Choosing a Racing Recliner

While putting together the Leisure Luge, I was able to test drive a number of different models. I offer you this primer on what makes a good luging chair.

The merits of a footrest. My favorite luging chair was consistently the recliner we practiced with. The foot rest was a big plus. Without one, the rider may need to hold hir legs up, or sit cross-legged. With the foot rest activated, and the back reclined, this chair is very aerodynamic and low-profile. A very smooth comfortable ride.

A chair that works well with a skateboard I'm really stuck on the spontaneous nature of of the skateboard-chair connection-- A good chair should be able to sit and roll on a skateboard without damaging adjustments. This way, you get both your working chair and a working skateboard after the race. At any rate, if you can't get your chair to interface with your skateboard, you're sunk.

The recliner we worked with had a square metal frame beneath it, that sat quite nicely on the skateboard. Most chairs, however, have 4 wooden legs, and above that, some sort of wooden frame, perhaps covered with cloth covering. The legs are easy enough to deal with-- they often screw on and off by hand. For Luging you'll want the legs off. Often they are taller than a skateboard is high, so they would drag on the ground if they were not removed.

If the chair is large and has only a square wooden frame underneath (after you've removed the legs, of course), the frame may totally cover the skateboard, in which case the skateboard will sit inside the chair, rather than underneath it. I came up with a spontaneous fix for this problem. A piece of plywood slightly longer than the length of the chair base set between the chair and skateboard was just the fix. A thicker ply, like 1/2" thick would work better. Applying something to the plywood to increase the friction on either side would help, like griptape or carpet.

A swivel armchair has unique possibilities. The rider could face any direction while being pushed, but balancing the chair would be a real pain in the ass. I researched this option only briefly before I decided it wasn't for me.

Speed vs. Style The chair that won the speed category is a good model for you if you looking for sheer velocity in your armchair. First of all, this chair was light. It set low to the ground, keeping the center of gravity low, and maximizing control of the vehicle. It had no foot rest, rather the rider sat cross-legged. This chair was also somewhat narrow, affording better balance. Realize, however, that when you tune your chair for speed, you are trading off the comfort, style and cumbersomeness of a larger recliner which could win you points in other categories.

Extreme Leisure Luging I challenge the truly extreme leisure lugers among you to explore the bounds of the cumbersomeness category. Get a wrap-around couch on wheels and you're sure to win points here. Better yet, how about racing a futon that you fold out into a bed while you race?