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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: hobochimp on August 08, 2018, 07:40:52 PM

Title: Going down board sizes?
Post by: hobochimp on August 08, 2018, 07:40:52 PM
I’ve always ridden bigger boards (8.8-9.25, with an 8.5 thrown in). I see a lot of people calling bigger boards a trend and just wanted to see what the general consensus was on sizing down. It would definitely open up opportunities to skate more brands and find boards more easily.

Note: I’m sort of a special case as I’m 6’5” and have size 12-13 feet depending on the shoe.
The smallest board I could ever see myself riding would be an 8.5 but I’m open to adapting possibly.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: nosneb on August 08, 2018, 07:45:04 PM
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbYlSK6lUCO/?hl=en&taken-by=professorschmitt
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on August 08, 2018, 08:35:57 PM
Depends on what you skate. I'm the exact same height as you, size 13 feet. I usually skate 8.5s, and try not to go under 14.5 in terms of wheelbase. I've skated the dlx 8.62 shape with a 14.75 wheelbase a few times, it's nice but definitely a hassle to do some tricks with, not as easy to manoeuvre especially if you skate mostly flat and ledges. Recently tried an 8.75 with a 14.75 wheelbase, too much effort and couldn't do a lot of my tricks. Feels really stable for wallies, skating really fast and things of that nature though.

If you skate more gaps, transition etc, then a bigger board will definitely feel more stable. I feel like taller skaters are more sensitive towards wheelbase which largely affects overall stability as opposed to width which affects how easily a board flips and your foot positioning. A lot of companies have been making 8.5 and wider boards with small wheelbases because everyone is skating bigger boards now but not everyone is really tall so it may pay to be more aware of the wheelbase dimensions on your boards.

Personally thinking of sizing down to 8.38 to see how it feels. I know that 8.5 is a safe bet for me and I'm pretty reluctant to go over that nowadays. Unless you skate exclusively tranny and huck, I don't imagine that an 8.8 - 9.25 is doing too much to benefit you.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: patrick c. on August 08, 2018, 08:38:19 PM
I'm 6'2" with size 12 feet and was skating 8.62's for a few years and recently came down to 8.25. If you do it gradually(an 8.5 followed by an 8.38 etc) and try to keep the wheelbase relatively constant(I really like 14.5" and try to always skate a deck with that wheelbase regardless of width) the transition is not bad at all.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on August 08, 2018, 08:41:13 PM
I'm 6'2" with size 12 feet and was skating 8.62's for a few years and recently came down to 8.25. If you do it gradually(an 8.5 followed by an 8.38 etc) and try to keep the wheelbase relatively constant(I really like 14.5" and try to always skate a deck with that wheelbase regardless of width) the transition is not bad at all.

How'd you find the gradual size down? Worth it?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: patrick c. on August 08, 2018, 09:30:32 PM
It made it less intimidating for me. Going from 8.62 to 8.5 isn't that bad & going from 8.5 to 8.38 isn't that bad & going from 8.38 to 8.25 isn't that bad. It's like a scaffold to build confidence on narrower boards(which I didn't have at all before). I think making an effort to keep the wheelbase of every deck the same helps tremendously.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on August 08, 2018, 09:47:18 PM
It made it less intimidating for me. Going from 8.62 to 8.5 isn't that bad & going from 8.5 to 8.38 isn't that bad & going from 8.38 to 8.25 isn't that bad. It's like a scaffold to build confidence on narrower boards(which I didn't have at all before). I think making an effort to keep the wheelbase of every deck the same helps tremendously.

I mean, do you prefer the 8.25 over the 8.62? You think the thinner profile makes tricks easier or do you ever miss the extra room of the 8.62. My main concern with sizing down is less room for your foot on nose/tailslides and also more chance or heel/toe drag when landing.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: HangtenNoseblunt on August 09, 2018, 12:14:31 AM
maybe im just not good enough to notice but i find board width pretty trivial I keep the same foot positions for every width and just put my front foot further up on the thinner boards

honestly i find steeper concave and tails fuck with me way more than width
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fs overkrook on August 09, 2018, 12:19:35 AM
I usually skate 8.5s and I went into the shop the other day to get an 8.25 because unfortunately I don’t get to skate as much as I’d like. I thought maybe I’d be able to skate easier or something, idk. Anyways I ended up walking out with the Matt Mumford “retirement plan” 8.6 deck and I regret it already. Doing that made me realize I should down size.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: patrick c. on August 09, 2018, 06:48:43 AM
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It made it less intimidating for me. Going from 8.62 to 8.5 isn't that bad & going from 8.5 to 8.38 isn't that bad & going from 8.38 to 8.25 isn't that bad. It's like a scaffold to build confidence on narrower boards(which I didn't have at all before). I think making an effort to keep the wheelbase of every deck the same helps tremendously.
[close]

I mean, do you prefer the 8.25 over the 8.62? You think the thinner profile makes tricks easier or do you ever miss the extra room of the 8.62. My main concern with sizing down is less room for your foot on nose/tailslides and also more chance or heel/toe drag when landing.
Oh sorry I didn't understand your question.  Yes I prefer 8.25 over 8.62 & for me at least it makes any trick where the board rotates or flips less clunky & more fluid.  I have barely any flip tricks & really want to improve on this so it really helps with that.  But yes you're right there is less room for your feet on slides & it's definitely noticeable.  A trade-off I guess.  I think getting a deck with a fuller shaped nose & tail might help a little with this(i.e. the Real full shapes).
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Firebert on August 09, 2018, 07:06:35 AM
I like the lighter weight of a smaller board. I keep wb within 1/8" and it's not really any different feeling
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: FrozenIndustries on August 09, 2018, 07:13:41 AM

6'3" and a size 11 here. I agree that it depends on what you're skating and that WB is way more crucial if you're tall.

Late spring/early summer I was skating mostly flatground and learning a lot of switch/nollie stuff, and I found a small (7.75") setup to be super helpful. As of the past few weeks, I have been spending more time pushing around in the streets, skating small transition, stuff like that, and an 8.5" is what feels right.

Both boards above have a 14.25" WB and I've found that is more important to me than width. A while ago I had 2 Quasi, boards...one was and 8.6" with a 15" WB and the other an 8.5" and a 14.125" WB. After the larger board got razor tailed, I switched to the shorter guy and I felt like my ankles were tied together. I got used to it, but it was so miserable.

I don't mean to encourage wheelbase madness, but...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on August 09, 2018, 12:14:57 PM
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It made it less intimidating for me. Going from 8.62 to 8.5 isn't that bad & going from 8.5 to 8.38 isn't that bad & going from 8.38 to 8.25 isn't that bad. It's like a scaffold to build confidence on narrower boards(which I didn't have at all before). I think making an effort to keep the wheelbase of every deck the same helps tremendously.
[close]

I mean, do you prefer the 8.25 over the 8.62? You think the thinner profile makes tricks easier or do you ever miss the extra room of the 8.62. My main concern with sizing down is less room for your foot on nose/tailslides and also more chance or heel/toe drag when landing.
[close]
Oh sorry I didn't understand your question.  Yes I prefer 8.25 over 8.62 & for me at least it makes any trick where the board rotates or flips less clunky & more fluid.  I have barely any flip tricks & really want to improve on this so it really helps with that.  But yes you're right there is less room for your feet on slides & it's definitely noticeable.  A trade-off I guess.  I think getting a deck with a fuller shaped nose & tail might help a little with this(i.e. the Real full shapes).

Thanks for the feedback. This sounds like what I imagined. I personally don't like square noses and tails for flatground at all, but really like it for nose/tail/blunt slides which I do a lot. Big tradeoff. Perhaps a full shape on a thinner board won't be as bad as a full 8.5 or 8.75 or something though.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: chris. on August 09, 2018, 01:14:32 PM
I'm 6'5", size 12 shoes and I started skating in 1999. My growth spurt happened in probably 2002 but I never adjusted my board size, I only went up to 7.87" at the most.

I just started skating again this year and everything is seriously so much easier. I'm legitimately a better skater at 31, having been back on the board for 4 months, then I was when I was 16 with 4 years under my belt. It's a funny anecdote, but it's also sort of a bummer. So much time wasted back in the day  :'(
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: patrick c. on August 09, 2018, 03:10:21 PM
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It made it less intimidating for me. Going from 8.62 to 8.5 isn't that bad & going from 8.5 to 8.38 isn't that bad & going from 8.38 to 8.25 isn't that bad. It's like a scaffold to build confidence on narrower boards(which I didn't have at all before). I think making an effort to keep the wheelbase of every deck the same helps tremendously.
[close]

I mean, do you prefer the 8.25 over the 8.62? You think the thinner profile makes tricks easier or do you ever miss the extra room of the 8.62. My main concern with sizing down is less room for your foot on nose/tailslides and also more chance or heel/toe drag when landing.
[close]
Oh sorry I didn't understand your question.  Yes I prefer 8.25 over 8.62 & for me at least it makes any trick where the board rotates or flips less clunky & more fluid.  I have barely any flip tricks & really want to improve on this so it really helps with that.  But yes you're right there is less room for your feet on slides & it's definitely noticeable.  A trade-off I guess.  I think getting a deck with a fuller shaped nose & tail might help a little with this(i.e. the Real full shapes).
[close]

Thanks for the feedback. This sounds like what I imagined. I personally don't like square noses and tails for flatground at all, but really like it for nose/tail/blunt slides which I do a lot. Big tradeoff. Perhaps a full shape on a thinner board won't be as bad as a full 8.5 or 8.75 or something though.
I had the dlx 8.38 full(14.62 wheelbase) and it was okay.  The shape of the nose does mess with your flick a bunch but the fuller nose & tail make the board seem a lot wider than it is.  I know 917 and Habitat make 8.25's with a 14.5 wheelbase (https://habitatskateboards.com/collections/decks/products/twin-peaks-welcome-8-25 (https://habitatskateboards.com/collections/decks/products/twin-peaks-welcome-8-25) & https://callme917.com/collections/frontpage/products/cyrus-spyrus-deck-8-25 (https://callme917.com/collections/frontpage/products/cyrus-spyrus-deck-8-25)) & I really like the amount of nose & tail tapering on both of those(they might actually be the exact same Generator shape).  A good moderate option.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: CINCINNATI on August 09, 2018, 04:57:42 PM
6'6" with a 13 shoe, rode 9" dlx boards for a few years with a 15" wheelbase. recently got an 875 alien thats 875 with a 14.5 wb. kick flips are easier with a somewhat skinnier board. Im trying to size down to an 8.5 just because thats what is really easily available pretty much everywhere. but yeah, wheelbase is the biggest determining factor for me. my sweet spot would be a 14.75wb on an 875 board with a 33 length. I feel like after sizing down .25 inch at a time I can get used to a board, but if I went straight from 9-8.5 id have some trouble.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: FULTON on August 09, 2018, 09:25:56 PM
6’5” 200 LBS Size 13 shoe
I’ve skated since the 80s and have rode every size imaginable. Last year I rode an 8.5 and 8.25 BUT randomly rode an 8” and was in heaven. Now it’s all I skate. 8” feel the best and I agree that your foot position just changes depending on the width. I have a 9.5” for fun and enjoy that as well but nothing beats the 8” for me with 144 (8.25) trucks. That little bit wider truck for some reason made my ride different. That’s my .02
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: gsosa on August 09, 2018, 11:25:33 PM
6’5” 200 LBS Size 13 shoe
I’ve skated since the 80s and have rode every size imaginable. Last year I rode an 8.5 and 8.25 BUT randomly rode an 8” and was in heaven. Now it’s all I skate. 8” feel the best and I agree that your foot position just changes depending on the width. I have a 9.5” for fun and enjoy that as well but nothing beats the 8” for me with 144 (8.25) trucks. That little bit wider truck for some reason made my ride different. That’s my .02
I'm 5'7 size 9 had gone up to 8.25 but went down to and 8 and was in heaven, it's all I skate now, although the occaisional 8.125 is sick also.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Little Debbie on August 10, 2018, 09:22:55 PM
It made it less intimidating for me. Going from 8.62 to 8.5 isn't that bad & going from 8.5 to 8.38 isn't that bad & going from 8.38 to 8.25 isn't that bad. It's like a scaffold to build confidence on narrower boards(which I didn't have at all before). I think making an effort to keep the wheelbase of every deck the same helps tremendously.
this is exactly what i'm doing, can't wait to get back to 8.25. i'm 6'2" and size 11.5 shoe. everyone around me rides 8.25 and i want to get back to skinnier boards. grew up riding 7.62, 7.75 and 7.88. i dream of a long, pointy and relatively flat board, been looking at Element a lot recently... the Julian Davidson and Mason Silva 8.3 shapes look pretty good too
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Baron Samedi on August 10, 2018, 09:48:02 PM
damn some big boys up in here. i'm 6'2" 190ish and 10.5 foot and i've just been going bigger and bigger with board size since i started skating. Started at 7.5 as a 5 foot tall 13 year old, now I'm at 8.75 18 years later. also a big board being hard to flip is a misconception, in my opinion. i'm on the tech side of things and can do all the same tricks i could ever do on a smaller board, my clumsy ass just has more board to land on now.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: LemThurdy on August 11, 2018, 06:07:40 AM
I think it’s all relative. Im 6’ and size 10.5 I will skate 8.25 or 8.18 but I occasionally will use my smallest board which is a 7.75 and it feels like I have most control over that board. Some of those bigger decks you all have mentioned seem crazy big but to each his own I think it’s a matter of preference more than anything. Was thinking of purchasing a 8.38 for the park
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: stephop on August 11, 2018, 09:20:11 AM
I really can't tell much difference until it's 1/2 inch increments. Then It's clearly noticeable. I only skate like two decks a year which is pathetic so it really doesn't matter much unless I drop from 8.5 to 8.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: hobochimp on August 22, 2018, 09:39:25 PM
Just setup the new gonz Krooked 8.5 full shape. Feels amazing and doesn’t even feel small. The 14.6 wheelbase is perfect and the lack of taper in the nose and tail gives me a really good balance. I also am riding Indy 159 trucks. Pretty solid tall person setup so far.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: metsuri on August 22, 2018, 11:57:05 PM
This is interesting. I'm currently considering doing the exact opposite, get a bigger board. Years ago I gradually worked my way up from 7,62 to 8" over a few years. Pretty much the last 8 years i've been going back and forth between 8" and 8,125, which is where I'm currently at. And it feels great. I'm 5' 10" with 9,5 feet.

The thing is, I have never ridden a bigger board (apart from the old school days when I first started). I've noticed that my skating has become more simple, been trying to skate more tranny and I barely do any flip tricks anymore. I can do my few heelflips that I still regularly do on any fucking cruise ship, so that's not an issue.

I'm thinking of getting an 8,5 with 149 Thunders, just to see how that feels and maybe get a new boost for skating in general. Seems like most pros ride big boards, even though a lot them are small guys.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rob on August 23, 2018, 12:42:43 AM
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6’5” 200 LBS Size 13 shoe
I’ve skated since the 80s and have rode every size imaginable. Last year I rode an 8.5 and 8.25 BUT randomly rode an 8” and was in heaven. Now it’s all I skate. 8” feel the best and I agree that your foot position just changes depending on the width. I have a 9.5” for fun and enjoy that as well but nothing beats the 8” for me with 144 (8.25) trucks. That little bit wider truck for some reason made my ride different. That’s my .02
[close]
I'm 5'7 size 9 had gone up to 8.25 but went down to and 8 and was in heaven, it's all I skate now, although the occaisional 8.125 is sick also.

Heck yeah we got some big boys up in here

I’m 5’7 maybe 5’8 with size 9 shoes and I recently took a step down to 7.8-8 again from 8.12-8.3 that was stable and comfy but I was regressing in learning tricks and just did the basics

Stepping back down to the classic size is like your guys feeling, heaven

My pop is way more consistent and high and my flip tricks are easier, I forgot It’s easier to learn on a lighter smaller board and just commit
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: cosmicgypsies on August 23, 2018, 03:32:21 AM
skinny ass 145 lbs, 5ft 11, us 8.5 bouncing around between 8.5 8.6 8.75. i don't particularly do many flip tricks but the ones i can do take the same effort as on a smaller board atleast until it gets to say tre flips or fs flips then i gotta chuck it a bit more.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MareVitals on August 25, 2018, 07:35:19 AM
I've been a believer lately that the wheelbase/your height and build matter a lot more than the width. I feel like I can skate 8-8.5 comfortably with similar wheelbases but once you drastically change the wheelbase (most big boards have larger wheelbases) the board handles completely differently.

Pretty odd that skate culture leaves fit and geometry in the dark when it's such a big part of cycling, etc. 
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Gasstationgarry on August 25, 2018, 11:36:56 AM
This is interesting. I'm currently considering doing the exact opposite, get a bigger board. Years ago I gradually worked my way up from 7,62 to 8" over a few years. Pretty much the last 8 years i've been going back and forth between 8" and 8,125, which is where I'm currently at. And it feels great. I'm 5' 10" with 9,5 feet.

The thing is, I have never ridden a bigger board (apart from the old school days when I first started). I've noticed that my skating has become more simple, been trying to skate more tranny and I barely do any flip tricks anymore. I can do my few heelflips that I still regularly do on any fucking cruise ship, so that's not an issue.

I'm thinking of getting an 8,5 with 149 Thunders, just to see how that feels and maybe get a new boost for skating in general. Seems like most pros ride big boards, even though a lot them are small guys.

Im 5'10 with 8.5 feet and I skate an 8.8 I don't think size matters that much with flip tricks just kinda what you're most comfortable with
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ziad on September 29, 2018, 01:42:31 PM
I always skated 8.5" recently skated two 8.75's cause i was skating tranny for a while but they were too heavy for street so I'm thinking of buying the real low pro 8.38 i like and change between 8.75 and 8.38 depending on street or transition session
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Daniel on September 30, 2018, 01:14:24 AM
Sized down from 9/8.75 with 14.5/15 WB on thunders to an 8.0 14 WB on aces gradually in the last two years. The size down increased control and maneuverability drastically..

Been thinking of sizing down to a 7.8 or even a 7.75.... Also having read the wheels/small wheels thread and seeing Dane Brady's part, maybe even sizing down to 50mm wheels..
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: cosmicgypsies on September 30, 2018, 03:29:19 AM
skinny ass 145 lbs, 5ft 11, us 8.5 bouncing around between 8.5 8.6 8.75. i don't particularly do many flip tricks but the ones i can do take the same effort as on a smaller board atleast until it gets to say tre flips or fs flips then i gotta chuck it a bit more.

on a vaguely related note whoever mentioned concave affecting more than the width i agree, the national im riding right now is 8.5 fairly steep concave and i can tre flip it much easier than the last few boards i've had (8.5/8.6s with relatively flat/mellow shapes.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: shitcunt on September 30, 2018, 05:05:58 AM
Been on the 8.25 train for a while now, but I'm pondering going down to an 8. I've had a bunch of flick ankle injuries so I feel like the smaller board would make flip tricks less taxing, but I'm also worried the loss in stability would be more dangerous.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: HangtenNoseblunt on September 30, 2018, 05:12:12 AM
i might be alone here but i find

small wheels = fast flip
big wheels = slower flip

low trucks and 50mm wheels on a 8.25 flips like an 8 with normal trucks and 53mm

56mm wheels and high trucks everything flips super slow for me but in a nice floaty way
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Diocletian on September 30, 2018, 10:22:53 AM
10.5 shoe size. I skated 8.5”-8.6” boards with 149’s-159’s for many years. Then when I got older and I started obsessing over trying all types of gear, I started going down to 8.38”-8.25” boards. I went a step further down to 8.18”, then finally landed at 8.125” which is where I’m currently at. I feel as though 8” would be a little too small. This is perfect for me.

I have another board which is an 8.4” and some 149’s on it and I could hop on that and then go back to my small board in the same session with no issues. I agree with others that width isn’t a big issue when you get used to all the sizes gradually and don’t make .5” jumps right away. 

I also skated 54mm wheels through all the years of wider boards, but now I like riding little 52mm ones on my 8.125” and powersliding them down to super tiny wheels. Everything feels light but not super “lite” and there’s no need for hollow or titanium trucks at this width.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: FROTHY on September 30, 2018, 03:32:57 PM
8.5'd it with 159s for years, then went down to 8.25 with 149s when I realized all I really do is low impact stuff and flatground. It helped with technical stuff a little, but it's not like I was able to do anything I couldn't before. You'd have to be skating regularly to notice much of a difference.

Then, after injuries and months off, back at 8.5 and 159s, or I ride big shaped boards.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: DISTANT RUMOURS on October 01, 2018, 01:53:58 AM
I wear a size 8 in shoes and skated an 8 deck for the past years.

I can't really do it... I was trying to stay on point with the latest trends and go a little bigger. But it's not for me.
I'm a 36 year old dude that sucks at skating but still loves to skate and I lost a lot of tricks. When I skated my friends' 7.75 I was immediately doing FS like nothing...

I lost a lot of basic flip triks on the bigger board and I just ordered a set of 129 indys and a 7.87 alien workshop deck. That's all I skated growing up..

Skating at 36 is already hard enough as it is...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: nosneb on October 07, 2018, 09:21:46 PM
Just set up a 7.6 board with 145 trucks for lol. It’s sick and so easy to flip. Just don’t like that cracks and bumps throw your board around too.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: dragonblade on October 08, 2018, 12:31:21 AM
When I was skating in the 80s, I was riding the typically wide boards of the day. I'm getting back into skating now and note that it's recommended for people in my situation to re-enter the hobby with smaller, less bulky boards to make things easier. So I thought Id take that approach, thinking an 8.25 might be a good thing. Not too long ago in a shop, I stood on an 8.25 board and man, this thing is so narrow. Too narrow for my liking. Seems more like a toy. I don't exactly have big feet but there was huge overhang on this board with my toes and heels sticking way out. Don't think I would like to land a big air on a board that narrow. Also, I'm not that much into flip tricks anyway.

Yea maybe a narrow board isn't the way to go for me. On the other hand, I don't want the bulkiness of the extra wide boards I rode in the 80s. I'm after something in between the two. Sort of a middle ground. So I settled on 9 inch.

Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: switchbs180 on October 08, 2018, 11:34:17 AM
I went from a chocolate 8.125 to a antiz 8.05.
compared to the choco the antiz board pops great and I like the stiffness. Only had one session on it yesterday.
will report back, let's see how it feels in 2 weeks or so.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: nosneb on October 08, 2018, 03:08:36 PM
^^^^^^^8.125 to 8.05 That difference is so tiny



(http://i65.tinypic.com/r9pyr8.jpg)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: switchbs180 on October 09, 2018, 10:44:56 AM
^^^^^^^8.125 to 8.05 That difference is so tiny



(http://i65.tinypic.com/r9pyr8.jpg)

Haha yeah Mate I know. Sound's silly but every change in my Setup feels weird at first
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: ballintoohard on October 09, 2018, 12:07:48 PM
After taking 15 years off I sized up from 7.75 to 8.125 with Indy 139s. I am 6 foot 3 with size 9.5-10 shoes. I was convinced it was too narrow and sized up to 8.5 and 149s. I then realized I just didn't like Bones bushings and that made it feel way more squirelly. I unfortunately gave my old shit to some local hooligans. Right now I have Ace 44 on an 8.5 Polar and Indy 149 on an 8.5 FA AVE that I think its 8.6. The Polar/Ace combo seems to be perfect for manuals and shit, but 8.125 was lighter and flickier.

I've tried some 8.25 Quasis and they never quite felt as solid for some tricks or as stable. I might try an 8.25 Generator in the future with a slightly fuller wheelbase.

Not sure why I explained this.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MyUserName on October 09, 2018, 03:10:54 PM
I skated 8.25 for the past three years, suddenly decided to give 8.125 a shot and holy shit it's like night and day. I don't have the largest feet but also don't like skating a twig, so I have found my happy medium.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: expired on October 09, 2018, 06:23:33 PM
5'10, 155, size 10 shoe.
I'd always skated an 8 up until 4ish years ago when I tried an 8.25 with the same wheelbase, stuck with that size for a year until I got a gift which was an 8.38, I tried to skate that for a while but I couldn't find that size regularly so tried an 8.5 and have been skating those for the past 3 years I feel more comfortable landing on it and it didn't take any tricks away, actually since then I've learned a bunch more flip tricks, so to each their own.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Dad you're embarrassing me on October 16, 2018, 04:11:42 PM
Worked my way up from an 8 on Indy 129's when I got back into skating 4 years ago,  to 8.25 on 149's, to 8.5, then 8.75 on Ace 55's. Now I'm back on an 8.5 on Ace 44's, and I'm happy. Definitely agree with others that WB is more critical than width. I would also say truck width makes more difference than board width.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Italianshredder96 on October 17, 2018, 01:27:39 AM
I tried all the sizes from 8 to 8.5 and I find 8.25/8.38 length 32/32.25 and 14.25 of what to find the happy medium even an half a quarter of an inch is too damn different
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: jtrpma on October 18, 2018, 06:40:08 AM
went from a 10.3 winkowski to an 8.6 doom sayers and am positively surprised.
also 169 to 159
it feels still a bit toyish but after hefting around the huge board with heavy trucks everything is surprisingly effortless without loosing any of the control (against my expectations)
probably going to 8.75 next and trying to stay around there.

out of experience would you guys go with 159s rather, on the 8.75, right?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: HugeBodBoyle on October 18, 2018, 08:02:29 AM
I skate 8.5 with 149's pretty religiously, but I am super curious about trying 8.25 since, even in my advanced age, I still like to try and flip it.

Are the 149's gonna be terrible, or should I be okay?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: backinaction on October 18, 2018, 09:11:19 AM
out of experience would you guys go with 159s rather, on the 8.75, right?

I'm running 159s on my 8.75 Anti Hero with a 14.625 wb and it's a really good setup.

I skate 8.5 with 149's pretty religiously, but I am super curious about trying 8.25 since, even in my advanced age, I still like to try and flip it.

Are the 149's gonna be terrible, or should I be okay?
My favorite size on 8.25 is an 8.38 truck (Mini Logo), but 149s would not bug me at all, especially if I was running a narrower wheel. 
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: franc on October 18, 2018, 11:47:07 AM
I skate 8.5 with 149's pretty religiously, but I am super curious about trying 8.25 since, even in my advanced age, I still like to try and flip it.

Are the 149's gonna be terrible, or should I be okay?

I'd personally prefer 144s with a 8.25 but you're gonna be ok with 149s if you skate narrow wheels as backinaction said.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: goathead on October 18, 2018, 11:58:54 AM
I just went from 9,75" to 8,75" and let me tell you, It sure was weird at first... Skated about 1,5 years with the big boards
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Jud Nestorkins on October 18, 2018, 11:22:19 PM
Expand Quote
skinny ass 145 lbs, 5ft 11, us 8.5 bouncing around between 8.5 8.6 8.75. i don't particularly do many flip tricks but the ones i can do take the same effort as on a smaller board atleast until it gets to say tre flips or fs flips then i gotta chuck it a bit more.
[close]

on a vaguely related note whoever mentioned concave affecting more than the width i agree, the national im riding right now is 8.5 fairly steep concave and i can tre flip it much easier than the last few boards i've had (8.5/8.6s with relatively flat/mellow shapes.

That’s exactly why I like steep concave. I can 360 flip much easier than when the deck is flat.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Krooked antihero on October 19, 2018, 02:44:38 AM
I skate 8.5 with 149's pretty religiously, but I am super curious about trying 8.25 since, even in my advanced age, I still like to try and flip it.

Are the 149's gonna be terrible, or should I be okay?
I skate 149’s on 8.25” boards no problem
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: TwisT on October 19, 2018, 12:10:45 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/QIkCApbl.jpg)
the wider one is a habitat, the smaller one is a AWS, really digging the shape of the small board. My pop in flick is all over the place, every time I flip the board it goes flying.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on October 19, 2018, 12:31:25 PM
I skate 8.5 with 149's pretty religiously, but I am super curious about trying 8.25 since, even in my advanced age, I still like to try and flip it.

Are the 149's gonna be terrible, or should I be okay?

149s on an 8.25s were what the majority of us were skating for decades before they ACE 44s or 144s came out (many still do); I highly doubt you'll notice anything on your flips but you might notice the grind room depending on how you lick to lock in and perhaps stability.

I pretty much went 8.25/149 > 8.3/ACE 44s > 8.25/144/148s > 8.3/149s - they all feel the same at this range because were talking about .25" at most. But after YEARS of telling myself I should skate narrower boards, ~8.3 because I wanted to flip better I realize I wasn't but messing up an already good thing which is riding an 8.3 iwth 8.375/8.5 trucks.

Don't fuck with a good thing.

Then again you have pros rocking 8.5"/139s and people here on 8.125/8.18 rocking 149s.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on November 09, 2018, 07:47:20 AM
Even though I've only been riding 8.0, decided I miss smaller and got the anti hero green eagle 7.81. This was my go to deck for years right when people started going to 8+. Rode 7.62 (or .625 or .63) for like 12 years prior. Got some 129s too. Breaking in the trucks is the stressful part. Excited to go back to the smaller deck though. Love that shape
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on July 16, 2019, 08:03:45 PM
Figured I would keep this thread going instead of creating another. I've been reconsidering everything about my setup lately - I've been skating 8.5 to 9" the past years or so, and being a smaller dude (5"5 size 8 ) I've really started to notice how much it has been hindering me. I skate mostly transition, and I'm looking to maybe step from my current 8.25 to an 8 to help with flipping and just pop in general. Has anyone had any experience drastically moving down board sizes when it comes to skating transition? Saying that, the whole point of the size down is skate a little more well-rounded
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: dakara on July 17, 2019, 02:51:34 AM
Figured I would keep this thread going instead of creating another. I've been reconsidering everything about my setup lately - I've been skating 8.5 to 9" the past years or so, and being a smaller dude (5"5 size 8 ) I've really started to notice how much it has been hindering me. I skate mostly transition, and I'm looking to maybe step from my current 8.25 to an 8 to help with flipping and just pop in general. Has anyone had any experience drastically moving down board sizes when it comes to skating transition? Saying that, the whole point of the size down is skate a little more well-rounded

Have you considered going with a short wheelbase board instead? I came back to skating this past year coming from the days when 7.75 were standard. I am 5'7 with tiny size 7.5 feet and always rode a 7.62. I now ride an 8 and want to move up to 8.25 as soon as i can afford wider trucks. I've actually found that wider boards are easier to flip and pop because of the increased stability. For flip tricks I really think width makes no discernable difference in how easy it is to get flipping if you adjust your foot positioning closer to the flipping edge. Alot of people are figuring this out nowadays but wheelbase and length are much more important than width when it comes to pop and trick dexterity. The only solid drawback to wider boards is the increased weight, which for a scrawny unexplosive guy like me can make getting up there on my tricks tiring and hard, but this can be offset by using lighter trucks and going with a shorter length.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on July 17, 2019, 05:52:28 AM
Expand Quote
Figured I would keep this thread going instead of creating another. I've been reconsidering everything about my setup lately - I've been skating 8.5 to 9" the past years or so, and being a smaller dude (5"5 size 8 ) I've really started to notice how much it has been hindering me. I skate mostly transition, and I'm looking to maybe step from my current 8.25 to an 8 to help with flipping and just pop in general. Has anyone had any experience drastically moving down board sizes when it comes to skating transition? Saying that, the whole point of the size down is skate a little more well-rounded
[close]

Have you considered going with a short wheelbase board instead? I came back to skating this past year coming from the days when 7.75 were standard. I am 5'7 with tiny size 7.5 feet and always rode a 7.62. I now ride an 8 and want to move up to 8.25 as soon as i can afford wider trucks. I've actually found that wider boards are easier to flip and pop because of the increased stability. For flip tricks I really think width makes no discernable difference in how easy it is to get flipping if you adjust your foot positioning closer to the flipping edge. Alot of people are figuring this out nowadays but wheelbase and length are much more important than width when it comes to pop and trick dexterity. The only solid drawback to wider boards is the increased weight, which for a scrawny unexplosive guy like me can make getting up there on my tricks tiring and hard, but this can be offset by using lighter trucks and going with a shorter length.

I've spent the past few months toying with wheelbases and I think I have finally settled on 14.25 with Aces. Actually ended up impulse buying an 8 today and it doesn't feel too bad, much more control. I only skated a mini though. Which I guess answers my own question haha.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: FrozenIndustries on July 17, 2019, 06:24:34 AM
IMO changing Wheelbase (including switching brands of trucks on the same board) is way harder than changing board widths, even when the change in width is way more drastic.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on July 17, 2019, 07:53:48 AM
Expand Quote
Figured I would keep this thread going instead of creating another. I've been reconsidering everything about my setup lately - I've been skating 8.5 to 9" the past years or so, and being a smaller dude (5"5 size 8 ) I've really started to notice how much it has been hindering me. I skate mostly transition, and I'm looking to maybe step from my current 8.25 to an 8 to help with flipping and just pop in general. Has anyone had any experience drastically moving down board sizes when it comes to skating transition? Saying that, the whole point of the size down is skate a little more well-rounded
[close]

Have you considered going with a short wheelbase board instead? I came back to skating this past year coming from the days when 7.75 were standard. I am 5'7 with tiny size 7.5 feet and always rode a 7.62. I now ride an 8 and want to move up to 8.25 as soon as i can afford wider trucks. I've actually found that wider boards are easier to flip and pop because of the increased stability. For flip tricks I really think width makes no discernable difference in how easy it is to get flipping if you adjust your foot positioning closer to the flipping edge. Alot of people are figuring this out nowadays but wheelbase and length are much more important than width when it comes to pop and trick dexterity. The only solid drawback to wider boards is the increased weight, which for a scrawny unexplosive guy like me can make getting up there on my tricks tiring and hard, but this can be offset by using lighter trucks and going with a shorter length.

Strikingly similar to me (my feet were sized 9 for most of my until now adult life, but the arches fell and feet spread out to 10-10.5). Interested to see what you settle with. I’ve been really enjoying skating around on 56 mm conical fulls, roll over everything. Pushing they the city is dope. The extra pop is much needed. The weight is kicking my ass, but I’m trying to power thru and just get stronger. Hasn’t happened
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on July 17, 2019, 08:31:03 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Figured I would keep this thread going instead of creating another. I've been reconsidering everything about my setup lately - I've been skating 8.5 to 9" the past years or so, and being a smaller dude (5"5 size 8 ) I've really started to notice how much it has been hindering me. I skate mostly transition, and I'm looking to maybe step from my current 8.25 to an 8 to help with flipping and just pop in general. Has anyone had any experience drastically moving down board sizes when it comes to skating transition? Saying that, the whole point of the size down is skate a little more well-rounded
[close]

Have you considered going with a short wheelbase board instead? I came back to skating this past year coming from the days when 7.75 were standard. I am 5'7 with tiny size 7.5 feet and always rode a 7.62. I now ride an 8 and want to move up to 8.25 as soon as i can afford wider trucks. I've actually found that wider boards are easier to flip and pop because of the increased stability. For flip tricks I really think width makes no discernable difference in how easy it is to get flipping if you adjust your foot positioning closer to the flipping edge. Alot of people are figuring this out nowadays but wheelbase and length are much more important than width when it comes to pop and trick dexterity. The only solid drawback to wider boards is the increased weight, which for a scrawny unexplosive guy like me can make getting up there on my tricks tiring and hard, but this can be offset by using lighter trucks and going with a shorter length.
[close]

Strikingly similar to me (my feet were sized 9 for most of my until now adult life, but the arches fell and feet spread out to 10-10.5). Interested to see what you settle with. I’ve been really enjoying skating around on 56 mm conical fulls, roll over everything. Pushing they the city is dope. The extra pop is much needed. The weight is kicking my ass, but I’m trying to power thru and just get stronger. Hasn’t happened



Previous setup was 8.5 with 56mm conical fulls (which is actually still together, just replaced the Ace 44's with my Indy 149's). Always loved the same feeling, rolling over anything and going fast as fuck. But I've had this itch I've wanted to scratch for too long to ignore it. Now I'm skating 8 with 53 classics. From a session at the local ramp it felt great. If it hasn't affected me skating transition too much, I can definitely see this benefiting me in general. Smallest board I've had since my first setup 10 years ago, smallest wheels too. Completely different feeling and I'm excited for the change!
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: SirPizzaSlayer on July 17, 2019, 09:48:21 AM
It was a weird transition to me as I’ve skated 10’ boards and I’ve skated 7.75’. Right now I’m on a 8.25 but I’m gonna jump back up to the big boy club.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: B0udoir on July 17, 2019, 10:26:18 AM
Have you considered going with a short wheelbase board instead?

This is definitively one of the most important thing. I was always riding boards of any size but with 14.375/14.5 wheelbase, and I was always struggling to Ollie higher. I finally decided to reduce the wheelbase to 14.125, and it was a game changer. It's now so comfortable to Ollie over things like ledges, that's crazy. I don't have a theory behind this, I guess it's just that this dimension fits to my body and is far more important than the width. However it's true that for transition or bowl, it's less forgiving because the board reacts quicker.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: givecigstosurfgroms on July 17, 2019, 11:20:43 AM
I used to have fun on a 7.75 ha.   Go wide tho.  Wide with small wheels.  If you've got bigger wheels go skinnier.  Thats my m o.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: ballintoohard on July 17, 2019, 06:40:38 PM
I used to skate 7.5-7.62 for a long time, took a break from skating and then came back and boards were big again. Had some 8.06-8.125 on 139s last year and also had a setup with 149s and 8.5. I ditched the small setup and never could get comfortable on an 8.38 or 8.5 unless I also ran Ace's and 52's.  Then I went down to 8.25 and was convinced it was wheelbase and now have a pretty short 8.28 with a 14.125, but it's 31.625 long and it feels mega unstable even with Thunders.

Went to the local and didn't measure a board and got an 8.06 Krooked with a 14.4 wheelbase and Venture 5.6. I'd prefer to not see my axle nuts as much, but it actually manuals and skates better than the shorter wheelbase 8.28 even tho it's not that much longer.

TL;DR also add in nose/tail size. I have found that shorter boards with massive kicks suck for me and that matters more than wheelbase or width.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Gray Imp Sausage Metal on July 17, 2019, 07:37:02 PM
IMO changing Wheelbase (including switching brands of trucks on the same board) is way harder than changing board widths, even when the change in width is way more drastic.

this!
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: cricketclub on July 18, 2019, 09:03:59 AM
I haven't read every post but I will agree with the running comment that the height to WB correlation is probably more important than the height to width correlation. Another thing to keep in mind is that no matter what your board's WB is, the trucks you ride will also effect the actual axle to axle wheelbase. I feel like a lot of people who like shorter WB boards have trucks that create a bigger wheelbase and folks who like longer WB boards have trucks have a shorter axle to axle WB.

I rock 8"/ 14.25" WB/ Indy's/ 52mm Spitfires.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: dakara on July 20, 2019, 02:22:24 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Figured I would keep this thread going instead of creating another. I've been reconsidering everything about my setup lately - I've been skating 8.5 to 9" the past years or so, and being a smaller dude (5"5 size 8 ) I've really started to notice how much it has been hindering me. I skate mostly transition, and I'm looking to maybe step from my current 8.25 to an 8 to help with flipping and just pop in general. Has anyone had any experience drastically moving down board sizes when it comes to skating transition? Saying that, the whole point of the size down is skate a little more well-rounded
[close]

Have you considered going with a short wheelbase board instead? I came back to skating this past year coming from the days when 7.75 were standard. I am 5'7 with tiny size 7.5 feet and always rode a 7.62. I now ride an 8 and want to move up to 8.25 as soon as i can afford wider trucks. I've actually found that wider boards are easier to flip and pop because of the increased stability. For flip tricks I really think width makes no discernable difference in how easy it is to get flipping if you adjust your foot positioning closer to the flipping edge. Alot of people are figuring this out nowadays but wheelbase and length are much more important than width when it comes to pop and trick dexterity. The only solid drawback to wider boards is the increased weight, which for a scrawny unexplosive guy like me can make getting up there on my tricks tiring and hard, but this can be offset by using lighter trucks and going with a shorter length.
[close]

Strikingly similar to me (my feet were sized 9 for most of my until now adult life, but the arches fell and feet spread out to 10-10.5). Interested to see what you settle with. I’ve been really enjoying skating around on 56 mm conical fulls, roll over everything. Pushing they the city is dope. The extra pop is much needed. The weight is kicking my ass, but I’m trying to power thru and just get stronger. Hasn’t happened

Ya I usually rode 51mm back in the day, and since i am broke was riding some worn to 45mm cored rictas till 2 weeks ago. i wanted to get 54mm 99d conical formula fours but my shop was out of them(i live way outside the US so it happens) but got a set of 54mm 99d tablet formula fours instead. The difference was amazing but suprisingly im having kind of a tough go sliding them compared to my old wheels, probably because i am so light. For riding through the city though, ive never had as much fun as wider board with bigger wheels, its my first time on forumla fours and after i start pushing it feels like im on a constant slight slope.  The larger size also helped my pop considerably, especially since the only available blanks around here have really mellow kicks, which i like the feel of generally but i never get much umph when i kick down.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on July 21, 2019, 05:36:44 PM
Madness struck me again, I went back to the standard Quasi 8.5 that I normally skate. Finally realised if something ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Feels like the past few months was a lot of money spent for nothing, but at least I know now.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on July 21, 2019, 10:05:33 PM
Madness struck me again, I went back to the standard Quasi 8.5 that I normally skate. Finally realised if something ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Feels like the past few months was a lot of money spent for nothing, but at least I know now.
Words can't express how much I agree with you, I also spent a bunch of money to gain that knowledge.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Gray Imp Sausage Metal on July 21, 2019, 10:28:15 PM
The older I get the bigger I go...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Krooked antihero on July 22, 2019, 01:00:26 AM
The older I get the bigger I go...
I’m on my first 8.5” now, age 36, I’m quite sure it’ll be 9” when I’m 40 😁 it just feels good to have more board under your feet, and older I get the less I give a fuck about fliptricks and switch stuff.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: ballintoohard on July 22, 2019, 09:00:40 AM
Something about this 8.06 isn't jiving with me. Might be the Ventures. Switching it to Thunders and if that don't work it is back to my 8.25 with Indy's or 8.25 Quasi with Ace's.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on July 22, 2019, 09:06:34 AM
Something about this 8.06 isn't jiving with me. Might be the Ventures. Switching it to Thunders and if that don't work it is back to my 8.25 with Indy's or 8.25 Quasi with Ace's.


I’m there. I’m trying to find the voodoo (wb ratios and astrological signs) but.....just when I’m sure it one thing it’s not. Nothing feels right, for me, for everything.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Coco Santiagos Kitten on July 22, 2019, 09:52:42 AM
I recently went down from an 8.5 to an 8.125 and it changed my life. Everything flips perfectly now. Probably because I learned everything on a 7.75.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on July 22, 2019, 06:34:07 PM
I recently went down from an 8.5 to an 8.125 and it changed my life. Everything flips perfectly now. Probably because I learned everything on a 7.75.

I’m still going to keep the 8” I bought to have as a spare setup, would you recommend going Indy 139 or 144?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on July 23, 2019, 02:42:27 AM
Expand Quote
I recently went down from an 8.5 to an 8.125 and it changed my life. Everything flips perfectly now. Probably because I learned everything on a 7.75.
[close]
I would go for 144
I’m still going to keep the 8” I bought to have as a spare setup, would you recommend going Indy 139 or 144?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on July 23, 2019, 03:09:41 AM
Madness is back again. For some reason I just want to skate a smaller board. I might just force myself and take my other quivers out of my car so I don’t have a choice but to get used to it. Been watching too much Westgate footy for my own good.

I did pick up some Hollow 144’s, just in case I move to an 8.1 or something. That might be a better middle ground.

Even tempted to scoop an 8.125 today but not sure if it will really make that much of a difference.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: cosmicgypsies on July 23, 2019, 03:29:20 AM
^ also about to jump down a board size from 8.6 to 8.4 - was debating an 8.75 but there's an 8.4 Heroin on sale at my local and the price saved is a good compromise for the size. Tend to skate around 8.5 but one thing I've noticed is that in the winter when the weather sucks and it's carpark flatground season I'll slowly start dropping board sizes went from 8.6 > 8.5 > 8.38 from November to around April and then when the weather gets better I start going back up. Kinda strange in all rationality as I'm doing the same flatground tricks in both seasons but when all you can skate for months is shit dingy dungeon carparks the board size madness creeps in.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Torre on July 24, 2019, 04:57:21 PM
I’ve always ridden bigger boards (8.8-9.25, with an 8.5 thrown in). I see a lot of people calling bigger boards a trend and just wanted to see what the general consensus was on sizing down. It would definitely open up opportunities to skate more brands and find boards more easily.

Note: I’m sort of a special case as I’m 6’5” and have size 12-13 feet depending on the shoe.
The smallest board I could ever see myself riding would be an 8.5 but I’m open to adapting possibly.
I’m 6’ 2” with a 13 shoe and I’ve recently gone down from 8.5 to 8.38 and now I’m about to skate an 8.25. I’ve been getting more tech with my skating and a smaller narrower board is more conducive to that. Also back in the day I used to skate a 7.75 with a 13 shoe. So you can really skate any size depending on your skate needs
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: chris. on December 20, 2019, 06:08:58 AM
I started skating again about 1.5 years ago and have been skating 8.5s the whole time (going up to 9” at one point). I just set up an 8.25” with some Ventures and god damn is it fun. Something about it just feels right, like the good old days. I’m glad I started back on the wider boards in order to get comfortable again, but I could definitely see myself skating more 8.25s. I’m more in control of my body and more confident in my 30s than I was in my teens, so I could see myself going even smaller.

I’m 6’5” with 11.5 feet so to all the other tall/big footed people, don’t be scared of those smaller boards!

edit: 8.5 has a 14.5 WB with Aces and 8.25 has a 14.25 WB with Ventures so axle to axles WB is very similar on both set ups.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Esmith5488 on December 20, 2019, 07:08:41 AM
The older I get the bigger I go...
I’m the opposite.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Esquivel on December 20, 2019, 09:08:29 AM
Expand Quote
The older I get the bigger I go...
[close]
I’m the opposite.

Felt like sizing up as i was getting older until i was around 35. From 8.3 max width i am now happy with sour's 8.18 with 149 thunders. Turning 40 in April and next set of trucks i get will be 148's so i can ride a 8.125. I know the difference is tiny but im taking baby steps.
Never looked into the wheelbase. If the board is between 31.5 to 32 and the kicks seem symmetrical enough, then its good for me. I can't stand boards with short skinny tail and long square nose. Its best when i struggle to tell nose from tail.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Eds_gallerist on December 20, 2019, 11:22:58 PM
I found my sweet spot now by sizing down board lenght. I am riding that dlx shape 8.12 x 31.3 and it really is making a difference. Wb is only 14 too, I use thunders to increase it a bit. I am good now  8)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on December 21, 2019, 05:34:38 AM
I've always varied between 8.25 and 8.5. For most of this year I've been on 8.25 cuz I was trying to get some flip tricks back which is funny because now I'm pretty sure that means I have the smallest board of my crew. I feel like it might suit me to pick a shape/size and stick with it but I tend to get a bit of wanderlust.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: spacial_profiling on December 21, 2019, 05:31:28 PM
i might be alone here but i find

small wheels = fast flip
big wheels = slower flip

low trucks and 50mm wheels on a 8.25 flips like an 8 with normal trucks and 53mm

56mm wheels and high trucks everything flips super slow for me but in a nice floaty way

56mm and tall trucks all day!
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: j....soy..... on December 21, 2019, 05:36:50 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The older I get the bigger I go...
[close]
I’m the opposite.
[close]

Felt like sizing up as i was getting older until i was around 35. From 8.3 max width i am now happy with sour's 8.18 with 149 thunders. Turning 40 in April and next set of trucks i get will be 148's so i can ride a 8.125. I know the difference is tiny but im taking baby steps.
Never looked into the wheelbase. If the board is between 31.5 to 32 and the kicks seem symmetrical enough, then its good for me. I can't stand boards with short skinny tail and long square nose. Its best when i struggle to tell nose from tail.

8.125 on 148's feels like you're skating an 8 but you still get lots of truck.  its a sick lay up...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on December 21, 2019, 06:24:24 PM
This damn thread make some want to have a 8.25 setup...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: ohnowisee on December 21, 2019, 06:58:46 PM
This thread makes me feel less crazy for sizing up and deciding I'm sticking to 8.25 from 7.75 to now I want to size back down to an 8.0 or 8.125 every so often.  I ride my 7.75 that I gave to my son and it's fun to skate on every now and again.  Now that I'm older I feel like I care less for having that consistency. I have different trucks and wheels on 3 different boards. They're all fun to ride
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: j....soy..... on December 21, 2019, 07:49:05 PM
For a second it felt like 8's were even hard to come by but now they are more common....I just wish more than anything generator would run wheelbases a bit more closer to what PS.....id rather be closer to 14 than to 14.5....
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on December 21, 2019, 10:28:32 PM
Watching Oski’s new part and knowing he skates a 8.125 the way that he does makes me feel like having an 8.6 to skate transition much smaller than he’s skating is overkill. Might try out an 8.25 again, idk. The madness literally never ends. Part of it is I’ve spent the past two months recovering from surgery so skating is all mental at this point, have put together different set ups before even being able to step foot on them.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 21, 2019, 11:24:49 PM
Watching Oski’s new part and knowing he skates a 8.125 the way that he does makes me feel like having an 8.6 to skate transition much smaller than he’s skating is overkill. Might try out an 8.25 again, idk. The madness literally never ends. Part of it is I’ve spent the past two months recovering from surgery so skating is all mental at this point, have put together different set ups before even being able to step foot on them.

He skates an 8.125?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on December 22, 2019, 05:35:42 AM
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Watching Oski’s new part and knowing he skates a 8.125 the way that he does makes me feel like having an 8.6 to skate transition much smaller than he’s skating is overkill. Might try out an 8.25 again, idk. The madness literally never ends. Part of it is I’ve spent the past two months recovering from surgery so skating is all mental at this point, have put together different set ups before even being able to step foot on them.
[close]

He skates an 8.125?

Yep, blew my mind haha.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: j....soy..... on December 22, 2019, 07:33:09 AM
some of the best transition skating ever was done on an 8" board....
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: chris. on December 22, 2019, 08:23:03 AM
I put some Bones hards on my Ventures to get a better turn (I have been skating Aces) and now my smaller set-up feels even better. Kickflips feel great and tricks like bs 180s have gotten crisper. They felt easier on a bigger board but that just made me lazy with them.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: camel filters on December 22, 2019, 09:05:32 AM
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Watching Oski’s new part and knowing he skates a 8.125 the way that he does makes me feel like having an 8.6 to skate transition much smaller than he’s skating is overkill. Might try out an 8.25 again, idk. The madness literally never ends. Part of it is I’ve spent the past two months recovering from surgery so skating is all mental at this point, have put together different set ups before even being able to step foot on them.
[close]

He skates an 8.125?
[close]

Yep, blew my mind haha.
Proportions has more to do with a good set up than anything. 8.125 still looks like a bigger board since Oski looks like a smaller guy and his feet didn't look giant on that board.

I'm currently settled on 8.38 but wouldn't be opposed to downsize. Coming down from 8.5, the 8.38 already feels like an easier board to flip around without sacrificing the stability and comfort of the 8.5.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on December 22, 2019, 10:33:35 AM
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Watching Oski’s new part and knowing he skates a 8.125 the way that he does makes me feel like having an 8.6 to skate transition much smaller than he’s skating is overkill. Might try out an 8.25 again, idk. The madness literally never ends. Part of it is I’ve spent the past two months recovering from surgery so skating is all mental at this point, have put together different set ups before even being able to step foot on them.
[close]

He skates an 8.125?
[close]

Yep, blew my mind haha.
[close]
Proportions has more to do with a good set up than anything. 8.125 still looks like a bigger board since Oski looks like a smaller guy and his feet didn't look giant on that board.

I'm currently settled on 8.38 but wouldn't be opposed to downsize. Coming down from 8.5, the 8.38 already feels like an easier board to flip around without sacrificing the stability and comfort of the 8.5.

I’m 5”4 lmao, maybe you’re right and I do need to downsize after all
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: j....soy..... on December 22, 2019, 02:44:23 PM
A lot of it is just what you're comfortable with....pretty sure I recently heard someone saying it's all about the length of your inseam!
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on December 22, 2019, 06:33:26 PM
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Watching Oski’s new part and knowing he skates a 8.125 the way that he does makes me feel like having an 8.6 to skate transition much smaller than he’s skating is overkill. Might try out an 8.25 again, idk. The madness literally never ends. Part of it is I’ve spent the past two months recovering from surgery so skating is all mental at this point, have put together different set ups before even being able to step foot on them.
[close]

He skates an 8.125?
[close]

Yep, blew my mind haha.
[close]
Proportions has more to do with a good set up than anything. 8.125 still looks like a bigger board since Oski looks like a smaller guy and his feet didn't look giant on that board.

I'm currently settled on 8.38 but wouldn't be opposed to downsize. Coming down from 8.5, the 8.38 already feels like an easier board to flip around without sacrificing the stability and comfort of the 8.5.
[close]

I’m 5”4 lmao, maybe you’re right and I do need to downsize after all

I'm 5"6 and went up from 7.5, 7.75, 8.06 and down to 8; tried a 8.25 for 1 session but couldn't get used to the length. Tried a 7.75 a month back and it just was not working for me. The shortened length and WB (31.3 / 14") didn't leave much room for the nose and tail even with Indys, had to give it up after 3 sessions because I was getting so much ghost pop.

I feel 8 - 8.25 is a good middle ground. Someone said it a few posts above but the WB and fingers of flat matters more than width IMO.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: j....soy..... on December 22, 2019, 07:54:12 PM
Honestly....I've found some real differences depending on the bevel of the board and sticker placement.....
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 22, 2019, 07:57:58 PM
Over the past few years I've been skating mostly 8.5s with a 14.5-14.62 ish wheelbase, usually about a quarter inch longer than 32 inches on Indys and Aces. Maxed out at 8.75, 32.6 long, 14.75 wheelbase, ace 55s. Got some Ventures (with forged plates) a while back and have skated a few 8.25s now (32 length, 14.25 wheelbase).

Everything feels much more compact and contained which I like. Flip tricks take less effort and have become more consistent. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks, swbs5-0s in particular for some reason, also feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board. Haven't noticed a major decrease in stability either, probably because the Ventures stretch the wheelbase back out.

Its not perfect though, definitely notice my foot dragging more on some nose/tailslide variations. Skinnier board also means you're more prone to heel/toe drag. Don't really skate really gnarly shit, jump down stuff or anything that requires a boat beneath me so for the most part I don't miss the bigger boards. Still in search of the perfect shape.

6 foot 5, size 13, 34/35 inch ish inseam for context.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Yesterdays-pop on December 22, 2019, 09:12:36 PM
Been riding some 9”+ and 8.75”, 14.75” wheelbase with indys. I’m going to start riding some venture high 5.0’s 7.5”. How wide of a deck can I go on these?
Can I find a 8” board with 14.5” wheelbase and ventures will stretch it out closer to 14.75”?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on December 23, 2019, 03:40:16 AM
I've been skating for almost 21 years now, I started on a 8" for my first year knowing pretty much nothing about everything. Then I realized that 7.75 was a comfortable size for me, I kept that size for like 3 years and then almost exclusively 8" for 12 years. Then I went up to 8.125 for one year.
One day I saw a cool jkjhnsn AWS 8.5 that was ridiculously cheap, so I got it and skated it with the 139 I had at that time. It felt great, didn't expected that such a big size up would benefit me at all, specially considering that I'm a size 8.
I've been on 8.5 for almost 5 years, with one 8.625 that was too much for me and the occasional 8.375 which is ok, but since I learnt everything on a smaller board I want to see if that muscle memory is somewhere in there. Last time I learnt new trucks was the time I skated a 8.25 board many years ago.
Also that size is easier to find in here than 8.5.
Damn madness.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Murge on December 23, 2019, 05:26:59 AM
For the people that’s gone down sizes did you buy new trucks? I usually skate 8.5 with 149 Indy’s and I’m kinda debating on trying an 8.25 to see if it helps me get some flip tricks back but I dont wanna buy 144/148s. ( I hooked up a homie with some 144s I had chilling to get him skating again). But 8.25 with 149s from reading other threads is that gonna hinder trying get flip tricks back? My local only has 2 8.38s and I don’t really want to try a SC power ply. Well I do but not for the upcharge of a power ply ha
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Roisto on December 23, 2019, 05:42:07 AM
For the people that’s gone down sizes did you buy new trucks? I usually skate 8.5 with 149 Indy’s and I’m kinda debating on trying an 8.25 to see if it helps me get some flip tricks back but I dont wanna buy 144/148s. ( I hooked up a homie with some 144s I had chilling to get him skating again). But 8.25 with 149s from reading other threads is that gonna hinder trying get flip tricks back? My local only has 2 8.38s and I don’t really want to try a SC power ply. Well I do but not for the upcharge of a power ply ha

People skated 8.25s with 149s for years without issues before the 144s and 148s were available.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on December 23, 2019, 06:22:21 AM
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For the people that’s gone down sizes did you buy new trucks? I usually skate 8.5 with 149 Indy’s and I’m kinda debating on trying an 8.25 to see if it helps me get some flip tricks back but I dont wanna buy 144/148s. ( I hooked up a homie with some 144s I had chilling to get him skating again). But 8.25 with 149s from reading other threads is that gonna hinder trying get flip tricks back? My local only has 2 8.38s and I don’t really want to try a SC power ply. Well I do but not for the upcharge of a power ply ha
[close]

People skated 8.25s with 149s for years without issues before the 144s and 148s were available.
This, if you don't want to spend in some 8.25 trucks you shouldn't have nay issues with 149 unless your madness is that bad.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Murge on December 23, 2019, 08:18:49 AM
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For the people that’s gone down sizes did you buy new trucks? I usually skate 8.5 with 149 Indy’s and I’m kinda debating on trying an 8.25 to see if it helps me get some flip tricks back but I dont wanna buy 144/148s. ( I hooked up a homie with some 144s I had chilling to get him skating again). But 8.25 with 149s from reading other threads is that gonna hinder trying get flip tricks back? My local only has 2 8.38s and I don’t really want to try a SC power ply. Well I do but not for the upcharge of a power ply ha
[close]

People skated 8.25s with 149s for years without issues before the 144s and 148s were available.
[close]
This, if you don't want to spend in some 8.25 trucks you shouldn't have nay issues with 149 unless your madness is that bad.

Appreciate it. Thanks guys. My madness isn’t that bad and y’all put it in check before I got weird with the madness
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on December 23, 2019, 07:55:42 PM
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For the people that’s gone down sizes did you buy new trucks? I usually skate 8.5 with 149 Indy’s and I’m kinda debating on trying an 8.25 to see if it helps me get some flip tricks back but I dont wanna buy 144/148s. ( I hooked up a homie with some 144s I had chilling to get him skating again). But 8.25 with 149s from reading other threads is that gonna hinder trying get flip tricks back? My local only has 2 8.38s and I don’t really want to try a SC power ply. Well I do but not for the upcharge of a power ply ha
[close]

People skated 8.25s with 149s for years without issues before the 144s and 148s were available.
[close]
This, if you don't want to spend in some 8.25 trucks you shouldn't have nay issues with 149 unless your madness is that bad.
[close]

Appreciate it. Thanks guys. My madness isn’t that bad and y’all put it in check before I got weird with the madness

It always starts that way....
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Weezil on December 23, 2019, 11:15:43 PM
when I sized down from 8.5-8.25 the worst thing for me was sizing down trucks. when I have 149s/5.8s on it doesn't bother me whether the board is an 8.5 or 8.25 but I fuck with the truck size the slightest bit and it fucks me all up. Probably why I'll never truly enjoy ace 44s.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on December 24, 2019, 05:20:41 AM
Expected more "going down from an 8.6 to a 7.5" in here but this is more of a "going down from 8.18 to 8.125"
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: chris. on December 24, 2019, 08:19:50 AM
Baby steps. People here obsess about the most minute details off their set up, we ain’t gonna be dropping a full inch at a time.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 25, 2019, 10:05:49 AM
Expected more "going down from an 8.6 to a 7.5" in here but this is more of a "going down from 8.18 to 8.125"


Haha. True. For me it’s more going down truck sizes than board sizes.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: laramieskate55 on December 25, 2019, 10:30:07 AM
This is interesting. I'm currently considering doing the exact opposite, get a bigger board. Years ago I gradually worked my way up from 7,62 to 8" over a few years. Pretty much the last 8 years i've been going back and forth between 8" and 8,125, which is where I'm currently at. And it feels great. I'm 5' 10" with 9,5 feet.

The thing is, I have never ridden a bigger board (apart from the old school days when I first started). I've noticed that my skating has become more simple, been trying to skate more tranny and I barely do any flip tricks anymore. I can do my few heelflips that I still regularly do on any fucking cruise ship, so that's not an issue.

I'm thinking of getting an 8,5 with 149 Thunders, just to see how that feels and maybe get a new boost for skating in general. Seems like most pros ride big boards, even though a lot them are small guys.

I'm 5'11 with 9.5 feet and I stared at 7.75, then 8, then 8.125, 8.25, and 8.3. I just recently went back down to 8.125 ps stix, and it's perfect.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 25, 2019, 10:46:41 AM
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This is interesting. I'm currently considering doing the exact opposite, get a bigger board. Years ago I gradually worked my way up from 7,62 to 8" over a few years. Pretty much the last 8 years i've been going back and forth between 8" and 8,125, which is where I'm currently at. And it feels great. I'm 5' 10" with 9,5 feet.

The thing is, I have never ridden a bigger board (apart from the old school days when I first started). I've noticed that my skating has become more simple, been trying to skate more tranny and I barely do any flip tricks anymore. I can do my few heelflips that I still regularly do on any fucking cruise ship, so that's not an issue.

I'm thinking of getting an 8,5 with 149 Thunders, just to see how that feels and maybe get a new boost for skating in general. Seems like most pros ride big boards, even though a lot them are small guys.

I'm 5'11 with 9.5 feet and I stared at 7.75, then 8, then 8.125, 8.25, and 8.3. I just recently went back down to 8.125 ps stix, and it's perfect.
[close]


With the 8.125....let’s just 8-8.25: which truck size?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: gsosa on December 25, 2019, 11:50:27 AM
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This is interesting. I'm currently considering doing the exact opposite, get a bigger board. Years ago I gradually worked my way up from 7,62 to 8" over a few years. Pretty much the last 8 years i've been going back and forth between 8" and 8,125, which is where I'm currently at. And it feels great. I'm 5' 10" with 9,5 feet.

The thing is, I have never ridden a bigger board (apart from the old school days when I first started). I've noticed that my skating has become more simple, been trying to skate more tranny and I barely do any flip tricks anymore. I can do my few heelflips that I still regularly do on any fucking cruise ship, so that's not an issue.

I'm thinking of getting an 8,5 with 149 Thunders, just to see how that feels and maybe get a new boost for skating in general. Seems like most pros ride big boards, even though a lot them are small guys.

I'm 5'11 with 9.5 feet and I stared at 7.75, then 8, then 8.125, 8.25, and 8.3. I just recently went back down to 8.125 ps stix, and it's perfect.
[close]
[close]


With the 8.125....let’s just 8-8.25: which truck size?

I've been skating the 8- 8.125 for years now and just recently stepped up to 8.25 but I feel Thunder 148s (or their equivalent in other brands) work great for that range.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 25, 2019, 11:57:00 AM
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This is interesting. I'm currently considering doing the exact opposite, get a bigger board. Years ago I gradually worked my way up from 7,62 to 8" over a few years. Pretty much the last 8 years i've been going back and forth between 8" and 8,125, which is where I'm currently at. And it feels great. I'm 5' 10" with 9,5 feet.

The thing is, I have never ridden a bigger board (apart from the old school days when I first started). I've noticed that my skating has become more simple, been trying to skate more tranny and I barely do any flip tricks anymore. I can do my few heelflips that I still regularly do on any fucking cruise ship, so that's not an issue.

I'm thinking of getting an 8,5 with 149 Thunders, just to see how that feels and maybe get a new boost for skating in general. Seems like most pros ride big boards, even though a lot them are small guys.

I'm 5'11 with 9.5 feet and I stared at 7.75, then 8, then 8.125, 8.25, and 8.3. I just recently went back down to 8.125 ps stix, and it's perfect.
[close]
[close]


With the 8.125....let’s just 8-8.25: which truck size?
[close]

I've been skating the 8- 8.125 for years now and just recently stepped up to 8.25 but I feel Thunder 148s (or their equivalent in other brands) work great for that range.

Thank you
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on December 25, 2019, 04:15:12 PM
Today I tried my 8.25 setup and it felt pretty fun, sucky thing that I got all my tricks just fine but kickflips went to hell
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on December 25, 2019, 05:22:44 PM
Today I tried my 8.25 setup at it felt pretty fun, sucky thing that I got all my trucks just fine but kickflips went to hell

That is usually what makes or breaks a setup for me. I've sucked at kickflips for most of my life and need all the help I can get. If a board doesn't cooperate with me for kickflips I'm over it by the end of the day.

I got a couple of Real 8.18" boards coming, hopefully the increased width and WB don't throw me off too badly.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on December 25, 2019, 05:57:36 PM
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Today I tried my 8.25 setup at it felt pretty fun, sucky thing that I got all my trucks just fine but kickflips went to hell
[close]

That is usually what makes or breaks a setup for me. I've sucked at kickflips for most of my life and need all the help I can get. If a board doesn't cooperate with me for kickflips I'm over it by the end of the day.

I got a couple of Real 8.18" boards coming, hopefully the increased width and WB don't throw me off too badly.
Tomorrow I'll put the trucks on my current 8.5 board. If kickflips still sucks the trucks are the problem, if not then 8.25 board doesn't work for me.
Is never our fault, everybody knows that.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on December 25, 2019, 06:27:25 PM
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Today I tried my 8.25 setup at it felt pretty fun, sucky thing that I got all my trucks just fine but kickflips went to hell
[close]

That is usually what makes or breaks a setup for me. I've sucked at kickflips for most of my life and need all the help I can get. If a board doesn't cooperate with me for kickflips I'm over it by the end of the day.

I got a couple of Real 8.18" boards coming, hopefully the increased width and WB don't throw me off too badly.
[close]
Tomorrow I'll put the trucks on my current 8.5 board. If kickflips still sucks the trucks are the problem, if not then 8.25 board doesn't work for me.
Is never our fault, everybody knows that.

Taking responsibility for my shitty skateboarding? Fuck that, it's the millimeters on my wheels / trucks / board / griptape / bolts / pivot cups, not my lack of balance and fast twitch muscles.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Woos on December 26, 2019, 09:13:48 PM
Changing width isn’t that bad for me.  What’s hard is changing length and wheelbase.

Obviously going from an 8.5 to a 7.5 would be hard but I can go from 8.0 to 8.5 back to 8.0 and then an 8.375 fairly easily.

Now going from a 32.375” length to 32.33”... yeah that takes a while to get used to.  Completely different foot positions and a complete change in balance.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 26, 2019, 11:24:54 PM
as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 26, 2019, 11:40:39 PM
as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 26, 2019, 11:53:04 PM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 12:04:07 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.

probably should have included i have big feet so im forced to be on my toes anyway and kinda ride it like its smaller than it is
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 12:27:02 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
[close]

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.

yea im a tall guy with big feet so what i ride looks pretty normal at a distance. when i first learned how to ride a skateboard it was on a 7.5 and couldnt really skate consistently due to athletic responsibilities at the time. when i got back into it i rode an 8.3 which is bigger than average but it just felt too small. anything 8.0-8.5s that i tried felt like toys. i know the wb wasnt kept constant but having both feet hanging more than halfway off the board felt ridiculous. .25 up from 8.5 didnt feel much different from an 8.5 but was alright.

its probably mental but i just cant perform consistently on anything much smaller than a 9.0. might have to suck it up and take the confused looks of calling it my "tech" setup. respect to the giants who push 7.75s like its nothing yoou will eternally have me beat there
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 27, 2019, 12:38:38 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
[close]

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.
[close]

yea im a tall guy with big feet so what i ride looks pretty normal at a distance. when i first learned how to ride a skateboard it was on a 7.5 and couldnt really skate consistently due to athletic responsibilities at the time. when i got back into it i rode an 8.3 which is bigger than average but it just felt too small. anything 8.0-8.5s that i tried felt like toys. i know the wb wasnt kept constant but having both feet hanging more than halfway off the board felt ridiculous. .25 up from 8.5 didnt feel much different from an 8.5 but was alright.

its probably mental but i just cant perform consistently on anything much smaller than a 9.0. might have to suck it up and take the confused looks of calling it my "tech" setup. respect to the giants who push 7.75s like its nothing yoou will eternally have me beat there

Yeah ultimately this is all subjective, especially since everyone skates with a different technique so it may well be the case that a 9 inch board is more conducive towards technical skating for you. I definitely agree that for most people 7.5 is definitely way too small and is the other extreme end of the spectrum.

I've grown to quite like having a good amount of my foot hanging off the board (as I described earlier with the whole standing on your toes thing). I personally can't fathom having a 9 inch board for anything that isn't ATV mashing/transition/slappies etc and I'm 6ft5 with size 13 feet, but if it works for you it works.

If I skated a bit more of everything instead of mostly ledges, flatbars and flatground, I'd probably prefer an 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase and maybe a 32.25 inch long board as opposed to my current (8.25, 32, 14.25). Though I do have ventures with forged plates which extend the wheelbase more than any other truck. Back when I had aces, even 14.375/14.5 ish felt a tad unstable at times whereas 14.25 on these Ventures has largely been fine.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 01:37:52 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
[close]

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.
[close]

yea im a tall guy with big feet so what i ride looks pretty normal at a distance. when i first learned how to ride a skateboard it was on a 7.5 and couldnt really skate consistently due to athletic responsibilities at the time. when i got back into it i rode an 8.3 which is bigger than average but it just felt too small. anything 8.0-8.5s that i tried felt like toys. i know the wb wasnt kept constant but having both feet hanging more than halfway off the board felt ridiculous. .25 up from 8.5 didnt feel much different from an 8.5 but was alright.

its probably mental but i just cant perform consistently on anything much smaller than a 9.0. might have to suck it up and take the confused looks of calling it my "tech" setup. respect to the giants who push 7.75s like its nothing yoou will eternally have me beat there
[close]

Yeah ultimately this is all subjective, especially since everyone skates with a different technique so it may well be the case that a 9 inch board is more conducive towards technical skating for you. I definitely agree that for most people 7.5 is definitely way too small and is the other extreme end of the spectrum.

I've grown to quite like having a good amount of my foot hanging off the board (as I described earlier with the whole standing on your toes thing). I personally can't fathom having a 9 inch board for anything that isn't ATV mashing/transition/slappies etc and I'm 6ft5 with size 13 feet, but if it works for you it works.

If I skated a bit more of everything instead of mostly ledges, flatbars and flatground, I'd probably prefer an 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase and maybe a 32.25 inch long board as opposed to my current (8.25, 32, 14.25). Though I do have ventures with forged plates which extend the wheelbase more than any other truck. Back when I had aces, even 14.375/14.5 ish felt a tad unstable at times whereas 14.25 on these Ventures has largely been fine.

same height an shoe size. im all legs and i can feel the madness coming back. really might mess around with my board length rather than with cause i feel like my board is too long for me if anything at 33in. is 32 as low as you would try?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 27, 2019, 01:54:25 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
[close]

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.
[close]

yea im a tall guy with big feet so what i ride looks pretty normal at a distance. when i first learned how to ride a skateboard it was on a 7.5 and couldnt really skate consistently due to athletic responsibilities at the time. when i got back into it i rode an 8.3 which is bigger than average but it just felt too small. anything 8.0-8.5s that i tried felt like toys. i know the wb wasnt kept constant but having both feet hanging more than halfway off the board felt ridiculous. .25 up from 8.5 didnt feel much different from an 8.5 but was alright.

its probably mental but i just cant perform consistently on anything much smaller than a 9.0. might have to suck it up and take the confused looks of calling it my "tech" setup. respect to the giants who push 7.75s like its nothing yoou will eternally have me beat there
[close]

Yeah ultimately this is all subjective, especially since everyone skates with a different technique so it may well be the case that a 9 inch board is more conducive towards technical skating for you. I definitely agree that for most people 7.5 is definitely way too small and is the other extreme end of the spectrum.

I've grown to quite like having a good amount of my foot hanging off the board (as I described earlier with the whole standing on your toes thing). I personally can't fathom having a 9 inch board for anything that isn't ATV mashing/transition/slappies etc and I'm 6ft5 with size 13 feet, but if it works for you it works.

If I skated a bit more of everything instead of mostly ledges, flatbars and flatground, I'd probably prefer an 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase and maybe a 32.25 inch long board as opposed to my current (8.25, 32, 14.25). Though I do have ventures with forged plates which extend the wheelbase more than any other truck. Back when I had aces, even 14.375/14.5 ish felt a tad unstable at times whereas 14.25 on these Ventures has largely been fine.
[close]

same height an shoe size. im all legs and i can feel the madness coming back. really might mess around with my board length rather than with cause i feel like my board is too long for me if anything at 33in. is 32 as low as you would try?

Yup, though the current Theories deck I'm skating turned out to be about 31.9 not 32 after measuring lol. I've had shorter decks in the past and was too tight.

For a lot of tricks I've grown to like having my feet closer together, though it makes things a lot sketchier when you're going fast on crusty spots or set your feet up in uncomfortable positions (eg switch tres) so 32 is as short as I'm willing to reasonably go. 33 sounds way too long to me. I remember the longest board that I had a good time on was this shape about a year ago https://www.tactics.com/krooked/gonz-kollection-838-full-shape-skateboard-deck on Indys. Though I bet if I set one of those up right now coming from an 32,14.25,8.25 on Ventures it would feel really weird.

I think my biggest gripe with longer boards (straight kickflips aside) is that it throws off my spacing for grinds/slides tricks that involve a rotation in (180 nosegrind variations, 180 sw crooks etc). On longer boards it feels like I have to pop so much further away from the ledge and it feels really weird. If I didn't do so many of these tricks I'd probably be a bit happier on a slightly longer (but definitely still well under 32.5 inch) board

My inseam is about 34/35, not sure if thats long or short for our height but seems about normal? Definitely wouldn't say I'm all legs though.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 02:18:32 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
[close]

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.
[close]

yea im a tall guy with big feet so what i ride looks pretty normal at a distance. when i first learned how to ride a skateboard it was on a 7.5 and couldnt really skate consistently due to athletic responsibilities at the time. when i got back into it i rode an 8.3 which is bigger than average but it just felt too small. anything 8.0-8.5s that i tried felt like toys. i know the wb wasnt kept constant but having both feet hanging more than halfway off the board felt ridiculous. .25 up from 8.5 didnt feel much different from an 8.5 but was alright.

its probably mental but i just cant perform consistently on anything much smaller than a 9.0. might have to suck it up and take the confused looks of calling it my "tech" setup. respect to the giants who push 7.75s like its nothing yoou will eternally have me beat there
[close]

Yeah ultimately this is all subjective, especially since everyone skates with a different technique so it may well be the case that a 9 inch board is more conducive towards technical skating for you. I definitely agree that for most people 7.5 is definitely way too small and is the other extreme end of the spectrum.

I've grown to quite like having a good amount of my foot hanging off the board (as I described earlier with the whole standing on your toes thing). I personally can't fathom having a 9 inch board for anything that isn't ATV mashing/transition/slappies etc and I'm 6ft5 with size 13 feet, but if it works for you it works.

If I skated a bit more of everything instead of mostly ledges, flatbars and flatground, I'd probably prefer an 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase and maybe a 32.25 inch long board as opposed to my current (8.25, 32, 14.25). Though I do have ventures with forged plates which extend the wheelbase more than any other truck. Back when I had aces, even 14.375/14.5 ish felt a tad unstable at times whereas 14.25 on these Ventures has largely been fine.
[close]

same height an shoe size. im all legs and i can feel the madness coming back. really might mess around with my board length rather than with cause i feel like my board is too long for me if anything at 33in. is 32 as low as you would try?
[close]

Yup, though the current Theories deck I'm skating turned out to be about 31.9 not 32 after measuring lol. I've had shorter decks in the past and was too tight.

For a lot of tricks I've grown to like having my feet closer together, though it makes things a lot sketchier when you're going fast on crusty spots or set your feet up in uncomfortable positions (eg switch tres) so 32 is as short as I'm willing to reasonably go. 33 sounds way too long to me. I remember the longest board that I had a good time on was this shape about a year ago https://www.tactics.com/krooked/gonz-kollection-838-full-shape-skateboard-deck on Indys. Though I bet if I set one of those up right now coming from an 32,14.25,8.25 on Ventures it would feel really weird.

I think my biggest gripe with longer boards (straight kickflips aside) is that it throws off my spacing for grinds/slides tricks that involve a rotation in (180 nosegrind variations, 180 sw crooks etc). On longer boards it feels like I have to pop so much further away from the ledge and it feels really weird. If I didn't do so many of these tricks I'd probably be a bit happier on a slightly longer (but definitely still well under 32.5 inch) board

My inseam is about 34/35, not sure if thats long or short for our height but seems about normal? Definitely wouldn't say I'm all legs though.

thanks for your input. definitely gonna size down the length and see what it does for my skating. try to handle the madness one variable at a time. pray for my wallet :'(

i have a 36 inseam minimum, but i think 34/35 is average for this height
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 27, 2019, 02:25:17 AM
No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 02:46:23 AM
No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 27, 2019, 03:26:40 AM
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as someone who exclusively rides 9"-10" boards, what is the benefit of sizing down? cant all tricks be done on any board that isnt a longboard? wouldnt it be better to learn flatground on something wider and more stable to land on instead of something thinner?

for someone where that size of deck is technically a scaled up 8.0 i dont understand the idea of cutting down on width if the wb cant go down with it. can someone explain what im missing out on?
[close]

Smaller boards generally feel more nimble, easier to maneuver for ledge tricks etc. Obviously they're lighter, flip faster and with less effort too which helps a lot for learning many flatground/ledge tricks.

For me, one of the most noticeable benefits of sizing down was that it changed the way I do certain tricks. I'll copy what I said on the previous page: Flip tricks feel more 'compact' and 'contained' for lack of a better way to describe it. A lot of ledge/flatbar tricks feel better because I'm standing on my toes more when rolling up. With a skinnier board you skate and do tricks with your forefoot/tiptoes more and that can result in more control than when you have your entire foot flat on a wider board... in my experience at least.
[close]

Sure all of the tricks can be done. Sorta. For the most part it’s personal preference, but mega ramp skaters were skating 8.25-8.5 boards for awhile. Now small children are attempting to do kickflips on setups with 9” trucks, and it looks like.....a little kid skating a board that’s too big for them. Boards barely leaving the ground, dramatic movements to initiate that barge to flipping. Super big boards are cool, fun, and trendy. The big boards are comfy, but over the course of a session, and into the next day, I’ll really feel the effects of that extra weight. Ankles, knees, back, etc, just hurt more after riding a big board.
I get that big boards are fashionable, and there are some advantages, but the majority of those advantages are not ‘performance’ based. Not that that really matters.
[close]

yea im a tall guy with big feet so what i ride looks pretty normal at a distance. when i first learned how to ride a skateboard it was on a 7.5 and couldnt really skate consistently due to athletic responsibilities at the time. when i got back into it i rode an 8.3 which is bigger than average but it just felt too small. anything 8.0-8.5s that i tried felt like toys. i know the wb wasnt kept constant but having both feet hanging more than halfway off the board felt ridiculous. .25 up from 8.5 didnt feel much different from an 8.5 but was alright.

its probably mental but i just cant perform consistently on anything much smaller than a 9.0. might have to suck it up and take the confused looks of calling it my "tech" setup. respect to the giants who push 7.75s like its nothing yoou will eternally have me beat there
[close]

Yeah ultimately this is all subjective, especially since everyone skates with a different technique so it may well be the case that a 9 inch board is more conducive towards technical skating for you. I definitely agree that for most people 7.5 is definitely way too small and is the other extreme end of the spectrum.

I've grown to quite like having a good amount of my foot hanging off the board (as I described earlier with the whole standing on your toes thing). I personally can't fathom having a 9 inch board for anything that isn't ATV mashing/transition/slappies etc and I'm 6ft5 with size 13 feet, but if it works for you it works.

If I skated a bit more of everything instead of mostly ledges, flatbars and flatground, I'd probably prefer an 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase and maybe a 32.25 inch long board as opposed to my current (8.25, 32, 14.25). Though I do have ventures with forged plates which extend the wheelbase more than any other truck. Back when I had aces, even 14.375/14.5 ish felt a tad unstable at times whereas 14.25 on these Ventures has largely been fine.
[close]

same height an shoe size. im all legs and i can feel the madness coming back. really might mess around with my board length rather than with cause i feel like my board is too long for me if anything at 33in. is 32 as low as you would try?
[close]

Yup, though the current Theories deck I'm skating turned out to be about 31.9 not 32 after measuring lol. I've had shorter decks in the past and was too tight.

For a lot of tricks I've grown to like having my feet closer together, though it makes things a lot sketchier when you're going fast on crusty spots or set your feet up in uncomfortable positions (eg switch tres) so 32 is as short as I'm willing to reasonably go. 33 sounds way too long to me. I remember the longest board that I had a good time on was this shape about a year ago https://www.tactics.com/krooked/gonz-kollection-838-full-shape-skateboard-deck on Indys. Though I bet if I set one of those up right now coming from an 32,14.25,8.25 on Ventures it would feel really weird.

I think my biggest gripe with longer boards (straight kickflips aside) is that it throws off my spacing for grinds/slides tricks that involve a rotation in (180 nosegrind variations, 180 sw crooks etc). On longer boards it feels like I have to pop so much further away from the ledge and it feels really weird. If I didn't do so many of these tricks I'd probably be a bit happier on a slightly longer (but definitely still well under 32.5 inch) board

My inseam is about 34/35, not sure if thats long or short for our height but seems about normal? Definitely wouldn't say I'm all legs though.
[close]

thanks for your input. definitely gonna size down the length and see what it does for my skating. try to handle the madness one variable at a time. pray for my wallet :'(

i have a 36 inseam minimum, but i think 34/35 is average for this height

Sorry all. Now I really feel like a monster. Not an actual monster, that’d be you folks that are the same height, and taller, than say sir Charles Barkley. I’m Nate Robinson size, without the athleticism. Aaaasanyways, I totally omitted qualifiers on my ‘big boards are hip and comfy’ grousing. The boards you are speaking of sound like normal size boards, for you. I skated in the 80s, on huge boards, when I was tiny, and in the 90s on tiny boards when I was merely small.
 I skate lots of different sizes now, have never figured my ‘right size’, if there is such a thing. Big boards have tons of advantages! Less for me, a 5’8 (and probably shrinking) old guy, who just tries to do 5 different flip tricks and call it a day. I have a 7.5, it is fun, it does feel fairly ridiculous, and it is hard to really generate any type of power when riding it. Kickflips feel kinda squashed, 3flips will occasionally take off, in a cool way, but Ollie’s are trash.
I took a long time to write that I should have acknowledged people are of many different sizes, and boards should be too.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: jay_nev on December 27, 2019, 04:25:45 AM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 04:41:41 AM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?

caleb barnett had a clip on a 9in eagle earlier this year forgot which video. thats all i can think of :-\
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Yesterdays-pop on December 27, 2019, 05:03:23 AM
Sized down from a 9.18” to a 8” and it feels a lil more snug but everything felt good and I didn’t loose any tricks. It’s only been a few days but wallrides feel a little off and consistency on flip tricks isn’t great but it’s relatively the same.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on December 27, 2019, 11:21:01 AM
I put together an 8.25 setup to leave it as an alternative to my 8.5.
It's been pretty fun. No way I'm going any bigger than 8.5 or smaller than 8.25
I'm all set up.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 27, 2019, 12:01:26 PM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?
[close]

caleb barnett had a clip on a 9in eagle earlier this year forgot which video. thats all i can think of :-\

2:13, doesn't seem as big as a 9 inch for sure. Appears roughly like what an 8.5 inch looks like under me, idk maybe he got a quiver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiYNebMJ9Hc

I put together an 8.25 setup to leave it as an alternative to my 8.5.
It's been pretty fun. No way I'm going any bigger than 8.5 or smaller than 8.25
I'm all set up.

This is me for the foreseeable future too I think.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 27, 2019, 02:45:02 PM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?
[close]

caleb barnett had a clip on a 9in eagle earlier this year forgot which video. thats all i can think of :-\
[close]

2:13, doesn't seem as big as a 9 inch for sure. Appears roughly like what an 8.5 inch looks like under me, idk maybe he got a quiver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiYNebMJ9Hc

Expand Quote
I put together an 8.25 setup to leave it as an alternative to my 8.5.
It's been pretty fun. No way I'm going any bigger than 8.5 or smaller than 8.25
I'm all set up.
[close]

This is me for the foreseeable future too I think.

Mr Barnett could maybe ride a bigger board, he got big feets.

Simon and Raven ride bigger boards, at times. Milton is tiny and rides 159s.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on December 27, 2019, 04:04:29 PM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?

Nothing scientific but Rob Welsh always stood out to me as being a tall dude who rode tiny boards. Just re-watched Free Your Mind and he looks like a giant riding what looks to be a 7.5 board.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 27, 2019, 04:15:49 PM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?
[close]

caleb barnett had a clip on a 9in eagle earlier this year forgot which video. thats all i can think of :-\
[close]

2:13, doesn't seem as big as a 9 inch for sure. Appears roughly like what an 8.5 inch looks like under me, idk maybe he got a quiver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiYNebMJ9Hc

Expand Quote
I put together an 8.25 setup to leave it as an alternative to my 8.5.
It's been pretty fun. No way I'm going any bigger than 8.5 or smaller than 8.25
I'm all set up.
[close]

This is me for the foreseeable future too I think.
[close]

Mr Barnett could maybe ride a bigger board, he got big feets.

Simon and Raven ride bigger boards, at times. Milton is tiny and rides 159s.

it definitely wasnt that clip. i think it was one of the hockey or supreme parts but i watched so much footy this year so dont quote me :o
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: satan on December 27, 2019, 05:27:17 PM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?
[close]

Nothing scientific but Rob Welsh always stood out to me as being a tall dude who rode tiny boards. Just re-watched Free Your Mind and he looks like a giant riding what looks to be a 7.5 board.
Isn't that called WuWelshing here? Big dude, tiny board, all mid-90's style
When I wear 11's and step on an 8 I feel like this
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on December 27, 2019, 07:29:59 PM
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No worries, I think a solid inch of my height comes from a long neck and big head lol. I dunno what wheelbase you're on right now, but maybe consider a white ah eagle? They're 8.75 and if I remember correctly, 32.75 long with a 14.62 wb. Thats a quarter inch reduction in width and length, so definitely noticeable but still in well big board territory and clear of the low 8inch zone.
[close]

im on a 15in wb right now with forged thunders. the lowest wb i feel good with so far is 14.75 but i could probably run that white eagle with ventures and get used to it
[close]
good discussion to read along with,
I’m 6’4” and size 13 as well, so just seeing how personal preference and sizing fits along.

Any pros that are clearly over 6’ and riding bigger boards?
[close]

Nothing scientific but Rob Welsh always stood out to me as being a tall dude who rode tiny boards. Just re-watched Free Your Mind and he looks like a giant riding what looks to be a 7.5 board.
[close]
Isn't that called WuWelshing here? Big dude, tiny board, all mid-90's style
When I wear 11's and step on an 8 I feel like this

Didn't know it was a thing. Welsh and Pepper love since Ride or Die!
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on December 27, 2019, 09:43:40 PM
Starting to notice the narrower I go, the longer the wheelbase I need to be comfy. Doesn't really make sense but I'm fine on 8.5 14.25, I need around a 14.5 wheelbase to be comfy
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Woos on December 27, 2019, 11:25:32 PM
Starting to notice the narrower I go, the longer the wheelbase I need to be comfy. Doesn't really make sense but I'm fine on 8.5 14.25, I need around a 14.5 wheelbase to be comfy

Have you tried Thunders/Ventures on smaller boards?  An 8.0 with a 14.25 WB on those feel fine for me but with Indies/Aces it feels way too sketchy.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on December 27, 2019, 11:59:13 PM
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Starting to notice the narrower I go, the longer the wheelbase I need to be comfy. Doesn't really make sense but I'm fine on 8.5 14.25, I need around a 14.5 wheelbase to be comfy
[close]

Have you tried Thunders/Ventures on smaller boards?  An 8.0 with a 14.25 WB on those feel fine for me but with Indies/Aces it feels way too sketchy.

I do own 5.8s and Thunder 149, but they collect dust. Reason I don't skate them is because 80% of the time I'm skating transition. I have thought about trying a 8.3 Twin Tail (14.3wb) with Thunders as an all-around setup. Ishod makes that setup look like fun. Not sure how good thunders feels on tranny tho, and I prefer 56mm, which would be wheelbite crazy
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Roisto on December 28, 2019, 02:00:13 AM
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Starting to notice the narrower I go, the longer the wheelbase I need to be comfy. Doesn't really make sense but I'm fine on 8.5 14.25, I need around a 14.5 wheelbase to be comfy
[close]

Have you tried Thunders/Ventures on smaller boards?  An 8.0 with a 14.25 WB on those feel fine for me but with Indies/Aces it feels way too sketchy.
[close]

I do own 5.8s and Thunder 149, but they collect dust. Reason I don't skate them is because 80% of the time I'm skating transition. I have thought about trying a 8.3 Twin Tail (14.3wb) with Thunders as an all-around setup. Ishod makes that setup look like fun. Not sure how good thunders feels on tranny tho, and I prefer 56mm, which would be wheelbite crazy

14.4"
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: AssFlea on December 28, 2019, 03:44:04 PM
Im about to size down from 8.5 dlx to 8.26 dlx. What an odd size

I move between 7.75 and 8.5. I like changes and challenging set ups.

I hatekrux trucks though.
Everyone rides the crazy tight too.

Tight trucks wide board big hill. Bad idea for me. I like loose fat and fast
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: 7th Chamber on December 28, 2019, 06:04:04 PM
All of my muscle memory is on a 7.5. I don’t need anything more.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 28, 2019, 07:04:57 PM
All of my muscle memory is on a 7.5. I don’t need anything more.

I just saw the Carroll UNC board. Now I want it.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: AssFlea on December 28, 2019, 08:05:10 PM
All of my muscle memory is on a 7.5. I don’t need anything more.

its too hard to use a little board as a part time walking cane.

That was originally why i moved up.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Yesterdays-pop on December 29, 2019, 06:16:03 PM
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All of my muscle memory is on a 7.5. I don’t need anything more.
[close]

its too hard to use a little board as a part time walking cane.

That was originally why i moved up.

Honestly the best benefits of a 33” are using as cane to walk home
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: satan on December 29, 2019, 06:58:21 PM
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All of my muscle memory is on a 7.5. I don’t need anything more.
[close]

its too hard to use a little board as a part time walking cane.

That was originally why i moved up.
[close]
Lol
You're so right. Longer boards do work better for me in that way
Honestly the best benefits of a 33” are using as cane to walk home
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: jtrpma on December 29, 2019, 08:04:20 PM
I usually keep two setups.
Something around 9.25-9.75 and an 8.75
I sometimes have great sessions on the “small” one but am not consistent at all. I never have a bummer session on the large boards, for some reason.

Maybe I just expect more from myself on a smaller setup but I just tend to twist my ankles more often, miss tricks and try technical stuff I suck at.

For me big boards are fun an that’s the only reason I keep coming back over and over again...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 30, 2019, 02:54:11 AM
I usually keep two setups.
Something around 9.25-9.75 and an 8.75
I sometimes have great sessions on the “small” one but am not consistent at all. I never have a bummer session on the large boards, for some reason.

Maybe I just expect more from myself on a smaller setup but I just tend to twist my ankles more often, miss tricks and try technical stuff I suck at.

For me big boards are fun an that’s the only reason I keep coming back over and over again...

same boat.
i keep "tech" setup from 8.75-9ish and a fun setup from 9-10. everything is a work in progress with my skating due to a really late start and im never planning to go pro, i just plan to be good. i have as much fun as i can with it.

the size doesnt mess with the stuff i want to do like core flatground tricks, gaps, ledges, rails, manuals, hill bombs, and tranny. never cared to be rodney mullen, shane oneill, or even suciu for that matter. the tech stuff is fun to watch but not rewarding to me. much rather do "basic" tricks that look good and they are all possible on the shit i ride.

i actually am an advocate for learning on a big board because if you can do it on a 10.0, what cant you do it on? look at chico brenes. really proves that if the other dimensions are reasonable, the width is close to a nonfactor. cory kennedy was ripping up everything before his sentence. vilanni gets down on that 9 inch egg. tfunk is a real talent and has a ton of clips on bigger decks (not sure if he made the permanent switch). yea some days i would like to think switching to an 8.0 would magically make me better but its all about the blood sweat and tears no matter the width. there are tons of examples of getting it done on a big boy so i dont even bother with the thought anymore.

its been great for learning trick mechanics and have more than a 2x4 to land on, which helps build confidence. if i ever really size down to normal board standards, it would just be an adjustment of power and a more precise landing. but then again i hope i never take it that serious where i give up on my cadillacs.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: tzhangdox on December 30, 2019, 03:29:06 AM
True, but Chico and CK learned and mastered all their flip tricks on much smaller and shorter boards. Plus they're eons more talented than the average skater. I can also think of many skaters who still skate 7.75 boards and refuse to size up (I think tx skates a 7.6 still).

Smaller boards are objectively easier to flip, and for most people this makes a pretty big difference when it comes to learning a new trick. Doing tricks you already know is another story, and obviously if the issue you're having with the trick is the limited landing room, then it would make sense to size up.

You're a big dude so a 9inch ish board is probably like an average sized person skating an 8.25 so your setups seem pretty reasonable for your proportions and what you skate. But for the average person, getting technical on a 9+ inch board is definitely going to be harder than if they had something more compact.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on December 30, 2019, 04:06:15 AM
I think I will size down to 7.75 once my 8.12 dies. I will not like buying new trucks (will always refuse to ride trucks wider than board). I only went up on size out of lack of options as far as, companies I like not putting out boards under 8. Kind of forced conformity, which I think has always irritated me about it.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on December 30, 2019, 04:13:57 AM
True, but Chico and CK learned and mastered all their flip tricks on much smaller and shorter boards. Plus they're eons more talented than the average skater. I can also think of many skaters who still skate 7.75 boards and refuse to size up (I think tx skates a 7.6 still).

Smaller boards are objectively easier to flip, and for most people this makes a pretty big difference when it comes to learning a new trick. Doing tricks you already know is another story, and obviously if the issue you're having with the trick is the limited landing room, then it would make sense to size up.

You're a big dude so a 9inch ish board is probably like an average sized person skating an 8.25 so your setups seem pretty reasonable for your proportions and what you skate. But for the average person, getting technical on a 9+ inch board is definitely going to be harder than if they had something more compact.

for sure man. having the options to pick your preference is one of the things i love about skating. working on a funky custom shape and messing with the dims of my board currently to see how it skates. much shorter length and a redrilled 14.5 wb seems like the way to go until i need a new deck. will post in the setup thread when its cleaned up and gripped
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 30, 2019, 05:07:00 AM
I think I will size down to 7.75 once my 8.12 dies. I will not like buying new trucks (will always refuse to ride trucks wider than board). I only went up on size out of lack of options as far as, companies I like not putting out boards under 8. Kind of forced conformity, which I think has always irritated me about it.

7.75 might be ‘my size’. Much easier to skate. Looks ridiculous. Why do I care?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on December 30, 2019, 03:50:28 PM
For years, I thought 7.75 or 7.88 were right out of my comfort zone. I just skated better on 7.5 or 7.625 (I used to assume because I have small feet?). But after all these 8+ decks, I think 7.75 could be just right. I don't like the floaty flip of 8+. In saying that though, I've had a quick flip on thunders (but prefer the ride of indys). Possibly the wheelbase, but Iike them small (I am short too, assumed this is why). I always liked the 31.25 - 31.5 length, so when I see 32+, I never buy. Again, always assumed cuz I'm short and small feet
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: satan on December 30, 2019, 08:27:48 PM
I think I will size down to 7.75 once my 8.12 dies. I will not like buying new trucks (will always refuse to ride trucks wider than board). I only went up on size out of lack of options as far as, companies I like not putting out boards under 8. Kind of forced conformity, which I think has always irritated me about it.
Do you know what wb your 8.12 is?
If it's 14.25" you could try and 8" with 14" wb. That'd get you part way to 7.75 flip-ability without having to size down your trucks.
If you're at 14" already idk if you'd notice much difference.

I tend to ignore listed total length. Don't some woodshops measure it differently?
I'll compare boards to each other to check length, or straight across with a tape measure..
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Spankthemonkey on December 30, 2019, 10:04:09 PM
I can always get up morning wood or shine
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: whatsreallygood on December 31, 2019, 04:40:54 PM
I've been going up through the years, started at 7.5 and ended at 8.5. My shoe size is 11-12 depending on the brand and I'm around 6'2" and 185lbs, so I prefer an 8.25-8.5 for stability while still being able to pop and flip the board easily. I started at 7.5 cause my feet were smaller, that's pretty much why I've changed size.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on December 31, 2019, 07:09:40 PM
Who is skating the smallest board?
How you like it?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on December 31, 2019, 08:52:35 PM
Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on January 02, 2020, 11:17:42 AM
I need to remind myself to just skate an 8.
Just watched a Sean Payne part, now that’s a small board.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: spanyard on January 02, 2020, 12:58:20 PM
Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY

Seconded.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: camel filters on January 02, 2020, 01:08:58 PM
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Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
[close]

Seconded.
How old are you guys? I have a feeling young legs also can manage big boards better. 8.38 is feeling like a sweet spot for me (10.5 shoes, 5'11, 31 y/o)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: whatsreallygood on January 02, 2020, 01:15:42 PM
I can't imagine 8.25 being small. 8.5 is the biggest I see whenever I go out and skate and that's usually me and maybe one other dude. Frame of reference is weird lol
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: whenyousleep on January 02, 2020, 03:00:09 PM
8.38" -> 8.25" -> 8" at the moment.

The 8 feels really good right now, super easy to throw around and flatground is a beast. I'm not doing tricks down stairs anyways so the extra width doesn't help me. I'm on venture lows so pinch on crooks feel so good even without the increased truck width. Feel really comfy on grinds.

I'm actually looking to size down to try out 7.75" next, keeping the 8 inch trucks.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on January 02, 2020, 04:38:43 PM
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Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
[close]

Seconded.
[close]
How old are you guys? I have a feeling young legs also can manage big boards better. 8.38 is feeling like a sweet spot for me (10.5 shoes, 5'11, 31 y/o)

23 here, only ever noticed how much work a bigger board is the other night when I was cruising around the city for the first time since I hurt myself 3 months ago. My hips and legs were SORE
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: satan on January 02, 2020, 05:59:00 PM
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Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
[close]

Seconded.
[close]
How old are you guys? I have a feeling young legs also can manage big boards better. 8.38 is feeling like a sweet spot for me (10.5 shoes, 5'11, 31 y/o)
I'm about ur size but older.. 8.38" seems like a good street size to me but I'd want a short wb.
Measured my foot compared to board width last night and had an epiphany, think 8.375-8.75" might be "ideal" in the way my foot would touch the rails/edge of my deck.
Measure the bottom of your foot, from about the middle of your heel pad to the edge of the pad on your big toe. This would be like if your toe was barely overhanging the board (ready for an ape hanger).
Now measure a lil past the middle of your heel to the center of the pad on your big toe. Should be about 1/2" longer than your first measurement.

Idk how correct my thinking is, I could just be trying to prove to myself that I need 159's.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: spanyard on January 02, 2020, 07:11:55 PM
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Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
[close]

Seconded.
[close]
How old are you guys? I have a feeling young legs also can manage big boards better. 8.38 is feeling like a sweet spot for me (10.5 shoes, 5'11, 31 y/o)
[close]

23 here, only ever noticed how much work a bigger board is the other night when I was cruising around the city for the first time since I hurt myself 3 months ago. My hips and legs were SORE

47.  I learned kickflips on late 80's shapes.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on January 03, 2020, 05:06:03 AM
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Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
[close]

Seconded.
[close]
How old are you guys? I have a feeling young legs also can manage big boards better. 8.38 is feeling like a sweet spot for me (10.5 shoes, 5'11, 31 y/o)
[close]
I'm about ur size but older.. 8.38" seems like a good street size to me but I'd want a short wb.
Measured my foot compared to board width last night and had an epiphany, think 8.375-8.75" might be "ideal" in the way my foot would touch the rails/edge of my deck.
Measure the bottom of your foot, from about the middle of your heel pad to the edge of the pad on your big toe. This would be like if your toe was barely overhanging the board (ready for an ape hanger).
Now measure a lil past the middle of your heel to the center of the pad on your big toe. Should be about 1/2" longer than your first measurement.

Idk how correct my thinking is, I could just be trying to prove to myself that I need 159's.

did it for shits and giggles and got 9 and then 9 1/2. all i did was confuse myself lol. what do you think it means?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: moonordie on January 03, 2020, 05:28:16 AM
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Been playing with some smaller setups, 8.37 and 8.25, even with my size 8 feet and being like 5"5 they just feel TINY
[close]

Seconded.
[close]
How old are you guys? I have a feeling young legs also can manage big boards better. 8.38 is feeling like a sweet spot for me (10.5 shoes, 5'11, 31 y/o)
[close]

23 here, only ever noticed how much work a bigger board is the other night when I was cruising around the city for the first time since I hurt myself 3 months ago. My hips and legs were SORE
[close]

47.  I learned kickflips on late 80's shapes.
Respect.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: AngryBlackMan on January 05, 2020, 03:55:54 AM
I’ll preface this with I’m almost 40, I don’t jump down anything I can’t jump up. I mostly skate flat ground, ledges and rails (also flat), curbs, banks, and some tranny

I’ve been on boards from 8.5-8.75 with 151/159/6.1 for most of 2019.  I’ve had a couple 8.25s that I was into but the madness got the better of me and I moved back up.  I like the extra room to land on but my feet get tired, I feel like I run out of “flick”, and learning new tricks on a bigger deck seems to be more work.

I’m going to be trying out 8.125 decks on thunder 148s. I grabbed some boards from the Pennswood and DOA sales and I’m gonna run those for a while to see if I can stick with it.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on January 05, 2020, 06:38:56 AM
I’ll preface this with I’m almost 40, I don’t jump down anything I can’t jump up. I mostly skate flat ground, ledges and rails (also flat), curbs, banks, and some tranny

I’ve been on boards from 8.5-8.75 with 151/159/6.1 for most of 2019.  I’ve had a couple 8.25s that I was into but the madness got the better of me and I moved back up.  I like the extra room to land on but my feet get tired, I feel like I run out of “flick”, and learning new tricks on a bigger deck seems to be more work.

I’m going to be trying out 8.125 decks on thunder 148s. I grabbed some boards from the Pennswood and DOA sales and I’m gonna run those for a while to see if I can stick with it.

Going up in size is easier than going down, as far as adjustments go. Well initially.
Going down in size is a lot easier on my knees and ankles, hips. You will adjust. Takes a little time, but you’ll most likely be surprised (if you haven’t done this before) at how easily the body/mind compensate.

Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Fred Gerwer Frank Gall on January 05, 2020, 09:35:44 AM
True, but Chico and CK learned and mastered all their flip tricks on much smaller and shorter boards.

Chico is in his mid-40s. He would have learned his flip tricks on 9"+ boards.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Esmith5488 on January 05, 2020, 10:49:14 AM
Pretty sure that chicos first board was that tommy g deck, so he’s deff of the era
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on January 05, 2020, 11:24:53 AM
I'm an 80s kid, I learned kickflips on 10x30 boards (Vision Gonz to be exact).

I can't seem to go past 8.25 or 8.38 (if I could find a 8.3x X 31.8ish band-aid shape with a decent WB I'd ride that).

On the rare occasion I can drop to an 8.125" but I've GOT to skate almost everyday in order to stay with it as if I lapse it always feels too small.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Esmith5488 on January 05, 2020, 01:03:19 PM
I'm an 80s kid, I learned kickflips on 10x30 boards (Vision Gonz to be exact).

I can't seem to go past 8.25 or 8.38 (if I could find a 8.3x X 31.8ish band-aid shape with a decent WB I'd ride that).

On the rare occasion I can drop to an 8.125" but I've GOT to skate almost everyday in order to stay with it as if I lapse it always feels too small.
What wheelbases are you normally on? I feel like real has an 8-8.1 shape with a 14.3 wheelbase If your into longer ones
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on January 05, 2020, 01:57:48 PM
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I'm an 80s kid, I learned kickflips on 10x30 boards (Vision Gonz to be exact).

I can't seem to go past 8.25 or 8.38 (if I could find a 8.3x X 31.8ish band-aid shape with a decent WB I'd ride that).

On the rare occasion I can drop to an 8.125" but I've GOT to skate almost everyday in order to stay with it as if I lapse it always feels too small.
[close]
What wheelbases are you normally on? I feel like real has an 8-8.1 shape with a 14.3 wheelbase If your into longer ones

On average I'll ride 14.25 with Thunders or 14.3x with Ace/Theeve; I love the DLX 8.18 full, with the 14.3WB, sadly they don't seem to make it anymore.

Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: ohnowisee on January 05, 2020, 03:05:38 PM
For years, I thought 7.75 or 7.88 were right out of my comfort zone. I just skated better on 7.5 or 7.625 (I used to assume because I have small feet?). But after all these 8+ decks, I think 7.75 could be just right. I don't like the floaty flip of 8+. In saying that though, I've had a quick flip on thunders (but prefer the ride of indys). Possibly the wheelbase, but Iike them small (I am short too, assumed this is why). I always liked the 31.25 - 31.5 length, so when I see 32+, I never buy. Again, always assumed cuz I'm short and small feet

I hadn't bought a board at a shop in years because I had stopped skating other than just cruising.  I got back into it and went to get a 7.5 but the kid was like "you mean 7.75? you don't want a 7.5, thats a mini. " One of those made me rethink everything moments.  After getting back into it for a while, I realized that kid was young and probably didn't grow up during the 7.5 times. I actually had a powell blank mini 7.0 or 7.25 at one point with 49mm pigs, that was super small.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Esmith5488 on January 05, 2020, 03:09:08 PM
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I'm an 80s kid, I learned kickflips on 10x30 boards (Vision Gonz to be exact).

I can't seem to go past 8.25 or 8.38 (if I could find a 8.3x X 31.8ish band-aid shape with a decent WB I'd ride that).

On the rare occasion I can drop to an 8.125" but I've GOT to skate almost everyday in order to stay with it as if I lapse it always feels too small.
[close]
What wheelbases are you normally on? I feel like real has an 8-8.1 shape with a 14.3 wheelbase If your into longer ones
[close]

On average I'll ride 14.25 with Thunders or 14.3x with Ace/Theeve; I love the DLX 8.18 full, with the 14.3WB, sadly they don't seem to make it anymore.
Oh really? I think they just make so many shapes it’s hard to do. I’m a big fan of the 8.0 full se but I’m lucky to get one a season
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: hillbilly shifty on January 05, 2020, 04:20:38 PM
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True, but Chico and CK learned and mastered all their flip tricks on much smaller and shorter boards.
[close]

Chico is in his mid-40s. He would have learned his flip tricks on 9"+ boards.

saw something in a recent Chico clip. paused and took a screen shot. he def re-drilled the TG reissue to a longer nose/shorter wheel base. dude is still killing it.

(http://file:///Users/erpila/Desktop/Screen%20Shot%202019-10-26%20at%2012.18.58%20PM.jpg)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: bigbevev on January 05, 2020, 04:43:05 PM
8.5x31 14.25

To elaborate, it feels like a small board but isnt, however I also made my post neglecting the thought that not everyone is my height,im only 5’9.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MotoPancakes on January 08, 2020, 08:15:54 AM
8.5x31 14.25

To elaborate, it feels like a small board but isnt, however I also made my post neglecting the thought that not everyone is my height,im only 5’9.

Thats what I fuggin need. I can hardly find bigger boards that aren't longer than 31.7.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Coffee on January 08, 2020, 05:11:09 PM
I’m 5’8” and currently ride an 8.125x31.38 with a 14” wheelbase which is very comfortable for me but they aren’t easy to come by. I have an 8x31.5 with a 14.25 wheelbase deck waiting to be set up which I’m sure will be fine since I rode a similar shape before my current set up. I’m actually thinking about picking up a 7.75x31.25 with a 13.8125 wheelbase to mess around on as a separate flat ground setup. That was a pretty common shape when I was skating most and I haven’t really had my flip tricks the same since sizing up despite every other trick working better.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: UrbanSombrero on January 09, 2020, 05:28:12 AM
I’m 5’8” and currently ride an 8.125x31.38 with a 14” wheelbase which is very comfortable for me but they aren’t easy to come by. I have an 8x31.5 with a 14.25 wheelbase deck waiting to be set up which I’m sure will be fine since I rode a similar shape before my current set up. I’m actually thinking about picking up a 7.75x31.25 with a 13.8125 wheelbase to mess around on as a separate flat ground setup. That was a pretty common shape when I was skating most and I haven’t really had my flip tricks the same since sizing up despite every other trick working better.

I think you would like a lot of the Girl/Chocolate shapes. They have a bunch of shapes with 14 inch wheelbases that are also kind of short boards. The 8.06 Real Full SE is also a good one 31.5 long with a 14 inch wheelbase. Anti-hero also makes a 8.12 x 31.3 with a 14 inch wheelbase. I'm 6'1 so 14 inch wheelbase is a little short for me but I love riding them until I inevitably break the tail off.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Coffee on January 09, 2020, 05:58:55 AM
The 7.75 I’m looking at is a chocolate. I love their shapes but the wood is suspect. My current 8.125 is a Krooked and I have a Baker on deck. If girl and chocolate would switch to BBS or PS Stix I would exclusively ride their boards. When I first got back into skating after a 12 year break I bought a chocolate Jerry Hsu 8x31.5x14 and the shape was great but lost its pop pretty quickly. This was 5 years ago before the wood change though.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: UrbanSombrero on January 09, 2020, 06:28:55 AM
The 7.75 I’m looking at is a chocolate. I love their shapes but the wood is suspect. My current 8.125 is a Krooked and I have a Baker on deck. If girl and chocolate would switch to BBS or PS Stix I would exclusively ride their boards. When I first got back into skating after a 12 year break I bought a chocolate Jerry Hsu 8x31.5x14 and the shape was great but lost its pop pretty quickly. This was 5 years ago before the wood change though.

I really like the new wood on the crail boards. They stay nice and stiff the whole time I'm riding them. They pressure crack like crazy but they never give up on me. It would be nice if they used BBS but they are still good boards. I actually have a better time on them than the PS boards I've ridden recently.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on January 09, 2020, 07:58:59 AM
I've got a pair of Tensor Maglight ATG, problem is that they are in 5.0. These trucks are pretty hard to come by in my country and I got them for $25. I'm tore between setting they up with a lightly used 7.75 I have that I hated riding on, or returning them and getting a new pair of 5.25 at full price.

I'm leaning more towards getting a new pair of 5.25 ones since I've been planning on riding bigger boards, from 8 - 8.25. At the same time I feel I should ride out the 7.75 board I have till it's completely dead. I was thinking of setting up a smaller, more tech board to work on my ledge tricks, but a bigger board with more standing room is really appealing too.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MotoPancakes on January 09, 2020, 08:29:56 AM
The 7.75 I’m looking at is a chocolate. I love their shapes but the wood is suspect. My current 8.125 is a Krooked and I have a Baker on deck. If girl and chocolate would switch to BBS or PS Stix I would exclusively ride their boards. When I first got back into skating after a 12 year break I bought a chocolate Jerry Hsu 8x31.5x14 and the shape was great but lost its pop pretty quickly. This was 5 years ago before the wood change though.

Been riding an 8.38 Chocolate deck and the wood is hella good. I really want to try one of their decks in a shape id be more comfortable with. And I thought the new wood was PS Stix, is it not?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on January 09, 2020, 09:04:03 AM
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The 7.75 I’m looking at is a chocolate. I love their shapes but the wood is suspect. My current 8.125 is a Krooked and I have a Baker on deck. If girl and chocolate would switch to BBS or PS Stix I would exclusively ride their boards. When I first got back into skating after a 12 year break I bought a chocolate Jerry Hsu 8x31.5x14 and the shape was great but lost its pop pretty quickly. This was 5 years ago before the wood change though.
[close]

Been riding an 8.38 Chocolate deck and the wood is hella good. I really want to try one of their decks in a shape id be more comfortable with. And I thought the new wood was PS Stix, is it not?

nop. still chinese wood
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: backinaction on January 09, 2020, 09:11:03 AM
I’m 5’8” and currently ride an 8.125x31.38 with a 14” wheelbase which is very comfortable for me but they aren’t easy to come by. I have an 8x31.5 with a 14.25 wheelbase deck waiting to be set up which I’m sure will be fine since I rode a similar shape before my current set up. I’m actually thinking about picking up a 7.75x31.25 with a 13.8125 wheelbase to mess around on as a separate flat ground setup. That was a pretty common shape when I was skating most and I haven’t really had my flip tricks the same since sizing up despite every other trick working better.

Powell makes an 8"x31.45" with a 14" wheelbase.  Pick up a Mini Logo on the cheap, and then pick up a Flight construction later if you like the shape.   Flight version comes in both a fuller nose/tail as well as a narrower.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on January 09, 2020, 04:40:51 PM
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I’m 5’8” and currently ride an 8.125x31.38 with a 14” wheelbase which is very comfortable for me but they aren’t easy to come by. I have an 8x31.5 with a 14.25 wheelbase deck waiting to be set up which I’m sure will be fine since I rode a similar shape before my current set up. I’m actually thinking about picking up a 7.75x31.25 with a 13.8125 wheelbase to mess around on as a separate flat ground setup. That was a pretty common shape when I was skating most and I haven’t really had my flip tricks the same since sizing up despite every other trick working better.
[close]

Powell makes an 8"x31.45" with a 14" wheelbase.  Pick up a Mini Logo on the cheap, and then pick up a Flight construction later if you like the shape.   Flight version comes in both a fuller nose/tail as well as a narrower.

Yeah I always remember the Powell Mini-logos feeling short with stubby nose and tails. Even with their K-12 concave their boards always felt pretty mellow.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: satan on January 09, 2020, 04:53:16 PM
https://dwindle.com/catalogs
Dwindle is doing 8.0x31.6" with 14" wb now. Regular and cheaper constructions
The 8.0x31.7" is 14.25" wb..
They also have 7.75" with 13.88" wb. That's probably 13 7/8", 13.875"
And 8.25" with 14" wb but only using the cheaper wood
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: AssFlea on January 10, 2020, 09:57:40 PM
(https://i.imgflip.com/3lswrg.jpg) (https://imgflip.com/i/3lswrg)via Imgflip Meme Generator (https://imgflip.com/memegenerator)

im moving down from 8.5.

I got kinda weak during my liver treatment. I really wish i had 8.25 trucks. Soon. I got 55 mm f4 classics 101 i scored from a homie on discount. This board im going to switch flip the street gap on this winter. I impossibled a similar gap on the big board but switch flip is harder on the big board. Landing primo 70% or laxk of speed on the old small wheels
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 10, 2020, 03:04:50 PM
Bumping an old thread:

Anyone have a smaller shape/board they like?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: chris. on February 10, 2020, 03:11:42 PM
Convenient bump. I got my first session on a 8.25 with square kicks today and it honestly did not feel any smaller under foot than the 8.5s I’ve been in forever now.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: sadnocomply on February 10, 2020, 03:34:50 PM
8.0-8.1 is literally the best size to get tech on from 8.5 hesh
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 10, 2020, 04:46:41 PM
Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Weezil on February 10, 2020, 05:00:17 PM
Convenient bump. I got my first session on a 8.25 with square kicks today and it honestly did not feel any smaller under foot than the 8.5s I’ve been in forever now.
last spring I moved down from 8.5s to square shape 8.25s and haven't went back. felt close enough initially to settle in and haven't had the desire to try anything else. I like how the wheelbase is usually 14.25 on 8.25s so I don't have to worry about it being too long or whatever.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 10, 2020, 06:25:50 PM
Went from 8 to 8.38, made the mistake of going up in WB from 14 to 14.38. Having a very uncomfortable time with the wider board, though more nose and tail space is nice. I have an 8.25 x 32 x 14 waiting in the wings, really excited to slim down and tighten up the WB, preferably with some Venture 5.6.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Murge on February 11, 2020, 02:08:45 PM
Convenient bump. I got my first session on a 8.25 with square kicks today and it honestly did not feel any smaller under foot than the 8.5s I’ve been in forever now.

I feel you on this. I was looking to go down from 8.5 to 8.38 ended up with an 8.25 with square kicks and it feels like an 8.5 but getting kick flips more consistently
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 11, 2020, 03:50:09 PM
Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: GoldenGateHeights on February 11, 2020, 05:56:39 PM
I've been thinking about sizing down my board (and trucks) back to what I used in the early 2000's. Currently doing 8.25 DLX decks with matching Thunders, but miss running an 8 or 8.12 with matching Independents.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: sammyz on February 11, 2020, 06:10:10 PM
i recently set up an old Real FULL 8.25 after riding 8.8 for the last year, and completely astounded at how much better i can skate, flips and shuvs come so much easier...took a little getting use to grinding ledges as theres less truck space, but that took have a session.

unfortunately Real dont do the same dimensions, all their 8.25 full SE decks are 14.38 WB...so once this one dies i'll have to get another Deluxe full 8.25 which are 14.5 WB...hoping they have same R1 construction.

i'm giving the 8.8 deck one more chance tonight before i make the permanent switch down to 8.25
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: skatesum609 on February 11, 2020, 07:08:30 PM
Recently went from 8.75 to 8.5 and right down to an 8.1. I thought it would be impossible getting used to the shorter wheelbase but it feels way more comfortable. Didn’t think I had trouble flipping around a big ass board until I switched to that 8.1. Everything seems to flip way easier and grinds feel about the same. I also don’t skate any tranny so I don’t have to worry about getting used to that on a smaller setup
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 11, 2020, 11:04:35 PM
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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"

So true. As an aside, my last crail board (which I very much liked) was sold as 8 1/4, and was 8 1/8.

I’ve had some deluxe 8.38s that felt bigger than 8.5s...because they long and boaty. 8.5 would look wider but then flip so much easier....

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 11, 2020, 11:55:31 PM
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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
[close]

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.

Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 12, 2020, 05:43:21 AM
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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
[close]

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
[close]

Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.

I’m still reading, and posting, here, so no, not cured. Simply trying to notice that when a set up is in a certain range I can just grab it and go, without measuring everything. Once I get out of said range everything needs to be this perfect witches brew of angles and dimensions, weight and height.

 I can want to skate a set up outside of this range, I can make it work, I can have fun eventually it’ll start bothering me in some way.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 12, 2020, 06:29:37 AM
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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
[close]

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
[close]

Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.
[close]

I’m still reading, and posting, here, so no, not cured. Simply trying to notice that when a set up is in a certain range I can just grab it and go, without measuring everything. Once I get out of said range everything needs to be this perfect witches brew of angles and dimensions, weight and height.

 I can want to skate a set up outside of this range, I can make it work, I can have fun eventually it’ll start bothering me in some way.

I always justify it by saying I have less time on the board, so I got to have the right setup to make sure I maximize fun during the session. Also there are few things more satisfying that gripping and setting up a board, and nothing more horrible than feeling the setup isn't working within 10 minutes of riding it.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on February 12, 2020, 07:15:58 AM
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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
[close]

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
[close]

Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.
[close]

I’m still reading, and posting, here, so no, not cured. Simply trying to notice that when a set up is in a certain range I can just grab it and go, without measuring everything. Once I get out of said range everything needs to be this perfect witches brew of angles and dimensions, weight and height.

 I can want to skate a set up outside of this range, I can make it work, I can have fun eventually it’ll start bothering me in some way.
[close]

I always justify it by saying I have less time on the board, so I got to have the right setup to make sure I maximize fun during the session. Also there are few things more satisfying that gripping and setting up a board, and nothing more horrible than feeling the setup isn't working within 10 minutes of riding it.
(https://g6.psychcentral.com/lib/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/5-stages-of-grief.jpg)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: 90sDamiano on February 15, 2020, 09:31:23 PM
I’ve been skating 7.875 for a while now. Just set up a 7.6, been feeling really nostalgic lately. I remember riding a lot of 7.62s when I was a teenager
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 16, 2020, 03:19:35 PM
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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
[close]

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
[close]

Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.

I think if you have enough gear to cover your spectrum AND you actually go and skate that shit you will, eventually, find out what works.

For some fucking reason I vibe with Primitive shapes, doesn't matter if it's 8.125/8.25/8.38 all of them feel good to me (tho the 8.25" tail is a bit long) they are a bit more square/full but not like AW/FA. You know 'that shape' after you grip it that's 'just right' to your eye? That's what these do for me. Plus the 8.25/8.125 have a 14" WB, which I never knew I liked.

Also, if you give a shit about such things, the 8.25"x31.8" is about 15grams (with grip) lighter than any other griped 8.25 I weighed (Creature, DOA, DLX, even lighter than an 8.25" impact light, which is supposed to be 'the lightest', also lighter than an 8.125 R7 blind deck).

Tensor ATGs (instead of Thunders or Venture) and Theeve (instead of ACE or Indy...ML if you want lows); I do wish the Tensors were lower tho, 52/53 would be sweet. But they really just work without me thinking about them so maybe I don't need them lower, I just think I do ;).

Bones V3s - just can't quit them for some reason (but I like thin wheels). I like how hard they are/make the board sound. F4s deaden the feel to me.

I've been skating MLs on an 8.3 with spitfires and randomly threw those three above parts together to skate this morning and I had a great session (they are also stupid light which I like).

For kicks I'm downsizing, within those brands to see if can handle an 8.125" with 8" trucks (that's the unknown I'm worried about....teeny grind space).

Also, if it wasn't for the truck madness (and the threads) I would never have touched a 14" WB (as badluck would have it anytime I rode a 14" WB I was riding trucks that pulled it and hated it).



Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 16, 2020, 04:01:25 PM
I’ve been skating 7.875 for a while now. Just set up a 7.6, been feeling really nostalgic lately. I remember riding a lot of 7.62s when I was a teenager

What did you get? I didn’t skate a lot of 7.6s. Felt like it was either 7.5, or 7.75, on 5.0s. Skated best on that type of set up, or just under 8”, on 8” trucks. Anyways, what is this 7.6? Hard to find.



Xen- I’m not much for grinds, wish I was, have some sort of ledge dyslexia, but I really enjoy 8” trucks: they have just enough stability, and they turn snappy.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 16, 2020, 04:02:23 PM
I’ve been skating 7.875 for a while now. Just set up a 7.6, been feeling really nostalgic lately. I remember riding a lot of 7.62s when I was a teenager

What did you get? I didn’t skate a lot of 7.6s. Felt like it was either 7.5, or 7.75, on 5.0s. Skated best on that type of set up, or just under 8”, on 8” trucks. Anyways, what is this 7.6? Hard to find.



Xen- I’m not much for grinds, wish I was, have some sort of ledge dyslexia, but I really enjoy 8” trucks: they have just enough stability, and they turn snappy.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 16, 2020, 05:21:14 PM
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I’ve been skating 7.875 for a while now. Just set up a 7.6, been feeling really nostalgic lately. I remember riding a lot of 7.62s when I was a teenager
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What did you get? I didn’t skate a lot of 7.6s. Felt like it was either 7.5, or 7.75, on 5.0s. Skated best on that type of set up, or just under 8”, on 8” trucks. Anyways, what is this 7.6? Hard to find.



Xen- I’m not much for grinds, wish I was, have some sort of ledge dyslexia, but I really enjoy 8” trucks: they have just enough stability, and they turn snappy.

Last time I rode 8" trucks they were prod ventures on a cliche 8.125", BMC knows, we setup the same damn thing the same week....skated great on it....before that it was ages, 8.18 Habitat and 8.18 theevss...like 7yrs ago.... I tell myself I skate better on 8.3s but in reality I lose a ton of tricks and shits just harder to flip.

We'll see about ledegs and curbs...slappies are hard to beat on wide trucks!

8.25s just today, started to feel too big....I'm skating way more of late (4-5 days a week bs 2-3) so I think as I get groovin (literally truck wise) I want more control and less weight. When I'm off the board too long and get back on,  I want the stability of wider trucks/board but when I skate a lot I don't need that as I'm used to my set-up and just more comfortable.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on February 16, 2020, 05:30:40 PM
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I’ve been skating 7.875 for a while now. Just set up a 7.6, been feeling really nostalgic lately. I remember riding a lot of 7.62s when I was a teenager
[close]

What did you get? I didn’t skate a lot of 7.6s. Felt like it was either 7.5, or 7.75, on 5.0s. Skated best on that type of set up, or just under 8”, on 8” trucks. Anyways, what is this 7.6? Hard to find.



Xen- I’m not much for grinds, wish I was, have some sort of ledge dyslexia, but I really enjoy 8” trucks: they have just enough stability, and they turn snappy.
[close]

Last time I rode 8" trucks they were prod ventures on a cliche 8.125", BMC knows, we setup the same damn thing the same week....skated great on it....before that it was ages, 8.18 Habitat and 8.18 theevss...like 7yrs ago.... I tell myself I skate better on 8.3s but in reality I lose a ton of tricks and shits just harder to flip.

We'll see about ledegs and curbs...slappies are hard to beat on wide trucks!

8.25s just today, started to feel too big....I'm skating way more of late (4-5 days a week bs 2-3) so I think as I get groovin (literally truck wise) I want more control and less weight. When I'm off the board too long and get back on,  I want the stability of wider trucks/board but when I skate a lot I don't need that as I'm used to my set-up and just more comfortable.

I agree with a lot of this. I work a semi physical job. I’m not in my best form. When I skate larger boards all of the small ligaments tend to fatigue faster and bother me. Old man dusty legs.
I for sure start losing flip tricks sizing past 8” trucks. The set up might ‘feel’ good, but I skate less good, and then feel bad. Ha
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 16, 2020, 06:02:33 PM
I'm feeling you guys, decided to go up 8.38 and I'm beginning to feel the heft on flips, notably kickflips and FS flips. Having a wide board is great for landing on, provided I can get it to flip and turn before I can stomp it. Slides feel great on wider boards but not worth the compromises on other areas.

I'm doing an 8.25 with a shorter WB (Primitive) next which I'm really stoked to try. Always happy to break out the Thunder 148 Titanium and get a tight 17.25 WB going.

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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
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Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
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I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
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Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.
[close]
Tensor ATGs (instead of Thunders or Venture) and Theeve (instead of ACE or Indy...ML if you want lows); I do wish the Tensors were lower tho, 52/53 would be sweet. But they really just work without me thinking about them so maybe I don't need them lower, I just think I do ;).

Bones V3s - just can't quit them for some reason (but I like thin wheels). I like how hard they are/make the board sound. F4s deaden the feel to me.

Which setup are you pairing your Tensors with? I'm thinking 17.25 - 17.35 axle to axle WB being my sweet spot.

I've liked the Bones V1 experience so far, they are a little too hard for cruising but they slide great on ledges and haven't given me a bad slip out. I'm eyeing the V3 now, tried some Ricta Natural Slims in 52mm and they were terrible for cruising. Would like to try a slimmer wheel at the park in the Bones formula, preferable in a 99a.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on February 16, 2020, 06:25:51 PM
not sure if this counts but im really liking shapes with a lot of taper. makes the whole setup much nimbler than the listed number would suggest, but still gives me the ample landing space i need. made me realize the width over the trucks is much more important than the width of the widest point.

might not ride a regular popsicle again
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 16, 2020, 06:34:34 PM
I'm feeling you guys, decided to go up 8.38 and I'm beginning to feel the heft on flips, notably kickflips and FS flips. Having a wide board is great for landing on, provided I can get it to flip and turn before I can stomp it. Slides feel great on wider boards but not worth the compromises on other areas.

I'm doing an 8.25 with a shorter WB (Primitive) next which I'm really stoked to try. Always happy to break out the Thunder 148 Titanium and get a tight 17.25 WB going.

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Chris- underrated point you are making: shape really does affect how big/small a board feels for me.

Sad- 8 looks like a vert board to me rn, but that ‘should’ be my size plus or minus, but basically riding 8” trucks.

I don’t even see that many 8s at the shop these days
[close]

Shape counts for a lot when it comes to size/feel - buddy of mine rides Crail 8.3s almost exclusively, he stepped on my 8.38 Primitive and asked if it was an 8.5"
[close]

I don’t need to do my princess and the pea routine when I’m skating 8” and below.
[close]

Dude, have you found the cure for gear madness?

I hope I get a handle on my gear madness soon. I feel like I'm gradually narrowing now my desired board size (8 - 8.25) and WB (14 - 14.25), then I can stick to 1 - 2 pairs of trucks (Venture, Thunder, maybe Tensor).

Even typing that out made me realize how many combinations exists within that gear mix.
[close]
Tensor ATGs (instead of Thunders or Venture) and Theeve (instead of ACE or Indy...ML if you want lows); I do wish the Tensors were lower tho, 52/53 would be sweet. But they really just work without me thinking about them so maybe I don't need them lower, I just think I do ;).

Bones V3s - just can't quit them for some reason (but I like thin wheels). I like how hard they are/make the board sound. F4s deaden the feel to me.
[close]

Which setup are you pairing your Tensors with? I'm thinking 17.25 - 17.35 axle to axle WB being my sweet spot.

I've liked the Bones V1 experience so far, they are a little too hard for cruising but they slide great on ledges and haven't given me a bad slip out. I'm eyeing the V3 now, tried some Ricta Natural Slims in 52mm and they were terrible for cruising. Would like to try a slimmer wheel at the park in the Bones formula, preferable in a 99a.

Nabbed this from the Skatewarehouse sale:

(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=PRREDK-1.jpg&nw=500)

During their $25 mystery sale I picked up two 8.125s for my kids, when they arrived, I wanted to steal one so bad as I liked the shape but also had too many decks on hand (still do :)) so I waited. One kid didn't set theirs up yet so if the shape differs I'm taking the other one ;) Looks like they are sold out of them at SW, they had two in stock. Also, Primitive is having a 20% off sale.

not sure if this counts but im really liking shapes with a lot of taper. makes the whole setup much nimbler than the listed number would suggest, but still gives me the ample landing space i need. made me realize the width over the trucks is much more important than the width of the widest point.

might not ride a regular popsicle again

I visually need a wider nose and tail, I've not found any major difference in my skating with a pointy/taper or a full/wide, it's just that I prefer a wider nose and tail when I look down at it...I think, and I could be reaching, that it helps me in a way as I REALLY like the way 8.3s feel, so if I get a full 8.25, it feels like an 8.3..same thing happened with the 8.18 DLX full, it felt like an 8.25" because of the way it looked.

Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on February 16, 2020, 07:10:03 PM
see i agree with you there, full/squarish tails are a necessity for me if im riding something narrower than usual. it makes it feel much wider than it is that way and i like how my foot sits on it. what shapes did you like with square tails?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 16, 2020, 08:11:37 PM
see i agree with you there, full/squarish tails are a necessity for me if im riding something narrower than usual. it makes it feel much wider than it is that way and i like how my foot sits on it. what shapes did you like with square tails?

Quasi Proto
Creature Horror Series/Santa Cruz Wide tip
DOA square shape (really interesting tail shape, very different than the rest I liked it, heavy tho, like most SC wood)).
AW/Hab any of their square stuff, super close (if not the same shit) as the Quasi - both PSStix
WKND (was really short, Gillette board, was 31.5" I think).
Skatewarehouse blanks (white with black script) - this was an AMAZING 8.375, skated like an 8.25" and super cheap and super short at 31.5"

Note, all of the above are/were 8.25" except the SW

The Quasi Proto was probably my favorite, creature horror/SC wide tip a close second (both NHS have a 14.4 WB tho)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 17, 2020, 12:18:44 PM
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KL44Xcc5OEiGFQ166GekufUt113n79_WB4O__4zU4nI8JxgqXDZBgmP-eUjtYxbqQQ_49NMdF2ujGontT5yXyss-ZP67eXXaNv4dOC5iLSDbTDc7yYmIMCz_-Fu0ewSTf8hLFSA0q6s)

L/R are identical decks

Left: 8.125*31.75*14WB (Riberio)
Center: 8.25*31.875*14WB (Tucker DBZ run)
Right: 8.125*31.75*14WB (Riberio)

From a shape pov they are nearly identical, with the 8.125s being just a bit smaller (obviously), the 8.125 tail is a bit bit shorter and seems a bit less pointy; both the 8.125 and 8.25 measure slightly over by a few mm or so, lending themselves to look/feel almost a size up.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: sadnocomply on February 17, 2020, 01:30:09 PM
Yeah April and primitive shapes are 8.1 = 8.18 and 8.25 = 8.28
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 20, 2020, 06:51:28 PM
I've done 8.38, got a couple of 8.25 but I've decided to go back down to 8" for my next setup. 8.38" with heavy ass Indys are not working for me at all. Not so fun but illuminating experience.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Fat Tire on February 20, 2020, 07:12:19 PM
Just realizing now after skating bigger boards for the past couple years (8.5+) that 8.25 is the perfect size for me. The 8.25s I'd been skating were flat as shit so once I got one with a steeper concave everything clicked.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: xandeo on February 21, 2020, 02:28:29 AM
I grew up skating mostly 7.625 and then 7.75. At some point getting boards this size was pretty hard, so I went up to 8 for practical reasons. I enjoyed having the larger area to land on, but could not deal with how slow the board flipped - I ate so much shit on primos that after giving it an honest go (several boards) I went back to smaller sizes. I'm now skating between 7.75 and 7.875 and they feel great.

I'm 35 and skating a small board like this usually makes people asking questions at the local park, but whatever. I was never a transition rat anyways.

Finding boards this size is tricky though, meaning that I need to search the internet and whenever I travel I go to the local skateshops and stock up.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 24, 2020, 10:36:17 AM
Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on February 24, 2020, 05:48:36 PM
Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
8.125 with 151s sounds sick if you can pull it off
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: UrbanSombrero on February 24, 2020, 06:03:47 PM
Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.

Have you tried the Primitive 8? I just got one haven't set it up yet. The warning sticker has the dimensions and it says it has a 14 inch WB I measured and it's 14.25. Dimensions are almost identical to the G008 crail shape. Looking forward to setting that up.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 24, 2020, 06:09:26 PM
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Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
[close]

Have you tried the Primitive 8? I just got one haven't set it up yet. The warning sticker has the dimensions and it says it has a 14 inch WB I measured and it's 14.25. Dimensions are almost identical to the G008 crail shape. Looking forward to setting that up.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0342/5665/files/8.0.jpg?8427574699309799882)

I got an 8.25 Primitive, dimensions were spot on.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 24, 2020, 06:50:27 PM
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Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
[close]
8.125 with 151s sounds sick if you can pull it off

Hahaha Monster Truck, no thanks :P

#slappysundays is a regular thing for me so making a legit slappy board is not out of the question. I'm thinking of picking up one of the madness slicks in 8.625 (biggest the slicks get) with wheel wells and some 151/161 Thunder Hollows (or maybe Mini logos in 8.75" and swap for the new ACES).
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 24, 2020, 06:51:25 PM
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Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
[close]

Have you tried the Primitive 8? I just got one haven't set it up yet. The warning sticker has the dimensions and it says it has a 14 inch WB I measured and it's 14.25. Dimensions are almost identical to the G008 crail shape. Looking forward to setting that up.
[close]

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0342/5665/files/8.0.jpg?8427574699309799882)

I got an 8.25 Primitive, dimensions were spot on.

That image is for the 8.0.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: texasplant on February 24, 2020, 06:54:53 PM
After skating boards from 8.5-9.25 I’m finally going to force myself onto a 8.25, skating just looks better and more in control with a smaller board. Gonna take some getting used to since I skate nothing but tranny, but knowing Trujillo and Oski ect aren’t skating massive boards makes me feel like it’s going to be a good change, a little more nimble.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MusclesMarinara on February 24, 2020, 07:50:10 PM
Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: munchbox on February 24, 2020, 09:24:57 PM
Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.
this is the going down board sizes thread not pant sizes.
whats your secret?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 24, 2020, 09:39:37 PM
Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.

It was fun for the first 2 months, learning about an aspect of skateboarding you probably spent most of your life ignoring. Then it becomes like a bad acid trip you can get out of and obsess over every single aspect. It usually hits me harder when I spend more time off the board than on. Hell, I've even considered revisiting older boards I gave up on to see if they would work better with another set of trucks. I used to think 17.25-17.35 axle to axle WB was ideal, but now I'm thinking closer to 17.5 would be the most optimal.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MusclesMarinara on February 24, 2020, 10:35:55 PM
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Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.
[close]
this is the going down board sizes thread not pant sizes.
whats your secret?

Hoenstly just big lifestyle changes. Started working out 5 days a week, running + lifting weights. Stopped all boozing, only drink water and an occasional soda once in a while. When I started I was a little to strict and just not happy with myself even though I looked great. I still eat all normal foods, chicken and red meat, ice cream, cookies chips whatever. It's all about moderation and not overindulging. It's hard because what works for me doesn't work for you and vice versa. But once you find your happy medium you're golden. Takes a shit ton of will power and I just never had it before.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: MusclesMarinara on February 24, 2020, 10:41:40 PM
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Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.
[close]

It was fun for the first 2 months, learning about an aspect of skateboarding you probably spent most of your life ignoring. Then it becomes like a bad acid trip you can get out of and obsess over every single aspect. It usually hits me harder when I spend more time off the board than on. Hell, I've even considered revisiting older boards I gave up on to see if they would work better with another set of trucks. I used to think 17.25-17.35 axle to axle WB was ideal, but now I'm thinking closer to 17.5 would be the most optimal.

It's like you looked at my whole life in skating and put it in your post. Ignorance is bliss. It was so much simpler when I just hit the shop, picked the brand and shape I liked and walked out. Knowing and having too much access to boards really takes up too much of my headspace haha. And yeah it's starting to warm up a bit so my latest set up is what I'm sticking with. Atleast that's what I'm telling myself.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: rocklobster on February 24, 2020, 10:57:07 PM
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Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.
[close]
this is the going down board sizes thread not pant sizes.
whats your secret?
[close]

Hoenstly just big lifestyle changes. Started working out 5 days a week, running + lifting weights. Stopped all boozing, only drink water and an occasional soda once in a while. When I started I was a little to strict and just not happy with myself even though I looked great. I still eat all normal foods, chicken and red meat, ice cream, cookies chips whatever. It's all about moderation and not overindulging. It's hard because what works for me doesn't work for you and vice versa. But once you find your happy medium you're golden. Takes a shit ton of will power and I just never had it before.

Cutting sugar out of your life can have a huge positive impact; start by replacing soda with water and carry a bottle around with you. Save money and on the calories. Food-wise I'm lucky that I can afford not to be too fussed about my diet, I use to go crazy on portions (extra carbs) but over the last year or so I've learned to control my portions. I guess reaching your mid 30s has that impact you on.

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Been sizing down the past few months from 8.5 to 7.75 today. Was thinking of staying at 8 but I just couldn't do it. I've been through so much gear madness the the last month or 2 I just want it to stop and be happy with my current set up haha.

*Disclosure* I was over 250 lbs about 2 years ago and now sit around 160 lbs.
[close]
[close]

It's like you looked at my whole life in skating and put it in your post. Ignorance is bliss. It was so much simpler when I just hit the shop, picked the brand and shape I liked and walked out. Knowing and having too much access to boards really takes up too much of my headspace haha. And yeah it's starting to warm up a bit so my latest set up is what I'm sticking with. Atleast that's what I'm telling myself.

It doesn't help that as adults we have less time on our board and we want to maximize the enjoyment we get out of our session, so we obsess over our gear thinking that it will make us that much more consistent. I understand this as a concept and know how stupid it is, then I look at my collection of trucks and boards yet to be ridden and shake my head in disgust. Doesn't help that skateboarding is relatively affordable compared to other activities.

Don't get me wrong, when the gear madness and the gear selection sync up, everything is right. Your board rides the way you want it to, no ghost pop, perfect manual point, picking up new tricks left and right. But it's the times when you have a shit session and feel like your gear is actively working against you is when it sucks to have madness.

Plus, we are conditioned as humans to love retail therapy.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: UrbanSombrero on February 25, 2020, 06:08:22 AM
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Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
[close]

Have you tried the Primitive 8? I just got one haven't set it up yet. The warning sticker has the dimensions and it says it has a 14 inch WB I measured and it's 14.25. Dimensions are almost identical to the G008 crail shape. Looking forward to setting that up.
[close]

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0342/5665/files/8.0.jpg?8427574699309799882)

I got an 8.25 Primitive, dimensions were spot on.

This is what I was expecting... But it's actually 8 x 31 and 7/8ths with 14.25 WB. I think they are changing shapes and haven't updated their size chart.

The sticker on the deck says it's 8 x 31.916 x 14 wb
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on February 25, 2020, 09:22:44 AM
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Been rolling around on the 8.125" w/8" trucks for a bit now (down from 8.375/8.25 with either 8.38/8.25" trucks) and [stating the obvious] many tricks are much, much easier; basically anything flippy requires less effort (again, duh).

But with those 8" trucks I lost the ability to sit nicely on top of those curbs during the slappy session so much so I' feeling the need for some 151/161 in the near future (going to wait on the update ACE stages).

Primitive 8.125 is excellent shape-wise.
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Have you tried the Primitive 8? I just got one haven't set it up yet. The warning sticker has the dimensions and it says it has a 14 inch WB I measured and it's 14.25. Dimensions are almost identical to the G008 crail shape. Looking forward to setting that up.
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(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0342/5665/files/8.0.jpg?8427574699309799882)

I got an 8.25 Primitive, dimensions were spot on.
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This is what I was expecting... But it's actually 8 x 31 and 7/8ths with 14.25 WB. I think they've are changeding shapes dimensions and haven't updated their size chart.

The sticker on the deck says it's 8 x 31.916 x 14 wb

They have for sure.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on April 14, 2020, 04:11:02 AM
Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on April 14, 2020, 07:09:37 AM
Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.

I should have had 12 of those. Only 1, loved it. Probably set up an 8.25 after or something.

What size trucks?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on April 14, 2020, 10:22:41 AM
I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Esmith5488 on April 14, 2020, 11:11:09 AM
I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
Was just looking at the 8.1 habitat. Wonder if they still just bbs and ps or if they are all bbs at this point

And primitive has changed shapes because if I remember the 8.1 used to have a really wide wheelbase like 14.3 or something but I just finished with a 8.1 that was 14 on the dot. They also changed the 8 to a 14 wheelbase and just a c hair short of 32
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on April 14, 2020, 11:24:29 AM
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Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.
[close]

I should have had 12 of those. Only 1, loved it. Probably set up an 8.25 after or something.

What size trucks?

Indy 129s. I've skated more 7.5 , 7.63, 7.75 than any other sizes. Rode 126 stage 8s the most. Just turned 44, want to ride what I know the best.

I am going to finish off my business and company 8.12 first (139s). But I can't wait
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on April 14, 2020, 11:56:35 AM
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Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.
[close]

I should have had 12 of those. Only 1, loved it. Probably set up an 8.25 after or something.

What size trucks?
[close]

Indy 129s. I've skated more 7.5 , 7.63, 7.75 than any other sizes. Rode 126 stage 8s the most. Just turned 44, want to ride what I know the best.

I am going to finish off my business and company 8.12 first (139s). But I can't wait

Yeah there is a lot to be said for just for what you know. When I set up something like you’ve described, I don’t have to fight it. I certainly don’t rip. But it feels like I have a chance.
How was the b&c? I want one.
I rode my eagle on 5.0 hi’s. And like 54s. Looked very tippy. Rode great.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: fang on April 14, 2020, 01:25:37 PM
14" wheelbase is awesome to me. Believe it's 8.12 x 31.3. I'm only 5'8" so I like the short boards (I've assumed this has something to do with it). And my heyday was 20 years ago ha. I've skated this better than any 32" board. I feel like I have better control of tricks. I will say I did some social distancing downhill a week ago, and 8 was definitely better for that though
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on April 14, 2020, 01:27:56 PM
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I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
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Was just looking at the 8.1 habitat. Wonder if they still just bbs and ps or if they are all bbs at this point

And primitive has changed shapes because if I remember the 8.1 used to have a really wide wheelbase like 14.3 or something but I just finished with a 8.1 that was 14 on the dot. They also changed the 8 to a 14 wheelbase and just a c hair short of 32

yeah, the primitive dims are slightly different than what they have up on their site. E.g., the 8.3 I have is 31.9" with a 14.125 WB (it's actually quite nimble); the 8.125 I'm coming off of was 31.75 and 14.1
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: legion on April 14, 2020, 03:18:03 PM
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I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
[close]
Was just looking at the 8.1 habitat. Wonder if they still just bbs and ps or if they are all bbs at this point

And primitive has changed shapes because if I remember the 8.1 used to have a really wide wheelbase like 14.3 or something but I just finished with a 8.1 that was 14 on the dot. They also changed the 8 to a 14 wheelbase and just a c hair short of 32
[close]

yeah, the primitive dims are slightly different than what they have up on their site. E.g., the 8.3 I have is 31.9" with a 14.125 WB (it's actually quite nimble); the 8.125 I'm coming off of was 31.75 and 14.1
I also think some of their dimensions have been changed but haven't paid super close attention. I wasn't eyeing the 8.38 shape so it might have had a longer wb before? Looking at the dims now I'd try it on the way to 8.5 decks.

Xen. Have you seen the AWS twin nose shape? 8" and 8.25".
I thought they did full shapes though..
https://alienworkshop.com/collections/decks/products/star-nut-man

8.125" listed as 14.25" wb
https://alienworkshop.com/collections/decks/products/sammy-montano-pro-debut

Baker B2 has steeper cave and full shape, 8.125" has 14.25" wb

Polar 8.25" has 14.125" wb
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Crabby_Bastard on April 14, 2020, 09:04:12 PM
I just got an 8.125"x31.75"x14.125"wb Habitat. It is not pointy.


I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Xen on April 14, 2020, 10:40:09 PM
I just got an 8.125"x31.75"x14.125"wb Habitat. It is not pointy.


Expand Quote
I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
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Which one?

Shit, I totally forgot about the Brian Delatorre Pro Model - square goodies.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Crabby_Bastard on April 15, 2020, 12:27:08 AM
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I just got an 8.125"x31.75"x14.125"wb Habitat. It is not pointy.


Expand Quote
I'm sticking with 8.125/8.18/ on 8.25" trucks for a bit once things shake out...easier to drop down board sizes when you've been off it for a while; was on 8.25" before. I've not been skating much at all this past month =(

Feeling the need to start fresh as well. Coming off an 8.125 Primitive (31.75" x 14"WB)

Trying to decide between:

8.18 FA 31.73 wb14.12 
8.125 Habitat 31.75 wb 14.125 - I just know it's going to be too pointy for me

Anyone have any other suggestions?
[close]
[close]

Which one?

Shit, I totally forgot about the Brian Delatorre Pro Model - square goodies.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49775827026_3e087a74cb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iQw8df)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49775297948_8e94f9a3d8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iQtpWd)
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: truthislie on April 16, 2020, 04:00:48 AM
Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.

I have been on 8 decks for the last maybe 10 years, sometimes 8.1 or 7.9 but more or less always 8. Around 5 years ago I bought a politic board in 7.75, broke the nose like a toothpick within 2 sessions (landed bad on a bs flip, probably would have happened on a bigger one as well).

I am really tempted to order the 7.8 classic eagle board now, but I m not sure if I shouldnt just stick to my 8s...
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on April 16, 2020, 06:34:35 AM
Expand Quote
Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.
[close]

I have been on 8 decks for the last maybe 10 years, sometimes 8.1 or 7.9 but more or less always 8. Around 5 years ago I bought a politic board in 7.75, broke the nose like a toothpick within 2 sessions (landed bad on a bs flip, probably would have happened on a bigger one as well).

I am really tempted to order the 7.8 classic eagle board now, but I m not sure if I shouldnt just stick to my 8s...

Imo (great just what you don’t need), 7.8”
on 8” trucks is...real close to an 8”. That particular eagle is dope, all sizes tend to be decently balanced. The measurements that might mess with you more are the length (31.3”, I’d guess most of your 8” boards are closer to 31.5-75”), and possibly the wheelbase.
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: truthislie on April 17, 2020, 07:13:57 AM
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Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.
[close]

I have been on 8 decks for the last maybe 10 years, sometimes 8.1 or 7.9 but more or less always 8. Around 5 years ago I bought a politic board in 7.75, broke the nose like a toothpick within 2 sessions (landed bad on a bs flip, probably would have happened on a bigger one as well).

I am really tempted to order the 7.8 classic eagle board now, but I m not sure if I shouldnt just stick to my 8s...
[close]

Imo (great just what you don’t need), 7.8”
on 8” trucks is...real close to an 8”. That particular eagle is dope, all sizes tend to be decently balanced. The measurements that might mess with you more are the length (31.3”, I’d guess most of your 8” boards are closer to 31.5-75”), and possibly the wheelbase.

Thank you, yes I have 8 trucks (bought Krux after riding indys exclusivly for 15 years but thats another story). Up until I found some info on slap I never gave a shit about length or wb. I tried one Baker in 8.125 only 31.5 and then I realized length is important as well. Still have to think about that eagle one, but in my heyday I have skated 7.75s. I guess the truth is I just hold on to the illusion of ever being decent at skating again and that´s why I want to have a smaller one :) 
Title: Re: Going down board sizes?
Post by: Ok on April 17, 2020, 08:23:34 AM
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Just bought an anti hero 7.81 eagle. I've had about 12 of these in my life. Not in about 6 years though. Been trying to conform to this 8+ thing but I just prefer smaller boards.  Pretty excited really. Except the part where I also bought new trucks and having to break those in.
[close]

I have been on 8 decks for the last maybe 10 years, sometimes 8.1 or 7.9 but more or less always 8. Around 5 years ago I bought a politic board in 7.75, broke the nose like a toothpick within 2 sessions (landed bad on a bs flip, probably would have happened on a bigger one as well).

I am really tempted to order the 7.8 classic eagle board now, but I m not sure if I shouldnt just stick to my 8s...
[close]

Imo (great just what you don’t need), 7.8”
on 8” trucks is...real close to an 8”. That particular eagle is dope, all sizes tend to be decently balanced. The measurements that might mess with you more are the length (31.3”, I’d guess most of your 8” boards are closer to 31.5-75”), and possibly the wheelbase.
[close]

Thank you, yes I have 8 trucks (bought Krux after riding indys exclusivly for 15 years but thats another story). Up until I found some info on slap I never gave a shit about length or wb. I tried one Baker in 8.125 only 31.5 and then I realized length is important as well. Still have to think about that eagle one, but in my heyday I have skated 7.75s. I guess the truth is I just hold on to the illusion of ever being decent at skating again and that´s why I want to have a smaller one :)

I know this feeling very well.