Here grip and skid are closely related.
As the skier goes through a turn the wheels produce lateral force using slip angle. Slip angle is the difference between the direction of the wheels or where the wheels are pointed and the actual direction of the Carvers. This is produced when the wheels are tipped on to their sides. Since the wheels flex and deflect, slip angle is possible. The shape of the wheels helps to create tipping once forces are applied. The wheels are able to grip the surface, but they also slip, yielding somewhat to the pressure developed from the turn and body weight on the wheels.
When pressure is reduced or taken away by flexing the stance leg, the angle of the Carvers is reduced easily and the Carvers come out of the turn. Momentum from the act of releasing helps move the CG toward the downhill side of the lower Carver (downhill leg or stance foot) at the end of the turn. This helps to put the Carvers onto the new wheels, for the new direction. Lateral foot tipping and allowing the GC to move freely across the wheels, creates the turn in the new direction. Momentum is the secret to getting the skiing feeling on the carvers. If you release the edges (wheels) from one turn and let your CG move toward the new turn, your Cavers will easily develop tipping angles for that turn. If you are stiff or hold onto the turn too long, the momentum will disappear, which doesn?t help to tip the Carvers for the next turn.