Talk:Shock Wave (Six Flags Over Texas)

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[edit] G-force: 4.2 or 6 G?

Which value is correct: 4.2 or 6 G? From the shape of the loops ("circularity" of the clothoid) I would guess 6 G, since the Schwarzkopf Coaster "Nessie" (Hansapark, Northern Germany) has a very similar-shaped loop and reaches 5.6 G according to the operator. 4.2 is more common for modern-type loops with very their slim appearance (very gentle curvature near entrance and exit, very narrow at the top). Maybe 6 G is correct for the entrance of the first loop, where the cars reach their top speed. But citations are needed!--SiriusB (talk) 10:35, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Update: 6 G's was correct (actually 5.9, see the reference). However, the ride is currently being remodeled, according to the article, and therefore the loops might probably be redesigned for weaker forces, as done with the "Thriller" (also known as Zonga), another famous Schwarzkopf ride.--SiriusB (talk) 09:17, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

no they are not redoing the loops they are just remoldeling the track because its in bad shape —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dpshuler (talk • contribs) 01:49, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

What does "in bad shape" exactly mean? Bad design? Or just deformation due to aging effects (it is known that some steel roller coasters get "bumpy" after several years and need some renovation)? However, you can also lower the G forces in the loops by lowering the first drop. This may cause negative Gs at the top of the loops (and therefore cancel one important property of a proper loop); a similar thing has been done to "Zonga" by elevating the first two (circular) loops by a few feet. I don't know whether or not ths caused negative G's, but its at least likely close to the limit. I also suspect that this was also the method of keeping the G forces low at the Olympia Looping. The first twin loop (actually loops #2 and #3 of five altogether) are of a similar size shape as the Shockwave loops, but the peak forces are only about 5.2 G's (according to the showman). The track is of the same height as Shockwave (32 metres), but there is one huge loop before the first twin loop, consuming some of the kinetic energy. However, I did not notice considerable minus G's on a ride last September.--SiriusB (talk) 13:21, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

they are redoing the track because its in bad shape plus they are only redoing the bunny hop and turn around at the end of the ride —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dpshuler (talk • contribs) 21:30, 12 March 2008 (UTC)