I really enjoyed your video. I was fortunate to work at the Mindbender in 1984, 1985 and 1986. It was painted brown and tan for the 1985 season. We had 3 silver trains with rainbow stripes. The starting color of the stripe indicated the color of the train. Black, blue and green. Cars 6 and 7 had seatbelts and to ride in the very last row, you had to have 2 people 12 years of age and older. The safety system only allowed 2 train operation and we had a dispatch interval in the horseshoe at brake 2. If we didn’t dispatch a train at that time, you would have 2 trains in the same block and the reduction brake would not open causing a ride breakdown. During 2 train operation it took a crew of 5 on the dock checking lapbars because of the dispatch time. I enjoyed my 10 years working at the park and was lucky enough to work at the best! Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
I grew up on the Mindbender and it is still my favorite coaster in the park. Being a teen in the 90s and spending tons of time at the park, the sound of the trains going through the loops on the Mindbender and the Viper is permanently etched into my brain. Such good times.
This was my first upside down coaster! Used to run through the line ques with my dad with 15 min until park close riding it as many times as they'd let us. Its the best.
This is a beautiful tribute to another classic Schwarzkopf coaster! I love too how you referenced the SOUND that Schwarzkopf vertical loops make as the trains slam through them. My first coaster and the one that made me into a Coaster Enthusiast was the “Laser Loop” at Kennywood Park back in the 1980’s. That coaster was intense and pulled some serious G’s! I’ve been a Schwarzkopf fan for many many years. I now live not far away from Magic Mountain’s “Revolution” and Knotts Berry Farms “Montezoomas Revenge”. Long live Schwarzkopf loopers!!!
What a beautiful overview and tribute to Mindbender! This is so wonderfully written and presented. I love how you say the coaster feels deeply rooted in the park and how it provides a steady heartbeat. Keep it up!
Incredible video and congrats on 500 subs! That nasty pothole that has developed at the bottom of the "horizontal loop" only seems to be getting worse. I just find it bizarre with how new the refurb is. That and the ride has been still been coming to a complete stop on the midcourse brakes. Oh well, just glad to at least have some version of the ride still standing I suppose.
You are a true kindred spirit! As many times as I’ve ridden Mindbender, you pointed out several subtleties that I’d never considered before. It is true that her rides now can be inconsistent, but somehow I find that endearing. Each ride varies in speed and braking, and those will vary, sometimes quite a bit, depending on which of the three trains you’re on. I think it adds an element of delicious surprise and ensures you’re never bored. Maybe I’m just blinded by fierce loyalty, but I will always find more to love about her than not. Thank you for your passion…I’d love to see a Part 2 in 2028💚
Mindbender was my very first roller coaster, it terrified me so much I didn't ride another roller coaster for 10 years. Once I got over my fear, I re-rode Mindbender and fell in love with coasters. SFOG is my home park, Mindbender is a must every single time I visit!
Amazing video! I rode mind bender for the first time in 1995 as an 8 year old and it became the number one coaster would ride every time I went to Six Flags. I remember when it was the dark brown as well LOL. I'm glad SFOG maintained the ride and didn't replace it.
My first ride on MB was in 1995. Like you, finally decided it was time to leave bugs bunny world and the dahlonega mine train and start riding larger coasters. Ninja (Blue Hawk)was my first looper and I remember waiting in line with my friend laughing about how funny it would be for a looping coaster to not have shoulder restraints. 😧 was my face entering the station. Almost backed out, but glad I didn't. As far as it which is more intense, SW or MB, I'm going with MB just because after the the double loop and that one crazy air time hill there isn't much to it. But I remember when SW was somewhat new and it was the scariest thing I had ever seen. I'm also a bit biased because when i was in high school mind bender was one of many rides I got to operate working at SFOG in the early 2000s. During that time I got several rides on a TRIMLESS mind bender and it is literally insane lol. Core memory lol. Thanks for this vid.
I first road Mindbender in the summer of 92 as a 21 year old newly moved to Atlanta. The brown track was still part of the color scheme in those days and the only other steel coaster in the park was Ninja. I grew up near Busch Gardens Williamsburg and that first impression of SFOG was somewhat underwhelming to me. The park has grown a lot since then and Mindbender has grown a lot in my esteem since that first ride as well. I grew up with the Loch Ness Monster, she was my first adult coaster and like your description of Mindbender she holds a special place in my heart, but Mindbender has it's own nostalgia for me now as well and I'm rather distressed to hear about the changes they've made. That piece of track was likely replaced because of structural integrity issues rather than to smooth out bumps since it is invariably underwater every time the river floods but I regret to hear those wonderful old trains are gone and about the issues with overly aggressive trim brakes that seem to be occurring.
Great video, Jamin! I have always loved this coaster. It has given both good and bad rides but the fact that it still operates is incredible! I had no idea B&M had something to do with the newer trains. I believe that is only the second coaster they worked on the trains but not the ride itself. Well, third if you count their very first project prior to Iron Wolf when they created the trains for Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great America.
Thank you Sean! I don't know if you've ridden Revolution at SFMM since that ride got its new trains in 2016, but these trains are the same design as those with a few tiny differences.
I grew up riding Shock Wave many many times and I gotta say, this looks more fun to me, maybe its a grass is greener moment but man that banked dive at 6:10 looks amazing! Love the classic RCT tracks in this video! Great stuff man!
As someone who grew up near SFOT and has ridden Mindbender, it depends on what you're looking for in a coaster (or at least did, prior to the refurb; I haven't gotten to ride it since then, but if what I've heard is true, Mindbender isn't anywhere near the ride it used to be). The airtime on Shockwave is much stronger than Mindbender's ever was (Mindbender's pops are nothing like the ejector on Shockwave's second and third drops), and so are the positive Gs in the loops; however, Mindbender's pacing was better, and the ride felt more complete.
I grew up with Mindbender and it's an absolute classic, thanks for putting this together. I am bonkers for B&M 4-seat inverts, but this one still has a place near the top of my list. As you said, this one is not only thrilling but it uses the terrain beautifully and creatively. The vertical loops got all the hype, but the horizontal loop was to me the secret star of the ride.
The Mindbender had the BEST foliage in the park imo! It was so intense when I was young in the late 90's. Also LOVE the RCT music in the background lmao. Love this vid
I grew up in the 80's and 90's and, although I didn't live all that close to Atlanta, I lived close enough to make it to the park once every 2 or 3 years. The Mindbender was my favorite roller coaster growing up and still is to this very day in my 40's. From start to finish, it's the epitome of a "fun" roller coaster, imo.
Great video! A true love letter. I was pretty heartbroken to hear this coaster received new and smaller trains. I’ve been wanting to ride this since I was a kid, it seemed to be the coaster enthusiast favorite steel coaster throughout the 80s. It’s good to know though that the new trains don’t harm the experience as much as the brake system, which doesn’t seem to be consistent. Hopefully I get out there on a slower day down the road, I’ll be riding this several times for sure! Still quite excited after all these years.
This may be the definitive Mind Bender video! Really enjoyed it, and I have the exact some passion for this ride as it was my first looping coaster too. Looking forward to more Clever Coaster videos in the future!
Loved this in-depth look at mindbender. This was my 2nd ever looping coaster and I rode it back in 2004. Being 9-10 at the time and having never visited the park before, I had no idea there was a 2nd loop 😂 you can imagine my shock and surprise of seeing the 2nd loop after “surviving” the first one as I was still afraid of the idea of going upside down 😂
Hey man thanks for doing this. Mindbender is my classic starting coaster. Started riding it with the brown paint scheme as a kid and was so scared of it lol. Only one I haven’t rode is the current purple train version. Good video keep up the good work 👍🏽
Even though opinions on the new trains are mixed I'm glad they have decided to keep this ride for the long haul. These kinds of coasters are getting rarer and rarer
I have to say I am a very brave roller coaster fan myself and I have always been very obsessed with this historic 1978 Schwarzkopf looper! The last time I went to Georgia was when my mom and I went to visit family down there! That was when I got to visit Six Flags over Georgia and rode the Mindbender 2 times on the front seat! The first time I took the 1st ride was with my mom! Then I went on the Mindbender by myself! I had so much fun! That was back in the summer of 2019! I’ve always described Mindbender as the most historic 1978 Anton Schwarzkopf looper and for this ride to get modernized by Six Flags I think I might go to Georgia again next summer if I have the time to do it! Then I might take a ride on the new and improved version of Mindbender! I do have a question! Have you ever been to Kings Island in Cincinnati and have you ever been on Orion? There’s a new 2020 Bolliger and Mabillard Giga Roller Coaster that replaced the old Firehawk roller coaster!
From 2002-2004, SFOG was my home park when I was stationed at nearby Fort McPherson (now the home of Tyler Perry’s production studios). Mindbender was one of my favorites. I remember the great surprise of the second loop because it was hidden by the trees and terrain features. Thanks for this burst of nostalgia. I hope they do fix the issues you addressed so every rider can count on the intense fun I remember.
Great video! This is my home park, I first rode Mindbender around 1983. I too was disappointed with how much they slowed it with the refurb. Hopefully they get it sorted out.
Couldn't tell you how many times I've been on this coaster since 79. On multiple occasions, I was able to stay on the ride for upwards of 15-20 circuits at 1 time. I was 16 when it debuted and was there the first weekend. Had many friends that worked for the park and have had season passes every season until 3 years ago.
Great idea for a series covering the subtler parts of coaster layout design, would be really cool to hear you cover more of the earlier coasters with unusually good pacing.
What a groovy post!👊🏾 You gave me a gut punch when you said your 1st ride was in 2K 🥴; I've ridden this classic since 1980 (man i'm old🤦🏾♂️), in all 4 color versions.🥰 What I hate most about it all now is just how many trees that were removed from layout! (Mine Train also.)😤 But very glad they are both still operational and SFOG will see to their survival. 🥳🍻
Excellent video! I was surprised that I have never seen your videos before, but then I realized how small this channel still is (and you really deserve more subscribers, my fingers are crossed for you to get them). On the Schwarzkopf topic, I am a huge fan of these coasters, no surprise growing up in the country where they are from. The first big looper I remember seeing was Dreier Looping, though I was too small to ride. With Thriller, my parents wouldn't let me ride it after what they had heard about the ride's intensity. But whenever I get the chance, I will ride a good classic Schwarzkopf. I didn't have the chance to go to Six Flags over Georgia yet, but it is on my bucket list. Living on the other side of the ocean, I didn't hear about Mindbender and Shock Wave until the early 2000s, and the first thing coming to my mind when I saw this track design was Intamin - I guess they also drew a lot of inspiration from it. Just look at all their really tall models built in the early 2000s. One thing always irritates me about how those classic coasters are operated and modified in the US. As an example, take "Silver Bullet" at Frontier City, which is an easy comparison for me since I remember how we had Looping Stars around here. Difference 1: Seat belts. I know they are a relatively recent addition and even most of its life in the US happened without them, but in Germany you won't find them on such a ride. As a matter of fact, you hardly find seatbelts on coasters at all. If you don't count the ones that are not touching your body but just connect the restraint to the seat (think B&M invert here), seat belts on coasters are something for really high intensity rides only. The first two coasters I remember having lap belts here were Expedition GeForce and Colossos, which both are way more intense than Mindbeder could ever be, especially in the negative G's. Difference 2: Air gates. Back in the day, many coasters didn't have them. Especially the ones that were designed as transportable rides. And this also applied to Looping Stars - but in the US, they were added. This is a modification you rarely see here, if at all. I remember "Superwirbel", an Vekoma corkscrew operating without them until it was closed for good. (Well, technically it was designed as a transportable coaster, but imagine how transportable a coaster is when using the Arrow 4ft wide track profile.) People just waited behind a line on the station floor until they were able to board. And there was nobody between the queue and the station to only let a number of people into the station. Difference 3: Fences. Again, I am referring to that Looping Star - not too long ago, they installed a fence on top of the railing between the unload side of the station and the infield. I mean,.. why? There is just one train, and when it is not in the station, that platform will not have any guests on it, only the ride operator will be there. So even if a stupid guest would jump the railing after getting off the ride, they wouldn't be in immediate danger, just delaying the next dispatch. It is even more ridiculous if you know that this side was originally the loading side, with people lining up to ride on this platform, when the coaster still ran up to three trains! I am in no way promoting unsafe operation of any amusement ride, and there are some countries where I would never board any amusement ride, regardless of what it is. But Germany has a pretty good safety record, so I think we found a pretty good balance between safety and convenience. When it comes to new trains for old coasters, I always wonder why they don't just build new trains using the old drawings, creating a replica of the original train. Especially the steel fabrication should not be an issue. The fiberglass parts may be, as the original molds are most likely lost, but those parts can often be restored and bear no load to begin with. I just like the old Schwarzkopf design so much (and even more so the first generation design that was only used on three coasters with only one train being left in operating condition today) that I hate to see trains that look differently on these historic tracks.
I only recently stumbled across your platform. However, I have to tell you how impressive your presentation for this was. It appears you really did your research, and combined with your firsthand personal knowledge of how this ride operated (both before and after refurbishment) you are a very qualified spokesperson. I love your enthusiasm and passion for your subject matter, It sells what you’re speaking about, almost quite literally. I’ve never been to this park but it makes me want to go specifically to try this ride based on what you discussed. With that said, spectacular video and breakdown for something that obviously means a lot to you 👏👏👏
Great video! This would definitely make a good series, I love looking at coaster designs through this lens. To answer the Gerstlauer question, I'm pretty sure Six Flags will never work with them again after the New Texas Giant accident. Obviously that will change with time and turnover in both companies, but for now I doubt Six Flags is willing to trust Gerstlauer with any of their rides.
This is very true. That accident had to have tarnished their working relationship. The B&M trains are also the same design that was made for Revolution's renovation at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2016. Six Flags was probably really happy with how those turned out, so I'm not surprised at all they went with those trains. I just wish they could've made them 6 or 7 cars long. =/
My understanding of the Six Flags and Gerstlauer situation is that it's the other way around -- Six Flags sued Gerstlauer (there were lawsuits flying in all directions after the NTG accident), and it's Gerstlauer who has decided that they're unwilling to work with Six Flags as a result.
Awesome video. There is nothing that can beat personal experience when giving a background story. I rode my first coaster at age 7yo....in the 60's.... Easter show New Zealand. Love the thrills.
18:08 Six Flags has said they will never work with Gerstlauer again after the New Texas Giant incident. It's kinda goofy if you ask me, since I'm pretty sure that accident was entirely operator error, but that is the reason why they didn't do that.
I rode Mindbender for the first time in 1978 - just a few months after it opened and it's always been my favorite ride at Six Flags over Georgia. I only first road Shockwave at Six flags over Texas last year and I have to say that except for the double loops, the layout and the ride after that are really boring. Just curious why you rank it higher than Mindbender especially after your great description of the pacing of Mindbender.
Shockwave is taller, faster, pulls higher Gs in the loops, and has two really strong back row airtime drops that follow, so it’s technically more forceful, but you are right. The ride loses its excitement really quickly around those last couple of flat turns. Even though I never said it in the video, I still think Mindbender is the better coaster, because it’s executed so much better despite being slightly less forceful overall. That’s what I was trying to say. I was more or less trying to speak objectively about the comparison between the two, and how Shockwave is more forceful and still runs it’s original 7 car trains, and therefore still runs as it was intended. I probably should’ve made that more clear.
Childhood fave - Space Mountain at DL Anaheim. Still stands up as a great ride and seems to have a lot in common with Mindbender, although made for younger riders and definitely less intense.
As a former ride op for defunct AstroWorld, Greezed Lightning was fun to run, ride, watch. I snagged some "loop bolts" during a walk through also from Viper. To hear the flywheel/clutch engage/disengage was "magic!" Ever since the accident @ Six Flags Over Texas w/ Gertslauer train (I suspect that's why they didn't have them do refurb) Love Mindbender & Shock Wave. Came close to meeting Werner @ IAAPA when he got inducted to Hall of Fame. Met Weiland Schwarzkopf though.
I've got so many memories on the three Schwarzkopfs at Astroworld! It's too bad they could never get Taz's Texas Tornado running consistently; it was probably the craziest ride I've ever been on, even wilder than any RMC or Intamin today.
@@cynicanal111 Taz was temperamental in America. It was to HOT to run here or Vallejo, CA. It would valley here in Houston. There was also a "lift" incident with the friction drive. Revolution started as a friction drive, then a chain lift.
@@michaeltaylor1603 I never saw Taz valley at Astroworld, but I do remember the lift hill rollback causing a station collision (and the ludicrously loud anti-rollbacks that were installed before it reopened).
It would be more accurate to say that SooperDooperLooper at Hersheypark is Revolution's sister coaster, and Mindbender is Shockwave at SFOT's sister coaster. Mindbender and Shockwave were a later generation of Schwarzkopf looper with a different track design, and were the first two coasters in the world to feature heartlining.
Mindbender was my first intense looping coaster back in the early 90's we'll always have a special place in my heart! ♥🙌 I kind of wish they would go back to the old trains I really like those better.
i love the video, just curious, do you have anything else coming for the clever coasters series? this one was really well written and produced and i'd love to see more similar videos.
Thank you! I have a short list of coasters I'd like to cover, including a half written script for a new video, but since taking a new full time job, I'm not sure when I'll find the time to put a new video together soon, but I'm sure I'll make a new one at some point in the future!
Wow I just visited over georgia for the first time this year and had no idea that this ride had just been updated. Disappointed to have missed out on the original, but it was still one of the highlights of my trip nonetheless
When I saw “Mindbender” and “Schwarzkopf” ….. I was surprised when you weren’t talking about the only triple loooing indoor steel coaster … granted, yes, there was ONE ACCIDENT EVER on it. Although…. Due to maintenance needing parts that are stuck in the supply chain fiasco, Mindbender at Galaxyland in West Edmonton Mall is now … SBNO.
Wish I could’ve experienced the pre-2020 Mindbender. I was ecstatic to ride a piece of coaster history earlier this year either way, but was somewhat underwhelmed by the ride experience. I’m a big fan of classic rides though so I’m glad they kept it around rather than getting rid of it entirely.
The reason why Six Flags did not choose them? Gertslauer! Six Flags has not worked with them since that lady died on the New Texas Giant! Six Flags blames Gertslauer for that accident as it was Gerstlauer designed the trains for it, and Six Flags have vowed to never work with Gertslauer again and have stuck with that feeling!
I feel a large reason as to why they did not go with Gerstlauer/ Ride Entertainment has to do with their relationship. After the New Texas Giant Acciden, SIx Flags instead of taking accountability for their own negligence shifted the blame onto Gerstlauer as they are the ones that designed the trains for that ride. As far as I’m aware Six Flags and Gerstlauer have not worked together since that accident.
Wonderful video!! It shows a real problem in the Industry right now as most Theme Park companies are trying to make their older rides 'modern' for today's standards, and modern doesn't equal better all the time. What's wrong with a simple, good old fashioned, fun coaster, water ride, or a dark ride that isn't trying to be groundbreaking or world class? Does it really need to be modernised to still be considered good nowadays? I believe not. Sometimes, it's a rides imperfections and simplicity is what makes it great. Anyway, would love to ride it, looks great with how it interacts with the natural scenery and terrain. Shame I won't be able to experience its pre-2020 form :(
Thank you! And really good points! In Mindbender’s case, I heard rumors that the ride’s maintenance was getting really difficult for the park pre-2020, and they were running out of spare parts, so it was either this or shut it down for good. I’m extremely happy they decided to keep it going, but as other updated Schwarzkopfs show, it’s totally possible to modernize a ride without neutering the experience.
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv Just curious, where did you hear that from? I was told the new cars were lighter. They certainly have a simpler build. From pics I've seen of the half built trains, the bulk of the weight is only in the chassis while the fiberglass seat molds are one large mold per row and are bolted to small brackets that only stick up a few inches on either side. The old trains had a steel frame that went up to almost shoulder height, had thick flat rubber seats, and overall just seemed really beefy and had a lot more parts. Would the steel used for the new trains be heavier? I don't know lol.
@@ClothoidLooper I've never seen a teardown of the new trains, but B&M trains are notoriously heavy (and not just their trains for their own rides; their wooden coaster trains were infamous for being stupidly heavier than any others that have ever existed), and I'd be shocked if they suddenly discovered the merits of being lightweight now. EDIT: I should add, the length of the trains matters even when the weight is the same. Shorter trains will naturally take valleys faster and peaks slower, just because of how the CG is distributed over the track. Schwarzkopf coasters prior to Thriller always put their inversions directly after a speed-controlled drop (either a lift hill and then drop, or a brake section and then drop), with the sole exception of the shuttle loops (where it's obviously impossible to do that). This means that the brakes have to hit a shorter train harder to get it to the same speed at the bottom of the hill, when it was already going slower at the top of the hills... so a shorter train of the same weight will probably have significantly worse ride dynamics than a longer one.
@@ClothoidLooper yep watched it in HD in the end. Very well done! When Aireforce One opens i'll make my way to SFOG and ride Mindbender. Revolution, Superdooper Looper and Scorpion are all great fun too.
@@Marty_NZ Thank you so much Marty! I’m also super excited for ArieForce One. That coaster looks bonkers. I hope Mindbender will be open and running well for your visit! It’s still such a charming fun ride despite its current struggles.
I got to experience this one for the 1st time July 2022......it was enjoyable but I was less than impressed with the ride crew. No enthusiasm, no ride facts, no general instructions just no talking at all and very loose car checks. This seemed to be a general attitude amongst most of the ride crews throughout the park which made the overall experience just ok....my home park is Cedar Point so when I go and visit parks I have not yet been to I get super excited and this one was just "Eh". Will give it 2nd chance when in Georgia again hopefully it was an off day.
Glad you enjoyed the ride! But yes, you're unfortunately right. The employee culture at Six Flags Over Georgia isn't good. I haven't seen motivated staff that are passionate about the park in many years, and it's sad, because the bones of an amazing regional park are there, but right now the park feels really stale and lifeless. =(
I really enjoyed your video. I was fortunate to work at the Mindbender in 1984, 1985 and 1986. It was painted brown and tan for the 1985 season. We had 3 silver trains with rainbow stripes. The starting color of the stripe indicated the color of the train. Black, blue and green. Cars 6 and 7 had seatbelts and to ride in the very last row, you had to have 2 people 12 years of age and older. The safety system only allowed 2 train operation and we had a dispatch interval in the horseshoe at brake 2. If we didn’t dispatch a train at that time, you would have 2 trains in the same block and the reduction brake would not open causing a ride breakdown. During 2 train operation it took a crew of 5 on the dock checking lapbars because of the dispatch time. I enjoyed my 10 years working at the park and was lucky enough to work at the best! Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
That's so awesome! Thank you for the fun info! I wish I could've been around to see how y'all operated MB in its prime!
I grew up on the Mindbender and it is still my favorite coaster in the park. Being a teen in the 90s and spending tons of time at the park, the sound of the trains going through the loops on the Mindbender and the Viper is permanently etched into my brain.
Such good times.
This is actually the first Rollercoaster I rode in my life. It has a special place for me.
This was my first upside down coaster! Used to run through the line ques with my dad with 15 min until park close riding it as many times as they'd let us. Its the best.
This is a beautiful tribute to another classic Schwarzkopf coaster! I love too how you referenced the SOUND that Schwarzkopf vertical loops make as the trains slam through them. My first coaster and the one that made me into a Coaster Enthusiast was the “Laser Loop” at Kennywood Park back in the 1980’s. That coaster was intense and pulled some serious G’s! I’ve been a Schwarzkopf fan for many many years. I now live not far away from Magic Mountain’s “Revolution” and Knotts Berry Farms “Montezoomas Revenge”. Long live Schwarzkopf loopers!!!
What a beautiful overview and tribute to Mindbender! This is so wonderfully written and presented. I love how you say the coaster feels deeply rooted in the park and how it provides a steady heartbeat. Keep it up!
Thank you so much!!! I'm a big fan of your videos, so this means a lot coming from you! =)
@@ClothoidLooper It was nice to stumble upon this tonight. 😊 Thanks for your kind words, and I’m looking forward to more of this series!
Incredible video and congrats on 500 subs! That nasty pothole that has developed at the bottom of the "horizontal loop" only seems to be getting worse. I just find it bizarre with how new the refurb is. That and the ride has been still been coming to a complete stop on the midcourse brakes. Oh well, just glad to at least have some version of the ride still standing I suppose.
You are a true kindred spirit! As many times as I’ve ridden Mindbender, you pointed out several subtleties that I’d never considered before.
It is true that her rides now can be inconsistent, but somehow I find that endearing. Each ride varies in speed and braking, and those will vary, sometimes quite a bit, depending on which of the three trains you’re on. I think it adds an element of delicious surprise and ensures you’re never bored.
Maybe I’m just blinded by fierce loyalty, but I will always find more to love about her than not.
Thank you for your passion…I’d love to see a Part 2 in 2028💚
Mindbender was my very first roller coaster, it terrified me so much I didn't ride another roller coaster for 10 years. Once I got over my fear, I re-rode Mindbender and fell in love with coasters. SFOG is my home park, Mindbender is a must every single time I visit!
Amazing video! I rode mind bender for the first time in 1995 as an 8 year old and it became the number one coaster would ride every time I went to Six Flags. I remember when it was the dark brown as well LOL. I'm glad SFOG maintained the ride and didn't replace it.
My first ride on MB was in 1995. Like you, finally decided it was time to leave bugs bunny world and the dahlonega mine train and start riding larger coasters. Ninja (Blue Hawk)was my first looper and I remember waiting in line with my friend laughing about how funny it would be for a looping coaster to not have shoulder restraints. 😧 was my face entering the station. Almost backed out, but glad I didn't.
As far as it which is more intense, SW or MB, I'm going with MB just because after the the double loop and that one crazy air time hill there isn't much to it. But I remember when SW was somewhat new and it was the scariest thing I had ever seen. I'm also a bit biased because when i was in high school mind bender was one of many rides I got to operate working at SFOG in the early 2000s. During that time I got several rides on a TRIMLESS mind bender and it is literally insane lol. Core memory lol. Thanks for this vid.
I first road Mindbender in the summer of 92 as a 21 year old newly moved to Atlanta. The brown track was still part of the color scheme in those days and the only other steel coaster in the park was Ninja. I grew up near Busch Gardens Williamsburg and that first impression of SFOG was somewhat underwhelming to me. The park has grown a lot since then and Mindbender has grown a lot in my esteem since that first ride as well. I grew up with the Loch Ness Monster, she was my first adult coaster and like your description of Mindbender she holds a special place in my heart, but Mindbender has it's own nostalgia for me now as well and I'm rather distressed to hear about the changes they've made. That piece of track was likely replaced because of structural integrity issues rather than to smooth out bumps since it is invariably underwater every time the river floods but I regret to hear those wonderful old trains are gone and about the issues with overly aggressive trim brakes that seem to be occurring.
Just subscribed. Love your presentation, pleasant to listen to.
Awesome video! Really miss the old trains and haven’t been back to ride it with the new ones. Used to be my favorite coaster in the park!
Thank you! I miss them a lot too. OG Schwarzkopf trains are some of the best coaster trains ever made, unless you're over 6 feet 😅.
Great video, Jamin! I have always loved this coaster. It has given both good and bad rides but the fact that it still operates is incredible! I had no idea B&M had something to do with the newer trains. I believe that is only the second coaster they worked on the trains but not the ride itself. Well, third if you count their very first project prior to Iron Wolf when they created the trains for Rolling Thunder at Six Flags Great America.
Thank you Sean! I don't know if you've ridden Revolution at SFMM since that ride got its new trains in 2016, but these trains are the same design as those with a few tiny differences.
Oh man please make more like this! It’s like a mini documentary, great editing also! Subscribed and Dinged!
I grew up riding Shock Wave many many times and I gotta say, this looks more fun to me, maybe its a grass is greener moment but man that banked dive at 6:10 looks amazing! Love the classic RCT tracks in this video! Great stuff man!
As someone who grew up near SFOT and has ridden Mindbender, it depends on what you're looking for in a coaster (or at least did, prior to the refurb; I haven't gotten to ride it since then, but if what I've heard is true, Mindbender isn't anywhere near the ride it used to be). The airtime on Shockwave is much stronger than Mindbender's ever was (Mindbender's pops are nothing like the ejector on Shockwave's second and third drops), and so are the positive Gs in the loops; however, Mindbender's pacing was better, and the ride felt more complete.
I grew up with Mindbender and it's an absolute classic, thanks for putting this together. I am bonkers for B&M 4-seat inverts, but this one still has a place near the top of my list. As you said, this one is not only thrilling but it uses the terrain beautifully and creatively. The vertical loops got all the hype, but the horizontal loop was to me the secret star of the ride.
Well researched enough to be insightful and made with SO much love! Based on this video, I'd love to see this become a series.
The Mindbender had the BEST foliage in the park imo! It was so intense when I was young in the late 90's. Also LOVE the RCT music in the background lmao. Love this vid
I grew up in the 80's and 90's and, although I didn't live all that close to Atlanta, I lived close enough to make it to the park once every 2 or 3 years. The Mindbender was my favorite roller coaster growing up and still is to this very day in my 40's. From start to finish, it's the epitome of a "fun" roller coaster, imo.
Great video! A true love letter. I was pretty heartbroken to hear this coaster received new and smaller trains. I’ve been wanting to ride this since I was a kid, it seemed to be the coaster enthusiast favorite steel coaster throughout the 80s. It’s good to know though that the new trains don’t harm the experience as much as the brake system, which doesn’t seem to be consistent. Hopefully I get out there on a slower day down the road, I’ll be riding this several times for sure! Still quite excited after all these years.
Thank you! I highly recommend coming on a June weekday. Super light crowds, and the hot weather guarantees all the coasters run nice and quick.
This may be the definitive Mind Bender video! Really enjoyed it, and I have the exact some passion for this ride as it was my first looping coaster too. Looking forward to more Clever Coaster videos in the future!
Loved this in-depth look at mindbender. This was my 2nd ever looping coaster and I rode it back in 2004. Being 9-10 at the time and having never visited the park before, I had no idea there was a 2nd loop 😂 you can imagine my shock and surprise of seeing the 2nd loop after “surviving” the first one as I was still afraid of the idea of going upside down 😂
Hey man thanks for doing this. Mindbender is my classic starting coaster. Started riding it with the brown paint scheme as a kid and was so scared of it lol. Only one I haven’t rode is the current purple train version. Good video keep up the good work 👍🏽
Even though opinions on the new trains are mixed I'm glad they have decided to keep this ride for the long haul. These kinds of coasters are getting rarer and rarer
I have to say I am a very brave roller coaster fan myself and I have always been very obsessed with this historic 1978 Schwarzkopf looper! The last time I went to Georgia was when my mom and I went to visit family down there! That was when I got to visit Six Flags over Georgia and rode the Mindbender 2 times on the front seat! The first time I took the 1st ride was with my mom! Then I went on the Mindbender by myself! I had so much fun! That was back in the summer of 2019! I’ve always described Mindbender as the most historic 1978 Anton Schwarzkopf looper and for this ride to get modernized by Six Flags I think I might go to Georgia again next summer if I have the time to do it! Then I might take a ride on the new and improved version of Mindbender!
I do have a question! Have you ever been to Kings Island in Cincinnati and have you ever been on Orion? There’s a new 2020 Bolliger and Mabillard Giga Roller Coaster that replaced the old Firehawk roller coaster!
From 2002-2004, SFOG was my home park when I was stationed at nearby Fort McPherson (now the home of Tyler Perry’s production studios). Mindbender was one of my favorites. I remember the great surprise of the second loop because it was hidden by the trees and terrain features. Thanks for this burst of nostalgia. I hope they do fix the issues you addressed so every rider can count on the intense fun I remember.
Great video! This is my home park, I first rode Mindbender around 1983. I too was disappointed with how much they slowed it with the refurb. Hopefully they get it sorted out.
Couldn't tell you how many times I've been on this coaster since 79. On multiple occasions, I was able to stay on the ride for upwards of 15-20 circuits at 1 time. I was 16 when it debuted and was there the first weekend. Had many friends that worked for the park and have had season passes every season until 3 years ago.
My all-time, favorite ride in the park! Lots of great memories.
What an awesome video with a great concept! I definitely want to hear about more clever coasters and the storytelling within the ride itself
Excellent video, would love to see you make more.
I love the Roller Coaster Tycoon game music in the background.
Great idea for a series covering the subtler parts of coaster layout design, would be really cool to hear you cover more of the earlier coasters with unusually good pacing.
Thanks! I have a few others in mind that I don't hear many people talk about!
I love to see a good positive video about a specific coaster. You see so many video about rough and bad rides. It’s refreshing.
What a groovy post!👊🏾 You gave me a gut punch when you said your 1st ride was in 2K 🥴; I've ridden this classic since 1980 (man i'm old🤦🏾♂️), in all 4 color versions.🥰 What I hate most about it all now is just how many trees that were removed from layout! (Mine Train also.)😤 But very glad they are both still operational and SFOG will see to their survival. 🥳🍻
Excellent video! I was surprised that I have never seen your videos before, but then I realized how small this channel still is (and you really deserve more subscribers, my fingers are crossed for you to get them). On the Schwarzkopf topic, I am a huge fan of these coasters, no surprise growing up in the country where they are from. The first big looper I remember seeing was Dreier Looping, though I was too small to ride. With Thriller, my parents wouldn't let me ride it after what they had heard about the ride's intensity. But whenever I get the chance, I will ride a good classic Schwarzkopf.
I didn't have the chance to go to Six Flags over Georgia yet, but it is on my bucket list.
Living on the other side of the ocean, I didn't hear about Mindbender and Shock Wave until the early 2000s, and the first thing coming to my mind when I saw this track design was Intamin - I guess they also drew a lot of inspiration from it. Just look at all their really tall models built in the early 2000s.
One thing always irritates me about how those classic coasters are operated and modified in the US. As an example, take "Silver Bullet" at Frontier City, which is an easy comparison for me since I remember how we had Looping Stars around here.
Difference 1: Seat belts. I know they are a relatively recent addition and even most of its life in the US happened without them, but in Germany you won't find them on such a ride. As a matter of fact, you hardly find seatbelts on coasters at all. If you don't count the ones that are not touching your body but just connect the restraint to the seat (think B&M invert here), seat belts on coasters are something for really high intensity rides only. The first two coasters I remember having lap belts here were Expedition GeForce and Colossos, which both are way more intense than Mindbeder could ever be, especially in the negative G's.
Difference 2: Air gates. Back in the day, many coasters didn't have them. Especially the ones that were designed as transportable rides. And this also applied to Looping Stars - but in the US, they were added. This is a modification you rarely see here, if at all. I remember "Superwirbel", an Vekoma corkscrew operating without them until it was closed for good. (Well, technically it was designed as a transportable coaster, but imagine how transportable a coaster is when using the Arrow 4ft wide track profile.) People just waited behind a line on the station floor until they were able to board. And there was nobody between the queue and the station to only let a number of people into the station.
Difference 3: Fences. Again, I am referring to that Looping Star - not too long ago, they installed a fence on top of the railing between the unload side of the station and the infield. I mean,.. why? There is just one train, and when it is not in the station, that platform will not have any guests on it, only the ride operator will be there. So even if a stupid guest would jump the railing after getting off the ride, they wouldn't be in immediate danger, just delaying the next dispatch. It is even more ridiculous if you know that this side was originally the loading side, with people lining up to ride on this platform, when the coaster still ran up to three trains!
I am in no way promoting unsafe operation of any amusement ride, and there are some countries where I would never board any amusement ride, regardless of what it is. But Germany has a pretty good safety record, so I think we found a pretty good balance between safety and convenience.
When it comes to new trains for old coasters, I always wonder why they don't just build new trains using the old drawings, creating a replica of the original train. Especially the steel fabrication should not be an issue. The fiberglass parts may be, as the original molds are most likely lost, but those parts can often be restored and bear no load to begin with. I just like the old Schwarzkopf design so much (and even more so the first generation design that was only used on three coasters with only one train being left in operating condition today) that I hate to see trains that look differently on these historic tracks.
Great coaster! I rode this back in the mid 90's before and after the park painted it green.
I only recently stumbled across your platform. However, I have to tell you how impressive your presentation for this was. It appears you really did your research, and combined with your firsthand personal knowledge of how this ride operated (both before and after refurbishment) you are a very qualified spokesperson. I love your enthusiasm and passion for your subject matter, It sells what you’re speaking about, almost quite literally. I’ve never been to this park but it makes me want to go specifically to try this ride based on what you discussed. With that said, spectacular video and breakdown for something that obviously means a lot to you 👏👏👏
This is one of the roller coasters on my bucket list. I remember seeing it in a book a long time ago. Since then i have wanted to ride it
Great video! This would definitely make a good series, I love looking at coaster designs through this lens.
To answer the Gerstlauer question, I'm pretty sure Six Flags will never work with them again after the New Texas Giant accident. Obviously that will change with time and turnover in both companies, but for now I doubt Six Flags is willing to trust Gerstlauer with any of their rides.
This is very true. That accident had to have tarnished their working relationship.
The B&M trains are also the same design that was made for Revolution's renovation at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2016. Six Flags was probably really happy with how those turned out, so I'm not surprised at all they went with those trains. I just wish they could've made them 6 or 7 cars long. =/
I came here to say the same. 😅
My understanding of the Six Flags and Gerstlauer situation is that it's the other way around -- Six Flags sued Gerstlauer (there were lawsuits flying in all directions after the NTG accident), and it's Gerstlauer who has decided that they're unwilling to work with Six Flags as a result.
That was a great video! Instantly subscribed.
Awesome video.
There is nothing that can beat personal experience when giving a background story.
I rode my first coaster at age 7yo....in the 60's.... Easter show New Zealand. Love the thrills.
18:08 Six Flags has said they will never work with Gerstlauer again after the New Texas Giant incident. It's kinda goofy if you ask me, since I'm pretty sure that accident was entirely operator error, but that is the reason why they didn't do that.
Fantastic video, you definitely won earned yourself a new subscriber!
I rode Mindbender for the first time in 1978 - just a few months after it opened and it's always been my favorite ride at Six Flags over Georgia. I only first road Shockwave at Six flags over Texas last year and I have to say that except for the double loops, the layout and the ride after that are really boring. Just curious why you rank it higher than Mindbender especially after your great description of the pacing of Mindbender.
Shockwave is taller, faster, pulls higher Gs in the loops, and has two really strong back row airtime drops that follow, so it’s technically more forceful, but you are right. The ride loses its excitement really quickly around those last couple of flat turns. Even though I never said it in the video, I still think Mindbender is the better coaster, because it’s executed so much better despite being slightly less forceful overall. That’s what I was trying to say.
I was more or less trying to speak objectively about the comparison between the two, and how Shockwave is more forceful and still runs it’s original 7 car trains, and therefore still runs as it was intended. I probably should’ve made that more clear.
Thought it might be about WEM Mindbender. But nice to see this video, and learn something new.
Excellent video!!! That’s my brother!!! 🎉 Also, I’m a huge fan of The Hulk at Islands, that moment it shoots you off is such a rush!
I love how you use the roller coaster tycoon music in this vide!!
Thanks for your well done video! My personal favorite steel, I rode opening weekend and fell in love!
I hate the new trains and way it’s operated.
Childhood fave - Space Mountain at DL Anaheim. Still stands up as a great ride and seems to have a lot in common with Mindbender, although made for younger riders and definitely less intense.
That's a really fun one! I got to ride it once several years ago and thought it was blast! No pun intended😅
As a former ride op for defunct AstroWorld, Greezed Lightning was fun to run, ride, watch. I snagged some "loop bolts" during a walk through also from Viper. To hear the flywheel/clutch engage/disengage was "magic!" Ever since the accident @ Six Flags Over Texas w/ Gertslauer train (I suspect that's why they didn't have them do refurb) Love Mindbender & Shock Wave. Came close to meeting Werner @ IAAPA when he got inducted to Hall of Fame. Met Weiland Schwarzkopf though.
I've got so many memories on the three Schwarzkopfs at Astroworld! It's too bad they could never get Taz's Texas Tornado running consistently; it was probably the craziest ride I've ever been on, even wilder than any RMC or Intamin today.
@@cynicanal111 Taz was temperamental in America. It was to HOT to run here or Vallejo, CA. It would valley here in Houston. There was also a "lift" incident with the friction drive. Revolution started as a friction drive, then a chain lift.
@@michaeltaylor1603 I never saw Taz valley at Astroworld, but I do remember the lift hill rollback causing a station collision (and the ludicrously loud anti-rollbacks that were installed before it reopened).
I really enjoyed this deep dive. Your passion really came thru! Looking forward to more like this.
What a great video on Revolution’s Six Flags Sister. Were the iconic 1970’s chaser lights removed in the renovation?
I want to say they were removed when the ride got a repaint in 2008. I miss them a lot. The ride was so pretty at night.
It would be more accurate to say that SooperDooperLooper at Hersheypark is Revolution's sister coaster, and Mindbender is Shockwave at SFOT's sister coaster. Mindbender and Shockwave were a later generation of Schwarzkopf looper with a different track design, and were the first two coasters in the world to feature heartlining.
Mindbender was my first intense looping coaster back in the early 90's we'll always have a special place in my heart! ♥🙌 I kind of wish they would go back to the old trains I really like those better.
I love it! It was my first steel coaster!
i love the video, just curious, do you have anything else coming for the clever coasters series? this one was really well written and produced and i'd love to see more similar videos.
Thank you! I have a short list of coasters I'd like to cover, including a half written script for a new video, but since taking a new full time job, I'm not sure when I'll find the time to put a new video together soon, but I'm sure I'll make a new one at some point in the future!
@@ClothoidLooper ah, that makes sense. take your time, quality (and real life) over quantity. I'm excited for the new vid, whenever it comes out!
What is the name of the song that starts at 7:10, idk why but that sounds really nostalgic to me.
It's a music loop from Roller Coaster Tycoon 1 called "Mechanical Style."
@@ClothoidLooper Thanks man, now I know why it's so nostalgic!
Wow I just visited over georgia for the first time this year and had no idea that this ride had just been updated. Disappointed to have missed out on the original, but it was still one of the highlights of my trip nonetheless
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
When I saw “Mindbender” and “Schwarzkopf” ….. I was surprised when you weren’t talking about the only triple loooing indoor steel coaster … granted, yes, there was ONE ACCIDENT EVER on it. Although…. Due to maintenance needing parts that are stuck in the supply chain fiasco, Mindbender at Galaxyland in West Edmonton Mall is now … SBNO.
Great video. I can tell you put a lot of work into it. Keep it up 🔥🔥
What’s the song that’s playing at 12:11 ?
"Ice Style" - Roller Coaster Tycoon 1 soundtrack
Never been on this one , but shockwave was my first ever looping coaster. Still to this day , it’s awesome .
Same here. Although I only ever got to ride it once. Orient Express (RIP) was the only major coaster I got to ride multiple times.
great video you should make this a series
Planning on it!
I rode Mindbender back in 1985 for the first time...and haven't been back since...one time was enough for me!
Wish I could’ve experienced the pre-2020 Mindbender. I was ecstatic to ride a piece of coaster history earlier this year either way, but was somewhat underwhelmed by the ride experience. I’m a big fan of classic rides though so I’m glad they kept it around rather than getting rid of it entirely.
Fantastic video by the way. I really look forward to whatever you make next
@@deluxedoorman Thank you!
I became a enthusiast when rideing closses the fire dragon at lagoon
Six Flags didn't go with Gerstlauer because of the New Texas Giant incident, I'm assuming
Love the coaster, but it has a couple big potholes that make it rough to reride (imo)
It’s the terrain that sets this one apart.
The reason why Six Flags did not choose them? Gertslauer! Six Flags has not worked with them since that lady died on the New Texas Giant! Six Flags blames Gertslauer for that accident as it was Gerstlauer designed the trains for it, and Six Flags have vowed to never work with Gertslauer again and have stuck with that feeling!
I feel a large reason as to why they did not go with Gerstlauer/ Ride Entertainment has to do with their relationship. After the New Texas Giant Acciden, SIx Flags instead of taking accountability for their own negligence shifted the blame onto Gerstlauer as they are the ones that designed the trains for that ride. As far as I’m aware Six Flags and Gerstlauer have not worked together since that accident.
Wonderful video!!
It shows a real problem in the Industry right now as most Theme Park companies are trying to make their older rides 'modern' for today's standards, and modern doesn't equal better all the time. What's wrong with a simple, good old fashioned, fun coaster, water ride, or a dark ride that isn't trying to be groundbreaking or world class? Does it really need to be modernised to still be considered good nowadays? I believe not. Sometimes, it's a rides imperfections and simplicity is what makes it great. Anyway, would love to ride it, looks great with how it interacts with the natural scenery and terrain. Shame I won't be able to experience its pre-2020 form :(
Thank you! And really good points!
In Mindbender’s case, I heard rumors that the ride’s maintenance was getting really difficult for the park pre-2020, and they were running out of spare parts, so it was either this or shut it down for good. I’m extremely happy they decided to keep it going, but as other updated Schwarzkopfs show, it’s totally possible to modernize a ride without neutering the experience.
@@ClothoidLooper The reason they had to do it is due to the weight of the new trains, they are much heavier per car than the old trains
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv Just curious, where did you hear that from? I was told the new cars were lighter. They certainly have a simpler build. From pics I've seen of the half built trains, the bulk of the weight is only in the chassis while the fiberglass seat molds are one large mold per row and are bolted to small brackets that only stick up a few inches on either side. The old trains had a steel frame that went up to almost shoulder height, had thick flat rubber seats, and overall just seemed really beefy and had a lot more parts.
Would the steel used for the new trains be heavier? I don't know lol.
@@ClothoidLooper I've never seen a teardown of the new trains, but B&M trains are notoriously heavy (and not just their trains for their own rides; their wooden coaster trains were infamous for being stupidly heavier than any others that have ever existed), and I'd be shocked if they suddenly discovered the merits of being lightweight now.
EDIT: I should add, the length of the trains matters even when the weight is the same. Shorter trains will naturally take valleys faster and peaks slower, just because of how the CG is distributed over the track. Schwarzkopf coasters prior to Thriller always put their inversions directly after a speed-controlled drop (either a lift hill and then drop, or a brake section and then drop), with the sole exception of the shuttle loops (where it's obviously impossible to do that). This means that the brakes have to hit a shorter train harder to get it to the same speed at the bottom of the hill, when it was already going slower at the top of the hills... so a shorter train of the same weight will probably have significantly worse ride dynamics than a longer one.
Used to be my favorite coaster before the refurb.
great video
It's still stuck in 360p for me! I'll give it some more time to watch since this looks to be excellent!
Lol yeah I had to make some last minute changes so my upload schedule was super rushed. It should hopefully be in HD soon! 😅
@@ClothoidLooper yep watched it in HD in the end. Very well done! When Aireforce One opens i'll make my way to SFOG and ride Mindbender. Revolution, Superdooper Looper and Scorpion are all great fun too.
@@Marty_NZ Thank you so much Marty! I’m also super excited for ArieForce One. That coaster looks bonkers. I hope Mindbender will be open and running well for your visit! It’s still such a charming fun ride despite its current struggles.
The one at fantasyland in west Edmonton mall is a better mind bender even with the fatalities
make more of these videos
What a great video
thanks for the content you just earaned a sub
I got to experience this one for the 1st time July 2022......it was enjoyable but I was less than impressed with the ride crew. No enthusiasm, no ride facts, no general instructions just no talking at all and very loose car checks. This seemed to be a general attitude amongst most of the ride crews throughout the park which made the overall experience just ok....my home park is Cedar Point so when I go and visit parks I have not yet been to I get super excited and this one was just "Eh". Will give it 2nd chance when in Georgia again hopefully it was an off day.
Glad you enjoyed the ride! But yes, you're unfortunately right. The employee culture at Six Flags Over Georgia isn't good. I haven't seen motivated staff that are passionate about the park in many years, and it's sad, because the bones of an amazing regional park are there, but right now the park feels really stale and lifeless. =(
Schwarzkopf already has Mindbender in Canada, and it's actually real, not a simulation.
When I went on it it almost broke down 😂
Six flags can’t work with Gerslauer because of a previous lawsuit. You probably won’t ever see a new coaster from them in a six flags park.
Glad Shockwave still has the original trains.
Probably won't be forever. They will run into the same issue as SFOG eventually where it's new trains or scrap the ride
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv Shockwave was refurbed by Gerstlauer shortly before New Texas Giant opened, so it should be good to go for many years to come.