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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 08, 2021, 06:37:15 AM
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We have a bad cheap gear thread, so I figured let's have a counterpoint. I'm the type to try anything, and as much as I've been burned, I've found some good sleeper shit.
Skate Warehouse decks are Clutch and very good, as are their 99a wheels and their bearings. I've been living the wheels especially. More than my slimeballs, which feel sort of dry and clunky comparatively.
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Mini logo bearings deserve a spot at the top of this thread
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Mini logo bearings deserve a spot at the top of this thread
I've been meaning to try them. I got some 90a 56mm A Cut ML wheels for cruising and I love them.
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Mini logo bearings deserve a spot at the top of this thread
Second Mini logo Bearings.
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Mini logo bearings deserve a spot at the top of this thread
Indeed. Great cruising wheel, I can skate all around the crusty northwest with them. Honestly regular 99a Mini Logo wheels are a great value, too.
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Tactics shop decks are from BBS, $40 with grip is a steal. Graphics are simple but they work for me.
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The independent black bearings I got on deep discount have been great so far
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No name bolts I got on sale - they do the same thing as $10 Shake Junt bolts at 1/10th the price.
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Any sale Resin 7 boards (usually Darkstar unfortunately). Just gotta diy the graphic or clean it off. Just got one for $35.
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If you can still find a set (they're out there), SFWs that are not F4 formula are some of the best non-F4s I've ridden lately. You gotta slide them grooves off though.
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all the mini logo stuff , decks, bearings, wheels and maybe even trucks are the best budget hardgoods out there.
Trucks are quite different than any other brand's offerings. They are a super low (48mm) truck that actually turns. They grind quite well. The downsides are that they have shit kingpin clearance, and I have had a kingpin get a little wobbly. Overall, they are not only super good for the money but can hold their own against most other trucks IF you can get over the kingpin clearance and know you may have to run a thin riser. Sizing is 8, 8.38 and 8.75, so no 8.5. I have only used the 8 and 8.38.
Decks are decent for the price. Super mellow kicks which I really like on flat. I can skate them in transition, but do prefer something a bit steeper. Once again, quite different offerings than other companies (other than Powell). I have skated 6 or 7 of their decks over the last couple years.
Bearings are fine for cheap ones. Probably as good as most other $20 ones - I just don't run $20 bearings. I have been putting these in my kids setup, but am probably switching them to the $14 Zealous next time because the Zealous are super well sealed and I'll never have to clean them.
Wheels are not up to F4 or SPF/STF levels, but what do you want for $20? I have a set of 55mm A-Cut on a spare setup and they are good enough - but I'll almost always choose a high end wheel. They do flat spot easier than the high end, but are fine on a budget.
I could skate a full Mini Logo setup including tape, hardware and a 1/10th riser and still be happy with my setup.
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The Mini Logo deck I skated was strangely shaped but was probably the best kick and heel flipping deck I’ve skated in a decade. I still didn’t keep it long, though.
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The Mini Logo deck I skated was strangely shaped but was probably the best kick and heel flipping deck I’ve skated in a decade. I still didn’t keep it long, though.
for sure. weird noses and tails, usually a lot of taper.
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I've been skating socal skate shop clutch blanks for awhile and I kinda love not seeing a graphic on my board now. I'm picky about the stain color though. I wish there were more options for choosing blank deck colors from an online source, if anyone knows a good source lemme know, shalom.
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The Mini Logo deck I skated was strangely shaped but was probably the best kick and heel flipping deck I’ve skated in a decade. I still didn’t keep it long, though.
for sure. weird noses and tails, usually a lot of taper.
Depends. Mini Logo / Powell have two shapes on their 8-8.5 popsicles. They have a tapered nose/tail (shapes 247,248 and 249) and rounded ones (242, 243, 244). I haven't seen a 247,8 or 9 Mini Logo in a couple years and they are now only making the rounded ones (242,3,4). Powell is making all the shapes.
But yes, they are the best kick/heel flip decks I have used. I have been on the lookout for a Powell Flight in a 244 shape for about 5 months and none are available - so I may be picking up a Mini Logo 244.
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I vouch for flip HKD bearings, both 5 and 7, they're great.
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I've seen some shade on here thrown at DLX pricepoint decks, but I gotta say I had a pp Krooked deck a couple years ago and it was one of the best shapes I have ever rode. Kickflips on it felt so good and I could get fs no-complys to make that perfect 'shralp' sound with the rotation
That's kinda how I feel about my skate warehouse deck. It's Clutch, most definitely a pp, but just feels great. Some of it is the dims (8.25, 14" wb) but it's just solid all around.
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Jessup grip tape. It works seriously well and you can get it free a lot of times when you buy a new board. I've never had it peel up or lose grip quick.
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NGL I love Skate Warehouse. Never done me wrong
Oh for sure. If I need something "exotic" (mind you, my local is literally the living room of a converted house) then to Skate Warehouse I go.
Jessup grip tape. It works seriously well and you can get it free a lot of times when you buy a new board. I've never had it peel up or lose grip quick.
I don't get the Jessup hate. Maybe I'm a troglodyte but it grips, doesn't tear, and their clear is pretty cool too.
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
Some of the best art in the shop deck game. My girlfriend is a Seattle native so I bought the most recent deck as a rare wall hanger.
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
I've edged on the Quantums for a few weeks now. On the one hand, $20 isn't bad for metal ones, but it's like, why not step up? So I get caught in a loop.
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Any sale Resin 7 boards (usually Darkstar unfortunately). Just gotta diy the graphic or clean it off. Just got one for $35.
Been meaning to try a R7 but the dimensions usually fuck me up, the 8.25 x 31.75 x 14.25 feels way to short so I'll step it up to a 8.38 x 32.2 x 14.25. I'll deal with shitty graphics, just not shitty dims.
Jessup grip tape. It works seriously well and you can get it free a lot of times when you buy a new board. I've never had it peel up or lose grip quick.
Jessup is the forgotten step child of the griptape world. It's super gritty and cheaper than Mob. No perforations but if you're careful when applying it you're usually bubble free.
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The independent black bearings I got on deep discount have been great so far
i had a set
they come with extra speedrings that's nice
slower then my old reds and crowns all broke1 by 1 (dead set in 4months) emailed NHS 3 times no reply
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Spitfire cheapshots are a decent enough bearing for the price...i've run them alongside minilogos and i would say they are about the same ride/durability.
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Enjoi Gender Bender hardware. Comes in 7/8" or 1" and they can be tightened/loosened by both phillips and allen key. I thought they would strip immediately but after having used a few sets on different boards for almost a year, I haven't had a single messed up screw or nut.
Also, I'll second the Spitfire Cheapshot bearings. I thought they'd be garbage but they're surprisingly decent for $10.
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Cortina bearings! I bought some for like $10 shipped on eBay, and they’ve been in the same wheels on my pool board for over two years now. In the intervening time, I wore out several pairs of Reds, some Bronson Raw bearings, along with some others. These cheap Cortinas keep spinning beautifully.
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Mini logo trucks, light, low and turn great; swap in some krux pins.
Mini logo bearings
Spiftfire cheapshots bearings
SW script decks (squared) really great shape and dims
+1 for the resin 7 decks on sale
Superior grip
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
Some of the best art in the shop deck game. My girlfriend is a Seattle native so I bought the most recent deck as a rare wall hanger.
Ya man, good quality shit for sure. Felt like a pro model dlx tbh.
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
I mean, we spend 40-70bucks on a deck that lasts what 3-7 weeks? I've skated sets of bones swiss for 5+yrs. I'm interested to see how long these quantum's go. I will say that i thought it odd that they required a lubing after only a month of light, parking lot skating, but they're real nice now ???
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
Some of the best art in the shop deck game. My girlfriend is a Seattle native so I bought the most recent deck as a rare wall hanger.
Ya man, good quality shit for sure. Felt like a pro model dlx tbh.
Expand Quote
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
I mean, we spend 40-70bucks on a deck that lasts what 3-7 weeks? I've skated sets of bones swiss for 5+yrs. I'm interested to see how long these quantum's go. I will say that i thought it odd that they required a lubing after only a month of light, parking lot skating, but they're real nice now ???
Skating fucks your value system up lol. Skate a deck for a few months tops, drop $60+ on a new one. $80 for shoes a few times a year. But I look at bearings and don't want to spend more than $20. I don't get it either.
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
Some of the best art in the shop deck game. My girlfriend is a Seattle native so I bought the most recent deck as a rare wall hanger.
Ya man, good quality shit for sure. Felt like a pro model dlx tbh.
Expand Quote
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35th ave shop decks cost 40, are BBS and I'm really into the last one I skated. Liked it more than the orchard gangemi i got on that big orchard sale a while back for 35 bucks. Shop decks all the way. I got a solstice shop deck w jessup and a t shirt for $66 out the door the other day. Can't go wrong
They're not hella cheap but the quantum bearings have been real nice for 30-35 as well.
I mean, we spend 40-70bucks on a deck that lasts what 3-7 weeks? I've skated sets of bones swiss for 5+yrs. I'm interested to see how long these quantum's go. I will say that i thought it odd that they required a lubing after only a month of light, parking lot skating, but they're real nice now ???
Skating fucks your value system up lol. Skate a deck for a few months tops, drop $60+ on a new one. $80 for shoes a few times a year. But I look at bearings and don't want to spend more than $20. I don't get it either.
Last year, I was forced to buy some Bronson Raws during the first lockdown, since these were literally the only bearings in town. They lasted a few weeks, and after that I bought Bones Swiss 6, and haven't looked back. I won't run cheap bearings again, it's a bad value proposition.
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Tactics shop decks are from BBS, $40 with grip is a steal. Graphics are simple but they work for me.
How steep are the nose and tail on those tactics decks?
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I've been using Zealous Ceramics longboard bearings with built in spacers and speed rings. I picked them up for like $45 Canadian they have been pretty decent for me so far. They don't pass the free-spin test but they seem to just keep going when weighted.
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I've been using Zealous Ceramics longboard bearings with built in spacers and speed rings. I picked them up for like $45 Canadian they have been pretty decent for me so far. They don't pass the free-spin test but they seem to just keep going when weighted.
Did you lube them up at all before/during install? My Rush Swiss bearings didn't free spin or perform that well until I used the lube that came with them.
Bronson Raws should be in their own thread called Bad Expensive Gear.
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I've been using Zealous Ceramics longboard bearings with built in spacers and speed rings. I picked them up for like $45 Canadian they have been pretty decent for me so far. They don't pass the free-spin test but they seem to just keep going when weighted.
Did you lube them up at all before/during install? My Rush Swiss bearings didn't free spin or perform that well until I used the lube that came with them.
Not at all, they were actually oozing the grease for the first few sessions But I just wiped that away. That was a first but I kinda just chalked that up to $40 ceramics and will ride them until they sucked, which hasn’t started yet.
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I've been using Zealous Ceramics longboard bearings with built in spacers and speed rings. I picked them up for like $45 Canadian they have been pretty decent for me so far. They don't pass the free-spin test but they seem to just keep going when weighted.
Zealous are super slow to start, but after a few weeks they get faster and then end up pretty good. The great thing about them is that they are super well sealed. They just don't get dirty - zero maintenance. I have a set of the steel ones that are 3 years old that have never been touched and are faster than the day I bought them.
I have wanted to try the ceramics.
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Mini logo bearings deserve a spot at the top of this thread
Best deal in skating.
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Mini logo bearings deserve a spot at the top of this thread
One of best budget bearings! I’d say they’re equivalent to reds
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Tactics shop decks are from BBS, $40 with grip is a steal. Graphics are simple but they work for me.
I would say medium high? Haven't ridden a BBS deck in a while, last one I rode was in 2020 from Canada Skate Shop (Ben Degros).
+1 for the resin 7 decks on sale
You guys got into my head and I picked up a Blind 8.38 R7 on sale, graphics be damned! Team is still rad, happy to support the new guys in the brand.
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I hate blind graphics, but I've thought about the R7s myself.
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I hate blind graphics, but I've thought about the R7s myself.
Should be here Monday, it's a Jason Maxham DJ Reaper graphic (oh lordy). Time to break out the stickers.
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all the mini logo stuff , decks, bearings, wheels and maybe even trucks are the best budget hardgoods out there.
Trucks are quite different than any other brand's offerings. They are a super low (48mm) truck that actually turns. They grind quite well. The downsides are that they have shit kingpin clearance, and I have had a kingpin get a little wobbly. Overall, they are not only super good for the money but can hold their own against most other trucks IF you can get over the kingpin clearance and know you may have to run a thin riser. Sizing is 8, 8.38 and 8.75, so no 8.5. I have only used the 8 and 8.38.
Decks are decent for the price. Super mellow kicks which I really like on flat. I can skate them in transition, but do prefer something a bit steeper. Once again, quite different offerings than other companies (other than Powell). I have skated 6 or 7 of their decks over the last couple years.
Bearings are fine for cheap ones. Probably as good as most other $20 ones - I just don't run $20 bearings. I have been putting these in my kids setup, but am probably switching them to the $14 Zealous next time because the Zealous are super well sealed and I'll never have to clean them.
Wheels are not up to F4 or SPF/STF levels, but what do you want for $20? I have a set of 55mm A-Cut on a spare setup and they are good enough - but I'll almost always choose a high end wheel. They do flat spot easier than the high end, but are fine on a budget.
I could skate a full Mini Logo setup including tape, hardware and a 1/10th riser and still be happy with my setup.
I take it back. I pulled some 55mm A cuts out of my parts bin to set up a board. I went to a super smooth transition park and it felt like I had brakes on compared to my SPF / ceramics. I took a couple runs and then went back to the car and pulled out a faster board. I just can’t do cheap bearings and wheels.
I still stand by being able to skate the decks and trucks.
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I drove by a tiny skate shop in a garage or something. when I was in the suburbs and got 2 pivot cups for 50 cents. Dude had like 1000 pivot cups. I probably should have bought more but I told him I’d be back if they are good. It was kinda hypebeast but they had decent shit.
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Because i am low on budget borrowed a set of Mini-Logo Wheels ( A-Cut 101A) from a homie. They ride nice but obviously they are not proper for powerslides on rough asphalt (which is quite common here in Berlin). But perfectly forgiving for slides/grinds on concrete or metall ledges, or old curbs, and riding perfectly on marble-like grounds (grip and powerslide-wise).
I see myself buying next time some 99A's.
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Any sale Resin 7 boards (usually Darkstar unfortunately). Just gotta diy the graphic or clean it off. Just got one for $35.
thats all i buy are dwindle bargain decks, only size 8.25" with 14"wb mostly stay with blind or superior, same shape, when you go to globe they have fuller more rounded nose and tails with the same concave. havent tried darkstar yet but planning on picking up one for a backup. plus they use 4+ colored plys in most their bargain decks, which most brands dont do more than 2 colored plys. anyone have a list of all dwindle brands that sell the single press bargain decks?
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Any sale Resin 7 boards (usually Darkstar unfortunately). Just gotta diy the graphic or clean it off. Just got one for $35.
thats all i buy are dwindle bargain decks, only size 8.25" with 14"wb mostly stay with blind or superior, same shape, when you go to globe they have fuller more rounded nose and tails with the same concave. havent tried darkstar yet but planning on picking up one for a backup. plus they use 4+ colored plys in most their bargain decks, which most brands dont do more than 2 colored plys. anyone have a list of all dwindle brands that sell the single press bargain decks?
https://tgmskateboards.com/longboard-and-cruiser-clearance/hardgoods/
Not the list you were looking for but R7 boards at $40-ish is pretty sweet.
Edit: rode a R7, first DSM deck I've ridden in 10 years. Blind 8.38, incredibly steep kicks and concave which I can deal with but the stiffness was otherworldly. Zero flex at all and it sounded / felt very dense, felt overly manufactured, if that makes sense. Steep kicks were no nonsense at all, either you give a 100% effort pop or you're ghost popping all day. Not un-rideable but steep learning curve versus a BBS / PS Stix deck.
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https://www.sk8kings.com/steel-axle-spacers-18-four-pack.html
These 1/8" spacers work well to widen the stance of your wheels so it feels like riding trucks that are 1/4" wider. They work well on 8" trucks on a 8.25" board, 8.25" trucks and 8.5" board, etc.
They're not great with super narrow wheels like tablets, radial slims, or 50mm/51mm classics because the spacer is more exposed but it's probably madness. They're good with radials, conicals, and 53mm+ classics.
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I hate blind graphics, but I've thought about the R7s myself.
Should be here Monday, it's a Jason Maxham DJ Reaper graphic (oh lordy). Time to break out the stickers.
Lol "Jason" Maxham
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I hate blind graphics, but I've thought about the R7s myself.
Should be here Monday, it's a Jason Maxham DJ Reaper graphic (oh lordy). Time to break out the stickers.
Jason" Maxham
Jordan Maxham
I was thinking of Jason Maxwell, old pro who used to ride for DNA distribution companies.