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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 12, 2022, 06:10:23 PM

Title: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 12, 2022, 06:10:23 PM
Sup pals. Been wanting to do this for a bit, kind of a catch all thread for people to talk about their madness and to hopefully get some clarity / be talked down from making foolish decisions. We'll see.

Anyways, here is my current situation:

Been skating nothing but shaped boards (pretty much) for about two years. I'm kind of over it and want to go back to just skating a popsicle, but I've got a couple unskated eggs and another shaped board I just set up. Do I just suck it up and skate through the stuff I have or do I get a popsicle? Am I making too big of a deal about it?

Worth mentioning I skate my boards for kind of a long time (3-5 months).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Murge on June 12, 2022, 06:17:31 PM
Man. I’m gonna be a bad influence and say try the popsicles now it’s an option financially.  If you like it sell the eggs or keep for later. If you don’t like it keep skating your current setup and keep it as back up.

Also I thought this was gonna be a more negative thread like we was just gonna tell each other new wheels won’t make 360 flips easier and stuff like that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 12, 2022, 06:57:50 PM
Man. I’m gonna be a bad influence and say try the popsicles now it’s an option financially.  If you like it sell the eggs or keep for later. If you don’t like it keep skating your current setup and keep it as back up.

Also I thought this was gonna be a more negative thread like we was just gonna tell each other new wheels won’t make 360 flips easier and stuff like that.

It can still be negative. There is time. I think I might need to be told that a popsicle isn't going to up my flatground game at 39.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 12, 2022, 07:05:35 PM
Also I thought this was gonna be a more negative thread like we was just gonna tell each other new wheels won’t make 360 flips easier and stuff like that.

We'll acknowledge that our gear madness is not getting us anywhere, tone it down for a while, then our minds will wander again.

There is no cure, just varying degrees of gear madness, dependent on how good our last session was.

Been skating nothing but shaped boards (pretty much) for about two years. I'm kind of over it and want to go back to just skating a popsicle, but I've got a couple unskated eggs and another shaped board I just set up. Do I just suck it up and skate through the stuff I have or do I get a popsicle? Am I making too big of a deal about it?

If you're thinking it (and can afford it), then go for it, but don't go full ham on it. Just get the deck and reuse whatever trucks you have available. Then if you don't like the deck pass it to a friend or sell it off, at least you'll know without getting overly invested in the "ecosystem" (new trucks, bushings, wheels).

That's the only way you'll be able to scratch the itch and be at peace.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 12, 2022, 08:01:40 PM
@Ronnie Rodriguez you are the best

@Murge we could do positivity via negativity? Because my treflips are not banging, and I have a stack of equipment…

I really like the idea of this thread.
I too keep equipment for a really long time, like some decks are years and years old.
I might be the most spazzed out as far as my radical swings in what I think works. I just bought 2, 8.5 completes, aaaaaaand now I’m skating a small 8.125 on low 8” trucks. So I’m full of shit.
I’ve used different setups, and the hope and hype from these setups, to get out and skate. I’ve said this before, but I’m basically just doing a really really bad impression of Chico Brenes, where I try my 5 (max) flip tricks on different boards.
A huge part of my gear madness comes from me being extremely susceptible to various skate media, and then the trends of the local youths. The other two main components are: aging, and anxiety. Aging: been skating off and on for many many years. I’ve taken long breaks, but my first board was a variflex twister, and I probably peaked before yeah right. Setups were different then, smaller, so sometimes (more than sometimes) I confuse my lack of ability for an equipment related issue, and also wistfully remember ‘shredding’ on something far different than what I use today…and the anxiety is pretty easy: life is wild, I’ve got more life behind than in front, and skatelife wise, I mean shit, hard to say how long I’ll be able to roll. So instead of wigging out about global apocalypse, or my lack of adult financial success, I attempt to get better at skateboarding from behind a screen, via some alchemy. I mean, it’s embarrassing to write out, but there it is.

So most of my (many) posts in this thread are gonna be like: ‘ohmygod guys did you see Wade’s part? Should I get accel slims!?’
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on June 12, 2022, 08:28:33 PM
My entire gear life is foolish decisions.  I'm 49 and i KNOW that if i just had the right setup I would be able to land trick X just one more time before I get injured for the 832nd time and never land it again.

Spending another $50 on a new deck or set of trucks or $40 on wheels so I can land it that ONE MORE TIME is worth it.... right?  Right?

So I think I have about 9-12 setups.  I really don't know how many I have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 12, 2022, 09:18:10 PM
'Add to Cart'
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on June 12, 2022, 09:36:35 PM
Being injured or otherwise not able to skate enough is the worst. That’s when my madness goes off the charts. Last time I was properly injured I went from 1 setup & 1 cruiser to 8 total. For the last year or so I’ve been too busy with life and sprained my back a while ago so I couldn’t really skate for 2 months. I have 8 setups again and a huge stack of decks & a whole bunch of other stuff. Shoes I still have probably 40 pairs.

I guess the logic is that if I can’t get stoked on skating I try to remedy that by buying skate stuff that’ll get me stoked. The stoke from that is rather superficial though and won’t last for long and is nothing compared to the stoke I get from skating. Although having a setup you’re stoked on is very important for me. But it’s not like I end up disliking my old stuff either. I like them all. I just have too many of them.

Truck madness I’ve been cured from though. Only Aces for quite a few years now. Classic 44s, 55s, 66s and AF1 55s, 60s & 66s depending on the deck. Changing between truck brands was fucking me up way too much. It wasn’t fun anymore.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 12, 2022, 10:18:53 PM
Being injured or otherwise not able to skate enough is the worst. That’s when my madness goes off the charts. Last time I was properly injured I went from 1 setup & 1 cruiser to 8 total. For the last year or so I’ve been too busy with life and sprained my back a while ago so I couldn’t really skate for 2 months. I have 8 setups again and a huge stack of decks & a whole bunch of other stuff. Shoes I still have probably 40 pairs.

I guess the logic is that if I can’t get stoked on skating I try to remedy that by buying skate stuff that’ll get me stoked. The stoke from that is rather superficial though and won’t last for long and is nothing compared to the stoke I get from skating. Although having a setup you’re stoked on is very important for me. But it’s not like I end up disliking my old stuff either. I like them all. I just have too many of them.

Truck madness I’ve been cured from though. Only Aces for quite a few years now. Classic 44s, 55s, 66s and AF1 55s, 60s & 66s depending on the deck. Changing between truck brands was fucking me up way too much. It wasn’t fun anymore.

If a therapist ask me the source of my gear madness, I will point to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Being locked up at home with nowhere to skate will drive a person insane with gear madness.

I'd say step 1 to getting over the madness is to fix truck madness since they change the feel of the deck the most of all components. Do all your fucking around with bushings and pivot cups and promise (lol) yourself to stick to just 1 brand of truck. Then going between decks shapes and sizes will be less of a surprise since you've already locked 1 aspect of the setup (trucks). If you've spent enough time skateboarding you should be able to go between 1/16" difference in decks without issue.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SaySo on June 13, 2022, 01:11:51 AM
@OK I could think of worse choices of elder skatespeople to emulate. I think Chico is a shining example of just doing what we love because we love it.

@Ronnie Rodriguez I echo what others have said. If it's within your financial means, cop the popsicles while holding onto your shaped decks. But if not, keep what you can/must and "KonMari" what you don't "need."

Depending on where you're located and what brands you like to ride, there may or may not be another product shortage or price hike headed your way.

I think for some items - wheels, bushings/trucks, and decks - it will be inevitable. Simply because the petro oligarchs are having a field day with raising prices and profits. So having stock, like many of us do, will help us weather the potential shortages. Though prices will never go back to what they were before.

Also, sussing out what trucks work for us is seriously a big accomplishment, especially given the amount of finite adjustments we tend to discuss ad nauseam here. So if you've got that figured out, as someone else said, that's one major variable that doesn't have to contribute to the madness.

(https://i.ibb.co/hZRH3kq/wallpapersden-com-we-are-all-mad-here-cheshire-cat-1536x2048.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mvdbosch90 on June 13, 2022, 01:52:47 AM
Expand Quote
Also I thought this was gonna be a more negative thread like we was just gonna tell each other new wheels won’t make 360 flips easier and stuff like that.
[close]

We'll acknowledge that our gear madness is not getting us anywhere, tone it down for a while, then our minds will wander again.

There is no cure, just varying degrees of gear madness, dependent on how good our last session was.

Expand Quote
Been skating nothing but shaped boards (pretty much) for about two years. I'm kind of over it and want to go back to just skating a popsicle, but I've got a couple unskated eggs and another shaped board I just set up. Do I just suck it up and skate through the stuff I have or do I get a popsicle? Am I making too big of a deal about it?
[close]

If you're thinking it (and can afford it), then go for it, but don't go full ham on it. Just get the deck and reuse whatever trucks you have available. Then if you don't like the deck pass it to a friend or sell it off, at least you'll know without getting overly invested in the "ecosystem" (new trucks, bushings, wheels).

That's the only way you'll be able to scratch the itch and be at peace.

Totally agree. On good sessions I'm satisfied with my setup, but after a bad session I immidiately think of what I could change regarding trucks/bushings/wheelbase etc. I also occasionally just have to check if the gras really isn't greener; I mount some old thunder trucks, like the low weight, hate the steering, and go back to ace or indy :P
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on June 13, 2022, 03:16:57 AM
I'm much more happier when I have one setup. I don't have to decide which one to skate that day. And I progress more when I stick with one. But to each their own.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on June 13, 2022, 05:13:27 AM
I (fortunately) have never reached the zone of attempting to tweak my gear choices and chase the madness to maximize my skating skills - I feel like I’d drive myself insane doing that cause I overanalyze things to begin with.  I feel like my gear madness comes more from chasing the excitement of trying something new and staying stoked on skating.

I seem to keep evolving with what I compulsively buy and want to try too - when I was younger it was skate shoes, when I fully got back into skating as an adult it was different brands and sizes of trucks, lately since I’ve been skating shaped boards it’s been decks.  I hate breaking in new trucks and have fully accepted that I should just skate Indys but I’ve been out of control with deck purchases for sure.  Instagram certainly doesn’t help seeing so much new product 24/7 especially at local shops.

I say, as long as you can limit you madness to one category of gear and keep getting some usable life out of the other components (i.e. buying tons of decks that all work with the same size/brand trucks, buying tons of wheels but getting some mileage out of your decks/trucks…) go for it.  For me personally, if I try to run multiple set ups simultaneously though I just confuse the hell out of myself.  So having way too many decks and skating one at a time seems to work. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Murge on June 13, 2022, 05:16:59 AM
Expand Quote
Man. I’m gonna be a bad influence and say try the popsicles now it’s an option financially.  If you like it sell the eggs or keep for later. If you don’t like it keep skating your current setup and keep it as back up.

Also I thought this was gonna be a more negative thread like we was just gonna tell each other new wheels won’t make 360 flips easier and stuff like that.
[close]

It can still be negative. There is time. I think I might need to be told that a popsicle isn't going to up my flatground game at 39.

Oh my comment was directly pointed at myself I just spent a day looking for wheels because I convinced my self I need classics to get 360 flips down. Ha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gene_Harrogate on June 13, 2022, 08:38:45 AM
I'm much more happier when I have one setup. I don't have to decide which one to skate that day. And I progress more when I stick with one. But to each their own.
I recently had the same epiphany.  My quiver was getting out of hand given the fact that I have limited opportunity to skate these days anyway.  So I disassembled all but two and feel much better about it.  Plus now I have a stockpile of spare parts I can mix and match if I feel like making slight adjustments.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 13, 2022, 08:53:56 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Also I thought this was gonna be a more negative thread like we was just gonna tell each other new wheels won’t make 360 flips easier and stuff like that.
[close]

We'll acknowledge that our gear madness is not getting us anywhere, tone it down for a while, then our minds will wander again.

There is no cure, just varying degrees of gear madness, dependent on how good our last session was.

Expand Quote
Been skating nothing but shaped boards (pretty much) for about two years. I'm kind of over it and want to go back to just skating a popsicle, but I've got a couple unskated eggs and another shaped board I just set up. Do I just suck it up and skate through the stuff I have or do I get a popsicle? Am I making too big of a deal about it?
[close]

If you're thinking it (and can afford it), then go for it, but don't go full ham on it. Just get the deck and reuse whatever trucks you have available. Then if you don't like the deck pass it to a friend or sell it off, at least you'll know without getting overly invested in the "ecosystem" (new trucks, bushings, wheels).

That's the only way you'll be able to scratch the itch and be at peace.
[close]

Totally agree. On good sessions I'm satisfied with my setup, but after a bad session I immidiately think of what I could change regarding trucks/bushings/wheelbase etc. I also occasionally just have to check if the gras really isn't greener; I mount some old thunder trucks, like the low weight, hate the steering, and go back to ace or indy :P

I tend to agree but also I recently had a run of bad sessions and I took a look at my setup - razor tailed deck, axled trucks with blown bushings, seized bearings, ancient wheels ~5mm off of where they started - and I bought some new shit and it actually made a huge difference.

I skate two completes and the thing about having one or two setups (rather than an arsenal and a ton of spares) means I actually wear out my components and then feel totally justified in purchasing new ones. No guilt buying new Ace to replace my two year old 144s with 90% of the axle showing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 13, 2022, 08:57:01 AM
Expand Quote
I'm much more happier when I have one setup. I don't have to decide which one to skate that day. And I progress more when I stick with one. But to each their own.
[close]
I recently had the same epiphany.  My quiver was getting out of hand given the fact that I have limited opportunity to skate these days anyway.  So I disassembled all but two and feel much better about it.  Plus now I have a stockpile of spare parts I can mix and match if I feel like making slight adjustments.

This is the way. Disassemble everything extraneous and focus on one or two. I was creeping up to four completes a few years ago and I realized that was madness. Even two seems excessive, even though I feel like I can fully justify both.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 13, 2022, 09:53:10 AM
The madness can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but it has led me to some improvements over the years. Or at the very least, it has narrowed my scope of general preferences a lot.

Really had no idea about WB and what i was looking for until the madness took hold after returning to skateboarding after like 5 years and everything felt wrong on my skateboard. Now i know 14.4 - 14.5 is my sweet spot.

Pro tip, if you're feeling the madness kick in, try just tightening/loosening your trucks first. Temps affect bushings, temps fluctuate, therefore so do your bushings. Has saved me a few times. I know not all madness is truck related, but most of mine is centered around trucks.

I'm pretty much where i want to be with my wheels im about to try some 54mm 101a classic f4s, and if those dont workout, im getting back on my 56mm 99a classic f4s. Might try some 56mm 101s eventually, but you get the picture, im within a small rage of parameters now, thanks to years of madness and tinkering. my decks/bearings/grip/hardware have been "solved" lol.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 13, 2022, 10:12:22 AM

So most of my (many) posts in this thread are gonna be like: ‘ohmygod guys did you see Wade’s part? Should I get accel slims!?’

As good as he made them look, no, you should not. Those shoes are built with the quality of something intended to be disposed after a couple uses. Shitty materials, shitty insole, floppy ass midsole. Are well constructed, mid-weight cupsoles too much to ask for? (apparently yes)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on June 13, 2022, 10:14:39 AM
Sup pals. Been wanting to do this for a bit, kind of a catch all thread for people to talk about their madness and to hopefully get some clarity / be talked down from making foolish decisions. We'll see.

Anyways, here is my current situation:

Been skating nothing but shaped boards (pretty much) for about two years. I'm kind of over it and want to go back to just skating a popsicle, but I've got a couple unskated eggs and another shaped board I just set up. Do I just suck it up and skate through the stuff I have or do I get a popsicle? Am I making too big of a deal about it?

Worth mentioning I skate my boards for kind of a long time (3-5 months).

Why not keep the shapes going + a popsicle or 2. I like shapes also and usually run an 8.6 and 8.75 popsicle as well. + a couple 8.5's for techy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on June 13, 2022, 10:28:17 AM
My madness is to the point where I have a Google doc listing the exact specs of all my 4 boards and all their parts and specs of those parts. I also keep a list of tricks I've done and want to learn. I'm an OCD list maker til the day I die.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sharkin on June 13, 2022, 10:35:15 AM
https://www.dlxsf.com/keep-it-rolling/

cleanse thyself of sin
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 13, 2022, 10:54:02 AM
I have 5 boards set up right now I'm feeling shitty about it. Fully committed to commit by the end of 2022.

On the plus side I have committed to the following. Ace trucks, BBS decks, and F4 wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 13, 2022, 11:26:32 AM
Nice to see the shared sentiment of passing along our extra gear acquired in times of madness. Hooking someone up always feels nice.

 And getting trucks for free when you need them feels way better than getting half your money back on some shit you're not crazy about. So if you can manage it, and someone is in need, just hook them up. might end up helping someone else down the line, you know, pay it forward and all that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on June 13, 2022, 11:34:21 AM
Got hoarder genetics. Not going into all the therapy but also obsessive about having "enough" or having a full set so my madness often results in me having a ton of the same thing or like say I want a pair of dickies will I get brown or black? Ahhh fuck it I'll get ten pairs so I have every colour.
Key to happiness(for me at least) can be to just simplify as much as possible. I know I like coke the best so why fill my fridge with every soda. Giving stuff away also helps (as others have mentioned) I know I'll pretty much never buy Nike's again because years ago I have some guy a massive jersey bag full of dunks, prods, Omar's etc and now can't bring myself to spend real money on stuff like that again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: layzieyez on June 13, 2022, 11:35:29 AM
I started skating a 8" popsicle with ventures and 51mm wheels again and got back nollie flips the same day.

The big change is that I limited myself from doing nothing but slappies. If I want to be able to have good ollies, it means doing it at every opportunity.

My fun shapes weren't fun for what I wanted to be able to do with my old legs.

YMMV.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 13, 2022, 01:27:04 PM
I used to be pretty bad with trucks and stuff but thankfully never went down a bushing rabbit hole or wheel rabbit hole. I don't even really adjust my trucks unless the temps change and make them feel looser.

I think the #1 worst thing anyone with madness can do its hoard equipment or buy shit on sale. Then you end up with a bunch of stuff that you don't need and might not have ever seen. There is enough variance in decks that unless I really know what I am getting it's just too risky.

My recent sin is a 2nd pair of trucks, which means I have 2 boards setup that I can move wheels between and reduces commitment to ending the madness.

Setup 1 seems better for: manuals, frontside flips, quick snap, tailslides, just all around more nimble.

Setup 2 seems better for: kickflips and 360 flips, lofty snap, 180s and nollie 180s.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 13, 2022, 01:38:46 PM
I started skating a 8" popsicle with ventures and 51mm wheels again and got back nollie flips the same day.

The big change is that I limited myself from doing nothing but slappies. If I want to be able to have good ollies, it means doing it at every opportunity.

My fun shapes weren't fun for what I wanted to be able to do with my old legs.

YMMV.


Venture lo’s? I’m basically the same on 8”ish boards: was riding a setup that has 56 conical fulls and 5.2 Jo’s, and then another with forged 147s and 52s…wasn’t a lot of difference in the results.

Where my madness goes ham is wanting to, nay needing to, try something at some extreme end of the spectrum. I’ll skate it once, have ‘the best session ever’, and then never get along with it again.

I love the idea, and practice, of donating items. I often re-buy the trucks I give away. Which is super creepy.

@IpathCats thanks. I knew that was probably the case. Still might, I’ll just lie about it. But for real, a decent cupsole still kinda hard to find.

@Ronnie Rodriguez shaped boards are the cruelest of all temptations. Having one around is a great way for me to lighten up, have fun, get stoked. Can’t do em as my forever tho. Flip tricks, for me, way, way easier on 8-8.5 popsicles. Having one shaped board, one ‘regular’ setup…well that would be progress for me.
As long as I keep my expectations in line with my ever changing skate rallity, I’m generally less bummed when a setup doesn’t workout. Trying to find my ‘one forever, only setup, the last setup, the perfect truck…’ hasn’t worked for me. Yet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 13, 2022, 01:48:25 PM
Glad to see people are posting.

For some reason I can't tag anyone, but big ups to everyone donating gear. I did a couple big clean outs recently and dropped a bunch of stuff at the local.

I actually had a decent (for me) flatground session on my shaped board today...I think maybe I just needed to get used to the smaller wheels I've been running? So the beast is sleeping for now. If I see a nice pointy-ish popsicle next time I'm at the shop, though...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: layzieyez on June 13, 2022, 01:52:16 PM
I got some hi's first, but they weren't cutting it. The lows felt more like home. I think struggling to skate heavier and oddly shaped boards with much looser trucks prior made skating the 8 feel that much easier.

Nowadays, my son's interest in skateboarding is being rekindled so it's good to have a lot of options for him to try to find what works for him. He's just surpassed my height and he's turning 14 soon. I'm his gear sherpa.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 13, 2022, 02:00:29 PM
Despite my stupid amount of hard goods, I do tend to use it all. I just don't use it until its completely cooked like I used to. I tend to stop using it while it still has life in it and I pass it on to a local organization that works with homeless youth. I like to give them completes but I don't always have trucks or bearings for them...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 13, 2022, 04:18:00 PM

I think the distribution and then re distribution of used skate product really does help the skateboard world go round.

When I was younger we would always scrounge and save a bit here or there, but never enough to really get much brand new stuff, but there was always someone selling something of varying degrees of wear, so that would usually be a much better alternative to riding what we had into dust and could still afford to skate a semi decent setup.

Then when I was old enough to buy my own, I would look for the best deals or whatever just to get through.

Now I guess it is absolute overkill with the amount of stuff I have, but I only buy things, both new and used, with the aim of skating them, or more so passing them on to others who want them, either through the shop or just my personal connections, so I feel like it is worth doing what I do.

Nothing I have is really that sacred, so I can setup a new board easily enough if I needed to, or lend / pass on an existing complete to anyone if the situation arises too, but I do enjoy seeing people use stuff to the point they are done with it and then I can either skate it myself or fix it to the point where it will be good for someone else to use for a while after that too.

I kind of get a kick out of skating old trucks or fixing old sets of wheels, but even old completes can still be great fun more often than not too.


In saying all that, I have definitely left my better days behind, which at some points in my life, were very difficult to deal with, but I have accepted the fact that I can still roll around and enjoy whatever it is I can still skate, so I am not really fussed by what I used to be able to do or try to achieve success in getting tricks back with specific setups, more so just do what I can when I can and if things work on any given day, then all the better for it.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 13, 2022, 06:11:50 PM
I usually skate through it or sell it at a big time loss….I deserve it. 

I always have a razor tailed boards that I give out to kids who’s boards are all chipped up.

With wheels/trucks I’ll usually piece together a complete to sell on CL or give away.

I do have a quiver of about 5 set ups that I’ll move parts around. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on June 13, 2022, 07:09:29 PM
Glad to see people are posting.

For some reason I can't tag anyone, but big ups to everyone donating gear. I did a couple big clean outs recently and dropped a bunch of stuff at the local.

I actually had a decent (for me) flatground session on my shaped board today...I think maybe I just needed to get used to the smaller wheels I've been running? So the beast is sleeping for now. If I see a nice pointy-ish popsicle next time I'm at the shop, though...

I just hand out my lightly used stuff to homies who seem like good people at the skate park. Always feels good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 13, 2022, 09:09:30 PM
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on June 13, 2022, 10:50:48 PM
I’ve been on ace classics forever. Thought i was never gonna change. Than ace came out with low hollows. I was stoked. Thought i was finally gonna make the jump to AF 1. Got em and hated em. Grind was too smooth for me compared to the classics. I got another set of classics. Fast forward 2 months later, i’m kinda annoyed that classic 44 aren’t 8.5 axel…ok no big deal. I’ll get a new set of trucks once skate through these a little more. Got an egg and the 8.38 axel is noticeably more magic carpet than normal to my previous shape. Getting more annoyed… I go to a mini ramp this week and I keep sticking on basic grinds, maybe it’s the coping, maybe it’s my trucks wearing down, but now i’m getting pissed. And now i’m back to thinking, maybe that AF1 grind wasn’t so bad after all… Now I want AF1 55 but not in hollow.

Sigh. Just amassing trucks. It was easier when the board shape and wheelbase was the constant in my set ups. Now that i’m changing boards i’m really getting the truck madness. Ugh.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 13, 2022, 11:55:07 PM
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.

Spending way too long to swapping stuff between setups and having 2 spare pairs of trucks in my backpack convinced me to stick to 1 setup. Was spending way too much time swapping between trucks mid-session, when that time could have been better spent getting used to my setup.

I suspect most of us are time-poor but gear-rich - all about giving myself enough time to make a decision if the gear swap was worth it. Roughly 3 sessions for a deck or 1 month for trucks (lifespan of a deck).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on June 14, 2022, 01:16:40 AM
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.

Don't set up a 2nd, 3rd; 4th, etc. setup. Make one your go to and force yourself to ride it! If you spend enough time on one you won't want to ride a different one. At least, that's what's worked for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 14, 2022, 04:18:06 AM
I’ve been on ace classics forever. Thought i was never gonna change. Than ace came out with low hollows. I was stoked. Thought i was finally gonna make the jump to AF 1. Got em and hated em. Grind was too smooth for me compared to the classics. I got another set of classics. Fast forward 2 months later, i’m kinda annoyed that classic 44 aren’t 8.5 axel…ok no big deal. I’ll get a new set of trucks once skate through these a little more. Got an egg and the 8.38 axel is noticeably more magic carpet than normal to my previous shape. Getting more annoyed… I go to a mini ramp this week and I keep sticking on basic grinds, maybe it’s the coping, maybe it’s my trucks wearing down, but now i’m getting pissed. And now i’m back to thinking, maybe that AF1 grind wasn’t so bad after all… Now I want AF1 55 but not in hollow.

Sigh. Just amassing trucks. It was easier when the board shape and wheelbase was the constant in my set ups. Now that i’m changing boards i’m really getting the truck madness. Ugh.

If it's been a while since you've tried Indy's, you might wanna give them a shot. As someone who has tried everything, I can tell you for certain, that Indy's grind the best. The forged hollows and titanium hollows should save you some weight too and put you pretty close to ace height.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on June 14, 2022, 05:20:05 AM
Expand Quote
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.
[close]

Spending way too long to swapping stuff between setups and having 2 spare pairs of trucks in my backpack convinced me to stick to 1 setup. Was spending way too much time swapping between trucks mid-session, when that time could have been better spent getting used to my setup.

I suspect most of us are time-poor but gear-rich - all about giving myself enough time to make a decision if the gear swap was worth it. Roughly 3 sessions for a deck or 1 month for trucks (lifespan of a deck).

This is the final level of gear madness haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 14, 2022, 07:34:41 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.
[close]

Spending way too long to swapping stuff between setups and having 2 spare pairs of trucks in my backpack convinced me to stick to 1 setup. Was spending way too much time swapping between trucks mid-session, when that time could have been better spent getting used to my setup.

I suspect most of us are time-poor but gear-rich - all about giving myself enough time to make a decision if the gear swap was worth it. Roughly 3 sessions for a deck or 1 month for trucks (lifespan of a deck).
[close]

This is the final level of gear madness haha

This is the extent of my madness, I don't mess with bushings, pivot cups or washers, at most Bones bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 14, 2022, 07:40:59 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.
[close]

Spending way too long to swapping stuff between setups and having 2 spare pairs of trucks in my backpack convinced me to stick to 1 setup. Was spending way too much time swapping between trucks mid-session, when that time could have been better spent getting used to my setup.

I suspect most of us are time-poor but gear-rich - all about giving myself enough time to make a decision if the gear swap was worth it. Roughly 3 sessions for a deck or 1 month for trucks (lifespan of a deck).
[close]

This is the final level of gear madness haha
[close]

This is the extent of my madness, I don't mess with bushings, pivot cups or washers, at most Bones bushings.

....yea....me neither, that would be crazy right?

*shoves box of bushings, washers, and pivot cups under the bed*
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on June 14, 2022, 03:10:28 PM
Expand Quote
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.
[close]

Don't set up a 2nd, 3rd; 4th, etc. setup. Make one your go to and force yourself to ride it! If you spend enough time on one you won't want to ride a different one. At least, that's what's worked for me.
This is how I do it too. Eventually all your tricks will work on that one setup. Just stay committed to it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 14, 2022, 06:00:31 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
How does one commit to a single setup? As I mentioned I've got 2 assembled and it's like 18/20 things work well on each one, neither is perfect. But I ain't trying to continue wasting mends energy on madness.
[close]

Don't set up a 2nd, 3rd; 4th, etc. setup. Make one your go to and force yourself to ride it! If you spend enough time on one you won't want to ride a different one. At least, that's what's worked for me.
[close]
This is how I do it too. Eventually all your tricks will work on that one setup. Just stay committed to it.

For sure 101% committed the 1 setup.

Until I have a shit session and the madness creeps in.

But in all honesty I remind myself that I'm dealing with fractions of inches and millimeters differences between gear, stop being a baby and just adapt to whatever is under my feet. Adapting to your environment (and setup) is part and parcel of skateboarding anyway.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on June 14, 2022, 06:21:53 PM
I have an unreasonable amount of everything. The best I could do is narrow my quiver to 3. My regular 8.5 popsicle, a 10" shaped frog board to mess around on, and a cruiser. I still have a enough to set up another 2 completes but I'm gonna try to stay committed and just use up that gear to replace parts of what I already have set up. If my shaped board breaks, I'm planning on just running with the popsicle and the cruiser set up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 14, 2022, 06:24:56 PM
An area where my madness goes buck: skate well (for me) on a smaller setup, small wheels, lo(w) trucks. I try and take that baby board into the ‘real world’, and have a ratshit time: skating super slow, feet getting banged off the deck by compression cracks, nothing working. Need bigger softer wheels 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 next thing you know I’m on an 8.5 with late 2020 Kader sized wheels, rolling, and can ollie, but maximum frustration levels kicking in.
Basically what I’m trying to say is I want the best of all worlds and that’s not how it works.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 14, 2022, 06:47:38 PM
Why not a middle ground setup with 8.25 deck and build it for ATV use?

Mid height trucks and skinnier 54mm wheels but with a wider contact patch to compensate for a harder smaller wheel.

Basically what I’m trying to say is I want the best of all worlds and that’s not how it works.

Ok that explains it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 14, 2022, 07:04:51 PM
Oh no, you’ve got the reasonable solution…I also think my weird under functioning pre frontal cortex wants the jolt of setting up ‘extreme’ setups, or things further on the ends of the spectrum. And that is ridiculous. 
My attempt over the next month: 1 setup, and if I start to lose it, maybe change the wheels…and add risers. Or not. But defined gonna switch the wheels around…so not exactly one setup, at all. But, one deck, one pair of trucks is gonna be a game changer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 14, 2022, 07:24:25 PM
But, one deck, one pair of trucks is gonna be a game changer.

That's a first step, then go up or down 0.125" up or down in deck size if you want more flippery or stability. I think that's where the odd sizes like 8.125 / 8.38 / 8.625 come in handy: when you want a compromise size without having to swap trucks. Lots of guys I know who started off in the 7.75 days move up to 8.0 when they first come back and eventually settle on 8.125 / 8.25 as they pack on the pounds or get taller with age.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 14, 2022, 07:50:20 PM
This thread has me inspired to set up a summer solstice sacrifice to the skate gods and perhaps donate some gear to those who need it more than I.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 14, 2022, 08:24:00 PM
Expand Quote
But, one deck, one pair of trucks is gonna be a game changer.
[close]

That's a first step, then go up or down 0.125" up or down in deck size if you want more flippery or stability. I think that's where the odd sizes like 8.125 / 8.38 / 8.625 come in handy: when you want a compromise size without having to swap trucks. Lots of guys I know who started off in the 7.75 days move up to 8.0 when they first come back and eventually settle on 8.125 / 8.25 as they pack on the pounds or get taller with age.

Totally agree. 8.125, on 8 trucks, is a similar board to truck ratio, as 7.75 deck on 7.63 (5.0/129) trucks. Busentiz, suciu  , both do the 8.38 on 148 (I think). Makes a lot of sense
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on June 14, 2022, 08:40:35 PM
Take it from a guy who's tried damn near everything the market has to offer...

If you're struggling and hitting a wall progression-wise it's almost certainly not your gear. It's your form. If you consistently aren't landing something it's a lot more likely you're doing something fundamentally wrong than your wheelbase. I did this for a long time and even though I knew in the back of my head the problem was that I was being a poor craftsman and blaming my tools, I thought some day I'd step on some magical combination of wood and metal and be able to skate like I was 16 again. Didn't work. Still doesn't. Never will.

Skate what you like. If you want to get better then practice more on what you like.

Written while literally sitting on a box of boards I haven't skated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 14, 2022, 09:14:57 PM
Take it from a guy who's tried damn near everything the market has to offer...

If you're struggling and hitting a wall progression-wise it's almost certainly not your gear. It's your form. If you consistently aren't landing something it's a lot more likely you're doing something fundamentally wrong than your wheelbase. I did this for a long time and even though I knew in the back of my head the problem was that I was being a poor craftsman and blaming my tools, I thought some day I'd step on some magical combination of wood and metal and be able to skate like I was 16 again. Didn't work. Still doesn't. Never will.

Skate what you like. If you want to get better then practice more on what you like.

Written while literally sitting on a box of boards I haven't skated.

The goat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on June 15, 2022, 08:53:34 AM
I've been working on trying to find that "middle ground" setup that works everywhere.   I don't skate my 8.0" much these days.   I do regularly skate my 8.75" at one park that is all transition, but have skated 8.3ish boards there ok. 

Yesterday i showed up to the more "street" park with 3 setups.
Creature 8.38" - 14.5 wb with Ace AF1 55s and 54mm F4 101s
Real Ishod TT 8.3" - 14.4 wb with Indy 144 hollows and 53mm STF 103
Powell 8.25 flight (that measures 8.38) - 14.25 wb with Thunder 149 Ti and 54mm F4 99s.

The wheelbase / truck combos make the axle to axle very similar, and the Creature has the steepest tail, then the Real, and the Powell is the mellowest. 

Started out on the Creature/Ace setup.  I like it in transition, but my timing is fucked up with ollies.  I just don't get the same pop.   Struggled on this setup.

Pulled out the Powell/Thunder.   Felt more at home with anything that required ollies.  Not bad in transition.

Then pulled out the Real/Indy.  Started landing a bigger percent of my flip tricks.   This may be the way.

I may be an Indy guy even though it seems like the default truck for all old farts like me. Convenient as I have 144s, 149s and 159s already.   I will try the Indy Ti 149s on both the Creature / Powell setups.    I may have some Thunder Ti and AF1s to trade soon.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 15, 2022, 08:59:18 AM
I've been working on trying to find that "middle ground" setup that works everywhere.   I don't skate my 8.0" much these days.   I do regularly skate my 8.75" at one park that is all transition, but have skated 8.3ish boards there ok. 

Yesterday i showed up to the more "street" park with 3 setups.
Creature 8.38" - 14.5 wb with Ace AF1 55s and 54mm F4 101s
Real Ishod TT 8.3" - 14.4 wb with Indy 144 hollows and 53mm STF 103
Powell 8.25 flight (that measures 8.38) - 14.25 wb with Thunder 149 Ti and 54mm F4 99s.

The wheelbase / truck combos make the axle to axle very similar, and the Creature has the steepest tail, then the Real, and the Powell is the mellowest. 

Started out on the Creature/Ace setup.  I like it in transition, but my timing is fucked up with ollies.  I just don't get the same pop.   Struggled on this setup.

Pulled out the Powell/Thunder.   Felt more at home with anything that required ollies.  Not bad in transition.

Then pulled out the Real/Indy.  Started landing a bigger percent of my flip tricks.   This may be the way.

I may be an Indy guy even though it seems like the default truck for all old farts like me. Convenient as I have 144s, 149s and 159s already.   I will try the Indy Ti 149s on both the Creature / Powell setups.    I may have some Thunder Ti and AF1s to trade soon.

Indy has a very do it all geometry in my opinion.


My next session, just taking one. Multiple setups had been the routine for awhile. I’m only trying the same tricks over and over.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 15, 2022, 09:27:43 AM
Why not a middle ground setup with 8.25 deck and build it for ATV use?

Mid height trucks and skinnier 54mm wheels but with a wider contact patch to compensate for a harder smaller wheel.

Expand Quote
Basically what I’m trying to say is I want the best of all worlds and that’s not how it works.
[close]

Ok that explains it.

This is what happened with me. I went nuts trying bigger and smaller shit, until I eventually figured out that an 8.25" with a pair of Ace or Indy trucks gave me 95% of what I needed at all times. And whatever is that 5% I'm missing, I'm not going to find it switching back and forth between completes every time I skate a different spot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on June 15, 2022, 09:32:51 AM
Expand Quote
I've been working on trying to find that "middle ground" setup that works everywhere.   I don't skate my 8.0" much these days.   I do regularly skate my 8.75" at one park that is all transition, but have skated 8.3ish boards there ok. 

Yesterday i showed up to the more "street" park with 3 setups.
Creature 8.38" - 14.5 wb with Ace AF1 55s and 54mm F4 101s
Real Ishod TT 8.3" - 14.4 wb with Indy 144 hollows and 53mm STF 103
Powell 8.25 flight (that measures 8.38) - 14.25 wb with Thunder 149 Ti and 54mm F4 99s.

The wheelbase / truck combos make the axle to axle very similar, and the Creature has the steepest tail, then the Real, and the Powell is the mellowest. 

Started out on the Creature/Ace setup.  I like it in transition, but my timing is fucked up with ollies.  I just don't get the same pop.   Struggled on this setup.

Pulled out the Powell/Thunder.   Felt more at home with anything that required ollies.  Not bad in transition.

Then pulled out the Real/Indy.  Started landing a bigger percent of my flip tricks.   This may be the way.

I may be an Indy guy even though it seems like the default truck for all old farts like me. Convenient as I have 144s, 149s and 159s already.   I will try the Indy Ti 149s on both the Creature / Powell setups.    I may have some Thunder Ti and AF1s to trade soon.
[close]

Indy has a very do it all geometry in my opinion.


My next session, just taking one. Multiple setups had been the routine for awhile. I’m only trying the same tricks over and over.

I spent my entire skate lifetime fighting the fact that I actually really like Indys.  Now I’ve reached the acceptance phase and finally started only skating Indys.  I really think Indy 159s are the overall perfect truck.  You can run them basically on 8.38’s all the way up to 9 inch popsicles and on pretty much any shaped board.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on June 15, 2022, 09:36:45 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've been working on trying to find that "middle ground" setup that works everywhere.   I don't skate my 8.0" much these days.   I do regularly skate my 8.75" at one park that is all transition, but have skated 8.3ish boards there ok. 

Yesterday i showed up to the more "street" park with 3 setups.
Creature 8.38" - 14.5 wb with Ace AF1 55s and 54mm F4 101s
Real Ishod TT 8.3" - 14.4 wb with Indy 144 hollows and 53mm STF 103
Powell 8.25 flight (that measures 8.38) - 14.25 wb with Thunder 149 Ti and 54mm F4 99s.

The wheelbase / truck combos make the axle to axle very similar, and the Creature has the steepest tail, then the Real, and the Powell is the mellowest. 

Started out on the Creature/Ace setup.  I like it in transition, but my timing is fucked up with ollies.  I just don't get the same pop.   Struggled on this setup.

Pulled out the Powell/Thunder.   Felt more at home with anything that required ollies.  Not bad in transition.

Then pulled out the Real/Indy.  Started landing a bigger percent of my flip tricks.   This may be the way.

I may be an Indy guy even though it seems like the default truck for all old farts like me. Convenient as I have 144s, 149s and 159s already.   I will try the Indy Ti 149s on both the Creature / Powell setups.    I may have some Thunder Ti and AF1s to trade soon.
[close]

Indy has a very do it all geometry in my opinion.


My next session, just taking one. Multiple setups had been the routine for awhile. I’m only trying the same tricks over and over.
[close]

I spent my entire skate lifetime fighting the fact that I actually really like Indys.  Now I’ve reached the acceptance phase and finally started only skating Indys.  I really think Indy 159s are the overall perfect truck.  You can run them basically on 8.38’s all the way up to 9 inch popsicles and on pretty much any shaped board.

I took 20 years off skating, and when I came back I noticed that almost all the guys my age were skating Indy.  I thought they were un-enlightened and that they were just skating Indy because thats what they had been skating forever.

So I became "enlightened".  I bought Thunder, Ace, MiniLogo, Krux, Royal...  and yes, Indy.    The Krux and Royal sucked.  But the Thunder, Ace and MiniLogo all did SOMETHING better than Indy.  Indy was just the shitty "default" truck. 

It turns out, default is good.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 15, 2022, 09:37:01 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've been working on trying to find that "middle ground" setup that works everywhere.   I don't skate my 8.0" much these days.   I do regularly skate my 8.75" at one park that is all transition, but have skated 8.3ish boards there ok. 

Yesterday i showed up to the more "street" park with 3 setups.
Creature 8.38" - 14.5 wb with Ace AF1 55s and 54mm F4 101s
Real Ishod TT 8.3" - 14.4 wb with Indy 144 hollows and 53mm STF 103
Powell 8.25 flight (that measures 8.38) - 14.25 wb with Thunder 149 Ti and 54mm F4 99s.

The wheelbase / truck combos make the axle to axle very similar, and the Creature has the steepest tail, then the Real, and the Powell is the mellowest. 

Started out on the Creature/Ace setup.  I like it in transition, but my timing is fucked up with ollies.  I just don't get the same pop.   Struggled on this setup.

Pulled out the Powell/Thunder.   Felt more at home with anything that required ollies.  Not bad in transition.

Then pulled out the Real/Indy.  Started landing a bigger percent of my flip tricks.   This may be the way.

I may be an Indy guy even though it seems like the default truck for all old farts like me. Convenient as I have 144s, 149s and 159s already.   I will try the Indy Ti 149s on both the Creature / Powell setups.    I may have some Thunder Ti and AF1s to trade soon.
[close]

Indy has a very do it all geometry in my opinion.


My next session, just taking one. Multiple setups had been the routine for awhile. I’m only trying the same tricks over and over.
[close]

I spent my entire skate lifetime fighting the fact that I actually really like Indys.  Now I’ve reached the acceptance phase and finally started only skating Indys.  I really think Indy 159s are the overall perfect truck.  You can run them basically on 8.38’s all the way up to 9 inch popsicles and on pretty much any shaped board.

I know a few people who recently faced this reality. Indy has been around forever, they know what they're doing, and the Stage XI is the best truck they've ever made. It works well enough that SoCal mega ramp chompers and Brazilian ledge gods skate functionally identical trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 15, 2022, 09:59:59 AM

I spent my entire skate lifetime fighting the fact that I actually really like Indys.  Now I’ve reached the acceptance phase and finally started only skating Indys.  I really think Indy 159s are the overall perfect truck.  You can run them basically on 8.38’s all the way up to 9 inch popsicles and on pretty much any shaped board.

I'm kind of the other way around. I tried a bunch of shit when i was younger, then i tired indys after skating for like 6-7 years. I only skated indys for the longest time. Eventually, I basically stopped skating for a few years, and when i got back into it again more seriously, i got another pair of indys, they were ok for a while, but something just felt off. I basically just chalked it up to me being rusty for a year or so, then i really started getting into my setup after that and started trying other brands again. Really had no recollection of how different the other trucks were, i just always thought indys were the best. The variety of riders on indy is def a testament to their versatility. GT, mason silva, and tom Knox all ride 149s, crazy if you think about it.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my thunder team hollow 148's lately. First thunders ive ridden in like 15 years. They have their tradeoffs, but the turn, popfeel, and pinch really suit my style of skateboarding. The bushings seem kinda shitty though, mine are splitting after a handful of sessions. The baseplate issue is kind of annoying, but im adjusting my slide tricks and they are getting better. Nothing will ever match an indy grind though, just gotta accept that. Lurpivs were pretty damn close though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on June 15, 2022, 10:07:52 AM
Another disappointed Indy guy here (altho I've been riding thunders for a while I know I'll probably be back at some point). Between 2004-2009(whenever thunder finally made a 149) I must of converted twenty people over to indys. like trust me Indy are better than thunder and venture then trust me 149 is better than 139.dont know why I think I just hated all the neon pattern trucks people rode. Now I can't even say what's better about them. It's certainly not the image. In my head they just manual better but then look at all the Manny guys on thunder and venture.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on June 15, 2022, 10:14:22 AM
Expand Quote

I spent my entire skate lifetime fighting the fact that I actually really like Indys.  Now I’ve reached the acceptance phase and finally started only skating Indys.  I really think Indy 159s are the overall perfect truck.  You can run them basically on 8.38’s all the way up to 9 inch popsicles and on pretty much any shaped board.
[close]

I'm kind of the other way around. I tried a bunch of shit when i was younger, then i tired indys after skating for like 6-7 years. I only skated indys for the longest time. Eventually, I basically stopped skating for a few years, and when i got back into it again more seriously, i got another pair of indys, they were ok for a while, but something just felt off. I basically just chalked it up to me being rusty for a year or so, then i really started getting into my setup after that and started trying other brands again. Really had no recollection of how different the other trucks were, i just always thought indys were the best. The variety of riders on indy is def a testament to their versatility. GT, mason silva, and tom Knox all ride 149s, crazy if you think about it.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my thunder team hollow 148's lately. First thunders ive ridden in like 15 years. They have their tradeoffs, but the turn, popfeel, and pinch really suit my style of skateboarding. The bushings seem kinda shitty though, mine are splitting after a handful of sessions. The baseplate issue is kind of annoying, but im adjusting my slide tricks and they are getting better. Nothing will ever match an indy grind though, just gotta accept that. Lurpivs were pretty damn close though.

There is a small piece of me deep down inside that wants to like thunders but I need my baseplate to get as destroyed as possible on noseslides and tailslides for me to fully bond with my trucks.  I did some good skating on the thunder team hollows (I think) a couple years ago - the hollow ones with the cast baseplate. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 15, 2022, 10:22:28 AM
Another disappointed Indy guy here (altho I've been riding thunders for a while I know I'll probably be back at some point). Between 2004-2009(whenever thunder finally made a 149) I must of converted twenty people over to indys. like trust me Indy are better than thunder and venture then trust me 149 is better than 139.dont know why I think I just hated all the neon pattern trucks people rode. Now I can't even say what's better about them. It's certainly not the image. In my head they just manual better but then look at all the Manny guys on thunder and venture.

Ventures are the best manny trucks imo, Kind of a weird manny point compared to other trucks, but man once you get into a manual good, it felt like you could go for fucking miles.


There is a small piece of me deep down inside that wants to like thunders but I need my baseplate to get as destroyed as possible on noseslides and tailslides for me to fully bond with my trucks.  I did some good skating on the thunder team hollows (I think) a couple years ago - the hollow ones with the cast baseplate. 

yea those are the team hollows. I do miss having a big ol baseplate to grind down, it def made some tricks easier. But the wider stance on thunders does more for me as a tall guy. If i went back to indys i def couldnt skate anything under 14.5 wb. and even on that, my stance would be narrower than on thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 15, 2022, 12:55:37 PM
I dunno, the new Primitive video demonstrates that you can get tech and Manny juuuuuust fine on Indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on June 15, 2022, 04:22:40 PM
I dunno, the new Primitive video demonstrates that you can get tech and Manny juuuuuust fine on Indys.
Here's how I think (obviously this isn't 100% true but this is a madness thread) with Indy I can hold a manual or nosegrind or 5-0 really low pretty comfortably. I can be a half inch from dropping into 5050 but it's not a problem then if I want to pop out early or try a flip out I have a ton of leverage. If I've kept my speed it's not too different from just rolling/5050 and trying the trick.
Then with thunders I have to hold it in a pretty specific spot if I go outside it's pretty much either going to drop to 5050 or taildrag or drop out of manual etc. I feel like it's better if you have the transition grinds style and can pop out sort of like a crooked where you use the spring in the bushings or lever off the side of the ledge. I suck at this and can't even explain it properly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 15, 2022, 04:43:27 PM
I dunno, the new Primitive video demonstrates that you can get tech and Manny juuuuuust fine on Indys.

I think this is true, buuuuuuut if I’m being bitchy:

Yes pros can skate whatever. Yes some absolutely legendary skating of all types happens on Indys. As it relates to the primitive video: Carlos, and Tiago both skate mids now, no? A truck that’s kinda trying to chase some venture/thunder qualities in pop/pinch. Tre isn’t super tech. Imo there is a reason some of the tech guys skate what they do. It works for that.
I mean Yuto spun a flawless (padless) 540 on vert, with what looked like 5.2 lo’s and 50s. I can’t drop in on the local pool, and wouldn’t dream of doing so on a vertical ramp, but if there was the old gun to head, I wouldn’t be reaching for his setup.
That super tech flippery Jamie Griffin skates indys I think, as does monteiro, Joslin, French Joslin…
All I’m trying to blab on about is pros can use whatever,trucks have unique geometries that help for certain things more than others.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on June 15, 2022, 08:30:13 PM
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I dunno, the new Primitive video demonstrates that you can get tech and Manny juuuuuust fine on Indys.
[close]

I think this is true, buuuuuuut if I’m being bitchy:

Yes pros can skate whatever. Yes some absolutely legendary skating of all types happens on Indys. As it relates to the primitive video: Carlos, and Tiago both skate mids now, no? A truck that’s kinda trying to chase some venture/thunder qualities in pop/pinch. Tre isn’t super tech. Imo there is a reason some of the tech guys skate what they do. It works for that.
I mean Yuto spun a flawless (padless) 540 on vert, with what looked like 5.2 lo’s and 50s. I can’t drop in on the local pool, and wouldn’t dream of doing so on a vertical ramp, but if there was the old gun to head, I wouldn’t be reaching for his setup.
That super tech flippery Jamie Griffin skates indys I think, as does monteiro, Joslin, French Joslin…
All I’m trying to blab on about is pros can use whatever,trucks have unique geometries that help for certain things more than others.

Something else to add is that the Venture riders are pretty niche with their skating (PRod excluded) and Indy riders are a bit more all terrain. That's evident with the Primitive team. Tre, Carlos, Kyonosuke, Tiago, and Spencer all get tech but they also jump/barge spots on Indys, too. Whereas almost app Venture guys are strictly tech. Again, PRod excluded because he's GOAT.

Indys making Forged Hollows and Titaniums considerably drop the "heavy" weight feeling that Indys were known for. Some Forged Hollows I had before were almost on par with a heavier Thunder. And that says something since those lighter Indys are incredibly manageable to get tech/manual with.

I love my Indys and for the skating I do/am known to do, some people are shocked I run some Indys when they think I'd better on Venture or Thunder, since I do like to get tech on ledges/manuals/quick feet type shit. I've been on Indy so long, it's home.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 15, 2022, 09:55:22 PM
My point isn't that one truck is better than another for X type of skating and obviously pros are great, but the key point is that any brand can work great if you give it some patience. Spencer was on Venture and dropped them to buy Indy's, rides the cast version. So does Gustav and the Sour dudes. Before Mids Carlos rode Cast Hollows, but then you have the more gnar pool dudes and GT on the same truck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 15, 2022, 09:56:51 PM
I wasn't feeling my new Sci Fi the first few sessions then a few things clicked today. Left my 8.38 Baker at the park and probably going to sell the spare set of trucks. I literally am back on the same setup as a few months ago but at least I learned how to make a lot of other decks work 90% well enough for me.

Only madness left are shoes and bushings but I'm not sure I'll fuck with either
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 15, 2022, 10:30:24 PM
I wasn't feeling my new Sci Fi the first few sessions then a few things clicked today. Left my 8.38 Baker at the park and probably going to sell the spare set of trucks. I literally am back on the same setup as a few months ago but at least I learned how to make a lot of other decks work 90% well enough for me.

Only madness left are shoes and bushings but I'm not sure I'll fuck with either


Aye!! Recovery!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 15, 2022, 10:45:33 PM
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I wasn't feeling my new Sci Fi the first few sessions then a few things clicked today. Left my 8.38 Baker at the park and probably going to sell the spare set of trucks. I literally am back on the same setup as a few months ago but at least I learned how to make a lot of other decks work 90% well enough for me.

Only madness left are shoes and bushings but I'm not sure I'll fuck with either
[close]


Aye!! Recovery!

Never proclaim recovery pre-maturely, relapses are real and the Gear Gods are relentless
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 16, 2022, 06:17:04 AM
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I wasn't feeling my new Sci Fi the first few sessions then a few things clicked today. Left my 8.38 Baker at the park and probably going to sell the spare set of trucks. I literally am back on the same setup as a few months ago but at least I learned how to make a lot of other decks work 90% well enough for me.

Only madness left are shoes and bushings but I'm not sure I'll fuck with either
[close]


Aye!! Recovery!
[close]

Never proclaim recovery pre-maturely, relapses are real and the Gear Gods are relentless

BIG FAX
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 16, 2022, 06:54:17 AM
I've relapse before for sure. In this case it was more that I've found I can skate these shapes all just fine with a few adjustments here and there and I wanted to go with what was feeling best overall. I found the 8.38 Baker to be a super fun setup, but my Sci Fi edged it out because it feels a bit better with tired legs and slightly more nimble on transition and manuals, which are 2 things I'm trying to progress.

I would gladly go back to the other shape in the future at some point. I think the key is just being OK with the decision and also not stockpiling decks. I've got another Carpet that is the same shape as this Sci Fi. Oh and for some reason local shops havent had any Baker 8.38 and I'm not interested in getting old stock from Zumiez.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 16, 2022, 08:12:09 AM
Found a shrink-wrapped  8.25 blank in my basement, so I figure I should skate that and see how that feels. I'd love to be able to just walk into a shop, see a board I like, and get it...as opposed to being like, "I need to stock up on X or else".

For whatever reason it is also making me want to try other trucks, but one thing at a time. I've been pretty consistently Ace 44 classic for whatever they fit on and then Indy 159 for bigger stuff, but I've also been on slappymania for most of that time. I recognize rationally that getting some Ventures is not going to make my renewed interest in skating flatground more fruitful, but the pull is there.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 16, 2022, 08:23:49 AM
Found a shrink-wrapped  8.25 blank in my basement, so I figure I should skate that and see how that feels. I'd love to be able to just walk into a shop, see a board I like, and get it...as opposed to being like, "I need to stock up on X or else".

For whatever reason it is also making me want to try other trucks, but one thing at a time. I've been pretty consistently Ace 44 classic for whatever they fit on and then Indy 159 for bigger stuff, but I've also been on slappymania for most of that time. I recognize rationally that getting some Ventures is not going to make my renewed interest in skating flatground more fruitful, but the pull is there.

You are going to hate ventures if you're an indy/ace guy, unless you feel like you turn way too much on those trucks and really need stability. if you're itching for something different, or specifically a snappier popfeel try thunders or those new royals. they are def more stable/less surfy than indy/ace, but not nearly as rigid as a venture.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 16, 2022, 09:19:07 AM
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Found a shrink-wrapped  8.25 blank in my basement, so I figure I should skate that and see how that feels. I'd love to be able to just walk into a shop, see a board I like, and get it...as opposed to being like, "I need to stock up on X or else".

For whatever reason it is also making me want to try other trucks, but one thing at a time. I've been pretty consistently Ace 44 classic for whatever they fit on and then Indy 159 for bigger stuff, but I've also been on slappymania for most of that time. I recognize rationally that getting some Ventures is not going to make my renewed interest in skating flatground more fruitful, but the pull is there.
[close]


You are going to hate ventures if you're an indy/ace guy, unless you feel like you turn way too much on those trucks and really need stability. if you're itching for something different, or specifically a snappier popfeel try thunders or those new royals. they are def more stable/less surfy than indy/ace, but not nearly as rigid as a venture.

Thanks. I should mention that I skated Ventures pretty much exclusively for 14-ish years so Irealize what I might be getting myself into. I also know a huge part of it is nostalgia and that I should give the Royals a chance (I do like to be able to surf out of my shitty landings), but in my head the lower hight and longer WB made flipping my board easier. I'm pretty tall and I find too short a board/WB and flick happens too early.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 16, 2022, 09:41:56 AM
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Found a shrink-wrapped  8.25 blank in my basement, so I figure I should skate that and see how that feels. I'd love to be able to just walk into a shop, see a board I like, and get it...as opposed to being like, "I need to stock up on X or else".

For whatever reason it is also making me want to try other trucks, but one thing at a time. I've been pretty consistently Ace 44 classic for whatever they fit on and then Indy 159 for bigger stuff, but I've also been on slappymania for most of that time. I recognize rationally that getting some Ventures is not going to make my renewed interest in skating flatground more fruitful, but the pull is there.
[close]


You are going to hate ventures if you're an indy/ace guy, unless you feel like you turn way too much on those trucks and really need stability. if you're itching for something different, or specifically a snappier popfeel try thunders or those new royals. they are def more stable/less surfy than indy/ace, but not nearly as rigid as a venture.
[close]

Thanks. I should mention that I skated Ventures pretty much exclusively for 14-ish years so Irealize what I might be getting myself into. I also know a huge part of it is nostalgia and that I should give the Royals a chance (I do like to be able to surf out of my shitty landings), but in my head the lower hight and longer WB made flipping my board easier. I'm pretty tall and I find too short a board/WB and flick happens too early.

Sounds like the thunders or royals would be right up your alley. If you want a lower truck with a longer wb, that still has some surf.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 16, 2022, 09:47:34 AM
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Found a shrink-wrapped  8.25 blank in my basement, so I figure I should skate that and see how that feels. I'd love to be able to just walk into a shop, see a board I like, and get it...as opposed to being like, "I need to stock up on X or else".

For whatever reason it is also making me want to try other trucks, but one thing at a time. I've been pretty consistently Ace 44 classic for whatever they fit on and then Indy 159 for bigger stuff, but I've also been on slappymania for most of that time. I recognize rationally that getting some Ventures is not going to make my renewed interest in skating flatground more fruitful, but the pull is there.
[close]

You are going to hate ventures if you're an indy/ace guy, unless you feel like you turn way too much on those trucks and really need stability. if you're itching for something different, or specifically a snappier popfeel try thunders or those new royals. they are def more stable/less surfy than indy/ace, but not nearly as rigid as a venture.

This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.

Wheelbase and shape is where I struggle. Longer WB feels better riding fast, cruising or slappies but my flip tricks suffer. Oddly I downsized from an 8.375 twin to a regular 8.125 and everything feels...fine...both 14.25"WB

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on June 16, 2022, 10:11:11 AM
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I've been working on trying to find that "middle ground" setup that works everywhere.   I don't skate my 8.0" much these days.   I do regularly skate my 8.75" at one park that is all transition, but have skated 8.3ish boards there ok. 

Yesterday i showed up to the more "street" park with 3 setups.
Creature 8.38" - 14.5 wb with Ace AF1 55s and 54mm F4 101s
Real Ishod TT 8.3" - 14.4 wb with Indy 144 hollows and 53mm STF 103
Powell 8.25 flight (that measures 8.38) - 14.25 wb with Thunder 149 Ti and 54mm F4 99s.

The wheelbase / truck combos make the axle to axle very similar, and the Creature has the steepest tail, then the Real, and the Powell is the mellowest. 

Started out on the Creature/Ace setup.  I like it in transition, but my timing is fucked up with ollies.  I just don't get the same pop.   Struggled on this setup.

Pulled out the Powell/Thunder.   Felt more at home with anything that required ollies.  Not bad in transition.

Then pulled out the Real/Indy.  Started landing a bigger percent of my flip tricks.   This may be the way.

I may be an Indy guy even though it seems like the default truck for all old farts like me. Convenient as I have 144s, 149s and 159s already.   I will try the Indy Ti 149s on both the Creature / Powell setups.    I may have some Thunder Ti and AF1s to trade soon.
[close]

Indy has a very do it all geometry in my opinion.


My next session, just taking one. Multiple setups had been the routine for awhile. I’m only trying the same tricks over and over.
[close]

I spent my entire skate lifetime fighting the fact that I actually really like Indys.  Now I’ve reached the acceptance phase and finally started only skating Indys.  I really think Indy 159s are the overall perfect truck.  You can run them basically on 8.38’s all the way up to 9 inch popsicles and on pretty much any shaped board.
[close]

I took 20 years off skating, and when I came back I noticed that almost all the guys my age were skating Indy.  I thought they were un-enlightened and that they were just skating Indy because thats what they had been skating forever.

So I became "enlightened".  I bought Thunder, Ace, MiniLogo, Krux, Royal...  and yes, Indy.    The Krux and Royal sucked.  But the Thunder, Ace and MiniLogo all did SOMETHING better than Indy.  Indy was just the shitty "default" truck. 

It turns out, default is good.

We're the Royals you tried the redesigned ones? I really love mine. Almost better than my Indy's.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 16, 2022, 10:31:09 AM
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Found a shrink-wrapped  8.25 blank in my basement, so I figure I should skate that and see how that feels. I'd love to be able to just walk into a shop, see a board I like, and get it...as opposed to being like, "I need to stock up on X or else".

For whatever reason it is also making me want to try other trucks, but one thing at a time. I've been pretty consistently Ace 44 classic for whatever they fit on and then Indy 159 for bigger stuff, but I've also been on slappymania for most of that time. I recognize rationally that getting some Ventures is not going to make my renewed interest in skating flatground more fruitful, but the pull is there.
[close]

You are going to hate ventures if you're an indy/ace guy, unless you feel like you turn way too much on those trucks and really need stability. if you're itching for something different, or specifically a snappier popfeel try thunders or those new royals. they are def more stable/less surfy than indy/ace, but not nearly as rigid as a venture.
[close]

This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.

Wheelbase and shape is where I struggle. Longer WB feels better riding fast, cruising or slappies but my flip tricks suffer. Oddly I downsized from an 8.375 twin to a regular 8.125 and everything feels...fine...both 14.25"WB

the new royals have a lighter pop feel/shorter WB than thunders right? That's my main draw to thunders the snappy pop and longer wb, otherwise i think i would have given the Royals a shot. I think the royals look a bit better than the team hollows i have. Hanger is more sleek.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on June 17, 2022, 07:21:12 AM
Have anyone done the measurments of how much tightning down the kingpin nut, mess with the geometry? I've been running Thunders with the blue 95du bushings so that I barely need to tighten them, and therefore maintain the "stock" geo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 17, 2022, 07:45:18 AM

This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.
14.25"WB

wait wait wait, just noticed this. i thought the consensus in the royal thread was that they had a lighter pop feel, and were closer to indy than thunder? but still snappier than indy. If these pop like thunders, im almost definitely going to try them. what was the wb difference royals vs thunders?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 17, 2022, 09:01:32 AM
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This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.
14.25"WB
[close]

wait wait wait, just noticed this. i thought the consensus in the royal thread was that they had a lighter pop feel, and were closer to indy than thunder? but still snappier than indy. If these pop like thunders, im almost definitely going to try them. what was the wb difference royals vs thunders?

Royal IKP / Standard / Ultralights - +3.15"
Thunder Cast - +3.15"
Thunder Forged - +3.25"

They pop light like an Indy and are around the same weight as a Thunder standard, 52mm so they wheelbite less than Thunder.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 17, 2022, 09:57:23 AM
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This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.
14.25"WB
[close]

wait wait wait, just noticed this. i thought the consensus in the royal thread was that they had a lighter pop feel, and were closer to indy than thunder? but still snappier than indy. If these pop like thunders, im almost definitely going to try them. what was the wb difference royals vs thunders?
[close]

Royal IKP / Standard / Ultralights - +3.15"
Thunder Cast - +3.15"
Thunder Forged - +3.25"

They pop light like an Indy and are around the same weight as a Thunder standard, 52mm so they wheelbite less than Thunder.

same wb and weight roughly as cast thunders, but they pop lighter? how does that work? I'm loving the popfeel on these thunders recently, and have been just dealing with the baseplate issue, im getting better with it, but if i cant have the best of both worlds, why not?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 17, 2022, 10:07:07 AM
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This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.
14.25"WB
[close]

wait wait wait, just noticed this. i thought the consensus in the royal thread was that they had a lighter pop feel, and were closer to indy than thunder? but still snappier than indy. If these pop like thunders, im almost definitely going to try them. what was the wb difference royals vs thunders?
[close]

Royal IKP / Standard / Ultralights - +3.15"
Thunder Cast - +3.15"
Thunder Forged - +3.25"

They pop light like an Indy and are around the same weight as a Thunder standard, 52mm so they wheelbite less than Thunder.
[close]

same wb and weight roughly as cast thunders, but they pop lighter? how does that work? I'm loving the popfeel on these thunders recently, and have been just dealing with the baseplate issue, im getting better with it, but if i cant have the best of both worlds, why not?

I meant to say the turn like Indy's, pop feel is around the same as Thunder
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 17, 2022, 10:21:29 AM
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This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.
14.25"WB
[close]

wait wait wait, just noticed this. i thought the consensus in the royal thread was that they had a lighter pop feel, and were closer to indy than thunder? but still snappier than indy. If these pop like thunders, im almost definitely going to try them. what was the wb difference royals vs thunders?
[close]

Royal IKP / Standard / Ultralights - +3.15"
Thunder Cast - +3.15"
Thunder Forged - +3.25"

They pop light like an Indy and are around the same weight as a Thunder standard, 52mm so they wheelbite less than Thunder.
[close]

same wb and weight roughly as cast thunders, but they pop lighter? how does that work? I'm loving the popfeel on these thunders recently, and have been just dealing with the baseplate issue, im getting better with it, but if i cant have the best of both worlds, why not?
[close]

I meant to say the turn like Indy's, pop feel is around the same as Thunder

gotcha, thanks. I was really enjoying these thunders, yet here i am again, considering other trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 17, 2022, 01:26:26 PM
Gunna have to mute this thread to not peak my madness further with this Royal talk.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on June 17, 2022, 03:04:18 PM
Just a heads up, both my ikp 144 and 149 standard new royals are +3.05.
Pop feel, in my opinion, is nowhere near thunder, feels even lighter than my thunder titaniums on a team baseplate.
The new royals are basically just lighter indy mids
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 17, 2022, 03:12:22 PM
Congrats to everyone who turned this thread around and sent the insecure out there to buy yet another new pair of trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on June 17, 2022, 03:19:02 PM
Congrats to everyone who turned this thread around and sent the insecure out there to buy yet another new pair of trucks.

Gear Madness Enablers Thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 17, 2022, 03:39:27 PM
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Congrats to everyone who turned this thread around and sent the insecure out there to buy yet another new pair of trucks.
[close]

Gear Madness Enablers Thread

When Beavis and Butthead go to AA
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 17, 2022, 04:06:50 PM
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Congrats to everyone who turned this thread around and sent the insecure out there to buy yet another new pair of trucks.
[close]

Gear Madness Enablers Thread
[close]

When Beavis and Butthead go to AA

Lmao
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on June 17, 2022, 06:50:20 PM
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Congrats to everyone who turned this thread around and sent the insecure out there to buy yet another new pair of trucks.
[close]

Gear Madness Enablers Thread
[close]

When Beavis and Butthead go to AA

100 points
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on June 17, 2022, 07:23:34 PM
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This is why Royals work for me (even stock). I get just enough of everything to be sated. Thunder height/pop, less wheelbite than Thunders, stable like vent/thunder, more carvey turn than thunder/vent but not as deep/fast as ACE or as deep as Indy, but faster than indy and more stable than both. I can't pick any negative to them, they just work and feel great.
14.25"WB
[close]

wait wait wait, just noticed this. i thought the consensus in the royal thread was that they had a lighter pop feel, and were closer to indy than thunder? but still snappier than indy. If these pop like thunders, im almost definitely going to try them. what was the wb difference royals vs thunders?
[close]

Royal IKP / Standard / Ultralights - +3.15"
Thunder Cast - +3.15"
Thunder Forged - +3.25"

They pop light like an Indy and are around the same weight as a Thunder standard, 52mm so they wheelbite less than Thunder.

On my 8.75 royal ultra lights I measured +3.125"

And yes I fucking love them, go buy some ya lunatics
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 17, 2022, 08:49:31 PM
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Congrats to everyone who turned this thread around and sent the insecure out there to buy yet another new pair of trucks.
[close]

Gear Madness Enablers Thread
Congratulations, we have failed the task successfully!

Went back from Ace to Royal, french kiss. Ace AF1 Lows were way too twitchy for my liking.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on June 18, 2022, 04:38:55 AM
Let's be real, the thread pretty much started out with people telling me to ignore my stack to buy a popsicle.

Anyways, this is a no-judgement, no-shame zone where people can talk about this stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 18, 2022, 06:26:40 AM
I'm still getting mixed reports on royal pop feel. Not jumping ship yet. There's still hope.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sloppy Krooks on June 18, 2022, 06:36:38 AM
This thread is an industry psy-op
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 18, 2022, 08:05:19 AM
Funny how you guys just mentioning royal make me wanna buy a venture t……

This new Royal sounds like the best thing since Theeve….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 18, 2022, 09:37:12 AM
After few years of varying level gear madness, gave most of my stuff away and started to converge to pretty basic and traditional setup; BBS 8.1 + 144 or 8.3 + 149, Indy titanium for my old legs, Spitfire Classic or Classic Full, 52mm.

There is lots of truth in realizing that tinkering with gear takes lot of time and money but in many cases contributes to session fun level only marginally. It can still be super fun, for some time...

My last adjustment I still do is to use Film bushings instead of stock Indy. Conical bottom bushing just gives nicer turn. Maybe... Indy conicals... It's happening again!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on June 18, 2022, 08:54:59 PM
I'm not buying any of this talk that the new Royals are quality.  CK1 is no longer skating Royals since he got out and that's all I need to know to continue steering clear of them.

Side note: how anyone did anything substantial on obstacles, like CK1 did on Royals baffles the fuck out of me. Those trucks were hot garbage.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on June 18, 2022, 09:22:02 PM
Fuck, I am now getting some royals
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 18, 2022, 09:49:40 PM
There is lots of truth in realizing that tinkering with gear takes lot of time and money but in many cases contributes to session fun level only marginally. It can still be super fun, for some time...

Someone sticky this as the first post.

"It's not your gear, it's you"
(mostly)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on June 19, 2022, 12:57:33 AM
After few years of varying level gear madness, gave most of my stuff away and started to converge to pretty basic and traditional setup; BBS 8.1 + 144 or 8.3 + 149, Indy titanium for my old legs, Spitfire Classic or Classic Full, 52mm.

There is lots of truth in realizing that tinkering with gear takes lot of time and money but in many cases contributes to session fun level only marginally. It can still be super fun, for some time...

My last adjustment I still do is to use Film bushings instead of stock Indy. Conical bottom bushing just gives nicer turn. Maybe... Indy conicals... It's happening again!

Yep, I haven't bought any gear in months and I feel great about it. The hobby wasn't skating anymore, it was looking at/buying gear. Actually cutting back to just skating a couple setups and concentrating on what my body is doing rather than my gear both improved my skating and made it way more fun to me.

Im not shitting on anyone who has the madness, but be honest (with yourself) about what you're doing. It's fine if you just like shopping, but it's almost certainly not helping your progression. Probably hurting it more than anything. If you want to buy my truck collection hit me up though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: disclosed on June 19, 2022, 03:17:38 AM
Expand Quote
After few years of varying level gear madness, gave most of my stuff away and started to converge to pretty basic and traditional setup; BBS 8.1 + 144 or 8.3 + 149, Indy titanium for my old legs, Spitfire Classic or Classic Full, 52mm.

There is lots of truth in realizing that tinkering with gear takes lot of time and money but in many cases contributes to session fun level only marginally. It can still be super fun, for some time...

My last adjustment I still do is to use Film bushings instead of stock Indy. Conical bottom bushing just gives nicer turn. Maybe... Indy conicals... It's happening again!
[close]

Yep, I haven't bought any gear in months and I feel great about it. The hobby wasn't skating anymore, it was looking at/buying gear. Actually cutting back to just skating a couple setups and concentrating on what my body is doing rather than my gear both improved my skating and made it way more fun to me.

Im not shitting on anyone who has the madness, but be honest (with yourself) about what you're doing. It's fine if you just like shopping, but it's almost certainly not helping your progression. Probably hurting it more than anything. If you want to buy my truck collection hit me up though

i went back to one setup a couple months ago. i had already narowed my trucks down to the same ones on all setups and it was really just diffrent decks shapes that kept me going.
i feel i ended up shooting myself in the foot cause i spend half my sessions reajusting to difrent setups instead of just progressing. aswell as feeling i needed to decide what deck i needed for what spot and stressing myself out overthinking before even starting.
i really feel a lot better again being back to one setup and just going out without thinking bout anything.

it all started when i got into shaped boards.. still curious bout a lot of shapes so im afraid i'll still be hoarding decks at times cause youll never know when or if a shape will come again. but still i've narowed the shapes ill buy down to only the most versitile ones since i only got one setup i'll need to use for all kinds of skating now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 19, 2022, 11:15:13 AM
Yep, I haven't bought any gear in months and I feel great about it. The hobby wasn't skating anymore, it was looking at/buying gear. Actually cutting back to just skating a couple setups and concentrating on what my body is doing rather than my gear both improved my skating and made it way more fun to me.

Im not shitting on anyone who has the madness, but be honest (with yourself) about what you're doing. It's fine if you just like shopping, but it's almost certainly not helping your progression. Probably hurting it more than anything. If you want to buy my truck collection hit me up though

Agreed, no harm in experimenting, but at some point might make sense to reflect a bit. I had pretty severe ankle sprain last fall, took months to get it right and it seems I still lack the last mile of confidence, fearing sudden spikes of ankle pain. Formerly would've been hoarding gear and reading Shoes & Gear daily. This time I was really scared if I could ever get back on board properly, especially after one of my best "old dude" summer seasons in 2021. Decided it's time to simplify and try to get what's still obtainable session wise. It's not that serious and it's definitely not about the gear any more... But it has still been so fun to skate!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tom on June 19, 2022, 11:50:50 AM
Got hoarder genetics. Not going into all the therapy but also obsessive about having "enough" or having a full set so my madness often results in me having a ton of the same thing or like say I want a pair of dickies will I get brown or black? Ahhh fuck it I'll get ten pairs so I have every colour.
Key to happiness(for me at least) can be to just simplify as much as possible. I know I like coke the best so why fill my fridge with every soda. Giving stuff away also helps (as others have mentioned) I know I'll pretty much never buy Nike's again because years ago I have some guy a massive jersey bag full of dunks, prods, Omar's etc and now can't bring myself to spend real money on stuff like that again.

I think this is where I fall on the “gear madness” spectrum. I’m not really trying to tinker around with different sized boards, or switching truck brands, or wheel durometers. The pandemic shortage just made me into a skate hoarder. I liked skating 8.12 eagles, so I had to get every single one I could find because there weren’t as many available. That mentality has continued since things returned to normal for skate production. I now like to have enough backups in case what I like is harder to find or isn’t being made anymore. My setup doesn’t change that drastically

When I buy shaped boards it’s not to find some new edge that’s missing in my skating. It’s because I think they look cool and can probably be fun to skate. There’s a lot of cool looking shaped boards from a lot of cool companies. I had to stop myself from ordering anymore because there’s no way I could ever realistically skate every single one I want to. I overestimated how much and how hard I would skate a backup/“fun” board. I’m trying to limit what I get until I’ve skated through most of my collection. It might take a couple years
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on June 19, 2022, 01:59:31 PM
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Got hoarder genetics. Not going into all the therapy but also obsessive about having "enough" or having a full set so my madness often results in me having a ton of the same thing or like say I want a pair of dickies will I get brown or black? Ahhh fuck it I'll get ten pairs so I have every colour.
Key to happiness(for me at least) can be to just simplify as much as possible. I know I like coke the best so why fill my fridge with every soda. Giving stuff away also helps (as others have mentioned) I know I'll pretty much never buy Nike's again because years ago I have some guy a massive jersey bag full of dunks, prods, Omar's etc and now can't bring myself to spend real money on stuff like that again.
[close]

I think this is where I fall on the “gear madness” spectrum. I’m not really trying to tinker around with different sized boards, or switching truck brands, or wheel durometers. The pandemic shortage just made me into a skate hoarder. I liked skating 8.12 eagles, so I had to get every single one I could find because there weren’t as many available. That mentality has continued since things returned to normal for skate production. I now like to have enough backups in case what I like is harder to find or isn’t being made anymore. My setup doesn’t change that drastically

When I buy shaped boards it’s not to find some new edge that’s missing in my skating. It’s because I think they look cool and can probably be fun to skate. There’s a lot of cool looking shaped boards from a lot of cool companies. I had to stop myself from ordering anymore because there’s no way I could ever realistically skate every single one I want to. I overestimated how much and how hard I would skate a backup/“fun” board. I’m trying to limit what I get until I’ve skated through most of my collection. It might take a couple years
I’m in this category. I found what works well and stuck with it. I ended up breaking a board I loved so after i saw they weren’t offered in the next drop I ended up searching to find all I could. Ended up with 14 or so of the same deck and I’m almost through that stack now. Kind of wish I hadn’t hoarded them all since I got a few others after that that I want to ride but can’t until the stockpile is finished. The plus side is when I set up a new deck there’s no adjustment period.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 19, 2022, 05:40:07 PM

I’m in this category. I found what works well and stuck with it. I ended up breaking a board I loved so after i saw they weren’t offered in the next drop I ended up searching to find all I could. Ended up with 14 or so of the same deck and I’m almost through that stack now. Kind of wish I hadn’t hoarded them all since I got a few others after that that I want to ride but can’t until the stockpile is finished. The plus side is when I set up a new deck there’s no adjustment period.

Damn! I thought I was bad with 5 deluxe twin tail slicks on ice, with one setup already.

Maybe the goal of this thread should be to find the one with the worst madness, that way everyone else can point to that person to feel better about themselves.

Then the thread turns into a madness rehab thread for the guy with the worst madness, once they're cured start the process over with the person who has the second worst madness.

Rinse, wash, repeat, until we're all clean and sober from the madness and live happily ever after.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 19, 2022, 05:43:30 PM
Expand Quote
After few years of varying level gear madness, gave most of my stuff away and started to converge to pretty basic and traditional setup; BBS 8.1 + 144 or 8.3 + 149, Indy titanium for my old legs, Spitfire Classic or Classic Full, 52mm.

There is lots of truth in realizing that tinkering with gear takes lot of time and money but in many cases contributes to session fun level only marginally. It can still be super fun, for some time...

My last adjustment I still do is to use Film bushings instead of stock Indy. Conical bottom bushing just gives nicer turn. Maybe... Indy conicals... It's happening again!
[close]

Yep, I haven't bought any gear in months and I feel great about it. The hobby wasn't skating anymore, it was looking at/buying gear. Actually cutting back to just skating a couple setups and concentrating on what my body is doing rather than my gear both improved my skating and made it way more fun to me.

Im not shitting on anyone who has the madness, but be honest (with yourself) about what you're doing. It's fine if you just like shopping, but it's almost certainly not helping your progression. Probably hurting it more than anything. If you want to buy my truck collection hit me up though

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/030/710/dd0.png)

The above hits way too hard.

I keep my packs of wheels nearby to remind myself that I have more than I will ever need.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 19, 2022, 07:37:19 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
After few years of varying level gear madness, gave most of my stuff away and started to converge to pretty basic and traditional setup; BBS 8.1 + 144 or 8.3 + 149, Indy titanium for my old legs, Spitfire Classic or Classic Full, 52mm.

There is lots of truth in realizing that tinkering with gear takes lot of time and money but in many cases contributes to session fun level only marginally. It can still be super fun, for some time...

My last adjustment I still do is to use Film bushings instead of stock Indy. Conical bottom bushing just gives nicer turn. Maybe... Indy conicals... It's happening again!
[close]

Yep, I haven't bought any gear in months and I feel great about it. The hobby wasn't skating anymore, it was looking at/buying gear. Actually cutting back to just skating a couple setups and concentrating on what my body is doing rather than my gear both improved my skating and made it way more fun to me.

Im not shitting on anyone who has the madness, but be honest (with yourself) about what you're doing. It's fine if you just like shopping, but it's almost certainly not helping your progression. Probably hurting it more than anything. If you want to buy my truck collection hit me up though
[close]

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/030/710/dd0.png)

The above hits way too hard.

I keep my packs of wheels nearby to remind myself that I have more than I will ever need.

Fuckin hell those bfrd hammers you highlighted cut me to the core.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on June 19, 2022, 07:57:48 PM
My madness only recently came up. i was the type of person who would only skate the same thing and i progressed a bunch. my madness is really only about trucks right now. thankfully all within the same brand, but still. I will say however, having the same width trucks of your board does feel noticeably more stable, especially on an egg vs magic carpet
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 19, 2022, 08:00:52 PM
My madness only recently came up. i was the type of person who would only skate the same thing and i progressed a bunch. my madness is really only about trucks right now. thankfully all within the same brand, but still. I will say however, having the same width trucks of your board does feel noticeably more stable, especially on an egg vs magic carpet

That's always how it starts....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 19, 2022, 08:23:09 PM
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My madness only recently came up. i was the type of person who would only skate the same thing and i progressed a bunch. my madness is really only about trucks right now. thankfully all within the same brand, but still. I will say however, having the same width trucks of your board does feel noticeably more stable, especially on an egg vs magic carpet
[close]

That's always how it starts....

Shhhh, he doesn't know yet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on June 19, 2022, 08:55:38 PM
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My madness only recently came up. i was the type of person who would only skate the same thing and i progressed a bunch. my madness is really only about trucks right now. thankfully all within the same brand, but still. I will say however, having the same width trucks of your board does feel noticeably more stable, especially on an egg vs magic carpet
[close]

That's always how it starts....

I think I already had my main madness phase. I went through Krux, Royal, Thunder, Venture... now I've been on Ace for 2 years. Didn't buy into the Lurpiv hype. I think im starting to do better...  :-X

edit: damn after posting that I can't believe I went through that many brands of trucks  :o I had the madness bad!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 19, 2022, 09:11:51 PM
In 2021 I rode Indy (forged and Mids), Venture, Thunder, brief stint on defective AF1's... definitely an embarrassing year for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 19, 2022, 09:41:25 PM
In 2021 I rode Indy (forged and Mids), Venture, Thunder, brief stint on defective AF1's... definitely an embarrassing year for me.

Bro…I’ve got decks that have the most heinous wheelbite marks: the bites of multiple different brands…and sizes, of trucks. Hideous. I skate alone and my face still shows the shame
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on June 19, 2022, 10:42:49 PM
Gifted Hater said in the truck vid with Ben Degros, that Indy's make you not think about ur trucks. And I do agree, except that they could be lighter, so I bought a pair of hollows! Now I should be free, hopefully :D
If it wasent for slap, I wouldent care about the Thunder baseplate thingy, but now that im aware of it, its like I stick on noseslides just for pure insanity... Either way... Its just so nice to just chill on nose/tails with Indy's, not to mention the buttery grind.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 19, 2022, 11:10:54 PM
Gifted Hater said in the truck vid with Ben Degros, that Indy's make you not think about ur trucks. And I do agree, except that they could be lighter, so I bought a pair of hollows! Now I should be free, hopefully :D
If it wasent for slap, I wouldent care about the Thunder baseplate thingy, but now that im aware of it, its like I stick on noseslides just for pure insanity... Either way... Its just so nice to just chill on nose/tails with Indy's, not to mention the buttery grind.

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/027/763/07B89120-B48D-45FB-AF1D-49AF6CD16790.jpg)

The internet age definitely did not help our madness, too much info is a bad thing. I wish I could be like my homie who rips has done his best skating on Tensor Alloys and stuck to 8.0 decks for over 3 years.

Indy would be the go to recommendation if I worked in a shop - strongest customer recognition among the truck brands so I wouldn't have to spend as long convincing them. But for me Royal has become the "don't worry about it" truck, great for all levels of skateboarder.

Light and nimble - great for beginners and tech guys
Turny - you aren't just living by tick tacks
52mm - mid height so you got choices for wheel sizes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 20, 2022, 04:23:47 PM
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In 2021 I rode Indy (forged and Mids), Venture, Thunder, brief stint on defective AF1's... definitely an embarrassing year for me.
[close]

Bro…I’ve got decks that have the most heinous wheelbite marks: the bites of multiple different brands…and sizes, of trucks. Hideous. I skate alone and my face still shows the shame

I can't wait to notice this on someone's deck in person. Def gonna call them out, then sympathize.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 23, 2022, 03:51:39 AM
Here's a thought: progress (and fun!) comes mostly by getting on the board and skating. Messing with equipment should be a supporting function, just to remove friction so that one can skate more. It's subjective where to draw the line, but typically squeaky trucks, soggy boards and slow bearings are worth the attention. As soon as you notice after a session that you didn't think about your gear once, freeze everything and keep that as is, as long as possible. If you don't, the madness will creep in.

Worst situation is when you replace something due to wearing out, and even it should be exactly same, it's not. This has happened and it's very irritating...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on June 23, 2022, 05:32:26 AM
Here's a thought: progress (and fun!) comes mostly by getting on the board and skating. Messing with equipment should be a supporting function, just to remove friction so that one can skate more. It's subjective where to draw the line, but typically squeaky trucks, soggy boards and slow bearings are worth the attention. As soon as you notice after a session that you didn't think about your gear once, freeze everything and keep that as is, as long as possible. If you don't, the madness will creep in.

Worst situation is when you replace something due to wearing out, and even it should be exactly same, it's not. This has happened and it's very irritating...
It will feel normal again in no time. Hold strong soldier.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 23, 2022, 06:34:32 AM
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Expand Quote
In 2021 I rode Indy (forged and Mids), Venture, Thunder, brief stint on defective AF1's... definitely an embarrassing year for me.
[close]

Bro…I’ve got decks that have the most heinous wheelbite marks: the bites of multiple different brands…and sizes, of trucks. Hideous. I skate alone and my face still shows the shame
[close]

I can't wait to notice this on someone's deck in person. Def gonna call them out, then sympathize.

Another one is the baseplate marks not lining up especially if they tried Thunders on a deck. I got thin vinyl on Amazon to put under the baseplate to prevent this.

Thankfully I've never cared about wheels, griptape, or fine-tuning bushings. Most of my madness comes from trying to optimize for the perfect setup, realizing it might not exist, then thinking back to the good old days of an old setup and how much better it was overall. But like someone said no 2 decks are usually the same and it's best to try to spend a bit of time thinking about how to slightly adapt and make something work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 07:03:38 AM
Tried some 54mm 101 f4 classics after being on 56mm 99s for a while. I swapped to thunders and wanted a smaller harder wheel to help ease the baseplate issue. I'm really enjoying them, but i know they will be too hard for me at certain spots, and definitely during the winter. Am i about to have winter tires for my skateboard? i think so. Is this madness, or is this mastery? Who am i? What am i?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on June 23, 2022, 07:07:42 AM
I've pretty much settled on a preferred deck and trucks size (even though I still have a couple shaped boards to play with), but lately I've been obsessing over wheels.  The right durometer to handle crusty ditches without feeling too slow on smooth concrete, the right size to avoid wheelbite as a flabby 40+ without running risers without being too small to roll over detritus, the right shape, etc. 

I don't like the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 07:11:34 AM
I've pretty much settled on a preferred deck and trucks size (even though I still have a couple shaped boards to play with), but lately I've been obsessing over wheels.  The right durometer to handle crusty ditches without feeling too slow on smooth concrete, the right size to avoid wheelbite as a flabby 40+ without running risers without being too small to roll over detritus, the right shape, etc. 

I don't like the madness.

What trucks are you on? how much do you weigh (dont have to answer)? how loose do you like your trucks? Are you more transition or street oriented? Or do you just cruise mainly?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on June 23, 2022, 07:17:39 AM
I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?



For what it's worth I'm typically a Vans guy but I've found this to be true among a handful of brands. Got some Lakais, Nikes, Cons, Emericas and even non skate NBs that feel like this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on June 23, 2022, 07:37:30 AM
Expand Quote
I've pretty much settled on a preferred deck and trucks size (even though I still have a couple shaped boards to play with), but lately I've been obsessing over wheels.  The right durometer to handle crusty ditches without feeling too slow on smooth concrete, the right size to avoid wheelbite as a flabby 40+ without running risers without being too small to roll over detritus, the right shape, etc. 

I don't like the madness.
[close]

What trucks are you on? how much do you weigh (dont have to answer)? how loose do you like your trucks? Are you more transition or street oriented? Or do you just cruise mainly?

AF1 55s, one thread showing, I weigh 210, mostly skate transition I guess?  Ditches and bank spots, curbs here and there, skateparks when it's not triple digits.  I suck though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 23, 2022, 08:14:18 AM
Tried some 54mm 101 f4 classics after being on 56mm 99s for a while. I swapped to thunders and wanted a smaller harder wheel to help ease the baseplate issue. I'm really enjoying them, but i know they will be too hard for me at certain spots, and definitely during the winter. Am i about to have winter tires for my skateboard? i think so. Is this madness, or is this mastery? Who am i? What am i?

Rotating tires is good shit. If you can get your set up dialed and just rotate wheels for different terrain/ weather, why not? That's the level-of madness I aspire to limit myself to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 23, 2022, 08:53:19 AM
I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?



For what it's worth I'm typically a Vans guy but I've found this to be true among a handful of brands. Got some Lakais, Nikes, Cons, Emericas and even non skate NBs that feel like this.

Same, I have low volume feet that have index toe longer than big toe. If my feet are cold I fit a 9.5 but if they swell it's too tight and Vice versa with a 10. Vans and NB seem the best, Nikes less so.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 10:06:08 AM
I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?


I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.

AF1 55s, one thread showing, I weigh 210, mostly skate transition I guess?  Ditches and bank spots, curbs here and there, skateparks when it's not triple digits.  I suck though.

I'd get the hard Ace bushings if i was you, and some 56mm f4s with a wider contact patch (conical or radials). either 99 or 97a. if youre still wheelbiting, get the classic shape.

Rotating tires is good shit. If you can get your set up dialed and just rotate wheels for different terrain/ weather, why not? That's the level-of madness I aspire to limit myself to.

dont wanna jinx it, but i feel like im nearing this point.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on June 23, 2022, 10:41:51 AM
I'd get the hard Ace bushings if i was you, and some 56mm f4s with a wider contact patch (conical or radials). either 99 or 97a. if youre still wheelbiting, get the classic shape.

I've considered the hard bushings, but I like the stock ones.  Probably gonna avoid 56mm wheels though, that a little bigger than I'd like.  52-54mm feels like the sweet spot. 

Good call on Classics though, I don't know why I never considered that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 10:55:33 AM


I've considered the hard bushings, but I like the stock ones.  Probably gonna avoid 56mm wheels though, that a little bigger than I'd like.  52-54mm feels like the sweet spot. 

Good call on Classics though, I don't know why I never considered that.

You can run classics a bit bigger without wheelbiting as much as other wheels since they curve so much on the edge. the classics jump up in width at 56mm, i wouldnt recommend 54mm classics for crusty stuff. Sounds like the stuff you like to skate lends itself more to larger wheels too. i understand not wanting to ride risers, but if youre just ripping ditches and curbs, i would deff suggest a 56mm at least and risers as needed.

I got away with 56mm classics with no risers on forged indys which are 53.5mm tall, aces are 52mm but dont wheelbite as quickly due to the turn. I was running hard bushings though, and im lighter than you.

lots of variables to consider, but given your preferences i would think about considering larger wheels and maybe a small riser. I feel like larger wheels are faster too, so that could address your speed issue as well. I feel like a 56-58mm 99a or 97a would really suit you.

narrow wheel/contact patch = less wheelbite
wider wheel/contact patch = plow through crust easier

find your balance.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on June 23, 2022, 11:26:01 AM
Ugh u right u right
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on June 23, 2022, 11:30:25 AM
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I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?

[close]

I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.



You're probably right. I might try skating one of my chillers that are a half size big to see how it goes. The difference in length is pretty minimal but the small amount of clearance on the sides are nice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 11:32:28 AM
Ugh u right u right

lol, TRUST ME i've thought about this and spent $ on this
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 11:40:26 AM
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I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?

[close]

I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.

[close]


You're probably right. I might try skating one of my chillers that are a half size big to see how it goes. The difference in length is pretty minimal but the small amount of clearance on the sides are nice.

also sounds like you might need to prioritize finding wider shoes, the trudgers i just tried allowed my toes to spread nicely. So many skate shoes are narrow, i assume so that they fit snug. But damn, my feet are just not shaped that way. Blazers, Last resorts, most vluc cons and NBs. I also feel like NB, es, and Lakai run a hair shorter than other brands, so maybe the halfsize up wouldnt be as bad length wise in those brands. idk
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on June 23, 2022, 11:48:25 AM
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I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?

[close]

I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.

[close]


You're probably right. I might try skating one of my chillers that are a half size big to see how it goes. The difference in length is pretty minimal but the small amount of clearance on the sides are nice.
[close]

also sounds like you might need to prioritize finding wider shoes, the trudgers i just tried allowed my toes to spread nicely. So many skate shoes are narrow, i assume so that they fit snug. But damn, my feet are just not shaped that way. Blazers, Last resorts, most vluc cons and NBs. I also feel like NB, es, and Lakai run a hair shorter than other brands, so maybe the halfsize up wouldnt be as bad length wise in those brands. idk

So one of my chillers actually are Blazers that are half a size up and I find them reasonably comfortable. They're a tad longer than my TTS Vans, but not by much. Those might be my control group to see if this extra length stuff is all in my head.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on June 23, 2022, 12:04:27 PM
Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 23, 2022, 12:18:20 PM
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I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?

[close]

I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.

[close]


You're probably right. I might try skating one of my chillers that are a half size big to see how it goes. The difference in length is pretty minimal but the small amount of clearance on the sides are nice.
[close]

also sounds like you might need to prioritize finding wider shoes, the trudgers i just tried allowed my toes to spread nicely. So many skate shoes are narrow, i assume so that they fit snug. But damn, my feet are just not shaped that way. Blazers, Last resorts, most vluc cons and NBs. I also feel like NB, es, and Lakai run a hair shorter than other brands, so maybe the halfsize up wouldnt be as bad length wise in those brands. idk
[close]

So one of my chillers actually are Blazers that are half a size up and I find them reasonably comfortable. They're a tad longer than my TTS Vans, but not by much. Those might be my control group to see if this extra length stuff is all in my head.

Chiming in to say that I have been so so so intense about getting the ‘correct’ fitting shoe…and what I thought was correct, was not. Said it before, but I played several sports where tight shoes were encouraged, and did the same with skate shoes. No. Fucked my feet up. It takes some getting used to, but I HIGHLY recommend going to the larger size, if one is on the fence. I have a narrow heel, and then long creepy toes with a wider forefoot, and yeah, it’s dumb. A shoe that doesn’t slip in the heel, cramps the toes. What I’ve slowly figured out: let the heel slip, use a ‘joggers loop/lace’ make sure the toes have enough room.
Be well
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on June 23, 2022, 05:49:50 PM
I don't sticker my decks anymore.

I built a deck with Indy and Bones and the corresponding stickers.  Shortly thereafter I was on Thunder and Spitfire. 

Never again will my board be besmirched with a logo of something that could change by next session.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 23, 2022, 06:12:25 PM
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I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?

[close]

I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.

[close]


You're probably right. I might try skating one of my chillers that are a half size big to see how it goes. The difference in length is pretty minimal but the small amount of clearance on the sides are nice.
[close]

also sounds like you might need to prioritize finding wider shoes, the trudgers i just tried allowed my toes to spread nicely. So many skate shoes are narrow, i assume so that they fit snug. But damn, my feet are just not shaped that way. Blazers, Last resorts, most vluc cons and NBs. I also feel like NB, es, and Lakai run a hair shorter than other brands, so maybe the halfsize up wouldnt be as bad length wise in those brands. idk
[close]

So one of my chillers actually are Blazers that are half a size up and I find them reasonably comfortable. They're a tad longer than my TTS Vans, but not by much. Those might be my control group to see if this extra length stuff is all in my head.
[close]

Chiming in to say that I have been so so so intense about getting the ‘correct’ fitting shoe…and what I thought was correct, was not. Said it before, but I played several sports where tight shoes were encouraged, and did the same with skate shoes. No. Fucked my feet up. It takes some getting used to, but I HIGHLY recommend going to the larger size, if one is on the fence. I have a narrow heel, and then long creepy toes with a wider forefoot, and yeah, it’s dumb. A shoe that doesn’t slip in the heel, cramps the toes. What I’ve slowly figured out: let the heel slip, use a ‘joggers loop/lace’ make sure the toes have enough room.
Be well

This is excellent advice. I used to squeeze myself into shoes that were too small because I didn't like the toe overhang (dumb I know) and I broke several toes in a short period. I am sure it was related. Now I used slightly too big shoes and skate wider decks... way better on the feet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 23, 2022, 06:24:00 PM
Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.

All
The
Damn
Time

Looking down at 3 sets of F4s and a few packs of NFG / Creative urethane wheels, and I'm itching to try some F4 Classics despite swearing off them.

I don't sticker my decks anymore.

I built a deck with Indy and Bones and the corresponding stickers.  Shortly thereafter I was on Thunder and Spitfire. 

Never again will my board be besmirched with a logo of something that could change by next session.


Getting the right sticker job is too stressful for me, but ONE DAY I'll find the perfect spot for this bag of stickers I've accumulated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 23, 2022, 06:58:33 PM
Sticker if a deck before setup or adding one after it's been skated is bad luck.

I was thinking about it today and why I'd wanna try other trucks. It's basically memories of a good session or a few tricks that might have felt better than usual. I've been on my current trucks for 6 months other than a sesh with thunders once before giving them away. If done everything I can do on em and learned/improved so it's weird a fading memory would cause the madness to creep.

And here I am looking at some brand new Royals, when I still haven't really pinned down my own deck preferences. I've never really enjoyed any steep decks and do like some of the mellower BBS so I'm not sure what I'd gain by switching.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 23, 2022, 07:42:23 PM
Sticker if a deck before setup or adding one after it's been skated is bad luck.

I was thinking about it today and why I'd wanna try other trucks. It's basically memories of a good session or a few tricks that might have felt better than usual. I've been on my current trucks for 6 months other than a sesh with thunders once before giving them away. If done everything I can do on em and learned/improved so it's weird a fading memory would cause the madness to creep.

And here I am looking at some brand new Royals, when I still haven't really pinned down my own deck preferences. I've never really enjoyed any steep decks and do like some of the mellower BBS so I'm not sure what I'd gain by switching.

If you can't even make up a reason, I would probably just chill haha.


.....those royals have me curious too though lol.I hear the royals pop a little lighter and don't grind quite as nice so I'm not gonna be swapping the thunders anytime soon. Thunders/ventures made me realize how much i benefit from wide wb trucks. And the turn/grind is way better on thunders than ventures, so I'll just suck it up and deal with the thunder baseplate issues. I was an indy/ace guy for years, I'm skating much better and consistently on the thunders, wish I tried them sooner.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 23, 2022, 08:33:34 PM
Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.

This is a real thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 23, 2022, 09:09:42 PM
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Sticker if a deck before setup or adding one after it's been skated is bad luck.

I was thinking about it today and why I'd wanna try other trucks. It's basically memories of a good session or a few tricks that might have felt better than usual. I've been on my current trucks for 6 months other than a sesh with thunders once before giving them away. If done everything I can do on em and learned/improved so it's weird a fading memory would cause the madness to creep.

And here I am looking at some brand new Royals, when I still haven't really pinned down my own deck preferences. I've never really enjoyed any steep decks and do like some of the mellower BBS so I'm not sure what I'd gain by switching.
[close]

If you can't even make up a reason, I would probably just chill haha.


.....those royals have me curious too though lol.I hear the royals pop a little lighter and don't grind quite as nice so I'm not gonna be swapping the thunders anytime soon. Thunders/ventures made me realize how much i benefit from wide wb trucks. And the turn/grind is way better on thunders than ventures, so I'll just suck it up and deal with the thunder baseplate issues. I was an indy/ace guy for years, I'm skating much better and consistently on the thunders, wish I tried them sooner.

I didn't skate them too long but so far I wasn't stoked on the grind it's basically Venture quality but I've read they're fine after being broken in more and having the inner exposed. Way too loose stock have like 2 threads showing and pop feel is hella weird coming from Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MxsDx on June 23, 2022, 09:14:53 PM

[/quote]

I was an indy/ace guy for years, I'm skating much better and consistently on the thunders, wish I tried them sooner.
[/quote]

This is precisely the type of statement that triggers my madness. I’m stuck in a preference spiral between Indy and thunder. No end in sight.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 23, 2022, 09:18:17 PM
Long ago I tired out a ton of different gear, and found my "holy grail" set-up. I then rode the same decks, trucks, wheels, etc. over and over. Much later, I got bored with my set-up...Boredom started my Madness. Boredom, novelty, curiosity, and just a good-old fashion love of new skate gear lit a Madness flame that didn't go out for awhile. I started trying different WBs, trucks, wheel shapes/sizes, etc. I believe it is good to occasionally test your assumptions, if only to prove they still hold true. And guess what? They did. My "grail" set-up was still indeed just that. The Madness went away, or rather, like Pennywise the Clown, or the Ring of Power, it just went dormant, only to later come back with new vigor.

Then I broke my leg/ankle. I could not skate for a year. Once cleared to skate again, I had to relearn everything. It took me two weeks to ollie up a 4" curb again. My leg/ankle would never be the same. My body now moved differently before. The Madness saw an opening, and knew it's time had come. Your body does not function the same way it used to, therefore, you might now be better served by a different set-up to accommodate new-found limitations. The Madness roared back to life, stronger and more pervasive than anything I had ever known.

Eventually, I found myself saying things like;

"Thunders are not going to have a better base plate now that you are trying them for the 3rd, 4th, or 5th time."

"A 14" wheel base still feels too cramped no matter if it's on an 8.06" or an 8.1" deck."

"Did you really enjoy your time at curb comparing the nuanced feels of tailslides on 6.5" vs. 6.56' tail, or would you rather have been just skating the way you would have been without Madness at the session?"

I began to hate the time, effort, emotional investment, and money that the Madness demanded of me. Rather than "just skating," I was skate-testing gear so at some point in the future I could be "just skating" once I figured out what gear I really like the best. As this was happening, I was also starring realizing something else; my ankle, despite the fact that it would never be the same, would be "good enough." I was also narrowing down the gear I liked, yet again. And lo-and-behold, what did I find myself riding? The same "holy grail" set-up. I believe it is good to occasionally test your assumptions, if only to prove they still hold true. Test them enough, and the Postulate-assumption becomes a Theorem of existential reality. And now I knew what that reality was--the same one it had always been. Since, the Madness has gone dormant, for now.

My Grail:
DLX 8.25/14.38
144 Forged (Ti or Hollow)
F4 Classics 53*
92a Indy cylindrical (blue ones)
Super Swiss 6
MOB
7/8" Allen

*101a, 99a, and 97a all have their own proper time, manner, and place. Hell, even 80HDs are useful sometimes.
 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on June 23, 2022, 11:43:16 PM
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Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.
[close]

This is a real thing.

It’s the source of my madness and the only cure is more cowbell! Or just skating more.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on June 24, 2022, 12:06:49 AM
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Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.
[close]

This is a real thing.
[close]

It’s the source of my madness and the only cure is more cowbell! Or just skating more.
It's not a cure (barely even a treatment) but this is another reason why all my stuff now is pretty different. So I have a 7.75 and an 8.75 at the same time but I'm not swapping to a 7.8, 8 etc. I'm definatly the person who opens a can of coke halfway thru a cup of coffee tho so I'm hyper vigilant with my gear madness these days.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Horsemeat on June 24, 2022, 12:19:56 AM
Rather than "just skating," I was skate-testing gear so at some point in the future I could be "just skating" once I figured out what gear I really like the best.

Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.

Logging in to echo these sentiments. As I keep hearing the ticking clock of my years of physical fitness getting louder and louder, I've been realizing the different setups and gear adjustments are just outlets for my fear of wasting time. But instead of wasting it learning tricks on an imperfect setup, I waste tons of time setting boards up and relearning tricks, and feeling like a kook for how much gear I have. I have distinct memories of skating more and not wanting to change anything, actually being afraid to fuck up my muscle memory. Trying to get back there.

I also happened to setup an old "holy grail" setup that had worked for me maybe 5 years ago. Felt really comfortable and I decided to call it and keep myself to 1 main setup. The plan is not to change this setup until my board is razor tailed, and trucks are axeled. My goal is to post in the scrape report with a super fucked setup. 8)

Solidarity to all my gear madness afflicted brethren!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 24, 2022, 01:22:31 AM
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Anyone else have the itch to buy shit when during lulls where they don't get to skate? Ive been off for a week (which is not bad to alot of people I understand) and I am scouring for 54mm radials even though I have a drawer full of perfectly fine wheels.
[close]

This is a real thing.
[close]

It’s the source of my madness and the only cure is more cowbell! Or just skating more.

(https://media1.giphy.com/media/3o6ozGTbQSAs2s0CAM/200.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 24, 2022, 05:08:55 AM

I didn't skate them too long but so far I wasn't stoked on the grind it's basically Venture quality but I've read they're fine after being broken in more and having the inner exposed. Way too loose stock have like 2 threads showing and pop feel is hella weird coming from Indy.

Yea, the baseplate is the only thing im really curious about. the grind and pop are keeping me away though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on June 24, 2022, 05:12:10 AM
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I feel like I have a constant gear crisis over the length/fit of my shoe. They always feel like they're too long. If I buy TTS they often feel snug on the sides of my feet and I'll still have at least a thumb's width of room between my big toe and the end of the shoe. If I go half a size up they're even longer but they're at least a little more comfortable. When they're more snug my flick feels better, but at what cost?

[close]

I feel you, i was here a while ago. Go with the bigger shoe so you dont damage your foot, and try to supplement with thicker socks if possible. Lace them tight to get them more snug. I'm a small 10, and can fit some 9 1/2s, but i was crushing my feet with 9 1/2s for a while.

[close]


You're probably right. I might try skating one of my chillers that are a half size big to see how it goes. The difference in length is pretty minimal but the small amount of clearance on the sides are nice.
[close]

also sounds like you might need to prioritize finding wider shoes, the trudgers i just tried allowed my toes to spread nicely. So many skate shoes are narrow, i assume so that they fit snug. But damn, my feet are just not shaped that way. Blazers, Last resorts, most vluc cons and NBs. I also feel like NB, es, and Lakai run a hair shorter than other brands, so maybe the halfsize up wouldnt be as bad length wise in those brands. idk
[close]

So one of my chillers actually are Blazers that are half a size up and I find them reasonably comfortable. They're a tad longer than my TTS Vans, but not by much. Those might be my control group to see if this extra length stuff is all in my head.
[close]

Chiming in to say that I have been so so so intense about getting the ‘correct’ fitting shoe…and what I thought was correct, was not. Said it before, but I played several sports where tight shoes were encouraged, and did the same with skate shoes. No. Fucked my feet up. It takes some getting used to, but I HIGHLY recommend going to the larger size, if one is on the fence. I have a narrow heel, and then long creepy toes with a wider forefoot, and yeah, it’s dumb. A shoe that doesn’t slip in the heel, cramps the toes. What I’ve slowly figured out: let the heel slip, use a ‘joggers loop/lace’ make sure the toes have enough room.
Be well

I third the go with a bigger shoe sentiment.  I was stuffing my feet into half size down Last Resorts that just fit all last year cause I was nervous about skating in big floppy shoes.  Just went TTS on the last pair and they’re a little too big and it has had zero negative impact on my skating and is actually way more comfortable. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 24, 2022, 05:17:58 AM

I third the go with a bigger shoe sentiment.  I was stuffing my feet into half size down Last Resorts that just fit all last year cause I was nervous about skating in big floppy shoes.  Just went TTS on the last pair and they’re a little too big and it has had zero negative impact on my skating and is actually way more comfortable.

just need to break them in a little more before skating and lace them tight. Doesnt look the best, but your feet will thank you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on June 24, 2022, 10:22:38 AM
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I third the go with a bigger shoe sentiment.  I was stuffing my feet into half size down Last Resorts that just fit all last year cause I was nervous about skating in big floppy shoes.  Just went TTS on the last pair and they’re a little too big and it has had zero negative impact on my skating and is actually way more comfortable.
[close]

just need to break them in a little more before skating and lace them tight. Doesnt look the best, but your feet will thank you.

I had the same issues with wearing shoes smaller. I always thought it gave me more “control “. One day I just couldn’t take the feel of claustrophobic footwear anymore. I started off frustrated with the heel slip in proper size footwear and started tying them tighter and tighter. Once I got used to the bigger (correct) size shoes I started to loosen them up little by little. Now I can buy the correct size and tie them normally and as long as they are broken in I can skate them no problem.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on June 24, 2022, 10:35:24 AM
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I third the go with a bigger shoe sentiment.  I was stuffing my feet into half size down Last Resorts that just fit all last year cause I was nervous about skating in big floppy shoes.  Just went TTS on the last pair and they’re a little too big and it has had zero negative impact on my skating and is actually way more comfortable.
[close]

just need to break them in a little more before skating and lace them tight. Doesnt look the best, but your feet will thank you.
[close]

I had the same issues with wearing shoes smaller. I always thought it gave me more “control “. One day I just couldn’t take the feel of claustrophobic footwear anymore. I started off frustrated with the heel slip in proper size footwear and started tying them tighter and tighter. Once I got used to the bigger (correct) size shoes I started to loosen them up little by little. Now I can buy the correct size and tie them normally and as long as they are broken in I can skate them no problem.
Fun fact: this is actually what mid/high shoes are designed for (preventing heel slip, foot moving inside the shoe) ankle support is a myth. I too always wore shoes too small and have gone up to correct size and would suggest a mid/high shoe for people with heel slip type issues.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on June 24, 2022, 12:46:26 PM
Soooo update to my shoe crisis but I went to the park yesterday changing between some Sk8 Highs (tts) and some Blazer Lows (half a size big) and I just couldn't do the looser ones. They were more comfy but when I skated I felt like I was wearing clown shoes. My foot placement felt pretty off. My Sk8 Highs are still kinda narrow, but I microwaved them and made an attempt to stretch them out a bit and I ended up having a pretty good session. They're snug but they didn't hurt so maybe the moral of the story is that I should break in shoes before skating them?


I dunno, I kinda wish I could turn my brain off when it comes to this kinda stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on June 24, 2022, 01:04:04 PM
I microwaved them and made an attempt to stretch them out a bit

Wait what
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on June 24, 2022, 01:39:20 PM
I think breaking in shoes before skating them is essential. I always use new shoes for walking and just wearing them generally doing all sorts of stuff other than skating. Once they’re broken in properly I might consider skating them if my current skate pair are done.

I usually have at least 5 pairs of broken in shoes available to skate cuz I rarely know what shoes i want to skate next.

I only skate one pair at a time though. Skate them until they are done and only after that move to the next pair. Changing shoes between sessions is the worst change you can do IMO.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 24, 2022, 09:37:02 PM
Soooo update to my shoe crisis but I went to the park yesterday changing between some Sk8 Highs (tts) and some Blazer Lows (half a size big) and I just couldn't do the looser ones. They were more comfy but when I skated I felt like I was wearing clown shoes. My foot placement felt pretty off. My Sk8 Highs are still kinda narrow, but I microwaved them and made an attempt to stretch them out a bit and I ended up having a pretty good session. They're snug but they didn't hurt so maybe the moral of the story is that I should break in shoes before skating them?


I dunno, I kinda wish I could turn my brain off when it comes to this kinda stuff.

I do this 100% of the time. Skating in new shoes sucks, and it really hurts your feet, ESPECIALLY if you're in a more snug shoe size. I'll wear shoes around for like a month at least before I skate them (I'm a cupsole guy, they take a while).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 25, 2022, 06:28:54 AM
Simon Woodstock a career out of skating in clown shoes….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 25, 2022, 07:16:36 AM
Been on Indy's mostly since last Fall in one iteration and mostly liked them all. Mid kingpin issue was weird, Forged plates are fine but felt a bit too light, and been on standards for like 4 months. Wanted to try Royals for fun, but then that also got me thinking about the stability and how my flip tricks are better on Thunder, but since I like Indy's maybe I'd like the reduced height of AF1s. Full blown again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 25, 2022, 08:29:33 AM
I think breaking in shoes before skating them is essential. I always use new shoes for walking and just wearing them generally doing all sorts of stuff other than skating. Once they’re broken in properly I might consider skating them if my current skate pair are done.

I usually have at least 5 pairs of broken in shoes available to skate cuz I rarely know what shoes i want to skate next.

I only skate one pair at a time though. Skate them until they are done and only after that move to the next pair. Changing shoes between sessions is the worst change you can do IMO.

Wearing shoes around the house before skating is something I've done for years; I give each pair about a week or so indoors, then take them outside for casual wear. Once they feel right I start skating them. Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on June 25, 2022, 09:39:26 AM
Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on June 25, 2022, 11:20:11 AM
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Ugh u right u right
[close]

lol, TRUST ME i've thought about this and spent $ on this

Goddamnit you were right.  56 Classics fuck hard.  I feel like I'm skating monster truck and plowing through everything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sharkin on June 25, 2022, 11:41:54 AM
Vans AVE pro is the one and only shoe I skated out of the box with no break in period required.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 25, 2022, 12:44:24 PM
Crockett High are the same for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on June 25, 2022, 12:47:28 PM
Had a couple of sessions on the Indy forged hollows. They dident cure my switch/nollie timing, like I was hoping it would. Both my indy's are made in China, but my raws felt like they grinded smoother, oddly enough. They use a stronger metal in the hollows hangar? Gotta look more into it

(https://i.imgur.com/3CSZUYT.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 25, 2022, 01:35:04 PM
Had a couple of sessions on the Indy forged hollows. They dident cure my switch/nollie timing, like I was hoping it would. Both my indy's are made in China, but my raws felt like they grinded smoother, oddly enough. They use a stronger metal in the hollows hangar? Gotta look more into it

(https://i.imgur.com/3CSZUYT.jpg)

I think the weight of a raw truck grinds better, and Indys have the best grind…raw Indys grind the best of the best.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on June 25, 2022, 01:36:00 PM
Had a couple of sessions on the Indy forged hollows. They dident cure my switch/nollie timing, like I was hoping it would. Both my indy's are made in China, but my raws felt like they grinded smoother, oddly enough. They use a stronger metal in the hollows hangar? Gotta look more into it

(https://i.imgur.com/3CSZUYT.jpg)
Stick with them. Once you start getting some groves they go great. Once you’ve gotten into the axle, even better. My gripe with them is less material(duh, that’s part of why they weigh less) on the pivot area so nose/tail slides you need to be going really fast or wax where your wheels hit. Not a fan of waxing where wheels hit. I skate masonite after street sessions sometimes and don’t want to wax the mini.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on June 25, 2022, 02:28:01 PM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.

I don’t mind breaking in shoes but I never skate thick cupsoles or anything like that.  Trucks and bearings are another story though…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wafools on June 27, 2022, 04:18:59 PM
Been on Indy's mostly since last Fall in one iteration and mostly liked them all. Mid kingpin issue was weird, Forged plates are fine but felt a bit too light, and been on standards for like 4 months. Wanted to try Royals for fun, but then that also got me thinking about the stability and how my flip tricks are better on Thunder, but since I like Indy's maybe I'd like the reduced height of AF1s. Full blown again.

Going through this now. Been having so much fun on Indy’s but for whatever reason AF1s keep calling me but I know I’ll enjoy the turn but hate everything else. Debating buying some Indy forged hollows since they are around a similar height of aces but they are Indy’s.  🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
I’m really trying to not let it consume me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 27, 2022, 06:12:05 PM
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Been on Indy's mostly since last Fall in one iteration and mostly liked them all. Mid kingpin issue was weird, Forged plates are fine but felt a bit too light, and been on standards for like 4 months. Wanted to try Royals for fun, but then that also got me thinking about the stability and how my flip tricks are better on Thunder, but since I like Indy's maybe I'd like the reduced height of AF1s. Full blown again.
[close]

Going through this now. Been having so much fun on Indy’s but for whatever reason AF1s keep calling me but I know I’ll enjoy the turn but hate everything else. Debating buying some Indy forged hollows since they are around a similar height of aces but they are Indy’s.  🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
I’m really trying to not let it consume me.

This is the wrong thing to say on the gear madness thread, but I switched from some very thoroughly used up Independent 144s to some Ace AF-1 44s and it was a good and easy move. I am not nearly as sensitive to small changes as some skaters here, but to me the AF-1s skate just like an Indy, only with a slightly deeper and better carve, which I really enjoy. My flip tricks, slappy tricks, ledge tricks all more or less feel the same (or the difference is small enough that I didn't notice), and the cornering in pools and bowls is improved. They are also a gorgeous truck - in my opinion the best looking truck on the market. For me, all things being equal, I think I'll be making the move entirely to Ace as I continue to wear out my Indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wafools on June 27, 2022, 06:36:04 PM
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Been on Indy's mostly since last Fall in one iteration and mostly liked them all. Mid kingpin issue was weird, Forged plates are fine but felt a bit too light, and been on standards for like 4 months. Wanted to try Royals for fun, but then that also got me thinking about the stability and how my flip tricks are better on Thunder, but since I like Indy's maybe I'd like the reduced height of AF1s. Full blown again.
[close]

Going through this now. Been having so much fun on Indy’s but for whatever reason AF1s keep calling me but I know I’ll enjoy the turn but hate everything else. Debating buying some Indy forged hollows since they are around a similar height of aces but they are Indy’s.  🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️
I’m really trying to not let it consume me.
[close]

This is the wrong thing to say on the gear madness thread, but I switched from some very thoroughly used up Independent 144s to some Ace AF-1 44s and it was a good and easy move. I am not nearly as sensitive to small changes as some skaters here, but to me the AF-1s skate just like an Indy, only with a slightly deeper and better carve, which I really enjoy. My flip tricks, slappy tricks, ledge tricks all more or less feel the same (or the difference is small enough that I didn't notice), and the cornering in pools and bowls is improved. They are also a gorgeous truck - in my opinion the best looking truck on the market. For me, all things being equal, I think I'll be making the move entirely to Ace as I continue to wear out my Indys.

Damn now you got me all messed up and wanting to put AF1s back on.
I do like them (AF1s) they feel stable but with that nice deep ace turn feel. The grind is way better I love a loud grind and the ace classics were just too soft for me. I think the only thing that keeps me from keeping them on is the QC. I’m always blowing out a pivot cup or a bushings. I’m always having to tune them up before I go skate and it gets annoying. With Indy’s I just throw them on and don’t have to worry about it.

I also don’t know if it’s just  me but I feel like the kingpin is crazy hard. I feel like a few times I have hit it and it catches like crazy.

I’m the same way. I can pretty much skate whatever and I’ll get used to it in about 30 min.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on June 27, 2022, 07:09:35 PM
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I microwaved them and made an attempt to stretch them out a bit
[close]

Wait what


kind of a classic break in trick people do that I've never tried until now. Microwave them for about 30 seconds, walk around in them, maybe do it again. I dunno, it helped and now I'm really enjoying my shoes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 27, 2022, 07:58:43 PM
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I microwaved them and made an attempt to stretch them out a bit
[close]

Wait what
[close]


kind of a classic break in trick people do that I've never tried until now. Microwave them for about 30 seconds, walk around in them, maybe do it again. I dunno, it helped and now I'm really enjoying my shoes.

I don't want my wife strangling me in my sleep for microwaving shoes, I'll stick to walking around the house in them for a few days TYVM.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 27, 2022, 08:05:20 PM
I usually sprinkle nutritional yeast on them to make them taste better…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SaySo on June 27, 2022, 09:31:29 PM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.

This +1
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 27, 2022, 11:46:54 PM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 28, 2022, 12:52:32 AM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1
[close]

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo


The crazy thing is some people like the pro dudes or top sponos (including some spono / pro guys I know) get so used to it, they find it easier than skating older worn in product.

To live like that huh?!?


Shoes don't get a chance to get old, decks don't go through more than three layers of ply on the tail if they last that long, trucks get changed out before they get a groove in them.  It is a wild ride for some people.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 28, 2022, 12:58:58 AM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1
[close]

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo
[close]


The crazy thing is some people like the pro dudes or top sponos (including some spono / pro guys I know) get so used to it, they find it easier than skating older worn in product.

To live like that huh?!?


Shoes don't get a chance to get old, decks don't go through more than three layers of ply on the tail if they last that long, trucks get changed out before they get a groove in them.  It is a wild ride for some people.
Someone needs to check sponsored-skater privilege!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on June 28, 2022, 05:30:16 AM
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I microwaved them and made an attempt to stretch them out a bit
[close]

Wait what
[close]


kind of a classic break in trick people do that I've never tried until now. Microwave them for about 30 seconds, walk around in them, maybe do it again. I dunno, it helped and now I'm really enjoying my shoes.
[close]

I don't want my wife strangling me in my sleep for microwaving shoes, I'll stick to walking around the house in them for a few days TYVM.



desperate times calls for desperate measures!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 28, 2022, 05:54:50 AM
Man, talk about madness. I slammed super hard on my thunders after riding my new polarizer, not trying to blame the setup for my shortcomings but the difference in turn really fucked me up. Then i watched this, and now i want to put my AF1's back on, someone save me. I'm just trying to remind myself that no setup is gonna make me a cruisy transition ripper like this, I'm doomed to be a flatbar/flatground/ledge guy my whole life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1N8PEq_9g
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 28, 2022, 09:44:39 AM
I'm just trying to remind myself that no setup is gonna make me a cruisy transition ripper like this, I'm doomed to be a flatbar/flatground/ledge guy my whole life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1N8PEq_9g

Not with that attitude
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on June 28, 2022, 10:14:38 AM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1
[close]

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo
[close]


The crazy thing is some people like the pro dudes or top sponos (including some spono / pro guys I know) get so used to it, they find it easier than skating older worn in product.

To live like that huh?!?


Shoes don't get a chance to get old, decks don't go through more than three layers of ply on the tail if they last that long, trucks get changed out before they get a groove in them.  It is a wild ride for some people.
I'm convinced theres a bonus in photo incentives in their contracts for newer gear. These companies want to convince us that fresh gear is the only way these guys are doing these moves.

"+$200 for less than a ply of scrape
+$100 for no ollie holes
minus $50 for each millimeter of wheel worn away"

Vincent Alvarez must owe money every time he gets a photo

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wafools on June 28, 2022, 04:56:13 PM
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I'm just trying to remind myself that no setup is gonna make me a cruisy transition ripper like this, I'm doomed to be a flatbar/flatground/ledge guy my whole life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1N8PEq_9g
[close]

Not with that attitude

Lolol. I looked at my board with Indy’s and then I pulled out my AF1s and looked at them. I know I will love the turn but be annoyed with QC issues so I think I’ll just stick to Indy’s. Aces just don’t feel as well made as Indy’s but something keeps them in the back of my mind. I think I’m cured… for now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 28, 2022, 05:23:00 PM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1
[close]

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo
[close]


The crazy thing is some people like the pro dudes or top sponos (including some spono / pro guys I know) get so used to it, they find it easier than skating older worn in product.

To live like that huh?!?


Shoes don't get a chance to get old, decks don't go through more than three layers of ply on the tail if they last that long, trucks get changed out before they get a groove in them.  It is a wild ride for some people.
[close]
I'm convinced theres a bonus in photo incentives in their contracts for newer gear. These companies want to convince us that fresh gear is the only way these guys are doing these moves.

"+$200 for less than a ply of scrape
+$100 for no ollie holes
minus $50 for each millimeter of wheel worn away"

Vincent Alvarez must owe money every time he gets a photo


Ha yeah, it seems like polar opposites sometimes, with some guys always riding the absolute freshest everything, but others seem like they really know how to get the most out of every single bit of their setup and gear.

I always liked Vincent for that, among other things, like his switch game on everything.


The consumer orientated first world name dropping / branding is a formidable thing we all just seem to take for granted nowdays, but a little scary when you think about it.

Stickers make the world go round.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tom on June 28, 2022, 11:55:43 PM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1
[close]

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo
I love new shoes and a new board at the same time. I’ve also always loved the feeling of new grip. The grippier the better imo. I absolutely hate new shoes on an old board. It has never felt right
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on June 30, 2022, 06:27:24 AM
I'm on my 2nd Alltimers deck, which was the same dimensions as the last, but there is something off with it. Wacky pop, I ghost pop alot. It appears to be steeper, by a good margin. How you guys deal with this? I'm tempted to just get a new, instead of "re" learning shit, adapt to the steeper shape
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: nitro89 on June 30, 2022, 07:08:52 AM
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Breaking in new shoes when skating sucks worse than breaking in anything.
[close]
Only thing worse is new shoes/new grip at the same time.
[close]

This +1
[close]

I'm convinced that all the "Day In The Life" videos where the skaters setup fresh decks and shoes are BS, no one like the fresh grip + shoes combo
[close]
I love new shoes and a new board at the same time. I’ve also always loved the feeling of new grip. The grippier the better imo. I absolutely hate new shoes on an old board. It has never felt right

same here, not knowing whether your going to be slippy longstockings or not with fresh shoes on old grip is a mind fuck when rolling upto bigger things. dont need that in the back of your mind.

however i do tend to break my new shoes in before skating by walking round in them for a week or so that way the flex is there and the materials have broken down enough to session them comfortably, cupsoles especially. its not an open box, put on feet, go roll situation.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 30, 2022, 07:12:07 AM
I'm on my 2nd Alltimers deck, which was the same dimensions as the last, but there is something off with it. Wacky pop, I ghost pop alot. It appears to be steeper, by a good margin. How you guys deal with this? I'm tempted to just get a new, instead of "re" learning shit, adapt to the steeper shape

I’m not a fan of the steep stuff, but you could try (as you might tried already), adjusting the popping foot placement. As an example, I often skate smaller setups, with ventures or thunders (relevant, tangentially, in that the axles are placed further out towards the tail, making a short tail or nose, shorter), and if I switch to say an ace, my normal popping foot placement of near the tail might not work as well. I try and adjust by moving my foot further down towards the bolts…I’m not nearly a ‘good enough’ skateboarder to have so many opinions, but sometimes that has helped me adjust.
Also, some boards will kind of ‘let go’ and start only wearing sweat pants/mellow out a bit, usually takes a little bit of time tho, few weeks. Leaving the board in the car can result in a mellowing. I haven’t done the whole car on top of the board deal, but I’ve definitely flipped them upside down and bounced in the middle a bit.
Good luck! Nuances like this are best solved by grabbing boards in person. That being said, I can get fairly uncomfortable picking out a deck, in person, and just grab something and bolt, only to later find out that the wb is totally different or whatever.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hobochimp on June 30, 2022, 01:24:08 PM
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on June 30, 2022, 02:30:18 PM
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
That's what I did. Now I enjoy skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 30, 2022, 05:20:42 PM
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Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]
That's what I did. Now I enjoy skating.

I have the opposite issue (I try to skate Indys, to have a more ‘do it all setup’, but prefer, by a long ways, skating venture lo’s/or thunder 147s), but yes, go with what flows.
 
I’ve been trying to not skate Nikes, and yet, when I wear them, shit goes better. Annoying tbh. Skating my last pair of dunks rn, and yeah, they feel/skate great. From an aesthetic perspective I drastically prefer Last Resorts, and Nike is not tight as far as corporations go, but the kickflips and lack of foot pain…annnnyways.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on June 30, 2022, 06:05:28 PM
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.

You sound like you’re reaching the Indy acceptance phase that many of us have landed in after an arduous (shoutout Conor Oberst) financial journey
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 30, 2022, 06:26:24 PM
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.

(https://speakinggrief.org/assets/uploads/resource-content/_1024xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/stages-of-grief.jpg)

Congratulations, you've reached Acceptance. Enjoy it before the next bout of Gear Madness hits and sends you down the spiral of Denial (that it's our gear that is lacking, not our skills).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 01, 2022, 02:59:23 AM
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I'm on my 2nd Alltimers deck, which was the same dimensions as the last, but there is something off with it. Wacky pop, I ghost pop alot. It appears to be steeper, by a good margin. How you guys deal with this? I'm tempted to just get a new, instead of "re" learning shit, adapt to the steeper shape
[close]

I’m not a fan of the steep stuff, but you could try (as you might tried already), adjusting the popping foot placement. As an example, I often skate smaller setups, with ventures or thunders (relevant, tangentially, in that the axles are placed further out towards the tail, making a short tail or nose, shorter), and if I switch to say an ace, my normal popping foot placement of near the tail might not work as well. I try and adjust by moving my foot further down towards the bolts…I’m not nearly a ‘good enough’ skateboarder to have so many opinions, but sometimes that has helped me adjust.
Also, some boards will kind of ‘let go’ and start only wearing sweat pants/mellow out a bit, usually takes a little bit of time tho, few weeks. Leaving the board in the car can result in a mellowing. I haven’t done the whole car on top of the board deal, but I’ve definitely flipped them upside down and bounced in the middle a bit.
Good luck! Nuances like this are best solved by grabbing boards in person. That being said, I can get fairly uncomfortable picking out a deck, in person, and just grab something and bolt, only to later find out that the wb is totally different or whatever.


I have definitely had some BBS boards that are more mellow (perfect for me) or steeper (difficult for me to say the least) at which time I thought I am either going to give this board away or try something like parking on it.  The parking on it worked with a small car, but even just drive over it often gives it a bit more flex and doesn't feel half as steep as it was before.  I put cardboard or something down on smooth (garage floor) concrete if it is already gripped so it doesn't cause unwanted wear on the grip tape on the ends of the kicks, but for most boards I have done, it works well and had the desired result.  Hot tyres mellow it out a lot faster too, just so you know, but just driving over it slowly is a good start to see.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on July 01, 2022, 04:16:27 AM
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Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]
That's what I did. Now I enjoy skating.
[close]

I have the opposite issue (I try to skate Indys, to have a more ‘do it all setup’, but prefer, by a long ways, skating venture lo’s/or thunder 147s), but yes, go with what flows.
 
I’ve been trying to not skate Nikes, and yet, when I wear them, shit goes better. Annoying tbh. Skating my last pair of dunks rn, and yeah, they feel/skate great. From an aesthetic perspective I drastically prefer Last Resorts, and Nike is not tight as far as corporations go, but the kickflips and lack of foot pain…annnnyways.
Yeah I get what you're saying. I really like venture as a company and they work really well for certain things but I feel like I skate better on indys. And as far as shoes I really love halfcabs but I have noticed when I skate in Jordan 1s my kickflips are the best they've ever been.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 01, 2022, 06:51:23 AM
I'm on my 2nd Alltimers deck, which was the same dimensions as the last, but there is something off with it. Wacky pop, I ghost pop alot. It appears to be steeper, by a good margin. How you guys deal with this? I'm tempted to just get a new, instead of "re" learning shit, adapt to the steeper shape

Just like all BBS they press 4-5 in a stack at a time and can greatly vary. Alltimers tend to be more like a DLX I or II. I fucking hated mine. You need to stand on/compare them to a DLX deck with a numeral for good comparison. I take both and lay one over the other lining up the bolts and looking at the kicks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 01, 2022, 07:03:43 AM
If it wasn't for Slap I wouldn't have truck madness. Honestly after recently relapsing and trying Indy, Royal, and Thunder they're all great and I can do all the same shit to varying degrees, but in the end I enjoy the Indy turn, grind, and pop feel. There's nothing wrong with them. Slap has this weird thing sorta like when a teenager won't like anything their parents like out of spite despite knowing that they're right.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on July 01, 2022, 08:54:14 AM
I had a legit gear madness nightmare last night. In my dream I set up a new board with giant wheels and giant risers. My board must have been sitting at about knee height. It seemed like an amazing idea and I wanted it to work so badly but pushing was so exhausting I had a full meltdown. Harsh.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on July 01, 2022, 12:52:50 PM
I had a legit gear madness nightmare last night. In my dream I set up a new board with giant wheels and giant risers. My board must have been sitting at about knee height. It seemed like an amazing idea and I wanted it to work so badly but pushing was so exhausting I had a full meltdown. Harsh.

I had a dream last night that one of my wheels split in half. Probably because my local just got a huge shipment of spitfires. I almost never have dreams
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on July 01, 2022, 01:15:35 PM
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.

I know several people this year who were just like "I give up, I love Indys, I'm just gonna skate these" and every one of them seems pretty happy with their decision. It turns out that after ~45 years, Independent has figured out how to make a decent truck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on July 01, 2022, 01:43:25 PM
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Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]

I know several people this year who were just like "I give up, I love Indys, I'm just gonna skate these" and every one of them seems pretty happy with their decision. It turns out that after ~45 years, Independent has figured out how to make a decent truck.

I rode Indy’s my whole life, then rode Ace for about 5 years. I’m back on Indy’s now because they grind so much better and they don’t have any of the QC issues. I have Ace bushings in my Indy’s now and they turn well enough that I don’t miss Ace
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: layzieyez on July 01, 2022, 02:00:19 PM
Expand Quote
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]

(https://speakinggrief.org/assets/uploads/resource-content/_1024xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/stages-of-grief.jpg)

Congratulations, you've reached Acceptance. Enjoy it before the next bout of Gear Madness hits and sends you down the spiral of Denial (that it's our gear that is lacking, not our skills).
I feel gear madness more closely resembles a Sorry board game. New stage of Indy? Sorry! New manufacturing overseas? Sorry!

Move your piece right back to the beginning
(http://allaboutfunandgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/102_0095.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on July 01, 2022, 02:44:14 PM
Stay strong through the 4th of July sales my brothers and sisters!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wafools on July 01, 2022, 10:09:39 PM
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Expand Quote
Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]

I know several people this year who were just like "I give up, I love Indys, I'm just gonna skate these" and every one of them seems pretty happy with their decision. It turns out that after ~45 years, Independent has figured out how to make a decent truck.
[close]

I rode Indy’s my whole life, then rode Ace for about 5 years. I’m back on Indy’s now because they grind so much better and they don’t have any of the QC issues. I have Ace bushings in my Indy’s now and they turn well enough that I don’t miss Ace

This. After going back and forth between Indy and ace. Almost buying ventures again. Thinking I could do thunders if I tired it with risers this time I have come to the fact and can fully admit. I just like Indy’s.  I enjoyed aces and they are always a close second but I just can’t deal with the QC.  Nothing feels as good as an Indy and every other truck I try, I try and make it feel like an Indy so why fight it.

Problem is in my head I absolutely love the stock bushings. Perfect amount of loose but I want to go buy the “soft red” and the “super soft white” Indy bushings to really Fuck it up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 01, 2022, 10:42:09 PM
Gear Madness if your heart and brain at conflict with each other. Your brain says Indy / Thunder are the safer choice and you've ridden them for the past few years with zero complains. But your hear really want to try those sexy Ventures and Ace trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: layzieyez on July 01, 2022, 10:58:11 PM
I’m on the sexy ventures.

Last year, I was bouncing between modded theeves, ace, tensor, and mindy baseplate with regular hangers. Oh, and some thunders with ace barrel bottom.

For now, the venture lo’s have stock red bushing, krux ikp, and sleeved bottom washer.

Edit: Forgot to mention royals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on July 02, 2022, 02:37:13 AM
oldheads, its perfectly normal to like indys
its pretty much the formula
see someone 30+ on a skateboard...guess the trucks?
9/10 its indy and thats been the case for as long as i remember
peak "back in my day" truck
dont try and be hip, just keep your hip intact
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 02, 2022, 08:25:59 AM
Too bad the "old heads" rip circles around most people who care about trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 02, 2022, 08:28:26 AM
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Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]

I know several people this year who were just like "I give up, I love Indys, I'm just gonna skate these" and every one of them seems pretty happy with their decision. It turns out that after ~45 years, Independent has figured out how to make a decent truck.
[close]

I rode Indy’s my whole life, then rode Ace for about 5 years. I’m back on Indy’s now because they grind so much better and they don’t have any of the QC issues. I have Ace bushings in my Indy’s now and they turn well enough that I don’t miss Ace
[close]

This. After going back and forth between Indy and ace. Almost buying ventures again. Thinking I could do thunders if I tired it with risers this time I have come to the fact and can fully admit. I just like Indy’s.  I enjoyed aces and they are always a close second but I just can’t deal with the QC.  Nothing feels as good as an Indy and every other truck I try, I try and make it feel like an Indy so why fight it.

Problem is in my head I absolutely love the stock bushings. Perfect amount of loose but I want to go buy the “soft red” and the “super soft white” Indy bushings to really Fuck it up.

The reds are known for being hard and sucking. The hack is the blues with slightly less threads showing than the stock orange. Less wheelbite and solid rebound and don't feel much tighter if at all at the top.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 02, 2022, 10:23:34 AM
Too bad the "old heads" rip circles around most people who care about trucks.


No they don’t.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on July 02, 2022, 03:23:21 PM
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Too bad the "old heads" rip circles around most people who care about trucks.
[close]


No they don’t.

If I were going to rank trucks based on what the kids at the park who rip are skating.. It would probably go something like

1- Thunder
2 - Ace
3 - Indy
4 - Venture

The ones who are good enough to maybe end up sponsored  are mostly either tech gods who value the thunder pinch above all else or the neo-retro kids doing no complies and impossibles on their 9 inch shaped board with ace 66s. And then there's one kid I sometimes see who's absolutely nuts but skates krux. Not a ton of heck riders around here these days.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 02, 2022, 04:54:09 PM

There are definitely a lot more people in the over 40s group who were "Indy lifers" now riding Ace, in particular AF1 trucks around here.

That might have something to do with local distribution and the thought of cheap or even free trucks to try more than anything else, but those guys are for the most part really loving their Ace trucks now.

I have a set of AF1 55s as well as some classics in various sizes and they go alright, but I still prefer Indy standards over everything else.


I also have boards set up with Thunder, Venture and some other brands, but they don't get used much and are more just for people to try if they want to see what certain trucks are like.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on July 02, 2022, 05:20:41 PM
In my experience with the kids who rip, they’re skating whatever fucking truck the shop gave them or was deeply discounted.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 02, 2022, 07:01:52 PM
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Too bad the "old heads" rip circles around most people who care about trucks.
[close]


No they don’t.

Depends where you live i guess but I've encountered many 30+ and even 40+ dudes that are tech/gnarly as hell and likely better than most kids at the park and spot. I'm not talking about the bowl trolls or the dude that quit for 2 decades and just got back into skating.

Obviously up and coming youngsters and retired pros should be excluded.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on July 03, 2022, 04:48:00 AM
dawg i never said it was a problem, never said they sucked
dont want to quote myself but i said "its perfectly normal"
nobody is paying me, i couldnt really care. you shouldnt either
have a laugh, move on, and DONT prove my point
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FUBAR on July 03, 2022, 06:20:51 AM
Old head is what people call old(er) dudes. Liking Indys doesn’t make you an old head. Being an older dude that skates makes you an oldhead.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 03, 2022, 10:29:25 AM
I have wallowed in the madness, by chasing setups that don’t naturally work for me. What I mean by that is if I get on an 8”ish board and trucks, tricks are easier, not necessarily better, but easier. I’ve gotten adjusted to much larger setups, and have had maybe even better results than just riding an 8”, but it’s such a fiasco: rounding up a bunch of parts and then swapping around, waiting to get adjusted to everything to be able to evaluate it, just a mess really.

For the last month I’ve ridden two different completes, which is way better than what I regularly do, and could settle with either. I am still not good, it didn’t solve anything. Both about the same size, a big 8.1, and a board advertise as 8 that’s more like a 7.9, low 8 trucks, 52s and 51s.

It’s been interesting for me to witness my madness/consumerism shift over to shoes. I’ve always tried different shoes, my feet hurt, I do physical work and am very old in skateboard years, but I’ve recently taken my energy that I spent on boards and started to get weird about the shoes I want to use. Pretty wack. The whole thing, the madness, for me, just anxiety and consumption, rinse and repeat. 

If any of you has a feeling about what you ‘should ride’, I’m not saying you shouldn’t try all of the other things, but maybe keep track of the parameters on the ‘should setup’, could be useful when you get way out in the woods of drastically different sized truck/wheel combos and what not. I’m now basically riding a setup I would have ridden 10-15 years ago. For me, I was probably skating a bit better on an 8.5, than I am rn, on an 8, but I just wore myself out thinking about all of it. The whole deal is frustrating in that I hoped there would some light at the end of the tunnel, with more information I’d find something more comfortable, but I’ve essentially just decided to skate a setup based off of what has worked for me in the past, and what some of my favorite pros skate.

I’m just rambling on a day when the weather isn’t cooperating, but for those of you that know you like a certain truck brand, rejoice! It’s not all bad trying different setups, some tricks have gotten better for me, from trying stuff. I think I’ve had to be more deliberate, and that has led to some greater understanding of a few tricks, maybe. Who knows, I had a bad session last night and once the regret/high of buying Jordan’s to skate in, wears off, you know I’ll be right back here talking about how I need to get indy 159s because I just rewatched the t-funk part, or 5.0 lo’s because I want to relive my youth trying to channel Lavar.
Hopefully not tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on July 03, 2022, 11:14:47 AM
I’m currently skating a 9.75” Heroin symmetrical egg with 66 Ace classics. Why? I don’t know.

It has a shorter wheelbase than what I’m used to and otherwise it’s huge. It takes so much effort to even just ollie. I used to ride 8.375” and maybe 8.5” before the madness got the best of me.

Had some great times on a 9.25” shaped deck with 66 AF1s. I guess that fueled my madness making me think bigger is better. I guess I should move back down a bit as the current setup just is too much for me even though I quite like some aspects of it. I don t know. Fucking madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on July 03, 2022, 04:32:30 PM
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Guys should I just stop pretending I like the feel of ventures and aces more than Indy? I think I should just go back to what I know and love and focus on just enjoying skating.
[close]

(https://speakinggrief.org/assets/uploads/resource-content/_1024xAUTO_fit_center-center_80_none/stages-of-grief.jpg)

Congratulations, you've reached Acceptance. Enjoy it before the next bout of Gear Madness hits and sends you down the spiral of Denial (that it's our gear that is lacking, not our skills).
[close]
I feel gear madness more closely resembles a Sorry board game. New stage of Indy? Sorry! New manufacturing overseas? Sorry!

Move your piece right back to the beginning
(http://allaboutfunandgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/102_0095.jpg)

SORRY but with Half Cabs
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on July 03, 2022, 05:15:33 PM


If any of you has a feeling about what you ‘should ride’, I’m not saying you shouldn’t try all of the other things, but maybe keep track of the parameters on the ‘should setup’, could be useful when you get way out in the woods of drastically different sized truck/wheel combos and what not. 8<......>8 but I’ve essentially just decided to skate a setup based off of what has worked for me in the past

I've got a mental list of 'best setups' it's semi-useful to a point...if they don't keep the same decks in the line-up/rotation you're SOL.

Two of my fav boards are no longer made (DLX 8.18 FULL SE and the 8.25x31.9x14.353 NHS); I miss that 8.18 =(
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 03, 2022, 05:53:12 PM
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If any of you has a feeling about what you ‘should ride’, I’m not saying you shouldn’t try all of the other things, but maybe keep track of the parameters on the ‘should setup’, could be useful when you get way out in the woods of drastically different sized truck/wheel combos and what not. 8<......>8 but I’ve essentially just decided to skate a setup based off of what has worked for me in the past
[close]

I've got a mental list of 'best setups' it's semi-useful, to a point...if they don't keep the same decks in the line-ups you're SOL. Two of my fav boards are no longer made (DLX 8.18 FULL SE and the 8.25x31.9x14.353 NHS); I miss that 8.18 =(

Good and fair point.
What I’ve noticed for myself, and I guess incorrectly assumed others would also possibly experience, is that I need the much more specific parameters, when I’m outside of the ‘normal’ (as if this type of anguish over a child’s toy was normal) for me range, which is 8” deck, 8” trucks. I can possibly skate better on an 8.5” setup, but woe is fucking me if the details aren’t sorted out. To me, the ‘madness’, is chasing the minutiae, to a degree that it gets in the way of the activity, or becomes the activity. My best skating was done by grabbing whatever got me hyped (jocking some pro’s style) and rocking with that.
In no way is this a shot at you, @Xen, I’m hyped you have narrowed your preferences so sharply. I think it’s dope, and shows a sensitivity and skill I just don’t have.
When I start trying to make these wild leaps of: ‘well I want to learn transition skating, and people that rip that skate x + x + x…’ I end up super sideways.
To attempt to salvage a salient point out of my gibberish: I need specific shit when I’m tripping, but if just skate a ‘regular’ sized setup, 95% of that tweaking about the setup magically disappears. I might still like a board more/less than the previous, but it’s not some catastrophic event. For me.


It is fucked when companies quit doing the thing we liked from them. I’m currently buying aj1’s, like a moron, because I can’t buy dunks. So not rad.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on July 03, 2022, 07:43:53 PM
Some guy locally is selling 3 new Indy Ti 159s for $40.  I don’t need them - I have 159 hollow forged. But I’m still showing up tomorrow with cash

But it’s ok, because early in the thread I said I should just skate Indies. And I have an Anti Hero Blue Meanie and some 56mm F4 classics just sitting here.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wafools on July 03, 2022, 08:02:35 PM
Some guy locally is selling 3 new Indy Ti 159s for $40.  I don’t need them - I have 159 hollow forged. But I’m still showing up tomorrow with cash

But it’s ok, because early in the thread I said I should just skate Indies. And I have an Anti Hero Blue Meanie and some 56mm F4 classics just sitting here.

Damn. That’s a steal. If you feel like selling some let me know.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on July 03, 2022, 08:10:46 PM
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Some guy locally is selling 3 new Indy Ti 159s for $40.  I don’t need them - I have 159 hollow forged. But I’m still showing up tomorrow with cash

But it’s ok, because early in the thread I said I should just skate Indies. And I have an Anti Hero Blue Meanie and some 56mm F4 classics just sitting here.
[close]

Damn. That’s a steal. If you feel like selling some let me know.

It's three trucks for a total of $40 - not three sets of trucks.    A set of trucks, and a lonely solo truck that is destined to sit in the garage unloved.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 03, 2022, 11:01:09 PM
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Some guy locally is selling 3 new Indy Ti 159s for $40.  I don’t need them - I have 159 hollow forged. But I’m still showing up tomorrow with cash

But it’s ok, because early in the thread I said I should just skate Indies. And I have an Anti Hero Blue Meanie and some 56mm F4 classics just sitting here.
[close]

Damn. That’s a steal. If you feel like selling some let me know.
[close]

It's three trucks for a total of $40 - not three sets of trucks.    A set of trucks, and a lonely solo truck that is destined to sit in the garage unloved.


For some that is a good enough deal, eg riding a set and having one spare for just in case, or when you go through one hanger, you have a replacement ready.

There are a lot of places I know that still sell individual trucks, so I can always just get another single to make up a new set too, but I have realised it is just as handy to have a spare single in most in case someone does need something, eg pull apart the truck so there is a 159 Ti hanger, a forged baseplate, some bushings, which can be used as well.

Someone sometime might be in need, so you can always move the extra truck if you are not the sort of person to skate through the back (or front) hanger any time soon too.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on July 04, 2022, 08:44:12 AM
Some guy locally is selling 3 new Indy Ti 159s for $40.  I don’t need them - I have 159 hollow forged. But I’m still showing up tomorrow with cash

But it’s ok, because early in the thread I said I should just skate Indies. And I have an Anti Hero Blue Meanie and some 56mm F4 classics just sitting here.



Even if I wasn't wanting to ride them, I'd still buy them, pick up a single truck online, sell them of and make some $$.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 04, 2022, 08:55:01 AM
Or really flex on your friends by putting using the TI truck in unorthodox places - replace the handles of kitchen cabinets, use as a shifter knob in your car, an expensive hammer or wall mount a 2nd use to use as grips for chin ups.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on July 04, 2022, 10:52:01 AM
Mallgrab work out…..

How about getting Hulu hoop and using as lawn darts…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on July 04, 2022, 03:57:46 PM
Third Ti truck as a griptape file.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 05, 2022, 05:51:55 AM
Third Ti truck as a griptape file.

Or really flex on your friends by putting using the TI truck in unorthodox places - replace the handles of kitchen cabinets, use as a shifter knob in your car, an expensive hammer or wall mount a 2nd use to use as grips for chin ups.

Frame it in a glass case that has the message "in case of madness, shatter glass"

Because at the end of the day we should all probably just be riding indys on a board with a WB that compliments our body type.......

I'm not ready to admit that though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on July 05, 2022, 06:08:34 AM
I have to renew my license and insurance this week.
I’m like 200 short.

My mind is screaming to buy 6.1s. I definitely don’t need new trucks. I want them.

I don’t even got shoes rn. Wtf is my problem
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 05, 2022, 06:29:50 AM
I have to renew my license and insurance this week.
I’m like 200 short.

My mind is screaming to buy 6.1s. I definitely don’t need new trucks. I want them.

I don’t even got shoes rn. Wtf is my problem

what size shoe do you wear?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 05, 2022, 07:25:33 AM
Man I wish concave didn't differ between decks in a press. DLX III is like my Goldilocks but I am still a kook going through every deck in a shop to get one
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 05, 2022, 07:29:37 AM
Man I wish concave didn't differ between decks in a press. DLX III is like my Goldilocks but I am still a kook going through every deck in a shop to get one

I'm grateful this hasn't become an issue for me. I'm aware of the difference, but for some reason it hasn't bothered me enough to worry about. I have looked at that number on the board and had this exact thought. "thank god i dont care about this"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 05, 2022, 07:52:49 AM
I had a II anti hero 8.38 that was so fucking steep I couldn't ride it. I compared it to another II and it was way steeper, basically a I or more. I like flatter decks and until this experience never cared.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on July 05, 2022, 12:35:33 PM
DLX III is like my Goldilocks but I am still a kook going through every deck in a shop to get one

1. III
2. II
3. IV
4. I

In that order.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on July 05, 2022, 12:39:13 PM
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DLX III is like my Goldilocks but I am still a kook going through every deck in a shop to get one
[close]

1. III
2. II
3. IV
4. I

In that order.

Me riding thunders:
1. IV
2. III
3. II
4. I

Me after switching to ace lows:
1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV

Just as the romans intended
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on July 05, 2022, 05:02:53 PM
I just picked up the three Ti 159s i mentioned.

I picked them up because I knew I had an Anti Hero Blue Meanie in the stack.

What I forgot is that I also have a Polar 1992, and a Schmitt Joe Lopes that would take them if I used wide wheels.

But no..... I don't have a problem.  Why do you ask?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 05, 2022, 06:26:16 PM
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Expand Quote
DLX III is like my Goldilocks but I am still a kook going through every deck in a shop to get one
[close]

1. III
2. II
3. IV
4. I

In that order.
[close]

Me riding thunders:
1. IV
2. III
3. II
4. I

Me after switching to ace lows:
1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV

Just as the romans intended


Ha yeah, I can see this getting interesting.

I can always flatten a steeper board, but I can't make a flat board steeper, so now I don't mind what number is on it cause I can fix it to what I like anyway.

Some presses are definitely more mellow and some steeper anyway, cause I have quite a few of the I stamped boards that are way more mellow than all the other IV stamped boards and seeing some info on Kyle Walker's preference for mellow boards and he rides an 8.38 often means I get more mellow Real boards anyway, although it is not just limited to Real, with them coming on Krooked and Antihero graphics too.

There have only ever been two I just thought "This is too mellow" and not bought them or set them up and passed them on to others, or put them on the wall in the shop, which might have been the Kyle mold as mentioned.

Just unfortunate if it is someone ordering online, or that was all that was available, cause these things were sooooo flat, even for my standards and I like them mellow.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 05, 2022, 06:30:52 PM
I just picked up the three Ti 159s i mentioned.

I picked them up because I knew I had an Anti Hero Blue Meanie in the stack.

What I forgot is that I also have a Polar 1992, and a Schmitt Joe Lopes that would take them if I used wide wheels.

But no..... I don't have a problem.  Why do you ask?

"I don't have a problem"

Says the man with 1.5 pairs of trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 06, 2022, 08:46:09 AM
Ah shit I tried out a friends setup (FA 8.25 with Indy Hollows w/ Cast plates) - 2 components I would not have considered riding especially the tall / heavy Indys. Solid pop, stick to your feet kind of setup you instantly connect with.

Shit's got my mind wondering.

FUCK!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 06, 2022, 08:59:28 AM
Ah shit I tried out a friends setup (FA 8.25 with Indy Hollows w/ Cast plates) - 2 components I would not have considered riding especially the tall / heavy Indys. Solid pop, stick to your feet kind of setup you instantly connect with.

Shit's got my mind wondering.

FUCK!!


If you had those or something similar in stock, you could do some "product testing research" otherwise a single skate / session on something different might just be a curious interest.

Others I know preferred the hollow forged varieties coming from or swapping back and forth between Thunder and Venture, but that might have made things even more weird now.


Have another session on your own board before making any other decisions.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on July 06, 2022, 09:28:57 AM
I really wanted to ride my Indy Ti149s with the stock bushings. But after few sessions one top bushing started to splinter and turning was.. strange. New cycle of Film bushings. I hope it's gonna be good enough for this round...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ish_wav on July 06, 2022, 03:08:53 PM
I’m riding forged hollow 149s on an Anti Hero rn but I want to try forged hollow 144s that I just bought… would it be crazy if I just swapped the hangers? That would definitely work right?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on July 06, 2022, 03:17:26 PM
I’m riding forged hollow 149s on an Anti Hero rn but I want to try forged hollow 144s that I just bought… would it be crazy if I just swapped the hangers? That would definitely work right?

yes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on July 06, 2022, 04:32:53 PM
Dropped off a stack of old boards and wheel at the skatepark, mailed those Royal trucks (thanks @LebowskisRug) to my friend back home to skate until they crack, sorted all my old bearings into the metal recycling, and didn't buy a single thing over the 4th of July sales.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 06, 2022, 06:47:25 PM
Dropped off a stack of old boards and wheel at the skatepark, mailed those Royal trucks (thanks @LebowskisRug) to my friend back home to skate until they crack, sorted all my old bearings into the metal recycling, and didn't buy a single thing over the 4th of July sales.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f9/7b/7d/f97b7d80b9f5b14ce1be886168c64d33.gif)

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Ah shit I tried out a friends setup (FA 8.25 with Indy Hollows w/ Cast plates) - 2 components I would not have considered riding especially the tall / heavy Indys. Solid pop, stick to your feet kind of setup you instantly connect with.

Shit's got my mind wondering.

FUCK!!
[close]


If you had those or something similar in stock, you could do some "product testing research" otherwise a single skate / session on something different might just be a curious interest.

Others I know preferred the hollow forged varieties coming from or swapping back and forth between Thunder and Venture, but that might have made things even more weird now.


Have another session on your own board before making any other decisions.



I know that's the smart thing to do, should have skated his setup for more than just 2 ollies to see if the novelty wore off. Doesn't help that I have some 8.5s on hand which got me thinking of sizing up but I don't want to get into a brand new ecosystem of 8.5" trucks.

Doesn't help that I can't pinpoint what caused me to like his setup. The height + weight of Indys? The steep FA kicks? 54mm Bones Wheels?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 06, 2022, 07:51:59 PM

I know that's the smart thing to do, should have skated his setup for more than just 2 ollies to see if the novelty wore off. Doesn't help that I have some 8.5s on hand which got me thinking of sizing up but I don't want to get into a brand new ecosystem of 8.5" trucks.

Doesn't help that I can't pinpoint what caused me to like his setup. The height + weight of Indys? The steep FA kicks? 54mm Bones Wheels?


Yeah, too many variables right there.

For me sizing up was worse than pulling teeth, as I had my usual 8.12 black eagle on 139s as a normal board, then had one blue eagle 8.5 on 149s with all those proportionate parts, as well as a white eagle 8.75 on 159s too, but the bigger boards were always more just a fun roll around rather than trying the same things on them.

I still skate my old smaller boards sometimes (trying some flip tricks occasionally) but more so now I have let that go and just been more so rolling around and doing everything else (no flips really, but I did a month or so ago just for a laugh) on the bigger 8.38 or 8.5 sized boards as my usual go to.

Sure others can flip and throw around bigger boards when they get used to them (and even I could too if I really tried) but to say it changes everything to go up is an understatement.


If you had the space and resources, I found it is good to have one or more of the different / bigger boards set up and there if you needed to try it again, or other sizes than you usually skate, just so if or when the madness takes hold, you can jump on it and have it, or even for others to try, but with constraints on space or other things, it might be better to just stick to the good sizes and things you know and focus on that.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on July 06, 2022, 08:45:08 PM
Sounds like maybe it was just a good graphic….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 06, 2022, 10:44:32 PM
Sounds like maybe it was just a good graphic….

Can't be, it was a FA deck....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 07, 2022, 05:57:32 AM
It's not surprising basic Indy's work on an FA/Hockey considering most of their riders skate Indy and Thunder.

They have wide but not long tails and the tail isn't too steep. For me it's the nose and short WB that fucks me up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 07, 2022, 06:49:19 AM
i cannot stand that super steep kick shovel nose FA shape. Quasis are kinda similar too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on July 07, 2022, 06:52:09 AM
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I have to renew my license and insurance this week.
I’m like 200 short.

My mind is screaming to buy 6.1s. I definitely don’t need new trucks. I want them.

I don’t even got shoes rn. Wtf is my problem
[close]

what size shoe do you wear?

8.5

My feets is tini
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 07, 2022, 06:58:12 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I have to renew my license and insurance this week.
I’m like 200 short.

My mind is screaming to buy 6.1s. I definitely don’t need new trucks. I want them.

I don’t even got shoes rn. Wtf is my problem
[close]

what size shoe do you wear?
[close]

8.5

My feets is tini

ah dang. I'm a size 10. was going to see if you wanted these lakai trudgers i skated in a couple times, not digging them personally. If you grow a size and a half theyre yours lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on July 07, 2022, 09:42:47 AM
Man I wish concave didn't differ between decks in a press. DLX III is like my Goldilocks but I am still a kook going through every deck in a shop to get one

A DLX III were also always my favorite. Then one day I got a Anti Hero I and yeah..

As far as my experiences go, a DLX III is really similar concave wise to Darkroom and Magenta decks. Both from BBS too.

You know how the homie @Mbrimson88 says..

Just a few options.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sila on July 07, 2022, 09:58:58 AM
The only madness that has taken a hold of me is shoe madness. I've never found a pair that I could stick with.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on July 07, 2022, 10:27:30 AM
Its all just too fucking tempting.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lukabrazi on July 07, 2022, 10:46:37 AM
i cannot stand that super steep kick shovel nose FA shape. Quasis are kinda similar too.

I’m the opposite , give me that square ass full shape ! Nollie Noseslide and nollie crooks work so well , I love that nollie and switch pop it gives off as well

Skated Alien Workshop and Habitat decks growing up which definitely had those square shapes from PSstix and I’ve really enjoyed FA 8-8.18” , Quasi / GX / WKND 8.125” quasi’s was a little bit more mellow it felt like .

PSstix GX 8.25” is a crazy type of tapered shape , where the front truck is 8.125” , the back truck 8” , and in between is 8.25 , really squared off shape too , im intrigued to try it but will stick with the 8.125”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 07, 2022, 11:11:28 AM
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i cannot stand that super steep kick shovel nose FA shape. Quasis are kinda similar too.
[close]

I’m the opposite , give me that square ass full shape ! Nollie Noseslide and nollie crooks work so well , I love that nollie and switch pop it gives off as well

Skated Alien Workshop and Habitat decks growing up which definitely had those square shapes from PSstix and I’ve really enjoyed FA 8-8.18” , Quasi / GX / WKND 8.125” quasi’s was a little bit more mellow it felt like .

PSstix GX 8.25” is a crazy type of tapered shape , where the front truck is 8.125” , the back truck 8” , and in between is 8.25 , really squared off shape too , im intrigued to try it but will stick with the 8.125”

Do you do flip tricks a lot? Thats where i hate them specifically.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 07, 2022, 11:40:03 AM
Same. I like the Baker nose a lot. It's a bit longer but tapered for a quick flick.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Knee Pain on July 07, 2022, 02:31:20 PM
i cannot stand that super steep kick shovel nose FA shape. Quasis are kinda similar too.

The Hockey shape is too steep for me, even the 8.44 tapered shape. I find Quasi to be much more mellow though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 07, 2022, 02:49:18 PM
Can verify Quasi are more mellow and I like the tail more.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on July 07, 2022, 10:04:26 PM
The only madness that has taken a hold of me is shoe madness. I've never found a pair that I could stick with.

Damn that’s the only madness I don’t have right now
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on July 07, 2022, 10:45:03 PM
I wasn’t going to say anything but I have no idea how you skate in those pants….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: djoekr on July 08, 2022, 12:31:25 AM
The only madness that has taken a hold of me is shoe madness. I've never found a pair that I could stick with.

I haven't settled on a deck, but my madness is mostly cured. Always riding Reebok Club C's, Indy 159s, 54mm Spitfire Conical Full and Bones bearings & bushings. I've got a 9 inch Polar popsicle I'm skating right now which I really like, but I've still got a 8.75 popsicle, 2 9 inch Heroin Zane shaped decks and a Huffer lying around. I'm starting to come to terms that I might not find my holy grail deck. Switching it up has been fun for me, so for now I'm fine with where I'm at. Having a stack of decks does make me feel kinda guilty about hoarding gear, but at least it motivates me to go out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: typeischeap on July 08, 2022, 05:11:56 AM
Yeah, other than shoes I think I've stabilized. I measured my last three "favorite" decks and they are all 8.5, all 14.38, and all have the same nose and tail dimensions just a bit of variance in taper. Indys are 149/159 w/ forged plates. I've tried a lot of wheels but conical full 53mm/101a seem to be my sweet spot, the smaller harder full seems to make them less clunky than the larger sizes I've tried and they still lock in better on coping than radials and classics.

Don't get me started on shoes...madness...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sloppy Krooks on July 08, 2022, 05:54:30 AM
Boards I’m not mad at all. I like trying all sorts of stuff, from polarizers to 9-inch popsicles to SCRAMs to downhill boards so.

But my madness is pants. How baggy they are, how they hang, how they taper, how the look when I push, I hate how much I’m invested in it. Especially from 2000-2020 when it hard for me to find baggier stuff.

Now I’m happy with Polar 93s, 36-inch. They are pretty much ideal.
But maybe the best skate pant I ever had was a pair of Emerica brushed denim cargoes, called the ‘burnside’.

Burly yet soft and plush. And the perfect cut.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on July 08, 2022, 11:23:06 AM
Boards I’m not mad at all. I like trying all sorts of stuff, from polarizers to 9-inch popsicles to SCRAMs to downhill boards so.

But my madness is pants. How baggy they are, how they hand, how they taper, how the look when I push, I hate how much I’m invested in it. Especially from 2000-2020 when it hard for me to find baggier stuff.

Now I’m happy with Polar 93s, 36-inch. They are pretty much ideal.
But maybe the best skate pant I ever had was a pair of Emerica brushed denim cargoes, called the ‘burnside’.

Burly yet soft and plush. And the perfect cut.

I was going way too hard with pants purchases for most of last year.  For the past three or four months I’ve pretty much only been skating these and they have served me well.  They’re a little thick but it doesn’t bother me cause they’re quite durable.  Not sure if anyone else has skated them and liked them…

https://www.carhartt.com/product/B11/loose-fit-washed-duck-utility-work-pant
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on July 09, 2022, 12:00:06 AM
I notice that when I skate Indy's, my boards tail & nose doesnt have a as centered wear. As in I pop with the board not level. Anyone else noticed this? I guess its bcuz im not a long time indy skater, and not used to them 100% yet
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 09, 2022, 09:13:01 PM
I notice that when I skate Indy's, my boards tail & nose doesnt have a as centered wear. As in I pop with the board not level. Anyone else noticed this? I guess its bcuz im not a long time indy skater, and not used to them 100% yet


I think certain tricks will always wear the tail more on the side too, compared to just straight ollies which usually wear the tail fairly straight across, or a little to toe side more than anything.

When I was doing a lot more frontside pop shovits, I would wear more off the heel side as I would put my toe right over, but that is a very limited use.

People who do pressure flips or impossibles really destroy the tail in a very diagonal wear on the toe side.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 13, 2022, 11:32:27 AM
welp, had a couple lame sessions on the thunders and went back to the indys. Back to the drawing board. I do feel like im getting closer though. Is this part of the madness? an illusion of progression while moving in a circle?

My biggest takeaways from the thunders were that i enjoyed the WB and stability, but i did not like the grind, and the baseplate issue bothered my blunts on rails. Nose and tailslides were manageable.

I'm itching to try a longer WB board with indy's now. I had them on an antihero 8.38 with a 14.5 wb not too long ago and they felt good. I'm not sure how many brands make boards 8.5 and smaller with a 14.5+ WB though.

And I've got a stack of 8.3 dlx twin tail slicks that i dont want to waste haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TastyBurrito on July 13, 2022, 12:53:29 PM
welp, had a couple lame sessions on the thunders and went back to the indys. Back to the drawing board. I do feel like im getting closer though. Is this part of the madness? an illusion of progression while moving in a circle?

My biggest takeaways from the thunders were that i enjoyed the WB and stability, but i did not like the grind, and the baseplate issue bothered my blunts on rails. Nose and tailslides were manageable.

I'm itching to try a longer WB board with indy's now. I had them on an antihero 8.38 with a 14.5 wb not too long ago and they felt good. I'm not sure how many brands make boards 8.5 and smaller with a 14.5+ WB though.

And I've got a stack of 8.3 dlx twin tail slicks that i dont want to waste haha.

Decks I've ridden that fit that:

Quasi has some 8.5 with a 14.5 WB.
Creatures 8.6 decks (usually pro models like Russell, Martinez, Lockwood, etc.) are 8.6 with a 14.6 WB
AH18 BA was an 8.38 with a 14.6WB

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on July 13, 2022, 02:11:46 PM
i have my trucks at the absolute peak of fiddling (Indy 149 ti, but with cast baseplates and hollow kingpins, with aftermarket indy conical bushings with small washers on the bottom in place of the bigger ones, and riptide pivot cups), but every once in awhile I throw it all together on forged plates, enjoy the featherweight feeling of the board in my hands, and then immediately regret my decision and put them back together again on the cast plates. 

ive come to accept it's a ritual i go through about every 3-4 months, and try to find zen/solace in the mere act of tinkering... but then I also think to myself:

(http://y.yarn.co/062fff19-4fb5-44d5-bbc3-f40ac9227511_text.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on July 13, 2022, 02:33:56 PM
welp, had a couple lame sessions on the thunders and went back to the indys. Back to the drawing board. I do feel like im getting closer though. Is this part of the madness? an illusion of progression while moving in a circle?

My biggest takeaways from the thunders were that i enjoyed the WB and stability, but i did not like the grind, and the baseplate issue bothered my blunts on rails. Nose and tailslides were manageable.

I'm itching to try a longer WB board with indy's now. I had them on an antihero 8.38 with a 14.5 wb not too long ago and they felt good. I'm not sure how many brands make boards 8.5 and smaller with a 14.5+ WB though.

And I've got a stack of 8.3 dlx twin tail slicks that i dont want to waste haha.

So no Thunders because of the grind? Damn.

I admittedly am not into the idea of Thunders, and I’ve been all over these threads praising Indys, but a couple weeks ago I found myself browsing the internet purchasing some 8.75” Thunder Team Hollows because I figured they might be advantageous for slappys, crooks, and 5-0s because of the pinch.  I’ve yet to set them up though and just had a great session on Indys today.  We shall see…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on July 13, 2022, 02:34:15 PM
I'm not sure how many brands make boards 8.5 and smaller with a 14.5+ WB though.

And I've got a stack of 8.3 dlx twin tail slicks that i dont want to waste haha.

Creature / Santa Cruz have their 8.375x32 shape that has full nose/tail and a 14.5 wheelbase, as well as an 8.3x32.2 with a 14.5 wheelbase.  Settle for the least offensive graphic - because you aren't going to get a good one.   

 They have another 8.375 with a more tapered tail/nose that has a shorter wheelbase.  Make sure you are looking at the longer.

I picked up one of the 8.375 ones a month or so ago and put Ace AF1 55s on it.  I had the same shape in the past with Indy stage 8 on it and loved it.  With the Ace, I think I've ridden it two or three times since I built it.  It's the build that made me realize I just need to stick to Indy and skate whatever shape works with Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 13, 2022, 05:25:11 PM
welp, had a couple lame sessions on the thunders and went back to the indys. Back to the drawing board. I do feel like im getting closer though. Is this part of the madness? an illusion of progression while moving in a circle?

My biggest takeaways from the thunders were that i enjoyed the WB and stability, but i did not like the grind, and the baseplate issue bothered my blunts on rails. Nose and tailslides were manageable.

I'm itching to try a longer WB board with indy's now. I had them on an antihero 8.38 with a 14.5 wb not too long ago and they felt good. I'm not sure how many brands make boards 8.5 and smaller with a 14.5+ WB though.

And I've got a stack of 8.3 dlx twin tail slicks that i dont want to waste haha.

I did the opposite almost. Had a few lame sessions on Indys and was re-thinking of Thunders. I did like them and they are more stable. My nollie/switch pop is always good on them but I don't get as much height on other tricks. Grind is fine and the baseplate thing doesn't bother me. I think part of it is mental block against wanting to admit I skate with my trucks a bit tighter than I ran em in the past. Slowly getting rid of all my spare shit but having the hardest time getting rid of my trucks.

Also, my deck has felt weird since my flight, but I can't imagine that pros fly and just hope their boards make it to the other side with no issues. Would seem weird only Slap has issues with it. Is the checked baggage area not pressurized as the rest of the cabin? I landed on it pretty hard and heard a crack, but nothing is visible so I am still rolling it.

First few sessions when I got my current Real 8.25 were great, but now I'm feeling squarely and cramped and not quite sold.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 13, 2022, 08:34:43 PM

Decks I've ridden that fit that:

Quasi has some 8.5 with a 14.5 WB.
Creatures 8.6 decks (usually pro models like Russell, Martinez, Lockwood, etc.) are 8.6 with a 14.6 WB
AH18 BA was an 8.38 with a 14.6WB

Might have to find that anti hero shape


Creature / Santa Cruz have their 8.375x32 shape that has full nose/tail and a 14.5 wheelbase, as well as an 8.3x32.2 with a 14.5 wheelbase.  Settle for the least offensive graphic - because you aren't going to get a good one.   


I can pretty confidently say I'll never buy a Santa Cruz board. The shape/dims would have to be perfect on the creature, and not be fucking lime green lol


So no Thunders because of the grind? Damn.

I admittedly am not into the idea of Thunders, and I’ve been all over these threads praising Indys, but a couple weeks ago I found myself browsing the internet purchasing some 8.75” Thunder Team Hollows because I figured they might be advantageous for slappys, crooks, and 5-0s because of the pinch.  I’ve yet to set them up though and just had a great session on Indys today.  We shall see…

The grind and turn. the pop feel and height were 50/50, sometimes I loved it other times it bothered me.

The difference in pinch between thunder 148 team baseplates, vs Indy 144 forged baseplates wasn't huge imo. I felt like the better grind from the Indy usually more than compensated for the slightly worse pinch. I really felt the need to wax, and wax regularly with thunders. Indys just plow through shit for me. I also skated indys the longest so I feel like that probably plays into how I get into/sit in some of my tricks. I like slappies, crooks, and 5-0's better on indys. But with enough wax, I can see how someone might prefer crooks and 5-0s on thunders if it suited how they did those tricks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 14, 2022, 09:43:55 AM
went back and read my previous posts about my initial thoughts on switching to thunders, made me feel like a crazy person that just realized they were crazy. halp.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on July 14, 2022, 09:50:26 AM
It’s pretty funny how this thread started with a bunch of posters talking about slimming down to one or two completes, keeping their trucks, not worrying about wheelbases, and now it’s just the usual people talking about how the .005m addition to the length of their trucks is throwing everything off and buying a new set of trucks because of it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 14, 2022, 10:09:32 AM
It’s pretty funny how this thread started with a bunch of posters talking about slimming down to one or two completes, keeping their trucks, not worrying about wheelbases, and now it’s just the usual people talking about how the .005m addition to the length of their trucks is throwing everything off and buying a new set of trucks because of it.

lol its a "support" thread, we need to provide solace and serenity to those in times of madness. however that may be.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on July 14, 2022, 11:32:46 AM
Back on 52mm wheels.  56 felt weird.  I'll just suffer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ronnie Rodriguez on July 14, 2022, 11:46:09 AM
Expand Quote
It’s pretty funny how this thread started with a bunch of posters talking about slimming down to one or two completes, keeping their trucks, not worrying about wheelbases, and now it’s just the usual people talking about how the .005m addition to the length of their trucks is throwing everything off and buying a new set of trucks because of it.
[close]

lol its a "support" thread, we need to provide solace and serenity to those in times of madness. however that may be.

Yeah, I kind of just made this so I (and others) could vent about their gear neuroses without derailing other threads too much.

Just going to report back that I've been very into my "normal sized" popsicle. I like that if anything happens to it, I can walk into any skate shop and get another one and don't have to be all, "Yo, I need 5 in case they stop making them". Also very into the Ventures (5.6 hollows) I've been skating. There was no negative impact on my slappy/no comply game moving away from a big boy with Indy or Ace.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: twic3 on July 14, 2022, 11:56:24 AM
So I've been skating full shape 8.5 for a while now but the thing is I wear size 8 shoes and my board is almost as wide as my foot, I have very little heel hanging off. It never bothered me before but now that I'm skating more street than transition, I feel like its holding me back especially mannys and flat ground. Mostly bs flips and scooping (atleast I never heel drag though).

What are your guys thoughts on the amount of heel hanging off the board?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 14, 2022, 11:57:40 AM
Back on 52mm wheels.  56 felt weird.  I'll just suffer.

No love for 54mm? I ride 52mm almost exclusively but love a skinny 54mm for that balance of speed and tech.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 14, 2022, 12:27:21 PM
So I've been skating full shape 8.5 for a while now but the thing is I wear size 8 shoes and my board is almost as wide as my foot, I have very little heel hanging off. It never bothered me before but now that I'm skating more street than transition, I feel like its holding me back especially mannys and flat ground. Mostly bs flips and scooping (atleast I never heel drag though).

What are your guys thoughts on the amount of heel hanging off the board?

No thoughts on how much heel should hang. but i wear a size 10 and skate 8.3-8.5, been on 8.3 or 8.38 for like a year or so now, I'm more of a street guy.

I'd say try 8.25, super common board size, and plenty of guys with bigger feet rip boards of that size on transition too.

If you're feeling wild, go for an 8", but i feel like the 8.25 will probably feel small enough to scratch that itch for a more flippy board without being a super harsh adjustment. Truck width matters just as much or more than board width when it comes to flippyness. would def recommend new trucks for the smaller board too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bbk on July 14, 2022, 01:38:23 PM
So I bought more shoes...

First my friend wanted me to order from the emerica site for him, so I picked up the JULIAN DAVIDSON gamma g6 and blk/gum wino slips for half off and cursed myself a bit. Then at night I browsed junkyard.com and saw that they did 3 for 2 on sale, and that they had a bunch of good emericas on 70% off, so I got a pair of pillars, temples, etnies joslin vulc, two pairs of tilt g6s and a set of satori top shelf 52 mm, all for 17-18 euros each.

A couple of weeks back I picked up some walkers, gilbert 2 lows and bulls skate halfcabs at a sample sale.

I don't know how many shoes I own, but it's more than 100.
No nike's though, fuck a nike.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on July 14, 2022, 02:06:52 PM
Is this also the thread to brag? I'm gonna do it.
I haven't bought anything skate related in exactly one month
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on July 14, 2022, 02:27:10 PM
So I've been skating full shape 8.5 for a while now but the thing is I wear size 8 shoes and my board is almost as wide as my foot, I have very little heel hanging off. It never bothered me before but now that I'm skating more street than transition, I feel like its holding me back especially mannys and flat ground. Mostly bs flips and scooping (atleast I never heel drag though).

What are your guys thoughts on the amount of heel hanging off the board?

I wear a US 7.5 and ride a 8.25 as my regular board. So only a bit of heel hanging off the board, I like it that way.

But I also ride a 8.9 sometimes and I can do all my flips with that setup too, just not as highly popped.

No need to overthink when it feels good.

In relation to this thread.. Sole Tech changed their shoe sizing a few years ago. As much as I like Emerica and Etnies, my feet are always swimming in their shoes.
I haven't yet found a narrow slim shoe that fits me as well as Lakai's for example. The Vince Alvarez pro shoe, the Atlantic is pretty good for my weird feet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on July 14, 2022, 02:34:16 PM
Expand Quote
So I've been skating full shape 8.5 for a while now but the thing is I wear size 8 shoes and my board is almost as wide as my foot, I have very little heel hanging off. It never bothered me before but now that I'm skating more street than transition, I feel like its holding me back especially mannys and flat ground. Mostly bs flips and scooping (atleast I never heel drag though).

What are your guys thoughts on the amount of heel hanging off the board?
[close]

I wear a US 7.5 and ride a 8.25 as my regular board. So only a bit of heel hanging off the board, I like it that way.

But I also ride a 8.9 sometimes and I can do all my flips with that setup too, just not as highly popped.

No need to overthink when it feels good.

In relation to this thread.. Sole Tech changed their shoe sizing a few years ago. As much as I like Emerica and Etnies, my feet are always swimming in their shoes.
I haven't yet found a narrow slim shoe that fits me as well as Lakai's for example. The Vince Alvarez pro shoe, the Atlantic is pretty good for my weird feet.

I think having at least a little bit of heel hanging off the board helps with control. Easier to wrap your toes around the toe side whilst having counterbalance on the other side, plus easier to put pressure on the heel/toe sides of the board.

That being said, I kinda have the opposite problem. I'm size 13 and skate between 8.25-8.5 so often skate just on my forefoot/toes (which is good for some things). 8.5 is very comfortable for me though.

I think as long as you don't get too much toe/heel drag, feel comfortable, can easily apply pressure on either side of the board without struggling, but can also skate slightly tiptoed instead of completely flat footed, you're in a good spot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: layzieyez on July 14, 2022, 03:24:02 PM
Is this also the thread to brag? I'm gonna do it.
I haven't bought anything skate related in exactly one month
The only thing I’ve bought is a 917 hoodie for my son as a surprise for his upcoming birthday.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on July 14, 2022, 05:11:32 PM
Is this also the thread to brag? I'm gonna do it.
I haven't bought anything skate related in exactly one month

I bought ibuprofin.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on July 14, 2022, 05:52:54 PM
Expand Quote
Is this also the thread to brag? I'm gonna do it.
I haven't bought anything skate related in exactly one month
[close]

I bought ibuprofin.

...I bought 4 Heroin decks to keep on ice  :-X
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 14, 2022, 06:26:42 PM
Back on 52mm wheels.  56 felt weird.  I'll just suffer.


Was that on the big egg?

I am all for 56mm wheels on some boards - usually transition or lazy day boards, but definitely not on every board, with 50 to 52 being more common on street or curb setups nowdays.

If you mix and match that will often be ok, but if you don't really skate much else, then it is a bit of a weird one, as you said.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Allen. on July 14, 2022, 06:40:50 PM
My shoe size has changed drastically due to getting enough protein and now I’ve noticed changes drastically from beginning, middle, and end of the day. True life - I’m 31 and I don’t know my shoe size and it’s fucking killing me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 14, 2022, 06:56:27 PM
My shoe size has changed drastically due to getting enough protein and now I’ve noticed changes drastically from beginning, middle, and end of the day. True life - I’m 31 and I don’t know my shoe size and it’s fucking killing me

Size up
If you can go to a running store, they might size you up, and/or help you determine your arch length.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on July 14, 2022, 07:07:17 PM
Expand Quote
Back on 52mm wheels.  56 felt weird.  I'll just suffer.
[close]


Was that on the big egg?

I am all for 56mm wheels on some boards - usually transition or lazy day boards, but definitely not on every board, with 50 to 52 being more common on street or curb setups nowdays.

If you mix and match that will often be ok, but if you don't really skate much else, then it is a bit of a weird one, as you said.

Yeah.  It was fun at first but then it just felt wrong.  Played around a bit, threw the 52s back on, and all was right in the world.  Guess I have a type.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 14, 2022, 07:30:19 PM
My shoe size has changed drastically due to getting enough protein and now I’ve noticed changes drastically from beginning, middle, and end of the day. True life - I’m 31 and I don’t know my shoe size and it’s fucking killing me

I'm not sure why, but this made me laugh.

Pick the smallest shoe you can that doesn't care your foot in. If that means going a half size bigger than you normally would, just do it. I crammed into shoes for a while because I liked feeling snug in my skate shoes, but it just wrecked my feet. Try high/midtops out of the bigger size feels too loose. Tightening around the ankles makes them more snug without crushing your feet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: stupidfuckface on July 15, 2022, 05:03:44 AM
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So I've been skating full shape 8.5 for a while now but the thing is I wear size 8 shoes and my board is almost as wide as my foot, I have very little heel hanging off. It never bothered me before but now that I'm skating more street than transition, I feel like its holding me back especially mannys and flat ground. Mostly bs flips and scooping (atleast I never heel drag though).

What are your guys thoughts on the amount of heel hanging off the board?
[close]

I wear a US 7.5 and ride a 8.25 as my regular board. So only a bit of heel hanging off the board, I like it that way.

But I also ride a 8.9 sometimes and I can do all my flips with that setup too, just not as highly popped.

No need to overthink when it feels good.

In relation to this thread.. Sole Tech changed their shoe sizing a few years ago. As much as I like Emerica and Etnies, my feet are always swimming in their shoes.
I haven't yet found a narrow slim shoe that fits me as well as Lakai's for example. The Vince Alvarez pro shoe, the Atlantic is pretty good for my weird feet.

If you want narrow and slim, the Ishod will be perfect
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on July 15, 2022, 05:16:53 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
So I've been skating full shape 8.5 for a while now but the thing is I wear size 8 shoes and my board is almost as wide as my foot, I have very little heel hanging off. It never bothered me before but now that I'm skating more street than transition, I feel like its holding me back especially mannys and flat ground. Mostly bs flips and scooping (atleast I never heel drag though).

What are your guys thoughts on the amount of heel hanging off the board?
[close]

I wear a US 7.5 and ride a 8.25 as my regular board. So only a bit of heel hanging off the board, I like it that way.

But I also ride a 8.9 sometimes and I can do all my flips with that setup too, just not as highly popped.

No need to overthink when it feels good.

In relation to this thread.. Sole Tech changed their shoe sizing a few years ago. As much as I like Emerica and Etnies, my feet are always swimming in their shoes.
I haven't yet found a narrow slim shoe that fits me as well as Lakai's for example. The Vince Alvarez pro shoe, the Atlantic is pretty good for my weird feet.
[close]

If you want narrow and slim, the Ishod will be perfect

I like Ishod but I don't like the Nike empire. Same reason I don't buy Converse, although I really like them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on July 15, 2022, 09:26:19 AM
My shoe size has changed drastically due to getting enough protein and now I’ve noticed changes drastically from beginning, middle, and end of the day. True life - I’m 31 and I don’t know my shoe size and it’s fucking killing me

When I chilled out on cycling and started skating more, my foot went from 8.5 to 9-9.5 (depending on make), I think because my arches started collapsing as I was getting so much more impact than I had been before.

As for skate stuff, I bought two Violet decks when they were $35 because my Polar is at the end of its life and the only deck I have on ice is a substandard shop deck I bought on Black Friday. I bought a single set of those new Bones wheels and they ended up sending me five, three sets of which I gave away.

As I said up thread, I took a stack of decks and wheels to the park, sent my unskated Royals to a friend who breaks trucks pretty regularly. My stash now is limited to what fits in a small popcorn tin and a box with three or four oddball decks I will eventually get around to skating, and two completes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 15, 2022, 10:11:22 AM
My rock climbing shoes are only a half size up from literally the smallest thing I can stuff my foot into. My street shoe size is a 43.5 EU and my climbing shoes are a 41.5, 42 in the summer if my feet swell.  During the climbing season I am a size 9.5 and during the rest of the year I am a 10-10.5. Imagine how that fucks with your skate shoes.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 16, 2022, 02:24:07 AM
This thread is the embodiment of The Cobra Effect:

Quote
The Cobra effect occurs when incentives designed to solve a problem end up rewarding people for making it worse. The term originated in an anecdote that describes an occurrence in India under British rule. The British government was so concerned about the number of venomous cobras in Delhi it offered a bounty for every dead cobra. Initially, this was a successful strategy and large numbers of snakes were killed for the reward. However, unscrupulous entrepreneurs began to breed cobras.  When the government became aware of this money making exercise, the programme was scrapped, leaving cobra breeders with thousands of worthless snakes which they then freed, thus increasing the wild cobra population.
https://the10group.com/the-cobra-effect-what-could-possibly-go-wrong

Gave my friends Indy setup another to decide if I wanted to go down that route. The heft and height was giving me nice floaty ollies but the weight really became a factor when I started trying kickflip. I'd say that was the answer I needed (no), then thought maybe I should franken-truck them, Titanium Axle with a Cast Baseplate.

(https://c.tenor.com/SETwYcy-cDUAAAAC/headache-migraine.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 16, 2022, 07:36:12 AM
I have Ti axles with cast plates. I originally had the forged plates and got some cast ones later. It's basically the same weight as a hollow but doesn't have that weird hollow axle sound. I don't think it's much if any lighter feeling than a standard, which is on my other board.

Right now I'm in full madness. I've got 2 different setups where the only variable is the deck:

DLX 8.25: feels more consistent and snappy and my flip tricks are better, but it's not as stable for lots of other things. Oddly my tailslides and slappies feel a bit more outta control.

DLX 8.38: basically the opposite of above. It's great but flip tricks feel a bit rocket or kinda just flop over.

Now this is the true madness- skated 3 times for 2hrs each. Once at the park, once at the slappy spot, once in front of my house. Still no decision, but this is peak kook behavior.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wafools on July 16, 2022, 01:30:08 PM
I have Ti axles with cast plates. I originally had the forged plates and got some cast ones later. It's basically the same weight as a hollow but doesn't have that weird hollow axle sound. I don't think it's much if any lighter feeling than a standard, which is on my other board.

Right now I'm in full madness. I've got 2 different setups where the only variable is the deck:

DLX 8.25: feels more consistent and snappy and my flip tricks are better, but it's not as stable for lots of other things. Oddly my tailslides and slappies feel a bit more outta control.

DLX 8.38: basically the opposite of above. It's great but flip tricks feel a bit rocket or kinda just flop over.

Now this is the true madness- skated 3 times for 2hrs each. Once at the park, once at the slappy spot, once in front of my house. Still no decision, but this is peak kook behavior.
Naw I feel like that’s normal behavior for this thread. I ran into a friend while I was grabbing lunch and went on for 10 min about the difference in Allen hardware between brands. That’s a sickness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 16, 2022, 04:32:24 PM
Expand Quote
I have Ti axles with cast plates. I originally had the forged plates and got some cast ones later. It's basically the same weight as a hollow but doesn't have that weird hollow axle sound. I don't think it's much if any lighter feeling than a standard, which is on my other board.

Right now I'm in full madness. I've got 2 different setups where the only variable is the deck:

DLX 8.25: feels more consistent and snappy and my flip tricks are better, but it's not as stable for lots of other things. Oddly my tailslides and slappies feel a bit more outta control.

DLX 8.38: basically the opposite of above. It's great but flip tricks feel a bit rocket or kinda just flop over.

Now this is the true madness- skated 3 times for 2hrs each. Once at the park, once at the slappy spot, once in front of my house. Still no decision, but this is peak kook behavior.
[close]
Naw I feel like that’s normal behavior for this thread. I ran into a friend while I was grabbing lunch and went on for 10 min about the difference in Allen hardware between brands. That’s a sickness.

Nah, that's true friendship.

Edit: if he's a Philips head guy then disown him and find new friends

Stepped on a friends Hockey with Thunder Hollow Lights and that felt great too, got me questioning my loyalty to the big V.

(https://c.tenor.com/jr9t3yabkH8AAAAC/ah-shit-here-we-go-again.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on July 16, 2022, 09:44:52 PM
My shoe size has changed drastically due to getting enough protein and now I’ve noticed changes drastically from beginning, middle, and end of the day. True life - I’m 31 and I don’t know my shoe size and it’s fucking killing me

i feel ya. ya ain’t alone in this. went from a size 9 to 6.5 within 10 years. a damn shame i thought it was all over at 7 and stocked up on a bunch of shoes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 17, 2022, 08:46:51 PM
Truck madness is hitting me hard, everyone's setup feels great except my own. Going to stop being stubborn and tighten up my trucks, see if that helps, before I work through the brands.

Anyone ride 144 trucks on an 8.5 deck? I have an 8.5 deck that's been sitting around, don't have 149 trucks but lots of 144 trucks (AF1 Low, Thunder 148, Venture 5.6).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on July 17, 2022, 09:12:42 PM
Truck madness is hitting me hard, everyone's setup feels great except my own. Going to stop being stubborn and tighten up my trucks, see if that helps, before I work through the brands.

Anyone ride 144 trucks on an 8.5 deck? I have an 8.5 deck that's been sitting around, don't have 149 trucks but lots of 144 trucks (AF1 Low, Thunder 148, Venture 5.6).

Yeah I’ve done it and it’s chill. Can also put some washers on the inside
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 17, 2022, 09:54:03 PM
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It’s pretty funny how this thread started with a bunch of posters talking about slimming down to one or two completes, keeping their trucks, not worrying about wheelbases, and now it’s just the usual people talking about how the .005m addition to the length of their trucks is throwing everything off and buying a new set of trucks because of it.
[close]

lol its a "support" thread, we need to provide solace and serenity to those in times of madness. however that may be.
[close]

Yeah, I kind of just made this so I (and others) could vent about their gear neuroses without derailing other threads too much.

Just going to report back that I've been very into my "normal sized" popsicle. I like that if anything happens to it, I can walk into any skate shop and get another one and don't have to be all, "Yo, I need 5 in case they stop making them". Also very into the Ventures (5.6 hollows) I've been skating. There was no negative impact on my slappy/no comply game moving away from a big boy with Indy or Ace.

I’ve been on this one setup 99% of the time (record for me):

8” ps
5.2 venture lo’s
51 f4 classic shape, 99s
Quantums
Mob
Dunks

There are some disadvantages, namely rough ground, and I haven’t gone to a park, but for the skating I do (flatground bullshit), the above setup works as good as possible for me. I hope I just stick with it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 18, 2022, 05:46:15 AM
After my affair with tunders, and returning to indys. I thought i may want to go back to 149s and an 8.5 over my 8.3 and 144s. I setup two near identical setups, ishod twin, indys, classic f4 spits. one was 8.3 with 144s, one was 8.5 with 149s. And I must say, overall i prefer the 8.3 i was already riding (which was a good feeling).  Funny enough after this recent bout with the madness, the one thing i actually changed about my setup was the wheels. I was on 56mm 99a f4 classics for the longest time. I got some 54mm 101a f4 classics to help with the baseplate issue when i swapped to thunders, and I think I actually prefer them. They have their drawbacks, but they suit my skating better. Might just swap in the 99s when it gets cold or i skate somewhere slippery.

Truck madness is hitting me hard, everyone's setup feels great except my own. Going to stop being stubborn and tighten up my trucks, see if that helps, before I work through the brands.

Anyone ride 144 trucks on an 8.5 deck? I have an 8.5 deck that's been sitting around, don't have 149 trucks but lots of 144 trucks (AF1 Low, Thunder 148, Venture 5.6).

Def tighten before swapping, I mentioned that somewhere earlier in this thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on July 18, 2022, 06:37:58 AM
Truck madness is hitting me hard, everyone's setup feels great except my own. Going to stop being stubborn and tighten up my trucks, see if that helps, before I work through the brands.

Anyone ride 144 trucks on an 8.5 deck? I have an 8.5 deck that's been sitting around, don't have 149 trucks but lots of 144 trucks (AF1 Low, Thunder 148, Venture 5.6).

Yeah, my 44s work great with 8.25-8.5" in my experience.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 18, 2022, 06:52:35 AM
Truck madness is hitting me hard, everyone's setup feels great except my own. Going to stop being stubborn and tighten up my trucks, see if that helps, before I work through the brands.

Anyone ride 144 trucks on an 8.5 deck? I have an 8.5 deck that's been sitting around, don't have 149 trucks but lots of 144 trucks (AF1 Low, Thunder 148, Venture 5.6).

Loads of people do it by stacking washers and there are some minor trade offs vs 8.5 decks, but it's not massive. I personally have been on 8.25 trucks for years and gone up to 8.5 with em and ride 8.38ish normally.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 19, 2022, 06:42:37 AM
Got super tired of going back and forth between setups so I gave my 8.25 to this kid at the park. I think there was a mental block in realizing that the longer board felt more comfortable but would require some re-learning of a few tricks or timing but that experience could be worth it to skate faster and more confidently otherwise. The 8.25 was considerably steeper and I don't want to get into the realm of messing with trucks for now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 20, 2022, 05:45:18 AM
I think a huge part of managing madness is understanding the interdependent relationship between the parameters of your skateboard. Understand when something is working for you, and if you're looking for a different feeling, there are ways to accomplish that without changing what you KNOW is working. Just some thoughts after my recent thunder/indy 144/149 debacle.

I liked the pop feel/stabililty of thunders but instead of changing my trucks, i feel like i shouldve sought out boards with a longer wb and shorter kicks.

I liked the hanger space on 149's, but in combination with the 56mm wheels i was on, and an 8.5 deck they were cumbersome to flip. I went to 54mm classics with some inside washers on my 144s and now i have a bit more hanger room.

I Feel like i should just keep some wheels on deck that work for various spots, because thats more objective than subjective. softer wider wheels DO work better on rougher or more slippery surfaces, thats a fact, not a random feeling of discontent/madness.

At that point is wheel madness even really madness? 101s most places, 99s or 97s if the place is kinda rough or slippery, and some softer wheels for those super crusty spots? could maybe even deal with 101s and 97s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on July 20, 2022, 11:29:43 AM
Instead of carrying two setups around with me (regular setup and filming/crusing setup) I am contemplating to just keep some soft cruiser wheels in my backpack.

Yeah I know, extra weight and changing wheels at the spot but that still seems better as carrying another setup.

What about those little soft rings(?) you could put over your regular wheels? I think Kenny Anderson showed them on his insta. But that was a while ago. Or can I make something similar by myself?

I hope ya all know what I mean.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 20, 2022, 11:33:40 AM
Thankfully I have never had wheel madness. Someone told me to get F4 99 and every time I've strayed from it I've just ended up coming back.

I've had 144's and 52-54 for a really long time. I had some forged hollow 149s and don't know what I did with them. They were on a commuter setup (8.5 FA with 55 conical fulls) which was actually pretty damn fun. I'm really interested in trying 149 or fuck it, 159s, but don't wanna have to get new grooves in trucks and shit.

Anyways, it's interesting the daily variation more than setup variation. I rode this same setup last Friday and was having the easiest time doing manuals on this ledge, then could only manage 1 today. On Friday my tre flips were disgusting- like bouncing off the ground and today were the most consistent and best I've had em in a long time.

I will say that this 8.38x14.5 Dreamer shape does have me wanting to explore a twin tail. Long WB, same tail, same concave, but shorter nose and overall length.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on July 27, 2022, 04:47:56 AM
We'll finally happened after nearly 5 years I'm over the 7.75. could be the one I'm riding is just super old but was riding it the other day and just thought "this kinda sucks, I'm over it" now I'm thinking I want like a 9x33 with long wheelbase but I'm looking at Indy 149,159,169 I have and really not keen. Got some really old thunder 149 titaniums but they're really low and I'd need smaller wheels. Anyone ride Willis Kimbell creature boards?anything weird about them you can't see in pics?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 27, 2022, 08:10:20 AM
We'll finally happened after nearly 5 years I'm over the 7.75. could be the one I'm riding is just super old but was riding it the other day and just thought "this kinda sucks, I'm over it" now I'm thinking I want like a 9x33 with long wheelbase but I'm looking at Indy 149,159,169 I have and really not keen. Got some really old thunder 149 titaniums but they're really low and I'd need smaller wheels. Anyone ride Willis Kimbell creature boards?anything weird about them you can't see in pics?

Creature Kimbel decks are pretty much the usual popsicle, 9 x 33 with 15 wb and good kicks, nothing weird or different, normal Creature / Santa Cruz concave which is steeper than most, but if you are used to them, it should be familiar to you - pretty much the same concave as Dwindle and a few other woodshops.

Overall Creature seemed to have kicks a little on the shorter side with some shapes, but the 9 x 33 that I saw a while back was really nice.

Being in AU, the old OCD deck size list is a good one to check:

https://www.ocdskateshop.com.au/collections/decks?pf_t_deck_width=actual_width1%3A9.0


For the same dimensions, AH has the orange eagle and other assorted graphics, as does a few other brands, then shorter versions but still good shapes from Polar, Heroin, Enjoi, and then something even shorter again like the Creature Stumps board, but that is more than enough for this thread.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on July 27, 2022, 08:11:10 AM
Ya the weird thing is that they only allow Spotify to play cut rare stoner metal and all your shoes change into Emericas.

Jokes aside, I finally went back to Thunders. I was probably gaslighting myself with Indy's, but I hadn't really spent a lot of time on them or skated the standards. After 7 months on them they're just not for me right now. My pop is great but consistency is low and even the forged don't work better for me. I skated Thunder from 2000-2008, then upon returning to skating from 2018-2021 with some small forays into Ace and Indy on my commuter setups.

It's refreshing to even have a bad day skating and not think about the gear one bit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on July 27, 2022, 08:23:10 AM
Expand Quote
We'll finally happened after nearly 5 years I'm over the 7.75. could be the one I'm riding is just super old but was riding it the other day and just thought "this kinda sucks, I'm over it" now I'm thinking I want like a 9x33 with long wheelbase but I'm looking at Indy 149,159,169 I have and really not keen. Got some really old thunder 149 titaniums but they're really low and I'd need smaller wheels. Anyone ride Willis Kimbell creature boards?anything weird about them you can't see in pics?
[close]

Creature Kimbel decks are pretty much the usual popsicle, 9 x 33 with 15 wb and good kicks, nothing weird or different, normal Creature / Santa Cruz concave which is steeper than most, but if you are used to them, it should be familiar to you - pretty much the same concave as Dwindle and a few other woodshops.

Overall Creature seemed to have kicks a little on the shorter side with some shapes, but the 9 x 33 that I saw a while back was really nice.

Being in AU, the old OCD deck size list is a good one to check:

https://www.ocdskateshop.com.au/collections/decks?pf_t_deck_width=actual_width1%3A9.0


For the same dimensions, AH has the orange eagle and other assorted graphics, as does a few other brands, then shorter versions but still good shapes from Polar, Heroin, Enjoi, and then something even shorter again like the Creature Stumps board, but that is more than enough for this thread.

Jumping from a 7.75" to a 9"? That's a huge leap. You're asking for a good few months wallowing in this thread. Maybe dance with some 8.5s for awhile?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on July 27, 2022, 10:17:08 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Well finally happened after nearly 5 years I'm over the 7.75. could be the one I'm riding is just super old but was riding it the other day and just thought "this kinda sucks, I'm over it" now I'm thinking I want like a 9x33 with long wheelbase but I'm looking at Indy 149,159,169 I have and really not keen. Got some really old thunder 149 titaniums but they're really low and I'd need smaller wheels. Anyone ride Willis Kimbell creature boards?anything weird about them you can't see in pics?
[close]

Creature Kimbel decks are pretty much the usual popsicle, 9 x 33 with 15 wb and good kicks, nothing weird or different, normal Creature / Santa Cruz concave which is steeper than most, but if you are used to them, it should be familiar to you - pretty much the same concave as Dwindle and a few other woodshops.

Overall Creature seemed to have kicks a little on the shorter side with some shapes, but the 9 x 33 that I saw a while back was really nice.

Being in AU, the old OCD deck size list is a good one to check:

https://www.ocdskateshop.com.au/collections/decks?pf_t_deck_width=actual_width1%3A9.0


For the same dimensions, AH has the orange eagle and other assorted graphics, as does a few other brands, then shorter versions but still good shapes from Polar, Heroin, Enjoi, and then something even shorter again like the Creature Stumps board, but that is more than enough for this thread.
[close]

Jumping from a 7.75" to a 9"? That's a huge leap. You're asking for a good few months wallowing in this thread. Maybe dance with some 8.5s for awhile?
In 20+ years I've already ridden almost everything. I did it the other way when I started with the 7.75 coming down from a 9. (Or maybe an 8.8 can't remember the actual last board). Got a bunch of 8.5ish boards but they spark no joy

Thanks @Mbrimson88 I was basically thinking creature vs orange eagle but weirdly always found creature goes well with thunders and AH good with Indy even tho you'd think it more likely go the other way (or more likely it's just in my head)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on July 27, 2022, 10:49:10 AM
It's refreshing to even have a bad day skating and not think about the gear one bit.

This. It's a great feeling!

It could very well be my gear madness is mostly self-inflicted illusion that it's about the gear, not the fact that I'm getting old and having other life commitments and schedules as well.

Funny that now when I recollect, I was riding some half-assed hand-me-downs most of my teen years and at least now it seems it was perfectly ok for me back then. There was also so little information available compared to internet age.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slugboi22 on July 27, 2022, 11:05:02 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Well finally happened after nearly 5 years I'm over the 7.75. could be the one I'm riding is just super old but was riding it the other day and just thought "this kinda sucks, I'm over it" now I'm thinking I want like a 9x33 with long wheelbase but I'm looking at Indy 149,159,169 I have and really not keen. Got some really old thunder 149 titaniums but they're really low and I'd need smaller wheels. Anyone ride Willis Kimbell creature boards?anything weird about them you can't see in pics?
[close]

Creature Kimbel decks are pretty much the usual popsicle, 9 x 33 with 15 wb and good kicks, nothing weird or different, normal Creature / Santa Cruz concave which is steeper than most, but if you are used to them, it should be familiar to you - pretty much the same concave as Dwindle and a few other woodshops.

Overall Creature seemed to have kicks a little on the shorter side with some shapes, but the 9 x 33 that I saw a while back was really nice.

Being in AU, the old OCD deck size list is a good one to check:

https://www.ocdskateshop.com.au/collections/decks?pf_t_deck_width=actual_width1%3A9.0


For the same dimensions, AH has the orange eagle and other assorted graphics, as does a few other brands, then shorter versions but still good shapes from Polar, Heroin, Enjoi, and then something even shorter again like the Creature Stumps board, but that is more than enough for this thread.
[close]

Jumping from a 7.75" to a 9"? That's a huge leap. You're asking for a good few months wallowing in this thread. Maybe dance with some 8.5s for awhile?
[close]
In 20+ years I've already ridden almost everything. I did it the other way when I started with the 7.75 coming down from a 9. (Or maybe an 8.8 can't remember the actual last board). Got a bunch of 8.5ish boards but they spark no joy

Thanks @Mbrimson88 I was basically thinking creature vs orange eagle but weirdly always found creature goes well with thunders and AH good with Indy even tho you'd think it more likely go the other way (or more likely it's just in my head)
why not go for a 9 football and get a happy medium of sorts? heroin has so many good shapes that aren’t too crazy you could toy around with. the comfort of a big board with the nimble factors with a smaller board. just an idea! Hope you find a good wider board that works for you!
edit: also if you’re looking into the deluxe/AH camp they have the huffer or those grimple eggs!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on July 27, 2022, 11:14:50 AM
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Well finally happened after nearly 5 years I'm over the 7.75. could be the one I'm riding is just super old but was riding it the other day and just thought "this kinda sucks, I'm over it" now I'm thinking I want like a 9x33 with long wheelbase but I'm looking at Indy 149,159,169 I have and really not keen. Got some really old thunder 149 titaniums but they're really low and I'd need smaller wheels. Anyone ride Willis Kimbell creature boards?anything weird about them you can't see in pics?
[close]

Creature Kimbel decks are pretty much the usual popsicle, 9 x 33 with 15 wb and good kicks, nothing weird or different, normal Creature / Santa Cruz concave which is steeper than most, but if you are used to them, it should be familiar to you - pretty much the same concave as Dwindle and a few other woodshops.

Overall Creature seemed to have kicks a little on the shorter side with some shapes, but the 9 x 33 that I saw a while back was really nice.

Being in AU, the old OCD deck size list is a good one to check:

https://www.ocdskateshop.com.au/collections/decks?pf_t_deck_width=actual_width1%3A9.0


For the same dimensions, AH has the orange eagle and other assorted graphics, as does a few other brands, then shorter versions but still good shapes from Polar, Heroin, Enjoi, and then something even shorter again like the Creature Stumps board, but that is more than enough for this thread.
[close]

Jumping from a 7.75" to a 9"? That's a huge leap. You're asking for a good few months wallowing in this thread. Maybe dance with some 8.5s for awhile?
[close]
In 20+ years I've already ridden almost everything. I did it the other way when I started with the 7.75 coming down from a 9. (Or maybe an 8.8 can't remember the actual last board). Got a bunch of 8.5ish boards but they spark no joy

Thanks @Mbrimson88 I was basically thinking creature vs orange eagle but weirdly always found creature goes well with thunders and AH good with Indy even tho you'd think it more likely go the other way (or more likely it's just in my head)
[close]
why not go for a 9 football and get a happy medium of sorts? heroin has so many good shapes that aren’t too crazy you could toy around with. the comfort of a big board with the nimble factors with a smaller board. just an idea! Hope you find a good wider board that works for you!
edit: also if you’re looking into the deluxe/AH camp they have the huffer or those grimple eggs!
That's definatly the most logical idea but unfortunately when I get the madness it isn't based on any science or logic, I just get infected with an idea for something different . I did actually think about an egg (fuk maybe this was all brought on by looking thru the Huffer thread) and I have a board that's just under 9 with a really tapered nose but bigger square tail. I set it up quickly and rode down the street doing some nollies then backwards did some Ollies, shoves and 180s it didn't feel quite right but granted that's not the fairest comparison for an egg.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 27, 2022, 08:02:58 PM
Madness is in full effect, thought I was a 8.25-lifer but 8.5 is feeling so good right now. Barely noticed the difference in width after the first session. Now I need to update my entire truck ecosystem for 8.5 decks, wonderful.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 27, 2022, 10:29:09 PM

In 20+ years I've already ridden almost everything. I did it the other way when I started with the 7.75 coming down from a 9. (Or maybe an 8.8 can't remember the actual last board). Got a bunch of 8.5ish boards but they spark no joy

Thanks @Mbrimson88 I was basically thinking creature vs orange eagle but weirdly always found creature goes well with thunders and AH good with Indy even tho you'd think it more likely go the other way (or more likely it's just in my head)


Yes I totally get it, which is why I didn't try to recommend anything else, or other sizes, even though I did spend another half an hour looking through all the different bigger options from 8.6 up to 9.25 on OCD, but the options for choosing sizes and wheelbases are excellent to go through.




Madness is in full effect, thought I was a 8.25-lifer but 8.5 is feeling so good right now. Barely noticed the difference in width after the first session. Now I need to update my entire truck ecosystem for 8.5 decks, wonderful.


The tech guys I skate with usually ride the 8.25 sized trucks on 8.38 and 8.5 sized boards, so before you update too much, have a think about how much truck you actually want.

The most common thought is wider trucks for transition, not so wide for street and tech.

Not quite like Reynolds on 139 for everything from 8.1 to 8.5 but it sure does seem to work for most of those guys.


I much prefer wider trucks, but I am more transition > street, even though I do like to skate a bit of everything.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 27, 2022, 11:07:47 PM
Thanks @Mbrimson88 I was basically thinking creature vs orange eagle but weirdly always found creature goes well with thunders and AH good with Indy even tho you'd think it more likely go the other way (or more likely it's just in my head)
[/quote]


Yes I totally get it, which is why I didn't try to recommend anything else, or other sizes, even though I did spend another half an hour looking through all the different bigger options from 8.6 up to 9.25 on OCD, but the options for choosing sizes and wheelbases are excellent to go through.




Madness is in full effect, thought I was a 8.25-lifer but 8.5 is feeling so good right now. Barely noticed the difference in width after the first session. Now I need to update my entire truck ecosystem for 8.5 decks, wonderful.


The tech guys I skate with usually ride the 8.25 sized trucks on 8.38 and 8.5 sized boards, so before you update too much, have a think about how much truck you actually want.
[/quote]

I didn't too much about it and was enjoying the ride, until a friend pointed it out the axle being shorter than the board and now I can't stop thinking about it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on July 28, 2022, 02:52:24 AM
Fuck a Christmas complete! I skated a completely new setup today due to madness and holy fuck did I hate it.

I was on Heroin 9.75” symmetrical egg with Ace 66 classics, 1/8” risers, rails & 56 mm conical fulls and I didn’t like it cuz it was too short, wide and heavy. Went to an Antihero 8.75” with Ace AF1 60s and 54 mm conical fulls.

Also skated spots and parks new to me initially. Thankfully I still had my old shoes. Would’ve probably quit skating altogether had I not had some familiarity.

Went to a park I know at the end of the session and it started to feel not 100% horrible. Funny thing about this is that the new setup is way closer to what I usually like to skate than the old one but it felt so off.

Oh well. I think I’ll get used to the new setup within a few sessions. I still have a few big eggs & other funny shaped boards in my stack but I think I’ll be sticking to boards from 8.375” to 9” and 8.35” to 9” Aces, preferably classics and wheelbases from 14.5” to 14.75” as that has been working for me nicely before. Maybe I can use the big boards as cruisers as big cruisers can be fun.

So yeah, just wanted to vent about how new stuff actually fucking sucks and having the madness leads to skating new stuff too often.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 28, 2022, 06:15:45 AM
I just want you guys to know, i have sold or given away all of the trucks i dont currently have setup on a skateboard. Except my beat up Lurpivs which i have on display on a shelf, im sure they will be a good skate artifact eventually.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on July 28, 2022, 10:52:35 AM
Fuck a Christmas complete! I skated a completely new setup today due to madness and holy fuck did I hate it.

Been there done that. Also not with brand new, but some "interesting" (read: madness induced) complete/setup scraped and assembled from various parts found at home, maybe with some new purchases sprinkled in. I guess one loads up all kinds of expectations and hopes while setting up the complete. Usually at least partly totally irrational hopes and expectations...

Rainy days and winter breaks are bad for gear madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on July 28, 2022, 11:01:29 AM
I feel like a whole new setup is the most prime madness catalyst. even if youve got your setup figured out, you can set up a whole new board and just feel horrible.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tonitonne on July 28, 2022, 11:05:51 AM
Gonna try only skating eagles again sticking with 8" to 8.25".
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on July 28, 2022, 12:36:46 PM
Went to the shop to get some new shoes yesterday and resisted the urge to buy new decks/trucks/wheels that I don’t need. Small steps to recovery, feels good 😂
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 28, 2022, 06:36:05 PM
Went to the shop to get some new shoes yesterday and resisted the urge to buy new decks/trucks/wheels that I don’t need. Small steps to recovery, feels good 😂

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f6/6b/cc/f66bccddd92f7058661814d213f1a0ec.png)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on August 02, 2022, 08:01:14 PM
Currently agonizing between Indy 139s and 144s on an 8.125 Quasi. The size and shape is perfect, but I just can't settle on the trucks. I previously had the 144s on an 8.25 and that was good, but I wanted smaller board to try to get some flip tricks back.

In my prime, I always skated trucks narrower than the board. I liked the look of it and the tippy feeling made flip tricks seem easier. Knowing the trucks are just 1/8 of an inch wider than the board now irked me so much I caved and got a set of 139s, which I have yet to set up.

I think the 144s might be the more versatile choice based on my preferences for wheels and boards. I'm willing to go down as small as an 8.0 and as wide as an 8.25 with 52-54 mm wheels.

I'm sure 144s would skate just fine on an 8.0 but I know I'd be a total headcase about the trucks being a whole 1/4 inch wider than my board. That said, I don't want to lose truck real estate with the 139s. I'm not great at grinds and I feel like the 144s would be more forgiving.

Writing this out seems fucking crazy

I should just be glad I'm letting myself settle on Indy for now after fucking around with Thunder and Venture (the truck of my youth which will inevitably pull me back again)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 02, 2022, 08:09:11 PM
I've had both on that size deck and like the 144's. It's 1/16"/side there is no way you can see that when you are riding and 8.25" trucks are still narrow. They're also barely any heavier and for most flip tricks (probably all) you won't notice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on August 02, 2022, 08:15:56 PM
I've had both on that size deck and like the 144's. It's 1/16"/side there is no way you can see that when you are riding and 8.25" trucks are still narrow. They're also barely any heavier and for most flip tricks (probably all) you won't notice.

You're right. I need to sell the 139s and stick with the 144s until I get this nonsense out of my head
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on August 02, 2022, 09:34:12 PM
I just want you guys to know, i have sold or given away all of the trucks i dont currently have setup on a skateboard. Except my beat up Lurpivs which i have on display on a shelf, im sure they will be a good skate artifact eventually.

Congrats. It feels good!

You're right. I need to sell the 139s and stick with the 144s until I get this nonsense out of my head

I'm skating an 8" with Ace 44 (so same width). Like you, I was thinking "shit, should I get 139s for this deck?" before I finally realized I could just set it up and see what happened. Yeah, the difference is absolutely negligible. Flips just like a 139 but also has more room for curbs.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 02, 2022, 11:11:45 PM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52257695147_166c53c49b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBQm8V)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2nBQm8V) by  (https://www.flickr.com/photos/162334525@N08/),

That feeling when you build a christmas complete out of gear you hoarded out of boredom (check the quasi graphic hehe) and because you can. I'm telling myself its ok because they are all different sizes and offer different experiences.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on August 03, 2022, 03:18:05 AM
Currently agonizing between Indy 139s and 144s on an 8.125 Quasi. The size and shape is perfect, but I just can't settle on the trucks. I previously had the 144s on an 8.25 and that was good, but I wanted smaller board to try to get some flip tricks back.

In my prime, I always skated trucks narrower than the board. I liked the look of it and the tippy feeling made flip tricks seem easier. Knowing the trucks are just 1/8 of an inch wider than the board now irked me so much I caved and got a set of 139s, which I have yet to set up.

I think the 144s might be the more versatile choice based on my preferences for wheels and boards. I'm willing to go down as small as an 8.0 and as wide as an 8.25 with 52-54 mm wheels.

I'm sure 144s would skate just fine on an 8.0 but I know I'd be a total headcase about the trucks being a whole 1/4 inch wider than my board. That said, I don't want to lose truck real estate with the 139s. I'm not great at grinds and I feel like the 144s would be more forgiving.

Writing this out seems fucking crazy

I should just be glad I'm letting myself settle on Indy for now after fucking around with Thunder and Venture (the truck of my youth which will inevitably pull me back again)

Unless you are planning to set up some really wide wheels for the 139s, I would stick to the 144s. Just my personal opinion but I don't like the tippyness of 139s on 8.125 decks. I have it way too deep in my head, that tippy setups cause ankle tweaks and I prefer the axles to be aligned with the deck. So, 144s on 8 to 8.25 decks sound great.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on August 03, 2022, 05:42:26 AM
Anyone out there transition from a bigger setup back to something smaller with Venture lows and actually enjoy it?  Just rewatched the Puleo and Dill Bobshirt interviews and every time I see late 90’s/early 2000’s footage of dudes like that skating somewhat crusty East Coast spots on Venture lows I get the urge to try a setup like that.  Also has anyone gone flat top washer on Venure lows?  Did it help the turn at all?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on August 03, 2022, 05:52:31 AM
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Currently agonizing between Indy 139s and 144s on an 8.125 Quasi. The size and shape is perfect, but I just can't settle on the trucks. I previously had the 144s on an 8.25 and that was good, but I wanted smaller board to try to get some flip tricks back.

In my prime, I always skated trucks narrower than the board. I liked the look of it and the tippy feeling made flip tricks seem easier. Knowing the trucks are just 1/8 of an inch wider than the board now irked me so much I caved and got a set of 139s, which I have yet to set up.

I think the 144s might be the more versatile choice based on my preferences for wheels and boards. I'm willing to go down as small as an 8.0 and as wide as an 8.25 with 52-54 mm wheels.

I'm sure 144s would skate just fine on an 8.0 but I know I'd be a total headcase about the trucks being a whole 1/4 inch wider than my board. That said, I don't want to lose truck real estate with the 139s. I'm not great at grinds and I feel like the 144s would be more forgiving.

Writing this out seems fucking crazy

I should just be glad I'm letting myself settle on Indy for now after fucking around with Thunder and Venture (the truck of my youth which will inevitably pull me back again)
[close]

Unless you are planning to set up some really wide wheels for the 139s, I would stick to the 144s. Just my personal opinion but I don't like the tippyness of 139s on 8.125 decks. I have it way too deep in my head, that tippy setups cause ankle tweaks and I prefer the axles to be aligned with the deck. So, 144s on 8 to 8.25 decks sound great.

Especially on a deck as full shaped as Quasi. Do you plan on going back to 8.25 after the 8.125? If so the 144 is the move. Only having to adjust to one variable at a time can help with madness and if you’re going back up after this keeping the same set of trucks can maintain familiarity with your setup. Don’t overthink it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on August 03, 2022, 05:56:15 AM
Anyone out there transition from a bigger setup back to something smaller with Venture lows and actually enjoy it?  Just rewatched the Puleo and Dill Bobshirt interviews and every time I see late 90’s/early 2000’s footage of dudes like that skating somewhat crusty East Coast spots on Venture lows I get the urge to try a setup like that.  Also has anyone gone flat top washer on Venure lows?  Did it help the turn at all?
I went from 8.75 ish to 7.75 with Indy lows and mostly enjoyed for a couple years (only just kinda got over it) didn't skate much transition or hills or anything where you go too fast on it tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on August 03, 2022, 06:01:20 AM
Anyone out there transition from a bigger setup back to something smaller with Venture lows and actually enjoy it?  Just rewatched the Puleo and Dill Bobshirt interviews and every time I see late 90’s/early 2000’s footage of dudes like that skating somewhat crusty East Coast spots on Venture lows I get the urge to try a setup like that.  Also has anyone gone flat top washer on Venure lows?  Did it help the turn at all?

I’m back on venture lo’s, and it’s my favorite. I leave the trucks stick. I have used flat washers in the past. This ain’t that, meaning…I don’t setup venture lo’s and expect ace turning.
52s are the biggest wheel o could see running, and 50s would be the ideal. I’m using 51 f4 classics. So be prepared for that.
I was skating 8.5s, with 8.5” trucks, before I made this switch. Now it’s 8” board, 8” venture lo’s, 51s, Mob (almost always used jessup previously), cupsoles (dunks). I do not want to skate my other setups.
I do not skate skateparks/transitions. I skat sparking lots, street, curbs. Works great for that. Absolutely need to take more pushes.

Bobby, Gino, Lavar…3 of my top 5 alltimers, venture lo’s. Bobby skating the harshest spots on sub 50mm wheels. If you want to make it happen you will. I prefer the stability, and if I have to take more pushes, I do that. If I was skating from spot to spot with others, or bombing hills in the city I’d be the slowest, but I skate by myself and do not care. I’m trying to land tricks in my old age and this setup helps me, considerably.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Skatebeard on August 03, 2022, 06:11:53 AM
Anyone out there transition from a bigger setup back to something smaller with Venture lows and actually enjoy it?  Just rewatched the Puleo and Dill Bobshirt interviews and every time I see late 90’s/early 2000’s footage of dudes like that skating somewhat crusty East Coast spots on Venture lows I get the urge to try a setup like that.  Also has anyone gone flat top washer on Venure lows?  Did it help the turn at all?

I usually skate an 8.25 with thunder lights, but snapped a kingpin so used my backup setup for a couple months - 7.875" Magenta deck with 5.2 venture lows and 50mm wheels.

I enjoyed it as a vacation, but was glad to be back on the 8.25 to be honest, smaller boards are very chuckable, but almost too much so for me nowadays, easy to overflip tricks and slip off the board due to my big-ish feet. I enjoy skating small decks here and there but deffo feel like it's a quicker route to injury.

As for the Venture lows themselves, love them - i pretty much just skate flatground and ledges so they're perfect for rolling back and forth.

TL;DR - fun skinny setup is cool to have, but i couldn't use it as my sole board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on August 03, 2022, 06:26:30 AM
Expand Quote
Anyone out there transition from a bigger setup back to something smaller with Venture lows and actually enjoy it?  Just rewatched the Puleo and Dill Bobshirt interviews and every time I see late 90’s/early 2000’s footage of dudes like that skating somewhat crusty East Coast spots on Venture lows I get the urge to try a setup like that.  Also has anyone gone flat top washer on Venure lows?  Did it help the turn at all?
[close]

I usually skate an 8.25 with thunder lights, but snapped a kingpin so used my backup setup for a couple months - 7.875" Magenta deck with 5.2 venture lows and 50mm wheels.

I enjoyed it as a vacation, but was glad to be back on the 8.25 to be honest, smaller boards are very chuckable, but almost too much so for me nowadays, easy to overflip tricks and slip off the board due to my big-ish feet. I enjoy skating small decks here and there but deffo feel like it's a quicker route to injury.

As for the Venture lows themselves, love them - i pretty much just skate flatground and ledges so they're perfect for rolling back and forth.

TL;DR - fun skinny setup is cool to have, but i couldn't use it as my sole board.

That’s my biggest concern.  I don’t do well with running multiple setups at once so I’d need to completely commit to it for a couple months.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on August 03, 2022, 09:36:28 AM
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Currently agonizing between Indy 139s and 144s on an 8.125 Quasi. The size and shape is perfect, but I just can't settle on the trucks. I previously had the 144s on an 8.25 and that was good, but I wanted smaller board to try to get some flip tricks back.

In my prime, I always skated trucks narrower than the board. I liked the look of it and the tippy feeling made flip tricks seem easier. Knowing the trucks are just 1/8 of an inch wider than the board now irked me so much I caved and got a set of 139s, which I have yet to set up.

I think the 144s might be the more versatile choice based on my preferences for wheels and boards. I'm willing to go down as small as an 8.0 and as wide as an 8.25 with 52-54 mm wheels.

I'm sure 144s would skate just fine on an 8.0 but I know I'd be a total headcase about the trucks being a whole 1/4 inch wider than my board. That said, I don't want to lose truck real estate with the 139s. I'm not great at grinds and I feel like the 144s would be more forgiving.

Writing this out seems fucking crazy

I should just be glad I'm letting myself settle on Indy for now after fucking around with Thunder and Venture (the truck of my youth which will inevitably pull me back again)
[close]

Unless you are planning to set up some really wide wheels for the 139s, I would stick to the 144s. Just my personal opinion but I don't like the tippyness of 139s on 8.125 decks. I have it way too deep in my head, that tippy setups cause ankle tweaks and I prefer the axles to be aligned with the deck. So, 144s on 8 to 8.25 decks sound great.
[close]

Especially on a deck as full shaped as Quasi. Do you plan on going back to 8.25 after the 8.125? If so the 144 is the move. Only having to adjust to one variable at a time can help with madness and if you’re going back up after this keeping the same set of trucks can maintain familiarity with your setup. Don’t overthink it.

I think I'd sooner go down to 8.0 than back up to 8.25, but I'll make the 144s work on it if I do

And that's good advice. Changing one thing at a time is the move
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mvdbosch90 on August 05, 2022, 03:42:45 AM
I recently tried solving the last bit of truck madness. I've been switching between Indy 149 titaniums and Ace AF1 55's on my 8.5 deck. I love how the Aces turn and I love riding around on them, but tricks are more difficult with their weight. I used one of my friends belt sander to make a set of Ace bushings the same size as the Indy ones. I haven't skated them yet, but I hope this will get a little bit of the Ace feeling into the lightweight Indy trucks :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on August 05, 2022, 05:41:16 AM
I recently tried solving the last bit of truck madness. I've been switching between Indy 149 titaniums and Ace AF1 55's on my 8.5 deck. I love how the Aces turn and I love riding around on them, but tricks are more difficult with their weight. I used one of my friends belt sander to make a set of Ace bushings the same size as the Indy ones. I haven't skated them yet, but I hope this will get a little bit of the Ace feeling into the lightweight Indy trucks :)

Hopes, dreams, madness, they all intersect here on SLAP
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paperclip20 on August 05, 2022, 05:47:47 AM
Thanks @Mbrimson88 I was basically thinking creature vs orange eagle but weirdly always found creature goes well with thunders and AH good with Indy even tho you'd think it more likely go the other way (or more likely it's just in my head)


Yes I totally get it, which is why I didn't try to recommend anything else, or other sizes, even though I did spend another half an hour looking through all the different bigger options from 8.6 up to 9.25 on OCD, but the options for choosing sizes and wheelbases are excellent to go through.




Madness is in full effect, thought I was a 8.25-lifer but 8.5 is feeling so good right now. Barely noticed the difference in width after the first session. Now I need to update my entire truck ecosystem for 8.5 decks, wonderful.


The tech guys I skate with usually ride the 8.25 sized trucks on 8.38 and 8.5 sized boards, so before you update too much, have a think about how much truck you actually want.
[/quote]

I didn't too much about it and was enjoying the ride, until a friend pointed it out the axle being shorter than the board and now I can't stop thinking about it.
[/quote]

just get some wider wheels or put washers on the inside. I've always noticed 8.25 trucks on an 8.5 board is a way better feeling.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 05, 2022, 06:49:02 AM
Now entering shoe madness. I was skating Crockett High for a while but kept getting hot spots in one foot when I'd sweat. One morning I got to the park and my Half Cabs were in the car and I was wearing slippers so I skated those and generally liked it. No hot spots. The weird part is, and this has to be mental. I feel way more confident to stomp 360 flips, heel flips, basically anything that I normally wasn't.

But Half Cabs do flop out a bit. I've got Tiagos and same thing vs the Crocketts. Haven't gotten used to the rear foot yet and some of my foot placement is weird, but somehow better flick. And I've got Rowan's that were in my closet which feel more like the Crockett.

I think the Crockett upper is too thin to be supportive for me and thus my foot moves around in the shoe. Now I'm chasing the dragon of the perfect shoe.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 05, 2022, 09:58:00 AM
Currently agonizing between Indy 139s and 144s on an 8.125 Quasi. The size and shape is perfect, but I just can't settle on the trucks. I previously had the 144s on an 8.25 and that was good, but I wanted smaller board to try to get some flip tricks back.

In my prime, I always skated trucks narrower than the board. I liked the look of it and the tippy feeling made flip tricks seem easier. Knowing the trucks are just 1/8 of an inch wider than the board now irked me so much I caved and got a set of 139s, which I have yet to set up.

I think the 144s might be the more versatile choice based on my preferences for wheels and boards. I'm willing to go down as small as an 8.0 and as wide as an 8.25 with 52-54 mm wheels.

I'm sure 144s would skate just fine on an 8.0 but I know I'd be a total headcase about the trucks being a whole 1/4 inch wider than my board. That said, I don't want to lose truck real estate with the 139s. I'm not great at grinds and I feel like the 144s would be more forgiving.

Writing this out seems fucking crazy

I should just be glad I'm letting myself settle on Indy for now after fucking around with Thunder and Venture (the truck of my youth which will inevitably pull me back again)

For some reason (madness), I prefer one notch wider trucks than my board nowadays. Ie. 144s with 8.1, 149s with 8.3/8.4. To compensate, I use classic or classic wide profile wheels. Seems to give bit stability and truck to grind, but doesn't hinder my old man's kickflips too much. Using wider profile wheels makes it feel way too heavy for me.

Homie just put 149s into 8.1 board, no problems or visible hotrodding.

So, try it out and hope that the madness evaporates...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lukabrazi on August 05, 2022, 03:08:20 PM
Is there anyone that makes an 8-8.125” squared off full shape similar to FA with a 14” WB that is on BBS wood? Really looking for that fat nose

Can’t skate ps stix anymore and would really like to keep skating this shape without giving all my money to FA
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on August 05, 2022, 04:18:22 PM
Real makes 8.06 full with a 14 wb that should fit the bill.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: danmasontree on August 05, 2022, 06:38:19 PM
Having some madness about bushings. Skating the Thunder 149 lights, switched out to bones mediums but I don’t know if I like them.

Thinking about going back to the Thunder bushings but not sure if I should stick with the stock ones or get harder ones since ima bigger dude. I also had risers on my last two boards and have felt awful so I took them off. Hoping that helps
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: zozu on August 06, 2022, 04:26:53 AM
I skate the best on Thunder standards and would skate nothing else if not for the baseplate, I find them perfectly manageable but as soon as I hop on someone else's setup I remember what a totally loose and thoughtless tailslide feels like.
Wouldn't bother me if they weren't one of my favourite tricks to do unfortunately.

Because of this I have been swapping between Thunder, Indy, Ace and Royal almost every skate recently, its never been this bad before. 
If I could decide on one truck my madness would pretty much be cured, over the past few years I have nailed down my ideal setup aside from trucks. I know that I could probably stick to Indy standards as a sort of "true neutral" truck but the Thunder itch will always be in the back of my mind.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Murge on August 06, 2022, 09:02:40 AM
I skate the best on Thunder standards and would skate nothing else if not for the baseplate, I find them perfectly manageable but as soon as I hop on someone else's setup I remember what a totally loose and thoughtless tailslide feels like.
Wouldn't bother me if they weren't one of my favourite tricks to do unfortunately.

Because of this I have been swapping between Thunder, Indy, Ace and Royal almost every skate recently, its never been this bad before. 
If I could decide on one truck my madness would pretty much be cured, over the past few years I have nailed down my ideal setup aside from trucks. I know that I could probably stick to Indy standards as a sort of "true neutral" truck but the Thunder itch will always be in the back of my mind.

What put you off the royals? They seemed like a thunder Indy hybrid and to me? Pinch and quick pop like a thunder turn like an Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 06, 2022, 11:40:09 AM
You forgot that Royals grind like Venture and pop light like Ace
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: zozu on August 06, 2022, 07:55:31 PM
I did actually buy the Royals expecting them to solve all my problems, they certainly have the good qualities of Indy and Thunder but don't excel at anything.
I do really like them and could see them solving a lot of peoples truck madness.

For some reason the pinch wasn't working very well for me on the them, I think because the bushings have a certain mushiness and don't snap back to centre like Thunders. This also means they don't quite turn as nicely as Indy/Ace.

I also wasn't a fan of the hard grind as they still haven't broken in, yet the baseplate has worn down so fast that my wheels start to grab on slide tricks like Thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on August 07, 2022, 05:50:43 AM
Is there anyone that makes an 8-8.125” squared off full shape similar to FA with a 14” WB that is on BBS wood? Really looking for that fat nose

Can’t skate ps stix anymore and would really like to keep skating this shape without giving all my money to FA

Primitive makes a deck like this. Their 8-8.25" decks all have a 14" wheelbase and BBS wood, with huge noses. However, they are not squared off in the same way as FA/Hockey, and the tails remind me a bit of Baker in that they are actually extremely round.

If you can get over skating a Primitive (I personally literally could not care any less), they're a great option.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: vicious cycle on August 07, 2022, 06:27:14 AM
Is there anyone that makes an 8-8.125” squared off full shape similar to FA with a 14” WB that is on BBS wood? Really looking for that fat nose

Can’t skate ps stix anymore and would really like to keep skating this shape without giving all my money to FA
I got a FA 8.18 , 14 Inch wheelbase.
Alien Workshop has a 8.125 , 14 Inch. By 31,5.
Check the Mind Control deck. Pretty simular to a FA nose.
Habitat should also fit the bill.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 11, 2022, 08:31:33 AM
(https://i.insider.com/521246dbecad045f3b00001b?width=700&format=jpeg&auto=webp)

This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: typeischeap on August 11, 2022, 12:39:43 PM
This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...

Same. I also feel conflicted about just leaving stuff at Brushy near the trash can. Need to know it's going to a good home! LOL.

ATX gear nerd swap meet? :shrug:
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Murge on August 18, 2022, 06:44:34 AM
Madness creeping back. Been on thunders. Decided I should give royals a fair shot. Cause when I tried them I think the deck was the issue super stiff and steep. I think I am doing this cause I haven’t got to skate in about a week so for some reason I decide the next time I skate I Shoukd use different trucks. It’s dumb. I’m dumb but here I am.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on August 18, 2022, 09:16:45 AM
(https://i.insider.com/521246dbecad045f3b00001b?width=700&format=jpeg&auto=webp)

This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...

Get control of your life, loser.

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/030/710/dd0.jpg)

Took stock of my pile, 11 decks, 6 pairs of trucks, 6 sets of wheels but never enough hardware and so I keep reusing my shitty old ones. Should probably treat myself to a fresh pack, maybe some Mini Logo bearings since I'm feeling spendy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 18, 2022, 10:19:43 AM
Stuff I need to sell:

-Brand new Indy 159
-Royal 144
-Pretty good 144 Indy Standard Hollow with extra hangers
-Carpet 8.38
-Prob Hockey 8.44 I bought on impulse.
-Huffer new in box

Come let give you my problems.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: doublesteveburger on August 18, 2022, 10:27:14 AM
post photos pimp we need this
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on August 18, 2022, 01:25:19 PM
Expand Quote
This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...
[close]

Same. I also feel conflicted about just leaving stuff at Brushy near the trash can. Need to know it's going to a good home! LOL.

ATX gear nerd swap meet? :shrug:

In for this, I have way too much shit.  I bagged up a bunch to take to No Comply to donate but never did, now it's just sitting under my desk
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 18, 2022, 02:45:45 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...
[close]

Same. I also feel conflicted about just leaving stuff at Brushy near the trash can. Need to know it's going to a good home! LOL.

ATX gear nerd swap meet? :shrug:
[close]

In for this, I have way too much shit.  I bagged up a bunch to take to No Comply to donate but never did, now it's just sitting under my desk
This is silly but I'm actually embarrassed to take my stuff to NC. Revealing myself as a hoarder in a shop setting is very hard to do haha. I wish House park or Mueller had a skate gear drop off sort of how I see those neighborhood libraries pop up in Austin. I can keep something like that pretty stocked for at least a few weeks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on August 18, 2022, 07:36:54 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...
[close]

Same. I also feel conflicted about just leaving stuff at Brushy near the trash can. Need to know it's going to a good home! LOL.

ATX gear nerd swap meet? :shrug:
[close]

In for this, I have way too much shit.  I bagged up a bunch to take to No Comply to donate but never did, now it's just sitting under my desk
[close]
This is silly but I'm actually embarrassed to take my stuff to NC. Revealing myself as a hoarder in a shop setting is very hard to do haha.

No this is why I haven't dropped anything off lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 18, 2022, 08:42:19 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
This is what it feels like when my GF comes into my office where I have a mountain of gear. Room is feeling like a skateshop these days. If anyone is in ATX and needs some cheap gear, I can see what I can/need to do. Still not wanting to ship anything but maybe one of these days...
[close]

Same. I also feel conflicted about just leaving stuff at Brushy near the trash can. Need to know it's going to a good home! LOL.

ATX gear nerd swap meet? :shrug:
[close]

In for this, I have way too much shit.  I bagged up a bunch to take to No Comply to donate but never did, now it's just sitting under my desk
[close]
This is silly but I'm actually embarrassed to take my stuff to NC. Revealing myself as a hoarder in a shop setting is very hard to do haha.
[close]

No this is why I haven't dropped anything off lol
Just say you asked around and some more people donated
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: slapattack on August 19, 2022, 06:47:31 AM
I skate the best on Thunder standards and would skate nothing else if not for the baseplate, I find them perfectly manageable but as soon as I hop on someone else's setup I remember what a totally loose and thoughtless tailslide feels like.
Wouldn't bother me if they weren't one of my favourite tricks to do unfortunately.

Because of this I have been swapping between Thunder, Indy, Ace and Royal almost every skate recently, its never been this bad before. 
If I could decide on one truck my madness would pretty much be cured, over the past few years I have nailed down my ideal setup aside from trucks. I know that I could probably stick to Indy standards as a sort of "true neutral" truck but the Thunder itch will always be in the back of my mind.


Literally the exact same relationship I have with thunders. Just switched to venture casts with TI hangers and I got to say I don't think Im going back. Same wheelbase (3.25") as a thunder hollow but 2mm taller and baseplate slide. I don't understand why thunder hollows are 51mm tall for a 8.5" truck its just too low and disproportionate.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on August 19, 2022, 06:52:47 AM
My madness had been quiet for awhile. It returned this week. For an unknown reason (oh, I know why....madness) I decided to (re)try two pieces of equipment (Thunder Team Hollows and a 14.25 wb deck...I ride Indy Forged Hollows and a 14.38 wb deck) that I've had before, more than once, and didn't like each time. So, on an intellectual level, I already knew what the result was going to be. But you know, sometimes the madness will make you think that if you try the same thing over and over again, there will be a different result. Well, surprise surprise, there wasn't. Within 10 min of skating these two things I knew the madness had bested me, again. I quickly took them apart, and put my regular set-up back together. Some kid at the park will soon be getting new trucks and a new deck--the madness does benefit some.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on August 20, 2022, 12:55:24 PM
We need more pics in this thread.

Here’s my madness collection.

Current setup and cruiser
(https://i.ibb.co/kSpfKch/000996-AB-C373-49-FD-9-CEF-DC78253-BAF20.jpg)

Shoes in use
(https://i.ibb.co/nn9CFgQ/EF899-CC9-CADC-4-EDB-B2-D1-351-B516416-D4.jpg)

Some “extra” setups I moved to storage
(https://i.ibb.co/LdHmkMj/DC94-A7-B8-56-A5-4773-9-B15-E2-F2-A7-BE13-C0.jpg)

Some extra shoes that have been in use that I moved to storage
(https://i.ibb.co/gdJdryn/77-D4-CCF3-3-D43-4-CB8-A9-A2-4116-B79-B8-FD7.jpg)

Decks under my bed
(https://i.ibb.co/sQk4gqV/9-BB8-B3-B0-B479-4-DEC-8518-56-DD0554-A685.jpg)

Shoes still in their boxes
(https://i.ibb.co/qM12QHc/3-A6-CC162-C18-B-44-D4-9-FCC-283-D54-F659-A0.jpg)

Wheels
(https://i.ibb.co/b5P2GsW/7-D7-B975-D-7-F78-46-E4-AB0-B-E5127-A60-A3-FF.jpg)

Griptape
(https://i.ibb.co/JyxDXjV/50-F76556-48-B9-43-E0-8449-A9877-BABE556.jpg)

Trucks and truck stuff
(https://i.ibb.co/520wt4M/C0836-B21-6-FCC-4-E56-AEF9-346019-D943-B3.jpg)

Rails
(https://i.ibb.co/TvPB1t6/94321425-E3-DA-4-B22-9-AF7-7-F14177-EAAEC.jpg)

Nuts and bolts and whatever
(https://i.ibb.co/rm105YF/C10-BA195-33-DD-4-C2-A-9-C04-660782855064.jpg)

Shoe laces & other shoe stuff
(https://i.ibb.co/nbpHbQJ/7650-A02-F-4991-4-DEA-8-F16-5-B60352151-B9.jpg)

My latest purchases that I got today 😬
(https://i.ibb.co/nmKtxkp/A106113-B-EE80-49-EE-B6-A3-E0809978-B9-D0.jpg)
Please tell me that I have a problem.

I don’t go through stuff fast enough to justify having this much gear. I use shoes until the sole has a hole. Decks I skate for months. Wheels last me a good while. Trucks too. Bearings I clean and maintain instead of throwing out. I could probably not buy any skate stuff for 10 years and still be fine.

I have so much different kind of stuff cuz I try to find the holy grail setup that’ll make me a great skater, which will never happen anyway. 😊
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on August 20, 2022, 01:20:54 PM
@Roisto thanks. Now my stack of 5 and 2 riders doesn’t seem so bad…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 20, 2022, 06:48:42 PM
My lord that makes me look sane. There's simply no way you could go through that in a year if you rode a new deck every 2 weeks. It's not like anything in that pile is a really unique release.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on August 20, 2022, 08:00:51 PM
My lord that makes me look sane. There's simply no way you could go through that in a year if you rode a new deck every 2 weeks. It's not like anything in that pile is a really unique release.

That’s been my strategy to make myself feel better about buying way too much gear - especially decks.  I’ve been skating decks for only like two or three weeks each and moving onto the next one.  Unless I feel some unique connection to the used deck I usually just leave it at the skatepark and move on.  I think I’m down to four decks (two might be like collector/wall hangers moreso), three sets of trucks, and two sets of wheels that are truly unskated.  As long as I skate the gear for a little bit I think the purchase is semi worth it.  Especially with shaped decks it’s more of an “experience” to try different ones.  Buying trucks and wheels though is usually a complete waste of money for me and I end up back on Indys and some conservatively practical Spitfire F4 shape and size…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 23, 2022, 07:54:36 AM
I've bee pretty settled for a bit now- Thunders on a pretty standard shape with a 14.38. Oddly 14.38 is never in the shapes I want to buy so in gaslighting myself about my decision and options and often considering things that didn't historically work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: doublesteveburger on August 23, 2022, 08:08:26 AM
nice purge,





this thread makes me sad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paperclip20 on August 23, 2022, 08:48:15 AM
My madness had been quiet for awhile. It returned this week. For an unknown reason (oh, I know why....madness) I decided to (re)try two pieces of equipment (Thunder Team Hollows and a 14.25 wb deck...I ride Indy Forged Hollows and a 14.38 wb deck) that I've had before, more than once, and didn't like each time. So, on an intellectual level, I already knew what the result was going to be. But you know, sometimes the madness will make you think that if you try the same thing over and over again, there will be a different result. Well, surprise surprise, there wasn't. Within 10 min of skating these two things I knew the madness had bested me, again. I quickly took them apart, and put my regular set-up back together. Some kid at the park will soon be getting new trucks and a new deck--the madness does benefit some.

Honestly very proud of you for this. I did the same except a full session with Ventures I had on hand after skating Indy hollows for a few months. Had a bad session and as soon as I got home swapped back and have been madness free since. Occasionally the thought to swap something creeps in but my wallet deserves to be treated better. I've axled trucks before but not for awhile and I'm trying to get there again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on August 23, 2022, 07:19:17 PM
A good first step is to layout your entire stash in front of your eyes, so you can visually acknowledge your madness. I had so more decks and shoes that I forgot I had bought because I became an expert at squirreling stuff away. I was only last week when I moved to a new pad did I realize I had 8 pair of brand new skate shoes and 15 decks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on August 23, 2022, 10:05:54 PM
Damn thought I was bad but lookin at all y'alls shit I am a perfectly sane, upstanding citizen
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on August 23, 2022, 10:56:18 PM
A good first step is to layout your entire stash in front of your eyes, so you can visually acknowledge your madness. I had so more decks and shoes that I forgot I had bought because I became an expert at squirreling stuff away. I was only last week when I moved to a new pad did I realize I had 8 pair of brand new skate shoes and 15 decks.

This is the key. That’s the main reason I took all those photos of my stuff.

Also please everyone don’t use my madness as a justification for your own (lesser) madness. It’s good to hear you guys are doing better but it can still be a burden and get out of hand quick.

I have a mate who has hundreds of shoes and decks and whatever so I’d say he’s more mad than I am but I will not tell myself that what I’m doing is ok cuz he’s much worse cuz I definitely have a problem.

Something I’ve realized lately is that if I don’t like a deck after giving it a fair chance, I can leave it at the park for someone else to enjoy and it really is a win-win situation. This has been mentioned many times in this thread also as an ailment for the madness. While it’s not a cure and can even make things worse if you use it for justification for getting more stuff, I feel it kinda puts things into perspective and letting go of your hoarded stuff can be quite liberating.

I’m now trying to skate through the stuff I have and not buy anything new unless I need it. I’m trying to focus on spending my money on home improvement stuff instead.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on August 23, 2022, 11:22:56 PM
Expand Quote
A good first step is to layout your entire stash in front of your eyes, so you can visually acknowledge your madness. I had so more decks and shoes that I forgot I had bought because I became an expert at squirreling stuff away. I was only last week when I moved to a new pad did I realize I had 8 pair of brand new skate shoes and 15 decks.
[close]

This is the key. That’s the main reason I took all those photos of my stuff.

Also please everyone don’t use my madness as a justification for your own (lesser) madness. It’s good to hear you guys are doing better but it can still be a burden and get out of hand quick.

I have a mate who has hundreds of shoes and decks and whatever so I’d say he’s more mad than I am but I will not tell myself that what I’m doing is ok cuz he’s much worse cuz I definitely have a problem.

Something I’ve realized lately is that if I don’t like a deck after giving it a fair chance, I can leave it at the park for someone else to enjoy and it really is a win-win situation. This has been mentioned many times in this thread also as an ailment for the madness. While it’s not a cure and can even make things worse if you use it for justification for getting more stuff, I feel it kinda puts things into perspective and letting go of your hoarded stuff can be quite liberating.

I’m now trying to skate through the stuff I have and not buy anything new unless I need it. I’m trying to focus on spending my money on home improvement stuff instead.
Displaying your stash of gear can work but you have to only do it every now and then for maximum shock value. Leave it out too long and get used to it and you will just think its normal. Basically how hoarding works.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on August 23, 2022, 11:33:39 PM
Expand Quote
A good first step is to layout your entire stash in front of your eyes, so you can visually acknowledge your madness. I had so more decks and shoes that I forgot I had bought because I became an expert at squirreling stuff away. I was only last week when I moved to a new pad did I realize I had 8 pair of brand new skate shoes and 15 decks.
[close]

This is the key. That’s the main reason I took all those photos of my stuff.
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
A good first step is to layout your entire stash in front of your eyes, so you can visually acknowledge your madness. I had so more decks and shoes that I forgot I had bought because I became an expert at squirreling stuff away. I was only last week when I moved to a new pad did I realize I had 8 pair of brand new skate shoes and 15 decks.
[close]

[close]
Displaying your stash of gear can work but you have to only do it every now and then for maximum shock value. Leave it out too long and get used to it and you will just think its normal. Basically how hoarding works.

(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/034/196/cover2.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on August 24, 2022, 06:04:39 AM
Madness Pro-Tip: Keep notes about stuff you try (e.g. 14" wheelbase is too cramped. Feels like ollie power is lost. Unstable on transition, etc.). Keep notes about how many times you've tried something (e.g. third time on a 14" wb, and hated it every time). Next time are you tempted to try/buy something new, check your notes. "Oh, trying a 14" wb for the fourth time isn't going to suddenly make me like it and/or end with a different result."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lemonchicken91 on August 24, 2022, 06:15:44 AM
So i went down to ventures and 7.875 and I'm landing so much more stuff. 14 inch wheelbase

I wanna start going back to the park again. Will I eat shit on this small board?
I've never tried these ventures in the bowl

Was thinking of picking up an 8 inch creature or something w bigger nose/tail because I like those for transition

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on August 24, 2022, 06:20:42 AM
So i went down to ventures and 7.875 and I'm landing so much more stuff. 14 inch wheelbase

I wanna start going back to the park again. Will I eat shit on this small board?
I've never tried these ventures in the bowl

Was thinking of picking up an 8 inch creature or something w bigger nose/tail because I like those for transition



So you are going to buy a board, in advance, because you might eat shit?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on August 24, 2022, 06:30:14 AM
So i went down to ventures and 7.875 and I'm landing so much more stuff. 14 inch wheelbase

I wanna start going back to the park again. Will I eat shit on this small board?
I've never tried these ventures in the bowl

Was thinking of picking up an 8 inch creature or something w bigger nose/tail because I like those for transition
Don't think .125 is enough to really make a difference. Do 8 inch boards usually have nose and tail all that much bigger than a 7.875? My guess is probably also too small a difference to really matter that much.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 24, 2022, 06:37:25 AM
So i went down to ventures and 7.875 and I'm landing so much more stuff. 14 inch wheelbase

I wanna start going back to the park again. Will I eat shit on this small board?
I've never tried these ventures in the bowl

Was thinking of picking up an 8 inch creature or something w bigger nose/tail because I like those for transition

Maybe go to the park with this setup that makes you actually land shit?
Unless you're talking about some big transition, this makes no sense.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 24, 2022, 06:48:42 AM
Trigger warning: Madness inducing
And sorry for double post

Madness Pro-Tip: Keep notes about stuff you try (e.g. 14" wheelbase is too cramped. Feels like ollie power is lost. Unstable on transition, etc.). Keep notes about how many times you've tried something (e.g. third time on a 14" wb, and hated it every time). Next time are you tempted to try/buy something new, check your notes. "Oh, trying a 14" wb for the fourth time isn't going to suddenly make me like it and/or end with a different result."

The problem I've found with this madness in skateboarding is that what you're explaining isn't really true (for me).
The reason is that you can get used to a new setup pretty fast if you allow it and skate it for 2 weeks no matter if it feels right. A perfect feeling setup you absolutely loved can feel like shit after getting used to something else. So after trying some other shit, that 14wb deck could actually feel perfect even after you hated it 3 times.
BUT don't go there. The conclusion is to just give whatever you have a chance, after a few sessions you get used to it and it's your new perfect setup and everything else will feel worse.
And if you switch again, in the process of getting used to the new setup, you'll never reach the point of getting used to anything at all, thereby fueling your madness.

Give it two damn weeks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lemonchicken91 on August 24, 2022, 07:29:33 AM
Ive just never ridden a 14 inch wheelbase or ventures in the big bowl.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE MADNESS THREAD!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lemonchicken91 on August 24, 2022, 07:30:59 AM
Good point. Im in my head. Will try if i eat shit will report back.

My friend sold a 800 dollar surfboard after one session…… fucking mental now he wants to buy another almost the same.

MADNESS
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 24, 2022, 10:16:11 AM
Heads up….I kinda think while the rest of the world is dealing with supply chain issues, this season at least, there is a bloated supply of decks….shops will be/are blowing them out.  Stock pile….or don’t…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 24, 2022, 12:31:21 PM
Ive just never ridden a 14 inch wheelbase or ventures in the big bowl.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE MADNESS THREAD!!

This is the "try to keep pals from indulging in madness" thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on August 24, 2022, 12:37:50 PM
Trigger warning: Madness inducing
And sorry for double post

Expand Quote
Madness Pro-Tip: Keep notes about stuff you try (e.g. 14" wheelbase is too cramped. Feels like ollie power is lost. Unstable on transition, etc.). Keep notes about how many times you've tried something (e.g. third time on a 14" wb, and hated it every time). Next time are you tempted to try/buy something new, check your notes. "Oh, trying a 14" wb for the fourth time isn't going to suddenly make me like it and/or end with a different result."
[close]

The problem I've found with this madness in skateboarding is that what you're explaining isn't really true (for me).
The reason is that you can get used to a new setup pretty fast if you allow it and skate it for 2 weeks no matter if it feels right. A perfect feeling setup you absolutely loved can feel like shit after getting used to something else. So after trying some other shit, that 14wb deck could actually feel perfect even after you hated it 3 times.
BUT don't go there. The conclusion is to just give whatever you have a chance, after a few sessions you get used to it and it's your new perfect setup and everything else will feel worse.
And if you switch again, in the process of getting used to the new setup, you'll never reach the point of getting used to anything at all, thereby fueling your madness.

Give it two damn weeks

This.
Goddamn.
Buying shit to skate it for 10 minutes and then declaring that it doesn’t work? Holy fuck. Extra crispy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on August 24, 2022, 12:46:19 PM
Trigger warning: Madness inducing
And sorry for double post

Expand Quote
Madness Pro-Tip: Keep notes about stuff you try (e.g. 14" wheelbase is too cramped. Feels like ollie power is lost. Unstable on transition, etc.). Keep notes about how many times you've tried something (e.g. third time on a 14" wb, and hated it every time). Next time are you tempted to try/buy something new, check your notes. "Oh, trying a 14" wb for the fourth time isn't going to suddenly make me like it and/or end with a different result."
[close]

The problem I've found with this madness in skateboarding is that what you're explaining isn't really true (for me).
The reason is that you can get used to a new setup pretty fast if you allow it and skate it for 2 weeks no matter if it feels right. A perfect feeling setup you absolutely loved can feel like shit after getting used to something else. So after trying some other shit, that 14wb deck could actually feel perfect even after you hated it 3 times.
BUT don't go there. The conclusion is to just give whatever you have a chance, after a few sessions you get used to it and it's your new perfect setup and everything else will feel worse.
And if you switch again, in the process of getting used to the new setup, you'll never reach the point of getting used to anything at all, thereby fueling your madness.

Give it two damn weeks

so true
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 24, 2022, 12:57:02 PM
I took it one step further and had a detailed spreadsheet of every combo, when I ran it, how long, etc. I compared every single trick.

Then I just said fuck it and put Thunders on cuz I vaguely recalled skating better on them and bam- I did!

But then it started madness over. Like, I didn't like 14.5 as much on Indy's, but it feels more agile on Thunders. So back in that boat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Woodshop on August 24, 2022, 06:51:40 PM
Heads up….I kinda think while the rest of the world is dealing with supply chain issues, this season at least, there is a bloated supply of decks….shops will be/are blowing them out.  Stock pile….or don’t…..


For sure!

The amped up production of most woodshops post lockdown issues exceeded demand and now many shops are sitting on way too much of everything, but especially decks, given some graphics don't age well (even though the wood is still fine) and so many are on clearance at even lower prices than almost any other bargains and deals I have seen, not to mention some shops just trying to clear stock to be able to pay rent.

I have had to stop buying entirely now, cause there were just too many good deals and there is only so much I could use, before it starts to get to the point of needing to do some clearing out myself.

At least I can pick and choose what I do want to keep now and move some of the other things I am less likely to ever use or ride.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on August 24, 2022, 07:30:53 PM
Expand Quote
Ive just never ridden a 14 inch wheelbase or ventures in the big bowl.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE MADNESS THREAD!!
[close]

This is the "try to keep pals from indulging in madness" thread

No, this is the "trying to keep up with other pals madness" thread.

Expand Quote
Trigger warning: Madness inducing
And sorry for double post

Expand Quote
Madness Pro-Tip: Keep notes about stuff you try (e.g. 14" wheelbase is too cramped. Feels like ollie power is lost. Unstable on transition, etc.). Keep notes about how many times you've tried something (e.g. third time on a 14" wb, and hated it every time). Next time are you tempted to try/buy something new, check your notes. "Oh, trying a 14" wb for the fourth time isn't going to suddenly make me like it and/or end with a different result."
[close]

The problem I've found with this madness in skateboarding is that what you're explaining isn't really true (for me).
The reason is that you can get used to a new setup pretty fast if you allow it and skate it for 2 weeks no matter if it feels right. A perfect feeling setup you absolutely loved can feel like shit after getting used to something else. So after trying some other shit, that 14wb deck could actually feel perfect even after you hated it 3 times.
BUT don't go there. The conclusion is to just give whatever you have a chance, after a few sessions you get used to it and it's your new perfect setup and everything else will feel worse.
And if you switch again, in the process of getting used to the new setup, you'll never reach the point of getting used to anything at all, thereby fueling your madness.

Give it two damn weeks
[close]

so true

That's our recovery mantra from here on - GIVE IT TWO DAMN WEEKS
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 24, 2022, 08:09:39 PM
Expand Quote
Heads up….I kinda think while the rest of the world is dealing with supply chain issues, this season at least, there is a bloated supply of decks….shops will be/are blowing them out.  Stock pile….or don’t…..
[close]


For sure!

The amped up production of most woodshops post lockdown issues exceeded demand and now many shops are sitting on way too much of everything, but especially decks, given some graphics don't age well (even though the wood is still fine) and so many are on clearance at even lower prices than almost any other bargains and deals I have seen, not to mention some shops just trying to clear stock to be able to pay rent.

I have had to stop buying entirely now, cause there were just too many good deals and there is only so much I could use, before it starts to get to the point of needing to do some clearing out myself.

At least I can pick and choose what I do want to keep now and move some of the other things I am less likely to ever use or ride.

Not true for my locals. Their DLX boxes have been consistently late to the point where they sometimes get their last 2 orders and current order at once. Then the shop has to have a sale cuz they have so much tied up in that inventory.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bumba on August 26, 2022, 06:09:57 AM
Not sure if this belongs here but...

Just bought some 874s and they've changed a few things on them and now I'm tweaking out that they won't be as good as the original ones. They've changed the print on the waistband which was the dead giveaway. They're using different zips and hook and eye closure and they've changed the factory which is what's concerning me the most. Basically Dickies cost a ton over here so that's why I'm tweaking.

Can anyone with some 874s check where yours were made please? I think it's usually Honduras but the updated ones I have were made in Bangladesh.

Thanks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pizzafliptofakie on August 26, 2022, 06:16:44 AM
Not sure if this belongs here but...

Just bought some 874s and they've changed a few things on them and now I'm tweaking out that they won't be as good as the original ones. They've changed the print on the waistband which was the dead giveaway. They're using different zips and hook and eye closure and they've changed the factory which is what's concerning me the most. Basically Dickies cost a ton over here so that's why I'm tweaking.

Can anyone with some 874s check where yours were made please? I think it's usually Honduras but the updated ones I have were made in Bangladesh.

Thanks


Just checked my closet and it seems all my standard 874s are made in Honduras and all my 874 Flexes are made in Nicaragua.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bumba on August 26, 2022, 06:26:30 AM
Expand Quote
Not sure if this belongs here but...

Just bought some 874s and they've changed a few things on them and now I'm tweaking out that they won't be as good as the original ones. They've changed the print on the waistband which was the dead giveaway. They're using different zips and hook and eye closure and they've changed the factory which is what's concerning me the most. Basically Dickies cost a ton over here so that's why I'm tweaking.

Can anyone with some 874s check where yours were made please? I think it's usually Honduras but the updated ones I have were made in Bangladesh.

Thanks
[close]


Just checked my closet and it seems all my standard 874s are made in Honduras and all my 874 Flexes are made in Nicaragua.

Oh damn thanks! Wonder if they've changed some stuff up for their 100 year anniversary. I hope they're not lowering quality. These are the new waist bands. Got these from the Dickies website here in the UK.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 26, 2022, 11:13:37 AM
It is not uncommon for different markets to be manufactured in different countries due to various trade agreements, customs fees, and shipping costs. Issues in QC generally come when that work is outsourced or done in a contracted factory, but lots of big companies have the same equipment in their facilities.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on August 26, 2022, 11:36:51 AM
Yeah could be that's just what you get in the UK now. Was a kind of scam these big bargain factory outlet places in Aus used to do. They'd have Nike's Adidas Levi's whatever but it was all from South Asia so it's not technically fake or anything it's just not what was actually meant to be sold in aus
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on August 26, 2022, 01:20:20 PM
Not sure if this belongs here but...

Just bought some 874s and they've changed a few things on them and now I'm tweaking out that they won't be as good as the original ones. They've changed the print on the waistband which was the dead giveaway. They're using different zips and hook and eye closure and they've changed the factory which is what's concerning me the most. Basically Dickies cost a ton over here so that's why I'm tweaking.

Can anyone with some 874s check where yours were made please? I think it's usually Honduras but the updated ones I have were made in Bangladesh.

Thanks
The ones I have from pre Covid times were all Honduran made(from Dickies site). I just ordered 5 pair 2 weeks ago(again from Dickies site) and they are all made in Mexico. The legs are anywhere from 1/2” - 1” longer than the Honduran made and vary within all the ones I got. I washed one pair so if I hate the length they’ll become shorts and the rest are going back.
Sucks. I loved the standard 874s but looks like I might be going to Bens again.
 
Anyone else notice the lengthening in the Mexico made?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bumba on August 26, 2022, 02:31:07 PM
It is not uncommon for different markets to be manufactured in different countries due to various trade agreements, customs fees, and shipping costs. Issues in QC generally come when that work is outsourced or done in a contracted factory, but lots of big companies have the same equipment in their facilities.

Oh damn okay that actually makes a ton of sense. Thanks for the help. Kinda put me at ease knowing that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bumba on August 26, 2022, 02:32:40 PM
Expand Quote
Not sure if this belongs here but...

Just bought some 874s and they've changed a few things on them and now I'm tweaking out that they won't be as good as the original ones. They've changed the print on the waistband which was the dead giveaway. They're using different zips and hook and eye closure and they've changed the factory which is what's concerning me the most. Basically Dickies cost a ton over here so that's why I'm tweaking.

Can anyone with some 874s check where yours were made please? I think it's usually Honduras but the updated ones I have were made in Bangladesh.

Thanks
[close]
The ones I have from pre Covid times were all Honduran made(from Dickies site). I just ordered 5 pair 2 weeks ago(again from Dickies site) and they are all made in Mexico. The legs are anywhere from 1/2” - 1” longer than the Honduran made and vary within all the ones I got. I washed one pair so if I hate the length they’ll become shorts and the rest are going back.
Sucks. I loved the standard 874s but looks like I might be going to Bens again.
 
Anyone else notice the lengthening in the Mexico made?

Oh damn that's strange. I wonder how they'll hold up to the original ones. Hopefully they're just the same but made in a different factory like the guy above you said.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on August 26, 2022, 02:41:31 PM
Expand Quote
Trigger warning: Madness inducing
And sorry for double post

Expand Quote
Madness Pro-Tip: Keep notes about stuff you try (e.g. 14" wheelbase is too cramped. Feels like ollie power is lost. Unstable on transition, etc.). Keep notes about how many times you've tried something (e.g. third time on a 14" wb, and hated it every time). Next time are you tempted to try/buy something new, check your notes. "Oh, trying a 14" wb for the fourth time isn't going to suddenly make me like it and/or end with a different result."
[close]

The problem I've found with this madness in skateboarding is that what you're explaining isn't really true (for me).
The reason is that you can get used to a new setup pretty fast if you allow it and skate it for 2 weeks no matter if it feels right. A perfect feeling setup you absolutely loved can feel like shit after getting used to something else. So after trying some other shit, that 14wb deck could actually feel perfect even after you hated it 3 times.
BUT don't go there. The conclusion is to just give whatever you have a chance, after a few sessions you get used to it and it's your new perfect setup and everything else will feel worse.
And if you switch again, in the process of getting used to the new setup, you'll never reach the point of getting used to anything at all, thereby fueling your madness.

Give it two damn weeks
[close]

This.
Goddamn.
Buying shit to skate it for 10 minutes and then declaring that it doesn’t work? Holy fuck. Extra crispy.

I think this is about for how long I skate Thunders, but at least they were free.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 26, 2022, 03:20:36 PM
https://www.instagram.com/p/Chu2K7QJfKw/

Whether this is just a rebranding of their current shapes into new naming schemes or brand new shapes altogether, I think we are at the cusp of a new depth of madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 26, 2022, 03:47:07 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Not sure if this belongs here but...

Just bought some 874s and they've changed a few things on them and now I'm tweaking out that they won't be as good as the original ones. They've changed the print on the waistband which was the dead giveaway. They're using different zips and hook and eye closure and they've changed the factory which is what's concerning me the most. Basically Dickies cost a ton over here so that's why I'm tweaking.

Can anyone with some 874s check where yours were made please? I think it's usually Honduras but the updated ones I have were made in Bangladesh.

Thanks
[close]
The ones I have from pre Covid times were all Honduran made(from Dickies site). I just ordered 5 pair 2 weeks ago(again from Dickies site) and they are all made in Mexico. The legs are anywhere from 1/2” - 1” longer than the Honduran made and vary within all the ones I got. I washed one pair so if I hate the length they’ll become shorts and the rest are going back.
Sucks. I loved the standard 874s but looks like I might be going to Bens again.
 
Anyone else notice the lengthening in the Mexico made?
[close]

Oh damn that's strange. I wonder how they'll hold up to the original ones. Hopefully they're just the same but made in a different factory like the guy above you said.

Expand Quote
It is not uncommon for different markets to be manufactured in different countries due to various trade agreements, customs fees, and shipping costs. Issues in QC generally come when that work is outsourced or done in a contracted factory, but lots of big companies have the same equipment in their facilities.
[close]

Oh damn okay that actually makes a ton of sense. Thanks for the help. Kinda put me at ease knowing that.


In Australia they have always been high priced "fashion pants" more than work wear, so unless they were on a really good clearance sale, I never really bought any locally.

I always found it curious that when I found somewhere to order bulk pants lots from USA to AU from uniform wholesaler type places, going back almost twenty years, there would be so many inconsistencies even then, including with the USA made Dickies, although there certainly were no where near as many size and length differences as there have been more so in the last ten years.

The most recent versions here seem almost a cheap looking knock off compared to the old ones, these ones coming from a few different places, China mostly but others as mentioned, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua and others I can't recall right now, but they still hold up fine and don't have any issues.

I usually size up and put a belt in them and as much as the same exact size, colour and style can be different, I find if I make them work for certain things, eg the weird lengths as said cut off, the looser leg skate in and wear with bigger shoes like Half Cabs, the not so wide leg wear more for other things and not skating, etc.

It might be a different story if you only bought a pair or so at a time, or had more specific needs, but I live in mine, 24/7 so it is not such a big deal for me, for work, skate, everything.


For those people in USA, are the cheaper Walmart pants significantly different to the ones from other places like uniform shops and disposal stores?  Some people had said definitely, but others said there is no difference.  That is not even considering fashion shops, but I am really only talking about the 874 style, none of the other ones.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on August 26, 2022, 05:09:46 PM
I buy them in bulk as well since I can’t stand the Cintas work pants(besides it saves me $ on uniform services since I only get their shirts). The material seems to be the same, although I haven’t gotten to wearing the Mexico made yet. It looks like they just screwed the sizing in length up. I wear 28L and these are closer to a 30L. I can’t stand having the heels of my pants dragging. So I get a certain size for that reason. 20+ years and the length was consistent(for mine at least) and now they’re way long and varied lengths at that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 26, 2022, 05:37:26 PM
I buy them in bulk as well since I can’t stand the Cintas work pants(besides it saves me $ on uniform services since I only get their shirts). The material seems to be the same, although I haven’t gotten to wearing the Mexico made yet. It looks like they just screwed the sizing in length up. I wear 28L and these are closer to a 30L. I can’t stand having the heels of my pants dragging. So I get a certain size for that reason. 20+ years and the length was consistent(for mine at least) and now they’re way long and varied lengths at that.


It defeats the purpose of buying pants at the specific size if you have to get them altered, but lots of people I know do just that.  No matter what they are like, some people will get them taken up or taken in down in the lower leg or all sorts of other things.

Gotta admit when the Mahogany brown colour was discontinued, I bought lots of runout stock with the longer leg to get them taken up and they are still my favourite skate pants, but usually for anything else, the 32 length works well enough. 

In saying that, if they don't fit nicely for length, they become shorts, or they find another home.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on August 27, 2022, 03:00:34 PM
…and it’s back. I’ve been on 8.25 with 148 Thunder for a while now and I’m peeking over the fence at Thunder 149s again. I had sold off my 149s and here I am thinking about buying another set. Talk me out of it or into it. Whatever.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 27, 2022, 03:17:07 PM
Put 2-3 extra washers inside and try it out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on August 27, 2022, 03:34:50 PM
Put 2-3 extra washers inside and try it out.

I don’t know why I forget that this is an option. Thanks dude!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lessfillingtastegreat on August 27, 2022, 05:03:28 PM
Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on August 27, 2022, 06:14:16 PM
Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy.

Yeah sounds like it. You ever tried a cleaning eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Eraser-Stick-Abrasive-Sanding/dp/B000H69U7G/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32BXBF7B4KTSR&keywords=belt+sander+cleaner&qid=1661649212&sprefix=belt+sander+cleane%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-4
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bumba on August 27, 2022, 06:21:30 PM
Expand Quote
Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy.
[close]


Yeah sounds like it. You ever tried a cleaning eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Eraser-Stick-Abrasive-Sanding/dp/B000H69U7G/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32BXBF7B4KTSR&keywords=belt+sander+cleaner&qid=1661649212&sprefix=belt+sander+cleane%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-4

Seriously these are the shit! One guy who's really good at skating at my local is super OCD about having clean grip so he always has one with him and he got me onto it.

I only use it on larger bits of dirt and crud that annoy me but it's so good to be able to keep my grip fairly uniform without splodges of crap. Just don't get into the trap of spending all session or evening cleaning your grip. I've seen my friend behind a ramp obsessively rubbing his grip a few times 😂

Enjoi make a nice hard one and mob make a soft one. I reckon harder is easier to use
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on August 27, 2022, 11:40:45 PM
For spots of wax the grip gum doesn’t work from my experience.

What I’ve done is melt the wax with a hairdryer for example and soak it into a paper towel. If you want to make it a bit cleaner looking it’s probably better to put the towel there before melting the wax. Grip will not look spotless but it’ll work just as new.

I’m all for regripping a board when the grip is worn out but trying to keep it looking nice is useless at least where I skate so I don’t bother and I actually enjoy when it looks well used if it still functions good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mvdbosch90 on September 06, 2022, 02:20:06 PM
I actually managed to retain myself today. I had the idea to give my Ace AF1 55’s another try, but I stuk to my Indy 149 Titaniums. I was glad I did so, I felt like I was getting more used to the setup and I really appreciated the light weight :) The turn of the Aces is nice, but my tricks just feel easier and more controlled on the Indies.

So in other words, as I already know, and as most people already know, it does actually help to stick to a certain setup… It’s a miracle.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 09, 2022, 01:01:41 PM
I actually managed to retain myself today. I had the idea to give my Ace AF1 55’s another try, but I stuk to my Indy 149 Titaniums. I was glad I did so, I felt like I was getting more used to the setup and I really appreciated the light weight :) The turn of the Aces is nice, but my tricks just feel easier and more controlled on the Indies.

So in other words, as I already know, and as most people already know, it does actually help to stick to a certain setup… It’s a miracle.

Well done!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Badandoldskater on September 09, 2022, 04:29:53 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy.
[close]


Yeah sounds like it. You ever tried a cleaning eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Eraser-Stick-Abrasive-Sanding/dp/B000H69U7G/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32BXBF7B4KTSR&keywords=belt+sander+cleaner&qid=1661649212&sprefix=belt+sander+cleane%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-4
[close]

Seriously these are the shit! One guy who's really good at skating at my local is super OCD about having clean grip so he always has one with him and he got me onto it.

I only use it on larger bits of dirt and crud that annoy me but it's so good to be able to keep my grip fairly uniform without splodges of crap. Just don't get into the trap of spending all session or evening cleaning your grip. I've seen my friend behind a ramp obsessively rubbing his grip a few times 😂

Enjoi make a nice hard one and mob make a soft one. I reckon harder is easier to use

You can buy a giant one at harbor freight
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on September 09, 2022, 08:03:51 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy.
[close]


Yeah sounds like it. You ever tried a cleaning eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Eraser-Stick-Abrasive-Sanding/dp/B000H69U7G/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32BXBF7B4KTSR&keywords=belt+sander+cleaner&qid=1661649212&sprefix=belt+sander+cleane%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-4
[close]

Seriously these are the shit! One guy who's really good at skating at my local is super OCD about having clean grip so he always has one with him and he got me onto it.

I only use it on larger bits of dirt and crud that annoy me but it's so good to be able to keep my grip fairly uniform without splodges of crap. Just don't get into the trap of spending all session or evening cleaning your grip. I've seen my friend behind a ramp obsessively rubbing his grip a few times 😂

Enjoi make a nice hard one and mob make a soft one. I reckon harder is easier to use
[close]

You can buy a giant one at harbor freight

Gonna need a link to that one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 09, 2022, 09:39:12 PM
Just get one on Amazon. I use them to clean sanding belts on my sanders and they have some cheap ones that work pretty damn well. It acts kind of like a pencil eraser but absorbs particles and then sheds/erases off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 09, 2022, 09:39:38 PM
Had a friend that ordered a deck online and sent it back cuz it was a I on the press DLX. Quite bad.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 09, 2022, 11:46:21 PM
I'm about to set up my Polar deck, which in true Polar fashion, have completely wrong wheelbase measurement. Its suppose to be 14.125", but its more like 14.4". Therefore i'm tempted to slap indy's on, instead of using my trusty thunders. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on September 10, 2022, 05:13:42 AM
My thought is that it’s going to be more difficult to adjust to a different truck than it is a wheelbase difference of a fraction of an inch.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on September 10, 2022, 06:45:18 AM
My thought is that it’s going to be more difficult to adjust to a different truck than it is a wheelbase difference of a fraction of an inch.

I second this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 10, 2022, 07:11:20 AM
Also those Polar decks are 14.25 so you're measuring it wrong and it's even less than you think.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: iw0 on September 10, 2022, 09:20:52 AM
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Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy.
[close]


Yeah sounds like it. You ever tried a cleaning eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Eraser-Stick-Abrasive-Sanding/dp/B000H69U7G/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32BXBF7B4KTSR&keywords=belt+sander+cleaner&qid=1661649212&sprefix=belt+sander+cleane%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-4
[close]

Seriously these are the shit! One guy who's really good at skating at my local is super OCD about having clean grip so he always has one with him and he got me onto it.

I only use it on larger bits of dirt and crud that annoy me but it's so good to be able to keep my grip fairly uniform without splodges of crap. Just don't get into the trap of spending all session or evening cleaning your grip. I've seen my friend behind a ramp obsessively rubbing his grip a few times 😂

Enjoi make a nice hard one and mob make a soft one. I reckon harder is easier to use
[close]

You can buy a giant one at harbor freight
[close]

Gonna need a link to that one.

https://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html
was curious just how big it was & found this
(https://wac.edgecastcdn.net/001A39/prod/media/t7kuhATX6jW2ChSsite/9600134C286A92556D3E9F44F96155AB.app1_1579299691797_1_L1800.jpeg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on September 10, 2022, 10:27:17 AM
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Regripped my board. It wasn’t dusted and I’ve been skating it well so I figured re-grip rather than set a new one up.  Went skating today, now have wax spots.  Super hot in AZ.  Now I’m thinking of regripping it.  Yet again.  I have plenty of grip but the board is solid. No chips and plenty of pop.  Plus I like it when I’ve done a good job on the scratch off underneath. Nose and tail and center look properly beat.   Am I crazy.
[close]


Yeah sounds like it. You ever tried a cleaning eraser?

https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-Eraser-Stick-Abrasive-Sanding/dp/B000H69U7G/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32BXBF7B4KTSR&keywords=belt+sander+cleaner&qid=1661649212&sprefix=belt+sander+cleane%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-4
[close]

Seriously these are the shit! One guy who's really good at skating at my local is super OCD about having clean grip so he always has one with him and he got me onto it.

I only use it on larger bits of dirt and crud that annoy me but it's so good to be able to keep my grip fairly uniform without splodges of crap. Just don't get into the trap of spending all session or evening cleaning your grip. I've seen my friend behind a ramp obsessively rubbing his grip a few times 😂

Enjoi make a nice hard one and mob make a soft one. I reckon harder is easier to use
[close]

You can buy a giant one at harbor freight
[close]

Gonna need a link to that one.
[close]

https://www.harborfreight.com/sanding-belt-cleaner-30766.html
was curious just how big it was & found this
(https://wac.edgecastcdn.net/001A39/prod/media/t7kuhATX6jW2ChSsite/9600134C286A92556D3E9F44F96155AB.app1_1579299691797_1_L1800.jpeg)

Dope, thank you. I need some extended clamps and was planning on going to HF this weekend anyway!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: freidnly guy on September 10, 2022, 11:00:30 AM
I'm about to set up my Polar deck, which in true Polar fashion, have completely wrong wheelbase measurement. Its suppose to be 14.125", but its more like 14.4". Therefore i'm tempted to slap indy's on, instead of using my trusty thunders. Thoughts?
Which deck? And are you for sure measuring correctly?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on September 11, 2022, 02:50:34 AM
I have a Polar 8.25 deck lined up next. But it is like 2 years old soon. Dane Brady Kiosk graphic. The wheelbase there is like 14.3"

But I don't know how they are on more recent decks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: obZen on September 11, 2022, 06:15:21 AM
Heads up….I kinda think while the rest of the world is dealing with supply chain issues, this season at least, there is a bloated supply of decks….shops will be/are blowing them out.  Stock pile….or don’t…..

I stockpiled. Element just had a big sale, $35 boards, all bbs wood, not hyped on the graphics but that with the spend $150 get $50 off I went a little bit nuts blew a paycheck on 20 boards. Of course now that means I have to skate these boards knowing all of them have this stubby 6.45” Flat-ish tail. Time to put my thunders back in the rotation I suppose.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 11, 2022, 07:01:46 PM
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Heads up….I kinda think while the rest of the world is dealing with supply chain issues, this season at least, there is a bloated supply of decks….shops will be/are blowing them out.  Stock pile….or don’t…..
[close]

I stockpiled. Element just had a big sale, $35 boards, all bbs wood, not hyped on the graphics but that with the spend $150 get $50 off I went a little bit nuts blew a paycheck on 20 boards. Of course now that means I have to skate these boards knowing all of them have this stubby 6.45” Flat-ish tail. Time to put my thunders back in the rotation I suppose.


It's a funny one!

People I know turn their noses up at those kind of sales, but I would rather get a board with good wood and bad graphic for cheap than pay excessive amounts for the same wood, but the spend / save ratio is a lot higher for me in that regard.

I can always paint or blank the board and it still skates the same as any other and I get three boards for the same price as just one of the better boards, so in that regard I am not worried about anything else.

What size did you get with that short of a tail?  Most I see are at least 6.5 and up, but I do ride the bigger boards too, usually 8.38s and 8.5s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on September 12, 2022, 05:25:19 AM
Just thought about this gear madness for a bit and now I'm extremely glad it hit me as a relatively young person (27). After getting on slap and watching ben degros, finding out about all these differences and trying stuff, it basically destroyed my skating for more than a year. I'm over it now, making progress again and not switching any gear until it breaks because there's simply nothing to gain from it.

I imagine if you're getting into the madness at 40+, only trying new stuff, losing all the progress you've made while not having the time and energy to fully get everything back, it must be shattering.

Let's try to keep more people from doing this to themselves.
Tell your story.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on September 12, 2022, 05:34:34 AM
Got an idea. Does gear madness worsen for people who tend to skate the same spots/parks regularly? When I was younger and would pretty much skate a new spot or park every week I'd basically use the same gear and be concentrating on how to skate the spot. Now I'm old and broken I basically skate the same places all the time and when shits not working start to focus on how I'd want different gear etc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on September 12, 2022, 05:46:28 AM
Got an idea. Does gear madness worsen for people who tend to skate the same spots/parks regularly? When I was younger and would pretty much skate a new spot or park every week I'd basically use the same gear and be concentrating on how to skate the spot. Now I'm old and broken I basically skate the same places all the time and when shits not working start to focus on how I'd want different gear etc

For sure, and then you keep skating the same stuff because before trying a new spot, you first need to get used to the new gear. Pushing the madness into a positive feedback loop, only getting worse.

For me it started from always reading on slap that you should skate thunders on a short wheelbase. I'm 5'8" or so and rode thunders on a 14.4"wb so I wondered if there's actually something to gain by changing decks/trucks.
There wasn't..
It's all personal preference and simply what you're used to. No rules
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on September 12, 2022, 07:16:32 AM
have went a bit mad and had to buy Spitfire F4s, Ace Trucks, and a 8.5" board just because they were lacking in my life
i havent hardly skated it at all because i have a 9.125" setup and a 8" setup
if i can find like 6 more bearings i could have a 4th setup.

(https://i.imgur.com/aXmzefv.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/QKKIEFs.jpg)

8" Isle deck - Paul Shier
Ventures (8")
Bones wheels i got in germany ~2013, maybe 50mm left
$10 abec 5's

8.5" The Ward (Guelph, ON Canada shop. board done by Chapman / Clutch)
Indy 139s forged hollow (still have the iron cross logo)
Spitfire F4 Mark Suciu 99a (Conical Full)
Bones Super Swiss

9.125" Primitive Egg Frankie Villani
Ace AF1 60 Polished
OJ 58mm(down to like 56) 95a Natas Kaupas
Bronson G3

4th rain setup would fit nicely;
8.75" Anti Hero Blue Meanie
Indy 159 Forged Hollow stage 11 (grinded down to axle though)
Bones STF 104a (down to ~49mm)
~Need Bearings~


Considering switching the Ventures from the 8" setup over to the 8.5" setup, i feel like it makes more sense to have Ventures with the Spitfires. Put the STF onto the 8" setup because its just meant to be a small techy setup anyway (hence the ventures) and then have the slightly bigger softer wheels for the rain cruiser.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MysticalTypeExperience on September 12, 2022, 07:34:23 AM
Got an idea. Does gear madness worsen for people who tend to skate the same spots/parks regularly? When I was younger and would pretty much skate a new spot or park every week I'd basically use the same gear and be concentrating on how to skate the spot. Now I'm old and broken I basically skate the same places all the time and when shits not working start to focus on how I'd want different gear etc

That's kind of bass ackwards because the best part of different gear is catering it to the terrain you're skating. Since I mostly skate park I've been able to narrow my setup options down to find the "goldilocks" setup. Of course the other element to that is the type of tricks you're doing at said spots.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on September 12, 2022, 07:41:18 AM
Got an idea. Does gear madness worsen for people who tend to skate the same spots/parks regularly? When I was younger and would pretty much skate a new spot or park every week I'd basically use the same gear and be concentrating on how to skate the spot. Now I'm old and broken I basically skate the same places all the time and when shits not working start to focus on how I'd want different gear etc

I can relate to this feeling.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: obZen on September 12, 2022, 03:21:25 PM
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Heads up….I kinda think while the rest of the world is dealing with supply chain issues, this season at least, there is a bloated supply of decks….shops will be/are blowing them out.  Stock pile….or don’t…..
[close]

I stockpiled. Element just had a big sale, $35 boards, all bbs wood, not hyped on the graphics but that with the spend $150 get $50 off I went a little bit nuts blew a paycheck on 20 boards. Of course now that means I have to skate these boards knowing all of them have this stubby 6.45” Flat-ish tail. Time to put my thunders back in the rotation I suppose.
[close]


It's a funny one!

People I know turn their noses up at those kind of sales, but I would rather get a board with good wood and bad graphic for cheap than pay excessive amounts for the same wood, but the spend / save ratio is a lot higher for me in that regard.

I can always paint or blank the board and it still skates the same as any other and I get three boards for the same price as just one of the better boards, so in that regard I am not worried about anything else.

What size did you get with that short of a tail?  Most I see are at least 6.5 and up, but I do ride the bigger boards too, usually 8.38s and 8.5s.
All 8.25s except I did get one Madars deck deck that’s an 8.38 which is pointier than what I prefer but it’s gonna be cool to try. I know 6.45 isn’t crazy short, but they have a lot of flat beyond the bolts almost the same as the 8.25 toy machines I had that makes me feel like it’s shorter in my head. I got used to the 6.8” rounder tail on the girl G052 boards I skated before this so it definitely is taking some adjustment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on September 12, 2022, 06:08:58 PM
Coming back from not skating for a while, I wanted to optimize my setup, so that I wouldn't have to think about. Couldn't blame it for anything, just skate. Try to make it kind of generic.

I came up with that 8.25" or 8.5" were my ideal deck sizes.

Figured 8.38" was the middle ground for trucks

and 54mm for wheels.

But to work with the deck widths, I wanted flush wheels/grind space, so 8.5" or 8.75" are my truck options. And to have the biggest wheels I can without too much wheelbite, the trucks and wheels I decided on are cast venture hi's, cast indy's, or aces, with 54-56mm 99a F4's depending on truck brand. Hollows if available.

I think the best setup for hill bombing is probably a cast venture Hi 6.1, on an 8.5 deck, with 54/55mm conical fulls

For pools and stuff, a cast Indy 159, on an 8.5, with 56mm conical fulls sounds right.

The one I ended up going with, that I'm skating right now is Ace AF1 55's, on an 8.25", with 54mm OG classics. This could be the one. Definitely the easiest to skate. Different wheels could make it easier maybe.

I think a shaped 9.25 with a shorter wb or the front truck drilled back, risers and 57-59mm wheels would be tight, on like 9" aces or 169s... And to fix pop angle I could slap a tail skid on there

Over the years I've skated everything from 7.25" to 10" for decks, 129's to 169's, and ~44 to 64mm wheels, venture lows, thunders of most heights and sizes, indys of many different stages and heights, and now some AF1's.

Honestly only really curious about venture hi 5.8's and 6.1's. Might set up two identical boards, one with venture highs and one with aces, and see which one I like better. I feel like indys are right in the middle of those two and I've skated all the indys but 109's and 215's.

Indy is definitely the most common truck I think, shame about stage 9 and 10, shame about the marketing.

Spitfire F4's are the most common/popular wheel, p sure

I think the AH eagles/Baker logo decks are the best generic looking decks


IDK what the hell I'm talking about, thanks for coming to my ted talk

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on September 28, 2022, 01:57:39 PM
Okay so, I think it is on me to bring this thread back.

I was looking for a solution. Something thin and kinda stiff to put under the regular insole of vulc shoes. To make the shoes a bit more stiffer. I used what I found in my apartment. I used cardboard from a pack of pizza and griptape. I traced the outline of the existing insole on the cardboard, cut it out and put two layers of griptape on the cardboard. On the top and on the bottom of the cardboard "insole". Not gonna lie, I feel a bit insane, but so far I like it.
Any other ideas or recommendations for material are welcome. I was thinking some kind of thin plastic could work really well, but I am not sure.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 28, 2022, 02:13:57 PM
Okay so, I think it is on me to bring this thread back.

I was looking for a solution. Something thin and kinda stiff to put under the regular insole of vulc shoes. To make the shoes a bit more stiffer. I used what I found in my apartment. I used cardboard from a pack of pizza and griptape. I traced the outline of the existing insole on the cardboard, cut it out and put two layers of griptape on the cardboard. On the top and on the bottom of the cardboard "insole". Not gonna lie, I feel a bit insane, but so far I like it.
Any other ideas or recommendations for material are welcome. I was thinking some kind of thin plastic could work really well, but I am not sure.

Superfeet and lots of other companies make stiff heel supports that are designed for low volume shoes. They fit under your heel and arch. If you want full length you can try the Sole orthotics that have a plastic base under the foam.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on September 28, 2022, 05:01:37 PM
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Okay so, I think it is on me to bring this thread back.

I was looking for a solution. Something thin and kinda stiff to put under the regular insole of vulc shoes. To make the shoes a bit more stiffer. I used what I found in my apartment. I used cardboard from a pack of pizza and griptape. I traced the outline of the existing insole on the cardboard, cut it out and put two layers of griptape on the cardboard. On the top and on the bottom of the cardboard "insole". Not gonna lie, I feel a bit insane, but so far I like it.
Any other ideas or recommendations for material are welcome. I was thinking some kind of thin plastic could work really well, but I am not sure.
[close]

Superfeet and lots of other companies make stiff heel supports that are designed for low volume shoes. They fit under your heel and arch. If you want full length you can try the Sole orthotics that have a plastic base under the foam.
What about one of those rubber mat things you out on a desk so you don't accidentally cut into the wood? I've got a bunch of carpet tiles that have rubber backing and have thought about cutting one into insoles before I think the rubber would be pretty similar to what's under the sponge in non skate line vans. In Aus there's a shop called Clarke rubber that has a million types of rubber and plastic sheets etc I'm sure there must be versions of this in every country where you could find something.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 28, 2022, 05:18:20 PM
I dunno man you're basically trying to make a midsole in a shoe that doesn't have one. Id recommend just roasting them out with a stiff insole and then getting something different.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 28, 2022, 06:12:02 PM
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Okay so, I think it is on me to bring this thread back.

I was looking for a solution. Something thin and kinda stiff to put under the regular insole of vulc shoes. To make the shoes a bit more stiffer. I used what I found in my apartment. I used cardboard from a pack of pizza and griptape. I traced the outline of the existing insole on the cardboard, cut it out and put two layers of griptape on the cardboard. On the top and on the bottom of the cardboard "insole". Not gonna lie, I feel a bit insane, but so far I like it.
Any other ideas or recommendations for material are welcome. I was thinking some kind of thin plastic could work really well, but I am not sure.
[close]

Superfeet and lots of other companies make stiff heel supports that are designed for low volume shoes. They fit under your heel and arch. If you want full length you can try the Sole orthotics that have a plastic base under the foam.
[close]
What about one of those rubber mat things you out on a desk so you don't accidentally cut into the wood? I've got a bunch of carpet tiles that have rubber backing and have thought about cutting one into insoles before I think the rubber would be pretty similar to what's under the sponge in non skate line vans. In Aus there's a shop called Clarke rubber that has a million types of rubber and plastic sheets etc I'm sure there must be versions of this in every country where you could find something.


Woolies has those thin three pack of fairly big flexible cutting boards that are under a mm thick but super sturdy and take a beating.

I wonder if something like that would work, if the shoe has enough room height wise to fit with everything else.

Some of the taller or blown out shoes have been good with those flat odor eater insoles - pretty much just thin rubber type of stuff, but as you are thinking something a little harder material would work well too and would not break up.

When I would put cardboard in the shoes, it would get sweaty and within a week just come apart from some serious sessions, so i would look for other things that would not get soggy.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on September 29, 2022, 01:52:30 AM
Came here to say flexible plastic cutting boards.

Used to glue them in my thin squishy running shoes as a 'rock plate' for backpacking, for keeping pointy rocks from poking my foot lol

I don't see the point of it in a skate shoe

Now I just use Sole footbeds in my hiking shoes... And ski boots, ice boots, etc etc. Sole don't work so well in some shoes(too wide) but superfeet are a little narrower. I wanna try some of the other superfeets, the softer ones, to put in like, blazers, classic vans, LRAB's, etc. The classic superfeets and the SOLE boys don't have shit for heel protection, but they're great for primo protection
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 29, 2022, 01:30:17 PM
I liked the Sole Ultra in Half Cabs and use Superfeet RUN Comfort in my NB 440s. I've gotten a few friends to convert to these as well. NB sells a branded version for more money.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 05, 2022, 04:06:53 PM
I kinda want to try ventures but I have zero reason to do so. My setup with thunders is perfect.
Could get V-Lights 50% off and I'm thinking about it all the time. My main reason to actually buy them is to simply stop thinking about it at this point.
Only rolled around one somebodies setup with ventures once, hated the non-turn. But in my head it can't actually be this ridiculously bad, must have been his bushings or something.
I'd also kind of like to slide on baseplates...?

HELP
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 05, 2022, 04:32:43 PM
The turn is the turn it would be really weird if his was an outlier. It is what it is you either get used to it or hack it to be close to what you want. V-lights won't feel like Thunders even tho they're lower. I liked them the least of any truck I have tried in modern times. They're light, but so damn long.

I also get interested in baseplate slide, but that is a factor for like 2 tricks if I don't wax the sides of the ledge. Your pop will be heavier and all of your timing will be altered except for a few basics. They will grind slower than Thunders. Is that worth a marginal difference in baseplate slide? I'd wager "no".

I also waver back to some form of Indy with my Thunder madness. Mostly because they pop well, turn well, and grind well plus the plate slide. But my tricks were not as consistent and leveled out, sometimes the turn was tooo loose, I didn't love the pop timing on the highs, and the wheelbite on forged is worse than Thunders for me. So I stay on what is working the best. Don't be fooled by the marketing!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on October 05, 2022, 11:42:05 PM
I've also been going back and forth between indy and thunder. But i've given Indy's some proper time now, and swapped the top bushing out for a harder one. My problem with indy's is that they are so turny that it screws up the setup for say hitting a ledge. But having a stiffer top bushing actually helped with some stability.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MONS 56K on October 06, 2022, 03:02:30 AM
I've been in the same boat switching between Indy's and Thunder's every time there is a hair across my ass.
As of recently I've removed the bottom washer on my forged plate thunders and I couldn't be happier, feels like I'm bridging the gap a bit. I don't know if I'm still honeymooning but so far it's the change I've been looking for.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 06, 2022, 05:43:22 AM
I've been in the same boat switching between Indy's and Thunder's every time there is a hair across my ass.
As of recently I've removed the bottom washer on my forged plate thunders and I couldn't be happier, feels like I'm bridging the gap a bit. I don't know if I'm still honeymooning but so far it's the change I've been looking for.

you are, good on you for acknowledging that as a possibility.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 06, 2022, 06:41:53 AM
My madness has mostly been shoes. I was rotating between Tiagos and 440s depending on the day and for some reason would feel I couldn't pop nollie tricks as high or back tail as high in Tiagos. Tried my old Half Cabs yesterday and was convinced there was a big difference, but my flick is far worse. So I spent 5 hours skating with 4 of it switching shoes and doing the same few tricks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on October 06, 2022, 08:25:39 AM
Best thing I ever did regarding shoe madness was only skate one pair of shoes until they're done and only after that switch. I do the same thing with setups. I suck bad enough as it is. I don't need the adjustment period to different shoes and setups every session.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The.Skate.Father on October 06, 2022, 04:57:54 PM
I got the madness, and wanted to try out all sorts of different combos and sizes, and when they wouldn't work out I felt pretty guilty about hoarding gear and not using it, but I managed to set up 2 decent boards, made a setup for my kid, and Im getting some parts together for a Christmas complete for Christmas that I'm hoping will be the one..... Still have a few parts stashed though.
I know we all have to take it day by day.
Now let's all take part in Serenity.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 07, 2022, 05:24:28 AM
My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: timv on October 07, 2022, 06:20:06 AM
Hahaha...  Sounds like me.
I was stuck on Ventures for a while but always wanted a bit more turn.
Went Thunders, Royals, and eventually Indy Titaniums....
The indy's felt all around good but madness came in for the mids specifically the forged hollow mids and something about them just feels right....
Much lower than I used to skate but no ghost pop and I can still ollie as high without extra effort.
Something just works.....
Also changed to South Central decks instead of Dwindle so higher kicks and deeper concave....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 07, 2022, 07:15:10 AM
My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 07, 2022, 07:21:49 AM
My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol

I’ve been here before. Here’s what I did. Put the larger wheels on the lighter trucks and mount them with risers on one board. Put the heavier trucks with the smaller wheels on another board. Now they’re both roughly the same. Then you can grab a setup based off the terrain you’re riding in reference to the wheels and after a few curb sessions with the heavier trucks they won’t feel so heavy. Set it and forget it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 07, 2022, 07:30:16 AM
Expand Quote
My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol
[close]

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.

I almost did this last night before i just put the ti's on with 1/16th risers
might have to give this a shot next


I’ve been here before. Here’s what I did. Put the larger wheels on the lighter trucks and mount them with risers on one board. Put the heavier trucks with the smaller wheels on another board. Now they’re both roughly the same. Then you can grab a setup based off the terrain you’re riding in reference to the wheels and after a few curb sessions with the heavier trucks they won’t feel so heavy. Set it and forget it.

The last thing i want is multiple "regular" boards. I've done this before when trying to compare things, and i feel like thats when im at my PEAK MADNESS. i have a lil quiver, but its just me regular board, zip zinger, polarizer, and a grimple football with soft wheels for crusty spots and dorking around.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 07, 2022, 07:51:10 AM
Think of it as one for home and one for the “office “? ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on October 07, 2022, 08:28:52 AM
I've gotten a new madness... My mind has come to the conclusion that 8.25 trucks suck. Its a "newer" size, so it cant be good. Therefore I'm considering to buy a pair of Thunder 147 (8.0" trucks) and just be done with it. Even tho I consider sizing up. I actually have 3 pairs of Thunder 148's. And the latest pair actually hangar then the rest, by 2mm... Production variance anyone? :D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 07, 2022, 09:27:40 AM
All truck sizes are completely arbitrary. The newest models have the freshest molds and will presumably feature the least variance between individual trucks of the same size. Run what ‘ya brung.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 07, 2022, 09:38:23 AM
I've gotten a new madness... My mind has come to the conclusion that 8.25 trucks suck. Its a "newer" size, so it cant be good.

Could not be further from the truth.

Run what ‘ya brung.

Hahaha...  Sounds like me.

The indy's felt all around good but madness came in for the mids specifically the forged hollow mids and something about them just feels right....

Much lower than I used to skate but no ghost pop and I can still ollie as high without extra effort.
Something just works.....


Yeah, there is something about them that's got me as well...I've been on them for a minute and swapped some trucks around and even ti indys (same bushings) don't feel as good as the Forged Mids it's the height and different geo. The Royals are a very close second to the forged mids.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 07, 2022, 10:54:40 AM
I tried Mids recently again (friend had a set, was getting rid of them) and my pop felt really anemic compared to what I remembered. I wonder if the forged version would feel better since they're not boat anchors. But I really do like basically everything about Thunders and now have 148 and 149 hangers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 07, 2022, 11:12:16 AM
 Full ti's on thin risers still felt too light in the air and my board sounded.... off. I put the 149 ti hangers on cast baseplates. couple driveway tricks felt alright, wish me luck at the park this afternoon.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 07, 2022, 12:18:00 PM
I've always run Team/cast plates and ti hangers on thunders, best of everything. Not surprised it works with Indys. Personally the kingpin, to me, is the thing I want hollow the most as they're so heavy.

As for pop feel on forged mids, it doesn't feel that much different to me, we're talking 1.5mm to regular mds, you could try smaller wheels and see if that fixes anything before double dipping. I run my forged mids with 51m wheels as putting normal 52mm+ wheels on a low truck defeats the purpose...and let's be real here, 50.5mm is a low truck (for what NHS offers), not a mid.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 07, 2022, 01:30:55 PM
Word yah I don't see myself ever wanting less than 52 to start with, but I usually run wheels until they're about 50 or so.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on October 07, 2022, 02:56:11 PM
Expand Quote
My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol
[close]

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.

Okay, this is interesting AF. So if I for some reason wanted the same setup. I’d have to get a set of Hollow Standards and the Forged TI, and then swap the plates and effectively make a set of Forged Hollows and a set of TI Standards?
Not gonna lie, it’s tempting, as I’d like very much to be free of using a riser with 56mm wheels, and the set of Forged Hollows could be set up for a cruiser, where I’m not so nit picky, cause I’ll have to use risers anyway.
But, it’s 216€\211$ worth of trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on October 07, 2022, 03:07:21 PM
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Expand Quote
My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol
[close]

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.
[close]

Okay, this is interesting AF. So if I for some reason wanted the same setup. I’d have to get a set of Hollow Standards and the Forged TI, and then swap the plates and effectively make a set of Forged Hollows and a set of TI Standards?
Not gonna lie, it’s tempting, as I’d like very much to be free of using a riser with 56mm wheels, and the set of Forged Hollows could be set up for a cruiser, where I’m not so nit picky, cause I’ll have to use risers anyway.
But, it’s 216€\211$ worth of trucks.

Indy makes cast hollows just get those and call it a day
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 07, 2022, 03:14:01 PM
It's pretty damn marginal. I'm not sure Ti hangers are a ton lighter than hollow, it's just what I had. I prefer the sound of solid axles so it comes down to that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on October 08, 2022, 12:43:15 AM
All truck sizes are completely arbitrary. The newest models have the freshest molds and will presumably feature the least variance between individual trucks of the same size. Run what ‘ya brung.

Or.... you could just bring a spare pair of trucks to the session and switch them out half way. Not that I would ever do something as silly as that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 08, 2022, 08:26:25 AM

Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.


If you are positive about ti axles and don't want to buy more than one set of trucks at a time?

Absolutely.

Getting a lighter lower truck, you can always put risers under it, from less than 1mm shock pads (or cut up rubber from a bike tube) through the most common 1/8" general sizes to whatever height you like 1/4" or even 1/2", etc. 

Old 80s setups pretty much all had 1/2" risers with 60+ mm wheels and most cruisers I set up for people have 1/4" risers for around 60-63 mm wheels nowdays too.

On the other hand, you can't make a heavy tall truck lower or lighter.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on October 08, 2022, 11:01:16 AM
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My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol
[close]

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.
[close]

Okay, this is interesting AF. So if I for some reason wanted the same setup. I’d have to get a set of Hollow Standards and the Forged TI, and then swap the plates and effectively make a set of Forged Hollows and a set of TI Standards?
Not gonna lie, it’s tempting, as I’d like very much to be free of using a riser with 56mm wheels, and the set of Forged Hollows could be set up for a cruiser, where I’m not so nit picky, cause I’ll have to use risers anyway.
But, it’s 216€\211$ worth of trucks.
[close]

Indy makes cast hollows just get those and call it a day
[close]
Yeah, those are the ones I mentioned, in Europe they’re mostly listed as “Hollow Standard”, with hollow kingpin and axel, and cast base, but to get the TI Hangers I’ll have to get a set of Forged TI as well. I don’t feel like you’re supporting my madness at all. 1,5mm higher truck with lower weight than the forged hollows is really appealing.
Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.

its for your own good
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on October 08, 2022, 12:19:00 PM
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Expand Quote

Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.
[close]


If you are positive about ti axles and don't want to buy more than one set of trucks at a time?

Absolutely.

Getting a lighter lower truck, you can always put risers under it, from less than 1mm shock pads (or cut up rubber from a bike tube) through the most common 1/8" general sizes to whatever height you like 1/4" or even 1/2", etc. 

Old 80s setups pretty much all had 1/2" risers with 60+ mm wheels and most cruisers I set up for people have 1/4" risers for around 60-63 mm wheels nowdays too.

On the other hand, you can't make a heavy tall truck lower or lighter.
[close]
Oh yeah, I’m all set with risers. Got this big bag of carpenters spacers in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5mm, and can cut/drill them to fit. I’m still getting wheelbite even though I’m using 3mm risers on forged hollows with 57mm wheels. I’m 275 pounds, so I can pretty much squash any bushings by relaxing my ankles. Wheels have already started to eat into the quad-x ply of my creature Russell VX.
So I guess I got to go a little higher.
Have bones hard bushings, and Indy super hards. The bones have the best rebound, and they’re not cranked down in yet, but I’m hesitant cause I read that they blow out fast if you mush them too much.

Here’s one “before” pic of the Indy 1/8 shock pad getting squished, and some of the DIY shit. I just did it with a power drill on the kitchen counter.

Any recommendations for 100a bushings that fit Indy’s?

(https://i.ibb.co/xMLnVrS/1-AB50645-C6-AA-4770-93-B1-C2465273-FAA7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xMLnVrS)(https://i.ibb.co/ZRQhQG0/27-FFD4-A9-C611-4842-8-E72-89-EC94970391.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRQhQG0)(https://i.ibb.co/Dfhjwwg/A18-F6-BBD-5-FE4-4-FE8-8327-8-B70-A482-D9-A2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Dfhjwwg)(https://i.ibb.co/sq22DWq/C38-CB9-A4-157-E-4479-9866-607-C50471708.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sq22DWq)

Just out of curiosity, are you getting tossed from wheel bite? Or just seeing rub marks?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 08, 2022, 12:21:24 PM
Ya dude you're in a fucking parallel universe of madness that most of us can't really fathom and we're just trying to pull you back to standard galaxy Earth.

Honestly at your weight I would stick with hollow axles. They are stronger as the inside is hardened as well. Ti axles are not strong, I'm 163lbs and have bent an Indy ti axle and I absolutely do not get gnar. I'd get the yellow bushings if I were you as well the 100A ones and I would recommend maybe some more standard sized wheels for less wheelbite. Otherwise you're going to end up with a 55mm truck with 5mm of risers and shit will be all fucked. You will pop and by the time your tail hits the ground a normal board would have already completed the trick.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: iw0 on October 08, 2022, 01:08:51 PM
Expand Quote
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Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.
[close]


If you are positive about ti axles and don't want to buy more than one set of trucks at a time?

Absolutely.

Getting a lighter lower truck, you can always put risers under it, from less than 1mm shock pads (or cut up rubber from a bike tube) through the most common 1/8" general sizes to whatever height you like 1/4" or even 1/2", etc. 

Old 80s setups pretty much all had 1/2" risers with 60+ mm wheels and most cruisers I set up for people have 1/4" risers for around 60-63 mm wheels nowdays too.

On the other hand, you can't make a heavy tall truck lower or lighter.
[close]
Oh yeah, I’m all set with risers. Got this big bag of carpenters spacers in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5mm, and can cut/drill them to fit. I’m still getting wheelbite even though I’m using 3mm risers on forged hollows with 57mm wheels. I’m 275 pounds, so I can pretty much squash any bushings by relaxing my ankles. Wheels have already started to eat into the quad-x ply of my creature Russell VX.
So I guess I got to go a little higher.
Have bones hard bushings, and Indy super hards. The bones have the best rebound, and they’re not cranked down in yet, but I’m hesitant cause I read that they blow out fast if you mush them too much.

Here’s one “before” pic of the Indy 1/8 shock pad getting squished, and some of the DIY shit. I just did it with a power drill on the kitchen counter.

Any recommendations for 100a bushings that fit Indy’s?

(https://i.ibb.co/xMLnVrS/1-AB50645-C6-AA-4770-93-B1-C2465273-FAA7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xMLnVrS)(https://i.ibb.co/ZRQhQG0/27-FFD4-A9-C611-4842-8-E72-89-EC94970391.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRQhQG0)(https://i.ibb.co/Dfhjwwg/A18-F6-BBD-5-FE4-4-FE8-8327-8-B70-A482-D9-A2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Dfhjwwg)(https://i.ibb.co/sq22DWq/C38-CB9-A4-157-E-4479-9866-607-C50471708.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sq22DWq)

could try the hardest indy aftermarkets that are 96a i think? but they are also barrel instead of cone shape like bones so you might have less issue with the bite
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on October 08, 2022, 03:17:11 PM
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My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol
[close]

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.
[close]

Okay, this is interesting AF. So if I for some reason wanted the same setup. I’d have to get a set of Hollow Standards and the Forged TI, and then swap the plates and effectively make a set of Forged Hollows and a set of TI Standards?
Not gonna lie, it’s tempting, as I’d like very much to be free of using a riser with 56mm wheels, and the set of Forged Hollows could be set up for a cruiser, where I’m not so nit picky, cause I’ll have to use risers anyway.
But, it’s 216€\211$ worth of trucks.
[close]

Indy makes cast hollows just get those and call it a day
[close]
Yeah, those are the ones I mentioned, in Europe they’re mostly listed as “Hollow Standard”, with hollow kingpin and axel, and cast base, but to get the TI Hangers I’ll have to get a set of Forged TI as well. I don’t feel like you’re supporting my madness at all. 1,5mm higher truck with lower weight than the forged hollows is really appealing.
Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.
[close]

its for your own good

Thanks man, I think that I feel your sincerity, and I appreciate it.

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.
[close]


If you are positive about ti axles and don't want to buy more than one set of trucks at a time?

Absolutely.

Getting a lighter lower truck, you can always put risers under it, from less than 1mm shock pads (or cut up rubber from a bike tube) through the most common 1/8" general sizes to whatever height you like 1/4" or even 1/2", etc. 

Old 80s setups pretty much all had 1/2" risers with 60+ mm wheels and most cruisers I set up for people have 1/4" risers for around 60-63 mm wheels nowdays too.

On the other hand, you can't make a heavy tall truck lower or lighter.
[close]
Oh yeah, I’m all set with risers. Got this big bag of carpenters spacers in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5mm, and can cut/drill them to fit. I’m still getting wheelbite even though I’m using 3mm risers on forged hollows with 57mm wheels. I’m 275 pounds, so I can pretty much squash any bushings by relaxing my ankles. Wheels have already started to eat into the quad-x ply of my creature Russell VX.
So I guess I got to go a little higher.
Have bones hard bushings, and Indy super hards. The bones have the best rebound, and they’re not cranked down in yet, but I’m hesitant cause I read that they blow out fast if you mush them too much.

Here’s one “before” pic of the Indy 1/8 shock pad getting squished, and some of the DIY shit. I just did it with a power drill on the kitchen counter.

Any recommendations for 100a bushings that fit Indy’s?

(https://i.ibb.co/xMLnVrS/1-AB50645-C6-AA-4770-93-B1-C2465273-FAA7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xMLnVrS)(https://i.ibb.co/ZRQhQG0/27-FFD4-A9-C611-4842-8-E72-89-EC94970391.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRQhQG0)(https://i.ibb.co/Dfhjwwg/A18-F6-BBD-5-FE4-4-FE8-8327-8-B70-A482-D9-A2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Dfhjwwg)(https://i.ibb.co/sq22DWq/C38-CB9-A4-157-E-4479-9866-607-C50471708.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sq22DWq)
[close]

could try the hardest indy aftermarkets that are 96a i think? but they are also barrel instead of cone shape like bones so you might have less issue with the bite
Check my second picture, it’s them damn 96a yellow super hard Indy aftermarket bushings. They’re ever more squirrely than the Bones. Ideally I’d get 100a, or just learn to love “loose” trucks.

Ya dude you're in a fucking parallel universe of madness that most of us can't really fathom and we're just trying to pull you back to standard galaxy Earth.

Honestly at your weight I would stick with hollow axles. They are stronger as the inside is hardened as well. Ti axles are not strong, I'm 163lbs and have bent an Indy ti axle and I absolutely do not get gnar. I'd get the yellow bushings if I were you as well the 100A ones and I would recommend maybe some more standard sized wheels for less wheelbite. Otherwise you're going to end up with a 55mm truck with 5mm of risers and shit will be all fucked. You will pop and by the time your tail hits the ground a normal board would have already completed the trick.

Thanks man, coming back down to earth.
I can’t blame you for not reading through all my shit, but I already have the Indy yellows, check the second picture.
Good info about the TI vs. Hollow hangers. I didn’t know they weren’t as strong.
Promise I won’t keep escalating my truck height. Forged hollows should be 53,5mm + 3mm riser, should take me to 56,5 for 57mm wheels. I could go up just one more millimetre.
I only have the 57mm F4 radials, as of right now but I’ve been eyeing some 55-56mm 95a for the indoor wood park.

Expand Quote
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Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.
[close]


If you are positive about ti axles and don't want to buy more than one set of trucks at a time?

Absolutely.

Getting a lighter lower truck, you can always put risers under it, from less than 1mm shock pads (or cut up rubber from a bike tube) through the most common 1/8" general sizes to whatever height you like 1/4" or even 1/2", etc. 

Old 80s setups pretty much all had 1/2" risers with 60+ mm wheels and most cruisers I set up for people have 1/4" risers for around 60-63 mm wheels nowdays too.

On the other hand, you can't make a heavy tall truck lower or lighter.
[close]
Oh yeah, I’m all set with risers. Got this big bag of carpenters spacers in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5mm, and can cut/drill them to fit. I’m still getting wheelbite even though I’m using 3mm risers on forged hollows with 57mm wheels. I’m 275 pounds, so I can pretty much squash any bushings by relaxing my ankles. Wheels have already started to eat into the quad-x ply of my creature Russell VX.
So I guess I got to go a little higher.
Have bones hard bushings, and Indy super hards. The bones have the best rebound, and they’re not cranked down in yet, but I’m hesitant cause I read that they blow out fast if you mush them too much.

Here’s one “before” pic of the Indy 1/8 shock pad getting squished, and some of the DIY shit. I just did it with a power drill on the kitchen counter.

Any recommendations for 100a bushings that fit Indy’s?

(https://i.ibb.co/xMLnVrS/1-AB50645-C6-AA-4770-93-B1-C2465273-FAA7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xMLnVrS)(https://i.ibb.co/ZRQhQG0/27-FFD4-A9-C611-4842-8-E72-89-EC94970391.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRQhQG0)(https://i.ibb.co/Dfhjwwg/A18-F6-BBD-5-FE4-4-FE8-8327-8-B70-A482-D9-A2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Dfhjwwg)(https://i.ibb.co/sq22DWq/C38-CB9-A4-157-E-4479-9866-607-C50471708.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sq22DWq)
[close]

Just out of curiosity, are you getting tossed from wheel bite? Or just seeing rub marks?

Yeah I got tossed 3 times in 45 minutes with the 1/8” rubber pad and yellow Indy aftermarket bushings.
With the DIY riser and Bones Hards I only got sent to the floor once because of wheelbite on a backside kick turn. Toe side rear wheel, if it matters, is the worst one.

Expand Quote

Or I could just stick to the forged hollows + risers.
[close]


If you are positive about ti axles and don't want to buy more than one set of trucks at a time?

Absolutely.

Getting a lighter lower truck, you can always put risers under it, from less than 1mm shock pads (or cut up rubber from a bike tube) through the most common 1/8" general sizes to whatever height you like 1/4" or even 1/2", etc. 

Old 80s setups pretty much all had 1/2" risers with 60+ mm wheels and most cruisers I set up for people have 1/4" risers for around 60-63 mm wheels nowdays too.

On the other hand, you can't make a heavy tall truck lower or lighter.



I think you’re right, better stick with the truck, and make it work. Cast plates can only be heavier than nylon risers. And shelling out for TI and then have them bend, would suck real bad.


Thanks everyone, I think I’m coming back down.
Still could use a recommendation for 100a bushings that fit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on October 08, 2022, 06:32:47 PM
@Creachteach pretty sure someone said this already, but change out your conical bushings for barrels(try barrels top and bottom) that will severely limit your turn since barrels suck at diving into turns.
Cheapest easiest way. Even if you bought 2 sets to get 4 barrels you’d be out around $10 instead of $50+ for new trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on October 09, 2022, 12:36:50 AM
@Creachteach pretty sure someone said this already, but change out your conical bushings for barrels(try barrels top and bottom) that will severely limit your turn since barrels suck at diving into turns.
Cheapest easiest way. Even if you bought 2 sets to get 4 barrels you’d be out around $10 instead of $50+ for new trucks.

This is great advice, I’ll try with barrel tops, as I still have the original ones that came with my trucks, that I can cut down if necessary  :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 09, 2022, 06:06:38 AM
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My madness has gone from different truck brands to bouncing around on different types of indy's. Is this an improvement? Parts of me still want some thunder/venture snap in my life, but I just keep reminding myself that the sacrifices in turn/grind are not worth it. that seems to be working.

But now I'm between 144s and 149s, cant figure out what weight/height i want. and I cant decide between standard or hard black bushings, which is something i thought i figured out YEARS ago. I just bought a set of 149 standards thinking i would like the heft because the 144 ti's were kinda unwieldy in the air, but i was wrong, way too heavy. So now im back on 149 ti's with 1/16th risers to make them roughly the height of standards. Was swapping between 54 and 56mm classics too which is affecting the height/popfeel. AHHHHHH! please make this stop lol
[close]

My favorite Indy's were Ti hangers on cast plates. Lighter than hollows and they don't sound different cuz the axle isn't hollow.
[close]

Okay, this is interesting AF. So if I for some reason wanted the same setup. I’d have to get a set of Hollow Standards and the Forged TI, and then swap the plates and effectively make a set of Forged Hollows and a set of TI Standards?
Not gonna lie, it’s tempting, as I’d like very much to be free of using a riser with 56mm wheels, and the set of Forged Hollows could be set up for a cruiser, where I’m not so nit picky, cause I’ll have to use risers anyway.
But, it’s 216€\211$ worth of trucks.
[close]

Indy makes cast hollows just get those and call it a day

I had just bought these standards and I had ti 149s already. Would rather use what I've got if I can. I've had two sessions on the cast plates and ti hangers now on a 14.5 wb (was on 14.4). Everything feels great. 1/16th risers felt/sounded like shit on the full ti's. Idk how I rode risers for so long. I'll never run them on a non cruiser board again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 09, 2022, 07:49:59 AM
The Real wood ones don't sound wack.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 09, 2022, 10:13:44 PM
Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on October 10, 2022, 01:19:02 AM
Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.

Forged plates? Ignore what anyone else says about Ventures and just try them yourself. I have 3 sets of the v-hollows. They turn great, are stable, light, and are just generally a wonderful medium height truck. The only thing I occasionally change is swapping in 92a indy blue conicals but mostly I run them stock and love them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on October 10, 2022, 09:07:29 AM
That wheelbase is short so the ventures should work fine……maybe a bit hefty in the nose but I think it would set up well.  I believe in throwing in bones or at minimum consider a flat washer to get those trucks turning. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 10, 2022, 03:45:01 PM
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Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.
[close]

Forged  plates? Ignore what anyone else says about Ventures and just try them yourself.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 10, 2022, 06:00:04 PM
Yeah forged plates, I wanted the maximum possible wheelbase extension.
I've been wondering why the upper end of this truck wheelbase spectrum is rather lonely.

Venture reigning all alone, while there's krux, ace, film, mini logo, .. ? at the bottom and many in between. But above let's say +3.2 there's only thunder (, Polster,) and venture right?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 10, 2022, 10:11:09 PM
My Thunder Teams are same extension as Indy forged hollow. I sorta view it as +3" and below and then all else above 3 as a rough grouping.

I honestly think "effective wheelbase" doesn't matter. I've enjoyed 14.5 on Thunder way more than Indy standards on the same shape. I actually find it works better for me for many tricks where one would presume a shorter effective WB would be better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 11, 2022, 06:12:47 AM
Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.

Well that's obviously because you're AWAKE now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 11, 2022, 08:02:53 AM
Me too, certified by sticker

(http://i.imgur.com/f0fo6N9.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 11, 2022, 01:27:01 PM
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Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.
[close]

Well that's obviously because you're AWAKE now.
LMAO
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 11, 2022, 02:25:04 PM
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Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.
[close]

Well that's obviously because you're AWAKE now.

Made me laugh, thanks.

Anything special about breaking in ventures? Leave everything stock? Immediate switch to flat top and bottom washer? Pretty hyped for this experiment now, gonna have them at the end of the week. I don't feel ready to post in the venture thread yet, I might never be.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: iw0 on October 11, 2022, 02:55:13 PM
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Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.
[close]

Well that's obviously because you're AWAKE now.
[close]

Made me laugh, thanks.

Anything special about breaking in ventures? Leave everything stock? Immediate switch to flat top and bottom washer? Pretty hyped for this experiment now, gonna have them at the end of the week. I don't feel ready to post in the venture thread yet, I might never be.

honestly, leave it stock (not tightness, tweak to your liking) at least for a little to see what it's like by default and then tweak from there
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 11, 2022, 03:58:14 PM
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Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.
[close]

Well that's obviously because you're AWAKE now.
[close]

Made me laugh, thanks.

Anything special about breaking in ventures? Leave everything stock? Immediate switch to flat top and bottom washer? Pretty hyped for this experiment now, gonna have them at the end of the week. I don't feel ready to post in the venture thread yet, I might never be.
[close]

honestly, leave it stock (not tightness, tweak to your liking) at least for a little to see what it's like by default and then tweak from there

This is good advice for any kind of new truck unless you ride shit insanely tight or loose. If you Franken off the bat then you really never have a home base around how the truck was designed. You don't know if you are fixing or creating problems or if there are even any problems.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mvdbosch90 on October 19, 2022, 01:45:10 PM
I think my new AF1 55 Hollows just cured my truck madness. I liked the Indy Titaniums that I was skating, but I just found my board more fun to ride around on with Aces. The weight just made tricks more difficult for me as a mediocre skater…
The AF1 Hollows are the perfect combination between the awesome Ace turning while still giving my old legs street capabilities.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 19, 2022, 04:16:48 PM
Ben Degros has some cajones going on YouTube and documenting his madness. Recently claiming he could feel his trucks getting lower as he tightened his kingpin. I tested this with thunders and old bushings and the amount the truck actually moves is tenths of a MM unless the bushing blows. Then saying "ya they're not as durable but I also tried to obliterate them".

Just ride what ur feeling Ben, no need to justify to us who have the bug- we get it. It never leaves.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 19, 2022, 05:00:36 PM
Ben Degros has some cajones going on YouTube and documenting his madness. Recently claiming he could feel his trucks getting lower as he tightened his kingpin. I tested this with thunders and old bushings and the amount the truck actually moves is tenths of a MM unless the bushing blows. Then saying "ya they're not as durable but I also tried to obliterate them".

Just ride what ur feeling Ben, no need to justify to us who have the bug- we get it. It never leaves.

That made me laugh when I watched the video. Also the 100a bushings in the back and 90a in the front seems crazy. Are the 100a thunders really not that hard? Bushings harder than wheels is just wrong in my head
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 19, 2022, 05:10:23 PM
They're fucking rocks. Even the 94 are pretty stiff. It's like going from Indy orange to yellow. I don't get how much he's cranking. Dudes like Jake Hayes and Chris Cole crank hard bushings and seem to not end up in weird situations.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on October 19, 2022, 06:22:06 PM
They're fucking rocks. Even the 94 are pretty stiff. It's like going from Indy orange to yellow. I don't get how much he's cranking. Dudes like Jake Hayes and Chris Cole crank hard bushings and seem to not end up in weird situations.

They are also thicc / tall bois, a medium hardness bushing would mush out and give them too much wheelbite.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 19, 2022, 07:04:57 PM
No they're not. I'm 6 foot 3 and 165 and skate mediums I've skated with Chris Cole and he is decently shorter than me and not thicc. He likes the consistency of cranked trucks. I haven't met Jake but maybe it's the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 19, 2022, 09:12:30 PM
Ugh. My madness has returned. I had it quelled for quite awhile, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Skated vert ramp a few weeks ago for the first time in awhile. It made me want to start skating bigger transition again, but felt like my 8.25/144s was way too small for that. Set up an 8.75/159s...but then found there were a few street things I loved on the 8.75 that suddenly seemed harder on the 8.25 (e.g. Smith grinds). The madness came rushing back in, and now I have no idea what kind of skateboard I like any more.

Moral: Stay away from vert ramps, as they only bring on existential despair, gear alienation, and more inane "madness" Slap posts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 19, 2022, 10:08:22 PM
What id do is just always bring 2 boards and when you wanna do smiths just tell ur friends you have to run to your car and get your smith board and then do one and then run back to get ur regular one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on October 19, 2022, 11:42:03 PM
Ugh. My madness has returned. I had it quelled for quite awhile, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Skated vert ramp a few weeks ago for the first time in awhile. It made me want to start skating bigger transition again, but felt like my 8.25/144s was way too small for that. Set up an 8.75/159s...but then found there were a few street things I loved on the 8.75 that suddenly seemed harder on the 8.25 (e.g. Smith grinds). The madness came rushing back in, and now I have no idea what kind of skateboard I like any more.

Moral: Stay away from vert ramps, as they only bring on existential despair, gear alienation, and more inane "madness" Slap posts.

Or: middle ground 8.5 setup?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on October 20, 2022, 01:07:12 AM
Ugh. My madness has returned. I had it quelled for quite awhile, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Skated vert ramp a few weeks ago for the first time in awhile. It made me want to start skating bigger transition again, but felt like my 8.25/144s was way too small for that. Set up an 8.75/159s...but then found there were a few street things I loved on the 8.75 that suddenly seemed harder on the 8.25 (e.g. Smith grinds). The madness came rushing back in, and now I have no idea what kind of skateboard I like any more.

Moral: Stay away from vert ramps, as they only bring on existential despair, gear alienation, and more inane "madness" Slap posts.

Almost the same situation for me. I've been riding 8.25 for the last 5 months. Recently I've skated a mini vert ramp and rode my 8.6 again. Afterwards madness creeped in and I tried several different setups. From venture to ace to Indy to thunder then back to venture... It got to the point that I have to get used to a different setup almost every session and nothing felt right.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I disassembled every setup(except rain/cruiser setup), grabbed myself a medium steep 8.38 with 14.5wb and put some ventures with 56 f4 radial fulls on it. I can see it's slightly hot rodding but I don't want to measure if it's 5.8 or 6.1

I hope I'm done with madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SaySo on October 20, 2022, 01:25:53 AM
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Ugh. My madness has returned. I had it quelled for quite awhile, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Skated vert ramp a few weeks ago for the first time in awhile. It made me want to start skating bigger transition again, but felt like my 8.25/144s was way too small for that. Set up an 8.75/159s...but then found there were a few street things I loved on the 8.75 that suddenly seemed harder on the 8.25 (e.g. Smith grinds). The madness came rushing back in, and now I have no idea what kind of skateboard I like any more.

Moral: Stay away from vert ramps, as they only bring on existential despair, gear alienation, and more inane "madness" Slap posts.
[close]

Almost the same situation for me. I've been riding 8.25 for the last 5 months. Recently I've skated a mini vert ramp and rode my 8.6 again. Afterwards madness creeped in and I tried several different setups. From venture to ace to Indy to thunder then back to venture... It got to the point that I have to get used to a different setup almost every session and nothing felt right.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I disassembled every setup(except rain/cruiser setup), grabbed myself a medium steep 8.38 with 14.5wb and put some ventures with 56 f4 radial fulls on it. I can see it's slightly hot rodding but I don't want to measure if it's 5.8 or 6.1

I hope I'm done with madness

Sadly, I don't think most of us are ever truly "done."

...we just go through periods of remission...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on October 20, 2022, 02:40:11 AM
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Ugh. My madness has returned. I had it quelled for quite awhile, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Skated vert ramp a few weeks ago for the first time in awhile. It made me want to start skating bigger transition again, but felt like my 8.25/144s was way too small for that. Set up an 8.75/159s...but then found there were a few street things I loved on the 8.75 that suddenly seemed harder on the 8.25 (e.g. Smith grinds). The madness came rushing back in, and now I have no idea what kind of skateboard I like any more.

Moral: Stay away from vert ramps, as they only bring on existential despair, gear alienation, and more inane "madness" Slap posts.
[close]

Almost the same situation for me. I've been riding 8.25 for the last 5 months. Recently I've skated a mini vert ramp and rode my 8.6 again. Afterwards madness creeped in and I tried several different setups. From venture to ace to Indy to thunder then back to venture... It got to the point that I have to get used to a different setup almost every session and nothing felt right.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I disassembled every setup(except rain/cruiser setup), grabbed myself a medium steep 8.38 with 14.5wb and put some ventures with 56 f4 radial fulls on it. I can see it's slightly hot rodding but I don't want to measure if it's 5.8 or 6.1

I hope I'm done with madness
[close]

Sadly, I don't think most of us are ever truly "done."

...we just go through periods of remission...

(https://media.tenor.com/qK4uJn-NnTUAAAAC/first-time-james-franco.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 06:31:57 AM
Truck madness is creeping back a little….
Im on Thunder 148 team hollows at the moment but i’m thinking of sizing up to 149 standards for a bit more grind space. Mainly skate 8.25/ 8.375 with the occasional 8.5 thrown in if im feeling saucy. Always 14.25 wb but would maybe like to increase this slightly to accomodate long legs.
Is there much difference in weight between those two trucks feeling wise? Aware its only like 30 grams or something but also aware it can feel more on a lever, especially with the increase in wb of Thunders
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 20, 2022, 06:42:10 AM
Funny you bring that up. I just did the same Thunder swap. I ride 8.38 mostly with the DLX 8.25 (measures 8.38) thrown in. I figured why not be on 149? More grind space is real. I switched from worn down 54 Classic Fulls (34 wide, 24 contact patch) to 52 Classics (31 wide, 17 contact patch) and there is about 1/4" more per side.

Unfortunately I did lose some flip trick consistency recently and now I'm blaming the truck switch. Objectively speaking I noticed zero increase in stability/wheelbite/turning. I think crooks pinch a little easier.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 20, 2022, 06:45:51 AM
My recent madness was I stupidly impulse bought a Girl 8.375x14.4 deck I had been wanting to try. Nearly the same measurements I ride. Rode it the other day and hated it. Couldn't figure out why it felt so massive and long.

I own contour gauges (thinks Schmidt uses on the 9 club) to make symmetrical woodworking projects. Put one on each kick and measured distance between to measure the total flat. 21.875in. Then I did that on my 8.38/14.5 DLX and 8.38 BBS go to. The former was 20.8 and latter 20.75.

So each kick has .5" more flat before the kick then a steep kick. Flat concave means no real pocket.

Setup an Alltimers 8.38 I got on sale and just not willing to put up with the learning curve yet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 06:49:06 AM
Truck madness is creeping back a little….
Im on Thunder 148 team hollows at the moment but i’m thinking of sizing up to 149 standards for a bit more grind space. Mainly skate 8.25/ 8.375 with the occasional 8.5 thrown in if im feeling saucy. Always 14.25 wb but would maybe like to increase this slightly to accomodate long legs.
Is there much difference in weight between those two trucks feeling wise? Aware its only like 30 grams or something but also aware it can feel more on a lever, especially with the increase in wb of Thunders

If you increase your WB, truck width, and truck weight at the same time and you have enough madness to be posting in this thread, you're def gonna notice it. Why not get 149 team hollows? Or 149 hollow lights with 1/16" risers? Lot's of people ride 8.25 with 149s, but personally i dont like it, I want at least 8.375/8.38

As a tall skater, I deff recommend a longer wb though. I'm 6' 4" and never skating under 14.5 again, I have one last dlx twin with a 14.4 wb left that might be the exception if i dont sell/trade it. I rode someones AH BA peacock deck with the 15" wb and it felt SO GOOD, until i tried to 360 flip it or anything that flipped and spun at the same time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 07:03:01 AM
Thanks @Lebowskisrug & @Ipathcats, lots of food for thought to mull over. No doubt i will be back here soon 😂
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 07:17:01 AM
Thanks @LebowskisRug & @IpathCats, lots of food for thought to mull over. No doubt i will be back here soon 😂

We are here for you in the madness support thread. We know your pain, I'm currently in a remission stage, feeling completely content with my setup, we'll see how long that lasts.

I would be curious to try thunders on a 14.5 wb, but i just had a bout with thunders and hated the wheelbite/bushings/grind (vs indys) and I never quite conquered adjusting my nose/tailslide technique to compensate for the short baseplate. So i really dont think I'll be going down that road.

After years of bushing madness in all trucks, I'm never riding anything other than stock bushings or something harder/softer from the same brand as the truck. Which almost completely rules thunders out, because their bushings are so bad (blow out fast AF). Mixing duros/brands, sanding bushings, and mixing washers was like peak madness for me, I was all fucked up. not doing that again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 07:26:02 AM
Dont blame you, sounds like a trip!
Ive been very fortunate with bushings, had the same stock whites that came in the 148’s from new and although each side is stripped from the top washer they feel great
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 07:39:53 AM
Dont blame you, sounds like a trip!
Ive been very fortunate with bushings, had the same stock whites that came in the 148’s from new and although each side is stripped from the top washer they feel great

When i was on those thunders i mentioned previously the bushings started going almost immediately  but i rode them for a few weeks until they really blew out. I got thunder replacements and literally cracked the rear bottom bushing completely through from top to bottom on the first session. Junk.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 07:58:57 AM
Im 6ft but pretty skinny and light , (like 10 1/2 stone) so dont know if that plays any part in it. Ride them..medium i’d say. I mean, i can turn relatively easily without having to tic tac. It has been on my mind what i’d do if they blow before the hangers axle. Dont wanna enter the vortex of shaving/sanding down cones
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 20, 2022, 08:43:35 AM
Ya I'm 6 foot 3, 163lb, and ride Thunder stock bushings flush. I have ridden Thunder most of my life and never blown out a bottom bushing. I've cracked a couple tops from tons of slappy pinch variations but DLX just sends replacements. Thunders are the best stock bushings for me. The new Indy stocks are noticeably softer and too soft for me. Venture tops don't last unless I put in a flat top.

Thunder on 14.5 feels just as nimble and easy to flip as Indy standard on the same. I love nose manuals on that setup they're super easy and stable. Any 14.5 I have to skate faster but the effective WB arguments don't play out for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 08:45:31 AM
Im 6ft but pretty skinny and light , (like 10 1/2 stone) so dont know if that plays any part in it. Ride them..medium i’d say. I mean, i can turn relatively easily without having to tic tac. It has been on my mind what i’d do if they blow before the hangers axle. Dont wanna enter the vortex of shaving/sanding down cones

Just replace them with thunder aftermarkets, if you can get your kingpin nut on/off
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 09:58:55 AM
Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 10:16:55 AM
Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes

I've never seen a skate tool with a kingpin sized re threader. I have considered getting a kingpin sized rethreader for a while now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 20, 2022, 10:29:22 AM
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Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes
[close]

I've never seen a skate tool with a kingpin sized re threader. I have considered getting a kingpin sized rethreader for a while now.

Ace has a kingpin rethreader nut that comes on a carabiner with an axle rethreader nut as well. It will fit inside any skate tool.

https://www.warehouseskateboards.com/ace-trucks-mfg.-re-threader-dies-axle--kingpin-multi-purpose-skate-tool
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 10:30:26 AM
Thats a good point, would have to be a die maybe or like the ace rethread kingpin nuts maybe
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on October 20, 2022, 10:30:55 AM
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Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes
[close]

I've never seen a skate tool with a kingpin sized re threader. I have considered getting a kingpin sized rethreader for a while now.
[close]

Ace has a kingpin rethreader nut that comes on a carabiner with an axle rethreader nut as well. It will fit inside any skate tool.

https://www.warehouseskateboards.com/ace-trucks-mfg.-re-threader-dies-axle--kingpin-multi-purpose-skate-tool

Beat me to it 😂
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 10:47:02 AM
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Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes
[close]

I've never seen a skate tool with a kingpin sized re threader. I have considered getting a kingpin sized rethreader for a while now.
[close]

Ace has a kingpin rethreader nut that comes on a carabiner with an axle rethreader nut as well. It will fit inside any skate tool.

https://www.warehouseskateboards.com/ace-trucks-mfg.-re-threader-dies-axle--kingpin-multi-purpose-skate-tool

Nice! haven't seen this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on October 20, 2022, 11:04:45 AM
I think I need to sell my other trucks and just commit to Independent.

Got a set of 5.6 V-Hollows, 5.2 Hi, and 5.5 Maglites (w/ Mag baseplates) sitting around.

Keep my Ti 144 & 149. Have hollow and mid 149s too for mellow or steep boards.

I'm too old and shit at skating to try and mess with my setup. Takes too long to get used to other stuff and not worth the dicking around when I've got a finite amount of time to skate.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on October 20, 2022, 11:13:05 AM
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Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes
[close]

I've never seen a skate tool with a kingpin sized re threader. I have considered getting a kingpin sized rethreader for a while now.
[close]

Ace has a kingpin rethreader nut that comes on a carabiner with an axle rethreader nut as well. It will fit inside any skate tool.

https://www.warehouseskateboards.com/ace-trucks-mfg.-re-threader-dies-axle--kingpin-multi-purpose-skate-tool
[close]

Nice! haven't seen this.

A re-threading nut seems kinda bad? If you have a tool thats got a deeper "pipe", it will just be really annoying, vs a skate tool with re-threader
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 20, 2022, 11:18:03 AM
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Might have to look into getting a tool with a re-threader, will try the aftermarkets if mine crap out soon. Thanks dudes
[close]

I've never seen a skate tool with a kingpin sized re threader. I have considered getting a kingpin sized rethreader for a while now.
[close]

Ace has a kingpin rethreader nut that comes on a carabiner with an axle rethreader nut as well. It will fit inside any skate tool.

https://www.warehouseskateboards.com/ace-trucks-mfg.-re-threader-dies-axle--kingpin-multi-purpose-skate-tool
[close]

Nice! haven't seen this.
[close]

A re-threading nut seems kinda bad? If you have a tool thats got a deeper "pipe", it will just be really annoying, vs a skate tool with re-threader

Twist the rethreader nut on by hand and use the tool to crank it down then gently reverse and back it off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 20, 2022, 11:18:42 AM
I think I need to sell my other trucks and just commit to Independent.

Got a set of 5.6 V-Hollows, 5.2 Hi, and 5.5 Maglites (w/ Mag baseplates) sitting around.

Keep my Ti 144 & 149. Have hollow and mid 149s too for mellow or steep boards.

I'm too old and shit at skating to try and mess with my setup. Takes too long to get used to other stuff and not worth the dicking around when I've got a finite amount of time to skate.

Deff a huge downside of madness. godspeed brother. I circled back to indy myself after like 2-3 years of trying a bunch of shit. Ti hangers, cast plates <3
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 20, 2022, 11:23:21 AM
Is it reasonable to buy some supercheap wheels in order to keep riding trucks that are slightly bent? Don't wanna cone good expensive wheels.

Currently super happy with the ventures I bought and will keep riding them until the deck is done. But I still have some other decks around that I wouldn't skate with these, but preferably with my all time favorite thunder titaniums, which are bent.

There's a crazy sale at blue-tomato.com, a whack zumiez like shop. More than 50% off on SML, primitive, HAZE and Bronx wheels.
Are any of them worth it? It's really stupid cheap. I want some really hard wheels that slide
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 20, 2022, 12:03:14 PM
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Ugh. My madness has returned. I had it quelled for quite awhile, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Skated vert ramp a few weeks ago for the first time in awhile. It made me want to start skating bigger transition again, but felt like my 8.25/144s was way too small for that. Set up an 8.75/159s...but then found there were a few street things I loved on the 8.75 that suddenly seemed harder on the 8.25 (e.g. Smith grinds). The madness came rushing back in, and now I have no idea what kind of skateboard I like any more.

Moral: Stay away from vert ramps, as they only bring on existential despair, gear alienation, and more inane "madness" Slap posts.
[close]

Or: middle ground 8.5 setup?

Oh, that has absolutely been happening/in the mix. I just touched upon what started my madness again, not the extent of this current "episode." :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 20, 2022, 06:35:11 PM
Is it reasonable to buy some supercheap wheels in order to keep riding trucks that are slightly bent? Don't wanna cone good expensive wheels.

Currently super happy with the ventures I bought and will keep riding them until the deck is done. But I still have some other decks around that I wouldn't skate with these, but preferably with my all time favorite thunder titaniums, which are bent.

There's a crazy sale at blue-tomato.com, a whack zumiez like shop. More than 50% off on SML, primitive, HAZE and Bronx wheels.
Are any of them worth it? It's really stupid cheap. I want some really hard wheels that slide


Just keep an eye on the coning and shape of the wheels and rotate as needed, same as any other board, only those ones might cone a bit more quickly on the one side, compared to on other trucks with straight axles.

As long as you do that, any wheel will still last the same amount of time, as you are wearing out the inside edges more than the outside if they are really bent but still skateable.

Whatever wheels you currently have might be better than buying second rate cheap wheels that may not perform as expected or get flatspots before you are done with them.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 20, 2022, 07:24:49 PM
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Is it reasonable to buy some supercheap wheels in order to keep riding trucks that are slightly bent? Don't wanna cone good expensive wheels.

Currently super happy with the ventures I bought and will keep riding them until the deck is done. But I still have some other decks around that I wouldn't skate with these, but preferably with my all time favorite thunder titaniums, which are bent.

There's a crazy sale at blue-tomato.com, a whack zumiez like shop. More than 50% off on SML, primitive, HAZE and Bronx wheels.
Are any of them worth it? It's really stupid cheap. I want some really hard wheels that slide
[close]


Just keep an eye on the coning and shape of the wheels and rotate as needed, same as any other board, only those ones might cone a bit more quickly on the one side, compared to on other trucks with straight axles.

As long as you do that, any wheel will still last the same amount of time, as you are wearing out the inside edges more than the outside if they are really bent but still skateable.

Whatever wheels you currently have might be better than buying second rate cheap wheels that may not perform as expected or get flatspots before you are done with them.

Sounds good to me. Thanks for saving me from wheel madness...for now.
I think in order to not get mad about it, I'd have to rotate the wheels at fixed points in time. Like after every 10th session or 10h on the board or something, so they stay more or less the same all the time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 20, 2022, 08:18:31 PM
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Expand Quote
Is it reasonable to buy some supercheap wheels in order to keep riding trucks that are slightly bent? Don't wanna cone good expensive wheels.

Currently super happy with the ventures I bought and will keep riding them until the deck is done. But I still have some other decks around that I wouldn't skate with these, but preferably with my all time favorite thunder titaniums, which are bent.

There's a crazy sale at blue-tomato.com, a whack zumiez like shop. More than 50% off on SML, primitive, HAZE and Bronx wheels.
Are any of them worth it? It's really stupid cheap. I want some really hard wheels that slide
[close]


Just keep an eye on the coning and shape of the wheels and rotate as needed, same as any other board, only those ones might cone a bit more quickly on the one side, compared to on other trucks with straight axles.

As long as you do that, any wheel will still last the same amount of time, as you are wearing out the inside edges more than the outside if they are really bent but still skateable.

Whatever wheels you currently have might be better than buying second rate cheap wheels that may not perform as expected or get flatspots before you are done with them.
[close]

Sounds good to me. Thanks for saving me from wheel madness...for now.
I think in order to not get mad about it, I'd have to rotate the wheels at fixed points in time. Like after every 10th session or 10h on the board or something, so they stay more or less the same all the time.


I got used to just looking at my board (in detail) how ever often when I had a minute, but only would rotate wheels when I saw coning happening.

If you have calipers, you can always use them to check the sizes of the wheels, but I know from past experience dealing with bent axles, those boards people have were very noticeable when they didn't rotate their wheels at all.

Calipers also help with madness, cheap to buy and you can check the current size of any wheel at any given time.



https://www.instagram.com/p/CPuEOuslnNd/




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 20, 2022, 09:10:30 PM
Calipers also help with madness, cheap to buy and you can check the current size of any wheel at any given time.

This is the madness thread...should have known I wasn't the only one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SHARPSHOOTER on October 21, 2022, 02:28:22 PM
I like to have one wheel with the graphic out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on October 21, 2022, 07:33:52 PM
I like to have one wheel with the graphic out.

I back it, kinda cool. At least until the graphics wear off
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on October 21, 2022, 07:38:38 PM
truck madness with the af1s. pop feels weak even with risers. skating a 14.25 wb board. anyone skate the af1s on polar p2?

been looking at the new limosine drop considering one of the 8.5s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 21, 2022, 07:50:21 PM
why not just go back to trucks you like instead of forcing these?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on October 21, 2022, 07:55:56 PM
why not just go back to trucks you like instead of forcing these?

threw on a set of indys and they just don’t feel right 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 21, 2022, 08:04:46 PM
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why not just go back to trucks you like instead of forcing these?
[close]

threw on a set of indys and they just don’t feel right

Then it’s probably not the trucks fault.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on October 21, 2022, 08:08:17 PM
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why not just go back to trucks you like instead of forcing these?
[close]

threw on a set of indys and they just don’t feel right
[close]

Then it’s probably not the trucks fault.

yous right
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on October 21, 2022, 09:51:41 PM
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I like to have one wheel with the graphic out.
[close]

I back it, kinda cool. At least until the graphics wear off

I liked when Spitfire did the 3 wheels in 1 color and 1 wheel in a different color (3 grey + 1 orange), that would be the only circumstance colored wheels get a pass
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on October 21, 2022, 10:42:18 PM
truck madness with the af1s. pop feels weak even with risers. skating a 14.25 wb board. anyone skate the af1s on polar p2?

been looking at the new limosine drop considering one of the 8.5s

I tried 55 AF1s on the P2. Hated it. Ghost popping like crazy. Same with 44 Classics. Changed to mag plates on the classics and it became manageable. Why, I have no idea. Wb isn’t long, tail isn’t short or steep but so it went. I love Aces and only skate them these days but some decks just don’t work with them for some reason.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 22, 2022, 07:40:58 AM
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truck madness with the af1s. pop feels weak even with risers. skating a 14.25 wb board. anyone skate the af1s on polar p2?

been looking at the new limosine drop considering one of the 8.5s
[close]

I tried 55 AF1s on the P2. Hated it. Ghost popping like crazy. Same with 44 Classics. Changed to mag plates on the classics and it became manageable. Why, I have no idea. Wb isn’t long, tail isn’t short or steep but so it went. I love Aces and only skate them these days but some decks just don’t work with them for some reason.

I stopped skating ace, for now. When I can no longer pop, I’ll go back to ace. I hope to roll around and skate for transportation in my 50s-60s.
I tried a lot of different setups with the classics, and the only one that had good pop for me was a 14”wb (g027 I think) 44 classics, and 56 conical fulls. I don’t prefer to be that high up, but if I went to riding big wheels ace would work.
Af1s I didn’t spend a lot of time on, turn was good for sure, but again with the pop: I’d rather skate thunders or ventures, the pop angles/leverage/feel/whatever are just so much better for me with those.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on October 22, 2022, 11:37:05 AM
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truck madness with the af1s. pop feels weak even with risers. skating a 14.25 wb board. anyone skate the af1s on polar p2?

been looking at the new limosine drop considering one of the 8.5s
[close]

I tried 55 AF1s on the P2. Hated it. Ghost popping like crazy. Same with 44 Classics. Changed to mag plates on the classics and it became manageable. Why, I have no idea. Wb isn’t long, tail isn’t short or steep but so it went. I love Aces and only skate them these days but some decks just don’t work with them for some reason.
[close]

I stopped skating ace, for now. When I can no longer pop, I’ll go back to ace. I hope to roll around and skate for transportation in my 50s-60s.
I tried a lot of different setups with the classics, and the only one that had good pop for me was a 14”wb (g027 I think) 44 classics, and 56 conical fulls. I don’t prefer to be that high up, but if I went to riding big wheels ace would work.
Af1s I didn’t spend a lot of time on, turn was good for sure, but again with the pop: I’d rather skate thunders or ventures, the pop angles/leverage/feel/whatever are just so much better for me with those.

Venture pop sure is magical. I’d like to have that on Aces. I can’t see why it wouldn’t be possible with the right kind of a board. Anyway, I’m mostly running 1/8” risers and bigger wheels on Aces these days to get a heftier pop. I can’t deal with the dainty pop at all. Heftier pop requires more strength and stamina from my legs but it sure is nice when it snaps real good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 01, 2022, 06:41:21 AM
Black Friday is coming, nerds. Stay strong!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 01, 2022, 07:02:49 AM
Black Friday is coming, nerds. Stay strong!

Use Black friday for good, not evil. Use it as a tool to help you stick to your current setup by buying extras of what you know you like. dont use it as an opportunity to change your setup but rather lock yourself into something by having more of it. I'm gonna get a few sets of 56mm 99a f4 classics, tried 54mm 101s, they had their merits, but im done with those, going back to what i know.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: iw0 on November 01, 2022, 07:27:19 AM
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Black Friday is coming, nerds. Stay strong!
[close]

Use Black friday for good, not evil. Use it as a tool to help you stick to your current setup by buying extras of what you know you like. dont use it as an opportunity to change your setup but rather lock yourself into something by having more of it. I'm gonna get a few sets of 56mm 99a f4 classics (tried 54mm 101s, they ahd their merits, but im done with those, going back to what i know.

this will be my daily mantra through the holiday season
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 01, 2022, 07:39:27 AM
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Expand Quote
Black Friday is coming, nerds. Stay strong!
[close]

Use Black friday for good, not evil. Use it as a tool to help you stick to your current setup by buying extras of what you know you like. dont use it as an opportunity to change your setup but rather lock yourself into something by having more of it. I'm gonna get a few sets of 56mm 99a f4 classics (tried 54mm 101s, they ahd their merits, but im done with those, going back to what i know.
[close]

this will be my daily mantra through the holiday season

Godspeed soldier.

As someone who is in a remission stage of madness currently I'd like to share some things that help me. If you've already tried something and swapped off it, remember why. Don't think about the good attributes, just the bad. I still have moments where i want my indys to have a thunder pop feel/manual point, but i just remind myself that the sacrifices in grind/wheelbite and differences in turn just do not suit me or my wheel preferences. Which is another point, if you have a part of your setup that you KNOW is right, dont change it, and use that part to help determine your other components. Eventually that will lead to a setup that justifies itself by preserving a known good and making the rest work around that KNOWN good. Another thing that helps is stretching/warmups/consistency. If you stretch and warm up a bit before skating and make sure to skate regularly it will definitely result in having less of that "my board feels wrong/foreign to me" feeling. Try to understand when you and your legs are/are not warmed up, and dont blame your board when you actually shouldve just stretched more and eased into the session slower.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 01, 2022, 09:30:03 AM
why not just go back to...trucks...you like instead of forcing these?

Deep knowledge here. That said, if it was just that easy, none of us would have the afflictions.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 01, 2022, 11:23:56 AM
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why not just go back to...trucks...you like instead of forcing these?
[close]

Deep knowledge here. That said, if it was just that easy, none of us would have the afflictions.

You can't be cured of something you never had, so we're technically all on the road to recovery?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 01, 2022, 12:03:08 PM
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Expand Quote
Black Friday is coming, nerds. Stay strong!
[close]

Use Black friday for good, not evil. Use it as a tool to help you stick to your current setup by buying extras of what you know you like. dont use it as an opportunity to change your setup but rather lock yourself into something by having more of it. I'm gonna get a few sets of 56mm 99a f4 classics (tried 54mm 101s, they ahd their merits, but im done with those, going back to what i know.
[close]

this will be my daily mantra through the holiday season
[close]

Godspeed soldier.

As someone who is in a remission stage of madness currently I'd like to share some things that help me. If you've already tried something and swapped off it, remember why. Don't think about the good attributes, just the bad. I still have moments where i want my indys to have a thunder pop feel/manual point, but i just remind myself that the sacrifices in grind/wheelbite and differences in turn just do not suit me or my wheel preferences. Which is another point, if you have a part of your setup that you KNOW is right, dont change it, and use that part to help determine your other components. Eventually that will lead to a setup that justifies itself by preserving a known good and making the rest work around that KNOWN good. Another thing that helps is stretching/warmups/consistency. If you stretch and warm up a bit before skating and make sure to skate regularly it will definitely result in having less of that "my board feels wrong/foreign to me" feeling. Try to understand when you and your legs are/are not warmed up, and dont blame your board when you actually shouldve just stretched more and eased into the session slower.

Good idea. I personally find that Thunders grind close enough to Indy's that it doesn't matter and I can hold pinched grinds further so it's a wash. Slides are different, but work. Wheelbite I have less of, but when I do I can't ride it out. I can see wanting bigger wheels somewhat limiting although seeing Jake Anderson on 54-56s with risers seems to work.

For me what I miss about Indys is the carve out of sketchy landings (the little wobble you get) and not stepping off, and the manual point. It is lighter, but for me way less sketchy for nose manuals. I've never actually hit my nose and gone overboard on a nose manual on Indys. But that's on me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 01, 2022, 12:19:31 PM
Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Black Friday is coming, nerds. Stay strong!
[close]

Use Black friday for good, not evil. Use it as a tool to help you stick to your current setup by buying extras of what you know you like. dont use it as an opportunity to change your setup but rather lock yourself into something by having more of it. I'm gonna get a few sets of 56mm 99a f4 classics (tried 54mm 101s, they ahd their merits, but im done with those, going back to what i know.
[close]

this will be my daily mantra through the holiday season
[close]

Godspeed soldier.

As someone who is in a remission stage of madness currently I'd like to share some things that help me. If you've already tried something and swapped off it, remember why. Don't think about the good attributes, just the bad. I still have moments where i want my indys to have a thunder pop feel/manual point, but i just remind myself that the sacrifices in grind/wheelbite and differences in turn just do not suit me or my wheel preferences. Which is another point, if you have a part of your setup that you KNOW is right, dont change it, and use that part to help determine your other components. Eventually that will lead to a setup that justifies itself by preserving a known good and making the rest work around that KNOWN good. Another thing that helps is stretching/warmups/consistency. If you stretch and warm up a bit before skating and make sure to skate regularly it will definitely result in having less of that "my board feels wrong/foreign to me" feeling. Try to understand when you and your legs are/are not warmed up, and dont blame your board when you actually shouldve just stretched more and eased into the session slower.
[close]

Good idea. I personally find that Thunders grind close enough to Indy's that it doesn't matter and I can hold pinched grinds further so it's a wash. Slides are different, but work. Wheelbite I have less of, but when I do I can't ride it out. I can see wanting bigger wheels somewhat limiting although seeing Jake Anderson on 54-56s with risers seems to work.

For me what I miss about Indys is the carve out of sketchy landings (the little wobble you get) and not stepping off, and the manual point. It is lighter, but for me way less sketchy for nose manuals. I've never actually hit my nose and gone overboard on a nose manual on Indys. But that's on me.

Interesting, def a lighter manny feeling on indys, but that doesnt translate to better mannys for me. I seem to do better at them on thunders/ventures, the weight of the manny point makes me feel like i kinda lock into them or something. Idk, its def not worth all the other tradeoffs for me though, I'm not a huge manny guy. I have been working on my fakie mannys lately and have noticed this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 01, 2022, 12:25:55 PM
I love me a nice warm up nose manual. I ride 52-53 so pushing the upper end of Thunder Standards.

Lately I've debated the "stick to what you're out" with "try something similar out and learn it, be patient, you might find something new you might like more".
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 01, 2022, 12:41:04 PM
I love me a nice warm up nose manual. I ride 52-53 so pushing the upper end of Thunder Standards.

Lately I've debated the "stick to what you're out" with "try something similar out and learn it, be patient, you might find something new you might like more".

Yea, this is madness in a sentence.

Can also be caused by being to critical of your own setup, but its just as equally caused by aimless curiosity.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 01, 2022, 01:17:15 PM
I ride 52-53 so pushing the upper end of Thunder Standards.

That sounds crazy unless you're talking about 147s. I recently rode 56mm radials on 148 standards. Even loosened the kingpin nut a bit from stock and had no wheelbite problems at all. Medium steep concave though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 01, 2022, 02:10:49 PM
I think wheelbite is situational based on how you skate….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on November 01, 2022, 05:17:31 PM
Think my madness is over. I keep buying decks for fun, though. Own two pair of Indy’s, some Aces, a pair of Thunders, and my cruiser has Krux. After using them all I prefer the Indy’s. Just like how they turn.

The Aces are great, but not matter how much I tighten them they still feel loose. I’m 230 lbs, so maybe I’m too big for them? Either way, I don’t have time to keep changing my trucks.

There’s this saying about a poor craftsman blaming their tools. Madness is pointless because ultimately YOU are what matters.

I use to watch Ben Degros on YouTube and I found it funny. He’d complain about his setups and still basically land his tricks fine after adjusting. To me, Madness is just OCD.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 01, 2022, 05:53:57 PM
It’s the narrative you create based on how you feel….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lee Ralphs Dear Old Mum on November 01, 2022, 09:42:43 PM
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I like to have one wheel with the graphic out.
[close]

I back it, kinda cool. At least until the graphics wear off
[close]

I liked when Spitfire did the 3 wheels in 1 color and 1 wheel in a different color (3 grey + 1 orange), that would be the only circumstance colored wheels get a pass

I just purchased some green swirled spitfires and plan on using one of them each with three whites. only problem is, now i need to buy three sets of white wheels in the exact same shape and size... hence i am lurking this thread. insanity.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lee Ralphs Dear Old Mum on November 02, 2022, 10:10:39 PM
I have only spent a little bit of time on modern ventures but I can say the pop was insane. Really great for flip tricks and popping solid. However, the turn was way too delayed for my tastes. Insanely stable but the turn takes a minute to initiate. This could be great for your style of skateboarding not mine.

Thunders are also pretty stable on center but have a way quicker initial turn and then the turn slows down. I can go between Thunder and Ace without too much drama. The turn just stops way sooner.

If you skate a bit of transition Thunder might have an edge over Venture. If you skate a lot of flat and ledges, Venture might have the edge. Prob will get less wheel bite with Venture also.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on November 02, 2022, 11:46:36 PM
Venture vs thunder can’t decide
Pros and cons
I always tried  to like thunder but I can't  stand the way they turn. It feels like stable->adequate turn->no turn->bushings collapse ->sudden wheelbite.
I like their pop feel and the lower weight.

Ventures have good pop but can be pretty  hefty on short steep tails.
They might not turn as sharp as a thunder but it feels more honest. Kind of  linear turning characteristics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 03, 2022, 06:04:47 AM
Venture vs thunder can’t decide
Pros and cons

Thunders and ventures are similar trucks. Both providing a larger wb and heavier pop feel. My recent experiences with them were on thunder team hollows and venture hollow lights (both 8.25)

Objectively speaking, Thunders turn and grind better than ventures. This is due to the geo and hanger shape.

Thunders have a short baseplate, so your wheels drag on nose/tailslides. this may or may not be an issue for you. Ventures have a long baseplate that prevents this.

The pop feel on both was very hefty and snappy, but the pop feel on ventures is heftier than thunders.

My favorite part about ventures was the manny point. because the pop feel is so hefty i felt like i could almost lock into mannys. the thunders did this too, but not as well becuase they turn more/better which leads to more wheelbite and less stability.

People rave about the pinch on thunders, but the tradeoff to that is that they wheelbite very easily (literally what "pinching" is)

Becuase ventures turn worse, they ARE more stable at speed.

Subjectively speaking thunders feel more delicate and precise, flip tricks seemed a bit easier to perform on them, but i felt like i had more power in my flip tricks on ventures.

These are my observations as a doomed indy rider, do with them what you will.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sk8_cat on November 03, 2022, 07:06:02 AM
I just went through a shitty gear madness when I switched to indy forged hollows from thunders, not only I did that but I had the brilliant idea to try and break in some 94 hard bushings after a few sessions just because I had them lying around.. my indies were already rocking some 94 bushings that had been used a few years back and were totally broken in, the new ones that I put in were a complete nightmare though they were rock hard and they were getting soft at a really slow pace. In my thunders I rock the 100s aftermarkets from the rebuild kit and to be honest they feel like a truly medium bushing and they don't blow out.
I guess where I'm going all with this is that the root of the madness is switching your shit up all the time without an actual reason to do so. It's like there is this underlying greed behind it all, and also that big what if about shit youre going to land on a new setup. I believe once in a while it's good to change shit up to keep things fresh and interesting - but I have learned that it is wise to only change one variable at a time - this way at least you will be able to pin the result down to that specific thing. Sorry for the long post it's just that I needed to vent this madness has me going mad I m telling ya.

One last thing while I'm at it, does anyone have a suggestion about a decent cupsole? something that is just reasonable with a locked in feel but not moonboot looking? That's like a last thing I need to get sorted before I am free of this bullshit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 03, 2022, 07:14:26 AM
I will add that the Venture grind tends to be slower/harder and that Ventures pinch very well too.  The top bushing can get eaten by the top washer from pinching too hard. They don't last people as long.

One big thing I would think about is nollie tricks- a lot of people who prefer a faster responding nose don't favor Ventures. Ventures with a steep nose was ghost pop city for me.

Turn wise Ventures have a fairly wide arc and some "wiggle" at the top before the turn really kicks in. You get used to it for the most part. It can make really tight turns somewhat laborious which is why you don't see transition skaters on them much. The flip side to that is that the wiggle helps you ride away from stuff that you land slightly off kilter.

Thunder's turn is fairly immediate. If you're talking about carving they have a smooth arc with resistance in the end. I don't wheelbite turning on Thunders or have any issue carving when I can control my lean. Where I get more wheelbite can be landing off kilter where I really force the truck to lean or turn.

Height wise they are 1.5mm different. I don't notice it much really. I only notice going from Indy Standard to Thunder.

Personally I recommend people coming from Indy or Ace to try Thunder first. It gets you used to a mid truck and grinds better, but has less of a jarring change in pop feel and the turn is surfier. They work well on transition for lots of riders too. Very middle ground truck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 03, 2022, 07:18:45 AM
I just went through a shitty gear madness when I switched to indy forged hollows from thunders, not only I did that but I had the brilliant idea to try and break in some 94 hard bushings after a few sessions just because I had them lying around.. my indies were already rocking some 94 bushings that had been used a few years back and were totally broken in, the new ones that I put in were a complete nightmare though they were rock hard and they were getting soft at a really slow pace. In my thunders I rock the 100s aftermarkets from the rebuild kit and to be honest they feel like a truly medium bushing and they don't blow out.
I guess where I'm going all with this is that the root of the madness is switching your shit up all the time without an actual reason to do so. It's like there is this underlying greed behind it all, and also that big what if about shit youre going to land on a new setup. I believe once in a while it's good to change shit up to keep things fresh and interesting - but I have learned that it is wise to only change one variable at a time - this way at least you will be able to pin the result down to that specific thing. Sorry for the long post it's just that I needed to vent this madness has me going mad I m telling ya.

One last thing while I'm at it, does anyone have a suggestion about a decent cupsole? something that is just reasonable with a locked in feel but not moonboot looking? That's like a last thing I need to get sorted before I am free of this bullshit

NB 440's are a popular choice, but they are very slim for a cup.

NB 1010's and 808s are beefier but still not gigantic

Emerica KSLs look to have a nice heel lock fit but i cant confirm

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dooky-shoes on November 03, 2022, 07:30:52 AM
I have a kid on the way and my madness was banned by my lady. Had to avoid the sale thread and all online shop sales. Hurt a little but i guess its for a better cause.
Someone grab a sick pair of kicks you don’t need on a deep discount for me.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on November 03, 2022, 07:38:12 AM
I have a kid on the way and my madness was banned by my lady. Had to avoid the sale thread and all online shop sales. Hurt a little but i guess its for a better cause.

You know skate madness is real when you "guess" a new life brought into the world is more important than trying skate gear  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 03, 2022, 08:53:06 AM
I have a kid on the way and my madness was banned by my lady. Had to avoid the sale thread and all online shop sales. Hurt a little but i guess its for a better cause.
Someone grab a sick pair of kicks you don’t need on a deep discount for me.

Parenting is a thankless job, got to reward dad once in a while for helping to raise a young child.

With a deck (or 5). And trucks. And wheels. And bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dooky-shoes on November 03, 2022, 09:34:03 AM
Expand Quote
I have a kid on the way and my madness was banned by my lady. Had to avoid the sale thread and all online shop sales. Hurt a little but i guess its for a better cause.
Someone grab a sick pair of kicks you don’t need on a deep discount for me.
[close]

Parenting is a thankless job, got to reward dad once in a while for helping to raise a young child.

With a deck (or 5). And trucks. And wheels. And bushings.
Good buddy got me a Tired, Para deck as a congrats gift. Totally unexpected. Great shape but will be a wall hanger out of respect…or is that disrespectful?   Still on the fence about walk hangers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 03, 2022, 09:34:57 AM
Venture vs thunder can’t decide
Pros and cons

What I liked about thunders: light, low, grind was decent, turn was fun, responsive.  What I didn’t like: wheelbite on landings, ground through fast. 

What I liked about Ventures: manuals, I can skate them looser but still stay in control.  The ‘stability’ is pretty much taking all the benefits of skating tight trucks ie. pop, control, precision but the turn is still pretty deep, and as mentioned you can skate them looser.  They don’t grind as well….

I didn’t notice the ‘hefty pop’ as much as I really felt the power in the pockets on these trucks.  Thunder the pop comes super easy which is fun.  Lots of people skate thunders and don’t feel the wheelbite like I did. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 03, 2022, 11:37:43 AM
Expand Quote
I just went through a shitty gear madness when I switched to indy forged hollows from thunders, not only I did that but I had the brilliant idea to try and break in some 94 hard bushings after a few sessions just because I had them lying around.. my indies were already rocking some 94 bushings that had been used a few years back and were totally broken in, the new ones that I put in were a complete nightmare though they were rock hard and they were getting soft at a really slow pace. In my thunders I rock the 100s aftermarkets from the rebuild kit and to be honest they feel like a truly medium bushing and they don't blow out.
I guess where I'm going all with this is that the root of the madness is switching your shit up all the time without an actual reason to do so. It's like there is this underlying greed behind it all, and also that big what if about shit youre going to land on a new setup. I believe once in a while it's good to change shit up to keep things fresh and interesting - but I have learned that it is wise to only change one variable at a time - this way at least you will be able to pin the result down to that specific thing. Sorry for the long post it's just that I needed to vent this madness has me going mad I m telling ya.

One last thing while I'm at it, does anyone have a suggestion about a decent cupsole? something that is just reasonable with a locked in feel but not moonboot looking? That's like a last thing I need to get sorted before I am free of this bullshit
[close]

NB 440's are a popular choice, but they are very slim for a cup.

NB 1010's and 808s are beefier but still not gigantic

Emerica KSLs look to have a nice heel lock fit but i cant confirm

440's are thin, I like them for that, but I swap the insole immediately. Less durable than 1010, but still great. Easy to find on sale. The heel on the 1010 is thick, but well-padded and tons of support. Forefoot isn't thin, but has some flex and board feel. Lots of people also like the Tyshawn and the Puig.

KSL I was not a fan enough of to keep. They have much more foam in the sole and to ME felt too thick. I don't want cushy foam. I want thin, dense foam.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sk8_cat on November 03, 2022, 01:16:22 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I just went through a shitty gear madness when I switched to indy forged hollows from thunders, not only I did that but I had the brilliant idea to try and break in some 94 hard bushings after a few sessions just because I had them lying around.. my indies were already rocking some 94 bushings that had been used a few years back and were totally broken in, the new ones that I put in were a complete nightmare though they were rock hard and they were getting soft at a really slow pace. In my thunders I rock the 100s aftermarkets from the rebuild kit and to be honest they feel like a truly medium bushing and they don't blow out.
I guess where I'm going all with this is that the root of the madness is switching your shit up all the time without an actual reason to do so. It's like there is this underlying greed behind it all, and also that big what if about shit youre going to land on a new setup. I believe once in a while it's good to change shit up to keep things fresh and interesting - but I have learned that it is wise to only change one variable at a time - this way at least you will be able to pin the result down to that specific thing. Sorry for the long post it's just that I needed to vent this madness has me going mad I m telling ya.

One last thing while I'm at it, does anyone have a suggestion about a decent cupsole? something that is just reasonable with a locked in feel but not moonboot looking? That's like a last thing I need to get sorted before I am free of this bullshit
[close]

NB 440's are a popular choice, but they are very slim for a cup.

NB 1010's and 808s are beefier but still not gigantic

Emerica KSLs look to have a nice heel lock fit but i cant confirm
[close]

440's are thin, I like them for that, but I swap the insole immediately. Less durable than 1010, but still great. Easy to find on sale. The heel on the 1010 is thick, but well-padded and tons of support. Forefoot isn't thin, but has some flex and board feel. Lots of people also like the Tyshawn and the Puig.

KSL I was not a fan enough of to keep. They have much more foam in the sole and to ME felt too thick. I don't want cushy foam. I want thin, dense foam.

Thanks for the replies guys, the 440s and the KSLs are in my sights and I am planning to pull the trigger if I find these on sale, also interested in the sb bruin reacts. One thing about nike though is that they tend to discontinue models after a couple of years which can be annoying if you have found something you like.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 03, 2022, 03:02:47 PM
I didn't like the Bruin React when I tried it on for the same reason I hated the KSL- too much foam. It's soft, but I find the soft foam leads to less stability and board feel than a thinner, higher density foam. No one I know that has had them has liked them, which is probably why you rarely see them on Nike pros
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on November 03, 2022, 03:29:35 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I just went through a shitty gear madness when I switched to indy forged hollows from thunders, not only I did that but I had the brilliant idea to try and break in some 94 hard bushings after a few sessions just because I had them lying around.. my indies were already rocking some 94 bushings that had been used a few years back and were totally broken in, the new ones that I put in were a complete nightmare though they were rock hard and they were getting soft at a really slow pace. In my thunders I rock the 100s aftermarkets from the rebuild kit and to be honest they feel like a truly medium bushing and they don't blow out.
I guess where I'm going all with this is that the root of the madness is switching your shit up all the time without an actual reason to do so. It's like there is this underlying greed behind it all, and also that big what if about shit youre going to land on a new setup. I believe once in a while it's good to change shit up to keep things fresh and interesting - but I have learned that it is wise to only change one variable at a time - this way at least you will be able to pin the result down to that specific thing. Sorry for the long post it's just that I needed to vent this madness has me going mad I m telling ya.

One last thing while I'm at it, does anyone have a suggestion about a decent cupsole? something that is just reasonable with a locked in feel but not moonboot looking? That's like a last thing I need to get sorted before I am free of this bullshit
[close]

NB 440's are a popular choice, but they are very slim for a cup.

NB 1010's and 808s are beefier but still not gigantic

Emerica KSLs look to have a nice heel lock fit but i cant confirm
[close]

440's are thin, I like them for that, but I swap the insole immediately. Less durable than 1010, but still great. Easy to find on sale. The heel on the 1010 is thick, but well-padded and tons of support. Forefoot isn't thin, but has some flex and board feel. Lots of people also like the Tyshawn and the Puig.

KSL I was not a fan enough of to keep. They have much more foam in the sole and to ME felt too thick. I don't want cushy foam. I want thin, dense foam.
[close]

Thanks for the replies guys, the 440s and the KSLs are in my sights and I am planning to pull the trigger if I find these on sale, also interested in the sb bruin reacts. One thing about nike though is that they tend to discontinue models after a couple of years which can be annoying if you have found something you like.

I really enjoyed my Force 58s. Soft and comfy around the collar and tongue without being super puffy. Broke in really quickly with good structure in the heel. Also affordable and not hard to find.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on November 05, 2022, 04:10:27 PM
Kinda went wild with the FA sale and grabbed two pairs of TyShawn for $51 each at CCS. Now I’m feeling kinda silly cause I’m “injured” and don’t know when I’ll use all this stuff. Because my right knee has arthritis due to low cartilage. May sell/donate a few of my setups cause I’ll be lucky to skate two days a week 🥲
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 05, 2022, 05:15:52 PM
Can't sleep and just bought venture 5.6 v-lights for no reason, other than it more or less completes my truck collection in terms of wheelbase.

Ace-Royal-Thunder-Polster-Venture, makes me feel like I have the tools to ride any deck I want now.

Never had ventures before, might hate them, possibly leading to free trucks for some kid.
Slight madness, but I'm strict about not changing my setup once it is built and I'm gonna ride these trucks for one decks full life at least. Still have one 14" wb chocolate twin tail that feels way too light with any other trucks, so this should work out fine.

So I've been riding this setup for almost a month now. Turns out I actually love the ventures in the combination with the chocolate twin tail and that reversed my madness. I now have the madness of NOT wanting to switch gear. I hate the thought of getting used to something else now, I haven't been this in tune with my board for quite some time.

I wish I didn't have 3 other new decks to go through after this one. As everybody knows, decks need to be skated in the order they are bought, otherwise they get bad and sad.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on November 06, 2022, 08:55:40 AM
Yeah I’m kinda spiraling with my purchases. My issue is I have a fear of missing out on good deals, but I know it’s pointless cause shit is ALWAYS on sale. Also I don’t live in a city with a good skate shop. So I fear that I’ll break something then have to wait for replacements.

And shoes—why are size 13 always sold out?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 07, 2022, 05:05:47 AM
Yeah I’m kinda spiraling with my purchases. My issue is I have a fear of missing out on good deals, but I know it’s pointless cause shit is ALWAYS on sale. Also I don’t live in a city with a good skate shop. So I fear that I’ll break something then have to wait for replacements.

And shoes—why are size 13 always sold out?

They make fewer of them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on November 07, 2022, 11:03:11 AM
Mate of mine just surprised me with my first olive eagle. Lovely looking shape but im concerned a bit about the longer wb (even though i wanted to try 14.5 again) wondering if anyone has had good experiences with thunders and these decks?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 07, 2022, 11:05:21 AM
Mate of mine just surprised me with my first olive eagle. Lovely looking shape but im concerned a bit about the longer wb (even though i wanted to try 14.5 again) wondering if anyone has had good experiences with thunders and these decks?

If you're tall/have long legs im sure it would be nice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on November 07, 2022, 11:17:40 AM
That’s enough reassurance for me, thanks dude
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 07, 2022, 11:31:22 AM
Mate of mine just surprised me with my first olive eagle. Lovely looking shape but im concerned a bit about the longer wb (even though i wanted to try 14.5 again) wondering if anyone has had good experiences with thunders and these decks?

I like that setup with Thunders. The kicks are smaller and not very full so it skates a lot more nimble and floppy than the dims suggest. I find it easier to skate than some smaller decks. Don't dismiss it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 07, 2022, 11:48:29 AM
Yeah I’m kinda spiraling with my purchases. My issue is I have a fear of missing out on good deals, but I know it’s pointless cause shit is ALWAYS on sale.

That's the thing - watch this thread for five minutes and there will be another 15-20% off sale, or another "buy two decks for $80 with grip and free shipping and a 25% off coupon code!" At this point, I only buy extra decks because A) I go through them quickly, B) this last batch of Covid-era decks are deeply discounted, C) once those decks are sold though, I expect a lot more of the industry will be adopting the FA-style higher price point.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on November 07, 2022, 11:51:36 AM
Expand Quote
Yeah I’m kinda spiraling with my purchases. My issue is I have a fear of missing out on good deals, but I know it’s pointless cause shit is ALWAYS on sale.
[close]

That's the thing - watch this thread for five minutes and there will be another 15-20% off sale, or another "buy two decks for $80 with grip and free shipping and a 25% off coupon code!" At this point, I only buy extra decks because A) I go through them quickly, B) this last batch of Covid-era decks are deeply discounted, C) once those decks are sold though, I expect a lot more of the industry will be adopting the FA-style higher price point.
I can see prices going up. I know Welcome’s boards are $75 on their site and basically $70 at most online shops. That’s so tough to swallow. Luckily I’m fully stocked 😂
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 07, 2022, 11:56:05 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Yeah I’m kinda spiraling with my purchases. My issue is I have a fear of missing out on good deals, but I know it’s pointless cause shit is ALWAYS on sale.
[close]

That's the thing - watch this thread for five minutes and there will be another 15-20% off sale, or another "buy two decks for $80 with grip and free shipping and a 25% off coupon code!" At this point, I only buy extra decks because A) I go through them quickly, B) this last batch of Covid-era decks are deeply discounted, C) once those decks are sold though, I expect a lot more of the industry will be adopting the FA-style higher price point.
[close]
I can see prices going up. I know Welcome’s boards are $75 on their site and basically $70 at most online shops. That’s so tough to swallow. Luckily I’m fully stocked 😂

Exactly. I bought five FA decks for $26/each as a hedge against deck inflation over the next year or two.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on November 07, 2022, 11:59:14 AM
Expand Quote
Mate of mine just surprised me with my first olive eagle. Lovely looking shape but im concerned a bit about the longer wb (even though i wanted to try 14.5 again) wondering if anyone has had good experiences with thunders and these decks?
[close]

I like that setup with Thunders. The kicks are smaller and not very full so it skates a lot more nimble and floppy than the dims suggest. I find it easier to skate than some smaller decks. Don't dismiss it.

Thanks dude, im gonna try it with thunders. You and @Ipathcats have sold me on it! Going to try and get some more 148 team hollows for Christmas. They seem to work for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 07, 2022, 12:06:28 PM
I'm a month in on indy 149 titaniums on cast baseplates. These feel like my holy grail trucks. I had a moment of weakness and tried the forged plates when i put on new wheels because i thought the extra height from the new wheels was fucking with me, but im pretty sure my legs were just shot that day. I went back to the cast plates after a handful of tricks on the forged. I'm curious as to how cast plates with a hollow pin feel, but not enough to buy them. After several iterations of my board due to madness over like 2-3 years, im VERY content with where im at, and im not very far from where i started which is the funniest part to me. prioritizing WB was a big key. I would stick with the same width but not even look at wb, so things would feel different when the wb changed and I'd start fucking with shit again.

After trying a bunch of shit over the last few years my board size is 1/8" smaller (8.375 down from 8.5), i took off my risers, and went to cast plates. Pretty hilarious to think about how close i was the whole time. I could probably even handle an 8.5 right now if i had to. which would mean even less of a change haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 07, 2022, 12:09:51 PM
I'm almost the opposite lately, WB seems to matter less than overall length and specifically kick length. Fuck me if the nose is too long/big or shit is too steep.

I'm pretty content on Thunders, but always daydreaming of Indy's. No such thing of full recovery, just being "normal" and sticking to something until it doesn't work anymore.

Having stacks is a nightmare. It makes you think about things a lot deeper because you've invested so much and those investments might not be ideal.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 07, 2022, 12:11:16 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Mate of mine just surprised me with my first olive eagle. Lovely looking shape but im concerned a bit about the longer wb (even though i wanted to try 14.5 again) wondering if anyone has had good experiences with thunders and these decks?
[close]

I like that setup with Thunders. The kicks are smaller and not very full so it skates a lot more nimble and floppy than the dims suggest. I find it easier to skate than some smaller decks. Don't dismiss it.
[close]

Thanks dude, im gonna try it with thunders. You and @IpathCats have sold me on it! Going to try and get some more 148 team hollows for Christmas. They seem to work for me

I run 149s (indy) on the 8.375(.38 w/e) 14.5 wb dlx shape. I just got an olive eagle too haha. Really up to you, but i like the extra hanger space.

Though, I think thunder 148s have more hanger than 144 indys. I could be tripping, but it felt like that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ride it to dust on November 07, 2022, 12:32:06 PM
I was toying with the idea of 149’s for a long while but at this stage i think it could be another variable of confusion/madness haha
The shape of the deck looks great though, stoked to try it. I always put 2 speedrings on the inside and 1 out as i hate seeing exposed thread on the axle (and also no messing around with the nut if i change wheels/bearings), so that gives me a bit of extra space as you know
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 07, 2022, 12:47:57 PM
I was toying with the idea of 149’s for a long while but at this stage i think it could be another variable of confusion/madness haha
The shape of the deck looks great though, stoked to try it. I always put 2 speedrings on the inside and 1 out as i hate seeing exposed thread on the axle (and also no messing around with the nut if i change wheels/bearings), so that gives me a bit of extra space as you know

Yea, It's definitely doable. I was scared of hotrodding so i ran 8.25 trucks on 8.3ish boards for a while. They def flip easier than 149s. but as soon as you're doing anything with decent speed, or skating transition, the 149s are a clear winner for me. And honestly i cant see 149s poking out at all.

Your call though. going to a longer wb and a wider truck will deff make you feel a lot more stable and make your flip tricks take more effort (still totally manageable)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on November 07, 2022, 12:57:26 PM
I was toying with the idea of 149’s for a long while but at this stage i think it could be another variable of confusion/madness haha
The shape of the deck looks great though, stoked to try it. I always put 2 speedrings on the inside and 1 out as i hate seeing exposed thread on the axle (and also no messing around with the nut if i change wheels/bearings), so that gives me a bit of extra space as you know

I’m happy with my 148 on 8.4/14.25 I went from an 8.25 on my previous deck and it stayed nimble and I appreciate the additional room for all my sloppy makes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 07, 2022, 01:48:53 PM
I just switched to 149 and it's nice for certain grinds, but honestly I feel I am wheel biting more on flip tricks and am not sold one way or another on what truck is optimal.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on November 07, 2022, 04:06:07 PM
Fellow citizens of Slap, I did some of my better skating of the past few years on an 8.38” a while ago and of course immediately proceeded to not purchase another 8.38” for like a year and a half.  Currently back on an 8.38” and I think it might be one of the most practical all-around board sizes for most things.  8.25” and below feels a little small for crusty spots and slappy stuff and going up to 8.75” and above feels great but makes me less inclined to flip my board.  Moral of the story, buy things that make sense every once in a while - who would’ve thought…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 07, 2022, 07:41:44 PM
I mean there are 8.38's with 14" WB and 14.75 it's a pretty all encompassing size.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on November 09, 2022, 09:22:42 AM
My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 09, 2022, 09:46:35 AM
My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on November 09, 2022, 05:24:51 PM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The.Skate.Father on November 09, 2022, 07:48:26 PM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse


Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 10, 2022, 05:00:24 AM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse

welp that backfired lol



Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.

what did oj's do to hurt you? I'm a f4 guy on my regular board but superjuice are my go to for cruisers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The.Skate.Father on November 10, 2022, 06:24:40 AM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
[close]

welp that backfired lol


Expand Quote

Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.
[close]

what did oj's do to hurt you? I'm a f4 guy on my regular board but superjuice are my go to for cruisers.

Nah it's all good, I have superjuice on my cruiser too, but they chunked out super quick. They roll smooth though was a bit disappointing is all.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 10, 2022, 06:26:20 AM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
[close]

welp that backfired lol


Expand Quote

Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.
[close]

what did oj's do to hurt you? I'm a f4 guy on my regular board but superjuice are my go to for cruisers.
[close]

Nah it's all good, I have superjuice on my cruiser too, but they chunked out super quick. They roll smooth though was a bit disappointing is all.

superjuice did? i know the OJ 3's would do that a lot, but i havent experienced that with the super juice
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The.Skate.Father on November 10, 2022, 07:28:01 PM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
[close]

welp that backfired lol


Expand Quote

Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.
[close]

what did oj's do to hurt you? I'm a f4 guy on my regular board but superjuice are my go to for cruisers.
[close]

Nah it's all good, I have superjuice on my cruiser too, but they chunked out super quick. They roll smooth though was a bit disappointing is all.
[close]

superjuice did? i know the OJ 3's would do that a lot, but i havent experienced that with the super juice

Yeh after my second time out on them the spat the side out
All good I cut them down to 55mm at work...
(https://i.postimg.cc/2ymJX8Zb/IMG-20220731-051611.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5mvPC0X/IMG-20220731-051616.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on November 10, 2022, 10:08:39 PM
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Yeah I’m kinda spiraling with my purchases. My issue is I have a fear of missing out on good deals, but I know it’s pointless cause shit is ALWAYS on sale. Also I don’t live in a city with a good skate shop. So I fear that I’ll break something then have to wait for replacements.

And shoes—why are size 13 always sold out?
[close]

They make fewer of them.
Yes they make fewer of them but very often I'll check something the minute it comes out or gets restocked and 13s are the only size unavailable often they'll even have 14,15,16 and tiny sizes. My fun conspiracy is they're scared of the number 13. For a while size 4 was also always unavailable which is the unlucky number for some cultures too.
Usually a 13 is 31cms but some brands make 13s as 32.5/33cms makes me wonder if they're actually size 14s and they just don't make size 13 but relabel them here. (Once again just fun conspiracy not really that serious)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on November 12, 2022, 07:18:33 PM
I need a pair or 3 of the Kader shoe. I can't help it. They pretty close to my two favorite colors. They match my face tattoo.

I've worn more shell toes as skate shoes than anything else in my life time. I've never had a pair of the fancy skate versions.

I need I need.

They match probably hundreds of my graffiti pieces too. I love purple
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 12, 2022, 07:57:45 PM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
[close]

welp that backfired lol


Expand Quote

Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.
[close]

what did oj's do to hurt you? I'm a f4 guy on my regular board but superjuice are my go to for cruisers.
[close]

Nah it's all good, I have superjuice on my cruiser too, but they chunked out super quick. They roll smooth though was a bit disappointing is all.
[close]

superjuice did? i know the OJ 3's would do that a lot, but i havent experienced that with the super juice
[close]

Yeh after my second time out on them the spat the side out
All good I cut them down to 55mm at work...
(https://i.postimg.cc/2ymJX8Zb/IMG-20220731-051611.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5mvPC0X/IMG-20220731-051616.jpg)

Damn! Were you sliding them hard or something?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 12, 2022, 10:57:36 PM
I'm over truck madness, went with a 8.25 x 31.75 x 14.25, PS Stix and told myself I needed to go with Thunder / Ace to compensate for the shorter tail and length. 1 session with Thunder and 1/2 session with Ace and I was over it, way too twitchy and I needed to adjust my foot placement drastically. Back on Ventures and things felt right, slight adjustment to the tail and I was feeling proper again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on November 13, 2022, 01:12:36 AM
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
[close]


Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.

This is the support I was looking for 🙏
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eviltgirl on November 13, 2022, 08:10:25 AM
Wondering if I should size down my trucks, it recently snowed here so I'm starting to dabble in the madness a bit.  I've been skating indy 159s on 8.5s exclusively for the last year, and I'm wondering if its worth it to give 149s a go.  159s have been chill and haven't given me any issues, especially since I'm pretty new but I think I'm ready to experiment.  If I try 149s what will I notice? I'm expecting they'll turn a bit quicker but I'm not sure what else.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 13, 2022, 08:25:22 AM
Wondering if I should size down my trucks, it recently snowed here so I'm starting to dabble in the madness a bit.  I've been skating indy 159s on 8.5s exclusively for the last year, and I'm wondering if its worth it to give 149s a go.  159s have been chill and haven't given me any issues, especially since I'm pretty new but I think I'm ready to experiment.  If I try 149s what will I notice? I'm expecting they'll turn a bit quicker but I'm not sure what else.

In transition you will find yourself with a bit more control on your grinds.  Your lock-in will be closer to the middle of the board giving you more leverage over it.  On street, the board will initiate a flip easier because the tipping point of the wheel is now closer in, and it will flip faster because the mass of the wheels is closer to the center of the board. 

For many years I skated trucks the same width as the board or one size larger.   Now I'm going the other way - same size or one size smaller.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mynameisnotjeff on November 13, 2022, 12:13:51 PM
Forgive me friends for I have given into the sales and deals.
Got the FA sale. An Enjoi board from their sale, and my go to shop had the Vans x Krooked Ray Barbee board on 20% off as they’re moving.

May throw my 159 mids on the Barbee. Not sure what wheels I should run on the board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on November 13, 2022, 12:21:17 PM
Today I hated my deck and wheels. Will switch the wheels out before the deck. I am used to soggy, old decks. But I am not used to kinda massive (for me) 53mm Lock Ins.

Thanks for listening pals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on November 13, 2022, 02:20:41 PM
It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on November 13, 2022, 02:26:23 PM
It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?

Yes. Whatever you do, don’t get Krux. They’re terrible and not in a fun way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mynameisnotjeff on November 13, 2022, 03:22:43 PM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]

Yes. Whatever you do, don’t get Krux. They’re terrible and not in a fun way.

I waxed the pivot cups of my set of K5s, the newer models, and it made a difference. But they do suck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 13, 2022, 05:00:55 PM
It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?

Donate that money to the homeless.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The.Skate.Father on November 13, 2022, 07:11:34 PM
Expand Quote
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My local shop recently got some OJ thunder juice wheels in. Please convince me that they’re stupid and I don’t (or do) need them even though I already have a cruiser board
[close]

They're kinda something you need to center a whole setup around. So i wouldnt suggest it unless you have enough parts already to make a setup for them. they're so big too that i'm sure they would really fuck with your pop, so unless you dont ollie on your cruiser, i'd just pass.
[close]

I don’t ollie on my cruiser and I have all the parts to put together another setup. I guess I’m going to relapse
[close]

welp that backfired lol


Expand Quote

Don't do it, I'm dead against juice wheels now....
Off that shit, if u got a cruiser you got a cruiser.
[close]

what did oj's do to hurt you? I'm a f4 guy on my regular board but superjuice are my go to for cruisers.
[close]

Nah it's all good, I have superjuice on my cruiser too, but they chunked out super quick. They roll smooth though was a bit disappointing is all.
[close]

superjuice did? i know the OJ 3's would do that a lot, but i havent experienced that with the super juice
[close]

Yeh after my second time out on them the spat the side out
All good I cut them down to 55mm at work...
(https://i.postimg.cc/2ymJX8Zb/IMG-20220731-051611.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C5mvPC0X/IMG-20220731-051616.jpg)
[close]

Damn! Were you sliding them hard or something?

Nothing to serious, roads are a bit bumpy but nothing I can't handle on spf bones or f4 spits....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on November 13, 2022, 07:14:54 PM
It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
(https://i.ibb.co/t2ZPbdR/EAB4-FD90-2249-4-B11-8641-1-D6-E4507-FB7-D.gif) (https://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 13, 2022, 07:44:43 PM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]
(https://i.ibb.co/t2ZPbdR/EAB4-FD90-2249-4-B11-8641-1-D6-E4507-FB7-D.gif) (https://imgbb.com/)
Riding Krux is the equivalent of the clown meme
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/031/021/cover2.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on November 13, 2022, 07:55:11 PM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]
(https://i.ibb.co/t2ZPbdR/EAB4-FD90-2249-4-B11-8641-1-D6-E4507-FB7-D.gif) (https://imgbb.com/)
[close]
Riding Krux is the equivalent of the clown meme
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/031/021/cover2.jpg)

I’m so intrigued by what the grind would feel like on them.  They look so… strange

They seem like they’d be nice and rattle-y though if you rode them loose.  Despite not turning well
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: switchfrontshuv on November 13, 2022, 09:19:34 PM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]
(https://i.ibb.co/t2ZPbdR/EAB4-FD90-2249-4-B11-8641-1-D6-E4507-FB7-D.gif) (https://imgbb.com/)
[close]
Riding Krux is the equivalent of the clown meme
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/031/021/cover2.jpg)
[close]

I’m so intrigued by what the grind would feel like on them.  They look so… strange

They seem like they’d be nice and rattle-y though if you rode them loose.  Despite not turning well

someone told me they grind and turn just like independents and I fell out of my seat laughing
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 14, 2022, 06:04:11 AM
It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?

Buying Krux would be funny in a dumb joke kind of way. But is that really what you want for yourself, to be the butt of a dumb joke?

Lol Don't do that to yourself man.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on November 14, 2022, 06:27:06 AM
I feel like being on Slap is unfortunately feeding my gear madness. I took a break from Slap for a few years as it all just got too much for me. I think the rumors about Ace AF1s brought me back and here I am again. I wasn’t completely cured of gear madness during my time off from Slap but I do feel that it consumed way less of my thoughts. I have tons of other things to spend money on right now and still yesterday I almost ordered 250€+ worth of gear and clothes I don’t really need. Held off thankfully.

I don’t really know what’s my point here. I enjoy the discussions here on Slap, especially in shoes & gear where I think it’s a bit more civilized than in UWTB but maybe I should visit less often and go to photos & video more or something. I dunno. I need help. I feel awful for stocking up so much gear. It’s not making me happier, it’s making me feel worse.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 14, 2022, 06:54:29 AM
 Madness is going to a sesh and being happy with your trucks and setup and then watching videos and being like "wait no one rides this" and then thinking you're the one that needs to change.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 14, 2022, 06:57:12 AM
Madness is going to a sesh and being happy with your trucks and setup and then watching videos and being like "wait no one rides this" and then thinking you're the one that needs to change.

For me its kind of the opposite. I see dudes ripping on thunders and ventures and think that will translate to me ripping on them.....

It doesn't
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 14, 2022, 07:36:31 AM
I definitely have gone very ott on wanting, and assembling, to the best of my knowledge, full on tribute setups. How else do you get fury’s, tensors…had some grind kings to be like Daewon (if I’m being honest, I’ll setup a Daewon complete at some point mag lo’s etc…he’s difficult because I want some setup inspired by my favorite era of his, and that would be like round 1, dolphin graphic, orions…)
Somehow, way back when, instead of learning a trade or helping others, I decided to spend all of my disposable income on packages from ccs, and then the ‘local’ did a buy 4-5 decks get one free thing. Dripping in gear. So of course I did the only sensible thing and got a Dave Mayhew maple, krux lows, and pig wheels. I remember that Ollie’s were the best they’ve ever been, and in general I skated well on the krux, but I just didn’t like em. Something seemed wrong. Longest axles as well.
Aaaannyways
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on November 14, 2022, 01:52:12 PM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]

Buying Krux would be funny in a dumb joke kind of way. But is that really what you want for yourself, to be the butt of a dumb joke?

Lol Don't do that to yourself man.

Now that Slappy Trucks have entered the chat I don’t know if I have room for Krux in my future.  Crisis averted.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bbk on November 14, 2022, 02:24:43 PM
Is the k5 still that bad?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 14, 2022, 03:51:54 PM
Both Gifted Hater and Ben Degros reviewed sets and thought they still sucked. Better than K4, but it's like going from absolutely useless garbage to pretty fuckin bad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 15, 2022, 07:15:56 AM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]

Buying Krux would be funny in a dumb joke kind of way. But is that really what you want for yourself, to be the butt of a dumb joke?

Lol Don't do that to yourself man.
[close]

Now that Slappy Trucks have entered the chat I don’t know if I have room for Krux in my future.  Crisis averted.

Oh god, you just can't help yourself can you? haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paperclip20 on November 15, 2022, 12:27:46 PM
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It would be a dumb idea to get Krux as a joke, right guys?
[close]

Buying Krux would be funny in a dumb joke kind of way. But is that really what you want for yourself, to be the butt of a dumb joke?

Lol Don't do that to yourself man.
[close]

Now that Slappy Trucks have entered the chat I don’t know if I have room for Krux in my future.  Crisis averted.
[close]

Oh god, you just can't help yourself can you? haha

Damn I'm seeing all this after just ordering some Krux because I thought it would be funny as a dumb joke. Generally I can skate most setups so I'm not too worried.

Also Ryan Lay
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 15, 2022, 01:44:13 PM
So you guys are planning to buy krux, go to the skatepark and tell people that you're riding krux? But it's like totally a joke haha. They're gonna laugh their asses off for sure.

Is this how krux is still in business?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on November 15, 2022, 01:46:38 PM
I'm curious, what's wrong with krux?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 15, 2022, 01:50:03 PM
The turning radius is not to everyone’s liking, the hole, kooky graphics, other trucks are better.  A few people swear by them though. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 15, 2022, 02:00:54 PM
Watch Ryan push and carve. You can see his board wiggle but he keeps going in the same direction. That shows you about how much Krux turn vs how much input you put into them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lee Ralphs Dear Old Mum on November 15, 2022, 02:04:33 PM
Watch Ryan push and carve. You can see his board wiggle but he keeps going in the same direction. That shows you about how much Krux turn vs how much input you put into them.

I'm currently on some stage 11 159 hangers on stage 8 baseplates and it does exactly that... did i inadvertently  create a Krux? Should I now paint them in tiger print?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 15, 2022, 02:13:54 PM
I'm curious, what's wrong with krux?

I bought a pair of K4s on super blowout for around $12.  First drop into my local bowl I ate shit as I carved a wall and my body naturally went where it normally did and the board didn't turn.   I ended up skating them for about about 10 minutes, and then 10 minutes another day before I gave them away.   I could manage Ace, Indy, Thunder, Mini Logo and Royal - but had to draw the line at Krux.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paperclip20 on November 15, 2022, 02:54:48 PM
So you guys are planning to buy krux, go to the skatepark and tell people that you're riding krux? But it's like totally a joke haha. They're gonna laugh their asses off for sure.

Is this how krux is still in business?

Definitely not, I've wanted to actually try the K5 for awhile out of curiosity but krux have been a joke in my friend group for a long time too. Plus if I don't like them I'll just donate them to a kid in need and go back to Thunders
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 15, 2022, 10:50:04 PM
Expand Quote
So you guys are planning to buy krux, go to the skatepark and tell people that you're riding krux? But it's like totally a joke haha. They're gonna laugh their asses off for sure.

Is this how krux is still in business?
[close]

Definitely not, I've wanted to actually try the K5 for awhile out of curiosity but krux have been a joke in my friend group for a long time too. Plus if I don't like them I'll just donate them to a kid in need and go back to Thunders

Putting them in the presence of children is considered a hate crime in some states
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on November 16, 2022, 02:02:24 AM
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So you guys are planning to buy krux, go to the skatepark and tell people that you're riding krux? But it's like totally a joke haha. They're gonna laugh their asses off for sure.

Is this how krux is still in business?
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Definitely not, I've wanted to actually try the K5 for awhile out of curiosity but krux have been a joke in my friend group for a long time too. Plus if I don't like them I'll just donate them to a kid in need and go back to Thunders
[close]

Putting them in the presence of children is considered a hate crime in some states

Yeah. Better to put them in the metal recycling bin. I actually sold mine (the K4s) and got actual money for them. I wonder what happened to the guy who I sold them to. Dude, if you’re around I just wanna say I’m sorry and I was out of line selling that shit to you.

Someone on here actually convinced me to get a set as “they’re very similar to Aces”! Can’t remember who that was, but fuck you!

I slammed hard bombing a hill drunk and trying to turn at an intersection. I wasn’t going very fast and the fucking trucks would not turn in the space where a big truck would have had no issues turning. By far the worst skate gear I’ve had.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 16, 2022, 09:36:49 AM
Yah maybe the k5 is different I think Ben Degros did a vid and said they were ok, but the k4 I think was sort of designed in the same vein as a tensor or venture, just wide turning no give.  They remind me of rail jockey trucks, stunting trucks…when you’re being pushed into the ground off a hubba, you don’t want to wheelbite or if you’re leaning the wrong way, you still want the make. 

Some people love em, and I think they they are a good entry point truck, but yah if you’re skating aces and get one these things your reaction will be…these trucks don’t work. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bo Turners Masonic Fish on November 16, 2022, 11:12:50 AM
The last bastion of my madness: I constantly swap between Indy 149s and 159s. Mostly skating 9" - 9.25" eggs with big wheels. I don't even think it makes much of a difference, but I can't stop myself.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 16, 2022, 02:04:01 PM
I often tell this story but back in the day the Enjoi/Tilt Mode dudes would skate our local parks. Most of them rode Thunders with an oval sticker on their trucks so it looked like they were on their sponsored spec trucks.

My madness lately has been embarrassing and distracting: shoes. I was skating Half Cabs for a long time, but had issues with the impact/heel bruising. Of all shoes they're "home base" for me since I had them for a lot of my life. I can be pretty consistent in them, especially with 360 flips and certain flip tricks).

I switched to NB cups and mostly really liked my leather 440s and my Suede Tiagos. In the Tiagos my kickflips are nicer and more boned out, most other tricks are the same, but since the shoe gives less my scoop tricks are less consistent. The big upside is since they have better padding and support my ankles and knees don't get sore.

So basically I bring both to the session and constantly switch back and forth to find "the one" and the sesh turns into an A/B test vs actually focusing on skating. I definitely think it's hampering enjoyment and holding me back from actually progressing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 16, 2022, 02:38:26 PM
Krux could just make an old Indy shape or something and they'd actually have a market. People want a Stage VIII? Well, you already own the rights to all that and you've probably got a mold somewhere, so make it the Krux V6. But nope, gotta have some weird shit that refuses to turn and is painted in Sponge Bob livery.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Candied cigarettes on November 16, 2022, 03:51:14 PM
I had this idea recently to go from thunders to indys just to switch it up. Got some 54 mm spittys to go with them. I realized exactly how much bigger the wheelbase on Indys are started thinking about how I do all my tricks out of the pocket how I just willingly gave up pocket space. Couldn’t land a single front shuv, all my shit was rocketed. I should just get used to the new setup but for now I’m kicking myself

Edit: went to the park, did a bunch of 50s, and some flatground, felt nice. I love bigger wheels- i must have been at 48 or something before I didn’t realize what I was missing
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 16, 2022, 05:44:32 PM
The wheelbase on Indy's is smaller than Thunders
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paperclip20 on November 16, 2022, 06:20:59 PM
Yah maybe the k5 is different I think Ben Degros did a vid and said they were ok, but the k4 I think was sort of designed in the same vein as a tensor or venture, just wide turning no give.  They remind me of rail jockey trucks, stunting trucks…when you’re being pushed into the ground off a hubba, you don’t want to wheelbite or if you’re leaning the wrong way, you still want the make. 

Some people love em, and I think they they are a good entry point truck, but yah if you’re skating aces and get one these things your reaction will be…these trucks don’t work.

Part of my reasoning is how poorly I skate on Ace, I enjoy the lack of turn on ventures
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sharkin on November 16, 2022, 07:19:32 PM
Figured this might be as good a place as anywhere to ask for opinions.

For shoe hoarding, when do shoes become unsafe to wear? I have some 9 year old new in box vans that always got pushed down in the pile of unworn shoes.
I want to skate them but I’m worried the soles are just gonna crumble or fold like I’ve heard happen with old sneakers. Is that just a concern with EVA foam and rubber vulcs are good to go?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 16, 2022, 09:03:11 PM
Figured this might be as good a place as anywhere to ask for opinions.

For shoe hoarding, when do shoes become unsafe to wear? I have some 9 year old new in box vans that always got pushed down in the pile of unworn shoes.
I want to skate them but I’m worried the soles are just gonna crumble or fold like I’ve heard happen with old sneakers. Is that just a concern with EVA foam and rubber vulcs are good to go?

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule on how long shoes take to disintegrate, probably depends on climate, humidity and overall QC. I had a pair of NB 913 that were produced in 2018 (according to the tags), wore them in 2020 and they crumbled in 1 session, so time in storage is anyone's guess.

I'd test the shoes out by walking around the house, the block to see if they hold up, really stretch and flex the shoe. Nothing worse than a shoe crumbling at the start of a session and the spot getting littered with foam bits.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on November 16, 2022, 09:07:24 PM
I’ve rocked some Ray Barbee Vans from who the fuck knows how long ago, and they go alright. Not new fresh but they didn’t feel like they’d fall away from my feet either

Edit: they’re from 2014
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on November 16, 2022, 09:23:18 PM
Figured this might be as good a place as anywhere to ask for opinions.

For shoe hoarding, when do shoes become unsafe to wear? I have some 9 year old new in box vans that always got pushed down in the pile of unworn shoes.
I want to skate them but I’m worried the soles are just gonna crumble or fold like I’ve heard happen with old sneakers. Is that just a concern with EVA foam and rubber vulcs are good to go?
I think vulcs are almost always fine there's an insta account called pillowheat where a guy specifically sells really old vans. Classic cupsoles usually good too but the rubber can go really hard/plasticy. This actually happened to some emerica vulcs I had but I had worn them a bunch then put them away. Either way I guess you could walk around in them for a bit first see how they are.
I'm hoping what I say is true because I also have a bunch of shoes from 9+ years ago lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on November 17, 2022, 05:21:23 AM
If they’re Vans pros from that time them shits were destined to peel apart in a week anyway. So if they do fall apart it will be hard to tell it’s from time or Vans shitty QC from back then.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sharkin on November 17, 2022, 06:52:25 AM
Yeah vans pro authentic from November 2013

I wore them this morning out to run some errands. Insoles definitely softer with the ultracush HD and they fit a little bigger than current models. Overall I think they’ll be fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lessfillingtastegreat on November 18, 2022, 08:25:27 PM
I just bought two pizza boards for 38$. I have 14 boards inventory.   I fear that this may be a problem.  Normally I go through a board every two weeks. But I keep getting hurt, so my inventory is high. Normally I would skate them faster than I buy them.  Plus I just got a raise. 

AND we are not even into Black Friday yet.  Is there a divorce thread because when my wife sees another box show up I’m going there next.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 18, 2022, 08:31:19 PM
I just bought two pizza boards for 38$. I have 14 boards inventory.   I fear that this may be a problem.  Normally I go through a board every two weeks. But I keep getting hurt, so my inventory is high. Normally I would skate them faster than I buy them.  Plus I just got a raise. 

AND we are not even into Black Friday yet.  Is there a divorce thread because when my wife sees another box show up I’m going there next.

You're looking for Whatever - Things you are stoked on but not stoked on
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Badandoldskater on November 19, 2022, 09:17:49 AM
I just bought two pizza boards for 38$. I have 14 boards inventory.   I fear that this may be a problem.  Normally I go through a board every two weeks. But I keep getting hurt, so my inventory is high. Normally I would skate them faster than I buy them.  Plus I just got a raise. 

AND we are not even into Black Friday yet.  Is there a divorce thread because when my wife sees another box show up I’m going there next.

You might just have to do your own mystery box sale at this rate
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 20, 2022, 09:05:04 AM
Do forged baseplates slide worse or is that just me?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on November 20, 2022, 10:16:05 AM
Do forged baseplates slide worse or is that just me?

I go back and forth between forged and standard baseplates on my Indys depending on my wheel size/kick steepness and I've never noticed a discernible difference between the two. Both seem to slide as expected for me. I could see cast sliding marginally better since there's more metal to slide against, though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 20, 2022, 10:18:44 AM
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Do forged baseplates slide worse or is that just me?
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I go back and forth between forged and standard baseplates on my Indys depending on my wheel size/kick steepness and I've never noticed a discernible difference between the two. Both seem to slide as expected for me. I could see cast sliding marginally better since there's more metal to slide against, though.

But how could I possibly be the problem. Ridiculous
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on November 20, 2022, 10:21:16 AM
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Do forged baseplates slide worse or is that just me?
[close]

I go back and forth between forged and standard baseplates on my Indys depending on my wheel size/kick steepness and I've never noticed a discernible difference between the two. Both seem to slide as expected for me. I could see cast sliding marginally better since there's more metal to slide against, though.
[close]

But how could I possibly be the problem. Ridiculous

It's blasphemy, you're not the problem! It's the weather, the ledge has no wax, something!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 20, 2022, 10:24:12 AM
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Do forged baseplates slide worse or is that just me?
[close]

I go back and forth between forged and standard baseplates on my Indys depending on my wheel size/kick steepness and I've never noticed a discernible difference between the two. Both seem to slide as expected for me. I could see cast sliding marginally better since there's more metal to slide against, though.
[close]

But how could I possibly be the problem. Ridiculous
[close]

It's blasphemy, you're not the problem! It's the weather, the ledge has no wax, something!!

Pretty sure mercury was in retrograde during my slides
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on November 20, 2022, 12:14:03 PM
Hello !

Let me explain,

I'm 5.7 Ft, I have short legs, and 8 for foot size
 
For some time, I've been trying to find the perfect setup, and every time I think I've found it, there's this fucking madness that comes back:

Deck : I wonder if I shouldn't go down to 7.9, because I've been skating 8.0 for about 6 years, and sometimes some flip tricks are difficult to throw, when I see Luan Oliveira or cody mcentire, I see that they are small and skate small boards.. but however, it seems to me that some pros who are small also ride 8.25 or more (If anyone can testify having met a pro for real, surprised at the size of board and its size)

Is the body size important to have a quality skateboard ? I skate a lot a lot flatground !

Trucks : I've been skating for 15 years, and in my early years, I was kickflip perfectly, and I had low trucks (Venture lows).

However, I lost the kickflip for 10 years now, and I noticed while watching my videos, that since I have high trucks, I very rarely successfully kickflip. (However, no harm with the flip switch..)

But I feel like I sometimes make a superhuman effort to jump for certain tricks!

I also wonder if stockings aren't better for someone short.. but as I said above, I think short skaters ride standard 55mm independents and do all their tricks very, very well. I think it's all in technique and timing.. unless height is really important? (I skate venture high standards)

Damn, what madness, it's funny to think that in our first years of skateboarding, we didn't think of all that!

What do you think ? In relation to what I told you, but also to have a general opinion and also in relation to your skating, I would like to know !

Thank you for your valuable response !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on November 20, 2022, 12:21:01 PM
Hello !

Let me explain,

I'm 5.7 Ft, I have short legs, and 8 for foot size
 
For some time, I've been trying to find the perfect setup, and every time I think I've found it, there's this fucking madness that comes back:

Deck : I wonder if I shouldn't go down to 7.9, because I've been skating 8.0 for about 6 years, and sometimes some flip tricks are difficult to throw, when I see Luan Oliveira or cody mcentire, I see that they are small and skate small boards.. but however, it seems to me that some pros who are small also ride 8.25 or more (If anyone can testify having met a pro for real, surprised at the size of board and its size)

Is the body size important to have a quality skateboard ? I skate a lot a lot flatground !

Trucks : I've been skating for 15 years, and in my early years, I was kickflip perfectly, and I had low trucks (Venture lows).

However, I lost the kickflip for 10 years now, and I noticed while watching my videos, that since I have high trucks, I very rarely successfully kickflip. (However, no harm with the flip switch..)

But I feel like I sometimes make a superhuman effort to jump for certain tricks!

I also wonder if stockings aren't better for someone short.. but as I said above, I think short skaters ride standard 55mm independents and do all their tricks very, very well. I think it's all in technique and timing.. unless height is really important? (I skate venture high standards)

Damn, what madness, it's funny to think that in our first years of skateboarding, we didn't think of all that!

What do you think ? In relation to what I told you, but also to have a general opinion and also in relation to your skating, I would like to know !

Thank you for your valuable response !
try venture hollows and work on your technique
maybe a smaller wheelbase would help
what board are you on right now?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 20, 2022, 02:39:53 PM
I skated 7.4-7.6 with Venture and Thunder lows from like 1997-2001. I then stepped up to an 8 after seeing taller skaters ride them as I was 6 foot 3 at age 15, but with a size 10 shoe. Most of my flip tricks were barely popped and mostly based on pressure aside from kickflips and their variants. Going up to an 8 actually helped me do them better.

Fast forward many, many years including lots of time away from doing anything but cruising and ollie'ing up curbs. Trucks are almost always highs and 8.25 seems to be the starting point size. Most people my height ride 8.38-9 these days with various wheelbases and shit. Boards are 3/4" longer, longer wheelbases, and much different amounts of concave. I've ridden as high as 8.5x32.25 which was 1.25in longer, 1.1in wider, and with .75in longer wheelbase, 6.5mm higher trucks, and 4mm higher wheels than my old 7.4 I learned kickflips and 360 flips on. Those same flip tricks are probably better despite having significant injuries limiting the movement of both of my legs. Just takes some patience to adjust.

I actually have tried riding an 8, Venture low's, and shorter wheelbases and found no reason to go back to such a setup. It's easier to do shitty, faster flips, but is less stable, has less room to land on, and just isn't as fun to ride.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skatebruh on November 20, 2022, 03:30:04 PM
I'm pretty sure Luan skates Indy standards and his deck looks super flat in footage. Try getting a flatter deck before you change up everything else. My flip tricks feel way more consistent with flatter kicks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 20, 2022, 05:08:12 PM
Regardless of your preferences or what has been done in the past, the best move is get used to what’s out there so you aren’t losing your mind chasing shit around….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 21, 2022, 07:32:38 AM
I'm pretty sure Luan skates Indy standards and his deck looks super flat in footage. Try getting a flatter deck before you change up everything else. My flip tricks feel way more consistent with flatter kicks.

There's a Brazilian ledge ripper who, for some reason, is living up here in the Northwest these days. He's sponsored back in Brazil, but a relative nobody in terms of professional skaters. Anyway, he skates a pancake flat ~7.5" deck with Indy 129s and informs me that this is more or less the norm among Brazilian skaters.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 21, 2022, 08:09:33 AM
I'm pretty sure Luan skates Indy standards and his deck looks super flat in footage. Try getting a flatter deck before you change up everything else. My flip tricks feel way more consistent with flatter kicks.

Same.  Powell decks have some of the flattest kicks (18 degrees) and I am most consistent on them.  Graphics are horrible and I have been known to skate a Mini Logo to avoid the Powell skulls. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 27, 2022, 05:42:43 PM
fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 28, 2022, 01:32:20 AM
fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!

50 yo ollieing 5 boards is probably nbd? Put that on youtube/insta/thrasher cover
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 28, 2022, 03:12:10 AM
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fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!
[close]

50 yo ollieing 5 boards is probably nbd? Put that on youtube/insta/thrasher cover

I'll take this over the girl who just FS Crooked Grinded the Hollywood 16
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 28, 2022, 06:11:23 AM
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fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!
[close]

50 yo ollieing 5 boards is probably nbd? Put that on youtube/insta/thrasher cover
[close]

I'll take this over the girl who just FS Crooked Grinded the Hollywood 16

Huge component of madness is the age/declining physical abilities…
Indys with huge wheels used to give me high, very inconsistent pop.
I much prefer the snap with thunders.
I really support the goal: I’ve never been a goal oriented person, preferring to just fuck around and see what works out, and as such do not really progress, in any area of life. How high is 5 boards? I had an entirely internal, mumbled, conversation with myself about clearing a tennis net (I’m well into my 40’s), went so far as going to a court with no board and decided I was being delusional. Gun to head I don’t think I could ollie 30”, after training.
Based off your comments earlier in the thread about powells being flat, I looked at some of their stuff, got confused and exited. Is there a shape concave guide im missing? I really like flat boards, but not sure it’s worth it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bo Turners Masonic Fish on November 28, 2022, 06:49:23 AM
fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!

I feel this 100%. Every time I put Ventures on a board, my pop game improves immensely and I am shocked by how snappy everything feels. But as an old, mostly point A to B and curb skater, the stiff turn and slower grind just do not compare to my Indys. I rationally know the latter is where I need to be, but that whiff of youth from the Ventures is so sweet and tempting.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 28, 2022, 09:49:36 AM
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fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!
[close]

50 yo ollieing 5 boards is probably nbd? Put that on youtube/insta/thrasher cover

This was a year and a half ago at 48.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNv9LyDBjBi/ 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 28, 2022, 10:09:10 AM

I feel this 100%. Every time I put Ventures on a board, my pop game improves immensely and I am shocked by how snappy everything feels. But as an old, mostly point A to B and curb skater, the stiff turn and slower grind just do not compare to my Indys. I rationally know the latter is where I need to be, but that whiff of youth from the Ventures is so sweet and tempting.

Ventures are probably the only popular truck I haven't tried, and I haven't been all that interested in them - for the reasons you mentions.  At my age, I'm not opposed to buying a set to get just enough boost to get over a stack one last time.  I relate to the Tony Hawk videos where he retires a trick. There are some tricks I landed in 2020 that I don't know if I'll ever do again - like the ugliest fakie impossible I have seen.  Every year when the snow flies (like today) signaling the end of a season, I wonder what I'm going to actually be able to get back in March. 

I went to all Indy early this year because I thought it would make it easier to do tricks.  Consistency.  Better to get used to one thing than to use completely different setups.  But...  I skate very different depending on where I am.  Does it make sense to be trying double kickflips on the same board as I use in an 11' bowl?    Different boards for different spots - and maybe that means I use Thunder when I'm skating flatground and at the street park, Indy in transition, and a big fat Ace 66 when I'm doing old-man curb sessions. 

Maybe it's ok to have the madness. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on November 28, 2022, 10:25:27 AM
How high is 5 boards? I had an entirely internal, mumbled, conversation with myself about clearing a tennis net (I’m well into my 40’s), went so far as going to a court with no board and decided I was being delusional. Gun to head I don’t think I could ollie 30”, after training.

Looking at that stack, it's mostly 8.38-8.5 boards, with one 8" in it.  I just did a similar stack and measured it to be about 28.5", give or take a little.  Tennis nets are 36" in the center.  Pickleball are 34".  I'm not doing either at this age.

Based off your comments earlier in the thread about powells being flat, I looked at some of their stuff, got confused and exited. Is there a shape concave guide im missing? I really like flat boards, but not sure it’s worth it.

They have a flat nose/tail - 18 degrees.  The DLX concave is often around 19.  Steeper Enjoi/Almost are 21 tail with 24 nose. 

The actual concave is more medium.

https://www.skateone.com/manufacturing   Current popsicles 8.5" and under are using the K20 concave.

Powell is now doing their maple popsicles in China at the same factory as the Mini Logo.  I honestly don't know if there is one bit of difference in the wood, and Mini Logo are 2 for $50 at skateone right now - with better graphics, because a blank deck is better looking than 95% of Powell graphics. Free shipping at $60. 

I am currently on a Flight, which is nicer and US built.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on November 28, 2022, 11:06:29 AM
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How high is 5 boards? I had an entirely internal, mumbled, conversation with myself about clearing a tennis net (I’m well into my 40’s), went so far as going to a court with no board and decided I was being delusional. Gun to head I don’t think I could ollie 30”, after training.
[close]

Looking at that stack, it's mostly 8.38-8.5 boards, with one 8" in it.  I just did a similar stack and measured it to be about 28.5", give or take a little.  Tennis nets are 36" in the center.  Pickleball are 34".  I'm not doing either at this age.

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Based off your comments earlier in the thread about powells being flat, I looked at some of their stuff, got confused and exited. Is there a shape concave guide im missing? I really like flat boards, but not sure it’s worth it.
[close]

They have a flat nose/tail - 18 degrees.  The DLX concave is often around 19.  Steeper Enjoi/Almost are 21 tail with 24 nose. 

The actual concave is more medium.

https://www.skateone.com/manufacturing   Current popsicles 8.5" and under are using the K20 concave.

Powell is now doing their maple popsicles in China at the same factory as the Mini Logo.  I honestly don't know if there is one bit of difference in the wood, and Mini Logo are 2 for $50 at skateone right now - with better graphics, because a blank deck is better looking than 95% of Powell graphics. Free shipping at $60. 

I am currently on a Flight, which is nicer and US built.
It only really matters what width the top and bottom boards are. Since this is about madness/going overboard if the idea of a tennis net puts you off you could get a running hurdle. They're designed to fall over safely if the person doesn't clear them and are adjustable height. Kids ones prob go right down to 20 inches or something
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FUBAR on November 28, 2022, 04:31:51 PM
String draped across a couple of parking cones can work too. It’ll just pull out of the tape if you hit it instead of grabbing your legs and sending you face first to the other side, which is a fucking nightmare.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on November 28, 2022, 06:01:36 PM
Do forged baseplates slide worse or is that just me?
Not you.
 Unless the curb/ledge is completely vertical you get a lot of wheel drag when you stand on it. Standards have more material on the pivot cavity so that helps on stuff that isn’t 90*.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 28, 2022, 06:05:46 PM
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fuuukkkk.

About 8-10 months ago I decided to go Indy on all the boards I ride most often. I bought some 144 hollows to go with my 149 ti and 159 hollow forged. A few months ago I was able to get two more sets of Ti 159s for about $80 so I picked them up.  I still had a setup with Stage 8 146s, and two with Ace that I would very rarely mess around with in the bowl.

I'm turning 50 next month.  A year ago I was able to ollie over 5 boards, and this summer I couldn't come close.  I chalked it up to skating mostly transition and getting older. 

This afternoon I was cleaning the garage and found my Thunder 149 ti that I had on the board when I made it over the 5 and decided to put them on a deck again.   Dammit if I didn't add 6 inches to my ollie.  I may be able to do it again.

Madness again!!!
[close]

50 yo ollieing 5 boards is probably nbd? Put that on youtube/insta/thrasher cover
[close]

This was a year and a half ago at 48.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNv9LyDBjBi/

Someone please photoshop him on the SOTY cover of Thrasher.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Luddite on November 28, 2022, 09:53:19 PM
Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on November 28, 2022, 10:27:04 PM
Ok so I'm dumb. I basically have been buying the wrong size shoes for ten years. My toes were hurting the other day so I swapped shoes toe still hurt swapped again still fukn hurt which led me to trying on all like 30 pairs of shoes I have and only 4 pairs don't have my toes scrunched up as default.
What's so much dumber to this situation is I did the exact same thing in 2012 which led me to get rid of all the huge amount of shoes I had back then and start over thinking I'd figured it out lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 28, 2022, 10:56:15 PM
Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.

I'll suck up any gear shittiness to avoid the dreaded new shoes + new grip combination. I may walk around in the new shoes for a week prior to skating them to break in the soles a bit.

Ok so I'm dumb. I basically have been buying the wrong size shoes for ten years. My toes were hurting the other day so I swapped shoes toe still hurt swapped again still fukn hurt which led me to trying on all like 30 pairs of shoes I have and only 4 pairs don't have my toes scrunched up as default.
What's so much dumber to this situation is I did the exact same thing in 2012 which led me to get rid of all the huge amount of shoes I had back then and start over thinking I'd figured it out lol.

How did you get your shoe size wrong for so long?

Growing up I liked the Emerica Kirchart so much that I convinced myself I was a US 10.5 when I was a 9.5 / 10, probably led to unnecessary ankle injuries as a result.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on November 29, 2022, 12:06:08 AM
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Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.
[close]

I'll suck up any gear shittiness to avoid the dreaded new shoes + new grip combination. I may walk around in the new shoes for a week prior to skating them to break in the soles a bit.

Expand Quote
Ok so I'm dumb. I basically have been buying the wrong size shoes for ten years. My toes were hurting the other day so I swapped shoes toe still hurt swapped again still fukn hurt which led me to trying on all like 30 pairs of shoes I have and only 4 pairs don't have my toes scrunched up as default.
What's so much dumber to this situation is I did the exact same thing in 2012 which led me to get rid of all the huge amount of shoes I had back then and start over thinking I'd figured it out lol.
[close]

How did you get your shoe size wrong for so long?

Growing up I liked the Emerica Kirchart so much that I convinced myself I was a US 10.5 when I was a 9.5 / 10, probably led to unnecessary ankle injuries as a result.
I think because I just hated being a size 13 (or as it turns out a 14) so I'd just squeeze into size 11s and 12s so it looked more normal, especially in the Dylan fashion/gravis type shoe days. I also played soccer and did distance running too and both of those and skating I felt like I needed the shoes to be super tight to perform properly. In 2012 I had some spine issues took some time off skating, running, soccer and decided I'd walk like two hours everyday because it's the only exercise I could do and that's the first time it I was like fuck this I'm getting bigger shoes so went back to 13s which now I'm thinking at the time seemed like such an improvement I thought it was right.
Then over pandemic I took to wearing flip flops or barefoot which I'd never really done before and I think it allowed my feet to stretch out even more lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on November 29, 2022, 01:47:38 AM
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Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.
[close]

I'll suck up any gear shittiness to avoid the dreaded new shoes + new grip combination. I may walk around in the new shoes for a week prior to skating them to break in the soles a bit.

New grip & new shoes are indeed the worst. I’ll do anything to avoid that. I break in new shoes by walking first also but I still consider them as new shoes for skating as that they are.

I just changed to new wheels in my old setup. Definitely an adjustment period there but not too bad. Some things are clearly better, some a bit worse. Ideally I’d like to change to new wheels with a new deck but that’s not always possible. New trucks I don’t care if I change anything else with them or not even though I thought I should to get the grooves right but mine are all over the place anyway so it doesn’t matter that much. Bearings, hardware, risers, rails are whatever. Change when needed and use old ones if they’re still in good order. I also usually regrip my boards at some point and that takes some adjustment also even though it’s overall clearly much better.

Small adjustment periods a bit more often is much better for me than changing all at once (ie. shoes & deck).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 29, 2022, 06:11:56 AM
Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.

Yes, pretty sure everyone in the madness thread can relate to that.

Never skate brand new shoes, bad for your feet and they're just objectively worse to skate in until they are broken in. I usually wear a pair around for almost a month before skating.

I would say its better to swap one component at a time and deal with the differences than to skate a WHOLE fresh setup, that shit just feels horrible imo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on November 29, 2022, 06:13:53 AM
Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.

I struggle to get my timing every time I’m back on the board. I often take five-ten minutes just to roll around and get used to where my tail is gonna click before I go and do anything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 29, 2022, 08:39:04 AM
Unless you're buying really stiff/firm shoes the padding won't pack out much from just walking as it will skating. Skating can loosen up the sole and upper a bit and flex it in, but you can't break in the rubber where you flick or the rear foot padding.

What I prefer is wearing around and then for a few sessions I'll wear them a bit near the end and do lower impact token tricks and some flat. Maybe bring em to skate curbs a bit too. That way I kinda don't care if things feel off- I've already gotten in my good skating for the day and can relax and not freak out.

Wheels I'll put on an older setup for the last week if I'm going to skate the same other shit next. Maybe try to find a slightly less steep deck for my next, but I get used to wheels pretty fast.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 29, 2022, 09:40:38 AM
It annoys me but sort of gives me purpose in that I’m working on breaking something in or just enjoying something broken in.  I can’t do too much new but I’ve found what I like and it doesn’t stress me out too bad.  Something like skating new trucks, it sort of sucks but I’ve been through it enough times that it doesn’t take long to get it sorted or if I don’t like a brand, I’ll repurpose them….

You know the other part of gear madness….that’s not gear……
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 29, 2022, 09:57:01 AM
Unless you're buying really stiff/firm shoes the padding won't pack out much from just walking as it will skating. Skating can loosen up the sole and upper a bit and flex it in, but you can't break in the rubber where you flick or the rear foot padding.

What I prefer is wearing around and then for a few sessions I'll wear them a bit near the end and do lower impact token tricks and some flat. Maybe bring em to skate curbs a bit too. That way I kinda don't care if things feel off- I've already gotten in my good skating for the day and can relax and not freak out.

Wheels I'll put on an older setup for the last week if I'm going to skate the same other shit next. Maybe try to find a slightly less steep deck for my next, but I get used to wheels pretty fast.

I'm a cupsole guy so walking helps a lot. But you're right, there are some parts of the shoe that really only break in from skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scholesey on November 29, 2022, 10:08:09 AM
Hey guys, first time posting on Slap. Had to make an acc after lurking in this thread.

First of all thank you for this support, nice to know you are not alone in such shit.

So basically after years on 8.25 standart popsicles and Indy 144 forged hollows/thunder 148 hollow lights, I got the madness about an year ago. Wanted to size up a bit.

Long story short, since then I had tried all of the big 4 when it comes to trucks, in multiple widghts combined with multiple sizes and shapes of boards. All in all I’ve (almost) menaged to narrow it down to (almost) two setups and I cannot decide wich one is the right one.

Wheels are excluded, because F4s💁.

The first is Enjoi R7 8.375 DEEDZ Shape paired with ACEs AF1 44.

The second is AH 8.5 14inch WB (the fall drop, basically WBSWB deck) paired with Indys 149 standart.

I am fairly short guy and I like the short wheelbases.

Tbh I’ve tried the AH board with Ventures Hi 5.8 standarts, but I am not sure about getting used to the turn and also the prolonged wheelbase.

Also having a crispy Deedz deck waiting to be used here.

Anyway, It’s far from over as it seems right now, but I’m trying to be strong and get trough this, because I cannot have more than one setup and it hurts my consistency and wallet hehe.

Cheers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 29, 2022, 10:42:31 AM
Hey guys, first time posting on Slap. Had to make an acc after lurking in this thread.

First of all thank you for this support, nice to know you are not alone in such shit.

So basically after years on 8.25 standart popsicles and Indy 144 forged hollows/thunder 148 hollow lights, I got the madness about an year ago. Wanted to size up a bit.

Long story short, since then I had tried all of the big 4 when it comes to trucks, in multiple widghts combined with multiple sizes and shapes of boards. All in all I’ve (almost) menaged to narrow it down to (almost) two setups and I cannot decide wich one is the right one.

Wheels are excluded, because F4s💁.

The first is Enjoi R7 8.375 DEEDZ Shape paired with ACEs AF1 44.

The second is AH 8.5 14inch WB (the fall drop, basically WBSWB deck) paired with Indys 149 standart.

I am fairly short guy and I like the short wheelbases.

Tbh I’ve tried the AH board with Ventures Hi 5.8 standarts, but I am not sure about getting used to the turn and also the prolonged wheelbase.

Also having a crispy Deedz deck waiting to be used here.

Anyway, It’s far from over as it seems right now, but I’m trying to be strong and get trough this, because I cannot have more than one setup and it hurts my consistency and wallet hehe.

Cheers.

IMO, just decide how much surf you want. If it's as much surf as possible, stick to the enjoi/ACE setup. If you want something a bit more well rounded and a little less surfy, stick with the AH/indy setup. I

I ride the 8.38x14.5 and the 8.3x14.4 twin tail from deluxe. both with 149's. im pretty tall though so i like a longer wb.

If you like the height of the standards but find them too heavy i would HIGHLY recommend getting some titanium hangers and putting them on your standard plates. I have been LOVING this mashup lately.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FGO925 on November 29, 2022, 10:43:01 AM
Indy hollow cast baseplate with titanium hanger seems like the ultimate Indy hack. Standard 55mm height, lighter all around from the hollow kingpin and titanium hanger. Expensive and ridiculous, but might be amazing. All the turn, could run bigger wheels, and lightweight.

Also, I’m so tempted to get a setup with some hollow venture 5.2 Lo’s and an 8 board…. Just want to remember what low trucks used to feel like. That quick pop.

Also got stoked on watching some westgate footage. I think from his nine club interview he rides an 7.75-8.0 with venture hollow light lo’s.

So so tempted..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scholesey on November 29, 2022, 11:00:33 AM
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Hey guys, first time posting on Slap. Had to make an acc after lurking in this thread.

First of all thank you for this support, nice to know you are not alone in such shit.

So basically after years on 8.25 standart popsicles and Indy 144 forged hollows/thunder 148 hollow lights, I got the madness about an year ago. Wanted to size up a bit.

Long story short, since then I had tried all of the big 4 when it comes to trucks, in multiple widghts combined with multiple sizes and shapes of boards. All in all I’ve (almost) menaged to narrow it down to (almost) two setups and I cannot decide wich one is the right one.

Wheels are excluded, because F4s.

The first is Enjoi R7 8.375 DEEDZ Shape paired with ACEs AF1 44.

The second is AH 8.5 14inch WB (the fall drop, basically WBSWB deck) paired with Indys 149 standart.

I am fairly short guy and I like the short wheelbases.

Tbh I’ve tried the AH board with Ventures Hi 5.8 standarts, but I am not sure about getting used to the turn and also the prolonged wheelbase.

Also having a crispy Deedz deck waiting to be used here.

Anyway, It’s far from over as it seems right now, but I’m trying to be strong and get trough this, because I cannot have more than one setup and it hurts my consistency and wallet hehe.

Cheers.
[close]

IMO, just decide how much surf you want. If it's as much surf as possible, stick to the enjoi/ACE setup. If you want something a bit more well rounded and a little less surfy, stick with the AH/indy setup. I

I ride the 8.38x14.5 and the 8.3x14.4 twin tail from deluxe. both with 149's. im pretty tall though so i like a longer wb.

If you like the height of the standards but find them too heavy i would HIGHLY recommend getting some titanium hangers and putting them on your standard plates. I have been LOVING this mashup lately.

Thank you, that is how I see it too, as crazy as it may sound somewhere deep I know I feel and skate better on the AH/Indy combo. Thunders were fun while it lasted but too low, Ventures had crazy good pinch and pop, but the turn was not for me. Fortunately I do not mind the weight of the Indys for now. Hopefully AH will keep on making these shorter boards, because they are super good imo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 29, 2022, 11:05:21 AM
Indy hollow cast baseplate with titanium hanger seems like the ultimate Indy hack. Standard 55mm height, lighter all around from the hollow kingpin and titanium hanger. Expensive and ridiculous, but might be amazing. All the turn, could run bigger wheels, and lightweight.

Also, I’m so tempted to get a setup with some hollow venture 5.2 Lo’s and an 8 board…. Just want to remember what low trucks used to feel like. That quick pop.

Also got stoked on watching some westgate footage. I think from his nine club interview he rides an 7.75-8.0 with venture hollow light lo’s.

So so tempted..

Yea, im just rocking standard plates and ti hangers, might get cast hollow plates next if i feel the need for less weight. Though i havent really felt that need yet, and my trucks will get lighter as i grind material off of them.

That would be some top tier madness. Rocking hollow cast plates until you grinded enough material off of your titanium hangers to make the standard cast plates feel good again haha. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on November 29, 2022, 11:11:16 AM
Indy hollow cast baseplate with titanium hanger seems like the ultimate Indy hack. Standard 55mm height, lighter all around from the hollow kingpin and titanium hanger. Expensive and ridiculous, but might be amazing. All the turn, could run bigger wheels, and lightweight.

^ ^ ^ this was my secret exit out of truck gear madness (when also paired with aftermarket conical indy bushings).
(http://64.media.tumblr.com/e7106f50ad23043a12cf6ec6d7574475/1143502cd6e56fa3-f1/s400x600/5dadb7ed287c50e2d9e8e3b2371ed60da51abaf9.gif)

the exit out of board gear madness was the Polar 8.5 w/wheel wells

the wheel gear madness still clings sometimes when I cant decide between conical fulls and classics and my size preference varies between 50mm to 56mm 
(http://i.makeagif.com/media/8-29-2015/AXWhcM.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on November 29, 2022, 11:30:11 AM

the wheel gear madness still clings sometimes when I cant decide between conical fulls and classics and my size preference varies between 50mm to 56mm 
(http://i.makeagif.com/media/8-29-2015/AXWhcM.gif)

For me the deck dictates the wheels. I run anything from 54 to 60 mm. I usually wear my wheels down to about 50 mm before I get rid of them so essentially I go from 50 to 60 mm I guess.

Anyway, some decks just work with smaller wheels much better and some much better with bigger wheels. I’m ok with this and can tell quite fast if something feels off wheel wise and then change wheels based on that. Having some options with wheels doesn’t have to mean that it’s madness.

Having typed all that up I just remembered that you said you run the same trucks and decks so everything I wrote is kinda useless as it’s a different case to yours altogether. So never mind or something.  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 29, 2022, 04:17:43 PM
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the wheel gear madness still clings sometimes when I cant decide between conical fulls and classics and my size preference varies between 50mm to 56mm 

[close]

For me the deck dictates the wheels. I run anything from 54 to 60 mm. I usually wear my wheels down to about 50 mm before I get rid of them so essentially I go from 50 to 60 mm I guess.

Anyway, some decks just work with smaller wheels much better and some much better with bigger wheels. I’m ok with this and can tell quite fast if something feels off wheel wise and then change wheels based on that. Having some options with wheels doesn’t have to mean that it’s madness.

Having typed all that up I just remembered that you said you run the same trucks and decks so everything I wrote is kinda useless as it’s a different case to yours altogether. So never mind or something.  ;D


It all makes perfect sense though, so yes I can see what you are saying there.

More than anything, for people who do ride bigger wheels, there are going to be different things to take into account, when compared to others who are only riding smaller wheels.

I used to get the Spitfire Bighead 57 and 59mm wheels and enjoy wearing them down til they were on par with most other people's wheels they bought at 52 or similar size, but having different boards to skate different things has also been my go to since I could have one setup with big wheels and one with smaller / worn down wheels, everything else pretty much the same on both setups too, but some decks would work better than others with the wheel changes.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sharkin on November 29, 2022, 06:36:55 PM
I set up a dwindle r7 steep concave. It’s an 8.5” which is smaller than I’d like to skate but I got it for free.
Red top ply.. you see where I’m going here.
Slammed hard slipping out in a mini ramp and I have every reason to blame that board and confirm my suspicion.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SaySo on November 29, 2022, 09:06:23 PM
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Expand Quote
Does anyone else struggle with timing when switching pieces of your set up/shoes? Everyone knows the combination of new shoes and an old board sucks, but what if your shoes are blown but your board still has some life in it? What if youre setting up a board but you know your shoes only have a few good sessions left in them? New wheels feel weird on an old board so does that mean I need to wait until I set up a new board and therefor probably new shoes? It feels wasteful to get new product just for the sake of not feeling weird about something else being new but I dont know how to get around it.
[close]

I'll suck up any gear shittiness to avoid the dreaded new shoes + new grip combination. I may walk around in the new shoes for a week prior to skating them to break in the soles a bit.
[close]

New grip & new shoes are indeed the worst. I’ll do anything to avoid that. I break in new shoes by walking first also but I still consider them as new shoes for skating as that they are.

I just changed to new wheels in my old setup. Definitely an adjustment period there but not too bad. Some things are clearly better, some a bit worse. Ideally I’d like to change to new wheels with a new deck but that’s not always possible. New trucks I don’t care if I change anything else with them or not even though I thought I should to get the grooves right but mine are all over the place anyway so it doesn’t matter that much. Bearings, hardware, risers, rails are whatever. Change when needed and use old ones if they’re still in good order. I also usually regrip my boards at some point and that takes some adjustment also even though it’s overall clearly much better.

Small adjustment periods a bit more often is much better for me than changing all at once (ie. shoes & deck).

+1 for avoidance of the dreaded new/new deck/shoes combo.

I try my best to keep either one of those variables in the back of my mind when considering swapping out. New kicks can give an old deck a few more sessions of life and a new deck/grip can do similar for a pair of shoes (unless they're totally bagged/packed out and have holes in the soles).

My kicks usually end up being jerry-rigged together with more shoe-goo than leather remaining, though issues with my old-man legs have got me thinking I've probably skated my shoes too many years well past their expiration dates.

Might just have to embrace the madness with respect to new shoes for the sake of my body and to the detriment of my wallet/the environment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 30, 2022, 12:58:23 AM
Expand Quote
Hey guys, first time posting on Slap. Had to make an acc after lurking in this thread.

First of all thank you for this support, nice to know you are not alone in such shit.

So basically after years on 8.25 standart popsicles and Indy 144 forged hollows/thunder 148 hollow lights, I got the madness about an year ago. Wanted to size up a bit.

Long story short, since then I had tried all of the big 4 when it comes to trucks, in multiple widghts combined with multiple sizes and shapes of boards. All in all I’ve (almost) menaged to narrow it down to (almost) two setups and I cannot decide wich one is the right one.

Wheels are excluded, because F4s💁.

The first is Enjoi R7 8.375 DEEDZ Shape paired with ACEs AF1 44.

The second is AH 8.5 14inch WB (the fall drop, basically WBSWB deck) paired with Indys 149 standart.

I am fairly short guy and I like the short wheelbases.

Tbh I’ve tried the AH board with Ventures Hi 5.8 standarts, but I am not sure about getting used to the turn and also the prolonged wheelbase.

Also having a crispy Deedz deck waiting to be used here.

Anyway, It’s far from over as it seems right now, but I’m trying to be strong and get trough this, because I cannot have more than one setup and it hurts my consistency and wallet hehe.

Cheers.
[close]

IMO, just decide how much surf you want. If it's as much surf as possible, stick to the enjoi/ACE setup. If you want something a bit more well rounded and a little less surfy, stick with the AH/indy setup. I

I ride the 8.38x14.5 and the 8.3x14.4 twin tail from deluxe. both with 149's. im pretty tall though so i like a longer wb.

If you like the height of the standards but find them too heavy i would HIGHLY recommend getting some titanium hangers and putting them on your standard plates. I have been LOVING this mashup lately.

I wouldn't get too attached to the Deedz deck since he is clearly not on Enjoi anymore
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 30, 2022, 02:19:25 AM
I never understood the "Koston redrills his trucks" thing, well now I get it. That's the first time I can see it clearly. Second slide, board on the right.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClffeKhr7wF/ (https://www.instagram.com/p/ClffeKhr7wF/)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on November 30, 2022, 02:45:55 AM
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Hey guys, first time posting on Slap. Had to make an acc after lurking in this thread.

First of all thank you for this support, nice to know you are not alone in such shit.

So basically after years on 8.25 standart popsicles and Indy 144 forged hollows/thunder 148 hollow lights, I got the madness about an year ago. Wanted to size up a bit.

Long story short, since then I had tried all of the big 4 when it comes to trucks, in multiple widghts combined with multiple sizes and shapes of boards. All in all I’ve (almost) menaged to narrow it down to (almost) two setups and I cannot decide wich one is the right one.

Wheels are excluded, because F4s💁.

The first is Enjoi R7 8.375 DEEDZ Shape paired with ACEs AF1 44.

The second is AH 8.5 14inch WB (the fall drop, basically WBSWB deck) paired with Indys 149 standart.

I am fairly short guy and I like the short wheelbases.

Tbh I’ve tried the AH board with Ventures Hi 5.8 standarts, but I am not sure about getting used to the turn and also the prolonged wheelbase.

Also having a crispy Deedz deck waiting to be used here.

Anyway, It’s far from over as it seems right now, but I’m trying to be strong and get trough this, because I cannot have more than one setup and it hurts my consistency and wallet hehe.

Cheers.
[close]

IMO, just decide how much surf you want. If it's as much surf as possible, stick to the enjoi/ACE setup. If you want something a bit more well rounded and a little less surfy, stick with the AH/indy setup. I

I ride the 8.38x14.5 and the 8.3x14.4 twin tail from deluxe. both with 149's. im pretty tall though so i like a longer wb.

If you like the height of the standards but find them too heavy i would HIGHLY recommend getting some titanium hangers and putting them on your standard plates. I have been LOVING this mashup lately.
[close]

I wouldn't get too attached to the Deedz deck since he is clearly not on Enjoi anymore

Dwindle used that shape before him, it just happened to be the one he liked and actually skated so they made it his signature shape.

I want to say it was originally from a reissue or throwback series but don't quote me on that, but anyways if you go back and look at older dwindle catalogs you'll see the 8.37 x 31.6 14.2wb football pop up from time to time. I'm sure it won't be as easy to find without them doing all of his decks on it, but I doubt it'll disappear entirely.

Madness also has a shape with those dimensions but square and mellower kicks, I'm ashamed to say it's one of the best boards I've ever skated.

Also fun fact - those dwindle football reissues like the Lotti one are basically just a slimmed down version of that shape. Same mold and everything, just 8 1/8" wide rather than 8 3/8".

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 30, 2022, 05:25:24 AM
I never understood the "Koston redrills his trucks" thing, well now I get it. That's the first time I can see it clearly. Second slide, board on the right.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClffeKhr7wF/ (https://www.instagram.com/p/ClffeKhr7wF/)

so hes shrinking his wb? interesting. you would think he could just get a board made with the right dims
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bbk on November 30, 2022, 06:28:24 AM
It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 30, 2022, 06:50:50 AM
It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bbk on November 30, 2022, 09:30:48 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 30, 2022, 09:33:56 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mean salto on November 30, 2022, 09:40:48 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
Are ace still thru diamond? Was there any bad blood there when Koston left Craig co
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 30, 2022, 09:44:38 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
[close]
Are ace still thru diamond? Was there any bad blood there when Koston left Craig co

Not sure. IDK why he stopped riding indys if he was just gonna re drill ventures lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on November 30, 2022, 10:16:41 AM
Which is best for a flatground skate style : Independent stage 11 139 or Venture 5.2 High ?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on November 30, 2022, 10:43:11 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
[close]
Are ace still thru diamond? Was there any bad blood there when Koston left Craig co
[close]

Not sure. IDK why he stopped riding indys if he was just gonna re drill ventures lol.

If you look at the wheel placement in relation to the nose of the baseplate it’s kind of like a Thunder where you would slide on the wheels instead of the baseplate. Maybe he likes the slide and wheelbase of a Thunder with the stability and kingpin clearance of Venture?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on November 30, 2022, 10:44:29 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
[close]
Are ace still thru diamond? Was there any bad blood there when Koston left Craig co
[close]

Not sure. IDK why he stopped riding indys if he was just gonna re drill ventures lol.
[close]

If you look at the wheel placement in relation to the nose of the baseplate it’s kind of like a Thunder where you would slide on the wheels instead of the baseplate. Maybe he likes the slide and wheelbase of a Thunder with the stability and kingpin clearance of Venture?

Think about this one again. He did not change the relative position of the wheels and the baseplate at all
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on November 30, 2022, 10:48:00 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
[close]
Are ace still thru diamond? Was there any bad blood there when Koston left Craig co
[close]

Not sure. IDK why he stopped riding indys if he was just gonna re drill ventures lol.
[close]

If you look at the wheel placement in relation to the nose of the baseplate it’s kind of like a Thunder where you would slide on the wheels instead of the baseplate. Maybe he likes the slide and wheelbase of a Thunder with the stability and kingpin clearance of Venture?

Doesnt work like that, but i was thinking this at first too when we were discussing this a week or so ago. idk if it was this thread or another.

like @goodatmeth said position of the wheels to the edge of the baseplate doesnt change. only the position of the trucks on the board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scholesey on November 30, 2022, 10:52:54 AM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?

Ace AF1 are the same height as Venture Hi. Not sure about Classic Ace but I think they are like a 1,5mm lower.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on November 30, 2022, 12:27:40 PM
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It's probably more about pop feel than it is about wb. easier to drill one set of baseplates than every deck, because i would think even koston has difficulties getting is board drilled with same shape, just slightly shrunken wheelbase
[close]

shorter wb and lighter pop feel? Just ride aces?
[close]
Hey, I wouldn't go there, just speculating his reasoning.
[close]

i would be very curious to know how close the re drilled ventures are to ace wb.

they're close in height right?
[close]
Are ace still thru diamond? Was there any bad blood there when Koston left Craig co
[close]

Not sure. IDK why he stopped riding indys if he was just gonna re drill ventures lol.
[close]

If you look at the wheel placement in relation to the nose of the baseplate it’s kind of like a Thunder where you would slide on the wheels instead of the baseplate. Maybe he likes the slide and wheelbase of a Thunder with the stability and kingpin clearance of Venture?
[close]

Doesnt work like that, but i was thinking this at first too when we were discussing this a week or so ago. idk if it was this thread or another.

like @goodatmeth said position of the wheels to the edge of the baseplate doesnt change. only the position of the trucks on the board.

Hot damn you fuckers are right! The angle in the photo had me tripping.
(https://i.ibb.co/QpsJrvd/2-B4-B3771-2-E80-4938-85-E1-C1762216-FDE9.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QpsJrvd)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on December 03, 2022, 10:19:48 AM
HELP!

I’m having an existential crisis trying to decide on my next set of trucks between Independent and Ace.

I’m on Independent now and nothing else grinds as well. I have Ace bushings in them and the turn is almost as good as Ace, but still not quite there. I also love how durable they are, no QC issues like Ace.

I always liked Ace classics, but I always wore them out prematurely (loose kingpins, wallowed out pivot cavity, off-center axles). I had a set of AF1s which were more durable, but I always felt that they had a sticky grind. I ended up giving them away because I didn’t like the way they grind.

I’m really missing the Ace turn/responsiveness and I hear a lot of people say that the AF1s grind really well. Am I crazy for thinking they don’t grind well? Are my expectations too high from riding Indy’s? The classics had a nice grind, but I don’t feel like dealing with all of the QC issues that come with them.

Should I just stick with Indy’s or give AF1s another chance?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: thanksgiving on December 03, 2022, 11:30:15 AM
HELP!

I’m having an existential crisis trying to decide on my next set of trucks between Independent and Ace.

I’m on Independent now and nothing else grinds as well. I have Ace bushings in them and the turn is almost as good as Ace, but still not quite there. I also love how durable they are, no QC issues like Ace.

I always liked Ace classics, but I always wore them out prematurely (loose kingpins, wallowed out pivot cavity, off-center axles). I had a set of AF1s which were more durable, but I always felt that they had a sticky grind. I ended up giving them away because I didn’t like the way they grind.

I’m really missing the Ace turn/responsiveness and I hear a lot of people say that the AF1s grind really well. Am I crazy for thinking they don’t grind well? Are my expectations too high from riding Indy’s? The classics had a nice grind, but I don’t feel like dealing with all of the QC issues that come with them.

Should I just stick with Indy’s or give AF1s another chance?
classics for sure grind better than the af1s but i didn’t find my pair massively sticky. ace seems to have pretty good customer service and if you have major issues with classics i’ve seen multiple people here get replacements. sometimes they even send af1s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 03, 2022, 11:46:56 AM
Stick with Indy's. Maybe try different bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on December 03, 2022, 04:13:41 PM
Stick with Indy's. Maybe try different bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on December 04, 2022, 05:32:11 PM
Stick with Indy's. Maybe try different bushings.

Thank you, I picked up a set Indys. I’m going to do something really crazy this time and try to keep the stock bushings. If I still hate them after a few sessions I’ll throw some Ace bushings in
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 04, 2022, 08:16:06 PM
Just get Indy blues or blacks if you need harder, maybe try the Supercush 88 or some other 80ish duro if you need softer. I'm sure the Ace are nice, but buying 2 sets of bushings that still don't end up the right height seems like a pain in the ass and likely unnecessary.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on December 04, 2022, 10:34:55 PM
Just get Indy blues or blacks if you need harder, maybe try the Supercush 88 or some other 80ish duro if you need softer. I'm sure the Ace are nice, but buying 2 sets of bushings that still don't end up the right height seems like a pain in the ass and likely unnecessary.

I’ve been using Ace low bushings, they’re just barely shorter than the stock bushings. You can also shave down the standard ones. No need to buy two sets.

I had an indoor mini ramp session today on the new set with stock bushings, nut flush. They felt broken in immediately which was nice. Gotta wait for the rain to stop and get a bowl session in to see how they carve. Hopefully I’ll be satisfied so I can stop messing with my trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 05, 2022, 05:54:57 AM
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Just get Indy blues or blacks if you need harder, maybe try the Supercush 88 or some other 80ish duro if you need softer. I'm sure the Ace are nice, but buying 2 sets of bushings that still don't end up the right height seems like a pain in the ass and likely unnecessary.
[close]

I’ve been using Ace low bushings, they’re just barely shorter than the stock bushings. You can also shave down the standard ones. No need to buy two sets.

I had an indoor mini ramp session today on the new set with stock bushings, nut flush. They felt broken in immediately which was nice. Gotta wait for the rain to stop and get a bowl session in to see how they carve. Hopefully I’ll be satisfied so I can stop messing with my trucks

Indy super soft (white) bushings are crazy soft and wont affect your geo, but youll likely have to crank them a bit.

honestly I've found that finding the hardest bushing you can ride with the nut flush on the kingpin is what works best for me. You might be surprised at how surfy hard bushings can feel. All depends on your geo/weight obviously. I rock the indy hard black cylinder. go conical if you want a deeper more consistent turn. I prefer the eventual stopping point of the cylinders though. I run 56mm classics on standard height indys with the nut basically flush, weigh about 170lbs and i hardly get any wheelbite. my wheelbite marks are MUCH smaller than pretty much every other board i see.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on December 06, 2022, 11:33:58 PM
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Just get Indy blues or blacks if you need harder, maybe try the Supercush 88 or some other 80ish duro if you need softer. I'm sure the Ace are nice, but buying 2 sets of bushings that still don't end up the right height seems like a pain in the ass and likely unnecessary.
[close]

I’ve been using Ace low bushings, they’re just barely shorter than the stock bushings. You can also shave down the standard ones. No need to buy two sets.

I had an indoor mini ramp session today on the new set with stock bushings, nut flush. They felt broken in immediately which was nice. Gotta wait for the rain to stop and get a bowl session in to see how they carve. Hopefully I’ll be satisfied so I can stop messing with my trucks
[close]

Indy super soft (white) bushings are crazy soft and wont affect your geo, but youll likely have to crank them a bit.

honestly I've found that finding the hardest bushing you can ride with the nut flush on the kingpin is what works best for me. You might be surprised at how surfy hard bushings can feel. All depends on your geo/weight obviously. I rock the indy hard black cylinder. go conical if you want a deeper more consistent turn. I prefer the eventual stopping point of the cylinders though. I run 56mm classics on standard height indys with the nut basically flush, weigh about 170lbs and i hardly get any wheelbite. my wheelbite marks are MUCH smaller than pretty much every other board i see.

Tried to ride one of my local parks on the stock Indy bushings and it was terrible. It was in the low 40s today, so the bushings were rock hard and would not turn. I immediately ordered some Ace bushings when I got home. That should end the madness for now
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 07, 2022, 01:00:10 AM
Indy stock orange mediums work great, but like most bushings out there, they need to be broken in. Aftermarket conical is even better though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: gaunting on December 07, 2022, 02:05:09 AM
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Just get Indy blues or blacks if you need harder, maybe try the Supercush 88 or some other 80ish duro if you need softer. I'm sure the Ace are nice, but buying 2 sets of bushings that still don't end up the right height seems like a pain in the ass and likely unnecessary.
[close]

I’ve been using Ace low bushings, they’re just barely shorter than the stock bushings. You can also shave down the standard ones. No need to buy two sets.

I had an indoor mini ramp session today on the new set with stock bushings, nut flush. They felt broken in immediately which was nice. Gotta wait for the rain to stop and get a bowl session in to see how they carve. Hopefully I’ll be satisfied so I can stop messing with my trucks
[close]

Indy super soft (white) bushings are crazy soft and wont affect your geo, but youll likely have to crank them a bit.

honestly I've found that finding the hardest bushing you can ride with the nut flush on the kingpin is what works best for me. You might be surprised at how surfy hard bushings can feel. All depends on your geo/weight obviously. I rock the indy hard black cylinder. go conical if you want a deeper more consistent turn. I prefer the eventual stopping point of the cylinders though. I run 56mm classics on standard height indys with the nut basically flush, weigh about 170lbs and i hardly get any wheelbite. my wheelbite marks are MUCH smaller than pretty much every other board i see.

honestly, I agree. I’ve been riding white Indy bushings in venture 5.2 hi’s for the past year. no matter how much I skated them, they just still wouldn’t turn. I’ve never rode ventures with stock bushings. so I put the clear ones I got with venture titaniums in. they honestly turn considerably better than the 78a Indy bushings. and I believe all stock venture bushings are 90a.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on December 07, 2022, 06:48:17 AM
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Just get Indy blues or blacks if you need harder, maybe try the Supercush 88 or some other 80ish duro if you need softer. I'm sure the Ace are nice, but buying 2 sets of bushings that still don't end up the right height seems like a pain in the ass and likely unnecessary.
[close]

I’ve been using Ace low bushings, they’re just barely shorter than the stock bushings. You can also shave down the standard ones. No need to buy two sets.

I had an indoor mini ramp session today on the new set with stock bushings, nut flush. They felt broken in immediately which was nice. Gotta wait for the rain to stop and get a bowl session in to see how they carve. Hopefully I’ll be satisfied so I can stop messing with my trucks
[close]

Indy super soft (white) bushings are crazy soft and wont affect your geo, but youll likely have to crank them a bit.

honestly I've found that finding the hardest bushing you can ride with the nut flush on the kingpin is what works best for me. You might be surprised at how surfy hard bushings can feel. All depends on your geo/weight obviously. I rock the indy hard black cylinder. go conical if you want a deeper more consistent turn. I prefer the eventual stopping point of the cylinders though. I run 56mm classics on standard height indys with the nut basically flush, weigh about 170lbs and i hardly get any wheelbite. my wheelbite marks are MUCH smaller than pretty much every other board i see.
[close]

Tried to ride one of my local parks on the stock Indy bushings and it was terrible. It was in the low 40s today, so the bushings were rock hard and would not turn. I immediately ordered some Ace bushings when I got home. That should end the madness for now

I had some Ace bushings laying around and I put them on my Indys to replace some blown out stock bushings, and it improved the truck for me greatly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 07, 2022, 06:10:48 PM
My Madness has returned. I normally ride an 8.25 with 144s. The current episode of Madness has me fucking around with 149s instead of 144s. Somedays I love them. Some days I hate them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 07, 2022, 06:23:53 PM
My Madness has returned. I normally ride an 8.25 with 144s. The current episode of Madness has me fucking around with 149s instead of 144s. Somedays I love them. Some days I hate them.

I feel that, that was one my my most recent instances of madness. I ride 8.38 though every now and then 8.25.

I felt like unless I was ONLY skating like flat ground, flatbars, and curbs, skating slow, the 149s we're better overall for me.

The stability and hanger space of a 149 outweighed the ease of flip tricks on 144s.

Now that I've been back on the 149s for a while my flip tricks have completely acclimated.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on December 07, 2022, 06:24:46 PM
Washers….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 07, 2022, 06:30:16 PM
Washers….

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on December 07, 2022, 06:32:30 PM
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Washers….
[close]

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.

Washer madness got me too, was setting up a fresh board and wanted to stick with 2 on the inside. As I was cranking the axle nuts down flush it felt like there was too much wiggle on the wheels. Took all 4 nuts off and added 1 more washer on the inside.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 07, 2022, 06:52:10 PM
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Washers….
[close]

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.
[close]

Washer madness got me too, was setting up a fresh board and wanted to stick with 2 on the inside. As I was cranking the axle nuts down flush it felt like there was too much wiggle on the wheels. Took all 4 nuts off and added 1 more washer on the inside.

Run one on outside, too, only on inside?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on December 07, 2022, 07:29:01 PM
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Washers….
[close]

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.
[close]

Washer madness got me too, was setting up a fresh board and wanted to stick with 2 on the inside. As I was cranking the axle nuts down flush it felt like there was too much wiggle on the wheels. Took all 4 nuts off and added 1 more washer on the inside.
[close]

Run one on outside, too, only on inside?
1 on the outside, 3 on the inside
So the axles on my threads are never exposed and the nuts will take the brunt of damage. I really hate rethreading axles, broke 3 Silver tools because of rethreading and it's much cheaper / easier to replace the axle nuts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 07, 2022, 09:07:55 PM
The re-threader on the Silver tool is quite poor. The Ace tool has a better one if you'e going the skate tool route. If you do intend on using it I would recommend applying some light oil.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 06:24:59 AM
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Washers….
[close]

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.
[close]

Washer madness got me too, was setting up a fresh board and wanted to stick with 2 on the inside. As I was cranking the axle nuts down flush it felt like there was too much wiggle on the wheels. Took all 4 nuts off and added 1 more washer on the inside.
[close]

Run one on outside, too, only on inside?
[close]
1 on the outside, 3 on the inside
So the axles on my threads are never exposed and the nuts will take the brunt of damage. I really hate rethreading axles, broke 3 Silver tools because of rethreading and it's much cheaper / easier to replace the axle nuts.

I'm using one on the outside and 2-3 on the inside since some of the are different thicknesses. I also like a TINY bit of play in my wheel. feels weird to me then theyre properly snug to the washers, where they still spin freely but dont have any play.

EDIT: Some premium madness right here, ACE classic washer are the best imo since they are the thickest. I get the best fit when i use only those. IMNOTCRAZYYOURECRAZY
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 08, 2022, 06:56:37 AM
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Washers….
[close]

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.
[close]

Washer madness got me too, was setting up a fresh board and wanted to stick with 2 on the inside. As I was cranking the axle nuts down flush it felt like there was too much wiggle on the wheels. Took all 4 nuts off and added 1 more washer on the inside.
[close]

Run one on outside, too, only on inside?
[close]
1 on the outside, 3 on the inside
So the axles on my threads are never exposed and the nuts will take the brunt of damage. I really hate rethreading axles, broke 3 Silver tools because of rethreading and it's much cheaper / easier to replace the axle nuts.
[close]

I'm using one on the outside and 2-3 on the inside since some of the are different thicknesses. I also like a TINY bit of play in my wheel. feels weird to me then theyre properly snug to the washers, where they still spin freely but dont have any play.

EDIT: Some premium madness right here, ACE classic washer are the best imo since they are the thickest. I get the best fit when i use only those. IMNOTCRAZYYOURECRAZY

Are they thicker than the Quantum washers? I actually love how thick Quantum washers are given I’m riding 148 on 8.4
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 07:17:41 AM
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Washers….
[close]

I always use enough washers to keep my axel nuts flush, no matter the hanger/board size combo.

That's something I've become particular about haha.
[close]

Washer madness got me too, was setting up a fresh board and wanted to stick with 2 on the inside. As I was cranking the axle nuts down flush it felt like there was too much wiggle on the wheels. Took all 4 nuts off and added 1 more washer on the inside.
[close]

Run one on outside, too, only on inside?
[close]
1 on the outside, 3 on the inside
So the axles on my threads are never exposed and the nuts will take the brunt of damage. I really hate rethreading axles, broke 3 Silver tools because of rethreading and it's much cheaper / easier to replace the axle nuts.
[close]

I'm using one on the outside and 2-3 on the inside since some of the are different thicknesses. I also like a TINY bit of play in my wheel. feels weird to me then theyre properly snug to the washers, where they still spin freely but dont have any play.

EDIT: Some premium madness right here, ACE classic washer are the best imo since they are the thickest. I get the best fit when i use only those. IMNOTCRAZYYOURECRAZY
[close]

Are they thicker than the Quantum washers? I actually love how thick Quantum washers are given I’m riding 148 on 8.4

not sure. i didnt get washers or extra shields when i ordered my quantums back in the day. I think it was before they did that. Hook me up @Quantum_Bearing_Science !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MOE SYZLAK on December 08, 2022, 08:08:37 AM
Been contemplating changing my whole set up.
I’ve been skating 8s with Thunder 147s for the past 3-4 years. I sized down from 8.25, which I skated for 15 or so years..
I’ve been skating a lot of big chunky DC cupsoles lately and I feel like they kinda dwarf the 8s
Been contemplating going back to 8.25 and getting back on some ventures. Maybe sizing down to 52- 53mm..
changing my entire set up gives me serious anxiety.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on December 08, 2022, 08:27:17 AM
Been contemplating changing my whole set up.
I’ve been skating 8s with Thunder 147s for the past 3-4 years. I sized down from 8.25, which I skated for 15 or so years..
I’ve been skating a lot of big chunky DC cupsoles lately and I feel like they kinda dwarf the 8s
Been contemplating going back to 8.25 and getting back on some ventures. Maybe sizing down to 52- 53mm..
changing my entire set up gives me serious anxiety.

Changing too much at once is always a dangerous game to play for me. If I manage to restrain my madness to changing only one variable at a time, I feel like I have a better idea of knowing if it worked out for the better.

Maybe Ishod it and try the 147s with extra washers on an 8.25 first and let it evolve from there?

*Edit*
I'm on an 8.25 with 139 Indys with extra washers and it's working out great skating-wise. Aesthetically, I like the proportions of a wider Indy and that's the only thing making me want to size up. But that's my own madness issue.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 08, 2022, 09:09:39 AM
147 to venture high will be a 4mm jump in height AND push the wheels out. That is assuming same basic wheelbase and deck dimensions. Sizing down wheels 1-2mm might not make it feel exactly the same either you'd need a mellower deck to kinda get close.

If you have the means then go for it. Skateboards aren't cars worse case you hate it after 6-7 sessions just give it away to a kid. But definitely don't microtweak it to perfection. Use the smallest wheels you would rationally tolerate and if it doesn't work it's not going to magically work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 09:35:31 AM
Been contemplating changing my whole set up.
I’ve been skating 8s with Thunder 147s for the past 3-4 years. I sized down from 8.25, which I skated for 15 or so years..
I’ve been skating a lot of big chunky DC cupsoles lately and I feel like they kinda dwarf the 8s
Been contemplating going back to 8.25 and getting back on some ventures. Maybe sizing down to 52- 53mm..
changing my entire set up gives me serious anxiety.

I'd just try an 8.25 as your next deck keeping everything else the same, to see if its all in your head. Like others have said, changing too much at once will make it hard to know what component is making each difference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 08, 2022, 11:15:40 AM
I hate all of you. I’m out skating right now, and I have just discovered “washers madness” for the first time. This never would have happened without your help. Currently running 3/1 on 8.25 with Indy forged 144s…and really liking it…halfway between 144/149s…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 11:25:28 AM
I hate all of you. I’m out skating right now, and I have just discovered “washers madness” for the first time. This never would have happened without your help. Currently running 3/1 on 8.25 with Indy forged 144s…and really liking it…halfway between 144/149s…

lmfao sorry man.

But you're welcome for those lovely flush axel nuts and slightly more hanger space
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on December 08, 2022, 11:55:58 AM
I'm all in on the washer madness

If you normally run one washer on the inside and bump it up to three, you get about 3-4 extra mm of truck, which is about 1/8 of an inch. That legitimately lands you right in between truck sizes in most cases

this is all insane, but i love it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 08, 2022, 11:57:55 AM
I came here for madness “support.” It just got worse. This thread is basically the liquor store that trades in AA sobriety chips for free booze. It should be called the “Madness Worsening Thread.” God damn washer insanity…but damn, my set-up was feeling so good today… :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on December 08, 2022, 12:14:08 PM
I came here for madness “support.” It just got worse. This thread is basically the liquor store that trades in AA sobriety chips for free booze. It should be called the “Madness Worsening Thread.” God damn washer insanity…but damn, my set-up was feeling so good today… :)

Let's just be thankful. If some irrelevant changes to your wooden toy are what you're worrying about, your life is hella easy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 08, 2022, 12:19:03 PM
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I came here for madness “support.” It just got worse. This thread is basically the liquor store that trades in AA sobriety chips for free booze. It should be called the “Madness Worsening Thread.” God damn washer insanity…but damn, my set-up was feeling so good today… :)
[close]

Let's just be thankful. If some irrelevant changes to your wooden toy are what you're worrying about, your life is hella easy

Well said.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 12:36:59 PM
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I came here for madness “support.” It just got worse. This thread is basically the liquor store that trades in AA sobriety chips for free booze. It should be called the “Madness Worsening Thread.” God damn washer insanity…but damn, my set-up was feeling so good today… :)
[close]

Let's just be thankful. If some irrelevant changes to your wooden toy are what you're worrying about, your life is hella easy

BIG FAX
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on December 08, 2022, 01:09:31 PM
The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 08, 2022, 01:27:39 PM
The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.

Yeah, I am kind of waiting for a wheel to fall off. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on December 08, 2022, 01:47:20 PM
Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Pasta Monster on December 08, 2022, 02:14:07 PM
Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens
I got the twin tail slick twice and enjoyed it. 8.3 with a 14.38 or 14.4 wheelbase, if I remember the sticker correctly. They felt better to me with Thunder Hollow Lights compared to Venture Lights. Even though my preference is for FA/Hockey Shape #1 or Real SE boards, I’d get another one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 02:46:33 PM
Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens

Yes, I skate them a lot. Like 4 decks in a row at one point. I love them. If the length/WB was a little longer I would probably ride them exclusively.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Musicaldeath107 on December 08, 2022, 02:58:48 PM
This site has ruined my brain. 

I grabbed set of the Pig bushings to test out to see if they are cold weather resistant, but the bottoms are too tall for Ventures.

I put them in my set of Royals since they fit perfectly so I can still test the cold weather resistance.  If they are I'm going to spend the time to cut them down to make em fit in the Ventures.

Unless someone can tell me which bushings don't freeze so I can spend more money on those.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on December 08, 2022, 03:11:29 PM
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Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens
[close]
I got the twin tail slick twice and enjoyed it. 8.3 with a 14.38 or 14.4 wheelbase, if I remember the sticker correctly. They felt better to me with Thunder Hollow Lights compared to Venture Lights. Even though my preference is for FA/Hockey Shape #1 or Real SE boards, I’d get another one.

Word thanks - I’ll probably skate it with Aces cause the wheelbase is a little longer for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: big_kev_215 on December 08, 2022, 03:13:48 PM
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Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens
[close]

Yes, I skate them a lot. Like 4 decks in a row at one point. I love them. If the length/WB was a little longer I would probably ride them exclusively.

Yeah I love Bobby (who doesn’t) and feel like skating another slick so I was thinking about picking one up.  I wish they were a little longer but oh well, if it’s good enough for Bobby, I’m sure it will be good enough for 4-5 weeks of mediocre slappy crook and switch noseslide variations
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: poodude on December 08, 2022, 03:43:39 PM
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The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.
[close]

Yeah, I am kind of waiting for a wheel to fall off. :)

I did 3 washers on the inside of an indy 144 with 52mm spitfires; a wheel did fall off during a flat ground trick. Went down to 2 where the axel is perfectly flush to the nut and had no issues since. A side effect of the washers is also that when the board hits on the side I don't mush up the axel threads.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 08, 2022, 03:57:23 PM
Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens

I just had one. It was fine. My nollie pop on it was really good. Oddly I didn't like it much for manual and it felt harder to level out certain tricks with such a small and mellow nose. It's a cool shape and I might ride it after my current DLX 8.25 is up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on December 08, 2022, 04:53:46 PM
are 8.75 trucks harder to flip vs 8.5 trucks on the same size deck?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on December 08, 2022, 06:16:59 PM
I'm all in on the washer madness

If you normally run one washer on the inside and bump it up to three, you get about 3-4 extra mm of truck, which is about 1/8 of an inch. That legitimately lands you right in between truck sizes in most cases

this is all insane, but i love it

Great, I have mixed thickness washers on my setup right now and it's fucking with me. Guess I know how I'm spending my lunch break.

are 8.75 trucks harder to flip vs 8.5 trucks on the same size deck?

Just went from 8.25 to 8.5 so your experience may vary. Straight flip tricks need 5% more effort but more satisfying when caught. 180 flip tricks are similar in needing more effort but also an adjustment in foot placement. My go-to FS Flip required me to have less front foot on the board to get the flip. Still figuring out the placement for 360 flips, seeing more board under me gives me the confidence to catch them bolts, but I can't get the weight distribution on the scoop to not jump beyond my board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 08, 2022, 06:30:55 PM
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The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.
[close]

Yeah, I am kind of waiting for a wheel to fall off. :)
[close]

I did 3 washers on the inside of an indy 144 with 52mm spitfires; a wheel did fall off during a flat ground trick. Went down to 2 where the axel is perfectly flush to the nut and had no issues since. A side effect of the washers is also that when the board hits on the side I don't mush up the axel threads.


The main thing with all the washer additions is having nuts that still have decent nyloc on them.

That is not to say always have a bag of spare nuts, but depending on how often you change things out, if the nut is starting to get finger tight where you like it, I would be switching it out for a new one, regardless of where the nut sits on the axle.

Like many other things, you can buy a box of axle nuts (along with kingpin and deck bolt nuts) for very little from hardware wholesale suppliers and it will save any issues - directly or on ebay.

More often than not I have three washers on the inside only - don't need any on the outside as the nut pretty much has its own built in washer nowdays, but other people I know are still so used to having a washer on the outside so I would not try to change anyone's mind there.

On some trucks the axle is offset so sometimes I need four on one side and three on the other or something similar.  Yes OCD kicks in there too, so I often just run the same number of whatever will fit comfortably on both sides.


As to washers, you can get different width washers too, some brands having thicker ones, some having thinner ones.  The bulk buy I got from ebay most recently were a lot thinner than the standard ones, which at first I didn't like but now I find that it is easier to mix and match to make it exactly how far out I need them - all that depending on the brand of truck, the state of the axle and also the brand of bearings, of which some sit wider and some are way more narrow on the axle. 

Running spacers between bearings usually means one less washer on too, but that is another story entirely.


Edit:

I prefer my wheels flush or just under the deck line, so usually with bigger wheels they sit well on 149s on 8.5 decks, or slightly smaller wheels on 149s on 8.38 size boards, all with three washers on the insides, but I still have maximum grind space in width of truck with the nuts on flush and a touch of wiggle room in the bearings and no nuts falling off for these boards.

Been doing that for a long time, and really liking it, but in experimenting, going up to 159s without inside washers just feels weird, in the same way that riding 144s with maximum washers also feels weird, so those few mm really make such a big difference when muscle memory is so ingrained.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on December 08, 2022, 06:59:00 PM
I got a bag of axel nuts because I deserve them…..

And I land primo a lot…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 08, 2022, 07:28:25 PM
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Anyone skate one of those Worrest twin tale decks?  Did you like it?

Twin tail* decks. Maybe it tells two tales as well a la Charles Dickens
[close]

Yes, I skate them a lot. Like 4 decks in a row at one point. I love them. If the length/WB was a little longer I would probably ride them exclusively.
[close]

Yeah I love Bobby (who doesn’t) and feel like skating another slick so I was thinking about picking one up.  I wish they were a little longer but oh well, if it’s good enough for Bobby, I’m sure it will be good enough for 4-5 weeks of mediocre slappy crook and switch noseslide variations

I've got two on ice right now haha. Will probably set one up next.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on December 08, 2022, 09:28:14 PM
I got a bag of axel nuts because I deserve them…..

And I land primo a lot…

100 should last me a while, the moment the nut doesn't fit into the skate tool I'm tossing it.

Same for kingpin nuts and washers, buy them in bulk and swap when needed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 09, 2022, 06:25:37 AM
The main thing with all the washer additions is having nuts that still have decent nyloc on them.

Local shop lost their lease awhile back and went out bid'ness. Owner gave me a big 'ole bag of nuts on the way out. When I went up to three washers the other day, I put on four new nuts for this exact reason...we'll see how she holds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on December 09, 2022, 07:18:51 AM
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The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.
[close]

Yeah, I am kind of waiting for a wheel to fall off. :)

Did you try putting the nut with the nylock facing inside the hanger?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on December 09, 2022, 09:27:32 AM
yea, def dont use so many washers that you dont engage all of the nylock haha, that's no good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on December 10, 2022, 04:18:52 PM
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The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.
[close]

Yeah, I am kind of waiting for a wheel to fall off. :)
[close]

Did you try putting the nut with the nylock facing inside the hanger?

When I was still a grom, I did that. Guy at the skateshop was pissed when he saw that and to this day I don't know why. I never put on a nut with the nylock facing inside again. And that was 20 years ago ^^

Can someone please enlighten me, why we shouldn't do that? I imagine it might not be good for the hanger, but I honestly have no idea.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 10, 2022, 07:35:56 PM
You're crossthreading the axle if you do that. Threads are directional. You got it on once but might never again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 10, 2022, 08:21:07 PM
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The once or twice when I put two washers on the inside of the truck, the Nylock nut did not seem to be engaging and I immediately switched back.
[close]

Yeah, I am kind of waiting for a wheel to fall off. :)
[close]

Did you try putting the nut with the nylock facing inside the hanger?
[close]

When I was still a grom, I did that. Guy at the skateshop was pissed when he saw that and to this day I don't know why. I never put on a nut with the nylock facing inside again. And that was 20 years ago ^^

Can someone please enlighten me, why we shouldn't do that? I imagine it might not be good for the hanger, but I honestly have no idea.


Roller skaters have to do that as most skateboard wheels they use have a "normal" width, but their older roller skate wheels (and axles) were more narrow on some brands, so if they didn't remove all washers and put the nut on backwards, they just didn't work and couldn't get the nut to stay on the axle.

I also had to do that on some trucks that had been so damaged or worn down that the nut didn't fit comfortably on the axle without coming loose, but generally I think there is no reason it can't work, besides it looking crazy compared to normal axle nuts.

The nut still works fine when I put it back on the right way and the axle doesn't take any more damage to it from having the nuts on the other way, but from an OCD perspective, it sure does give me the creeps looking at a board like that.

Here is one I did just to see how many washers I could fit on the axle - six all up which pushed it out to 146 (from 144s) but still shy of 149s when compared the two.


(https://i.ibb.co/8dWpLWm/Axle-nut-backwards.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8dWpLWm)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: typeischeap on December 11, 2022, 07:07:03 AM
You're crossthreading the axle if you do that. Threads are directional. You got it on once but might never again.

There are many good reasons not to flip the nut but it's not directional. Left hand and right hand threads are cut opposite, nuts are either/or and flipping it doesn't change the thread direction. You can definitely crossthread the nut easier going in nylock first since it's harder to get it started flat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on December 11, 2022, 07:08:56 AM
You're crossthreading the axle if you do that. Threads are directional. You got it on once but might never again.

Lol that’s not how direction works.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 11, 2022, 07:55:09 AM
Ready to be wrong but instead of a snide remark just explain how it is. I just took my board, removed the axle nut, tried threading a standard nut on "upside down" and it doesn't engage at all let alone thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 11, 2022, 03:48:50 PM
Ready to be wrong but instead of a snide remark just explain how it is. I just took my board, removed the axle nut, tried threading a standard nut on "upside down" and it doesn't engage at all let alone thread.


It sure is a weird one for me as well - never wanting to do that unless it was the absolute last resort for a long time.

The nyloc actually works against getting the nut on upside down but once you push down hard enough it will get on there and work like it is supposed to, as well as being able to take it off and reuse it the normal way again too.

At first I didn't want to try or even contemplate doing it, but the roller skates I had to fix for people in one shop I worked in helped me understand how it worked.

Initially I would never have wanted to do that, as others have hammered the nut on with a rock or done other really dumb things just to keep a wheel on a skateboard in times of need, with no shop, spare parts or other things available to kids at skateparks.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 25, 2022, 08:05:19 AM
I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on December 25, 2022, 08:20:54 AM
I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!

Just switch the indy bushings over to the thunders? For me the indy bushings always froze just a tiny bit less then thunders.

Or buy these non-freezing bushings:
Ace
Royal
Mini logo
Bones
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 25, 2022, 08:57:05 AM
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I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!
[close]

Just switch the indy bushings over to the thunders? For me the indy bushings always froze just a tiny bit less then thunders.

Or buy these non-freezing bushings:
Ace
Royal
Mini logo
Bones

I’ve seen a bunch of people with Bones on Thunder so I may give that a go. Aaron Herrington runs them that way and he’s a New York skater so in terms of cold weather that might be the move.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on December 25, 2022, 10:22:12 AM
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I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!
[close]

Just switch the indy bushings over to the thunders? For me the indy bushings always froze just a tiny bit less then thunders.

Or buy these non-freezing bushings:
Ace
Royal
Mini logo
Bones
[close]

I’ve seen a bunch of people with Bones on Thunder so I may give that a go. Aaron Herrington runs them that way and he’s a New York skater so in terms of cold weather that might be the move.

The problem with bones in thunders is that the top bushing is taller, so there's basically not enough space to fully get the nut on unless you don't use a top washer
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: iw0 on December 25, 2022, 10:55:48 AM
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Expand Quote
I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!
[close]

Just switch the indy bushings over to the thunders? For me the indy bushings always froze just a tiny bit less then thunders.

Or buy these non-freezing bushings:
Ace
Royal
Mini logo
Bones
[close]

I’ve seen a bunch of people with Bones on Thunder so I may give that a go. Aaron Herrington runs them that way and he’s a New York skater so in terms of cold weather that might be the move.
[close]

The problem with bones in thunders is that the top bushing is taller, so there's basically not enough space to fully get the nut on unless you don't use a top washer

to be fair, some people view this as an advantage and not a problem
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on January 08, 2023, 10:33:39 AM
My local park is kind of rough and always filled with pebbles during winter time, city doesn't do anything about it and I'm sick of riding small hard wheels there. Thinking about finally giving in to the dragons / x formula hype. I would get them in 52mm and I'd prefer x formula, but the riding surface is tiny. So will it actually make a big difference going from 51 mm 101a to 52 mm 97a or are the softer dragons the better choice for a small wheel?

52 mm X formula: 97a, 30 mm wide, 14.5 mm riding surface
52 mm dragons:    93a, 31 mm wide, 14.5 mm riding surface

I want to be able to do crooked grinds on angle iron ledges, which might suck with dragons.
These wheels are super expensive and I'm afraid of regretting it.

tldr: I want the slide of x formula but I'm not sure if they will be smooth enough in 52 mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on January 08, 2023, 01:10:33 PM
I'd go with the 54 X formula and while they might be big at first they're softer and seem to wear faster. After a month they'll be 53 and wider and fairly soon a 52
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on January 08, 2023, 06:18:41 PM
I'd go with the 54 X formula and while they might be big at first they're softer and seem to wear faster. After a month they'll be 53 and wider and fairly soon a 52

Same, 54mm gets my vote, they are the right size when worn down slightly. Skated some street spots on 52mm 101a F4 and while I felt like a bad ass pushing like a maniac, I had zero speed when it came time to popping my board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on January 09, 2023, 05:22:07 AM
Thanks guys, now I don't want to buy them anymore because I'd only want 52mm max.
Perfect support

Edit: No actually I lied, now I want the 52 dragons. Rewatching Ben Degros review for the 100th time

Edit #2: Are dragons/X actually much better in the fight against pebbles or do they get stuck the same way?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Skatebrain on January 09, 2023, 09:53:09 AM
I have the 52s.  They seem to repel pebbles and dust.  They are unique in that they feel soft when riding but don’t have the same characteristics of a soft wheel, such as picking up a small pebble.  They do give your board a soft pop feeling.  But all tricks still work.  Like others mention they do have a drag on rails and ledges.  Tricks tha t have an even slide like a nose or tail slide work find, but if you big on crooked grinds , or feebles on rails definitely pass. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on January 09, 2023, 11:15:04 AM
Thanks, I'm gonna get them. It's sucky pinched grinds VS sucky everything because of the damn ground
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on January 09, 2023, 11:25:33 AM
Anyone else got 'Perfect Set-Up Syndrom' that makes you not to want to disassemble a set-up once the deck has reached the end of its natural tenure b/c after all the set-up was just, eh, a perfect combination of parts? 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on January 09, 2023, 11:36:06 AM
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I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!
[close]

Just switch the indy bushings over to the thunders? For me the indy bushings always froze just a tiny bit less then thunders.

Or buy these non-freezing bushings:
Ace
Royal
Mini logo
Bones
[close]

I’ve seen a bunch of people with Bones on Thunder so I may give that a go. Aaron Herrington runs them that way and he’s a New York skater so in terms of cold weather that might be the move.
[close]

The problem with bones in thunders is that the top bushing is taller, so there's basically not enough space to fully get the nut on unless you don't use a top washer

The Bones in my Thunder with no washer on the bottom and the flat top work just fine. I also used the stock top washer as a bottom no issue either.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on January 09, 2023, 11:58:57 AM
Anyone else got 'Perfect Set-Up Syndrom' that makes you not to want to disassemble a set-up once the deck has reached the end of its natural tenure b/c after all the set-up was just, eh, a perfect combination of parts?

Yes. I have one such setup stashed away. It’s still skateable but I’ll never get back to it as the deck and grip are so worn. Loved it more than any other setup. Dunno if I’ll ever tear it down. I’ve got so much gear that I don’t have to but wasting it by just letting it sit is silly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on January 09, 2023, 12:43:10 PM
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I was able to break in new Thunders in January of this year but somehow this winter is a whole nother level. I keep my board in the house and within minutes skating flat ground my bushings froze solid. Not just hard to turn but like truly solid. I mean it was 19 degrees out. Hoped on the cruiser that has Indys with stock bushings that I keep in the garage and no problem turning at all. I love my Thunder but I’m so close to setting up my Indys for the winter. Madness is in full effect! Any advice is appreciated. Hope you’re all having a great holiday!
[close]

Just switch the indy bushings over to the thunders? For me the indy bushings always froze just a tiny bit less then thunders.

Or buy these non-freezing bushings:
Ace
Royal
Mini logo
Bones
[close]

I’ve seen a bunch of people with Bones on Thunder so I may give that a go. Aaron Herrington runs them that way and he’s a New York skater so in terms of cold weather that might be the move.
[close]

The problem with bones in thunders is that the top bushing is taller, so there's basically not enough space to fully get the nut on unless you don't use a top washer
[close]

The Bones in my Thunder with no washer on the bottom and the flat top work just fine. I also used the stock top washer as a bottom no issue either.

Sure but that way the bottom is the wrong height
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on January 09, 2023, 12:45:31 PM
It is the correct height if you use the Thunder stock washer, which is mad big compared to the base of the Bones bushing so most people remove it. I just used the top, which is smaller, as the bottom. It ended up being irrelevant as the creaking of the bushings was too annoying to deal with.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on January 11, 2023, 06:36:50 AM
Really love how Aces turn, but I think I’m too heavy for them. Indys are easier for me to control. Might go back to Ace once I lose some weight.

I regret buying so many setups. Now I always feel like I need to give them another try, and it usually leads to a wasted session.

My main setup is an 8.5 Toy Machine, 159 Indys, spitfire 53 mm wheels. And I was trying to ride an 8.38 Hockey deck with Ace 44s and OJ Plain Jane wheels 😂

Yeah I could still do the same things, but the little things start to add up and get inside my head.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on January 11, 2023, 10:31:10 AM
Really love how Aces turn, but I think I’m too heavy for them. Indys are easier for me to control. Might go back to Ace once I lose some weight.

I regret buying so many setups. Now I always feel like I need to give them another try, and it usually leads to a wasted session.

My main setup is an 8.5 Toy Machine, 159 Indys, spitfire 53 mm wheels. And I was trying to ride an 8.38 Hockey deck with Ace 44s and OJ Plain Jane wheels 😂

Yeah I could still do the same things, but the little things start to add up and get inside my head.

Some people really like the Ace hard bushings. Have you tried those? I’m running stock ones as loose as possible and it’s probably making things more difficult for me but I just love the turn so much that I don’t really care.  :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on January 11, 2023, 10:43:52 AM
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Really love how Aces turn, but I think I’m too heavy for them. Indys are easier for me to control. Might go back to Ace once I lose some weight.

I regret buying so many setups. Now I always feel like I need to give them another try, and it usually leads to a wasted session.

My main setup is an 8.5 Toy Machine, 159 Indys, spitfire 53 mm wheels. And I was trying to ride an 8.38 Hockey deck with Ace 44s and OJ Plain Jane wheels 😂

Yeah I could still do the same things, but the little things start to add up and get inside my head.
[close]

Some people really like the Ace hard bushings. Have you tried those? I’m running stock ones as loose as possible and it’s probably making things more difficult for me but I just love the turn so much that I don’t really care.  :)
No, I have Krux bushings in them lol. I took the stock ones out cause they get stuck and my trucks would lean one way 😂
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on January 11, 2023, 11:03:49 AM
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Really love how Aces turn, but I think I’m too heavy for them. Indys are easier for me to control. Might go back to Ace once I lose some weight.

I regret buying so many setups. Now I always feel like I need to give them another try, and it usually leads to a wasted session.

My main setup is an 8.5 Toy Machine, 159 Indys, spitfire 53 mm wheels. And I was trying to ride an 8.38 Hockey deck with Ace 44s and OJ Plain Jane wheels 😂

Yeah I could still do the same things, but the little things start to add up and get inside my head.
[close]

Some people really like the Ace hard bushings. Have you tried those? I’m running stock ones as loose as possible and it’s probably making things more difficult for me but I just love the turn so much that I don’t really care.  :)
[close]
No, I have Krux bushings in them lol. I took the stock ones out cause they get stuck and my trucks would lean one way 😂

The washers in the Ace Classics at least used to be shit. They’re too small. The bushings bulge over them and they don’t turn worth shit with them. I changed mine out for some normal washers always. Not sure if they’ve fixed that after the introduction of the AF1s. On AF1s the washers actually fit the bushings and work with the trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on January 11, 2023, 11:07:32 AM
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Really love how Aces turn, but I think I’m too heavy for them. Indys are easier for me to control. Might go back to Ace once I lose some weight.

I regret buying so many setups. Now I always feel like I need to give them another try, and it usually leads to a wasted session.

My main setup is an 8.5 Toy Machine, 159 Indys, spitfire 53 mm wheels. And I was trying to ride an 8.38 Hockey deck with Ace 44s and OJ Plain Jane wheels 😂

Yeah I could still do the same things, but the little things start to add up and get inside my head.
[close]

Some people really like the Ace hard bushings. Have you tried those? I’m running stock ones as loose as possible and it’s probably making things more difficult for me but I just love the turn so much that I don’t really care.  :)
[close]
No, I have Krux bushings in them lol. I took the stock ones out cause they get stuck and my trucks would lean one way 😂
[close]

The washers in the Ace Classics at least used to be shit. They’re too small. The bushings bulge over them and they don’t turn worth shit with them. I changed mine out for some normal washers always. Not sure if they’ve fixed that after the introduction of the AF1s. On AF1s the washers actually fit the bushings and work with the trucks.
I’ll swap them out. I have the classics, got them from a skate shop here and I wouldn’t be surprised if they we’re sitting on their shelves for years (I’m in a small town and they never get business).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on January 23, 2023, 01:33:20 PM
I have the shoe madness more than any other kind of madness. If my feet are uncomfortable or get sore fast it makes everything suck. I wish dunks were easier to get. Seems like the perfect shoe for me.

Vulcs skate the best for me but my feet get so sore. I guess I need support more than I need heavy cushioning. Has anyone put Superfeet in a vulc and had favorable results?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: metchup on January 23, 2023, 01:42:55 PM
I have the shoe madness more than any other kind of madness. If my feet are uncomfortable or get sore fast it makes everything suck. I wish dunks were easier to get. Seems like the perfect shoe for me.

Vulcs skate the best for me but my feet get so sore. I guess I need support more than I need heavy cushioning. Has anyone put Superfeet in a vulc and had favorable results?

Not super feet but I use the thickest king foam insoles that footprint offers.  They are completely flat and 7mm thick but they get softer and feel thinner after they warm up.  I wear those with vulcs and at least for me it’s the perfect combo of board feel and cushioning.  Cheap emericas are what I usually get
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: notinternetfamous on January 23, 2023, 01:49:47 PM
I have the shoe madness more than any other kind of madness. If my feet are uncomfortable or get sore fast it makes everything suck. I wish dunks were easier to get. Seems like the perfect shoe for me.

Vulcs skate the best for me but my feet get so sore. I guess I need support more than I need heavy cushioning. Has anyone put Superfeet in a vulc and had favorable results?

I'm running Superfeet Adapt Run insoles in my Nike SB Blazer GT's and they feel real good
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 01, 2023, 07:00:30 AM
Bought some sale decks with graphics I don’t really like. Now my new madness is, “I can’t skate these ugly ass graphics.”

The shape is all that should matter. But I don’t do boardslides or anything really to scratch up the bottoms of my decks, so I have to look at the graphics for like a month or two.

I just switched out a perfectly good Tactics deck cause I hated the graphic. It’s amazing the stuff that can get into your head 😔
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 01, 2023, 07:23:05 AM
Bought some sale decks with graphics I don’t really like. Now my new madness is, “I can’t skate these ugly ass graphics.”

The shape is all that should matter. But I don’t do boardslides or anything really to scratch up the bottoms of my decks, so I have to look at the graphics for like a month or two.

I just switched out a perfectly good Tactics deck cause I hated the graphic. It’s amazing the stuff that can get into your head 😔

Stickers/spray paint
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 01, 2023, 07:26:08 AM
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Bought some sale decks with graphics I don’t really like. Now my new madness is, “I can’t skate these ugly ass graphics.”

The shape is all that should matter. But I don’t do boardslides or anything really to scratch up the bottoms of my decks, so I have to look at the graphics for like a month or two.

I just switched out a perfectly good Tactics deck cause I hated the graphic. It’s amazing the stuff that can get into your head 😔
[close]

Stickers/spray paint
Yeah that’s what I plan on doing when I circle back to it lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 01, 2023, 07:51:47 AM
It’s amazing the stuff that can get into your head 😔

I don't think so, at all. When you look at your gear, it should stoke you out. It should make you happy. It should make you smile. If you look down, and you don't like what you see, it's absolutely going to have an impact on your mood/mental state, and that's going to carry over to your session.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: metchup on February 01, 2023, 08:00:14 AM
There’s a thread about removing graphics from decks and using a small amount of acetone was brought up.  I have a deck that I’m on the fence about the graphic and the shape and will probably experiment with it by trying to remove the graphic and making wheel wells
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 01, 2023, 08:07:43 AM
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It’s amazing the stuff that can get into your head 😔
[close]

I don't think so, at all. When you look at your gear, it should stoke you out. It should make you happy. It should make you smile. If you look down, and you don't like what you see, it's absolutely going to have an impact on your mood/mental state, and that's going to carry over to your session.
I can see that. I do skate better when I’m stoked on my gear. I have a Real Mason Silva deck with this girl in a field waving to some spaceships that have seemingly left her behind and it always makes me smile.

But at the same time, I wonder if I’m just making excuses to switch shit out. Like I’m on this thing right now too where I want nothing on my trucks, no color, no writing, just silver cause it looks cleaner and goes with everything. Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 01, 2023, 08:18:15 AM
Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 01, 2023, 04:09:29 PM
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Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
[close]

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.


To me, it is absolutely everything to have a setup I am stoked on, shoes and clothes I am comfortable in, which will then put me in a good frame of mind before I even step on a board that day.

Yes there are some boards with some graphics that I am not stoked on, that I scraped off or painted over, along with everything else that is set up to work, or changed to fit to make my mental state willing to have a good skate day.


I have taken graphics off decks, trucks and wheels, just to have things I know work well, with out whatever else was going on to make things weird, just for starters.


More often than not, my setup has plain silver Indy (or other brand) trucks, Classic Spitfire wheels logo removed from both sides, only black shields on bearings,  whatever deck I am on that day, often blanked just because the graphics annoy me, two silver bolts at the front when plain black grip, or all black bolts if I have anything like cut up grip to see the nice stain of the board.

Sometimes I will not skate a board as much with nice clean graphics, but once they are a bit scuffed or the graphic taken off, I don't have to think about the graphics at all and can skate without having to worry about how it will or will not slide or grip on the paint too.

How's that for madness???

:)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 01, 2023, 04:14:03 PM
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Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
[close]

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.
[close]


To me, it is absolutely everything to have a setup I am stoked on, shoes and clothes I am comfortable in, which will then put me in a good frame of mind before I even step on a board that day.

Yes there are some boards with some graphics that I am not stoked on, that I scraped off or painted over, along with everything else that is set up to work, or changed to fit to make my mental state willing to have a good skate day.


I have taken graphics off decks, trucks and wheels, just to have things I know work well, with out whatever else was going on to make things weird, just for starters.


More often than not, my setup has plain silver Indy (or other brand) trucks, Classic Spitfire wheels logo removed from both sides, only black shields on bearings,  whatever deck I am on that day, often blanked just because the graphics annoy me, two silver bolts at the front when plain black grip, or all black bolts if I have anything like cut up grip to see the nice stain of the board.

Sometimes I will not skate a board as much with nice clean graphics, but once they are a bit scuffed or the graphic taken off, I don't have to think about the graphics at all and can skate without having to worry about how it will or will not slide or grip on the paint too.

How's that for madness???

:)

Perseverating over the “difference” 53mm vs 52mm wheels make when locking into a f/s 5-0, that’s madness. What you illuminated above? That’s just common sense. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 01, 2023, 04:19:12 PM
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Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
[close]

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.
[close]


To me, it is absolutely everything to have a setup I am stoked on, shoes and clothes I am comfortable in, which will then put me in a good frame of mind before I even step on a board that day.

Yes there are some boards with some graphics that I am not stoked on, that I scraped off or painted over, along with everything else that is set up to work, or changed to fit to make my mental state willing to have a good skate day.


I have taken graphics off decks, trucks and wheels, just to have things I know work well, with out whatever else was going on to make things weird, just for starters.


More often than not, my setup has plain silver Indy (or other brand) trucks, Classic Spitfire wheels logo removed from both sides, only black shields on bearings,  whatever deck I am on that day, often blanked just because the graphics annoy me, two silver bolts at the front when plain black grip, or all black bolts if I have anything like cut up grip to see the nice stain of the board.

Sometimes I will not skate a board as much with nice clean graphics, but once they are a bit scuffed or the graphic taken off, I don't have to think about the graphics at all and can skate without having to worry about how it will or will not slide or grip on the paint too.

How's that for madness???

:)
🙇🙇🙇😅

Yeah I’m not this far gone, yet lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: switchfakie on February 01, 2023, 05:32:24 PM
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Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
[close]

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.
[close]


To me, it is absolutely everything to have a setup I am stoked on, shoes and clothes I am comfortable in, which will then put me in a good frame of mind before I even step on a board that day.

Yes there are some boards with some graphics that I am not stoked on, that I scraped off or painted over, along with everything else that is set up to work, or changed to fit to make my mental state willing to have a good skate day.


I have taken graphics off decks, trucks and wheels, just to have things I know work well, with out whatever else was going on to make things weird, just for starters.


More often than not, my setup has plain silver Indy (or other brand) trucks, Classic Spitfire wheels logo removed from both sides, only black shields on bearings,  whatever deck I am on that day, often blanked just because the graphics annoy me, two silver bolts at the front when plain black grip, or all black bolts if I have anything like cut up grip to see the nice stain of the board.

Sometimes I will not skate a board as much with nice clean graphics, but once they are a bit scuffed or the graphic taken off, I don't have to think about the graphics at all and can skate without having to worry about how it will or will not slide or grip on the paint too.

How's that for madness???

:)
[close]
🙇🙇🙇😅

Yeah I’m not this far gone, yet lol.

besides the bearing cover part, i have this as well man

but honestly not even that bad once you get used to it, i just think of it as knowing what you want and not settling for less
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: metchup on February 01, 2023, 07:22:55 PM
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Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
[close]

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.
[close]


To me, it is absolutely everything to have a setup I am stoked on, shoes and clothes I am comfortable in, which will then put me in a good frame of mind before I even step on a board that day.

Yes there are some boards with some graphics that I am not stoked on, that I scraped off or painted over, along with everything else that is set up to work, or changed to fit to make my mental state willing to have a good skate day.


I have taken graphics off decks, trucks and wheels, just to have things I know work well, with out whatever else was going on to make things weird, just for starters.


More often than not, my setup has plain silver Indy (or other brand) trucks, Classic Spitfire wheels logo removed from both sides, only black shields on bearings,  whatever deck I am on that day, often blanked just because the graphics annoy me, two silver bolts at the front when plain black grip, or all black bolts if I have anything like cut up grip to see the nice stain of the board.

Sometimes I will not skate a board as much with nice clean graphics, but once they are a bit scuffed or the graphic taken off, I don't have to think about the graphics at all and can skate without having to worry about how it will or will not slide or grip on the paint too.

How's that for madness???

:)
[close]
🙇🙇🙇😅

Yeah I’m not this far gone, yet lol.
[close]

besides the bearing cover part, i have this as well man

but honestly not even that bad once you get used to it, i just think of it as knowing what you want and not settling for less

I got some Bronson g2s for cheap and they are an annoying bright orange.  Bones reds never bothered me but this orange was too much.  Luckily they felt sluggish to me and I just happened to be reading the bearings thread about bones Swiss so I ordered my first pair of Swiss after years riding bones reds and various other cheap bearings
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 01, 2023, 08:10:12 PM
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Part of me is like, “This shouldn’t matter, it skates the same!” But it does 😭
[close]

Not to pour gasoline on your madness, but if bums you out, it does not skate the same; one make you feel bad, one doesn't. The experience is wholly different.
[close]


To me, it is absolutely everything to have a setup I am stoked on, shoes and clothes I am comfortable in, which will then put me in a good frame of mind before I even step on a board that day.

Yes there are some boards with some graphics that I am not stoked on, that I scraped off or painted over, along with everything else that is set up to work, or changed to fit to make my mental state willing to have a good skate day.


I have taken graphics off decks, trucks and wheels, just to have things I know work well, with out whatever else was going on to make things weird, just for starters.


More often than not, my setup has plain silver Indy (or other brand) trucks, Classic Spitfire wheels logo removed from both sides, only black shields on bearings,  whatever deck I am on that day, often blanked just because the graphics annoy me, two silver bolts at the front when plain black grip, or all black bolts if I have anything like cut up grip to see the nice stain of the board.

Sometimes I will not skate a board as much with nice clean graphics, but once they are a bit scuffed or the graphic taken off, I don't have to think about the graphics at all and can skate without having to worry about how it will or will not slide or grip on the paint too.

How's that for madness???

:)
[close]
🙇🙇🙇😅

Yeah I’m not this far gone, yet lol.
[close]

besides the bearing cover part, i have this as well man

but honestly not even that bad once you get used to it, i just think of it as knowing what you want and not settling for less
[close]

I got some Bronson g2s for cheap and they are an annoying bright orange.  Bones reds never bothered me but this orange was too much.  Luckily they felt sluggish to me and I just happened to be reading the bearings thread about bones Swiss so I ordered my first pair of Swiss after years riding bones reds and various other cheap bearings


To be fair I have got other colour shields on bearings, along with some without shields, but having Bones Swiss with black shields is where this came from or developed, I think, but my main boards definitely are way more precise in look, colours, everything exactly how it should be. 

That way I knew I was on what I found to be the best, longest lasting bearings and they don't stand out so from riding Bones Swiss for a long time, it just made sense to me that a setup with the black shields was just right.


Some of those sets of bearings with two blue, two green, two yellow and two pink were too much though.  I found some old shields from other bearings and replaced them, just so I didn't have to look at multi coloured mix ups.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 06, 2023, 07:03:25 AM
Been on the indy standard plates with ti hanger (149) setup for a while with no issues, however when i started that combo i was on some 54mm f4 classics which probably got worn down close to 51 or so by the time they were too small for my liking.

After that I got a set of 56mm f4 classics (my most skated wheel) and things didn't feel quite as good.

I put the forged plates back on this weekend and things seemed good, pop feel wise.

So now im trying to decide between forged plates and 56mm f4 classics, or cast plates and 54mm classics.

pinch is better on the 56mm/forged setup, and the larger wheels plow through crap a bit easier.

However the cast plates sound/grind better, and the weight distribution of the heavier baseplate with the lighter wheels makes my board feel nice.

Wheelbite isnt really an issue for me on either of these setups, but it is obv a little worse on the 56mm/forged combo.

What do you lunatics think about this situation and the tradeoffs mentioned above?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2023, 07:09:57 AM
Been on the indy standard plates with ti hanger (149) setup for a while with no issues, however when i started that combo i was on some 54mm f4 classics which probably got worn down close to 51 or so by the time they were too small for my liking.

After that I got a set of 56mm f4 classics (my most skated wheel) and things didn't feel quite as good.

I put the forged plates back on this weekend and things seemed good, pop feel wise.

So now im trying to decide between forged plates and 56mm f4 classics, or cast plates and 54mm classics.

pinch is better on the 56mm/forged setup, and the larger wheels plow through crap a bit easier.

However the cast plates sound/grind better, and the weight distribution of the heavier baseplate with the lighter wheels makes my board feel nice.

Wheelbite isnt really an issue for me on either of these setups, but it is obv a little worse on the 56mm/forged combo.

What do you lunatics think about this situation and the tradeoffs mentioned above?

Curious: what width deck you riding with these?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 06, 2023, 07:21:32 AM
Expand Quote
Been on the indy standard plates with ti hanger (149) setup for a while with no issues, however when i started that combo i was on some 54mm f4 classics which probably got worn down close to 51 or so by the time they were too small for my liking.

After that I got a set of 56mm f4 classics (my most skated wheel) and things didn't feel quite as good.

I put the forged plates back on this weekend and things seemed good, pop feel wise.

So now im trying to decide between forged plates and 56mm f4 classics, or cast plates and 54mm classics.

pinch is better on the 56mm/forged setup, and the larger wheels plow through crap a bit easier.

However the cast plates sound/grind better, and the weight distribution of the heavier baseplate with the lighter wheels makes my board feel nice.

Wheelbite isnt really an issue for me on either of these setups, but it is obv a little worse on the 56mm/forged combo.

What do you lunatics think about this situation and the tradeoffs mentioned above?
[close]

Curious: what width deck you riding with these?

currently the 8.3 dlx twin with a  14.4 wb. I go back and forth between that and the 8.38 dlx shape with the 14.5 wb
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 06, 2023, 07:44:17 AM
Expand Quote
Been on the indy standard plates with ti hanger (149) setup for a while with no issues, however when i started that combo i was on some 54mm f4 classics which probably got worn down close to 51 or so by the time they were too small for my liking.

After that I got a set of 56mm f4 classics (my most skated wheel) and things didn't feel quite as good.

I put the forged plates back on this weekend and things seemed good, pop feel wise.

So now im trying to decide between forged plates and 56mm f4 classics, or cast plates and 54mm classics.

pinch is better on the 56mm/forged setup, and the larger wheels plow through crap a bit easier.

However the cast plates sound/grind better, and the weight distribution of the heavier baseplate with the lighter wheels makes my board feel nice.

Wheelbite isnt really an issue for me on either of these setups, but it is obv a little worse on the 56mm/forged combo.

What do you lunatics think about this situation and the tradeoffs mentioned above?
[close]

Curious: what width deck you riding with these?

Pinch is always worse for me on bigger wheels. I don't see a point in going over 54. If I'm skating shitty terrain  I would go wider first. Personally a wider wheel distributes vibrations and will carry speed better and give me a more consistent pop feel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 06, 2023, 07:53:32 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Been on the indy standard plates with ti hanger (149) setup for a while with no issues, however when i started that combo i was on some 54mm f4 classics which probably got worn down close to 51 or so by the time they were too small for my liking.

After that I got a set of 56mm f4 classics (my most skated wheel) and things didn't feel quite as good.

I put the forged plates back on this weekend and things seemed good, pop feel wise.

So now im trying to decide between forged plates and 56mm f4 classics, or cast plates and 54mm classics.

pinch is better on the 56mm/forged setup, and the larger wheels plow through crap a bit easier.

However the cast plates sound/grind better, and the weight distribution of the heavier baseplate with the lighter wheels makes my board feel nice.

Wheelbite isnt really an issue for me on either of these setups, but it is obv a little worse on the 56mm/forged combo.

What do you lunatics think about this situation and the tradeoffs mentioned above?
[close]

Curious: what width deck you riding with these?
[close]

Pinch is always worse for me on bigger wheels. I don't see a point in going over 54. If I'm skating shitty terrain  I would go wider first. Personally a wider wheel distributes vibrations and will carry speed better and give me a more consistent pop feel.

yea the 56mm classic bumps up in proportions compared to the 54 so its wider
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2023, 07:57:19 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Been on the indy standard plates with ti hanger (149) setup for a while with no issues, however when i started that combo i was on some 54mm f4 classics which probably got worn down close to 51 or so by the time they were too small for my liking.

After that I got a set of 56mm f4 classics (my most skated wheel) and things didn't feel quite as good.

I put the forged plates back on this weekend and things seemed good, pop feel wise.

So now im trying to decide between forged plates and 56mm f4 classics, or cast plates and 54mm classics.

pinch is better on the 56mm/forged setup, and the larger wheels plow through crap a bit easier.

However the cast plates sound/grind better, and the weight distribution of the heavier baseplate with the lighter wheels makes my board feel nice.

Wheelbite isnt really an issue for me on either of these setups, but it is obv a little worse on the 56mm/forged combo.

What do you lunatics think about this situation and the tradeoffs mentioned above?
[close]

Curious: what width deck you riding with these?
[close]

currently the 8.3 dlx twin with a  14.4 wb. I go back and forth between that and the 8.38 dlx shape with the 14.5 wb

I have two set ups. An 8.25 and 8.75 (both DLX). I have slightly bigger wheels on the 8.75. Forged Indy on both. This may be nothing but, well, madness, but I feel like the respective height of each set-up is equal to their size proportions, if that makes any sense. I was asking about your deck width, because I ride forged with 53mm classics on the 8.25. Anything over that height really starts to send me down a death-spiral of anxiety. I do like the feel of standard plates, but can't deal with the 55mm height. Yeah, could drop down wheel size, but that leads to it's own problems. I was going to comment that your set-up, if on the smaller side (e.g. 8.2 - 8.3) gave me a lot of anxiety because of the height, but thought it might as be a "proportional" height on a bigger board...so, figured I asked first. But I digress (into madness)...

As to your actual question...hard call. Sounds like you've got both options running about the same height. The trade off then is mostly the benefits of wheel size variance, and the forged/cast feel. Which is a bigger factor? 56mm will certainly give you more speed, and a more noticeable lock-in on some grinds (I think that would be too much lock-in for me). Aren't 54mm a lot easier to find than 56mm these days, too? I would prolly go with the 56mm/forged option.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 06, 2023, 08:18:47 AM


As to your actual question...hard call. Sounds like you've got both options running about the same height.The trade off then is mostly the benefits of wheel size variance, and the forged/cast feel. Which is a bigger factor? 56mm will certainly give you more speed, and a more noticeable lock-in on some grinds (I think that would be too much lock-in for me). Aren't 54mm a lot easier to find than 56mm these days, too? I would prolly go with the 56mm/forged option.

Yea, that's exactly what I'm trying to sort through. In my experiences I find 56mm 99a f4 classics just as much or more than 54s, so i dont think that's an issue i'm worried about. Think I'm just gonna have to give the 54s and cast plates a shot and compare them back to back. I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.

I'm glad this is the extent of my madness these days. I'll be happy with either of those setups, and I have each component narrowed down to itself or the size adjacent to it. I'm just nitpicking to try and optimize my setup in hopes of being able to just order a 10 pairs of trucks and 50 sets of wheels.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2023, 08:54:13 AM
I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 06, 2023, 10:28:59 AM
Expand Quote
I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.

 When you think about how your foot meets the board in the air its rare that the whole bottom of your shoe immediately meets evenly across the board. Its usually a bit uneven. I feel like the  56mm/forged setup tends to bounce around more in the air when i catch my flip tricks since the weight is distributed around the edges more than the 54mm/cast setup.

But again, im just working off what i remembered the 54mm/cast setup to be like a couple decks ago. Should really setup both on the same shape decks and just take them both to the park and kickflip the euro for like an hour while switching between setups and screaming at the sky.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2023, 11:15:45 AM
...while switching between setups and screaming at the sky.

I fully support/endorse this. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 06, 2023, 03:21:21 PM
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...while switching between setups and screaming at the sky.
[close]

I fully support/endorse this. :)


Ha yeah totally!!

I would have the two setups and then choose which board depending on what I wanted to skate or do, but that is just me and I have too many of the similar setups for different things, but besides the people who will only ever have just the one setup for everything, there are many others who enjoy and make the different setups with slightly different parts work to their advantage.

Even to the point where you could get 56mm wheels, then once worn down some, they become the "54mm wheels" on the other board so you only need to get one size wheel right there.

Then depending on how long trucks last, standards vs forged hollows, there is nothing to say you can't just get a few of each, or if you just switch out the baseplates, just keep getting standards and only get a set of forged hollows if or when you need the other baseplates.

Probably not helping, but that is my rational thinking with regard to product anyway.


I am all for finding what works, then when someone / somewhere has good discounts or sales, I know exactly what I want to stock up on, so I never run out of what I usually ride or need.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2023, 04:18:14 PM
Quote from: Mbrimson88
I am all for finding what works, then when someone / somewhere has good discounts or sales, I know exactly what I want to stock up on, so I never run out of what I usually ride or need.

I’m have taken this exact approach for years. I have a little stock pile of my regular gear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: streetmeat on February 06, 2023, 05:15:15 PM
my madness is constantly buying and constantly stocking up but HATING changing things out till they 100% die. i also refuse to have multiple boards setup, so im just sitting on so much shit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on February 06, 2023, 07:50:22 PM
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Expand Quote
I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.
[close]

 When you think about how your foot meets the board in the air its rare that the whole bottom of your shoe immediately meets evenly across the board. Its usually a bit uneven. I feel like the  56mm/forged setup tends to bounce around more in the air when i catch my flip tricks since the weight is distributed around the edges more than the 54mm/cast setup.

But again, im just working off what i remembered the 54mm/cast setup to be like a couple decks ago. Should really setup both on the same shape decks and just take them both to the park and kickflip the euro for like an hour while switching between setups and screaming at the sky.

Ben D= raw hanger forged plate…. Rodney= weighted base plates…..

Go figure….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 07, 2023, 05:32:11 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.
[close]

 When you think about how your foot meets the board in the air its rare that the whole bottom of your shoe immediately meets evenly across the board. Its usually a bit uneven. I feel like the  56mm/forged setup tends to bounce around more in the air when i catch my flip tricks since the weight is distributed around the edges more than the 54mm/cast setup.

But again, im just working off what i remembered the 54mm/cast setup to be like a couple decks ago. Should really setup both on the same shape decks and just take them both to the park and kickflip the euro for like an hour while switching between setups and screaming at the sky.
[close]

Ben D= raw hanger forged plate…. Rodney= weighted base plates…..

Go figure….

Ben degros? I thought he just rode standards?

What point are you trying to illustrate here? Sorry, im slow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on February 09, 2023, 09:07:12 AM
I'm having a hard time fighting the urge to buy tensor mags.

I only got 60 bucks for the next 9 days.

I fucking want them. It's super hard to be waxing curbs with tendinitis.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 09, 2023, 10:10:18 AM
Considering the cost of food and inflation that could be one of the worst ways to spend your remaining money.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 09, 2023, 10:43:39 AM
I'm having a hard time fighting the urge to buy tensor mags.

I only got 60 bucks for the next 9 days.

I fucking want them. It's super hard to be waxing curbs with tendinitis.

Well they dont last very long and they're pretty expensive. wouldnt recommend.

Some good ol indy standards will plow through crust with less wax than any other truck though (aside from tensor mags).

BUT theyre WAY too heavy for me personally. you would have some $ left over though lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 09, 2023, 11:36:55 AM
Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

(https://i.ibb.co/fx2hJ6C/0693-B6-D4-10-AE-4-AAB-95-EA-67-F8-E62-DF796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fx2hJ6C)

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mongo Lloyd on February 09, 2023, 12:07:59 PM
Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

(https://i.ibb.co/fx2hJ6C/0693-B6-D4-10-AE-4-AAB-95-EA-67-F8-E62-DF796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fx2hJ6C)

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.

Take this stack x6, and you’re at about where I’m at  :-X

Yeah, honestly… I’m with you on spending money/online shopping as a coping mechanism. I feel like I’m trying to fill some kind if emotional void in my life, and it’s hard to break that cycle.

I can’t be too upset about having enough gear to last me for years, but it is absurd to say the least.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 09, 2023, 12:11:28 PM
Expand Quote
Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

(https://i.ibb.co/fx2hJ6C/0693-B6-D4-10-AE-4-AAB-95-EA-67-F8-E62-DF796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fx2hJ6C)

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.
[close]

Take this stack x6, and you’re at about where I’m at  :-X

Yeah, honestly… I’m with you on spending money/online shopping as a coping mechanism. I feel like I’m trying to fill some kind if emotional void in my life, and it’s hard to break that cycle.

I can’t be too upset about having enough gear to last me for years, but it is absurd to say the least.
I feel like my issue is I always want to use the newest stuff first and my taste changes so fast. Like I already hate some of the graphics lol. Maybe we can open a skate shop one day 😀
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on February 09, 2023, 03:11:10 PM
I've definitely come to sense. I just gotta get softer wax
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: metchup on February 09, 2023, 05:20:17 PM
I'm having a hard time fighting the urge to buy tensor mags.

I only got 60 bucks for the next 9 days.

I fucking want them. It's super hard to be waxing curbs with tendinitis.

The other week I got some 5.25s for $40 on eBay by submitting a best offer when they were listed for $62 or something.  I bookmarked the listing and then a couple days later the seller opened the or best offer option.  Let me know if you want the seller name. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 09, 2023, 05:26:57 PM
All of my cruisers have been shaped boards and I kinda hated them. So I took this 8.6 deck, combined it with some 9.0 Krux and 60mm Slimeballs. It’s surprising light. Gonna test it out tomorrow. I was tempted to get some 60mm Dragons so I could slide around, but I’m trying to not buy any new parts when I have spare stuff. We’ll see how long I last 🫣

(https://i.ibb.co/D953ZD6/BE6-EE36-A-4698-4-E85-8-B54-549-A6-ECFE638.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D953ZD6)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bumba on February 09, 2023, 06:31:17 PM
I'm having a hard time fighting the urge to buy tensor mags.

I only got 60 bucks for the next 9 days.

I fucking want them. It's super hard to be waxing curbs with tendinitis.

One of the OGs (in his 40s) from my area got some a few weeks ago and said they were the worst truck he's ever had. He said they didn't turn and he had bones bushings in them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mongo Lloyd on February 09, 2023, 07:22:13 PM
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Expand Quote
Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

(https://i.ibb.co/fx2hJ6C/0693-B6-D4-10-AE-4-AAB-95-EA-67-F8-E62-DF796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fx2hJ6C)

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.
[close]

Take this stack x6, and you’re at about where I’m at  :-X

Yeah, honestly… I’m with you on spending money/online shopping as a coping mechanism. I feel like I’m trying to fill some kind if emotional void in my life, and it’s hard to break that cycle.

I can’t be too upset about having enough gear to last me for years, but it is absurd to say the least.
[close]
I feel like my issue is I always want to use the newest stuff first and my taste changes so fast. Like I already hate some of the graphics lol. Maybe we can open a skate shop one day 😀

Funny you should mention a skateshop, as via @rocklobster (who is the goddamn man btw!) I basically was the catalyst for just that!

My shoe bin is just as bad as my deck bin!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 09, 2023, 07:23:16 PM
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Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.
[close]

Take this stack x6, and you’re at about where I’m at  :-X

Yeah, honestly… I’m with you on spending money/online shopping as a coping mechanism. I feel like I’m trying to fill some kind if emotional void in my life, and it’s hard to break that cycle.

I can’t be too upset about having enough gear to last me for years, but it is absurd to say the least.
[close]
I feel like my issue is I always want to use the newest stuff first and my taste changes so fast. Like I already hate some of the graphics lol. Maybe we can open a skate shop one day 😀


I have definitely been in a position where I stocked up on a specific thing, only to end up riding a different size board - black eagle 8.125 x 20 or more, then went up to 8.38 or 8.5 so I either had a whole lot of nice wall hangers, or found people to pass them on to.  I wasn't about to just list them on ebay or anything.

Sometimes it can come back to bite you but more often than not having options and a few (I say a few but yeah probably lots) different options for when you want to set up the next board is a good thing.  You can always take any you are completely not going to ride with you and see if anyone you skate with wants to buy / swap / whatever, or just in case there is a kid or other somewhere that might be deserving of a board, you have one ready to go for them.

I think the buy and sell market on here is pretty good too, but not being in USA, it might be a good thing I can't jump on all the good deals people have up in the sale section.  Moving some stuff you don't want and helping a fellow skater could be a double plus.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on February 10, 2023, 01:30:59 AM
Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

(https://i.ibb.co/fx2hJ6C/0693-B6-D4-10-AE-4-AAB-95-EA-67-F8-E62-DF796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fx2hJ6C)

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.

I’m in a similar situation as you are. What helped me was to post it all in this thread. I made it quite well visible how mad it is. I haven’t bought new skate stuff for a good while. I did buy some rails a while ago because I wanted to have the right color.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that you’re not alone in this and trying to focus on something else might be helpful. I’ve skated more and if I can’t skate but want to fill in the skating void in my life I’ve been watching videos more. Even trick tips and shit like that. I’ve realized that buying excess stuff doesn’t make me a better skater nor does it make me happy so I try to actively avoid it and replace it with something better. Instead of going to the skate shop if I have no need or browsing online, I now rather try to read a book, do some stretching, draw or whatever else I find pleasure in.

I’m currently skating an old deck I gripped years ago and never rode with wheels I thought I’d never end up riding. Feels awesome. Little bit more manageable than the bigger setups I’ve been skating lately. My tastes are changing all the time and they’re going back and forth also so it seems like I’ll have use for the older stuff I figured I’d maybe never skate.

Also just donating and selling the excess stuff you have can be helpful. I’ve done that lately with like 70% of the clothes I have and it’s such a good feeling reducing all the excess shit I don’t need.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 10, 2023, 01:45:58 AM
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Just stacked all my new a barely used decks on my desk. God, I have a problem. I skate a couple days a week at most. It’ll take me at least three years to use all this shit. A deck can last me for three months and this is Ohio, so I barely skate in the winter. So I could get by with like four decks a year. Also, I have five setups 😵‍💫

(https://i.ibb.co/fx2hJ6C/0693-B6-D4-10-AE-4-AAB-95-EA-67-F8-E62-DF796.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fx2hJ6C)

On some real stuff, I need to get my stress under control. I think I’ve been buying skate stuff as a coping mechanism.
[close]
Anyway, I just wanted to say that you’re not alone in this and trying to focus on something else might be helpful. I’ve skated more and if I can’t skate but want to fill in the skating void in my life I’ve been watching videos more. Even trick tips and shit like that. I’ve realized that buying excess stuff doesn’t make me a better skater nor does it make me happy so I try to actively avoid it and replace it with something better. Instead of going to the skate shop if I have no need or browsing online, I now rather try to read a book, do some stretching, draw or whatever else I find pleasure in.

It's the same as endlessly scrolling on Instagram, I find myself adding stuff I don't need to cart and keeping it there, that time could have been spent on more productive activities, like learning to play squash.

It's 2023, time to stop hoarding like its 2020!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 10, 2023, 02:29:15 AM
“Anyway, I just wanted to say that you’re not alone in this and trying to focus on something else might be helpful. I’ve skated more and if I can’t skate but want to fill in the skating void in my life I’ve been watching videos more. Even trick tips and shit like that. I’ve realized that buying excess stuff doesn’t make me a better skater nor does it make me happy so I try to actively avoid it and replace it with something better. Instead of going to the skate shop if I have no need or browsing online, I now rather try to read a book, do some stretching, draw or whatever else I find pleasure in.”


I actually had this realization a few days ago. The thing that makes me happiest in skating is learning something new, even if it’s just getting better at riding switch. When I look back at my old footage it makes me smile cause I’ve come a long way. Buying tons of crap is probably holding me back cause I never get used to one set up. I think I’m going to just start riding stuff until it breaks or razor tails.

Edit: I messed up the quote, this is in reply to Roisto.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 10, 2023, 06:06:02 AM
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I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.

reporting back, first sesh on the 54mm and cast plates yesterday. most of my assumptions were accurate.

I prefer the way my board feels while in the air with this setup. I noticed i was catching my flip tricks much more confidently and there was an audible *slap* multiple times as the board met my foot. When doing 180s I could feel my board under my feet  better while in the air, and felt like i could manipulate it more easily.

The tradeoffs were mostly expected and centered around the wheel change mainly. i dont carry speed as well on the 54mm vs the 56mm classics, BUT i did actually notice a feeling of slightly faster acceleration. This might be due to my bearings just about hitting that perfect point after you clean them when they are at their fastest though.

The one objective con i was feeling was that I was having a harder time getting into harder tricks on higher ledges (back tail/smith). BUT this might be due to be switching from the dlx 8.3 twin to the dlx 8.38 which is a longer board with a longer WB. I know i shouldve only changed the wheels and baseplate combo at first but my last deck was beat and i already had this one gripped.

Going to put the forged/56mm on the 8.38 today and get an honest comparison.

I could def skate either of these setups fine, and i think the tradeoffs sort of cancel each other out.

Its literally a toss up at this point.

Pinch might be the deciding factor if I have just as hard of a time getting the forged setup up onto that taller ledge today.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 10, 2023, 12:18:51 PM
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I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.
[close]

reporting back, first sesh on the 54mm and cast plates yesterday. most of my assumptions were accurate.

I prefer the way my board feels while in the air with this setup. I noticed i was catching my flip tricks much more confidently and there was an audible *slap* multiple times as the board met my foot. When doing 180s I could feel my board under my feet  better while in the air, and felt like i could manipulate it more easily.

The tradeoffs were mostly expected and centered around the wheel change mainly. i dont carry speed as well on the 54mm vs the 56mm classics, BUT i did actually notice a feeling of slightly faster acceleration. This might be due to my bearings just about hitting that perfect point after you clean them when they are at their fastest though.

The one objective con i was feeling was that I was having a harder time getting into harder tricks on higher ledges (back tail/smith). BUT this might be due to be switching from the dlx 8.3 twin to the dlx 8.38 which is a longer board with a longer WB. I know i shouldve only changed the wheels and baseplate combo at first but my last deck was beat and i already had this one gripped.

Going to put the forged/56mm on the 8.38 today and get an honest comparison.

I could def skate either of these setups fine, and i think the tradeoffs sort of cancel each other out.

Its literally a toss up at this point.

Pinch might be the deciding factor if I have just as hard of a time getting the forged setup up onto that taller ledge today.

Dude. You swapped out two new things at the same time?!? Holy Hell. Bold move.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 10, 2023, 04:41:59 PM
Ya dude I've ridden both of those decks and the 8.38 DLX has better pop every time because having a nose helps me level things out nicer. I'd pretty much expect this summary. But frankly even 54 feels too tall and tippy for me on Indy's so I'll never ride that combo again probably.

53's tho...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 12, 2023, 05:10:58 AM
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I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.
[close]

reporting back, first sesh on the 54mm and cast plates yesterday. most of my assumptions were accurate.

I prefer the way my board feels while in the air with this setup. I noticed i was catching my flip tricks much more confidently and there was an audible *slap* multiple times as the board met my foot. When doing 180s I could feel my board under my feet  better while in the air, and felt like i could manipulate it more easily.

The tradeoffs were mostly expected and centered around the wheel change mainly. i dont carry speed as well on the 54mm vs the 56mm classics, BUT i did actually notice a feeling of slightly faster acceleration. This might be due to my bearings just about hitting that perfect point after you clean them when they are at their fastest though.

The one objective con i was feeling was that I was having a harder time getting into harder tricks on higher ledges (back tail/smith). BUT this might be due to be switching from the dlx 8.3 twin to the dlx 8.38 which is a longer board with a longer WB. I know i shouldve only changed the wheels and baseplate combo at first but my last deck was beat and i already had this one gripped.

Going to put the forged/56mm on the 8.38 today and get an honest comparison.

I could def skate either of these setups fine, and i think the tradeoffs sort of cancel each other out.

Its literally a toss up at this point.

Pinch might be the deciding factor if I have just as hard of a time getting the forged setup up onto that taller ledge today.
[close]

Dude. You swapped out two new things at the same time?!? Holy Hell. Bold move.

Yea, not my smartest moment. Went back and forth on the two setups on the dlx 8.38. ended up chipping the FUCK out of the tail and cracking it shortly after..... Focused and went home haha.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 12, 2023, 06:33:58 AM
Okay, my madness has turned to wheels. Thinking about getting a digital caliper so I can measure them 😅
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 12, 2023, 07:13:52 AM
Okay, my madness has turned to wheels. Thinking about getting a digital caliper so I can measure them 😅

Uhm…you shouldn’t be posting in this thread it you don’t already have calipers…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 12, 2023, 07:15:15 AM
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Okay, my madness has turned to wheels. Thinking about getting a digital caliper so I can measure them 😅
[close]

Uhm…you shouldn’t be posting in this thread it you don’t already have calipers…
Haha, I figured most of y’all already had them. Maybe there’s still hope for me 🥹
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 12, 2023, 07:15:56 AM
Okay, my madness has turned to wheels. Thinking about getting a digital caliper so I can measure them 😅

https://youtu.be/T437DdmFNPU
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on February 12, 2023, 07:34:19 AM
Definitely good to measure your wheels every now and then so that you can rotate them to wear them out evenly enough. Nothing mad about that. I’ve managed with an analogue one so far though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on February 12, 2023, 07:40:51 AM
help me for this madness..

I'm small ; 5,8 and do 8 feet size, and I don't have long legs. I skate a lot a lot of flat and some tricks that I used ten years ago, I can't do it anymore.

For spring, I want to buy myself a new board .. but so many doubts and questions:

Choice number 1: I stay with my current setup, That I often ride a lot, apart from my big gap period when I was in 8.125. which is an 8.0 board, with venture 5.2 high, 52 mm wheels, 31.5 in maximum length and wheelbase 14 (only on Ventures) Except that I replace the ventures raw with the V lights and hollow.

Choice number 2: Sometimes I think to myself that 8.0 is sometimes unstable and maybe I would have more confidence on the wider.. I would choose an 8.125, with the same, a length of 31.1 to 31.5, and thunder 147.. The wheels would not change (51/52), and I would also like to have a change in weight to help me with certain tricks.. The only thing that bothers me about the 147s and I have tried these trucks before is that they may be too light and spin too fast.. Tried them on 8.0, and sprained my ankle on a 360 flip that spun 540 with too fast pop.. That's why there is option 3:

Choice number 3: To be a little lower to help me on flats, because sometimes with Venture I have to jump very high, I would go for Thunder 148s with an 8.125 or even 8.25.. because many tell me wider board that helps to land better, without having a foot touching the ground, and that the choice in board is much more present.. The 148 are also a little higher than the 147 and much less a feeling of "tight trucks", I like the middle in tightness.. I would of course opt for a small board in length..

As I said, I do a lot of flats and sometimes small gaps, banks and a few manuals.. I very rarely grind and slide!

Maybe I overthink it, but this is madness as you can see haha ​​Thanks for your help..  :-*
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 12, 2023, 07:46:31 AM
help me for this madness..

I'm small ; 5,8 and do 8 feet size, and I don't have long legs. I skate a lot a lot of flat and some tricks that I used ten years ago, I can't do it anymore.

For spring, I want to buy myself a new board .. but so many doubts and questions:

Choice number 1: I stay with my current setup, That I often ride a lot, apart from my big gap period when I was in 8.125. which is an 8.0 board, with venture 5.2 high, 52 mm wheels, 31.5 in maximum length and wheelbase 14 (only on Ventures) Except that I replace the ventures raw with the V lights and hollow.

Choice number 2: Sometimes I think to myself that 8.0 is sometimes unstable and maybe I would have more confidence on the wider.. I would choose an 8.125, with the same, a length of 31.1 to 31.5, and thunder 147.. The wheels would not change (51/52), and I would also like to have a change in weight to help me with certain tricks.. The only thing that bothers me about the 147s and I have tried these trucks before is that they may be too light and spin too fast.. Tried them on 8.0, and sprained my ankle on a 360 flip that spun 540 with too fast pop.. That's why there is option 3:

Choice number 3: To be a little lower to help me on flats, because sometimes with Venture I have to jump very high, I would go for Thunder 148s with an 8.125 or even 8.25.. because many tell me wider board that helps to land better, without having a foot touching the ground, and that the choice in board is much more present.. The 148 are also a little higher than the 147 and much less a feeling of "tight trucks", I like the middle in tightness.. I would of course opt for a small board in length..

As I said, I do a lot of flats and sometimes small gaps, banks and a few manuals.. I very rarely grind and slide!

Maybe I overthink it, but this is madness as you can see haha ​​Thanks for your help..  :-*

If you are posting in this thread, there is only one obvious answer: set-up all three options. Rotate between them ever 3-5 min, to assure that you never skate one long enough to establish sufficient muscle memory to become consistent at anything. Then, blame your shoes, and get three different sets of those, to exacerbate the problem.

In all seriousness, set-up something the middle ground. Take note of what you like/don't like about it, and adjust as needed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 12, 2023, 07:51:45 AM
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I think the deciding factor will be how the board filps/feels in the air. and if the heavier plate really made the difference i thought it did.
[close]

I barley passed geometry in HS, so I know nothing about physics and the like, but somehow I think where the weight is distributed would make a bigger difference in flip tricks...which is to say that I think more weight on the edge of the board (e.g. wheels) would have a more substantive impact than weight in the center of the board (e.g. plates). Of course, this only (or does it?) only applies to rotation on the lengthwise axis (kickflips vs. shuvs/tre/etc.). Please report back. I am kind of fascinated by this one.
[close]

reporting back, first sesh on the 54mm and cast plates yesterday. most of my assumptions were accurate.

I prefer the way my board feels while in the air with this setup. I noticed i was catching my flip tricks much more confidently and there was an audible *slap* multiple times as the board met my foot. When doing 180s I could feel my board under my feet  better while in the air, and felt like i could manipulate it more easily.

The tradeoffs were mostly expected and centered around the wheel change mainly. i dont carry speed as well on the 54mm vs the 56mm classics, BUT i did actually notice a feeling of slightly faster acceleration. This might be due to my bearings just about hitting that perfect point after you clean them when they are at their fastest though.

The one objective con i was feeling was that I was having a harder time getting into harder tricks on higher ledges (back tail/smith). BUT this might be due to be switching from the dlx 8.3 twin to the dlx 8.38 which is a longer board with a longer WB. I know i shouldve only changed the wheels and baseplate combo at first but my last deck was beat and i already had this one gripped.

Going to put the forged/56mm on the 8.38 today and get an honest comparison.

I could def skate either of these setups fine, and i think the tradeoffs sort of cancel each other out.

Its literally a toss up at this point.

Pinch might be the deciding factor if I have just as hard of a time getting the forged setup up onto that taller ledge today.
[close]

Dude. You swapped out two new things at the same time?!? Holy Hell. Bold move.
[close]

Yea, not my smartest moment. Went back and forth on the two setups on the dlx 8.38. ended up chipping the FUCK out of the tail and cracking it shortly after..... Focused and went home haha.

For two things at once, I am surprised this session ended with only a focused board. I'd say you came out ahead.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 12, 2023, 08:13:59 AM
Expand Quote
help me for this madness..

I'm small ; 5,8 and do 8 feet size, and I don't have long legs. I skate a lot a lot of flat and some tricks that I used ten years ago, I can't do it anymore.

For spring, I want to buy myself a new board .. but so many doubts and questions:

Choice number 1: I stay with my current setup, That I often ride a lot, apart from my big gap period when I was in 8.125. which is an 8.0 board, with venture 5.2 high, 52 mm wheels, 31.5 in maximum length and wheelbase 14 (only on Ventures) Except that I replace the ventures raw with the V lights and hollow.

Choice number 2: Sometimes I think to myself that 8.0 is sometimes unstable and maybe I would have more confidence on the wider.. I would choose an 8.125, with the same, a length of 31.1 to 31.5, and thunder 147.. The wheels would not change (51/52), and I would also like to have a change in weight to help me with certain tricks.. The only thing that bothers me about the 147s and I have tried these trucks before is that they may be too light and spin too fast.. Tried them on 8.0, and sprained my ankle on a 360 flip that spun 540 with too fast pop.. That's why there is option 3:

Choice number 3: To be a little lower to help me on flats, because sometimes with Venture I have to jump very high, I would go for Thunder 148s with an 8.125 or even 8.25.. because many tell me wider board that helps to land better, without having a foot touching the ground, and that the choice in board is much more present.. The 148 are also a little higher than the 147 and much less a feeling of "tight trucks", I like the middle in tightness.. I would of course opt for a small board in length..

As I said, I do a lot of flats and sometimes small gaps, banks and a few manuals.. I very rarely grind and slide!

Maybe I overthink it, but this is madness as you can see haha ​​Thanks for your help..  :-*
[close]

If you are posting in this thread, there is only one obvious answer: set-up all three options. Rotate between them ever 3-5 min, to assure that you never skate one long enough to establish sufficient muscle memory to become consistent at anything. Then, blame your shoes, and get three different sets of those, to exacerbate the problem.

In all seriousness, set-up something the middle ground. Take note of what you like/don't like about it, and adjust as needed.

Lighter can help, lower helps me.
I’d just stay with what you have. Bigger wasn’t helpful to me, at all, as I’ve aged. Flip tricks on a wider heavier board make the session shorter, as the small tendons and muscles in my legs get tired.
The difference between 8 and 8.125 isn’t huge, do whatever there.
Tail length, and board length is more important to me.
My favorite trucks are ventures, 5.0 lo’s and 5.2 lo’s, then thunder 147s, then venture 5.2 HI’s.
Wheels 52 and below, 53 if I’m lying to myself, above that if I’ve completely lost my mind and want to make myself bummed.
As we get older, lighter setups can help, but it does mess with muscle memory.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 12, 2023, 08:28:52 AM
As we get older, lighter setups can help, but it does mess with muscle memory.

Facts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 12, 2023, 01:06:22 PM
Damn, got a caliper and measured all my wheels. And all of them are still the same size they were when purchased lol. Guess I should’ve expected that since I skate a couple times a week exclusively on smooth tennis courts and have five setups 🤦🏾‍♂️
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nacho Maildrop on February 12, 2023, 01:27:21 PM
Damn, got a caliper and measured all my wheels. And all of them are still the same size they were when purchased lol. Guess I should’ve expected that since I skate a couple times a week exclusively on smooth tennis courts and have five setups 🤦🏾‍♂️

As some one who used to carry calipers in his skate bag...don't. It is a long winding road that leads who way too much overthinking and swapping out wheels way sooner than you actually need to. For whatever reason I never stress about small wheels getting too small and will skate 51s down to bearing condoms. But if I have something bigger, it is automatically, "oh these 60s are 58...time for new wheels!!"

Shit is insanity.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 12, 2023, 01:30:40 PM
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Damn, got a caliper and measured all my wheels. And all of them are still the same size they were when purchased lol. Guess I should’ve expected that since I skate a couple times a week exclusively on smooth tennis courts and have five setups 🤦🏾‍♂️
[close]

As some one who used to carry calipers in his skate bag...don't. It is a long winding road that leads who way too much overthinking and swapping out wheels way sooner than you actually need to. For whatever reason I never stress about small wheels getting too small and will skate 51s down to bearing condoms. But if I have something bigger, it is automatically, "oh these 60s are 58...time for new wheels!!"

Shit is insanity.
Yeah I was gonna put it in my bag but after seeing the readings it’s going on the shelf lol. At my current rate it’ll take a couple of years for my wheels to get small.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on February 12, 2023, 05:31:26 PM
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Damn, got a caliper and measured all my wheels. And all of them are still the same size they were when purchased lol. Guess I should’ve expected that since I skate a couple times a week exclusively on smooth tennis courts and have five setups 🤦🏾‍♂️
[close]

As some one who used to carry calipers in his skate bag...don't. It is a long winding road that leads who way too much overthinking and swapping out wheels way sooner than you actually need to. For whatever reason I never stress about small wheels getting too small and will skate 51s down to bearing condoms. But if I have something bigger, it is automatically, "oh these 60s are 58...time for new wheels!!"

Shit is insanity.
[close]
Yeah I was gonna put it in my bag but after seeing the readings it’s going on the shelf lol. At my current rate it’ll take a couple of years for my wheels to get small.

Keep in mind wheels aren’t always exactly as labeled. For example if they measure 53.6-54.4 they get labeled 54. If they measure 54.5 they may get labeled 54 or 55. Urethane cooling is not an exact science as humidity and temperature can affect how much they shrink as they cure. Just a little something else to add to the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on February 12, 2023, 06:27:53 PM
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Damn, got a caliper and measured all my wheels. And all of them are still the same size they were when purchased lol. Guess I should’ve expected that since I skate a couple times a week exclusively on smooth tennis courts and have five setups 🤦🏾‍♂️
[close]

As some one who used to carry calipers in his skate bag...don't. It is a long winding road that leads who way too much overthinking and swapping out wheels way sooner than you actually need to. For whatever reason I never stress about small wheels getting too small and will skate 51s down to bearing condoms. But if I have something bigger, it is automatically, "oh these 60s are 58...time for new wheels!!"

Shit is insanity.
[close]
Yeah I was gonna put it in my bag but after seeing the readings it’s going on the shelf lol. At my current rate it’ll take a couple of years for my wheels to get small.
[close]

Keep in mind wheels aren’t always exactly as labeled. For example if they measure 53.6-54.4 they get labeled 54. If they measure 54.5 they may get labeled 54 or 55. Urethane cooling is not an exact science as humidity and temperature can affect how much they shrink as they cure. Just a little something else to add to the madness.

At least with bones, it seems pretty exact. I bought 2 sets of 54mm wheels over the last year and every single wheel was between 54.20 and 54.40.

With my most recent set of X formula 52mm wheels, every single wheel even was between 52.25 and 52.35.
There's something with bones wheels and additional 0.30 mm.

On the other hand my 52 dragons were all around 51.60.
Bones gives, powell takes?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 12, 2023, 08:34:43 PM
Expand Quote
Damn, got a caliper and measured all my wheels. And all of them are still the same size they were when purchased lol. Guess I should’ve expected that since I skate a couple times a week exclusively on smooth tennis courts and have five setups 🤦🏾‍♂️
[close]

As some one who used to carry calipers in his skate bag...don't. It is a long winding road that leads who way too much overthinking and swapping out wheels way sooner than you actually need to. For whatever reason I never stress about small wheels getting too small and will skate 51s down to bearing condoms. But if I have something bigger, it is automatically, "oh these 60s are 58...time for new wheels!!"

Shit is insanity.

Great great great point.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: emotional_degloving on February 14, 2023, 07:13:04 PM
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on February 14, 2023, 07:51:00 PM
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?

IF you're gonna buy one of those wheels, just get the bones 97 and end the madness. It's the current best.
Less grippy than the 99a stf, while also smoother.

Definitely not the mini logos, they're great wheels but they don't slide
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on February 14, 2023, 09:12:38 PM
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?

97A Spitfire Formula Four Conical Fulls in 54 mm or bigger. Damn nice wheels. They’re not cruiser soft but the reduce the bad vibes a hell of a lot more and roll better than even 58mm 99A F4s and slide just as well. They’re no cruiser wheel smooth though if that’s what you’re after.

I haven’t tried the new Bones or Powell wheels. I tried the Bones Easy Streets when they came out and they sucked so bad I figured I’ll never waste my money on their bullshit again. So I can’t compare to the new X-formula or Dragons but I have my doubts about them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 15, 2023, 05:08:44 AM
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?
The perfect setup doesn’t exist and in my case, it is cause I have a deeper issue with myself. I think it’s cause I grew up dirt poor and now I have this hoarder, FOMO mentality, so I just buy shit and do my best to justify it. Now I think it is worth finding the right setup, but at a certain point you have to just go out and skate or do other things (looking forward to Ant-Man 3 tomorrow). This is supposed to be fun, and looking at gear all day isn’t fun, it stresses me out.

I’m practicing gratitude, basically just being thankful for the five setups I have and trying to make the most out of them. It might sound crazy, but I legit love some of these setups cause I built them and tweaked them to my needs. So I want to give them what they deserve—some good sessions that will ultimately destroy them 😈
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 15, 2023, 05:38:04 AM
The perfect setup doesn’t exist and in my case, it is cause I have a deeper issue with myself. I think it’s cause I grew up dirt poor and now I have this hoarder, FOMO mentality, so I just buy shit and do my best to justify it. Now I think it is worth finding the right setup, but at a certain point you have to just go out and skate or do other things (looking forward to Ant-Man 3 tomorrow). This is supposed to be fun, and looking at gear all day isn’t fun, it stresses me out.

I’m practicing gratitude, basically just being thankful for the five setups I have and trying to make the most out of them. It might sound crazy, but I legit love some of these setups cause I built them and tweaked them to my needs. So I want to give them what they deserve—some good sessions that will ultimately destroy them 😈

@OhioGuy beautiful post.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 15, 2023, 05:51:22 AM
So, I am currently experiencing something entirely new. I am calling it "Ancillary Madness." I have/know what my "perfect" set-up (DLX 8.25/14.38, Indy 144 Forged, Spit 53mm Classics). However, right now I am toying around with some Thunders, and 52mm Conicals. I am under no illusions, pretenses, or aspirations to improve my set-up. To that end, I know I am riding a "sub-standard" set-up with Thunders/52 Connies, and with some undetermined amount of time, I know I'll be back to my usual. So, why I am doing it then? Just for some simple variety and curiosity. Maybe this what "matured madness" looks like--it's not an obsessing over minutiae (1 or 2 inside washers?), but more of "I know what I like...but I am going to try this, anyway, just for...fun?"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 15, 2023, 06:38:12 AM
So, I am currently experiencing something entirely new. I am calling it "Ancillary Madness." I have/know what my "perfect" set-up (DLX 8.25/14.38, Indy 144 Forged, Spit 53mm Classics). However, right now I am toying around with some Thunders, and 52mm Conicals. I am under no illusions, pretenses, or aspirations to improve my set-up. To that end, I know I am riding a "sub-standard" set-up with Thunders/52 Connies, and with some undetermined amount of time, I know I'll be back to my usual. So, why I am doing it then? Just for some simple variety and curiosity. Maybe this what "matured madness" looks like--it's not an obsessing over minutiae (1 or 2 inside washers?), but more of "I know what I like...but I am going to try this, anyway, just for...fun?"

This is how the cycle begins lol

im still struggling with my cast/forged dilemma shit is annoying
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nacho Maildrop on February 15, 2023, 06:44:37 AM
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?

I know many people are anti-shockpad, but the Ace 1/16" are rad. They don't add much height and they do make a difference when pushing around on rougher terrain. I'll take them over feeling like I need to ride something other than 99 F4s. They're also way cheaper than buying new wheels.

If you really don't want to do that, the 97 F4s are great for crust. I just like the 99s because of how they perform and I know I can get a set at any decent skate shop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 15, 2023, 07:27:51 AM
So, I am currently experiencing something entirely new. I am calling it "Ancillary Madness." I have/know what my "perfect" set-up (DLX 8.25/14.38, Indy 144 Forged, Spit 53mm Classics). However, right now I am toying around with some Thunders, and 52mm Conicals. I am under no illusions, pretenses, or aspirations to improve my set-up. To that end, I know I am riding a "sub-standard" set-up with Thunders/52 Connies, and with some undetermined amount of time, I know I'll be back to my usual. So, why I am doing it then? Just for some simple variety and curiosity. Maybe this what "matured madness" looks like--it's not an obsessing over minutiae (1 or 2 inside washers?), but more of "I know what I like...but I am going to try this, anyway, just for...fun?"

I setup a girl griffin shaped board last year, despite it being way outside of my preferences (8.5, 14.5 wb, 32, all at least .5 inch longer/wider than what I like to ride). Had 149 thunders and 52 conical fulls, neither of which I’d choose, regularly.
Here’s the fucking thing…after a few days of being weirded out, I started landing way more 360 flips, switch flips, and kickflips. This is pretty much all of my skating, slow flatground bs. And maybe like 6 tricks, no ledges near me. Aaaaaaanyway, to the poor soul that has read this far: that setup was the shit. I could skate that thing from now on and be fairly sorted. Shit just worked. Huge fan. That particular crail shape has a short tail, which makes the setup feel like a bigger small board (gentle slap reader will note that this assertion is, stupid). The pop points felt very familiar.
I made the decision to skate smaller boards, and mainly ventures, just because, and that has worked well.
The deviation from my normal setup showed me the importance of tail length, and more so, that one can adjust with time. I spent more time on that setup than others, for a variety of reasons (I was working significantly less, and I kind of disgusted myself with buying lots of shit and was just going to sit there and make it work).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 15, 2023, 07:29:02 AM
Expand Quote
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?
[close]

I know many people are anti-shockpad, but the Ace 1/16" are rad. They don't add much height and they do make a difference when pushing around on rougher terrain. I'll take them over feeling like I need to ride something other than 99 F4s. They're also way cheaper than buying new wheels.

If you really don't want to do that, the 97 F4s are great for crust. I just like the 99s because of how they perform and I know I can get a set at any decent skate shop.

I've been really leaning towards trying out some 97a's for my crust setup since the dragons drag so hard on grinds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 15, 2023, 07:32:33 AM
Expand Quote
So, I am currently experiencing something entirely new. I am calling it "Ancillary Madness." I have/know what my "perfect" set-up (DLX 8.25/14.38, Indy 144 Forged, Spit 53mm Classics). However, right now I am toying around with some Thunders, and 52mm Conicals. I am under no illusions, pretenses, or aspirations to improve my set-up. To that end, I know I am riding a "sub-standard" set-up with Thunders/52 Connies, and with some undetermined amount of time, I know I'll be back to my usual. So, why I am doing it then? Just for some simple variety and curiosity. Maybe this what "matured madness" looks like--it's not an obsessing over minutiae (1 or 2 inside washers?), but more of "I know what I like...but I am going to try this, anyway, just for...fun?"
[close]

This is how the cycle begins lol

im still struggling with my cast/forged dilemma shit is annoying

I used to super care about the cast v. Forged. The vibrations. Couldn’t skate for awhile m, just being too occupied with bs, and now I suddenly don’t care. It’s weird. A significant part of this may be that I stoped trying to ride bigger boards. When I size up, I need everything to be just so, ish, otherwise it sucks, but if I just stick to an 8, doesn’t fucking matter: trucks, wheel sizes…for the most part sorts itself out


God I want some fucking ipath cats. Wore my wallabees yesterday, and if they were not such ankle breakers I would skate them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nacho Maildrop on February 15, 2023, 07:37:56 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?
[close]

I know many people are anti-shockpad, but the Ace 1/16" are rad. They don't add much height and they do make a difference when pushing around on rougher terrain. I'll take them over feeling like I need to ride something other than 99 F4s. They're also way cheaper than buying new wheels.

If you really don't want to do that, the 97 F4s are great for crust. I just like the 99s because of how they perform and I know I can get a set at any decent skate shop.
[close]

I've been really leaning towards trying out some 97a's for my crust setup since the dragons drag so hard on grinds.

Highly recommend them. Had no drag issues on my crooks. Only complaint is that they wore down way faster than the 99s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 15, 2023, 07:43:15 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
So, I am currently experiencing something entirely new. I am calling it "Ancillary Madness." I have/know what my "perfect" set-up (DLX 8.25/14.38, Indy 144 Forged, Spit 53mm Classics). However, right now I am toying around with some Thunders, and 52mm Conicals. I am under no illusions, pretenses, or aspirations to improve my set-up. To that end, I know I am riding a "sub-standard" set-up with Thunders/52 Connies, and with some undetermined amount of time, I know I'll be back to my usual. So, why I am doing it then? Just for some simple variety and curiosity. Maybe this what "matured madness" looks like--it's not an obsessing over minutiae (1 or 2 inside washers?), but more of "I know what I like...but I am going to try this, anyway, just for...fun?"
[close]

This is how the cycle begins lol

im still struggling with my cast/forged dilemma shit is annoying
[close]

I used to super care about the cast v. Forged. The vibrations. Couldn’t skate for awhile m, just being too occupied with bs, and now I suddenly don’t care. It’s weird. A significant part of this may be that I stoped trying to ride bigger boards. When I size up, I need everything to be just so, ish, otherwise it sucks, but if I just stick to an 8, doesn’t fucking matter: trucks, wheel sizes…for the most part sorts itself out


God I want some fucking ipath cats. Wore my wallabees yesterday, and if they were not such ankle breakers I would skate them.

Forged have harsher vibrations i assume? and yea wallabees with that skinny heel is a recipe for a roll


Highly recommend them. Had no drag issues on my crooks. Only complaint is that they wore down way faster than the 99s.

Thanks man, think ill take a swing at them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: emotional_degloving on February 15, 2023, 08:19:52 AM
Expand Quote
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?
[close]
The perfect setup doesn’t exist and in my case, it is cause I have a deeper issue with myself. I think it’s cause I grew up dirt poor and now I have this hoarder, FOMO mentality, so I just buy shit and do my best to justify it. Now I think it is worth finding the right setup, but at a certain point you have to just go out and skate or do other things (looking forward to Ant-Man 3 tomorrow). This is supposed to be fun, and looking at gear all day isn’t fun, it stresses me out.

I’m practicing gratitude, basically just being thankful for the five setups I have and trying to make the most out of them. It might sound crazy, but I legit love some of these setups cause I built them and tweaked them to my needs. So I want to give them what they deserve—some good sessions that will ultimately destroy them 😈

Genuinely man I think I needed to hear this, the growing up dirt poor shit is probably why I myself just keep buying shite to perfect myself. Thank you.

Thanks everyone for the recs, I'm gonna wear these current spits I have til they're bearing covers and then decide how I'm feeling- I'll spring for one of the 97a wheels. Probably the spits. Hopefully this makes the madness dormant.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on February 15, 2023, 08:57:15 AM
Genuinely man I think I needed to hear this, the growing up dirt poor shit is probably why I myself just keep buying shite to perfect myself. Thank you.

I've had the conversation with my brother growing up like this.  The idea that being poor means that you can't freely get rid of shit because you don't know if you will be able to replace it, which can lead to collecting/hoarding.     

I have too many setups - I think around 10.  And I have a brand new Enjoi 8.75 deck sitting next to my desk, some Ace AF1s, and 3-4 sets of wheels I could use on it.  It's a disease.    I find deals ($29 for the Enjoi shipped.  Oh, someone on Facebook markeplace has Indy Ti for $40 - even though I don't need them.  etc..) and then don't pass the stuff on that I don't like because just maybe it'll work with this other setup. 

If I hadn't grown up poor, I feel like I would be a lot more free to give up on things.  Take the Ace AF1s.  I have tried them on at least 4 boards and can't ollie for shit with them.   But maybe if I try them on X board they will work.  No?  Ok, how about this one?  I have decks that for whatever reason haven't worked out, but I keep them around because maybe I'll come back to them.  Spoiler - I seldom do. 

Now here's the fucking kicker.  Last fall I scored a great job.  I'm solidly in the 6 figures, with a likely 20% bonus coming in September, and my wife has a job.  It's the first time in many years that I'm not concerned about cash flow.   But I'm still doing shit like waiting for the SkateWarehouse sale where I can get a shop deck with grip for $16 after buying a sale deck.   

Growing up poor wires your brain differently. 

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: arrbee on February 15, 2023, 09:15:57 AM
Slammed a few weeks ago and been staying off the board as it was my ribs and hand. Didn't want to risk bailing and making it hurt any worse. Started tinkering around in the parts bin. Can someone convince me not to put these ventures on since the ACE are working perfectly fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: notinternetfamous on February 15, 2023, 09:33:00 AM
Slammed a few weeks ago and been staying off the board as it was my ribs and hand. Didn't want to risk bailing and making it hurt any worse. Started tinkering around in the parts bin. Can someone convince me not to put these ventures on since the ACE are working perfectly fine.
stick with the Ace's my dude. the lighter pop feel will come in handy since you've been off the board for a while.
as much as I love my Ventures, I've been really enjoying sessions on my Ace setup
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on February 15, 2023, 10:13:47 AM
Go and tighten down your Aces like you’re going to skate the mega ramp…..if you have the time of your life then maybe Venture are for you…..

it’s not totally like that but they are very different trucks.  You can have these feelings, but when you want these extremes…it merely supports the idea that the correct answer is to shut the fuck and ride Indy’s and stop caring like a normal human being…..

no one wants to hear that…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 15, 2023, 10:18:53 AM
Only way to know is to try. I recently setup a Baker 8.25 with Indy Forged. I had the 8.475 on Indy Standard this Summer but thought if I had forged and blue bushings maybe it would be more stable and pop better. Aside from 2 tricks, it feels fucking weird. Like unstable, nollie pop sucks, it's just too light for me and I'm an idiot. But, I got my answer on that one. Now it's got my Thunder 148s on and I'll try Ventures on it as well, but I don't worry when certain things don't work. I think the worry is what makes it madness. That and not having a setup to return home to, which I have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 15, 2023, 01:36:33 PM
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Genuinely man I think I needed to hear this, the growing up dirt poor shit is probably why I myself just keep buying shite to perfect myself. Thank you.
[close]

I've had the conversation with my brother growing up like this.  The idea that being poor means that you can't freely get rid of shit because you don't know if you will be able to replace it, which can lead to collecting/hoarding.     

I have too many setups - I think around 10.  And I have a brand new Enjoi 8.75 deck sitting next to my desk, some Ace AF1s, and 3-4 sets of wheels I could use on it.  It's a disease.    I find deals ($29 for the Enjoi shipped.  Oh, someone on Facebook markeplace has Indy Ti for $40 - even though I don't need them.  etc..) and then don't pass the stuff on that I don't like because just maybe it'll work with this other setup. 

If I hadn't grown up poor, I feel like I would be a lot more free to give up on things.  Take the Ace AF1s.  I have tried them on at least 4 boards and can't ollie for shit with them.   But maybe if I try them on X board they will work.  No?  Ok, how about this one?  I have decks that for whatever reason haven't worked out, but I keep them around because maybe I'll come back to them.  Spoiler - I seldom do. 

Now here's the fucking kicker.  Last fall I scored a great job.  I'm solidly in the 6 figures, with a likely 20% bonus coming in September, and my wife has a job.  It's the first time in many years that I'm not concerned about cash flow.   But I'm still doing shit like waiting for the SkateWarehouse sale where I can get a shop deck with grip for $16 after buying a sale deck.   

Growing up poor wires your brain differently.
Yup. I keep trying these ACE 44s and they’re just so sketchy to me. I enjoy how they turn, cause they give me a little bit more control than Indys, but they’re weird. I have them super tight and they’re still too turny lol.

(https://i.ibb.co/k4mYbG9/3-F5-B9483-E28-C-4819-B3-E0-3480-D78485-EA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k4mYbG9)


Got an Indy and Krux bushings in them cause the stock ones caused them to stick to one side. I’m 240lbs and feel like I’m too heavy for them.

I should get rid of these but it’s hard, I feel like I need to get my monies worth lol. Plus part of me hates that Indys are my favorite truck cause it’s so basic 😅
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 16, 2023, 11:34:13 AM
Alright fellow lunatics. I'm on the cast plates with ti hangers, found this recently and enjoyed it, it was literally just my madness creeping in that made me question it. still need to settle the 54 vs 56 mm classics. have even considered throwing a 54 or 52 radial back into the mix now that im shying away from the larger diameter classic.

I'm thinking i liked the 56mm classic for so long because the larger diameter worked better for me on the forged plates and gave it a little more heft. making my overall height close to 54mm with cast plates.

I MIGHT try the hollow cast plates out at somepoint.

But i know that 55mm tall trucks with wheels around 54 is what i want.

I know @Sedition was asking me to report back, and I have def found that the heavier cast plate keeping the weight distribution towards the center gives me a feeling of more control. maybe im crazy, maybe its in my head, but it def feels better and like i have more control of my board in the air

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Genuinely man I think I needed to hear this, the growing up dirt poor shit is probably why I myself just keep buying shite to perfect myself. Thank you.
[close]

I've had the conversation with my brother growing up like this.  The idea that being poor means that you can't freely get rid of shit because you don't know if you will be able to replace it, which can lead to collecting/hoarding.     

I have too many setups - I think around 10.  And I have a brand new Enjoi 8.75 deck sitting next to my desk, some Ace AF1s, and 3-4 sets of wheels I could use on it.  It's a disease.    I find deals ($29 for the Enjoi shipped.  Oh, someone on Facebook markeplace has Indy Ti for $40 - even though I don't need them.  etc..) and then don't pass the stuff on that I don't like because just maybe it'll work with this other setup. 

If I hadn't grown up poor, I feel like I would be a lot more free to give up on things.  Take the Ace AF1s.  I have tried them on at least 4 boards and can't ollie for shit with them.   But maybe if I try them on X board they will work.  No?  Ok, how about this one?  I have decks that for whatever reason haven't worked out, but I keep them around because maybe I'll come back to them.  Spoiler - I seldom do. 

Now here's the fucking kicker.  Last fall I scored a great job.  I'm solidly in the 6 figures, with a likely 20% bonus coming in September, and my wife has a job.  It's the first time in many years that I'm not concerned about cash flow.   But I'm still doing shit like waiting for the SkateWarehouse sale where I can get a shop deck with grip for $16 after buying a sale deck.   

Growing up poor wires your brain differently.
[close]
Yup. I keep trying these ACE 44s and they’re just so sketchy to me. I enjoy how they turn, cause they give me a little bit more control than Indys, but they’re weird. I have them super tight and they’re still too turny lol.

(https://i.ibb.co/k4mYbG9/3-F5-B9483-E28-C-4819-B3-E0-3480-D78485-EA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k4mYbG9)


Got an Indy and Krux bushings in them cause the stock ones caused them to stick to one side. I’m 240lbs and feel like I’m too heavy for them.

I should get rid of these but it’s hard, I feel like I need to get my monies worth lol. Plus part of me hates that Indys are my favorite truck cause it’s so basic 😅

I think that's probably a fair assessment, I have the ace hard bushing kit in mine and i run them with a couple threads showing and im 160ish.

If you're set on aces, You should just get some super hard bushings for them.

Ventures might suit you better. idk.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 16, 2023, 11:40:48 AM
Alright fellow lunatics. I'm on the cast plates with ti hangers, found this recently and enjoyed it, it was literally just my madness creeping in that made me question it. still need to settle the 54 vs 56 mm classics. have even considered throwing a 54 or 52 radial back into the mix now that im shying away from the larger diameter classic.

I'm thinking i liked the 56mm classic for so long because the larger diameter worked better for me on the forged plates and gave it a little more heft. making my overall height close to 54mm with cast plates.

I MIGHT try the hollow cast plates out at somepoint.

But i know that 55mm tall trucks with wheels around 54 is what i want.

I know @Sedition was asking me to report back, and I have def found that the heavier cast plate keeping the weight distribution towards the center gives me a feeling of more control. maybe im crazy, maybe its in my head, but it def feels better and like i have more control of my board in the air

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Genuinely man I think I needed to hear this, the growing up dirt poor shit is probably why I myself just keep buying shite to perfect myself. Thank you.
[close]

I've had the conversation with my brother growing up like this.  The idea that being poor means that you can't freely get rid of shit because you don't know if you will be able to replace it, which can lead to collecting/hoarding.     

I have too many setups - I think around 10.  And I have a brand new Enjoi 8.75 deck sitting next to my desk, some Ace AF1s, and 3-4 sets of wheels I could use on it.  It's a disease.    I find deals ($29 for the Enjoi shipped.  Oh, someone on Facebook markeplace has Indy Ti for $40 - even though I don't need them.  etc..) and then don't pass the stuff on that I don't like because just maybe it'll work with this other setup. 

If I hadn't grown up poor, I feel like I would be a lot more free to give up on things.  Take the Ace AF1s.  I have tried them on at least 4 boards and can't ollie for shit with them.   But maybe if I try them on X board they will work.  No?  Ok, how about this one?  I have decks that for whatever reason haven't worked out, but I keep them around because maybe I'll come back to them.  Spoiler - I seldom do. 

Now here's the fucking kicker.  Last fall I scored a great job.  I'm solidly in the 6 figures, with a likely 20% bonus coming in September, and my wife has a job.  It's the first time in many years that I'm not concerned about cash flow.   But I'm still doing shit like waiting for the SkateWarehouse sale where I can get a shop deck with grip for $16 after buying a sale deck.   

Growing up poor wires your brain differently.
[close]
Yup. I keep trying these ACE 44s and they’re just so sketchy to me. I enjoy how they turn, cause they give me a little bit more control than Indys, but they’re weird. I have them super tight and they’re still too turny lol.

(https://i.ibb.co/k4mYbG9/3-F5-B9483-E28-C-4819-B3-E0-3480-D78485-EA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k4mYbG9)


Got an Indy and Krux bushings in them cause the stock ones caused them to stick to one side. I’m 240lbs and feel like I’m too heavy for them.

I should get rid of these but it’s hard, I feel like I need to get my monies worth lol. Plus part of me hates that Indys are my favorite truck cause it’s so basic 😅
[close]

I think that's probably a fair assessment, I have the ace hard bushing kit in mine and i run them with a couple threads showing and im 160ish.

If you're set on aces, You should just get some super hard bushings for them.

Ventures might suit you better. idk.
Yeah I’m going to try Venture. I actually like how they look more than the other trucks, so hopefully they work well for me. I have Indy, Thunder, Krux also, and the ACEs are the only ones I lowkey hate. Which sucks cause I know they’re great trucks. Just not for me I guess.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 16, 2023, 11:42:36 AM
Fuck it, checking myself into the gear madness anonymous

Legitimately I've had fucking gear madness since I probably started getting into skating more in depth. I think a natural part of it was trying to find out what I like- I ride 7.75 and 8s because I feel most comfortable on them and have finesse, I love Film trucks and I'm a conscript on the people's republic of jessup in the griptape war. Took a while but I'm finally at peace with those particular areas.

My issues though are stemming from me trying to get the perfect feel- basically reducing vibration. I just want an easy breezy ride. My local area is mega crusty. I've asked in the questions thread if shock pads work- too wary to bite the bullet. I keep going through different wheels, nothing feels perfect for me. Tried 95a slimeball snot rockets, they weren't the best. 99a STFs had a nice ride feel to them but they're so damn grippy it's weird. Currently on 99A Spitfire OG classics 52mm and just walking to the spot to get my shit done but even then shit is way too crusty...

Been looking at so much shit, the 90/95a mini logos, the new bones 97a, the 99 and 97 Formula fours. But I get a feeling this shit isn't gonna be what I want. Hell the amount of time I've spent thinking about this shit I could probably learn switch.
I don't wanna buy any more shit, maybe it's a gateway to a deeper problem with myself.

Gonna ride out these Spits for now and resist the urge. Should I harness the vibrations?

I setup some mini logos with ACE risers and bones x97s, so, so, sooooooo smooth. The ACE risers aren't rubber/shock style, they're pliable but not super hard, sort of like the old (old) lucky risers.

I was trying to see if 99a spits with a softer riser would match up to the x97s, they didn't. Still lots of vibrations, less so than normal, but not like the dampening the x97s give.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 16, 2023, 11:45:14 AM

Yeah I’m going to try Venture. I actually like how they look more than the other trucks, so hopefully they work well for me. I have Indy, Thunder, Krux also, and the ACEs are the only ones I lowkey hate. Which sucks cause I know they’re great trucks. Just not for me I guess.

Lots of people complain that ventures arent turny enough (myself included) but since youre a bigger dude i dont think you will have that issue as badly as others.

GODSPEED BROTHER

may your madness be settled.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 17, 2023, 09:36:43 AM
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Yeah I’m going to try Venture. I actually like how they look more than the other trucks, so hopefully they work well for me. I have Indy, Thunder, Krux also, and the ACEs are the only ones I lowkey hate. Which sucks cause I know they’re great trucks. Just not for me I guess.
[close]

Lots of people complain that ventures arent turny enough (myself included) but since youre a bigger dude i dont think you will have that issue as badly as others.

GODSPEED BROTHER

may your madness be settled.
Heard the same about Krux and the K5s turn great for me, almost like an Indy after I waxed the pivot cups and bushings. I just think they look budget so riding them kinda fucks with my head, like, "Why am I riding this when I have better gear?" 😭 So they stay on my cruiser.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 19, 2023, 03:14:16 PM
Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Lessfillingtastegreat on February 19, 2023, 03:46:24 PM
Switch from venture to thunder in Dec. I like the way they turn but everything else sucks. I ride 54mm on a 8.18 setup.  It’s been a disastrous conversion. I like how light these are but have little board control and can’t slide anything.  They grind well.  Sliding is another story.  I didn’t think they would be this difficult for me. I think the wheel rubbing the ledge messes with me.  Also switch back to SF4 from them dragons.   Another mistake.  Felt all rubbery and cheap.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 19, 2023, 04:01:34 PM
Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 19, 2023, 04:24:00 PM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.
Yeah, that’s what was bothering me. It felt like my board was missing something, and even though it was the same length as my old one, it felt shorter. Kinda sucks cause I have a few TTs on ice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 19, 2023, 06:18:42 PM
Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.

It was weird for the first 2 sessions, but I'm liking the Habitat twin tail, could see myself riding these for a while. Truck tightness is the biggest issue for me too, still haven't found the sweet spot for tightness and my crooked grinds are suffering as a result.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 20, 2023, 04:58:12 AM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.
[close]
Yeah, that’s what was bothering me. It felt like my board was missing something, and even though it was the same length as my old one, it felt shorter. Kinda sucks cause I have a few TTs on ice.

Are any of them 8.3 real/krooked slicks? I'll buy them off you if you're really over them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on February 20, 2023, 05:20:18 AM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.

I don't get what PS said at all. I've never done the same tricks either off the tail or nose depending on how I want to do them. Is anybody doing that? I'm gonna kickflip off the tail, no matter the spot. No multitooling here. I think having a fat nose only feels better because it's what we're used to.
I just switched from the 8.0 Ishod twin to the 8.25 neen twin and the kicks feel perfect. The kicks on the 8 are small, 6.5 I think. And they were flat as well, felt dangerous. So that's actually my limit for a "nose" size. 6.6-6.7 is fine.

Another thing is truck tightness, once you stop obsessing over the trucks being 100% exactly the same, it doesn't matter at all. Imagine if one truck was 5% tighter and no one on the sesh had a tool. You'd stop caring after 5 minutes, just skate and probably forget about it/don't even notice it.

Stay sane. Less thinking more skating
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 20, 2023, 05:22:16 AM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.
[close]
Yeah, that’s what was bothering me. It felt like my board was missing something, and even though it was the same length as my old one, it felt shorter. Kinda sucks cause I have a few TTs on ice.

Are any of them 8.3 real/krooked slicks? I'll buy them off you if you're really over them.
[close]
No, they’re all Welcome 8.5 Evil Twins sadly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on February 20, 2023, 09:45:44 AM
Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.

I was gifted a Chris Roberts twin tail deck from someone who hated it and … I also hated it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 20, 2023, 10:33:42 AM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]

I was gifted a Chris Roberts twin tail deck from someone who hated it and … I also hated it.

Lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 20, 2023, 12:17:50 PM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]

I was gifted a Chris Roberts twin tail deck from someone who hated it and … I also hated it.
I avoided those cause that 14 inch wheelbase 🫠
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on February 20, 2023, 12:40:02 PM
I'd skate a smaller wheelbase on ventures or thunders....twin is ok every now and then but I'm not crazy about the short nose either.....I pretty much call them...'shuv machines...'
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 20, 2023, 01:22:04 PM
Stay sane. Less thinking more skating

Best thing ever posted in this thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 20, 2023, 03:15:36 PM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.
[close]

I don't get what PS said at all. I've never done the same tricks either off the tail or nose depending on how I want to do them. Is anybody doing that? I'm gonna kickflip off the tail, no matter the spot. No multitooling here. I think having a fat nose only feels better because it's what we're used to.
I just switched from the 8.0 Ishod twin to the 8.25 neen twin and the kicks feel perfect. The kicks on the 8 are small, 6.5 I think. And they were flat as well, felt dangerous. So that's actually my limit for a "nose" size. 6.6-6.7 is fine.

Another thing is truck tightness, once you stop obsessing over the trucks being 100% exactly the same, it doesn't matter at all. Imagine if one truck was 5% tighter and no one on the sesh had a tool. You'd stop caring after 5 minutes, just skate and probably forget about it/don't even notice it.

Stay sane. Less thinking more skating



Ha yeah, it is the "madness thread" and I do tend to stay away from / not really get into the PS stuff too deep, but that made sense to me - just the bit to have a nose as a nose and a tail as a tail.

Trying some things on the nose worked better than the tail, but I definitely skate my board the normal way, nose in front, back foot on the tail for all my usual skating.

I think I had learned to and prefer pop shovs off the nose cause that was the starting trick to a run back in the day and the rest of the run was all normal stuff forwards so still prefer that, maybe because I do a lot of pop shovs and keep the tail lasting longer or whatever, but when skating the twin, I always would have my front foot falling off the nose on lots of things, eg nose slides just didn't work as well, nose blunts on transition were a struggle, so a normal board with a normal nose worked for all those things for me.  Sometimes if a normal blunt was not working, it was easier using the nose to do it, but that was few and far between, even though others would often do that.

As too all the other things he goes into about some people skating the board backwards for some things or whatever it was, I have a few people I know who are like that and I try to stay clear of their "madness" in that regard as well.

I really don't want to be drawn into the talks about certain things like that, but from skating a twin nose, it was almost more the other problems like kicking the board when pushing cause the end was too steep, but that was more my own issue with being used to a flatter tail on all my boards.



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Stay sane. Less thinking more skating
[close]

Best thing ever posted in this thread.



For sure!!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on February 20, 2023, 05:15:22 PM
I got a Jaako Element at 8.25/14.25/31.9 in the mail today to replace my Madars Element 8.38/14.25/31.9.

I was expecting the shapes to be the same, but I'm excited that the 8.25 has blunter, more full nose and tail compared to the 8.38 (which is noticeably pointier like Baker OG shapes).

I've been super curious about tapered 8.38 vs full 8.25 and this is probably the closest A to B I could hope for. Excited to see how it goes.

Also was watching ESP Volume 2 and realized I have basically a full Westgate setup right now with the Madars 8.38, Venture 5.8s, Rictas and NB# 508s haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 20, 2023, 05:22:36 PM
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Blah, thought I’d go back to a twin tail with one of my setups. Didn’t last two sessions. Just feels weird having both my trucks at the same tightness, feels like I’m going to swerve out because my back trucks are too loose.

Back to normal decks. Plus I kinda like having a longer nose.
[close]


That is one thing I agree with when Prof Schmitt said it is like a multi tool, having two kicks the same felt like I was missing part of the board.

I can see how it works for some people, but I definitely like a nose and a tail, as well as a dedicated front truck and a dedicated back truck.  Front is one to two turns less than the back usually.
[close]

I don't get what PS said at all. I've never done the same tricks either off the tail or nose depending on how I want to do them. Is anybody doing that? I'm gonna kickflip off the tail, no matter the spot. No multitooling here. I think having a fat nose only feels better because it's what we're used to.
I just switched from the 8.0 Ishod twin to the 8.25 neen twin and the kicks feel perfect. The kicks on the 8 are small, 6.5 I think. And they were flat as well, felt dangerous. So that's actually my limit for a "nose" size. 6.6-6.7 is fine.

Another thing is truck tightness, once you stop obsessing over the trucks being 100% exactly the same, it doesn't matter at all. Imagine if one truck was 5% tighter and no one on the sesh had a tool. You'd stop caring after 5 minutes, just skate and probably forget about it/don't even notice it.

Stay sane. Less thinking more skating
I don’t need the trucks to be the same. It’s just the tighter side feels better as my back truck cause that’s how all my other setups are. I just like how it feels when the front truck is looser. I’ll probably keep my twin tails and just ride them like regular ones.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 20, 2023, 05:31:10 PM
I got a Jaako Element at 8.25/14.25/31.9 in the mail today to replace my Madars Element 8.38/14.25/31.9.

I was expecting the shapes to be the same, but I'm excited that the 8.25 has blunter, more full nose and tail compared to the 8.38 (which is noticeably pointier like Baker OG shapes).

I've been super curious about tapered 8.38 vs full 8.25 and this is probably the closest A to B I could hope for. Excited to see how it goes.

Also was watching ESP Volume 2 and realized I have basically a full Westgate setup right now with the Madars 8.38, Venture 5.8s, Rictas and NB# 508s haha.

I got a Jaakko 8.25 and Madars 8.38 during a sale and the both had a similar tapered nose with a short feeling tail. Shape was reminiscent to 7.75s from the 2000s with the pointy kicks, but still less pointy than a Baker OG shape.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 20, 2023, 05:41:19 PM
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, help me find:

8.25" x ~32" x 14.25" WB under 7" nose, 6.5"+ tail. Mellow to Flat. PStix.

Something like a Baker OG/Mellow x Real Classic oval (but smaller WB) shape-style, but NOT pointy or square, more like a 'rounded full' The DLX "8.28" would be perfect if the WB was longer.

Closest I can find are:

T.U.
(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=TULV82DK-2.jpg)

Zero (ugh) - no idea who's pressing them these days
(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=ZESMSDK-2.jpg)

Both look like the noses are long and not full/rounded tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on February 20, 2023, 05:55:13 PM
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I got a Jaako Element at 8.25/14.25/31.9 in the mail today to replace my Madars Element 8.38/14.25/31.9.

I was expecting the shapes to be the same, but I'm excited that the 8.25 has blunter, more full nose and tail compared to the 8.38 (which is noticeably pointier like Baker OG shapes).

I've been super curious about tapered 8.38 vs full 8.25 and this is probably the closest A to B I could hope for. Excited to see how it goes.

Also was watching ESP Volume 2 and realized I have basically a full Westgate setup right now with the Madars 8.38, Venture 5.8s, Rictas and NB# 508s haha.
[close]

I got a Jaakko 8.25 and Madars 8.38 during a sale and the both had a similar tapered nose with a short feeling tail. Shape was reminiscent to 7.75s from the 2000s with the pointy kicks, but still less pointy than a Baker OG shape.

Both of them have 6.5" tails. The 8.38 isn't as pointy as a Baker OG but it's on that side.

I haven't gripped the 8.25 but the one I have is definitely fuller/rounder in both nose and tail. Which graphics did you have?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 20, 2023, 06:05:37 PM
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, help me find:

8.25" x ~32" x 14.25" WB under 7" nose, 6.5"+ tail. Mellow to Flat. PStix.

Something like a Baker OG/Mellow x Real Classic oval (but smaller WB) shape-style, but NOT pointy or square, more like a 'rounded full' The DLX "8.28" would be perfect if the WB was longer.

Closest I can find are:

T.U.
(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=TULV82DK-2.jpg)

Zero (ugh) - no idea who's pressing them these days
(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=ZESMSDK-2.jpg)

Both look like the noses are long and not full/rounded tho.

Some folks claiming toy machine still has ps boards. I can’t tell what’s what, unless it’s in hand, and the shops near me haven’t had a toy machine board in ten years



The dimensions you are asking for are very reasonable/normal skateboard measurements. Ps just had no market share…quasi has a few options, that would be a titch too short in overall length.
I personally think western edition boards are beautiful, and claim to be ps, but they do not publish much on their shapes. No other dimensions, if I was going to mail order a board, that’s what I would get, but I can be very not picky when I’m just getting any 7.75 or 8.

The strangelove balloon boy might work. Their shapes were very…different. Often quite square, sometimes looking barnyard inspired. Other shapes looked like really old girl shapes, early 2000s (which I of course loved). I am a big fan of this company, and their graphics, but not for everyone. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 20, 2023, 06:55:13 PM
The trick about quasi is finding them it seems (the 8.25s) the Proto is easy to find but not a fan anymore.

The 'rest' of the boards that size is the nose being super long as I hate long/straight but rounded tip noses (like the last toy machine I rode); full round noses are super hard to come by to seems.

The SC 8.28 is really close, but it's not exactly flat and the WB is some fucknutt 14.188 BS.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 20, 2023, 07:19:33 PM
The trick about quasi is finding them it seems (the 8.25s) the Proto is easy to find but not a fan anymore.

The 'rest' of the boards that size is the nose being super long as I hate long/straight but rounded tip noses (like the last toy machine I rode); full round noses are super hard to come by to seems.

The SC 8.28 is really close, but it's not exactly flat and the WB is some fucknutt 14.188 BS.

Yeah the proto taper is significant.
I can’t really tell the difference with those weird wb measurements, I just know that for some reason I don’t like em. There have been a few exceptions: the first Al Davis pro board with the headhunters graphic was a fucking alltimer for me. And I’ve liked that one 8.125 quasi shape that every right minded person hates because of the weird ass tail, that I came to love. The consistent thing in those boards working for me, was 147s. Speaking of shapes for 147s, I’ll eventually buy a 9jah board, I just won’t admit to it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 20, 2023, 07:40:43 PM
Based on the dims and the whole write-up about it, I bet that nigel board is damn close to the quasi.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on February 20, 2023, 08:52:01 PM
Just went into the shop just to buy some hardware to finish building a board I didn't need (Enjoi Thaynan 8.75 - putting Ace AF1 55s and 54mm conical 101s) and walked out with an Anti Hero 10 Curbmandments 8.5 with a 13.75 wheelbase.  Last board I skated with a sub 14 wheelbase was 32 years ago - the Per Welinder Nordic Sperm - and it was amazing.  I'm putting Thunder Ti 149s to start and don't know the wheel.  I've got 52mm classic 99a, 54mm V1 Dragons, 51 and 53mm V2 STFs, and probably something else. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 21, 2023, 12:57:43 AM
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I got a Jaako Element at 8.25/14.25/31.9 in the mail today to replace my Madars Element 8.38/14.25/31.9.

I was expecting the shapes to be the same, but I'm excited that the 8.25 has blunter, more full nose and tail compared to the 8.38 (which is noticeably pointier like Baker OG shapes).

I've been super curious about tapered 8.38 vs full 8.25 and this is probably the closest A to B I could hope for. Excited to see how it goes.

Also was watching ESP Volume 2 and realized I have basically a full Westgate setup right now with the Madars 8.38, Venture 5.8s, Rictas and NB# 508s haha.
[close]

I got a Jaakko 8.25 and Madars 8.38 during a sale and the both had a similar tapered nose with a short feeling tail. Shape was reminiscent to 7.75s from the 2000s with the pointy kicks, but still less pointy than a Baker OG shape.
[close]

Both of them have 6.5" tails. The 8.38 isn't as pointy as a Baker OG but it's on that side.

I haven't gripped the 8.25 but the one I have is definitely fuller/rounder in both nose and tail. Which graphics did you have?



Depends where they are from, as there are at least three woodshops making those boards - BBS (mexico), HLC for EU and unknown woodshop from China.

I had the BBS and China Element boards pass through my hands to others and there are definitely significant differences in the shapes, even though they are almost the same dimensions.

Interesting to see them and stand on them, even though I didn't skate those ones myself, but others have enjoyed both types from the two different woodshops.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 21, 2023, 01:09:24 AM
The trick about quasi is finding them it seems (the 8.25s) the Proto is easy to find but not a fan anymore.

The 'rest' of the boards that size is the nose being super long as I hate long/straight but rounded tip noses (like the last toy machine I rode); full round noses are super hard to come by to seems.

The SC 8.28 is really close, but it's not exactly flat and the WB is some fucknutt 14.188 BS.


I had a bit of a look at some bigger shops that have search options for width 8.25 and wheelbase 14.25 and quite a few came up at 32 (take into consideration PS Stix measure with the concave so boards listed as 32.2 are more like 32 even), including Glue, WKND and Pizza if you were specifically after PS Stix.  Some of those are on sale from the sale gear thread too, I think I read.

As to other brands that come up on other woodshops, the Enjoi mellow kicks, mellow concave Louie board, Polar depending on which board from the stack, Magenta are often more mellow than other BBS board brands, and more, including Zero, DGK, and even the shop boards of the 8.25 size measure right on those dimensions with a decent shape.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on February 21, 2023, 07:07:54 AM
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I got a Jaako Element at 8.25/14.25/31.9 in the mail today to replace my Madars Element 8.38/14.25/31.9.

I was expecting the shapes to be the same, but I'm excited that the 8.25 has blunter, more full nose and tail compared to the 8.38 (which is noticeably pointier like Baker OG shapes).

I've been super curious about tapered 8.38 vs full 8.25 and this is probably the closest A to B I could hope for. Excited to see how it goes.

Also was watching ESP Volume 2 and realized I have basically a full Westgate setup right now with the Madars 8.38, Venture 5.8s, Rictas and NB# 508s haha.
[close]

I got a Jaakko 8.25 and Madars 8.38 during a sale and the both had a similar tapered nose with a short feeling tail. Shape was reminiscent to 7.75s from the 2000s with the pointy kicks, but still less pointy than a Baker OG shape.
[close]

Both of them have 6.5" tails. The 8.38 isn't as pointy as a Baker OG but it's on that side.

I haven't gripped the 8.25 but the one I have is definitely fuller/rounder in both nose and tail. Which graphics did you have?
[close]



Depends where they are from, as there are at least three woodshops making those boards - BBS (mexico), HLC for EU and unknown woodshop from China.

I had the BBS and China Element boards pass through my hands to others and there are definitely significant differences in the shapes, even though they are almost the same dimensions.

Interesting to see them and stand on them, even though I didn't skate those ones myself, but others have enjoyed both types from the two different woodshops.

I only buy the pro model BBS boards.

I gripped the 8.25 last night. The difference isn't as drastic as I first thought, but the 8.25 I have is definitely fuller than the three 8.38s I skated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 21, 2023, 09:35:50 AM
My recent polar was 8.25*32" with a 14.25wb, my last polar was 8.25*31.875 with the 14.125wb; the shape was much better. The 32” has very straight rails on the kicks, preferred the roundedness of the shorter one.

The dims are easy to track down, kick shape not so much. Couldn’t find anything local either.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 21, 2023, 01:55:24 PM
Damn I didn't know the 14.125 Polar was real. Every single Polar 8.25 and 8.125 I have ever come across in a shop and measured (more than I'd care to admit) are 14.25 and look incredibly similar. Was it by chance a team graphic and not a pro graphic?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on February 22, 2023, 02:11:55 AM
Alright, I didn’t think I’d go cuckoo on this shit but I am, so some insights until I can test out my madness, 4 days from now.

I retired my last set of very ground down 149s in favour of bumping up to 159s for grind clearance on the one spot I still routinely skate.

 I skated this place for years on my last trucks and had no issue, I just never fully locked into this one curb and I wanted that shit locked in, the 159s do that but everything else felt off ever so slightly.

I’ve had the grand idea now that when I really need is to push my wheels out with washers so I can get more truck millimetres to grind and that might just lock me in. I fully intend on biking to the spot with this new set of 149s with 3 washers inside to place atop my elusive curb and bring the 159 hangers with me in case this shit blows up in my face.

 This is probably the longest thing I’ve posted on SLAP. Thank you for your time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on February 22, 2023, 02:29:21 AM
Alright, I didn’t think I’d go cuckoo on this shit but I am, so some insights until I can test out my madness, 4 days from now.

I retired my last set of very ground down 149s in favour of bumping up to 159s for grind clearance on the one spot I still routinely skate.

 I skated this place for years on my last trucks and had no issue, I just never fully locked into this one curb and I wanted that shit locked in, the 159s do that but everything else felt off ever so slightly.

I’ve had the grand idea now that when I really need is to push my wheels out with washers so I can get more truck millimetres to grind and that might just lock me in. I fully intend on biking to the spot with this new set of 149s with 3 washers inside to place atop my elusive curb and bring the 159 hangers with me in case this shit blows up in my face.

 This is probably the longest thing I’ve posted on SLAP. Thank you for your time.

Give the 159s some time. New trucks suck anyway and it definitely takes getting used to going wider.

I went from Ace 44 Classics (8.35”) to Ace AF1 66s (9.0”) to AF1 55s (8.5”) to Classic 66s (9.35”) to AF1 60s (8.75”) to AF1 55s (8.5”) and was going all over the place with every change until I got used to the new width. Of these only the Classic 66s (9.35”) felt like something I couldn’t be completely happy with.

Having typed all that it’s clear that I’ve been suffering from quite some madness myself because this all happened in a little over a year. Been happy with the AF1 55s (8.5”) for a good while now but the Indy Stage 4s are tempting me.  :-X
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on February 22, 2023, 04:08:57 AM
Alright, I didn’t think I’d go cuckoo on this shit but I am, so some insights until I can test out my madness, 4 days from now.

I retired my last set of very ground down 149s in favour of bumping up to 159s for grind clearance on the one spot I still routinely skate.

 I skated this place for years on my last trucks and had no issue, I just never fully locked into this one curb and I wanted that shit locked in, the 159s do that but everything else felt off ever so slightly.

I’ve had the grand idea now that when I really need is to push my wheels out with washers so I can get more truck millimetres to grind and that might just lock me in. I
fully intend on biking to the spot with this new set of 149s with 3 washers inside to place atop my elusive curb and bring the 159 hangers with me in case this shit blows up in my face.

 This is probably the longest thing I’ve posted on SLAP. Thank you for your time.

You can def do this and most axles will let you get 3-4 rings on, but just be careful not to use old nuts with blown out nylock and keep an eye on it if you're doing slappies. When the nut is flush it doesn't take much to loosen it up and, trust me on this one, it's not fun to randomly slam and then as you're laying there dazed wondering what the fuck happened see your wheel roll past all on its own, then spend the next half hour futilely backtracking and trying to find your axle nut.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 22, 2023, 04:45:21 AM
Alright, I didn’t think I’d go cuckoo on this shit but I am, so some insights until I can test out my madness, 4 days from now.

I retired my last set of very ground down 149s in favour of bumping up to 159s for grind clearance on the one spot I still routinely skate.

 I skated this place for years on my last trucks and had no issue, I just never fully locked into this one curb and I wanted that shit locked in, the 159s do that but everything else felt off ever so slightly.

I’ve had the grand idea now that when I really need is to push my wheels out with washers so I can get more truck millimetres to grind and that might just lock me in. I fully intend on biking to the spot with this new set of 149s with 3 washers inside to place atop my elusive curb and bring the 159 hangers with me in case this shit blows up in my face.

 This is probably the longest thing I’ve posted on SLAP. Thank you for your time.

Using extra washers on the inside bearing not only gives you a bit more hanger space, but it also can make your axle nut flush which makes it harder to fuck up the threads on. Also looks nice imo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 22, 2023, 07:31:14 AM
Gonna set up a depop in the next week or so. Felt like I was literally losing my mind due to madness, so I’m gonna stick with 8.5 FA/Hockey, Indy 159 Hollows, and Spitfire tablets for now. Not sure how much it’ll be to ship decks, if it’s too expensive I may drop them off at my local, maybe stagger them so one person doesn’t grab ‘em all.

Honestly, the only things I may be able to sell are these Welcome twin tails and size 13 Tyshawn’s (Tiago’s look more comfy and I unironically love #NB).

Yesterday I saw Kelly Hart’s setup video on YouTube. I imagine a lot of pros ride the same shape for as long as possible. I’ve started to think about it like having a job—it’d be annoying to learn a new system every week. Like going from MacOS, Windows, then Linux and back multiple times a month lol. Over a decade ago I realized that Mac is my preferred system and I’ve been with them ever since. Time to do the same with skateboarding 😅

TL;DR: I’m done lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 22, 2023, 07:41:42 AM
Gonna set up a depop in the next week or so. Felt like I was literally losing my mind due to madness, so I’m gonna stick with 8.5 FA/Hockey, Indy 159 Hollows, and Spitfire tablets for now. Not sure how much it’ll be to ship decks, if it’s too expensive I may drop them off at my local, maybe stagger them so one person doesn’t grab ‘em all.

Honestly, the only things I may be able to sell are these Welcome twin tails and size 13 Tyshawn’s (Tiago’s look more comfy and I unironically love #NB).

Yesterday I saw Kelly Hart’s setup video on YouTube. I imagine a lot of pros ride the same shape for as long as possible. I’ve started to think about it like having a job—it’d be annoying to learn a new system every week. Like going from MacOS, Windows, then Linux and back multiple times a month lol. Over a decade ago I realized that Mac is my preferred system and I’ve been with them ever since. Time to do the same with skateboarding 😅

TL;DR: I’m done lol

godspeed solider
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 22, 2023, 09:25:38 AM
I tried a Baker 8.25 recently on forged hollows and a couple things were nice on it, but man- I hated it. Thunders on that deck instantly made it better. Debating trying standard Indys on it even tho historically speaking I haven't skated as well on them and have a nice happy place home with my Thunder and Venture setups. I think its cognitive dissonance on that I know Indys turn well and that's cool, but I want to be able to skate them well since everyone else out there seems to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on February 22, 2023, 09:34:47 AM
I tried a Baker 8.25 recently on forged hollows and a couple things were nice on it, but man- I hated it. Thunders on that deck instantly made it better. Debating trying standard Indys on it even tho historically speaking I haven't skated as well on them and have a nice happy place home with my Thunder and Venture setups. I think its cognitive dissonance on that I know Indys turn well and that's cool, but I want to be able to skate them well since everyone else out there seems to.

I cant imagine you will enjoy the weight of an indy standard if your comfort zone is thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 22, 2023, 10:00:30 AM
The baker 8.25  + Thunders messes with my manual point, I can get used to it, but it throws me off.

I was going to pick one up (I ditched my last one after a week or so) but all the newer ones are listed as 31.5", too short.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on February 22, 2023, 11:06:13 AM
Ya it's still not my absolute favorite for sure but it went from being legit annoyed skating it to "meh, I can live with this for a bit". That is until I slapped on my normal BBS 8.38 and was like 'fuuuuuckin nice, I'm home'
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 22, 2023, 05:11:18 PM
Ya it's still not my absolute favorite for sure but it went from being legit annoyed skating it to "meh, I can live with this for a bit". That is until I slapped on my normal BBS 8.38 and was like 'fuuuuuckin nice, I'm home'

Dat feel when all the gear madness pays off
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on February 22, 2023, 09:12:21 PM

Dat feel when all the gear madness pays off

I skated the Anti Hero True Fit 8.5 yesterday for the first time. I landed an impossible first try.

 Last one I tried was probably in August. 

Gear Madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on February 23, 2023, 11:46:26 AM
I just won a set of trucks and I feel like the circle of madness is closed.
I won thunder hollow lights, and my madness started 3 years ago after thunder sent me hollow lights instead of titaniums and I somehow couldn't handle them. But the trucks were never the problem, I switched wheel size at the same time but thought the weight is throwing me off...Idiot. Ended up selling the hollow lights.

After that happened, I basically bought every truck in order to find out what could replace my titaniums in terms of pop feel. The solution was never found. But now I'm much more wise and know that hollow lights pretty much feel exactly the same as the titaniums if I use the same wheel size.

Gonna skate thunder hollow lights and titaniums forever now. Haven't felt like switching trucks for months and I'm progressing much faster because of that. Sold most of my non-thunder trucks and gonna give the rest away.

TLDR:
1. Never switch 2 components of your setup at the same time.
2. Stick to what you're used to if you want to progress.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 23, 2023, 07:03:35 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 23, 2023, 07:19:52 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴

I've dismantled all but one board and dropped a ton of 'I'll never skate this/these again' parts of all types off at various spots to slowly de-pop.

What I need to do next is sell off some unused Venture (x2) and Thunders....and some used 161 thunders that are just sitting there taking up space...maybe those IKP royals I don't skate since I move to hollow platets....ugh
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 23, 2023, 08:32:57 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴

I count 17 boards on that stack, I'm probably just as deep on boards. Got some Indy TI and Mids on impulse last week, now I'm regretting it because I ride nothing but Ventures and all my tricks are feeling so dialed on them. At least 10 sets of SML wheels, some Spitfire, Dialtone and NFG wheels. And a box of 20 sheet Iron Horse grip for consistency.

Work has been catching up so I have less time to browse deals online, been averaging 3-4 sessions a week so I've worried less about my setup.

@Xen hit me up if you're planning on selling those Ventures.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 23, 2023, 08:37:59 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴
[close]

I've dismantled all but one board and dropped a ton of 'I'll never skate this/these again' parts of all types off at various spots to slowly de-pop.

What I need to do next is sell off some unused Venture (x2) and Thunders....and some used 161 thunders that are just sitting there taking up space...maybe those IKP royals I don't skate since I move to hollow platets....ugh
Yeah I’m giving some stuff away and trying to sell what I can. It’s just gonna be a hassle to ship the decks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 23, 2023, 08:44:51 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴
[close]

I count 17 boards on that stack, I'm probably just as deep on boards. Got some Indy TI and Mids on impulse last week, now I'm regretting it because I ride nothing but Ventures and all my tricks are feeling so dialed on them. At least 10 sets of SML wheels, some Spitfire, Dialtone and NFG wheels. And a box of 20 sheet Iron Horse grip for consistency.

Work has been catching up so I have less time to browse deals online, been averaging 3-4 sessions a week so I've worried less about my setup.

@Xen hit me up if you're planning on selling those Ventures.
I’m trying to stay busy, cause when I get bored I fired up Tactics now instead of IG, which leads to impulse buying. Like today I have the urge to stock up on these OJ Hardline wheels cause I lowkey like them more than Spitfires. But I’m fighting the urge. I’ll just replace my current wheels when they hit 48-49mm.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 23, 2023, 08:53:20 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴
[close]

I've dismantled all but one board and dropped a ton of 'I'll never skate this/these again' parts of all types off at various spots to slowly de-pop.

What I need to do next is sell off some unused Venture (x2) and Thunders....and some used 161 thunders that are just sitting there taking up space...maybe those IKP royals I don't skate since I move to hollow platets....ugh

What’s the go to setup
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 23, 2023, 08:56:25 PM
Expand Quote
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(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴
[close]

I count 17 boards on that stack, I'm probably just as deep on boards. Got some Indy TI and Mids on impulse last week, now I'm regretting it because I ride nothing but Ventures and all my tricks are feeling so dialed on them. At least 10 sets of SML wheels, some Spitfire, Dialtone and NFG wheels. And a box of 20 sheet Iron Horse grip for consistency.

Work has been catching up so I have less time to browse deals online, been averaging 3-4 sessions a week so I've worried less about my setup.

@Xen hit me up if you're planning on selling those Ventures.
[close]
I’m trying to stay busy, cause when I get bored I fired up Tactics now instead of IG, which leads to impulse buying. Like today I have the urge to stock up on these OJ Hardline wheels cause I lowkey like them more than Spitfires. But I’m fighting the urge. I’ll just replace my current wheels when they hit 48-49mm.

I for SURE check skateshop sites WAAAAAAY more than lamestagram...

Shipping decks is never worth it (unless we're talking classic/rares/wall hangers), I'd rather dump them at a spot or give them someone at the park who needs it.

I've been pretty good lately....went back to indys, x97s and back up to an 8.25 after a stint on an 8.125 (though I did buy an extra of that 8.125 off ebay cuz cheap and it's sooo good).

Was on thunders and 99 spits (8.25SE real) and things were 'fine' I skated well but it just felt 'fine' it didn't feel comfy or special....threw on indys and x97s and skated the same but it was so much easier to skate (if heavier) and if felt sweet under feet, which to me, is better than 'fine' ya know?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 23, 2023, 09:28:27 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/n8y9HZf/IMG-2674.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n8y9HZf)(https://i.ibb.co/PTk38t2/IMG-2673.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTk38t2)
It's funny, the top deck on this stack is from Madness, and it's my least favorite. Guess that was another sign. Felt good dismantling four setups. You'd think I wouldn't order any more decks, but I just bought two 8.5 Hockey ones (gonna stick with that shape for the rest of 2023) 🥴
[close]

I count 17 boards on that stack, I'm probably just as deep on boards. Got some Indy TI and Mids on impulse last week, now I'm regretting it because I ride nothing but Ventures and all my tricks are feeling so dialed on them. At least 10 sets of SML wheels, some Spitfire, Dialtone and NFG wheels. And a box of 20 sheet Iron Horse grip for consistency.

Work has been catching up so I have less time to browse deals online, been averaging 3-4 sessions a week so I've worried less about my setup.

@Xen hit me up if you're planning on selling those Ventures.
[close]
I’m trying to stay busy, cause when I get bored I fired up Tactics now instead of IG, which leads to impulse buying. Like today I have the urge to stock up on these OJ Hardline wheels cause I lowkey like them more than Spitfires. But I’m fighting the urge. I’ll just replace my current wheels when they hit 48-49mm.
[close]

I for SURE check skateshop sites WAAAAAAY more than lamestagram...

Shipping decks is never worth it (unless we're talking classic/rares/wall hangers), I'd rather dump them at a spot or give them someone at the park who needs it.

I've been pretty good lately....went back to indys, x97s and back up to an 8.25 after a stint on an 8.125 (though I did buy an extra of that 8.125 off ebay cuz cheap and it's sooo good).

Was on thunders and 99 spits (8.25SE real) and things were 'fine' I skated well but it just felt 'fine' it didn't feel comfy or special....threw on indys and x97s and skated the same but it was so much easier to skate (if heavier) and if felt sweet under feet, which to me, is better than 'fine' ya know?

Totally.
Sometimes I just need to feel something. Just a little spark. I love skateboarding, but the mountain of crap I need to wade thru, to go suck/hurt, we’ll sometimes it helps to be stoked on the setup(s).

I’ve been pretty stuck on 8s, and lo setups.
When the anxiety in my life, in general, raises, then my internet time/desire to change my skateboard (or bike) goes way up.
Right now I’m thinking about going back to spending some time with a griffin Gass shape, wthunder 149s (have) and some x97 52s (want).


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on February 24, 2023, 03:28:21 AM
For me changing setups has given an easy way to be stoked on skating. Typing this out it feels like a completely stupid way of thinking but I think there is quite a bit of that happening for me at least.

I have my go to tricks that I can do quite ok. Changing setups makes it interesting for me to see how they work with the different setup. What adjustments I need to make to make the tricks work etc. I’ve been doing that a lot. It just leads me to not really learning new stuff as I spend so much time getting used to different shit.

Why do I do this then? Probably because if something doesn’t work nicely, I can blame it on the setup instead of my lack of skill and determination.

If I’d have the same or at least very similar setup all the time I would probably have to focus more on learning new tricks to keep myself stoked and for some reason that’s not as easy to accept mentally. Couldn’t blame anything except myself then and that’s uncomfortable. So the “madness” for me is at least partially a cop out.

Going forward I will try to focus more on mental strength and accepting my skill level and that it’s ok that I cannot do such and such tricks but I can learn if I want to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 24, 2023, 03:53:21 AM
For me changing setups has given an easy way to be stoked on skating. Typing this out it feels like a completely stupid way of thinking but I think there is quite a bit of that happening for me at least.

I have my go to tricks that I can do quite ok. Changing setups makes it interesting for me to see how they work with the different setup. What adjustments I need to make to make the tricks work etc. I’ve been doing that a lot. It just leads me to not really learning new stuff as I spend so much time getting used to different shit.

Why do I do this then? Probably because if something doesn’t work nicely, I can blame it on the setup instead of my lack of skill and determination.

If I’d have the same or at least very similar setup all the time I would probably have to focus more on learning new tricks to keep myself stoked and for some reason that’s not as easy to accept mentally. Couldn’t blame anything except myself then and that’s uncomfortable. So the “madness” for me is at least partially a cop out.

Going forward I will try to focus more on mental strength and accepting my skill level and that it’s ok that I cannot do such and such tricks but I can learn if I want to.
I get that. Skateboards are cheap enough and the configurations are basically endless. So it’s easy to get addicted to swapping shit out. I used to have a bad session, blame it on my gear, then buy something new. It’s why I have some 75mm Thunder Juice wheels that are total overkill lol. I bought them cause I wanted to go faster. Instead of working on my push, I just got bigger wheels 🙃

Just try to accept that there will be bad sessions.

But, but, I do get the fun in trying the same tricks on new setups. It can be a fun challenge for when things get stale.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 24, 2023, 07:33:40 AM
Since there is some talk about madness sources, and existential roles it fills, I'll add this...

Long, long, long ago I figured out what my "grail" set-up was. I have been consistently riding that ever since. But sometimes I get these crazy notions that I should try different equipment (and often it's equipment that I've previously tried, and dismissed, before). I've done this enough times over the years to clearly, conclusively, and decidedly know with acute conviction that dropping my wheelbase down is not going to really have any substantive impact on my meager 360 flips. I'll fight the urge to (re)buy something I've had before (and then given away after I've again concluded it's "not for me."). Usually I can fight the urge off, but sometimes the only way out is through...and then I suddenly find myself with some new gear.

The question is why. Why does this madness happen, even if the outcome is pretty much predetermined, and known?

I wrestled with this awhile. One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different results. Did I really think that trying Product Y for the Xth number of times was suddenly going to make it "functional"? Was I insane?

Somewhere along the line I figured out what was really going on, and this has helped me make some peace with the process (when it inevitably happens again). Thai food is my favorite thing to eat. What would happen if I had it for every single meal? I'd get sick of it, and want some variety. This, I think, is exactly what happens with gear. Sometimes I just get sick of riding the same damn set-up all the time (even if it is my grail set-up), and I just want some variety. The excitement of trying something "different," even if I know it's not going to be as good.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on February 24, 2023, 09:13:25 AM
Since there is some talk about madness sources, and existential roles it fills, I'll add this...

Long, long, long ago I figured out what my "grail" set-up was. I have been consistently riding that ever since. But sometimes I get these crazy notions that I should try different equipment (and often it's equipment that I've previously tried, and dismissed, before). I've done this enough times over the years to clearly, conclusively, and decidedly know with acute conviction that dropping my wheelbase down is not going to really have any substantive impact on my meager 360 flips. I'll fight the urge to (re)buy something I've had before (and then given away after I've again concluded it's "not for me."). Usually I can fight the urge off, but sometimes the only way out is through...and then I suddenly find myself with some new gear.

The question is why. Why does this madness happen, even if the outcome is pretty much predetermined, and known?

I wrestled with this awhile. One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different results. Did I really think that trying Product Y for the Xth number of times was suddenly going to make it "functional"? Was I insane?

Somewhere along the line I figured out what was really going on, and this has helped me make some peace with the process (when it inevitably happens again). Thai food is my favorite thing to eat. What would happen if I had it for every single meal? I'd get sick of it, and want some variety. This, I think, is exactly what happens with gear. Sometimes I just get sick of riding the same damn set-up all the time (even if it is my grail set-up), and I just want some variety. The excitement of trying something "different," even if I know it's not going to be as good.

I don't think that's similar at all. With thai food, all you do with it is eating it, nothing new. You can (and should...) do a lot of new skating with your current setup though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 24, 2023, 09:24:25 AM
Expand Quote
Since there is some talk about madness sources, and existential roles it fills, I'll add this...

Long, long, long ago I figured out what my "grail" set-up was. I have been consistently riding that ever since. But sometimes I get these crazy notions that I should try different equipment (and often it's equipment that I've previously tried, and dismissed, before). I've done this enough times over the years to clearly, conclusively, and decidedly know with acute conviction that dropping my wheelbase down is not going to really have any substantive impact on my meager 360 flips. I'll fight the urge to (re)buy something I've had before (and then given away after I've again concluded it's "not for me."). Usually I can fight the urge off, but sometimes the only way out is through...and then I suddenly find myself with some new gear.

The question is why. Why does this madness happen, even if the outcome is pretty much predetermined, and known?

I wrestled with this awhile. One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different results. Did I really think that trying Product Y for the Xth number of times was suddenly going to make it "functional"? Was I insane?

Somewhere along the line I figured out what was really going on, and this has helped me make some peace with the process (when it inevitably happens again). Thai food is my favorite thing to eat. What would happen if I had it for every single meal? I'd get sick of it, and want some variety. This, I think, is exactly what happens with gear. Sometimes I just get sick of riding the same damn set-up all the time (even if it is my grail set-up), and I just want some variety. The excitement of trying something "different," even if I know it's not going to be as good.
[close]

I don't think that's similar at all. With thai food, all you do with it is eating it, nothing new. You can (and should...) do a lot of new skating with your current setup though.

You are welcome to have different thoughts/opinions. Not everyone has the same madness. That said, the point may have evaded. No analogy is dead-on.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 24, 2023, 12:27:36 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Since there is some talk about madness sources, and existential roles it fills, I'll add this...

Long, long, long ago I figured out what my "grail" set-up was. I have been consistently riding that ever since. But sometimes I get these crazy notions that I should try different equipment (and often it's equipment that I've previously tried, and dismissed, before). I've done this enough times over the years to clearly, conclusively, and decidedly know with acute conviction that dropping my wheelbase down is not going to really have any substantive impact on my meager 360 flips. I'll fight the urge to (re)buy something I've had before (and then given away after I've again concluded it's "not for me."). Usually I can fight the urge off, but sometimes the only way out is through...and then I suddenly find myself with some new gear.

The question is why. Why does this madness happen, even if the outcome is pretty much predetermined, and known?

I wrestled with this awhile. One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different results. Did I really think that trying Product Y for the Xth number of times was suddenly going to make it "functional"? Was I insane?

Somewhere along the line I figured out what was really going on, and this has helped me make some peace with the process (when it inevitably happens again). Thai food is my favorite thing to eat. What would happen if I had it for every single meal? I'd get sick of it, and want some variety. This, I think, is exactly what happens with gear. Sometimes I just get sick of riding the same damn set-up all the time (even if it is my grail set-up), and I just want some variety. The excitement of trying something "different," even if I know it's not going to be as good.
[close]

I don't think that's similar at all. With thai food, all you do with it is eating it, nothing new. You can (and should...) do a lot of new skating with your current setup though.
[close]

You are welcome to have different thoughts/opinions. Not everyone has the same madness. That said, the point may have evaded. No analogy is dead-on.

I appreciated the musing. And found it accurate. I was dubbing my wildly different completes, whilst still attempting the same flatground tricks, a frantic/shitty version of pulling a chico. We’ve seen him nollie-heel a 2x4. I was kinda doing the same shit…’but CAN I KICKFLIP THIS!?’ Much like @Roisto mentioned, there is some letting one self off of the hook of learning new shit. ‘Hey man my trucks are hella loose, of course I can’t (fill in the blank), trucks too loose’/board too wide/narrow/I don’t normally skate 9”s etc.
For me, a huge, central, key component to the madness is the anxiety in my life, outside of skating. I had some personal tragedy in the last week. My posting on slap has increased 10x during this time. I’ve gone from being confident in Skating an 8ish board, on venture lo’s and 50s, to daydreaming about the one 8.5 setup that has worked for me, to contemplating setting up ace classic 55s on a smaller than that popsicle for the good kickflips. Cooked. The buying and giving away only to buy again is some weird consumerism issue I have.
Sometimes I just need some juice, dunno
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 24, 2023, 12:33:53 PM
...I had some personal tragedy in the last week...

I wish you well.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on February 24, 2023, 12:54:42 PM
On some thunder 149s right now and while some flip tricks feel better, I hate landing tricks on these. I have soft aftermarket bushings and they turn ok but I still feel train tracked on these. Either tic tacking out or tipping over. Been hearing tighter, more stable trucks make skating easier but I took a look at all my footage the past year and the best clps with the hardest skating have been on ace af1s. I'm a big dude too so this should make no sense. I think those are my trucks. I have an army of trucks in my closet that I should either give away or forget about.

I really do miss using stuff to its life's end and looking forward to buying new gear. Now if I buy new stuff, it's just stockpiled on ice til I decide my current ride needs something different. I'm sure I'd feel different if I was unable to obtain gear but it really is a mind fuck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nacho Maildrop on February 24, 2023, 01:13:46 PM
On some thunder 149s right now and while some flip tricks feel better, I hate landing tricks on these. I have soft aftermarket bushings and they turn ok but I still feel train tracked on these. Either tic tacking out or tipping over. Been hearing tighter, more stable trucks make skating easier but I took a look at all my footage the past year and the best clps with the hardest skating have been on ace af1s. I'm a big dude too so this should make no sense. I think those are my trucks. I have an army of trucks in my closet that I should either give away or forget about.

I really do miss using stuff to its life's end and looking forward to buying new gear. Now if I buy new stuff, it's just stockpiled on ice til I decide my current ride needs something different. I'm sure I'd feel different if I was unable to obtain gear but it really is a mind fuck.

I feel this. I haven't really seriously blown out any gear in a couple years. I also noticed that any time I am like "THIS IS IT!" and stockpile a specific shape or truck, I'll end up getting real sick of it real fast.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eviltgirl on February 25, 2023, 08:31:39 AM
I've been skating a DLX deck with a 14.69 wheelbase for the last few weeks and I kinda think I hate it.  I feel like my back truck never gets as high as it used to when I skated boards closer to 14.3-14.5.  Does this sound kinda right?  Like obviously somewhat a skill issue, but since we're in the madness thread, it checks out that a bigger wheelbase would make my ollie laggier right?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 25, 2023, 08:55:26 AM
I've been skating a DLX deck with a 14.69 wheelbase for the last few weeks and I kinda think I hate it.  I feel like my back truck never gets as high as it used to when I skated boards closer to 14.3-14.5.  Does this sound kinda right?  Like obviously somewhat a skill issue, but since we're in the madness thread, it checks out that a bigger wheelbase would make my ollie laggier right?

Wheelbase, IMHO, is the most important dimension on a deck. Kicktuns to kickflips, you can feel the difference WB makes. Too short and you'll feel really cramped and whippy. My ollies on decks with too short of a WB (for me) feel hobbled, like I can't really explode/tap the power of my legs...like trying to run, but not being allowed to reach full stride/stance. Too long and you'll feel really stretched out and slow, like trying to walk with your feet really wide apart (to the sides). For me, ollies on a deck with too big of a wheelbase feel very sluggish, heavy, and hard. The key is to find your optimal wheelbase for your size, body, and mechanics.

To further off-set this, longer WB decks are generally felt to be better for bigger ramps (more stability), where shorter WB decks are better for tech (can get foot flip board easier). It's all a matter of trial and error until you find what feels the most comfortable/functional to you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 25, 2023, 09:41:39 AM
Retailers, like us, are severely overstocked post COVID, aside from some Indy's om impulse I haven't added to the stack of decks of wheels. It's still going to be a while before we reach am equilibria of us buying stuff and shops regularly moving inventory.

Spending less time adding shit to cart has helped. Upcoming tax season is going to hurt and the tax man doesn't take payments in decks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 25, 2023, 01:07:06 PM
I feel better having one setup. It’s only been a few days, but I’m already less anxious 😌
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 25, 2023, 01:30:12 PM
I feel better having one setup. It’s only been a few days, but I’m already less anxious 😌

Just took a toddler to the local parking lot with 5 setups. And new shoes.
It was fun, but not exactly ‘relaxing’.
The range of the completes was really silly: 8.6 with classic ace 55s, to a 7.75 with 5.0 venture lo’s. Was t able to glean any info, far from scientific. First try kickflip on the board that is furthest from what would normally work, 14.75 wb and 9” axle trucks. Had to struggle with the 7.75, but got the best versions of the tricks I landed. Blah blah.
One setup better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on February 25, 2023, 06:51:18 PM
Skateboard madness, a circle in which you were better off where you started and wind up back there in the end.


I really should just ignore the madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 03, 2023, 07:09:21 PM
A gigantic catalyst for my madness is watching footage of those folks I admire.
Currently, this week, it is Wade, and Jacopo.
Supremely kooky, but I’ll try and figure out setups and then come somewhat close to replicating them. Sorta. I usually ballpark it. Anyways, it’s weird. It’s like doing a search for: ‘best computer for hackers’. Embarrassing.





But if anyone wants to tell me what Jacopo rides that’d be chill.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 03, 2023, 07:14:06 PM
A gigantic catalyst for my madness is watching footage of those folks I admire.
Currently, this week, it is Wade, and Jacopo.
Supremely kooky, but I’ll try and figure out setups and then come somewhat close to replicating them. Sorta. I usually ballpark it. Anyways, it’s weird. It’s like doing a search for: ‘best computer for hackers’. Embarrassing.





But if anyone wants to tell me what Jacopo rides that’d be chill.
I get that. After seeing Leo’s part I had the urge to go back to a Toy Machine deck. But I’ve managed to stick to my one setup. As time passes, I have less of an urge to change it. At the end of the day it’s just a tool, and I need to focus on just getting better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on March 03, 2023, 07:17:40 PM
Damn these pro skaters for putting out banger video parts to get me interested in their products!!!

But same here, Leo's part got me hunting for a Toy Machine deck, but the 2 days later the feeling faded and I'm back to my stack.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 03, 2023, 07:22:47 PM
Like most addictive things I’ve been around, some time interruption helps the ‘need’ fade.
I am pretty impressed/dismayed, at how malleable I am on this subject.
I think @Macho Taildrop mentioned something similar, somewhere, but as soon as I say: ‘14 wb or nothing’ or ‘i relate to 8s’ then I am for certain going to be back here, hat in hand, scuffing my shoe, unsure as ever, within s month or less.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 03, 2023, 07:48:18 PM
Damn these pro skaters for putting out banger video parts to get me interested in their products!!!

But same here, Leo's part got me hunting for a Toy Machine deck, but the 2 days later the feeling faded and I'm back to my stack.
Yeah, screw them for doing their jobs so well lol😅

I’m tempted to cut out all skate media to kill the urge, but I enjoy watching new parts. Luckily the urge does go away if you can delay purchases.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Daewons front truck on March 04, 2023, 03:04:26 PM
this is probably going to sound really strange, but for some reason I can only skate trucks with a raw/silver hanger or black hanger. The base plate doesn't matter to me though. if I'm skating something with a different color hanger I feel off my game. I know this is completely psychological, but it feels like it takes longer to land tricks. It's just kind of like a feeling that my board isn't set up right. It almost feels like I'm skating someone elses board, even if it's the same brand and size. Does this make any sense to anybody? Does anyone else have something so minor fuck with your head this much? I feel even more insane typing this,  nad you guys are going to think I'm a fucking lunatic but I need to know if it's just me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank on March 04, 2023, 05:04:57 PM
merging this into hardware pet peeves thread

EDIT:

for some reason the hardware pet peeves thread won't show up anymore in search or can't be merged. since it has been dead for a while anyway, this will be the new one now and the thread will be left up.

@Daewons front truck would you be alright with this being a general hardware ocd thread and not have it truck specific? as mentioned we used to have a thread for irrational gear madness like this. it might be better to have one for all parts, as opposed to have several threads about each component.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 04, 2023, 05:12:55 PM
https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=88869.0
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank on March 04, 2023, 05:17:45 PM
^

i thought this was about esoterics, like skating only certain colors, not really talking functionality. i feel like it's ok to have that be its own topic. imo it shouldn't be just about trucks tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 04, 2023, 05:48:34 PM
^

i thought this was about esoterics, like skating only certain colors, not really talking functionality. i feel like it's ok to have that be its own topic. imo it shouldn't be just about trucks tho.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=122395.0
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank on March 04, 2023, 06:42:07 PM
Expand Quote
^

i thought this was about esoterics, like skating only certain colors, not really talking functionality. i feel like it's ok to have that be its own topic. imo it shouldn't be just about trucks tho.
[close]

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=122395.0

thanks for the link! gonna try to merge the threads.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nacho Maildrop on March 05, 2023, 05:57:40 AM
Like most addictive things I’ve been around, some time interruption helps the ‘need’ fade.
I am pretty impressed/dismayed, at how malleable I am on this subject.
I think @Macho Taildrop mentioned something similar, somewhere, but as soon as I say: ‘14 wb or nothing’ or ‘i relate to 8s’ then I am for certain going to be back here, hat in hand, scuffing my shoe, unsure as ever, within s month or less.

Yeah I'm banned from saying concrete things about my gear preferences. I have two pretty opposite setups, hoping it will contain shit but I doubt it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on March 05, 2023, 12:00:34 PM
Today I went skating with 2 extra sets of thunder hangers in my backpack.
On my board are titanium hangers with 52mm wheels.
The extras I brought are hollow hangers with 50mm wheels (Do I want a lower setup?) and standard hangers with 54mm wheels (Do I want a heavier/higher setup?)

Quickly tried all of them in 15 minutes and found out my current truck setup already feels the best. Best case scenario.
I've found that just really quickly trying stuff and making a decision calms the madness. Got it all over with and had a great session.

I feel pretty stupid about it, but I'm also happy. Trying stuff is fine, just never let it ruin your session/life
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank on March 05, 2023, 12:28:08 PM
if possible i will go out of my way to find bolts that have silver nuts to match baseplates.

after suffering from truck madness for a while, using different bushings and shit, i've went the other way in the last few years  to the point were i'm afraid to put anything but stock components in my trucks and am a little obsessed to keep them as og as possible.

i don't skate certain top ply colors, not necessarily out of superstition, i just dislike looking down on a red, blue or yellow ply framing my grip. whereas i love orange, brown, purple, teal, grey/black. i don't ever skate natural top ply decks. they make me think i ride a toy board.

for a while i ocd'd on using 3 bolts per truck. this was originally due to me losing 2 bolts. after i set up the next few boards with only 6 bolts, i couldn't or didn't want to go back. i had to completely lose my whole setup to have me buy a new set of bolts, only to keep doing the same thing and then keep the two unused bolts as spares. after a little hiatus i was doing skatestuff inventory and was trying to build up a setup from what i had and had put 4 bolts back in. since then i am back on full boltage.

i think one of my main problems is that once i settled into a useless pet peeve, it's very hard for me to let go of them because they provide me with a weird sense of comfort.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on March 05, 2023, 05:07:44 PM
Had a great final session today (finally! weather) on my 8.38/5.8 setup. After skating a board to completion on 5.8s I can definitely say I skate better on Ventures vs. Indy.

Now I'm trying a 8.25 that's fuller in nose and tail than the three 8.38s I skated in a row. After setting it up and looking at it for awhile the 5.8s don't bother me aesthetically on the 8.25.

Really excited to skate it. Been getting really close to some new flip tricks. Hoping the smaller and new board will help!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on March 05, 2023, 08:22:44 PM
What trucks would you guys pair with a shorter board with long wheelbase?

I usually stick to 8.25/8.35 x 32 x 14.25/14.38 with Ventures, got a LB Skate Co deck that is 8.38 x 31.6 x 14.25. Last time I rode a short deck with long wheelbase (short tail - 6.3" tail) but the fat nose got me interest to try it out.

What trucks would you pair with these dims? Rode Ace AF1 Lows a while back but too twitchy for my likings. Thinking Indy Mid Forged or Thunder 149 Team Hollows?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 05, 2023, 08:57:23 PM
What trucks would you guys pair with a shorter board with long wheelbase?

I usually stick to 8.25/8.35 x 32 x 14.25/14.38 with Ventures, got a LB Skate Co deck that is 8.38 x 31.6 x 14.25. Last time I rode a short deck with long wheelbase (short tail - 6.3" tail) but the fat nose got me interest to try it out.

What trucks would you pair with these dims? Rode Ace AF1 Lows a while back but too twitchy for my likings. Thinking Indy Mid Forged or Thunder 149 Team Hollows?

I really like ventures on short tails, thunders too. I already use more of a just the tip, foot position. Ball of the back foot, near the back edge of the tail.
One of my favorite shapes is the G053 Gass shape, from girl. 6.4+ tail. Always skated it on 149 teams.

Ever since I watched that damn Jacopo followed video, I’ve really wanted to set up some aces. I’m guessing he skates af-1 44s (shameless solicitation for information)… I’ll add that I have the totally unique experience of really enjoying the way aces turn, whilst having small pop, and landing even less tricks than usual. I’ll try and hold steady
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on March 05, 2023, 09:42:21 PM
What trucks would you guys pair with a shorter board with long wheelbase?

I usually stick to 8.25/8.35 x 32 x 14.25/14.38 with Ventures, got a LB Skate Co deck that is 8.38 x 31.6 x 14.25. Last time I rode a short deck with long wheelbase (short tail - 6.3" tail) but the fat nose got me interest to try it out.

What trucks would you pair with these dims? Rode Ace AF1 Lows a while back but too twitchy for my likings. Thinking Indy Mid Forged or Thunder 149 Team Hollows?

Clutch O shape?   I'm currently on it with Indy Ti, but last summer I rode the K shape (more tapered instead of full) on Thunder Ti and I think it was a better setup.  I had my highest ollie in decades on it.  I'd go Thunder.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Daewons front truck on March 08, 2023, 01:54:04 PM
merging this into hardware pet peeves thread

EDIT:

for some reason the hardware pet peeves thread won't show up anymore in search or can't be merged. since it has been dead for a while anyway, this will be the new one now and the thread will be left up.

@Daewons front truck would you be alright with this being a general hardware ocd thread and not have it truck specific? as mentioned we used to have a thread for irrational gear madness like this. it might be better to have one for all parts, as opposed to have several threads about each component.

Sorry I'm late but yeah whatever works for you guys
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ayjerry on March 08, 2023, 02:59:31 PM
Am I crazy for wanting to buy a 2nd pair of the same trucks for a 2nd setup so that I can compare deck shapes/sizes/wheelbase and wheel sizes/duro, while skating mid sesh, without having to waste any time to swap trucks? Keep in mind  i am a beginner just getting back into skating, but have serious GAS with all my hobbies lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 08, 2023, 03:02:36 PM
Am I crazy for wanting to buy a 2nd pair of the same trucks for a 2nd setup so that I can compare deck shapes/sizes/wheelbase and wheel sizes/duro, while skating mid sesh, without having to waste any time to swap trucks? Keep in mind  i am a beginner just getting back into skating, but have serious GAS with all my hobbies lol.
Yes! Please don’t head down this path, it’ll only slow down your progression and cause you unnecessary stress. I’m not even joking. When I got into skateboarding I went WILD. And now I have enough gear to last me for the next three-four years. Just stick to one setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on March 08, 2023, 04:01:17 PM
Am I crazy for wanting to buy a 2nd pair of the same trucks for a 2nd setup so that I can compare deck shapes/sizes/wheelbase and wheel sizes/duro, while skating mid sesh, without having to waste any time to swap trucks? Keep in mind  i am a beginner just getting back into skating, but have serious GAS with all my hobbies lol.

As a beginner, the only thing you're changing by switching up gear is how long it's gonna take you to progress. The more you switch, the slower you progress. Don't waste your time. Actually that's true for everybody and not just beginners.

But of course, that's only if you actually want to progress. If you mainly want to roll around and try different stuff, go for it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 08, 2023, 04:07:12 PM
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Am I crazy for wanting to buy a 2nd pair of the same trucks for a 2nd setup so that I can compare deck shapes/sizes/wheelbase and wheel sizes/duro, while skating mid sesh, without having to waste any time to swap trucks? Keep in mind  i am a beginner just getting back into skating, but have serious GAS with all my hobbies lol.
[close]
Yes! Please don’t head down this path, it’ll only slow down your progression and cause you unnecessary stress. I’m not even joking. When I got into skateboarding I went WILD. And now I have enough gear to last me for the next three-four years. Just stick to one setup.

I 100% agree with this, esp. if you are a beginner. I don't, in anyway, mean this to sound pejorative, but to really go deep into the differences of nuance-madness, you're best suited in having a decent foundation in basic skateboarding. For example, if you can't do a decent ollie, the different ways a 14.25 and 14.38 wb effect your ollie will be totally lost. Stick to one complete for now. Once, and only once, something wears out, try something slightly different, and keep notes about what you like/don't like about the change, and let that guide your following purchases. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ayjerry on March 08, 2023, 05:07:20 PM
The people have spoken! All good, I hear you. I bought (2) of the G021 decks on Vday with grip for $80, plus I have the habitat 8”. So I am set for a while, esp. at the rate I skate. Easier on the wallet too.

Edit: one piece of gear I do think I need tho is new shoes. The 2 pairs of Nike Chron 2s (super thin Vulc shoe, can feel everything under foot) I’m rocking have been used as my main daily and work (finish carpenter) shoes for 2-3 years. My feet and knees hurt after skating lately but I’m thinking the shoes were just blown out to begin with and it’s getting worse as I’m skating now. I do have a brand new pair of NB 306s that I scored for $35 shipped, that hurt my feet but maybe they just need to break in? I like the increase in stability and protection over my SBs.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on March 09, 2023, 05:49:39 AM
The people have spoken! All good, I hear you. I bought (2) of the G021 decks on Vday with grip for $80, plus I have the habitat 8”. So I am set for a while, esp. at the rate I skate. Easier on the wallet too.

Edit: one piece of gear I do think I need tho is new shoes. The 2 pairs of Nike Chron 2s (super thin Vulc shoe, can feel everything under foot) I’m rocking have been used as my main daily and work (finish carpenter) shoes for 2-3 years. My feet and knees hurt after skating lately but I’m thinking the shoes were just blown out to begin with and it’s getting worse as I’m skating now. I do have a brand new pair of NB 306s that I scored for $35 shipped, that hurt my feet but maybe they just need to break in? I like the increase in stability and protection over my SBs.

I've not worn the 306, but the general consensus around any skate shoe is to wear them day-to-day for a little while in order to get them broken in and to get your feet accustomed to them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 09, 2023, 07:05:00 AM
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Expand Quote
Am I crazy for wanting to buy a 2nd pair of the same trucks for a 2nd setup so that I can compare deck shapes/sizes/wheelbase and wheel sizes/duro, while skating mid sesh, without having to waste any time to swap trucks? Keep in mind  i am a beginner just getting back into skating, but have serious GAS with all my hobbies lol.
[close]
Yes! Please don’t head down this path, it’ll only slow down your progression and cause you unnecessary stress. I’m not even joking. When I got into skateboarding I went WILD. And now I have enough gear to last me for the next three-four years. Just stick to one setup.
[close]

I 100% agree with this, esp. if you are a beginner. I don't, in anyway, mean this to sound pejorative, but to really go deep into the differences of nuance-madness, you're best suited in having a decent foundation in basic skateboarding. For example, if you can't do a decent ollie, the different ways a 14.25 and 14.38 wb effect your ollie will be totally lost. Stick to one complete for now. Once, and only once, something wears out, try something slightly different, and keep notes about what you like/don't like about the change, and let that guide your following purchases.
Oh, I agree. It doesn’t sound condescending. I was worried about stuff I had no business worrying about. And that’s my goal now. I’ll only try new things once something breaks. I’m also done putting gear on ice. Cause my tastes change so fast, I’ll buy something and when it comes time to use it I’m already over it. So now my motto is, “Buy it when you need it.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on March 20, 2023, 06:12:01 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0

hurt my back, didnt skate for a while because i needed to make sure i was good to skate on the 18th for an event my volunteer group was participating in. Re aggravated the back injury during the event, and had the worst knee pain of my life that evening. My right knee (im reg, so my main pop leg) will sometimes get sore after skating for a while, but it has never in my life hurt like it did the evening after our event. Thankfully the pain had died down to manageable levels after sleeping, but it still doesnt feel quite right.

Though I'm sure all of this mental BS is probably mostly due to my injuries, my dormant madness is starting to stir and its directing my focus toward my setup.

Currently considering throwing some thunders on longer WB boards to see how that suits me. im 6' 4" and I'm wondering if some of my awkward positioning on my skateboard (from it not fitting my long ass body/legs is what is leading me to these injuries.

I have an 8.38 with a 14.5 wb from deluxe and a 8.38 palace with a 14.81 wb. Have also considered trying that 8.6 dlx shape with that 14.75 wb

I hate not being able to just ignore my setup, it drives me nuts how i will feel so completely fine with it, no desire to change, and then something just goes off in my head like i NEED to try this other thing out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 20, 2023, 06:17:16 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0

hurt my back, didnt skate for a while because i needed to make sure i was good to skate on the 18th for an event my volunteer group was participating in. Re aggravated the back injury during the event, and had the worst knee pain of my life that evening. My right knee (im reg, so my main pop leg) will sometimes get sore after skating for a while, but it has never in my life hurt like it did the evening after our event. Thankfully the pain had died down to manageable levels after sleeping, but it still doesnt feel quite right.

Though I'm sure all of this mental BS is probably mostly due to my injuries, my dormant madness is starting to stir and its directing my focus toward my setup.

Currently considering throwing some thunders on longer WB boards to see how that suits me. im 6' 4" and I'm wondering if some of my awkward positioning on my skateboard (from it not fitting my long ass body/legs is what is leading me to these injuries.

I have an 8.38 with a 14.5 wb from deluxe and a 8.38 palace with a 14.81 wb. Have also considered trying that 8.6 dlx shape with that 14.75 wb

I hate not being able to just ignore my setup, it drives me nuts how i will feel so completely fine with it, no desire to change, and then something just goes off in my head like i NEED to try this other thing out.
Can relate. I’m also a tall skater and I ride 14.25 wheelbase boards that honestly feel a little cramped. When I’m injured or can’t skate I tweak my setup. Or if I’m down and depressed. It’s made me realize that stocking up is a bad idea cause my mind changes too much. Now I have tons of gear I don’t care to skate. Anyway, I hope you can heal up!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on March 20, 2023, 06:36:28 AM
Can relate. I’m also a tall skater and I ride 14.25 wheelbase boards that honestly feel a little cramped. When I’m injured or can’t skate I tweak my setup. Or if I’m down and depressed. It’s made me realize that stocking up is a bad idea cause my mind changes too much. Now I have tons of gear I don’t care to skate. Anyway, I hope you can heal up!

Thanks for the kind words, I def recommend getting a lonnger wb than the standard 14.25 if you are taller. I've been on 14.4/14.5 with indys for a while now. But i know thunders add about a quarter inch to your wheelbase vs indys.

Interesting that you change your gear when you are feeling down, I feel like i might do the same, but never really noticed.

Skateboarding can be very emotional lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WashingtonNECKTIE on March 29, 2023, 11:33:28 AM
Dude okay this has been pissing me off...

I bought a pair of GT Blazers for the first time a couple weeks ago. The last shoes I skated were Vans Rowans (had like 6-7 pairs in a row).

Obviously, they fit pretty different. I really like the way the GTs look and skate, they feel much "sturdier" than the soft, pilable Vans.

The problem is the fucking arch in these guys! I swapped the stock insoles for the thinnest, mellowest Remind insoles - destin, 3mm I think - I also tried the 6mm version, and my left arch (exclusively) just aches and feels terrible. I've just been dealing with it cause I like the shoe overall, but I've never had pain in my foot like this.

To be clear, my left foot isn't radically different than my left, and my right foot feels totally fine. I've tried running them laced tight and loose, no effect.

Is it just not meant to be? Any one have ideas on how I might be able to ghetto fix this? Maybe put them in the oven and try to re-mold them? I'm really bummed cause i want to love them, but this sucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 29, 2023, 12:33:45 PM
I'm actually thinking of going back down to 14.25 and/or Ventures since I keep fucking up Thunder bushings and its getting old. I noticed on a friend's setup and on a board I setup for fun a few months ago that the slightly faster pop of a shorter board makes it a bit easier to get onto taller ledges, which is what I want to skate right now. Not waist high, I'm not that great, but above knee height with my current bag of basics would be nirvana.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 29, 2023, 12:34:11 PM
Dude okay this has been pissing me off...

I bought a pair of GT Blazers for the first time a couple weeks ago. The last shoes I skated were Vans Rowans (had like 6-7 pairs in a row).

Obviously, they fit pretty different. I really like the way the GTs look and skate, they feel much "sturdier" than the soft, pilable Vans.

The problem is the fucking arch in these guys! I swapped the stock insoles for the thinnest, mellowest Remind insoles - destin, 3mm I think - I also tried the 6mm version, and my left arch (exclusively) just aches and feels terrible. I've just been dealing with it cause I like the shoe overall, but I've never had pain in my foot like this.

To be clear, my left foot isn't radically different than my left, and my right foot feels totally fine. I've tried running them laced tight and loose, no effect.

Is it just not meant to be? Any one have ideas on how I might be able to ghetto fix this? Maybe put them in the oven and try to re-mold them? I'm really bummed cause i want to love them, but this sucks

Mine hurt as well in them, not for the GT having no arch, or a high one, they just made my arch area hurt for no apparent reason.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wizard0f0dds on March 29, 2023, 12:59:05 PM
So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WashingtonNECKTIE on March 29, 2023, 01:12:22 PM
Expand Quote
Dude okay this has been pissing me off...

I bought a pair of GT Blazers for the first time a couple weeks ago. The last shoes I skated were Vans Rowans (had like 6-7 pairs in a row).

Obviously, they fit pretty different. I really like the way the GTs look and skate, they feel much "sturdier" than the soft, pilable Vans.

The problem is the fucking arch in these guys! I swapped the stock insoles for the thinnest, mellowest Remind insoles - destin, 3mm I think - I also tried the 6mm version, and my left arch (exclusively) just aches and feels terrible. I've just been dealing with it cause I like the shoe overall, but I've never had pain in my foot like this.

To be clear, my left foot isn't radically different than my left, and my right foot feels totally fine. I've tried running them laced tight and loose, no effect.

Is it just not meant to be? Any one have ideas on how I might be able to ghetto fix this? Maybe put them in the oven and try to re-mold them? I'm really bummed cause i want to love them, but this sucks
[close]

Mine hurt as well in them, not for the GT having no arch, or a high one, they just made my arch area hurt for no apparent reason.

Damn... guess i might have to retire these and turn em to chillers before they're too haggard. The one time I step away from the go-to... ::)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on March 29, 2023, 01:30:57 PM
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Expand Quote
Dude okay this has been pissing me off...

I bought a pair of GT Blazers for the first time a couple weeks ago. The last shoes I skated were Vans Rowans (had like 6-7 pairs in a row).

Obviously, they fit pretty different. I really like the way the GTs look and skate, they feel much "sturdier" than the soft, pilable Vans.

The problem is the fucking arch in these guys! I swapped the stock insoles for the thinnest, mellowest Remind insoles - destin, 3mm I think - I also tried the 6mm version, and my left arch (exclusively) just aches and feels terrible. I've just been dealing with it cause I like the shoe overall, but I've never had pain in my foot like this.

To be clear, my left foot isn't radically different than my left, and my right foot feels totally fine. I've tried running them laced tight and loose, no effect.

Is it just not meant to be? Any one have ideas on how I might be able to ghetto fix this? Maybe put them in the oven and try to re-mold them? I'm really bummed cause i want to love them, but this sucks
[close]

Mine hurt as well in them, not for the GT having no arch, or a high one, they just made my arch area hurt for no apparent reason.
[close]

Damn... guess i might have to retire these and turn em to chillers before they're too haggard. The one time I step away from the go-to... ::)
Chillers that hurt seem to defeat the purpose unfortunately...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 29, 2023, 01:57:06 PM
So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?

One swap at a time whatever it is. Keep your current everything and swap to the smaller deck. Then once you've decided if that is a keeper try the wheels and then trucks. The biggest differences will be that order of swaps.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WashingtonNECKTIE on March 29, 2023, 02:38:40 PM
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Dude okay this has been pissing me off...

I bought a pair of GT Blazers for the first time a couple weeks ago. The last shoes I skated were Vans Rowans (had like 6-7 pairs in a row).

Obviously, they fit pretty different. I really like the way the GTs look and skate, they feel much "sturdier" than the soft, pilable Vans.

The problem is the fucking arch in these guys! I swapped the stock insoles for the thinnest, mellowest Remind insoles - destin, 3mm I think - I also tried the 6mm version, and my left arch (exclusively) just aches and feels terrible. I've just been dealing with it cause I like the shoe overall, but I've never had pain in my foot like this.

To be clear, my left foot isn't radically different than my left, and my right foot feels totally fine. I've tried running them laced tight and loose, no effect.

Is it just not meant to be? Any one have ideas on how I might be able to ghetto fix this? Maybe put them in the oven and try to re-mold them? I'm really bummed cause i want to love them, but this sucks
[close]

Mine hurt as well in them, not for the GT having no arch, or a high one, they just made my arch area hurt for no apparent reason.
[close]

Damn... guess i might have to retire these and turn em to chillers before they're too haggard. The one time I step away from the go-to... ::)
[close]
Chillers that hurt seem to defeat the purpose unfortunately...

I realize how backward that sounded lol Luckily they seem to do okay if I'm not on board. Might hunt for some really thin insoles.

They might be fresh enough to drop at the shop, but just barely. otherwise I'm just out 70-80$
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 29, 2023, 02:54:53 PM
Expand Quote
So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?
[close]

One swap at a time whatever it is. Keep your current everything and swap to the smaller deck. Then once you've decided if that is a keeper try the wheels and then trucks. The biggest differences will be that order of swaps.

Wholeheartedly disagree.

So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?

Personally I say go for it. My main setup is always an 8.25 board and trucks and 52mm wheels, it's a fantastic combo. But I'd suggest dropping to 8.25 first.

or

If money is tight, just swap the deck and wheel since you already have them as you are NOT going to really notice 2mm wheel different because you will be too subconsciously distracted on the deck width); keep your trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wizard0f0dds on March 29, 2023, 04:23:18 PM
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So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?
[close]

One swap at a time whatever it is. Keep your current everything and swap to the smaller deck. Then once you've decided if that is a keeper try the wheels and then trucks. The biggest differences will be that order of swaps.
[close]

Wholeheartedly disagree.

Expand Quote
So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?
[close]

Personally I say go for it. My main setup is always an 8.25 board and trucks and 52mm wheels, it's a fantastic combo. But I'd suggest dropping to 8.25 first.

or

If money is tight, just swap the deck and wheel since you already have them as you are NOT going to really notice 2mm wheel different because you will be too subconsciously distracted on the deck width); keep your trucks.

Money isn't an issue at all, but yeah, I'll see how I like the whole thing with the 149s on, and whenever I'm due for some trucks I might size down then. Or if I get the urge to try something other than Thunders or Indys, then I might get some Ventures or something. (I have a set of 149 indys on my cruiser right now, had it on my setup and impulse bought the Thunders and skated much better on them, or at least it felt like it after I got used to them)

Thanks for the reply!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 29, 2023, 06:34:08 PM
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So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?
[close]

One swap at a time whatever it is. Keep your current everything and swap to the smaller deck. Then once you've decided if that is a keeper try the wheels and then trucks. The biggest differences will be that order of swaps.
[close]

Wholeheartedly disagree.

Expand Quote
So I've been on 8.38-8.5 decks with Thunder team 149s and spitfire OG Classics 54 for a little while. I've been thinking of sizing down in board size for a bit and I think I might go for it. Thinking of going 8.125-8.25 decks with either Thunder 148 or Venture 5.6 with a set of almost brand new spitfire 52mm classics I already have.

I need support in convincing me to just get a 8.25 deck and throw the set of 52 classics on my 149s and NOT buy another set of trucks.

I've also thought of going all the way down to 8" with 5.2/147s, but I think that might be a bit too much of a downsizing for now...

I mean... 52s on 149s would be pretty techy on a 8.25, RIGHT?
[close]

Personally I say go for it. My main setup is always an 8.25 board and trucks and 52mm wheels, it's a fantastic combo. But I'd suggest dropping to 8.25 first.

or

If money is tight, just swap the deck and wheel since you already have them as you are NOT going to really notice 2mm wheel different because you will be too subconsciously distracted on the deck width); keep your trucks.

I can't see why you'd disagree. Swapping a deck can be jarring cuz it's not just the shorter wheelbase. He might hate the nose or concave on the first one he gets and if he swapped everything he wouldn't know why he hated it. That at least tells him if he likes a shorter shape. His wheels probably aren't 54 anymore either so it's likely they're close to 51-52. Let's assume they aren't, swapping wheels is cheap and not as committing so if he wants a faster pop it's a super easy fix. 149 on 8.25 isn't bad and if he's decided to fully commit he can get a bit more rotational response on certain tricks by switching down.

This is speaking from a former madness perspective where in retrospect a lot of my entire setup swaps were too many variables to know what did and didn't work well. Now my 8" deck has lows and 51s, but I've ridden 8's on forged plate highs with 52s and it's still felt proportional enough.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 29, 2023, 07:14:25 PM
Because I do...jezzus...What does it matter if I do or not?

Seriously, ask yourself if my opinion really matters to you.

The OP looked at your opinion, and mine, and will make his own choice.

FFS man, you always have to be right, get over yourself.

OP has the smaller wheels and 149s, everything will work fine on an 8.25...which is one of the mentioned targets...people get new decks ALL THE TIME. Tell me, how do you know it won't gel for him?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 29, 2023, 07:59:30 PM
I'm actually thinking of going back down to 14.25 and/or Ventures since I keep fucking up Thunder bushings and its getting old. I noticed on a friend's setup and on a board I setup for fun a few months ago that the slightly faster pop of a shorter board makes it a bit easier to get onto taller ledges, which is what I want to skate right now. Not waist high, I'm not that great, but above knee height with my current bag of basics would be nirvana.

I like shorter boards, and short tails. And low trucks. And quick pop. And thunders. And ventures.
So I’m not much help.
You are tall, so your knee height will be way different than mine, but basics, higher, is an admirable goal imo.
Lots of variables, I’ve Ollied high, for me, on super long boards, but maybe they had bigger wheels…hard to memorize all the different aspects of all of these concoctions I’ve compiled.
I ollie higher with ventures, more consistent pop (kickflips) with thunders. I, and everyone I think, fuck up the thunder bushings. Looks weird, but I don’t find it bothering me. Does it fuck with the turn/stability?  Eventually I’ll try these super hard thunder bushings I have.
Interested to see how it works out for you.
For me, shorter setups do help me get up higher, and I need all of the help I can possibly get. Mob, vulcs, fucking I’d skate a lib tech rn if I could ollie a tennis net
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 29, 2023, 08:47:56 PM
Because I do...jezzus...What does it matter if I do or not?

Seriously, ask yourself if my opinion really matters to you.

The OP looked at your opinion, and mine, and will make his own choice.

FFS man, you always have to be right, get over yourself.

OP has the smaller wheels and 149s, everything will work fine on an 8.25...which is one of the mentioned targets...people get new decks ALL THE TIME. Tell me, how do you know it won't gel for him?

Damn, touched a nerve there. Usually an adult that has an opinion has a reason for it. Being an adult myself and a curious one that tries to learn from others, I was interested in some sort of logic I had considered. It's not a matter of right or wrong. I think in an analytic or scientific way because that's how my brain works hence the 1 variable at a time so you don't have any impact from covariance, but I realize others take different approaches to simple stuff and it's interesting to hear about and consider being less anal retentive myself. Other opinions do matter.

Now saying you don't agree then going on some random tangent without any explanation makes you seem like you're disagreeing just to be a pain in the ass. Not to actually add any value to any discussion.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 29, 2023, 08:50:11 PM
Expand Quote
I'm actually thinking of going back down to 14.25 and/or Ventures since I keep fucking up Thunder bushings and its getting old. I noticed on a friend's setup and on a board I setup for fun a few months ago that the slightly faster pop of a shorter board makes it a bit easier to get onto taller ledges, which is what I want to skate right now. Not waist high, I'm not that great, but above knee height with my current bag of basics would be nirvana.
[close]

I like shorter boards, and short tails. And low trucks. And quick pop. And thunders. And ventures.
So I’m not much help.
You are tall, so your knee height will be way different than mine, but basics, higher, is an admirable goal imo.
Lots of variables, I’ve Ollied high, for me, on super long boards, but maybe they had bigger wheels…hard to memorize all the different aspects of all of these concoctions I’ve compiled.
I ollie higher with ventures, more consistent pop (kickflips) with thunders. I, and everyone I think, fuck up the thunder bushings. Looks weird, but I don’t find it bothering me. Does it fuck with the turn/stability?  Eventually I’ll try these super hard thunder bushings I have.
Interested to see how it works out for you.
For me, shorter setups do help me get up higher, and I need all of the help I can possibly get. Mob, vulcs, fucking I’d skate a lib tech rn if I could ollie a tennis net

The bushings split on the heel side front truck this time both top and bottom. The bottom one split all the way through and the board turns way easier to that side. I rotated it to put the split in the middle then did some slappies and it has cracked heel side again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on March 29, 2023, 11:40:46 PM
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 30, 2023, 06:57:37 AM
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..

That is like asking, "What is the best color for a painter?" There are so many variables. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try different stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: notinternetfamous on March 30, 2023, 08:09:35 AM
Expand Quote
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..
[close]

That is like asking, "What is the best color for a painter?" There are so many variables. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try different stuff.
totally agree that it's best to try different stuff so that it will either reinforce what you like about your current setup or you may discover that you like a different truck brand, etc.
what is it that you mainly look for from a setup that will be primarily be used for flatground tricks? what matters more to you? turn over pop? stability?

just from my experience with Ventures and Thunders - Thunders have a lighter pop feel and turn quicker/sharper. Ventures are more stable and can produce huge pop if you can get used to the heavier pop feel. This is with both trucks with stock parts.

There are so many factors that you can change if you feel like you're not getting what you want from your setup - for trucks: flat top washer, harder/softer bushings, cylinder/conical bottom bushing, cutting the top bushing, running no washers, etc.

hope this helps
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 30, 2023, 08:12:31 AM
I had a Baker 8.25 recently with both Indy FH and Thunders. Hated it on the FH- the mild concave made the pop feel too light especially on the nose. Thunders felt better on it for sure. I think an Indy standard or Venture might be best for me for that deck as the heaviness would balance out nice.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on March 30, 2023, 09:17:29 AM
Expand Quote
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..
[close]

That is like asking, "What is the best color for a painter?" There are so many variables. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try different stuff.

If you look at the comments on Den Degros' YouTube and Instagram, people are constantly asking things like "Will Thunder 148 trucks work on an 8.25" deck with 52mm wheels" and it's like - brother, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on March 30, 2023, 09:53:02 AM
I had a Baker 8.25 recently with both Indy FH and Thunders. Hated it on the FH- the mild concave made the pop feel too light especially on the nose. Thunders felt better on it for sure. I think an Indy standard or Venture might be best for me for that deck as the heaviness would balance out nice.

I don't want a too heavy board with too heavy pop (I'm skating right now with ventures 5.2 high raws.. some tricks are a battle for me, sometimes I feel like I'm not in control of my board and having to make a superhuman effort without ease!) But I hate a board that is too light.. I had the 147 Thunder, with 8 or 8.125, and too light.. it earned me an ankle injury (360 flip that turned too much )

The 148 really appeals to me because I really want to switch to 8.25 later.. Do they really have a pop with a light sensation ? That might be cool for a wide board like 8.25 if that's the case ! I also want to be more stable to work on my manuals, it's horrible with the 5.2 high raws! I don't know how John dilo does haha

For 148, I also trust Ben degros for the fact that these are "goodilocks" trucks ! The only thing that scares me is with my height and shoe size (5.7 and 8 foot size), but I don't think that's a big factor and prevents me from performing tricks..  ???
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 30, 2023, 10:37:07 AM
Expand Quote
I had a Baker 8.25 recently with both Indy FH and Thunders. Hated it on the FH- the mild concave made the pop feel too light especially on the nose. Thunders felt better on it for sure. I think an Indy standard or Venture might be best for me for that deck as the heaviness would balance out nice.
[close]

I don't want a too heavy board with too heavy pop (I'm skating right now with ventures 5.2 high raws.. some tricks are a battle for me, sometimes I feel like I'm not in control of my board and having to make a superhuman effort without ease!) But I hate a board that is too light.. I had the 147 Thunder, with 8 or 8.125, and too light.. it earned me an ankle injury (360 flip that turned too much )

The 148 really appeals to me because I really want to switch to 8.25 later.. Do they really have a pop with a light sensation ? That might be cool for a wide board like 8.25 if that's the case ! I also want to be more stable to work on my manuals, it's horrible with the 5.2 high raws! I don't know how John dilo does haha

For 148, I also trust Ben degros for the fact that these are "goodilocks" trucks ! The only thing that scares me is with my height and shoe size (5.7 and 8 foot size), but I don't think that's a big factor and prevents me from performing tricks..  ???

Remember there is so much more to creating the heavy/light pop feel of a board than just the trucks. Truck wheelbase, deck wheelbase, height (truck/wheelsize), fingers of flat, steepness of kicks, length of kicks, etc are ALL factors in what creates pop feel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 30, 2023, 02:20:22 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..
[close]

That is like asking, "What is the best color for a painter?" There are so many variables. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try different stuff.
[close]

If you look at the comments on Den Degros' YouTube and Instagram, people are constantly asking things like "Will Thunder 148 trucks work on an 8.25" deck with 52mm wheels" and it's like - brother, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.

It’s a poor carpenter that blames their tools.

Or something like that.

This Goldilocks trucks thing is a myth. I think somewhere in this recent information sharing and gathering period that we are all in, someone started talking about effective wb, deck wb, the effect trucks have…and there are just too many other factors.

I can say, as someone that currently will rock up to the spot with 3 or 4 setups in tow, that this shit is unhelpful, and most likely unhealthy.
There is some fun to it. I do enjoy aspects of trying different things, getting feedback and ideas on here…but if it is all about personal progression, just pick something, and you’ll adjust. If the board is within .5” of the trucks, that’ll be a close enough start. Everything else will work.
Now there might be something else out there, that would be more optimal for you @FrenchSkater, but it probably is not worth the journey. Still gonna have to do the work. Still gonna fuck up your ankles.

I want to be very clear, I am not above any of the madness/consumerism: I want yet a different set of trucks (ace lows) for no great reason. I just saw an older Ishod 8 tt shape with the shorter tails and liked that. I want to try a truefit board. Neither of those are all that flat, and I want a flat board, so I’ll be on the look out for that. And that is all for someone (me) very old, that doesn’t skate 5 hours a week, and sometimes not even that much in a month. I got kids, and 2 jobs. And I waste time on here. With you fucks.
So do what you do. Buy the 148s. Maybe they’ll be the shit. Hopefully you’ll be stoked.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 30, 2023, 04:27:28 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..
[close]

That is like asking, "What is the best color for a painter?" There are so many variables. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try different stuff.
[close]

If you look at the comments on Den Degros' YouTube and Instagram, people are constantly asking things like "Will Thunder 148 trucks work on an 8.25" deck with 52mm wheels" and it's like - brother, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.

lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 30, 2023, 04:36:15 PM
I’m trying to figure out why my favorite decks have been from PS Stix. It’s weird, my Indys seemingly turn better on this Pizza deck. Could it be the flatter concave? Feels like I have more room to work with.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 30, 2023, 04:10:11 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What is the best setup for flatground skater  :

- 8.125 Baker with Ventures 5.25 Hollows high ?

- 8.125 Baker with Thunder 148 raws ?

(All of that with 52 mm Spitfire classics)

I hesitate between these two parameters ..
[close]

That is like asking, "What is the best color for a painter?" There are so many variables. The only way to find out what works best for you is to try different stuff.
[close]

If you look at the comments on Den Degros' YouTube and Instagram, people are constantly asking things like "Will Thunder 148 trucks work on an 8.25" deck with 52mm wheels" and it's like - brother, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.
[close]

It’s a poor carpenter that blames their tools.

A good carpenter knows tools have specific utility for specific purposes. A good carpenter doesn't have one tool for all jobs, and he will certainly "blame his tools" if the job requires a drill, and all he has is a tape measure.

Moreover, when Ben D. talks about "goldilocks" anything, he is talking about the the best all-around set-up that works for him. He knows, and has said, that "your millage may vary." Ben's two real messages are, (1) Do your own research, and (b) When you find something that works, stop the madness (which is what you are saying, too).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 30, 2023, 04:35:10 PM
I’m trying to figure out why my favorite decks have been from PS Stix. It’s weird, my Indys seemingly turn better on this Pizza deck. Could it be the flatter concave? Feels like I have more room to work with.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 30, 2023, 05:17:52 PM
Expand Quote
Because I do...jezzus...What does it matter if I do or not?

Seriously, ask yourself if my opinion really matters to you.

The OP looked at your opinion, and mine, and will make his own choice.

FFS man, you always have to be right, get over yourself.

OP has the smaller wheels and 149s, everything will work fine on an 8.25...which is one of the mentioned targets...people get new decks ALL THE TIME. Tell me, how do you know it won't gel for him?
[close]

Damn, touched a nerve there. Usually an adult that has an opinion has a reason for it. Being an adult myself and a curious one that tries to learn from others, I was interested in some sort of logic I had considered. It's not a matter of right or wrong. I think in an analytic or scientific way because that's how my brain works hence the 1 variable at a time so you don't have any impact from covariance, but I realize others take different approaches to simple stuff and it's interesting to hear about and consider being less anal retentive myself. Other opinions do matter.

Now saying you don't agree then going on some random tangent without any explanation makes you seem like you're disagreeing just to be a pain in the ass. Not to actually add any value to any discussion.

Gateway issue borked my replies...

Anyway, as an adult you should:

Stop making everything about you.
Agree to disagree.
Stop making on the spectrum excuses

I challenge your OCD to not argue this comment/have to squeak in the last word and realize I'm fucking with you EVERY.TIME. You fucking Kook (also, please neg me, I hope it makes you feel better).

You are so entertaining.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 30, 2023, 05:22:50 PM
I’m trying to figure out why my favorite decks have been from PS Stix. It’s weird, my Indys seemingly turn better on this Pizza deck. Could it be the flatter concave? Feels like I have more room to work with.

I don't think you are alone, there's a bunch of us that prefer the flatter stuff; only recently did I realize that's my preference. Was skating a china made disorder (was hoping it was PS but nope) and it's so comfortable and flag (nose is too long at 7.125 and shovel-like). I setup a SC board to compare and it was gross...steep...and I felt like I was on rails.

Just setup a Girl with visibly less concave (than the disorder) but the kicks are a tad steeper.

Stepped foot on a Welcome board the other day and it felt nice and flat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 30, 2023, 05:27:06 PM
Expand Quote
I’m trying to figure out why my favorite decks have been from PS Stix. It’s weird, my Indys seemingly turn better on this Pizza deck. Could it be the flatter concave? Feels like I have more room to work with.
[close]

I don't think you are alone, there's a bunch of us that prefer the flatter stuff; only recently did I realize that's my preference. Was skating a china made disorder (was hoping it was PS but nope) and it's so comfortable and flag (nose is too long at 7.125 and shovel-like). I setup a SC board to compare and it was gross...steep...and I felt like I was on rails.

Just setup a Girl with visibly less concave (than the disorder) but the kicks are a tad steeper.

Stepped foot on a Welcome board the other day and it felt nice and flat.

I’ll only ride DLX III/IV stamped. I like flatter feel, too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on March 30, 2023, 06:52:39 PM
Expand Quote
I had a Baker 8.25 recently with both Indy FH and Thunders. Hated it on the FH- the mild concave made the pop feel too light especially on the nose. Thunders felt better on it for sure. I think an Indy standard or Venture might be best for me for that deck as the heaviness would balance out nice.
[close]

I don't want a too heavy board with too heavy pop (I'm skating right now with ventures 5.2 high raws.. some tricks are a battle for me, sometimes I feel like I'm not in control of my board and having to make a superhuman effort without ease!) But I hate a board that is too light.. I had the 147 Thunder, with 8 or 8.125, and too light.. it earned me an ankle injury (360 flip that turned too much )

The 148 really appeals to me because I really want to switch to 8.25 later.. Do they really have a pop with a light sensation ? That might be cool for a wide board like 8.25 if that's the case ! I also want to be more stable to work on my manuals, it's horrible with the 5.2 high raws! I don't know how John dilo does haha

For 148, I also trust Ben degros for the fact that these are "goodilocks" trucks ! The only thing that scares me is with my height and shoe size (5.7 and 8 foot size), but I don't think that's a big factor and prevents me from performing tricks..  ???

For me the long, pointy, mellow nose and a light feeling truck made the nose hit too quick or i ghosted stuff cuz my timing was off. For me FH Indy feel really light due to the wheelbase and weight and it just made the nose worse and pop too fast for my old ass to keep up. Thunder Team were better so I'd suspect I'd like Venture the most or Indy Standard the most as I have on Bakers in the past.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on March 31, 2023, 08:59:09 AM
My madness may have reached an all time low. I had some Pizza decks that got canceled from The Drop. Brand sucks, but I love that shape. Anyway, went to their website and saw them, but they charge like $20 to ship. Said naw, and then switched my current setup back to this 8.5 FA.

Even though I loved that Pizza shape, I don’t want to get hooked on something that will be hard to obtain. With the FA, you can walk into most shops and find them, or order online. With some of these brands you have to jump through hoops to find the shape and woodshop. I prefer PS Stix, but it seems like they’re slowly being replaced by BBS.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on March 31, 2023, 07:07:49 PM
I'm currently suffering some internal truck madness. I'm currently going back and forth between 139 and 144 FH Indys with 53-54 mm Classics on 8.125-8.25 boards. I feel too high up, especially with steeper boards. I want to try something lower.

I gave Thunder 147s a shot (again) last year, but I just can't get Thunders to feel right for me.

I want to try Indy Mids or Ace Lows with risers.

How bad is the kingpin clearance if you swap Indy Mid hangers onto forged plates? I think I recall seeing in another thread that it wasn't great. Worse or same as Thunder 147s?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 31, 2023, 07:43:00 PM
I'm currently suffering some internal truck madness. I'm currently going back and forth between 139 and 144 FH Indys with 53-54 mm Classics on 8.125-8.25 boards. I feel too high up, especially with steeper boards. I want to try something lower.

I gave Thunder 147s a shot (again) last year, but I just can't get Thunders to feel right for me.

I want to try Indy Mids or Ace Lows with risers.

How bad is the kingpin clearance if you swap Indy Mid hangers onto forged plates? I think I recall seeing in another thread that it wasn't great. Worse or same as Thunder 147s?


I did a mix and match comparison and although it still sits just under the line of the hanger, if you do a lot of feeble or smith type grinds, you are probably going to grind it down some.

Mid hangers on standard or forged plates give much the same clearance as earlier stage Indy trucks, which for some is just not worth it, but for others, they can make it work well enough to not have to worry about it.

My old Indy trucks used to get pretty worn so the kingpin nut was getting smashed, or as I worked out to use a lower top bushing, I could get the nut down lower and have better clearance, but either tightening things down a lot or cutting down a top bushing is not for everyone, along with angle grinding down the kingpin as well, just to reduce the catch factor.

Even just running the Indy Mids stock or at least with whatever bushings you choose and the inverted kingpin tightened right down should give you a better ride than a mix and match option.

Using a more mellow deck definitely helped when things felt too tall, but again finding a more mellow board, or flattening out a deck is a bit of work and sometimes not worth it for some people.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 31, 2023, 07:47:41 PM
I'm currently suffering some internal truck madness. I'm currently going back and forth between 139 and 144 FH Indys with 53-54 mm Classics on 8.125-8.25 boards. I feel too high up, especially with steeper boards. I want to try something lower.

I gave Thunder 147s a shot (again) last year, but I just can't get Thunders to feel right for me.

I want to try Indy Mids or Ace Lows with risers.

How bad is the kingpin clearance if you swap Indy Mid hangers onto forged plates? I think I recall seeing in another thread that it wasn't great. Worse or same as Thunder 147s?

Thunder 147s are rad. But…coming from Indy they’d feel less rad (thunders are lower, significantly, turn very quickly/shallow, and wheelbite a lot).
The kingpin clearance isn’t great on the 147s.

If you liked Indys, and wanted to try thunders, the cast baseplate would probably be better, and 148s better still. 148s are, I think, 52mm, which is close to the indy forged height, but for me, the thunder axle position lends a quicker pop.

If you are into Indys, and the turn, ace have arguably (is it?) a better turn, and are lower. The lows are lower yet. I haven’t tried the lows, but it’s basically a matter of time until I do…haven’t seen anyone crushing it on them, otherwise I’d probably already own em. Anyways, to me, ace seems like the easiest change, from Indy.

Haven’t tried the Indy mids. Don’t recall anyone being super stoked on them, on slap, but that doesn’t mean much (apologies to the collective it’s just that…we might be too fickle). I think the mids, from my reading here, were a series of compromises that didn’t hit. Hopefully someone that loves them chimes in tho.

Indys, have a…I’ve never been super into em, and I dunno why. The problem is me, and most likely my contrarian nature, and Indy’s have been the standard for quite a minute. I think because they are so balanced in their geo/attributes, they don’t shine in any one way, so I’m just kinda whatever about them.
Most people like them on steep boards, but my favorite indy setups were on flat boards, with lots of fingers of flat. But. I also just like really flat boards, with lots of fingers of flat.

Maybe you can try just using smaller wheels for a little bit?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on March 31, 2023, 09:06:08 PM
I appreciate the suggestions.

I still have the Thunder 147 casts so maybe I'll give them a go again with some 1/16 risers. I've found they have a strange twitchiness I haven't been able to stick with long enough to get used to.

And I do have some 52 mm Radial Slims that are probably 51s or 50s that I can play around with to get my setup lower.

I was a straight Venture guy in the mid-late 90s and early 2000s before hopping on Indy Stage 9s and 10s. Over the last few years I've bounced back and forth between Indy 11s and Venture with the odd week or so on Thunder (unsuccessfully) here and there.

The best I've objectively skated was probably on forged Indy Stage 10s. I don't recall the kingpin clearance being an issue at the time. Curiosity will probably get the better of me and I'll probably try the Indy Mid hangers.

Those Ace Lows are tempting though. But trying a new truck brand might be the last thing I need right now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on April 01, 2023, 01:11:05 PM
Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 01, 2023, 04:40:08 PM
Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 01, 2023, 09:43:17 PM
My last 4 sets of trucks: Thunder teams, Venture Forged, Ace lo's, Mindys forged hollows....

I liked ventures the best, then thunders, then mindys, then aces...

The Ace lo's are just too radical for me.  Too low, pushed the wheelbase too far in, nose and tail felt too long/ disproportionate.  Considering how low they were though, no wheelbite, liked the grind, I had hollows and they didn't seem too heavy.  If you're a loose truck guy, I'd maybe recommend them. 

Mindy is a more moderate version, just a solid lower truck.  I'd put them up against a thunder, but the thunder is lighter, indy turns better, less wheelbite and I liked where the what they did to the wheelbase. 

I didn't bother messing with Royals, I'm sure they are fine too, I just don't need any more truckery.....going back to ventures.  Them and the thunders I skated two sets in a row, while the aces/mindy's, I'm not bananas about them. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 02, 2023, 08:09:19 AM
My last 4 sets of trucks: Thunder teams, Venture Forged, Ace lo's, Mindys forged hollows....

I liked ventures the best, then thunders, then mindys, then aces...

The Ace lo's are just too radical for me.  Too low, pushed the wheelbase too far in, nose and tail felt too long/ disproportionate.  Considering how low they were though, no wheelbite, liked the grind, I had hollows and they didn't seem too heavy.  If you're a loose truck guy, I'd maybe recommend them. 

Mindy is a more moderate version, just a solid lower truck.  I'd put them up against a thunder, but the thunder is lighter, indy turns better, less wheelbite and I liked where the what they did to the wheelbase. 

I didn't bother messing with Royals, I'm sure they are fine too, I just don't need any more truckery.....going back to ventures.  Them and the thunders I skated two sets in a row, while the aces/mindy's, I'm not bananas about them.


Interesting.
I’ve been locked into this idea of trying the ace lows, after enjoying my af1 44s.
I don’t have a good reason to get them, just experimenting.
I generally bounce back and forth between: any ventures, and 147 or 148 thunders.
I have too many trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: vicious cycle on April 02, 2023, 04:07:43 PM
I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on April 02, 2023, 05:02:24 PM
I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.

I hated the 1010s, but eventually I gave them like three weeks of regular use, until they broke in and it clicked for me. Now I get it. I know a lot of people say the same thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 02, 2023, 05:23:39 PM
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My last 4 sets of trucks: Thunder teams, Venture Forged, Ace lo's, Mindys forged hollows....

I liked ventures the best, then thunders, then mindys, then aces...

The Ace lo's are just too radical for me.  Too low, pushed the wheelbase too far in, nose and tail felt too long/ disproportionate.  Considering how low they were though, no wheelbite, liked the grind, I had hollows and they didn't seem too heavy.  If you're a loose truck guy, I'd maybe recommend them. 

Mindy is a more moderate version, just a solid lower truck.  I'd put them up against a thunder, but the thunder is lighter, indy turns better, less wheelbite and I liked where the what they did to the wheelbase. 

I didn't bother messing with Royals, I'm sure they are fine too, I just don't need any more truckery.....going back to ventures.  Them and the thunders I skated two sets in a row, while the aces/mindy's, I'm not bananas about them.
[close]


Interesting.
I’ve been locked into this idea of trying the ace lows, after enjoying my af1 44s.
I don’t have a good reason to get them, just experimenting.
I generally bounce back and forth between: any ventures, and 147 or 148 thunders.
I have too many trucks.

For me it was a matter of me thinking a low truck, that didn't wheelbite and shrunk the wheelbase on a generator board made perfect sense.  They are definitely an interesting ride just because of how they turn while being insanely low.  At the end of the day, a Venture or Thunder team is low enough, the wheelbase is something that doesn't impact my skating as much as I think it does, and I actually like how ventures turn, lots of chill time. 

If I have anything going for me it's getting rid of the trucks that don't work, I'll piece together an old deck, cheap set of bearings and some wheels that I'm not crazy about and give/sell the complete.  It's a mistake...I must be punished....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 02, 2023, 06:16:28 PM
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I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.
[close]

I hated the 1010s, but eventually I gave them like three weeks of regular use, until they broke in and it clicked for me. Now I get it. I know a lot of people say the same thing.


I haven’t had some for a minute, but they truly felt like the most high quality option
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: chris. on April 02, 2023, 07:20:21 PM
I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.

1010, KSL, and I imagine the Tyshawn all need some time to get going. Wear the Maranas, try a new insole in the 440 if you haven’t already, and break in the other kicks some more. 1010 and KSL are great shoes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 02, 2023, 08:51:32 PM
I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.

Just get better insoles. I use Superfeet Run Comfort and a friend uses the Adapt Run and both make the 440 feel so much better.

How long did you break in the 1010 for? I didn't like them at first, but now it's what I skate 80% of the time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: roll_dog on April 02, 2023, 09:07:36 PM
Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 02, 2023, 10:36:15 PM
i went a little crazy with sales and half cabs. which wasn't so bad, you know, getting em for 30-40 bucks shipped was a steal and they'd be worn at some point. but i realized i've gotta wear a half size up and trying to stretch these jawns out ain't gonna work. i've got a couple colorways i'm really fond of and wanted to save but they don't fucking fit so I put most of my 10.5 half cab (and a few others) collection up on craigslist the other night. I've got multiple moms hitting me up to buy $50 half cabs for their sons. How nice is that? I really gotta stop buying shit though. Hopefully now that i've found that the Blazer mid, size 11, is my dream shoe for now, since they don't seem to get cheap like vans, I won't be buying too many pairs

i ended up buying a set of wheels I don't need from a PAL the other night though. fuck.

It’s been 10 years a least since I’ve had blazers.
Are they really hot? I guess halfcabs are foot saunas as well…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 02, 2023, 10:38:23 PM
Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.

Having a meh day and wanting to switch it up is my mo

What are you hoping will happen with 169s?
When I’ve setup shit that big, it’s always been…because I saw someone else do it, and/or I just thought it would look cool.
Bigger has never led to more performance, for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eSK3 on April 03, 2023, 02:22:09 AM
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Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
[close]


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks

Skated a set for over 6 months. The grind is soft but fast and they seem to wear down faster than Indy imo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on April 03, 2023, 02:44:37 AM
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Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
[close]


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks

Full review soon, just for you. I've only skated them a couple times but I'm gonna hit the slappy curb today if the weather cooperates.

Edit - didn't scroll down to see jsoy chimed in, I'd probably trust his opinion over mine.

 
From what I've done so far (cruise/commute, and 30 minutes of flat ground) I think that interesting or unique are definitely the right word. I'm used to low trucks that are either mega stable (venture) or snappy and responsive (mini logo) so having loose carvey trucks that close to the ground is a totally new experience for me. Not an unpleasant one though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: vicious cycle on April 03, 2023, 04:47:06 AM
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I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.
[close]

Just get better insoles. I use Superfeet Run Comfort and a friend uses the Adapt Run and both make the 440 feel so much better.

How long did you break in the 1010 for? I didn't like them at first, but now it's what I skate 80% of the time.
I use the superfeet run comfort as well. Because of your recommendation in another post. They are really good so thanks for that. They work good in my adidas. In the 440 I felt better for a while but after the sole got thinner it became painful again. I'm walking in the 1010s for a week now and after walking in them for around 2 hours or so my feet feel busted. Skated them once so far but had a few problems. They kinda feel wrong shaped for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on April 03, 2023, 07:12:00 AM
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I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.
[close]

I hated the 1010s, but eventually I gave them like three weeks of regular use, until they broke in and it clicked for me. Now I get it. I know a lot of people say the same thing.
[close]


I haven’t had some for a minute, but they truly felt like the most high quality option

That's the other thing - by my observation, having skated all the major shoes from major brands, the 1010 is the highest quality shoe on the market (maybe the 808 rivals it, I don't know yet). It's literally just made better than any other skate shoe I've ever had. That doesn't mean it's the objective best shoe or that it's going to work for everyone, but I haven't skated another shoe which is as well-constructed and which lasts as long.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 03, 2023, 07:35:32 AM
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I'm in a shoe madness situation. I was sure the NB440 is the perfect shoe for me but after 2 pairs in a row my feet felt like toast. Bought a pair of 1010s but honestly they feel awful. Skated an old pair of Maranas today and fuck me these shoes are great. No pain, good feel, fits perfectly, top quality. So should I buy another pair of shoes? Some new Maranas? I got a pair of 440, 1010s, Emerica KSL, Adidas Tyshawn Low, Adidas 3St.004, this old pair of Maranas. I bought all these shoes in hope to find the perfect one for me and in the end it's the shoe I skated almost exclusively 3 years ago.. Fuck me.
[close]

I hated the 1010s, but eventually I gave them like three weeks of regular use, until they broke in and it clicked for me. Now I get it. I know a lot of people say the same thing.
[close]


I haven’t had some for a minute, but they truly felt like the most high quality option
[close]

That's the other thing - by my observation, having skated all the major shoes from major brands, the 1010 is the highest quality shoe on the market (maybe the 808 rivals it, I don't know yet). It's literally just made better than any other skate shoe I've ever had. That doesn't mean it's the objective best shoe or that it's going to work for everyone, but I haven't skated another shoe which is as well-constructed and which lasts as long.

The fit, at first blush, seemed less than ideal, but turned out to be the best. I just needed to get used to the slightly looser heel.
The feel of the materials used, particularly in the beef and broccoli ones, was just difficult to compare to the current skate shoe market. I skate dunks, often, as they fit my foot well, and feel like a known/baseline. But compared to the 1010, dunks are cheap.
I need to make it to a shop to try on the 808s. Haven’t been inside a skateshop for a long minute due to work schedule, and I’m not looking forward to spazzing out, sniffing concave and buying too much stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 03, 2023, 07:44:35 AM
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Expand Quote
Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
[close]


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks
[close]

Skated a set for over 6 months. The grind is soft but fast and they seem to wear down faster than Indy imo

What did you switch to? I don’t need my stuff to last forever (I’m old, don’t have that much skate time left)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 03, 2023, 07:50:04 AM
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Expand Quote
Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
[close]


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks
[close]

Full review soon, just for you. I've only skated them a couple times but I'm gonna hit the slappy curb today if the weather cooperates.

Edit - didn't scroll down to see jsoy chimed in, I'd probably trust his opinion over mine.

 
From what I've done so far (cruise/commute, and 30 minutes of flat ground) I think that interesting or unique are definitely the right word. I'm used to low trucks that are either mega stable (venture) or snappy and responsive (mini logo) so having loose carvey trucks that close to the ground is a totally new experience for me. Not an unpleasant one though.

Interesting. Thanks for the response!
My main criteria for trucks is the pop, and these probably are not the best…but…in the definition of madness (besides multiple back to back shitposts), for me, is just wanting something different. Just because.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: roll_dog on April 03, 2023, 01:13:05 PM
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Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.
[close]

Having a meh day and wanting to switch it up is my mo

What are you hoping will happen with 169s?
When I’ve setup shit that big, it’s always been…because I saw someone else do it, and/or I just thought it would look cool.
Bigger has never led to more performance, for me

So for the last year and a half I've been on basically the same setup, polar 8.625 on 159s. I set up a madness 8.75 and just didn't have a great session on it. I'm wondering if bigger trucks would make grinds and stalls a little easier. Could be that I just don't like the deck though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 03, 2023, 05:14:46 PM
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Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.
[close]

Having a meh day and wanting to switch it up is my mo

What are you hoping will happen with 169s?
When I’ve setup shit that big, it’s always been…because I saw someone else do it, and/or I just thought it would look cool.
Bigger has never led to more performance, for me
[close]

So for the last year and a half I've been on basically the same setup, polar 8.625 on 159s. I set up a madness 8.75 and just didn't have a great session on it. I'm wondering if bigger trucks would make grinds and stalls a little easier. Could be that I just don't like the deck though.


Very different feel of BBS wood to Dwindle wood to start with, but then there are also going to be differences in board dimensions, which could be affecting things just as much as the different concaves and feel of the board. 

*  From one of the most felxible boards, especially if older in the BBS wood, to the stiffest of the major brands in Dwindle, with almost zero give at all.


How do the dimensions compare?

Wheelbase in particular, but also tail length and angle if you put your old deck on top of the new deck?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: texasplant on April 03, 2023, 09:48:46 PM
Would you guys say that shoulder/hip width is more important than height when it comes to wheelbase?

I’ve found two boards that work for me extremely well, though they’re on complete different spectrums. Crail Couch 9x32x13.875 and the DLX 8.38x32.25x14.5. Both on aces.

I’m only 5”4 and light as hell but have quite a wide stance. I have no idea why these in particular work for me and I’m still trying to work out what to stick with as I’m sick of having two setups.

Cross posting this from another thread that wasn’t really suitable for the question…

I am just genuinely confused how these two completely different boards work well for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 04, 2023, 06:07:03 AM
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Would you guys say that shoulder/hip width is more important than height when it comes to wheelbase?

I’ve found two boards that work for me extremely well, though they’re on complete different spectrums. Crail Couch 9x32x13.875 and the DLX 8.38x32.25x14.5. Both on aces.

I’m only 5”4 and light as hell but have quite a wide stance. I have no idea why these in particular work for me and I’m still trying to work out what to stick with as I’m sick of having two setups.
[close]

Cross posting this from another thread that wasn’t really suitable for the question…

I am just genuinely confused how these two completely different boards work well for me.

sounds like you're just not as picky as some people on here (myself included).

I would stick with the 8.38 DLX if I was you, mainly because of availability. You could probably walk into any legit skateshop at any time and find that shape, no prob. I'm also a huge fan of that shape, but im trying to leave my bias out of this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 04, 2023, 06:45:56 AM
I'm kind of anal retentive about my ideal setup in that I want all tricks to work as best as possible. More normal people are fine with a few things being less good and others being better. That's kinda where madness can start. It's likely you just don't have the madness.

I agree that if you want 1 setup go with the one that has the best availability, graphics, and makes you stoked. If my best shape was something I wasn't really into it for whatever reason I'd likely never be truly happy skating it cuz some days I just like doing really simple shit and being happy that I can still skate and that plays a role.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 04, 2023, 08:11:29 AM
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Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.
[close]

Having a meh day and wanting to switch it up is my mo

What are you hoping will happen with 169s?
When I’ve setup shit that big, it’s always been…because I saw someone else do it, and/or I just thought it would look cool.
Bigger has never led to more performance, for me
[close]

So for the last year and a half I've been on basically the same setup, polar 8.625 on 159s. I set up a madness 8.75 and just didn't have a great session on it. I'm wondering if bigger trucks would make grinds and stalls a little easier. Could be that I just don't like the deck though.

Fact: Wider trucks have more "lateral slide" during grinds/stalls.
Subjective Perspective: That "lateral slide" is a good/bad thing.

I have two set-ups:
-DLX 8.25" w/144s
-DLX 8.75" w/159s

Generally, I like the 8.25" better for most grinds* than the 8.75". Why? Because the 8.25" "locks in" quicker, faster, and more concisely than the 8.75". However, if I drop down to an 8.0" with 139s, I find that to be far too "tight rope" getting into grinds, etc. There is a balance between too narrow, and too wide. Where that is, and under what circumstances, is for you to find out. Welcome to The Madness. :)

*The 8.75" is waaaay better for ledge Smith grinds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 04, 2023, 09:48:16 AM
Can anyone psychologically break this down? Because that’s what it is…..

I feel unhappy, I need to change my gear…..takes one to know one….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 04, 2023, 09:55:58 AM
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Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.
[close]

Having a meh day and wanting to switch it up is my mo

What are you hoping will happen with 169s?
When I’ve setup shit that big, it’s always been…because I saw someone else do it, and/or I just thought it would look cool.
Bigger has never led to more performance, for me
[close]

So for the last year and a half I've been on basically the same setup, polar 8.625 on 159s. I set up a madness 8.75 and just didn't have a great session on it. I'm wondering if bigger trucks would make grinds and stalls a little easier. Could be that I just don't like the deck though.
[close]

Fact: Wider trucks have more "lateral slide" during grinds/stalls.
Subjective Perspective: That "lateral slide" is a good/bad thing.

I have two set-ups:
-DLX 8.25" w/144s
-DLX 8.75" w/159s

Generally, I like the 8.25" better for most grinds* than the 8.75". Why? Because the 8.25" "locks in" quicker, faster, and more concisely than the 8.75". However, if I drop down to an 8.0" with 139s, I find that to be far too "tight rope" getting into grinds, etc. There is a balance between too narrow, and too wide. Where that is, and under what circumstances, is for you to find out. Welcome to The Madness. :)

*The 8.75" is waaaay better for ledge Smith grinds.

Thats weird/interesting/strangely specific to my experience. I was riding 8.75's for a while with 159 indy titaniums. I did more smiths on those setups than any other. they just worked so nicely.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WashingtonNECKTIE on April 04, 2023, 10:14:49 AM
Following up on my Blazer problem.

I got paid last week so number 1 was getting some shoes that fit better.

I slinked my way back to the Rowans and they immediately felt better out of the box than ~2weeks of breaking in the GTs. The Vans store had a buy on, get one 50% off, so I ended up with a pair on ice.

Guess I'm gonna keep buying em as long as they make em.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on April 04, 2023, 01:57:56 PM
Can anyone psychologically break this down? Because that’s what it is…..

I feel unhappy, I need to change my gear…..takes one to know one….

Fundamentally we're no different from the guys with 2000 video games and 100 consoles they'll never play.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 04, 2023, 02:12:03 PM
I actually think we’re different….I’m not really a collector….some new truck colorway does nothing for me, but I do incessantly look at what my current truck or set up is not doing…..

I switch and miss what my last set up did for me….

I’m also prone to the idea of something which I don’t necessarily have a skill set for or, I ultimately will never use…I’m also subject to the influence of marketing!  So I guess you’re partially right.  I usually don’t sit on trucks for very long…..not literally….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on April 04, 2023, 07:02:58 PM


Interesting. Thanks for the response!
My main criteria for trucks is the pop, and these probably are not the best…but…in the definition of madness (besides multiple back to back shitposts), for me, is just wanting something different. Just because.

They're definitely something different, but whether that's an improvement or not is obviously gonna be subjective. Pop feels really really good on an 8.25 Raybourn bbs football, but it's also a fairly mellow bbs board (probably a IV in the dlx system).

(https://i.ibb.co/R45qp4v/IMG-20230404-101028-01.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R45qp4v)

As expected it's very responsive, your tail hits the ground quickly and you can get a surprisingly strong pop without a lot of effort. I'm not sure if it's the deck or trucks but my flip tricks (all 3 of them) were spinning with such a tight spiral you'd think Dan Marino was involved. I landed a double heel flip for the first time in at least 15 years by accident and was even getting seated kickflips at the bus stop to level out and those are always rocket. Landed a clean big spin second try and stuff like front shuvs sucked up to my feet in a way they rarely do. I might have just been having a really good day though, so I'm not going to declare them my new every day truck just yet but they felt great

I didn't make it out to the slappy spot so I still don't really know how they grind but the turn and pop are both living up to the pretty lofty expectations I had for these. One thing to be aware of though is you really need to skate 52s or smaller unless you plan on really cranking them down. I have mine pretty tight and Ill bite on 53mm jivaro conicals if I put my full weight into it. Im probably going to put on some 51mm snots at some point.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 04, 2023, 08:26:07 PM
A few dudes that skate the same spots I used to all got Ace lows and rode them decently tight and love them. All ledge skaters that like tech stuff so not tons of turning but their glowing review has tempted me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 04, 2023, 09:31:06 PM
A few dudes that skate the same spots I used to all got Ace lows and rode them decently tight and love them. All ledge skaters that like tech stuff so not tons of turning but their glowing review has tempted me.


Fuck. I’m doomed
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 04, 2023, 09:35:05 PM
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Interesting. Thanks for the response!
My main criteria for trucks is the pop, and these probably are not the best…but…in the definition of madness (besides multiple back to back shitposts), for me, is just wanting something different. Just because.
[close]

They're definitely something different, but whether that's an improvement or not is obviously gonna be subjective. Pop feels really really good on an 8.25 Raybourn bbs football, but it's also a fairly mellow bbs board (probably a IV in the dlx system).

(https://i.ibb.co/R45qp4v/IMG-20230404-101028-01.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R45qp4v)

As expected it's very responsive, your tail hits the ground quickly and you can get a surprisingly strong pop without a lot of effort. I'm not sure if it's the deck or trucks but my flip tricks (all 3 of them) were spinning with such a tight spiral you'd think Dan Marino was involved. I landed a double heel flip for the first time in at least 15 years by accident and was even getting seated kickflips at the bus stop to level out and those are always rocket. Landed a clean big spin second try and stuff like front shuvs sucked up to my feet in a way they rarely do. I might have just been having a really good day though, so I'm not going to declare them my new every day truck just yet but they felt great

I didn't make it out to the slappy spot so I still don't really know how they grind but the turn and pop are both living up to the pretty lofty expectations I had for these. One thing to be aware of though is you really need to skate 52s or smaller unless you plan on really cranking them down. I have mine pretty tight and Ill bite on 53mm jivaro conicals if I put my full weight into it. Im probably going to put on some 51mm snots at some point.


Thank you!!
Been awhile since I’ve had some Jivaro’s. I really could stop only skating f4s.
Anyway, the whole kit looks nice!
I appreciate your review. Unfortunately, I infrequently skate wheels bigger than 53. I think it’s the weight? I dunno. Something. I hate barely moving on crusty roads, but I hate looking at big wheels more. Moronic behavior on my part.
I just ‘need’ to take the plunge and give the lows a shot.
Thanks again
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 05, 2023, 06:04:02 AM
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Can anyone psychologically break this down? Because that’s what it is…..

I feel unhappy, I need to change my gear…..takes one to know one….
[close]

Fundamentally we're no different from the guys with 2000 video games and 100 consoles they'll never play.

.....fuck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: roll_dog on April 05, 2023, 09:09:10 AM
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Had a meh day at the skatepark and now I'm thinking about going up to 169s.
[close]

Having a meh day and wanting to switch it up is my mo

What are you hoping will happen with 169s?
When I’ve setup shit that big, it’s always been…because I saw someone else do it, and/or I just thought it would look cool.
Bigger has never led to more performance, for me
[close]

So for the last year and a half I've been on basically the same setup, polar 8.625 on 159s. I set up a madness 8.75 and just didn't have a great session on it. I'm wondering if bigger trucks would make grinds and stalls a little easier. Could be that I just don't like the deck though.
[close]


Very different feel of BBS wood to Dwindle wood to start with, but then there are also going to be differences in board dimensions, which could be affecting things just as much as the different concaves and feel of the board. 

*  From one of the most felxible boards, especially if older in the BBS wood, to the stiffest of the major brands in Dwindle, with almost zero give at all.


How do the dimensions compare?

Wheelbase in particular, but also tail length and angle if you put your old deck on top of the new deck?

I lined them up today and sure enough the madness deck is noticably shorter in the nose and tail. That might explain it. Good looking out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 05, 2023, 12:37:42 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/fMrFfqy/33224-F0-A-3-B26-4800-B3-E7-2915-FE7735-CF.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fMrFfqy)
Set this up. I normally ride an 8.5 with 159 Indy Hollows. This is an 8.25 with 148 Thunders. Good Lord, the pop on this was insane. Pairing the 148 with a nearly flat Toy Machine deck had me flying 😖

With is fun, but I had less control. Was toe tapping everywhere.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 05, 2023, 05:10:45 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/fMrFfqy/33224-F0-A-3-B26-4800-B3-E7-2915-FE7735-CF.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fMrFfqy)
Set this up. I normally ride an 8.5 with 159 Indy Hollows. This is an 8.25 with 148 Thunders. Good Lord, the pop on this was insane. Pairing the 148 with a nearly flat Toy Machine deck had me flying 😖

With is fun, but I had less control. Was toe tapping everywhere.

Sounds very rad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: texasplant on April 05, 2023, 05:57:32 PM

sounds like you're just not as picky as some people on here (myself included).

I would stick with the 8.38 DLX if I was you, mainly because of availability. You could probably walk into any legit skateshop at any time and find that shape, no prob. I'm also a huge fan of that shape, but im trying to leave my bias out of this.

I'm kind of anal retentive about my ideal setup in that I want all tricks to work as best as possible. More normal people are fine with a few things being less good and others being better. That's kinda where madness can start. It's likely you just don't have the madness.

I agree that if you want 1 setup go with the one that has the best availability, graphics, and makes you stoked. If my best shape was something I wasn't really into it for whatever reason I'd likely never be truly happy skating it cuz some days I just like doing really simple shit and being happy that I can still skate and that plays a role.

I think I needed to hear this, thanks. I get a lot of anxiety about skating some of the 'weirder' shapes due to availability and have never really thought of it this way. I've definitely always been able to find the DLX shape in store nearby, whereas I've had to hunt/stock up on the football shapes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: slapattack on April 06, 2023, 05:29:34 AM
Thought I had defeated my madness but I was struggling with pop so I switched from forged 149 indys on ishod tt 8.38 to limosine 8.5 with venture 5.8 casts and I crooked this tall ledge I couldn't previously get onto first try yesterday. IDEK anymore
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eSK3 on April 07, 2023, 01:44:28 PM
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Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
[close]


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks
[close]

Skated a set for over 6 months. The grind is soft but fast and they seem to wear down faster than Indy imo
[close]

What did you switch to? I don’t need my stuff to last forever (I’m old, don’t have that much skate time left)

I went back to Indy then settled on Venture low with medium bones bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 07, 2023, 07:03:53 PM
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Bought a metal 8.25 Raybourn football and a pair of Ace 44 lows today. It's not a full blown relapse but I'm a little scared...
[close]


TELL ME ABOUT THE TRUCKS



I’ve been pretty good about not buying anything, and pretty bad at just shitposting about being ready to buy something.
But I want those trucks
[close]

Skated a set for over 6 months. The grind is soft but fast and they seem to wear down faster than Indy imo
[close]

What did you switch to? I don’t need my stuff to last forever (I’m old, don’t have that much skate time left)
[close]

I went back to Indy then settled on Venture low with medium bones bushings.

Yeah hard to beat the venture lo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 08, 2023, 07:18:22 AM
Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.

I've had roughly the same range of decks the last few years and had Indy and Thunder on them mostly with Ventures here and there and Royals for a bit. The issues I had with each truck didn't necessarily go away when I changed decks like with Indy Standards I sometimes get nollie ghost pop regardless of shape. I always prefer them to forged on any deck. If I put Ventures on a really short deck, it's still too short because it's not like my limb lengths change and the deck randomly gets longer and my feet are less on the kicks when I land.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 08, 2023, 08:25:31 AM
...If I put Ventures on a really short deck, it's still too short because it's not like my limb lengths change and the deck randomly gets longer and my feet are less on the kicks when I land.

Related is a concept a few friends and I talk about sometimes. We call it "The Footbed Dimension." It's flat distance between kicks. Truck wheelbase will have zero impact on this. Whereas a mix of deck wheelbase, fingers of flat, and angle of kicks all will impact it. A shorter "footbed" may make you feel too cramped/locked-in. A very long one (e.g. imagine a deck with a flat nose/tail) may feel the opposite. I like flatter boards (DLX IV), and I think part of the reason I like them is because since the have mellower kicks, they have the feel of a longer "footbed," and deck is less twitchy as a result (some may love twitchy, I am just not one of them).     
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 08, 2023, 09:04:41 AM
I've got a DLX 8.25 IV right now and it's pretty damn solid I must say. I could easily ride this shape for the long term.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on April 08, 2023, 09:13:46 AM
Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 08, 2023, 09:49:45 AM
I've got a DLX 8.25 IV right now and it's pretty damn solid I must say. I could easily ride this shape for the long term.

That right there, IMHO, is the best all-around deck ever produced in the history of skateboarding. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 08, 2023, 09:51:45 AM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.

^ I would agree with that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on April 08, 2023, 10:19:06 AM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.

I agree, thinking about my personal skating experience, but I gotta just share this.
A friend of mine is completely, intentionally oblivious about skate gear. He doesn't care and doesn't want to care. He just wants to skate. He's basically in the post-madness-enlightenment without ever going through the madness.

This week, after skating standard indies for 3 years, he switched to thunder hollow lights because his trucks broke. That's such a gigantic fucking step in height, wheelbase and especially weight I couldn't wait to see how it goes and possibly fucks him up for a bit.

He kinda struggled finding his pop at first, then he took a few minutes to get that he needs to lean more into slides. All in all it took him about 20-30 minutes to fully adjust like nothing changed on all terrain. He even landed his first kickflip bs smith that day.

It makes me almost sick to think about how much we can self-sabotage with all this bullshit. I wish all of you, and me, to break free of this and reach enlightenment.

In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why? Probably because I told myself I can do it better on ace, so I did. I'm sure it could have worked just as fine on thunders, but I didn't allow it for myself I guess.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 08, 2023, 10:25:12 AM
In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why?

Why? Because the Thunder baseplate thing is real. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on April 08, 2023, 10:37:58 AM
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In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why?
[close]

Why? Because the Thunder baseplate thing is real. :)

Sure. But I chose to switch trucks instead of just leaning into the slide a bit more. Opposite of what my friend did. I basically told myself I can't do it on thunders.
I actually tried that today. Now that I've learned it on ace, I can do it just as well on thunders. And it kinda pisses me off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 08, 2023, 12:29:41 PM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.

Makes sense for me mostly. I definitely need harder bushings in Indy and despite people saying they find Thunder twitchy and get lots of wheelbite it is the complete opposite for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 08, 2023, 12:31:17 PM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.
[close]

I agree, thinking about my personal skating experience, but I gotta just share this.
A friend of mine is completely, intentionally oblivious about skate gear. He doesn't care and doesn't want to care. He just wants to skate. He's basically in the post-madness-enlightenment without ever going through the madness.

This week, after skating standard indies for 3 years, he switched to thunder hollow lights because his trucks broke. That's such a gigantic fucking step in height, wheelbase and especially weight I couldn't wait to see how it goes and possibly fucks him up for a bit.

He kinda struggled finding his pop at first, then he took a few minutes to get that he needs to lean more into slides. All in all it took him about 20-30 minutes to fully adjust like nothing changed on all terrain. He even landed his first kickflip bs smith that day.

It makes me almost sick to think about how much we can self-sabotage with all this bullshit. I wish all of you, and me, to break free of this and reach enlightenment.

In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why? Probably because I told myself I can do it better on ace, so I did. I'm sure it could have worked just as fine on thunders, but I didn't allow it for myself I guess.

Yah a dude I know switched from 8.5x14.25 on Indy 169s to 8.25x14.38 on Thunder 148 hollow lights after a week of shitty flatground the switch became irrelevant.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 08, 2023, 08:12:37 PM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.
[close]

I agree, thinking about my personal skating experience, but I gotta just share this.
A friend of mine is completely, intentionally oblivious about skate gear. He doesn't care and doesn't want to care. He just wants to skate. He's basically in the post-madness-enlightenment without ever going through the madness.

This week, after skating standard indies for 3 years, he switched to thunder hollow lights because his trucks broke. That's such a gigantic fucking step in height, wheelbase and especially weight I couldn't wait to see how it goes and possibly fucks him up for a bit.

He kinda struggled finding his pop at first, then he took a few minutes to get that he needs to lean more into slides. All in all it took him about 20-30 minutes to fully adjust like nothing changed on all terrain. He even landed his first kickflip bs smith that day.

It makes me almost sick to think about how much we can self-sabotage with all this bullshit. I wish all of you, and me, to break free of this and reach enlightenment.

In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why? Probably because I told myself I can do it better on ace, so I did. I'm sure it could have worked just as fine on thunders, but I didn't allow it for myself I guess.
[close]

Yah a dude I know switched from 8.5x14.25 on Indy 169s to 8.25x14.38 on Thunder 148 hollow lights after a week of shitty flatground the switch became irrelevant.


Yeah but….
Kickflip back smith.
This person is good.
I’m not.
I NEED the different trucks/all the help I can get.




But yeah, I agree it’s not the plow, it’s the farmer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on April 08, 2023, 08:19:59 PM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.
[close]

I agree, thinking about my personal skating experience, but I gotta just share this.
A friend of mine is completely, intentionally oblivious about skate gear. He doesn't care and doesn't want to care. He just wants to skate. He's basically in the post-madness-enlightenment without ever going through the madness.

This week, after skating standard indies for 3 years, he switched to thunder hollow lights because his trucks broke. That's such a gigantic fucking step in height, wheelbase and especially weight I couldn't wait to see how it goes and possibly fucks him up for a bit.

He kinda struggled finding his pop at first, then he took a few minutes to get that he needs to lean more into slides. All in all it took him about 20-30 minutes to fully adjust like nothing changed on all terrain. He even landed his first kickflip bs smith that day.

It makes me almost sick to think about how much we can self-sabotage with all this bullshit. I wish all of you, and me, to break free of this and reach enlightenment.

In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why? Probably because I told myself I can do it better on ace, so I did. I'm sure it could have worked just as fine on thunders, but I didn't allow it for myself I guess.
[close]

Yah a dude I know switched from 8.5x14.25 on Indy 169s to 8.25x14.38 on Thunder 148 hollow lights after a week of shitty flatground the switch became irrelevant.
[close]


Yeah but….
Kickflip back smith.
This person is good.
I’m not.
I NEED the different trucks/all the help I can get.




But yeah, I agree it’s not the plow, it’s the farmer.

Exactly - I struggle to do both tricks individually, your homie is cut from a different sheet of griptape.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on April 09, 2023, 02:31:01 AM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.
[close]

I agree, thinking about my personal skating experience, but I gotta just share this.
A friend of mine is completely, intentionally oblivious about skate gear. He doesn't care and doesn't want to care. He just wants to skate. He's basically in the post-madness-enlightenment without ever going through the madness.

This week, after skating standard indies for 3 years, he switched to thunder hollow lights because his trucks broke. That's such a gigantic fucking step in height, wheelbase and especially weight I couldn't wait to see how it goes and possibly fucks him up for a bit.

He kinda struggled finding his pop at first, then he took a few minutes to get that he needs to lean more into slides. All in all it took him about 20-30 minutes to fully adjust like nothing changed on all terrain. He even landed his first kickflip bs smith that day.

It makes me almost sick to think about how much we can self-sabotage with all this bullshit. I wish all of you, and me, to break free of this and reach enlightenment.

In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why? Probably because I told myself I can do it better on ace, so I did. I'm sure it could have worked just as fine on thunders, but I didn't allow it for myself I guess.

It's the same for me, I would love to get out of this madness.. I've been on Venture for a year, but I skated these trucks for a long time during my first ten years of skating (15 years of skating for me)

From the tenth year to the fifteenth, I alternated a lot of trucks, I fell into this madness, because I wanted to see if I skated better with this or that brand.. the influence of pro skaters too, I see such a skate this, I want to try..

Anyway, last year I was skating with Venture 5.2 high, on an 8, and I felt like home..

However, last week I bought thunder 148s, because I want to go wider.. I was skating 8.125 with the ventures, and I wanted to try with the thunders.. To also be lower and have more reactivity, and also find my flip (I lost my flip since I have high trucks, I noticed it while watching my old videos! I am small with small legs.. the trucks medium or lows are probably an advantage..).. The first three sessions with the thunders were relatively good.. Different feel, but still good trucks.. Maybe a switch to 8.25, for more room and safety, and even if I do a lot of flat, it doesn't change much .. I let my desires guide me now haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 09, 2023, 06:37:39 AM
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Maybe I'm becoming slightly more sane, but I am starting to think that unless you go really extreme in deck dimensions, trucks are mostly going to be the same for you across a general range of decks. If you like how they feel on 14.25, they shouldn't feel insane on 14.3. Of course if you have 14.6 with Ventures and throw Aces on you're dealing with polar opposites and ya they'll be different.
[close]

My general opinion on this is that there are two main categories of trucks: Indy/Ace style trucks, and Venture/Thunder style trucks. My experience is that it's relatively easy to switch between the related brands of trucks, but it's when you change styles that most skaters will need some time to adjust, or maybe find that they simply do not like that style.
[close]

I agree, thinking about my personal skating experience, but I gotta just share this.
A friend of mine is completely, intentionally oblivious about skate gear. He doesn't care and doesn't want to care. He just wants to skate. He's basically in the post-madness-enlightenment without ever going through the madness.

This week, after skating standard indies for 3 years, he switched to thunder hollow lights because his trucks broke. That's such a gigantic fucking step in height, wheelbase and especially weight I couldn't wait to see how it goes and possibly fucks him up for a bit.

He kinda struggled finding his pop at first, then he took a few minutes to get that he needs to lean more into slides. All in all it took him about 20-30 minutes to fully adjust like nothing changed on all terrain. He even landed his first kickflip bs smith that day.

It makes me almost sick to think about how much we can self-sabotage with all this bullshit. I wish all of you, and me, to break free of this and reach enlightenment.

In other news that give the complete opposite message: I just switched from thunder to ace a few days ago in order to really get holding long fs noseslides down. And it worked perfectly. Why? Probably because I told myself I can do it better on ace, so I did. I'm sure it could have worked just as fine on thunders, but I didn't allow it for myself I guess.
[close]

Yah a dude I know switched from 8.5x14.25 on Indy 169s to 8.25x14.38 on Thunder 148 hollow lights after a week of shitty flatground the switch became irrelevant.
[close]


Yeah but….
Kickflip back smith.
This person is good.
I’m not.
I NEED the different trucks/all the help I can get.




But yeah, I agree it’s not the plow, it’s the farmer.
[close]

Exactly - I struggle to do both tricks individually, your homie is cut from a different sheet of griptape.

Ya he switched cuz his lifetime goal is kickflip back tail kickflip out and he felt he needed a more nimble setup to do that I dunno if he has actually done or tried since.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 10, 2023, 05:47:27 PM
I generally skate better/feet hurt less, in dunks.
They look kinda fucked tho.
For context, I’m really old, and I wear straight fit pants (501s, etc). Shit just looks too…try-hard dad, hip-dad, yo your dad is a creep, etc.
I like the way half cabs, and some other classic vans styles look, as well as cons, etc. you know, classic looking shoes. But they hurt.
I don’t think there is a solution. I am just complaining.


***good thing I have like 3 pairs of dunks. To look stupid in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 10, 2023, 07:48:25 PM
Fastbreaks?  You can get dunks in classic colors no?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 10, 2023, 10:03:01 PM
Fastbreaks?  You can get dunks in classic colors no?

Fastbreaks or pro leathers would look better.
Good call.

I think you can get dunks in regular colors, when I bought these 3 pairs it was when I couldn’t get dunks very easily and just grabbed whatever they’d sell me in my size.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 11, 2023, 07:00:32 AM
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Fastbreaks?  You can get dunks in classic colors no?
[close]

Fastbreaks or pro leathers would look better.
Good call.

I think you can get dunks in regular colors, when I bought these 3 pairs it was when I couldn’t get dunks very easily and just grabbed whatever they’d sell me in my size.

Fastbreaks have a worse insole and that stupid nylon material on most models. I wish so badly that converse would fix this shoe, i would probably skate it exclusively if they did.

Those new ones with the boot laces that came out look ok, but its not the time of year for an all black shoe.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on April 11, 2023, 09:06:04 AM
I generally skate better/feet hurt less, in dunks.
They look kinda fucked tho.
For context, I’m really old, and I wear straight fit pants (501s, etc). Shit just looks too…try-hard dad, hip-dad, yo your dad is a creep, etc.
I like the way half cabs, and some other classic vans styles look, as well as cons, etc. you know, classic looking shoes. But they hurt.
I don’t think there is a solution. I am just complaining.


***good thing I have like 3 pairs of dunks. To look stupid in.
Tiagos might be up your alley if the extra bulk isn't a deterrent.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 11, 2023, 11:49:25 AM
I get it too….you think: ‘oh…I’ll just skate through them…who cares? And then you realize it’ll take you a year……

Bought two pairs of maroon Tyshawns….didn’t need the second pair…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 12, 2023, 10:46:34 PM
I haven't really dipped into the Madness in awhile. This week it came back. Current perseveration: 144 vs 149s on my 8.25" DLX (144s have been my go-to since they came out...until now). Nothing has been resolved. How much sleep can I loose over .25"? An astonishing amount, it would seem.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 13, 2023, 06:45:48 PM
I haven't really dipped into the Madness in awhile. This week it came back. Current perseveration: 144 vs 149s on my 8.25" DLX (144s have been my go-to since they came out...until now). Nothing has been resolved. How much sleep can I loose over .25"? An astonishing amount, it would seem.


Yeah, for sure!

I go by this, but of course everyone can choose their own path:

Popsicle / normal boards
8.0 = 139s
8.125 / 8.25 = 144s
8.38 / 8.5 = 149s
8.62 / 8.75 = 159s
8.88 / 9.0 = 169s

Shaped cruisers
8.75 blue meanie = 149s with big wheels
9.12 Huffer = 159s with wide wheels
9+ = 169s with big / wide wheels


The madness keeps me happy, but also makes me keep at least one of each of those set up at all times now, mainly for anyone else to try if they are interested, but that is my excuse for having them.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 13, 2023, 08:22:21 PM
Expand Quote
I haven't really dipped into the Madness in awhile. This week it came back. Current perseveration: 144 vs 149s on my 8.25" DLX (144s have been my go-to since they came out...until now). Nothing has been resolved. How much sleep can I loose over .25"? An astonishing amount, it would seem.
[close]


Yeah, for sure!

I go by this, but of course everyone can choose their own path:

Popsicle / normal boards
8.0 = 139s
8.125 / 8.25 = 144s
8.38 / 8.5 = 149s
8.62 / 8.75 = 159s
8.88 / 9.0 = 169s

Shaped cruisers
8.75 blue meanie = 149s with big wheels
9.12 Huffer = 159s with wide wheels
9+ = 169s with big / wide wheels


The madness keeps me happy, but also makes me keep at least one of each of those set up at all times now, mainly for anyone else to try if they are interested, but that is my excuse for having them.

I've been dealing with a pulled groin muscle (forward leg) for a bit. Flat ground Ollies exacerbated the problem. So, I've been riding my 8.75"/159s a lot the last two weeks (easier to remind myself not to ollie on a bigger deck). Been doing lots of slappies and mini ramp skating on it. A few days ago I was feeling normal enough to go back to my 8.25/144s. However, there was now a problem. I had skated the 8.75" so much, that the 8.25" now seemed impossibly small to me...like a fucking 1980s freestyle board. I was like, "WTF!?! Am I actually going to be able to skate this thing again, ever?!?" I started to feel more comfortable on it after a bit, but decided to throw 149s on, to make it feel/ride a tad more stable/wider. It worked. Sort of. For somethings. A few other things on it I did not like. And then, well, you know what happens at that stage...The Madness creeps back in to the world of Men...   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: nitro89 on April 14, 2023, 12:43:10 AM
I haven't been feeling as comfy on my board this year, which has been my goldilocks for a while since coming back from fracturing my ankle last October. G052 8.25, 5.6 v-lights, 52mm F4 classics.

had a 'fuck it and find out' moment after seeing a sale online and bought myself some 144 Knox forged hollow's.
stuck them on a primitive 8.38 and went to the park last night to see what's what.

after skating ventures for the last 20 years or so, i was scared of the change but tbh im 70/30 convinced i should of done this sooner, they feel good, grind good, flip tricks work, and they are very responsive.

the skate from the car to the park was fun tho, i was speed wobbling one footed mid push until i cranked them down a bit. never experienced that before.haha

ill report back after a few more skates with a definitive answer as to whether they have cured this bout of madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 14, 2023, 05:17:06 AM
I haven't been feeling as comfy on my board this year, which has been my goldilocks for a while since coming back from fracturing my ankle last October. G052 8.25, 5.6 v-lights, 52mm F4 classics.

had a 'fuck it and find out' moment after seeing a sale online and bought myself some 144 Knox forged hollow's.
stuck them on a primitive 8.38 and went to the park last night to see what's what.

after skating ventures for the last 20 years or so, i was scared of the change but tbh im 70/30 convinced i should of done this sooner, they feel good, grind good, flip tricks work, and they are very responsive.

the skate from the car to the park was fun tho, i was speed wobbling one footed mid push until i cranked them down a bit. never experienced that before.haha

ill report back after a few more skates with a definitive answer as to whether they have cured this bout of madness.

grats, hope your new setup works for a while.

i much prefer indy's to ventures. i probably pop tricks a bit higher on ventures, but indy's are just more fun for me overall. and the grind is SOOOOO much better on indys
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on April 14, 2023, 06:34:49 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I haven't really dipped into the Madness in awhile. This week it came back. Current perseveration: 144 vs 149s on my 8.25" DLX (144s have been my go-to since they came out...until now). Nothing has been resolved. How much sleep can I loose over .25"? An astonishing amount, it would seem.
[close]


Yeah, for sure!

I go by this, but of course everyone can choose their own path:

Popsicle / normal boards
8.0 = 139s
8.125 / 8.25 = 144s
8.38 / 8.5 = 149s
8.62 / 8.75 = 159s
8.88 / 9.0 = 169s

Shaped cruisers
8.75 blue meanie = 149s with big wheels
9.12 Huffer = 159s with wide wheels
9+ = 169s with big / wide wheels


The madness keeps me happy, but also makes me keep at least one of each of those set up at all times now, mainly for anyone else to try if they are interested, but that is my excuse for having them.
[close]

I've been dealing with a pulled groin muscle (forward leg) for a bit. Flat ground Ollies exacerbated the problem. So, I've been riding my 8.75"/159s a lot the last two weeks (easier to remind myself not to ollie on a bigger deck). Been doing lots of slappies and mini ramp skating on it. A few days ago I was feeling normal enough to go back to my 8.25/144s. However, there was now a problem. I had skated the 8.75" so much, that the 8.25" now seemed impossibly small to me...like a fucking 1980s freestyle board. I was like, "WTF!?! Am I actually going to be able to skate this thing again, ever?!?" I started to feel more comfortable on it after a bit, but decided to throw 149s on, to make it feel/ride a tad more stable/wider. It worked. Sort of. For somethings. A few other things on it I did not like. And then, well, you know what happens at that stage...The Madness creeps back in to the world of Men...

I find myself in this situation often 148/149 on 8.25 waivering back and forth, pros and cons. What didn’t you like about the 149/8.25 combo?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 14, 2023, 06:47:22 AM
Pogos might help alleviate the madness but likely not your groin….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 14, 2023, 06:51:38 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I haven't really dipped into the Madness in awhile. This week it came back. Current perseveration: 144 vs 149s on my 8.25" DLX (144s have been my go-to since they came out...until now). Nothing has been resolved. How much sleep can I loose over .25"? An astonishing amount, it would seem.
[close]


Yeah, for sure!

I go by this, but of course everyone can choose their own path:

Popsicle / normal boards
8.0 = 139s
8.125 / 8.25 = 144s
8.38 / 8.5 = 149s
8.62 / 8.75 = 159s
8.88 / 9.0 = 169s

Shaped cruisers
8.75 blue meanie = 149s with big wheels
9.12 Huffer = 159s with wide wheels
9+ = 169s with big / wide wheels


The madness keeps me happy, but also makes me keep at least one of each of those set up at all times now, mainly for anyone else to try if they are interested, but that is my excuse for having them.
[close]

I've been dealing with a pulled groin muscle (forward leg) for a bit. Flat ground Ollies exacerbated the problem. So, I've been riding my 8.75"/159s a lot the last two weeks (easier to remind myself not to ollie on a bigger deck). Been doing lots of slappies and mini ramp skating on it. A few days ago I was feeling normal enough to go back to my 8.25/144s. However, there was now a problem. I had skated the 8.75" so much, that the 8.25" now seemed impossibly small to me...like a fucking 1980s freestyle board. I was like, "WTF!?! Am I actually going to be able to skate this thing again, ever?!?" I started to feel more comfortable on it after a bit, but decided to throw 149s on, to make it feel/ride a tad more stable/wider. It worked. Sort of. For somethings. A few other things on it I did not like. And then, well, you know what happens at that stage...The Madness creeps back in to the world of Men...

Well what if I told you the DLX 8.25 I'd actually basically 8.38?

I went through 148/149 debate this Fall actually. There were a few things it seemed I liked about the 149 so I stuck with what it seemed I didn't like. I finally bent the axles so I had to go back to 148. Turns out almost all of it was in my head but my Tre flips and any scooping trick feels a little bit faster and even if it's BS I'm running with it.

149 Pros: I thought I had better lock in on grinds, felt more stable for some sketchier landings, and for whatever reason it seemed my nose manual game was on point.

149 Cons: I somehow got more wheelbite, I didn't like them as much for certain slides like back tails cuz they're Thunders and the margin of error for not sliding on the wheels was lower, my 360 flips scooped slower, and I didn't prefer the pinch actually.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: nitro89 on April 14, 2023, 07:18:47 AM
Expand Quote
I haven't been feeling as comfy on my board this year, which has been my goldilocks for a while since coming back from fracturing my ankle last October. G052 8.25, 5.6 v-lights, 52mm F4 classics.

had a 'fuck it and find out' moment after seeing a sale online and bought myself some 144 Knox forged hollow's.
stuck them on a primitive 8.38 and went to the park last night to see what's what.

after skating ventures for the last 20 years or so, i was scared of the change but tbh im 70/30 convinced i should of done this sooner, they feel good, grind good, flip tricks work, and they are very responsive.

the skate from the car to the park was fun tho, i was speed wobbling one footed mid push until i cranked them down a bit. never experienced that before.haha

ill report back after a few more skates with a definitive answer as to whether they have cured this bout of madness.
[close]

grats, hope your new setup works for a while.

i much prefer indy's to ventures. i probably pop tricks a bit higher on ventures, but indy's are just more fun for me overall. and the grind is SOOOOO much better on indys

thanks, me too.

i found i was popping higher with the indys on and with less effort than i used to with the ventures. i pop further away from the rails/ledges im skating now too, first 10 mins i kept overshooting things, couple scary moments. got the adrenaline going though.

i think i may be converted but i need at least a couple more sessions before ill commit to that statement.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 14, 2023, 07:23:47 AM
Well what if I told you the DLX 8.25 I'd actually basically 8.38?

The 8.38 is one of my most hated DLX decks. Won't go near that thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 14, 2023, 07:25:09 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I haven't been feeling as comfy on my board this year, which has been my goldilocks for a while since coming back from fracturing my ankle last October. G052 8.25, 5.6 v-lights, 52mm F4 classics.

had a 'fuck it and find out' moment after seeing a sale online and bought myself some 144 Knox forged hollow's.
stuck them on a primitive 8.38 and went to the park last night to see what's what.

after skating ventures for the last 20 years or so, i was scared of the change but tbh im 70/30 convinced i should of done this sooner, they feel good, grind good, flip tricks work, and they are very responsive.

the skate from the car to the park was fun tho, i was speed wobbling one footed mid push until i cranked them down a bit. never experienced that before.haha

ill report back after a few more skates with a definitive answer as to whether they have cured this bout of madness.
[close]

grats, hope your new setup works for a while.

i much prefer indy's to ventures. i probably pop tricks a bit higher on ventures, but indy's are just more fun for me overall. and the grind is SOOOOO much better on indys
[close]

thanks, me too.

i found i was popping higher with the indys on and with less effort than i used to with the ventures. i pop further away from the rails/ledges im skating now too, first 10 mins i kept overshooting things, couple scary moments. got the adrenaline going though.

i think i may be converted but i need at least a couple more sessions before ill commit to that statement.

Indy's have a lighter pop feel for sure. whats probably happening is you're still popping with the same effort the ventures required since thats what your body is used to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 14, 2023, 07:25:51 AM
Expand Quote
Well what if I told you the DLX 8.25 I'd actually basically 8.38?
[close]

The 8.38 is one of my most hated DLX decks. Won't go near that thing.

i love that shape haha. different strokes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 14, 2023, 07:40:51 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I haven't really dipped into the Madness in awhile. This week it came back. Current perseveration: 144 vs 149s on my 8.25" DLX (144s have been my go-to since they came out...until now). Nothing has been resolved. How much sleep can I loose over .25"? An astonishing amount, it would seem.
[close]


Yeah, for sure!

I go by this, but of course everyone can choose their own path:

Popsicle / normal boards
8.0 = 139s
8.125 / 8.25 = 144s
8.38 / 8.5 = 149s
8.62 / 8.75 = 159s
8.88 / 9.0 = 169s

Shaped cruisers
8.75 blue meanie = 149s with big wheels
9.12 Huffer = 159s with wide wheels
9+ = 169s with big / wide wheels


The madness keeps me happy, but also makes me keep at least one of each of those set up at all times now, mainly for anyone else to try if they are interested, but that is my excuse for having them.
[close]

I've been dealing with a pulled groin muscle (forward leg) for a bit. Flat ground Ollies exacerbated the problem. So, I've been riding my 8.75"/159s a lot the last two weeks (easier to remind myself not to ollie on a bigger deck). Been doing lots of slappies and mini ramp skating on it. A few days ago I was feeling normal enough to go back to my 8.25/144s. However, there was now a problem. I had skated the 8.75" so much, that the 8.25" now seemed impossibly small to me...like a fucking 1980s freestyle board. I was like, "WTF!?! Am I actually going to be able to skate this thing again, ever?!?" I started to feel more comfortable on it after a bit, but decided to throw 149s on, to make it feel/ride a tad more stable/wider. It worked. Sort of. For somethings. A few other things on it I did not like. And then, well, you know what happens at that stage...The Madness creeps back in to the world of Men...
[close]

I find myself in this situation often 148/149 on 8.25 waivering back and forth, pros and cons. What didn’t you like about the 149/8.25 combo?

149s: I like my trucks to be same width as my board. So, right out of the gate, I have some issues with 149s on an existential level. I like the way 149s turn, feels a bit more surfy to me than 144s. Smith grinds (esp on single sided ledges) feel better/seem easier (LOVE smith grinds on the 8.75/159s). Overall, board feels a tad more stable. Feels like I don't have to be as exact/precise with any grind/stall trick. Conversely, I do notice a little more lateral slop during grinds (seem to notice it more on transition, and narrower bars/rails). Flip tricks seem a bit more clunky.

144s: Basically just the opposite of everything above.

Could I skate 149s? Absolutely. Could I skate 144s? I have for years. The question is just figuring out what I like better. Neither one is really going to make me skate better/worse.     
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on April 14, 2023, 08:58:36 AM
Thanks for the response @Sedition this is the exact madness that brought me to “shoes and gear” to begin with. I’m actually wanting to put 149s on my 8.125 right now :D
I hadn’t thought about my trucks at all for awhile and since I put a 56mm conical on there I started to want a wider truck again. Technically my trucks are wider because 148 is 8.25, and so the spiral begins.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 14, 2023, 10:01:57 AM
Thanks for the response @Sedition this is the exact madness that brought me to “shoes and gear” to begin with. I’m actually wanting to put 149s on my 8.125 right now :D
I hadn’t thought about my trucks at all for awhile and since I put a 56mm conical on there I started to want a wider truck again. Technically my trucks are wider because 148 is 8.25, and so the spiral begins.

Godspeed. I wish you out of the spiral ASAP.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 14, 2023, 01:55:23 PM
Expand Quote
Well what if I told you the DLX 8.25 I'd actually basically 8.38?
[close]

The 8.38 is one of my most hated DLX decks. Won't go near that thing.

What I meant more is the width of the DLX is actually 8.3 and basically identical to the BBS generic 8.38 but the nose is 1/8" longer and tail 1/16" or so shorter
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 14, 2023, 11:03:34 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Fastbreaks?  You can get dunks in classic colors no?
[close]

Fastbreaks or pro leathers would look better.
Good call.

I think you can get dunks in regular colors, when I bought these 3 pairs it was when I couldn’t get dunks very easily and just grabbed whatever they’d sell me in my size.
[close]

Fastbreaks have a worse insole and that stupid nylon material on most models. I wish so badly that converse would fix this shoe, i would probably skate it exclusively if they did.

Those new ones with the boot laces that came out look ok, but its not the time of year for an all black shoe.

Those black ones with the boot laces did look sick.

@camel filters i do love the Tiago’s. Same general issue: larger cupsole shoe (feels great), looks a little off with straight fit trousers.

Thanks ya’ll, I’m just being a nimrod. It’s pretty ‘funny’ how I can get bummed out about this small thing, and uh…maybe I could put some time into switch crooks or something instead
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 15, 2023, 10:55:22 PM
Thunders?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 15, 2023, 11:30:08 PM
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?


What are you skating?  Flat ground, street, parks, ramps?


The combination of trucks and how steep a board is can definitely have an effect, as per some of the more interesting videos from people on youtube and the like.

Steeper kicks and longer wheelbase trucks can mean you will get more height from your ollie, but you have to put more effort into getting it there, which could make your legs more tired.

More mellow boards with trucks that extend the wheelbase the least are way easier to pop but you are going to get less height, but might be easier to skate for longer or put less stress on your legs.

In order of shortest to longest wheelbase from the big brands, Ace, Indy, Thunder, Venture, but then it really comes down to the board as well, how many fingers of flat - distance between bolts and start of kicks - so no fingers of flat and steeper, boards are going to be very heavy feeling to pop, but then too many fingers of flat or very mellow and boards are going to be very light to pop.

Combinations of these will very much make a board heavier or lighter to pop, eg putting Ventures on a very mellow board with a short wheelbase and a lot of flat before the kicks will still make it very light to pop.


Last but not least, the legs themselves - warmups or fitness levels, tightness of trucks, strength of ankles, calves, etc all play a big part in it too.


Gear madness at its finest...


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2023, 01:12:30 AM
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?

As posed, the question is nearly impossible to answer, because it presupposes that trucks are the •only• variable; they are not.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on April 16, 2023, 03:52:25 AM
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?

Ace low or mini logo, but depending on the deck it might be too little stress
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: vicious cycle on April 16, 2023, 06:29:12 AM
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0614/3095/6207/products/avenue-gen1-90-suspension-truck-127007.jpg?v=1664443088&width=823)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0614/3095/6207/products/avenue-gen1-90-suspension-truck-780599.jpg?v=1664443088&width=823)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 16, 2023, 08:07:57 AM
i know it's crazy because well....it all matters....we have pages of drivel to support this....

but I kinda think your truck choice will not change whether or not your legs feel tired.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 16, 2023, 08:18:16 AM
i know it's crazy because well....it all matters....we have pages of drivel to support this....

but I kinda think your truck choice will not change whether or not your legs feel tired.....
Same, within reason. Obviously if you go from high trucks with risers to low ones your legs will be less tired. But I think it’s more important to learn your limits. If a session goes over an hour then I’ll be paying for my sins for a couple days 😅
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on April 16, 2023, 08:48:54 AM
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?

You’re chasing phantoms. Sorry to sound so glib, but if you’re worried about leg stress, go to the gym.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2023, 09:07:05 AM
Expand Quote
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?
[close]

You’re chasing phantoms. Sorry to sounds so glib, but if you’re worried about leg stress, go to the gym.

This is a solid answer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Yakusoku2 on April 16, 2023, 09:52:39 AM

What are you skating?  Flat ground, street, parks, ramps?

The combination of trucks and how steep a board is can definitely have an effect, as per some of the more interesting videos from people on youtube and the like.

Steeper kicks and longer wheelbase trucks can mean you will get more height from your ollie, but you have to put more effort into getting it there, which could make your legs more tired.

More mellow boards with trucks that extend the wheelbase the least are way easier to pop but you are going to get less height, but might be easier to skate for longer or put less stress on your legs.

In order of shortest to longest wheelbase from the big brands, Ace, Indy, Thunder, Venture, but then it really comes down to the board as well, how many fingers of flat - distance between bolts and start of kicks - so no fingers of flat and steeper, boards are going to be very heavy feeling to pop, but then too many fingers of flat or very mellow and boards are going to be very light to pop.

Combinations of these will very much make a board heavier or lighter to pop, eg putting Ventures on a very mellow board with a short wheelbase and a lot of flat before the kicks will still make it very light to pop.

Last but not least, the legs themselves - warmups or fitness levels, tightness of trucks, strength of ankles, calves, etc all play a big part in it too.

Gear madness at its finest...

This is great, thank you! I would like to ask you something and I hope to explain well in English. I have an 8.5” Hockey deck with 14.25” wheelbase. My plan is using some 58mm spitfires. For flat ground and street, what are the best trucks for a snappy pop? I followed the recommendations some users gave me about watching YouTubers that explain this but their set ups were not the same than mine so I still don’t know. Maybe Indy 149 hollows are good? Thank you!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on April 16, 2023, 11:41:45 AM
Which trucks if any do you think would put less stress on your legs? Maybe make your legs less tired?

Some good insoles are probably goingvto help more.  And switch to cupsoles if you are still skating vulcs.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Liggerz87 on April 16, 2023, 12:36:08 PM
ye I have skate madness lol I bought a complete enjoi then I got 2 slick decks girl and Santa Cruz then bought another complete a cliche one then I bought a heart supply impact light deck got 2 as they were like 34.99 half price I got venture low and sushi trucks also have mag light trucks to and then wheels have nomads the dragons and formula 4 classic and I just bought another deck wknd with independent trucks and formula 4 classics so I have like 8 decks or whatever it is now red board is my first ever one it's like 16 years old made by renner it did have warning this is not a toy but one rippin board but I painted it red lol
(https://i.ibb.co/yXgD6Zq/PXL-20230416-160400554-MP.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yXgD6Zq)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 16, 2023, 03:02:14 PM
ye I have skate madness lol I bought a complete enjoi then I got 2 slick decks girl and Santa Cruz then bought another complete a cliche one then I bought a heart supply impact light deck got 2 as they were like 34.99 half price I got venture low and sushi trucks also have mag light trucks to and then wheels have nomads the dragons and formula 4 classic and I just bought another deck wknd with independent trucks and formula 4 classics so I have like 8 decks or whatever it is now red board is my first ever one it's like 16 years old made by renner it did have warning this is not a toy but one rippin board but I painted it red lol
(https://i.ibb.co/yXgD6Zq/PXL-20230416-160400554-MP.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yXgD6Zq)
Pick one and be done with it. I have four setups, but decided to stick to one 95% of the time. Same with my shoes. Now when something goes wrong I know it’s me, not my gear cause it rarely changes

I only skate 2-3 hours a week, so it makes no sense for me to keep swapping out gear. Progression is all that matters now. At the end of the day, these are all professional quality products and anything can be done on them. Your skill is what matters the most ☺️
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 16, 2023, 08:59:03 PM

This is great, thank you! I would like to ask you something and I hope to explain well in English. I have an 8.5” Hockey deck with 14.25” wheelbase. My plan is using some 58mm spitfires. For flat ground and street, what are the best trucks for a snappy pop? I followed the recommendations some users gave me about watching YouTubers that explain this but their set ups were not the same than mine so I still don’t know. Maybe Indy 149 hollows are good? Thank you!


Yeah you could start with any 149 Independent trucks and go from there.

Standard / cast baseplates are taller at 55mm, forged baseplates are 53.5mm so on 58mm wheels, unless you like tighter trucks, I would be going with the standard / cast options with those wheels as per some of my own setups, but as each person is different, you might find it works well enough not to worry.  If you want lighter, sure hollow is going to be better and you can always put a thin riser under the forged baseplates if you do need a bit more height.

That is a start anyway.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 16, 2023, 09:42:28 PM
I'm not trying to troll anyone, but my legs are tired just thinking about that set up......
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 17, 2023, 01:27:39 AM
I'm not trying to troll anyone, but my legs are tired just thinking about that set up......


Ha yeah, for sure.  Those FA / Hockey boards sure are steep. 

Too steep for my liking, but I know some younger dudes love the steep kicks and get a lot of height over things or up onto things with their bigger wheels on pretty much that sort of setup.

I will take a more mellow deck on smaller wheels any day now for street or flat, only going for bigger wheels and a touch more concave for transition skating, but even then, not as steep as FA / Hockey.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FBC91 on April 17, 2023, 03:35:00 AM
 I just got back into skating at 32 after a 20-year hiatus.  I set up two completes; a mini logo with Indy 144s and a globe resin 7 with thunder 148s.  The globe deck is very steep and takes a lot of effort to pop.  I think the flatter mini logo is better for me and will allow me to skate longer while getting less tired.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on April 17, 2023, 09:39:18 AM
I've quelled my madness by skating [a lot] more, close to daily, granted it took skating more with different gear to whittle it down to one key factor:

My confidence level when skating and not necessarily trick success (but obviously this is also key but stems from feeling comfortable on board, for me).

It's taken a few months but I'm in a spot where I am no longer thinking about shape/width/WB, kicks, weight, grind and turn...it's incredibly freeing mentally. There's hope my dudes!



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 17, 2023, 10:30:52 AM
That's what happens to me every late Spring/Summer. It's nice and I don't wanna learn or adapt to new gear so I keep the same setup and just skate more. By Fall I feel great, then Winter weather hits and I get bored and curious....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 17, 2023, 10:48:48 AM
That's what happens to me every late Spring/Summer. It's nice and I don't wanna learn or adapt to new gear so I keep the same setup and just skate more. By Fall I feel great, then Winter weather hits and I get bored and curious....
Totally. My madness hits in winter, when I’m injured, or when I feel like my life is spiraling out of control 😅
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on April 17, 2023, 10:54:44 AM
That's what happens to me every late Spring/Summer. It's nice and I don't wanna learn or adapt to new gear so I keep the same setup and just skate more. By Fall I feel great, then Winter weather hits and I get bored and curious....

Exactly this.

In the fall I was skating great on an 8.25 Palace with 139 Forged Hollows. Fast forward to today and I've just set up an 8.125 Quasi I'd given up on with 144 Forged Hollow Mids and 1/16" risers. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 17, 2023, 01:40:25 PM
1/16" risers are 100% a madness part
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on April 17, 2023, 01:42:07 PM
1/16" risers are 100% a madness part

They're what made ace af1 lows perfect for me. (Coming from forged thunders)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on April 17, 2023, 04:44:25 PM
Expand Quote
1/16" risers are 100% a madness part
[close]

They're what made ace af1 lows perfect for me. (Coming from forged thunders)

+1 Ace 1/16 risers on the af1 lows; really turned them around (plus the hard bushings)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 17, 2023, 04:58:47 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
1/16" risers are 100% a madness part
[close]

They're what made ace af1 lows perfect for me. (Coming from forged thunders)
[close]

+1 Ace 1/16 risers on the af1 lows; really turned them around (plus the hard bushings)

I’m taking notes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GBLange on April 17, 2023, 08:35:28 PM
Expand Quote
i know it's crazy because well....it all matters....we have pages of drivel to support this....

but I kinda think your truck choice will not change whether or not your legs feel tired.....
[close]
Same, within reason. Obviously if you go from high trucks with risers to low ones your legs will be less tired. But I think it’s more important to learn your limits. If a session goes over an hour then I’ll be paying for my sins for a couple days 😅

and also our ageing body..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 17, 2023, 08:37:58 PM
Damn, wouldn't have guessed 1.58mm would be that huge of a difference, but it makes sense if you're really sensitive to the height or getting bad wheelbite.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on April 17, 2023, 09:22:43 PM
Damn, wouldn't have guessed 1.58mm would be that huge of a difference, but it makes sense if you're really sensitive to the height or getting bad wheelbite.

Definitely. 1.5mm risers are equivalent to changing your wheel size by 3mm when it comes to wheelbite and height.

I noticed the biggest difference when I tried Thunder 147s. Going from Indys to a truck that low made the wheelbite pretty bad for me, even on 52mm wheels. Those little risers made me consider sticking with them for longer.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 17, 2023, 10:11:50 PM
I noticed PJ rides risers with Venture Low I wonder if they're also smaller ones for this reason.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 18, 2023, 05:54:55 AM
I noticed PJ rides risers with Venture Low I wonder if they're also smaller ones for this reason.


Now I’m super curious!
Where did you see this? Forged baseplates or cast?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 18, 2023, 05:59:43 AM
Expand Quote
I noticed PJ rides risers with Venture Low I wonder if they're also smaller ones for this reason.
[close]


Now I’m super curious!
Where did you see this? Forged baseplates or cast?

I'm not a venture expert, but i dont think they make forged lows.

could be wrong.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 18, 2023, 06:57:16 AM
They definitely make forged lows.

I saw it just pressing pause on one of his IG reels you can see the black risers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 18, 2023, 07:18:04 AM
They definitely make forged lows.

I saw it just pressing pause on one of his IG reels you can see the black risers.

ah yea, they do, check the polished

https://venturetrucks.net/

dont think ive ever seen them in person though.

Venture lows are a pretty rare sighting for me in general.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 18, 2023, 07:47:55 AM
They definitely make forged lows.

I saw it just pressing pause on one of his IG reels you can see the black risers.


I’ll check, thanks.
I also do this, the hit pause, or take screen shots and then try and zoom. Totally not kooky or weird or obsessed.

I think Spencer Hamilton had a setup clip many years back with lo’s on risers.
Makes sense, 50mm truck height is sick. It’s why I liked the previous royals, quick easy pop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 18, 2023, 08:35:59 AM
Expand Quote
They definitely make forged lows.

I saw it just pressing pause on one of his IG reels you can see the black risers.
[close]

ah yea, they do, check the polished

https://venturetrucks.net/

dont think ive ever seen them in person though.

Venture lows are a pretty rare sighting for me in general.

Ya dude they are lowwwww. Almost 1cm lower than Indy standard. Nick Matthews runs em.

There's a local at my park that does as well. Rock hard with Bones highs. Dude manages to nollie flip crooks nollie fs flip out on the entire knee height ledge and skates the bowl on em so I guess turning is overrated?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 18, 2023, 09:49:51 AM
Isn’t Prod’s truck : 5.2 hollow low/forged…his 5.6 is high..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on April 18, 2023, 12:17:32 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
1/16" risers are 100% a madness part
[close]

They're what made ace af1 lows perfect for me. (Coming from forged thunders)
[close]

+1 Ace 1/16 risers on the af1 lows; really turned them around (plus the hard bushings)
[close]

I’m taking notes

Fixed wheelbite for 52mm wheels, 49mm trucks are looooow especially if you ride loose. I had to use the above and 50mm wheels being 190lbs
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on April 19, 2023, 01:53:41 AM
Nothing like an injury to keep gear madness in check. i'm likely out for at least a couple of months. gave a bunch of stuff to my nephew but still feels weird to have a pile of currently useless skate product. will set up a freshie to motivate me to get back on board while re-habbing. might actually sell some other shit...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on April 19, 2023, 07:00:07 AM
really want thunders but i know I can get more life out of my Indy's. its the only truck i dont have. but then i feel like as soon as i acquire the Thunders, I will need to get Slappys... gonna try and keep a policy of not getting something new until the old one is cooked.

Have to take comfort knowing those trucks (at least the thunders) arent going anywhere, they are gonna keep makin em lol...

I cant even remember know why I got half cabs but I might just start skating them from now on if I like them better than the Foy NB# 306. I am super stoked on them though but I am keeping them as chillers til I blow out the Foy's I just started working on.

The other shoe I want to try is Chuck 70s because both of those shoes will always be around... where the Foy might be gone in a couple years (seems like its selling pretty good and will probably stick around for a long time)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 19, 2023, 07:20:06 AM
After fucking with the tightness/bushings on my indys, trying to find that sweet spot of surf/stability, I have put aces back on my regular setup (with a 1/16th riser to make them the same height as the indys i was skating). Hard ace bushings too.

This time i cranked them tighter than i had previously done in an effort to make them more stable while still retaining some surf.

initial roll around the street felt good (but it pretty much always does)

First sesh at the park this afternoon.

God help me.

I know i skate my best on slightly tighter trucks, but i loosened them recently and it was just so much fun. I want the best of both worlds dammit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 19, 2023, 07:29:47 AM
Nothing like an injury to keep gear madness in check. i'm likely out for at least a couple of months. gave a bunch of stuff to my nephew but still feels weird to have a pile of currently useless skate product. will set up a freshie to motivate me to get back on board while re-habbing. might actually sell some other shit...


Opposite of me. If I’m injured or can’t make the time to skate, madness goes ham.
The more I skate, kinda doesn’t matter what I’m on
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: blue on April 19, 2023, 11:06:43 AM
Im having crazy shoe madness right now and I need help. Im 30, and I've skated non skate slip ons most of my life. Ive been trying various skate shoes and hating them all. I like a lot of board feel but still want to feel protected and also have a somewhat pointy toe. any suggestions?

for reference: I skated the cons slip ons and hated them, the vans skate slips are really wonky and stretch out really bad, BUT, oddly enough I've been skating a pair of blazer high's that feel really good after I took the insole out.

any advice helps
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 19, 2023, 11:13:39 AM
Im having crazy shoe madness right now and I need help. Im 30, and I've skated non skate slip ons most of my life. Ive been trying various skate shoes and hating them all. I like a lot of board feel but still want to feel protected and also have a somewhat pointy toe. any suggestions?

for reference: I skated the cons slip ons and hated them, the vans skate slips are really wonky and stretch out really bad, BUT, oddly enough I've been skating a pair of blazer high's that feel really good after I took the insole out.

any advice helps

Last resorts
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on April 19, 2023, 12:46:32 PM
Expand Quote
Nothing like an injury to keep gear madness in check. i'm likely out for at least a couple of months. gave a bunch of stuff to my nephew but still feels weird to have a pile of currently useless skate product. will set up a freshie to motivate me to get back on board while re-habbing. might actually sell some other shit...
[close]


Opposite of me. If I’m injured or can’t make the time to skate, madness goes ham.
The more I skate, kinda doesn’t matter what I’m on

Same for me. Most of my excess gear is from around when I broke my leg and then from later on when I was a bit too busy with life and didn’t skate enough.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Fartknocker415 on April 19, 2023, 12:56:29 PM
Im 30,


 I've been skating a pair of blazer high's that feel really good after I took the insole out.



As a fellow 30s guy, these parts gave me a light chuckle and sense of bewilderment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: blue on April 19, 2023, 03:08:47 PM
Expand Quote
Im 30,


 I've been skating a pair of blazer high's that feel really good after I took the insole out.


[close]

As a fellow 30s guy, these parts gave me a light chuckle and sense of bewilderment.



Im sure I sound insane
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on April 20, 2023, 01:23:59 AM
Excuse me in advance for this madness novel, but I know that some will help me a lot..  :'(

I upgraded to an 8.125 and Thunder 148s raws recently after skating 8.00 for long time, and Venture High 5.25 raws.  I wanted to try wider, board and medium/lower trucks, for more stability and less sketchy landing.

To tell the truth, I thought that the thunder 148 were an advantage for me, they are lower, neither too heavy nor too light. I like them a lot yes. However, I skate them on a Baker 8.125 with a Wheelbase of 14.25. I still sometimes have trouble mastering certain tricks and my 360 flips don't come as easily as before.. For the little that my legs are tired, the end of the session is very difficult and I didn't expect it's heavier than it looks

I'm really trying to find the solution for me, I'm in my early thirties, I've been skating for 15 years, and sometimes some tricks get difficult.. I'm a 8 foot size, and I'm 5.7, with small legs.

That's why I'm hesitating between two solutions that may be beneficial to me.. stay on 148 with an 8.125/8.25 with a 14 WB ! I tell myself that the wheelbase may be the miracle solution, no matter our build, I wonder if when we are small, a small board in length and in wheelbase is really better, and that it is not the width of the board that impacts the way of skating.

Or, as i skated 10 years ago, go back to an 8.00, WB 14 with Ventures lows.. but this still makes me buy trucks and a board at the same time.. my wallet may not agree haha But at that time, I was putting kickflips everywhere, and it's been 8 years since I've been able to do any more if it's only about ten a year.. my nightmare tricks that I lost in my legs .. but i was skating ventures lows too when i put them on, but, i can do switch flip with my actual setup..  so .. it makes me really hesitate and i wonder if lower trucks are better with age, and on the other hand i think to myself that it is only a question of millimeters with the thunder ..Small anecdote too, when I put kickflip, I was often in 7.75/7.8, somestimes 8.. So I think the wheelbase of the boards were very short (year 2009/2010) But again, I don't think the width changes anything..

Sorry again for this madness,  but i know I'm not the only one in this case (well.. with my kickflip, I think so  :D)

Thank you in advance friends skaters ! :-*
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on April 20, 2023, 06:53:37 AM
i personally find the width of the board doesnt matter nearly as much as the length for doing flip tricks. Doing a kickflip feels like I am doing the splits, and 360 flips feel harder to rotate to me.

I would definintely start with the shorter board and see if you can make the adjustment and finish out the trucks. Primitive makes 8.25" x 14" wb.  If possible try to see if you can thrash this setup before deciding if you really want to go back to 8" again or not. try to skate some other peoples setups before you buy more stuff too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 20, 2023, 07:09:17 AM
Excuse me in advance for this madness novel, but I know that some will help me a lot..  :'(

I upgraded to an 8.125 and Thunder 148s raws recently after skating 8.00 for long time, and Venture High 5.25 raws.  I wanted to try wider, board and medium/lower trucks, for more stability and less sketchy landing.

To tell the truth, I thought that the thunder 148 were an advantage for me, they are lower, neither too heavy nor too light. I like them a lot yes. However, I skate them on a Baker 8.125 with a Wheelbase of 14.25. I still sometimes have trouble mastering certain tricks and my 360 flips don't come as easily as before.. For the little that my legs are tired, the end of the session is very difficult and I didn't expect it's heavier than it looks

I'm really trying to find the solution for me, I'm in my early thirties, I've been skating for 15 years, and sometimes some tricks get difficult.. I'm a 8 foot size, and I'm 5.7, with small legs.

That's why I'm hesitating between two solutions that may be beneficial to me.. stay on 148 with an 8.125/8.25 with a 14 WB ! I tell myself that the wheelbase may be the miracle solution, no matter our build, I wonder if when we are small, a small board in length and in wheelbase is really better, and that it is not the width of the board that impacts the way of skating.

Or, as i skated 10 years ago, go back to an 8.00, WB 14 with Ventures lows.. but this still makes me buy trucks and a board at the same time.. my wallet may not agree haha But at that time, I was putting kickflips everywhere, and it's been 8 years since I've been able to do any more if it's only about ten a year.. my nightmare tricks that I lost in my legs .. but i was skating ventures lows too when i put them on, but, i can do switch flip with my actual setup..  so .. it makes me really hesitate and i wonder if lower trucks are better with age, and on the other hand i think to myself that it is only a question of millimeters with the thunder ..Small anecdote too, when I put kickflip, I was often in 7.75/7.8, somestimes 8.. So I think the wheelbase of the boards were very short (year 2009/2010) But again, I don't think the width changes anything..

Sorry again for this madness,  but i know I'm not the only one in this case (well.. with my kickflip, I think so  :D)

Thank you in advance friends skaters ! :-*

Not trying to sound like an asshole here, but if you havent already, you might wanna consider tightening your thunders a little bit and seeing how they feel.

Thunders turn more/morequickly than ventures, you might be having trouble for that reason.

I cant tell you how many times i was starting to go down he madness hole and just needed to adjust my trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on April 20, 2023, 09:44:07 AM
Expand Quote
Excuse me in advance for this madness novel, but I know that some will help me a lot..  :'(

I upgraded to an 8.125 and Thunder 148s raws recently after skating 8.00 for long time, and Venture High 5.25 raws.  I wanted to try wider, board and medium/lower trucks, for more stability and less sketchy landing.

To tell the truth, I thought that the thunder 148 were an advantage for me, they are lower, neither too heavy nor too light. I like them a lot yes. However, I skate them on a Baker 8.125 with a Wheelbase of 14.25. I still sometimes have trouble mastering certain tricks and my 360 flips don't come as easily as before.. For the little that my legs are tired, the end of the session is very difficult and I didn't expect it's heavier than it looks

I'm really trying to find the solution for me, I'm in my early thirties, I've been skating for 15 years, and sometimes some tricks get difficult.. I'm a 8 foot size, and I'm 5.7, with small legs.

That's why I'm hesitating between two solutions that may be beneficial to me.. stay on 148 with an 8.125/8.25 with a 14 WB ! I tell myself that the wheelbase may be the miracle solution, no matter our build, I wonder if when we are small, a small board in length and in wheelbase is really better, and that it is not the width of the board that impacts the way of skating.

Or, as i skated 10 years ago, go back to an 8.00, WB 14 with Ventures lows.. but this still makes me buy trucks and a board at the same time.. my wallet may not agree haha But at that time, I was putting kickflips everywhere, and it's been 8 years since I've been able to do any more if it's only about ten a year.. my nightmare tricks that I lost in my legs .. but i was skating ventures lows too when i put them on, but, i can do switch flip with my actual setup..  so .. it makes me really hesitate and i wonder if lower trucks are better with age, and on the other hand i think to myself that it is only a question of millimeters with the thunder ..Small anecdote too, when I put kickflip, I was often in 7.75/7.8, somestimes 8.. So I think the wheelbase of the boards were very short (year 2009/2010) But again, I don't think the width changes anything..

Sorry again for this madness,  but i know I'm not the only one in this case (well.. with my kickflip, I think so  :D)

Thank you in advance friends skaters ! :-*
[close]

Not trying to sound like an asshole here, but if you havent already, you might wanna consider tightening your thunders a little bit and seeing how they feel.

Thunders turn more/morequickly than ventures, you might be having trouble for that reason.

I cant tell you how many times i was starting to go down he madness hole and just needed to adjust my trucks.

I couldn’t agree more with this answer. “ I need more stability, ( tightens truck a quarter turn). There it is!“ There’s definitely an over tightened point but a micro adjustment as simple as this can go a long way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on April 20, 2023, 01:05:16 PM


It's true that I noticed that the thunders turn easily.. as long as you sit in flip, the board turns directly..Less stable than venture. So.. I will try this haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 20, 2023, 06:50:32 PM
Every truck is less stable than Venture. There's no shame in riding your tricks as tight as you need to be to do your tricks, but hopefully you should still be able to turn as needed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on April 20, 2023, 07:07:44 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Excuse me in advance for this madness novel, but I know that some will help me a lot..  :'(

I upgraded to an 8.125 and Thunder 148s raws recently after skating 8.00 for long time, and Venture High 5.25 raws.  I wanted to try wider, board and medium/lower trucks, for more stability and less sketchy landing.

To tell the truth, I thought that the thunder 148 were an advantage for me, they are lower, neither too heavy nor too light. I like them a lot yes. However, I skate them on a Baker 8.125 with a Wheelbase of 14.25. I still sometimes have trouble mastering certain tricks and my 360 flips don't come as easily as before.. For the little that my legs are tired, the end of the session is very difficult and I didn't expect it's heavier than it looks

I'm really trying to find the solution for me, I'm in my early thirties, I've been skating for 15 years, and sometimes some tricks get difficult.. I'm a 8 foot size, and I'm 5.7, with small legs.

That's why I'm hesitating between two solutions that may be beneficial to me.. stay on 148 with an 8.125/8.25 with a 14 WB ! I tell myself that the wheelbase may be the miracle solution, no matter our build, I wonder if when we are small, a small board in length and in wheelbase is really better, and that it is not the width of the board that impacts the way of skating.

Or, as i skated 10 years ago, go back to an 8.00, WB 14 with Ventures lows.. but this still makes me buy trucks and a board at the same time.. my wallet may not agree haha But at that time, I was putting kickflips everywhere, and it's been 8 years since I've been able to do any more if it's only about ten a year.. my nightmare tricks that I lost in my legs .. but i was skating ventures lows too when i put them on, but, i can do switch flip with my actual setup..  so .. it makes me really hesitate and i wonder if lower trucks are better with age, and on the other hand i think to myself that it is only a question of millimeters with the thunder ..Small anecdote too, when I put kickflip, I was often in 7.75/7.8, somestimes 8.. So I think the wheelbase of the boards were very short (year 2009/2010) But again, I don't think the width changes anything..

Sorry again for this madness,  but i know I'm not the only one in this case (well.. with my kickflip, I think so  :D)

Thank you in advance friends skaters ! :-*
[close]

Not trying to sound like an asshole here, but if you havent already, you might wanna consider tightening your thunders a little bit and seeing how they feel.

Thunders turn more/morequickly than ventures, you might be having trouble for that reason.

I cant tell you how many times i was starting to go down he madness hole and just needed to adjust my trucks.
[close]

I couldn’t agree more with this answer. “ I need more stability, ( tightens truck a quarter turn). There it is!“ There’s definitely an over tightened point but a micro adjustment as simple as this can go a long way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 25, 2023, 09:22:35 PM
Got a truefit.
Shop had the 8, Krooked. Great graphic.
Sadly, it’s a 2, so not my shit but had to try it.
Setup on 147 hollows, with a solid kingpin cast baseplate, and 52 mm conical full 101s, swiss (not the 6s unfortunately).
Mob. That I fucked up.

Board looks great. Brown top stain…just the whole thing looks lovely.
First thought was that the pop was just bad. For context, I took the trucks and wheels and such, off of a 2 year old quasi 8.125. Just to set up something different. I am a ps stix fanbuddy. I despise the view of a bbs board from the primo position. Just the way the concave waves up. Fuuuuuck that. Anyways, pop wack. Kickflips good. Ollies felt so weird, switch and nollie felt nice. Didn’t get a lot of time, it’s fun to try. I might do the EXTREMELY GROSS thing I do, and change the trucks (to 5.2 lo’s). Started to figure it out a little more, strangely needed to bring the popping foot way closer to the bolts, down into the pocket.

I’m so stoked dlx made these, I’ll look for a flat one.
I’d probably be better served with the 8.12x14x31.3 they rarely make.
Better yet would be a ps/prime/pgi/pnotbbs board.

Fun to try different stuff!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on April 26, 2023, 02:43:05 AM
Isn’t Prod’s truck : 5.2 hollow low/forged…his 5.6 is high..

They used to be at least. I have 5.2 hollow lows but they're gold so I kinda hate them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on April 26, 2023, 04:59:04 AM
Im having crazy shoe madness right now and I need help. Im 30, and I've skated non skate slip ons most of my life. Ive been trying various skate shoes and hating them all. I like a lot of board feel but still want to feel protected and also have a somewhat pointy toe. any suggestions?

for reference: I skated the cons slip ons and hated them, the vans skate slips are really wonky and stretch out really bad, BUT, oddly enough I've been skating a pair of blazer high's that feel really good after I took the insole out.

any advice helps

One stars? Semi pointy, more protective than a slip, but if your not a cons iono
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 26, 2023, 11:22:29 AM
Not sure if this is madness, but I have the urge to swap out a perfectly fine deck (after a month of use). I have this thing where I like to setup new decks to signify a change. Like new season, coming back from an injury, new approach to skateboarding, etc.

Am I being a superstitious kook? 🥹
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on April 26, 2023, 11:32:09 AM
Not sure if this is madness, but I have the urge to swap out a perfectly fine deck (after a month of use). I have this thing where I like to setup new decks to signify a change. Like new season, coming back from an injury, new approach to skateboarding, etc.

Am I being a superstitious kook? 🥹

I feel like if you give your used deck to someone who really needs it, that kinda balances out the kooky-ness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 26, 2023, 11:42:32 AM
Not really madness cuz I'm not sweating it but recently tried Venture 5.6 Cast hollows again recently. First on an 8.25/14.25 Pass~Port. Was ok for a few flip tricks, decent pop, horrible manual point. Figured I'd throw them on my 8.25 AH Eagle I am running Thunders on and holy shit is it horrible. Like awful ollieing over anything except for getting up on a taller ledge. Manual point is a tad better cuz the deck is mellower. I don't think I will even try to persist on it because skating it is just simply not fun.

Interestingly I put my Thunders on the Pass~Port and liked it better than the Ventures on there before. So far I have enjoyed Thunders on basically any BBS deck 8.25-8.5 wide and 14.25-14.5WB yet I still wanna try other trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 26, 2023, 01:22:05 PM
Not sure if this is madness, but I have the urge to swap out a perfectly fine deck (after a month of use). I have this thing where I like to setup new decks to signify a change. Like new season, coming back from an injury, new approach to skateboarding, etc.

Am I being a superstitious kook? 🥹

Madness is tinkering with equipment, chasing some Grail type set-up, that all of us know really doesn't exist. Symbolic gestures that are "allegorious" to something else, in this case change, IMHO, fall into realm outside the scope and range of The Madness, as we have come to know it in this thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on April 26, 2023, 02:23:20 PM
Not sure if this is madness, but I have the urge to swap out a perfectly fine deck (after a month of use). I have this thing where I like to setup new decks to signify a change. Like new season, coming back from an injury, new approach to skateboarding, etc.

Am I being a superstitious kook? 🥹

I only like to skate spring/summer color decks during the warmer months. Gotta be a lot of light colors, lots of pastels, stuff like that. Dark boards are for skating in parking garages all winter.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 26, 2023, 02:29:32 PM
After an injury?  The only real question is whether or not it’s safe to give away?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: vicious cycle on April 26, 2023, 02:32:45 PM
i'm sitting on 3 decks i bought while riding Indy forged.
Now that i switched to venture forged i catch myself looking for more decks that my brain says would skate better with the ventures..
I got 2 Real 8.28s.. 31.7, 14.12 WB. Pretty short tail and one is a I the other is a III.
Should i even bother setting them up with the ventures.
The other one is a Darkroom 8.25, 32, 14.25 WB. Could work better maybe..
Last one was a Polar 8.25, 31.875 14.125 WB. That one felt great with the Ventures so my madness tells me i should buy a few more of them..
I hate this shit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 26, 2023, 02:42:08 PM
Expand Quote
Not sure if this is madness, but I have the urge to swap out a perfectly fine deck (after a month of use). I have this thing where I like to setup new decks to signify a change. Like new season, coming back from an injury, new approach to skateboarding, etc.

Am I being a superstitious kook? 🥹
[close]

I only like to skate spring/summer color decks during the warmer months. Gotta be a lot of light colors, lots of pastels, stuff like that. Dark boards are for skating in parking garages all winter.
Thanks for the replies. I know it’s not technically madness and I plan on giving it away. And yeah, I want something that has a different vibe. Also doesn’t hurt that I have an abundance of decks cause the sale gear thread lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 26, 2023, 04:48:15 PM
i'm sitting on 3 decks i bought while riding Indy forged.
Now that i switched to venture forged i catch myself looking for more decks that my brain says would skate better with the ventures..
I got 2 Real 8.28s.. 31.7, 14.12 WB. Pretty short tail and one is a I the other is a III.
Should i even bother setting them up with the ventures.
The other one is a Darkroom 8.25, 32, 14.25 WB. Could work better maybe..
Last one was a Polar 8.25, 31.875 14.125 WB. That one felt great with the Ventures so my madness tells me i should buy a few more of them..
I hate this shit.

You don't have to hate it. You have 2 choices:

1. Set them up and try and leave them at a local park if they don't work.
2. Try to sell them and get what you like.

Regardless I would advise not trying to mastermind wheelbases or other dimensions as much. I've skated setups that all had the same effective wheelbase but felt much different. I have no clue why I like Thunders on 14.5 more than Venture on 14.1-14.25 when they have a longer effective wheelbase. I've skated decks with the same measurements but different kick shapes and fingers of flat and had noticeably different experiences. Sometimes you gotta just ride with what works and suck it up as a loss if something you try that is similar or might be better doesn't work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on April 26, 2023, 07:57:49 PM
Not really madness cuz I'm not sweating it but recently tried Venture 5.6 Cast hollows again recently. First on an 8.25/14.25 Pass~Port. Was ok for a few flip tricks, decent pop, horrible manual point. Figured I'd throw them on my 8.25 AH Eagle I am running Thunders on and holy shit is it horrible. Like awful ollieing over anything except for getting up on a taller ledge. Manual point is a tad better cuz the deck is mellower. I don't think I will even try to persist on it because skating it is just simply not fun.

Interestingly I put my Thunders on the Pass~Port and liked it better than the Ventures on there before. So far I have enjoyed Thunders on basically any BBS deck 8.25-8.5 wide and 14.25-14.5WB yet I still wanna try other trucks.

Have you been able to try the cast hollows on the AWS 8.25 x 32.25 x 14.25?  That has been my favorite deck to run with those trucks.  I think the longer nose and tail work well with the Ventures.  All of my manuals feel good on this setup, and my flip tricks are higher than doing them on Thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 26, 2023, 09:46:05 PM
I have not, no one local sells those and I typically am not one for big kicks. So far I have tried Quasi 8.25, Quasi 8.38, BBS 8.125 generic, BBS 8.25 generic, BBS 8.38 generic, DLX Blue Eagle 8.4ish x 14.25, a DLX 8.25, a DLX 8.06, and maybe something else. I think the only deck I've really enjoyed them on is the BBS 8.125/8.25
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on April 27, 2023, 05:47:10 AM
Quasi 8.25 is on deck for me.  The one with the 14.38 wb.  Never tried this shape, but I normally do not like PS.  We'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on April 27, 2023, 11:44:09 AM
I have this thing where I like to setup new decks to signify a change. Like new season, coming back from an injury, new approach to skateboarding, etc.

(https://media.tenor.com/krm8Y3yp314AAAAC/omg-switch.gif)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FGO925 on April 27, 2023, 12:43:36 PM
I’ve been on the opposite end of some of these board dimension trends. Longer boards and wheelbases. The bbs dlx 8.25/14.38 with thunders has been my go to recently, but I just finished riding this weird 8.25 heroin yankou deck with a 14.8 wheelbase and it was magic. Flip tricks were amazing, and it was super comfy on transition. I thought it was mislabeled at first but I measured and it was pretty close at 14.7

I’m 5’11 so not really tall and I don’t think my legs are oddly long, but for some reason these bigger wheelbase boards just feel perfect. Bigger nose/tails, nice fingers of flat, and the 8.25 width just works perfect for flip tricks and ledges but gives enough stability for transition.

I found an old ass anti hero deck at the mall labeled “8.25 full” with a 14.5 wheelbase - seemed to from the old/original run when dlx first introduced the full shapes. Didn’t grab it because it must have been a few years old. I ended up finding a few unity & there decks with that same shape and I believe both of those brands are from dlx as well correct?

https://www.tactics.com/there/kien-friends-825-full-shape-skateboard-deck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 27, 2023, 01:05:55 PM
That deck is new, shoulda grabbed it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FGO925 on April 27, 2023, 04:09:42 PM
Damn ur right, just checked their catalog and it’s new. Still sucks buying from mainland, might go to my local shop and see if they have it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FGO925 on April 27, 2023, 04:11:27 PM
Damn ur right, just checked their catalog and it’s new. Still sucks buying from mainland, might go to my local shop and see if they have it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 27, 2023, 04:49:56 PM
I’ve been on the opposite end of some of these board dimension trends. Longer boards and wheelbases. The bbs dlx 8.25/14.38 with thunders has been my go to recently, but I just finished riding this weird 8.25 heroin yankou deck with a 14.8 wheelbase and it was magic. Flip tricks were amazing, and it was super comfy on transition. I thought it was mislabeled at first but I measured and it was pretty close at 14.7

I’m 5’11 so not really tall and I don’t think my legs are oddly long, but for some reason these bigger wheelbase boards just feel perfect. Bigger nose/tails, nice fingers of flat, and the 8.25 width just works perfect for flip tricks and ledges but gives enough stability for transition.

I found an old ass anti hero deck at the mall labeled “8.25 full” with a 14.5 wheelbase - seemed to from the old/original run when dlx first introduced the full shapes. Didn’t grab it because it must have been a few years old. I ended up finding a few unity & there decks with that same shape and I believe both of those brands are from dlx as well correct?

https://www.tactics.com/there/kien-friends-825-full-shape-skateboard-deck


Yes, they are all under DLX, being able to use any of the same shapes, or do their own, like the long Chandler Burton board, but that is wider as well.

https://www.tactics.com/there/chandler-burton-night-garden-85-skateboard-deck/metallic-foil


I think there should be more of those 8.25 Full boards coming out from DLX as well, but with anything like that, you never know how many or when they will do more, but I think the Heroin board shape is a regular one and most likely in every drop, or every other drop from Heroin from what I have heard / seen.

At least the DLX 8.25 Full shape is pretty much the go to for an allrounder, or if you do like longer boards / wheelbases without going crazy on the overall dimensions or having the wheelbase eat into the nose or tail too much.


Another board with weird long wheelbase for it's size is the Palace 8.3 board, at a similar 14.8 or so wheelbase, that most people steer clear of, but some really like.  It is Dwindle wood and Palace is not one of the brands that is around everywhere, as well as usually being on the higher price end of the scale, but interesting to see.


To say I am biased towards BBS and DLX is an understatement, but I try to keep an open mind when helping others with products, board info, etc.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: vicious cycle on April 29, 2023, 10:04:25 AM
Expand Quote
i'm sitting on 3 decks i bought while riding Indy forged.
Now that i switched to venture forged i catch myself looking for more decks that my brain says would skate better with the ventures..
I got 2 Real 8.28s.. 31.7, 14.12 WB. Pretty short tail and one is a I the other is a III.
Should i even bother setting them up with the ventures.
The other one is a Darkroom 8.25, 32, 14.25 WB. Could work better maybe..
Last one was a Polar 8.25, 31.875 14.125 WB. That one felt great with the Ventures so my madness tells me i should buy a few more of them..
I hate this shit.
[close]

You don't have to hate it. You have 2 choices:

1. Set them up and try and leave them at a local park if they don't work.
2. Try to sell them and get what you like.

Regardless I would advise not trying to mastermind wheelbases or other dimensions as much. I've skated setups that all had the same effective wheelbase but felt much different. I have no clue why I like Thunders on 14.5 more than Venture on 14.1-14.25 when they have a longer effective wheelbase. I've skated decks with the same measurements but different kick shapes and fingers of flat and had noticeably different experiences. Sometimes you gotta just ride with what works and suck it up as a loss if something you try that is similar or might be better doesn't work.
1st session on the 8.28 and yea.. Better than my Madness tried to tell me. I kinda like it more than the polar I had before. It felt a bit more tiring but all my stuff worked really well. I went with the III first. The I will be a different kind of beast I guess..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on April 29, 2023, 10:25:08 AM
Not being able to skate and having a pile of unused shit is driving me loopy. I want to just give it all away at this point.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on April 29, 2023, 12:13:18 PM
Not being able to skate and having a pile of unused shit is driving me loopy. I want to just give it all away at this point.

That’s the worst for me with the madness. Then I start buying more and thinking what kind of set ups I should put together to make me an awesome skater. Then I start fiddling with my gear and setting up boards and then it’s full blown madness.

I’ll try to actively avoid that situation from now on but it’s not easy as I’ve got so much stuff and not enough time to skate and I’ve also been injured a bunch in the last few years.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on April 29, 2023, 01:59:48 PM
I’ve been a one complete guy for a while now, but last night I was struggling to land a single kickflip and my pop felt like crap. Today I’m on call and stuck at home, so in order to induce fresh madness into my skating, I went ahead and setup a freshie with some Ventures I’ve had kicking around.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on April 29, 2023, 03:03:50 PM
I’ve been a one complete guy for a while now, but last night I was struggling to land a single kickflip and my pop felt like crap. Today I’m on call and stuck at home, so in order to induce fresh madness into my skating, I went ahead and setup a freshie with some Ventures I’ve had kicking around.

This is the way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on April 30, 2023, 03:56:00 AM
After riding a size 8.0 board for a long time, and high trucks, I wanted to change two months ago and I bought a baker 8.125, and thunder 148, because influenced by everyone who skates big guys trucks, but above all; I wanted to be on the medium; because I was getting tired of high trucks, too much effort and big problem in flip tricks.

Lots of trouble too, wide trucks are so hard for me.. I'm short (5.7) and short legs..

Yesterday; I went to the local shop to buy a new board, I went back to 8.0, all the other boards were too long with a large wheelbase, I took a sk8mafia with a length of 31.25 and a wheelbase of 14,1
and a friend gave me a pair of Fury trucks, the new ones that are sold in partnership with decathlon skateboarding , there are mids, and honestly.. I haven't skated so well in a long time ! A 8.0 board is so much better for my build, and the fury trucks are a really big surprise!!! Very light but controllable. Maybe because they are made of aluminium. Their wheelbase is closer to independent, so less hassle with a board wheelbase above 14..

If I could give ONE BIG piece of advice for those who have fallen into madness like me, Take a board in relation to your body size, honestly, everything is easier .. that's undeniable
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 30, 2023, 06:42:54 AM
I'm 6 foot 3 with US size 10 shoes what board size is for me?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 30, 2023, 07:09:18 AM
I'm 6 foot 3 with US size 10 shoes what board size is for me?
I’m the same height but my feet are 13. I like 8.5 best, but can pop higher on 8.25. I have a 9.25 and 10.34 deck too, and while they feel comfy, they’re too big for me.

Honestly, I think concave is more important than the size. My 8.25 TM deck feels bigger than some of my 8.5s cause it’s so flat lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mynameisnotjeff on April 30, 2023, 08:52:43 AM
After riding a size 8.0 board for a long time, and high trucks, I wanted to change two months ago and I bought a baker 8.125, and thunder 148, because influenced by everyone who skates big guys trucks, but above all; I wanted to be on the medium; because I was getting tired of high trucks, too much effort and big problem in flip tricks.

Lots of trouble too, wide trucks are so hard for me.. I'm short (5.7) and short legs..

Yesterday; I went to the local shop to buy a new board, I went back to 8.0, all the other boards were too long with a large wheelbase, I took a sk8mafia with a length of 31.25 and a wheelbase of 14,1
and a friend gave me a pair of Fury trucks, the new ones that are sold in partnership with decathlon skateboarding , there are mids, and honestly.. I haven't skated so well in a long time ! A 8.0 board is so much better for my build, and the fury trucks are a really big surprise!!! Very light but controllable. Maybe because they are made of aluminium. Their wheelbase is closer to independent, so less hassle with a board wheelbase above 14..

If I could give ONE BIG piece of advice for those who have fallen into madness like me, Take a board in relation to your body size, honestly, everything is easier .. that's undeniable

(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY2Y2Yjk2N2QwNjM3OGRmOTZlM2YwYjQ0ZDM1Y2E2NTZmNjQ0ZGRhMyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX2dpZklkJmN0PWc/lGqCfaLbpv28xE4vc3/giphy.gif)

Pushes away in an 8.38 and an 8.75 at 5'7"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on April 30, 2023, 10:32:45 AM
My ollies might be better on one setup cause it has sanded down Jessup versus MOB on my other one. Just easier to slide my foot, but feels like I'll slip off while cruising. This got me thinking--have any of y'all ever applied different brands of grip on a deck? I'm thinking MOB on the tail and Jessup up front for a quicker slide. So it'd be like a 25/75 split. Surely I'm not the first person to think of this lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on April 30, 2023, 10:40:25 AM
Expand Quote
After riding a size 8.0 board for a long time, and high trucks, I wanted to change two months ago and I bought a baker 8.125, and thunder 148, because influenced by everyone who skates big guys trucks, but above all; I wanted to be on the medium; because I was getting tired of high trucks, too much effort and big problem in flip tricks.

Lots of trouble too, wide trucks are so hard for me.. I'm short (5.7) and short legs..

Yesterday; I went to the local shop to buy a new board, I went back to 8.0, all the other boards were too long with a large wheelbase, I took a sk8mafia with a length of 31.25 and a wheelbase of 14,1
and a friend gave me a pair of Fury trucks, the new ones that are sold in partnership with decathlon skateboarding , there are mids, and honestly.. I haven't skated so well in a long time ! A 8.0 board is so much better for my build, and the fury trucks are a really big surprise!!! Very light but controllable. Maybe because they are made of aluminium. Their wheelbase is closer to independent, so less hassle with a board wheelbase above 14..

If I could give ONE BIG piece of advice for those who have fallen into madness like me, Take a board in relation to your body size, honestly, everything is easier .. that's undeniable
[close]

(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY2Y2Yjk2N2QwNjM3OGRmOTZlM2YwYjQ0ZDM1Y2E2NTZmNjQ0ZGRhMyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZzX2dpZklkJmN0PWc/lGqCfaLbpv28xE4vc3/giphy.gif)

Pushes away in an 8.38 and an 8.75 at 5'7"

Yes I forgot to mention that the skateboarding style also plays a role.. I do a lot of flatground.. I think that if I did ramp or big rail, and big gap, it wouldn't be the same haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FGO925 on April 30, 2023, 10:41:51 AM
I definitely prefer bbs/Dlx boards as well but I may have to try that palace 8.3

These longer boards just feel super comfy. I still love the smaller wheelbase huge shovel nose FA style boards, but they just aren’t as versatile. Having a huge nose and tail does make it really easy to boost flip tricks out of tail & nose slide’s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on April 30, 2023, 02:22:54 PM
If I was boosting flip tricks out of slides or grinds I wouldn't change a thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 30, 2023, 06:00:13 PM
My ollies might be better on one setup cause it has sanded down Jessup versus MOB on my other one. Just easier to slide my foot, but feels like I'll slip off while cruising. This got me thinking--have any of y'all ever applied different brands of grip on a deck? I'm thinking MOB on the tail and Jessup up front for a quicker slide. So it'd be like a 25/75 split. Surely I'm not the first person to think of this lol


I can't remember who but someone used to do that.  Extra tough grit on the tail, but didn't matter on the rest of the board, especially with all their weird and wonderful grip jobs, where they often used a lot of coloured and different grip to make a piece of art every time.

Some of the other custom grip jobs people have done left me wanting to change out the grip close to the bolts on the tail, as they had spray art grip just in the pocket where I like to keep my foot.  Sure put the square of sprayed grip art up past the back bolts, but not at all into the tail please?!?



https://www.instagram.com/p/BhSh6IdFx1H/


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Tom Pearl on May 01, 2023, 05:56:12 PM
Anybody ever fuck with moose blanks?


if so could you offer details about shape and overall durability, shit like that
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 01, 2023, 06:18:57 PM
Rhetorical Question: Has this thread helped mitigate your madness…or made it worse? 

My answer? “Yes.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 01, 2023, 07:11:05 PM
Better than the truck threads do
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on May 01, 2023, 09:45:32 PM
Rhetorical Question: Has this thread helped mitigate your madness…or made it worse? 

My answer? “Yes.”

Definitely helped me. It was really helpful for me to actually detail my level of madness here. It really put things in perspective for me. Also seeing the posts of people having madness over trivial and unnecessary stuff, exactly like I have definitely helps me. I haven’t bought any new skate gear for a long time and I’ve also changed my shit up very rarely and only for a justified enough reason. I even made an Excel sheet for myself detailing every change in my setup and shoes and the reason for the change.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 01, 2023, 10:07:01 PM
Expand Quote
Rhetorical Question: Has this thread helped mitigate your madness…or made it worse? 

My answer? “Yes.”
[close]

Definitely helped me. It was really helpful for me to actually detail my level of madness here. It really put things in perspective for me. Also seeing the posts of people having madness over trivial and unnecessary stuff, exactly like I have definitely helps me. I haven’t bought any new skate gear for a long time and I’ve also changed my shit up very rarely and only for a justified enough reason. I even made an Excel sheet for myself detailing every change in my setup and shoes and the reason for the change.

I used to do the Excel sheet with WB measurements for each pair of truck with each deck, and this year I started a logbook to track each session on what worked / didn't work for each session, specific to tricks. Got lazy a few months back and haven't got back on the horse yet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on May 02, 2023, 04:35:33 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Rhetorical Question: Has this thread helped mitigate your madness…or made it worse? 

My answer? “Yes.”
[close]

Definitely helped me. It was really helpful for me to actually detail my level of madness here. It really put things in perspective for me. Also seeing the posts of people having madness over trivial and unnecessary stuff, exactly like I have definitely helps me. I haven’t bought any new skate gear for a long time and I’ve also changed my shit up very rarely and only for a justified enough reason. I even made an Excel sheet for myself detailing every change in my setup and shoes and the reason for the change.
[close]

I used to do the Excel sheet with WB measurements for each pair of truck with each deck, and this year I started a logbook to track each session on what worked / didn't work for each session, specific to tricks. Got lazy a few months back and haven't got back on the horse yet.

That sounds nice. I’m a nerd and I love data.

I haven’t figured out how to easily enough integrate the data from my Apple Watch on how much I’ve skated to my Excel-file. Now it just has dates and those can be misleading as the amount I skate unfortunately varies a lot these days. If I could integrate that somehow I’d be stoked.

Also your logbook idea on what tricks work and what do not sounds very good. I’m on a slightly shorter wheelbase now and have been loving it for many things but it is a trade off with something else. Documenting this somehow reliably would be nice. You’d have to have a way of disregarding the bad sessions which happen inexplicably sometimes though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 02, 2023, 06:16:35 AM
Re the spreadsheet banter...

I had a spreadsheet for a long time. Deck measurements. Notes about shape. Notes about what I did/didn't like about each. I started this years ago, when I was trying to find my "Grail Set-Up," which I eventually did find. Last year I deleted the entire thing. Why? Because it itself had become part of the madness. I had long ago found what works the best for me, and the spreadsheet just became a place I'd look for potential data tweaks when I was bored/injured/rainy days/etc. My only real regret in deleting it? It was a great resource in helping others when they had questions about a specific (DLX) deck measurements/shapes, but @Mbrimson88 usually has my back on that one, so, not a total loss.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 02, 2023, 06:26:25 AM
I've been engaging in purposeful madness after finding a good home base. Mostly trucks with one foray into a shorter deck. What I've found is usually I can do everything, just some things slightly better.

What this has led to is indecisiveness. Do I want the nice pop of Indy's? Or the fast nollie pop of Thunders?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 02, 2023, 06:34:55 AM
I've been engaging in purposeful madness after finding a good home base.

This is a perfect example. I don't know if this (brilliant) statement just made my madness better, or worse. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 02, 2023, 07:02:10 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Rhetorical Question: Has this thread helped mitigate your madness…or made it worse? 

My answer? “Yes.”
[close]

Definitely helped me. It was really helpful for me to actually detail my level of madness here. It really put things in perspective for me. Also seeing the posts of people having madness over trivial and unnecessary stuff, exactly like I have definitely helps me. I haven’t bought any new skate gear for a long time and I’ve also changed my shit up very rarely and only for a justified enough reason. I even made an Excel sheet for myself detailing every change in my setup and shoes and the reason for the change.
[close]

I used to do the Excel sheet with WB measurements for each pair of truck with each deck, and this year I started a logbook to track each session on what worked / didn't work for each session, specific to tricks. Got lazy a few months back and haven't got back on the horse yet.
[close]

That sounds nice. I’m a nerd and I love data.

I haven’t figured out how to easily enough integrate the data from my Apple Watch on how much I’ve skated to my Excel-file. Now it just has dates and those can be misleading as the amount I skate unfortunately varies a lot these days. If I could integrate that somehow I’d be stoked.

Also your logbook idea on what tricks work and what do not sounds very good. I’m on a slightly shorter wheelbase now and have been loving it for many things but it is a trade off with something else. Documenting this somehow reliably would be nice. You’d have to have a way of disregarding the bad sessions which happen inexplicably sometimes though.

I don't document the way the setup feels as much as I document the session, specific things that worked or didn't about a trick. Shoulders / weight distribution / foot placement, that kind of stuff. I found out I was running out of things to document so each entry got shorter, both in a good and bad way, I was getting consistent in some tricks that I could do them without micro-corrections every session.

In retrospect the entries weren't growing because I wasn't trying anything new, hence not worth documenting. The bad session entries boiled down to "get out of your head, stop overthinking this".
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 02, 2023, 07:39:59 AM
I've been engaging in purposeful madness after finding a good home base. Mostly trucks with one foray into a shorter deck. What I've found is usually I can do everything, just some things slightly better.

What this has led to is indecisiveness. Do I want the nice pop of Indy's? Or the fast nollie pop of Thunders?

What’s your home base setup?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 02, 2023, 07:45:18 AM
BBS generic 8.38 or DLX 8.25 with 148 Thunders, 52-53mm F4. I could likely also ride the BBS generic 8.25 and any of the wider DLX with a 14.25 fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 02, 2023, 08:35:50 AM
BBS generic 8.38 or DLX 8.25 with 148 Thunders, 52-53mm F4. I could likely also ride the BBS generic 8.25 and any of the wider DLX with a 14.25 fine.

i think this is my favorite setup too tbh ^
I don't have thunders either but thats gonna be my next truck for sure. tried my friends Hockey 8.5" x 14.25" andrew allen on conical full 52mm with thunder 149s and it felt pretty damn perfect to me.

I am on 8.5" x 14" wb Anti Hero with 144 Indy Ti. I do like the short wb on here but I liked the 14.25" more. I like 14" more than 14.5" thats for damn sure.

Primitive 8.38"s are like 14.125" wb i am probably gonna try that next. It could be potentially even more perfect.

I decided I need to stay on 148 / 8.25" trucks for 3. reasons;

1: the main spot i skate is a curb with grass on the other side, you want narrower trucks because its very rounded and its easy to go over the other side if your trucks are wider than 8.25".
2: I don't really skate tranny at all.
3: I find it slightly easier to pinch 5050 grinds on round rails on a narrower truck.

I am going to switch conical full for classic next time to see what I like better. I have rode conical or radial shape (was always fairly clueless about wheels until Bones STF came out) for probaly the entire time ive been skating (~25 years) so i am interested to see what classics are like. debating going 101 on a F4 because I love super super slick noseslide action but i may regret it when it comes time to skate a bank or something and 99a seems to work just fine for noseslides.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 02, 2023, 09:32:24 AM
Thunders work well or 95% optimal with most decks. That's their greatest strength.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on May 02, 2023, 10:22:55 AM
I know I've joked about this before, but it always makes me laugh when I read through this thread and see comments like "Will an 8.5" DLX deck work well with Thunder 149s and Spitfire 54mm wheels?" and it's like dude, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 02, 2023, 10:34:24 AM
yeah i personally cant stand when ppl are like "this truck pairs nicely with this board" because imo there is always an advantage and disadvantage to doing everything.

consider nigel rides almost completely flat PS deck - he doesnt need any dogshit to make him do 3 flips or sw heel tailside better. he can ollie on it nicely into rails, thats for sure. that board probalby produces super consistent results once you are used to it. compared to a more "spoon like" (mbrimson ;) BBS shape.

just cuase we dont like it doesnt mean it doesnt work for someone else or you couldnt get used to it. i love that cambre or what have you on the bbs boards though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 02, 2023, 10:35:07 AM
I know I've joked about this before, but it always makes me laugh when I read through this thread and see comments like "Will an 8.5" DLX deck work well with Thunder 149s and Spitfire 54mm wheels?" and it's like dude, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.

Esp. when all DLX products are the variables... :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 02, 2023, 12:55:17 PM
Quote
yeah i personally cant stand when ppl are like "this truck pairs nicely with this board" because imo there is always an advantage and disadvantage to doing everything.

consider nigel rides almost completely flat PS deck - he doesnt need any dogshit to make him do 3 flips or sw heel tailside better. he can ollie on it nicely into rails, thats for sure. that board probalby produces super consistent results once you are used to it. compared to a more "spoon like" (mbrimson ;) BBS shape.

just cuase we dont like it doesnt mean it doesnt work for someone else or you couldnt get used to it. i love that cambre or what have you on the bbs boards though

My point was that as a mid height, mid weight, mid wheelbase extending truck with good pinch a Thunder usually works with decks of varying kick steepness and wheelbase. Spec wise they're pretty middle of the road whereas an Ace or Venture might be more polarizing hence why there are so many posts on here about people asking the precise specs of what they pair Ventures with.

This is mostly only useful for recommending stuff to a new skater or someone coming off shaped boards back to popsicles. I was mostly just stating it since that's probably why I actually like them- they're the most vanilla of the trucks. They're not the best and not magic or some shit and they have got weaknesses of course.

For me with Indys or Ventures I really dislike steeper kicks, which somewhat limits what I want to ride.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on May 02, 2023, 01:43:29 PM
A lot of talk about gear…..but not about ‘madness’…..

There’s a fair amount of sensitivity and self importance tied to all of this no?

These things come with age…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 02, 2023, 02:18:10 PM
A lot of talk about gear…..but not about ‘madness’…..

There’s a fair amount of sensitivity and self importance tied to all of this no?

These things come with age…..

Self-importance? More like self-doubt. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 02, 2023, 04:48:13 PM
yeah i personally cant stand when ppl are like "this truck pairs nicely with this board" because imo there is always an advantage and disadvantage to doing everything.

consider nigel rides almost completely flat PS deck - he doesnt need any dogshit to make him do 3 flips or sw heel tailside better. he can ollie on it nicely into rails, thats for sure. that board probalby produces super consistent results once you are used to it. compared to a more "spoon like" (mbrimson ;) BBS shape.

just cuase we dont like it doesnt mean it doesnt work for someone else or you couldnt get used to it. i love that cambre or what have you on the bbs boards though



My point was that as a mid height, mid weight, mid wheelbase extending truck with good pinch a Thunder usually works with decks of varying kick steepness and wheelbase. Spec wise they're pretty middle of the road whereas an Ace or Venture might be more polarizing hence why there are so many posts on here about people asking the precise specs of what they pair Ventures with.

This is mostly only useful for recommending stuff to a new skater or someone coming off shaped boards back to popsicles. I was mostly just stating it since that's probably why I actually like them- they're the most vanilla of the trucks. They're not the best and not magic or some shit and they have got weaknesses of course.

For me with Indys or Ventures I really dislike steeper kicks, which somewhat limits what I want to ride.


I think more than anything, people will often describe their own experiences with board setups, which sometimes do work for others but other times don't work that well for others, but the "perfect setup" can vary greatly depending on how someone skates, what they are used to, even when someone is fit and has been skating a lot, compared to if someone has been out for a while, or injured or whatever.

Nowdays I just don't have the muscle strength to do half of what I used to do, so a more mellow board with wider Independent trucks = easier pop works way better for me.  Others might find that is very average, so a lower, not as wide truck with a steeper board will work better for them, or some other combination that I would think is not that nice for me to skate.





Re the spreadsheet banter...

I had a spreadsheet for a long time. Deck measurements. Notes about shape. Notes about what I did/didn't like about each. I started this years ago, when I was trying to find my "Grail Set-Up," which I eventually did find. Last year I deleted the entire thing. Why? Because it itself had become part of the madness. I had long ago found what works the best for me, and the spreadsheet just became a place I'd look for potential data tweaks when I was bored/injured/rainy days/etc. My only real regret in deleting it? It was a great resource in helping others when they had questions about a specific (DLX) deck measurements/shapes, but @Mbrimson88 usually has my back on that one, so, not a total loss.


Ha yeah too many boards and a bit too much time to "try everything" or at least compare them and then work out what is what in terms of sizes, shapes and everything else to do with these things.

At least to be in a position where people can try all those options at the indoor skatepark is a good thing.  It would be a bit weird if I kept one of everything set up just in my own shed or something, but I do have at least one of all the options I prefer there as well.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank on May 02, 2023, 05:27:00 PM
not really that type of madness, but in a manic pinch i bought a pair of stage 4 151s and now i need a matching board. probably get a quasi 9 inch football...

i'm not sure why i bought these trucks... originally i wanted to get a cheap set of films in that size, but it seems it was the last pair on the european mainland and i got fomo? i also got a sheet of pepper grip because i was curious.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 02, 2023, 06:18:10 PM
Expand Quote
yeah i personally cant stand when ppl are like "this truck pairs nicely with this board" because imo there is always an advantage and disadvantage to doing everything.

consider nigel rides almost completely flat PS deck - he doesnt need any dogshit to make him do 3 flips or sw heel tailside better. he can ollie on it nicely into rails, thats for sure. that board probalby produces super consistent results once you are used to it. compared to a more "spoon like" (mbrimson ;) BBS shape.

just cuase we dont like it doesnt mean it doesnt work for someone else or you couldnt get used to it. i love that cambre or what have you on the bbs boards though
[close]


Expand Quote

My point was that as a mid height, mid weight, mid wheelbase extending truck with good pinch a Thunder usually works with decks of varying kick steepness and wheelbase. Spec wise they're pretty middle of the road whereas an Ace or Venture might be more polarizing hence why there are so many posts on here about people asking the precise specs of what they pair Ventures with.

This is mostly only useful for recommending stuff to a new skater or someone coming off shaped boards back to popsicles. I was mostly just stating it since that's probably why I actually like them- they're the most vanilla of the trucks. They're not the best and not magic or some shit and they have got weaknesses of course.

For me with Indys or Ventures I really dislike steeper kicks, which somewhat limits what I want to ride.
[close]


I think more than anything, people will often describe their own experiences with board setups, which sometimes do work for others but other times don't work that well for others, but the "perfect setup" can vary greatly depending on how someone skates, what they are used to, even when someone is fit and has been skating a lot, compared to if someone has been out for a while, or injured or whatever.

Nowdays I just don't have the muscle strength to do half of what I used to do, so a more mellow board with wider Independent trucks = easier pop works way better for me.  Others might find that is very average, so a lower, not as wide truck with a steeper board will work better for them, or some other combination that I would think is not that nice for me to skate.





Expand Quote
Re the spreadsheet banter...

I had a spreadsheet for a long time. Deck measurements. Notes about shape. Notes about what I did/didn't like about each. I started this years ago, when I was trying to find my "Grail Set-Up," which I eventually did find. Last year I deleted the entire thing. Why? Because it itself had become part of the madness. I had long ago found what works the best for me, and the spreadsheet just became a place I'd look for potential data tweaks when I was bored/injured/rainy days/etc. My only real regret in deleting it? It was a great resource in helping others when they had questions about a specific (DLX) deck measurements/shapes, but @Mbrimson88 usually has my back on that one, so, not a total loss.
[close]


Ha yeah too many boards and a bit too much time to "try everything" or at least compare them and then work out what is what in terms of sizes, shapes and everything else to do with these things.

At least to be in a position where people can try all those options at the indoor skatepark is a good thing.  It would be a bit weird if I kept one of everything set up just in my own shed or something, but I do have at least one of all the options I prefer there as well.

It all comes down to what matches your needs. Every truck has its drawbacks. For the most part Indy and Thunder cover most people's basic needs really well. They're pretty mid range in many specs and will accommodate most decks reasonably well, but will have shortcomings for people that they may fix by different trucks, for example.

For me the most annoying variant is kick steepness so I focus on which truck minimizes those changes the most. Indy's are a bit more sensitive to steeper setups due to their height, but you don't get as much wheelbite normally. Ergo, 95% of boards will work with either to a point and it's the 5% of preferences that drive madness.

Most skaters aren't doing anything quite as tech or gnarly as they think they are. If you really love the experience of carving you know that buying an Ace will maximize that at the expense of other things. Same I'd you value the stability of Ventures.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 02, 2023, 06:54:47 PM
I know I've joked about this before, but it always makes me laugh when I read through this thread and see comments like "Will an 8.5" DLX deck work well with Thunder 149s and Spitfire 54mm wheels?" and it's like dude, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.

I recently sold some 8.25 / 8.38 / 8.5 from the stack a week ago and the buyer went back and forth on the sizes for 3 days straight, changed his mind 5 times in 2 days. Kept asking me if Indy 149s would work better with 8.25 or 8.38. And when I brought down my setup for him to reference (8.38 / Venture 5.8 / 3 washers inside), he started comparing the magic carpet top view.

I lost track of the number of times he asked if 149s would fit better on 8.25 / 8.38, and what my preference would be. Dude, it's a skateboard, and we're talking about millimeters and fractions of an inch, stop overthinking it. Also, this setup is unique to you, not me, asking me to choose a deck on your behalf is like asking me to choose your life partner.

The worst bit was he just started skateboarding after longboarding, still learning to ollie, the madness is 1000% unjustified.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 02, 2023, 07:18:04 PM
Expand Quote
I know I've joked about this before, but it always makes me laugh when I read through this thread and see comments like "Will an 8.5" DLX deck work well with Thunder 149s and Spitfire 54mm wheels?" and it's like dude, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.
[close]

I recently sold some 8.25 / 8.38 / 8.5 from the stack a week ago and the buyer went back and forth on the sizes for 3 days straight, changed his mind 5 times in 2 days. Kept asking me if Indy 149s would work better with 8.25 or 8.38. And when I brought down my setup for him to reference (8.38 / Venture 5.8 / 3 washers inside), he started comparing the magic carpet top view.

I lost track of the number of times he asked if 149s would fit better on 8.25 / 8.38, and what my preference would be. Dude, it's a skateboard, and we're talking about millimeters and fractions of an inch, stop overthinking it. Also, this setup is unique to you, not me, asking me to choose a deck on your behalf is like asking me to choose your life partner.

The worst bit was he just started skateboarding after longboarding, still learning to ollie, the madness is 1000% unjustified.

^ Grim.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 02, 2023, 07:56:17 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I know I've joked about this before, but it always makes me laugh when I read through this thread and see comments like "Will an 8.5" DLX deck work well with Thunder 149s and Spitfire 54mm wheels?" and it's like dude, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.
[close]

I recently sold some 8.25 / 8.38 / 8.5 from the stack a week ago and the buyer went back and forth on the sizes for 3 days straight, changed his mind 5 times in 2 days. Kept asking me if Indy 149s would work better with 8.25 or 8.38. And when I brought down my setup for him to reference (8.38 / Venture 5.8 / 3 washers inside), he started comparing the magic carpet top view.

I lost track of the number of times he asked if 149s would fit better on 8.25 / 8.38, and what my preference would be. Dude, it's a skateboard, and we're talking about millimeters and fractions of an inch, stop overthinking it. Also, this setup is unique to you, not me, asking me to choose a deck on your behalf is like asking me to choose your life partner.

The worst bit was he just started skateboarding after longboarding, still learning to ollie, the madness is 1000% unjustified.
[close]

^ Grim.

He initially settled on the 8.38, but texted me later the same day to ask if he could go with the 8.25 because his homies convinced him to. I obliged since he traveled down and the deck was still in plastic, but still spent 15 minutes comparing the 8.25 / 8.38 because he was worried about hot rodding.

"The 8.38 was looking pretty wide for me to handle"

You're coming from a 7.75, everything 8.0 and up is going to feel massive.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 02, 2023, 08:19:18 PM
This dude makes me sound remotely sane in comparison. I've only cared about truck width once and it was a test that didn't change much.  Never really messed around with wheel sizes or shapes. No smaller woodshops and the craziest I've gotten with trucks were some Royals since I talked shit on them and wanted to eat my words.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 02, 2023, 10:57:18 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I know I've joked about this before, but it always makes me laugh when I read through this thread and see comments like "Will an 8.5" DLX deck work well with Thunder 149s and Spitfire 54mm wheels?" and it's like dude, you are just describing a skateboard. Of course it will work.
[close]

I recently sold some 8.25 / 8.38 / 8.5 from the stack a week ago and the buyer went back and forth on the sizes for 3 days straight, changed his mind 5 times in 2 days. Kept asking me if Indy 149s would work better with 8.25 or 8.38. And when I brought down my setup for him to reference (8.38 / Venture 5.8 / 3 washers inside), he started comparing the magic carpet top view.

I lost track of the number of times he asked if 149s would fit better on 8.25 / 8.38, and what my preference would be. Dude, it's a skateboard, and we're talking about millimeters and fractions of an inch, stop overthinking it. Also, this setup is unique to you, not me, asking me to choose a deck on your behalf is like asking me to choose your life partner.

The worst bit was he just started skateboarding after longboarding, still learning to ollie, the madness is 1000% unjustified.
[close]

^ Grim.
[close]

He initially settled on the 8.38, but texted me later the same day to ask if he could go with the 8.25 because his homies convinced him to. I obliged since he traveled down and the deck was still in plastic, but still spent 15 minutes comparing the 8.25 / 8.38 because he was worried about hot rodding.

"The 8.38 was looking pretty wide for me to handle"

You're coming from a 7.75, everything 8.0 and up is going to feel massive.

Dude wanted to go from a 7.75 (presumably with a 14wb?) to an 8.38 (with a 14.5wb)? Damn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 03, 2023, 08:11:11 AM

The worst bit was he just started skateboarding after longboarding, still learning to ollie, the madness is 1000% unjustified.


Ha yeah and wow!!!

But for real, this is the sort of thing that having a few "demo boards" really helped with - something they could stand on and roll around, more than just look at and wonder which one might work better for them.  I know it is different for you and carrying round multiple setups without a car would just be a nightmare, but I also wouldn't be too keen having others session my own personal boards a whole lot, especially seeing as the first thing most people do is change the truck tightness,  so I am just taking the board out of their hand and putting a different one out for them to ride now, or I very specifically say "Don't touch the trucks!" before they even get a hand on it.

I also love the helpful friend routine, which I have seen in action a few too many times - one is saying "go wider" and the other is saying "nah, go smaller" so the guy is already losing his mind and helping you to lose yours as well...


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 03, 2023, 09:02:11 AM
Expand Quote

The worst bit was he just started skateboarding after longboarding, still learning to ollie, the madness is 1000% unjustified.
[close]


Ha yeah and wow!!!

But for real, this is the sort of thing that having a few "demo boards" really helped with - something they could stand on and roll around, more than just look at and wonder which one might work better for them.  I know it is different for you and carrying round multiple setups without a car would just be a nightmare, but I also wouldn't be too keen having others session my own personal boards a whole lot, especially seeing as the first thing most people do is change the truck tightness,  so I am just taking the board out of their hand and putting a different one out for them to ride now, or I very specifically say "Don't touch the trucks!" before they even get a hand on it.

I also love the helpful friend routine, which I have seen in action a few too many times - one is saying "go wider" and the other is saying "nah, go smaller" so the guy is already losing his mind and helping you to lose yours as well...

I usually very patient with people and especially newer skaters, but this had me close to my limit. I told him after the swap no more swaps afterwards, and it worked because he went about gripping the deck.

The demo boards may not have worked in his case, he may have started removing the trucks to mix up the deck / truck width, even add in slim / classics / conical / conical full wheels.

I wonder how experienced his friends are to recommend him sizing up so drastically, 8.38 & 8.5 had a brief uptick in popularity in 2021-2022, but that's settled and 8.25 is the most popular based on straw polling.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 03, 2023, 10:36:38 AM
I mean it depends on what decks his friends ride. My buddy really liked the DLX 8.5 and some of the shorter Hockey/FA decks so when I started back after a hiatus he recommended those shapes, which are fairly short. Naturally I got a Polar with a 14.5 and it fucking sucked and went back to the shop shortly after and got something shorter. Was really happy that the shop employee explained a bit of madness statistics about length and WB to me.

At the same time none of this mattered for where I was at and I certainly didn't care about truck width like this dude. I rode the 149s from the Polar on an 8.1 Krooked I think and couldn't tell. I then got 139s to match that and rode those on an 8.5 later.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 03, 2023, 06:43:20 PM
I mean it depends on what decks his friends ride. My buddy really liked the DLX 8.5 and some of the shorter Hockey/FA decks so when I started back after a hiatus he recommended those shapes, which are fairly short. Naturally I got a Polar with a 14.5 and it fucking sucked and went back to the shop shortly after and got something shorter. Was really happy that the shop employee explained a bit of madness statistics about length and WB to me.

At the same time none of this mattered for where I was at and I certainly didn't care about truck width like this dude. I rode the 149s from the Polar on an 8.1 Krooked I think and couldn't tell. I then got 139s to match that and rode those on an 8.5 later.

One of the local rippers at my park rode Indy 159s with a 7.625 during the COVID shortages, thus proving that skills trumps gear madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 03, 2023, 08:09:37 PM
One of my buddies chose to ride 169s on an 8.5 and now does 148s on 8.75 this further proving your point. And I'm like, going back and forth between decks that are essentially only a few degrees different while gaslighting myself that I don't skate any better on thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on May 04, 2023, 09:24:57 AM
Lol reading this thread makes me feel a little better about myself and my choices.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on May 09, 2023, 02:24:44 AM
i probably shouldnt bother riding anything below 9.0 ever again
gained 15 lbs and gotta admit im not average sized at all
nor am i interested in replacing boards every session

my madness isnt that bad but less options = more skating
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 15, 2023, 07:51:40 PM
PSA

Whatever is sitting in your cart(s), whatever you think you need, you can wait till the memorial day sales!

I believe in you!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on May 16, 2023, 06:12:24 AM
steepness of kicks has become my new madness focus point.

its hard enough to find board with the wheelbase i want.

Now im going to be worried about a dimension/measurement that isnt listed anywhere or that easy to measure myself.

oof.

I'm loving the 8.38 14.81wb palace, but man these kicks are steep.

Had to go down from my preferred 55mm truck height to compensate.

might even go for some smaller wheels.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: sharkin on May 16, 2023, 06:17:26 AM
I’m in a bit of shoe madness right now. I know this one can get dangerous.

Steered away from my tried and true blazer mids and liked the ave pro but lately that’s been off so I went to try a bruin low which is kind of like the blazer low with less support. I started chilling a pair of 440s but they’re still too tight and stiff to comfortably skate. Crockett highs up next
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on May 16, 2023, 06:20:36 AM
Anyone else live with their significant other and as the pile of gear accumulates, they just stop acknowledging it? Like they slowly realize how nuts you are and just found it in themselves to accept it? It's like she makes extra eye contact with me when were around my gear just so she doesn't have to look at the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on May 16, 2023, 06:31:00 AM
I’m in a bit of shoe madness right now. I know this one can get dangerous.

Steered away from my tried and true blazer mids and liked the ave pro but lately that’s been off so I went to try a bruin low which is kind of like the blazer low with less support. I started chilling a pair of 440s but they’re still too tight and stiff to comfortably skate. Crockett highs up next

man, if you love the blazers/bruins just stick with those.

They're always going to be made/available.

Personally i hated the crocketts, but i know thats an unpopular opinion.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on May 16, 2023, 06:44:56 AM
I hated them too after skating them a month. They had a honeymoon phase for me then got weirdly floppy feeling in the upper, I'd get hotspots, and the sole would delam or wear all the way through where the upper meets it.

But to me a Blazer feels bricky compared to a 440 after break in. Thicker sole.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 16, 2023, 07:20:25 AM
Anyone else live with their significant other and as the pile of gear accumulates, they just stop acknowledging it? Like they slowly realize how nuts you are and just found it in themselves to accept it? It's like she makes extra eye contact with me when were around my gear just so she doesn't have to look at the madness.

Nah.
My current I don’t live* with, and we are so busy, I just kind of have too many boards, with me in the vehicle.

Previous, lived and moved together several times, would call me out. A lot. Also would roast me directly for slap/online time: ‘why don’t you just go skate…?’
Occasionally she would note that it looked uncomfortable when I was taking apart things and putting them back together in different combinations. Pretty funny.

All to say, you’ve got a winner on your hands
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on May 16, 2023, 07:34:19 AM
Anyone else live with their significant other and as the pile of gear accumulates, they just stop acknowledging it? Like they slowly realize how nuts you are and just found it in themselves to accept it? It's like she makes extra eye contact with me when were around my gear just so she doesn't have to look at the madness.
I just infected her with the madness and now she's got 3 setups as well
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 16, 2023, 07:52:18 AM
steepness of kicks has become my new madness focus point.

its hard enough to find board with the wheelbase i want.

Now im going to be worried about a dimension/measurement that isnt listed anywhere or that easy to measure myself.

oof.

I'm loving the 8.38 14.81wb palace, but man these kicks are steep.

Had to go down from my preferred 55mm truck height to compensate.

might even go for some smaller wheels.

That board seems really interesting. I for sure wanted one, just as an experiment.
I’m more locked in now, but still try different things, just for variety. I think I’ve kinda fried myself, to the point where it’s hard to just go skate with one board. A gross state of affairs.
Not to add to your situation, but that palace is less than 32” long, ya? All to say, shorter nose/tail. I’ve gone on about the griffin Gass shape being a banger, cuz it is, and I think a big reason I’m so into it is the tail is the same length as the crail 7.75. Shit feels familiar. I do not prefer the big long tails, and tbh prefer shorter noses as well. Shorter than average. 6.5 is plenty for a tail imo, and a nose over 6.75…not needed. I don’t measure noses and tails, but I do notice that decks I like more are shorter in both respects.
I like flat boards. If the crail boards had less pitch to the kicks that’d be good, but it works out fine for me, as I don’t skate wheels bigger than 54, and usually 52, also preferring lo trucks.
I know some smart fools that are into pitch angle, and it works for them. I’m trying to go the other way, where I just pic one dimension and it works. The closest two dimensions for this, for me, are length or width. If a board is 31.3 ish, it’ll be good. Haven’t had a bad one, truefit is trying my patience a bit.

Godspeed
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on May 16, 2023, 08:33:26 AM
Expand Quote
Anyone else live with their significant other and as the pile of gear accumulates, they just stop acknowledging it? Like they slowly realize how nuts you are and just found it in themselves to accept it? It's like she makes extra eye contact with me when were around my gear just so she doesn't have to look at the madness.
[close]
I just infected her with the madness and now she's got 3 setups as well

Definitely not the worst kind of infection.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on May 16, 2023, 09:20:00 AM
Expand Quote
steepness of kicks has become my new madness focus point.

its hard enough to find board with the wheelbase i want.

Now im going to be worried about a dimension/measurement that isnt listed anywhere or that easy to measure myself.

oof.

I'm loving the 8.38 14.81wb palace, but man these kicks are steep.

Had to go down from my preferred 55mm truck height to compensate.

might even go for some smaller wheels.
[close]

That board seems really interesting. I for sure wanted one, just as an experiment.
I’m more locked in now, but still try different things, just for variety. I think I’ve kinda fried myself, to the point where it’s hard to just go skate with one board. A gross state of affairs.
Not to add to your situation, but that palace is less than 32” long, ya? All to say, shorter nose/tail. I’ve gone on about the griffin Gass shape being a banger, cuz it is, and I think a big reason I’m so into it is the tail is the same length as the crail 7.75. Shit feels familiar. I do not prefer the big long tails, and tbh prefer shorter noses as well. Shorter than average. 6.5 is plenty for a tail imo, and a nose over 6.75…not needed. I don’t measure noses and tails, but I do notice that decks I like more are shorter in both respects.
I like flat boards. If the crail boards had less pitch to the kicks that’d be good, but it works out fine for me, as I don’t skate wheels bigger than 54, and usually 52, also preferring lo trucks.
I know some smart fools that are into pitch angle, and it works for them. I’m trying to go the other way, where I just pic one dimension and it works. The closest two dimensions for this, for me, are length or width. If a board is 31.3 ish, it’ll be good. Haven’t had a bad one, truefit is trying my patience a bit.

Godspeed

I think the length was listed under 32. But it's basically the EXACT length of a dlx 8.38 14.5 WB. 32.25 I think?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jim and Dan on May 16, 2023, 09:33:59 AM
Anyone else live with their significant other and as the pile of gear accumulates, they just stop acknowledging it? Like they slowly realize how nuts you are and just found it in themselves to accept it? It's like she makes extra eye contact with me when were around my gear just so she doesn't have to look at the madness.

Yes, yes I do... First it was the shoes, then it was the shirts, now it's the pants. My gear madness is getting out of control at this point, I've already changed shoes 5 times today and probably will do more. I'm literally just sitting at a computer most of the day and occasionally getting up to tour the factory, I've really lost my mind at this point.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mvdbosch90 on May 16, 2023, 03:30:43 PM
Dudes, I think it’s finally here, my moment of cure.

I’ve been thinking about going back to a single setup for a while now. Today I had a great session on my go-to setup, and I truly feel like I’m done with the madness.

I’ve disassembled all my unnecessary gear and laid it out, ready to take some pictures and put advertisements on my country’s local eBay equivalent.
As I was taking stuff apart, every slight thought of ‘maybe I could keep one additional setup for [pumptrack/curbs/slappies/whatever]’ was immediately overthrown by a strong ‘I can do that with my current setup’.

Tomorrow I’ll be putting up

- 3 decks, only skated a few times
- 6 pairs of trucks, some skated a few months, some only a few days, all still very usable
- 3 pairs of wheels, some cruisers and some street wheels, all not worn a mm of their original size

It actually feels like quite a relief having made this decision :)

I may put them up here as well; it’s supposed to go in the ‘classifieds’ board right?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 16, 2023, 05:40:26 PM
Yeah, but if you don’t tell us what your setup is…then no
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 16, 2023, 06:33:57 PM
Dudes, I think it’s finally here, my moment of cure.

Lol

(https://media.tenor.com/EfnOW4LjUhwAAAAC/first-time-james-franco.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 25, 2023, 10:57:07 AM
I am so torn between ACE AF1 44 and Thunder 148 Team Standard. I have Ace AF1s 60s on my big boi and I really like them but for this board maybe thunder would make more sense. also then i could complete the trifecta of Thunder / Ace / Venture to complete my set...

Seems like Classic 51mm is the wheel i need / can get easily locally... was thinking about a lot of other stuff but that was too mad of a rabbit hole to jump down and F4 99a seems to just work for this anyway but also like a fuck ton of other things...

At first I was thinking I want the very slickest soapiest thing possible cause i just skate this setup at a curb mostly but now I am starting to think why dont i just wax the curb more and get Thunders and have more control over the noseslides?
 
My existing setup: Indy Titanium with Bones STF worn to 47mm. conical full shape i think? pretty wide riding surface, i think they started @ like 56mm. I find this setup is actually too slippery for some spots.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 30, 2023, 06:53:45 AM
^^ Been riding royals and 99a spits and my board sounds dead; was contemplating swapping to forged ti thunders and bones stf (fuck those knees) to get that tinny/hard feeling....

Then, the madness happened and I was having a dream about swapping in my ACE 44 lows....contemplating following the dream.

Help.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on May 30, 2023, 07:12:43 AM
On the topic of the tinny/hard feeling, today I've found out how much shoes can influence this.
I've been riding old reynolds G6 shoes for a while now, the sole is super thick over the whole shoe, no board feel whatsoever.
The shoes apparently made every setup feel like I'm on 97a or even softer wheels. I've been riding F4 99a, stf 99a and 97a, and there wasn't a big difference, just in terms of vibrations of course. Had to go all the way to dragons to notice the extra smoothness really.

Then I switched to thin vulcs in the middle of the session and my 99a wheels suddenly felt like 103a, it felt terrible. Then stepped on my girlfriends board with 97a's and there was a huge difference I couldn't feel before because of the shoes absorbing all vibrations.

It's nice to feel my board again, though.


Also on the topic of madness, I'm back in the wheel madness now due to pollen making the ramps 10 times more slippery.
I thought I've found the solution with wide F4 99a wheels and sold my bones 97s, but pollen ruined it. Now I might have to buy another set of x formula or even dragons. Not sure.
Do wheel shapes actually make a big difference in terms of locking in on coping?
Would probably get bones 97s in either V1 or V5. Dragons might be smarter but I just don't want to be the guy riding dragons in the miniramp, I feel too young for that
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 30, 2023, 07:55:45 AM
Do wheel shapes actually make a big difference in terms of locking in on coping?

Holy hell, dude. Not to open another gate to hell for you, but they absolutely do. Think about something like a Spitfire Classic. Rounded-off sides. Think of that against, well, round coping. It will "slip" out with ease. Now think about about a more squared-off wheel. Those will "lock" a bit more. That said, it really depends on what your preference is. A few places I notice big differences between the two:

Pivot to fakies / No-handed nose pic to fwd: For these, I like a Classic type wheel better, because they seem to "disengage" with the coping much easier. Some times with a more squared-off wheel, my board seems to have a slight hesitation before breaking with the coping, and I don't like the feel of it (kind of unsettling on those kind of tricks). Can also notice a difference with something like Pivot-to-Tails. With Classics they almost feel like just doing a kickturn. With squared-off, you have to use a little force get from truck to tail.

Feeble to fakies / Smiths / Crooks / Etc: I like Classics better with these, too. The slanted edge of the wheel feels like it makes more contact against coping (but can also slip out a bit more). Feeble to fakie on squared-off wheels feel like I am going up on the tip/pin-point outer edge of wheel when I bring them back in--and it's a little weird.

5-0s / 50-50s / etc.: Def like squared-off more for these. They absolutely lock-in better, esp. when first going into a 5-0 grind.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 30, 2023, 08:04:38 AM
On the topic of the tinny/hard feeling, today I've found out how much shoes can influence this.
I've been riding old reynolds G6 shoes for a while now, the sole is super thick over the whole shoe, no board feel whatsoever.
The shoes apparently made every setup feel like I'm on 97a or even softer wheels. I've been riding F4 99a, stf 99a and 97a, and there wasn't a big difference, just in terms of vibrations of course. Had to go all the way to dragons to notice the extra smoothness really.

Then I switched to thin vulcs in the middle of the session and my 99a wheels suddenly felt like 103a, it felt terrible. Then stepped on my girlfriends board with 97a's and there was a huge difference I couldn't feel before because of the shoes absorbing all vibrations.

It's nice to feel my board again, though.


Also on the topic of madness, I'm back in the wheel madness now due to pollen making the ramps 10 times more slippery.
I thought I've found the solution with wide F4 99a wheels and sold my bones 97s, but pollen ruined it. Now I might have to buy another set of x formula or even dragons. Not sure.
Do wheel shapes actually make a big difference in terms of locking in on coping?
Would probably get bones 97s in either V1 or V5. Dragons might be smarter but I just don't want to be the guy riding dragons in the miniramp, I feel too young for that

Shoes do dampen board sound feel for sure, in this case just dropping the board (standing on a kick and letting it drop), it just sounds dead...I was riding the truck/wheel combo before my current zero deck and it wasn't this bad....the BBS zero board just might be soggy from the start.

Wheels 100% help or hinder locking in.

V5 / classics are great for rolling on and off coping, since we're talking mini here, I'd opt for the V5 x97s; I prefer sidecut/conical for coping and classics/V1 for all terrain stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on May 30, 2023, 08:16:19 AM
Expand Quote
Do wheel shapes actually make a big difference in terms of locking in on coping?
[close]

Holy hell, dude. Not to open another gate to hell for you, but they absolutely do. Think about something like a Spitfire Classic. Rounded-off sides. Think of that against, well, round coping. It will "slip" out with ease. Now think about about a more squared-off wheel. Those will "lock" a bit more. That said, it really depends on what your preference is. A few places I notice big differences between the two:

Pivot to fakies / No-handed nose pic to fwd: For these, I like a Classic type wheel better, because they seem to "disengage" with the coping much easier. Some times with a more squared-off wheel, my board seems to have a slight hesitation before breaking with the coping, and I don't like the feel of it (kind of unsettling on those kind of tricks). Can also notice a difference with something like Pivot-to-Tails. With Classics they almost feel like just doing a kickturn. With squared-off, you have to use a little force get from truck to tail.

Feeble to fakies / Smiths / Crooks / Etc: I like Classics better with these, too. The slanted edge of the wheel feels like it makes more contact against coping (but can also slip out a bit more). Feeble to fakie on squared-off wheels feel like I am going up on the tip/pin-point outer edge of wheel when I bring them back in--and it's a little weird.

5-0s / 50-50s / etc.: Def like squared-off more for these. They absolutely lock-in better, esp. when first going into a 5-0 grind.

They make a difference but I find it takes very little to adjust to these differences. I wouldn't over-think wheel shape. Contact patch width has more of an impact for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 30, 2023, 09:01:25 AM
I wouldn't over-think wheel shape.

You do realize this is the madness thread, right? This where people come to over-think everything.

                                                                                                             
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on May 30, 2023, 09:07:10 AM
I’ve blown up both of my setups numerous times in the past few days. Finally settled on my cruiser setup at least. Now I have to wait on my f4s and loopholes to arrive so I can concentrate on my trick deck. I’ve tried mini logo 90a, slime balls 97a, shop wheels, and bones 100s on it and I hate them all.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on May 30, 2023, 09:13:52 AM
Expand Quote
I wouldn't over-think wheel shape.
[close]

You do realize this is the madness thread, right? This where people come to over-think everything.

                                                                                                             

I'm trying to help, man... :-X
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 30, 2023, 09:14:52 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I wouldn't over-think wheel shape.
[close]

You do realize this is the madness thread, right? This where people come to over-think everything.

                                                                                                             
[close]

I'm trying to help, man... :-X

Fair. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on May 30, 2023, 03:24:33 PM
I wouldn't over-think wheel shape.

Oh I totally would. Here we go. Looking at it like that, how the wheel actually comes into contact with coping (assuming about 2" coping here), the V5 would be the worst and just slip over the coping, and even lock ins seem like they'd lock in kinda worse than a V3. Am I thinking about this totally wrong here? I'm totally a V3 lover, currently riding them in 99a and wish they'd make the x formula in this shape. It's just perfect everywhere except rough ground.
(https://i.ibb.co/L5vYFkb/Bildschirmfoto-2023-05-31-um-00-19-18.png) (https://ibb.co/L5vYFkb)
So now I'm thinking about going with 97a in V1 instead of V5, even though my actual experience tells me V5s lock in perfectly fine!

Edit: better picture, grey would be the truck hanger. Now the V5-lock looks much better than above
(https://i.ibb.co/Wc8F1B1/Bildschirmfoto-2023-05-31-um-01-27-33.png) (https://ibb.co/Wc8F1B1)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 30, 2023, 07:11:34 PM
Expand Quote
I wouldn't over-think wheel shape.
[close]

Oh I totally would. Here we go. Looking at it like that, how the wheel actually comes into contact with coping (assuming about 2" coping here), the V5 would be the worst and just slip over the coping, and even lock ins seem like they'd lock in kinda worse than a V3. Am I thinking about this totally wrong here? I'm totally a V3 lover, currently riding them in 99a and wish they'd make the x formula in this shape. It's just perfect everywhere except rough ground.
(https://i.ibb.co/L5vYFkb/Bildschirmfoto-2023-05-31-um-00-19-18.png) (https://ibb.co/L5vYFkb)
So now I'm thinking about going with 97a in V1 instead of V5, even though my actual experience tells me V5s lock in perfectly fine!

Edit: better picture, grey would be the truck hanger. Now the V5-lock looks much better than above
(https://i.ibb.co/Wc8F1B1/Bildschirmfoto-2023-05-31-um-01-27-33.png) (https://ibb.co/Wc8F1B1)

We're peering through the other end of the telescope my friend
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 02, 2023, 11:02:12 PM
.

Re wheel shape, same as others have said, but it was an interesting experience the other day.

At this one park, the bowl more often than not has quite slippery (waxy) coping, and I just didn't feel like grinds were balanced, more often than not ending up in the back seat and letting them go / jumping off, especially compared to some other places that are not waxy and actually grind, not truck slide.

Anyway, that was all on my usual Classic shape which are great everywhere else and grind for days on normal coping.  Then I tried another almost identical setup I had in the car, but that board had Conical Full wheels on it that I had not changed / altered at all, so what do you know, I actually stayed on and it was like I had brake pads on my wheels, when compared to the Classics on the same coping.

So yes, it can definitely make a difference in how things work, if you are used to it, or not so used to it.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 03, 2023, 12:49:05 AM
Am I thinking about this totally wrong here?

Maybe? I am not a physics guy, at all, so i could be totally off here....but I feel like the V3 might be able to slide off the coping much easier (roll up/off of it), because of the wheel shape. Think about plate tectonics where one plate slides under/over another, rather than rubbing against more at a direct angle...I feel like that's what the V3 is here, and it might "slip out" more??? I know my Classics don't "lock" as good on round coping as Conicals, Tablets, etc. If I had to Smith/Feeble/Crook a round rail, I think I'd want Classics/V3. If I was going to 50-50/5-0 it, I think I'd want something more squared off. Does this make any sense, or am I just crazy?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on June 03, 2023, 12:25:30 PM
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Tom Pearl on June 03, 2023, 12:48:21 PM
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.


gear sadness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on June 03, 2023, 12:49:29 PM
Expand Quote
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
[close]


gear sadness
😭😭😭

Pretty much lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 03, 2023, 05:12:00 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
[close]


gear sadness
[close]
😭😭😭

Pretty much lol

firm agreement
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 03, 2023, 06:12:34 PM
Expand Quote
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
[close]


gear sadness



That is the definition of having everything you want but not being able to skate any more, or not being able to skate enough to use it.

I feel like that sometimes, especially when I think about something or somewhere I used to skate that I would really enjoy and not be too afraid, like I am now, such as big bowls or something similar.

Not to worry though.  I just remember it is better to still be able to roll around more than it is to be able to do certain tricks or hit certain things, so as long as I can do that, I am still going to be happy enough to deal with everything else going on.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on June 03, 2023, 06:29:50 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
[close]


gear sadness
[close]



That is the definition of having everything you want but not being able to skate any more, or not being able to skate enough to use it.

I feel like that sometimes, especially when I think about something or somewhere I used to skate that I would really enjoy and not be too afraid, like I am now, such as big bowls or something similar.

Not to worry though.  I just remember it is better to still be able to roll around more than it is to be able to do certain tricks or hit certain things, so as long as I can do that, I am still going to be happy enough to deal with everything else going on.
Totally. I started at 35 and my body holds me back the most. So I leaned heavily into gear at first, as if I could buy my way into being a “real” skater.

I’m 245 lbs and 6’4 and years of physical labor and playing basketball in school has destroyed my knees. Plus the weight don’t help.

Luckily I love rolling around on tennis courts. I can do that for hours without doing a single trick. It feels good just to get better at actually riding 😃

One thing I enjoy about skateboarding is it can be whatever you want it to be.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Deadringer on June 04, 2023, 12:29:44 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
[close]


gear sadness
[close]



That is the definition of having everything you want but not being able to skate any more, or not being able to skate enough to use it.

I feel like that sometimes, especially when I think about something or somewhere I used to skate that I would really enjoy and not be too afraid, like I am now, such as big bowls or something similar.

Not to worry though.  I just remember it is better to still be able to roll around more than it is to be able to do certain tricks or hit certain things, so as long as I can do that, I am still going to be happy enough to deal with everything else going on.
[close]
Totally. I started at 35 and my body holds me back the most. So I leaned heavily into gear at first, as if I could buy my way into being a “real” skater.

I’m 245 lbs and 6’4 and years of physical labor and playing basketball in school has destroyed my knees. Plus the weight don’t help.

Luckily I love rolling around on tennis courts. I can do that for hours without doing a single trick. It feels good just to get better at actually riding 😃

One thing I enjoy about skateboarding is it can be whatever you want it to be.

Heard someone the other day ask this kid how good they were at skating. It made me think that it doesn’t really matter, the real question you need to ask yourself is how much fun/enjoyment it brings you.

If rolling around brings you that joy, then you’re great at skateboarding. Have loads of gear? Sweet, that’s what brings you joy. ☺️

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scottboarding on June 04, 2023, 12:42:34 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What cured my madness is realizing that I was only confusing myself by always switching shit up, and that I was doing it cause I felt like other areas of my life were out of my control.

I’ve been stressed lately and the madness is trying to come back. So I’ve spent the last two hours on Tactics looking at gear.

Didn’t buy anything, though. I’m just over switching gear. Need to find another way to cope with life.
[close]


gear sadness
[close]



That is the definition of having everything you want but not being able to skate any more, or not being able to skate enough to use it.

I feel like that sometimes, especially when I think about something or somewhere I used to skate that I would really enjoy and not be too afraid, like I am now, such as big bowls or something similar.

Not to worry though.  I just remember it is better to still be able to roll around more than it is to be able to do certain tricks or hit certain things, so as long as I can do that, I am still going to be happy enough to deal with everything else going on.
[close]
Totally. I started at 35 and my body holds me back the most. So I leaned heavily into gear at first, as if I could buy my way into being a “real” skater.

I’m 245 lbs and 6’4 and years of physical labor and playing basketball in school has destroyed my knees. Plus the weight don’t help.

Luckily I love rolling around on tennis courts. I can do that for hours without doing a single trick. It feels good just to get better at actually riding 😃

One thing I enjoy about skateboarding is it can be whatever you want it to be.
[close]

Heard someone the other day ask this kid how good they were at skating. It made me think that it doesn’t really matter, the real question you need to ask yourself is how much fun/enjoyment it brings you.

If rolling around brings you that joy, then you’re great at skateboarding. Have loads of gear? Sweet, that’s what brings you joy. ☺️
I’m mildly self conscious about my lack of skill and reading this made me really happy. I don’t think I’ve learned a new trick in close to a year but I’ve had fun every time I stepped on the board in that same timeframe.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 04, 2023, 06:59:00 AM
I even think doing the same tricks on different stuff is actually a pretty solid way of enjoying skating.  Trying new things and tinkering is fun too.

The part that I don't see constructive is inducing an unhealthy level of of stress upon oneself.



 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on June 04, 2023, 07:38:43 AM
I even think doing the same tricks on different stuff is actually a pretty solid way of enjoying skating.  Trying new things and tinkering is fun too.

The part that I don't see constructive is inducing an unhealthy level of of stress upon oneself.
Tinkering is fun. It becomes dangerous when you say, “If I change this, I’ll be better at that.” Outside of major changes like going from an 8 to 8.5, or changing truck brands, a lot of it doesn’t matter.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on June 04, 2023, 09:06:10 AM
I'm starting to feed the madness again. Came home from a session, and I notice my axle is bent. Dont even have that deep of a k-grind groove. So I swapped to some indys I have laying around. I just hate how they are kinda unstable at center, and turn so easly. My luck with Thunder has been terrible. Broken kingpins, and now bent axle. Kinda dont want to buy them again. I guess venture is the most similar?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on June 04, 2023, 09:14:57 AM
I'm starting to feed the madness again. Came home from a session, and I notice my axle is bent. Dont even have that deep of a k-grind groove. So I swapped to some indys I have laying around. I just hate how they are kinda unstable at center, and turn so easly. My luck with Thunder has been terrible. Broken kingpins, and now bent axle. Kinda dont want to buy them again. I guess venture is the most similar?

Highly recommend Ventures. The stability is so helpful while setting up. They turn just fine, too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 04, 2023, 04:34:26 PM
Expand Quote
I'm starting to feed the madness again. Came home from a session, and I notice my axle is bent. Dont even have that deep of a k-grind groove. So I swapped to some indys I have laying around. I just hate how they are kinda unstable at center, and turn so easly. My luck with Thunder has been terrible. Broken kingpins, and now bent axle. Kinda dont want to buy them again. I guess venture is the most similar?
[close]

Highly recommend Ventures. The stability is so helpful while setting up. They turn just fine, too.


From working in and around skate shops for 20+ years, I would go as far as to say "Everything breaks" so if the Thunder brand truck works for you besides broken kingpins or bent axles, going to a different truck might not really solve anything.

That said, I know I have definitely had bad experiences in the past, not just skateboarding, that puts me off something or someone for good, so by all means give something else a go.


As said, Venture is more stable and a lot of people skate the trucks, so something new could be the answer here too and you might find they work well and then you stick with them, especially if right now you are looking at buying a new set of something.

In the mean time, using slightly harder bushings on Indy would definitely firm up the turn on your existing trucks, even if it is just a temporary fix until you source a new set of trucks.  You might be surprised how much more stable they can feel on harder bushings, but yes they will turn a lot more than Ventures and a bit more than Thunder, depending on how you have them set up.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eviltgirl on June 05, 2023, 06:27:41 AM
Are you guys really noticing 1/8" of a wheelbase change in your boards?  Thinking about going from a 14.38 to a 14.25 and before i order the deck im wondering if its actually a big deal and something I'll even notice. If so what are the actual changes I'll feel?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on June 05, 2023, 06:28:48 AM
Are you guys really noticing 1/8" of a wheelbase change in your boards?  Thinking about going from a 14.38 to a 14.25 and before i order the deck im wondering if its actually a big deal and something I'll even notice. If so what are the actual changes I'll feel?
People think they do, but it's most likely in combination with other changes. Who actually gets the exact same deck with only a 1/8 wb difference? Same steepness and every other spec...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 05, 2023, 06:39:52 AM
Expand Quote
Are you guys really noticing 1/8" of a wheelbase change in your boards?  Thinking about going from a 14.38 to a 14.25 and before i order the deck im wondering if its actually a big deal and something I'll even notice. If so what are the actual changes I'll feel?
[close]
People think they do, but it's most likely in combination with other changes. Who actually gets the exact same deck with only a 1/8 wb difference? Same steepness and every other spec...

Yea, most of the time it isnt just the WB changing.

even if the boards are the same width/length, the kick steepness and fingers of flat play a big role in feel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 05, 2023, 07:10:46 AM
Expand Quote
Are you guys really noticing 1/8" of a wheelbase change in your boards?  Thinking about going from a 14.38 to a 14.25 and before i order the deck im wondering if its actually a big deal and something I'll even notice. If so what are the actual changes I'll feel?
[close]
People think they do, but it's most likely in combination with other changes. Who actually gets the exact same deck with only a 1/8 wb difference? Same steepness and every other spec...

Yah this- like if I went from 14.25 with mellow kicks to 14.38 with steep I'll notice but if everything is the same I'll get used to it fast. Now if I did the same and switched brands, like I did going from a Sci Fi to a Girl where there was way more flat before the kicks, it will feel insane.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on June 05, 2023, 10:08:07 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Are you guys really noticing 1/8" of a wheelbase change in your boards?  Thinking about going from a 14.38 to a 14.25 and before i order the deck im wondering if its actually a big deal and something I'll even notice. If so what are the actual changes I'll feel?
[close]
People think they do, but it's most likely in combination with other changes. Who actually gets the exact same deck with only a 1/8 wb difference? Same steepness and every other spec...
[close]

Yea, most of the time it isnt just the WB changing.

even if the boards are the same width/length, the kick steepness and fingers of flat play a big role in feel.
Yeah. Also it seems like I need to adjust my trucks when I change shapes. Cause the turning feels different. It’s weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 05, 2023, 03:53:30 PM
I have a set of bones reds that are nice and broken in. Cleaned and re-lubed them. Now they only keep speed in one set of softer wheels I have. I’ve tried them in almost every other set of wheels I have and three whole ass kicks will get me maybe 20 feet. Sometimes I fucking hate skateboards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 05, 2023, 03:59:51 PM
I have a set of bones reds that are nice and broken in. Cleaned and re-lubed them. Now they only keep speed in one set of softer wheels I have. I’ve tried them in almost every other set of wheels I have and three whole ass kicks will get me maybe 20 feet. Sometimes I fucking hate skateboards.


yeah i hate skateboards too, but not as much as i hate reds.
i’ve never had a good set of reds. i’m
currently swiss, and then on another setup mini logos. the swiss are better in every way, but the mini logos are better than the other brands of bearing i’ve had recently.
i’d like to get some swiss 6, and try ceramics, but i’ll probably not, my skating doesn’t deserve or need any of that.
i do not like reds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 05, 2023, 04:02:02 PM
Swiss cost twice as much as Reds and last for years and years. Unless you really can't afford the $50-60 for Swiss (I always wait for a sale), it's "pennywise, pound foolish" to be buying cheapo bearings after cheapo bearings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on June 05, 2023, 04:31:14 PM
Swiss cost twice as much as Reds and last for years and years. Unless you really can't afford the $50-60 for Swiss (I always wait for a sale), it's "pennywise, pound foolish" to be buying cheapo bearings after cheapo bearings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on June 05, 2023, 04:37:08 PM
I want some Swiss. But my Bronson G3s still work great after 7 months. Maybe one day. I feel like my gear last forever since I only skate a few hours a week 😭
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 05, 2023, 04:58:01 PM
Expand Quote
I have a set of bones reds that are nice and broken in. Cleaned and re-lubed them. Now they only keep speed in one set of softer wheels I have. I’ve tried them in almost every other set of wheels I have and three whole ass kicks will get me maybe 20 feet. Sometimes I fucking hate skateboards.
[close]


yeah i hate skateboards too, but not as much as i hate reds.
i’ve never had a good set of reds. i’m
currently swiss, and then on another setup mini logos. the swiss are better in every way, but the mini logos are better than the other brands of bearing i’ve had recently.
i’d like to get some swiss 6, and try ceramics, but i’ll probably not, my skating doesn’t deserve or need any of that.
i do not like reds.

I got some mini logo bearings that broke in pretty much instantly. Also have a set of globes that were rusted out. Soaked ‘em in windex, re-lubed, and now they fly. I dunno, I tend to have bad luck with “nice” things (reds), and good luck with shitty things.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 05, 2023, 05:27:27 PM
Swiss cost twice as much as Reds and last for years and years. Unless you really can't afford the $50-60 for Swiss (I always wait for a sale), it's "pennywise, pound foolish" to be buying cheapo bearings after cheapo bearings.

buy nice or buy twice
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 05, 2023, 06:21:38 PM
Swiss 6 or nothing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on June 06, 2023, 06:50:18 AM
I’ve been on ace lows for a bit now really liking them, but the more and more I peruse the new royal thread I can feel the madness setting in, I’m concerned with the bushing and other aspects of the royals but it’s still enticing me to try them out, I had to switch to the ace hard low bushings for my current setup so switching out bushings isn’t really a deal breaker for me, should I switch up? Or stay the course til ace decides to discontinue the lows? Which I can see happening sooner or later
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 06, 2023, 07:05:54 AM
I don't see what you would gain unless you want a higher truck for some reason. Worry about discontinuation when it actually happens if it happens. I feel if you find your happy place with truck choice just stay there.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backside_frontside on June 06, 2023, 07:11:07 AM
I’ve been on ace lows for a bit now really liking them, but the more and more I peruse the new royal thread I can feel the madness setting in, I’m concerned with the bushing and other aspects of the royals but it’s still enticing me to try them out, I had to switch to the ace hard low bushings for my current setup so switching out bushings isn’t really a deal breaker for me, should I switch up? Or stay the course til ace decides to discontinue the lows? Which I can see happening sooner or later

You need to try every truck brand and bushing combo before you can know for sure. Leave no stone unturned
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 06, 2023, 07:16:28 AM
Expand Quote
I’ve been on ace lows for a bit now really liking them, but the more and more I peruse the new royal thread I can feel the madness setting in, I’m concerned with the bushing and other aspects of the royals but it’s still enticing me to try them out, I had to switch to the ace hard low bushings for my current setup so switching out bushings isn’t really a deal breaker for me, should I switch up? Or stay the course til ace decides to discontinue the lows? Which I can see happening sooner or later
[close]

You need to try every truck brand and bushing combo before you can know for sure. Leave no stone unturned

Alright now class, what we have here is a great example of an enabler.

But yea, try it all and then realize what you started on was fine and you were riding it for a reason.

Or just skip straight to the last step.

edit: in all seriousness though, as someone who has tried it all and still struggles with madness, def DO NOT change shit up for no reason or just out of curiosity, because that will never end. If you have a legit reason or some performance aspect of your board you want to change intentionally then go for it. But i wouldnt suggest experimenting just for the sake of it if everything is working the way you want.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 06, 2023, 07:57:33 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I’ve been on ace lows for a bit now really liking them, but the more and more I peruse the new royal thread I can feel the madness setting in, I’m concerned with the bushing and other aspects of the royals but it’s still enticing me to try them out, I had to switch to the ace hard low bushings for my current setup so switching out bushings isn’t really a deal breaker for me, should I switch up? Or stay the course til ace decides to discontinue the lows? Which I can see happening sooner or later
[close]

You need to try every truck brand and bushing combo before you can know for sure. Leave no stone unturned
[close]

Alright now class, what we have here is a great example of an enabler.

But yea, try it all and then realize what you started on was fine and you were riding it for a reason.

Or just skip straight to the last step.

edit: in all seriousness though, as someone who has tried it all and still struggles with madness, def DO NOT change shit up for no reason or just out of curiosity, because that will never end. If you have a legit reason or some performance aspect of your board you want to change intentionally then go for it. But i wouldnt suggest experimenting just for the sake of it if everything is working the way you want.


For sure!!!

At any rate, the Royal truck thread just hit 30 pages, so I would imagine someone in there would have had Ace low trucks and Royal trucks, so they might be able to help a bit more.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=119099.0


Off the top of my head, I couldn't say who exactly, but I am thinking of a few people like maybe Xen or Rocklobster, but didn't want to tag them directly in case I was thinking of someone else on here.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on June 06, 2023, 11:49:47 AM
All valid and good points, I’ll prolly run with aces until I can’t my hands on them anymore
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TwisT on June 06, 2023, 11:56:38 AM
I'm not sure what thread this info goes best in, but for you Egg and general shape riders, Tactics now includes the width over the front and back truck on shape deck listings
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 06, 2023, 12:12:37 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I’ve been on ace lows for a bit now really liking them, but the more and more I peruse the new royal thread I can feel the madness setting in, I’m concerned with the bushing and other aspects of the royals but it’s still enticing me to try them out, I had to switch to the ace hard low bushings for my current setup so switching out bushings isn’t really a deal breaker for me, should I switch up? Or stay the course til ace decides to discontinue the lows? Which I can see happening sooner or later
[close]

You need to try every truck brand and bushing combo before you can know for sure. Leave no stone unturned
[close]

Alright now class, what we have here is a great example of an enabler.

But yea, try it all and then realize what you started on was fine and you were riding it for a reason.

Or just skip straight to the last step.

edit: in all seriousness though, as someone who has tried it all and still struggles with madness, def DO NOT change shit up for no reason or just out of curiosity, because that will never end. If you have a legit reason or some performance aspect of your board you want to change intentionally then go for it. But i wouldnt suggest experimenting just for the sake of it if everything is working the way you want.

I keep one setup exactly how I like it and then have a cruiser to experiment on. Balances out the madness a bit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 06, 2023, 12:27:05 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I’ve been on ace lows for a bit now really liking them, but the more and more I peruse the new royal thread I can feel the madness setting in, I’m concerned with the bushing and other aspects of the royals but it’s still enticing me to try them out, I had to switch to the ace hard low bushings for my current setup so switching out bushings isn’t really a deal breaker for me, should I switch up? Or stay the course til ace decides to discontinue the lows? Which I can see happening sooner or later
[close]

You need to try every truck brand and bushing combo before you can know for sure. Leave no stone unturned
[close]

Alright now class, what we have here is a great example of an enabler.

But yea, try it all and then realize what you started on was fine and you were riding it for a reason.

Or just skip straight to the last step.

edit: in all seriousness though, as someone who has tried it all and still struggles with madness, def DO NOT change shit up for no reason or just out of curiosity, because that will never end. If you have a legit reason or some performance aspect of your board you want to change intentionally then go for it. But i wouldnt suggest experimenting just for the sake of it if everything is working the way you want.
[close]

I keep one setup exactly how I like it and then have a cruiser to experiment on. Balances out the madness a bit

Yea, cruisers are a good way to experiment safely.

I've got a zip zinger, grimple egg, and polarizer for cruiser setups.

i love them all.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 06, 2023, 07:27:29 PM
I'm not sure what thread this info goes best in, but for you Egg and general shape riders, Tactics now includes the width over the front and back truck on shape deck listings


Could post in all of them, including the Woodshop thread, the Egg thread, the 9+ big boards thread because they are the ones relevant to shaped boards, which are not always but usually bigger by width too.

Thanks for the info!!


:)


* I had a look and ran with it, so not everything yet, but definitely some boards, just happened to check the Krooked boards as they were more recent than some others, but I posted in those threads with relevant examples.  It really does make it way easier for the people who are very particular about their truck widths and wheels under, or showing.


Example:


https://www.tactics.com/krooked/barbee-bird-nest-95-rays-street-shape-skateboard-deck/navy


SPECS
SIZE   9.5
FRONT WIDTH (IN):   9.0
CENTER WIDTH (IN):   9.5
BACK WIDTH (IN):   8.0
LENGTH (IN):   31.75
WHEELBASE (IN):   14.25
NOSE (IN):   6.875
TAIL (IN):   6.5


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: HumbleGenius on June 07, 2023, 11:00:46 AM
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 07, 2023, 11:31:03 AM
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...

For context I’m 5’8, size 10.5, and fairly muscular at 190. I rode 8.5 for a while and switched over to 8-8.25” and yeah, flip tricks are a whole hell of a lot easier.

That could be your bud’s concave/kicks/wb though. You can size down and get different dims and feel totally different. You could stay at 8.5” and get a board with his shape and all and it could be perfect. I guess my point is you could straight up copy his setup and be really happy, but I’d also try to experiment and see what that magic ingredient is.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 07, 2023, 11:34:07 AM
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...

Really depends on what you skate most. If you're more of a big transition guy or you like to huck a lot, i probably wouldnt size down.

Maybe try a standard 8.25 popsicle shape with some forged indy 144s (maybe titaniums if you want to go lighter) and see how you like it?

If you want to go smaller you could still totally run an 8 or 8.1 on the 144s no prob

I also just noticed you were riding thunder 149s, which give a VERY different pop feel from indys. That could be the difference you're looking for as well. Might not be all about size.

idk

madness madness madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 07, 2023, 11:44:57 AM
Expand Quote
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Really depends on what you skate most. If you're more of a big transition guy or you like to huck a lot, i probably wouldnt size down.

Maybe try a standard 8.25 popsicle shape with some forged indy 144s (maybe titaniums if you want to go lighter) and see how you like it?

If you want to go smaller you could still totally run an 8 or 8.1 on the 144s no prob

I also just noticed you were riding thunder 149s, which give a VERY different pop feel from indys. That could be the difference you're looking for as well. Might not be all about size.

idk

madness madness madness

You'd probably be fine. I skate 8.38-8.5, skate mostly ledges and have size 13 feet/am 6ft5. I have a smaller 8inch setup with venture lows that feels really really good for a lot of flatground. Can't make it my main board because my feet drag too much on nose/tailslides on ledges because the kicks are just too small. But since you have more normal size feet I think a full ish nose n tail on a smaller board should be totally fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: HumbleGenius on June 07, 2023, 11:45:51 AM
Expand Quote
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Really depends on what you skate most. If you're more of a big transition guy or you like to huck a lot, i probably wouldnt size down.

Maybe try a standard 8.25 popsicle shape with some forged indy 144s (maybe titaniums if you want to go lighter) and see how you like it?

If you want to go smaller you could still totally run an 8 or 8.1 on the 144s no prob

I also just noticed you were riding thunder 149s, which give a VERY different pop feel from indys. That could be the difference you're looking for as well. Might not be all about size.

idk

madness madness madness

I mostly skate ledges, flat bars, kicker jumps and hips. Don't really skate transition that much other than 5-0 grinds, axles and rock to fakies to navigate the park, with the occasional mini-ramp shenanigans. As far as hucking goes, not really. I'll do some tricks down the 5 stairs but nothing bigger than that for the most part.

Funny you'd mention 144s, I asked the same friend if his plates were forged or standard and he said he has a barely used set of 144s forged titaniums he'd be willing to give me for free. So I might just do that. I still have two unskated 8.38 decks so I might set them up on the 144s and see if I wanna go any smaller from there.

Thanks a lot for the responses guys, much appreciated!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 07, 2023, 12:12:03 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Really depends on what you skate most. If you're more of a big transition guy or you like to huck a lot, i probably wouldnt size down.

Maybe try a standard 8.25 popsicle shape with some forged indy 144s (maybe titaniums if you want to go lighter) and see how you like it?

If you want to go smaller you could still totally run an 8 or 8.1 on the 144s no prob

I also just noticed you were riding thunder 149s, which give a VERY different pop feel from indys. That could be the difference you're looking for as well. Might not be all about size.

idk

madness madness madness
[close]

I mostly skate ledges, flat bars, kicker jumps and hips. Don't really skate transition that much other than 5-0 grinds, axles and rock to fakies to navigate the park, with the occasional mini-ramp shenanigans. As far as hucking goes, not really. I'll do some tricks down the 5 stairs but nothing bigger than that for the most part.

Funny you'd mention 144s, I asked the same friend if his plates were forged or standard and he said he has a barely used set of 144s forged titaniums he'd be willing to give me for free. So I might just do that. I still have two unskated 8.38 decks so I might set them up on the 144s and see if I wanna go any smaller from there.

Thanks a lot for the responses guys, much appreciated!

I skate your current setup but I am 6 foot 3. Flip tricks are easier on a smaller board, but only when popped kinda low. I've found sizing down to be worse for me, but I am on 148s/144s right now. Suciu skates 148s on a huge kicked 14.38WB 8.383 and isn't a ton bigger than you.

I did ride 8-8.125 with 139s for a few years when returning to skating. I could skate slow or smaller stuff fine, but I got better pop and stability from a bigger deck and adapted everything else over time.

Personally I would duplicate his setup or ride it a few more times. There is a huge novelty effect I notice when you skate a setup with no expectations and things just go right. Then you skate it 3, 4, or 5 more times and over time that fades and you notice all the flaws.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 07, 2023, 12:55:13 PM
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Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Really depends on what you skate most. If you're more of a big transition guy or you like to huck a lot, i probably wouldnt size down.

Maybe try a standard 8.25 popsicle shape with some forged indy 144s (maybe titaniums if you want to go lighter) and see how you like it?

If you want to go smaller you could still totally run an 8 or 8.1 on the 144s no prob

I also just noticed you were riding thunder 149s, which give a VERY different pop feel from indys. That could be the difference you're looking for as well. Might not be all about size.

idk

madness madness madness
[close]

I mostly skate ledges, flat bars, kicker jumps and hips. Don't really skate transition that much other than 5-0 grinds, axles and rock to fakies to navigate the park, with the occasional mini-ramp shenanigans. As far as hucking goes, not really. I'll do some tricks down the 5 stairs but nothing bigger than that for the most part.

Funny you'd mention 144s, I asked the same friend if his plates were forged or standard and he said he has a barely used set of 144s forged titaniums he'd be willing to give me for free. So I might just do that. I still have two unskated 8.38 decks so I might set them up on the 144s and see if I wanna go any smaller from there.

Thanks a lot for the responses guys, much appreciated!

Yo! thats a come up right there. def take him up on that haha

Will make your 8.38 flip a little easier.

Id still suggest trying them on an 8.25 though. maybe 8
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 07, 2023, 02:31:18 PM
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Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Really depends on what you skate most. If you're more of a big transition guy or you like to huck a lot, i probably wouldnt size down.

Maybe try a standard 8.25 popsicle shape with some forged indy 144s (maybe titaniums if you want to go lighter) and see how you like it?

If you want to go smaller you could still totally run an 8 or 8.1 on the 144s no prob

I also just noticed you were riding thunder 149s, which give a VERY different pop feel from indys. That could be the difference you're looking for as well. Might not be all about size.

idk

madness madness madness
[close]

I mostly skate ledges, flat bars, kicker jumps and hips. Don't really skate transition that much other than 5-0 grinds, axles and rock to fakies to navigate the park, with the occasional mini-ramp shenanigans. As far as hucking goes, not really. I'll do some tricks down the 5 stairs but nothing bigger than that for the most part.

Funny you'd mention 144s, I asked the same friend if his plates were forged or standard and he said he has a barely used set of 144s forged titaniums he'd be willing to give me for free. So I might just do that. I still have two unskated 8.38 decks so I might set them up on the 144s and see if I wanna go any smaller from there.

Thanks a lot for the responses guys, much appreciated!
[close]

Yo! thats a come up right there. def take him up on that haha

Will make your 8.38 flip a little easier.

Id still suggest trying them on an 8.25 though. maybe 8

Yeah, 144s are amazing. They ride on anything 8-8.5 pretty well. If you get forged/hollow/titanium you trim a bit of weight too. But yeah, I can second the 8.25 rec, it’s a pretty sweet spot. And if you don’t dig it the go up or down accordingly and the 144s can go with you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on June 07, 2023, 03:03:56 PM
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...

Pretty much the same for me...

After having skated 8.0 for a long time and 139 trucks, I wanted to change size and I switched to a Baker 8.125 with Thunder 148..

I am 5.7 and 8 for foot size, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..

Having taken over trucks in 139, everything was much easier and recently with a board in 8 even more.. but the lack of space to land scares me! I wonder if I should not try the 8.06 from real! But on the other hand, I like Thunder, and it bothers me a lot to see them almost new and that I don't skate them.. (the 148*), maybe I should try them with an 8.125-8.25 with a fairly short wheelbase and a length of 31.25..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 07, 2023, 03:21:14 PM
I am 5.7 and 8 foot tall, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..
:o
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 07, 2023, 04:39:44 PM
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I am 5.7 and 8 foot tall, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..
[close]
:o

When you wake up on earth but spend the day on Jupiter
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on June 07, 2023, 07:28:23 PM
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I am 5.7 and 8 foot tall, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..
[close]
:o
[close]

When you wake up on earth but spend the day on Jupiter

Sorry I made a mistake while writing this message.. 😂



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 08, 2023, 06:26:44 AM
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I am 5.7 and 8 foot tall, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..
[close]
:o
[close]

When you wake up on earth but spend the day on Jupiter
[close]

Sorry I made a mistake while writing this message.. 😂

whatever you say Mr. Giant Frenchman.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on June 08, 2023, 09:17:18 AM
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Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Pretty much the same for me...

After having skated 8.0 for a long time and 139 trucks, I wanted to change size and I switched to a Baker 8.125 with Thunder 148..

I am 5.7 and 8 for foot size, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..

Having taken over trucks in 139, everything was much easier and recently with a board in 8 even more.. but the lack of space to land scares me! I wonder if I should not try the 8.06 from real! But on the other hand, I like Thunder, and it bothers me a lot to see them almost new and that I don't skate them.. (the 148*), maybe I should try them with an 8.125-8.25 with a fairly short wheelbase and a length of 31.25..

The 148s go really well with the Girl and Chocolate 8.125s and 8.25s. I rode those on Indys but they felt way better on my homies Thunders. Just my experience.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scottboarding on June 08, 2023, 03:43:48 PM
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Not sure if this is the right place to ask this, if not let me know.

My question is for people who have sized down their setup. Did it affect your ledge and gap game at all?

I'm asking because I snapped my board on my last session and played a game of skate on my friends board. He rides an 8" board with titanium indys 139s (not sure if it was forged or standard plates)

Flip tricks were so freaking easy on his setup. I'm usually not very consistent with my flat game, and with this setup I was basically landing almost everything first try, even tricks I usually struggle with.

I'm currently riding mostly 8.3/8 boards with thunder 149s, and now this has me wanting to switch my shit to something smaller. I was eyeing a krooked Cromer egg that's 8.25 but seems to taper a lot, so I'm thinking it might be good to make the transition to smaller boards. Probably would buy some Thunder 147s with that.

I'm about 5'8 and wear a size 9 shoe, if that's got anything to do with anything...
[close]

Pretty much the same for me...

After having skated 8.0 for a long time and 139 trucks, I wanted to change size and I switched to a Baker 8.125 with Thunder 148..

I am 5.7 and 8 for foot size, and I must admit that my board was heavy and had a lot of trouble on certain flip tricks.. the 360 ​​flips are horrible with this setup..

Having taken over trucks in 139, everything was much easier and recently with a board in 8 even more.. but the lack of space to land scares me! I wonder if I should not try the 8.06 from real! But on the other hand, I like Thunder, and it bothers me a lot to see them almost new and that I don't skate them.. (the 148*), maybe I should try them with an 8.125-8.25 with a fairly short wheelbase and a length of 31.25..
[close]

The 148s go really well with the Girl and Chocolate 8.125s and 8.25s. I rode those on Indys but they felt way better on my homies Thunders. Just my experience.
I recently rode a Girl 8.25 with a 14wb on Thunder 148s and it was quite possibly the best setup I’ve ever ridden for most things. Serious match made in Heaven type of thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: gearcrisis on June 08, 2023, 08:15:15 PM
Yo. name checks out here. having a gear crisis yall. basically, im trying to stop wearing big baggy clothes because i think i look goofy cuz im damn short and skinny. for reference, im sizing down from big boy fit to 93 fit but keeping my tee the same and going for that straight/ loose pants look now. i feel like i look worse and disproportionate with the slightly oversize tee now. tried sizing up in waist but that looks way off to me when the crotch bulge happens.

does this weird ‘off’ feeling go away or am i doomed to baggy clothes lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 08, 2023, 10:32:59 PM
Yo. name checks out here. having a gear crisis yall. basically, im trying to stop wearing big baggy clothes because i think i look goofy cuz im damn short and skinny. for reference, im sizing down from big boy fit to 93 fit but keeping my tee the same and going for that straight/ loose pants look now. i feel like i look worse and disproportionate with the slightly oversize tee now. tried sizing up in waist but that looks way off to me when the crotch bulge happens.

does this weird ‘off’ feeling go away or am i doomed to baggy clothes lol

This thread is mostly about the function of gear, not so much the fashion of it. That said, if skateboarding has anything to teach, it's "be yourself." To that end, wear what you are comfortable with, and don't worry about how it "looks."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 08, 2023, 11:53:29 PM
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Yo. name checks out here. having a gear crisis yall. basically, im trying to stop wearing big baggy clothes because i think i look goofy cuz im damn short and skinny. for reference, im sizing down from big boy fit to 93 fit but keeping my tee the same and going for that straight/ loose pants look now. i feel like i look worse and disproportionate with the slightly oversize tee now. tried sizing up in waist but that looks way off to me when the crotch bulge happens.

does this weird ‘off’ feeling go away or am i doomed to baggy clothes lol
[close]

This thread is mostly about the function of gear, not so much the fashion of it. That said, if skateboarding has anything to teach, it's "be yourself." To that end, wear what you are comfortable with, and don't worry about how it "looks."

i like the response.

i’m short, i have disproportionately short legs, and a long torso. so i should dress like elijah, to compensate (i don’t). pulling the pants up higher, would give the impression of elongating my legs, and shortening my torso.

i think a straight fit looks best, 501s etc. but…ya gotta be young and make silly choices. the baggy thing that many are doing, although a great response to the skinnies, is now kinda…
i know well the horrible state of being so uncomfortable, about most everything, that the pants make going outside, a chore. best of luck, hopefully you are able to give up any notion of looking cool.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 09, 2023, 07:41:41 AM
...best of luck, hopefully you are able to give up any notion of looking cool.

"If you can be not afraid to be laughed at, you could do so many things." -Gonz
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on June 09, 2023, 11:57:34 PM
Following the previous conversation, in your opinion, A short skater should skate a thin board (7.75 up to 8.125) with 129/139 trucks to skate better ?

I want to switch like many people to an 8.25 board with 144 trucks but I'm afraid that my skating will regress..

And I have the impression that many pros who are short skate small sizes.. isn't it easy to coordinate the morphology with our board ?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FatGuy92 on June 10, 2023, 12:11:52 AM
Yo. name checks out here. having a gear crisis yall. basically, im trying to stop wearing big baggy clothes because i think i look goofy cuz im damn short and skinny. for reference, im sizing down from big boy fit to 93 fit but keeping my tee the same and going for that straight/ loose pants look now. i feel like i look worse and disproportionate with the slightly oversize tee now. tried sizing up in waist but that looks way off to me when the crotch bulge happens.

does this weird ‘off’ feeling go away or am i doomed to baggy clothes lol

Fellow short king (with short legs as well), but I’m average bordering on dad bod. Not sure if there super committed to wearing looser clothes but imo ditch the baggy clothes it’ll just make you look shorter. I’ve been wearing Uniqlo stretch selvedge jeans I think they’re slim straight cut and their shirts are actually better fitting for short dudes since they’re a Japanese brand. All of the shirts I have from them aren’t too long at all. Go down one size for Uniqlo U branded stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 10, 2023, 12:28:30 AM
Following the previous conversation, in your opinion, A short skater should skate a thin board (7.75 up to 8.125) with 129/139 trucks to skate better ?

I want to switch like many people to an 8.25 board with 144 trucks but I'm afraid that my skating will regress..

And I have the impression that many pros who are short skate small sizes.. isn't it easy to coordinate the morphology with our board ?

This entire thread has a lot to teach. One of the big take-a-ways, however, is that there is no magic bullet. Moreover, if you are afraid to try things, skateboarding probably isn't the best choice for you. And to somewhat contradict that last statement, as been said over and over and over by anyone afflicted by the Madness...if you want your skating to remain consistent, don't fuck around (too much) with your equipment. Once you find what works, stick with it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 10, 2023, 07:21:11 AM
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Following the previous conversation, in your opinion, A short skater should skate a thin board (7.75 up to 8.125) with 129/139 trucks to skate better ?

I want to switch like many people to an 8.25 board with 144 trucks but I'm afraid that my skating will regress..

And I have the impression that many pros who are short skate small sizes.. isn't it easy to coordinate the morphology with our board ?
[close]

This entire thread has a lot to teach. One of the big take-a-ways, however, is that there is no magic bullet. Moreover, if you are afraid to try things, skateboarding probably isn't the best choice for you. And to somewhat contradict that last statement, as been said over and over and over by anyone afflicted by the Madness...if you want your skating to remain consistent, don't fuck around (too much) with your equipment. Once you find what works, stick with it.

Very solid advice. I was talking to a local guy who absolutely rips yesterday. He has zero madness whatsoever. He skates Indy and spit, bones, stock everything. His big lesson was first and foremost, find a concave/size/wheelbase you dig and then just skate. Experiment here and there but when something clicks, keep using it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 10, 2023, 07:34:17 AM
Following the previous conversation, in your opinion, A short skater should skate a thin board (7.75 up to 8.125) with 129/139 trucks to skate better ?

I want to switch like many people to an 8.25 board with 144 trucks but I'm afraid that my skating will regress..

And I have the impression that many pros who are short skate small sizes.. isn't it easy to coordinate the morphology with our board ?

yo. you’ve been going at this for a minute on here: you want to skate a wider board/trucks, it doesn’t work as well for you (by your admission), you keep coming back to ask for more of the same justifications, for you to buy and ride the bigger setup (which i think you’ve done? and said it didn’t work, right?)
there are no hard metrics for body size and setup size.
skating ‘better’ is a tricky one, for me for instance, a wider setup can feel ‘better’, but i probably land more tricks on a smaller setup. so which is better? that is for you to determine.
this is the support thread. i have been in your position, if not a more extreme version: i’m probably best at the skating i do now, on a 7.8 ish board, and 5.0 lo’s/145s or a very few 8” trucks (5.2 lo’s/147s/old 8” royals), and 52 or smaller wheels. the skaters i admired the most locally, skated bigger setups: 8.25-8.5, 149s, 54s. looks cool/butch/macho, and makes more sense for the rough stuff. i tried to goldilocks that shit together and sometimes it worked for a moment. but if i get on an embarrassingly small board it’s all gonna workout easy/better (aside from riding over rough ground, there will always be trade-offs).
so i sympathize when i say this: stop fucking about, go skate. you can’t land your shit, because you (and me), are spending time posting about a small difference instead of skating. go skate fucker.
respectfully.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on June 10, 2023, 07:57:07 AM
Following the previous conversation, in your opinion, A short skater should skate a thin board (7.75 up to 8.125) with 129/139 trucks to skate better ?

I want to switch like many people to an 8.25 board with 144 trucks but I'm afraid that my skating will regress..

And I have the impression that many pros who are short skate small sizes.. isn't it easy to coordinate the morphology with our board ?

I don't think height and ideal board width have any correlation. But length for sure.
You can skate a short 9" deck just like a short 8". Just try a fat short deck and be happy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 10, 2023, 08:08:14 AM
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Following the previous conversation, in your opinion, A short skater should skate a thin board (7.75 up to 8.125) with 129/139 trucks to skate better ?

I want to switch like many people to an 8.25 board with 144 trucks but I'm afraid that my skating will regress..

And I have the impression that many pros who are short skate small sizes.. isn't it easy to coordinate the morphology with our board ?
[close]
so i sympathize when i say this: stop fucking about, go skate. you can’t land your shit, because you (and me), are spending time posting about a small difference instead of skating. go skate fucker.
respectfully.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on June 10, 2023, 08:57:20 AM
so i sympathize when i say this: stop fucking about, go skate. you can’t land your shit, because you (and me), are spending time posting about a small difference instead of skating. go skate fucker.
respectfully.

Thank you ok for saying what we're all thinking. Someone please gnar this man for me. 🙏
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 10, 2023, 09:06:00 AM
...skating ‘better’ is a tricky one, for me for instance, a wider setup can feel ‘better’, but i probably land more tricks on a smaller setup. so which is better? that is for you to determine.

This, exactly, has become a source of recent wheel madness for me. I am under no illusion that a 52mm Conical is going to make me skate substantively better than a 53mm Classic, but I am trying to figure which simply "feels better." The answer?

"This is no answer. There never was an answer. There never will be an answer. That is the answer." -Harry Dean Stanton
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 10, 2023, 05:27:42 PM
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Yo. name checks out here. having a gear crisis yall. basically, im trying to stop wearing big baggy clothes because i think i look goofy cuz im damn short and skinny. for reference, im sizing down from big boy fit to 93 fit but keeping my tee the same and going for that straight/ loose pants look now. i feel like i look worse and disproportionate with the slightly oversize tee now. tried sizing up in waist but that looks way off to me when the crotch bulge happens.

does this weird ‘off’ feeling go away or am i doomed to baggy clothes lol
[close]

This thread is mostly about the function of gear, not so much the fashion of it. That said, if skateboarding has anything to teach, it's "be yourself." To that end, wear what you are comfortable with, and don't worry about how it "looks."
[close]

i like the response.

i’m short, i have disproportionately short legs, and a long torso. so i should dress like elijah, to compensate (i don’t). pulling the pants up higher, would give the impression of elongating my legs, and shortening my torso.

i think a straight fit looks best, 501s etc. but…ya gotta be young and make silly choices. the baggy thing that many are doing, although a great response to the skinnies, is now kinda…
i know well the horrible state of being so uncomfortable, about most everything, that the pants make going outside, a chore. best of luck, hopefully you are able to give up any notion of looking cool.


On the topic of clothing (and I don't want to get in too deep here) but I found quite simply, if I feel comfortable in what I am wearing, I am already a step ahead of where I was at the start of the day.  Trying to get a "costume" going for whatever reason may or may not work, but skate brands aside, finding what is most comfortable is key to getting in a good frame of mind and then I am more able to focus on skateboarding.

Thinking about what I am wearing is somewhat superficial I know, but if I keep having to adjust this, or pull up that or whatever, it gets really annoying and then detracts from what I want to do, which is ride a skateboard.

That said, sure I have some "brand name" stuff, the exact brands are not important here, but I also tracked down some other things which make my life a whole lot easier, just comfortable fitting clothes, not tailor fitted or anything, so yes exactly what you can buy off the shelf from any number of places, from department stores, through skate shops and most places in between, but the main thing is I found what works for me and that makes me happy in that regard so then I am not self conscious about clothing / fashion, age or anything else.


Sure my 24/7/365 for life outfit is 874 work pants, usually plain white tshirt, generic flannel shirt as a base, with skate brands thrown in a plenty as I have been in and around the skate industry for 20+ years, but through trial and error of many different styles, including things that would surprise some people, that is what works for me.  Being 48 years old and a very average look, build and whatever, sure I can pick up some things that might not work for some people, but a few little things I have learned along the way make it a lot easier, eg medium white Gildan blank shirts fit better than any other colour and work well as an under shirt without being too tight or restrictive, large tshirts in skate brands over the top of that as needed but usually after I have had them in the dryer to shrink a bit for a better fit, the 874 pants I wear, size up, put on a belt and it makes it a little easier to move in without being too baggy, plus I have room to "eat a bit more" if I need to or tuck things in if I have to on some more formal occasions, bulk cotton rich white sports socks packs from department stores are cheaper and last longer than skate brands, etc.

Find what works for you and then you are already one step ahead every time you leave the house with your skateboard.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 10, 2023, 05:55:10 PM
Strangely the post your fit thread is the most positive and encouraging thread on the boards……we could learn a thing or two from it……..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 10, 2023, 07:37:16 PM
Strangely the post your fit thread is the most positive and encouraging thread on the boards……we could learn a thing or two from it……..

Wild. I’ve never looked at it because I figured it would be a cesspool.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 11, 2023, 05:46:24 AM
So I’m trying to find a bushing setup that I like. Bones black hardcores are really good for tricky/techy stuff, but I’m thinking of experimenting with a hard/soft combo in my more general purpose setup. I’ve seen recs for softer bottoms/harder tops and am wondering if anyone can vouch for that.

I’m 5’8 and like 185 fwiw. I kinda want a more turny/surfy vibe for my Indy’s, and so far sets are either too soft or too hard.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 11, 2023, 07:14:46 AM
So I’m trying to find a bushing setup that I like. Bones black hardcores are really good for tricky/techy stuff, but I’m thinking of experimenting with a hard/soft combo in my more general purpose setup. I’ve seen recs for softer bottoms/harder tops and am wondering if anyone can vouch for that.

I’m 5’8 and like 185 fwiw. I kinda want a more turny/surfy vibe for my Indy’s, and so far sets are either too soft or too hard.

Try Indy hard black bushings if you haven't already. I use the standard cylinders.

Use the bones top washer with them until the compress a bit.

With the thinner top washer and your weight, you should be able to get a decently turny setup while still having some stability.

Start with the nut nut flush, and tighten as needed
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backside_frontside on June 11, 2023, 07:19:30 AM
This whole thread of 45 pages can be summarized with the simple phrase: just skate. That’s it.

Is it any surprise to you when you ask dudes who rip about their setup they all say keep it consistent, get used to it, and just skate. That’s the cure for all gear madness. Just skate. This thread is only making it worse. Nuke this thread and just fucking skate
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on June 11, 2023, 07:39:00 AM
This whole thread of 45 pages can be summarized with the simple phrase: just skate. That’s it.

Is it any surprise to you when you ask dudes who rip about their setup they all say keep it consistent, get used to it, and just skate. That’s the cure for all gear madness. Just skate. This thread is only making it worse. Nuke this thread and just fucking skate
Wouldn't say just get used to whatever you have, since it can actually hold you back. Example: Super heavy feeling setup that takes all your energy just to pop onto a high legde.
But once you've found something that feels good enough on every terrain, that's the moment you need to stick with it, even when it's not 100% perfect.

Trying to find "the perfect setup for everything" that doesn't exist is where it goes downhill
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 11, 2023, 08:15:43 AM
Expand Quote
This whole thread of 45 pages can be summarized with the simple phrase: just skate. That’s it.

Is it any surprise to you when you ask dudes who rip about their setup they all say keep it consistent, get used to it, and just skate. That’s the cure for all gear madness. Just skate. This thread is only making it worse. Nuke this thread and just fucking skate
[close]
Wouldn't say just get used to whatever you have, since it can actually hold you back. Example: Super heavy feeling setup that takes all your energy just to pop onto a high legde.
But once you've found something that feels good enough on every terrain, that's the moment you need to stick with it, even when it's not 100% perfect.

Trying to find "the perfect setup for everything" that doesn't exist is where it goes downhill

That's why we have The Quiver thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backside_frontside on June 11, 2023, 08:40:22 AM
Expand Quote
This whole thread of 45 pages can be summarized with the simple phrase: just skate. That’s it.

Is it any surprise to you when you ask dudes who rip about their setup they all say keep it consistent, get used to it, and just skate. That’s the cure for all gear madness. Just skate. This thread is only making it worse. Nuke this thread and just fucking skate
[close]
Wouldn't say just get used to whatever you have, since it can actually hold you back. Example: Super heavy feeling setup that takes all your energy just to pop onto a high legde.
But once you've found something that feels good enough on every terrain, that's the moment you need to stick with it, even when it's not 100% perfect.

Trying to find "the perfect setup for everything" that doesn't exist is where it goes downhill
Yeah I agree, find what works for you and stick with that. Shoulda made that more clear in my post but ya get me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 11, 2023, 08:45:40 AM
Expand Quote
...skating ‘better’ is a tricky one, for me for instance, a wider setup can feel ‘better’, but i probably land more tricks on a smaller setup. so which is better? that is for you to determine.
[close]

This, exactly, has become a source of recent wheel madness for me. I am under no illusion that a 52mm Conical is going to make me skate substantively better than a 53mm Classic, but I am trying to figure which simply "feels better." The answer?

"This is no answer. There never was an answer. There never will be an answer. That is the answer." -Harry Dean Stanton

I've gotta say that while I do have madness about decks and trucks, I've never cared about wheels. This is likely because when I tried Conical Fulls I got train tracked a bunch and that was the end of those and I've just randomly decided I'm going to ride F4's as they feel good enough so that leaves me with only a few options in sizes I ride. That and I've never felt wheels held me back.

One could extrapolate this ethos to other areas of skating. My good friend and life long ripper decided at some point in time he's only going to ride Indy's and 54 Classics and that he can't frontside flip on anything over 8.5 (he absolutely can I've seen him do them on a 10" cruiser). He will basically buy any 8.38 and not care if something feels worse on that setup he's just decided "these are my parameters, it is what it is"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 11, 2023, 09:22:24 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
...skating ‘better’ is a tricky one, for me for instance, a wider setup can feel ‘better’, but i probably land more tricks on a smaller setup. so which is better? that is for you to determine.
[close]

This, exactly, has become a source of recent wheel madness for me. I am under no illusion that a 52mm Conical is going to make me skate substantively better than a 53mm Classic, but I am trying to figure which simply "feels better." The answer?

"This is no answer. There never was an answer. There never will be an answer. That is the answer." -Harry Dean Stanton
[close]

I've gotta say that while I do have madness about decks and trucks, I've never cared about wheels. This is likely because when I tried Conical Fulls I got train tracked a bunch and that was the end of those and I've just randomly decided I'm going to ride F4's as they feel good enough so that leaves me with only a few options in sizes I ride. That and I've never felt wheels held me back.

One could extrapolate this ethos to other areas of skating. My good friend and life long ripper decided at some point in time he's only going to ride Indy's and 54 Classics and that he can't frontside flip on anything over 8.5 (he absolutely can I've seen him do them on a 10" cruiser). He will basically buy any 8.38 and not care if something feels worse on that setup he's just decided "these are my parameters, it is what it is"

Wheel madness is a new thing for me. I've been a Classic-only guy for a long, long, long time. So, what happened? I rode a friend's board with Conicals. It rode a lot smoother (wider contact patch). I liked that. It also seemed to lock-in a bit more on transition (round coping). I liked that, too. But in other ares I was less of a fan. Everything in life is a trade-off. It's just a matter of figuring out which aspects "weight" the most (+/-). Aside from Classics, there are only two other Spitfire wheels I would consider riding; Radials and Conicals. I now have a set of both, so I should be able to make quick work of this (hopefully). My deck/truck madness was resolved some time ago. So, once this little wheel episode is resolved, I'm confident my madness with go dormant for awhile. That's a good thing. And thankfully, I've never had shoe madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 11, 2023, 10:19:58 AM
Expand Quote
So I’m trying to find a bushing setup that I like. Bones black hardcores are really good for tricky/techy stuff, but I’m thinking of experimenting with a hard/soft combo in my more general purpose setup. I’ve seen recs for softer bottoms/harder tops and am wondering if anyone can vouch for that.

I’m 5’8 and like 185 fwiw. I kinda want a more turny/surfy vibe for my Indy’s, and so far sets are either too soft or too hard.
[close]

Try Indy hard black bushings if you haven't already. I use the standard cylinders.

Use the bones top washer with them until the compress a bit.

With the thinner top washer and your weight, you should be able to get a decently turny setup while still having some stability.

Start with the nut nut flush, and tighten as needed

Awesome, I’ll give them a go! From my experience is bushings are one of those things you kinda do have to get into the nitty gritty with, especially if you’re a little taller and/or heavier and are going for a specific feel. Thank you
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 11, 2023, 05:56:11 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
So I’m trying to find a bushing setup that I like. Bones black hardcores are really good for tricky/techy stuff, but I’m thinking of experimenting with a hard/soft combo in my more general purpose setup. I’ve seen recs for softer bottoms/harder tops and am wondering if anyone can vouch for that.

I’m 5’8 and like 185 fwiw. I kinda want a more turny/surfy vibe for my Indy’s, and so far sets are either too soft or too hard.
[close]

Try Indy hard black bushings if you haven't already. I use the standard cylinders.

Use the bones top washer with them until the compress a bit.

With the thinner top washer and your weight, you should be able to get a decently turny setup while still having some stability.

Start with the nut nut flush, and tighten as needed
[close]

Awesome, I’ll give them a go! From my experience is bushings are one of those things you kinda do have to get into the nitty gritty with, especially if you’re a little taller and/or heavier and are going for a specific feel. Thank you


Even if you have a few options sitting around, try out different combos of each if you don't mind having a more relaxed day and not pushing too hard, take them somewhere you can experiment with them and try one of this bottom, something else top, mix and match the other way round, etc.

I have a little OCD about coloured bushings, eg I like sets of the same colours, but I know some people have definitely found that an Bones hard bottom and a Bones medium top or vice versa worked for them - can't remember which way they went, but they shared bushings with their kid so it actually worked well, adult on hard bottom, kid on medium bottom or something.

Others I know buy two sets of bushings every time just to get the combo they want, which is a bit much for me, but at least they know what they like and it works for them, so that's all that matters.

Any bushings you have lying around could be put to this test to see what works for you, if you have them, then go buy others as needed.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on June 12, 2023, 08:43:25 AM
Just checking in and saying I did my annual "take apart every setup except for one main board and one cruiser" cleanse and it feels good. Makes me feel a bit more normal if I ignore the entire skateshop worth of gear I have on ice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: brownjenkin on June 12, 2023, 11:26:28 AM
Just checking in and saying I did my annual "take apart every setup except for one main board and one cruiser" cleanse and it feels good. Makes me feel a bit more normal if I ignore the entire skateshop worth of gear I have on ice.

This always helps me. I need to put my extra gear out of sight as well or I start getting ideas.

I "only" have about three spare decks in various states of use, three sets of wheels, and four sets of trucks but it's incredible how much mental anguish I can cause myself with just that.

If I start to compile a quiver of non-cruiser decks, I'm fucked.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on June 12, 2023, 12:07:23 PM
Just checking in and saying I did my annual "take apart every setup except for one main board and one cruiser" cleanse and it feels good. Makes me feel a bit more normal if I ignore the entire skateshop worth of gear I have on ice.

Did the same thing this weekend, though there was only one other complete skateboard. Bagged up everything and put it all away in my box of skate shit. Got my 8.18" deck with some 144s and a Polar P9 with some crusty old thrift store Reynolds I cleaned up and OJ Mini Juices.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 12, 2023, 01:49:31 PM
True success is not having to do it next year. One of the years this will be true for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 12, 2023, 03:37:48 PM
Kinda of having new cruiser set up madness right now.. I want a new cruiser for long pushes around town, some hill bombing and pump track action.  I know I want something about 9" to 10" and I know I want Wheel wells.

But

Do I go short WB for squirrelly responsiveness or long WB for high speed stability?

Its down to the Antihero Raney Big Bord or the new Genius shape...

Typically I wouldn't have crosier set up madness but since I am trying not to skate to hard while I heal up its become a thing...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 12, 2023, 07:43:30 PM
Kinda of having new cruiser set up madness right now.. I want a new cruiser for long pushes around town, some hill bombing and pump track action.  I know I want something about 9" to 10" and I know I want Wheel wells.

But

Do I go short WB for squirrelly responsiveness or long WB for high speed stability?

Its down to the Antihero Raney Big Bord or the new Genius shape...

Typically I wouldn't have crosier set up madness but since I am trying not to skate to hard while I heal up its become a thing...

the genius shape looked really good. i wanted it, and i’m about over eagled out and such, but the shape looked nice in hand. so did that quasi surfa. quasi obviously looked cooler, but the shape, shortness of the genius was very alluring. and i like shorter. words and wb’s.

all of that aside, for quite awhile i had a wildly shaped board, with a 14.75 wb…didn’t skate it much, but for going fast downhill (relative, i am gaaaaarbaaaaaage at skating, worse at skating ‘fast’), the long wb was so comfy it was pretty shocking actually. like i felt safe, when ordinarily i woulda been foot dragging and all sorts of shameful maneuvers.
i don’t fuck with wheel wells, i get bummed when my board is too big…someone posted a 8.75 label recently with 161s and that made me feel some type of way. some other real asshole always makes ace classic 55s look super good on their posted setups. i dunno.
best of luck. skating for distance is most likely my future, cuz these worm burner nollie flips are not it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: switchfakie on June 12, 2023, 09:18:51 PM
Kinda of having new cruiser set up madness right now.. I want a new cruiser for long pushes around town, some hill bombing and pump track action.  I know I want something about 9" to 10" and I know I want Wheel wells.

But

Do I go short WB for squirrelly responsiveness or long WB for high speed stability?

Its down to the Antihero Raney Big Bord or the new Genius shape...

Typically I wouldn't have crosier set up madness but since I am trying not to skate to hard while I heal up its become a thing...

polar dane1 full shape

31.~ length, 9.75 width, 14 wheelbase

i can kickflip & heelflip it ez as well

its the perfect cruiser

i ride it with indy 215's and 0.5 inch risers but id recommend 169 or 159
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on June 12, 2023, 09:57:07 PM
I'm having some wheelbase madness right now. I'm running an Ishod 8.3 twin tail as my main setup. It has a 14.4" wheelbase which I've traditionally thought of being too short for me but then there's been some decks where it works just fine.

I set up a new cruiser a while ago. Antihero Blue Meanie 8.75" with 14.75" wheelbase. I've skated one before as my main setup and absolutely loved it. It was a bit of a chore getting up but the pop yield was great and I felt like I could control it really well. I'm not that precise with my legs so short wheelbases and light trucks don't work too well for me usually. Now this cruiser felt almost magical. I'm on loose Ace 44 Classics with 1/8" risers and 55mm OJ Mini Super Juices and I can ollie over a bunch of stuff when cruising without hesitation. Usually it takes me a good while to warm my legs up to even attempt a first ollie, that's why cruising has been kinda meh for me if I'm in places where you have to ollie over stuff a lot but now I've been having a blast.

I haven't skated my main setup for a while but now I'm thinking it's probably not suitable for me as it certainly isn't as effortless. I think I'll give it a go once more and if I don't like it that much, I'll switch it out to something with a longer wheelbase. I've got a probably about 20 decks in my stack though. Most of them with a 14.5" wheelbase, some with 14.375" and some with 14.625", 14.75" and 15". Really not sure what to set up next. 14.5" was my thinking but then the Blue Meanie has me wanting to set up something with 14.75". Then again I could set up a 14.375" and figure out for good that it's just not my thing. 15" I don't feel like skating right now for some reason so at least there's that. Basically I'm in full kook mode right now.  :-X
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 12, 2023, 10:11:16 PM
I'm having some wheelbase madness right now. I'm running an Ishod 8.3 twin tail as my main setup. It has a 14.4" wheelbase which I've traditionally thought of being too short for me but then there's been some decks where it works just fine.

I set up a new cruiser a while ago. Antihero Blue Meanie 8.75" with 14.75" wheelbase. I've skated one before as my main setup and absolutely loved it. It was a bit of a chore getting up but the pop yield was great and I felt like I could control it really well. I'm not that precise with my legs so short wheelbases and light trucks don't work too well for me usually. Now this cruiser felt almost magical. I'm on loose Ace 44 Classics with 1/8" risers and 55mm OJ Mini Super Juices and I can ollie over a bunch of stuff when cruising without hesitation. Usually it takes me a good while to warm my legs up to even attempt a first ollie, that's why cruising has been kinda meh for me if I'm in places where you have to ollie over stuff a lot but now I've been having a blast.

I haven't skated my main setup for a while but now I'm thinking it's probably not suitable for me as it certainly isn't as effortless. I think I'll give it a go once more and if I don't like it that much, I'll switch it out to something with a longer wheelbase. I've got a probably about 20 decks in my stack though. Most of them with a 14.5" wheelbase, some with 14.375" and some with 14.625", 14.75" and 15". Really not sure what to set up next. 14.5" was my thinking but then the Blue Meanie has me wanting to set up something with 14.75". Then again I could set up a 14.375" and figure out for good that it's just not my thing. 15" I don't feel like skating right now for some reason so at least there's that. Basically I'm in full kook mode right now.  :-X

I have a DLX 8.75/14.62 (159 forged) set-up as my cruiser / big ramp board. Usually run 54mm/99a Classics or Conicals on it. If I’m going full cruise, mighy throw 80HDs on it. This set-up gets me in trouble sometimes. If I ride it too much, I start to really, really like it for some things, and then my regular 8.25 begins to feel impossibly small. Yeah, the 8.75 is a tank on some stuff, but it’s just so stable and comfy on other stuff (e.g. Smith grinds). Sometimes it’s really hard to “go smaller” when you’ve been riding a bigger board for awhile, so be careful what you’re doing with bigger WBs! Madness will ensue!

Also, I’ve been thinking about setting up a bigger full-on dedicated cruiser, but haven’t actually done it, because I’m not sure if I want to open that door.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on June 12, 2023, 11:42:23 PM
Expand Quote
I'm having some wheelbase madness right now. I'm running an Ishod 8.3 twin tail as my main setup. It has a 14.4" wheelbase which I've traditionally thought of being too short for me but then there's been some decks where it works just fine.

I set up a new cruiser a while ago. Antihero Blue Meanie 8.75" with 14.75" wheelbase. I've skated one before as my main setup and absolutely loved it. It was a bit of a chore getting up but the pop yield was great and I felt like I could control it really well. I'm not that precise with my legs so short wheelbases and light trucks don't work too well for me usually. Now this cruiser felt almost magical. I'm on loose Ace 44 Classics with 1/8" risers and 55mm OJ Mini Super Juices and I can ollie over a bunch of stuff when cruising without hesitation. Usually it takes me a good while to warm my legs up to even attempt a first ollie, that's why cruising has been kinda meh for me if I'm in places where you have to ollie over stuff a lot but now I've been having a blast.

I haven't skated my main setup for a while but now I'm thinking it's probably not suitable for me as it certainly isn't as effortless. I think I'll give it a go once more and if I don't like it that much, I'll switch it out to something with a longer wheelbase. I've got a probably about 20 decks in my stack though. Most of them with a 14.5" wheelbase, some with 14.375" and some with 14.625", 14.75" and 15". Really not sure what to set up next. 14.5" was my thinking but then the Blue Meanie has me wanting to set up something with 14.75". Then again I could set up a 14.375" and figure out for good that it's just not my thing. 15" I don't feel like skating right now for some reason so at least there's that. Basically I'm in full kook mode right now.  :-X
[close]

I have a DLX 8.75/14.62 (159 forged) set-up as my cruiser / big ramp board. Usually run 54mm/99a Classics or Conicals on it. If I’m going full cruise, mighy throw 80HDs on it. This set-up gets me in trouble sometimes. If I ride it too much, I start to really, really like it for some things, and then my regular 8.25 begins to feel impossibly small. Yeah, the 8.75 is a tank on some stuff, but it’s just so stable and comfy on other stuff (e.g. Smith grinds). Sometimes it’s really hard to “go smaller” when you’ve been riding a bigger board for awhile, so be careful what you’re doing with bigger WBs! Madness will ensue!

Also, I’ve been thinking about setting up a bigger full-on dedicated cruiser, but haven’t actually done it, because I’m not sure if I want to open that door.

Thanks! Good points. I’m actually not that worried about liking the bigger boards as I’m not exactly a tech guy. I am old though and would like to learn some new tricks but I’m thinking that riding what feels comfortable would be better for that instead of having a setup that feels too small.

I have actually skated boards up to 15” wheelbase and up to 9.75” width as my main setup. Usually I’m around 8.5” with 14.5” wheelbase but can go over a lot and under a bit.

I skated the DLX 8.75” a year or so ago and while it was ok, I never really got along with it that well. Maybe it’s the long tail paired with Aces or something but it just felt more difficult to pop properly than it should have. I don’t think I’ll be getting another one of those. Currently I’m considering the DLX 8.63”, which seems to me that it’s from the same mold as the Blue Meanie but it’s a popsicle instead. Never skated that board before as I couldn’t figure out which trucks to use on it as Ace went from 8.35” to 9.0”. Now I could pair it with the AF1 55s or 60s. Probably 55s as those felt good on the Blue Meanie previously.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 14, 2023, 06:53:55 PM
i've been messing around with sub 8.5 sizing on various wood shops for the first time in the quest to get 360 flips by my 38th birthday. missed the goal date but it's been a nice experiment. I flung around an ancient 7.5-7.75 pennswood on ventures and 50mm wheels my buddy broke out and although i only threw out a few attempts, that tiny ass board was truth central for flip tricks. I'm thinking I want to set up an 8" with 14"WB and 149s. Don't have any wheels on ice smaller than 54, so it's gonna be funky, but i'm thinking that for a little while anyways, the difference between 8.25 and 8 will be negligible for learning new flip tricks that i'm not getting on 8.25/8.5. Probably gonna crack and order a mini logo deck like Fletch

Crail is calling
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 14, 2023, 09:03:02 PM
Expand Quote
i've been messing around with sub 8.5 sizing on various wood shops for the first time in the quest to get 360 flips by my 38th birthday. missed the goal date but it's been a nice experiment. I flung around an ancient 7.5-7.75 pennswood on ventures and 50mm wheels my buddy broke out and although i only threw out a few attempts, that tiny ass board was truth central for flip tricks. I'm thinking I want to set up an 8" with 14"WB and 149s. Don't have any wheels on ice smaller than 54, so it's gonna be funky, but i'm thinking that for a little while anyways, the difference between 8.25 and 8 will be negligible for learning new flip tricks that i'm not getting on 8.25/8.5. Probably gonna crack and order a mini logo deck like Fletch
[close]

Crail is calling

heard he’s skating a flight deck. i wonder which shape?
there is something interesting, to me, about possibly skating a powell board in this year of 2023. several times in my skate life, skateboards, in general, felt a little taboo, wrong, socially risky. for a moment i was thinking that buying a flight deck, might bring me some of that nostalgic feeling, of not fitting in, that skating used to represent to me.

and then i remembered i’m closer to 50 and most every old white guy my age has some shitty powell board.




but for serious if we find out what our flat god is riding lemme know. could be private, or not, idc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on June 14, 2023, 10:54:59 PM
For 3 flips…..isn’t magic carpet better than hot rod?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 15, 2023, 04:29:10 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
i've been messing around with sub 8.5 sizing on various wood shops for the first time in the quest to get 360 flips by my 38th birthday. missed the goal date but it's been a nice experiment. I flung around an ancient 7.5-7.75 pennswood on ventures and 50mm wheels my buddy broke out and although i only threw out a few attempts, that tiny ass board was truth central for flip tricks. I'm thinking I want to set up an 8" with 14"WB and 149s. Don't have any wheels on ice smaller than 54, so it's gonna be funky, but i'm thinking that for a little while anyways, the difference between 8.25 and 8 will be negligible for learning new flip tricks that i'm not getting on 8.25/8.5. Probably gonna crack and order a mini logo deck like Fletch
[close]

Crail is calling
[close]

heard he’s skating a flight deck. i wonder which shape?
there is something interesting, to me, about possibly skating a powell board in this year of 2023. several times in my skate life, skateboards, in general, felt a little taboo, wrong, socially risky. for a moment i was thinking that buying a flight deck, might bring me some of that nostalgic feeling, of not fitting in, that skating used to represent to me.

and then i remembered i’m closer to 50 and most every old white guy my age has some shitty powell board.




but for serious if we find out what our flat god is riding lemme know. could be private, or not, idc
[close]

@23:20 @Fletschinger spits about the mini logo

I bet @Sativa Lung knows whats up with these as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNt5iGhNwI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNt5iGhNwI)

i feel you on the powell tip. There are certain things i'm not going to do- such as buy an element deck, regardless of low price. this video is the only reason i'd consider a mini logo. although, my first real deck was purple mini logo in probably 1997/98, i'm not really trying to go there at this time but... i going to end up snagging one of these 8s and see what happens.

Why no Element? Not judging, just wondering g what I missed. And you know you’ve got the madness when you’re factoring in your house’s pitch into kick angle measurements.

Real shit though, I use my iPhone’s level to measure kick angle. My favorite board (G069) is a hair over 18°.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 15, 2023, 08:26:07 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNt5iGhNwI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNt5iGhNwI)

"Weird I saved this. I don't save anything."

(As he is standing next to huge stack of saved decks)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 15, 2023, 06:19:32 PM
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i've been messing around with sub 8.5 sizing on various wood shops for the first time in the quest to get 360 flips by my 38th birthday. missed the goal date but it's been a nice experiment. I flung around an ancient 7.5-7.75 pennswood on ventures and 50mm wheels my buddy broke out and although i only threw out a few attempts, that tiny ass board was truth central for flip tricks. I'm thinking I want to set up an 8" with 14"WB and 149s. Don't have any wheels on ice smaller than 54, so it's gonna be funky, but i'm thinking that for a little while anyways, the difference between 8.25 and 8 will be negligible for learning new flip tricks that i'm not getting on 8.25/8.5. Probably gonna crack and order a mini logo deck like Fletch
[close]

Crail is calling
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heard he’s skating a flight deck. i wonder which shape?
there is something interesting, to me, about possibly skating a powell board in this year of 2023. several times in my skate life, skateboards, in general, felt a little taboo, wrong, socially risky. for a moment i was thinking that buying a flight deck, might bring me some of that nostalgic feeling, of not fitting in, that skating used to represent to me.

and then i remembered i’m closer to 50 and most every old white guy my age has some shitty powell board.




but for serious if we find out what our flat god is riding lemme know. could be private, or not, idc
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@23:20 @Fletschinger spits about the mini logo

I bet @Sativa Lung knows whats up with these as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNt5iGhNwI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNt5iGhNwI)

i feel you on the powell tip. There are certain things i'm not going to do- such as buy an element deck, regardless of low price. this video is the only reason i'd consider a mini logo. although, my first real deck was purple mini logo in probably 1997/98, i'm not really trying to go there at this time but... i going to end up snagging one of these 8s and see what happens.
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Why no Element? Not judging, just wondering g what I missed. And you know you’ve got the madness when you’re factoring in your house’s pitch into kick angle measurements.

Real shit though, I use my iPhone’s level to measure kick angle. My favorite board (G069) is a hair over 18°.
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;D westgate is the shit and all, but element is wack and i'd rather give my hard earned diminishing funds to my local shop/company etc. I wrote that mostly in response to people going bonkers over $15-20 element decks a few weeks back and me and some others saying/thinking "weak, element sucks..." Standard BBS shapes is what people are looking for in that run and I can support my local who sells BBS shop decks for a $20 more that's going to go into the community. Ordering a mini logo feels kind of uncomfortable too, but it may serve a purpose.

yes agree
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 15, 2023, 06:49:07 PM
Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 15, 2023, 08:03:32 PM
For 3 flips…..isn’t magic carpet better than hot rod?

I'd say so
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: switchfakie on June 17, 2023, 12:12:33 PM
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For 3 flips…..isn’t magic carpet better than hot rod?
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I'd say so

I’d agree but I’d also say from experience that as long as half the wheel isn’t sticking out on hot rod, you can still fairly easily do 3flips
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on June 17, 2023, 04:37:37 PM
Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?

Those AWS boards are close but slightly longer tails.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Phao Lo on June 17, 2023, 08:03:26 PM
Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?

Have you tried the Quasi 8.25" x 31.8" WB 14" BBS yet?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 17, 2023, 08:53:58 PM
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Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?
[close]

Have you tried the Quasi 8.25" x 31.8" WB 14" BBS yet?



Yeah a few times, I’m hoping to get an 8.3 but shorter; still looking at the gall metal.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on June 17, 2023, 09:13:29 PM
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For 3 flips…..isn’t magic carpet better than hot rod?
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I'd say so
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I’d agree but I’d also say from experience that as long as half the wheel isn’t sticking out on hot rod, you can still fairly easily do 3flips
Can remove the axel washers as well if you haven’t already.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 17, 2023, 11:42:10 PM
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Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?
[close]

Have you tried the Quasi 8.25" x 31.8" WB 14" BBS yet?


[close]

Yeah a few times, I’m hoping to get an 8.3 but shorter; still looking at the gall metal.

i’ve never skated the manderson, and i’m most likely way off here, but a board i fondly remember, from…maybe 2017? ish. was this doomsayers 8.28. it was short. top was laser engraved (i think). that board was the shit. such a great shape. at the time i was trying to make indys work, and i really enjoyed it. nose was bigger than i like, pop was fantastic.
someone on here said omar was a bit of a turd towards the artists that worked with him, and i moved on to other attempts at finding what worked for me. great board tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on June 18, 2023, 06:24:04 AM
Continuation to my previous wheelbase madness kookery:

I was thinking of getting a fish scale to start measuring the force needed to get the front of the deck up. Pair that knowledge with the pop angle measured with my phone and estimate based on that how the board would work for me. I told about this to my girlfriend who just looked at me like I’m insane (which I’m definitely not at all! :) )

Instead of doing all that I switched from the 8.3” Ishod TT to DLX 8.38” and had a great session just a while ago. So, madness curbed (for now at least). :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IpathCats on June 18, 2023, 06:53:26 AM
Continuation to my previous wheelbase madness kookery:

I was thinking of getting a fish scale to start measuring the force needed to get the front of the deck up. Pair that knowledge with the pop angle measured with my phone and estimate based on that how the board would work for me. I told about this to my girlfriend who just looked at me like I’m insane (which I’m definitely not at all! :) )

Instead of doing all that I switched from the 8.3” Ishod TT to DLX 8.38” and had a great session just a while ago. So, madness curbed (for now at least). :)

I've found that my happy place setup switches between those two shapes depending on how I'm feeling.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 18, 2023, 11:20:24 AM
Continuation to my previous wheelbase madness kookery:

I was thinking of getting a fish scale to start measuring the force needed to get the front of the deck up. Pair that knowledge with the pop angle measured with my phone and estimate based on that how the board would work for me.

This is why I love this thread and community
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 18, 2023, 06:51:19 PM
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Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?
[close]

Have you tried the Quasi 8.25" x 31.8" WB 14" BBS yet?


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Yeah a few times, I’m hoping to get an 8.3 but shorter; still looking at the gall metal.
[close]

i’ve never skated the manderson, and i’m most likely way off here, but a board i fondly remember, from…maybe 2017? ish. was this doomsayers 8.28. it was short. top was laser engraved (i think). that board was the shit. such a great shape. at the time i was trying to make indys work, and i really enjoyed it. nose was bigger than i like, pop was fantastic.
someone on here said omar was a bit of a turd towards the artists that worked with him, and i moved on to other attempts at finding what worked for me. great board tho.

The Manderson is a great shape, it's very similar to the AWS and Proto but just a bit mellower shape-wise...if it was just a bit shorter/trimmer all around I'd be golden. Gonna try the gall and hope for the best.

It could also feel too big because I've been on sub 32" boards with 14 <-> 14.18 WB for the last 3 boards so a 32" + 14.25 (and a full square shape) feels mighty hefty. If I skate park on the regular this would be the one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 18, 2023, 06:56:55 PM
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Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?
[close]

Have you tried the Quasi 8.25" x 31.8" WB 14" BBS yet?


[close]

Yeah a few times, I’m hoping to get an 8.3 but shorter; still looking at the gall metal.
[close]

i’ve never skated the manderson, and i’m most likely way off here, but a board i fondly remember, from…maybe 2017? ish. was this doomsayers 8.28. it was short. top was laser engraved (i think). that board was the shit. such a great shape. at the time i was trying to make indys work, and i really enjoyed it. nose was bigger than i like, pop was fantastic.
someone on here said omar was a bit of a turd towards the artists that worked with him, and i moved on to other attempts at finding what worked for me. great board tho.
[close]

The Manderson is a great shape, it's very similar to the AWS and Proto but just a bit mellower shape-wise...if it was just a bit shorter/trimmer all around I'd be golden. Gonna try the gall and hope for the best.

It could also feel too big because I've been on sub 32" boards with 14 <-> 14.18 WB for the last 3 boards so a 32" + 14.25 (and a full square shape) feels mighty hefty. If I skate park on the regular this would be the one.

length is my currently my favorite criteria. i’ve been going way short, and it’s been easier for most things. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: switchfakie on June 18, 2023, 08:54:16 PM
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Anyone ever find a 'smaller' 8.3 Manderson 'shape' board? (length and WB); FA/Hockey? Gall's 8.25 metal?
[close]

Have you tried the Quasi 8.25" x 31.8" WB 14" BBS yet?


[close]

Yeah a few times, I’m hoping to get an 8.3 but shorter; still looking at the gall metal.
[close]

i’ve never skated the manderson, and i’m most likely way off here, but a board i fondly remember, from…maybe 2017? ish. was this doomsayers 8.28. it was short. top was laser engraved (i think). that board was the shit. such a great shape. at the time i was trying to make indys work, and i really enjoyed it. nose was bigger than i like, pop was fantastic.
someone on here said omar was a bit of a turd towards the artists that worked with him, and i moved on to other attempts at finding what worked for me. great board tho.
[close]

The Manderson is a great shape, it's very similar to the AWS and Proto but just a bit mellower shape-wise...if it was just a bit shorter/trimmer all around I'd be golden. Gonna try the gall and hope for the best.

It could also feel too big because I've been on sub 32" boards with 14 <-> 14.18 WB for the last 3 boards so a 32" + 14.25 (and a full square shape) feels mighty hefty. If I skate park on the regular this would be the one.
[close]

length is my currently my favorite criteria. i’ve been going way short, and it’s been easier for most things.

Same bro, 8.75 x 31.5 is absurdly fun
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 19, 2023, 06:01:36 PM
I didn’t post much about here, but I went through some deck Madness about 3 months ago. I normally ride DLX 8.25/14.38, and also have a DLX 8.75/14.62 that I ride sometimes. For a spell I was riding the 8.75 a lot, and suddenly my 8.25 seemed impossibly small (and 8.75 obviously too clunky for many things). This ignited a Madness to find an 8.5/14.5 middle-ground. At the tail end (recently) some wheel Madness also kicked in, which is really unusual for me.

I hadn’t had any serious Madness in quite awhile, but as we all know, it flares from time to time. In the end, I landed back on the exact same set-up(s) that I’ve always ridden. How surprising. And I reminded myself, yet again, “You know what you like. Don’t waste time, money, and emotional/mental investment on this, again. Just skate. Just enjoy what you know you enjoy.”

Last, I’ll put a plug in for Fresno Skateboard Salvage (links below). They do incredible work getting quality skateboards to at-risk youth, and are always looking for hardware donations. If you have any extra Madness gear, please consider sending it over to them. It will certainly go to good use. I’ve sent them a lot over the years, and it’s always rewarding to see it in the hands of some kid. Light the flame. Make skateboarding awesome for someone.

www.fresnoskateboardsalvage.org

https://instagram.com/fresnoskateboardsalvage?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 10, 2023, 02:58:31 PM
went down a gnarly madness spiral, related to wanting to skate some more era correct setups, with some friends from way back, when 7.75s were common place.
ended up skating the best on a board that had stage 10 139s, which is a trip, as i’m not an indy person. but the results were the results.
or more accurately, i skated flatground almost as well as i did with 5.0, venture lo’s, and 50s, but was able to skate more terrain with the indy’s and larger wheels.
and skate half cabs, skated very well for me, but predictably felt like i was made out of painful glass, after the fun stopped.
another takeaway was that i skate better on spitfire classics, compared with tablets (that just look so not nice), and conical fulls.

the madness aspect is that i will take this info, and then certainly, most assuredly, switch shit up again, in the future.

oh, i have some mini logos that are currently kicking the ass of a pair of swiss, and another brand of bearings that people like(d), on here.
which is ‘funny’
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on July 10, 2023, 03:05:32 PM
Got some Fastbreak Pros for $35. Debating if I should skate or put ‘em on ice. I already rotate between three pair of skate shoes 😖
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Daydream on July 10, 2023, 08:33:27 PM
Got some Fastbreak Pros for $35. Debating if I should skate or put ‘em on ice. I already rotate between three pair of skate shoes 😖
got the same, fellow size 13’er right? Probably use em as summer chillers to start and break in then start skating em eventually
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on July 10, 2023, 08:36:45 PM
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Got some Fastbreak Pros for $35. Debating if I should skate or put ‘em on ice. I already rotate between three pair of skate shoes 😖
[close]
got the same, fellow size 13’er right? Probably use em as summer chillers to start and break in then start skating em eventually
Yup! They look great. I lowkey want to use them as chillers too. But I’m trying to not wear skate shoes daily. Need to Ultraboost for running around.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on July 12, 2023, 07:00:17 AM
Proud of myself for fighting setup madness. My ollies have turned to shit partly because this Sci-Fi Fantasy deck has steep kicks. Mellow kicks/lower trucks is calling me, but I’m like, “If you can skate this you’ll be able to skate anything.”

Don’t want to be confined to one brand and have to search all day for mellow boards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Daydream on July 12, 2023, 07:06:12 AM
Proud of myself for fighting setup madness. My ollies have turned to shit partly because this Sci-Fi Fantasy deck has steep kicks. Mellow kicks/lower trucks is calling me, but I’m like, “If you can skate this you’ll be able to skate anything.”

Don’t want to be confined to one brand and have to search all day for mellow boards.
which sci fi deck?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on July 12, 2023, 07:10:14 AM
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Proud of myself for fighting setup madness. My ollies have turned to shit partly because this Sci-Fi Fantasy deck has steep kicks. Mellow kicks/lower trucks is calling me, but I’m like, “If you can skate this you’ll be able to skate anything.”

Don’t want to be confined to one brand and have to search all day for mellow boards.
[close]
which sci fi deck?
This one. I swear the tail is as steep as the nose. It’s wild 😭(https://i.ibb.co/D45kMHF/IMG-3171.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D45kMHF)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on July 13, 2023, 09:52:09 AM
Shoe size madness has crept back in. After deciding that most shoes in an 11 is the perfect fit they’ve all the sudden started to feel too big. What gives? The madness started when trying out slip-ons and the 11 just flops right off my feet. Now I’m wondering if I should have gone with 10.5 this whole time. I used to cram my feet into 10s and after sizing up lost almost all my flip tricks for a while. I don’t want to buy a 10.5 and have buyers remorse. I guess my question is:
How much room is too much room?
If say an 11 is too big in a Vans slip-on then is it also too big in a Halfcab?
Anyone else have this madness?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 13, 2023, 10:56:25 AM
Shoe size madness has crept back in. After deciding that most shoes in an 11 is the perfect fit they’ve all the sudden started to feel too big. What gives? The madness started when trying out slip-ons and the 11 just flops right off my feet. Now I’m wondering if I should have gone with 10.5 this whole time. I used to cram my feet into 10s and after sizing up lost almost all my flip tricks for a while. I don’t want to buy a 10.5 and have buyers remorse. I guess my question is:
How much room is too much room?
If say an 11 is too big in a Vans slip-on then is it also too big in a Halfcab?
Anyone else have this madness?

yes, i’ve had this message. don’t.
smaller shoes are bad for your feet, don’t.
wear em as big as you can, and just swear silently.
don’t.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: KidCarl on August 04, 2023, 10:04:35 AM
Came here for someone to tell me I'm tripping and it's all good. I've been having deck size madness lately. I'm 6'2" with size 13 squatch feet, and for the past 2 years I've been on 8.25s, stacking up any I find on sale, but my feet hang over on both sides, which doesn't bother me on tricks, I really only think about it when I'm looking at a new deck to set up. I recently copped a few 8.38s and like it, but feel I need to go to 8.5. I skate pretty much all terrain. I listened to Shecks nine club, and dude was saying hes got like size 10 shoes on a 9" board because of the same madness. No way I'm going to 9", and my thought process is that back in the day guys would ride 7.75 decks with size 13 kicks no problem. Sorry for the long coffee fueled post, I just want to be satisfied with my setup, without longing for something else.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 04, 2023, 12:49:38 PM
Proud of myself for fighting setup madness. My ollies have turned to shit partly because this Sci-Fi Fantasy deck has steep kicks. Mellow kicks/lower trucks is calling me, but I’m like, “If you can skate this you’ll be able to skate anything.”

Don’t want to be confined to one brand and have to search all day for mellow boards.

Dude the Sci-Fi I just setup is steep as well and it fucks my nollie tricks up badly with the Indy Standards I have otherwise been stoked on, but just focusing on adjusting my technique.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Democratic Republic Of Mongo on August 04, 2023, 12:59:23 PM
I consider the Krooked Manderson shape pretty much perfect. Dimensions, shape of nose and tail, steepness. Feels about right. For those of you that appreciate this board, what are your favorite alternatives when this one isn’t around?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on August 04, 2023, 01:09:12 PM
Came here for someone to tell me I'm tripping and it's all good. I've been having deck size madness lately. I'm 6'2" with size 13 squatch feet, and for the past 2 years I've been on 8.25s, stacking up any I find on sale, but my feet hang over on both sides, which doesn't bother me on tricks, I really only think about it when I'm looking at a new deck to set up. I recently copped a few 8.38s and like it, but feel I need to go to 8.5. I skate pretty much all terrain. I listened to Shecks nine club, and dude was saying hes got like size 10 shoes on a 9" board because of the same madness. No way I'm going to 9", and my thought process is that back in the day guys would ride 7.75 decks with size 13 kicks no problem. Sorry for the long coffee fueled post, I just want to be satisfied with my setup, without longing for something else.
i have the same size foot skating 8.75-9.25
most comfortable on 9s, just gotta get short wheelbases
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on August 04, 2023, 02:17:45 PM
Came here for someone to tell me I'm tripping and it's all good. I've been having deck size madness lately. I'm 6'2" with size 13 squatch feet, and for the past 2 years I've been on 8.25s, stacking up any I find on sale, but my feet hang over on both sides, which doesn't bother me on tricks, I really only think about it when I'm looking at a new deck to set up. I recently copped a few 8.38s and like it, but feel I need to go to 8.5. I skate pretty much all terrain. I listened to Shecks nine club, and dude was saying hes got like size 10 shoes on a 9" board because of the same madness. No way I'm going to 9", and my thought process is that back in the day guys would ride 7.75 decks with size 13 kicks no problem. Sorry for the long coffee fueled post, I just want to be satisfied with my setup, without longing for something else.

I'm 6ft5 size 13 and skate 8.5. Dont ever feel the need to go bigger, and can skate an 8.25 just fine as long as the kicks aren't too pointy. Mostly ledges rails curbs and flat though. If I skated more transition or something probably would wanna stick to the 8.5 side of things but never feel limited by board size relative to my foot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 04, 2023, 04:04:31 PM
My current madness is that I feel the need to keep skating my thunders down to the axle, but there's no kingpin clearance anymore and it sucks. They would be my first set to get down all the way. Been skating them for about two years (no slappies), on a symmetrical board so they should be axled right around the same time at the same spots. Not sure if the crook or 5050/5-0/smith/feeble spot is going to axle first.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on August 04, 2023, 04:32:42 PM
My current madness is that I feel the need to keep skating my thunders down to the axle, but there's no kingpin clearance anymore and it sucks. They would be my first set to get down all the way. Been skating them for about two years (no slappies), on a symmetrical board so they should be axled right around the same time at the same spots. Not sure if the crook or 5050/5-0/smith/feeble spot is going to axle first.

That’s the real cure for truck madness. Would love to see those grooves.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 04, 2023, 06:57:10 PM
My current madness is that I feel the need to keep skating my thunders down to the axle, but there's no kingpin clearance anymore and it sucks. They would be my first set to get down all the way. Been skating them for about two years (no slappies), on a symmetrical board so they should be axled right around the same time at the same spots. Not sure if the crook or 5050/5-0/smith/feeble spot is going to axle first.


I had cut down the top bushings on quite a few setups to then get the kingpin nut down lower to give more clearance on various setups, for myself and others.  For the most part, everything worked fine for the people and their boards until they did eventually break through the axle or retire them, with only one person I can recall saying it felt weird or didn't work for them.  Others on here have done the same thing too.

Angle grinding down the kingpin itself once the nut is on and in the right place for truck tightness was the only other thing I would often do, some more than others, but again that is just prolonging the life of a set of trucks, before retiring to a cruiser board, passing on to someone else who wasn't so concerned about kingpin clearance or whatever.


My madness is to make anything and everything last as long as possible for anyone, be it the original owner of the skateboard part or fixing it with the view to passing it on to someone who can make the most of it, eg a lot of beginners / kids would enjoy well worn trucks and never really worry about kingpin clearance, or still skate a cracked deck or whatever like that too.

I totally get where you are at though - just want to feel the acomplishment of getting trucks to axle but not wanting to catch kingpin or have issues / slams from it too.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 05, 2023, 07:18:11 AM
nowadays i'd rather not go to the axel but piece the old trucks with other old parts and give away a whole set up.....

I'm not sure what's happened to me....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: macho taildrop on August 06, 2023, 03:08:18 PM
As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on August 06, 2023, 04:23:13 PM
As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.

Gamechanger in a bad way?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: macho taildrop on August 06, 2023, 04:35:36 PM
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As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.
[close]

Gamechanger in a bad way?

No, it's great. It makes it way too much trouble to try and impulsively swap out trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 06, 2023, 05:48:09 PM
I have a twin board that I'm getting more life out of than normal combined with some street skating, I finally went ahead and regripped it.

Because I cross grip into three pieces, they came off super easy and I did it with the trucks still on.  At that point, I thought real hard about just gripping over.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 07, 2023, 05:52:18 AM
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As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.
[close]

Gamechanger in a bad way?
[close]

No, it's great. It makes it way too much trouble to try and impulsively swap out trucks.
How so? If the grip holds the bolts, you don't even need a screwdriver to change your trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: macho taildrop on August 07, 2023, 06:01:40 AM
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As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.
[close]

Gamechanger in a bad way?
[close]

No, it's great. It makes it way too much trouble to try and impulsively swap out trucks.
[close]
How so? If the grip holds the bolts, you don't even need a screwdriver to change your trucks.

I know you are trolling, but anyone who would consider doing that and riding titty twistered grip like that is sick and needs to be put down.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Newphone on August 07, 2023, 06:16:16 AM
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As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.
[close]

Gamechanger in a bad way?
[close]

No, it's great. It makes it way too much trouble to try and impulsively swap out trucks.
[close]
How so? If the grip holds the bolts, you don't even need a screwdriver to change your trucks.
[close]

I know you are trolling, but anyone who would consider doing that and riding titty twistered grip like that is sick and needs to be put down.

Don’t kink shame
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 07, 2023, 06:27:21 AM
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As the OP several accounts later: Gripping over your bolts is a game changer if you have truck madness.
[close]

Gamechanger in a bad way?
[close]

No, it's great. It makes it way too much trouble to try and impulsively swap out trucks.
[close]
How so? If the grip holds the bolts, you don't even need a screwdriver to change your trucks.
[close]

I know you are trolling, but anyone who would consider doing that and riding titty twistered grip like that is sick and needs to be put down.
Not trolling, that actually works. Neither grip nor bolt will move if you carefully tighten/loosen the nut using only a skate tool. At least it worked with mob some years ago
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backside_frontside on August 07, 2023, 06:33:12 AM
Grip over bolts is objectively insane.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 07, 2023, 08:28:44 AM
Stevie does it…..what do you think his exit strategy is? 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on August 14, 2023, 05:42:33 AM
Help me skater friends .. I'm back in the infernal madness but this time with a little more personal psychology.. Indeed, I bought a pair of independent hollows 139 on an 8, and I loved the first 2 sessions .. until a bad session .. And there I
say that I should never have bought this, that it would be better with such or such brand of trucks .. honestly I tried almost everything .. I am small, and I even also tried a wheelbase 14 with my venture raw high that I skated now for a year and 3 months until the change with the independents.. and with these recent bad sessions, I tell myself that I should have taken low trucks, that it would surely be better.. . I fell into a vicious circle and a negative mentality.. I've been skating for 16 years, I'm 31, and sometimes.. my sessions are fabulous, or I think skateboarding is fun and that's it.. and sometimes back to reality, or I don't master basic tricks, like the Kickflip which I've had a problem with for 10 years now.. I sometimes feel useless, this is also the lack of confidence.. I find also that I have an awful style .. In short, to admit to you .. I have the BIG fault of me unfortunately compare to others..

Why are you talking about this with the truck madness too? Because I would like to get back the fun I had before when I didn't think about those fucking parameters (high/low trucks, length, wheelbase..), but.. I think the craziness will be everywhere for me from now on. (I also reassure myself by telling myself that Reynolds or Degros also have it ahaha). Sorry for these personal confidences, but I love skateboarding so much, and feeling useless in your passion is horrible .. Yet I have a relatively good directory of tricks in flatground, I put almost all the rotations, but a little badly on some flip tricks..

 I want to say that it's not a death either and that the importance is to ride and have fun without asking questions.. I know that my lack of confidence has surely blocked my progress.. In my early years skating, I was made fun of a lot about my style, I think I started off with a negative mentality and that must have played a part.. I have one last question for you, despite the madness, honestly, does the setup have an influence on our progress and on the tricks ?

Thank you in advance for your answers skater friends.. I didn't dare to talk about it, but I think that opening up to the world and discussing your resentment for your passion for skateboarding does not hurt..

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on August 14, 2023, 06:10:56 AM
Help me skater friends .. I'm back in the infernal madness but this time with a little more personal psychology.. Indeed, I bought a pair of independent hollows 139 on an 8, and I loved the first 2 sessions .. until a bad session .. And there I
say that I should never have bought this, that it would be better with such or such brand of trucks .. honestly I tried almost everything .. I am small, and I even also tried a wheelbase 14 with my venture raw high that I skated now for a year and 3 months until the change with the independents.. and with these recent bad sessions, I tell myself that I should have taken low trucks, that it would surely be better.. . I fell into a vicious circle and a negative mentality.. I've been skating for 16 years, I'm 31, and sometimes.. my sessions are fabulous, or I think skateboarding is fun and that's it.. and sometimes back to reality, or I don't master basic tricks, like the Kickflip which I've had a problem with for 10 years now.. I sometimes feel useless, this is also the lack of confidence.. I find also that I have an awful style .. In short, to admit to you .. I have the BIG fault of me unfortunately compare to others..

Why are you talking about this with the truck madness too? Because I would like to get back the fun I had before when I didn't think about those fucking parameters (high/low trucks, length, wheelbase..), but.. I think the craziness will be everywhere for me from now on. (I also reassure myself by telling myself that Reynolds or Degros also have it ahaha). Sorry for these personal confidences, but I love skateboarding so much, and feeling useless in your passion is horrible .. Yet I have a relatively good directory of tricks in flatground, I put almost all the rotations, but a little badly on some flip tricks..

 I want to say that it's not a death either and that the importance is to ride and have fun without asking questions.. I know that my lack of confidence has surely blocked my progress.. In my early years skating, I was made fun of a lot about my style, I think I started off with a negative mentality and that must have played a part.. I have one last question for you, despite the madness, honestly, does the setup have an influence on our progress and on the tricks ?

Thank you in advance for your answers skater friends.. I didn't dare to talk about it, but I think that opening up to the world and discussing your resentment for your passion for skateboarding does not hurt..
Just go back to what you've been riding most of the time in those 16 years you skated. That might be the only way out of this. Stick to one setup that worked great in the past. You've been posting the same problem for months now, it's time to stop thinking about gear and actually skate. Don't do this to yourself. But if you do, I don't think anyone on slap can help you, but therapy might. And this isn't an insult, absolutely everbody could gain a lot by going to therapy. I sure did
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wizard0f0dds on August 14, 2023, 06:16:50 AM
Help me skater friends .. I'm back in the infernal madness but this time with a little more personal psychology.. Indeed, I bought a pair of independent hollows 139 on an 8, and I loved the first 2 sessions .. until a bad session .. And there I
say that I should never have bought this, that it would be better with such or such brand of trucks .. honestly I tried almost everything .. I am small, and I even also tried a wheelbase 14 with my venture raw high that I skated now for a year and 3 months until the change with the independents.. and with these recent bad sessions, I tell myself that I should have taken low trucks, that it would surely be better.. . I fell into a vicious circle and a negative mentality.. I've been skating for 16 years, I'm 31, and sometimes.. my sessions are fabulous, or I think skateboarding is fun and that's it.. and sometimes back to reality, or I don't master basic tricks, like the Kickflip which I've had a problem with for 10 years now.. I sometimes feel useless, this is also the lack of confidence.. I find also that I have an awful style .. In short, to admit to you .. I have the BIG fault of me unfortunately compare to others..

Why are you talking about this with the truck madness too? Because I would like to get back the fun I had before when I didn't think about those fucking parameters (high/low trucks, length, wheelbase..), but.. I think the craziness will be everywhere for me from now on. (I also reassure myself by telling myself that Reynolds or Degros also have it ahaha). Sorry for these personal confidences, but I love skateboarding so much, and feeling useless in your passion is horrible .. Yet I have a relatively good directory of tricks in flatground, I put almost all the rotations, but a little badly on some flip tricks..

 I want to say that it's not a death either and that the importance is to ride and have fun without asking questions.. I know that my lack of confidence has surely blocked my progress.. In my early years skating, I was made fun of a lot about my style, I think I started off with a negative mentality and that must have played a part.. I have one last question for you, despite the madness, honestly, does the setup have an influence on our progress and on the tricks ?

Thank you in advance for your answers skater friends.. I didn't dare to talk about it, but I think that opening up to the world and discussing your resentment for your passion for skateboarding does not hurt..

Honestly, the most important thing is to have fun for me. While progressing is fun in it's own way, being way too in your head about random stuff like your style and bag of tricks isn't. Some sessions are good, some are better, and other are just horrible, and that's OK.

I'm definitely not the best skater in my town, but whenever I go, I have fun. That's all that matters for me. I like to go fast, do the tricks I can do as well as I can, and work on some tricks I think I could get, which doesn't always work out.

I always see dudes who are really freaking good at skating freak tf out, getting super mad because they didn't land their crazy flip in/flip out trick or something, and they don't look like they're having the best time. Unless you get paid to skate, there's no reason to take it this seriously. On the contrary, I spend a shit ton of money on skate stuff, so I might as well enjoy it otherwise what's the point?

As for your question about "does the setup have an effect on your progress", I'd say changing your setup constantly is gonna have a negative effect on your progress for sure, while getting to know your own setup and adjusting to it is gonna make everything much easier, at least for me. There is no mystical, magical setup that's gonna make someone a better skater, otherwise everyone would be skating the same shit. It's all about preference, influence and the type of skating you do.

In short: have fun and don't be too hard on yourself. Just go skate.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on August 14, 2023, 06:23:06 AM
Help me skater friends .. I'm back in the infernal madness but this time with a little more personal psychology.. Indeed, I bought a pair of independent hollows 139 on an 8, and I loved the first 2 sessions .. until a bad session .. And there I
say that I should never have bought this, that it would be better with such or such brand of trucks .. honestly I tried almost everything .. I am small, and I even also tried a wheelbase 14 with my venture raw high that I skated now for a year and 3 months until the change with the independents.. and with these recent bad sessions, I tell myself that I should have taken low trucks, that it would surely be better.. . I fell into a vicious circle and a negative mentality.. I've been skating for 16 years, I'm 31, and sometimes.. my sessions are fabulous, or I think skateboarding is fun and that's it.. and sometimes back to reality, or I don't master basic tricks, like the Kickflip which I've had a problem with for 10 years now.. I sometimes feel useless, this is also the lack of confidence.. I find also that I have an awful style .. In short, to admit to you .. I have the BIG fault of me unfortunately compare to others..

Why are you talking about this with the truck madness too? Because I would like to get back the fun I had before when I didn't think about those fucking parameters (high/low trucks, length, wheelbase..), but.. I think the craziness will be everywhere for me from now on. (I also reassure myself by telling myself that Reynolds or Degros also have it ahaha). Sorry for these personal confidences, but I love skateboarding so much, and feeling useless in your passion is horrible .. Yet I have a relatively good directory of tricks in flatground, I put almost all the rotations, but a little badly on some flip tricks..

 I want to say that it's not a death either and that the importance is to ride and have fun without asking questions.. I know that my lack of confidence has surely blocked my progress.. In my early years skating, I was made fun of a lot about my style, I think I started off with a negative mentality and that must have played a part.. I have one last question for you, despite the madness, honestly, does the setup have an influence on our progress and on the tricks ?

Thank you in advance for your answers skater friends.. I didn't dare to talk about it, but I think that opening up to the world and discussing your resentment for your passion for skateboarding does not hurt..

First of all. Mad props that you can talk so open about that. And I totally understand you. I am skating for 20 years now and there are days, where I feel absolutely terrible about my skills (check my signature under my post if you are interested). Anyway, you come off as really passionate and skateboarding is very important to you.

But, bad sessions are a part of that all. We all have those from time to time. We might have these expectations in our head, how we would like to do certain things.
I had a long talk yesterday with my homies, the key is, to let go of these expectations. Try to push yourself BUT always keep it fun. We all tend to be our own worst critic sometimes. That's where my feeling comes from, to never be happy with the things you do. It sucks and I need to work on that mentality.

These are my personal thoughts about that all, others might disagree with me here, but..
The best influence on personal progress is to stick with a specific setup which you feel comfortable on and ride that most of the time. Of course, try different things if you see a reason why you should change something. But no matter what, there just isn't one exact perfect setup for someone. My advice would be, to either stick with the Ventures or the Indys and try different foot placements for example. Ventures and Indys are very different trucks and I personally would tend to the Indys but that is for you to decide where you feel more comfortable. Skateboarding is mad difficult and will always be. Most people on this planet can't even ride one without falling.

Keep your head up mate and remember why you started skating. Because it is the most fun thing in the world.
Much love. <3
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 14, 2023, 10:30:44 AM
Stevie does it…..what do you think his exit strategy is?
Set up a brand new complete every time he needs to change trucks because he is Stevie Williams.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 14, 2023, 08:59:52 PM
I think I have a decent antidote to the gear madness now. This week I got nervous about the gear. Over the last years, I've handed down stuff to unemployed friends, but still have few trucks and boards. So, set up a complete, got hyped and built expectations. Then went for a session, which was a complete shitshow. Nothing worked as I wanted. Came back to home, and (here's the antidote) disassembled the complete, put parts back to the box and made a mental note to pass them on.

Doesn't matter if it was just bad luck or bad day or actually because of the setup. I have a proven consistent complete, no need create alternatives to fix something that is not broken.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 16, 2023, 11:13:47 AM
I think I have a decent antidote to the gear madness now. This week I got nervous about the gear. Over the last years, I've handed down stuff to unemployed friends, but still have few trucks and boards. So, set up a complete, got hyped and built expectations. Then went for a session, which was a complete shitshow. Nothing worked as I wanted. Came back to home, and (here's the antidote) disassembled the complete, put parts back to the box and made a mental note to pass them on.

Doesn't matter if it was just bad luck or bad day or actually because of the setup. I have a proven consistent complete, no need create alternatives to fix something that is not broken.

Sitting gear is the worst *looks over at those boxes of trucks and wheels* donating the gear you don't like or use the 6mo rule...if you haven't touched it in 4-6mo ditch it.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: AlumarX on August 16, 2023, 12:33:31 PM
My deck got ripped in a collision so I figured why not send the deck to heaven with whatever leftover’s in my fannypack. So I put together a Venture baseplate, stock venture bushing, thunder hanger trio. And it feels so right. immediately my pop is not squirrely like on Royals and I could land bolts way more. The turn was close to a loose Royal too, without the effortlessness. The same bushings turned way better with the thunders than on the vs for some reason. I thought I had to put indy bushings on it to make up for it, but not, it's perfect

I wasn’t looking to ride it this much, but now I might ride it all summer instead of saving it for a winter beater.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 17, 2023, 06:26:39 PM




Just go back to what you've been riding most of the time in those 16 years you skated. That might be the only way out of this. Stick to one setup that worked great in the past. You've been posting the same problem for months now, it's time to stop thinking about gear and actually skate. Don't do this to yourself. But if you do, I don't think anyone on slap can help you, but therapy might. And this isn't an insult, absolutely everbody could gain a lot by going to therapy. I sure did


Honestly, the most important thing is to have fun for me. While progressing is fun in it's own way, being way too in your head about random stuff like your style and bag of tricks isn't. Some sessions are good, some are better, and other are just horrible, and that's OK.

I'm definitely not the best skater in my town, but whenever I go, I have fun. That's all that matters for me. I like to go fast, do the tricks I can do as well as I can, and work on some tricks I think I could get, which doesn't always work out.

I always see dudes who are really freaking good at skating freak tf out, getting super mad because they didn't land their crazy flip in/flip out trick or something, and they don't look like they're having the best time. Unless you get paid to skate, there's no reason to take it this seriously. On the contrary, I spend a shit ton of money on skate stuff, so I might as well enjoy it otherwise what's the point?

As for your question about "does the setup have an effect on your progress", I'd say changing your setup constantly is gonna have a negative effect on your progress for sure, while getting to know your own setup and adjusting to it is gonna make everything much easier, at least for me. There is no mystical, magical setup that's gonna make someone a better skater, otherwise everyone would be skating the same shit. It's all about preference, influence and the type of skating you do.

In short: have fun and don't be too hard on yourself. Just go skate.



First of all. Mad props that you can talk so open about that. And I totally understand you. I am skating for 20 years now and there are days, where I feel absolutely terrible about my skills (check my signature under my post if you are interested). Anyway, you come off as really passionate and skateboarding is very important to you.

But, bad sessions are a part of that all. We all have those from time to time. We might have these expectations in our head, how we would like to do certain things.
I had a long talk yesterday with my homies, the key is, to let go of these expectations. Try to push yourself BUT always keep it fun. We all tend to be our own worst critic sometimes. That's where my feeling comes from, to never be happy with the things you do. It sucks and I need to work on that mentality.

These are my personal thoughts about that all, others might disagree with me here, but..
The best influence on personal progress is to stick with a specific setup which you feel comfortable on and ride that most of the time. Of course, try different things if you see a reason why you should change something. But no matter what, there just isn't one exact perfect setup for someone. My advice would be, to either stick with the Ventures or the Indys and try different foot placements for example. Ventures and Indys are very different trucks and I personally would tend to the Indys but that is for you to decide where you feel more comfortable. Skateboarding is mad difficult and will always be. Most people on this planet can't even ride one without falling.

Keep your head up mate and remember why you started skating. Because it is the most fun thing in the world.
Much love. <3



I read through this the other day when it was posted, but just couldn't reply at the time.

Now reading through it all again and having a minute to reply, I have this to add.


I have seen lots of people come and go in skateboarding, even felt the frustration and anger at myself getting the better of me often enough, even recently when things just didn't work out whatever I was trying, but for some people who are struggling for whatever reason, having a meltdown and breaking their board or taking out their frustrations in other ways, it is only going to make things worse.

I know at times like that I just have to take a breath and even take a break, then either leave whatever it was for a better time, or just find somewhere to roll around without needing to make myself do anything much, even though I might be more keen to try a whole lot more than I should at the time.  Lots of things get to me, be it a bad night sleep, not eating right, or the best one, a negative interaction with my other half (and she knows just the right buttons to push as well) so then if I think I just need to skate and those things are already bugging me, then chances are things are going to go bad, more so than get better.

If something is not working with the board, try to figure out what it is, but don't put too much into it, as in that exact point of a bearing making a little noise, or a truck squeak or whatever else that can send you over the edge, compared to tightening or loosening trucks a little, or something with the shoes or deck getting old, or too new or whatever it is.  Seen people take apart their whole board and rebuild it in the middle of a session, which might have helped but sure did look a bit weird, but whatever works to help take your attention off a specific issue is a good thing to do sometimes.


Having "Gear Madness" is a real thing - sometimes trying out too many options will make things way worse, but more often than not, you might also find what does work best for you, so can fine tune things from all those experiences into something that means keeping a certain brand of truck, or a height of truck, or even combinations of truck bushing, board, wheelbase, or whatever will usually lead back to a stable point, or something that you can rely on at least to restart things and build on that, before going down a rabbit hole or worse.

At least I will always have a skateboard and a place to go in some form or other, just to have a roll and forget about everything else, which has always made it so appealing and accessible to me, compared to almost anything else, or dealing with anyone else, where you need specific things, locations, other people or places you have to rely on.  This is just me on my own, doing what I want, when I want to.  Some days, or even up to a week sometimes, I just don't feel like rolling, but other times and days, I am very keen, even with injuries, I can still get out somewhere for something, not pushing myself if I don't need to, or taking it easy if I know I can't go too hard for whatever reason, so with that I would like to think I never take this for granted, given everything else that could be going on.

Leaving it at that for now, but remember, you are never alone with this - there are always lots of other people, skaters, whoever, that are all at some point going through the same things.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on August 19, 2023, 07:49:17 PM
I just like PS Stix more than BBS. The concave feels way better IMHO. Can't put my finger on it. Not sure why I keep giving BBS a try.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 20, 2023, 07:44:07 AM
because they make up the majority of the market?  ie. PS boards are not easy to find always....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on August 20, 2023, 07:46:56 AM
because they make up the majority of the market?  ie. PS boards are not easy to find always....
True. I have some on ice, but BBS is way easier to find sadly. I know Toy Machine and Pizza use them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Deadringer on August 20, 2023, 10:13:12 AM
Has anyone gone from 1/4” risers and 58mm wheels to no risers and like 52/54mm wheels? Interesting to know what your experience was like.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JugeL on August 20, 2023, 11:39:47 AM
I was on 1/8 risers and 60mm wheels for some time. Honestly everything got so much easier with the 52-54mm wheels. Large wheels are cool to just roll around but when it comes to actual performance smaller wheels are so much better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on August 20, 2023, 01:48:59 PM
because they make up the majority of the market?  ie. PS boards are not easy to find always....

I always had an easy time finding PS Prior to covid. 2017-2019 I skated a lot of PS Stix I'm pretty sure. Seems like they're harder to find now as Paul and maybe the brands are doing smaller runs on PS molds or brands have been testing other woodshops to save money and supply chain issues.

I haven't skated one in ages, but I always enjoyed their shapes, even if the stability/durability was hit or miss.

Now I just keep BBS on repeat: Black Label, Hockey, DLX
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: AlumarX on August 20, 2023, 02:04:58 PM
Pizza is probably the easiest way to get PS Stix in the US. They got some good deals on wood, I got 2 decks for $35 each after discounts and shipping. And the mystery box is even better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 20, 2023, 04:58:28 PM
Has anyone gone from 1/4” risers and 58mm wheels to no risers and like 52/54mm wheels? Interesting to know what your experience was like.

I was on 1/8 risers and 60mm wheels for some time. Honestly everything got so much easier with the 52-54mm wheels. Large wheels are cool to just roll around but when it comes to actual performance smaller wheels are so much better.


Yeah for sure.

Big wheels and risers to combat wheelbite, or give extra height to allow for more turn, but the tail is further off the ground, which might be fine for transition or not so tech skating, but it can make some things harder.

Smaller wheels and no risers the tail is way closer to the ground and way easier to get tech or do some things that you might not do on bigger wheels with risers, but it can also be a bit weird to get used to.  Once there, everything was easier for me, but adapting to either or both can have benefits too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on August 21, 2023, 05:13:35 AM
Help me skater friends .. I'm back in the infernal madness but this time with a little more personal psychology.. Indeed, I bought a pair of independent hollows 139 on an 8, and I loved the first 2 sessions .. until a bad session .. And there I
say that I should never have bought this, that it would be better with such or such brand of trucks .. honestly I tried almost everything .. I am small, and I even also tried a wheelbase 14 with my venture raw high that I skated now for a year and 3 months until the change with the independents.. and with these recent bad sessions, I tell myself that I should have taken low trucks, that it would surely be better.. . I fell into a vicious circle and a negative mentality.. I've been skating for 16 years, I'm 31, and sometimes.. my sessions are fabulous, or I think skateboarding is fun and that's it.. and sometimes back to reality, or I don't master basic tricks, like the Kickflip which I've had a problem with for 10 years now.. I sometimes feel useless, this is also the lack of confidence.. I find also that I have an awful style .. In short, to admit to you .. I have the BIG fault of me unfortunately compare to others..

Why are you talking about this with the truck madness too? Because I would like to get back the fun I had before when I didn't think about those fucking parameters (high/low trucks, length, wheelbase..), but.. I think the craziness will be everywhere for me from now on. (I also reassure myself by telling myself that Reynolds or Degros also have it ahaha). Sorry for these personal confidences, but I love skateboarding so much, and feeling useless in your passion is horrible .. Yet I have a relatively good directory of tricks in flatground, I put almost all the rotations, but a little badly on some flip tricks..

 I want to say that it's not a death either and that the importance is to ride and have fun without asking questions.. I know that my lack of confidence has surely blocked my progress.. In my early years skating, I was made fun of a lot about my style, I think I started off with a negative mentality and that must have played a part.. I have one last question for you, despite the madness, honestly, does the setup have an influence on our progress and on the tricks ?

Thank you in advance for your answers skater friends.. I didn't dare to talk about it, but I think that opening up to the world and discussing your resentment for your passion for skateboarding does not hurt..

Hey mate, we haven't heard back from you.
I hope you feel better today. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Yakusoku2 on August 21, 2023, 07:37:28 AM
When fall starts, I plan to start skating on 8" and 7.75" decks (I have two unused Hotel Blue decks at home). Up until now, I've been skating on 9" and 8.5" decks, so I need new trucks and I'm going crazy searching for some. I've thought that the Venture 5.25" trucks would be good, but I can't decide between the high and low versions. I'm looking for quick pop and responsive board feel, but I also want a good turn and to use 53mm or 54mm wheels. Would the high ones be the better choice? In the store, I have availability of the V-Lights, the High Pro Lucien Clarke, or the Throw Team Edition trucks. Is there too much difference between them?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on August 21, 2023, 07:42:01 AM
When fall starts, I plan to start skating on 8" and 7.75" decks (I have two unused Hotel Blue decks at home). Up until now, I've been skating on 9" and 8.5" decks, so I need new trucks and I'm going crazy searching for some. I've thought that the Venture 5.25" trucks would be good, but I can't decide between the high and low versions. I'm looking for quick pop and responsive board feel, but I also want a good turn and to use 53mm or 54mm wheels. Would the high ones be the better choice? In the store, I have availability of the V-Lights, the High Pro Lucien Clarke, or the Throw Team Edition trucks. Is there too much difference between them?

You can't skate 53/54 on lows. I wheelbite often on 50s.

Personally, I'd suggest the 5.2 V-Light highs, because I think 5.2 casts are a lil too tall proportionally.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on August 21, 2023, 08:30:24 AM
Expand Quote
Help me skater friends .. I'm back in the infernal madness but this time with a little more personal psychology.. Indeed, I bought a pair of independent hollows 139 on an 8, and I loved the first 2 sessions .. until a bad session .. And there I
say that I should never have bought this, that it would be better with such or such brand of trucks .. honestly I tried almost everything .. I am small, and I even also tried a wheelbase 14 with my venture raw high that I skated now for a year and 3 months until the change with the independents.. and with these recent bad sessions, I tell myself that I should have taken low trucks, that it would surely be better.. . I fell into a vicious circle and a negative mentality.. I've been skating for 16 years, I'm 31, and sometimes.. my sessions are fabulous, or I think skateboarding is fun and that's it.. and sometimes back to reality, or I don't master basic tricks, like the Kickflip which I've had a problem with for 10 years now.. I sometimes feel useless, this is also the lack of confidence.. I find also that I have an awful style .. In short, to admit to you .. I have the BIG fault of me unfortunately compare to others..

Why are you talking about this with the truck madness too? Because I would like to get back the fun I had before when I didn't think about those fucking parameters (high/low trucks, length, wheelbase..), but.. I think the craziness will be everywhere for me from now on. (I also reassure myself by telling myself that Reynolds or Degros also have it ahaha). Sorry for these personal confidences, but I love skateboarding so much, and feeling useless in your passion is horrible .. Yet I have a relatively good directory of tricks in flatground, I put almost all the rotations, but a little badly on some flip tricks..

 I want to say that it's not a death either and that the importance is to ride and have fun without asking questions.. I know that my lack of confidence has surely blocked my progress.. In my early years skating, I was made fun of a lot about my style, I think I started off with a negative mentality and that must have played a part.. I have one last question for you, despite the madness, honestly, does the setup have an influence on our progress and on the tricks ?

Thank you in advance for your answers skater friends.. I didn't dare to talk about it, but I think that opening up to the world and discussing your resentment for your passion for skateboarding does not hurt..
[close]

Hey mate, we haven't heard back from you.
I hope you feel better today. :)

I was just going to answer you because your messages have been very beneficial to me and have allowed me to reflect on all this.. I took a three-day break from skating, took a short break on instagram, and I I walked a lot in the forest to recharge myself mentally.

I was lucky to have my best skate friend come to my house this weekend, because we don't live in the same place anymore, knowing that I moved, and I was able to talk about it with him. He is one of the people who can ride any parameter, any size even if it's too small or too big.. And he told me one thing, which he kept repeating to me, but this time, in a detailed conversation and by genuinely expressing how I feel, he told me that I'm just asking myself too many questions and that I just have to skate, and maybe I've pay attention on the trucks, length, wheelbase, surely blocked my progress .. to tell myself that "Ah yes finally, maybe I should skate shorter in length because I have small legs, but also maybe I would have less balance, ah but maybe I also need such or such trucks so that it goes better etc etc .." INFERNAL SPIRAL ..

I then took the time to think when I was alone, and it is true that I had an illumination that made me say one thing: Before madness, I skated what I had without taking all this into account, and .. it worked and I skated well !

That's why I bought my next board, without looking at the size of the length and wheelbase, and hell, I just want to love having a board that I like at my width board size, that's all !

As for my self-confidence, which is sometimes negative, he also told me that I have to give a damn about it, no matter the position of my legs, no matter how I do my tricks, the important is to just skate and land your tricks well.. I would never be a pro, I don't see why putting so much pressure on myself in fact.. I know that I have a chance to skate again, and that I I never stopped, and, which makes me happy, many told me that I had a very good spirit and that I often motivated .. (Especially the kids).

Anyway, all that to say that it's a long way to get out of this fucking madness, but I'm wasting too much time on this..

Thank you for the advice that made me smile and relativized ..   :-* I think back to a quote from Collin Provost about the term Stay Gold in an interview "Stay gold is remembering why you started skating, just being on your board and not giving a fuck, before the industry comes into the equation, that's it Stay gold" I'll just think of skating like first years..
I do not hope to fall back into this hell ..

But, do you agree with me that in the end, all these parameters may be blocking us in our progress and mentality ?

"Skate for fun"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Yakusoku2 on August 21, 2023, 09:40:20 AM
Expand Quote
When fall starts, I plan to start skating on 8" and 7.75" decks (I have two unused Hotel Blue decks at home). Up until now, I've been skating on 9" and 8.5" decks, so I need new trucks and I'm going crazy searching for some. I've thought that the Venture 5.25" trucks would be good, but I can't decide between the high and low versions. I'm looking for quick pop and responsive board feel, but I also want a good turn and to use 53mm or 54mm wheels. Would the high ones be the better choice? In the store, I have availability of the V-Lights, the High Pro Lucien Clarke, or the Throw Team Edition trucks. Is there too much difference between them?
[close]

You can't skate 53/54 on lows. I wheelbite often on 50s.

Personally, I'd suggest the 5.2 V-Light highs, because I think 5.2 casts are a lil too tall proportionally.

Thank you! 5.2 v-lights will be!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on August 21, 2023, 09:45:48 AM
Glad you came out the other end @FrenchSkater, madness is fun for a bit but often hurts much more than it helps. I'm guilty of going to bed thinking of length and WB and wheelsize, reminiscing on how I used to have whatever tricks on lock with whatever setup. We will all have good days and bad, thankfully as non-pros our livelihood doesn't depend on always having good days. I've got a good job, health, a great family and that's more than anyone can ask for. Being able to enjoy skateboarding is a blessing and I remind myself a shit day on the board beats a day in the office.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on August 21, 2023, 10:04:00 AM
Just ordered a Girl board. I don’t have madness per se, but I’m always worried I’ll find a shape I love and it’ll be discounted/hard to track down. Crailtap having a shape guide should be the standard for every brand. Plus my first board was a Chocolate and I really loved that thing (still have it since I started skating last year).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on August 21, 2023, 10:09:13 AM
Glad you came out the other end @FrenchSkater, madness is fun for a bit but often hurts much more than it helps. I'm guilty of going to bed thinking of length and WB and wheelsize, reminiscing on how I used to have whatever tricks on lock with whatever setup. We will all have good days and bad, thankfully as non-pros our livelihood doesn't depend on always having good days. I've got a good job, health, a great family and that's more than anyone can ask for. Being able to enjoy skateboarding is a blessing and I remind myself a shit day on the board beats a day in the office.

That was very motivational. Thanks for that reminder.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on August 21, 2023, 02:16:02 PM
Just ordered a Girl board. I don’t have madness per se, but I’m always worried I’ll find a shape I love and it’ll be discounted/hard to track down. Crailtap having a shape guide should be the standard for every brand. Plus my first board was a Chocolate and I really loved that thing (still have it since I started skating last year).

Your answer touches me a lot and there are beautiful quotes. All this is true. THANKS ! Skateboarding brings us so much happiness.. Much more happiness than unhappiness !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 21, 2023, 10:54:40 PM
Glad you came out the other end @FrenchSkater, madness is fun for a bit but often hurts much more than it helps. I'm guilty of going to bed thinking of length and WB and wheelsize, reminiscing on how I used to have whatever tricks on lock with whatever setup. We will all have good days and bad, thankfully as non-pros our livelihood doesn't depend on always having good days. I've got a good job, health, a great family and that's more than anyone can ask for. Being able to enjoy skateboarding is a blessing and I remind myself a shit day on the board beats a day in the office.

I completely agree on this! I've been thinking lately that one factor might be that well, I used to have hours and hours daily for skateboarding younger, as today I only have few hours a week, if even that. What starts as rational thinking to get your setup to work as well as possible for getitng most out of those moments ends up to substitute of skateboarding, overanalysing the measurements and what not.

As I've said before, every second on the board is a gift at this point. I should remember it also when not landing so many tricks as I used to.

I also think that there's lot of wisdom in the "the older he gets the better he was"...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on August 22, 2023, 04:17:05 AM
I’ve shifted focus to little goals. Like getting better at pushing and riding switch, improving my balance with yoga, etc. It’s best to have a chill approach to skating if you’re not trying to go pro.

There’s a lot of negative self-talk in the community. I hate when folks are like, “Oh I suck.” No you don’t. The average person can’t even ride a skateboard. If you can do that without falling off every five seconds you don’t suck.

I think the issue is we’re exposed to amazing, super human skateboarding on the daily. So we rank ourselves next to pros. You don’t see this happening in other hobbies. Like guys who hoop don’t go around saying, “I suck, did you see what Lebron did last night?”

The madness comes from us wanting to be as good as possible. But it’s really a mental health issue. I know I suffer from OCD, anxiety, and depression. So it’s easy for me to focus on the wrong things.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on August 22, 2023, 06:02:19 AM
Pushing switch and not looking dumb while at it is a huge accomplishment
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on August 22, 2023, 06:11:47 AM
I’ve shifted focus to little goals. Like getting better at pushing and riding switch, improving my balance with yoga, etc. It’s best to have a chill approach to skating if you’re not trying to go pro.

There’s a lot of negative self-talk in the community. I hate when folks are like, “Oh I suck.” No you don’t. The average person can’t even ride a skateboard. If you can do that without falling off every five seconds you don’t suck.

I think the issue is we’re exposed to amazing, super human skateboarding on the daily. So we rank ourselves next to pros. You don’t see this happening in other hobbies. Like guys who hoop don’t go around saying, “I suck, did you see what Lebron did last night?”

The madness comes from us wanting to be as good as possible. But it’s really a mental health issue. I know I suffer from OCD, anxiety, and depression. So it’s easy for me to focus on the wrong things.

Expand Quote
Glad you came out the other end @FrenchSkater, madness is fun for a bit but often hurts much more than it helps. I'm guilty of going to bed thinking of length and WB and wheelsize, reminiscing on how I used to have whatever tricks on lock with whatever setup. We will all have good days and bad, thankfully as non-pros our livelihood doesn't depend on always having good days. I've got a good job, health, a great family and that's more than anyone can ask for. Being able to enjoy skateboarding is a blessing and I remind myself a shit day on the board beats a day in the office.
[close]

I completely agree on this! I've been thinking lately that one factor might be that well, I used to have hours and hours daily for skateboarding younger, as today I only have few hours a week, if even that. What starts as rational thinking to get your setup to work as well as possible for getitng most out of those moments ends up to substitute of skateboarding, overanalysing the measurements and what not.

As I've said before, every second on the board is a gift at this point. I should remember it also when not landing so many tricks as I used to.

I also think that there's lot of wisdom in the "the older he gets the better he was"...

So what you're both saying is to gaslight myself into thinking I've always been shit and when I have a half-decent day I should be ecstatic, got it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 22, 2023, 08:13:18 AM
So what you're both saying is to gaslight myself into thinking I've always been shit and when I have a half-decent day I should be ecstatic, got it.

That's one way to interpret it, sure. But I'm 46, and can't do on board what I did 25 or even 15 years ago. I also have much less time to skate. Took me a while to accept these facts. After that it's been more fun and less bitter memories of past achievements. It's been even more fun since I stopped changing my complete for every session. Your mileage may vary, of course.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Yakusoku2 on August 22, 2023, 09:07:55 AM
Thanks for the perspective. I’ve been hating myself lately for not landing tricks I could land consistently years ago. On the top of that, the 13 year olds I skate with are landing new tricks in just one session. It’s amazing how fast they improve and how fast I get worse. Lately, at the end of my sessions when it’s too dark for trying tricks, I’m riding and pushing switch and it makes me feel better too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on August 22, 2023, 09:58:17 AM
Kids have such an advantage over us when it comes to learning tricks. Less fear, faster healing time, and no real responsibilities. Skateboarding is a major commitment, and if you’re an adult that’s not a pro, you can’t spend five hours a day doing it.

So it’s natural that you’ll get worse with age. If Andrew Reynolds was a normal dude he wouldn’t be so good at his age, cause he would’ve had to get a “real” job ages ago.

Having the time to be that good is a privilege.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on August 22, 2023, 10:07:41 AM
Madness is so bad I don't even know what I want to ride anymore and I rage focused my board today.

Setup a random deck on Indy standards and loved it for the first 3-5 sessions and since then its been rough going. I can do all the same stuff with marginally less consistency. The turn is fun, but a bit tippy and crazy at times. I likely skate better on Thunders. Been on the same shape more or less for over a year and it works, but after trying some others it no longer feels advantageous over anything else. Ventures have not historically worked for me, but being a more stable Indy-ish truck I sorta wish they did.

So I've got no setup right now and wanna skate on Thursday.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: AlumarX on August 22, 2023, 10:24:58 AM
Madness is so bad I don't even know what I want to ride anymore and I rage focused my board today.

Setup a random deck on Indy standards and loved it for the first 3-5 sessions and since then its been rough going. I can do all the same stuff with marginally less consistency. The turn is fun, but a bit tippy and crazy at times. I likely skate better on Thunders. Been on the same shape more or less for over a year and it works, but after trying some others it no longer feels advantageous over anything else. Ventures have not historically worked for me, but being a more stable Indy-ish truck I sorta wish they did.

So I've got no setup right now and wanna skate on Thursday.
If you got the parts try setting up a Venture baseplate (I use cast) / Thunder hanger and either stock Venture bushings or indys if you ride loose. There's some magic in it I swear. It's like 85% of the Royal turn with the Venture stability. Mess with diff bushings if it doesn't feel right, there's a bushing sweetspot for sure.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 22, 2023, 12:12:56 PM
Kids have such an advantage over us when it comes to learning tricks. Less fear, faster healing time, and no real responsibilities. Skateboarding is a major commitment, and if you’re an adult that’s not a pro, you can’t spend five hours a day doing it.

So it’s natural that you’ll get worse with age. If Andrew Reynolds was a normal dude he wouldn’t be so good at his age, cause he would’ve had to get a “real” job ages ago.

Having the time to be that good is a privilege.

Exactly. And my point was that I believe this relates to gear madness; real job steals the time but gives paychecks. It's easier to tinker with the setup at home and order some interesting parts that surely will bring back that 1995 summer breeze of all flip tricks in one run... And then get out once a week to burst that bubble.

On the other hand I definitely like 2020s as there is more actual measured knowledge on gear than just mythological gossip at the skatespot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on August 22, 2023, 12:17:27 PM
Expand Quote
Kids have such an advantage over us when it comes to learning tricks. Less fear, faster healing time, and no real responsibilities. Skateboarding is a major commitment, and if you’re an adult that’s not a pro, you can’t spend five hours a day doing it.

So it’s natural that you’ll get worse with age. If Andrew Reynolds was a normal dude he wouldn’t be so good at his age, cause he would’ve had to get a “real” job ages ago.

Having the time to be that good is a privilege.
[close]

Exactly. And my point was that I believe this relates to gear madness; real job steals the time but gives paychecks. It's easier to tinker with the setup at home and order some interesting parts that surely will bring back that 1995 summer breeze of all flip tricks in one run... And then get out once a week to burst that bubble.

On the other hand I definitely like 2020s as there is more actual measured knowledge on gear than just mythological gossip at the skatespot.
Totally. I have more money than time. Which is why I have twenty decks on ice. It’s so easy to go wild when $60 is nothing to you as an adult. But when you were younger that seemed like a lot. It’s funny (sad) I skate twice a week and probably have more gear than some pros 😭

Been fighting the urge to buy Ventures lately since it’s the only major truck I don’t own. They’re $41 on Tactics, but I know the mental cost will be far greater.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 22, 2023, 12:40:16 PM
Expand Quote
Kids have such an advantage over us when it comes to learning tricks. Less fear, faster healing time, and no real responsibilities. Skateboarding is a major commitment, and if you’re an adult that’s not a pro, you can’t spend five hours a day doing it.

So it’s natural that you’ll get worse with age. If Andrew Reynolds was a normal dude he wouldn’t be so good at his age, cause he would’ve had to get a “real” job ages ago.

Having the time to be that good is a privilege.
[close]

Exactly. And my point was that I believe this relates to gear madness; real job steals the time but gives paychecks. It's easier to tinker with the setup at home and order some interesting parts that surely will bring back that 1995 summer breeze of all flip tricks in one run... And then get out once a week to burst that bubble.

On the other hand I definitely like 2020s as there is more actual measured knowledge on gear than just mythological gossip at the skatespot.
I agree with regular adults not having the time to progress at the rate of kids but I also find most older guys waste away the time they do have to skate bullshitting at the spot. I get that its fun to hang out but you can't complain about being shitty at it if you spend none of the free time you do have actually trying.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on August 22, 2023, 01:17:41 PM
Madness is so bad I don't even know what I want to ride anymore and I rage focused my board today.

Setup a random deck on Indy standards and loved it for the first 3-5 sessions and since then its been rough going. I can do all the same stuff with marginally less consistency. The turn is fun, but a bit tippy and crazy at times. I likely skate better on Thunders. Been on the same shape more or less for over a year and it works, but after trying some others it no longer feels advantageous over anything else. Ventures have not historically worked for me, but being a more stable Indy-ish truck I sorta wish they did.

So I've got no setup right now and wanna skate on Thursday.

That's why I
came to realize one thing too, I
I say "damn but for 5 years I kept changing trucks, board length, and in fact I always skated the same way and I was neither stronger nor weaker with each setup.. Damn it's all psychological!"

I really don't care and let it be.. next board I buy, I keep my size and take it if I find it pretty and if I like the brand.. any size or else .. thinking about all this has certainly made me forget the pure pleasure of skating .. and destroyed many sessions for me ..

Now, if I can give one advice that popped into my head.. think positive and have a smile, no matter how bad the session is..

I don't want to fall back into this hell again, and take advantage of the few years I have left to skate relatively well !


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 22, 2023, 03:32:09 PM
Madness is so bad I don't even know what I want to ride anymore and I rage focused my board today.

Setup a random deck on Indy standards and loved it for the first 3-5 sessions and since then its been rough going. I can do all the same stuff with marginally less consistency. The turn is fun, but a bit tippy and crazy at times. I likely skate better on Thunders. Been on the same shape more or less for over a year and it works, but after trying some others it no longer feels advantageous over anything else. Ventures have not historically worked for me, but being a more stable Indy-ish truck I sorta wish they did.

So I've got no setup right now and wanna skate on Thursday.


Feeling your pain.

Been having a few very "unhappy" sessions recently, but maybe having a little time off the board might not be such a bad thing.

I had to give it a rest for a bit, then just eased back and I felt a whole lot better for it too.


Sure it doesn't work for everyone, but having some time out and then having a very chilled roll around is a good way to just let things go and have a bit of a release without going too hard.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on August 22, 2023, 11:16:18 PM
Madness is so bad I don't even know what I want to ride anymore and I rage focused my board today.

Setup a random deck on Indy standards and loved it for the first 3-5 sessions and since then its been rough going. I can do all the same stuff with marginally less consistency. The turn is fun, but a bit tippy and crazy at times. I likely skate better on Thunders. Been on the same shape more or less for over a year and it works, but after trying some others it no longer feels advantageous over anything else. Ventures have not historically worked for me, but being a more stable Indy-ish truck I sorta wish they did.

So I've got no setup right now and wanna skate on Thursday.
I feel you brother. I got a G016 because it was mad cheap and I was like "let's see how this tiny tail works". Jesus I was so naive... Hated the thing, tried to make it work 3 times and it was just a waste of time. Yesterday didn't even skated and instead of that I went to get a t-shirt that I liked.
Now I'll setup the old board that is not even that old.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: marcusbutler on August 23, 2023, 08:35:35 AM
I had a madness of skating only mob grip. Any other grip would just feel inferior. I would skate vans with mob. I just dealt with not flipping the board right for two weeks until I would literally get my shoes down to nothing and have a week of somewhat consistent flips . I started skating blazers and the flick was perfect. But mob would just disintegrate my kickflip spot. So I finally went to jessup and i'm in pure bliss. brand new shoes and board feel already broken in. And they last twice as long. I was always worried that jessup would lose grip over some time. It does, but not as much as I thought. Currently riding jessup with NB#440's and this is the best combo i've skated in years.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GrapefruitGrinds on August 23, 2023, 12:54:15 PM
i like this thread.

i currently have the madness.
i been skating a 9" symmetrical egg and i love the eggs but wanted something a bit smaller to have easier flips.
I ordered the Grimplestix Egg 8.75 and it tapers over the back truck so that you can see the wheels. this drives me crazy so im immediately like no i cant skate this.. so then i go to my local and they have ZERO eggs. i decided to get a 8.75 polar popsicle deck. this feels do bad and weird and i cannot gel with it. so not im sitting on 3 or 4 different decks and dont want to skate any of them really.
i've been going crazy trying to find the specs for the 8.88 heroin eggs bc i think i would like that better than the 9'. the issue is they like trying to find a unicorn right now, so the alternative is the double shovel symmetrical deck from heroin. the Mandy double shovel with the mac n cheese goblin.
Do any of you have experience with double shovel decks?
im currently skating indy 159s and would prefer not to have to buy another set of trucks, but if i want to go down in deck size i think i may have to.

ugh how do you decide without being able to hold the board in your hands first?


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 23, 2023, 06:03:38 PM
i like this thread.

i currently have the madness.
i been skating a 9" symmetrical egg and i love the eggs but wanted something a bit smaller to have easier flips.
I ordered the Grimplestix Egg 8.75 and it tapers over the back truck so that you can see the wheels. this drives me crazy so im immediately like no i cant skate this.. so then i go to my local and they have ZERO eggs. i decided to get a 8.75 polar popsicle deck. this feels do bad and weird and i cannot gel with it. so not im sitting on 3 or 4 different decks and dont want to skate any of them really.
i've been going crazy trying to find the specs for the 8.88 heroin eggs bc i think i would like that better than the 9'. the issue is they like trying to find a unicorn right now, so the alternative is the double shovel symmetrical deck from heroin. the Mandy double shovel with the mac n cheese goblin.
Do any of you have experience with double shovel decks?
im currently skating indy 159s and would prefer not to have to buy another set of trucks, but if i want to go down in deck size i think i may have to.

ugh how do you decide without being able to hold the board in your hands first?


Check this post, more so for the good top pic of a double shovel deck - not sure if it is the same shape you are curious about, but I know I have found some good pics of tops of boards to really get a good look and some places will have a lot more info and specs too, eg the over the truck measurements from Conflict Skate Shop and now even Tactics to some degree really help with that.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125937.0


Mandy dimensions below 9 at widest probably closer to 8.6 over trucks.
Width (in):   9.0
Length (in):   31.75
Wheelbase (in):   14.25
Nose (in):   6.75
Tail (in):   6.81



https://www.conflictskates.co.uk/heroin-dead-dave-lives---double-shovel--skateboard-deck-90-x-3175-green--pool-ramp-32878-p.asp

9.0" x 31.75"
7.0" nose
6.625" tail
14.25" WB (measured from inner to inner holes)
New hole truck pattern
Width over front truck : 8.875"
Width over rear truck : 9.0"



This one more just as an example:


https://www.tactics.com/heroin/space-egg-2-94-skateboard-deck/teal


SPECS
SIZE   9.4
FRONT WIDTH (IN):   9.125
CENTER WIDTH (IN):   9.4
BACK WIDTH (IN):   9.25
LENGTH (IN):   32.06
WHEELBASE (IN):   14.5
NOSE (IN):   7.25
TAIL (IN):   6.375


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GrapefruitGrinds on August 25, 2023, 12:00:49 PM
Expand Quote
i like this thread.

i currently have the madness.
i been skating a 9" symmetrical egg and i love the eggs but wanted something a bit smaller to have easier flips.
I ordered the Grimplestix Egg 8.75 and it tapers over the back truck so that you can see the wheels. this drives me crazy so im immediately like no i cant skate this.. so then i go to my local and they have ZERO eggs. i decided to get a 8.75 polar popsicle deck. this feels do bad and weird and i cannot gel with it. so not im sitting on 3 or 4 different decks and dont want to skate any of them really.
i've been going crazy trying to find the specs for the 8.88 heroin eggs bc i think i would like that better than the 9'. the issue is they like trying to find a unicorn right now, so the alternative is the double shovel symmetrical deck from heroin. the Mandy double shovel with the mac n cheese goblin.
Do any of you have experience with double shovel decks?
im currently skating indy 159s and would prefer not to have to buy another set of trucks, but if i want to go down in deck size i think i may have to.

ugh how do you decide without being able to hold the board in your hands first?
[close]


Check this post, more so for the good top pic of a double shovel deck - not sure if it is the same shape you are curious about, but I know I have found some good pics of tops of boards to really get a good look and some places will have a lot more info and specs too, eg the over the truck measurements from Conflict Skate Shop and now even Tactics to some degree really help with that.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125937.0


Mandy dimensions below 9 at widest probably closer to 8.6 over trucks.
Width (in):   9.0
Length (in):   31.75
Wheelbase (in):   14.25
Nose (in):   6.75
Tail (in):   6.81



https://www.conflictskates.co.uk/heroin-dead-dave-lives---double-shovel--skateboard-deck-90-x-3175-green--pool-ramp-32878-p.asp

9.0" x 31.75"
7.0" nose
6.625" tail
14.25" WB (measured from inner to inner holes)
New hole truck pattern
Width over front truck : 8.875"
Width over rear truck : 9.0"



This one more just as an example:


https://www.tactics.com/heroin/space-egg-2-94-skateboard-deck/teal


SPECS
SIZE   9.4
FRONT WIDTH (IN):   9.125
CENTER WIDTH (IN):   9.4
BACK WIDTH (IN):   9.25
LENGTH (IN):   32.06
WHEELBASE (IN):   14.5
NOSE (IN):   7.25
TAIL (IN):   6.375


Thanks for this. Tactics does have the best spec sheets ive seen.
They are just out of the specific egg i want but now i'm kind of interested in either the Powell Heron 2 egg or Andy's new shape but andy's new shape seems like a gimmick. i really like the squared off nose/tail that his decks have like the shovel shapes. i've just never tried one myself.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on September 04, 2023, 04:14:41 PM
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 04, 2023, 08:19:41 PM
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)

insane.
respect.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 05, 2023, 03:15:21 PM
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)


The funny thing is I usually go more the other way - round them off, including Lock ins which worked way more like Classics.

That would have been a hard slog, but they look like they turned out really well for you.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: theloniousmonk on September 05, 2023, 05:30:21 PM
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)
That’s awesome!
What trucks do you ride? I like the v3’s as well but haven’t had a set in a couple of years
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: logjammin on September 05, 2023, 09:42:25 PM
Been trying to not spend money and do what I can with the gear I already own. Stage 11 hangers work good on Ace classic baseplates but stage 7 hangers work even better. Had a really good session today on this. Fully dialed in and everything.

(https://i.ibb.co/jfKjCsp/PXL-20230905-225324835.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on September 05, 2023, 10:05:07 PM
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)
I'm curious regarding what are those "not right tools"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on September 06, 2023, 04:22:51 AM
Expand Quote
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)
[close]
That’s awesome!
What trucks do you ride? I like the v3’s as well but haven’t had a set in a couple of years
Thunder titanium 148

Expand Quote
I just spent way too many hours rasping and sanding 54mm classic fulls into more of a lock in shape (without the right tools). I took 2mm off one side in order to have exactly as much truck space as with the super skinny bones v3 shape I like. Seems like it fits in this topic even though I'm happy, turned out great. If I had the tools, I'd probably do the same thing to the other side as well, turning them into conicals or even tablets.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrpjkxv/20230905-004350.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wrpjkxv)
[close]
I'm curious regarding what are those "not right tools"
Well all I had was griptape and a rasp that was a bit too smooth for the job
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on September 11, 2023, 07:03:55 AM
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on September 11, 2023, 07:16:21 AM
I've been skating exclusively F4 since they dropped (2014? Can't even remember) but all this X99 talk got me weak. Want to try some badly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on September 11, 2023, 07:44:08 AM
Been trying to not spend money and do what I can with the gear I already own. Stage 11 hangers work good on Ace classic baseplates but stage 7 hangers work even better. Had a really good session today on this. Fully dialed in and everything.

(https://i.ibb.co/jfKjCsp/PXL-20230905-225324835.jpg)

Two 1/8" risers on that set up?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Wizard0f0dds on September 11, 2023, 08:01:19 AM
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?

Yes, I'm always struggling with trucks madness too. I was on Thunders with 1/8" wooden risers for a good while and I know that I do my best skating on these. Now I've been back on Indy and while I like the feel of Indys, I feel like I don't skate quite as well on them. I've also tried Ace AF1 hollows, which were also pretty good, as well as Ventures, which I didn't really give a chance to. I'm trying to stick with Indy atm but I often miss how crispy my tricks were on Thunders a lot. Might setup the Ventures again and actually give them time to break in. People seem to really like them so they can't be that bad. I just don't wanna buy new Thunders as I already have 3 pairs of trucks laying around.

This madness shit is no joke.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 11, 2023, 11:58:58 AM
Expand Quote
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?
[close]

Yes, I'm always struggling with trucks madness too. I was on Thunders with 1/8" wooden risers for a good while and I know that I do my best skating on these. Now I've been back on Indy and while I like the feel of Indys, I feel like I don't skate quite as well on them. I've also tried Ace AF1 hollows, which were also pretty good, as well as Ventures, which I didn't really give a chance to. I'm trying to stick with Indy atm but I often miss how crispy my tricks were on Thunders a lot. Might setup the Ventures again and actually give them time to break in. People seem to really like them so they can't be that bad. I just don't wanna buy new Thunders as I already have 3 pairs of trucks laying around.

This madness shit is no joke.

Ya I had the same experience. At the end of the day if the landings are shit and you're landing less, the Indys are holding you back. Stick with the Ventures. I can do the same shit on all the trucks I have skated with some differences in height, quality, etc., but at the end of the day you improve by repetition. If you do 1 beastly kickflip out of 10 on Indys and whiff 50% of your nollie tricks but boost the other half that is less useful for learning than if you do 8/10 kickflips on Ventures and don't whiff any nollie tricks but pop em a bit lower.

I hated Ventures in the past and got some V-Lights in a trade and put them on my 14.38WB deck, which I was convinced you just can't ride with Ventures. I had mostly used them on 14.25 in the past. "Effective WB" be damned I am more consistent on them for almost all types of tricks than Indys and was on par with Thunder in sesh 1. Since then I have gotten used to the timing and 3 weeks later am on par with Thunder. I've tried cast as well and it takes about an hour or two to adjust from the V-lights.

Now I have 3 types of trucks I can run and get used to depending on what I am feeling. Its not a bad thing if you let go of there only being one thing you can ride forever out of some sort of brand loyalty.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on September 11, 2023, 12:50:48 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?
[close]

Yes, I'm always struggling with trucks madness too. I was on Thunders with 1/8" wooden risers for a good while and I know that I do my best skating on these. Now I've been back on Indy and while I like the feel of Indys, I feel like I don't skate quite as well on them. I've also tried Ace AF1 hollows, which were also pretty good, as well as Ventures, which I didn't really give a chance to. I'm trying to stick with Indy atm but I often miss how crispy my tricks were on Thunders a lot. Might setup the Ventures again and actually give them time to break in. People seem to really like them so they can't be that bad. I just don't wanna buy new Thunders as I already have 3 pairs of trucks laying around.

This madness shit is no joke.
[close]

Ya I had the same experience. At the end of the day if the landings are shit and you're landing less, the Indys are holding you back. Stick with the Ventures. I can do the same shit on all the trucks I have skated with some differences in height, quality, etc., but at the end of the day you improve by repetition. If you do 1 beastly kickflip out of 10 on Indys and whiff 50% of your nollie tricks but boost the other half that is less useful for learning than if you do 8/10 kickflips on Ventures and don't whiff any nollie tricks but pop em a bit lower.

I hated Ventures in the past and got some V-Lights in a trade and put them on my 14.38WB deck, which I was convinced you just can't ride with Ventures. I had mostly used them on 14.25 in the past. "Effective WB" be damned I am more consistent on them for almost all types of tricks than Indys and was on par with Thunder in sesh 1. Since then I have gotten used to the timing and 3 weeks later am on par with Thunder. I've tried cast as well and it takes about an hour or two to adjust from the V-lights.

Now I have 3 types of trucks I can run and get used to depending on what I am feeling. Its not a bad thing if you let go of there only being one thing you can ride forever out of some sort of brand loyalty.

I landed way more on the Ventures that's for sure. I just really like the way I feel on the board with the Indys. Can't have it all I guess. haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 11, 2023, 12:52:17 PM
Venture comments are timely. I'm thinking about trying them again. It's been awhile. I'll be coming off Indy Forged 144s. I don't like the height of standard Indys. That said, what do you guys advise? Cast 5.6s or one of the forged 5.6 options? Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 11, 2023, 01:06:51 PM
Honestly I feel like I understand less about trucks lately. I really, really like the snap of V Lights/forged except for ollie'ing up onto or over tall stuff. No clue why. And the board still feels nimble.

I rode Indy fairly recently and think the cast are closest in pop feel. Kinda heavier and delayed with a really good snap. Likely to be your best bet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 11, 2023, 01:12:55 PM
Honestly I feel like I understand less about trucks lately. I really, really like the snap of V Lights/forged except for ollie'ing up onto or over tall stuff. No clue why. And the board still feels nimble.

I rode Indy fairly recently and think the cast are closest in pop feel. Kinda heavier and delayed with a really good snap. Likely to be your best bet.

Thanks. Curious, do you know what the height on Cast vs. Forged is? It surprising that Thunder lists those specs, but Venture does not.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 11, 2023, 02:34:12 PM
Expand Quote
Honestly I feel like I understand less about trucks lately. I really, really like the snap of V Lights/forged except for ollie'ing up onto or over tall stuff. No clue why. And the board still feels nimble.

I rode Indy fairly recently and think the cast are closest in pop feel. Kinda heavier and delayed with a really good snap. Likely to be your best bet.
[close]

Thanks. Curious, do you know what the height on Cast vs. Forged is? It surprising that Thunder lists those specs, but Venture does not.

Shit, it's in someone's sig on here check the Venture thread and read the sigs, but I think forged is like 51.8 or 51.9, Cast is 53.1 or something similar.

I have the V-Hollows as my cast truck, which are lighter than normal Ventures and maybe less hefty pop feel, but to me the 2 options have always felt different enough to notice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 11, 2023, 03:18:01 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Honestly I feel like I understand less about trucks lately. I really, really like the snap of V Lights/forged except for ollie'ing up onto or over tall stuff. No clue why. And the board still feels nimble.

I rode Indy fairly recently and think the cast are closest in pop feel. Kinda heavier and delayed with a really good snap. Likely to be your best bet.
[close]

Thanks. Curious, do you know what the height on Cast vs. Forged is? It surprising that Thunder lists those specs, but Venture does not.
[close]

Shit, it's in someone's sig on here check the Venture thread and read the sigs, but I think forged is like 51.8 or 51.9, Cast is 53.1 or something similar.

I have the V-Hollows as my cast truck, which are lighter than normal Ventures and maybe less hefty pop feel, but to me the 2 options have always felt different enough to notice.

Thanks for the info. I’ve been madness-free for awhile. We need to change that. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 11, 2023, 04:16:15 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Honestly I feel like I understand less about trucks lately. I really, really like the snap of V Lights/forged except for ollie'ing up onto or over tall stuff. No clue why. And the board still feels nimble.

I rode Indy fairly recently and think the cast are closest in pop feel. Kinda heavier and delayed with a really good snap. Likely to be your best bet.
[close]

Thanks. Curious, do you know what the height on Cast vs. Forged is? It surprising that Thunder lists those specs, but Venture does not.
[close]

Shit, it's in someone's sig on here check the Venture thread and read the sigs, but I think forged is like 51.8 or 51.9, Cast is 53.1 or something similar.

I have the V-Hollows as my cast truck, which are lighter than normal Ventures and maybe less hefty pop feel, but to me the 2 options have always felt different enough to notice.
[close]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been madness-free for awhile. We need to change that. :)


Approximately 53.5 on cast plates and 52 on forged plates.



@rocklobster has it in signature with the exact measurements:


Signature:
Venture Truck Height:

5.0 & 5.2 LO
STANDARD - 1.88” - 47.75mm
FORGED - 1.85”- 46.99mm

5.0 ,5.2, 5.6, 5.8 & 6.1 HI
STANDARD - 2.09” - 53.09mm
FORGED - 2.04” - 51.82m



Venture thread (if you really want to tech out):

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=108614.4740





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 11, 2023, 04:31:32 PM
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?


So just reading back over your posts, you are currently on Indy stage 4 reissues and stage 9 trucks?

I would say the reissues would be a bit more turny than anything else, especially current versions, but what I was going to say more than anything is the bushings will make or break the feeling of pop and landing tricks, especially if they are not solid enough, so using harder bushings might be something to try to firm up the feeling on Indy trucks.

Sure it is not going to change things completely to feel like Ventures, but I noticed that right away when I tried slightly harder bushings in my usual stage 9, 10 and 11 Indy standard trucks, things just seemed to work better and I was having fewer balance issues - getting older, being more lazy with tricks, not bending knees enough, etc.


Just a thought anyway, but I have seen others post similar things on here as well as skating with others to test things like that too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 11, 2023, 04:54:46 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Honestly I feel like I understand less about trucks lately. I really, really like the snap of V Lights/forged except for ollie'ing up onto or over tall stuff. No clue why. And the board still feels nimble.

I rode Indy fairly recently and think the cast are closest in pop feel. Kinda heavier and delayed with a really good snap. Likely to be your best bet.
[close]

Thanks. Curious, do you know what the height on Cast vs. Forged is? It surprising that Thunder lists those specs, but Venture does not.
[close]

Shit, it's in someone's sig on here check the Venture thread and read the sigs, but I think forged is like 51.8 or 51.9, Cast is 53.1 or something similar.

I have the V-Hollows as my cast truck, which are lighter than normal Ventures and maybe less hefty pop feel, but to me the 2 options have always felt different enough to notice.
[close]

Thanks for the info. I’ve been madness-free for awhile. We need to change that. :)
[close]


Approximately 53.5 on cast plates and 52 on forged plates.



@rocklobster has it in signature with the exact measurements:


Signature:
Venture Truck Height:

5.0 & 5.2 LO
STANDARD - 1.88” - 47.75mm
FORGED - 1.85”- 46.99mm

5.0 ,5.2, 5.6, 5.8 & 6.1 HI
STANDARD - 2.09” - 53.09mm
FORGED - 2.04” - 51.82m



Venture thread (if you really want to tech out):

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=108614.4740

I •knew• you would know. :) Thanks. Cast will be my new madness project. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: logjammin on September 11, 2023, 04:56:58 PM
Expand Quote
Been trying to not spend money and do what I can with the gear I already own. Stage 11 hangers work good on Ace classic baseplates but stage 7 hangers work even better. Had a really good session today on this. Fully dialed in and everything.

(https://i.ibb.co/jfKjCsp/PXL-20230905-225324835.jpg)
[close]

Two 1/8" risers on that set up?

2 Real 3-ply risers and then two stacked Ace 1/16" shock pads. So 3/8" total. Sounds nuts but on a board with pretty much zero concave it just feel like a normal concave board with 1/4" risers. I'm skating transition and curbs and more into the surf feel of skating so I'm used to being high off the ground and have no issues with stability or feeling "tippy".
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on September 12, 2023, 06:37:01 AM
Expand Quote
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?
[close]


So just reading back over your posts, you are currently on Indy stage 4 reissues and stage 9 trucks?

 [ That's correct. Stage 4's on my 8.0 and I set up the stage 9's on an FA thinking they where 139's but they are in fact 129's. :-X It's actually nice and feels right. lol ]


I would say the reissues would be a bit more turny than anything else, especially current versions, but what I was going to say more than anything is the bushings will make or break the feeling of pop and landing tricks, especially if they are not solid enough, so using harder bushings might be something to try to firm up the feeling on Indy trucks.

[ I'd switched the red bushings with the aftermarket "soft" red ones already. So its a bit firmer.]

Sure it is not going to change things completely to feel like Ventures, but I noticed that right away when I tried slightly harder bushings in my usual stage 9, 10 and 11 Indy standard trucks, things just seemed to work better and I was having fewer balance issues - getting older, being more lazy with tricks, not bending knees enough, etc.

[Looking at my footage I think it's the way I skate that's the issue, I squat a lot and when I go to pop, No Antwuan here.  I can see that the board starts to tilt a bit and I lean. Then with my landings if its not bolts then I'm carving out and stepping off. On the Ventures Its a stable launch. If that makes any sense.] 


Just a thought anyway, but I have seen others post similar things on here as well as skating with others to test things like that too.

I set up some 5.2's last night on the 8.0 and just doing a few tre flips was such a huge difference.  Maybe I should try the loose truck kit...That might just defeat the whole ordeal tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 12, 2023, 07:29:28 AM
It clearly sounds like forcing looseness is an issue for your ability to actually do tricks. Leave things stable and learn to lean more. Unless you're skating really tight transition or constricted street spots there isn't any reason you need some specific level of looseness.

Just look at how tight Reynolds rides his trucks. It's not a shameful thing. Even local transition skaters I've met ride much tighter than your average Slap poster and they skate way gnarlier shit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on September 12, 2023, 08:39:02 AM
It clearly sounds like forcing looseness is an issue for your ability to actually do tricks. Leave things stable and learn to lean more. Unless you're skating really tight transition or constricted street spots there isn't any reason you need some specific level of looseness.

Just look at how tight Reynolds rides his trucks. It's not a shameful thing. Even local transition skaters I've met ride much tighter than your average Slap poster and they skate way gnarlier shit.

For sure! I'll go back and watch. Watching the Huf video again right now and everyone's boards are solid and stable.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on September 12, 2023, 09:31:34 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Been trying to not spend money and do what I can with the gear I already own. Stage 11 hangers work good on Ace classic baseplates but stage 7 hangers work even better. Had a really good session today on this. Fully dialed in and everything.

(https://i.ibb.co/jfKjCsp/PXL-20230905-225324835.jpg)
[close]

Two 1/8" risers on that set up?
[close]

2 Real 3-ply risers and then two stacked Ace 1/16" shock pads. So 3/8" total. Sounds nuts but on a board with pretty much zero concave it just feel like a normal concave board with 1/4" risers. I'm skating transition and curbs and more into the surf feel of skating so I'm used to being high off the ground and have no issues with stability or feeling "tippy".

Doesn't sound nuts to me. I'm glad to see someone not afraid of risers. Real do 5 ply risers also. I'm sure you knew that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 12, 2023, 10:47:57 AM
Expand Quote
It clearly sounds like forcing looseness is an issue for your ability to actually do tricks. Leave things stable and learn to lean more. Unless you're skating really tight transition or constricted street spots there isn't any reason you need some specific level of looseness.

Just look at how tight Reynolds rides his trucks. It's not a shameful thing. Even local transition skaters I've met ride much tighter than your average Slap poster and they skate way gnarlier shit.
[close]

For sure! I'll go back and watch. Watching the Huf video again right now and everyone's boards are solid and stable.

I saw Nik Stain post his board and his rear truck had 3-4 threads showing. Tom Knox did too somewhat recently and he had threads showing with the Indy yellow bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on September 12, 2023, 02:11:04 PM
I’ve noted this before, but I think the average pro is likely skating so much faster than us schmucks that their inertia more than compensates for their tighter trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 12, 2023, 03:18:11 PM
I'm sure most of us could benefit from skating a bit faster as I have almost never seen a single unsponsored skater skating too fast.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 12, 2023, 04:21:38 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
In the midst of all the madness, I've switched back to Indys on both of my setups over the past 4-5 months. The Indys feel great, but they affect my tricks negatively. The landings can be shit. Ventures don't have the same feel, but my tricks look more polished with them. While I'm only record flat ground tricks, the difference is stark. I'm thinking of tightening my trucks a bit before considering a switch back. Anyone relate?
[close]


So just reading back over your posts, you are currently on Indy stage 4 reissues and stage 9 trucks?

 [ That's correct. Stage 4's on my 8.0 and I set up the stage 9's on an FA thinking they where 139's but they are in fact 129's. :-X It's actually nice and feels right. lol ]


I would say the reissues would be a bit more turny than anything else, especially current versions, but what I was going to say more than anything is the bushings will make or break the feeling of pop and landing tricks, especially if they are not solid enough, so using harder bushings might be something to try to firm up the feeling on Indy trucks.

[ I'd switched the red bushings with the aftermarket "soft" red ones already. So its a bit firmer.]

Sure it is not going to change things completely to feel like Ventures, but I noticed that right away when I tried slightly harder bushings in my usual stage 9, 10 and 11 Indy standard trucks, things just seemed to work better and I was having fewer balance issues - getting older, being more lazy with tricks, not bending knees enough, etc.

[Looking at my footage I think it's the way I skate that's the issue, I squat a lot and when I go to pop, No Antwuan here.  I can see that the board starts to tilt a bit and I lean. Then with my landings if its not bolts then I'm carving out and stepping off. On the Ventures Its a stable launch. If that makes any sense.] 


Just a thought anyway, but I have seen others post similar things on here as well as skating with others to test things like that too.
[close]

I set up some 5.2's last night on the 8.0 and just doing a few tre flips was such a huge difference.  Maybe I should try the loose truck kit...That might just defeat the whole ordeal tho.


Re Indy trucks:

Yeah I get what you are saying.  Funny I tried a well used set of yellow 96 duro bushings in normal Indy trucks yesterday and they loosen up a lot once worn in but still have the very stable centre on them, compared to the normal stock or even the other 90, 92 and 94 duro bushings.  I still prefer my other older runs of the red 92 duro bushings, but there are current options out there that make things work well too.  It just takes a bit to wear them in because from new, they don't seem like they want to turn at all, then once broken in, they feel like a firm stock bushing, but I think it took a while to get these bushings to that point, from whoever skated them before me.

Re your Venture trucks:

Even just trying the existing bushings without the bottom washer will give you a lot more turn just to sample what that feels like, then put the washer back on and enjoy the stable board feeling.

The loose truck bushing kit is great for having green bushings, or a lower head, or even a bit more give in the trucks if you don't feel like the stock bushings with washers and nut flush is giving you enough turn, but for a normal weight person riding them with the kingpin nut flush, those things are so loose they are detrimental to most normal skating, unless you are like Daewon in ankle strength.

I like them, but I definitely don't run the nut flush and have the wobbly loose feeling on the set of Ventures I had them in.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 12, 2023, 04:36:10 PM
88A Supercush with flat top washer unlocks a lot of turn in the end of the turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Coastal Fever on September 12, 2023, 06:16:05 PM
As much as I loved my 8.75 w/ 159s combo in the beginning, it’s starting to feel a little bulky.  So I jumped on a deal for a barely skated complete today, 8.5 deck with hollow 149s.. oddly enough both setups weigh exactly the same according to my bathroom scale.  I should try and recoup some cash by selling the bigger board, but for what I’d get I’m better off keeping it.  And this is how the senseless gear hoarding begins. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 12, 2023, 06:22:21 PM
I'm sure most of us could benefit from skating a bit faster as I have almost never seen a single unsponsored skater skating too fast.


yes, both of you are very on point imo


i skate so slow, it is shameful
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on September 12, 2023, 09:41:59 PM
I'm saying it's the key to my longevity........skate slow....talk lots....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 12, 2023, 10:07:08 PM
Re your Venture trucks:

Even just trying the existing bushings without the bottom washer will give you a lot more turn just to sample what that feels like, then put the washer back on and enjoy the stable board feeling.

The loose truck bushing kit is great for having green bushings, or a lower head, or even a bit more give in the trucks if you don't feel like the stock bushings with washers and nut flush is giving you enough turn, but for a normal weight person riding them with the kingpin nut flush, those things are so loose they are detrimental to most normal skating, unless you are like Daewon in ankle strength.

I like them, but I definitely don't run the nut flush and have the wobbly loose feeling on the set of Ventures I had them in.

Super helpful info, considering I have some Venture's coming in the mail. Thank you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on September 14, 2023, 07:19:52 AM
88A Supercush with flat top washer unlocks a lot of turn in the end of the turn.

I've spent the last two days back on the Ventures, and it's been great. The best part? I landed my first switch tre! I've been tweaking them back and fourth, and I think I've found a good balance for now. My buddy skates V-lights, which is funny because I have dismissed forged-cast trucks since trying forged Indys a while ago. But now, I question everything, again.lol

  Thanks everyone my switch tre land is dedicated to the madness support. haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 14, 2023, 08:13:23 PM
Expand Quote
88A Supercush with flat top washer unlocks a lot of turn in the end of the turn.
[close]

I've spent the last two days back on the Ventures, and it's been great. The best part? I landed my first switch tre! I've been tweaking them back and fourth, and I think I've found a good balance for now. My buddy skates V-lights, which is funny because I have dismissed forged-cast trucks since trying forged Indys a while ago. But now, I question everything, again.lol

  Thanks everyone my switch tre land is dedicated to the madness support. haha


a switch tre is worth the madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on September 15, 2023, 08:23:44 AM
Fuck yes! switch tre is on my bucket list. I want a switch tre and a nollie heel within the next two years (before I am 50). I was never a tech dude... but I've been close to both of these tricks.

and now I feel like I need to start thinking about a set up to help me achieve these flatground goals... damn...  loose Aces on my Huffer might not be the best flip trick set up. back to a Couch/Loveseat? Loveseat plus on some Thunders and small wheels?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on September 15, 2023, 09:40:06 AM
My nollie heel came at 48 and the switch tre never happened, a few horrific switch impossibles is all I could muster…

Venture Hi IMO is the most flippable trucks….you can actually put pressure and get leverage….you try to do that on aces and you’ve turned like three times….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on September 15, 2023, 10:14:32 AM
I had some Ventures... but gave them away... prob a mistake...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 15, 2023, 10:26:37 AM
My nollie heel came at 48 and the switch tre never happened, a few horrific switch impossibles is all I could muster…

Venture Hi IMO is the most flippable trucks….you can actually put pressure and get leverage….you try to do that on aces and you’ve turned like three times….

If you have only turned 3 times on Ace then you're not realllllly living "loose trucks save lives"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 15, 2023, 11:00:58 AM
Fuck yes! switch tre is on my bucket list. I want a switch tre and a nollie heel within the next two years (before I am 50). I was never a tech dude... but I've been close to both of these tricks.

and now I feel like I need to start thinking about a set up to help me achieve these flatground goals... damn...  loose Aces on my Huffer might not be the best flip trick set up. back to a Couch/Loveseat? Loveseat plus on some Thunders and small wheels?


thunders are great for flipping.
i can do some flip tricks on a huffer, probably some on a couch/loveseat.
wouldn’t try and learn shit on those tho.
nollie heels on the huffer were decent, fun even, don’t think i’d have learned them as easily on one.
kinda repeating myself here.
shaped boards, for me, work for the tricks i already know how to do. never unlocked new shit.
i learned flip tricks on 5.0s, maybe 139s. after that, wider trucks are good for other things, learning flip tricks no.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on September 15, 2023, 11:27:27 AM
I had a decent amount of flip trick success on the Couch shape with 151s... but the short wheelbase really fucked with my kick flips... I think its either a loveseat plus or an 8.5" pop with 14.25" WB. I'd rather not buy new trucks at this point so its either 151s or hard bushings and tighter AF1 55s/60s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 15, 2023, 04:52:29 PM
I had a decent amount of flip trick success on the Couch shape with 151s... but the short wheelbase really fucked with my kick flips... I think its either a loveseat plus or an 8.5" pop with 14.25" WB. I'd rather not buy new trucks at this point so its either 151s or hard bushings and tighter AF1 55s/60s.


151s are sick.
af1 55s with hard bushings would do as well.


there is something there to the short wb and kickflips. and ollie’s too. but for me, that’s when i’m down around 13.75 or some shit.
once i come up for air, and i’m on a 14-14.25, most things are fine.

i’m a huge fan of the griffin gass shape. short tail (perfect to me), longer wb, 32” long, which is my absolute max. loved that board. you seem to like crail stuff so i’m throwing that one out there.

i tried to claim switch tres to flea on here, and i’ve just posed a few, every few sessions. no real threat of landing one, the first few tend to look plausible, and then i start to move further away from it. the last time i could tre-athalon was like 15 years ago, on a 7.8 baker and 139s. so long ago it doesn’t count, and i’m only bringing it up to let the shame of this uncle rico-ing wash over and motivate me to try and get there again.

short wb and kickflips and i go full snowboard stance, it’s not about height, it’s about survival.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: zozu on September 15, 2023, 08:54:36 PM
Was on my last setup with venture 5.8 standards for the full life of the deck, which I havent done in a very long time.
Usually a board will see two or three different trucks before I am fully done with it, so this is making me extremely happy. Gonna try stick to them for the foreseeable future and then occasionally skate Ace trucks when I get the itch for something completely different. (Don't think I could ever fully commit to one truck but having two trucks at complete opposite ends of the spectrum should keep me happy).
I have even gone as far as to put my other trucks up for sale so maybe there is light at the end of the madness tunnel.

Now if only I could decide on a board shape/size.  ::)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: professor pound cake on September 15, 2023, 08:57:04 PM
skatebaording started my OCD, now i cant leave a room without tocuing the light 3 times in a set of 4 to get to 7 which is a holy number
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 16, 2023, 04:10:47 AM
My nollie heel came at 48 and the switch tre never happened, a few horrific switch impossibles is all I could muster…

Venture Hi IMO is the most flippable trucks….you can actually put pressure and get leverage….you try to do that on aces and you’ve turned like three times….

Thats the thing tho. With Indy's and Ace (never skated ace), in order to not turn when setting up for a trick, it forces you to pressure the board even more to go straight. Imo, this causes for easier spin tricks. I could atleast do big spins etc easier with Indy's, as the board wouldent flip duo to that. Atleast in my theory
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on September 17, 2023, 08:15:11 AM
Not madness per se, but the minimalist in me is ashamed of all the gear I’ve amassed over the past year. Someone with my (lack of) skills doesn’t need all this shit.

Then again, I like the idea of taking a “new old” deck from years ago and skating it.

Leaving stuff at the park seems like a bad idea here. We don’t have a ton of skaters. So I’m thinking about posting on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Saying I have some free gear.

It sounds kooky, but I could print up some stickers and slap ‘em on a few spots in the DIY. “Need a free deck?” Could be an ongoing thing, I’ll be known as the guy who gives shit away 😂
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on September 17, 2023, 08:31:20 AM
my local usually is great at managing these things and has bin for donations.  I often keep board in my car and give them away when I see people.  I actually enjoy trying to piece together a set up from old parts and give away a set up.  I guess FB market place wouldn't be a bad idea, even just to sell it as bulk 'must take all' for pizza or something...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on September 17, 2023, 08:57:14 AM
my local usually is great at managing these things and has bin for donations.  I often keep board in my car and give them away when I see people.  I actually enjoy trying to piece together a set up from old parts and give away a set up.  I guess FB market place wouldn't be a bad idea, even just to sell it as bulk 'must take all' for pizza or something...
Oh I won’t try to sell anything lol. You can post free stuff on marketplace. And that sounds fun. I plan on giving away my setup with Ace 44s. I’m convinced they’re not good trucks for bigger folks. Gotta crank them way down and they still turn too much lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 17, 2023, 11:41:41 AM
I've mentioned this before, but worth repeating...

If you have gear to get rid of, strongly consider making a donation to the Fresno Skateboard Salvage project. They do incredible work getting skateboards into the hands of underprivileged kids. I am not associated with them in anyway, but have sent lots of stuff there way over the years. Please give them a hard look.

https://www.fresnoskateboardsalvage.org/
https://www.instagram.com/fresnoskateboardsalvage/
https://www.facebook.com/fresnoskateboardsalvage


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 23, 2023, 09:24:08 AM
I've given myself madness. Suddenly im skating Venture 5,8 V-Hollows. I kinda like it them, but not. I'd really like a more mellow setup that doesnt require as much force all the time.
Considering going back to indy, but I do find them too twitchy at center. Any way to make them more stable center?
Also consider buying a pair of Ace AF1 Hollows.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 23, 2023, 09:32:25 AM
I've given myself madness. Suddenly im skating Venture 5,8 V-Hollows. I kinda like it them, but not. I'd really like a more mellow setup that doesnt require as much force all the time.
Considering going back to indy, but I do find them too twitchy at center. Any way to make them more stable center?
Also consider buying a pair of Ace AF1 Hollows.

Re Indys, try harder after-market Indy bushings.

Re Ace, if you think Indy is too twitchy, you will HATE Ace trucks. Hard stop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 23, 2023, 09:38:06 AM
 Try cast Ventures. To be they feel less hefty for everything but Tre flips or shuvs. Or Thunders are still more stable on center IMO.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 23, 2023, 10:19:42 AM
Try cast Ventures. To be they feel less hefty for everything but Tre flips or shuvs. Or Thunders are still more stable on center IMO.

I've been tempted to try Venture in a smaller size yeah. I usually skate 8.25-8.38, and Id like to try 8" Venture, as they have good kingpin clearance on those aswell? Unlike Thunder 147s which... is terrible.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 23, 2023, 01:18:51 PM
Expand Quote
I've given myself madness. Suddenly im skating Venture 5,8 V-Hollows. I kinda like it them, but not. I'd really like a more mellow setup that doesnt require as much force all the time.
Considering going back to indy, but I do find them too twitchy at center. Any way to make them more stable center?
Also consider buying a pair of Ace AF1 Hollows.
[close]

Re Indys, try harder after-market Indy bushings.

Re Ace, if you think Indy is too twitchy, you will HATE Ace trucks. Hard stop.

Interesting, I don't recall seeing people refer to Indys being twitchy on center before. They feel quite stable on center to me.

I second the harder after market bushings suggestions, but to go a step further: check if you want to run conical or barrel. Barrel is a stiffer center, but engages well once you lean. Conical is more surf and engages quicker, while being less stiff on center than barrel. Maybe the perceived twitchy-ness comes from conical bushings being used?

Personally, I like medium (90) to medium hard (92or 94) conical Indy aftermarket bushings to find an ideal middle point between surf loose and tic tac tight. I'm 190lbs at 5'10" so your preference for durometer will depend on your own stature @Vintagebody
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 24, 2023, 04:05:39 AM
Yeah, I'm 185-190 too, and stock Indy bushings are waaaaaay soft. Have to tighten them a good amount.
I mounted my forged indy's on the Real Mason Boxcar deck I have. Worked pretty good. I guess turny is the better term, rather then twitchy. I have both forged and std indy's, 144. All stock cylinder bushings. I'll try a harder bushings and see how it feels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on September 25, 2023, 11:43:38 AM
Does cracked or teared bushings give you madness? Been on a bushing madness every since I switch to Indy from thunders, tried the bones hard but couldnt get my trucks lose enough without my nut falling off, bones medium too soft and exploded, now on bones hard on the bottom and bones medium on the top, seems to be okay but now I'm like dam would trying a harder Indy bushing be a better option instead? Some days I wished I never cared about this stuff lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 25, 2023, 11:50:54 AM
Does cracked or teared bushings give you madness? Been on a bushing madness every since I switch to Indy from thunders, tried the bones hard but couldnt get my trucks lose enough without my nut falling off, bones medium too soft and exploded, now on bones hard on the bottom and bones medium on the top, seems to be okay but now I'm like dam would trying a harder Indy bushing be a better option instead? Some days I wished I never cared about this stuff lol

Bones Bushings, IMHO, suck. They only come on three duros, and 81a option is obtuse turboclown shit. So, they really only come in two functional duros (91a and 96a). They gap between 91a and 96a is huge, which makes it a real problem if you are really trying to fine tune your set-up. Moreover, they only come in conical shape, and are notorious for blowing out. Indy makes tons of duros, and all come in both barrel and conical shapes, and last way longer. Having options is a good thing, and Bones provides very little in that arena. Try aftermarket Indy or Thunder bushings, or Supercush. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 25, 2023, 12:19:21 PM
The conical shape doesn't make them notorious for blowouts it is the different material (yellow for the mediums, black for the hard) that forms the sleeve and just the general materials used. Thunder and Indy conicals do not blow out nearly as fast or crumble the way that Bones do. My Thunder bushings split from the washer digging in, but with a flat washer they had zero issues whereas Bones are fucked no matter what you do.

Unfortunately Supercush seem to be vanishing from the internet. The Thunder replacements come in 90 and 94 and if the 94 are too hard for you try the stock bottom and 94 top. You will get a lot of lean but the hard top will assist in resisting wheelbite at the end of the turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on September 25, 2023, 12:19:33 PM
Expand Quote
Does cracked or teared bushings give you madness? Been on a bushing madness every since I switch to Indy from thunders, tried the bones hard but couldnt get my trucks lose enough without my nut falling off, bones medium too soft and exploded, now on bones hard on the bottom and bones medium on the top, seems to be okay but now I'm like dam would trying a harder Indy bushing be a better option instead? Some days I wished I never cared about this stuff lol
[close]

Bones Bushings, IMHO, suck. They only come on three duros, and 81a option is obtuse turboclown shit. So, they really only come in two functional duros (91a and 96a). They gap between 91a and 96a is huge, which makes it a real problem if you are really trying to fine tune your set-up. Moreover, they only come in conical shape, and are notorious for blowing out. Indy makes tons of duros, and all come in both barrel and conical shapes, and last way longer. Having options is a good thing, and Bones provides very little in that arena. Try aftermarket Indy or Thunder bushings, or Supercush.

I agree, thanks for your insight, what bushings you running man? Also if you dont mind whats your weight? I can confirm 6 ft 175lbs will implode bones mediums lol I ride medium tightness trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on September 25, 2023, 12:21:52 PM
The conical shape doesn't make them notorious for blowouts it is the different material (yellow for the mediums, black for the hard) that forms the sleeve and just the general materials used. Thunder and Indy conicals do not blow out nearly as fast or crumble the way that Bones do. My Thunder bushings split from the washer digging in, but with a flat washer they had zero issues whereas Bones are fucked no matter what you do.

Unfortunately Supercush seem to be vanishing from the internet. The Thunder replacements come in 90 and 94 and if the 94 are too hard for you try the stock bottom and 94 top. You will get a lot of lean but the hard top will assist in resisting wheelbite at the end of the turn.

Same to you man, what bushings are you running and whats your weight? Trying to see what other people are doing to use as a reference point to end this madness haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 25, 2023, 12:48:57 PM
The conical shape doesn't make them notorious for blowouts...

I never implied shape had causal relation to blow outs. Rather, was just listing off problems with Bones. One of which is their blow outs, and another being limited shape options.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 25, 2023, 12:51:53 PM
I agree, thanks for your insight, what bushings you running man? Also if you dont mind whats your weight? I can confirm 6 ft 175lbs will implode bones mediums lol I ride medium tightness trucks

I ride Indys with 92a (blue) barrels. 5'11'', and 170-175lbs.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on September 25, 2023, 01:15:19 PM
Expand Quote
I agree, thanks for your insight, what bushings you running man? Also if you dont mind whats your weight? I can confirm 6 ft 175lbs will implode bones mediums lol I ride medium tightness trucks
[close]

I ride Indys with 92a (blue) barrels. 5'11'', and 170-175lbs.

Thanks man! Will look into those
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: emotional_degloving on September 25, 2023, 03:21:41 PM
Fuckin, picked up one of the last Darkroom decks at the skateshop. There's a couple more I might get as wall-hangers but I intend to skate this one. It's an 8.38.

I've jumped from 8" to 7.75 back to 8" then up to 8.75" and then to 8.38. I feel like at this point, none of this shit really matters. As long as I can balance on it and know where the pocket is and flip that shit, it's good enough for me.
Gear madness has been poison but fuck it, it is what it is at this point.

I'm gonna donate all my unused shit that I won't use as wallhangers. They got life left in them still.

(https://i.ibb.co/LvCmZzw/IMG-20230925-132253.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LvCmZzw)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on September 25, 2023, 03:25:41 PM
Expand Quote
Does cracked or teared bushings give you madness? Been on a bushing madness every since I switch to Indy from thunders, tried the bones hard but couldnt get my trucks lose enough without my nut falling off, bones medium too soft and exploded, now on bones hard on the bottom and bones medium on the top, seems to be okay but now I'm like dam would trying a harder Indy bushing be a better option instead? Some days I wished I never cared about this stuff lol
[close]

Bones Bushings, IMHO, suck. They only come on three duros, and 81a option is obtuse turboclown shit. So, they really only come in two functional duros (91a and 96a). They gap between 91a and 96a is huge, which makes it a real problem if you are really trying to fine tune your set-up. Moreover, they only come in conical shape, and are notorious for blowing out. Indy makes tons of duros, and all come in both barrel and conical shapes, and last way longer. Having options is a good thing, and Bones provides very little in that arena. Try aftermarket Indy or Thunder bushings, or Supercush.

Agreed 100%. I've skated Indy, Ace, Royal, and to a lesser extent Venture. All of the stock bushings which come with these trucks have been great. I've blown out some Indy bushings after a year or two of regular riding, which I don't really think is a big deal.

The only exception is the dogshit red Indy "Soft" bushings. These are sub-Bones quality.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: AlumarX on September 25, 2023, 03:41:17 PM
I had a PS stix 8" deck that just wasn't working for me on venture lows, so I bit the bullet on 5.2 v-light hi to get the forged plate and it felt incredible. But for some of my other decks I might try something else, the pivot cup squeak is gonna drive me insane lol, it sounds like my aunt's 1999 Eddie Bouer Explorer suspension.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 25, 2023, 04:21:29 PM
I had a PS stix 8" deck that just wasn't working for me on venture lows, so I bit the bullet on 5.2 v-light hi to get the forged plate and it felt incredible. But for some of my other decks I might try something else, the pivot cup squeak is gonna drive me insane lol, it sounds like my aunt's 1999 Eddie Bouer Explorer suspension.

lots of solutions for this. soap. cum. bike grease. dish soap. motor oil. bar soap.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on September 25, 2023, 09:16:59 PM
wax your nub....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 25, 2023, 09:38:50 PM
Expand Quote
The conical shape doesn't make them notorious for blowouts it is the different material (yellow for the mediums, black for the hard) that forms the sleeve and just the general materials used. Thunder and Indy conicals do not blow out nearly as fast or crumble the way that Bones do. My Thunder bushings split from the washer digging in, but with a flat washer they had zero issues whereas Bones are fucked no matter what you do.

Unfortunately Supercush seem to be vanishing from the internet. The Thunder replacements come in 90 and 94 and if the 94 are too hard for you try the stock bottom and 94 top. You will get a lot of lean but the hard top will assist in resisting wheelbite at the end of the turn.
[close]

Same to you man, what bushings are you running and whats your weight? Trying to see what other people are doing to use as a reference point to end this madness haha

I run the stock bushings that come in Thunder or Venture. The only truck I really would switch bushings on are Indy Standards and I would run the blue 92a on those.

I have run Supercush 88A in Ventures and liked those and have only run Bones bushings once ever and wasn't super into them at the time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 25, 2023, 10:04:50 PM
Expand Quote
Does cracked or teared bushings give you madness? Been on a bushing madness every since I switch to Indy from thunders, tried the bones hard but couldnt get my trucks lose enough without my nut falling off, bones medium too soft and exploded, now on bones hard on the bottom and bones medium on the top, seems to be okay but now I'm like dam would trying a harder Indy bushing be a better option instead? Some days I wished I never cared about this stuff lol
[close]

Bones Bushings, IMHO, suck. They only come on three duros, and 81a option is obtuse turboclown shit. So, they really only come in two functional duros (91a and 96a). They gap between 91a and 96a is huge, which makes it a real problem if you are really trying to fine tune your set-up. Moreover, they only come in conical shape, and are notorious for blowing out. Indy makes tons of duros, and all come in both barrel and conical shapes, and last way longer. Having options is a good thing, and Bones provides very little in that arena. Try aftermarket Indy or Thunder bushings, or Supercush.


Along with everything else being said, more than anything, I think the main thing people forget is going very easy on bushings for the first few sessions / how ever long you skate them to just nicely wear them in, so then they will have way more chance of being decent for the life of your trucks.

That said, I don't know too many people who really get the most out of Bones bushings, except for the hard versions, which at first are almost impossible to turn on at all, but once they really break in they come out about a firm medium and skate a lot better.  Taking that time is sometimes not an option for some people, but I am also usually not interested in them because of the splitting of the softer part to the harder hub, which is almost always the cause of Bones bushings to be replaced on most setups I have seen with them on - some in a matter of minutes, yes minutes, from setting them up, but more often a few weeks to a month.

I use the Indy aftermarket bushings (usually 92 duro), which really do work so well for me and I don't have any issues with them, but I have had other people try to crank them down right from go and they blow out in the first session, so again, just ease into it with them, first session just roll around and get nice and comfortable before tightening them down, no matter what the duro / option you go with.

Even the Indy black hard or yellow super hard actually break in really well, even though at first they seem like there is no chance of a decent turn on them at all, they end up feeling about medium firm to me on Indy trucks with the nut flush, or at least these used ones from other people I have are like that.


If any bushing is too soft it will give you more trouble than it is worth, as more often it will split or cause wheelbite or be unstable on your setup until you either crank them down (and maybe split them) or get sick of them and need to put in new ones that are harder.

If any bushing is too hard that you can't get the nut on fully, try to wear them in or even use the harder bottom bushing and a softer top, which will give a little more stability and still keep things safe.  Don't want the nut falling off, the way I have seen some people skate.  I know you said you do this with your own, but it is worth noting for anyone.

Lastly, I have cut down the top bushing on many, many sets for myself and for others, so the bushings overall still do what they are supposed to do, stay at the same geometry with the bottom one holding the hanger in place, but having a single mm or two at most off the lower part of the top bushing, you can keep things more turny, but get the kingpin nut on cleanly and even have a bit more clearance in that regard too.


Sorry if that is a bit too much, but in doing this and fixing boards for a long, long time, I am familiar with all the ins and outs of bushings, what works, what doesn't work and even what you can do with bushings if you find they are too firm, such as wax all the contact surfaces of bushing and hanger, which make them way more turny, almost too turny for some, but it does work and makes harder bushings wear in really nicely if you want a more medium feel without having to cut or change anything much.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 25, 2023, 11:52:45 PM
^ Yeah, when I worked at a shop, I constantly told people “bushings get stiffer as they break in, so don’t over tighten them at first.”

I also ride the 92a Indy bushings. I find that it takes me about 25 min of carving around to get the initial “broken-in” feel, and then they are absolutely perfect about a day later.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on September 26, 2023, 04:50:49 AM
Bones bushings get way too much hype in my opinion. Stock bushings in Indys and Ventures cover most needs and last longer than Bones. And as Slappers above stated, if the orange stock Indys feel too soft (GIVE THEM TIME FIRST), the blue 92s are the bee's knees.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 26, 2023, 05:07:36 AM
Bones bushings get way too much hype in my opinion. Stock bushings in Indys and Ventures cover most needs and last longer than Bones. And as Slappers above stated, if the orange stock Indys feel too soft (GIVE THEM TIME FIRST), the blue 92s are the bee's knees.

Just bought some conical 92s to throw in my cruiser so I can be surfing but stable while rolling around. If I like em enough may get an extra set for my main setup. Currently on 90 conical

I was a Bones bushings fanatic  (medium hard was my go to) when I was a teenager. Their gimmick (be it valid or placebo) was that the bushings were good to go right away. That appealed to me as a teenager because I was impatient and didn't wanna break in bushings for whatever trucks I skated. However, like Lakais that break in quick, they wear out quick so I do recall getting 50-70% of lifespan in them compared to my Indy bushings. I had quality at the cost of durability.

I tried them in Thunders, Royals, and maybe Silvers.  Not sure if I tried them in Indy once I committed to riding those full time since 2010. Anyone try Bones in Indy? I feel like they're too short in height and would fuck up the geo instead of compliment it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on September 26, 2023, 05:51:01 AM
Took my 8.27 setup with Indy 149s out this morning cause it was a little wet outside (just a mist). It’s crazy how much easier it is to maneuver than my 8.5 setup with Indy 159s and Radial Fulls. Still, I’ll take speed and stability over maneuverability.

As more time passes I’m starting to realize how insane it is to have multiple setups if you only skate 2-3 times a week.

Even if you skate daily. It’s best to say, “This is my skateboard. I’ll make it work.” It’s like choosing a partner, at some point you have to stop searching and pick someone’s who’s “good enough.”

Online dating is really bad right now cause everyone always thinks there’s a better person out there, so they become addicted to meeting new folks. It’s like that with madness too. There’s so much cheap gear out there, it’s easy to become addicted to finding the perfect setup that doesn’t exist.

Idk, rant over 🥲
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on September 26, 2023, 06:26:25 AM


I tried them in Thunders, Royals, and maybe Silvers.  Not sure if I tried them in Indy once I committed to riding those full time since 2010. Anyone try Bones in Indy? I feel like they're too short in height and would fuck up the geo instead of compliment it.

I had Bones Mediums on my 159 Indys (pool setup), and yeah, for me too the thing was the nonexistant break-in time. Height was no problem and the turning was great, but eventually as I switched back to the stock Indy bushings I felt the real mojo of them. There's just something to properly broken-in Indy stock bushings that none other can achieve in my opinion. No wonder peeps like Chris Russell et al ride 'em.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on September 26, 2023, 06:31:23 AM
Took my 8.27 setup with Indy 149s out this morning cause it was a little wet outside (just a mist). It’s crazy how much easier it is to maneuver than my 8.5 setup with Indy 159s and Radial Fulls. Still, I’ll take speed and stability over maneuverability.

As more time passes I’m starting to realize how insane it is to have multiple setups if you only skate 2-3 times a week.

Even if you skate daily. It’s best to say, “This is my skateboard. I’ll make it work.” It’s like choosing a partner, at some point you have to stop searching and pick someone’s who’s “good enough.”

Online dating is really bad right now cause everyone always thinks there’s a better person out there, so they become addicted to meeting new folks. It’s like that with madness too. There’s so much cheap gear out there, it’s easy to become addicted to finding the perfect setup that doesn’t exist.

Idk, rant over 🥲

I hear you, I feel you. BUT the more the merrier, no? :D I don't think I can be properly monagamic, ever. At least I gotta have a specific setup for big transition that is obviously quite a bit different from what I ride when I want to hit curbs and flatground. I mean, yeah, if you're good enough, one setup can be enough, but I'm not Grant Taylor.

Having said that, I've also steered towards a one setup approach recently. If I'm not hitting something like near-vert transition, I tend to ride an 8.25 with 144 Indys or 5.6 Venture His pretty much everywhere. But still, that 8.125 in the corner keeps whispering in my ear when I plan to hit the techier street spots...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 26, 2023, 08:15:10 AM
Expand Quote
Took my 8.27 setup with Indy 149s out this morning cause it was a little wet outside (just a mist). It’s crazy how much easier it is to maneuver than my 8.5 setup with Indy 159s and Radial Fulls. Still, I’ll take speed and stability over maneuverability.

As more time passes I’m starting to realize how insane it is to have multiple setups if you only skate 2-3 times a week.

Even if you skate daily. It’s best to say, “This is my skateboard. I’ll make it work.” It’s like choosing a partner, at some point you have to stop searching and pick someone’s who’s “good enough.”

Online dating is really bad right now cause everyone always thinks there’s a better person out there, so they become addicted to meeting new folks. It’s like that with madness too. There’s so much cheap gear out there, it’s easy to become addicted to finding the perfect setup that doesn’t exist.

Idk, rant over 🥲
[close]

I hear you, I feel you. BUT the more the merrier, no? :D I don't think I can be properly monagamic, ever. At least I gotta have a specific setup for big transition that is obviously quite a bit different from what I ride when I want to hit curbs and flatground. I mean, yeah, if you're good enough, one setup can be enough, but I'm not Grant Taylor.

Having said that, I've also steered towards a one setup approach recently. If I'm not hitting something like near-vert transition, I tend to ride an 8.25 with 144 Indys or 5.6 Venture His pretty much everywhere. But still, that 8.125 in the corner keeps whispering in my ear when I plan to hit the techier street spots...


My .02 cents...

I think it also depends on why you have different set-ups. I have three. 8.25, 8.75, and a Black Label Street Thing. The 8.25 is my main ride. But, as I've said many times before, sometimes shit just feels better on a bigger board. Without question, I actually skate better on the 8.25, but at least for me, skating is not always about skating at my maximum potential 100% of the time. Sometimes I just like the better feeling of Smith grind on my 8.75. I really love Chicken Korma, but if I had to eat it every single meal of my life, I'd prolly grow sick of it. Sex is fun, but always doing in the same position wouldn't feel as good. Reasonable variety can make things better at times.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: AlumarX on September 26, 2023, 08:41:37 AM
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I had a PS stix 8" deck that just wasn't working for me on venture lows, so I bit the bullet on 5.2 v-light hi to get the forged plate and it felt incredible. But for some of my other decks I might try something else, the pivot cup squeak is gonna drive me insane lol, it sounds like my aunt's 1999 Eddie Bouer Explorer suspension.
[close]

lots of solutions for this. soap. cum. bike grease. dish soap. motor oil. bar soap.
I do it every 3 months, it always comes back.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 26, 2023, 10:13:25 AM
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Expand Quote
Took my 8.27 setup with Indy 149s out this morning cause it was a little wet outside (just a mist). It’s crazy how much easier it is to maneuver than my 8.5 setup with Indy 159s and Radial Fulls. Still, I’ll take speed and stability over maneuverability.

As more time passes I’m starting to realize how insane it is to have multiple setups if you only skate 2-3 times a week.

Even if you skate daily. It’s best to say, “This is my skateboard. I’ll make it work.” It’s like choosing a partner, at some point you have to stop searching and pick someone’s who’s “good enough.”

Online dating is really bad right now cause everyone always thinks there’s a better person out there, so they become addicted to meeting new folks. It’s like that with madness too. There’s so much cheap gear out there, it’s easy to become addicted to finding the perfect setup that doesn’t exist.

Idk, rant over 🥲
[close]

I hear you, I feel you. BUT the more the merrier, no? :D I don't think I can be properly monagamic, ever. At least I gotta have a specific setup for big transition that is obviously quite a bit different from what I ride when I want to hit curbs and flatground. I mean, yeah, if you're good enough, one setup can be enough, but I'm not Grant Taylor.

Having said that, I've also steered towards a one setup approach recently. If I'm not hitting something like near-vert transition, I tend to ride an 8.25 with 144 Indys or 5.6 Venture His pretty much everywhere. But still, that 8.125 in the corner keeps whispering in my ear when I plan to hit the techier street spots...
[close]


My .02 cents...

I think it also depends on why you have different set-ups. I have three. 8.25, 8.75, and a Black Label Street Thing. The 8.25 is my main ride. But, as I've said many times before, sometimes shit just feels better on a bigger board. Without question, I actually skate better on the 8.25, but at least for me, skating is not always about skating at my maximum potential 100% of the time. Sometimes I just like the better feeling of Smith grind on my 8.75. I really love Chicken Korma, but if I had to eat it every single meal of my life, I'd prolly grow sick of it. Sex is fun, but always doing in the same position wouldn't feel as good. Reasonable variety can make things better at times.

so you have sex and can smith grind.
fuck you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on September 26, 2023, 11:02:55 AM
I've been riding Venture V-Cast with the all hollow bullshit or V Lights for the last 6 weeks. My deck is almost dead so I tried my Thunders on it today.

It took a long time to adapt my flip tricks and they weren't any better. I'd need 3 sessions just to adjust for questionable benefits. I frankly don't get how I ever made such drastic or frequent changes or how others do so with confidence. I can't imagine going back and forth constantly especially between options that effect timing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 26, 2023, 02:44:44 PM

Anyone try Bones in Indy? I feel like they're too short in height and would fuck up the geo instead of compliment it.



A few people I know ride the Bones bushings in anything and everything and customise the height / angle with or without added washers depending on whether the bushings are new, old or whatever truck they are in.

Bones hards are the usual go to though, starting off just the bushings and maybe the Bones flat washer on top, then as they break in and soften up some / flatten down, they add in the usual washers, or two top Indy washers - the smaller ones - on both top and bottom as you would for any other set of conical bushings.

I have skated one guys board from just putting them in to being well worn in and they work in any trucks - Indy, Venture, Thunder being what they ride, so although I am not really a fan of how they perform, the Bones hard bushings hold up well enough for the most part for the skating that they do and they don't go easy on them, that's for sure.

To note, this guy switches things out every other month or less as well, so there are a lot of sets of well used Bones hard bushings floating around in my spare parts area, way more than any other brand of bushings, but that is what he rides, so I don't argue.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 26, 2023, 07:38:00 PM
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Anyone try Bones in Indy? I feel like they're too short in height and would fuck up the geo instead of compliment it.

[close]


A few people I know ride the Bones bushings in anything and everything and customise the height / angle with or without added washers depending on whether the bushings are new, old or whatever truck they are in.

Bones hards are the usual go to though, starting off just the bushings and maybe the Bones flat washer on top, then as they break in and soften up some / flatten down, they add in the usual washers, or two top Indy washers - the smaller ones - on both top and bottom as you would for any other set of conical bushings.

I have skated one guys board from just putting them in to being well worn in and they work in any trucks - Indy, Venture, Thunder being what they ride, so although I am not really a fan of how they perform, the Bones hard bushings hold up well enough for the most part for the skating that they do and they don't go easy on them, that's for sure.

To note, this guy switches things out every other month or less as well, so there are a lot of sets of well used Bones hard bushings floating around in my spare parts area, way more than any other brand of bushings, but that is what he rides, so I don't argue.

bones hards are the best, of that brand.
i use to see this person that has since left us, whom i very much admired from a far, use bones mediums in stage 10 indys. he was early to the skating of 149s, and made everything he did look really good. much if my gear madness, was sparked in part by watching this dude.
once stage 11s came out i saw less people using bones in indys. couple of older guys that went full into bushings were buying both mediums and softs, and using the soft tops….that’s just too much. not sure why you’d want to make life that much more difficult.

i first used bones when i messed up my orion’s bushings, by cranking and exploding them. now, before ye jest, at the time orion had some dudes. and i think they were just supposed to skate like a lower, lighter indy. maybe i was on the tail end of that tho….no one check the timeline of these products, but i ‘remember’ all of this happening in the early 2000s. ish. the orions were actually kinda sick. i probably skated them for a week and then quit for a months, per usual for me, at this time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lamfordie on September 26, 2023, 08:05:21 PM
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxTJvxitrGl/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==
An inverted hollow titanium magnesium truck for only $60. Sounds too good to be true.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on September 26, 2023, 11:59:44 PM
I've given myself madness. Suddenly im skating Venture 5,8 V-Hollows. I kinda like it them, but not. I'd really like a more mellow setup that doesnt require as much force all the time.
Considering going back to indy, but I do find them too twitchy at center. Any way to make them more stable center?
Also consider buying a pair of Ace AF1 Hollows.

As a larger than average individual I’ve fucked around with bushings a lot. To try and make skateboard trucks just work, and not get kills by wheelbite.
I’ve come up with this. I found these washers that really hug the bushings. They go on the bottom, with a hard barrel bushing, and then I just put a bones har bushing on top, cause I love the snap and response of bones, but I want more resistance at the end of the range.
Haven’t skated that much lately, but I think this how I’m getting down going forward.
(https://i.ibb.co/kMzYMCL/IMG-2841.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kMzYMCL)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on September 27, 2023, 06:40:37 AM
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxTJvxitrGl/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==
An inverted hollow titanium magnesium truck for only $60. Sounds too good to be true.

I guess it was only a matter of time until we got Alibaba brand skateboard components.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on September 27, 2023, 08:50:48 AM
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxTJvxitrGl/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==
An inverted hollow titanium magnesium truck for only $60. Sounds too good to be true.
[close]

I guess it was only a matter of time until we got Alibaba brand skateboard components.

If weight was the sole factor for truck performance then Tensor trucks alone then Dwindle would be thriving and be sold for 5x the original price.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: boneless900 on September 27, 2023, 09:42:04 AM
Expand Quote
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxTJvxitrGl/?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==
An inverted hollow titanium magnesium truck for only $60. Sounds too good to be true.
[close]

I guess it was only a matter of time until we got Alibaba brand skateboard components.

Looks like a set of trucks from Temu
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on September 28, 2023, 10:16:05 AM
Look like thunder-ish hangers.

sooo many threads showing on that ti pin. I'd try them but I'm trying to wrangle my for fun/experimental skate purchases ;) Ti pins are soooo light (RIP Theeve) I'd prefer a ti pin and cast plates/solid hangers.

They should sell that krux style downlow pin tho since everyone shifted to the hex one this round.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on September 28, 2023, 10:27:58 AM
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Bones bushings get way too much hype in my opinion. Stock bushings in Indys and Ventures cover most needs and last longer than Bones. And as Slappers above stated, if the orange stock Indys feel too soft (GIVE THEM TIME FIRST), the blue 92s are the bee's knees.
[close]

Just bought some conical 92s to throw in my cruiser so I can be surfing but stable while rolling around. If I like em enough may get an extra set for my main setup. Currently on 90 conical

I was a Bones bushings fanatic  (medium hard was my go to) when I was a teenager. Their gimmick (be it valid or placebo) was that the bushings were good to go right away. That appealed to me as a teenager because I was impatient and didn't wanna break in bushings for whatever trucks I skated. However, like Lakais that break in quick, they wear out quick so I do recall getting 50-70% of lifespan in them compared to my Indy bushings. I had quality at the cost of durability.

I tried them in Thunders, Royals, and maybe Silvers.  Not sure if I tried them in Indy once I committed to riding those full time since 2010. Anyone try Bones in Indy? I feel like they're too short in height and would fuck up the geo instead of compliment it.

Personally, I find Med Bones and indy to be the best combo for me (when riding indy, that is). Could be that I did for soooo long that it's memory muscle feel. Yeah the bones can blow out (could always go hard bones suffer the break-in as they hold up way longer and feel like forever mediums once broken in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 03, 2023, 03:43:01 AM
please let the next board i buy be the one i fall in love with
im tired of searching
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on October 05, 2023, 06:05:31 AM
please let the next board i buy be the one i fall in love with
im tired of searching
Buy what you like. What you progressed most on. Not what you think you will like. And just stick with it. Constantly changing isn't going to help anything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on October 05, 2023, 06:16:34 AM
Skated two years on Indy. Last two sets broke on me, two replacement sets from broken hangers. Switched to venture and absolutely love them. The only thing is after about seven months I hit axel (usually I get about a year from Indy’s if they don’t break). I sprained my ankle and when I could cruise around I had Indy’s in my cruiser. The pop feels so good. Indys feel like home but I’m afraid if I switch back I’m gonna have the same issues breaking them. My issue is with everything but decks I have my setup dialed so I have a set of ventures on ice. Trying to resist buying Indy’s with Black Friday sales so I don’t start the madness again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 05, 2023, 06:20:26 AM
We often hear of broken trucks or major gear issues on here but the reality is lost people ride shit and never break it or have major issues. People who tend to skate a lot, especially bigger stuff with lots of impact, will be much more likely to eventually do something especially as stuff wears. You probably got unlucky or there's something we don't know about your skating or how worn the gear was before breaking.

I will say that it does seem broken Ti axles are an Indy specific thing that pops up on here and my local shop mentioned lots of cracked hangers near the axle ends but that that improved after the move to China.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on October 05, 2023, 06:46:49 AM
We often hear of broken trucks or major gear issues on here but the reality is lost people ride shit and never break it or have major issues. People who tend to skate a lot, especially bigger stuff with lots of impact, will be much more likely to eventually do something especially as stuff wears. You probably got unlucky or there's something we don't know about your skating or how worn the gear was before breaking.

I will say that it does seem broken Ti axles are an Indy specific thing that pops up on here and my local shop mentioned lots of cracked hangers near the axle ends but that that improved after the move to China.

Yeah truth prob just got unlucky cause they both broke within two months and I mostly skate ledges/wallrides and am very low impact. I was surprised cause I always thought of Indy as the most durable truck. Maybe I will try a set after these ventures wear out so if I have any issues I still have the ventures (or if they work out I’ll give the ventures to a kid at the local)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 05, 2023, 07:03:55 AM
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please let the next board i buy be the one i fall in love with
im tired of searching
[close]
Buy what you like. What you progressed most on. Not what you think you will like. And just stick with it. Constantly changing isn't going to help anything.
Yup. Gotta say, “This is my shape and I’m sticking to it.” The perfect deck doesn’t exist. Also, I can pretty much get used to any popsicle after a session or two. I think it’s mostly mental. If you tell yourself that you hate your deck you’re gonna perform badly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 05, 2023, 07:43:02 AM
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please let the next board i buy be the one i fall in love with
im tired of searching
[close]
Buy what you like. What you progressed most on. Not what you think you will like. And just stick with it. Constantly changing isn't going to help anything.
[close]
Yup. Gotta say, “This is my shape and I’m sticking to it.” The perfect deck doesn’t exist. Also, I can pretty much get used to any popsicle after a session or two. I think it’s mostly mental. If you tell yourself that you hate your deck you’re gonna perform badly.


i mean whe you say it like that….

madness is this sludge of me wanting to be stoked, excited. that’s it. i went to skate last night, highly less than ideal scenario, dragging after work, get out there and it’s dark, damp, under a street light. some folks suffering from drug addictions popping up. whatever. anyways, being me, i had 2 pairs of shoes, 2 setups. i skated ‘better’ on the 8.125 with 5.2 lo’s, than on the 7.75 with 5.0 lo’s. what i noticed, was that i didn’t care. it was nice to land more stuff, and the vibrations/tone of the ps stix 8.125 felt noticeably better, than the older crail 7.75. but the 8.125 looked dumb as fuck. to me. the pov was not my fave.
i also hated looking down at the dunks, as opposed to my old half cabs. skate better in the dunks. and hurt less today, from spending more time in the more supportive shoe.


blah blah. one board better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 05, 2023, 09:56:26 AM
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Expand Quote
please let the next board i buy be the one i fall in love with
im tired of searching
[close]
Buy what you like. What you progressed most on. Not what you think you will like. And just stick with it. Constantly changing isn't going to help anything.
[close]
Yup. Gotta say, “This is my shape and I’m sticking to it.” The perfect deck doesn’t exist. Also, I can pretty much get used to any popsicle after a session or two. I think it’s mostly mental. If you tell yourself that you hate your deck you’re gonna perform badly.
[close]


i mean whe you say it like that….

madness is this sludge of me wanting to be stoked, excited. that’s it. i went to skate last night, highly less than ideal scenario, dragging after work, get out there and it’s dark, damp, under a street light. some folks suffering from drug addictions popping up. whatever. anyways, being me, i had 2 pairs of shoes, 2 setups. i skated ‘better’ on the 8.125 with 5.2 lo’s, than on the 7.75 with 5.0 lo’s. what i noticed, was that i didn’t care. it was nice to land more stuff, and the vibrations/tone of the ps stix 8.125 felt noticeably better, than the older crail 7.75. but the 8.125 looked dumb as fuck. to me. the pov was not my fave.
i also hated looking down at the dunks, as opposed to my old half cabs. skate better in the dunks. and hurt less today, from spending more time in the more supportive shoe.


blah blah. one board better.
I get that. You want to be stoked on your gear. And all of it doesn’t feel the same. Wasn’t trying to deny the differences. Was just saying you gotta just give up at some point. That’s all 😌
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FGO925 on October 05, 2023, 10:08:40 AM
I’ve complained about this here before, but I need to vent yet again.

Does everyone just skate with broken bushings or is it just me? I’m truly not sure what’s going on and I’m convinced I’m doing something wrong but I don’t know what.

Every truck brand/bushing brand I use starts to split and crack and eventually disintegrate within like 2 weeks. I’m 170lbs and I ride my trucks medium ish? I understand most people who say medium actually ride them right, but I would say mine are closer to loose - nut is flush, maybe  tighten them to the point you can see 1 thread on occasion.

I don’t leave my board in my car, and I’m not doing super pinched tricks constantly like crooks. Recently I set up a board with Indy’s and within about 2 weeks the front bushing blew up. So I replaced both of the tops with stock Indy bushings, and again this time within a week they’re both splitting and deforming. I can feel it in the turn as it lacks stability and makes the truck feel way more loose. I also skate maybe 1-2 times a week.

I guess my question is does everybody have cracked bushings? Is this just normal and I’m overthinking it?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 05, 2023, 10:26:13 AM
Post a pic of your trucks/bushings. Sometimes the top washer circumsizes a little bit of the outside of the top bushing, but does not actually crack it. I crack Thunder and Venture tops doing lots of Slappies but it doesn't change the turn until the split goes to the inside toward the kingpin. I had a cracked bottom bushing in my Thunders for a year and when I replaced it it felt the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 05, 2023, 10:44:44 AM
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please let the next board i buy be the one i fall in love with
im tired of searching
[close]
Buy what you like. What you progressed most on. Not what you think you will like. And just stick with it. Constantly changing isn't going to help anything.
[close]
Yup. Gotta say, “This is my shape and I’m sticking to it.” The perfect deck doesn’t exist. Also, I can pretty much get used to any popsicle after a session or two. I think it’s mostly mental. If you tell yourself that you hate your deck you’re gonna perform badly.
[close]


i mean whe you say it like that….

madness is this sludge of me wanting to be stoked, excited. that’s it. i went to skate last night, highly less than ideal scenario, dragging after work, get out there and it’s dark, damp, under a street light. some folks suffering from drug addictions popping up. whatever. anyways, being me, i had 2 pairs of shoes, 2 setups. i skated ‘better’ on the 8.125 with 5.2 lo’s, than on the 7.75 with 5.0 lo’s. what i noticed, was that i didn’t care. it was nice to land more stuff, and the vibrations/tone of the ps stix 8.125 felt noticeably better, than the older crail 7.75. but the 8.125 looked dumb as fuck. to me. the pov was not my fave.
i also hated looking down at the dunks, as opposed to my old half cabs. skate better in the dunks. and hurt less today, from spending more time in the more supportive shoe.


blah blah. one board better.
[close]
I get that. You want to be stoked on your gear. And all of it doesn’t feel the same. Wasn’t trying to deny the differences. Was just saying you gotta just give up at some point. That’s all 😌

oh no.

i’m agreeing with you.
at a certain point, you can’t ride all of the stuff, all of the time. just gotta pick one.

i used to think it’d be funny when i’d see someone so strict in their adherence to a personal code: ‘oh i only ride 8.5, i only ride x brand of trucks’, etc.
but now….i’m kinda just flirting with this 7.75 as an identity. if i suck, i suck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WashingtonNECKTIE on October 06, 2023, 03:48:24 PM
I've found comfortability in wheelbases from 14-14.25" and I'm afraid I'll forget how to ollie if i go >14.5
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 06, 2023, 04:33:18 PM
I'm the opposite- any shorter than like 14.1 and my pop is disgustingly bad. 14.5 it feels so nice and floaty.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 06, 2023, 05:23:25 PM
I'm the opposite- any shorter than like 14.1 and my pop is disgustingly bad. 14.5 it feels so nice and floaty.

i’ve long been a proponent of short wb’s. i think i may have gotten it wrong, and that what i really need is a short tail, and preferably a short deck length.
long wb’s have some serious advantages, speed and stability, and then yeah, there is some advantages for me, on ollies.
primitive used to have a shape just over 8”, that had a longer wb, something like 14.4 ish. i wish i had tried that one. the crail shapes with the short tail and the 14.43 wb are nice (i’ve only tried the 8.5 one, but looooooved it).


*** maybe someone could chime in on tail length. i’m resistant to go down that portal of doom….it is difficult for me to ignore that i enjoy riding both the crail 7.75 with something like a 13.9ish wb, and around 31.125 length, and then the griffin gass shape that’s 8.5x14.43x32. the only commonality is the tail length.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 07, 2023, 07:25:45 AM
^ I know I've mentioned it before, but a WB that is too short for me, makes my ollies/nollies feel like I am swinging a bat, golf club, or hockey stick while choked-up on the handle, which is to say it's a total loss of power. Stated another way, it's like trying to run, but not being allowed to break into a full sprint. For non-ollie tricks (say a f/s 5-0 grind on a ramp, any slappy variation, or even just turning out of a board slide), if a wb is too short, it feels super cramped, like a tall isosceles triangle that doesn't have a base wide enough to give it proper stability. Flip tricks get too twitchy/sensitive. I often find myself landing things with my front foot too far out over the nose (which can be deadly on reentry with transition, bank, etc.). If a WB is too long, everything gets really sluggish.

Unrelated, I had been religiously riding IV stamped DLX decks. I ended up with a III a bit ago, and I liked it. I got another III, and also enjoyed it. I decided to push the envelope, and got a II last week. I hated it. Too steep. Sometimes I think it's good to test your assumptions, if only to establish that they still hold true, and def still don't like steep kicks.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 07, 2023, 07:46:09 AM
another advantage to a longer wb is i feel like i can swing for the fences, just chuck a flip trick as hard as i can (because i have to).

all in all, i most likely skate better on shorter wb’s, and greatly appreciate the less effort/input needed for the board to go in a direction.
it is also relevant for me to point out 99% of skating for me at this time is going slow in a parking lot trying to back2back nollie flips. or something of that sort.
if i was skating more than 3 mph a longer wb would feel a lot better
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on October 07, 2023, 08:04:37 AM
I think kickflips=long, 3 flips=short…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 07, 2023, 08:51:17 AM
I think kickflips=long, 3 flips=short…..


accurate.
 
a little extra: i can get an easier kickflip on a shorter wb, but a higher one on a longer wb.
3flips are really where my short wb fascination comes in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 07, 2023, 10:22:29 AM
Opposite for me. My best Tre flips have been on a 14.38 with Venture V lights, kickflips were meh on that setup. Best kickflips recently we're on a 14.25 with Indy standards
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 07, 2023, 12:17:41 PM
i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 08, 2023, 12:35:53 AM
i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true

The 14.25 or the 14.62?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 08, 2023, 07:24:45 AM
I swear that the best kickflipping board I ever owned is the Crail Loveseat shape. It flicks like a 7.5" I would have skated in 1992 but with the real estate of an 9" deck on while to land.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 08, 2023, 07:33:28 AM
I swear that the best kickflipping board I ever owned is the Crail Loveseat shape. It flicks like a 7.5" I would have skated in 1992 but with the real estate of an 9" deck on while to land.

several folks loved those, and they made sense. do you use 149s?
they seemed like a 3flip machine.

i can’t do shapes rn. something about it grosses me out, where as 2015 ish it felt like i had to have a shape to feel stoked.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 08, 2023, 07:43:27 AM
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I swear that the best kickflipping board I ever owned is the Crail Loveseat shape. It flicks like a 7.5" I would have skated in 1992 but with the real estate of an 9" deck on while to land.
[close]

several folks loved those, and they made sense. do you use 149s?
they seemed like a 3flip machine.

i can’t do shapes rn. something about it grosses me out, where as 2015 ish it felt like i had to have a shape to feel stoked.

Yeah, I skated it with Indy 149s. I am also not really much of a shaped deck skater, but I bought one on a whim from a sale of the Crail website, probably based on recommendations here.

Now I skate a 8.125" Primitive deck now and don't plan to go back to a shaped board soon or ever, but I did very much enjoy that deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 08, 2023, 09:11:29 AM
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I swear that the best kickflipping board I ever owned is the Crail Loveseat shape. It flicks like a 7.5" I would have skated in 1992 but with the real estate of an 9" deck on while to land.
[close]

several folks loved those, and they made sense. do you use 149s?
they seemed like a 3flip machine.

i can’t do shapes rn. something about it grosses me out, where as 2015 ish it felt like i had to have a shape to feel stoked.
[close]

Yeah, I skated it with Indy 149s. I am also not really much of a shaped deck skater, but I bought one on a whim from a sale of the Crail website, probably based on recommendations here.

Now I skate a 8.125" Primitive deck now and don't plan to go back to a shaped board soon or ever, but I did very much enjoy that deck.

does that 8.125 have a longer tail/nose? same as the april?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 08, 2023, 09:15:15 AM
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I swear that the best kickflipping board I ever owned is the Crail Loveseat shape. It flicks like a 7.5" I would have skated in 1992 but with the real estate of an 9" deck on while to land.
[close]

several folks loved those, and they made sense. do you use 149s?
they seemed like a 3flip machine.

i can’t do shapes rn. something about it grosses me out, where as 2015 ish it felt like i had to have a shape to feel stoked.
[close]

Yeah, I skated it with Indy 149s. I am also not really much of a shaped deck skater, but I bought one on a whim from a sale of the Crail website, probably based on recommendations here.

Now I skate a 8.125" Primitive deck now and don't plan to go back to a shaped board soon or ever, but I did very much enjoy that deck.
[close]

does that 8.125 have a longer tail/nose? same as the april?

I don't know anything about April decks, but this has a fairly normal length tail with a pretty sizeable nose. Mellow concave and a mellow tail.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 09, 2023, 07:37:13 AM
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i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true
[close]

The 14.25 or the 14.62?
14.62
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 09, 2023, 08:15:31 AM
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i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true
[close]

The 14.25 or the 14.62?
[close]
14.62

i’m kinda whatever about crail wood, but i love their shapes. the brophy shape is a little narrower, longer wb, skated pretty well for me.
just a very well proportioned deck. something about the length of the tail handled the length.
that board showed me that it was the absolute upper limit of what i was willing to ride, and that i probably didn’t need to get another huffer (as much as i love that huffer shape, and it was such a long lasting tank, if i was going to ride a shaped board it’d be that) and continue with my personal ban on shaped boards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 10, 2023, 12:58:02 PM
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i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true
[close]

The 14.25 or the 14.62?
[close]
14.62

A friend and I call the 8.75/14.62 "The Destroyer of Worlds," because no matter what you think you know/like about the set-up you are riding, a week on the 8.75 will eviscerate "everything you believed was true."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: backinaction on October 10, 2023, 01:18:16 PM
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i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true
[close]

The 14.25 or the 14.62?
[close]
14.62
[close]

A friend and I call the 8.75/14.62 "The Destroyer of Worlds," because no matter what you think you know/like about the set-up you are riding, a week on the 8.75 will eviscerate "everything you believed was true."

There is an 8.75 Unity with IV concave sitting at the local shop and I'm close to pulling the trigger.   I had it with the Eagle graphic, Indy 159 hollow forged and 54mm F4 Conicals and loved it.    I have an 8.75 Blue Meanie I'm skating (second of that shape), but the popsicle is pulling me back....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 10, 2023, 01:24:32 PM
There is an 8.75 Unity with IV concave sitting at the local shop and I'm close to pulling the trigger.  I had it with the Eagle graphic, Indy 159 hollow forged and 54mm F4 Conicals and loved it.

Well done. That is my exact set-up for that deck, and damn, it feels so good (when I stray from my 8.25). Get that Unity.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 10, 2023, 01:55:03 PM
The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 10, 2023, 03:58:42 PM
The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 10, 2023, 04:05:08 PM
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The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
[close]


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.
You may be right. Last month I switch my wheels and bearings. I have Spitfire RF and Bones Swiss 6. Never had any issues with these trucks. I love the wheels and bearings, but I may slap on my CFs and Bronson G3s.

I’ve taken the wheels apart, made sure the bearings were in, but it still happens. Part of me thinks it may be these wide wheels. They’re the Kader Puffs ones. I think I’ll do an experiment in a few days and report back.

If it happens on another set of Indy’s I have then it’s the wheels or bearings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 10, 2023, 05:07:32 PM
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The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
[close]


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.
[close]
You may be right. Last month I switch my wheels and bearings. I have Spitfire RF and Bones Swiss 6. Never had any issues with these trucks. I love the wheels and bearings, but I may slap on my CFs and Bronson G3s.

I’ve taken the wheels apart, made sure the bearings were in, but it still happens. Part of me thinks it may be these wide wheels. They’re the Kader Puffs ones. I think I’ll do an experiment in a few days and report back.

If it happens on another set of Indy’s I have then it’s the wheels or bearings.


This was the thread I was thinking of, which I forgot to add in earlier:


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125264.0


Worth a read there too, if you had a minute.

The solution to that being to use something to remove all lube / oil from the outside area of the bearing, which they all come with to make it easier to push into the wheels, but if they slip in too easily, they could also slip out too easily as well, so rubbing alcohol or other substance cleans off the outer metal of the bearing so they go in and stay in.


The other thing is some Spitfire wheels did have issues with bearing seats being a little bit off, just ever so slightly so it might not seem like much, but it did cause the bearings to move more easily if there is a hit this way or that on the wheels.

I had some that every time I would do a smith grind on my ramp, the wheel would move a little and I would have to push it back in before the next run.  Changing bearings or even the position of the wheel on the board seemed to fix it for a bit, but I definitely had thought something was up with the trucks or something like that.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 10, 2023, 05:41:11 PM
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The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
[close]


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.
[close]
You may be right. Last month I switch my wheels and bearings. I have Spitfire RF and Bones Swiss 6. Never had any issues with these trucks. I love the wheels and bearings, but I may slap on my CFs and Bronson G3s.

I’ve taken the wheels apart, made sure the bearings were in, but it still happens. Part of me thinks it may be these wide wheels. They’re the Kader Puffs ones. I think I’ll do an experiment in a few days and report back.

If it happens on another set of Indy’s I have then it’s the wheels or bearings.
[close]


This was the thread I was thinking of, which I forgot to add in earlier:


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125264.0


Worth a read there too, if you had a minute.

The solution to that being to use something to remove all lube / oil from the outside area of the bearing, which they all come with to make it easier to push into the wheels, but if they slip in too easily, they could also slip out too easily as well, so rubbing alcohol or other substance cleans off the outer metal of the bearing so they go in and stay in.


The other thing is some Spitfire wheels did have issues with bearing seats being a little bit off, just ever so slightly so it might not seem like much, but it did cause the bearings to move more easily if there is a hit this way or that on the wheels.

I had some that every time I would do a smith grind on my ramp, the wheel would move a little and I would have to push it back in before the next run.  Changing bearings or even the position of the wheel on the board seemed to fix it for a bit, but I definitely had thought something was up with the trucks or something like that.
Thanks for the link. Looking through the thread now. These bearings and wheels were expensive so I’d hate to scrap them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 11, 2023, 08:57:56 AM
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The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
[close]


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.
[close]
You may be right. Last month I switch my wheels and bearings. I have Spitfire RF and Bones Swiss 6. Never had any issues with these trucks. I love the wheels and bearings, but I may slap on my CFs and Bronson G3s.

I’ve taken the wheels apart, made sure the bearings were in, but it still happens. Part of me thinks it may be these wide wheels. They’re the Kader Puffs ones. I think I’ll do an experiment in a few days and report back.

If it happens on another set of Indy’s I have then it’s the wheels or bearings.
[close]


This was the thread I was thinking of, which I forgot to add in earlier:


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125264.0


Worth a read there too, if you had a minute.

The solution to that being to use something to remove all lube / oil from the outside area of the bearing, which they all come with to make it easier to push into the wheels, but if they slip in too easily, they could also slip out too easily as well, so rubbing alcohol or other substance cleans off the outer metal of the bearing so they go in and stay in.


The other thing is some Spitfire wheels did have issues with bearing seats being a little bit off, just ever so slightly so it might not seem like much, but it did cause the bearings to move more easily if there is a hit this way or that on the wheels.

I had some that every time I would do a smith grind on my ramp, the wheel would move a little and I would have to push it back in before the next run.  Changing bearings or even the position of the wheel on the board seemed to fix it for a bit, but I definitely had thought something was up with the trucks or something like that.
I did some experimenting and figured it out. It’s the damn Spitfire wheel, something has to be offset about it. Took it, put new bearings in it and put it on another pair of trucks and the same thing happened. Sucks cause I liked ‘em.

Thanks again 🙏🏾
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 11, 2023, 09:56:54 AM
brimmer knows


you can still use the wheels and bearings imo, just loosen em up, allowing for more play, and less binding
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 11, 2023, 10:03:50 AM
brimmer knows


you can still use the wheels and bearings imo, just loosen em up, allowing for more play, and less binding
I put my Swiss 6 in an old set of wheels. It was more annoying than usual cause I had to take out the bearings that were in the old set too. This made me realize that expensive bearings probably aren’t worth it (for me). I’d rather just toss the entire wheel setup when I’m done with them. Think I’ll go back to Bronson’s once these are finished.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 11, 2023, 10:06:48 AM
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The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
[close]


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.
[close]
You may be right. Last month I switch my wheels and bearings. I have Spitfire RF and Bones Swiss 6. Never had any issues with these trucks. I love the wheels and bearings, but I may slap on my CFs and Bronson G3s.

I’ve taken the wheels apart, made sure the bearings were in, but it still happens. Part of me thinks it may be these wide wheels. They’re the Kader Puffs ones. I think I’ll do an experiment in a few days and report back.

If it happens on another set of Indy’s I have then it’s the wheels or bearings.
[close]


This was the thread I was thinking of, which I forgot to add in earlier:


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125264.0


Worth a read there too, if you had a minute.

The solution to that being to use something to remove all lube / oil from the outside area of the bearing, which they all come with to make it easier to push into the wheels, but if they slip in too easily, they could also slip out too easily as well, so rubbing alcohol or other substance cleans off the outer metal of the bearing so they go in and stay in.


The other thing is some Spitfire wheels did have issues with bearing seats being a little bit off, just ever so slightly so it might not seem like much, but it did cause the bearings to move more easily if there is a hit this way or that on the wheels.

I had some that every time I would do a smith grind on my ramp, the wheel would move a little and I would have to push it back in before the next run.  Changing bearings or even the position of the wheel on the board seemed to fix it for a bit, but I definitely had thought something was up with the trucks or something like that.
[close]
I did some experimenting and figured it out. It’s the damn Spitfire wheel, something has to be offset about it. Took it, put new bearings in it and put it on another pair of trucks and the same thing happened. Sucks cause I liked ‘em.

Thanks again 🙏🏾

I have had 2 sets of Spitfires in the past year or two that had oversized bearing seats. One of them was bad enough I could move the wheel with my hand and you could see the bearings move in and out. The other was slighter but the wheel was constantly binding. I then got a new set in which the actual bearing seat was too shallow and a bearing didn't fit. Spitfire replaced all of them AND gave me additional wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 11, 2023, 10:09:04 AM
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The Hollow Indy 159s I've been riding since July 2022 have axle slip. Part of me wants to grab a new pair cause it's annoying as hell, but it's getting colder here and I don't feel like messing with this setup. So I guess I'll have to check my wheel every ten minutes  :-\

This may have always been an issue. I went from mostly cruising to flipping my board a lot over the last month. I'll replace them in the spring. Just looking at all the trucks on Tactics flared up my madness again. It was like a recovering drunk walking into a bar. I put some Ventures in my cart, some 169s, then talked some sense into myself.

It's funny, I got so frustrated that I hurled my board across the tennis court. Grabbed it by the tail and flung it 20 feet lol. I'm such a child.
[close]


I posted this in the Indy thread, but also posting here:




Are you sure it is axle slip?

There seem to be a lot of wheels coming out of bearings issues which would usually have the same effect - wheel stops spinning easily.

Sit the board up on its side, axle on the ground and then push your wheel down, then pull it up to see if the bearings are seated correctly.

I honestly can't think of any current Indy (or other top brand truck) that has had axle slip in recent years, but I have seen a lot of wheels with bearing seats that are too big, so the bearings move in the wheels.

Not doubting you but check this first.


What wheels and bearings are you running?  Spitfire Formula Four have been pretty big on the bearings moving of late, as per quite a few sets I have had too.
[close]
You may be right. Last month I switch my wheels and bearings. I have Spitfire RF and Bones Swiss 6. Never had any issues with these trucks. I love the wheels and bearings, but I may slap on my CFs and Bronson G3s.

I’ve taken the wheels apart, made sure the bearings were in, but it still happens. Part of me thinks it may be these wide wheels. They’re the Kader Puffs ones. I think I’ll do an experiment in a few days and report back.

If it happens on another set of Indy’s I have then it’s the wheels or bearings.
[close]


This was the thread I was thinking of, which I forgot to add in earlier:


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125264.0


Worth a read there too, if you had a minute.

The solution to that being to use something to remove all lube / oil from the outside area of the bearing, which they all come with to make it easier to push into the wheels, but if they slip in too easily, they could also slip out too easily as well, so rubbing alcohol or other substance cleans off the outer metal of the bearing so they go in and stay in.


The other thing is some Spitfire wheels did have issues with bearing seats being a little bit off, just ever so slightly so it might not seem like much, but it did cause the bearings to move more easily if there is a hit this way or that on the wheels.

I had some that every time I would do a smith grind on my ramp, the wheel would move a little and I would have to push it back in before the next run.  Changing bearings or even the position of the wheel on the board seemed to fix it for a bit, but I definitely had thought something was up with the trucks or something like that.
[close]
I did some experimenting and figured it out. It’s the damn Spitfire wheel, something has to be offset about it. Took it, put new bearings in it and put it on another pair of trucks and the same thing happened. Sucks cause I liked ‘em.

Thanks again 🙏🏾
[close]

I have had 2 sets of Spitfires in the past year or two that had oversized bearing seats. One of them was bad enough I could move the wheel with my hand and you could see the bearings move in and out. The other was slighter but the wheel was constantly binding. I then got a new set in which the actual bearing seat was too shallow and a bearing didn't fit. Spitfire replaced all of them AND gave me additional wheels.
That’s great. I’ll contact them cause I really like the RF shape, and it’s only one wheel. The others are fine.

How do you reach them?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 11, 2023, 10:15:13 AM
I always fill out the warranty form on the dlx site: https://www.dlxsf.com/warranty/ and they get back to me pretty quickly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 11, 2023, 10:25:35 AM
I always fill out the warranty form on the dlx site: https://www.dlxsf.com/warranty/ and they get back to me pretty quickly.
Thanks! Sent them an email. I’ve only had them for a month, so it’d suck to just be out of $50 lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on October 11, 2023, 12:15:57 PM
Have had two sets of spits in the last year and a half with bearing seat issues. RF 60mm and conical full 58mm. They replaced them (with classic shapes each time) no prob and those didn’t have an issue. Tried another set of CF 58 and the same thing happened. Switched to 55mm tablets and had no issue. Didn’t wanna deal with a third warranty claim in a year and a half so took the L on the 58s. With both the RF and CF I had to use a bearing press to get them in and then they’d pop out. The 55 tablets had no issue getting the bearings in and they’re locked in. Same with the classic shape. I wonder if there’s an issue with the wider contact wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 11, 2023, 12:18:53 PM
They got back to me super fast. I have a set of 97a RFs coming. They didn’t have any 99s. If it happens again I’ll just stop buying that shape. My tablets, CFs, and Classics don’t have that issue.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on October 11, 2023, 12:49:26 PM
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i dont even know anymore
the dlx 8.75 shape ruined everything i believed was true
[close]

The 14.25 or the 14.62?
[close]
14.62
[close]

A friend and I call the 8.75/14.62 "The Destroyer of Worlds," because no matter what you think you know/like about the set-up you are riding, a week on the 8.75 will eviscerate "everything you believed was true."

I have one of those in my pile next up. The Joe Buffalo one. Stoked to get rolling on it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 11, 2023, 04:52:36 PM
Have had two sets of spits in the last year and a half with bearing seat issues. RF 60mm and conical full 58mm. They replaced them (with classic shapes each time) no prob and those didn’t have an issue. Tried another set of CF 58 and the same thing happened. Switched to 55mm tablets and had no issue. Didn’t wanna deal with a third warranty claim in a year and a half so took the L on the 58s. With both the RF and CF I had to use a bearing press to get them in and then they’d pop out. The 55 tablets had no issue getting the bearings in and they’re locked in. Same with the classic shape. I wonder if there’s an issue with the wider contact wheels.


It would be even just one of the molds for those wheel shapes that is a touch out, or not calibrated correctly, that would cause the shape issue.  I have seen other brands like Bones cutting out their own molds from aluminium or some metal like it and pouring urethane wheels, but not Spitfire, so don't know exactly how the mold sits, but there is usually a bottom cup like piece and then a top piece that fits in / locks in place for the duration of the process, which can then be taken off and the wheel popped out of the mold, before being cut down / shaped to what is desired, but that is only the outside area that is cut, not the inside.

There can be a lot of wheel molds all sitting together in rows / lines, so the possibility of getting just one wheel mold wrong from fifty to a hundred is still going to cause one wheel in every twelve to twenty five or so sets to be out, which might not sound like a whole lot, but that is still way too many wheels that can have issues in a few thousand sets of each shape / mold / run.

Stands to reason that some shapes have more issues than others, as dramas can unfold with new molds being created, whereas old molds might all be exactly correct for the tried and tested wheels, like Classics.


That's my take on it anyway.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 11, 2023, 05:09:03 PM
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Have had two sets of spits in the last year and a half with bearing seat issues. RF 60mm and conical full 58mm. They replaced them (with classic shapes each time) no prob and those didn’t have an issue. Tried another set of CF 58 and the same thing happened. Switched to 55mm tablets and had no issue. Didn’t wanna deal with a third warranty claim in a year and a half so took the L on the 58s. With both the RF and CF I had to use a bearing press to get them in and then they’d pop out. The 55 tablets had no issue getting the bearings in and they’re locked in. Same with the classic shape. I wonder if there’s an issue with the wider contact wheels.
[close]


It would be even just one of the molds for those wheel shapes that is a touch out, or not calibrated correctly, that would cause the shape issue.  I have seen other brands like Bones cutting out their own molds from aluminium or some metal like it and pouring urethane wheels, but not Spitfire, so don't know exactly how the mold sits, but there is usually a bottom cup like piece and then a top piece that fits in / locks in place for the duration of the process, which can then be taken off and the wheel popped out of the mold, before being cut down / shaped to what is desired, but that is only the outside area that is cut, not the inside.

There can be a lot of wheel molds all sitting together in rows / lines, so the possibility of getting just one wheel mold wrong from fifty to a hundred is still going to cause one wheel in every twelve to twenty five or so sets to be out, which might not sound like a whole lot, but that is still way too many wheels that can have issues in a few thousand sets of each shape / mold / run.

Stands to reason that some shapes have more issues than others, as dramas can unfold with new molds being created, whereas old molds might all be exactly correct for the tried and tested wheels, like Classics.


That's my take on it anyway.
They want me to send my wheels back to them, so hopefully they figure something out. Cause one bad wheel can ruin an entire setup. The other three worked perfectly. Kinda makes me wish they sold single wheels lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 11, 2023, 05:18:53 PM


They want me to send my wheels back to them, so hopefully they figure something out. Cause one bad wheel can ruin an entire setup. The other three worked perfectly. Kinda makes me wish they sold single wheels lol


I had even thought, but not sure if I actually said with the set I had with that issue if there was another single wheel from a set with a similar issue (which I know had happened) I would just take that one wheel in exchange, but that was a little difficult to do but hopefully someone somewhere can recycle any wheels that are ok and make sets from them to pass on to someone to skate.

The others that are not centered correctly can just end up on a display shelf or something.  At least that is where one set with one wheel that split is now.  Mementos of old times.


Glad that they got that going ASAP for you as well.  Sometimes things can take a while, but DLX is amazing with the warranty and customer service.

A lot of people don't know or realise that anything like that is definitely covered under warranty, vs the guy who power slides to stop and complains about flatspots, which is NOT covered.

Any which way, having any product that performs as required is often taken for granted, but it is nice that things do get fixed / replaced if there is a problem.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 12, 2023, 10:08:45 AM
my madness is quite pathetic:

i’ll watch clips of skating that get me hyped, and then want to buy that setup.

the latest would be some wade 2 trick clip, from his story. deck looked nice, 147s (i assume), small wheels. i wonder which shape board he skates.

and i’m back to looking at buying stuff, just like that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: marcusbutler on October 12, 2023, 10:21:25 AM
my madness is quite pathetic:

i’ll watch clips of skating that get me hyped, and then want to buy that setup.

the latest would be some wade 2 trick clip, from his story. deck looked nice, 147s (i assume), small wheels. i wonder which shape board he skates.

and i’m back to looking at buying stuff, just like that.

I saw dave bachinsky skated a 7.5". And daewon skated a small ass board as well. Convinced me to start skating smaller boards. Worst mistake of my life. Set up a thank you 7.6" board with 139 indy's. I could not lock into a krook or feeble for the life of me with those small ass trucks lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 12, 2023, 01:00:06 PM
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my madness is quite pathetic:

i’ll watch clips of skating that get me hyped, and then want to buy that setup.

the latest would be some wade 2 trick clip, from his story. deck looked nice, 147s (i assume), small wheels. i wonder which shape board he skates.

and i’m back to looking at buying stuff, just like that.
[close]

I saw dave bachinsky skated a 7.5". And daewon skated a small ass board as well. Convinced me to start skating smaller boards. Worst mistake of my life. Set up a thank you 7.6" board with 139 indy's. I could not lock into a krook or feeble for the life of me with those small ass trucks lol.

ha.
i’m so guilty.

that being said, i cannot feeble or k-grind. but. the most successful i’ve been landing flip tricks has come off of setups that are just under 8, with 8 trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 12, 2023, 02:45:17 PM
Had a good session today after changing my wheels, can’t believe I was about to toss out my 159 hollows cause some faulty wheels. No more locking up. Just hope the new ones don’t have the same issues.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: logjammin on October 12, 2023, 04:13:28 PM
my madness is quite pathetic:

i’ll watch clips of skating that get me hyped, and then want to buy that setup.

the latest would be some wade 2 trick clip, from his story. deck looked nice, 147s (i assume), small wheels. i wonder which shape board he skates.

and i’m back to looking at buying stuff, just like that.

I've done this so many times. I know for a fact wider trucks and bigger wheels are what suits my skating but I'll see clips of Stranger riding Ace 44's and like 52mm wheels, no risers, 8.2-8.3 deck I'm assuming and I'll be like...that's what I need, lower the ride man. Nope, every crack and pebble rattles my brain. Turn still bites sooner than I want...etc. But seeing Boserio running huge wheels on some Ace 44's kinda started the big wheel journey for me and that part stuck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GBLange on October 12, 2023, 06:01:13 PM
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my madness is quite pathetic:

i’ll watch clips of skating that get me hyped, and then want to buy that setup.

the latest would be some wade 2 trick clip, from his story. deck looked nice, 147s (i assume), small wheels. i wonder which shape board he skates.

and i’m back to looking at buying stuff, just like that.
[close]

I've done this so many times. I know for a fact wider trucks and bigger wheels are what suits my skating but I'll see clips of Stranger riding Ace 44's and like 52mm wheels, no risers, 8.2-8.3 deck I'm assuming and I'll be like...that's what I need, lower the ride man. Nope, every crack and pebble rattles my brain. Turn still bites sooner than I want...etc. But seeing Boserio running huge wheels on some Ace 44's kinda started the big wheel journey for me and that part stuck.

Yeah, boserio got me hooked on riding wheels bigger than 54mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on October 13, 2023, 02:41:22 AM
Had a good session today after changing my wheels, can’t believe I was about to toss out my 159 hollows cause some faulty wheels. No more locking up. Just hope the new ones don’t have the same issues.

With all due respect, at least 95% of the gear you've bought to skate that I've seen you post is quality and nearly every skater on here would enjoy skating those parts. Even the ones you've called out recently as "faulty" which likely weren't faulty, evident of MBrimmo's suggested solution(s).
Especially since much of it is so new.

Some of your concerns may be artificially placed on the gear since your skill level is still catching up to your stoke level on skateboarding and the gear. Not that you need to be reminded, but ride your gear more and enjoy the parts, my man!
Sometimes you gotta massage your set up's parts with your skate tools wgwn they're new and power through the "break-in" period. Usually, if ya let it break in you won't see almost any of these issues I've noticed you call out on here.

Forgive me, if this feels too direct of an attack. I wanna help you and anyone out there to fight the madness if they're willing. And, save money since gear is considerably more expensive than 2 years ago and before.

I suffer from buying too many shoes that I like, so I'm guilty of scratching that itch via spending $ on shoes instead of actually skating more often. 🙃 My sentiment is also self-applicable
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 13, 2023, 08:45:29 AM
Do y’all think it matters when one wheel is slower than the other? Sure it’s just a bearing, but shouldn’t the other wheels make up for it?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 13, 2023, 09:50:35 AM
Not unless it is significantly slower/locking up. Do you think all 4 wheels on a car have the same drag coefficient?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 13, 2023, 04:07:30 PM
Do y’all think it matters when one wheel is slower than the other? Sure it’s just a bearing, but shouldn’t the other wheels make up for it?


I always put the smallest wheel on the front heel, as well as the slowest spinning bearings.

Given some people skate a board both ways a lot more than me which could change things, but that is the easiest way I get around any bearing wearing issues, which usually means that wheel and bearing get the least wear and has the least amount of pressure on it, less weight, etc.  Sure I do pop shovits and similar things, but for the most part, that front heel position stays the same for the majority of my skating.

Sometimes I have also put the more crusty bearings or any that make more noise on the front wheels, with the better bearings on the back, or if they are about half and half, sometimes even the not so good ones paired with a good one so every wheel feels about the same.

Of course some people just leave that whole set or what is left of it in the spares box, as I did with six Bones Swiss Ceramic bearings, after someone lost a wheel and two bearings, but they are a different story and I didn't want to mix and match those with anything else.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MyUserName on October 14, 2023, 07:14:36 AM
I admittedly haven’t read all 54 pages of this thread, but I’m curious if anyone else has my obsessive tendency of ultra clean grip? When I apply a new sheet it has to be perfect, and I use grip gum at least every other session. I hate that I’m this way. I know after using a deck for a while, grip will eventually get dinged and torn but it instantly annoys me when it happens.

No other part of my board bothers me when it’s impacted by use. Just grip. Annoying.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 14, 2023, 07:25:01 AM
I admittedly haven’t read all 54 pages of this thread, but I’m curious if anyone else has my obsessive tendency of ultra clean grip? When I apply a new sheet it has to be perfect, and I use grip gum at least every other session. I hate that I’m this way. I know after using a deck for a while, grip will eventually get dinged and torn but it instantly annoys me when it happens.

No other part of my board bothers me when it’s impacted by use. Just grip. Annoying.

We have a few DIY & parking garages spots* here that are INSANELY dusty. Like, your grip tape comes out brown, and you need to clean your bearings after a few long sessions (all of which really makes think me/others should wear some kind of respiratory mask while skating there). After skating those places, or others like it, I absolutely use grip gum.

*My b/s disaster in my sig file is at one of those garages.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on October 14, 2023, 07:36:48 AM
I commend anyone dedicated to the passion of perfect grip....it's an uphill battle.  The grip gum in your car or at the door is a good idea.  Also re-gripping can be cleansing.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 14, 2023, 08:35:48 AM
I admittedly haven’t read all 54 pages of this thread, but I’m curious if anyone else has my obsessive tendency of ultra clean grip? When I apply a new sheet it has to be perfect, and I use grip gum at least every other session. I hate that I’m this way. I know after using a deck for a while, grip will eventually get dinged and torn but it instantly annoys me when it happens.

No other part of my board bothers me when it’s impacted by use. Just grip. Annoying.
And now in autumn there is no way grip stats without leaves
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Idk on October 14, 2023, 08:41:06 AM
I get too sweaty when I skate so it drips onto my grip. First few sessions I get upset but by the end of my decks life it is covered in light brown sweat drops.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 14, 2023, 09:53:22 AM
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I admittedly haven’t read all 54 pages of this thread, but I’m curious if anyone else has my obsessive tendency of ultra clean grip? When I apply a new sheet it has to be perfect, and I use grip gum at least every other session. I hate that I’m this way. I know after using a deck for a while, grip will eventually get dinged and torn but it instantly annoys me when it happens.

No other part of my board bothers me when it’s impacted by use. Just grip. Annoying.
[close]

We have a few DIY & parking garages spots* here that are INSANELY dusty. Like, your grip tape comes out brown, and you need to clean your bearings after a few long sessions (all of which really makes think me/others should wear some kind of respiratory mask while skating there). After skating those places, or others like it, I absolutely use grip gum.

*My b/s disaster in my sig file is at one of those garages.

Yeah there’s a nasty garage where everyone here skates and it’s actually kind of crazy that we all go exercise five floors below ground in a pit of automobile exhaust and bum piss/shit. Fortunately I’ve got a secret curb near to the water which is well above ground and is wide open to the breeze.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 14, 2023, 10:41:59 AM
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Do y’all think it matters when one wheel is slower than the other? Sure it’s just a bearing, but shouldn’t the other wheels make up for it?
[close]


I always put the smallest wheel on the front heel, as well as the slowest spinning bearings.

Given some people skate a board both ways a lot more than me which could change things, but that is the easiest way I get around any bearing wearing issues, which usually means that wheel and bearing get the least wear and has the least amount of pressure on it, less weight, etc.  Sure I do pop shovits and similar things, but for the most part, that front heel position stays the same for the majority of my skating.

Sometimes I have also put the more crusty bearings or any that make more noise on the front wheels, with the better bearings on the back, or if they are about half and half, sometimes even the not so good ones paired with a good one so every wheel feels about the same.

Of course some people just leave that whole set or what is left of it in the spares box, as I did with six Bones Swiss Ceramic bearings, after someone lost a wheel and two bearings, but they are a different story and I didn't want to mix and match those with anything else.
Sadly I'm one of those people who skate my board both ways. Even when I'm not riding a twintail, I use the nose as a tail when riding switch. I just paired the bad bearings with good ones. Even time the wheels, the "slow" one is only like 3 seconds slower so I doubt it makes a difference.

-------------

I'm weird about griptape. I have ten gently used decks with grip on them. These are decks I skated for a week or so. Nothing's wrong with them. I plan on riding a few this winter. But I have the urge to regrip them even though they're fine?

I switched to Pepper two setups ago.

Most of the decks have Mob/Jessup. Mob I don't mind so much, but I'm afraid Jessup will lead to an injury since I'm used to a grippier deck now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 21, 2023, 05:43:21 AM
So I got some 97a Spitfires and lost my No Comply Shuvs for a minute. I was confused at first, then realized that the harder wheels helped me scoop them more (broke traction easier). I eventually adjusted.

It’s funny how something so minor can make a difference. They also made my setup sound a little dead.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 21, 2023, 07:38:42 PM
They also made my setup sound a little dead.

Yup. Hate that sound.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 21, 2023, 08:24:47 PM
I'll be damned if I've ever noticed a setup issue with 180 no comply. I literally did one on an Enjoi kids board with foam grip today I have madness but that's a new level of ridiculousness and needing to simply practice technique
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 22, 2023, 01:13:34 AM
So I got some 97a Spitfires and lost my No Comply Shuvs for a minute. I was confused at first, then realized that the harder wheels helped me scoop them more (broke traction easier). I eventually adjusted.

It’s funny how something so minor can make a difference. They also made my setup sound a little dead.

Came in to say that no comply front shuv is probably one of my favorite tricks ever.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nymphicus hollandicus on October 22, 2023, 04:49:08 AM
Ok this is a madness related situation that I could do with some advice on. It is a fairly long and rambling rant/description so bear with me!

After trying out many different shapes, sizes and wheelbases over the years the deck that I like the most (Jart/HLC Classic 7.6” wide, 31.6” long, 14.2” wheelbase with low concave) isn’t currently available in the UK. (There are still some complete skateboards available with the same sized deck but after buying one and regripping it, I’m convinced they use less well finished decks for those in comparison to their individually sold decks). I’ve emailed HLC to ask them directly about supply of the individual decks to which they’ve replied they have none in stock and it doesn’t look like they are planning on making any for next year either. They have a Sk8mafia 7.6” option but it is too short at 31.04”.

I’ve recently set up a 7.5” and thought I would love it but in actuality it was just too narrow. 7.75” seems just a touch too wide, 7.6” is perfect for me and I feel like I have progressed much more since staying on this one size this year. As it stands, I have one very well used 7.6” currently set up and one slightly used spare deck on ice that I sourced from eBay, after that, no more.

So the way I see it is I have three options:
1: Try and buy up a few remaining exact replacement decks from mainland Europe and import them at a cost. My concerns with this is that the supply will eventually run out, then what? Part of my madness is hating the thought of using something that isn’t replaceable or is that becoming obsolete!

2: Deal with it, move on and reignite the madness by trying out new deck size/brands and dimensions again. The madness is real, I’m guilty of speeding far too much time wondering about other options as it is. I’m mildly annoyed that I would be changing something that I didn’t want to though and I’ve not wanted to stray since finding this size/shape.

3: Try and recreate the same deck dimensions by trimming down and reshaping a larger deck, say for example a high concave 8” with the same length and wheelbase. Surely with the sides trimmed-down that would make a medium/low concave 7.6”? Also, I’ve never attempted something like this, on paper it could work well but it would need practice.

Retaining the specific 31.6” length seems to be the biggest sticking point with replacing my 7.6”. Most of the current options (of which there are not many) from other brands seem to be around 31” - 31.2” in length these days. I’m not keen on 14” or below wheelbases either, 14.125” - 14.25” is my ideal wheelbase.

Any suggestions? How do you deal with the diminishing stock of a board you love and want to replace?
Thanks!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on October 22, 2023, 01:22:30 PM
Ok this is a madness related situation that I could do with some advice on. It is a fairly long and rambling rant/description so bear with me!

After trying out many different shapes, sizes and wheelbases over the years the deck that I like the most (Jart/HLC Classic 7.6” wide, 31.6” long, 14.2” wheelbase with low concave) isn’t currently available in the UK. (There are still some complete skateboards available with the same sized deck but after buying one and regripping it, I’m convinced they use less well finished decks for those in comparison to their individually sold decks). I’ve emailed HLC to ask them directly about supply of the individual decks to which they’ve replied they have none in stock and it doesn’t look like they are planning on making any for next year either. They have a Sk8mafia 7.6” option but it is too short at 31.04”.

I’ve recently set up a 7.5” and thought I would love it but in actuality it was just too narrow. 7.75” seems just a touch too wide, 7.6” is perfect for me and I feel like I have progressed much more since staying on this one size this year. As it stands, I have one very well used 7.6” currently set up and one slightly used spare deck on ice that I sourced from eBay, after that, no more.

So the way I see it is I have three options:
1: Try and buy up a few remaining exact replacement decks from mainland Europe and import them at a cost. My concerns with this is that the supply will eventually run out, then what? Part of my madness is hating the thought of using something that isn’t replaceable or is that becoming obsolete!

2: Deal with it, move on and reignite the madness by trying out new deck size/brands and dimensions again. The madness is real, I’m guilty of speeding far too much time wondering about other options as it is. I’m mildly annoyed that I would be changing something that I didn’t want to though and I’ve not wanted to stray since finding this size/shape.

3: Try and recreate the same deck dimensions by trimming down and reshaping a larger deck, say for example a high concave 8” with the same length and wheelbase. Surely with the sides trimmed-down that would make a medium/low concave 7.6”? Also, I’ve never attempted something like this, on paper it could work well but it would need practice.

Retaining the specific 31.6” length seems to be the biggest sticking point with replacing my 7.6”. Most of the current options (of which there are not many) from other brands seem to be around 31” - 31.2” in length these days. I’m not keen on 14” or below wheelbases either, 14.125” - 14.25” is my ideal wheelbase.

Any suggestions? How do you deal with the diminishing stock of a board you love and want to replace?
Thanks!

Oh man, it's never easy to change. But your case is kinda rare, haven't seen any 7.6 decks in ~15 years.
But if I were you, I would try to find a 8" deck with 31.6 length and a 14.25 wheelbase. I am sure, there are some.
I think DLX decks with that true fit mold could work for you. Best of luck and stay positive.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 22, 2023, 02:56:47 PM
Lighter Indy Mids is a perfect way to describe the pop but the turn is something else. They've got a pretty unique geometry. FWIW one of my good friends that has been on Indy for 15 years tried them and found them too squirrely unless he had like 3-4 threads showing. Supposedly Griffin Gass runs Ace hards in his but could be BS.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 23, 2023, 01:13:53 PM
Thought I was gonna go with this LBC Skate Shop deck, but it sounds like the wood is splintering when I stand on it. Bought it last year, but feel like it was made during COVID in 2020.

So I might setup a new deck. I know it’s silly, but out of the dozen decks I’ve skated over the last year none of them have sounded like they were about to break under my weight lol. I’m a bigger skater, but not that big 😂

This is my first shop deck. Not sure what woodshop they used. The deck also seems a little thicker than my pro ones.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nymphicus hollandicus on October 23, 2023, 02:13:46 PM
Expand Quote
Ok this is a madness related situation that I could do with some advice on. It is a fairly long and rambling rant/description so bear with me!

After trying out many different shapes, sizes and wheelbases over the years the deck that I like the most (Jart/HLC Classic 7.6” wide, 31.6” long, 14.2” wheelbase with low concave) isn’t currently available in the UK. (There are still some complete skateboards available with the same sized deck but after buying one and regripping it, I’m convinced they use less well finished decks for those in comparison to their individually sold decks). I’ve emailed HLC to ask them directly about supply of the individual decks to which they’ve replied they have none in stock and it doesn’t look like they are planning on making any for next year either. They have a Sk8mafia 7.6” option but it is too short at 31.04”.

I’ve recently set up a 7.5” and thought I would love it but in actuality it was just too narrow. 7.75” seems just a touch too wide, 7.6” is perfect for me and I feel like I have progressed much more since staying on this one size this year. As it stands, I have one very well used 7.6” currently set up and one slightly used spare deck on ice that I sourced from eBay, after that, no more.

So the way I see it is I have three options:
1: Try and buy up a few remaining exact replacement decks from mainland Europe and import them at a cost. My concerns with this is that the supply will eventually run out, then what? Part of my madness is hating the thought of using something that isn’t replaceable or is that becoming obsolete!

2: Deal with it, move on and reignite the madness by trying out new deck size/brands and dimensions again. The madness is real, I’m guilty of speeding far too much time wondering about other options as it is. I’m mildly annoyed that I would be changing something that I didn’t want to though and I’ve not wanted to stray since finding this size/shape.

3: Try and recreate the same deck dimensions by trimming down and reshaping a larger deck, say for example a high concave 8” with the same length and wheelbase. Surely with the sides trimmed-down that would make a medium/low concave 7.6”? Also, I’ve never attempted something like this, on paper it could work well but it would need practice.

Retaining the specific 31.6” length seems to be the biggest sticking point with replacing my 7.6”. Most of the current options (of which there are not many) from other brands seem to be around 31” - 31.2” in length these days. I’m not keen on 14” or below wheelbases either, 14.125” - 14.25” is my ideal wheelbase.

Any suggestions? How do you deal with the diminishing stock of a board you love and want to replace?
Thanks!
[close]

Oh man, it's never easy to change. But your case is kinda rare, haven't seen any 7.6 decks in ~15 years.
But if I were you, I would try to find a 8" deck with 31.6 length and a 14.25 wheelbase. I am sure, there are some.
I think DLX decks with that true fit mold could work for you. Best of luck and stay positive.

Thank you for your reply fs1/2cab and nice one for the recommendation, I’m not actually that familiar with a lot of DLX decks so I will definitely do some further research into them and their true fit moulds as they sound interesting.
P.S. I did get quite carried away with my last post offloading there, I just felt like getting it out of my system and this seems like the place to do it!

Shape wise I’m also now looking at a Polar 7.875” as apart from the width they have fairly similar dimensions and are both easily found and often on sale where I am. Also, another reason to try one is that it could be my first BBS made board.

Cheers again :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 23, 2023, 03:21:32 PM
Thought I was gonna go with this LBC Skate Shop deck, but it sounds like the wood is splintering when I stand on it. Bought it last year, but feel like it was made during COVID in 2020.

So I might setup a new deck. I know it’s silly, but out of the dozen decks I’ve skated over the last year none of them have sounded like they were about to break under my weight lol. I’m a bigger skater, but not that big 😂

This is my first shop deck. Not sure what woodshop they used. The deck also seems a little thicker than my pro ones.

If you're 245 as you previously said that is 100lbs heavier or 160% of the average skater. My friend that is a built 200 breaks decks with high frequency even. Back in the day when I was around 195 when I quit skating I was snapping shit constantly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 23, 2023, 04:04:17 PM
Expand Quote
Thought I was gonna go with this LBC Skate Shop deck, but it sounds like the wood is splintering when I stand on it. Bought it last year, but feel like it was made during COVID in 2020.

So I might setup a new deck. I know it’s silly, but out of the dozen decks I’ve skated over the last year none of them have sounded like they were about to break under my weight lol. I’m a bigger skater, but not that big 😂

This is my first shop deck. Not sure what woodshop they used. The deck also seems a little thicker than my pro ones.
[close]

If you're 245 as you previously said that is 100lbs heavier or 160% of the average skater. My friend that is a built 200 breaks decks with high frequency even. Back in the day when I was around 195 when I quit skating I was snapping shit constantly.
It's funny cause I've never snapped a deck. But it's probably cause I only skate flat and ollie infrequently due to my bad knee. Just no complies, cruising, and wheelies. I switched to one of my Girl decks and it's sturdy. No creaking sounds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on October 23, 2023, 04:45:27 PM
A creaking sound would simply drive me insane.

I had an April last year that was probably a bit old (Guy's first graphic) and it delammed sorta quickly. You could hear the deck creak and I kept riding it simply because it somehow worked and never snapped. It was really annoying and I mostly stuck with it because it performed well but if you're not popping much then I wouldn't put up with it.

The Chinese made decks sound great for bigger people. The epoxy is super stiff and they seem to last forever even for those that really skate hard.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jsettle on October 24, 2023, 03:23:48 AM
Been reading and looking up stuff about trucks constantly all day for the past 2 weeks or so lol. About to just pull the trigger on some Ace AF1s and try to stop thinking about trucks for a while. Its actually crazy how much ive been on here reading about trucks recently. Ive rode the ace classics and loved them, but never tried af1s so figure maybe thatll stop the madness for a bit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 24, 2023, 06:38:27 AM
Been reading and looking up stuff about trucks constantly all day for the past 2 weeks or so lol. About to just pull the trigger on some Ace AF1s and try to stop thinking about trucks for a while. Its actually crazy how much ive been on here reading about trucks recently. Ive rode the ace classics and loved them, but never tried af1s so figure maybe thatll stop the madness for a bit

The AF1s are great trucks, but if you think buying a new pair of trucks is going to curb your madness, I've got bad news for you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 24, 2023, 06:43:35 AM
Expand Quote
Been reading and looking up stuff about trucks constantly all day for the past 2 weeks or so lol. About to just pull the trigger on some Ace AF1s and try to stop thinking about trucks for a while. Its actually crazy how much ive been on here reading about trucks recently. Ive rode the ace classics and loved them, but never tried af1s so figure maybe thatll stop the madness for a bit
[close]

The AF1s are great trucks, but if you think buying a new pair of trucks is going to curb your madness, I've got bad news for you.
For what's worth I didn't like classics but I love AF1
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 24, 2023, 06:48:07 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Been reading and looking up stuff about trucks constantly all day for the past 2 weeks or so lol. About to just pull the trigger on some Ace AF1s and try to stop thinking about trucks for a while. Its actually crazy how much ive been on here reading about trucks recently. Ive rode the ace classics and loved them, but never tried af1s so figure maybe thatll stop the madness for a bit
[close]

The AF1s are great trucks, but if you think buying a new pair of trucks is going to curb your madness, I've got bad news for you.
[close]
For what's worth I didn't like classics but I love AF1

For sure, I think they are a huge improvement over the Classics in every regard, but my point is that gear acquisition under such a circumstance as obsessively reading about a pair of trucks will probably not stop one from continuing to obsess over trucks.

Anyone who likes Ace Classics and wants to try the AF1s should buy them. I'm basically now an Ace Lifer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 24, 2023, 02:43:25 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Been reading and looking up stuff about trucks constantly all day for the past 2 weeks or so lol. About to just pull the trigger on some Ace AF1s and try to stop thinking about trucks for a while. Its actually crazy how much ive been on here reading about trucks recently. Ive rode the ace classics and loved them, but never tried af1s so figure maybe thatll stop the madness for a bit
[close]

The AF1s are great trucks, but if you think buying a new pair of trucks is going to curb your madness, I've got bad news for you.
[close]
For what's worth I didn't like classics but I love AF1
[close]

For sure, I think they are a huge improvement over the Classics in every regard, but my point is that gear acquisition under such a circumstance as obsessively reading about a pair of trucks will probably not stop one from continuing to obsess over trucks.

Anyone who likes Ace Classics and wants to try the AF1s should buy them. I'm basically now an Ace Lifer.

you on the 44s? what decks you like? ace became the most goldilocks shit for me: board to board was way different in pop
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on October 24, 2023, 02:46:37 PM
Ace 44s with 8-8.125" decks, mostly Primitive lately because I bought some on one of their super sales and really like them. I have short legs so the tight wheelbase of the decks with the inset distance of the trucks helps my pop, which sucks anyway because I'm old and constantly injured.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jsettle on October 24, 2023, 02:48:56 PM
Expand Quote
Been reading and looking up stuff about trucks constantly all day for the past 2 weeks or so lol. About to just pull the trigger on some Ace AF1s and try to stop thinking about trucks for a while. Its actually crazy how much ive been on here reading about trucks recently. Ive rode the ace classics and loved them, but never tried af1s so figure maybe thatll stop the madness for a bit
[close]

The AF1s are great trucks, but if you think buying a new pair of trucks is going to curb your madness, I've got bad news for you.


Hahaha ya i know it wont fully cure the madness. Im sure i will love the af1s then get curious about thunders eventually hahah. But, ya havent tried out af1s yet but loved my classic 44s so figured i would give them a try.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 24, 2023, 03:01:46 PM
Ace 44s with 8-8.125" decks, mostly Primitive lately because I bought some on one of their super sales and really like them. I have short legs so the tight wheelbase of the decks with the inset distance of the trucks helps my pop, which sucks anyway because I'm old and constantly injured.

this tracks with my experience with aces: one the original run, i had the 33s, whites ones. back when ah and krooked would have 7.8s. the pop was good.
more recently i had them on a girl 14” wb, pop good. also old and injured.
i shouldn’t have bought into the effective wb stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on October 31, 2023, 07:48:54 AM
Did anybody figure out a truck setup of thunder hangers in some other longer baseplate that doesn't feel like shit?
The classic would be thunder hanger in venture plates. Which bushings though?

Yes pros can slide just fine on the thunder plate. I'm not pro and it's 1000 times easier to slide loooong on other trucks.
(I'm close to axle on the thunders and want to keep skating the hangers)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 31, 2023, 10:49:45 AM
Did anybody figure out a truck setup of thunder hangers in some other longer baseplate that doesn't feel like shit?
The classic would be thunder hanger in venture plates. Which bushings though?

Yes pros can slide just fine on the thunder plate. I'm not pro and it's 1000 times easier to slide loooong on other trucks.
(I'm close to axle on the thunders and want to keep skating the hangers)

it’s been mentioned on here, somewhere.
i think johnny tang, whom i only have seen from deep dives on ig, had some shit like this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on November 01, 2023, 06:33:06 AM
Did anybody figure out a truck setup of thunder hangers in some other longer baseplate that doesn't feel like shit?
The classic would be thunder hanger in venture plates. Which bushings though?

Yes pros can slide just fine on the thunder plate. I'm not pro and it's 1000 times easier to slide loooong on other trucks.
(I'm close to axle on the thunders and want to keep skating the hangers)
Make life easier and just skate a whole venture truck. Even with the thunder hanger it will still turn like a venture. Although the thunder grinds so damn good I kinda see what you're going for.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on November 01, 2023, 04:38:01 PM
I’ve decided to focus on progression next year instead of hoarding gear. But I have like a dozen new decks. This wouldn’t be an issue, but since I want to progress I’m just gonna stick to Crailtap’s G053 shape.

Might revisit the other decks one day. Have any of y’all ever skated a new deck that was like 3-4 years old?

I feel like they’ll be fine. They’ll be in my apartment, in a box under my bed stack with similar decks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 01, 2023, 05:17:24 PM
I’ve decided to focus on progression next year instead of hoarding gear. But I have like a dozen new decks. This wouldn’t be an issue, but since I want to progress I’m just gonna stick to Crailtap’s G053 shape.

Might revisit the other decks one day. Have any of y’all ever skated a new deck that was like 3-4 years old?

I feel like they’ll be fine. They’ll be in my apartment, in a box under my bed stack with similar decks.

that’s a really good board to stick with.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on November 01, 2023, 05:40:25 PM
Expand Quote
I’ve decided to focus on progression next year instead of hoarding gear. But I have like a dozen new decks. This wouldn’t be an issue, but since I want to progress I’m just gonna stick to Crailtap’s G053 shape.

Might revisit the other decks one day. Have any of y’all ever skated a new deck that was like 3-4 years old?

I feel like they’ll be fine. They’ll be in my apartment, in a box under my bed stack with similar decks.
[close]

that’s a really good board to stick with.
I love it. Just feels so right. Pairs well with my 159s and 55m Lock In Fulls. I could ride this setup for the rest of my life 😌
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 01, 2023, 06:42:27 PM
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Expand Quote
I’ve decided to focus on progression next year instead of hoarding gear. But I have like a dozen new decks. This wouldn’t be an issue, but since I want to progress I’m just gonna stick to Crailtap’s G053 shape.

Might revisit the other decks one day. Have any of y’all ever skated a new deck that was like 3-4 years old?

I feel like they’ll be fine. They’ll be in my apartment, in a box under my bed stack with similar decks.
[close]

that’s a really good board to stick with.
[close]
I love it. Just feels so right. Pairs well with my 159s and 55m Lock In Fulls. I could ride this setup for the rest of my life 😌

that’s a great notion! and i hope keep it.


i’ve never had allegiance to one setup. and i regret that, too busy trying on dresses, missed the dance.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 05, 2023, 05:06:11 PM
for the last 10 years i’ve been unintentionally committed to not skating the same setup, twice in a row. bad sentence.
often this was just a result of sporadicly skating, too much work/other stuff, etc. it is obvious in my mental health makeup that i want to try the next thing.
i say that to say this: i’m not sure where home is.

if you had to start all over, what would you begin with? i’ve been skating such wildly different setups/gear, i don’t have a good bead on what ‘works’ (in truth, it’s me and my physical limitations, i’ve changed a lot).
my latest inclination is to just buy whatever the most common complete would be, if this era, and then just stick with that. or give it a month.
skating isn’t currently as homogeneous as it has been, there doesn’t seem to be as much of a uniform setup, compared to the days of my youth, or even 10ish years ago
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 05, 2023, 09:24:58 PM
for the last 10 years i’ve been unintentionally committed to not skating the same setup, twice in a row. bad sentence.
often this was just a result of sporadicly skating, too much work/other stuff, etc. it is obvious in my mental health makeup that i want to try the next thing.
i say that to say this: i’m not sure where home is.

if you had to start all over, what would you begin with? i’ve been skating such wildly different setups/gear, i don’t have a good bead on what ‘works’ (in truth, it’s me and my physical limitations, i’ve changed a lot).
my latest inclination is to just buy whatever the most common complete would be, if this era, and then just stick with that. or give it a month.
skating isn’t currently as homogeneous as it has been, there doesn’t seem to be as much of a uniform setup, compared to the days of my youth, or even 10ish years ago
Maybe to recreate the setup of your prime?
In my case I spent an awful amount of time and money figuring out what's best for me and at the end that's = 8.25 with a 14 WB and no longer than 32 (G052 and Primitive shapes are my fav), Jessup Ultra, Ace AF1 (currently I'm on 44 but I did best with 55), F4 99 OG classics 53mm (Currently on CF 53mm since I couldn't find the aforementioned) and obviously swiss 6 (regular ones are ok too).
Regarding shoes 808 are my to go with 480 being a solid alternative.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on November 05, 2023, 11:53:34 PM
Expand Quote
for the last 10 years i’ve been unintentionally committed to not skating the same setup, twice in a row. bad sentence.
often this was just a result of sporadicly skating, too much work/other stuff, etc. it is obvious in my mental health makeup that i want to try the next thing.
i say that to say this: i’m not sure where home is.

if you had to start all over, what would you begin with? i’ve been skating such wildly different setups/gear, i don’t have a good bead on what ‘works’ (in truth, it’s me and my physical limitations, i’ve changed a lot).
my latest inclination is to just buy whatever the most common complete would be, if this era, and then just stick with that. or give it a month.
skating isn’t currently as homogeneous as it has been, there doesn’t seem to be as much of a uniform setup, compared to the days of my youth, or even 10ish years ago
[close]
Maybe to recreate the setup of your prime?
this

it wasnt necessarily my “prime”
but a setup i made a ton of progress on
after years of fucking around trying different shit
even going down as far as 8.25 for a minute
i ended up virtually on the same board

the prime setup:
antihero 9/33.25/15wb
thunder 151 hollows
52mm radial slims
1/8 risers

where im at 4 years later:
polar 9/32.5/14.5wb
venture 6.1 hollows
52ish radial fulls
ditched risers

if you ever want out of madness/finding home base
i have sort of an idea after spending thousands in the search

remember the board that you learned the most with
i think we all know that one, hard to forget the feeling
try and find it again or something close to it

pick a truck that fits that board. get married to it, settle down
id recommend cheating on your partner before your trucks
you will never be satisfied with and open truck relationship

once you get that setup, theres another vital rule
stay out of threads that dont involve the gear you skate
you will be persuaded back down a consumerist rabbit hole
and theres countless better things to blow money on
worked pretty well for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 06, 2023, 07:00:23 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
for the last 10 years i’ve been unintentionally committed to not skating the same setup, twice in a row. bad sentence.
often this was just a result of sporadicly skating, too much work/other stuff, etc. it is obvious in my mental health makeup that i want to try the next thing.
i say that to say this: i’m not sure where home is.

if you had to start all over, what would you begin with? i’ve been skating such wildly different setups/gear, i don’t have a good bead on what ‘works’ (in truth, it’s me and my physical limitations, i’ve changed a lot).
my latest inclination is to just buy whatever the most common complete would be, if this era, and then just stick with that. or give it a month.
skating isn’t currently as homogeneous as it has been, there doesn’t seem to be as much of a uniform setup, compared to the days of my youth, or even 10ish years ago
[close]
Maybe to recreate the setup of your prime?
[close]
this

it wasnt necessarily my “prime”
but a setup i made a ton of progress on
after years of fucking around trying different shit
even going down as far as 8.25 for a minute
i ended up virtually on the same board

the prime setup:
antihero 9/33.25/15wb
thunder 151 hollows
52mm radial slims
1/8 risers

where im at 4 years later:
polar 9/32.5/14.5wb
venture 6.1 hollows
52ish radial fulls
ditched risers

if you ever want out of madness/finding home base
i have sort of an idea after spending thousands in the search

remember the board that you learned the most with
i think we all know that one, hard to forget the feeling
try and find it again or something close to it

pick a truck that fits that board. get married to it, settle down
id recommend cheating on your partner before your trucks
you will never be satisfied with and open truck relationship

once you get that setup, theres another vital rule
stay out of threads that dont involve the gear you skate
you will be persuaded back down a consumerist rabbit hole
and theres countless better things to blow money on
worked pretty well for me

hey i appreciate it!

my ‘prime’ was maybe 20+ years ago, and trying to ride tiny boards, low trucks and small wheels is hard. skating and aging is hard, ha.
i’ve used gear swaps as a way to get motivated and that’s a gross mentality.
you know how people eventually just accept that they are uncool and start dressing age appropriate? i’m overdue. just need to the get the dockers of skate setups.
i’ve got a buddy who rarely skates, he bought a legacy brand deck (not the actual company legacy), in 8.25, 144s, 53 classics. that’s the energy i need.
‘one what everyone else is having please’
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on November 06, 2023, 08:43:33 AM

pick a truck that fits that board. get married to it, settle down
id recommend cheating on your partner before your trucks
you will never be satisfied with and open truck relationship



Solid advice. I'd go as far to say, pick decks that fit the trucks you are committed to. Don't fuck with your trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 06, 2023, 09:03:32 AM
I wonder if our primes were really as good as we think? I was better at flip tricks and low altitude manual pad/mini ramp tricks by far, but I don't think I knew what a slappy was and my pop wasn't as solid especially switch.

Back then my setup was usually like a 7.6-8" AWS/Habitat, 7.75 Aesthetics. Or 7.75 Crail with Venture 5.0/5.2 or Thunder 145 low. I skated as low as 7.4, but after BA telling me to try a slightly bigger board and loving an 8 as a taller skater 7.75 ended up being the smallest I could fathom in like 2000. At one point I got a Toy Machine fists 8.25/Thunder 147 and that was when I first unlocked actually doing things fast.

I'm more convinced now that if I had the gear I do today I woulda learned to skate better and faster.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on November 06, 2023, 09:33:34 AM
I wonder if our primes were really as good as we think? I was better at flip tricks and low altitude manual pad/mini ramp tricks by far, but I don't think I knew what a slappy was and my pop wasn't as solid especially switch.

Back then my setup was usually like a 7.6-8" AWS/Habitat, 7.75 Aesthetics. Or 7.75 Crail with Venture 5.0/5.2 or Thunder 145 low. I skated as low as 7.4, but after BA telling me to try a slightly bigger board and loving an 8 as a taller skater 7.75 ended up being the smallest I could fathom in like 2000. At one point I got a Toy Machine fists 8.25/Thunder 147 and that was when I first unlocked actually doing things fast.

I'm more convinced now that if I had the gear I do today I woulda learned to skate better and faster.

I think about this all the time. I was definitely able to do tricks a lot easier. My setups got bigger over time but I’m back on 7.75’s now. Skating feels easier with a smaller setup as a small dude. But there is a certain stability I miss with a bigger setup. Especially when going fast. Since I mostly only skate ledges, manual pads and curbs I’m gonna stick with what feels good now.

I get in my head when I see the dudes who I think rip and how big their boards are. But no point in riding something that feels like a boat to me just because it’s the current standard.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 06, 2023, 09:46:28 AM
I wonder if our primes were really as good as we think? I was better at flip tricks and low altitude manual pad/mini ramp tricks by far, but I don't think I knew what a slappy was and my pop wasn't as solid especially switch.

Back then my setup was usually like a 7.6-8" AWS/Habitat, 7.75 Aesthetics. Or 7.75 Crail with Venture 5.0/5.2 or Thunder 145 low. I skated as low as 7.4, but after BA telling me to try a slightly bigger board and loving an 8 as a taller skater 7.75 ended up being the smallest I could fathom in like 2000. At one point I got a Toy Machine fists 8.25/Thunder 147 and that was when I first unlocked actually doing things fast.

I'm more convinced now that if I had the gear I do today I woulda learned to skate better and faster.

completely agree on chasing past ghosts (re: my long past prime).

the sentiment of riding a similar setup to your best session, first heard from some geoff rowley setup video.

your past setups are describing mine, very much so.
i would skate small, narrow, low setups, skate very slow, try lots of flip tricks, and occasionally ollie over or onto something relatively high. not much of a prime. trying to skate these small setups now, lots of tricks are easier, if i’m going really slow. really really slow.

there was a few times where i setup ‘big’ boards, to function as a cruiser. these would be 8” ish (i swear the orange eagle was this size in like 2002), 8” indys, 54s. me and my friends would get drunk and then be shocked when we could kickflip the insanely wide board. no light bulbs went off, no one thought it might be a good idea. i had 8.5 hewitt during that time and it looked like what 9.5-10 popsicle would look like to me now.

i struggle with skating fast, but it’s a lot easier on a bigger longer board. yesterday that meant more slams, slightly faster, as i couldn’t flip the behemoth around
so to rehash, totally agree prime was never all that. i don’t expect to be good, or even not gross. with all of my experimentations, i’m not even sure where i find something that feels comfortable for just a nice ollie.
i’m short, i was thinking an 8-8.25, 148s, 53 ish classics. i wonder what the most basic 8.25 is? the dlx 8.25x14.38x32?

if someone who didn’t skate, came into a shop, i guess that’s about what i’d recommend
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on November 06, 2023, 10:42:30 AM
My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 06, 2023, 11:03:11 AM
My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago

well fuckin good for you fucko




jk. athletic prime for me was 33 ish. i could ollie the highest at that time.

i think it’s rad you’ve stayed skating, and kept gear close enough. i quit for drinking and work, and then the gear….well yeah, i’m obviously a mess there.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on November 06, 2023, 04:24:27 PM
Expand Quote
My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago
[close]

well fuckin good for you fucko




jk. athletic prime for me was 33 ish. i could ollie the highest at that time.

i think it’s rad you’ve stayed skating, and kept gear close enough. i quit for drinking and work, and then the gear….well yeah, i’m obviously a mess there.

Hahah I was more so driving home the point that your "prime" can evolve as you age. Some pros have gotten better even though they were beyond their "prime."

Thanks, though! Had some older skaters set me straight on gear quality/preferences early on so I could curb the madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 06, 2023, 04:59:48 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago
[close]

well fuckin good for you fucko




jk. athletic prime for me was 33 ish. i could ollie the highest at that time.

i think it’s rad you’ve stayed skating, and kept gear close enough. i quit for drinking and work, and then the gear….well yeah, i’m obviously a mess there.
[close]

Hahah I was more so driving home the point that your "prime" can evolve as you age. Some pros have gotten better even though they were beyond their "prime."

Thanks, though! Had some older skaters set me straight on gear quality/preferences early on so I could curb the madness


Talking about people in their prime, I recall back in 2003 when Mike V came out with his assorted crew for his current brand at the time, a demo at a mostly transition based park and a small but vocal group of locals heckled him as one young local ripper was "showing him up" with most things he was skating and trying, air variations and what not.

Already kind of old for a pro and often taking a while to get some tricks, he was not put off and went through his list of tricks like a man on a mission, but some things were harder than others, that was for sure.

When he got to meet the "wonder kid" after the demo and gave him a board or something, he said something like "I can only hope you still have half of those tricks when you get to my age, cause you sure are ripping now, but give it twenty years and then see how you feel after a hard session" or something like that.

The reason that stuck with me, (besides it being on video I took) was that "wonder kid" had his day in the sun but gave up skating after a while and moved on to other things, which just goes to show, some people will peak and then be done and gone just as quickly as they came, while others will stick with it, maybe well after their prime but still keep skating, whatever the reason.


Sure I am well past it at 48 now, maybe twenty to thirty years past what could have been my prime too, but that doesn't stop me getting out and having a roll and giving it a good go still, even though my body can't take half of what I want to try now, but then other things are all kinds of awesome and I would have never thought to try this or that back then when my skateboarding priorities were different.

Sure I can get bummed sometimes thinking about what I used to be able to do, but I try to think more about what I can still do and what I might be able to try in the future, as well as being stoked for others I skate with who are still on the rise, so from that perspective, I am not so worried about the finer details.





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 06, 2023, 05:43:32 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago
[close]

well fuckin good for you fucko




jk. athletic prime for me was 33 ish. i could ollie the highest at that time.

i think it’s rad you’ve stayed skating, and kept gear close enough. i quit for drinking and work, and then the gear….well yeah, i’m obviously a mess there.
[close]

Hahah I was more so driving home the point that your "prime" can evolve as you age. Some pros have gotten better even though they were beyond their "prime."

Thanks, though! Had some older skaters set me straight on gear quality/preferences early on so I could curb the madness
[close]


Talking about people in their prime, I recall back in 2003 when Mike V came out with his assorted crew for his current brand at the time, a demo at a mostly transition based park and a small but vocal group of locals heckled him as one young local ripper was "showing him up" with most things he was skating and trying, air variations and what not.

Already kind of old for a pro and often taking a while to get some tricks, he was not put off and went through his list of tricks like a man on a mission, but some things were harder than others, that was for sure.

When he got to meet the "wonder kid" after the demo and gave him a board or something, he said something like "I can only hope you still have half of those tricks when you get to my age, cause you sure are ripping now, but give it twenty years and then see how you feel after a hard session" or something like that.

The reason that stuck with me, (besides it being on video I took) was that "wonder kid" had his day in the sun but gave up skating after a while and moved on to other things, which just goes to show, some people will peak and then be done and gone just as quickly as they came, while others will stick with it, maybe well after their prime but still keep skating, whatever the reason.


Sure I am well past it at 48 now, maybe twenty to thirty years past what could have been my prime too, but that doesn't stop me getting out and having a roll and giving it a good go still, even though my body can't take half of what I want to try now, but then other things are all kinds of awesome and I would have never thought to try this or that back then when my skateboarding priorities were different.

Sure I can get bummed sometimes thinking about what I used to be able to do, but I try to think more about what I can still do and what I might be able to try in the future, as well as being stoked for others I skate with who are still on the rise, so from that perspective, I am not so worried about the finer details.

this is a rad mentality, the notion of just getting out there, being a lifer. i’m still stuck in trying to land flatground tricks i only had so so in 1996. my skating never elvolved, or changed, as i got older. i see lots of folks shredding as they get older, usually a combination of great fundamentals/ go-to’s, natural ability, and then mixing in heavy doses of transition. (jesse paez has some clips on instagram that are an excellent example).
transition wasn’t in my area, and then when it became more available, i was to insecure to start from scratch, and just preferred to creep around and try my little worm burner flip flops. learning ramp shit now, is terrifying. but. it’s better than not skating. i’ve definitely taken uncomfortable slams on really really really basic stuff, rock fakies and that.
some days when everything is not working i’ll just ride around and do shuv-it’s and try and be grateful i’m not at work.

went out to today with multiple setups and just had a bunch of fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 06, 2023, 06:26:32 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago
[close]

well fuckin good for you fucko




jk. athletic prime for me was 33 ish. i could ollie the highest at that time.

i think it’s rad you’ve stayed skating, and kept gear close enough. i quit for drinking and work, and then the gear….well yeah, i’m obviously a mess there.
[close]

Hahah I was more so driving home the point that your "prime" can evolve as you age. Some pros have gotten better even though they were beyond their "prime."

Thanks, though! Had some older skaters set me straight on gear quality/preferences early on so I could curb the madness

"The older he gets, the better he thinks he was" - I think @j....soy..... said something to this effect a while back.

I've stopped thinking about trying to relive my prime - there were things I did better in my teens and things I'm doing better now in my late 30s, it's part of aging gracefully. The last thing I want to be is that old fuck at the session loudly reliving his glory days to anyone within earshot.

As for my prime setup - it's way too specific to recreate and only fit my skating at that moment, 2023 me would hate that same setup.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on November 10, 2023, 02:57:17 PM
someone here got me thinking about going back to 1 setup
i tried some spitifre 97a F4 54 mm classics today and i actually dont like how sticky they are. i am like 99% sure i just like the 99a better.
my 8.38 board has these 51mm 99a classics worn down as fuck and they feel reallllly shitty at a crusty spot.
but on my egg board i have these 54mm conical full 99a f4s and they go through crust wayyyy better
i dont want to say its cause 1 has better bearings than the other because the small wheel one spins really well and it goes quite well at skateparks for me etc. but the bigger wheel one clearly feels way faster. and way better over the crust as i said which is a huge factor in getting me back to 1 setup with the wide wheel. this wheel shape seems to be really working for me on this setup too... so i thought back to my original point
why not just go back to 1 setup
no rails
not sure whether 54 or 54mm conical full will make a difference but something around there.
i like the "smaller" board with big wheels.
I am on thunder teams 148s which are 52mm but i think it will be fine. if you are going to wheel bite
i can pull out the rails setup as i need to but its not something i actually need super often i am finding. it is fun but i dont think i am getting the most out of it. the spots i am typically utilizing them at i also dont really need to have a fresh deck for because they are like 4" high.

i set up the 8.38 with tiny tiny classics beucase it feels pretty sick when you skate a perfect spot. skateparks feel money, never feel like idrag on noseslides. my board feels a nice medium size to land on without being bulky. i still get good feedback from my trucks because they are teams. the turning is not complete tic tac land becuase they are 148s but i will admit they arent loosey goosey if thats what you wanna go for. i dont really need that though i would just ride a wide setup if i really wanted loose turning liek that (its way more stable... that just feels dangerous to me to ride skinny boards death loose but maybe makes sense for smaller guys) but like just put some bigger damn wheels on thing and you can take it anywhere right? i know it wont limit my tricks or spots or aynthing. i am considering even going up to like 56 just to be really wild and have hella speed. i was riding 56mm on indy standards for 10+ years. on 8" boards. i love that small board big wheel setup!!!! then i am confident i dont need to roll with that extra setup. i think i can still do all the combos and shit. like noseslide to crook.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 17, 2023, 10:09:24 AM
Random Note from the Land of Madness

About two months ago, while skating mini ramp, I didn’t like the way my front toe-side wheel was “locking in” (e.g. slipping out) on b/s 50-50s. I switched over to Conicals, which had a much better “lock.” Historically, I haven’t liked Conicals for street skating. I decided to give them another, pro-longed, chance. After a bit, I started to get used to them, and even somewhat like them. Def a smoother ride than Classics (bigger contact patch), good lock-in on 50-50s. I didn’t like them as much on feeble/smith grinds, and f/s 5-0s (when truck is angled a bit). They also had a “lesser slappy.” But, I was liking them. So, a bit later I am back on a mini ramp. I started having some trouble with pivot to fakies, and axle stalls to fakie. I bailed a few (slammed one pivot to fake quite hard) because the conicals were locking in just a tad too much during reentry. In 2019 I broke my leg on trick to fakie, and I will never fully get over the fear that created. Sometimes it seems like it’s gone. Sometimes it just comes back with acute vengeance, totally out of the blue. Pivot fakies have always scared me a bit, and with the broken leg context, the “fear to fakie” was suddenly back—I didn’t even want to try them again. I switched back over to my Classics, but it was two weeks before I even started trying them again, but I was too scared to commit to any of them. The next session I came back wearing every pad I owned, and once I committed, started pulling them every time.

The mind, triggered by gear nuance, is, well…maddening.

I won’t be riding Conicals again.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 17, 2023, 11:42:30 AM
someone here got me thinking about going back to 1 setup
i tried some spitifre 97a F4 54 mm classics today and i actually dont like how sticky they are. i am like 99% sure i just like the 99a better.
my 8.38 board has these 51mm 99a classics worn down as fuck and they feel reallllly shitty at a crusty spot.
but on my egg board i have these 54mm conical full 99a f4s and they go through crust wayyyy better
i dont want to say its cause 1 has better bearings than the other because the small wheel one spins really well and it goes quite well at skateparks for me etc. but the bigger wheel one clearly feels way faster. and way better over the crust as i said which is a huge factor in getting me back to 1 setup with the wide wheel. this wheel shape seems to be really working for me on this setup too... so i thought back to my original point
why not just go back to 1 setup
no rails
not sure whether 54 or 54mm conical full will make a difference but something around there.
i like the "smaller" board with big wheels.
I am on thunder teams 148s which are 52mm but i think it will be fine. if you are going to wheel bite
i can pull out the rails setup as i need to but its not something i actually need super often i am finding. it is fun but i dont think i am getting the most out of it. the spots i am typically utilizing them at i also dont really need to have a fresh deck for because they are like 4" high.

i set up the 8.38 with tiny tiny classics beucase it feels pretty sick when you skate a perfect spot. skateparks feel money, never feel like idrag on noseslides. my board feels a nice medium size to land on without being bulky. i still get good feedback from my trucks because they are teams. the turning is not complete tic tac land becuase they are 148s but i will admit they arent loosey goosey if thats what you wanna go for. i dont really need that though i would just ride a wide setup if i really wanted loose turning liek that (its way more stable... that just feels dangerous to me to ride skinny boards death loose but maybe makes sense for smaller guys) but like just put some bigger damn wheels on thing and you can take it anywhere right? i know it wont limit my tricks or spots or aynthing. i am considering even going up to like 56 just to be really wild and have hella speed. i was riding 56mm on indy standards for 10+ years. on 8" boards. i love that small board big wheel setup!!!! then i am confident i dont need to roll with that extra setup. i think i can still do all the combos and shit. like noseslide to crook.

Why not just slowly go up in wheels. If you have 51 Classic try a 52 Radial. Its wider riding surface but the c-c width is similar. Or 53. You might not need 54+ and find that just the wheel change is a happy medium.

I remember in Jake Anderson's interview he said he was skating some realllllly crusty spots so he went up from 52 to a 54. Very few pros ride bigger than 54 and many, if not most, are on a Classic shape (probably a 70/30 or 60/40 split between classic shapes and wider conical shapes). Many pros skate all flavors of crust, normal terrain, etc on the same wheel and it might not be ideal, but if it is middle-of-the-road-enough you probably won't be at a complete loss at spots as you are now and will get used to pushing/speed reduction. In a country where cardiovascular diseases are a prominent cause of death think of it as prolonging life.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 17, 2023, 11:44:11 AM
Random Note from the Land of Madness

About two months ago, while skating mini ramp, I didn’t like the way my front toe-side wheel was “locking in” (e.g. slipping out) on b/s 50-50s. I switched over to Conicals, which had a much better “lock.” Historically, I haven’t liked Conicals for street skating. I decided to give them another, pro-longed, chance. After a bit, I started to get used to them, and even somewhat like them. Def a smoother ride than Classics (bigger contact patch), good lock-in on 50-50s. I didn’t like them as much on feeble/smith grinds, and f/s 5-0s (when truck is angled a bit). They also had a “lesser slappy.” But, I was liking them. So, a bit later I am back on a mini ramp. I started having some trouble with pivot to fakies, and axle stalls to fakie. I bailed a few (slammed one pivot to fake quite hard) because the conicals were locking in just a tad too much during reentry. In 2019 I broke my leg on trick to fakie, and I will never fully get over the fear that created. Sometimes it seems like it’s gone. Sometimes it just comes back with acute vengeance, totally out of the blue. Pivot fakies have always scared me a bit, and with the broken leg context, the “fear to fakie” was suddenly back—I didn’t even want to try them again. I switched back over to my Classics, but it was two weeks before I even started trying them again, but I was too scared to commit to any of them. The next session I came back wearing every pad I owned, and once I committed, started pulling them every time.

The mind, triggered by gear nuance, is, well…maddening.

I won’t be riding Conicals again.   

Radials might be your new best friend. The side profile is lovely and does make a tiny difference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Crabby_Bastard on November 17, 2023, 03:12:59 PM
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There is an 8.75 Unity with IV concave sitting at the local shop and I'm close to pulling the trigger.  I had it with the Eagle graphic, Indy 159 hollow forged and 54mm F4 Conicals and loved it.
[close]

Well done. That is my exact set-up for that deck, and damn, it feels so good (when I stray from my 8.25). Get that Unity.

Anyone skate 149 Thunders or Indies on the white eagle shape? I checked out that board at my local. Shape looks good, felt good under my feet. I just do want to buy 159s to go with it. I prefer to skate the trucks I have until they die.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 17, 2023, 03:19:29 PM
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Expand Quote
There is an 8.75 Unity with IV concave sitting at the local shop and I'm close to pulling the trigger.  I had it with the Eagle graphic, Indy 159 hollow forged and 54mm F4 Conicals and loved it.
[close]

Well done. That is my exact set-up for that deck, and damn, it feels so good (when I stray from my 8.25). Get that Unity.
[close]

Anyone skate 149 Thunders or Indies on the white eagle shape? I checked out that board at my local. Shape looks good, felt good under my feet. I just do want to buy 159s to go with it. I prefer to skate the trucks I have until they die.


It will definitely work well enough, so no problems there.  Others I know do that with all their setups, eg deck size up from trucks.

It works well with big wide wheels too, but any wheel will still skate ok.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Crabby_Bastard on November 17, 2023, 03:36:15 PM
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
There is an 8.75 Unity with IV concave sitting at the local shop and I'm close to pulling the trigger.  I had it with the Eagle graphic, Indy 159 hollow forged and 54mm F4 Conicals and loved it.
[close]

Well done. That is my exact set-up for that deck, and damn, it feels so good (when I stray from my 8.25). Get that Unity.
[close]


Anyone skate 149 Thunders or Indies on the white eagle shape? I checked out that board at my local. Shape looks good, felt good under my feet. I just do want to buy 159s to go with it. I prefer to skate the trucks I have until they die.
[close]


It will definitely work well enough, so no problems there.  Others I know do that with all their setups, eg deck size up from trucks.

It works well with big wide wheels too, but any wheel will still skate ok.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on November 18, 2023, 03:13:07 PM
I’ve never really had truck madness until recently. Now, I’m losing my mind over it. Tried venture lows, too low. Tried venture hi’s (forged plates) and it was better. But still felt a little too high off the ground. I liked how snappy they were tho. The only options that I have left that are in between those two in terms of height are: Thunders, mindy and ace lows.

In my late teens through early twenties I was strictly a forged Indy guy. This madness stemmed from me remembering that I liked Indy’s for the most part but wanted something lower. I’m a shrimp. So, feeling lower to the ground feels more natural.

With the V-lights, I felt like I was exerting too much energy to hit the tail down. My legs are short and I’m older. In order to get good pop on higher trucks, I have to have a heavy pop foot. I get so tired so fast. One of the only things I like about venture lo’s was that I didn’t have to use up my energy like that and I could skate longer.

This is mostly just me ranting. But if any short kings out there wanna provide some insight, I would greatly appreciate it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 18, 2023, 03:14:43 PM
I’ve never really had truck madness until recently. Now, I’m losing my mind over it. Tried venture lows, too low. Tried venture hi’s (forged plates) and it was better. But still felt a little too high off the ground. I liked how snappy they were tho. The only options that I have left that are in between those two in terms of height are: Thunders, mindy and ace lows.

In my late teens through early twenties I was strictly a forged Indy guy. This madness stemmed from me remembering that I liked Indy’s for the most part but wanted something lower. I’m a shrimp. So, feeling lower to the ground feels more natural.

With the V-lights, I felt like I was exerting too much energy to hit the tail down. My legs are short and I’m older. In order to get good pop on higher trucks, I have to have a heavy pop foot. I get so tired so fast. One of the only things I like about venture lo’s was that I didn’t have to use up my energy like that and I could skate longer.

This is mostly just me ranting. But if any short kings out there wanna provide some insight, I would greatly appreciate it.

i mean i think you got it covered, i don’t have the answers either.

(i’m older and shorter)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 18, 2023, 03:29:20 PM
I’ve never really had truck madness until recently. Now, I’m losing my mind over it. Tried venture lows, too low. Tried venture hi’s (forged plates) and it was better. But still felt a little too high off the ground. I liked how snappy they were tho. The only options that I have left that are in between those two in terms of height are: Thunders, mindy and ace lows.

In my late teens through early twenties I was strictly a forged Indy guy. This madness stemmed from me remembering that I liked Indy’s for the most part but wanted something lower. I’m a shrimp. So, feeling lower to the ground feels more natural.

With the V-lights, I felt like I was exerting too much energy to hit the tail down. My legs are short and I’m older. In order to get good pop on higher trucks, I have to have a heavy pop foot. I get so tired so fast. One of the only things I like about venture lo’s was that I didn’t have to use up my energy like that and I could skate longer.

This is mostly just me ranting. But if any short kings out there wanna provide some insight, I would greatly appreciate it.


You can't make a tall truck lower, but you can make a low truck taller.

I have seen a few people put thin risers on Venture low trucks, which I initially thought was going against what the trucks were designed for, but as one guy clearly said, the Venture low truck is a little too low at 48mm, but the others too tall, so putting something under the low makes it just the right height for him, eg 1/8" riser brings it up to 51mm.

If you do skate any boards that are thin enough to fit Venture low trucks, then this might be an option for you, but also finding the right riser height, eg 1/8 worked fairly well for the other guy, on the Real ply risers they made for Venture trucks, but anything to get the right height shouldn't be too hard to find, without the board looking or feeling weird.


Other than that, finding the right deck to pair with certain trucks can also give a better or worse result, but then push you further down the madness rabbit hole too, depending on the findings / outcomes.  More mellow or longer fingers of flat will definitely make a taller truck feel better on the pop, as would a shorter wheelbase with Ventures, compared to Ace or Indy, for which a slightly longer wheelbase usually works better.

That said, people can adapt to almost anything given time, but trying something different or new can often feel very weird or just not seem to work at first.

What boards / wood or shapes or whatever do you skate?


* I am not short, but I have skated with and understand what people prefer from all shapes and sizes, if that helps a bit.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on November 18, 2023, 03:51:39 PM
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I’ve never really had truck madness until recently. Now, I’m losing my mind over it. Tried venture lows, too low. Tried venture hi’s (forged plates) and it was better. But still felt a little too high off the ground. I liked how snappy they were tho. The only options that I have left that are in between those two in terms of height are: Thunders, mindy and ace lows.

In my late teens through early twenties I was strictly a forged Indy guy. This madness stemmed from me remembering that I liked Indy’s for the most part but wanted something lower. I’m a shrimp. So, feeling lower to the ground feels more natural.

With the V-lights, I felt like I was exerting too much energy to hit the tail down. My legs are short and I’m older. In order to get good pop on higher trucks, I have to have a heavy pop foot. I get so tired so fast. One of the only things I like about venture lo’s was that I didn’t have to use up my energy like that and I could skate longer.

This is mostly just me ranting. But if any short kings out there wanna provide some insight, I would greatly appreciate it.
[close]


You can't make a tall truck lower, but you can make a low truck taller.

I have seen a few people put thin risers on Venture low trucks, which I initially thought was going against what the trucks were designed for, but as one guy clearly said, the Venture low truck is a little too low at 48mm, but the others too tall, so putting something under the low makes it just the right height for him, eg 1/8" riser brings it up to 51mm.

If you do skate any boards that are thin enough to fit Venture low trucks, then this might be an option for you, but also finding the right riser height, eg 1/8 worked fairly well for the other guy, on the Real ply risers they made for Venture trucks, but anything to get the right height shouldn't be too hard to find, without the board looking or feeling weird.


Other than that, finding the right deck to pair with certain trucks can also give a better or worse result, but then push you further down the madness rabbit hole too, depending on the findings / outcomes.  More mellow or longer fingers of flat will definitely make a taller truck feel better on the pop, as would a shorter wheelbase with Ventures, compared to Ace or Indy, for which a slightly longer wheelbase usually works better.

That said, people can adapt to almost anything given time, but trying something different or new can often feel very weird or just not seem to work at first.

What boards / wood or shapes or whatever do you skate?


* I am not short, but I have skated with and understand what people prefer from all shapes and sizes, if that helps a bit.

I typically skate 8’s with 14in wheelbases. I would say I like medium concave/medium kicks or mellow concave/medium kicks. 14-14.12 wheelbases are my sweet spot I’d say. However, I had an 8.0 baker years ago. Mellow concave/OG shape with a 14.25 wheelbase on forged Indy’s and that was a pretty good time. Even a couple of friends who rode around on it loved it. But even then I remember feeling like “man I’m too high off the ground this feels uncomfortable on anything other than flat ground”.

Edit: I’ve seen young local kids that are smaller than me ripping on 8.3’s and venture hi’s with 54mm conical fulls so idk what the fuck is me. I guess I just like skating to feel easier, not harder than it needs to be.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on November 18, 2023, 04:01:52 PM
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My prime is now, as it was back then, as well. Different applications of "prime" but still, prime.

I've generally stayed consistent with sizing, brands, shapes, etc. so I've felt constant in my efforts to progress.

At 29, I can technically do more/harder tricks on certain obstacles that I could never do in my youthful athletic prime of 19. However, at 19 I had the energy and lighter body frame to probably do the tricks I know now better but didn't quite hone the skill in for them yet.

Nowadays, it's quality over quantity. I do what I can do well. What I can't do well, I don't do as often, but both groups of tricks are generally better than I was doing them 10 years ago
[close]

well fuckin good for you fucko




jk. athletic prime for me was 33 ish. i could ollie the highest at that time.

i think it’s rad you’ve stayed skating, and kept gear close enough. i quit for drinking and work, and then the gear….well yeah, i’m obviously a mess there.
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Hahah I was more so driving home the point that your "prime" can evolve as you age. Some pros have gotten better even though they were beyond their "prime."

Thanks, though! Had some older skaters set me straight on gear quality/preferences early on so I could curb the madness
[close]


Talking about people in their prime, I recall back in 2003 when Mike V came out with his assorted crew for his current brand at the time, a demo at a mostly transition based park and a small but vocal group of locals heckled him as one young local ripper was "showing him up" with most things he was skating and trying, air variations and what not.

Already kind of old for a pro and often taking a while to get some tricks, he was not put off and went through his list of tricks like a man on a mission, but some things were harder than others, that was for sure.

When he got to meet the "wonder kid" after the demo and gave him a board or something, he said something like "I can only hope you still have half of those tricks when you get to my age, cause you sure are ripping now, but give it twenty years and then see how you feel after a hard session" or something like that.

The reason that stuck with me, (besides it being on video I took) was that "wonder kid" had his day in the sun but gave up skating after a while and moved on to other things, which just goes to show, some people will peak and then be done and gone just as quickly as they came, while others will stick with it, maybe well after their prime but still keep skating, whatever the reason.


Sure I am well past it at 48 now, maybe twenty to thirty years past what could have been my prime too, but that doesn't stop me getting out and having a roll and giving it a good go still, even though my body can't take half of what I want to try now, but then other things are all kinds of awesome and I would have never thought to try this or that back then when my skateboarding priorities were different.

Sure I can get bummed sometimes thinking about what I used to be able to do, but I try to think more about what I can still do and what I might be able to try in the future, as well as being stoked for others I skate with who are still on the rise, so from that perspective, I am not so worried about the finer details.
41 here. Skating is a hell of a lot more fun. Everything landed is just a win. No worries about “that wasn’t perfect”, “that didn’t look good”. Whatever. It’s ALL good now. Ha

And, what’s rad is that I’ll be trying to learn things now that I never tried to learn because I wasn’t interested in them back in my early twenties: little tiny curb/ledge switch noseslides, better nollies, fakie back tail (fakie switch frontside noseslide), airs out of quarters, front slashes on quarters, frontside 5050 on transition, no comply 180s…

And I don’t feel embarrassed trying little stupid things because I don’t have an ego to protect anymore. It just feels good to be rolling at all. Very thankful.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 18, 2023, 04:04:24 PM


I typically skate 8’s with 14in wheelbases. I would say I like medium concave/medium kicks or mellow concave/medium kicks. 14-14.12 wheelbases are my sweet spot I’d say. However, I had an 8.0 baker years ago. Mellow concave/OG shape with a 14.25 wheelbase on forged Indy’s and that was a pretty good time. Even a couple of friends who rode around on it loved it. But even then I remember feeling like “man I’m too high off the ground this feels uncomfortable on anything other than flat ground”.


Re Baker board - yes, I know the one - have one set up for people to skate like that in the board loan pool right now actually, this one with Thunder 147s on DIY 2mm rubber risers and 52mm wheels, which skates quite well.

If you did still have the Venture low trucks, you could try something / anything as a temp riser, without having to go out and buy specific parts, otherwise as OK said, you seem to have it pretty much covered.

I would always say try / test what you have there first, before going out to buy or ordering a whole lot more stuff you might only skate once or twice and then take off again, but making thin risers from cardboard, or other things is a good (and free) step to testing Venture low trucks, hoping you have 1" bolts, otherwise7/8" might not fit,

Sometimes people get rid of everything but what they have set up, but other times people are sitting on years worth of product they can dig through and find things they can use without having to go buy a whole lot more.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on November 18, 2023, 04:06:21 PM
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I typically skate 8’s with 14in wheelbases. I would say I like medium concave/medium kicks or mellow concave/medium kicks. 14-14.12 wheelbases are my sweet spot I’d say. However, I had an 8.0 baker years ago. Mellow concave/OG shape with a 14.25 wheelbase on forged Indy’s and that was a pretty good time. Even a couple of friends who rode around on it loved it. But even then I remember feeling like “man I’m too high off the ground this feels uncomfortable on anything other than flat ground”.
[close]


Re Baker board - yes, I know the one - have one set up for people to skate like that in the board loan pool right now actually, this one with Thunder 147s on DIY 2mm rubber risers and 52mm wheels, which skates quite well.

If you did still have the Venture low trucks, you could try something / anything as a temp riser, without having to go out and buy specific parts, otherwise as OK said, you seem to have it pretty much covered.

I would always say try / test what you have there first, before going out to buy or ordering a whole lot more stuff you might only skate once or twice and then take off again, but making thin risers from cardboard, or other things is a good (and free) step to testing Venture low trucks, hoping you have 1" bolts, otherwise7/8" might not fit,

Sometimes people get rid of everything but what they have set up, but other times people are sitting on years worth of product they can dig through and find things they can use without having to go buy a whole lot more.

I like this approach. I might have to give this a shot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 18, 2023, 11:12:49 PM
Lows plus a riser at 51 is only .5mm lower than forged Hi. The WB is slightly tighter, but you're splitting hairs.

I think you need to spend time getting used to it. I didn't see your wheel size, but the forged Hi with 51's is pretty low compared to an Indy with 54's (3.5mm higher trucks plus 1.5mm from the wheels) which is fairly standard for lots of people.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 18, 2023, 11:16:58 PM
Lows plus a riser at 51 is only .5mm lower than forged Hi. The WB is slightly tighter, but you're splitting hairs.

I think you need to spend time getting used to it. I didn't see your wheel size, but the forged Hi with 51's is pretty low compared to an Indy with 54's (3.5mm higher trucks plus 1.5mm from the wheels) which is fairly standard for lots of people.


agree, getting used to it and you’ll be stoked.

i’m not an indy guy, i’ve tried, i’ll try again i’m sure. i preferred stage 10s, with a conical bushing.
failing that, forged plate indy’s and the setup you are speaking of, would work well. just start with smaller wheels.


i’ve been struggling with venture hi’s, but enjoy them noticeably more with the forged baseplate.

height of trucks, and pop, is my most important criteria for trucks and setups in general.

best of luck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on November 19, 2023, 07:23:53 AM
Lows plus a riser at 51 is only .5mm lower than forged Hi. The WB is slightly tighter, but you're splitting hairs.

I think you need to spend time getting used to it. I didn't see your wheel size, but the forged Hi with 51's is pretty low compared to an Indy with 54's (3.5mm higher trucks plus 1.5mm from the wheels) which is fairly standard for lots of people.

Whoops I forgot to add wheel size. But I’m on 52mm f4 classics. I think I’m just gonna try to get used to the venture forged hi’s. I like the way they snap on a small wb with a short tail. The extended wheel base is interesting too. I didn’t think I’d have to adjust foot placement but I do.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on November 19, 2023, 07:54:47 PM
Ok so I have had a bit of shoe madness recently. I usually skate converse PL vulcs. I’ve had several pair in a row all size 10.5. Recently I just got another pair and it really feels like they are a half size bigger than all the other pairs that I have had. Could this actually be a thing or is my madness making it up?!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sativa Lung on November 19, 2023, 09:09:16 PM
Ok so I have had a bit of shoe madness recently. I usually skate converse PL vulcs. I’ve had several pair in a row all size 10.5. Recently I just got another pair and it really feels like they are a half size bigger than all the other pairs that I have had. Could this actually be a thing or is my madness making it up?!

Grab a tape measure and find out. It's definitely possible, production is typically not entirely consistent across the life of a shoe so there's going to be some variation inevitably. I've had different pairs of busenitz fit completely differently, but there was like 3 years between purchases.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 19, 2023, 09:37:17 PM
Ok so I have had a bit of shoe madness recently. I usually skate converse PL vulcs. I’ve had several pair in a row all size 10.5. Recently I just got another pair and it really feels like they are a half size bigger than all the other pairs that I have had. Could this actually be a thing or is my madness making it up?!


For the most part, shoes in the same style, same colour, even same runs should fit exactly the same.

Some different runs of the same shoes will fit differently, sometimes a larger or smaller sole is fitted to the same upper in shoes I have bought way too many of, so the whole run of that shoe at that time was off (Vans Half Cab Classics) but I have also noted that different runs sometimes have an upgraded shape or other things have changed with them, so who knows what is going on there, but no it is not your madness and yes it does happen.

For some shoes, I add a thin cheap insole, like the ones from department stores, just to get a little more snug fit, which does help, but if a shoe is too long, then some things, flip tricks especially really suffer.


If you are able, go check out the half size down in the same shoe, or compare your new ones in length to the old ones and just see.

There was a run of Vans Sk8 low that I got a few pairs of that I swear they have a full size up from my normal size so they are ridiculously big, compared to all the other Sk8 low shoes I have had in the past.  The shoe is definitely longer than my others too.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on November 20, 2023, 07:13:40 AM
What you’re saying is making sense. I bout a couple pairs of the dial tone shag suede PLs and that stash lasted me like 8 months. That color way isn’t available anymore so I went with white suede this time and the run must be off or something because there is definitely some extra room. I buy the same thing over and over again to avoid shoe madness but this is a situation where the same thing isn’t feeling the same. I did hold up my old shoes to my new ones and the new ones are definitely a little bigger.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SupremePizza on November 20, 2023, 01:12:58 PM
Currently riding 5.6 ventures on a 8.38 Gx and setup an old  Girl 8.25 on 139 Indy forged hollows so I could always keep a board in my car. Took it out for a short lunch time sesh yesterday. I run loose ventures but had to tighten these a significant amount and my tricks just did not feel as confident as they do on ventures, however I landed my first nollie flip on this setup of old parts and now I'm trying to figure out whether this happened due to the combinations of gear or pure luck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on November 21, 2023, 10:11:07 AM
I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on November 21, 2023, 10:19:39 AM
I'd recommend going back to what you know and sticking to it. You have to have your trucks dialed in.

I've also  gone back and fore between Thunder and Ace for a long time but I think its time to commit. I could get used to either but dancing between the two does not do me many any favors. Since I mostly like skating a variety of weird transitions and curbs with loose trucks and my favorite deck shape has a long 14.75" WB,  Ace is it is...

I will keep my ground to axle Thunder 151s on display for sentimental reasons...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 21, 2023, 10:28:40 AM
I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.

The Limos I've seen aren't that steep. I'd try a lot generic/standard shape and don't drill it. Find a shape that works, which should be easy since Thunders pair well with anything almost.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 21, 2023, 11:24:21 AM
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I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.
[close]

The Limos I've seen aren't that steep. I'd try a lot generic/standard shape and don't drill it. Find a shape that works, which should be easy since Thunders pair well with anything almost.

i agree with this advice.

redrilling is the problem, imo. that shit just doesn’t work well.

just to add to the conversation: i’ve tried a lot a lot a lot of different stuff, and will continue to do so. it’s not helpful to my skating, but it is fun to be curious, to an extent. i forget where home is tho.
i do not buy the matching of a wheelbase number, to a truck. the best (only)ace pop, for me, has come from 14” wb’s and big wheels.
i skate ventures and thunders on whatever wb, and the pop, or lack there of, has much more to do with the shape/steepness. imo. in general, i significantly enjoy the leverage with both thunder and venture.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 21, 2023, 01:40:03 PM
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Random Note from the Land of Madness

About two months ago, while skating mini ramp, I didn’t like the way my front toe-side wheel was “locking in” (e.g. slipping out) on b/s 50-50s. I switched over to Conicals, which had a much better “lock.” Historically, I haven’t liked Conicals for street skating. I decided to give them another, pro-longed, chance. After a bit, I started to get used to them, and even somewhat like them. Def a smoother ride than Classics (bigger contact patch), good lock-in on 50-50s. I didn’t like them as much on feeble/smith grinds, and f/s 5-0s (when truck is angled a bit). They also had a “lesser slappy.” But, I was liking them. So, a bit later I am back on a mini ramp. I started having some trouble with pivot to fakies, and axle stalls to fakie. I bailed a few (slammed one pivot to fake quite hard) because the conicals were locking in just a tad too much during reentry. In 2019 I broke my leg on trick to fakie, and I will never fully get over the fear that created. Sometimes it seems like it’s gone. Sometimes it just comes back with acute vengeance, totally out of the blue. Pivot fakies have always scared me a bit, and with the broken leg context, the “fear to fakie” was suddenly back—I didn’t even want to try them again. I switched back over to my Classics, but it was two weeks before I even started trying them again, but I was too scared to commit to any of them. The next session I came back wearing every pad I owned, and once I committed, started pulling them every time.

The mind, triggered by gear nuance, is, well…maddening.

I won’t be riding Conicals again.   
[close]

Radials might be your new best friend. The side profile is lovely and does make a tiny difference.

Oh, I have absolutely been toying with them...and they are really growing on me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 21, 2023, 01:44:53 PM
41 here. Skating is a hell of a lot more fun. Everything landed is just a win. No worries about “that wasn’t perfect”, “that didn’t look good”. Whatever. It’s ALL good now. Ha

And, what’s rad is that I’ll be trying to learn things now that I never tried to learn because I wasn’t interested in them back in my early twenties: little tiny curb/ledge switch noseslides, better nollies, fakie back tail (fakie switch frontside noseslide), airs out of quarters, front slashes on quarters, frontside 5050 on transition, no comply 180s…

And I don’t feel embarrassed trying little stupid things because I don’t have an ego to protect anymore. It just feels good to be rolling at all. Very thankful.

This is the way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 21, 2023, 04:14:39 PM
I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.


Did you drill in the nose or the tail?

Guessing the nose, but you might have found that drilling in the tail on that sort of board might have actually worked better.

I have done both on different boards, just to see what it was like, sometimes working amazingly well, other times not so much.

If you are pretty much done with it, there would be no harm to try drilling in the tail and putting the front truck back where it was originally and just see how that feels on the Thunder trucks.

You might be surprised.


Any which way, as others had said, it is a big difference, from a very light pop on Ace to a much heavier pop feeling on Thunder (or Venture too) but on different boards, any truck can work a whole lot better - just getting used to it and if you have things you can mess with, no worries of making it unskateable if you are already at that point of it just not working for you, trying a few options might be good to see what really works better than the current situation and issues you have having with it.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on November 22, 2023, 02:13:03 PM
I'd recommend going back to what you know and sticking to it. You have to have your trucks dialed in.

I've also  gone back and fore between Thunder and Ace for a long time but I think its time to commit. I could get used to either but dancing between the two does not do me many any favors. Since I mostly like skating a variety of weird transitions and curbs with loose trucks and my favorite deck shape has a long 14.75" WB,  Ace is it is...

I will keep my ground to axle Thunder 151s on display for sentimental reasons...

I agree, I was on Aces for the last 4 years or so. Having my trucks the same was my "homebase". As long as I got a board with the wheelbase I like, I was golden. For some reason, I am bummed and wish the Thunders did work. I really did like the things they did better than Ace, just couldn't figure out the pop.

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I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.
[close]

The Limos I've seen aren't that steep. I'd try a lot generic/standard shape and don't drill it. Find a shape that works, which should be easy since Thunders pair well with anything almost.

This is news to me, maybe I've been going about my madness wrong. But I usually did not like anything greater than 14.38 on Thunders. Any shape to recommend? Seems like Baker is the only one that makes a "mellow" shape.

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I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.
[close]

The Limos I've seen aren't that steep. I'd try a lot generic/standard shape and don't drill it. Find a shape that works, which should be easy since Thunders pair well with anything almost.
[close]

i agree with this advice.

redrilling is the problem, imo. that shit just doesn’t work well.

just to add to the conversation: i’ve tried a lot a lot a lot of different stuff, and will continue to do so. it’s not helpful to my skating, but it is fun to be curious, to an extent. i forget where home is tho.
i do not buy the matching of a wheelbase number, to a truck. the best (only)ace pop, for me, has come from 14” wb’s and big wheels.
i skate ventures and thunders on whatever wb, and the pop, or lack there of, has much more to do with the shape/steepness. imo. in general, i significantly enjoy the leverage with both thunder and venture.

I guess I meant the kicks are steep? I'm not quite sure to be honest. I tried using my level on my iPhone and the nose and tail measured to 19 degrees on the Limo. The quasi twin I was on before had 16/17 degrees on the nose and tail. My good ace pop was on 14.38 and 14.25 on pointy mellow. I just want to get the Thunders to perform as closely to the Aces as possible, in terms of flatground.

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I switched to Thunder from Ace a few months ago. I like how the thunders perform, but the change to wheelbase of my trucks and subsequently the change of wheelbase in my boards is fucking with me. On top of that, the steepness of the kicks is also fucking with me. I'm not sure what my preferences are anymore.

Currently riding a 8.38 Limo, drilled to 14 in WB from 14.25, with Thunder team hollows I've never ghost popped anything more in my entire history of skating. The board has a steep concave with a short tail. The pop feels all fucked up. Coming from Aces where the pop took less energy, I can't really adjust to the delayed pop-slide/flick of the steep kicks and thunders. My popping leg is all weak too from lots of injuries to that side.

Idk what to do. Say fuck it to the limo board and get something smaller? Go back to Ace? Help me fellow mad folks.
[close]


Did you drill in the nose or the tail?

Guessing the nose, but you might have found that drilling in the tail on that sort of board might have actually worked better.

I have done both on different boards, just to see what it was like, sometimes working amazingly well, other times not so much.

If you are pretty much done with it, there would be no harm to try drilling in the tail and putting the front truck back where it was originally and just see how that feels on the Thunder trucks.

You might be surprised.


Any which way, as others had said, it is a big difference, from a very light pop on Ace to a much heavier pop feeling on Thunder (or Venture too) but on different boards, any truck can work a whole lot better - just getting used to it and if you have things you can mess with, no worries of making it unskateable if you are already at that point of it just not working for you, trying a few options might be good to see what really works better than the current situation and issues you have having with it.

You are right I did drill in the nose. I might try drilling the tail, but have skated it the correct way and backwards (nose as the tail) and while it did feel better with a longer tail, it still was pretty hard for me to skate it. Literally only flatground though, everything else feels fine. I was on the Thunders for about 2 months and couldn't really figure it out.

So just for clarification, the LIGHT pop on an aces is in terms of the effort and strength needed for the tail to hit the ground? The heavier pop means that it takes more effort and strength but yields more pop. I'm confused on which would pop quicker? Cause the speed and effort are related?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 22, 2023, 03:43:10 PM


You are right I did drill in the nose. I might try drilling the tail, but have skated it the correct way and backwards (nose as the tail) and while it did feel better with a longer tail, it still was pretty hard for me to skate it. Literally only flatground though, everything else feels fine. I was on the Thunders for about 2 months and couldn't really figure it out.

So just for clarification, the LIGHT pop on an aces is in terms of the effort and strength needed for the tail to hit the ground? The heavier pop means that it takes more effort and strength but yields more pop. I'm confused on which would pop quicker? Cause the speed and effort are related?



Just cropped everything else out, mainly to just answer the last bit.

So when I had drilled in boards in the past, I had often experimented with a six hole baseplate first, so before drilling anything, I would put the two deck bolts through the last two holes in the truck which meant it brought the baseplate in 3/8" and then I stood on it and rolled around a bit doing a few manuals or ollies.

This really made the tail feel way lighter, in that the point of leverage was sitting in further than it was before, so on Ace the same point of leverage is in more than on Thunder trucks.  This is often why some truck will feel "right" for the board and others can cause the point of lift to feel too light or too heavy.

Without getting too deep into that sort of thing, definitely not going to figure out angles or whatever else in terms of math, but just standing on a board and feeling it out, there is a world of difference.  Some boards that were just not going to work at all for me in the current position suddenly worked really well after drilling in 3/8" or even smaller amount as it created the feeling of being lighter in the tail.


I think this would be a fun experiment, if nothing more, but as I had said, if the board as it is just doesn't work for you, as well as you drilling in boards in the past, try it on the tail of this board and see if it makes it better, or too light, or see at what point it could work, more so than just giving up on the deck or trucks or trying to find other things that work, without having a play with it, etc.


* That might not have answered your question on the feeling of pop, but trying it and seeing / feeling what it is like to skate it might mean more than words at this point.

I had even just used simple wood screws to put the baseplate in a bit before drilling out the whole board, which also works - not for a full session, but just to see what it feels like to stand on or roll around a bit, then drill out where I put the screws into the board if it feels like it works.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 26, 2023, 05:10:02 PM
A Story of Madness…or Enlightenment

(This post could go in this thread, or the DLX shapes thread, but I’m putting it here.)

I have tried the DLX 8.38 a few times before. For several reasons, I was really put off by it. Those reasons included:

- No Man’s Land between 8.25 and 8.5 trucks.
- Longer WB than I normally ride
- Nose/Tail way more “rounded” than I like
- Whether it actually is, tail felt a lot a shorter than my normal ride.
- If I want a bigger / more stable set-up, the DLX 8.75 is my well established jam. The 8.38 seemed like this weird wasteland between series stability (8.75) and agility (my regular 8.25).

Well, I’ve seen enough banter about how “good” the 8.38 was, that I decided to try it, again (against all better judgement).

I got a IV stamp, and set it up with Indy Forged 149s. Initially I had 53mm classics on it, but they just seemed wrong for some reason (These are my standard wheels on my trusty 8.25).  So, I decided to try 54mm Radials on it. Now I’ve got a deck, trucks, and wheels that I’ve •all• had questionable history with. I look at this complete set-up, and think, “Dude. WTF are you doing?!?”

I head off to the local park. I’m rolling around just doing some real basic stuff, to get the feeling of it all…and I’m liking it. A lot. My mind start reeling. How?  How are you possibly liking this set-up? I tell myself, “Stop thinking. Just skate.”

I’ve been riding that set-up ever since, and having a lot fun with it. Today I even bought III stamp 8.38 for my eventual next deck.

I am shocked by all of this. Skateboarding is so weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on November 26, 2023, 05:18:08 PM
The madness is a funny thing because all it takes is one good session on gear you swear mathematically or scientifically does not work for your preferences to go "now, wait a minute, why do I like this?"


When I was younger (about 10-14 years ago now) I swore by the 8.38 size from DLX. Paired with Bones V5 usually on 149 standards or hollows (when they first dropped). It was the perfect size to me. Wider than 8.25 but slimmer than 8.5, yet offered all the positive qualities of both sizes below/above 8.38.

Eventually it was harder to find (temporary drought of that size in my area) so moved to 8.5 and rarely looked back. Nowadays, I run 8.5 consistently.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 26, 2023, 05:50:14 PM
The madness is a funny thing because all it takes is one good session on gear you swear mathematically or scientifically does not work for your preferences to go "now, wait a minute, why do I like this?"

I swear I'll never leave the Venture camp and the last time I rode Indy in 2019 I didn't love them. Then I try a friends setup with Indys and I start questioning my conviction so IDK anymore.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on November 26, 2023, 11:28:37 PM
I was the same with the 8.38. I had a Baker 8.38 with 144 Indy cast plates and ti hangers and loved it. I got a III stamp DLX 8.38 and didn't love it and shelved the deck.

A few months later and I had switched to Thunder 148 and had some brand new 53 Classics on it. Had snapped my 8.38 Sci-Fi and had it in the car to leave at the park so I set it up. It was oddly really, really great. Surprisingly good for nose manuals and any fakie trick wheelbase be damned. I rode it for a while until it got super soggy and flat, but it was a great setup that I often think of returning to.

After that deck I went back to the 8.25 DLX and had 3 in a row and they just never felt right. Thunder, Indy, Venture, smaller wheels, big wheels, they just never quite felt like home.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lildonut92 on November 30, 2023, 03:40:33 PM
Has anyone ever had 148’s on an 8inch deck? I’ve only ever been about having the right size truck with my board and sometimes magic carpet life. However, my truck madness had led me down the path of curiosity.

Forged indy 139’s are too tall. Venture lo’s and thunder 147’s are too low. That really only leaves me with forged venture hi’s (which I have right now) or 148’s (cast or forged).

Would the wheels really stick out THAT much?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 30, 2023, 04:25:16 PM
Has anyone ever had 148’s on an 8inch deck? I’ve only ever been about having the right size truck with my board and sometimes magic carpet life. However, my truck madness had led me down the path of curiosity.

Forged indy 139’s are too tall. Venture lo’s and thunder 147’s are too low. That really only leaves me with forged venture hi’s (which I have right now) or 148’s (cast or forged).

Would the wheels really stick out THAT much?

you’ll be fine.
some pros and cons imo: hot rodding is more stable, but wheelbites quicker. i like my ollies, when im going faster, on the wider trucks.
the quick wheelbiting, means less turning, but more pinching.

visually i’ve liked the way it looks, but i can be convinced to like the way magic carpet looks too.

i’m riding an extreme hotrod rn, and i really like it, but most often i find that it messes with my flip tricks

its not going to be that noticeable, imo.
i have forged baseplate, solid axle 148s and they are very good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on November 30, 2023, 04:27:00 PM
Has anyone ever had 148’s on an 8inch deck? I’ve only ever been about having the right size truck with my board and sometimes magic carpet life. However, my truck madness had led me down the path of curiosity.

Forged indy 139’s are too tall. Venture lo’s and thunder 147’s are too low. That really only leaves me with forged venture hi’s (which I have right now) or 148’s (cast or forged).

Would the wheels really stick out THAT much?
Nah they won't stick out much. You can run them in an 8.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 30, 2023, 10:53:30 PM
Expand Quote
Has anyone ever had 148’s on an 8inch deck? I’ve only ever been about having the right size truck with my board and sometimes magic carpet life. However, my truck madness had led me down the path of curiosity.

Forged indy 139’s are too tall. Venture lo’s and thunder 147’s are too low. That really only leaves me with forged venture hi’s (which I have right now) or 148’s (cast or forged).

Would the wheels really stick out THAT much?
[close]

you’ll be fine.
some pros and cons imo: hot rodding is more stable, but wheelbites quicker. i like my ollies, when im going faster, on the wider trucks.
the quick wheelbiting, means less turning, but more pinching.

visually i’ve liked the way it looks, but i can be convinced to like the way magic carpet looks too.

i’m riding an extreme hotrod rn, and i really like it, but most often i find that it messes with my flip tricks

its not going to be that noticeable, imo.
i have forged baseplate, solid axle 148s and they are very good.



That does seem like a good combo.  One of the "old 00s pro" street guys I know has that setup, always on DLX proddy so a Real / Krooked 8.06 deck, the forged baseplate on 148s with 50 or 51 mm Classic Spitfire wheels and he makes that thing work like a dream.

To look at his board I cannot see wheel sticking out at all from standing on it, just the axle nuts and it is very stable.  He says that combo works better for him, the forged baseplate keeping it low, the 148 hanger being a bit taller so more kingpin clearance than 147s, the fairly small wheels, not too wide, super street tech and ledge / manny / rail tricks for days.


I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 01, 2023, 05:47:54 AM
...Venture lo’s and thunder 147’s are too low...

Dude, they make these things called "riser pads." You should be able to get those Lows and 147 to the exact height you want.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 01, 2023, 07:38:14 AM
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Has anyone ever had 148’s on an 8inch deck? I’ve only ever been about having the right size truck with my board and sometimes magic carpet life. However, my truck madness had led me down the path of curiosity.

Forged indy 139’s are too tall. Venture lo’s and thunder 147’s are too low. That really only leaves me with forged venture hi’s (which I have right now) or 148’s (cast or forged).

Would the wheels really stick out THAT much?
[close]

you’ll be fine.
some pros and cons imo: hot rodding is more stable, but wheelbites quicker. i like my ollies, when im going faster, on the wider trucks.
the quick wheelbiting, means less turning, but more pinching.

visually i’ve liked the way it looks, but i can be convinced to like the way magic carpet looks too.

i’m riding an extreme hotrod rn, and i really like it, but most often i find that it messes with my flip tricks

its not going to be that noticeable, imo.
i have forged baseplate, solid axle 148s and they are very good.
[close]



That does seem like a good combo.  One of the "old 00s pro" street guys I know has that setup, always on DLX proddy so a Real / Krooked 8.06 deck, the forged baseplate on 148s with 50 or 51 mm Classic Spitfire wheels and he makes that thing work like a dream.

To look at his board I cannot see wheel sticking out at all from standing on it, just the axle nuts and it is very stable.  He says that combo works better for him, the forged baseplate keeping it low, the 148 hanger being a bit taller so more kingpin clearance than 147s, the fairly small wheels, not too wide, super street tech and ledge / manny / rail tricks for days.


I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.

whenever a poll comes out for hotrod vs magic carpet, i find myself extolling the virtues of the carpet. i shouldn’t be trusted in any matters of gear: im just gonna switch it up later. currently skating an 8.38 on 6.1s and it’s sick. might hate it when this 2 weeks of rain stops and i go out again.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 01, 2023, 07:59:46 AM
Quite many homies of mine seem to rock 8.25 decks with Indy 149's and speak highly of the combo. I've always been more of a magic carpet guy. Most often riding 8.25 with either Venture 5.6 or Indy 144s, which both result in tiny bit of carpet. Having said that, would be interesting to try a more of a hot rodded setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 01, 2023, 10:20:45 AM
Quite many homies of mine seem to rock 8.25 decks with Indy 149's and speak highly of the combo. I've always been more of a magic carpet guy. Most often riding 8.25 with either Venture 5.6 or Indy 144s, which both result in tiny bit of carpet. Having said that, would be interesting to try a more of a hot rodded setup.
I find that I skated the best in this stage of life on 8.25 with 8.5 trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 01, 2023, 12:47:31 PM
i dont think i can go sub 32” after getting used to 32.5”
the options are looking bone thin nowadays. no complaints
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on December 05, 2023, 11:58:00 PM
I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.

This has been my go-to with Indies. 8.125 with 144s, 8.375 with 149s and maybe at some point 8.5 with 159s.

I like the stability and the extra grind area. Flip tricks need more oomph, though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 06, 2023, 12:09:19 AM
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I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.
[close]

This has been my go-to with Indies. 8.125 with 144s, 8.375 with 149s and maybe at some point 8.5 with 159s.

I like the stability and the extra grind area. Flip tricks need more oomph, though.
Can't wait to try 8 on AF-1 44. Should be fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: In A Jar on December 07, 2023, 03:18:42 PM
Been injured for a while and getting close to the okay to skate again.  I normally like 8.25/14.25 with ventures.  I have attempted to get 8.5/14.5 to work as I know there are benefits for me since i'm 6'3" size 12 shoes, but I haven't had luck.  I'm just wondering if it's even remotely possible to make 8.5/14.5 feel as light/flippy as 8.25/14.25 with Indy or Ace (or anything) since they don't push out the wheelbase as much? 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 07, 2023, 03:46:24 PM
there are a ton of 8.5+ boards with 14.25wb
id go there before that rabbit hole
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 08, 2023, 01:58:33 AM
Been injured for a while and getting close to the okay to skate again.  I normally like 8.25/14.25 with ventures.  I have attempted to get 8.5/14.5 to work as I know there are benefits for me since i'm 6'3" size 12 shoes, but I haven't had luck.  I'm just wondering if it's even remotely possible to make 8.5/14.5 feel as light/flippy as 8.25/14.25 with Indy or Ace (or anything) since they don't push out the wheelbase as much?

I skate plenty of 8.5 x 14.5 or 14.25 WB decks, usually no longer than 32.3 with Indy. I find some of the 14.25 can be quite nimble. DLX's standard 8.5 molds [there are 2 I believe] may seem to scratch that itch. However, their 8.38 if you can find them may be the better choice. That way, it's between the two sizes but you get benefits of both, plus you can use your 8.25 trucks still and not feel like you need to size up your trucks either! However, if you're looking to buy Indy or Ace, the 8.25 or 8.5 trucks can work on 8.38 or 8.5 as intended.

Krooked and Anti Hero have an 8.38 with either 14.5 or 14.38 WB (need to check specs) and it feels quite nimble to flip, but still sturdy for the taller/bigger folks. Black Label, The Killing Floor, and Element have 8.5 x 14.5 that may not be as light/flippy as the 8.25/14.25 combo, but with Indys they do get you close to that feeling, imo.

5' 10" with 11/11.5 shoes here btw and 8.5s are my go to: I flip my board a lot and usually don't have much trouble unless I am physically having an off day
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: In A Jar on December 08, 2023, 07:12:33 AM
Thanks for the replies. I know I can do 8.5/14.25, but I have the same issues as 8.25.  I feel much more natural skating 14.5, but I struggle with flip tricks.  I don't really think there is any magic truck that could make 14.5 feel like 14.25 with ventures but I guess I was hoping. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mcidraque on December 08, 2023, 07:48:31 AM
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I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.
[close]

This has been my go-to with Indies. 8.125 with 144s, 8.375 with 149s and maybe at some point 8.5 with 159s.

I like the stability and the extra grind area. Flip tricks need more oomph, though.
[close]
Can't wait to try 8 on AF-1 44. Should be fun.

i've been on that setup (dlx 8.06 on AF1 44) for the past 2 years or so, and haven't looked back since.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 08, 2023, 10:09:54 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.
[close]

This has been my go-to with Indies. 8.125 with 144s, 8.375 with 149s and maybe at some point 8.5 with 159s.

I like the stability and the extra grind area. Flip tricks need more oomph, though.
[close]
Can't wait to try 8 on AF-1 44. Should be fun.
[close]

i've been on that setup (dlx 8.06 on AF1 44) for the past 2 years or so, and haven't looked back since.
From which board size were you coming from?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 08, 2023, 10:47:16 AM
I haven't magically made a short board feel longer with Ventures. A few months ago my Thunder bushings shit the bed and I had some V-Lights in my car. In order to skate and not just sit there I threw the V-Lights on a 14.38 WB, which was the longest I had ever skated and what do you know it actually worked awesome. I ended up on the cast V-Hollow, which is still much longer effective WB than my old Thunders or Indys.

I'm now on a Manderson 8.38 with the Ventures, which is shorter than the 8.38/14.38 I was on prior and it feels marginally better than when I rode Indys on 14.25 (The Manderson is a smidgeon shorter WB, but longer kicks).

I would say don't worry about it until it is a problem. My flip tricks feel great, my setup feels stable, and the downsides are pretty damn small. I'd say coming back from injury the stability will be an asset and they won't hold you back. I think the people on here that act like they can't do anything on a specific set of trucks or setup are exaggerating or not willing to spend the time tweaking their form or don't have specific tricks in the first place. I have always sucked at front shuvs and its not the trucks. For a nice boned out kickflip it took about 5 frustrating minutes of different foot positions to figure out what worked and now I love the way they feel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mcidraque on December 09, 2023, 10:46:41 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I used to run the Indy 144s (8.25 trucks) on the black eagle which was 8.125 with medium sized Classic wheels and it worked really well too, so if you want a little more stability, that combination should be good.
[close]

This has been my go-to with Indies. 8.125 with 144s, 8.375 with 149s and maybe at some point 8.5 with 159s.

I like the stability and the extra grind area. Flip tricks need more oomph, though.
[close]
Can't wait to try 8 on AF-1 44. Should be fun.
[close]

i've been on that setup (dlx 8.06 on AF1 44) for the past 2 years or so, and haven't looked back since.
[close]
From which board size were you coming from?

dlx 8.5-31.8-14.25 + indy 159 (had that set-up going from 2015-2020ish) and prior to that dlx 8.25 + indy 149's (2008-2015ish)

graduated to the 8" dlx shape around 2000 so after covid (and moving back to my hometown where flat and few ledges is all we have) i've been loving the 8+44af1 combo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on December 10, 2023, 05:05:25 PM
So I'm thining of sizing down my wheels from 54 to 53. I know, it is 1mm. But what did you notice when you sized down in wheels? Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

I mainly ride curbs and mini, basic flat and grinds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on December 10, 2023, 05:14:15 PM
So I'm thining of sizing down my wheels from 54 to 53. I know, it is 1mm. But what did you notice when you sized down in wheels? Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

I mainly ride curbs and mini, basic flat and grinds.

Sizing down from 54 to 53 would only lower your height 0.5mm. I doubt you could feel the difference, wheels naturally wear down more than that in their lifespan.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on December 10, 2023, 06:08:48 PM
So I'm thining of sizing down my wheels from 54 to 53. I know, it is 1mm. But what did you notice when you sized down in wheels? Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

I mainly ride curbs and mini, basic flat and grinds.

maybe maybe not. but i doubt youll notice much at all. i bounced around from 50 to 52 to 58 to 56 to 54 to 60 within a year and i felt like the shape/width is what threw me off the most.

Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

yeah but not by much
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 10, 2023, 07:53:12 PM
So I'm thining of sizing down my wheels from 54 to 53. I know, it is 1mm. But what did you notice when you sized down in wheels? Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

I mainly ride curbs and mini, basic flat and grinds.


It comes down to a few things, but to ask:


How long do your wheels usually last you?

Do you skate them from new down to a certain size every time and then put new ones on or at what point do you swap out wheels usually?

Are you going down to the same shape of wheel, or a different shape too?


For Spitfire, they get thinner as they get smaller, so it will be a little smaller overall going down a bit like that, but more than anything, a smaller tech type of wheel will not last as long as a bigger more chunky wheel, but you can maybe do a bit more on a smaller wheel right from go, compared to a bigger wheel you have to wear down and get used to again, if you do wear your wheels down a lot before swapping them out.


To have the luxury of getting bigger wheels, putting them on one setup for some things then having smaller or more worn down wheels on another setup is something that not everyone can afford or even wants, but this works well enough if you are into that sort of thing.

The other side of it is getting wheels that are pretty much exactly as you want, then swapping them out once they wear down a mm or two, so you always have pretty much the same size everything and it is way less to get used to every time you set up a new board, new wheels or whatever.

That is the usual pro setup sort of thing, but it can be a bit more expensive overall, especially if you go through wheels quite quickly like some people do.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 10, 2023, 10:55:23 PM
So I'm thining of sizing down my wheels from 54 to 53. I know, it is 1mm. But what did you notice when you sized down in wheels? Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

I mainly ride curbs and mini, basic flat and grinds.

To add with info not yet shared. I typically buy between 53 and 55mm of Spitfire F4 Conical or Conical Full depending on what the shop has. I have noticed going from 53 to 54/55 (in the same shape) that the wheel felt "heftier" just ever so slightly. Took a little longer to wear in to my sweet spot, but it was noticeable with the 1-2mm difference.

If you size down 1 mm you may notice they're slightly more nimble and not as heavy from the get-go. Or you may not notice anything. Also, any wheelbite you previously had with new wheels may not be as prevalent on the new set. I noticed the inverse when I sized up, so your experience could be similar but in the other direction.

How the wheels perform from the jump: identical in locking in, grinding, feel, etc. for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 10, 2023, 10:55:39 PM
So I'm thining of sizing down my wheels from 54 to 53. I know, it is 1mm. But what did you notice when you sized down in wheels? Does it pop faster being 1mm lower?

I mainly ride curbs and mini, basic flat and grinds.

I ride and 8.25" deck with 53mm Classics. I mostly skate the same things you do. As mentioned, Spitfires get wider/narrower if you are going bigger/smaller with wheel size. I have tried 51mm through 55mm Classics on my 8.25" set-ups. 53mm is absolutely my "golden" zone. I do notice some differences, even going up/down 1mm in wheel size. But, I honestly don't want to tell you what *I* notice about those differences as to not give you preconceived notions about what *you* will experience when trying a different size--better to just suss those things out for yourself. Give them a shot, and then check-back in....and I'll give you the full Madness Rundown of my take on how just 1mm makes things feel different.   

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on December 13, 2023, 09:47:54 AM
^^why don’t you give us your full madness take on it..just for fun!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 13, 2023, 11:31:43 AM
^^why don’t you give us your full madness take on it..just for fun!
I second this. Give me things to read, dammit!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on December 13, 2023, 11:53:21 AM
Expand Quote
^^why don’t you give us your full madness take on it..just for fun!
[close]
I second this. Give me things to read, dammit!

Ive decided to go from 54 to 53 I will report back  8)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 13, 2023, 08:52:38 PM
I prefer 52 so I buy 53 and skate a lot of asphalt and get to enjoy them being around 52 for longer.

Got a pair of 52 Classic Full on Ice, which are basically a worn 54. God tier wheel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 13, 2023, 09:20:45 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
^^why don’t you give us your full madness take on it..just for fun!
[close]
I second this. Give me things to read, dammit!
[close]

Ive decided to go from 54 to 53 I will report back  8)

Godspeed. I'll be waiting to hear your take.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on December 13, 2023, 11:04:01 PM
Thunder: cast baseplates.  Good: light, quicker pop, grind well, low Bad: wheel bite.
 Venture: forged plates.  Good: stability but you can still ride them loose.  Flipability, manual lock is super good.  Hefty pop.  Bad: don’t grind as well, people don’t like how they turn. 

I like Ventures more but totally understand why people skate thunders…..both are good trucks….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 14, 2023, 12:12:09 AM
I was off madness for a decent time, like a couple years maybe and then it happened. To keep it simple for like 15 years I skated 8" and then stepped up to 8.5 for like 8 years with some 8.25 period in between, all good. The other day I found a GX1000 8" for stupid cheap (€28) and I was like "why not? If anything I'll hook up someone with it". 
Put my AF-1 44 on it and boy thing feels amazing. Super light and easy to flip and feels like home. Obviously I have a stack of like 10 boards within 8.375 and 8.5 but tbh is not that bad since when you suck board sizes won't play a factor in here. Also have some AF-1 55 on a Jacuzzi egg 9.125 so I can skate small or big board depending on my mood.
Bottom line anything is just fun and I'm happy/thankful to be able to skate.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 14, 2023, 07:32:42 AM
Thunder: cast baseplates.  Good: light, quicker pop, grind well, low Bad: wheel bite.
 Venture: forged plates.  Good: stability but you can still ride them loose.  Flipability, manual lock is super good.  Hefty pop.  Bad: don’t grind as well, people don’t like how they turn. 

I like Ventures more but totally understand why people skate thunders…..both are good trucks….

I like both a lot. I actually dislike the Venture manual point and prefer the cast to V Light. You get used to the grind especially if the surface is smooth and/or waxed. I'd say Venture has more of a 1-2 pop like Indy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 14, 2023, 09:02:20 AM
af-1 44s on an 8” are nice!
(i still wonder what jacopo’s setup is).


venture vs thunder….cant go wrong, i like em both, two favorites. i’m not sure if this is accurate, but i feel like thunders are not as deck specific for me. i can just put em on whatever and its going to be decent. i could skate thunders and just forget about large swaths of madness.
ventures i always come back to, near and dear to my heart, it was THE brand with the skating i enjoyed watching the most. 5.0 lo’s are rad, and feel great.

currently skating 6.1s on an 8.38, and it’s working way better than it should. it’s a madness induced setup, just throwing stuff at the wall. what is interesting is that i thought this setup would be a short stop, and i am by no means foolish enough to say the madness is gone (it isn’t), but i haven’t thought about putting anything different together

so that’s nice



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on December 14, 2023, 09:33:57 AM
af-1 44s on an 8” are nice!

I swear by this setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on December 14, 2023, 10:47:33 AM
Someone talk to me about switching from Indy to venture. Plz
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on December 14, 2023, 11:02:19 AM
Someone talk to me about switching from Indy to venture. Plz

Do you hate turning and grinding? Venture is the truck for you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 14, 2023, 12:04:59 PM
Expand Quote
Someone talk to me about switching from Indy to venture. Plz
[close]

Do you hate turning and grinding? Venture is the truck for you.


ventures turn and grind good enough, pop is a strong suit. all of the major brands are functional, it’s just finding what is most important for you. for me, pop/leverage. if you are into some hip wiggling, get some ace baby. shake it.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 14, 2023, 01:08:58 PM
Expand Quote
af-1 44s on an 8” are nice!
[close]

I swear by this setup.
+1
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on December 14, 2023, 02:13:34 PM
Expand Quote
af-1 44s on an 8” are nice!
[close]

I swear by this setup.
Just measured mine and the grindable hanger space is only 137mm. They basically are 8" trucks. Which kinda sucks if you've bought them for an 8.25...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2023, 05:24:45 PM
Someone talk to me about switching from Indy to venture. Plz

I've tried all of the major brand trucks. Several times. I always end up back on Indy. I believe one should occasionally test their own assumptions, if only to prove they still hold true. However, once done enough, some assumptions (postulates) can clearly be moved over to the theorem category.

For me, Indys are a simple truth.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 14, 2023, 05:48:23 PM

For me, Indys are a simple truth.

The way, the truth, and the life.

Amen.

(though I wish they would put a standard logo etching of some kind back on the outside part of all the trucks, not just specials.)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on December 14, 2023, 05:55:25 PM
I'm already bummed on my wheel selection and it hasn't arrived yet.

I'm worried about the 97a thing. I just got switch speed check slides back.

I'm worrying it's going to be crazy sticky. 

I should have just gotten 60mm classics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 14, 2023, 06:00:02 PM
I'm already bummed on my wheel selection and it hasn't arrived yet.

I'm worried about the 97a thing. I just got switch speed check slides back.

I'm worrying it's going to be crazy sticky. 

I should have just gotten 60mm classics.
Hey you got new wheels! Noice.

Hey man I feel you…. I bought x99’s and they were just not what I was hoping for and gave them to a friend for an early Christmas present.

You might like them. Don’t worry. Maybe you’ll hate them, trade them or sell them and get a new set.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on December 14, 2023, 11:55:19 PM
Been on BBS 8.125s with Indy 144s, BBS 8.38 with Indy 149s, now decided to give 8.625 with 159s a shot. Not sure what comes out of this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on December 15, 2023, 07:52:11 AM
Been having some major wheel madness. Went from 60mm classics (spit f4) to 55mm tablets. Hurt my ankle and wanted a lower board for easier pop.

Loving no risers and a lower board but the tablet noticeably slowed my grinds down and fucked up my scoop tricks so after about four months switched to a 54mm radial. It’s perfect but I’m worried I’m gonna burn through em especially with my city’s super rough ground.

Looking at this skate warehouse sale I wanna get a set of backups but I’m troubled on size. Without risers and riding Indy’s about 40% tightened over flushed would (I weigh about 145) a 56mm radial be cutting it close wheelbite wise with no risers? I wish I could find 55mm radial on sale I feel like that would be a perfect wheel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 15, 2023, 08:06:50 AM
Been having some major wheel madness. Went from 60mm classics (spit f4) to 55mm tablets. Hurt my ankle and wanted a lower board for easier pop.

Loving no risers and a lower board but the tablet noticeably slowed my grinds down and fucked up my scoop tricks so after about four months switched to a 54mm radial. It’s perfect but I’m worried I’m gonna burn through em especially with my city’s super rough ground.

Looking at this skate warehouse sale I wanna get a set of backups but I’m troubled on size. Without risers and riding Indy’s about 40% tightened over flushed would (I weigh about 145) a 56mm radial be cutting it close wheelbite wise with no risers? I wish I could find 55mm radial on sale I feel like that would be a perfect wheel.

You'll be fine. I've ridden 56 mm Classics on loose forged Indys with no risers and haven't had a problem with wheelbite.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on December 15, 2023, 08:12:13 AM
Really regret putting rails on my latest set up. Every time I say never again and then I see people do all kinds of fancy things with rails like our boy 144p but I just can't get comfy with the damn things. And now, I don't want to take them off as madness doesn't want the little screw holes unfilled or wasting plastic and $10. Might be a curb only set up, which I find silly also.... Gonna go do lots of board slides and see how quick I can wear them down and move on to a better place.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 15, 2023, 02:23:51 PM
Expand Quote
Been having some major wheel madness. Went from 60mm classics (spit f4) to 55mm tablets. Hurt my ankle and wanted a lower board for easier pop.

Loving no risers and a lower board but the tablet noticeably slowed my grinds down and fucked up my scoop tricks so after about four months switched to a 54mm radial. It’s perfect but I’m worried I’m gonna burn through em especially with my city’s super rough ground.

Looking at this skate warehouse sale I wanna get a set of backups but I’m troubled on size. Without risers and riding Indy’s about 40% tightened over flushed would (I weigh about 145) a 56mm radial be cutting it close wheelbite wise with no risers? I wish I could find 55mm radial on sale I feel like that would be a perfect wheel.
[close]

You'll be fine. I've ridden 56 mm Classics on loose forged Indys with no risers and haven't had a problem with wheelbite.


Yeah I think the 56 mm wheel size is about perfect for me on Indy standards, even with a bit more give in the bushing department.

It is only 0.5 mm height difference from axle to ground / wheelbite too, so you are not going to have a whole lot less between the 56 mm wheels and the 55 mm wheels.

I have both sizes in Classics and Radials and I can easily deal with the 1 mm more, with the 56 mm wheels lasting a little longer from new and will wear down soon enough anyway, if you find something a little more coarse to skate for the first few sessions.


* Been there a bit in the past too, different wheel sizes working well enough, but getting the ideal wheel size right from go is even better, but a slight difference is not going to be that much to deal with, especially if it is a good price right now.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on December 15, 2023, 03:53:57 PM
Expand Quote
I'm already bummed on my wheel selection and it hasn't arrived yet.

I'm worried about the 97a thing. I just got switch speed check slides back.

I'm worrying it's going to be crazy sticky. 

I should have just gotten 60mm classics.
[close]
Hey you got new wheels! Noice.

Hey man I feel you…. I bought x99’s and they were just not what I was hoping for and gave them to a friend for an early Christmas present.

You might like them. Don’t worry. Maybe you’ll hate them, trade them or sell them and get a new set.

Worked out gravy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 15, 2023, 05:49:47 PM
Okay. This feels like really dumb kind of madness, but I guess this is what this support group is for.

I.

HATE. This shiny metal baseplate on my brand new hollow trucks. I want my black baseplate back from my frankenIndy….

But if I put the black baseplate back, I lose that weight reduction of the hollow kingpin.

And if I go back to standard kingpin, I’ll never be able to switch ollie a picnic table.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 15, 2023, 07:24:45 PM
Okay. This feels like really dumb kind of madness, but I guess this is what this support group is for.

I.

HATE. This shiny metal baseplate on my brand new hollow trucks. I want my black baseplate back from my frankenIndy….

But if I put the black baseplate back, I lose that weight reduction of the hollow kingpin.

And if I go back to standard kingpin, I’ll never be able to switch ollie a picnic table.

Spray Paint.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 15, 2023, 07:51:40 PM
a local powdercoat shop can also powder the baseplates or if you find a gun weirdo that has Cerakote that would work as well.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 15, 2023, 08:13:24 PM
Expand Quote
Okay. This feels like really dumb kind of madness, but I guess this is what this support group is for.

I.

HATE. This shiny metal baseplate on my brand new hollow trucks. I want my black baseplate back from my frankenIndy….

But if I put the black baseplate back, I lose that weight reduction of the hollow kingpin.

And if I go back to standard kingpin, I’ll never be able to switch ollie a picnic table.
[close]

Spray Paint.

a local powdercoat shop can also powder the baseplates or if you find a gun weirdo that has Cerakote that would work as well.

I like these very much. Thank you

I will search out a gun weirdo on Craigslist. (Or go get some matte textured spray paint… whichever comes first)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 16, 2023, 07:41:22 AM
Well pals, getting them ready for spray paint. (I wasn’t able to find a gun psycho… oh well next time)
(https://i.ibb.co/FJRkntW/IMG-2594.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FJRkntW)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 16, 2023, 10:27:41 AM
Very exciting.
(https://i.ibb.co/HnsjHpV/IMG-2600.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HnsjHpV)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 16, 2023, 10:32:06 AM
Well pals, getting them ready for spray paint. (I wasn’t able to find a gun psycho… oh well next time)
(https://i.ibb.co/FJRkntW/IMG-2594.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FJRkntW)

Mine are painted, too. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 16, 2023, 11:24:32 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Okay. This feels like really dumb kind of madness, but I guess this is what this support group is for.

I.

HATE. This shiny metal baseplate on my brand new hollow trucks. I want my black baseplate back from my frankenIndy….

But if I put the black baseplate back, I lose that weight reduction of the hollow kingpin.

And if I go back to standard kingpin, I’ll never be able to switch ollie a picnic table.
[close]

Spray Paint.
[close]

Expand Quote
a local powdercoat shop can also powder the baseplates or if you find a gun weirdo that has Cerakote that would work as well.
[close]

I like these very much. Thank you

I will search out a gun weirdo on Craigslist. (Or go get some matte textured spray paint… whichever comes first)

I specifically mentioned weirdo because the only people that actually cerakote guns are the ones that want to paint their firearms so they're pretend armed forces. Super common among the AR-15 crowd. But, it's a very durable coating that sticks to tons of surfaces.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 16, 2023, 12:04:23 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Okay. This feels like really dumb kind of madness, but I guess this is what this support group is for.

I.

HATE. This shiny metal baseplate on my brand new hollow trucks. I want my black baseplate back from my frankenIndy….

But if I put the black baseplate back, I lose that weight reduction of the hollow kingpin.

And if I go back to standard kingpin, I’ll never be able to switch ollie a picnic table.
[close]

Spray Paint.
[close]

Expand Quote
a local powdercoat shop can also powder the baseplates or if you find a gun weirdo that has Cerakote that would work as well.
[close]

I like these very much. Thank you

I will search out a gun weirdo on Craigslist. (Or go get some matte textured spray paint… whichever comes first)
[close]

I specifically mentioned weirdo because the only people that actually cerakote guns are the ones that want to paint their firearms so they're pretend armed forces. Super common among the AR-15 crowd. But, it's a very durable coating that sticks to tons of surfaces.
I gotchu. No worries.

Though now I’m getting several hundred emails an hour. I must have mispelled ceratoke or something in the Craigslist community post, because they’re all really excited to meet me.

All I said is that I wanted a good time finding someone who loved guns and could share their ceratoke with me.

Wait… oh no…. I definitely mispelled ceratoke on the post :C
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 16, 2023, 02:39:53 PM
Not bad :)

I saw a hot pink matte at the store and almost got it. Next time…. Or spray over this black when I’m bored of it.  Or white matte with this white board.




(https://i.ibb.co/bd35pD6/IMG-2607.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bd35pD6)

(https://i.ibb.co/K2Fr1XM/IMG-2608.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K2Fr1XM)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 17, 2023, 05:30:14 PM
Not bad :)

I saw a hot pink matte at the store and almost got it. Next time…. Or spray over this black when I’m bored of it.  Or white matte with this white board.




(https://i.ibb.co/bd35pD6/IMG-2607.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bd35pD6)

(https://i.ibb.co/K2Fr1XM/IMG-2608.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K2Fr1XM)
about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on December 17, 2023, 05:42:12 PM
Stepped on my buddies 8.5 antihero truefit today and I’m not sure how to interpret it. My ollie felt the best it ever has…I could bone it out and pop super high. But it felt so damn short and unstable
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 17, 2023, 06:04:24 PM

about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream

You could totally get it to do red to black fade with spray painting only from one side  :o

Post pics when you do
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 19, 2023, 11:59:37 AM
Expand Quote

about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream
[close]

You could totally get it to do red to black fade with spray painting only from one side  :o

Post pics when you do
had already started before i saw this post
but will definitely save that for my next set of trucks
still have two cans of spray paint left, matte and gloss

not nearly as interesting but this is the end result:
(https://i.ibb.co/vQW99f8/IMG-2573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WPXCC71)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 19, 2023, 12:59:48 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream
[close]

You could totally get it to do red to black fade with spray painting only from one side  :o

Post pics when you do
[close]
had already started before i saw this post
but will definitely save that for my next set of trucks
still have two cans of spray paint left, matte and gloss

not nearly as interesting but this is the end result:
(https://i.ibb.co/vQW99f8/IMG-2573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WPXCC71)
Noice. Is that matte or gloss? Looks gloss.

I got the bug now…. Maybe go back and get the white matte spray now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 19, 2023, 04:42:45 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream
[close]

You could totally get it to do red to black fade with spray painting only from one side  :o

Post pics when you do
[close]
had already started before i saw this post
but will definitely save that for my next set of trucks
still have two cans of spray paint left, matte and gloss

not nearly as interesting but this is the end result:
(https://i.ibb.co/vQW99f8/IMG-2573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WPXCC71)
[close]
Noice. Is that matte or gloss? Looks gloss.

I got the bug now…. Maybe go back and get the white matte spray now.
behr premium black gloss spray paint and primer
know had all the options in the world
but red and black are my favorite colors

pretty much completes my setup
all i need now are white or red bushings
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 19, 2023, 05:16:49 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream
[close]

You could totally get it to do red to black fade with spray painting only from one side  :o

Post pics when you do
[close]
had already started before i saw this post
but will definitely save that for my next set of trucks
still have two cans of spray paint left, matte and gloss

not nearly as interesting but this is the end result:
(https://i.ibb.co/vQW99f8/IMG-2573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WPXCC71)
[close]
Noice. Is that matte or gloss? Looks gloss.

I got the bug now…. Maybe go back and get the white matte spray now.
[close]
behr premium black gloss spray paint and primer
know had all the options in the world
but red and black are my favorite colors

pretty much completes my setup
all i need now are white or red bushings
Clear Red Venture bushings???  :o ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 19, 2023, 05:29:40 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

about to do the same to my red baseplates
black to red fade is like a childhood dream
[close]

You could totally get it to do red to black fade with spray painting only from one side  :o

Post pics when you do
[close]
had already started before i saw this post
but will definitely save that for my next set of trucks
still have two cans of spray paint left, matte and gloss

not nearly as interesting but this is the end result:
(https://i.ibb.co/vQW99f8/IMG-2573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WPXCC71)
[close]
Noice. Is that matte or gloss? Looks gloss.

I got the bug now…. Maybe go back and get the white matte spray now.
[close]
behr premium black gloss spray paint and primer
know had all the options in the world
but red and black are my favorite colors

pretty much completes my setup
all i need now are white or red bushings
[close]
Clear Red Venture bushings???  :o ;D
was thinking mini logo red in 100a
or white doh dohs in 98a, whatever i can find locally
im heavy and have strong ankles. 90a is a no go for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 24, 2023, 11:58:56 AM
I done got bored…

(https://i.ibb.co/FJJfYKg/IMG-2863.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FJJfYKg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 24, 2023, 02:18:58 PM
Stepped on my buddies 8.5 antihero truefit today and I’m not sure how to interpret it. My ollie felt the best it ever has…I could bone it out and pop super high. But it felt so damn short and unstable

I have the same experience on short boards when I'm moving at slow to moderate speeds but it vanishes when I skate as normal. It's like it's super easy to get up, but so light and nimble it's hard to not overdo things.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on December 24, 2023, 06:01:37 PM
Even though it's winter and my knees hurt, my skating is better than ever. Think it's mostly cause my setup hasn't changed since August. Gonna stick with it in 2024.

I didn't want to get attached to one shape out of fear it'd be discontinued. Don't think that's an issue with Crailtap. But in case, I'll stock up on G053s. It's not the "perfect" shape, but it's good enough. 

That might be the trick. Is to make a decision to stick with one shape.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on December 24, 2023, 06:17:21 PM
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Stepped on my buddies 8.5 antihero truefit today and I’m not sure how to interpret it. My ollie felt the best it ever has…I could bone it out and pop super high. But it felt so damn short and unstable
[close]

I have the same experience on short boards when I'm moving at slow to moderate speeds but it vanishes when I skate as normal. It's like it's super easy to get up, but so light and nimble it's hard to not overdo things.
 
Glad it’s not just me!! Some people can hop on boards with a drastic difference in wheelbase and can make it work. But I am not one of those skaters. 14.3-14.5 with some Indy’s and that seems to be good. Even 14.25 on Indy’s is pushing it in terms of the board feeling too short.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 24, 2023, 06:30:04 PM
Even though it's winter and my knees hurt, my skating is better than ever. Think it's mostly cause my setup hasn't changed since August. Gonna stick with it in 2024.

I didn't want to get attached to one shape out of fear it'd be discontinued. Don't think that's an issue with Crailtap. But in case, I'll stock up on G053s. It's not the "perfect" shape, but it's good enough. 

That might be the trick. Is to make a decision to stick with one shape.

To be a consistent skater, consistently use the same gear.

I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is. The "madness problem" is that we like to tinker, we like the idea of possibility, we self-doubt, and some like retail therapy. Those are the Four Fans to the Furnaces of Madness Hell. YES, Smith grinds on my 8.75/159s feel better than on my 8.25/144s, but the 8.25 is unquestionably a better all-around set-up for me. Everyone has their own versions of that/this equation:

(TrickX on Set-UpX) > (TrickX on SetUpY)

So, the real question then becomes, are you actually trying to rid yourself of the Madness? If not, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Skateboarding is supposed to be something you enjoy. if you enjoy the Madness, more power to you. If, on the other hand, you are trying to rid yourself of it...take what you know (your Goldilocks), and your answer is above, "That might be the trick. Is to make a decision to stick with one shape (wheel/truck/etc.).

It's like AA. You have to make a conscious decision to not take a drink. With the Madness, you have to make a conscious decision to not try something new. To be a consistent skater, consistently use the same gear.

And I freely admit, easier said than done.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on December 24, 2023, 07:59:05 PM
I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.


I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 24, 2023, 09:08:19 PM
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I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.

[close]

I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...

My deepest condolences.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 24, 2023, 09:34:03 PM
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I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.

[close]

I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...
[close]

My deepest condolences.


as maybe the most mad….i have thought, at several
different times, that i knew what my goldilocks setup was.
i don’t know.
at this point i may have broken the route home.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on December 24, 2023, 10:51:33 PM
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I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.

[close]

I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...
[close]

My deepest condolences.

It's ok to be wrong.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on December 25, 2023, 06:16:20 AM
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I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.

[close]

I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...
[close]

My deepest condolences.
[close]

It's ok to be wrong.
There is no “right”. There is no “wrong”.

There are only learning opportunities and the endless life search for perfection.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 25, 2023, 03:00:06 PM
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I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.

[close]

I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...

I'll wager that the further you head into madness, the more likely you don't actually know your goldilocks setup. If you did, why would you keep tinkering or buying new things to the point of no longer skating anything remotely close to what's ideal?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 25, 2023, 03:12:41 PM
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I'll make a bold statement: Anyone/everyone in this thread, who has gone deep enough into the Madness, actually knows exactly what their "Goldilocks" set-up is.

[close]

I literally have no idea what my goldielocks setup is...
[close]

I'll wager that the further you head into madness, the more likely you don't actually know your goldilocks setup. If you did, why would you keep tinkering or buying new things to the point of no longer skating anything remotely close to what's ideal?
Because is fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LebowskisRug on December 25, 2023, 03:53:14 PM
There's a lot of reasons why someone might not remember their Goldilocks:

1. They don't actually spend a long period on any setup.
2. Think that this term implies 100% of tricks must feel optimal.
3. Are unrealistic about 2 being possible.
4. We all have bias in our memory recall. People are particularly bad at remembering details even from a few hours back. You might remember something being 100% great when in reality it was only 70%. You try it again and that 30% that isn't perfect seems new and horrible and you wonder how it was so great before and the madness ensues.
5. As you get better and expand your skills you might start having preferences for certain tricks that make certain configurations more or less optimal.

I'm fine with knowing my recent Goldilocks not being perfect. It's just the most well rounded thing I can grab for 90% of my skating and it doesn't actually hold me back. Things that take more effort are things I don't have on lock and likely benefit from focusing on more. Spending more time on it has only helped me actually figure out how to adapt and learn to compensate for things I wasn't immediately 100% at.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on December 25, 2023, 04:43:20 PM
I think a good lesson here, and something that has been said in this thread, is the notion that your Goldilocks might not mean that 100% of your tricks/feeling is there. However, is enough of what you need there to make it work? If you can tinker with a setup to get it like 80% “perfect” then you’re golden. From there…you can really learn or perfect what you’re missing through practice. Something that stirs my madness is the idea that “if I had x set up with y trucks, then my crooks/tre flips/whatever will be better.” While that may be true, if I switch my setup…then a handful of other tricks might be affected.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ant on December 27, 2023, 12:46:50 AM
My Goldilocks was a Santa Cruz slick, some time in the mid 90s, Venture super lights and 54 or 56mm wheels. I actually tried to find out specs from that era to see why it might have felt better than any other setup I've had before or since but sadly drew a blank.

And a blank is what those trucks and wheels ended up on

(https://i.imgur.com/Q37DdxQ.jpeg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on December 27, 2023, 02:23:13 AM
There's a lot of reasons why someone might not remember their Goldilocks:

1. They don't actually spend a long period on any setup.
2. Think that this term implies 100% of tricks must feel optimal.
3. Are unrealistic about 2 being possible.
4. We all have bias in our memory recall. People are particularly bad at remembering details even from a few hours back. You might remember something being 100% great when in reality it was only 70%. You try it again and that 30% that isn't perfect seems new and horrible and you wonder how it was so great before and the madness ensues.
5. As you get better and expand your skills you might start having preferences for certain tricks that make certain configurations more or less optimal.

I'm fine with knowing my recent Goldilocks not being perfect. It's just the most well rounded thing I can grab for 90% of my skating and it doesn't actually hold me back. Things that take more effort are things I don't have on lock and likely benefit from focusing on more. Spending more time on it has only helped me actually figure out how to adapt and learn to compensate for things I wasn't immediately 100% at.

Well put, it was Golidlocks or you at that point in your life, 101s things can change in between, especially if your Goldilocks setup was from over 10 years ago and you've grown bigger in every aspect. Grown men skating a 7.5 / 7.75 is the exception, not the norm (all hail Wu-Welsh). Even from just a few years back your technique selection and muscles could have changed substantially especially as you reach your late 30s and 40s.

Fuck around a bit with your gear but don't let it consume your sessions. Adjusting to new gear every session is the killer of fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 27, 2023, 07:04:35 AM
I think a good lesson here, and something that has been said in this thread, is the notion that your Goldilocks might not mean that 100% of your tricks/feeling is there. However, is enough of what you need there to make it work? If you can tinker with a setup to get it like 80% “perfect” then you’re golden. From there…you can really learn or perfect what you’re missing through practice. Something that stirs my madness is the idea that “if I had x set up with y trucks, then my crooks/tre flips/whatever will be better.” While that may be true, if I switch my setup…then a handful of other tricks might be affected.

This is the reality. Goldilocks does not mean a set-up is perfect for all tricks, in all terrain. It means the set-up you are most comfortable with in the majority of situations.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on January 03, 2024, 01:03:14 PM
im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on January 03, 2024, 01:21:40 PM
im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
Well mine just activated. Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on January 03, 2024, 02:14:34 PM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated. Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 03, 2024, 02:40:17 PM
.

Starting another round of "Ohhh those colours look really nice" when I know I will just ride natural Formula Four wheels and take the graphics off after a day or so...

At least new wheels are a nice feeling, no matter what size or colour they are!


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on January 03, 2024, 04:50:45 PM
Just switched from 8.38 twin, 14.33, 51mm to 9.0 egg, 13.88, 57mm. Using the same 8.25 trucks.
Starting the year as mad as possible
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on January 03, 2024, 05:28:56 PM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated.  Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
[close]
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
lol, that’s exactly the only place they turned up for me on an internet search. Dammit ::)

Maybe it’s a Zumiez exclusive ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on January 03, 2024, 05:38:19 PM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated.  Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
[close]
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
[close]
lol, that’s exactly the only place they turned up for me on an internet search. Dammit ::)

Maybe it’s a Zumiez exclusive ;D
search “spitfire multi swirl”
they were stocked by a ton of real skate shops earlier in 2023
any stock left is the last of them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on January 03, 2024, 06:24:31 PM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated.  Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
[close]
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
[close]
lol, that’s exactly the only place they turned up for me on an internet search. Dammit ::)

Maybe it’s a Zumiez exclusive ;D
[close]
search “spitfire multi swirl”
they were stocked by a ton of real skate shops earlier in 2023
any stock left is the last of them
Thanks. I really wish Bones didn’t have awful graphics. Spitfire has way better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on January 03, 2024, 08:37:09 PM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated. Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o

Yeah Zumiez tends to have LOTS of swirls -https://www.zumiez.com/search/Spitfire%20Formula%20Four%20Multiswirl%20Pink

And usually well after they're gone from regular shops.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on January 03, 2024, 11:44:35 PM
I was happy and with an eased mind since I had things figured out and then it happened... Damn eggs. Got 2 8.375 (which I'm not fond of at all) and a 9.125 which is just ok.
Now I know to only stay in popsicle boards between 8.25 - 8.375 / WB 14 - 14.25 / length 31.7 - 32
Same goes for wheels, only OG classics, Conicals or Conical Full 99.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DakotaRed on January 04, 2024, 06:47:47 AM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated.  Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
[close]
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
[close]
lol, that’s exactly the only place they turned up for me on an internet search. Dammit ::)

Maybe it’s a Zumiez exclusive ;D
blacklistboardshop.com has some. I found a set of 52's at my local play it again sports.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ejazzle on January 04, 2024, 07:11:59 AM
Just switched from 8.38 twin, 14.33, 51mm to 9.0 egg, 13.88, 57mm. Using the same 8.25 trucks.
Starting the year as mad as possible

you chose chaos for 2024. Godspeed
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on January 04, 2024, 07:43:22 AM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated.  Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
[close]
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
[close]
lol, that’s exactly the only place they turned up for me on an internet search. Dammit ::)

Maybe it’s a Zumiez exclusive ;D
[close]
blacklistboardshop.com has some. I found a set of 52's at my local play it again sports.
Thanks yo.

Google shopping turned up one or two other small shops as well.

Play it again! Noice. Must have been like $20?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DakotaRed on January 04, 2024, 08:03:01 AM
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im in the end stages of madness
comfortable with my setup and shit, worrying about colors
gonna break in these spits today
(https://i.ibb.co/bLv91w6/IMG-2650.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y8ds2nN)
[close]
Well mine just activated.  Where did you get those wheels and what formula?? :o
[close]
zumiez (not my fault)
formula 4 classics 99a 52mm
[close]
lol, that’s exactly the only place they turned up for me on an internet search. Dammit ::)

Maybe it’s a Zumiez exclusive ;D
[close]
blacklistboardshop.com has some. I found a set of 52's at my local play it again sports.
[close]
Thanks yo.

Google shopping turned up one or two other small shops as well.

Play it again! Noice. Must have been like $20?
I think they were more or less standard price. Skate-wise it's usually miscellaneous price point stuff but you get lucky sometimes and they always have reds & hardware. I pop in when I'm in the area.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on January 04, 2024, 05:03:44 PM
Madness averted on the wheels. I have brand new x97’s that I love. 

Instead I just bought another one of the same deck that I’m skating now, in the same DLX press number. (Thanks sale gear thread. Thank you once again for separating money from my bank account)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: goodatmeth on January 05, 2024, 12:26:48 PM
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Just switched from 8.38 twin, 14.33, 51mm to 9.0 egg, 13.88, 57mm. Using the same 8.25 trucks.
Starting the year as mad as possible
[close]

you chose chaos for 2024. Godspeed
It works. I absolutely love this setup. After a month of struggling and just not feeling right on the 8.38, this 9" setup does exactly what I want. It even flips much easier. Ollies feel right again and give me so much more confidence to jump on rails without missing the lock.
It's like I forgot I could skate. Sometimes it's actually the setup that's the problem, but I don't accept it and struggle for a month on a setup because I can't "waste" a deck. That's what growing up poor does to people I guess.
Now I'm gonna stick with this 9" setup for the life of the deck.
Kiss kiss goodnight
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gleefull508 on January 22, 2024, 05:58:26 AM
I started skating dragon wheels and now if I try any of my other set ups I feel like my board doesn't roll at all.

I'm happy that I found the one setup I really enjoy (aces and dragon wheels) but now I have no interest in riding my other setups. I guess I have to get more dragon wheels but these spitfires I have on there are basically brand new so it feels like a waste
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on January 22, 2024, 06:40:13 AM
I started skating dragon wheels and now if I try any of my other set ups I feel like my board doesn't roll at all.

I'm happy that I found the one setup I really enjoy (aces and dragon wheels) but now I have no interest in riding my other setups. I guess I have to get more dragon wheels but these spitfires I have on there are basically brand new so it feels like a waste
Once you go X, it’s what you’ll always expect.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on January 22, 2024, 08:18:37 AM
I started skating dragon wheels and now if I try any of my other set ups I feel like my board doesn't roll at all.

I'm happy that I found the one setup I really enjoy (aces and dragon wheels) but now I have no interest in riding my other setups. I guess I have to get more dragon wheels but these spitfires I have on there are basically brand new so it feels like a waste
I have dragons on my cruiser and almost died getting stuck trying to 5050 a quarter pipe. Please tell me this gets better as I break it in because I am not going to wax coping and the wheels work well on other obstacles.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gleefull508 on January 22, 2024, 09:11:08 AM
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I started skating dragon wheels and now if I try any of my other set ups I feel like my board doesn't roll at all.

I'm happy that I found the one setup I really enjoy (aces and dragon wheels) but now I have no interest in riding my other setups. I guess I have to get more dragon wheels but these spitfires I have on there are basically brand new so it feels like a waste
[close]
I have dragons on my cruiser and almost died getting stuck trying to 5050 a quarter pipe. Please tell me this gets better as I break it in because I am not going to wax coping and the wheels work well on other obstacles.

I got that a couple times at first but not so much anymore. This wheel has changed skating for me more than any other piece of gear ever has its insane
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 22, 2024, 10:15:22 AM
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I started skating dragon wheels and now if I try any of my other set ups I feel like my board doesn't roll at all.

I'm happy that I found the one setup I really enjoy (aces and dragon wheels) but now I have no interest in riding my other setups. I guess I have to get more dragon wheels but these spitfires I have on there are basically brand new so it feels like a waste
[close]
I have dragons on my cruiser and almost died getting stuck trying to 5050 a quarter pipe. Please tell me this gets better as I break it in because I am not going to wax coping and the wheels work well on other obstacles.
[close]

I got that a couple times at first but not so much anymore. This wheel has changed skating for me more than any other piece of gear ever has its insane


i haven’t given my dragons the time, skated them maybe 5xs.
my opinion is that they are keyframes. i don’t get it. they are cruiser wheels. this other stuff about them being the gift hasn’t matched up with my experiences.

but pushing down the street and ollieing up curbs is sick. truly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 22, 2024, 12:37:11 PM
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I started skating dragon wheels and now if I try any of my other set ups I feel like my board doesn't roll at all.

I'm happy that I found the one setup I really enjoy (aces and dragon wheels) but now I have no interest in riding my other setups. I guess I have to get more dragon wheels but these spitfires I have on there are basically brand new so it feels like a waste
[close]
I have dragons on my cruiser and almost died getting stuck trying to 5050 a quarter pipe. Please tell me this gets better as I break it in because I am not going to wax coping and the wheels work well on other obstacles.
[close]

I got that a couple times at first but not so much anymore. This wheel has changed skating for me more than any other piece of gear ever has its insane
[close]


i haven’t given my dragons the time, skated them maybe 5xs.
my opinion is that they are keyframes. i don’t get it. they are cruiser wheels. this other stuff about them being the gift hasn’t matched up with my experiences.

but pushing down the street and ollieing up curbs is sick. truly.

Dragons slide much better than keyframes, though keyframes eat up crust a bit better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slayer666 on January 22, 2024, 12:56:16 PM
I have two main setups rn and they are basically the same I used to have really bad madness trying all sorts of gear to see what I liked best and the conclusion was just to skate what you got in the end if you worry too much it’s just gonna fuck you over but I think it was beneficial to my skating somehow if you’re willing to take that plunge. My point is I still have some gear lying around from when I bought a bunch of stuff to try and I recently switched to 97a conicals on an 8.4 baker to skate an indoor park all winter then I bought and 8.5 baker and it didn’t feel quite right with the conicals something about it being a little less poiny than the 8.4 and my wheels being completely even with the deck made me have to switch back to the 99 radials I had setup before which are rounder wheels for it basically just not to bother me as much when I look down. But I still want to use the 97 conicals for the indoor park so I went back to my 8.4 baker but I also had brand new Thunder 151s lights left over from when I went crazy buying new shit I didn’t need so against my better judgement I currently have two super similar setups both with risers and thunders one with 54mm 99a radials on the 8.5 baker and the other one with 56mm 97a conicals on the 8.4 baker. I’m kinda hyped on baker too rn it’s been a while since I’ve had one and it currently feels the best rn I have no intention on switching anytime soon I’ll probably keep buying baker boards till I rot and die tbh. So long story short I don’t know why I have two setups it kinda just happened but I feel like the small difference between the two is kinda helping me skate in some weird way making me adjust how I do stuff ever so slightly (creating new neurological pathways in my skateboarding brain) Plus it’s kinda nice to spice it up and ride something else when I feel like it without it being too different where I can’t land my usual tricks. If anyone has time to read all this feel free to tell me how delusional I am or kook me as much as you like for the somewhat disgusting behavior of having more than 1 setup cause I’ve always been under the impression it’s kinda crazy to have more than 1 at a time until recently. I’ll probably go back to just 1 eventually but let me cook
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gleefull508 on January 23, 2024, 09:43:27 AM
I have two main setups rn and they are basically the same I used to have really bad madness trying all sorts of gear to see what I liked best and the conclusion was just to skate what you got in the end if you worry too much it’s just gonna fuck you over but I think it was beneficial to my skating somehow if you’re willing to take that plunge. My point is I still have some gear lying around from when I bought a bunch of stuff to try and I recently switched to 97a conicals on an 8.4 baker to skate an indoor park all winter then I bought and 8.5 baker and it didn’t feel quite right with the conicals something about it being a little less poiny than the 8.4 and my wheels being completely even with the deck made me have to switch back to the 99 radials I had setup before which are rounder wheels for it basically just not to bother me as much when I look down. But I still want to use the 97 conicals for the indoor park so I went back to my 8.4 baker but I also had brand new Thunder 151s lights left over from when I went crazy buying new shit I didn’t need so against my better judgement I currently have two super similar setups both with risers and thunders one with 54mm 99a radials on the 8.5 baker and the other one with 56mm 97a conicals on the 8.4 baker. I’m kinda hyped on baker too rn it’s been a while since I’ve had one and it currently feels the best rn I have no intention on switching anytime soon I’ll probably keep buying baker boards till I rot and die tbh. So long story short I don’t know why I have two setups it kinda just happened but I feel like the small difference between the two is kinda helping me skate in some weird way making me adjust how I do stuff ever so slightly (creating new neurological pathways in my skateboarding brain) Plus it’s kinda nice to spice it up and ride something else when I feel like it without it being too different where I can’t land my usual tricks. If anyone has time to read all this feel free to tell me how delusional I am or kook me as much as you like for the somewhat disgusting behavior of having more than 1 setup cause I’ve always been under the impression it’s kinda crazy to have more than 1 at a time until recently. I’ll probably go back to just 1 eventually but let me cook

Great advice saying skate what you got. And I probably will eventually. It just sucks when I got all this new gear for a new setup that I don't enjoy/ feel like is making me worse.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on January 23, 2024, 10:49:44 AM
Great advice saying skate what you got. And I probably will eventually. It just sucks when I got all this new gear for a new setup that I don't enjoy/ feel like is making me worse.

It can easily make you feel worse (all the gear) then it reflects in your skating (why doesn't this work?).

I've been bouncing between 8.25/14"wb (too small) and 8.5/14.25"wb (too big), all hovering around 31.8x, having no luck with those dims, I decided to split the difference and found one that is damn close to the median numerically (quite surprised it existed and is regularly available)....first few skates and it's working great.

Using what you have on hand = the way (with the exception of having something that totally doesn't work, e.g., only having 159s and 7.75 decks on hand, then you should go buy something that fits).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on February 01, 2024, 05:08:36 AM
Should change my CF for some V5?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on February 01, 2024, 09:34:53 PM
Should change my CF for some V5?

I did the other direction and realized the V5 was way narrow than the C or CF, which in my head before trying both, I thought V5 and CF were nearly identical in width and feel haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on February 02, 2024, 02:26:35 PM
Here I am eating my words. I have venture 5.8s on a 8.38 14.25 board with 54mm classics. How is this NOT feeling like the perfect set up?! It’s been about 2 weeks on it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 02, 2024, 02:36:03 PM
Was at shop. They had a DLX 8.5/14.25. I've had those before. And always hated them (too short and stubby for me). But this one was a IV stamp. And my favorite color top stain. Stood on it, and was feeling nice. So, I bought it. Gripped it at home, and it was looking real, real nice. How had I not liked this deck, several times, before? Switched over trucks/wheels, and was excited to go skate it. Then I stood on it. "Oh, right. You really don't like this thing, and now it's all coming back as to why." Skated it for about 2 hours, and pretty much hated every second. Went home, and took that thing right apart. Why did I even buy this? Did I think it's performance aspects were suddenly going to change...if I tried it again? Oh, right. I know why I bought it; madness. That last few times I had that deck, I gave it away. I think this time I'll keep it around, so a year from now, when I decide to try it again...I won't have to buy another one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 02, 2024, 02:37:51 PM
Was at shop. They had a DLX 8.5/14.25. I've had those before. And always hated them (too short and stubby for me). But this one was a IV stamp. And my favorite color top stain. Stood on it, and was feeling nice. So, I bought it. Gripped it at home, and it was looking real, real nice. How had I not liked this deck, several times, before? Switched over trucks/wheels, and was excited to go skate it. Then I stood on it. "Oh, right. You really don't like this thing, and now it's all coming back as to why." Skated it for about 2 hours, and pretty much hated every second. Went home, and took that thing right apart. Why did I even buy this? Did I think it's performance aspects were suddenly going to change...if I tried it again? Oh, right. I know why I bought it; madness. That last few times I had that deck, I gave it away. I think this time I'll keep it around, so a year from now, when I decide to try it again...I won't have to buy another one.

this is me, with indys.

sometimes a deck just seems like the one tho. i can’t buy boards online anymore. hate it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 02, 2024, 03:20:45 PM
Was at shop. They had a DLX 8.5/14.25. I've had those before. And always hated them (too short and stubby for me). But this one was a IV stamp. And my favorite color top stain. Stood on it, and was feeling nice. So, I bought it. Gripped it at home, and it was looking real, real nice. How had I not liked this deck, several times, before? Switched over trucks/wheels, and was excited to go skate it. Then I stood on it. "Oh, right. You really don't like this thing, and now it's all coming back as to why." Skated it for about 2 hours, and pretty much hated every second. Went home, and took that thing right apart. Why did I even buy this? Did I think it's performance aspects were suddenly going to change...if I tried it again? Oh, right. I know why I bought it; madness. That last few times I had that deck, I gave it away. I think this time I'll keep it around, so a year from now, when I decide to try it again...I won't have to buy another one.


If you still had those Venture trucks, they would work on that board with the shorter wheelbase, but it is still not Indy on 14.38 wb and I know you know that too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 02, 2024, 05:02:40 PM
Expand Quote
Was at shop. They had a DLX 8.5/14.25. I've had those before. And always hated them (too short and stubby for me). But this one was a IV stamp. And my favorite color top stain. Stood on it, and was feeling nice. So, I bought it. Gripped it at home, and it was looking real, real nice. How had I not liked this deck, several times, before? Switched over trucks/wheels, and was excited to go skate it. Then I stood on it. "Oh, right. You really don't like this thing, and now it's all coming back as to why." Skated it for about 2 hours, and pretty much hated every second. Went home, and took that thing right apart. Why did I even buy this? Did I think it's performance aspects were suddenly going to change...if I tried it again? Oh, right. I know why I bought it; madness. That last few times I had that deck, I gave it away. I think this time I'll keep it around, so a year from now, when I decide to try it again...I won't have to buy another one.
[close]


If you still had those Venture trucks, they would work on that board with the shorter wheelbase, but it is still not Indy on 14.38 wb and I know you know that too.

I actually still do have them. But I don’t like milk all that much. I really hate Gin, too. Milk and Gin mixed together? No thanks. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 03, 2024, 12:16:07 AM
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Was at shop. They had a DLX 8.5/14.25. I've had those before. And always hated them (too short and stubby for me). But this one was a IV stamp. And my favorite color top stain. Stood on it, and was feeling nice. So, I bought it. Gripped it at home, and it was looking real, real nice. How had I not liked this deck, several times, before? Switched over trucks/wheels, and was excited to go skate it. Then I stood on it. "Oh, right. You really don't like this thing, and now it's all coming back as to why." Skated it for about 2 hours, and pretty much hated every second. Went home, and took that thing right apart. Why did I even buy this? Did I think it's performance aspects were suddenly going to change...if I tried it again? Oh, right. I know why I bought it; madness. That last few times I had that deck, I gave it away. I think this time I'll keep it around, so a year from now, when I decide to try it again...I won't have to buy another one.
[close]


If you still had those Venture trucks, they would work on that board with the shorter wheelbase, but it is still not Indy on 14.38 wb and I know you know that too.
[close]

I actually still do have them. But I don’t like milk all that much. I really hate Gin, too. Milk and Gin mixed together? No thanks. :)


Well you could set it all up with some wheels you don't like either so it can really be your whole entire hating life type of setup you can have a stand on or even a look at any time you ever think that you would like to try anything other than DLX 8.25 on forged Indy 144s with 53 mm Classic wheels.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread I actually set that up the other day, even the b
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 03, 2024, 12:20:47 AM
.


I actually set that up the other day, even the blue bushings and it is a fun setup, so I could see how that would work so well for you, or anyone else who wanted to try it for that matter.


What else is on your usual board?


DLX 8.25 IV stamp deck
Indy forged hollow 144 trucks with blue 92 cylinder bushings
Spitfire Classic 53 mm 99 duro wheels
Bearings?
Grip?
Bolts?

Any other mods or changes to what would be a fairly easy setup to make from all stock parts?


Helping with your madness to make more of my own...

Good fun though seeing what others ride / have as their preferred setup when I have done that before in the past.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread I actually set that up the other day, even the b
Post by: Sedition on February 03, 2024, 01:11:05 AM
.


I actually set that up the other day, even the blue bushings and it is a fun setup, so I could see how that would work so well for you, or anyone else who wanted to try it for that matter.


What else is on your usual board?


DLX 8.25 IV stamp deck
Indy forged hollow 144 trucks with blue 92 cylinder bushings
Spitfire Classic 53 mm 99 duro wheels
Bearings?
Grip?
Bolts?

Any other mods or changes to what would be a fairly easy setup to make from all stock parts?


Helping with your madness to make more of my own...

Good fun though seeing what others ride / have as their preferred setup when I have done that before in the past.

Bearings: Super Swiss 6
Grip: Jessup
Bolts: Indy 7/8" Allen

Oh, I usually ride rails, too. Powell Rib Bones. No other mods, though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FUBAR on February 03, 2024, 05:55:01 AM
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 03, 2024, 06:45:13 AM
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.

extremely relevant to my interests
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 03, 2024, 07:32:28 AM
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.

Damn, dude. That’s a bold move. I’m locked on 53, and the idea of going 54/52 is, well, a Cataclysmic abyss of peril and torment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on February 03, 2024, 07:40:04 AM
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.

I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 03, 2024, 07:21:01 PM
52mm is the best, you want 53s but 52s are fine, you want 51s and 52s will be that in a good weeks worth of skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 03, 2024, 08:05:30 PM
52mm is the best, you want 53s but 52s are fine, you want 51s and 52s will be that in a good weeks worth of skating.



oh it’s the best size for me for sure.

if i was in skate heaven, and skated new wheels every week: 50s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sondor on February 04, 2024, 01:49:41 AM
you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on February 04, 2024, 02:01:26 AM
The real question is tho... Are you wheels really the size you say they are?
I know my wheels isent 54mm anymore, after a couple of months. More like 51-52mm. Wheels shred atleast 1mm per month, if you skate streets or rougher parks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 04, 2024, 02:31:43 AM
you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s


There is definitely a place for 56 mm wheels and above, as per quite a few of my usual boards, but I still prefer smaller wheels for a lot of things, small tech stuff that bigger wheels just don't do so well on.

I guess it is down to what you skate or even how you skate, as people with big wheels can still get tech, but I find 56 and up almost impossible to skate curbs and small things, whereas 50 mm wheels work oh so well on those smaller things, lots of slides, wheels not getting in the way the way bigger wheels do, etc.



The real question is tho... Are you wheels really the size you say they are?
I know my wheels isent 54mm anymore, after a couple of months. More like 51-52mm. Wheels shred atleast 1mm per month, if you skate streets or rougher parks


I think more than a few people have measuring calipers on here - I got a bulk deal when I went looking so I passed quite a few round to people I skate with, so there are definitely more people who are very aware of their wheel sizes more in my circle of skate friends.

I prefer 56 mm wheels for my "Go fast" boards, more for transition but also anywhere I am not really thinking about doing much else too.  That said, I do have boards with 57, 58, 59 and 60+ but I don't skate them much.

I have 52 - 54 mm wheels on my main setups, often starting at 54 but usually worn down at least to 53 or under, usually Conical Full that have been rounded off.

Then around 50 mm or so, give or take a mm, on my small tech / curb setups or boards that are pretty much done, but they might still be good for small stuff.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on February 04, 2024, 05:02:27 AM
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After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
[close]

I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.

It were 52mm for me, for a long time. Got a set of Spit Conicals in 54mm that I kinda fear to set up. Especially now, that I switched from Indy Forged to Thunder Hollow Lights. But back in the day, I ran 55mm Classics on Thunder 147s.
So everything will be fine. Right? 😅 Only gotta figure out the bushing situation for those Thunders.
And now back to the daily stretching program pals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dmng on February 04, 2024, 11:25:46 AM
I actually made the forbidden move and bought some x99 54mm to give it a try
From my haze 54mm I find the difference to be massive. I feel like riding 95duro wheels because they are not as loud and create way less vibrations, comfort difference is huge.
For the slide part it does feel the same as my previous 99 even though I find the sliding to be more progressive.
I can’t really feel any difference between decks when it’s the same width as I’m quite new to skating, but those wheels make such a difference, might be my best investment until now ! I’m so curious about x97 for skating rougher spots, commute on the road etc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 04, 2024, 11:48:24 AM
I actually made the forbidden move and bought some x99 54mm to give it a try
From my haze 54mm I find the difference to be massive. I feel like riding 95duro wheels because they are not as loud and create way less vibrations, comfort difference is huge.
For the slide part it does feel the same as my previous 99 even though I find the sliding to be more progressive.
I can’t really feel any difference between decks when it’s the same width as I’m quite new to skating, but those wheels make such a difference, might be my best investment until now ! I’m so curious about x97 for skating rougher spots, commute on the road etc

Forbidden?!

(https://i.ibb.co/hmCbVPR/IMG-4269.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hmCbVPR)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dmng on February 04, 2024, 12:32:11 PM
Forbidden because my previous wheels were barely used and I can’t really justify with my level ! Proper gear madness
My back already thank me tho !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FUBAR on February 04, 2024, 02:52:19 PM
52mm is the best, you want 53s but 52s are fine, you want 51s and 52s will be that in a good weeks worth of skating.
Absolutely! This thought is how I got over the mental block.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 04, 2024, 04:53:03 PM
you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s

No, I do, I'm missing the wheelbite.

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
[close]

I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.
[close]

It were 52mm for me, for a long time. Got a set of Spit Conicals in 54mm that I kinda fear to set up. Especially now, that I switched from Indy Forged to Thunder Hollow Lights. But back in the day, I ran 55mm Classics on Thunder 147s.
So everything will be fine. Right? 😅 Only gotta figure out the bushing situation for those Thunders.
And now back to the daily stretching program pals.

What's your thunder bushing problem? I'm riding 94a thunder bottoms, bones hard top;  I'm not sure what the deal is but my bones hards compressed down soooo much compared to the mediums I have that I've ridden a ton...the top is a low top now and the bottom is quickly approaching a regular/slightly taller top height....crazy.

Trying to track down a 95a rebuild kit that isn't overpriced af.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on February 05, 2024, 07:14:30 AM
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you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s
[close]

No, I do, I'm missing the wheelbite.

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
[close]

I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.
[close]

It were 52mm for me, for a long time. Got a set of Spit Conicals in 54mm that I kinda fear to set up. Especially now, that I switched from Indy Forged to Thunder Hollow Lights. But back in the day, I ran 55mm Classics on Thunder 147s.
So everything will be fine. Right? 😅 Only gotta figure out the bushing situation for those Thunders.
And now back to the daily stretching program pals.
[close]

What's your thunder bushing problem? I'm riding 94a thunder bottoms, bones hard top;  I'm not sure what the deal is but my bones hards compressed down soooo much compared to the mediums I have that I've ridden a ton...the top is a low top now and the bottom is quickly approaching a regular/slightly taller top height....crazy.

Trying to track down a 95a rebuild kit that isn't overpriced af.

I put Indy 92 Cylinders as the bottom bushing for the first sesh. Those were okay, but I felt like the turn was a bit limited and I am not sure Cylinder.bushings are the best for Thunders. Then I put the Thunder stock bottoms in but those were way too surfy and loose. I will try the 94 Thunder aftermarket bushings now and try to break them in. I hope they get a bit harder. The wheelie point feels hella wonky and surfy on Thunders to me. But I rode Indy's for a long time with Cylinder bushings and my balance isn't the best due to medical problems. But the Thunder pop felt way better and more controlled as the Indy's before and I had way less ghost pop. I also got the Ace Hard bushings and the Pig 91 Mediums for experimenting.

Thanks for coming to the bushing madness my pals. Back to the stretching now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 05, 2024, 09:26:53 AM
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52mm is the best, you want 53s but 52s are fine, you want 51s and 52s will be that in a good weeks worth of skating.
[close]
Absolutely! This thought is how I got over the mental block.

I've tried 52mm more times than I want to admit. How can 1mm really impact anything?* I don't know, but it seems to. They felt too slow, too low, didn't engage with coping well, and seemed to slip out on grinds more. Really? I'm being that much of a princess over 1mm? 1mm? Skateboarding is weird. 53mm is also easier to find in 97a, 99a, 101a (e.g. Spits) than 52mm, so there is that, too. It's nice to have some duro options as surfaces may dictate.

*53mm is my usual.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pops on February 05, 2024, 09:46:51 AM
you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s

56s are the truth. So are 60s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on February 05, 2024, 10:34:41 AM
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you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s
[close]

56s are the truth. So are 60s.

I feel like you can literally skate anything well (aside from especially rough spots) on 56mm 99a F4 Classics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on February 05, 2024, 12:57:48 PM
I tried ma indy's in mini ramps, and I kinda liked it. The smoother grind, and the turn makes slashes kinda easier then Thunder... Now I consider just to skate Indy's everywhere...
But my wheels are only 50mm... I kinda want to try bigger wheeels, 53-54mm should be ideal for indoor mini ramps ye?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 05, 2024, 02:03:01 PM
I tried ma indy's in mini ramps, and I kinda liked it. The smoother grind, and the turn makes slashes kinda easier then Thunder... Now I consider just to skate Indy's everywhere...
But my wheels are only 50mm... I kinda want to try bigger wheeels, 53-54mm should be ideal for indoor mini ramps ye?

53mm, Indys, Mini Ramp = heaven
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 05, 2024, 06:59:43 PM
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you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s
[close]

No, I do, I'm missing the wheelbite.

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
[close]

I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.
[close]

It were 52mm for me, for a long time. Got a set of Spit Conicals in 54mm that I kinda fear to set up. Especially now, that I switched from Indy Forged to Thunder Hollow Lights. But back in the day, I ran 55mm Classics on Thunder 147s.
So everything will be fine. Right?  Only gotta figure out the bushing situation for those Thunders.
And now back to the daily stretching program pals.
[close]

What's your thunder bushing problem? I'm riding 94a thunder bottoms, bones hard top;  I'm not sure what the deal is but my bones hards compressed down soooo much compared to the mediums I have that I've ridden a ton...the top is a low top now and the bottom is quickly approaching a regular/slightly taller top height....crazy.

Trying to track down a 95a rebuild kit that isn't overpriced af.
[close]

I put Indy 92 Cylinders as the bottom bushing for the first sesh. Those were okay, but I felt like the turn was a bit limited and I am not sure Cylinder.bushings are the best for Thunders. Then I put the Thunder stock bottoms in but those were way too surfy and loose. I will try the 94 Thunder aftermarket bushings now and try to break them in. I hope they get a bit harder. The wheelie point feels hella wonky and surfy on Thunders to me. But I rode Indy's for a long time with Cylinder bushings and my balance isn't the best due to medical problems. But the Thunder pop felt way better and more controlled as the Indy's before and I had way less ghost pop. I also got the Ace Hard bushings and the Pig 91 Mediums for experimenting.

Thanks for coming to the bushing madness my pals. Back to the stretching now.

It might work for some, and I've tried it a few times, but a barrel bottom in thunders just ruins the turn/unique thunder characteristics for me, there is a reason why they ship with conicals, ya know?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 05, 2024, 07:06:08 PM
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you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s
[close]

No, I do, I'm missing the wheelbite.

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
[close]

I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.
[close]

It were 52mm for me, for a long time. Got a set of Spit Conicals in 54mm that I kinda fear to set up. Especially now, that I switched from Indy Forged to Thunder Hollow Lights. But back in the day, I ran 55mm Classics on Thunder 147s.
So everything will be fine. Right?  Only gotta figure out the bushing situation for those Thunders.
And now back to the daily stretching program pals.
[close]

What's your thunder bushing problem? I'm riding 94a thunder bottoms, bones hard top;  I'm not sure what the deal is but my bones hards compressed down soooo much compared to the mediums I have that I've ridden a ton...the top is a low top now and the bottom is quickly approaching a regular/slightly taller top height....crazy.

Trying to track down a 95a rebuild kit that isn't overpriced af.
[close]

I put Indy 92 Cylinders as the bottom bushing for the first sesh. Those were okay, but I felt like the turn was a bit limited and I am not sure Cylinder.bushings are the best for Thunders. Then I put the Thunder stock bottoms in but those were way too surfy and loose. I will try the 94 Thunder aftermarket bushings now and try to break them in. I hope they get a bit harder. The wheelie point feels hella wonky and surfy on Thunders to me. But I rode Indy's for a long time with Cylinder bushings and my balance isn't the best due to medical problems. But the Thunder pop felt way better and more controlled as the Indy's before and I had way less ghost pop. I also got the Ace Hard bushings and the Pig 91 Mediums for experimenting.

Thanks for coming to the bushing madness my pals. Back to the stretching now.
[close]

It might work for some, and I've tried it a few times, but a barrel bottom in thunders just ruins the turn/unique thunder characteristics for me, there is a reason why they ship with conicals, ya know?


you are correct.
i feel similarly, but to a much, much lesser extent, about conicals in ventures: i might do it every few years or so, increases the turn, lessens the pop, for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 05, 2024, 09:45:10 PM
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you don't know what you are missing not riding 56s
[close]

No, I do, I'm missing the wheelbite.

Expand Quote
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After years of stressing my wheels HAVE to be 51mm when new, I can now say 52mm is just fine too. Whew…needed to get that off my chest.
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I agree with this.  I switched to 52 for a while, but now for some reason I am back on 51 and I sometimes have thoughts about 50 lol.
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It were 52mm for me, for a long time. Got a set of Spit Conicals in 54mm that I kinda fear to set up. Especially now, that I switched from Indy Forged to Thunder Hollow Lights. But back in the day, I ran 55mm Classics on Thunder 147s.
So everything will be fine. Right?  Only gotta figure out the bushing situation for those Thunders.
And now back to the daily stretching program pals.
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What's your thunder bushing problem? I'm riding 94a thunder bottoms, bones hard top;  I'm not sure what the deal is but my bones hards compressed down soooo much compared to the mediums I have that I've ridden a ton...the top is a low top now and the bottom is quickly approaching a regular/slightly taller top height....crazy.

Trying to track down a 95a rebuild kit that isn't overpriced af.
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I put Indy 92 Cylinders as the bottom bushing for the first sesh. Those were okay, but I felt like the turn was a bit limited and I am not sure Cylinder.bushings are the best for Thunders. Then I put the Thunder stock bottoms in but those were way too surfy and loose. I will try the 94 Thunder aftermarket bushings now and try to break them in. I hope they get a bit harder. The wheelie point feels hella wonky and surfy on Thunders to me. But I rode Indy's for a long time with Cylinder bushings and my balance isn't the best due to medical problems. But the Thunder pop felt way better and more controlled as the Indy's before and I had way less ghost pop. I also got the Ace Hard bushings and the Pig 91 Mediums for experimenting.

Thanks for coming to the bushing madness my pals. Back to the stretching now.
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It might work for some, and I've tried it a few times, but a barrel bottom in thunders just ruins the turn/unique thunder characteristics for me, there is a reason why they ship with conicals, ya know?
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you are correct.
i feel similarly, but to a much, much lesser extent, about conicals in ventures: i might do it every few years or so, increases the turn, lessens the pop, for me.

I've done it with bones/indy conicals and losing that pop/stability just takes away from those base characteristics (putting  bones in royals does the same thing)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on February 06, 2024, 03:14:46 PM
its still fun to try new boards
but the feel of knowing home base is 100

got every dimension within .25 of an inch
im glad the options are slim in the range i look for (9-9.25)

trucks are set for eternity
bearings and hardware too
the one thing is wheels at this point
x formula should have been my most recent purchase
but soon pals, soon

lets not talk about the thousands spent on the journey tho
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on February 10, 2024, 05:26:03 AM
Was at shop. They had a DLX 8.5/14.25. I've had those before. And always hated them (too short and stubby for me). But this one was a IV stamp. And my favorite color top stain. Stood on it, and was feeling nice. So, I bought it. Gripped it at home, and it was looking real, real nice. How had I not liked this deck, several times, before? Switched over trucks/wheels, and was excited to go skate it. Then I stood on it. "Oh, right. You really don't like this thing, and now it's all coming back as to why." Skated it for about 2 hours, and pretty much hated every second. Went home, and took that thing right apart. Why did I even buy this? Did I think it's performance aspects were suddenly going to change...if I tried it again? Oh, right. I know why I bought it; madness. That last few times I had that deck, I gave it away. I think this time I'll keep it around, so a year from now, when I decide to try it again...I won't have to buy another one.
It's funny that you don't like this shape because it's one of my favorites. I was skating an 8.3 twin habitat which felt pretty good for everything except my ollie. I swear it made me ollie like a damn beginner no matter what foot position I tried. And I even tried giving it time but I just couldn't ollie right on it which is a deal breaker. It just felt way too steep and the kicks didn't have the spoon like concave that usual bbs boards have.

But anyway I set the trusty 8.5/14.25 up and everything worked including ollies. Also I think what made the habitat difficult to ollie is that it was damn near an inch longer than the 8.5.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on February 10, 2024, 06:38:23 AM
Aight so, my homie told me about his madness.

There is a tiny quarter in our local park. I ride Indys and Thunders (both for 8.25 decks) and can lock in on that coping with my trucks. Things like feeble, axle stall, pivot etc. He rides Venture 5.2 and for some reason he can't lock into that coping, he always rolls on top. So he ordered Venture 5.6 and hopes for the best. Yesterday we sat there, two grown men wondering what's up with his trucks and we can't lock in. ^^ His theory is, that the Venture 5.2 hanger is a bit too small for that specific quarter. My theory is, that he has to lean more into the quarter instead of standing on top. Which doesn't make that much sense because I can lock in there fine, no matter which way I lean but I also don't ride Ventures.
Any thoughts from the pals?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 10, 2024, 08:24:28 AM
It's funny that you don't like this shape because it's one of my favorites.

With time and experience, you will learn that people don't always like the same things you do. For example, people may not like the same colors, food, and music that you do. I know it's shocking, but life can be full of surprises like that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on February 10, 2024, 10:03:53 AM
Aight so, my homie told me about his madness.

There is a tiny quarter in our local park. I ride Indys and Thunders (both for 8.25 decks) and can lock in on that coping with my trucks. Things like feeble, axle stall, pivot etc. He rides Venture 5.2 and for some reason he can't lock into that coping, he always rolls on top. So he ordered Venture 5.6 and hopes for the best. Yesterday we sat there, two grown men wondering what's up with his trucks and we can't lock in. ^^ His theory is, that the Venture 5.2 hanger is a bit too small for that specific quarter. My theory is, that he has to lean more into the quarter instead of standing on top. Which doesn't make that much sense because I can lock in there fine, no matter which way I lean but I also don't ride Ventures.
Any thoughts from the pals?

First guess, it's the wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on February 10, 2024, 01:33:29 PM
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It's funny that you don't like this shape because it's one of my favorites.
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With time and experience, you will learn that people don't always like the same things you do. For example, people may not like the same colors, food, and music that you do. I know it's shocking, but life can be full of surprises like that.
Not really shocking at all. Just thought it was a funny coincidence that you brought up that shape not working for you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 10, 2024, 01:54:03 PM
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It's funny that you don't like this shape because it's one of my favorites.
[close]

With time and experience, you will learn that people don't always like the same things you do. For example, people may not like the same colors, food, and music that you do. I know it's shocking, but life can be full of surprises like that.
[close]
Not really shocking at all. Just thought it was a funny coincidence that you brought up that shape not working for you.

I have this bad habit of occasionally thinking that I should/would like 14.25 (or smaller) wheelbases, and getting something 14.25 to try out. The result have never changed; they simply do not work for me. So, why do I occasionally keep trying them again? Well, there is a reason I’m a regular poster in this thread. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on February 10, 2024, 02:01:54 PM
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It's funny that you don't like this shape because it's one of my favorites.
[close]

With time and experience, you will learn that people don't always like the same things you do. For example, people may not like the same colors, food, and music that you do. I know it's shocking, but life can be full of surprises like that.
[close]
Not really shocking at all. Just thought it was a funny coincidence that you brought up that shape not working for you.
[close]

I have this bad habit of occasionally thinking that I should/would like 14.25 (or smaller) wheelbases, and getting something 14.25 to try out. The result have never changed; they simply do not work for me. So, why do I occasionally keep trying them again? Well, there is a reason I’m a regular poster in this thread. :)
Lol I know exactly what you mean. We know what we like yet we still try things we know we don't like thinking it will be different this time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on February 10, 2024, 03:32:49 PM
I think the gear in gear madness gets a bad rap.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 10, 2024, 07:01:53 PM
Aight so, my homie told me about his madness.

There is a tiny quarter in our local park. I ride Indys and Thunders (both for 8.25 decks) and can lock in on that coping with my trucks. Things like feeble, axle stall, pivot etc. He rides Venture 5.2 and for some reason he can't lock into that coping, he always rolls on top. So he ordered Venture 5.6 and hopes for the best. Yesterday we sat there, two grown men wondering what's up with his trucks and we can't lock in. ^^ His theory is, that the Venture 5.2 hanger is a bit too small for that specific quarter. My theory is, that he has to lean more into the quarter instead of standing on top. Which doesn't make that much sense because I can lock in there fine, no matter which way I lean but I also don't ride Ventures.
Any thoughts from the pals?


Have you skated his board and been able to do whatever it is he can't do?

Often that pushes boundaries but I recall one guy who was so pissed at whatever it was he was trying and we all kind of knew he was not doing it right, but it took someone else grabbing his board doing exactly what he was trying and showing him that it was not the board, it was the guy not doing it right.

For some that would be game over, but for others, they might actually see that they need to change things up in the way they skate, more so than blame the board or whatever it is that is not working.

Conversely, has he been able to do the tricks on your board, or any other board?  That would be the easiest way to see whether or not it is the human or the skateboard that needs to change.


Just a thought anyway and not a worry if that option is not a good one.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jums on February 10, 2024, 07:21:48 PM
Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 10, 2024, 07:40:53 PM
Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.


i am awful, and i buy boards to see if that helps things. it doesn’t.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on February 10, 2024, 07:58:32 PM
Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.

Sometimes when you are skating well and at the top of your game the madness calls also.

"If I'm skating this well with this ______ then surely with _____, Il'be skate even better."

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 11, 2024, 07:22:23 AM
Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.

Madness is a fickle mistress - one day you've found your Goldilocks setup, the next day that same setup is ass and the reason why your kickflips are doo doo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 11, 2024, 07:38:02 AM
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Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.
[close]

Sometimes when you are skating well and at the top of your game the madness calls also.

"If I'm skating this well with this ______ then surely with _____, Il'be skate even better."

it is difficult for me to remember a time when i was feeling really good on board, but i do agree with this as well (the skating well, but lusting for the greener grass).

for me the ‘gear madness’, lines up with mental health issues i’ve been diagnosed with, consumerism, limited time to skate, an aging body, etc etc

the last 10 years have been more about experimentation with equipment, than ‘progressing’ with skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 11, 2024, 07:51:05 AM
Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.

Madness can be caused by many things. But, I think it’s a lot like skating itself. You do 50/50 on a curb. Then you want to try it on a bench. Then see if you can go further. Then maybe rail. Etc. Etc. We are constantly trying to tweak and improve things, or try new twists on old tricks. I am under no illusions that switching equipment is going to substantively make me skate better; it won’t (some equipment makes me skate worse, though). However, sometimes toying with equipment just makes things feel better. Sometimes. There is merit in that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 11, 2024, 08:06:49 AM
It's aligned to the very nature of learning a trick - you tweak aspects of your pop / drag / weight distribution / body posture / feet position to get the trick 2nd nature. Some adjustments are fine, but you can skew too hard 1 direction or the other and your game is completely off. Same goes for gear.

Pros are athletically gifted with refined proprioception to make adjustments on the fly to the minute differences in their setup, and the tricks their trying carries significant risk of bodily harm if they bail or slam. In that case the madness is justified.

For regular joes like us it's just a bit of messing around, consumerism and delusional thinking.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 11, 2024, 08:19:58 AM
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Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.
[close]


i am awful, and i buy boards to see if that helps things. it doesn’t.
Me too, broski. I ain’t and never was talented at skating compared to others.

Now I just ride a bigger board and enjoy how it hugs my feet, and whenever I can’t do that fakie back tail I just believe it’s me.

It’s always been me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 11, 2024, 08:23:38 AM
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Unpopular opinion but….

Can the madness be attributed to being awful at skateboarding for X# of years and blaming it on your setup components? Just skate what you have.
[close]

Sometimes when you are skating well and at the top of your game the madness calls also.

"If I'm skating this well with this ______ then surely with _____, Il'be skate even better."
[close]

it is difficult for me to remember a time when i was feeling really good on board, but i do agree with this as well (the skating well, but lusting for the greener grass).

for me the ‘gear madness’, lines up with mental health issues i’ve been diagnosed with, consumerism, limited time to skate, an aging body, etc etc

the last 10 years have been more about experimentation with equipment, than ‘progressing’ with skating.
I think maybe the madness is the extra spending money we have as we’re older (hopefully more, apologies if not), and the madness is a way to still be involved with skating at a high level when we can’t do it at as high a level trick or physcially wise.

Since our bodies don’t cooperate, we seek out what we can control: the setup.

This is for old people, though. If you young people, then it could just be you like to Tinker with things, and tinkering gives your mechanically/engineering slanted mind something fun to do ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 11, 2024, 08:40:44 AM
I'm old, and my madness is probably mostly about finding a setup that gives me the feeling of having to put the least amount of physical effort for pop in my personal universe that suffers from ever-increasing pop enthropy.

Combining that with the fact that I still want to ride bigger transition and go as fast as possible as comfortably as possible – and do that on the same setup – doesn't make the madness much easier.

I'm glad I've all but quit snowboarding so I can have more money to spend on this madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on February 11, 2024, 09:02:26 AM

I think maybe the madness is the extra spending money we have as we’re older (hopefully more, apologies if not)



For sure that is a factor. I remember having to sell other belongings, to be able to afford a new deck. Basically any change I had went into funds for decks and shoes. I'd sometimes panic about not having the readies for a new board but it always worked out.

Then, I wouldn't surrender a deck until it was in two pieces. I still have a hang up about using equipment until the bitter end but I am a lot better at passing stuff on until its completely dead. A good reminder that its nearly spring. Think I'll pass some shit on soon and crack into my pile.

In other areas of my life I am not materialistic at all but skateboards... damn I love them...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 11, 2024, 12:25:03 PM
this thread could contain most of the posts i’ve made. it is appreciated.

i have never settled on a setup, or even a size. the closest i’ve come to getting a baseline, was when i tried to only ride setups with 8” trucks, and that didn’t last.

for me, there is a lot of crossover, in some of the thoughtful feedback some of the regulars have made in the ‘old dudes post up here’ thread, and then gear madness, for me. some similar themes of chasing past ghosts of glory.

even during my youth (i started skating again, around 16 ish), i liked to switch things up. i believe i’ve
mentioned before that im not sure if i ever bought the same truck brand, twice in a row. 30 years later im still on my bullshit. i did have a period of time where i identified, culturally, as a 7.5er, but even then i was obsessing about riding something even smaller, an andy stone found in the back of a bin in an ‘above the belt’ (pre-zumiez zumiez) that went more like 7.25, or wanting the menace ams smith/nunez deck (i remember it was short, maybe less than 31”). anyways, what im trying to say, is i don’t remember ever feeling like ‘yup this is it, i skate thunders now. forever’.

the excitement of trying something new, even if what i have is working, is a problem that has manifested in some troubling times, not only in skating (kinda difficult to be a rad partner when your head is always turning, jobs, vehicles, bikes).

having an erratic personality, and struggling with some issues, has created this rhythm in my life, where i skate, stop for a bit, and comeback to it. it used to be how i learned new tricks: not skate for awhile, comeback to it, set something different up, boom nollie heels, or whatever. now that does not work. ha.

i can recognize the patterns of having external pressures (aging, family dramas, financial worries, etc etc) and my spiraling into more madness. also if im skating less. knowing that, doesn’t make it any less true in the moment, unfortunately.
i am also HIGHLY influenced. if wade drops a part i want a wade complete. if i read on here that nick matthews skates 5.2 lo’s im screenshotting ig and zooming in trying to see what deck he’s on.

all of it creates too many moving targets to feel totally comfortable and settled.
and that is ok. i’ve tried to have some kindness for myself, knowing that on some days i might be on here talking about how i’ve loved indy 159s, and also have a deep connection to venture 5.0 lo’s.

i’ve typed a lot and said little.
i do very much enjoy reading others thoughts about gear tho. it seemed to hit a peak 2020-22 ish, with a few ig accounts showing pro setups and that. it is interesting for me to read the ideas and experiences of folks on gear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on February 11, 2024, 02:53:43 PM
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Aight so, my homie told me about his madness.

There is a tiny quarter in our local park. I ride Indys and Thunders (both for 8.25 decks) and can lock in on that coping with my trucks. Things like feeble, axle stall, pivot etc. He rides Venture 5.2 and for some reason he can't lock into that coping, he always rolls on top. So he ordered Venture 5.6 and hopes for the best. Yesterday we sat there, two grown men wondering what's up with his trucks and we can't lock in. ^^ His theory is, that the Venture 5.2 hanger is a bit too small for that specific quarter. My theory is, that he has to lean more into the quarter instead of standing on top. Which doesn't make that much sense because I can lock in there fine, no matter which way I lean but I also don't ride Ventures.
Any thoughts from the pals?
[close]


Have you skated his board and been able to do whatever it is he can't do?

Often that pushes boundaries but I recall one guy who was so pissed at whatever it was he was trying and we all kind of knew he was not doing it right, but it took someone else grabbing his board doing exactly what he was trying and showing him that it was not the board, it was the guy not doing it right.

For some that would be game over, but for others, they might actually see that they need to change things up in the way they skate, more so than blame the board or whatever it is that is not working.

Conversely, has he been able to do the tricks on your board, or any other board?  That would be the easiest way to see whether or not it is the human or the skateboard that needs to change.


Just a thought anyway and not a worry if that option is not a good one.

Woah. That is great advice. I haven't thought about that and now I feel dumb. ^^ We will try that next session. Thanks Brimmo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on February 11, 2024, 05:52:21 PM
I feel pretty content in my setup(s).

Having a separate board for pushing around town/spot exploration and using that for all decks outside of my normal setup has quelled any need for fucking around with my main. I don't really care about this board, so any and all unwanted (for main) decks end up here to be thrashed and razor tailed. In Western Colorado the roads are literally grooved from studded tires and chains. This frees me to destroy my secondary board with no remorse.

Then main board is 8.125 PS Stix, 5.2 Ventures, 52mm round wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 11, 2024, 05:56:05 PM
sw colorado is one of the prettiest places i’ve been
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gandito405 on February 11, 2024, 09:05:18 PM
I have some Ace 60 hollows with ti wheel and kingpin knuts,(total weigh 5.6 pounds.) the other day I went to my local skate shop and decided to try one of their boards in the bowl. The trucks (thunder)were heavier and I felt like I had control over where the hanger/trucks were whereas my other board i can’t even try and get into a axle stall because I’ll flat like 2 feet past the coping. Im thinking about getting non hollow ace 60s but even then im not sure if it would feel the same cause the aces are at least a 1/8 in ward but I take off the bottom washer for more turn so make that like 1/4. Any advice, should I just keep skating light or try and get a little heavy? Or even god forbid put on the bottom washer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 17, 2024, 12:16:48 AM
I seem to suffer from constant overall setup madness (COSM). I currently keep switching between two fairly different setups:

- DLX 8.25 (8.38 in reality) x 14.38 wb with Indy 144 Tits
and
- DLX True Fit 8.25 x 13.88 wb x 31.5 length with Venture 5.6 V-Lights

On some days the bigger deck and wb feel perfect and solid. Then all of a sudden on some days it feels like a fucking boat and I can't seem to friggin' ollie it off the ground. Then I switch to the smaller deck and feel light and springy for a bit, especially on flat/curbs/etc.. And then I hit transitions and start to miss the longer deck and wb.

Deck size aside, I can't seem to figure out if Indys or Ventures are better for me. Some days the Indys feel great but then all of a sudden they feel soggy and I lose my pop. Ventures feel solid but some sessions feel off with regards to grinds and turns especially on tranny.

Is there a possible middle ground or should I just stop whining and just resort to riding two different setups depending on the spot/obstacles? Is the dream of an all-encompassing overall setup just a pipe dream?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 17, 2024, 12:53:23 AM
Is the dream of an all-encompassing overall setup just a pipe dream?

I really like Thai yellow curry with chicken. I also really like Indian Chicken Korma. In the grand scheme, one is not better than the other. At certain times, however, when the mood strikes, one is certainly better than other in that moment. If someone told me to "pick one," I would laugh at them, for it is an impossible delineation. I would also hate to be delegated to only having just one for the rest of my life.

When I realized this also applies to skateboards, my madness did not go away, but I was much more a peace with it. Some days I just really want Yellow Curry, I mean, my 8.75" set-up. Some days it's Pho, or Indian, or my 8.25". Variety is not something I want to banish, but rather, embrace. Imagine asking, "Is the dream of an all-encompassing overall food dish just a pipe dream?"   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 17, 2024, 06:46:38 AM
Yeah, that was more of a rhetorical rant than a dead serious question. Through gear madness and learning about oneself via performing the art of skating, one can at least narrow down the options somewhat. Unless one enjoys having several setups, which is all good as well.

Regarding the food analogy -- I don't skate 2-3 times everyday, plus with food I of course want a significantly larger amount of variation between dishes. Point being that with food -- unless you're travelling to Mars -- you don't want to optimize your "setup" to cover all bases. That'd be just plain boring. With skating, there are a lot of people, myself included, who aim towards a minimal number of different variables. More or less unsuccessfully, of course, but that's where the joy of yelling at clouds waltzes through the door.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Skrotum on February 17, 2024, 09:15:31 AM
Been going through some classic truck madness. I want the absolute best setup for 50-50 on circle rails. What would y’all suggest. I keep coming back to ventures specifically 6.1(but I don’t like the turn(which is probably why it locks so good)) I’m also using 99a 56 conical fulls. Any suggestions on a great lock-in truck and wheel combo?  I’m learning how to cross lock
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 17, 2024, 09:21:40 AM
Yeah, that was more of a rhetorical rant than a dead serious question. Through gear madness and learning about oneself via performing the art of skating, one can at least narrow down the options somewhat. Unless one enjoys having several setups, which is all good as well.

Regarding the food analogy -- I don't skate 2-3 times everyday, plus with food I of course want a significantly larger amount of variation between dishes. Point being that with food -- unless you're travelling to Mars -- you don't want to optimize your "setup" to cover all bases. That'd be just plain boring. With skating, there are a lot of people, myself included, who aim towards a minimal number of different variables. More or less unsuccessfully, of course, but that's where the joy of yelling at clouds waltzes through the door.

No, I get you. I strived for a long time for the single, all-purpose set-up (I actually have that, my 8.25). Simplicity is a nice thing. At least for me, the goal/desire for simplicity actually fostered more ambiguity and, well, madness. The "simple" answer for me was actually quite simple: It's OK to like more than one skateboard (product), despite how much I was fighting that on some weird existential level (and still do at times). The best part? The clouds don't go away when I feel like yelling at something. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 17, 2024, 10:58:14 AM
Been going through some classic truck madness. I want the absolute best setup for 50-50 on circle rails. What would y’all suggest. I keep coming back to ventures specifically 6.1(but I don’t like the turn(which is probably why it locks so good)) I’m also using 99a 56 conical fulls. Any suggestions on a great lock-in truck and wheel combo?  I’m learning how to cross lock

thunder 151s, i liked the ones with the forged plate best.
56 is pushing it, you’ll get wheelbite. but the big conical fulls will help.
venture and thunder locked in better for me, than ace or indy.
 dont listen to me, i’ve never felt confident with a cross-locked 5050 on round bars. round bars scare me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 17, 2024, 12:06:21 PM
@rikki



On some days the bigger deck and wb feel perfect and solid. Then all of a sudden on some days it feels like a fucking boat and I can't seem to friggin' ollie it off the ground. Then I switch to the smaller deck and feel light and springy for a bit, especially on flat/curbs/etc.. And then I hit transitions and start to miss the longer deck and wb.

Deck size aside, I can't seem to figure out if Indys or Ventures are better for me. Some days the Indys feel great but then all of a sudden they feel soggy and I lose my pop. Ventures feel solid but some sessions feel off with regards to grinds and turns especially on tranny.

Is there a possible middle ground or should I just stop whining and just resort to riding two different setups depending on the spot/obstacles? Is the dream of an all-encompassing overall setup just a pipe dream?


Twinsies.

Sounds like you skate a lot of tranny, I would just pick a board for that purpose only (I always have); indys/slappy/aces, 8.5"+, 14.4+wb and 54mm wheels and call it a day.


8.5 and 149 indys feels great most of the time, but like you said other days it might as well be a tugboat. 8.25s and ventures feel great, then suddenly wtf, next day it feels too small.

This is why I've been trying to find that happy medium: 8.3s with average/14.25 WB...I just can't find one that works...ones with good shapes (FA, Primitive all have small wb...and most others are 14.3 and up and usually start getting too long). I'm trying to make an 8.3 hockey with a 14.125 wb work but feel the deck might be too short overall.

This is why I can't have nice things :P

This is also why I keep bouncing back to royals, they grind, turn, great height, pop, they work for everything (see above on a tranny board tho).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: plzdonthateme on February 17, 2024, 12:44:11 PM
Hey,
I usually skate with an 8" 14wb deck, 52mm wheels, and loose Venture 5.2 HI standards. Recently, I've been experiencing what feels like ghost pop, and I'm considering making changes to my setup. I'm unsure if switching to Venture lows would help since I prefer loose trucks. Ventures hollow 52mm seems to fix this, but idk to be honest, if anyone else is skating with a similar setup or has any advice for me, I'd appreciate it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 17, 2024, 01:58:32 PM
Hey,
I usually skate with an 8" 14wb deck, 52mm wheels, and loose Venture 5.2 HI standards. Recently, I've been experiencing what feels like ghost pop, and I'm considering making changes to my setup. I'm unsure if switching to Venture lows would help since I prefer loose trucks. Ventures hollow 52mm seems to fix this, but idk to be honest, if anyone else is skating with a similar setup or has any advice for me, I'd appreciate it.


did the deck change? venture lo’s are great, but 52 mm wheels are difficult: wheelbite easily and aren’t large enough to roll over harsh surfaces. they remain my favorite trucks, because i can lazily pop an ollie.

venture hi’s with the forged baseplate might be your thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 17, 2024, 02:17:51 PM
Expand Quote
Hey,
I usually skate with an 8" 14wb deck, 52mm wheels, and loose Venture 5.2 HI standards. Recently, I've been experiencing what feels like ghost pop, and I'm considering making changes to my setup. I'm unsure if switching to Venture lows would help since I prefer loose trucks. Ventures hollow 52mm seems to fix this, but idk to be honest, if anyone else is skating with a similar setup or has any advice for me, I'd appreciate it.
[close]


did the deck change? venture lo’s are great, but 52 mm wheels are difficult: wheelbite easily and aren’t large enough to roll over harsh surfaces. they remain my favorite trucks, because i can lazily pop an ollie.

venture hi’s with the forged baseplate might be your thing.


Or you getting old and lazy and not bending those knees enough??

Had that happen a whole lot and had to reconfigure myself, not my setup to make sure I got down low enough to get the board off the ground enough, etc.

Not that it is a be all and end all, but I think that could be more relevant than changing up a board that used to work well but now feels different, or you are having issues with.

I got a more mellow board to accommodate my lazy ass, which works well and I prefer it, even though I can't get as high off the ground anymore, but I never was going to ollie over tennis court nets like some people I know, so I am ok with that.

Bending, stretching, squats, etc have really helped.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 17, 2024, 02:57:30 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Hey,
I usually skate with an 8" 14wb deck, 52mm wheels, and loose Venture 5.2 HI standards. Recently, I've been experiencing what feels like ghost pop, and I'm considering making changes to my setup. I'm unsure if switching to Venture lows would help since I prefer loose trucks. Ventures hollow 52mm seems to fix this, but idk to be honest, if anyone else is skating with a similar setup or has any advice for me, I'd appreciate it.
[close]


did the deck change? venture lo’s are great, but 52 mm wheels are difficult: wheelbite easily and aren’t large enough to roll over harsh surfaces. they remain my favorite trucks, because i can lazily pop an ollie.

venture hi’s with the forged baseplate might be your thing.
[close]


Or you getting old and lazy and not bending those knees enough??

I got a more mellow board to accommodate my lazy ass, which works well and I prefer it, even though I can't get as high off the ground anymore, but I never was going to ollie over tennis court nets like some people I know, so I am ok with that.

Bending, stretching, squats, etc have really helped.

I was riding a mellow flat toy machine twin with indys and x99s it was boaty, and heavy, and it made me lazy as hell, I just shifted how I skated; fun for kicking back and slappies tho.

Steep deck, non-indy-style trucks and harder wheels and I get on point, because I have too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 18, 2024, 12:46:04 AM
Thanks for the replies and support pals, appreciate your input and the general feeling of politeness, respect and sense of humour here on this board. Yeah, the clouds won't go away if I yell at them. Man, it'd be scary if that happened all of a sudden.

I think it's been inevitable and I've known it all along subconsciously -- probably gonna try to embrace two main setups, one for street/ledges/better pop and the other one for more transition-based skating. Just have to swallow my pride to acknowledge that with the tranny setup I won't be able to do everything that I can do on the lighter setup. I'm not 26 years old with kangaroo pop anymore (as if I ever had the latter).

What's more actually, I think it's easier for an old fart to push their "tech" setup to cover more bases on bigger trannies than vice versa. Yesterday I dropped into my local bowl with my DLX True Fit and had great old time. Just gotta observe the young rippers, they rip trannies on matchsticks and go back to hardflip nose grinds on ledges in 30 seconds.

I fucking love skateboarding to no end and all this madness is really a kind of an enjoyable version of the Stockholm syndrome, if you will.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 18, 2024, 12:54:14 AM
I fucking love skateboarding to no end and all this madness is really a kind of an enjoyable version of the Stockholm syndrome, if you will.

/end thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: plzdonthateme on February 18, 2024, 02:02:46 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Hey,
I usually skate with an 8" 14wb deck, 52mm wheels, and loose Venture 5.2 HI standards. Recently, I've been experiencing what feels like ghost pop, and I'm considering making changes to my setup. I'm unsure if switching to Venture lows would help since I prefer loose trucks. Ventures hollow 52mm seems to fix this, but idk to be honest, if anyone else is skating with a similar setup or has any advice for me, I'd appreciate it.
[close]

did the deck change? venture lo’s are great, but 52 mm wheels are difficult: wheelbite easily and aren’t large enough to roll over harsh surfaces. they remain my favorite trucks, because i can lazily pop an ollie.

venture hi’s with the forged baseplate might be your thing.
[close]

Or you getting old and lazy and not bending those knees enough??

Had that happen a whole lot and had to reconfigure myself, not my setup to make sure I got down low enough to get the board off the ground enough, etc.

Not that it is a be all and end all, but I think that could be more relevant than changing up a board that used to work well but now feels different, or you are having issues with.

I got a more mellow board to accommodate my lazy ass, which works well and I prefer it, even though I can't get as high off the ground anymore, but I never was going to ollie over tennis court nets like some people I know, so I am ok with that.

Bending, stretching, squats, etc have really helped.

I'm just a 22 yo individual. I think, or at least hope, I'm not classified as 'old.' But yeah, sometimes I get feelings that I'm too lazy to pop. Especially on 360 flips, I've started noticing that there's too much space between my tail and the ground, and I feel like I need to scoop/pop more. It feels uncomfortable and unstable.
I'll try ventures with forged baseplates and go up to 8.1 deck, to eliminate unstable factor; maybe that will fix the issue. Thanks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 18, 2024, 06:14:41 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Hey,
I usually skate with an 8" 14wb deck, 52mm wheels, and loose Venture 5.2 HI standards. Recently, I've been experiencing what feels like ghost pop, and I'm considering making changes to my setup. I'm unsure if switching to Venture lows would help since I prefer loose trucks. Ventures hollow 52mm seems to fix this, but idk to be honest, if anyone else is skating with a similar setup or has any advice for me, I'd appreciate it.
[close]

did the deck change? venture lo’s are great, but 52 mm wheels are difficult: wheelbite easily and aren’t large enough to roll over harsh surfaces. they remain my favorite trucks, because i can lazily pop an ollie.

venture hi’s with the forged baseplate might be your thing.
[close]

Or you getting old and lazy and not bending those knees enough??

Had that happen a whole lot and had to reconfigure myself, not my setup to make sure I got down low enough to get the board off the ground enough, etc.

Not that it is a be all and end all, but I think that could be more relevant than changing up a board that used to work well but now feels different, or you are having issues with.

I got a more mellow board to accommodate my lazy ass, which works well and I prefer it, even though I can't get as high off the ground anymore, but I never was going to ollie over tennis court nets like some people I know, so I am ok with that.

Bending, stretching, squats, etc have really helped.
[close]

I'm just a 22 yo individual. I think, or at least hope, I'm not classified as 'old.' But yeah, sometimes I get feelings that I'm too lazy to pop. Especially on 360 flips, I've started noticing that there's too much space between my tail and the ground, and I feel like I need to scoop/pop more. It feels uncomfortable and unstable.
I'll try ventures with forged baseplates and go up to 8.1 deck, to eliminate unstable factor; maybe that will fix the issue. Thanks.

possibly try tightening your trucks. tighter trucks give
me better pop
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 23, 2024, 07:25:40 AM
Feel like I'm fully cured now. Cause YouTube keeps recommending me gear madness stuff and I find it cringe now. Like I feel bad for the skaters driving themselves crazy switching out trucks every few weeks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: malevy on February 23, 2024, 07:34:05 AM
Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on February 23, 2024, 07:35:16 AM
Feel like I'm fully cured now. Cause YouTube keeps recommending me gear madness stuff and I find it cringe now. Like I feel bad for the skaters driving themselves crazy switching out trucks every few weeks.

I don't think I was ever as deep as a lot of people here, but there was a time a few years ago when I got a new job and was making more money than ever, and skate shit was cheaper than it was in the 90s, and I got a little crazy buying and trying new stuff. Last year, I resolved to buy only the basics, on an as-needed basis. I broke the rule twice and both times ended up with shoes that didn't fit, so I learned my lesson. This year I haven't bought a single thing (except for a $15 complete at the thrift store) and I can't imagine that'll change. Definitely the fire is out and I am fully in "run what you brung" mode.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 23, 2024, 07:42:30 AM
Expand Quote
Feel like I'm fully cured now. Cause YouTube keeps recommending me gear madness stuff and I find it cringe now. Like I feel bad for the skaters driving themselves crazy switching out trucks every few weeks.
[close]

I don't think I was ever as deep as a lot of people here, but there was a time a few years ago when I got a new job and was making money than ever, and skate shit was cheaper than it was in the 90s, and I got a little crazy buying and trying new stuff. Last year, I resolved to buy only the basics, on an as-needed basis. I broke the rule twice and both times ended up with shoes that didn't fit, so I learned my lesson. This year I haven't bought a single thing (except for a $15 complete at the thrift store) and I can't imagine that'll change. Definitely the fire is out and I am fully in "run what you brung" mode.
Yeah that's what got me. I had tons of money to blow and no hobbies. Compared to gaming, skateboarding is cheap and I found myself just buying shit. I've slipped up this year with shoes, and now I have some Wair Max I'll never skate. My setup is decided though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: manysnakes on February 23, 2024, 07:46:56 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Feel like I'm fully cured now. Cause YouTube keeps recommending me gear madness stuff and I find it cringe now. Like I feel bad for the skaters driving themselves crazy switching out trucks every few weeks.
[close]

I don't think I was ever as deep as a lot of people here, but there was a time a few years ago when I got a new job and was making money than ever, and skate shit was cheaper than it was in the 90s, and I got a little crazy buying and trying new stuff. Last year, I resolved to buy only the basics, on an as-needed basis. I broke the rule twice and both times ended up with shoes that didn't fit, so I learned my lesson. This year I haven't bought a single thing (except for a $15 complete at the thrift store) and I can't imagine that'll change. Definitely the fire is out and I am fully in "run what you brung" mode.
[close]
Yeah that's what got me. I had tons of money to blow and no hobbies. Compared to gaming, skateboarding is cheap and I found myself just buying shit. I've slipped up this year with shoes, and now I have some Wair Max I'll never skate. My setup is decided though.

Same, and hilariously, my setup is not much different from what I had when I started accumulating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scottboarding on February 23, 2024, 07:55:26 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Feel like I'm fully cured now. Cause YouTube keeps recommending me gear madness stuff and I find it cringe now. Like I feel bad for the skaters driving themselves crazy switching out trucks every few weeks.
[close]

I don't think I was ever as deep as a lot of people here, but there was a time a few years ago when I got a new job and was making money than ever, and skate shit was cheaper than it was in the 90s, and I got a little crazy buying and trying new stuff. Last year, I resolved to buy only the basics, on an as-needed basis. I broke the rule twice and both times ended up with shoes that didn't fit, so I learned my lesson. This year I haven't bought a single thing (except for a $15 complete at the thrift store) and I can't imagine that'll change. Definitely the fire is out and I am fully in "run what you brung" mode.
[close]
Yeah that's what got me. I had tons of money to blow and no hobbies. Compared to gaming, skateboarding is cheap and I found myself just buying shit. I've slipped up this year with shoes, and now I have some Wair Max I'll never skate. My setup is decided though.
I stopped skating for a little over a year and when I got back into it I had some madness mixed with curiosity about gear I hadn't skated before. My other hobby is photography which is way more expensive than skateboarding so I ran into the same problem of just buying anything and everything. It's easy not to impulse buy an $800 lens but $40-50 for a set of trucks or wheels is so hard to say no to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 23, 2024, 09:24:35 AM
i used to drink. a lot.
paying $50 for a set of trucks feels like nothing in comparison to going out and spending it all.

it’s not so much the money, but the confusion of not knowing what to ride, out of the tangle of parts, that’s the worst.

i am so far from the dock, barely treading water.
skated a G053, thunder 149s, AND 55 DRAGONS. worked better than anything else i’ve tried recently, but was heavy as hell, and i am still so skating so badly i can’t justify spending another dollar on it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on February 23, 2024, 11:54:29 AM
Lately my madness has been wheels.
Dial Tones conical 53
Came back to my CF 53
Changed to lock in full 54
Went to X99 V5
Came back to CF 53
Want classics 53 badly.

All of this in less than 2 months.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 23, 2024, 12:10:58 PM
X99 54mm's have cured my wheel madness as of late.

Still doesn't keep me from repeatedly buying new sets of various kinds of wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 23, 2024, 04:10:03 PM
I can't recall who on here said it but I'll paraphrase - do you have gear madness or do you just enjoy shopping?

I definitely stocked up on too many decks on a whim of a shape (Clutch O, twins, decks with inserts) and only stopped when I decided to stick to twins. Madness is only worth it if you actively test the setups you buy to figure out your deck / truck / wheel preferences, and have a honest assessment of your skill ceiling ("I always struggled with 360 flips and x piece of gear isn't going to change that").

Skate madness is definitely cheaper than car / bike / guitar / camera madness by a mile, but staring at stacks of unskated gear is stressful and reminds me of money that could have been better spent elsewhere.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 23, 2024, 05:43:42 PM
I can't recall who on here said it but I'll paraphrase - do you have gear madness or do you just enjoy shopping?


Both? But it's not about the purchase persay, it's about the purchase working out (madness).

My madness is how I want the board to feel - the greater sum of it's parts - I want it to feel like the extension it should be, if something is off, everything is off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Zane on February 23, 2024, 06:41:45 PM
First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 23, 2024, 07:02:25 PM
Oh it’s certainly a shopping addiction too. All my spare decks used to bother me, but they’re just wood and if you store them properly they’ll last for years. Just set up a Tactics deck I grabbed in 2022 and it’s fine. Not as good as my g053s, but I wanted to get rid of it.

Now I worry about shoes cause I’ve seen some fall apart online. But I hope that takes YEARS, like over three at least. One sucky thing about wearing size 14 is I basically have no one to give them too. May have to find some tall Slap members to dump them on one day lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 23, 2024, 07:50:48 PM
Oh it’s certainly a shopping addiction too. All my spare decks used to bother me, but they’re just wood and if you store them properly they’ll last for years. Just set up a Tactics deck I grabbed in 2022 and it’s fine. Not as good as my g053s, but I wanted to get rid of it.

Now I worry about shoes cause I’ve seen some fall apart online. But I hope that takes YEARS, like over three at least. One sucky thing about wearing size 14 is I basically have no one to give them too. May have to find some tall Slap members to dump them on one day lol

If you're in the US shoes will last a long time, got a few pairs of NB 868 from a Pal on here which have to be at least 5-6 years old and they're holding up just fine (knock on wood). But they heat and humidity of the tropics wrecks the glue and foam on shoes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on February 23, 2024, 09:35:34 PM
First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 23, 2024, 09:46:21 PM
Expand Quote
First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
[close]
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics

classics are the best.

dragons do not slide very well, in my experience. i just want them to slide on downhill speed checks, and for me, they do not. dragons do feel excellent for my old joints/bones, and pushing to and fro is lovely.

i’ve been skating 52 v1 x97s and they are nice. haven’t taken them down a fast hill yet.

i’ve been contemplating skating a set of 55 dragons, for transportation, and then once at the skatepark, changing to 52 classic f4s.
feels precious.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on February 24, 2024, 02:16:23 AM
Expand Quote
Oh it’s certainly a shopping addiction too. All my spare decks used to bother me, but they’re just wood and if you store them properly they’ll last for years. Just set up a Tactics deck I grabbed in 2022 and it’s fine. Not as good as my g053s, but I wanted to get rid of it.

Now I worry about shoes cause I’ve seen some fall apart online. But I hope that takes YEARS, like over three at least. One sucky thing about wearing size 14 is I basically have no one to give them too. May have to find some tall Slap members to dump them on one day lol
[close]

If you're in the US shoes will last a long time, got a few pairs of NB 868 from a Pal on here which have to be at least 5-6 years old and they're holding up just fine (knock on wood). But they heat and humidity of the tropics wrecks the glue and foam on shoes.
That’s good to hear. I’m in the US and keep my shoes in a chill/dark closet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: RichardBarkley on February 24, 2024, 05:36:54 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
[close]
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics
[close]

classics are the best.

dragons do not slide very well, in my experience. i just want them to slide on downhill speed checks, and for me, they do not. dragons do feel excellent for my old joints/bones, and pushing to and fro is lovely.

i’ve been skating 52 v1 x97s and they are nice. haven’t taken them down a fast hill yet.

i’ve been contemplating skating a set of 55 dragons, for transportation, and then once at the skatepark, changing to 52 classic f4s.
feels precious.

Yeah I love my dragons but they really stick on slides.

For my knees I don't want to go back to 99 f4

So I was thinking of picking up some X97s tomorrow. Do they slide better than the dragons ?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 24, 2024, 06:02:18 AM
i have only skated the x97s on asphalt for flatground and they were very enjoyable. dont know how they slide downhill tho. tbf dragons are also enjoyable in this semi rough parking lot
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 24, 2024, 06:08:14 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
[close]
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics
[close]

classics are the best.

dragons do not slide very well, in my experience. i just want them to slide on downhill speed checks, and for me, they do not. dragons do feel excellent for my old joints/bones, and pushing to and fro is lovely.

i’ve been skating 52 v1 x97s and they are nice. haven’t taken them down a fast hill yet.

i’ve been contemplating skating a set of 55 dragons, for transportation, and then once at the skatepark, changing to 52 classic f4s.
feels precious.
Really interested in your experience downhill with x97’s.

And get two sets of bearings and just quick-switch the wheels out 8)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 24, 2024, 08:54:36 AM
Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and the only real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the Foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on February 24, 2024, 11:53:34 AM
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Oh it’s certainly a shopping addiction too. All my spare decks used to bother me, but they’re just wood and if you store them properly they’ll last for years. Just set up a Tactics deck I grabbed in 2022 and it’s fine. Not as good as my g053s, but I wanted to get rid of it.

Now I worry about shoes cause I’ve seen some fall apart online. But I hope that takes YEARS, like over three at least. One sucky thing about wearing size 14 is I basically have no one to give them too. May have to find some tall Slap members to dump them on one day lol
[close]

If you're in the US shoes will last a long time, got a few pairs of NB 868 from a Pal on here which have to be at least 5-6 years old and they're holding up just fine (knock on wood). But they heat and humidity of the tropics wrecks the glue and foam on shoes.
[close]
That’s good to hear. I’m in the US and keep my shoes in a chill/dark closet.

I have a stack of Joslin and Maranas from 2018 and a couple of them I recently rotated in to skate and wear casually. Feels as good and skates like the first time I did back in 2018. So as long as you store them somewhere with no humidity or drastic temperature changes, they'll be alright.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 24, 2024, 02:15:54 PM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 24, 2024, 05:48:10 PM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.




Of all the combos I've tried 144/148 on 8.5" felt the worst...8.3x on 144/148 works fine for me tho. /crazy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on February 24, 2024, 05:54:53 PM
Expand Quote
Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and the only real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the Foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?

Wheel wells did not help me; probably could have gone cast but it would have still happened....149s, 52mm 101a classics 94a thunder bottoms, bones hard top. Jacuzzi (what an ugly shape this thing is blech).

(https://i.ibb.co/SnbLGqJ/bite.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SnbLGqJ)

I put my 5.8 cast venture / 52mm STF 103a back on.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 26, 2024, 05:15:16 PM
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First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
[close]
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics
[close]

classics are the best.

dragons do not slide very well, in my experience. i just want them to slide on downhill speed checks, and for me, they do not. dragons do feel excellent for my old joints/bones, and pushing to and fro is lovely.

i’ve been skating 52 v1 x97s and they are nice. haven’t taken them down a fast hill yet.

i’ve been contemplating skating a set of 55 dragons, for transportation, and then once at the skatepark, changing to 52 classic f4s.
feels precious.
[close]
Really interested in your experience downhill with x97’s.

And get two sets of bearings and just quick-switch the wheels out 8)

@JM
@Zane

tried my x97, v1 shape, 52mm, on a rugged downhill. they were alright. speed checks worked.

then tried my 55 dragons. waaaay faster, much less speed check. uncomfortably fast in parts of the road.
for me, both wheels slide around 180, but the 90 back to straight is more difficult, for me, than say f4s.

ended up just cruising around on the dragons. they are kinda like sweatpants or slip on shoes…just lazy/easy.

if the x97s were a bigger wheel, i’m sure they would have been the move. i got these small and thin to ride on low trucks, so not exactly hill bomb optimized.

hope this isn’t as useless as it reads back to me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on February 26, 2024, 05:33:46 PM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LeDave on February 26, 2024, 05:43:30 PM
I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 26, 2024, 06:06:13 PM
I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll account so I'll reply.

Your current setup is fine as is if you're just starting out. The 2 things I'd change are the Element trucks and Ricta Clouds. Element trucks are fine for beginners / kids, their bushings are incredibly soft to account for kids not weighing anything so they can turn. Adults will find the bushings way too mushy and the board will feel unstable when you're learning to push around and get your balance.

Ricta Clouds are some of the best wheels for cruising but I wouldn't recommend them for parks or if you plan to learn how to pop your deck for tricks. The 78a formula is way too soft resulting in a board that feels bouncy instead of snappy.

I'd recommend:
DGK deck which you already have
Indy 144 or Thunder 148 Standards - stick with the big brand trucks, a pair will last you forever
Spitfire 54mm 99a Conical / Conical Full / Bones 54mm X99 V5 - better all purpose wheel
Bones Reds / Spitfire Cheapshots for bearings - cheap bearings are just as good as their pricier counterpart, though some would argue Bones Swiss last forever and are worth the money

Other stuff - I'd skip the speed cream and Indy bushings, don't need them right now and that money is better spent of good trucks or wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LeDave on February 26, 2024, 06:14:23 PM
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I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
[close]

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll account so I'll reply.

Your current setup is fine as is if you're just starting out. The 2 things I'd change are the Element trucks and Ricta Clouds. Element trucks are fine for beginners / kids, their bushings are incredibly soft to account for kids not weighing anything so they can turn. Adults will find the bushings way too mushy and the board will feel unstable when you're learning to push around and get your balance.

Ricta Clouds are some of the best wheels for cruising but I wouldn't recommend them for parks or if you plan to learn how to pop your deck for tricks. The 78a formula is way too soft resulting in a board that feels bouncy instead of snappy.

I'd recommend:
DGK deck which you already have
Indy 144 or Thunder 148 Standards - stick with the big brand trucks, a pair will last you forever
Spitfire 54mm 99a Conical / Conical Full / Bones 54mm X99 V5 - better all purpose wheel
Bones Reds / Spitfire Cheapshots for bearings - cheap bearings are just as good as their pricier counterpart, though some would argue Bones Swiss last forever and are worth the money

Other stuff - I'd skip the speed cream and Indy bushings, don't need them right now and that money is better spent of good trucks or wheels.

If I skip the bushings and get a new set of Independent Stage 11 trucks, how is the bushings that come installed on it? The bushings that came with my Element trucks are absolutely horrible, way too soft and I tend to bounce from left to right of the deck, which is why I thought about swapping them out with Independent bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 26, 2024, 06:30:21 PM
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I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
[close]

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll account so I'll reply.

Your current setup is fine as is if you're just starting out. The 2 things I'd change are the Element trucks and Ricta Clouds. Element trucks are fine for beginners / kids, their bushings are incredibly soft to account for kids not weighing anything so they can turn. Adults will find the bushings way too mushy and the board will feel unstable when you're learning to push around and get your balance.

Ricta Clouds are some of the best wheels for cruising but I wouldn't recommend them for parks or if you plan to learn how to pop your deck for tricks. The 78a formula is way too soft resulting in a board that feels bouncy instead of snappy.

I'd recommend:
DGK deck which you already have
Indy 144 or Thunder 148 Standards - stick with the big brand trucks, a pair will last you forever
Spitfire 54mm 99a Conical / Conical Full / Bones 54mm X99 V5 - better all purpose wheel
Bones Reds / Spitfire Cheapshots for bearings - cheap bearings are just as good as their pricier counterpart, though some would argue Bones Swiss last forever and are worth the money

Other stuff - I'd skip the speed cream and Indy bushings, don't need them right now and that money is better spent of good trucks or wheels.
[close]

If I skip the bushings and get a new set of Independent Stage 11 trucks, how is the bushings that come installed on it? The bushings that came with my Element trucks are absolutely horrible, way too soft and I tend to bounce from left to right of the deck, which is why I thought about swapping them out with Independent bushings.

The stock bushings on quality brand trucks (Indy, Thunder, Venture, Ace) are perfectly fine for 99% of beginners, some start out hard and soften with time and some are the other way around. Indy start out soft and harden so give them time to break in (and adjust your kingpin nut tightness) before you decide to buy new bushings. Bushings and pivot cup madness is next level madness compared to trucks / decks / wheels.

If there's anything the 100s of post on this thread prove - you can't buy your skill with gear. The only thing that will help you progress is time on the board, failing, eating shit and making incremental progress.

But having the right gear is a good starting point, and the "right" gear is the one you spend the most time on and adapting to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: LeDave on February 26, 2024, 06:40:14 PM
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I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
[close]

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll account so I'll reply.

Your current setup is fine as is if you're just starting out. The 2 things I'd change are the Element trucks and Ricta Clouds. Element trucks are fine for beginners / kids, their bushings are incredibly soft to account for kids not weighing anything so they can turn. Adults will find the bushings way too mushy and the board will feel unstable when you're learning to push around and get your balance.

Ricta Clouds are some of the best wheels for cruising but I wouldn't recommend them for parks or if you plan to learn how to pop your deck for tricks. The 78a formula is way too soft resulting in a board that feels bouncy instead of snappy.

I'd recommend:
DGK deck which you already have
Indy 144 or Thunder 148 Standards - stick with the big brand trucks, a pair will last you forever
Spitfire 54mm 99a Conical / Conical Full / Bones 54mm X99 V5 - better all purpose wheel
Bones Reds / Spitfire Cheapshots for bearings - cheap bearings are just as good as their pricier counterpart, though some would argue Bones Swiss last forever and are worth the money

Other stuff - I'd skip the speed cream and Indy bushings, don't need them right now and that money is better spent of good trucks or wheels.
[close]

If I skip the bushings and get a new set of Independent Stage 11 trucks, how is the bushings that come installed on it? The bushings that came with my Element trucks are absolutely horrible, way too soft and I tend to bounce from left to right of the deck, which is why I thought about swapping them out with Independent bushings.
[close]

The stock bushings on quality brand trucks (Indy, Thunder, Venture, Ace) are perfectly fine for 99% of beginners, some start out hard and soften with time and some are the other way around. Indy start out soft and harden so give them time to break in (and adjust your kingpin nut tightness) before you decide to buy new bushings. Bushings and pivot cup madness is next level madness compared to trucks / decks / wheels.

If there's anything the 100s of post on this thread prove - you can't buy your skill with gear. The only thing that will help you progress is time on the board, failing, eating shit and making incremental progress.

But having the right gear is a good starting point, and the "right" gear is the one you spend the most time on and adapting to.

Thanks, greatly appreciated. New updated list.

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Independent Stage 11 (144 size)

Bearings - Bones Reds

Wheels - Spitfire 52-54mm Conical 99a (Sizes vary because if I can find them at my local stores)

Other - Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 26, 2024, 11:49:20 PM
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I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
[close]

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll account so I'll reply.

Your current setup is fine as is if you're just starting out. The 2 things I'd change are the Element trucks and Ricta Clouds. Element trucks are fine for beginners / kids, their bushings are incredibly soft to account for kids not weighing anything so they can turn. Adults will find the bushings way too mushy and the board will feel unstable when you're learning to push around and get your balance.

Ricta Clouds are some of the best wheels for cruising but I wouldn't recommend them for parks or if you plan to learn how to pop your deck for tricks. The 78a formula is way too soft resulting in a board that feels bouncy instead of snappy.

I'd recommend:
DGK deck which you already have
Indy 144 or Thunder 148 Standards - stick with the big brand trucks, a pair will last you forever
Spitfire 54mm 99a Conical / Conical Full / Bones 54mm X99 V5 - better all purpose wheel
Bones Reds / Spitfire Cheapshots for bearings - cheap bearings are just as good as their pricier counterpart, though some would argue Bones Swiss last forever and are worth the money

Other stuff - I'd skip the speed cream and Indy bushings, don't need them right now and that money is better spent of good trucks or wheels.
[close]

If I skip the bushings and get a new set of Independent Stage 11 trucks, how is the bushings that come installed on it? The bushings that came with my Element trucks are absolutely horrible, way too soft and I tend to bounce from left to right of the deck, which is why I thought about swapping them out with Independent bushings.
[close]

The stock bushings on quality brand trucks (Indy, Thunder, Venture, Ace) are perfectly fine for 99% of beginners, some start out hard and soften with time and some are the other way around. Indy start out soft and harden so give them time to break in (and adjust your kingpin nut tightness) before you decide to buy new bushings. Bushings and pivot cup madness is next level madness compared to trucks / decks / wheels.

If there's anything the 100s of post on this thread prove - you can't buy your skill with gear. The only thing that will help you progress is time on the board, failing, eating shit and making incremental progress.

But having the right gear is a good starting point, and the "right" gear is the one you spend the most time on and adapting to.
[close]

Thanks, greatly appreciated. New updated list.

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Independent Stage 11 (144 size)

Bearings - Bones Reds

Wheels - Spitfire 52-54mm Conical 99a (Sizes vary because if I can find them at my local stores)

Other - Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)

That's an alright setup.

One thing: if the ground you'll be skating on is mostly rough, I'd pick a wheel from the larger end of the spectrum (54mm, even 55mm). It'll make pushing around feel less painful. 52mm or smaller hard wheels on rough terrain can be, well, rough.

Good luck, skate hard!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on February 27, 2024, 02:37:01 AM
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I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Element Component 5.5" (Already have)

Bushings - Independent 92 Medium/Hard (Blue)

Bearings - Bronson Speed Co. RAW

Wheels - Ricta 52mm Cloud 78a

Other - Bones Speed Cream lubricant
   Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
[close]

I'm going to assume this isn't a troll account so I'll reply.

Your current setup is fine as is if you're just starting out. The 2 things I'd change are the Element trucks and Ricta Clouds. Element trucks are fine for beginners / kids, their bushings are incredibly soft to account for kids not weighing anything so they can turn. Adults will find the bushings way too mushy and the board will feel unstable when you're learning to push around and get your balance.

Ricta Clouds are some of the best wheels for cruising but I wouldn't recommend them for parks or if you plan to learn how to pop your deck for tricks. The 78a formula is way too soft resulting in a board that feels bouncy instead of snappy.

I'd recommend:
DGK deck which you already have
Indy 144 or Thunder 148 Standards - stick with the big brand trucks, a pair will last you forever
Spitfire 54mm 99a Conical / Conical Full / Bones 54mm X99 V5 - better all purpose wheel
Bones Reds / Spitfire Cheapshots for bearings - cheap bearings are just as good as their pricier counterpart, though some would argue Bones Swiss last forever and are worth the money

Other stuff - I'd skip the speed cream and Indy bushings, don't need them right now and that money is better spent of good trucks or wheels.
[close]

If I skip the bushings and get a new set of Independent Stage 11 trucks, how is the bushings that come installed on it? The bushings that came with my Element trucks are absolutely horrible, way too soft and I tend to bounce from left to right of the deck, which is why I thought about swapping them out with Independent bushings.
[close]

The stock bushings on quality brand trucks (Indy, Thunder, Venture, Ace) are perfectly fine for 99% of beginners, some start out hard and soften with time and some are the other way around. Indy start out soft and harden so give them time to break in (and adjust your kingpin nut tightness) before you decide to buy new bushings. Bushings and pivot cup madness is next level madness compared to trucks / decks / wheels.

If there's anything the 100s of post on this thread prove - you can't buy your skill with gear. The only thing that will help you progress is time on the board, failing, eating shit and making incremental progress.

But having the right gear is a good starting point, and the "right" gear is the one you spend the most time on and adapting to.
[close]

Thanks, greatly appreciated. New updated list.

Deck - DGK Tuner 8.25" (Already have)

Truck - Independent Stage 11 (144 size)

Bearings - Bones Reds

Wheels - Spitfire 52-54mm Conical 99a (Sizes vary because if I can find them at my local stores)

Other - Independent blue 1" (Phillips bolts) (Already have)
   Grizzly black grip tape (Already have)
[close]

That's an alright setup.

One thing: if the ground you'll be skating on is mostly rough, I'd pick a wheel from the larger end of the spectrum (54mm, even 55mm). It'll make pushing around feel less painful. 52mm or smaller hard wheels on rough terrain can be, well, rough.

Good luck, skate hard!

Based on the video he shared it looks like smooth concrete skate parks, Conical or Conical Fulls should do just fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on February 27, 2024, 03:11:36 AM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
[close]
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
144’s are a make believe marketing gimmick. 8.25 trucks are a full joke and ploy imo based on historical truck sizes offered, name/size changes to coincide with industry trends, etc. 144 are a joke to me because they seem like too specific of a truck made and marketed toward one specific size board. Too specific at 8.25 measurement of a truck for me. Feels weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on February 27, 2024, 04:12:24 AM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
[close]
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
[close]
144’s are a make believe marketing gimmick. 8.25 trucks are a full joke and ploy imo based on historical truck sizes offered, name/size changes to coincide with industry trends, etc. 144 are a joke to me because they seem like too specific of a truck made and marketed toward one specific size board. Too specific at 8.25 measurement of a truck for me. Feels weird.

144/148/5.6 feel fantastic on 8.125
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 27, 2024, 05:54:53 AM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
[close]
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
[close]
144’s are a make believe marketing gimmick. 8.25 trucks are a full joke and ploy imo based on historical truck sizes offered, name/size changes to coincide with industry trends, etc. 144 are a joke to me because they seem like too specific of a truck made and marketed toward one specific size board. Too specific at 8.25 measurement of a truck for me. Feels weird.
[close]

144/148/5.6 feel fantastic on 8.125

This. 144 being a "joke" and a "gimmick" gives off strong old man yelling at clouds vibes. 144s and other 8.25 trucks can be great for everything from 8.125 to 8.38 boards, depending on personal taste. Not all skaters are stuck in ruts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on February 27, 2024, 07:16:15 AM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
[close]
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
[close]
144’s are a make believe marketing gimmick. 8.25 trucks are a full joke and ploy imo based on historical truck sizes offered, name/size changes to coincide with industry trends, etc. 144 are a joke to me because they seem like too specific of a truck made and marketed toward one specific size board. Too specific at 8.25 measurement of a truck for me. Feels weird.
[close]

144/148/5.6 feel fantastic on 8.125
[close]

This. 144 being a "joke" and a "gimmick" gives off strong old man yelling at clouds vibes. 144s and other 8.25 trucks can be great for everything from 8.125 to 8.38 boards, depending on personal taste. Not all skaters are stuck in ruts.
Lol I flip 8in just fine on 149 (Taylor Nawrocki style). But yes, old man yelling at the industry clouds of flooded product. Prob need some inverted mid 144’s hollows to fix my skate game. I call it a joke because trying to retroactively corner a market of 8.25 skaters past the popularity of their resurgence (by what’s now considered a toy company no less) can be taken as being out of touch, hence a “joke”. God I’m aging myself. Using ‘Drew to market it too like they made the truck for him to try and tap in to that market of madness, which is all they generated. Looking at Venture site 5.6 is still marketed as NEW. I’m sure 147’s are not far off in the timeline.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 27, 2024, 08:01:21 AM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
[close]
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
[close]
144’s are a make believe marketing gimmick. 8.25 trucks are a full joke and ploy imo based on historical truck sizes offered, name/size changes to coincide with industry trends, etc. 144 are a joke to me because they seem like too specific of a truck made and marketed toward one specific size board. Too specific at 8.25 measurement of a truck for me. Feels weird.
[close]

144/148/5.6 feel fantastic on 8.125
[close]

This. 144 being a "joke" and a "gimmick" gives off strong old man yelling at clouds vibes. 144s and other 8.25 trucks can be great for everything from 8.125 to 8.38 boards, depending on personal taste. Not all skaters are stuck in ruts.
[close]
Lol I flip 8in just fine on 149 (Taylor Nawrocki style). But yes, old man yelling at the industry clouds of flooded product. Prob need some inverted mid 144’s hollows to fix my skate game. I call it a joke because trying to retroactively corner a market of 8.25 skaters past the popularity of their resurgence (by what’s now considered a toy company no less) can be taken as being out of touch, hence a “joke”. God I’m aging myself. Using ‘Drew to market it too like they made the truck for him to try and tap in to that market of madness, which is all they generated. Looking at Venture site 5.6 is still marketed as NEW. I’m sure 147’s are not far off in the timeline.

Fair enough brother, but I'd much more call things like the Indy Stage IV's a gimmick and unnecessary addition to the oversaturated market as compared to 8.25 trucks which managed to fill a real rational need for people who don't want to either magic carpet nor hot rod.

I've had a good ol' time on my 144s for all I know, and as said, they are perfect for an 8.125 deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Fartknocker415 on February 27, 2024, 08:08:47 AM
Dam are my af1 44’s just a gimmick?? It’s all a lie??!!!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on February 27, 2024, 08:43:34 AM
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Having a slight crisis and not sure what the next step I should take

Have/had 3 set-ups

Setup 1
Foy Twin 8.5 x 31.9 14.25 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

Setup 2
Crail 8.5 Twin Tip 8.5 x 31.8 14 wheelbase
Thunder Titanium 159

Old Setup
Shop board 8.5 x 32.25 14.375 wheelbase
Indy Hollows 144

So far I've liked the shop board the most but wish it were a twin. Now I'm thinking about getting a set of Indy 149s and building another setup with a new shop board but don't know if there's going to be any noticeable differences between the 144s and the 149s. Ultimately I'd like just one do it all set up but not sure if a twin shape is more important than not
[close]

I'm weening myself off twins as there are not many I prefer (too many with short WB or weird dims) and th eonly real benefit is just throwing the board down and off you go; the foy / Toy twins have been the best of the offerings for me.

Maybe try the foy on 149s?
[close]


I am all for Indy 149s on anything 8.5 or 8.38, but I like a little bit more stability in that regard.  They are more balanced, I feel, for the similar sized board, rather than being a bit tippy with 8.5 or 8.38 on 144s, which is what a few friends have, but they are all about the street tech.

More personal opinion than anything else, but it is good to have at least one set of 144, 149 and 159 if you are trying anything from 8.25 through to 8.75 even though that is probably not helping the madness.

Not to say only 144 on 8.25, only 149 on 8.38 or 8.5 and only 159 on 8.6 and up, but mixing and matching can give some interesting results.
[close]
For 8-8.4 I do 149 +/- some axel washers. 144 never piqued curiosity for fear of losing precious hanger meat.
[close]
144’s are a make believe marketing gimmick. 8.25 trucks are a full joke and ploy imo based on historical truck sizes offered, name/size changes to coincide with industry trends, etc. 144 are a joke to me because they seem like too specific of a truck made and marketed toward one specific size board. Too specific at 8.25 measurement of a truck for me. Feels weird.
[close]

144/148/5.6 feel fantastic on 8.125
[close]

This. 144 being a "joke" and a "gimmick" gives off strong old man yelling at clouds vibes. 144s and other 8.25 trucks can be great for everything from 8.125 to 8.38 boards, depending on personal taste. Not all skaters are stuck in ruts.
[close]
Lol I flip 8in just fine on 149 (Taylor Nawrocki style). But yes, old man yelling at the industry clouds of flooded product. Prob need some inverted mid 144’s hollows to fix my skate game. I call it a joke because trying to retroactively corner a market of 8.25 skaters past the popularity of their resurgence (by what’s now considered a toy company no less) can be taken as being out of touch, hence a “joke”. God I’m aging myself. Using ‘Drew to market it too like they made the truck for him to try and tap in to that market of madness, which is all they generated. Looking at Venture site 5.6 is still marketed as NEW. I’m sure 147’s are not far off in the timeline.
[close]

Fair enough brother, but I'd much more call things like the Indy Stage IV's a gimmick and unnecessary addition to the oversaturated market as compared to 8.25 trucks which managed to fill a real rational need for people who don't want to either magic carpet nor hot rod.

I've had a good ol' time on my 144s for all I know, and as said, they are perfect for an 8.125 deck.
Definitely, without a doubt. Actually kinda cringe to me when I see people skating ‘em. Selling old geometry is definitely a gimmick. Does not align with a business model or years of progression and development.

Point taken on the 144/8in. I should give ‘er a go. Probably will perform better than 149. I honestly would be happier with less options. Less madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: spacial_profiling on February 27, 2024, 08:57:49 AM
Dam are my af1 44’s just a gimmick?? It’s all a lie??!!!!
Lmaooo. Yes. Yes it is.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 27, 2024, 04:27:06 PM
I am building my first board, I am currently using a complete by Element.

So I've created a list of what I am going to do. I already have some of the parts and am planning to buy the rest by the end of this week. What do you guys think?



I just went back over previous posts to check and see where you were at, so as per others comments on here, I mostly agree with everything said so far.


Quite simply the harder bushings might be the main thing that would really help you, as both those Element completes and most stock bushings in any brand trucks are 90 duro, so although they all do firm up after a few sessions, they are all going to be fairly soft compared to what might be best on 92 or even 94 duro bushings for your size, balance, etc.

I have a lot of those Element boards for kids to ride at the indoor skatepark I am at and have tried all the parts on my own setups, as well as skated them just to see how well they hold up - better than I would have thought actually, but yes they are a beginner to basic intermediate complete, so although things will last perfectly well for starting out, they will only get you so far.

That said, buying a whole pro complete is not necessary, but I would not stop you from getting whatever you wanted in that regard, eg you have all the top brands listed there now, which is pretty much what I ride anyway, as do many others.


Lastly, just so you don't go down a rabbit hole about things, learning to stop, start, stand on the board and lean to heel or toe sides, pushing, rolling faster, and turning both with lifting up as well as just carving all takes time, so from what I had seen of your video, you are already well on your way, which is good to see.  It really is just about putting in the time and getting comfortable on a skateboard, rolling around and building up muscles that might not otherwise get used a whole lot doing other things and taking care not to go too hard or try anything too quickly that could result in injury or other issues.

Whatever your board setup, it will not magically make you skate significantly better or worse, but it can help a whole lot having good quality gear you can get used to, hence more than anything, the harder bushings comment to start with.

Hope that helps anyway.

Good times ahead!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 28, 2024, 06:06:05 PM
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First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
[close]
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics
[close]

classics are the best.

dragons do not slide very well, in my experience. i just want them to slide on downhill speed checks, and for me, they do not. dragons do feel excellent for my old joints/bones, and pushing to and fro is lovely.

i’ve been skating 52 v1 x97s and they are nice. haven’t taken them down a fast hill yet.

i’ve been contemplating skating a set of 55 dragons, for transportation, and then once at the skatepark, changing to 52 classic f4s.
feels precious.
[close]
Really interested in your experience downhill with x97’s.

And get two sets of bearings and just quick-switch the wheels out 8)
[close]

@JM
@Zane

tried my x97, v1 shape, 52mm, on a rugged downhill. they were alright. speed checks worked.

then tried my 55 dragons. waaaay faster, much less speed check. uncomfortably fast in parts of the road.
for me, both wheels slide around 180, but the 90 back to straight is more difficult, for me, than say f4s.

ended up just cruising around on the dragons. they are kinda like sweatpants or slip on shoes…just lazy/easy.

if the x97s were a bigger wheel, i’m sure they would have been the move. i got these small and thin to ride on low trucks, so not exactly hill bomb optimized.

hope this isn’t as useless as it reads back to me
Thanks dog, that is most certainly useful in case I ever feel the urge to powerslide going downhill.  The powerslides I try on flat smooth concrete in the x97's, V1's are really sticky and don't work well most of the time.   I do miss the SPF Bones in that regard.  Downside of f4 99's in smooth park concrete is they are not as fast as either SPF or x97's.  (x97's are suprisingly fast on smooth concrete!)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 28, 2024, 07:28:49 PM
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First madness of my life; went through too many wheels within the span of two months.

Started off with wanting to try Dragons after riding Spitfire F4 for as long as they've been around. Bought the 54mm V4 Dragons and loved them at first. Spot to spot was so much faster, and I liked the rebound. They definitely don't slide as well as everyone wants you to believe. Especially felt it on flat ground tricks that required a little bit of a revert (backslide flips, 360s, etc). Went back to Spitfire F4, but tried the OG classics in 52mm 99a. Hated them. Square edge threw off all my flat ground tricks, and they felt super rough riding from spot to spot. Went back to Dragons, but this time the 52mm V1, hoping that the smaller wheel would revert better. They didn't. Went to Spitfire F4 Classics in 97a hoping that it would be a good middle ground. They were okay honestly. Definitely prefer a round edge wheel, but they still were a little sticky for my taste. They were good for 90% of things, and my flat ground improved, but still not "it". Finally landed back on Spitfire F4, but this time 54mm 99a Radials. Hoping the slightly wider wheel helps smoothen things, while having the slide of the 99a duro, and the round edge for flat ground.
[close]
And then probably it will happen the same that's happening to me: you'll want classics
[close]

classics are the best.

dragons do not slide very well, in my experience. i just want them to slide on downhill speed checks, and for me, they do not. dragons do feel excellent for my old joints/bones, and pushing to and fro is lovely.

i’ve been skating 52 v1 x97s and they are nice. haven’t taken them down a fast hill yet.

i’ve been contemplating skating a set of 55 dragons, for transportation, and then once at the skatepark, changing to 52 classic f4s.
feels precious.
[close]
Really interested in your experience downhill with x97’s.

And get two sets of bearings and just quick-switch the wheels out 8)
[close]

@JM
@Zane

tried my x97, v1 shape, 52mm, on a rugged downhill. they were alright. speed checks worked.

then tried my 55 dragons. waaaay faster, much less speed check. uncomfortably fast in parts of the road.
for me, both wheels slide around 180, but the 90 back to straight is more difficult, for me, than say f4s.

ended up just cruising around on the dragons. they are kinda like sweatpants or slip on shoes…just lazy/easy.

if the x97s were a bigger wheel, i’m sure they would have been the move. i got these small and thin to ride on low trucks, so not exactly hill bomb optimized.

hope this isn’t as useless as it reads back to me
[close]
Thanks dog, that is most certainly useful in case I ever feel the urge to powerslide going downhill.  The powerslides I try on flat smooth concrete in the x97's, V1's are really sticky and don't work well most of the time.   I do miss the SPF Bones in that regard.  Downside of f4 99's in smooth park concrete is they are not as fast as either SPF or x97's.  (x97's are suprisingly fast on smooth concrete!)

my major malfunction seems to be that i really want to ‘speed check’ power slide, whatever, downhill….because im scared and going too fast. i live in a place with horrible old roads, the dragons feel awesome. until i start going too fast.
f4s are great for speed checks, and slower. if i skate a massive wheel (56 radial fulls let’s say) the f4s do well enough.
but.
if a wheel is good on these shit streets, then said wheel most likely has ‘orrible drawbacks once at the spot (too big, too heavy, too soft, etc etc).
big tiny baby i am.

i’ll to try the x97s at the park. i never skate there.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ggrant on March 11, 2024, 06:11:40 PM
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: slaab900turbo on March 11, 2024, 06:31:18 PM
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?

Spitfire Cheapshots

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on March 11, 2024, 06:59:44 PM
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?

Can't go wrong. I've used Quantums and Bones a lot over the last couple of years. If I had to definitively state what's worked best, longest for me, its Swiss 6. But Isotopes are a very close second and have an appeal as a smaller low key company ran by skate nerds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ggrant on March 11, 2024, 07:03:39 PM
Expand Quote
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?
[close]

Can't go wrong. I've used Quantums and Bones a lot over the last couple of years. If I had to definitively state what's worked best, longest for me, its Swiss 6. But Isotopes are a very close second and have an appeal as a smaller low key company ran by skate nerds.

Dope, might give the Isotopes a solid shot then, since I can only get my hands on Swiss 7-balls.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 12, 2024, 02:19:51 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?
[close]

Can't go wrong. I've used Quantums and Bones a lot over the last couple of years. If I had to definitively state what's worked best, longest for me, its Swiss 6. But Isotopes are a very close second and have an appeal as a smaller low key company ran by skate nerds.
[close]

Dope, might give the Isotopes a solid shot then, since I can only get my hands on Swiss 7-balls.
For me is swiss 6, swiss, HKD 5
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 12, 2024, 10:28:20 AM
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?

I've learned the hard way: nothing but Swiss / Swiss 6.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ggrant on March 12, 2024, 09:16:27 PM
Expand Quote
I'm finally getting back into skating this spring after 3+ years being away from it.

have a dilemma building my setup; I wanna step away from the typical Reds and go more premium, so I went through the bearings gear thread, seem to be a lot of people loving Quantum Atoms/Isotopes, but I could not a read lot of long term reviews comparing them to Swiss on them for durability/feel/maintenance and instead compares on cost to performance. the kicker is I have a hookup that has Bones Swiss for the same price I can get Quantum Atoms/Isotopes.

Comparing Quantum ceramics vs tried and true Swiss to slam in 99a Full Conical F4s is driving me a bit mad, anyone skate both a ton (I primarily do concrete park/cruising, but any input is good imho) and have an opinion on what's best?
[close]

I've learned the hard way: nothing but Swiss / Swiss 6.

Sounds like that's a pretty solid consensus. Just shilled out a little more for Swiss 6
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 12, 2024, 09:20:57 PM
+1 for Swiss six
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2024, 01:48:27 PM
Despite all the madness, one thing is crystal clear: Super Swiss 6, and nothing else. Ever. Hard stop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on March 13, 2024, 02:25:08 PM
Only bones Swiss ceramics for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on March 15, 2024, 09:31:43 PM
Ok maybe this is one of those things I just have to deal with. I switched from venture (my favorite truck) to Indy cause I kept hitting axel in like 5/6 months on venture. Settled on Indy’s with the blue bushings (more stability and great turn, love em now).

Only problem is now the axel is starting to peek out 5 months in. Crook of course comes first but that barely counts. Switched hangers when the crooks started barking on the (metal) skatepark ledge on my weekday sessions and when I was switching noticed the axel poking out on the back hanger.

I can’t even slappy so this doesn’t feel justified. I skate a lot of crusty ledges so I’m guessing that’s the culprit and I hate breaking trucks in. I always thought of Indy as being the longest lasting truck. Any suggestions on a truck that’s somehow more durable than Indy? Or should I just accept I’m gonna go through two sets of trucks a year?

My 2024 goal is learning slappys (might be lofty that shit seems impossible) which I’m sure will make this problem significantly worse.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Enrico Pallazzo on March 16, 2024, 05:23:57 AM
Ok maybe this is one of those things I just have to deal with. I switched from venture (my favorite truck) to Indy cause I kept hitting axel in like 5/6 months on venture. Settled on Indy’s with the blue bushings (more stability and great turn, love em now).

Only problem is now the axel is starting to peek out 5 months in. Crook of course comes first but that barely counts. Switched hangers when the crooks started barking on the (metal) skatepark ledge on my weekday sessions and when I was switching noticed the axel poking out on the back hanger.

I can’t even slappy so this doesn’t feel justified. I skate a lot of crusty ledges so I’m guessing that’s the culprit and I hate breaking trucks in. I always thought of Indy as being the longest lasting truck. Any suggestions on a truck that’s somehow more durable than Indy? Or should I just accept I’m gonna go through two sets of trucks a year?

My 2024 goal is learning slappys (might be lofty that shit seems impossible) which I’m sure will make this problem significantly worse.

I think you just gotta take pride in the fact that you’re skating frequently and hard enough to hit axle in 5-6 months, and use it as an opportunity to treat yourself to some fresh new trucks.

Venture and Indy are both on the longer end of durability for me, definitely last longer than my Aces. The only other option may be Thunder, but why give up a nice turn/grind for a couple extra weeks of grinding? Plus thunders stink.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 16, 2024, 07:21:43 AM
I switched to Venture because thunders ground out too fast....Ventures are meatier and harder ie. don't grind as well, but last longer.  Indy's are great (there I said it) but heavy and well...the t-shirts are gross....

Don't feel the need to do a slappy.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 16, 2024, 07:44:04 AM
I switched to Venture because thunders ground out too fast....Ventures are meatier and harder ie. don't grind as well, but last longer.  Indy's are great (there I said it) but heavy and well...the t-shirts are gross....

Don't feel the need to do a slappy.....


yes. yes. emphatic yes.


be stoked you are dusting thru trucks, and skate the ones that are the most fun. imo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 16, 2024, 04:22:00 PM
Expand Quote
Ok maybe this is one of those things I just have to deal with. I switched from venture (my favorite truck) to Indy cause I kept hitting axel in like 5/6 months on venture. Settled on Indy’s with the blue bushings (more stability and great turn, love em now).

Only problem is now the axel is starting to peek out 5 months in. Crook of course comes first but that barely counts. Switched hangers when the crooks started barking on the (metal) skatepark ledge on my weekday sessions and when I was switching noticed the axel poking out on the back hanger.

I can’t even slappy so this doesn’t feel justified. I skate a lot of crusty ledges so I’m guessing that’s the culprit and I hate breaking trucks in. I always thought of Indy as being the longest lasting truck. Any suggestions on a truck that’s somehow more durable than Indy? Or should I just accept I’m gonna go through two sets of trucks a year?

My 2024 goal is learning slappys (might be lofty that shit seems impossible) which I’m sure will make this problem significantly worse.
[close]

I think you just gotta take pride in the fact that you’re skating frequently and hard enough to hit axle in 5-6 months, and use it as an opportunity to treat yourself to some fresh new trucks.

Venture and Indy are both on the longer end of durability for me, definitely last longer than my Aces. The only other option may be Thunder, but why give up a nice turn/grind for a couple extra weeks of grinding? Plus thunders stink.



Sure some trucks will grind through faster than others, but if you are skating the rough terrain that eats trucks, any trucks, this is just part of the game and accepting that is how it goes is just one of the many things that come with the territory.

I don't think any truck brand would hold up more, or any version of any truck, even though some people have said the Indy mid hanger is the thickest of all, but you really don't want to go down that road, unless you are keen to see what they are like.

Maybe a little clear coat on anything you are skating more regularly will ease the gnar factor of edges of things eating trucks.  It works for pool and similar other rougher concrete edges, concrete sealer or any clear coat sort of stuff, as people put on curbs too.

Just a thought anyway.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Banned from the room on March 17, 2024, 05:16:43 PM
My ace classics lasted the longest idky cuz the metal was obviously softer.

I too do two Ventures a year I can't break the truck no matter how much axle is showing. Usually I just get sick of looking at it. . Indys i really like newer. They last little longer.

I think my 6.1s are going to last over a year maybe. Lots of surface area my trucks like to shimmy on the block when 50. I love it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mooseknuckle666 on March 17, 2024, 08:57:31 PM
Ventures on 8.25 wheelbases?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 17, 2024, 09:18:53 PM
it's not the end of the world...the trucks are a bit lower to begin with, and the trucks have other great benefits.  That said, if wheel base bugs you, it is what it is.....might want to skate Indys.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on March 23, 2024, 06:50:04 PM
Ventures on 8.25 wheelbases?

 
Do you mean 14.25?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Crailslideyoface on March 23, 2024, 07:11:53 PM
Ventures on 8.25 wheelbases?
What is this? A wheelbase for ants?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Coffee on March 26, 2024, 12:21:06 PM
The madness finally hit me today. I’ve been riding the same 8.125” shape with 8” trucks on and off for about 5 years. Today I was setting up for a trick and looked down and realized I couldn’t see my wheels from the top and it fucked me up. Seriously almost 5 years and it never bothered me but now I can’t deal with it. Going back to an 8” deck next time I hit the shop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: smg1138 on March 26, 2024, 12:43:06 PM
The madness finally hit me today. I’ve been riding the same 8.125” shape with 8” trucks on and off for about 5 years. Today I was setting up for a trick and looked down and realized I couldn’t see my wheels from the top and it fucked me up. Seriously almost 5 years and it never bothered me but now I can’t deal with it. Going back to an 8” deck next time I hit the shop.

I rode the same kind of setup for years. Something you could try is putting 3 washers on the inside of each wheel to push them out a little. I do that on most of my setups to give us much grinding space as possible and keep the axles from poking out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 26, 2024, 05:17:16 PM
Expand Quote
The madness finally hit me today. I’ve been riding the same 8.125” shape with 8” trucks on and off for about 5 years. Today I was setting up for a trick and looked down and realized I couldn’t see my wheels from the top and it fucked me up. Seriously almost 5 years and it never bothered me but now I can’t deal with it. Going back to an 8” deck next time I hit the shop.
[close]

I rode the same kind of setup for years. Something you could try is putting 3 washers on the inside of each wheel to push them out a little. I do that on most of my setups to give us much grinding space as possible and keep the axles from poking out.


Yeah that was my go to for a long, long time.

AH black eagle or similar 8.125 or other 8.18 sized boards on 139s, more often than not with wider wheels to make it feel a little more comfortable and as you said, three washers on the inside as a matter of principle.

Then when 144s came out, I switched up to those and could ride smaller / normal shaped wheels with only a washer or two on the inside which brought the wheels out a bit more and was comfortable for me.

Other people who had tried it said it messed with them too much, as they were way more comfortable on 139s than on 144s, so even that difference from 8 to 8.25" trucks can be a good thing for some people like me, or a bad thing for others I know.

If you are set on that truck size, then changing boards is often easier than getting a new set of trucks to go on the slightly wider board.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on March 26, 2024, 06:00:39 PM
The madness finally hit me today. I’ve been riding the same 8.125” shape with 8” trucks on and off for about 5 years. Today I was setting up for a trick and looked down and realized I couldn’t see my wheels from the top and it fucked me up. Seriously almost 5 years and it never bothered me but now I can’t deal with it. Going back to an 8” deck next time I hit the shop.

Run 2 speed rings on the inside and that’ll push your wheels out the 1/8” so they’re flush with the deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 26, 2024, 06:24:15 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The madness finally hit me today. I’ve been riding the same 8.125” shape with 8” trucks on and off for about 5 years. Today I was setting up for a trick and looked down and realized I couldn’t see my wheels from the top and it fucked me up. Seriously almost 5 years and it never bothered me but now I can’t deal with it. Going back to an 8” deck next time I hit the shop.
[close]

I rode the same kind of setup for years. Something you could try is putting 3 washers on the inside of each wheel to push them out a little. I do that on most of my setups to give us much grinding space as possible and keep the axles from poking out.
[close]


Yeah that was my go to for a long, long time.

AH black eagle or similar 8.125 or other 8.18 sized boards on 139s, more often than not with wider wheels to make it feel a little more comfortable and as you said, three washers on the inside as a matter of principle.

Then when 144s came out, I switched up to those and could ride smaller / normal shaped wheels with only a washer or two on the inside which brought the wheels out a bit more and was comfortable for me.

Other people who had tried it said it messed with them too much, as they were way more comfortable on 139s than on 144s, so even that difference from 8 to 8.25" trucks can be a good thing for some people like me, or a bad thing for others I know.

If you are set on that truck size, then changing boards is often easier than getting a new set of trucks to go on the slightly wider board.

This is why I only ride .25/.50/.75 decks…so trucks match up. Can’t deal with the bastard children (.01/.3/.6/etc.).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 26, 2024, 06:36:27 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The madness finally hit me today. I’ve been riding the same 8.125” shape with 8” trucks on and off for about 5 years. Today I was setting up for a trick and looked down and realized I couldn’t see my wheels from the top and it fucked me up. Seriously almost 5 years and it never bothered me but now I can’t deal with it. Going back to an 8” deck next time I hit the shop.
[close]

I rode the same kind of setup for years. Something you could try is putting 3 washers on the inside of each wheel to push them out a little. I do that on most of my setups to give us much grinding space as possible and keep the axles from poking out.
[close]


Yeah that was my go to for a long, long time.

AH black eagle or similar 8.125 or other 8.18 sized boards on 139s, more often than not with wider wheels to make it feel a little more comfortable and as you said, three washers on the inside as a matter of principle.

Then when 144s came out, I switched up to those and could ride smaller / normal shaped wheels with only a washer or two on the inside which brought the wheels out a bit more and was comfortable for me.

Other people who had tried it said it messed with them too much, as they were way more comfortable on 139s than on 144s, so even that difference from 8 to 8.25" trucks can be a good thing for some people like me, or a bad thing for others I know.

If you are set on that truck size, then changing boards is often easier than getting a new set of trucks to go on the slightly wider board.
[close]

This is why I only ride .25/.50/.75 decks…so trucks match up. Can’t deal with the bastard children (.01/.3/.6/etc.).


Ha yeah for sure!!!

Some of the sizes work well with different wheels, eg wider truck, wider wheel to maximise width, or axle washers this side or that side.

The funniest thing no matter what is trying things like certain pro setups, eg Peter Hewitt with 159s on the 8.38 board and saying there is no wheel sticking out at all - no matter what I set up, there is always wheel sticking out, no washers or one washer inside, with his regular Classic or Radial shaped wheels, but that's ok - when he can skate like that, compared to how I skate on anything even my best day pales in comparison, so whatever works I guess.

Just set up a board for a friend from old parts, with 144s on my old 8.38 and it feels so tippy - even with all washers on the inside, but that's the way he likes it, whereas 149s on the 8.38 just fit so well for me.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on March 31, 2024, 01:07:17 PM
Tail is getting razor, and it’s at the fifth ply now. But the deck doesn’t feel soggy and still plenty snappy.

Skating indy, and I moved the 1.5mm down from standard baseplate to the forged, so that I might get the same pop timing… but it still feels like I really have to smash the hell out of the tail to have a solid popped Ollie (leveled out without foot coming off at all).

Deck is DLX 8.38/14.5 WB.
Wheels are 52 new, and at about 51 now.

Should I go back to standard hangar?
Try 53 or 54 wheels?
Just suck it up and concentrate on always popping hard?
Set up new deck?

The goal is just to have a crispy pop, with no dangly back foot. Yuck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jums on March 31, 2024, 01:53:10 PM
I was skating a ledge next to a fountain and my board briefly went into the water, like under 5 seconds. I took it out bounced it around… rolls fine… bearings don’t feel or sound fucked. They’re like they were before going into the water. Should I clean and lube them? This happened about a week ago.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on March 31, 2024, 02:00:22 PM
I was skating a ledge next to a fountain and my board briefly went into the water, like under 5 seconds. I took it out bounced it around… rolls fine… bearings don’t feel or sound fucked. They’re like they were before going into the water. Should I clean and lube them? This happened about a week ago.
It’s entirely possible that no water got inside the bearings because of the surface tension/cohesion (provided you skate normally with shields on like the good lord intended).

If there was going to have any rust happen, it would have happened by now… and cleaning them wouldn’t do anything at this point.

But, it’s promising you mentioned lube, because the lube would have also protected all the internal surfaces from water sticking on them… so the hope is you had well lubed bearings and the 5sec dunk did nothing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jums on March 31, 2024, 02:57:04 PM
Yeah, shields on. They roll the same pre water bath. I’ll leave them alone.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 31, 2024, 04:04:28 PM
Tail is getting razor, and it’s at the fifth ply now. But the deck doesn’t feel soggy and still plenty snappy.

Skating indy, and I moved the 1.5mm down from standard baseplate to the forged, so that I might get the same pop timing… but it still feels like I really have to smash the hell out of the tail to have a solid popped Ollie (leveled out without foot coming off at all).

Deck is DLX 8.38/14.5 WB.
Wheels are 52 new, and at about 51 now.

Should I go back to standard hangar?
Try 53 or 54 wheels?
Just suck it up and concentrate on always popping hard?
Set up new deck?

The goal is just to have a crispy pop, with no dangly back foot. Yuck.


The one thing I find with the DLX 8.38 shape is I go through the tail faster than some other boards, but as with anything, when is the right time to swap out, or keep it going?

If you have a new one ready to go and can afford it, I say set up the new board and pass the other one on to someone else which might make both of you happy.

If nothing else at least it could be a good backup board if it is still not soggy, but the number of times I have kept an old board set up and skating it for way longer than I needed to, just because I wanted to get the most out of it, finally realised when I did set up a new board how good it felt, I have to keep reminding myself I don't need to skate it to death any more and it most definitely is not helping riding something past when I should, for the sake of skating something better that I have waiting, if that makes sense.

In summary, if it is not quite skating as it should, for whatever reason, swap it out ASAP.

That is my thought on it anyway.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 31, 2024, 04:08:39 PM
Yeah, shields on. They roll the same pre water bath. I’ll leave them alone.


More than anything, even just checking each wheel is spinning as it should, take the wheel off and check the inside of each bearing - don't need to take shields off, just look at the inside of the wheel or the back of the bearing, so if it is wet in there, sooner or later things are going to rust and the bearing will stop.  If they are all clean and dry, or at least looking exactly how they should, then put it back together and away you go.

Seen a number of boards that people say their bearings are noisy or whatever, take the wheels off and there is a lot of rust, dust and mess in there, but they can never recall if or when their board got wet, so it is worth checking while things are still going well enough, before they get rusty or things go wrong.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 31, 2024, 04:23:51 PM

In summary, if it is not quite skating as it should, for whatever reason, swap it out ASAP.

That is my thought on it anyway.

This.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on March 31, 2024, 09:28:08 PM
@Sedition @Mbrimson88

Well, that settles that. Thank you

When the Doctors speak, you’d be a damned fool not to listen 8)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kevve on April 01, 2024, 05:04:21 AM
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 01, 2024, 08:16:28 AM
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

Check out Black Label. Their 8.5 decks are 14.5wb. Shape on them is almost exactly the same as the 8.75 you’re currently riding. BBS wood, too. Note, however, that Black Label tend to also have steeper kicks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 01, 2024, 08:19:14 PM
Expand Quote
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
[close]

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

Check out Black Label. Their 8.5 decks are 14.5wb. Shape on them is almost exactly the same as the 8.75 you’re currently riding. BBS wood, too. Note, however, that Black Label tend to also have steeper kicks.


I would agree with this as well.

Peter Hewitt (and others) ride 159s on their DLX 8.38 boards, but it just looked and felt weird when I set up a board to copy his.  Not to say others will not find it awesome, but it is just a little too wide in the truck department for comfort for me.


On the other hand, a lot more people ride 159s on 8.5 boards and the usual BBS / Generator 8.5 shape is a good one, used by a lot of brands for their usual board, of which I have many and they vary in steepness and concave, but as Sedition said, the Black Label 8.5 boards tend to be on the steeper side, both side to side concave and angle of kicks, from the half a dozen I have, compared to all the other BBS 8.5 boards of the same shape and size, which are in general way more mellow.


The only other question for Kevve is have you tried the DLX 8.62 shape?  It has a 14.75 wb and is a little more narrow overall than the 8.75 so if you were after something with a longer wheelbase, this is also a good one, but may be a little too big still, for what you want.

DLX does have another 8.5 x 32.5 with 14.75 wb, as well as the one off There Chandler Burton board with 14.69 wb, which might be worth checking out too.

A few options anyway.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakie nollie on April 01, 2024, 09:30:38 PM
I think all passport boards have 14.5 on their 8.5 shape
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 01, 2024, 10:43:37 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
[close]

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

Check out Black Label. Their 8.5 decks are 14.5wb. Shape on them is almost exactly the same as the 8.75 you’re currently riding. BBS wood, too. Note, however, that Black Label tend to also have steeper kicks.
[close]


I would agree with this as well.

Peter Hewitt (and others) ride 159s on their DLX 8.38 boards, but it just looked and felt weird when I set up a board to copy his.  Not to say others will not find it awesome, but it is just a little too wide in the truck department for comfort for me.


On the other hand, a lot more people ride 159s on 8.5 boards and the usual BBS / Generator 8.5 shape is a good one, used by a lot of brands for their usual board, of which I have many and they vary in steepness and concave, but as Sedition said, the Black Label 8.5 boards tend to be on the steeper side, both side to side concave and angle of kicks, from the half a dozen I have, compared to all the other BBS 8.5 boards of the same shape and size, which are in general way more mellow.


The only other question for Kevve is have you tried the DLX 8.62 shape?  It has a 14.75 wb and is a little more narrow overall than the 8.75 so if you were after something with a longer wheelbase, this is also a good one, but may be a little too big still, for what you want.

DLX does have another 8.5 x 32.5 with 14.75 wb, as well as the one off There Chandler Burton board with 14.69 wb, which might be worth checking out too.

A few options anyway.

(1) Peter Hewitt's set-up sounds...terrifying.

(2) If you know, what other BBS brands have (a) 8.5 / 14.5 WB, (2) mellow kicks, (3) shape similar to the 8.5 Black Label?

(3) I tried the 8.62/14.75 a little bit ago. I told a friend, "This is possibly the worst popsicle I've ever ridden." I absolutely hated it. The dimensions / ratios all seemed to be fighting against each other. But to each their own, if someone likes it, awesome. The 8.75 feels way, way, way more nimble/responsive than the 8.62, IMHO, and is a much better "balanced" deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on April 02, 2024, 01:18:10 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
[close]

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

Check out Black Label. Their 8.5 decks are 14.5wb. Shape on them is almost exactly the same as the 8.75 you’re currently riding. BBS wood, too. Note, however, that Black Label tend to also have steeper kicks.
[close]


I would agree with this as well.

Peter Hewitt (and others) ride 159s on their DLX 8.38 boards, but it just looked and felt weird when I set up a board to copy his.  Not to say others will not find it awesome, but it is just a little too wide in the truck department for comfort for me.


On the other hand, a lot more people ride 159s on 8.5 boards and the usual BBS / Generator 8.5 shape is a good one, used by a lot of brands for their usual board, of which I have many and they vary in steepness and concave, but as Sedition said, the Black Label 8.5 boards tend to be on the steeper side, both side to side concave and angle of kicks, from the half a dozen I have, compared to all the other BBS 8.5 boards of the same shape and size, which are in general way more mellow.


The only other question for Kevve is have you tried the DLX 8.62 shape?  It has a 14.75 wb and is a little more narrow overall than the 8.75 so if you were after something with a longer wheelbase, this is also a good one, but may be a little too big still, for what you want.

DLX does have another 8.5 x 32.5 with 14.75 wb, as well as the one off There Chandler Burton board with 14.69 wb, which might be worth checking out too.

A few options anyway.
[close]

(1) Peter Hewitt's set-up sounds...terrifying.

(2) If you know, what other BBS brands have (a) 8.5 / 14.5 WB, (2) mellow kicks, (3) shape similar to the 8.5 Black Label?

(3) I tried the 8.62/14.75 a little bit ago. I told a friend, "This is possibly the worst popsicle I've ever ridden." I absolutely hated it. The dimensions / ratios all seemed to be fighting against each other. But to each their own, if someone likes it, awesome. The 8.75 feels way, way, way more nimble/responsive than the 8.62, IMHO, and is a much better "balanced" deck.


Brands with 8.5 that have 14.5 and +32 length:

The Killing Floor

Element (Pro models and select series are BBS, others may not be, so you gotta double check for BBS markings by the bolts IRL or via photos)

Magenta (I believe but not 100%)

Passport

AH/Krooked 8.38 (feels like an 8.5 and is 14.5 with 32+ length)
Polar (some people say their 8.5s don't have 14.5 WB but all the ones I had were spot on 4 years ago)

Primitive (I swear they had 8.5 x 14.5 x 32.25 for the longest time but haven't skated any recently to know for sure if that's still true)

Slave

Zero
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 02, 2024, 03:18:53 PM

 If you know, what other BBS brands have (a) 8.5 / 14.5 WB, (2) mellow kicks, (3) shape similar to the 8.5 Black Label?




* As per Darkpools, Fakie nollie and others, this was my take.


Yeah there sure are lots in that same or very similar shape of the 8.5 x 32.3 given or take a bit in each measurement per different board company, 14.5 wb with 7 or so nose and 6.7 or so tail.  Quite a lot even have the length listed as 32 even, but they all line up the same to me.


The most annoying thing is with actually finding a mellow board, given they have multiples per press and different presses, some steeper some more mellow, because even some of the same board that I have bought, I can sort them into the steeper ones I usually sell right away, the middle range I may or may not skate or the mellow boards, which I squirrel away like they are the last of those kind on earth.

Examples of this include older stock I have from Passport, Baker, Birdhouse, Deathwish, Element (before they changed) and a few others, especially Element though, which I always blank but they are just so comfrotable for me.

Boards from Loser Machine, Isle, Alltimers, Killing Floor, some Magenta, some Passport and some Generator blanks were all middle of the road.

Boards more recently from Black Label, Cash Only, some Magenta, some Passport and a few Generator boards for skate shops / blanks were all too steep for me to be comfortable on, but others I know have loved them and they held up well.



I don't want to just list the woodshop thread with the BBS and highlight all the boards there that I have that are that shape, or at least were, because some have changed now, others seem to have gone with shorter versions, etc.

There sure are a lot from that list though.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=120409.msg3729103#msg3729103


Others I think are the same from looking online but I have not seen in person include 151, ATM, Frog, Sci Fi (Generator sticker on it) but also all the shop boards that use Generator for their wood, as well as those smaller brands that seem to slip under the radar.

Shop board post here too:

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=120409.msg3729105#msg3729105


If you can make it in somewhere to look at or stand on a lot of boards, all good and well, but if you can't for whatever reason, it is often way more of a roll of the dice to try to find the good boards that are most comfortable.  I don't think anyone specifically has mellow boards from that list, or at least not any that will compare to DLX with a IV stamp.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 02, 2024, 05:33:37 PM
Expand Quote

 If you know, what other BBS brands have (a) 8.5 / 14.5 WB, (2) mellow kicks, (3) shape similar to the 8.5 Black Label?

[close]



* As per Darkpools, Fakie nollie and others, this was my take.


Yeah there sure are lots in that same or very similar shape of the 8.5 x 32.3 given or take a bit in each measurement per different board company, 14.5 wb with 7 or so nose and 6.7 or so tail.  Quite a lot even have the length listed as 32 even, but they all line up the same to me.


The most annoying thing is with actually finding a mellow board, given they have multiples per press and different presses, some steeper some more mellow, because even some of the same board that I have bought, I can sort them into the steeper ones I usually sell right away, the middle range I may or may not skate or the mellow boards, which I squirrel away like they are the last of those kind on earth.

Examples of this include older stock I have from Passport, Baker, Birdhouse, Deathwish, Element (before they changed) and a few others, especially Element though, which I always blank but they are just so comfrotable for me.

Boards from Loser Machine, Isle, Alltimers, Killing Floor, some Magenta, some Passport and some Generator blanks were all middle of the road.

Boards more recently from Black Label, Cash Only, some Magenta, some Passport and a few Generator boards for skate shops / blanks were all too steep for me to be comfortable on, but others I know have loved them and they held up well.



I don't want to just list the woodshop thread with the BBS and highlight all the boards there that I have that are that shape, or at least were, because some have changed now, others seem to have gone with shorter versions, etc.

There sure are a lot from that list though.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=120409.msg3729103#msg3729103


Others I think are the same from looking online but I have not seen in person include 151, ATM, Frog, Sci Fi (Generator sticker on it) but also all the shop boards that use Generator for their wood, as well as those smaller brands that seem to slip under the radar.

Shop board post here too:

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=120409.msg3729105#msg3729105


If you can make it in somewhere to look at or stand on a lot of boards, all good and well, but if you can't for whatever reason, it is often way more of a roll of the dice to try to find the good boards that are most comfortable.  I don't think anyone specifically has mellow boards from that list, or at least not any that will compare to DLX with a IV stamp.

(Posting this on phone, sorry for typos)

I have such a tumultuous relationship with 8.5 decks. I love my DLX 8.25/14.38.  I also love my  DLX 8.75/14.62. However, at times the 8.25 feels a tad too, well, “dainty.” Conversely, the 8.75 can lend itself to feeling like a land dirigible in some circumstances (esp. flip tricks and things that require me push the limits of what’s left of my max ollie height).

So, it seems like an 8.5/14.5 would be a magic bullet, as it falls directly between those two. Or so it would seem.

A few problems come up with the 8.5/14.5s I’ve tried. First, I hate the given shape. The DLX 8.38 falls into this category for me. The nose/tail are just too rounded-off. Baker 8.5s are the same way (and not sure I could really bring myself to ride Baker on the regular). Second, are kicks dimensions. I had a Zero 8.5/14.5 once, and Jesus, the tail was sooo long. I didn’t think that was going to impact me all that much, but I was categorically wrong. Last, is kickstarter angle. Some are just too steep. The Black Label 8.5/14.5 is the perfect 8.5 shape for me (it’s basically same shape as the DLX 8.25/8.75). But the problem with Black Label is their kicks are so steep—which is really unfortunate because (a) the shape is awesome and (b) the Black Label is one of the best companies, ever, IMHO.

The other weird thing that has happened to me on 8.5/14.5 decks is…they seem to be the worst of the 8.25/8.75, and the best of neither. They never seem as solid/stable as the 8.75 (main reason I like that deck), or as agile as the 8.25. I’ve never, once, ridden any 8.5/14.5 deck and been like “OH! OH! OMG! Hell yes! This thing rocks!” The 8.25/8.75, however…

So, I don’t know. Maybe I’ve just never found the “perfect” 8.5/14.5. Maybe my idea that an 8.5/14.5 is a  middle ground “magic bullet” is fundamentally flawed. Maybe I’m just chasing madness waterfalls. Maybe I should stop looking, and just take the brilliance of the 8.75/8.25 on their own terms.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Meathook on April 02, 2024, 06:22:24 PM
I ordered 93a f4 radial the second I could a couple days ago.  I’ve been perfectly happy on f4 97a 53mm Classics for the last month +.  It’s times like this that I feel the madness the most and wonder what it’s going to take to get rid of this (besides more therapy.)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ant on April 03, 2024, 12:18:24 AM
I've got a weird brand of madness. My 149 Indys are perfect. On an 8.38 April with classic shape 99d F4s perfect. On an 8.5 Polar with conical fulls 99.9% perfect.

Why then am I always buying stuff, trying to get Aces to work, taking 2 boards to the park only to ride my normal one after 5 minutes of failure on the new one?

It's like being married to a 9 out of 10 who is a great cook and super nice, but chasing 20 year old psycho stunners.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on April 03, 2024, 06:24:47 AM
@Sedition @Mbrimson88

Well, that settles that. Thank you

When the Doctors speak, you’d be a damned fool not to listen 8)
@Sedition @Mbrimson88

I done listened. (https://i.ibb.co/TBgXmqh/IMG-5117.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TBgXmqh)(https://i.ibb.co/w6LD4Kj/IMG-5114.jpg) (https://ibb.co/w6LD4Kj)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 03, 2024, 06:30:16 AM
Expand Quote
@Sedition @Mbrimson88

Well, that settles that. Thank you

When the Doctors speak, you’d be a damned fool not to listen 8)
[close]
@Sedition @Mbrimson88

I done listened. (https://i.ibb.co/TBgXmqh/IMG-5117.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TBgXmqh)(https://i.ibb.co/w6LD4Kj/IMG-5114.jpg) (https://ibb.co/w6LD4Kj)

:) Enjoy!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on April 06, 2024, 10:15:31 AM
I've skated the same shape on Thunder 147, Venture 5.2 lo and Venture  V-Light 5.2 hi back and forth over the past few weeks. 147 and V-Light hi on same wheels, lo on basically same wheel but a size down.

I'm shameful in all this fucking about. I'm not even good at skateboarding, but I do enjoy it a bunch.

5.2 los look so sick, and I wish I could channel some energy from some of the greats that looked so good on em. But alas, the wheelbite even with 51s and tightened up trucks is too vicious for me.

147s are newest for me. Standards, but I changed out the black washers and nuts for silver. They turn more/better than the 5.2 lo obviously, but I find em naturally tighter than other trucks I've ridden (Venture/Indy). If you are proper and sit on top of all yr nose/tailslides, the short baseplate shouldn't be an issue. For me, it is with 99a wheels and metal-edge skatepark ledges sometimes. I should just do my tricks better.

The 5.2 V-Light hi are my favorite trucks after all this experimentation. Definitely make yr nose and tail feel/effectively shorter and tightening the front two nuts is annoying as fuck (just started taking the hangers off when setting up a new board lmao)

I broke my popping leg real bad as a child and I'd notice with Indy I'd sometimes veer a bit right before popping probably due to my foot being a lil crooked from that. You can ride Ventures pretty loose while still being really stable for the pop. Yes they don't turn as loosely goosey as Indy or even Thunder, but I feel like I land more tricks on Ventures.

But I realized that I've never skated the 5.2 hi on cast baseplates......
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on April 06, 2024, 04:30:37 PM
I have the way out of madness if you would like some pointers. But if you enjoy the swapping do your thing!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Idk on April 06, 2024, 05:51:16 PM
How do I clean my grip if I don’t have grip gum?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 06, 2024, 10:55:41 PM
How do I clean my grip if I don’t have grip gum?
Hit it with an open palm and then use a broom.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on April 06, 2024, 11:06:59 PM
Expand Quote
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
[close]

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on April 07, 2024, 07:19:07 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
[close]

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

[close]
I have heard the 8.38 (green) eagle measures around 8.5 so it might be a little more doable than the standard 8.38 if you like hot rodding.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 07, 2024, 08:08:18 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
[close]

8.38 with 159 sounds like a nightmare to me.

[close]
[close]
I have heard the 8.38 (green) eagle measures around 8.5 so it might be a little more doable than the standard 8.38 if you like hot rodding.

hewitt skated the 8.38 eagle with 159s.


on an entirely different plane of skateboard existence, i skated an 8.38 generic generator shape, on 6.1 ventures, and loved it. i really liked the stability, and pop. eventually i stopped with the 6.1s, because first and foremost, i am a very old baby, and the setup was too heavy for the skating that i do the most(bad/slow flatground flip trick attempts), this big setup didn’t make the most sense. but, for hills, and ollie/nollie stuff, the setup was great.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kevve on April 08, 2024, 01:54:53 AM
Expand Quote

 If you know, what other BBS brands have (a) 8.5 / 14.5 WB, (2) mellow kicks, (3) shape similar to the 8.5 Black Label?

[close]



* As per Darkpools, Fakie nollie and others, this was my take.


Yeah there sure are lots in that same or very similar shape of the 8.5 x 32.3 given or take a bit in each measurement per different board company, 14.5 wb with 7 or so nose and 6.7 or so tail.  Quite a lot even have the length listed as 32 even, but they all line up the same to me.


The most annoying thing is with actually finding a mellow board, given they have multiples per press and different presses, some steeper some more mellow, because even some of the same board that I have bought, I can sort them into the steeper ones I usually sell right away, the middle range I may or may not skate or the mellow boards, which I squirrel away like they are the last of those kind on earth.

Examples of this include older stock I have from Passport, Baker, Birdhouse, Deathwish, Element (before they changed) and a few others, especially Element though, which I always blank but they are just so comfrotable for me.

Boards from Loser Machine, Isle, Alltimers, Killing Floor, some Magenta, some Passport and some Generator blanks were all middle of the road.

Boards more recently from Black Label, Cash Only, some Magenta, some Passport and a few Generator boards for skate shops / blanks were all too steep for me to be comfortable on, but others I know have loved them and they held up well.



I don't want to just list the woodshop thread with the BBS and highlight all the boards there that I have that are that shape, or at least were, because some have changed now, others seem to have gone with shorter versions, etc.

There sure are a lot from that list though.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=120409.msg3729103#msg3729103


Others I think are the same from looking online but I have not seen in person include 151, ATM, Frog, Sci Fi (Generator sticker on it) but also all the shop boards that use Generator for their wood, as well as those smaller brands that seem to slip under the radar.

Shop board post here too:

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=120409.msg3729105#msg3729105


If you can make it in somewhere to look at or stand on a lot of boards, all good and well, but if you can't for whatever reason, it is often way more of a roll of the dice to try to find the good boards that are most comfortable.  I don't think anyone specifically has mellow boards from that list, or at least not any that will compare to DLX with a IV stamp.

Thanks bud! Gonna do some digging and see what i can find here :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on April 08, 2024, 08:51:10 AM
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?

I love the DLX 8.38 14.5wb shape on 149s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on April 09, 2024, 02:28:11 AM
Im on the 8.75 ah eagle right now and want to go down a little in width as the setup is pretty hefty.

Problem is that i like some extra length as im tall.

Anyone got recommendations for longer 8.5 decks with 14.5+ wb?

The 8.38 ah eagle dims seems doable for me, but will it fit indy 159 trucks?
chandler burton shapes from there skateboards
almost always 8.5 and range from 32.5-32.625 long
and wheelbases between 14.5-14.69
should fit 159s perfectly imo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Prostate Exam on April 09, 2024, 02:37:38 AM
I just switched from Ace Classic 66s to Indy 215s on my Mutant shape and I love them.
The grind is a lot better and the more truck the better. But somehow I fell like my BS Nosepicks got a lot worse. I freaked out the other day cause I couldn't do them anymore on the big quarter at my local and now it is stuck in my head, that I might should switch back to Aces to relearn Nosepicks.
It is so weird how you head can dictate certain shit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakie nollie on April 10, 2024, 07:58:38 PM
I have 4 pairs of LRAB’s right now. 3 VM001’s and a VM002. Two on ice for skating, one I’m currently skating and one as a chiller. I really hope I don’t wake up and hate this shoe one morning.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 11, 2024, 02:04:52 PM
My madness has been dormant for a long time. It's kind of...fluttering...right now. I'm toying with grabbing one of those 8.38/14.38 Black Label decks...mostly out of curiosity. 14.38 is my jam, but I normally don't like (a) steepness of Label kicks (Label kicks can be a tad long, too), and (b) "in-between" sizes (e.g. 8.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.6, etc.).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on April 11, 2024, 02:34:59 PM
Aren't Label decks the generic BBS decks? My shop always has them and Uma, Alltimers, and a few other brands on the sale rack so I've skated a ton of them and the 8.5 shape.

DLX and Sci-Fi have an 8.5x14.38 shape but the nose is quite long.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 11, 2024, 02:40:59 PM
Aren't Label decks the generic BBS decks? My shop always has them and Uma, Alltimers, and a few other brands on the sale rack so I've skated a ton of them and the 8.5 shape.

DLX and Sci-Fi have an 8.5x14.38 shape but the nose is quite long.

Label is BBS, but their kicks are always on the steep side. DLX does have that 8.5/14.38, but per that other thread they are not as easy to come by on a regular basis, plus I really dislike the nose/tail shape on that DLX deck...too roundy-pointy for me. The Label 8.25/14.25 and 8.5/14.5 have the exact shape I love (same as DLX 8.25/14.38, and DLX 8.75/14.62). If I get it, hoping the 8.38 is also their "standard cut," which I love.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 11, 2024, 03:48:47 PM
Expand Quote
Aren't Label decks the generic BBS decks? My shop always has them and Uma, Alltimers, and a few other brands on the sale rack so I've skated a ton of them and the 8.5 shape.

DLX and Sci-Fi have an 8.5x14.38 shape but the nose is quite long.
[close]

Label is BBS, but their kicks are always on the steep side. DLX does have that 8.5/14.38, but per that other thread they are not as easy to come by on a regular basis, plus I really dislike the nose/tail shape on that DLX deck...too roundy-pointy for me. The Label 8.25/14.25 and 8.5/14.5 have the exact shape I love (same as DLX 8.25/14.38, and DLX 8.75/14.62). If I get it, hoping the 8.38 is also their "standard cut," which I love.


The Omar 8.38 board was always a little different - got one here, longer than others, so definitely not a standard BBS / Generator shape.

I see some of the other bigger boards are also different, eg the 9 has a 14.5 wb, which I am yet to see, but keen to try, but not if they are still super steep / extra concave like the others I got recently in the 8.5 x 32.3 with 14.5 wb.   To note, their older boards I bought a while back have a way more normal concave and feel to them, so I wonder if something changed, or they got whatever was on offer, or specifically requested steeper boards.


https://www.blacklabelskates.com/


Also noticed that a lot of the team boards all come in multiple sizes now as well, some pro boards too, eg the Omar board with the 8.38 and a couple of others:


https://www.blacklabelskates.com/product/omar-hassan-s-o-s-8-38-8-625-9-0


Listed as 8.38” x 32.5” 14.38” wheelbase, but I don't think it was quite that long.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 11, 2024, 03:54:22 PM
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Aren't Label decks the generic BBS decks? My shop always has them and Uma, Alltimers, and a few other brands on the sale rack so I've skated a ton of them and the 8.5 shape.

DLX and Sci-Fi have an 8.5x14.38 shape but the nose is quite long.
[close]

Label is BBS, but their kicks are always on the steep side. DLX does have that 8.5/14.38, but per that other thread they are not as easy to come by on a regular basis, plus I really dislike the nose/tail shape on that DLX deck...too roundy-pointy for me. The Label 8.25/14.25 and 8.5/14.5 have the exact shape I love (same as DLX 8.25/14.38, and DLX 8.75/14.62). If I get it, hoping the 8.38 is also their "standard cut," which I love.
[close]


The Omar 8.38 board was always a little different - got one here, longer than others, so definitely not a standard BBS / Generator shape.

I see some of the other bigger boards are also different, eg the 9 has a 14.5 wb, which I am yet to see, but keen to try, but not if they are still super steep / extra concave like the others I got recently in the 8.5 x 32.3 with 14.5 wb.   To note, their older boards I bought a while back have a way more normal concave and feel to them, so I wonder if something changed, or they got whatever was on offer, or specifically requested steeper boards.


https://www.blacklabelskates.com/


Also noticed that a lot of the team boards all come in multiple sizes now as well, some pro boards too, eg the Omar board with the 8.38 and a couple of others:


https://www.blacklabelskates.com/product/omar-hassan-s-o-s-8-38-8-625-9-0


Listed as 8.38” x 32.5” 14.38” wheelbase, but I don't think it was quite that long.

Yeah, I've noticed the 8.38 Label is always listed as longer than their other (popsicle) decks. I also noticed they have some 8.75" listed as 14.5, and some as 14.75. I've wondered if that is accurate, or a typo and they are all 14.75. They otherwise seem to follow the pattern of 8.25/14.25, 8.38/14.38, 8.5/14.5, 8.62/14.62, 8.75/14.75.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 11, 2024, 04:00:17 PM
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Aren't Label decks the generic BBS decks? My shop always has them and Uma, Alltimers, and a few other brands on the sale rack so I've skated a ton of them and the 8.5 shape.

DLX and Sci-Fi have an 8.5x14.38 shape but the nose is quite long.
[close]

Label is BBS, but their kicks are always on the steep side. DLX does have that 8.5/14.38, but per that other thread they are not as easy to come by on a regular basis, plus I really dislike the nose/tail shape on that DLX deck...too roundy-pointy for me. The Label 8.25/14.25 and 8.5/14.5 have the exact shape I love (same as DLX 8.25/14.38, and DLX 8.75/14.62). If I get it, hoping the 8.38 is also their "standard cut," which I love.
[close]


The Omar 8.38 board was always a little different - got one here, longer than others, so definitely not a standard BBS / Generator shape.

I see some of the other bigger boards are also different, eg the 9 has a 14.5 wb, which I am yet to see, but keen to try, but not if they are still super steep / extra concave like the others I got recently in the 8.5 x 32.3 with 14.5 wb.   To note, their older boards I bought a while back have a way more normal concave and feel to them, so I wonder if something changed, or they got whatever was on offer, or specifically requested steeper boards.


https://www.blacklabelskates.com/


Also noticed that a lot of the team boards all come in multiple sizes now as well, some pro boards too, eg the Omar board with the 8.38 and a couple of others:


https://www.blacklabelskates.com/product/omar-hassan-s-o-s-8-38-8-625-9-0


Listed as 8.38” x 32.5” 14.38” wheelbase, but I don't think it was quite that long.
[close]

Yeah, I've noticed the 8.38 Label is always listed as longer than their other (popsicle) decks. I also noticed they have some 8.75" listed as 14.5, and some as 14.75. I've wondered if that is accurate, or a typo and they are all 14.75. They otherwise seem to follow the pattern of 8.25/14.25, 8.38/14.38, 8.5/14.5, 8.62/14.62, 8.75/14.75.


I have older Label boards that are bigger and longer, so at some point, the dimensions changed so they shortened the bigger boards down to a more common 14.5 wb.  Someone had one and said it definitely was 14.5 and not 14.75 or so as per one I have.

I still feel like I need to see the boards in person though, which is why I haven't bought any more, as no one really has them locally here.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 11, 2024, 04:06:01 PM
...as no one really has them locally here.

"Never bought. Never sold."

I think that not only applies to Lucero's bid'ness model (re "selling out"), but also to their market demand. LOL. Label is indeed the "smallest big company." Not many places carry them, and I hardly ever see them in the wild...which is a sham because they are a rad company, and always have been.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 16, 2024, 01:14:11 AM
Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on April 16, 2024, 02:50:04 AM
Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.

Switch to Ventures, stay awake, stop the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2024, 05:00:47 AM
Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.

Don’t do it. Aces turn. Thunders don’t. Plus, that Thunder baseplate thing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on April 16, 2024, 05:02:48 AM
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Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
[close]

Don’t do it. Aces turn. Thunders don’t. Plus, that Thunder baseplate thing.

Having ridden Destructo, Thunder, Indy, Ace and Venture in the recent years I can easily say that Thunders are the worst of the lot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 16, 2024, 05:09:42 AM
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Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
[close]

Switch to Ventures, stay awake, stop the madness.
Ventures are definitely not for me, got a set months ago and God I hated them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on April 16, 2024, 06:33:17 AM
Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
Just buy them. Buy the thunders on the discount and find out if you hate them or not.

Then you won’t live your life with regret and think to yourself as you’re snuggled in bed in 50 years, unable to skate anymore, “I really wish I took that one chance to ride Thunders.”

Then if you hate them, you can stoke out some kid at the skatepark on the worst trucks you’ve ever seen in your life.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2024, 06:44:00 AM
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Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
[close]
Just buy them. Buy the thunders on the discount and find out if you hate them or not.

Then you won’t live your life with regret and think to yourself as you’re snuggled in bed in 50 years, unable to skate anymore, “I really wish I took that one chance to ride Thunders.”

Then if you hate them, you can stoke out some kid at the skatepark on the worst trucks you’ve ever seen in your life.

^ He does make good points.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 16, 2024, 06:46:46 AM
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Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
[close]
Just buy them. Buy the thunders on the discount and find out if you hate them or not.

Then you won’t live your life with regret and think to yourself as you’re snuggled in bed in 50 years, unable to skate anymore, “I really wish I took that one chance to ride Thunders.”

Then if you hate them, you can stoke out some kid at the skatepark on the worst trucks you’ve ever seen in your life.
[close]

^ He does make good points.
Agree but no way in hell I'm giving away crap. With that being said I already ordered and worst case scenario I can sell them to a homie for a good price.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on April 16, 2024, 07:16:12 AM
late stage crapitalism
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on April 16, 2024, 07:22:05 AM
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Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
[close]
Just buy them. Buy the thunders on the discount and find out if you hate them or not.

Then you won’t live your life with regret and think to yourself as you’re snuggled in bed in 50 years, unable to skate anymore, “I really wish I took that one chance to ride Thunders.”

Then if you hate them, you can stoke out some kid at the skatepark on the worst trucks you’ve ever seen in your life.
[close]

^ He does make good points.
[close]
Agree but no way in hell I'm giving away crap. With that being said I already ordered and worst case scenario I can sell them to a homie for a good price.

I just did the same as you, just with Ventures as i already did try out some thunders.

There’s so much product I haven’t tried but am very curious about. It’s probably highly likely hindering any progress that I have 3 somewhat different boards set up, with every dimension being different.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dirty_Dan90 on April 16, 2024, 07:28:11 AM
i was riding indys till 2020 then switched to thunders in January of 2021, (which i think are my fav) but then switched to Ace's beginning of 22' then went to Venture in February of this year. Im the type of person that sets up something new, instantly hates it, orders some new shit but then get used to whatever i disliked then stick with it for awhile.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on April 16, 2024, 08:52:29 AM
Sounds like truck long Covid you have….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 16, 2024, 10:03:26 AM
i was riding indys till 2020 then switched to thunders in January of 2021, (which i think are my fav) but then switched to Ace's beginning of 22' then went to Venture in February of this year. Im the type of person that sets up something new, instantly hates it, orders some new shit but then get used to whatever i disliked then stick with it for awhile.

are you the real dirty dan?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ejazzle on April 16, 2024, 10:09:01 AM
I went grind king, venture, krux, venture, indy, ace, venture and now on thunders. I don't think Ill ever switch from thunders. Wheel bite and not being able to turn were the bane of my existence for too long. I BELIEVE I have found my happy medium.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2024, 11:06:53 AM
I went grind king, venture, krux, venture, indy, ace, venture and now on thunders. I don't think Ill ever switch from thunders. Wheel bite and not being able to turn were the bane of my existence for too long. I BELIEVE I have found my happy medium.

I've always thought Forged Indys were the perfect "middle ground" truck. Not too high. Not too low. Longer WB than Ace, not as long as Venture (same with turn). Middle ground pinch. Middle ground weight. Those are the happy medium for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on April 16, 2024, 11:47:16 AM
happy medium.

I believe you will find that with Thace.... at least I hope I will. T2s........  ;)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Free hat on April 16, 2024, 12:14:39 PM
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Madness hit. Want Thunders badly, I've been on Ace for like 2 years but you know the drill...
Also it doesn't help that I have a good discount on them.
[close]

Don’t do it. Aces turn. Thunders don’t. Plus, that Thunder baseplate thing.

I switched from AF1 to thunders and think they turn fine. Baseplate doesn’t bother me either. Crazy how subjective skate gear can be.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on April 16, 2024, 12:26:28 PM
I grew up with Thunders. Switched to Indys for a few years. Now back on Thunders. But with Indy bushings. Everything feels good. I actually like the Thunder baseplate more for Noseslides, maybe because I learned them on Thunders back then. Skateboarding is weird sometimes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on April 16, 2024, 12:36:33 PM
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I went grind king, venture, krux, venture, indy, ace, venture and now on thunders. I don't think Ill ever switch from thunders. Wheel bite and not being able to turn were the bane of my existence for too long. I BELIEVE I have found my happy medium.
[close]

I've always thought Forged Indys were the perfect "middle ground" truck. Not too high. Not too low. Longer WB than Ace, not as long as Venture (same with turn). Middle ground pinch. Middle ground weight. Those are the happy medium for me.

I've always hated Forged Indys. They have more wheelbite than normal, don't equate to as much pop for me, and the sometimes feel too light and squirrely. I wheelbite less on Thunders, which are lower and some people think have more bite. I want to like the concept of Forged Indys but every time I have ridden them they just feel off. I actually think AF1 are what I want forged Indys to be except that I have to 100% run harder bushings in them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2024, 12:58:58 PM
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I went grind king, venture, krux, venture, indy, ace, venture and now on thunders. I don't think Ill ever switch from thunders. Wheel bite and not being able to turn were the bane of my existence for too long. I BELIEVE I have found my happy medium.
[close]

I've always thought Forged Indys were the perfect "middle ground" truck. Not too high. Not too low. Longer WB than Ace, not as long as Venture (same with turn). Middle ground pinch. Middle ground weight. Those are the happy medium for me.
[close]

I've always hated Forged Indys. They have more wheelbite than normal, don't equate to as much pop for me, and the sometimes feel too light and squirrely. I wheelbite less on Thunders, which are lower and some people think have more bite. I want to like the concept of Forged Indys but every time I have ridden them they just feel off. I actually think AF1 are what I want forged Indys to be except that I have to 100% run harder bushings in them.

HA! Says the guy who hates the DLX 8.25! :) We clearly have very different tastes. ;)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on April 16, 2024, 02:15:29 PM
I want to like both so badly. The 8.25 comes in the best graphics and every shop everywhere has several in stock at all times.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 16, 2024, 04:14:22 PM
I want to like both so badly. The 8.25 comes in the best graphics and every shop everywhere has several in stock at all times.


The 8.25 boards have always been on the shorter mold, so they tend to be steeper as well, when compared to something like the 8.38 boards which seem to be way less steep overall when comparing any number of each of them.  Maybe finding boards with IV on top could help if they feel too quick in the kicks, or riding trucks with shorter wheelbases, even if you are not a fan of Indy, as per previous comments.

I know how much that 8.25 does work well on any Indy trucks, as I have one myself, but it is personal opinion and if something doesn't work for you, there is no point trying to struggle with it, just to have it make life harder every time you step on a board.  I did also have it set up on Thunders and even tried it on Ventures just to see, but prefer Indy for the wheelbase.

Another 8.25 Full, not SE with 14.5 wb I put Ace trucks on and it worked well enough too, but that is a different board again.

Probably doesn't count so much for me though, as I have almost one of everything set up in some form or another, just to see what they are like and to let people skate them if they are not sure of what a board shape or mix of brands / parts might feel like.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 16, 2024, 04:56:11 PM

* Given this is the gear madness thread, finding something that works or staying away from something that doesn't work is the main thing, but of course sometimes you just want to see what this shape or that truck is like, especially with all the people talking about this and that on Slap.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 16, 2024, 06:51:38 PM

* Given this is the gear madness thread, finding something that works or staying away from something that doesn't work is the main thing, but of course sometimes you just want to see what this shape or that truck is like, especially with all the people talking about this and that on Slap.

This entire thread has helped both abate, and exacerbate, my Madness. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 16, 2024, 07:24:45 PM
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* Given this is the gear madness thread, finding something that works or staying away from something that doesn't work is the main thing, but of course sometimes you just want to see what this shape or that truck is like, especially with all the people talking about this and that on Slap.
[close]

This entire thread has helped both abate, and exacerbate, my Madness. :)


and then back again.

every post i make should be in this thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: danmasontree on April 16, 2024, 08:48:56 PM
I have shoe madness right now. I’m currently skating NB 440 V1 with heel slip issues. I hate the new N on the v2’s.

Every new shoe I’ve tried I don’t like or they don’t fit me right, it’s a bummer.


End rant.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on April 16, 2024, 09:32:03 PM
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* Given this is the gear madness thread, finding something that works or staying away from something that doesn't work is the main thing, but of course sometimes you just want to see what this shape or that truck is like, especially with all the people talking about this and that on Slap.
[close]

This entire thread has helped both abate, and exacerbate, my Madness. :)
[close]


and then back again.

every post i make should be in this thread

Everyone bounces between "this is my perfect setup and I will never change anything ever again" to "maybe I need another mm of height with credit card risers and maybe go Indy conical bottom with Bones top bushing".

There is no cure.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on April 17, 2024, 12:03:50 AM
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* Given this is the gear madness thread, finding something that works or staying away from something that doesn't work is the main thing, but of course sometimes you just want to see what this shape or that truck is like, especially with all the people talking about this and that on Slap.
[close]

This entire thread has helped both abate, and exacerbate, my Madness. :)
[close]


and then back again.

every post i make should be in this thread
[close]

Everyone bounces between "this is my perfect setup and I will never change anything ever again" to "maybe I need another mm of height with credit card risers and maybe go Indy conical bottom with Bones top bushing".

There is no cure.

100% agree. Related reading: Michael Easter's The Scarcity Brain. Current stage of western market economy plays our minds like slot machines. Maybe there's MORE fun skating if I try (ie. buy) that combination?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 17, 2024, 12:07:54 AM
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* Given this is the gear madness thread, finding something that works or staying away from something that doesn't work is the main thing, but of course sometimes you just want to see what this shape or that truck is like, especially with all the people talking about this and that on Slap.
[close]

This entire thread has helped both abate, and exacerbate, my Madness. :)
[close]


and then back again.

every post i make should be in this thread
[close]

Everyone bounces between "this is my perfect setup and I will never change anything ever again" to "maybe I need another mm of height with credit card risers and maybe go Indy conical bottom with Bones top bushing".

There is no cure.
That's the absolute truth, maybe the only cure is to delete Slap from your life.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on April 22, 2024, 10:56:48 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-p8YpR7rJc

This is where I'm afraid my current truck madness with Venture will end up to...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 22, 2024, 01:41:40 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-p8YpR7rJc

This is where I'm afraid my current truck madness with Venture will end up to...

undoubtedly
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lulz on April 22, 2024, 06:45:50 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-p8YpR7rJc

This is where I'm afraid my current truck madness with Venture will end up to...

I’ve been there. Technically with mini logo trucks and 100a doh dohs, bushings. All I needed was some 104a/84b bushings. (No, nobody needs that, that’s why they don’t make them.)

Ventures are great, the bushings need to break in(like they all do.)
For me, the break in process is: one hour of heal/toe. I don’t ride them new, they are too soft. Don’t know how long to break in riding, way too long. I put the board somewhere I walk by all the time. Every time I see it it gets a minute or five, until it reaches 60.

Alternate, if you ride in 40 degree weather: same as above except with ace low bushings.

Lol. The end results of my madness still sound crazy. 🤪
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: europa1991 on April 22, 2024, 07:00:25 PM
Can someone smarter than me please tell me as soon as I switched from a Quasi PS Stix 8.25x14.25 to a DLX BBS 8.25x 14.38 I’ve lost any kind of stable pop. I’ve tried this deck with a set of Aces, Indy’s, and even an old pair of Thunder hollows and everything just feels off.. If it’s wheelbase, I’d be kind of shocked because I like a 14.25 to 14.38 but of course I could be wrong.. Kicks? Steepness? That shovel shape ??
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 22, 2024, 07:54:52 PM
why go from quasi to something else?

i prefer ps stix, and that board is probably shorter in length as well.

you’ll get used to it tho. or maybe that’s just what happens for me, i get used to it, but my baseline is just bad, so i accept bad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: europa1991 on April 22, 2024, 08:05:58 PM
Needed a board and that was pretty much my only option.. shop had a 8.25 Hockey but it was priced at like $80+ …now I’m thinking I probably should have went with that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on April 22, 2024, 08:50:00 PM
Can someone smarter than me please tell me as soon as I switched from a Quasi PS Stix 8.25x14.25 to a DLX BBS 8.25x 14.38 I’ve lost any kind of stable pop. I’ve tried this deck with a set of Aces, Indy’s, and even an old pair of Thunder hollows and everything just feels off.. If it’s wheelbase, I’d be kind of shocked because I like a 14.25 to 14.38 but of course I could be wrong.. Kicks? Steepness? That shovel shape ??

I hate the DLX 8.25 cuz it has no fingers of flat as Ben D calls it. Kicks turn up after the bolts and a short tail.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 22, 2024, 09:02:24 PM
I hate the DLX 8.25 cuz it has no fingers of flat as Ben D calls it. Kicks turn up after the bolts and a short tail.

Uhm….what?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on April 23, 2024, 08:31:03 AM
Warning, long rant ahead. It’s been nearly two years since I messed up my ankle, and ever since, my skating confidence just hasn't been the same. I've also had a few other nagging injuries, and during that time, I've been constantly tweaking my setups. I rode that 917 slick far longer than I should have, totally in love with my backside flips on it with Ventures and a loose bushing kit. After a break from skating this winter, It was bad, so I switched the bushings back to stock, which helped, and then it was finally time to retire that deck.

I picked up a Flip Tom Penny deck for $40 and set it up with Stage 4 Indies, and damn, it felt good—for like a day. My FS flips were butter on it, but that was about it. That setup came with 54mm full conicals, which were the wrong size because the shop messed up my order.

Lately, my skating has only gotten worse, so I went back to my old FA setup on some old Indies, and just like that, I started getting all my flat ground tricks back. I hadn’t landed a heelflip in over a year! I just need to stick with FA/Hockey with Indies and stop fucking around.

But just in case I need to change my whole identity to keep skating, I do have a 9.5 egg on the way.  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: smg1138 on April 23, 2024, 10:08:31 AM
Warning, long rant ahead. It’s been nearly two years since I messed up my ankle, and ever since, my skating confidence just hasn't been the same. I've also had a few other nagging injuries, and during that time, I've been constantly tweaking my setups. I rode that 917 slick far longer than I should have, totally in love with my backside flips on it with Ventures and a loose bushing kit. After a break from skating this winter, It was bad, so I switched the bushings back to stock, which helped, and then it was finally time to retire that deck.

I picked up a Flip Tom Penny deck for $40 and set it up with Stage 4 Indies, and damn, it felt good—for like a day. My FS flips were butter on it, but that was about it. That setup came with 54mm full conicals, which were the wrong size because the shop messed up my order.

Lately, my skating has only gotten worse, so I went back to my old FA setup on some old Indies, and just like that, I started getting all my flat ground tricks back. I hadn’t landed a heelflip in over a year! I just need to stick with FA/Hockey with Indies and stop fucking around.

But just in case I need to change my whole identity to keep skating, I do have a 9.5 egg on the way.  ;D

I just started skating a Hockey 8.25 and I'm really enjoying it so far. Thought it would be too square but I actually really dig the shape a lot. Seems like recently I've gravitated towards really full shapes. Are you skating Indy standards or forged on yours? I keep going back and forth trying to decide what I like better. Truck madness is the absolute worst  :P
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on April 23, 2024, 12:46:32 PM
Expand Quote
I hate the DLX 8.25 cuz it has no fingers of flat as Ben D calls it. Kicks turn up after the bolts and a short tail.
[close]

Uhm….what?

Pretty simple since I just had one of these decks and couldn't figure out why I hated this shape so I set it on top of decks I like and lined up the bolt holes. The 8.25 shape, even compared to 2 other DLX shapes I have at home in the bin, kicks up sooner after the bolts on the nose. Ben calls this "fingers of flat" cuz he measures with his fingers. You can visually see it rise up sooner. One of my hobbies is furniture building so I used a contour gauge to compare as well and it paints the same picture. This is a III stamped Real 8.25. Same case for the tail although it is not as egregious.

This is part of what Ben was talking about with the Easy Rider shapes. The kick angles themselves are the same, but the flat before is greater.

The person I was responding to is on a Quasi. I saw one in the shop last week and it has a decent amount of flat after the bolts. I was specifically looking for this with decks since Ben's video came out and noticed quite a few PS shapes and DSM shapes have this. Interestingly enough Ben was on a lot of PS decks and made a video about the large amount of flat on DSM decks. So, the person asking why they don't like the DLX might not like it for the same reason I don't- the lack of flat after the bolts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kombuch-A-Holic on April 23, 2024, 01:13:27 PM

I just started skating a Hockey 8.25 and I'm really enjoying it so far. Thought it would be too square but I actually really dig the shape a lot. Seems like recently I've gravitated towards really full shapes. Are you skating Indy standards or forged on yours? I keep going back and forth trying to decide what I like better. Truck madness is the absolute worst  :P

Indy standards 144. I feel you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 23, 2024, 01:17:53 PM
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I hate the DLX 8.25 cuz it has no fingers of flat as Ben D calls it. Kicks turn up after the bolts and a short tail.
[close]

Uhm….what?
[close]

Pretty simple since I just had one of these decks and couldn't figure out why I hated this shape so I set it on top of decks I like and lined up the bolt holes. The 8.25 shape, even compared to 2 other DLX shapes I have at home in the bin, kicks up sooner after the bolts on the nose. Ben calls this "fingers of flat" cuz he measures with his fingers. You can visually see it rise up sooner. One of my hobbies is furniture building so I used a contour gauge to compare as well and it paints the same picture. This is a III stamped Real 8.25. Same case for the tail although it is not as egregious.

This is part of what Ben was talking about with the Easy Rider shapes. The kick angles themselves are the same, but the flat before is greater.

The person I was responding to is on a Quasi. I saw one in the shop last week and it has a decent amount of flat after the bolts. I was specifically looking for this with decks since Ben's video came out and noticed quite a few PS shapes and DSM shapes have this. Interestingly enough Ben was on a lot of PS decks and made a video about the large amount of flat on DSM decks. So, the person asking why they don't like the DLX might not like it for the same reason I don't- the lack of flat after the bolts.

All I ride is the 8.25.  I’ve got three new ones sitting in my closet. Every single one I’ve ever owned has absolutely had substantive fingers of flat. My comment was more at disbelief that any DLX deck had zero fingers. That said, I have absolutely seen a standard DLX graphic (usually the eagles or the ovals) occasionally printed on a deck that was absolutely NOT their standard shape for that deck/graphic color (e.g. a blue oval with an abnormal 14.38 wb, etc.). Maybe you somehow got one of those?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on April 23, 2024, 02:54:50 PM
What wheels would you set up for this setup
9.125” franky egg
Ace af1 60
I have Indy risers I am going to put on as well so I’m thinking a big wheel at least 56mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 23, 2024, 03:29:50 PM
Can someone smarter than me please tell me as soon as I switched from a Quasi PS Stix 8.25x14.25 to a DLX BBS 8.25x 14.38 I’ve lost any kind of stable pop. I’ve tried this deck with a set of Aces, Indy’s, and even an old pair of Thunder hollows and everything just feels off.. If it’s wheelbase, I’d be kind of shocked because I like a 14.25 to 14.38 but of course I could be wrong.. Kicks? Steepness? That shovel shape ??



The different woodshops with different concave and board feel have the most to play in things here.

PS Stix is a flat face on the kicks, BBS a spoon concave on the kicks, first before anything else, then there is the angle of kicks, then as said fingers of flat - the distance from bolts to where the kick starts to come up, so any of those things can make two of what could be very similar boards in dimensions feel totally different when someone skates them.

* Note:  fingers of flat are harder to gauge on BBS because the spoon shaped kick might seem to start earlier on the board but the kicks are then longer and more angled than some other boards that have flat and then a defined start to the kick and straight up from there.

As for Hockey, that is also BBS and usually very steep, or steeper than most, so that might have made the issue even worse, if you were more used to a lesser angle on the PS Stix kicks, or tail mainly as they often do have.

Measuring the angle could give you some answers, eg PS Stix could be 21 or 22, the BBS board could be 23 which might seem like a very small difference, but it makes everything go weird for me when I have even one degree difference between boards.

If you still had the old board, put it on top of the new one that is set up and see what difference, if any, there is in the tail area, as that would be where things are going funny.


Some people might take a few sessions to adapt to a new board, others less, some longer, or not at all, but yes it can definitely be a thing that will mean you have a good skate, or a very unhappy time on said board.

That's all I got for now on it, but from checking and standing on PS Stix and BBS boards I have, there is a significant difference in general.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: europa1991 on April 23, 2024, 07:53:55 PM
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Can someone smarter than me please tell me as soon as I switched from a Quasi PS Stix 8.25x14.25 to a DLX BBS 8.25x 14.38 I’ve lost any kind of stable pop. I’ve tried this deck with a set of Aces, Indy’s, and even an old pair of Thunder hollows and everything just feels off.. If it’s wheelbase, I’d be kind of shocked because I like a 14.25 to 14.38 but of course I could be wrong.. Kicks? Steepness? That shovel shape ??
[close]
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[close]
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[close]



The different woodshops with different concave and board feel have the most to play in things here.

PS Stix is a flat face on the kicks, BBS a spoon concave on the kicks, first before anything else, then there is the angle of kicks, then as said fingers of flat - the distance from bolts to where the kick starts to come up, so any of those things can make two of what could be very similar boards in dimensions feel totally different when someone skates them.

* Note:  fingers of flat are harder to gauge on BBS because the spoon shaped kick might seem to start earlier on the board but the kicks are then longer and more angled than some other boards that have flat and then a defined start to the kick and straight up from there.

As for Hockey, that is also BBS and usually very steep, or steeper than most, so that might have made the issue even worse, if you were more used to a lesser angle on the PS Stix kicks, or tail mainly as they often do have.

Measuring the angle could give you some answers, eg PS Stix could be 21 or 22, the BBS board could be 23 which might seem like a very small difference, but it makes everything go weird for me when I have even one degree difference between boards.

If you still had the old board, put it on top of the new one that is set up and see what difference, if any, there is in the tail area, as that would be where things are going funny.


Some people might take a few sessions to adapt to a new board, others less, some longer, or not at all, but yes it can definitely be a thing that will mean you have a good skate, or a very unhappy time on said board.

That's all I got for now on it, but from checking and standing on PS Stix and BBS boards I have, there is a significant difference in general.
Thank you for breaking this down for me. I put three shapes next to each other (Quasi proto 8.25, a Hardbody 8.25 both PS and the DLX BBS) and definitely noticed the difference between the two wolf shops.. even with the Hardbody being a traditional popsicle it had more in common with the Quasi even with the shove nose and taper. I feel like kind of a moron for pretty much wasting money on a deck I had to impromptu buy last minute but whatever at least I know now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on April 24, 2024, 04:59:03 AM
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Can someone smarter than me please tell me as soon as I switched from a Quasi PS Stix 8.25x14.25 to a DLX BBS 8.25x 14.38 I’ve lost any kind of stable pop. I’ve tried this deck with a set of Aces, Indy’s, and even an old pair of Thunder hollows and everything just feels off.. If it’s wheelbase, I’d be kind of shocked because I like a 14.25 to 14.38 but of course I could be wrong.. Kicks? Steepness? That shovel shape ??
[close]
Expand Quote
[close]
Expand Quote
[close]



The different woodshops with different concave and board feel have the most to play in things here.

PS Stix is a flat face on the kicks, BBS a spoon concave on the kicks, first before anything else, then there is the angle of kicks, then as said fingers of flat - the distance from bolts to where the kick starts to come up, so any of those things can make two of what could be very similar boards in dimensions feel totally different when someone skates them.

* Note:  fingers of flat are harder to gauge on BBS because the spoon shaped kick might seem to start earlier on the board but the kicks are then longer and more angled than some other boards that have flat and then a defined start to the kick and straight up from there.

As for Hockey, that is also BBS and usually very steep, or steeper than most, so that might have made the issue even worse, if you were more used to a lesser angle on the PS Stix kicks, or tail mainly as they often do have.

Measuring the angle could give you some answers, eg PS Stix could be 21 or 22, the BBS board could be 23 which might seem like a very small difference, but it makes everything go weird for me when I have even one degree difference between boards.

If you still had the old board, put it on top of the new one that is set up and see what difference, if any, there is in the tail area, as that would be where things are going funny.


Some people might take a few sessions to adapt to a new board, others less, some longer, or not at all, but yes it can definitely be a thing that will mean you have a good skate, or a very unhappy time on said board.

That's all I got for now on it, but from checking and standing on PS Stix and BBS boards I have, there is a significant difference in general.
[close]
Thank you for breaking this down for me. I put three shapes next to each other (Quasi proto 8.25, a Hardbody 8.25 both PS and the DLX BBS) and definitely noticed the difference between the two wolf shops.. even with the Hardbody being a traditional popsicle it had more in common with the Quasi even with the shove nose and taper. I feel like kind of a moron for pretty much wasting money on a deck I had to impromptu buy last minute but whatever at least I know now.
It's alright. We all buy things on a whim and end up regretting it. I'll bet you will get used to it and might even end up liking it. Or you'll hate it and never buy dlx or bbs again lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 24, 2024, 09:51:40 AM

Thank you for breaking this down for me. I put three shapes next to each other (Quasi proto 8.25, a Hardbody 8.25 both PS and the DLX BBS) and definitely noticed the difference between the two wolf shops.. even with the Hardbody being a traditional popsicle it had more in common with the Quasi even with the shove nose and taper. I feel like kind of a moron for pretty much wasting money on a deck I had to impromptu buy last minute but whatever at least I know now.


It's alright. We all buy things on a whim and end up regretting it. I'll bet you will get used to it and might even end up liking it. Or you'll hate it and never buy dlx or bbs again lol


I see something like this as an opportunity, not just because I prefer BBS over PS Stix or other woodshops, but now you have the board, you can put it aside, either to keep just as a spare, sell it or get rid of it any other which way you can, or try to skate it if you have no other options / can't afford a new one right now.

For some people, putting their back foot not on the tip of the tail but further down towards the pocket of the tail can actually help a whole lot with popping and then as they get more used to it, move the foot back more to a normal position as you grow used to the concave.

For others, just rolling around and really getting a feel for it will help a whole lot, even if it might seem like you are wasting a few sessions, it is the best way to really get used to a board.  It has definitely helped for me, when I have ended up with a board that is steeper than the last few and I wonder what is going on with it.

If you are going to end up down the OCD rabbit hole, why not make a party of it and work out exactly what and why it is not working for you, so you will have a much better list of do and don't options for future boards.


That could all be a "smile and nod" type of thing, or "laugh and shake your head" but any which way, it is up to you how ever you proceed now.  I can't talk because I put so much into skateboarding and figuring out every single detail of some things, whereas others I am totally a bull in a china shop with how I skate or deal with things NOT to my liking with some setups, so I will leave it up to you.

Sometimes with a little time, you can work something out so you don't feel like you just wasted money on something that will not work for you, but again, this is what this thread is for - the madness is real!


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on May 01, 2024, 07:45:27 PM
Question for the fellow gear madness fools on here. How do I pop faster?

Obviously nothing beats proper technique, but how do I increase the pop speed? I often am jumping before my board is popped. I guess ghost pop? After some pretty serious injuries the strength just isn't there anymore. From my understanding, the only way to decrease the time it takes for your tail to hit the ground are smaller wheels, lower trucks, longer tail, shorter wheelbase? Am i missing anything
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 01, 2024, 07:53:36 PM
Question for the fellow gear madness fools on here. How do I pop faster?

Obviously nothing beats proper technique, but how do I increase the pop speed? I often am jumping before my board is popped. I guess ghost pop? After some pretty serious injuries the strength just isn't there anymore. From my understanding, the only way to decrease the time it takes for your tail to hit the ground are smaller wheels, lower trucks, longer tail, shorter wheelbase? Am i missing anything

I'm facing the same problem and have been tinkering with gear, giving little success. Are you stomping hard of on you board to get it airborne? I've been trying to correct that by conditioning myself to pop lighter and snappier, instead of dragging up more forward. Just getting smaller ollies that are low and levelled to correct my technique.

SkateIQ on Insta had a good post / reel recently, demonstrating that you don't have to pop hard to get height. Light and snappy works better for control and height.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on May 01, 2024, 10:49:51 PM
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Question for the fellow gear madness fools on here. How do I pop faster?

Obviously nothing beats proper technique, but how do I increase the pop speed? I often am jumping before my board is popped. I guess ghost pop? After some pretty serious injuries the strength just isn't there anymore. From my understanding, the only way to decrease the time it takes for your tail to hit the ground are smaller wheels, lower trucks, longer tail, shorter wheelbase? Am i missing anything
[close]

I'm facing the same problem and have been tinkering with gear, giving little success. Are you stomping hard of on you board to get it airborne? I've been trying to correct that by conditioning myself to pop lighter and snappier, instead of dragging up more forward. Just getting smaller ollies that are low and levelled to correct my technique.

SkateIQ on Insta had a good post / reel recently, demonstrating that you don't have to pop hard to get height. Light and snappy works better for control and height.

Gotcha ill have to check that out. Good tip doing smaller ollies. Gonna try that tomorrow
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on May 01, 2024, 11:04:24 PM
Pop faster in the gear madness thread?  You guys think technique is the answer? 

Thunders…..mellow board….small wheels?  In that order….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mynameisnotjeff on May 01, 2024, 11:56:25 PM
Pop faster in the gear madness thread?  You guys think technique is the answer? 

Thunders…..mellow board….small wheels?  In that order….

Ollie from the pocket!


Now to share some of my madness.
I think Milton skates 8.6 or 8.8. Not sure but I’m tempted to skate something that wide. But I also wan to try an 8.475.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: oak leaf on May 02, 2024, 10:02:19 AM
having truck midlife crisis

basically ive skated only ventures since i was a kid. when i was younger it was the sc ventures and as an adult the dlx ones feel familiar.

but im aging, and the older i get the more appealing bowl skating looks. ive done so little transition skating, mostly just mini pipe and small quarters. part of the reason I haven’t switched off ventures is because i dont wanna waste precious time relearning timing i already know. But now that im fucking around in the bowl, i cant help but notice im the only one AWAKE.

so thats why i need support. relearning flip tricks on a new truck sounds awful, if i learn bowl shit on the ventures will it be horrible to transition to a more carvy truck in future?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on May 02, 2024, 10:34:30 AM
Pop faster in the gear madness thread?  You guys think technique is the answer? 

Thunders…..mellow board….small wheels?  In that order….

Hahaha. Right. I found my people. It's not me, it is the gear! Obviously.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 02, 2024, 12:21:09 PM
having truck midlife crisis

basically ive skated only ventures since i was a kid. when i was younger it was the sc ventures and as an adult the dlx ones feel familiar.

but im aging, and the older i get the more appealing bowl skating looks. ive done so little transition skating, mostly just mini pipe and small quarters. part of the reason I haven’t switched off ventures is because i dont wanna waste precious time relearning timing i already know. But now that im fucking around in the bowl, i cant help but notice im the only one AWAKE.

so thats why i need support. relearning flip tricks on a new truck sounds awful, if i learn bowl shit on the ventures will it be horrible to transition to a more carvy truck in future?

ventures might not be best for the bowl, try the loose trucks kit (i can’t skate with em, too loose).

i can’t skate bowl for anything, and there are a few locals that have the super carvy vibes. but they are riding rattle loose indy’s or ace, often with rails, fuckin && boards. no thank you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 03, 2024, 06:25:53 AM
having truck midlife crisis

basically ive skated only ventures since i was a kid. when i was younger it was the sc ventures and as an adult the dlx ones feel familiar.

but im aging, and the older i get the more appealing bowl skating looks. ive done so little transition skating, mostly just mini pipe and small quarters. part of the reason I haven’t switched off ventures is because i dont wanna waste precious time relearning timing i already know. But now that im fucking around in the bowl, i cant help but notice im the only one AWAKE.

so thats why i need support. relearning flip tricks on a new truck sounds awful, if i learn bowl shit on the ventures will it be horrible to transition to a more carvy truck in future?

Stick with Ventures my man. It'll be horrible transitioning to any other truck anyway, don't bother if you don't have to. You can do anything with Ventures.

My ollie goes down the toilet everytime I take out my "bowl setup" (a bit wider board + Indys) and I hate that feeling. I want to be able to skate both street and tranny with the same setup. If it's a bigger bowl and bowl only sesh, then I'll fool around with Indys, but that's kinda rare.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: oak leaf on May 03, 2024, 07:43:06 AM
ventures might not be best for the bowl, try the loose trucks kit (i can’t skate with em, too loose).

i can’t skate bowl for anything, and there are a few locals that have the super carvy vibes. but they are riding rattle loose indy’s or ace, often with rails, fuckin && boards. no thank you.

Stick with Ventures my man. It'll be horrible transitioning to any other truck anyway, don't bother if you don't have to. You can do anything with Ventures.

My ollie goes down the toilet everytime I take out my "bowl setup" (a bit wider board + Indys) and I hate that feeling. I want to be able to skate both street and tranny with the same setup. If it's a bigger bowl and bowl only sesh, then I'll fool around with Indys, but that's kinda rare.

thanks yall. in a way i knew this was the answer but it's good to hear it lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 03, 2024, 08:12:38 AM
Can you or someone better than you skate bowls with Ventures? Sure can.

Do a lot of people? Nope. And there's a reason for that.

There is no harm is setting up a wide bowl board, wider carvy trucks (that are know to be the choice of bowl rippers), longer wheel base and bigger wheels to better skate that terrain.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 03, 2024, 09:05:16 AM
There is no harm is setting up a wide bowl board, wider carvy trucks (that are know to be the choice of bowl rippers), longer wheel base and bigger wheels to better skate that terrain.

This is true. But this is the road to multiple setups, which is ok too. But if a lifetime Venture rider wants to rip both street and trannies with one setup, it's gonna be hell trying to do everything with any other truck.

The two setups solution:

1. Stay AWAKE on the streets, ledges, curbs, flatground.
2. Go to sleep with Indys or Aces in bowls and trannies.


OR

Fuck that madness shit, stay AWAKE all around, and proceed to rip trannies on Ventures, which is entirely possible (but not as easy).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on May 03, 2024, 09:50:05 AM
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There is no harm is setting up a wide bowl board, wider carvy trucks (that are know to be the choice of bowl rippers), longer wheel base and bigger wheels to better skate that terrain.
[close]

This is true. But this is the road to multiple setups, which is ok too. But if a lifetime Venture rider wants to rip both street and trannies with one setup, it's gonna be hell trying to do everything with any other truck.

The two setups solution:

1. Stay AWAKE on the streets, ledges, curbs, flatground.
2. Go to sleep with Indys or Aces in bowls and trannies.


OR

Fuck that madness shit, stay AWAKE all around, and proceed to rip trannies on Ventures, which is entirely possible (but not as easy).
I'd go for another setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 21, 2024, 02:52:57 PM
Random Madness from this week:

I have small DLX 8.25 stock pile. Was time for a new deck. I prefer IV stamped, but can do III, too. Set-up a new one, which was a III. Once set-up, it felt like a "I" stamp. Hated it. Did an @Mbrimson88 "parking-job" for 15 min on each kick. At first I was like, "Oh no! too flat!" But then it bent back a bit, and felt like a perfect "IV." Now I have the happy.

But...I'm being indecisive about 144s/149s on the 8.25 right now. Thought I buried that one a long time ago. Guess not.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on May 21, 2024, 03:01:25 PM
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There is no harm is setting up a wide bowl board, wider carvy trucks (that are know to be the choice of bowl rippers), longer wheel base and bigger wheels to better skate that terrain.
[close]

This is true. But this is the road to multiple setups, which is ok too. But if a lifetime Venture rider wants to rip both street and trannies with one setup, it's gonna be hell trying to do everything with any other truck.

The two setups solution:

1. Stay AWAKE on the streets, ledges, curbs, flatground.
2. Go to sleep with Indys or Aces in bowls and trannies.


OR

Fuck that madness shit, stay AWAKE all around, and proceed to rip trannies on Ventures, which is entirely possible (but not as easy).
[close]
I'd go for another setup.

I've got a normal setup on 5.6s, and for transition/parks have a DLX 8.75 on 5.8. I'm not Ronnie Sandoval, but I can comfortably skate most parks to the coping whereas the bowl troll paddy daddies with their loose trucks saves lives setups can't.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 21, 2024, 05:12:11 PM
Random Madness from this week:

I have small DLX 8.25 stock pile. Was time for a new deck. I prefer IV stamped, but can do III, too. Set-up a new one, which was a III. Once set-up, it felt like a "I" stamp. Hated it. Did an @Mbrimson88 "parking-job" for 15 min on each kick. At first I was like, "Oh no! too flat!" But then it bent back a bit, and felt like a perfect "IV." Now I have the happy.

But...I'm being indecisive about 144s/149s on the 8.25 right now. Thought I buried that one a long time ago. Guess not.


Yeah it is a fine line sometimes, but I always leave the board for a few days after parking on it, just to let it come back to where it will stay.


Are you into multiple washers on the inside of each wheel or depending on where the wheels sit, sometimes more or less?

I know a few people who have put three on the inside of 144s and then none or one thin one on 149s on those boards, just to have a closer feeling, but in general as you used to do 144s, that is how I think a lot of people run them now, compared to back in the day before 144s came out, 139s sat too far in, 149s with minimal washers or thinner wheels sat fairly well on the DLX 8.25 decks.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 22, 2024, 06:02:20 AM
Expand Quote
Random Madness from this week:

I have small DLX 8.25 stock pile. Was time for a new deck. I prefer IV stamped, but can do III, too. Set-up a new one, which was a III. Once set-up, it felt like a "I" stamp. Hated it. Did an @Mbrimson88 "parking-job" for 15 min on each kick. At first I was like, "Oh no! too flat!" But then it bent back a bit, and felt like a perfect "IV." Now I have the happy.

But...I'm being indecisive about 144s/149s on the 8.25 right now. Thought I buried that one a long time ago. Guess not.
[close]


Yeah it is a fine line sometimes, but I always leave the board for a few days after parking on it, just to let it come back to where it will stay.


Are you into multiple washers on the inside of each wheel or depending on where the wheels sit, sometimes more or less?

I know a few people who have put three on the inside of 144s and then none or one thin one on 149s on those boards, just to have a closer feeling, but in general as you used to do 144s, that is how I think a lot of people run them now, compared to back in the day before 144s came out, 139s sat too far in, 149s with minimal washers or thinner wheels sat fairly well on the DLX 8.25 decks.

^ The last time I went through the 149/144 madness (year or so ago), I ended up with 144s and a few inside washers. A bit after that, I was just suddenly like, "This is utterly insane. A mm is not going to make any real difference*." And I went to standard 1 inside, 1 outside. Recently, I had been riding that 8.75/14.5 Label for a bit, with 159s. And I liked how stable it felt. So, i decided to try 149s on the 8.25 to see if that just might make things "feel better" (under no illusion it's really going to make me skate better/worse in any substantive, meaningful way). It oddly gave me a bit more mental confidence with pivot to fakies, because it felt like more of the truck already "inside" the transition (I do the just lock-the-heel-wheel type of pivot to fakies). The turn on 149s feels real nice, too. But I don't like the axle nut sticking out. Put on 144s back on after a bit, and board just felt a little less stable, with less of a good feeling turn, but also more nimble. Maybe I should just abandon "either/or" (hey Kierkegaard) concepts and just ride whatever the mood dictates, when it dictates, as to trying to find a singular answer.   

*Yet, don't you dare ask me to ride a wheel that is just 1mm off from my preferred size! The irony!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gleefull508 on May 22, 2024, 07:24:48 AM
ran out of 8.25 and only had 8.38 boards left but I skate ACE 44.

Was scared I was gonna get some madness thinking my trucks were too small and hate it but honestly, I can't tell the difference. If anything I like it more

Madness avoided
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on May 22, 2024, 07:30:42 AM
ran out of 8.25 and only had 8.38 boards left but I skate ACE 44.

Was scared I was gonna get some madness thinking my trucks were too small and hate it but honestly, I can't tell the difference. If anything I like it more

Madness avoided for today
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 22, 2024, 08:25:43 AM


^ The last time I went through the 149/144 madness (year or so ago), I ended up with 144s and a few inside washers. A bit after that, I was just suddenly like, "This is utterly insane. A mm is not going to make any real difference*." And I went to standard 1 inside, 1 outside. Recently, I had been riding that 8.75/14.5 Label for a bit, with 159s. And I liked how stable it felt. So, i decided to try 149s on the 8.25 to see if that just might make things "feel better" (under no illusion it's really going to make me skate better/worse in any substantive, meaningful way). It oddly gave me a bit more mental confidence with pivot to fakies, because it felt like more of the truck already "inside" the transition (I do the just lock-the-heel-wheel type of pivot to fakies). The turn on 149s feels real nice, too. But I don't like the axle nut sticking out. Put on 144s back on after a bit, and board just felt a little less stable, with less of a good feeling turn, but also more nimble. Maybe I should just abandon "either/or" (hey Kierkegaard) concepts and just ride whatever the mood dictates, when it dictates, as to trying to find a singular answer.   

*Yet, don't you dare ask me to ride a wheel that is just 1mm off from my preferred size! The irony!


Oh yeah, that is very familiar - used to ride 144s but now they feel too tippy on any board and the smallest I will go is 149s.

A couple of additions to the madness for you - just the one washer on the inside of 149s and no washer on the outside to see if the nuts sit in far enough.  Try that for a bit, not looking at the remaining axle if you can help it, but if that works, then even grind off the end couple of threads of the axles to bring everything in a bit more, so they will end up sort of like 146 hangers, the way the old Stage 8 or so were, which fit a bit better.  Just don't take too much off.

People have done it unintentionally and just smashed the ends of their axles in the past, so when I am reconditioning used parts, especially hangers, one washer is all that will fit and the truck actually works really well as an in between size.


Re pivot to fakie (and quite a few other tricks where the little extra truck width really helps) I do enjoy a touch more hanger and yes, that spot is the one, wheel just up over and not half a truck with it.

The only down side is some people say the truck is not nimble enough and the 149 sits too wide for some of their flat bar grind type tricks, but I enjoy letting other people with their own trucks have all the flat bar grinding attention and really only have board contact nowdays with flatbars anyway for my own happiness.  Works better for me and less likely to end up broken off.


At least you always have some 144 hangers you can swap in if needed.

:)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on May 22, 2024, 10:07:05 AM
Maybe I'm a psycho, but I always feel that it's less about overall truck width and more about deck to truck ratio. I've got 5.8's on an 8.75 and it feels similar to my 5.6's on 8.38. I rock 3 washers inside on both, 1 out, to get the axle nuts flush and it effectively makes the centerline of the wheel an 8.38/8.62 truck. Both feel about the same stability, tip, and scoop. When I first got the 8.75 I was like fuckit I don't have 5.8's yet I'll ride my normal trucks and that was insanely squirrely.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 22, 2024, 10:47:58 AM
Expand Quote


^ The last time I went through the 149/144 madness (year or so ago), I ended up with 144s and a few inside washers. A bit after that, I was just suddenly like, "This is utterly insane. A mm is not going to make any real difference*." And I went to standard 1 inside, 1 outside. Recently, I had been riding that 8.75/14.5 Label for a bit, with 159s. And I liked how stable it felt. So, i decided to try 149s on the 8.25 to see if that just might make things "feel better" (under no illusion it's really going to make me skate better/worse in any substantive, meaningful way). It oddly gave me a bit more mental confidence with pivot to fakies, because it felt like more of the truck already "inside" the transition (I do the just lock-the-heel-wheel type of pivot to fakies). The turn on 149s feels real nice, too. But I don't like the axle nut sticking out. Put on 144s back on after a bit, and board just felt a little less stable, with less of a good feeling turn, but also more nimble. Maybe I should just abandon "either/or" (hey Kierkegaard) concepts and just ride whatever the mood dictates, when it dictates, as to trying to find a singular answer.   

*Yet, don't you dare ask me to ride a wheel that is just 1mm off from my preferred size! The irony!
[close]


Oh yeah, that is very familiar - used to ride 144s but now they feel too tippy on any board and the smallest I will go is 149s.

A couple of additions to the madness for you - just the one washer on the inside of 149s and no washer on the outside to see if the nuts sit in far enough.  Try that for a bit, not looking at the remaining axle if you can help it, but if that works, then even grind off the end couple of threads of the axles to bring everything in a bit more, so they will end up sort of like 146 hangers, the way the old Stage 8 or so were, which fit a bit better.  Just don't take too much off.

People have done it unintentionally and just smashed the ends of their axles in the past, so when I am reconditioning used parts, especially hangers, one washer is all that will fit and the truck actually works really well as an in between size.


Re pivot to fakie (and quite a few other tricks where the little extra truck width really helps) I do enjoy a touch more hanger and yes, that spot is the one, wheel just up over and not half a truck with it.

The only down side is some people say the truck is not nimble enough and the 149 sits too wide for some of their flat bar grind type tricks, but I enjoy letting other people with their own trucks have all the flat bar grinding attention and really only have board contact nowdays with flatbars anyway for my own happiness.  Works better for me and less likely to end up broken off.


At least you always have some 144 hangers you can swap in if needed.

:)



All other madness aside, I struggle with this one a lot (Moreso when riding spit classics or other wide wheels that eat up hanger room).

149s feel more stable but are heavier, bit more grind room vs the slightly lighter yet tippy feeling of 144/148s.....that 1/4 you know...1/8" on either side WHOAH BOY WATCH OUT THEM TRE FLIPS GONNA SPIN FASTER....but not really.

I can't understand the mental block I have with them, drives me crazy sometimes. If  there were more than 3 8.3 truck options that were lighter/better  grind clearance, I'd run those.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on May 22, 2024, 11:01:29 AM
The thing that led me to Ace years back was the 44 being 8.38.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: I-am-12 on May 22, 2024, 11:17:41 AM
Hope this is the right thread.

Will I get ~clowned~ / shamed for skating a nice pro deck as a relatively newish skater (2 years, learning basic grinds and flip tricks, not a park hero but not a slow skater)?

I only ask because I'm sure people will say something if I was skating super rare Dunks or some LV collab supreme board...

Like, I feel like if I'm skating a Supreme or FA deck (I live in NY so they're not hard to get) will make people cringe because I can probably re-sell? Is that still a thing?

If I find an old Limo or Frog deck that isn't for sale anymore, is that shit rare? What about a Violet board? I feel like the prices are standard so they're not ~collectable~ but I've never seen someone IRL skating a Violet board, probably because people want to hang them up or something?


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Enrico Pallazzo on May 22, 2024, 03:10:23 PM
Hope this is the right thread.

Will I get ~clowned~ / shamed for skating a nice pro deck as a relatively newish skater (2 years, learning basic grinds and flip tricks, not a park hero but not a slow skater)?

I only ask because I'm sure people will say something if I was skating super rare Dunks or some LV collab supreme board...

Like, I feel like if I'm skating a Supreme or FA deck (I live in NY so they're not hard to get) will make people cringe because I can probably re-sell? Is that still a thing?

If I find an old Limo or Frog deck that isn't for sale anymore, is that shit rare? What about a Violet board? I feel like the prices are standard so they're not ~collectable~ but I've never seen someone IRL skating a Violet board, probably because people want to hang them up or something?

I wouldn't stress it for a second, the subset of people who collect boards within skateboarding is super small, and even they likely wouldn't trip out unless they saw you on the Jake Johnson Alien debut board or something, and even then they might be stoked.

All the brands you named are readily commercially available as you noted, so any perceived scarcity or exclusivity is pure marketing. Even if there's a board that in the future will become collectible, nobody will know about it for years until 99% of that model has been skated and left for dead.

All that to say, if there's a graphic or brand you like, go for it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 22, 2024, 06:18:18 PM
Hope this is the right thread.

Will I get ~clowned~ / shamed for skating a nice pro deck as a relatively newish skater (2 years, learning basic grinds and flip tricks, not a park hero but not a slow skater)?

I only ask because I'm sure people will say something if I was skating super rare Dunks or some LV collab supreme board...

Like, I feel like if I'm skating a Supreme or FA deck (I live in NY so they're not hard to get) will make people cringe because I can probably re-sell? Is that still a thing?

If I find an old Limo or Frog deck that isn't for sale anymore, is that shit rare? What about a Violet board? I feel like the prices are standard so they're not ~collectable~ but I've never seen someone IRL skating a Violet board, probably because people want to hang them up or something?


I wouldn't stress it for a second, the subset of people who collect boards within skateboarding is super small, and even they likely wouldn't trip out unless they saw you on the Jake Johnson Alien debut board or something, and even then they might be stoked.

All the brands you named are readily commercially available as you noted, so any perceived scarcity or exclusivity is pure marketing. Even if there's a board that in the future will become collectible, nobody will know about it for years until 99% of that model has been skated and left for dead.

All that to say, if there's a graphic or brand you like, go for it.


^^^  Exactly.


To add, some brands like FA have a million boards out there (exaggeration, sure) but other brands have very few out there relatively speaking, so the fact that you might have never seen a brand in the wild under someone's feet doesn't mean they are collectable or special, any more than any other piece of wood.

Small boutique brands are just that, whereas some other brands are almost on every street corner.

Also some brands are way more visible / noticeable too, so seeing someone with a well used Violet board might not even register, compared to a well used FA board.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 23, 2024, 10:34:52 AM
Expand Quote


^ The last time I went through the 149/144 madness (year or so ago), I ended up with 144s and a few inside washers. A bit after that, I was just suddenly like, "This is utterly insane. A mm is not going to make any real difference*." And I went to standard 1 inside, 1 outside. Recently, I had been riding that 8.75/14.5 Label for a bit, with 159s. And I liked how stable it felt. So, i decided to try 149s on the 8.25 to see if that just might make things "feel better" (under no illusion it's really going to make me skate better/worse in any substantive, meaningful way). It oddly gave me a bit more mental confidence with pivot to fakies, because it felt like more of the truck already "inside" the transition (I do the just lock-the-heel-wheel type of pivot to fakies). The turn on 149s feels real nice, too. But I don't like the axle nut sticking out. Put on 144s back on after a bit, and board just felt a little less stable, with less of a good feeling turn, but also more nimble. Maybe I should just abandon "either/or" (hey Kierkegaard) concepts and just ride whatever the mood dictates, when it dictates, as to trying to find a singular answer.   

*Yet, don't you dare ask me to ride a wheel that is just 1mm off from my preferred size! The irony!
[close]


Oh yeah, that is very familiar - used to ride 144s but now they feel too tippy on any board and the smallest I will go is 149s.

A couple of additions to the madness for you - just the one washer on the inside of 149s and no washer on the outside to see if the nuts sit in far enough.  Try that for a bit, not looking at the remaining axle if you can help it, but if that works, then even grind off the end couple of threads of the axles to bring everything in a bit more, so they will end up sort of like 146 hangers, the way the old Stage 8 or so were, which fit a bit better.  Just don't take too much off.

People have done it unintentionally and just smashed the ends of their axles in the past, so when I am reconditioning used parts, especially hangers, one washer is all that will fit and the truck actually works really well as an in between size.


Re pivot to fakie (and quite a few other tricks where the little extra truck width really helps) I do enjoy a touch more hanger and yes, that spot is the one, wheel just up over and not half a truck with it.

The only down side is some people say the truck is not nimble enough and the 149 sits too wide for some of their flat bar grind type tricks, but I enjoy letting other people with their own trucks have all the flat bar grinding attention and really only have board contact nowdays with flatbars anyway for my own happiness.  Works better for me and less likely to end up broken off.


At least you always have some 144 hangers you can swap in if needed.

:)

(1) Cutting down 149 axle is more than I am willing to do.

(2) I was floundering around with this whole 144/149 situation yesterday. Here was my outcome:

(a) I def do NOT like seeing the axle nut on 149s. At all.

(b) At times, I don't like some of the "lateral slop" that comes with some grinds on 149s, where as 144s seem to feel more like an instant lock-in.

(c) 144s don't feel like they have as much soul as 149s (with that statement, I now sound as old as I am)

(d) 144s with three washers on the inside, none on the out, seemed to be a middle ground that I could live with. I'll be rocking that for the time being. 

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 23, 2024, 11:05:45 AM
I feel you on all points but I can look past seeing the bolts most of the time.

Yes, the 144/148 lack soul; any sub 149” truck feels this way. But the insta lock / lack of the lateral slop offsets this for me.  I really feel the slop on say, backside slappies, or bs smiths…coupled with a spit classic and I find myself easily slipping out.


144/148 are why I tend to stick with slim to skinny wheels and bump the usable width with inside washers/none outside as well.


It really is the lack of soul that is the biggest detractor for narrower trucks, and that’s with any brand; but I really sense it on thunder/venture/royal style trucks for obvious reasons.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 23, 2024, 12:50:33 PM
I feel you on all points but I can look past seeing the bolts most of the time.

Yes, the 144/148 lack soul; any sub 149” truck feels this way. But the insta lock / lack of the lateral slop offsets this for me.  I really feel the slop on say, backside slappies, or bs smiths…coupled with a spit classic and I find myself easily slipping out.


144/148 are why I tend to stick with slim to skinny wheels and bump the usable width with inside washers/none outside as well.


It really is the lack of soul that is the biggest detractor for narrower trucks, and that’s with any brand; but I really sense it on thunder/venture/royal style trucks for obvious reasons.

Ok, it's not just me then. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 23, 2024, 11:51:09 PM
The soul is in you and your riding, not in the trucks. Gimme f*cking Tensors and I can soul-arch my way around bowl corners with my bootcut jeans flappin'.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 24, 2024, 12:01:02 AM
The soul is in you and your riding, not in the trucks. Gimme f*cking Tensors and I can soul-arch my way around bowl corners with my bootcut jeans flappin'.

Ok, man, you go get soulful on a scooter…I’ll be dialing in my trucks in the corner.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 24, 2024, 01:30:23 AM
Expand Quote
The soul is in you and your riding, not in the trucks. Gimme f*cking Tensors and I can soul-arch my way around bowl corners with my bootcut jeans flappin'.
[close]

Ok, man, you go get soulful on a scooter…I’ll be dialing in my trucks in the corner.

Dude I don't know names of any scooter tricks ("twist and shout"? "wanker"?), but you're on, I just might set up a soulful scoot IG for the world to see. Now where can I get a scooter and wait, there's gotta be madness involved in that shit too...

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on May 24, 2024, 03:05:25 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
The soul is in you and your riding, not in the trucks. Gimme f*cking Tensors and I can soul-arch my way around bowl corners with my bootcut jeans flappin'.
[close]

Ok, man, you go get soulful on a scooter…I’ll be dialing in my trucks in the corner.
[close]

Dude I don't know names of any scooter tricks ("twist and shout"? "wanker"?), but you're on, I just might set up a soulful scoot IG for the world to see. Now where can I get a scooter and wait, there's gotta be madness involved in that shit too...
Don't forget your butt plug for that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 27, 2024, 08:05:08 AM
The soul is in you and your riding, not in the trucks. Gimme f*cking Tensors and I can soul-arch my way around bowl corners with my bootcut jeans flappin'.

it was ventures, and that was an amazing time for Dill
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 27, 2024, 08:20:28 AM
haven’t been skating, went thru another what now feels like significant aging/changing time….i now feel older, and just crustier than ever. nothing is working when i go to skate. i spend the whole session on the very basics (think slow rolling kickflip), and then don’t make it to any other rungs.

of course this sparks the setup switcheroo, as tho that will change it all.
has anyone just switched to something, regardless of results, and buried the madness for a bit?
i’ve been trying to find an 8” setup that works, that seems like it would make the most sense for me (skated best in the 7.75 era, getting older and weaker big boards heavy).
i’ve cast a wide net, tried too much. the last flatground session (mercifully by myself in a deep corner of a parking lot that is only frequented by some thoughtful unhoused folks, occasional dog walker, oversized truck trailers), i showed up with 4 completes. an 8 with venture lows, an 8 with ace 33s and big wheels, 8.38 with 8 thunders, 8.5 with 149 thunders. skated the 8.5 the best, board is like 3 years old and dead as fuck.
i think that because it’s a wide plank it’s a little easier to land on. the 8.5 is also 32 with a 14.4 wb. kickflips work, and im trying to get back to 360 flips. the complete feels like it weighs more than two completes.


the above conversation about wider trucks having ‘more soul’, is sadly accurate. @Sedition had mentioned this before and it’s one of the few times i agree with them re: gear, wider setups ‘feel better’ (or something to that effect).

i traveled and went to a skate spot/park that would have been my dream 25 years ago, and realized some difficult truths about where my abilities are at today. it hurts.

my feet hurt. the 808s have been saving me, well except for the part about the toes being squished into the narrow toe. dunks seem to have dried up, i have some hi’s on the shelf that are more narrow than my lows were. maybe forums? those run tts?

i’ll try and keep my posting down, and in this thread. it really is where i belong, ha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ggrimmedd on May 27, 2024, 08:36:31 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
There is no harm is setting up a wide bowl board, wider carvy trucks (that are know to be the choice of bowl rippers), longer wheel base and bigger wheels to better skate that terrain.
[close]

This is true. But this is the road to multiple setups, which is ok too. But if a lifetime Venture rider wants to rip both street and trannies with one setup, it's gonna be hell trying to do everything with any other truck.

The two setups solution:

1. Stay AWAKE on the streets, ledges, curbs, flatground.
2. Go to sleep with Indys or Aces in bowls and trannies.


OR

Fuck that madness shit, stay AWAKE all around, and proceed to rip trannies on Ventures, which is entirely possible (but not as easy).
[close]
I'd go for another setup.

Don't fold under the idea that second wide setup will solve your problems on transition, if you are comfortable using venture in streets you can be in transition too, there's pros using ultra loose trucks and pros using ultra hard trucks in tranny. Just shoot your shot
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on May 27, 2024, 09:58:14 AM
My madness journey has taken me from Indy to venture. When I skated Indy..things felt heavy and slow. I tried almost every variation of Indy (standard/forged/mid) and just could not get it to feel right. I’ve been on venture for 6 months now and have thoughts about going back to Indy. Where I’m trying to stop my madness is by telling myself (yes, switch back to Indy but only after the ventures are completely dusted and I literally “need” new trucks). There’s maybe one or two tricks I could do ok Indy that I haven’t done on venture
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 27, 2024, 10:41:08 AM
haven’t been skating, went thru another what now feels like significant aging/changing time….i now feel older, and just crustier than ever. nothing is working when i go to skate. i spend the whole session on the very basics (think slow rolling kickflip), and then don’t make it to any other rungs.

of course this sparks the setup switcheroo, as tho that will change it all.
has anyone just switched to something, regardless of results, and buried the madness for a bit?
i’ve been trying to find an 8” setup that works, that seems like it would make the most sense for me (skated best in the 7.75 era, getting older and weaker big boards heavy).
i’ve cast a wide net, tried too much. the last flatground session (mercifully by myself in a deep corner of a parking lot that is only frequented by some thoughtful unhoused folks, occasional dog walker, oversized truck trailers), i showed up with 4 completes. an 8 with venture lows, an 8 with ace 33s and big wheels, 8.38 with 8 thunders, 8.5 with 149 thunders. skated the 8.5 the best, board is like 3 years old and dead as fuck.
i think that because it’s a wide plank it’s a little easier to land on. the 8.5 is also 32 with a 14.4 wb. kickflips work, and im trying to get back to 360 flips. the complete feels like it weighs more than two completes.

the above conversation about wider trucks having ‘more soul’, is sadly accurate. @Sedition had mentioned this before and it’s one of the few times i agree with them re: gear, wider setups ‘feel better’ (or something to that effect).

i traveled and went to a skate spot/park that would have been my dream 25 years ago, and realized some difficult truths about where my abilities are at today. it hurts.

my feet hurt. the 808s have been saving me, well except for the part about the toes being squished into the narrow toe. dunks seem to have dried up, i have some hi’s on the shelf that are more narrow than my lows were. maybe forums? those run tts?

i’ll try and keep my posting down, and in this thread. it really is where i belong, ha

Watch out, long ass wall of text madness post. TL:Won't read. It's been said on here before You/We know what works*, you just think gear options will improve that kickflip, it won't (usually).

Showing up with four completes, hell loading the car up with them is setting you up for disaster (I do this occasionally with trucks, so you are not alone). "an 8 with ace 33s and big wheels, 8.38 with 8 thunders" those both sound terrible/non-functional to me. "Hey, let me setup an 8.5" w/14.5" WB, with 8.75" trucks and 53/54mm wheels and wonder why I bitch about not land flip tricks.

Been on twins for a hot min, bounced back to regular, bad move. Just throwing down the board is the best feeling ever. No reset shuvs or other tricks needed.

Found a couple of 8.25 twins that I really jelled with. DW Foy but BBS wood (I know you know), royals and old V3s, it was/is great but felt dead after a week (more on that later) so on a whim jumped to a DSM wood/SC VX (sale) twin with damn near the same shape (dims are within 1/16th or so). Amazing. My pop went from just ok to snappy once I was used to the kicks. *I've always preffered china/DSM/epoxy/R7 based boards. Steep, stiff and snappy. I've zero finesse, all power, so steep works best with my ollies. Crack it hard and hope for the best.

Switched back to bones 103a V5 *STFs and it helped my overall game. Why? Because I feel super confident doing bluntslides (they're such an easy trick once you get over the fear), I can slide for days, effortlessly, on STFs (they just feel softer these days, softer than a spit 101a/not as rattly as they used to be). So I warm up, and once I get going I start doing them; this gets me hyped and I start getting in the zone and trying other shit.

Start your session doing tricks you can do, that are makes, even if it's a B/S slappy, a shuv it....not what you want to learn, it will help your mindset for the session. Landing things = dopamine, not landing things = frustration and causing an OCD flare-up regarding gear (of which you have four to choose from...). "FUCK, I didn't land that kickflip, must be the 8.5"....fuck, must be the big wheels on the 8"...

It will come as no suprise that my only madness left is trucks.

Royals are the go to, smooth and responsive, great pinch...hard grind and, the more I've been skating one truck for a while, their grind clearance is starting to get in the way (regs, not IKP). Another thing I noticed is how they sound/feel through the boards: they have a deadening feel to them...you know how tinny and crispy forged thunders and hard wheels feel? Opposite feeling with them; then add in a BBS and a 99a (or worse yet a 93/x9X) and it just feels slow, clunky and dead. Bad Vibes. I like the *tinny/crispy Thunder feel, no other truck has it...but currently riding 8.25" forged slappys (and debating moving to 8.5 hangers...or my thunder TIs :P)

So stiff, DSM wood, 103a STFs (better yet 101a rictas but they don't slide as well), dry bearings, and forged thunders (wheelbite be damned) is what I like to feel under my feet and how I like my board to sound. I cannot stress how much a dead board sound makes me not want to skate it.

This is also why my knees probbly hurt :P

Shoes. Knees and feet hurt on me (knees from workingout and skating + old). Nike Leos. That react insole is the most comfortable thing I have have skated in hands down. Shoe has a wide toe box and mid foot. Room/deep enough to throw in an insole on top with better arch. The react insole makes up the entire midsole of that shoe it is nothing without it. Colorways are pretty weak but you can get them cheap.





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 27, 2024, 12:23:00 PM
Expand Quote
haven’t been skating, went thru another what now feels like significant aging/changing time….i now feel older, and just crustier than ever. nothing is working when i go to skate. i spend the whole session on the very basics (think slow rolling kickflip), and then don’t make it to any other rungs.

of course this sparks the setup switcheroo, as tho that will change it all.
has anyone just switched to something, regardless of results, and buried the madness for a bit?
i’ve been trying to find an 8” setup that works, that seems like it would make the most sense for me (skated best in the 7.75 era, getting older and weaker big boards heavy).
i’ve cast a wide net, tried too much. the last flatground session (mercifully by myself in a deep corner of a parking lot that is only frequented by some thoughtful unhoused folks, occasional dog walker, oversized truck trailers), i showed up with 4 completes. an 8 with venture lows, an 8 with ace 33s and big wheels, 8.38 with 8 thunders, 8.5 with 149 thunders. skated the 8.5 the best, board is like 3 years old and dead as fuck.
i think that because it’s a wide plank it’s a little easier to land on. the 8.5 is also 32 with a 14.4 wb. kickflips work, and im trying to get back to 360 flips. the complete feels like it weighs more than two completes.

the above conversation about wider trucks having ‘more soul’, is sadly accurate. @Sedition had mentioned this before and it’s one of the few times i agree with them re: gear, wider setups ‘feel better’ (or something to that effect).

i traveled and went to a skate spot/park that would have been my dream 25 years ago, and realized some difficult truths about where my abilities are at today. it hurts.

my feet hurt. the 808s have been saving me, well except for the part about the toes being squished into the narrow toe. dunks seem to have dried up, i have some hi’s on the shelf that are more narrow than my lows were. maybe forums? those run tts?

i’ll try and keep my posting down, and in this thread. it really is where i belong, ha
[close]

It's been said on here before You/We know what works*, you just think gear options will improve that kickflip, it won't (usually).


My madness has evolved over time. I am sure part of this is because, at this stage of the game, I have tried every reasonable set-up option/configuration, and given some stuff more tries than I'd like to admit (e.g. Thunders are not suddenly going to "work" for me if I just try them one more time, or with a different wheel/deck). Somewhere along the line my madness transformed from, "Will I skate better with/on "X" (no, not in any substantive way) to, "What just feels the best to me?" This is what I call "Late-Stage Madness" or "Post-madness Madness" because the only way to really get to this point it to figure out the stuff that you really don't skate as well on (e.g. the Thunder baseplates mess with my nose/tail slides, tiny wheelbases are too cramped for me, short tails suck for bluntslides, etc.). Ironically, or maybe not-so ironically, the stuff that just feels the best is also the stuff I tend to skate the best on, too. Where I am going with all this?

For many of us in this thread, "You/We know what works," but we get too lost in our own heads. I've certainly done that. And yeah, as @Xen  said, bringing four set-ups is a set-up for disaster. So, my humble advice of one way to deal with that situation when it arises...leave the "logic" alone, and just go with the feel of what just resonates the most under your feet. That's prolly your "ideal" set-up for most situations. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 27, 2024, 01:59:16 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
haven’t been skating, went thru another what now feels like significant aging/changing time….i now feel older, and just crustier than ever. nothing is working when i go to skate. i spend the whole session on the very basics (think slow rolling kickflip), and then don’t make it to any other rungs.

of course this sparks the setup switcheroo, as tho that will change it all.
has anyone just switched to something, regardless of results, and buried the madness for a bit?
i’ve been trying to find an 8” setup that works, that seems like it would make the most sense for me (skated best in the 7.75 era, getting older and weaker big boards heavy).
i’ve cast a wide net, tried too much. the last flatground session (mercifully by myself in a deep corner of a parking lot that is only frequented by some thoughtful unhoused folks, occasional dog walker, oversized truck trailers), i showed up with 4 completes. an 8 with venture lows, an 8 with ace 33s and big wheels, 8.38 with 8 thunders, 8.5 with 149 thunders. skated the 8.5 the best, board is like 3 years old and dead as fuck.
i think that because it’s a wide plank it’s a little easier to land on. the 8.5 is also 32 with a 14.4 wb. kickflips work, and im trying to get back to 360 flips. the complete feels like it weighs more than two completes.

the above conversation about wider trucks having ‘more soul’, is sadly accurate. @Sedition had mentioned this before and it’s one of the few times i agree with them re: gear, wider setups ‘feel better’ (or something to that effect).

i traveled and went to a skate spot/park that would have been my dream 25 years ago, and realized some difficult truths about where my abilities are at today. it hurts.

my feet hurt. the 808s have been saving me, well except for the part about the toes being squished into the narrow toe. dunks seem to have dried up, i have some hi’s on the shelf that are more narrow than my lows were. maybe forums? those run tts?

i’ll try and keep my posting down, and in this thread. it really is where i belong, ha
[close]

It's been said on here before You/We know what works*, you just think gear options will improve that kickflip, it won't (usually).

[close]

My madness has evolved over time. I am sure part of this is because, at this stage of the game, I have tried every reasonable set-up option/configuration, and given some stuff more tries than I'd like to admit (e.g. Thunders are not suddenly going to "work" for me if I just try them one more time, or with a different wheel/deck). Somewhere along the line my madness transformed from, "Will I skate better with/on "X" (no, not in any substantive way) to, "What just feels the best to me?" This is what I call "Late-Stage Madness" or "Post-madness Madness" because the only way to really get to this point it to figure out the stuff that you really don't skate as well on (e.g. the Thunder baseplates mess with my nose/tail slides, tiny wheelbases are too cramped for me, short tails suck for bluntslides, etc.). Ironically, or maybe not-so ironically, the stuff that just feels the best is also the stuff I tend to skate the best on, too. Where I am going with all this?

For many of us in this thread, "You/We know what works," but we get too lost in our own heads. I've certainly done that. And yeah, as @Xen  said, bringing four set-ups is a set-up for disaster. So, my humble advice of one way to deal with that situation when it arises...leave the "logic" alone, and just go with the feel of what just resonates the most under your feet. That's prolly your "ideal" set-up for most situations.

both responses appreciated
thanks @Xen for the in-depth reply.

the you/we know what works, is the troubling aspect: i currently don’t know. right now if i had to take one board, based off of the two tricks i can land (kickflip/switchflip), it’d be a 3 fucking year old G053 with 149 thunders and 52s (currently 101 f4 conicals). i’m so twacked out, i’ve lost the way. my “normal” would be an 8” setup (probably with venture lo’s, but then it gets all messed up trying to work away from that).
skating an 8.5 with 8.5 trucks, and an almost 14.5 wb, makes no sense, but feels easier

totally agree on bbs. i haven’t had a great one since the pandemic*** this is not entirely accurate. spent a lot of time on a shop deck, generic generator 8.3 14.38 32, and it’s not bad, especially with 8.75 trucks.

the hard wheels and dsm decks do hurt knees. anybody remember p2 boards? i had some and hit a couple of bombs (the highest i’ve ever nollied), but the stiffness did hurt. and that was 15 years ago. this girl board had that stiff dead sound, but it isn’t resulting in much pop. agree: hate hate hate that sound. old school shapes, huffer….those sounded really good to me.

THANKS for the Leo recommendation. will try. foot pain knocks me off my spot.

the only reason i haven’t bought royals is i haven’t been able to settle on a deck, or a deck size. not sure what the right order of operations is. used to think trucks first, then deck. bought an 8 ps stix and could not even ollie it correctly on venture hi’s/thunders. hence the psycho ace big wheels little kid looking board.

the 8.25 truck madness thing….it was the size many of us wanted. and then when they trickled out, i dunno. ive just never had my best session on any 8.25 trucks. skated the 144s, and those were good for me, on short wb boards. 148s maybe a little more forgiving but i’ve not found the winning combo.
149s can feel better. when i’ve tried to lighten them up, that hasn’t really worked. currently only own thunder 149s. never got on with indy 149s all that well. i had the 10.5s, forged and it was….ok. signed up to slap only to miss out on some ti indy 149s. the slop on grinds isn’t great. the stability of the wider truck sometimes enables me to ollie/nollie higher. 149s had been my gnarliest schism.
at this point i just need to pick one thing, and stick. i’ve always skated better on smaller boards, but hated it because it looked so ‘pinner’, so out of style. i am vain. alone in my parking lot, skating 2 mph railing mobbed nollie flips into my shins, i am vain. not skating as much, trying to get back on and the small setups feel terrible. needlessly difficult.

apologies to anyone that ‘reads’ this. meant to just say thanks to you both.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 27, 2024, 02:11:44 PM
...alone in my parking lot, skating 2 mph railing mobbed nollie flips into my shins..

I feel seen. And attacked. Well done. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 27, 2024, 02:35:59 PM
forgot to mention to @Xen

i respect the leaning into one’s strengths, via the steep board, going for the mega pop. i need to find out what that equivalent is for me.
for anyone skating, maybe that’s the best path, grow towards the light. especially for me in my aging body, going towards some type success seems like it would be pleasant
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 27, 2024, 04:58:42 PM
the you/we know what works, is the troubling aspect: i currently don’t know.

But you do, that's what @Sedition and I are saying. The better angle is what feels good? And have you put those together? It's a process of elimination.

It's possible you keep trying the same shit (expecting different results?). I've got a homie that consistently rides the same shit but bitches about certain tricks that he for sure would be better at if he adjusted some of his gear. *We're* not good enough to fakie tre a 10" fucking egg with 58"mm wheels and 215s...consistently. You know? He's got it worse..as an example, he's the type to keep everything the same (trucks, wheels, WB, board length) except he'll say he's attempting to 'downsize' by dropping from an 8.4 to an 8.3 and expecting the planets to align for flip tricks.

You say you like 149s (seemingly thunders). Check.
52 mm wheels? Check. Find a duro and shape and wheel feel and go.
Not BBS? plenty to choose from. Narrow (probably literally) those dims down.
WB? 14.5 too big? Drop down.
Length? Maybe 32" is too long (plus that long WB)...
8.5? OK, maybe it's the long WB that is messing with you, plenty of 8.5s that are shorter in WB (Blue eagle, SC stumps, etc..)

(Cliff notes of my longer post above)

For example, I like:

- 7/8" allen. Check.
- Pepper galaxy grip. Great grip and looks cool. Check.
- Swiss 6 or Bronson Ceramics/Raws. Check.
- Cripsy steep/stiff/snappy feeling wood = DSM/Crail (or PSStix for the first week :P) Check. Santa Cruz, Creature, Opera, Jacuzzi, Girl, Chocolate. Unpopular, but Disorder feel very close to R7 boards. I rode P2s exclusivly back when readily available.
- The way STFs slide...almost uncontrollably so (they aren't the slightly gummy slide like spits) sure they're a bit 'artificial' feeling but meh, and the V5 shape because I'm sloppy and it helps me lock into front krooks. Yes, the wheel is a crutch for two tricks but I don't care.

- Trucks is the true madness. I cannot help you there. I want Thunder pop and weight, venture stabilty, Indy/ACE/Slappy style turn and the semi-neutral WB affect and slappy grind clearance and grind feel/ability (I hope the new Thunder is ALL of that) and for the most part Royal IKP do all of that sans the sweet grinding of slappy so I always default back to them.

I'd wager you have tried all the combinations of the gear you have (much how Sedition and I have) and from what I can tell, nothing is working...because you don't like the feel of any of it. Big wheels on the 8" tells me this :P

Just a few hours ago, I took some of my own advice/gut feelings and fixed two my of issues  I've been having with the royals.

Switched from 144 hollow to 149 hollow (shout out @BartHarleyJarvis)...instantly felt better/placeeeeboooooo. Whatever.
Switched back to the IKP to net more grind clearance (which also gets rid of the annoyingly long stock/regular kingpin and all its showing threads...but instead of ACE bushings, I went stock bottom and bones top (super low for more clearance) - thing of note, this combo bottoms out the threads in the shaft nut, can't tighten any more.
Switched to noisier bearings to help with the board sound

(https://i.ibb.co/tPXkLnn/IMG-6592.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tPXkLnn)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on May 27, 2024, 08:00:26 PM
I’ll change things up just so I can go home again….

If anything what I hope for everyone is the madness just becomes enjoyable tinkering….and just experiencing what each component feels like.  I used to have a 2’ quarter in my garage, it was the only time I really enjoyed my quiver. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 27, 2024, 08:16:12 PM
Expand Quote
the you/we know what works, is the troubling aspect: i currently don’t know.
[close]

But you do, that's what @Sedition and I are saying. The better angle is what feels good? And have you put those together? It's a process of elimination.

It's possible you keep trying the same shit (expecting different results?). I've got a homie that consistently rides the same shit but bitches about certain tricks that he for sure would be better at if he adjusted some of his gear. *We're* not good enough to fakie tre a 10" fucking egg with 58"mm wheels and 215s...consistently. You know? He's got it worse..as an example, he's the type to keep everything the same (trucks, wheels, WB, board length) except he'll say he's attempting to 'downsize' by dropping from an 8.4 to an 8.3 and expecting the planets to align for flip tricks.

You say you like 149s (seemingly thunders). Check.
52 mm wheels? Check. Find a duro and shape and wheel feel and go.
Not BBS? plenty to choose from. Narrow (probably literally) those dims down.
WB? 14.5 too big? Drop down.
Length? Maybe 32" is too long (plus that long WB)...
8.5? OK, maybe it's the long WB that is messing with you, plenty of 8.5s that are shorter in WB (Blue eagle, SC stumps, etc..)

(Cliff notes of my longer post above)

For example, I like:

- 7/8" allen. Check.
- Pepper galaxy grip. Great grip and looks cool. Check.
- Swiss 6 or Bronson Ceramics/Raws. Check.
- Cripsy steep/stiff/snappy feeling wood = DSM/Crail (or PSStix for the first week :P) Check. Santa Cruz, Creature, Opera, Jacuzzi, Girl, Chocolate. Unpopular, but Disorder feel very close to R7 boards. I rode P2s exclusivly back when readily available.
- The way STFs slide...almost uncontrollably so (they aren't the slightly gummy slide like spits) sure they're a bit 'artificial' feeling but meh, and the V5 shape because I'm sloppy and it helps me lock into front krooks. Yes, the wheel is a crutch for two tricks but I don't care.

- Trucks is the true madness. I cannot help you there. I want Thunder pop and weight, venture stabilty, Indy/ACE/Slappy style turn and the semi-neutral WB affect and slappy grind clearance and grind feel/ability (I hope the new Thunder is ALL of that) and for the most part Royal IKP do all of that sans the sweet grinding of slappy so I always default back to them.

I'd wager you have tried all the combinations of the gear you have (much how Sedition and I have) and from what I can tell, nothing is working...because you don't like the feel of any of it. Big wheels on the 8" tells me this :P

Just a few hours ago, I took some of my own advice/gut feelings and fixed two my of issues  I've been having with the royals.

Switched from 144 hollow to 149 hollow (shout out @BartHarleyJarvis)...instantly felt better/placeeeeboooooo. Whatever.
Switched back to the IKP to net more grind clearance (which also gets rid of the annoyingly long stock/regular kingpin and all its showing threads...but instead of ACE bushings, I went stock bottom and bones top (super low for more clearance) - thing of note, this combo bottoms out the threads in the shaft nut, can't tighten any more.
Switched to noisier bearings to help with the board sound

(https://i.ibb.co/tPXkLnn/IMG-6592.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tPXkLnn)

i think what i’ve failed to articulate is that: none of my setups feel right, the closest is the G053, with thunder 149s and 52s. and having that setup ‘work’ (highly relative), would be like ya’ll stumbling onto a 7.75 that felt right.
that being said, i’m just gonna try and roll with it.

for me, the known:

miles grip (haven’t tried pepper)
52 mm wheels
7/8 bolts


it started off as enjoyable tinkering, something to keep
me stoked as i was oft hurt, or lacking time to skate, then it warped into the last 10+ years of some bizarre post midlife crisis/consumeristic fever dream.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 27, 2024, 11:26:21 PM
Thanks for sharing, pals. I did read every wall of articulation of recent. Appreciated.

Anyway. With regards to trucks and "soul": I have an idea for all of y'all madnessing over the 144/149 dilemma.

Try Venture 5.6s.

I was in the Indy 144/149 gravity well myself, struggling with all kinds of mental and physical issues (didn't feel right, my ollie was detoriating, etc. etc.). Lo and behold, I then switched to Ventures (5.6 V-Lights, forged baseplate) – and it felt insanely good.

Yes, they're a "144" truck, but I'm telling ya, if there's soul to be had in a 8.25 truck, the Venture 5.6 is it. I promise. Subjectively. Caveats may vary. But they saved my skating, at least for a while.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 28, 2024, 06:08:08 AM

Anyway. With regards to trucks and "soul": I have an idea for all of y'all madnessing over the 144/149 dilemma.

Try Venture 5.6s.

Oh, man. I haven’t laughed that hard in awhile. Much appreciated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 28, 2024, 07:39:11 AM
Expand Quote

Anyway. With regards to trucks and "soul": I have an idea for all of y'all madnessing over the 144/149 dilemma.

Try Venture 5.6s.
[close]

Oh, man. I haven’t laughed that hard in awhile. Much appreciated.

Much obliged. The road to true awakening is paved with laughter.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on May 28, 2024, 08:32:22 AM
Seems to me this thread needs to be more about madness and less about  gear, to really help some of you out of your current predicaments.

 Gall Bless.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 28, 2024, 08:05:13 PM
Seems to me this thread needs to be more about madness and less about  gear, to really help some of you out of your current predicaments.

 Gall Bless.


uhhhhhh, how is showing up at ‘the spot’, with 4 completes, not peak gear? 3 different truck brands no less.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 28, 2024, 11:12:29 PM
Ah, the pains of homo sapiens westernicus, suffering from madness solely created by the vast myriad of options in absolutely everything. But yes, yes, I want my setup to be perfect when surfing the kali yuga in the face of the apocalypse. No sense in doing sloppy ollies amids the mushroom clouds.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 29, 2024, 06:15:10 AM
Ah, the pains of homo sapiens westernicus, suffering from madness solely created by the vast myriad of options in absolutely everything. But yes, yes, I want my setup to be perfect when surfing the kali yuga in the face of the apocalypse. No sense in doing sloppy ollies amids the mushroom clouds.

“…one must imagine Sisyphus…afflicted with a certain madness.”  -Camus (if he skated)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on May 29, 2024, 07:31:46 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
the you/we know what works, is the troubling aspect: i currently don’t know.
[close]

But you do, that's what @Sedition and I are saying. The better angle is what feels good? And have you put those together? It's a process of elimination.

It's possible you keep trying the same shit (expecting different results?). I've got a homie that consistently rides the same shit but bitches about certain tricks that he for sure would be better at if he adjusted some of his gear. *We're* not good enough to fakie tre a 10" fucking egg with 58"mm wheels and 215s...consistently. You know? He's got it worse..as an example, he's the type to keep everything the same (trucks, wheels, WB, board length) except he'll say he's attempting to 'downsize' by dropping from an 8.4 to an 8.3 and expecting the planets to align for flip tricks.

You say you like 149s (seemingly thunders). Check.
52 mm wheels? Check. Find a duro and shape and wheel feel and go.
Not BBS? plenty to choose from. Narrow (probably literally) those dims down.
WB? 14.5 too big? Drop down.
Length? Maybe 32" is too long (plus that long WB)...
8.5? OK, maybe it's the long WB that is messing with you, plenty of 8.5s that are shorter in WB (Blue eagle, SC stumps, etc..)

(Cliff notes of my longer post above)

For example, I like:

- 7/8" allen. Check.
- Pepper galaxy grip. Great grip and looks cool. Check.
- Swiss 6 or Bronson Ceramics/Raws. Check.
- Cripsy steep/stiff/snappy feeling wood = DSM/Crail (or PSStix for the first week :P) Check. Santa Cruz, Creature, Opera, Jacuzzi, Girl, Chocolate. Unpopular, but Disorder feel very close to R7 boards. I rode P2s exclusivly back when readily available.
- The way STFs slide...almost uncontrollably so (they aren't the slightly gummy slide like spits) sure they're a bit 'artificial' feeling but meh, and the V5 shape because I'm sloppy and it helps me lock into front krooks. Yes, the wheel is a crutch for two tricks but I don't care.

- Trucks is the true madness. I cannot help you there. I want Thunder pop and weight, venture stabilty, Indy/ACE/Slappy style turn and the semi-neutral WB affect and slappy grind clearance and grind feel/ability (I hope the new Thunder is ALL of that) and for the most part Royal IKP do all of that sans the sweet grinding of slappy so I always default back to them.

I'd wager you have tried all the combinations of the gear you have (much how Sedition and I have) and from what I can tell, nothing is working...because you don't like the feel of any of it. Big wheels on the 8" tells me this :P

Just a few hours ago, I took some of my own advice/gut feelings and fixed two my of issues  I've been having with the royals.

Switched from 144 hollow to 149 hollow (shout out @BartHarleyJarvis)...instantly felt better/placeeeeboooooo. Whatever.
Switched back to the IKP to net more grind clearance (which also gets rid of the annoyingly long stock/regular kingpin and all its showing threads...but instead of ACE bushings, I went stock bottom and bones top (super low for more clearance) - thing of note, this combo bottoms out the threads in the shaft nut, can't tighten any more.
Switched to noisier bearings to help with the board sound

(https://i.ibb.co/tPXkLnn/IMG-6592.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tPXkLnn)
[close]

i think what i’ve failed to articulate is that: none of my setups feel right, the closest is the G053, with thunder 149s and 52s. and having that setup ‘work’ (highly relative), would be like ya’ll stumbling onto a 7.75 that felt right.
that being said, i’m just gonna try and roll with it.

for me, the known:

miles grip (haven’t tried pepper)
52 mm wheels
7/8 bolts


it started off as enjoyable tinkering, something to keep
me stoked as i was oft hurt, or lacking time to skate, then it warped into the last 10+ years of some bizarre post midlife crisis/consumeristic fever dream.

No setup feels right for everything. My current one I fucking mob switch heels on and I can't front 3 on it. But for most other things I've done over the years it's predictable and comfortable on the majority of days. It was cathartic to just fucking give up on dialing in 2 tricks that I recall (maybe incorrectly honestly) doing years ago for what overall feels really fun.

I have skated a lot with the Happy Medium dudes as were from the same area. For a long time I tried to copy Mango's setup thinking the big board and Aces would allow me to land sloppy and throw my weight around. It kinda did, but for lots of stuff the board felt like a chore. I remember cruising down the street in the bike lane once and looking down and thinking "god this thing is a chore to just do a nice quick nollie up this curb like I love doing" cuz my board was the Frog 8.6 and the whole setup was heavy as hell.

This is when I downsized to an 8.25 and Thunder 148s, slowly upsized, became Awake, and have no intention of caring about possibilities. It's not far off what I rode before trying to copy others. FWIW I still use a longer board for parks and transition, but it has 6.1's on it that aren't sloppy loose.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 31, 2024, 04:38:23 PM
My current cruiser is the same specs as my everyday board, but I kinda wanna build one with 60mm wheels and keep the same pop angle pretty much

Basically what I run now is

8.25" Powell flight deck, 14.25 wb
Stupid gritty Powell hardcore grip
8.5" Aces
54mm spitfire cruiser wheels w/ ceramic reds

Thinking of this one tho

9"-ish Powell flight with same kick angle, using chems wb tool to make 14.25
Same gnarly griptape
1/4" risers, 9" aces
60mm dragon formula rat bones or 97a radial/conical full spits, or those crazy huge spitfire cruiser wheels, probably will switch it up
Powell tail bone, rib bones, jaw bone, for durability and also to match the pop angle after adding 3/8" to the overall height with bigger wheels and risers

Those decks don't get soggy, ceramic bearings with extra oil and the shields on have proven themselves in rain and mud and shit, the 80hd spits did well on gravel/dirt, the grip doesn't give a shit about being wet or muddy

Right now my tail is kinda razoring a bit and itd be nice to have the skid on there, would increase durability from slipping out and ramming into stuff/chipping too.. but the pop angle would be mad different. With some 60mm wheels and 1/4" risers it would equal back out, and I could also go faster and through more gnarly crap. I think there's like one Powell flight deck right now that has the kick angle and width I want, I just gotta drill the nose back with that chems tool to make it 14.25, and find an old jawbone on eBay and im probably set with a pretty invincible cruiser. Probably gonna repaint whatever graphic comes with it... Last one I just put four 11" spitfire stickers over it 😆

If they made radial full 93a 60mm I'd be fuckin stoked

Never tried the dragon formula but I think the old rat bones 60mm's will be the first ones I try for this idea

I guess jaw bones are hard to find, expensive and also like, rubbery and not hard plastic.. Rad railz made one, I'm sure I could get one. Might just put a smaller tail skid on the nose 🤷‍♀️

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on May 31, 2024, 06:27:40 PM
You are not alone (last slide)

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7pyHZMvHIr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

(https://i.ibb.co/D46Fb0f/Screenshot-2024-05-31-182835.png) (https://ibb.co/D46Fb0f)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 31, 2024, 07:03:32 PM
I ground off a 16th from each side of some 8.5" aces to use with no inner washer on 8" decks a while back without a buncha axle sticking out, that was fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on May 31, 2024, 08:25:18 PM
I ground off a 16th from each side of some 8.5" aces to use with no inner washer on 8" decks a while back without a buncha axle sticking out, that was fun.

This is what I like to hear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 31, 2024, 08:47:22 PM
Expand Quote
I ground off a 16th from each side of some 8.5" aces to use with no inner washer on 8" decks a while back without a buncha axle sticking out, that was fun.
[close]

This is what I like to hear.

i mean….makes some sense.
 ace classic 55 riders will agree as well.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: 144p on June 01, 2024, 08:23:17 AM
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 01, 2024, 09:54:28 AM
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!

@144p Busted knee gang here. P/T, cremes, peptides (wolverine stack), working out (all the damn muscles around the knee...), you know what really works? Not skating (and peptides, fr). Fucking sucks. 93s...and maybe some 1010s...

Have you checked your arches? My feet are DOA levels of flat these days, I can feel the pronation so I rock high arch insoles (and wide shoes).

Neoprene sleeves are snakeoil, these things are fucking voodoo, I kid you not, lifesavers, they make skating sessions twice as long with significantly less recovery time and I can squat/press deadlift a decent weight with them. Seriously, please try them:

https://www.amazon.com/MUELLER-Medicine-Adjustable-Patella-Support/dp/B002WS49FA?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Bodyprox-Patella-Basketball-Tendonitis-Volleyball/dp/B07DLFP8Q5?ref_=ast_sto_dp

There are probably cheaper versions to be had, all the same china made with different logos.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on June 01, 2024, 02:20:31 PM
Expand Quote
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!
[close]

@144p Busted knee gang here. P/T, cremes, peptides (wolverine stack), working out (all the damn muscles around the knee...), you know what really works? Not skating (and peptides, fr). Fucking sucks. 93s...and maybe some 1010s...

Have you checked your arches? My feet are DOA levels of flat these days, I can feel the pronation so I rock high arch insoles (and wide shoes).

Neoprene sleeves are snakeoil, these things are fucking voodoo, I kid you not, lifesavers, they make skating sessions twice as long with significantly less recovery time and I can squat/press deadlift a decent weight with them. Seriously, please try them:

https://www.amazon.com/MUELLER-Medicine-Adjustable-Patella-Support/dp/B002WS49FA?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Bodyprox-Patella-Basketball-Tendonitis-Volleyball/dp/B07DLFP8Q5?ref_=ast_sto_dp

There are probably cheaper versions to be had, all the same china made with different logos.

Thanks xen, 38 here just got done with ACL surgery 3/15 been pushing around on a polarizer, definitely need to look into peptides, I’ve been using a compression sleeve just for my swelling and stuff but this brace seems what I’m really looking for, something to put some pressure above and below my kneecap, do you offer like workshops or something?? Every post about trucks you make I’m thinking “this dude gets it”….youve even got me to consider getting some STFs, you’re like a gear messiah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 01, 2024, 03:31:39 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!
[close]

@144p Busted knee gang here. P/T, cremes, peptides (wolverine stack), working out (all the damn muscles around the knee...), you know what really works? Not skating (and peptides, fr). Fucking sucks. 93s...and maybe some 1010s...

Have you checked your arches? My feet are DOA levels of flat these days, I can feel the pronation so I rock high arch insoles (and wide shoes).

Neoprene sleeves are snakeoil, these things are fucking voodoo, I kid you not, lifesavers, they make skating sessions twice as long with significantly less recovery time and I can squat/press deadlift a decent weight with them. Seriously, please try them:

https://www.amazon.com/MUELLER-Medicine-Adjustable-Patella-Support/dp/B002WS49FA?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Bodyprox-Patella-Basketball-Tendonitis-Volleyball/dp/B07DLFP8Q5?ref_=ast_sto_dp

There are probably cheaper versions to be had, all the same china made with different logos.
[close]

Thanks xen, 38 here just got done with ACL surgery 3/15 been pushing around on a polarizer, definitely need to look into peptides, I’ve been using a compression sleeve just for my swelling and stuff but this brace seems what I’m really looking for, something to put some pressure above and below my kneecap, do you offer like workshops or something?? Every post about trucks you make I’m thinking “this dude gets it”….youve even got me to consider getting some STFs, you’re like a gear messiah

Thanks, but nothing I slap on these posts is to be taken as anything but opinion (or mild trolling, people are too serious).

Compression sleeves are usefull/useless depending on the injury/how much support you actually need (and where). I'd would check with your doc/PT about what you should and shouldn't wear tho, wouldn't want to impede recovery/put pressure on whatever is swelling (assume the neoprene is best for atleast some level/period of time and something like these braces for when you are not swollen anymore). A bit pricier than what I listed but sent this to 144p as well (I use it for both knees, it provides more lateral/sway support, you know skating/landing weird):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B6KW3H35/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use the other, single strap ones for lifting since I'm stationary and the weight load isn't going to twist my knees unless my footing/form is way off.

I'll drop you a PM about peptides as the uninformed here will start yelling StErOiDs!1 or some shit. The ones I use are Dr. prescribed.

STFs (are now) an aquired taste; I prefer the feel of spits but enjoy the performance, shapes, (and longevity) of STFs more.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 01, 2024, 05:55:28 PM
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!


@Xen alrrady hit you with the good info, i just have some blather.

sizing down to the range you are talking about with these two setups, seems like a good call. bigger boards really beat me up. and by that i mean all of the little ligaments/connective tissues, get tired/sore, noticeably quicker on heavier setups.
i’ve tried to ride really small completes, and im sure that could work, but id have to skate way more often than i do.
which indy’s? indy’s are heavy, but can feel really light, and for some of us, they just ‘work’.

what’s the shoe of choice been?


i’m trying to learn a few things at mid 40s and im hurting. working a physical job doesn’t help.
i’m currently as settled as i have been on an 8.5, thunder team 149s, spitfire 52s (small and wide). usually 808s. skated in af1’s the other day. feet didn’t hurt, couldn’t land much tho.

i appreciate you forging ahead, even when the energy is down
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: gaunting on June 02, 2024, 03:48:11 PM
Idk how much this will help anyone who reads it, but it just certainly cured my truck madness 3 years ago or so.

I always make sure to have the kingpin bolts facing the same way you would see a stop sign 🛑. that way, I know my trucks are similar in tightness/loooseness, because both bolts are always facing that way. idk. 🤷‍♂️ helped me. lol I used to strip a kingpin in less than a week, trying to find that perfect spot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 07, 2024, 03:27:10 AM
I always just make a mark on the kingpin nut with a sharpie so I know how many rotations I've done, and if they're uneven I can do a half rotation or just put the ever so slightly "tighter" truck on the tail side 🤷‍♀️

Really trying to talk myself out of getting a 8.75-14.25 misregistered eagle and putting 9" aces and 60mm spits on that boi

Always afraid i'll end up liking stuff that's hard to find. Wish AH/Real or Baker would make the classic logo decks in a mellow 9x14.25 as part of the normal line.. I think T-funk skates a 9x14.25, not sure if it's the mellow one tho. Seen him with black bushings in his 169's once too, I was wondering about the speed wobble factor

I feel like a lot of those dudes have at least 2 setups... Lighter/heavier, harder/softer type of thing... different stuff for different spots. Must be nice to have access to wide boards with shorter wheelbases in whatever graphic you like, there's like no point in having a cruiser board if your daily driver rolls on 60mm 97a's

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 07, 2024, 07:45:18 AM
Indy makes stock bushings in black for certain models. The 8.75/9 decks with a shorter WB are what they rode as kids but I saw him and that crew in person about a year ago and his board looked fucking huge. He's probably on a stock shape now that he's an adult.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 07, 2024, 04:25:21 PM
It was on regular silver Indys so not sure, but u right tho. Oddly I wanted to get the slayer Indys a while back just for the red pivot cups 😆 didn't do it though just intrusive thoughts. Damn, I figured he didn't get that tall. I remember when I met Jerry and spanly I was surprised I was taller than them. Wouldn't be surprised that shorter dudes are skating long ass boards though, when you're that good you can prolly skate anything. Well shit I'm 35 and 5'9" and I want more 8.75/9's with 14.25 wb's.. and wheel wells hahah I'm prolly gonna try a Polar out or something
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 07, 2024, 09:04:33 PM
that 9 polar looks nice. everytime i see one at a shop i pick it up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IusedToSkateMore on June 09, 2024, 07:56:23 AM
Expand Quote
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!
[close]

@144p Busted knee gang here. P/T, cremes, peptides (wolverine stack), working out (all the damn muscles around the knee...), you know what really works? Not skating (and peptides, fr). Fucking sucks. 93s...and maybe some 1010s...

Have you checked your arches? My feet are DOA levels of flat these days, I can feel the pronation so I rock high arch insoles (and wide shoes).

Neoprene sleeves are snakeoil, these things are fucking voodoo, I kid you not, lifesavers, they make skating sessions twice as long with significantly less recovery time and I can squat/press deadlift a decent weight with them. Seriously, please try them:

https://www.amazon.com/MUELLER-Medicine-Adjustable-Patella-Support/dp/B002WS49FA?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Bodyprox-Patella-Basketball-Tendonitis-Volleyball/dp/B07DLFP8Q5?ref_=ast_sto_dp

There are probably cheaper versions to be had, all the same china made with different logos.


It sounds corny, but 1010s, i have been wearing the same pair for all purposes- work, walk, chill, and skate- for a few months now and its made hip/back/leg pain almost negligible. Im a longtime yoga instructor/practitioner, plenty of PT over the years, and theres just shit that, like almost 30 years of skating, getting hit by a car, and other lower body injuries, that require a good, solid shoe. 1010 is it for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 09, 2024, 10:25:25 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Trying to reset my skating, so
Much flopping around on sizes and truck brands.
I set up 2 similar completes in hopes that some of my flip tricks will re emerge. Turning 50 has been tough,
My energy level feels so much lower and my arthritic knee has made it tough to do a lot of things.
I do so much rehab, watch what I eat,
Cold plunges and so much crazy shit hoping to counteract it but still suffering a bit.

Back to Indy’s for both setups,
8.38 and 8.5 one bbs and one is stix. Smaller wheels for both(54). Here’s to regaining some timing and pop!
[close]

@144p Busted knee gang here. P/T, cremes, peptides (wolverine stack), working out (all the damn muscles around the knee...), you know what really works? Not skating (and peptides, fr). Fucking sucks. 93s...and maybe some 1010s...

Have you checked your arches? My feet are DOA levels of flat these days, I can feel the pronation so I rock high arch insoles (and wide shoes).

Neoprene sleeves are snakeoil, these things are fucking voodoo, I kid you not, lifesavers, they make skating sessions twice as long with significantly less recovery time and I can squat/press deadlift a decent weight with them. Seriously, please try them:

https://www.amazon.com/MUELLER-Medicine-Adjustable-Patella-Support/dp/B002WS49FA?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Bodyprox-Patella-Basketball-Tendonitis-Volleyball/dp/B07DLFP8Q5?ref_=ast_sto_dp

There are probably cheaper versions to be had, all the same china made with different logos.
[close]


It sounds corny, but 1010s, i have been wearing the same pair for all purposes- work, walk, chill, and skate- for a few months now and its made hip/back/leg pain almost negligible. Im a longtime yoga instructor/practitioner, plenty of PT over the years, and theres just shit that, like almost 30 years of skating, getting hit by a car, and other lower body injuries, that require a good, solid shoe. 1010 is it for me
1010 are the best shoe ever. The only downside is after skating them you can't go back to anything else.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 09, 2024, 06:52:07 PM
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 09, 2024, 07:05:39 PM
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 09, 2024, 08:32:40 PM
Expand Quote
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 09, 2024, 08:33:42 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
[close]

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.

vx is that good!?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 09, 2024, 11:22:42 PM
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.

Throwing it out there once again: best wheel ever?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ozu50 on June 10, 2024, 03:03:17 AM
Hello everyone,

Let me start this off by prefacing that I pretty much only skate 8.38 somewhat mellow boards with Thunders, hence the silly question.

I've got myself a pair of 149 stage XIs and a pair of 5.8 V-Lights to match with a mellow Toy board and a steeper Alltimers deck, both 8.5s but the Alltimers is a hair longer in both length and wb.

I'm currently trying to figure out the best possible combinations to end up having a nice tranny setup and a chunkier deck for whenever I feel like skating the taller hubbas and down rails at my local and am curious to know what you'd do!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gleefull508 on June 10, 2024, 05:40:59 AM
Hello everyone,

Let me start this off by prefacing that I pretty much only skate 8.38 somewhat mellow boards with Thunders, hence the silly question.

I've got myself a pair of 149 stage XIs and a pair of 5.8 V-Lights to match with a mellow Toy board and a steeper Alltimers deck, both 8.5s but the Alltimers is a hair longer in both length and wb.

I'm currently trying to figure out the best possible combinations to end up having a nice tranny setup and a chunkier deck for whenever I feel like skating the taller hubbas and down rails at my local and am curious to know what you'd do!

My opinion is dont use 3 different setups its just gonna mess you up. but if you just doing it for fun and something different to spice things up then go for it. indys on the longer board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 10, 2024, 08:16:17 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
[close]

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.
[close]

vx is that good!?


If you like stiff/crispy wood (which I have since the P2 days) then yes; it makes everything else feel waterlogged/dead.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 10, 2024, 08:24:48 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
[close]

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.
[close]

vx is that good!?
[close]


If you like stiff/crispy wood (which I have since the P2 days) then yes; it makes everything else feel waterlogged/dead.


damn.
stiff boards for me, end up being the best, or the worst, and sometimes both of those distinctions pop up in the same session. maybe a better way for me to express it would be that something about the super stiff led to a difference in the pop timing? or something around there, and i’d either whiff in a way that was shocking, or crack the highest nollie of my life.

i’ve managed to stay away from the composite boards for the last 10+ years, in part because i’ve never really been drawn to the shapes on them.
what’s your fave vx shape?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 10, 2024, 11:34:38 AM
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Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
[close]

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.
[close]

vx is that good!?
[close]


If you like stiff/crispy wood (which I have since the P2 days) then yes; it makes everything else feel waterlogged/dead.
[close]


damn.
stiff boards for me, end up being the best, or the worst, and sometimes both of those distinctions pop up in the same session. maybe a better way for me to express it would be that something about the super stiff led to a difference in the pop timing? or something around there, and i’d either whiff in a way that was shocking, or crack the highest nollie of my life.

i’ve managed to stay away from the composite boards for the last 10+ years, in part because i’ve never really been drawn to the shapes on them.
what’s your fave vx shape?

It's all about the pop with these for me - super loud crack on the snap - I wouldn't skate one if I was a manual skater tho (unless free) easy razor tail. Better shape and less flexy than Flights.

SC-365 (It's McCoy's shape, Asp skates it as well). It's nearly identical to the new 8.25" DW Foy (more mellow all around).

Medium Concave/Twin/rounded/full

8.25 x 31.83
14.22WB
6.71 kicks (on the steeper side but not crazy)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 10, 2024, 12:01:29 PM
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Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
[close]

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.
[close]

vx is that good!?
[close]


If you like stiff/crispy wood (which I have since the P2 days) then yes; it makes everything else feel waterlogged/dead.
[close]


damn.
stiff boards for me, end up being the best, or the worst, and sometimes both of those distinctions pop up in the same session. maybe a better way for me to express it would be that something about the super stiff led to a difference in the pop timing? or something around there, and i’d either whiff in a way that was shocking, or crack the highest nollie of my life.

i’ve managed to stay away from the composite boards for the last 10+ years, in part because i’ve never really been drawn to the shapes on them.
what’s your fave vx shape?
[close]

It's all about the pop with these for me - super loud crack on the snap - I wouldn't skate one if I was a manual skater tho (unless free) easy razor tail. Better shape and less flexy than Flights.

SC-365 (It's McCoy's shape, Asp skates it as well). It's nearly identical to the new 8.25" DW Foy (more mellow all around).

Medium Concave/Twin/rounded/full

8.25 x 31.83
14.22WB
6.71 kicks (on the steeper side but not crazy)

specs look good
put hands on a foy twin at the shop, cannot remember the width, but the shape looked nice
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 10, 2024, 05:57:43 PM
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Today I am confused. Been skating a lot, same setup for two weeks (imagine!) but to fix a [minor] problem with my slappys, I took them off.

Sooooo of course them being off the madness said "Hey, Pssst....Ventures..." so on a whim (and wanting a bit more stabilty) I set up cast 5.6 hollows/stock reds w/flat washers...and swapped out 52mm 103a v5 STFs for 53mm v1 x99s (because my feet hurt from my shoes)...aaaaaand no change.

It felt [nearly] the same (barring the wheel duro), trucks are close in height (53.9 vs 53.5) and the V1s are probably closer to 52 by now, so board height is probably a wash...but I didn't notice any major difference in turn other than more stabilty. Weird.

It's been a minute x99->101 spit/103a stfs ->93a spit-> 103a stfs and I am (re)impressed with x99s the bark is way better than I remember.
[close]

i relate.


my current confusion/madness:

found a setup that i really like. still skating meh, but the board feels nice. my confused consumerism is telling me to buy a few more of the deck, and a lighter version of the trucks, slightly smaller set of the wheels.
i could just not. we’ll see.
[close]

I don't see any of that being 'wrong' unless you are sitting on a ton of gear. If you think lighter parts will help, maybe it will (or won't ;)).

Is the deck hard to come by? If yes, grab one, if no...don't. They you will want to set it up well before the old one is done =D

I'm in a similar boat with the twin VX deck I'm riding (they are getting a bit scarce but the next drop is about to hit, then I'll decide); 'least it's a twin so the wear is super even and it isn't going to sog out anytime soon. Worst part is my madness was right on the money with board feel (VX/DSM/Crail vs BBS/PS), stepped on a few of the homies boards and one I have setup, all BSS...and man what a difference. Not sure I can (or want to) go back...even regular DSM wood might not be up to par now.
[close]

vx is that good!?
[close]


If you like stiff/crispy wood (which I have since the P2 days) then yes; it makes everything else feel waterlogged/dead.
[close]


damn.
stiff boards for me, end up being the best, or the worst, and sometimes both of those distinctions pop up in the same session. maybe a better way for me to express it would be that something about the super stiff led to a difference in the pop timing? or something around there, and i’d either whiff in a way that was shocking, or crack the highest nollie of my life.

i’ve managed to stay away from the composite boards for the last 10+ years, in part because i’ve never really been drawn to the shapes on them.
what’s your fave vx shape?
[close]

It's all about the pop with these for me - super loud crack on the snap - I wouldn't skate one if I was a manual skater tho (unless free) easy razor tail. Better shape and less flexy than Flights.

SC-365 (It's McCoy's shape, Asp skates it as well). It's nearly identical to the new 8.25" DW Foy (more mellow all around).

Medium Concave/Twin/rounded/full

8.25 x 31.83
14.22WB
6.71 kicks (on the steeper side but not crazy)
[close]

specs look good
put hands on a foy twin at the shop, cannot remember the width, but the shape looked nice

The best thing about the foy twins (and this specific Santa cruz) is that there is nothing special about the shape at all (compared to say, the SSect twins opera or even the crail twins). It's just 'normal' like taking a blue eagle and twinifying it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 11, 2024, 08:36:57 PM
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 11, 2024, 09:07:35 PM
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?

i dunno about 101s on a ‘ramp’….sounds icy.
i dunno about ramps. i’m terrible.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 11, 2024, 09:48:45 PM
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?

If you can tell the difference betwen regular vs hollow or ceramics vs six balls based on speed on a mini ramp, you should be studied for science.

Your normal setup seems fine? Does it feel slow? If you are looking to go faster get bigger wheels first? Sure 101s will be faster bit that depends on the mini/vert surfaces.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 12, 2024, 02:23:19 AM
Before I even got back here I was like uhhh if I can tell the difference I'd be surprised

I was just sorting through a pile of stuff I don't use, that included a set of 101's, ceramics, and standard af1's and I damn near set it up, for mini ramp science
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 12, 2024, 07:37:18 AM
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 12, 2024, 08:26:16 AM
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For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 12, 2024, 08:33:46 AM
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For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 12, 2024, 08:50:08 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
[close]

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.

hahahahha! @Sedition is coming way too reasonable. i feel like they are on the way of their madness, like for them it’s a few times a year itch, and they already know the outcome.

yeah….i cannot skate transition, haven’t really ever tried tbh. it kinda went from parking lots, to gnarly overhead pits. i just don’t have eye for it. vaguely on the goals list.
i have ALWAYS wanted a backyard mini tho. not even to go full trick mode, but i feel like an hour of axle stalls would be soothing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 12, 2024, 08:55:34 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
[close]

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.
[close]

hahahahha! @Sedition is coming way too reasonable. i feel like they are on the way of their madness, like for them it’s a few times a year itch, and they already know the outcome.

yeah….i cannot skate transition, haven’t really ever tried tbh. it kinda went from parking lots, to gnarly overhead pits. i just don’t have eye for it. vaguely on the goals list.
i have ALWAYS wanted a backyard mini tho. not even to go full trick mode, but i feel like an hour of axle stalls would be soothing.

Unrelated: I have a 4' tall, 20' wide, metal mini near me...and it's the best thing, ever.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 12, 2024, 09:12:13 AM
Mini ramp seshs with the homies are the funnest thing.

With regards to bearings: generating and maintaining speed on a mini is 90% skill, 10% bearings. Get your technique right first.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 12, 2024, 09:14:51 AM
Thanks for telling me to skate the ramp I skate every day lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on June 12, 2024, 09:27:39 AM
Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
[close]

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.
[close]

hahahahha! @Sedition is coming way too reasonable. i feel like they are on the way of their madness, like for them it’s a few times a year itch, and they already know the outcome.

yeah….i cannot skate transition, haven’t really ever tried tbh. it kinda went from parking lots, to gnarly overhead pits. i just don’t have eye for it. vaguely on the goals list.
i have ALWAYS wanted a backyard mini tho. not even to go full trick mode, but i feel like an hour of axle stalls would be soothing.
[close]

Unrelated: I have a 4' tall, 20' wide, metal mini near me...and it's the best thing, ever.

We need more mini ramps in this damn world.

Enough giant bowls and stair sets already.

*Shakes fist at sky*
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 12, 2024, 10:55:24 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
[close]

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.
[close]

hahahahha! @Sedition is coming way too reasonable. i feel like they are on the way of their madness, like for them it’s a few times a year itch, and they already know the outcome.

yeah….i cannot skate transition, haven’t really ever tried tbh. it kinda went from parking lots, to gnarly overhead pits. i just don’t have eye for it. vaguely on the goals list.
i have ALWAYS wanted a backyard mini tho. not even to go full trick mode, but i feel like an hour of axle stalls would be soothing.
[close]

Unrelated: I have a 4' tall, 20' wide, metal mini near me...and it's the best thing, ever.
[close]

We need more mini ramps in this damn world.

Enough giant bowls and stair sets already.

*Shakes fist at sky*


^ F A C T S.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 12, 2024, 11:16:01 AM
Mini ramps with wide decks... And couches. And extensions with pool coping 😉

There was this fun ramp in a field in Montana but they tore it down 😕

The one by my house now is alright though. If it's not dominated by 300 scooter kids who are all probably better skiers than me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 12, 2024, 02:03:55 PM
If I still drank beer it would be on an old couch on a mini ramp platform. Actually, this might be my heaven...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k2cJDX3teU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k2cJDX3teU)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on June 12, 2024, 05:53:32 PM
So the fall/winter I experimented with long wheelbases, lately I’ve been skating true fits (13.75). Honestly I could skate all of them totally fine, they all had great advantages and disadvantages. The true fit feels amazing (except I get a little scared landing flip tricks) but I think after a few months of experimentation I’m going back to 8.5/14.25wb (the shape I’ve been skating for three years).

The experiment was awesome and actually helped me learn some new tricks. That being said once I got into the true fit I started stressing about skating a special shape and decided to stay with a shape I can always get.

Posting this here so I have it in writing once the madness comes back.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 12, 2024, 08:51:38 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
[close]

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.
[close]

hahahahha! @Sedition is coming way too reasonable. i feel like they are on the way of their madness, like for them it’s a few times a year itch, and they already know the outcome.

yeah….i cannot skate transition, haven’t really ever tried tbh. it kinda went from parking lots, to gnarly overhead pits. i just don’t have eye for it. vaguely on the goals list.
i have ALWAYS wanted a backyard mini tho. not even to go full trick mode, but i feel like an hour of axle stalls would be soothing.
[close]

Unrelated: I have a 4' tall, 20' wide, metal mini near me...and it's the best thing, ever.

That sounds amazing (metal be damned).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 12, 2024, 09:13:34 PM
So the fall/winter I experimented with long wheelbases, lately I’ve been skating true fits (13.75). Honestly I could skate all of them totally fine, they all had great advantages and disadvantages. The true fit feels amazing (except I get a little scared landing flip tricks) but I think after a few months of experimentation I’m going back to 8.5/14.25wb (the shape I’ve been skating for three years).

The experiment was awesome and actually helped me learn some new tricks. That being said once I got into the true fit I started stressing about skating a special shape and decided to stay with a shape I can always get.

Posting this here so I have it in writing once the madness comes back.

I'm with ya on that, I would hate to get used to something that isn't gonna be readily available(I say that as I skate an easy rider 8.5...).

The baker 8.25 mellow is my perma-jam tho
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 12, 2024, 09:59:28 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For a purely mini ramp/vert setup, would heavier trucks be better cause they have more momentum?

My normal shit is

Ace hollows
Spitfire 99s
Six balls

Thinking for the fastest mini setup I should do

Regular aces
Spitfire 101s
Ceramics

Thoughts?
[close]

Don't solve for problems that don't (yet) exist. Take your normal set-up to a mini ramp. Skate it. Skate it a lot. Then, and only then, start to think about what you may want to change.
[close]

Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

In all honesty I'm guilty of solving hypothetical problems that I don't have yet. I definitely need a dedicated slappy setup for my once per quarter slappy session that lasts 15 minutes.
[close]

Agreed all around. The good thing about mini ramps is, any set up will work. That was the point of mini ramps in a way. A vert and street meeting ground. Even in the BPSW days, mini ramps were a go. I miss mini ramps.
[close]

hahahahha! @Sedition is coming way too reasonable. i feel like they are on the way of their madness, like for them it’s a few times a year itch, and they already know the outcome.

yeah….i cannot skate transition, haven’t really ever tried tbh. it kinda went from parking lots, to gnarly overhead pits. i just don’t have eye for it. vaguely on the goals list.
i have ALWAYS wanted a backyard mini tho. not even to go full trick mode, but i feel like an hour of axle stalls would be soothing.
[close]

Unrelated: I have a 4' tall, 20' wide, metal mini near me...and it's the best thing, ever.
[close]

That sounds amazing (metal be damned).

It gets •stupid• hot in the summer. We call it The Sizzler.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 12, 2024, 10:41:07 PM
Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.
Probably the slappiest thing I've ever read.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skatebruh on June 16, 2024, 11:09:46 AM
Wide wheels or narrow wheels for crooked grinds?

Do I want the wide wheels for more pinch/wheelbite?

Or do I want the narrow wheels for more room on the truck?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 16, 2024, 11:40:09 AM
Wide wheels or narrow wheels for crooked grinds?

Do I want the wide wheels for more pinch/wheelbite?

Or do I want the narrow wheels for more room on the truck?

IMHO, wide wheels only serve two real functions: (1) Traction, and (2) Smoother ride, if on crust.

If you are not concerned with either of those, normal to narrow size is the way to go.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 16, 2024, 12:52:21 PM
Wide wheels provide a more consistent slide because your weight is distributed across a larger surface area. Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 16, 2024, 03:08:48 PM
Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 16, 2024, 04:31:58 PM
.

Re wheels and different sizes and shapes:


I think people have developed a sense of what they prefer and what works for them, which can easily be at odds with others, so some people will prefer Classic or rounded wheels on a lot of things, others prefer a sharper edge or lock in feeling, without any specific names of wheel brands or whatever esle, there are a lot out there, some really squared off, but I guess Spitfire shapes do often come to mind, eg Lock Ins, OG Classics, Conical shapes.


There is a guy I skate with who has 52 Classics on an 8.25 board and 60 mm Conical Full wheels on an 8.75 board and he can do the same things on each, just saying it depends more on the hanger width as to what worked better, eg shorter hanger and rounded wheels, wider hanger and big square wheels, so that is something that might be not what people want to hear, but it definitely is something to think about too.

People like Ben de Gros say smaller rounder wheels work best, but again he is on smaller trucks.

Those GX and other dudes riding those big fat whatever shape Conical Full 60 mm wheels seem to have no problem doing anything including grinds as mentioned above, so technique might prevail over specific shapes in that regard, even location having something to do with it as well, eg crusty street spots, compared to nice easy skateparks or your own flat bar or similar.

That's my take on it anyway, so I guess there is not a definitive right or wrong answer with wheels for this one, but my comparatively lazy slow skating feels a lot easier on rounded edge wheels, which is why I get swapped in Conical Full wheels and round the edges off some to make them feel way more comfortable for me, otherwise I would be on Classic (full) or Radial shapes more than anything else.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 16, 2024, 11:42:54 PM
Expand Quote
Wide wheels or narrow wheels for crooked grinds?

Do I want the wide wheels for more pinch/wheelbite?

Or do I want the narrow wheels for more room on the truck?
[close]

IMHO, wide wheels only serve two real functions: (1) Traction, and (2) Smoother ride, if on crust.

If you are not concerned with either of those, normal to narrow size is the way to go.
X 2
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DeadSquidMask on June 17, 2024, 01:26:46 AM
.

Re wheels and different sizes and shapes:


I think people have developed a sense of what they prefer and what works for them, which can easily be at odds with others, so some people will prefer Classic or rounded wheels on a lot of things, others prefer a sharper edge or lock in feeling, without any specific names of wheel brands or whatever esle, there are a lot out there, some really squared off, but I guess Spitfire shapes do often come to mind, eg Lock Ins, OG Classics, Conical shapes.


There is a guy I skate with who has 52 Classics on an 8.25 board and 60 mm Conical Full wheels on an 8.75 board and he can do the same things on each, just saying it depends more on the hanger width as to what worked better, eg shorter hanger and rounded wheels, wider hanger and big square wheels, so that is something that might be not what people want to hear, but it definitely is something to think about too.

People like Ben de Gros say smaller rounder wheels work best, but again he is on smaller trucks.

Those GX and other dudes riding those big fat whatever shape Conical Full 60 mm wheels seem to have no problem doing anything including grinds as mentioned above, so technique might prevail over specific shapes in that regard, even location having something to do with it as well, eg crusty street spots, compared to nice easy skateparks or your own flat bar or similar.

That's my take on it anyway, so I guess there is not a definitive right or wrong answer with wheels for this one, but my comparatively lazy slow skating feels a lot easier on rounded edge wheels, which is why I get swapped in Conical Full wheels and round the edges off some to make them feel way more comfortable for me, otherwise I would be on Classic (full) or Radial shapes more than anything else.

I’ve thought about this a lot as well, I like to add my 2 cents…having lived in the Bay for quite some time, I’m convinced these guys figured the bigger wheels with wider contact patches allow them to skate the extremely rough and uneven pavement and riding surfaces in the city. Then they just adapted how to make them work for tricks, because without those wheels, lots of those spots are borderline, if not completely un-skatable for smaller traditional street set-ups. I believe bigger wheels unlocked the spots, so to speak.

Maybe it’s totally off base, but when I was a bit younger and skated city street spots, that’s how I adapted, although I’m nowhere near “good” like GX.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 17, 2024, 09:42:25 AM
Expand Quote
.

Re wheels and different sizes and shapes:


I think people have developed a sense of what they prefer and what works for them, which can easily be at odds with others, so some people will prefer Classic or rounded wheels on a lot of things, others prefer a sharper edge or lock in feeling, without any specific names of wheel brands or whatever esle, there are a lot out there, some really squared off, but I guess Spitfire shapes do often come to mind, eg Lock Ins, OG Classics, Conical shapes.


There is a guy I skate with who has 52 Classics on an 8.25 board and 60 mm Conical Full wheels on an 8.75 board and he can do the same things on each, just saying it depends more on the hanger width as to what worked better, eg shorter hanger and rounded wheels, wider hanger and big square wheels, so that is something that might be not what people want to hear, but it definitely is something to think about too.

People like Ben de Gros say smaller rounder wheels work best, but again he is on smaller trucks.

Those GX and other dudes riding those big fat whatever shape Conical Full 60 mm wheels seem to have no problem doing anything including grinds as mentioned above, so technique might prevail over specific shapes in that regard, even location having something to do with it as well, eg crusty street spots, compared to nice easy skateparks or your own flat bar or similar.

That's my take on it anyway, so I guess there is not a definitive right or wrong answer with wheels for this one, but my comparatively lazy slow skating feels a lot easier on rounded edge wheels, which is why I get swapped in Conical Full wheels and round the edges off some to make them feel way more comfortable for me, otherwise I would be on Classic (full) or Radial shapes more than anything else.
[close]

I’ve thought about this a lot as well, I like to add my 2 cents…having lived in the Bay for quite some time, I’m convinced these guys figured the bigger wheels with wider contact patches allow them to skate the extremely rough and uneven pavement and riding surfaces in the city. Then they just adapted how to make them work for tricks, because without those wheels, lots of those spots are borderline, if not completely un-skatable for smaller traditional street set-ups. I believe bigger wheels unlocked the spots, so to speak.

Maybe it’s totally off base, but when I was a bit younger and skated city street spots, that’s how I adapted, although I’m nowhere near “good” like GX.

the softer formulas do some unlocking as well, i think.

i’ve been skating f4 56 99a radial fulls, because the small old town i live in has horrible pavement, and they work pretty well, and i still can’t do good tricks but at least i call roll. definitely gx inspired choice, but its….there’s this one picture of a very rotund older fellow, euro ish looking, in full cycling kit, as a tour de france (i think, but it could’ve been the giro or some other race). aaaaanyways, i feel like that guy: i’m not gx-ing shit. imma drag that foot for sure. i skate slow.

on flat rough asphalt, a setup with x97s (skinny 52s), rolled as well as the 56s (in a entirely ‘feels like’/opposite of science type of way).

one of the more tech gx dudes mentioned riding something like 55 conical fulls, to be able to skate more of the city.
my favorite skating era’s were like trilogy, ryde or die, pjwhl, mouse, shit like that. basically small boards and small wheels. looking at these huge wheels is kinda gross/kinky.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 17, 2024, 10:19:06 AM
Expand Quote
Wide wheels or narrow wheels for crooked grinds?

Do I want the wide wheels for more pinch/wheelbite?

Or do I want the narrow wheels for more room on the truck?
[close]

IMHO, wide wheels only serve two real functions: (1) Traction, and (2) Smoother ride, if on crust.

If you are not concerned with either of those, normal to narrow size is the way to go.

+1, its called "Classic" for a reason and survived basically every era of modern skateboarding
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 17, 2024, 03:15:58 PM
Expand Quote
Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.

Would you also say that a tool with a rounded surface is better for mountain climbing than an edged tool?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 17, 2024, 03:26:35 PM
I personally prefer classics over a square edge wheel for pinched grinds on sharp ledges, and round rails (crooked grinds, 180 nosegrinds etc). Feels like more wheel is making contact with the ledge and I'm able to sit on the grind with a little more stability.

But if the ledge is really rough and rounded, or I'm skating a really wide pipe style flatbar, I feel like square edge wheels pinch and hold you in a bit better whereas classics have a tendency to slip out into noseslide/tailslide or whatever.

Don't think its as clear cut as locking in on a 5050 or something where the difference is much more straightforward
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 17, 2024, 03:36:49 PM
I personally prefer classics over a square edge wheel for pinched grinds on sharp ledges, and round rails (crooked grinds, 180 nosegrinds etc). Feels like more wheel is making contact with the ledge and I'm able to sit on the grind with a little more stability.

But if the ledge is really rough and rounded, or I'm skating a really wide pipe style flatbar, I feel like square edge wheels pinch and hold you in a bit better whereas classics have a tendency to slip out into noseslide/tailslide or whatever.

Don't think its as clear cut as locking in on a 5050 or something where the difference is much more straightforward

are wheels your only remaining….unsettled equipment choice? like are you good on deck trucks?
it’s interesting because i used to be: ‘wheels are wheels’, mostly.
and now im some really weird trip where i am trying to skate larger wheels, and so the board and trucks need to be larger as well blah blah blah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 17, 2024, 04:13:05 PM
Expand Quote
I personally prefer classics over a square edge wheel for pinched grinds on sharp ledges, and round rails (crooked grinds, 180 nosegrinds etc). Feels like more wheel is making contact with the ledge and I'm able to sit on the grind with a little more stability.

But if the ledge is really rough and rounded, or I'm skating a really wide pipe style flatbar, I feel like square edge wheels pinch and hold you in a bit better whereas classics have a tendency to slip out into noseslide/tailslide or whatever.

Don't think its as clear cut as locking in on a 5050 or something where the difference is much more straightforward
[close]

are wheels your only remaining….unsettled equipment choice? like are you good on deck trucks?
it’s interesting because i used to be: ‘wheels are wheels’, mostly.
and now im some really weird trip where i am trying to skate larger wheels, and so the board and trucks need to be larger as well blah blah blah

Lmao kind of. My madness was never that crazy (compared to others on this board), basically 14.25-14.5wb, any of the big 4 truck brands work, each with pros n cons. No super steep/square/pointy kicks. Solid cupsoles that are wide near the back and have good arch support.

Nowadays I've settled on the April 8.5, venture 5.8 cast hollows, and Jordan 1 highs with superfeet insoles and tiagos (still have some other random shoes I need to burn through first)...

So feels like all my madness has gone to wheel shape which, as much as I think about it, is splitting hairs for the most part.

Formula 4 99a works best for me. On some 55 classics right now. I think something like a 53-54 radial would be the perfect wheel for me, but I have too many random f4s I need to burn through first.

(if anybody wants to trade some new radials for new 53 classics or 54 conical fulls, hmu)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 17, 2024, 04:37:12 PM
Expand Quote
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]

Would you also say that a tool with a rounded surface is better for mountain climbing than an edged tool?

This question presupposes knowledge about mountain climbing, of which, I have none.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 17, 2024, 05:35:56 PM
current madness/shit i’m thinking about buying:

ace classic 55s
lavender ave’s
ti ventures
54 radial fulls
55 radials
buying more of the current deck i’ve got now (sort of anti madness).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 17, 2024, 08:42:01 PM
Can't get the idea of combining Venture Ti hangers with regular cast baseplates out of my head. I think I need to try that whenever I'll refresh my trucks. I've understood the cast baseplate is little bit shorter in terms of wheelbase, that combined to the 2mm added height tempts me. Also I think the grind feel/sound is different. Haven't had a cast bp in years, can't even remember how it feels. It just feels stupid to buy two sets of trucks for this kind of experiment...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 17, 2024, 08:46:47 PM
current madness/shit i’m thinking about buying:

ace classic 55s
lavender ave’s
ti ventures
54 radial fulls
55 radials
buying more of the current deck i’ve got now (sort of anti madness).

Need some help?

Get some Ace Classic 55s and Radial 55s and you'll be more than fine. 5 is  magic skateboarding number.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 17, 2024, 09:23:14 PM
Expand Quote
Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 17, 2024, 10:25:13 PM
Expand Quote
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?

Smiths, feebles, etc, absolutely. 50/50s, no.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 18, 2024, 12:46:16 AM
current madness/shit i’m thinking about buying:

ace classic 55s
lavender ave’s
ti ventures
54 radial fulls
55 radials
buying more of the current deck i’ve got now (sort of anti madness).

55 Radials are fantastic wheels for bowl skating in my experience. And for many other types of skating, too, of course. But they are my number one hard tranny gnar wheel of choice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 18, 2024, 01:00:41 AM
Expand Quote
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?
[close]

Smiths, feebles, etc, absolutely. 50/50s, no.

If you cross pinch a 5050 on a round bar with classics you get a lil less squeal and drag than if you do the same on lock ins.

Lock ins feel way better if you're doing double heel pinch though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 18, 2024, 07:20:56 AM
Can't get the idea of combining Venture Ti hangers with regular cast baseplates out of my head. I think I need to try that whenever I'll refresh my trucks. I've understood the cast baseplate is little bit shorter in terms of wheelbase, that combined to the 2mm added height tempts me. Also I think the grind feel/sound is different. Haven't had a cast bp in years, can't even remember how it feels. It just feels stupid to buy two sets of trucks for this kind of experiment...

I've lurked for a long time and before there were full hollow Ventures I think a lot of people did this to get a lighter truck. The P Rod ti Ventures were cheap/plentiful for a while to get the hangers. Not sure it's any lighter than the V Cast Hollows that are really common now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 18, 2024, 09:53:05 AM
Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?
[close]

Smiths, feebles, etc, absolutely. 50/50s, no.
[close]

If you cross pinch a 5050 on a round bar with classics you get a lil less squeal and drag than if you do the same on lock ins.

Lock ins feel way better if you're doing double heel pinch though

Less drag for sure with classics, due to the shape. Also more prone to slip off the ledge or rail due to the shape. However you are more locked in with a straight edge wheel, regardless of which trick you’re doing. Jack Olson talks about modifying his setup this way to make that gnarly kickflip feeble in his after hours part.

Easy example: If you skate a pool coping, you’ll notice that with classics, they’re more prone to pull you up on the deck, the convex edge of the wheel will climb up the coping and release you more easily than a straight edge. Great for alleviating hangups, but not the better for locking in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 18, 2024, 10:23:42 AM
Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?
[close]

Smiths, feebles, etc, absolutely. 50/50s, no.
[close]

If you cross pinch a 5050 on a round bar with classics you get a lil less squeal and drag than if you do the same on lock ins.

Lock ins feel way better if you're doing double heel pinch though
[close]

Less drag for sure with classics, due to the shape. Also more prone to slip off the ledge or rail due to the shape. However you are more locked in with a straight edge wheel, regardless of which trick you’re doing. Jack Olson talks about modifying his setup this way to make that gnarly kickflip feeble in his after hours part.

Easy example: If you skate a pool coping, you’ll notice that with classics, they’re more prone to pull you up on the deck, the convex edge of the wheel will climb up the coping and release you more easily than a straight edge. Great for alleviating hangups, but not the better for locking in.

Yeah thats generally true. But for me personally there are tricks that I find lock in better, or are easier to sit in, on rounded wheels vs square edge wheels. Namely any pinched grinds on sharp ledges and also stuff like crooks, suskis n stuff on round rails for some reason.

Definitely preferred my 55 classics over 55 og classics, the last two wheels I've skated. On the og classics on a sharp ledge it felt like there was only a sharp edge of the sidewall making contact with the ledge whereas on classics there was a bit more surface area making contact on a pinch, felt a lil more comfortable

(https://i.imgur.com/nurg9Jd.png)

If you look at this pic (i just googled crooked grind pinch lol) I think it might make sense. If you had say a tablet wheel in this pinch, there would be a sharper edge and less wheel surface area sitting on top of the ledge... whereas with the classic there's some sidewall contact that makes it a little more comfortable to sit on (assuming the ledge is sharp enough)

This is also assuming that I'm riding wheels that aren't too small, if we're talking very worn wheels, 50mm 51mm etc, then yeah classics lock much worse. But once we're in the 53-55mm territory that I've been skating, I feel like I'm getting more benefits when it comes to locking in and sitting on grinds vs drawbacks when I run round wheels vs if I was on square wheels.

Unless I'm skating a really rounded worn down ledge in which case square wheels are muchhh better.

Radials for me probably perfect middle ground but never tried em
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 18, 2024, 10:48:15 AM
By the end of the year, I want to be riding updated new version of Thunder 151s, reformulated 55mm 97a F4s, on a wheel-welled Huffer in some Hemp/ Synthetic Grasshoppers.

and then,

I am sure my life will be complete. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 18, 2024, 10:53:59 AM
By the end of the year, I want to be riding updated new version of Thunder 151s, reformulated 55mm 97a F4s, on a wheel-welled Huffer in some Hemp/ Synthetic Grasshoppers.

and then,

I am sure my life will be complete. 

Barring the size preferences, I'm with you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 18, 2024, 11:36:53 AM
Expand Quote
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?
[close]

Smiths, feebles, etc, absolutely. 50/50s, no.
[close]

If you cross pinch a 5050 on a round bar with classics you get a lil less squeal and drag than if you do the same on lock ins.

Lock ins feel way better if you're doing double heel pinch though
[close]

Less drag for sure with classics, due to the shape. Also more prone to slip off the ledge or rail due to the shape. However you are more locked in with a straight edge wheel, regardless of which trick you’re doing. Jack Olson talks about modifying his setup this way to make that gnarly kickflip feeble in his after hours part.

Easy example: If you skate a pool coping, you’ll notice that with classics, they’re more prone to pull you up on the deck, the convex edge of the wheel will climb up the coping and release you more easily than a straight edge. Great for alleviating hangups, but not the better for locking in.
[close]

Yeah thats generally true. But for me personally there are tricks that I find lock in better, or are easier to sit in, on rounded wheels vs square edge wheels. Namely any pinched grinds on sharp ledges and also stuff like crooks, suskis n stuff on round rails for some reason.

Definitely preferred my 55 classics over 55 og classics, the last two wheels I've skated. On the og classics on a sharp ledge it felt like there was only a sharp edge of the sidewall making contact with the ledge whereas on classics there was a bit more surface area making contact on a pinch, felt a lil more comfortable

(https://i.imgur.com/nurg9Jd.png)

If you look at this pic (i just googled crooked grind pinch lol) I think it might make sense. If you had say a tablet wheel in this pinch, there would be a sharper edge and less wheel surface area sitting on top of the ledge... whereas with the classic there's some sidewall contact that makes it a little more comfortable to sit on (assuming the ledge is sharp enough)

This is also assuming that I'm riding wheels that aren't too small, if we're talking very worn wheels, 50mm 51mm etc, then yeah classics lock much worse. But once we're in the 53-55mm territory that I've been skating, I feel like I'm getting more benefits when it comes to locking in and sitting on grinds vs drawbacks when I run round wheels vs if I was on square wheels.

Unless I'm skating a really rounded worn down ledge in which case square wheels are muchhh better.

Radials for me probably perfect middle ground but never tried em
Currently I'm skating Radials (99 53mm) and they're the truth.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 18, 2024, 05:54:47 PM
I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 18, 2024, 10:59:13 PM
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Better for locking in on a crooked grind, especially if conical shaped vs classic.
[close]

I would say the exact opposite. Same with Smith, Feeble, etc.
[close]
So you would say a classic locks in better than lock-ins?
[close]

Smiths, feebles, etc, absolutely. 50/50s, no.
[close]

If you cross pinch a 5050 on a round bar with classics you get a lil less squeal and drag than if you do the same on lock ins.

Lock ins feel way better if you're doing double heel pinch though
[close]

Less drag for sure with classics, due to the shape. Also more prone to slip off the ledge or rail due to the shape. However you are more locked in with a straight edge wheel, regardless of which trick you’re doing. Jack Olson talks about modifying his setup this way to make that gnarly kickflip feeble in his after hours part.

Easy example: If you skate a pool coping, you’ll notice that with classics, they’re more prone to pull you up on the deck, the convex edge of the wheel will climb up the coping and release you more easily than a straight edge. Great for alleviating hangups, but not the better for locking in.
[close]

Yeah thats generally true. But for me personally there are tricks that I find lock in better, or are easier to sit in, on rounded wheels vs square edge wheels. Namely any pinched grinds on sharp ledges and also stuff like crooks, suskis n stuff on round rails for some reason.

Definitely preferred my 55 classics over 55 og classics, the last two wheels I've skated. On the og classics on a sharp ledge it felt like there was only a sharp edge of the sidewall making contact with the ledge whereas on classics there was a bit more surface area making contact on a pinch, felt a lil more comfortable

(https://i.imgur.com/nurg9Jd.png)

If you look at this pic (i just googled crooked grind pinch lol) I think it might make sense. If you had say a tablet wheel in this pinch, there would be a sharper edge and less wheel surface area sitting on top of the ledge... whereas with the classic there's some sidewall contact that makes it a little more comfortable to sit on (assuming the ledge is sharp enough)

This is also assuming that I'm riding wheels that aren't too small, if we're talking very worn wheels, 50mm 51mm etc, then yeah classics lock much worse. But once we're in the 53-55mm territory that I've been skating, I feel like I'm getting more benefits when it comes to locking in and sitting on grinds vs drawbacks when I run round wheels vs if I was on square wheels.

Unless I'm skating a really rounded worn down ledge in which case square wheels are muchhh better.

Radials for me probably perfect middle ground but never tried em

1000% This. And Ben D. backs this theory, too. I do tons of feeble and smith grinds. Squared-off wheels feel like I'm dragging a sharp edge across something (e.g. during a feeble), and it sometimes catches and bucks. Whereas a Classic feels more like proper "fit" (e.g. the pinch pic above). Moreover, squared-off wheels feel like they require me to be more on top of the curb, ledge, rail, etc during a feeble, and Classics allow more of a "side" sit, which works/feels way better for me. In my experience, Classics are far superior for any pinch type grind (hurricane, feeble, smith, krook) type grind.

"Your millage, of course, may vary."   

EDIT: This pic is also sending my OCD off the charts because of the green, gold, and red hardware color mix.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 19, 2024, 12:59:01 AM
I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor in how the sidewall of a wheel makes contact with the ledge/curb/rail... idk

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not pulling this out my ass... if I absolutely must then I will lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on June 19, 2024, 01:36:09 AM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: roba on June 19, 2024, 02:46:35 AM
@Firebert tips on those crook pop overs? crooked grinds are my most consistent grind outside of 50-50s and i can pop out from ledges and rails very easily but only back to the same side i got on from. i'd love to learn these since i feel like they could help with fs nosegrind pop outs in the middle of the ledge, that's a bucket list trick but i feel like a crooked grind should be easier to learn, for me at least.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 19, 2024, 10:12:33 AM
I'm not the person you asked but pop overs it helps to approach more at an angle to the ledge and really lean way the fuck over your front foot. For me it's almost like the body position where I'd wanna come out fakie, more of an angle to the ledge and after you pinch you wanna slide your back foot a little forward to be able to lift it when you pop.

The way I learned them was to do them out of slappies and pop up onto the curb. You might hang up a few times but it feels less scary.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 19, 2024, 10:44:23 AM
you also didn't ask me haha and i rarely ever do these but it helps to start shifting your weight to the other side while youre grinding the crook, and really give it that nudge and transfer only as your body is already going towards the other side
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 19, 2024, 10:53:50 AM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on June 19, 2024, 11:27:42 AM
Of course classics are the pick if you do slappies, no question there. Those are sick clips and we should all find reasons to post more, not to shit on anyone, but just to show the type of terrain we use our gear on. I skate mostly park, so that changes what gear I might prefer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 19, 2024, 11:29:57 AM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while


fuck it’s probably rad to be good at skating
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 19, 2024, 11:40:21 AM
Of course classics are the pick if you do slappies, no question there. Those are sick clips and we should all find reasons to post more, not to shit on anyone, but just to show the type of terrain we use our gear on. I skate mostly park, so that changes what gear I might prefer.

yeah and honestly if I ran aces my wheel shape of choice would probably be different. For slappies depends on the curb.

Classics definitely climb better on tougher curbs, but at rockridge (popular east bay curb spot) where the curbs are all tiny and bevelled, square wheels low key better because a lil easy to overshoot with classics, but I'd rather that than get denied on more regulation sized curbs.

All is to say, I don't think its super clear cut when it comes to what wheel size/shape is better for holding pinches. Depends on trucks, the obstacle youre skating and more.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 19, 2024, 12:32:33 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

KILLER clips!!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on June 19, 2024, 12:52:04 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while
[close]


fuck it’s probably rad to be good at skating

For real. I watched it two times in a row and now I want to go skate some ledges.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mcidraque on June 19, 2024, 01:48:47 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

great clips all around but that Gino landing around 0:53... chef kiss
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 19, 2024, 01:59:48 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while
[close]

great clips all around but that Gino landing around 0:53... chef kiss

i also wanted to call that out.
complicated, in that Gino is the best for me, and then a few years back it seemed a bit of a trending maneuver.
this one seemed genuine
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 19, 2024, 02:30:15 PM
I love the profuse amount of salad grinds
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 19, 2024, 07:05:10 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

Clips got me hyped, you haven't posted on Insta in a while so I forgot how good you got it!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 19, 2024, 07:21:57 PM
thanks guys. not sure how gino would feel about a sw suski shuv to stork on a skatepark flatbar ha, but ill take it

i dont do suskis/salads that much despite what it looks like here. honestly not a super pinch oriented skater usually. but the topic at hand was pinch so thats why theres a bunch of those in here lol. ventures definitely help me in this department cant deny
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: someguy185 on June 20, 2024, 12:19:43 AM
About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 20, 2024, 05:37:06 AM
About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.

from my experience: if 148s work, stick there. it’s really hard to not have these thoughts, especially when injured.
much of my ‘madness’ comes from wanting to set something up, based off of a favorite skater (for me this would mean buying an 8.5 gx, getting i think ace 55 classics, and some conical fulls, in an attempt to mimic what i think is willow’s setup).
ventures are great, for me. i don’t mind skating them on larger wb’s. i currently use 5.6 lights. i’ve tried the 5.2s on wider boards, and it wasn’t for me, at that time. i got so turned around trying different stuff, i finally just asked a buddy what they were using, put that together, liked it, and have been trying to convince myself that i will continue to like it.
grass is always, always, always greener, for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 20, 2024, 07:32:55 AM
About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.

It's not necessary about the length, but the pop timing. For me Ventures kinda depend on tail length. I have a set on my transition setup that has a long WB, but the kicks are longer for DLX standards. I haven't ridden the 8.25 in a while as I hate that shape, but I recall it feeling like the tail was short
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 20, 2024, 07:37:24 AM
About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.
I don't see the logic of going down to an 8" truck, just stuck with 148
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: danmasontree on June 20, 2024, 08:12:03 AM
Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 20, 2024, 08:13:32 AM
About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle...

Having been in that situation a few times, don't bother fixating on gear now. First, you will have to learn to walk normally again. I mean that literally. Then you will have to re-learn to skate. How the injury heals-up (and what condition your ankle is in afterward) may dramatically change the the gear you want/are able to ride...and you'll be faced with a whole new set of madness options. You can't take Jesus down from a cross he isn't nailed to. So, worry about what to skate when you're actually skating again.

Also, fuck 8" trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 20, 2024, 08:19:48 AM
Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 20, 2024, 08:32:08 AM
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About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle...
[close]

Having been in that situation a few times, don't bother fixating on gear now. First, you will have to learn to walk normally again. I mean that literally. Then you will have to re-learn to skate. How the injury heals-up (and what condition your ankle is in afterward) may dramatically change the the gear you want/are able to ride...and you'll be faced with a whole new set of madness options. You can't take Jesus down from a cross he isn't nailed to. So, worry about what to skate when your actually skating again.

Also, fuck 8" trucks.
All super valid points but specially the last one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: someguy185 on June 20, 2024, 08:35:00 AM
Hell yeah thanks guys. What I needed to hear.

Also, I’m still less than a year back into skating after a 15 year break and a lot has changed with respect to gear. Definitely an element of wanting to close off some avenues before I settle somewhere. I’m going to stay on the 148s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 20, 2024, 09:00:09 AM
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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.
[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

Stick to the aftermarket Thunder bushings and medium hard for a start. Don't go down the bushing shape / brand / height madness rabbit hole.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on June 20, 2024, 09:26:55 AM
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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.
[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.
[close]

Stick to the aftermarket Thunder bushings and medium hard for a start. Don't go down the bushing shape / brand / height madness rabbit hole.

i’d go further, and say just buy the 100 du thunder rebuild kit.
i’ve seen this topic in the past go awry, and devolve into some name calling, and problematic talk around bodies. i’m 180, and i find a lot of bushings too loose, which makes sense, because i see many skaters that seem lighter than i. especially with thunders, i personally wouldn’t recommend a medium bushing, for someone much heavier than i.
someone is gonna chime in that they are 3 bills and running the loose truck kit so fuck me and my nonsense.
thunders are great, i like them tighter.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: IusedToSkateMore on June 20, 2024, 09:55:22 AM
Skating a monster sized deck the pas few days coming off an injury. AH old yeller, 9.95 x 33.3 x16 wb. Its been a cruiser/dog sled set up with Ace 66 and some gooey softies but since i dont want to stress the leg but want to skate, have been riding it the past couple days.

What im getting to is that, as my ripe old ass is learning 360 flips, this tank is throwing them better than anything else. Spins/flips w minimal effort

Idk what the fuck is going on
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 20, 2024, 10:00:45 AM
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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.
[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

Tom Asta specifically said he was on a trip and his bushings fucked up, got some Ace/Bones and it worked, so he stuck with it because he was used to it. Not sure if that means its not his preference, or just what he's into.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 20, 2024, 12:00:52 PM
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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.
[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.
[close]

Tom Asta specifically said he was on a trip and his bushings fucked up, got some Ace/Bones and it worked, so he stuck with it because he was used to it. Not sure if that means its not his preference, or just what he's into.

Yeah an ACE top as a bottom and bones soft top.

ACE top being harder and lower than stock thunders (by a lot) and and a bones soft top.

Any soft top with a hard bottom is just gross. but hey, it's Asta, he can rip on anything.

OP get yourself some thunder 100s (black rebuild kit) and hope for the best.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: dirtjers on June 20, 2024, 01:27:49 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

Not relevant to the conversation but the most smoked I've ever gotten was doing a switch back 180 nosegrind on a skinny flatbar. Full on drunk dad moment and landed on my chin... never again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on June 20, 2024, 02:30:05 PM
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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJD7gAWpKAf/?igsh=MW1yaG1weDc3NWQ3OA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8kvyIF-yu/?igsh=cW9qNXZndTdnZXRy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff
[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol
[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.
[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-ymAygKbA

lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while
[close]

Not relevant to the conversation but the most smoked I've ever gotten was doing a switch back 180 nosegrind on a skinny flatbar. Full on drunk dad moment and landed on my chin... never again.

Damn that sounds brutal. Haven't gotten smoked one one yet knock on wood, but its also not a trick I do as much anymore
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: danmasontree on June 20, 2024, 04:14:00 PM
Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ambiguousclarity on June 22, 2024, 05:55:37 AM
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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.
[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.
[close]

Stick to the aftermarket Thunder bushings and medium hard for a start. Don't go down the bushing shape / brand / height madness rabbit hole.
[close]

i’d go further, and say just buy the 100 du thunder rebuild kit.
i’ve seen this topic in the past go awry, and devolve into some name calling, and problematic talk around bodies. i’m 180, and i find a lot of bushings too loose, which makes sense, because i see many skaters that seem lighter than i. especially with thunders, i personally wouldn’t recommend a medium bushing, for someone much heavier than i.
someone is gonna chime in that they are 3 bills and running the loose truck kit so fuck me and my nonsense.
thunders are great, i like them tighter.

I agree with Ok. I'm on Ventures at the moment, but usually ride Thunders and prefer them on the tighter side. In addition to what Ok said, I find Thunder bushings to be temperature sensitive so have a range of duros I use to keep the same feeling throughout the year as temperatures change. I'm 165 and was using a 94 bottom and 100 top bushings over summer in Aus. Switched to 90 bottom and 94 top bushings as winter kicked in. I've messed around with other bushings and think Thunder bushings work best. That all said, it depends on what works for each person, hence you'll likely get other suggestions. Only way to find out what works is to try stuff out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skatebruh on June 22, 2024, 08:11:44 AM
Thank you all for the input on the wheels.

I had problems falling out of crooks with Indy 139s and Bones X99 V1 shape. No problems getting the slide provided the ledge had enough wax.

I run two setups so I think I got it figured out. It was the combination of Indys and a narrow wheel not going into pinch quick enough. (But that combination never gave me wheelbite, which was nice.)

Indy 139 + X99 V6 holds on to crooks fine.

Thunder 148 + X99 V1 holds on to crooks fine.

Indy 139 + X99 V1 falls out into noseslide too easily. (for me)

FWIW, X99 V1s were the narrowest wheel at my local shop. If that's what you want, they're great when paired with the right trucks. I had no problems with speed or rough ground despite them being narrow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on June 23, 2024, 01:15:42 PM
Thank you all for the input on the wheels.

I had problems falling out of crooks with Indy 139s and Bones X99 V1 shape. No problems getting the slide provided the ledge had enough wax.

I run two setups so I think I got it figured out. It was the combination of Indys and a narrow wheel not going into pinch quick enough. (But that combination never gave me wheelbite, which was nice.)

Indy 139 + X99 V6 holds on to crooks fine.

Thunder 148 + X99 V1 holds on to crooks fine.

Indy 139 + X99 V1 falls out into noseslide too easily. (for me)

FWIW, X99 V1s were the narrowest wheel at my local shop. If that's what you want, they're great when paired with the right trucks. I had no problems with speed or rough ground despite them being narrow.

V1s slip out the most for me (front krook especially), on any size truck; they work sure, but there are better 'pinch' wheels. V6s can hold their own (I've them in 54 so the height helps).

The King is the V5, that shape will lock you into, and better, than everything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 25, 2024, 11:00:06 PM
Well, this is kind of fascinating. I've never been a Thunder fan. They don't have as much of a "fun" turn as Indys, and the base plate issue has always been a problem for me with nose/tail slides. Despite this, I wanted to try the new IKP Thunders, because, well, just because. My 148s arrived today. While at work tonight, I set them up on my deck. After work, I  went out for a real mellow cruise / slappy session (mostly just to start breaking-in bushing, and get a sense of how they turned, etc.). Then something shocking happened.

I am coming off Indy forged. My deck is near the end of it's life. I had figured within a week I'd be swapping it out for a new one. However, with Thunders on it, it suddenly felt so flat and just spent. I'm guessing this is because of the height difference between Indy and Thunder???? A longer truck wheel base should make your kicks feel a bit steeper, but this seemed to have the opposite effect. I normally ride "IV" stamped decks, but after this session I was like "Give me a fresh II stamped. This is shit is soooo flat." I'll be curious to see what happens when Indys go back on this deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 26, 2024, 06:26:22 AM
That's weird as I've had the opposite effect. The height difference is 1.5mm and forged Indy have the same WB. If you have a fresh set of wheels that can make up some of the difference. I skated Thunders for a bit before Ventures and remember having some worn 52's on a flatter deck and it feeling kinda lifeless. I went and bought some new 54 classics and it was actually substantially better. These days if I went back to Thunder I'd stick to 53-54s personally.

You said Indy forged, which is interesting, because those always feel too light and I hate them. One would expect that Thunders would feel a bit "beefier" or in my experience do. FWIW my timing is more similar between Thunder and Venture than between Indy and either. Indy/AF1 to me feel super similar as well. If I ride a friends board with those I feel like I'm learning new again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 26, 2024, 06:55:26 AM
That's weird as I've had the opposite effect. The height difference is 1.5mm and forged Indy have the same WB. If you have a fresh set of wheels that can make up some of the difference. I skated Thunders for a bit before Ventures and remember having some worn 52's on a flatter deck and it feeling kinda lifeless. I went and bought some new 54 classics and it was actually substantially better. These days if I went back to Thunder I'd stick to 53-54s personally.

You said Indy forged, which is interesting, because those always feel too light and I hate them. One would expect that Thunders would feel a bit "beefier" or in my experience do. FWIW my timing is more similar between Thunder and Venture than between Indy and either. Indy/AF1 to me feel super similar as well. If I ride a friends board with those I feel like I'm learning new again.

Of course, I may have also just realized my deck is toast, and it was just coincidence that it was same session that I set-up the Thunders.

I can't remember the Thunder wheelbase variants. I remember that Forged Indys were basically the same as one of the Thunders...was it forged or cast plate Thunder?

53mm Classics are my go-to.

And I'm opposite you on the weights! The Thunders seem lighter than my Forged Indys. The reason I like Forged Indys so much, as they right in the middle of everything--height, weight, turn, wheelbase, etc. They are good balance of all other trucks, put into one. That said, I really want to see what DLX has done with the T2 (I'd much rather be riding DLX than NHS).

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on June 26, 2024, 08:02:08 AM
On paper I thought I'd love forged Indy so it's super weird that I dislike them.

Thunder cast and Indy forged are +3.125 on the WB.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Frank and Fred on June 26, 2024, 08:24:57 AM
Well, this is kind of fascinating. I've never been a Thunder fan. They don't have as much of a "fun" turn as Indys, and the base plate issue has always been a problem for me with nose/tail slides. Despite this, I wanted to try the new IKP Thunders, because, well, just because. My 148s arrived today. While at work tonight, I set them up on my deck. After work, I  went out for a real mellow cruise / slappy session (mostly just to start breaking-in bushing, and get a sense of how they turned, etc.). Then something shocking happened.

I am coming off Indy forged. My deck is near the end of it's life. I had figured within a week I'd be swapping it out for a new one. However, with Thunders on it, it suddenly felt so flat and just spent. I'm guessing this is because of the height difference between Indy and Thunder???? A longer truck wheel base should make your kicks feel a bit steeper, but this seemed to have the opposite effect. I normally ride "IV" stamped decks, but after this session I was like "Give me a fresh II stamped. This is shit is soooo flat." I'll be curious to see what happens when Indys go back on this deck.

Strangely I have had somewhat of reverse experience. Ive' skated a few decks with Ace until they turned to mush, then put Thunders on and they felt poppier and sprightly again.... I put it down to where the axel sits in relation to the tail...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 26, 2024, 08:37:04 AM
Speaking of Indy forged -- file this under madness: I've been a sworn Awake pal for a while now and thought I'd lost my pop and many other things on Indy and would never return from Ventureland.

Well, lo and behold, just for the fun of it, I set up Indy 149 Tits paired with a 14.38 wb 8.25 (8.38 in reality) BBS deck and after a half an hour of readjusting my shit, I'm feeling like this is the best setup in a while and my pop is springy and effortless and I'm loving the turn again and whatnot.

What's the weirdest part is that I tried 144 Indy Tits some months ago and they felt like shit. Can the 149 vs. 144 difference be so all-encompassing?

Looks like Imma keep two setups for the foreseeable future: one with Indy 149s and a longer wb deck, and another with 5.6 Ventures paired with a 8.125/8.25 / 14.25 wb deck.

At least I'll keep my neural pathways at work upon switching between the two, if nothing else.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 26, 2024, 09:34:57 AM
Speaking of Indy forged -- file this under madness: I've been a sworn Awake pal for a while now and thought I'd lost my pop and many other things on Indy and would never return from Ventureland.

Well, lo and behold, just for the fun of it, I set up Indy 149 Tits paired with a 14.38 wb 8.25 (8.38 in reality) BBS deck and after a half an hour of readjusting my shit, I'm feeling like this is the best setup in a while and my pop is springy and effortless and I'm loving the turn again and whatnot.

What's the weirdest part is that I tried 144 Indy Tits some months ago and they felt like shit. Can the 149 vs. 144 difference be so all-encompassing?

Looks like Imma keep two setups for the foreseeable future: one with Indy 149s and a longer wb deck, and another with 5.6 Ventures paired with a 8.125/8.25 / 14.25 wb deck.

At least I'll keep my neural pathways at work upon switching between the two, if nothing else.

I'm having both setups as well. After skating Ventures (forged bp) with 14" wb on street and park, I tried to skate a bit of pool with my 14.25" wb wider board with Indy Ti's. On first two drop-ins I tossed at the bottom because the setup felt so off, which has been very rare for me (I suck skating transition but can usually drop-in to even tighter DIYs). Had to extend the wheelbase to 14.5" to mitigate that. Similarly, after some slappy sessions on Indys I usually have to spend one or at least half a session to get my flips back on Ventures. So it's a huge difference.

Let's see if switching to Venture cast baseplates changes this at all...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Unkle Fleak on June 26, 2024, 11:44:46 AM
I switched to bikini briefs now I'm feeling like 2 Kostons and a half a Marisa Dal Santo as mds is higher a value in my world
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FakieDisaster on June 26, 2024, 09:21:07 PM
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Speaking of Indy forged -- file this under madness: I've been a sworn Awake pal for a while now and thought I'd lost my pop and many other things on Indy and would never return from Ventureland.

Well, lo and behold, just for the fun of it, I set up Indy 149 Tits paired with a 14.38 wb 8.25 (8.38 in reality) BBS deck and after a half an hour of readjusting my shit, I'm feeling like this is the best setup in a while and my pop is springy and effortless and I'm loving the turn again and whatnot.

What's the weirdest part is that I tried 144 Indy Tits some months ago and they felt like shit. Can the 149 vs. 144 difference be so all-encompassing?

Looks like Imma keep two setups for the foreseeable future: one with Indy 149s and a longer wb deck, and another with 5.6 Ventures paired with a 8.125/8.25 / 14.25 wb deck.

At least I'll keep my neural pathways at work upon switching between the two, if nothing else.
[close]

I'm having both setups as well. After skating Ventures (forged bp) with 14" wb on street and park, I tried to skate a bit of pool with my 14.25" wb wider board with Indy Ti's. On first two drop-ins I tossed at the bottom because the setup felt so off, which has been very rare for me (I suck skating transition but can usually drop-in to even tighter DIYs). Had to extend the wheelbase to 14.5" to mitigate that. Similarly, after some slappy sessions on Indys I usually have to spend one or at least half a session to get my flips back on Ventures. So it's a huge difference.

Let's see if switching to Venture cast baseplates changes this at all...


will indy 144 works well with april boards? currently using 8.375 mariano deck with 148 thunder standards. thinking to get indy 144 hollow/forged hollow, i wonder how much off my timings will be. wheels now F4 53mm CF.

cross-posting my post i guess i might've going to try 149 then. going to skate lotsa more skateparks soon i guess my Thunder standards now not as feeling as good, also hollow trucks for lighter setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 28, 2024, 10:01:48 PM
uh idk if this is the place but i got my own company of decks!
recently released new shapes and graphics.
@New.age.skates on ig
www.newageskates.com

This is not the place.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 03, 2024, 08:43:30 PM
Alright pals I need some guidance. I skate standard venture trucks with 53mm spitfire classics. In theory, a shorter wheelbase board would work well with venture. However even something like a 14.25 wb feels unstable to me. I want to find that sweet spot of comfort/maneuverability and I’m having a hard time. I am 5’10 and skate 8.5. When I switch to an 14.5 wheelbase I feel more stable but it’s a chore getting that thing off the ground. Any insight that y’all have would be really helpful. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on July 03, 2024, 09:23:08 PM
Alright pals I need some guidance. I skate standard venture trucks with 53mm spitfire classics. In theory, a shorter wheelbase board would work well with venture. However even something like a 14.25 wb feels unstable to me. I want to find that sweet spot of comfort/maneuverability and I’m having a hard time. I am 5’10 and skate 8.5. When I switch to an 14.5 wheelbase I feel more stable but it’s a chore getting that thing off the ground. Any insight that y’all have would be really helpful.

DLX 8.25/14.38
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 03, 2024, 09:49:00 PM
I’ll see if I can find something similar in an 8.5
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on July 04, 2024, 04:46:04 AM
Alright pals, this is gonna be a long, utterly uninteresting post about my madness. Bear with me. Or don’t, I won’t blame you.

First of all, the reason why I’ve been experiencing this bout of madness (and why I haven’t posted in a good 6 months or so) is that I started my dream job in January and became a first-time dad in March. Those things are obviously what truly matters, and my skateboarding sanity is a very small thing to give up for them. I nonetheless hope that this thread is a safe space for my petty ramblings about deck shapes and wheel size. Second of all, I’ve naturally had very little time to spend on my board and won’t have much for the foreseeable future, and upwards of 90% of my madness is due to that. If I skated more, I’d be more in sync with my setup and wouldn’t feel the need to change anything. Skating more simply isn’t an option right now, though – but what I can do is scour the internet for new gear that might be in my wheelhouse and think about how I could tweak my setup to better fit my needs. And that’s what I’ve been doing for a good while now, with no end in sight.

Let me back up a little: Two years ago I got back to skating after about 17 years off the board. After a little experimenting with the new gear options that came about during my absence I settled on the Ishod 8.5“ twin with Venture 5.8 hollows and softer formula 54mm wheels with wide contact patches as my main setup. At 6’2“ and 200lb with a background in powerlifting I’m tall-ish, heavy-ish and brutish for a skater, and I very much enjoy the stability that pairing the 14.5“ wheelbase with Ventures gives me. My preference for large riding surfaces and softer duros also stems from that; I have zero finesse and struggle to properly set up for anything if the ride is even a little bumpy.
I’ve strayed from that setup, mostly out of curiosity, with varying degrees of success, but always came back after a short while. There are a couple of definitives I’ve been able to come down with:

- Anything narrower than 8.5“ is out of the question due to my big ass feet.
- Decks can’t be shorter than 32“ due to my height.
- I prefer fuller kicks, but don’t mind eggs as long as they don’t taper below the equivalent of semi-full popsicle kicks.
- I like my concave (but not necessarily the kicks) semi-steep.
- Riding surface can’t be below 20mm.

So far, so good. But here’s the source of my current madness: Bigger wheels (>56mm) give me the best overall ride on my board, and I get great pop for ollies and onto tall ledges. Practically all aspects of my skating improve or at least feel better on bigger wheels, so I would very much like to have them on my regular setup – but there’s one aspect that suffers: my flip game. And flipping my board is still the most magical feeling of all to me. So magical that I don’t want to cede a single one of my hard-won flip tricks. Which leaves me pondering the following questions:

- Why exactly do my flips suffer? Because I’m just not used to additional height and weight, of course. But since I don’t skate often enough to get used to it easily, is there something I can do to make the pop feel as similar as possible to my old go-to setup, just on bigger wheels?
- If there is, what exactly do I need to do? Find a deck with mellow kicks and a shorter wheelbase, and/or even switch to wheelbase-shortening trucks, e.g. Aces, to achieve a close approximation of my current pop angle?
- Would those changes be so substantial that they negate what I liked about my go-to setup in the first place? (Probably so.)

… And the one overarching million dollar question:
- Why do I focus so much on what I can’t do [well] on a particular setup when I could just suck it up and enjoy the limited time I get to spend on my board?

Huh. That was as actually quite cathartic to write up. Now tell me how I’m overthinking it and just need to go skate. THX!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on July 04, 2024, 06:08:43 AM
Expand Quote
Alright pals I need some guidance. I skate standard venture trucks with 53mm spitfire classics. In theory, a shorter wheelbase board would work well with venture. However even something like a 14.25 wb feels unstable to me. I want to find that sweet spot of comfort/maneuverability and I’m having a hard time. I am 5’10 and skate 8.5. When I switch to an 14.5 wheelbase I feel more stable but it’s a chore getting that thing off the ground. Any insight that y’all have would be really helpful.
[close]

DLX 8.25/14.38

I personally think this tail is too short for Venture. I like the BBS 8.38 or the Tom Know Krooked 8.5x14.38 shape a ton. I've had 2 of those now and they're real nice!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 04, 2024, 07:41:11 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Alright pals I need some guidance. I skate standard venture trucks with 53mm spitfire classics. In theory, a shorter wheelbase board would work well with venture. However even something like a 14.25 wb feels unstable to me. I want to find that sweet spot of comfort/maneuverability and I’m having a hard time. I am 5’10 and skate 8.5. When I switch to an 14.5 wheelbase I feel more stable but it’s a chore getting that thing off the ground. Any insight that y’all have would be really helpful.
[close]

DLX 8.25/14.38
[close]

I personally think this tail is too short for Venture. I like the BBS 8.38 or the Tom Know Krooked 8.5x14.38 shape a ton. I've had 2 of those now and they're real nice!

 
Did you pair them up with venture?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on July 04, 2024, 08:00:34 AM
April 8.5. 14.4 wheelbase (close enough), longer nose works really well for me with ventures. Tail is definitely mellower than most boards and not too short, makes the pop feel much more friendly than many other 8.5 14.5 boards on ventures.

Cast hollow ventures will also make your setup a lil less hefty.

I used to skate a lot of 8.5 14.25 boards on ventures. Nice for flatground and ledges and not skating too fast, but a lil compact and cramped in many cases. 14.5 8.5 boards felt like a bit much. The April 8.5s have cured my board madness when it comes to ventures.

My guess is the mellow baker 8.5s probably feel pretty responsive compared to steeper 8.5s too.

YMMV lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 04, 2024, 08:40:08 AM
the griffin gass shape is an 8.5 with a 14.4ish wb, and 32.
the nose and tail are short, and that’s why i liked that board so much.

right now im skating a gx 8.25 with ventures, and recommend, a lot. their 8.5 looks nice as well, both 14.25 i think.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: slapattack on July 04, 2024, 08:42:01 AM
if your looking to fuel your truck madness I just posted:
- Thunder lights 149
- Thunder teams 151
- Indy forged 149
- New Royals 149 (comes with chocolate wheels and philips hardware)

All trucks are in good condition with newish bushings and no stripped axles.

https://www.depop.com/products/nicjacobs1-thunderindyroyal-truck-bundle-85-x3/

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 04, 2024, 09:25:44 AM
April 8.5. 14.4 wheelbase (close enough), longer nose works really well for me with ventures. Tail is definitely mellower than most boards and not too short, makes the pop feel much more friendly than many other 8.5 14.5 boards on ventures.

Cast hollow ventures will also make your setup a lil less hefty.

I used to skate a lot of 8.5 14.25 boards on ventures. Nice for flatground and ledges and not skating too fast, but a lil compact and cramped in many cases. 14.5 8.5 boards felt like a bit much. The April 8.5s have cured my board madness when it comes to ventures.

My guess is the mellow baker 8.5s probably feel pretty responsive compared to steeper 8.5s too.

YMMV lol

Thank you! I appreciate your insight. I totally agree with you that a 14.25 wheelbase with ventures is good for some things, but anything going fast gets to be a little sketch. What fueled this was an 8.5 Krooked 8.5/31.75/14.25 that I have been skating on most recently. On paper that seems like a great deck but it certainly wasn’t 8.5 and it actually tapered down to below 8.2. I’m wondering if I should try a different 8.5 that is a fuller shape like a quasi but still has the 14.25 wheelbase, or if I should abandon 14.25 all together. Right now the April 8.5 seems like the way to go. Do you know if that size has universal specs or can there be different 8.5s like with deluxe?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 11, 2024, 05:10:21 AM
I've been in Thunder some for some weeks and I don't feel is a relationship that will benefit me, probably going back to Aces.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on July 11, 2024, 07:13:41 AM
I'm the opposite, I went from Ace to Thunder and couldn't believe I wasted my time with Ace. I think they're the one brand I'd never skate again aside from Krux.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on July 13, 2024, 08:08:46 PM
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 13, 2024, 10:21:41 PM
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
Hope you'll heal soon man
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on July 13, 2024, 11:08:03 PM
Expand Quote
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
[close]
Hope you'll heal soon man

Thanks man, I appreciate the kind words.

Doctor says the stitches should be able to come out on a week or two hopefully! So not too bad.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on July 14, 2024, 01:05:30 AM
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....

Erf. If that was me, first thing I'd be thinking about was shin guards, not my set-up. :) That said, when I broke my leg, I tossed that entire set-up. Got exact same thing in replacement (it's my "grail"), but didn't want to be riding the actual same board I got the injury on again, so I get your sentiments. Hope you heal up quick!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on July 14, 2024, 03:25:11 AM
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
Damnit man hope you're not out too long. I know what you mean tho. It's like when you get hurt riding a certain board it feels cursed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 14, 2024, 03:47:19 AM
Expand Quote
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
[close]
Damnit man hope you're not out too long. I know what you mean tho. It's like when you get hurt riding a certain board it feels cursed.
Totally. What that happens board and shoes need to leave.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on July 14, 2024, 08:09:45 AM
Expand Quote
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
[close]

Erf. If that was me, first thing I'd be thinking about was shin guards, not my set-up. :) That said, when I broke my leg, I tossed that entire set-up. Got exact same thing in replacement (it's my "grail"), but didn't want to be riding the actual same board I got the injury on again, so I get your sentiments. Hope you heal up quick!

Expand Quote
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....
[close]
Damnit man hope you're not out too long. I know what you mean tho. It's like when you get hurt riding a certain board it feels cursed.

Already thinking about shin guards haha, at least one for my right leg until it is 100% healed.

Thanks for the kindness pals. Would gnar.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on July 18, 2024, 04:05:53 AM
I own far too many pairs of shoes, but it’s only really three styles in different colour ways.

Trying to whittle down the amount but it still seems stupidly excessive.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on July 18, 2024, 04:47:00 AM
I got broke off today worse than I have in a while and it's making me want to change my entire setup.

Not that I would've avoided this injury on a different setup or anything, or maybe I would have, who knows?

I just feel like I have a total aversion to my whole setup after this slam lol. Bust my leg wide open on a kink rail. Worst shinner of my life, sitting in the ER now waiting to get stitches.

And here I am thinking about my setup.....

I dumped my complete setup after tearing my ACL
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on July 18, 2024, 10:00:47 AM
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 18, 2024, 10:49:55 AM
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk


tell me more please


this guy is obviously very good, but he’s just never moved the needle in a positive direction for me. pretty mellow in this video, i like 159s….but yeah he’s just not my guy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on July 18, 2024, 02:10:13 PM
Expand Quote
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk
[close]


tell me more please


this guy is obviously very good, but he’s just never moved the needle in a positive direction for me. pretty mellow in this video, i like 159s….but yeah he’s just not my guy

It's not about moving a needle?

He doesn't really give a shit about his gear. That's the vibe.

Skates something that works for the majority of what he likes to skate and doesn't worry about what gives him trouble.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BlueLightning437 on July 18, 2024, 02:26:42 PM
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk


This randomly popped up on my suggested earlier today,  the algorithm has worked its magic,  I thought about this thread when I watched it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 18, 2024, 04:02:37 PM
Alright pals I need some advice/someone to talk me down lol. For a majority of my skate career I used thunders, but always felt like my pop feel was missing. I was able to get a decent bag of flat ground tricks and a few ledge tricks. (fromt/back 50, front tail,front 5-0, bs crooked). I switched to indys and could not get them to feel right. Either too tall or too heavy. They always felt a little unstable to me. I am now on venture 5.8 standard. I can do most of my tricks that I could on thunder with a few missing. I had a bout of madness last night and put 149 mids on my board and hated it. Its like I am expecting a huge change in everything by switching a component of my gear. So I put my ventures back on and am trying to not change anything for a few weeks. For reference I am 5'10, my board is an 8.4 frog with a 14.25 wheelbase. What are your changes in mindset that help you fight the madness? I tried to have a setup that is somewhat "normal" so there are no excuses there. IDK!! please assist.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 18, 2024, 04:34:44 PM
Alright pals I need some advice/someone to talk me down lol. For a majority of my skate career I used thunders, but always felt like my pop feel was missing. I was able to get a decent bag of flat ground tricks and a few ledge tricks. (fromt/back 50, front tail,front 5-0, bs crooked). I switched to indys and could not get them to feel right. Either too tall or too heavy. They always felt a little unstable to me. I am now on venture 5.8 standard. I can do most of my tricks that I could on thunder with a few missing. I had a bout of madness last night and put 149 mids on my board and hated it. Its like I am expecting a huge change in everything by switching a component of my gear. So I put my ventures back on and am trying to not change anything for a few weeks. For reference I am 5'10, my board is an 8.4 frog with a 14.25 wheelbase. What are your changes in mindset that help you fight the madness? I tried to have a setup that is somewhat "normal" so there are no excuses there. IDK!! please assist.
 
Something else to add: It does not matter which truck I use, I notice that in my footage my back foot comes off the board when I ollie. Sometimes a little bit, sometimes alot. So my friend was telling me to take the rest of the summer to just focus on getting a solid ollie. So that makes me think, do I need a different set-up to learn a more solid ollie? Something lower/easier to get off the ground?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 18, 2024, 05:00:01 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk
[close]


tell me more please


this guy is obviously very good, but he’s just never moved the needle in a positive direction for me. pretty mellow in this video, i like 159s….but yeah he’s just not my guy
[close]

It's not about moving a needle?

He doesn't really give a shit about his gear. That's the vibe.

Skates something that works for the majority of what he likes to skate and doesn't worry about what gives him trouble.

yeah you are super correct with that last sentence. i could have saved myself some anguish if i had followed that.

thank you for that explanation.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Scottboarding on July 18, 2024, 05:10:49 PM
Alright pals I need some advice/someone to talk me down lol. For a majority of my skate career I used thunders, but always felt like my pop feel was missing. I was able to get a decent bag of flat ground tricks and a few ledge tricks. (fromt/back 50, front tail,front 5-0, bs crooked). I switched to indys and could not get them to feel right. Either too tall or too heavy. They always felt a little unstable to me. I am now on venture 5.8 standard. I can do most of my tricks that I could on thunder with a few missing. I had a bout of madness last night and put 149 mids on my board and hated it. Its like I am expecting a huge change in everything by switching a component of my gear. So I put my ventures back on and am trying to not change anything for a few weeks. For reference I am 5'10, my board is an 8.4 frog with a 14.25 wheelbase. What are your changes in mindset that help you fight the madness? I tried to have a setup that is somewhat "normal" so there are no excuses there. IDK!! please assist.
 
Something else to add: It does not matter which truck I use, I notice that in my footage my back foot comes off the board when I ollie. Sometimes a little bit, sometimes alot. So my friend was telling me to take the rest of the summer to just focus on getting a solid ollie. So that makes me think, do I need a different set-up to learn a more solid ollie? Something lower/easier to get off the ground?
With the back foot lifting off the board I found tightening my trucks helped with that a lot. Technique and practice definitely plays a part in it and you shouldn't ignore those but tightening at least my back truck was a massive help for that.

As far as fighting madness and stopping yourself from changing things I don't think I have any great advice, just gotta practice some self control really. How long have you been on the Ventures all together? You said there are a few tricks you can't do on them that you could with Thunder but you may just need time to adjust or to make some small tweaks to foot position for those tricks. If you're switching gear constantly without giving yourself enough time to get used to it it's going to be hard to determine if something genuinely does or does not work for you. Some gear you can tell right away like your experience with the mids but if you're able to do almost everything on Venture, it could just come down to not giving yourself enough time to adjust.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 18, 2024, 05:32:11 PM
Expand Quote
Alright pals I need some advice/someone to talk me down lol. For a majority of my skate career I used thunders, but always felt like my pop feel was missing. I was able to get a decent bag of flat ground tricks and a few ledge tricks. (fromt/back 50, front tail,front 5-0, bs crooked). I switched to indys and could not get them to feel right. Either too tall or too heavy. They always felt a little unstable to me. I am now on venture 5.8 standard. I can do most of my tricks that I could on thunder with a few missing. I had a bout of madness last night and put 149 mids on my board and hated it. Its like I am expecting a huge change in everything by switching a component of my gear. So I put my ventures back on and am trying to not change anything for a few weeks. For reference I am 5'10, my board is an 8.4 frog with a 14.25 wheelbase. What are your changes in mindset that help you fight the madness? I tried to have a setup that is somewhat "normal" so there are no excuses there. IDK!! please assist.
 
Something else to add: It does not matter which truck I use, I notice that in my footage my back foot comes off the board when I ollie. Sometimes a little bit, sometimes alot. So my friend was telling me to take the rest of the summer to just focus on getting a solid ollie. So that makes me think, do I need a different set-up to learn a more solid ollie? Something lower/easier to get off the ground?

[close]
With the back foot lifting off the board I found tightening my trucks helped with that a lot. Technique and practice definitely plays a part in it and you shouldn't ignore those but tightening at least my back truck was a massive help for that.
 How long have you been on the Ventures all together? You said there are a few tricks you can't do on them that you could with Thunder but you may just need time to adjust or to make some small tweaks to foot position for those tricks.
 
I have been on ventures since December, I think part of the problem is that the wheelbase on my board has changed every time, and I have had 6 boards since I started on them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 18, 2024, 07:07:32 PM
Expand Quote
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk
[close]


This randomly popped up on my suggested earlier today,  the algorithm has worked its magic,  I thought about this thread when I watched it

Listened to his episode on the Mostly Skateboarding podcast - he sounds really chill. Very understated but when he puts out footage you're reminded how good he is.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on July 19, 2024, 01:39:11 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
In attempts to cure madness, when the mood strikes to tweak this or that, I refer to this video.

https://youtu.be/BcxyfinyMSU?si=ZFAy8YPF7mhAD8Dk
[close]


This randomly popped up on my suggested earlier today,  the algorithm has worked its magic,  I thought about this thread when I watched it
[close]

Listened to his episode on the Mostly Skateboarding podcast - he sounds really chill. Very understated but when he puts out footage you're reminded how good he is.

Cookie is one of my favourite skaters out there. Dude has a really effortless style and flow combined with mind-boggling consistency. Plus he f*cking RIPS too, it's not all about stylish surfy flow. Watch any Worble video for some jaw-dropping gnar from him.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on July 23, 2024, 01:46:28 AM
I own far too many pairs of shoes, but it’s only really three styles in different colour ways.

Trying to whittle down the amount but it still seems stupidly excessive.

I caved and bought 5 of the last pairs of G6 Emerica a I could find.

I’m done now, maybe I should give some pairs to charity…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: garbage_wagon on July 24, 2024, 02:03:53 PM
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on July 24, 2024, 02:47:32 PM
If you like the deck you want to buy that's a great strategy if it's not regularly available at an affordable price point from a local shop.

Shops don't make much off margins. As an adult I want to save as much money as possible, but sometimes I prefer paying my local full price. My shapes are always available so I have zero need to stockpile.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 24, 2024, 03:43:35 PM
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.

I coming out of a spell of madness and I am typing this almost to remind myself that switching gear does not help at all. When you switch, the gear will feel different and that's about it. The adjustment period just isn't worth the minimal gains that you might get. I want to thank the pals here, as well as in the venture thread, for listening to my bs. I am on 8.5/14.5 and am planning to stay on that for a while.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on July 24, 2024, 05:39:15 PM
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.

I found an enjoi shape I really liked, have kept on it for a couple years now. Makes setting up a new board less daunting.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on July 24, 2024, 07:03:20 PM
Expand Quote
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.
[close]

I found an enjoi shape I really liked, have kept on it for a couple years now. Makes setting up a new board less daunting.

Until you’ve burned through all of them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on July 24, 2024, 08:21:04 PM
...switching gear does not help at all. When you switch, the gear will feel different and that's about it. The adjustment period just isn't worth the minimal gains that you might get.

These are all facts. But it also opens another Madness door: How do I want my set-up to feel right now?

Quote
I am on 8.5/14.5 and am planning to stay on that for a while.

I am always on the look-out for a good 8.5/14.5. What are you riding?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on July 24, 2024, 09:21:18 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.
[close]

I found an enjoi shape I really liked, have kept on it for a couple years now. Makes setting up a new board less daunting.
[close]

Until you’ve burned through all of them.

A stack 20 high and then it’s over to Jacuzzi, because they make the same board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 25, 2024, 04:23:17 PM
Expand Quote
...switching gear does not help at all. When you switch, the gear will feel different and that's about it. The adjustment period just isn't worth the minimal gains that you might get.
[close]

These are all facts. But it also opens another Madness door: How do I want my set-up to feel right now?

Quote
Expand Quote
I am on 8.5/14.5 and am planning to stay on that for a while.
[close]

I am always on the look-out for a good 8.5/14.5. What are you riding?

 
^^i am on a generic blank deck I got from a friend. I have no clue what kind it is and it’s almost a blessing that way. 8.5/14.5 decks I have had in the past that I like are bakers/uma land sleds
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on July 25, 2024, 06:48:44 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.
[close]

I found an enjoi shape I really liked, have kept on it for a couple years now. Makes setting up a new board less daunting.
[close]

Until you’ve burned through all of them.
[close]

A stack 20 high and then it’s over to Jacuzzi, because they make the same board

That’s rad you found the same shape for when the hoard runs dry.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 25, 2024, 07:05:13 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Someone please talk me into sticking with a dedicated set up. Kind of a cross post between this thread and the Gear You're Contemplating Buying Thread, but I'm thinking of buying a stack of the same deck from the Thank You Supply sale and sticking with it until they're skated through. Thanks.
[close]

I found an enjoi shape I really liked, have kept on it for a couple years now. Makes setting up a new board less daunting.
[close]

Until you’ve burned through all of them.
[close]

A stack 20 high and then it’s over to Jacuzzi, because they make the same board
[close]

That’s rad you found the same shape for when the hoard runs dry.

Biggest existential threat to everyone on this thread is when the favorite shape goes out of production or the company shuts down. Then it's back to Tactics and obsessing over dims.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on July 25, 2024, 08:38:29 PM
^^^^THIS^^^^
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on July 25, 2024, 08:51:55 PM
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on July 25, 2024, 09:27:49 PM
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.

This is the correct [sane/logical] answer.

But this is Slap.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: limubai on July 26, 2024, 12:16:02 AM
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.

This is a defense for Powell heads. Good ole George lists the concaves and shapes by number so you always know you are getting the same thing, maple or flight. And you can search by wheelbase. For my bowl setup, K21 concave and 15” wheelbase are perfect. Shape varies, sometimes a 9” pop (shape 246), sometimes a shaped board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on July 26, 2024, 07:10:09 AM
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.

Smart to find a shape from BBS or PS that lots of brands use and stick with it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: garbage_wagon on July 26, 2024, 10:25:36 AM
I see a 5 pack from Skate Samples in my future. 8)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 27, 2024, 04:53:45 AM
Expand Quote
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.
[close]

Smart to find a shape from BBS or PS that lots of brands use and stick with it.


Yes, that was my plan, still is I guess for the most part.

I do like the familiarity of the same boards over and over, but I also like to try new things from time to time as well, for better or worse, so sometimes the curiosity gets a bit much and I obsess over some shapes or just wonder too much what something else might be like.

Bringing it all on myself, so no one else to blame, but it is funny when I get back on my usual 8.38 or 8.5 and they feel different now, more often than not too skinny, as I have been trying the 8.75 and 9.0 sizes a bit recently.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on July 27, 2024, 12:37:30 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.
[close]

Smart to find a shape from BBS or PS that lots of brands use and stick with it.
[close]


Yes, that was my plan, still is I guess for the most part.

I do like the familiarity of the same boards over and over, but I also like to try new things from time to time as well, for better or worse, so sometimes the curiosity gets a bit much and I obsess over some shapes or just wonder too much what something else might be like.

Bringing it all on myself, so no one else to blame, but it is funny when I get back on my usual 8.38 or 8.5 and they feel different now, more often than not too skinny, as I have been trying the 8.75 and 9.0 sizes a bit recently.

Do you ride the same size trucks across those different board sizes?

This year, I've been adamant about not changing truck size. I can't easily adjust when the axle width changes from one setup to another.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 27, 2024, 05:19:49 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
That's why you choose bigger companies or common shapes. I've sent a pic of a Quasi deck I had years ago to their email and they've been like "Yup, we have that shape currently as this". Or you know if you get a DLX 8.25x14.38 its the same one you had 8 years ago.
[close]

Smart to find a shape from BBS or PS that lots of brands use and stick with it.
[close]


Yes, that was my plan, still is I guess for the most part.

I do like the familiarity of the same boards over and over, but I also like to try new things from time to time as well, for better or worse, so sometimes the curiosity gets a bit much and I obsess over some shapes or just wonder too much what something else might be like.

Bringing it all on myself, so no one else to blame, but it is funny when I get back on my usual 8.38 or 8.5 and they feel different now, more often than not too skinny, as I have been trying the 8.75 and 9.0 sizes a bit recently.
[close]

Do you ride the same size trucks across those different board sizes?

This year, I've been adamant about not changing truck size. I can't easily adjust when the axle width changes from one setup to another.



The 8.38 and 8.5 boards have 149s, the 8.62, 8.75 and 8.86 boards have 159s and the 9.0 have 169s, although I was thinking of trying 159 with wide wheels which almost fit or might skate better on the 9.0 board I just got.

Only takes a day or so to just feel normal again on my usual boards, so I don't really worry about it, but it is fun to try out other setups and just see what they offer, whether they are better for some things, or make other things harder.


When playing around with different trucks on various boards, a 159 is just too wide for 8.38 or 8.5 and the 149s are not wide enough for 8.62 or 8.75 boards, which just work well when the truck is at board width for me - add or subtract washers on the wider boards to fit as well, eg 169s only one washer on the inside, nothing on the outside so the wheels fit just right on the 9.0 boards, otherwise three washers on the inside of 159s and wider wheels, which also work well.


All the boards are usually set up in much the same way though, very specific about bushings and the turn is about the same, so it is not that difficult to skate them as I usually do, compared to setting up a brand new complete and having to break in bushings or try to get used to new parts, apart from the usual fresh board feel, sticky grip, etc.


Edit:

From a madness point of view, I like to have the wheels sitting right on the edge, not sitting inside or outside the line of the deck, so pairing some wheels up with certain width boards on certain trucks with washers to get it just right is key to my being able to skate a board well.  Wheels inside feels too tippy for me, eg 149s on 8.75 boards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on July 30, 2024, 09:55:58 PM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zqMfqw-tleo&t=893s&pp=ygUKYmVuIGRlZ3Jvcw%3D%3D
 
14:28 for when the madness hits. Goodnight pals!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: handsclapanin on July 31, 2024, 06:23:24 AM
I know for a fact from years of experience that I skate the best on BBS boards and indy trucks. And I have a stockpile of new gear that will take me years to get through. Still, I’ve had $200 worth of product sitting in my cart on that darn thankyousupply sale for the last week. I’m trying not to push the purchase button. But I just might. I’ve never tried Tensors. And the mag lights are supposed to grind anything, right? It’s hard to pass up a $20 board, even if you’ll probably hate it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Gleefull508 on July 31, 2024, 07:08:22 AM
I know for a fact from years of experience that I skate the best on BBS boards and indy trucks. And I have a stockpile of new gear that will take me years to get through. Still, I’ve had $200 worth of product sitting in my cart on that darn thankyousupply sale for the last week. I’m trying not to push the purchase button. But I just might. I’ve never tried Tensors. And the mag lights are supposed to grind anything, right? It’s hard to pass up a $20 board, even if you’ll probably hate it.

Currently skating an enjoi I got from that sale and it is quite literally the worst board I have ever skated by a longgg way
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dwyck on August 01, 2024, 03:06:45 PM
Everytime I don't buy new gear when I get paid is a win. Truck curiousity is dogging me though. I love my ace classic 55s I skated Indy 149 stds for like ten years straight before them and they almost skate lighter even though theyre way heavier.
Slappys have better clearance (never been an issue for me, maybe on already dead Indy hangars), Lurpivs are tall (There's not actually anything wrong with the risers I run on the aces) Indys have a slightly better pinch (If I really really wanted that I'd go back to my Venture 5.8s they crooked incredibly)

I did just run a Heated Wheeled shaped board with a short nose and big tail for fun and pushed myself on transistion enough that its street failings didn't bug me as much. But I'm on a 9 inch pop now and it's nice to be back

Just sitting at work thinking about trucks

Edit: the classics axles are slipping a bit which is why I initially wanted to move on from them. Maybe I'll just axle a pair of stage 4s and then come back to thinking about it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on August 01, 2024, 08:11:29 PM
Everytime I don't buy new gear when I get paid is a win. Truck curiousity is dogging me though. I love my ace classic 55s I skated Indy 149 stds for like ten years straight before them and they almost skate lighter even though theyre way heavier.
Slappys have better clearance (never been an issue for me, maybe on already dead Indy hangars), Lurpivs are tall (There's not actually anything wrong with the risers I run on the aces) Indys have a slightly better pinch (If I really really wanted that I'd go back to my Venture 5.8s they crooked incredibly)

I did just run a Heated Wheeled shaped board with a short nose and big tail for fun and pushed myself on transistion enough that its street failings didn't bug me as much. But I'm on a 9 inch pop now and it's nice to be back

Just sitting at work thinking about trucks

Edit: the classics axles are slipping a bit which is why I initially wanted to move on from them. Maybe I'll just axle a pair of stage 4s and then come back to thinking about it

classic 55s look the sickest.
they are really too big for me. but i like them. but they are too big. and kinda heavy. but they look so sick whenever i see them on someone’s else’s board.

(me, repeat)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on August 01, 2024, 11:01:43 PM
Just sitting at work thinking about trucks

This has been me for the last two days. I'm riding Classic 55's now and there's nothing I would change. That said I'd really want to try Royals (maybe with Ace bushings even) just to see what they're like at some point. I don't want to take off the Classics though and I don't see a point in assembling a fourth complete although I'd have the most expensive parts already except the trucks of course.

I thought I was completely clear of this thread because I know what works for me but here I am. I'm glad it's more about curiosity than frustration.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on August 02, 2024, 02:07:06 AM
Since my.ankle is still not healthy kickflip wise this is the perfect time to finally grow a pair a spend time learning to skate tranny.
Also a perfect excuse to put a dedicated setup for it with different stuff that I would normally skate besides trucks since I learned my lesson on not betraying Ace ever again.
I'm thinking about a 9" popsicle and my local has some nice looking Sour boards and Palace so I'll go for something there. AF1 66 with some 101 OJ mini combo 54mm and cheapshots.
Should work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 02, 2024, 06:33:40 AM
I'm of the opinion you should stick to your usual setup to learn. I know a lot of people that crush transition on very standard popsicles. You'll likely be starting on 3-5 foot stuff at most and a nimble, familiar setup will give you confidence as long as you can somewhat carve. You don't need anything massive until you're hauling ass around a bowl or skating a big ramp. GT rides the DLX 8.38 with 149s even. I'd recommend a navy eagle or something, especially if you're nearing 40.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on August 02, 2024, 08:45:42 AM
Even tho I appreciate your comment and is a totally logic one and is what I should do I won't because this is Slap.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dwyck on August 02, 2024, 04:25:54 PM
I would say run the 9 and then go back to regular size when it's done. Unless you wanna build a quiver.

Pump a vert ramp like a child would. Kneeslide into the shallow end of the pool. I'm not super tech and I ran an Dane 1 on classic 55s and never looked back. As long as I can kickflip and skate a rotting wooden box with my friends I'll skate any fucked up transition shape

edit: even big transition demands regular boards. Rileys Dad and Elliot Sloan ride 8.5s without risers
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 02, 2024, 08:57:49 PM
In the last month I've actually ridden 4 brands of trucks. I was on Ventures for 9mo and had a bad week of skating and thought going back to Thunders would cure some shitty flip tricks. In the process also decided to try Indy cast hollow. Oh boi did that open up old feelings. My timing isn't super different than Venture but they pop lighter. Pinch ain't a problem. Manuals feel nicer. But I commit to Thunder for a few weeks and my fucking bushings blow out again and I have a few days where I feel like they almost pop a little bit too light for me when I skate faster. Back and forth with Indy can't decide. Finally about to leave some gear at the park when I try my Ventures again and randomly all the qualms I had were kinda non existent.

Funny thing is I can do everything I can do on all of them. It's just various details that change. But still haven't decided what I'll setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Weeb_poser on August 03, 2024, 12:21:56 AM
I am really really fucking tempted to try some Lurpivs but I think Slappy's just work for me. I don't want to try them and open the Pandora's box of truck madness for myself again...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 03, 2024, 10:18:32 AM
Don't try anything if something is working. From what I've heard about Slappy Lurpiv offers nothing but a cool turn. Worse KP clearance, pinch is quite terrible, bad KP clearance. Some like the pop and the turn is good, but IDK what that really gets people.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 04, 2024, 10:54:35 AM
In the last month I've actually ridden 4 brands of trucks. I was on Ventures for 9mo and had a bad week of skating and thought going back to Thunders would cure some shitty flip tricks. In the process also decided to try Indy cast hollow. Oh boi did that open up old feelings. My timing isn't super different than Venture but they pop lighter. Pinch ain't a problem. Manuals feel nicer. But I commit to Thunder for a few weeks and my fucking bushings blow out again and I have a few days where I feel like they almost pop a little bit too light for me when I skate faster. Back and forth with Indy can't decide. Finally about to leave some gear at the park when I try my Ventures again and randomly all the qualms I had were kinda non existent.

Funny thing is I can do everything I can do on all of them. It's just various details that change. But still haven't decided what I'll setup.
 
 
I went through this exact equation of madness with the exact brands you have mentioned. I am similar to you, in that I can do all my same tricks on each brand, it’s just the feeling is different. So take solace in knowing that it truly doesn’t matter which truck you go with because it actually will not make a difference from a trick technicality standpoint. I also left all of my used gear that I knew wasn’t working for me at the skatepark. This way, I only have one setup to look at. I am way less tempted to switch anything out if it means I have to go to the shop and buy more gear. Back when I had like 4 sets of trucks at the crib it was a daily roll the dice situation as to what I would skate.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dwyck on August 04, 2024, 10:58:09 AM
I like having old gear sitting around for Frankenstein setups and rainy days and stuff.. It's like the back of a bike shop under my bed


Though it's mostly grooved indy 149 standards and 49mm f4s. I had a set of 151s that I swapped for some aces for my friends birthday. I miss em sorta
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 04, 2024, 11:28:56 AM
Expand Quote
In the last month I've actually ridden 4 brands of trucks. I was on Ventures for 9mo and had a bad week of skating and thought going back to Thunders would cure some shitty flip tricks. In the process also decided to try Indy cast hollow. Oh boi did that open up old feelings. My timing isn't super different than Venture but they pop lighter. Pinch ain't a problem. Manuals feel nicer. But I commit to Thunder for a few weeks and my fucking bushings blow out again and I have a few days where I feel like they almost pop a little bit too light for me when I skate faster. Back and forth with Indy can't decide. Finally about to leave some gear at the park when I try my Ventures again and randomly all the qualms I had were kinda non existent.

Funny thing is I can do everything I can do on all of them. It's just various details that change. But still haven't decided what I'll setup.
[close]
 
 
I went through this exact equation of madness with the exact brands you have mentioned. I am similar to you, in that I can do all my same tricks on each brand, it’s just the feeling is different. So take solace in knowing that it truly doesn’t matter which truck you go with because it actually will not make a difference from a trick technicality standpoint. I also left all of my used gear that I knew wasn’t working for me at the skatepark. This way, I only have one setup to look at. I am way less tempted to switch anything out if it means I have to go to the shop and buy more gear. Back when I had like 4 sets of trucks at the crib it was a daily roll the dice situation as to what I would skate.

so what did you end up going with?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 04, 2024, 11:46:17 AM
I went with my Venture 5.8. It’s the most stable of all the options and like you I was on them for like 8 months when a little madness hit. I posted a link to a Ben Degros video in this chat. In the video he says “the best setup to have, is the one you are used to”. I’m trying to keep that in mind because if I change something it takes me about 2 weeks for it to feel normal.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 04, 2024, 01:31:53 PM
I actually have almost no pop timing changes between Venture and Indy, but Thunder takes some reacclimating
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Meathook on August 04, 2024, 02:03:28 PM
Been having the worst truck madness since switching from 14-3/8” on Indy to 14”.  Actually settled on Ace with a girl shape.  With hard bushings they actually feel good and stable for being on a short wb.  Finna try and ride this out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on August 05, 2024, 02:58:40 PM
Venture 5.8 are the truck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 05, 2024, 05:52:27 PM
I rolled around on a set of Lurpivs today….for big boards….felt pretty good.  Felt really stable but still gave you a nice carve…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Allen. on August 06, 2024, 02:58:32 AM
I see a 5 pack from Skate Samples in my future. 8)

And my past and present
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 06, 2024, 06:06:55 PM
Expand Quote
I see a 5 pack from Skate Samples in my future. 8)
[close]

And my past and present


For people in USA without industry or shop links, are these the best price and option for people who like BBS boards?

Maybe it is just because I tend to like plain stains more than graphics now, but it just seems like it would be easier to get any of these and do whatever to them, more so than the cost or purchase of any other board that I have to go remove the graphic anyway, or because not being in USA I can't justify the additional cost to ship them out here.

That in itself is some of my madness when I see all those amazing boards in the setups threads, DIY graphics or plain stains, which all look really good.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Meathook on August 06, 2024, 06:47:03 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I see a 5 pack from Skate Samples in my future. 8)
[close]

And my past and present
[close]


For people in USA without industry or shop links, are these the best price and option for people who like BBS boards?

Maybe it is just because I tend to like plain stains more than graphics now, but it just seems like it would be easier to get any of these and do whatever to them, more so than the cost or purchase of any other board that I have to go remove the graphic anyway, or because not being in USA I can't justify the additional cost to ship them out here.

That in itself is some of my madness when I see all those amazing boards in the setups threads, DIY graphics or plain stains, which all look really good.

In U.S. and from what I can find it is the best deal. For me shipped a 5 blank pack ends up being ~$33usd/board.  The closest thing is Xumiex sale decks which can sometimes be > $40/board, but it’s limited and rare.

Some shops use/used bbs in the past for shop boards, but I’m not sure who does now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Underpressureflips on August 06, 2024, 08:13:56 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I see a 5 pack from Skate Samples in my future. 8)
[close]

And my past and present
[close]


For people in USA without industry or shop links, are these the best price and option for people who like BBS boards?

Maybe it is just because I tend to like plain stains more than graphics now, but it just seems like it would be easier to get any of these and do whatever to them, more so than the cost or purchase of any other board that I have to go remove the graphic anyway, or because not being in USA I can't justify the additional cost to ship them out here.

That in itself is some of my madness when I see all those amazing boards in the setups threads, DIY graphics or plain stains, which all look really good.

Tactics shop decks are bbs and can be had for under $30 at times
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on August 06, 2024, 08:49:19 PM
If you're not hurting for cash most shops that use BBS sell their decks for $45-$55 and Tactics decks are well priced and don't have the worst graphics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 08, 2024, 07:40:24 PM
Can someone here speak on the differences between 8.5 to 8.25 axle trucks? I’m on 5.8s and am considering 5.6s because I want something slightly more maneuverable and easier to get off the ground.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 08, 2024, 08:18:44 PM
Can someone here speak on the differences between 8.5 to 8.25 axle trucks? I’m on 5.8s and am considering 5.6s because I want something slightly more maneuverable and easier to get off the ground.

.25" of an inch difference in width.
8.5" maybe just a hair more stable (depends on the truck imo; since I asume you are speaing to Ventures, not much difference in my experience....same goes for pop, tho 5.6 will just be a tad lighter all things being equal)

Choose based on the size of your board and if you prefer hotrod or magic carpet.

I'm currently staring at an 8.62" deck with both 8.5 and 8.75 inch trucks in hand like a deer in fucking headlights.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Unkle Fleak on August 08, 2024, 08:23:26 PM
I’m probably sizing down tomorrow. I need motivation to skate. I got trick dreams and too many days off. My board is to heavy and shit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 08, 2024, 08:30:24 PM
@xen I would be switching from 5.8 to 5.6 standard. I honestly need to be talked out of it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 08, 2024, 09:13:30 PM
Can someone here speak on the differences between 8.5 to 8.25 axle trucks? I’m on 5.8s and am considering 5.6s because I want something slightly more maneuverable and easier to get off the ground.


It is down to your preference.

Between three people, all on the same size boards, there are exactly the two options, as you have mentioned.

I ride the 8.5" truck, because it is more stable and that is what I prefer on all my setups, mainly skating transition or small tech, but not really any rail / stair stuff.  That and the more narrow truck just feels too tippy for me nowdays, even though I used to skate that and smaller trucks a while back.

One of the guys always says my boards feel too rigid and he always rides the 8.25" truck, because it gives him the right amount of tip to pop to size / weight, etc. 

The other guy often rides both, but when skating more street stuff, he also goes down to a smaller truck to make things more manageable overall.


That is without going into any other info with different truck versions, hollow / forged vs cast / solid or anything else, but even that can change things considerably too, in which ever width truck, along with how many washers on the inside, how worn down the truck is and other factors.

A normal set of standards / team / polished 5.8s are always going to feel a little more solid, chunky, heavy or whatever compared to the same truck in 5.6, but whether or not you will like it more or less is up to you.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on August 08, 2024, 09:21:52 PM
Can someone here speak on the differences between 8.5 to 8.25 axle trucks? I’m on 5.8s and am considering 5.6s because I want something slightly more maneuverable and easier to get off the ground.

Stick to the trucks you have. Take the 5.8s to axle if they are broken in and feeling decent.

If you want a lighter set up that pops quicker, get smaller wheels or better yet, wear down the ones ye have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 08, 2024, 09:29:30 PM
^^well put by all. My 5.8s are broken in af and I have 53mm classics that are worn in nicely. It is so TEMPTING to switch to smaller trucks but I know that once I go down that path it’s hard to stop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skatebruh on August 08, 2024, 09:42:31 PM
I would try a shorter wheelbase before new trucks. I love a 14” wheelbase with Ventures.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 08, 2024, 09:47:38 PM
^this was my next idea.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 08, 2024, 10:50:12 PM
@xen I would be switching from 5.8 to 5.6 standard. I honestly need to be talked out of it

@mstuntbless I'd second the smaller wheelbase with the trucks you have; I've bounced back and forth with 5.8s/5.6s (as well as withint other brands) and I've found that regardless of truck, 149s just feel better to me.

If you're stateside and can't shake it, I have some gently touched 5.6s I'll never ride again ;)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on August 09, 2024, 02:49:28 AM
I've been loving 149s/5.8s on a 8.38 deck recently. Such a solid-feeling setup. Previously rode 144s on 8.25 and 8.38 decks, and always felt that there's a tiny something that puts me off just a bit. With the current combo I can skate everything from flatground to bigger tranny, which is awesome as I want to skate everything (vert excluded).

Try it! Taking the risk is part of the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 09, 2024, 07:13:02 AM
Wait till you try 5.6 with 3 washers inside and realize that yes, maybe you can have it all!

Anyone else run 4 total washers per wheel? Either inside or outside I've grown to really hate wearing my axle ends down.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on August 09, 2024, 07:36:53 AM
Wait till you try 5.6 with 3 washers inside and realize that yes, maybe you can have it all!

Anyone else run 4 total washers per wheel? Either inside or outside I've grown to really hate wearing my axle ends down.

i need to get some thinner washers (were these ever called ‘speed rings’? am i just being a dumbass, is this a safety belt vs seat belt thing i’ve made up in my head?)

4 is a little hard for me to pull off, if they are the wrong thickness i run out of axle, and i’m more worried about the nut/wheel falling off.
i do run 2 on the inside, and wide wheels, on my 5.6s on an 8.25 deck.
the 5.6s are fine, and i’ve stuck with them for longer than i normally do. i am using forged plate 5.6s, and they don’t excite me the way the 6.1s did, but i have no business on a truck that big.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 09, 2024, 09:27:40 AM
I've been loving 149s/5.8s on a 8.38 deck recently. Such a solid-feeling setup. Previously rode 144s on 8.25 and 8.38 decks, and always felt that there's a tiny something that puts me off just a bit. With the current combo I can skate everything from flatground to bigger tranny, which is awesome as I want to skate everything (vert excluded).

Try it! Taking the risk is part of the madness.

I hovered around 8.25/8.3 forever, 148/149 back and forth and yeah, there's just 'something' off to me about 8.25" trucks vs 149s...(but I can easily skate either) and 'adding more speedrings' doesn't actually fix it other than visually for me. However, like 149s on 8.25, 148s on 8.125 (or even an 8 ) is the jam.

What's even more fuel is I skate royals and while the hangers are the same as other brands, the actual axles are shorter than a comparable competitors truck. So, a 149 royal actually fits better on 8.25/8.38 (or the 159s on the 8.62 I'm setting up) because the axle tip are ever so slightly tucked in so less bolt overhang...then of course, there is the taper on some decks...8.62 in the front....8.5 in the back, the mullets of decks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on August 09, 2024, 09:39:08 AM
I rode a Quasi proto once, 8.25 w/8.5 trucks and it tapers a lot in the back and it was fucking weird to look down at.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 09, 2024, 06:47:55 PM
Expand Quote
Wait till you try 5.6 with 3 washers inside and realize that yes, maybe you can have it all!

Anyone else run 4 total washers per wheel? Either inside or outside I've grown to really hate wearing my axle ends down.
[close]

i need to get some thinner washers (were these ever called ‘speed rings’? am i just being a dumbass, is this a safety belt vs seat belt thing i’ve made up in my head?)

4 is a little hard for me to pull off, if they are the wrong thickness i run out of axle, and i’m more worried about the nut/wheel falling off.
i do run 2 on the inside, and wide wheels, on my 5.6s on an 8.25 deck.
the 5.6s are fine, and i’ve stuck with them for longer than i normally do. i am using forged plate 5.6s, and they don’t excite me the way the 6.1s did, but i have no business on a truck that big.


Re different size washers, yes, I got a pack of 1000 or so from ebay a number of years ago now (from China) and they are significantly thinner, so I can fit four of those on the inside of each with some wheels with the axle nuts on safely, but I tend to stick with regular washers, usually three on the insides and they work just fine for everything for me.

As long as the nuts are never just finger tight, they all work well and the nut is never down past the end of the axle anyway, so all my trucks don't have issues in that regard, but also getting a box of axle nuts helped to ensure that I never have any issues there either.

I don't ever really bother with any washers on the outside - the nuts have a built in taper to them so they sit well on the bearings, but I know some people who always must have at least one washer on either side, so that is just another version of madness there too - not a worry to me.


Re "Speed rings" yes they were called this a lot back in the day and were even in marketing from skate brands as speed rings for a while too, although I haven't heard them called that for a while now.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 09, 2024, 08:23:41 PM
I rock two washers on the outside of my wheels trying to shrink my 5.8s lol. I’m going to take the suggestions posted here and go for a smaller wheelbase for my next board. I am on a frog 8.4 with a 14.25 and I kind of made a deal with myself that I can buy one skate product a month. So this month I needed shoes. I def want to get a short wb board but  too much switching messes me up! Gonna hold out till next month.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on August 10, 2024, 01:25:08 AM
I've been in 8.25 for a while now and I was like "I feel like an 8.5" (which I skated for a numbers of years and all good).
So I got a 8.5 and I think I'm hating it.
Don't want to setup a 8.25 since my pride would be hurt on the sense of "I couldn't manage an 8.5" which is pretty dumb but is how things are.
Most likely tomorrow I'll post on the setup threads that I out together an 8.25 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gosh I love skateboarding.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on August 10, 2024, 07:16:46 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Wait till you try 5.6 with 3 washers inside and realize that yes, maybe you can have it all!

Anyone else run 4 total washers per wheel? Either inside or outside I've grown to really hate wearing my axle ends down.
[close]

i need to get some thinner washers (were these ever called ‘speed rings’? am i just being a dumbass, is this a safety belt vs seat belt thing i’ve made up in my head?)

4 is a little hard for me to pull off, if they are the wrong thickness i run out of axle, and i’m more worried about the nut/wheel falling off.
i do run 2 on the inside, and wide wheels, on my 5.6s on an 8.25 deck.
the 5.6s are fine, and i’ve stuck with them for longer than i normally do. i am using forged plate 5.6s, and they don’t excite me the way the 6.1s did, but i have no business on a truck that big.
[close]


Re different size washers, yes, I got a pack of 1000 or so from ebay a number of years ago now (from China) and they are significantly thinner, so I can fit four of those on the inside of each with some wheels with the axle nuts on safely, but I tend to stick with regular washers, usually three on the insides and they work just fine for everything for me.

As long as the nuts are never just finger tight, they all work well and the nut is never down past the end of the axle anyway, so all my trucks don't have issues in that regard, but also getting a box of axle nuts helped to ensure that I never have any issues there either.

I don't ever really bother with any washers on the outside - the nuts have a built in taper to them so they sit well on the bearings, but I know some people who always must have at least one washer on either side, so that is just another version of madness there too - not a worry to me.


Re "Speed rings" yes they were called this a lot back in the day and were even in marketing from skate brands as speed rings for a while too, although I haven't heard them called that for a while now.


makes sense, i’m old.

i should try the no washer on the outside, for some reason i just don’t, won’t.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: CarcassToss on August 10, 2024, 01:14:38 PM
I've been in 8.25 for a while now and I was like "I feel like an 8.5" (which I skated for a numbers of years and all good).
So I got a 8.5 and I think I'm hating it.
Don't want to setup a 8.25 since my pride would be hurt on the sense of "I couldn't manage an 8.5" which is pretty dumb but is how things are.
Most likely tomorrow I'll post on the setup threads that I out together an 8.25 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gosh I love skateboarding.

There are way more factors than width that would dictate if you like or hate a shape did you get one close to your normal? I find I like to keep the nose relatively the same and preferably wheelbase. I had a Sci Fi 8.25 I liked and got an AH 8.5 eagle right after I hated. The Eagle was noticeably shorter, shorter tail, nose slightly shorter as well. Had an 8.5 Quasi after that was 14.25, nice longer nose, measured closer to the Sci Fi and skated great.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on August 11, 2024, 12:42:06 AM
Expand Quote
I've been in 8.25 for a while now and I was like "I feel like an 8.5" (which I skated for a numbers of years and all good).
So I got a 8.5 and I think I'm hating it.
Don't want to setup a 8.25 since my pride would be hurt on the sense of "I couldn't manage an 8.5" which is pretty dumb but is how things are.
Most likely tomorrow I'll post on the setup threads that I out together an 8.25 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gosh I love skateboarding.
[close]

There are way more factors than width that would dictate if you like or hate a shape did you get one close to your normal? I find I like to keep the nose relatively the same and preferably wheelbase. I had a Sci Fi 8.25 I liked and got an AH 8.5 eagle right after I hated. The Eagle was noticeably shorter, shorter tail, nose slightly shorter as well. Had an 8.5 Quasi after that was 14.25, nice longer nose, measured closer to the Sci Fi and skated great.
I'd say that weight was a factor in here and lenght also, that 8.5 was 32.1 which felt way too much after being in 31.6 for a while. Pretty sure that the Toy one I just setup (8.25 x 31.98 x 14.25) will feel great.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 11, 2024, 07:41:27 AM
Expand Quote
I've been in 8.25 for a while now and I was like "I feel like an 8.5" (which I skated for a numbers of years and all good).
So I got a 8.5 and I think I'm hating it.
Don't want to setup a 8.25 since my pride would be hurt on the sense of "I couldn't manage an 8.5" which is pretty dumb but is how things are.
Most likely tomorrow I'll post on the setup threads that I out together an 8.25 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Gosh I love skateboarding.
[close]

There are way more factors than width that would dictate if you like or hate a shape did you get one close to your normal? I find I like to keep the nose relatively the same and preferably wheelbase. I had a Sci Fi 8.25 I liked and got an AH 8.5 eagle right after I hated. The Eagle was noticeably shorter, shorter tail, nose slightly shorter as well. Had an 8.5 Quasi after that was 14.25, nice longer nose, measured closer to the Sci Fi and skated great.
The 8.5 eagle measured a hair under 8.4 if I remember correctly. The shape reminds me of the Baker 8.475 which has similar dimensions but a bit flatter. Been awhile on both of those but i remember flip trips being very consistent but it was so much harder to pop higher that it wasn't worth it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 11, 2024, 09:03:07 AM
I personally don't love that eagle shape. It's 8.38 with 14.2 and 31.8. Even the Baker 8.25 feels better to me somehow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on August 11, 2024, 09:39:39 AM
I personally don't love that eagle shape. It's 8.38 with 14.2 and 31.8.

Someone else who agrees with me. IMHO, the DLX 8.5 and 8.38 are the same shape, with just slightly different dimensions. I hate both of them. Meanwhile the DLX 8.25/14.38 and 8.75/14.62 a super close to the same shape...and I love both of those. How surprising.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 11, 2024, 10:54:30 AM
I also agree^ if we are talking about the same shape. I had a dlx 8.5x31.8x14.25 and it was not even close to the measurements. More like an 8.25 and it was ridiculously tapered.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 11, 2024, 11:09:15 AM
People love it tho so it stays as is. I can only imagine someone going from the normal 14.5wb 8.5 to that choad shape and being really confused at how off it felt. I've legit never had a good session on one even after giving it a few weeks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on August 12, 2024, 04:55:00 PM
What truck is suited better for someone that doesn’t have a lot of power in their popping foot? Injuries have made it hard to pop my board. Should I be looking at trucks that pop fast and are light (Thunder hollow lights, lower truck, extend wheelbase) or something that lightens the pop? (ace/indy)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 12, 2024, 06:02:59 PM
What truck is suited better for someone that doesn’t have a lot of power in their popping foot? Injuries have made it hard to pop my board. Should I be looking at trucks that pop fast and are light (Thunder hollow lights, lower truck, extend wheelbase) or something that lightens the pop? (ace/indy)


I think it is more down to a lower angle of kicks on the board - more mellow board, than the trucks, but in saying that, Indy work well for me with almost everything, compared to Thunder, Venture or Ace (or others) but that might also be because I am way more used to Indy standard trucks in general, even though I do have all the other trucks on boards anyway, including forged baseplates, ti or hollow axles, smaller to wider options, etc.

Lighter doesn't always mean better, but for the most part, Indy forged baseplates / hollow hangers might be easier in the weight department for some people too.  Whatever the reason, something that you know has worked for you can also be the easiest option, eg if you are used to skating a certain brand of truck, that is where I would start, over getting into other options you may not have really skated a whole lot in the past, which might not be too hard to adapt to, but can sometimes be frustrating in getting to that point.

For me though - ankle injuries have meant that having more mellow kicks, or a more mellow tail in particular means I find things way easier to be happy and just do what I do, not really thinking about getting a lot of height from ollies, and more just enjoying rolling around, but still pop if or when needed, more so than ghost popping everything on a steeper tail.

Others might have different options, but that is my take on it anyway.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on August 12, 2024, 06:21:06 PM
What truck is suited better for someone that doesn’t have a lot of power in their popping foot? Injuries have made it hard to pop my board. Should I be looking at trucks that pop fast and are light (Thunder hollow lights, lower truck, extend wheelbase) or something that lightens the pop? (ace/indy)
I would suggest a lower truck over a truck that shortens your overall wheelbase. I hesitated to try Thunders after spending 15 years on independent and ace, but my flip tricks have never felt more solid (I’m using the inverted edition 148s with riptides and ace low/high mix hards.)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 12, 2024, 06:42:14 PM
I ruptured every ligament in my ankle in 2021 and it was rough getting back on the board. These days I skate Indy's or Ventures and think that the full year of rehab helped me get better pop than before my injury.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on August 12, 2024, 07:27:06 PM
Expand Quote
What truck is suited better for someone that doesn’t have a lot of power in their popping foot? Injuries have made it hard to pop my board. Should I be looking at trucks that pop fast and are light (Thunder hollow lights, lower truck, extend wheelbase) or something that lightens the pop? (ace/indy)
[close]


I think it is more down to a lower angle of kicks on the board - more mellow board, than the trucks, but in saying that, Indy work well for me with almost everything, compared to Thunder, Venture or Ace (or others) but that might also be because I am way more used to Indy standard trucks in general, even though I do have all the other trucks on boards anyway, including forged baseplates, ti or hollow axles, smaller to wider options, etc.

Lighter doesn't always mean better, but for the most part, Indy forged baseplates / hollow hangers might be easier in the weight department for some people too.  Whatever the reason, something that you know has worked for you can also be the easiest option, eg if you are used to skating a certain brand of truck, that is where I would start, over getting into other options you may not have really skated a whole lot in the past, which might not be too hard to adapt to, but can sometimes be frustrating in getting to that point.

For me though - ankle injuries have meant that having more mellow kicks, or a more mellow tail in particular means I find things way easier to be happy and just do what I do, not really thinking about getting a lot of height from ollies, and more just enjoying rolling around, but still pop if or when needed, more so than ghost popping everything on a steeper tail.

Others might have different options, but that is my take on it anyway.

oh yeah, definitely found that I prefer mellow boards on any truck. That is a given. I would say Ace is my home base, but been on Thunders for almost a year. Thunders pop feels better but flip tricks felt better on the ace (more consistent) So not entirely sure where to go from here.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on August 12, 2024, 10:30:56 PM
What truck is suited better for someone that doesn’t have a lot of power in their popping foot? Injuries have made it hard to pop my board. Should I be looking at trucks that pop fast and are light (Thunder hollow lights, lower truck, extend wheelbase) or something that lightens the pop? (ace/indy)

I broke my leg (fib) just above ankle in early 2019. There was also significant ligament damage. Two surgeries. Lot of internal hardware. Off board for a year. Had to learn to walk, let alone skate again. Yes, some of it is age, but I will never again skate the same way I did before the injury. My ankle is far less flexible than it once was, and not as strong. I am regular foot, and my left foot is the one I jacked. So, that means nollie and switch stuff took the brunt of it. I tinkered with my set-ups pre injury, but the real Madness for me did not start until I was cleared to start skating again. And the Madness happened for good reason: (1) My body no longer functioned and moved the same way it used to, and (2) I needed/wanted to capitalize on whatever incremental advantages equipment tweaks had to offer at this stage of the game. This is literally to say I was not same person (physically) as I was pre-injury, so maybe that also necessitated a change in equipment to better match the “new” me?? Enter the Madness.

During that time I literally tried everything from 7.75 decks with venture lows and 50mm wheels to 9" shaped decks with standard 169s and big-ass wheels. And guess what? I ended up almost back on the exact same set-up I had pre-injury (with some minor tweaks).

Long time readers of this thread (and the DLX thread) will know that I like flatter decks. That is because of the injury. Flatter decks offer me two advantages. First, I don't have to bend/flex my ankle as much just standing on the board, let alone doing tricks. Second, flatter decks help avoid ghost pop (yes, you can also adjusting via truck height and wheel size, too), and with taller/steeper kicks, you need more power to get a good snap. But too flat, and too low, and it's like trying to ollie on just a deck on the carpet with no trucks on it…so you need some power there, too, to really get off the ground. The key is to find your optimal middle ground between steepness and height. For this exact reason, I ride Indy Forged trucks. 53.5mm tall. Right in the middle. Not as high as standard Indy, not as low as others. It's a good middle ground. I ride 53mm wheels, because they are also a nice height/pop compromise. Wheelbase (deck and truck) also comes into play here, too. Oddly, deck width also came into play for me, too. Narrower boards had me more on my toes (e.g. lots of ankle use). With a wider deck, I could be a little more flat-footed, with less strain on ankle. These days I go back and forth between an 8.75 and an 8.25, depending on the mood.

As to your original question, I do not think there is a magic bullet that is applicable to all people in similar situations. You will just have to embrace the Madness and find out what combination of kick steepness, board height, weight, etc. works best for you. That said, flatter and lower is probably going to be your friend.   

Last, if you know you have an injury (like mine), that will forever impact how your body works, the hardest pill to swallow is adjusting your expectations. If you’re lucky enough to skate long enough, age will eventually force you to do that, too.

EDIT: When my orthopedic surgeon cleared me to skate again, he said something I will never forget. "You no longer have any restrictions, but you will certainly have some limitations. What exactly those are, and how to manage them, is for you to discover." Good life advice there, too. I wish you the best of luck with your...discoveries.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on August 13, 2024, 12:12:05 AM
Thanks for the solid advice. These thunders aren’t doing it for me so time to experiment. That being said, how do Indy and ace compare pop wise?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on August 13, 2024, 07:35:24 AM
Thanks for the solid advice. These thunders aren’t doing it for me so time to experiment. That being said, how do Indy and ace compare pop wise?

How does vanilla ice cream compare to chocolate and strawberry ? Depends on who you ask.

For me, forged Indys are the best truck ever made. Hard stop. Your mileage, however, may vary.

Also, I clarified (e.g. edited) a few things in my above longer post. Might want to re-read it. I wish you luck with all this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on August 13, 2024, 08:07:45 AM
have been wanting to own a pair of every brand of trucks
the only ones i havent tried that i want to are slappy and lurpiv
i really dont have money to be buying more trucks though :(
but then i think about it and really i think i actually like the way thunder and venture are more than indy and ace... so why dont i just stay with those brands? i dont skate hardly any transition anyway... dont think thats gonna change too mcuh unless i move or something

i started sakting small wheels and i didnt feel like i was sakting way more tech or anything. i went back to the big wheels and i like it way more so i am just stayin with that from now on too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 13, 2024, 10:06:25 AM
have been wanting to own a pair of every brand of trucks
the only ones i havent tried that i want to are slappy and lurpiv
i really dont have money to be buying more trucks though :(
but then i think about it and really i think i actually like the way thunder and venture are more than indy and ace... so why dont i just stay with those brands? i dont skate hardly any transition anyway... dont think thats gonna change too mcuh unless i move or something

i started sakting small wheels and i didnt feel like i was sakting way more tech or anything. i went back to the big wheels and i like it way more so i am just stayin with that from now on too.

As someone that pretty much does (I am not dipping on Lurpivs, as I don't have a need), it's not worth it :P I've a BOX of trucks, all brands and sizes, configs...

What's helped my madness is when I want a thunder/venture feel I go Royal (when I want less wheelbite and more turn but still stable), when I want ACE/Indy I go Slappy (better turn than thunder/vent, taller, better grind/clearance, has that camps feel).

It's odd that I've landed on fringe trucks but they both fill that need (had I not bought them I'd have never known, however). But then again, I prefer STFs over Spits...I just like that glassy slide.

If you don't NEED an ACE turn (I don't) then go for Indy, if you hate how heavy (or slow) indy are, get slappys. I don't need as much turn as ACE gives (or Lurpiv...I'm not Oski skating heavy tranny)..

Slappy has quickly become my go to, they're very close to how theeve feel. And it's only when I ride them for a a bit that I feel the limitations of royals turn in comparison to that slappy/indy style turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 13, 2024, 11:52:45 AM
I've had a sorta similar journey through my truck preferences.

I actually really like Indy cast hollows. IDK how they work bc on paper I shouldn't like them, but if I put the blue barrel bushings in I don't really need to crank them and they're stable enough (just barely). I'm used to how to pinch them and the pop has a good balance of heft and lightness with the heft coming more from the height. Ventures give me a similar pop feel with the heft coming more from the WB extension. Ventures end up more stable with better pinch as expected, but I feel once I am approaching 54 wheels they do get a bit too hefty for my tastes. If I was rocking 52's or 53's I could really pick one over the other on any day and it wouldn't matter.

I also do love Thunders, but after trying them out recently realized that the pop feel is substantially different from the 2 above and that I need to use the pocket more. This is a bit weird to get used to for fakie tricks as it puts my foot closer to a point that makes the trucks lean more and can throw off timing. They are best for manual tricks for me and a reliable back-up, but right now I'm just kinda feeling the general pop I get from Indy cast hollows or the Venture V cast so I'm going with it and accepting any small nuances.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 13, 2024, 12:24:47 PM
It's been mentioned a couple of times here, so you and I are not the first, fakie tricks on thunders (and i guess switch for some depending on where you shift/hold your weight) are tricky compared to say a venture in terms of forgiveness (same for royals); it's all subjective and based on what your needs and style are. Do I *need* a thunder vs a venture? Personally no. I'm not good enough for it to matter and both provide enough turn for me.

I've a love/hate with thunders as I love how nimble/agile they are (but not good enough to land bolts everytime to avoid wheebite and can't/choose not to ride super tight), nothing comes close to them in that regard.

Slappys are the 'nimble' ACE/Indy vs super turny/slow carvy. Royals are just a quicker intial turning venture.

We could all skate any of them, anywhere, if we had too especially someone not riding 100% bowls or who skates supertight.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 13, 2024, 03:09:31 PM
I ride my Thunders with the stock bushings, prob flush-ish which is pretty medium, but know what you mean. There isn't much room for error. What I personally love about them is the manual point and on days I'm a bit tired the lightness of the pop for simple tricks is pretty welcome. What I have never tried, which I miiiiight like, is Thunder with risers, but hopefully the new Thunders scratch that itch.

I think where the experiences is align is finding 2 trucks that are mostly perfect, accepting the differences, and being mentally willing to just put the one you're feeling/needing on and letting go of the other options. I don't love that Indy is a truck that works great for me, such a cursed brand.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 13, 2024, 03:49:52 PM
^^i resonate with this. Indy kind of sucks as a brand but the thing is…they work on a majority of boards for a majority of people.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on August 13, 2024, 11:30:08 PM
It's been mentioned a couple of times here, so you and I are not the first, fakie tricks on thunders (and i guess switch for some depending on where you shift/hold your weight) are tricky compared to say a venture in terms of forgiveness (same for royals); it's all subjective and based on what your needs and style are. Do I *need* a thunder vs a venture? Personally no. I'm not good enough for it to matter and both provide enough turn for me.

I've a love/hate with thunders as I love how nimble/agile they are (but not good enough to land bolts everytime to avoid wheebite and can't/choose not to ride super tight), nothing comes close to them in that regard.

Slappys are the 'nimble' ACE/Indy vs super turny/slow carvy. Royals are just a quicker intial turning venture.

We could all skate any of them, anywhere, if we had too especially someone not riding 100% bowls or who skates supertight.

Bro you've piqued my interest with regards to Royals. I can't skate anything else than Indy or Venture (tried and tested), but I keep madnessing over which I prefer long term.

Would Royals solve my problem? I know, the question is kinda insane, but humour me at least rhetorically here. How's the pop feel with Royals? And as a dude who rides transition amidst all the ledge/curb stuff, would Royals provide a happy medium here? I love the stability and ooomph of Ventures and the surfy turn of Indys. Not looking for extremes either way. Would Royals be a compromise or a synergy? Much love.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 14, 2024, 12:40:39 AM
Expand Quote
It's been mentioned a couple of times here, so you and I are not the first, fakie tricks on thunders (and i guess switch for some depending on where you shift/hold your weight) are tricky compared to say a venture in terms of forgiveness (same for royals); it's all subjective and based on what your needs and style are. Do I *need* a thunder vs a venture? Personally no. I'm not good enough for it to matter and both provide enough turn for me.

I've a love/hate with thunders as I love how nimble/agile they are (but not good enough to land bolts everytime to avoid wheebite and can't/choose not to ride super tight), nothing comes close to them in that regard.

Slappys are the 'nimble' ACE/Indy vs super turny/slow carvy. Royals are just a quicker intial turning venture.

We could all skate any of them, anywhere, if we had too especially someone not riding 100% bowls or who skates supertight.
[close]

Bro you've piqued my interest with regards to Royals. I can't skate anything else than Indy or Venture (tried and tested), but I keep madnessing over which I prefer long term.

Would Royals solve my problem? I know, the question is kinda insane, but humour me at least rhetorically here. How's the pop feel with Royals? And as a dude who rides transition amidst all the ledge/curb stuff, would Royals provide a happy medium here? I love the stability and ooomph of Ventures and the surfy turn of Indys. Not looking for extremes either way. Would Royals be a compromise or a synergy? Much love.

I wish I could say yes, because if any of us can be cured it's a step for all of us.

When you skate ventures in bowls what aren't they giving you? And don't say 'indy' ;) What Indy are you riding? Cast/Forged (mids, doubtful)? Cast or forged vents? Big boy wheels or small tech?

Short answer, no, I don't think Royals (or Ventures) are a replacement for anyone that regularly skates bowls (Chris Miller, Yuto and Lockwood can all skate whatever the fuck they want wherever they want ;). They are decidedly in the Venture/Thunder camp style of truck just quicker and smoother (with less wheelbite), respectively. And most will need to tweak the bushings (which turns many off). Just buy ACE hards if you're heavier or ACE Mediums/Krux 92s if you are on the lighter side. They need a big bottom bushing.

Pop feel is very Venture to me, perhaps just a hair lighter (for the record, this one area I don't sweat/OCD much on, as I can ollie very high/have pop so I just crack the hell out of anything I'm riding and hope for the best, WB is more cricital for me here for leveling out, not the pop) - that's why they feel so non descript to a lot of people, they don't feel too pop light or too pop heavy and they don't push out or pull in too far, they're just 'there' and work well with short or long WB; they're very neutral in their approach (FWIW slappys are the same way in that regard, just turn like indy (but faster) or ACE (more stable).

If you're stateside DM me (I'm sitting on some sizes I'm not using and will cut you a deal to help your madness and depop).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on August 14, 2024, 01:12:57 AM
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It's been mentioned a couple of times here, so you and I are not the first, fakie tricks on thunders (and i guess switch for some depending on where you shift/hold your weight) are tricky compared to say a venture in terms of forgiveness (same for royals); it's all subjective and based on what your needs and style are. Do I *need* a thunder vs a venture? Personally no. I'm not good enough for it to matter and both provide enough turn for me.

I've a love/hate with thunders as I love how nimble/agile they are (but not good enough to land bolts everytime to avoid wheebite and can't/choose not to ride super tight), nothing comes close to them in that regard.

Slappys are the 'nimble' ACE/Indy vs super turny/slow carvy. Royals are just a quicker intial turning venture.

We could all skate any of them, anywhere, if we had too especially someone not riding 100% bowls or who skates supertight.
[close]

Bro you've piqued my interest with regards to Royals. I can't skate anything else than Indy or Venture (tried and tested), but I keep madnessing over which I prefer long term.

Would Royals solve my problem? I know, the question is kinda insane, but humour me at least rhetorically here. How's the pop feel with Royals? And as a dude who rides transition amidst all the ledge/curb stuff, would Royals provide a happy medium here? I love the stability and ooomph of Ventures and the surfy turn of Indys. Not looking for extremes either way. Would Royals be a compromise or a synergy? Much love.
[close]

I wish I could say yes, because if any of us can be cured it's a step for all of us.

When you skate ventures in bowls what aren't they giving you? And don't say 'indy' ;) What Indy are you riding? Cast/Forged (mids, doubtful)? Cast or forged vents? Big boy wheels or small tech?

The Venture (I ride V-hollows so forged) turn in tight trannies isn't forgiving enough for me. Yeah, I'm not Lockwood either (although he skates Thunders but y'know). I have to set them too loose for them to feel good and they end up being kind tippy, for a lack of a better word.

As per Indys, I ride forged. Wheels always around the 54-56mm zone.

But yeah, as per you saying Royals are "neutral" and "are just there" actually sounds pretty good. I'm not looking for "soul" or "personality" in trucks, I'm into function. Any tips on various Royal options with regards to forged/cast/hollow/whatnot?

Oh, and bushings are no problem, I'm used to tweaking them and even have some extra sets of Ace hards from my Ace days.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 14, 2024, 10:31:32 AM
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It's been mentioned a couple of times here, so you and I are not the first, fakie tricks on thunders (and i guess switch for some depending on where you shift/hold your weight) are tricky compared to say a venture in terms of forgiveness (same for royals); it's all subjective and based on what your needs and style are. Do I *need* a thunder vs a venture? Personally no. I'm not good enough for it to matter and both provide enough turn for me.

I've a love/hate with thunders as I love how nimble/agile they are (but not good enough to land bolts everytime to avoid wheebite and can't/choose not to ride super tight), nothing comes close to them in that regard.

Slappys are the 'nimble' ACE/Indy vs super turny/slow carvy. Royals are just a quicker intial turning venture.

We could all skate any of them, anywhere, if we had too especially someone not riding 100% bowls or who skates supertight.
[close]

Bro you've piqued my interest with regards to Royals. I can't skate anything else than Indy or Venture (tried and tested), but I keep madnessing over which I prefer long term.

Would Royals solve my problem? I know, the question is kinda insane, but humour me at least rhetorically here. How's the pop feel with Royals? And as a dude who rides transition amidst all the ledge/curb stuff, would Royals provide a happy medium here? I love the stability and ooomph of Ventures and the surfy turn of Indys. Not looking for extremes either way. Would Royals be a compromise or a synergy? Much love.
[close]

I wish I could say yes, because if any of us can be cured it's a step for all of us.

When you skate ventures in bowls what aren't they giving you? And don't say 'indy' ;) What Indy are you riding? Cast/Forged (mids, doubtful)? Cast or forged vents? Big boy wheels or small tech?
[close]

The Venture (I ride V-hollows so forged) turn in tight trannies isn't forgiving enough for me. Yeah, I'm not Lockwood either (although he skates Thunders but y'know). I have to set them too loose for them to feel good and they end up being kind tippy, for a lack of a better word.

As per Indys, I ride forged. Wheels always around the 54-56mm zone.

But yeah, as per you saying Royals are "neutral" and "are just there" actually sounds pretty good. I'm not looking for "soul" or "personality" in trucks, I'm into function. Any tips on various Royal options with regards to forged/cast/hollow/whatnot?

Oh, and bushings are no problem, I'm used to tweaking them and even have some extra sets of Ace hards from my Ace days.

I get you on the ventures in bowls in tight pockets, that's my issue with thunders, I have to get them super loose and risk more wheelbite in those tight corners. Ace/Indy/Slappy carve right out (that's what they are made to do). There's one pocket at my local that I can get pitched from if I'm using anything but ACE/Indy/Slappy for some reason, it's so tight that at speed a lean isn't enough, I need deep carve/forgiveness. Especially with BIG wheels.

Royals only come in 3 flavors, they are ALL 52mm tall, so mind your wheel size (I usually don't go past 54mm wheels on 52mm trucks and only ride 51 or smaller on thunders):

Standard (these are the same weight as a comperable sized Indy TI)

Ultra Light (hollow pin/axel) - stupid light, much much lighter than venture hollow but not as light as say a team hollow thunder, but REAL close

Inverted Kingpin (also a standard axle)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Weezil on August 14, 2024, 02:13:05 PM
^^i resonate with this. Indy kind of sucks as a brand but the thing is…they work on a majority of boards for a majority of people.
I feel this too. I gave up on trying to make anything else work, I can do ventures and might switch back if they release aftermarket bushings and stuff but I feel like there's a reason pros that dont have a truck sponsor all ride indy, they're just good trucks that turn good and grind good. for me was it's easy to buy more stock bushings too, seems like every aftermarket company caters to indy too if you indys aftermarket stuff isn't available.

other thing was with ace and venture I started wanting to buy risers even though I switched to those brands because they were lower than indy, I figured with a riser I'm back at indy height I might as well skate indys. either way I haven't thought about my setup in a while so that's cool too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 14, 2024, 09:28:47 PM
Yea dude I set up Indy hollows and this is why madness is never ending. Tried out ventures for like 8 months and it was fine…but man the solid pop and grind from the standard height of an Indy is really something I missed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on August 14, 2024, 11:05:28 PM
I get you on the ventures in bowls in tight pockets, that's my issue with thunders, I have to get them super loose and risk more wheelbite in those tight corners. Ace/Indy/Slappy carve right out (that's what they are made to do). There's one pocket at my local that I can get pitched from if I'm using anything but ACE/Indy/Slappy for some reason, it's so tight that at speed a lean isn't enough, I need deep carve/forgiveness. Especially with BIG wheels.

Royals only come in 3 flavors, they are ALL 52mm tall, so mind your wheel size (I usually don't go past 54mm wheels on 52mm trucks and only ride 51 or smaller on thunders):

Standard (these are the same weight as a comperable sized Indy TI)

Ultra Light (hollow pin/axel) - stupid light, much much lighter than venture hollow but not as light as say a team hollow thunder, but REAL close

Inverted Kingpin (also a standard axle)

Hey thanks, much appreciated. This is all tempting and the lightness of the trucks is especially intriguing. The height could be the only issue, but I'm used to the 52mm height on Venture Hi's and could always slap on a 1/16 shock pad.

Let's see. Currently in a nice phase with my tumultous relationship with Forged Indys, though, so I might keep at that for the time being, but it's great to know about other potential options.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 15, 2024, 07:40:56 AM
I thought the Royal Pop was noticeably lighter than Venture. Good truck but the grind wasn't better and oddly the baseplate slide wasn't great so there wasn't anything they did for me that Venture or Thunder didn't. Turn is cool, but I can get acceptable turn on anything.

Fun fact quite a few Royal sponsored skaters skate Thunder raws even when they film VX because you can't tell a diff. So if you're used to one the other shouldn't be too crazy.

I personally dislike Forged Indy. They felt a bit too light for me and unpredictable. If I were you I'd try a nice cast Thunder next.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on August 15, 2024, 07:43:01 AM
LOL yeah i could actaully get some Royals on sale from Empire in Canada for like $50 but I want to get stuff from my Local so i am not gonna bother with royals unless they are blowing them out at the distributor or something then maybe ill get him to bring in a set for me lol

Yeah I think I just decided I am not a huge fan of that mega turny truck, I can ride it but i seem to like the way thunder and venture skates more, and the wheelbite is not bothering me at all on 58mm... so i dont think there is really even a point for me to go to slappys unless i want to replace my indys down the line (that i hardly ever skate). I am pretty interested in getting the slappys still but i feel like its probably gonna feel pretty close to the indy all said and done (with some minor imporvements - but probably not crazy enough for me to just dump my current set...)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 15, 2024, 08:27:53 AM
Slappys seem great. I know lots of dudes that have had them and liked them, but none that have gone through a set and gotten a second set if that makes sense. One moved back to Indy and another went with Thunders and prefers those. They're obviously nice, but not transformative. No truck really is for me. I'll ride a Venture over a Thunder simply because I like the brand more and the stability, but there's things I do worse on them and at the end of the day those nuances lead to enjoyment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Kevve on August 16, 2024, 06:52:37 AM
Anyone notice a real difference between 8.5 & 8.625?

Thinking about going from Indy Indy 159 w. A 8.75 deck to 149s & 8.5/8.6 to shave off weight.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on August 16, 2024, 05:41:46 PM
Anyone notice a real difference between 8.5 & 8.625?

Thinking about going from Indy Indy 159 w. A 8.75 deck to 149s & 8.5/8.6 to shave off weight.


There is some, but it comes down to how you like your board really.

Some brands have very similar shapes just scaled a little bit up or down, other brands have completely different shapes for the 8.5 to 8.6 to 8.75 boards, so it can be tricky sometimes, eg Polar have very small increments in size difference, whereas DLX have significant differences in board shapes between 8.5, 8.6 and 8.75, just to name two I have had a lot of experience with in the past.

Also the difference in truck can be good or bad, eg just the little extra can sometimes throw off how a board feels, eg I like 159s on 8.6 and 8.75 boards, but they feel too wide on 8.5 boards.  Running 149s on 8.38 and 8.5 is perfect for me, but they feel too narrow on 8.6 and definitely on 8.75 boards that I have tried them on.  That is just me though, as I know others who love 149s on wider boards.


I guess if you have options, then sure try different combos of each.  Even different types of truck can change things a lot, from standard, to forged hollow to ti axles, that could be the main weight difference right there - also experimented with all three just to see what they feel like, in 159s especially, where I noticed a little more weight on the bigger board on standard trucks, especially on the DLX China board I tried.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on August 16, 2024, 05:57:47 PM
This might not be madness related per say. But why don’t truck brands publish the team page anymore? I need to know which riders to nerd over and over analyze
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on August 16, 2024, 09:10:49 PM
This might not be madness related per say. But why don’t truck brands publish the team page anymore? I need to know which riders to nerd over and over analyze

https://www.thundertrucks.com/team/

It says "THUNDER TEAM ON INSTAGRAM" and no idea how updated/accurate that is.

Couldn't find other...tho indy does have a 'logo' section now: https://independenttrucks.com/our-logo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on August 16, 2024, 10:31:58 PM
I’m pretty sure I pay attention to trucks more than stance when watching videos…..possibly more than tricks….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on August 16, 2024, 10:41:50 PM
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This might not be madness related per say. But why don’t truck brands publish the team page anymore? I need to know which riders to nerd over and over analyze
[close]

https://www.thundertrucks.com/team/

It says "THUNDER TEAM ON INSTAGRAM" and no idea how updated/accurate that is.

Couldn't find other...tho indy does have a 'logo' section now: https://independenttrucks.com/our-logo

I knew I Thunder has one and so does royal and Ace. Looking back on my post it was more of a dig at Indy. Show us your cowards!


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 27, 2024, 10:21:53 PM
Yo just wanted to hop on here to follow up! I went back and looked at all my footage throughout the years…what did I progress the most on? What did I feel the most comfortable on? 8.5/14.5/32 with 149 hollow Indy’s. I switched back to that exact setup. Are my Ollie’s high? Absolutely not. Can I poke them out and make them look stylish? No. However I feel confident going into 50s front side and back side. For some reason I can treflip on flat and do all my flip tricks. My crook is there as well as nose/tailslide. I think it’s time to give this setup two solid weeks. I skated this setup with ventures and was able to get a higher Ollie so I’m giving my self time to adjust the pop because I know I can get there with Indy’s on the same setup. Wish me luck pals…I’m giving it the old two weeks of commitment with this logic.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on August 28, 2024, 02:14:36 PM
Normal Ride: 8.25/14.38, IV stamp, 144 forged, 53mm Classics.

Current Ride: 8.5/14.5 BLKLBL (e.g. steeper kicks), 159s forged, 53mm Conicals.

There is nothing I should like about that current set-up....but I am currently LOVING it. The good part, I am not feeling any desire, obsession, etc. to switch out other parts, or compare set-ups. I am just rolling away on this LBL set-up unti it dies, or the desire to try something else come along. For now? Me and board, we mad cool together. It's tight.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 28, 2024, 03:02:48 PM
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This might not be madness related per say. But why don’t truck brands publish the team page anymore? I need to know which riders to nerd over and over analyze
[close]

https://www.thundertrucks.com/team/

It says "THUNDER TEAM ON INSTAGRAM" and no idea how updated/accurate that is.

Couldn't find other...tho indy does have a 'logo' section now: https://independenttrucks.com/our-logo
[close]

I knew I Thunder has one and so does royal and Ace. Looking back on my post it was more of a dig at Indy. Show us your cowards!
Took a look at Ace's team page and find it hilarious Vinnie Bahn is still on there but not Corey Glick or Cyrus Bennett who had their latest ad in Thrasher.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 28, 2024, 07:00:32 PM
Cyrus is on the main page.  IIRC Corey, Jerry, etc get free Ace because they ship their decks with Pepper and the distro sends a box
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 28, 2024, 07:47:10 PM
Normal Ride: 8.25/14.38, IV stamp, 144 forged, 53mm Classics.

Current Ride: 8.5/14.5 BLKLBL (e.g. steeper kicks), 159s forged, 53mm Conicals.

There is nothing I should like about that current set-up....but I am currently LOVING it. The good part, I am not feeling any desire, obsession, etc. to switch out other parts, or compare set-ups. I am just rolling away on this LBL set-up unti it dies, or the desire to try something else come along. For now? Me and board, we mad cool together. It's tight.

Stick with it!! Something said in this thread is to throw logic out the window and go with feeling. If it feels good under your feet then that is the answer. Settling into a life of monogamy with my setup, things are getting serious. Might have the in-laws over for thanksgiving.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on August 28, 2024, 09:31:15 PM
What do you think of Tensors trucks ?

I'm talking about the raw model, those which have a height of 55 mm and which look a little like the ventures but a little more discreet (The "All terrain trucks" it seems to me)

I've read some positive and negative reviews, but I was wondering what it's worth. They are really not expensive ($39 per pair)

I have the impression that the bushings give a soft feeling, and that interests me too. Maybe it's as good as the big popular brands who knows..I'm really curious about these trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 28, 2024, 09:34:18 PM
Tensor went out of business so I probably wouldn't fuck with them if I were you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: garbage_wagon on August 28, 2024, 09:53:48 PM
Imma save you all from your madness, just follow these easy steps

GFB
159s
x97 54mm

What is GFB?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 28, 2024, 10:07:41 PM
I was on Venture for 9-10mo then had a few kinda meh months and pondered returning to Thunders. Had a set of Indy's I was going to leave at the park and bolted them to the deck I was riding and it felt really damn nice and normally I'd assume the combo would be too short. Well, I spent the next month constantly rotating between the 3.

I was determined that Thunders were home base and then I blew out another bushing and said fuck it I'll try those Indy's one last time. I was mentally exhausted from switching and adapting. First 2 sessions had ups and downs, but mostly since then everything has been pretty damn nice. I had a few sessions of struggle when I switched to a much steeper deck and there are still aspects I don't love, but all the decks of the same shape I have on ice are more mellow so I'm fine with learning to put up with it for now.

I had that old Venture setup the other day and was tempted to skate it so I brought it to the park with the intent of leaving the deck. In a few min on it I was like "ya I remember why I liked this, and x trick is currently feeling better, but god damn do I not have the energy to put up with adapting everything right now I just simply don't care enough" and left the deck as the park as planned and have desire to start swapping shit again.

I fully intent on trying Ventures again hell maybe on the next board because they pop sorta similar to Indy cast for me and I know things will be a bit off at first, but that's just how it goes and it's not actually holding me back.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: garbage_wagon on August 28, 2024, 10:57:10 PM
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Imma save you all from your madness, just follow these easy steps

GFB
159s
x97 54mm
[close]

What is GFB?
[close]
https://skatesamples.com/products/shaped-decks?variant=45132303597873

Nice. Thank you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 29, 2024, 07:24:23 AM
Cyrus is on the main page.  IIRC Corey, Jerry, etc get free Ace because they ship their decks with Pepper and the distro sends a box
Ive definitely seen a Glick Ace ad in a mag recently.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on August 29, 2024, 08:12:41 AM
Normal Ride: 8.25/14.38, IV stamp, 144 forged, 53mm Classics.

Current Ride: 8.5/14.5 BLKLBL (e.g. steeper kicks), 159s forged, 53mm Conicals.

There is nothing I should like about that current set-up....but I am currently LOVING it. The good part, I am not feeling any desire, obsession, etc. to switch out other parts, or compare set-ups. I am just rolling away on this LBL set-up unti it dies, or the desire to try something else come along. For now? Me and board, we mad cool together. It's tight.

I'm on 159 forged and I'm surprised how much I like them at the moment. They really just work. I can see why Indy is homebase for a lot of people.

My madness has been getting too crazy. I bought like 4 trucks this year. I'm really just gonna stick with Indy for a while since everything seems to be fine. I don't have to "think" too much about my set-up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on August 29, 2024, 09:09:14 AM
Royals with ace hard bushings have cured my madness for now, I am no longer looking at truck threads trying to find a unicorn, they tick the boxes I want and nothing more, stability, slightly taller to help with my pop, better material than ace, and they turn
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 29, 2024, 09:56:25 AM
Royals are shorter than Aces. What you described sounds like you want an Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on August 29, 2024, 02:49:15 PM
Is putting on Indy Stage 4's when I'm dialed into Ace AF1's a sound urge in any capacity? Randomly wanting to fuck up my entire set up for no reason.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 29, 2024, 06:57:00 PM
I would like to add some tips to those struggling with madness as I am patient zero. I write this to all as well as myself. Recently when I feel the urge to switch something, before I do I make a checklist of the things that are going working well with my current setup. This has been helping me put into perspective what is actually missing from my slim arsenal of tricks and if a change could possibly be worth it. When I realize that most of what I need is there, the urge then falls into the “not worth the switch camp”. It’s almost like a way to dismantle my need to change something. I also have been physically writing in a calendar and marking two week increments if I do change something. So if I end up switching my setup I allow myself to change it to something else after two weeks. A way to stop my thought process is “man my “x trick” was so much better on “x setup”, looks like in two weeks if I still feel the same about it I can switch.” It is like a delayed gratification action plan that sometimes never materializes because by the time two weeks is up my feelings might change. Ymmv but I thought it would be cool for us to share actual madness fighting strategies.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 29, 2024, 08:54:30 PM
I would like to add some tips to those struggling with madness as I am patient zero. I write this to all as well as myself. Recently when I feel the urge to switch something, before I do I make a checklist of the things that are going working well with my current setup. This has been helping me put into perspective what is actually missing from my slim arsenal of tricks and if a change could possibly be worth it. When I realize that most of what I need is there, the urge then falls into the “not worth the switch camp”. It’s almost like a way to dismantle my need to change something. I also have been physically writing in a calendar and marking two week increments if I do change something. So if I end up switching my setup I allow myself to change it to something else after two weeks. A way to stop my thought process is “man my “x trick” was so much better on “x setup”, looks like in two weeks if I still feel the same about it I can switch.” It is like a delayed gratification action plan that sometimes never materializes because by the time two weeks is up my feelings might change. Ymmv but I thought it would be cool for us to share actual madness fighting strategies.

This sounds like a good advice - similar to writing down whatever you get urge to buy, and revisiting it in few days.

I just set up an Ace AF1 complete, as I got them cheap. They feel better than in last round, maybe the alloy has truly changed, and hard bushings eliminate the wheelbite. Been a truck summer, from Venture back to Indy and then Ace AF1s now...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 29, 2024, 09:27:52 PM
Dude same here…went from venture 5.8 to Indy hollow and there’s maybe 2 tricks I got back from the switch. So that switch wasn’t totally worth it. I mean trick wise sure but the amount of work and mental energy it takes to set up and get used to new shit isn’t.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 29, 2024, 10:33:56 PM
If the trucks are the difference then you didn't "have" the trick. I've definitely had things be less consistent or nice but I can still do em in a few tries on any day to be counted as something I have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on August 29, 2024, 10:50:23 PM
If the trucks are the difference then you didn't "have" the trick. I've definitely had things be less consistent or nice but I can still do em in a few tries on any day to be counted as something I have.

For me that's not an issue, as I've lost most of my tricks over the years. Frontside slappy seems to work with most of the gear combinations. Maybe I just have to admit my skate hobby is more maintaining the quiver and fucking around with new combos. Can't land shit anyways nowadays.

It's still cheaper than sailing or collecting watches.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 30, 2024, 07:45:18 AM
There's no shame in having fun trying gear as long as you're not wasteful about it.

And to the person who switched from Venture to Indy above which do you enjoy more? Are the 2 tricks super fun? Shit I'd take 2 new things for sure. My Tre flips are worse on Indy, but anything heelflip or nollie is better and both are fun to ride so it's all good. I don't like the Indy brand image or vibes, but I'm enjoying not caring as much anymore either. I got some cast hollow plates on OfferUp and they have the cross on them so I'm doing as many nose or tail slides as possible to get that shit off there. Once these are done or I'm bored I'll try some 5.8 probably.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 30, 2024, 09:39:36 AM
So I think I skate better on Indy. The tricks that I got back are front smith on ledges and treflips on flat. I think ventures are so much cooler but to be honest I don’t even think it’s a huge difference. ALSO: if I would have just stayed on venture and kept skating my shit I’m sure those tricks would have come eventually. All I know is that it’s becoming too exhausting changing stuff all the time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 30, 2024, 09:47:14 AM
Yah the other day I was skating and it was a rough day. The days when I think about the glory of past setups that are not the one under my feet. I was casually rolling around back towards my stuff and spontaneously did a really nice, high kickflip, landed and did 1 foot adjustment, did an OK Tre flip, then a really nice front shuv (all nice relative to me). I then thought "ya fuck changing cuz the reason that all felt spontaneously natural AND good is because I am really used to this setup".
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: mstuntbless on August 30, 2024, 09:54:42 AM
Was that on your setup with Indy’s?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on August 30, 2024, 10:20:37 AM
Yup, done prob the same thing on Ventures at some point in time and my kick flips and Tre flips are slightly better in certain ways on Ventures, but I would have to adjust my timing for kick flips and front shuvs slightly and don't wanna spend any time doing that. Prob takes a session to feel the timing is consistent and I don't have to think about it. What I struggle with more on Ventures is my nollie tricks tend to pop heavy and aren't as crisp and I can air foot the nose more than I would like.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JimmyFive on August 31, 2024, 06:18:38 AM
Is putting on Indy Stage 4's when I'm dialed into Ace AF1's a sound urge in any capacity? Randomly wanting to fuck up my entire set up for no reason.

Sure. They will feel like an Indy version of the AF1. A touch taller and less squirelly but with a similar divey turn. I enjoy Stage 4's and AF1's
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 01, 2024, 07:55:29 AM
Someone talk me off the ledge...

Normally ride DLX 8.25/14.38. It's been feeling a but small recently, and was toying with some other stuff. At the moment I am riding an 8.5/14.5 Black Label with 159s, and oddly LOVING IT (I am totally shocked by this). The kicks are a tad too steep for me, however. Then I remember Hewitt saying he rode the DLX 8.38/14.5 with 159s. I thought he was insane at the time, but now, now I am curious. I've ridden the 8.38 before, and never really liked it. Nose/tail were too round-ish for me, and tail was a tad too short...but curiosity now has me really wanting to try it with 159s (because I could get mellower kicks, with same WB), but I can't imagine wider trucks is suddenly going to transform my thoughts on the deck.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on September 01, 2024, 08:46:53 AM
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Is putting on Indy Stage 4's when I'm dialed into Ace AF1's a sound urge in any capacity? Randomly wanting to fuck up my entire set up for no reason.
[close]

Sure. They will feel like an Indy version of the AF1. A touch taller and less squirelly but with a similar divey turn. I enjoy Stage 4's and AF1's

I personally find Stage 4 more unpredictable on center due to height. They work great to liven up a deck with longer wb though. I wouldn't personally bother if you're satisfied with AF1s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on September 01, 2024, 08:49:20 AM
Someone talk me off the ledge...

Normally ride DLX 8.25/14.38. It's been feeling a but small recently, and was toying with some other stuff. At the moment I am riding an 8.5/14.5 Black Label with 159s, and oddly LOVING IT (I am totally shocked by this). The kicks are a tad too steep for me, however. Then I remember Hewitt saying he rode the DLX 8.38/14.5 with 159s. I thought he was insane at the time, but now, now I am curious. I've ridden the 8.38 before, and never really liked it. Nose/tail were too round-ish for me, and tail was a tad too short...but curiosity now has me really wanting to try it with 159s (because I could get mellower kicks, with same WB), but I can't imagine wider trucks is suddenly going to transform my thoughts on the deck.

My advice. Get more Label 8.5s and enjoy what you are currently stoked on a bit longer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 01, 2024, 09:35:18 AM
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Someone talk me off the ledge...

Normally ride DLX 8.25/14.38. It's been feeling a but small recently, and was toying with some other stuff. At the moment I am riding an 8.5/14.5 Black Label with 159s, and oddly LOVING IT (I am totally shocked by this). The kicks are a tad too steep for me, however. Then I remember Hewitt saying he rode the DLX 8.38/14.5 with 159s. I thought he was insane at the time, but now, now I am curious. I've ridden the 8.38 before, and never really liked it. Nose/tail were too round-ish for me, and tail was a tad too short...but curiosity now has me really wanting to try it with 159s (because I could get mellower kicks, with same WB), but I can't imagine wider trucks is suddenly going to transform my thoughts on the deck.
[close]

My advice. Get more Label 8.5s and enjoy what you are currently stoked on a bit longer.

^ Hah. Yes. Exactly. I should have clarified that this was not an immediate thing I'm planning on. I am currently really happy with the set-up, and have no plans of messing with it for now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BlueLightning437 on September 01, 2024, 01:33:06 PM
I just wanna say thanks to the member who recommended the book Scarcity Brain, its really helped me out big time in terms of dealing with gear madness and appreciating all the shit I have but don't use
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 01, 2024, 01:33:11 PM
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Someone talk me off the ledge...

Normally ride DLX 8.25/14.38. It's been feeling a but small recently, and was toying with some other stuff. At the moment I am riding an 8.5/14.5 Black Label with 159s, and oddly LOVING IT (I am totally shocked by this). The kicks are a tad too steep for me, however. Then I remember Hewitt saying he rode the DLX 8.38/14.5 with 159s. I thought he was insane at the time, but now, now I am curious. I've ridden the 8.38 before, and never really liked it. Nose/tail were too round-ish for me, and tail was a tad too short...but curiosity now has me really wanting to try it with 159s (because I could get mellower kicks, with same WB), but I can't imagine wider trucks is suddenly going to transform my thoughts on the deck.
[close]

My advice. Get more Label 8.5s and enjoy what you are currently stoked on a bit longer.
[close]

^ Hah. Yes. Exactly. I should have clarified that this was not an immediate thing I'm planning on. I am currently really happy with the set-up, and have no plans of messing with it for now.


Probably just the same from me, but yeah, I ride a lot of 8.38s (with Indy 149 standards usually) and yes the shape is a more nimble version of the BBS 8.5 (same as the Black Label board) of which I also have a lot, but sometimes I do find the tail too short for some things on the 8.38 DLX board.

I did put 159s on both to test and although the 8.5 does work, I really felt like the 8.38 was just a bit weird with 159s in any capacity.  For someone like Peter Hewitt, predominantly vert and big bowl, I can see how 159s would be more stable on the 8.38 with 56 mm wheels, be it Classics, Radials or whatever else he might have on there, as per older posts of his boards, but there haven't been any recent posts of his setups, the last one being an 8.4 x 32 with 14.25 wb on 159 ti trucks and 57 mm Radials.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 01, 2024, 01:44:56 PM
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Someone talk me off the ledge...

Normally ride DLX 8.25/14.38. It's been feeling a but small recently, and was toying with some other stuff. At the moment I am riding an 8.5/14.5 Black Label with 159s, and oddly LOVING IT (I am totally shocked by this). The kicks are a tad too steep for me, however. Then I remember Hewitt saying he rode the DLX 8.38/14.5 with 159s. I thought he was insane at the time, but now, now I am curious. I've ridden the 8.38 before, and never really liked it. Nose/tail were too round-ish for me, and tail was a tad too short...but curiosity now has me really wanting to try it with 159s (because I could get mellower kicks, with same WB), but I can't imagine wider trucks is suddenly going to transform my thoughts on the deck.
[close]

My advice. Get more Label 8.5s and enjoy what you are currently stoked on a bit longer.
[close]

^ Hah. Yes. Exactly. I should have clarified that this was not an immediate thing I'm planning on. I am currently really happy with the set-up, and have no plans of messing with it for now.
[close]


Probably just the same from me, but yeah, I ride a lot of 8.38s (with Indy 149 standards usually) and yes the shape is a more nimble version of the BBS 8.5 (same as the Black Label board) of which I also have a lot, but sometimes I do find the tail too short for some things on the 8.38 DLX board.

I did put 159s on both to test and although the 8.5 does work, I really felt like the 8.38 was just a bit weird with 159s in any capacity.  For someone like Peter Hewitt, predominantly vert and big bowl, I can see how 159s would be more stable on the 8.38 with 56 mm wheels, be it Classics, Radials or whatever else he might have on there, as per older posts of his boards, but there haven't been any recent posts of his setups, the last one being an 8.4 x 32 with 14.25 wb on 159 ti trucks and 57 mm Radials.

The more I think about this, the more I realize what an absolute terrible idea it is. If I’m going to fuck around with different size trucks, it ABSOLUTELY has to be couched in a deck I already know and love…doing that with a deck I already have a embattled and acrimonious relationship with, it’s not a good mix.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 01, 2024, 02:01:45 PM

The more I think about this, the more I realize what an absolute terrible idea it is. If I’m going to fuck around with different size trucks, it ABSOLUTELY has to be couched in a deck I already know and love…doing that with a deck I already have a embattled and acrimonious relationship with, it’s not a good mix.


I have been setting up more DLX 8.75 boards lately - just works for something I don't have to think about - Indy 159s and often a little wider wheel than what I might have on smaller boards (Radial Full 54 mm or Classic Full 56 mm), so I can just enjoy having fun sessions, but I really do think I could stay with this size if it wasn't for the fact that I have way too many 8.38 and 8.5 boards, plus the fact that if I ever do want to get a little more techy like I used to, smaller boards are way easier to do those things on, so I am happy to have both options.

Whatever happens on any given day, I can grab either board out and still have a good session, or at the very least, a good roll around if I am not feeling it or things just don't quite work out.

Having something I am stoked on is almost better than any other combination of product I could dream up or set up from everything that is available, so finding that mix is the main thing for me now.  Not getting any younger, plus I don't have to impress anyone so just being stoked on these boards, I am already ahead out the gate.

That's how I think about it anyway.





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on September 01, 2024, 09:05:04 PM
Whatever happens on any given day, I can grab either board out and still have a good session, or at the very least, a good roll around if I am not feeling it or things just don't quite work out.

Having something I am stoked on is almost better than any other combination of product I could dream up or set up from everything that is available, so finding that mix is the main thing for me now.  Not getting any younger, plus I don't have to impress anyone so just being stoked on these boards, I am already ahead out the gate.

That's how I think about it anyway.

Feeling the same way - tried to trim my quiver down to one setup, but having two or three options seems to work better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on September 02, 2024, 04:58:42 AM
Royals are shorter than Aces. What you described sounds like you want an Indy.

Should have elboarated more, I was on ace lows my bad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on September 02, 2024, 07:36:49 AM
Ah damn, you made it to 2024 on lows? Props on staying true to what you've always ridden.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on September 03, 2024, 10:32:54 AM
All I know is that it’s becoming too exhausting changing stuff all the time.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on September 03, 2024, 12:42:12 PM
Ah damn, you made it to 2024 on lows? Props on staying true to what you've always ridden.

It’s terribly easy when all you gotta do is change out a hanger, if anyone need AF1 hollow baseplates lemme know
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on September 03, 2024, 12:53:30 PM
def not a bad thing just surprised because along the years most people eventually went to highs, bigger boards, etc.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 06, 2024, 09:37:20 AM
Recently got a AH Eagle 8.38 w 14.5" WB. Skate with Thunders. Been mostly on 14.25 wheelbases, but also a 14.38 which I really loved. I actually notice I struggle with 180s or 360s. The true wheelbase is like 17.68", versus 17.43". So not that much difference, but my god is it noticeable. Thinking about swapping to my Indys so its 17,5". What you guys think?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on September 06, 2024, 09:46:42 AM
I've ridden that deck with Ace, Indy, Thunder, and Venture. I honestly like it the best on Thunders because it has a short tail and the lower height of the Thunders balances that out. WB isn't the be all and end all of everything. I disliked it on Aces honestly, Indys were a close second, Ventures I didn't skate it very long.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Vintagebody on September 06, 2024, 09:47:50 AM
I have both forged and std indys! I dont like short tails. Prefer 6.6"+
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 06, 2024, 03:58:46 PM
Recently got a AH Eagle 8.38 w 14.5" WB. Skate with Thunders. Been mostly on 14.25 wheelbases, but also a 14.38 which I really loved. I actually notice I struggle with 180s or 360s. The true wheelbase is like 17.68", versus 17.43". So not that much difference, but my god is it noticeable. Thinking about swapping to my Indys so its 17,5". What you guys think?


Been on that shape for quite a while now and yes it is somewhat more difficult to skate for street type stuff, but I am more transition / old guy chill type stuff so it is not too bad for me, although I definitely feel the short tail on it.

Then with all the drilling baseplates going on, I thought I would try it, even just the back truck only, drilled in 1/4" and I actually like it a lot more for an all rounder on Indy standards.  Definitely not for everyone, but it makes the tail feel more "normal" to me and I still like the nose as is.

Others have drilled in Ventures on both ends, which is a little too much, but as a street / tech board, they really like it.  Thunders can't easily be drilled in, so I would not even think about that as an option, but Indy and Venture, or any other truck which can easily be made in to an 8 hole baseplate is worth trying on it, if you are so inclined.

I still have lots of the normal 8.38 boards set up - yeah too many boards any which way you look at it - but this green eagle with drilled in baseplate actually works really well for me, so I am going to set up some more boards like this too and see how I go with them.

Not even six months ago I would have thought it crazy to drill in a single baseplate to skate on this board, but here I am, skating it and liking it a lot more, especially on the steeper boards I might not usually skate otherwise.  Baseplate is 1/4" in so that makes the wheelbase 14.25 now with a 6.7 or so tail.  The board is old and already worn down a little in the tail so it makes it work well.


* Some of the other 8.38 BBS boards all have 14.38 wb, with longer tails, so boards like Passport, Polar, Generator 8.38 and others all maybe feel that little bit better in that regard, just in case you were liking the width but wanted a bit more tail on your boards.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on September 09, 2024, 09:10:05 AM
I was supposed to have a Real Deck 8.12, 31.3 and 14 wb board, but the shop where I ordered it was wrong, I received 8.12, 32 and 14.25 wb.. I said to myself "Fuck it madness, I love Real, and normally all the boards work with my indy forged hollows" THIS IS THE CASE!! If it can help people get out of madness... I'm really happy, I did my first session with this deck today, and it was perfect. Glad to finally no longer take into account lengths or wb.

When you think about it... It's only small millimeters of differences and when you think about it, it's stupid.. If we know how to do the tricks, we can do them with all boards.. But it's hard to reason when you're in hell.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on September 09, 2024, 01:13:57 PM
I was supposed to have a Real Deck 8.12, 31.3 and 14 wb board, but the shop where I ordered it was wrong, I received 8.12, 32 and 14.25 wb.. I said to myself "Fuck it madness, I love Real, and normally all the boards work with my indy forged hollows" THIS IS THE CASE!! If it can help people get out of madness... I'm really happy, I did my first session with this deck today, and it was perfect. Glad to finally no longer take into account lengths or wb.

When you think about it... It's only small millimeters of differences and when you think about it, it's stupid.. If we know how to do the tricks, we can do them with all boards.. But it's hard to reason when you're in hell.
How dare you?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 09, 2024, 05:02:00 PM
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I was supposed to have a Real Deck 8.12, 31.3 and 14 wb board, but the shop where I ordered it was wrong, I received 8.12, 32 and 14.25 wb.. I said to myself "Fuck it madness, I love Real, and normally all the boards work with my indy forged hollows" THIS IS THE CASE!! If it can help people get out of madness... I'm really happy, I did my first session with this deck today, and it was perfect. Glad to finally no longer take into account lengths or wb.

When you think about it... It's only small millimeters of differences and when you think about it, it's stupid.. If we know how to do the tricks, we can do them with all boards.. But it's hard to reason when you're in hell.
[close]
How dare you?


Ha yeah, even a couple of mm can be the best, or the worst for how a product feels, be it wheels, trucks, even deck, but hey, I am sure if someone ONLY had that option they could make it work, but as this is the madness thread, I would rather get rid of something I don't like the feel of and set up something better.

Speaking of those DLX 8.125 x 32 with 14.25 wb boards, I don't know how many I had of those over the 2007 to 2018 years, but it was a lot and that was all I skated for a long, long time, mostly on Indy 139s but then tried Indy 144s when they came out in 2017, which was a welcome change up.  Still got half a dozen completes of those old setups too, but I have moved on to bigger and wider boards now, but that size and shape was great back then as an all rounder for everything.

Such good memories when ever I see a black eagle, or set up something similar for someone.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on September 09, 2024, 06:12:08 PM
Expand Quote
I was supposed to have a Real Deck 8.12, 31.3 and 14 wb board, but the shop where I ordered it was wrong, I received 8.12, 32 and 14.25 wb.. I said to myself "Fuck it madness, I love Real, and normally all the boards work with my indy forged hollows" THIS IS THE CASE!! If it can help people get out of madness... I'm really happy, I did my first session with this deck today, and it was perfect. Glad to finally no longer take into account lengths or wb.

When you think about it... It's only small millimeters of differences and when you think about it, it's stupid.. If we know how to do the tricks, we can do them with all boards.. But it's hard to reason when you're in hell.
[close]
How dare you?

lol, right? Sacrilège!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on September 17, 2024, 07:47:39 AM
2024 was a year of gear experimentation for me, particularly wheels. I never learn. Testing the waters with different product can send you down worm holes  and then you have shoe boxes full of shit sitting not being used. Since it's nearly the official end of summer, I'm donating a bunch of gear to a non-profit today to cleanse my soul.

Just had to get that off my chest.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MxsDx on September 17, 2024, 01:52:52 PM
2024 was a year of gear experimentation for me, particularly wheels. I never learn. Testing the waters with different product can send you down worm holes  and then you have shoe boxes full of shit sitting not being used. Since it's nearly the official end of summer, I'm donating a bunch of gear to a non-profit today to cleanse my soul.

Just had to get that off my chest.

Care to share which non-profit? Would love to donate gear to a group that will put it to good use.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on September 17, 2024, 02:37:43 PM
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2024 was a year of gear experimentation for me, particularly wheels. I never learn. Testing the waters with different product can send you down worm holes  and then you have shoe boxes full of shit sitting not being used. Since it's nearly the official end of summer, I'm donating a bunch of gear to a non-profit today to cleanse my soul.

Just had to get that off my chest.
[close]

Care to share which non-profit? Would love to donate gear to a group that will put it to good use.

https://www.amppdx.org/ (https://www.amppdx.org/)

Artist Mentorship Program in Portland Oregon. They engage youth without stable housing or who are vulnerably house with Art, Music, drop in meals etc... They also have organized a few skate events and give out boards. They recently did a work shop where kids got to assemble boards and keep the ones they put together. I know they always need trucks in particular.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on September 19, 2024, 11:23:10 AM
Been on Venture (hollow forged/stock) for a bit, switched out to thunder TI/forged and suddenly my board didn't feel or sound dead and 103 STFs and spits came to life again, loud chirps and hard feel (the 97a spits took on a second life but too much wheelbite @55mm); anyone notice this with their Ventures? Knowing full well that Thunder forged have a tinny effect, but didn't assume vent forged would be that different - I honestly thought it was the STFs being a shit run or something. Going to try out some different Vent hangers and plate combos to see if it's just these hangers...goddamnit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on September 28, 2024, 08:29:25 PM
Been on Venture (hollow forged/stock) for a bit, switched out to thunder TI/forged and suddenly my board didn't feel or sound dead and 103 STFs and spits came to life again, loud chirps and hard feel (the 97a spits took on a second life but too much wheelbite @55mm); anyone notice this with their Ventures? Knowing full well that Thunder forged have a tinny effect, but didn't assume vent forged would be that different - I honestly thought it was the STFs being a shit run or something. Going to try out some different Vent hangers and plate combos to see if it's just these hangers...goddamnit

Never noticed this switching between Ventures and Thunders before, but now you have me wanting to experiment.  The thing that always makes me feel like my decks are dead and the wheels are too soft are quiet bearings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on September 28, 2024, 10:02:33 PM
Anecdotally my Venture cast hollows sound great. They sound louder landing things and I think the bearings sound louder for some reason it's kinda weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on September 28, 2024, 11:53:40 PM
Anecdotally my Venture cast hollows sound great. They sound louder landing things and I think the bearings sound louder for some reason it's kinda weird.
Same with mine too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on October 11, 2024, 10:10:15 PM
Are there people like me who ride Indy forged hollows for a long time, and then switched back to standard ones ?

I skated hollows for over a year, and I had used indy standards in very good condition, and what a horror for me... whether with my current Real 8.12 X 32 and 14.25 Wb, or a sk8mafia 8.125, 31.4 and 14,1 Wb. The sessions were a nightmaire, impossible to pop correctly, no constant mastery of tricks (Especially the 360 ​​flip)

Do you believe that over 30 years old, we can only skate trucks with lighter versions ? With heavy and high trucks, now,  I really feel like a child who has difficulty lifting his board.. Or is this an adaptation time for muscle memory or something like that? Thank you for enlightening me and testifying to this ahah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 11, 2024, 11:35:34 PM
Are there people like me who ride Indy forged hollows for a long time, and then switched back to standard ones ?

I skated hollows for over a year, and I had used indy standards in very good condition, and what a horror for me... whether with my current Real 8.12 X 32 and 14.25 Wb, or a sk8mafia 8.125, 31.4 and 14,1 Wb. The sessions were a nightmaire, impossible to pop correctly, no constant mastery of tricks (Especially the 360 ​​flip)

Do you believe that over 30 years old, we can only skate trucks with lighter versions ? With heavy and high trucks, now,  I really feel like a child who has difficulty lifting his board.. Or is this an adaptation time for muscle memory or something like that? Thank you for enlightening me and testifying to this ahah

Use what works, and don’t muddle in the affairs of what doesn’t. This is the key.

Long ago I forced a switch from Indy to Thunders? Why? Because DLX > NHS for a zillion reasons. I rode them for quite some time. They never quite jived with me. I can’t remember the reason, but I ended up back on my forged Indys again. I suddenly felt “home” again. In retrospect, Thunders were a tad too low for me. And that baseplate issues. And the turn. I’ve tried standard Indys a few times since, too. They are too high. Forged Indys are my happy place. They work for me. Stay with what makes you happy, rather than chasing a contrived sense of change. Moreover, who cares what did/didn’t work for others. Find what works for you.
 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on October 11, 2024, 11:54:48 PM
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Are there people like me who ride Indy forged hollows for a long time, and then switched back to standard ones ?

I skated hollows for over a year, and I had used indy standards in very good condition, and what a horror for me... whether with my current Real 8.12 X 32 and 14.25 Wb, or a sk8mafia 8.125, 31.4 and 14,1 Wb. The sessions were a nightmaire, impossible to pop correctly, no constant mastery of tricks (Especially the 360 ​​flip)

Do you believe that over 30 years old, we can only skate trucks with lighter versions ? With heavy and high trucks, now,  I really feel like a child who has difficulty lifting his board.. Or is this an adaptation time for muscle memory or something like that? Thank you for enlightening me and testifying to this ahah
[close]

Use what works, and don’t muddle in the affairs of what doesn’t. This is the key.

Long ago I forced a switch from Indy to Thunders? Why? Because DLX > NHS for a zillion reasons. I rode them for quite some time. They never quite jived with me. I can’t remember the reason, but I ended up back on my forged Indys again. I suddenly felt “home” again. In retrospect, Thunders were a tad too low for me. And that baseplate issues. And the turn. I’ve tried standard Indys a few times since, too. They are too high. Forged Indys are my happy place. They work for me. Stay with what makes you happy, rather than chasing a contrived sense of change. Moreover, who cares what did/didn’t work for others. Find what works for you.

I agree ! When I went back on my forged (in fact it was yesterday), I also felt like "at home".. Could it be because I had been riding them for a long time or simply was it my "goodilocks" zone ? I remember saying that indy hollows literally work with ALL boards.. At least that's my impression !

But it is true that once we want to change, we realize that it handicaps us more than it helps us.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BOILED ANGEL on October 12, 2024, 12:53:34 AM
never riding forged again that shit lame
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on October 12, 2024, 09:51:07 AM
I love my forged indys after i switched from thunders. I went thunder standard->thunder team hollow->thunder hollow lights . didn't expect to like it at all but I love them so much more than any other truck i've tried
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BOILED ANGEL on October 12, 2024, 02:00:54 PM
staying on regular venture lows for now after years of indy heft and ghost pop, HRT muscle atrophy is a pain in the ass but the v-lights kind of lack that cathartic oomph and i probably need some cardio anyway
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on October 13, 2024, 01:53:12 AM
To continue this conversation, I still have my standard indy (139) aside, I think that despite everything, I will use them when my forged hollows reach their end.. It annoys me to have bought them and not to use them (despite how I said above, the indy forged are PERFECT.) This madness me said , that despite everything if I bought them, that's what I wanted them and that I have to use them..  :P

Do you think that the standard indys have a real difference in terms of pop and weight on deck with a Wb 14 ? If anyone has had this experience, I would like some feedback !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on October 13, 2024, 05:23:11 AM
To continue this conversation, I still have my standard indy (139) aside, I think that despite everything, I will use them when my forged hollows reach their end.. It annoys me to have bought them and not to use them (despite how I said above, the indy forged are PERFECT.) This madness me said , that despite everything if I bought them, that's what I wanted them and that I have to use them..  :P

Do you think that the standard indys have a real difference in terms of pop and weight on deck with a Wb 14 ? If anyone has had this experience, I would like some feedback !

You know, when your forged hangers are through, you could just use your standard hangers on your forged plates. And keep that forged height you love. Some say it’s a cool feeling truck that way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on October 13, 2024, 07:29:01 AM
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To continue this conversation, I still have my standard indy (139) aside, I think that despite everything, I will use them when my forged hollows reach their end.. It annoys me to have bought them and not to use them (despite how I said above, the indy forged are PERFECT.) This madness me said , that despite everything if I bought them, that's what I wanted them and that I have to use them..  :P

Do you think that the standard indys have a real difference in terms of pop and weight on deck with a Wb 14 ? If anyone has had this experience, I would like some feedback !
[close]

You know, when your forged hangers are through, you could just use your standard hangers on your forged plates. And keep that forged height you love. Some say it’s a cool feeling truck that way.

This could be an idea yes.. But I really wonder what the standards give on a deck with 14 wb .. very curious  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 13, 2024, 03:01:15 PM
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To continue this conversation, I still have my standard indy (139) aside, I think that despite everything, I will use them when my forged hollows reach their end.. It annoys me to have bought them and not to use them (despite how I said above, the indy forged are PERFECT.) This madness me said , that despite everything if I bought them, that's what I wanted them and that I have to use them..  :P

Do you think that the standard indys have a real difference in terms of pop and weight on deck with a Wb 14 ? If anyone has had this experience, I would like some feedback !
[close]

You know, when your forged hangers are through, you could just use your standard hangers on your forged plates. And keep that forged height you love. Some say it’s a cool feeling truck that way.
[close]

This could be an idea yes.. But I really wonder what the standards give on a deck with 14 wb .. very curious  ;D


To use standard hangers on forged baseplates is the regular go to for some people I know, especially if they have already skated their hollow or ti hangers to death. 

Easy to swap parts and see what works, given regular hangers with solid axles are made exactly the same as hangers with hollow axles, Indy marketing says the hollow axles are 7% lighter, so it is not that much overall really.

Happy to say I have mixed and matched and I can feel the lower height on forged baseplates, more than anything else, but I tend to prefer the taller truck for my own skating and needs.

As to 14" wb, I have a couple of boards with shorter wheelbases, so the only thing different on those compared to longer wheelbase boards is the turn is quicker, as well as the round spinning tricks, eg 360 flips and the like - shorter wb means they get around faster than on longer wb boards.

It is not a huge difference, but it is noticeable, on two boards of the same width, the DLX 8" Full SE with 14.0 wb and the normal 8" with 14.38 wb.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: zozu on October 21, 2024, 02:41:31 AM
Going through some more truck madness and I have realised that there isn't a single truck from the big 4 that I don't need to modify somehow.

Thunder - No bottom WASHER and I use either a stock washer, bones washer or no washer depending on the season.

Venture - Loose trucks conversion bushings or Indy 78a aftermarket with bones top washer.

Indy - Indy 78a bushings and sometimes a bones top washer usually in summer when I am not fat.

Ace - Bones top washer and/or krux bushings but even then they are either too tight or too loose.

I weigh 150 on average. Not really asking for help just venting, as needing to modify any truck I select adds another layer to the gear madness. Sometimes I think I should just bite the bullet and stay on Independent as I fuck with them the least (usually just swap the bushings and I am good to go) but theres always something that pulls me away to try something else.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on October 21, 2024, 06:45:24 AM
Looks like you found the right place though…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 21, 2024, 12:03:42 PM
Going through some more truck madness and I have realised that there isn't a single truck from the big 4 that I don't need to modify somehow.

Thunder - No bottom bushing and I use either a stock washer, bones washer or no washer depending on the season.

Venture - Loose trucks conversion bushings or Indy 78a aftermarket with bones top washer.

Indy - Indy 78a bushings and sometimes a bones top washer usually in summer when I am not fat.

Ace - Bones top washer and/or krux bushings but even then they are either too tight or too loose.

I weigh 150 on average. Not really asking for help just venting, as needing to modify any truck I select adds another layer to the gear madness. Sometimes I think I should just bite the bullet and stay on Independent as I fuck with them the least (usually just swap the bushings and I am good to go) but theres always something that pulls me away to try something else.

I feel you!

No matter the truck, I have to swap in harder bushings (185lbs on average)...but that's not that big of a deal and stock bushings are geared for the 'average' user.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Luismps on October 21, 2024, 01:15:12 PM
It was going so well without madness when I broke a kingpin on my Thunder 148 - that I immediately ordered another one.
However, I rode a 149 in April 8.25 without any expectations. And the worst happened! Flip tricks better than ever!
My head is spinning and madness is back strong
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 21, 2024, 01:47:04 PM
Nothing wrong with swapping in bushings. What's wrong is when the truck design necessitates it (looking at you, Thunder) b/c the design and/or bushing quality suck so bad. I like the way Thunders pop, grind, and turn, but the short bushing life got pretty old and annoying to deal with especially when one blew out in a country that didn't have rebuild kits in stock.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BL0B on October 21, 2024, 02:59:41 PM
Going through some more truck madness and I have realised that there isn't a single truck from the big 4 that I don't need to modify somehow.

Thunder - No bottom bushing and I use either a stock washer, bones washer or no washer depending on the season.

Venture - Loose trucks conversion bushings or Indy 78a aftermarket with bones top washer.

Indy - Indy 78a bushings and sometimes a bones top washer usually in summer when I am not fat.

Ace - Bones top washer and/or krux bushings but even then they are either too tight or too loose.

I weigh 150 on average. Not really asking for help just venting, as needing to modify any truck I select adds another layer to the gear madness. Sometimes I think I should just bite the bullet and stay on Independent as I fuck with them the least (usually just swap the bushings and I am good to go) but theres always something that pulls me away to try something else.



no bottom bushing?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on October 21, 2024, 03:07:41 PM
Going through some more truck madness and I have realised that there isn't a single truck from the big 4 that I don't need to modify somehow.

Thunder - No bottom bushing and I use either a stock washer, bones washer or no washer depending on the season.

Venture - Loose trucks conversion bushings or Indy 78a aftermarket with bones top washer.

Indy - Indy 78a bushings and sometimes a bones top washer usually in summer when I am not fat.

Ace - Bones top washer and/or krux bushings but even then they are either too tight or too loose.

I weigh 150 on average. Not really asking for help just venting, as needing to modify any truck I select adds another layer to the gear madness. Sometimes I think I should just bite the bullet and stay on Independent as I fuck with them the least (usually just swap the bushings and I am good to go) but theres always something that pulls me away to try something else.

You aren’t alone my G
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: diplodocus on October 21, 2024, 06:10:21 PM
I always tried to start stock on brands, but always ended up modifying. Out of all the trucks I’ve skated:

Thunders: 94 bushings, Riptide pivot cups (must)
Indy: ace top washer
Ace: ace hard bushings

Thinking about riptides pivot cups on Indy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 21, 2024, 07:00:41 PM
I always tried to start stock on brands, but always ended up modifying. Out of all the trucks I’ve skated:

Thunders: 94 bushings, Riptide pivot cups (must)
Indy: ace top washer
Ace: ace hard bushings

Thinking about riptides pivot cups on Indy

Its funny because I mainly swap between Indy/thunder. And thunders are the only truck I can leave stock.

Riptide cups are a MUST for me in indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 21, 2024, 07:11:05 PM
I don't get how anyone could possibly skate a set of Thunders with the original bushings intact the entire time. It seems to be the most widely documented complaint about the trucks and its great DLX sells replacements, but even those vary in hardness. The last thing I wanna do is constantly be fucking with whatever setup. IDC if I have to do a bunch of weird shit to get it golden, but once so I want it to stay that way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 21, 2024, 07:14:59 PM
Hard Fact: Of all truck mfgs, Indy offers the most aftermarket bushing options (hardness and shape), and they are the most durable, too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 21, 2024, 09:29:35 PM
Hot take but I dislike how Riptides feel. Not as firm of a snap in the turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: zozu on October 23, 2024, 01:16:12 AM
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Going through some more truck madness and I have realised that there isn't a single truck from the big 4 that I don't need to modify somehow.

Thunder - No bottom bushing and I use either a stock washer, bones washer or no washer depending on the season.

Venture - Loose trucks conversion bushings or Indy 78a aftermarket with bones top washer.

Indy - Indy 78a bushings and sometimes a bones top washer usually in summer when I am not fat.

Ace - Bones top washer and/or krux bushings but even then they are either too tight or too loose.

I weigh 150 on average. Not really asking for help just venting, as needing to modify any truck I select adds another layer to the gear madness. Sometimes I think I should just bite the bullet and stay on Independent as I fuck with them the least (usually just swap the bushings and I am good to go) but theres always something that pulls me away to try something else.
[close]



no bottom bushing?

whoops I meant washer. thanks for everyone's replies I feed off this thread basically concocting more things to try with my setups.

I hate it but am so addicted to changing pointless shit. I just want my trucks to turn nice  :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on October 23, 2024, 01:40:59 AM
Potentially hot take: Replacing stock bushings with bushings of adequate firmness for one's bodyweight should not be considered madness. It's the equivalent of adjusting your bike saddle to your height.

In real madness news: I skated my first session on the V8 yesterday. Well, sort of: V8 baseplates and hollow 5.8 hangers. I put those on my trusted 8.5/14.5 twin and, as feared, flip tricks became a hell of a lot easier while anything from just riding around fast to grinds to rotational ollies was significantly harder or at least very different to how I like it. those flips, though...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on October 23, 2024, 05:19:25 AM
Hot take but I dislike how Riptides feel. Not as firm of a snap in the turn.

I agree. Also didn't liked the Riptide cups in my Indy 144s. Maybe I swap them over to my rain/cruiser setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 23, 2024, 06:41:14 AM
Potentially hot take: Replacing stock bushings with bushings of adequate firmness for one's bodyweight should not be considered madness. It's the equivalent of adjusting your bike saddle to your height.

Well said.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on October 23, 2024, 07:20:51 AM
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Hot take but I dislike how Riptides feel. Not as firm of a snap in the turn.
[close]

I agree. Also didn't liked the Riptide cups in my Indy 144s. Maybe I swap them over to my rain/cruiser setup.

How do you get them out without mangling them?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 23, 2024, 07:12:35 PM
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Hot take but I dislike how Riptides feel. Not as firm of a snap in the turn.
[close]

I agree. Also didn't liked the Riptide cups in my Indy 144s. Maybe I swap them over to my rain/cruiser setup.
[close]

How do you get them out without mangling them?

Riptides have a little hole in the bottom, I stick a nail in it and turn them out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on October 23, 2024, 09:43:12 PM
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Hot take but I dislike how Riptides feel. Not as firm of a snap in the turn.
[close]

I agree. Also didn't liked the Riptide cups in my Indy 144s. Maybe I swap them over to my rain/cruiser setup.
[close]

How do you get them out without mangling them?
[close]

Riptides have a little hole in the bottom, I stick a nail in it and turn them out.
Oh so they come out so easy, that's a good design. I do have one Riptide cup in a set of Indys. Needed to use a lot of force and pliers to get the original out and once it was out it was toast. And while I embrace the madness, really didn't notice much of a difference, so I just kept the original Indy cup in the other truck. :D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 24, 2024, 04:37:05 AM
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Hot take but I dislike how Riptides feel. Not as firm of a snap in the turn.
[close]

I agree. Also didn't liked the Riptide cups in my Indy 144s. Maybe I swap them over to my rain/cruiser setup.
[close]

How do you get them out without mangling them?
[close]

Riptides have a little hole in the bottom, I stick a nail in it and turn them out.
[close]
Oh so they come out so easy, that's a good design. I do have one Riptide cup in a set of Indys. Needed to use a lot of force and pliers to get the original out and once it was out it was toast. And while I embrace the madness, really didn't notice much of a difference, so I just kept the original Indy cup in the other truck. :D

Most of the reason I swap them is because they hardly squeak, if at all.

For some reason I can tolerate the sound on thunders, it's not as harsh.

But it drove me insane on indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 24, 2024, 06:59:57 AM
My newest Indy's haven't squeaked once and by saying this I probably cursed myself. In contrast I've never had a pair of Thunders that didn't.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 24, 2024, 10:11:15 AM
My newest Indy's have squeaked once and by saying this I probably cursed myself. In contrast I've never had a pair of Thunders that didn't.

Thunders always squeak for me too, but it's a much more tolerable squeak
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 24, 2024, 11:27:18 AM
Crap I mean to say haven't. The one thing I did do was when I put in the blue bushings I wiped the pivot cups which had a film of some sort in them. No wax, no grease, nothing else in there. I tried silicone grease once a while back and it made the trucks turn noticeably looser, which could be a quick hack for people that want that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on October 24, 2024, 11:45:31 AM
Been experiencing backpack madness. After so many different backpacks shitting out I have a fantastic adidas backpack I got at goodwill. I usually do mini bags so I can still do tricks while I’m cruising with it on but this one seemed perfect to me. Held all my stuff and was super comfy.

That is until I went street skating with it the other day. I hit a pebble riding on the sidewalk and got pitched. Went to roll it out when I hit the ground but the backpack stopped the roll and I just dug into my arm and shoulder turning em into hamburger.

I have a nice over the shoulder (single strap) mini bag (Herschel) but that one flops around while I’m pushing and I can’t keep all my normal stuff in it. Now thankfully I found a mini bag that has two straps and seems small enough to roll over if I need to. My only issue is it seems fairly thin and putting my stuff in it it seems real full and I’m worried it’s gonna rip, it also has no padding on the back so it’s not as comfortable.

Just wanted to throw this in here cause it’s sort of a strange madness but finding a proper backpack has been driving me nuts. I’m very lucky to have a partner that loves skating as much if not more than me so every weekend we do exploratory street missions and with that I feel like a good bag is crucial. Truly hoping this new one works out cause over the last few years I’ve gone through so many backpacks (usually either the zipper breaks or I fall and the cheap ones rip).

I always keep a water bottle, some medical supplies (band aids, alcohol wipes, an ankle and wrist brace and non stick pads), some extra skate parts (a few bearings, extra hardware and axel nuts etc), a tool, wax, an instax camera, a field recorder (I’m a noise nerd) and my spare glasses.

I wish I could just use a normal size backpack (which is totally fine if I’m at a park or camped out at a spot) but want something more mobile. I know this is kind of a silly post but had to express it cause for some reason I’ve become more concerned about my damn backpack than my board (which thankfully feels great and haven’t been experiencing madness with lately after a few adjustments) 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on October 24, 2024, 04:12:33 PM
^^^

https://ca.carhartt-wip.com/products/kickflip-backpack-black-1447
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on October 24, 2024, 05:42:51 PM
Been experiencing backpack madness. After so many different backpacks shitting out I have a fantastic adidas backpack I got at goodwill. I usually do mini bags so I can still do tricks while I’m cruising with it on but this one seemed perfect to me. Held all my stuff and was super comfy.

That is until I went street skating with it the other day. I hit a pebble riding on the sidewalk and got pitched. Went to roll it out when I hit the ground but the backpack stopped the roll and I just dug into my arm and shoulder turning em into hamburger.

I have a nice over the shoulder (single strap) mini bag (Herschel) but that one flops around while I’m pushing and I can’t keep all my normal stuff in it. Now thankfully I found a mini bag that has two straps and seems small enough to roll over if I need to. My only issue is it seems fairly thin and putting my stuff in it it seems real full and I’m worried it’s gonna rip, it also has no padding on the back so it’s not as comfortable.

Just wanted to throw this in here cause it’s sort of a strange madness but finding a proper backpack has been driving me nuts. I’m very lucky to have a partner that loves skating as much if not more than me so every weekend we do exploratory street missions and with that I feel like a good bag is crucial. Truly hoping this new one works out cause over the last few years I’ve gone through so many backpacks (usually either the zipper breaks or I fall and the cheap ones rip).

I always keep a water bottle, some medical supplies (band aids, alcohol wipes, an ankle and wrist brace and non stick pads), some extra skate parts (a few bearings, extra hardware and axel nuts etc), a tool, wax, an instax camera, a field recorder (I’m a noise nerd) and my spare glasses.

I wish I could just use a normal size backpack (which is totally fine if I’m at a park or camped out at a spot) but want something more mobile. I know this is kind of a silly post but had to express it cause for some reason I’ve become more concerned about my damn backpack than my board (which thankfully feels great and haven’t been experiencing madness with lately after a few adjustments)

Can't go wrong with the Nike RPM, weight distribution is nice, lots of pockets, front and back compartments and very comfy to carry for long periods. Liked it so much I got 2 - 1 for skateboarding and 1 for work. The board velcro straps slide onto the handle of my pull luggage which is a nice touch when I bring it work overseas work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on October 26, 2024, 03:26:29 AM
Also check out snowboard backpacks with board straps. I use a Northface snowboard backpack when on skate missions.  It's not bulky, is close to the body, has plenty of pockets and most importantly allows for good access to my stuff.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 26, 2024, 10:25:21 AM
I'll just go the tote bag way
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 27, 2024, 01:06:05 PM
Potentially hot take: Replacing stock bushings with bushings of adequate firmness for one's bodyweight should not be considered madness.


This is correct! Anyone (Ben D.) who thinks all 'stock bushings' should not have to be swapped / should work for all rider weights is terribly narrow minded; it's like suggesting that all wheels should be 101a 'just because' that should work everywhere, for everyone.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on October 27, 2024, 05:15:42 PM
I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 27, 2024, 08:13:46 PM
Ben is just making up reasons to confine his gear at this point, which given his past might not be a bad thing. It's pretty dumb in skating that it's a point of pride to "just run them as they come" as if it presents some form of mastery or something. I can't imagine someone being like "ya you need to drive this car exactly as it comes from the factory don't move any of the controls it's too much madness to get them just right"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 27, 2024, 09:39:07 PM
I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.

If I could, I would but they heavier you are the harder that is to do. Currently running Slappy 100a in Slappy lows and it's glorious.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 27, 2024, 10:21:33 PM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

If I could, I would but they heavier you are the harder that is to do. Currently running Slappy 100a in Slappy lows and it's glorious.
how would describe the slappy 100a?
looking for an alternative to 100a doh dohs
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 28, 2024, 06:57:40 AM
I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 28, 2024, 07:25:39 AM
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Potentially hot take: Replacing stock bushings with bushings of adequate firmness for one's bodyweight should not be considered madness.

[close]

This is correct! Anyone (Ben D.) who thinks all 'stock bushings' should not have to be swapped / should work for all rider weights is terribly narrow minded; it's like suggesting that all wheels should be 101a 'just because' that should work everywhere, for everyone.

It's also beyond reason to consider that in order to dial in one's set-up, one is ARE "allowed" to choose deck width, length, wheelbase, concave, kick steepness, grip tape grit, bearings, wheel shape, wheel size, wheel hardness, truck brand, truck height, truck width, etc...but bushings? No way, man. Off limits. Can't touch those!     
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on October 28, 2024, 07:50:29 AM
I’ll fight someone over bushings
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on October 28, 2024, 08:21:25 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.

Nothing wrong with loosening or tightening your trucks duds... and nothing wrong with changing bushings. I just like it when the stock ones work out for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: OhioGuy on October 28, 2024, 08:33:28 AM
As a bigger rider, bushings are the most important part of my setup. Can’t believe I used to ride stock. I’m a low impact skater, but stock gives me wheel bite just from carving.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on October 28, 2024, 08:39:31 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
[close]

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.

Nothing wrong with loosening or tightening your trucks duds... and nothing wrong with changing bushings. I just like it when the stock ones work out for me.
Trucks come with the nut flush.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Twig88 on October 28, 2024, 08:42:28 AM
Since I started skating again a bit more 'seriously' (as in actually trying to do more than some flat ground once a year) after a very long hiatus in a whole other sport, I feel like a lot of my tricks are back, albeit inconsistently... but I cannot get used to a more 'modern-day' setup. I don't seem to be able to stop ghost-popping on Indy FHs (53-54mm wheels). I think it might be time to sack the whole setup and go narrower, with low trucks and smaller wheels which is what I grew up skating. Full madness mode.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on October 28, 2024, 08:43:02 AM
I do have next to me a pair of Tensor Mag Lights still in the plastic and the nut isn't flush though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 28, 2024, 10:02:43 AM
nut flush is a funny term. Do you mean the nylock? Top of the nut? Why is this the glory zone? It's like when people brag "finger tight" ok sick so you want less kingpin clearance and a mid sesh accident waiting to happen when ur shit falls off? Reynolds has legendary style and cranks. Nik Stain skates mach 20 and has almost as many threads showing. I saw GT in person once with 2 threads showing per truck. Who fucking cares as long as the skating is good?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on October 28, 2024, 10:27:28 AM
nut flush is a funny term. Do you mean the nylock? Top of the nut? Why is this the glory zone? It's like when people brag "finger tight" ok sick so you want less kingpin clearance and a mid sesh accident waiting to happen when ur shit falls off? Reynolds has legendary style and cranks. Nik Stain skates mach 20 and has almost as many threads showing. I saw GT in person once with 2 threads showing per truck. Who fucking cares as long as the skating is good?
I have two threads showing on my Thunders. But they were flush when I got them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 28, 2024, 10:28:21 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

If I could, I would but they heavier you are the harder that is to do. Currently running Slappy 100a in Slappy lows and it's glorious.
[close]
how would describe the slappy 100a?
looking for an alternative to 100a doh dohs

@munchbox Not skated doh doh 100s (only the 92s, they were nice), only Thunder (blacks), ACE hards, Indy 96s, Krux 96s.

The slappy 100a are very hard (and like the ACE hards, work super well in a low truck); Slappy are already super stable when you want them to be yet even as a low and with hard bushings they still turn amazing (and no wheelbite with 52mm wheels). Tops are a bit shorter than say a krux and a hair shorter than indy (probably perfect for Ventures).

Of all the ones I've listed, Krux felt the most stiff out of the bag, tho I used them them in Royals, NOT slappys (royal bottom is taller than most, like Krux and ACE).

What truck are you riding and what are the doh dohs not giving you?

Since I started skating again a bit more 'seriously' (as in actually trying to do more than some flat ground once a year) after a very long hiatus in a whole other sport, I feel like a lot of my tricks are back, albeit inconsistently... but I cannot get used to a more 'modern-day' setup. I don't seem to be able to stop ghost-popping on Indy FHs (53-54mm wheels). I think it might be time to sack the whole setup and go narrower, with low trucks and smaller wheels which is what I grew up skating. Full madness mode.

@Twig88 You are not the only one; I can't hange with tall trucks and 54mm+ wheels (unless it's bowl/ditch or straight ollies); been hovering around 52mm (thunder, Venture or Royal) trucks and 52mm wheels for the longest time. Prior was indy forged whatevers at 53.5mm (for park with 53mm) and would skate the OLD Thunder 149ers, which were 49mm tall with 51/52mm; I did try ACE lows, but didn't stay with them long enough as I bumped up in board size and didn't want to dip again).

When Slappy came around I moved from Royal..felt off but could make it work but had moved to 8.125" bloards (and I tried some 55mm indys, couldn't hang). Everytime I would step off my slappies onto thunder/vent or royals, then back on slappys they felt too high (A WHOLE 2.4 mm too high lol so I'd dip back)...then on 52mm trucks I went to 51/50mm wheels, and a flatter (wider) board, things started feeling better. Setup my 149 forged Mindys (50.5mm tall) and 53mm wheels and then 51mm wheels and the magic happened. Currently on lows with 50mm wheels. Speed sucks balls but it feels good.

I pop very fast and very hard, it's very explosive and 'one size fits all effort' no matter the trick or obstacle just big, so a steep, tall board doesn't work as well (it works but ghost pop is there, I'm just expecting the pop sooner) as the timing on a lower flatter board, tho I do lose some height and have to suck up my knees more.

TL;DR:
Maybe it's muscle memory, what I used to skate height-wise, never skated low (branded) trucks other than the thunders, but always smaller wheels. Or maybe like Marnell (R.I.P.) "low and wide" is just what feels right...curbs and flat, ledges and small gaps, no vert, big rails, hucking or hillbombing.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 28, 2024, 10:38:45 AM
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nut flush is a funny term. Do you mean the nylock? Top of the nut? Why is this the glory zone? It's like when people brag "finger tight" ok sick so you want less kingpin clearance and a mid sesh accident waiting to happen when ur shit falls off? Reynolds has legendary style and cranks. Nik Stain skates mach 20 and has almost as many threads showing. I saw GT in person once with 2 threads showing per truck. Who fucking cares as long as the skating is good?
[close]
I have two threads showing on my Thunders. But they were flush when I got them.

Not that unusual for Thunders considering the bushings slowly mush and explode.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on October 28, 2024, 11:10:28 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
[close]

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.

Nothing wrong with loosening or tightening your trucks duds... and nothing wrong with changing bushings. I just like it when the stock ones work out for me.
[close]
Trucks come with the nut flush.

Often but not always.

Its certainly climatic when nutflush can be achieved as a satisfactory adjustment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 28, 2024, 12:46:00 PM
Nutflush city limits?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 28, 2024, 01:21:41 PM
Since I started skating again a bit more 'seriously' (as in actually trying to do more than some flat ground once a year) after a very long hiatus in a whole other sport, I feel like a lot of my tricks are back, albeit inconsistently... but I cannot get used to a more 'modern-day' setup. I don't seem to be able to stop ghost-popping on Indy FHs (53-54mm wheels). I think it might be time to sack the whole setup and go narrower, with low trucks and smaller wheels which is what I grew up skating. Full madness mode.

I was the same at first and slowly went up. I started back on an 8x14" with Thunder 147, then went up to 148s/Indy FH on an 8x14.25 with 50s, then an 8.25x14.25 for a while with similar trucks but went up to 52, tried some really big setups (8.5, 149s, 55s ) and came back to the 8.125-8.25 zone, then eventually settled on 8.25-8.4, 14.25-14.38 being ideal but I can do 14.5, Indy Standards or Ventures on 53-54.

I have a setup with Venture lows my son scoots around on and while I can skate it, there is no advantage if I wanna do flip tricks that leave the ground and I have to skate it slower. It's just less fun to skate and doesn't do anything any better other than dinky manual tricks on tiny pads. Not to say you need to ride what I do or go huge just do it in phases and get used to things. When I go back to Thunder 148/52s it's fun for a bit, but my pop is lower and it feels a bit anemic. I could probably get used to it again but given that most decks in the 8-8.25 range have a 14.25 or so I see no practical reason to ride the narrower ones.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 28, 2024, 04:06:02 PM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

If I could, I would but they heavier you are the harder that is to do. Currently running Slappy 100a in Slappy lows and it's glorious.
[close]
how would describe the slappy 100a?
looking for an alternative to 100a doh dohs
[close]
What truck are you riding and what are the doh dohs not giving you?
venture 6.1s still
had to shave down the doh dohs to make them work
but if the slappys are shorter as you say, ill buy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 28, 2024, 05:25:52 PM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

If I could, I would but they heavier you are the harder that is to do. Currently running Slappy 100a in Slappy lows and it's glorious.
[close]
how would describe the slappy 100a?
looking for an alternative to 100a doh dohs
[close]
What truck are you riding and what are the doh dohs not giving you?
[close]
venture 6.1s still
had to shave down the doh dohs to make them work
but if the slappys are shorter as you say, ill buy

I can't recall the doh doh height tbh (I ditched them when the bottom split - also fu to doh doh/shortys CS for not responding to a polite email about it). The TOPS are lower tho, for sure.

So few 96a+ options out there. Did you ever try the yellow indy 96a? They're pretty damn hard...plus since they are aftermarket, the bottoms are shorter.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 28, 2024, 10:56:55 PM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

If I could, I would but they heavier you are the harder that is to do. Currently running Slappy 100a in Slappy lows and it's glorious.
[close]
how would describe the slappy 100a?
looking for an alternative to 100a doh dohs
[close]
What truck are you riding and what are the doh dohs not giving you?
[close]
venture 6.1s still
had to shave down the doh dohs to make them work
but if the slappys are shorter as you say, ill buy
[close]

I can't recall the doh doh height tbh (I ditched them when the bottom split - also fu to doh doh/shortys CS for not responding to a polite email about it). The TOPS are lower tho, for sure.

So few 96a+ options out there. Did you ever try the yellow indy 96a? They're pretty damn hard...plus since they are aftermarket, the bottoms are shorter.
kinda averse to yellow bushings
and the closer to 100a the better for me
210ish lbs with a high center of gravity
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thrawn on October 29, 2024, 12:08:14 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
[close]

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.

Are there any vids of manufacturing processess? I`d imagine they use electric screwdivers with dialed in torque. So it would be indeed always the same way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thrawn on October 29, 2024, 12:21:10 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
[close]

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.
[close]

Are there any vids of manufacturing processess? I`d imagine they use electric screwdivers with dialed in torque. So it would be indeed always the same way.

(https://i.ibb.co/CBV7F3P/Screenshot-2024-10-29-081801.png) (https://ibb.co/CBV7F3P)

Skateboard Truck Manufacturing with Tracker Trucks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddRjg2HtYtU)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on October 29, 2024, 06:50:51 AM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
[close]

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.
[close]

Are there any vids of manufacturing processess? I`d imagine they use electric screwdivers with dialed in torque. So it would be indeed always the same way.

From someone at DLX it literally was a dude with a pneumatic driver just brapping that shit on. They don't make THAT many trucks to have a fully automated assembly line. If a shop has many trucks from a brand you'll often see differing tightness in DLX trucks but NHS stuff seems to come basically nylock flush.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Firebert on October 29, 2024, 09:39:59 AM
@Firebert tips on those crook pop overs? crooked grinds are my most consistent grind outside of 50-50s and i can pop out from ledges and rails very easily but only back to the same side i got on from. i'd love to learn these since i feel like they could help with fs nosegrind pop outs in the middle of the ledge, that's a bucket list trick but i feel like a crooked grind should be easier to learn, for me at least.

Sorry for the late reply - my tip would be to center your weight over that front foot, but come at the rail like you are going to ollie over it completely, so that your weight naturally shifts after the lock in to be tipping over the front foot. You will feel the wheel want to slip and right before that happens, you want to pop a regular nollie, don't attempt to turn while nollie-ing. The board will naturally straighten out when you pop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 29, 2024, 05:06:40 PM
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I'm one of those people who stubbornly tries to make stock bushings work as much as possible. after all, you can adjust the tightness of your trucks quite a bit... I know I know... we all want no thread showing, nut flush.
[close]

But, turning that nut is NOT leaving things as “stock!” It's changing how they come / perform! If that change is allowed, why is switching bushings not allowed? :)
[close]

 I know some people believe in this concept of 'factory tight' but I highly doubt the assembly workers aim to have each truck leave the factory the same way.
[close]

Are there any vids of manufacturing processess? I`d imagine they use electric screwdivers with dialed in torque. So it would be indeed always the same way.
[close]

From someone at DLX it literally was a dude with a pneumatic driver just brapping that shit on. They don't make THAT many trucks to have a fully automated assembly line. If a shop has many trucks from a brand you'll often see differing tightness in DLX trucks but NHS stuff seems to come basically nylock flush.


Yeah I think from seeing videos every single production of trucks is hand done, as in people in a production line have to put the pivot cup, bushing washers, bushings and kingpin on and someone at the end just does the machine "braap" to every truck that comes their way.  Someone else just had the axle washers and nuts too - that would be a fun job if you had to do that all day.  Also why all the axle nuts are only hand tightened and often come off on the way, whereas kingpin nuts are machined down and never come off.

That was from videos of DLX trucks, Indy, 2Hex and misc productions in China so I think pretty much every main company and others included.

Interesting to see it all like that too.


* First thing I always do with any new trucks is take off the kingpin nut and check which way the bushings are positioned, eg most of the time who ever puts them together always puts the lined side / open side down, whereas I like to put the two lined / open faces towards the hanger - facing each other.

Just my little bit of skateboard madness.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 29, 2024, 05:15:17 PM
.

Most trucks from new have the kingpin nut sitting off a bit too, so I would usually tighten it down to at least even with the top of the kingpin or a touch below, just to get a little more clearance, but it all depends on bushing hardness.  I do try to wear in the bushings with the nut just on enough first though - having it down too much squashes the bushings and they can pop out the sides of the washer, just doing a few laps round where ever I am without doing much in the way of heavy landings or anything besides just rolling around and it really does work well for breaking in bushings nicely.

And yes, the "stock tightness" changes fairly often from truck to truck, but I also understand how people like to run their kingpin nuts flush, so each to their own.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on October 29, 2024, 05:34:27 PM
Oh oh... strict regulations state that the lined side/ sharp edge of the bushing must sit on the bottom washer for proper performance potential.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 29, 2024, 08:00:55 PM
Oh oh... strict regulations state that the lined side/ sharp edge of the bushing must sit on the bottom washer for proper performance potential.

I swapped in my hard bushings [correctly] into my slappy lows and noticed the stocks were in violation of said regulation...they did fix that fucked top washer tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on October 30, 2024, 12:45:21 PM
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Oh oh... strict regulations state that the lined side/ sharp edge of the bushing must sit on the bottom washer for proper performance potential.
[close]

I swapped in my hard bushings [correctly] into my slappy lows and noticed the stocks were in violation of said regulation...they did fix that fucked top washer tho.

Prasie Gall, you caught that. Could have been a catastrophe.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 31, 2024, 01:13:57 AM
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Oh oh... strict regulations state that the lined side/ sharp edge of the bushing must sit on the bottom washer for proper performance potential.
[close]

I swapped in my hard bushings [correctly] into my slappy lows and noticed the stocks were in violation of said regulation...they did fix that fucked top washer tho.
[close]

Prasie Gall, you caught that. Could have been a catastrophe.


Ha yeah, it is a funny one.

Not worried any which way, but I do recall people getting quite upset with others saying which way the bushings should sit.

I forgot to check, but when I got a set of the Stage 4 Indy, which has the printed logo on it, I should have seen which way the bottom bushing was sitting, cause they had to get the logo the right way up.


The conical shaped bushings always have the lined part on the bigger edge, which sits facing each other / both towards the hanger, so that is how I align my bushings, given I am almost always on Conical rather than Cylinder.  I guess that saves me on this one for now?

Good times!

:)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: wax poetic on October 31, 2024, 03:14:43 PM
Buying way too much shit of Depop lately ... most recent given the cooler weather ...

Bianca Chandon sweatshirt
Noah Long sleeve tee

Both $20 something

2 Pair of Nike All Court CK  1 from depop/1 from ebay

And from SPOT
The 20 year GT blazer lows

I'm gonna buy one more deck and then chill for a while ... I hope
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 31, 2024, 03:28:22 PM
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Oh oh... strict regulations state that the lined side/ sharp edge of the bushing must sit on the bottom washer for proper performance potential.
[close]

I swapped in my hard bushings [correctly] into my slappy lows and noticed the stocks were in violation of said regulation...they did fix that fucked top washer tho.
[close]

Prasie Gall, you caught that. Could have been a catastrophe.
[close]


Ha yeah, it is a funny one.

Not worried any which way, but I do recall people getting quite upset with others saying which way the bushings should sit.

I forgot to check, but when I got a set of the Stage 4 Indy, which has the printed logo on it, I should have seen which way the bottom bushing was sitting, cause they had to get the logo the right way up.


The conical shaped bushings always have the lined part on the bigger edge, which sits facing each other / both towards the hanger, so that is how I align my bushings, given I am almost always on Conical rather than Cylinder.  I guess that saves me on this one for now?

Good times!

:)




Didn't someone post ACE confirming this regulation a while back?

I never noticed a difference and didn't when riding these slappy lows stock for a minute until I swapped to hard...that said, if I'm re-building a truck, the damn ocd makes me check now :P
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on October 31, 2024, 04:54:28 PM
Help. I’m about to buy some Dragon 93s, when I’m perfectly happy on my x97’s

And then also buy x99’s for park skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 31, 2024, 05:39:33 PM
Help. I’m about to buy some Dragon 93s, when I’m perfectly happy on my x97’s

And then also buy x99’s for park skating.

Don't no need for the 93s if you are digging the 97s...but if you have the itch...those new nanorats are a betting looking/feeling/skating 97a....

As for park...101/103a all the way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on October 31, 2024, 06:17:47 PM
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Help. I’m about to buy some Dragon 93s, when I’m perfectly happy on my x97’s

And then also buy x99’s for park skating.
[close]

Don't no need for the 93s if you are digging the 97s...but if you have the itch...those new nanorats are a betting looking/feeling/skating 97a....

As for park...101/103a all the way.
101a formula four, and 103a STF? (Or SPF?)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on October 31, 2024, 06:37:23 PM
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Help. I’m about to buy some Dragon 93s, when I’m perfectly happy on my x97’s

And then also buy x99’s for park skating.
[close]

Don't no need for the 93s if you are digging the 97s...but if you have the itch...those new nanorats are a betting looking/feeling/skating 97a....

As for park...101/103a all the way.
[close]
101a formula four, and 103a STF? (Or SPF?)

That depends on you and the park?

SPF are dangerously glassy. 101a spits are probably what you need, I tend to carve fast (for fun) when not 'skating' in bowls so I need something like OJ elites, something grippy I can trust.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 01, 2024, 04:22:01 AM
Buying way too much shit of Depop lately ... most recent given the cooler weather ...

Bianca Chandon sweatshirt
Noah Long sleeve tee

Both $20 something

2 Pair of Nike All Court CK  1 from depop/1 from ebay

And from SPOT
The 20 year GT blazer lows

I'm gonna buy one more deck and then chill for a while ... I hope
We know it won't happen but still I wish you all the strength to be able to do it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 01, 2024, 07:37:53 AM
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Help. I’m about to buy some Dragon 93s, when I’m perfectly happy on my x97’s

And then also buy x99’s for park skating.
[close]

Don't no need for the 93s if you are digging the 97s...but if you have the itch...those new nanorats are a betting looking/feeling/skating 97a....

As for park...101/103a all the way.
[close]
101a formula four, and 103a STF? (Or SPF?)
[close]

That depends on you and the park?

SPF are dangerously glassy. 101a spits are probably what you need, I tend to carve fast (for fun) when not 'skating' in bowls so I need something like OJ elites, something grippy I can trust.

SPF 84B (meaning 104A) is actually surprisingly grippy and, most importantly, fast as fuck. There's a reason why park/bowl riders use them a lot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: wax poetic on November 02, 2024, 08:36:00 AM
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Buying way too much shit of Depop lately ... most recent given the cooler weather ...

Bianca Chandon sweatshirt
Noah Long sleeve tee

Both $20 something

2 Pair of Nike All Court CK  1 from depop/1 from ebay

And from SPOT
The 20 year GT blazer lows

I'm gonna buy one more deck and then chill for a while ... I hope
[close]
We know it won't happen but still I wish you all the strength to be able to do it.

Hahaha, thank you for trying to help me.  Would gnar if I still had that ability
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on November 03, 2024, 06:16:44 AM
crisis averted.... got my old x99's back from a friend and will try skating those now that they're nice and broken in.

but the dragons..... not sure if the dragons are still calling for the occasional street exploration.

*and wouldn't ya know it: they feel exactly like the x97's on a street cruise to the coffee shop.

**and broken in they feel and sound a little more like a “normal” skate wheel. Yee-haw! Guess they just needed more time to break in before I gave them away to friend.

***and the will was weak. Bought some dragon 93’s for street journeys. Support the local, so there’s at least that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 09, 2024, 07:08:00 AM
My thunder/Indy back and forth madness is so bad it actually makes me feel like a crazy person sometimes.

Couple months on one, then lose my mind and back to the other for a couple months.

Cycle goes like this. Start on indys, having a good time, loving the turn and 360 flips. But then my pop starts to feel like it's lacking, I start to mess with different height/weight indys but ultimately end up putting my thunders back on.

On thunders, loving the snappy pop, pinch, and pop shuvits seem to work way better. Ollies everywhere seem better and more controlled. But then I start to feel like I cant get the turn I want, 360 flips seems to take more effort, and nose/tail slides feel like shit. I adjust my technique for slides as much as I can and am able to manage them a bit better, but inevitably I end back up on indys. And my fs nose slides particularly are immediately improved.

The cycle starts over again.

Thinking I might give Indy mids a shot, but I feel like this might just be a futile attempt at curing my discontent/insanity.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 09, 2024, 08:38:34 AM
V8’s? 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 09, 2024, 12:05:46 PM
V8’s?

I can't imagine I would enjoy the turn. I gave the last ventures I tried up because I hated the turn

I also like a longer WB than most since I'm 6' 4"

When those first came out I considered trying them on my usual dlx 8.38 14.5 WB with only the back truck moved in. But I talked myself out of it because of my current situation and not wanting to add a third truck to the equation.

In the course of about a year I rode indys, thunders, ventures, ace, and lurpiv.

So I'm actually doing better than I was at one point believe it or not.  Haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 09, 2024, 12:36:04 PM
yeah, i just found running the tighter wheelbase they set up like an indy but popped like a thunder.  That said, while you can loosen them alot, it's just lean, they'll never turn like an Indy.  I can see how an indy is maybe easier to scoop vs. a thunder too, thunder's pop super flat which on alot of tricks makes sense though. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 09, 2024, 01:17:47 PM
yeah, i just found running the tighter wheelbase they set up like an indy but popped like a thunder.  That said, while you can loosen them alot, it's just lean, they'll never turn like an Indy. I can see how an indy is maybe easier to scoop vs. a thunder too, thunder's pop super flat which on alot of tricks makes sense though.

For sure, each truck has a few tricks that are much easier to do on them vs the other.

Drives me crazy lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on November 09, 2024, 01:43:51 PM
My thunder/Indy back and forth madness is so bad it actually makes me feel like a crazy person sometimes.

Couple months on one, then lose my mind and back to the other for a couple months.

Cycle goes like this. Start on indys, having a good time, loving the turn and 360 flips. But then my pop starts to feel like it's lacking, I start to mess with different height/weight indys but ultimately end up putting my thunders back on.

On thunders, loving the snappy pop, pinch, and pop shuvits seem to work way better. Ollies everywhere seem better and more controlled. But then I start to feel like I cant get the turn I want, 360 flips seems to take more effort, and nose/tail slides feel like shit. I adjust my technique for slides as much as I can and am able to manage them a bit better, but inevitably I end back up on indys. And my fs nose slides particularly are immediately improved.

The cycle starts over again.

Thinking I might give Indy mids a shot, but I feel like this might just be a futile attempt at curing my discontent/insanity.

I was there and went with Indy's honestly because my pop is a tad higher and Thunder bushing issues got annoying. With blue bushings I have all the stability I need.

Now it's between 5.8 and Indy's. I can swap between pretty quick and the differences are minor but the grind of Ventures at chunky spots can be a total bummer as is the manual point.

At the same time I'm fine with either and not stressing too much. In the last year I've had Lurpiv, Indy, Thunder, and Venture all types and I'm back where I started. I think finding a truck you like or deck you like and building around it is the way to go.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 09, 2024, 02:42:23 PM
Expand Quote
My thunder/Indy back and forth madness is so bad it actually makes me feel like a crazy person sometimes.

Couple months on one, then lose my mind and back to the other for a couple months.

Cycle goes like this. Start on indys, having a good time, loving the turn and 360 flips. But then my pop starts to feel like it's lacking, I start to mess with different height/weight indys but ultimately end up putting my thunders back on.

On thunders, loving the snappy pop, pinch, and pop shuvits seem to work way better. Ollies everywhere seem better and more controlled. But then I start to feel like I cant get the turn I want, 360 flips seems to take more effort, and nose/tail slides feel like shit. I adjust my technique for slides as much as I can and am able to manage them a bit better, but inevitably I end back up on indys. And my fs nose slides particularly are immediately improved.

The cycle starts over again.

Thinking I might give Indy mids a shot, but I feel like this might just be a futile attempt at curing my discontent/insanity.
[close]

I was there and went with Indy's honestly because my pop is a tad higher and Thunder bushing issues got annoying. With blue bushings I have all the stability I need.

Now it's between 5.8 and Indy's. I can swap between pretty quick and the differences are minor but the grind of Ventures at chunky spots can be a total bummer as is the manual point.

At the same time I'm fine with either and not stressing too much. In the last year I've had Lurpiv, Indy, Thunder, and Venture all types and I'm back where I started. I think finding a truck you like or deck you like and building around it is the way to go.

Makes sense. I mainly ride the dlx 8.38 14.5wb shape.

Every now and then I try something else, but this is def my comfort zone.

Been considering an 8.5 with a 14.5wb. but I haven't seen any with tapered kicks like I like.

Weird how tapered kicks is almost becoming an old school thing lol

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on November 17, 2024, 09:06:02 AM
 Hello there ! I want to start a debate and also testimonials from several people out of curiosity and because I just asked myself the question..

In your opinion and by your experience , what are the perfect trucks brand for flatground ?  :D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 17, 2024, 09:17:24 AM
In your opinion and by your experience , what are the perfect trucks brand for flatground ?  :D

The correct answer is, "The perfect trucks are the perfect trucks for you."

There is no objective way to answer this question. You have to find your own way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on November 17, 2024, 11:22:39 AM
Hello there ! I want to start a debate and also testimonials from several people out of curiosity and because I just asked myself the question..

In your opinion and by your experience , what are the perfect trucks brand for flatground ?  :D

Maybe these.

(https://i.ibb.co/KGtg5X6/IMG-9940.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KGtg5X6)(https://i.ibb.co/Np0xBXw/IMG-9939.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Np0xBXw)

(*Have a gnar. I feel bad.)

I think a better answer is that it depends on what kind of flat ground game you got. Something like Indy that is higher will have more time to snap, and result in higher tricks (theoretically).  So if you got super pop like Luan Oliviera or Tiago, then go with a truck that will allow for it.

A low truck like venture lows or Thunder will snap quicker; not give you as high potential; but will allow for quicker, lower tricks. So if you’re a tech god and quick feet, then a low truck might be better.

These are just my theories, because I have abysmal flat ground.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 17, 2024, 05:29:00 PM
........yea

I put my thunders on again.


I think I just need to submit to this and accept I'm going to switch my trucks a few times a year despite wanting to stick to one brand.

Maybe those new t2's will solve this, but that sounds like wishful thinking haha.

Never liked thunders with risers tbh so if theyre higher than 52mm I doubt I'll love them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on November 17, 2024, 08:48:09 PM
........yea

I put my thunders on again.


I think I just need to submit to this and accept I'm going to switch my trucks a few times a year despite wanting to stick to one brand.

Maybe those new t2's will solve this, but that sounds like wishful thinking haha.

Never liked thunders with risers tbh so if theyre higher than 52mm I doubt I'll love them.
Hear me out….

I have one board for street exploration, and one for park skating.
The street exploration board has:
-Indy’s

The park board has:
-Thunders

One was put together with spare parts, and they both get skated pretty often switching from park to street.

So just have two boards put together that are pretty similar and just switch out when you feel like it?

(https://i.ibb.co/xMtNQ2x/IMG-9941.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xMtNQ2x)(https://i.ibb.co/vz47803/IMG-9942.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vz47803)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 17, 2024, 10:51:42 PM
Hello there ! I want to start a debate and also testimonials from several people out of curiosity and because I just asked myself the question..

In your opinion and by your experience , what are the perfect trucks brand for flatground ?  :D

Venture or Thunders…..Venture: stability and leverage, Thunder: light and easy pop.

If you’re just good and it doesn’t matter: Indy…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 18, 2024, 03:30:45 AM
Expand Quote
........yea

I put my thunders on again.


I think I just need to submit to this and accept I'm going to switch my trucks a few times a year despite wanting to stick to one brand.

Maybe those new t2's will solve this, but that sounds like wishful thinking haha.

Never liked thunders with risers tbh so if theyre higher than 52mm I doubt I'll love them.
[close]
Hear me out….

I have one board for street exploration, and one for park skating.
The street exploration board has:
-Indy’s

The park board has:
-Thunders

One was put together with spare parts, and they both get skated pretty often switching from park to street.

So just have two boards put together that are pretty similar and just switch out when you feel like it?

(https://i.ibb.co/xMtNQ2x/IMG-9941.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xMtNQ2x)(https://i.ibb.co/vz47803/IMG-9942.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vz47803)

I probably would ever skate them like that, like one board for one thing. But having two setups ready would save me time for when I inevitably switch lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eviltgirl on November 20, 2024, 01:04:26 PM
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it?  Switched from ace to indy and its been two weeks and I don't know if I'm going to stay with it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 20, 2024, 04:11:54 PM
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it?  Switched from ace to indy and its been two weeks and I don't know if I'm going to stay with it


I think there is a point where you realise something is just not working no matter what, at which time it is almost silly to keep going with it if it is going to make you hate your ride.

That is different to setting up a new board or whatever and just taking time to adjust to it, of which I know the difference, eg this is feeling a bit weird, but I will stick with it, vs this sucks and I hate it and don't even want to skate...

Any new thing, but especially trucks, can be a deal breaker if you don't wear them in well to start with, eg just roll around for a good while, break in the bushings, or swap them out if they are not working, because most take a bit to get right, or in the case of going from Ace to Indy, if they are not turning as much as Ace, take out the bottom washer on the Indy bushings and see if that makes them a bit more turny like Ace.

I usually ride Indy and have done for decades, had a session or two on boards with Ace trucks, then going back to my other board with Indy trucks, they felt like they didn't want to turn at all and were just wrong, so then it took a bit to get back to the normal feel there.

Other than that, no truck of a different brand is going to feel instantly awesome, unless you are a skateboard magician or something like that, but try to work out what it was about the different truck that worked or now doesn't work for you.  I could guess the following:

Indy you might get ghost pop as they are taller and further out than Ace.

Indy don't turn half as quick as Ace, especially if you rode them fairly loose - take out a bottom washer and see how that feels, so you can always just put it straight back in without issue.

New truck grind is always going to be more slippery than old worn in truck grind - scratch them up a bit on a rough curb if they feel too slippery new.

Work in the bushings a bit - stand on the board feet pointing towards nose or tail on either edge over one truck and step left right left right up and down to break in the bushings sooner, then repeat on the other truck.  Often do this on carpet or something just to avoid slipping out, but it breaks in bushings really well.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on November 20, 2024, 04:17:59 PM
If I am not mostly at par in 2 sessions it's binned. If I am mostly at par but seeing some issues, I give it 5-6 sessions in which I make a conscious effort to adapt to the issue. This means if a flip trick feels bad I set my ego aside and spend a while skating flat trying different timing and foot positions to see if it's a quick fix. If its something like a deck and 8-9/10 things work on it, I just won't but it again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on November 20, 2024, 06:22:18 PM
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it?  Switched from ace to indy and its been two weeks and I don't know if I'm going to stay with it
I try for one session and decide I hate gear. Happened with wheels and decks.

Maybe I’m too quick to decide…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 20, 2024, 06:43:51 PM
I tough it out usually for almost the length of the board…IMO there’s always some benefits, even if you don’t like them.  Regardless….i try to sell for half or save and set up with older wheels, deck as a complete.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 20, 2024, 08:55:50 PM
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it? 

There is no single, correct, answer to this question. That said, there is a line between (a) "Product X is just not for me," and (b) taking sufficient time to "adjust" to something new. Where is that line? It depends on the person, and also how much experience they have trying different stuff out. Moreover, if you look at this thread, you will see some people have spent years switching back and forth between the same two truck brands, and still don't have a solid answer. One of the things I try to think about when trying something new is "Does this feel different, or does it feel bad?" Different, is something I might be able to work with. Bad, is something I should get rid of, and quickly.

Trucks are something you have to take on their own terms. If you spend a lot time trying to get a Thunder to turn like an Indy, then you should probably just be riding Indys. Sure, tweak trucks to see what variation you can get within the scope of their own world (and see if you like that world), but don't try to make Ace-world into Indy-world, etc.

And last, I always refer to this as "The Ben DeGros Rule." What was the one, big lesson of Ben's six years of equipment madness on youtube? To me, the big take-a-way was that he could actually do all of his tricks on whatever he was trying, but on some stuff things just felt better. To that end, I would encourage everyone to just ride the equipment that feels the best under their feet, and makes them happy when they look at it.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 20, 2024, 09:48:17 PM
If I am not mostly at par in 2 sessions it's binned. If I am mostly at par but seeing some issues, I give it 5-6 sessions in which I make a conscious effort to adapt to the issue. This means if a flip trick feels bad I set my ego aside and spend a while skating flat trying different timing and foot positions to see if it's a quick fix. If its something like a deck and 8-9/10 things work on it, I just won't but it again.

2 sessions to get an inkling if it's me or the gear, 3rd session confirms it. Especially if the rest of the gear hasn't changed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 20, 2024, 10:58:17 PM
How the F can I kinda lose my ollie with new, extra gritty grip? I would've thought it'd be the other way around. Front foot not being able to move as much as it should?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 20, 2024, 11:42:28 PM
Expand Quote
If I am not mostly at par in 2 sessions it's binned. If I am mostly at par but seeing some issues, I give it 5-6 sessions in which I make a conscious effort to adapt to the issue. This means if a flip trick feels bad I set my ego aside and spend a while skating flat trying different timing and foot positions to see if it's a quick fix. If its something like a deck and 8-9/10 things work on it, I just won't but it again.
[close]

2 sessions to get an inkling if it's me or the gear, 3rd session confirms it. Especially if the rest of the gear hasn't changed.
This should be framed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on November 21, 2024, 12:06:01 AM
Expand Quote
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it? 
[close]

There is no single, correct, answer to this question. That said, there is a line between (a) "Product X is just not for me," and (b) taking sufficient time to "adjust" to something new. Where is that line? It depends on the person, and also how much experience they have trying different stuff out. Moreover, if you look at this thread, you will see some people have spent years switching back and forth between the same two truck brands, and still don't have a solid answer. One of the things I try to think about when trying something new is "Does this feel different, or does it feel bad?" Different, is something I might be able to work with. Bad, is something I should get rid of, and quickly.

Trucks are something you have to take on their own terms. If you spend a lot time trying to get a Thunder to turn like an Indy, then you should probably just be riding Indys. Sure, tweak trucks to see what variation you can get within the scope of their own world (and see if you like that world), but don't try to make Ace-world into Indy-world, etc.

And last, I always refer to this as "The Ben DeGros Rule." What was the one, big lesson of Ben's six years of equipment madness on youtube? To me, the big take-a-way was that he could actually do all of his tricks on whatever he was trying, but on some stuff things just felt better. To that end, I would encourage everyone to just ride the equipment that feels the best under their feet, and makes them happy when they look at it.

Very well put.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on November 21, 2024, 11:04:50 PM
I tough it out usually for almost the length of the board…IMO there’s always some benefits, even if you don’t like them.  Regardless….i try to sell for half or save and set up with older wheels, deck as a complete.

Same here. I had to retire a Dog Town Karma shaped board early because even after a month of skating it here and there it was just so cumbersome to skate that I didn't have fun with it and still felt pretty bad about not skating it. I saved it still since I liked how it looked and maybe it will go on a wall or get turned into a cruiser. To be honest it almost made me shy away from shapes for a bit.

When it comes to popsicles I've lately gone for a couple of shapes that I know I like. I have a couple of more blunt shapes on a pile if I feel like it but when changing a board I usually still feel the need to grab or buy a G053 or a deep concave HLC pop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Weeb_poser on November 22, 2024, 03:04:07 AM
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it?  Switched from ace to indy and its been two weeks and I don't know if I'm going to stay with it

I try it for three sessions unless it's something that makes me feel weird straight up then it's retired straight away. I have skated gear I was on the fence about for ages and then ultimately go back to my same set up and feel right at home.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 22, 2024, 04:20:22 AM
When you guys switch gear, how long are you trying it before you decide you don't like it?  Switched from ace to indy and its been two weeks and I don't know if I'm going to stay with it

It's totally dependent on how I'm feeling.

I do try to give it two sessions if didn't enjoy it the first time.

But if I hate it enough I'll swap mid session or at the end of the session.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on November 22, 2024, 04:36:20 AM
Sometimes you like different things than at other times. A quiver is it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 22, 2024, 05:02:15 AM
Sometimes you like different things than at other times. A quiver is it.

I'm happy for the people that enjoy their quivers, and I have one for my cruisers and weird/fun boards.

But I feel like a whole new level of madness would pop up if I had 2-3 normal setups available at all times. I would be choosing a board for the spot/trick etc.

I'd rather just switch my trucks over few months and hate myself/feel crazy like I've done for the past 20 something years of my skateboarding habit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on November 22, 2024, 05:09:23 AM
How the F can I kinda lose my ollie with new, extra gritty grip? I would've thought it'd be the other way around. Front foot not being able to move as much as it should?
Probably that. Your front is getting more drag so there’s less power to level the board out since the power is getting drained into the grip.

Get stronger, and more power to yah.

Power.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 22, 2024, 07:12:34 AM
Expand Quote
How the F can I kinda lose my ollie with new, extra gritty grip? I would've thought it'd be the other way around. Front foot not being able to move as much as it should?
[close]
Probably that. Your front is getting more drag so there’s less power to level the board out since the power is getting drained into the grip.

Get stronger, and more power to yah.

Power.

Makes sense. Will eat (plant) protein. Kudos to you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FUBAR on November 22, 2024, 08:59:06 AM
I’m having some wheel madness. Maybe you can help…I’m looking for a more full sized wheel (Conical, Conical full, etc) but it needs to be soft but ride better than the Dragons I have. They feel slow to me on the asphalt by the house, and it isn’t even super crusty.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on November 22, 2024, 09:26:18 AM
I’m having some wheel madness. Maybe you can help…I’m looking for a more full sized wheel (Conical, Conical full, etc) but it needs to be soft but ride better than the Dragons I have. They feel slow to me on the asphalt by the house, and it isn’t even super crusty.
I can personally recommend the old formula 97A Spitfire F4, and people here say the new formula is even better.

Dragons feel slow to me too but it also feels like they roll a very long distance for the speed. It's like a slow motion cheat code that makes everything easier. This in a smooth-ish concrete park.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FUBAR on November 22, 2024, 02:51:43 PM
Right on, thanks man, I just might try the 97s!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 23, 2024, 10:31:37 PM
I’m having some wheel madness. Maybe you can help…I’m looking for a more full sized wheel (Conical, Conical full, etc) but it needs to be soft but ride better than the Dragons I have. They feel slow to me on the asphalt by the house, and it isn’t even super crusty.
93 radials is the answer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MOE SYZLAK on November 29, 2024, 10:46:56 AM
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on November 29, 2024, 02:32:52 PM
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?

i find that aces (both classics & af1s) pair better on steeper decks with longer tails
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 29, 2024, 02:58:33 PM
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?
Had pretty much the same experience. Answer is Venture.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MOE SYZLAK on November 29, 2024, 03:06:32 PM
Expand Quote
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?
[close]
Had pretty much the same experience. Answer is Venture.
I don't think I can make that switch. I skated ventures almost exclusively for close to 15 years been on Aces the last 3 and love the turn and feeling. If Ventures were more surfy.. sure..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on November 29, 2024, 03:16:57 PM
Use the Ace Low bushings in Ventures.

If your pop feels low you have to increase your pop angle and if you stick with the same truck then you need substantially bigger wheels (56 vs 52 so you can get 2mm extra height), risers, short tail, or a steep deck. Longer and/or mellower kicks only make it worse. I think there's a reason why massive wheels on Ace is really common.

You could try good old Indy standards and not change any of that and likely see a positive change.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on November 29, 2024, 04:23:33 PM
Use the Ace Low bushings in Ventures.

If your pop feels low you have to increase your pop angle and if you stick with the same truck then you need substantially bigger wheels (56 vs 52 so you can get 2mm extra height), risers, short tail, or a steep deck. Longer and/or mellower kicks only make it worse. I think there's a reason why massive wheels on Ace is really common.

You could try good old Indy standards and not change any of that and likely see a positive change.

Truth, it's the best thing we've got until DLX finally decides to sell Venture bushings again.

And Radial Slims.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 29, 2024, 04:53:55 PM
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?


Not to take away from any product info and knowledge, as there are often many suggestions and things work for different people, but as a different take, could it be more the human body and not the skateboard?

Reason I say this is as I get older, things slow down and I really feel like I am getting less and less able to do a lot of stuff I used to do, but when I think about it, I am not actually doing much to try to change that fact, as I flatly refuse to go to a gym or do much in the way of working out, but there have been a whole lot of suggestions from others who have made it a priority to stay in as good a physical condition as they can, so they can keep skating more.

That said, small things just around the home (or skate shop) people can do, stretches, small exercises, generally things people might not think of so much, but definitely NOT a big hour work out session ending drenched in sweat and feeling like you need a long bath or whatever.

A few guys I know are all about that sort of thing and I have tried to do a bit more when and where I can, even though I am pretty lazy with stretches and exercise in the athlete type of deal, but I think it really does help a lot and I realise how much I have dropped off, from when I was younger and could just do whatever I wanted.

Just a thought anyway.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 29, 2024, 10:43:39 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?
[close]
Had pretty much the same experience. Answer is Venture.
[close]
I don't think I can make that switch. I skated ventures almost exclusively for close to 15 years been on Aces the last 3 and love the turn and feeling. If Ventures were more surfy.. sure..
Same here. Back to Aces and everything even if with Ventures I have better pop the feeling of the truck is just not for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 30, 2024, 01:53:03 AM
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?

My pop went to utter shit with Ace Classics. They have the shortest wb effect of pretty much all trucks.

My suggestion: if you keep using the same trucks, try a longer wb deck (minimum 14.38, maybe even longer).

If longer deck wb with Aces doesn't work for you, try Forged Indys. Great turn, not too tall, longer wb effect.

Wheel size at 54mm should be ok any which way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on November 30, 2024, 03:42:00 AM
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?
Venture do help with pop but I get so much more tired a lot faster when I skate venture. I recently went back to skating forged hollow 149 on a mellow 8.475 bbs with 53mm wheels and everything pops much easier and higher with way less effort.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 30, 2024, 04:16:10 AM
Ive been having a very "challenging" year due to injuries. Long story short I was skating a 8.5 Sour board that worked fine but went back to 8.25 which is my preferred size, I thought that less weight could help me get back my tricks.
Had a Foundation 8.25 lying around and I hated it as soon I grabbed it. Wood feels soggy straight away and shape is like meh. Dims are good but nothing else. Shit is heavier than the 8.5 Sour...
Going back to thar one until some Lurpivs I ordered arrive so I can set them up with a fresh 8.25 Sour and probably back to F499 so it will feel more familiar than the 93 I've been skating on the past months.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 30, 2024, 06:23:10 AM
Expand Quote
I've noticing that my flip tricks aren't popping as of late ( over the last year or so). I thought it was because I was skating steeper boards. Ive started skating mellower boards with shorter wheelbases and its still been an issue. I usually run Ace Classic 44s with 54mm wheels. Curious where to go from here, lower trucks? Smaller wheels? Longer WB?
Anyone had a similar experience? What did you change to fix it?
[close]
Venture do help with pop but I get so much more tired a lot faster when I skate venture. I recently went back to skating forged hollow 149 on a mellow 8.475 bbs with 53mm wheels and everything pops much easier and higher with way less effort.

Forged Hollows are the best truck, IMHO. Not too high. Not too low. No twitch and weight of Ace, yet way more soul/turn than Thunder/Venture. Plus, Indy makes more aftermarket bushings than any other truck, so you can dial your turn in •exactly• how you want it.

I never have truck madness. Why? Because I ride forged hollows.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MOE SYZLAK on November 30, 2024, 06:31:08 AM
Thanks for all of the advice. I don’t think I can switch truck brands. My love of Aces runs deep. Gonna start with a longer wheelbase and see where that takes me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 30, 2024, 07:22:03 AM
Thanks for all of the advice. I don’t think I can switch truck brands. My love of Aces runs deep. Gonna start with a longer wheelbase and see where that takes me.

Respect. Let us know how it goes!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 30, 2024, 09:21:29 AM

Forged titaniums are the best truck, IMHO. Not too high. Not too low. No twitch and weight of Ace, yet way more soul/turn than Thunder/Venture. Plus, Indy makes more aftermarket bushings than any other truck, so you can dial your turn in •exactly• how you want it.

I never have truck madness. Why? Because I ride forged titaniums.

Fixed that for you.  ;D

(Goes for both hollows and titaniums, of course)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 30, 2024, 09:58:14 AM
Expand Quote

Forged titaniums are the best truck, IMHO. Not too high. Not too low. No twitch and weight of Ace, yet way more soul/turn than Thunder/Venture. Plus, Indy makes more aftermarket bushings than any other truck, so you can dial your turn in •exactly• how you want it.

I never have truck madness. Why? Because I ride forged titaniums.
[close]

Fixed that for you.  ;D

(Goes for both hollows and titaniums, of course)


I rode Ti for awhile, but don’t think the cost-to-weight ratio between Ti and hollows is proportionate, at least for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 30, 2024, 11:03:11 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Forged titaniums are the best truck, IMHO. Not too high. Not too low. No twitch and weight of Ace, yet way more soul/turn than Thunder/Venture. Plus, Indy makes more aftermarket bushings than any other truck, so you can dial your turn in •exactly• how you want it.

I never have truck madness. Why? Because I ride forged titaniums.
[close]

Fixed that for you.  ;D

(Goes for both hollows and titaniums, of course)
[close]


I rode Ti for awhile, but don’t think the cost-to-weight ratio between Ti and hollows is proportionate, at least for me.

Not necessarily, but I prefer non-hollow axles for the grind sound and how the axle ends don't get f*cked up as easy. Not that I don't enjoy riding hollows as well, it's just a matter of preference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on November 30, 2024, 02:11:30 PM
 Currently skate indy standards 139 with an 8.1, but I have a lot of trouble with the height (and im a Little Guy ahah) Before these trucks, I skated the 139 forged hollows for two years,  and they were perfect, but, they are dead. I would like to go back to lower ones .. Doing a lot of flatground and no big spots, and being small this would be good for me I think .. I would like to buy the forged hollows again but, they are expensive and I managed to find thunder 147 and ventures lows 5.25 with a very low price .. I hesitate between the 2 ! What would you honestly advise me, and what is the différence between the two ?  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on November 30, 2024, 02:52:17 PM
I don't see why you wouldn't get what was working before- 139 forged hollows.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 30, 2024, 03:03:04 PM
Currently skate indy standards 139 with an 8.1, but I have a lot of trouble with the height (and im a Little Guy ahah) Before these trucks, I skated the 139 forged hollows for two years,  and they were perfect, but, they are dead. I would like to go back to lower ones .. Doing a lot of flatground and no big spots, and being small this would be good for me I think .. I would like to buy the forged hollows again but, they are expensive and I managed to find thunder 147 and ventures lows 5.25 with a very low price .. I hesitate between the 2 ! What would you honestly advise me, and what is the différence between the two ?  ;D


Can you just re use the forged baseplates first to see if that makes things work better without having to buy anything?

Either way, you are going from the tallest truck - Indy standard at 55 mm tall, down to either Thunder 147 / Venture Low (with almost zero kingpin clearance) at 50 mm or so in height, which is a crazy difference.

Speaking of the Venture low trucks, I recently set up some on one of my old 8.1 decks and at first it was almost impossible to skate them, but when I drilled them in, like the V8 baseplates, they worked great, at least for what they were.  People who skated the board said it also felt good, but everything was so much lower, eg tricks only got half the height compared to another identical deck with Indys on it.

At least you could always put risers or something under a lower truck to bring it up a little if needed, but you can't make a taller truck lower.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 01, 2024, 08:27:41 AM
I don't see why you wouldn't get what was working before- 139 forged hollows.

This!
Or as Brimmo stated baseplate/hanger swap.
I had a set of FH and wanted more of the classic Indy turn so I put the hangers on a set of standard bases with hollow kingpin (creating a cast hollow) and it works great. Sort of the same but opposite scenario.
Now you don’t have to break in bushings, get grooves back, or spend money.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on December 01, 2024, 10:14:56 AM
Yeah, I’d just find try and stay within Indy.  If you change, just get regular thunders or venture hi’s, because you might hate them.  They are both lower and lighter in their raw state.  Indy to venture Lo is crazy talk…. Unless you’re a multiple set up guy….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 01, 2024, 10:44:16 AM
Indy to venture Lo is crazy talk…. Unless you’re a multiple set up guy….

^ That.

Also, there is that Thunder baseplate issue, if that bothers you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on December 01, 2024, 01:08:36 PM
Thank you everyone for advices and your answers, I think I found a good compromise by watching several analysis videos from Ben Degros.. Maybe I would go for the indy mids ! The weight of a board doesn't bother me, especially since I skate short boards and I prefer a heavy board.

 I was almost on the verge of taking thunder but, compared to the light configuration, I have a bad memory of the thunder four years ago, my board has shot too fast in 360 flip because the pop was too light, and I twisted my ankle.. That's why the venture lo interested me because they still have their "hefty" pop, but, yes, maybe too low .. And I see a lot of positive opinions on the indy mids, especially for the 139s, it would be more stable while keeping the clean and unique feeling of the indy !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WoodRat on December 02, 2024, 01:08:24 PM
Hardware nylon locking nuts. What are the advantages/disadvantages of low profile nuts like Shorty's?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 02, 2024, 01:47:16 PM
Hardware nylon locking nuts. What are the advantages/disadvantages of low profile nuts like Shorty's?

The normal nuts and low profile nuts, also called jam nuts when I looked them up and bought a box from a hardware wholesaler are pretty much the same overall apart from the height.

When I was using shorter bolts with very thin rubber risers, I could fit everything in nicely with the low profile nuts, whereas I couldn't fit it all in on 7/8" bolts with the regular nuts.

The whole idea of this back in the day was going from long bolts with taller nuts, down to shorter bolts with lower nuts to minimise any grab issues and a lot of people preferred this as they could set up and take apart boards way more quickly too.

Preferences in board setups aside, some people find the low profile nuts just a pain as their skate tool might often slip on them, but a decent or slim skate tool that fits squarely on to the nuts is fine, especially / even with trucks like Venture or Venture low which are known to never really get a thicker tool to fit cleanly onto the nuts beside the pivot housing.

Both the normal and jam / low profile nuts are available from wholesalers or hardware specialists too, so often just replacing the nuts as needed, rather than the whole set of nuts and bolts is a game changer for me, in the skate shop, reason being the nyloc material starts to have issues after a few changes, so then they end up not holding the trucks on firmly, so changing to fresh nuts makes all the difference.

Without nyloc, nuts will not stay tight, no matter what you do, so having nyloc that works and holds is essential to the good working order of a normal skateboard.


From a madness perspective, having nuts that loosen off is very frustrating, so there are some people I know who will change out their nuts every second board or so, just to ensure they have nice tight hardware.

Seeing people who have deck bolts literally fall out of their setups through not tightening down their nuts is mind blowing to me, along with those who have truck holes that have ovalled out so much that their setups look like they can never run straight either, along with the trucks not lasting half as long or the decks having very wide gouges in them from the trucks moving side to side every time they try something.

General rule - if the nut can be finger tightened all the way on, it is time to replace them.  That goes for kingpin, axle and deck bolt nuts, all of which can be bought separately too.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: WoodRat on December 02, 2024, 02:19:02 PM
Expand Quote
Hardware nylon locking nuts. What are the advantages/disadvantages of low profile nuts like Shorty's?
[close]

The normal nuts and low profile nuts, also called jam nuts when I looked them up and bought a box from a hardware wholesaler are pretty much the same overall apart from the height.

When I was using shorter bolts with very thin rubber risers, I could fit everything in nicely with the low profile nuts, whereas I couldn't fit it all in on 7/8" bolts with the regular nuts.

The whole idea of this back in the day was going from long bolts with taller nuts, down to shorter bolts with lower nuts to minimise any grab issues and a lot of people preferred this as they could set up and take apart boards way more quickly too.

Preferences in board setups aside, some people find the low profile nuts just a pain as their skate tool might often slip on them, but a decent or slim skate tool that fits squarely on to the nuts is fine, especially / even with trucks like Venture or Venture low which are known to never really get a thicker tool to fit cleanly onto the nuts beside the pivot housing.

Both the normal and jam / low profile nuts are available from wholesalers or hardware specialists too, so often just replacing the nuts as needed, rather than the whole set of nuts and bolts is a game changer for me, in the skate shop, reason being the nyloc material starts to have issues after a few changes, so then they end up not holding the trucks on firmly, so changing to fresh nuts makes all the difference.

Without nyloc, nuts will not stay tight, no matter what you do, so having nyloc that works and holds is essential to the good working order of a normal skateboard.


From a madness perspective, having nuts that loosen off is very frustrating, so there are some people I know who will change out their nuts every second board or so, just to ensure they have nice tight hardware.

Seeing people who have deck bolts literally fall out of their setups through not tightening down their nuts is mind blowing to me, along with those who have truck holes that have ovalled out so much that their setups look like they can never run straight either, along with the trucks not lasting half as long or the decks having very wide gouges in them from the trucks moving side to side every time they try something.

General rule - if the nut can be finger tightened all the way on, it is time to replace them.  That goes for kingpin, axle and deck bolt nuts, all of which can be bought separately too.

Thanks for the info. I'm buying bulk hardware myself, and never stopped to think about the pros and cons over a hex jam nut.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MOE SYZLAK on December 04, 2024, 10:14:34 AM
Truck/ WB madness update.
After much deliberation, video review viewings, truck thread browsing I set up some royal IKPs
My guy at Crail sent me a set a while ago and I’ve been curious but never pulled the trigger. I guess it’s PTSD from the royals of my adolescence.
I was surprised at how surfy these trucks are.
Haven’t touched them with a tool and probably wont.
Happy to say my tricks are popping again and even reeled in a grail trick on the first session.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDGF3zCJOpK/?igsh=MTN2aTl6bHdjYXEyeQ==

I do have a few boards with 14.43 WB to test out with the aces on the way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on December 04, 2024, 10:18:17 AM
Hardware nylon locking nuts. What are the advantages/disadvantages of low profile nuts like Shorty's?

I use Shorty's nuts almost exclusively. Weird OCD thing. Anyways, the main disadvantage is that the actual hex is lower profile so with Ventures it can be awkward to grip and it rounds the nut more. Also, I have had many Shorty's nuts end up getting stripped threads after only a deck or two probably because there is less nylock.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: drinny on December 04, 2024, 11:29:20 AM
Drop of superglue on the thread, never have to buy multiple sets of bolts ever again.

Snaps off fine when time to unmount, use proper tools not ‘sK8’ crap

(honestly…. must be fucking kidding me, relying on nylock that’ll become ineffectual in at most a couple boards time? buying over and over, buying in bulk? nonsense)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 04, 2024, 02:38:58 PM
Truck/ WB madness update.
After much deliberation, video review viewings, truck thread browsing I set up some royal IKPs
My guy at Crail sent me a set a while ago and I’ve been curious but never pulled the trigger. I guess it’s PTSD from the royals of my adolescence.
I was surprised at how surfy these trucks are.
Haven’t touched them with a tool and probably wont.
Happy to say my tricks are popping again and even reeled in a grail trick on the first session.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDGF3zCJOpK/?igsh=MTN2aTl6bHdjYXEyeQ==

I do have a few boards with 14.43 WB to test out with the aces on the way.

Hell yea mo, sick clip
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 04, 2024, 04:42:02 PM
Drop of superglue on the thread, never have to buy multiple sets of bolts ever again.

Snaps off fine when time to unmount, use proper tools not ‘sK8’ crap

(honestly…. must be fucking kidding me, relying on nylock that’ll become ineffectual in at most a couple boards time? buying over and over, buying in bulk? nonsense)


I like to do a lot of mods to things, as well as using glue on some things, but from a shop perspective, people often run a mile from anyone saying "use glue" or other things like that and I don't even bother, so it is way easier to buy cheap bulk things like nuts and supply those as needed.

I definitely get what you are saying though - wastage from parts in skateboarding is crazy, but in some ways that is what makes it work.

As another example, someone I know has been super keen on the rubber grip, but I am not ever going to get any in as it just is not what I think would work or sell, but some people don't want to go through shoes every month, so if they want to do that, they can and that's ok.  I like normal grip tape and keep things simple in that regard.

Different perspectives are also what makes this place and skateboarding so good too - wouldn't it be so very average if everyone did the same things, had the same boards, wore the same clothes... *

* Yeah I know how much the skate industry is just cloned to a point, but it is the little things that make it work better for me.

:)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 04, 2024, 10:13:01 PM
went in to try some sneakers today
and it turns out i have been wearing the wrong size
the relief on my feet by going up a size was dizzying

wish me luck on the hunt for size 14 anythings
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 04, 2024, 10:59:16 PM
Truck/ WB madness update.
After much deliberation, video review viewings, truck thread browsing I set up some royal IKPs
My guy at Crail sent me a set a while ago and I’ve been curious but never pulled the trigger. I guess it’s PTSD from the royals of my adolescence.
I was surprised at how surfy these trucks are.
Haven’t touched them with a tool and probably wont.
Happy to say my tricks are popping again and even reeled in a grail trick on the first session.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDGF3zCJOpK/?igsh=MTN2aTl6bHdjYXEyeQ==

I do have a few boards with 14.43 WB to test out with the aces on the way.

Sweet!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 31, 2024, 07:06:02 PM
went in to try some sneakers today
and it turns out i have been wearing the wrong size
the relief on my feet by going up a size was dizzying

wish me luck on the hunt for size 14 anythings


Are there many around?

I recall a while back, one guy who just couldn't fit 13s could barely find anything in 14 besides some very basic gym type looking shoes and very few shops carried anything over 13 at all.

Even between some brands, some run bigger so a 13 in one brand might fit better than a 14 in another, but trying on almost everything in any given shop just to find one that works could be quite a pain.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ok boomer on January 01, 2025, 06:51:58 PM
Just wanted to chime in that my madness (haven’t mentioned in a few years) is still alive and well. I try to conform to this 8+ world (I have an 8.25 and 8.38) .. but I still prefer 7.625 and egg shapes. Wish more “cool” brands made them.

And still have my Thunder cheat fantasy as I know they’re great but I guess I’m married to Indy’s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on January 03, 2025, 04:11:37 AM
Expand Quote
went in to try some sneakers today
and it turns out i have been wearing the wrong size
the relief on my feet by going up a size was dizzying

wish me luck on the hunt for size 14 anythings
[close]


Are there many around?

I recall a while back, one guy who just couldn't fit 13s could barely find anything in 14 besides some very basic gym type looking shoes and very few shops carried anything over 13 at all.

Even between some brands, some run bigger so a 13 in one brand might fit better than a 14 in another, but trying on almost everything in any given shop just to find one that works could be quite a pain.
unfortunately, 3(?) core shops sell shoes in nyc
at least that i know of. rare to find 14s here
this will mostly be an online endeavor
480s and dunks have been scouted in my size

me sticking with those options would be sensible
adidas makes shoes too narrow for my foot shape
so shelltoes are permanently out of my rotation

i have to admit to myself that i am 1' taller
than the average skater
and need to stop squeezing into the bounds
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on January 08, 2025, 12:19:10 PM
Curious about that, does using medium bones bushings on forged hollows indy change the height of the truck ?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 08, 2025, 01:06:55 PM
Curious about that, does using medium bones bushings on forged hollows indy change the height of the truck ?

No.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Creachteach on January 08, 2025, 01:20:48 PM
Curious about that, does using medium bones bushings on forged hollows indy change the height of the truck ?

Keep your bottom washer on, or put a flat washer at the bottom, and it won’t change the geometry.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Unkle Fleak on January 08, 2025, 07:11:52 PM
Expand Quote
Curious about that, does using medium bones bushings on forged hollows indy change the height of the truck ?
[close]

Keep your bottom washer on, or put a flat washer at the bottom, and it won’t change the geometry.

Bottle cap is the move tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: RichardBarkley on January 09, 2025, 02:22:09 PM
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 09, 2025, 04:09:40 PM
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy

The 92a blue barrel aftermarket Indy ones. They are “loose” for about 30 min, then firm up nicely. Just make sure you don’t get the ones for Stage 4, they are not same size as Stage 11 ones.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on January 09, 2025, 05:34:29 PM
Expand Quote
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy
[close]

The 92a blue barrel aftermarket Indy ones. They are “loose” for about 30 min, then firm up nicely. Just make sure you don’t get the ones for Stage 4, they are not same size as Stage 11 ones.

Any chance you got the dimensions of the Stage 4 vs 11 bushings?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on January 09, 2025, 05:43:11 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy
[close]

The 92a blue barrel aftermarket Indy ones. They are “loose” for about 30 min, then firm up nicely. Just make sure you don’t get the ones for Stage 4, they are not same size as Stage 11 ones.
[close]

Any chance you got the dimensions of the Stage 4 vs 11 bushings?

Pretty sure @Mbrimson88 posted that in the Indy thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 09, 2025, 05:59:16 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy
[close]

The 92a blue barrel aftermarket Indy ones. They are “loose” for about 30 min, then firm up nicely. Just make sure you don’t get the ones for Stage 4, they are not same size as Stage 11 ones.
[close]

Any chance you got the dimensions of the Stage 4 vs 11 bushings?

I don't but Stage 4 are taller, and if I recall, they come in a YELLOW box. They will not fit on Stage 11s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 09, 2025, 11:32:28 PM
The Indy blue aftermarkets are probably the best bushings if you're looking for something a bit firmer than the stock ones. I'm 142lbs/64kg and they're perfect for me, running 'em flush and pretty much not having to crank them down after taking them into use.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: RichardBarkley on January 10, 2025, 07:17:27 AM
Thanks guys
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 10, 2025, 01:51:37 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy
[close]

The 92a blue barrel aftermarket Indy ones. They are “loose” for about 30 min, then firm up nicely. Just make sure you don’t get the ones for Stage 4, they are not same size as Stage 11 ones.
[close]

Any chance you got the dimensions of the Stage 4 vs 11 bushings?
[close]

Pretty sure @Mbrimson88 posted that in the Indy thread.


I have seen a few different measurements, but this is what I have on paper from the sets I measured the other day:

Indy 11

10.5 top
12.5 bottom (some say 13)


Indy 4

12 top
14.5 bottom (some say 15 or close to it)


Too many numbers, but yeah that was the basic info.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 10, 2025, 01:57:06 PM
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy


The shape of the bushing is also something to note.

Conical is almost a half step up, but Cylinder is a whole step up, if that makes sense.


Running a Conical shaped bottom bushing makes things a little more mushy feeling than the comparable firmness of a Cylinder bottom bushing, for the same duro, so you could say something like this:


90 Cylinder = 90
92 Conical = 91
92 Cylinder = 92
94 Conical = 93
94 Cylinder = 94

That is the way I often explain things to people and I do actually like the Conical bushings a bit more than Cylinder for the black ones to have a slightly firmer feeling but not quite as firm as the black Cylinders, which are almost too firm.

From new they will feel different to broken in though, so the blue ones often feel very squishy but firm up a lot.  The black ones might feel stiff and hard, but they do soften up a lot, as do the yellow ones, but for some people it takes a long time for that to happen.

I also shave off / sand off a bit of the black ones some times just to get them feeling a little more forgiving, but overall they still feel more firm than the blue ones, even when fully broken in.


* I generally run the 92 Conicals on my own setups, but have some of each for testing / trying, as well as a lot of used ones from others when they swap out bushings.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 10, 2025, 06:38:58 PM
Expand Quote
While we are talking Indy bushings what's the best slightly harder than normal bushings for Indy
[close]


The shape of the bushing is also something to note.

Conical is almost a half step up, but Cylinder is a whole step up, if that makes sense.


Running a Conical shaped bottom bushing makes things a little more mushy feeling than the comparable firmness of a Cylinder bottom bushing, for the same duro, so you could say something like this:


90 Cylinder = 90
92 Conical = 91
92 Cylinder = 92
94 Conical = 93
94 Cylinder = 94

That is the way I often explain things to people and I do actually like the Conical bushings a bit more than Cylinder for the black ones to have a slightly firmer feeling but not quite as firm as the black Cylinders, which are almost too firm.

From new they will feel different to broken in though, so the blue ones often feel very squishy but firm up a lot.  The black ones might feel stiff and hard, but they do soften up a lot, as do the yellow ones, but for some people it takes a long time for that to happen.

I also shave off / sand off a bit of the black ones some times just to get them feeling a little more forgiving, but overall they still feel more firm than the blue ones, even when fully broken in.


* I generally run the 92 Conicals on my own setups, but have some of each for testing / trying, as well as a lot of used ones from others when they swap out bushings.

Yea, I ran the black cylinders for a while and hated when I had to get new ones because they felt rock hard at first.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on January 10, 2025, 09:01:29 PM
* I generally run the 92 Conicals on my own setups, but have some of each for testing / trying, as well as a lot of used ones from others when they swap out bushings.

Are the Indy conical bushings higher than regular, stock barrels? I had a set back when riding Indys and using both washers, had hard time getting the kingpin nut on. Needless to say, trucks felt way too tight. Did not bother to experiment further, went back to barrels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on January 11, 2025, 03:02:54 AM
There is only a difference in height between 'original' and 'standard' bushings. Originals are higher and only fit stage 4 indys. You probably had a set of 'original 'conicals and not 'standard' conicals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 11, 2025, 03:44:55 AM
Expand Quote
* I generally run the 92 Conicals on my own setups, but have some of each for testing / trying, as well as a lot of used ones from others when they swap out bushings.
[close]

Are the Indy conical bushings higher than regular, stock barrels? I had a set back when riding Indys and using both washers, had hard time getting the kingpin nut on. Needless to say, trucks felt way too tight. Did not bother to experiment further, went back to barrels.


Some people had said both (Conical and Cylinder) in the black Indy bushings were taller, just a little bit and one set of each definitely was that I had too.

Then also measuring a lot of the newer ones, most Conical bushings did have a taller bottom, only 1 mm at most, but they did - that was on the blue and black more recently as well.

And yes quite a number of them almost didn't fit on at first, but by the end of the first gentle session on my ramp or elsewhere they had squashed down considerably.  I recall the older bushings would never fit on well at first, so I often had to put them on without a bottom washer, or mix and match just to squash them down a bit before putting them both in.  That was half the reason we used to cut the tops down as well, because both were very tall compared to the current bushings out now.

This was all before the Stage 4 trucks and their bushings even came out, which as said are definitely taller in both / all round.  It is funny getting out some older Indy bushings which were all kinds of different, the red ones being 92 duro, the orange being 94 and the black being rock hard like 100 or more, from the old ones that used to come in the clear plastic bags with a small cross sticker - yes they were old, very old, compared to everything out now.  They were also way taller, but I never measured them, so will have to get some back out and see what they were.


* These ones:

Copied from this ebay listing with an old pic

https://www.ebay.com/itm/332368795389

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pNwAAOSwnsRajagd/s-l400.jpg)




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 12, 2025, 08:10:23 PM

The shape of the bushing is also something to note.

Conical is almost a half step up, but Cylinder is a whole step up, if that makes sense.


Running a Conical shaped bottom bushing makes things a little more mushy feeling than the comparable firmness of a Cylinder bottom bushing, for the same duro, so you could say something like this:


90 Cylinder = 90
92 Conical = 91
92 Cylinder = 92
94 Conical = 93
94 Cylinder = 94

I fully and 100% endorse/agree with this assessment. it is DEAD on.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jackismydogsname on January 12, 2025, 08:23:03 PM
What would happen if you put a 14.5 bottom and 8.5 top in a stage 11? My guess is that it would make it more unstable and turn sharper. I am quite confused, people use the word truck geometry all the time but just mean wheel base, what is the true nature of what happens when you change the ratios?


Pretty sure @Mbrimson88 posted that in the Indy thread.
[/quote]


I have seen a few different measurements, but this is what I have on paper from the sets I measured the other day:

Indy 11

10.5 top
12.5 bottom (some say 13)


Indy 4

12 top
14.5 bottom (some say 15 or close to it)


Too many numbers, but yeah that was the basic info.
[/quote]
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on January 13, 2025, 02:23:13 PM
The Indy blue aftermarkets are probably the best bushings if you're looking for something a bit firmer than the stock ones. I'm 142lbs/64kg and they're perfect for me, running 'em flush and pretty much not having to crank them down after taking them into use.

+1 on the blue Indy bushings, all stock ones should be this hardness so they stay hard enough after breaking in.

Ventures pair well with the Ace Low Hard bushings FYI, I'm on a pair now and they've converted a "stock bushings only guy". The overall trend with people I skate with are harder bushings are the way to go, while a few years back everyone wanted Daewon-esque looseness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 14, 2025, 03:27:49 AM
What would happen if you put a 14.5 bottom and 8.5 top in a stage 11? My guess is that it would make it more unstable and turn sharper. I am quite confused, people use the word truck geometry all the time but just mean wheel base, what is the true nature of what happens when you change the ratios?



Running a taller bottom bushing definitely makes for more turn, more than anything.  The top bushing has its own uses, but for me the bottom bushing height controls how the truck will feel.

I usually run a lower top bushing mainly to get the kingpin down lower on a conventional truck and angle grind the top of the kingpin off, to allow for more clearance, but some people say that having a lower top bushing also means the truck is more limited in the amount of turn, eg it will turn up to a certain point and then stop.  This is a fair assessment, as I do often see the washer marks on the top side of the hanger yoke, but not always.

In messing around with some other trucks, I had cut off part of the top bushing and added it to the bottom bushing, which then creates exactly what you asked about and yeah those trucks turned a lot very quickly, even Ventures, but more so older stage Indy were very good with that done to them.  That is the basis of the Ace turn, but to be fair, certain trucks have a better geometry for turning than others.  That is the angle and relationship between the kingpin, the pivot point and the hanger.  There are some charts and diagrams depicting all this, but I am not one to really go very deep with calculating angles.  I am more into the "Lets try this and see how it works" type of experiment.

As for the relationship with trucks and wheelbase, any truck will turn more if there is a shorter wheelbase, or turn less if there is a longer wheelbase.  Try it on a 15" wheelbase board and then drill the truck in to 14 or 13 and see how much more it turns.  Some trucks will turn a lot more than others if you put them all on the same board, usually Ace, Indy, Thunder then Venture in that order, with others in there usually around the middle, but changing the bushings can definitely affect how any truck will turn.

I think that is about it for basic info, but the easiest way is add a flat washer or two under the bottom bushing, if possible, to see how much of a difference it makes.  Even one on top instead of a normal washer allows for way more turn from most bushings, as it gives less resistance to the bushing being pushed this way or that.

Then cutting them, sanding them down or changing different heights of bushings, along with different duros can also have a very profound effect.

At least using the washers to try means you don't really have to do a whole lot and not cutting bushings means it is easier to change back to what you had before too.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on February 15, 2025, 10:13:45 AM
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 15, 2025, 10:48:39 AM
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.

I’ve got a 8.75/14.5 Black Label with 159s as my “big board”…and it’s fucking AWESOME in stability / fun / solid department. Would absolutely recommend everyone have a set-up with 8.75 trucks. (I’m not here to “help.” I am here to “enable.”)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on February 15, 2025, 12:05:01 PM
Expand Quote
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.
[close]

I’ve got a 8.75/14.5 Black Label with 159s as my “big board”…and it’s fucking AWESOME in stability / fun / solid department. Would absolutely recommend everyone have a set-up with 8.75 trucks. (I’m not here to “help.” I am here to “enable.”)
agreed
8.75 axles are the best
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: G_Money on February 15, 2025, 12:49:17 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.
[close]

I’ve got a 8.75/14.5 Black Label with 159s as my “big board”…and it’s fucking AWESOME in stability / fun / solid department. Would absolutely recommend everyone have a set-up with 8.75 trucks. (I’m not here to “help.” I am here to “enable.”)
[close]
agreed
8.75 axles are the best

Was thinking 9.1 krooked egg on 8.75 ace lows. Is that dumb? Should I get ace highs? I don’t care about wheel bite. It’s part of the fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 15, 2025, 01:27:18 PM
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.
[close]

I’ve got a 8.75/14.5 Black Label with 159s as my “big board”…and it’s fucking AWESOME in stability / fun / solid department. Would absolutely recommend everyone have a set-up with 8.75 trucks. (I’m not here to “help.” I am here to “enable.”)
[close]
agreed
8.75 axles are the best
[close]

Was thinking 9.1 krooked egg on 8.75 ace lows. Is that dumb? Should I get ace highs? I don’t care about wheel bite. It’s part of the fun.


That board does work well on 8.75 trucks, whatever brand or height you choose.


And yes, I am always happy riding the 8.75 on 159s myself, no matter what mood I am in, it is nice just to let go and roll around on the bigger board, if nothing else seems like wanting to work on any given day.

Still a bit scared to step up to that size / shape as my normal board, but damn it is fun to have and skate if the usual 8.38 or 8.5 are just not working, or I am not feeling it.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 15, 2025, 02:15:05 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.
[close]

I’ve got a 8.75/14.5 Black Label with 159s as my “big board”…and it’s fucking AWESOME in stability / fun / solid department. Would absolutely recommend everyone have a set-up with 8.75 trucks. (I’m not here to “help.” I am here to “enable.”)
[close]
agreed
8.75 axles are the best
[close]

Was thinking 9.1 krooked egg on 8.75 ace lows. Is that dumb? Should I get ace highs? I don’t care about wheel bite. It’s part of the fun.

I am firm believer in set-up ratios. A 8” deck with 8” Truck “Xs” is going to FEEL higher than a 9” deck with 9” Truck “Xs” on it because the width to height ratios have been changed. To that end, I am not a fan of tall trucks on small boards, or low trucks on big boards. Of course, “your individual mileage may vary.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on February 15, 2025, 02:56:35 PM
Expand Quote
Getting dumped on with snow this week. So of course I am thinking too much about skateboards.

I keep thinking about getting a 9.25 Heated Wheel shaped board and Thunder 151s.

I have never skated 8.75 trucks. This is a terrible idea and I don't need any more.skateboards.
[close]

I’ve got a 8.75/14.5 Black Label with 159s as my “big board”…and it’s fucking AWESOME in stability / fun / solid department. Would absolutely recommend everyone have a set-up with 8.75 trucks. (I’m not here to “help.” I am here to “enable.”)

I’ll back that. I don’t ride anything less than 159s anymore. 9” board with 159s/53s is the go to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: propaganda on February 28, 2025, 01:47:07 PM
New madness victim

Last board got stolen. Had to get a new one with a stupid fucking graphic that i hate cause it was one of like 4 boards in the shop [boards lowkey skating great im just a fashionista]

No trucks in the shop either so the guy gave me his, they skate cool and im appreciative but they came off ollieing a crack and I fucked  up my hand hip and knee

Now the madness has taken over, im checking my board every 10 mins. This is the beginning of my skate hoarder arc.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on February 28, 2025, 10:19:51 PM
New madness victim

Last board got stolen. Had to get a new one with a stupid fucking graphic that i hate cause it was one of like 4 boards in the shop [boards lowkey skating great im just a fashionista]

No trucks in the shop either so the guy gave me his, they skate cool and im appreciative but they came off ollieing a crack and I fucked  up my hand hip and knee

Now the madness has taken over, im checking my board every 10 mins. This is the beginning of my skate hoarder arc.

4 boards and no trucks? What kind of shop is this?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 01, 2025, 03:22:13 AM
Expand Quote
New madness victim

Last board got stolen. Had to get a new one with a stupid fucking graphic that i hate cause it was one of like 4 boards in the shop [boards lowkey skating great im just a fashionista]

No trucks in the shop either so the guy gave me his, they skate cool and im appreciative but they came off ollieing a crack and I fucked  up my hand hip and knee

Now the madness has taken over, im checking my board every 10 mins. This is the beginning of my skate hoarder arc.
[close]

4 boards and no trucks? What kind of shop is this?


Back to the Future hoverboard shop maybe?

Jokes aside, some places don't have a lot of stock, while others just plain can't get their orders right, to get stock before they run out.

I guess we just need a little more information here.


Actually I was wondering how they "came off" given things are usually bolted down, but again I feel like I need the whole story.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: propaganda on March 01, 2025, 04:34:33 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
New madness victim

Last board got stolen. Had to get a new one with a stupid fucking graphic that i hate cause it was one of like 4 boards in the shop [boards lowkey skating great im just a fashionista]

No trucks in the shop either so the guy gave me his, they skate cool and im appreciative but they came off ollieing a crack and I fucked  up my hand hip and knee

Now the madness has taken over, im checking my board every 10 mins. This is the beginning of my skate hoarder arc.
[close]

4 boards and no trucks? What kind of shop is this?
[close]


Back to the Future hoverboard shop maybe?

Jokes aside, some places don't have a lot of stock, while others just plain can't get their orders right, to get stock before they run out.

I guess we just need a little more information here.


Actually I was wondering how they "came off" given things are usually bolted down, but again I feel like I need the whole story.

Dont wanna name cause i dont know the full picture, know its a tough business but its super frustrating.  This is the only real shop in a top 20 US metro. Its one other fringe shop and a couple zumiez.

The kingpin nut came off i believe, could only find one of the bushings after the slam so im riding one random one that was sitting in the shop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 02, 2025, 01:06:50 AM
I've been in OG classics and Radials already for a while. Cracks in Stalin are getting worse and I wonder if a wider contact area would help IE conical full.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: nurkdurk on March 02, 2025, 09:57:41 AM
I've been in OG classics and Radials already for a while. Cracks in Stalin are getting worse and I wonder if a wider contact area would help IE conical full.

I wouldn’t go cf if you have a lot of cracks. That shape likes to catch like a railroad if you’re near parallel, it has sent me onto my hip. I would go radial full for lots of cracks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 02, 2025, 11:01:47 AM
Yup the conical shapes all have a very pointy edge where the sidewall, which is more angular, transitions to the conical part and they are notorious for train-tracking on cracks until that wears down. Radial fulls are really wide if you can handle it at first I'd get a Radial 1-2mm more than you'd want and skate em on the crustiest shit you can find to wear em down. Once they are worn down that 2mm they are the perfect wide wheel middle ground.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 02, 2025, 12:49:52 PM
Yup the conical shapes all have a very pointy edge where the sidewall, which is more angular, transitions to the conical part and they are notorious for train-tracking on cracks until that wears down.

I frequently skate a metal mini ramp. The ramp is 15-years-old at this point, and a few seems between the surface panels are no longer flush. I stopped riding Conical because of the train-track issues on that ramp. Occasionally one of my wheels would train-track on a seem, and would throw me, shoulder-first, into the upcoming transition. They were always really bad slams. I had a train-track happen on street one time, and it almost pitched me head first into the sharp corner of a bench. This is to say, I find really hard-edged wheels to contain hidden dangers that I no longer want to deal with. Classics (or Radials), all day.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 02, 2025, 03:40:42 PM
.

Re wheel shapes and various issues:

I find that anything with a sharper edge is more likely to catch on anything, so I will regularly take the grinder to wheels just to take that side wall closest to the riding surface down a little more, effectively reshaping any wheel, especially Conical Full into an ideal mash up of a Classic Full rounding off the edge only, not the overall width or the riding surface, although I can do either or both of those too.

This has allowed almost any original size or shape wheel to still skate like I am used to - that being a wider / fat Classic or slightly rounder Radial shape, which seems to get on and off coping and everything else more easily.

Granted it is not for everyone, so doing a little practice on some old wheels is good to get the technique right, but just taking a little time and getting used to it, I can recycle most wheels from what might have been old and crusty into seemingly newish and useable wheels again.

Of course most of these are on the smaller side, so for people who prefer bigger wheels, this might not be ideal, but at least doing this, I know there are people out there who do enjoy smaller and wider wheels, so this works well for that.


Before and after shots of the same set of 58 mm Conical Full wheels from the other day, now around 50 mm, down to Radial Full shape, so not quite my Classic Full shape, but still a little more rounded than they were before:


(https://i.ibb.co/qMdj653d/Spitfire-Conical-Full-makeover-01.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WW65Ct46)


(https://i.ibb.co/d8YmNgX/Spitfire-Conical-Full-makeover-02.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1FWzC6B)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 02, 2025, 03:52:30 PM
.

Re wheel shapes and various issues:

I find that anything with a sharper edge is more likely to catch on anything, so I will regularly take the grinder to wheels just to take that side wall closest to the riding surface down a little more, effectively reshaping any wheel, especially Conical Full into an ideal mash up of a Classic Full rounding off the edge only, not the overall width or the riding surface, although I can do either or both of those too.

This has allowed almost any original size or shape wheel to still skate like I am used to - that being a wider / fat Classic or slightly rounder Radial shape, which seems to get on and off coping and everything else more easily.

Granted it is not for everyone, so doing a little practice on some old wheels is good to get the technique right, but just taking a little time and getting used to it, I can recycle most wheels from what might have been old and crusty into seemingly newish and useable wheels again.

Of course most of these are on the smaller side, so for people who prefer bigger wheels, this might not be ideal, but at least doing this, I know there are people out there who do enjoy smaller and wider wheels, so this works well for that.


Before and after shots of the same set of 58 mm Conical Full wheels from the other day, now around 50 mm, down to Radial Full shape, so not quite my Classic Full shape, but still a little more rounded than they were before:


(https://i.ibb.co/qMdj653d/Spitfire-Conical-Full-makeover-01.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WW65Ct46)


(https://i.ibb.co/d8YmNgX/Spitfire-Conical-Full-makeover-02.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1FWzC6B)

Wow. You got some skill! That after shot looks great!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 10, 2025, 05:12:02 PM
Has anyone taller enjoyed a shorter WB deck on Ventures or Thunders? IDK why but I am sorta not feeling my go to, which has been 8.38x14.38 on whatever trucks, lately its Indys. I tried forged Indy recently and it didn't get the feel I wanted. Made it pop quicker, but it still levels out about the same due to the length. I've run into some skaters lately on 14 and Thunders that are a tad shorter than me, but incredibly gifted and likely outliers. I am 6 foot 3 for reference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 10, 2025, 05:21:54 PM
I’m just about to try again, my experience with my limit skill (but lots to say!) kickflips easier, manuals easier, everything else harder…wheelbase makes less of a difference than I would have expected. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on March 11, 2025, 04:51:48 AM

  I'm having truck issues. I'm 6', 250lbs and ride something like an 8.63 or 8.75" or a shaped board. Currently an Anti Hero Grosso deck. Been on Thunder 8.75's with Bones hard bushings for a while and they're fine but I've wanted something a little turnier and maybe a hair taller. Wheel bit is a problem with my weight. I tried Lurpivs and they didn't do it for me so I went back to Thunders. I actually liked the turn of the Lurpivs but the wheel bite was really bad and it seems they just don't work well for someone my size. I skated all weekend on the Thunders and they just don't feel awesome. I haven't ridden Indys in a long time but can get a new pair of hollow standards for $35. Do I try them? Do I maybe try different bushings in my Thunders? Do I just forget about the madness and just ride my Thunders like I have been for the last year?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Goggzy60 on March 11, 2025, 05:28:48 AM

  I'm having truck issues. I'm 6', 250lbs and ride something like an 8.63 or 8.75" or a shaped board. Currently an Anti Hero Grosso deck. Been on Thunder 8.75's with Bones hard bushings for a while and they're fine but I've wanted something a little turnier and maybe a hair taller. Wheel bit is a problem with my weight. I tried Lurpivs and they didn't do it for me so I went back to Thunders. I actually liked the turn of the Lurpivs but the wheel bite was really bad and it seems they just don't work well for someone my size. I skated all weekend on the Thunders and they just don't feel awesome. I haven't ridden Indys in a long time but can get a new pair of hollow standards for $35. Do I try them? Do I maybe try different bushings in my Thunders? Do I just forget about the madness and just ride my Thunders like I have been for the last year?

I’m abit taller and heavier than you I rid Destructo D1s with bones hard bushings, Indy’s and Ventures both work for me too but I currently ride Tony’s old school deck currently on the green coloured one’s. Popsicle I usually ride 8.9 on Destructo Squadrons.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 11, 2025, 02:07:50 PM
I’d try risers?  Or….Indy would work for sure, but I actually think Ventures….they don’t twitch like Thunders but you can throw all your weight into them, no wheelbite.  I used to hate to be that guy trying boards and I hate when people try my board….but I think it’s not a bad idea…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 11, 2025, 04:06:18 PM

  I'm having truck issues. I'm 6', 250lbs and ride something like an 8.63 or 8.75" or a shaped board. Currently an Anti Hero Grosso deck. Been on Thunder 8.75's with Bones hard bushings for a while and they're fine but I've wanted something a little turnier and maybe a hair taller. Wheel bit is a problem with my weight. I tried Lurpivs and they didn't do it for me so I went back to Thunders. I actually liked the turn of the Lurpivs but the wheel bite was really bad and it seems they just don't work well for someone my size. I skated all weekend on the Thunders and they just don't feel awesome. I haven't ridden Indys in a long time but can get a new pair of hollow standards for $35. Do I try them? Do I maybe try different bushings in my Thunders? Do I just forget about the madness and just ride my Thunders like I have been for the last year?

If you want taller but not 55, you could get the standard slappys at 53.9 or get those indys at $35 and slap in some 96a duro aftermarkets.

Slappys might be your answer. Are you skating team or forged thunders? Slappy LOW coupled with the slappy 2mm riser puts you at the 52mm sweet spot; I've never been happier with a truck. Stable, snappy, turny, way less  wheelbite (I'm 190 on avg and ride medium loose with 95a slappy bushings, tho you might need the 100s)...

Nothing, not even tight ass thunders with hard bushings and ~50mm wheels will stop them from wheelbite (I've tried). Their nimbleness and perfect pinch are destroyed when you do that tho.

The last alternative would be Cast Ventures taller, less wheel bite, stable, great pinch. People say they don't trun but that's not true, it's just...different, bones hards (washer on the bottom, no washer or another flat washer on top) or ACE LOW hards (my preference), with a flat top washer get them moving nice.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: slappyjoes on March 11, 2025, 05:41:10 PM
Feeling some madness brewing in me. I'm on a pair of lurpivs right now and I can't seem to hold crooks properly like they won't lock or pinch well but smiths/feebles are fine. It could also be because i got some conical f4s to but I'm tempted to get some indys see if they will help or some different shape wheels
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on March 11, 2025, 07:11:55 PM
Been on AF1 55s primarily for the last few years but have been thinking of switching to indy stage 11s. Love how loose/surfy aces are but I've kind of lost all my tricks and am wondering if indys might provide a little more stability for manuals etc. Is indy 149 standard heavier than AF1 55? Definitely don't want anything hollow, just feels weird. Probably just frying out on my setup cause I haven't been skating well.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 11, 2025, 10:12:12 PM
Bushings can't change pop feel, which I didn't like on either Ace but like a lot on Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 12, 2025, 07:32:32 AM
Been on AF1 55s primarily for the last few years but have been thinking of switching to indy stage 11s. Love how loose/surfy aces are but I've kind of lost all my tricks and am wondering if indys might provide a little more stability for manuals etc. Is indy 149 standard heavier than AF1 55? Definitely don't want anything hollow, just feels weird. Probably just frying out on my setup cause I haven't been skating well.

didn’t you used to skate 5.8s? i thought you were a venture guy, before the bobby wave.
anyways, i can’t skate for shit on af1s: they turn great, but tricks wise? no. my ace setup luck is just bad, caveat being that i’ve had some really good days on short wb boards with huge wheels, and ace. or classic 55s.

beach chicken is correct, imo, bushings don’t change the pop. i could never with indy 149s, but the standard cast were the best version, pop with indy cast is good to great, for most folks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on March 12, 2025, 04:28:21 PM
Last year I was all about staying within parameters with my setup. PS Stix 8.125, 8" trucks and Classics.

This year I have been a lot more into playing around with other stuff.

Started with bumping up to 8.25 trucks, then I found myself with two shaped boards...

One was purely for fun/truck destruction. 8.9 egg on 8.5 trucks and had it setup on 54 Classic Fulls but changed em for some 51mm 103a STF V1s.

With the wheel change, I have grabbed this over my popsicle every time for the past month+. Has anyone ever setup a fun/fuck around board and ended up skating way more than your regular setup? It's been fun to change my approach to skating the same terrain.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on March 12, 2025, 07:12:31 PM
Anyone skated one of those absurdly long wheelbase palace 8.3 boards? Its like 14.8 or something with tiny kicks.

Been on April 8.5 (14.4, fairly flat and decently long kicks) with cast plate ventures for over a year now. Great for the most part but lil bit wide and long feeling for a few things, mostly flatground.

Have tried it with v8 plates but it makes the wheelbase a bit short and kicks a lil anemic. Just nose recessed is fine, but still, nose feels a lil long.

Getting a bit bored of it and wanted to throw a wrench in it all. Wondering if a 14.8 wheelbase and tiny kicks with v8s recssed both sides would weirdly feel good or if its insane lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 12, 2025, 07:43:32 PM
Anyone skated one of those absurdly long wheelbase palace 8.3 boards? Its like 14.8 or something with tiny kicks.

Been on April 8.5 (14.4, fairly flat and decently long kicks) with cast plate ventures for over a year now. Great for the most part but lil bit wide and long feeling for a few things, mostly flatground.

Have tried it with v8 plates but it makes the wheelbase a bit short and kicks a lil anemic. Just nose recessed is fine, but still, nose feels a lil long.

Getting a bit bored of it and wanted to throw a wrench in it all. Wondering if a 14.8 wheelbase and tiny kicks with v8s recssed both sides would weirdly feel good or if its insane lol

i wanted to skate one of those, just because it seemed so dumb that maybe i’d like it. i’ve had a good time on some long wb boards, and i have generally liked tiny kicks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on March 12, 2025, 08:01:44 PM
Expand Quote
Anyone skated one of those absurdly long wheelbase palace 8.3 boards? Its like 14.8 or something with tiny kicks.

Been on April 8.5 (14.4, fairly flat and decently long kicks) with cast plate ventures for over a year now. Great for the most part but lil bit wide and long feeling for a few things, mostly flatground.

Have tried it with v8 plates but it makes the wheelbase a bit short and kicks a lil anemic. Just nose recessed is fine, but still, nose feels a lil long.

Getting a bit bored of it and wanted to throw a wrench in it all. Wondering if a 14.8 wheelbase and tiny kicks with v8s recssed both sides would weirdly feel good or if its insane lol
[close]

i wanted to skate one of those, just because it seemed so dumb that maybe i’d like it. i’ve had a good time on some long wb boards, and i have generally liked tiny kicks.

Yeah, Im thinking it'll either be randomly quite good, or so horrendous that it makes me commit another year to what I've been on.

I've hovered around 14.25-14.5 on venture mostly, sometimes indy, and have dabbled with ace thunder lurpiv over the past couple years too. Generally like having a good amount of nose and tail but thats also because Im on normal venture most of the time.

Not into tiny kicks on ventures, but maybe with the v8 positioning, could work out. Or not
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on March 12, 2025, 08:47:15 PM
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Been on AF1 55s primarily for the last few years but have been thinking of switching to indy stage 11s. Love how loose/surfy aces are but I've kind of lost all my tricks and am wondering if indys might provide a little more stability for manuals etc. Is indy 149 standard heavier than AF1 55? Definitely don't want anything hollow, just feels weird. Probably just frying out on my setup cause I haven't been skating well.
[close]

didn’t you used to skate 5.8s? i thought you were a venture guy, before the bobby wave.
anyways, i can’t skate for shit on af1s: they turn great, but tricks wise? no. my ace setup luck is just bad, caveat being that i’ve had some really good days on short wb boards with huge wheels, and ace. or classic 55s.

beach chicken is correct, imo, bushings don’t change the pop. i could never with indy 149s, but the standard cast were the best version, pop with indy cast is good to great, for most folks.

Damn crazy you remembered I was skating ventures! I was AWAKE for like 8-9 years. Even during the "On My Grind" era when they were kind of seen as price point trucks or something. Started skating Aces 3-4 years ago, lost tricks for sure but also stopped tick tacking almost entirely.

At this point the only thing stopping me from trying some Indys is that they're the least "cool" of the main truck companies. Loved them in my early 20s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 12, 2025, 08:55:02 PM
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Anyone skated one of those absurdly long wheelbase palace 8.3 boards? Its like 14.8 or something with tiny kicks.

Been on April 8.5 (14.4, fairly flat and decently long kicks) with cast plate ventures for over a year now. Great for the most part but lil bit wide and long feeling for a few things, mostly flatground.

Have tried it with v8 plates but it makes the wheelbase a bit short and kicks a lil anemic. Just nose recessed is fine, but still, nose feels a lil long.

Getting a bit bored of it and wanted to throw a wrench in it all. Wondering if a 14.8 wheelbase and tiny kicks with v8s recssed both sides would weirdly feel good or if its insane lol
[close]

i wanted to skate one of those, just because it seemed so dumb that maybe i’d like it. i’ve had a good time on some long wb boards, and i have generally liked tiny kicks.
[close]

Yeah, Im thinking it'll either be randomly quite good, or so horrendous that it makes me commit another year to what I've been on.

I've hovered around 14.25-14.5 on venture mostly, sometimes indy, and have dabbled with ace thunder lurpiv over the past couple years too. Generally like having a good amount of nose and tail but thats also because Im on normal venture most of the time.

Not into tiny kicks on ventures, but maybe with the v8 positioning, could work out. Or not

part of why i liked tiny kicks, was because that’s how things used to be, a billion years ago. but that was also on low trucks. short tails, high trucks, and wheels of a decent size, get funny, real quick.
i must add that what i like is almost totally about flatground. many folks that i see enjoying the ledges and that, have been using the longer nose/tail, to their advantage. when i tried longer kicks, with mid ish (thunders), and 52s, it sucked. something about the timing was delayed or blah blah. it’s a me issue.

i never get to see palace boards in person, i just need to order them. it’s been a long time, but i remember the ‘wood’ feeling fairly stiff. aye. i think it is maybe the epoxy that the chinese brands use. the boards felt like crail boards kinda. sort of unalive, yet stiff. another reason why i wanted to try that damn 14.8 deck was that i reeeeeally enjoyed the griffin gass shape. i think it’s the g052: 8.5x14.45x32. i am not tall, and my legs are very short. on paper it shouldn’t work, but the short kicks, long wheelbase….i dunno. the tail is the same size as the 7.75 girl boards, so it felt really familiar to me. sucks with big wheels/tall trucks, but thunders and 52 felt nice. so even tho the deck wasn’t ‘lively’ or poppy or whatever, it ended up working out for me for a long time and being difficult to destruct
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on March 12, 2025, 09:00:50 PM
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Anyone skated one of those absurdly long wheelbase palace 8.3 boards? Its like 14.8 or something with tiny kicks.

Been on April 8.5 (14.4, fairly flat and decently long kicks) with cast plate ventures for over a year now. Great for the most part but lil bit wide and long feeling for a few things, mostly flatground.

Have tried it with v8 plates but it makes the wheelbase a bit short and kicks a lil anemic. Just nose recessed is fine, but still, nose feels a lil long.

Getting a bit bored of it and wanted to throw a wrench in it all. Wondering if a 14.8 wheelbase and tiny kicks with v8s recssed both sides would weirdly feel good or if its insane lol
[close]

i wanted to skate one of those, just because it seemed so dumb that maybe i’d like it. i’ve had a good time on some long wb boards, and i have generally liked tiny kicks.
[close]

Yeah, Im thinking it'll either be randomly quite good, or so horrendous that it makes me commit another year to what I've been on.

I've hovered around 14.25-14.5 on venture mostly, sometimes indy, and have dabbled with ace thunder lurpiv over the past couple years too. Generally like having a good amount of nose and tail but thats also because Im on normal venture most of the time.

Not into tiny kicks on ventures, but maybe with the v8 positioning, could work out. Or not
[close]

part of why i liked tiny kicks, was because that’s how things used to be, a billion years ago. but that was also on low trucks. short tails, high trucks, and wheels of a decent size, get funny, real quick.
i must add that what i like is almost totally about flatground. many folks that i see enjoying the ledges and that, have been using the longer nose/tail, to their advantage. when i tried longer kicks, with mid ish (thunders), and 52s, it sucked. something about the timing was delayed or blah blah. it’s a me issue.

i never get to see palace boards in person, i just need to order them. it’s been a long time, but i remember the ‘wood’ feeling fairly stiff. aye. i think it is maybe the epoxy that the chinese brands use. the boards felt like crail boards kinda. sort of unalive, yet stiff. another reason why i wanted to try that damn 14.8 deck was that i reeeeeally enjoyed the griffin gass shape. i think it’s the g052: 8.5x14.45x32. i am not tall, and my legs are very short. on paper it shouldn’t work, but the short kicks, long wheelbase….i dunno. the tail is the same size as the 7.75 girl boards, so it felt really familiar to me. sucks with big wheels/tall trucks, but thunders and 52 felt nice. so even tho the deck wasn’t ‘lively’ or poppy or whatever, it ended up working out for me for a long time and being difficult to destruct

Yeah, makes sense given how boards used to be and if you're into flat. I mostly skate ledges/flatbars, so being able to sit in a grind or slide for a while is pretty important. Size 13 feet also tend to drag. Also not super into steep kicks. So this might be a problem lol.

Smaller kicks might be nice for flat though, and I'm sure the recessed axles on v8s help the kicks feel bigger. It made the nose and tail on my April feel tooo big.

Wonder if a stupid long wheelbase would be nice visually as I could set up with my front foot behind the bolts a good amount but still without having my feet too close together. But not feel too boaty coz of the v8s.

Im 6ft5 so on shorter boards, even tho a lot of things work well, always feel a lil cramped.

In any case just ordered one and gonna find out soon enough whether I lit my money on fire or if it was a genius move.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 12, 2025, 09:15:28 PM
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Been on AF1 55s primarily for the last few years but have been thinking of switching to indy stage 11s. Love how loose/surfy aces are but I've kind of lost all my tricks and am wondering if indys might provide a little more stability for manuals etc. Is indy 149 standard heavier than AF1 55? Definitely don't want anything hollow, just feels weird. Probably just frying out on my setup cause I haven't been skating well.
[close]

didn’t you used to skate 5.8s? i thought you were a venture guy, before the bobby wave.
anyways, i can’t skate for shit on af1s: they turn great, but tricks wise? no. my ace setup luck is just bad, caveat being that i’ve had some really good days on short wb boards with huge wheels, and ace. or classic 55s.

beach chicken is correct, imo, bushings don’t change the pop. i could never with indy 149s, but the standard cast were the best version, pop with indy cast is good to great, for most folks.
[close]

Damn crazy you remembered I was skating ventures! I was AWAKE for like 8-9 years. Even during the "On My Grind" era when they were kind of seen as price point trucks or something. Started skating Aces 3-4 years ago, lost tricks for sure but also stopped tick tacking almost entirely.

At this point the only thing stopping me from trying some Indys is that they're the least "cool" of the main truck companies. Loved them in my early 20s.

there wasn’t a lot of folks that skated ventures back then. i also, obviously, have some super ….unhealthy/bizarre fixation with gear that leads me to care about what others are doing.
‘on my grind’ era. amazing. new era’s with the stickers on. city skateboards. josh matthews ‘hella wides’. venture has been thru some odd times. for sure some price point vibes, or at the least, not well polished.
re: tic tacs. the venture bushings are not as robust as they used to be. those old bushings lasted forever, but to me, seemed pretty stiff, and lead to some tic tacs.

i skated alright on the indy’s, they are truly a very good middle ground, but i always felt like something wasn’t quite right, even tho they were less limited in certain key criteria, compared to the others. tragically uncool tho. terrible media. the last indy’s i liked were either stage 10s, or these 159s that i’ve had some inexplicable love affair with. just very macho feeling, 6-hole baseplates.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 12, 2025, 09:18:02 PM
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Anyone skated one of those absurdly long wheelbase palace 8.3 boards? Its like 14.8 or something with tiny kicks.

Been on April 8.5 (14.4, fairly flat and decently long kicks) with cast plate ventures for over a year now. Great for the most part but lil bit wide and long feeling for a few things, mostly flatground.

Have tried it with v8 plates but it makes the wheelbase a bit short and kicks a lil anemic. Just nose recessed is fine, but still, nose feels a lil long.

Getting a bit bored of it and wanted to throw a wrench in it all. Wondering if a 14.8 wheelbase and tiny kicks with v8s recssed both sides would weirdly feel good or if its insane lol
[close]

i wanted to skate one of those, just because it seemed so dumb that maybe i’d like it. i’ve had a good time on some long wb boards, and i have generally liked tiny kicks.
[close]

Yeah, Im thinking it'll either be randomly quite good, or so horrendous that it makes me commit another year to what I've been on.

I've hovered around 14.25-14.5 on venture mostly, sometimes indy, and have dabbled with ace thunder lurpiv over the past couple years too. Generally like having a good amount of nose and tail but thats also because Im on normal venture most of the time.

Not into tiny kicks on ventures, but maybe with the v8 positioning, could work out. Or not
[close]

part of why i liked tiny kicks, was because that’s how things used to be, a billion years ago. but that was also on low trucks. short tails, high trucks, and wheels of a decent size, get funny, real quick.
i must add that what i like is almost totally about flatground. many folks that i see enjoying the ledges and that, have been using the longer nose/tail, to their advantage. when i tried longer kicks, with mid ish (thunders), and 52s, it sucked. something about the timing was delayed or blah blah. it’s a me issue.

i never get to see palace boards in person, i just need to order them. it’s been a long time, but i remember the ‘wood’ feeling fairly stiff. aye. i think it is maybe the epoxy that the chinese brands use. the boards felt like crail boards kinda. sort of unalive, yet stiff. another reason why i wanted to try that damn 14.8 deck was that i reeeeeally enjoyed the griffin gass shape. i think it’s the g052: 8.5x14.45x32. i am not tall, and my legs are very short. on paper it shouldn’t work, but the short kicks, long wheelbase….i dunno. the tail is the same size as the 7.75 girl boards, so it felt really familiar to me. sucks with big wheels/tall trucks, but thunders and 52 felt nice. so even tho the deck wasn’t ‘lively’ or poppy or whatever, it ended up working out for me for a long time and being difficult to destruct
[close]

Yeah, makes sense given how boards used to be and if you're into flat. I mostly skate ledges/flatbars, so being able to sit in a grind or slide for a while is pretty important. Size 13 feet also tend to drag. Also not super into steep kicks. So this might be a problem lol.

Smaller kicks might be nice for flat though, and I'm sure the recessed axles on v8s help the kicks feel bigger. It made the nose and tail on my April feel tooo big.

Wonder if a stupid long wheelbase would be nice visually as I could set up with my front foot behind the bolts a good amount but still without having my feet too close together. But not feel too boaty coz of the v8s.

Im 6ft5 so on shorter boards, even tho a lot of things work well, always feel a lil cramped.

In any case just ordered one and gonna find out soon enough whether I lit my money on fire or if it was a genius move.

genius move. only answer.

i’m almost a foot shorter, with size 10.5s, so different math. there is something in there where i feel like a longer wb, to an extent, gets a higher kickflip, but im probably tweaking.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on March 12, 2025, 09:34:26 PM
It does in the sense that you can drag your foot up more and get more of an ollie before the flick and release. But its more work, and definitely more effort to bone out.

Im not too fussy about board specs for regular/fakie flips, it all works fine for me and I rarely do em over anything substantial.

180 flips though, much harder to get a good fold on a longer wheelbase, normal position venture and long-ish wheelbase feels like work
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 07:38:00 AM
... Has anyone ever setup a fun/fuck around board and ended up skating way more than your regular setup?

I normally ride the DLX 8.25/14.38. Awhile back, friend gave me an almost new White Eagle (8.75/14.62). It has almost the same shape as the 8.25, but just bigger. I thought, "Oh this could be a fun cruiser board." Fast forward, I now ride 8.75s (mostly the 8.75/14.5 Black Label) more than my 8.25. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 07:47:59 AM

At this point the only thing stopping me from trying some Indys is that they're the least "cool" of the main truck companies.


Wow, dude. Just...wow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 07:59:10 AM

Yes. Skating a purely optimized setup gets really boring after awhile. Looking down and seeing an egg or some alternative shape can inspire you to skate differently and that not every session needs to be about striving for improvement. I have like 3 setups running most of the time and I’ve found it’s the only thing that’s quelled my madness.

Wise words.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 13, 2025, 08:10:53 AM
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... Has anyone ever setup a fun/fuck around board and ended up skating way more than your regular setup?
[close]

I normally ride the DLX 8.25/14.38. Awhile back, friend gave me an almost new White Eagle (8.75/14.62). It has almost the same shape as the 8.25, but just bigger. I thought, "Oh this could be a fun cruiser board." Fast forward, I now ride 8.75s (mostly the 8.75/14.5 Black Label) more than my 8.25.

I reckon you ride Indy 159s on the 8.75?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 08:15:45 AM
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... Has anyone ever setup a fun/fuck around board and ended up skating way more than your regular setup?
[close]

I normally ride the DLX 8.25/14.38. Awhile back, friend gave me an almost new White Eagle (8.75/14.62). It has almost the same shape as the 8.25, but just bigger. I thought, "Oh this could be a fun cruiser board." Fast forward, I now ride 8.75s (mostly the 8.75/14.5 Black Label) more than my 8.25.
[close]

I reckon you ride Indy 159s on the 8.75?

Yup. Forged. The 8.25 comes out when I’m feeling a bit more tech, but general riding/any transition, man, that extra width on 8.75 just feels so, so, so good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 13, 2025, 08:36:09 AM
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At this point the only thing stopping me from trying some Indys is that they're the least "cool" of the main truck companies.

[close]

Wow, dude. Just...wow.

wdym
skating has almost always been about this: often times it is what you are not into. you skate a bunch of dlx stuff. you could skate powell boards, but you do not. why is that?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 13, 2025, 08:39:16 AM
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... Has anyone ever setup a fun/fuck around board and ended up skating way more than your regular setup?
[close]

I normally ride the DLX 8.25/14.38. Awhile back, friend gave me an almost new White Eagle (8.75/14.62). It has almost the same shape as the 8.25, but just bigger. I thought, "Oh this could be a fun cruiser board." Fast forward, I now ride 8.75s (mostly the 8.75/14.5 Black Label) more than my 8.25.
[close]

I reckon you ride Indy 159s on the 8.75?
[close]

Yup. Forged. The 8.25 comes out when I’m feeling a bit more tech, but general riding/any transition, man, that extra width on 8.75 just feels so, so, so good.

Def something I'm gonna give a shot at some point. Got a pair of 159 standards I don't really use these days, might as well set up a White Eagle or similar at some point. Been sizing up gradually as well, it's more 8.4s and 8.5s for me these days as opposed to 8.25s and 8.125s before. Going fast in bowls and tranny is def more fun on a wider board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 08:43:29 AM
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At this point the only thing stopping me from trying some Indys is that they're the least "cool" of the main truck companies.

[close]

Wow, dude. Just...wow.
[close]

wdym
skating has almost always been about this: often times it is what you are not into. you skate a bunch of dlx stuff. you could skate powell boards, but you do not. why is that?

Why is that? Simple. They make a deck I really like. It’s certainly not about being “cool.”  Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on March 13, 2025, 08:46:50 AM
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Been on AF1 55s primarily for the last few years but have been thinking of switching to indy stage 11s. Love how loose/surfy aces are but I've kind of lost all my tricks and am wondering if indys might provide a little more stability for manuals etc. Is indy 149 standard heavier than AF1 55? Definitely don't want anything hollow, just feels weird. Probably just frying out on my setup cause I haven't been skating well.
[close]

Have you tried the AF1’s with ace hard bushings? Highly recommend that before buying new trucks

This. The Ace hards def alter the pop feel. So can risers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 13, 2025, 08:58:32 AM
I subscribe to a stiffer, barrel bushings, or just plain tightening your truck would make a diffence.  I found with aces they are always turning….so it did affect pop.

If I was to blindly set up a board for a homie…I’d put on Indy’s or Thunders…..to me they are the middle ground. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on March 13, 2025, 12:50:41 PM
Stuck in truck madness limbo again.
Rotating:
Indy 149
Thunder 149
Venture 5.6
All standard.

My pop sucks on the Indy but the turning feels great.
The Thunder turn is mad finicky on this set for some reason but pop is fine. No trouble with nose and tail slides.
Venture pop is amazing as always. The Venture turn is great at the start of the turn but limited towards the end.

Riding the 8.5 Eagle. Measures 8.4 at the front truck, just under 8.3 at the rear.

Most common trucks on a very common deck so lots of common responses are to be expected here. The problem is I’m so in my own head at this point I can’t find a way to settle.
Any advice appreciated. I just want to put this thing together, stop overthinking, and enjoy skateboarding.

M
5’10”
US size 11
No banana for scale
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 13, 2025, 01:02:18 PM
Conical or softer bushings to get the ventures turning a bit more?  Risers on thunders?  I think each truck brand has its benefits, just find which is the most important to you…..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 13, 2025, 02:23:31 PM
It depends what kind of skating you wanna do but I personally prioritize pop feel first and foremost. You can't reallllly change that. You can alter the turn with bushings and you can try different decks/wheels, but your trucks are kinda ur home base.

I love all of those trucks. I prob skate my best on Thunders, but the bushings are dogshit and I break them a lot and I got tired of baseplate slide. Indy and Venture have somewhat similar pop timing for me so I can go between them easier. Right now I am on Indys because they pop slightly lighter/faster, which works for what I am skating lately and they're fun to ride. On some decks Ventures pop like this, but the deck has to be fairly mellow.

If I were you I'd go Venture/full DLX.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 04:37:37 PM

The problem is I’m so in my own head at this point I can’t find a way to settle.


Yeah, that is the worst when that happens. Not to make matters worse, but have you tried forged Indy? I feel like the little bit lower height makes things feel different. Maybe for the worse, maybe for the better.

That said, there is no magic bullet. Some trucks are simply better at some things than others (e.g. Ace turn great. Thunder pinches great. etc.). Same with decks, and wheels. We all have to live some levels of compromise. Acknowledging that can be some help.

Someone in this thread once said, "… [I have to] remind myself that switching gear doesn't really help at all. When you switch, the gear will feel different and that's about it. The adjustment period just isn't worth the minimal gains that you might get." [don't remember who said it, unfortunately]

All this considered, the times that I have gotten really stuck in my head, I've always resorted to the "Just Feels The Best" test. I take about 5 to 10 of my most basic tricks that I like doing, and just see what gear-option those tricks "just feel the best" on. The trick is to not "think" about, but to "feel" about it.  Do my b/s 50-50s just feel better with 8.25 trucks or 8.5 trucks? Do basic ollies just feel better on Ace or Thunder? etc. For me at least, the when I do this, the answer is usually pretty clear. Then I just stick with that set-up for awhile, and try to not think about all of it, and just focus on doing what feels good. Usually within a session or two, it's enough to get me out of my own head. That approach might be helpful to you, might not. Either way, hope you can find a way out soon!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 13, 2025, 04:39:22 PM
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At this point the only thing stopping me from trying some Indys is that they're the least "cool" of the main truck companies.

[close]

Wow, dude. Just...wow.
[close]

wdym
skating has almost always been about this: often times it is what you are not into. you skate a bunch of dlx stuff. you could skate powell boards, but you do not. why is that?
[close]

Why is that? Simple. They make a deck I really like. It’s certainly not about being “cool.”  Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.

no. cool guys….lol, are not one of the worst things in skateboarding. there are myriad reasons for gatekeeping. some petty, some hurtful, but self-policing (terrible term), can be helpful imo. and tons of cool art comes from people trying to look cool. i mean yeah, when it dumps over into just toxic terrible behavior, that’s bad. but when the bad kids used to drink and shoot fireworks at one another at the skatepark, there weren’t many 3 year olds with matchbox cars in the flat bottom.
i don’t think it’s weird, at all, to be more stoked on a certain product, than another, for reasons besides ‘performance’, in a decidedly non-performance activity: leisure wooden toy. most humans have some level of personal vanity, acting like they don’t, just looks dishonest to me.
here is a personal example: my feet hurt. i don’t skate much anymore. between working a physical job, family, old age….i just don’t end up getting out there like i could. a shoe that doesn’t hurt my feet as much, nike dunk, often looks dumb as fuck. i currently have a pair of the ‘bart simpsons’, and they look insane on an almost 50 year old. same with the mets high tops. so then i go out to skate, in shoes that hurt more, because i don’t like the way the dunks look, and by extension, make me feel. i skate by myself. this is an entirely (until i whine about it on the internet) internal ‘crisis’.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on March 13, 2025, 05:06:25 PM
it's not like I really care about looking cool for other people with my truck choice or anything. Indy is just kind of corny and I want to be hyped on my setup
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Xen on March 13, 2025, 07:41:54 PM
Stuck in truck madness limbo again.
Rotating:
Indy 149
Thunder 149
Venture 5.6
All standard.

My pop sucks on the Indy but the turning feels great.
The Thunder turn is mad finicky on this set for some reason but pop is fine. No trouble with nose and tail slides.
Venture pop is amazing as always. The Venture turn is great at the start of the turn but limited towards the end.

Riding the 8.5 Eagle. Measures 8.4 at the front truck, just under 8.3 at the rear.

Most common trucks on a very common deck so lots of common responses are to be expected here. The problem is I’m so in my own head at this point I can’t find a way to settle.
Any advice appreciated. I just want to put this thing together, stop overthinking, and enjoy skateboarding.

M
5’10”
US size 11
No banana for scale

Royal 149s standards (which measure just a hair under 8.5 total width btw) or ultralights (hollows) with ACE hard bushings - they come close to offering all the things that each of those trucks offer in one package...just not as deep a turn as indy (it's faster tho, turn way better than venture), not as stable as venture but close, waaaay less wheelbite than thunder and pinch / grind great. Pop is akin to venture/thunder. Standards are as light as an Indy ti; ultralights are around Thunder team hollow weight if not the same. Pulls the wheelbase in like an ACE/Indy.

It is THE truck if you have madness across those brands. YMMY.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 13, 2025, 09:01:58 PM
it's not like I really care about looking cool for other people with my truck choice or anything. Indy is just kind of corny and I want to be hyped on my setup

Be hyped for how it functions, not because it's not cool enough for you. Big Head logo is corny as fuck. It's like a half-step better than Flameboy. But Spits are the best wheels out there, so...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on March 13, 2025, 09:06:01 PM
Expand Quote
it's not like I really care about looking cool for other people with my truck choice or anything. Indy is just kind of corny and I want to be hyped on my setup
[close]

Be hyped for how it functions, not because it's not cool enough for you. Big Head logo is corny as fuck. It's like a half-step better than Flameboy. But Spits are the best wheels out there, so...

Nah spits are sick and indys aren’t. Despite them being a good truck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on March 14, 2025, 10:19:11 PM
nothing out of nhs is remotely cool
and i mean nothing

Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.
i get the desire to defend ones favorite truck
but this is your worst take, probably ever
that and the following response read like Xen posts
crazy plot twist
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 14, 2025, 10:56:33 PM
nothing out of nhs is remotely cool
and i mean nothing

Expand Quote
Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.
[close]
i get the desire to defend ones favorite truck
but this is your worst take, probably ever
that and the following response read like Xen posts
crazy plot twist


Please cite, specifically, any defense of Indy (hint: there was none). Don’t conflate defense and critique; they are dissimilar.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on March 14, 2025, 11:36:15 PM
Expand Quote
nothing out of nhs is remotely cool
and i mean nothing

Expand Quote
Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.
[close]
i get the desire to defend ones favorite truck
but this is your worst take, probably ever
that and the following response read like Xen posts
crazy plot twist
[close]


Please cite, specifically, any defense of Indy (hint: there was none). Don’t conflate defense and critique; they are dissimilar.
please excuse my desperate attempt
to give you the benefit of the doubt

so that was just your worst take, probably ever
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 14, 2025, 11:54:22 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
nothing out of nhs is remotely cool
and i mean nothing

Expand Quote
Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.
[close]
i get the desire to defend ones favorite truck
but this is your worst take, probably ever
that and the following response read like Xen posts
crazy plot twist
[close]


Please cite, specifically, any defense of Indy (hint: there was none). Don’t conflate defense and critique; they are dissimilar.
[close]
please excuse my desperate attempt
to give you the benefit of the doubt

so that was just your worst take, probably ever

I’m honored to sink to such depths. Hopefully I can go ever lower in the future. The bottom of the barrel, however, is refusing to try something because you’re too cool for it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on March 15, 2025, 09:20:43 AM
I'll never try Tracker Trucks again. That's how cool I am. I have an eternally irrational bias against everything about them... except Neil Blender.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 15, 2025, 12:51:04 PM
Expand Quote
it's not like I really care about looking cool for other people with my truck choice or anything. Indy is just kind of corny and I want to be hyped on my setup
[close]

Be hyped for how it functions, not because it's not cool enough for you. Big Head logo is corny as fuck. It's like a half-step better than Flameboy. But Spits are the best wheels out there, so...


i apologize if i’ve been too hard on you with this stuff.
functions. the function of my skateboard is to try and chill out, de-stress, have fun, not think of my impending doom.
i’ve skated setups based off of performance hopes: tensors, lib techs, p2s, impact lites, whatever the fuck. for me, what i’ve found is that if i like the way the shit looks, it helps me feel better. i need to wade thru what feels like a lot of obstacles before i can go skate, and so i need a little extra juice.
there’s always been skaters that made it look cooler than others, and i wanted to buy their shit. the industry.
if it was solely about performance (aka functions), i don’t think id skate. i’m old, i don’t have much energy, i am not ‘good’ according to me. seeing my cool looking skateboard gets me excited. a little.

fucking indy has always been kinda….sus. i’ve for sure skated them, enjoyed them, like them now at times. 159s are great. but i totally get why people don’t want to go out of their way to buy some cornball shit from nhs.

this function over form stuff, even if it was only about skateboard performance, is almost always bullshit: none of us are out here wearing skin suits, optimizing are drag coefficients, blah blah blah. that shit is for figure skating, or pick an olympic sport. there’s not a lot of us posting here that are ‘good’. tzhangdox and i don’t know who else, 144p holds it down too. the amount of gear talk is mostly just vibes, no?

i think im just blabbing on, going in circles here. my basic point is: the function of a skateboard, for me, is to have fun. and for me, that means trying to look cool (i mean with all of the obvious caveats being that i am old and dusty, absolutely the antithesis of the ‘cool-guy’ skateboard youth that i now look up to).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: neonbrown on March 15, 2025, 02:01:44 PM
How on earth can you conflate wearing a skinsuit skateboarding with using a popular brand of trucks? Baffling
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 15, 2025, 02:28:15 PM
How on earth can you conflate wearing a skinsuit skateboarding with using a popular brand of trucks? Baffling

i like that you used the words conflate and baffling, and that you are easily confused.

 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: neonbrown on March 15, 2025, 03:52:10 PM
Expand Quote
How on earth can you conflate wearing a skinsuit skateboarding with using a popular brand of trucks? Baffling
[close]

i like that you used the words conflate and baffling, and that you are easily confused.

And I appreciate your deep insecurity about being seen possessing the incorrect product.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 15, 2025, 05:23:42 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
How on earth can you conflate wearing a skinsuit skateboarding with using a popular brand of trucks? Baffling
[close]

i like that you used the words conflate and baffling, and that you are easily confused.
[close]

And I appreciate your deep insecurity about being seen possessing the incorrect product.

do you mean the product i don’t like?
i think it is cute, in the condescending way, that you and some think you are keeping it real. so brave. 
i certainly have insecurities, im an old man riding a child’s toy, in a world that has passed me by.
for me, indy’s image and advertising, have sucked, in forever. independent had a moment when they were making maybe the best trucks, but they haven’t been something i’ve been into, on the regular, since stage 10s, and even then….
back on track here: it isn’t weird to have some level of care, for what is cool. what is weird, is lying about that, in this mostly anonymous way on the internet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: doorpanel on March 15, 2025, 06:04:50 PM
nothing out of nhs is remotely cool
and i mean nothing

Expand Quote
Cool-Guys are one of the worst things in skateboarding.
[close]
i get the desire to defend ones favorite truck
but this is your worst take, probably ever
that and the following response read like Xen posts

hahaha yeah ain’t nothing worse than a Xen post
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Dwyck on March 15, 2025, 06:20:28 PM
xens got a bigger bag of tricks than most he can post how he likes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 15, 2025, 07:19:31 PM
xen catching strays
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on March 15, 2025, 07:46:59 PM
all love, he is a necessary member of the community
dont get it twisted
just strikes me as the sort of pal
who would agree with the anti cool guy sentiment

we all come with our own foolishness
none above a ribbing
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 15, 2025, 09:18:07 PM
all love, he is a necessary member of the community
dont get it twisted
just strikes me as the sort of pal
who would agree with the anti cool guy sentiment

we all come with our own foolishness
none above a ribbing

i am a big fan of this
it’s well put. wouldn’t be interesting if we all were in lock step
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on March 15, 2025, 10:13:32 PM
No one posting the the gear madness thread on slap is about to try and tell me what is/isn't cool.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: neonbrown on March 16, 2025, 06:43:17 AM
i think it is cute, in the condescending way, that you and some think you are keeping it real.

Keeping what real? I don't even skate Indys; I was just amused at the flimsy analogy you drew.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 16, 2025, 09:40:48 AM
Expand Quote
i think it is cute, in the condescending way, that you and some think you are keeping it real.
[close]

Keeping what real? I don't even skate Indys; I was just amused at the flimsy analogy you drew.

eh. the analogy wouldn’t have been that indy’s equals skinsuit. the point i was attempting to make with sedition, was that i don’t believe sedition based all his gear choices, on optimizing performance.
i was also trying to point out that the function, in italics, of my board is to make me happy, and that can have lots of influences, performance being a part of it. supporting stuff i like being another (and being cool goddamnit).
but you know all of that.
you made a reduction, and then were bemused and amused, and perplexed, confounded, scornful. a jerk off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 16, 2025, 10:04:42 AM
..the point i was attempting to make with sedition, was that i don’t believe sedition based all his gear choices, on optimizing performance.

i was also trying to point out that the function, in italics, of my board is to make me happy, and that can have lots of influences, performance being a part of it. supporting stuff i like being another (and being cool goddamnit).


100% all of this. Every word. Everyone wants to be happy with their equipment, no question. And how/what constitutes that happiness is totally subjective. That said, refusing to try what is widely known to be among the best products made in skateboarding (be it F4 wheels, BBS wood, or any of the "Big 4" trucks, etc.) because it's not cool enough is, IMHO, really lame. But if that's how you roll the dice...have at it, and enjoy (and hopefully you're not missing out on something that might actually rock your world).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 16, 2025, 10:43:58 AM
Expand Quote
..the point i was attempting to make with sedition, was that i don’t believe sedition based all his gear choices, on optimizing performance.

i was also trying to point out that the function, in italics, of my board is to make me happy, and that can have lots of influences, performance being a part of it. supporting stuff i like being another (and being cool goddamnit).

[close]

100% all of this. Every word. Everyone wants to be happy with their equipment, no question. And how/what constitutes that happiness is totally subjective. That said, refusing to try what is widely known to be among the best products made in skateboarding (be it F4 wheels, BBS wood, or any of the "Big 4" trucks, etc.) because it's not cool enough is, IMHO, really lame. But if that's how you roll the dice...have at it, and enjoy (and hopefully you're not missing out on something that might actually rock your world).

well that just sounds entirely reasonable.
i’m trying to stay mad in the madness thread. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 16, 2025, 10:56:12 AM
i’m trying to stay mad in the madness thread.

LOL. Stated that way, I full support this. Rage on.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 16, 2025, 10:59:37 AM
Eh fuck it I don't want to ride Slappys because I don't want a 1mm shorter Indy that doesn't offer me benefits and has a corny name with a weird brand strategy. If I wanted a lower option they seem fun, but I don't. My pop goes to shit on anything lower than cast thunder, but with those I get stability and a few characteristics I really like. I've got enough madness that I don't need 5 brands tempting me- 2 is enough.

I also wanna be stoked on my board. I'm not about to ride a brand or graphic that I don't back. Board sales may not be much profit for a brand but I'd rather any of my money go to a brand that produces content or has team riders whose content I consume.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on March 16, 2025, 11:02:56 AM
Hopping back in to thank you folks for the advice on my truck madness on the previous page.
I had an old backup board I threw together and happened to keep grabbing it while teaching a skate camp for spring break.
I went with the run what you brung mentality and it really worked for me.
After spending time on my basics through the art of teaching I came to the realization that the purity of just enjoying the act of skating (something I learned by proxy from my students) was the ultimate cure to my own madness. Kinda made it all seem a bit silly.
Ride whatever, just have fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: doorpanel on March 16, 2025, 11:40:15 AM
Eh fuck it I don't want to ride Slappys because the name is embarrassing
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on March 16, 2025, 11:46:35 AM
I'm tight as fuck and I have the coolest skateboard, pants, shoes, and underwear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on March 16, 2025, 11:48:10 AM
Hopping back in to thank you folks for the advice on my truck madness on the previous page.
I had an old backup board I threw together and happened to keep grabbing it while teaching a skate camp for spring break.
I went with the run what you brung mentality and it really worked for me.
After spending time on my basics through the art of teaching I came to the realization that the purity of just enjoying the act of skating (something I learned by proxy from my students) was the ultimate cure to my own madness. Kinda made it all seem a bit silly.
Ride whatever, just have fun.

  I need to get this post tattooed on my arm. Been going through madness and none of it has made me a have more fun or made me a better skater. My Son, who's way better than me, has ridden Indys basically from the get go. I bought some Ventures for myself the other day and the store had a scratch and dent set of 8.25 Thunders for $20. I bought them for the kid and he put them on before we went to the skatepark. I was all fussy and worrying about my new Ventures and he was just shredding. At one point I asked him how he liked the trucks and all he said was they they were a little looser than he was used to but he liked it. He went out skating this morning and when he got back I asked him again and he said he forgot he had different trucks than usual. I need to get back to that headspace and just skate. I wasn't loving the Ventures yesterday but I'll leave them on for a while and just skate and have fun. Hopefully.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Barack Hussein on March 23, 2025, 04:24:48 PM
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 23, 2025, 04:37:40 PM
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit

fuck
i am for sure going to be getting some indy’s.
i’ve talked so much shit with indy’s, forever. they were the de facto choice at times and i was over it.
i was hyped on them back in ….when did ‘we did it!??!???’ come out? around then, with WE boards and small ass wheels. everything slipped on those days, and i would bend the axles, not from being good mind you.
peak madness for me was 2014-18 ish, and i bought 139s/144s/159s/169s, and have given them all away. now i want 159s again, despite me never really wanting to ride a board over 8.25
cooked fried sizzled.


anyways, ive heard some other folks say that ace may have been more ‘stable on center’, but that sounds like some shit that people that turn would say. i really only care about how trucks pop. i mean the whole thing is important, but im still skating slow and trying dusty flip tricks.
i cannot pop shit with ace. can’t do it. the turn is great tho, truly exceptional. maybe one day i’ll drop in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 23, 2025, 04:55:36 PM
Hmmm. Today I may have experienced “shoe madness” for the first time, ever.

Context: Ever since I broke my leg / ankle in 2019 I’ve been wearing hi-tops (sk8-hi).  I had some metal put in my ankle, and hi-tops help protect that spot a bit (fully exposed with low tops). I used to skate in vans old-schools, but still wear them as a casual shoe. I’ve also been riding a bit wider boards recently, too.

Anyway, today. I wasn’t planning on skating. My 8.25 was in the car, and had my old-schools on. I ended up having some free time, so went to a park for a bit. And I was kind of shocked. I was like, “Whoa. Old-schools feel way better on this (smaller) deck than my Sk8-Hi (which feel wider/bigger.) do.” Then the horror hit me. “My god. Is •this• the shoe madness I’ve read about on SLAP? What door to hell has just opened?” Am I now going to be picky about matching shoes to decks? Shoot me now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BL0B on March 23, 2025, 06:17:14 PM
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit






what stage indy's?


imo ace's are twitchy af. has them feeling like they can go either way at any sec... which i love for transitions. but i've never ridden any sub 9" setup aces so who knows.



the best explanation i have heard, is too think of the hanger on/in a triangle. ace's are at the tippy top, right on the point. indy's sit lower in the triangle, leading to more stability for them.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on March 23, 2025, 06:23:42 PM
Expand Quote
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit




[close]


what stage indy's?


imo ace's are twitchy af. has them feeling like they can go either way at any sec... which i love for transitions. but i've never ridden any sub 9" setup aces so who knows.



the best explanation i have heard, is too think of the hanger on/in a triangle. ace's are at the tippy top, right on the point. indy's sit lower in the triangle, leading to more stability for them.

I agree with OP and that's what make Ace preferable to Indy for me. Controlled on center and nice smooth but very deep turn. Indy don't feel good to me on center unless they are tighter....  Ace just have a way better turning geometry for my taste.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 24, 2025, 12:30:54 AM
Despite giving 'em a go several times, I just can't get Aces to work for me. Too squirrely, even their hard bushings remain too soft for my taste. Plus my pop always goes to shit with Ace. I've finally given up on them for good.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 24, 2025, 12:37:18 AM
Hmmm. Today I may have experienced “shoe madness” for the first time, ever.

Context: Ever since I broke my leg / ankle in 2019 I’ve been wearing hi-tops (sk8-hi).  I had some metal put in my ankle, and hi-tops help protect that spot a bit (fully exposed with low tops). I used to skate in vans old-schools, but still wear them as a casual shoe. I’ve also been riding a bit wider boards recently, too.

Anyway, today. I wasn’t planning on skating. My 8.25 was in the car, and had my old-schools on. I ended up having some free time, so went to a park for a bit. And I was kind of shocked. I was like, “Whoa. Old-schools feel way better on this (smaller) deck than my Sk8-Hi (which feel wider/bigger.) do.” Then the horror hit me. “My god. Is •this• the shoe madness I’ve read about on SLAP? What door to hell has just opened?” Am I now going to be picky about matching shoes to decks? Shoot me now.
Welcome to the club :(
So far the shoe that works best for me are 808, skated like 5 pairs in a row and ofc I got "bored" of them so I started to browse around just to land on 1010 which I don't like how they look, look down motivation factor is not there, don't like the shale and the flick but my feet don't hurt. Skated AS-1 and I loved them but my feet hurt after. Hopefully the FP insoles will solve that and if not I'll continue skating 1010 only to come back to 808...
Sounds familiar? Probably yes, otherwise you wouldn't be here.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on March 24, 2025, 04:09:52 AM
Aces feel squirrelly to me when just standing on the board or going slow but at speed they are fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Barack Hussein on March 24, 2025, 08:37:31 AM
Expand Quote
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit




[close]


what stage indy's?


imo ace's are twitchy af. has them feeling like they can go either way at any sec... which i love for transitions. but i've never ridden any sub 9" setup aces so who knows.



the best explanation i have heard, is too think of the hanger on/in a triangle. ace's are at the tippy top, right on the point. indy's sit lower in the triangle, leading to more stability for them.

I'm on some Classic 55s and some Stage 11 Hollow 159s.

I was always an Indy guy, got some Aces in 2020, without even ever trippin on truck geo and stuff. Just had a couple homies that were hyped on em. I skate mostly transition and like to bomb hills and stuff, but I've recently been trying to pop my freeekin board some more - grabbed some Indy's thinking that I could probably do with a bit more stability and that it would feel like returning home.

But I just am genuinely finding the Indys twitchier, wobbly/unstable, more wheelbite, and not really sure what the pros are other than a nice ass grind. I know what the pros should be, but I'm just not really vibing with em at the moment... Triangle theory makes sense and it's what I thought I would be feeling, but somehow the Aces are feeling more like what I tink the Indys are supposed to feel like.


Should I just say fuggit and get some Ventures lol?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on March 24, 2025, 12:12:26 PM
Or Lurpivs?  Koo…koo…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 24, 2025, 12:32:00 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit




[close]


what stage indy's?


imo ace's are twitchy af. has them feeling like they can go either way at any sec... which i love for transitions. but i've never ridden any sub 9" setup aces so who knows.



the best explanation i have heard, is too think of the hanger on/in a triangle. ace's are at the tippy top, right on the point. indy's sit lower in the triangle, leading to more stability for them.
[close]

I'm on some Classic 55s and some Stage 11 Hollow 159s.

I was always an Indy guy, got some Aces in 2020, without even ever trippin on truck geo and stuff. Just had a couple homies that were hyped on em. I skate mostly transition and like to bomb hills and stuff, but I've recently been trying to pop my freeekin board some more - grabbed some Indy's thinking that I could probably do with a bit more stability and that it would feel like returning home.

But I just am genuinely finding the Indys twitchier, wobbly/unstable, more wheelbite, and not really sure what the pros are other than a nice ass grind. I know what the pros should be, but I'm just not really vibing with em at the moment... Triangle theory makes sense and it's what I thought I would be feeling, but somehow the Aces are feeling more like what I tink the Indys are supposed to feel like.


Should I just say fuggit and get some Ventures lol?

ace classic 55s are dope tho. very good truck. those are the only ace trucks that didn’t totally mess with my pop. i was using them weird tho: liked them best on that 8.5 ps stix shape that tapers. looked kinda fucked, like one of those….kinda looked like how the accords/civics that were lowered on offset deep dish rims would look. daytons on a late 80s honda.
i don’t like the forged hollow indys, the regular cast 159s are super sick. i just like them.
ventures, particularly the 6.1s, have great pop.

because i’m all mixed up/messed up, i have the opposite issues that some folks have with ace/indy: i need to use a smaller wb with both of those, or at least that’s what has worked the best for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on March 28, 2025, 12:58:46 PM
Posted a pic in the setup thread: https://imgur.com/ZIcNClU

Last week I set up a Palace 8.3 with V8s, pretty random combo.

It’s the weird shape thats about 32 long with a 14.81 wheelbase and short, stubby kicks. Would feel ridiculous on most trucks but actually works well with V8s.

Rough math: V8s reduce wheelbase by about 0.6, so this setup rides more like a 32 board with a ~14.2 wheelbase on cast Ventures — an oddly hard combo to find.

Most 8.3-8.5 boards with a 14.2-14.25 wheelbase tend to be shorter than 32, and you usually have to go up to 14.38 to get more length.

Weirdly, this shape/truck combo is hard to replicate with normal Ventures and another board. Pop feels really nice—springy without being too light or too heavy. My issue with V8s on most boards is that they make the pop feel a bit weak, but that’s not a problem here.

It definitely feels smaller and more nimble than my usual setup on cast Ventures. Visually, the bolts being so far apart is a bit jarring. I often have my front foot over two of the four front bolts for certain tricks (noseslides, crooks, 180 nosegrinds), but on this setup, I have to remember to place my foot further back — otherwise theyre basically right over the front wheels.

The kicks still feel stubby when standing on them, but the pop is great because of the v8s, so it’s more of a difference in feel than function. I do have to pop more off the tip instead of keeping my back foot near the bolts like I would on many more normal setups.

Overall, it's a fun setup. Makes flatground easier and has a nice, snappy pop. Biggest downside is the super tapered kicks. Gotta be more precise on grinds/slides so my size 13 feet don’t drag. If the shape was just a bit fuller or widened to 8.5, it’d be even better.

And as a bbs loyalist, dwindle wood is actually pretty good

Will probably try stick to this until I ragequit or get bored of it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on March 28, 2025, 03:04:56 PM
Yo -- am I trippin??

Everybody talks about how Ace trucks are too turny and loose, and that Indys are more stable and neutral.

I feel like I've just straight up had the opposite experience recently. Indys have been feeling just absolutely divey into turns with almost no center point of stability. It's like I gotta be constantly balancing or somethin. Even with harder bushings. I only 170 too.

The Aces on the other hand feel like there is plenty of stability to cruise in a straight line without any sorta wobbly feeling. They have a more round circular turn I guess, but it feels like the resistance and snap back to center is more stable and reliable. Stock bushings yo

I'm just confused because I've had some Indys and Aces for a couple years now, and I just feel like I'm having the opposite experience of what everyone is sayin they're like.

Whussup withit
This is my exact experience. I if you like medium to loose trucks, I feel like Ace snaps back to center way better. I do think if you like tighter trucks, Indy's tighten up a little more while ace remains a bit surfy even if you choke out the bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 29, 2025, 12:39:40 AM

This is my exact experience. I if you like medium to loose trucks, I feel like Ace snaps back to center way better. I do think if you like tighter trucks, Indy's tighten up a little more while ace remains a bit surfy even if you choke out the bushings.

This is exactly why I don't skate Aces anymore. I just can't get them stable enough for my taste, even with hard bushings. Indys, especially with the bkue medium hard bushings work perfect in combining stability and turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 29, 2025, 01:46:46 AM
Expand Quote

This is my exact experience. I if you like medium to loose trucks, I feel like Ace snaps back to center way better. I do think if you like tighter trucks, Indy's tighten up a little more while ace remains a bit surfy even if you choke out the bushings.
[close]

This is exactly why I don't skate Aces anymore. I just can't get them stable enough for my taste, even with hard bushings. Indys, especially with the bkue medium hard bushings work perfect in combining stability and turn.
This is valuable information since I got some hollow ones after ages and I'm terrified.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 29, 2025, 03:15:10 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

This is my exact experience. I if you like medium to loose trucks, I feel like Ace snaps back to center way better. I do think if you like tighter trucks, Indy's tighten up a little more while ace remains a bit surfy even if you choke out the bushings.
[close]

This is exactly why I don't skate Aces anymore. I just can't get them stable enough for my taste, even with hard bushings. Indys, especially with the bkue medium hard bushings work perfect in combining stability and turn.
[close]
This is valuable information since I got some hollow ones after ages and I'm terrified.

Hollow Indys? Great trucks. You'll love 'em.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 29, 2025, 06:35:15 AM
I'm on Indy hollows and blues and they're great. I run the nut flush at 175 and it's just enough wiggle to have some Indy turn still but not too crazy. I actually used to like Ace Classic pop on some Polar 8.5s I used to ride, but AF1 felt weird and then crapped out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 29, 2025, 07:22:55 AM
too much slap’n for me. my insistence that indys don’t work for me/are uncool to me, has me, predictably, wanting to rehash that relationship.
i tried the hollows and forged etc, for the most part my best results came from regular cast.

when did stage 10 start/stop? as in, what year?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 29, 2025, 07:23:47 AM
Concurring with others: Indys + the 92a blue aftermarket bushings (come in barrel and conical, depending on your taste) are really, really, really good if you want a mix of stability and turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on March 29, 2025, 09:45:22 AM
Yah the whole "Indy isn't cool" thing sometimes gets to me but how are we defining "cool"? Loads of skaters I really like skate them just fine and lots of people default to them because they work on almost any deck. Having a reliable go-to for most people is "cooler" than gear madness. When I watch Jason Lee footage I see a mix of Indy's and OG Ventures and to me that is the epitome of great, classic style. I can't imagine Kenny Reed footage on anything but Thunders and it's all about how the skater makes shit work for them.

Except for Krux those are just unacceptable.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: propaganda on March 29, 2025, 03:11:42 PM
I’m losing it. Went in the shop it was only one board on the wall [100 pairs of Nikes and new balances tho]

They keep saying I can order through them and get a board in a week but I don’t see the appeal.

Had to go to a punk store that was lowkey jumping and filled with alt baddies but the board I got feels light as a feather, all the plys same color.

Idk if this is madness or just frustration with my scene. To me it’s a factor. Just wish I could get a board same day from a shop. Maybe I need to just stop complaining and skate. Maybe I need a break
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ourladyoftheflowers on March 29, 2025, 04:23:11 PM
Indys with blue bushings is seriously amazing. My only issue is for some reason I get axel on my crook groove really fast on Indys. Switched to thunder and those things seem somehow impossible to axel on the crook groove.

That being I still ride Indy blue conicals on my thunders :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 29, 2025, 04:42:34 PM
too much slap’n for me. my insistence that indys don’t work for me/are uncool to me, has me, predictably, wanting to rehash that relationship.
i tried the hollows and forged etc, for the most part my best results came from regular cast.

when did stage 10 start/stop? as in, what year?


Stage 9 in 2003 with the computer designed thinner hanger, lower at 53.5 mm tall, in 129 and 139, but still the older thicker 149 hanger and an older thicker 166 hanger.  Two hollow parts on the baseplate to make the truck lighter, but they broke a lot.

All available info tends to have Stage 10 coming in around 2009, with a solid baseplate on the same Stage 9 hangers first - 129, 139 in the same thinner lower 53.5 mm hanger, then new 149s also on the thinner lower hanger maybe in 2010 and then finally new 159s in the taller hanger a bit after that, maybe not too long before Stage 11 came out - Duane Peters truck colourway (Thanks Frank n Fred) and plain ones too, as per a set I have.

Stage 11 came out in 2012, the whole range all upgraded at that point to the taller 55 mm in height in 129, 139, 149, 159 and 169.  In 2017 144 came out.


That is the approximate time line for that stuff.

Also 2010 was when the first forged baseplate came out, maybe even first thinner 149 hanger too.

The low trucks I don't really know, but they were out for Stage 10 and continued a little into Stage 11 but I didn't really follow the timeline of low trucks anywhere near as much.


* Sorry for too much info.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 29, 2025, 06:06:34 PM
Expand Quote
too much slap’n for me. my insistence that indys don’t work for me/are uncool to me, has me, predictably, wanting to rehash that relationship.
i tried the hollows and forged etc, for the most part my best results came from regular cast.

when did stage 10 start/stop? as in, what year?
[close]


Stage 9 in 2003 with the computer designed thinner hanger, lower at 53.5 mm tall, in 129 and 139, but still the older thicker 149 hanger and an older thicker 166 hanger.  Two hollow parts on the baseplate to make the truck lighter, but they broke a lot.

All available info tends to have Stage 10 coming in around 2009, with a solid baseplate on the same Stage 9 hangers first - 129, 139 in the same thinner lower 53.5 mm hanger, then new 149s also on the thinner lower hanger maybe in 2010 and then finally new 159s in the taller hanger a bit after that, maybe not too long before Stage 11 came out - Duane Peters truck colourway (Thanks Frank n Fred) and plain ones too, as per a set I have.

Stage 11 came out in 2012, the whole range all upgraded at that point to the taller 55 mm in height in 129, 139, 149, 159 and 169.  In 2017 144 came out.


That is the approximate time line for that stuff.

Also 2010 was when the first forged baseplate came out, maybe even first thinner 149 hanger too.

The low trucks I don't really know, but they were out for Stage 10 and continued a little into Stage 11 but I didn't really follow the timeline of low trucks anywhere near as much.


* Sorry for too much info.

i trust your information, much more than mine.
i did not think that was the timeline.
i would have assumed stage 9s ended in the early 2000s, and that stage 10s came in 2005 ish, at the latest.
shocked by all of this tbh.


gear talk, of any type is not cool. i have 5,000 plus comments in gear related nonsense.
indys are not cool, to me.
right now, i want some tho. 149s and 159s. i think i just want to skateboard really, but ive been trapped with work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on March 30, 2025, 06:29:08 AM
I get the whole Indys not being cool thing.

But then I see GT, gustav, hjalte, Nike stain, and heitor riding them and I forget all that stuff immediately.

I feel like the characteristics of Indys lend themself to some of the best looking skateboarding.

But in the wrong hands they end up looking clunky and boring.

I think my hands are wrong for them when I try to judge myself objectively across different setups.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 31, 2025, 06:58:34 AM
Wenning footage makes me want some stage 9s or 10s. Van Wastell, too. Loved those things. Like Ok, I thought 10s came out in the mid 2000’s.

I knew immediately stage 11s were too tall, but you can’t beat plain old cast. Everyone I know who tried the mids/forged hated them as they were chasing that stage 9/10 feel.


this happens to me, the wanting of gear from a specific era.
i actually liked 9/10s, and would skate them fairly frequently, back when. if i’m being honest, i probably skated better on those, than what i was regularly trying to setup (i was trying to learn bs that i couldn’t do, like switch varial heels and what not, and i’d skate small ass boards, venture 5.0s, little wheels. when the indy’s would come out, it’d be on something ‘massive’ like an 8+ deck, and maybe 54s, and the tricks i could do, i’d actually do. i didn’t understand that, that is what i should use, and that i was just never gonna get that 3 mph switch hardflip).
Van Wastell, Wenning, old Julien, Rick Howard (mouse in general), McBride, mike graham and then in recent times Hjalte, Grady Smith, Dick Rizzo, in between the two eras there is a Bobby Worrest setup video with a great flatground switched tre that has had me interested on several occasions.
i’ve never had a consistently good/favored stage 11 based setup, but several brief/torrid/short short short term love affairs with a few. only with the cast, which doesn’t make sense with the height thing.

in the interest of madness i skated my only set of stage 11s last night, but they are 169s, hollow/forged, feel weird, too big obviously.
i was just dicking around in a parking lot and a few other takeaways were that when i skate very infrequently, the comically large skateboards are much easier to kickflip than even my ‘regular’ 8.25 setup, and dragons even in a relatively smooth asphalt lot, feel significantly smoother/faster, than f4 99s.

embarrassing
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on March 31, 2025, 07:20:41 AM
I was recently trying to track down some 9/10 149s. Specifically with the fatter hangers. There’s some posting about this in the Indy Thread (but I don’t know how to link from phone). @Mbrimson88 helped me to determine that the EBay listing I was looking at was in fact 159 or 169 so therefore a no go for me.
If someone needs or wants that size let me know and I can DM you the listing if still available. I remember the price being acceptable and not jacked way up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on March 31, 2025, 07:37:04 AM
I was recently trying to track down some 9/10 149s. Specifically with the fatter hangers. There’s some posting about this in the Indy Thread (but I don’t know how to link from phone). @Mbrimson88 helped me to determine that the EBay listing I was looking at was in fact 159 or 169 so therefore a no go for me.
If someone needs or wants that size let me know and I can DM you the listing if still available. I remember the price being acceptable and not jacked way up.

brimmer coming in clutch!
i too would love to try 9/10 149s. i have some what i think are 10s, 139s, and they feel easy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 01, 2025, 03:43:18 AM
I was recently trying to track down some 9/10 149s. Specifically with the fatter hangers. There’s some posting about this in the Indy Thread (but I don’t know how to link from phone). @Mbrimson88 helped me to determine that the EBay listing I was looking at was in fact 159 or 169 so therefore a no go for me.
If someone needs or wants that size let me know and I can DM you the listing if still available. I remember the price being acceptable and not jacked way up.


The crazy thing is if or when anyone does get those older trucks, they just don't perform quite as well as anything from Stage 11 when it comes to how everything just works.  Those older chunky hangers always had a lean to one side too, built into the cast mold, ever so slightly, but it is still there, on every set I have had come through my hands.  Still got a few too many sets as well, but that is beside the point.

I guess there are still people who definitely prefer older stages or older things in general, but when it comes to functionality and having things that you know you can get again and again, if or when whatever you currently have breaks or wears out, I really can't go past the current stage of the Independent standard truck.

That said, I did just set up another set of brand new Indy bushings in some standard 149s, the red 92 duro low head version in the white box, of which I still have a few cartons, so I am very grateful I had the chance to get them when I did.  Sure I can still turn any regular bushings into low heads now, by machining them down, as I just did today too, but just being able to get something out, set it up and go, it is so much easier, without having to take the time to modify almost everything I skate, use, ride, etc.

I don't feel that I have to modify everything I have, but I do like to make it work exactly how I want it to work, which is why I do so many little things to tweak my setups and gear in general.

That is my madness, every single day, every single skate, but I wouldn't have it any other way.




brimmer coming in clutch!
i too would love to try 9/10 149s. i have some what i think are 10s, 139s, and they feel easy.


Didn't even see this until I reopened it to add this ebay listing for the older Stage 9 trucks, bulky hangers which were on 149s and 166s:


https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/186023458526


Best view of the chunky hanger profile:


(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/ox8AAOSwMSNkz--y/s-l1600.webp)



These were the same era Stage 9 trucks with the newer hangers, which only came out in 129 and 139 at the time:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/235936516020


(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/StgAAOSwiKBjbL92/s-l1600.webp)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 01, 2025, 06:29:46 AM
Madness is realizing I'm on the same basic setup I was nearly 3 years ago when I moved to where I am now. Lots of trial and error, but I've been in the same range of gear parameters for like 5 years with no massive changes yet I still come up with really dumb ideas to try haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 01, 2025, 07:52:27 AM
More of meta-madness question...what situations trigger your madness?

Example: Recently I've mostly been skating only my 8.75. Yesterday I was skating a 4' mini ramp (where the 8.75 usually really shines). I am trying f/s 50-50s to tailslide. Turning to tail started to feel kind of sluggish, slow motion, and awkward. Had a few near nasty bails. I start thinking, "My (usual) 8.25 deck would snap right into that"...and suddenly my 8.75 is now feeling like a gigantic boat. Enter the Madness.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on April 01, 2025, 09:45:03 AM
Good question. With me it's almost always when a specific trick doesn't work as well as I'd like it to. That sometimes happens because I'm a dumbass and try to do things with boards that I set up to do something else entirely, e. g. spend a whole session obsessing over my flatground kickflips... On my cruiser, a 9.25 egg with 160 Lurpivs and 58mm radials. Yeah, no shit, kickflips don't work that well on a setup that's basically as tall as a curb. Who could've guessed that!? But it also happens when I just have a shitty session for reasons completely unrelated to gear. Of course I know that my kickflips sometimes suck because I'm out of practice, hurt, beat up from life in general, you name it. But I can't change those things, or at least not as easily as I can change my gear. So the madness begins: Maybe a mellower deck could make kickflips easier because I don't have to put as much effort into them. Or maybe I should set up a I stamp to give my foot lots of concave to catch onto for the flick...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 01, 2025, 10:39:37 AM
More of meta-madness question...what situations trigger your madness?

Example: Recently I've mostly been skating only my 8.75. Yesterday I was skating a 4' mini ramp (where the 8.75 usually really shines). I am trying f/s 50-50s to tailslide. Turning to tail started to feel kind of sluggish, slow motion, and awkward. Had a few near nasty bails. I start thinking, "My (usual) 8.25 deck would snap right into that"...and suddenly my 8.75 is now feeling like a gigantic boat. Enter the Madness.   

For me it was something really fucking stupid. Normally fakie flips are my go-to flip trick warming up. On Ventures I will almost never miss one and they're nice and crispy. Randomly one day on Indys they just suuuucked. I got in my head a ton and didn't stop to think about what I might slightly change with them to get them the same. Another day I wasn't paying attention and kept slipping from crooks into noseslides. I never miss a crook on Venture or Thunder. Well, for whatever reason I got in my own head and didn't stop to realize that I was just positioning my front foot a bit different than usual due to some knee pain I've been having. Last sesh I had zero problems with anything else, but in the meantime madness had gotten to me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on April 01, 2025, 11:35:51 AM
14 inch wheelbase boards give me madness. Why does everyone say they’re so easy to skate,  they feel good for a day then everything feels off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on April 01, 2025, 12:31:22 PM
14 inch wheelbase boards give me madness. Why does everyone say they’re so easy to skate,  they feel good for a day then everything feels off.
imo, good for learning flip tricks at low speeds
and then switching to a more comfortable wheelbase
that being said, i wouldnt ever run that full time
if at all at this stage

i dont have time to learn tricks on 2 different setups
and 14” wb feels super sketchy at a decent speed

what wheelbase you like has all to do with comfort
if you dont like 14.0, that is fine
someone out there will
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 01, 2025, 12:56:49 PM
Follow-up from my post above...

Was back at that same park/ramp today. Brought my 8.25. It felt like a tiny little child's toy. And of course it did/would. I've been skating the 8.75 for the past two weeks. The first couple of b/s 50-50s I did on a ledge during warm-ups were nothing short of terrifying (because board felt so small). Hell, even kickflips felt precarious because there was so "little" board to land on. The real irony here? The trick that started the whole thing...f/s 50-50 grind to f/s tailslide on the 4' mini ramp? I really didn't even want to take the 8.25 on that ramp, at all, because the 8.25 suddenly felt like a freestyle board on a mega ramp.



 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 01, 2025, 01:13:01 PM
so. you all gave great examples. specific to you, real world instances, where something wasn’t working out.


not me man.
i work a bunch and stress out. watch some old gino clips, want to set up a 7 7/8 deck on 5.2 lo’s and some 51 fillmores, maybe some af1s.
don’t.
work some, continue to stress. day dream about this one day in the sun on a perfect b16 where i felt very confident.
don’t.
repeat this a lot. lots of external influences, local rippers, old memories, internet clips….eventually i’ll go skate, suck, and want to go buy something else. last night i was looking at ebay listing for stage 10 indy’s. cooked. fried.
another madness inducing scenario is something @Sedition has mentioned several times and my version of it goes like this: i might land more flip tricks on a smaller setup, but the ones i land on a bigger setup FEEL ‘better’. so i get some kickflips i like the feel of, but then i cant do a shitty treflip, and then i’m back to scheming.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 01, 2025, 02:25:18 PM
..another madness inducing scenario is something @Sedition has mentioned several times and my version of it goes like this: i might land more flip tricks on a smaller setup, but the ones i land on a bigger setup FEEL ‘better’. so i get some kickflips i like the feel of, but then i cant do a shitty treflip, and then i’m back to scheming.

I've been leaning into this concept hard recently, and is the main reason I've been riding the 8.75 a lot. I mean, Jesus, f/s slash grinds or f/s 5-0s with 159s on a ramp??? Does anything in skateboard really feel better than that? With 144s that shit just feels goofy and, well, wrong. Likewise with any basic curb/ledge tricks. A solid f/s Smith grind on ledge with the 8.75/159s just feels...like stretching out in Queen size bed as opposed to being cramped up in a Twin all night. It's just a glorious feeling. Yeah, my nollie flips are just not the same on the 8.75, but damn, those f/s 5-0s are just...sensual. Anyway, all of this is to say that I've been putting more priority on how things feel recently, than on my "pull rate" (on some tricks) or simply maximizing the number of tricks I can do...and all of that has been lending itself to the 8.75/159s...a lot...and its actually been really enjoyable, and fun, too. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 01, 2025, 03:36:10 PM
Expand Quote
..another madness inducing scenario is something @Sedition has mentioned several times and my version of it goes like this: i might land more flip tricks on a smaller setup, but the ones i land on a bigger setup FEEL ‘better’. so i get some kickflips i like the feel of, but then i cant do a shitty treflip, and then i’m back to scheming.
[close]

I've been leaning into this concept hard recently, and is the main reason I've been riding the 8.75 a lot. I mean, Jesus, f/s slash grinds or f/s 5-0s with 159s on a ramp??? Does anything in skateboard really feel better than that? With 144s that shit just feels goofy and, well, wrong. Likewise with any basic curb/ledge tricks. A solid f/s Smith grind on ledge with the 8.75/159s just feels...like stretching out in Queen size bed as opposed to being cramped up in a Twin all night. It's just a glorious feeling. Yeah, my nollie flips are just not the same on the 8.75, but damn, those f/s 5-0s are just...sensual. Anyway, all of this is to say that I've been putting more priority on how things feel recently, than on my "pull rate" (on some tricks) or simply maximizing the number of tricks I can do...and all of that has been lending itself to the 8.75/159s...a lot...and its actually been really enjoyable, and fun, too.

yes, yes.
some of this is maturation, in a good way.
this doesn’t apply to any of us, in a 1:1 way, but our versions of it maybe: some of the best skating of the last 15-20 years, from pros/sponced, happened when folks stopped trying to be like koston, and be able to do all of the tricks, and instead just skated to their own personal strengths. being able to do your best version of your hits, that is probably more enjoyable than being able to do lesser versions of more.

i tried to do the thing where i bought lighter versions of the wider parts, and that didn’t totally solve it. nollie flips are the classic example, those start to suck for me at 8.5 trucks, let alone 8.75.

sometimes wider trucks on a narrower board helps me get the confidence without all of the weight.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on April 01, 2025, 04:50:05 PM
Expand Quote
14 inch wheelbase boards give me madness. Why does everyone say they’re so easy to skate,  they feel good for a day then everything feels off.
[close]
imo, good for learning flip tricks at low speeds
and then switching to a more comfortable wheelbase
that being said, i wouldnt ever run that full time
if at all at this stage

i dont have time to learn tricks on 2 different setups
and 14” wb feels super sketchy at a decent speed

what wheelbase you like has all to do with comfort
if you dont like 14.0, that is fine
someone out there will

That is facts hard to feel comfortable on it, hard to want to hang it up since the homie gave it me and I just set it up, first world problems
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 01, 2025, 04:52:40 PM
Follow-up from my post above...

Was back at that same park/ramp today. Brought my 8.25. It felt like a tiny little child's toy. And of course it did/would. I've been skating the 8.75 for the past two weeks. The first couple of b/s 50-50s I did on a ledge during warm-ups were nothing short of terrifying (because board felt so small). Hell, even kickflips felt precarious because there was so "little" board to land on. The real irony here? The trick that started the whole thing...f/s 50-50 grind to f/s tailslide on the 4' mini ramp? I really didn't even want to take the 8.25 on that ramp, at all, because the 8.25 suddenly felt like a freestyle board on a mega ramp.
 

I grew up skating a 4 foot mini on 7.5-7.75 so this is interesting to me. I find most modern boards annoyingly clunky on small transition like this mostly due to length/wb
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 01, 2025, 05:11:42 PM
Expand Quote
Follow-up from my post above...

Was back at that same park/ramp today. Brought my 8.25. It felt like a tiny little child's toy. And of course it did/would. I've been skating the 8.75 for the past two weeks. The first couple of b/s 50-50s I did on a ledge during warm-ups were nothing short of terrifying (because board felt so small). Hell, even kickflips felt precarious because there was so "little" board to land on. The real irony here? The trick that started the whole thing...f/s 50-50 grind to f/s tailslide on the 4' mini ramp? I really didn't even want to take the 8.25 on that ramp, at all, because the 8.25 suddenly felt like a freestyle board on a mega ramp.
 
[close]

I grew up skating a 4 foot mini on 7.5-7.75 so this is interesting to me. I find most modern boards annoyingly clunky on small transition like this mostly due to length/wb

I did, too. Then I realized 7.75 set-ups are absurd.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: hiljentaa on April 05, 2025, 05:21:21 PM
I finally dialed in 'my setup', but now I grab my big dumb slappy board every time I go skating.

Now I have like 25 tabs open with different 8.5 top views trying to decide which shape to buy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 09, 2025, 09:49:52 AM
Skated Ventures for 10mo until last June. Persisted through lots of ups and downs with em, but had 3w of just not fun battles with things and went back to my trusty Indy standards. Tried Thunder for a few weeks and while I skate those the best, I have too many constant problems with them to really want to. Back to Indys, but keep trying out Ventures here and there. Mostly because I like the brand way more and there is something nice about how stable they are when they're looser. Its to the point where I perform mostly the same on both, with a slight edge towards Indys. It has become super distracting to where I have a great sesh on my normal and then after just slowly gaslight myself towards trying something else.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on April 09, 2025, 10:03:42 AM
I disassembled my set up last night, built a new config out of spare parts, then disassembled that and went back to my orginal set up without even going outside to try it. Haven't been able to skate lately and shit like this happens when that's the case.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 09, 2025, 05:08:16 PM
Skated Ventures for 10mo until last June. Persisted through lots of ups and downs with em, but had 3w of just not fun battles with things and went back to my trusty Indy standards. Tried Thunder for a few weeks and while I skate those the best, I have too many constant problems with them to really want to. Back to Indys, but keep trying out Ventures here and there. Mostly because I like the brand way more and there is something nice about how stable they are when they're looser. Its to the point where I perform mostly the same on both, with a slight edge towards Indys. It has become super distracting to where I have a great sesh on my normal and then after just slowly gaslight myself towards trying something else.

i mean, yeah. this sounds familiar.
i have gotten into a ‘worser’ place: i don’t even know the size of the trucks i am best with. allow me to regale you with some pain:

skated forever on lower trucks, either 5.0/5.2 lo’s, thunder lows, that kinda thing. sizing up to 8” trucks, the added height of the stage 8-10s worked ok for me, something about going wider, helped offset the height. or something.
i’ve blubbered about this much, but the further sizing up from 8” trucks to 8.5” trucks in 2009/10 …somewhere back then, that fucked me up. i was already a mess, and prone to trying whatever, but that really turned me around, and i haven’t been right since. now 8” trucks feel too small, 8.5” trucks feel to beeeeg, you get it.
i didn’t spend much time on indy 149s. in retrospect, i think i got the koston hollows, right when they came out, and i didn’t like them. on paper, indy forged are right in the height zone for me. 55 seems too tall. i’ve had good days on 159s, cast, but like almost all indy setups, first day great, second day i’m upset. i think @Xen told me that once and i for certain agree with that.
i haven’t gotten on with 148s/144s/5.6s. none of them are terrible, all make sense, probably pretty good. i just haven’t had a ‘really super fun’ day on any of those. maybe they are too reasonable?

i’ve read before that you should chase the equipment if your best days in the board. that shit is so long ago for me, and i remember it more than most things about my loved ones. i’m just not going to go back to skating 7.5s and thunder 145 lows (shout out to benson running that  now), and then the single best day i’ve ever had was with the royal IV (the ones everyone hated) that were like 50.5 mm high, a 7.9 deck, and 50 mm wheels.
blah blah blih
yawn

i don’t know why i don’t like forged indy’s.
i don’t know why i don’t skate thunder 148 lights.
i skate ventures because i used to always do so, and i like skating equipment that reminds me of my favorite skaters, if in name brand only, think trilogy.
maybe i should buy some 144 cast indy’s.



if brimmer, chavo, or any of the og’s that have their memories some how still intact know of the heights of;

stage 8s
stage 9s
stage 10s

i’d appreciate it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 09, 2025, 05:20:56 PM

if brimmer, chavo, or any of the og’s that have their memories some how still intact know of the heights of;

stage 8s
stage 9s
stage 10s

i’d appreciate it.


I have some of all of the above mentioned.


All earlier stages were said to be and are around 55 mm tall, even though some people said or felt like they weren't quite that tall.

Stage 9 and 10 were brought down to 53.5 mm tall, then the Stage 10 forged baseplates made the truck 52 mm tall.

Stage 10.5 159 were the first back up to 55 mm tall, which were used as Stage 11 truck molds in the 159s.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 09, 2025, 05:55:47 PM
Expand Quote

if brimmer, chavo, or any of the og’s that have their memories some how still intact know of the heights of;

stage 8s
stage 9s
stage 10s

i’d appreciate it.
[close]


I have some of all of the above mentioned.


All earlier stages were said to be and are around 55 mm tall, even though some people said or felt like they weren't quite that tall.

Stage 9 and 10 were brought down to 53.5 mm tall, then the Stage 10 forged baseplates made the truck 52 mm tall.

Stage 10.5 159 were the first back up to 55 mm tall, which were used as Stage 11 truck molds in the 159s.

159 cast trucks are rad, they are just big/heavy. feeling is great, but the utility with such a big truck is hard for me to wrap my head around. or, more clearly: big truck makes me tired.

thanks for the answers, as always
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on April 09, 2025, 10:11:47 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

if brimmer, chavo, or any of the og’s that have their memories some how still intact know of the heights of;

stage 8s
stage 9s
stage 10s

i’d appreciate it.
[close]


I have some of all of the above mentioned.


All earlier stages were said to be and are around 55 mm tall, even though some people said or felt like they weren't quite that tall.

Stage 9 and 10 were brought down to 53.5 mm tall, then the Stage 10 forged baseplates made the truck 52 mm tall.

Stage 10.5 159 were the first back up to 55 mm tall, which were used as Stage 11 truck molds in the 159s.
[close]

159 cast trucks are rad, they are just big/heavy. feeling is great, but the utility with such a big truck is hard for me to wrap my head around. or, more clearly: big truck makes me tired.

thanks for the answers, as always

Longer times on big cast trucks can lead to big impressive leg muscles. It can also lead to knee andankle pain but that's something others can't see. ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 09, 2025, 10:31:59 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

if brimmer, chavo, or any of the og’s that have their memories some how still intact know of the heights of;

stage 8s
stage 9s
stage 10s

i’d appreciate it.
[close]


I have some of all of the above mentioned.


All earlier stages were said to be and are around 55 mm tall, even though some people said or felt like they weren't quite that tall.

Stage 9 and 10 were brought down to 53.5 mm tall, then the Stage 10 forged baseplates made the truck 52 mm tall.

Stage 10.5 159 were the first back up to 55 mm tall, which were used as Stage 11 truck molds in the 159s.
[close]

159 cast trucks are rad, they are just big/heavy. feeling is great, but the utility with such a big truck is hard for me to wrap my head around. or, more clearly: big truck makes me tired.

thanks for the answers, as always
[close]

Longer times on big cast trucks can lead to big impressive leg muscles. It can also lead to knee andankle pain but that's something others can't see. ;D

yeah
for me it’s the little in between ligaments and such that hurt with larger/heavier stuff
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 09, 2025, 10:52:27 PM

for me it’s the little in between ligaments and such that hurt with larger/heavier stuff

Dude. This is basically where the madness started for me. In 2019 I badly broke my leg/fibula* just above the ankle. Significant ligament damage in my ankle, too. Bones heal up quick. That soft tissue stuff? THAT is what will kill you. They put in some hardware. Later had to take some out. Had two surgeries. Had to learn to walk again, and wasn't cleared to skate again for a year. My ankle will never be the same, and it does not bend or flex like it use to (and never will again). I'll never skate as good as I did before the injury, but I can still skate in a meaningful way, so that's basically all good.

Anyway, the Madness. Post-injury, I was like, "Ok. I now stand, push, walk, move, and skate differently than I did before. My ankle is now weaker, and now functions/moves in different ways. So, maybe that means I should also make some equipment tweaks???? The set-up I had before may not be what is best for me after. Let's try out some different stuff, and see how it goes." Enter the Madness. And it all comes back to the ligaments in my ankle...so, yes, totally hear/get you on that one.   


*Broke it while skating a 6' mini ramp, doing a set-up trick I've done 1,000s of times--nollie rock to fakie.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on April 10, 2025, 12:58:02 AM
I'm about to build a new setup after not skating for couple of years and i got in to this wheelbase madness.
I like a mid/low truck and I want something else than Thunders. I thought Slappy lows would be perfect for me as I like DLX boards with those longer wheelbases. Indy mid hollow is probably pretty much similiar. Then there is those April decks 8.25 with 14 wb which could work pretty good with forged Ventures which I like aesthetically the most. I just cant decide.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 10, 2025, 02:33:35 AM
I'm about to build a new setup after not skating for couple of years and i got in to this wheelbase madness.
I like a mid/low truck and I want something else than Thunders. I thought Slappy lows would be perfect for me as I like DLX boards with those longer wheelbases. Indy mid hollow is probably pretty much similiar. Then there is those April decks 8.25 with 14 wb which could work pretty good with forged Ventures which I like aesthetically the most. I just cant decide.
In that case try the Venture V8, you can adjust wheelbase with those babies.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on April 10, 2025, 02:44:27 AM
wheelbase madness? and you dont skate?

focus

What about support thread do you not understand?

Expand Quote
I'm about to build a new setup after not skating for couple of years and i got in to this wheelbase madness.
I like a mid/low truck and I want something else than Thunders. I thought Slappy lows would be perfect for me as I like DLX boards with those longer wheelbases. Indy mid hollow is probably pretty much similiar. Then there is those April decks 8.25 with 14 wb which could work pretty good with forged Ventures which I like aesthetically the most. I just cant decide.
[close]
In that case try the Venture V8, you can adjust wheelbase with those babies.

That's a good call. @alph since it sounds like you want to try something new but don't exactly know which direction you want to go with, I'd also suggest the V8s because they give you the most options. You can set them up with the traditional Venture wheelbase, you can bring both trucks in and get into Ace territory, or bring just one truck in to have a nice middle ground. That's what I've been doing lately on a 14.5 wheelbase deck and I couldn't be happier with it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on April 10, 2025, 03:08:17 AM
@scab my fault, wasnt looking close enough

buy venture!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on April 10, 2025, 03:14:16 AM
@scab my fault, wasnt looking close enough

buy venture!

No worries. Buy Venture indeed! Or any other truck, really. They're all pretty sweet in their own ways.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on April 10, 2025, 04:03:30 AM

That's a good call. @alph since it sounds like you want to try something new but don't exactly know which direction you want to go with, I'd also suggest the V8s because they give you the most options. You can set them up with the traditional Venture wheelbase, you can bring both trucks in and get into Ace territory, or bring just one truck in to have a nice middle ground. That's what I've been doing lately on a 14.5 wheelbase deck and I couldn't be happier with it.

Yeah thanks, I've been looking at those as well and as i'm also getting old and fat I thought buying forged hollow ones and drilling new holes on the baseplates as there is enough room. I rode Venture lows back in 2010 or something before switching to Thunders. I like the longer baseplate on Ventures compared to Thunder.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 10, 2025, 05:40:41 AM
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for me it’s the little in between ligaments and such that hurt with larger/heavier stuff
[close]

Dude. This is basically where the madness started for me. In 2019 I badly broke my leg/fibula* just above the ankle. Significant ligament damage in my ankle, too. Bones heal up quick. That soft tissue stuff? THAT is what will kill you. They put in some hardware. Later had to take some out. Had two surgeries. Had to learn to walk again, and wasn't cleared to skate again for a year. My ankle will never be the same, and it does not bend or flex like it use to (and never will again). I'll never skate as good as I did before the injury, but I can still skate in a meaningful way, so that's basically all good.

Anyway, the Madness. Post-injury, I was like, "Ok. I now stand, push, walk, move, and skate differently than I did before. My ankle is now weaker, and now functions/moves in different ways. So, maybe that means I should also make some equipment tweaks???? The set-up I had before may not be what is best for me after. Let's try out some different stuff, and see how it goes." Enter the Madness. And it all comes back to the ligaments in my ankle...so, yes, totally hear/get you on that one.   


*Broke it while skating a 6' mini ramp, doing a set-up trick I've done 1,000s of times--nollie rock to fakie.

mine was a front lip on a curb+ height skatepark ledge. just stood on the outside of my leading foot.
within 10 minutes black lines started appearing up my leg, the lines ran parallel to the ground, perpendicular to the shin. never got it checked out. stopped skating for a few years. my best ever day and this, were less than a month apart.
aaaanyways, to have that during a setup trick that’d do my head in. a large part of me skating has had to do with mental health, and it was nice to ‘shut my brain off’ and skate, sometimes i’d be present, sometimes not so much.
all of this very much relates to gear madness, as for me i was skating an older banged out deck, and then when i started skating again i was so diminished i started riding large shaped boards and just screwing around.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 10, 2025, 06:36:17 AM
I'm about to build a new setup after not skating for couple of years and i got in to this wheelbase madness.
I like a mid/low truck and I want something else than Thunders. I thought Slappy lows would be perfect for me as I like DLX boards with those longer wheelbases. Indy mid hollow is probably pretty much similiar. Then there is those April decks 8.25 with 14 wb which could work pretty good with forged Ventures which I like aesthetically the most. I just cant decide.

Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 10, 2025, 06:50:54 AM
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for me it’s the little in between ligaments and such that hurt with larger/heavier stuff
[close]

Dude. This is basically where the madness started for me. In 2019 I badly broke my leg/fibula* just above the ankle. Significant ligament damage in my ankle, too. Bones heal up quick. That soft tissue stuff? THAT is what will kill you. They put in some hardware. Later had to take some out. Had two surgeries. Had to learn to walk again, and wasn't cleared to skate again for a year. My ankle will never be the same, and it does not bend or flex like it use to (and never will again). I'll never skate as good as I did before the injury, but I can still skate in a meaningful way, so that's basically all good.

Anyway, the Madness. Post-injury, I was like, "Ok. I now stand, push, walk, move, and skate differently than I did before. My ankle is now weaker, and now functions/moves in different ways. So, maybe that means I should also make some equipment tweaks???? The set-up I had before may not be what is best for me after. Let's try out some different stuff, and see how it goes." Enter the Madness. And it all comes back to the ligaments in my ankle...so, yes, totally hear/get you on that one.   


*Broke it while skating a 6' mini ramp, doing a set-up trick I've done 1,000s of times--nollie rock to fakie.
[close]

mine was a front lip on a curb+ height skatepark ledge. just stood on the outside of my leading foot.
within 10 minutes black lines started appearing up my leg, the lines ran parallel to the ground, perpendicular to the shin. never got it checked out. stopped skating for a few years. my best ever day and this, were less than a month apart.
aaaanyways, to have that during a setup trick that’d do my head in. a large part of me skating has had to do with mental health, and it was nice to ‘shut my brain off’ and skate, sometimes i’d be present, sometimes not so much.
all of this very much relates to gear madness, as for me i was skating an older banged out deck, and then when i started skating again i was so diminished i started riding large shaped boards and just screwing around.

Grim. And yeah, 6 years later, I sometimes get short-term, crippling fear, with anything on transition going to fakie because of reinjury fear…that comes out of NOWHERE.

Gear tweaks can trigger it, too. I tried conicals for a bit about two years ago, and that little bit of extra “lock” they have over Classic, totally spooked me on pivots to fakie, and I couldn’t do them again for like a month.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on April 10, 2025, 07:12:35 AM
Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 10, 2025, 07:13:30 AM
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Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
[close]
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.

How long have you been off the board for?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on April 10, 2025, 07:18:14 AM
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Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
[close]
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.
[close]

How long have you been off the board for?

About three years..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 10, 2025, 07:26:37 AM
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Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
[close]
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.
[close]

How long have you been off the board for?
[close]

About three years..

Ok, IMHO, you are way, way, way, way overthinking this, even for the nature of the madness thread. I would suggest first just getting a mid-range set-up (e.g. mid-range truck height, mid-range deck size/wheelsbase, mid-range wheel size). From there, just get your legs back, and get use to being on a board again. Once you are again really comfortable, then you can start messing with nuanced gear tweaks.   

EDIT: I would also suggest staying away from the mIndys (mid-height Indys). They have not been well received. If you're looking Indy, and want mid-range height, the Forged Hollows are your guy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on April 10, 2025, 09:38:49 AM
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Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
[close]
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.
[close]

How long have you been off the board for?
[close]

About three years..
[close]

Ok, IMHO, you are way, way, way, way overthinking this

Yeah probably, but I also think that dlx wheelbase with forged Thunders felt always a bit too long for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 10, 2025, 09:59:32 AM
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Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
[close]
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.
[close]

How long have you been off the board for?
[close]

About three years..
[close]

Ok, IMHO, you are way, way, way, way overthinking this, even for the nature of the madness thread. I would suggest first just getting a mid-range set-up (e.g. mid-range truck height, mid-range deck size/wheelsbase, mid-range wheel size). From there, just get your legs back, and get use to being on a board again. Once you are again really comfortable, then you can start messing with nuanced gear tweaks.   

EDIT: I would also suggest staying away from the mIndys (mid-height Indys). They have not been well received. If you're looking Indy, and want mid-range height, the Forged Hollows are your guy.

this is really kind, thoughtful advice from sedition
 
alph: most likely, none of it matters, for awhile. if someone asked me what to get, and i didn’t know how big they were, i’d just say 8.25 deck, 8.25 trucks (indy, thunder, venture) and 54 wheels. whatever bearings. basic. if above 30, and ethos permits, consider some leather court shoes, maybe something like a nb 600 ( i haven’t had them, they appear a nice middle ground of support and flexibility).

coming back to skating, for me and a fair amount of others that i’ve spoken too, sizing up a bit works a treat, whereas chasing the smaller sizes of my youth is a lot more difficult.
everyone is their own unique flower so i hope you discard my thoughts as freely as i’ve offered them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 10, 2025, 10:05:45 AM
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Wait. Just to be clear. Do you currently have a skateboard, and are you currently skating?
[close]
No, other than some worn out Thunders laying around and I'm not skating at the moment.
[close]

How long have you been off the board for?
[close]

About three years..
[close]

Ok, IMHO, you are way, way, way, way overthinking this
[close]

Yeah probably, but I also think that dlx wheelbase with forged Thunders felt always a bit too long for me.


i will ‘qualify’ myself/my ‘madness’.
i’m short 5’8”, and even shorter legs. when i was young/better than i am now, skated tiny boards.
i’ve done some of my best skating of the last 5 ish years on big boards with long wb’s. i hated them. i started a thread about looking for the best 14” wb boards.
with respect. what you are feeling, coming off of a hiatus, will change. dlx makes the entire wb rainbow.
more directly: you haven’t been skating for a long minute, you don’t know shit about how you will skate in this phase of your life, buy some stuff that attracts you to it, skate it, gain a personal vocabulary for what best suits you.
if something seems ‘cool’ grab it. that may help get you out the door and cruising.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on April 10, 2025, 10:11:51 AM
Yeah you are probably right, there is no point to get in to a madness before even skating again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 10, 2025, 10:21:02 AM
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for me it’s the little in between ligaments and such that hurt with larger/heavier stuff
[close]

Dude. This is basically where the madness started for me. In 2019 I badly broke my leg/fibula* just above the ankle. Significant ligament damage in my ankle, too. Bones heal up quick. That soft tissue stuff? THAT is what will kill you. They put in some hardware. Later had to take some out. Had two surgeries. Had to learn to walk again, and wasn't cleared to skate again for a year. My ankle will never be the same, and it does not bend or flex like it use to (and never will again). I'll never skate as good as I did before the injury, but I can still skate in a meaningful way, so that's basically all good.

Anyway, the Madness. Post-injury, I was like, "Ok. I now stand, push, walk, move, and skate differently than I did before. My ankle is now weaker, and now functions/moves in different ways. So, maybe that means I should also make some equipment tweaks???? The set-up I had before may not be what is best for me after. Let's try out some different stuff, and see how it goes." Enter the Madness. And it all comes back to the ligaments in my ankle...so, yes, totally hear/get you on that one.   


*Broke it while skating a 6' mini ramp, doing a set-up trick I've done 1,000s of times--nollie rock to fakie.
[close]

mine was a front lip on a curb+ height skatepark ledge. just stood on the outside of my leading foot.
within 10 minutes black lines started appearing up my leg, the lines ran parallel to the ground, perpendicular to the shin. never got it checked out. stopped skating for a few years. my best ever day and this, were less than a month apart.
aaaanyways, to have that during a setup trick that’d do my head in. a large part of me skating has had to do with mental health, and it was nice to ‘shut my brain off’ and skate, sometimes i’d be present, sometimes not so much.
all of this very much relates to gear madness, as for me i was skating an older banged out deck, and then when i started skating again i was so diminished i started riding large shaped boards and just screwing around.
[close]

Grim. And yeah, 6 years later, I sometimes get short-term, crippling fear, with anything on transition going to fakie because of reinjury fear…that comes out of NOWHERE.

Gear tweaks can trigger it, too. I tried conicals for a bit about two years ago, and that little bit of extra “lock” they have over Classic, totally spooked me on pivots to fakie, and I couldn’t do them again for like a month.

Same thing for me. I had a rock climbing fall in 2021 that destroyed all the ligaments in my popping ankle. It took a long time to even be able to drag my ankle for nollies like I could before and I re-injured it landing primo on a backside flip. It still fucks with my head sometimes and when a trick feels off I bail differently than before and don't commit to stomping certain tricks as much.

It also meant I could no longer confidently skate most vulcs and many shoes since there was significant ankle stability issues and roll potential. I moved up from shorter boards because I had some rolls from being a little too tipped fore/aft while landing.

As for @ok the thing you note about Indys feeling great on sesh 1 but not sesh 2- this is where madness fucks you. You need to get to like, session 10 before making conclusions. I don't get how people do like 1 or 2 sessions on one thing, then next week are on another, then they switch decks and do it again- all that shit is so confusing there is no way they're actually adjusting each session and coming to any sort of useful conclusion unless its so magical or so off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 10, 2025, 08:09:12 PM
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for me it’s the little in between ligaments and such that hurt with larger/heavier stuff
[close]

Dude. This is basically where the madness started for me. In 2019 I badly broke my leg/fibula* just above the ankle. Significant ligament damage in my ankle, too. Bones heal up quick. That soft tissue stuff? THAT is what will kill you. They put in some hardware. Later had to take some out. Had two surgeries. Had to learn to walk again, and wasn't cleared to skate again for a year. My ankle will never be the same, and it does not bend or flex like it use to (and never will again). I'll never skate as good as I did before the injury, but I can still skate in a meaningful way, so that's basically all good.

Anyway, the Madness. Post-injury, I was like, "Ok. I now stand, push, walk, move, and skate differently than I did before. My ankle is now weaker, and now functions/moves in different ways. So, maybe that means I should also make some equipment tweaks???? The set-up I had before may not be what is best for me after. Let's try out some different stuff, and see how it goes." Enter the Madness. And it all comes back to the ligaments in my ankle...so, yes, totally hear/get you on that one.   


*Broke it while skating a 6' mini ramp, doing a set-up trick I've done 1,000s of times--nollie rock to fakie.
[close]

mine was a front lip on a curb+ height skatepark ledge. just stood on the outside of my leading foot.
within 10 minutes black lines started appearing up my leg, the lines ran parallel to the ground, perpendicular to the shin. never got it checked out. stopped skating for a few years. my best ever day and this, were less than a month apart.
aaaanyways, to have that during a setup trick that’d do my head in. a large part of me skating has had to do with mental health, and it was nice to ‘shut my brain off’ and skate, sometimes i’d be present, sometimes not so much.
all of this very much relates to gear madness, as for me i was skating an older banged out deck, and then when i started skating again i was so diminished i started riding large shaped boards and just screwing around.
[close]

Grim. And yeah, 6 years later, I sometimes get short-term, crippling fear, with anything on transition going to fakie because of reinjury fear…that comes out of NOWHERE.

Gear tweaks can trigger it, too. I tried conicals for a bit about two years ago, and that little bit of extra “lock” they have over Classic, totally spooked me on pivots to fakie, and I couldn’t do them again for like a month.
[close]

Same thing for me. I had a rock climbing fall in 2021 that destroyed all the ligaments in my popping ankle. It took a long time to even be able to drag my ankle for nollies like I could before and I re-injured it landing primo on a backside flip. It still fucks with my head sometimes and when a trick feels off I bail differently than before and don't commit to stomping certain tricks as much.

It also meant I could no longer confidently skate most vulcs and many shoes since there was significant ankle stability issues and roll potential. I moved up from shorter boards because I had some rolls from being a little too tipped fore/aft while landing.

As for @ok the thing you note about Indys feeling great on sesh 1 but not sesh 2- this is where madness fucks you. You need to get to like, session 10 before making conclusions. I don't get how people do like 1 or 2 sessions on one thing, then next week are on another, then they switch decks and do it again- all that shit is so confusing there is no way they're actually adjusting each session and coming to any sort of useful conclusion unless its so magical or so off.

hard agree on needing to get many sessions in, before making some type of lasting choice.
what i was attempting, and failing, to communicate was that initial day on indy’s feels like all prayers are answered. i don’t land everything (everything for me is like 5 slow flatground tricks), but there feels like a clear line of sight to a better future. next session all of my fake gains have disappeared, indy’s feel like cement shoes wah wah waaaaaaaaaah. sessions 3, 4, 5, 6, confirm my biases. back to the drawing board. trucks go into the box to be given away, or setup in 6 months anew.

but. i need to be honest and say im not giving it enough time. i’ve been looking for ‘really good, or really bad’. fuck i’ve gone to the flatground spot with more than setup and just cycled thru wildly different completes like a total dickweed.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 10, 2025, 08:24:22 PM
Yeah you are probably right, there is no point to get in to a madness before even skating again.

OK and I have almost the exact same suggestions about specifically what to get. While this would change a bit (up or down) based on someone's height and shoe size, what I advise people to get when starting up again is an 8.25 deck with 14.25/14.38 wheelbase, Forged 144s Indys, and 99a Spitfire F4 53mm wheels (Classics, Radial, or Conical). Why these suggestions? Because they are all dead middle-ground sized products...esp Forged Indys. Forged Indys are slightly taller than Thunders and Ace, and slightly shorter than Standard Indys. They rider looser than Thunder/Venture, but not as loose as Ace (same with their respective wheelbases). They also don't have "the base plate problem" that current Thunders do. Basically, Forged Indys are the "perfect" middle-ground truck to base comparisons to other trucks off. Likewise with an 8.25/14.25 deck, and 53mm wheels.   



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 10, 2025, 08:38:05 PM

Same thing for me. I had a rock climbing fall in 2021 that destroyed all the ligaments in my popping ankle. It took a long time to even be able to drag my ankle for nollies like I could before and I re-injured it landing primo on a backside flip. It still fucks with my head sometimes and when a trick feels off I bail differently than before and don't commit to stomping certain tricks as much.

It also meant I could no longer confidently skate most vulcs and many shoes since there was significant ankle stability issues and roll potential. I moved up from shorter boards because I had some rolls from being a little too tipped fore/aft while landing.

Mine was/is my front foot. All nollie, switch, noseblunt, noseslide, nosegrind, etc. stuff was total mind-fuck to get back. Pop on nollie/switch stuff has diminished, and re-learning things where I land on front foot was a huge mental battle (e.g. noseblunts, nose slides, nose grids, etc.). Kickflips were incredible hard to get back, because my ankle doesn't really roll/bend any more. It took a month before I even had the ankle strength to flip the board 1/2 way over. Major injuries when you’re already and "older" skater suck.  But hey, I am doing all those tricks again, just not as high/smooth/consistent as before, so I can't really complain. In fact, I actually consider what I can do at this point to be a blessing.

The madness aspect of it--when I started skating again, I thought a smaller set-up might help off-set a slower/weaker ankle (e.g. easier to flip, lighter, etc.). But realized after awhile they were too twitchy and didn't feel stable. I eventually ended up back on same set-up I had pre-injury....and today I am riding any even bigger set-up (and loving it).   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 11, 2025, 02:11:19 AM
Yeah you are probably right, there is no point to get in to a madness before even skating again.
But again, this is Slap.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on April 13, 2025, 08:08:12 PM
So a few months into Venture Lows from Thunders, my nose and tail slides are night and day which I’m attributing to the longer baseplate. Still not stoked into the lack of turning of Ventures so I think I’ll switch back to Thunders once I’ve had my fun here but are the inverted kingpins or T2s supposed to have a decent baseplate to slide on? It might be hard to go back to the old baseplates.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 13, 2025, 08:22:53 PM
So a few months into Venture Lows from Thunders, my nose and tail slides are night and day which I’m attributing to the longer baseplate. Still not stoked into the lack of turning of Ventures so I think I’ll switch back to Thunders once I’ve had my fun here but are the inverted kingpins or T2s supposed to have a decent baseplate to slide on? It might be hard to go back to the old baseplates.

Want baseplate and better turn? Indy. :)

Inverted thunders do not have a “normal” baseplate. It appears that T2 will.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on April 14, 2025, 07:10:25 AM
i have typed and deleted stuff so many times in this

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K-cDejLP5y0

this setup actually seems kinda godlike

i am really torn between 8.25 and 8.5" trucks. i am pretty set on thunder team.
right now i have setup with 8.38, thunder 148, 55mm classics. was not really considering hot rodding but maybe i should try it out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on April 14, 2025, 07:29:23 AM


i am really torn between 8.25 and 8.5" trucks. i am pretty set on thunder team.
right now i have setup with 8.38, thunder 148, 55mm classics. was not really considering hot rodding but maybe i should try it out.

An 8.38 deck with an 8.5" truck is hardly hotrodding. The trucks sit pretty much perfectly flush. The perfect combo in my opinion.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on April 14, 2025, 09:19:00 AM
i have typed and deleted stuff so many times in this

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K-cDejLP5y0

this setup actually seems kinda godlike

i am really torn between 8.25 and 8.5" trucks. i am pretty set on thunder team.
right now i have setup with 8.38, thunder 148, 55mm classics. was not really considering hot rodding but maybe i should try it out.

8.38 with 149 is what I've been running for a long time.

No serious hot rodding going on at all.

I've considered trying the 148s though just to see if I prefer them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 14, 2025, 10:01:21 AM
I ride 8.38 and with Indys its not hot-rodding cuz the axle width is almost dead on 8.4. I can run 8.25 trucks fine too, but right now a slight bit of extra grind room/pinch is real nice.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on April 14, 2025, 11:00:50 AM

   I'm currently riding an 8.38 with 159's and am kind of loving it. I don't notice any hot rodding.

   I was a little concerned and I actually measured the deck, which is a shop deck made by BBS and it's essentially 8.38 spot on. Measured a Krooked 8.5 that I had been riding with the 159's and it's 8.38 over the back trucks and a hair under 8.5 over the front so there's virtually no difference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 14, 2025, 12:19:56 PM
i have typed and deleted stuff so many times in this

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/K-cDejLP5y0

this setup actually seems kinda godlike

i am really torn between 8.25 and 8.5" trucks. i am pretty set on thunder team.
right now i have setup with 8.38, thunder 148, 55mm classics. was not really considering hot rodding but maybe i should try it out.

im also struggling with 8.25 vs 8.5 trucks: 144s vs 149s. most often skate 8.25s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on April 18, 2025, 04:52:44 AM
Riding conical fulls for the first time in a while and am really noticing the increased flip difficulty.

I feel like 56mm classics flip more easily than these 54mm conical fulls.

Gonna stick with them for another board probably just to try and see if it's just an adjustment period thing.

Went from 56 to 54 classics and was having a hard time staying on coping, that's what made me consider conicals again. Lock in is def improved, but man the flip is weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 18, 2025, 05:29:09 AM
Give it some time. I thought the same when I went from Classics to Radials, but then a few times I put on Classics to test the theory and it just wasn't true. All in my head. Radials do have a more rounded profile tho so maybe it's less of a difference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 18, 2025, 06:56:56 AM
Riding conical fulls for the first time in a while and am really noticing the increased flip difficulty.

I feel like 56mm classics flip more easily than these 54mm conical fulls.

Gonna stick with them for another board probably just to try and see if it's just an adjustment period thing.

Went from 56 to 54 classics and was having a hard time staying on coping, that's what made me consider conicals again. Lock in is def improved, but man the flip is weird.

I used to go back and forth between Classics and (regular) Conicals for the same reasons. Classics can slip out a bit on more rounded-off stuff (esp. coping). Conicals certainly lock-in better. But, just as you say, Conicals have a very different "flip." I always ended up going back to Classics (and just adjusting my technique on coping grinds). Conicals had some other drawbacks to me, too. Train-tracking was a major one. They also felt really clunky and "boxy" to me, and didn't seem to slide as well (Conical Fulls are unimaginable to me in this aspect!). Sometimes they lock a tad too much, too (esp. on pivot to fakies). I'm sure at some point I will try Conicals them again (e.g. Madness), but they are called "Classics: for a reason. :)

Radials? Worst of both and best of neither. Don't have the agility of a Classic, or the lock of Conical...which is why we need Radial Slims back. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on April 18, 2025, 07:57:53 AM
Yea, I was on 56 classics for the longest time.

Only made the switch to 54 after being on thunders for a bit and wanting a smaller wheel to help reduce wheel bite a bit.

I have a feeling I'll end up back on the 56 classics eventually. That was probably the most consistent aspect of my setup.



My setup adjustments are getting smaller and smaller. I feel like I'm honing in on a permanent setup or at least something very close to one.

I'll consider it a win if I'm only making small adjustments back and forth between the same couple options at infrequent intervals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 18, 2025, 08:00:23 AM

I'll consider it a win if I'm only making small adjustments back and forth between the same couple options at infrequent intervals.


This is basically where I am at...and grateful it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 18, 2025, 03:48:48 PM
.

For any of you guys on specific sized wheels, how long do you skate them / how small do they get before you switch them out for a new set of the same size you had before?

In the 00s I used to rotate 56, 57 and even 59 mm wheels through various stages of wear - big and new on a go fast board, medium wear on an all rounder and worn down a lot on a smaller tech setup.  Still do to a point, but I don't really go big and fast so much at all anymore.

Example - seen some people take 56 mm Classics down to almost 50 mm every time before changing out and it is such a big difference in the before and after sessions, they almost go from fast new skate a lot of transition then worn down and skate a lot more ledge and tech stuff, over roughly quarter to half a year, almost like the seasons come and go with the size of the wheels.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on April 18, 2025, 06:15:44 PM
Riding conical fulls for the first time in a while and am really noticing the increased flip difficulty.

I feel like 56mm classics flip more easily than these 54mm conical fulls.

Gonna stick with them for another board probably just to try and see if it's just an adjustment period thing.

Went from 56 to 54 classics and was having a hard time staying on coping, that's what made me consider conicals again. Lock in is def improved, but man the flip is weird.

I had exactly the same experience. Flips with them were awful. Took a way harder flick to get them to spin. The upside was at a super mellow curb thats always getting the living shit greased out of it I wasn’t sliding over the top and slipping out on the crisco. Was nice not getting bodied because people can’t take more than a half assed push but want to slide 30’.
Mellow grease pits? Connie full for the win.
Anything else Classics are a must.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 18, 2025, 06:29:47 PM
Expand Quote
Riding conical fulls for the first time in a while and am really noticing the increased flip difficulty.

I feel like 56mm classics flip more easily than these 54mm conical fulls.

Gonna stick with them for another board probably just to try and see if it's just an adjustment period thing.

Went from 56 to 54 classics and was having a hard time staying on coping, that's what made me consider conicals again. Lock in is def improved, but man the flip is weird.
[close]

I used to go back and forth between Classics and (regular) Conicals for the same reasons. Classics can slip out a bit on more rounded-off stuff (esp. coping). Conicals certainly lock-in better. But, just as you say, Conicals have a very different "flip." I always ended up going back to Classics (and just adjusting my technique on coping grinds). Conicals had some other drawbacks to me, too. Train-tracking was a major one. They also felt really clunky and "boxy" to me, and didn't seem to slide as well (Conical Fulls are unimaginable to me in this aspect!). Sometimes they lock a tad too much, too (esp. on pivot to fakies). I'm sure at some point I will try Conicals them again (e.g. Madness), but they are called "Classics: for a reason. :)

Radials? Worst of both and best of neither. Don't have the agility of a Classic, or the lock of Conical...which is why we need Radial Slims back.

Polar opposite experience for me Radials are the best of all. Roll up onto curbs really nice, seem to feel less clunky for scooping than OG Classics or Conical Fulls, no train tracking like Conicals, bit more surface area than a Classic but not massive.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 18, 2025, 07:14:54 PM
.

For any of you guys on specific sized wheels, how long do you skate them / how small do they get before you switch them out for a new set of the same size you had before?

In the 00s I used to rotate 56, 57 and even 59 mm wheels through various stages of wear - big and new on a go fast board, medium wear on an all rounder and worn down a lot on a smaller tech setup.  Still do to a point, but I don't really go big and fast so much at all anymore.

Example - seen some people take 56 mm Classics down to almost 50 mm every time before changing out and it is such a big difference in the before and after sessions, they almost go from fast new skate a lot of transition then worn down and skate a lot more ledge and tech stuff, over roughly quarter to half a year, almost like the seasons come and go with the size of the wheels.

I ride 53mm. I replace them pretty often...like they never get below 52mm.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 18, 2025, 09:03:25 PM
Switch when below 51ish and feeling slow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on April 18, 2025, 11:08:50 PM
Regarding Spitfire, only Radials and Classics are required. No other shapes, no fulls, no nothing. Those two provide everything I need. Throw in the Bones V5 shape and I'm set for the rest of my time in this mortal coil.

Having said that, if I ran into a set of Radial Slims, I would throw my euros at them in a flash of lightning, but, alas, that shape is merely a meme and a pipe dream these days.

How priviliged it is to have "problems" like this. Have a blessed Holy Weekend, y'all. The Spaghetti Monster lives, too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on April 19, 2025, 06:12:39 AM
Regarding Spitfire, only Radials and Classics are required. No other shapes, no fulls, no nothing. Those two provide everything I need. Throw in the Bones V5 shape and I'm set for the rest of my time in this mortal coil.

Having said that, if I ran into a set of Radial Slims, I would throw my euros at them in a flash of lightning, but, alas, that shape is merely a meme and a pipe dream these days.

How priviliged it is to have "problems" like this
. Have a blessed Holy Weekend, y'all. The Spaghetti Monster lives, too.

Very good way to look at all of this.

It is a privilege to have gear madness, and we should all be grateful
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: kitcatski on April 19, 2025, 06:43:19 AM
.

For any of you guys on specific sized wheels, how long do you skate them / how small do they get before you switch them out for a new set of the same size you had before?

In the 00s I used to rotate 56, 57 and even 59 mm wheels through various stages of wear - big and new on a go fast board, medium wear on an all rounder and worn down a lot on a smaller tech setup.  Still do to a point, but I don't really go big and fast so much at all anymore.

Example - seen some people take 56 mm Classics down to almost 50 mm every time before changing out and it is such a big difference in the before and after sessions, they almost go from fast new skate a lot of transition then worn down and skate a lot more ledge and tech stuff, over roughly quarter to half a year, almost like the seasons come and go with the size of the wheels.

I always get either 53 or 54 f4 classics, and generally get them down to around 47mm before replacing. Idk if it's my locals ground or something but I feel like I wear them down super quick, this only takes around 2 months. I rotate them fairly often too, around every 3 weeks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Nom De Plume on April 25, 2025, 12:03:09 PM
https://youtu.be/LjNt5iGhNwI
I watched this and bought a digital level/angle finder. Someone tell me I'm not alone. Surely this will fix all my problems.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on April 26, 2025, 12:13:56 AM
Regarding Spitfire, only Radials and Classics are required. No other shapes, no fulls, no nothing. Those two provide everything I need. Throw in the Bones V5 shape and I'm set for the rest of my time in this mortal coil.

Having said that, if I ran into a set of Radial Slims, I would throw my euros at them in a flash of lightning, but, alas, that shape is merely a meme and a pipe dream these days.

How priviliged it is to have "problems" like this. Have a blessed Holy Weekend, y'all. The Spaghetti Monster lives, too.

This might be a take but I’ve tried the lock ins, tablets and many sets of Bones V2s…after getting used to classics again, those lock in wheels try to solve a problem that just comes down to skating more unless you’re going way buck   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on April 26, 2025, 12:30:21 AM
Expand Quote
.

For any of you guys on specific sized wheels, how long do you skate them / how small do they get before you switch them out for a new set of the same size you had before?

In the 00s I used to rotate 56, 57 and even 59 mm wheels through various stages of wear - big and new on a go fast board, medium wear on an all rounder and worn down a lot on a smaller tech setup.  Still do to a point, but I don't really go big and fast so much at all anymore.

Example - seen some people take 56 mm Classics down to almost 50 mm every time before changing out and it is such a big difference in the before and after sessions, they almost go from fast new skate a lot of transition then worn down and skate a lot more ledge and tech stuff, over roughly quarter to half a year, almost like the seasons come and go with the size of the wheels.
[close]

I ride 53mm. I replace them pretty often...like they never get below 52mm.

I'll take a 58mm classic down to 52 or even 50mm. Starts off being used in big parks until about 56, then a general all-rounder until about 54, then flat ground /curbs until 52 and below... This doesn't always work as I don't always rotate them all effectively (get 4 different sized wheels)  but its magic when it does... I love the way Classics wear down but they are probably the least durable shape as a result.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skatebruh on April 26, 2025, 05:30:58 PM
https://youtu.be/LjNt5iGhNwI
I watched this and bought a digital level/angle finder. Someone tell me I'm not alone. Surely this will fix all my problems.
If you don’t want to ride mini logos, the Palace 8.25 with the 14” wheelbase is pretty flat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on April 26, 2025, 06:35:13 PM
Reporting back on my wheel madness.

Been adjusting well to the conical fulls. My flip tricks feel normal again. Liking the lock in.

Might give radials another shot next.

But going to 54 from 56 on the team thunders feels like the right call. Especially since I've been riding them as loose as possible
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: dusterfan on April 28, 2025, 11:05:05 AM
I'm getting back into skating regularly after a pretty decent break, formerly only skating like once a year for the past 6-7 years. I'm a really tall dude (6'5") and have been going pretty mad with my setup/ shoes.

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

Gear Madness #2:
ACE 55's feel like a big chore to flip, but feel great for everything else

Gear Madness #3:
Need some better shoes to skate, right now skating some half cab skates but they don't feel supportive enough, really starting to feel any bail in my knees and ankles.
Looking for support, grip, boardfeel, hightops, and ideally black/ black. I'm in-between the NB 440v2 highs or blazer sb highs.
I would just pull the trigger on the NB's but I'm worried about the boardfeel/ grip.

(been lurking the forum for longer than I can count and am trying to get more involved)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Reese Bruno on April 28, 2025, 12:36:41 PM
I'm getting back into skating regularly after a pretty decent break, formerly only skating like once a year for the past 6-7 years. I'm a really tall dude (6'5") and have been going pretty mad with my setup/ shoes.

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

Gear Madness #2:
ACE 55's feel like a big chore to flip, but feel great for everything else

Gear Madness #3:
Need some better shoes to skate, right now skating some half cab skates but they don't feel supportive enough, really starting to feel any bail in my knees and ankles.
Looking for support, grip, boardfeel, hightops, and ideally black/ black. I'm in-between the NB 440v2 highs or blazer sb highs.
I would just pull the trigger on the NB's but I'm worried about the boardfeel/ grip.

(been lurking the forum for longer than I can count and am trying to get more involved)
Put your front foot back more with shorter boards. Stick with the aces your legs will adapt and be stronger. Buy Reebok club c mid off a sale rack.

All problems will be solved
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on April 28, 2025, 01:17:52 PM
I'm getting back into skating regularly after a pretty decent break, formerly only skating like once a year for the past 6-7 years. I'm a really tall dude (6'5") and have been going pretty mad with my setup/ shoes.

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

Gear Madness #2:
ACE 55's feel like a big chore to flip, but feel great for everything else

Gear Madness #3:
Need some better shoes to skate, right now skating some half cab skates but they don't feel supportive enough, really starting to feel any bail in my knees and ankles.
Looking for support, grip, boardfeel, hightops, and ideally black/ black. I'm in-between the NB 440v2 highs or blazer sb highs.
I would just pull the trigger on the NB's but I'm worried about the boardfeel/ grip.

(been lurking the forum for longer than I can count and am trying to get more involved)
im an inch taller than you
and the idea of skating a 32” board scares me
on 32.5 right now, think i can do 32.25 minimum

idk what kind of skating you do
but i switched from ace to thunder to venture
and wouldnt dare go back

lastly, skate shoes with support/impact protection
keep your knees intact
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Half-Flab on April 28, 2025, 01:54:46 PM
I'm getting back into skating regularly after a pretty decent break, formerly only skating like once a year for the past 6-7 years. I'm a really tall dude (6'5") and have been going pretty mad with my setup/ shoes.

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

Gear Madness #2:
ACE 55's feel like a big chore to flip, but feel great for everything else

Gear Madness #3:
Need some better shoes to skate, right now skating some half cab skates but they don't feel supportive enough, really starting to feel any bail in my knees and ankles.
Looking for support, grip, boardfeel, hightops, and ideally black/ black. I'm in-between the NB 440v2 highs or blazer sb highs.
I would just pull the trigger on the NB's but I'm worried about the boardfeel/ grip.

(been lurking the forum for longer than I can count and am trying to get more involved)

I'm liking the Dilo's.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 28, 2025, 02:08:01 PM

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave


I don't know Baker boards that well, but what's the wheel base on that? I'm guessing 14.25". IMHO, at 6'5" you shouldn't be anywhere NEAR a 14.25" wb deck. I would say 14.5" at the least, and prolly closer to 14.62" or 14.75". Remember that decks are mostly made with the ratios of a normal person in mind. You are not normal. So the concept of a "short" (wheelbase) is going to be relative to you, not relative to average sized boards. A board that is too short forces your feet too close together, and compromises your stability and ability to move in a normal fashion. Yeah, people can kickflip penny boards, but they won't do it with as much control and command as a board that more properly fits their stature. If I had to suggest a deck for you, I'd say start with the DLX (Real, Anti-Hero, Krooked) 8.75" with a 14.62" wheelbase (the white Anti-Hero eagle, and assorted other Krooked and Anti-Hero graphics), and see how that feels. It still night be too cramped for you! Get rid of that 14.25 deck!

Not to further your madness, but I also always tell people who are just starting, or coming back, to get Forged Indys. Why? Because they are the perfect "middle ground" truck. Don't ride as loose as Ace, not as tight as Thunder/Venture. Also, if you're a big guy, that means you might also be on the heavier side of things (no, I'm not saying you are fat). To that endm you may also want to look into some harder bushing for your trucks.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: dusterfan on April 28, 2025, 03:04:04 PM
Expand Quote
I'm getting back into skating regularly after a pretty decent break, formerly only skating like once a year for the past 6-7 years. I'm a really tall dude (6'5") and have been going pretty mad with my setup/ shoes.

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

Gear Madness #2:
ACE 55's feel like a big chore to flip, but feel great for everything else

Gear Madness #3:
Need some better shoes to skate, right now skating some half cab skates but they don't feel supportive enough, really starting to feel any bail in my knees and ankles.
Looking for support, grip, boardfeel, hightops, and ideally black/ black. I'm in-between the NB 440v2 highs or blazer sb highs.
I would just pull the trigger on the NB's but I'm worried about the boardfeel/ grip.

(been lurking the forum for longer than I can count and am trying to get more involved)
[close]
im an inch taller than you
and the idea of skating a 32” board scares me
on 32.5 right now, think i can do 32.25 minimum

idk what kind of skating you do
but i switched from ace to thunder to venture
and wouldnt dare go back

lastly, skate shoes with support/impact protection
keep your knees intact

yeah at the shop i noticed how short it was and had second thoughts but i just fucked with the graphic too much not to get it. been going back and forth between buyers remorse and convincing myself it not making a difference at all.
definitely right tho i need to get a longer board

i pretty much just skate ledges and transitions and a tiny bit of flat so for me i love how the aces turn and feel surfy.  its more the width of them that i have a problem with but its the sacrifice for the proper sized board (hence the madness)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: dusterfan on April 28, 2025, 03:09:59 PM
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Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

[close]

I don't know Baker boards that well, but what's the wheel base on that? I'm guessing 14.25". IMHO, at 6'5" you shouldn't be anywhere NEAR a 14.25" wb deck. I would say 14.5" at the least, and prolly closer to 14.62" or 14.75". Remember that decks are mostly made with the ratios of a normal person in mind. You are not normal. So the concept of a "short" (wheelbase) is going to be relative to you, not relative to average sized boards. A board that is too short forces your feet too close together, and compromises your stability and ability to move in a normal fashion. Yeah, people can kickflip penny boards, but they won't do it with as much control and command as a board that more properly fits their stature. If I had to suggest a deck for you, I'd say start with the DLX (Real, Anti-Hero, Krooked) 8.75" with a 14.62" wheelbase (the white Anti-Hero eagle, and assorted other Krooked and Anti-Hero graphics), and see how that feels. It still night be too cramped for you! Get rid of that 14.25 deck!

Not to further your madness, but I also always tell people who are just starting, or coming back, to get Forged Indys. Why? Because they are the perfect "middle ground" truck. Don't ride as loose as Ace, not as tight as Thunder/Venture. Also, if you're a big guy, that means you might also be on the heavier side of things (no, I'm not saying you are fat). To that endm you may also want to look into some harder bushing for your trucks.


Yeah its 14.25 so I kinda do feel a little scrunched up. Really good advice though. I just kept seeing everyone on here raving about shorter wheelbases so I thought it would work out but you're totally right I'm definitely outside of the threshold for normal skater height.

Yeah I think the proper move is to unfortunately retire this board and get an AH eagle or the BA shape that looks really good (and designed by and for tall people lol)
Sucks cuz i love this graphic and it gets me hyped to skate but every session makes me feel like I'm regressing instead of progressing.

For the time being Im going to try and make the aces work, its more the width but thats the trade off for a wider board. I personally love how they feel and Im on the skinny side so theyre the perfect amount of squirly for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 28, 2025, 03:23:15 PM
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Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

[close]

I don't know Baker boards that well, but what's the wheel base on that? I'm guessing 14.25". IMHO, at 6'5" you shouldn't be anywhere NEAR a 14.25" wb deck. I would say 14.5" at the least, and prolly closer to 14.62" or 14.75". Remember that decks are mostly made with the ratios of a normal person in mind. You are not normal. So the concept of a "short" (wheelbase) is going to be relative to you, not relative to average sized boards. A board that is too short forces your feet too close together, and compromises your stability and ability to move in a normal fashion. Yeah, people can kickflip penny boards, but they won't do it with as much control and command as a board that more properly fits their stature. If I had to suggest a deck for you, I'd say start with the DLX (Real, Anti-Hero, Krooked) 8.75" with a 14.62" wheelbase (the white Anti-Hero eagle, and assorted other Krooked and Anti-Hero graphics), and see how that feels. It still night be too cramped for you! Get rid of that 14.25 deck!

Not to further your madness, but I also always tell people who are just starting, or coming back, to get Forged Indys. Why? Because they are the perfect "middle ground" truck. Don't ride as loose as Ace, not as tight as Thunder/Venture. Also, if you're a big guy, that means you might also be on the heavier side of things (no, I'm not saying you are fat). To that endm you may also want to look into some harder bushing for your trucks.

@tzhangdox is taller than that dude and has skated many sub 32" decks really well. Depends on the person and what they want.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 28, 2025, 03:36:12 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Gear Madness #1:
Just got a Baker t-funk 8.75 x 32 after riding a hockey 8.75 x 32.612 and the baker feels so tiny and I dont feel like I have any room, board feel and I keep landing on my nose with flip tricks, cant lock as well on crooked grinds and basically just less control. I feel like its ridiculous because it's only .612" shorter but it really feels like its messing up my skating.
I feel like it should just get some getting used to I've only had two sessions on it so far and there are some advantages (its a lot lighter). basically just need some info on the benefits of a shorter board/ shorter wheelbase/ less concave

[close]

I don't know Baker boards that well, but what's the wheel base on that? I'm guessing 14.25". IMHO, at 6'5" you shouldn't be anywhere NEAR a 14.25" wb deck. I would say 14.5" at the least, and prolly closer to 14.62" or 14.75". Remember that decks are mostly made with the ratios of a normal person in mind. You are not normal. So the concept of a "short" (wheelbase) is going to be relative to you, not relative to average sized boards. A board that is too short forces your feet too close together, and compromises your stability and ability to move in a normal fashion. Yeah, people can kickflip penny boards, but they won't do it with as much control and command as a board that more properly fits their stature. If I had to suggest a deck for you, I'd say start with the DLX (Real, Anti-Hero, Krooked) 8.75" with a 14.62" wheelbase (the white Anti-Hero eagle, and assorted other Krooked and Anti-Hero graphics), and see how that feels. It still night be too cramped for you! Get rid of that 14.25 deck!

Not to further your madness, but I also always tell people who are just starting, or coming back, to get Forged Indys. Why? Because they are the perfect "middle ground" truck. Don't ride as loose as Ace, not as tight as Thunder/Venture. Also, if you're a big guy, that means you might also be on the heavier side of things (no, I'm not saying you are fat). To that endm you may also want to look into some harder bushing for your trucks.
[close]

@tzhangdox is taller than that dude and has skated many sub 32" decks really well. Depends on the person and what they want.

There are always exceptions. To every thing. That said, good starting points are always general standards as opposed to freak anomalies.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on April 28, 2025, 07:30:18 PM
for real
@tzhangdox skates 8.25-8.5
different level of control at that height/shoe size
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 28, 2025, 10:15:17 PM
So few skaters are that height and it all depends on what kind of shit you wanna skate. 14" is a death sentence of course.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on April 28, 2025, 10:42:46 PM
Ya Im size 13 6ft5, and the rough range of board dimensions that works for me is 8.25-8.5, 31.8-32.25, 14.2-14.5

On ventures usually. Can do all the other major truck brands if needed, will probably just complain about kingpin clearance or pinch or some shit

It depends on what you skate. I skate almost exclusively ledges, flatbars, curbs, flatground. Occasionally some banks, transition... and handrails if I'm trying to get a clip. If I skated all the latter stuff more, would definitely err towards the bigger end of my setup preferences

The thought of skating an 8.75 thats over 32.5 is crazy to me. Sure, its comfortable to ride. But its also just so much more work to skate.

Bigger boards are more effort to maneuver, but also more comfortable to land on. While thats true for me too, its also often the case that I find it easier to stay over the board and be ready land properly if my body doesn't have to do the absolute most to form the trick, which often is the case with big clunky boards.

Thats just my preference though, there's also a lot of technical stuff I find easier on a bigger board, but not that big haha

I can't tell ya whats best for you. If you feel you can't get used to a board that feels too small, then try something bigger again.

Or, figure out what part of your form/technique thats causing you to land on the nose or whatever. Maybe try bring your front foot a bit further in, or slide it less etc. If that works it works, and you may experience some benefits of a smaller board. If adapting isnt working, then fuck it, ride what works for you and dont force yourself to figure out something that feels wrong.

As far as trucks go, you could try different trucks. But it also could be that your wheels are too big and clunky or something... not to add another dimension to the madness.

Shoe wise, new balance cupsoles, or any cupsole that has an actual midsole and a decently structured upper that fits well is good.

I like jordan 1s with the right insoles, and tiago 1010s. But best to go to a shop with a few models that meet the above criteria, and see whats most comfortable on your foot.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 29, 2025, 04:46:49 AM

I watched this and bought a digital level/angle finder. Someone tell me I'm not alone. Surely this will fix all my problems.


It might have been that or someone else talking about it, maybe Ben de Gros, but I tracked down half a dozen of those little gadgets from ebay (more to pass on to others if needed and it was cheaper to get a few rather than just one) but it confirmed what I already knew about my board.

I like concave up to a certain angle and kicks up to quite a specific angle too, as per this post about it from a while back.

For my boards, around 20 degrees in the tail is just right, nose can be a bit more.  I went into more detail in another post about side to side concave angle too, but at this point I think it is already a little too much info.



https://www.instagram.com/p/CwrV0VLJH0m/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzARhl6hZ7R/

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on April 29, 2025, 05:03:25 AM
Re: correlation between height, weight and board dimensions: I have this pet theory that people who come back from a significant hiatus generally do better on bigger set-ups. I've certainly experienced it myself, and I've also seen it with a bunch of others. Skaters who never stopped usually don't stray too far from their comfort zone once they've established one. Ymmv, of course. But I don't think it's a bad idea to err on the side of bigger for a comeback.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on April 29, 2025, 07:50:31 AM
Re: correlation between height, weight and board dimensions: I have this pet theory that people who come back from a significant hiatus generally do better on bigger set-ups. I've certainly experienced it myself, and I've also seen it with a bunch of others. Skaters who never stopped usually don't stray too far from their comfort zone once they've established one. Ymmv, of course. But I don't think it's a bad idea to err on the side of bigger for a comeback.

easier to size up than down, for certain.

@tzhangdox post above says a lot of true to me stuff in it:

bigger nicer to land on, but more effort and tiring to form up the tricks.
i start skating really slow on smaller boards, and i already skate slow. bigger board causes the mediocre bag to dwindle, precipitously
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on April 29, 2025, 10:30:37 AM
^ This is true for me too. When I skate a smaller board, I tend to skate a little bit slower. Not a huge difference but its there a little bit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on April 29, 2025, 10:54:15 AM
When I skate a smaller board my bitching and moaning is definitely different than when I skate a longer one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: dusterfan on April 29, 2025, 10:54:50 AM
You guys really came through on this one. I think the move is see if I can adapt and tweak my footing a little and if it still feels wrong I'll size up.
The clunkyness could very well come from wheel size as I ride 56 classic spits.
For transition skating its amazing but ledges and flat thats where the clunkyness is apparent.
The madness is far from gone but you guys helped at least validate the madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 04, 2025, 07:59:32 AM

  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 04, 2025, 08:26:33 AM

  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....

Self-Serving Response: I ride Indys, and have been curious about Slappy. Please try them and let me know how they compare.

You-Serving Response: Try the black 94a conical Indy bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on May 04, 2025, 11:00:29 AM

  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 04, 2025, 11:19:29 AM
Expand Quote

  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on May 04, 2025, 12:35:32 PM

  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....

If your thunders are still working you could try the independent bushings + washers in your thunders. They work great in thunders and I get less wheelbite with thunder + indy bushings than with my independents.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 04, 2025, 12:40:29 PM
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  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
[close]

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.

Yeah, I am little confused on that advice, too.

Forged Indy: 53.5mm
Cast Indy: 55mm tall

If wheel bite is an issue, with all other factors remaining the same, lowering your truck height is going to make problem worse, not better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 04, 2025, 12:59:04 PM
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  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
[close]

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.
[close]

Yeah, I am little confused on that advice, too.

Forged Indy: 53.5mm
Cast Indy: 55mm tall

If wheel bite is an issue, with all other factors remaining the same, lowering your truck height is going to make problem worse, not better.

i thought the same thing tho, re: forged indy’s being the correct move. probably in part because of @Sedition and @BeachChicken saying that forged indy’s are good. @Osage also mentioned something like ‘a little high off the ground’. and thunders are lower than regular indys, by a bit. sooooo.
respectfully.
were you riding 56s with the thunders? because indy’s do not bite wheels as much as thunders do. maybe you are doing what i do and changing too many things at once: wheels and trucks, maybe new shoes etc etc.
159s are the shit, trying the other bushings sounds like a good first step, then dropping wheel size. cast indy’s with risers is some skyscraper shit i cannot handle those heights
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 04, 2025, 01:10:10 PM
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  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
[close]

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.
[close]

Yeah, I am little confused on that advice, too.

Forged Indy: 53.5mm
Cast Indy: 55mm tall

If wheel bite is an issue, with all other factors remaining the same, lowering your truck height is going to make problem worse, not better.
[close]

i thought the same thing tho, re: forged indy’s being the correct move. probably in part because of @Sedition and @BeachChicken saying that forged indy’s are good. @Osage also mentioned something like ‘a little high off the ground’. and thunders are lower than regular indys, by a bit. sooooo.
respectfully.
were you riding 56s with the thunders? because indy’s do not bite wheels as much as thunders do. maybe you are doing what i do and changing too many things at once: wheels and trucks, maybe new shoes etc etc.
159s are the shit, trying the other bushings sounds like a good first step, then dropping wheel size. cast indy’s with risers is some skyscraper shit i cannot handle those heights

Love Forged Indys, but wouldn't ride 56mm on them without (a) a riser, or (b) stiffer bushing. Also, remember you can always make a lower truck taller (with risers), but you can never make taller truck lower. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 04, 2025, 01:11:25 PM

...cast indy’s with risers is some skyscraper shit i cannot handle those heights


TRUE WORDS!!!!!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 04, 2025, 01:39:34 PM
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...cast indy’s with risers is some skyscraper shit i cannot handle those heights

[close]

TRUE WORDS!!!!!!

I'm on cast 159's with risers right now and it looks kinda crazy to me, cause I'm monster truckin it on a blue eagle shape but I feel like the baker b16 would measure closer to 8.5... bleagles are like 8.38 straight pull... last board I had with risers and 159's was a 9" deck and it looked more proportionate but you can really see the height on this one. Sold that 9" setup and some others when I moved cross-country. I'll get used to it again though, only had a few tricks in the road in front of my place so far

(https://i.ibb.co/bMb2Zwc4/IMG-20250501-212817535-HDR.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on May 04, 2025, 01:51:09 PM
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  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
[close]

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.

You said something about feeling a little high off the ground so I thought you wanted to be lower.

I was just suggesting a truck that would feel closer to what you were used to with the thunders.

Guess I misinterpreted the post. If wheelbite is really the issue here maybe go down in wheel size?


Personally, I've found recently that I like a lower setup than I previously thought and have have to go down in wheel size to accommodate slightly lower trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 04, 2025, 05:27:58 PM
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  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
[close]

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.
[close]

You said something about feeling a little high off the ground so I thought you wanted to be lower.

I was just suggesting a truck that would feel closer to what you were used to with the thunders.

Guess I misinterpreted the post. If wheelbite is really the issue here maybe go down in wheel size?


Personally, I've found recently that I like a lower setup than I previously thought and have have to go down in wheel size to accommodate slightly lower trucks.


 I guess I didn't explain myself very well. I'm 250lbs. I was on Thunder 8.75" with bones hard bushings for the last 9 months. They were fine but I didn't love the turn and with 1/16th risers was still dealing with wheelbite. They were trashed and I decided to try Indys. I've liked Indys in the past but it had been over a year since I'd been on them. I'm currently riding Indy hollow 159's with the med/hard blue barrel bushings 1/16" risers and 56mm wheels. I have 54's but am often at a really old skatepark with terrible ground and the 56's are great. I'll ride 54's other places but do not want to exclusively ride 54's. I've been on the Indys for a month. I really like how they turn and the stability is nice. I'm looking for a truck that turns more or less like an Indy, has good stability but gets a little less wheelbite overall. Reading here and watching a few videos, Slappy seems like maybe they are this. If I could get away with say 2mm risers on the slappys, that would lower my whole thing by 2mm compared to the Indys which I would like. I am happy to just stay on the Indys if such a thing doesn't exist but if slappys will feel similar, allow me to ride 56's and get less wheelbite or even the same amount of wheelbite but be a few MM's lower, I'd love it.

   I should add that Ace's are too twitchy for me and I recently tried Lurpivs and hated them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 04, 2025, 05:54:55 PM
Why don't you try a 93 in a smaller size for that park?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 04, 2025, 06:11:46 PM
Why don't you try a 93 in a smaller size for that park?

  The 56's I ride there are 93a Dragons. They're honestly probably more like 55's now but they aren't super worn down at all. I've tried 54's in both Dragon 93 and Spitfire 97 and the ground is just so worn and so slow that they don't work well. The 56's just roll longer and go enough faster to make it worth it. I actually have a set of Spitfire 93a 58mm on order. If I could get away with 58's and the same riser size I'm using now on Slappys, I'd be psyched.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 04, 2025, 07:58:04 PM
Just curious what kind of skating are you doing? Just carving around? Technical stuff? Bowls? Are you actually up on or above the coping?

I ask because I've skated Ocean Beach park, a place notorious for how rough it is, on 53mm X99, 53mm 93 Soft Sliders, and 54 99 F4 Radials. All were mostly fine with some pushing, but I'm only hitting shit 5' high or so. Unless you're carving fairly tall transition at a super fucked park I can't imagine 56 soft wheels not being sufficient. But, the fact that you seem to dislike all the trucks people use to skate transition tells me maybe there's more to the picture. Honestly trying to helps.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sisig on May 04, 2025, 09:03:46 PM
Try wheel wells.  I skate 56 mm on loose Indy forged and never think about wheel bite at all
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on May 04, 2025, 11:30:51 PM
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  I've got truck madness and it's driving me mad.
 
   For a good while I was on Thunders 8.75s with a small riser. Wore out the most recent pair and got a set of Lurpiv's, which I hated. Then got a set of Ventures, which just aren't turney enough for me. Then old set of Indy Stage 7's for $10. They were fine but heavy so I traded them to a homie for a new set of Indy 159 Hollows, which I have been skating for a few weeks and liking. I ride the blue 92a bushings and the turn is perfect for me but I'm heavy and wheelbite is a little more than I'd like with 56mm wheels so I have 1/16" risers and feel a little high off the ground. I've been wanting to try Slappys because I've read that they're stable and turn a lot like an Indy and are harder to get wheelbite. I mean, I don't need new trucks. I like the Indys just fine and if I was a broke teenager, I wouldn't think about needing new trucks but I'm old and just got an unexpected $100 tip at work this morning and the first thing I think is, Ohhh, I can get Slappys and some med/hard Slappy busings for like $55 and still have more money than I did!

  Do I need them? Will I just be chasing the truck dragon forever? Should I just stick with the Indys, which I'm mostly happy with. I know I'm overthinking.....
[close]

Id say either go back to thunders or get some forged hollow 159 Indys.

You really just need the forged baseplates if you already have 159 hangers

I also second trying the Indy black bushings if you stay with them.
[close]

   Unless I'm missing something, won't both the Indy forged baseplates and Thunders bring me closer to the ground, which I don't want. I guess Slappys will as well but it's only 1mm and most reports people say they get less wheelbite on Slappys than the 1mm taller Indy standards.
[close]

Yeah, I am little confused on that advice, too.

Forged Indy: 53.5mm
Cast Indy: 55mm tall

If wheel bite is an issue, with all other factors remaining the same, lowering your truck height is going to make problem worse, not better.
Wheelbite answer = Lurpiv
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 05, 2025, 04:06:04 AM
Try wheel wells.  I skate 56 mm on loose Indy forged and never think about wheel bite at all


This is my new go to and it definitely works well for me.

Just practicing on some old decks to get the technique right, but I think I have it fairly well sorted now, from back when I used to just hack at the board any old how to get some more clearance, to now looking at them thinking they look a whole lot better and not too mismatched, which always used to bug me about them.  Just a basic angle grinder to get these how they are now, but I tried a few different options, different size discs, etc.

Pic from fairly recently when I went back through and did quite a few on various boards to get them all pretty much the same.


(https://i.ibb.co/cpX5Yjy/DIY-Wheel-Wells-boards.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jxZKJS8)





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 05, 2025, 04:30:00 AM

Wheelbite answer = Lurpiv


   I tried them because so many people say that. Unfortunately, Lurpivs are useless for someone 250lbs. Just terrible wheelbite, even with Bones Hards, no matter what you do.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 05, 2025, 04:38:58 AM
Just curious what kind of skating are you doing? Just carving around? Technical stuff? Bowls? Are you actually up on or above the coping?

I ask because I've skated Ocean Beach park, a place notorious for how rough it is, on 53mm X99, 53mm 93 Soft Sliders, and 54 99 F4 Radials. All were mostly fine with some pushing, but I'm only hitting shit 5' high or so. Unless you're carving fairly tall transition at a super fucked park I can't imagine 56 soft wheels not being sufficient. But, the fact that you seem to dislike all the trucks people use to skate transition tells me maybe there's more to the picture. Honestly trying to helps.

  I'm not a great skater by any means but I skate probably 5 days a week and it's literally my favorite thing to do. I skate curbs fairly often. The skatepark I go to with the bad ground is 25 years old and has features that you just don't see on modern skateparks like moguls and random bumps and stuff. They're actually super fun to skate. They added a bowl maybe 10 years ago and the ground in it is much better but it's poorly designed and basically nobody skates it, which is a bummer. It's too tight for me to do anything in. I spend a lot of time there on a smallish 1/4 pipe that flows to a manual pad. I'm old and heavy so I'm just not flipping my board. I skate a 3.5' wooden mini ramp fairly regularly and I just absolutely love it. This is probably my favorite thing to skate. I also do like to just roll around going up and down ramps etc... I guess I'm just sort of a basic old fat skater not doing anything impressive or even that difficult.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on May 05, 2025, 04:46:02 AM
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Wheelbite answer = Lurpiv
[close]


   I tried them because so many people say that. Unfortunately, Lurpivs are useless for someone 250lbs. Just terrible wheelbite, even with Bones Hards, no matter what you do.

Have you tried Paris Trucks?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 05, 2025, 05:43:36 AM
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Just curious what kind of skating are you doing? Just carving around? Technical stuff? Bowls? Are you actually up on or above the coping?

I ask because I've skated Ocean Beach park, a place notorious for how rough it is, on 53mm X99, 53mm 93 Soft Sliders, and 54 99 F4 Radials. All were mostly fine with some pushing, but I'm only hitting shit 5' high or so. Unless you're carving fairly tall transition at a super fucked park I can't imagine 56 soft wheels not being sufficient. But, the fact that you seem to dislike all the trucks people use to skate transition tells me maybe there's more to the picture. Honestly trying to helps.
[close]

  I'm not a great skater by any means but I skate probably 5 days a week and it's literally my favorite thing to do. I skate curbs fairly often. The skatepark I go to with the bad ground is 25 years old and has features that you just don't see on modern skateparks like moguls and random bumps and stuff. They're actually super fun to skate. They added a bowl maybe 10 years ago and the ground in it is much better but it's poorly designed and basically nobody skates it, which is a bummer. It's too tight for me to do anything in. I spend a lot of time there on a smallish 1/4 pipe that flows to a manual pad. I'm old and heavy so I'm just not flipping my board. I skate a 3.5' wooden mini ramp fairly regularly and I just absolutely love it. This is probably my favorite thing to skate. I also do like to just roll around going up and down ramps etc... I guess I'm just sort of a basic old fat skater not doing anything impressive or even that difficult.

I know you mentioned your weight. That might be something to work on as well but it sounds like your best option is to go with something with wheel wells maybe, wax them a lot, use harder bushings. There just aren't that many truck options in the end. I'd actually suggest trying Ventures with or without a riser. Bushings made for Indy's fit and when you bite with them it's very gradual compared to a Thunder.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 05, 2025, 06:44:02 AM
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Just curious what kind of skating are you doing? Just carving around? Technical stuff? Bowls? Are you actually up on or above the coping?

I ask because I've skated Ocean Beach park, a place notorious for how rough it is, on 53mm X99, 53mm 93 Soft Sliders, and 54 99 F4 Radials. All were mostly fine with some pushing, but I'm only hitting shit 5' high or so. Unless you're carving fairly tall transition at a super fucked park I can't imagine 56 soft wheels not being sufficient. But, the fact that you seem to dislike all the trucks people use to skate transition tells me maybe there's more to the picture. Honestly trying to helps.
[close]

  I'm not a great skater by any means but I skate probably 5 days a week and it's literally my favorite thing to do. I skate curbs fairly often. The skatepark I go to with the bad ground is 25 years old and has features that you just don't see on modern skateparks like moguls and random bumps and stuff. They're actually super fun to skate. They added a bowl maybe 10 years ago and the ground in it is much better but it's poorly designed and basically nobody skates it, which is a bummer. It's too tight for me to do anything in. I spend a lot of time there on a smallish 1/4 pipe that flows to a manual pad. I'm old and heavy so I'm just not flipping my board. I skate a 3.5' wooden mini ramp fairly regularly and I just absolutely love it. This is probably my favorite thing to skate. I also do like to just roll around going up and down ramps etc... I guess I'm just sort of a basic old fat skater not doing anything impressive or even that difficult.
[close]

I know you mentioned your weight. That might be something to work on as well but it sounds like your best option is to go with something with wheel wells maybe, wax them a lot, use harder bushings. There just aren't that many truck options in the end. I'd actually suggest trying Ventures with or without a riser. Bushings made for Indy's fit and when you bite with them it's very gradual compared to a Thunder.


 Thanks. I've actually lost about 65lbs in the last 2 years from eating a little better and skating all the time. I still lose about 2lbs a month and it feels great. It's a really nice pace and I'm not like starving myself or anything. Hoping to be at 200lbs in 2 years.

   I don't love the turn or Ventures unfortunately.

   I'm really hooked on the BBS 8.62 shape right now and literally nobody is making it with wheels wells. Polar did a while back but I can't find one anywhere. Back when I skated shaped boards I loved wheel wells so I think that's probably my answer. I kind of hate the way they look, especially DIY but I guess who cares. I do like full height Indys a lot and honestly, If I added some wheels wells and got rid of the risers, I'd probably be all set.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 05, 2025, 06:58:50 AM
debating if i should i move my Lurpiv 150s + 60mm wheels over to Egg setup
and then put my indy 149s with pedro f4s on a 8.5" popsicle
wasnt really feeling the lurpivs on the popsicle and wasnt really feeling the indys on the egg...

starting to madness also on my main setup whether it would be better to do 8.5" popsicle on thunder 149s or is it already perfect where i have it 8.38 on 148s. i feel like this is skating sooo sooo good like this but maybe i neeed to waste more money on trucks?  ;D also starting to think i need 8.25 and 8.5" ventures
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 05, 2025, 10:11:36 AM
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Just curious what kind of skating are you doing? Just carving around? Technical stuff? Bowls? Are you actually up on or above the coping?

I ask because I've skated Ocean Beach park, a place notorious for how rough it is, on 53mm X99, 53mm 93 Soft Sliders, and 54 99 F4 Radials. All were mostly fine with some pushing, but I'm only hitting shit 5' high or so. Unless you're carving fairly tall transition at a super fucked park I can't imagine 56 soft wheels not being sufficient. But, the fact that you seem to dislike all the trucks people use to skate transition tells me maybe there's more to the picture. Honestly trying to helps.
[close]

  I'm not a great skater by any means but I skate probably 5 days a week and it's literally my favorite thing to do. I skate curbs fairly often. The skatepark I go to with the bad ground is 25 years old and has features that you just don't see on modern skateparks like moguls and random bumps and stuff. They're actually super fun to skate. They added a bowl maybe 10 years ago and the ground in it is much better but it's poorly designed and basically nobody skates it, which is a bummer. It's too tight for me to do anything in. I spend a lot of time there on a smallish 1/4 pipe that flows to a manual pad. I'm old and heavy so I'm just not flipping my board. I skate a 3.5' wooden mini ramp fairly regularly and I just absolutely love it. This is probably my favorite thing to skate. I also do like to just roll around going up and down ramps etc... I guess I'm just sort of a basic old fat skater not doing anything impressive or even that difficult.
[close]

I know you mentioned your weight. That might be something to work on as well but it sounds like your best option is to go with something with wheel wells maybe, wax them a lot, use harder bushings. There just aren't that many truck options in the end. I'd actually suggest trying Ventures with or without a riser. Bushings made for Indy's fit and when you bite with them it's very gradual compared to a Thunder.
[close]


 Thanks. I've actually lost about 65lbs in the last 2 years from eating a little better and skating all the time. I still lose about 2lbs a month and it feels great. It's a really nice pace and I'm not like starving myself or anything. Hoping to be at 200lbs in 2 years.

   I don't love the turn or Ventures unfortunately.

   I'm really hooked on the BBS 8.62 shape right now and literally nobody is making it with wheels wells. Polar did a while back but I can't find one anywhere. Back when I skated shaped boards I loved wheel wells so I think that's probably my answer. I kind of hate the way they look, especially DIY but I guess who cares. I do like full height Indys a lot and honestly, If I added some wheels wells and got rid of the risers, I'd probably be all set.

No offense, but you're painting yourself into a corner here really. Indys are not an inherently stable truck and can wheelbite abruptly. Lurpivs solve that but you didn't like them for some reason. Ace are going to be super squirrely. Not sure how Thunders worked honestly as they are the lowest and have the most WB. And then your deck is limiting you to something that might help. You gotta loosen up parameters and/or give more time to tweaking and adapting. Like, maybe Venture with Ace Low bushings like people like would be good? Bones Med bottom Hard top? IDK, just winging it here, but you're in a unique situation. Hope ya get comfy!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on May 05, 2025, 04:27:58 PM
Indy hard bushings, or hell maybe even the super hard yellows?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 05, 2025, 05:40:06 PM
  Problem literally solved. Thanks everyone.

  I added wheel wells to this new deck this morning at work. They don't look perfect but work great. Set it up after work with no risers and the 56mm Dragons and Indy Hollow 159's. They have nicely broken in blue/92 med/hard bushings and with the wheel wells I got zero wheel bite in the 1/2 hour I had to skate after work. Right at the end I tried to get wheel bite and was able to but it was difficult and minimal. I was in heaven riding this around. Also, I was able to loosen the trucks a hair so they are the perfect balance of stable and turnie.

   (https://i.ibb.co/VWxG5vn0/thumbnail.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y7XSwtn4)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sisig on May 05, 2025, 09:21:01 PM
  Problem literally solved. Thanks everyone.

  I added wheel wells to this new deck this morning at work. They don't look perfect but work great. Set it up after work with no risers and the 56mm Dragons and Indy Hollow 159's. They have nicely broken in blue/92 med/hard bushings and with the wheel wells I got zero wheel bite in the 1/2 hour I had to skate after work. Right at the end I tried to get wheel bite and was able to but it was difficult and minimal. I was in heaven riding this around. Also, I was able to loosen the trucks a hair so they are the perfect balance of stable and turnie.

   (https://i.ibb.co/VWxG5vn0/thumbnail.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y7XSwtn4)

Nice what did you use to make the wheel wells? I saw another thread somebody used a wood rasp and there was talks about sealing the freshly exposed wood.  Sick deck too
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Osage on May 06, 2025, 03:12:25 AM
Expand Quote
  Problem literally solved. Thanks everyone.

  I added wheel wells to this new deck this morning at work. They don't look perfect but work great. Set it up after work with no risers and the 56mm Dragons and Indy Hollow 159's. They have nicely broken in blue/92 med/hard bushings and with the wheel wells I got zero wheel bite in the 1/2 hour I had to skate after work. Right at the end I tried to get wheel bite and was able to but it was difficult and minimal. I was in heaven riding this around. Also, I was able to loosen the trucks a hair so they are the perfect balance of stable and turnie.

   (https://i.ibb.co/VWxG5vn0/thumbnail.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y7XSwtn4)
[close]

Nice what did you use to make the wheel wells? I saw another thread somebody used a wood rasp and there was talks about sealing the freshly exposed wood.  Sick deck too

   I just did it on the end of a belt sander at work. By the fourth one, I had it down but they're all fine. I sealed the wood with this stuff designed to seal wood end grain, which is basically a thin liquid wax.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on May 06, 2025, 04:43:29 PM
Hell yea, nice work.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sila on May 09, 2025, 01:29:01 AM
Between Thunder 147 Hollow lights, Royal 139's and Venture 5.0 lows I'm absolutely lost and feel uncomfortable on all of them. Wtf.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on May 09, 2025, 02:39:50 AM
Between Thunder 147 Hollow lights, Royal 139's and Venture 5.0 lows I'm absolutely lost and feel uncomfortable on all of them. Wtf.

Do you remember the last setup you felt comfortable on? What was it an can you reasonably go back to that?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 19, 2025, 05:44:22 PM
Between Thunder 147 Hollow lights, Royal 139's and Venture 5.0 lows I'm absolutely lost and feel uncomfortable on all of them. Wtf.


more information please



possibly helpful:  when folks around me started sizing up from the 5.0 lo and 7.75s, to an 8, i saw many switch to indy 139s, and that might be my recommendation for you. lots of folks like the forged baseplate hollow indy’s.

i enjoy thunder 147s, my current ones are also hollow lights, and they are really low, which is fine if i’m going to ride a small wheel.
i used to LOVE the old royals, and should have bought several sets. strangely i haven’t messed with the new ones at all so i can’t speak to those.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 19, 2025, 06:14:14 PM
A while back I had the madness and did a buncha research to try and come up with an "anti-madness" board, or like the most generic board size wise with classic components, so I couldn't blame my board for shit hahah

Kinda went off like, 1994 onward

But also though about about the 70's and 80's, evolution of gear and what size stuff was available/popular

I think ~8.5" Indys, like 146s, 151s(FW), and 149s might be the most skated trucks ever, from the late 70's or whatever up till now, that still kinda look like the first generation

Thinking about how for a while there wasn't 159s, and there wasn't 144's until kinda recently. I remember some interviews about pros setups where it was either 139 or 149, but I think it might've still been called 136.. and kinda why Reynolds ran 8" trucks on an 8.5 for like 20 years straight And Leo ran 129s on 8+ for so long. A lot of people in ~2005ish were on 8.25s and 8.5s with 139s.

The most available/popular deck sizes right now seem to be around  8, 8.25, and 8.5

I mixed like all of the available truck options together and ~8.38" seems to be the middle ground

I mixed like all of the wheel options together and 54mm seems to be the middle ground

Since 93-94ish I think the round edge wheels, like spitfire classics, have been most prevalent overall

I think like, if I had to buy a board for someone who wanted to start skating, or if I wanted a board that was just like, and example of "a skateboard" that I couldn't blame stuff on or tweak parts on, I'd do something like this

8.25" deck, ~14.25 wb
Indy 149's or hollow cast 149's
Spitfire f4 classic 54mm
Some kinda bones bearings

I just built a setup with 159's, 60mm classics and 1/8" risers and it took a minute to get used to and I almost regretted buying it, but it's faster and smoother and pretty fun... I think I need to get into finding some ~8.75 x 14.25wb decks, maybe with mellower kicks or longer kicks... Right now it's on a blue eagle and hot rods a lil bit and the tail feels slightly short with this setup




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 19, 2025, 09:11:11 PM
I ride that but:

8.38x14.38
149 Indy Cast Hollows
Spitfire 53 Radials or Classics
Quantum Atoms

I deviate a bit but always come back
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on May 19, 2025, 09:51:03 PM
Heroin Egg, Ace  88's, && wheels.....it rides like a dream.....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 20, 2025, 11:26:20 AM
 Wheel thoughts


Skate 60mm classics down to 55, then move to a different setup then skate till 50 and give away, they should be a nice "classic full" kinda shape as they wear down and you get two lifespans out of em

For me conicals and og classics type shapes are too sharp on the edges when they wear down. Looks fuckin cool tho and works for a lot of people and has for a long long time

I think the rounded edge of classics and radials makes it easier to do flip tricks and stuff cause you can start doing stuff more before the tail pops vs the solid NASCAR tire ass grip of the wider/sharper edged wheels.. makes it easier for my old ass. I think that more rounded shape wheel that probably started taking over in like, 92, is kind of an important part of making skateboards easier to tricks, like concave or kicktails to a lesser degree


66mm 82a Powell snakes might be the best cruiser wheel

I think 48mm to 60 in 2mm increments is the perfect size run for wheels

62, 64, and 66 for cruisers and retro/pool setups

Some 101d 42mm's for '92-'93 kinda setups

It would be cool if spitfire regularly made sizes 48-60 in their usual shapes and urethane options, and then just one set of hard 42's for fun, and just one set of soft but slide-able 66's for filming and cruising and stuff. Doesn't make sense to make a new formula just for the 66's so that'll never happen but it would be easy to mill down fucked up wheels to 42 and release every once in a while along with a football deck or something

Holding out for 93 or 97 classics in 60mm

indy should make 1/8" aluminum risers a regular thing

I might have to try those ville wester ones
















Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 21, 2025, 05:15:46 PM
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.       
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 21, 2025, 09:48:18 PM
Damn, I respect the attention to detail and feel more sane after reading that. I really can barely tell a difference between 144 and 149 except maybe for a few flip tricks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 21, 2025, 10:22:25 PM
Damn, I respect the attention to detail and feel more sane after reading that. I really can barely tell a difference between 144 and 149 except maybe for a few flip tricks.

It's like the difference between lightening and lightning bug.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 21, 2025, 11:10:11 PM
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.     

I was on 149's on 8.5 boards for like 15 years straight. Tried the 144's when they came out, also on an 8.5 and didn't like them. I could appreciate the "tippy" nature of it in the way that it seemed easier to initiate flip tricks and flip them quicker. I didn't appreciate the magic carpet ride and less stable/more twitchy feeling. And anyways, for me it's harder to slow down a fast flip, but easier to just add a little effort to a slow flip. Went back to 149's, but started skating 8.25 decks on them, and I love it. I still skate 8.5's too. Mainly blue eagles and "og mellow" bakers.

Which leads me to where I am now, skating 159's with risers and 60mm wheels on an 8.5. last time I had these trucks and wheels was 5 years ago, and I had them on a shaped 9-something inch deck and had a great time, but had to sell off some stuff when I relocated across the country in my van. Now I can mix and match to my heart's content and still have some consistency. 2-board quiver ftw. I say that now, but I still wanna set up a 7.75 with 48mm wheels and venture lows... and I still have to build my crazy 66mm-wheel dirt/rain cruiser..

One benefit of having multiple setups is I can pass wheels down to other boards as they get smaller, and buy less wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 22, 2025, 08:59:19 AM
Expand Quote
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.     
[close]

I was on 149's on 8.5 boards for like 15 years straight. Tried the 144's when they came out, also on an 8.5 and didn't like them. I could appreciate the "tippy" nature of it in the way that it seemed easier to initiate flip tricks and flip them quicker. I didn't appreciate the magic carpet ride and less stable/more twitchy feeling. And anyways, for me it's harder to slow down a fast flip, but easier to just add a little effort to a slow flip. Went back to 149's, but started skating 8.25 decks on them, and I love it. I still skate 8.5's too. Mainly blue eagles and "og mellow" bakers.

Which leads me to where I am now, skating 159's with risers and 60mm wheels on an 8.5. last time I had these trucks and wheels was 5 years ago, and I had them on a shaped 9-something inch deck and had a great time, but had to sell off some stuff when I relocated across the country in my van. Now I can mix and match to my heart's content and still have some consistency. 2-board quiver ftw. I say that now, but I still wanna set up a 7.75 with 48mm wheels and venture lows... and I still have to build my crazy 66mm-wheel dirt/rain cruiser..

One benefit of having multiple setups is I can pass wheels down to other boards as they get smaller, and buy less wheels.

Despite predominantly riding 144s since they first came out, I've always thought 149s and 159s were the best feeling/turning trucks that Indy made.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on May 22, 2025, 10:07:56 AM
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.     

I remember loving 149s on 8.25"s. I was mad for years that there were no 8.25" axle trucks but I realized having the trucks slightly wider than the deck works pretty damn well, especially at that size. I'm about to revisit that theory but with 8.75" axle trucks on 8.62" decks...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 22, 2025, 10:11:06 AM
Expand Quote
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.     
[close]

I remember loving 149s on 8.25"s. I was mad for years that there were no 8.25" axle trucks but I realized having the trucks slightly wider than the deck works pretty damn well, especially at that size. I'm about to revisit that theory but with 8.75" axle trucks on 8.62" decks...

The DLX 8.25 is actually a little closer 8.38, too...so 149s certainly "fit" well on that board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on May 22, 2025, 11:31:48 PM
Expand Quote
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.     
[close]

I remember loving 149s on 8.25"s. I was mad for years that there were no 8.25" axle trucks but I realized having the trucks slightly wider than the deck works pretty damn well, especially at that size. I'm about to revisit that theory but with 8.75" axle trucks on 8.62" decks...
I've been saying this for ages. 149 on 8.25 board unlocks a realm of happiness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 22, 2025, 11:45:29 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Just some random gear stuff / comments / experiences of recent...

I've mentioned my DLX 8.25 / 14.38 has been feeling really small to me the last few months. I've mostly been riding my 8.75 / 14.5 BLKLBL, which is fine for everything but some flip tricks. I've been liking it so much, that I started to consider giving away some of my remaining 8.25 gear. Well, today, for kicks, I decided to throw 149s on the 8.25 (normally ride 144s on it). WOW. I was not expecting it to have the impact it did. Deck felt a bit wider, more stable, turned better (well the turn just felt better), and everything just felt better under my feet. I skated for about an hour, and then put the 144s back on...and hated them. Board suddenly felt way, way too small again (esp. f/s 5-0 grinds (tranny), and doing pivot, feeble, and 50/50 to fakie on tranny...and oddly, b/s grinds on ledges). Put the 149s back on after awhile, and things felt better again. About a year ago I had tried 149s on the 8.25 and hated them. Clearly my proclivities are starting to go towards larger set-ups (I know, I am getting old), and I think riding the 8.75 opened the door for 149s on the 8.25. Looks like I am now back to perseverating over two set-ups again, as opposed to just one. Joy.     
[close]

I remember loving 149s on 8.25"s. I was mad for years that there were no 8.25" axle trucks but I realized having the trucks slightly wider than the deck works pretty damn well, especially at that size. I'm about to revisit that theory but with 8.75" axle trucks on 8.62" decks...
[close]
I've been saying this for ages. 149 on 8.25 board unlocks a realm of happiness.

That’s exactly what I rode prior to 144s..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on May 23, 2025, 08:09:20 AM
Quote from: moonordie
 149 on 8.25 board unlocks a realm of happiness.
[/quote
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on May 23, 2025, 04:42:34 PM
What are good board recommendations for a tech skater on Venture Lows? Is the consensus flatter boards (like Flight decks or Real SE) are a better time? I’m running through some Girl boards right now which I like the feel of, I’m just finding that they’re sogging out fast
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sisig on May 23, 2025, 09:47:29 PM
Just realized my setup is perfect for me but the lack of gear madness makes the setup a little boring
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on May 23, 2025, 09:59:17 PM
Just realized my setup is perfect for me but the lack of gear madness makes the setup a little boring
Don't touch that setup and instead waste money on an egg board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Fifty8mm on May 23, 2025, 10:03:07 PM
What are good board recommendations for a tech skater on Venture Lows? Is the consensus flatter boards (like Flight decks or Real SE) are a better time? I’m running through some Girl boards right now which I like the feel of, I’m just finding that they’re sogging out fast
Depends how strong your legs are. But if you can pop comfortably on girl tails and nose, from my experience bbs boards will feel soggy compared to china epoxy boards. Palace board 8 with 14 wb is good too. Palace 7.75 is fucking great.

Im riding a flat Politic deck 8.25. Such a comfy low effort set up. This is what i prefer. Flatter concave, nose and tail. With venture 5.2 lows.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 26, 2025, 01:39:22 PM
I was thinking it'd be cool to build a quiver of boards from different eras

My phone's dying but this is a really rough idea

70's - skinny
- single kick, bennett trucks? Indy 109's? Tail skid plate... Translucent "road rider" style wheels ~54-56mm, g&s style?

Late 70's/early 80's? - Wide
- single kick, wide pig style board, 215's? Kryptonics-style wheels.. 60mm? Tail skid plate.. Dogtown, Santa cruz?

Mid-Late 80's? Wide w/ all the plastic, bones brigade style
- powell pig style board, plastic rails, nose and tail guards, bones 64mm wheels, 9" stage 4's? super gritty grip..

Early 90's shaped double kick, Jason lee style, ~90, '91?
- double kick, "fishtail" style, no plastic, 169's, ~56mm OG classic-style wheels or lock-ins?

BPSW era, ~92-93?
- 8.75 football, 149's, ~42mm wheels

Earlier popsicle era, 94 on?
- venture lows, 48mm wheels, 7.5-7.75" deck?

East coast 90s popsicle style?
- 8.5 deck and trucks, 60mm wheels

Maybe the last two don't matter so much idk





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 27, 2025, 04:11:53 AM
I was thinking it'd be cool to build a quiver of boards from different eras

My phone's dying but this is a really rough idea




The funny thing is I think I have almost every era of skateboard, definitely not originals, but at the very least all of those type of setups and more, mainly from getting a lot of used and second hand gear and skateboards / parts, but also because it is fun to set up something like that any time someone comes in and said "Hey wouldn't it be cool to make a XXXX board?" and more often than not I have the parts or at least can make something work to be able to set up something that resembles anything and everything.

Crazy how well some of those boards skate, but also how average others are / were to ride, such as the early 60s type of board, of which I do have one, very beat up thing someone donated to us.  Not worth riding but cool to look at and think what they were doing on those sort of boards back then.  As you said 70s almost cruiser type of boards are way more fun than some people think too - just make it turn and get out there and do some laps.

Best era was late 80s going in to early 90s changing out everything on a board besides the trucks and bearings, from fish tails to almost no tails, big fat wheels to almost no wheels, vert ramps down to carpark curbs, but in saying that, almost every other era of skateboarding was amazing too, in its own right.  Anything after the mid 90s is almost modern day skateboarding as we know it, aside from certain brands, quality of product, width of boards, but at least the popsicle has remained constant throughout the 90s, 00s, 10s, and 2020+ now.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 27, 2025, 07:18:05 AM
^ It’s also really interesting that “polarizers” are kind of at both the beginning and “end” of that arc.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 27, 2025, 07:30:23 AM
I was thinking it'd be cool to build a quiver of boards from different eras

My phone's dying but this is a really rough idea

70's - skinny
- single kick, bennett trucks? Indy 109's? Tail skid plate... Translucent "road rider" style wheels ~54-56mm, g&s style?

Late 70's/early 80's? - Wide
- single kick, wide pig style board, 215's? Kryptonics-style wheels.. 60mm? Tail skid plate.. Dogtown, Santa cruz?

Mid-Late 80's? Wide w/ all the plastic, bones brigade style
- powell pig style board, plastic rails, nose and tail guards, bones 64mm wheels, 9" stage 4's? super gritty grip..

Early 90's shaped double kick, Jason lee style, ~90, '91?
- double kick, "fishtail" style, no plastic, 169's, ~56mm OG classic-style wheels or lock-ins?

BPSW era, ~92-93?
- 8.75 football, 149's, ~42mm wheels

Earlier popsicle era, 94 on?
- venture lows, 48mm wheels, 7.5-7.75" deck?

East coast 90s popsicle style?
- 8.5 deck and trucks, 60mm wheels

Maybe the last two don't matter so much idk

LOL I have the last 4 and they are the most important to me.
the last one is my current main setup  8)
the 2nd last one is my kids boards  ;D

and I was skating football and shaped nose style before that and still have em, just beat up now and probably wont care to replace em. i do have some extra franky boards in the wrapper still but i might just keep them they are really cool looking.

the others i suppose i dont care much about because they are from before I started skating
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 27, 2025, 07:54:24 AM
Sounds like a colossal waste of money for a few minutes of novelty on each but still spending the vast majority of your time on your main.

Here's my experience:

90's/early 2000's popsicle with low trucks and small wheels: fun to do low speed flip tricks or skate small ledges, gets stiff feeling and limited the faster you go.

Egg/shaped early 90's. More fun than the one above but always feels subpar compared to a modern popsicle especially if you skate nollie/fakie with any pop and also like nose sliding things.

Weird novelty things like polarizers and micros: fun for a few minutes for shits and giggles, not anything you'd grab and go skate.

Considering the cost of gear you're spending a lot to have a ton you won't use.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on May 27, 2025, 08:03:29 AM
Sounds like a colossal waste of money for a few minutes of novelty on each but still spending the vast majority of your time on your main.

Here's my experience:

90's/early 2000's popsicle with low trucks and small wheels: fun to do low speed flip tricks or skate small ledges, gets stiff feeling and limited the faster you go.

Egg/shaped early 90's. More fun than the one above but always feels subpar compared to a modern popsicle especially if you skate nollie/fakie with any pop and also like nose sliding things.

Weird novelty things like polarizers and micros: fun for a few minutes for shits and giggles, not anything you'd grab and go skate.

Considering the cost of gear you're spending a lot to have a ton you won't use.

Nah having different setups keeps it interesting and lets you explore different angles. They don't need to be era-specific but also hey why not.

Anyway, what would you say is an adequate duration of fun for a one or two hundred dollar purchase? How about if the time is limited but it's really fun for that short time?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 27, 2025, 08:17:20 AM
Sounds like a colossal waste of money for a few minutes of novelty on each but still spending the vast majority of your time on your main.



And if he wants to spend his money that way, more power to him. May not be your cup of tea, but so what?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: neonbrown on May 27, 2025, 10:01:20 AM
A few years ago, when I was really focused on skating and actively improving, I decided one setup was all I needed and everything else was wasting my time. Now that my interest and abilities have waned, I have three distinct setups and I find that each of them allows me to enjoy skateboarding differently; and this actually enhances my time skating, even if it comes at the expense of practice backside tailslides in my mid-40s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 27, 2025, 02:33:02 PM
Yeah, I dialed in my one setup I use for everything, but I always have that itch to try other stuff. Right now I have two boards, one with big wheels and one with normal sized wheels, and I used to have a '86 Powell reissue with 64's and it was a hoot, super fun to skate -and-cruise around on

I think the ones I'd be most interested in trying are the football with 42's and a skinny single kick with Indy 109's

I think the Jason lee style one would skate the same as a regular board today. I think they were using ~55mm freestyle wheels flipped around, on like, 9" trucks. the only ones that really take it in a different direction are the 70's-80's single kick swimming pool boards, esp the pre-concave 70's ones, and the BPSW 92-93 ones

BPSW board would kinda just be a novelty, 70's-80's boards could be a fun cruiser

I think it's fun to think about, with what we know now and what tricks have been invented, to put yourself on a 70's board and see what you can do... can be inspiring

I think for all intents and purposes tho, a legit cruiser for filming/transportation with like some Powell Snakes, a crust busting board with some 60mm's or whatever, and a regular ol generic 8.25-8.5 street setup is prolly all you need

But like if you're having a bad day skating at a skatepark or something you could whip out a 70's board or a BPSW setup and find another way to have fun and look at things 🤷‍♀️
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on May 27, 2025, 02:44:48 PM
For me it's not about max abilities but they all make any normal skating I do of any type harder than it should be while not offering any advantage or fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 28, 2025, 06:09:36 AM
.

With respect to everyone who has posted since the post about all the different setups, I have this to add:

Some days I don't really want to "be normal" on a skateboard, so something that is more just a cruiser can be a very welcome change, to just do laps of where ever I might be at the time.

A lot of special smaller cruisers are cut downs from original normal boards, not a shop bought complete like the Zip Zingers or so many others, which then makes things a little more personal or fun for some of those people who have taken the time and effort to reshape them, or as I used to do for kids and others, even just a regular used board turned around, shape the worn down tail in so it is a very blunt new nose, maybe the same a little for the new tail end too, old trucks and then soft wheels and there you go, instant DIY cruiser that can still be skated well enough if needed.

Some people who have lost the love of normal skateboards can really find peace and enjoy riding cruisers around, one in particular was a child prodigy, bright future, just burned out, so giving him one of those boards, he didn't quit and still skates again now, on any board he can get, rather than giving up and walking away, which he said he was going to do.

I think the only thing I have really spent money on with these are the wheels, as everything else has been old stuff and random left overs, but even then, there are still a lot of good parts out there you can buy specifically to make something more fun.


* I tried a polariser when someone brought one in, but wasn't really feeling it - yes personal opinion I know - but I have all manner of other random type boards for people to try and have a go on, so it is not a worry whatever people want to roll on, which is better than a whole lot of other things they could be doing if they didn't have a skateboard.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 28, 2025, 11:56:21 AM
Yoooo I just figured out a mad prime way to buy more gear and not feel guilty
Just get people to film you in exchange for gear!!
Then you can still try out this new cool thing but if you don’t like it you don’t have to worry!
I was trying to figure out ways to give away more stuff
Was hard to find people I was stoked on
and now finally have found 2 photographers I can hook up with hella shit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on May 29, 2025, 10:05:42 PM
I was never much of a weight weenie. Didn’t think it mattered to me. I’ve had one set of hollow trucks that I didn’t really like and gave away. Anyway, I set up a GFB twin blank last weekend with stage 4 151s and classic 55s. Felt ok but was super heavy for my “tech” set up (meaning curbs and flat). Then I picked up some AF1 hollow 60s and 52mm OG classics in the recent sales and lo and behold it’s 110g of weight difference on the same deck. Seems pretty significant but how will it translate to  actual skateboarding? Late the weight madness begin…. 

Stage 4s are back on a Natas reissue with big old OJs and will remain there…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 30, 2025, 06:05:58 PM
 The Indy 159 - 60mm wheels - blue eagle combo was super fun, but I've decided to sell them and use the 58mm radials instead, on AF1 60's.

I keep my "anti-madness" board around but realized I like the wide/square wheels and aces a lot. Cody Chapman footage got me feeling some type of way. Man can that guy kickflip.

Anti-madness board is an 8.25 og baker, Indy 149's, 54mm spitfire classic shape.

Current board I'm having fun on: ace AF1 55's, 54mm spitfire conical full 97's or radial 93's, easy rider blue eagle 8.5

I have a set of 58mm radial 93's that need a setup, I want to put em on a baker og 8.475 or DBX 8.5 eagle, and AF1 60's with 1/8" risers

Things I want to try: radial full 97's in 54 and 58, conical full 97's in 58


Edit: decided fuck it and put the 58mm radials on the AF1 55's with no risers, gonna skate that tomorrow if it stops raining. This puts them at the same height as indys with 54's I think
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 31, 2025, 11:08:47 AM
Holy shit, I fuckin solved my rampant madness of the past few weeks.

Realized that I don't need wider trucks or riser pads to use bigger wheels, and that I kinda prefer 58's to 60's anyway

Full circle ten years later hahah, when I first moved to Montana I was on 149's and 54's and 8.5 dlx boards.. I wanted bigger wheels within that first year, found some 57mm spitfires at a thrift store on a complete setup for like $8.99, and just slapped em on there. That worked and still does. When I moved again I sold my boards with big wheels, by then I had moved up to 159's.. Then like a year into living in Alaska I switched to aces... Last year I switched back to indys.. here I am again on the same shit as ten years ago 😆 just gonna leave it this time

Turns out all my madness pretty much hinges on whether I'm on Indy 149's or not

Can't do 159's, can't do 139's. Ace AF1 55's feel like they're 8.25". And I have to swap the bushings to the hard ones. And they're lower.

I think as long as I got an 8.5" with some 149's, I can fuck around with any kinda wheels I want and not need to use risers or anything. I have so much shit to get rid of hahah

I also don't really like the flick on LRABs or Vans, and chuck Taylor pros are kinda too thin for me, so I think I'm just gonna stick with blazer mids.

For the foreseeable future I'll be on blazer mids, the blue eagle shape with cast Indy 149s, and whatever wheels I feel like or the spot might require. This way I'm comfy and consistent but I can switch it up/scratch the madness itch with the wheels without changing the feel too much

(https://i.ibb.co/Gf1z8N7h/IMG-20250531-093521948.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/7d939TkL/IMG-20250531-093641361.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/KpMQxMPk/IMG-20250531-093405731.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Existential Pie Sitch on June 01, 2025, 03:30:27 PM
Got some madness, for no reason I got it in my head my stock Indy bushings were cursed/too stiff for some reason so I put my hard ace low bushings in my forged hollow
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 03, 2025, 02:43:58 PM
The most recent Ben DeGros video...he talks about "60 Days Sober from Setup Madness." I like the idea of "X Days of Madness Sobriety."

How many days do you have? I am at like 7.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 03, 2025, 05:49:26 PM
The most recent Ben DeGros video...he talks about "60 Days Sober from Setup Madness." I like the idea of "X Days of Madness Sobriety."

How many days do you have? I am at like 7.

Haha that's awesome

3 days sober from setup madness here

Skated some beluga sculptures on the side of the highway. The 58mm, indy 149, no risers combo works super well. Idk why I thought I needed wider trucks and risers just to use a wheel that only takes away like 2mm of clearance for wheelbite and grind space. Gonna just start collecting spitfire 93's and 97's in 54, 56, and 58. When I feel madness I can rock a different wheel.

 Also decided to keep my fastbreaks, chucks, and dunks so I can switch it up. I gotta set rules and boundaries for myself or I'll watch some video, get inspired and wanna try a bunch of other stuff, then I end up just going back to my same shit. It's like when I was wearing baggy tapered pants, like the Levi's 560's or whatever, but I'm too autistic for that shit cause I need pants that fit over boots or pants I can take off and on without taking my shoes off in certain scenarios it saves a lot of time esp if you wear high tops laced up.. my whole pants game rn is just 874's and b11's, b01's and shit. With the exception of my Filson and Patagonia shit but I don't skate in that
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on June 03, 2025, 09:39:26 PM
I don't think it's unreasonable to think of things so long as ur not tempted and don't take action. Madness is like addiction you never quit you just take it 1 day at a time.

I'm pretty settled on trucks, wheels, and a home base shape or two. Curious to maybe try some other shapes but not interested in anything else. Only edge case is somehow T2's are magic and have durable bushings, but even then I am less interested in those than I am in normal Thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 03, 2025, 11:27:56 PM
The most recent Ben DeGros video...he talks about "60 Days Sober from Setup Madness." I like the idea of "X Days of Madness Sobriety."

How many days do you have? I am at like 7.
40 days in here since 26.4
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 03, 2025, 11:40:48 PM
The most recent Ben DeGros video...he talks about "60 Days Sober from Setup Madness." I like the idea of "X Days of Madness Sobriety."

How many days do you have? I am at like 7.

Ha! One day at a time.

I'm at about a month now with my DLX 8.25 x 14.38 // Venture cast 5.6 // Spit 55 new duro 97 Radials.
Haven't felt this comfortable all around in a long time.

Madness looms, though, as I've got plans to set up a Baker b16 shape with Indy cast 149s....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 04, 2025, 01:17:32 AM
I'm struggling to stay AWAKE after riding Ventures and 1 deck shape for close to 2 years, nothing wrong just the itch to try Indys or Royal again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 04, 2025, 03:43:54 AM
Expand Quote
The most recent Ben DeGros video...he talks about "60 Days Sober from Setup Madness." I like the idea of "X Days of Madness Sobriety."

How many days do you have? I am at like 7.
[close]

Ha! One day at a time.

I'm at about a month now with my DLX 8.25 x 14.38 // Venture cast 5.6 // Spit 55 new duro 97 Radials.
Haven't felt this comfortable all around in a long time.

Madness looms, though, as I've got plans to set up a Baker b16 shape with Indy cast 149s....

B16 with cast Indy 149's is such a good home base/madness cure
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 04, 2025, 04:10:31 AM
I'm struggling to stay AWAKE after riding Ventures and 1 deck shape for close to 2 years, nothing wrong just the itch to try Indys or Royal again.

It's ok to scratch the itch. Ventures will feel even better again once you go back to them after the initial "whoa" and the sequential "meh" of any other trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on June 04, 2025, 04:39:13 AM
I'm struggling to stay AWAKE after riding Ventures and 1 deck shape for close to 2 years, nothing wrong just the itch to try Indys or Royal again.
I was awake for a while. Went back to independent and started skating better and progressing faster.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: slappyjoes on June 04, 2025, 05:45:00 AM
Thinking of going from indys to lurpivs. Would you say the pinch is the same with indy standards and lurpivs?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: BeachChicken on June 04, 2025, 06:15:16 AM
It's notably worse with Lurpiv. I ride Indy's mostly and found Lurpiv is on par with Ace, which for me is notably worse than Indy but prob depends on wheels too. I ride 53 Classics or Radials and had 54 Radials on Lurpiv. To me they're inferior to Indy's except for turning stability but you can get that by just tightening your trucks and shit.

I too was Awake for almost a year and realized that I prefer a slightly tighter Indy to a looser Venture most of the time. Similar timing, but lighter pop, better grind, better manual point, and better grind. They also pair with more decks and it doesn't suck when I get a steep press.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 04, 2025, 08:58:59 AM
Expand Quote
I'm struggling to stay AWAKE after riding Ventures and 1 deck shape for close to 2 years, nothing wrong just the itch to try Indys or Royal again.
[close]

It's ok to scratch the itch. Ventures will feel even better again once you go back to them after the initial "whoa" and the sequential "meh" of any other trucks.

Expand Quote
I'm struggling to stay AWAKE after riding Ventures and 1 deck shape for close to 2 years, nothing wrong just the itch to try Indys or Royal again.
[close]
I was awake for a while. Went back to independent and started skating better and progressing faster.

(https://imgflip.com/s/meme/Two-Buttons.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 06, 2025, 01:22:54 PM
This is the gear madness corral I've built myself into, to prevent hoarding/inconsistency/blaming my setup for shit that's obviously just me

Trucks: cast baseplate Indy 149s, standard or hollow
- No truck madness, just stock bushings, washers, etc
- No risers
Decks: 8.5"/14.25wb Real or Anti Hero "blue eagle" shape, including DBX and Easy Riders. Baker B16 if I for some reason can't get a blue eagle shape
Bolts: small head 7/8" Allen like Shorty's, modus, etc
Grip: always plain black
Bearings: any Bones or Bones Reds
Wheels: any spitfire f4s 54mm to 60mm
Shoes: Cons or Nike sb, mainly dunks, fastbreaks, blazers, and chucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 06, 2025, 01:47:03 PM

…54mm to 60mm


That’s a crazy toleration window. 2mm off on my wheel size, I am going full hissy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on June 06, 2025, 03:00:06 PM
from my experience if theyre classics the adjustment period aint by much. classic to conical full tho to me feels like a bigger adjustment
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 06, 2025, 10:00:20 PM
Expand Quote

…54mm to 60mm

[close]

That’s a crazy toleration window. 2mm off on my wheel size, I am going full hissy.

for me it takes about a half an hour to get used to. 58-60's are a little wild, and so are radial fulls, but that's how I'm allowing myself to mess around without changing too much. A tighter window would be 54 to 56, radials and classics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bombsaway86 on June 07, 2025, 10:42:23 PM
Just went through a few months of wheel madness only to land right back at Formula 4s. I really love the Bones x99s, but I wish they made them in a shape like the OG classics. I tried the V7 double lock shape, but they are too wide for me and make most things harder. V6 shape in 58mm would be sick too
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 11, 2025, 05:03:06 PM
Nitpicking little details about my setup

I don't really like the hollow kingpins, they don't grind as easy and they wear down weird

I've been using bigger wheels which puts more weight to the outside of my board making it harder to flip. Which could be a good thing, when I was trying 144's on 8.5 decks the board flipped way too fast for me.

I was thinking of trying to shave a little weight from the outside of my setup and add a little weight on the middle for some perceived marginal gains

Deck: DBX eagle 8.5"
Wheels: 56mm spitfire classics
Bearings: ceramic Reds w/ no shields
Trucks: titanium Indy 149 hanger on standard, not-hollow baseplates
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: neonbrown on June 11, 2025, 06:30:55 PM
I prefer a slightly tighter Indy to a looser Venture most of the time.

That’s the thing. An Indy can be tightened until it turns like a Venture, but a Venture will never turn like an Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 11, 2025, 11:12:22 PM
Just wanted to say fuck blacks axle nuts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on June 16, 2025, 04:41:39 AM
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 16, 2025, 07:50:57 AM
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on June 16, 2025, 07:58:00 AM
Expand Quote
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
[close]

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).

Any information about steepness?  Bought an 8.38 anti hero last year and was disappointed how flat it was compared to the nhs kicks (I think it was a Chinese one, Sticker was centered between bolt holes)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 16, 2025, 08:03:14 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
[close]

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).
[close]

Any information about steepness?  Bought an 8.38 anti hero last year and was disappointed how flat it was compared to the nhs kicks (I think it was a Chinese one, Sticker was centered between bolt holes)

Do you know what Roman Numeral you had?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 16, 2025, 08:50:26 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
[close]

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).
[close]

Any information about steepness?  Bought an 8.38 anti hero last year and was disappointed how flat it was compared to the nhs kicks (I think it was a Chinese one, Sticker was centered between bolt holes)
[close]

Do you know what Roman Numeral you had?

The Chinese ones don't have numbers, they're single press.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 16, 2025, 09:01:08 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
[close]

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).
[close]

Any information about steepness?  Bought an 8.38 anti hero last year and was disappointed how flat it was compared to the nhs kicks (I think it was a Chinese one, Sticker was centered between bolt holes)
[close]

Do you know what Roman Numeral you had?
[close]

The Chinese ones don't have numbers, they're single press.

Yup! Skimmed that too quick before responding and missed that he had a Chinese one. My bad.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 16, 2025, 05:22:48 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
[close]

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).
[close]

Any information about steepness?  Bought an 8.38 anti hero last year and was disappointed how flat it was compared to the nhs kicks (I think it was a Chinese one, Sticker was centered between bolt holes)


The funniest thing is the 8.38 size does actually seem like the most mellow of all, as I have a lot of them.

That said, if you are like me in Australia (or anywhere else in the world) where DLX China boards are becoming the norm and BBS is being phased out, there are still a few, such as the AH white eagle, which as mentioned above is maybe the closest to that size, which is still BBS.

Compared to NHS concaves, though, I think a number of board brands might take some getting used to, which is why I hadn't made comment earlier, but for me the NHS concave is way too steep, so it is all relative.  On the other hand, sometimes trying something and then getting used to it over time could work better.  One thing I could never appreciate, as per a number of other people was the NHS boards had such short tails.  The white eagle is a little longer than average in the tail in that regard.

Even checking out the Cardiel 8.62 shape could be an option, which has 14.5 / 14.6 wb and reasonable / normal kicks.

Also Black Label and a few other brands use the BBS / Generator shapes which are sometimes quite steep, which might also be of interest, also good length kicks, but then it really depends on what is around.  There are so few Black Label boards here in AU it seems.


* The DLX China 8.75 (which has the same dimensions) might be good enough over time as it is very stiff, like the NHS boards, so might feel a little more normal in terms of pop, compared to BBS or PS Stix or other woodshops.  There is the Doobie fishing graphic out at the moment, plus a few older graphics still in most shops I have seen.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on June 17, 2025, 10:40:44 AM
I ride Spitfire 52mm Conicals for a few years now. Yesterday morning I woke up and want to ride some Classics again. But I mostly skate crusty streets and rough skateparks, that's why I chose the Conicals. But I want the Classics to perform similar on shitty grounds and cracks, but with easier flips.

If I want to skate Classics again, should I get them in 52mm too? It's either 52 or 53 because 54 felt a bit too big the last time I tried those. What do the pals think about the Conicals VS Classics?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DERBY on June 17, 2025, 10:54:09 AM
I ride Spitfire 52mm Conicals for a few years now. Yesterday morning I woke up and want to ride some Classics again. But I mostly skate crusty streets and rough skateparks, that's why I chose the Conicals. But I want the Classics to perform similar on shitty grounds and cracks, but with easier flips.

If I want to skate Classics again, should I get them in 52mm too? It's either 52 or 53 because 54 felt a bit too big the last time I tried those. What do the pals think about the Conicals VS Classics?

cant speak on conicals. had 56mm conical fulls and not even a 60mm classic could match that imo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 17, 2025, 11:08:04 AM
I ride Spitfire 52mm Conicals for a few years now. Yesterday morning I woke up and want to ride some Classics again. But I mostly skate crusty streets and rough skateparks, that's why I chose the Conicals. But I want the Classics to perform similar on shitty grounds and cracks, but with easier flips.

If I want to skate Classics again, should I get them in 52mm too? It's either 52 or 53 because 54 felt a bit too big the last time I tried those. What do the pals think about the Conicals VS Classics?

52mm Classics cross some kind of "too small" line for me once outside of a pristine skate park. 53mm is my go-to. And yes, 54mm seems to big for me, too. That said, Classics just wont be a smooth as a wider contact patch wheel on Crust. Could also try Radials.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on June 17, 2025, 11:27:55 AM
Expand Quote
I ride Spitfire 52mm Conicals for a few years now. Yesterday morning I woke up and want to ride some Classics again. But I mostly skate crusty streets and rough skateparks, that's why I chose the Conicals. But I want the Classics to perform similar on shitty grounds and cracks, but with easier flips.

If I want to skate Classics again, should I get them in 52mm too? It's either 52 or 53 because 54 felt a bit too big the last time I tried those. What do the pals think about the Conicals VS Classics?
[close]

52mm Classics cross some kind of "too small" line for me once outside of a pristine skate park. 53mm is my go-to. And yes, 54mm seems to big for me, too. That said, Classics just wont be a smooth as a wider contact patch wheel on Crust. Could also try Radials.

i move around between 52-54mm in all F4 shapes… my favorite all-around any scenario wheel (ie. midwest) is the 52mm radial 99am.  it’s like a pre-worn 53-54mm classic. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 17, 2025, 04:28:08 PM
.

Radial is definitely the middle ground, still has rounded edges but has a wider riding surface, so it works well for (almost) everything for most people.  Had to put the almost in there, because some people still find they catch or drag a bit more, especially if they are used to Classics, but the rounded profile is the main thing here.

They also come in 52, 53 and 54 mm sizes, which for the most part are fairly easily available, so a 53 mm size wheel will last longer than 52, but not feel as big or chunky as a 54 mm wheel.  Might be excessive logic, but it is noticeable the steps up from one size to another.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 17, 2025, 04:52:47 PM
.

Radial is definitely the middle ground, still has rounded edges but has a wider riding surface, so it works well for (almost) everything for most people.  Had to put the almost in there, because some people still find they catch or drag a bit more, especially if they are used to Classics, but the rounded profile is the main thing here.

They also come in 52, 53 and 54 mm sizes, which for the most part are fairly easily available, so a 53 mm size wheel will last longer than 52, but not feel as big or chunky as a 54 mm wheel.  Might be excessive logic, but it is noticeable the steps up from one size to another.

I am “one of those people.” My biggest beef with Radials, coming from Classics, is how big/clunky/weighty they are (hence the constant wish / pipe dream for the return of Radial Slims). They do “train track” a little (more than Classics), but no where near as bad as Conicals, Tablets, etc. All this said, they are good middle ground between Classics and Full Connies.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on June 18, 2025, 12:18:41 AM
@fs1/2cab Have you considered trying the 93s? The Reynolds pro model comes in 52, 53, and 54mm. They would give you the classic shape and still eat up crust much better than the 99A equivalent.

If you're partial to 99s, you might also consider classic fulls in 52 or 53mm. There are still a few sets of those available at various shops here in the EU (iirc you're from Berlin!?). They are a little wider than regular classics but the same general shape.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 18, 2025, 07:45:04 AM
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.

Radial is definitely the middle ground, still has rounded edges but has a wider riding surface, so it works well for (almost) everything for most people.  Had to put the almost in there, because some people still find they catch or drag a bit more, especially if they are used to Classics, but the rounded profile is the main thing here.

They also come in 52, 53 and 54 mm sizes, which for the most part are fairly easily available, so a 53 mm size wheel will last longer than 52, but not feel as big or chunky as a 54 mm wheel.  Might be excessive logic, but it is noticeable the steps up from one size to another.
[close]

I am “one of those people.” My biggest beef with Radials, coming from Classics, is how big/clunky/weighty they are (hence the constant wish / pipe dream for the return of Radial Slims). They do “train track” a little (more than Classics), but no where near as bad as Conicals, Tablets, etc. All this said, they are good middle ground between Classics and Full Connies.


And just because we are in the madness thread, here's me over here with a half dozen sets of 55 and 56 mm Classics, taking them down to 52 - 53 mm very much like a fat little Classic Full and thinking why didn't I do this a long time ago?!?

But really I do prefer Classics, just not so much when they are new, but once they have worn down a few mm, so the wider 55 and 56 and even 58 mm once taken down a few mm are way more comfortable for me.


Radials were the middle ground, but really I still like the rounder edge of Classics, so I rounded off some Radials too, which also work better now.  Apart from that, I think some of these older Conical Full wheels I have rounded down would almost be better recycled into Lil Smokies, but if it wasn't such a massive cost to ship them back over to USA, I would happily take down any number of wheels into Radial Slim shapes to send to anyone who wanted them.

That said, anyone super keen could start to practice on some old wheels to make their own from other shapes.  It does work and is pretty easy once people get the hang of it.  Of course, spending that much time on something like that, it is easier to just buy Classics and be done, for a number of people I know and talk to in person, so maybe I am in the minority when I like to modify most things on my setups.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 18, 2025, 08:05:23 AM
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.

Radial is definitely the middle ground, still has rounded edges but has a wider riding surface, so it works well for (almost) everything for most people.  Had to put the almost in there, because some people still find they catch or drag a bit more, especially if they are used to Classics, but the rounded profile is the main thing here.

They also come in 52, 53 and 54 mm sizes, which for the most part are fairly easily available, so a 53 mm size wheel will last longer than 52, but not feel as big or chunky as a 54 mm wheel.  Might be excessive logic, but it is noticeable the steps up from one size to another.
[close]

I am “one of those people.” My biggest beef with Radials, coming from Classics, is how big/clunky/weighty they are (hence the constant wish / pipe dream for the return of Radial Slims). They do “train track” a little (more than Classics), but no where near as bad as Conicals, Tablets, etc. All this said, they are good middle ground between Classics and Full Connies.
[close]


And just because we are in the madness thread, here's me over here with a half dozen sets of 55 and 56 mm Classics, taking them down to 52 - 53 mm very much like a fat little Classic Full and thinking why didn't I do this a long time ago?!?

But really I do prefer Classics, just not so much when they are new, but once they have worn down a few mm, so the wider 55 and 56 and even 58 mm once taken down a few mm are way more comfortable for me.


Radials were the middle ground, but really I still like the rounder edge of Classics, so I rounded off some Radials too, which also work better now.  Apart from that, I think some of these older Conical Full wheels I have rounded down would almost be better recycled into Lil Smokies, but if it wasn't such a massive cost to ship them back over to USA, I would happily take down any number of wheels into Radial Slim shapes to send to anyone who wanted them.

That said, anyone super keen could start to practice on some old wheels to make their own from other shapes.  It does work and is pretty easy once people get the hang of it.  Of course, spending that much time on something like that, it is easier to just buy Classics and be done, for a number of people I know and talk to in person, so maybe I am in the minority when I like to modify most things on my setups.

Classic Fulls should make a come back. Kind of shocks me they haven't with the current "full" trend. Last set of Classic Fulls I had....I broke my leg on, so not sure I'd get them again, though. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on June 18, 2025, 08:10:15 AM
There's some Bighead F4s coming. Not quite Classic Fulls but getting closer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 18, 2025, 08:15:44 AM
There's some Bighead F4s coming. Not quite Classic Fulls but getting closer.

You have my attention. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 18, 2025, 08:20:51 AM
Those called "Repeaters" aren't indeed classics full?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on June 18, 2025, 08:36:40 AM
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There's some Bighead F4s coming. Not quite Classic Fulls but getting closer.
[close]

You have my attention. :)

Looks like a 54mm and black 57mm, this upcoming drop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 18, 2025, 08:59:34 AM
A 56mm Classic worn down to 55mm might be the best all around wheel shape and size ever.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on June 18, 2025, 09:08:37 AM
A 56mm Classic worn down to 55mm might be the best all around wheel shape and size ever.

I'm currently on some Classic 58s worn to about 56mm... just getting good.

I've taken classic 58s down to 50 before retiring them in the past. you have to be diligent with rotation to keep them looking even and equal size.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 18, 2025, 09:12:52 AM
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A 56mm Classic worn down to 55mm might be the best all around wheel shape and size ever.
[close]

I'm currently on some Classic 58s worn to about 56mm... just getting good.

I've taken classic 58s down to 50 before retiring them in the past. you have to be diligent with rotation to keep them looking even and equal size.

I'm lazy as with rotating wheels. I just sometimes take a set off and then put them back in a random order after riding some other wheels for a while. Guess that can count as rotating if I'm lucky.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on June 18, 2025, 09:56:18 AM
Those called "Repeaters" aren't indeed classics full?

They are. I've got a set, the black ones in 53mm. The contact patch is still too small for me because I'm an ogre, but it's the most visually pleasing wheel I own, color notwithstanding.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 18, 2025, 01:16:47 PM
I've been Madness Free for quite awhile, but it's back, and in a form I've grappled with before: 144s or 149s on my 8.25 DLX.

A local shop also has a DLX 8.4 IV stamped (IV is all I ride from DLX). I've always had negative experiences with 14.25 WB, so that alone should be sending up red flags....but for some reason I am really tempted. I hope someone else quickly buys it so I can't.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: nurkdurk on June 18, 2025, 04:40:50 PM
To piggyback everyone on the classic to radial front, I just measured some 55 classics worn down to 53 even. Contact patch is now 21mm wide. Pretty damn close to a radial, which brand new would be 19.5 for a 53.

I would have rather started out with a smaller wheel than powersliding the crap out of those 55s to get them smaller. If you're not on buttery smooth surfaces I wouldn't do classics starting in a smaller size personally.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 18, 2025, 04:58:39 PM
In the same boat too

I only kept my classics and radials after taking a hard look at everything, and I want more large classics and radials to wear down, and I don't use my already-worn-a-bit 54mms as much as my 60's and 58s, and I'm really tryna grip some 56s. Definlike classics more than radials for the way they wear down and still have some round edge
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 19, 2025, 09:04:35 PM
Madness returned, after a long hiatus. Ended up spending most of the day in the garage, mixing setups. Went from 8.25 Easy Rider w/ Ace AF1 44s to BBS 8.5 w/ Ace AF1 60s, visited 8.5 w/ Indy 159 Ti's on the way. Madness seems to be back at bay, for now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 19, 2025, 10:32:52 PM
Thought I'd enter Ye Olde Madness Realm upon setting up a Baker b16 with cast Indy 149s after being on a narrower deck with Ventures for a long while (and really enjoying my time), but no. Felt gooood. Been neglecting cast Indys for too long, probably should get back into them more.

Seems like the mellow shape of the b16 pairs well with taller trucks, etc. whatnot, whatever, I don't even wanna think about the nerdy details, just glad there's hope in some kind of consistency of my skating.
 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 19, 2025, 11:31:56 PM
I had a weekend relapse, getting those mag lights was a really stupid thing to do.
Bushings suck, felt like I had 0 control due to the lack of weight on my board and the Venture wannabe look didn't help either.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on June 20, 2025, 09:51:59 AM
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Need some advice. For the last 2 years I've been riding creatures 8.6 shape with the 14.6 wheelbase. I've tried some smaller boards and shorter wheelbases here and there and realised, short wheelbase does nothing for me and I don't like flat kicks.

Any advice for similar shapes? Maybe a little bit more tail & concave over the wheels.
[close]

Try the DLX 8.75 with a 14.62 wb. DLX board come with a roman numeral stamped over the front truck holes (I, II. III and IV). "IV" is the flattest, and "I" is the steepest.deepest (with II and III in between).
[close]

Any information about steepness?  Bought an 8.38 anti hero last year and was disappointed how flat it was compared to the nhs kicks (I think it was a Chinese one, Sticker was centered between bolt holes)
[close]


The funniest thing is the 8.38 size does actually seem like the most mellow of all, as I have a lot of them.

That said, if you are like me in Australia (or anywhere else in the world) where DLX China boards are becoming the norm and BBS is being phased out, there are still a few, such as the AH white eagle, which as mentioned above is maybe the closest to that size, which is still BBS.

Compared to NHS concaves, though, I think a number of board brands might take some getting used to, which is why I hadn't made comment earlier, but for me the NHS concave is way too steep, so it is all relative.  On the other hand, sometimes trying something and then getting used to it over time could work better.  One thing I could never appreciate, as per a number of other people was the NHS boards had such short tails.  The white eagle is a little longer than average in the tail in that regard.

Even checking out the Cardiel 8.62 shape could be an option, which has 14.5 / 14.6 wb and reasonable / normal kicks.

Also Black Label and a few other brands use the BBS / Generator shapes which are sometimes quite steep, which might also be of interest, also good length kicks, but then it really depends on what is around.  There are so few Black Label boards here in AU it seems.


* The DLX China 8.75 (which has the same dimensions) might be good enough over time as it is very stiff, like the NHS boards, so might feel a little more normal in terms of pop, compared to BBS or PS Stix or other woodshops.  There is the Doobie fishing graphic out at the moment, plus a few older graphics still in most shops I have seen.

Got myself another 8.6.  The "new" 8.6 shape with the shorter 14.25 wheelbase. When on top of the 14.6 wb version I can see it's the exact same shape just shorter.

Interesting thing is, I  didn't need much time to adjust or disliked it instantly (happened to many times) so I think sometimes wheelbase doesn't matter. It seems like kicks/concave shouldn't be ignored
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 23, 2025, 12:49:23 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/IVTvogP.jpeg)
I was very ok madness wise until somebody posted something like "madness free for x days" and from my here it started for me in the most hardcore way.
So...
On this board (great shape btw) I had: Tensor Mag Lights, Indy hollows and now AF1 (all in their 8.5 variant)
Hated the mag lights because I felt I had no control even while pushing so I went back to Indy and it's ok but obvsly the "what if" popped up so why not try again Ace? I'll be able to skate them tomorrow or Wednesday and then I'll decide between Ace Or Indy finally.
Also I've been eating a lot of peebles lately so the "It seems this wheels are too thin" appeared so I have to get my shit together  regarding what trucks I'll stick with and after that on the next board I'll come back (again) to CF.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 23, 2025, 02:28:16 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/IVTvogP.jpeg)
I was very ok madness wise until somebody posted something like "madness free for x days" and from my here it started for me in the most hardcore way.
So...
On this board (great shape btw) I had: Tensor Mag Lights, Indy hollows and now AF1 (all in their 8.5 variant)
Hated the mag lights because I felt I had no control even while pushing so I went back to Indy and it's ok but obvsly the "what if" popped up so why not try again Ace? I'll be able to skate them tomorrow or Wednesday and then I'll decide between Ace Or Indy finally.

I agree, great shape, I have the variant without wheel wells. To mix it up a bit, why not try AF1 60s? I feel like the 14.38 wb and 8.75 axles provide nice stability without being too hefty for my taste. Obviously then wheels need to be thin unless you like hot rod.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 23, 2025, 02:53:20 AM
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(https://i.imgur.com/IVTvogP.jpeg)
I was very ok madness wise until somebody posted something like "madness free for x days" and from my here it started for me in the most hardcore way.
So...
On this board (great shape btw) I had: Tensor Mag Lights, Indy hollows and now AF1 (all in their 8.5 variant)
Hated the mag lights because I felt I had no control even while pushing so I went back to Indy and it's ok but obvsly the "what if" popped up so why not try again Ace? I'll be able to skate them tomorrow or Wednesday and then I'll decide between Ace Or Indy finally.
[close]

I agree, great shape, I have the variant without wheel wells. To mix it up a bit, why not try AF1 60s? I feel like the 14.38 wb and 8.75 axles provide nice stability without being too hefty for my taste. Obviously then wheels need to be thin unless you like hot rod.
This one is 8.25 x 14.125. Not really interested in getting trucks wider than 8.5
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on June 23, 2025, 04:49:09 AM
This one is 8.25 x 14.125. Not really interesting in getting trucks wider than 8.5

My bad - thought also the board was 8.5.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 23, 2025, 11:26:01 AM
I think we should starting using those “days sober” tracking apps…but for gear madness. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on June 23, 2025, 11:35:37 AM
Then I'm the Dustin Dollin of gear madness. I don't have a problem, I'm just having fun. I could easily stop trying different stuff every other session. I just don't want to.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 23, 2025, 04:34:21 PM
Then I'm the Dustin Dollin of gear madness. I don't have a problem, I'm just having fun. I could easily stop trying different stuff every other session. I just don't want to.


Ha yeah that is it for sure.

I have what I regularly ride and know what works, but now I feel like I want to try these other things, just to see how they compare.  Maybe it is just me being a "special case" and I like killing myself in that way, but overall, I find it very interesting using different gear and seeing what works, what doesn't work, how I could make things work for me, vs how others I skate with make things work (or don't work) for them.

All up I don't need to change anything but it keeps it a little more interesting and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 23, 2025, 04:43:13 PM
Quote

…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 23, 2025, 11:36:07 PM
Quote
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…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.
[close]

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.
Somebody has to take the bullet for all of you guys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on June 24, 2025, 12:00:36 AM
Not unexpectedly, my honeymoon with the Baker b16 paired with Indy cast 149s has not survived without running into some insecurity issues. Admittedly unsurprisingly my pop consistency (which isn't world class anyway) has been dwindling. I hate it when I have to make an expedition of searching for my back foot position. The georaphical area seems vast all of a sudden and there be monsters.

While the b16 setup wasn't looking, I secretly put my trusty old Venture cast 5.6 + DLX 8.25 complete back together and most f*cking definitely will be sipping from that bottle soon to see if the grass on the other side was indeed merely projected as being greener.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 24, 2025, 12:00:39 AM
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…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.
[close]

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.
[close]
Somebody has to take the bullet for all of you guys.

Oh, I absolutely include myself in that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on June 24, 2025, 12:52:59 AM
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…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.
[close]

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.
[close]
Somebody has to take the bullet for all of you guys.
Gotta justify my shopping addiction / gear madness somehow.

I agree what @Mbrimson88 mentioned - being able to share 1st hand experience of the gear you're riding is invaluable, 2x if you're running a shop and can give an honest assessment of gear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on June 30, 2025, 01:57:56 AM
After a heavy madness relapse:
- Board we're good. 8.25 and between 31.75 and 32. WB ideally 8.25. No more HLC ever again. I should stick with BBS
- Trucks: Back to Indy, good. Once they're done I'll skate again the hollow Lurpivs I skate before and then Indy again. 55mm tall is what it works for me.
- Wheels: I had a fucking parade of shapes and duros. Currently I find that 93 53mm classics are really comfy for me for now. Once they're done probably I'll skate CF. Never again a wheel that's not 53mm.
- Shoes: 933 checked all my boxes.

So far so good (finally).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on June 30, 2025, 06:05:04 AM
Not unexpectedly, my honeymoon with the Baker b16 paired with Indy cast 149s has not survived without running into some insecurity issues. Admittedly unsurprisingly my pop consistency (which isn't world class anyway) has been dwindling. I hate it when I have to make an expedition of searching for my back foot position. The georaphical area seems vast all of a sudden and there be monsters.

While the b16 setup wasn't looking, I secretly put my trusty old Venture cast 5.6 + DLX 8.25 complete back together and most f*cking definitely will be sipping from that bottle soon to see if the grass on the other side was indeed merely projected as being greener.

Every time I go back to Indy there’s a honeymoon period where the tight turn has me distracted. Then I realize my pop is like half as consistent and 30% lower and I crawl home to Mama Venture.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 30, 2025, 06:57:18 AM


Got myself another 8.6.  The "new" 8.6 shape with the shorter 14.25 wheelbase. When on top of the 14.6 wb version I can see it's the exact same shape just shorter.

Interesting thing is, I  didn't need much time to adjust or disliked it instantly (happened to many times) so I think sometimes wheelbase doesn't matter. It seems like kicks/concave shouldn't be ignored


I had meant to reply to this the other day, but thought I would let you have at least a week to skate the shorter board and see if it still worked or if something just didn't add up for you.

Finding a few other longer wheelbase boards I can use the drilled in trucks on so I can have a medium wheelbase and a little bit longer tail, I am trying another DLX 8.5 soon to see how this new shape works.

Working with board concave you are used to, eg for you Creature / NHS and for me DLX / BBS is the main thing to make things start out right.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on July 03, 2025, 02:32:09 AM
just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on July 03, 2025, 03:33:19 AM
just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

Thunder
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fakiefs180 on July 03, 2025, 05:32:05 AM
Thanks for all the insights pals. After reading all the responses, I decided to just get some 53mm 99a Classics. If they wear down a bit, they are similar to my old 52mm Conicals. Can't wait to get a session in soon.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on July 03, 2025, 05:32:33 AM
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just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.
[close]

Thunder

I need more details, please! I'd like to point out that I'm quite short (5'7"), and I'm really looking for the option that would be best for my height!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on July 03, 2025, 05:55:05 AM
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just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.
[close]

Thunder
[close]

I need more details, please! I'd like to point out that I'm quite short (5'7"), and I'm really looking for the option that would be best for my height!

It’s really all relative. I’m 5’8” and can’t stand 8” boards or tiny WB.

Your thunders are lower by 3.5mm and about 12g heavier. They also push the WB out a bit more than Indy. I would honestly try both if possible, but personally I’d go with thunders between the two with that deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on July 03, 2025, 07:19:09 AM
just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

Only you can answer that question. Trucks are totally subjective.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on July 03, 2025, 09:06:09 AM
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just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.
[close]

Thunder
[close]

I need more details, please! I'd like to point out that I'm quite short (5'7"), and I'm really looking for the option that would be best for my height!

Thunders will even out the short wheelbase. Indys (or at least Ace) feel weird to me on 14.25, turns like a slalom board.

Compared to the average 13-year-old skater you are a fully grown man. Your height won't be an issue for any reasonable board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on July 03, 2025, 09:36:07 AM
I'm 5'9 and I prefer cast Ventures on a 14.38 wb. I've got longish legs, maybe, but still, it's the feeling. I gotta have that oomph. And yeah, ultimately I had to find it out by myself.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on July 04, 2025, 01:43:58 PM
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Got myself another 8.6.  The "new" 8.6 shape with the shorter 14.25 wheelbase. When on top of the 14.6 wb version I can see it's the exact same shape just shorter.

Interesting thing is, I  didn't need much time to adjust or disliked it instantly (happened to many times) so I think sometimes wheelbase doesn't matter. It seems like kicks/concave shouldn't be ignored
[close]


I had meant to reply to this the other day, but thought I would let you have at least a week to skate the shorter board and see if it still worked or if something just didn't add up for you.

Finding a few other longer wheelbase boards I can use the drilled in trucks on so I can have a medium wheelbase and a little bit longer tail, I am trying another DLX 8.5 soon to see how this new shape works.

Working with board concave you are used to, eg for you Creature / NHS and for me DLX / BBS is the main thing to make things start out right.

Still liking that deck. Sometimes I end up too far on the nose so it seems like I'm used to the longer version. Both versions have their pros and cons. Most important thing to me is the pop feel / steep nose to catch my foot.

I got myself the 8.62 doobie deck out of curiosity as well. It's flatter and I have to admit I do not like it that much. Doesn't work well for me on thunders. I could get used to it but it's not my preference.

Only thing that is annoying is my creature board got warped. Probably due to the high temperatures and me leaving it in my car. I've never had a resin pressed board warp. Maybe it has been to fresh (normally i get older stock but i liked the graphics)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on July 04, 2025, 08:36:54 PM
I need help. I have perfectly fine 52mm x99’s V1 shape worn down to 51mm… and they’re nice and seasoned with dirt and grime so they have some skirrrrt to them instead of that silence when new.

I’m getting itchy looking at new 53mm wheels in a V5 shape.

I don’t NEED them… just want them…

Nothing wrong with the wheels I have at home. They skate great.

But I do need help…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 05, 2025, 12:43:30 AM
I need help. I have perfectly fine 52mm x99’s V1 shape worn down to 51mm… and they’re nice and seasoned with dirt and grime so they have some skirrrrt to them instead of that silence when new.

I’m getting itchy looking at new 53mm wheels in a V5 shape.

I don’t NEED them… just want them…

Nothing wrong with the wheels I have at home. They skate great.

But I do need help…

Do you want to help this flailing economy or not?!?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on July 05, 2025, 07:27:58 AM
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I need help. I have perfectly fine 52mm x99’s V1 shape worn down to 51mm… and they’re nice and seasoned with dirt and grime so they have some skirrrrt to them instead of that silence when new.

I’m getting itchy looking at new 53mm wheels in a V5 shape.

I don’t NEED them… just want them…

Nothing wrong with the wheels I have at home. They skate great.

But I do need help…
[close]

Do you want to help this flailing economy or not?!?

Ha!

Well… my local(s) don’t have the specific that I’m looking for right now, so maybe it’s just a sign to wait until they do. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on July 05, 2025, 09:53:57 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/IVTvogP.jpeg)
I was very ok madness wise until somebody posted something like "madness free for x days" and from my here it started for me in the most hardcore way.
So...
On this board (great shape btw) I had: Tensor Mag Lights, Indy hollows and now AF1 (all in their 8.5 variant)
Hated the mag lights because I felt I had no control even while pushing so I went back to Indy and it's ok but obvsly the "what if" popped up so why not try again Ace? I'll be able to skate them tomorrow or Wednesday and then I'll decide between Ace Or Indy finally.
[close]

I agree, great shape, I have the variant without wheel wells. To mix it up a bit, why not try AF1 60s? I feel like the 14.38 wb and 8.75 axles provide nice stability without being too hefty for my taste. Obviously then wheels need to be thin unless you like hot rod.
[close]
This one is 8.25 x 14.125. Not really interested in getting trucks wider than 8.5

Indy Forged hollows on that one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on July 06, 2025, 05:40:24 AM
Not really madness per se more like an old lesson re-learned over and over....

Anyway, was having some lackluster sessions on a deck that was clearly past its sell by date. no pop, razor tail and chipped nose. but i refused to surrender it. occasionally, i still have that teenage mentality where a board should be ridden until its unrideable. but now i can afford boards and have a little stack in my basement... i should just give the old boards to  kids sooner... but no... i had some romantic ideal of riding a mangled piece of wood into oblivion...

anyway, i finally got rid of the soggy sack of shit and laced up a freshie yesterday and low and behold it was like my legs were 20 years younger and i did my best  kick flip in months...

moral of the story... trees are cool but skateboarding is better... 

seriously though.... old men... hand down those boards while they still have a little sprack...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on July 06, 2025, 06:06:35 AM
Not really madness per se more like an old lesson re-learned over and over....

Anyway, was having some lackluster sessions on a deck that was clearly past its sell by date. no pop, razor tail and chipped nose. but i refused to surrender it. occasionally, i still have that teenage mentality where a board should be ridden until its unrideable. but now i can afford boards and have a little stack in my basement... i should just give the old boards to  kids sooner... but no... i had some romantic ideal of riding a mangled piece of wood into oblivion...

anyway, i finally got rid of the soggy sack of shit and laced up a freshie yesterday and low and behold it was like my legs were 20 years younger and i did my best  kick flip in months...

moral of the story... trees are cool but skateboarding is better... 

seriously though.... old men... hand down those boards while they still have a little sprack...

Well ok I'll set up a new board seeing as how it's raining and that's a good rainy day activity but I dunno about all that. All the time I see dudes going hard and high on some ancient worn out deck with seemingly no hinderance. And any deck left at the park will either be focused by scooter kids or picked up by some middle aged hoarder who it's more of a problem for so the charitable aspect is also questionable. But hey will be nice to be on a crisp board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Too Frank To Fred on July 06, 2025, 06:46:38 AM
For sure. For most of my skateboarding years, I'd keep a deck until it was in 2 pieces. But I am old and suck and can't get a soggy razored board off the ground in quite the same way, so they end up at a program for young people who don't have many resources... I presume you ride your boards to the bitter end? That's rad. I wish I could. Like VA.

Also, never seen a scooter kid focus a skateboard... where the hell do you live? And no old man collector is picking up my used boards...

Point of the story, its often not gear madness for me... its me riding boards long after I can personally effectively use them.. and believe me.. I still try... I still feel like a bit of a looser for sending a deck off into the sunset on this dying planet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on July 06, 2025, 07:26:48 AM
For sure. For most of my skateboarding years, I'd keep a deck until it was in 2 pieces. But I am old and suck and can't get a soggy razored board off the ground in quite the same way, so they end up at a program for young people who don't have many resources... I presume you ride your boards to the bitter end? That's rad. I wish I could. Like VA.

Also, never seen a scooter kid focus a skateboard... where the hell do you live? And no old man collector is picking up my used boards...

Point of the story, its often not gear madness for me... its me riding boards long after I can personally effectively use them.. and believe me.. I still try... I still feel like a bit of a looser for sending a deck off into the sunset on this dying planet.

Well I use scooter kids in the old man sense of the term. Many of them are legally adults..

Every time I've seen someone get a deck it's been a middle aged man but my viewpoint may be skewed from hanging out with mainly middle aged men. But good news I figured out how to optimize the process and will just keep the old deck in my personal collection.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mule on July 07, 2025, 06:54:30 AM
Does anyone happen to know what truck is closest to a tensor mag light low in terms of height and wheelbase?
After years of trying to find the perfect set up, a friend recommended I try tensors and promised that I’d like them and gosh dang it was he right. Mag light lows with a riser pad ended up being the perfect goldilocks set up for me, but with tensor now out of business I feel like I either have to try to buy up all the dead stock I can or try my best to find something similar
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Allen. on July 07, 2025, 09:01:59 AM
I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on July 07, 2025, 09:15:51 AM
I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(

Most important dimension on a deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on July 07, 2025, 12:20:20 PM
I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(

Ain't personal evolution great? Wb is a tool. Knowing how and when to apply one's own personal wb preference actually makes life easier, provided it might initially feel like it's just contributing to the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on July 07, 2025, 01:05:58 PM
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I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
[close]

Most important dimension on a deck.

Easily. My madness line in the sand is bushings. When I start sanding aftermarket shit is when I kook off into the sunset.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on July 07, 2025, 01:12:02 PM
I'm afraid I'm still trying to replicate my best setup of the decade so far, by first going over to bigger boards and trucks and then retreating back to safe space of 8.25ish.

Magenta 8.125
Independent 144 Titanium with Film bushings (only cons: they're noisy and stiffen in cold)
52mm Spitfire Classics 99D

I want that with me when it's time to check back out into the unconscious part of the carbon cycle.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 07, 2025, 02:28:49 PM
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I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
[close]

Most important dimension on a deck.

is it?
i think im on some bullshit where the wheelbase is just the leftovers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on July 07, 2025, 03:18:32 PM
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I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
[close]

Most important dimension on a deck.
[close]

is it?
i think im on some bullshit where the wheelbase is just the leftovers.

I agree. You can take 2 decks of the same exact shape like a DLX I and IV, lay them on top of one another and see the steepness, and realize they won't skate the same. To me how long the nose/tail are and how steep they are matters most. I've mix and matched trucks and wheelbases at times and I've found too many weird combos that defy math to rely on it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on July 07, 2025, 03:41:40 PM
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I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
[close]

Most important dimension on a deck.
[close]

is it?
i think im on some bullshit where the wheelbase is just the leftovers.
[close]

I agree. You can take 2 decks of the same exact shape like a DLX I and IV, lay them on top of one another and see the steepness, and realize they won't skate the same. To me how long the nose/tail are and how steep they are matters most. I've mix and matched trucks and wheelbases at times and I've found too many weird combos that defy math to rely on it.


samesies
and i’m not ready to measure tails.
i think, for me, tail length/steepness, followed by overall board length. those are the most important. i think.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on July 07, 2025, 03:49:22 PM
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I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
[close]

Most important dimension on a deck.
[close]

is it?
i think im on some bullshit where the wheelbase is just the leftovers.
[close]

I agree. You can take 2 decks of the same exact shape like a DLX I and IV, lay them on top of one another and see the steepness, and realize they won't skate the same. To me how long the nose/tail are and how steep they are matters most. I've mix and matched trucks and wheelbases at times and I've found too many weird combos that defy math to rely on it.
[close]


samesies
and i’m not ready to measure tails.
i think, for me, tail length/steepness, followed by overall board length. those are the most important. i think.

From tail length and overall board length you're only nose length away from wheelbase..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on July 07, 2025, 08:42:27 PM
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I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now :(
[close]

Most important dimension on a deck.
[close]

is it?
i think im on some bullshit where the wheelbase is just the leftovers.
[close]

I agree. You can take 2 decks of the same exact shape like a DLX I and IV, lay them on top of one another and see the steepness, and realize they won't skate the same. To me how long the nose/tail are and how steep they are matters most. I've mix and matched trucks and wheelbases at times and I've found too many weird combos that defy math to rely on it.

Yes. This is the root cause for my seemingly neverending chase of the aforementioned best setup. Found some good other setups on the way though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 07, 2025, 11:32:57 PM
Does anyone happen to know what truck is closest to a tensor mag light low in terms of height and wheelbase?
After years of trying to find the perfect set up, a friend recommended I try tensors and promised that I’d like them and gosh dang it was he right. Mag light lows with a riser pad ended up being the perfect goldilocks set up for me, but with tensor now out of business I feel like I either have to try to buy up all the dead stock I can or try my best to find something similar
Indy
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on July 08, 2025, 02:35:34 AM
@Mule Tensor mag lights are on sale for half the price at
https://www.skatedeluxe.com/de/c/skateboards/skateboard-achsen?brand_id=238
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 08, 2025, 02:37:03 AM
@Mule Tensor mag lights are on sale for half the price at
https://www.skatedeluxe.com/de/c/skateboards/skateboard-achsen?brand_id=238

Price is per truck, sign up for the mailing list for 10% off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: roba on July 08, 2025, 02:40:32 AM
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Does anyone happen to know what truck is closest to a tensor mag light low in terms of height and wheelbase?
After years of trying to find the perfect set up, a friend recommended I try tensors and promised that I’d like them and gosh dang it was he right. Mag light lows with a riser pad ended up being the perfect goldilocks set up for me, but with tensor now out of business I feel like I either have to try to buy up all the dead stock I can or try my best to find something similar
[close]
Indy

mag light lows are 46mm tall, the lowest indy is 52mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on July 08, 2025, 02:46:39 AM
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Does anyone happen to know what truck is closest to a tensor mag light low in terms of height and wheelbase?
After years of trying to find the perfect set up, a friend recommended I try tensors and promised that I’d like them and gosh dang it was he right. Mag light lows with a riser pad ended up being the perfect goldilocks set up for me, but with tensor now out of business I feel like I either have to try to buy up all the dead stock I can or try my best to find something similar
[close]
Indy
[close]

mag light lows are 46mm tall, the lowest indy is 52mm

Indys go 50.5mm with Mid Hollow Forged

https://nhsskatedirect.com/products/forged-hollow-mid-independent-skateboard-trucks?variant=41990083772573
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 08, 2025, 06:04:46 AM
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@Mule Tensor mag lights are on sale for half the price at
https://www.skatedeluxe.com/de/c/skateboards/skateboard-achsen?brand_id=238
[close]

Price is per truck, sign up for the mailing list for 10% off.
In SkateDeluxe usually yes but in their case is for the pair, there's even a note about it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 08, 2025, 06:52:03 AM
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@Mule Tensor mag lights are on sale for half the price at
https://www.skatedeluxe.com/de/c/skateboards/skateboard-achsen?brand_id=238
[close]

Price is per truck, sign up for the mailing list for 10% off.
[close]
In SkateDeluxe usually yes but in their case is for the pair, there's even a note about it.


Re Tensor trucks:

When a few places I know got them in, they were the only "SET" of trucks, came in their own special box and everything, but people at my old work used to always take them out and price them individually, which took some explaining to get it sorted every time I saw them like that.

Sometimes, I think trucks are better being sold as a set, but on the other hand, I have also bought a good number of single trucks for parts over the years from places that do sell them individually too, so I guess it can work well / not so well depending on who, what and where.


* I can't even remember the number of sets that were actually mismatched, including another set I got just recently from a shop - a 149 and a 139 - which you would think someone surely would have noticed, but no, seems like it happened all too often.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 08, 2025, 08:06:24 AM
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@Mule Tensor mag lights are on sale for half the price at
https://www.skatedeluxe.com/de/c/skateboards/skateboard-achsen?brand_id=238
[close]

Price is per truck, sign up for the mailing list for 10% off.
[close]
In SkateDeluxe usually yes but in their case is for the pair, there's even a note about it.
[close]


Re Tensor trucks:

When a few places I know got them in, they were the only "SET" of trucks, came in their own special box and everything, but people at my old work used to always take them out and price them individually, which took some explaining to get it sorted every time I saw them like that.

Sometimes, I think trucks are better being sold as a set, but on the other hand, I have also bought a good number of single trucks for parts over the years from places that do sell them individually too, so I guess it can work well / not so well depending on who, what and where.


* I can't even remember the number of sets that were actually mismatched, including another set I got just recently from a shop - a 149 and a 139 - which you would think someone surely would have noticed, but no, seems like it happened all too often.
The Mag light from SkateDeluxe come wrapped in plastic as a pair. No cool fancy looking box anymore. But 43€ for the set is a good price if you're curious about them and want to experience first hand how incredibly crappy the bushings are.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on July 08, 2025, 04:16:46 PM

The Mag light from SkateDeluxe come wrapped in plastic as a pair. No cool fancy looking box anymore. But 43€ for the set is a good price if you're curious about them and want to experience first hand how incredibly crappy the bushings are.


Yeah it has been a while - more than a decade anyway, but I guess that is one thing I didn't really follow a whole lot.

Also not sure when they changed from hi tech to simple and more affordable, but they also seemed like they were more so the brand that mass produced all the trucks on their completes, as well as a lot of other completes, so I never really had much to do with them, apart from fixing boards for people.

Bushings seemed to work well enough for kids, but then again they also could have been different bushings specifically for that market - 90 duro bushings and 95 duro wheels were pretty common on completes that have come through my hands.


Were you meaning their bushings were too soft?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 08, 2025, 11:34:12 PM
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The Mag light from SkateDeluxe come wrapped in plastic as a pair. No cool fancy looking box anymore. But 43€ for the set is a good price if you're curious about them and want to experience first hand how incredibly crappy the bushings are.
[close]


Yeah it has been a while - more than a decade anyway, but I guess that is one thing I didn't really follow a whole lot.

Also not sure when they changed from hi tech to simple and more affordable, but they also seemed like they were more so the brand that mass produced all the trucks on their completes, as well as a lot of other completes, so I never really had much to do with them, apart from fixing boards for people.

Bushings seemed to work well enough for kids, but then again they also could have been different bushings specifically for that market - 90 duro bushings and 95 duro wheels were pretty common on completes that have come through my hands.


Were you meaning their bushings were too soft?
Too soft and quality is horrible. When you touch it feels like very slick plastic.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: back smith on July 09, 2025, 05:29:33 AM
My first set of Tensor Mag Lights had this weird issue where the bushings would stick to one side. I wasn't feeling it so put in the Bones... But someone said the stock bushings would break in if you give them a chance so second time around I did and they did. They are soft but stable at the center, great manual balance. The "plasticky" haptic and visual experience is similar to Ace bushings for example, kind of unimportant to me but that's just me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mule on July 09, 2025, 09:58:15 AM
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The Mag light from SkateDeluxe come wrapped in plastic as a pair. No cool fancy looking box anymore. But 43€ for the set is a good price if you're curious about them and want to experience first hand how incredibly crappy the bushings are.
[close]


Yeah it has been a while - more than a decade anyway, but I guess that is one thing I didn't really follow a whole lot.

Also not sure when they changed from hi tech to simple and more affordable, but they also seemed like they were more so the brand that mass produced all the trucks on their completes, as well as a lot of other completes, so I never really had much to do with them, apart from fixing boards for people.

Bushings seemed to work well enough for kids, but then again they also could have been different bushings specifically for that market - 90 duro bushings and 95 duro wheels were pretty common on completes that have come through my hands.


Were you meaning their bushings were too soft?
[close]
Too soft and quality is horrible. When you touch it feels like very slick plastic.

Yeah the white bushings that came with the regular height tensors were pretty awful, I tried sticking it out for over a month to break them in they never felt much better so I just ended up swapping them for some doh dohs from an old set of trucks.
I will say though that the black bushings that come with the tensor lows feel better and actually broke in fairly quickly, I'm not sure if the bushing quality is actually all that different, or if its the geometry of the lows making crappy bushings feel better than they are, but either way I'm pretty happy with how they feel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on July 14, 2025, 01:19:05 PM
The gear madness is slowing down

I picked out an "anti-madness" setup:

- 8.25 BBS/baker 14.25wb
- Indy hollow standard 149s
- 54mm spitfire f4 classics

And tweaked it from there:

- Tried 159's again with risers, didn't like it
- Started skating 58 and 60mm wheels without risers on the 149s, didn't like that either
- Ended up deciding I only wanted to skate classics or radials and that I didn't like conicals or og classics
- Had sort of a wheel quiver going of different sizes and duros

Here's where I'm at right now:

8.5 Real 14.25 wb
Indy hollow standard 149s
54mm 99d classics

Here's where I wanna be:

Still with same decks, 8.5 x 14.25 wb BBS, I think that's it for me and kinda always has been.

Indy 149 still, same deal, it's what I'm used to. But I want to go back to the solid axle/kingpin standards

Still f4 classics, but 56mm instead of 54 or 58 or whatever.

I think I'm gonna try to stick to the 8.5 short BBS decks, standard/solid Indy 149s, 56mm F4 99d classics, and bones swiss. I think I can pretty much do whatever I need to on that. Blue eagle+blue spitfires+indys.

God forbid I relapse and fucking, buy lurpivs and radial fulls

Kinda just want the most generic thing that works for me, like if setups from 1991 and 1994 had a baby
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on July 14, 2025, 01:44:14 PM
- Had sort of a wheel quiver going of different sizes and duros

I still do. I’m that asshole at the park who goes over to his car to smoke and change his fucking wheels because “they don’t sound/feel right” every half hour
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on July 14, 2025, 01:52:19 PM
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- Had sort of a wheel quiver going of different sizes and duros
[close]

I still do. I’m that asshole at the park who goes over to his car to smoke and change his fucking wheels because “they don’t sound/feel right” every half hour

That's dope though

I didn't want to get my nuts all spinny from changing wheels all the time so I was even thinking about building another identical setup except with a different wheel size/shape/durometer

I still wanna have an identical backup board though, I used to when I was skating way heavier when I was in my teens/20's. It's awesome to just grab another board and keep trying vs having to stop and set up a new one

Only wheels I haven't tried that I'm curious about are radial fulls in the smaller sizes like 54-56, but I don't think I'm going to give in, cause the classic shape wears down the best/gets the most full usage from me

My 93d radials seemed to be sticking a lot the other day on crooked grinds so I put my 54mm 99's back on and they kinda feel like rocks hahah but I used to love them so I have a fresher set of 56 classics I just got for ten bucks I'm gonna put on

I put all my wheels on eBay the other day

I've sold some Sapphires and some Reynolds 93s so far. My friend that was borrowing my 54mm radials 93's hasn't given them back yet and I'm kinda pissed

Cause I wanna sell them
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on July 14, 2025, 11:28:12 PM
Expand Quote
- Had sort of a wheel quiver going of different sizes and duros
[close]

I still do. I’m that asshole at the park who goes over to his car to smoke and change his fucking wheels because “they don’t sound/feel right” every half hour
In a very little time I got Lock in classics, Classics 93, Conical full and yesterday radial full. I was happy for months with OG classics and then madness kicked in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on July 15, 2025, 07:48:37 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
- Had sort of a wheel quiver going of different sizes and duros
[close]

I still do. I’m that asshole at the park who goes over to his car to smoke and change his fucking wheels because “they don’t sound/feel right” every half hour
[close]
In a very little time I got Lock in classics, Classics 93, Conical full and yesterday radial full. I was happy for months with OG classics and then madness kicked in.

I had F4 lock-ins on the deck I had stolen and I fucking love them. Every spit I’ve ever ridden I love, so you’d think I’d stop dicking around with other brands
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on August 08, 2025, 03:49:14 PM
when I started skiing winter 21/22, I got really into different aftermarket footbeds, and getting my shoes as snug as I could

Blazers in 8.5 and chucks in 8 would make my feet numb until I broke them in a couple sessions, my wide foot would spill over the soles in adidas superstars..

A couple weeks ago I was skating harder than I have in a while, skating like a five stair and stuff and having fun but the shoes became obvious really quick and I decided to switch back to 9's in everything.

So I got some sz 9 Jordan 1 mids from Burlington, some sz 9 blazer mids off eBay, and I pulled some chuck Taylors out of the closet that I hadn't worn because they were "too big" (sz 8.5) lol. I regret selling my sweet beets in a 9 😕

I'm now shooting for shoes marked 27cm cause it seems like the EUR and US measurements can be all over the place for different brands, but I'm prolly just sticking with Nike and Converse from here on out, everything in a 9 except chucks in 8.5.

i like that converse is owned by Nike and uses the same stuff for the shoes

When I was younger i would only skate emerica and eS

now I just like the look of retro basketball shoes cause they go with everything else I wear pretty well. That and chucks and blazers are consistently available, I can get them lightly used a lot of the time, blazers pop up at Burlington and stuff for 40 bucks from time to time. I wish they had basic colorways of sb dunk highs consistently available... That would be dope.

 I'm gonna try skating the non-sb versions and see what's up, I really like the way these Jordans mids skate. I put em on and immediately did a fat nollie flip, I was shocked and instantly knew these were gonna work for me for sure, stoked on em

Anyways, I sized up a half size for all my skate shoes. My feet haven't changed much if at all in the last 20 years, they still measure like 26.1-26.4 in the morning, and a little more after a long day. I know they can pack out as you get older or after a thru hike or something tho. My altras have always been 9.5's, they fit like a 10 - wide

Confused myself into swapping footbeds out and skating 8.5's for 3 years. I also switched to Ace trucks for those three years as well. Back to 9's, comfy feet, and Indy standards 🤷‍♀️

Only thing that has genuinely changed about my setup in 20 years is that my wheels got 3mm bigger. Everything else has been more or less the same. Except for the ~5 years I wore kr3w, Altamont, Levi's, Rvca, all the slimmy slim slim jeans hahah

If I had to choose one setup, one shoe and one pants forever it would be

Blue eagle
Blue spitfire classics
Indy 149 standards
Bones swiss

Blazer mids

Dickies 874s





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on September 10, 2025, 03:32:39 AM
I just posted in the gear ur contemplating buying, but I think the madness has hit me. Way too many late nights of YouTube and online shopping has caught up to me (as u can see by the time stamp). For the past 4+ years I’ve skated 9.0 popsicles with ace 55 classics and either 58 or 60mm spitfire f4 conical fulls, og classics, radial fulls, or lock in fulls (I love wide wheels) but I skated mainly skateparks and transition. But I just moved to Long Beach last November and haven’t skated any transition at all. And have only skated street parks like cherry or the one downtown and even that’s rare. I’ve been die hard street skating and my old 9 inch boards felt too big. And so I bought an 8.75 sci fi (14.75 wb) and some 6.1 ventures. So far I like ventures as it’s my first time riding them, but now my wheels feel way too big. I feel like I’m progressing well but that my wheels and wheel base might be holding me back. I’m looking for a new deck and wheels but just don’t know what to get. I’m looking a lot at the sml wheels 55mm vcut grocery bags, and either a genesis video (bbs) 8.75 (wheelbase I couldn’t find which worries me) or prime wood la is having a sale on 2 for 1 decks. And those are 14.625 wheel base. But idk, the last prime I had was 6 years ago and broke after a day. I loved my sci fi so I kinda wanna stick with bbs, but just wanna know some opinions on prime and if their quality got better. Also with sml if anyone tried them and how they liked them. I was also looking at dial tone 55mm aaron Herrington wheels. If not I might just buy spits again but lowkey wanna try classics (I’ve never tried them cause I don’t really like how they look) plz guys i need help the madness has me in its grasp.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on September 10, 2025, 06:41:04 AM
I just posted in the gear ur contemplating buying, but I think the madness has hit me. Way too many late nights of YouTube and online shopping has caught up to me (as u can see by the time stamp). For the past 4+ years I’ve skated 9.0 popsicles with ace 55 classics and either 58 or 60mm spitfire f4 conical fulls, og classics, radial fulls, or lock in fulls (I love wide wheels) but I skated mainly skateparks and transition. But I just moved to Long Beach last November and haven’t skated any transition at all. And have only skated street parks like cherry or the one downtown and even that’s rare. I’ve been die hard street skating and my old 9 inch boards felt too big. And so I bought an 8.75 sci fi (14.75 wb) and some 6.1 ventures. So far I like ventures as it’s my first time riding them, but now my wheels feel way too big. I feel like I’m progressing well but that my wheels and wheel base might be holding me back. I’m looking for a new deck and wheels but just don’t know what to get. I’m looking a lot at the sml wheels 55mm vcut grocery bags, and either a genesis video (bbs) 8.75 (wheelbase I couldn’t find which worries me) or prime wood la is having a sale on 2 for 1 decks. And those are 14.625 wheel base. But idk, the last prime I had was 6 years ago and broke after a day. I loved my sci fi so I kinda wanna stick with bbs, but just wanna know some opinions on prime and if their quality got better. Also with sml if anyone tried them and how they liked them. I was also looking at dial tone 55mm aaron Herrington wheels. If not I might just buy spits again but lowkey wanna try classics (I’ve never tried them cause I don’t really like how they look) plz guys i need help the madness has me in its grasp.
Go for Radial full 54mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 10, 2025, 07:07:31 AM
I just posted in the gear ur contemplating buying, but I think the madness has hit me. Way too many late nights of YouTube and online shopping has caught up to me (as u can see by the time stamp). For the past 4+ years I’ve skated 9.0 popsicles with ace 55 classics and either 58 or 60mm spitfire f4 conical fulls, og classics, radial fulls, or lock in fulls (I love wide wheels) but I skated mainly skateparks and transition. But I just moved to Long Beach last November and haven’t skated any transition at all. And have only skated street parks like cherry or the one downtown and even that’s rare. I’ve been die hard street skating and my old 9 inch boards felt too big. And so I bought an 8.75 sci fi (14.75 wb) and some 6.1 ventures. So far I like ventures as it’s my first time riding them, but now my wheels feel way too big. I feel like I’m progressing well but that my wheels and wheel base might be holding me back. I’m looking for a new deck and wheels but just don’t know what to get. I’m looking a lot at the sml wheels 55mm vcut grocery bags, and either a genesis video (bbs) 8.75 (wheelbase I couldn’t find which worries me) or prime wood la is having a sale on 2 for 1 decks. And those are 14.625 wheel base. But idk, the last prime I had was 6 years ago and broke after a day. I loved my sci fi so I kinda wanna stick with bbs, but just wanna know some opinions on prime and if their quality got better. Also with sml if anyone tried them and how they liked them. I was also looking at dial tone 55mm aaron Herrington wheels. If not I might just buy spits again but lowkey wanna try classics (I’ve never tried them cause I don’t really like how they look) plz guys i need help the madness has me in its grasp.

Decks:
-The White Eagle from anti-hero. 8.75/14.62
-The “standard cut” 8.75/14.5 deck from Black Label
(Both BBS)


Wheels:
54mm Radials (IMHO, the regular ones, not the Fulls)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 10, 2025, 12:48:05 PM
@moonordie
You mentioned you had Tensor Maglights and hated them. The ones you got are the exact ones I want (8.5" ATG). You still have 'em and interested in selling?
They may be the end of my truck madness, lol!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FatGuy92 on September 10, 2025, 09:17:42 PM
@moonordie
You mentioned you had Tensor Maglights and hated them. The ones you got are the exact ones I want (8.5" ATG). You still have 'em and interested in selling?
They may be the end of my truck madness, lol!

My 2c. Tbh I wouldn’t go for them. I skated four sets and while I liked how effortlessly they grind, the cons outweigh the pros imo

- They wear down wayyyy too fast
- That buttery grind works well for curbs or street ledges, but there isn’t much difference at skate parks
- Axles bent on every set I had and I don’t do any high impact skating
- They’re too light.. can be hard to control and good luck if it’s windy lol
- I heard people that ordered from Thank You Supply never received their trucks. Tbh idk what’s up with Tensor rn I haven’t seen anything new from them and whatever is available online seems to be NOS
- Once you get used to them it’s hard to go back to a heavier truck
- If you’re skating on any type of rough ground the vibrations are crazy like you can really feel it in your legs
- Stock bushings kinda suck (though the interlocking bushings are a good concept)

Shit I could go on lol. They’re an improvement over the previous model and I wouldn’t say they’re bad trucks, but imo not worth getting into
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 10, 2025, 11:28:07 PM
Expand Quote
@moonordie
You mentioned you had Tensor Maglights and hated them. The ones you got are the exact ones I want (8.5" ATG). You still have 'em and interested in selling?
They may be the end of my truck madness, lol!
[close]

My 2c. Tbh I wouldn’t go for them. I skated four sets and while I liked how effortlessly they grind, the cons outweigh the pros imo

- They wear down wayyyy too fast
- That buttery grind works well for curbs or street ledges, but there isn’t much difference at skate parks
- Axles bent on every set I had and I don’t do any high impact skating
- They’re too light.. can be hard to control and good luck if it’s windy lol
- I heard people that ordered from Thank You Supply never received their trucks. Tbh idk what’s up with Tensor rn I haven’t seen anything new from them and whatever is available online seems to be NOS
- Once you get used to them it’s hard to go back to a heavier truck
- If you’re skating on any type of rough ground the vibrations are crazy like you can really feel it in your legs
- Stock bushings kinda suck (though the interlocking bushings are a good concept)

Shit I could go on lol. They’re an improvement over the previous model and I wouldn’t say they’re bad trucks, but imo not worth getting into

Thanks for the feedback but the thing is, I already have a couple sets but in the 8.25” size and I want to try a bit wider for the wider decks I’ve been riding. I agree they wear down quickly but that’s to be expected and I really love light trucks. I’m currently riding Ace AF1, which are one of the heaviest trucks around and also standard Thunders and when I was riding the Tensors, I had old Indy’s on my other setup and I’m fine with all of them. Tensors are just my favorite since the turns are comparable to Ace and Indy but way lighter and grind better. I also think the stock bushings are excellent for feel and performance but I do get clicking, I think when the top washer hits the hanger. Not a big deal to me. As for bending, I thought I bent mine, which is why I got another set. I contacted Thank You Supply and they just sent me new ones right away so I have them as backups when I finally kill the current set. Thing is, I’m not sure if they really are bent and if so, it’s not enough to notice when I’m riding. When I thought they were bent, it was because I looked through the axel and couldn’t see the other side clearly but when I checked sometime after I already got the new set sent to me, I could see through again so it was probably my just something stuck in it that fell out.
As for why you haven’t heard anything lately, it’s because they went out of business a while ago and everything seems to be on hiatus except the decks that DSM still makes for several brands. I don’t see the 8.5” Maglights for sale anywhere except that store posted recently here but they don’t seem to ship to USA. There was also sightings at Ollie’s where it looks like they bought up remaining stock and was blowing them out but I don’t have Ollie’s around either. No idea if Tensor will ever come back so I’m hoping to get more while I can.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on September 10, 2025, 11:35:11 PM
@moonordie
You mentioned you had Tensor Maglights and hated them. The ones you got are the exact ones I want (8.5" ATG). You still have 'em and interested in selling?
They may be the end of my truck madness, lol!
Sorry, I sold them straight away and also we're probably far away. Follow @FatGuy92 advise, those trucks are evil.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 10, 2025, 11:40:19 PM
Expand Quote
@moonordie
You mentioned you had Tensor Maglights and hated them. The ones you got are the exact ones I want (8.5" ATG). You still have 'em and interested in selling?
They may be the end of my truck madness, lol!
[close]
Sorry, I sold them straight away and also we're probably far away. Follow @FatGuy92 advise, those trucks are evil.
All good, I kinda figured it might not be practical after I noticed that shop you got them from don't ship to the US.
As for them being evil? Haha, I love em as explained above and really want to try the 8.5” version.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on September 13, 2025, 11:09:55 PM
I'm just way to used to skating 53mm wheels after all these years

Years ago I put my Indy 149s on a ~9" shaped deck and got some ~58mm OJs on there. That was like the first time I started messing around with different stuff. Then a couple years later had some 58mm wheels on a ~9" shaped deck with Indy 159s... Back when I was living in Montana/Wyoming. Had a great time on them. Mean-ass, high kickflips on the shaped 9+" with 149s. I remember a really satisfying bigspin heel on the 159's over a pyramid. Out there I had a 10" '86 reissue deck with 64mm wheels that I loved too, with super coarse grip that I would cruise around on.

But I was also only like 26 at the time

Either way I just seemed way less consistent/got tired easier trying to skate bigger wheels nowadays. Settled on 56mm, thought it would be my main shit, ended up hating it and going back to 53/54. If I absolutely have to I'll buy 55s

Funny when I was like 16 I won some 56mm wheels at a contest, and tried them. I remember how the board felt. I didn't like it and went back to 53s. I think I forgot that feeling and was trying to fight through it, for perceived benefits.. but yeah fuck it

Wheels have been the last bit of madness I haven't tamed yet

I'm certain about the 8.5 / 14.25 BBS deck, and stage 11 149s.

I think 54mm classics are gonna be the jam, as much as I REALLY wanted 56mm to work, and convinced myself they would wear down and look sick, I just didn't even like them enough to bother skating em long enough to wear them down

What



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 13, 2025, 11:23:52 PM

What


53mm is the jam. That’s what.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on September 14, 2025, 12:06:54 AM
Expand Quote

What

[close]

53mm is the jam. That’s what.

🙏 Thank you for the positive madness support 🙏

I only ever skated 53s for the first 10-15 years and never really knew why, nor cared, I just knew I fucked with 53s. Tried a buncha shit the last couple years and ended up only coming to the conclusion that 54s are also okay, and I don't like conicals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 14, 2025, 12:07:41 AM
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 14, 2025, 05:04:31 AM
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast


I had tried both Venture and Thunder in the past, but coming from being able to turn so easily on Indy, I was always feeling a bit lacking when on either of those, until I saw someone else messing with bushings and decided to give things a try as well, a number of combinations working well enough, but the one that really stood out and worked great was when I used a cut off slice of bushing under the bottom bushing to bring the whole truck angle up a bit more, then with a lowered top, to keep things at the same height overall.

Some people had used an extra washer under the bottom bushing too, along with a flat top washer, to really maximise the amount of turn that could come out of either truck, but I like to try things where I can use everything that came with the truck, without having to buy a whole lot of extra stuff, even though using the Venture loose bushing kit with a few extra washers is a very easy and no fuss option.

Any which way, I also had to either cut deep wheel wells, add a thin riser for Thunders too, or even reduce wheel size a bit, for both Thunder and Venture trucks, but I got them all working amazingly well now and they actually turn better than my regular Indy trucks, which are also on the Indy low conical bushings.

Just for a laugh, I tried the other brand bushings in Indy trucks too and Thunder bushings give Indy a little more turn as well, being slightly taller, but that is beside the point.


If you have the parts, try a bit of mix and match with washers and bushings, before doing any permanent modifications, but as I have done, cutting a thin slice off the top bushing, then adding it under the bottom bushing, it really did make a big difference in how much both Thunder and Venture turn now.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 14, 2025, 01:30:40 PM

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise..


This is very simple. If you are trying to make them feel like Indys, ride Indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on September 14, 2025, 02:37:36 PM
A) put risers on thunders
B) bushings: conical/soft/ washer
C) new thunders?
D) ride Indy’s….

There’s a point where a truck is a tuck, they all do something well, but you can’t really change geometry. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 14, 2025, 02:50:55 PM
Expand Quote

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise..

[close]

This is very simple. If you are trying to make them feel like Indys, ride Indys.


It is a funny thing because with enough playing around, I could make both Thunder and Venture "turn more" than Indy, but the turn is still different, maybe more like Ace in that regard actually, when compared to my usual Indy trucks.  Even the Indy Stage 4 trucks have a significantly different turn to them, which then made my usual Indy trucks feel sluggish in the turn department, by comparison.

Overall though, I guess this is the thread for it, if there ever was going to be discussion on that side of things, or madness about it, if it really does seem like madness to try to get one truck to perform like another truck.

I like messing around with the different brands to see how they feel, but I still had the best session on my plain old Indy standard 149s the other day, set up just right / how I like them, normal 8.5 board, maybe smaller than average Classics worn down to a good size - originally 56 down to 53 mm.  Everything just worked, so I didn't even need to get out the Thunder or Venture setups.





There’s a point where a truck is a tuck, they all do something well, but you can’t really change geometry. 


Actually that is exactly what I did with adding a couple of mm under the hanger - extra bushing slice or extra washer, which then brought the truck hanger up a lot more and then turned a huge amount, almost too much for some people who had a go of the boards with Thunder and Venture trucks that I have been messing with.

Any which way, it was an interesting experiment, but most people felt weird about them, which I completely understand.


All this is really just the fun I had while waiting for T-II trucks to arrive here in AU, which from all accounts will perform pretty much like I made the normal Thunder trucks perform with the modifications I made.  Any which way, it is more just a test and a chance to see what I can do, rather than a permanent change I would make to these setups.

It does make me like Thunder and Venture a whole lot more though, but as I said above, getting back on my "normal" setup with Indy standards, everything just works.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on September 14, 2025, 05:05:17 PM
I stand corrected…I should have said you can only change the geometry so much….

And I probably didn’t honor the thread….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 14, 2025, 05:19:15 PM
I stand corrected…I should have said you can only change the geometry so much….

And I probably didn’t honor the thread….


Never a worry there, but it sure has been an eye opener and somewhat of a wild ride messing with stuff like this.

Still not sure long term if things will work, eg pivot cups might tend to blow out or even just the whole different feel might be something that then makes everything else feel weird if I stay on these boards longer than a few sessions, but at this point in my life and skateboarding in general, it is an interesting experiment and kind of fun for me at the same time.

Even a few years ago, I would never have thought I would have been drilling out baseplates, cutting up bushings, reshaping bushing washers, hammering out and inverting normal kingpins and every other weird and wacky thing I have been trying lately, just because I can.

Sure does make skateboarding a little more interesting all the same, but I am not getting lost down a rabbit hole for any one particular brand, size, shape or anything like that either and I still have my usual boards I can ride, which is the main thing.  Keeping it grounded, if that makes sense?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on September 15, 2025, 03:47:29 AM
Lately I've been messing around with trucks as well. Thunder and venture.  Thunder trucks with cylinder bottom bushings offer lots of stability and a nice turning radius but feel like crap if ridden after some independents. Venture trucks have to be loose to get the same turning radius like thunder. Loose Ventures are more fun to ride than thunders but you lose a lot of stability and tight transitions suck on ventures.

Since I gravitate more and more to transition/allround I think the best for me would be to get some indy forged hollow and call it a day.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on September 15, 2025, 09:48:26 AM
Lately I've been messing around with trucks as well. Thunder and venture.  Thunder trucks with cylinder bottom bushings offer lots of stability and a nice turning radius but feel like crap if ridden after some independents. Venture trucks have to be loose to get the same turning radius like thunder. Loose Ventures are more fun to ride than thunders but you lose a lot of stability and tight transitions suck on ventures.

Since I gravitate more and more to transition/allround I think the best for me would be to get some indy forged hollow and call it a day.

My personal experiences have led me to believe that most (not all) people who suffer from truck madness in the form of hopping around a bunch of brands would probably be fine on some form of Indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 15, 2025, 10:59:24 AM
I just posted this in the wheel thread but think it might help some people here too:

I wanted to get a better look at how some of the rounded wheel shapes compare so I made this overlay using the images from their websites. Based on how the wheels lined up using the bearing diameter as the constant, seems like there is a lot of variance to how the bearings seat or the diagrams just aren't "real" CAD based on the actual wheel dimensions so take that however it is.

(https://i.ibb.co/VcgBjwtt/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5grcMK66)

If the shapes they all shared are accurate, we can see that Bones V1 have the largest radius to where they are nearly flat on the sides, Radials have the smallest radius so they are the most squared off at the edge and Classics do seem to have the the most balanced transition from edge to sides. When I look at it sideways as if each profile is a launch ramp, the Classic is the shape I would want to launch off of, so maybe there really is something to that which makes them so desirable to a lot of people.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 15, 2025, 05:25:51 PM
Per the truck experimenting conversation above:

I've religiously skated Indys the last 15 years at least. They've given me the best consistent results, so they're always what I'm skating "full time" on my main set up. I haven't really had a "madness," so much as a curiosity about alternatives to my Indys. Especially since production has changed over the last 5-6 years + tariffs affecting availability/pricing has me curious about solid alternatives for my preferences.

I made a second/third setup to see how Thunders are (again) and Ventures (for the first time). To see if I'm missing out on anything or if I'm just married to Indy out of familiarity. I enjoy the pinch and lighter feel with Thunders on my "lower energy" days. Ventures look like a cool, brutalist truck and their stability is appealing.

@Sedition that's why my main time whip will always have Indys! I'm just curious how I can fine tune the Thunders/Ventures i bought and see if they're comparable to Indy in ways I hadn't been privy to prior. Fun to experiment,  though!

@Mbrimson88 as always, your insight and tips are appreciated to explore some tinkering! The bushings mods feel like more than I'd like to do, but at least I know I can try those beyond any basic mods.

Shout out anyone else adding info to this truck conversation!!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 15, 2025, 07:19:57 PM
Per the truck experimenting conversation above:

I've religiously skated Indys the last 15 years at least. They've given me the best consistent results, so they're always what I'm skating "full time" on my main set up. I haven't really had a "madness," so much as a curiosity about alternatives to my Indys. Especially since production has changed over the last 5-6 years + tariffs affecting availability/pricing has me curious about solid alternatives for my preferences.

I made a second/third setup to see how Thunders are (again) and Ventures (for the first time). To see if I'm missing out on anything or if I'm just married to Indy out of familiarity. I enjoy the pinch and lighter feel with Thunders on my "lower energy" days. Ventures look like a cool, brutalist truck and their stability is appealing.

@Sedition that's why my main time whip will always have Indys! I'm just curious how I can fine tune the Thunders/Ventures i bought and see if they're comparable to Indy in ways I hadn't been privy to prior. Fun to experiment,  though!

@Mbrimson88 as always, your insight and tips are appreciated to explore some tinkering! The bushings mods feel like more than I'd like to do, but at least I know I can try those beyond any basic mods.

Shout out anyone else adding info to this truck conversation!!

•nods•

I’ve tried every truck. More than I care to admit. I always come back to forged Indys. Always. After decades of skating, and experimenting, the reason (at least for me) Forged Indys always win is they are the perfect blend of everything else. They may not outshine in one specific area (e.g. turn of Ace, pinch/weight of Thunder, pop of Venture, etc.), but  they blend all of those into a perfect “middle ground” (inc. height) that is utterly unmatched by any other truck.

They also have the most durable, and most varied, aftermarket bushing options of any truck made.

Forged Indys. The best there is.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on September 15, 2025, 10:45:02 PM
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast

I been experiment on thunders right now coming from forged indy(needed something more stable). Right now I have the red Indy conical bushings 88a on there. Not flush or broken in they turn and feel sooo good but I feel once flush they’ll tighten up again. One thing I learned about thunder tho is there’s a point where the turn stops and you’re just leaning so the turn won’t ever be fully the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on September 16, 2025, 12:47:48 AM
I just posted this in the wheel thread but think it might help some people here too:

I wanted to get a better look at how some of the rounded wheel shapes compare so I made this overlay using the images from their websites. Based on how the wheels lined up using the bearing diameter as the constant, seems like there is a lot of variance to how the bearings seat or the diagrams just aren't "real" CAD based on the actual wheel dimensions so take that however it is.

(https://i.ibb.co/VcgBjwtt/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5grcMK66)

If the shapes they all shared are accurate, we can see that Bones V1 have the largest radius to where they are nearly flat on the sides, Radials have the smallest radius so they are the most squared off at the edge and Classics do seem to have the the most balanced transition from edge to sides. When I look at it sideways as if each profile is a launch ramp, the Classic is the shape I would want to launch off of, so maybe there really is something to that which makes them so desirable to a lot of people.

Appreciate the commitment to the madness, I'd be on Classic Fulls if they were a regular shape and made in F4 not just Classic formula
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 16, 2025, 09:10:13 AM
Expand Quote
I just posted this in the wheel thread but think it might help some people here too:

I wanted to get a better look at how some of the rounded wheel shapes compare so I made this overlay using the images from their websites. Based on how the wheels lined up using the bearing diameter as the constant, seems like there is a lot of variance to how the bearings seat or the diagrams just aren't "real" CAD based on the actual wheel dimensions so take that however it is.

(https://i.ibb.co/VcgBjwtt/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5grcMK66)

If the shapes they all shared are accurate, we can see that Bones V1 have the largest radius to where they are nearly flat on the sides, Radials have the smallest radius so they are the most squared off at the edge and Classics do seem to have the the most balanced transition from edge to sides. When I look at it sideways as if each profile is a launch ramp, the Classic is the shape I would want to launch off of, so maybe there really is something to that which makes them so desirable to a lot of people.
[close]

Appreciate the commitment to the madness, I'd be on Classic Fulls if they were a regular shape and made in F4 not just Classic formula

Thanks! I’ve been thinking of doing something like this to help me better visualize the differences and it was fun and easy. I was about to add a conical shape to it but think it gets too busy at that point but if anyone is interested in some other shape comparisons, lmk.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bupstop on September 16, 2025, 03:42:36 PM
You guys are right about the classics being better at locking into tricks. I’ve been skating lock-ins for a while now and switched to an old pair of classics I had and I could land a bunch of grinds consistently that I’ve struggled with recently. I lost consistency on backside slappys and feebles with the lock in wheels and thought it was a mental thing or something.
Now I’m wondering if I should size up in the classics. Currently skating some worn 93a that were 52 I think?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 16, 2025, 05:04:48 PM
You guys are right about the classics being better at locking into tricks. I’ve been skating lock-ins for a while now and switched to an old pair of classics I had and I could land a bunch of grinds consistently that I’ve struggled with recently. I lost consistency on backside slappys and feebles with the lock in wheels and thought it was a mental thing or something.
Now I’m wondering if I should size up in the classics. Currently skating some worn 93a that were 52 I think?

IMHO, the efficacy of wheel lock is really contingent on the typo of grind, and the shape of the surface being grinded. Ben Degro actually has a great video on comparative wheel shapes that I think is dead-on.

https://youtu.be/sbgGwTQHBtY?si=uYnEFS2ttmaTG5_f
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 16, 2025, 08:13:05 PM
Expand Quote
You guys are right about the classics being better at locking into tricks. I’ve been skating lock-ins for a while now and switched to an old pair of classics I had and I could land a bunch of grinds consistently that I’ve struggled with recently. I lost consistency on backside slappys and feebles with the lock in wheels and thought it was a mental thing or something.
Now I’m wondering if I should size up in the classics. Currently skating some worn 93a that were 52 I think?
[close]

IMHO, the efficacy of wheel lock is really contingent on the typo of grind, and the shape of the surface being grinded. Ben Degro actually has a great video on comparative wheel shapes that I think is dead-on.

https://youtu.be/sbgGwTQHBtY?si=uYnEFS2ttmaTG5_f

Gonna need to watch or re-watch that because I've been strictly conical or conical fulls since September 2020 with solid comfort.  I used to be a V5 Bones guy and hated the Spit "classic" shape most companies offer.

Almost every F4 C/CF set I've skated has been 99 or 101 @ 52 - 54mm.  I love how they lock in most of the time. Sometimes I feel them stick on ledges and coping, unless there's more wax than not. I kinda jumped on conicals because everyone else (my friends) were mostly on them. They fuckin ripped on my first set! I'll never forget how stable, yet fast, yet slidey, yet grippy 99 conical full 54mm were! I do a lot of crooks and sometimes they catch or stick and I'm curious about classics, classic full, og classic, and radials
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 16, 2025, 08:51:35 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
You guys are right about the classics being better at locking into tricks. I’ve been skating lock-ins for a while now and switched to an old pair of classics I had and I could land a bunch of grinds consistently that I’ve struggled with recently. I lost consistency on backside slappys and feebles with the lock in wheels and thought it was a mental thing or something.
Now I’m wondering if I should size up in the classics. Currently skating some worn 93a that were 52 I think?
[close]

IMHO, the efficacy of wheel lock is really contingent on the typo of grind, and the shape of the surface being grinded. Ben Degro actually has a great video on comparative wheel shapes that I think is dead-on.

https://youtu.be/sbgGwTQHBtY?si=uYnEFS2ttmaTG5_f
[close]

Gonna need to watch or re-watch that because I've been strictly conical or conical fulls since September 2020 with solid comfort.  I used to be a V5 Bones guy and hated the Spit "classic" shape most companies offer.

Almost every F4 C/CF set I've skated has been 99 or 101 @ 52 - 54mm.  I love how they lock in most of the time. Sometimes I feel them stick on ledges and coping, unless there's more wax than not. I kinda jumped on conicals because everyone else (my friends) were mostly on them. They fuckin ripped on my first set! I'll never forget how stable, yet fast, yet slidey, yet grippy 99 conical full 54mm were! I do a lot of crooks and sometimes they catch or stick and I'm curious about classics, classic full, og classic, and radials

Radials are a good half-way point between full Connies and Classics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 16, 2025, 09:02:17 PM
From that overlay of shapes @Slave IV did + looking at photos + seeing my local shop owner on the Radials makes me curious about how they'd feel for me!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on September 16, 2025, 09:22:01 PM
Well I went ahead and bought a new deck and wheels. I got the 8.75 prime wood blank with a 14.625 wb and also got the 55mm vcut grocery bags by sml wheels. Set it up and got a sesh on it and I’m loving it so far. Feels much lighter and snappier than the 14.75 wb I was riding and the wheels feel super nice rn although I’m looking forward to the broken in stage. Also the wood from prime feels much better than the last time I rode one so that’s a plus too. Will be posting a pic in the setup thread. But I swear I always get new stuff and immediately start looking for the next thing to buy :/
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on September 16, 2025, 09:37:34 PM
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 16, 2025, 10:52:25 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
You guys are right about the classics being better at locking into tricks. I’ve been skating lock-ins for a while now and switched to an old pair of classics I had and I could land a bunch of grinds consistently that I’ve struggled with recently. I lost consistency on backside slappys and feebles with the lock in wheels and thought it was a mental thing or something.
Now I’m wondering if I should size up in the classics. Currently skating some worn 93a that were 52 I think?
[close]

IMHO, the efficacy of wheel lock is really contingent on the typo of grind, and the shape of the surface being grinded. Ben Degro actually has a great video on comparative wheel shapes that I think is dead-on.

https://youtu.be/sbgGwTQHBtY?si=uYnEFS2ttmaTG5_f
[close]

Gonna need to watch or re-watch that because I've been strictly conical or conical fulls since September 2020 with solid comfort.  I used to be a V5 Bones guy and hated the Spit "classic" shape most companies offer.

Almost every F4 C/CF set I've skated has been 99 or 101 @ 52 - 54mm.  I love how they lock in most of the time. Sometimes I feel them stick on ledges and coping, unless there's more wax than not. I kinda jumped on conicals because everyone else (my friends) were mostly on them. They fuckin ripped on my first set! I'll never forget how stable, yet fast, yet slidey, yet grippy 99 conical full 54mm were! I do a lot of crooks and sometimes they catch or stick and I'm curious about classics, classic full, og classic, and radials
This is pretty much exactly where I’m at. I got 99 CF 54mm when I started skating again and hitting up parks. I was sliding everywhere on my old wheels that were all small, skinny rounded or tablet shaped. The CF felt perfect to me. Then I finally learned to lock in on crooks and been hooked on doing those but I’m having a lot of trouble unlocking from them. I know it’s mostly user error and I need to step up my skills but it’s what got me wondering if going back to a more rounded wheel will help. I’m also thinking Radials might be the way to go because I don’t want to give up riding surface and slip again but I also don’t think the shape is different enough. Now I’m getting why some people are saying Classics worn down a few mm are perfect because you get that profile but some added contact patch. Maybe I’ll try some 54mm Classics and hope they are perfect when worn down to 52mm.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 16, 2025, 10:56:49 PM

Maybe I’ll try some 54mm Classics and hope they are perfect when worn down to 52mm.


Or...just get...Radials. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 16, 2025, 11:35:37 PM
Expand Quote

Maybe I’ll try some 54mm Classics and hope they are perfect when worn down to 52mm.

[close]

Or...just get...Radials. :)
Haha, yeah but that would be too easy to cure the madness. Here is another overlay that compares the CF to Classics and Radials and I threw in Bones V4 too.
(https://i.ibb.co/dwPfPnzV/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zTXmXK0B)
I keep going back and forth but Radials probably are the answer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 17, 2025, 12:41:37 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Maybe I’ll try some 54mm Classics and hope they are perfect when worn down to 52mm.

[close]

Or...just get...Radials. :)
[close]
Haha, yeah but that would be too easy to cure the madness. Here is another overlay that compares the CF to Classics and Radials and I threw in Bones V4 too.
(https://i.ibb.co/dwPfPnzV/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zTXmXK0B)
I keep going back and forth but Radials probably are the answer.

Wheels look nice in photos. But like a skateboard, you have to ride it to know. :)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 17, 2025, 05:18:46 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Maybe I’ll try some 54mm Classics and hope they are perfect when worn down to 52mm.

[close]

Or...just get...Radials. :)
[close]
Haha, yeah but that would be too easy to cure the madness. Here is another overlay that compares the CF to Classics and Radials and I threw in Bones V4 too.
(https://i.ibb.co/dwPfPnzV/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zTXmXK0B)
I keep going back and forth but Radials probably are the answer.
[close]

Wheels look nice in photos. But like a skateboard, you have to ride it to know. :)
Yeah, forget everything, just buy every wheel. Only way to be sure.  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 17, 2025, 06:23:58 PM
Expand Quote
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
[close]

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....


I have found if I need just a little bit off, sanding is good, but if I need a bit more than that off, then cutting them works best - usually just a simple kitchen steak or sharp enough knife, keeping the bushings on a baseplate or even just sitting on a kingpin, cut gently a little, rotate the bushing, cut gently again and so on til it has scored it right the way round and then cut a little deeper and so on. 

Trying various knife options, various positions, but now I think having a loose kingpin that I put almost a set of bushings on with the bushing that is to be cut right at the end and it seems to work a treat.  If it is a bit uneven, I can then sand it down a touch more on griptape or the grinder, but then I also have the bit I cut off to reuse if needed as well.

The main thing is not going too hard with it and maybe feeling it out a little first, but I think I will post pics and video of this new process that seems like it works way better than cutting while on a board.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 17, 2025, 06:27:16 PM

Haha, yeah but that would be too easy to cure the madness. Here is another overlay that compares the CF to Classics and Radials and I threw in Bones V4 too.
(https://i.ibb.co/dwPfPnzV/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zTXmXK0B)
I keep going back and forth but Radials probably are the answer.


So this new one I think is really good to see those three coloured lines to the left, offset as you said last time, so I think it would be worth posting in both the Wheels thread and the Spitfire Formula Four threads, because people would be keen to see them, as well as have them in all three of those threads.

Sure it is mostly the same people looking at all the different threads, but this is worth reposting there too.

Thanks for the effort in doing this - pretty cool to see, which as @Sedition had said, is also how I know they feel from having all three of those options in regular rotation.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 17, 2025, 07:10:16 PM
Expand Quote

Haha, yeah but that would be too easy to cure the madness. Here is another overlay that compares the CF to Classics and Radials and I threw in Bones V4 too.
(https://i.ibb.co/dwPfPnzV/Skateboard-Wheel-Shape-Comp2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zTXmXK0B)
I keep going back and forth but Radials probably are the answer.
[close]


So this new one I think is really good to see those three coloured lines to the left, offset as you said last time, so I think it would be worth posting in both the Wheels thread and the Spitfire Formula Four threads, because people would be keen to see them, as well as have them in all three of those threads.

Sure it is mostly the same people looking at all the different threads, but this is worth reposting there too.

Thanks for the effort in doing this - pretty cool to see, which as @Sedition had said, is also how I know they feel from having all three of those options in regular rotation.
No problem! Yeah, I'll post it in the other threads too if people think it's helpful. It definitely helps me visualy evaluate what I'm riding and what else to look for.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on September 17, 2025, 09:38:41 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
[close]

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....
[close]


I have found if I need just a little bit off, sanding is good, but if I need a bit more than that off, then cutting them works best - usually just a simple kitchen steak or sharp enough knife, keeping the bushings on a baseplate or even just sitting on a kingpin, cut gently a little, rotate the bushing, cut gently again and so on til it has scored it right the way round and then cut a little deeper and so on. 

Trying various knife options, various positions, but now I think having a loose kingpin that I put almost a set of bushings on with the bushing that is to be cut right at the end and it seems to work a treat.  If it is a bit uneven, I can then sand it down a touch more on griptape or the grinder, but then I also have the bit I cut off to reuse if needed as well.

The main thing is not going too hard with it and maybe feeling it out a little first, but I think I will post pics and video of this new process that seems like it works way better than cutting while on a board.

I've been thinking if it would be possible to make a jig where the bushing would sit firmly and you could cut or sand it to preference. But I've yet to come up with a solution. It would be cool to be able to adjust the height too. It seems that only madness I have is bushing DIY madness haha.

I only have cutters at work but maybe I'll try cutting the upper bushing today. at least get it into the ball park and sand the rest.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 17, 2025, 10:44:09 PM
I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 18, 2025, 05:38:08 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
[close]

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....
[close]


I have found if I need just a little bit off, sanding is good, but if I need a bit more than that off, then cutting them works best - usually just a simple kitchen steak or sharp enough knife, keeping the bushings on a baseplate or even just sitting on a kingpin, cut gently a little, rotate the bushing, cut gently again and so on til it has scored it right the way round and then cut a little deeper and so on. 

Trying various knife options, various positions, but now I think having a loose kingpin that I put almost a set of bushings on with the bushing that is to be cut right at the end and it seems to work a treat.  If it is a bit uneven, I can then sand it down a touch more on griptape or the grinder, but then I also have the bit I cut off to reuse if needed as well.

The main thing is not going too hard with it and maybe feeling it out a little first, but I think I will post pics and video of this new process that seems like it works way better than cutting while on a board.
[close]

I've been thinking if it would be possible to make a jig where the bushing would sit firmly and you could cut or sand it to preference. But I've yet to come up with a solution. It would be cool to be able to adjust the height too. It seems that only madness I have is bushing DIY madness haha.

I only have cutters at work but maybe I'll try cutting the upper bushing today. at least get it into the ball park and sand the rest.


The main thing I found is I need to have the middle secured to hold the bushing in place, but not holding the part I am trying to cut, as it is squashed too much and I can't get the knife in easily enough.  Placing the bushing on a kingpin or something similar means I can roll it along the round edge on the bench top / cutting board while getting the knife into the top part of it.  I like to use a serrated edge like a steak knife, more so than a smooth blade like a box cutter or similar tool.

I meant to take some pics and video today, but got busy with other things, but I will definitely get something together soon enough, as it is bugging me how easy this process can be, compared to how I used to cut bushings before.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 18, 2025, 05:41:38 AM
I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?


Honestly I was surprised that they will actually fit fairly well throughout most of the main brands, at least Thunder / Venture and Indy all did well enough and skate quite ok, without having to modify anything at all.

Maybe it is more just in the mind, people thinking or saying Thunder bushings should be used in Thunder trucks, Indy bushings in Indy trucks, etc, but they definitely work well, the Indy Conical shape, which do come in red 88, orange 90, blue 92 and black 94 duro options did fit in Thunder trucks well enough.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on September 18, 2025, 12:47:37 PM
I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?


The Indy conicals are same height. The 88s flush without shaving anything of the top feel soo good so far.I don’t think I have em fully broken in yet so see if they get better.  Stable in the middle but turn when you want them too. Not overly loose. Kind of like the stock thunders but like smoother. I’d imagine the 90a conicals would feel more like a 92a in thunder bushings. Mainly went the Indy bushing route so I wouldn’t have to deal with the seasonal madness. I liked the stock thunder ones that’s why I went with the 88s, felt they’d be the most similar.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 18, 2025, 02:02:28 PM
Expand Quote
I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?
[close]


The Indy conicals are same height. The 88s flush without shaving anything of the top feel soo good so far.I don’t think I have em fully broken in yet so see if they get better.  Stable in the middle but turn when you want them too. Not overly loose. Kind of like the stock thunders but like smoother. I’d imagine the 90a conicals would feel more like a 92a in thunder bushings. Mainly went the Indy bushing route so I wouldn’t have to deal with the seasonal madness. I liked the stock thunder ones that’s why I went with the 88s, felt they’d be the most similar.

This is extremely helpful info, thank you! I do like the stock thunder 151 bushings BUT I want a little more turn from them. I have the nut flush on them currently. A mix of 88a - 94a aftermarket conicals sits in my skate gear box and thankfully I can experiment with those

@Mbrimson88 excellent! I know some people like to be brand/part purists. Completely understandable and I do the same at times, actually. Knowing they'll still work and not self destruct like some "cross contamination" of brand parts has for others is good news
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on September 18, 2025, 03:40:28 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?
[close]


The Indy conicals are same height. The 88s flush without shaving anything of the top feel soo good so far.I don’t think I have em fully broken in yet so see if they get better.  Stable in the middle but turn when you want them too. Not overly loose. Kind of like the stock thunders but like smoother. I’d imagine the 90a conicals would feel more like a 92a in thunder bushings. Mainly went the Indy bushing route so I wouldn’t have to deal with the seasonal madness. I liked the stock thunder ones that’s why I went with the 88s, felt they’d be the most similar.
[close]

This is extremely helpful info, thank you! I do like the stock thunder 151 bushings BUT I want a little more turn from them. I have the nut flush on them currently. A mix of 88a - 94a aftermarket conicals sits in my skate gear box and thankfully I can experiment with those

@Mbrimson88 excellent! I know some people like to be brand/part purists. Completely understandable and I do the same at times, actually. Knowing they'll still work and not self destruct like some "cross contamination" of brand parts has for others is good news

The thunder top washer is also low key ass and digs in to the truck. If you got the Indy conical washers I’d switch to those too
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 18, 2025, 03:51:15 PM
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I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?
[close]


The Indy conicals are same height. The 88s flush without shaving anything of the top feel soo good so far.I don’t think I have em fully broken in yet so see if they get better.  Stable in the middle but turn when you want them too. Not overly loose. Kind of like the stock thunders but like smoother. I’d imagine the 90a conicals would feel more like a 92a in thunder bushings. Mainly went the Indy bushing route so I wouldn’t have to deal with the seasonal madness. I liked the stock thunder ones that’s why I went with the 88s, felt they’d be the most similar.
[close]

This is extremely helpful info, thank you! I do like the stock thunder 151 bushings BUT I want a little more turn from them. I have the nut flush on them currently. A mix of 88a - 94a aftermarket conicals sits in my skate gear box and thankfully I can experiment with those

@Mbrimson88 excellent! I know some people like to be brand/part purists. Completely understandable and I do the same at times, actually. Knowing they'll still work and not self destruct like some "cross contamination" of brand parts has for others is good news
[close]

The thunder top washer is also low key ass and digs in to the truck. If you got the Indy conical washers I’d switch to those too

Good looks! I do have extra of those and will be keen on trying that as well!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FatGuy92 on September 18, 2025, 06:24:01 PM
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I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?
[close]


The Indy conicals are same height. The 88s flush without shaving anything of the top feel soo good so far.I don’t think I have em fully broken in yet so see if they get better.  Stable in the middle but turn when you want them too. Not overly loose. Kind of like the stock thunders but like smoother. I’d imagine the 90a conicals would feel more like a 92a in thunder bushings. Mainly went the Indy bushing route so I wouldn’t have to deal with the seasonal madness. I liked the stock thunder ones that’s why I went with the 88s, felt they’d be the most similar.
[close]

This is extremely helpful info, thank you! I do like the stock thunder 151 bushings BUT I want a little more turn from them. I have the nut flush on them currently. A mix of 88a - 94a aftermarket conicals sits in my skate gear box and thankfully I can experiment with those

@Mbrimson88 excellent! I know some people like to be brand/part purists. Completely understandable and I do the same at times, actually. Knowing they'll still work and not self destruct like some "cross contamination" of brand parts has for others is good news

A couple people here recommended Ace low bushings for Thunders, so I setup Ace low hard tops and low standard bottoms. I haven’t had a lot of time to skate lately, but so far they feel good. IIRC Tom Asta made a setup video awhile back and he was skating Ace bushings with Thunders too and liked it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 18, 2025, 10:23:43 PM
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I think i saw someone mention using Indy aftermarket bushings in Thunders a few posts back on here! Is that worth trying in that they're compatible? Or should I look for Thunder replacement kit ones for better compatibility?
[close]


The Indy conicals are same height. The 88s flush without shaving anything of the top feel soo good so far.I don’t think I have em fully broken in yet so see if they get better.  Stable in the middle but turn when you want them too. Not overly loose. Kind of like the stock thunders but like smoother. I’d imagine the 90a conicals would feel more like a 92a in thunder bushings. Mainly went the Indy bushing route so I wouldn’t have to deal with the seasonal madness. I liked the stock thunder ones that’s why I went with the 88s, felt they’d be the most similar.
[close]

This is extremely helpful info, thank you! I do like the stock thunder 151 bushings BUT I want a little more turn from them. I have the nut flush on them currently. A mix of 88a - 94a aftermarket conicals sits in my skate gear box and thankfully I can experiment with those

@Mbrimson88 excellent! I know some people like to be brand/part purists. Completely understandable and I do the same at times, actually. Knowing they'll still work and not self destruct like some "cross contamination" of brand parts has for others is good news
[close]

A couple people here recommended Ace low bushings for Thunders, so I setup Ace low hard tops and low standard bottoms. I haven’t had a lot of time to skate lately, but so far they feel good. IIRC Tom Asta made a setup video awhile back and he was skating Ace bushings with Thunders too and liked it

That's good info, too! I have one set of Aces and they're set up on a Zip Zinger, so those bushings are spoken for ATM, but I could be persuaded to tinker more 🤣
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 19, 2025, 05:17:25 AM
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I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
[close]

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....
[close]


I have found if I need just a little bit off, sanding is good, but if I need a bit more than that off, then cutting them works best - usually just a simple kitchen steak or sharp enough knife, keeping the bushings on a baseplate or even just sitting on a kingpin, cut gently a little, rotate the bushing, cut gently again and so on til it has scored it right the way round and then cut a little deeper and so on. 

Trying various knife options, various positions, but now I think having a loose kingpin that I put almost a set of bushings on with the bushing that is to be cut right at the end and it seems to work a treat.  If it is a bit uneven, I can then sand it down a touch more on griptape or the grinder, but then I also have the bit I cut off to reuse if needed as well.

The main thing is not going too hard with it and maybe feeling it out a little first, but I think I will post pics and video of this new process that seems like it works way better than cutting while on a board.
[close]

I've been thinking if it would be possible to make a jig where the bushing would sit firmly and you could cut or sand it to preference. But I've yet to come up with a solution. It would be cool to be able to adjust the height too. It seems that only madness I have is bushing DIY madness haha.

I only have cutters at work but maybe I'll try cutting the upper bushing today. at least get it into the ball park and sand the rest.



I finally got a minute to do a few things, so here is my second version of cutting bushings.

Video of the process in the last frame.


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/DOyFF4Pk7B-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOyFF4Pk7B-/?img_index=1


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 19, 2025, 08:20:32 AM
Would never have thought of doing something like this. I’d probably just try to find the different size bushings but this is very clever in not needing anything else to do. As for cutting, I wonder if you can ask your local butcher to help you out with their deli cutter. They can dial it in to the exact thickness and slice it lit in a fraction of a second perfectly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 19, 2025, 12:34:40 PM
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 19, 2025, 12:50:16 PM
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on September 19, 2025, 05:40:23 PM
Would never have thought of doing something like this. I’d probably just try to find the different size bushings but this is very clever in not needing anything else to do. As for cutting, I wonder if you can ask your local butcher to help you out with their deli cutter. They can dial it in to the exact thickness and slice it lit in a fraction of a second perfectly.

Good thought but I seriously doubt anyone in the food service industry would do that. Health codes and such.
Although RFK is in charge so maybe it’s a bit more lax now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on September 19, 2025, 05:58:30 PM
Expand Quote
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
[close]

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.

Same. I used to just buy ~8.5s, whatever it was, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6. with all the rando extra numbers. I skated 146s and 149s. whatever the shop had. Antihero, ATM, baker, consolidated, habitat, black label, whatever.

I can skate a shaped 9.4 as long as it's 14.25 wb

When I got into my late 20s, into 30s I realized some of the boards I was skating were way fucking longer than the ones I liked. I used to have times where I felt like I was skating like shit, hated boards, wasn't exactly sure why. It's cause the WB was too long. I felt dumb as hell.  Around ~14 to ~14.25 is my jam. I'm 5'8. When I met Spanky and Jerry, they're like, less than that, and crush it on what I presume are ~14.25" wb boards, though I know they can get whatever they want pressed. I've seen clips of Jerry on antihero eagles and stuff. I was watching old Tom Penny footage. Seeing how he rides comfortably around the bolts. Googling how tall he is. Finding no results. Baggy pants hiding the cowboy Leo Romero stance. I had less control over long boards cause I didn't want to stand with my feet so far apart. I like how penny kept 149s on his board for at least a year after 139s came out. There's contest footage of him in i wanna say 94 hot rodding so hard and still killing it. Jealous of ppl with long legs cause they can choose what they like, where short-ass leg mfs like myself have to accept the options. I don't even want to start skating the real truefits and stuff cause I don't want to get used to something and have it eventually taken away, thus, I just ride blue eagles and baker b16s

lurked here since about 2008, but at that time the EMB was my main shit, I had like 20,000 posts or some shit, I used to go on and on with the homies Jawn, Meatbag, etc drunk as a 19 year old. We were more interested in making each other laugh than breaking down the nitty gritty of skate equipment.

When my search engine results in my mid 20s continually led me to slap, I eventually made an account. I think it was based off the wheelbase thing. Wheelbase is like, the reason I have an account.

I'm insane



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 19, 2025, 07:41:36 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
[close]

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.
[close]

Same. I used to just buy ~8.5s, whatever it was, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6. with all the rando extra numbers. I skated 146s and 149s. whatever the shop had. Antihero, ATM, baker, consolidated, habitat, black label, whatever.

I can skate a shaped 9.4 as long as it's 14.25 wb

When I got into my late 20s, into 30s I realized some of the boards I was skating were way fucking longer than the ones I liked. I used to have times where I felt like I was skating like shit, hated boards, wasn't exactly sure why. It's cause the WB was too long. I felt dumb as hell.  Around ~14 to ~14.25 is my jam. I'm 5'8. When I met Spanky and Jerry, they're like, less than that, and crush it on what I presume are ~14.25" wb boards, though I know they can get whatever they want pressed. I've seen clips of Jerry on antihero eagles and stuff. I was watching old Tom Penny footage. Seeing how he rides comfortably around the bolts. Googling how tall he is. Finding no results. Baggy pants hiding the cowboy Leo Romero stance. I had less control over long boards cause I didn't want to stand with my feet so far apart. I like how penny kept 149s on his board for at least a year after 139s came out. There's contest footage of him in i wanna say 94 hot rodding so hard and still killing it. Jealous of ppl with long legs cause they can choose what they like, where short-ass leg mfs like myself have to accept the options. I don't even want to start skating the real truefits and stuff cause I don't want to get used to something and have it eventually taken away, thus, I just ride blue eagles and baker b16s

lurked here since about 2008, but at that time the EMB was my main shit, I had like 20,000 posts or some shit, I used to go on and on with the homies Jawn, Meatbag, etc drunk as a 19 year old. We were more interested in making each other laugh than breaking down the nitty gritty of skate equipment.

When my search engine results in my mid 20s continually led me to slap, I eventually made an account. I think it was based off the wheelbase thing. Wheelbase is like, the reason I have an account.

I'm insane

oh i’m not mentally well.

also, not positive, but every certain that tom was skating 139s, on a sub 8 board.
149s were not real common, imo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 19, 2025, 07:56:28 PM
Expand Quote
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
[close]

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.


Wheelbase is definitely on my list of important things, but I also find that getting a board I can adjust is more important these days. 

That might sound silly, but this is how I do things - mainly being able to bring the tail in just a bit, so I can get a slightly longer tail with maybe starting with a slightly longer wheelbase, and a good / longer overall length of board, so something like that DLX 8.38 with 14.5 wb that becomes 14.3 or the DLX 8.75 with 14.62 wb becomes more a 14.5 with the minimally drilled in trucks.

The madness of experimenting with truck bolt holes has led me here, so I don't really want a V8 baseplate option with two sets of holes, which end up too far apart, but ovalling out the holes now seems to work so I can shift the baseplate a couple of mm and things just work so well now.

In this way I can move Indy and Thunder easily, often with something like grip tape stuck under the baseplate, but double sided tape or something similar might work well too, for people who didn't want to use grip tape.

This will be another one of those posts soon enough, but from doing this to a few trucks for the last month or so, everything still seems to be working well.


Seems wild to think of this even a year ago, but seeing a few options like those multi position Grindking baseplates and then trying it once to ending up here, I like having the option to move the baseplates even just a mm or two or totally up to the 6 mm and approximately 1/4" position, but that is almost too much for me mostly.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on September 20, 2025, 02:47:36 AM
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I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
[close]

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....
[close]


I have found if I need just a little bit off, sanding is good, but if I need a bit more than that off, then cutting them works best - usually just a simple kitchen steak or sharp enough knife, keeping the bushings on a baseplate or even just sitting on a kingpin, cut gently a little, rotate the bushing, cut gently again and so on til it has scored it right the way round and then cut a little deeper and so on. 

Trying various knife options, various positions, but now I think having a loose kingpin that I put almost a set of bushings on with the bushing that is to be cut right at the end and it seems to work a treat.  If it is a bit uneven, I can then sand it down a touch more on griptape or the grinder, but then I also have the bit I cut off to reuse if needed as well.

The main thing is not going too hard with it and maybe feeling it out a little first, but I think I will post pics and video of this new process that seems like it works way better than cutting while on a board.
[close]

I've been thinking if it would be possible to make a jig where the bushing would sit firmly and you could cut or sand it to preference. But I've yet to come up with a solution. It would be cool to be able to adjust the height too. It seems that only madness I have is bushing DIY madness haha.

I only have cutters at work but maybe I'll try cutting the upper bushing today. at least get it into the ball park and sand the rest.
[close]



I finally got a minute to do a few things, so here is my second version of cutting bushings.

Video of the process in the last frame.


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/DOyFF4Pk7B-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOyFF4Pk7B-/?img_index=1




Thanks for posting the vid! Using the kingpin like this is a serious life hack. Always wondered how to prevent squeezing the bushing too much while cutting. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on September 20, 2025, 03:01:54 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
[close]

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.
[close]

Same. I used to just buy ~8.5s, whatever it was, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6. with all the rando extra numbers. I skated 146s and 149s. whatever the shop had. Antihero, ATM, baker, consolidated, habitat, black label, whatever.

I can skate a shaped 9.4 as long as it's 14.25 wb

When I got into my late 20s, into 30s I realized some of the boards I was skating were way fucking longer than the ones I liked. I used to have times where I felt like I was skating like shit, hated boards, wasn't exactly sure why. It's cause the WB was too long. I felt dumb as hell.  Around ~14 to ~14.25 is my jam. I'm 5'8. When I met Spanky and Jerry, they're like, less than that, and crush it on what I presume are ~14.25" wb boards, though I know they can get whatever they want pressed. I've seen clips of Jerry on antihero eagles and stuff. I was watching old Tom Penny footage. Seeing how he rides comfortably around the bolts. Googling how tall he is. Finding no results. Baggy pants hiding the cowboy Leo Romero stance. I had less control over long boards cause I didn't want to stand with my feet so far apart. I like how penny kept 149s on his board for at least a year after 139s came out. There's contest footage of him in i wanna say 94 hot rodding so hard and still killing it. Jealous of ppl with long legs cause they can choose what they like, where short-ass leg mfs like myself have to accept the options. I don't even want to start skating the real truefits and stuff cause I don't want to get used to something and have it eventually taken away, thus, I just ride blue eagles and baker b16s

lurked here since about 2008, but at that time the EMB was my main shit, I had like 20,000 posts or some shit, I used to go on and on with the homies Jawn, Meatbag, etc drunk as a 19 year old. We were more interested in making each other laugh than breaking down the nitty gritty of skate equipment.

When my search engine results in my mid 20s continually led me to slap, I eventually made an account. I think it was based off the wheelbase thing. Wheelbase is like, the reason I have an account.

I'm insane
Blue eagle is on the best shape known to man. Every time I try something different I always end up back on that shape. I'm 6 feet tall but most of that is in the torso so I can't really do anything over 32" without feeling like I'm snow boarding.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on September 22, 2025, 12:25:34 AM
Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
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I've been pulled towards Thunder & Venture here and there. Tried both on separate occasions. Ventures sucked,  but maybe they get better with some tuning? Thunders felt manageable, but like Ventures, would not turn comfortably.

However, I've been trying to get both to feel like Indy's turn-wise, and that's either my main flaw or my key to making them work.

Gonna try softer bushings in both sets on my 2 spare setups. The loose kit bushings are what I'm trying in the Ventures. For the Thunder, I gotta research what's softer than the stock on 151 cast
[close]

I got Thunders to feel and turn great by sanding the rebuild kit blue top bushing down 1mm. I wish I found a way to make my Venture Hi's to feel similar. The stock bushings felt good and turny initially, but after a month or two of skating the turn started to decline and I haven't felt like skating the board with Venture's after having a hard time carving into curb tricks etc. Bought a set of Ace hards but it's such a hassle to sand 'em down multiple mm's to fit Venture's that I only have one trucks bushings ready. Shop was out or hard low's....
[close]


I have found if I need just a little bit off, sanding is good, but if I need a bit more than that off, then cutting them works best - usually just a simple kitchen steak or sharp enough knife, keeping the bushings on a baseplate or even just sitting on a kingpin, cut gently a little, rotate the bushing, cut gently again and so on til it has scored it right the way round and then cut a little deeper and so on. 

Trying various knife options, various positions, but now I think having a loose kingpin that I put almost a set of bushings on with the bushing that is to be cut right at the end and it seems to work a treat.  If it is a bit uneven, I can then sand it down a touch more on griptape or the grinder, but then I also have the bit I cut off to reuse if needed as well.

The main thing is not going too hard with it and maybe feeling it out a little first, but I think I will post pics and video of this new process that seems like it works way better than cutting while on a board.
[close]

I've been thinking if it would be possible to make a jig where the bushing would sit firmly and you could cut or sand it to preference. But I've yet to come up with a solution. It would be cool to be able to adjust the height too. It seems that only madness I have is bushing DIY madness haha.

I only have cutters at work but maybe I'll try cutting the upper bushing today. at least get it into the ball park and sand the rest.
[close]



I finally got a minute to do a few things, so here is my second version of cutting bushings.

Video of the process in the last frame.


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/DOyFF4Pk7B-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOyFF4Pk7B-/?img_index=1

Thank you for this! I'd never in a million years thought that serrated knife would work better but judging from the video it seems less prone to accidentally cut non diagonally. Will test this out for sure next time I need to cut bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 22, 2025, 05:28:15 AM

Thank you for this! I'd never in a million years thought that serrated knife would work better but judging from the video it seems less prone to accidentally cut non diagonally. Will test this out for sure next time I need to cut bushings.


Thanks for posting the vid! Using the kingpin like this is a serious life hack. Always wondered how to prevent squeezing the bushing too much while cutting. 


The most stupid thing with all of the different knife / blade options, is the way they cut and even which side I have to cut to, eg this bigger steak knife cuts more to the right, so when I held the bushing the other way it would cut into the middle of the bushing way too much, but holding it this way and not slicing quite as much, it cuts way more easily in a nice even strip.

The smaller knife with way smaller teeth cuts significantly better, but I was trying this one this time, maybe more just to see if I could get it right, but a much more fine serrated knife will cut way better overall I think.

Really just taking it nice and easy, but also as soon as it might look like it is not going how you want it, stop and reposition, as I have definitely made a mess of it one too many times, by rushing it and then just thinking I can keep cutting from the one spot, rather than keep it rotating as I cut.

I did another couple of sets of other bushings which turned out way better, but at least the white ones really showed up well for the pics, so that was the main thing there.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on September 22, 2025, 05:49:16 AM
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we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
[close]

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.
[close]

Same. I used to just buy ~8.5s, whatever it was, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6. with all the rando extra numbers. I skated 146s and 149s. whatever the shop had. Antihero, ATM, baker, consolidated, habitat, black label, whatever.

I can skate a shaped 9.4 as long as it's 14.25 wb

When I got into my late 20s, into 30s I realized some of the boards I was skating were way fucking longer than the ones I liked. I used to have times where I felt like I was skating like shit, hated boards, wasn't exactly sure why. It's cause the WB was too long. I felt dumb as hell.  Around ~14 to ~14.25 is my jam. I'm 5'8. When I met Spanky and Jerry, they're like, less than that, and crush it on what I presume are ~14.25" wb boards, though I know they can get whatever they want pressed. I've seen clips of Jerry on antihero eagles and stuff. I was watching old Tom Penny footage. Seeing how he rides comfortably around the bolts. Googling how tall he is. Finding no results. Baggy pants hiding the cowboy Leo Romero stance. I had less control over long boards cause I didn't want to stand with my feet so far apart. I like how penny kept 149s on his board for at least a year after 139s came out. There's contest footage of him in i wanna say 94 hot rodding so hard and still killing it. Jealous of ppl with long legs cause they can choose what they like, where short-ass leg mfs like myself have to accept the options. I don't even want to start skating the real truefits and stuff cause I don't want to get used to something and have it eventually taken away, thus, I just ride blue eagles and baker b16s

lurked here since about 2008, but at that time the EMB was my main shit, I had like 20,000 posts or some shit, I used to go on and on with the homies Jawn, Meatbag, etc drunk as a 19 year old. We were more interested in making each other laugh than breaking down the nitty gritty of skate equipment.

When my search engine results in my mid 20s continually led me to slap, I eventually made an account. I think it was based off the wheelbase thing. Wheelbase is like, the reason I have an account.

I'm insane
[close]

oh i’m not mentally well.

also, not positive, but every certain that tom was skating 139s, on a sub 8 board.
149s were not real common, imo.

I’m 5’11 with long legs, and at least for me, I absolutely can’t ride “whatever I want.” Short wb decks (that’s 14.25 and under) feel super cramped and unstable (because feet are not wide enough to create a stable base)…it’s like riding a Penny board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 22, 2025, 10:54:21 AM
A different kind of madness I have sometimes is gear that won't die. That is, I refuse to retire gear until it has reached a certain point and sometimes it takes a lot longer than I expected for that point to be reached.

Currently having this with my Blazer Mids. Sometime during the summer, I noticed the sole was worn paper thin around the big toe and ball area so I decided they would be retired once the sole is worn all the way through. I figured it wouldn't take long and want ti kill them asap because I'm tired of dealing with the lacing. I'm used to shoes that I can just take on and off easily by just tying or untying but these require loosening down several eyelets before they budge. Like everything else about them but that part is getting real old.

Problem is, summer is over and the sole still hasn't worn all the way through yet. I've gone through almost 4 decks and 2 sets of trucks and these shoes just won't die. It is kinda driving me mad, lol!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 22, 2025, 04:43:17 PM
I've also had gear that won't die or gear I thought was done but clearly wasn't when I gave them a second shot.  I've set aside at least 2 pairs of shoes in the last 3 years thinking they were done. Revisited both pairs months later at separate times for a second breath of life. Both lasted even longer than the time I spent skating them on the first wear! My pairs were Emerica KSL G6 and Etnies MC Rap High

Sometimes the true quality shines through when gear refuses to die on us hahah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 22, 2025, 05:41:13 PM
I've also had gear that won't die or gear I thought was done but clearly wasn't when I gave them a second shot.  I've set aside at least 2 pairs of shoes in the last 3 years thinking they were done. Revisited both pairs months later at separate times for a second breath of life. Both lasted even longer than the time I spent skating them on the first wear! My pairs were Emerica KSL G6 and Etnies MC Rap High

Sometimes the true quality shines through when gear refuses to die on us hahah
Nice, I was looking to get MC Rap Highs to replace my Blazer Mids but ended up getting some cheapo versions from Walmart for around $20. Will see how long those last... the soles seem thinner than my already worn Blazers tho.
I also recently revisited an old MiniLogo deck I had from around 10 years ago that I thought was dead. Ended up skating the shit out of it until it snapped but it was really good until that happened.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 23, 2025, 10:45:02 AM
Expand Quote
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
we have a wide board short wb movement thread.
any ideas on the skinny boards long wb?

i’m in a weird place, and this comes from more a desire to try something way off from what i generally use. there is a smidge of logic: ive gone on and on about how i hav e enjoyed the griffin gass shape (8.5x14.44x32). i think its due to the tail being the same as the 7.75 tail, which is approximately the type of board i had my best years on.
following all of that….and continuing with what someone on here said quite awhile back, paraphrased: ‘wb isn’t important, it’s just the left overs after nose/tail and length’.
i like 8 ish boards, or boards i can skate with 8 trucks, which are a goal i
’m working my way back down towards.
[close]

Heh. I am on the other end of the spectrum; Wheelbase is one of the most important dimensions to me.
[close]

Same. I used to just buy ~8.5s, whatever it was, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6. with all the rando extra numbers. I skated 146s and 149s. whatever the shop had. Antihero, ATM, baker, consolidated, habitat, black label, whatever.

I can skate a shaped 9.4 as long as it's 14.25 wb

When I got into my late 20s, into 30s I realized some of the boards I was skating were way fucking longer than the ones I liked. I used to have times where I felt like I was skating like shit, hated boards, wasn't exactly sure why. It's cause the WB was too long. I felt dumb as hell.  Around ~14 to ~14.25 is my jam. I'm 5'8. When I met Spanky and Jerry, they're like, less than that, and crush it on what I presume are ~14.25" wb boards, though I know they can get whatever they want pressed. I've seen clips of Jerry on antihero eagles and stuff. I was watching old Tom Penny footage. Seeing how he rides comfortably around the bolts. Googling how tall he is. Finding no results. Baggy pants hiding the cowboy Leo Romero stance. I had less control over long boards cause I didn't want to stand with my feet so far apart. I like how penny kept 149s on his board for at least a year after 139s came out. There's contest footage of him in i wanna say 94 hot rodding so hard and still killing it. Jealous of ppl with long legs cause they can choose what they like, where short-ass leg mfs like myself have to accept the options. I don't even want to start skating the real truefits and stuff cause I don't want to get used to something and have it eventually taken away, thus, I just ride blue eagles and baker b16s

lurked here since about 2008, but at that time the EMB was my main shit, I had like 20,000 posts or some shit, I used to go on and on with the homies Jawn, Meatbag, etc drunk as a 19 year old. We were more interested in making each other laugh than breaking down the nitty gritty of skate equipment.

When my search engine results in my mid 20s continually led me to slap, I eventually made an account. I think it was based off the wheelbase thing. Wheelbase is like, the reason I have an account.

I'm insane
[close]

oh i’m not mentally well.

also, not positive, but every certain that tom was skating 139s, on a sub 8 board.
149s were not real common, imo.
[close]

I’m 5’11 with long legs, and at least for me, I absolutely can’t ride “whatever I want.” Short wb decks (that’s 14.25 and under) feel super cramped and unstable (because feet are not wide enough to create a stable base)…it’s like riding a Penny board.

for me, if i’m skating a lot, a short wb board (14”) and ventures, or 14.25” and indy’s, works well.
if im not skating very often, a larger board is easier. longer wb is fine because im just flinging and praying anyways.

i’ve long resisted this particular part of
madness: tails/noses, but that might be a better starting point for me.
it’s wb adjacent.



i’ve decided to just go back to contemplating what silly consumeristic consumption i can conjure up: currently ace inverted hollows vs t2s.

i don’t even know what decks i like right now.
cooked doesn’t even begin to describe it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on September 23, 2025, 10:56:29 AM
Expand Quote
I've also had gear that won't die or gear I thought was done but clearly wasn't when I gave them a second shot.  I've set aside at least 2 pairs of shoes in the last 3 years thinking they were done. Revisited both pairs months later at separate times for a second breath of life. Both lasted even longer than the time I spent skating them on the first wear! My pairs were Emerica KSL G6 and Etnies MC Rap High

Sometimes the true quality shines through when gear refuses to die on us hahah
[close]
Nice, I was looking to get MC Rap Highs to replace my Blazer Mids but ended up getting some cheapo versions from Walmart for around $20. Will see how long those last... the soles seem thinner than my already worn Blazers tho.
I also recently revisited an old MiniLogo deck I had from around 10 years ago that I thought was dead. Ended up skating the shit out of it until it snapped but it was really good until that happened.

The MC Raps have been phased out for now, sadly. I still have a couple pairs to enjoy though. I haven't seen many positives about the Walmart ones since those seem like they were designed cheaper for that store, but you could end up liking them. I used to love Mini Logo decks around 2014-2016! I liked a couple of their shapes and the wood always felt strong. Makes sense yours was solid and you skated until it was broken!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on September 23, 2025, 11:34:11 AM
for me, if i’m skating a lot, a short wb board (14”) and ventures, or 14.25” and indy’s, works well.
if im not skating very often, a larger board is easier. longer wb is fine because im just flinging and praying anyways.

i’ve long resisted this particular part of
madness: tails/noses, but that might be a better starting point for me.
it’s wb adjacent.

i’ve decided to just go back to contemplating what silly consumeristic consumption i can conjure up: currently ace inverted hollows vs t2s.

i don’t even know what decks i like right now.
cooked doesn’t even begin to describe it

I feel you bro. I'm such a mess when it comes to self-realization with regards to what equipment works best for me. Sometimes it's a DLX 8.25 x 14.38 with cast Indy 149's and I'm like this is THE SHIT and then it turns into shit and I go for a 8.38 x 14.25 with cast Ventures and am like hmmmm yeah this is nice BUT... and then a 14 inch wb deck with forged Ventures which feels like WHOA I'm popping my ollies like easy and wow BUT then that one feels like crap in the bowl and then I'm back on the 8.25 x 14.38 and the serpent keeps on chasing its tail...

What I do know, though, is I don't enjoy decks that are too mellow. Gotta have that concave and some of that good ol' kick. At least there's that. And god damn those new era softer wheels like the X-Formula and the Soft Sliders are really something that I've welcomed to my world.

All hope is never lost.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on September 23, 2025, 11:47:18 AM
A different kind of madness I have sometimes is gear that won't die. That is, I refuse to retire gear until it has reached a certain point and sometimes it takes a lot longer than I expected for that point to be reached.

Currently having this with my Blazer Mids. Sometime during the summer, I noticed the sole was worn paper thin around the big toe and ball area so I decided they would be retired once the sole is worn all the way through. I figured it wouldn't take long and want ti kill them asap because I'm tired of dealing with the lacing. I'm used to shoes that I can just take on and off easily by just tying or untying but these require loosening down several eyelets before they budge. Like everything else about them but that part is getting real old.

Problem is, summer is over and the sole still hasn't worn all the way through yet. I've gone through almost 4 decks and 2 sets of trucks and these shoes just won't die. It is kinda driving me mad, lol!

Don't do this with your shoes - not worth it.  I used to do the same thing, but you are just messing up your feet and increasing the odds of injury.  Plus, once shoes get past a certain point, they just don't skate as well.  By all means, ride the rest of your gear  until it is trashed though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 23, 2025, 12:00:56 PM
Expand Quote
A different kind of madness I have sometimes is gear that won't die. That is, I refuse to retire gear until it has reached a certain point and sometimes it takes a lot longer than I expected for that point to be reached.

Currently having this with my Blazer Mids. Sometime during the summer, I noticed the sole was worn paper thin around the big toe and ball area so I decided they would be retired once the sole is worn all the way through. I figured it wouldn't take long and want ti kill them asap because I'm tired of dealing with the lacing. I'm used to shoes that I can just take on and off easily by just tying or untying but these require loosening down several eyelets before they budge. Like everything else about them but that part is getting real old.

Problem is, summer is over and the sole still hasn't worn all the way through yet. I've gone through almost 4 decks and 2 sets of trucks and these shoes just won't die. It is kinda driving me mad, lol!
[close]

Don't do this with your shoes - not worth it.  I used to do the same thing, but you are just messing up your feet and increasing the odds of injury.  Plus, once shoes get past a certain point, they just don't skate as well.  By all means, ride the rest of your gear  until it is trashed though.
Interesting point. I don't think I've ever used skate or any other shoe until the sole wore all the way through before but probably partially because I've only had cupsole shoes and the rest wears out long before the sole. I did notice my Blazers have a lean to them but I thought that might actually help me roll off the edges for flicks better and I also shoe gooed them to fill in some of the bottom edges to be more level. But point definitely taken so next session, I'll try my new shoes and probably retire the Blazers since I've been wanting to anyways. I'm just really used to their feel but also getting frustrated and never even thought about the performance degradation that might also be contributing to my frustration with them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on September 23, 2025, 04:45:14 PM
Expand Quote
for me, if i’m skating a lot, a short wb board (14”) and ventures, or 14.25” and indy’s, works well.
if im not skating very often, a larger board is easier. longer wb is fine because im just flinging and praying anyways.

i’ve long resisted this particular part of
madness: tails/noses, but that might be a better starting point for me.
it’s wb adjacent.

i’ve decided to just go back to contemplating what silly consumeristic consumption i can conjure up: currently ace inverted hollows vs t2s.

i don’t even know what decks i like right now.
cooked doesn’t even begin to describe it
[close]

I feel you bro. I'm such a mess when it comes to self-realization with regards to what equipment works best for me. Sometimes it's a DLX 8.25 x 14.38 with cast Indy 149's and I'm like this is THE SHIT and then it turns into shit and I go for a 8.38 x 14.25 with cast Ventures and am like hmmmm yeah this is nice BUT... and then a 14 inch wb deck with forged Ventures which feels like WHOA I'm popping my ollies like easy and wow BUT then that one feels like crap in the bowl and then I'm back on the 8.25 x 14.38 and the serpent keeps on chasing its tail...

What I do know, though, is I don't enjoy decks that are too mellow. Gotta have that concave and some of that good ol' kick. At least there's that. And god damn those new era softer wheels like the X-Formula and the Soft Sliders are really something that I've welcomed to my world.

All hope is never lost.


indy’s seduce me every few years. and im hyped. and then a few sessions later not so much.

a very odd aside, bouncing back and forth between indy’s and ventures: lots of guys around me moved from 5.0 venture lo’s, to 139 indy’s. and what’s weird is ventures do feel less manageable for me, as the size grows. like a 144 indy, feels similar in some ways to a 5.2 venture hi. i think it’s me being cooked but idk.


i’m throwing too much shit at the wall.
which is fine, it doesn’t matter
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on September 23, 2025, 05:30:42 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
A different kind of madness I have sometimes is gear that won't die. That is, I refuse to retire gear until it has reached a certain point and sometimes it takes a lot longer than I expected for that point to be reached.

Currently having this with my Blazer Mids. Sometime during the summer, I noticed the sole was worn paper thin around the big toe and ball area so I decided they would be retired once the sole is worn all the way through. I figured it wouldn't take long and want ti kill them asap because I'm tired of dealing with the lacing. I'm used to shoes that I can just take on and off easily by just tying or untying but these require loosening down several eyelets before they budge. Like everything else about them but that part is getting real old.

Problem is, summer is over and the sole still hasn't worn all the way through yet. I've gone through almost 4 decks and 2 sets of trucks and these shoes just won't die. It is kinda driving me mad, lol!
[close]

Don't do this with your shoes - not worth it.  I used to do the same thing, but you are just messing up your feet and increasing the odds of injury.  Plus, once shoes get past a certain point, they just don't skate as well.  By all means, ride the rest of your gear  until it is trashed though.
[close]
Interesting point. I don't think I've ever used skate or any other shoe until the sole wore all the way through before but probably partially because I've only had cupsole shoes and the rest wears out long before the sole. I did notice my Blazers have a lean to them but I thought that might actually help me roll off the edges for flicks better and I also shoe gooed them to fill in some of the bottom edges to be more level. But point definitely taken so next session, I'll try my new shoes and probably retire the Blazers since I've been wanting to anyways. I'm just really used to their feel but also getting frustrated and never even thought about the performance degradation that might also be contributing to my frustration with them.

I do the same damn thing. Its hard as a grown ass man with an income to remind himself that you are not actually a teenager and its OK to retire that deck or pair of shoes early. In fact do it sooner do an actual teenager might benefit from a hand me down...

Yet, despite many rolled ankles and broken toes, I still wear shoes until the sole is worn through.
And convince myself a deck is still working for me even though its wet noodle with razor tail.
And I still might take a set of 58mm wheels down under 50mm b/c it looks rad, despite getting pitched on tiny rocks and bogging for speed in the bowl.
Trucks though... always have to go to axle but I'm OK with it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on September 23, 2025, 05:58:34 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
A different kind of madness I have sometimes is gear that won't die. That is, I refuse to retire gear until it has reached a certain point and sometimes it takes a lot longer than I expected for that point to be reached.

Currently having this with my Blazer Mids. Sometime during the summer, I noticed the sole was worn paper thin around the big toe and ball area so I decided they would be retired once the sole is worn all the way through. I figured it wouldn't take long and want ti kill them asap because I'm tired of dealing with the lacing. I'm used to shoes that I can just take on and off easily by just tying or untying but these require loosening down several eyelets before they budge. Like everything else about them but that part is getting real old.

Problem is, summer is over and the sole still hasn't worn all the way through yet. I've gone through almost 4 decks and 2 sets of trucks and these shoes just won't die. It is kinda driving me mad, lol!
[close]

Don't do this with your shoes - not worth it.  I used to do the same thing, but you are just messing up your feet and increasing the odds of injury.  Plus, once shoes get past a certain point, they just don't skate as well.  By all means, ride the rest of your gear  until it is trashed though.
[close]
Interesting point. I don't think I've ever used skate or any other shoe until the sole wore all the way through before but probably partially because I've only had cupsole shoes and the rest wears out long before the sole. I did notice my Blazers have a lean to them but I thought that might actually help me roll off the edges for flicks better and I also shoe gooed them to fill in some of the bottom edges to be more level. But point definitely taken so next session, I'll try my new shoes and probably retire the Blazers since I've been wanting to anyways. I'm just really used to their feel but also getting frustrated and never even thought about the performance degradation that might also be contributing to my frustration with them.
[close]

I do the same damn thing. Its hard as a grown ass man with an income to remind himself that you are not actually a teenager and its OK to retire that deck or pair of shoes early. In fact do it sooner do an actual teenager might benefit from a hand me down...

Yet, despite many rolled ankles and broken toes, I still wear shoes until the sole is worn through.
And convince myself a deck is still working for me even though its wet noodle with razor tail.
And I still might take a set of 58mm wheels down under 50mm b/c it looks rad, despite getting pitched on tiny rocks and bogging for speed in the bowl.
Trucks though... always have to go to axle but I'm OK with it.
Haha, the other main one that gives me madness is the deck that never dies. Sometimes, I just want to move on but until the razor tail is actually cutting my ankles or splinters are cutting my hands, I don't consider my deck dead. I've had a few decks that I thought lost their pop, like my MiniLogo but when I tried it again, it was popping fine. Maybe it was just adjusting to the setup again. I don't think I've ever purposefully retired wheels except one set I have lying around for I don't even know how many decades and it's mainly because I don't know what they are and I want to at least know the brand and durometer. Trucks definitely need to be ground to axel and that actually gives me a lot of satisfaction so no madness there. I have a kid who likes to skate a bit too so a lot of my gear like old wheels and my skinny trucks from decades ago go to some of his setups.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on September 24, 2025, 09:06:33 AM
.

I won't quote everyone with the "retire your gear" posts, but this is absolutely me, maybe more so with shoes right now, but I end up after a long day just feeling like my feet are not thanking me whatsoever, but I still can't part with some shoes that are well past it.

Don't need "yard shoes" or to keep anything so worn out, other than to put on to skate my ramp and then take off as soon as I am done, but even then they are still only about half way through, just super soft and flexed out, as most Vans shoes feel these days.

My own fault for just skating thin vulc Vans, and even then just Old Skools, Sk8 Lows and similar options, but I also don't really know anyone anymore who is a similar size, or any others who are in the same size category have enough of their own shoes to not worry about well worn / worn out old pairs.

At least setting up more new boards lately, I will go through some of these older shoes more quickly in mini ramp sessions with fresh griptape, so all is not lost.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 02, 2025, 08:33:58 AM
Thinking about the Cody Chapman shape 8.32 with 14.18 wheelbase. Has anyone tried this deck? Does it measure closer to 8.25 or like DLX 8.38 is actually pretty close to 8.5?
I think I’ve settled on Thunder Team Edition for now because as much as I like Indy the geometry kills my back after a few sessions. Next bit of madness being 148 or 149 on the 8.32? The actual measurement of that deck is probably going to determine which truck width I choose.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SkierSk8r on October 02, 2025, 11:50:49 AM
Expand Quote
for me, if i’m skating a lot, a short wb board (14”) and ventures, or 14.25” and indy’s, works well.
if im not skating very often, a larger board is easier. longer wb is fine because im just flinging and praying anyways.

i’ve long resisted this particular part of
madness: tails/noses, but that might be a better starting point for me.
it’s wb adjacent.

i’ve decided to just go back to contemplating what silly consumeristic consumption i can conjure up: currently ace inverted hollows vs t2s.

i don’t even know what decks i like right now.
cooked doesn’t even begin to describe it
[close]

I feel you bro. I'm such a mess when it comes to self-realization with regards to what equipment works best for me. Sometimes it's a DLX 8.25 x 14.38 with cast Indy 149's and I'm like this is THE SHIT and then it turns into shit and I go for a 8.38 x 14.25 with cast Ventures and am like hmmmm yeah this is nice BUT... and then a 14 inch wb deck with forged Ventures which feels like WHOA I'm popping my ollies like easy and wow BUT then that one feels like crap in the bowl and then I'm back on the 8.25 x 14.38 and the serpent keeps on chasing its tail...

What I do know, though, is I don't enjoy decks that are too mellow. Gotta have that concave and some of that good ol' kick. At least there's that. And god damn those new era softer wheels like the X-Formula and the Soft Sliders are really something that I've welcomed to my world.

All hope is never lost.

I'm the same way with mellow decks, particularly with shorter wheelbases. I just do not get along with them. Also, mellow kicks. I need concave and steepness and a 14.5 wheelbase. Not a tall guy. 5'8" but 14.5 just feels money to me. Even the deck I have that is a 15wb feels great too.

And yeah those wheels are great. I ride X97s lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on October 03, 2025, 01:45:30 AM
Same here, I like wheelbase 14.5+ and like steep kicks.
What's your setup right now? I need inspiration. Right now I'm on a Chinese Anti hero 8.6 which has a little to mellow kicks.
I like the creature 8.6 but they often have shitty graphics
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 03, 2025, 05:43:38 AM
Thinking about the Cody Chapman shape 8.32 with 14.18 wheelbase. Has anyone tried this deck? Does it measure closer to 8.25 or like DLX 8.38 is actually pretty close to 8.5?
I think I’ve settled on Thunder Team Edition for now because as much as I like Indy the geometry kills my back after a few sessions. Next bit of madness being 148 or 149 on the 8.32? The actual measurement of that deck is probably going to determine which truck width I choose.


I haven't seen any in person yet, but even looking through the search I think "Chapman" might give the best results.

At least one in the setups thread, but the guy who posted it checked out.  He had Ace 55s on it.


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=10804.msg4395181#msg4395181


The same shape was used on the yellow team pigeon deck 8.32 size, so maybe see if anyone had posted that one too.

Pretty sure I have seen a few of those, but I just cannot find any when I tried searching.


Lastly, I wonder if checking with Cody himself and seeing what size trucks he rides on his, but I doubt he would tell you exactly how big the board is.  He might and could surprise all of us, so who knows.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SkierSk8r on October 03, 2025, 06:20:32 AM
I'm currently on a Clutch made 8.75 for a local brand called Ritual. Coming from a South Central made Politic, the clutch feels more whippy and springy in comparison. It's my first clutch and I'm pleasantly surprised. I figured it would be within the same ballpark as my last deck because this company used to use South Central to press. SC has kind of been my golden standard for a minute but I think my Ollie's are even better with this clutch.

Round it out with some Venture 5.8 V8s on the longer wheelbase holes. Ollie's are explosive once I'm warmed up.


Same here, I like wheelbase 14.5+ and like steep kicks.
What's your setup right now? I need inspiration. Right now I'm on a Chinese Anti hero 8.6 which has a little to mellow kicks.
I like the creature 8.6 but they often have shitty graphics
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 03, 2025, 02:29:00 PM
Expand Quote
Thinking about the Cody Chapman shape 8.32 with 14.18 wheelbase. Has anyone tried this deck? Does it measure closer to 8.25 or like DLX 8.38 is actually pretty close to 8.5?
I think I’ve settled on Thunder Team Edition for now because as much as I like Indy the geometry kills my back after a few sessions. Next bit of madness being 148 or 149 on the 8.32? The actual measurement of that deck is probably going to determine which truck width I choose.
[close]


I haven't seen any in person yet, but even looking through the search I think "Chapman" might give the best results.

At least one in the setups thread, but the guy who posted it checked out.  He had Ace 55s on it.


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=10804.msg4395181#msg4395181


The same shape was used on the yellow team pigeon deck 8.32 size, so maybe see if anyone had posted that one too.

Pretty sure I have seen a few of those, but I just cannot find any when I tried searching.


Lastly, I wonder if checking with Cody himself and seeing what size trucks he rides on his, but I doubt he would tell you exactly how big the board is.  He might and could surprise all of us, so who knows.

AF1 55s and 56mm radial fulls for sure

My guess is, that board in question measures true to size

Like a blue eagle with straight rails instead of the taper and a slightly shorter wb?

Like the width over the back truck on a blue eagle  but then straight rail instead of getting wider toward the front

I've seen him on blue eagles a lot so if this shape is his actual shape he rides, that would make sense to me



Either thunder 148 or 149 will work.

Get 149s though 100%

They work on everything haha

148s are gonna be slightly lighter but like, they're already thunders, go for the 149ers
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on October 03, 2025, 11:10:16 PM
Cody on Ace with that 14.18 WB on that shape seems kinda wild to me. Then again, he is shorter than he looks in footage. Whereas, Taylor Kirby, for example is taller. Ace makes sense for him (coming from Indy)

Do ya wanna hot rod or be flush  between 148 and 149? I think either will be appropriate as it's likely a small difference IRL
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 04, 2025, 03:03:48 AM
.

I guess the most frustrating thing with any board of in between sizes is that sometimes they can work well with both size trucks, but maybe more importantly they also don't work so well with one size for some people.  Eg for a few guys I skate with, they would always go for the smaller size truck, but I would always go for the wider truck option, just because it feels more comfortable for me, but the others would say they stick out too far and they feel too wide on an 8.3 size board.

Adding or removing washers, or even just the size or shape of the wheels can all make a difference too, because it really does mean that I can have thinner wheels with fewer washers to bring in the wheels, or all the inside washers and wider wheels to bring things out a fair bit more.

The theory of doing this is nothing new, as many other people have often said as much, but it could definitely help with that 8.3 board.

Just comes down to which trucks are preferred I think more than anything else.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 04, 2025, 10:33:14 AM
Thanks for the replies so far. Great hearing everyone’s input. I’m leaning more toward the 149 I think because I have a classic shape wheel on the way first week of November that I plan to pair with this. I’ve been in the 8.25 deck feels too small, 8.5 feels a little bulky camp for a while. One thing I noticed is that my 8.5 Eagle tends to feel just right under my front foot when I’m standing on it backwards because of the taper. I also prefer more of a straight rail with tapered kicks vs the tapered rails/tapered kicks of the 8.5 Eagle. My local has ordered me one and I can report back with the actual measurements here and the DLX thread when it arrives for anyone who is interested. Fingers crossed for a IV stamp concave!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 04, 2025, 11:45:14 AM
Thanks for the replies so far. Great hearing everyone’s input. I’m leaning more toward the 149 I think because I have a classic shape wheel on the way first week of November that I plan to pair with this. I’ve been in the 8.25 deck feels too small, 8.5 feels a little bulky camp for a while. One thing I noticed is that my 8.5 Eagle tends to feel just right under my front foot when I’m standing on it backwards because of the taper. I also prefer more of a straight rail with tapered kicks vs the tapered rails/tapered kicks of the 8.5 Eagle. My local has ordered me one and I can report back with the actual measurements here and the DLX thread when it arrives for anyone who is interested. Fingers crossed for a IV stamp concave!

Not to make matters worse, but also look into the DLX 8.4 deck. It’s basically a hybrid of the DLX 8.25 and 8.5. It has 14.25 wb, no taper, slightly longer nose (see below), and if I recall correctly, it’s same width as 8.25 (which is slightly over 8.25), however it •feels• a tad wider, at least to me. Oh, it’s same length as the 8.25, too (extra length added to the nose by dropping wb from 14.38 to 14.25, but keeping same overall length).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 05, 2025, 12:09:02 AM
Agreed on the DLX 8.4 being a great shape.

Too bad it seems to be quite hard to find one these days. They should make an eagle out of it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 05, 2025, 03:09:57 AM
Agreed on the DLX 8.4 being a great shape.

Too bad it seems to be quite hard to find one these days. They should make an eagle out of it.
I second that. Just finished skating a Kanfoush board and it was pretty nice. Saying that now I'm skating a GT 8.25 x 32 x 14.25 that I'm enjoying even more.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 05, 2025, 03:34:03 AM
Expand Quote
Agreed on the DLX 8.4 being a great shape.

Too bad it seems to be quite hard to find one these days. They should make an eagle out of it.
[close]
I second that. Just finished skating a Kanfoush board and it was pretty nice. Saying that now I'm skating a GT 8.25 x 32 x 14.25 that I'm enjoying even more.

You sure that's a 14.25 wb? The "coat of arms" deck you posted on the setup thread is an 8.25 x 14.38 for all I know, unless there's some special extra shape in existence.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 05, 2025, 07:32:35 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Agreed on the DLX 8.4 being a great shape.

Too bad it seems to be quite hard to find one these days. They should make an eagle out of it.
[close]
I second that. Just finished skating a Kanfoush board and it was pretty nice. Saying that now I'm skating a GT 8.25 x 32 x 14.25 that I'm enjoying even more.
[close]

You sure that's a 14.25 wb? The "coat of arms" deck you posted on the setup thread is an 8.25 x 14.38 for all I know, unless there's some special extra shape in existence.

Yeah, the GT coat of arms is 8.25/14.38.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on October 05, 2025, 09:32:53 AM
I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 05, 2025, 10:55:13 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Agreed on the DLX 8.4 being a great shape.

Too bad it seems to be quite hard to find one these days. They should make an eagle out of it.
[close]
I second that. Just finished skating a Kanfoush board and it was pretty nice. Saying that now I'm skating a GT 8.25 x 32 x 14.25 that I'm enjoying even more.
[close]

You sure that's a 14.25 wb? The "coat of arms" deck you posted on the setup thread is an 8.25 x 14.38 for all I know, unless there's some special extra shape in existence.
[close]

Yeah, the GT coat of arms is 8.25/14.38.
You're totally right guys, my bad.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 05, 2025, 11:49:40 AM
anyone have an 8ish deck they like?
i have whined about this countless times: i get hyped but something too big, can’t make it work.
when not skating often, a bigger board ‘feels’ right, as in pushing/riding, but i can’t skate them (meaning my mediocre bag of flip tricks suffers).
really what i’m asking is for a deck recommendation for 8 trucks.
ty
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jums on October 05, 2025, 11:54:41 AM
I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.

Huh? Only 8.38 with a 14.5 is the DLX and it doesnt need a WB adjustment... Everyone else does a 14.25... sometimes smaller...

I like a smaller deck sometimes and that 14.5 WB is just right for me since im taller and larger than the average skater.

What sucks are the 8.5s with a fucking 14-14.25 WB... the fuck??? so strange
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 05, 2025, 12:28:11 PM

What sucks are the 8.5s with a fucking 14-14.25 WB... the fuck??? so strange

I don't think it's as strange as you might think. The average male is the U.S. is about 5' 9". So, the prevalence of 14.25wb makes a lot of sense (and hence shows up on a lot of widths). That said, I wish there were more 14.38 and 14.5wb decks out there (FYI I am 5'11").
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on October 05, 2025, 04:42:09 PM
Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 05, 2025, 05:06:53 PM
Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.

The 8.5/14.25/31.85 blue eagle? I def would not call those kicks “long.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on October 05, 2025, 07:17:46 PM
Expand Quote
Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.
[close]

The 8.5/14.25/31.85 blue eagle? I def would not call those kicks “long.”

Yeah neither, they're pretty normal kicks in terms of length imo. If anything I'd really like it if they extended the kicks on that shape to make the length a true 32

I skate ventures though so that definitely influences my preference for longer mellower kicks. Throw Thunder T2s or something on and what kicks Im after definitely changes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 06, 2025, 06:14:52 AM
I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.


Huh? Only 8.38 with a 14.5 is the DLX and it doesnt need a WB adjustment... Everyone else does a 14.25... sometimes smaller...

I like a smaller deck sometimes and that 14.5 WB is just right for me since im taller and larger than the average skater.

What sucks are the 8.5s with a fucking 14-14.25 WB... the fuck??? so strange



The DLX 8.4 shape is a pretty good one, slightly longer tail than most too, if you like that sort of thing, but yes as said, they can be harder to get from time to time.


Re the BBS wood / DLX 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 shape:

Quite a lot of companies do use the same shape, DLX, Bakerboys Dist - Baker, Deathwish, Birdhouse, DGK, Element and others, for that 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 wb, or at least they all seem to have the same shape when I had compared their boards.  Some might have changed shapes now though.

Other brands that have or had shorter 8.3 variants still on BBS wood include Limosine, Primitive, April, Element, maybe now some Bakerboys wood, just off the top of my head.  Even the Krooked Manderson board is 8.38 x 32 with 14.25 wb and is not overly squared off, even though it is quite a blunt ended shape.

It is actually becoming a more common board size, with a number of people saying the similar thing - 8.25 is a bit small and 8.5 is a bit big.

The most common 8.38 shape usually has 14.375 or so wheelbase, which is what Polar, Passport and a number of others are on, or were when I checked and had a few come through my hands.  The Generator shape is the same too, slightly shorter wheelbase than the DLX 8.38 with a longer tail.


* I skated so many DLX and other 8.38 boards in the last however many years and although I liked them at first, I found most to be a little too short for my liking in the tail, so I drilled in the trucks and experimented with different options, so then / now have been enjoying them even more, slightly shorter wb, slightly longer tail, same everything else.  That is my madness with regard to these boards anyway.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 06, 2025, 06:30:14 AM
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I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.
[close]

Expand Quote

Huh? Only 8.38 with a 14.5 is the DLX and it doesnt need a WB adjustment... Everyone else does a 14.25... sometimes smaller...

I like a smaller deck sometimes and that 14.5 WB is just right for me since im taller and larger than the average skater.

What sucks are the 8.5s with a fucking 14-14.25 WB... the fuck??? so strange
[close]



The DLX 8.4 shape is a pretty good one, slightly longer tail than most too, if you like that sort of thing, but yes as said, they can be harder to get from time to time.


Re the BBS wood / DLX 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 shape:

Quite a lot of companies do use the same shape, DLX, Bakerboys Dist - Baker, Deathwish, Birdhouse, DGK, Element and others, for that 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 wb, or at least they all seem to have the same shape when I had compared their boards.  Some might have changed shapes now though.

Other brands that have or had shorter 8.3 variants still on BBS wood include Limosine, Primitive, April, Element, maybe now some Bakerboys wood, just off the top of my head.  Even the Krooked Manderson board is 8.38 x 32 with 14.25 wb and is not overly squared off, even though it is quite a blunt ended shape.

It is actually becoming a more common board size, with a number of people saying the similar thing - 8.25 is a bit small and 8.5 is a bit big.

The most common 8.38 shape usually has 14.375 or so wheelbase, which is what Polar, Passport and a number of others are on, or were when I checked and had a few come through my hands.  The Generator shape is the same too, slightly shorter wheelbase than the DLX 8.38 with a longer tail.


* I skated so many DLX and other 8.38 boards in the last however many years and although I liked them at first, I found most to be a little too short for my liking in the tail, so I drilled in the trucks and experimented with different options, so then / now have been enjoying them even more, slightly shorter wb, slightly longer tail, same everything else.  That is my madness with regard to these boards anyway.

Yeah, tail on the DLX 8.38 sucks. Too round/short feeling for me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jums on October 06, 2025, 07:57:15 AM
BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 06, 2025, 08:05:48 AM
BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

I've never had a DLX or BLKLBL deck (BBS) that was not dead-on for WB. Other dimensions, well, that's a different situation.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 06, 2025, 08:58:24 AM
Expand Quote
BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.
[close]

I've never had a DLX or BLKLBL deck (BBS) that was not dead-on for WB. Other dimensions, well, that's a different situation.

For some reason the Polar BBS wb dims are often off as per indicated vs. reality: the 8.375 x 14.5 is actually 14.375 (with a longer tail than indicated), and the 8.25 x 14.125 is actually 14.25 (with a shorter nose than indicated).

Minimal differences, I know, but still relevant for many.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 06, 2025, 09:05:50 AM
Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 06, 2025, 09:12:48 AM
Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 06, 2025, 09:27:25 AM
Expand Quote
Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.
[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.
Yeah, I’m really liking my DSM 8.375”. I think those typically have steeper concave and kicks too. I also think I really like the stiffness of that wood. It’s part of why I really wanted a PSStix deck next to closely compare a very stiff deck vs one with a lot of flex.
In the 90s, before I knew much about who used what wood, I got one deck that I always remembered I liked more and it was because it felt a lot more solid throughout its life and I think it was an “E” deck, like Element or Enjoi. If the wood they were using back then was similar and knowing what I do now, I’m assuming it was an Enjoi with one of their epoxy constructions.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on October 06, 2025, 11:51:26 AM
Expand Quote
Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.
[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.

Here in europe we get Chinese zero decks only. They have high concave but mellow to flat kicks. ~19,5°
Andrew cannon has a video about those on his yt channel
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 06, 2025, 09:04:01 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.
[close]

I've never had a DLX or BLKLBL deck (BBS) that was not dead-on for WB. Other dimensions, well, that's a different situation.
[close]

For some reason the Polar BBS wb dims are often off as per indicated vs. reality: the 8.375 x 14.5 is actually 14.375 (with a longer tail than indicated), and the 8.25 x 14.125 is actually 14.25 (with a shorter nose than indicated).

Minimal differences, I know, but still relevant for many.


I think it comes down to the fact that some people / places measured wheelbase not from center to center but from inside edge of holes at one point, which is why people would often find they had different wheelbases to what is listed, in particular Heroin boards I seem to recall.

Polar is the reverse, said 14.5 but was actually 14.375 for some of those boards, but the earlier / older boards were 14.5 so at some point someone changed the shape but didn't tell the person printing all those stickers, so it seems.

Any which way, measuring wheelbase from the center of the bolt holes usually gives the accurate measurements for pretty much all DLX boards I have had, maybe only the newer blue eagle being a little more like 14.2 rather than 14.25 wb, as some others had pointed out, but I don't recall seeing many that were not pretty much on spec there.

As Sedition said, some of the other dimensions, especially widths, often come out differently, on the originals / BBS boards.


Similar can be said for PS Stix boards being measured with the concave, vs industry standard measured flat across the top, tip to tip.  Not a big deal, but it is funny thinking people getting into heated discussions over board dimensions.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 06, 2025, 09:10:19 PM
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Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.
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Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.
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Yeah, I’m really liking my DSM 8.375”. I think those typically have steeper concave and kicks too. I also think I really like the stiffness of that wood. It’s part of why I really wanted a PSStix deck next to closely compare a very stiff deck vs one with a lot of flex.
In the 90s, before I knew much about who used what wood, I got one deck that I always remembered I liked more and it was because it felt a lot more solid throughout its life and I think it was an “E” deck, like Element or Enjoi. If the wood they were using back then was similar and knowing what I do now, I’m assuming it was an Enjoi with one of their epoxy constructions.


I seem to recall back in the hey day of Element, they were one of the stiffest and most solid boards out there, whereas DSM was having issues getting their boards to stay crispy, with them constantly sogging out and not breaking but just getting really flexed to the point where the tails would sit under the bolt line when going to pop.

Then at some point, things started to turn around and DSM wood got super stiff and solid, with PS Stix starting to get really sloppy or at the very least, started to feel a lot more soggy more quickly.

I really don't know all the whens and wheres with that timeline, but that was definitely around the start of DSM woodshop and when Element was through Giant Distribution, so early 00s, I guess.  Also quite possible looking over time lines that Giant closed before DSM came about, but PS Stix was making boards for the best skateboard brands at that time and were amazing.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on October 06, 2025, 10:16:04 PM
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Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.
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The 8.5/14.25/31.85 blue eagle? I def would not call those kicks “long.”
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Yeah neither, they're pretty normal kicks in terms of length imo. If anything I'd really like it if they extended the kicks on that shape to make the length a true 32

I skate ventures though so that definitely influences my preference for longer mellower kicks. Throw Thunder T2s or something on and what kicks Im after definitely changes

Ya I got things mixed up. Drinking at the airport before passing out on a work flight was useless. I think I still have an overall point about wheelbase only being one factor and not the most important. There is only so much to play with whereas kicks can increase/decrease more in length and change in angle, all of which more directly impact pop angle and timing among other things.

You're correct, the 8.5 Eagle kicks aren't that long. Probably right in the middle. It's not my favorite shape, but the pop angle vs the pointy Baker I had prior is steeper at the tail. To get to a full 32 it would have to have an over 7in nose and fairly long tail. I had the 8.4 shape with a horrible Grant Taylor graphic. That deck would be a more logical 8.38 Eagle. Make the 8.5 an 8.25 (or like their current one just pretend it is), make the 8.5 Eagle the current 8.38 olive shape. Then each deck gets slightly bigger.

But in the 14.25 realm I hated the Alien deck I had with massively long, mellow kicks, but most Baker tails feel awkwardly short. Opposite end of the spectrum, both create problems. Small reduction in nose, put that length on a Baker tail and both feel much better.

I've hated every recent DSM deck I've had although the pop lasts forever. The steep kicks with tons of space after the bolts feel strange. My 8.25 felt longer than the 8.5 Pass Port I had before. I could see this profile working well for making smaller width decks feel bigger.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 06, 2025, 10:51:14 PM
^ I haven’t had an 8.4 in quite some time, but if I recall, its actually same length and width as the 8.25, but with a slightly longer nose (and shorter WB).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 06, 2025, 11:12:33 PM

Any which way, measuring wheelbase from the center of the bolt holes usually gives the accurate measurements for pretty much all DLX boards I have had, maybe only the newer blue eagle being a little more like 14.2 rather than 14.25 wb, as some others had pointed out, but I don't recall seeing many that were not pretty much on spec there.


I always measure wb from the center of the bolt holes of course. The aforementioned differences stand as they are.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 07, 2025, 12:46:02 AM
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Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.
[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.
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Yeah, I’m really liking my DSM 8.375”. I think those typically have steeper concave and kicks too. I also think I really like the stiffness of that wood. It’s part of why I really wanted a PSStix deck next to closely compare a very stiff deck vs one with a lot of flex.
In the 90s, before I knew much about who used what wood, I got one deck that I always remembered I liked more and it was because it felt a lot more solid throughout its life and I think it was an “E” deck, like Element or Enjoi. If the wood they were using back then was similar and knowing what I do now, I’m assuming it was an Enjoi with one of their epoxy constructions.
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I seem to recall back in the hey day of Element, they were one of the stiffest and most solid boards out there, whereas DSM was having issues getting their boards to stay crispy, with them constantly sogging out and not breaking but just getting really flexed to the point where the tails would sit under the bolt line when going to pop.

Then at some point, things started to turn around and DSM wood got super stiff and solid, with PS Stix starting to get really sloppy or at the very least, started to feel a lot more soggy more quickly.

I really don't know all the whens and wheres with that timeline, but that was definitely around the start of DSM woodshop and when Element was through Giant Distribution, so early 00s, I guess.  Also quite possible looking over time lines that Giant closed before DSM came about, but PS Stix was making boards for the best skateboard brands at that time and were amazing.
That would make sense because I swore the deck I had was an Element but considered I could have remembered wrong since it was around 30 years ago. I pretty much had no clue who was doing what at that point and just got whatever deck seemed good and I could get my hands on at that time. They all seemed pretty much the same when they all went popsicles except that one “E” deck that was super solid.
Before that, with the 80s shaped decks, I mainly remember I really liked Schmitt Stix wood and I got a Vision at some point and thought that was floppy and think there was something about them using a foam core or something like that. Powell decks felt really good at first but then not so much after a while and my last shaped deck was an SMA and I loved everything about it. More concave, more nose and tail and wood seemed to last forever.
I’m still trying to really learn the differences in the current decks to see what actually works best for me. Only things I think I’ve figured out so far is I probably want under 8.5” and under 14.5” wheelbase.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 07, 2025, 03:37:52 AM
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Any which way, measuring wheelbase from the center of the bolt holes usually gives the accurate measurements for pretty much all DLX boards I have had, maybe only the newer blue eagle being a little more like 14.2 rather than 14.25 wb, as some others had pointed out, but I don't recall seeing many that were not pretty much on spec there.

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I always measure wb from the center of the bolt holes of course. The aforementioned differences stand as they are.


Yes the Polar boards are as you and I said - they are one measurement on the board and a different measurement on the sticker.

That was what you were meaning there - had to re read it just to make sure but sometimes I have to check, but any which way, I also wonder how many boards from various brands are not actually as listed.  Anyone else think of any others?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: 9.18 on October 07, 2025, 02:22:29 PM
I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.

New anti hero “intermodal” GT deck is 8.32x31.62x14.18(probably 14.125wb in reality)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 08, 2025, 07:08:28 AM

...whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.


That is interesting too!  Forgot to say earlier, but going back and re reading some of the messages, at least it is another one I know I can add to the list for those dimensions.

The funny thing is Toy Machine has gone to so many different woodshops recently, almost as if they just got the cheapest wood deals or whatever, but everything Toy Machine that had come out here in AU for a while had been on questionable quality wood from somewhere no one knew of, so it is good to hear they are on BBS there in USA or where ever you are.

I just don't seem to see any round here.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on October 08, 2025, 07:33:59 AM
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...whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.
[close]


That is interesting too!  Forgot to say earlier, but going back and re reading some of the messages, at least it is another one I know I can add to the list for those dimensions.

The funny thing is Toy Machine has gone to so many different woodshops recently, almost as if they just got the cheapest wood deals or whatever, but everything Toy Machine that had come out here in AU for a while had been on questionable quality wood from somewhere no one knew of, so it is good to hear they are on BBS there in USA or where ever you are.

I just don't seem to see any round here.

occasionally i want a toy machine, based off of mainly dimensions. they have longer wb, 8 ish decks.
i dont like buying decks online, and the local shops don’t carry them (i dont blame the shops, brand is running off of vapors imo). shapes are too unique, in general, for me to see on a phone screen. and with toy machine not having any idea on the manufacturer makes it a no.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 08, 2025, 03:04:19 PM
After much research and product testing over the years I'm pretty sure 53mm, 99a F4 classics are my all time favorite wheel

And after dicking around with all kinds of different trucks and sizes and stuff I can say cast Indy 149s are my jam. The hollow standards are pretty sick cause they weigh pretty much the same as a standard, non-hollow 139, so it's nothing crazy. And if there's a super crusty spot, you can slap some 56mm 97a radial fulls or G-Slides or something on there and still have room for em. At 149 the proportions are really nice too, being that 8.5" divided by 4 is 54mm.. Indy 149s just, look like indys.. idk. I've seen 149 stage 5s on 10 inch boards with wide ass wheels like cubics and stuff and it still looks right. They were there through the evolution of street skating.

 I think the real goated street truck though is venture lows. When gear kept evolving and the sizes and shapes were changing, that lower center of gravity and wider wheelbase on ventures was a step in the right direction for technical street skating. Also it's fucking sick to see someone on venture lows and 51mm wheels skate transition, as much as it's sick as fuck to see Cody Chapman, T-funk, etc hitting street spots with 56+ radial fulls and 8.5+ boards

I think the sweet spot for me is just putting small wheels on a big setup, knowing that all I have to do is swap the wheels out if I want a tank

I still think blue eagles, b16s, etc are my favorite shapes, the 8.5x14.25 wb is common enough that I can always find a board I can get used to really quick, and I can order blanks of it too

I wish I could get down on 14" and smaller wb and ventures/thunders cause I know my flippy stuff would improve but I don't want to try and get used to some whole different thing that might be harder to find

So I guess my solution to "blaming the board" when I can't get all my flip tricks is just putting smaller spitfire classics on

And if I want to get all gnarly or something I can put some big radials on

And when I switch back to the little classics my board will feel super light

I'm just gonna p90x my setup

This thread is my alcoholics anonymous

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on October 13, 2025, 08:13:23 PM
I can’t prove it but I’ve always theorized that solid trucks grind better than hollow or titaniums due to the extra weight. I skated Thunder standard and titanium 148s back to back and noticed that grinds didn’t seem to lock as well with the lighter trucks

Gives and takes but I also feel like I’ve anecdotally noticed that most of the best skaters in my area run non-hollows

Very open to hear any conflicting opinions..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 13, 2025, 08:14:39 PM
I can’t prove it but I’ve always theorized that solid trucks grind better than hollow or titaniums due to the extra weight. I skated Thunder standard and titanium 148s back to back and noticed that grinds didn’t seem to lock as well with the lighter trucks

Gives and takes but I also feel like I’ve anecdotally noticed that most of the best skaters in my area run non-hollows

Very open to hear any conflicting opinions..

Inertia is real.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 13, 2025, 09:48:38 PM
Foy skates solid axles
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 13, 2025, 11:41:25 PM
After messing around with various hollows and titaniums, I've mostly gone back to solid/standard trucks in both of my favorite brands, i.e. Venture and Indy. The mojo is real.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on October 13, 2025, 11:50:53 PM
Similarly, I’m can’t articulate why but also I feel like solid, non-forged, baseplates have a more solid snap
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 14, 2025, 12:48:35 AM
Similarly, I’m can’t articulate why but also I feel like solid, non-forged, baseplates have a more solid snap

While we are talking MM here, cast plates are usually taller. Thus, providing a slightly steeper pop angle, and, well, more "snap."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 14, 2025, 11:13:56 AM
I'm really tempted to put a dunk SB outsole on a blazer mid SB

Straight up sole swap them shits and have a cupsole blazer

I have barge cement, knowledge and tools

Gonna put a sz 8.5 dunk sole on a sz 9 blazer upper since the dunk sole is wider

Or if converse would go ahead and make more Pro Leathers I could just buy those

The moneys going to the same place anyway

I'm just wondering how hard it would be to take the sole OFF the blazers

It'll come off easy on the dunks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 14, 2025, 11:23:29 AM
I'm really tempted to put a dunk SB outsole on a blazer mid SB

Straight up sole swap them shits and have a cupsole blazer

I have barge cement, knowledge and tools

Gonna put a sz 8.5 dunk sole on a sz 9 blazer upper since the dunk sole is wider

Or if converse would go ahead and make more Pro Leathers I could just buy those

The moneys going to the same place anyway

I'm just wondering how hard it would be to take the sole OFF the blazers

It'll come off easy on the dunks
Frankenshoes? I can't imagine that working well or better than an existing shoe out there but I guess that's what madness is all about? If adding some impact protection and support on Blazers is what you are after, I just put FP Gamechangers in mine and they were perfect, other than being a PITA to get on or off, which is the only reason I would never buy Blazer mids again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 14, 2025, 11:44:36 AM
I am currently riding venture 6.1 hi’s, I def love the pop feel on them and am really getting used to the manny point but they just don’t grind that well to me, and the turning isn’t bad but isn’t great. I came from ace classic 55s for like 5 years and before that only Indy classics. But I definitely wanna try more stuff and see if there is something I like more, ie lurpivs and possibly thunders and slappys. I know in the past Indy’s always felt like home to me since I started skating on them and they have an amazing grind and great turn, but they are sooo heavy, same with ace, which is why I tried ventures to lighten up my setup a bit and also cause of ventures pinch. But idk if I should try lurpivs or go back to Indy’s. I think I’ve had my time on ace and likely won’t go back to them sadly as good of a truck as they are, but I also am used to my ventures now and don’t wanna have to go back to a heavier truck. Anyone have any lurpiv experience they can share such as the wb in relation to Indy and venture as well as grind, pinch, weight and pop feel. I also ride a 8.75 wide with a 14.625wb if that helps give context to it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 14, 2025, 11:48:51 AM
I have FPs in my blazers already

honestly i don't even know

It would look sick and be a fun project

That's why I post it in this thread hahah

I just wish these guys were more readily available

(https://i.ibb.co/3mZhP4zc/s-l1200.jpg)

I kinda feel like if converse's skateboard line ran these alongside blazer mids, in low and high, they would take some market share away from the adidas superstar/pro model, which are really the only other major retro basketball skate shoes competing with Nike/converse

Plus hella pros skated them in the 80s and 90s

Puma has like one model and they're not a threat or anything, but clydes/suedes are that same type of shoe as pro Leathers/Superstars

Vans sk8-his are classic and blazers compete with those

The fastbreak skates amazing but it would last longer if they only did all-leather/suede, that satin side panel explodes immediately

And they're kinda not even a true mid, my ankle still got whacked by my board

If they did a truer representation of the vintage fastbreaks and just made them with more durable materials I would love that shoe

Kinda like with the chuck Taylor pro suede

If the only ones readily available were the canvas ones, that would be a bummer.

Nike has the Jordan 1, blazer, dunk, fastbreak, and chuck... We need to see more of the pro leather, weapon, Terminator, air ship, etc


I think if they had pro Leathers in the same capacity of colorways, price range, as blazer mids, that would be dope




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on October 14, 2025, 11:45:30 PM
I am currently riding venture 6.1 hi’s, I def love the pop feel on them and am really getting used to the manny point but they just don’t grind that well to me, and the turning isn’t bad but isn’t great. I came from ace classic 55s for like 5 years and before that only Indy classics. But I definitely wanna try more stuff and see if there is something I like more, ie lurpivs and possibly thunders and slappys. I know in the past Indy’s always felt like home to me since I started skating on them and they have an amazing grind and great turn, but they are sooo heavy, same with ace, which is why I tried ventures to lighten up my setup a bit and also cause of ventures pinch. But idk if I should try lurpivs or go back to Indy’s. I think I’ve had my time on ace and likely won’t go back to them sadly as good of a truck as they are, but I also am used to my ventures now and don’t wanna have to go back to a heavier truck. Anyone have any lurpiv experience they can share such as the wb in relation to Indy and venture as well as grind, pinch, weight and pop feel. I also ride a 8.75 wide with a 14.625wb if that helps give context to it.

On a same journey as you coming from Ace 55 Classics to Venture Hi 6.1. The grind is definitely harder than on Aces but that didn't bother me as much as the turn with stock bushings broken in. At some point I'm gonna try sanding the top or going to Ace hards. But for now I've been on Thunders and enjoying it so much that I haven't had the patience to dial the Ventures in. Lurpiv seem very tasty though. I wouldn't have any of these problems if they just made the Classic in 8.5"-8.75" axle. The 44 is just too narrow for me even with extra speed rings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 15, 2025, 04:47:52 AM
I'm really tempted to put a dunk SB outsole on a blazer mid SB

Straight up sole swap them shits and have a cupsole blazer

I have barge cement, knowledge and tools

Gonna put a sz 8.5 dunk sole on a sz 9 blazer upper since the dunk sole is wider

Or if converse would go ahead and make more Pro Leathers I could just buy those

The moneys going to the same place anyway

I'm just wondering how hard it would be to take the sole OFF the blazers

It'll come off easy on the dunks
Please do it, I'd love to see the end result.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on October 15, 2025, 06:39:27 AM
Current madness is trucks. I have been setting up different sizes. Got some Indy HF for 8/.125. Venture 5.8s for 8.5. Thunders for my 8.75. Got bushings worked out, all of them tuned like I like them.

But now I want to skate fucking 8.25/8.38s and need a fourth truck. Because I'm a lunatic it has to be a different brand. That's how I justify the madness--im simply trying all the brands to find my "forever truck". So I'm currently comparing Slappy and Ace/AF1 and looking for a sale. I can justify like 45-50 bucks, so I have to be smart about it. But then I also sort of pine for some regular ass Stage 11 144s. So basically I'm in option paralysis mode.

I've never skated Slappy. Had Ace classics I liked, but I really don't think I'm about them on a street/trick deck. And I'm staying away from weird niche brands, so no Theeve, Film, Lurpiv, etc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on October 15, 2025, 07:11:36 AM
I'm really tempted to put a dunk SB outsole on a blazer mid SB

Straight up sole swap them shits and have a cupsole blazer

I have barge cement, knowledge and tools

Gonna put a sz 8.5 dunk sole on a sz 9 blazer upper since the dunk sole is wider

Or if converse would go ahead and make more Pro Leathers I could just buy those

The moneys going to the same place anyway

I'm just wondering how hard it would be to take the sole OFF the blazers

It'll come off easy on the dunks

Considering the blazers are usually vulc I don’t think it would be much a problem, maybe a heat gun, some gloves, and a seam ripper in case you do run into some stitches, I think the most issues would be attaching the dunk sole to the blazer, you have to stitch it, may be more work than it’s worth, also barge cement may not be flexible enough to use for a shoe
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 15, 2025, 07:19:57 AM
Current madness is trucks. I have been setting up different sizes. Got some Indy HF for 8/.125. Venture 5.8s for 8.5. Thunders for my 8.75. Got bushings worked out, all of them tuned like I like them.

But now I want to skate fucking 8.25/8.38s and need a fourth truck. Because I'm a lunatic it has to be a different brand. That's how I justify the madness--im simply trying all the brands to find my "forever truck". So I'm currently comparing Slappy and Ace/AF1 and looking for a sale. I can justify like 45-50 bucks, so I have to be smart about it. But then I also sort of pine for some regular ass Stage 11 144s. So basically I'm in option paralysis mode.

I've never skated Slappy. Had Ace classics I liked, but I really don't think I'm about them on a street/trick deck. And I'm staying away from weird niche brands, so no Theeve, Film, Lurpiv, etc
I'd go for AF1, there's no way I could skate a truck that sounds like I'm calling a dog.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 15, 2025, 07:39:41 AM
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Current madness is trucks. I have been setting up different sizes. Got some Indy HF for 8/.125. Venture 5.8s for 8.5. Thunders for my 8.75. Got bushings worked out, all of them tuned like I like them.

But now I want to skate fucking 8.25/8.38s and need a fourth truck. Because I'm a lunatic it has to be a different brand. That's how I justify the madness--im simply trying all the brands to find my "forever truck". So I'm currently comparing Slappy and Ace/AF1 and looking for a sale. I can justify like 45-50 bucks, so I have to be smart about it. But then I also sort of pine for some regular ass Stage 11 144s. So basically I'm in option paralysis mode.

I've never skated Slappy. Had Ace classics I liked, but I really don't think I'm about them on a street/trick deck. And I'm staying away from weird niche brands, so no Theeve, Film, Lurpiv, etc
[close]
I'd go for AF1, there's no way I could skate a truck that sounds like I'm calling a dog.

There is no way I could skate a truck that sounds like I am calling a pet detective.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 15, 2025, 09:07:54 AM
Current madness is trucks. I have been setting up different sizes. Got some Indy HF for 8/.125. Venture 5.8s for 8.5. Thunders for my 8.75. Got bushings worked out, all of them tuned like I like them.

But now I want to skate fucking 8.25/8.38s and need a fourth truck. Because I'm a lunatic it has to be a different brand. That's how I justify the madness--im simply trying all the brands to find my "forever truck". So I'm currently comparing Slappy and Ace/AF1 and looking for a sale. I can justify like 45-50 bucks, so I have to be smart about it. But then I also sort of pine for some regular ass Stage 11 144s. So basically I'm in option paralysis mode.

I've never skated Slappy. Had Ace classics I liked, but I really don't think I'm about them on a street/trick deck. And I'm staying away from weird niche brands, so no Theeve, Film, Lurpiv, etc
I thought my madness was cured with Tensor Maglight but they are gone and I only have them in 8.25 and it’s been no joy trying to find a 8.5” set. Even considering the standard set and using the hangers on the Maglight baseplates but can’t find any cheap enough to justify the cost, especially knowing they were all sold at Ollie’s for $5.
Now I’m in the exact same situation wanting to ride 8.3-8.4” decks and not having the right trucks for it. Was trying to source some 8.5” Indy hollow hangers to use on some old Stage 9 baseplates I have but same story trying to get those at a decent price. So now, my plan is to buy AF1 Hollow hangers since they recently made them available to replace my standard 8.25” AF1 hangers but that might not work for future decks I want with smaller WB. So when that time comes, unless I come across some 8.5” Maglights or compatible hangers, Slappy ST1 Hollows are looking to fill my need the best out of what’s left. I don’t care what the name of any truck brand is. Never made a difference to me as long as they work the way I want.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 15, 2025, 09:36:49 AM
Please do it, I'd love to see the end result.
I only have these dunk SB outsoles right now
(https://i.ibb.co/SD7sdsXN/Nike-SB-Dunk-High-Pro-Orange-Label-Smoke-Grey-Product.webp)
(https://i.ibb.co/s981QNkn/159161-0-Nike-SB-Dunk-High-Pro-Decon.jpg)
I do however have these which I think would look good
(https://i.ibb.co/rnYQ1bM/converse-fastbreak-pro-mid-white-deep-emerald-166247c.jpg)

I'll probably just get some pairs from depop or something to Frankenstein together for a fun project this winter



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on October 15, 2025, 10:08:35 AM
Indy's are my choice for curing madness since they're the most middle ground truck and a good reset. During Covid I'd lurk and try a lot of trucks and brands out, going in circles, but always came back to Indy and Thunders.

I have T2 as well now and I never skate them and think "well I can do this trick on that truck but not as good on this other one" and worry about the illusion of the "forever truck". Accept them for what they are and enjoy them for such.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 15, 2025, 10:52:28 AM
I think for ~8" and smaller decks, and 14" and shorter wheelbases, venture lows and thunders w/ 50mm wheels are the jam, anything else would feel too tall/tippy for me, and the wheelbase would maybe be too squirrelly

My madness solution ended up just being Indy 149s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 15, 2025, 11:42:26 AM
I think for ~8" and smaller decks, and 14" and shorter wheelbases, venture lows and thunders w/ 50mm wheels are the jam, anything else would feel too tall/tippy for me, and the wheelbase would maybe be too squirrelly

My madness solution ended up just being Indy 149s
I don't want 8" or smaller decks and for shorter wheelbases, Venture doesn't make lows wider than 8" and I don't want trucks skinner than my deck. I have a couple Thunders but I just don't love them. Other than the pinch, they aren't doing much for me. Wish someone would just reup Tensor Maglights, lol. Most likely going to try Slappy ST1 Hollows someday. Indy Forged Hollows are probably the easy solution for me but I don't want Indy's either unless I can frankenmake something out of what I have, which are some old Stage 9 7.6" I had from back in the day.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on October 15, 2025, 12:52:27 PM
Too many people to quote so fuck it.

I don't mind the name--I just pretend it's named after us/my favorite old man activity. I do have certain bones to pick with Ace though, stupid as that may be. I want individual parts for classics, not just AF1s. I also just don't want or need another 52-53mm truck. Hell, even my Indys are forged so 53.5.

As dumb as it is, there's still a tiny voice in my head that sees both Ace and Slappy as fine-tuned Indy ripoffs.

Thought about T2s but again, they just kinda seem like they're going for the Indy kids. So it's like, why don't I just ride fucking Indy.

I do love my Ventures for tech and park shit. I just fucking hate their grind on wild curbs and I don't always want to have to be super specific about deck dims to accommodate the extended WB.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 15, 2025, 02:38:40 PM
Expand Quote
I think for ~8" and smaller decks, and 14" and shorter wheelbases, venture lows and thunders w/ 50mm wheels are the jam, anything else would feel too tall/tippy for me, and the wheelbase would maybe be too squirrelly

My madness solution ended up just being Indy 149s
[close]
I don't want 8" or smaller decks and for shorter wheelbases, Venture doesn't make lows wider than 8" and I don't want trucks skinner than my deck. I have a couple Thunders but I just don't love them. Other than the pinch, they aren't doing much for me. Wish someone would just reup Tensor Maglights, lol. Most likely going to try Slappy ST1 Hollows someday. Indy Forged Hollows are probably the easy solution for me but I don't want Indy's either unless I can frankenmake something out of what I have, which are some old Stage 9 7.6" I had from back in the day.

I still don't know why venture doesn't make an 8.25" low

I loved the pinch on thunders but I broke a few of them at the pivot stem and the bushings always crumble, having the use more wax for where my wheels touch ledges..

Slappy's could be dope

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 15, 2025, 04:24:43 PM
Yea another thing is I miss being able to grind baseplate while doing nose and tail slides on my ventures, and honestly I think if I could figure the bushings out for ventures i might stick with them. I def have gotten used to the grind on pretty crusty ledges and curbs but I still wanna try other trucks too. But I know if I stick with something I am used to it will help me become more consistent. I’m honestly thinking about the venture v8s. I can bring the wheel base in a lil to get that baseplates slide again and I’m hoping those blue bushings are better than the purple. I posted in the venture thread about the purple ones cause I just can’t get them to feel right. But my local has some v8 6.1s so I might cop to just give it a try but I’m just gonna be bummed if I have the same problems. I just don’t wanna go back to Indy or ace cause of the weight.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 15, 2025, 04:42:49 PM
Yea another thing is I miss being able to grind baseplate while doing nose and tail slides on my ventures, and honestly I think if I could figure the bushings out for ventures i might stick with them. I def have gotten used to the grind on pretty crusty ledges and curbs but I still wanna try other trucks too. But I know if I stick with something I am used to it will help me become more consistent. I’m honestly thinking about the venture v8s. I can bring the wheel base in a lil to get that baseplates slide again and I’m hoping those blue bushings are better than the purple. I posted in the venture thread about the purple ones cause I just can’t get them to feel right. But my local has some v8 6.1s so I might cop to just give it a try but I’m just gonna be bummed if I have the same problems. I just don’t wanna go back to Indy or ace cause of the weight.

Indy standards weigh 3 nickels heavier per truck than venture highs in the same size

V8s adjustable wheelbase doesn't affect baseplate slide

I was unaware it was an issue with ventures

(https://i.ibb.co/sp6KNvtV/Screenshot-20251015-154023-426.png)

I heard Indy bushings work good in ventures. I haven't skated Indy bushings in ventures in like 20 years so I don't really remember how that went but as far as I remember it was good


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 15, 2025, 04:52:26 PM
Expand Quote
Yea another thing is I miss being able to grind baseplate while doing nose and tail slides on my ventures, and honestly I think if I could figure the bushings out for ventures i might stick with them. I def have gotten used to the grind on pretty crusty ledges and curbs but I still wanna try other trucks too. But I know if I stick with something I am used to it will help me become more consistent. I’m honestly thinking about the venture v8s. I can bring the wheel base in a lil to get that baseplates slide again and I’m hoping those blue bushings are better than the purple. I posted in the venture thread about the purple ones cause I just can’t get them to feel right. But my local has some v8 6.1s so I might cop to just give it a try but I’m just gonna be bummed if I have the same problems. I just don’t wanna go back to Indy or ace cause of the weight.
[close]

Indy standards weigh 3 nickels heavier per truck than venture highs in the same size

V8s adjustable wheelbase doesn't affect baseplate slide

I was unaware it was an issue with ventures

(https://i.ibb.co/sp6KNvtV/Screenshot-20251015-154023-426.png)

I heard Indy bushings work good in ventures. I haven't skated Indy bushings in ventures in like 20 years so I don't really remember how that went but as far as I remember it was good

Hahahah that’s funny
Idk why but it’s been an issue for me. I’m not used to the feeling of my wheels sliding on ledges 
It’s probably my technique but I can’t seem to get it’s to grind baseplate as much as Indy’s or ace. It felt like it would go right into baseplate on them. And bummer I thought I read somewhere that the v8s kinda helped with that. Maybe I’m crazy and made it up to fit the narrative to try them.

But I kinda told myself bushing madness is too far cause with Indy and ace I’ve never had to fuck with them. But maybe it’s time to give into the madness fully cause I like my ventures. But I did just hit axle so I’m getting ready for new trucks anyways
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 15, 2025, 06:11:13 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Yea another thing is I miss being able to grind baseplate while doing nose and tail slides on my ventures, and honestly I think if I could figure the bushings out for ventures i might stick with them. I def have gotten used to the grind on pretty crusty ledges and curbs but I still wanna try other trucks too. But I know if I stick with something I am used to it will help me become more consistent. I’m honestly thinking about the venture v8s. I can bring the wheel base in a lil to get that baseplates slide again and I’m hoping those blue bushings are better than the purple. I posted in the venture thread about the purple ones cause I just can’t get them to feel right. But my local has some v8 6.1s so I might cop to just give it a try but I’m just gonna be bummed if I have the same problems. I just don’t wanna go back to Indy or ace cause of the weight.
[close]

Indy standards weigh 3 nickels heavier per truck than venture highs in the same size

V8s adjustable wheelbase doesn't affect baseplate slide

I was unaware it was an issue with ventures

(https://i.ibb.co/sp6KNvtV/Screenshot-20251015-154023-426.png)

I heard Indy bushings work good in ventures. I haven't skated Indy bushings in ventures in like 20 years so I don't really remember how that went but as far as I remember it was good
[close]

Hahahah that’s funny
Idk why but it’s been an issue for me. I’m not used to the feeling of my wheels sliding on ledges 
It’s probably my technique but I can’t seem to get it’s to grind baseplate as much as Indy’s or ace. It felt like it would go right into baseplate on them. And bummer I thought I read somewhere that the v8s kinda helped with that. Maybe I’m crazy and made it up to fit the narrative to try them.

But I kinda told myself bushing madness is too far cause with Indy and ace I’ve never had to fuck with them. But maybe it’s time to give into the madness fully cause I like my ventures. But I did just hit axle so I’m getting ready for new trucks anyways


For most boards with a drilled in baseplate (Venture V8 or my DIY Indy or others, it means the kick is longer and more often than not, you can sit more on the curve of the kick where it starts at the base of the bolts / flat part of the deck when sliding on ledges, rails or the like.

Some concaves of boards will allow for more slide but others actually make it a touch harder to slide with the baseplate right up against the obstacle or cause it to slip out more often, but changing technique will often result in a better slide as the kick - nose or tail - is longer so you have more room to sit on top of it.

Hope that makes sense, but testing a few options of my own with various drilled in baseplates, usually on BBS wood, so spoon shaped concave, some steeper boards might take a little more to get used to.  Some other brands / different woodshops will have a different feel, especially those that tend to have a lot of fingers of flat after the bolt holes with a smaller kick, as per a Quasi and a Sour board I tried, which I just didn't get along with either.  Others who skated them and were more used to the concave had no problems with them.


* There can also be quite a difference between a nice sharp skatepark or well made ledge edge which slides right on the bottom edge where the baseplate meets the deck, compared to a street spot, curb or other crusty type of thing, where it will eat further up on the baseplate as per that very well used Venture being chewed away over the pivot housing area - amazing work / pic of that too!!!


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 15, 2025, 07:11:07 PM
Yea that totally makes sense
And I’m skating prime wood blanks (I got 3 more to go through) so I’m planning on finding something that works really well on these dimensions so I can just stick with one setup forever. So I think I will try some v8s as I wish I had the tools to diy my own baseplates. But I’ve been also trying different wheels too. I just sized down and got some 53mm classic full f4’s and I’m hoping that kinda helps with the whole slide situation cause I’ve been on conicals for sooo long now. I appreciate all the input tho thanks guys
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 15, 2025, 07:50:43 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Yea another thing is I miss being able to grind baseplate while doing nose and tail slides on my ventures, and honestly I think if I could figure the bushings out for ventures i might stick with them. I def have gotten used to the grind on pretty crusty ledges and curbs but I still wanna try other trucks too. But I know if I stick with something I am used to it will help me become more consistent. I’m honestly thinking about the venture v8s. I can bring the wheel base in a lil to get that baseplates slide again and I’m hoping those blue bushings are better than the purple. I posted in the venture thread about the purple ones cause I just can’t get them to feel right. But my local has some v8 6.1s so I might cop to just give it a try but I’m just gonna be bummed if I have the same problems. I just don’t wanna go back to Indy or ace cause of the weight.
[close]

Indy standards weigh 3 nickels heavier per truck than venture highs in the same size

V8s adjustable wheelbase doesn't affect baseplate slide

I was unaware it was an issue with ventures

(https://i.ibb.co/sp6KNvtV/Screenshot-20251015-154023-426.png)

I heard Indy bushings work good in ventures. I haven't skated Indy bushings in ventures in like 20 years so I don't really remember how that went but as far as I remember it was good
[close]

Hahahah that’s funny
Idk why but it’s been an issue for me. I’m not used to the feeling of my wheels sliding on ledges 
It’s probably my technique but I can’t seem to get it’s to grind baseplate as much as Indy’s or ace. It felt like it would go right into baseplate on them. And bummer I thought I read somewhere that the v8s kinda helped with that. Maybe I’m crazy and made it up to fit the narrative to try them.

But I kinda told myself bushing madness is too far cause with Indy and ace I’ve never had to fuck with them. But maybe it’s time to give into the madness fully cause I like my ventures. But I did just hit axle so I’m getting ready for new trucks anyways
[close]


For most boards with a drilled in baseplate (Venture V8 or my DIY Indy or others, it means the kick is longer and more often than not, you can sit more on the curve of the kick where it starts at the base of the bolts / flat part of the deck when sliding on ledges, rails or the like.

Some concaves of boards will allow for more slide but others actually make it a touch harder to slide with the baseplate right up against the obstacle or cause it to slip out more often, but changing technique will often result in a better slide as the kick - nose or tail - is longer so you have more room to sit on top of it.

Hope that makes sense, but testing a few options of my own with various drilled in baseplates, usually on BBS wood, so spoon shaped concave, some steeper boards might take a little more to get used to.  Some other brands / different woodshops will have a different feel, especially those that tend to have a lot of fingers of flat after the bolt holes with a smaller kick, as per a Quasi and a Sour board I tried, which I just didn't get along with either.  Others who skated them and were more used to the concave had no problems with them.


* There can also be quite a difference between a nice sharp skatepark or well made ledge edge which slides right on the bottom edge where the baseplate meets the deck, compared to a street spot, curb or other crusty type of thing, where it will eat further up on the baseplate as per that very well used Venture being chewed away over the pivot housing area - amazing work / pic of that too!!!

I thought of that too, how the length and where the bend starts affecting how you sit on a ledge with the V8 style plates, it's interesting


That pic is from someone else on here, I saved it a while ago but can't remember the name!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on October 15, 2025, 09:23:33 PM
My madness solution ended up just being Indy 149s

I feel similarly. Spent few months on Ace AF1s again. I like the turn among many other things but I just could not get my kickflips consistent, no matter what. Then switched back to Indys and it's on point during first session.

I'm still pondering between 144s on 8.125 and 149s on 8.25/8.38 though...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 15, 2025, 09:52:28 PM
Expand Quote
My madness solution ended up just being Indy 149s
[close]

I feel similarly. Spent few months on Ace AF1s again. I like the turn among many other things but I just could not get my kickflips consistent, no matter what. Then switched back to Indys and it's on point during first session.

I'm still pondering between 144s on 8.125 and 149s on 8.25/8.38 though...

I spent 2 years on AF1 55s before going back to Indy, before that I was only skating indys for like 10 years straight, then there was a couple years where I skated thunders but I kept breaking them, before thunders was a couple years of stage 7s and 8s and my first trucks were venture lows

I think I'm just too used to Indy now and may as well accept it

I do like the AF1's with the hard bushings, nut flush

I don't like how far on they articulate for crooked grinds or the sucked in wheelbase so much though but they're great trucks

I'd say stick with the 149s honestly you could probably still rock an 8.125 with them if you're running smaller wheels

If you're gonna be running 56mm radial fulls or something I'd just get 8.5 decks but a 8.25" matches perfectly and I skated a whole bunch of those baker 8.25 og mellows with indys

Also you can get BBS blanks in 8.25 with 14, or 14.25 wb

I still kind of disregard the existence of 144s just cause I was so used to them not existing before.. 146s were chill but I don't miss the axle slip, broken kingpins,.and one time I broke a hanger right down the middle. When I was like 15 and weighed less than 140 pounds
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 15, 2025, 11:08:38 PM

My madness solution ended up just being Indy Standard 149s

This is the way. Edited for exactness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 15, 2025, 11:27:21 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Yea another thing is I miss being able to grind baseplate while doing nose and tail slides on my ventures, and honestly I think if I could figure the bushings out for ventures i might stick with them. I def have gotten used to the grind on pretty crusty ledges and curbs but I still wanna try other trucks too. But I know if I stick with something I am used to it will help me become more consistent. I’m honestly thinking about the venture v8s. I can bring the wheel base in a lil to get that baseplates slide again and I’m hoping those blue bushings are better than the purple. I posted in the venture thread about the purple ones cause I just can’t get them to feel right. But my local has some v8 6.1s so I might cop to just give it a try but I’m just gonna be bummed if I have the same problems. I just don’t wanna go back to Indy or ace cause of the weight.
[close]

Indy standards weigh 3 nickels heavier per truck than venture highs in the same size

V8s adjustable wheelbase doesn't affect baseplate slide

I was unaware it was an issue with ventures

(https://i.ibb.co/sp6KNvtV/Screenshot-20251015-154023-426.png)

I heard Indy bushings work good in ventures. I haven't skated Indy bushings in ventures in like 20 years so I don't really remember how that went but as far as I remember it was good
[close]

Hahahah that’s funny
Idk why but it’s been an issue for me. I’m not used to the feeling of my wheels sliding on ledges 
It’s probably my technique but I can’t seem to get it’s to grind baseplate as much as Indy’s or ace. It felt like it would go right into baseplate on them. And bummer I thought I read somewhere that the v8s kinda helped with that. Maybe I’m crazy and made it up to fit the narrative to try them.

But I kinda told myself bushing madness is too far cause with Indy and ace I’ve never had to fuck with them. But maybe it’s time to give into the madness fully cause I like my ventures. But I did just hit axle so I’m getting ready for new trucks anyways
Just think about it.
It doesn’t matter where the baseplate holes are, the baseplate to wheel clearance is always the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 16, 2025, 12:39:19 AM
Yea I understand that redrilling baseplates wouldn’t push the wheels past the baseplate, I know it wouldn’t magically add metal, but I thought I read somewhere that they added more metal upfront by the pivot cup on v8s so that they slide more on the baseplate. As well as rounded that same pivot cup housing so it wouldn’t hang up on slides. Unless I’m remembering wrong but I distinctly remember. Plz tho correct me if I’m wrong
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 16, 2025, 12:53:24 AM
Yea I understand that redrilling baseplates wouldn’t push the wheels past the baseplate, I know it wouldn’t magically add metal, but I thought I read somewhere that they added more metal upfront by the pivot cup on v8s so that they slide more on the baseplate. As well as rounded that same pivot cup housing so it wouldn’t hang up on slides. Unless I’m remembering wrong but I distinctly remember. Plz tho correct me if I’m wrong

Ahh yeah true so if you use the v8s in the longer wheelbase config then yeah, that makes sense
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on October 16, 2025, 02:17:02 AM
I think I'm just too used to Indy now and may as well accept it

I'd paraphrase the Serenity Prayer here, this is the Gear Madness Prayer:

Quote
Slap,
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 17, 2025, 09:46:40 AM
I think 149s are the most versatile cause I can use them on 8.25 or 8.5, or a shaped 9+ with any size wheel and it still looks/feels right

Always tempted to do a baker 3 style setup, 51mm classics on 139s

I feel like so many dudes were running that exact combo then

Reynolds, spanky, Ellington, dollin? Etc

Herman on thunder low 147s and 8.25 deck back then
Spanky on Indy 139s and 8.25? back then with 51mm wheels
Reynolds and Ellington on the 8.475 on 139s, Reynolds with 50-51mm wheels
Leo Romero was riding 129s for a hot minute and people gave him shit for it
Greco was 139s also I believe

I feel like 129s and 139s are the modern '93-onward truck and the best example of trucks in those sizes is venture lows

I think I just want my board to be lighter and flippier sometimes

I should really just focus on my fitness

It's like before 8" trucks existed they just made the wheels really small in '91-'92 and then the boards started getting smaller too, then the 8" trucks started coming out in '93 I think with the 6-hole baseplates, so the wheels started getting bigger again

When I get the urge to try 139s, I should just put together this setup:

149s
51mm classics
8.25 x 14.25 deck

The 149s are heavier, wider trucks, but it should feel a lot lighter, enough to cure a temporary madness

I think I should have two sets of 149 standards at all times, one bolted to an 8.25 and the other to an 8.5... and then 3 sets of wheels, ~50, ~53, ~56(93a or 97a)

Then I could try different combinations if I want without ever changing the truck

I feel like 51s on 149s prolly looks super '91 and makes them look wider than they are
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bupstop on October 17, 2025, 11:10:42 AM
I totally agree with you about Indy 149s. I’m using a set on a 9.2 shaped deck with 52s and I love it. I thought they might be too small but they work perfect for me.
Years ago I tried 139s on a 8.25 and I hated it. Something felt off to me but I guess it works for some and it was a fun experiment at the time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on October 17, 2025, 11:37:55 AM
Having an extra set of 149s on a wide board is the cure for the madness…and one set on techy trucks. Get burnt out or unsure of regular set up step on the wide boy and cruise around go back to regular set up and bam feels great again
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 17, 2025, 11:47:12 AM
Having an extra set of 149s on a wide board is the cure for the madness…and one set on techy trucks. Get burnt out or unsure of regular set up step on the wide boy and cruise around go back to regular set up and bam feels great again

That's what I'm thinking... Have one techier setup that's essentially the same soul that I can switch to if I'm feeling burnt out

As far as aiming for grinds and turning feel and stuff I think I have to have 149s on both

Maybe start the session on an 8.5 with 54s and end it on an 8.25 with 51s or something, and have a soft set of 56s stashed for crusty stuff
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on October 17, 2025, 05:39:19 PM
Expand Quote
Having an extra set of 149s on a wide board is the cure for the madness…and one set on techy trucks. Get burnt out or unsure of regular set up step on the wide boy and cruise around go back to regular set up and bam feels great again
[close]

That's what I'm thinking... Have one techier setup that's essentially the same soul that I can switch to if I'm feeling burnt out

As far as aiming for grinds and turning feel and stuff I think I have to have 149s on both

Maybe start the session on an 8.5 with 54s and end it on an 8.25 with 51s or something, and have a soft set of 56s stashed for crusty stuff

Id say just put one on a shaped deck or a board with a longer wheelbase with big wheels for fun and the other on one of those anti hero dlx 8.5 boards
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 17, 2025, 07:05:29 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Having an extra set of 149s on a wide board is the cure for the madness…and one set on techy trucks. Get burnt out or unsure of regular set up step on the wide boy and cruise around go back to regular set up and bam feels great again
[close]

That's what I'm thinking... Have one techier setup that's essentially the same soul that I can switch to if I'm feeling burnt out

As far as aiming for grinds and turning feel and stuff I think I have to have 149s on both

Maybe start the session on an 8.5 with 54s and end it on an 8.25 with 51s or something, and have a soft set of 56s stashed for crusty stuff
[close]

Id say just put one on a shaped deck or a board with a longer wheelbase with big wheels for fun and the other on one of those anti hero dlx 8.5 boards

That might work for most folks but my current board is a DBX 8.5 x 14.25 antihero, and I kind of despise long wheelbases. That 14.25" wb 9.375" BBS shaped board looks super fun though

I like to have a cruiser/filmer/dirt/rain board, so that kind of sucks up all the novelty and my only other board would be for getting tricks on and learning more stuff. Just sometimes I get down on myself and wonder if different dimensions would actually help me out.. so I need like my normal board and then one that is basically the same but lighter, but no so light that it loses its oomph and is harder to control

That's where I got into thinking about how people made their boards lighter before all the hollow forged titanium stuff, and it was just smaller versions of the same stuff... How things ended up with folks on 8.5" decks with 139s and stuff

I think I'd rather go to an 8.25 deck than switch from 149s.. those trucks are the most consistent thing in my board the whole time. I think because the last few 8.25s I had were baker OGs, which are pointy and maybe made it feel like less than an 8.25. cause the AH blue eagle isn't even really 8.5, it has that taper.

I think the 8.25" is a more common board size, and if I were skating bigger faster stuff it would justify the 8.5 and some slightly bigger wheels maybe

Either way I just had a pretty okay session on the 8.5.. frontside flips were sort of on, switch frontside flips want to come back. Half cab heels were easy. I like these DBX boards they're nice. I only paid $60 iirc so I might not ever have another one, just BBS blanks or Heated Wheel team decks but I do really enjoy it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on October 17, 2025, 10:00:44 PM
Expand Quote
Having an extra set of 149s on a wide board is the cure for the madness…and one set on techy trucks. Get burnt out or unsure of regular set up step on the wide boy and cruise around go back to regular set up and bam feels great again
[close]

That's what I'm thinking... Have one techier setup that's essentially the same soul that I can switch to if I'm feeling burnt out

As far as aiming for grinds and turning feel and stuff I think I have to have 149s on both

Maybe start the session on an 8.5 with 54s and end it on an 8.25 with 51s or something, and have a soft set of 56s stashed for crusty stuff

That's what I started doing. I have three setups: 8.5 with thunder 151s, and 8.125 with venture 5.8s, and a board that I just experiment on. I warm up on the 8.5, skate the ventures for the rest of the sesh, and just tinker on the weird deck when I get madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on October 18, 2025, 10:58:08 AM
I'd say stick with the 149s honestly you could probably still rock an 8.125 with them if you're running smaller wheels

If you're gonna be running 56mm radial fulls or something I'd just get 8.5 decks but a 8.25" matches perfectly and I skated a whole bunch of those baker 8.25 og mellows with indys

Also you can get BBS blanks in 8.25 with 14, or 14.25 wb

Yeah, I'm on 8.25 Easy Rider now which is almost a 8.38, works well with 149s. Might try 8.125 at some point but now this is good. Now I'm thinking about the wb, with AF1s 14.38 worked great, but maybe I'd like to have 14.25 after all with Indys... So not cured yet, still healing.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 18, 2025, 03:06:10 PM
Whoa. Thought Forged Hollows were my "forever truck." Like, I never have truck madness. At all. Well, for some unknown reason, recently threw on cast plates a few days ago. First few min I was like, "Oh, hell no. These feel waaaaay too high." Then something clicked, and I was like, "Oh my god!" Pop on everything started feeling way easier/bigger/better/more consistent, and turns feel deeper without wheel bite. I might be converted.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 18, 2025, 04:45:09 PM
Whoa. Thought Forged Hollows were my "forever truck." Like, I never have truck madness. At all. Well, for some unknown reason, recently threw on cast plates a few days ago. First few min I was like, "Oh, hell no. These feel waaaaay too high." Then something clicked, and I was like, "Oh my god!" Pop on everything started feeling way easier/bigger/better/more consistent, and turns feel deeper without wheel bite. I might be converted.

Yesss join usss

Also when the baseplates get all smashed in from slides, you can smooth em out on the sidewalk more times since they're thicker

And your bolts don't stick out

But definitely the wheelbite reduction factor and deeper turn for sure
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on October 18, 2025, 06:06:05 PM
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows if you aren't riding a smaller deck. They will wheelbite faster, to me the pinch is not perceivably different and I do a ton of feebles and crook variations, the wheelbase extension yields almost the same pop angle yet they don't have as good of pop and snap up, and weight wise if you compare to the cast plates with hollow KP and Axle, you only save 11 grams per truck (those save nearly 30 over standards).

When I was basically couch ridden after an accident I was extremely bored and watched the Indy "My Indy's videos". Almost no one rides forged, maybe 5% of their pros. Even the more technical ones predominantly skate the standard heavy cast trucks. They're still great, but I can't see any case where I'd prefer them. If I want lighter and lower I get Thunders and just get used to the turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 18, 2025, 06:15:04 PM
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows if you aren't riding a smaller deck. They will wheelbite faster, to me the pinch is not perceivably different and I do a ton of feebles and crook variations, the wheelbase extension yields almost the same pop angle yet they don't have as good of pop and snap up, and weight wise if you compare to the cast plates with hollow KP and Axle, you only save 11 grams per truck (those save nearly 30 over standards).

When I was basically couch ridden after an accident I was extremely bored and watched the Indy "My Indy's videos". Almost no one rides forged, maybe 5% of their pros. Even the more technical ones predominantly skate the standard heavy cast trucks. They're still great, but I can't see any case where I'd prefer them. If I want lighter and lower I get Thunders and just get used to the turn.

For sure

I think some people skate forged for a slightly lower center of gravity or whatever

Tony hawk skates forged trucks tight as hell with 60's and no risers lol

If you want good pinch just get thunders

But yeah the forged aren't that different, they're more expensive, and the I think the drawbacks outweigh the benefits
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 18, 2025, 07:30:19 PM
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on October 18, 2025, 07:47:28 PM
Has anyone verified what the pop angle difference actually is on the same wheels/deck? I don't think I ever tried, but I'd be curious if it's in some old Ben DeGros video or something. The wheelbase extension is about the same as the height reduction so I'd find it super amusing if the pop angle is actually the same, just lighter from less momentum.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on October 18, 2025, 09:21:29 PM
I used to be all about the forged hollows. Came across a deck that was to steep and then i ate my words. The thunders felt great im on em for now till i axle them i think. But I feel if I switch back to the forged indy cuz i do prefer the turn id probably pair it with 52’mm wheels to mellow out the height a bit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Crabby_Bastard on October 18, 2025, 09:30:33 PM
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.

100%
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on October 18, 2025, 09:51:24 PM
Now y'all got me thinking about combining Ti hangers with cast baseplates...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 18, 2025, 11:04:29 PM
Now y'all got me thinking about combining Ti hangers with cast baseplates...

I've wanted to try this combo for over a year

If I find a good deal, it's goin down

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 19, 2025, 12:51:14 AM
Whoa. Thought Forged Hollows were my "forever truck." Like, I never have truck madness. At all. Well, for some unknown reason, recently threw on cast plates a few days ago. First few min I was like, "Oh, hell no. These feel waaaaay too high." Then something clicked, and I was like, "Oh my god!" Pop on everything started feeling way easier/bigger/better/more consistent, and turns feel deeper without wheel bite. I might be converted.
The moment you said that you doomed yourself
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on October 19, 2025, 01:24:15 AM
Whoa. Thought Forged Hollows were my "forever truck." Like, I never have truck madness. At all. Well, for some unknown reason, recently threw on cast plates a few days ago. First few min I was like, "Oh, hell no. These feel waaaaay too high." Then something clicked, and I was like, "Oh my god!" Pop on everything started feeling way easier/bigger/better/more consistent, and turns feel deeper without wheel bite. I might be converted.

Another visitor... stay awhile, stay forever!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 19, 2025, 05:00:39 AM
Expand Quote
Now y'all got me thinking about combining Ti hangers with cast baseplates...
[close]

I've wanted to try this combo for over a year

If I find a good deal, it's goin down


Yes it does work well, or at least I felt like it was a more natural feeling combination as I was used to the cast 55 mm height and the ti axles / hangers on the forged baseplates just felt way too light for what I was used to.

It wasn't too light, but it was a bit nicer trying that combination, especially on wider boards - ti axle / hangers in 149, 159 and 169 switched on to cast baseplates on bigger boards made things a little easier to throw around, when I had a bit of a go of all those options.


To be fair I am just never keen on hollow kingpins either, so anything with a cast baseplate with a solid kingpin is going to be my preference any day, any place, any session, but that is not to say that the usual ti axle / forged baseplate combination is not a winner for some people who do want both a lower and lighter setup, as per some people I know.  They also skate tighter trucks on smaller than average wheels, so everything fits well on their setups, but damn those things are so light compared to my usual boards.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on October 19, 2025, 11:32:04 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
[close]

100%

I definitely prefer lower trucks. That said, I have some forged hollow 139s and they just don't feel like Indy to me. I want heavy and high when I ride Independent as much as I want that turn.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 19, 2025, 02:32:03 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
[close]

100%
[close]

I definitely prefer lower trucks. That said, I have some forged hollow 139s and they just don't feel like Indy to me. I want heavy and high when I ride Independent as much as I want that turn.

I feel like 129s and 139s are too high, but instead of going forged Indy I'd rather use thunders or venture lows cause the wider wheelbase counteracts the low height to keep good pop

I think 8.25 and 8.5 trucks are the zone where you can kinda use whatever truck from anybody and it'll feel alright

for 8.75+ Ace, Indy, Lurpiv, etc make more sense and for below 8.25 thunders and venture lows are more proportionate
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 19, 2025, 03:19:51 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
[close]

100%
[close]

I definitely prefer lower trucks. That said, I have some forged hollow 139s and they just don't feel like Indy to me. I want heavy and high when I ride Independent as much as I want that turn.
[close]

I feel like 129s and 139s are too high, but instead of going forged Indy I'd rather use thunders or venture lows cause the wider wheelbase counteracts the low height to keep good pop

I think 8.25 and 8.5 trucks are the zone where you can kinda use whatever truck from anybody and it'll feel alright

for 8.75+ Ace, Indy, Lurpiv, etc make more sense and for below 8.25 thunders and venture lows are more proportionate

Fully back this approach. I feel like there are certain “magic ratios” that exist within set-ups to make them (generally) feel “right.” 


Really tall, narrow, short set-ups (e.g. an 8” with standard Indys and 55mm wheels) start getting really weird. Whereas standard Indys and 55mm work fine on an 8.75 (and forged thunders with 51mm would be a bit kooky). And yeah, that 8.25-8.5 area is the twilight zone where things blend quite well.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 19, 2025, 04:56:54 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
[close]

100%
[close]

I definitely prefer lower trucks. That said, I have some forged hollow 139s and they just don't feel like Indy to me. I want heavy and high when I ride Independent as much as I want that turn.
[close]

I feel like 129s and 139s are too high, but instead of going forged Indy I'd rather use thunders or venture lows cause the wider wheelbase counteracts the low height to keep good pop

I think 8.25 and 8.5 trucks are the zone where you can kinda use whatever truck from anybody and it'll feel alright

for 8.75+ Ace, Indy, Lurpiv, etc make more sense and for below 8.25 thunders and venture lows are more proportionate
This all makes sense but just gonna point out that a lot of measurements I’ve seen on these forums say that forged Indy’s have the same wheelbase as regular Thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 19, 2025, 06:22:11 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
[close]

100%
[close]

I definitely prefer lower trucks. That said, I have some forged hollow 139s and they just don't feel like Indy to me. I want heavy and high when I ride Independent as much as I want that turn.
[close]

I feel like 129s and 139s are too high, but instead of going forged Indy I'd rather use thunders or venture lows cause the wider wheelbase counteracts the low height to keep good pop

I think 8.25 and 8.5 trucks are the zone where you can kinda use whatever truck from anybody and it'll feel alright

for 8.75+ Ace, Indy, Lurpiv, etc make more sense and for below 8.25 thunders and venture lows are more proportionate
[close]
This all makes sense but just gonna point out that a lot of measurements I’ve seen on these forums say that forged Indy’s have the same wheelbase as regular Thunders.

Forged indys are ~53.5 high, cast thunder 148,149 and 151 are ~52mm tall.. and cast thunder 145 and 147s are ~50mm high, so I can only assume the forged thunders are at least 3mm shorter than a forged Indy which is a decent difference
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 19, 2025, 06:24:03 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows…
[close]

Simple. Lower height feels better for some people.
[close]

100%
[close]

I definitely prefer lower trucks. That said, I have some forged hollow 139s and they just don't feel like Indy to me. I want heavy and high when I ride Independent as much as I want that turn.
[close]

I feel like 129s and 139s are too high, but instead of going forged Indy I'd rather use thunders or venture lows cause the wider wheelbase counteracts the low height to keep good pop

I think 8.25 and 8.5 trucks are the zone where you can kinda use whatever truck from anybody and it'll feel alright

for 8.75+ Ace, Indy, Lurpiv, etc make more sense and for below 8.25 thunders and venture lows are more proportionate
[close]
This all makes sense but just gonna point out that a lot of measurements I’ve seen on these forums say that forged Indy’s have the same wheelbase as regular Thunders.

My comments were mostly in regard to just height ratios…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 20, 2025, 01:43:26 AM
wide decks with mid height trucks fucks
dont knock it til you try it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on October 20, 2025, 04:59:25 AM
wide decks with mid height trucks fucks
dont knock it til you try it
Preach!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on October 20, 2025, 05:25:19 AM
wide decks with mid height trucks fucks
dont knock it til you try it
I have a set of Thunder 151s I ride on anything from flatter 8.5s up to 9.25 and they're fantastic for cruising, light tranny, etc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on October 20, 2025, 05:41:03 AM
wide decks with mid height trucks fucks
dont knock it til you try it

In this thread? We’ve tried everything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: eviltgirl on October 20, 2025, 09:45:53 AM
So i recently switched from indy hollows to regular indys.  Every other variable is unchanged.  Does it make sense to you that the heavier trucks make my rotational tricks, like pop shuvs and whatnot feel slower? That makes sense to me, just wanted to see if that would be the general consensus
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 20, 2025, 10:01:12 AM
Expand Quote
wide decks with mid height trucks fucks
dont knock it til you try it
[close]
Preach!

It definitely works really well for wider, lower trucks

Skinny tall trucks, not so much

I only skated thunder 149s for a few years but I switched after I kept breaking the pivot stem off

Pick up my board and my truck just facing the other way and shit

Though I have cracked an Indy hanger lightning bolt style right down the middle of the hanger, it was new-old-stock stage 7s in 2006 so not the same kind of aluminum as today
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on October 20, 2025, 10:14:26 AM
Expand Quote
wide decks with mid height trucks fucks
dont knock it til you try it
[close]
I have a set of Thunder 151s I ride on anything from flatter 8.5s up to 9.25 and they're fantastic for cruising, light tranny, etc

Honestly pondering the height to width ratio of my skateboard really helped. 151s were/ are great. Hope the 151 T2s are a nice middle ground between the OGs and Ace.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on October 20, 2025, 12:04:58 PM
Ace are 53, original Thunders are 52, and T2 are 54 so there's no way they can be a middle ground unless you're comparing Ace to Indy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on October 20, 2025, 01:55:01 PM
Ace are 53, original Thunders are 52, and T2 are 54 so there's no way they can be a middle ground unless you're comparing Ace to Indy.

I was mostly thinking in terms of turn. As I understand it the T2 is a turnier truck but not as turny as Ace.

 At 54mm I also might use a riser less often, so could actually end up with a lower ride overall.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TheCrimsonShroud on October 20, 2025, 02:52:33 PM
Expand Quote
Ace are 53, original Thunders are 52, and T2 are 54 so there's no way they can be a middle ground unless you're comparing Ace to Indy.
[close]


I was mostly thinking in terms of turn. As I understand it the T2 is a turnier truck but not as turny as Ace.

 At 54mm I also might use a riser less often, so could actually end up with a lower ride overall.

I haven't ridden T2s but heard someone describe them as 'Thunders for team riders that wish they rode Indys' or something. At 54mm and sort of somewhere off between Indy and Thunder they seem like if Slappy had a cooler name.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on October 20, 2025, 07:42:14 PM
I just learned. Stepping on your board after a full day of work will give you….the madness….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 26, 2025, 09:55:16 AM
So I have been on venture for nearing 3 months. Axled my first set after 2 months and am now on v8s. I’m liking the grind and pop and turn isn’t bad at all like I was told as a kid. But now I’m feeling like I miss Indy’s. That’s all I rode for like 10+ years until 5 years ago I switched to ace. And after ace venture now. I feel like it’ll feel like home and I’ll feel more comfortable overall but i can’t tell if I just am convincing myself of that. I saw the v8s come out and wanted them immediately and found a way to justify it. But now I have them and am yearning for Indy’s. I mean most people who have ridden Indy’s say they feel like home. And I feel like they are some of the best trucks out there but it’s been so long for me i kinda forgot what they feel like so im just thinkin of them recently. I won’t buy any until I axle this set of v8s but I know if I put my mind to it I can axle them in probably another month…
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on October 26, 2025, 10:32:27 AM
So I have been on venture for nearing 3 months. Axled my first set after 2 months and am now on v8s. I’m liking the grind and pop and turn isn’t bad at all like I was told as a kid. But now I’m feeling like I miss Indy’s. That’s all I rode for like 10+ years until 5 years ago I switched to ace. And after ace venture now. I feel like it’ll feel like home and I’ll feel more comfortable overall but i can’t tell if I just am convincing myself of that. I saw the v8s come out and wanted them immediately and found a way to justify it. But now I have them and am yearning for Indy’s. I mean most people who have ridden Indy’s say they feel like home. And I feel like they are some of the best trucks out there but it’s been so long for me i kinda forgot what they feel like so im just thinkin of them recently. I won’t buy any until I axle this set of v8s but I know if I put my mind to it I can axle them in probably another month…
Maybe try putting some Indy blue bushings in your V8?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 26, 2025, 11:24:44 AM

Maybe try putting some Indy blue bushings in your V8?

It’s not the same  :'(
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on October 27, 2025, 05:32:03 AM
I've never understood the appeal for Forged Hollows if you aren't riding a smaller deck. They will wheelbite faster, to me the pinch is not perceivably different and I do a ton of feebles and crook variations, the wheelbase extension yields almost the same pop angle yet they don't have as good of pop and snap up, and weight wise if you compare to the cast plates with hollow KP and Axle, you only save 11 grams per truck (those save nearly 30 over standards).

When I was basically couch ridden after an accident I was extremely bored and watched the Indy "My Indy's videos". Almost no one rides forged, maybe 5% of their pros. Even the more technical ones predominantly skate the standard heavy cast trucks. They're still great, but I can't see any case where I'd prefer them. If I want lighter and lower I get Thunders and just get used to the turn.

I disagree,  and this is coming from someone who skates standard and forged depending on the deck. Forged is excellent on bigger boards because you're shaving weight to make them more manageable, but still get stability of a beefier board/truck. Inverse is also true where you have a small toothpick board with heavier standard cast trucks to balance it out.

I think the forged are an excellent version of Indy - taller than other trucks but shorter than standards. A perfect sweet spot between low & nimble and tall & stable. Thunders don't turn that well (to me) so why switch to them when I can get the Indy feel i enjoy while being lower and lighter?? Seems like a no brainer to me to do that instead of switch truck brands.

A lot of pros ride standard whatever comes in the box. Indy, thunder, ace, etc. They change gear so often many don't see a need to get something that is not produced in the same quantity as brand X's main truck model. There's a definite market for forged
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 28, 2025, 12:56:19 AM
Guys should I buy an alien workshop 8.75 with 14.25wb? I’m on a 14.625 wb rn and at 6’5” with a size 12 foot I’m worried it’ll be too short but goddamn I want that Joey exp orange dip so bad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on October 28, 2025, 01:39:28 AM
Guys should I buy an alien workshop 8.75 with 14.25wb? I’m on a 14.625 wb rn and at 6’5” with a size 12 foot I’m worried it’ll be too short but goddamn I want that Joey exp orange dip so bad

Im same height as you and have skated plenty of 14.25wb boards just fine. But it'll definitely feel short coming from a 14.625 wb.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Spacecase on October 28, 2025, 08:08:44 AM
This is a type of madness I guess.
 I just picked up a set of standard 169 Indys for cheap on FB marketplace, my preferred size and type.  Only problem is the Indys are black and i'm not sure I can skate them, they just look wrong IMO.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on October 28, 2025, 08:17:47 AM
Expand Quote
Guys should I buy an alien workshop 8.75 with 14.25wb? I’m on a 14.625 wb rn and at 6’5” with a size 12 foot I’m worried it’ll be too short but goddamn I want that Joey exp orange dip so bad
[close]

Im same height as you and have skated plenty of 14.25wb boards just fine. But it'll definitely feel short coming from a 14.625 wb.

I already have 2 blanks on ice and don’t wanna start hoarding but I was thinking of buying a baker 8.75 with the 14.5wb to go down a bit then buy the alien and keep it on ice for when I’m done with the baker. So it’ll be slightly more gradual than just jumping all the way down to 14.25
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on October 28, 2025, 08:21:48 AM
got way too many setups at my house


2x enjoi kids completes

Cruiser
anti hero blue meanie 8.75"
thunder 148
72mm 78a longboard wheels

Winter Setup
Real China board
Venture 8" trucks from 2010
93a soft slider f4 ~52-54mm
seized bearings

Primitive Franky Egg 9" w/ rails (going to switch this later for an actual good board after the winter. i have a 8.5" roger twin)
Lurpiv 150
~55mm radial full w/ andale bearings

Primitive 8.38"
Thunder 148
f4 classic 55mm

Anti Hero Horse Pill
Ace AF1 60
F4 classic full ~51mm


PS Stix Solo Tango 8.38
Indy 144
OJ Elite 95a 57mm just need bearings

GX1000 8.5"
Indy 149
f4 radial full ~58mm

Frog 8.5"
Thunder T2
F4 Radial Full ~58mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 28, 2025, 02:26:18 PM
Current setup

8.5 x 14.25 DBX
Indy 149 cast hollow
Bighead 54mm F4

I like how flippy the DBX is

I got it for $60 and I don't think I'm gonna buy another

Previous owner had forged venture 6.1 on it

You can see where our wheelbite is

I still have a few 8.5 short BBS blanks in my closet but I'm thinking of switching to the 8.25 x 14.25.... I don't think I need that extra quarter inch unless I'm running like, 56mm radial fulls. And I like 53mm classics. And I don't feel like skating anything other than 149s. So I think the move is to just start skating 8.25s again. It should feel pretty flippy ala the 8.5 dbx. I have good memories on the 8.25s. Now I kind of regret selling the three baker 8.25s I had on ice

It's easier to find the 8.25 x 14.25s also

But really I'd probably just end up skating Sci-Fi, GX, Heated Wheel, or blanks when right now it's Real, AH or blanks for the 8.5s. baker makes both sizes, but the pointy mellow shape could mess me up idk. I don't remember being bothered by it when I used to skate those

(https://i.ibb.co/39x0P7Mp/IMG-20251028-130704444-HDR.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 28, 2025, 04:29:40 PM
This is a type of madness I guess.
 I just picked up a set of standard 169 Indys for cheap on FB marketplace, my preferred size and type.  Only problem is the Indys are black and i'm not sure I can skate them, they just look wrong IMO.


I found that a can of paint stripper was perfect for getting all the paint off anything like that, trucks especially, which came up so shiny and fresh looking if they were polished.  Another set of raw baseplates still came up nicely, as per this post from a while ago.

It was worth it for the little enough effort to remove whatever paint was on trucks, bolts, or other things I have tried it on.


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/C-fDXYdJUuK/

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-fDXYdJUuK/?img_index=1


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on October 28, 2025, 06:52:17 PM
i dont think i can skate 32” inch length
wheelbase be damned this feels cramped
is that something you just get used to if forced?

im thinking 32.25+ is where i should be
last deck before this was 32.5 and that felt right
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 29, 2025, 03:16:58 AM
So i recently switched from indy hollows to regular indys.  Every other variable is unchanged.  Does it make sense to you that the heavier trucks make my rotational tricks, like pop shuvs and whatnot feel slower? That makes sense to me, just wanted to see if that would be the general consensus

Yep, that makes sense.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 29, 2025, 04:11:21 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/bjF4Xw6y/Screenshot-20251029-150647-519.png)

Reynolds cutting down axles to make something in between a 139 and 144 is rad

I did that with my AF1 Hollow 55s to have an 8.38" axle

Shit maybe he actually machined down the hanger to make a true 141.5 haha that'd be dope
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on October 29, 2025, 06:14:13 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/bjF4Xw6y/Screenshot-20251029-150647-519.png)

Reynolds cutting down axles to make something in between a 139 and 144 is rad

I did that with my AF1 Hollow 55s to have an 8.38" axle

Shit maybe he actually machined down the hanger to make a true 141.5 haha that'd be dope



I had to go check and sure enough, he answers someone that he had them cut down.  That's one thing I have never done, but I have trimmed down the axle ends to stop them sticking out on some other boards, as well as added half a dozen washers and turned axle nuts in so the nyloc grips on only a couple of threads, which also works to make trucks wider than they are, but looks pretty scary.

https://www.instagram.com/andrewreynolds/reel/DQZd6UTCfoK/


Always interested to see how people do things too - especially someone that can still skate at a "pro level" and tinkers with his setups so much, but as he said, he still can't do some things but can still skate every setup if the stoke is high.

Thanks for posting!


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 31, 2025, 06:40:54 AM
Damn, Reynolds coming to terms with his eternal madness.

It's touching in a way.

Standards, forged, and mids is the craziest part about that to me.


I'm sure I'll curse myself by saying this but idc because I'm feeling good about my board lately.

The only aspects I'm not 100% sure of are standard vs forged Indy baseplates. And regular vs easy rider 8.38 14.5wb dlx shape.

Feelsgood to have things narrowed down this much. Giving my thunders away, gonna hold onto my smaller wheels for my daughter in hopes that she will use them though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 31, 2025, 12:56:06 PM
Mad ramblings alert

In order to limit myself blaming the gear and spending money

I was thinking about super classic stuff that's been around for ever and generic measurements and I think this would be the most average/classic board

- 8.25" BBS deck, 14.25" wb
- Indy standard 149, stock bushings, solid axles & kingpins
- Regular black bones swiss
- Spitfire F4 classic 54mm 99a

I feel like i should keep one of those setups around at all times and have another setup that I can tweak in different directions

Also having two setups is dope, when you break one you can just grab another out of the van and not have to set something up at the spot

here's some basic stuff I can change with that generic setup as the jump-off point

- Could use 8.5 x 14.25" deck instead

- Could use 52 or 53mm wheels or F4 bigheads/classic fulls instead


Here's the more expensive or "marginal gains" stuff I could change:

- DBX decks, 8.25 full krooked or real/ah 8.5x14.25

- Hollow hangers on hollow or solid cast plates

- Ti axles on hollow or solid cast plates

- Aftermarket bushings, different duro combos

- Swiss 6

- Ceramics

- Different wheel duros



DBX decks, titanium trucks, and ceramic bearings are all out of the question

So if I had a board I really messed with to make it better it would probably be this

- 8.25 BBS
- Indy hollow hangers on aftermarket solid kingpin baseplates, 88a bottom bushing, 92 or 94a top
- swiss 6
- 93a classic 54mm

Which is basically the same

I don't want it to be too light

I really need to try that bushing combo and see if it makes my shit feel more like the way I want it to

I wonder if a stage 4 88a bushing on the bottom and an Ace low hard on top would be dope. I heard the kingpins on the aftermarket 6-hole baseplates are longer than average



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on October 31, 2025, 01:19:50 PM
Mad ramblings alert

In order to limit myself blaming the gear and spending money

I was thinking about super classic stuff that's been around for ever and generic measurements and I think this would be the most average/classic board

- 8.25" BBS deck, 14.25" wb
- Indy standard 149, stock bushings, solid axles & kingpins
- Regular black bones swiss
- Spitfire F4 classic 54mm 99a

I feel like i should keep one of those setups around at all times and have another setup that I can tweak in different directions

Also having two setups is dope, when you break one you can just grab another out of the van and not have to set something up at the spot

here's some basic stuff I can change with that generic setup as the jump-off point

- Could use 8.5 x 14.25" deck instead

- Could use 52 or 53mm wheels or F4 bigheads/classic fulls instead


Here's the more expensive or "marginal gains" stuff I could change:

- DBX decks, 8.25 full krooked or real/ah 8.5x14.25

- Hollow hangers on hollow or solid cast plates

- Ti axles on hollow or solid cast plates

- Aftermarket bushings, different duro combos

- Swiss 6

- Ceramics

- Different wheel duros



DBX decks, titanium trucks, and ceramic bearings are all out of the question

So if I had a board I really messed with to make it better it would probably be this

- 8.25 BBS
- Indy hollow hangers on aftermarket solid kingpin baseplates, 88a bottom bushing, 92 or 94a top
- swiss 6
- 93a classic 54mm

Which is basically the same

I don't want it to be too light

I really need to try that bushing combo and see if it makes my shit feel more like the way I want it to

I wonder if a stage 4 88a bushing on the bottom and an Ace low hard on top would be dope. I heard the kingpins on the aftermarket 6-hole baseplates are longer than average

I mean, what are you doing on your skateboard to the point that there isn't a stock indy bushing color (orange blue whatever) doesn't meet your needs?

But yeah I agree 8.25 bbs, some sort of indy 149, and 54 ish classics is an almost perfect "government issue" setup that should work for most people as a middle ground kinda skateboard.

Personally I'd say some forged plate indy would make more sense as the "middle ground" truck since standard Indys are higher and heavier than the other main trucks on the market. But both work well.

I think even if you kept your setup identical over the years, it's inevitably still going to feel different here and there. If you grind to the axle and put on new Indys, replace worn out bushings, put new wheels on, or even just set up a new 8.25 bbs deck that has a different steepness due to being from a different position in the stack.

The difference you feel from those factors is could even be more noticeable than changing your wheel shape slightly or going from cast to hollow/solid to hollow etc

I've almost gone down the a/b testing route before with two different setups and honestly I imagine it's pretty futile. You're probably going to confuse your muscle memory trying to skate them both at the same time for extremely marginal gains. If they're v similar, getting more used to a single one is almost certainly better for your skating.

I think trying to optimize it as far as you can and keep it consistent is the way to go. But gotta accept it's likely never going to feel perfect. And even if you go through a phase where does feel perfect, that feeling is likely temporary and being ok with some slight deviations in that feeling from time to time is important
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 31, 2025, 01:34:33 PM
I always have 2 setups. One is my newer setup that I usually skate at parks and one is my older setup, which is just my last setup that isn't completely done yet but getting there and I usually use it for street.

Since I'm still in my exploration mode, the two setups are usually pretty different. My current new setup is 8.38" on AF1 & && wheels. Old setup is 8.5" on Thunder Teams & Ricta Cores (switched out from F4 Conical Fulls for wheel madness testing).

My old setup is on its last leg and I'm looking forward to dumping it since I think 8.5" is slightly too big for my liking, especially since it has longer wheelbase and on Thunders and razor tailed, which exaggerates the wheelbase issue. Next in line is a 8.12" deck that I'm putting my Tensor Maglights on and either F4 Classics if I can get the new formula 97 or just use my old Rictus or Conical Fulls that are worn to under 50 mm.

I'm really looking forward to the 8.12" deck and overall, I think I'll be sticking to the off sizes. Depending on how it goes with the 8.12", but I have a feeling 8.3-8.4 might be my goldilocks size with 14-14.25" WB.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 31, 2025, 02:53:53 PM
I mean, what are you doing on your skateboard to the point that there isn't a stock indy bushing color (orange blue whatever) doesn't meet your needs?

I swapped aftermarket oranges in, and I felt those were better than stock orange, but I skated aces for a couple years(ended up on the hard bushings), and I liked the dual duro concept - softer bottom bushing to pinch crooks and carve when you want, but a harder top bushing to be more stable on center for flip tricks and snappier return to center.. basically searching for a more responsive feel and curious about trying the dual duro situation on indys

I think even if you kept your setup identical over the years, it's inevitably still going to feel different here and there. If you grind to the axle and put on new Indys, replace worn out bushings, put new wheels on, or even just set up a new 8.25 bbs deck that has a different steepness due to being from a different position in the stack.

The difference you feel from those factors is could even be more noticeable than changing your wheel shape slightly or going from cast to hollow/solid to hollow etc

I've almost gone down the a/b testing route before with two different setups and honestly I imagine it's pretty futile. You're probably going to confuse your muscle memory trying to skate them both at the same time for extremely marginal gains. If they're v similar, getting more used to a single one is almost certainly better for your skating.

I think trying to optimize it as far as you can and keep it consistent is the way to go. But gotta accept it's likely never going to feel perfect. And even if you go through a phase where does feel perfect, that feeling is likely temporary and being ok with some slight deviations in that feeling from time to time is important

I agree with all that.

 I think I'm trying to set parameters so that like, if the shops out of 54s, I know I can skate a 52 or 53mm wheel just fine, or vice versa. 8.25 or 8.5 should both be fine as long as they're 14.25 wb. Stuff like that.

I feel like a lot of my tweaking comes from wanting some kind of ATV board.. like an 8.5 with 56s for everything, when in all actuality I spend way more time skating ledges and gaps and shit, and am probably just absorbing all the footage of folks on giant wheels

I was skating pool coping the other day and my board felt kind of light, and harder to control (currently skating hollow indys)

Sometimes my flip tricks are way off on bigger wheels too

So I tried to rewind back to like 1987 gear choices and then follow along how it changed over the years, and how the trucks were still heavy but the wheels got smaller, then when the trucks got lighter and smaller the wheels got bigger again

I don't want my board to be super light or super heavy but I thought if I could control -where- the weight was, it could help... So keeping a solid kingpin, cast baseplate but using a hollow or ti hanger with smaller wheels... Adding more weight to the center of the truck right under my foot and taking weight away from the outside with the wheels and axle might be a good balance for that weight I was missing on coping, but still good for flip tricks

The whole thing together sounds awesome in my head, but when I look at it on paper it's basically just adding a hollow axle to a pair of standards, and isn't really going to change shit, so I should just skate standards hahah cause they're cheap and strong and feel good for grinds

I always have 2 setups. One is my newer setup that I usually skate at parks and one is my older setup, which is just my last setup that isn't completely done yet but getting there and I usually use it for street.

This makes sense to me. Even if my two setups are exactly the same. I thought it might be nice to have a slightly lighter weight board for at the end of a long day to switch to, but honestly it would be better to just have two identical ones. One of which I can experiment on and then test against the other. Which is what will probably kill the madness once and for all. When I inevitably can't tell a fuckin difference, or, I find something I really like

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on October 31, 2025, 04:09:47 PM
Expand Quote
I mean, what are you doing on your skateboard to the point that there isn't a stock indy bushing color (orange blue whatever) doesn't meet your needs?
[close]

I swapped aftermarket oranges in, and I felt those were better than stock orange, but I skated aces for a couple years(ended up on the hard bushings), and I liked the dual duro concept - softer bottom bushing to pinch crooks and carve when you want, but a harder top bushing to be more stable on center for flip tricks and snappier return to center.. basically searching for a more responsive feel and curious about trying the dual duro situation on indys

Expand Quote
I think even if you kept your setup identical over the years, it's inevitably still going to feel different here and there. If you grind to the axle and put on new Indys, replace worn out bushings, put new wheels on, or even just set up a new 8.25 bbs deck that has a different steepness due to being from a different position in the stack.

The difference you feel from those factors is could even be more noticeable than changing your wheel shape slightly or going from cast to hollow/solid to hollow etc

I've almost gone down the a/b testing route before with two different setups and honestly I imagine it's pretty futile. You're probably going to confuse your muscle memory trying to skate them both at the same time for extremely marginal gains. If they're v similar, getting more used to a single one is almost certainly better for your skating.

I think trying to optimize it as far as you can and keep it consistent is the way to go. But gotta accept it's likely never going to feel perfect. And even if you go through a phase where does feel perfect, that feeling is likely temporary and being ok with some slight deviations in that feeling from time to time is important
[close]

I agree with all that.

 I think I'm trying to set parameters so that like, if the shops out of 54s, I know I can skate a 52 or 53mm wheel just fine, or vice versa. 8.25 or 8.5 should both be fine as long as they're 14.25 wb. Stuff like that.

I feel like a lot of my tweaking comes from wanting some kind of ATV board.. like an 8.5 with 56s for everything, when in all actuality I spend way more time skating ledges and gaps and shit, and am probably just absorbing all the footage of folks on giant wheels

I was skating pool coping the other day and my board felt kind of light, and harder to control (currently skating hollow indys)

Sometimes my flip tricks are way off on bigger wheels too

So I tried to rewind back to like 1987 gear choices and then follow along how it changed over the years, and how the trucks were still heavy but the wheels got smaller, then when the trucks got lighter and smaller the wheels got bigger again

I don't want my board to be super light or super heavy but I thought if I could control -where- the weight was, it could help... So keeping a solid kingpin, cast baseplate but using a hollow or ti hanger with smaller wheels... Adding more weight to the center of the truck right under my foot and taking weight away from the outside with the wheels and axle might be a good balance for that weight I was missing on coping, but still good for flip tricks

The whole thing together sounds awesome in my head, but when I look at it on paper it's basically just adding a hollow axle to a pair of standards, and isn't really going to change shit, so I should just skate standards hahah cause they're cheap and strong and feel good for grinds


Yeah that makes sense. I think indy aftermarkets are great quality bushings, feel like branching out further than that could be a rabbit hole with diminishing returns. Maybe orange/red bottom blue top or something would satisfy that itch for you, though I'm curious if it would really be noticeable at all vs just the same top and bottom in a side by side.

And yeah, I think the giant wheel propaganda has been working the past few years. Lots of street skaters still skate small wheels. I keep a set of 93s on ice for crustier spots, works fine and I don't have to then adjust to a much bigger wheel.

Going up or down a mm or two should be fine either way

And yeah, maybe your board with hollows is good for street but felt a little light on transition, but is that difference something that will continue to bother you if you just skated transition a few more times on it and got used to it?

If you went solid indys for that reason, you might notice its a lil heavier for street.

It probably goes both ways, no setup will ever feel perfect on everything. But it sounds like any one of these configurations is close enough on everything for you, so its just a matter of picking it and sticking to it.

All that being said I feel you, I have a crisis like this once every few months. Just trying to be a (very hypocritical) voice of reason to hopefully quell the madness


Expand Quote
I always have 2 setups. One is my newer setup that I usually skate at parks and one is my older setup, which is just my last setup that isn't completely done yet but getting there and I usually use it for street.
[close]

This makes sense to me. Even if my two setups are exactly the same. I thought it might be nice to have a slightly lighter weight board for at the end of a long day to switch to, but honestly it would be better to just have two identical ones. One of which I can experiment on and then test against the other. Which is what will probably kill the madness once and for all. When I inevitably can't tell a fuckin difference, or, I find something I really like

I feel like that might make the madness worse lol. It can never be killed once and for all, only comes in waves
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on October 31, 2025, 06:29:42 PM
I think indy aftermarkets are great quality bushings, feel like branching out further than that could be a rabbit hole with diminishing returns. Maybe orange/red bottom blue top or something would satisfy that itch for you, though I'm curious if it would really be noticeable at all vs just the same top and bottom in a side by side.
I'm curious too. but I don't know if I should do it. It would be fun to have more pinch and rebound, but if I'm jumping down stuff I feel like there's some sloppy landings I could get away with on stock bushings, where my dual duro idea might dive into wheelbite.
I keep a set of 93s on ice for crustier spots
I think I'm going to do this as well. I love 93s.
Going up or down a mm or two should be fine either way

And yeah, maybe your board with hollows is good for street but felt a little light on transition, but is that difference something that will continue to bother you if you just skated transition a few more times on it and got used to it?

If you went solid indys for that reason, you might notice its a lil heavier for street.

I think I want the weight. It's something about like, where the weight is on the board. Or isn't. Hollow cast 149s are p much the same weight as a standard 139, but honestly on an 8.25" with some worn-down 54s, the 149s should be just fine for me and will *feel* better. Especially on grinds, and I might like grinds a lil bit more than flip tricks haha. I like to re-watch Sorry and Menikmati and shit to watch people kill it on stage 8s to make me remember oh yeah hollows are just like, more expensive

It probably goes both ways, no setup will ever feel perfect on everything. But it sounds like any one of these configurations is close enough on everything for you, so its just a matter of picking it and sticking to it.
For sure. I think I'm going to pick whatever's cheaper, stronger, readily available so honestly that 8.25 deck, standard 149, F4 classics 52-54, and Swiss is prolly all I need to even think about hahah

I feel like that might make the madness worse lol. It can never be killed once and for all, only comes in waves

That's why I'm trying to make stuff so simple, cause I know the madness will never end so I'm like, what if I just call it instead of continuously whittling away at it

One reason I would keep an 8.5" deck is so I have room to slap like some wide ass soft 56s on for truly garbage spots, but I'll just do that when it comes around rather than always skating one just in case.. and the amount they'll stick out will be negligible, and I'd already be having to adjust for the wheels diameter and weight anyway so I don't think I really need 8.5s anymore. And for the wheels I actually like to skate, they line up super good on an 8.25

back in 2006 when I had switch 360 flips and switch frontside flips(neither currently), I was skating stage 7 146s, 53mm classics and 8.25s

the stuff I can cross off the list for sure are 144s or 139s, I just can't with those

Pretty sure I don't really like 55 and bigger wheels. They're fun for some stuff. I might get some 93a classic 56s and wear them down until they're a wider 54

And I'm starting to think I don't like hollows either hahah



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on October 31, 2025, 07:21:59 PM
Get the standards

Get some 54 or 56mm classic shaped wheels.

Enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on October 31, 2025, 10:19:18 PM

Expand Quote

Expand Quote
I always have 2 setups. One is my newer setup that I usually skate at parks and one is my older setup, which is just my last setup that isn't completely done yet but getting there and I usually use it for street.
[close]

This makes sense to me. Even if my two setups are exactly the same. I thought it might be nice to have a slightly lighter weight board for at the end of a long day to switch to, but honestly it would be better to just have two identical ones. One of which I can experiment on and then test against the other. Which is what will probably kill the madness once and for all. When I inevitably can't tell a fuckin difference, or, I find something I really like
[close]

I feel like that might make the madness worse lol. It can never be killed once and for all, only comes in waves

Haha, possibly but I think I'm close to figuring out if I want a thinner (8.12") or wider (8.4") board. I'm pretty sure I like smaller WB, or at least whatever equates to one with combo of trucks and shapes. Plus, I tend to get used to my different setups quickly. Part of it is probably that I suck so bad it doesn't even matter or now you made me think that maybe I suck so bad because I don't have a consistent setup, lol!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Llewellyn Moss on November 01, 2025, 07:08:43 AM
I've re-entered madness.

Toying with the concept of having a second setup. I've never had a second option so it'll be an experimental setup. I'm getting more ghost pop than I'd like on current setup so my thinking is get a lower truck and slightly smaller wheel, although I want to avoid getting in the weeds comparing kick angles.

Skate ledges, transition, some rails, lot of flatground on smooth surfaces.

Current: 8.25/8.38 twin/Indy 144 hollow forged XI/54 mm Spitfire CF 99a/Swiss/Mob or Pepper with stock orange Indy bushing.

That won't change.

Unless I find something I really like with the new idea to swap in: Same 8.25/8.38 twin and grip. But with Thunder for a lower truck 53 or 52mm Spitfire Radial or Conical 99 or 97.

Open to other truck brands but I'm more wondering cast or forged, standard/hollow, and how low to go on height.

Any recommendations?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on November 01, 2025, 07:38:49 AM
I've re-entered madness.

Toying with the concept of having a second setup. I've never had a second option so it'll be an experimental setup. I'm getting more ghost pop than I'd like on current setup so my thinking is get a lower truck and slightly smaller wheel, although I want to avoid getting in the weeds comparing kick angles.

Skate ledges, transition, some rails, lot of flatground on smooth surfaces.

Current: 8.25/8.38 twin/Indy 144 hollow forged XI/54 mm Spitfire CF 99a/Swiss/Mob or Pepper with stock orange Indy bushing.

That won't change.

Unless I find something I really like with the new idea to swap in: Same 8.25/8.38 twin and grip. But with Thunder for a lower truck 53 or 52mm Spitfire Radial or Conical 99 or 97.

Open to other truck brands but I'm more wondering cast or forged, standard/hollow, and how low to go on height.

Any recommendations?

I think if it’s ghost pop your struggling with id start with smaller wheels before changing trucks. I’m currently thinking of switching my Indy forged back on my set up after being on thunders for a bit but throwing ok some 52 mm conical or radials instead.
I miss the turn
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on November 01, 2025, 10:21:21 AM
Does anyone know the difference between nhs atv and vet concave or owns maybe both and can check? A while ago I bought a vx deck and it had completely different concave. It had more mellow kicks around 19° and deep concave.  I'm afraid the vet concave is the same
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 01, 2025, 10:53:51 AM
I've re-entered madness.

Toying with the concept of having a second setup. I've never had a second option so it'll be an experimental setup. I'm getting more ghost pop than I'd like on current setup so my thinking is get a lower truck and slightly smaller wheel, although I want to avoid getting in the weeds comparing kick angles.

Skate ledges, transition, some rails, lot of flatground on smooth surfaces.

Current: 8.25/8.38 twin/Indy 144 hollow forged XI/54 mm Spitfire CF 99a/Swiss/Mob or Pepper with stock orange Indy bushing.

That won't change.

Unless I find something I really like with the new idea to swap in: Same 8.25/8.38 twin and grip. But with Thunder for a lower truck 53 or 52mm Spitfire Radial or Conical 99 or 97.

Open to other truck brands but I'm more wondering cast or forged, standard/hollow, and how low to go on height.

Any recommendations?
Yes, don't get a second setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on November 01, 2025, 11:25:52 AM
I've re-entered madness.

Toying with the concept of having a second setup. I've never had a second option so it'll be an experimental setup. I'm getting more ghost pop than I'd like on current setup so my thinking is get a lower truck and slightly smaller wheel, although I want to avoid getting in the weeds comparing kick angles.

Skate ledges, transition, some rails, lot of flatground on smooth surfaces.

Current: 8.25/8.38 twin/Indy 144 hollow forged XI/54 mm Spitfire CF 99a/Swiss/Mob or Pepper with stock orange Indy bushing.

That won't change.

Unless I find something I really like with the new idea to swap in: Same 8.25/8.38 twin and grip. But with Thunder for a lower truck 53 or 52mm Spitfire Radial or Conical 99 or 97.

Open to other truck brands but I'm more wondering cast or forged, standard/hollow, and how low to go on height.

Any recommendations?
For ghost pop, I usually try moving my popping foot out more, closer to the edge of the tail/nose.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on November 01, 2025, 01:56:57 PM
Expand Quote
I've re-entered madness.

Toying with the concept of having a second setup. I've never had a second option so it'll be an experimental setup. I'm getting more ghost pop than I'd like on current setup so my thinking is get a lower truck and slightly smaller wheel, although I want to avoid getting in the weeds comparing kick angles.

Skate ledges, transition, some rails, lot of flatground on smooth surfaces.

Current: 8.25/8.38 twin/Indy 144 hollow forged XI/54 mm Spitfire CF 99a/Swiss/Mob or Pepper with stock orange Indy bushing.

That won't change.

Unless I find something I really like with the new idea to swap in: Same 8.25/8.38 twin and grip. But with Thunder for a lower truck 53 or 52mm Spitfire Radial or Conical 99 or 97.

Open to other truck brands but I'm more wondering cast or forged, standard/hollow, and how low to go on height.

Any recommendations?
[close]
Yes, don't get a second setup.

100%

If the ghost pop is switch/nollie then consider not riding a twin tail and find a twin with longer kicks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Llewellyn Moss on November 01, 2025, 03:12:26 PM
Happens any stance so it really varies. I'll have to try the moving my foot out near the edge more.

Some days I'm sold on the idea of adding a second setup, because, well, I can financially and there aren't a ton of years left to skate so why not try different options might find something new that works.

Then I remember a trial with bushing madness that made me question sanity and reality. Which makes me think yeah, I'm good with what I got.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 02, 2025, 05:10:46 AM
Happens any stance so it really varies. I'll have to try the moving my foot out near the edge more.

Some days I'm sold on the idea of adding a second setup, because, well, I can financially and there aren't a ton of years left to skate so why not try different options might find something new that works.

Then I remember a trial with bushing madness that made me question sanity and reality. Which makes me think yeah, I'm good with what I got.


the ‘aren’t a ton of years left to skate so why not try….’

tugged on me.
don’t. don’t do it.

this is a support thread: i support you not going nuts, and wasting precious skate time on bs

i used to be somewhat close to what worked for me, and ive moved so far away, i dont know what is what. ill try anything and its not worth it.

switching stuff can lead to some temporary stoke to get out the door and skating, but it hasn’t helped me stay skating.


that’s just my experience tho. go nuts
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Llewellyn Moss on November 02, 2025, 06:07:15 AM
Thank you friends. With your suggestions and guidance I'm not going to bite on a second setup.

What I'll do in an attempt to axe the ghost pop, is go down from my 54mm CFs to 52mm, and I'll give OG Classics a shot as I want another set of wheels. I've been on 52s many times but never on OG Classics.

This way I'll have the current 54s, which are imo the coolest looking wheel with the combo of my favorite colors for the black/green swirl (the Spitfire x skate shop collab) on backup, plus a set of T-Funk 97 RF 54s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 02, 2025, 08:36:52 AM
If you’re over 40….permission granted to buy another set up….

On a truck selection….Ace maybe?  Don’t they push the front truck back and you’re already skating Indy’s?  Maybe V8’s? 

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Reese Bruno on November 02, 2025, 08:44:15 AM
i fear madness is creeping in. at the end of its lifecycle, my 8.4 froggy is starting to feel a bit small, so im thinking about sizing up to 8.75. heres where the problems start.  i really like my v8s but im nervous about getting a board with kicks too long to push the trucks in.  i prefer to stay on a 14-14.25 wheelbase.  im thinking indys would allow me to skate the most stuff without having to do any math, but on the perfect board my v8s feel perfect.  anyways, been looking at jetskis and 8.75 t funk deck. and i noticed 6.1s are on sale right now.  do i really want to switch to indy just for convenience/less tiktacs?  lost once again...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Llewellyn Moss on November 02, 2025, 08:49:37 AM
If you’re over 40….permission granted to buy another set up….

On a truck selection….Ace maybe?  Don’t they push the front truck back and you’re already skating Indy’s?  Maybe V8’s?
Not quite there. But yeah Ace pushes wheelbase in even narrower than Indy. Some day I'll try Venture though I'm sure.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on November 02, 2025, 08:55:05 AM
Depends on the board, but I remember skating Ishods twin with thunders and I ghost popped on that for sure.  I figure maybe on Aces, the positioning of the axel would lessen the ghost pop.  Smaller wheels like you’ve mentioned is prolly the easier fix….not sure if they even make them anymore but I didn’t mind Mindys at all…just heavy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 02, 2025, 08:56:16 AM
I've re-entered madness.

Toying with the concept of having a second setup. I've never had a second option so it'll be an experimental setup. I'm getting more ghost pop than I'd like on current setup so my thinking is get a lower truck and slightly smaller wheel, although I want to avoid getting in the weeds comparing kick angles.

Skate ledges, transition, some rails, lot of flatground on smooth surfaces.

Current: 8.25/8.38 twin/Indy 144 hollow forged XI/54 mm Spitfire CF 99a/Swiss/Mob or Pepper with stock orange Indy bushing.

That won't change.

Unless I find something I really like with the new idea to swap in: Same 8.25/8.38 twin and grip. But with Thunder for a lower truck 53 or 52mm Spitfire Radial or Conical 99 or 97.

Open to other truck brands but I'm more wondering cast or forged, standard/hollow, and how low to go on height.

Any recommendations?


My .02 cents...

I'll echo what others said. Don't get a second set-up. It's opens a door to place that is very hard to come back from (e.g. the Madness). A completely different set-up is going to mess with your muscle memory, timing, etc. And you will be forced to "relearn" everything, every time you switch rides. And for what? Marginal gains, at best? Every single person in this thread will tell you that, despite what ever changes they made, they didn't suddenly become Yuto, GT, Busenitz, etc. Watch all of Ben DeGros videos...and the real take away from all his clips/years of madness? Despite what ever deck, truck, wheel he was riding, he could still actually do all of his tricks! THAT is the real thing Ben D. has to teach. What did you actually accomplish by switching set-ups? You wasted time, money, and effort to relearn the same tricks you could already do on a different set-up. Of course, this is not say that some level of experimentation should be verboten. It shouldn't. Everyone needs to find what generally feels good to them. But once that has been found...

Ride what feels good, and, stick with it. The rest will follow. Remember, you're not going to have a "perfect" session every time you skate. Some days you are in the "zone." Other times it's gone for quite awhile. IMHO, the best way set-up a board, after some legitimate experimentation as skills develop, is to just ride what "feel good" under your feet...not what gives you a "slightly faster initial flick of a 360 flip," etc. There are nuances with every minor equipment change that cause (marginal) +/- differences, and if you start chasing nuanced differences, looking for the perfect, the rabbit hole has no end. Sure, make some minor tweaks, one at time (e.g. changing wheel size), but adding a whole second set-up* is just going to cause problems. And yes, I say all this from personal experience, too. I can't begin to imagine the amount of time, money, and mental band-width I've wasted over the years chasing rainbows, only to always come back to what I started with. 

*Two set-ups can have their place, but IMHO, they should be VERY different things from each other (e.g. a bigger bowl/transition set-up, and general-use street board, etc.) that you are not trying to compare to/against each other...(e.g. def not something like an 8.25/14.25/Indys and a 8.28/14.1/Thunders).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Llewellyn Moss on November 02, 2025, 10:37:34 AM
Damn. That's exactly what I needed to see. Much appreciate that my dude. You should tuck that away as copypasta for the next poor soul at risk.

I'll go off into the sunset now, quietly ordering a 2mm smaller wheel.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 02, 2025, 10:54:23 AM
Damn. That's exactly what I needed to see. Much appreciate that my dude. You should tuck that away as copypasta for the next poor soul at risk.

I'll go off into the sunset now, quietly ordering a 2mm smaller wheel.

Try tightening your trucks a little too if you're still having issues.

You might be surprised how much that can affect things.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 03, 2025, 04:43:19 PM
I think I've settled on what my most consistent setup is 100%

8.25" x 14.25" wb BBS
Indy standard 149
Bones swiss
53mm spitfire F4 99a classics

I don't think I ever want to fuck with hollow standards or 8.5" decks anymore

I don't really feel the urge to mess with my bushings anymore either.

I think I've deleted all the madness with axle washers, bushings, truck models and sizes, bearings, decks. The hardest one to kill is wheel madness. Ive gotten it down to where I think I'm good though. A small range. Wheels wear down anyways and each individual size isn't that important. But something like a 3mm jump in size can change everything.

I'd be fine on 52s or 54s, and probably bigheads instead of classics, and not notice a difference, depending on what the shop has. I'd probably prefer bigheads if I have to get 52s though. I'm not against skating classic 99 formula either if I have to

I think I'll probably end up skating a lot of 54mm 93a classics though that's probably my favorite wheel right now.

Wheels are kinda like shoes cause they wear down quicker so I can always try something a little different here and there that isn't going to fuck up my skating. Bigheads, classics, classic fulls. 52, 53, 54mm. 93, 97, 99, 101a. Anything in that range should be totally fine

If the shop doesn't have 8.25 x 14.25wb I know I can always still fuck with a blue eagle or b16

But I'm unwilling to substitute standard indys for hollows anymore. It just changes like, the soul of the setup.

------

As for shoes, with my wide ass foot

I'm pretty set on Jordan 1s. Classic style/matches my clothes well, has some skateboarding heritage, I can find them on sale at a buncha places, but most importantly they fit my foot and have a lot of lateral stability that I don't have in other shoes. Bonus is that they last, and have that lateral strap coming up for the bottom three laces in the exact spot I put the most wear on. Same spot my foot spills over the outsole on skinnier shoes. And they got hella good boardfeel and an airbag in the heel. I put FP kingfoam flat 5mm or 7mm insoles in.

(https://i.ibb.co/pj1VsK7f/Screenshot-20251103-170103-2.jpg)
Top: dunk
Bottom: aj1

 I can get away with blazers and dunk SBs and stuff fine but they don't last me nearly as long in the heelflip/Ollie area. I'm gonna get some angelus leather paint so I can paint over the swoosh, or paint over a colorful shoe I got on sale or something. Like if it's the black blazers with the white swoosh, I can just paint over the swoosh black so it isn't like a big advertisement. I'm gonna try the white paint over the red swoosh on some AJ1 mids I'm currently skating.

I'll skate the Jordan 1s till they're pretty fucked up, then save em as chill/beater shoes to wear to shows and stuff

I'm interested in the reboot iPaths and the LRAB cupsoles though but I'll probably just stick to AJ1s

Trying to get my shit minimal style like a cartoon character or something always wearing the same shit

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 03, 2025, 06:06:25 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Jordan 1's are better skate shoes than dunks imo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 03, 2025, 06:07:30 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Jordan 1's are better skate shoes than dunks imo

After skating both, I wholeheartedly agree
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jums on November 03, 2025, 06:09:55 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Jordan 1's are better skate shoes than dunks imo

They're the same shoe with different paneling.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 03, 2025, 06:14:48 PM
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I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Jordan 1's are better skate shoes than dunks imo
[close]

They're the same shoe with different paneling.

Dunks(non-sb *or Pro B) have a full midsole, whereas aj1s have a 3/4 midsole and nothing but rubber under the forefoot. Aj1s have an airbag in the heel, dunks do not. Aj1 outsole tooling is way wider than dunks(even in the heel) and bean-shaped. SB dunks have a 3/4 midsole like aj1s, just without the airbag. Aj1 toebox is longer/flex point is further back. Ankle padding in aj1 is a firmer foam than dunks(non-sb high)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 03, 2025, 06:29:19 PM
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I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Jordan 1's are better skate shoes than dunks imo
[close]

They're the same shoe with different paneling.

.....Nah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on November 05, 2025, 01:18:16 AM
Any die hard Venture high or Indy forged (both roughly same height) riders switch and why? Having madness symptoms and want to get ahead of it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Reese Bruno on November 05, 2025, 04:27:00 AM
Any die hard Venture high or Indy forged (both roughly same height) riders switch and why? Having madness symptoms and want to get ahead of it.
I was considering switching from venture back to Indy. Then I tried my friends board and it felt really squashy every time I popped anything. Like dull. That night I ordered a set of 6.1s. still awake
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on November 05, 2025, 05:08:04 AM
Changed from indy to venture to thunder to indy.
 I still enjoy venture trucks but there is one thing that drives me to independent. You can run independents tighter/ with harder bushings and you still get lots of turn. With ventures you have to ride them pretty loose to get a decent amount of turn but you loose a lot of stability in the center. The pop feels lower but it's not problem once I have something to jump onto.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on November 05, 2025, 06:15:22 AM
Any die hard Venture high or Indy forged (both roughly same height) riders switch and why? Having madness symptoms and want to get ahead of it.

These trucks are absolutely nothing alike despite the height. I went from Indy forged to Venture in 2021 during the big craze. There's nothing new I can say about how either truck performs but Ventures always had top bushing issues and were just less fun to ride all around. The pop is closer to a standard Indy in terms of heaviness, but it accomplishes it in a different way. With an Indy I feel I can move my feet on the kicks and pop a lot of different ways but with Venture you either have heavy or really heavy. Way less fun on transition.

I see why people like them but they're not for me. I'd recommend not to choose trucks just based on one attribute like height. Look at all the people on here loving T2, which are 54mm, but they claim Indy are too tall at 55mm. It's more than just the height that makes them prefer the T2.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on November 05, 2025, 07:32:52 AM
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Any die hard Venture high or Indy forged (both roughly same height) riders switch and why? Having madness symptoms and want to get ahead of it.
[close]

These trucks are absolutely nothing alike despite the height. I went from Indy forged to Venture in 2021 during the big craze. There's nothing new I can say about how either truck performs but Ventures always had top bushing issues and were just less fun to ride all around. The pop is closer to a standard Indy in terms of heaviness, but it accomplishes it in a different way. With an Indy I feel I can move my feet on the kicks and pop a lot of different ways but with Venture you either have heavy or really heavy. Way less fun on transition.

I see why people like them but they're not for me. I'd recommend not to choose trucks just based on one attribute like height. Look at all the people on here loving T2, which are 54mm, but they claim Indy are too tall at 55mm. It's more than just the height that makes them prefer the T2.

i’ve had some miserable setups that were based off of chasing numbers and dimensions.

i skate ventures more than any other truck. my favorite ventures were 5.0 los. 5.2 lo’s are almost as good. i’ve never loved the hi’s. my favorite hi’s have been forged hollow 5.0 hi’s, 6.1 cast, and 5.6 titanium. cooked.
got v8 5.2s and just gonna try and chill with those whilst i skate thru some bigger boards i have.

stage 10 indy’s i like.
never really liked 11s. would probably like 144 forged. 139 cast.
indy’s are weird to me: i skate the way i want, using indy’s for one or two sessions, than i hate them. a lot.
if i wasn’t a baby, the way the 159s feel is great, but that’s too big and looks uncool.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 10, 2025, 10:27:06 AM
@Sedition suggested I repost this exchange in this thread, so here ya go.

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Not sure why they wouldn’t throw an inverted kingpin in these.   An almost perfect truck, but you do get kingpin hang up on smiths particularity on skatepark ledges.   
[close]

Believe it or not, there is not a single trick done with an inverted kingpin that wasn't done first with a regular one. (Aside from coming loose on their own)

Just grind it down and use wax as our forefathers did.

It's that simple.
[close]

You can make that argument anytime anybody wants to modify/improve a part of their setup.

The process of grinding the kingpin down is a pain in the ass. It also sucks if you need to adjust your trucks.
[close]

I feel you. I just can't help but feel the recent Renaissance of the IKP is really being pushed for by people that would be better off just spending more time skating than thinking about their setup.

And I'm saying this as someone who has historically over thought his setup. I even went through an IKP phase with a krux pin on some ace classics a while back, just because I was having trouble smithing this concrete ledge. It slightly helped, but in the end just improving my technique and working my regular trucks in left me with a better smith on that ledge than the IKP aces I concocted.

Not to mention all the fussing with jb weld and self loosening and not being able to see how tight they were.


And to add to all of this (definitely rambling now), every pro I've ever wanted to skate like has gotten the full lifespan out of a truck despite a regular kingpin getting mangled, and been able to do any trick I could ever dream of doing. You just kinda tighten a bit as you go, after the break in period of course, and before the pin and nut have fused.

By all means, people should/can experiment with their setup, but sometimes I read things from others that make me think about the depths of my madness over the last 8 years or so and how I tried nearly every truck/board/wheel shape combo from 8.25 -8.6 and I just ended up skating 8.38 14.5wb dlx, 149 Indy standards, and 56mm f4 classics in the end.

The most vanilla ass setup.

Tinkering and experimenting can be fun, but for myself (and others from what I've read in the madness thread) it winds up being more of a point of stress rather than exploration and enjoyment. So if I'm trying to say anything it's that you should make sure worrying about your setup doesn't impact the enjoyment you get while skating. If tinkering with you setup, tread lightly and make sure you still enjoy your session.

Having a child has greatly shifted my perspective on how I engage with my more limited time on my skateboard lol.

End rant, sorry for that. <3
[close]


10000% agree.

And, you should repost this in the Madness thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 10, 2025, 12:17:33 PM
Anyone ever just use a flanged 3/8 24 nut instead of a kingpin nut & washer

(https://i.ibb.co/pBK2GdY8/Screenshot-20251110-111236-297.png)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 10, 2025, 02:12:03 PM
Anyone ever just use a flanged 3/8 24 nut instead of a kingpin nut & washer

(https://i.ibb.co/pBK2GdY8/Screenshot-20251110-111236-297.png)

I feel like that might come loose on its own in a kingpin setting.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 10, 2025, 02:45:43 PM
If that were the case, wouldn't the stock kingpin nuts come loose as well

Considering its the same thing

When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling

I could see how it might though? Cause if the washer gets all ground down from feebles and shit, if it did the same on this flange nut, it might be able to spin it easier

That's pretty far down the road of annihilation tho

I figured it would grind better than the bones style flat washers for feebles and stuff cause it's not as sharp and loose, I think this might be cool for the flat top washer folks (of which I was one for a while)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on November 10, 2025, 03:10:29 PM
If that were the case, wouldn't the stock kingpin nuts come loose as well

Considering its the same thing

When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling

I could see how it might though? Cause if the washer gets all ground down from feebles and shit, if it did the same on this flange nut, it might be able to spin it easier

That's pretty far down the road of annihilation tho

I figured it would grind better than the bones style flat washers for feebles and stuff cause it's not as sharp and loose, I think this might be cool for the flat top washer folks (of which I was one for a while)

The physical separation between the nut and washer would allow for one to rotate while the other stayed in place. Especially when the nut has nylock and the washer doesn't.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 10, 2025, 03:19:24 PM
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If that were the case, wouldn't the stock kingpin nuts come loose as well

Considering its the same thing

When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling

I could see how it might though? Cause if the washer gets all ground down from feebles and shit, if it did the same on this flange nut, it might be able to spin it easier

That's pretty far down the road of annihilation tho

I figured it would grind better than the bones style flat washers for feebles and stuff cause it's not as sharp and loose, I think this might be cool for the flat top washer folks (of which I was one for a while)
[close]

The physical separation between the nut and washer would allow for one to rotate while the other stayed in place. Especially when the nut has nylock and the washer doesn't.

Definitely

That's how you get that Seattle rattle

But really though the flange isn't much bigger than a regular nut, and it's angled downward too (the flange is conical)

I don't think it would have any problems loosening

I guess now I have to try it

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 10, 2025, 03:51:15 PM
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If that were the case, wouldn't the stock kingpin nuts come loose as well

Considering its the same thing

When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling

I could see how it might though? Cause if the washer gets all ground down from feebles and shit, if it did the same on this flange nut, it might be able to spin it easier

That's pretty far down the road of annihilation tho

I figured it would grind better than the bones style flat washers for feebles and stuff cause it's not as sharp and loose, I think this might be cool for the flat top washer folks (of which I was one for a while)
[close]

The physical separation between the nut and washer would allow for one to rotate while the other stayed in place. Especially when the nut has nylock and the washer doesn't.
[close]

Definitely

That's how you get that Seattle rattle

But really though the flange isn't much bigger than a regular nut, and it's angled downward too (the flange is conical)

I don't think it would have any problems loosening

I guess now I have to try it


Some big old inverted kingpins had their own dome / no washer required.

I wonder how that would affect things.


Now I remember it too, a small number of people had glued their top washer to the nut, just to avoid any issues with clicking - saw that somewhere on here, but I can't find it - but that seemed to work well enough for them.

As long as the nyloc was holding the nut, the thing would not move.  If the nyloc was starting to go, even regular kingpin nuts will loosen off on a normal truck with a normal washer, in the same way inverted kingpins and similar things loosen off, about a quarter turn a session, from what I was seeing.  I had to test that theory as well, with some kingpin nuts that I could finger tighten down the kingpin, marked one edge of the hex with a dot and watched them move as I skated.

The joys of messing around with stuff just to see what happens...


** Any which way I welcome any opinions and am happy to test things if anyone has something they don't have or might not want to try themselves.  It is kind of fun for the most part, sometimes a bit silly, some of the things I have done, but other times it is interesting to see and work something out, modifying or tinkering with it, just to see how it goes.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 10, 2025, 05:17:14 PM
I've used some titanium seat bolts from Ti64 as kingpins, with sleeved flat washers from Array, and tensor top bushings/ace low bottom bushings during peak madness in 2021

I definitely coulda used that kingpin without a top washer ala kreper and others

I've definitely put a black dot on my nuts with sharpie before when I was running them as loose as I was comfortable with, and ended up hitting em with another turn. They haven't moved all year so far

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slimeone on November 11, 2025, 02:12:12 AM
Just a random idea that popped into my head. Say you take a regular truck like a standard Indy. Get a hard or super hard top bushing, trim it down 50% in height, then file/angle grind the kingpin down by the same amount. Then you will effectively increase your kingpin clearance by a good few millimetres which is actually quite a lot for a truck. Hopefully the harder top bushing will offset the reduction in size somewhat equivalently. I may try this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 11, 2025, 04:26:38 AM
Just a random idea that popped into my head. Say you take a regular truck like a standard Indy. Get a hard or super hard top bushing, trim it down 50% in height, then file/angle grind the kingpin down by the same amount. Then you will effectively increase your kingpin clearance by a good few millimetres which is actually quite a lot for a truck. Hopefully the harder top bushing will offset the reduction in size somewhat equivalently. I may try this.


It definitely works.

Any bushings, not just hard tops, with the top sanded / cut / machined down however you like it, adjusted to where you want it and then angle grinding the kingpin head down to match is something that I have been doing to my Indy trucks for a while now.  I "cheated" and got a load of old stock, the Indy low bushings, in 92 duro (red) which work great for me, but I have used them to reshape other normal bushings too, or just free handed it with tools to get the tops down a bit more than they are.

In looking through posts, it was hard to find one that was clear enough, but this pic taken from this post (from 2021) should cover it nicely for you, or maybe give you a little inspiration to give it a go.


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/COSXfL8ln0N/


(https://i.ibb.co/x8zv47yW/Indy-cut-down-kingpin-DIY.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KzVZ1rYd)


Things to note:

When angle grinding, especially if everything is still together, shield the wheel and bearing from the spray and don't go too heavy or hard, as it will heat up the kingpin so much that it can cook off the nyloc nut and melt the bushings.

Try to round off the kingpin head just a little too, which will make getting the nut off and back on so much easier.

Don't take off too much kingpin, just in case you have to adjust it or loosen it off a touch.  I usually take down a couple of threads at the back and one thread at the front, or three at the back and two at the front, for really low top bushings.

Lastly, the lower bushing can cause the top washer to catch on the hanger, so a lower profile washer, or even a flat washer will work way better on there, as well as give the truck a little more turn, so you can get it down a touch more as well.


Good luck!!!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slimeone on November 11, 2025, 11:43:38 PM
Expand Quote
Just a random idea that popped into my head. Say you take a regular truck like a standard Indy. Get a hard or super hard top bushing, trim it down 50% in height, then file/angle grind the kingpin down by the same amount. Then you will effectively increase your kingpin clearance by a good few millimetres which is actually quite a lot for a truck. Hopefully the harder top bushing will offset the reduction in size somewhat equivalently. I may try this.
[close]


It definitely works.

Any bushings, not just hard tops, with the top sanded / cut / machined down however you like it, adjusted to where you want it and then angle grinding the kingpin head down to match is something that I have been doing to my Indy trucks for a while now.  I "cheated" and got a load of old stock, the Indy low bushings, in 92 duro (red) which work great for me, but I have used them to reshape other normal bushings too, or just free handed it with tools to get the tops down a bit more than they are.

In looking through posts, it was hard to find one that was clear enough, but this pic taken from this post (from 2021) should cover it nicely for you, or maybe give you a little inspiration to give it a go.


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/COSXfL8ln0N/


(https://i.ibb.co/x8zv47yW/Indy-cut-down-kingpin-DIY.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KzVZ1rYd)


Things to note:

When angle grinding, especially if everything is still together, shield the wheel and bearing from the spray and don't go too heavy or hard, as it will heat up the kingpin so much that it can cook off the nyloc nut and melt the bushings.

Try to round off the kingpin head just a little too, which will make getting the nut off and back on so much easier.

Don't take off too much kingpin, just in case you have to adjust it or loosen it off a touch.  I usually take down a couple of threads at the back and one thread at the front, or three at the back and two at the front, for really low top bushings.

Lastly, the lower bushing can cause the top washer to catch on the hanger, so a lower profile washer, or even a flat washer will work way better on there, as well as give the truck a little more turn, so you can get it down a touch more as well.


Good luck!!!
Brilliant! Thanks for the detailed reply and picture. Looks noticeable lower!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on November 12, 2025, 04:45:58 PM

When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling


I like to imagine that after pressure is released off the bottom bushing, the top one helps recenter the trucks. And the harder and/or bigger the top bushing the faster or more responsive the recentering is. Madness??
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slimeone on November 12, 2025, 10:53:33 PM
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When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling

[close]

I like to imagine that after pressure is released off the bottom bushing, the top one helps recenter the trucks. And the harder and/or bigger the top bushing the faster or more responsive the recentering is. Madness??

As far as I can tell both bushings receive equal amounts of pressure whenever the truck is pushed one way or the other. How can it be any different? This may be somewhat affirmed by some information I read on the Riptide bsuhing site which states that mixing top and bottom bushing hardness is pointless because it essentially equals halfway between the two bushing durometers (not technically pointless but no different from running a full set of whatever the halfway durometer equals).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on November 12, 2025, 11:03:28 PM
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When you're standing on your board the pressure is going on the bottom bushing and the top one is chilling

[close]

I like to imagine that after pressure is released off the bottom bushing, the top one helps recenter the trucks. And the harder and/or bigger the top bushing the faster or more responsive the recentering is. Madness??
[close]

As far as I can tell both bushings receive equal amounts of pressure whenever the truck is pushed one way or the other. How can it be any different? This may be somewhat affirmed by some information I read on the Riptide bsuhing site which states that mixing top and bottom bushing hardness is pointless because it essentially equals halfway between the two bushing durometers (not technically pointless but no different from running a full set of whatever the halfway durometer equals).

Pretty sure mixing duros in top and bottom gives people different feels. Specifically, a hard soft top or bottom could initiate a turn quicker/slower, but still be stable and snap back to center, as an example. Whether they receive equal amounts of pressure or not doesn't mean they don't behave differently. What would be the point in durometer if they all behaved the same with the same pressure exerted on them?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on November 13, 2025, 12:29:40 AM
Whatever was on that riptide website sounds like some nonsense. I haven’t been to the site myself to read but what they say is already negated since most top and bottom bushings are not the same size or shape. The overall damping force would make sense to be somewhere in between but that’s about it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on November 13, 2025, 12:41:26 AM
Wouldn't it be safer to take the hanger and nut off before machining the kingpin down? Just marking the number of threads before grinding it down.

Don't know if I should try this as I've done lots of slappy smiths and feebles lately and my kingpin nut is like 30% gone and almost at the start of kingpin on the board side. I've had a hard time finding the sweet spot on DLX bushings so I wouldn't want to go through that headache again though. Maybe just go through the trucks as is and when I either axle the front or mess up the back kingpin and then I could try High V-Lights next.  :P
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 13, 2025, 02:19:59 AM
Wouldn't it be safer to take the hanger and nut off before machining the kingpin down? Just marking the number of threads before grinding it down.

Don't know if I should try this as I've done lots of slappy smiths and feebles lately and my kingpin nut is like 30% gone and almost at the start of kingpin on the board side. I've had a hard time finding the sweet spot on DLX bushings so I wouldn't want to go through that headache again though. Maybe just go through the trucks as is and when I either axle the front or mess up the back kingpin and then I could try High V-Lights next.  :P


Usually I know where to take a kingpin down to, mainly from lots of experience messing with way too many sets of trucks, but for some people or with different bushings, it can be a pain, not to mention at least one set I did take the kingpin down a bit too far, so more often than not I get the bushings just right and everything feels good, then gently take the kingpin down, even just the front edge as the back of the kingpin closest to the axle never gets touched.  Sure if the kingpin gets taken down too far, just sand down the bushings to match, which I did, but then the turn was very limited on almost half height top bushings, so I used those baseplates with a very old and almost dead set of hangers instead.

It can also depend on how well used the trucks are, so for axled or close to axled trucks, taking the kingpin down evenly is a must on a few of my boards.  On most, I just don't skate anywhere near hard enough now, so I just take the kingpin down as needed, then put things on the usual way I have them and almost never touch the kingpin nut again for the life of the trucks.

Guessing some people I know end up through the axle and then eat the kingpin and kingpin nut to oblivion with slappy grinds and solid use, but usually by then everything needs replacing anyway, so it doesn't matter what has been done to it.

Once I stopped being afraid of messing something up to the point where I couldn't use it, it was a lot easier to experiment with all sorts of options, but I have the luxury of lots of spare parts too, most of which can all be used to make more boards, if or when needed anyway, but it was pretty cool to see screen shots or videos online of pro guys doing those sort of things too, some better than others. 

Tools I have found essential to have on hand:

Angle grinder
Heavy duty kingpin rethreader (not just the basic ones that come with skate tools as they just don't hold up long term)

Optional but very beneficial at times:

Metal file
Wire brush

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moykky on November 13, 2025, 03:23:57 AM
In the case of grinding down the kingpin and sanding the top bushing, it migh probably work if bottom bushing is changed to softer and top bushing harder - to prevent top bushing "bottoming out" so easily. Move the compression to bottom bushing :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skateboarder4life on November 13, 2025, 05:00:41 AM
Losing flip tricks on a shorter wheelbase???

i usually skate the bbs g90 shape 9x33 15wb, it's actually like 33.25 inches but a lot of sites list it was 33. Same deck as the antihero orange. I recently set up one of those shorter length shorter wheelbase 9" decks that's like half an inch shorter and the wheelbase is like 14.63 or something.

i'm having a heck of a time with flip tricks especially kickflips which i do a lot of. I was thinking if anything they'd be a bit easier but i'm like having trouble getting them to flip all the way around and they rocket like heck which i'd expect the longer deck to be more inclined to rocketing.

I'll also say i'm 6'4 and i don't take to change very well so it could definitely be a muscle memory thing but the other weird thing is that I also have an 8.5 with probably a 14.25wb that i ride extremely rarely like a few times a year for a few minutes only and i can kickflip that way more consistently than the shorter 9" even though i pretty much never ride the 8.5. i still kickflip the long 9x33 better than the 8.5 because that's my standard. But i'd think the 14.63 would be feeling somewhere in between the long wb 9 and the 8.5 but it's like i just can't do anything on this thing. 

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on November 13, 2025, 08:22:58 AM
Losing flip tricks on a shorter wheelbase???

i usually skate the bbs g90 shape 9x33 15wb, it's actually like 33.25 inches but a lot of sites list it was 33. Same deck as the antihero orange. I recently set up one of those shorter length shorter wheelbase 9" decks that's like half an inch shorter and the wheelbase is like 14.63 or something.

i'm having a heck of a time with flip tricks especially kickflips which i do a lot of. I was thinking if anything they'd be a bit easier but i'm like having trouble getting them to flip all the way around and they rocket like heck which i'd expect the longer deck to be more inclined to rocketing.

I'll also say i'm 6'4 and i don't take to change very well so it could definitely be a muscle memory thing but the other weird thing is that I also have an 8.5 with probably a 14.25wb that i ride extremely rarely like a few times a year for a few minutes only and i can kickflip that way more consistently than the shorter 9" even though i pretty much never ride the 8.5. i still kickflip the long 9x33 better than the 8.5 because that's my standard. But i'd think the 14.63 would be feeling somewhere in between the long wb 9 and the 8.5 but it's like i just can't do anything on this thing.
probably has less to do with wheelbase
more to do with muscle memory

if you struggle to adapt to change
i wouldnt suggest deviating from what works
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 13, 2025, 08:27:17 AM
Expand Quote
Losing flip tricks on a shorter wheelbase???

i usually skate the bbs g90 shape 9x33 15wb, it's actually like 33.25 inches but a lot of sites list it was 33. Same deck as the antihero orange. I recently set up one of those shorter length shorter wheelbase 9" decks that's like half an inch shorter and the wheelbase is like 14.63 or something.

i'm having a heck of a time with flip tricks especially kickflips which i do a lot of. I was thinking if anything they'd be a bit easier but i'm like having trouble getting them to flip all the way around and they rocket like heck which i'd expect the longer deck to be more inclined to rocketing.

I'll also say i'm 6'4 and i don't take to change very well so it could definitely be a muscle memory thing but the other weird thing is that I also have an 8.5 with probably a 14.25wb that i ride extremely rarely like a few times a year for a few minutes only and i can kickflip that way more consistently than the shorter 9" even though i pretty much never ride the 8.5. i still kickflip the long 9x33 better than the 8.5 because that's my standard. But i'd think the 14.63 would be feeling somewhere in between the long wb 9 and the 8.5 but it's like i just can't do anything on this thing.
[close]
probably has less to do with wheelbase
more to do with muscle memory

if you struggle to adapt to change
i wouldnt suggest deviating from what works

I’ll echo this.

It you have a set-up with an even shorter WB that you •can• kickflip, then clearly it seems to be a you/muscle memory issue.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on November 13, 2025, 09:11:43 AM
Might also have to do with the shape and steepness of the kicks and concave.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JimmyFive on November 13, 2025, 03:17:34 PM
Anyone ever just use a flanged 3/8 24 nut instead of a kingpin nut & washer

(https://i.ibb.co/pBK2GdY8/Screenshot-20251110-111236-297.png)

Hmm good thinking, I'm a flat top washer guy and this could well work if the flanged part is smoothed off and beveled on the underside where it contacts the top of the bushing. It might allow for a lower KP by reducing the overall height of top washer/KP nut. Please let us know the results of your experimenting!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on November 17, 2025, 04:13:14 PM
Came up with kind of an arbitrary baseline of setups to try that even out the proportions and stuff

Like a jump off point for tweaking it slightly


- 8" trucks, lows with wider wb(Venture low 5.2s)
- 7.75" to 8" deck, 14" wb
- 50mm wheels

- 8.5" trucks, Indy standard 149s
- 8.25" to 8.5" deck, 14.25" wb
- 52 to 54mm wheels

- 9" trucks, with 1/8" risers and shorter wb(stage 4 mfw)
- 9" deck, 14.5" wb
- 60mm wheels

Then you could tweak it like, Aces with 1/4" risers instead of stage 4s and 1/8" risers, or thunder 147s instead of venture lo 5.2s, bigger/smaller wheels, stuff like that

Trying to keep similar pop angles and stability while trying different stuff

Really though I was just curious to try a 14" wb and venture lows again for the first time in over 20 years

And I'm trying to figure out the dimensions for my next cruiser/rain/dirt board and find a balance where it feels similar to my regular board, last a long time with minimal maintenance and I can still do tricks on it

I was just thinking about how if your running bigger wheels the pop angle increases, so you could get a truck like aces to even it back out, and then if it turns to quick now, you can get a board with a longer wheelbase to even out the stability

Or like how a 7.75" with Indy standards might feel too tippy, so a lower truck makes sense. But then the pop angle is different, so the wheelbase needs to be wider on the trucks to get it back to normal. Then it might turn to sluggish for you so the 14" wheelbase brings it back in to even it out.

The thing though is that someone that's like 5'4" skating street might not like a 14.5 wb, but a bowl skater of the same height might like it just fine.

Or a 6'3" dude might not dig a 14" wb, so they get a longer board, but if it doesn't turn quick enough anymore they could slap some aces or stage 4s on it

It's funny how you can kinda make sense of it to get like, a standardized pop angle

Then there's the option to just lean in to whatever end of the spectrum, like say, ace lows for a lower pop angle, or venture highs for a steeper one, based on what you think you need

I dunno

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 21, 2025, 09:37:43 PM
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

First, some quick background.

My long-standing DLX 8.25/14.38 been feeling real small to me, and my set-ups have been getting bigger. Been real happy with the LBL 8.75/14.5 for quite a while now.

Badly broke leg/ankle a while back. Two surgeries and hardware. Since then only been skating in Vans SK8-HI, because high-tops help cover-up (e.g. protect) the scar/hardware area on my ankle from direct board hits (BRUTAL when board hits me in the internal hardware area). 

So, back to this afternoon. Board was in car. Had no intention of skating today. Ended up with a little spare time, so took board out to tool-around on a curb for a bit. I did not have my SK8-HIs with me, but I was wearing low-top Old-Schools. And that’s when things started getting really, really weird.

SK8-HIs seem a bit “wider” than Old-Schools…and suddenly my board (the 8.75) seemed impossibly huge with these “tiny slippers” of Vans I was wearing. Was I really stressing over a shoe/board combo???? Pre-ankle break, all I skated in was old-schools on the 8.25, which only started to feel small…once I started wearing SK8-HIs???

Has some of my board-size madness actually been a component of shoe madness that I never realized???

The world is on fire…and now this? ? ? ? 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 22, 2025, 05:42:03 AM
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…



The pairing of shoes and board is something that is often overlooked, but I think it does deserve a bit of consideration.

I used to always wear skate shoes in size 11 to skate in, then a mix of 11 and 12 for work (all still skate shoes, mostly Vans but some others too over the years) until I developed ingrown toenails, especially my right / back foot big toe nail, so then would wear 11.5 when I could get them but gave up and have pretty much just gone for 12 now.

At first they were way too big, some more than others, but then my board also started to feel small when I was in anything other than 11s, so I ended up going up a board size too - now around 8.5, or DLX 8.38, but also branched out to have 8.75 and others on the go too.  Maybe my foot shape has molded more to the bigger shoes, because they don't feel half as big as they used to, or maybe I am just more used to them, but flips are almost non existent in bigger shoes.

Some shoes will work way better on some width boards, some shoes just don't seem to work as well, so as I still have a lot of 11 and some 11.5 shoes, I skated in those today, in thin socks and everything on any board just felt so easy, balanced and the shoes felt thin enough to get a lot closer to the board.

Those same boards had felt almost awkward yesterday in some 12s of a different style, but both were still the regular Vans vulc soles, so there shouldn't have been much in it.


Long story short, yes different shoes will make a board feel way better, or not so good, maybe more so for some people, or even for what you want to skate, eg having a flat ground session in thicker shoes might be easier, having a transition session in thinner shoes might also be easier, but thin shoes when I am trying to do too much at a skatepark or street type stuff is just a bad combination usually.

I also wonder if the current state of the shoes makes much difference, eg newer shoes work better for more rolling around and not doing a whole lot of tech stuff, just nicely broken in shoes are best for the tech stuff, maybe a little more worn in for transition, but also sometimes well worn shoes with new grip on transition is good, but old shoes on street just hurts, unless I am only rolling round a carpark trying to break in new bushings or something similar.


* For you Sk8 Hi on bigger boards, Old Skools on smaller boards, might be the winning combination there, until the thinner shoes start causing too much pain to your old injury...  Who knows though!?!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skateboarder4life on November 22, 2025, 05:53:23 AM
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

First, some quick background.

My long-standing DLX 8.25/14.38 been feeling real small to me, and my set-ups have been getting bigger. Been real happy with the LBL 8.75/14.5 for quite a while now.

Badly broke leg/ankle a while back. Two surgeries and hardware. Since then only been skating in Vans SK8-HI, because high-tops help cover-up (e.g. protect) the scar/hardware area on my ankle from direct board hits (BRUTAL when board hits me in the internal hardware area). 

So, back to this afternoon. Board was in car. Had no intention of skating today. Ended up with a little spare time, so took board out to tool-around on a curb for a bit. I did not have my SK8-HIs with me, but I was wearing low-top Old-Schools. And that’s when things started getting really, really weird.

SK8-HIs seem a bit “wider” than Old-Schools…and suddenly my board (the 8.75) seemed impossibly huge with these “tiny slippers” of Vans I was wearing. Was I really stressing over a shoe/board combo???? Pre-ankle break, all I skated in was old-schools on the 8.25, which only started to feel small…once I started wearing SK8-HIs???

Has some of my board-size madness actually been a component of shoe madness that I never realized???

The world is on fire…and now this? ? ? ?

i know you weren't really asking about this but every so often if my shins get real f'd up i protect them so they can heal better without worrying about opening up the scabs n crap. I use these deadlifting shin guards that really help. You can wear them low on your leg so you'd have protection even in low tops if you wanted to only wear lows. I like them better than soccer shin guards because they're more comfortable and they protect all the way around. it's just 5mm thick neoprene. you could even cut them to size if you don't need the full length of protection like if you just need to protect a little bit around your ankle.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lKTueUtpL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on November 22, 2025, 12:02:39 PM
Expand Quote
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

[close]


The pairing of shoes and board is something that is often overlooked, but I think it does deserve a bit of consideration.

I used to always wear skate shoes in size 11 to skate in, then a mix of 11 and 12 for work (all still skate shoes, mostly Vans but some others too over the years) until I developed ingrown toenails, especially my right / back foot big toe nail, so then would wear 11.5 when I could get them but gave up and have pretty much just gone for 12 now.

At first they were way too big, some more than others, but then my board also started to feel small when I was in anything other than 11s, so I ended up going up a board size too - now around 8.5, or DLX 8.38, but also branched out to have 8.75 and others on the go too.  Maybe my foot shape has molded more to the bigger shoes, because they don't feel half as big as they used to, or maybe I am just more used to them, but flips are almost non existent in bigger shoes.

Some shoes will work way better on some width boards, some shoes just don't seem to work as well, so as I still have a lot of 11 and some 11.5 shoes, I skated in those today, in thin socks and everything on any board just felt so easy, balanced and the shoes felt thin enough to get a lot closer to the board.

Those same boards had felt almost awkward yesterday in some 12s of a different style, but both were still the regular Vans vulc soles, so there shouldn't have been much in it.


Long story short, yes different shoes will make a board feel way better, or not so good, maybe more so for some people, or even for what you want to skate, eg having a flat ground session in thicker shoes might be easier, having a transition session in thinner shoes might also be easier, but thin shoes when I am trying to do too much at a skatepark or street type stuff is just a bad combination usually.

I also wonder if the current state of the shoes makes much difference, eg newer shoes work better for more rolling around and not doing a whole lot of tech stuff, just nicely broken in shoes are best for the tech stuff, maybe a little more worn in for transition, but also sometimes well worn shoes with new grip on transition is good, but old shoes on street just hurts, unless I am only rolling round a carpark trying to break in new bushings or something similar.


* For you Sk8 Hi on bigger boards, Old Skools on smaller boards, might be the winning combination there, until the thinner shoes start causing too much pain to your old injury...  Who knows though!?!

...When I was fiddling with board sizes I was watching interviews of my fav pros describing their setup and I always wished (upon a star) they mentioned their shoe size. I gave up on finding that info and it felt weird trying to find it anyway lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on November 22, 2025, 07:27:44 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

[close]


The pairing of shoes and board is something that is often overlooked, but I think it does deserve a bit of consideration.

I used to always wear skate shoes in size 11 to skate in, then a mix of 11 and 12 for work (all still skate shoes, mostly Vans but some others too over the years) until I developed ingrown toenails, especially my right / back foot big toe nail, so then would wear 11.5 when I could get them but gave up and have pretty much just gone for 12 now.

At first they were way too big, some more than others, but then my board also started to feel small when I was in anything other than 11s, so I ended up going up a board size too - now around 8.5, or DLX 8.38, but also branched out to have 8.75 and others on the go too.  Maybe my foot shape has molded more to the bigger shoes, because they don't feel half as big as they used to, or maybe I am just more used to them, but flips are almost non existent in bigger shoes.

Some shoes will work way better on some width boards, some shoes just don't seem to work as well, so as I still have a lot of 11 and some 11.5 shoes, I skated in those today, in thin socks and everything on any board just felt so easy, balanced and the shoes felt thin enough to get a lot closer to the board.

Those same boards had felt almost awkward yesterday in some 12s of a different style, but both were still the regular Vans vulc soles, so there shouldn't have been much in it.


Long story short, yes different shoes will make a board feel way better, or not so good, maybe more so for some people, or even for what you want to skate, eg having a flat ground session in thicker shoes might be easier, having a transition session in thinner shoes might also be easier, but thin shoes when I am trying to do too much at a skatepark or street type stuff is just a bad combination usually.

I also wonder if the current state of the shoes makes much difference, eg newer shoes work better for more rolling around and not doing a whole lot of tech stuff, just nicely broken in shoes are best for the tech stuff, maybe a little more worn in for transition, but also sometimes well worn shoes with new grip on transition is good, but old shoes on street just hurts, unless I am only rolling round a carpark trying to break in new bushings or something similar.


* For you Sk8 Hi on bigger boards, Old Skools on smaller boards, might be the winning combination there, until the thinner shoes start causing too much pain to your old injury...  Who knows though!?!
[close]

...When I was fiddling with board sizes I was watching interviews of my fav pros describing their setup and I always wished (upon a star) they mentioned their shoe size. I gave up on finding that info and it felt weird trying to find it anyway lol
I'll one up you and say I wished they gave their inseam length so I can correlate leg length along with shoe size to triangulate the ideal width and wheelbase.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on November 22, 2025, 09:01:36 PM
Generalization but I like smaller boards (7.75-8) with cupsoles and larger (to me) boards like 8.1-8.38 with vulcs/thinner shoes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Boog on November 23, 2025, 04:44:48 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

[close]


The pairing of shoes and board is something that is often overlooked, but I think it does deserve a bit of consideration.

I used to always wear skate shoes in size 11 to skate in, then a mix of 11 and 12 for work (all still skate shoes, mostly Vans but some others too over the years) until I developed ingrown toenails, especially my right / back foot big toe nail, so then would wear 11.5 when I could get them but gave up and have pretty much just gone for 12 now.

At first they were way too big, some more than others, but then my board also started to feel small when I was in anything other than 11s, so I ended up going up a board size too - now around 8.5, or DLX 8.38, but also branched out to have 8.75 and others on the go too.  Maybe my foot shape has molded more to the bigger shoes, because they don't feel half as big as they used to, or maybe I am just more used to them, but flips are almost non existent in bigger shoes.

Some shoes will work way better on some width boards, some shoes just don't seem to work as well, so as I still have a lot of 11 and some 11.5 shoes, I skated in those today, in thin socks and everything on any board just felt so easy, balanced and the shoes felt thin enough to get a lot closer to the board.

Those same boards had felt almost awkward yesterday in some 12s of a different style, but both were still the regular Vans vulc soles, so there shouldn't have been much in it.


Long story short, yes different shoes will make a board feel way better, or not so good, maybe more so for some people, or even for what you want to skate, eg having a flat ground session in thicker shoes might be easier, having a transition session in thinner shoes might also be easier, but thin shoes when I am trying to do too much at a skatepark or street type stuff is just a bad combination usually.

I also wonder if the current state of the shoes makes much difference, eg newer shoes work better for more rolling around and not doing a whole lot of tech stuff, just nicely broken in shoes are best for the tech stuff, maybe a little more worn in for transition, but also sometimes well worn shoes with new grip on transition is good, but old shoes on street just hurts, unless I am only rolling round a carpark trying to break in new bushings or something similar.


* For you Sk8 Hi on bigger boards, Old Skools on smaller boards, might be the winning combination there, until the thinner shoes start causing too much pain to your old injury...  Who knows though!?!
[close]

...When I was fiddling with board sizes I was watching interviews of my fav pros describing their setup and I always wished (upon a star) they mentioned their shoe size. I gave up on finding that info and it felt weird trying to find it anyway lol
[close]
I'll one up you and say I wished they gave their inseam length so I can correlate leg length along with shoe size to triangulate the ideal width and wheelbase.
You can't even triangulate the ideal width and wheelbase for yourself. I don't think another person's inseam is gonna help you lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on November 23, 2025, 07:49:26 AM
@Sedition keep in mind that this could just be a one off situation and don’t go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on November 29, 2025, 11:22:29 AM
finding out that i need at least one deck on stand by
tried a new shape and its got me anti stoked

they honeymoon phase was good at best
but the weather is dogshit now
on skateable days, i find myself doing anything else
board is simply too short
feels akin to skating with shackled legs

against hoarding to a point of flaw
because now i have to wait for a board that works
i think i learned my lesson

one variable, one constant
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 30, 2025, 10:31:59 AM
Expand Quote
Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

First, some quick background.

My long-standing DLX 8.25/14.38 been feeling real small to me, and my set-ups have been getting bigger. Been real happy with the LBL 8.75/14.5 for quite a while now.

Badly broke leg/ankle a while back. Two surgeries and hardware. Since then only been skating in Vans SK8-HI, because high-tops help cover-up (e.g. protect) the scar/hardware area on my ankle from direct board hits (BRUTAL when board hits me in the internal hardware area). 

So, back to this afternoon. Board was in car. Had no intention of skating today. Ended up with a little spare time, so took board out to tool-around on a curb for a bit. I did not have my SK8-HIs with me, but I was wearing low-top Old-Schools. And that’s when things started getting really, really weird.

SK8-HIs seem a bit “wider” than Old-Schools…and suddenly my board (the 8.75) seemed impossibly huge with these “tiny slippers” of Vans I was wearing. Was I really stressing over a shoe/board combo???? Pre-ankle break, all I skated in was old-schools on the 8.25, which only started to feel small…once I started wearing SK8-HIs???

Has some of my board-size madness actually been a component of shoe madness that I never realized???

The world is on fire…and now this? ? ? ?
[close]

i know you weren't really asking about this but every so often if my shins get real f'd up i protect them so they can heal better without worrying about opening up the scabs n crap. I use these deadlifting shin guards that really help. You can wear them low on your leg so you'd have protection even in low tops if you wanted to only wear lows. I like them better than soccer shin guards because they're more comfortable and they protect all the way around. it's just 5mm thick neoprene. you could even cut them to size if you don't need the full length of protection like if you just need to protect a little bit around your ankle.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lKTueUtpL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)

Sorry for the delayed response, and much thanks for looking-out. Fact of the matter is, in 2025 I basically will no longer even step on a skateboard without a forward elbow pad and shin guards. And it's amazing. I never get swellbow or shinners are more. Crazy how pads, like, actually work. I wear those super low-profile G-Form shun guards, and they are a god-send. I'll take a look at the the ones you mentioned.

As to the ankle hardware/scar area, Old Bones Therapy actually makes ankle compression sleeve. that has a silicon gel insert, which exactly covers-up the area where I have hardware in my ankle. But to my own demise, I seem to only wear that AFTER I've taken a board-hit that area (and man, are they ever brutal when they happen). I really should wear it all the time.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 30, 2025, 10:40:15 AM
@Sedition keep in mind that this could just be a one off situation and don’t go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used too.

I have two set-ups. The 8.75 and the 8.25. I skate in SK8-HIs (due to internal ankle hardware mentioned before), but usually wear Old-Schools as a non-skate shoe (but sometimes skate in them). I have ZERO intention of adding more shoes to my "show quiver"--I've *never* been a shoe head. That said, I've now repeated this "test" a few times. Absolutely like the old-schools better on the 8.25, so I'll continue to just rock those with that set-up, just making sure I wear some kind of ankle guard when I do. That said, thanks for the advice on avoiding even more madness. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on November 30, 2025, 03:56:00 PM
After a long talk with @tzhangdox the other night I'm frying out on whether or not to try some 93s. Sounds like there's tons of benefits and I could use all the help I can get as far as taking some pressure off my knees and being able to skate longer etc. The main things I'm worried about are having them mess with flip tricks, not being able to get back to harder wheels once I got used to them, and being bothered by the sound, especially in clips. Like the Simon Bannerot footage in that new ASICS video just sounds kind of torched to me. Also just feels like 'cheating' somehow. Worth it to try 97s before going fully soft?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 30, 2025, 04:44:20 PM
After a long talk with @tzhangdox the other night I'm frying out on whether or not to try some 93s. Sounds like there's tons of benefits and I could use all the help I can get as far as taking some pressure off my knees and being able to skate longer etc. The main things I'm worried about are having them mess with flip tricks, not being able to get back to harder wheels once I got used to them, and being bothered by the sound, especially in clips. Like the Simon Bannerot footage in that new ASICS video just sounds kind of torched to me. Also just feels like 'cheating' somehow. Worth it to try 97s before going fully soft?

First, they don’t cost all that much, so just give them a shot.

I mostly ride 53mm 99a Classics. I had sets of the old formula 97a, and they were just too sluggish for me.

I got a set of the 93a when they came out (53mm Classics). I, also, was really curious as to what effect they would have on my knees—but I never got to find out, because I went back my 99a. This pattern has repeated itself a few times (with the same set of 93s). I now only use the 93s for super crust situations.

Why didn’t I like them? A few reason. First, they felt really mushy, and I just couldnt get past it. Second, was the rebound, and by this I mean the “pop” they had on Ollies, etc. The pop just wasn’t as “crisp.” Don’t really know how to explain it, but I know you know what mean. Last, and this may sound very odd, I actually found them to be a bit more slippery than my 99s. Yes, you read that correctly. Where I seemed to notice this the most was actually on transition, during reverts, pivot to fakies, etc. On regular power slides, they did feel a bit more grippy, however.

They absolutely felt faster than the old 97a formula, and I will absolutely try 97a in the new formula when they are widely available, but for now, nothing beats F4 99s for general riding.

Also, a friend went from 99a to 93a and absolutely loves them, so it’s all personal choice.

Best of luck with it!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on November 30, 2025, 05:39:38 PM
Expand Quote
After a long talk with @tzhangdox the other night I'm frying out on whether or not to try some 93s. Sounds like there's tons of benefits and I could use all the help I can get as far as taking some pressure off my knees and being able to skate longer etc. The main things I'm worried about are having them mess with flip tricks, not being able to get back to harder wheels once I got used to them, and being bothered by the sound, especially in clips. Like the Simon Bannerot footage in that new ASICS video just sounds kind of torched to me. Also just feels like 'cheating' somehow. Worth it to try 97s before going fully soft?
[close]

First, they don’t cost all that much, so just give them a shot.

I mostly ride 53mm 99a Classics. I had sets of the old formula 97a, and they were just too sluggish for me.

I got a set of the 93a when they came out (53mm Classics). I, also, was really curious as to what effect they would have on my knees—but I never got to find out, because I went back my 99a. This pattern has repeated itself a few times (with the same set of 93s). I now only use the 93s for super crust situations.

Why didn’t I like them? A few reason. First, they felt really mushy, and I just couldnt get past it. Second, was the rebound, and by this I mean the “pop” they had on Ollies, etc. The pop just wasn’t as “crisp.” Don’t really know how to explain it, but I know you know what mean. Last, and this may sound very odd, I actually found them to be a bit more slippery than my 99s. Yes, you read that correctly. Where I seemed to notice this the most was actually on transition, during reverts, pivot to fakies, etc. On regular power slides, they did feel a bit more grippy, however.

They absolutely felt faster than the old 97a formula, and I will absolutely try 97a in the new formula when they are widely available, but for now, nothing beats F4 99s for general riding.

Also, a friend went from 99a to 93a and absolutely loves them, so it’s all personal choice.

Best of luck with it!


I think that sums up my own experience with the 93 duro wheels too, for the most part.

Maybe I am not so varied in what I skate, but specifically going to different places just to try out the 93s, both versions of 97s, 99s and 101s, I am still very much happy on the 99s too for almost everything, with the older 97s coming in second, on a bigger board, bigger wheels, for anywhere that is a little slippery and I need more grip, but yes they are slower.

The newer 97s are a harder version of the 93s, so they will slide a bit more on everything, but have a little more firmness to them, not feeling quite so bouncy as the 93s did to me.  A good wheel for some people who love the new formula there.

There is definitely a place for all the duro options, even the 80HDs and the Sapphires 90 duro wheels, but it is more so for the individual to figure out and I couldn't say I would be as keen to have so many options if I only had the one board that I might have to keep swapping wheels out on, although in saying that most of the "test wheel sets" I have are in a shoe box, bearings in them, on shoelaces, always in the car, ready if needed, which is easier than having a dozen different boards with all those wheel options.  This makes it easier if anyone else wants to try them too.


The wheel shape and size really did have a bigger influence than I first thought too - bigger wheels in the softer versions work better, for me anyway, but for someone who wants the same size wheel, eg 52 or 53 mm across the board, this might not be the thing you want to hear.

At least I can always wear a bigger wheel down too, but I can't make a smaller wheel faster or better, no matter what bearings or other things someone can do to a setup, which is often why I will get bigger wheels now and then if I don't like them, I will just machine them down a bit, or at the very least, they will last longer in the slightly bigger sizes.

That might be my madness right now - smaller but wider wheels, usually with round edges.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on November 30, 2025, 05:49:08 PM
Yup, I also have a set of 80HD for turbo crust. They absolutely come in handy at times.

I have my 93s on a set of old hangers. If I want to swap out wheels, I just switch the hangers—way easier/quicker than swapping out the wheels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on November 30, 2025, 06:08:02 PM
Appreciate the feedback. Not worried about the cost of trying them but I'm having madness about a scenario where I get too used to the smoothness/ease and can't switch back to a 99 despite 93s having an overall negative impact on my skating.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on November 30, 2025, 08:19:26 PM
Appreciate the feedback. Not worried about the cost of trying them but I'm having madness about a scenario where I get too used to the smoothness/ease and can't switch back to a 99 despite 93s having an overall negative impact on my skating.

You may be overthinking it a bit. I had no issues swapping back and forth but eventually it didn’t seem worth the trouble and I went back to 99’s full time. They don’t feel all that different that it would make regular wheels feel alien. Unless you’re really on some princess and the pea shit I think you’d be fine trying them out for awhile and deciding if they’re for you or not. Bear in mind too that Reynolds used to leap down massive gaps so his knees and joints are probably way more sensitive to even slight impact than the rest of us.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 30, 2025, 11:24:05 PM
After a long talk with @tzhangdox the other night I'm frying out on whether or not to try some 93s. Sounds like there's tons of benefits and I could use all the help I can get as far as taking some pressure off my knees and being able to skate longer etc. The main things I'm worried about are having them mess with flip tricks, not being able to get back to harder wheels once I got used to them, and being bothered by the sound, especially in clips. Like the Simon Bannerot footage in that new ASICS video just sounds kind of torched to me. Also just feels like 'cheating' somehow. Worth it to try 97s before going fully soft?

The new formula 97s are amazing. They're kinda the perfect middle ground between the 93s and 99s, with the riding experience (and sound) leaning more towards a "real wheel".

Give 'em a shot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on November 30, 2025, 11:27:16 PM

I have my 93s on a set of old hangers. If I want to swap out wheels, I just switch the hangers—way easier/quicker than swapping out the wheels.


Dude. This is revelatory. Why haven't I thought of this? Thank you for the life hack.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on November 30, 2025, 11:32:10 PM
Appreciate the feedback. Not worried about the cost of trying them but I'm having madness about a scenario where I get too used to the smoothness/ease and can't switch back to a 99 despite 93s having an overall negative impact on my skating.
I hated my 93, too bouncy. Maybe the latest release is a bit different. Maybe X97 or X95 are a good option for you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 01, 2025, 05:47:21 PM
Expand Quote

I have my 93s on a set of old hangers. If I want to swap out wheels, I just switch the hangers—way easier/quicker than swapping out the wheels.

[close]

Dude. This is revelatory. Why haven't I thought of this? Thank you for the life hack.

Yeah this is awesome.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 01, 2025, 06:03:23 PM
Expand Quote

I have my 93s on a set of old hangers. If I want to swap out wheels, I just switch the hangers—way easier/quicker than swapping out the wheels.

[close]

Dude. This is revelatory. Why haven't I thought of this? Thank you for the life hack.

Glad to be of help!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on December 01, 2025, 06:09:54 PM
I have my 93s on a set of old hangers. If I want to swap out wheels, I just switch the hangers—way easier/quicker than swapping out the wheels.

I did this for a little bit. But ended up deciding not to because of a) grooves. b) more often than not I dont swap wheels on the sesh, so carrying around extra hangers AND wheels just felt like a bit much for that rare occasion. If you drive around or something, might make more sense though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 01, 2025, 06:46:39 PM
Expand Quote
I have my 93s on a set of old hangers. If I want to swap out wheels, I just switch the hangers—way easier/quicker than swapping out the wheels.
[close]

I did this for a little bit. But ended up deciding not to because of a) grooves. b) more often than not I dont swap wheels on the sesh, so carrying around extra hangers AND wheels just felt like a bit much for that rare occasion. If you drive around or something, might make more sense though

Yeah, I just keep the hangers (with attached wheels) in my car, rather than constantly lugging them around with me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 01, 2025, 07:50:20 PM
This counts as gear sooo how long do most yall shoes last? What’s the indicator that it’s time? My kickflips have been ass lately to the point I thought the board was done so I got a new one and they still doing the same thing. Rocket flipping, landing hard on tail, missing flick I guess. Just learned that even tho my shoes still look good, if I want a good looking kickflip again it’s time for new ones.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 01, 2025, 08:00:16 PM
This counts as gear sooo how long do most yall shoes last? What’s the indicator that it’s time? My kickflips have been ass lately to the point I thought the board was done so I got a new one and they still doing the same thing. Rocket flipping, landing hard on tail, missing flick I guess. Just learned that even tho my shoes still look good, if I want a good looking kickflip again it’s time for new ones.

I usually go until there's a hole under my big toe on the outsole, or I just think they look ugly and I'm sick of them

Some age better than others

Sometimes I'll get a shoe that blows out in the Ollie/heelflip area first, but it's a sick shoe so I'll use that shoe to just drill kickflip related tricks in my garage when it's raining, then they have like, even wear all around and still have a lot of sole, and I'll use them as like, shoes to wear to go watch music or party or whatever

I use hella super glue gel to keep em going and keep the stitches tight, bit sometimes certain shoes for me just blow out immediately in the Ollie area cause of my wide feet

I'll use like painter's tape to make a half-circle in that area, and hit it with shoe goo if it's a shoe I'm really digging

Yeah generally the death nail is the bottom of the sole wearing through

Used to happen to me with vans Pros all the time under my big toes

Haven't skated the "skate" ones after trying a couple on and they made my feet go numb haha

Used to religiously skate vans skate hi pro even though the sole peeled apart and wore thru cause they worked with my foot so well
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 01, 2025, 10:17:18 PM
This counts as gear sooo how long do most yall shoes last? What’s the indicator that it’s time? My kickflips have been ass lately to the point I thought the board was done so I got a new one and they still doing the same thing. Rocket flipping, landing hard on tail, missing flick I guess. Just learned that even tho my shoes still look good, if I want a good looking kickflip again it’s time for new ones.

I despise the look of new shoes. Rather, I like them when they look much more apocalyptic. I don't do as many flip trucks as I use to (and I've always thought the best tricks were ones where feet never leave the board), and I skate a good amount of transition. This is to say my soles usually reach the point of "beyond repair" before the sides do. I usually switch to a new pair when a hole starts to fully break through the sole of the shoe...and this is usually the point at which I think they feel the best, too. My current pair of SK8-HIs (the "skate" ones) I started around Aug 15th, and they are almost toast. So, that's like 3.5 months, and I feel like that's a little longer than normal (was off board a bit with spells of bad weather and some minor injuries this fall). 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 02, 2025, 01:04:20 AM
I don't think I'm skating frequently enough because I've had such inconsistent skating with decks over the last 6-7 months.

I tried a Blue AH eagle (easy rider) earlier this year and it was too mellow feeling for me. Also, I don't remember it feeling soo tiny and short with my Indys when I skated it multiple times in the past??? Weird,  I guess it was always like that, but I got used to it and liked it.

Tried a BBS skate shop deck for my friend's shop and it was the standard 8.5x14.25 specs and it never quite felt right. It skated fine, but it was missing something. Had a GT 8.4 AH before it and that was much better, though not quite the sweet spot either.

I'm currently on a Tom Knox 8.5x14.38x32.18. It felt weird at first, like it wouldn't pop my tre flips. Switched shoes today and it felt noticeably better for everything including tres. Maybe it was my well worn Accel OGs with this new setup not clicking? Skated in some fresher OG-1 Emericas and it was way more responsive.

Every now and then I stray from what I prefer deck-wise... sometimes out of madness and sometimes out of excitement. I love the BBS 8.5x32.25x14.5" with Indys so why do I not skate that shape exclusively?? I don't know 😂

Label, Isle, Killing Floor, and Element (among others) all run this shape, so I gotta go back to those after this Knox deck!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 02, 2025, 07:44:30 AM
I’ve had shoes feel “dead” before wearing through the soles. Especially if they get worn around a lot when I’m not skating. I keep a pair of shoes that I only wear when I’m skating and I have a few that I wear daily that I can skate in should a session manifest. I like a certain amount of flex/stiffness combo so when a shoe is past that point it feels unresponsive.

Also:
To me there’s a sweet spot in terms of wear when it comes to flip tricks. Once there’s not enough “lip” in the flick zone it feels like the shoe is lacking the right amount of resistance or traction to get enough power for a clean flick.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on December 02, 2025, 10:41:43 AM
If theres a hole on the side or bottom its going. If it feels slippery (and Im not about to set up a new board so I can break in fresh grip with my old shoes) its going.

But honestly I've been retiring shoes a little on the sooner end just because skating floppy or packed out shoes is starting to hurt my feet. Feels a lil wasteful at time because I skate 1010s usually, but by my standards they can still get a lil thin and floppy. Kinda been a lil fragile lately so would rather be slightly more wasteful with shoes than deal with unnecessary pain.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 02, 2025, 01:20:10 PM
Daily reminder

149 standards

If they're too heavy - do a lotta grinds or put like 52mm classics on there

If I'm using big-ass wheels I'll rock a hollow axle

But I noticed with 54mm classics my shit felt too feathery in pool coping

I feel like if youre gonna be on an 8" truck it may as well be ventures or thunders

You ever do that thing like Rick McCrank where you get the handrail stuck in-between your truck and deck?

I wonder how many times that happened to Reynolds... Magic carpet AND 51mm classics on standard 139s(55mm tall)... It's like a recipe for the McCrank rail thing

Some skaters just got magic, or luck. Some are more wabi sabi, some are more hard-line zen, some are more like a psychonaut or something. A lot are just really kinda not that smart, some are naturally gifted, some had skaters for parents, some grew up right next to a skatepark

I think the 90s trucks (8" and 7.6") are such a pure street thing, cause the angle for grinds on ledges and stuff especially with bigger wheels is so cooked, you gotta have like 51mm or smaller... Or sitting on a 5050 would be at like a 45 degree angle and shit.  and nobody riding vert on 8" boards anymore it's not 1976...

Still think the most madness-proof truck is still the Indy standard stg 11 149... Not hollow.. the standards grind better and seem to handle vibrations better.. easier board to control, you know where it's gonna go. It's not getting knocked around or floating away. Like I said if your flip tricks are harder now, do some grinds. Put some smaller wheels on. Do some stretches and eat right and shit. I used to think I had to use hollows cause I wasn't as spry as I used to be. Really, I gotta modify MYSELF, not my setup. I love standards. Gotta love myself too ya feel

I was trying to act like I was having an off day because I'm in my late 30s but really I just need to take care of myself and stretch and meditate and shit, nothing comes for free


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Also I think for a crust wheel, you don't necessarily have to go bigger in diameter

For example, a 54mm radial full is for all intents and purposes a worn down 60mm classic

A 55 to 58 classic is its own kinda wheel, and 50 to 54 classics are another type of wheel

Really thinking 60mm classics, 54mm radial fulls, and 56mm classics all in 93a are the best crusty street wheels out right now

I'd rather the classics than the radial fulls but if I was sponsored I'd get those 54mm 93a radial fulls, skate em to 52mm, and give em to kids and homies

The lifespan of the 60s and 56s is better and the gradual wearing down shouldn't affect consistency, but slapping on a brand new set certainly might

Currently I like to run a 54 99a down to 51 and give it to kids and homies

But I'm really thinking about just buying a buncha sets of 56mm 93a classics and crossing my fingers that they'll always exist

Bigheads look sick on 139s, especially when worn down a lil

Reminds me of mid 90s photos









Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 02, 2025, 02:31:22 PM
I’ve been shoe gooing mine almost had worn thru the bottom but couldn’t help the lack of flip. It’s the emerica Romero laced so I guess it should be expected since the flick is soo good from the get go that it would wear out fairly quick.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 03, 2025, 08:47:18 AM
I’ve had shoes feel “dead” before wearing through the soles. Especially if they get worn around a lot when I’m not skating. I keep a pair of shoes that I only wear when I’m skating and I have a few that I wear daily that I can skate in should a session manifest. I like a certain amount of flex/stiffness combo so when a shoe is past that point it feels unresponsive.

Also:
To me there’s a sweet spot in terms of wear when it comes to flip tricks. Once there’s not enough “lip” in the flick zone it feels like the shoe is lacking the right amount of resistance or traction to get enough power for a clean flick.

Nowadays, I rarely eat through the sole of any shoe: cup or vulc. I'm usually seeing them bag out or i kickflip away the flick/make a hole in the toe. I don't like retiring shoes too early. I'll sideline a worn pair, break in a different pair, then revisit the worn pair later and get even more life out of them IF they are still good. If they hurt/fit wonky/etc when I revisit, I try to dump them at that point. "Post nut clarity" on quality of gear, basically.

Maybe some of my shoe issues were dampening my board comfort? Anyways, this was a helpful reminder not to skate my shoes too long when I definitely have enough in my stack to skate next !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on December 04, 2025, 01:24:47 AM
What’s the consensus on lurpiv and how do they compare to Indy and ace? Height, weight, turn feel, in relation to wb, longevity, how well the anti wheel bite actually works. I have ridden ace and Indy, on ventures rn, and really have been wanting to move on to either Indy or lurpiv. But lurpiv has me so intrigued. I don’t have a shop around me that carries them so I’ll have to order them but if they are more stable than ace, just as turny or more than Indy, and is as tall as Indy, ans weighs less than either than I’m down.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 04, 2025, 01:35:43 AM
What’s the consensus on lurpiv and how do they compare to Indy and ace? Height, weight, turn feel, in relation to wb, longevity, how well the anti wheel bite actually works. I have ridden ace and Indy, on ventures rn, and really have been wanting to move on to either Indy or lurpiv. But lurpiv has me so intrigued. I don’t have a shop around me that carries them so I’ll have to order them but if they are more stable than ace, just as turny or more than Indy, and is as tall as Indy, ans weighs less than either than I’m down.
In order as you asked:
Metal feeling wise is pretty much like Ace (same factory, at easy on the AF1 variant).
The turn is amazing for me and the anti wheelbite thing really works. I was skating Indys for ages, made the switch to Ace and then tried Lurpiv. Loved them.
Same height as Indy and way lighter.
The only con for me is that there's not much meat on them. Other than that they're pretty nice.
Yes, the look is pretty disruptive abs there are days I really like how they look and others that I can't even look at them.
The brutalist truck sure is a great one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on December 04, 2025, 01:46:24 AM
Expand Quote
What’s the consensus on lurpiv and how do they compare to Indy and ace? Height, weight, turn feel, in relation to wb, longevity, how well the anti wheel bite actually works. I have ridden ace and Indy, on ventures rn, and really have been wanting to move on to either Indy or lurpiv. But lurpiv has me so intrigued. I don’t have a shop around me that carries them so I’ll have to order them but if they are more stable than ace, just as turny or more than Indy, and is as tall as Indy, ans weighs less than either than I’m down.
[close]
In order as you asked:
Metal feeling wise is pretty much like Ace (same factory, at easy on the AF1 variant).
The turn is amazing for me and the anti wheelbite thing really works. I was skating Indys for ages, made the switch to Ace and then tried Lurpiv. Loved them.
Same height as Indy and way lighter.
The only con for me is that there's not much meat on them. Other than that they're pretty nice.
Yes, the look is pretty disruptive abs there are days I really like how they look and others that I can't even look at them.
The brutalist truck sure is a great one.

Two more questions: how does the anti wheel bite affect the pinch? And how long have u been on em?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 04, 2025, 02:01:00 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What’s the consensus on lurpiv and how do they compare to Indy and ace? Height, weight, turn feel, in relation to wb, longevity, how well the anti wheel bite actually works. I have ridden ace and Indy, on ventures rn, and really have been wanting to move on to either Indy or lurpiv. But lurpiv has me so intrigued. I don’t have a shop around me that carries them so I’ll have to order them but if they are more stable than ace, just as turny or more than Indy, and is as tall as Indy, ans weighs less than either than I’m down.
[close]
In order as you asked:
Metal feeling wise is pretty much like Ace (same factory, at easy on the AF1 variant).
The turn is amazing for me and the anti wheelbite thing really works. I was skating Indys for ages, made the switch to Ace and then tried Lurpiv. Loved them.
Same height as Indy and way lighter.
The only con for me is that there's not much meat on them. Other than that they're pretty nice.
Yes, the look is pretty disruptive abs there are days I really like how they look and others that I can't even look at them.
The brutalist truck sure is a great one.
[close]

Two more questions: how does the anti wheel bite affect the pinch? And how long have u been on em?
There's less pinch so to speak but nothing dramatic. I've been skating them for like 6 months.
On the setup thread I just uploaded a photo in case you want to check how they look skated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on December 04, 2025, 07:10:16 AM
My experience seems to echo those of other Lurpiv riders here:

Pros

Cons

Honestly I don't see them lasting long. It's an Ace or T2 with worse clearance. Mine are binned and I now ride T2 instead and can't see why anyone would ever choose Lurpiv over Ace/Indy/T2 or even Slappy. They desperately need IKP and even then what do you get over the others? Swap your bushings if you want more stability out of them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 04, 2025, 07:36:23 AM
Back to the shoe thing. Took this pic last night. This is the ball of my forward foot. I'll prolly let that hole get a little bit bigger, and then these are done. Had these about 3.5 months as of now.

(https://i.ibb.co/Lzhx6V9T/01.png)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on December 04, 2025, 08:11:16 AM
After catching up on the last 3 pages I feel completely sane.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 04, 2025, 08:22:12 AM
After catching up on the last 3 pages I feel completely sane.

How can we help make that feeling go away?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 04, 2025, 08:32:01 AM
Expand Quote
After catching up on the last 3 pages I feel completely sane.
[close]

How can we help make that feeling go away?
By saying how attractive is to have the option of trying different WB with V8 on the same board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on December 04, 2025, 10:03:24 AM
My experience seems to echo those of other Lurpiv riders here:

Pros
  • Turn is amazing. Deep, but stable and they're hard to WB. It's like what T2 want to be.
  • They're light, but tall and space your wheels out. The pop feel is very unique: light but not anemic.

Cons
  • The pinch is quite bad. I'd put it on par with Ace.
  • KP clearance is horrible, the worst of any tall/turny truck. I'm surprised it's as bad as it is.
  • The baseplate is very angled and it either slides or sticks, very unpredictable.

Honestly I don't see them lasting long. It's an Ace or T2 with worse clearance. Mine are binned and I now ride T2 instead and can't see why anyone would ever choose Lurpiv over Ace/Indy/T2 or even Slappy. They desperately need IKP and even then what do you get over the others? Swap your bushings if you want more stability out of them.

Is it just the kingpin clearance and the pinch for u? I don’t think the kingpin clearance will be a huge deal for me. And having ridden a lot of ace I am not too sure the pinch would be a deal breaker for me. I’m mainly looking for the height and the lighter weight compared to ace.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on December 04, 2025, 10:35:35 AM
Just run a thin riser with Ace. I'd do that with IKP AF1 any day over Lurpivs. I don't NEED the clearance but damn is it nice as the truck wears. Even basic slappies on chunky curbs would catch it randomly. Ace baseplate slide is also not fickle. The only reason I would consider Lurpiv is if I only rode transition and wanted the extended wheelbase, but that just isn't a "must" for me. I think Oski missed the mark on these overall other than the turn. I can't see the company lasting.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on December 04, 2025, 10:42:42 AM
the kingpin clearance is really the only negative thing for me. if you only skate at skatepark, or rails, would be fine i think (not skating tons of curb / concrete) because your hangar wouldnt hardly wear down.

they do have tons of meat on the hangar before you hit axle though, and you can just grind through the kingpin for ages if you were to just skate them as slappy trucks like i have been. I remember them feeling really hard to get used to at first. I havent skated mine in almost a year, been skating indy and t2 mostly.

I could be 100% happy just skating one of those trucks, but now I reallllllly want to get a 8"x14"wb setup with Ventures,~54mm classic, and try and be a tech skater  ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 04, 2025, 11:03:15 AM
 Update on the shoe thing. Set my old board back up with the fresh kicks. The board feels crispy again. My flip is back, crazy how soggy shoes can make your board feel soggy as well. Ima ride out the old board a bit longer now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on December 04, 2025, 08:22:46 PM
After catching up on the last 3 pages I feel completely sane.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: soot_yawd on December 07, 2025, 11:33:47 AM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on December 07, 2025, 12:11:19 PM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?

14.75 is so god damned long to me. i have rode a shape close to this from anti hero, it is just slightly wider in some spots and is somewhat of a shape board (the blue meanie) it feels so hard to manual and do fakie tricks. you are 2" taller than i am but i would be doing anytihng i could to bring in the wheelbase on that personally
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on December 07, 2025, 12:15:32 PM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?

I've tested this deck with independent & thunder t1.
Both work. I'm pretty sure that venture would work as well.
Length of kicks and steepness are way more important to me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on December 07, 2025, 01:09:21 PM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?
going up in increments is recommended
if you can afford to try a few things out

instead of going right on up to 14.75wb
maybe try 14.375 and if thats not enough, 14.5wb

i personally prefer ventures with longer tails
forged plates felt really good with a 6.75+ tail
and a bit too steep/short with 6.5 tails

if you like ventures, you should tinker with boards
no other truck performs the same imo
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: boofactory on December 07, 2025, 06:44:14 PM
I rode the dlx 8.62 with venture v8s and really enjoyed it. Made the board feel a bit tighter while still looking like a big board under feet
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 08, 2025, 11:11:39 AM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?

Why not try DLX 8.38? Wheelbase is 14.5, that’s a quarter inch longer and the width measures closer to 8.5. You won’t have to try new trucks. It’s also a very common shape from them so if you like it you’ll have no problems getting that shape again.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 08, 2025, 11:52:00 AM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?


Yeah, I'll say what others said...don't go too big, too fast. If you are looking to stay within DLX world, these are other options:

8.25 / 14.38 / 32
8.5 / 14.38 / 32.18
8.38 / 14.5 / 32.25
8.62 / 14.5 / 32.35


Two other Black Label decks in that range that I am a big fan of:

8.5 / 14.5 / 32.38
8.75 / 14.5 / 32.25
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 08, 2025, 01:03:36 PM
I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?

I'm a fan of the 8.62". Had many over the years. I'm currently on one on T2 151s. My flip tricks aren't on point at the moment but I'm blaming the big bulky Radial Fulls I am using. Everything else is great.

I'd also consider Ace 60s. I personally wouldn't bother with Stage 4s. T2s and Ace will have you covered.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 08, 2025, 04:07:55 PM
I think after skating my "generic" setup for a while, I know what I want to tweak, and it's pretty much just switching from 14.25" wb to 14". I'm 5' 8" and I think I might have a better time on 14s.

I also want to try pepper XG again... last deck I had it on only lasted a couple hours before snapping.

 Kinda want some 93a f4 classics again. My new strategy is to skate 54mm F4 classics down to say, 50mm, and sell them to people who skate venture lows for like $15/set so I can stay consistent

So still 8.25, 149 standards, and 54mm classics, but now with shorter wheelbase, grippier griptape, and softer wheels

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 08, 2025, 05:19:39 PM
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I usually ride 8.25-8.5 DLX boards with 14-14.25 wheelbase on Venture 5.8s.

I’m 6’2” and 210 lbs and those boards have been starting to feel too short.

Looking at sizing up to the 8.62, 14.75 wheelbase Antihero, but I’m not sure what trucks to use. With that long of a wheelbase, I worry Ventures wouldn’t be a good match.

Currently leaning toward Thunder T-2 151s or the new hollow version of the Indy Stage IVs.

Any thoughts?
[close]

Why not try DLX 8.38? Wheelbase is 14.5, that’s a quarter inch longer and the width measures closer to 8.5. You won’t have to try new trucks. It’s also a very common shape from them so if you like it you’ll have no problems getting that shape again.



The 8.38 with 14.5 wb works really well on the T-II trucks I have on right now, but I don't know how well it would go on Ventures, or coming from Ventures, but people can always swap in 100 duro bushings and the trucks firm up really well then, as that was the first thing I tested on one setup - left one stock and switched up bushings on the other set just to see, when I got a few sets of the T-II trucks recently.

As for all the other options people have said, really I think any or all of those would work with whatever deck, trucks, mix and match options, but then it is just down to what you are used to and what you want to get to try, or even how quickly you want things to work for you, when compared to your current setup.

If you were to add another setup in the mix but still have your current one, that could be easier to then take the time to just break everything in nicely first, rather than jumping on the new setup as your only board and then finding it difficult to adjust.  Some people I know have a bigger board, loose trucks, just to warm up on and do some laps which can not only get that board working well, but also not be quite such a shock with the change from everything you are currently on.

Any which way, it could be good for some people to have options, but then others might only get mixed up and things just not feel good on any setup from having combinations of boards, even if one is just a warm up lap type setup, while the other is the main go to for everything else.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: camel filters on December 09, 2025, 12:24:51 PM
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Well…I had a whole other door-to-Madness open up on me this afternoon that I never saw coming…

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The pairing of shoes and board is something that is often overlooked, but I think it does deserve a bit of consideration.

I used to always wear skate shoes in size 11 to skate in, then a mix of 11 and 12 for work (all still skate shoes, mostly Vans but some others too over the years) until I developed ingrown toenails, especially my right / back foot big toe nail, so then would wear 11.5 when I could get them but gave up and have pretty much just gone for 12 now.

At first they were way too big, some more than others, but then my board also started to feel small when I was in anything other than 11s, so I ended up going up a board size too - now around 8.5, or DLX 8.38, but also branched out to have 8.75 and others on the go too.  Maybe my foot shape has molded more to the bigger shoes, because they don't feel half as big as they used to, or maybe I am just more used to them, but flips are almost non existent in bigger shoes.

Some shoes will work way better on some width boards, some shoes just don't seem to work as well, so as I still have a lot of 11 and some 11.5 shoes, I skated in those today, in thin socks and everything on any board just felt so easy, balanced and the shoes felt thin enough to get a lot closer to the board.

Those same boards had felt almost awkward yesterday in some 12s of a different style, but both were still the regular Vans vulc soles, so there shouldn't have been much in it.


Long story short, yes different shoes will make a board feel way better, or not so good, maybe more so for some people, or even for what you want to skate, eg having a flat ground session in thicker shoes might be easier, having a transition session in thinner shoes might also be easier, but thin shoes when I am trying to do too much at a skatepark or street type stuff is just a bad combination usually.

I also wonder if the current state of the shoes makes much difference, eg newer shoes work better for more rolling around and not doing a whole lot of tech stuff, just nicely broken in shoes are best for the tech stuff, maybe a little more worn in for transition, but also sometimes well worn shoes with new grip on transition is good, but old shoes on street just hurts, unless I am only rolling round a carpark trying to break in new bushings or something similar.


* For you Sk8 Hi on bigger boards, Old Skools on smaller boards, might be the winning combination there, until the thinner shoes start causing too much pain to your old injury...  Who knows though!?!
[close]

...When I was fiddling with board sizes I was watching interviews of my fav pros describing their setup and I always wished (upon a star) they mentioned their shoe size. I gave up on finding that info and it felt weird trying to find it anyway lol
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I'll one up you and say I wished they gave their inseam length so I can correlate leg length along with shoe size to triangulate the ideal width and wheelbase.
[close]
You can't even triangulate the ideal width and wheelbase for yourself. I don't think another person's inseam is gonna help you lol
Well the idea is to try the width and wb of someone with the same inseam as me. Leg length I would think effects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 09, 2025, 01:33:38 PM

….Leg length I would think affects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.


Exactly this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 09, 2025, 04:14:27 PM
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….Leg length I would think affects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.

[close]

Exactly this.

I'm 6' 4" 34" inseam. Can confirm.


Need a 14.5 wb
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 09, 2025, 05:06:28 PM
I think I solved what was fucking me up over the years, where I liked some boards more than others, and it's definitely wheelbase

Width doesn't even matter as much as wheelbase to me, and I'm not against skating a red oval(8.125") on 149s, with the smaller wheels I like.

I think my madness with trucks is gone, I used to want to put like, titanium hangers on standard plates, cutting down top bushings, using the aftermarket cast plates or some plates from 215s to have a longer kingpin, mixing bushing duros, etc

The thing that made me stop was realizing that I could do all that tinkering, and then if like, I landed a trick I'd been trying down something for a while, getting beat up, and finally land on a good one, but fall because of twitchy trucks or something I'd be pissed at myself and think I surely would've landed it on a normal setup

I've been thinking about this stuff all summer after trying to get back to a higher level of skating, a calculated approach to blaming the board

So I think just straight up standard 149s, stock, a hair tighter than nut flush, no extra washers or anything, how I used to do it before I gave a shit

Still sticking to 54mm classics after trying p much everything

So the only difference with my setup now vs 20 years ago?

I'm gonna always shoot for 14" wb. After skating 14.25 all summer to get consistent, I realized those times that my tricks weren't working back then were probably because I was on 14.5 or more wb, and when I was back on 14.25, it was easier. Now I want to go to 14.0" and chill there as long as 8.25 shorts are made

Virtually everything else is the same as 2005. I had switch tres back then too. Gotta get those back.

2005:

8.25 to 8.625
Standard 149s
Classic 52 or 53mm 99a

2025:

Standard 8.25 and 8.5 short ---> 8.25 short
Hollow 149s ---> standard 149s
54mm classics still standing but tried a lotttta wheels this year

I'm glad I rode around on a pretty generic setup for a while, was like a brain reset. Now my like, forever-home setup is pretty much a super generic setup but with the wheelbase tucked in just a bit for my short ass legs

----

I studied lots of footage this year, looking at foot placement, stance, weight distribution and stuff

Going back to venture lows like when I was a kid won't suddenly turn me into Wade D or Aimu

Loosening my trucks a bunch isn't going to make me more stylish

Skating big wheels didn't change anything about the way I skated

I need to tinker elsewhere and cause my current life situation doesn't support that, I got way too analytical about my bloard

im ready to change

I'm totally fine with being picky about 14" wb. I can deal w/that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on December 09, 2025, 07:23:30 PM
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….Leg length I would think affects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.

[close]

Exactly this.
[close]

I'm 6' 4" 34" inseam. Can confirm.

Need a 14.5 wb

How does that confirm? Thats a normal inseam for being 6ft4 and 14.5 is also a pretty normal, albeit slightly longer wheelbase length.

I've been considering the overall length of the board more lately, to me its just as important since that + wheelbase somewhat determine the length of your kicks, which also affects the pop. Sometimes having more overall length is more confidence inducing than just having a long wheelbase imo. Obviously all these factors are very important and its hard to make blanket statements as they all interact with each other. Stressful to think about

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 10, 2025, 03:57:47 AM
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….Leg length I would think affects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.

[close]

Exactly this.
[close]

I'm 6' 4" 34" inseam. Can confirm.

Need a 14.5 wb
[close]

How does that confirm? Thats a normal inseam for being 6ft4 and 14.5 is also a pretty normal, albeit slightly longer wheelbase length.

I've been considering the overall length of the board more lately, to me its just as important since that + wheelbase somewhat determine the length of your kicks, which also affects the pop. Sometimes having more overall length is more confidence inducing than just having a long wheelbase imo. Obviously all these factors are very important and its hard to make blanket statements as they all interact with each other. Stressful to think about

From what I've read on here it seems like most people prefer shorter wb than that. Normally 14.25 and under. But I could be wrong, idk haha.

I would like to try a longer wb tbh, but I can't find a shape I like with something longer that isn't wider than 8.5. that's kinda where I maxx out width wise (unless we're talking a cruiser or something)

I tried that dlx 8.62 with a 14.75 wb I think? And it generally felt pretty good in terms of wb/length but the width and kicks were not to my liking. I normally skate the 8.38 14.5 wb dlx for reference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 10, 2025, 11:38:05 AM
When I think about Reynolds skating 14.25" wb it starts to really make sense for me at 5'8" to go down to 14.0"

There's definitely less available boards but I skate 149s and there's plenty of 8.25 and 8.125 out there

I wanted to make 14.25 work because they're literally everywhere and on all widths but like, life is short and it's prolly gonna be worth it to me to just switch to 14" at this point

Sucks cause 8.5 x 14.25 and 8.25 x 14.25 are industry standard right now

I'm glad hardbody makes so gd many short wb decks cause I'm not a big Primitive fan

There's the occasional sci-fi in the mix for 14" too, and a couple real/AH boards

But man, with 14.25, you just got so many more choices

Fuckin, I like riding blanks anyways so I guess who cares
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on December 10, 2025, 12:19:42 PM
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….Leg length I would think affects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.

[close]

Exactly this.
[close]

I'm 6' 4" 34" inseam. Can confirm.

Need a 14.5 wb
[close]

How does that confirm? Thats a normal inseam for being 6ft4 and 14.5 is also a pretty normal, albeit slightly longer wheelbase length.

I've been considering the overall length of the board more lately, to me its just as important since that + wheelbase somewhat determine the length of your kicks, which also affects the pop. Sometimes having more overall length is more confidence inducing than just having a long wheelbase imo. Obviously all these factors are very important and its hard to make blanket statements as they all interact with each other. Stressful to think about
[close]

From what I've read on here it seems like most people prefer shorter wb than that. Normally 14.25 and under. But I could be wrong, idk haha.

I would like to try a longer wb tbh, but I can't find a shape I like with something longer that isn't wider than 8.5. that's kinda where I maxx out width wise (unless we're talking a cruiser or something)

I tried that dlx 8.62 with a 14.75 wb I think? And it generally felt pretty good in terms of wb/length but the width and kicks were not to my liking. I normally skate the 8.38 14.5 wb dlx for reference.

Yeah, for me most boards with wb over 14.5 feel like a bit too much to throw around

I'm 6ft5, same inseam as you, size 13. I think as long as I don't go under 14.25, and the board isn't shorter than 32, I'm pretty comfortable. Usually am on ventures though, on some shorter wb trucks I'd probably want to stick to 14.38-14.5.

Currently on the AWS 8.25 shape, 32.25 14.25. Feels great on ventures, really comfortable

Something like the 8.62 14.75 would be super comfortable for skating fast etc, but definitely a lot more skateboard than I need.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 10, 2025, 04:44:09 PM
Y'all tall folks riding 14.25s just further confirming my decision to seek out 14s 😆

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 10, 2025, 05:07:07 PM
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….Leg length I would think affects what wb works the best. Even more than a person's height.

[close]

Exactly this.
[close]

I'm 6' 4" 34" inseam. Can confirm.

Need a 14.5 wb
[close]

How does that confirm? Thats a normal inseam for being 6ft4 and 14.5 is also a pretty normal, albeit slightly longer wheelbase length.

I've been considering the overall length of the board more lately, to me its just as important since that + wheelbase somewhat determine the length of your kicks, which also affects the pop. Sometimes having more overall length is more confidence inducing than just having a long wheelbase imo. Obviously all these factors are very important and its hard to make blanket statements as they all interact with each other. Stressful to think about
[close]

From what I've read on here it seems like most people prefer shorter wb than that. Normally 14.25 and under. But I could be wrong, idk haha.

I would like to try a longer wb tbh, but I can't find a shape I like with something longer that isn't wider than 8.5. that's kinda where I maxx out width wise (unless we're talking a cruiser or something)

I tried that dlx 8.62 with a 14.75 wb I think? And it generally felt pretty good in terms of wb/length but the width and kicks were not to my liking. I normally skate the 8.38 14.5 wb dlx for reference.
[close]

Yeah, for me most boards with wb over 14.5 feel like a bit too much to throw around

I'm 6ft5, same inseam as you, size 13. I think as long as I don't go under 14.25, and the board isn't shorter than 32, I'm pretty comfortable. Usually am on ventures though, on some shorter wb trucks I'd probably want to stick to 14.38-14.5.

Currently on the AWS 8.25 shape, 32.25 14.25. Feels great on ventures, really comfortable

Something like the 8.62 14.75 would be super comfortable for skating fast etc, but definitely a lot more skateboard than I need.


Glass house has the 8.25 in a 14.5 wheelbase

Y'all tall folks riding 14.25s just further confirming my decision to seek out 14s 😆



14.125
14 to squirmy for me. Trying 14.25 right now to make sure if I like it or not and so far not a fan of where my foot goes to get a solid Ollie. Kinda was used to it farther up
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Teethcanbesexy on December 10, 2025, 05:33:41 PM
You all might feel good on 14 but it won’t be home like 14.25
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 10, 2025, 05:34:26 PM
Been trying to catch up here for a while.

For shoes, I mentioned a while back I was having gear madness with shoes and decks not wearing out, or at least my willingness to accept they are worn out, fast enough. My Blazer Mids lasted around 2 years and I was trying to retire them but even though the soles were worn less than paper thin, they wouldn't wear all the way through all summer. Someone suggested I probably shouldn't wait that long because they probably were more detrimental to my feet and performance and I agreed so I finally put them away. They definitely felt weird walking in because the soles were significantly worn in the skate intensive spots and very uneven. The $20 Walmart Etnies I replaced them with are on the third month and I've already worn a hole through one of the soles. Funny thing on those is the top is holding up really well and I haven't even shoegooed them yet. So now I know where they skimped on those things.

As for wheelbase, I've been wanting to try lower WB and have a 8.125 wb deck to setup when I'm done with my current ones. I'm expecting to like it and end up sticking to 14 or a bit over/under.

On another note, I think I have solved my wheel madness! I've been thinking I need to try Classic shaped wheels to help me unlock from crooks and I tired with some old Rictas I had but even though I noticed a bit of difference, they didn't help much. The other day, I was looking at some new FF Classics and then glanced at the 20+ year old wheels I have had siting on my skateboard rack and it triggered that those were shaped pretty much the exact same way. Threw them on and tried them on some curbs and I was quickly able to pop out of crooks very consistently, when I have never done one clean before that and only able to land consistently going off the end of a parking curb. It was one of the most satisfying sessions for me in a long time. I took some rough measurements of the wheel, and they are around 53mm (look like at least 56mm when new), 34mm wide, 20mm riding surface and 101 or higher duro because they feel like rocks to me. I've only been skating 99 and 97 recently. No idea what brand they are but most likely blanks but those numbers match up really close to new Classic Fulls, which are the wheels I theoretically came to the conclusion I wanted. Now, my madness is not knowing what factors are making such a huge difference when I buy my next wheels. I'm just going to ride these old wheels for now but when it comes time, is it just the shape or is it the hardness that is helping me unlock so easily? I have a feeling the hardness is a factor because the Rictas I tried were similar shape but softer and I was hoping to wait for Classic Fulls to come out in the 97 euro or should I just get the 99s that just came out?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 10, 2025, 05:47:05 PM
I didn't like how the more square shapes felt on crooks especially in softer duros

I'm on some 99a F4 bighead shape right now, like them a lot.

Worn-down 55/56mm classics are the shit, but I get so thrown off putting a new set back on since there's a pretty decent difference in width and weight between the 54s and 56s

Would be cool if they had bighead/classic full in all the duros that regular classics are in, but it's prolly not gonna happen except for one-off/seasonal releases so if they do any F4 bigheads or F4 classic fulls, stock up

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 10, 2025, 07:07:30 PM

...cause 8.5 x 14.25 and 8.25 x 14.25 are industry standard right now...


...But man, with 14.25, you just got so many more choices...


The average U.S. male is 5'9" tall. My guess, is that ratio wise, 14.25 is "idea" for someone that tall / respective inseam...which is why 14.25 is the most commonly found WB. I am just hair under 5'11". Not too surprisingly, 14.38-14.5 feels the best to me. 14.25" (and under) is just...wrong. 

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 10, 2025, 07:37:50 PM
I didn't like how the more square shapes felt on crooks especially in softer duros

I'm on some 99a F4 bighead shape right now, like them a lot.

Worn-down 55/56mm classics are the shit, but I get so thrown off putting a new set back on since there's a pretty decent difference in width and weight between the 54s and 56s

Would be cool if they had bighead/classic full in all the duros that regular classics are in, but it's prolly not gonna happen except for one-off/seasonal releases so if they do any F4 bigheads or F4 classic fulls, stock up

I’m pretty new to riding Spitfires. Are you saying the chances of them making Classic Fulls in new 97 duro, 52-54mm are slim or if they do, it could be difficult to come across? Trying to resist temptation of picking up the current 53 99 Classic Fulls.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on December 10, 2025, 11:33:04 PM
I didn't like how the more square shapes felt on crooks especially in softer duros

I'm on some 99a F4 bighead shape right now, like them a lot.

Worn-down 55/56mm classics are the shit, but I get so thrown off putting a new set back on since there's a pretty decent difference in width and weight between the 54s and 56s

Would be cool if they had bighead/classic full in all the duros that regular classics are in, but it's prolly not gonna happen except for one-off/seasonal releases so if they do any F4 bigheads or F4 classic fulls, stock up

I tried tablets once and had a a similar experience. Unless you’re skating really rough ledges, the square edge kind of locks you into a specific pinch whereas the classic shape lets you shift around
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on December 10, 2025, 11:42:06 PM
Expand Quote
I didn't like how the more square shapes felt on crooks especially in softer duros

I'm on some 99a F4 bighead shape right now, like them a lot.

Worn-down 55/56mm classics are the shit, but I get so thrown off putting a new set back on since there's a pretty decent difference in width and weight between the 54s and 56s

Would be cool if they had bighead/classic full in all the duros that regular classics are in, but it's prolly not gonna happen except for one-off/seasonal releases so if they do any F4 bigheads or F4 classic fulls, stock up
[close]

I tried tablets once and had a a similar experience. Unless you’re skating really rough ledges, the square edge kind of locks you into a specific pinch whereas the classic shape lets you shift around

Yeah I agree. I have a theory that the ideal pinch on a ledge is when one point of contact is sharp and the other is round.

So on most decently sharp ledges, a rounder wheel is nicer for pinching.

But if the ledge is really chunky and rounded, then a sharp edge/square wheel helps you hold it, you also dont have the problem of the super specific pinch since the ledge is rounded.

If you have a round ledge and round wheels, it doesn't hold very well.

If you have sharp ledge and sharp/square edge wheels, it can feel a little "bitey"

Could all be bullshit in my head though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 11, 2025, 01:04:40 AM
Expand Quote
I didn't like how the more square shapes felt on crooks especially in softer duros

I'm on some 99a F4 bighead shape right now, like them a lot.

Worn-down 55/56mm classics are the shit, but I get so thrown off putting a new set back on since there's a pretty decent difference in width and weight between the 54s and 56s

Would be cool if they had bighead/classic full in all the duros that regular classics are in, but it's prolly not gonna happen except for one-off/seasonal releases so if they do any F4 bigheads or F4 classic fulls, stock up
[close]

I’m pretty new to riding Spitfires. Are you saying the chances of them making Classic Fulls in new 97 duro, 52-54mm are slim or if they do, it could be difficult to come across? Trying to resist temptation of picking up the current 53 99 Classic Fulls.

Yeah I figure it's prolly a slim chance they make classic full, 97a, 52-54mm any time soon. Hopefully they do though.

If you have the means, machining/grinding the riding surface of a 56mm 93a or 97a classic down to 54mm is an option

99a F4 53mm classic fulls and  99a F4 54mm bigheads and maybe some other ones are out there, look on shoplurker. There's always a full run of classic duro, non-F4 bigheads.

I think I'm just gonna stick to 54mm classics in whatever duro cause it's what's most consistently available
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 11, 2025, 04:20:39 AM
As a frequent crooked grinder, I would agree that square edge wheels don't feel great on them. I prefer a larger round edge wheel and have ridden mostly 56mm classic 99a f4 for years now.

That extra "bite" from a square edge wheel can help on front crooks (Jamie foy) but more wax is almost a certainty for that to work well. At least for me any way.

Speed probably plays a part too, and although I try to skate fast, I'm sure that most pros skating square edge wheels are probably charging way harder than my dumbass lol.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 11, 2025, 11:44:57 AM
I've been incredibly averse to the "classic" shape of Spitfire, Bones, etc. for at least 10 years. Visually,  it just bugs me and they would fall out of grinds all the time. Narrow, slim, dainty just not pleasing to me

Switched to conical/OG classic shapes for a long while. Stable and locked in on grinds. However,  my crooks sometimes "bite" more than they used to. It could be the square wheel/square ledge phenomenon ^^^ above mentioned.

I have some radials I'm gonna skate soon as a slow move towards the classic shape. Maybe I need to try a bigger F4 Classic size: 54-58 and wear them down so they're halfway between a conical and a Classic. That is, IF radials don't work as the happy medium between classic & og classic/conical fulls
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 11, 2025, 02:10:28 PM
Same, I thought “classic” shapes were too old tech and most of all, too skinny so I’ve mostly been riding Conicals, specifically full sizes like F4 CF or NanoCubics, which are a conical shape on the inside. I was noticing my NanoCubics squeak a lot on crooks but not sure if that was because they are pretty new, or the Dragon 97 formula. Didn’t think it was the shape since I don’t notice it as much or at all with F4 CFs.

Are most of you saying it’s the grind or lock in that bothers you with more squared shapes? Because that part, I’m ok with. It’s the pop out I’ve been having trouble with that the classic shape has helped with.

On the note of grinding down regular Classics, I don’t want to deal with that, which is where the Classic Full shape comes in for me. I don’t think Radials are going to cut it for me based on my shape diagram overlays I posted and my limited experimenting with similar wheel shapes although I have not specifically tried F4 Radials.  For all purposes, the 53mm 99 Classic Fulls that just came out should be perfect for me but I’m just greedy and really want to try the same size and shape in their new 97 duro.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 11, 2025, 02:56:37 PM
I mean, regular classic 54s are listed as 33.6 wide and the mushroom classic full 53s are listed as 33.5 wide

You could just get 54mm classics in the new 97 and they're literally the same width as classic full 53s, and will wear down. It's .5 mm height difference and shouldn't affect your skating at all

The jump from 54 to 55/56 in classics is much bigger in width and weight though. I really wanted 56mm classics to work for me but I'm just not a big wheel dude. I might try them again in 93a. It's such a good lookin wheel

There's like three different wheels in the classic range, the smaller ones up to 54, bigger ones from 55 to 58, and 60s are on their own(and the same width as 54mm radial fulls, if you like worn-in 60s without the work). They just don't have a "worn in 56" available right now. So classic 54s it is, for me, for prolly forever
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 11, 2025, 05:03:25 PM
Hmmm, I did not realize the sizes were so close. That's certainly an option then. Thanks!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 11, 2025, 07:00:03 PM
I urge anyone who hasn't tried classics to give them a shot if interested.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 11, 2025, 09:09:36 PM
I didn't post about it here, but about four months ago I went through a bit of deck madness.  It hadn't happened in quite awhile, and that little bout confirmed my current set-up choices, so, that was good, actually.  It's been smooth sailing since then (and I actually got rid of/gave away all my extra madness-related gear). I only have one set-up now (not inc. cruiser, polarizer, etc.), and I am really happy with it.

There is, however, one thing left I've wanted to try. 151 T-2s (with much harder bushings) on my 8.75 deck. Tactics is have a 20% off sale, so I just got a set for $42 bucks. Can't say no that.  If I don't like them, anyone on here can have them for free (just pay shipping).

Updates to come...

 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 11, 2025, 09:16:47 PM
I might be going into a similar madness soon too. I’ve never owned Ventures before but I have a new set of standards I’m going to try on my next setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moykky on December 11, 2025, 10:15:13 PM
Same, I thought “classic” shapes were too old tech and most of all, too skinny so I’ve mostly been riding Conicals, specifically full sizes like F4 CF or NanoCubics, which are a conical shape on the inside. I was noticing my NanoCubics squeak a lot on crooks but not sure if that was because they are pretty new, or the Dragon 97 formula. Didn’t think it was the shape since I don’t notice it as much or at all with F4 CFs.

Are most of you saying it’s the grind or lock in that bothers you with more squared shapes? Because that part, I’m ok with. It’s the pop out I’ve been having trouble with that the classic shape has helped with.

On the note of grinding down regular Classics, I don’t want to deal with that, which is where the Classic Full shape comes in for me. I don’t think Radials are going to cut it for me based on my shape diagram overlays I posted and my limited experimenting with similar wheel shapes although I have not specifically tried F4 Radials.  For all purposes, the 53mm 99 Classic Fulls that just came out should be perfect for me but I’m just greedy and really want to try the same size and shape in their new 97 duro.

Hehee, I've always thought that Classics are the NEW tech, we used to ride those big wide wheels in the 80's... :D

I'm maybe more hyped about the new compounds (softer, slidability) used in wheels than the shapes. I suck regardless of the shape, but suck at least more comfortably...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on December 11, 2025, 10:26:25 PM
I've been a wide wheel only guy but I just bought a set of 54 Pig Wheels in a classic shape on sale. Just to try the shape out again in the spring for fun and because I've been skating a lot more ledges and flatground lately.

Used to skate Classic shapes when I was young just because that was just something that was around and I really didn't think about wheel shapes at all then. Now that I've skated regularly again for a few years I've only skated wider contact patch wheels in the 55-56 range and a high trucks, sometimes with risers and I feel it has only benefited my skating. Also with the four seasons here it's a lot less cumbersome to skate around with a bigger wheel than some 52mm rocks haha.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on December 12, 2025, 12:41:39 AM
To the last like 5 posts above,
I too really didn’t like how classic shaped wheels looked and thought they were the tech guy wheel. I bought into the wide/square wheel trend pretty early into my skating and was mainly skating transition too so I didn’t really seem to notice the affect on certain tricks. I also had not gotten the madness yet…
I moved and have been skating street and street plazas almost exclusively and finally started feeling like the big wide wheels were hindering me a bit. Heavy and square made my board hard to flip and like others have said, made me struggle with crooks
I bought the classic fulls in 53, and I now feel completely different about the look of them, and I’m not the most tech skater, but for me at least the switch has been more positive than negative (honestly no negatives at all).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 12, 2025, 03:09:58 AM
I didn't post about it here, but about four months ago I went through a bit of deck madness.  It hadn't happened in quite awhile, and that little bout confirmed my current set-up choices, so, that was good, actually.  It's been smooth sailing since then (and I actually got rid of/gave away all my extra madness-related gear). I only have one set-up now (not inc. cruiser, polarizer, etc.), and I am really happy with it.

There is, however, one thing left I've wanted to try. 151 T-2s (with much harder bushings) on my 8.75 deck. Tactics is have a 20% off sale, so I just got a set for $42 bucks. Can't say no that.  If I don't like them, anyone on here can have them for free (just pay shipping).

Updates to come...


The biggest thing to note with the T-II bushings, if things just feel way too soft and mushy, wipe them all down - the bushings, the washers, whatever they contact, then try them again.  Also leaving the board for a bit once you had a session or two on them, which gave mine a bit of time to firm up and sure enough, they actually firmed up more than the 94 duro Thunder bushings I have on another board, so I had to let them off half a turn.

Also after a few sessions, I felt like they were well worn in, bounced back nicely and had none - zero - of the initial wobbly loose, unbalanced feeling of them when I first put them on a board.  I guess anyone could have their own views of how they work, but this is what happened for me.

I set up two sets on identical boards, just to see, one with the stock bushings, then one with a test of regular Thunder 90, 94, 95, 97 and 100s and the 100s felt a touch firm but they were very good to go right from the first session.  They were all pre broken in bushings though, as I have some for testing, but even a set of new Thunder bushings, wiped off and good to go after one or two sessions of mellow rolling around.


For once, madness free for the T-II trucks, especially after reading all the things about them being way too loose to start with, which they absolutely were to me at first too.


* I have both sets of my Thunder T-II trucks with the kingpins in about the same position as my Indy trucks, eg back kingpin down two threads, front down one thread, then angle grinded off the excess kingpin to have everything flush, which also gives me more kingpin clearance, especially on the back truck for all the decker smith variations I like to do.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Amocat on December 12, 2025, 07:13:23 AM
Same, I thought “classic” shapes were too old tech and most of all, too skinny so I’ve mostly been riding Conicals, specifically full sizes like F4 CF or NanoCubics, which are a conical shape on the inside. I was noticing my NanoCubics squeak a lot on crooks but not sure if that was because they are pretty new, or the Dragon 97 formula. Didn’t think it was the shape since I don’t notice it as much or at all with F4 CFs.

Are most of you saying it’s the grind or lock in that bothers you with more squared shapes? Because that part, I’m ok with. It’s the pop out I’ve been having trouble with that the classic shape has helped with.

On the note of grinding down regular Classics, I don’t want to deal with that, which is where the Classic Full shape comes in for me. I don’t think Radials are going to cut it for me based on my shape diagram overlays I posted and my limited experimenting with similar wheel shapes although I have not specifically tried F4 Radials.  For all purposes, the 53mm 99 Classic Fulls that just came out should be perfect for me but I’m just greedy and really want to try the same size and shape in their new 97 duro.

I have a set of the 52mm 97 nano cubic that squeak on coping a lot, these were from when they first came out. I also have some of the wide 54 nano rats in 97, they barely ever squeak. Not sure if the formula got tweaked or size difference, they have both been skated pretty much the same as for being broken in. Hot and cold weather even. It's a mystery to me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 12, 2025, 08:33:49 AM
Expand Quote
I didn't post about it here, but about four months ago I went through a bit of deck madness.  It hadn't happened in quite awhile, and that little bout confirmed my current set-up choices, so, that was good, actually.  It's been smooth sailing since then (and I actually got rid of/gave away all my extra madness-related gear). I only have one set-up now (not inc. cruiser, polarizer, etc.), and I am really happy with it.

There is, however, one thing left I've wanted to try. 151 T-2s (with much harder bushings) on my 8.75 deck. Tactics is have a 20% off sale, so I just got a set for $42 bucks. Can't say no that.  If I don't like them, anyone on here can have them for free (just pay shipping).

Updates to come...
[close]


The biggest thing to note with the T-II bushings, if things just feel way too soft and mushy, wipe them all down - the bushings, the washers, whatever they contact, then try them again.  Also leaving the board for a bit once you had a session or two on them, which gave mine a bit of time to firm up and sure enough, they actually firmed up more than the 94 duro Thunder bushings I have on another board, so I had to let them off half a turn.

Also after a few sessions, I felt like they were well worn in, bounced back nicely and had none - zero - of the initial wobbly loose, unbalanced feeling of them when I first put them on a board.  I guess anyone could have their own views of how they work, but this is what happened for me.

I set up two sets on identical boards, just to see, one with the stock bushings, then one with a test of regular Thunder 90, 94, 95, 97 and 100s and the 100s felt a touch firm but they were very good to go right from the first session.  They were all pre broken in bushings though, as I have some for testing, but even a set of new Thunder bushings, wiped off and good to go after one or two sessions of mellow rolling around.


For once, madness free for the T-II trucks, especially after reading all the things about them being way too loose to start with, which they absolutely were to me at first too.


* I have both sets of my Thunder T-II trucks with the kingpins in about the same position as my Indy trucks, eg back kingpin down two threads, front down one thread, then angle grinded off the excess kingpin to have everything flush, which also gives me more kingpin clearance, especially on the back truck for all the decker smith variations I like to do.

Noted, and thanks! I ride 92a blue barrel Indy in my Indys, so I like things little more towards "extra medium." I also have a set of 100a and 97a Thunder bushings coming with the T-2s, so I'll get to mess around a bit with them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 13, 2025, 06:36:56 PM
Brothers,

As of today, I have given away all my different trucks and wheels that I would swap between during fits of madness.

I feel clean, and whole once more.

After all this time I have settled on some of the most common and readily available components. 8.38 14.5 wb dlx, 149 Indy standards, 56mm 99a f4 classics.

My Christmas wish is for everyone here to find this kind of peace in the upcoming new year.

Bless you all and may your madness be settled. I love you.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 13, 2025, 07:18:52 PM
I didn't post about it here, but about four months ago I went through a bit of deck madness.  It hadn't happened in quite awhile, and that little bout confirmed my current set-up choices, so, that was good, actually.  It's been smooth sailing since then (and I actually got rid of/gave away all my extra madness-related gear). I only have one set-up now (not inc. cruiser, polarizer, etc.), and I am really happy with it.

There is, however, one thing left I've wanted to try. 151 T-2s (with much harder bushings) on my 8.75 deck. Tactics is have a 20% off sale, so I just got a set for $42 bucks. Can't say no that.  If I don't like them, anyone on here can have them for free (just pay shipping).

Updates to come...

I'm still really digging my T2s (151s) but please be patient with those stock bushings. They start too soft and almost mushy, to firmer and then soft but with better rebound. It is a staged break in. Now mine are fully broken in they feel like a slightly improved Stage 11, in my estimation. 1mm lower, lighter, better KP clearance and better shaped baseplates for nose and tail slides. However, in saying all that, I still think I prefer Ace. Ace just work for the type of skateboarding I mostly do, bowls and curbs. I was skating a deep bowl yesterday and the T2s gave me a few scary wobbly moments where I knew my Ace would feel reliably predictable.... anyway... that's me...

I know the madness will make sure I rotate between Ace and T2s...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 13, 2025, 10:53:50 PM
I've been of madness already for a while but I know it's coming since my Lurpivs don't have that much life left and I have T2 and V8 on ice.
I can feel it creeping on me.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 12:44:14 AM
Brothers,

As of today, I have given away all my different trucks and wheels that I would swap between during fits of madness.

I feel clean, and whole once more.

After all this time I have settled on some of the most common and readily available components. 8.38 14.5 wb dlx, 149 Indy standards, 56mm 99a f4 classics.

My Christmas wish is for everyone here to find this kind of peace in the upcoming new year.

Bless you all and may your madness be settled. I love you.

Congrats!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 01:27:02 AM
Not really a per-se Madness thing, but this seems like a good place to post it.

I just did something…dramatic. Tactics is a 20% sale, so….I just ordered some Swiss ceramics. Always been curious about them…now we’ll find out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 14, 2025, 03:27:40 AM
Not really a per-se Madness thing, but this seems like a good place to post it.

I just did something…dramatic. Tactics is a 20% sale, so….I just ordered some Swiss ceramics. Always been curious about them…now we’ll find out.


Of all the usual things, bearings are one that I don't ever take for granted these days, even though I have been testing a number of cheap bearings, just to see how they hold up.

Coming from riding regular Swiss for quite a while, changing down to any other more basic bearings is one thing, but changing up to Swiss Ceramics, it will be interesting to see what you say about them.

What were you riding before, or have had in the past?

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 05:03:44 AM
Expand Quote
Not really a per-se Madness thing, but this seems like a good place to post it.

I just did something…dramatic. Tactics is a 20% sale, so….I just ordered some Swiss ceramics. Always been curious about them…now we’ll find out.
[close]


Of all the usual things, bearings are one that I don't ever take for granted these days, even though I have been testing a number of cheap bearings, just to see how they hold up.

Coming from riding regular Swiss for quite a while, changing down to any other more basic bearings is one thing, but changing up to Swiss Ceramics, it will be interesting to see what you say about them.

What were you riding before, or have had in the past?

Religious Swiss 6 rider. After getting on those, would never consider anything less. Never had Ceremics.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on December 14, 2025, 05:10:00 AM
Need some advice. Currently I'm riding standard 159 independents. Almost cured my gear madness. Even found myself putting the spare madness setup back in to the trunk without trying it and continued to ride my normal setup with indies.

There is one thing that makes me curious. Hollow or forged hollow vs standard. Is it worth it? Will 80g less weight really make a difference? I know I should probably just keep skating my standard 159s...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 14, 2025, 06:13:53 AM
Need some advice. Currently I'm riding standard 159 independents. Almost cured my gear madness. Even found myself putting the spare madness setup back in to the trunk without trying it and continued to ride my normal setup with indies.

There is one thing that makes me curious. Hollow or forged hollow vs standard. Is it worth it? Will 80g less weight really make a difference? I know I should probably just keep skating my standard 159s...

As someone who just went back and forth on all combos of standards/hollow/forged I will say that you should just stay on standards if you can manage the weight.

The not so obvious benefit of standards is the overall feel of the truck while riding. A solid axel, cast truck provides the best ride in my opinion.

This is all incredibly subjective of course. But the standards tend to push through grinds better and feel more damp and less rattle-y if that makes any sense. While it may take more energy to influence how the board moves, what this also means is that once the board is moving it tends to follow through whatever motion and is disrupted less easily. Hard to describe entirely.


 If you're used to the weight and feel I'd stick with em. Maybe size down to 149 if your board can accommodate that reasonably. Also want to consider the height changed if you go to forged. 1.5mm shorter than cast. So about half a riser pad difference.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 06:55:43 AM
Need some advice. Currently I'm riding standard 159 independents. Almost cured my gear madness. Even found myself putting the spare madness setup back in to the trunk without trying it and continued to ride my normal setup with indies.

There is one thing that makes me curious. Hollow or forged hollow vs standard. Is it worth it? Will 80g less weight really make a difference? I know I should probably just keep skating my standard 159s...

I rode forged hollows for a very, very, very long time. A few months ago I went back to Standards, and I've really been enjoying them. My board did feel a bit heavier, but it didn't seem to really impact things for me.* And after a few session, I stopped thinking about it. The two things I did really notice a positive difference on was on pop and "clearance".

As to pop, I found getting up on to stuff (e.g. any ollie, ollie to grind/slide, etc.) seemed to be a more effortless. It took me a few session to adjust for flip tricks, but it wasn't a huge deal.

The "clearance" thing I was not expecting. What I mean by "clearance" is how easy/quick it is for your kicks to "catch" or "hit" on something (e.g. nose grinds, nose wheelies, manuals, pivot to fakie, etc.). With the truck slightly higher, I seemed to have bit more leeway before on of the kicks "caught" or touched-down and threw me off. I've never been all that good at long nose wheelies. A low-truck/long nose wreck me on that trick. I always seem to hit the nose about 18" before the end of the ledge, which is just the worst place for that to happen, because you get chucked off the end. With standards, this seemed to be happening less (thank god), because I had bit more lee-way to play with before "contact."

After riding Standards for awhile, I tried Forged again. Just riding, it felt nice to be a bit lower, but my pop felt so flat because of the kicks hitting sooner (felt like trying to ollie just a deck, w/o trucks, on flat ground).

One other thing some have mentioned (I think @Mbrimson88 might be one of them), is that they like the "softer" kingpin of Standards for grinds.


*Actually, I think the added weight may have made grinds feel/work better? Once you get that mass moving, it plows through stuff, esp. crust, way more than lighter trucks do, IMHO. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 07:02:56 AM

This is all incredibly subjective of course. But the standards tend to push through grinds better and feel more damp and less rattle-y if that makes any sense. While it may take more energy to influence how the board moves, what this also means is that once the board is moving it tends to follow through whatever motion and is disrupted less easily. Hard to describe entirely.


^^^ Oh, wow. This is exactly one of the things I was trying to explain in my previous post. So, it's not just me then!

As to the original question, I'll add one other thing: Set-up ratios. This is a bit subjective, but common practice seems to bear it out a bit: I am firm believer that there are "magic ratios" that make set-ups feel right. For example, 55mm tall trucks with 56mm wheels doesn't "work" as well on a 7.75" as it does on a 8.75". Likewise 50mm tall trucks and 51mm wheels feel off on a 9" deck. Somewhere between those two is magic zone that works well. Finding the one that works for you, is for you to discover. I would never put standard Indys on an 8" deck, but they are great on wider ones, IMHO.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 14, 2025, 08:35:56 AM
Full Agree.

Height to Width ratio of your setup is definitely a thing to ponder. Helped my skateboarding a lot when I realized this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 14, 2025, 09:35:21 AM
There's a Hollow Standard variant you can do where it's
- Hollow Kingpin on a Cast 55m Baseplate
- Solid Hangar

That's probably the best combo closest to stock Standards and shaves some weight off without affecting height/geo/grind ability

You might have to buy 2x pairs of trucks or upcycle a previous pair to make this combo. I've tried it in the past and enjoyed it! I may revisit after my stint on some forged hollows right now
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Spacecase on December 14, 2025, 09:42:33 AM
Brothers,

As of today, I have given away all my different trucks and wheels that I would swap between during fits of madness.

I feel clean, and whole once more.

After all this time I have settled on some of the most common and readily available components. 8.38 14.5 wb dlx, 149 Indy standards, 56mm 99a f4 classics.

My Christmas wish is for everyone here to find this kind of peace in the upcoming new year.

Bless you all and may your madness be settled. I love you.

Yeah nice I did something similar today, put together a couple of completes from parts I don't skate anymore and left them around a few different pump tracks in town. Hope I at least converted one scooter kid in the process.

As long as I don't see them up on marketplace in a few days I'll consider it a win.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on December 14, 2025, 09:57:38 AM
I have tried forge Indy's twice now (1 year a part) and have gone back to my cast standards each time. I even tried the titaniums here's what I learned:

- the lighter the truck the slower the grind will be
- grinding feels "hollow" almost like rubbing an empty soup can against the ledge. (to me it feels like shit)
- when you pop you don't feel like your board is going to stay with you, it almost feels like your set up could blow away in the wind before you get on the ledge/rail

The only positive is stamina for flip tricks. Meaning since your set up is so lite your lower body doesn't fatigue as quickly. It's comparable to kicking a 1 pound soccer ball around versus a 5 pound soccer ball.


All in all I hate that I wasted money buying these but at least I know for the future no matter what trucks I try next they will have to be cast.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 14, 2025, 10:16:17 AM
I've found a happy place with my Standard 149s. However, I do have a pair of old Titanium 149s as well.

Anyone try cast baseplates with Titanium hangers? Should I just avoid the madness or is there any benefit? The weight difference wouldn't be massive, right?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on December 14, 2025, 11:31:16 AM
After being an AF1 guy for a few years I recently went to indy standards then lurpiv then back to indy then over the course of a couple weeks tried v8s and some old thunders. I actually liked the lurpivs but they felt too light, like the wind was gonna grab the board on flip tricks or something. Now back on 149 standards and probably just gotta admit to myself I'm an indy guy even though I don't feel very cool riding them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on December 14, 2025, 11:39:22 AM
Anyone try cast baseplates with Titanium hangers? Should I just avoid the madness or is there any benefit? The weight difference wouldn't be massive, right?

I did cast hollow bps with Ti hangers for a while. More space to turn before wheelbite, not sure how much the pop angle actually changes as wheelbase is pulled in a bit.

Now, in name of the topic, back on AF1s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 11:41:57 AM
I have tried forge Indy's twice now (1 year a part) and have gone back to my cast standards each time. I even tried the titaniums here's what I learned:

- the lighter the truck the slower the grind will be
- grinding feels "hollow" almost like rubbing an empty soup can against the ledge. (to me it feels like shit)
- when you pop you don't feel like your board is going to stay with you, it almost feels like your set up could blow away in the wind before you get on the ledge/rail

The only positive is stamina for flip tricks. Meaning since your set up is so lite your lower body doesn't fatigue as quickly. It's comparable to kicking a 1 pound soccer ball around versus a 5 pound soccer ball.


Having been on Forged Hollows for YEARS, and now on Cast...I now agree with all of this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on December 14, 2025, 12:28:08 PM
I have used some Ti hangers on cast plates. They're barely lighter than the hollow axles. Most of the weight savings is in the kingpin. It's not a magical combination. My current trucks are the full hollow cast and I can't tell a difference between standards. The only standards the shop had had colored plates.

I agree with everyone above about forged hollows. They just don't have that magic the cast have. 55mm is tall, but it never feels hefty or delayed to me like a Venture since the wheelbase is shorter. Such a great snap to them. That's also why I'm not interested in lighter T2s since those already are light and have a light pop feel.

Speaking of the T2 I put them on a normal setup and then realized it was dumb to have an 8.25-8.5 shorter popsicle with Indy's and then an 8.5-8.75 longer popsicle on T2s. They're close enough in effective measurements that they're not all that different. I gave my T2 setup to a kid at the shop and my longer board just has some 159s now.

I was in the shop this week and a younger employee that could be full of shit said the Indy pre books having Iron Cross merch again. Can anyone confirm if they have heard or seen the same? If so it was premature to ditch the T2s as this will definitely make me abandon the brand. I've looked past their past cringe behavior and respected removing the cross, but bringing back a hate symbol to satisfy some meatheads is a shitty move.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 01:08:20 PM

I was in the shop this week and a younger employee that could be full of shit said the Indy pre books having Iron Cross merch again.


Hewitt's last IG post was this (see below). It had me wondering, plus what was in the comment section. Now seeing your comments, too...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEj1qmFEh0/
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on December 14, 2025, 03:49:56 PM
Expand Quote

I was in the shop this week and a younger employee that could be full of shit said the Indy pre books having Iron Cross merch again.

[close]

Hewitt's last IG post was this (see below). It had me wondering, plus what was in the comment section. Now seeing your comments, too...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEj1qmFEh0/

Saw THawk and lil motorcycle man rocking it recently on what looked to be new clothing during some event or another.

The political climate is certainly in the favor of the “anti woke” crowd so maybe Indy is just gonna bring it back as quietly as they removed it and lean into the zeitgeist.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 03:58:35 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

I was in the shop this week and a younger employee that could be full of shit said the Indy pre books having Iron Cross merch again.

[close]

Hewitt's last IG post was this (see below). It had me wondering, plus what was in the comment section. Now seeing your comments, too...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSEj1qmFEh0/
[close]

Saw THawk and lil motorcycle man rocking it recently on what looked to be new clothing during some event or another.

The political climate is certainly in the favor of the “anti woke” crowd so maybe Indy is just gonna bring it back as quietly as they removed it and lean into the zeitgeist.

Oh! Yeah. I did see Hawk with it, too. Totally forgot about that. Assuming it’s back, what a great way to just agitate EVERYONE. Like, just have some conviction, one way or the other.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: toque on December 14, 2025, 04:01:22 PM
Pretty sure I saw an AVE clip with the iron cross shirt on IG or somethin in the past few days
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 14, 2025, 04:01:51 PM
After all that shit they bring the cross back...? Losing all faith in NHS.

I'd have more respect if they'd just held their ground in the beginning...

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 04:07:04 PM
After all that shit they bring the cross back...? Losing all faith in NHS.

I'd have more respect if they'd just held their ground in the beginning...

Every word of this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 14, 2025, 04:56:31 PM
I've found a happy place with my Standard 149s. However, I do have a pair of old Titanium 149s as well.

Anyone try cast baseplates with Titanium hangers? Should I just avoid the madness or is there any benefit? The weight difference wouldn't be massive, right?

Yea, they basically just feel like better cast hollows.

Close in weight, same height, but solid axle and kp.

Still prefer the standards more overall right now because of the added heft. But I could see myself going back to that combo if my aging body stops being able to Ollie on standards lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 14, 2025, 07:29:39 PM
To all yall that tried the cast hollows and didn’t like em. I’m curious what size yall skated them in? I feel once you get to 149s and up you should still get a solid enough heft to push it through grinds? Just a curiosity question
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 14, 2025, 07:47:30 PM
To all yall that tried the cast hollows and didn’t like em. I’m curious what size yall skated them in? I feel once you get to 149s and up you should still get a solid enough heft to push it through grinds? Just a curiosity question

149
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 07:48:14 PM
To all yall that tried the cast hollows and didn’t like em. I’m curious what size yall skated them in? I feel once you get to 149s and up you should still get a solid enough heft to push it through grinds? Just a curiosity question

144s
149s
159s
169s

The push you speak of is relative. Yes, a 169 hollow will “push” through more compared to a 144 (but part of that is also just the additional weight of bigger board/wheels, too, and not the trucks alone), but compare a 169 forged / hollow to a 169 standard cast, and you’ll still notice a difference in “push.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 14, 2025, 10:30:34 PM
To all yall that tried the cast hollows and didn’t like em. I’m curious what size yall skated them in? I feel once you get to 149s and up you should still get a solid enough heft to push it through grinds? Just a curiosity question

144, 149, 159

I prefer standards and only skate 149s now
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 14, 2025, 10:38:53 PM
Expand Quote
To all yall that tried the cast hollows and didn’t like em. I’m curious what size yall skated them in? I feel once you get to 149s and up you should still get a solid enough heft to push it through grinds? Just a curiosity question
[close]

144, 149, 159

I prefer standards and only skate 149s now

I feel like 149s and 159s are the most "magical" Indy in terms of how the turn feels.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on December 15, 2025, 12:34:27 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
To all yall that tried the cast hollows and didn’t like em. I’m curious what size yall skated them in? I feel once you get to 149s and up you should still get a solid enough heft to push it through grinds? Just a curiosity question
[close]

144, 149, 159

I prefer standards and only skate 149s now
[close]

I feel like 149s and 159s are the most "magical" Indy in terms of how the turn feels.

I agree, and same thing for Aces (AF1 44 vs 55/60). How can there be such a (mental) difference in 5mm of hanger when moving from 144 to 149? Is it only in my head?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 15, 2025, 03:49:13 AM
Leverage? I dunno. I agree though, I love 149, 159, and 169. I used to have some 169 standards and they were killer. I think a lot of folks agree that the proportions and turn start to feel really good around at 149

I think with the shorter axle on 139/144 it feels stiffer or something.

And apart from having more board to land on when jumping down stuff, maybe the 8.5 deck + 139s combo turns better too because of more leverage from the wider deck

Didn't Leo Romero used to skate 129s on like an 8" or 8.25"? He ended up finally switching to 139s a while back hahah

----

I think 8" and 8.25" trucks are best when they're lower, and with a wider wheelbase. So like, thunders or venture lows. And the thunder 8" are lower than the thunder 8.25"... Indy 144s are good but I like matching my wheels to the edge of my board(149s on 8.25 deck) and indys are kinda tall for an 8" board for me, I know lots of pros ran Indy 139s though throughout the 90s and beyond... I think these sizes work best with sub-52mm wheels but you can absolutely have a good time on 144s with 56mm wheels, I just don't like how it feels say, 50-50ing a ledge cause it's not as flat to stand on as a wider truck, tougher to pinch on rails, etc

For 8.5" trucks, I think Indy works the best imo but pretty much any mid or high truck from any brand works great in this size depending on how you like your pop angle/feel(truck wheelbase). I think these work best with like, 52 to 54mm wheels but depending on your wheelbite situation or how you like your pop angle, I've ran 58mm radials on 149s with no risers and it worked really well. I think 149s work really well for pinching and locking on rails, vs the tighter trucks, 139s, like double-heel locked 50-50s in the 90s

For 8.75 and 9" trucks I think Aces work best, with bigger boards often having longer wheelbases, and wider setups often having bigger wheels... The smaller wheelbase of Aces balances it out a lil. Indy, lurpiv, slappy, good here too if you like a steeper pop angle.. but if you use smaller wheels on a wide truck those might work better for you than aces

And then there's kick angles on certain decks, like a mellow kick deck might work really good with indys, lurpivs, venture highs, whatever and a board with steeper kicks might match aces pretty good... And if you want the chillest pop angle you can run like, smaller wheels, aces, and a baker OG shape or easy rider or something

----idk-----

149s for me seem to be the sweet spot, for running 8.25 or 8.5 boards

I mean for stage 7 and 8, they were 146s(8.375"). I had a couple sets of each and loved them, then I went to 149s cause they both had a 4 in it and figured it was the same shit

I don't know why I don't like 144s as much, I should try some again since I've only had hollows in em... But I think 149 are more versatile.. I can slap some old super ground down 149s on a reissue 80s board and wheels and they fit right in. 139/144 are like, 90s size trucks to me... And if your riding those sizes you're either into like, tech skating, or are a smaller person, or whatever. The 8.25" trucks are hugely popular though and hella pros ride them, Jerry and Spanly included... Also a lot of kids think you absolutely have to match your board size exactly to your truck size, and 8.25 is the best selling board size right now

It's such a small difference between 144 and 149 but there's just something about the 149s, heavy as they are, that I like so much
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 15, 2025, 07:32:20 AM
Leverage? I dunno. I agree though, I love 149, 159, and 169. I used to have some 169 standards and they were killer. I think a lot of folks agree that the proportions and turn start to feel really good around at 149

I think with the shorter axle on 139/144 it feels stiffer or something.

And apart from having more board to land on when jumping down stuff, maybe the 8.5 deck + 139s combo turns better too because of more leverage from the wider deck

Didn't Leo Romero used to skate 129s on like an 8" or 8.25"? He ended up finally switching to 139s a while back hahah

----

I think 8" and 8.25" trucks are best when they're lower, and with a wider wheelbase. So like, thunders or venture lows. And the thunder 8" are lower than the thunder 8.25"... Indy 144s are good but I like matching my wheels to the edge of my board(149s on 8.25 deck) and indys are kinda tall for an 8" board for me, I know lots of pros ran Indy 139s though throughout the 90s and beyond... I think these sizes work best with sub-52mm wheels but you can absolutely have a good time on 144s with 56mm wheels, I just don't like how it feels say, 50-50ing a ledge cause it's not as flat to stand on as a wider truck, tougher to pinch on rails, etc

For 8.5" trucks, I think Indy works the best imo but pretty much any mid or high truck from any brand works great in this size depending on how you like your pop angle/feel(truck wheelbase). I think these work best with like, 52 to 54mm wheels but depending on your wheelbite situation or how you like your pop angle, I've ran 58mm radials on 149s with no risers and it worked really well. I think 149s work really well for pinching and locking on rails, vs the tighter trucks, 139s, like double-heel locked 50-50s in the 90s

For 8.75 and 9" trucks I think Aces work best, with bigger boards often having longer wheelbases, and wider setups often having bigger wheels... The smaller wheelbase of Aces balances it out a lil. Indy, lurpiv, slappy, good here too if you like a steeper pop angle.. but if you use smaller wheels on a wide truck those might work better for you than aces

And then there's kick angles on certain decks, like a mellow kick deck might work really good with indys, lurpivs, venture highs, whatever and a board with steeper kicks might match aces pretty good... And if you want the chillest pop angle you can run like, smaller wheels, aces, and a baker OG shape or easy rider or something

----idk-----

149s for me seem to be the sweet spot, for running 8.25 or 8.5 boards

I mean for stage 7 and 8, they were 146s(8.375"). I had a couple sets of each and loved them, then I went to 149s cause they both had a 4 in it and figured it was the same shit

I don't know why I don't like 144s as much, I should try some again since I've only had hollows in em... But I think 149 are more versatile.. I can slap some old super ground down 149s on a reissue 80s board and wheels and they fit right in. 139/144 are like, 90s size trucks to me... And if your riding those sizes you're either into like, tech skating, or are a smaller person, or whatever. The 8.25" trucks are hugely popular though and hella pros ride them, Jerry and Spanly included... Also a lot of kids think you absolutely have to match your board size exactly to your truck size, and 8.25 is the best selling board size right now

It's such a small difference between 144 and 149 but there's just something about the 149s, heavy as they are, that I like so much

Yeah, 144s just feel...tighter, and more...linear(??). I don't know how else to explain it. When you go from 144 to 149 it's just like, "OH! This is what a stable yet deep any surfy turn is supposed to feel like!"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 15, 2025, 09:52:00 AM
Expand Quote
Leverage? I dunno. I agree though, I love 149, 159, and 169. I used to have some 169 standards and they were killer. I think a lot of folks agree that the proportions and turn start to feel really good around at 149

I think with the shorter axle on 139/144 it feels stiffer or something.

And apart from having more board to land on when jumping down stuff, maybe the 8.5 deck + 139s combo turns better too because of more leverage from the wider deck

Didn't Leo Romero used to skate 129s on like an 8" or 8.25"? He ended up finally switching to 139s a while back hahah

----

I think 8" and 8.25" trucks are best when they're lower, and with a wider wheelbase. So like, thunders or venture lows. And the thunder 8" are lower than the thunder 8.25"... Indy 144s are good but I like matching my wheels to the edge of my board(149s on 8.25 deck) and indys are kinda tall for an 8" board for me, I know lots of pros ran Indy 139s though throughout the 90s and beyond... I think these sizes work best with sub-52mm wheels but you can absolutely have a good time on 144s with 56mm wheels, I just don't like how it feels say, 50-50ing a ledge cause it's not as flat to stand on as a wider truck, tougher to pinch on rails, etc

For 8.5" trucks, I think Indy works the best imo but pretty much any mid or high truck from any brand works great in this size depending on how you like your pop angle/feel(truck wheelbase). I think these work best with like, 52 to 54mm wheels but depending on your wheelbite situation or how you like your pop angle, I've ran 58mm radials on 149s with no risers and it worked really well. I think 149s work really well for pinching and locking on rails, vs the tighter trucks, 139s, like double-heel locked 50-50s in the 90s

For 8.75 and 9" trucks I think Aces work best, with bigger boards often having longer wheelbases, and wider setups often having bigger wheels... The smaller wheelbase of Aces balances it out a lil. Indy, lurpiv, slappy, good here too if you like a steeper pop angle.. but if you use smaller wheels on a wide truck those might work better for you than aces

And then there's kick angles on certain decks, like a mellow kick deck might work really good with indys, lurpivs, venture highs, whatever and a board with steeper kicks might match aces pretty good... And if you want the chillest pop angle you can run like, smaller wheels, aces, and a baker OG shape or easy rider or something

----idk-----

149s for me seem to be the sweet spot, for running 8.25 or 8.5 boards

I mean for stage 7 and 8, they were 146s(8.375"). I had a couple sets of each and loved them, then I went to 149s cause they both had a 4 in it and figured it was the same shit

I don't know why I don't like 144s as much, I should try some again since I've only had hollows in em... But I think 149 are more versatile.. I can slap some old super ground down 149s on a reissue 80s board and wheels and they fit right in. 139/144 are like, 90s size trucks to me... And if your riding those sizes you're either into like, tech skating, or are a smaller person, or whatever. The 8.25" trucks are hugely popular though and hella pros ride them, Jerry and Spanly included... Also a lot of kids think you absolutely have to match your board size exactly to your truck size, and 8.25 is the best selling board size right now

It's such a small difference between 144 and 149 but there's just something about the 149s, heavy as they are, that I like so much
[close]

Yeah, 144s just feel...tighter, and more...linear(??). I don't know how else to explain it. When you go from 144 to 149 it's just like, "OH! This is what a stable yet deep any surfy turn is supposed to feel like!"

i’ve bitched about this a lot. something about the proportions of indys makes me like 159 standards, the best. too big and too heavy. the slower turn, and wider base feels good tho.

i quickly put 144s to the side, but thats probably the size i should try again. i spent too much time on 8/sub 8 boards, and now im so so old, that trying to nollie flop 149s is painful.

probably why i liked stage 10s, lower.
i have too many skateboard items, and never need to buy a thing again, adjusted for age and time spent actually skating. would be nice to bang out a few more tricks tho.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 15, 2025, 12:05:01 PM
Shooot I meant to ask forged hollows not cast hollows in my original question/post. I like the height of the forged but miss the extra heft the forged standards had. That why my initial thought would be that wouldn’t 149’and up still carry a decent amount of heft
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 15, 2025, 12:29:24 PM
Shooot I meant to ask forged hollows not cast hollows in my original question/post. I like the height of the forged but miss the extra heft the forged standards had. That why my initial thought would be that wouldn’t 149’and up still carry a decent amount of heft

FH are lighter than cast hollows. The relative-ness I spoke of before still applies, but even more so because Forged are less weight (plus the “tin” feeling associated with Forged).

Short answer: No, nothing feels/plows through like a standard cast.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 15, 2025, 12:37:10 PM
i forgot to chime in with my agreement to the indy standard grind: pretty ideal. the older metal was better for this, but current standards really do grind threw whatever. i think my ideal would be forged plate, for height, and solid axle, for heft. i skate too slow. on a chunky ledge, a lighter truck chatters around.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 15, 2025, 01:24:38 PM
i forgot to chime in with my agreement to the indy standard grind: pretty ideal. the older metal was better for this, but current standards really do grind threw whatever. i think my ideal would be forged plate, for height, and solid axle, for heft. i skate too slow. on a chunky ledge, a lighter truck chatters around.

Love the grind on stage 7 but I cracked a hanger in half right down the middle when I weighed like 120 lbs

Stage 11 is good enough for me

Though it'd be nice to grab some old hangers and put them on stage 11 baseplates just for the softer grind

I think Ben Degros has a video where he puts a solid hanger on a hollow forged baseplate
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 15, 2025, 01:48:44 PM
i forgot to chime in with my agreement to the indy standard grind: pretty ideal. the older metal was better for this, but current standards really do grind threw whatever. i think my ideal would be forged plate, for height, and solid axle, for heft. i skate too slow. on a chunky ledge, a lighter truck chatters around.

My last decision on my setup was between standards or forged plate with a standard hanger.

Ended up on the standards because the forged plates didn't feel as good while riding around, and they still felt to light in some situations.

I was over rotating/flipping tricks a lot in comparison to standards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 15, 2025, 02:17:56 PM
I have tried forge Indy's twice now (1 year a part) and have gone back to my cast standards each time. I even tried the titaniums here's what I learned:

- the lighter the truck the slower the grind will be
- grinding feels "hollow" almost like rubbing an empty soup can against the ledge. (to me it feels like shit)
- when you pop you don't feel like your board is going to stay with you, it almost feels like your set up could blow away in the wind before you get on the ledge/rail

The only positive is stamina for flip tricks. Meaning since your set up is so lite your lower body doesn't fatigue as quickly. It's comparable to kicking a 1 pound soccer ball around versus a 5 pound soccer ball.


All in all I hate that I wasted money buying these but at least I know for the future no matter what trucks I try next they will have to be cast.
All this talk and I'm thinking, "My Tensor Maglights are light as shit and grind faster and smoother than anything else I've tried." ;D

That being said, I haven't ridden them in a while. They are 8.25" and I've been riding 8.5" trucks lately for some the other reasons mentioned. Not Indys though. Standard Thunders and AF1 with standard Baseplate/Hollow axel. The hollow AF1 axel seems fine to me with no noticeable difference from the 8.25" solid axel I replaced. In my mind, I want things to be as light as possible. When I'm actually skating, I don't think any of it makes a difference other than just getting used to it but those Maglights do noticeably grind smooth as butter (and probably wear out almost as fast).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 15, 2025, 05:29:06 PM
Expand Quote
i forgot to chime in with my agreement to the indy standard grind: pretty ideal. the older metal was better for this, but current standards really do grind threw whatever. i think my ideal would be forged plate, for height, and solid axle, for heft. i skate too slow. on a chunky ledge, a lighter truck chatters around.
[close]

My last decision on my setup was between standards or forged plate with a standard hanger.

Ended up on the standards because the forged plates didn't feel as good while riding around, and they still felt to light in some situations.

I was over rotating/flipping tricks a lot in comparison to standards.

yeah if i wasn’t made of wet tissue paper and could toss around 149 standards i’d be about it too. over rotating!? smdh. sounds like strong-boi shit. could not be me.
i’ve broken recorded this so many times but big boards feel great, until they don’t (20 minutes into the session for me). i’m stuck in 1994, but don’t want to skate a 7.5. meaning i’m out here just trying to hang onto some flatground floppery and call it a day.
a large amount of my madness and me even being on slap revolves around 149s and how i cannot hang.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 15, 2025, 05:37:36 PM
First time posting on here so sorry for coming out of left field with a random few paragraphs, don’t really know if I have gear madness but i did bounce around trucks for a min there before settling on ventures… i never get the disdain for ventures due to the stock bushings just switch em out lol
Ya’ll had gotten me curious though on the geometry and I couldn’t find anything on if doh dohs and skatecushes were the same height and I got all in my head about the geometry and I also remembered this old Jenkem mag loose truck guide video or something & I thought forsure everyone was gonna say blue doh dohs but alot of folks said the soft skate cushes is what they ran including Spiderman Dan so that always had me curious a lil bit
but anyways I finally brought some the other week I think i brought the last set you could from a skate shop in US (maybe anywhere except ebay) the bottom bushing seemed to be the same size and the top bushing was just a little smaller on the doh doh but I had been skating em
Still think the top bushing from doh dohs might just be a lil smaller in general though
I’ve only had one sesh in an indoor so far and they felt good but then i went outside in like 20 degree weather to bomb a hill and they got hard as hell on the way up lol definitely something I love and appreciate about the doh dohs but I’ll keep trying these out. Dunno if anyone cares about skate cushes but though ya’ll might enjoy that

I also was laughing at myself feeling a lil ridiculous cause I got some lock in wheels from a homie and then learned the inside is cut in straight so puttin the wheels graphics in would be pointless and probably weird but it keeps bugging me having the graphics out so i currently have em chillin in some acetone to get back to bare wheels also gonna throw in a pair of olympia ceramic bearings I’ll give an update how they compare to these hand me down swiss’s i got years back
Thanks for reading and ya’ll have a great night
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 15, 2025, 05:54:48 PM
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i forgot to chime in with my agreement to the indy standard grind: pretty ideal. the older metal was better for this, but current standards really do grind threw whatever. i think my ideal would be forged plate, for height, and solid axle, for heft. i skate too slow. on a chunky ledge, a lighter truck chatters around.
[close]

My last decision on my setup was between standards or forged plate with a standard hanger.

Ended up on the standards because the forged plates didn't feel as good while riding around, and they still felt to light in some situations.

I was over rotating/flipping tricks a lot in comparison to standards.
[close]

yeah if i wasn’t made of wet tissue paper and could toss around 149 standards i’d be about it too. over rotating!? smdh. sounds like strong-boi shit. could not be me.
i’ve broken recorded this so many times but big boards feel great, until they don’t (20 minutes into the session for me). i’m stuck in 1994, but don’t want to skate a 7.5. meaning i’m out here just trying to hang onto some flatground floppery and call it a day.
a large amount of my madness and me even being on slap revolves around 149s and how i cannot hang.

Don't sell yourself short man, I'm a pretty skinny guy tbh. I exercise a fair bit but I'm no muscle man.

You would be surprised what you can manage. A year or two ago I would've said you were crazy if you said I'd be skating standards now and gave all my other shit away.

I have a pretty decent kick flip and tre flip, those are the only things I would over spin. Another thing with a lighter setup is that everything just seems to stick to your feet less. Like after you catch a flip trick, the slightest wrong movement can make it bounce off your feet. I notice this on especially light setups on 180s a whole lot. Forged hollows, Indy titaniums, thunder team hollows.

I'm sounding like an Indy standard evangelist at this point so I'm just gonna stop lol.

Just trying to paint the picture that my initial perspective of weight, is not how I ended up viewing it after years of experimenting.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 15, 2025, 11:33:25 PM

Another thing with a lighter setup is that everything just seems to stick to your feet less.


I am a relatively recent convert to Standards from Forged Hollows (and Ti prior to that)...and I fully back this claim. At first the height, pop, and weight had me a bit thrown off. But then once I tamed it, I was just, "WHOA! WHOA!" Like, even on just an ollie, or a f/s 5-0 grind on transition...it doesn't feel like a slight breeze, or misplacement of feet, etc. is going to cause the board to get...squirrelly, and do something weird. I was texting with a friend about this tonight, and he said, "Yeah, cast indys are like sleeping with a weighted-blanket. Shit just feels better." I back that.

That said, I'm still not sure I'd ride cast on anything under 8.5....that set-up ratio shit were talking about a few posts ago.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 15, 2025, 11:34:53 PM
First time posting on here so sorry for coming out of left field with a random few paragraphs, don’t really know if I have gear madness but i did bounce around trucks for a min there before settling on ventures… i never get the disdain for ventures due to the stock bushings just switch em out lol
Ya’ll had gotten me curious though on the geometry and I couldn’t find anything on if doh dohs and skatecushes were the same height and I got all in my head about the geometry and I also remembered this old Jenkem mag loose truck guide video or something & I thought forsure everyone was gonna say blue doh dohs but alot of folks said the soft skate cushes is what they ran including Spiderman Dan so that always had me curious a lil bit
but anyways I finally brought some the other week I think i brought the last set you could from a skate shop in US (maybe anywhere except ebay) the bottom bushing seemed to be the same size and the top bushing was just a little smaller on the doh doh but I had been skating em
Still think the top bushing from doh dohs might just be a lil smaller in general though
I’ve only had one sesh in an indoor so far and they felt good but then i went outside in like 20 degree weather to bomb a hill and they got hard as hell on the way up lol definitely something I love and appreciate about the doh dohs but I’ll keep trying these out. Dunno if anyone cares about skate cushes but though ya’ll might enjoy that

I also was laughing at myself feeling a lil ridiculous cause I got some lock in wheels from a homie and then learned the inside is cut in straight so puttin the wheels graphics in would be pointless and probably weird but it keeps bugging me having the graphics out so i currently have em chillin in some acetone to get back to bare wheels also gonna throw in a pair of olympia ceramic bearings I’ll give an update how they compare to these hand me down swiss’s i got years back
Thanks for reading and ya’ll have a great night
Well my friend, yes you have it.
Welcome.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 16, 2025, 04:33:49 AM
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Another thing with a lighter setup is that everything just seems to stick to your feet less.

[close]

That said, I'm still not sure I'd ride cast on anything under 8.5....that set-up ratio shit were talking about a few posts ago.

I'd say you could make it work with smaller wheels 50-52. Or just use the all cast mids.

I have a buddy who is pretty good, Mannys, ledge, flip tricks guy who skates 8.0 decks with Indy standards and 50ish mm wheels
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 16, 2025, 04:38:19 AM
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First time posting on here so sorry for coming out of left field with a random few paragraphs, don’t really know if I have gear madness but i did bounce around trucks for a min there before settling on ventures… i never get the disdain for ventures due to the stock bushings just switch em out lol
Ya’ll had gotten me curious though on the geometry and I couldn’t find anything on if doh dohs and skatecushes were the same height and I got all in my head about the geometry and I also remembered this old Jenkem mag loose truck guide video or something & I thought forsure everyone was gonna say blue doh dohs but alot of folks said the soft skate cushes is what they ran including Spiderman Dan so that always had me curious a lil bit
but anyways I finally brought some the other week I think i brought the last set you could from a skate shop in US (maybe anywhere except ebay) the bottom bushing seemed to be the same size and the top bushing was just a little smaller on the doh doh but I had been skating em
Still think the top bushing from doh dohs might just be a lil smaller in general though
I’ve only had one sesh in an indoor so far and they felt good but then i went outside in like 20 degree weather to bomb a hill and they got hard as hell on the way up lol definitely something I love and appreciate about the doh dohs but I’ll keep trying these out. Dunno if anyone cares about skate cushes but though ya’ll might enjoy that

I also was laughing at myself feeling a lil ridiculous cause I got some lock in wheels from a homie and then learned the inside is cut in straight so puttin the wheels graphics in would be pointless and probably weird but it keeps bugging me having the graphics out so i currently have em chillin in some acetone to get back to bare wheels also gonna throw in a pair of olympia ceramic bearings I’ll give an update how they compare to these hand me down swiss’s i got years back
Thanks for reading and ya’ll have a great night
[close]
Well my friend, yes you have it.
Welcome.

This rabbit hole will go as deep as you want it to man, try not get get lost in the madness. Experimenting can be fun until it starts messing with your enjoyment of the activity.

So tread lightly, and godspeed @bluedohdohs

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on December 16, 2025, 07:05:20 AM
First time posting on here so sorry for coming out of left field with a random few paragraphs, don’t really know if I have gear madness but i did bounce around trucks for a min there before settling on ventures… i never get the disdain for ventures due to the stock bushings just switch em out lol
Ya’ll had gotten me curious though on the geometry and I couldn’t find anything on if doh dohs and skatecushes were the same height and I got all in my head about the geometry and I also remembered this old Jenkem mag loose truck guide video or something & I thought forsure everyone was gonna say blue doh dohs but alot of folks said the soft skate cushes is what they ran including Spiderman Dan so that always had me curious a lil bit
but anyways I finally brought some the other week I think i brought the last set you could from a skate shop in US (maybe anywhere except ebay) the bottom bushing seemed to be the same size and the top bushing was just a little smaller on the doh doh but I had been skating em
Still think the top bushing from doh dohs might just be a lil smaller in general though
I’ve only had one sesh in an indoor so far and they felt good but then i went outside in like 20 degree weather to bomb a hill and they got hard as hell on the way up lol definitely something I love and appreciate about the doh dohs but I’ll keep trying these out. Dunno if anyone cares about skate cushes but though ya’ll might enjoy that

I also was laughing at myself feeling a lil ridiculous cause I got some lock in wheels from a homie and then learned the inside is cut in straight so puttin the wheels graphics in would be pointless and probably weird but it keeps bugging me having the graphics out so i currently have em chillin in some acetone to get back to bare wheels also gonna throw in a pair of olympia ceramic bearings I’ll give an update how they compare to these hand me down swiss’s i got years back
Thanks for reading and ya’ll have a great night

Welcome to the madness. When Drehobl was riding for Venture the kingpins on most trucks at the time were 2 threads longer than they are now and the stock bushings were 92a, so he was riding what was considered soft at the time so 90a. The stock bushings in Venture now that the kingpins are shorter are already  90a so I’m assuming you got the 88a?
Venture stock bushings (and Thunder) are known to freeze pretty quickly in cold temps and are from the same distribution as the Super Cush.
Your blue doh-dohs are 88a less prone to freezing so they’re honestly your best bet. If you want a bit more carve try the blue Doh-dohs Cones. They will have a sharper turn and come with a flat top washer that you can use to really get them swerving if that’s what you’re after.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 16, 2025, 10:40:53 AM
Thanks for the welcoming Rick, Rick & moonordie
Yeah the Bait & tackles do freeze up easily. Def gonna go doh dohs if i skate outside but the indoor we have is nice and warm so I’m gonna try to leave em in and just get a few more sessions to try them out.

I think I will try some doh doh cones Richard I don’t have any complaints with the barrels but occasionally i miss how surfy rocking aces was
I thankfully don’t have the madness right now with trucks i think i’m happy with standard cast ventures 5.6s right now I read up on the thread a little and I agree that light trucks seem to escape your feet too easily.
I admittedly never thought about wheelbase until like five years back but i think about a three year break from skating just trying to focus on a career and house but I’m pretty sure i like a short wheel base
Honestly most of my curiosity has been with wheels and bearngs because i never experimented with them I brought a set of Oski conicals 53 or 54 and skated them for years they’re probably 49mm now & I just started getting curious on all the shapes out there and reading on em and now I’m like curious about the 93 or 97s F4s
Have ya’ll just mainly been tinkering with trucks or what have ya’ll been experimenting with
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on December 16, 2025, 11:09:27 AM
Coming back from another session with standard 159s.
I've zero desire to change anything. I'm using mini logo 94a bushings which have broken in nicely. They even work in temperature around freezing. Currently I'm using 56mm bones which are down to 51 and a razortailed deck and I'm having the most fun in a while.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 16, 2025, 03:09:15 PM

Have ya’ll just mainly been tinkering with trucks or what have ya’ll been experimenting with


If it involves a skateboard, we've been tinkering with it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 16, 2025, 03:40:32 PM
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Another thing with a lighter setup is that everything just seems to stick to your feet less.

[close]

That said, I'm still not sure I'd ride cast on anything under 8.5....that set-up ratio shit were talking about a few posts ago.
[close]

I'd say you could make it work with smaller wheels 50-52. Or just use the all cast mids.

I have a buddy who is pretty good, Mannys, ledge, flip tricks guy who skates 8.0 decks with Indy standards and 50ish mm wheels

i’ve definitely considered the mids. have never heard someone stoked about em enough to try. (not that stops me from trying fucked up trucks, my all
time best sessions were on 145s, lows i think, and the previous generation of 8” royals regular height).

an 8” on 139s with 50-52 was the early 2000 size up, from 7.75 and 5.0 lo ventures. that was the common kit for many around me.

standard height indy evangelical posts make a lot of sense to me.
the weight was often considered helpful way back when, with smaller setups, and in particular with grinds.
golden era (for me, middle to the late of the 90s) folks would go back and forth between 5.0 lows and regular indys. on the pro level, stevie williams. often skating with 50 ish wheels.
shit maybe i should try that again
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 16, 2025, 04:03:41 PM
I'm really liking the idea of 8.25" with 14" wb, with 149s. I'm gonna pick an 8.25 SWB this week for sure

It's like, an 8.25 that skates like an 8, with 8.5 trucks

Seems like the best middle ground for me, having shorter legs and liking 149s... 8" style wheelbase, 8.25" width, 8.5" trucks.. balanced lol

Pops like an 8, feels like an 8.25, grinds like an 8.5

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 16, 2025, 04:47:04 PM


Have ya’ll just mainly been tinkering with trucks or what have ya’ll been experimenting with




I left your one line here, mainly because that iceberg is so very big, even if you have only seen the tip of it so far.

In general though, I think people can go through it with anything, be it their deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, bushings, bolts and even grip, as well as shoes, pants, socks, caps, so you name it, it has surely been on someone's list at some point in time.

On my list when setting up a board more recently, basics always include a sticker under the trucks on the deck, wheel wells in the front, but also now scraping the edge graphic off all the way round, machining off the wheel graphics, messing with the bushings and that is only the beginning...

I really like how the graphic came out, as it was raised ink and was bugging me, but I also have no problem taking off the whole graphic if needed.

(https://i.ibb.co/gLmCs0RL/Real-Thunder-t-ii-complete-2025.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZpGCyQMp)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 16, 2025, 05:18:35 PM
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Another thing with a lighter setup is that everything just seems to stick to your feet less.

[close]

That said, I'm still not sure I'd ride cast on anything under 8.5....that set-up ratio shit were talking about a few posts ago.
[close]

I'd say you could make it work with smaller wheels 50-52. Or just use the all cast mids.

I have a buddy who is pretty good, Mannys, ledge, flip tricks guy who skates 8.0 decks with Indy standards and 50ish mm wheels
[close]

i’ve definitely considered the mids. have never heard someone stoked about em enough to try. (not that stops me from trying fucked up trucks, my all
time best sessions were on 145s, lows i think, and the previous generation of 8” royals regular height).

an 8” on 139s with 50-52 was the early 2000 size up, from 7.75 and 5.0 lo ventures. that was the common kit for many around me.

standard height indy evangelical posts make a lot of sense to me.
the weight was often considered helpful way back when, with smaller setups, and in particular with grinds.
golden era (for me, middle to the late of the 90s) folks would go back and forth between 5.0 lows and regular indys. on the pro level, stevie williams. often skating with 50 ish wheels.
shit maybe i should try that again

8.25 with 139s and 52s

If the 8.25 is too wide, try and 8.1 something next

If the 52s feel a little too big, skate them till they're 50s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 16, 2025, 05:29:31 PM
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Have ya’ll just mainly been tinkering with trucks or what have ya’ll been experimenting with

[close]

If it involves a skateboard, we've been tinkering with it.

Yup, that's facts.

Over the last 10-12 years or so I've gone through everything and slowly honed in on that I like.

Funnily enough it's only marginally different from what I rode before I spent over a decade trying everything under the sun.

At one point I was on 8.75 decks with 159 Indy titaniums, later coming to realize the longer wheelbase is really what I liked about the larger boards. At another point I was on 8.25 deluxe twin tails with thunder team hollows because I was convinced weight was the end all be all.

Eventually the changes got smaller and smaller and I settled on something. The last two tradeoffs were between regular and easy rider dlx 8.38 14.5 wb boards, and between regular and forged Indy baseplates.

Had to do go through it all I suppose.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 16, 2025, 05:40:49 PM
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Another thing with a lighter setup is that everything just seems to stick to your feet less.

[close]

That said, I'm still not sure I'd ride cast on anything under 8.5....that set-up ratio shit were talking about a few posts ago.
[close]

I'd say you could make it work with smaller wheels 50-52. Or just use the all cast mids.

I have a buddy who is pretty good, Mannys, ledge, flip tricks guy who skates 8.0 decks with Indy standards and 50ish mm wheels
[close]

i’ve definitely considered the mids. have never heard someone stoked about em enough to try. (not that stops me from trying fucked up trucks, my all
time best sessions were on 145s, lows i think, and the previous generation of 8” royals regular height).

an 8” on 139s with 50-52 was the early 2000 size up, from 7.75 and 5.0 lo ventures. that was the common kit for many around me.

standard height indy evangelical posts make a lot of sense to me.
the weight was often considered helpful way back when, with smaller setups, and in particular with grinds.
golden era (for me, middle to the late of the 90s) folks would go back and forth between 5.0 lows and regular indys. on the pro level, stevie williams. often skating with 50 ish wheels.
shit maybe i should try that again
[close]

8.25 with 139s and 52s

If the 8.25 is too wide, try and 8.1 something next

If the 52s feel a little too big, skate them till they're 50s.


I feel like the 8.25 on 139s with 50 to 52 mm wheels was the optimal setup for a long time for a good number of people I knew in the 2000s through 2010s and even now for some.

I also recall some people still using 139s and didn't like moving up to 144s when they came out in 2017 for us here, but I went up to 144s on my 8.125s and that just worked so well for me, until around 2019 when I moved up to 149s on 8.38 and 8.5 boards.  Still have a few setups in the smaller sizes that really do work well for the more tech stuff, but I think I have left most of that behind as well, opting for bigger boards and just enjoying the ride more than anything else.

From 2020 it was more just experimenting with anything and everything, so although I have way too many setups with almost every combination in big and small, I still prefer my usual 8.38 or 8.5 BBS deck, 149 Indy standards, worn down bigger Spitfire wheels, etc.

I guess for some, finding what works is harder than people might think, but maybe not searching for the setups they recall when they were younger or trying to still keep things going as they were, but moving with the times (and age) and just enjoying doing what they can while they are still able.





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 16, 2025, 07:06:49 PM
I defo remember the 8.25" deck, 8" trucks, and 51mm wheels

Very much a Baker 3 type setup

Jerry and spanky moved up to the 8.25" trucks and both currently skate 52mm wheels I believe

Reynolds still prefers 139s for the most part and was on 51mm wheels for like 20 years but he messes around slightly with truck and wheel sizes these days

I remember hermans setup back then was 8" thunders on 8.25" decks

Greco and Romero were on 129s for a hot minute I'm pretty sure, maybe Greco was 139s I don't remember



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on December 16, 2025, 08:14:22 PM
8 trucks rule, 360 flips are a breeze with an 8.25 board on top

Something I realized though, more grind space will never not feel better. I always saw the truck width you choose as a compromise in terms of which flip tricks you’re willing to either lose or work a lot harder for

Then we go into the rabbithole is choosing skinnier wheels (spitfire classics, bones v3, v5 etc) to offset the reduced grind space of a smaller truck if you decide to go that route..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on December 16, 2025, 10:39:13 PM
Been heavily considering one of the antihero eagles for my next deck. Or any deluxe shape that's available locally. I've got both ventures and indys in their hollow forged and cast versions, all in 8.25 width. Not sure why I did that, some variety would be nice... The grey 8.25 eagle with the 14.38 wheelbase paired with either indy would be kind of neat. Last time I had tre flips consistent was on an 8.38 polar with 14.38 wb paired with 149 titaniums (which I no longer have) and 53mm radials. Though I do know that the blue eagle measures close to 8.25 with a 14.25wb which is closer to the dimensions of the BBS and HLC shop decks I've gone through this year and don't have any negative opinions of. The wheels I have sitting in my shop are spitfire 52 classic 99, 54 radial 99, bones 54 v1 x97, and 52 v3 103. Been wanting to try my v-hollows since they're the only truck I haven't ridden yet in my inventory, may double drill the baseplates for some more versatility. All this indy talk makes me want to ride the standard 144s again though.

Decisions decisions...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 17, 2025, 12:06:56 AM
Never underestimate an 8.25 deck with 149s. Good things start to happen.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 17, 2025, 12:50:02 AM
Never underestimate an 8.25 deck with 149s. Good things start to happen.
I've been preaching this for ages.
At the same time I have 2 8.25 trucks on ice with the logic of "saving weight"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on December 17, 2025, 07:52:00 AM
Never underestimate an 8.25 deck with 149s. Good things start to happen.
149s are on the radar once all my stockpile are sufficiently used. Funny enough they were my first real trucks as a kid.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 17, 2025, 08:55:40 AM

I guess for some, finding what works is harder than people might think, but maybe not searching for the setups they recall when they were younger or trying to still keep things going as they were, but moving with the times (and age) and just enjoying doing what they can while they are still able.


Yeah, this is SO on-point. The most important thing one can do as semi-older / older skater is abandon all expectations and habits from your past. Absolutely have expectations based on today, but not ones based on 5, 10, 15+ years ago. This included everything from your set-ups to how high you can ollie. Do this, and skateboarding will open up to like never before. Hold on to the past, and your board will only bring disappointment, frustration, and despair.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 17, 2025, 09:24:05 AM
Begun, a new skateboarder order has.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 17, 2025, 09:39:03 AM
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I guess for some, finding what works is harder than people might think, but maybe not searching for the setups they recall when they were younger or trying to still keep things going as they were, but moving with the times (and age) and just enjoying doing what they can while they are still able.

[close]

Yeah, this is SO on-point. The most important thing one can do as semi-older / older skater is abandon all expectations and habits from your past. Absolutely have expectations based on today, but not ones based on 5, 10, 15+ years ago. This included everything from your set-ups to how high you can ollie. Do this, and skateboarding will open up to like never before. Hold on to the past, and your board will only bring disappointment, frustration, and despair.

I think if I use the same setup I've always used, give or take small adjustments, and I notice I'm lacking, it's a sign to do more stretches and exercises and eat right and stuff

I think I'm gonna use old worn down trucks to build some fun boards though for days that I just feel off... Like a BPSW-era setup and like a Jason Lee video days setup. Would inspire me to have fun in other ways

But yeH I'm definitely taking advantage of shorter wheelbases and 93a wheels, fp insoles, cupsole shoes, etc these days

I use to just grab whatever 8.5 board and skated hard wheels and whatever shoes



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: myfeetarekillingme on December 17, 2025, 10:09:50 AM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on December 17, 2025, 10:20:38 AM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders

Maybe it's not your aces but your board and its WB? Maybe the board feels too short or too long, where your pop feels sluggish?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 17, 2025, 10:24:20 AM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders

Ace are known for many things. Pop is not one of them. An inherent problem with short wheelbases and a "lower" truck height is a compromised pop--it's just the simple physics of a lever. And that's without even getting into how super loose trucks can complicate pop.

This is one of the reasons I think Indys are the best "all-purpose" truck made---they fall right in the middle of the Ace/T2 <--> Thunder/Venture spectrum.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 17, 2025, 10:35:56 AM
Aces with a 1/8" riser and some 55-57mm wheels has good pop tho

But just aces, no risers, 52-54mm wheels - the shorter wheelbase reduces the pop angle especially on boards with mellow kicks

I think Aces(and stage 4 indys) really shine in the ~8.75" and 9" versions with a riser and big wheels but that's just me

Some people like mellow pop angles though especially if you're older

Spanky for example on a baker OG mellow shape, Aces, and 52mm wheels for a super chill angle

Venture highs have the steepest pop angle, aces have the lowest

Thunder 145/147, venture low, Indy, lurpiv, all have pretty standard angles

The lower height of thunder lows and venture lows compensates for the wider truck wheelbase along with smaller wheels (49-51mm). The wider truck wheelbase on the low, narrow trucks compensates for the shorter wheelbase on most 7.5"-8" boards

Venture high and thunder high, especially with risers on either for that big boi pop. Aces or stage 4s with medium to small wheels for a mellow pop and quicker turn.

 Put some aces or stage 4s on a longer wheelbase deck, with bigger wheels, and everything evens out again

Correct me if I'm wrong but this makes sense to me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 17, 2025, 11:06:06 AM
The kick angles make a difference too. I usually have two setups and right now I have standard Thunders on one, AF1 on another. The AF1 setup pops better to me and I think part of it is that setup has steeper kicks (also has shorter WB).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 17, 2025, 11:28:49 AM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders

Funnily enough I have the reverse problem. My pop is way better on Ace but it's likely due to what I am used to and the rest of the dimensions on my set up... as mentioned by others above.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 17, 2025, 12:08:12 PM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders

I'm sorry to do the opposite of what you're looking for here, but as others have mentioned Aces aren't known for their pop. That was a big reason I got off of them, tried classic 44s and af155s.

Like you said, everything felt great until I went to pop. There wasn't that crisp snap I was looking for. I needed risers on aces to manage them at all. Tried 1/8 and the ace 1/16.

Aces look nice and cruise well, but I just feel so floppy and disconnected once I start doing tricks on them.

Indys with forged plates are a good middle ground in terms of truck characteristics between ace/thunder imo. In between the wheelbase, weight (if you're on af1/thunder standards currently), and turn characteristics (more than thunder, less than ace).

They are the highest of those three options, but you could compensate with smaller wheels if absolutely necessary. Only .5mm taller than ace. I personally think the height on a more turny truck helps with pop. Still won't be as snappy as a thunder, but will pop better than ace imo.

All that with the added benefit of having the best grind (imo) is why Indys are so popular, they just aren't that exciting. Other trucks offer more polarizing, distinct experiences, more suited for specialized tastes.

I'd says MOST people to acclimate to a set of Indys.

I don't think the same is true for ace/venture.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on December 17, 2025, 12:42:25 PM
Never underestimate an 8.25 deck with 149s. Good things start to happen.

Do tell, I’ve always wondered about this

I tried 8 deck on 8.25 trucks and felt my flip tricks took a hit and grinds didn’t feel that much better

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on December 17, 2025, 12:58:17 PM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders

Check out some yt Videos from Norman Woods. He rides ace and he doesn't seem to have problems with pop. I tried ace 44 once on mellow board with short wheelbase and didn't like it. Tried it on a longer wheelbase and it was much more manageable for me. Sometimes I wish I didn't sell my Aces but  too much gear only feeds the madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 17, 2025, 01:00:19 PM
Expand Quote
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders
[close]

I'm sorry to do the opposite of what you're looking for here, but as others have mentioned Aces aren't known for their pop. That was a big reason I got off of them, tried classic 44s and af155s.

Like you said, everything felt great until I went to pop. There wasn't that crisp snap I was looking for. I needed risers on aces to manage them at all. Tried 1/8 and the ace 1/16.

Aces look nice and cruise well, but I just feel so floppy and disconnected once I start doing tricks on them.

Indys with forged plates are a good middle ground in terms of truck characteristics between ace/thunder imo. In between the wheelbase, weight (if you're on af1/thunder standards currently), and turn characteristics (more than thunder, less than ace).

They are the highest of those three options, but you could compensate with smaller wheels if absolutely necessary. Only .5mm taller than ace. I personally think the height on a more turny truck helps with pop. Still won't be as snappy as a thunder, but will pop better than ace imo.

All that with the added benefit of having the best grind (imo) is why Indys are so popular, they just aren't that exciting. Other trucks offer more polarizing, distinct experiences, more suited for specialized tastes.

I'd says MOST people to acclimate to a set of Indys.

I don't think the same is true for ace/venture.

Once again, every word of this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 17, 2025, 01:14:37 PM
Expand Quote
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders
[close]

Check out some yt Videos from Norman Woods. He rides ace and he doesn't seem to have problems with pop. I tried ace 44 once on mellow board with short wheelbase and didn't like it. Tried it on a longer wheelbase and it was much more manageable for me. Sometimes I wish I didn't sell my Aces but  too much gear only feeds the madness

Yea, sage elsesser and christian malouf to name a couple others. It's not IMPOSSIBLE to pop on aces or anything, and a longer wb def helps. But it's also important to consider that there are professionals we are talking about.

There are people riding all types of setups in all sorts of conditions and ways. You name it, and there is a guy ripping on it somewhere.

At the end of the day it comes down to the individual and their personal preferences. But that doesn't mean there aren't generalities that apply to most people.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 17, 2025, 01:50:58 PM
And lots of footage of Durao on aces popping insanely high

I think he's on indys now but yeah

People who are really naturally talented probably won't notice a difference as much as I would

So I like to just skate generic shit so I'm kinda used to whatever and not as picky

8.25 deck
149 standards
54mm "classic" shape

Personally I get more pop on the indys

Could be a combination of the height, truck wheelbase, and the bushings being harder than aces for more tension on flip tricks

I switched to ace hard bushings in my af1 55s eventually and really liked them like that, but the truck pinches weird on crooks cause it turns inward so much, and I didn't like having to always replace the axle nuts with normal ones every time I got new trucks. Also my setup didn't really look like "my board" if that makes sense. I didn't want to have to spend more money, buy aftermarket bushings and axle nuts, just to get a truck to work for me

When I went back to indys my kickflips, hardflips and frontside flips all improved greatly, which is probably because of muscle memory or something and less because of qualities of the truck itself, just that I am used to it already
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on December 17, 2025, 01:59:38 PM
I think the type of setup that gives someone more "net pop" varies so much.

The conventional wisdom is that ventures give you more pop because they have a heavier pop and further axle to axle distance which should give you more yield.

Personally they feel too heavy for a lot of tricks on a lot of boards for me. A lighter popping truck often helps me get my tricks higher with less work because I'm able to concentrate on jumping, sliding/flicking and doing the actual trick instead of putting all my effort into getting the tail to hit off the ground properly.

Maybe I'm in the minority here. But I kinda preferred the pop on aces over ventures on many "normal" ish boards. I just skate ventures for other reasons, and try to optimize my board for it.

If aces are causing your tricks to not suck up to your feet, you could try experiment with board dimensions and wheel size to make it more similar to your thunder setup on paper. But at the end of the day it won't be the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 17, 2025, 05:33:07 PM

...you could try experiment with board dimensions and wheel size to make it more similar to your thunder setup on paper.


Wisdom from SLAP of Old: "If you are trying to make X skate like Y, just ride Y and be done with it."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 17, 2025, 05:36:26 PM
i don’t skate ace trucks very often, because of my pop problems.
moving the popping foot, closer to the trucks, and away from the tip of nose/tail.
the best pop
i’ve gotten with aces has been with 14” wb, and 54-56 wheels (big wheels imo). lots of folks go the other way, riding boards with a longer wb. didn’t work for me.
ace classic 55s pop better than the rest, but are large and in charge.
most ace setups feel pretty dead to me. but the few i had with tight wb and big wheels popped really good. super well actually.
i can’t remember why i quit them, most likely didn’t like how it looked. that’s been the downfall of many a setup that worked well for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 17, 2025, 09:22:53 PM
Dude yeah that cut out round the board looks sick meticulous but sick
I def feel it with shoes although honestly I really liked the lynxs, kinda bummed me out cause i was really about them and then couldn’t find em anywhere lol
I think they have some now but I was skating the Sablones I got a pair of 933s I’ve only had one session and they felt wild but i also had  the new bushings as well as the 53mm lock in fulls i had just put in so that could’ve been it but i was landing alot of kick flips and heelflips and a couple ugly ass tre flips but honestly felt alright considering i still feel a lil rusty but i landed primo like 3 times i think and didnt feel shit so that was cool lol wacked the hell out my ankle right before the lights shut off though lol
Funny thing today though I was driving and noticed some doh dohs tucked in my seat i got for some kids at the diy and realized they were the blue cones lol I’m gonna try em out next time i have an outdoor session which might be before another indoor session - to Richard


I left your one line here, mainly because that iceberg is so very big, even if you have only seen the tip of it so far.

In general though, I think people can go through it with anything, be it their deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, bushings, bolts and even grip, as well as shoes, pants, socks, caps, so you name it, it has surely been on someone's list at some point in time.

On my list when setting up a board more recently, basics always include a sticker under the trucks on the deck, wheel wells in the front, but also now scraping the edge graphic off all the way round, machining off the wheel graphics, messing with the bushings and that is only the beginning...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 17, 2025, 10:54:32 PM
Punctuation batman
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 17, 2025, 10:57:53 PM
Well, I hope this doesn't open a new rabbit hole. In addition to wanting to try 8.75 T-2s....I've also wanted to try 8.75 Slappys...so those are now on the way, too. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on December 18, 2025, 01:07:52 AM
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders
Can't be that guy since probably Aces are indeed fucking your pop.
My suggestion in one word: Lurpiv.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: AnimalChinaski79 on December 18, 2025, 03:02:31 AM
Expand Quote
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders
[close]

Check out some yt Videos from Norman Woods. He rides ace and he doesn't seem to have problems with pop. I tried ace 44 once on mellow board with short wheelbase and didn't like it. Tried it on a longer wheelbase and it was much more manageable for me. Sometimes I wish I didn't sell my Aces but  too much gear only feeds the madness

Norman Woods has insane pop! 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 18, 2025, 05:04:07 AM
Expand Quote
Need someone to tell me that my Aces aren’t the reason my pop sucks lately. I love how Aces feel until I go to pop and flip my board, then it feels like I’m fighting my board somewhat vs how it just seems to “work” on Thunders
[close]
Can't be that guy since probably Aces are indeed fucking your pop.
My suggestion in one word: Lurpiv.

If i decide to try something else once I axle these 149 standards it would be lurpivs or Slappy's. Standard version of both. I had the OG "rheocast" lurpivs but got scared to keep riding them after I saw people's hangers snapping. I did enjoy my time on them though.

I've never owned a pair of Slappy's.

Both of them being smaller skater owned companies appeals to me too. And Sinclair is an east Coast dude which is an added bonus.

Lurpivs marketing has a cool aesthetic too imo, for whatever that is worth haha. I feel like the footage I see from the lurpiv riders has been sick as well. The slappy video didn't really hype me up that much iirc.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 18, 2025, 09:32:42 AM
As I've mentioned here before, I've grown to enjoy Indy 149 Standards in the past months and experienced the least truck madness in a long while. And, as many pals have voiced out, they really feel like trucks with a lot of mojo for a wide variety of skateboarding. In a nutshell: I really do not have a lot of reasons to skate other trucks at the moment.

Well, I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just regripped my deck and... swapped the 149 Standards for an old pair of 149 Titaniums, to be skated during the weekend.

Why? Well, I guess I just gotta know. Once again. My brain's ROM doesn't provide solid info about the Titaniums from the past that could be adequately calibrated into my skating of today. Let it be known that I have skated the Titaniums a whole lot in the past and there must be a reason I've swapped them away. So here I go again.

Will there be a difference? Will I feel a sudden satori moment? Will my pop feel lighter but still adequately mojo'd? Or will I experience ASS five minutes into the session? Why am doing this to myself?

I guess we're all on the spectrum somehow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 18, 2025, 03:01:18 PM
Yo, I was all hyped on switching to 14" wb from 14.25"

But then I read about how it might be the same exact mold, just with more "fingers of flat"

That kinda bums me out, I figured it would just be shorter in the middle for some reason silly me

I guess if 14.25 is most common the molds for 8.25" are probably based around that, and getting 8.25 x 14" decks would just be a regular one but with the holes drilled slightly inward

I like shorter overall boards though and I really want to learn inward heels with my shortass legs.. and maybe I'll like it having less ramp and more flat on the kicks who knows but it doesn't make the shape of the concave any more comfortable for me

Bummed I sold my 3 spare baker OG mellow 8.25s and an extra easy rider oval

Cause I might like flatter concave

I just wanted to get my legs closer together cause I feel like my legs look like this - /\

And I see folks way taller than me skating 14.25 wb decks and the proportions with their long ass body makes the board look really easy to throw around

Anyways. Sad that it doesn't seem to be a different mold/proportions and most likely just holes in a different spot.

I skate BBS decks, can anyone confirm what I'm talking about here?

Was interested in the 8.25" x 14" generator blanks, Real easy rider, the occasional Sci-Fi, Hardbody basalt... I know primitive makes em too

If the concave and everything is exactly the same as the 8.25" by 14.25", just with the holes drilled inward 1/8" on either side, I may as well just keep skating 14.25s

I don't want to try a real true fit mold or something and always have to strictly try and find those boards especially travelling


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 18, 2025, 03:25:59 PM
2 decks that are the same except one shorter in the middle (wb) means that one would also have more fingers of flat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 18, 2025, 03:55:14 PM
2 decks that are the same except one shorter in the middle (wb) means that one would also have more fingers of flat.

I mean like the exact same shape of kicks, concave, fingers of flat, but imagine just slicing out 1/4" from the middle of the board and putting it back together

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 18, 2025, 03:56:03 PM
Expand Quote
2 decks that are the same except one shorter in the middle (wb) means that one would also have more fingers of flat.
[close]

I mean like the exact same shape of kicks, concave, fingers of flat, but imagine just slicing out 1/4" from the middle of the board and putting it back together

Yeah, but then that board would be shorter overall, obviously.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 18, 2025, 04:14:47 PM
That's what I want lol

31.5" length would be dope

It seems weird to me to take a standard 8.25 and drill the holes in an 1/8" on either side, and cut a little off the kicks to make them the same exact length, but the spot where the concave ends before the kicks begin is still in the same spot as it would be on a standard 8.25

Hopefully that's not the case, I guess I'll get an 8.25 x 14 BBS blank and try it side by side with my 14.25 one, only way to really know what's going on. I was hoping someone on here had like a Primitive or Hardbody 8.25 short they could compare to a GX, SciFi, Heated Wheel, etc 8.25 standard

I bet I would really like the dlx true fit molds, which place the concave and kick tapers in the same spots as they would be on their standard shapes, just a shorter board

I'm wary of getting consistent on something that might not be consistently available

An 8.25 just drilled for 14" wb isn't going to make me magically better at skating and I have a stack of 14.25" decks right now anyways

I was just hoping it would be worth it to search for 14" boards... but if the concave and kick taper is in the same spot as a 14.25 it isn't worth it to me, and will affect pop timing and shit too

Looks like there's nothing left for me to pick at, and I just need to start doing yoga and eating right cause I clearly can't blame my setup being 1/4" too long on why I can't inward heel 😆
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 18, 2025, 04:24:05 PM
That's what I want lol

31.5" length would be dope

It seems weird to me to take a standard 8.25 and drill the holes in an 1/8" on either side, and cut a little off the kicks to make them the same exact length, but the spot where the concave ends before the kicks begin is still in the same spot as it would be on a standard 8.25

Hopefully that's not the case, I guess I'll get an 8.25 x 14 BBS blank and try it side by side with my 14.25 one, only way to really know what's going on. I was hoping someone on here had like a Primitive or Hardbody 8.25 short they could compare to a GX, SciFi, Heated Wheel, etc 8.25 standard

I bet I would really like the dlx true fit molds, which place the concave and kick tapers in the same spots as they would be on their standard shapes, just a shorter board

I'm wary of getting consistent on something that might not be consistently available
I get you and not sure of the answer other than if that's how they did it, main reason I could guess at is it's cheaper and easier for them that way. Which isn't the right reason.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 18, 2025, 04:30:40 PM
Leg-lengthening surgery incoming

I wish I could just commit to running 139s and 51mm wheels but it ruins the whole ATV-aspect of my setup

There's an old clip of Jerry Hsu skating a grey eagle (14.38" wb) at a bank spot

That should really put into perspective that my technique is the problem not the board cause Jerry's like 5'4" right? I know spanky is like the same height as well. I think I just need to give up on trying to tweak my setup

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 18, 2025, 04:58:17 PM
the only nollie hard flips i ever landed were on the clyde 23 board, and a shills world board, both very short. i think the clyde was sub 31.
shorter boards can help for some of those.
funny i used to kind of have an idea for inward heelflips. now, clueless. i’m real comfy chucking and posing fakie/nollie inwards, putting em down is something different.

in general ive enjoyed boards with more fingers of flat. the rallity is i’m not sure how much it helped my skating, the last fingers of flat setup i tried (olive
eagle with v8s) had nooooooo pop. for me.
but fingers of flat looks accurate, pleasant to me. skated a lot of short boards that i liked too.

the cautious but.
when i’ve gotten into the weeds chasing dimensions, i have gotten really fucked up. like i’ve had setups i could ollie well at all, and i thought i was going to be a switch tre king, based off of specs.
and one of my all time favorite shapes ever (griffin gass shape) i tried just because i was bored and thought it was silly with a crazy long wb, and then it was the tits. my legs were spread out tho. ayyyye.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 18, 2025, 05:22:29 PM
I feel that, thanks for sharing

I definitely can flick a perfect fakie inward heel, I just don't have the balls to jump on it. Never landed one. Easier to learn fakie than regular for sure. I don't think the board being literally only 1/4" shorter is gonna change anything. Magic carpeting 139s with smaller wheels might though but I just can't get down with the small trucks for most of what I like to do. I don't wanna have a buncha different setups like a damn ski quiver or something. Don't have the time space or money

I think I need to try a baker 8.25 OG again, something about the pointy kicks makes the board feel lighter and more manageable. If I'm ever gonna get switch 360 flips back(last time I had them consistently down was ~2006), it'll probably be on one of those.

I think I'm officially giving up on the board dimension madness after learning how the whole fingers of flat/wheelbase drilling situation usually happens

Blue eagles, baker b16s, and pretty much anybody's BBS 8.25 should be perfectly fine for the rest of forever, I just need to take care of myself and try harder hahah

So I'm left back at my government-issue style board again

8.25 to 8.5 BBS, 14.25 wb
Indy standard 149s
52 to 54mm spitfire classics
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 18, 2025, 06:09:13 PM
I feel that, thanks for sharing

I definitely can flick a perfect fakie inward heel, I just don't have the balls to jump on it. Never landed one. Easier to learn fakie than regular for sure. I don't think the board being literally only 1/4" shorter is gonna change anything. Magic carpeting 139s with smaller wheels might though but I just can't get down with the small trucks for most of what I like to do. I don't wanna have a buncha different setups like a damn ski quiver or something. Don't have the time space or money

I think I need to try a baker 8.25 OG again, something about the pointy kicks makes the board feel lighter and more manageable. If I'm ever gonna get switch 360 flips back(last time I had them consistently down was ~2006), it'll probably be on one of those.

I think I'm officially giving up on the board dimension madness after learning how the whole fingers of flat/wheelbase drilling situation usually happens

Blue eagles, baker b16s, and pretty much anybody's BBS 8.25 should be perfectly fine for the rest of forever, I just need to take care of myself and try harder hahah

So I'm left back at my government-issue style board again

8.25 to 8.5 BBS, 14.25 wb
Indy standard 149s
52 to 54mm spitfire classics

the baker pointy shapes are fucking sick, imo. you get the landing space of an 8.25, but the flippery (in some ways) of an 8.
magic carpeting worked really well for me. sometimes hotrodding did as well. go figure.

putting the fakie/nollie inward down, idk. fakie pop shuv can easily get tangled up for me, nollie pop shuv feels….easy isn’t the right word, im not talented, but it doesn’t feel like much of a trick. anyways, you’ve inspired me to try one next session. i’ll report back
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 18, 2025, 07:26:25 PM
Kinda where my head was at with the 8.25 x 14, I wanted it to skate like an 8.

Knowing now that it's probably the same mold just drilled for 14, the baker OG 8.25s are looking like the most attractive option

The og mellow bakers look like a 90s board to me

I always thought the momentum/rotation or whatever for inward heels made them easier to learn nollie or fakie

I can half cab heel pretty decent so I just gotta do it without my body doing the 180, get my legs outta the way

I feel like with classic shape wheels, hot rodding works better cause the rounded edge and the actual edge of the riding surface of the wheel is further in

I skated an 8.25" baker with conical fulls and 8.5" trucks and it messed with my kickflips, hardflips, frontside flips. Switching back to classic shape solved it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on December 18, 2025, 07:51:45 PM
Im writing this to hopefully inspire others:

I just loaded up my trunk with half of all my skate gear and it's time to part ways (it's an absurd amount of gear). Madness has taking over my life to the point its starting to affect my quality of life, its *almost* all I think about and most importantly taken the fun out of skateboarding.

Ive learned I don't have the personality to have gear on hand, I will accept having two completes (1 for my main set up, 2 for my curb set up, just because I need my curb set up trucks to be really loose) If I have gear on hand, I constantly switch it out and my sessions become more of a science experiment versus having fun and learning new tricks.

I feel like now is a great time to get rid of gear with Christmas around the corner, hopefully all the people at the park tomorrow will be stoked.

Madness is such a waste of time, energy and money. I can confidently say all the headaches its given me was not worth any slight improvement in my abilities.

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.

For every pro there is a con to your setup, its a losers game trying to find the perfect setup.

I hope this is a step in the right direction for me to make skateboarding fun again....I feel cleansed as fuck right now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 18, 2025, 08:00:07 PM
Im writing this to hopefully inspire others:

I just loaded up my trunk with half of all my skate gear and it's time to part ways (it's an absurd amount of gear). Madness has taking over my life to the point its starting to affect my quality of life, its *almost* all I think about and most importantly taken the fun out of skateboarding.

Ive learned I don't have the personality to have gear on hand, I will accept having two completes (1 for my main set up, 2 for my curb set up, just because I need my curb set up trucks to be really loose) If I have gear on hand, I constantly switch it out and my sessions become more of a science experiment versus having fun and learning new tricks.

I feel like now is a great time to get rid of gear with Christmas around the corner, hopefully all the people at the park tomorrow will be stoked.

Madness is such a waste of time, energy and money. I can confidently say all the headaches its given me was not worth any slight improvement in my abilities.

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.

For every pro there is a con to your setup, its a losers game trying to find the 8) perfect setup.

I hope this is a step in the right direction for me to make skateboarding fun again....I feel cleansed as fuck right now.
Congrats to your revelation! I definitely have a lot of stuff but not that problem. I don’t like to keep switching my stuff out, especially trucks so once I mount them, they either stay on for their life or the decks life or I might swap them out once. So on that note, which park and what time will you be dropping this gear off? ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 19, 2025, 12:07:34 AM

fakie pop shuv can easily get tangled up for me, nollie pop shuv feels….easy isn’t the right word, im not talented, but it doesn’t feel like much of a trick. anyways, you’ve inspired me to try one next session. i’ll report back

Bs fakie pop shuv is one of my favorite non-flipping flatground tricks along with regular fs shuv.

Nollie pop shuvs result in a whole lot of ghost pop for me these days. Hence I've been madnessing about truck height somewhat. Whereas I should just concentrate on my front foot and forget about the 1-2 millimeters.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 19, 2025, 12:11:15 AM

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.


I wholeheartedly agree with this and hope to enjoy a more madness-free year of 2026 myself. Thanks for the inspiration.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 19, 2025, 08:38:17 AM
Im writing this to hopefully inspire others:

I just loaded up my trunk with half of all my skate gear and it's time to part ways (it's an absurd amount of gear). Madness has taking over my life to the point its starting to affect my quality of life, its *almost* all I think about and most importantly taken the fun out of skateboarding.

Ive learned I don't have the personality to have gear on hand, I will accept having two completes (1 for my main set up, 2 for my curb set up, just because I need my curb set up trucks to be really loose) If I have gear on hand, I constantly switch it out and my sessions become more of a science experiment versus having fun and learning new tricks.

I feel like now is a great time to get rid of gear with Christmas around the corner, hopefully all the people at the park tomorrow will be stoked.

Madness is such a waste of time, energy and money. I can confidently say all the headaches its given me was not worth any slight improvement in my abilities.

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.

For every pro there is a con to your setup, its a losers game trying to find the perfect setup.

I hope this is a step in the right direction for me to make skateboarding fun again....I feel cleansed as fuck right now.

Nice. You inspired me to give away a complete.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on December 19, 2025, 10:46:39 AM
Giving away gear and having an empty stash is really cathartic. It's not COVID and gear/sales aren't scarce anymore. There's no magic weighting in our bins. We all know what the outcomes are we just need to rip the bandaid and commit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 19, 2025, 12:07:39 PM
Reporting back: Indy Ti 149s were good today. No huge difference compared to Standards. I might've had better control of my ollies at some points of the session. Board didn't feel too light, but skating it might've felt a tad lighter here and there. I felt I had better approaches to a certain bank to curb at the park for some reason. Maybe it was the tail popping a bit earlier. Flips felt no different. 

There was an overall crispier/harder feeling to my setup, but that isn't saying it was necessarily a bad thing.

Might even be a keeper for now. Madness avoided, I guess.

Oh, but then there's the issue of stock vs. blue bushings... for some strange reason the blues feel harder on Titaniums as compared to Standards. Am I insane? Or is it just the physics of a larger mass squeezing the bushings more...

I love skateboarding.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 19, 2025, 12:58:26 PM
Skating's tight

I think I'm still gonna switch it up and try the 8.25 x 14, after seeing some skated ones in videos and stuff, and pondering the "fingers of flat" shit. If I like them, I'll just track down a bunch and stack them up in my closet. I've been wanting to try something different. Might as well! It might work out great.

I think if I really wanna try something different, I should try some Indy 144 standards. I had poor experiences on 144s, but thinking back, they were hollows, and also on flight decks. The whole situation was too light. I remember trying to throw a big heelflip over a sidewalk sign off a curb cut(8.5 deck) and it took way more tries than it should've, cause it didn't have the feedback that a heavier setup would. Maybe I changed too much too fast, instead of trying little differences at a time

My favorite trucks ever that I did a lot of my best skating on were stage 7 and 8 146s

And if you look at the Indy size chart, an 8.375 truck makes sense, each 3/8" apart. So I think it doesn't matter to me so much to be a hardcore 149er guy, maybe people just like them cause they've been around since '86, and SF... 49ers.. at one point in the late 90s or early 2000s I seem to remember 159s not being available, leaving either 8 or 8.5 as the truck of choice for 8.25-8.5 board skaters.. lots of magic carpeters in the early 2000s for the stair-counters... Greco, Romero, Spanly, Reynolds, Ellington, Herman, etc as far as I know. I know Rowley still fucked with big trucks though. Heres the size chart with 146s instead of 149s:

7.625
8
8.375*
8.75
9.125

So, going from skating Real/Baker/AH 8.5x14.25, and lots of Baker 8.25x14.25 on 149 hollow standards... I want to go down in wheelbase to 14, back to regular standard indys, and down to 144s. I think I'll have the meaty grind feel I miss from standards, but flip tricks will be a bit easier.

So after years riding pretty much the same shit, then studying and questioning stuff recently, I think all I really want to do is try a quarter inch shorter deck and a quarter inch shorter trucks hahah.

I tried all the wheels and trucks and boards already from 8" to 9" and 50mm to 60mm but I think my perception of 144s was skewed by them being hollows and also on a flight deck, so I'm gonna give em another chance as standards on a regular ol BBS. Should feel pretty close to my old stage 7s and 8s, much in the same way that my stage 11 149s do... But a little lighter, little more flippy.

I have a lot of free time, I'm not really suffering or anything and I don't have any spare parts aside from extra nuts and bolts and bearings. Currently don't have any spare trucks or wheels. Just what's on my setup. I do have some extra decks though, I think I have 4 left. 8.5x14.25 BBS.

Can't wait to try the new situation... I can get used to it in my garage and be ready to go when the snow melts

Edit-

I usually mull stuff over quite a bit before buying something, and post on here for any feedback, but I think I'm ready to buy some shit.

I feel like the standard 144 will be a smooth transition from hollow cast 149s. Gonna Christmas myself with an 8.25 SWB and some 144 standards. The madness purchases last year were all just wheels, and I've passed them all on already.

Really though, instead of releasing 144s, it would've been tight if they just made 149s 8.375" instead of 8.5"

But I think a lot of folks are mad concerned about matching their board size to their truck size, so I get it. And I think Reynolds wanted to try the 144s. which is funny cause he went back to 139s so quick

Anyways I'm psyched to try something that seems truly different to me since I skate trucks for at least 6 months, but that's still close enough and has the feel I'm after
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 19, 2025, 03:25:42 PM
The madness keeps the industry afloat….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 19, 2025, 03:29:14 PM
The madness keeps the industry afloat….

I ordered bearings. They arrived today. Why did I order bearings? Because it is was the one thing I needed in order to give a full "madness complete" away to some random kid (kid ain't getting my extra Swiss 6 bearings).

Shedding the madness...also help the industry. :)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 19, 2025, 04:32:38 PM
Skated my friends board for a little bit today. Easy rider blue eagle, 144 titaniums, 54mm OG classics

I could kickflip higher and more consistently on it

I think it might be because my trucks are looser than his

It still felt too light though with them forged tits

Expand Quote
The madness keeps the industry afloat….
[close]

I ordered bearings. They arrived today. Why did I order bearings? Because it is was the one thing I needed in order to give a full "madness complete" away to some random kid (kid ain't getting my extra Swiss 6 bearings).

Shedding the madness...also help the industry. :)

I've definitely bought a set of mini-logos for this exact purpose before.

I've had the same two sets of swiss six for years. I bought the other set in case I broke one, I'd have replacements. Hasn't happened yet.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on December 20, 2025, 12:03:09 AM
Im writing this to hopefully inspire others:

I just loaded up my trunk with half of all my skate gear and it's time to part ways (it's an absurd amount of gear). Madness has taking over my life to the point its starting to affect my quality of life, its *almost* all I think about and most importantly taken the fun out of skateboarding.

Ive learned I don't have the personality to have gear on hand, I will accept having two completes (1 for my main set up, 2 for my curb set up, just because I need my curb set up trucks to be really loose) If I have gear on hand, I constantly switch it out and my sessions become more of a science experiment versus having fun and learning new tricks.

I feel like now is a great time to get rid of gear with Christmas around the corner, hopefully all the people at the park tomorrow will be stoked.

Madness is such a waste of time, energy and money. I can confidently say all the headaches its given me was not worth any slight improvement in my abilities.

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.

For every pro there is a con to your setup, its a losers game trying to find the perfect setup.

I hope this is a step in the right direction for me to make skateboarding fun again....I feel cleansed as fuck right now.

This message really speaks to me too… I’ve been in this hell for almost ten years now. At first it started with deck widths, with the question of whether a wide board is better, or if a narrower one is better… And then came the hell of trucks. Over ten years, if I really think about everything I’ve had, I must have bought almost 20 pairs of trucks, which is crazy considering I barely do any grinds and that trucks can sometimes last three years.

Then the ultimate hell was also the questioning about length, wheelbase… all of that mixed with which trucks to choose, high or low. I recently went on the Baker Boys Archive page and saw a few board models I had in my early skating years, and damn… seeing that I was able to skate well without overthinking it on boards with lengths of 31.6 or 31.8 drives me crazy. Because now I act all precious and like a spoiled child when sometimes the board is “too long,” so I get mad and use that as an excuse for not landing certain things.

But like I read above and it’s true when you think about it every setup has its advantages and its disadvantages. I currently have a brand-new board that’s 31.9 long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and I really want to not give a damn and skate it like I did in my early days…

I also use my own stupid situation as an example : I’d win a board at a contest, I should be happy like a kid who’s just enjoying having it but with this hell in my head, I’d end up wondering whether the board would even suit me and if I’d be able to skate it. I m tired of overthinking, of telling myself I shouldn’t go below 31.5 and should stick to a 14 wheelbase. Maybe there’s also the fact that I’m 5'6", but ONCE AGAIN those are just excuses… I wish I could just not give a f***. Even more frustrating to see smaller skaters riding long and wide setups while I complain like an idiot.

But yeah, like I also read above : So much money and so many sessions wasted, and above all our pure enjoyment of skateboarding. I’ve gotten to the point of being disgusted with skateboarding, of being stuck in this vicious cycle..  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on December 20, 2025, 04:37:17 AM
Finished riding my 8.6 vx and got myself another one to keep free from madness.

For people interested in NHS VET concave. ATV concave on top for reference.

https://ibb.co/dszvF2Dm
https://ibb.co/SwfXv9YD
https://ibb.co/ksHP7Dt4

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 20, 2025, 08:16:14 AM
Damn some of ya’ll fellas down bad I’m sorry to see that haha
Thankfully i feel like i can have fun skating any set up
Use to be 8.5 boards and trucks until i got some 44s from Ace and then some 5.6 Ventures
To add to the cats up there i skated pretty good in Indys but i skated terribly in aces haha felt fun still but i remember a few sessions where i didn’t land anything. Couldn’t pinch good and got so much ghost pop lol
Pretty much been on the same set up since i was like 14 though
Sometimes I wonder if i should skate thunders or indys since i spent the majority of my time on them bad bois but that was the old days i liked what someone said up there about it’s better to not pay it any mind and just go to the shop or try friends set ups and see what feels good
I feel like not being sure if my bearings were still optimal or not was bugging me to the point of getting in my head a lil but I just put in these new olympia ceramic boys and just rolling around the house and trying to do stationary manuels and shit I’m def sure now my swiss’s are shot for the most part
Probably will just throw em on my crusier since the reds on those are super fucked i dont think cleaning will help lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on December 20, 2025, 08:45:50 AM
Expand Quote
Im writing this to hopefully inspire others:

I just loaded up my trunk with half of all my skate gear and it's time to part ways (it's an absurd amount of gear). Madness has taking over my life to the point its starting to affect my quality of life, its *almost* all I think about and most importantly taken the fun out of skateboarding.

Ive learned I don't have the personality to have gear on hand, I will accept having two completes (1 for my main set up, 2 for my curb set up, just because I need my curb set up trucks to be really loose) If I have gear on hand, I constantly switch it out and my sessions become more of a science experiment versus having fun and learning new tricks.

I feel like now is a great time to get rid of gear with Christmas around the corner, hopefully all the people at the park tomorrow will be stoked.

Madness is such a waste of time, energy and money. I can confidently say all the headaches its given me was not worth any slight improvement in my abilities.

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.

For every pro there is a con to your setup, its a losers game trying to find the perfect setup.

I hope this is a step in the right direction for me to make skateboarding fun again....I feel cleansed as fuck right now.
[close]

This message really speaks to me too… I’ve been in this hell for almost ten years now. At first it started with deck widths, with the question of whether a wide board is better, or if a narrower one is better… And then came the hell of trucks. Over ten years, if I really think about everything I’ve had, I must have bought almost 20 pairs of trucks, which is crazy considering I barely do any grinds and that trucks can sometimes last three years.

Then the ultimate hell was also the questioning about length, wheelbase… all of that mixed with which trucks to choose, high or low. I recently went on the Baker Boys Archive page and saw a few board models I had in my early skating years, and damn… seeing that I was able to skate well without overthinking it on boards with lengths of 31.6 or 31.8 drives me crazy. Because now I act all precious and like a spoiled child when sometimes the board is “too long,” so I get mad and use that as an excuse for not landing certain things.

But like I read above and it’s true when you think about it every setup has its advantages and its disadvantages. I currently have a brand-new board that’s 31.9 long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and I really want to not give a damn and skate it like I did in my early days…

I also use my own stupid situation as an example : I’d win a board at a contest, I should be happy like a kid who’s just enjoying having it but with this hell in my head, I’d end up wondering whether the board would even suit me and if I’d be able to skate it. I m tired of overthinking, of telling myself I shouldn’t go below 31.5 and should stick to a 14 wheelbase. Maybe there’s also the fact that I’m 5'6", but ONCE AGAIN those are just excuses… I wish I could just not give a f***. Even more frustrating to see smaller skaters riding long and wide setups while I complain like an idiot.

But yeah, like I also read above : So much money and so many sessions wasted, and above all our pure enjoyment of skateboarding. I’ve gotten to the point of being disgusted with skateboarding, of being stuck in this vicious cycle..  :'( :'(

Hope you guys are having fun again fr.

And I just wanted to give a +1 to the "madness" because I've gotten a lot out of it. I think this goes without saying given this thread but the best part is just having that language that only skaters understand.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on December 20, 2025, 10:42:04 AM
To respond once again regarding this so called madness that many people feel and would like to get out of .. Yeah, it’s crazy how many of us are stuck in this endless loop… but at the same time, isn’t it because of all the videos and all the setup details we’re constantly exposed to now ? When you think about it, we didn’t have all that back then. And there was also that trend where everyone (especially in France) rode either 7.75 or 8.0, but nothing bigger (I’m talking about the years when I started, around 2007 to 2012). Then all these options and size parameters showed up, and it became easy to get influenced by whatever setups all the pros were skating.

It’ll officially be ten years in 2026 since I really fell into the setup madness hell, so it’s about time after ten years, to make a new resolution and get back to what I used to feel when skating. I finally decided to set up that infamous 8.0 deck (from a local shop brand) with a 31.9 length and a 14.25 wheelbase. I really want to say fuck all that and rethink skating the way I did when I started. (That’s actually why I went back to low trucks to get that “I don’t care and I’m not overthinking” feeling again.) I thought this setup would prevent me from skating well and keep me from landing my tricks, but stop all of that.. !!!  >:(


I’ll end with a quote from Collin Provost about the expression “Stay Gold” :

“Stay gold means remembering how it felt when we first started skating giving no fucks before the industry entered the equation.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 20, 2025, 12:35:18 PM
To respond once again regarding this so called madness that many people feel and would like to get out of .. Yeah, it’s crazy how many of us are stuck in this endless loop… but at the same time, isn’t it because of all the videos and all the setup details we’re constantly exposed to now ? When you think about it, we didn’t have all that back then. And there was also that trend where everyone (especially in France) rode either 7.75 or 8.0, but nothing bigger (I’m talking about the years when I started, around 2007 to 2012). Then all these options and size parameters showed up, and it became easy to get influenced by whatever setups all the pros were skating.

It’ll officially be ten years in 2026 since I really fell into the setup madness hell, so it’s about time after ten years, to make a new resolution and get back to what I used to feel when skating. I finally decided to set up that infamous 8.0 deck (from a local shop brand) with a 31.9 length and a 14.25 wheelbase. I really want to say fuck all that and rethink skating the way I did when I started. (That’s actually why I went back to low trucks to get that “I don’t care and I’m not overthinking” feeling again.) I thought this setup would prevent me from skating well and keep me from landing my tricks, but stop all of that.. !!!  >:(


I’ll end with a quote from Collin Provost about the expression “Stay Gold” :

“Stay gold means remembering how it felt when we first started skating giving no fucks before the industry entered the equation.”

I don’t really care what other people ride and never watched a video and had to have whatever gear some pro was riding. I do think all the videos and information in general available on the internet has given us way more accessibility to knowledge, which allows us to make more informed decisions. I never cared about any of the specs back in the day because, first, a lot of specs weren’t available and second, even if they were, I had no idea what difference they made. Now that I’m understanding more, I’m going to evaluate my skating and preferences and get gear that matches me. Part of the madness is figuring out what all that means and sometimes you gotta try to really know but in the end, I think most of us can get used to and make any setup work like we all used to do.

Damn some of ya’ll fellas down bad I’m sorry to see that haha
Thankfully i feel like i can have fun skating any set up
Use to be 8.5 boards and trucks until i got some 44s from Ace and then some 5.6 Ventures
To add to the cats up there i skated pretty good in Indys but i skated terribly in aces haha felt fun still but i remember a few sessions where i didn’t land anything. Couldn’t pinch good and got so much ghost pop lol
Pretty much been on the same set up since i was like 14 though
Sometimes I wonder if i should skate thunders or indys since i spent the majority of my time on them bad bois but that was the old days i liked what someone said up there about it’s better to not pay it any mind and just go to the shop or try friends set ups and see what feels good
I feel like not being sure if my bearings were still optimal or not was bugging me to the point of getting in my head a lil but I just put in these new olympia ceramic boys and just rolling around the house and trying to do stationary manuels and shit I’m def sure now my swiss’s are shot for the most part
Probably will just throw em on my crusier since the reds on those are super fucked i dont think cleaning will help lol

Yep, more of what I was saying but I just wanted to address the last part about bearings. I thought my Swiss 6 bearings were done because they were over 10 years old and some of them didn’t even spin when I took them out and tried to roll with my fingers. Got new bearings and set the Swiss aside. Then, I was setting up a new ride and didn’t want to pull my other bearings so I cleaned the Swiss 6. They ended up faster than the new bearings I bought so basically, don’t count out any bearings without giving them a good cleaning.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 20, 2025, 06:26:54 PM
I think the continental divide of setups is 8.375" x 53mm and anything on either side starts to work better for specific styles of skating

Currently on the bigger side of it:

8.5 x 14.25
149s
54mm

Moving to the smaller side of it:

8.25 x 14 wb
144s
52mm

Christmas complete for myself for Christmas of something that's actually different and I'll feel it, but still fundamentally the same. Haven't made a wheelbase change in 5 years, haven't changed the width of trucks in 9 years.

 I skate worn down 54s all the time so the wheel thing doesn't matter as much, I'll probably keep buying 93a 54mm classics

If I don't like the 14" wb, it's just a deck and will eventually break anyways and I can replace it with any standard length 8.25. I think I'll like the 14 though, I like the shorter overall length for sure


I got short legs. I cut all my pants outseam(after shrinking them as much as possible) to 38", cause that's right where the pants touch the floor when barefoot and I don't want to be walking on my pants. Inseam depends on rise but usually ~27".

I know Foy and Jerry get down on the 14.25" wb and they're both shorter dudes but idk if I can hang
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MetalAnkleMan on December 20, 2025, 07:21:17 PM
Im writing this to hopefully inspire others:

I just loaded up my trunk with half of all my skate gear and it's time to part ways (it's an absurd amount of gear). Madness has taking over my life to the point its starting to affect my quality of life, its *almost* all I think about and most importantly taken the fun out of skateboarding.

Ive learned I don't have the personality to have gear on hand, I will accept having two completes (1 for my main set up, 2 for my curb set up, just because I need my curb set up trucks to be really loose) If I have gear on hand, I constantly switch it out and my sessions become more of a science experiment versus having fun and learning new tricks.

I feel like now is a great time to get rid of gear with Christmas around the corner, hopefully all the people at the park tomorrow will be stoked.

Madness is such a waste of time, energy and money. I can confidently say all the headaches its given me was not worth any slight improvement in my abilities.

I want to be inspired by someone who doesn't give a fuck about their setup, to me that's so much cooler than obsessiving over the smallest details.

For every pro there is a con to your setup, its a losers game trying to find the perfect setup.

I hope this is a step in the right direction for me to make skateboarding fun again....I feel cleansed as fuck right now.

I appreciate all the responses I got from my original post above, just wanted to do a follow up

I went to two different skateparks today and gave away 50% of my hoard. It felt fucking fantastic, I even left a note saying "For free, merry Christmas" on the gear. I left the skatepark feeling the weight off my shoulders, it truly felt like "that's it its gone, that gear is no longer my problem"

I highly recommend anyone who is going through chronic madness to try this, I promise you once you leave the skatepark you won't regret it

I've been inspired by the "minimalist living" movement. One of my problems is holding on to gear that I don't even like but I read something and it hit me hard "holding on to that gear doesn't make the money come back" so not only do you feel bad from wasting the money and not liking the gear but now you let that gear weigh you down every time you see it you feel stress.

*GET RID OF IT*

Im still working on getting rid of the other 50% of my gear but huge accomplishment from me today, god speed to all on their journies to madness free living!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 21, 2025, 03:55:46 AM
That's fuckin dope, hell yeah

Just got some 144 standards and 52mm classics, actually commit and bought something hahah

I used to live in my car so the minimalist thing has stuck with me HARd so I only have the one setup and a couple extra decks that's it

There are no indoor skateparks here and it's below zero, high wind, snow, so I can't really bronate my current whip

I think I'll just give these 149 hollows to my girlfriend

She is not concerned with the minutiae
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 21, 2025, 09:47:40 AM
Back to the truck size thing for a second…

Many 8.75 decks are actually a hair under 8.75. Thus, one could reasonably ride 8.5 trucks on an 8.25, 8.5, and 8.75 deck, making 8.5 trucks the most versatile size out there.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 21, 2025, 10:06:11 AM
Back to the truck size thing for a second…

Many 8.75 decks are actually a hair under 8.75. Thus, one could reasonably ride 8.5 trucks on an 8.25, 8.5, and 8.75 deck, making 8.5 trucks the most versatile size out there.

i think there is a lot of accuracy to your idea. i guess id say it more like this tho:

149s can be ridden, reasonably well, from 8.125-8.75, making them the most versatile size, for the most popular deck size range.

mmmmmm. or something. my wording is poor.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 21, 2025, 10:17:37 AM
Expand Quote
Back to the truck size thing for a second…

Many 8.75 decks are actually a hair under 8.75. Thus, one could reasonably ride 8.5 trucks on an 8.25, 8.5, and 8.75 deck, making 8.5 trucks the most versatile size out there.
[close]

i think there is a lot of accuracy to your idea. i guess id say it more like this tho:

149s can be ridden, reasonably well, from 8.125-8.75, making them the most versatile size, for the most popular deck size range.

mmmmmm. or something. my wording is poor.

I mean, you could say this with any truck size (e.g. 8” truck works 7.75 - 8.25), but 8.5 trucks really cover that sweet spot of deck range.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 21, 2025, 12:50:43 PM
8.25" firmly established as the new 7.75" lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 21, 2025, 06:03:07 PM
Sounds like you're really figuring it out

I agree with all that too for sure

wheels don't matter for me as much anymore, sticking to 52, 53 or 54 f4 classics. 93, 97, 99, whatever. Can't do 55s or higher anymore.

I couldn't decide between 149 and 144, they're pretty much the same and I'm settling on 144s. Not as classic or cool as 149ers, but I think it'll be good for me

Also never buying hollows again.

I wish I could ride 149s and radial fulls and shit like the cool kids but I'm in my late 30s and like plaza skating so

Curious how the 14" wheelbase is gonna work out. If it doesn't, whatever. Still gonna rock the 144s till they die.

My only madness right now, is... Should I get a set of blue conical Indy bushings? Hahah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 21, 2025, 06:59:33 PM

Yep, more of what I was saying but I just wanted to address the last part about bearings. I thought my Swiss 6 bearings were done because they were over 10 years old and some of them didn’t even spin when I took them out and tried to roll with my fingers. Got new bearings and set the Swiss aside. Then, I was setting up a new ride and didn’t want to pull my other bearings so I cleaned the Swiss 6. They ended up faster than the new bearings I bought so basically, don’t count out any bearings without giving them a good cleaning.


Appreciate the response yeah i actually did just give them a good cleaning the other week, but just acetone and iso and shaking it up. Do you mean removing the cages and cleaning it like that? I’m debating doing that but every wheel just seemed off and i’ve never removed the cages and cleaned like that so it was black friday and i was like screw it i’ll buy some and maybe actually service them

Pretty sure i’m just gonna throw em in my cruiser board, i take my dogs skating with it and they run fast as hell might get out whatever is in there on it’s own
You’re def right though the cruiser board had some crusty n rusty reds on there and I didn’t even remove the wheel just sprayed iso in it spun it a lil bit and after awhile added speed cream & that was enough to have it flossin like before kinda wild how many folks replace bearings before trying to maintenance em.
I was just in my head cause they don’t feel terrible I felt like i remembered them being faster at first
But seemed like Olympia’s  a small brand n it has Crockett n Westgate why not. If they’re faster i’ll keep em on if the swiss feel faster i’ll just throw the ceramics on the cruiser board. That’d be the ideal scenario honestly but idk these bearings feel pretty good so far went to the park yesterday and even though it was windy as hell i just skated a lil transition and tried a bunch of mannys round the park and it felt like i wasn’t miserable against the wind and i was flying when it was on my back
I’m gonna do a hill i did in the swiss’s the other week and report back lol

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 21, 2025, 07:26:38 PM
Expand Quote

Yep, more of what I was saying but I just wanted to address the last part about bearings. I thought my Swiss 6 bearings were done because they were over 10 years old and some of them didn’t even spin when I took them out and tried to roll with my fingers. Got new bearings and set the Swiss aside. Then, I was setting up a new ride and didn’t want to pull my other bearings so I cleaned the Swiss 6. They ended up faster than the new bearings I bought so basically, don’t count out any bearings without giving them a good cleaning.
[close]


Appreciate the response yeah i actually did just give them a good cleaning the other week, but just acetone and iso and shaking it up. Do you mean removing the cages and cleaning it like that? I’m debating doing that but every wheel just seemed off and i’ve never removed the cages and cleaned like that so it was black friday and i was like screw it i’ll buy some and maybe actually service them

Pretty sure i’m just gonna throw em in my cruiser board, i take my dogs skating with it and they run fast as hell might get out whatever is in there on it’s own
You’re def right though the cruiser board had some crusty n rusty reds on there and I didn’t even remove the wheel just sprayed iso in it spun it a lil bit and after awhile added speed cream & that was enough to have it flossin like before kinda wild how many folks replace bearings before trying to maintenance em.
I was just in my head cause they don’t feel terrible I felt like i remembered them being faster at first
But seemed like Olympia’s  a small brand n it has Crockett n Westgate why not. If they’re faster i’ll keep em on if the swiss feel faster i’ll just throw the ceramics on the cruiser board. That’d be the ideal scenario honestly but idk these bearings feel pretty good so far went to the park yesterday and even though it was windy as hell i just skated a lil transition and tried a bunch of mannys round the park and it felt like i wasn’t miserable against the wind and i was flying when it was on my back
I’m gonna do a hill i did in the swiss’s the other week and report back lol
I’ve never taken bearing completely apart, just remove the shields and shake them up in acetone or isopropyl alcohol and then a drop or two of speed cream has been enough. I suppose if thy get really bad, you could go as far as getting new cages but I haven’t needed to yet. Either way, it’s doesn’t hurt to have more bearings around.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: lurkpiv on December 21, 2025, 11:36:10 PM
Anyone much smarter than me out there know if using washers to push wheels further out on a truck's axle will make the axle more likely to bend? Or is the amount of space minimal enough and axle strength strong enough that it shouldn't make a difference?

Basically how much of an impact would it make by moving the wheel on the axle out an additional 1/16"?

I have lightly bent my axles on the last couple sets of trucks I've had and want to just chalk it up to old trucks. I don't really huck much anymore so I feel like this shouldn't be happening. Really wondering if extra washers can make this worse.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 22, 2025, 02:42:38 AM
Anyone much smarter than me out there know if using washers to push wheels further out on a truck's axle will make the axle more likely to bend? Or is the amount of space minimal enough and axle strength strong enough that it shouldn't make a difference?

Basically how much of an impact would it make by moving the wheel on the axle out an additional 1/16"?

I have lightly bent my axles on the last couple sets of trucks I've had and want to just chalk it up to old trucks. I don't really huck much anymore so I feel like this shouldn't be happening. Really wondering if extra washers can make this worse.


There might be some science to it, but I would tend to say no I don't think it would make any difference.

People will still bend any axle with four washers or no washers if they land heavily enough, not just from drops or heights, but even from just repeated heavy solid landings it would seem for some people.

Wheels might wear a little differently sitting out a bit further for some people, or some wheel shapes, maybe more so those really wide versions, which will often wear a lot more on the inside, or the part closest to the middle of the board, but even that could be more a case of the angle of the trucks when on ledges and curbs, which will wear the wheels on a certain angle, more than just being on flat ground.


* For reference, I have toyed with the idea of having half a dozen washers on the inside, the wheels on past that and the axle nuts on with the nyloc facing in, so the wheels were way further out than any normal setup and they still skated fine and had no issues.  It tripped people out who only realised later what they had been riding, when they took it for a test roll, but they said it didn't feel any different when they skated it and the trucks held up fine to some pretty solid use like that.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 22, 2025, 05:56:12 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Yep, more of what I was saying but I just wanted to address the last part about bearings. I thought my Swiss 6 bearings were done because they were over 10 years old and some of them didn’t even spin when I took them out and tried to roll with my fingers. Got new bearings and set the Swiss aside. Then, I was setting up a new ride and didn’t want to pull my other bearings so I cleaned the Swiss 6. They ended up faster than the new bearings I bought so basically, don’t count out any bearings without giving them a good cleaning.
[close]


Appreciate the response yeah i actually did just give them a good cleaning the other week, but just acetone and iso and shaking it up. Do you mean removing the cages and cleaning it like that? I’m debating doing that but every wheel just seemed off and i’ve never removed the cages and cleaned like that so it was black friday and i was like screw it i’ll buy some and maybe actually service them

Pretty sure i’m just gonna throw em in my cruiser board, i take my dogs skating with it and they run fast as hell might get out whatever is in there on it’s own
You’re def right though the cruiser board had some crusty n rusty reds on there and I didn’t even remove the wheel just sprayed iso in it spun it a lil bit and after awhile added speed cream & that was enough to have it flossin like before kinda wild how many folks replace bearings before trying to maintenance em.
I was just in my head cause they don’t feel terrible I felt like i remembered them being faster at first
But seemed like Olympia’s  a small brand n it has Crockett n Westgate why not. If they’re faster i’ll keep em on if the swiss feel faster i’ll just throw the ceramics on the cruiser board. That’d be the ideal scenario honestly but idk these bearings feel pretty good so far went to the park yesterday and even though it was windy as hell i just skated a lil transition and tried a bunch of mannys round the park and it felt like i wasn’t miserable against the wind and i was flying when it was on my back
I’m gonna do a hill i did in the swiss’s the other week and report back lol
[close]
I’ve never taken bearing completely apart, just remove the shields and shake them up in acetone or isopropyl alcohol and then a drop or two of speed cream has been enough. I suppose if thy get really bad, you could go as far as getting new cages but I haven’t needed to yet. Either way, it’s doesn’t hurt to have more bearings around.

Yeah taking it apart all the way like that seems like a pain. I might see if i can get some replacement ball bearings and maybe get tedious one of these winter days but probably not the iso bath is good enough

Also @furlinedsea what do you hate about ps stix? Was debating making my next board a ps stix again

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 22, 2025, 07:03:13 AM
I fully took apart some bones reds like that one time and I don't know why but they were never the same after that

I've never done it since. I just shake em in the lil bones jar with acetone and spin dry with canned air (which is fun and sounds awesome)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 22, 2025, 10:30:50 AM
Anyone much smarter than me out there know if using washers to push wheels further out on a truck's axle will make the axle more likely to bend? Or is the amount of space minimal enough and axle strength strong enough that it shouldn't make a difference?

Basically how much of an impact would it make by moving the wheel on the axle out an additional 1/16"?

I have lightly bent my axles on the last couple sets of trucks I've had and want to just chalk it up to old trucks. I don't really huck much anymore so I feel like this shouldn't be happening. Really wondering if extra washers can make this worse.

According to the Law of Moments, yes. Is it possible in real life skateboarding applications with the change in length of the pivot point, and impact force? Not sure....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 22, 2025, 11:17:15 AM
Expand Quote
Anyone much smarter than me out there know if using washers to push wheels further out on a truck's axle will make the axle more likely to bend? Or is the amount of space minimal enough and axle strength strong enough that it shouldn't make a difference?

Basically how much of an impact would it make by moving the wheel on the axle out an additional 1/16"?

I have lightly bent my axles on the last couple sets of trucks I've had and want to just chalk it up to old trucks. I don't really huck much anymore so I feel like this shouldn't be happening. Really wondering if extra washers can make this worse.
[close]

According to the Law of Moments, yes. Is it possible in real life skateboarding applications with the change in length of the pivot point, and impact force? Not sure....

I feel like you'll be fine. Especially if you're only adding one washer on each side.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 22, 2025, 11:41:42 AM
1 day madness free

Grant me the serenity to remember I used to eat mushrooms and rip on other people's setups
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on December 22, 2025, 11:56:55 AM
Grant me the serenity to remember I used to eat mushrooms and rip on other people's setups

Amen
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 22, 2025, 12:10:48 PM
1 day madness free

Grant me the serenity to remember I used to eat mushrooms and rip on other people's setups

Shalom
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 22, 2025, 03:15:34 PM
I made a lil chart with balanced, proportionate truck/wheel sizes for y'all (using indy standards and spitfire classic shape as a reference)

                                  Truck           Wheel
129 ----------------------- 7.625" --- 46 to 48mm
136/139(sw) -------- 8" ---------- 49 to 51mm
144/146/149 ----- ~8.375" --- 52 to 54mm
151/159(fw) ------ ~8.75" ----- 55 to 57mm
161/169(mfw) --- ~9.125" --- 58 to 60mm

In the case of spitfire classics, the wheels jump up in width starting at 55 and again for 60s

I can interchange 52, 53, 54 with no noticeable difference to my skating, but if I slap some 55s or 56s on there it throws my whole game off. I learned that this year.

I think the proportions look and feel really good when the wheel size = axle length divided by 4

I think wheelbase is a preference based on how long your legs are and what type of skating you do, but 14.25" is the most common.

Board and wheel size are all preference for what kind of skating you do. There's slappy curb dudes riding 52mm wheels on Indy 215s with half-inch tall risers. This is just a guide for proportionate looking setups.

I think as the wheel size gets bigger, the pop angle changes, and bigger boards often have longer wheelbases, so I think Aces or stage 4s or something work best to balance that out.

As the wheels get smaller and the wheelbase gets smaller too, lower trucks with wider wheelbase make more sense like venture lows

I learned a lot of crap this year. Don't get me started on bushings.

I just kinda wanted to share my like, proportion key of axle ÷ 4 = wheel size hahah

Obviously this is just a jump-off point and you can always slap some 54s on some venture low 5.0s if it works for you

I spent too much time on this thread so I think now it's time for me to listen and try to help, instead of publicly stressing about 1/4"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrAnKenFrEd on December 23, 2025, 01:03:37 PM
Yeah but 50mm Lil Smokies look lush on a 9.18 Huffer.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 23, 2025, 01:08:42 PM

As the wheels get smaller and the wheelbase gets smaller too..


Huh? Wheelbase is based on either (a) your deck, or (b) center-of-truck-axle to center-of-truck-axle.

Size of wheels has no impact on either of those.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 23, 2025, 01:49:17 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.


EDIT: Trucks have been claimed. Offer no longer valid.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 23, 2025, 01:59:35 PM
Expand Quote

As the wheels get smaller and the wheelbase gets smaller too..

[close]

Huh? Wheelbase is based on either (a) your deck, or (b) center-of-truck-axle to center-of-truck-axle.

Size of wheels has no impact on either of those.

swongol was speaking to desirable proportions.
his ranges make sense, and touch onto some level of information i don’t have access to yet….i have had setups with 169s and big wheels, that i could still treflip, and i think it was because everything had scaled up ‘correctly’




in personal madness moves: i want to buy either a griffin or simon inspired setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 23, 2025, 02:03:20 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.

Giving away new trucks in the madness thread is pretty hilarious.

A very kind gesture (really, it is), but also kind of akin to giving drugs to addicts lol.

I still gnar'd you for kindness though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 23, 2025, 02:21:02 PM
Expand Quote

As the wheels get smaller and the wheelbase gets smaller too..

[close]

Huh? Wheelbase is based on either (a) your deck, or (b) center-of-truck-axle to center-of-truck-axle.

Size of wheels has no impact on either of those.

I probably just worded it like shit, I'm talking about decks. How usually decks under 8" are 14" wb, and people that skate decks under 8" often skate smaller wheels

A 7.5 deck with a 14.5 wheelbase would be fuckin wild lookin tho. Doesn't exactly work as well as 9" with a 14" wb which is fun as fuck

Yeah but 50mm Lil Smokies look lush on a 9.18 Huffer.

Indeed they do

This is just for like, proportionate stuff as far as keeping stuff from feeling too tippy, or too glued to the ground. Running 60s on some 129s is obviously less fun than like, 50s on 159s which is rad
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 23, 2025, 03:07:11 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]

Giving away new trucks in the madness thread is pretty hilarious.

A very kind gesture (really, it is), but also kind of akin to giving drugs to addicts lol.

I still gnar'd you for kindness though.

First one is free. :)

[And I'll bounce it over to the Thunder thread eventually, but going to offer it up to my Madness Crew, first. :) ]
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 23, 2025, 03:08:30 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

As the wheels get smaller and the wheelbase gets smaller too..

[close]

Huh? Wheelbase is based on either (a) your deck, or (b) center-of-truck-axle to center-of-truck-axle.

Size of wheels has no impact on either of those.
[close]

I probably just worded it like shit, I'm talking about decks. How usually decks under 8" are 14" wb, and people that skate decks under 8" often skate smaller wheels

A 7.5 deck with a 14.5 wheelbase would be fuckin wild lookin tho. Doesn't exactly work as well as 9" with a 14" wb which is fun as fuck


Oh! Totally got you, and absolutely agree.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 23, 2025, 03:24:59 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]

Giving away new trucks in the madness thread is pretty hilarious.

A very kind gesture (really, it is), but also kind of akin to giving drugs to addicts lol.

I still gnar'd you for kindness though.
[close]

First one is free. :)

[And I'll bounce it over to the Thunder thread eventually, but going to offer it up to my Madness Crew, first. :) ]

That's exactly the phrase I was thinking of lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 23, 2025, 08:09:46 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
If no one is taking it up I will
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 23, 2025, 08:37:36 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]
If no one is taking it up I will

You are someone, not no one, so, looks like they are yours. DM your info.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 23, 2025, 09:02:50 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]
If no one is taking it up I will

Dang saw this too late haha
I’m too newbie anyway super sick to see i’m smiling ear to ear rn
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 23, 2025, 09:10:26 PM
I fully took apart some bones reds like that one time and I don't know why but they were never the same after that

I've never done it since. I just shake em in the lil bones jar with acetone and spin dry with canned air (which is fun and sounds awesome)

Yeah i need some compressed air for various more important things but that’s def one of em
No i def believe that and thank you that’s all i needed to hear to decide not to do that haha

We had a great weather day in the midwest so I kept the skate cushes on again & went out skating
They feel great my ankle is a lil hurt so i was taking it easy but did a few high heelflips and kickflips dipped and almost every time haha
I finally learned how to slappy, I’ve always liked em but not enough to learn em idk but been trying to branch out and try more stuff in skating I always had lil uncomfortable hang ups or something so that felt good

The ceramic olympia bearings feel really good officially a fan, need to ride some friend’s boards with fresh bearings and try and compare but it’s noticeable faster than what i had & i jumped on my friend’s board that had G3s probably G2s cause geez louise them mfs felt terrible haha granted he’s been hurt so they’ve just been sitting but my girl’s almost mint reds been sitting for years n they feel good so idk i def get the hate for Bronsons now mainly G2s glad I didn’t go that route

The olympias are just so fast, smooth, & silent ,and i do like noise but idc that much it felt sick gliding thru the park. I’m gonna put the swiss on my cruiser board
Also anyone feel free to tell me if another thread is better to talk about the sesh or something I like it here but I’m new so don’t wanna ramble on this thread if ya’ll more focused on the gear
Anyone else get a sesh in today (yesterday by the time lots of yous read this)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on December 23, 2025, 09:18:45 PM
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]
If no one is taking it up I will

Congratulations on the trucks!

Also, you poor, mad bastard.

T2’s were the catalyst for my most recent bout of truck insanity. They’re close enough to Indy’s and AF1’s yet just different enough to make me question what I even wanted in a skate truck. In all seriousness though, I could see them being the truck someone’s been looking for so good luck!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 23, 2025, 10:16:01 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]
If no one is taking it up I will
[close]

You are someone, not no one, so, looks like they are yours. DM your info.

Sick! Info sent. I’ve been wanting to try 151s so this works out for me. Thanks so much!

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]
If no one is taking it up I will
[close]

Congratulations on the trucks!

Also, you poor, mad bastard.

T2’s were the catalyst for my most recent bout of truck insanity. They’re close enough to Indy’s and AF1’s yet just different enough to make me question what I even wanted in a skate truck. In all seriousness though, I could see them being the truck someone’s been looking for so good luck!

Haha, yeah will see how it goes. As I mentioned above, been wanting to try 151 or 8.75” trucks of any kind and I currently ride regular Thunders and AF1, but both 8.5”. I’m pretty adaptable overall so hope it won’t induce too much madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 24, 2025, 04:20:37 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.ibb.co/KpwLXrk8/Screenshot-2025-12-23-at-4-45-23-PM.png)

I said I would, and I am true to my word. This T-2 151 Christmas Package is FREE for ever wants it, just pay shipping.

I tried them, with an assortment of different bushings, and they just aren't for me. Hopefully they might be good for you. Sorry I don't have the 94a bushing to complete the "set," but I gave them to a friend who rides Thunders.

First come, first serve.
[close]
If no one is taking it up I will
[close]

You are someone, not no one, so, looks like they are yours. DM your info.
[close]

Sick! Info sent. I’ve been wanting to try 151s so this works out for me. Thanks so much!

Expand Quote

Congratulations on the trucks!

Also, you poor, mad bastard.

T2’s were the catalyst for my most recent bout of truck insanity. They’re close enough to Indy’s and AF1’s yet just different enough to make me question what I even wanted in a skate truck. In all seriousness though, I could see them being the truck someone’s been looking for so good luck!
[close]

Haha, yeah will see how it goes. As I mentioned above, been wanting to try 151 or 8.75” trucks of any kind and I currently ride regular Thunders and AF1, but both 8.5”. I’m pretty adaptable overall so hope it won’t induce too much madness.



To add maybe too late in this case, but I would recommend trying the T-II trucks for at least a few sessions, because the first session for me was almost too weird, the second only a little better, the third maybe starting to feel like the bushings might possibly work for me, but it wasn't until almost a month later that everything really clicked, even though in that time I had been skating my other boards too.

That was on the 149s on the DLX 8.38 shape - two set up, one with their stock bushings, the other with whatever bushings I wanted to try in there, both feeling really good now.

Yesterday was the first session on the T-II 151s and yes I had forgotten how crazy the stock bushings felt at first, way too loose and very difficult to even just do comfortable laps on so after every run I would tighten them down a quarter turn (just doing minimal stuff - turns back and forth but for a while each run) until I had almost three threads showing on each truck.  That in itself should have been enough to put most people off, but by that point, it was feeling manageable and I angle grinded the kingpin off about two threads, same as I usually do to Indy and what I did to my other T-II trucks. 

Finished the session feeling really good about the whole setup, not too loose, not hard to ride, just a fast track to making these trucks work for me, without destroying the bushings in the process.  To note everything else I had set up with regular Thunder 151s, so it wasn't like I had a brand new complete, but the brand new T-II bushings were the hardest thing to get used to.

I think a couple more sessions on that board and it could become my favourite 8.75 setup - regular DLX - Real bold logo with graphic removed 8.75 deck, Thunder T-II 151 trucks, Spitfire Formula Four 54 mm Radial Full wheels rounded off a lot, just my usual everything else really.


(https://i.ibb.co/RpGspsfc/Real-8-75-Thunder-t-ii-complete-2025.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VW0zWzRT)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pops on December 24, 2025, 05:20:42 AM
I feel I'm ready to change my Aces to T2s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 24, 2025, 04:46:01 PM
significant madness/inspiration spun out for me.

fiendishly coveting ace af1 inverted hollows, and some very large softer spitfires, bannerot tribute setup.

on the positive side of things: ace turn great and are fun. big soft wheels would open up quite a bit of cruising around, skating for distance, which tbf, would be a more realistic way for me to have some fun on a skateboard (compared to skating infrequently, and trying tons of flip tricks from 25 years ago).

the against argument: i own more than i use. its just some greedy buying shit, trying to feel something nonsense. i’m just going to go to the same
parking lot and try and switchflip it.

my only positive ace pop experiences have been shorter boards with big wheels.

does anyone have some good things to say about the af1s, and/or, more importantly: the skating with very large wheels?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 24, 2025, 05:40:58 PM

does anyone have some good things to say about the af1s...


I have some great things to say about AF1s! The most enjoyment I've gotten from them is giving them away! :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 24, 2025, 05:44:53 PM
Expand Quote

does anyone have some good things to say about the af1s...

[close]

I have some great things to say about AF1s! The most enjoyment I've gotten from them is giving them away! :)

haha, true.
aces gave me this thought, that once i gave up on flip tricks/and eventually ollie’s, they’d be perfect: if it’s just turns, and crazy turns, and and and
then aces would/will be perfect.
i’m not there yet, but it’s close, time is flying by
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 24, 2025, 05:52:15 PM
Af1s are great with the ace hard bushings, stable on center and crispy sounding but still can really dive when you want them to

I like the stock bushings too but it takes more energy riding "in" the board like that vs riding "on" top of it with a snappier, less gummy feeling bushing, especially for flip tricks

Aces pinch crooked grinds weird for me cause the turn is so deep

Soft wheels are sticky for me on crooked grinds

I've tried the AF1 55/regular radial 93a 58mm combo and it's super fun and I could still do all my shit. Was paired with an 8.5 x 14.25 board. Hard bushings, no risers.

58mm radial fulls are extremely wide

58mm normal radials, and 60mm classics aren't as wide but still wider than the other stuff

I personally wouldn't ride a 58+ wheel on anything smaller than an 8.5" truck

Boserio said they didn't really unlock any spots for him, they just look rad

After watching a lot of footage of people riding big wheels the last couple years, I got it in my head that I wanted to, too.

Now I'm back on 53s

I can just ride my cruiser if I want to just cruise
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 24, 2025, 07:41:31 PM
Just a shout to all the regular crew in this thread...

Merry and happy, well, everything...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on December 24, 2025, 07:47:11 PM
Just a shout to all the regular crew in this thread...

Merry and happy, well, everything...

Right back at ya brother.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 24, 2025, 08:15:36 PM
Af1s are great with the ace hard bushings, stable on center and crispy sounding but still can really dive when you want them to

I like the stock bushings too but it takes more energy riding "in" the board like that vs riding "on" top of it with a snappier, less gummy feeling bushing, especially for flip tricks

Aces pinch crooked grinds weird for me cause the turn is so deep

Soft wheels are sticky for me on crooked grinds

I've tried the AF1 55/regular radial 93a 58mm combo and it's super fun and I could still do all my shit. Was paired with an 8.5 x 14.25 board. Hard bushings, no risers.

58mm radial fulls are extremely wide

58mm normal radials, and 60mm classics aren't as wide but still wider than the other stuff

I personally wouldn't ride a 58+ wheel on anything smaller than an 8.5" truck

Boserio said they didn't really unlock any spots for him, they just look rad

After watching a lot of footage of people riding big wheels the last couple years, I got it in my head that I wanted to, too.

Now I'm back on 53s

I can just ride my cruiser if I want to just cruise


this is the exact scenario i was thinking of, and a deck with those same dimensions. comparatively, i’m far older, and much more limited than you.
this just might well be my cruiser…..era. gross.


anyways, i appreciate your timely and detailed response. very helpful.

i mean….instill might do it. i know it’s not going to work
it will be different from what i currently have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on December 24, 2025, 08:17:26 PM
Happy Holidays and another shout out to @Sedition for the generosity and already sending out what I’ll consider my only Christmas present! May we all solve a little madness in the new year!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pops on December 24, 2025, 09:31:37 PM
Expand Quote

does anyone have some good things to say about the af1s...

[close]

I have some great things to say about AF1s! The most enjoyment I've gotten from them is giving them away! :)

Same for me. I never got them feel right no matter what I did with them so best decision was to give them away. I'm good with the Classics but I'm also ready to move on. Actually, since I started riding Aces I've messed with my setups more than ever, heh.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on December 24, 2025, 10:02:57 PM
significant madness/inspiration spun out for me.

fiendishly coveting ace af1 inverted hollows, and some very large softer spitfires, bannerot tribute setup.

on the positive side of things: ace turn great and are fun. big soft wheels would open up quite a bit of cruising around, skating for distance, which tbf, would be a more realistic way for me to have some fun on a skateboard (compared to skating infrequently, and trying tons of flip tricks from 25 years ago).

the against argument: i own more than i use. its just some greedy buying shit, trying to feel something nonsense. i’m just going to go to the same
parking lot and try and switchflip it.

my only positive ace pop experiences have been shorter boards with big wheels.

does anyone have some good things to say about the af1s, and/or, more importantly: the skating with very large wheels?

AF1’s require some dedication. For awhile they’re gonna be wobbly and weird. But man when you get really used to them and pair them with the right board & wheels they are magical. They’re like a wild horse that won’t let you be in total control of them until you’ve gained their trust. I’ve been drinking gin so I’ll probably be embarrassed of that last part later but right now it seems so on point.

*edit- yeah idk what I was on about 🫠
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on December 25, 2025, 01:06:04 AM
Just a shout to all the regular crew in this thread...

Merry and happy, well, everything...

Yo! Ho ho ho!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on December 28, 2025, 05:05:21 PM
So I went from 53mm classic fulls on ventures to 56mm classic fulls on Indy’s, and man does it feel like home. I rode big wide wheels on Indy’s for sooo long (probably like 7 years) i don’t know why I strayed away from it! I was trippin on the weight and the pop feel because of it is fantastic (pretty similar feeling to ventures actually, just more height before the tail hits but already adjusted to it) haven’t lost any tricks, and honestly they feel kinda easier now. Idk maybe cause I’m so tall and big that this is just what I need, a tall and big setup to match!

And as I said before I had venture v8s on a 14.625 wb with just my front truck in which is the exact same wb as my Indy’s on a 14.5 (which is on the April im riding) so honestly the only adjustment was the actual height of Indy’s and the 56s. Also does anyone know what the height increase would be from what I was riding to now?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on December 28, 2025, 06:46:22 PM
So I went from 53mm classic fulls on ventures to 56mm classic fulls on Indy’s, and man does it feel like home. I rode big wide wheels on Indy’s for sooo long (probably like 7 years) i don’t know why I strayed away from it! I was trippin on the weight and the pop feel because of it is fantastic (pretty similar feeling to ventures actually, just more height before the tail hits but already adjusted to it) haven’t lost any tricks, and honestly they feel kinda easier now. Idk maybe cause I’m so tall and big that this is just what I need, a tall and big setup to match!

And as I said before I had venture v8s on a 14.625 wb with just my front truck in which is the exact same wb as my Indy’s on a 14.5 (which is on the April im riding) so honestly the only adjustment was the actual height of Indy’s and the 56s. Also does anyone know what the height increase would be from what I was riding to now?

Bout 3 mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 29, 2025, 03:46:49 AM
Expand Quote
So I went from 53mm classic fulls on ventures to 56mm classic fulls on Indy’s, and man does it feel like home. I rode big wide wheels on Indy’s for sooo long (probably like 7 years) i don’t know why I strayed away from it! I was trippin on the weight and the pop feel because of it is fantastic (pretty similar feeling to ventures actually, just more height before the tail hits but already adjusted to it) haven’t lost any tricks, and honestly they feel kinda easier now. Idk maybe cause I’m so tall and big that this is just what I need, a tall and big setup to match!

And as I said before I had venture v8s on a 14.625 wb with just my front truck in which is the exact same wb as my Indy’s on a 14.5 (which is on the April im riding) so honestly the only adjustment was the actual height of Indy’s and the 56s. Also does anyone know what the height increase would be from what I was riding to now?
[close]

Bout 3 mm


Yes, Venture 53 mm to Indy 55 mm, so 2 mm in trucks, then 53 mm wheels to 56 mm wheels so halve the difference, so 1.5 mm from ground to axle.

Combine that with the difference in truck axle position in relation to the bolts to tail length and you are going to have what would almost be an easier pop on your current setup - although taller, it sits in further - compared to the lower but further out Venture ride, which would make the tail somewhat shorter, but being lower would be a bit more snappy.

It was an interesting experiment when I did a big old mix and match a while back, with much the same heights and sizes of product, if not the same shapes of deck or wheels.

By the sound of it though, as per my own experiments, it has worked so well with similar combinations in the past.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on December 29, 2025, 10:23:25 AM
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: standfast on December 29, 2025, 01:34:58 PM
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen

Perhaps the weight of a 8.25 truck affects it as well since they have more material. I've noticed I skate much better and longer with lighter trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Teethcanbesexy on December 29, 2025, 04:35:20 PM
Currently have gear procrastination and laziness.  Want to change some shit up but I’d rather just skate it how it is than use my time to set it up
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on December 29, 2025, 05:08:00 PM
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen

oh i identify with this.

my grinding has always been extremely limited, i’ve mainly been interested in flatground type bullshit. Lavar in Trilogy would be my ideal ability.
anyways.
i’ve struggled to size up past 8” trucks, and i’ve tried for so long that now everything is all messed up for me, and smaller setups feel shitty, and bigger setups, also shitty. probably not the setups. i think ive isolated the variable (the constant?).
i get hyped when i read about Ishod or Worrest using 8” trucks, Reynolds….I just haven’t gained any tricks from using a larger rig. some of the tricks do feel better tho, so that’s why i keep trying.

as to trying lighter trucks and all of that: that is only important to me, when im not riding my size. meaning, if im trying some big board (for me that’s 8.5) and matching trucks and shit, i might like hollow/light whatever. but if i try light 8” trucks i generally hate them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 29, 2025, 07:20:56 PM
Expand Quote
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen
[close]

oh i identify with this.

my grinding has always been extremely limited, i’ve mainly been interested in flatground type bullshit. Lavar in Trilogy would be my ideal ability.
anyways.
i’ve struggled to size up past 8” trucks, and i’ve tried for so long that now everything is all messed up for me, and smaller setups feel shitty, and bigger setups, also shitty. probably not the setups. i think ive isolated the variable (the constant?).
i get hyped when i read about Ishod or Worrest using 8” trucks, Reynolds….I just haven’t gained any tricks from using a larger rig. some of the tricks do feel better tho, so that’s why i keep trying.

as to trying lighter trucks and all of that: that is only important to me, when im not riding my size. meaning, if im trying some big board (for me that’s 8.5) and matching trucks and shit, i might like hollow/light whatever. but if i try light 8” trucks i generally hate them.

I completely agree about the weight

I'd rather have a heavier, smaller truck than a lighter, bigger truck

The feedback from the weight, and the way your board goes where you expect it to, is far more valuable to me than the width... I can pretty much get down on any board size as long as the wheelbase and trucks stay the same size

I'd say just stay on 8" trucks, and stick to whatever wheelbase works for you. Magic carpet if you want, fuck it.

Hella pros have done 8.25 and 8.5 boards on 8" trucks, it's a classic move
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 30, 2025, 11:27:23 PM
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen

I use to skate 8.5 deck & trucks until the 8.25s came out & i think I agree with you my flip tricks didn’t suffer at all except they were alot higher and over spinning for like half a day & then it just better, but i was recently wondering if my grinds would be better with the 8.5 trucks so reading your post is comforting thank you


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on December 31, 2025, 01:46:17 AM
Expand Quote
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen
[close]

I use to skate 8.5 deck & trucks until the 8.25s came out & i think I agree with you my flip tricks didn’t suffer at all except they were alot higher and over spinning for like half a day & then it just better, but i was recently wondering if my grinds would be better with the 8.5 trucks so reading your post is comforting thank you


Some people I know and skate with always ride smaller trucks than their board, for that very reason - it just works better for them with how they skate, eg 8.75" with 8.5" trucks, 8.38" with 8.25" trucks, or 8.25" with 8" trucks.

Even having minimal washers on the inside of the same width trucks as the deck feels different to having three washers on the inside, but experimenting with the options can really make something work well or work well enough.

Then there are the others who have wider trucks to deck setups, which is a whole different game, but if it works for them, then that's ok too.


* I usually ride same width board to trucks, but I have skated enough "other boards" to feel what all options were like and can appreciate the differences, but I guess that doesn't help at all in the Gear Madness Support Thread.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on December 31, 2025, 07:40:10 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen
[close]

I use to skate 8.5 deck & trucks until the 8.25s came out & i think I agree with you my flip tricks didn’t suffer at all except they were alot higher and over spinning for like half a day & then it just better, but i was recently wondering if my grinds would be better with the 8.5 trucks so reading your post is comforting thank you
[close]


Some people I know and skate with always ride smaller trucks than their board, for that very reason - it just works better for them with how they skate, eg 8.75" with 8.5" trucks, 8.38" with 8.25" trucks, or 8.25" with 8" trucks.

Even having minimal washers on the inside of the same width trucks as the deck feels different to having three washers on the inside, but experimenting with the options can really make something work well or work well enough.

Then there are the others who have wider trucks to deck setups, which is a whole different game, but if it works for them, then that's ok too.


* I usually ride same width board to trucks, but I have skated enough "other boards" to feel what all options were like and can appreciate the differences, but I guess that doesn't help at all in the Gear Madness Support Thread.

That actually is something i’m wanting to do here soon lol put extra washers to stick the wheels out dunno why i never thought of that until being on slap
Or maybe i did n just was too lazy lol
Finally put wax in my pivot cups & felt silly I hadn’t done it sooner
Yeah i think imma stick with the magic carpet can’t think of any reason to stray away
Ya’ll all have a great new years and stay safe don’t drink n drive pls
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on December 31, 2025, 11:15:42 AM
My experience with truck widths and grinds…

I rode the DLX 8.25/14.38 with 144s as my main set-up for well over 10-years (149s prior to 144s coming out). During that time I occasionally put 149s (again) on my 8.25, rode a few 8.5 decks (with 149s), and had the DLX 8.75/14.62 with 159s as more of a cruiser type deck.

For a very long time, whenever I went above 144s, I really hated the “lateral slop” (e.g. lateral movement) of/on wider trucks. Once I got into a grind, I didn’t want to deal with side-to-side movement—I wanted a solid lock, and I got this more quickly with smaller trucks. Moreover, anytime something was cross-locked, wider trucks put the board at more of an off-angle from the direction of travel, whereas narrower trucks keep the board more parallel (with the direction of travel), and I felt less “twisted-up” on smaller trucks.

Over time, and with age, I started riding wider boards a bit more. It took me a bit to adjust to the “lateral slop,” but I also realized, at least for me, wider trucks had some real grind advantages, too. Specifically, I didn’t have to be as precise. Take something like a b/s 180 to fakie 50/50 grind on a curb/ledge/etc. With narrow trucks, that trick is easier to “over rotate” if your body is still turning a bit after the trucks lock-in. For me at least, wider trucks will “absorb” a bit more of that rotation, and be less likely to toss you off if you are not perfect (and I am certainly not). The other thing is that once in a grind, wider trucks just feel more stable. As of now, my main set-up is the BLKLBL 8.75/14.5 with 159s. When I get back on my 8.25, it now feels like I am on a “tight rope,” and even olleing into a b/s 50-50 on a bench feels a bit precarious (because of how “7.75” the 8.25 now feels). My 8.75 feels much more…balanced. 

Not grind related, but another place I really like wider trucks is on axle/feeble/pivot to fakies on transition. I do those tricks, and variations of them, A LOT. A wider truck puts that rear toe-side wheel further “in” the ramp, and for me, that makes those tricks a lot more fluid and easier to bring back in.

Flip tricks? Yeah. Those take more effort with wider trucks, for sure. But man, do they ever feel good on a bigger board, too.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on December 31, 2025, 11:43:24 AM
^ one of my most fun setups ever was my first foray into big wheels and boards in 2016. I got a shaped Santa cruz 9+ something and some 58mm conicals, still ran it on 149s. Memories on that setup burned into my brain skating Cody, Jackson Hole, Big Sky and Bozeman.

-

Doing a slow transition into my new shit, phasing it in so it's not too weird all at once.

My setup before:

• 8.5 or 8.25, 14.25 wheelbase. Real blue ovals, AH blue eagles, baker logos, bbs blanks
• hollow cast indy 149s(I don't know why I bought hollows)
• 54mm spitfire classics

Ended up trying 56mm classics, 60mm classics, and 58mm radials this year before going back to 54mm classics

Some things I didn't like about my setup after starting to skate a little harder again:

• trucks felt too light on pool coping
• board felt too long

Switched from hollow cast 149 to standard 144, and set them up on a blue eagle I already had

Got an 8.25" x 14" wheelbase deck on ice

I learned/realized a lot of stuff in this thread

Ended up finally acting on all my madness and it was literally just a set of trucks and a board hahah. 1/4" here and 1/4" there. I'm gonna stick to 144 standards and 8.25 x 14". I think at 5'8" and 36 years old I'm gonna like that better than 149s and 8.5 x 14.25. both are absolutely great setups don't get me wrong. I kind of can't believe I finally peeled myself away from the mystical 149 x 14.25 wb combo

-

10 days madness free

Feels good

-

Building a board for my girlfriend. The last time she had a board she was like 12 and it was a 1977 fiberglass Hobie with Bennetts and no griptape that she bombed the hill in front of her house with. She recently expressed interest in wanting to go skate with me, and after seeing that board and that hill, I started showing her all kinds of graphics and there's a few she's pumped on. Originally we were gonna get the talking heads 10" pig shape, but she wanted a board like me and her friends have.

Probably gonna go with 56mm G-Slides and Indy 144s on a dlx true fit 8.25 to 8.5, 13.75 to 14 wb depending on what graphics she likes. I'm thinking 1/8" risers, and I'm going to make 1/4" thick tail skids out of a polyethylene cutting board so her board lasts longer, with those transparent rails from opera to protect the graphic+stickers

I wish I still had my first board but the kicks wore down SO much it was ridiculous. My dad re-drilled my wheelbase instead of getting me a new board hahah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 01, 2026, 10:25:55 PM
My experience with truck widths and grinds…

I rode the DLX 8.25/14.38 with 144s as my main set-up for well over 10-years (149s prior to 144s coming out). During that time I occasionally put 149s (again) on my 8.25, rode a few 8.5 decks (with 149s), and had the DLX 8.75/14.62 with 159s as more of a cruiser type deck.

For a very long time, whenever I went above 144s, I really hated the “lateral slop” (e.g. lateral movement) of/on wider trucks. Once I got into a grind, I didn’t want to deal with side-to-side movement—I wanted a solid lock, and I got this more quickly with smaller trucks. Moreover, anytime something was cross-locked, wider trucks put the board at more of an off-angle from the direction of travel, whereas narrower trucks keep the board more parallel (with the direction of travel), and I felt less “twisted-up” on smaller trucks.

Over time, and with age, I started riding wider boards a bit more. It took me a bit to adjust to the “lateral slop,” but I also realized, at least for me, wider trucks had some real grind advantages, too. Specifically, I didn’t have to be as precise. Take something like a b/s 180 to fakie 50/50 grind on a curb/ledge/etc. With narrow trucks, that trick is easier to “over rotate” if your body is still turning a bit after the trucks lock-in. For me at least, wider trucks will “absorb” a bit more of that rotation, and be less likely to toss you off if you are not perfect (and I am certainly not). The other thing is that once in a grind, wider trucks just feel more stable. As of now, my main set-up is the BLKLBL 8.75/14.5 with 159s. When I get back on my 8.25, it now feels like I am on a “tight rope,” and even olleing into a b/s 50-50 on a bench feels a bit precarious (because of how “7.75” the 8.25 now feels). My 8.75 feels much more…balanced. 

Not grind related, but another place I really like wider trucks is on axle/feeble/pivot to fakies on transition. I do those tricks, and variations of them, A LOT. A wider truck puts that rear toe-side wheel further “in” the ramp, and for me, that makes those tricks a lot more fluid and easier to bring back in.

Flip tricks? Yeah. Those take more effort with wider trucks, for sure. But man, do they ever feel good on a bigger board, too.

Compelling words haha if I find a set of 5.8 ventures from a friend i’ll try them out because there was this one session i had years back i was just in flow state and like was skating fast and getting every grind & alot of em were shit I had never done before or at least not ever that good
Only day i ever did front crooks and that was on 8.5 trucks so shit maybe I’ve been playing myself haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on January 02, 2026, 08:28:58 AM
My partner got me the 8.25 Grimple Gerwer board from the latest catalog and I just can't figure out which trucks to put on it. It's 31.5" long with a 14" wb but the venture hollows I have on there currently and the venture cast I initially set up make the tail feel super short and I get no pop. Like I have to really reach for a medium sized ledge. I'm just shy of 6' tall, too so I feel a bit cramped on it. My other truck options on hand are Indy 144 standard and hollow forged. May put on the hollows after I finish my coffee this morning since I feel the smaller wheelbase offset and lower height might make the tail feel a tad bit longer. Wish I took a pic of the dimension sticker since I don't remember the nose or tail lengths.

Also I was naughty last night and bought the 8.25 grey eagle and the 8.25 grey oval easy rider. Did this sober too which is shocking, usually only drunk purchase stuff I don't really need. 32" and up I think is where I need to primarily stay. 14.38 with Indys is where I'm most comfortable, that was the last combo where I had tre flips and heelflips super consistent anyways. I'm late to the easy rider hype but figured I'd snag one on sale to try it out. I just wanted to be a cool venture tech guy so bad but can't deny that I'm much less versatile on this type of set up.

Happy New Years fellas
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 02, 2026, 11:00:23 AM
If you have a tape measure you can just measure it yourself i believe it’s from the edge or maybe middle of whichever bolt is closest to the nose or tail
Someone feel free to correct me but I did that the other day and got 6.5 & 7 on the dot so i figured it was right
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 02, 2026, 11:28:51 AM
My partner got me the 8.25 Grimple Gerwer board from the latest catalog and I just can't figure out which trucks to put on it. It's 31.5" long with a 14" wb but the venture hollows I have on there currently and the venture cast I initially set up make the tail feel super short and I get no pop. Like I have to really reach for a medium sized ledge. I'm just shy of 6' tall, too so I feel a bit cramped on it. My other truck options on hand are Indy 144 standard and hollow forged. May put on the hollows after I finish my coffee this morning since I feel the smaller wheelbase offset and lower height might make the tail feel a tad bit longer. Wish I took a pic of the dimension sticker since I don't remember the nose or tail lengths.

Also I was naughty last night and bought the 8.25 grey eagle and the 8.25 grey oval easy rider. Did this sober too which is shocking, usually only drunk purchase stuff I don't really need. 32" and up I think is where I need to primarily stay. 14.38 with Indys is where I'm most comfortable, that was the last combo where I had tre flips and heelflips super consistent anyways. I'm late to the easy rider hype but figured I'd snag one on sale to try it out. I just wanted to be a cool venture tech guy so bad but can't deny that I'm much less versatile on this type of set up.

Happy New Years fellas

Pretty sure the real 8.25 easy rider is 14" wb, it does measure 32" in length though because of the flatter kicks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on January 02, 2026, 08:00:28 PM
Oh yeah my thinking with that one was pairing it with some ventures I have without feeling cramped
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 02, 2026, 09:07:36 PM
Oh yeah my thinking with that one was pairing it with some ventures I have without feeling cramped

Dope

Would be a great combo for sure
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on January 03, 2026, 12:10:50 AM
I feel like my gear madness comes from me not knowing my "specialty/style".

I started skating over a year ago with some prior experience (I learned how to ollie and shuv using a friends board in high school) and I have been learning to skate different obstacles.

Because of that, I constantly adjusted my setup in hopes to make things easier. Like skating a smaller board for ledges and flatground, and then switching to a larger board for curbs and transition.

The constant switching did not make learning tricks any easier (what a surprise) and I have learned that there are a lot of obstacles that I cannot skate at all.

I mainly skate curbs and mini ramps if I can find one, occasionally do flatground tricks if I feel like it. Ive been trying to get 360 flips more consistent.

So I decided to setup a Christmas complete with this realization (genius move). I am currently riding a 9" egg with Thunder Hollow Light 149s with SF 52mm Classic Wheels. It feels good to skate although it is a little harder to flip, me being short with a very small shoe size does not help.

At this point if im not satisfied with my setup ill just suck it up knowing that switching certain parts will not make me a good skater.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 03, 2026, 03:30:51 AM
I feel like my gear madness comes from me not knowing my "specialty/style".

I started skating over a year ago with some prior experience (I learned how to ollie and shuv using a friends board in high school) and I have been learning to skate different obstacles.

Because of that, I constantly adjusted my setup in hopes to make things easier. Like skating a smaller board for ledges and flatground, and then switching to a larger board for curbs and transition.

The constant switching did not make learning tricks any easier (what a surprise) and I have learned that there are a lot of obstacles that I cannot skate at all.

I mainly skate curbs and mini ramps if I can find one, occasionally do flatground tricks if I feel like it. Ive been trying to get 360 flips more consistent.

So I decided to setup a Christmas complete with this realization (genius move). I am currently riding a 9" egg with Thunder Hollow Light 149s with SF 52mm Classic Wheels. It feels good to skate although it is a little harder to flip, me being short with a very small shoe size does not help.

At this point if im not satisfied with my setup ill just suck it up knowing that switching certain parts will not make me a good skater.



On the plus side, you have a very decent set of trucks and wheels which could easily go on almost any other 8.38 to 8.75 normal deck or any slightly bigger egg too, eg 8.75 or so eggs fit 149s really well, as do 8.38 to 8.5 popsicle / normal decks.

At least if the overall board wasn't working so well, getting a new deck could help a lot in getting that setup sorted.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 06, 2026, 08:31:36 PM
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 06, 2026, 08:49:55 PM
I think aces are the highest followed by indy but they both turn alot and especially the aces go alot further back
I remember wheel biting alot even with small wheels
Idk even tho my ventures are shorter the fact that they’re so stable & don’t turn backwards as much as aces or Indys i feel like i get alot less wheelbite, even though my wheels are alot bigger now 53-54mm
Had 50mmish on my aces

So my educated guess would be venture hi’s or without any experience i’d imagine those new thunder T2s would be good too
Someone else will probably have a better opinion/answer
Could always just opt for riser pads on whatever trucks you have right now but i guess this is the madness thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on January 06, 2026, 08:54:13 PM
Aces are not higher than indys. Lurpiv and cast indys are both on the taller side
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 06, 2026, 09:12:18 PM
I keep forgetting about lurpivs, those are the highest right?

But dang thanks for the correction idk why i always thought my aces classics felt taller than my cast indys
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on January 06, 2026, 09:32:53 PM
Indy and lurpiv are the highest at 55mm. Then venture and ace at 53 then thunders.
There’s a truck database doc somewhere on here
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 06, 2026, 11:28:00 PM
Indy and lurpiv are the highest at 55mm. Then venture and ace at 53 then thunders.
There’s a truck database doc somewhere on here

Cast Indy: 55mm
T-2: 54mm
Slappy: 53.9mm
Forged Indy: 53.5mm
Ace: 53mm
Team Thunder: 52mm

Venture: No idea

Note, Slappy makes risers in 1mm height increments, so you can really fine-tune heights, as needed.

All this said, height is not only considering factor for how a truck works with big wheels—the geometry and turning radius of the hanger (not to mention bushings) also impact wheelbite “clearance.” Hell, even shape of the wheel has impact, too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 07, 2026, 01:25:53 AM
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks

If I skated like, 60mm radial fulls on my regular setup I'd prolly use ace AF1 hollow 60s or 66s, with 1/8" or 1/4" risers


I think Aces work well for big wheels especially because of their wheelbase being set further in, it mellows out the pop angle a bit which counteracts the added height of the bigger wheels and risers

They also turn like, inward a lot before they wheelbite
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on January 07, 2026, 01:31:47 AM
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks
Don't want to sound like a broken record but the answer is Lurpiv.
55mm tall + their "anti wheelbite technology" works like a charm.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 07, 2026, 02:29:34 AM
Cast Ventures (with risers if you want to go extra big) work with big wheels as well.

They're 53mm tall, but their turn/geo is the most big wheel-friendly of all trucks. I get a lot more wheelbite on cast Indys as compared to cast Ventures even though the former are 2mm taller.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 07, 2026, 03:58:43 AM
Cast Ventures (with risers if you want to go extra big) work with big wheels as well.

They're 53mm tall, but their turn/geo is the most big wheel-friendly of all trucks. I get a lot more wheelbite on cast Indys as compared to cast Ventures even though the former are 2mm taller.

I believe it, ventures don't turn very deep/sharp.

The big square wheel/ventures setup seems like the go to setup for guys with tiny shirts and big pants.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 07, 2026, 04:20:48 AM
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks


I think as well as given answers, the question of bushings and risers can also play a significant part, so if you were running risers, or harder bushings, you could use almost any truck option.

Some vert guys who would always be on 60+ mm wheels never had risers and usually had trucks cranked down with barely any wheelbite marks on their boards, as one example, but I know you are not going anywhere near a vert ramp, so that might not really be of interest, although showing a combination of big wheels and tight trucks does work for some people.

Wheel wells can also add a lot more depth to a board without having to add risers and go up, but I guess unless you are keen to modify your board, it might also not be such a good option, but that is possibly the best way to retain a lower setup and still have everything work as you need it to.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on January 07, 2026, 05:24:53 AM
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks


Destructo….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skater0000 on January 08, 2026, 06:36:52 AM
On 8.38 / 14.25 / 32 but currently skating an egg shape my friend gave me that's 8.25 / 14 / 31.75 and it's so fun. Which makes me want to try something like this popsicle 8.0 / 14.125 / 31.75 shape that I can get. But that means I would have to go from my typical 149 hollows to probably 144 hollow since I like a small bit of truck sticking out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 08, 2026, 12:33:26 PM
Expand Quote
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks
[close]


Destructo….



you….sick fuck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on January 08, 2026, 03:05:38 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
what trucks work best with huge huge wheels?
please and thanks
[close]


Destructo….
[close]



you….sick fuck


I personally wouldn’t ride em…. But they’re 56mm tall….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TurdyBird on January 09, 2026, 07:00:49 AM
Going through a shoe crisis right now. The last few pairs of shoes I've bought have been from depop, with mixed results. I recently blew through my old NB# 440 mids (which I miss very much), and have been struggling trying to find something I like.

I tried skating the Authentic mids and I hated the lacked padding and loose structure of it while skating. Skated the Old Skool Pros yesterday (old pair from depop) and kind of liked them. They might have been a mixed bag because of the old rubber but they were a lil too grippy still for me. I also, liked and hated the board feel of the vulc construction compared to the cupsole 440. I liked having board feel, but hated it because I got so used to the comfort and padding of the 440.

Anyone have any thin cupsole recommendations (mid preferred but welcome to any suggestions)? Would kind of like to try the 1010. Would love a rec thats a model thats regularly on sale due to overproduction (poor colorways). Also, I tend to have a wider foot for shoes lately. Nikes tend to be too narrow in my size and the Old SKool Pros I skated in my size are a tad too narrow as well. Think I might try to the Louie's soon.

Thanks guys!

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on January 09, 2026, 07:26:46 AM
Going through a shoe crisis right now. The last few pairs of shoes I've bought have been from depop, with mixed results. I recently blew through my old NB# 440 mids (which I miss very much), and have been struggling trying to find something I like.

I tried skating the Authentic mids and I hated the lacked padding and loose structure of it while skating. Skated the Old Skool Pros yesterday (old pair from depop) and kind of liked them. They might have been a mixed bag because of the old rubber but they were a lil too grippy still for me. I also, liked and hated the board feel of the vulc construction compared to the cupsole 440. I liked having board feel, but hated it because I got so used to the comfort and padding of the 440.

Anyone have any thin cupsole recommendations (mid preferred but welcome to any suggestions)? Would kind of like to try the 1010. Would love a rec thats a model thats regularly on sale due to overproduction (poor colorways). Also, I tend to have a wider foot for shoes lately. Nikes tend to be too narrow in my size and the Old SKool Pros I skated in my size are a tad too narrow as well. Think I might try to the Louie's soon.

Thanks guys!
Eh... 440 V2 high?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 09, 2026, 09:04:50 AM
Going through a shoe crisis right now. The last few pairs of shoes I've bought have been from depop, with mixed results. I recently blew through my old NB# 440 mids (which I miss very much), and have been struggling trying to find something I like.

I tried skating the Authentic mids and I hated the lacked padding and loose structure of it while skating. Skated the Old Skool Pros yesterday (old pair from depop) and kind of liked them. They might have been a mixed bag because of the old rubber but they were a lil too grippy still for me. I also, liked and hated the board feel of the vulc construction compared to the cupsole 440. I liked having board feel, but hated it because I got so used to the comfort and padding of the 440.

Anyone have any thin cupsole recommendations (mid preferred but welcome to any suggestions)? Would kind of like to try the 1010. Would love a rec thats a model thats regularly on sale due to overproduction (poor colorways). Also, I tend to have a wider foot for shoes lately. Nikes tend to be too narrow in my size and the Old SKool Pros I skated in my size are a tad too narrow as well. Think I might try to the Louie's soon.

Thanks guys!

Last resort cm002 mid
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on January 09, 2026, 10:24:02 AM
Going through a shoe crisis right now. The last few pairs of shoes I've bought have been from depop, with mixed results. I recently blew through my old NB# 440 mids (which I miss very much), and have been struggling trying to find something I like.

I tried skating the Authentic mids and I hated the lacked padding and loose structure of it while skating. Skated the Old Skool Pros yesterday (old pair from depop) and kind of liked them. They might have been a mixed bag because of the old rubber but they were a lil too grippy still for me. I also, liked and hated the board feel of the vulc construction compared to the cupsole 440. I liked having board feel, but hated it because I got so used to the comfort and padding of the 440.

Anyone have any thin cupsole recommendations (mid preferred but welcome to any suggestions)? Would kind of like to try the 1010. Would love a rec thats a model thats regularly on sale due to overproduction (poor colorways). Also, I tend to have a wider foot for shoes lately. Nikes tend to be too narrow in my size and the Old SKool Pros I skated in my size are a tad too narrow as well. Think I might try to the Louie's soon.

Thanks guys!

You tried Japan Pros yet?  Skate great, awesome fit for a wider foot.  Brutal when you land primo though, but that goes for any thin cup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 09, 2026, 12:05:38 PM
Going through a shoe crisis right now. The last few pairs of shoes I've bought have been from depop, with mixed results. I recently blew through my old NB# 440 mids (which I miss very much), and have been struggling trying to find something I like.

I tried skating the Authentic mids and I hated the lacked padding and loose structure of it while skating. Skated the Old Skool Pros yesterday (old pair from depop) and kind of liked them. They might have been a mixed bag because of the old rubber but they were a lil too grippy still for me. I also, liked and hated the board feel of the vulc construction compared to the cupsole 440. I liked having board feel, but hated it because I got so used to the comfort and padding of the 440.

Anyone have any thin cupsole recommendations (mid preferred but welcome to any suggestions)? Would kind of like to try the 1010. Would love a rec thats a model thats regularly on sale due to overproduction (poor colorways). Also, I tend to have a wider foot for shoes lately. Nikes tend to be too narrow in my size and the Old SKool Pros I skated in my size are a tad too narrow as well. Think I might try to the Louie's soon.

Thanks guys!


I think you’d like the Asics Gel Vickys or Cons AS-1
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on January 10, 2026, 12:23:31 AM
@TurdyBird

My recs:

Japan Pro MT - not super narrow, but not super wide (in my opinion - I own 2 pairs: leather & suede) but they feel excellent on foot. Cushioned, but still thin enough to have adequate boardfeel. Collar feels comfy and not over bearing

NB 440V2 Hi - in the right size they should fit well and feel somewhere between thin vulc and thick cup

Es Accel (NOT Accel OG) - slightly narrower than Accel OG but still fits wider feet well. Solid boardfeel, but still protective, while skating as nimble as Dunks do. Accel OG, if the puff isn't too much are solid, also. Accel OG is more wide foot friendly than the Accel

Nike SB Dunk High Pro - if you can find them in your size: love how good these feel while being supportive + solid boardfeel. Wider foot friendly.

Hours is Yours Dilo Pro - like a Dunk High or 440 Hi but more cushioned than 440 but still flexy like a broken in Dunk. I don't own a pair but the HIY thread has folks cosigning them. I tried one on once and felt like I would enjoy them in my preferred size. Not quite narrow,  not quite wide either

Etnies MC Rap Low/High - no longer made by Etnies, but was one of the best Dunk low/high alternatives ever made. Cushioned, flick was consistent, and good insoles in select colorways. Solid shoe that felt supportive but offered plenty of boardfeel. Some are still floating around. They could be a little narrow to some people, though. I think they're an average shape

Emerica OG-1 - swap in a better insole and you have a cushioned, flexible cupsole that skates like a nimble vulc. Flick is excellent. They are like a better Accel in some ways, but also feel like their own shoe. Wider foot friendly

Granted,  if you've tried any of these before and they didn't work, then please ignore! Hope you fix the madness!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TurdyBird on January 10, 2026, 07:17:52 AM
You guys are too good to me, thank you! Great breakdown @DarkPools thank you!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on January 10, 2026, 02:47:59 PM
Just tried out the new to me 151 T-II trucks (thanks again to @Sedition) on my soon to be retired 8.5/14.5 deck coming from Thunder Standard 149. Initial thoughts are I like them a lot and no issues that I can tell yet. Pinch is as good as T-I or at least as good as I need them to feel and wheelbite didn’t happen except a slight scrape when I really tried to dip a corner when testing it. Extra kingpin clearance is also appreciated.

The main thing it helped me answer as far as gear madness is I liked the pop feel from the reduced wheelbase compared to standard Thunders. Part of it might be because the 14.5 wb is the longest I’ve skated in a while and also the razor tail/nose has reduced the kicks significantly but I always had that thought in the back of my head when riding the setup that I’d like to reduce the wheelbase.

The other thing it helped me notice is grinding felt really comfortable to have the extra surface. Mainly being able to adjust and having a larger margin for error when popping into grinds. I’m looking forward to trying them on a different curb that I can front crook to see how that goes since these are also the widest trucks I’ve ridden since the 80s.

I’m going to be riding mostly decks under 8.5” for a while on my main setups so plan is to pick up a wider shaped deck sometime to set these up on and use as a curb and ramp specialty setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 11, 2026, 01:23:33 AM
Just tried out the new to me 151 T-II trucks (thanks again to @Sedition) on my soon to be retired 8.5/14.5 deck coming from Thunder Standard 149. Initial thoughts are I like them a lot and no issues that I can tell yet. Pinch is as good as T-I or at least as good as I need them to feel and wheelbite didn’t happen except a slight scrape when I really tried to dip a corner when testing it. Extra kingpin clearance is also appreciated.

The main thing it helped me answer as far as gear madness is I liked the pop feel from the reduced wheelbase compared to standard Thunders. Part of it might be because the 14.5 wb is the longest I’ve skated in a while and also the razor tail/nose has reduced the kicks significantly but I always had that thought in the back of my head when riding the setup that I’d like to reduce the wheelbase.

The other thing it helped me notice is grinding felt really comfortable to have the extra surface. Mainly being able to adjust and having a larger margin for error when popping into grinds. I’m looking forward to trying them on a different curb that I can front crook to see how that goes since these are also the widest trucks I’ve ridden since the 80s.

I’m going to be riding mostly decks under 8.5” for a while on my main setups so plan is to pick up a wider shaped deck sometime to set these up on and use as a curb and ramp specialty setup.

Glad they found a good home. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 11, 2026, 09:56:53 AM
Last month I did something bold. I made a choice to let go.

By that, I mean that I got rid of / gave away ALL of my madness-related gear. Decks. Trucks. Wheels. Gone. All gone. Yes, there was anxiety at first. But it left, and calmness filled that void.

I have only one set-up now (not including Polarizer and shaped/old-school cruisers).

My set-up is not is “perfect.” No set-up is. But it is perfect-enough. Perfection does not exist.  Do not let the perfect obfuscate and hinder the good/great. Chasing perfection leads no where...to madness.

One of the biggest, unforeseen benefits of this “clearing” was how much my “madness mind” has itself, cleared. I used to think about assorted gear-configurations a lot—at work, driving, going to bed, while skating, etc. I am sure you know what I am talking about. That has all gone away, and I find myself with a lot more mental bandwidth to think about other, healthier things.

In terms of actual skating, I am way more “in the moment” during sessions. I feel more “at one” with my board than I have in a long time, and I am having a lot more fun in the process. 

I suppose it is like any addiction. You have to make a choice to stop, and then take concrete actions to effectuate that choice, and bring it to reality. It’s a choice, and nothing more. One I am glad I made.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on January 11, 2026, 10:10:30 AM
Last month I did something bold. I made a choice to let go.

By that, I mean that I got rid of / gave away ALL of my madness-related gear. Decks. Trucks. Wheels. Gone. All gone. Yes, there was anxiety at first. But it left, and calmness filled that void.

I have only one set-up now (not including Polarizer and shaped/old-school cruisers).
Until you really have only one setup madness is not cured
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 11, 2026, 11:05:28 AM
Expand Quote
Last month I did something bold. I made a choice to let go.

By that, I mean that I got rid of / gave away ALL of my madness-related gear. Decks. Trucks. Wheels. Gone. All gone. Yes, there was anxiety at first. But it left, and calmness filled that void.

I have only one set-up now (not including Polarizer and shaped/old-school cruisers).
[close]
Until you really have only one setup madness is not cured

Not even close to the same thing. Like comparing a fork for eating with a bandsaw for cutting wood (they are both tools, right? Must be madness if you have both!). I mean, if I start perseverating over wheel size/shape on the Polarizer, then sure, but that's never happened. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 11, 2026, 02:28:05 PM

I have only one set-up now (not including Polarizer and shaped/old-school cruisers).

My set-up is not is “perfect.” No set-up is. But it is perfect-enough. Perfection does not exist.  Do not let the perfect obfuscate and hinder the good/great. Chasing perfection leads no where...to madness.



So what is the chosen setup now? 

Guessing I know, but I would like to hear the breakdown of everything.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on January 11, 2026, 02:51:44 PM
id assume the 8.75 black label survived the purge
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on January 11, 2026, 05:00:03 PM
Expand Quote
Just tried out the new to me 151 T-II trucks (thanks again to @Sedition) on my soon to be retired 8.5/14.5 deck coming from Thunder Standard 149. Initial thoughts are I like them a lot and no issues that I can tell yet. Pinch is as good as T-I or at least as good as I need them to feel and wheelbite didn’t happen except a slight scrape when I really tried to dip a corner when testing it. Extra kingpin clearance is also appreciated.

The main thing it helped me answer as far as gear madness is I liked the pop feel from the reduced wheelbase compared to standard Thunders. Part of it might be because the 14.5 wb is the longest I’ve skated in a while and also the razor tail/nose has reduced the kicks significantly but I always had that thought in the back of my head when riding the setup that I’d like to reduce the wheelbase.

The other thing it helped me notice is grinding felt really comfortable to have the extra surface. Mainly being able to adjust and having a larger margin for error when popping into grinds. I’m looking forward to trying them on a different curb that I can front crook to see how that goes since these are also the widest trucks I’ve ridden since the 80s.

I’m going to be riding mostly decks under 8.5” for a while on my main setups so plan is to pick up a wider shaped deck sometime to set these up on and use as a curb and ramp specialty setup.
[close]

Glad they found a good home. Enjoy!
Thanks! Just had another sesh on them and I definitely like them. So much I don’t want to put the deck down so I just might keep riding the setup until the deck snaps. Before these, I was planning on trying Slappys next time I buy new trucks and still might but that’s going to be a long time from now since I have a lot of truck options at the moment. I think overall, I like the T-II better than my Ace AF1 but will see as I skate that setups more in direct comparison.

I commend you on giving up the madness with just one setup. For me, I’m not so much mad but exploring since this is the first time in my skating life I’ve paid attention to specs and details and how they affect my skating. I’m really enjoying the process and it’s not like I’m buying a bunch of stuff and tossing other parts aside. I’m actively riding everything I get until it falls apart and basically rotating with my old setup to a new setup. I’ve definitely noticed a couple times now the putting shorter wheelbase trucks on an old deck helps give it some extra life.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 11, 2026, 10:50:28 PM
@Mbrimson88 and @munchbox

Black Label 8.75/14.5  |  159 Cast  |  53mm Classics

Among all the set-ups I’ve ridden over the last 1.5 years, this was the one I kept coming back to. I’ve basically tried everything from the 9”/15” Orange Eagle down to 8.25”/14”, and I kept returning to that 8.75/14.5 Black Label. Over and over.

It’s been weird, in ways I didn’t expect. I rode the DLX 8.25/14.38 as my mainstay for well over 10 years. Saying goodbye to that was like saying goodbye to a part of myself. But, well, things (people) change and evolve. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve slowly been “letting go” of the 8.25 for well over a year now, too. To whatever end, I am clearly just more comfortable on a bigger board these days, so, it’s time to just lean into/embrace that. But it does feel like I am closing the door on some significant chapter of my life. I never thought the 8.25/14.38 and would part ways, but here we are. Kind of sad in some weird way. I wasn't expecting existential angst to rise-up during this process. Little did I know.   

I gave away all other 8.25 and 8.5 trucks/decks and wheels I had (sent them to non-profit that gives board to kids in need). The bigger decks I left by a local bowl for the bowl trolls to fight over (those decks were too big for kids to ride).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 13, 2026, 03:44:39 AM
@Mbrimson88 and @munchbox

Black Label 8.75/14.5  |  159 Cast  |  53mm Classics

Among all the set-ups I’ve ridden over the last 1.5 years, this was the one I kept coming back to. I’ve basically tried everything from the 9”/15” Orange Eagle down to 8.25”/14”, and I kept returning to that 8.75/14.5 Black Label. Over and over.



Nice!!!

I always find it funny (in a good way) that you have always stuck with the 53 mm Classics, even with other options and sizes and everything else in different decks, trucks, etc.

The rest of what you said re 8.25 boards is exactly how I feel about the 8.125 black eagles - had so many and rode them for a long, long time on 139s, then 144s, but then in trying other boards, I just moved on and that shape just feels too small now, even though I have a few of my old setups at the shop / indoor park for people to skate.

As to the new setup, I can definitely see how appealing that is, for the board width, shape and wheelbase and a good solid ride - got a few very similar around and have done for a while now (DLX 8.75 with slightly modified back truck, so I bring the Indy standards in to make the wheelbase between 14.4 - 14.5 and have a slightly longer tail).

The one I am currently riding a bit more than anything though is a DLX 8.75 with stock Thunder T-II 151 trucks and 54 mm wheels (Radial Full, now Classic Full) with a small version of that if I want a little more fun, DLX 8.38 with Thunder T-II 149s and 52 - 53 mm wheels (Classics taken down from 55 or so, with more a Classic Full shape too) and both just work so well, it is nice not having to really do anything to the deck or trucks for a change.

Not sure if I had to choose which one I would go with, as they both are really good, but if it was a "retirement board" I think the 8.75 would be it, over the 8.38 size setup.


* I am seeing / selling more 8.75 decks than any other size now I think, so it is crazy how many people are riding bigger boards - all adults, no kids, but still when the board size was 8.0, then 8.25, then 8.38 or even 8.5, having 8.75 as the most common size I am moving, it is a funny thing to consider in the timeline of skateboard evolution.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 13, 2026, 05:56:19 AM
i don’t know this to be true, but to me it feels like folks are starting to size back down. i feel like i see more 8.25 truck based setups. dunno. 3-4 years ago i was seeing more 8.5 decks on 8.75 trucks.
maybe i’m off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 13, 2026, 06:49:01 AM
I've found a fairly madness-free realm for in the DLX 8.5 x 14.25.

Willing to skate other shapes as well, both narrower and wider. It's not like I suffer too much from trying different decks. It's just good to know there's at least one happy place for me I can go back to.

Main giveaways from the deck madness years:

- Decks over 32" in length don't really work for me

- The tail has to be on the shorter side (or at least under 6.75")

- With regards to concave, I'd rather have more than less. Flat decks are terrible for me.

- Indy and Venture will suffice. If the deck wb is less than 14.25, I opt for Venture. Mostly Indy otherwise.

- Wb 14.5 or over? Preferrably not. The goldielocks zone for me seems to be 14.25 to 14.38.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 13, 2026, 07:49:44 AM
Expand Quote
@Mbrimson88 and @munchbox

Black Label 8.75/14.5  |  159 Cast  |  53mm Classics

Among all the set-ups I’ve ridden over the last 1.5 years, this was the one I kept coming back to. I’ve basically tried everything from the 9”/15” Orange Eagle down to 8.25”/14”, and I kept returning to that 8.75/14.5 Black Label. Over and over.

[close]


Nice!!!

I always find it funny (in a good way) that you have always stuck with the 53 mm Classics, even with other options and sizes and everything else in different decks, trucks, etc.

The rest of what you said re 8.25 boards is exactly how I feel about the 8.125 black eagles - had so many and rode them for a long, long time on 139s, then 144s, but then in trying other boards, I just moved on and that shape just feels too small now, even though I have a few of my old setups at the shop / indoor park for people to skate.

As to the new setup, I can definitely see how appealing that is, for the board width, shape and wheelbase and a good solid ride - got a few very similar around and have done for a while now (DLX 8.75 with slightly modified back truck, so I bring the Indy standards in to make the wheelbase between 14.4 - 14.5 and have a slightly longer tail).

The one I am currently riding a bit more than anything though is a DLX 8.75 with stock Thunder T-II 151 trucks and 54 mm wheels (Radial Full, now Classic Full) with a small version of that if I want a little more fun, DLX 8.38 with Thunder T-II 149s and 52 - 53 mm wheels (Classics taken down from 55 or so, with more a Classic Full shape too) and both just work so well, it is nice not having to really do anything to the deck or trucks for a change.

Not sure if I had to choose which one I would go with, as they both are really good, but if it was a "retirement board" I think the 8.75 would be it, over the 8.38 size setup.


* I am seeing / selling more 8.75 decks than any other size now I think, so it is crazy how many people are riding bigger boards - all adults, no kids, but still when the board size was 8.0, then 8.25, then 8.38 or even 8.5, having 8.75 as the most common size I am moving, it is a funny thing to consider in the timeline of skateboard evolution.

52mm always just felt too slow to me. I skate a good amount of transition, too, and 52mm just feel gross with/for coping interaction. I actually rode 54mm when I had the DLX 8.75 set up. Something about that deck just wanted a slightly bigger wheel. Overall, the wb on that deck (DLX 8.75) was too long for me. Any time I had to a trick where feet are on both nose and tail at same time, my stance started to feel too wide and unstable. I did like that board best with T-2 and 54mm wheels, though (that might sound familiar to you!). The LBL 8.75 is basically just the DLX 8.75 with a slightly shorter WB and nose. And crazy you are moving more 8.75s!

I do have one other thing on the way, but it's def more of a pure curiosity thing than a madness thing---Slappy utra-low inverted. Hearing too much good things about them, and I do a ton of feeble/smith grinds, so kind of have to give them a try. Will report back after I've given them a solid go.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 13, 2026, 07:51:17 AM

The goldielocks zone for me seems to be 14.25 to 14.38.


I wish more 14.38" wb decks were made. It's such a good one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on January 13, 2026, 08:56:54 AM
i don’t know this to be true, but to me it feels like folks are starting to size back down. i feel like i see more 8.25 truck based setups. dunno. 3-4 years ago i was seeing more 8.5 decks on 8.75 trucks.
maybe i’m off.

8.75 trucks really lost their appeal to me over the last year. I think I had some lock in fulls on and went to grab my board one day and thought “this looks like a vert board” and ever since then I’ve been kinda turned off. Back on classics and 8.5 trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 13, 2026, 01:26:53 PM
Expand Quote
i don’t know this to be true, but to me it feels like folks are starting to size back down. i feel like i see more 8.25 truck based setups. dunno. 3-4 years ago i was seeing more 8.5 decks on 8.75 trucks.
maybe i’m off.
[close]

8.75 trucks really lost their appeal to me over the last year. I think I had some lock in fulls on and went to grab my board one day and thought “this looks like a vert board” and ever since then I’ve been kinda turned off. Back on classics and 8.5 trucks

It's not the trucks. It's those snow-tires you have on them. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 13, 2026, 07:53:27 PM
Hey i like my lock in fulls haha been about a month with them
I was thinking the wider contact patch feels real good on rougher ground but honestly i kick pushed on my homies board that has 101d classics and i really couldn’t tell the difference at all
I’m too broke rn to buy a freshie so my homie gave me a fresh 8.25 14” WB big ass nose Pennswood board…. I think I’ve decided i miss my lil boat haha idc if it’s razor tailed to shit I might just put it back on. (8.5 Theories BBS/Clutch 14.5 wb)

i do like the short wb but i felt like i couldn’t get my flip tricks high and they just flipped too fast (messed up my kick,heel, and front shuv in a game of skate 😭) but tre flips felt good landed 3 in a row in the middle of the game so that felt sick
I wish i knew what my Theories wood was really enjoying that board. Anyone know if it says on the top? Don’t wanna peel this grip off again lol

Fuck it decided I’m switching back to my old deck tomorrow haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 13, 2026, 09:57:02 PM

...i miss my lil boat haha idc if it’s razor tailed to shit...


Beware the doom! Friend just got 12 stitches in his Achilles from a razor-tailed shark bite!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 14, 2026, 08:03:04 AM
Fuck that’s terrifying 😭 might try the wood glue thing Fuck that haha
Need to take a couple weeks off and heal anyways
Hopefully by then i can go buy a freshie lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 14, 2026, 01:35:59 PM
Checked in on the madness and we're still good

I do not regret switching to 144s from 149s

Wheel size and shape doesn't matter as much to me anymore, got it kinda dialed in

52 to 54mm classics, skate them till they're 3mm smaller and pass them on

If I'm running an 8.5" deck with the 144s, I could see myself trying some 54mm radial fulls to even out the magic carpet effect and slightly sharper wheel radius and have a really manageable mini monster truck. I've been thinking about doing my new shit weather cruiser with the same trucks and 56mm g-slides, so I would have some practice on wheels like that already, weighted baseball bat style - slap some 52mm classics on for the skatepark where I don't need big wheels cause it's all nice concrete anyway

With the 144s I can fuck around with more deck shapes available in 14" wb whereas with the 149s a 14" wb after 8.25 is much harder to find in the boards i like

The weight of these standard Indy 144s feels right

The only 144s I tried beforehand were the hollow ones, I think they were forged too and I did not like them at all, but this time with the standards I'm feeling really good about them. Also really digging the blue conical bushings. I feel like all the madness and speculation paid off. Slightly narrower trucks, different bushings, and slightly shorter wheelbase were just what the doctor ordered

I wanna try that 8.38" x 14" wb True Fit board, seems perfect.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on January 14, 2026, 06:11:39 PM
Almost gave this new board away after two awful back to back sessions. It’s an 8.38 but it’s like 31” long with a 14” WB which is shorter than I’m used to in both regards. Didn’t think it would be a huge deal when I got it and figured I could just run Indy’s on it and be fine… but I was wrong. Couldn’t kickflip, manuals weren’t working and everything just felt squirrelly and out of my control.

In an effort to save the board I said fuck it I’ll try going back to thunders and see if it makes a difference. Went home, swapped em on, went back to the park and had one of the better sessions I’ve had in weeks.

Sometimes I think the madness is all in our heads and that you can adapt to almost any setup and skate fine if you stick with it, but goddamnit those few extra mm from the thunders were the difference between feeling like shit and being absolutely locked in on my board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 14, 2026, 07:41:01 PM

...but goddamnit those few extra mm from..

MMater. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 14, 2026, 11:33:09 PM
Regarding 8.25 vs. 8.5 trucks – it's funny how for me both 144 and 149 Indys go fine with 8.25 to 8.5 decks – currently enjoying 149s on an 8.5 but could well ride 144s no problem.

Then again on Ventures, 5.6s feel awesome on anything from 8.125 to 8.5 decks, but 5.8s feel just completely strange and too hefty for my taste even on an 8.5 deck.

Main point being that the difference in feel between 5.8 Vents and 149 Indys is huge compared to 5.6 Vents and 144 Indys.

Am I alone with this?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on January 15, 2026, 07:00:33 AM
I've noticed the exact same thing with venture 5.6 vs 5.8.
Some time ago I got myself a set of 5.6 ventures just because they were on sale. I tried them and they were much more manageable than my 5.8s. I even wondered if they have the same geometry. I really liked the 5.6 even on a 14.5 wheelbase
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 15, 2026, 07:16:00 AM
i’ve had an obviously cooked idea that goes something like:

ventures feel like the next size up compared to indy’s. i rode 5.0 lo’s off and on forever. something about the height, wb effects, pop….i dunno, but indy 139s with a 52-54 wheel were an easy scaling up for many. ventures just ‘ride bigger’ or something something.
i have enjoyed 5.8s, but only on smallers/shorter boards. 6.1s the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on January 15, 2026, 09:20:23 AM
Expand Quote

...i miss my lil boat haha idc if it’s razor tailed to shit...

[close]

Beware the doom! Friend just got 12 stitches in his Achilles from a razor-tailed shark bite!
And just like that, you convinced me to retire my razored deck that ironically, I was going to retire but seemed to breathe new life into with the T-IIs I put on it.

Meanwhile, some interesting Venture talk. Never rode  Venture before but I have a set of 5.6 waiting to go on my next setup and I like hearing that they seem to ride a size bigger since I almost went with 5.8. Although, it’s making me wonder if I should have went with 5.2lo. Will madness ensue?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 15, 2026, 09:23:30 AM
i’ve had an obviously cooked idea that goes something like:

ventures feel like the next size up compared to indy’s. i rode 5.0 lo’s off and on forever. something about the height, wb effects, pop….i dunno, but indy 139s with a 52-54 wheel were an easy scaling up for many. ventures just ‘ride bigger’ or something something.
i have enjoyed 5.8s, but only on smallers/shorter boards. 6.1s the same.

I think you're onto something there. The 5.8s could probably be great with an 8.75 or bigger deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 15, 2026, 09:30:40 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

...i miss my lil boat haha idc if it’s razor tailed to shit...

[close]

Beware the doom! Friend just got 12 stitches in his Achilles from a razor-tailed shark bite!
[close]
And just like that, you convinced me to retire my razored deck that ironically, I was going to retire but seemed to breathe new life into with the T-IIs I put on it.

Meanwhile, some interesting Venture talk. Never rode  Venture before but I have a set of 5.6 waiting to go on my next setup and I like hearing that they seem to ride a size bigger since I almost went with 5.8. Although, it’s making me wonder if I should have went with 5.2lo. Will madness ensue?

What's your deck width and wb? Cast 5.6 are one of my fave trucks ever. You'll probably like them a lot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on January 15, 2026, 11:57:38 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

...i miss my lil boat haha idc if it’s razor tailed to shit...

[close]

Beware the doom! Friend just got 12 stitches in his Achilles from a razor-tailed shark bite!
[close]
And just like that, you convinced me to retire my razored deck that ironically, I was going to retire but seemed to breathe new life into with the T-IIs I put on it.

Meanwhile, some interesting Venture talk. Never rode  Venture before but I have a set of 5.6 waiting to go on my next setup and I like hearing that they seem to ride a size bigger since I almost went with 5.8. Although, it’s making me wonder if I should have went with 5.2lo. Will madness ensue?
[close]

What's your deck width and wb? Cast 5.6 are one of my fave trucks ever. You'll probably like them a lot.
8.125/14.125
It might be a while before I set it up but looking forward to it!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 15, 2026, 09:01:59 PM
Interesting, it's like since the weight is further out, it feels different and you can counter it by skating a size down...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on January 15, 2026, 10:36:50 PM
I keep trying different trucks, but all I really want to skate are Stage 11s.  I keep trying inverted kingpins but they never feel right because I can't set the nut flush and tell myself that's the right amount of loose.  I keep trying different shoes but end up coming back to Vans Skate shoes.

I think all this consumerism and madness helped in the end?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 15, 2026, 10:57:05 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

...i miss my lil boat haha idc if it’s razor tailed to shit...

[close]

Beware the doom! Friend just got 12 stitches in his Achilles from a razor-tailed shark bite!
[close]
And just like that, you convinced me to retire my razored deck that ironically, I was going to retire but seemed to breathe new life into with the T-IIs I put on it.

Meanwhile, some interesting Venture talk. Never rode  Venture before but I have a set of 5.6 waiting to go on my next setup and I like hearing that they seem to ride a size bigger since I almost went with 5.8. Although, it’s making me wonder if I should have went with 5.2lo. Will madness ensue?
[close]

What's your deck width and wb? Cast 5.6 are one of my fave trucks ever. You'll probably like them a lot.
[close]
8.125/14.125
It might be a while before I set it up but looking forward to it!

Should be perfect.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moykky on January 15, 2026, 11:16:29 PM
Regarding 8.25 vs. 8.5 trucks – it's funny how for me both 144 and 149 Indys go fine with 8.25 to 8.5 decks – currently enjoying 149s on an 8.5 but could well ride 144s no problem.

Then again on Ventures, 5.6s feel awesome on anything from 8.125 to 8.5 decks, but 5.8s feel just completely strange and too hefty for my taste even on an 8.5 deck.

Main point being that the difference in feel between 5.8 Vents and 149 Indys is huge compared to 5.6 Vents and 144 Indys.

Am I alone with this?

Venture lows (narrow) are one of the most beautiful trucks in my opinion. The proportions of the "wings" are good. Venture Hi's, the proportions change and especially 5.8 upwards they are too hefty and look bad in my opinion. Like they draw a direct line from end of the hanger to pivot cup and with the height and width, it just looks bad and adds weight... 
I'm not qualified to criticize how they skate :) 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on January 16, 2026, 01:14:24 AM
Yeah, venture lows are the best looking truck ever. Unfortunately they're a super niche truck with lots of drawbacks. I'm on 5.8 highs but once in a while I wish I could make the lows work, would feel really sick
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 16, 2026, 02:57:11 AM
.

Re Venture lows, they have that nice look on 8 or 8.1 type boards, with small wheels and always remind me of the super tech era.

Then the funny thing is on 8.75 or a bit wider, the Venture 6.1 especially on forged baseplates actually look really proportional to me, especially with wider wheels that have worn down some, as everything is very minimally scaled up.

I should take a pic of those two boards side by side, as I have both as completes somewhere.


Maybe for a big skater, the bigger board might look a bit more normal too, compared to the small tech board for a small person.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 16, 2026, 12:22:31 PM
Yeah, venture lows are the best looking truck ever. Unfortunately they're a super niche truck with lots of drawbacks. I'm on 5.8 highs but once in a while I wish I could make the lows work, would feel really sick


venture lo’s are the best looking truck. the older ones looked even better imo.
the version 1 of ace trucks also looked very cool imo.
5.8s look good to me, 5.2 hi’s look silly ish. something about the height to width looks better, to me, on the wider sizes.

looks aside, venture lo’s are great, particularly the 5.0s. skating a max 7.75 gets kinda beat.
as does skating 50s, kinda harsh.
but. flatground, going slow, talking shit with the group whilst smoking cigarettes are some of the best memories in my life.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 16, 2026, 02:50:39 PM
I love the venture low 5.2s so much

Was my first truck

I definitely think there's something to height/width ratio

I figured a range of what height works for what truck and came up with basically some wheel sizes and truck sizes that I think work well for their dimensions

Venture / thunder low 7.625" - 46 to 48mm wheels
Venture / thunder low 8" - 49 to 51mm wheels

Pretty much any mid or high truck ~8.375" - 52 to 54mm wheels

Ace / stg 4 ~8.75" + 1/8" risers - 55 to 57mm wheels
Ace / stg 4 ~9.125" + 1/4" risers - 58 to 60mm wheels

Obviously you can give or take here and there with this, like you can run 57mm wheels without risers on indys just fine, or say 56's on an 8.25" truck for example

But I definitely feel there's a sweet spot with proportions
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on January 17, 2026, 03:07:49 AM
I love the venture low 5.2s so much

Was my first truck

I definitely think there's something to height/width ratio

I figured a range of what height works for what truck and came up with basically some wheel sizes and truck sizes that I think work well for their dimensions

Venture / thunder low 7.625" - 46 to 48mm wheels
Venture / thunder low 8" - 49 to 51mm wheels

Pretty much any mid or high truck ~8.375" - 52 to 54mm wheels

Ace / stg 4 ~8.75" + 1/8" risers - 55 to 57mm wheels
Ace / stg 4 ~9.125" + 1/4" risers - 58 to 60mm wheels

Obviously you can give or take here and there with this, like you can run 57mm wheels without risers on indys just fine, or say 56's on an 8.25" truck for example

But I definitely feel there's a sweet spot with proportions

I think 56mm with Indy’s is proportionally good looking and skates well too no need for risers for me. Even as my Indy’s have broken in and feel more loose I still have so much turn before wheel bite
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 17, 2026, 04:09:06 AM
Where is the line between just swapping gear or trying something new and indulging in madness?

Is it just the attitude towards it? Like not thinking your current setup is fucked and keeping your from skating to your abilities but instead just having curiosity?

But eventually that can lead to full blown madness if you're just switching everything all the time right?

I'm good with my setup currently, really. No desire to switch from a performance standpoint, I'm under no illusion that different trucks are gonna make me a measurably better skater.

My curiosity is just around shit I haven't tried, never owned Slappy's or T2s. And with decks I'm beginning to want to try something different things just to keep things fresh. No real reason other than that. At least 32" long, at least, 14.38 wb, and somewhere between 8.38-8.6 width. Hell I would even try a shaped deck. Wheels are pretty set between 54-56mm classics maybe radials sometimes?

Again, everything is fine with my current setup, and I'm def not going out and buying anything to hoard in the mean time. I feel like trucks are more of a commitment because they last so long, and I do want to get away from buying things I don't get the full life out of. But being open to the idea of trying other shit made me start to ask these questions.

Edit: after further thought, I feel like just trying someone else's  setup with 8.5 Slappy's/T2s on a similar enough deck size would probably be enough to scratch that itch. Though I don't know anyone with them or I probably would have already. Trucks are definitely a longer commitment and I don't wanna buy something I might not get the use out of. Maybe once my Indys are cooked I would consider trying something different, but I'm not sure I'd really wanna make that big of a change for so long.

And as far as decks go, I feel like switching it up within known good parameters is fine. As long as you are getting most of the life out of them and aren't doing so in some sort of attempt to "solve" something or "fix" a perceived issue with your setup. As long as it's just rooted in keeping things fresh for the sake of it and you're not jumping all over the place in dimensions, you're fine.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 17, 2026, 08:19:27 AM
Where is the line between just swapping gear or trying something new and indulging in madness?

Is it just the attitude towards it? Like not thinking your current setup is fucked and keeping your from skating to your abilities but instead just having curiosity?

But eventually that can lead to full blown madness if you're just switching everything all the time right?

I'm good with my setup currently, really. No desire to switch from a performance standpoint, I'm under no illusion that different trucks are gonna make me a measurably better skater.

My curiosity is just around shit I haven't tried, never owned Slappy's or T2s. And with decks I'm beginning to want to try something different things just to keep things fresh. No real reason other than that. At least 32" long, at least, 14.38 wb, and somewhere between 8.38-8.6 width. Hell I would even try a shaped deck. Wheels are pretty set between 54-56mm classics maybe radials sometimes?

Again, everything is fine with my current setup, and I'm def not going out and buying anything to hoard in the mean time. I feel like trucks are more of a commitment because they last so long, and I do want to get away from buying things I don't get the full life out of. But being open to the idea of trying other shit made me start to ask these questions.

Edit: after further thought, I feel like just trying someone else's  setup with 8.5 Slappy's/T2s on a similar enough deck size would probably be enough to scratch that itch. Though I don't know anyone with them or I probably would have already. Trucks are definitely a longer commitment and I don't wanna buy something I might not get the use out of. Maybe once my Indys are cooked I would consider trying something different, but I'm not sure I'd really wanna make that big of a change for so long.

And as far as decks go, I feel like switching it up within known good parameters is fine. As long as you are getting most of the life out of them and aren't doing so in some sort of attempt to "solve" something or "fix" a perceived issue with your setup. As long as it's just rooted in keeping things fresh for the sake of it and you're not jumping all over the place in dimensions, you're fine.

I’m sure we could debate the definition of “gear madness” into, well, madness, but I’d say a working definition of Madness is “chasing nuance in pursuit of perfection.”
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 17, 2026, 09:32:44 AM
Expand Quote
Where is the line between just swapping gear or trying something new and indulging in madness?

Is it just the attitude towards it? Like not thinking your current setup is fucked and keeping your from skating to your abilities but instead just having curiosity?

But eventually that can lead to full blown madness if you're just switching everything all the time right?

I'm good with my setup currently, really. No desire to switch from a performance standpoint, I'm under no illusion that different trucks are gonna make me a measurably better skater.

My curiosity is just around shit I haven't tried, never owned Slappy's or T2s. And with decks I'm beginning to want to try something different things just to keep things fresh. No real reason other than that. At least 32" long, at least, 14.38 wb, and somewhere between 8.38-8.6 width. Hell I would even try a shaped deck. Wheels are pretty set between 54-56mm classics maybe radials sometimes?

Again, everything is fine with my current setup, and I'm def not going out and buying anything to hoard in the mean time. I feel like trucks are more of a commitment because they last so long, and I do want to get away from buying things I don't get the full life out of. But being open to the idea of trying other shit made me start to ask these questions.

Edit: after further thought, I feel like just trying someone else's  setup with 8.5 Slappy's/T2s on a similar enough deck size would probably be enough to scratch that itch. Though I don't know anyone with them or I probably would have already. Trucks are definitely a longer commitment and I don't wanna buy something I might not get the use out of. Maybe once my Indys are cooked I would consider trying something different, but I'm not sure I'd really wanna make that big of a change for so long.

And as far as decks go, I feel like switching it up within known good parameters is fine. As long as you are getting most of the life out of them and aren't doing so in some sort of attempt to "solve" something or "fix" a perceived issue with your setup. As long as it's just rooted in keeping things fresh for the sake of it and you're not jumping all over the place in dimensions, you're fine.
[close]

I’m sure we could debate the definition of “gear madness” into, well, madness, but I’d say a working definition of Madness is “chasing nuance in pursuit of perfection.”

Yea, that's kind of along the lines of what I was thinking. I'm def not in the mindset of perfecting/fixing/solving my setup anymore. I'm at the point now where I know what I like and would only consider changing things up within those parameters.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on January 17, 2026, 10:20:12 AM
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Expand Quote
Where is the line between just swapping gear or trying something new and indulging in madness?

Is it just the attitude towards it? Like not thinking your current setup is fucked and keeping your from skating to your abilities but instead just having curiosity?

But eventually that can lead to full blown madness if you're just switching everything all the time right?

I'm good with my setup currently, really. No desire to switch from a performance standpoint, I'm under no illusion that different trucks are gonna make me a measurably better skater.

My curiosity is just around shit I haven't tried, never owned Slappy's or T2s. And with decks I'm beginning to want to try something different things just to keep things fresh. No real reason other than that. At least 32" long, at least, 14.38 wb, and somewhere between 8.38-8.6 width. Hell I would even try a shaped deck. Wheels are pretty set between 54-56mm classics maybe radials sometimes?

Again, everything is fine with my current setup, and I'm def not going out and buying anything to hoard in the mean time. I feel like trucks are more of a commitment because they last so long, and I do want to get away from buying things I don't get the full life out of. But being open to the idea of trying other shit made me start to ask these questions.

Edit: after further thought, I feel like just trying someone else's  setup with 8.5 Slappy's/T2s on a similar enough deck size would probably be enough to scratch that itch. Though I don't know anyone with them or I probably would have already. Trucks are definitely a longer commitment and I don't wanna buy something I might not get the use out of. Maybe once my Indys are cooked I would consider trying something different, but I'm not sure I'd really wanna make that big of a change for so long.

And as far as decks go, I feel like switching it up within known good parameters is fine. As long as you are getting most of the life out of them and aren't doing so in some sort of attempt to "solve" something or "fix" a perceived issue with your setup. As long as it's just rooted in keeping things fresh for the sake of it and you're not jumping all over the place in dimensions, you're fine.
[close]

I’m sure we could debate the definition of “gear madness” into, well, madness, but I’d say a working definition of Madness is “chasing nuance in pursuit of perfection.”
[close]

Yea, that's kind of along the lines of what I was thinking. I'm def not in the mindset of perfecting/fixing/solving my setup anymore. I'm at the point now where I know what I like and would only consider changing things up within those parameters.
I was going to agree that it isn’t really madness if you are just curious to try different products, which is where I’m at. But, I am also doing it somewhat in the pursuit of perfection so maybe I’m just trying to play it off that I’m not mad? Naw, for sure I’m mad, lol! A big part of it to me is I never knew what all the differences meant and just chose stuff on perceived preference. What I’m finding is there is no perfect but certain products work better together for different people depending on what you are going for. It’s good to be at the point where you can buy any one part and know what you can pair with it to achieve the feel you want.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on January 17, 2026, 02:19:55 PM
i like that this is where we are: ‘what….is….madness….?’


i mean, sheeeeeiiiiiiiiiit.

my description of my mentally troubled skate purchases would maybe go something like: ‘i watch a video clip of dekyzer doing a switch flip and then i want to buy all of his shit’. or something like that, that is how it starts. i have not found a homebase, not had the fallback. i have started and stopped skateboarding many many times, and when id come back, id have a different setup and maybe learn a new trick.
i think the madness, for me, is really really thinking/‘knowing’, that this one last attempt will be the one. that i’ve cracked the code, from the couch, whilst looking at the internet.

i totally relate to the idea of wanting to just try something a little different. or a lot different. it’s fun, and it can be a way to learn more about how i skate.
unfortunately i am at the very cautionary phase, that i do not wish on anyone, where i skate really infrequently, and bring multiple setups with me. it is kinda more of an exercise in experimenting rather than skating, except none of it is scientific, and i’ll just do a different version of the same the next time out


and i just get a little jolt when i buy shit. or daydream about buying shit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 17, 2026, 02:27:44 PM

and i just get a little jolt when i buy shit. or daydream about buying shit.


Shopping, and window-shopping, is a real dopamine "hit."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 17, 2026, 05:34:56 PM

Edit: after further thought, I feel like just trying someone else's  setup with 8.5 Slappy's/T2s on a similar enough deck size would probably be enough to scratch that itch. Though I don't know anyone with them or I probably would have already. Trucks are definitely a longer commitment and I don't wanna buy something I might not get the use out of. Maybe once my Indys are cooked I would consider trying something different, but I'm not sure I'd really wanna make that big of a change for so long.



This line of thought is why I have amassed so many completes and setups, so given the place I have is a skatepark / shop combination, it really only works in that environment, for a "try before you buy" type deal, which has helped so many people to, as you say scratch that itch, which I think would have a fifty / fifty result, eg some people really like the setup or combination of certain parts, while others said they are happy they never actually bought all that.

Of course, being a "not for profit" type setup, I am not worried about trying to make as many sales as I can, so it is a different setup right from the start there, but just the fact that I do try to keep as much second hand gear as I can, for people to try as a complete, or even swap onto their own setup to try, it can make things a whole lot easier for someone to figure out if they really do want those new trucks, or wheels or whatever else.

It has also been a lot of fun messing round with things too, as I used to have my boards, DLX 8.12 with Indy 139s / 144s, Spitfire wheels, just have the same thing over and over, cause that was all I needed, same when I switched up to 8.5 or 8.38 boards, still Indy 149s, still Spitfires, etc.  Even my "big board" was always just the same on a larger scale, BBS wood, Indy standard 159s, Spitfire wheels and on and on...


These days I have a lot more stuff, from both my own interest in trying things, as well as trade ins, so any number of different woodshop decks, a good number of different trucks - Indy, Ace, Thunder, Venture, Slappy and more, pretty much every size, or type, eg cast and forged baseplates, regular, hollow or ti axles, then almost every brand of wheel too, or at least pretty much every option in wheel manufacturing, Spitfire, Bones, Aend, Creative, etc.

The best thing is where we are, there are a good number of different surfaces, so there is bitumen / asphalt carpark, rougher concrete, smooth concrete, painted concrete bowl, raw ply wood surface, skatelite surface, other composite ramp surface, etc.  That way, testing whatever wheel options can be good to see what the wheels feel like on every surface too, some of which perform really well, others best on this but bad on that, so I guess that has helped me to be somewhat of a "know it all skate shop guy" when helping anyone, in person, online or where ever really.


To say I have been pleasantly surprised by some products is an understatement, eg the new Thunder T-II trucks are going so well right now for me, both 149s and 151s on their relative boards, or even tinkering with certain things I just never would have thought I could make work, like Venture trucks being able to turn almost as much as Indy, or reshaping wheels or decks or any other number of things too.  Almost too much to list, but it could definitely be Gear Madness, if I let it.

I still have what I know works best for me and that's quite ok, so it is interesting to get new and different things, but I am not about to go out and buy one of every new thing that is out there, just the things I think would be good to have, to try, then to keep for people to try too, if that all makes sense.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on January 17, 2026, 06:14:50 PM
i watch a video clip of dekyzer doing a switch flip and then i want to buy all of his shit’.

This is what usually does it for me except it’ll be some obscure shit that makes me want to break out of my ledge/curb/manny lifestyle, so I’ll setup some crazy complete that doesn’t compliment my skillset at all & force myself to get used to it. Then when the spell breaks my “normal” gear feels unfamiliar and I’m just lost in the sauce until something works again and then cycle repeats itself.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 17, 2026, 06:45:02 PM
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i watch a video clip of dekyzer doing a switch flip and then i want to buy all of his shit’.
[close]

This is what usually does it for me except it’ll be some obscure shit that makes me want to break out of my ledge/curb/manny lifestyle, so I’ll setup some crazy complete that doesn’t compliment my skillset at all & force myself to get used to it. Then when the spell breaks my “normal” gear feels unfamiliar and I’m just lost in the sauce until something works again and then cycle repeats itself.

This is a pretty good description of how the gear madness works for most people I think

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on January 17, 2026, 11:11:13 PM
Yesterday I  got reminded that I'm a complete idiot for thinking about gear madness at all...

 I had a short session before going to work. While I was skating a father brought his son to the skatepark. This guy ,maybe 14 years old, had some kind of generic complete from an online skateshop with crappy wheels and trucks. Probably his Christmas gift. He pushed around mongo and didn't seem to be comfortable on his board but While I was skating he dropped in on some 6 ft quarters. So much commitment. He got his drop ins and totally ripped. He took some hard slams but continued to get the most out of his board.

Skills, Commitment, being stoked ...................> gear

.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 18, 2026, 01:22:06 AM

Skills, Commitment, being stoked ...................> gear


But it helps so much when you are stoked on/about your gear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on January 18, 2026, 02:47:29 AM
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Skills, Commitment, being stoked ...................> gear

[close]



But it helps so much when you are stoked on/about your gear.

Of course,  but it reminded myself to spend my time skating, not obsessing over gear. BTW I didn't change my setup for quite some time and started to progress. For a long time I've been terrified by transition and recently I kind of unlocked small ollies in transition. Went to the trunk and grabbed my girlfriends skateboard and tried some transition ollies.
Guess what, I can do them on her board too.
Gear madness is in my head mostly
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on January 19, 2026, 12:34:20 PM
Hot take, but I think saying "I've cured madness by just riding only this one setup" is the last stage in the clown applying face paint meme. To me if you're free of madness you can try different decks, wheels, etc and acknowledge the differences and be at peace skating around them (if it's not atrocious) until you get something else. Only having a super narrow setup range it's still implying that only one magical combo exists, which is what we search for with gear experiments and memorizing dimensions.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 19, 2026, 01:39:14 PM
Hot take, but I think saying "I've cured madness by just riding only this one setup" is the last stage in the clown applying face paint meme. To me if you're free of madness you can try different decks, wheels, etc and acknowledge the differences and be at peace skating around them (if it's not atrocious) until you get something else. Only having a super narrow setup range it's still implying that only one magical combo exists, which is what we search for with gear experiments and memorizing dimensions.

Everyone goes about life differently. Your “hot take” might be another’s cold leftovers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on January 19, 2026, 04:29:21 PM
Think of it like disordered eating. If you say "Hey I can eat as much as I want as long as it's just chicken, white rice, and broccoli or something on a list of approved foods but I can have as much as I want" it might not be limiting quality but it's still a form of a disorder. I liken "THE setup for me, but I only have one..." as similar logic.

I say this because I recently had such a setup but had an epiphany looking at pictures of old setups that absolutely none of them did everything well all the time and there's no guarantee the person I am now would pick a specific one and have the same experience.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 19, 2026, 04:34:26 PM
Think of it like disordered eating. If you say "Hey I can eat as much as I want as long as it's just chicken, white rice, and broccoli or something on a list of approved foods but I can have as much as I want" it might not be limiting quality but it's still a form of a disorder. I liken "THE setup for me, but I only have one..." as similar logic.

I say this because I recently had such a setup but had an epiphany looking at pictures of old setups that absolutely none of them did everything well all the time and there's no guarantee the person I am now would pick a specific one and have the same experience.

Not everyone views the world with same lenses you do.

Also, my mom had a horrible eating disorder. And through my eyes, this is an equally horrible analogy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on January 19, 2026, 05:00:39 PM
Limiting myself to just the same setup all the time makes me eventually try some other shit. My curiosity always gets the best of me. Usually just boards, though. Always the same width size, just different woodshops/shapes.

After skating PS Stix for the last year I realised how I missed other boards. Once I got off PS I realised how the other boards work better for most of the things I do. PS Stix closing is the best thing for my board madness.

I feel like this cycle repeats and I remember that no single setup (particularly just the board) can do everything well or needs any adjusting.

This is the year I make sure to get through my stack of boards… but I just bought a pair of Venture los.

Anyone think shoe madness is worse than board madness? I will strictly stick to shoes that work straight away. Fuck that nonsense when it comes to shoes. Can’t do it.


I definitely had some level of shoe madness. I'm far more "locked in" on my setup. Hard to pry me away from  Indys, F4 wheels, Bones bearings, and 8.38 - 8.5 decks from a few brands. For a long time, i was trying everything shoewise since my setup was dialed in hahah

Went from slim Vans Pros, Cons, Blazers up to chunky DCs, over to mid puff Soletech cups, to modern NB# cups and Dunks, only to come back to mid puff soletech cups after years & money spent experimenting! Yet, newer shoe designs/brands always entice me, so time to curb the madness spending in 2026. Now, I stick with what I know works with skate shoes.

I did have a Covid stack of gear: thunders, ventures, OJ wheels to try/got on sale. Learned it was pointless, aside from kicking down affordable gear to those who need it more than I did.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 19, 2026, 06:37:41 PM
I like to experiment a lil bit but not too much

Indy standard 144s - this part has to stay the same

Basically any F4s in any shape or hardness from 52mm to 54, though I prefer 54mm 99a classics

Any bones bearings but swiss 6 are bomber

Whatever grip or bolts but I prefer pepper g5 and Shorty's-style bolts like Modus 7/8" Allen

I'll skate whatever decks 8" to 8.5", but they gotta be 14" wb. I prefer 8.25" and higher but I'm not against setting up an 8" or 8.125". Prefer BBS

If I'm gonna use wheels other than classics I'm more likely to use 8.375" or 8.5" boards to (in my head) counteract a wider or sharper-edged wheel by magic carpeting

It's fun to mess around with different stuff but I don't want to play myself, at my age, when I could have a really solid day skating I don't want to be on a bunch of random different stuff... I wanna be ready to go with what I'm used to

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on January 20, 2026, 08:16:14 PM
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Limiting myself to just the same setup all the time makes me eventually try some other shit. My curiosity always gets the best of me. Usually just boards, though. Always the same width size, just different woodshops/shapes.

After skating PS Stix for the last year I realised how I missed other boards. Once I got off PS I realised how the other boards work better for most of the things I do. PS Stix closing is the best thing for my board madness.

I feel like this cycle repeats and I remember that no single setup (particularly just the board) can do everything well or needs any adjusting.

This is the year I make sure to get through my stack of boards… but I just bought a pair of Venture los.

Anyone think shoe madness is worse than board madness? I will strictly stick to shoes that work straight away. Fuck that nonsense when it comes to shoes. Can’t do it.

[close]

Went from slim Vans Pros, Cons, Blazers up to chunky DCs, over to mid puff Soletech cups, to modern NB# cups and Dunks, only to come back to mid puff soletech cups after years & money spent experimenting! Yet, newer shoe designs/brands always entice me, so time to curb the madness spending in 2026. Now, I stick with what I know works with skate shoes.
[close]

That’s a wide range for sure. I started off on bulky cupsoles as a kid but could never return. At some point I became super picky about how the sole feels along with a wider toe box.

Lots of shoes I like become discontinued then the cycle and search continues. I loved the first run of Blazers but I swear they changed. Same with the Campuses. I had a long run with Slip On Pros but one day they just felt too narrow. Habitat shoes were great, then they were done. NB 212s did the job, then they cut them.   

I feel like I can get used to a different board and accept it more so than a pair of shoes that feel off. Recently I tried making the Louie 2’s work but every session in them felt lacklustre. Luckily there’s one Adidas mold/sole that works. Gonz’s model is damn expensive but there are alternatives for when I can’t find them.

Yeah, it was a combo of finally having money from a job as an adult to try everything I didn't get to as a kid skating! Loved vulcs forever until I tried cups again and found my home after all that experimenting.  Earlier Campuses and those 212/213s were excellent at the time, I see why those stuck out to ya.

I didn't know the way to describe it for a long tim, but I learned i was picky with how a sole felt, like how you put it. I usually know just from trying on if it passes or not now.

Also, Gonz colorways were (still are, I should say) so limited in production and number of pairs per drop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 23, 2026, 12:53:50 PM
1 month madness free praise Jah

Been a month since I:

Switched from Indy 149 hollow standards to 144 standards

Switched from orange 90 cylinder bushings to blue 92a conicals

Switched from 14.25" wheelbase to 14"

I really like the weight of the Indy standards. I figure you can't go wrong with 144 or 149 there. 149s are the sickest but I'm 37 and like flipping my board around so the 144s are helping out a lot. I was on the hollow standard 149s and the feel and grind just felt wrong to me when I really started skating hard again. But I figured 149 standards, though they would have a better feeling, might be too heavy for me today. I don't regret switching and haven't noticed a difference really. Nice and easy to flip. I would never go narrower than these, especially with a high truck like indys, but it works great for a lot of folks(Ellington, Reynolds, Greco, Leo Romero, half of everybody in the 90s...). With the 144 standards I get the feel of a solid heavy truck, but I can still do anything I want on it. For a stronger man you could say the same shit about 149s. By feel I mean the feeling to plow through crust, plow through grinds, absorb vibrations, the sound of the grind, and the weight makes your board flip different and move differently in the air - more deliberately, and I feel more like I know what my board is going to do.

The blue conicals are another way for me to try and replicate the stage 7 and 8 indys of my youth. Stock bushings on those were 92a conicals as well. But they were way taller and had a longer kingpin. This was noticeable at stage 9 and 10 when they were using the same bushings from the old trucks, on the new baseplates and it was really hard to get your kingpin nut back on if you took it off. So maybe they went down to 90a and cylindrical bottom bushings as a compromise for the new lower bushing height, allowing for a lower truck overall and more grind clearance... Seems with stage 11 they tweaked the hangers a bit to get that height back starting with 159s.. another reminder that Indy/NHS are old vert dudes cause I woulda fixed 149s first hahah. But anyways I love them, they feel great. Pretty stable on center but I can really dip em if I want to. As many others have said, I definitely recommend the blue conicals if the stock oranges aren't working out for you. I switched cause the stocks felt kinda dead at the end of the turn, and I didn't necessarily want a looser truck, I just wanted more "pinchability." Tried aftermarket orange conicals and those were better and more lively. I like the blue conicals even more. My favorite tho was AF1s with the hard bushings. They stayed maad stable but would still turn tight as fuck if I wanted them too

With the switch to 14" wheelbase, I'm also trying to train myself to fix some issues with my technique, and I'm doing flip tricks with my foot closer to/over the front bolts, and my back foot more in the pocket and not on the very end of the tail. I also started always skating my board the same direction, instead of the way I used to. So now I pop nollie and fakie both off the nose, and I skate the tail as the tail for both switch and regular. Makes so much sense and has been working out. Idk if it's a mental thing but I'm pretty sure the last trick I learned was in like 2016 or something? I could be wrong. but it was front bigspins. And yesterday I was able to do a few fakie inward heelflips in my garage. I think it could all be in my head feeling like my board is shorter and stuff cause I mean it's only a quarter inch but damn, I learned fakie inwards and I'm fuckin 37. This might've solidified the metamorphosis from 14.25 to 14 hahah

So yeah it's working out fuckin great

The jump-off point, "government issue" board imo, that I tweaked a bit to get here:

8.25 or 8.5 x 14.25 wb board
Indy 149 standards
54mm spitfire classics

•I'm short so the 14" wheelbase fucks. Still vibing with the 8.25 to 8.5 width range but the 144s allow me to fuck around with 8s and red ovals and shit if I want to.
•Standards fuck and 144s with blue conicals is as close as I can get to my old stage 7/8 146s
•I'll pretty much use whatever the fuck shape/duro spitfire F4 52 to 54mm bit I think I prefer the 93a, 54mm classics rn

It's nice to have sort of a range that I can fuck around in comfortably without getting too out there. I tried a buncha shit last year, I'm not really limiting myself from having fun or anything. I can have bigass wheels on my cruiser. I'm not against trying some 54mm radial fulls as long as I'm on a 8.5" so I can still have that leverage

I don't know

Is anyone hiring

I'm losing my mind

-but I learned fakie inward heels-
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on January 23, 2026, 03:55:59 PM
I feel like my gear madness comes from me not knowing my "specialty/style".

I started skating over a year ago with some prior experience (I learned how to ollie and shuv using a friends board in high school) and I have been learning to skate different obstacles.

Because of that, I constantly adjusted my setup in hopes to make things easier. Like skating a smaller board for ledges and flatground, and then switching to a larger board for curbs and transition.

The constant switching did not make learning tricks any easier (what a surprise) and I have learned that there are a lot of obstacles that I cannot skate at all.

I mainly skate curbs and mini ramps if I can find one, occasionally do flatground tricks if I feel like it. Ive been trying to get 360 flips more consistent.

So I decided to setup a Christmas complete with this realization (genius move). I am currently riding a 9" egg with Thunder Hollow Light 149s with SF 52mm Classic Wheels. It feels good to skate although it is a little harder to flip, me being short with a very small shoe size does not help.

At this point if im not satisfied with my setup ill just suck it up knowing that switching certain parts will not make me a good skater.

Update: I am a hypocrite.

I ended up changing the trucks to a weird "franken-ace" by using classic baseplates that I had laying around and AF1 hangers with ace hard bushings. I also swapped to 50mm spitfires which I also had laying around. Still on the 9" egg.

I didnt really like the thunders, the stability was nice but they didn't feel as "fun" to me? idk how to describe it.

My current trucks feel good, I had a set of 44 AF1s that I skated for 8 months straight so im already used to them. Im kinda partial to the wheels tho, they dont give me any benefits compared to other wheels that ive tried so I might get a bigger wheel down the road. 

Does anyone here have experience with radial fulls, how do they compare to the conical full?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 23, 2026, 06:45:36 PM

Does anyone here have experience with radial fulls, how do they compare to the conical full?


Radial Full just roll over everything, more so than any other wheel.  That's not to say you still can't get thrown off if you get a pebble or stick or something under your wheels, but being the widest and most solid wheel, they do have a different feel to most others.  Also they only start from 54 mm, which is what I have on a few boards.  Being so wide, you have less truck grind room too, which some people like but others find harder to get into things.

Conical Full can still power through a lot of things too, but being not quite as wide, a little more angular, so they grind in a different way, often having more grip on some things, but as they wear down, the edge gets sharper too.  I have recycled a lot of Conical Full wheels and usually have to round them off some to make them work well for me, but other people I know swear by them as their go to wheel for everything.  At least Conical Full come out in pretty much every size from 50 to 60 and everything in between.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 28, 2026, 05:49:04 PM
I ended up grabbing those T2s.

Only a couple sessions in so far, bushings feel like they've firmed up.

I like/dislike all the same things about these as I do aces so far.

But I think I prefer these to aces.

Meh, will probably be back to the ol Indy standards whenever this deck runs it's course. Unless something major clicks for me on them or something.

It was fun to check these out though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: j....soy..... on January 28, 2026, 10:45:36 PM
Regardless of what we skate….we all kinda know Indy’s are the right answer….l
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 29, 2026, 09:49:42 AM
Regardless of what we skate….we all kinda know Indy’s are the right answer….l

:)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 29, 2026, 11:57:53 AM
I think I kinda understand my madness

There's what I WANT to skate... And then there's what actually works for me

Like, what I think is the sickest shit -

Blue eagle, blue oval, baker b16, BBS 8.5 short (14.25" wb)
Indy 149 standard
56mm spitfire classics

What is a lot more manageable to me -

BBS 8.25 short, Hardbody 8.25 short, etc. (14" wb)
Indy 144 standard
54mm spitfire classics

If I get in better shape, we'll see. I used to be able to do whatever on anybody's board without giving a shit, but it got kind of disheartening trying to skate the first setup and being super tired so I built that second setup and I'm learning new shit on it

I'm going to try out the 144s and 54s combo on a blue eagle though and see what's up with that, since finding 14.25" wb 8.25s and 8.5s is way easier than finding 14" wb in the same widths

I do mentally enjoy 14" wheelbase tho, my shit feels more personalized to my shortass legs

My "government issue" madness starter point board has split a little bit

8.25" or 8.5" x 14.25" wb BBS
Indy standard 144 or 149
54mm spitfire F4 99a classics

It used to be 8.25 board on 149s with 54mm wheels, and that was the setup I got my kickflips, hardflips and frontside flips back dialed in on a couple summers ago, switching back to indys from a couple years on aces

But I think it's nice to not have my baseline be a hot rod with heavy trucks

So if I had to build boards to give away to kids or something I think they would be 8.25s with 144 standards and 54mm classics. That'll be my safe zone to return to if the madness ever comes back/gets out of hand.

149 is the most classic Indy

Blue eagle, blue oval, and baker b16 are the most classic boards imo

Classic shape spitfires are well... Pretty classic... Size depends on what you want to do. 54 and below for flippy stuff and 55 and up if you're a beast hahah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 29, 2026, 08:42:32 PM
Well, lil madness blip.

I'm going back to 14.25 wb

A to B'd a 14.25 and a 14 wb today for 3 hours drilling all my flip tricks

Same trucks and wheels on both setups

There's nothing I can do on the 14 that I can't on the 14.25

And the stuff on the 14.25 felt better and looked better

I'm just too used to it

Adjusting my technique and foot placement was all that was needed. Trying the 14 gave me the mental boost in confidence I needed to try scarier stuff. But I can do it all on the 14.25 too.

Glad I tried one but it seems that usually it's the same contours, just drilled in a bit, with the exception of the dlx true fits

It just felt flatter and soggier and a little cramped. Too much "fingers of flat"

I was almost certain it would work out, and I even learned a new trick, but I was able to do the new trick a few times on the 14.25 and it even felt better so yeah I'm back on my same old blue eagle bullshit

So the biggest change in years was just switching to 144s from 149s, and harder bushings

Feels good

Glad I didn't have some religious experience on the 14" cause 14.25s are everywhere

If Spanky, Jerry, Foy, etc can do it... I definitely can... Hell, I'm taller than them! I think Reynolds is more the exception to the rule and he doesn't have some major advantage by skating a 14.25" despite how long his legs are. It's just what he's used to, which sometimes, is everything.

Welp
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 29, 2026, 09:13:16 PM
^ Back when I dabbled with the DLX 8.5/14.25s, I couldn’t do 144s on them—just tad too much magic carpet, but that also made some things flip a lot easier…maybe even a bit too twitchy for me?? I rode those decks within 149 forged hollows and 53mm Classics…but 14.25 is just too cramped for my height/legs. Kind of wish I could ride that deck, though, because they are just EVERYWHERE.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 29, 2026, 09:27:29 PM
^ Back when I dabbled with the DLX 8.5/14.25s, I couldn’t do 144s on them—just tad too much magic carpet, but that also made some things flip a lot easier…maybe even a bit too twitchy for me?? I rode those decks within 149 forged hollows and 53mm Classics…but 14.25 is just too cramped for my height/legs. Kind of wish I could ride that deck, though, because they are just EVERYWHERE.

That's what I'm sayin... 8.5 and 8.25 with a 14.25 wb are fuckin everywhere

What helped the transition from 149s to 144s for me was that my 149s were hollows and my 144s are standards

I like the weight

Also trying out the 92a and 94a Indy bushings

I'm gonna go pick up some conical 94a bushings, I think that might be my jam. I really like the black cylinder 94s, nut flush, but considering I didn't like the crooks pinch on 90a cylinders.. I think the conical bottom bushing does a lot for it ala thunders

The magic carpet didn't bother me at all today but I'll try and stick to 8.25s maybe, cause I was just doing flip tricks and not aiming grinds at a ledge or anything, which is where I think the magic carpet gets most folks cause it's harder to aim when you can't see your wheel as much or something
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on January 29, 2026, 11:43:48 PM
^ Back when I dabbled with the DLX 8.5/14.25s, I couldn’t do 144s on them—just tad too much magic carpet, but that also made some things flip a lot easier…maybe even a bit too twitchy for me?? I rode those decks within 149 forged hollows and 53mm Classics…but 14.25 is just too cramped for my height/legs. Kind of wish I could ride that deck, though, because they are just EVERYWHERE.

The DLX 8.5 x 14.25 is pretty much perfect with cast Venture 5.6s.

Two washers on the inside, one on the outside.

Stock bushings.

Not too much magic carpet, wb effect pretty much spot on for me.

Some peeps could probably benefit even more from forged Ventures with the shape as they push out the wb even more.

I'm 5'9, btw.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on January 29, 2026, 11:52:50 PM
I just set up an 8.4x32x14.25 "Anti Intel" Austin K AntiHero deck. It reminded me (again) why 32 or below in length is not ideal to me.  Everything else looks & feels fine so far,  but damn is it small. This board would be great for T1 thunders if I liked Thunders  :P

Anyways, I'll skate it as much as i can before I move back to an 8.5x32+x14.5 deck

I had thought it may be different this time, but... no hahah
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 30, 2026, 12:44:44 AM

I had thought it may be different this time, but... no hahah


I feel seen.

[insert some quote, by some smart guy, about the definition of insanity and doing the same thing over and over again, here.]
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on January 30, 2026, 03:04:26 AM
So I am about a month in on my Indy 159 standards and honestly they aren’t feeling as great as I remembered. Maybe it’s cause I came from venture or because I am skating a lot differently than I used to (skating more street, ledges curbs and flip tricks as opposed to mainly skating transition) but I think I’m ready to try lurpivs. Im gonna try and go in with no expectations at all, just try something different, and maybe after that thunders with some risers, cause I like the 55mm height but the weight and pop feel just feels off. Granted I also did move up wb from 14.5 to 14.625 on this white eagle but idk I just wanna try different stuff and see what feels just good. I know I likely won’t find a “perfect” set up but I just wanna find something that feels all around good
I know I should just stick to a setup and skate that but there is just a lot I wanna try too and I know the feeling of Indy’s and honestly don’t know if they are for me anymore.
Ofc I’m gonna have to axle these first so will report back once I do or if anything changes before then
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 30, 2026, 05:14:27 AM
So I am about a month in on my Indy 159 standards and honestly they aren’t feeling as great as I remembered. Maybe it’s cause I came from venture or because I am skating a lot differently than I used to (skating more street, ledges curbs and flip tricks as opposed to mainly skating transition) but I think I’m ready to try lurpivs. Im gonna try and go in with no expectations at all, just try something different, and maybe after that thunders with some risers, cause I like the 55mm height but the weight and pop feel just feels off. Granted I also did move up wb from 14.5 to 14.625 on this white eagle but idk I just wanna try different stuff and see what feels just good. I know I likely won’t find a “perfect” set up but I just wanna find something that feels all around good
I know I should just stick to a setup and skate that but there is just a lot I wanna try too and I know the feeling of Indy’s and honestly don’t know if they are for me anymore.
Ofc I’m gonna have to axle these first so will report back once I do or if anything changes before then

What don't you like about them now? Were you riding 8.75 ventures with risers previously?

Personally, I would ride 149s on an 8.62/8.75 just to try and make that large setup feel a bit more manageable. (If we're talking regular setups and not cruisers or anything)

But that is totally just a personal taste/preference thing. Not saying it's objectively the way to go or anything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: HyperBeam on January 30, 2026, 11:07:27 AM
I ended up grabbing those T2s.

Only a couple sessions in so far, bushings feel like they've firmed up.

I like/dislike all the same things about these as I do aces so far.

But I think I prefer these to aces.

Meh, will probably be back to the ol Indy standards whenever this deck runs it's course. Unless something major clicks for me on them or something.

It was fun to check these out though.

What things are those? been thinking about TII, but what i like about TI is that the hangar sits farther out relative to the baseplate and it give me a good feel for the lever and when i pop, i feel like the pushed out hangar causes the board to keep its forward momentum better, whereas on ace or a shorter wheelbase truck it feels like all the energy doesn't transfer forward, but instead just goes straight up like when you're popping your board into your hand.

worried that the TII won't have the same feeling as the WB is shorter, and presumably the hangar does not sit the same way relative to the baseplate.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on January 30, 2026, 11:08:41 AM
Expand Quote
I ended up grabbing those T2s.

Only a couple sessions in so far, bushings feel like they've firmed up.

I like/dislike all the same things about these as I do aces so far.

But I think I prefer these to aces.

Meh, will probably be back to the ol Indy standards whenever this deck runs it's course. Unless something major clicks for me on them or something.

It was fun to check these out though.
[close]

What things are those? been thinking about TII, but what i like about TI is that the hangar sits farther out relative to the baseplate and it give me a good feel for the lever and when i pop, i feel like the pushed out hangar causes the board to keep its forward momentum better, whereas on ace or a shorter wheelbase truck it feels like all the energy doesn't transfer forward, but instead just goes straight up like when you're popping your board into your hand.

worried that the TII won't have the same feeling as the WB is shorter, and presumably the hangar does not sit the same way relative to the baseplate.

You won't like the t2 then, the wheelbase is very short.

Sometimes I think the t2 with an indy forged wheelbase would be the perfect truck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Rick Trapasso on January 30, 2026, 11:25:19 AM
Expand Quote
I ended up grabbing those T2s.

Only a couple sessions in so far, bushings feel like they've firmed up.

I like/dislike all the same things about these as I do aces so far.

But I think I prefer these to aces.

Meh, will probably be back to the ol Indy standards whenever this deck runs it's course. Unless something major clicks for me on them or something.

It was fun to check these out though.
[close]

What things are those? been thinking about TII, but what i like about TI is that the hangar sits farther out relative to the baseplate and it give me a good feel for the lever and when i pop, i feel like the pushed out hangar causes the board to keep its forward momentum better, whereas on ace or a shorter wheelbase truck it feels like all the energy doesn't transfer forward, but instead just goes straight up like when you're popping your board into your hand.

worried that the TII won't have the same feeling as the WB is shorter, and presumably the hangar does not sit the same way relative to the baseplate.

I like the quick/deep turn, the way they grind, the way they lock in on coping.

The light pop feel is nice sometimes, but in most cases it isn't for me.

I dislike the crooked grind lock in, how unstable they can feel (which is a tradeoff for the turn), and the lack of rebound they seem to have even after the bushings have firmed up and I have like 3 threads showing.

I don't think the height/weight/wheelbase combination works for my tastes personally.

Also, def don't get these thinking they are anything like t1. Totally different truck. Def not a T1 with more baseplate by any assessment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on January 30, 2026, 12:04:23 PM
Well shit…. Bamboozled myself looking at the set up threads and ended up buying some V8s from the local for pick up
Was thinking of going thru here and reading reviews but as one vato over there said it best, just throw em on and see how it feels

Been feeling really good on the board and on point, but thinkin of how i rode Indys & Aces for so long I got curious if i’d feel better shortening the wheel base.
Stoked to have an extra hanger on ice & stock bushings for the summer though, no idea where my purps went
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on January 30, 2026, 07:06:28 PM
Expand Quote
So I am about a month in on my Indy 159 standards and honestly they aren’t feeling as great as I remembered. Maybe it’s cause I came from venture or because I am skating a lot differently than I used to (skating more street, ledges curbs and flip tricks as opposed to mainly skating transition) but I think I’m ready to try lurpivs. Im gonna try and go in with no expectations at all, just try something different, and maybe after that thunders with some risers, cause I like the 55mm height but the weight and pop feel just feels off. Granted I also did move up wb from 14.5 to 14.625 on this white eagle but idk I just wanna try different stuff and see what feels just good. I know I likely won’t find a “perfect” set up but I just wanna find something that feels all around good
I know I should just stick to a setup and skate that but there is just a lot I wanna try too and I know the feeling of Indy’s and honestly don’t know if they are for me anymore.
Ofc I’m gonna have to axle these first so will report back once I do or if anything changes before then
[close]

What don't you like about them now? Were you riding 8.75 ventures with risers previously?

Personally, I would ride 149s on an 8.62/8.75 just to try and make that large setup feel a bit more manageable. (If we're talking regular setups and not cruisers or anything)

But that is totally just a personal taste/preference thing. Not saying it's objectively the way to go or anything.

I was thinking of trying 149s or just 8.5 trucks in general on my 8.75 cause it is my regular set up but no I wasn’t riding riser before but I think thunders with risers makes sense in my brain for me. And idk they are just heavy but the pop isn’t that hefty like ventures so it just makes it hard to get off the ground. My trucks just feel lower and kinda rocket on kick flips.
Honestly tho I just wanna try different stuff
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 30, 2026, 10:55:42 PM
I think I'd rather magic carpet than hot rod

and I think I like tighter trucks rather than looser

I'm just reverting back to my early 2000s self hahah

I feel like my Indy 144s are quicker turning and wheelbite less than my 149s

The blue conical Indy bushings might still be too soft for me so I'ma try the 94a black conicals. (I'm ~155lbs)

I've tried the stock orange, aftermarket orange, black, and blue(conical)

I think the black conicals are gonna be sick since I loved the 94a ace hards in my af1s, nut flush

I could alternatively just turn them a complete rotation after nut flush(~2 threads showing) and angle grind that shit off

Love the pinchability for crooks and shit of the conical blues vs the cylinder stock and aftermarket oranges

But I like my board to sound all snappy and dry and shit too

I remember getting used to aces was really hard and I ate shit a lot

But I think there might've been other factors at play

Not sure the exact differences between AF1s(44 or 55) and ace classics(44) but I wouldn't be against trying some with the hard bushings again after I axle these indys

I do remember going back to indys pretty much immediately re-unlocked my kickflip tricks

Fingers crossed but I think I'm really gonna dig the black conicals


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on January 31, 2026, 01:32:01 AM

Fingers crossed but I think I'm really gonna dig the black conicals


@Mbrimson88 and I have talked about this before....the Indy conicals skate/feel like 1/2-steps between relative Indy barrel durometers. For example...

90a Barrel
92a conical
92a Barrel
94a conical
94a Barrel
etc...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on January 31, 2026, 01:56:46 AM
Currently I'm using mini logo 94a bushings in my 159 standards. At first they sucked but now they are the best bushings I've ever had. They don't freeze, stable on center but have a nice deep carve. I once put them in a set of forged hollow 169 but they felt way to tight. I think the hollow kingpins in indies are a little shorter than the standard kingpins.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on January 31, 2026, 03:32:43 AM
Expand Quote

Fingers crossed but I think I'm really gonna dig the black conicals

[close]

@Mbrimson88 and I have talked about this before....the Indy conicals skate/feel like 1/2-steps between relative Indy barrel durometers. For example...

90a Barrel
92a conical
92a Barrel
94a conical
94a Barrel
etc...


Yeah, being able to have a so called in between variant, or maybe something that is "more firm" for cylinders or "less firm" in conical bushings, it just gives more options there.

That is not even going at all into reshaping top bushings, or changing out washers, eg flat or shallow washers allow for much more turn, deeper washers give a firmer feel to the bushings by not allowing them to move as much.


* I just got a couple of the stand alone Indy baseplates, so went to work modifying them to fit a specific board I wanted to change up, both kingpins taken down a few threads, one double drilled for maximum shortening the wheelbase on the front truck and the other just drilled almost beside the current holes to move the truck only a couple of mm.  So far they have worked great on the 159 hangers I put on them.  That is a whole other side of madness though.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on January 31, 2026, 11:23:08 AM
Good idea

I think I'll get some aftermarket baseplates and cut the kingpins down a bit to get a bit more pressure and tension in softer bushings without having 2 or more threads sticking out... Reynolds style hahah

Then I'll still have my stock baseplates if I change my mind

I like having those sort of in-between hardnesses too

I mainly like the conicals cause I feel like they dive/pinch easier/deeper

I'm trying to get them to feel more stable and crispy on center for certain flip tricks, while still biting the deck real easy on crooks

I wish I skated better on aces cause the af1s with hards, nut flush really had that crispy stable feeling while still being able to dive if I wanted them too... I just lost a bunch of tricks when I switched to them and got them back when I went back to indys, and the crooks pinch was a little weird for me on aces too

Which is crazy cause I can pretty much skate whatever shoe

I think thicker shoes like 933s or 1010s are easier to skate with a little bit tighter truck though



Can't believe I only made it a little over a month without madness

I think skating my friends board and certain tricks being way easier was the culprit

I'm still locked in on Indy 144s and 54mm classics tho, I feel like that's the most important part. I'm gonna stick to 8.25s and 8.5 shorts. Still have 3 in the stack. Kinda glad the 14" experiment failed.

Now I'm just fucking with bushings. Once I find the ones I really like, I'll probably end up grinding the kingpin down like 2 threads. I don't think I'm gonna mod the bushings themselves at all. I probably won't mix and match tops or bottoms either, or put a bones washer underneath my bottom washer or anything
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 04, 2026, 08:33:50 AM
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Reese Bruno on February 04, 2026, 10:57:29 AM
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
Fret not, brother. You're probably just stoked from skating and got some good feelings from it. I bet you woulda had just as good of a time on my board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 04, 2026, 11:55:23 AM
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different 🥴
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 04, 2026, 12:08:16 PM
If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride

Exactly how I feel about them. Sometimes I even like their lack of turn compared to independent...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 04, 2026, 12:51:30 PM
If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride

Exactly how I feel about them. Sometimes I even like their lack of turn compared to independent...

Yeah it’s nice for awhile just to feel super stable, but Indy is like a perfect middle ground between the 3 brands I mentioned. I usually end up back on them lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 04, 2026, 01:50:17 PM
I've been fuckin around with different Indy bushings trying to get them stable on center and not mushy, have some rail-to-rail tension for flip tricks, but still have a responsive turn/crooks pinch when I want it

I used to skate thunders during the stage 9/10 era. Low and pinchy but I got hella wheelbite and I weigh 145 lbs and was on 53mm wheels.. I love the extra height on Indy standards and I think they pair perfectly with a 14.25" wb board like a blue eagle or baker b16..

I think I'd rather have a high truck with a shorter truck wheelbase and bigger wheels, than a low truck with a longer truck wheelbase and small wheels.. lil more versatile.

I wish I would have tried Indy conical bushings in my thunders back then. I broke more hangers on thunders than I did on indys though

Has anyone tried ace low bushings in thunders? I bet that shit would be sick

Anyways after trying my friend board with tight trucks a couple weeks ago, and trying aces with hard bushings a couple years ago, I really like the sort of, pressurized, dry, crispy, snappy sound of my board, and being able to kinda just put my foot wherever for flip tricks and it won't veer off in that direction.. not nyjah level foot position hahah but not Aimu level either

Reynolds weighs enough to still pinch crooks on his orange barrel bushings, cranked down with the kingpin angle grinder'd off

I feel like I'll find a combo that works.. either straight-up black conicals, or some sort of combo like orange conical bottom, black top, angle grind the top 1/8" of the kingpin off
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 04, 2026, 02:19:55 PM
I've been fuckin around with different Indy bushings trying to get them stable on center and not mushy, have some rail-to-rail tension for flip tricks, but still have a responsive turn/crooks pinch when I want it

I used to skate thunders during the stage 9/10 era. Low and pinchy but I got hella wheelbite and I weigh 145 lbs and was on 53mm wheels.. I love the extra height on Indy standards and I think they pair perfectly with a 14.25" wb board like a blue eagle or baker b16..

I think I'd rather have a high truck with a shorter truck wheelbase and bigger wheels, than a low truck with a longer truck wheelbase and small wheels.. lil more versatile.

I wish I would have tried Indy conical bushings in my thunders back then. I broke more hangers on thunders than I did on indys though

Has anyone tried ace low bushings in thunders? I bet that shit would be sick

Anyways after trying my friend board with tight trucks a couple weeks ago, and trying aces with hard bushings a couple years ago, I really like the sort of, pressurized, dry, crispy, snappy sound of my board, and being able to kinda just put my foot wherever for flip tricks and it won't veer off in that direction.. not nyjah level foot position hahah but not Aimu level either

Reynolds weighs enough to still pinch crooks on his orange barrel bushings, cranked down with the kingpin angle grinder'd off

I feel like I'll find a combo that works.. either straight-up black conicals, or some sort of combo like orange conical bottom, black top, angle grind the top 1/8" of the kingpin off

AF1’s with hard bushings are great if you need a little shorter WB than Indy provides with a similar turn. Aces are just a little too high maintenance for regular use, having to swap bushings and axle nuts so my wheels don’t eventually pop off while I’m skating. The IKP version has been even more needy since they require the low hard bushings to fit their geo, and as always with ace after about 4-5 months the bushings lose their pop and start to feel kinda flat.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 04, 2026, 02:31:45 PM
Haha yeah I swapped all my axle nuts out on my af1s

Love the turn but the height, wheelbase/pop angle, and pinch were too weird for me

But I do remember absolutely loving the feeling of rolling up to a ledge for a kickflip crook and the board just goes perfectly straight, and after I roll away I can still lean in and turn around in a tight arc

I've never tried Indy bushings in aces, though I have tried ace bushings in indys, but I don't remember too much as it was in like 2021 and I was doing other weird shit with my board

I think I just want a bouncy responsive bushing and part of that on aces is because the top bushing is so damn tall, and the bottom ones are taller too

I wish they made conical stage 4 bushings so I could just use the bottoms with the regular stg 11 tops. I don't want to add a flat washer under my bottom washer or anything. That does work though. I think the cheapest/sinplest route is still gonna end up being just grinding the extra threads off. Fingers crossed conical blacks, nut flush are the solution without any mods

I think I get that more responsive feeling with a couple threads showing.. with some compression/energy in there. With the barrel bushings, it's easier to roll straight/stable on center with the nut flush, but I can't pinch them as much as I want or turn as deep as I want, so my compromise is gonna be conical bushings with like 1/8" ground off the kingpin I think

Kingpins gonna get all fucked up and ground down at an angle anyway especially if I start wallie-ing granite boulders again, never been great at smiths on ledges
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 04, 2026, 05:16:11 PM
Expand Quote
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
[close]

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different

Thunder summer and Indy Winter because Thunder bushings suck in winter.

Unless you live in LA or somewhere similar.

My particular cry for help is that I don’t want to switch out from Forged baseplate to Cast baseplate because I just don’t wanna.

But I’m convinced the 1.5 mm difference is going to improve the pop….. I also am quite happy with the new 7/8” bolts, but will have to switch to old, longer hardware for cast baseplate :( I do not like flush hardware… I think it will fall off. I need those extra threads to be convinced they won’t.

Also… what is wrong with Indy bushings aftermarket? The top bushing is taller than my older bushings by about 1mm, and it makes the trucks tighter with the axle nut in same position.  What should I do? Boil them? Sand the top down? Should I just put up with harder bushings until they squish down?

I hate fine tuning now…  I thought I was happy and over worrying about the little things by having everything dialed in perfect. until I started missing Indy turn vs Thunders…

*Forgot to mention that Ace inverted top bushing with Indy bottom bushing works okay… not great, but okay. I think I like matching bushing durometers.

**boiled bushings. That loosened them up. But will have to wait until a session to see if changing baseplates affects pop in any discernible way.

Also… 8.38x14.5wb DLX with 8.5” trucks feels so gosh dang perfect just SKATING around, but the 8.25x14.38wb DLX with 8.25” trucks feels easier to control for doing any tricks.

No wonder quivers exist…

And I am not looking forward to trying TII’s or Slappy when the Indy’s wear out (which will be 5000 years from now). I don’t want truck madness.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on February 05, 2026, 06:37:22 AM
Honestly some days or even weeks things just feel bad as we age. Or good. I do a lot of mountain biking and cycling and in peak season I can show up feeling super excited to skate and my legs simply have zero pop. I can't imagine added trucks into the mix constantly and hoping to get any long-term conclusions other than a temporary novelty effect.

For me the most satisfying days are when I feel old and beat up on the sesh but things feel nice and familiar. I might not do anything new or interesting, but the simple basics just feel solid and fun.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on February 05, 2026, 08:29:22 AM
There is no better feeling truck than an Ace Classic 55.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 05, 2026, 08:42:59 AM
Honestly some days or even weeks things just feel bad as we age. Or good. I do a lot of mountain biking and cycling and in peak season I can show up feeling super excited to skate and my legs simply have zero pop. I can't imagine added trucks into the mix constantly and hoping to get any long-term conclusions other than a temporary novelty effect.

For me the most satisfying days are when I feel old and beat up on the sesh but things feel nice and familiar. I might not do anything new or interesting, but the simple basics just feel solid and fun.

Amen. Yes that bliss is great, not stressing over “perfection” and “that trick wasn’t perfect I gotta do it again”.

Thats why these truck adjustments are getting on my nerves. Ha.

And Indy was supposed to be familiar turning and enjoyable sessions, but I had to do extra things to get them to perform how I remembered them. Things might be figured out now… hopefully.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 05, 2026, 09:03:23 AM
There is no better feeling truck than an Ace Classic 55.

You know what, I think you're right
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 05, 2026, 09:05:09 AM
Expand Quote
There is no better feeling truck than an Ace Classic 55.
[close]

You know what, I think you're right

right up until nollie flip number three

but yes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: myfeetarekillingme on February 05, 2026, 10:46:01 AM
Expand Quote
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
[close]

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different 🥴

The waffling between Thunder and Ace is so damn relatable to me. I conceded now that I’ll never be able to just choose and stick with one for good, so I set up my Aces on an alt setup with rails to hit curbs and the more cruisey fun spots and set up my Thunders on a “main” setup for the standard sessions where I intend to really practice all my flip tricks and ledge tricks.

Sigh
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 05, 2026, 11:52:28 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
[close]

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different 🥴
[close]

The waffling between Thunder and Ace is so damn relatable to me. I conceded now that I’ll never be able to just choose and stick with one for good, so I set up my Aces on an alt setup with rails to hit curbs and the more cruisey fun spots and set up my Thunders on a “main” setup for the standard sessions where I intend to really practice all my flip tricks and ledge tricks.

Sigh

I truly hope that works for you. I thought I found the cure once I had 3 setups for the same reason but after some time that only made it worse. I think I must have actual OCD (I don’t say that lightly) because I can’t be comfortable knowing I have other setups with various components. I need to be a Thunder guy, and ace guy, or an Indy guy etc. to feel this made up validation for myself that I’ve created.

This type of thinking has been something I’ve always struggled with in other aspects of life and I’ve concluded it’s just manifesting itself through skateboard trucks because I put so much emphasis on what I ride and what kind of skater I am to distract myself from the horrors of the real world. Kinda like creating smaller manageable problems to cope with the uncertainty and anxiety of the big scary ones that I am helpless against.

Probably the only way I’ll settle this for any extended length of time is to just totally rid myself of any other options but even then I’d probably find an excuse to order new trucks in some manic state after some new part or concept triggers me. I’m fucked lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on February 05, 2026, 11:54:12 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
[close]

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different 🥴
[close]

The waffling between Thunder and Ace is so damn relatable to me. I conceded now that I’ll never be able to just choose and stick with one for good, so I set up my Aces on an alt setup with rails to hit curbs and the more cruisey fun spots and set up my Thunders on a “main” setup for the standard sessions where I intend to really practice all my flip tricks and ledge tricks.

Sigh

That is what T2s are for.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 05, 2026, 12:41:31 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
[close]

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different 🥴
[close]

The waffling between Thunder and Ace is so damn relatable to me. I conceded now that I’ll never be able to just choose and stick with one for good, so I set up my Aces on an alt setup with rails to hit curbs and the more cruisey fun spots and set up my Thunders on a “main” setup for the standard sessions where I intend to really practice all my flip tricks and ledge tricks.

Sigh
[close]

I truly hope that works for you. I thought I found the cure once I had 3 setups for the same reason but after some time that only made it worse. I think I must have actual OCD (I don’t say that lightly) because I can’t be comfortable knowing I have other setups with various components. I need to be a Thunder guy, and ace guy, or an Indy guy etc. to feel this made up validation for myself that I’ve created.

This type of thinking has been something I’ve always struggled with in other aspects of life and I’ve concluded it’s just manifesting itself through skateboard trucks because I put so much emphasis on what I ride and what kind of skater I am to distract myself from the horrors of the real world. Kinda like creating smaller manageable problems to cope with the uncertainty and anxiety of the big scary ones that I am helpless against.

Probably the only way I’ll settle this for any extended length of time is to just totally rid myself of any other options but even then I’d probably find an excuse to order new trucks in some manic state after some new part or concept triggers me. I’m fucked lol.


if you threw in:


wondering what the local/pro hot shoe was using
some personal identity call-backs to the past/simpler times


i identify with what you’re written for certain
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 05, 2026, 01:02:10 PM
This type of thinking has been something I’ve always struggled with in other aspects of life and I’ve concluded it’s just manifesting itself through skateboard trucks because I put so much emphasis on what I ride and what kind of skater I am to distract myself from the horrors of the real world. Kinda like creating smaller manageable problems to cope with the uncertainty and anxiety of the big scary ones that I am helpless against.

This has always been it for me, 100%. Whether it's my setup, wardrobe, ultralight backpacking setup, ice climbing/rock climbing stuff, snowboard and ski stuff, drum kit madness, bicycles, etc

A small thing I can control

Like hey my friend might've just died and I couldn't control that but thank dog I have control over these small things that I can escape into. Means to an end for fun and adventure, I can escape away into building bicycles, skateboards, backpacks, because I can daydream about all the fun I'm going to have.. I'll pick away at it and hyperfocus and learn everything I can cause it's a safe controlled environment when I have no control over shit else in the world that's scary and sad out there. It's like why people get tattoos or piercings or cut themselves or whatever. It's something YOU can do to YOURSELF, so you're taking back control, especially of pain, from outside forces. I think with my skating and climbing and cycling shit it's not exactly the same as that, but yeah it's something that I can control the outcomes of and it just feels like a safe haven

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Allen. on February 05, 2026, 01:08:12 PM
In all seriousness I am going to look at switching truck brands as a form of self harm from here on. Because in my experience, it is.

Same with haircuts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 05, 2026, 01:42:20 PM
We may be making some real progress here, guys. I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone active in this thread: Starting Saturday (or at your earliest convenience) we setup a board and stick to it for one month. No matter what. No changes at all unless something breaks or completely wears down. If at the end of the month you’ve identified aspects of your setup that you absolutely cannot stand, make changes as needed & we try this again. I’m very curious to see how it works out for not only myself but for you all as well. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole month without swapping something so I’m doing this regardless as a way to end this madness shit once and for all. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: myfeetarekillingme on February 05, 2026, 01:51:28 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
For the last few months I had so much fun on my independent 159s.  Today I went to the skatepark, the weather was meh, ground slightly wet in some spots but I had the urge to have a little session. Grabbed my spare setup since I didn't want to mess up every board and had one of the best sessions in weeks. Thunder 151s x97 8.6 14.25 wheelbase, everything felt springy and light under my feet. I'm questioning my whole existence right now...
[close]

This is how I end up back on thunders. Skate aces or Indy’s for a few months and hit a wall on progress or just have a few bad sessions that likely have nothing to do with my setup, throw on thunders (because madness) and have an amazing session. Skate thunders for a few weeks and eventually have a bad session or forget to wax the wheel contact part of a ledge and stick on too many nose/tailslides, “I don’t do enough tech tricks to need these anyways” Indy’s or aces start to look appealing because people who skate the way I wish I could skate have them.

Rinse and repeat.

Right now I’m in the beginning of the Thunder phase. If I’m being honest with myself they suit my natural style of skating so much better and I’m almost always more consistent but I just get bored with their lack of surfyness and start lusting after a different ride. Maybe this time it’ll be different 🥴
[close]

The waffling between Thunder and Ace is so damn relatable to me. I conceded now that I’ll never be able to just choose and stick with one for good, so I set up my Aces on an alt setup with rails to hit curbs and the more cruisey fun spots and set up my Thunders on a “main” setup for the standard sessions where I intend to really practice all my flip tricks and ledge tricks.

Sigh
[close]

That is what T2s are for.

I’ve definitely considered T2s as some sort of compromise, but everything I hear about em makes me think they lack the characteristics I enjoy about the T1s (light, mid height, snappy, highly controllable). I don’t think it would cure me because I have the desire to enjoy both flavors of truck at different times. I could even see them introducing a 3rd type of truck that I  can also enjoy so I think it’s maybe best to stay away for now.

Man this thread got real existential, I gotta go skate
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 05, 2026, 02:06:15 PM
We may be making some real progress here, guys. I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone active in this thread: Starting Saturday (or at your earliest convenience) we setup a board and stick to it for one month. No matter what. No changes at all unless something breaks or completely wears down. If at the end of the month you’ve identified aspects of your setup that you absolutely cannot stand, make changes as needed & we try this again. I’m very curious to see how it works out for not only myself but for you all as well. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole month without swapping something so I’m doing this regardless as a way to end this madness shit once and for all.

you were doing great until ‘once and for all’
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 05, 2026, 02:21:38 PM
We may be making some real progress here, guys. I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone active in this thread: Starting Saturday (or at your earliest convenience) we setup a board and stick to it for one month. No matter what. No changes at all unless something breaks or completely wears down. If at the end of the month you’ve identified aspects of your setup that you absolutely cannot stand, make changes as needed & we try this again. I’m very curious to see how it works out for not only myself but for you all as well. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole month without swapping something so I’m doing this regardless as a way to end this madness shit once and for all.

I actually just started doing this a month ago

I'm down

December:
Indy 149 hollow standards
14.25 wb board

January:
Indy 144 standards
Blue conical bushings
14" wb board

February
Still 144 standards for at least the next 6 months
Black conical bushings, probably going to fuck with that in March
Back to 14.25" wb, probably forever

Always 54mm F4 classics and bones swiss


My temptresses right now:

Radial full 54mm 93a
Classic 56mm 93a
Stage 4 146s
DLX true fit boards



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on February 05, 2026, 07:35:36 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
There is no better feeling truck than an Ace Classic 55.
[close]

You know what, I think you're right
[close]

right up until nollie flip number three

but yes

I don't think I've done 3 nollie flips in a row since the mid 90s and no truck will get me back there. Flip tricks were never my forte but I did learn/ relearn a bunch of other flips tricks in Aces....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 05, 2026, 08:27:25 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
There is no better feeling truck than an Ace Classic 55.
[close]

You know what, I think you're right
[close]

right up until nollie flip number three

but yes
[close]

I don't think I've done 3 nollie flips in a row since the mid 90s and no truck will get me back there. Flip tricks were never my forte but I did learn/ relearn a bunch of other flips tricks in Aces....

i meant to say attempt, 3rd attempt.
for me, with most of my life behind me, ace classic 55s are heavy.
they look real cool tho. i wish i had the first stage ones, those look very very cool.
the best are setup, for me, was that ps stix shape, the 8.5 x 14.25 wb, tapers down to 8.25 ish over the rear wheels….anyways, i was doing some fuck shit, and running that deck with those trucks, and had great kickflips (very relative/for me)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 05, 2026, 09:20:56 PM
Expand Quote
This type of thinking has been something I’ve always struggled with in other aspects of life and I’ve concluded it’s just manifesting itself through skateboard trucks because I put so much emphasis on what I ride and what kind of skater I am to distract myself from the horrors of the real world. Kinda like creating smaller manageable problems to cope with the uncertainty and anxiety of the big scary ones that I am helpless against.
[close]

This has always been it for me, 100%. Whether it's my setup, wardrobe, ultralight backpacking setup, ice climbing/rock climbing stuff, snowboard and ski stuff, drum kit madness, bicycles, etc

A small thing I can control

Like hey my friend might've just died and I couldn't control that but thank dog I have control over these small things that I can escape into. Means to an end for fun and adventure, I can escape away into building bicycles, skateboards, backpacks, because I can daydream about all the fun I'm going to have.. I'll pick away at it and hyperfocus and learn everything I can cause it's a safe controlled environment when I have no control over shit else in the world that's scary and sad out there. It's like why people get tattoos or piercings or cut themselves or whatever. It's something YOU can do to YOURSELF, so you're taking back control, especially of pain, from outside forces. I think with my skating and climbing and cycling shit it's not exactly the same as that, but yeah it's something that I can control the outcomes of and it just feels like a safe haven

NOW we are starting to have REAL discussions about Madness, and what’s really happening…kudos. I salute.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on February 05, 2026, 10:55:25 PM
I don’t know what to choose between the Indy Forged Hollows 139 and the Indy Mids Forged Hollows 139 for an 8.0 board with a 14 wheelbase and 31.4 length, with a fairly mellow shape. I ride 52 mm wheels.
I’ve always wondered whether, for an 8.0 board, tall trucks (from 53.5 to 55 mm) aren’t actually less suitable, and whether low trucks are better in terms of width and stability. I have the feeling that the wider a board is, the taller the trucks should be but I’m not sure.

I rode Indy Forgeds for a long time and absolutely loved them on an 8.125, but I want to go back to an 8.0 because it’s much easier for me.
If anyone has already tried both pairs of these trucks, I’d love to hear your opinion !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 05, 2026, 11:22:27 PM
I don’t know what to choose between the Indy Forged Hollows 139 and the Indy Mids Forged Hollows 139 for an 8.0 board with a 14 wheelbase and 31.4 length, with a fairly mellow shape. I ride 52 mm wheels.
I’ve always wondered whether, for an 8.0 board, tall trucks (from 53.5 to 55 mm) aren’t actually less suitable, and whether low trucks are better in terms of width and stability. I have the feeling that the wider a board is, the taller the trucks should be but I’m not sure.

I rode Indy Forgeds for a long time and absolutely loved them on an 8.125, but I want to go back to an 8.0 because it’s much easier for me.
If anyone has already tried both pairs of these trucks, I’d love to hear your opinion !

I believe that ratios are important (e.g. Venture lows on a 10” deck, not so good. 60mm wheels on a 7.75”, also not good). But there comes a point where nuances just become perseverations. Avoid that trap.

Indy Mids suck. Lots of problems with them. Give them away, and don’t look back. Forged Hollow on an 8” are fine. Make sure to rule over your mind, or it will rule over you.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 05, 2026, 11:25:07 PM
I'm down for the monthly concrete peer support work.

Me since early January:

DLX 8.5 x 14.25
Venture cast 5.6

Not listing wheels because they don't give me madness. Can ride multiple shapes and sizes and hardnesses no problem.
(Said no one ever.) No but seriously, my alleged madness is 95% deck and truck related.

At the moment, madness-free. It's great to wake up at night and try to go back to sleep thinking about tricks, not gear.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on February 05, 2026, 11:33:10 PM
Expand Quote
I don’t know what to choose between the Indy Forged Hollows 139 and the Indy Mids Forged Hollows 139 for an 8.0 board with a 14 wheelbase and 31.4 length, with a fairly mellow shape. I ride 52 mm wheels.
I’ve always wondered whether, for an 8.0 board, tall trucks (from 53.5 to 55 mm) aren’t actually less suitable, and whether low trucks are better in terms of width and stability. I have the feeling that the wider a board is, the taller the trucks should be but I’m not sure.

I rode Indy Forgeds for a long time and absolutely loved them on an 8.125, but I want to go back to an 8.0 because it’s much easier for me.
If anyone has already tried both pairs of these trucks, I’d love to hear your opinion !
[close]

I believe that ratios are important (e.g. Venture lows on a 10” deck, not so good. 60mm wheels on a 7.75”, also not good). But there comes a point where nuances just become perseverations. Avoid that trap.

Indy Mids suck. Lots of problems with them. Give them away, and don’t look back. Forged Hollow on an 8” are fine. Make sure to rule over your mind, or it will rule over you.

Especially since the forged with a WB 14 have a lower pop angle, right ?
Still, I’m curious about the Forged Mids for the stability and maybe an easier way to get a lower pop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2026, 06:48:23 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I don’t know what to choose between the Indy Forged Hollows 139 and the Indy Mids Forged Hollows 139 for an 8.0 board with a 14 wheelbase and 31.4 length, with a fairly mellow shape. I ride 52 mm wheels.
I’ve always wondered whether, for an 8.0 board, tall trucks (from 53.5 to 55 mm) aren’t actually less suitable, and whether low trucks are better in terms of width and stability. I have the feeling that the wider a board is, the taller the trucks should be but I’m not sure.

I rode Indy Forgeds for a long time and absolutely loved them on an 8.125, but I want to go back to an 8.0 because it’s much easier for me.
If anyone has already tried both pairs of these trucks, I’d love to hear your opinion !
[close]

I believe that ratios are important (e.g. Venture lows on a 10” deck, not so good. 60mm wheels on a 7.75”, also not good). But there comes a point where nuances just become perseverations. Avoid that trap.

Indy Mids suck. Lots of problems with them. Give them away, and don’t look back. Forged Hollow on an 8” are fine. Make sure to rule over your mind, or it will rule over you.
[close]

Especially since the forged with a WB 14 have a lower pop angle, right ?
Still, I’m curious about the Forged Mids for the stability and maybe an easier way to get a lower pop.

No, it has nothing to do with the deck they are set-up with. Mids suck on their own, independent (pun absolutely intended) of whatever deck. Seriously, avoid them. Hard stop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Teethcanbesexy on February 06, 2026, 07:37:37 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I don’t know what to choose between the Indy Forged Hollows 139 and the Indy Mids Forged Hollows 139 for an 8.0 board with a 14 wheelbase and 31.4 length, with a fairly mellow shape. I ride 52 mm wheels.
I’ve always wondered whether, for an 8.0 board, tall trucks (from 53.5 to 55 mm) aren’t actually less suitable, and whether low trucks are better in terms of width and stability. I have the feeling that the wider a board is, the taller the trucks should be but I’m not sure.

I rode Indy Forgeds for a long time and absolutely loved them on an 8.125, but I want to go back to an 8.0 because it’s much easier for me.
If anyone has already tried both pairs of these trucks, I’d love to hear your opinion !
[close]

I believe that ratios are important (e.g. Venture lows on a 10” deck, not so good. 60mm wheels on a 7.75”, also not good). But there comes a point where nuances just become perseverations. Avoid that trap.

Indy Mids suck. Lots of problems with them. Give them away, and don’t look back. Forged Hollow on an 8” are fine. Make sure to rule over your mind, or it will rule over you.
[close]

Especially since the forged with a WB 14 have a lower pop angle, right ?
Still, I’m curious about the Forged Mids for the stability and maybe an easier way to get a lower pop.

Start with forged hollow
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paperclip20 on February 06, 2026, 07:38:53 AM
We may be making some real progress here, guys. I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone active in this thread: Starting Saturday (or at your earliest convenience) we setup a board and stick to it for one month. No matter what. No changes at all unless something breaks or completely wears down. If at the end of the month you’ve identified aspects of your setup that you absolutely cannot stand, make changes as needed & we try this again. I’m very curious to see how it works out for not only myself but for you all as well. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole month without swapping something so I’m doing this regardless as a way to end this madness shit once and for all.

I'm in on this, just setup a board yesterday so i'm ready for it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 06, 2026, 09:22:01 AM
I have a stack of generator football blanks I used to really skate well on until I stopped riding them consistently so I’m gonna go into this challenge on one of those. I have one day to choose trucks and I think forged 159’s are the choice just because I truly don’t ever have to think about my trucks when I’m riding indys. The drama behind the logo is a real turnoff but for the sake of my skateboarding I’m gonna look past that until something further develops.

I had a great relationship with thunders when I was younger but I feel like we’ve grown apart over the years and rekindling that romance has been rough. We still have fun sometimes. When it’s good it’s good, but when it’s bad it’s really bad.

I love aces but they don’t love me back unless they’re in the mood.

Slappy fucked all my friends and comes home drunk talking about toy machine ads.

I have no feelings for venture.

Lurpiv lives too far away.

Grind king is in recovery and has face tats now.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: FrenchSkater on February 06, 2026, 09:55:26 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I don’t know what to choose between the Indy Forged Hollows 139 and the Indy Mids Forged Hollows 139 for an 8.0 board with a 14 wheelbase and 31.4 length, with a fairly mellow shape. I ride 52 mm wheels.
I’ve always wondered whether, for an 8.0 board, tall trucks (from 53.5 to 55 mm) aren’t actually less suitable, and whether low trucks are better in terms of width and stability. I have the feeling that the wider a board is, the taller the trucks should be but I’m not sure.

I rode Indy Forgeds for a long time and absolutely loved them on an 8.125, but I want to go back to an 8.0 because it’s much easier for me.
If anyone has already tried both pairs of these trucks, I’d love to hear your opinion !
[close]

I believe that ratios are important (e.g. Venture lows on a 10” deck, not so good. 60mm wheels on a 7.75”, also not good). But there comes a point where nuances just become perseverations. Avoid that trap.

Indy Mids suck. Lots of problems with them. Give them away, and don’t look back. Forged Hollow on an 8” are fine. Make sure to rule over your mind, or it will rule over you.
[close]

Especially since the forged with a WB 14 have a lower pop angle, right ?
Still, I’m curious about the Forged Mids for the stability and maybe an easier way to get a lower pop.
[close]

No, it has nothing to do with the deck they are set-up with. Mids suck on their own, independent (pun absolutely intended) of whatever deck. Seriously, avoid them. Hard stop.

Why exactly do they suck ?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 06, 2026, 11:02:59 AM
^

Heavier than standard Indys.

Less actual kingpin clearance.

Titanium kingpin catches more b/c it’s harder metal.

The king pin clearance that they do have is “created” by adding extra metal around axle, giving your wheels less “lock in” space.

Horribly botched design be Indy because they didn’t want to redesign baseplate, too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 06, 2026, 03:00:12 PM
Gonna go get a sheet of grip and some black Indy bushings today, and set up a BBS 8.5 x 14.25 x 32 blank. This'll be my board for February with Indy standard 144s and spitfire classics

I wish I could rock with the 149 standards and 56mm classics but I think 144s and 54s are gonna be juuuust fine on blue eagles/b16s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on February 06, 2026, 03:24:49 PM
ive been injured since July 1 2025. i tossed everything i was skating at the time.   i dont even remember what i skate anymore.  this spring back on the board is gonna be nurtz.  trying decide whether to change everything up from past practices, since ‘now’ would be the time
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 06, 2026, 05:01:25 PM
Last minute change to aces in the off chance they help me skate like max palmer this time. Generator football. Classic F4’s. I’m going in. Full accountability. Godspeed lads.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 06, 2026, 05:03:34 PM
Last minute change to aces in the off chance they help me skate like max palmer this time. Generator football. Classic F4’s. I’m going in. Full accountability. Godspeed lads.


oh sweetie you are wildin
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 06, 2026, 05:12:12 PM
ive been injured since July 1 2025. i tossed everything i was skating at the time.   i dont even remember what i skate anymore.  this spring back on the board is gonna be nurtz.  trying decide whether to change everything up from past practices, since ‘now’ would be the time


i like the idea of changing things in total. an era shift.
it’ll be jarring to see you not on some white 8.5 ish with 149s.
how far will you stray?
will ‘the bench’ still factor in?





for me, if i’m being totally honest, i haven’t been comfortable on a board for an extended time, in more than 10 years.
i never successfully moved on from venture lo’s.
i struggled to size up to 8.25 and beyond.
i struggled to move up past 52mm wheels.


i dabbled enough that i do not feel comfortable on an 8, but never found home on 8.25 and above.
aging has played a large part in this. where some posters (@Sedition is a great) have leaned into what feels good, and have just concentrated on that, i’m still trying to grab all of these disparate criteria (cultural, technical, actual, feels good), and sort of hope that something works out. it’s working out. just not how i wish.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 06, 2026, 05:32:25 PM
Expand Quote
Last minute change to aces in the off chance they help me skate like max palmer this time. Generator football. Classic F4’s. I’m going in. Full accountability. Godspeed lads.
[close]


oh sweetie you are wildin

One day at a time
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 06, 2026, 10:13:53 PM
I have my 8.5 short BBS gripped and ready to go, and I've already cracked my Hardbody DBX tail twice which is hilarious because it's usually the nose

It's all soggy there but it REFUSES to die

The black cylinder Indy bushings, nut flush, straight out the box, I had the best flatground garage sesh since having a garage

And I can still turn em

(5'9", 145 lbs)

It's an insane feeling to be able to back-to-back almost all my flip tricks over, and over, and over

Apparently my madness was just that I am not a loose truck dawg

And that's just the way it is

In keeping with our challenge, I'll stick to the spitfire classics, Indy 144s with black aftermarkets, and BBS 8.5 x 14.25 until my birthday in early March. Then I can prank myself with big wheels and 149s if I want. But I think I'm gonna enter this summer with the best conditioning in at least 10 years

The last time my kickflips looked this good was in 2016, on axled Indy 149s, 1/8" risers, 58mm conicals, and a 9"+ Jeff Kendall Santa Cruz, on acid, in Jackson Hole, in sk8-hi pros

I bet my hella beat 149s were lighter than new 139s

It's such a transient medium

The wheels and trucks are always wearing down

The paints wearing off the deck

The ledge is getting rounded off

Update:

Today I set up a regular ol 8.5 short

Traded conical fulls for my old bigheads cause the switch from OGs to bigheads was too much for the homie

Was having a mystical time on the black ones, nut flush(lol)

But decided to get that more pressurized feel I like, I put some aftermarket orange cylinders back in, and a half-turn tighter than nut flush... Feels pretty much good

Reynolds really has this shit figured out

Stock bushings tight, magic carpet, classic shape wheels works for me hella

I'll still have like a month hands-off challenge board, going to my birthday in the first week or so of March. Placing late bets hahah

Forgive me if I slap some 93a 54mm classics on here tomorrow
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 08, 2026, 02:59:45 AM
Had a session this morning. Took my 8.6 creature,14.25, thunder 151 and 8.6 Antihero with 159 Standards with me.

Somebody said i just had a short good moment. You were right. I hated everything about the thunders. Interesting thing I noticed, as long as I have a decent sized tail the weight of indy standards doesn't bother me. In fact everything felt lighter and snappier compared to the short creature tail with thunders.

But this wouldn't be the madness thread if I didn't admit that i ordered a set of cast hollow indy 159 a few days ago. Already debating if I send them back but I know I keep them...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on February 08, 2026, 07:13:26 AM
Expand Quote
ive been injured since July 1 2025. i tossed everything i was skating at the time.   i dont even remember what i skate anymore.  this spring back on the board is gonna be nurtz.  trying decide whether to change everything up from past practices, since ‘now’ would be the time
[close]


i like the idea of changing things in total. an era shift.
it’ll be jarring to see you not on some white 8.5 ish with 149s.
how far will you stray?
will ‘the bench’ still factor in?





for me, if i’m being totally honest, i haven’t been comfortable on a board for an extended time, in more than 10 years.
i never successfully moved on from venture lo’s.
i struggled to size up to 8.25 and beyond.
i struggled to move up past 52mm wheels.


i dabbled enough that i do not feel comfortable on an 8, but never found home on 8.25 and above.
aging has played a large part in this. where some posters (@Sedition is a great) have leaned into what feels good, and have just concentrated on that, i’m still trying to grab all of these disparate criteria (cultural, technical, actual, feels good), and sort of hope that something works out. it’s working out. just not how i wish.


ha. you see me.

anyways, who am i kidding? changing it up is what got me here.  i was skating an 8.25 DBX with forged hollows and 52mms, and i swear the board was so light it just floated away… leaving me to land on my poor lil ankle. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on February 08, 2026, 09:21:40 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
ive been injured since July 1 2025. i tossed everything i was skating at the time.   i dont even remember what i skate anymore.  this spring back on the board is gonna be nurtz.  trying decide whether to change everything up from past practices, since ‘now’ would be the time
[close]


i like the idea of changing things in total. an era shift.
it’ll be jarring to see you not on some white 8.5 ish with 149s.
how far will you stray?
will ‘the bench’ still factor in?





for me, if i’m being totally honest, i haven’t been comfortable on a board for an extended time, in more than 10 years.
i never successfully moved on from venture lo’s.
i struggled to size up to 8.25 and beyond.
i struggled to move up past 52mm wheels.


i dabbled enough that i do not feel comfortable on an 8, but never found home on 8.25 and above.
aging has played a large part in this. where some posters (@Sedition is a great) have leaned into what feels good, and have just concentrated on that, i’m still trying to grab all of these disparate criteria (cultural, technical, actual, feels good), and sort of hope that something works out. it’s working out. just not how i wish.
[close]


ha. you see me.

anyways, who am i kidding? changing it up is what got me here.  i was skating an 8.25 DBX with forged hollows and 52mms, and i swear the board was so light it just floated away… leaving me to land on my poor lil ankle.


i am sorry about the ankle.
the only light parts that have helped me: lighter decks (alien 6 ply? way back when element had dope boards too, their helium…), and even more so, lighter wheels.
i don’t like light trucks, unless i’m trying to skate a larger size than i should be. the vibrations from hollow axles annoy me.
light wheels feel great for the trucking, not for the ridin tho
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 08, 2026, 10:33:16 AM
Agreed

Hollow axles don't feel right to me

I think tiny wheels is the best way to lighten up for flip tricks

I'd be curious to see someone weigh the exact same trucks but one is new and the other is super ground down
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on February 08, 2026, 10:39:10 AM
I'm looking for something similiar to crailtap g052 shape. 14" wheelbase, 8.25 and close to 32" in length. April has some and that Real easyrider looks good. Anything else?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 08, 2026, 10:54:22 AM
We may be making some real progress here, guys. I’d like to issue a challenge to everyone active in this thread: Starting Saturday (or at your earliest convenience) we setup a board and stick to it for one month. No matter what. No changes at all unless something breaks or completely wears down. If at the end of the month you’ve identified aspects of your setup that you absolutely cannot stand, make changes as needed & we try this again. I’m very curious to see how it works out for not only myself but for you all as well. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole month without swapping something so I’m doing this regardless as a way to end this madness shit once and for all.

I have been doing this. I tend to not like switching gear out in a board I’m riding, but I think this does kinda add to my madness. I think it’s cause I still haven’t tried a lot of stuff (certain truck brands or models, certain wheel shapes and sizes, certain deck concaves, shapes and wb lengths) so the whole time I’m riding my board I’m thinking of how I want my next set up to feel but don’t know how to achieve it. I always at least hit axle before I change trucks and I always make sure a board is badly badly razor tailed before changing it out, but now i feel like I’m stuck, cause by the time I do switch my board and stuff out I’m used to it. And although I’m used to it doesn’t mean I love it. I recently set up 159 Indy’s and at first I loved being on them again, but now they feel heavy and don’t love the pop feel. The turn and grind is great but that’s not entirely worth it in my opinion
Anyways idk what my point is exactly but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna try and get lurpivs, an 8.75 baker, and maybe (just maybe) 56mm spitfire classic next
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 08, 2026, 11:42:42 AM
I'm looking for something similiar to crailtap g052 shape. 14" wheelbase, 8.25 and close to 32" in length. April has some and that Real easyrider looks good. Anything else?
Primitive has an 8.25 x 14

Also this might help

Here's some BBS boards available in 14" wb

•Real red oval 8.125(only 31.38" long)
•Real easy rider oval 8.25(long-ass kicks)
•Antihero basalt eagle 8.5" shorter
•Hardbody basalt 8.25" short
•Hardbody basalt 8.125"
•Hardbody basalt 8"
•Hardbody 8.25" short
•Dlx true fit 8.38"
•Limo 8.18"
•Gx1000 8"
•Sci-Fi 8.25" short
•BBS blank 8.25" short

There's some baker 8.25s listed as 14" wb and 31.6" length, and I know the OG 8.25 is 31.8 long so that's legit. Haven't seen one in person yet.

There's also some baker 8.475s I saw listed as 14" wb, but still with the same length as the OG, so, not sure if that's just a mistake/typo

I was really interested in 14" wheelbase and thought it was going to change my life a month or two ago. They're too hard to find, and a lot of the time it's just a board designed around 14.25 wb, just drilled in slightly. So same shape, just more "fingers of flat". Dlx true fit molds are dope tho. And a lotta folks like the BBS 8.25 shorts. I might try a 14" wb again in the future but just for fun
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on February 08, 2026, 12:12:01 PM
^Thanks!

They're too hard to find, and a lot of the time it's just a board designed around 14.25 wb, just drilled in slightly. So same shape, just more "fingers of flat".
Yeah I completely agree. This is something you have to deal with if you ride ventures and like a certain type of board. I was considering redrilling my trucks in another topic.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 08, 2026, 12:22:41 PM
Expand Quote
They're too hard to find, and a lot of the time it's just a board designed around 14.25 wb, just drilled in slightly. So same shape, just more "fingers of flat".
[close]
Yeah I completely agree. This is something you have to deal with if you ride ventures and like a certain type of board. I was considering redrilling the trucks in another topic.
Ahh with the ventures that makes sense

Venture low 5.2s and 7.75 - 8.13 boards with 14" wb seems like a match made in heaven

Venture highs on the 8.25+ 14 wb boards should work quite well too especially if the kicks are longer to balance out the long truck wheelbase on ventures, so that makes a lotta sense to me. And if you like mellow kicks, or if you just like a steeper pop angle, venture highs are pretty dope. Most stable truck for sure. If someone was like, what's the best hill-bombing truck I'd say venture hi 5.8 or 6.1

I'm on Indy standards tho and they didn't jive as well as I wanted on the 8.25 shorts

If I recall correctly, Ben designed the 8.25 easy rider around venture highs

This one says it's 32" long, 8.25" wide, 14" wb on skate warehouse, not sure if accurate:

(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=TMMAST82DK-1.jpg&nw=1080)
(https://img.skatewarehouse.com/watermark/rs.php?path=TMMAST82DK-3.jpg&nw=1080)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: alph on February 08, 2026, 01:42:04 PM
Exactly

If I recall correctly, Ben designed the 8.25 easy rider around venture highs
Yeah at least he had some forged ventures set up when he was introducing the board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 08, 2026, 02:16:42 PM
I think I'm pretty locked in with my setup madness situation

•Any BBS between 8.25" and 8.5", as long as it's 14.25" wb.

•Indy 144 standards, stock as fuck, maybe a half turn or full turn tighter than nut flush

•54mm spitfire classics. I'm not even gonna bother anymore with any other shapes or sizes, I always end up back here anyway

Pretty much the most generic shit ever

(https://i.ibb.co/k6qwJZys/IMG-20260207-201142053.jpg)

Pretty close right here

Gonna swap the bigheads for some 93a classics and then absolutely leave it alone until like, April fools day, where I will probably just continue to not change anything
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 09, 2026, 04:49:14 AM
Agreed

Hollow axles don't feel right to me

I think tiny wheels is the best way to lighten up for flip tricks

I'd be curious to see someone weigh the exact same trucks but one is new and the other is super ground down


Re weight of well used trucks?  I haven't put any on the scales, but yes I think a few sets I have from trade ins that I have flattened out the hanger to remove the grooves seem quite a bit lighter overall than the brand new versions of the same products.

I guess even looking at how solid the Indy Mid hanger is, with all that added weight, then something that is almost to axle and rounded off nicely too, which I can do as well, those things have way less meat on them, so it would make sense that they would also be a lot lighter.


A set of very well used Ti Indy 149s are the lightest I have ever skated, way too light for me, so I put them on some solid cast baseplates and a more solid deck with bigger wheels and it works out pretty well now, even if it is a bit lighter, it is not too light as a complete.


* Removing grooves is fairly easy - have the board set up, then remove the wheels, so it is just the axles scraping back and forth on some rough concrete, then lift each kick to round them off a bit more and lastly use excess griptape in a strip to really get a smooth finish on the hanger and make it look nice and flat across the top while still rounding off the worn area a bit more.  They don't look like new, but they do still skate fine and I don't get caught in someone elses old grooves either.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: PressureCracktoHealthySna on February 09, 2026, 04:54:03 AM
How silly would it be rocking a full 10.0 skate deck with 8.75 trucks. I really enjoy this board but 215s feel pretty massive when trying to lock in to grinds in the bowl
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: munchbox on February 09, 2026, 05:17:28 AM
How silly would it be rocking a full 10.0 skate deck with 8.75 trucks. I really enjoy this board but 215s feel pretty massive when trying to lock in to grinds in the bowl
locking in with trucks 1.25” narrower than the deck
would feel pretty shitty
especially on a board with no taper

9.5 axles might be your best bet for smaller trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: PressureCracktoHealthySna on February 09, 2026, 05:42:52 AM
Expand Quote
How silly would it be rocking a full 10.0 skate deck with 8.75 trucks. I really enjoy this board but 215s feel pretty massive when trying to lock in to grinds in the bowl
[close]
locking in with trucks 1.25” narrower than the deck
would feel pretty shitty
especially on a board with no taper

9.5 axles might be your best bet for smaller trucks

yeah thats what i was worried about to. i think ill just get used to them for now and throw another deck on my old 8.75s. thank you
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 09, 2026, 07:47:22 AM
How silly would it be rocking a full 10.0 skate deck with 8.75 trucks. I really enjoy this board but 215s feel pretty massive when trying to lock in to grinds in the bowl

Very. If you want to go smaller, get 169s and put some really wide wheels on it. And even that might still be a bit weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 09, 2026, 08:22:27 AM
My 159 cast hollow arrived today. Couldn't resist to put them on the scale. 379g/truck. My 159 standards with a little wear on them are around 395. I will totally feel the 16g less per truck....not

I'm still happy that I can have two setups with 159s now. One day I like short wheelbase on another day I like longer wheelbase.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on February 09, 2026, 08:39:20 AM
How silly would it be rocking a full 10.0 skate deck with 8.75 trucks. I really enjoy this board but 215s feel pretty massive when trying to lock in to grinds in the bowl

What board is it? It it is a popsicle, hell no.

I have a Natas re-issue (10"+) with 8.75" trucks and really wide OJ combos and it works and looks great.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on February 09, 2026, 08:51:55 AM
My 159 cast hollow arrived today. Couldn't resist to put them on the scale. 379g/truck. My 159 standards with a little wear on them are around 395. I will totally feel the 16g less per truck....not

I'm still happy that I can have two setups with 159s now. One day I like short wheelbase on another day I like longer wheelbase.
Wouldn’t they both have the same wheelbase since they are both on cast baseplates?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 09, 2026, 09:01:38 AM
Expand Quote
My 159 cast hollow arrived today. Couldn't resist to put them on the scale. 379g/truck. My 159 standards with a little wear on them are around 395. I will totally feel the 16g less per truck....not

I'm still happy that I can have two setups with 159s now. One day I like short wheelbase on another day I like longer wheelbase.
[close]
Wouldn’t they both have the same wheelbase since they are both on cast baseplates?

I have two decks right now I switch between from time to time.
One is a 8.6 steep kicks and 14.25 wheelbase. The other is 8.6 14.75 and more mellow kicks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 09, 2026, 09:07:59 AM
\----------------/
     I.        I. 
     I.        I
    O.       O

What I noticed about myself. Setups in my mind look way more drastic than in reality. For example the "picture" above. In my mind indy trucks I imagine my setup looks like this, when in reality I can barely see the difference in height between low trucks... the same goes for 8.25 trucks on 8.5, 54mm vs 58mm wheels .....

Anyone can relate to this?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 09, 2026, 09:26:15 AM

...when in reality I can barely see the difference...


That's because, harsh-reality, there comes a point when the Madness is far more in your head than in your equipment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 09, 2026, 10:13:34 AM

What I noticed about myself. Setups in my mind look way more drastic than in reality. For example the "picture" above. In my mind indy trucks I imagine my setup looks like this, when in reality I can barely see the difference in height between low trucks... the same goes for 8.25 trucks on 8.5, 54mm vs 58mm wheels .....

Anyone can relate to this?

I can. Except for truck height. I cant really imagine it or see it even when setup but I do feel it. But everything else yea it’s pretty drastic in my mind but it’s still noticeable once setup (to the eye and feel wise)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on February 09, 2026, 10:55:58 AM
\----------------/
     I.        I. 
     I.        I
    O.       O

What I noticed about myself. Setups in my mind look way more drastic than in reality. For example the "picture" above. In my mind indy trucks I imagine my setup looks like this, when in reality I can barely see the difference in height between low trucks... the same goes for 8.25 trucks on 8.5, 54mm vs 58mm wheels .....

Anyone can relate to this?
I can relate to that when it comes to wheelbase. Whenever I setup a board with a longer wheelbase than I prefer I expect it to affect my skating, but I barely notice it unless im doing flip tricks which I rarley do.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Teethcanbesexy on February 09, 2026, 11:51:34 AM
How silly would it be rocking a full 10.0 skate deck with 8.75 trucks. I really enjoy this board but 215s feel pretty massive when trying to lock in to grinds in the bowl

I skated a 10 on 8.5 trucks.  I put a couple washers in to make the wheels slightly stick out.  It was pretty fun being on a board that big with a turn that’s quicker than it should be.  Made the entire experience more nimble feeling.  My trucks were loose enough so that it didn’t tip
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on February 09, 2026, 05:50:34 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My 159 cast hollow arrived today. Couldn't resist to put them on the scale. 379g/truck. My 159 standards with a little wear on them are around 395. I will totally feel the 16g less per truck....not

I'm still happy that I can have two setups with 159s now. One day I like short wheelbase on another day I like longer wheelbase.
[close]
Wouldn’t they both have the same wheelbase since they are both on cast baseplates?
[close]
That makes sense!

I have two decks right now I switch between from time to time.
One is a 8.6 steep kicks and 14.25 wheelbase. The other is 8.6 14.75 and more mellow kicks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 10, 2026, 12:18:12 AM
So had a good sesh today but I am just dying to try Lurpiv. I feel like I can get the pros of Indy (the turn and height) minus some cons (heavy truck but pop is a bit anemic at times)
After today I think I’ll gladly trade turn for pinch
Gonna actually try to axle my Indy’s to justify buying new trucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slayer666 on February 10, 2026, 05:37:48 AM
So had a good sesh today but I am just dying to try Lurpiv. I feel like I can get the pros of Indy (the turn and height) minus some cons (heavy truck but pop is a bit anemic at times)
After today I think I’ll gladly trade turn for pinch
Gonna actually try to axle my Indy’s to justify buying new trucks
Lurpivs do feel like an improvement to indy in a lot of ways and they preform similar. I wouldnt really say that aces feel like indys as much as lurpiv do. But I think Ill just always prefer the way independent looks and feels more classic
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on February 10, 2026, 08:41:01 AM
Lurpivs have worse pinch and KP clearance compared to Indy. They turn nothing alike and pop nothing alike. The only thing similar is the aesthetic vs some of the older hangers.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slayer666 on February 10, 2026, 11:41:05 AM
Lurpivs have worse pinch and KP clearance compared to Indy. They turn nothing alike and pop nothing alike. The only thing similar is the aesthetic vs some of the older hangers.
what truck is most comparable to independent in your opinion?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 10, 2026, 01:56:48 PM
Expand Quote
Lurpivs have worse pinch and KP clearance compared to Indy. They turn nothing alike and pop nothing alike. The only thing similar is the aesthetic vs some of the older hangers.
[close]
what truck is most comparable to independent in your opinion?

Slappy. Hard stop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 10, 2026, 09:31:59 PM
Lurpivs have worse pinch and KP clearance compared to Indy. They turn nothing alike and pop nothing alike. The only thing similar is the aesthetic vs some of the older hangers.

If the pop is similar to Indy I’d be bummed. And idk if I said this right but I would rather not have pinch that’s perfect to actually have a turny wiggly truck. Also I always grind through my kp anyways
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 12, 2026, 05:28:19 PM
Some 14" wb bakers

(https://i.ibb.co/S7QRs9QS/Screenshot-20260212-162204-906.png)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on February 13, 2026, 06:47:41 AM
Today I got reminded to not expect anything from changing gear. Tried my 159 cast hollows today. I had high expectations,  but in reality I skate as good/bad as with the standards. Wearing in new bushings suck as well.
 
Big shout out to Mbrimson88 for suggesting the Antihero 8.62. The initial meh changed and I really like it now. Just needed a little bit time to adjust. Really like its longer tail compared to the creature 8.6
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 13, 2026, 09:50:45 PM
Today I got reminded to not expect anything from changing gear. Tried my 159 cast hollows today. I had high expectations,  but in reality I skate as good/bad as with the standards. Wearing in new bushings suck as well.
 
Big shout out to Mbrimson88 for suggesting the Antihero 8.62. The initial meh changed and I really like it now. Just needed a little bit time to adjust. Really like its longer tail compared to the creature 8.6


Yes, that shape is definitely not for everyone, but it is such a good shape for a bigger / longer board that is not upwards or closer to an 8.8 or 9" size that is maybe a little more common with those other dimensions.

I prefer a longer tail on most boards, at least longer than what they have on there, so that one is a good one that doesn't need much change or anything done to it, which also works really well on cast Indy trucks for me.  I couldn't see longer wheelbase trucks working too well, but I am sure someone has done it and made it work for them too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 16, 2026, 01:22:52 AM
He never says anything about it, but I've noticed it a buncha times over the years, how Reynolds will have a white top bushing on one truck or maybe sometimes both trucks

I was messing around in the garage with my friend's board who likes tight trucks but doesn't like breaking in new bushings or having a bunch of kingpin sticking out, or the top bushing getting shredded, etc. so I've been trying to solve that for them

We were still getting more turn than we wanted with the black cylinder Indy bushings, so I put some bones hardcore "hard" tops on em and that might be the ticket as long as they don't blow out

But I think the mysterious white top bushings Reynolds uses are probably bones. They're a little taller and he usually has like one thread showing with them, but when I see him with cut-down kingpins it's usually just oranges top & bottom

I think once I get my hands on some stage 4 bushings, I can try a stage 4 bottom/stage 11 top, both black/94a, on a regular, un-cut kingpin.

Tomorrow I'm gonna set up a board with some hollow cast baseplates, that I already cut about 1/8" off the top of the kingpins... Haven't tried em yet. Bushings fit fine and I easily have enough room to start the nut spinning and everything. I'll try them with oranges for me and blacks for the homie and see what kinda results I'm getting

Still rocking with the 144 standards, probably going to continue to do so until they break and then get another set. Still trying to figure out my bushing situation. Right now running a full turn past nut flush with orange cylinders, which I guess is like two threads showing and the most kingpin I'm willing to have sticking out. I also like the black bushings too. The blue conicals were too wiggly for me after all
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 16, 2026, 10:05:39 AM
He never says anything about it, but I've noticed it a buncha times over the years, how Reynolds will have a white top bushing on one truck or maybe sometimes both trucks

I was messing around in the garage with my friend's board who likes tight trucks but doesn't like breaking in new bushings or having a bunch of kingpin sticking out, or the top bushing getting shredded, etc. so I've been trying to solve that for them

We were still getting more turn than we wanted with the black cylinder Indy bushings, so I put some bones hardcore "hard" tops on em and that might be the ticket as long as they don't blow out

But I think the mysterious white top bushings Reynolds uses are probably bones. They're a little taller and he usually has like one thread showing with them, but when I see him with cut-down kingpins it's usually just oranges top & bottom

I think once I get my hands on some stage 4 bushings, I can try a stage 4 bottom/stage 11 top, both black/94a, on a regular, un-cut kingpin.

Tomorrow I'm gonna set up a board with some hollow cast baseplates, that I already cut about 1/8" off the top of the kingpins... Haven't tried em yet. Bushings fit fine and I easily have enough room to start the nut spinning and everything. I'll try them with oranges for me and blacks for the homie and see what kinda results I'm getting

Still rocking with the 144 standards, probably going to continue to do so until they break and then get another set. Still trying to figure out my bushing situation. Right now running a full turn past nut flush with orange cylinders, which I guess is like two threads showing and the most kingpin I'm willing to have sticking out. I also like the black bushings too. The blue conicals were too wiggly for me after all

Reynolds needs to just join SLAP to share his gear research.  He's got the funds and access to try everything, so it would be doing the world a real service.

Also... Indy bushings used to be better 20 years ago.  Softer to start, then settled in to a REAL mid-hardness for someone around 180 pounds.

These news durometers suck, these durometers don’t feel like the used to. the top bushings are taller than older bushings (Is it because older skated bushings are squished down?  maybe)  maybe since new trucks have never been flush with kingpin, that’s what I’m remembering: looser trucks. (I’m putting these new bushings with nut flush so it’s going to be 1-2 threads tighter…. Which can make a big difference)

 I wonder if the white top bushing is the white indy aftermarket 78.  Or maybe it is the Stage 4 top bushing.   Those are listed at 88 duro.

I'm going to try and look through posts to see what the Stage 4 measurements are....

Okay stage 4 is taller? (Needs verification)

Stage 4 — Top ≈ 12.55 mm (0.494 in), Bottom ≈ 14.70 mm (0.579 in).
Stage 11 — Top ≈ 10.37 mm (0.409 in), Bottom ≈ 13.10 mm (0.516 in).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 16, 2026, 01:30:03 PM
Also... Indy bushings used to be better 20 years ago.  Softer to start, then settled in to a REAL mid-hardness for someone around 180 pounds.

 I wonder if the white top bushing is the white indy aftermarket 78.  Or maybe it is the Stage 4 top bushing.   Those are listed at 88 duro.
It's *definitely* not the soft ones or stage 4 ones on his setup, I've been noticing it for years before stage 4 even got re-released and he likes tight trucks and cutting his kingpins down

Yeah the old orange conicals that came stock were harder(92a) & taller, like ace/stg 4 bushings

(https://i.ibb.co/H6Hpdsc/indy-std-bush-58886-1387403182-1280-1280.jpg)

With stage 9 the geo changed, but they kept the same bushings from before, so if you took your hanger off it was like impossible to get the kingpin nut back on

Now they come with shorter, 90a orange cylinders
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Noble Experiment on February 16, 2026, 03:12:42 PM
I got a new board and set it up only to realize that there seemed to be a horizontal crack right where the front trucks were. It looked like the bottom ply was already cracked. I was like “oh hell nah”, I hadn’t even done a proper session on it yet. I ended up getting a scrap of grip and sanding it to see if it was actually a crack or just a scratch that made it look like a crack, and it ended up just being a scratch. Once the graphic was sanded it exposed the raw bottom ply with no crack. Now there’s just a giant bare spot on the bottom of my board, but at least now I know it’s not a crack.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 16, 2026, 03:24:47 PM
.

Indy bushings have definitely changed a lot over the years, both stock and aftermarket sets, but the main differences, as already noted, the older ones were both taller (especially the tops) and harder, their old catalogs still show this too.  I have some of each, but it is easier to just post images that are already online right now.

There have been three main variants of the aftermarket bushings that I know of, the first being the small clear bagged hang sell versions, which came in three options, red, orange and black, all conical shaped and so much harder than now.

* Just measured and the tops were almost 12 mm tall, bottoms 13 to 14 mm on some sets, but I used to cut the red tops down for Stage 9 trucks and they worked really well - still have some in trucks and on boards from that time.

Red 92 duro (not so soft but softened up nicely over time)
Orange 94 duro (fairly hard and remained hard)
Black 96 duro (rock hard and never really broke in)

(https://shop.rampworx.com/cdn/shop/files/Untitleddesign_95.png)


Then there were the white boxes, which were way more "normal" but some sets still had taller tops, maybe old stock, others pretty much similar to what they are now, which might have been the revised sizing.  They also included the low bushing line - just a lower top bushing, same bottom bushing, also in three options, red, orange and black.  Some packaging had the red as 90 and others as 92, some had orange as 92 and others as 94 and the black ones were still 96 from what I can recall and what I have here.

Red 90 / 92 (a fair bit softer than what they were before)
Orange 92 / 94
Black 96 (still rock hard)

(https://www.boardstore.com.au/assets/thumbL/IndyBushings.l.s.jpg)


Lastly the newer clear plastic containers, five bushing options, same as they are now, also still had the low top option for a while, conical in red, orange, blue and black, cylinder in all - white 78, red 88, orange 90, blue 92, black 94, yellow 96.  All of these bushing options were way softer than any of the older ones, with a few funny things, like the red ones being a more solid feel but still squashed down a lot, the orange feeling more soft than the red and softer than the stock orange and a few other things.

The newer bushings felt like the break in time was way less and I could have a set running really well after one session on mini ramp, compared to maybe a few sessions on older bushings.  They also seem like they hold up really well overall, minimal issues with them blowing out or any other problems, although I have seen almost every brand of bushing destroyed at some point, but maybe more so the tops being cut from the washer than anything else.


As to the exact timeline of them, I don't know right now, but I thought I had noted it down somewhere at some point, but I had the old clear bag through stage 9 so up until maybe 2009 / 2010, then maybe the white box from stage 10 through 11 and then the expanded options in the clear plastic boxes from around 2015 or so.

I think more than anything, they were just easier to get than most others but I have picked up a lot more of the old bushing packs from shops closing and "found stock" that have been sold off every now and then.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 16, 2026, 03:47:35 PM
Who's gonna order the last paper-box set of orange 92s I pictured from Thuro?

I've seen some bagged 80's ones on eBay that were pretty cool. I've seen red, black and white and I'm pretty sure blue, I gotta remember to screenshot them hahah

There's a shop that had a set of red 92a Lows in stock  but I don't remember where

I wish there were conical stage 4 bushings

I could just buy some slightly older 215s off eBay for orange cylinders that size, I've thought about it before.

I bet a conical stage 4 height bottom bushing, with a regular stage 11 top, in some stage 11 trucks would probably feel like the older trucks dude was talking about

Pumped to try the stage 4 bottom bushing/stage 11 top bushing combo though

A flat washer underneath the bottom bushing washer was working pretty good with stock oranges/2 threads showing so that's what makes me think a stage 4 bottom bushing could achieve the same thing but a cleaner look.. I'm gonna go put together a setup with kingpins ground down ~1/8" right now and see what's up. That way the homie can have his shit super tight but without all the kingpin sticking up getting made fun of hahah



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 16, 2026, 04:17:26 PM
.

I still see a few of the old Indy bushing sets here or there, but for the most part, they are on shop profiles I either don't know or are in other places, USA, EU or elsewhere.  I guess for people who are really keen, they could pick up a few, but the current bushings really are pretty good and nothing else is needed. 

If you need to machine anything in the way of bushings, I just stack the bushings on a kingpin attached to a board, so the top bushing is just sitting up around the top of the kingpin and then use an angle grinder to gently machine it, as the bushing will spin and I can reshape anything in a fairly uniform way, make a cylinder bushing have a conical shape, take down the top a little, etc.  Pretty easy and not a lot of know how or other tools required - just a little care and not going too crazy with anything.

The conical bushings do squash down a mm or so as well, which is why they might be taller from new, bottom conical is 1 mm taller than bottom cylinder in some sets I have.


I meant to say too, it would be pretty amazing to have Andrew Reynolds add a few more bits and pieces of his knowledge and setups to his posts, but maybe he doesn't want to go in too deep, or just likes to try different things, not so much to document or list all the things he has tried or done.

He definitely rides tighter trucks than most, so it makes sense to take the kingpin down a thread or two, which I have done on a number of brands, just to give a little more clearance as well as have everything fit nicely, including the new T-II trucks on stock bushings, now that they are nicely worn in.


Maybe more than anything, I know what works for me and I have enough time and product to be able to mess with things and see how they turn out, so it is never a case of "oh no, I just destroyed something" but I have come close a number of times, with some things almost unrideable after messing with it too much.

Thanks to Slap, I think I have been trying a whole lot more than I used to think I would ever do, because someone is always tinkering with something and it is fun to experiment and see what works, or how much I can change things to still make it good or go too far, but I also get that some of the things I do might be a little too much for some people.

One guy I know says any time he sees my board, I make his head hurt with all the different things I have done to it.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 16, 2026, 06:21:02 PM
If you need to machine anything in the way of bushings, I just stack the bushings on a kingpin attached to a board, so the top bushing is just sitting up around the top of the kingpin and then use an angle grinder to gently machine it, as the bushing will spin and I can reshape anything in a fairly uniform way, make a cylinder bushing have a conical shape, take down the top a little, etc.  Pretty easy and not a lot of know how or other tools required - just a little care and not going too crazy with anything.

This makes sense, I can imagine exactly what you're saying, thanks!

I know the conical aftermarkets are a wee bit taller nowadays and they do compress down easier, but they're not turbo tall like the old ones tho

Well I went and checked all that stuff out in the garage

I think if you're gonna cut some kingpin off, it's best to just tighten your trucks with the bushings you like in them and just grind off what's stickin out and just leave it. I think that's how Reynolds does it too

Gonna try some of those yellow bushings for the homies board if the black ones don't work out. I tried black Indy cylinder bottom with bones hard tops, which works good but I'm worried about it blowing out. Tried some aftermarket cylinder black with a bones flat washer hidden underneath the Indy top washer, that works good too

Right now we're just rocking it like this - 1.5 turns past nut flush, Indy aftermarket 94s, no grinding or extra washers or anything

(https://i.ibb.co/BKsTMD5P/IMG-20260216-170117884.jpg)

And here's mine with one full turn past nut flush on aftermarket oranges. Can't wait to get a crooked groove going and skate in some 72° weather

(https://i.ibb.co/C3gq460M/IMG-20260216-170212438-HDR.jpg)

Note how there's more of an angled-off, unthreaded area on the standard kingpins, vs. the hollows that are pretty square on the end and the threads go right up to the top

So on the hollows, the nut is actually flush with the bolt when it's tightened to the point where the nylon is fully engaged

If I tighten to where the nut is flush with the bolt on my standards, it looks like the nut is gonna fall of

Obviously once it stops snowing my kingpins are gonna get all bashed and ground to shit anyways, but it's just kinda interesting to me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 16, 2026, 06:33:35 PM
I think I've settled on what my most consistent setup is 100%

8.25" x 14.25" wb BBS
Indy standard 149
Bones swiss
53mm spitfire F4 99a classics

I don't think I ever want to fuck with hollow standards or 8.5" decks anymore

I don't really feel the urge to mess with my bushings anymore either.

I think I've deleted all the madness with axle washers, bushings, truck models and sizes, bearings, decks. The hardest one to kill is wheel madness. Ive gotten it down to where I think I'm good though. A small range. Wheels wear down anyways and each individual size isn't that important. But something like a 3mm jump in size can change everything.

I'd be fine on 52s or 54s, and probably bigheads instead of classics, and not notice a difference, depending on what the shop has. I'd probably prefer bigheads if I have to get 52s though. I'm not against skating classic 99 formula either if I have to

I think I'll probably end up skating a lot of 54mm 93a classics though that's probably my favorite wheel right now.

Wheels are kinda like shoes cause they wear down quicker so I can always try something a little different here and there that isn't going to fuck up my skating. Bigheads, classics, classic fulls. 52, 53, 54mm. 93, 97, 99, 101a. Anything in that range should be totally fine

If the shop doesn't have 8.25 x 14.25wb I know I can always still fuck with a blue eagle or b16

But I'm unwilling to substitute standard indys for hollows anymore. It just changes like, the soul of the setup.

------

As for shoes, with my wide ass foot

I'm pretty set on Jordan 1s. Classic style/matches my clothes well, has some skateboarding heritage, I can find them on sale at a buncha places, but most importantly they fit my foot and have a lot of lateral stability that I don't have in other shoes. Bonus is that they last, and have that lateral strap coming up for the bottom three laces in the exact spot I put the most wear on. Same spot my foot spills over the outsole on skinnier shoes. And they got hella good boardfeel and an airbag in the heel. I put FP kingfoam flat 5mm or 7mm insoles in.

(https://i.ibb.co/pj1VsK7f/Screenshot-20251103-170103-2.jpg)
Top: dunk
Bottom: aj1

 I can get away with blazers and dunk SBs and stuff fine but they don't last me nearly as long in the heelflip/Ollie area. I'm gonna get some angelus leather paint so I can paint over the swoosh, or paint over a colorful shoe I got on sale or something. Like if it's the black blazers with the white swoosh, I can just paint over the swoosh black so it isn't like a big advertisement. I'm gonna try the white paint over the red swoosh on some AJ1 mids I'm currently skating.

I'll skate the Jordan 1s till they're pretty fucked up, then save em as chill/beater shoes to wear to shows and stuff

I'm interested in the reboot iPaths and the LRAB cupsoles though but I'll probably just stick to AJ1s

Trying to get my shit minimal style like a cartoon character or something always wearing the same shit

That was pretty carthartic to read someone finding peace.  Did you ever try ipath?  The grasshoppers are great for wide feet (and big-ass bunions).

Man, seeing skating in Jordan 1's is kind of rad.  Even better when it's a resell shoe that's worth at least 2x > retail, haha.  I'm pretty sure I saw some kid skating the Travis high's once.  (The mocha brown ones.)   I've seen a red, black, white  colorway once, too (which some aren't expensive now).  There are definitely some 1's that are reselling below retail now, so it's an attainable shoe. 

(*I came across this post while searching around for the easiest, and most uniform way to sand down bushings.  Think it was just to use sand paper on flat and run it around in circles, and measure every few seconds.)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 16, 2026, 06:41:24 PM
Haven't had iPaths in a long ass time but I've heard they're great for wider feets

Funny reading back on my unemployed mental situation

I ended up getting 144 standards instead but everything else is the same. Getting 54mm wheels just to have a little more meat to wear down. And 54s are pretty much what I've been about for the last 6 years straight, while dabbling in some other sizes

My Jordan 1s outsole is starting to wear out and I've put superglue on toe stitches and on the leather in the heelflip area but I haven't blown through either toe from kickflips yet. Amazing. I wish they were grippier but the fit and durability of aj1s is on point for me

I've cut bushings down with a blade before, but I followed up by rubbing them in circles on an old broken board's griptape to even everything out

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 16, 2026, 07:31:01 PM

I think my bushing woes are due to me tightening the nut flush, since standard Indy's had like the nylon "just" engaged, so the kingpin sat maybe a mm below the top of the nut.   That sounds about right, right?


* Adding this here, as per post in the Indy thread, as it is cross referencing both threads with info.


It was a funny thing too, going back over different eras of stock bushings, which were also taller to start with, then lower tops on the Stage 11s, but still a more solid material, bright orange, often took a bit to break in and even then were a bit hit and miss.  Then when things went completely to China, the bushings changed again, a more translucent looking orange, very much feeling softer, but broke in way better and firmed up nicely for the most part.

As to where the kingpin nut sat, I know the old ones had to be skated first then changed out second, as they had to compress to fit in well and also as said, it was near impossible to get the kingpin nut back on fresh unskated Indy trucks back in the old days.

Maybe the kingpin nut actually sits a bit lower these days, maybe due to the bushings being a bit lower so the rattle gun that puts them on still goes about the same force.  I know when I put on fresh new low head bushings, I see a lot of kingpin and sometimes think "Are these too low?" but at first, especially to break them in nicely, I have the kingpin nut just nicely on and then tighten down as needed once they start to get responsive.

Normal other aftermarket bushings, or even swapping in or out regular stock bushings also seem about the same, eg put them in, tighten kingpin nut down to pretty much on the kingpin around flush, then adjust as needed.


I guess everyone is different in that regard, but I think I find now I am used to getting the kingpin nuts down a little more, then taking some of the kingpin off if I need to, depending on what I am skating.  The ones from @swongolianbbq  above look pretty much where mine often end up, even  just taking off the front edge of the exposed kingpin is all that is needed, but usually for the look, I would take off the top, just to keep it even.


* I got a kingpin size rethreader too, just in case and it has come in handy, but I think also just taking off a little of the top thread to round it off a touch also helps, so the kingpin nut doesn't get stripped when it does come off, or especially before it goes back on.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 16, 2026, 09:53:59 PM
It was a funny thing too, going back over different eras of stock bushings, which were also taller to start with, then lower tops on the Stage 11s, but still a more solid material, bright orange, often took a bit to break in and even then were a bit hit and miss.  Then when things went completely to China, the bushings changed again, a more translucent looking orange, very much feeling softer, but broke in way better and firmed up nicely for the most part.

I had all these same experiences for sure
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: art hellman on February 17, 2026, 02:31:52 PM
i skate the indy aftermarket orange conical bushings and for me, they solve any/every problem complained of in these bushing posts.  ive skated them in every midwest temp from -8 to 98degrees F, and they turn the same on day 1 to the final resting days of that particular truck.  ive used em on cast (reg and hollow) and on forged.   also use them on Venture (without the bottom washer) and they make em turn as much as you can get a Venture to turn (without the flop of the loose kit).  im even tempted to try em in T2s.

in conclusion— i like em, and you should too (or not or never)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 17, 2026, 05:07:13 PM
i skate the indy aftermarket orange conical bushings and for me, they solve any/every problem complained of in these bushing posts.  ive skated them in every midwest temp from -8 to 98degrees F, and they turn the same on day 1 to the final resting days of that particular truck.  ive used em on cast (reg and hollow) and on forged.   also use them on Venture (without the bottom washer) and they make em turn as much as you can get a Venture to turn (without the flop of the loose kit).  im even tempted to try em in T2s.

in conclusion— i like em, and you should too (or not or never)


Funny you say that as I have a set of those exact same Indy conical orange bushings that one guy set up and skated for one session and said they were too loose.

They were still brand new, felt like they hadn't even been used at all really, but had them on a board for a couple of sessions on my ramp this week and now feeling perfectly broken in, so am going to give them back to him to try again now and see if he likes them.

Right now he is borrowing a set of my used blue conicals, which I think he might stick with, as he prefers a slightly stiffer ride, but I can get what you are saying about them.  They just work so well, have the right amount of give, maybe a little loose for my liking if I had them on a board for everywhere, but I prefer more turn and ease on my mini ramp than elsewhere too.

Also interesting you say that about the different weather conditions, as I guess a lot more people in colder climates really struggle with bushings, so I think Indy aftermarket bushings in general do work well for almost all weather conditions.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtCat on February 17, 2026, 11:08:15 PM
I bought a set of Indy conical hard bushings and barrel hard bushings for my new trucks to try out, and the bottom conical bushing is taller than the barrel.  I wanted to try the conical set out of curiosity, but I'd have to reef on the kingpin nut so much to keep it on that the board felt unridable. 

I kinda figured they'd be the same dimensions but I guess not.

Currently I've got the hard barrel board side and stock orange road side and it feels pretty good for me at 210lbs.  Stable but still gets deep carves without wheelbite unless I try.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 18, 2026, 06:03:54 AM
I bought a set of Indy conical hard bushings and barrel hard bushings for my new trucks to try out, and the bottom conical bushing is taller than the barrel.  I wanted to try the conical set out of curiosity, but I'd have to reef on the kingpin nut so much to keep it on that the board felt unridable. 

I kinda figured they'd be the same dimensions but I guess not.

Currently I've got the hard barrel board side and stock orange road side and it feels pretty good for me at 210lbs.  Stable but still gets deep carves without wheelbite unless I try.


A few other people had mentioned the black bushings were taller, both the cylinder and the conical bottoms, taller by maybe one mm than stock or other colour / duro options.

In general conical bottoms are maybe one mm taller as they do compress a lot more than cylinder bushings, but that is also maybe more so the red, orange and blue options, from what I have seen and used - got all three of those on boards.

One well used set of black ones was squashed down a mil and a half all up, so I don't know who rode them, for how long or anything else, as they were part of a used lot of product from ebay, so I never saw the seller, but that might be the only set of the black 94s I have ever seen squashed down so much.  All the other ones people have used have barely changed shape at all, including a couple of sets I had on the loan pool boards for people to try when they needed to really go for harder bushings, which were often tightened right down a lot too.


That mix of harder 94 bottom and regular / stock 90 top is not uncommon too - a few people I know often run that as their go to, maybe more so than the common / stock Ace options, which are the other way round, harder 91 top and softer 86 bottom.

Gear madness thread, so some people would never mix and match different colour bushings, but being able to try different options, to really figure out what works best, it is an easier way to do it, if you don't mind orange tops and black bottoms, or any other colour combinations.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 18, 2026, 10:34:46 AM
Setup has been the same for 12 days, just been messing with bushings

I think since I skate 8.25 to 8.5 boards, the standard stage 11 144s, stock everything, is probably what I'm gonna stick to. I don't think I should have to go out and buy any replacement parts for a truck I just bought. I'd like to have a truck that I can skate out of the box and not give a shit about. Like on af1s I was replacing the axle nuts and running hard bushings, and my experiences with many sets of thunder 149ers breaking the pivot stem and blowing out bottom bushings even when running nut-flush. I liked all my sets of ventures but they definitely don't turn as much without modifications. I think Indy is the closest I can get to a bullshit-free scenario. I don't need riser pads, I don't need to swap any bushings or hardware.

I think I'm going to continue using my bones swiss with the shields popped off, and 54mm spitfire F4 classics. I could probably use whatever bearings and be fine though. I've just had these for so long and they're the only ones I never have any problems with, they're just the most durable/trustworthy imo.

I'm trying to just stop caring about it and go the entire summer on the same shit

So far I've figured out that pepper is probably the highest quality grip out right now. I have boards with mob, Jessup, and pepper that were all gripped within the last month. I hadn't used mob in forever and as soon as I put it on I was like wow this is crap

Definitely spoiled/sold on pepper grip

I think maybe part of why pros historically have popped their bearing caps was everyone was sponsored by random ass bearing companies but secretly using bones swiss

But it might come from the transition from cup-and-cone to cartridge in the 70s changing the sound and feel of the board, and wanting the auditory feedback/dry sound through the 80s and up until now, with a newer generation doing it in part because of a Mark Appleyard interview. Either way I think I'm still stuck on bones swiss with the shields off for the foreseeable future. It's a part of my setup that I haven't changed in almost 20 years.

 I've messed around with different wheels, I used to love pig and autobahn and only skated 53s, but I've been pretty much on 54mm F4s since they came out, dabbling in different shapes and sizes. May as well just stick to that

As far as bolts, they gotta be small-head 7/8" Allen. I don't even care anymore about the nut color and if they have an indicator bolt or whatever. I used to be obsessed with only all-black heads and silver nuts, but honestly whatever in-house shit like shake junt or thunder will be fine. I've actually started using a single indicator bolt on the nose again for the first time in years

BBS is my jam after trying a buncha different boards. My experiences with dsm and schmitt stix weren't good. Lots of delams, soggy tails, shit like that. I do love the Powell flight boards too. They work great for learning flip tricks so I don't snap my board doing weird new shit on flat. I had a couple DBX/basalt boards. I do not like those.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 19, 2026, 12:51:33 AM
I bought those lurpivs and am waiting till I kill my current set of Indy’s. But it’s been raining a good bit and so they are staring at me, tempting me, practically begging to get set up. I’m planning on getting a baker 8.75 og logo to set it up on but I am just worried if I buy the deck rn that I won’t have the self control to not set it up and to just let my current setup kinda go to waste. Plus I haven’t had my board setup for a full month yet
Why must they taunt me like this?!?!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 19, 2026, 07:10:03 AM
Currently on my third month with:

- DLX 8.5 x 14.25
- Venture 5.6 cast
- Pepper grip (regripped once)

Always Bones Swiss, bolts gotta be Allen, wheels don't give me madness, Pepper grip is the best.

As of now, madness free.

If I'd change anything (for experimental fun rather than suffering from madness), I could try Indy cast 144s with the same deck.

But I kinda like the idea of this combo being a keeper for a long-ass time.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 19, 2026, 09:35:44 AM

Note how there's more of an angled-off, unthreaded area on the standard kingpins, vs. the hollows that are pretty square on the end and the threads go right up to the top


@swongolianbbq , holy shit dude. I think you just solved a problem for me. I switched to cast awhile ago after years on forged hollows. Last few months I've been having problems with kingpin nut almost coming off during sessions. Yes, part of this absolutely was worn kingpin nut, but I also ride the nut flush. A little less thread up there (on cast plate) was prolly contributing to this. I salute.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 19, 2026, 10:49:18 AM
Usually the stock Indy bushings are pretty wiley right out the gate. I just put some brand new bushings that came off my 144s in, with the bones washer under the Indy washer and tightened to 1 full turn past flush/nylon completely engaged(I put a sharpie dot on the outside of the nut where the thread ends on the bottom so it makes incremental adjustment super easy and uniform between both trucks) and it's super good. I could see where without the hidden flat washer, to get to the same tightness there would be way more kingpin sticking out, and why Reynolds saws them off... But yeah they're not blowing out or anything skating flat in my garage, pretty hyped to be able to skate some stock Indy bushings straight out the box without my kingpin sticking out an embarrassing amount.

(https://i.ibb.co/VpCWXxc8/IMG-20260219-115259105-HDR.jpg)


Expand Quote

Note how there's more of an angled-off, unthreaded area on the standard kingpins, vs. the hollows that are pretty square on the end and the threads go right up to the top

[close]

@swongolianbbq , holy shit dude. I think you just solved a problem for me. I switched to cast awhile ago after years on forged hollows. Last few months I've been having problems with kingpin nut almost coming off during sessions. Yes, part of this absolutely was worn kingpin nut, but I also ride the nut flush. A little less thread up there (on cast plate) was prolly contributing to this. I salute.

Hell yeah

Yeah my kingpin definitely sticks out a bit more at the same tightness on standards than it does on hollows, just cause the threads stop further away from the end. I hadn't had standards in a while, and when I switched back and had actual new, un-fucked ones to look at, I noticed it

Currently on my third month with:

- DLX 8.5 x 14.25
- Venture 5.6 cast
- Pepper grip (regripped once)

Always Bones Swiss, bolts gotta be Allen, wheels don't give me madness, Pepper grip is the best.

As of now, madness free.

If I'd change anything (for experimental fun rather than suffering from madness), I could try Indy cast 144s with the same deck.

But I kinda like the idea of this combo being a keeper for a long-ass time.

Pepper is the best for real

Never thought I'd feel so strongly about grip hahah

Solid setup though. I remember reading someone's theory about the 5.6s feeling more like an 8.5 truck from another brand because of the wheelbase and weight distribution or something

Dlx 8.5 x 14.25 is the jam too
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on February 20, 2026, 01:22:00 AM

Solid setup though. I remember reading someone's theory about the 5.6s feeling more like an 8.5 truck from another brand because of the wheelbase and weight distribution or something


Yeah there's definitely something there. My last swap was from Indy 149's to 5.6s and the latter feels not that much different. Whereas 5.8s feel kinda wide and clumsy for me. Haven't ridden Indy 144s in a long while, but from what I remember, they do feel narrower/flimsier than the 5.6.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: HateSkates on February 20, 2026, 03:08:45 AM
My brain is fucking fried when it comes to what board to get next, I have been adding and deleting shit from my carts online for like a week.  I ONLY ( and I do mean this) skate curbs and Ollie’s. No flip in flip out shit. Pure unadulterated, minimalistic shit boarding for the dull minded. But I enjoy it of course. With that being said I run my gear into the ground, and I usually just skate creature and that has ran its course, any word on LIMO ? Maybe go heavy corpo with it and get a deathwish? Fuckin HOPPS??? Heroin?? I’m against egg shapes but at this point I am willing to do anything to get stoked on something. I’m running 149 Indy’s on a Milton 8.6 “stump” with some spitfire 54 mm full radials that are on their last fucking legs. Trying to completely revamp the entire kit yadig?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on February 20, 2026, 05:18:09 AM
My brain is fucking fried when it comes to what board to get next, I have been adding and deleting shit from my carts online for like a week.  I ONLY ( and I do mean this) skate curbs and Ollie’s. No flip in flip out shit. Pure unadulterated, minimalistic shit boarding for the dull minded. But I enjoy it of course. With that being said I run my gear into the ground, and I usually just skate creature and that has ran its course, any word on LIMO ? Maybe go heavy corpo with it and get a deathwish? Fuckin HOPPS??? Heroin?? I’m against egg shapes but at this point I am willing to do anything to get stoked on something. I’m running 149 Indy’s on a Milton 8.6 “stump” with some spitfire 54 mm full radials that are on their last fucking legs. Trying to completely revamp the entire kit yadig?
Loved the Shit boarding part.
Maybe give Black Label a shot? Sounds like something you might enjoy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on February 20, 2026, 10:13:47 AM
Do you guys think that shoe size plays a role in how your board is setup? I feel like this is the root of my madness.

I have a really small shoe size compared to others (6.5M US), I usually see shoes this size categorized as either a womens or kids size.

I noticed that skating anything 8.25 and up can bother me, it just feels like theres just "too much board" to work with. It sucks because usually people would consider that small, especially for my usual terrain of curbs and transition

Im currently skating a Polar 1991 Jr deck, but when Im done with it im seriously considering staying at a range of 8 to 8.1 despite the norm for transition setups to be 8.5 and up. Any thoughts? im getting desperate to end the madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 20, 2026, 11:00:34 AM
Do you guys think that shoe size plays a role in how your board is setup? I feel like this is the root of my madness.

I have a really small shoe size compared to others (6.5M US), I usually see shoes this size categorized as either a womens or kids size.

I noticed that skating anything 8.25 and up can bother me, it just feels like theres just "too much board" to work with. It sucks because usually people would consider that small, especially for my usual terrain of curbs and transition

Im currently skating a Polar 1991 Jr deck, but when Im done with it im seriously considering staying at a range of 8 to 8.1 despite the norm for transition setups to be 8.5 and up. Any thoughts? im getting desperate to end the madness.

If it feels weird, it feels weird. Try some 8 to 8.125 boards

As long as your wheels aren't super wide you can use 8.25 axle trucks on an 8 for stability. Or if you don't mind your wheels sticking out a bit, go for it. Wheels to look out for that would stick out: classic full 56mm, radial 58mm, any size radial full, classic 60mm. But honestly using anything bigger than 57mm on 8.25" trucks would probably feel too tall/tippy

And if you want to try 8.25s again, get a short wheelbase one and see if that was contributing to the weird feeling, there might be some 8.25s you like.

The general ATV/transition+street setup seems to usually be an 8.5 board, 8.5 trucks, 56mm wheels

You could definitely get away with an 8" board on 8.25 trucks for the same use case, if it feels okay to you. Brandon Westgate does crazy shit on a 7.86" board. And if you don't care if your wheels stick out, I've seen a bowl skater with an 8" board on 8.5" trucks. On the other hand, I know people that wear a mens size 4 and skate 8.25s

8.25 is like right in the middle of board sizes, you can kinda do whatever you want with them, but if it feels weird definitely try something smaller but I'd recommend staying with at least 8.25 trucks so bigger wheels won't look crazy and you can go back to 8.25 boards later if you find one you like
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 20, 2026, 11:21:35 AM
Do you guys think that shoe size plays a role in how your board is setup? I feel like this is the root of my madness.

I have a really small shoe size compared to others (6.5M US), I usually see shoes this size categorized as either a womens or kids size.

I noticed that skating anything 8.25 and up can bother me, it just feels like theres just "too much board" to work with. It sucks because usually people would consider that small, especially for my usual terrain of curbs and transition

Im currently skating a Polar 1991 Jr deck, but when Im done with it im seriously considering staying at a range of 8 to 8.1 despite the norm for transition setups to be 8.5 and up. Any thoughts? im getting desperate to end the madness.

Think about it this way: The average, "normal" shoe size for men in the U.S. about 10. If that is what most people consider "nromal," does that mean you should be using a size 10 shoe? Why would (relative) skateboard size be any different? Use what works / feel right FOR YOU, not what is considered normal or average.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 20, 2026, 11:56:11 AM
(https://i.postimg.cc/nzKcrx53/IMG-9125.jpg)

Pretty sure this dude has like a size 6 shoe and rides 10” boards. It’s all what’s comfortable to you, there’s no magic formula.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skateboarder4life on February 20, 2026, 01:20:48 PM
Do you guys think that shoe size plays a role in how your board is setup? I feel like this is the root of my madness.

I have a really small shoe size compared to others (6.5M US), I usually see shoes this size categorized as either a womens or kids size.

I noticed that skating anything 8.25 and up can bother me, it just feels like theres just "too much board" to work with. It sucks because usually people would consider that small, especially for my usual terrain of curbs and transition

Im currently skating a Polar 1991 Jr deck, but when Im done with it im seriously considering staying at a range of 8 to 8.1 despite the norm for transition setups to be 8.5 and up. Any thoughts? im getting desperate to end the madness.

in my opinion yes shoe size plays a big role. Shoe size should generally correspond to width, inseam/height to wheel base. Now if you were for example something unusual like 6'4 and size 6 shoes, then it'd be a bit of a pickle. If you could find it, i would recommend in that case like an 8" wide deck and a 33 length 15" wheelbase, if you could find it. It would be difficult so you might have to compromise in that situation.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on February 21, 2026, 01:15:02 AM
I think shoe size plays a role, but only in the sense of whether the shoes fit your feet well. Not with board size or setup specs. Shoe shape/size *how puffy or slim* they are can make you want to size up/down decks or find ones with more or less concave. Chucks vs Accel OGs can make an 8.25 feel huge or tiny, regardless of your actual shoe size.

My personal rule of thumb is to pursue roughly proportionate gear specs with my set up.

At 5'10", US 12, I run 8.38 to 8.6 decks & trucks. When I was younger and had smaller shoe sizes, my boards were 7.5 to 8.125. Right now, 8.5 feels perfect and balanced with my 12s.

If you're a US 6.5, don't feel forced to skate the "big dawg" sizes of 8.25+, skate whatever feels right!  8)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on February 21, 2026, 07:49:20 AM

Shoe shape/size *how puffy or slim* they are can make you want to size up/down decks or find ones with more or less concave. Chucks vs Accel OGs can make an 8.25 feel huge or tiny, regardless of your actual shoe size.

My personal rule of thumb is to pursue roughly proportionate gear specs with my set up.

If you're a US 6.5, don't feel forced to skate the "big dawg" sizes of 8.25+, skate whatever feels right!  8)

This. Every word.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Teethcanbesexy on February 21, 2026, 04:25:50 PM
Skate a 7.625 if that’s what feels right.  It’s your skateboard and nobody else’s. This whole thread is about doing whatever it takes to make the board an extension of yourself. 
I ride 8s and also 10s because they are both fun, but 8 is home and nobody has ever taken me aside like bro 8 is tiny we ride 8.25 plus now
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: fur lined sea on February 21, 2026, 10:47:14 PM
Self moment of realization which maybe can assist other folks too.. I was a longtime 8” truck rider up until 8.25” trucks came out. I was riding 8.25” boards at that time so I decided to update my trucks to match however I noticed that I was gradually losing my flip tricks which I chalked up to getting older and working too much overtime. This summer, I went back to 8” trucks and slowly got some of my old flip tricks back. Most importantly, I also learned that I can get away with holding longer grinds on the smaller trucks too

Everyone’s mileage varies but the gist of the above is that I learned that I can get away with smaller trucks for longer grinds but not wider trucks for non-straight 8 flip tricks. This might sound intuitive but my experience is that the shorter trucks really let some of my flip tricks happen

This comment has lived in my head for the whole start of the year, so I had to pull the trigger on some 5.2s… again. They feel great. 5.6s helped me be lazy on grinds like 5-0s and bs 180 nosegrinds. Now 5.6s look massive to me. I think they did a disservice to me in the long run, too. I managed fine on 139s forever, even up to 8.25 boards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on February 22, 2026, 09:44:14 AM
Your Wheelbase should be the same length as your tibia.

And

Your deck width should be the same width as a fully extended Shaka. (Thumb tip to pinky tip).

That's why I skate the Huffer.

Still working on what mystical measurements I should look to for truck and wheel size guidance. Suggestions appreciated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JM on February 22, 2026, 04:50:18 PM
Your Wheelbase should be the same length as your tibia.

And

Your deck width should be the same width as a fully extended Shaka. (Thumb tip to pinky tip).

That's why I skate the Huffer.

Still working on what mystical measurements I should look to for truck and wheel size guidance. Suggestions appreciated.

Something about the truck triangle pyramid of leverage and the eye of god.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Reese Bruno on February 23, 2026, 07:37:05 AM
Expand Quote
Your Wheelbase should be the same length as your tibia.

And

Your deck width should be the same width as a fully extended Shaka. (Thumb tip to pinky tip).

That's why I skate the Huffer.

Still working on what mystical measurements I should look to for truck and wheel size guidance. Suggestions appreciated.
[close]

Something about the truck triangle pyramid of leverage and the eye of god.
Henry: But in the Latin alphabet, "Jehovah" begins with an "I."
Indy: "J."
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 23, 2026, 03:43:56 PM
Doing okay w/ madness I guess

The jam right now:

•Indy 144 standards, stock/no mods, couple turns past flush

•Bones swiss 6-ball, degreased/no shields for the auditory feedback

•Spitfire F4 93a classics, 54mm

•Small-head, black 7/8" Allen bolts w/regular-size nuts(not the Shorty's ones)

-

As far as boards and grip, I prefer BBS and Pepper, but will use whatever as long as the grip is black, and the dims are 8" to 8.5", 14.25" wheelbase or less. Keeping it simple and fun. Boards don't last forever so it's not like I'll be stuck with one I don't like for too long

-

If like, my board goes in the ocean or something when I'm travelling or gets smoked by a city bus, I'll absolutely try to get as close to my shit as possible with what the local shop has, but I need to be flexible, so if that were to happen:

Any Indys as long as they're 144, 146 or 149
Any wheels as long as they're not over 57mm
Any bearings
Any bolts


Gonna add a little pocket tape measure to my pack that'll live with the wax, spare bearings/nuts and bolts, razor blades, skate tool, license plate, duct tape, water bottle, hammer, etc. lol

Kinda want to keep a spare set of Indy 144 hangers with 56mm g-slides already mounted on em so if I need crazy crust wheels for a weird spot I can just undo the kingpin nuts to swap in filmer wheels. Got that idea from someone on here and I like it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: HateSkates on February 24, 2026, 11:43:13 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/kgrW4Zgf/IMG-2044.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kgrW4Zgf)
Expand Quote
My brain is fucking fried when it comes to what board to get next, I have been adding and deleting shit from my carts online for like a week.  I ONLY ( and I do mean this) skate curbs and Ollie’s. No flip in flip out shit. Pure unadulterated, minimalistic shit boarding for the dull minded. But I enjoy it of course. With that being said I run my gear into the ground, and I usually just skate creature and that has ran its course, any word on LIMO ? Maybe go heavy corpo with it and get a deathwish? Fuckin HOPPS??? Heroin?? I’m against egg shapes but at this point I am willing to do anything to get stoked on something. I’m running 149 Indy’s on a Milton 8.6 “stump” with some spitfire 54 mm full radials that are on their last fucking legs. Trying to completely revamp the entire kit yadig?
[close]
Loved the Shit boarding part.
Maybe give Black Label a shot? Sounds like something you might enjoy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Fast_Freddie on February 25, 2026, 06:01:06 AM
Do you guys think that shoe size plays a role in how your board is setup? I feel like this is the root of my madness.

I have a really small shoe size compared to others (6.5M US), I usually see shoes this size categorized as either a womens or kids size.

I noticed that skating anything 8.25 and up can bother me, it just feels like theres just "too much board" to work with. It sucks because usually people would consider that small, especially for my usual terrain of curbs and transition

Im currently skating a Polar 1991 Jr deck, but when Im done with it im seriously considering staying at a range of 8 to 8.1 despite the norm for transition setups to be 8.5 and up. Any thoughts? im getting desperate to end the madness.

IMHO shoe size and leg length make a huge difference in what "feels" right.

I wear a size 7M, and I am 5' 9" tall, and have short ass legs... so I completely feel your pain!

I started skating twin tails a while ago to trim down total length of boards... all setups listed with either Venture 5.2hi VTL or 5.6 VTL

Skated the 8.0" Real Ishod twin (8 x 31.5, 14.33wb) for about a year, but the nose/tail are only 6.5" so super small and kept whiffing my kickflips.

Swapped to Girl/Chocolate 8.0" twin (8 x 31.88, 14wb) with 6.8 nose/tail and I didn't care for that deck at all... it felt long and flat...

Swapped to a South Central 8.0" twin (8 x 31.75, 14.25wb) with 6.75 nose/tail and I skated this deck for over a year, but on transition it still felt sketchy.  BTW measures a tad over 8.0" FYI

Swapped to a Deathwish 8.25" (8.25 x 31.5, 14.25wb) this shape has very similar nose/tail shape so it feels very much like a twin, and it is still a short deck for being 8.25...  So far I am really liking the added stability and hasn't really hindered anything

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MyUserName on February 25, 2026, 11:33:40 AM
Yeah, foot (and body) size in relation to board size is not talked about enough, in my opinion. I’m skinny, semi-tall, and have small-to-medium feet. I just don’t have much body.

I love the feel of large boards since there’s more to land on, but I for the life of me CANNOT flip them once they’re over 8.38. It’s just too much.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: JerrySeinfeld on February 25, 2026, 05:11:07 PM
I need help with board shapes

I love the baker b2 8.5 shape

It’s got steep concave and a large sqaure’ish nose.

Is there anything similar to that out there? 

I can’t seem to skate anything but that
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 25, 2026, 05:37:16 PM
I really wanted to force myself to like all stock basic shit but like

The sound and feel I get out of my board with brand new stock indys and just replacing the top bushing with a bones hard

Crazy

So good

Not using the bottom bones bushings or the little flat washers

Just both top & bottom stock Indy washers, stock Indy bottom bushing, and a bones hard on top. Hair past nut flush/just enough to engage all the nylon.

I like my trucks like, loose enough to easily pinch grinds, but I love a truck that's really stable/snaps back to center, and I like the way trucks with hard bushings sound

If you want them mad loose I bet a conical bushing or just a really soft cylinder on the bottom would make up for the wee bit of extra tightness cause by the bones top bushing being taller

I always blew out any of the bones bottom bushings back when I used to skate them, and they never felt quite right either. I have no interest in ever using the bottom ones. Also I'm pretty sure the clicking is caused by the bones washer that comes with them

I feel like as long as you don't overtighten it the top ones last a lot longer. And they basically make my shit feel broken in, immediately, and also provide a nice crispy pop sound

Sounds nice and dry and high pitched like a board with tight trucks, but it can totally still turn. I'm pumped on it

Favorite trucks since my stage 7 146s

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on February 25, 2026, 07:38:02 PM
I think the only stock bushings Ive ever liked were from indy and ace. When I had thunders I swapped them out for bones med bushings though they aren't a good fit. Currently on indy 139 w/ stock bushings but I might try putting bones softs or stock aces on another set of thunders or venture lows sometime in the future.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on February 25, 2026, 10:08:38 PM
I need help with board shapes

I love the baker b2 8.5 shape

It’s got steep concave and a large sqaure’ish nose.

Is there anything similar to that out there? 

I can’t seem to skate anything but that

Hockey/FA have a similar shape as B2

AWS/Habitat also have/had a shape that's close to B2, but less concave

Strangelove looks pretty similar to B2 as well
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on February 25, 2026, 11:31:36 PM
Expand Quote
I need help with board shapes

I love the baker b2 8.5 shape

It’s got steep concave and a large sqaure’ish nose.

Is there anything similar to that out there? 

I can’t seem to skate anything but that
[close]

Hockey/FA have a similar shape as B2

AWS/Habitat also have/had a shape that's close to B2, but less concave

Strangelove looks pretty similar to B2 as well
Doesn't Polar also have something? P2 shape if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on February 26, 2026, 02:08:35 PM
Tried bones medium top bushings with everything else stock, and that feels pretty good too. I think I'll put the hard tops on for hot weather and the mediums for cold
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TurdyBird on February 26, 2026, 05:18:24 PM
Having a hard time finding the right components for the boards I’ve been buying.

Lately I’ve been buying local company boards that use HLC. The dimensions are 8.5 x 31.9/32” with 14.25 wheelbase. The trucks I have for that sized board are old Indy 149’s and some old Ventures 8.5 axels.

I was riding some vans old skool pros when I had the Indy’s on and it just felt too responsive maybe. The Ventures are solid, but was hoping for something a little more in between.

Thinkin of getting a board with a longer wb for the Indy’s or maybe riding the ventures with some riser to get a little more pop from the extra clearance.

Anyone have an idea of what I’m talking about?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on February 26, 2026, 07:26:23 PM
Damn that last comment added an other layer to madness. Vulc shoes and cupsole shoes paired along wheelbase and or truck choice
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on February 26, 2026, 09:35:32 PM
Damn that last comment added an other layer to madness. Vulc shoes and cupsole shoes paired along wheelbase and or truck choice

Oh it’s a thing for me. I can’t have any kind of teched out cupsole on a surfy setup. It just doesn’t feel right.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TurdyBird on February 26, 2026, 10:16:23 PM
Hah, damn I am going through the madness in so many ways. I am firmly skating in the newest Spanky Emerica model.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 27, 2026, 01:54:15 AM
Having a hard time finding the right components for the boards I’ve been buying.

Lately I’ve been buying local company boards that use HLC. The dimensions are 8.5 x 31.9/32” with 14.25 wheelbase. The trucks I have for that sized board are old Indy 149’s and some old Ventures 8.5 axels.

I was riding some vans old skool pros when I had the Indy’s on and it just felt too responsive maybe. The Ventures are solid, but was hoping for something a little more in between.

Thinkin of getting a board with a longer wb for the Indy’s or maybe riding the ventures with some riser to get a little more pop from the extra clearance.

Anyone have an idea of what I’m talking about?



Yes, there are definitely good combinations of product that might seem to work better than others for a good number of people.  Sure some skaters can ride anything and still do whatever they do, without a care or second thought, but maybe for most people, especially on here, things are a little more difficult if your gear doesn't line up just right.

I will often put Indy and now Thunder T-II trucks on longer wb boards, regular / original Thunder trucks on medium to shorter wb boards and Ventures on shorter wb boards, unless I run the V8 option on steeper boards with longer wb, but in saying all that, one thing that I didn't think would matter half as much as it does, is the bushing options.

To run slightly harder bushings on Indy, or more tightened down stock bushings on the T-II trucks, things feel good, but also to run slightly more loose bushings on the Thunder and Venture trucks, things sort of even out - definitely not loose how some people have them, but it makes things work a bit better.  I want to be able to turn, but I still want stability.

Indy and T-II with no risers, original Thunder and Venture with some very thin risers (usually DIY) just to make everything even out a bit more.

Also now I come to think of it, smaller wheels all round, as I used to skate mainly 56 mm or bigger, even though I would skate them down to fairly small sizes all up, but setting up boards, with approximately 52 to 53 mm wheels seem just a bit more balanced now for me, but still maybe a little wider than average, especially on wider boards too, such as Radial Full 54 mm on 8.75s, but that is a different story.  Those recent Spitfire Bighead Radio active 54 mm wheels are pretty good for me, on my current board.


My usual 8.5 and 8.38 boards, 149s, 5.8, similar to yours, top bushings often taken down a bit, or at least kingpins taken down a thread or two, with the nut just nicely on there, trucks that turn, DIY wheel wells on the front if I need them, comfortably solid feeling boards that are not loosey goosey, wheels a little more rounded off or Classic shapes taken down a few mm now and comfortable length kicks, especially the tail - not too steep and not too short.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on February 28, 2026, 06:33:43 AM
Expand Quote
Damn that last comment added an other layer to madness. Vulc shoes and cupsole shoes paired along wheelbase and or truck choice
[close]

Oh it’s a thing for me. I can’t have any kind of teched out cupsole on a surfy setup. It just doesn’t feel right.


It makes sense, I always thought it was because the shoe was heavier that it felt that way
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 28, 2026, 10:15:15 AM
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed

Anyways just set up my lurpivs and has anyone else who’s ridden them have the bushings feel super hard at first ?
I’m riding them stock, no kp adjustments, while I try to break in the bushings but I am definitely gonna have to loosen them a bit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: theloniousmonk on February 28, 2026, 02:24:07 PM
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed

Anyways just set up my lurpivs and has anyone else who’s ridden them have the bushings feel super hard at first ?
I’m riding them stock, no kp adjustments, while I try to break in the bushings but I am definitely gonna have to loosen them a bit
I like the pointed og concave bakers as well. I usually get the 8.475 but I’ve had the 8.5 as well.
Regarding the 14.25 wheelbase, that nose is huge on those boards, and I’d say drilling the wheelbase longer on the nose would be an option to extend it (b) if needed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on February 28, 2026, 02:46:12 PM
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed

Anyways just set up my lurpivs and has anyone else who’s ridden them have the bushings feel super hard at first ?
I’m riding them stock, no kp adjustments, while I try to break in the bushings but I am definitely gonna have to loosen them a bit
After 1H Lurpivs feel great
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on February 28, 2026, 03:33:12 PM
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed



I think from a lot of other boards, as they get wider, they also get more rounded and sometimes more blunt in the kicks, with some more pointy wider boards just looking weird, or not quite working so well in the way that other not so wide boards work with more pointy kicks.

Either way, from those pics they don't look squared off, maybe more so "middle of the road" round, which is fairly normal.  Are they 7.1 or so nose and 6.7 or so tail, as per those other measurements people had said online?


I haven't seen any in person, Baker being one of those brands that doesn't seem to get a lot of coverage here locally and bigger boards like that tend to sell out fairly quickly when they do get restocked, so I am curious about that shape.


*  I guess my experience with some wider but more pointy boards might cloud my judgement, like the Baker Kader shape, 9 x 31.8, or some wide egg shaped boards with very small tails, but I know some people really like that shape.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on February 28, 2026, 11:18:32 PM
Expand Quote
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed

[close]


I think from a lot of other boards, as they get wider, they also get more rounded and sometimes more blunt in the kicks, with some more pointy wider boards just looking weird, or not quite working so well in the way that other not so wide boards work with more pointy kicks.

Either way, from those pics they don't look squared off, maybe more so "middle of the road" round, which is fairly normal.  Are they 7.1 or so nose and 6.7 or so tail, as per those other measurements people had said online?


I haven't seen any in person, Baker being one of those brands that doesn't seem to get a lot of coverage here locally and bigger boards like that tend to sell out fairly quickly when they do get restocked, so I am curious about that shape.


*  I guess my experience with some wider but more pointy boards might cloud my judgement, like the Baker Kader shape, 9 x 31.8, or some wide egg shaped boards with very small tails, but I know some people really like that shape.
Yes, 7” nose and 6.75” tail (by my measurements)
And yea these are kinda hard to come by, especially just the og logo in 14.5

I also hadn’t thought of wb red rolling cause I’ve never done it and don’t have a wb tool so I don’t wanna fuck it up by doing it free hand

I mean I’m not bummed on it after riding it a lil, it feels really good!

Edit:also my lurpivs still feel tight, I’m gonna loosen them tomorrow during my sesh tomorrow
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 01, 2026, 10:13:35 AM
Not sure where else to post this, but I feel like people here would have the answer.

Most IKP trucks have a well-known problem of loosening-up on their own. Why? What about the design is constantly "faulty?" Why do regular kingpins not have this problem.?

Also, Ace claims they have designed an IKP that solves the issue. Does it? What did they do differently? 

@Mbrimson88 what you got on this one?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 01, 2026, 12:43:38 PM
Not sure where else to post this, but I feel like people here would have the answer.

Most IKP trucks have a well-known problem of loosening-up on their own. Why? What about the design is constantly "faulty?" Why do regular kingpins not have this problem.?

Also, Ace claims they have designed an IKP that solves the issue. Does it? What did they do differently? 

@Mbrimson88 what you got on this one?
https://youtube.com/shorts/MDaCv5XkxrY
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 01, 2026, 12:49:46 PM
Expand Quote
Not sure where else to post this, but I feel like people here would have the answer.

Most IKP trucks have a well-known problem of loosening-up on their own. Why? What about the design is constantly "faulty?" Why do regular kingpins not have this problem.?

Also, Ace claims they have designed an IKP that solves the issue. Does it? What did they do differently? 

@Mbrimson88 what you got on this one?
[close]
https://youtube.com/shorts/MDaCv5XkxrY

Ok, that is some what interesting, but still dosen't explain why the usual design self-loosens.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: HyperBeam on March 01, 2026, 12:52:51 PM
isn't it because a standard kingpin is anchored into the baseplate?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: logjammin on March 01, 2026, 01:32:19 PM
Expand Quote
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed

Anyways just set up my lurpivs and has anyone else who’s ridden them have the bushings feel super hard at first ?
I’m riding them stock, no kp adjustments, while I try to break in the bushings but I am definitely gonna have to loosen them a bit
[close]
After 1H Lurpivs feel great

lurpiv stock bushings are like Indy black bushings hard. I find it interesting how many find them to be turny running them stock. they feel tight as hell, to me. ace mediums without bottom washers to keep the geometry, solves the problem and unlocks the trucks. or throw in some Indy stock bushings with normal washers. you will feel them come alive.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on March 01, 2026, 02:27:52 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I think this is the right place to post this, but I just got a baker 8.75 og logo classic shape and the nose is pretty normal for a popsicle but I was hoping it would be more pointed like smaller baker sizes that they are kinda known for
I took a look at the baker tfunk big dawg 8.75 and that seemed to look more like the pointed nose that I wanted but sadly the wb on that was 14.25, a bit too small for me
Might try it out another time if I got extra spending money and feel liked challenging  myself on a smaller wb
I’m not super bummed tho cause it’s a nice big nose on the baker I did get, just disappointed

Anyways just set up my lurpivs and has anyone else who’s ridden them have the bushings feel super hard at first ?
I’m riding them stock, no kp adjustments, while I try to break in the bushings but I am definitely gonna have to loosen them a bit
[close]
After 1H Lurpivs feel great
[close]

lurpiv stock bushings are like Indy black bushings hard. I find it interesting how many find them to be turny running them stock. they feel tight as hell, to me. ace mediums without bottom washers to keep the geometry, solves the problem and unlocks the trucks. or throw in some Indy stock bushings with normal washers. you will feel them come alive.

I loosened them like 1/2 a turn and they do still feel tight, so I might end up doing this, thanks !
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 02, 2026, 02:24:44 AM
Not sure where else to post this, but I feel like people here would have the answer.

Most IKP trucks have a well-known problem of loosening-up on their own. Why? What about the design is constantly "faulty?" Why do regular kingpins not have this problem.?

Also, Ace claims they have designed an IKP that solves the issue. Does it? What did they do differently? 

@Mbrimson88 what you got on this one?



On my way...

Ok, so before getting into the main part, I have noted that inverted kingpins have two things going on, not only the little bit of side to side movement of the whole kingpin when it is not hard pressed into the baseplate, but also the baseplate hole for the kingpin can end up ovalling out and at worst case coming apart due to the kingpin moving so much if people are applying so much pressure, especially from heavy angled landings, eg crooks or feeble / smith grinds.

As to the kingpin loosening on its own, this is down to the nyloc on the nut either wearing out or not fully engaging the kingpin, which might seem strange, but I have seen people not tighten their inverted kingpin nut down far enough so the thing is basically finger tight, almost like having the nut only half on there.

From my own experiments, I have only had inverted kingpins move or come loose when the nyloc has been worn out, on some used inverted kingpin trucks that it seemed the previous owner swapped out bushings every other session.  My own inverted kingpins on Indy, Thunder and some other brands have not moved at all in the whole time I have had them, but I am more the sort of person who will ride trucks from new, adjust as needed during the bushing break in period and barely touch the kingpin for the life of the truck, unless something happens and I need to put in new bushings, but again, then just a little adjusting and then left without constantly fiddling with the kingpin or kingpin nut.


Also I think it is important to note here that I have seen repeated hollow inverted kingpins of almost every brand break, so no matter what tech or whatever else is going on, if it is a hollow kingpin, some people are going to have issues with them, while others might never have any problems.

This includes Thunder, when they first came out with the hollow kingpin, then changed to the solid kingpin and I haven't seen any issues since.  Other people have posted the new Ace hollow inverted kingpins in pieces, Slappy hollow inverted kingpins snapped, including the Ultra low versions, etc.

The Indy / Krux current solid versions are said to have a lifetime warranty against breakage, so although they don't have a lot of threads, I have machined them so that they can now fit in Thunder and other inverted kingpin trucks, which require more threads, or have a longer threaded shaft in the baseplate.

There is also a newer version of Indy that I have not seen, which is said to be better and sort out previous issues, but I will wait and see on that one.


For me, besides the Thunder hollow kingpin breaking, all the others, including my own DIY inverted kingpins have not come loose at all and my little bottle of Loctite is still sitting here unopened, which I bought to experiment with after seeing so many issues with inverted kingpins coming loose.

Maybe I am just not as hard on my gear as most people, or don't touch my inverted kingpins once they are set up, but I think overall inverted kingpins get a bit of a bad rep more so because people are always touching or changing things on their trucks, bushings, or skating harder than the product can hold up.

This was definitely the case with the Indy inverted truck assembly when it first came out, with a couple of people I know destroying theirs fairly quickly, whereas the set I had kept and used are still fine to this day.


* Ace has a lock in place kingpin, so a kingpin with three grooves down the shaft and a locking mechanism built into the baseplate, which by all accounts holds the kingpin nicely, but as they are hollow, they do break on some people, so there is that to bear in mind.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 02, 2026, 06:53:10 AM
Expand Quote
Not sure where else to post this, but I feel like people here would have the answer.

Most IKP trucks have a well-known problem of loosening-up on their own. Why? What about the design is constantly "faulty?" Why do regular kingpins not have this problem.?

Also, Ace claims they have designed an IKP that solves the issue. Does it? What did they do differently? 

@Mbrimson88 what you got on this one?
[close]



On my way...

Ok, so before getting into the main part, I have noted that inverted kingpins have two things going on, not only the little bit of side to side movement of the whole kingpin when it is not hard pressed into the baseplate, but also the baseplate hole for the kingpin can end up ovalling out and at worst case coming apart due to the kingpin moving so much if people are applying so much pressure, especially from heavy angled landings, eg crooks or feeble / smith grinds.

As to the kingpin loosening on its own, this is down to the nyloc on the nut either wearing out or not fully engaging the kingpin, which might seem strange, but I have seen people not tighten their inverted kingpin nut down far enough so the thing is basically finger tight, almost like having the nut only half on there.

From my own experiments, I have only had inverted kingpins move or come loose when the nyloc has been worn out, on some used inverted kingpin trucks that it seemed the previous owner swapped out bushings every other session.  My own inverted kingpins on Indy, Thunder and some other brands have not moved at all in the whole time I have had them, but I am more the sort of person who will ride trucks from new, adjust as needed during the bushing break in period and barely touch the kingpin for the life of the truck, unless something happens and I need to put in new bushings, but again, then just a little adjusting and then left without constantly fiddling with the kingpin or kingpin nut.


Also I think it is important to note here that I have seen repeated hollow inverted kingpins of almost every brand break, so no matter what tech or whatever else is going on, if it is a hollow kingpin, some people are going to have issues with them, while others might never have any problems.

This includes Thunder, when they first came out with the hollow kingpin, then changed to the solid kingpin and I haven't seen any issues since.  Other people have posted the new Ace hollow inverted kingpins in pieces, Slappy hollow inverted kingpins snapped, including the Ultra low versions, etc.

The Indy / Krux current solid versions are said to have a lifetime warranty against breakage, so although they don't have a lot of threads, I have machined them so that they can now fit in Thunder and other inverted kingpin trucks, which require more threads, or have a longer threaded shaft in the baseplate.

There is also a newer version of Indy that I have not seen, which is said to be better and sort out previous issues, but I will wait and see on that one.


For me, besides the Thunder hollow kingpin breaking, all the others, including my own DIY inverted kingpins have not come loose at all and my little bottle of Loctite is still sitting here unopened, which I bought to experiment with after seeing so many issues with inverted kingpins coming loose.

Maybe I am just not as hard on my gear as most people, or don't touch my inverted kingpins once they are set up, but I think overall inverted kingpins get a bit of a bad rep more so because people are always touching or changing things on their trucks, bushings, or skating harder than the product can hold up.

This was definitely the case with the Indy inverted truck assembly when it first came out, with a couple of people I know destroying theirs fairly quickly, whereas the set I had kept and used are still fine to this day.


* Ace has a lock in place kingpin, so a kingpin with three grooves down the shaft and a locking mechanism built into the baseplate, which by all accounts holds the kingpin nicely, but as they are hollow, they do break on some people, so there is that to bear in mind.

Fascinating! Thanks!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on March 05, 2026, 02:03:23 AM
Disclaimer: This post is mainly a reminder to myself not to fuck up again.

The weather around here finally cleared up and I've had my first couple of somewhat regular sessions after what has been the shittiest 9 months of my life. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, as they say, and during my involuntary time off the board I was able to admit to myself that what I had convinced myself was madness was actually just consumerism. The simple truth is that I like to buy skate stuff, and in order to justify my purchases I felt compelled to try them all out. Which led to me skating worse because I was using different stuff all the time. Which then then led to buying more gear because the stuff I was using didn't work as well as I wanted it to. Which in turn led to me wasting whole sessions trying to get used to stuff I would replace immediately. Having to step away for a while gave me the distance necessary to realize how counterproductive all that was. Because guess what's waaaaaay more fun than buying skate stuff? Actually skating, well... not well, but somewhat competently. And the fucked up thing is that I knew all along what kind of gear I need to do just that.

8.5 Ishod twin or 8.5/ 8.75 Label (the 14.5 WB does it for me)   
5.8 Ventures
54mm radial fulls

That's my home base. So much so that I don't need to sweat any more details. I or IV stamp? Don't really care. Shortened V8s or forged? I can make it all work equally well. 93, 97 or 99 duro? Just depends on the ground I'm skating.

I promised myself to stick to this type of gear for this whole year. I have no idea how often I'll be able to skate, and I'm determined not to waste any more precious sessions for no reason at all. Wish me luck, pals..

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on March 05, 2026, 04:04:18 PM
So my lurpivs have finally broken in, to the point that they are wobbly while the kingpin but is flush. And it feels great. So they much more turny and so fun to skate. Not only that but the grind is pretty damn good, like instantly better than my Indy’s imo and also the pop feel is exactly what I was looking for, that hefty kind of pop from a venture on a 55mm truck which just adds a bit more height to my pop. My tricks have been feeling like they are popping much higher naturally and my consistency feels like it’s going up
The only other things to address is weight , which u feel instantly is much better than Indy, and the pinch, which isn’t amazing like venture but I honestly haven’t been struggling to hold onto my crooks or even cross locking on coping or curbs
All in all I’m pretty stoked on them. I still wanna try some thunders with risers but I might just stick with lurpivs honestly

And the baker I have Feels pretty damn good. But now I just gotta get one of their pointier nose boards with a 14.5 wb
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 05, 2026, 05:28:58 PM
Disclaimer: This post is mainly a reminder to myself not to fuck up again.

The weather around here finally cleared up and I've had my first couple of somewhat regular sessions after what has been the shittiest 9 months of my life. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, as they say, and during my involuntary time off the board I was able to admit to myself that what I had convinced myself was madness was actually just consumerism. The simple truth is that I like to buy skate stuff, and in order to justify my purchases I felt compelled to try them all out. Which led to me skating worse because I was using different stuff all the time. Which then then led to buying more gear because the stuff I was using didn't work as well as I wanted it to. Which in turn led to me wasting whole sessions trying to get used to stuff I would replace immediately. Having to step away for a while gave me the distance necessary to realize how counterproductive all that was. Because guess what's waaaaaay more fun than buying skate stuff? Actually skating, well... not well, but somewhat competently. And the fucked up thing is that I knew all along what kind of gear I need to do just that.

8.5 Ishod twin or 8.5/ 8.75 Label (the 14.5 WB does it for me)   
5.8 Ventures
54mm radial fulls

That's my home base. So much so that I don't need to sweat any more details. I or IV stamp? Don't really care. Shortened V8s or forged? I can make it all work equally well. 93, 97 or 99 duro? Just depends on the ground I'm skating.

I promised myself to stick to this type of gear for this whole year. I have no idea how often I'll be able to skate, and I'm determined not to waste any more precious sessions for no reason at all. Wish me luck, pals..


Ending madness is really a choice. Yeah, you certainly have to find the range of stuff that works for you (e.g. 9" shaped-deck vs. 7.75"). But once that is done, it's really just a matter of realizing no set-up is perfect for every situation. And chasing utopia leads to, well, madness. From there, it's just making a decision to stick with something. For we all know that switching things up all time only leads...no where. Consistency (of gear) begets consistency (of skating).

So, yeah, I wish you luck sticking with your decision.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Chalupa on March 11, 2026, 06:49:25 PM
I’ve skated Ace AF1s, cast Ventures, OG Thunders, T-IIs, and Indy Stage 4s in the past two years.

Stage 4s aren’t for me, and the other brands don’t make big enough trucks for my shaped setups. That pretty much leaves AF1 for my bigger boards.

My problem is that I can’t decide which trucks to have on my popsicles. I waste too much time adjusting foot placement to land some of my go-to tricks because I skate boards with different trucks. It would improve my life if I could stick to one kind of truck for popsicle decks. The problem is that all the trucks have their advantages, but I can’t decide which I like the most. Watching videos of Ben Degros and Dad Board didn’t help me choose.

I can rule out OG Thunders because I’ve gotten pitched on ledges from my wheels sticking on tailslides and am over it. That leaves AF1, T-II, and Venture. I skate everything, mostly at the park, but I don’t do gaps bigger than 5 ft height or length wise. It’s probably 30% ledges, 20% rails, 20% transition, 10% banks, 10% gaps, 10% manual pads.

Please help me decide. I realized that I needed help after adding and removing the Andrew Allen hollows to the cart multiple times in the past few days. I just want to spend more time learning new tricks and getting better at skating the manual pads.

After I get this figured out, I can work on eliminating my madness with decks and truck size.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on March 11, 2026, 06:55:31 PM
I’ve skated Ace AF1s, cast Ventures, OG Thunders, T-IIs, and Indy Stage 4s in the past two years.

Stage 4s aren’t for me, and the other brands don’t make big enough trucks for my shaped setups. That pretty much leaves AF1 for my bigger boards.

My problem is that I can’t decide which trucks to have on my popsicles. I waste too much time adjusting foot placement to land some of my go-to tricks because I skate boards with different trucks. It would improve my life if I could stick to one kind of truck for popsicle decks. The problem is that all the trucks have their advantages, but I can’t decide which I like the most. Watching videos of Ben Degros and Dad Board didn’t help me choose.

I can rule out OG Thunders because I’ve gotten pitched on ledges from my wheels sticking on tailslides and am over it. That leaves AF1, T-II, and Venture. I skate everything, mostly at the park, but I don’t do gaps bigger than 5 ft height or length wise. It’s probably 30% ledges, 20% rails, 20% transition, 10% banks,  :P10% gaps, 10% manual pads.

Please help me decide. I realized that I needed help after adding and removing the Andrew Allen hollows to the cart multiple times in the past few days. I just want to spend more time learning new tricks and getting better at skating the manual pads.

After I get this figured out, I can work on eliminating my madness with decks and truck size.
This is an easy one! Skate Slappys on bothe setups.  :P
Kinda messing with you but kinda serious too.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 11, 2026, 07:27:14 PM
I’ve skated Ace AF1s, cast Ventures, OG Thunders, T-IIs, and Indy Stage 4s in the past two years.

Stage 4s aren’t for me, and the other brands don’t make big enough trucks for my shaped setups. That pretty much leaves AF1 for my bigger boards.

My problem is that I can’t decide which trucks to have on my popsicles. I waste too much time adjusting foot placement to land some of my go-to tricks because I skate boards with different trucks. It would improve my life if I could stick to one kind of truck for popsicle decks. The problem is that all the trucks have their advantages, but I can’t decide which I like the most. Watching videos of Ben Degros and Dad Board didn’t help me choose.

I can rule out OG Thunders because I’ve gotten pitched on ledges from my wheels sticking on tailslides and am over it. That leaves AF1, T-II, and Venture. I skate everything, mostly at the park, but I don’t do gaps bigger than 5 ft height or length wise. It’s probably 30% ledges, 20% rails, 20% transition, 10% banks, 10% gaps, 10% manual pads.

Please help me decide. I realized that I needed help after adding and removing the Andrew Allen hollows to the cart multiple times in the past few days. I just want to spend more time learning new tricks and getting better at skating the manual pads.

After I get this figured out, I can work on eliminating my madness with decks and truck size.

Indy Forged Hollows. They are right in the middle of that.

It's honestly unfathomable to me people are like, "I can't decide between Ace/T-2 and Ventures." That's like that "I can't decide between Trump and Bernie" voters (meaning only that are SO different from each other).

But seriously, Forged Indys. They are the perfect middle-ground truck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Chalupa on March 11, 2026, 08:01:51 PM
^
Thanks. i just don’t have any loyalty to brands, and only encounter problems when I build up more momentum than I can handle while skating transition. That eliminates Venture since the turn is too slow for me. Speed wobbles are more common on AF1 than T-II when I’m skating a deck with 14.25” wheelbase.

I have a set of lightly grinded 149 Forged Hollows from 2019 that I’ll give another try. If I’m not feeling it, I’ll stick with T-IIs and see how much I can get for the Independents from chumps on eBay since it has the cross logo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on March 11, 2026, 08:45:11 PM
Forged hollows really are the Goldilocks truck. I’m deep in the madness right now. I made some long winded post here the other day denouncing Indy’s and thunders in favor of Ace but deleted it shortly after because I felt like an idiot. I took two setups to the session the other day. One on AF1’s and one on thunder lights. Both felt off in different ways. As much as I hate all the Indy for life bozos I always feel the most well rounded on them. Idk if I’ll ever be loyal to a truck company but that set of forged 149’s has been the closest cure for madness since it all started and everytime I come back to them I wonder why I ever took them off.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on March 11, 2026, 08:58:10 PM
Forged hollows really are the Goldilocks truck. I’m deep in the madness right now. I made some long winded post here the other day denouncing Indy’s and thunders in favor of Ace but deleted it shortly after because I felt like an idiot. I took two setups to the session the other day. One on AF1’s and one on thunder lights. Both felt off in different ways. As much as I hate all the Indy for life bozos I always feel the most well rounded on them. Idk if I’ll ever be loyal to a truck company but that set of forged 149’s has been the closest cure for madness since it all started and everytime I come back to them I wonder why I ever took them off.


Lolol I came off Indy’s because of the bozos, got the royal 149s on slappy 1mm risers and I’m loving them. Feel like a nut for letting something as minimal as 1mm be the thing that makes everything perfect but it’s it for me. Love em and turn as good as the Indy’s. Coming from the Indy forged as well too. Tried the thunders but they take too much work to make them work
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 11, 2026, 09:09:34 PM
Expand Quote
Forged hollows really are the Goldilocks truck. I’m deep in the madness right now. I made some long winded post here the other day denouncing Indy’s and thunders in favor of Ace but deleted it shortly after because I felt like an idiot. I took two setups to the session the other day. One on AF1’s and one on thunder lights. Both felt off in different ways. As much as I hate all the Indy for life bozos I always feel the most well rounded on them. Idk if I’ll ever be loyal to a truck company but that set of forged 149’s has been the closest cure for madness since it all started and everytime I come back to them I wonder why I ever took them off.
[close]


Lolol I came off Indy’s because of the bozos, got the royal 149s on slappy 1mm risers and I’m loving them. Feel like a nut for letting something as minimal as 1mm be the thing that makes everything perfect but it’s it for me. Love em and turn as good as the Indy’s. Coming from the Indy forged as well too. Tried the thunders but they take too much work to make them work

Indy is a hugely problematic brand. But they make a damn good truck.

Not to send anyone down any other Madness roads, but out of all the other tucks out there, if you want something that is really close to Indy, like as close as you can get without being Indy, then give Slappy Trucks a try.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on March 11, 2026, 09:13:46 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Forged hollows really are the Goldilocks truck. I’m deep in the madness right now. I made some long winded post here the other day denouncing Indy’s and thunders in favor of Ace but deleted it shortly after because I felt like an idiot. I took two setups to the session the other day. One on AF1’s and one on thunder lights. Both felt off in different ways. As much as I hate all the Indy for life bozos I always feel the most well rounded on them. Idk if I’ll ever be loyal to a truck company but that set of forged 149’s has been the closest cure for madness since it all started and everytime I come back to them I wonder why I ever took them off.
[close]


Lolol I came off Indy’s because of the bozos, got the royal 149s on slappy 1mm risers and I’m loving them. Feel like a nut for letting something as minimal as 1mm be the thing that makes everything perfect but it’s it for me. Love em and turn as good as the Indy’s. Coming from the Indy forged as well too. Tried the thunders but they take too much work to make them work
[close]

Indy is a hugely problematic brand. But they make a damn good truck.

Not to send anyone down any other Madness roads, but out of all the other tucks out there, if you want something that is really close to Indy, like as close as you can get without being Indy, then give Slappy Trucks a try.

Slappys are fun trucks, I liked them too, the royals are lighter and cheaper if you can find em lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on March 11, 2026, 10:26:03 PM
Well, after several flatground sessions running the bones medium top bushings, they look like they're starting to do weird stuff and will probably eventually fall apart. which I kinda had a feeling was gonna happen before even trying it, but they were already in my parts bin so why not. Oh well.

Popped the stock Indy tops back in, nut flush, chillin.

The bones top/stock bottom was definitely a magical combo but yeah there's just too much shit going on with those and I stomp too much. Figured it wouldn't matter on the top since the bottom bushing and the pivot take the brunt of all that bs. But I guess I was wrong. I see a lot of pros running them, but i feel like it's usually the hards. Spanky was putting some new bones mediums in his aces the other day at the baker park. I figure the hards are probably more durable.

Got another set of swiss 6, and didn't want to run them with no caps in my dusty ass garage

So here I am with fuckin bone stock Indy standards and swiss bearings straight outta the box with no finaglin, no acetone shield-poppin shit or buying other parts for my trucks like extra washers and bushings and shit

Kinda nice

Makes my life easier anyways

We'll see how long this bushing bullshit lasts

I think I can deal. I'll probably just run the stocks again from now on. It was fun, kind of a grass-is-greener scenario.

Defo gonna keep sticking to 54mm spitfire classics and Indy 144 standards though, that's been working out good.

I've been rotating between Wair maxes, Leos, air ship PEs, and GT blazers, and though they're all pretty different feeling shoes it's been fine adjusting and it doesn't seem like shoes are too much of a big deal for me anymore.

 I've been skating 8.5 x 14.25 BBS blanks, blue eagle/blue oval, baker OG 8.25, real/AH easy rider 8.5, hardbody 8.25 x 14. Still interested in shorter wheelbases and will continue messing around with those. Just got a 8.3 x 14 twin tail flight deck, and I want to try BBS 8.25 x 14 and a red oval.

So I think as long as my trucks and wheels are the same, I can goof around with different boards and shoes and it's not that big of a deal. 55+ spitfire classics can kinda tire me out. And 52s start to look kinda small to me. Unless the lil softies are cut thinner or something. For some reason they seem smaller than my last set of classic 52s. 53s were always my favorite, but it's gonna wear down anyways so I figure I get a little more bang for my buck with 54s. I also think I'm gonna stick to the 93a ones especially

Idk
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Murge on March 12, 2026, 06:58:57 AM
Currently going through it with trucks.
I was skating a glasshouse 8.5x32 14.25
With aces then went to venture loved it. Then I don’t remember why. Maybe not loving how they felt in transition (I don’t skate a lot of transition so this is more or less irrelevant but I’m old and trying to kinda learn some ) so I switched to thunders with 86a bottom and 96 top bushings loved that kick flips felt effortless. The glasshouse was retired now skating a 8.5x 32.1ish 14.375 anti hero. Then the temps rose and the bushing in the thunders felt squirrelly. So I put 96a in both. Flip tricks suffering and I feel I’m not popping as high. If I put ace back on will this kinda course correct to get the feeling I had with the glasshouse and thunders?  Since the overall wb with trucks will be about the same 17.375?  I was skating ace still on the 14.25 glasshouse  when I decided to get the 14.375 AH because I felt cramped and wasn’t getting the pop I wanted. Then switched to ventures then thunders on the 14.25. Was happy. Just wonder what pals think if I should be shooting for the overall wb that I enjoyed or something else. After this AH I’ll prob go back to 14.25 wb
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on March 13, 2026, 08:32:19 PM
Aces then Indy’s if you got em
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on March 14, 2026, 02:45:49 PM
Yesterday I was at a small, local park. Some little kid was there, between the ages of 8 and 10-years-old. He was taking part of broken grind bar, and trying to boardslide, grind, etc. on it. No idea what he was actually trying to do, because he would always jump off right before anything actually happened. He would do this about 5 times, and then he would stop, look around the park, and move the grind bar to some new location, and start trying again. The process would then repeat itself. I laughed, when I suddenly realized, that what I was seeing was an 8-year-olds' version of Gear Madness...as if moving the grind bar (or altering wheelbase by .125") was going to have any substantive impact on the outcome...
 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Murge on March 14, 2026, 02:56:31 PM
Aces then Indy’s if you got em

Swapped back to aces this morning before skating for the 14.375 felt great. Felt about the same as the 14.25 and thunders except turning was a bit looser and transition felt better but close

So I guess as long as the overall wheelbase is 17.375 It feels good.  It’s weird the ventures felt good on a 14.25 which would be like 17.5 overall and the thunders felt good on it aswell but the thunders didn’t feel good on the 14.375
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 16, 2026, 12:39:26 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/BVsgeBl.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/v4fwswO.jpeg)
Not that anybody care but you never know who might.
Got tired of the weight in my board with 58mm radial full wheels so I switched to lock in 54mm and as you can see there's a 90 gr difference.
Can't wait to try it and still suck ❤️
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 16, 2026, 04:39:31 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/BVsgeBl.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/v4fwswO.jpeg)
Not that anybody care but you never know who might.
Got tired of the weight in my board with 58mm radial full wheels so I switched to lock in 54mm and as you can see there's a 90 gr difference.
Can't wait to try it and still suck ❤️


Interesting!

Also curious what you think of the newer Lock In shape - they were quite skinny before and now they are more a medium width, with those exact same wheels on another board I set up recently.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 16, 2026, 07:15:03 AM
Expand Quote
(https://i.imgur.com/BVsgeBl.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/v4fwswO.jpeg)
Not that anybody care but you never know who might.
Got tired of the weight in my board with 58mm radial full wheels so I switched to lock in 54mm and as you can see there's a 90 gr difference.
Can't wait to try it and still suck ❤️
[close]


Interesting!

Also curious what you think of the newer Lock In shape - they were quite skinny before and now they are more a medium width, with those exact same wheels on another board I set up recently.
(https://i.imgur.com/K40jOc1.jpeg)
They look good but it's my first lock in wheels ever.
I'm coming from radial full 58mm and before that 54mm so these lock in look quite thin in comparison.
PS: These are some Durao's
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: skateboarder4life on March 16, 2026, 12:51:29 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/BVsgeBl.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/v4fwswO.jpeg)
Not that anybody care but you never know who might.
Got tired of the weight in my board with 58mm radial full wheels so I switched to lock in 54mm and as you can see there's a 90 gr difference.
Can't wait to try it and still suck ❤️

This post had me curious and my 9 incher is 2830 grams. Deck rails, 58 mm wheels prob 56 rn tho, little bit of extra acrylic paint and clear coat
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 16, 2026, 04:37:27 PM
Expand Quote
Interesting!

Also curious what you think of the newer Lock In shape - they were quite skinny before and now they are more a medium width, with those exact same wheels on another board I set up recently.
[close]
(https://i.imgur.com/K40jOc1.jpeg)
They look good but it's my first lock in wheels ever.
I'm coming from radial full 58mm and before that 54mm so these lock in look quite thin in comparison.
PS: These are some Durao's


The 54 mm x 34 to 35 mm size is my sweet spot I think, so when I had the chance to get them, I didn't hesitate, but the funny thing is when I tried them on a few different things including a mini ramp, they "locked" too much for my liking so I turned them around and had a much better session on them facing inwards, with the Conical edge able to get on and off coping more in the way I was used to.  That is nothing against the wheel shape, just how I am used to skating.

I guess like a few other asymmetric wheels, they have different uses from one side to the other, but I know some other people I skate with really like the lock in back on them for their street stuff, ledges, rails, etc.  I have seen a good number of posts from people skating them both ways, so although there might be what is considered a "right way" to have them, at the end of the day, it is down to whatever works best for the individual.

Hopefully you get a good session in on them and see what you think too, but if they are weird feeling, you could turn them around too, just to see.  Lock in = tablet one side, conical the other = more options.


* It still felt kind of weird having them facing in, but I guess that is the madness, as per this thread, but I have rounded off other worn down Lock Ins in the past, which skated better for the people I passed them on to at the time, so I might still have a go at these once I have skated them a bit more.


** Took a quick pic of that setup just now for reference (a bit out of focus, but you get the idea):


(https://i.ibb.co/WN4pqPB8/Spitfire-lockins-reversed.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DPHgs8wc)

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on March 17, 2026, 04:48:09 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Interesting!

Also curious what you think of the newer Lock In shape - they were quite skinny before and now they are more a medium width, with those exact same wheels on another board I set up recently.
[close]
(https://i.imgur.com/K40jOc1.jpeg)
They look good but it's my first lock in wheels ever.
I'm coming from radial full 58mm and before that 54mm so these lock in look quite thin in comparison.
PS: These are some Durao's
[close]


The 54 mm x 34 to 35 mm size is my sweet spot I think, so when I had the chance to get them, I didn't hesitate, but the funny thing is when I tried them on a few different things including a mini ramp, they "locked" too much for my liking so I turned them around and had a much better session on them facing inwards, with the Conical edge able to get on and off coping more in the way I was used to.  That is nothing against the wheel shape, just how I am used to skating.

I guess like a few other asymmetric wheels, they have different uses from one side to the other, but I know some other people I skate with really like the lock in back on them for their street stuff, ledges, rails, etc.  I have seen a good number of posts from people skating them both ways, so although there might be what is considered a "right way" to have them, at the end of the day, it is down to whatever works best for the individual.

Hopefully you get a good session in on them and see what you think too, but if they are weird feeling, you could turn them around too, just to see.  Lock in = tablet one side, conical the other = more options.


* It still felt kind of weird having them facing in, but I guess that is the madness, as per this thread, but I have rounded off other worn down Lock Ins in the past, which skated better for the people I passed them on to at the time, so I might still have a go at these once I have skated them a bit more.


** Took a quick pic of that setup just now for reference (a bit out of focus, but you get the idea):


(https://i.ibb.co/WN4pqPB8/Spitfire-lockins-reversed.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DPHgs8wc)

Similar concept to the OJ Mini-combo shape. Flip it whichever way works best. Like the iconic Jason Lee photo with the freestyle wheels flipped in.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on March 18, 2026, 06:45:39 AM

Similar concept to the OJ Mini-combo shape. Flip it whichever way works best. Like the iconic Jason Lee photo with the freestyle wheels flipped in.


For sure!

Funny looking at pics people have posted fairly recently of that old Jason Lee board, especially one which I can easily see the wheel shape and all that.

The Mini Combo wheels are a good one too, just seems like something about them that makes them skate better than some of the others from the NHS brand, but I can't really think what - the compound, the size, the shape, or something else, but I really don't know right this minute.  Any which way I have had a good number of them come through my hands and have a few sets on boards too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: F Word on March 18, 2026, 07:37:42 AM
I’ve noticed i cant skate a shoe if I’ve worn it around casually. Has to go fresh from the box to my board or it feels like its formed to my foot in the wrong way
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on March 20, 2026, 03:02:18 PM
There's an 8.25 Jacuzzi complete with ventures at a store near me for $40

That'll be fun to mess around on and then give to a kid

I can check out ventures again in a "just for fun" setting lol
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on March 20, 2026, 05:21:39 PM
There's an 8.25 Jacuzzi complete with ventures at a store near me for $40

That'll be fun to mess around on and then give to a kid

I can check out ventures again in a "just for fun" setting lol

That’s how it begins and you know it

Venture is the only (worthwhile) truck I haven’t tried in years because I know they’ll just add to the madness. I know a lot of people swear by them but I’m already in too deep with thunder/indy/ace
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on March 21, 2026, 01:47:06 AM
Expand Quote
There's an 8.25 Jacuzzi complete with ventures at a store near me for $40

That'll be fun to mess around on and then give to a kid

I can check out ventures again in a "just for fun" setting lol
[close]

That’s how it begins and you know it

Venture is the only (worthwhile) truck I haven’t tried in years because I know they’ll just add to the madness. I know a lot of people swear by them but I’m already in too deep with thunder/indy/ace
But you could get even deeper with thunder/Indy/ace/venture 😏
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on March 21, 2026, 02:05:51 AM
Once you try Ventures, they'll be part of your life for good. You'll be noticing them in pro parts and Insta clips. When riding other trucks and struggling with a trick, you'll be occasionally thinking "how would Ventures perform here?" When struggling with wheelbite with other trucks, you'll be thinking of the stability of Ventures. When struggling with pop, you'll think "could I ollie higher with Ventures?".

Eventually you'll buy a Venture t-shirt.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moykky on March 21, 2026, 06:42:56 AM
Once you try Ventures, they'll be part of your life for good. You'll be noticing them in pro parts and Insta clips. When riding other trucks and struggling with a trick, you'll be occasionally thinking "how would Ventures perform here?" When struggling with wheelbite with other trucks, you'll be thinking of the stability of Ventures. When struggling with pop, you'll think "could I ollie higher with Ventures?".

Eventually you'll buy a Venture t-shirt.

:D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on March 23, 2026, 06:24:24 AM
I let the truck madness in, got a pair of OG thunders coming in, haven’t skated a pair since I bought the flip neon Apple complete from active ridershop, have been enjoying my T2s but wanted to see if I could skate the originals for some reason, I’ve been skating the DSM EX7 boards so I’m hoping the steep kicks and OG thunders  pair well, will be keeping the T2s in case but I’ll prolly move them to a cruiser setup
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: standfast on March 23, 2026, 09:44:30 AM
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GardenSkater77 on March 23, 2026, 09:52:28 AM
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.

Ace AF hollow 33 will reduce the weight 40 gram per truck with similar turn.
https://mesaskatesupply.com/products/ace-af1-hollow-skateboard-truck-polished?variant=40769454997563
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on March 23, 2026, 10:29:56 AM
Expand Quote
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.
[close]

Ace AF hollow 33 will reduce the weight 40 gram per truck with similar turn.
https://mesaskatesupply.com/products/ace-af1-hollow-skateboard-truck-polished?variant=40769454997563

Maybe the Lows??
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on March 23, 2026, 11:03:45 AM
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.

Thunder makes some super light trucks

The 8.25" ones are ~51mm or 52-point-something  tall depending on if you get forged or cast baseplates and line up nicely on an 8" board as long as you're not using super wide wheels

The 8" ones you could use a riser with to get it to 52-ish mm tall

Different thunder sizes have different heights and the 145 and 147 are lower than 148, 149, and 151, and the forged ones are lower than the cast ones

The more I say "thunder" the more I realize it's a funny-ass word

Maybe Venture v-hollows or forged titanium indys

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on March 23, 2026, 11:31:28 AM
Expand Quote
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.
[close]

Thunder makes some super light trucks

The 8.25" ones are ~51mm or 52-point-something  tall depending on if you get forged or cast baseplates and line up nicely on an 8" board as long as you're not using super wide wheels

The 8" ones you could use a riser with to get it to 52-ish mm tall

Different thunder sizes have different heights and the 145 and 147 are lower than 148, 149, and 151, and the forged ones are lower than the cast ones

The more I say "thunder" the more I realize it's a funny-ass word

Maybe Venture v-hollows or forged titanium indys

Beat me too the punch on the Thunder Team light/hollow light editions, or even the TI Light 3s, but I think those are closer to 50mm than 52mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on March 23, 2026, 11:58:46 AM
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.
I haven't tried them but when I was comparing some options, Royals are 52 mm high and have Ultralight option that I think are the same height and generally around the same weight as comparable Thunders.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Thebird on March 23, 2026, 12:18:49 PM
Expand Quote
Does anyone have any recommendation for light weight trucks that are 52mm hieight or so and for an 8 inch board? I'm normally an indy user but the indy mid's are too heavy but I love how they work when not popping the board.
[close]
I haven't tried them but when I was comparing some options, Royals are 52 mm high and have Ultralight option that I think are the same height and generally around the same weight as comparable Thunders.

I second this.  If you like Indy mids but want something lighter, give the Royals a try.  I think you'll adjust really quickly so long as you don't mind loose bushings, but there are alternatives if you check the Royal thread.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on March 23, 2026, 12:58:10 PM
As far as my own madness goes

It's been chill for a while

I went back to dry, shieldless bearings

Even with just a single drop of oil, or straight out of the box, I just didn't like the sound. And I already skate softer wheels most of the time and that changes the sound too

I know it's better for the bearings, 100%, to have the shields on

I just can't do it. I know it's dumb but I need my board to sound dry and rattley

Pretty certain I'm gonna stick with 54mm classics, but 53s are great too, and I'm not against 52s. But I figure for consistency I'll probably just stay with 54s. Maaybe 53s. And not 52s. And no bigheads or anything. Just gonna stick to classics.

Switching from Indy 149s to 144s has been the most impactful and I'm really hyped on it. My board still looks like "my board" and everything. It makes 54mm wheels look bigger though. When they wear down a bit they'll look right.  Also went from hollow standards to standards and I'm loving that too.

I tried a bunch of different bushing shit. I can definitely just skate stock Indy bushings just fine. But I was looking for a certain sound and feeling from my setup and I'm pretty dead-set on just swapping the top bushing to a 96a bones hardcore bushing and leaving everything else stock, same washers and bottom bushing. So far that's working out really great and I like the look of the orange stock bottom bushing, anything other than that looks "off" to me. I liked the medium bones bushings on top too, but they aren't as durable.

I wish I could skate bearings with the shields on, and stock bushings. It's cool to be able to just slap your shit together without a thought.

I used to think all the tinkering was cool though, like some secret knowledge

So I guess I'll meet halfway. I'm not gonna get TOO weird with my board, but the sound, feel, and look of it are important to me

So popping the shields and putting bones top bushings in is pretty easy. It's not like I'm spending tons of money or using power tools. Mixing and matching titanium hangers to standard baseplates, mixing two different kinds of aftermarket bushings, cutting/sanding... Nothing wrong with that and I've tried it all, I just want to keep it as simple as I can. Board feels more alive to me with no shields and those bones top bushings.

I'm gonna stick to this setup. I'll check in on my birthday next year to see if I've made it a year madness-free. It might devolve into shoes or boards but I've never really cared about those as much. My new rules on it are just stick to something like, 8.125 to 8.5, 14.25" wb or less

Edit

The madness strikes back

I realized I could get twice as many bones top bushings by just cutting down the bottom bushings

Couldn't find my hacksaw so I decided to use a cutting wheel on a dremel

Speck of molten bushing hit my in the lip because I started cutting on the side that would fling debris at me like a dumbass

At least I was wearing safety glasses

I stuck it on an old baseplate's kingpin to do this and it worked well. Finished by sanding it in circles on top of an old broken board
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on March 31, 2026, 11:55:52 AM
And we're back

Cut down another set of bones bottom bushings into bones top bushings, this time with my hacksaw and it looks a lot cleaner and basically just like new top bushings

Sanded down the first ones I did the other day into a low version to use with my old trucks that have cut-down kingpins and it's great.


The madness things I'm thinking about now are

139 standards with like, 50, 51, or 52mm spitfire classics. Probably gonna do the extra axle washer on the inside trick. Still gonna just use whatever boards. Red ovals, blue ovals, blue eagles, true fits, BBS blanks, baker OGs, flights. 14.25 or less wb, 8" to 8.5" width.

My Indy 144s look just right with 53/54mm wheels, but they start to look super wide when I got 52s on em. Same with when I was running 53/54s on 149s, it made my trucks look massive. 55s, 56s, and 58s look really good on 149s in my eyes. Maybe with indys being so tall and just using spitfire classics affects the way I see it, or I've just completely lost my mind

And I'm gonna try bones bushings again but using both the top and bottom this time and a conical Indy bottom washer, instead of the combo I have been doing. I wanna see how that feels or how long that bottom bushing is actually gonna last. I might try it without a bottom washer as recommended but I hate the way it looks without regular silver cup washers top and bottom

So yeah

Indy 144 or 149 standard with spitfire 53 or 54mm classics is still madness home base if I get lost

 I've already spent a lot of time in the last ten years with 159s, 169s, and 56, 58, and 60mm wheels, even trying conical and radial shapes, and a ton of different board shapes, so I think it makes sense that now I want to explore the other end with 139s and 50-52mm wheels, see what that baker 3 setup is all about again
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 03, 2026, 04:20:46 PM
 I cured the truck madness today. Showed up with two setups to the park as I have been the last several months since I can’t choose between ace and thunder. There was a little kid who was at the park, probably 7 or 8 years old with his uncle who was just watching him. The little kid was ripping (for his age) but I noticed his whole setup was like 20 years old. Massively fishtailed on both ends, chipped, with the remaining grip curled around the edges. Spraypainted and rusted out ventures. Crusty old wheels. Looked like it lived in an outdoor shed since 2005. So I approached his uncle and asked if he needed a new board and gave him my whole complete. No more madness. The kid was hyped and took to the board right away. He skated with my kid and got her hyped to try to learn ollies, she usually scoots. Just feels good all around. No more madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on April 03, 2026, 05:15:30 PM
I cured the truck madness today. Showed up with two setups to the park as I have been the last several months since I can’t choose between ace and thunder. There was a little kid who was at the park, probably 7 or 8 years old with his uncle who was just watching him. The little kid was ripping (for his age) but I noticed his whole setup was like 20 years old. Massively fishtailed on both ends, chipped, with the remaining grip curled around the edges. Spraypainted and rusted out ventures. Crusty old wheels. Looked like it lived in an outdoor shed since 2005. So I approached his uncle and asked if he needed a new board and gave him my whole complete. No more madness. The kid was hyped and took to the board right away. He skated with my kid and got her hyped to try to learn ollies, she usually scoots. Just feels good all around. No more madness.



Which one did you keep o.O
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 03, 2026, 05:23:03 PM
Expand Quote
I cured the truck madness today. Showed up with two setups to the park as I have been the last several months since I can’t choose between ace and thunder. There was a little kid who was at the park, probably 7 or 8 years old with his uncle who was just watching him. The little kid was ripping (for his age) but I noticed his whole setup was like 20 years old. Massively fishtailed on both ends, chipped, with the remaining grip curled around the edges. Spraypainted and rusted out ventures. Crusty old wheels. Looked like it lived in an outdoor shed since 2005. So I approached his uncle and asked if he needed a new board and gave him my whole complete. No more madness. The kid was hyped and took to the board right away. He skated with my kid and got her hyped to try to learn ollies, she usually scoots. Just feels good all around. No more madness.
[close]



Which one did you keep o.O

I gave him the thunder setup. As much as I enjoyed them for their stability, I just don’t do as much tech skating anymore. I think that was my hang up to begin with, realizing that the older I get the more I just enjoy doing more basic shit and the feeling of swerving around, popping in and out. When I’d skate thunders I had this voice in the back of my head that said “you still got it, you’re not too old” and that would turn into me battling some shit on a ledge for an hour & a half getting frustrated.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on April 03, 2026, 05:46:08 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I cured the truck madness today. Showed up with two setups to the park as I have been the last several months since I can’t choose between ace and thunder. There was a little kid who was at the park, probably 7 or 8 years old with his uncle who was just watching him. The little kid was ripping (for his age) but I noticed his whole setup was like 20 years old. Massively fishtailed on both ends, chipped, with the remaining grip curled around the edges. Spraypainted and rusted out ventures. Crusty old wheels. Looked like it lived in an outdoor shed since 2005. So I approached his uncle and asked if he needed a new board and gave him my whole complete. No more madness. The kid was hyped and took to the board right away. He skated with my kid and got her hyped to try to learn ollies, she usually scoots. Just feels good all around. No more madness.
[close]



Which one did you keep o.O
[close]

I gave him the thunder setup. As much as I enjoyed them for their stability, I just don’t do as much tech skating anymore. I think that was my hang up to begin with, realizing that the older I get the more I just enjoy doing more basic shit and the feeling of swerving around, popping in and out. When I’d skate thunders I had this voice in the back of my head that said “you still got it, you’re not too old” and that would turn into me battling some shit on a ledge for an hour & a half getting frustrated.

I respect it lol I’m on the opposite kick trying to embrace thunders cuz I don’t go hard in transition for the surfy type lol right on tho
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on April 04, 2026, 12:18:25 AM
Ended up switching to an 8" setup and have been skating that size for a month now, I can confidently say that ive found a size that proportionate to my size and stature.

Im def having some truck madness again, I was skating indy forged hollows but I switched to venture 5.2 hi a couple of days ago. I got so sick of how "twitchy" the indys felt when doing anything other than slappies. But I cant shake the feeling that a pleb like me shouldn't be using a tech skater truck.

Anyways thats where im at with my gear madness. Might try messing around with bushing setups next.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on April 04, 2026, 11:18:39 AM
Ended up switching to an 8" setup and have been skating that size for a month now, I can confidently say that ive found a size that proportionate to my size and stature.

Im def having some truck madness again, I was skating indy forged hollows but I switched to venture 5.2 hi a couple of days ago. I got so sick of how "twitchy" the indys felt when doing anything other than slappies. But I cant shake the feeling that a pleb like me shouldn't be using a tech skater truck.

Anyways thats where im at with my gear madness. Might try messing around with bushing setups next.
Slappys
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on April 04, 2026, 05:42:36 PM
And we're back

Cut down another set of bones bottom bushings into bones top bushings, this time with my hacksaw and it looks a lot cleaner and basically just like new top bushings

Sanded down the first ones I did the other day into a low version to use with my old trucks that have cut-down kingpins and it's great.


The madness things I'm thinking about now are

139 standards with like, 50, 51, or 52mm spitfire classics. Probably gonna do the extra axle washer on the inside trick. Still gonna just use whatever boards. Red ovals, blue ovals, blue eagles, true fits, BBS blanks, baker OGs, flights. 14.25 or less wb, 8" to 8.5" width.

My Indy 144s look just right with 53/54mm wheels, but they start to look super wide when I got 52s on em. Same with when I was running 53/54s on 149s, it made my trucks look massive. 55s, 56s, and 58s look really good on 149s in my eyes. Maybe with indys being so tall and just using spitfire classics affects the way I see it, or I've just completely lost my mind

And I'm gonna try bones bushings again but using both the top and bottom this time and a conical Indy bottom washer, instead of the combo I have been doing. I wanna see how that feels or how long that bottom bushing is actually gonna last. I might try it without a bottom washer as recommended but I hate the way it looks without regular silver cup washers top and bottom

So yeah

Indy 144 or 149 standard with spitfire 53 or 54mm classics is still madness home base if I get lost

 I've already spent a lot of time in the last ten years with 159s, 169s, and 56, 58, and 60mm wheels, even trying conical and radial shapes, and a ton of different board shapes, so I think it makes sense that now I want to explore the other end with 139s and 50-52mm wheels, see what that baker 3 setup is all about again
You've been hyping up the 144 standards so much that I've swapped mine back on have been enjoying the hell out of them. Tried to be a venture + little wheel tech guy for a solid year but couldn't cut it so it's time to pass them on to someone who could use them. Undeniably skate better on Indys. Stock bushings and washers with riptide cups. These should last me a good year and some change and then it's 149 standards + big classics on the primary set up 4ever.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 04, 2026, 07:57:46 PM
You've been hyping up the 144 standards so much that I've swapped mine back on have been enjoying the hell out of them. Tried to be a venture + little wheel tech guy for a solid year but couldn't cut it so it's time to pass them on to someone who could use them. Undeniably skate better on Indys. Stock bushings and washers with riptide cups. These should last me a good year and some change and then it's 149 standards + big classics on the primary set up 4ever.

Haha hell yeah

I've been really enjoying the 144s. Pretty much 149s but a little lighter and flippier... and I think I'm sworn off hollow trucks for good.

Currently flip-flopping between 139s and 144s, and I like the 144s better, but I like the 139s too. They seem less forgiving though with sloppy landings and stuff.

I'll probably keep like, a real red oval with 139s and 51-52mm classics for games of skate or learning new stuff, or at the end of the day when my legs are super tired.

Switching it up is really fun as long as you're not making things harder for yourself. Me personally I kinda decided 55+ wheels don't work for what I'm usually doing, and I don't really need a board wider than 8.5" under any circumstances

But I still wanna build a Jason Lee video days type setup. Can't decide if I want 55mm tablets, or 55, 56, or 58 OG classics.... Prolly 56 OGs

Now that I've tried so much stuff I have a better idea of what works and what's fun for me, and I'm not gonna judge myself if I have like 3 or 4 different setups. I don't live in my car anymore so I got the space.

Instead of tinkering like mad on my main, "try hard" setup, I'll just leave everything alone and just grab a setup from a different era if I feel stale, and have fun in a different way.

Gotta have that shorter wheelbase though, nothing bigger than 14.25"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on April 04, 2026, 09:00:01 PM
Agreed on the hollows I had a set but ended up selling them. I did like the 149 titaniums a few years ago. Liking the indys on the 8.25 easy rider I'm on with the 14" wheelbase. Nice and carvy but still long enough overall to stand comfortably on since I'm on the taller end of the spectrum. Not super picky on wheelbase, next deck in the stack is a 14.38 which should be fun too
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 04, 2026, 11:39:58 PM
Agreed on the hollows I had a set but ended up selling them. I did like the 149 titaniums a few years ago. Liking the indys on the 8.25 easy rider I'm on with the 14" wheelbase. Nice and carvy but still long enough overall to stand comfortably on since I'm on the taller end of the spectrum. Not super picky on wheelbase, next deck in the stack is a 14.38 which should be fun too

Word, I had some titanium 144s, 149s, and 159s. I liked the 159s best. They were all too light, especially the 144s. In hindsight I probably would've liked them more with standard baseplates. But they're just way too expensive and standards are great. None of the axles ever broke on me and the 144s I bought in like 2020 are still going strong on my homies board. I don't think I'll ever get them again. I don't like the forged plates or hollow kingpin that much either.

That's a cool board, I think it was designed around venture highs but since indys are a little taller I could see it working well there especially if you're taller. I think I'm like 5'9" but I wouldn't be surprised if I was 5'8". 32" cycling inseam(actual inside of my leg measurement). My legs aren't crazy long, so I try to stick to boards under 32", preferably like ~31.5-31.75. I mean Spanly skates 8.25 x14.25 wb and I think so does Jerry, and I've seen Jerry on the 8.25 eagle before which is like 14.375 wb and 31.875 long, and neither of those dudes is a giant. On the other hand Reynolds is pretty tall and skates a 14.25" wb. Technique comes into play for sure, if you're used to flicking a certain way

I had been struggling with kickflips, frontside flips, hardflips for a year or so and when I switched back to indys (hollow standard 149) from ace (hollow AF1 55), both on baker OG 8.25", both with 54mm classics, they came back so good. Then I got sick of hollows and got the standard 144s and they're better than I thought they would be
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on April 09, 2026, 09:13:55 PM
Explain me why have this urge to set up a 8.75 complete... again. I already know from previous iteration that I cannot flip it to even the small extent I can flip my 8.25 setup.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: TwisT on April 09, 2026, 09:32:25 PM
Explain me why have this urge to set up a 8.75 complete... again. I already know from previous iteration that I cannot flip it to even the small extent I can flip my 8.25 setup.

I have a 9in setup. I don’t skate it, but I got it in my minds that It’d be cool to have.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 09, 2026, 09:57:49 PM
Explain me why have this urge to set up a 8.75 complete... again. I already know from previous iteration that I cannot flip it to even the small extent I can flip my 8.25 setup.

Because shit feels so good on an 8.75, that's why.

I have two set-ups. 8.75 and an 8.25. This is the way.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 10, 2026, 01:31:54 AM
Explain me why have this urge to set up a 8.75 complete... again. I already know from previous iteration that I cannot flip it to even the small extent I can flip my 8.25 setup.
Because Slap.
And speaking of Madness:
I'm currently on Venture V8 after skating T2 for a bit which was proven not to be that fun. V8 seems even less fun lately so the "should I go back to Ace" thought popped in my head. Last time I skated them was like a year before and had like 3 sets in a row.
I have the Spanky ones at home so maybe I'll set them up once putting a new board.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 10, 2026, 12:23:12 PM
The 139s and 52mm classics were fun, light, and nostalgic but it didn't open any doors for me or anything. I almost got some 51s or 50s but didn't.

Pretty locked in now as far as my "try hard" setup

• 53mm or 54mm spitfire classics, 99a or 93a
• Bones swiss 6 with no shields
• Indy standard 144s, swap just the top bushings with bones (I'm almost certain there could be more bushing fuckery down the line)

I think the way I can get some kicks and have fun in other ways will be to build up some period-correct setups from different eras. Then I can just grab one of those instead of fucking around with my main "no excuses" board.

The weight and dimensions of the 8.25" indys and 53/54mm wheels seem to be my best middle ground where going smaller doesn't seem to make anything too much easier, but it's less stable and worse for crusty ground, and going bigger seems to tire me out and affect my flip tricks

When I was a spry young lad 149s were my shit, but I'm glad 144s exist. It's like, just enough to help me out.

I like playin around with different boards and shoes and stuff, I think the soul of it is what you're carrying after you break your board. As long as I got the same trucks and wheels I can get used to pretty much anything as long as it isn't super long wb cause I'm a shorter dude.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 10, 2026, 03:04:49 PM
Expand Quote
Explain me why have this urge to set up a 8.75 complete... again. I already know from previous iteration that I cannot flip it to even the small extent I can flip my 8.25 setup.
[close]
Because Slap.
And speaking of Madness:
I'm currently on Venture V8 after skating T2 for a bit which was proven not to be that fun. V8 seems even less fun lately so the "should I go back to Ace" thought popped in my head. Last time I skated them was like a year before and had like 3 sets in a row.
I have the Spanky ones at home so maybe I'll set them up once putting a new board.

When you say they weren’t very fun, do you mean you’re just not landing your tricks as consistently or they made the overall experience of riding your board not as fun?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on April 11, 2026, 01:26:26 PM
Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in....
Currently riding the 8.62 Antihero with the 14.75 WB. I'm down to the last two plies on the tail, so I started to think about replacement.

Currently I have the following decks on ice:
Creature Stump 8.6 14.25 WB
Creature vx everslick 8.6 14.6wb
Zero 8.5 14.5 WB
Antihero 8.38 14.5wb

The vx everslick is heavy like a tombstone, the stump a little short but feels good under my feet, AH 8.38 too small for my 159s, Zero I hate its concave...

Right now I'm really into transition skating, working on ollies in Transition and think more wheelbase is benefical.

What do you think, get another Antihero / Dlx 8.62 or 8.75 , try to get used to a shorter wheelbase in Transition or fuck it and keep riding my razored 8.62 AH?



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 11, 2026, 02:25:11 PM

Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in...

What do you think...


Make no decisions about what the appropriate gear is in your bedroom/house and/or off the board. Only make them while actually skating. This helps prevent madness based on thinking, rather than doing.

Also, hope you feel better.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 11, 2026, 03:01:09 PM
Expand Quote

Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in...

What do you think...

[close]

Make no decisions about what the appropriate gear is in your bedroom/house and/or off the board. Only make them while actually skating. This helps prevent madness based on thinking, rather than doing.

Also, hope you feel better.


Kind of an eye opening bit of advice there tbh. I do 95% of my madnessing while driving or sitting at home. I only really bug out while skating if I have another setup in the trunk and start lusting after some hypothetical advantage the trunk board would give me. Thanks for writing that, dude 👊
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: nopopnostyle on April 11, 2026, 10:29:59 PM
Quote from: Sedition  ???link=topic=122395.msg4495236#msg4495236 date=1775942711
Expand Quote

Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in...

What do you think...

[close]

Make no decisions about what the appropriate gear is in your bedroom/house and/or off the board. Only make them while actually skating. This helps prevent madness based on thinking, rather than doing.

Also, hope you feel better.

I should get your quote tattooed to my forehead and force myself to look in the mirror all the time when not skating.

But seriously, I think you’re on to something. Maybe Madness is just some way of our brains overcompensating for the lack of hormones it’s used to while skating.

We should do a poll and find out if most madness comes from not skating.

Is there hope for a cure by identifying behavioral patterns and changing them?
 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 11, 2026, 11:37:04 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Explain me why have this urge to set up a 8.75 complete... again. I already know from previous iteration that I cannot flip it to even the small extent I can flip my 8.25 setup.
[close]
Because Slap.
And speaking of Madness:
I'm currently on Venture V8 after skating T2 for a bit which was proven not to be that fun. V8 seems even less fun lately so the "should I go back to Ace" thought popped in my head. Last time I skated them was like a year before and had like 3 sets in a row.
I have the Spanky ones at home so maybe I'll set them up once putting a new board.
[close]

When you say they weren’t very fun, do you mean you’re just not landing your tricks as consistently or they made the overall experience of riding your board not as fun?
Exactly that
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 12, 2026, 01:16:58 AM

Is there hope for a cure by identifying behavioral patterns and changing them?



“I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

I walk down another street.”

― Portia Nelson


The hole never goes away.
The path, however, changes.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: MMongrel on April 12, 2026, 08:50:26 AM
Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in....
Currently riding the 8.62 Antihero with the 14.75 WB. I'm down to the last two plies on the tail, so I started to think about replacement.

Currently I have the following decks on ice:
Creature Stump 8.6 14.25 WB
Creature vx everslick 8.6 14.6wb
Zero 8.5 14.5 WB
Antihero 8.38 14.5wb

The vx everslick is heavy like a tombstone, the stump a little short but feels good under my feet, AH 8.38 too small for my 159s, Zero I hate its concave...

Right now I'm really into transition skating, working on ollies in Transition and think more wheelbase is benefical.

What do you think, get another Antihero / Dlx 8.62 or 8.75 , try to get used to a shorter wheelbase in Transition or fuck it and keep riding my razored 8.62 AH?

I'd say keep riding the razored AH until it's too bothersome. If you swap after a 3 weeks break you might mix being rusty for the shape not working.

And for what it's worth I've been skating the AH 8.38x14.50 for a couple of weeks and it's been great and I've even learned a few new tricks on both street and transition. It feels super stable on 6.1's and I guess because it's pretty flat it also flips very well even with wide trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 12, 2026, 09:33:21 AM
Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in....
Currently riding the 8.62 Antihero with the 14.75 WB. I'm down to the last two plies on the tail, so I started to think about replacement.

Currently I have the following decks on ice:
Creature Stump 8.6 14.25 WB
Creature vx everslick 8.6 14.6wb
Zero 8.5 14.5 WB
Antihero 8.38 14.5wb

The vx everslick is heavy like a tombstone, the stump a little short but feels good under my feet, AH 8.38 too small for my 159s, Zero I hate its concave...

Right now I'm really into transition skating, working on ollies in Transition and think more wheelbase is benefical.

What do you think, get another Antihero / Dlx 8.62 or 8.75 , try to get used to a shorter wheelbase in Transition or fuck it and keep riding my razored 8.62 AH?

The best thing I ever did was get rid of everything I had on ice. It puts you in these situations where you're obligated to ride stuff that's an impulse buy or tell yourself "this is all I can ride..."

You are already listing the cons of all these options without even riding them which is just going to bleed into your experience and likely end up in some sort of negative feelings. That or something feels better on your best day so you order more and then it ends up being average on par and you're perpetuating the back and forth. It's not COVID anymore, there's no gear shortage, and most of us don't "need" sale gear we wouldn't otherwise buy.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 12, 2026, 09:46:08 AM
For sure, when I had all these different boards, wheels, trucks layin around I would just build stuff with that cause I already had it... And try to imagine different combinations with just the shit I already had, just playing with toys basically

I like to have a small stack of BBS boards in a size I like and that's pretty much it as far as the "on ice" situation... Keeps it consistent in-between trying random graphic boards

If there's a crazy sale or deal somewhere I might buy an extra set of wheels or trucks in the same size/shape/brand I'm already riding

I will hoard skate shoes though
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 13, 2026, 06:31:44 AM
Gear madness put me in an amazing place over the weekend.

Rolled up to the park Friday afternoon for a quick session and there were 2 young kids skating, one had just been gifted an Anti Hero complete and the other was rolling on a cardboard press Walmart special.

Had enough "extra" in the truck to build him a complete from and old but ridden 4 times Mini-Logo some .sml Wheels and a set of trucks, off the top of my head do not remember the brand, I have a few to choose from, lol.

Long story short, we got 2 brothers riding around and legit set-ups and having the time of their life, a dad that was blown away by a stranger's generosity, and me happy all weekend long that I could make some sort of impact
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 13, 2026, 06:48:47 AM
Gear madness put me in an amazing place over the weekend.

Rolled up to the park Friday afternoon for a quick session and there were 2 young kids skating, one had just been gifted an Anti Hero complete and the other was rolling on a cardboard press Walmart special.

Had enough "extra" in the truck to build him a complete from and old but ridden 4 times Mini-Logo some .sml Wheels and a set of trucks, off the top of my head do not remember the brand, I have a few to choose from, lol.

Long story short, we got 2 brothers riding around and legit set-ups and having the time of their life, a dad that was blown away by a stranger's generosity, and me happy all weekend long that I could make some sort of impact
Kudos man
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 13, 2026, 07:00:11 AM
Expand Quote
Gear madness put me in an amazing place over the weekend.

Rolled up to the park Friday afternoon for a quick session and there were 2 young kids skating, one had just been gifted an Anti Hero complete and the other was rolling on a cardboard press Walmart special.

Had enough "extra" in the truck to build him a complete from and old but ridden 4 times Mini-Logo some .sml Wheels and a set of trucks, off the top of my head do not remember the brand, I have a few to choose from, lol.

Long story short, we got 2 brothers riding around and legit set-ups and having the time of their life, a dad that was blown away by a stranger's generosity, and me happy all weekend long that I could make some sort of impact
[close]
Kudos man

Not to one up you but this is how I ended madness. Had a bunch of shit in my trunk and saw some kids out front of a school. Same situation: 5 year old rain warped random completes, wheels that barely turned, no name trucks, etc.

Left them with my Ben D inspired short WB "this is what I skated in 1998" setups and it was instant night and day. I've seen them since and they've probably put hundreds of hours into those boards.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 13, 2026, 07:08:10 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Gear madness put me in an amazing place over the weekend.

Rolled up to the park Friday afternoon for a quick session and there were 2 young kids skating, one had just been gifted an Anti Hero complete and the other was rolling on a cardboard press Walmart special.

Had enough "extra" in the truck to build him a complete from and old but ridden 4 times Mini-Logo some .sml Wheels and a set of trucks, off the top of my head do not remember the brand, I have a few to choose from, lol.

Long story short, we got 2 brothers riding around and legit set-ups and having the time of their life, a dad that was blown away by a stranger's generosity, and me happy all weekend long that I could make some sort of impact
[close]
Kudos man
[close]

Not to one up you but this is how I ended madness. Had a bunch of shit in my trunk and saw some kids out front of a school. Same situation: 5 year old rain warped random completes, wheels that barely turned, no name trucks, etc.

Left them with my Ben D inspired short WB "this is what I skated in 1998" setups and it was instant night and day. I've seen them since and they've probably put hundreds of hours into those boards.

One-up me all you want; LOL I love hearing the stories!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on April 14, 2026, 12:14:18 AM
lil update: Im pretty sure its because im already used to them but I switched back to my indys and all of the issues i was having after swapping to ventures went away. I also swapped to some 50mm spits that i had laying around, but I might just buy a fresh pair of 52s since the ones i have rn are worn down. Somewhat still annoyed about the twitchiness tho, I might try the bones top bushing thing swongolian is doing and hopefully that solves my issues.

Now what to do with the ventures...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 14, 2026, 12:26:51 AM
lil update: Im pretty sure its because im already used to them but I switched back to my indys and all of the issues i was having after swapping to ventures went away. I also swapped to some 50mm spits that i had laying around, but I might just buy a fresh pair of 52s since the ones i have rn are worn down. Somewhat still annoyed about the twitchiness tho, I might try the bones top bushing thing swongolian is doing and hopefully that solves my issues.

Now what to do with the ventures...
Just keep them and eventually the time for them will come.
Same just happened to me, went back to Aces and I have some T2 just laying around but yesterday met a friend who's struggling a bit in life and needs new trucks. Told me him I'll hook him up since I know that little gestures like this can be a good morale boost.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 14, 2026, 06:43:03 AM
lil update: Im pretty sure its because im already used to them but I switched back to my indys and all of the issues i was having after swapping to ventures went away. I also swapped to some 50mm spits that i had laying around, but I might just buy a fresh pair of 52s since the ones i have rn are worn down. Somewhat still annoyed about the twitchiness tho, I might try the bones top bushing thing swongolian is doing and hopefully that solves my issues.

Now what to do with the ventures...

Just tighten your trucks a half turn more. People on Slap are really anal about how much kingpin is exposed, but in the real world people do all sorts of shit to get their gear exactly where THEY need it not what others prefer. Go watch Chico's My Indy's video or check out some of the pro setups on YouTube.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 14, 2026, 08:53:20 AM
Expand Quote
Been sick for almost 3 weeks. While sitting at home, madness tried to creep in....
Currently riding the 8.62 Antihero with the 14.75 WB. I'm down to the last two plies on the tail, so I started to think about replacement.

Currently I have the following decks on ice:
Creature Stump 8.6 14.25 WB
Creature vx everslick 8.6 14.6wb
Zero 8.5 14.5 WB
Antihero 8.38 14.5wb

The vx everslick is heavy like a tombstone, the stump a little short but feels good under my feet, AH 8.38 too small for my 159s, Zero I hate its concave...

Right now I'm really into transition skating, working on ollies in Transition and think more wheelbase is benefical.

What do you think, get another Antihero / Dlx 8.62 or 8.75 , try to get used to a shorter wheelbase in Transition or fuck it and keep riding my razored 8.62 AH?
[close]

The best thing I ever did was get rid of everything I had on ice. It puts you in these situations where you're obligated to ride stuff that's an impulse buy or tell yourself "this is all I can ride..."

You are already listing the cons of all these options without even riding them which is just going to bleed into your experience and likely end up in some sort of negative feelings. That or something feels better on your best day so you order more and then it ends up being average on par and you're perpetuating the back and forth. It's not COVID anymore, there's no gear shortage, and most of us don't "need" sale gear we wouldn't otherwise buy.


^ That is solid advice to anyone actually trying to rid themselves of Madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 14, 2026, 09:14:29 AM
We need to also differentiate between what is and isn't madness.

To me "this gear choice will automatically improve a specific trick or set of tricks and create the optimal possible combination to maximize my skate abilities" is madness. This simply doesn't exist in life. Everything has trade offs even the best feeling setup. There is a lot of inherent anxiety and mental shit going on there that likely has nothing to do with one's skating.

"I like my gear and want to try X to experiment or make my current setup slightly more tailored" isn't madness. There isn't a built in maximization and chasing the dragon. You're just doing micro tweaks with a learning mindset. This can be perfectly healthy and pretty enjoyable.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 14, 2026, 12:30:41 PM
lil update: Im pretty sure its because im already used to them but I switched back to my indys and all of the issues i was having after swapping to ventures went away. I also swapped to some 50mm spits that i had laying around, but I might just buy a fresh pair of 52s since the ones i have rn are worn down. Somewhat still annoyed about the twitchiness tho, I might try the bones top bushing thing swongolian is doing and hopefully that solves my issues.

Now what to do with the ventures...

So far so good with the hard ones, been skating flat in the street every day for a couple hours just drilling flip tricks

When I was using the bones mediums they were starting to blow out

I'm like 145 lbs and running them pretty much nut flush, 1 thread showing

With the 96 over 90 duro, it's kinda like a medium-tight version of stock ace bushings, and the plastic insert on the bones gives it zero break-in time and a crispier sound.

Idk why but the sound of my setup is real important to me. Gotta be super dry and rattley and higher pitched or my mind thinks I'm stuck in the mud and have less response and feedback regarding pop

Doesn't hurt to try for like 10 bucks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Schinken on April 15, 2026, 05:38:45 AM
Just came back from third session after beeing sick for 3 weeks.
First two sessions were on AH 8.62 since I am used to it. Today I warmed up on my AH 8.62 and changed mid session to the Stump shape. Within 10min I could do my same mediocre skating maneuvers I could always do...
Getting used to your gear > thinking about gear
Still having fun skating / trying different gear
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DirtyHippy666 on April 16, 2026, 06:28:05 PM
I’ve been switching between indies 159/149s with 8.5 boards and ace classics 44 with 8.25 decks for the last 6 years. Idk what it is I go through epitaphs where I skate great with either one, or when aces looseness and turn somehow help me become more acquainted with my board and how to manipulate it and thus I can commit on more stuff, to times where the stability from indies gives me a mental boost to commit on more stuff. I just went back to the ace classics and 8.25, this time it’s feeling superrrr light and easy to flip, I think I can actually Ollie higher now. It doesn’t even feel that much smaller either. Shi is weird.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on April 16, 2026, 08:25:11 PM
Unless you are only changing one thing, I wouldn’t overthink anything about anything. Changing decks size and truck size and truck type is already way too many factors to come to any conclusions about any one of those items. I look at trucks like which one fits my deck and riding needs. At this moment, the kind of skating I want to do, if I have wheelbase 14.25” and more, I’m going to want my Ace AF1 or T-II, and which one just depends on how wide the deck is. 8.5 and up, T-II since I have 161 151 and anything under, AF1 since I have 44 and 55 hangers. Under 14.25” wb and I’m skating Tensor Maglight ATG, Thunder Standard or Ventures and preferably the Tensors on most decks 8.25 or less. My Thunders are 149 so I’d use those for decks 8.25 or more and I’m looking forward to trying my Ventures on similar decks to the Tensors since they are both 8.25”. That’s all the trucks I have on hand at the moment so those are the scenarios I use them for and don’t need to think about it more than that. Of course, I might do some odd combo here and there just to see. Usually, the lower wheelbase trucks work better for me after a deck gets really worn out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Bongwater Mojito on April 16, 2026, 09:30:16 PM
I think the personal vibe and day to day variance in it have much more significance than gear. Nowadays I just have way too much time to sit at home and think about trucks than before.

There are many cases in distant past where I ended up having a top session with mediocre gear - because the session happened organically unplanned and those shoes and complete were the only ones I had at hand. Adapted to what was doable with that combo and went for it. The right people, the right atmosphere, suddently gear does not matter that much any more.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 16, 2026, 10:02:10 PM
I think the personal vibe and day to day variance in it have much more significance than gear. Nowadays I just have way too much time to sit at home and think about trucks than before.

There are many cases in distant past where I ended up having a top session with mediocre gear - because the session happened organically unplanned and those shoes and complete were the only ones I had at hand. Adapted to what was doable with that combo and went for it. The right people, the right atmosphere, suddently gear does not matter that much any more.

I wonder if there’s any correlation between mostly skating alone & gear madness. Seems like it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on April 16, 2026, 10:48:14 PM
Expand Quote
I think the personal vibe and day to day variance in it have much more significance than gear. Nowadays I just have way too much time to sit at home and think about trucks than before.

There are many cases in distant past where I ended up having a top session with mediocre gear - because the session happened organically unplanned and those shoes and complete were the only ones I had at hand. Adapted to what was doable with that combo and went for it. The right people, the right atmosphere, suddently gear does not matter that much any more.
[close]

I wonder if there’s any correlation between mostly skating alone & gear madness. Seems like it.

For me that seems to be the case, mainly skated alone during the past year and would not stop thinking about gear what to try to find the setup. I recently started skating with people more often, and ive noticed that I was not as concerned about my deck being the wrong size or my trucks being the wrong brand during the session.

Maybe it has to do with the skaters expectations and mindset when skating alone vs with others. Im usually focused on getting better at skating when im alone, but just having fun when skating with others. So maybe the madness is just a symptom of the desire to progress, and that the desire to experiment with gear is the same thing as experimenting with different foot positioning, weight transfer, etc, when trying new tricks.

Just a thought
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 17, 2026, 03:29:05 AM
Expand Quote
I think the personal vibe and day to day variance in it have much more significance than gear. Nowadays I just have way too much time to sit at home and think about trucks than before.

There are many cases in distant past where I ended up having a top session with mediocre gear - because the session happened organically unplanned and those shoes and complete were the only ones I had at hand. Adapted to what was doable with that combo and went for it. The right people, the right atmosphere, suddently gear does not matter that much any more.
[close]

I wonder if there’s any correlation between mostly skating alone & gear madness. Seems like it.


Sure can, unless you skate with equally "challenged" individuals who also really like to mess with their gear a whole lot and then you can feed off each other, as well as learn from some other people, whether they get something right or wrong, which could be a personal opinion any which way too.

Maybe more than anything, before going down a rabbit hole or buying a whole new complete that is very different to whatever you currently have, stop and think about why.  For the most part, just having a second to stop can really help, or even put off getting something for a day and provide reasons for the purchase.  No good reasons?  Don't buy whatever it was.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 17, 2026, 07:45:33 AM
Expand Quote
I think the personal vibe and day to day variance in it have much more significance than gear. Nowadays I just have way too much time to sit at home and think about trucks than before.

There are many cases in distant past where I ended up having a top session with mediocre gear - because the session happened organically unplanned and those shoes and complete were the only ones I had at hand. Adapted to what was doable with that combo and went for it. The right people, the right atmosphere, suddently gear does not matter that much any more.
[close]

I wonder if there’s any correlation between mostly skating alone & gear madness. Seems like it.

Oh for me I see all the random combos people have when I'm out skating and I get IDEAS. So many IDEAS. Then I step on their board and do something super unexpected and it plants seeds. My short friend has a random ass 8.5, I don't know the dimensions, with AF1 and lock in fulls. Somehow I hard flipped on it first try. So now I'm scrambling to figure out wtf shape it is and thinking of why it worked so I can duplicate.

When I'm out solo I'm way more focused and just trying to skate. I often have near zero time while traveling for work so if I have 30-45min to hit a park I am skating non stop just hoping to figure out obstacles and stretch out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on April 17, 2026, 04:50:39 PM
After not skating for a while due to a flare up I almost had a truck madness episode, but then I tightened up my trucks and crisis averted. Thanks for the support slap pals.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 17, 2026, 06:43:23 PM
Since I got my main, "try hard" board all sorted out for now, the madness has to go somewhere.

So I've decided to finally do my retro boards.

1978, 1986, and 1991.

Though, the 1991 components would work equally as well on any reissue decks from 1987 through 1990.

Been fun picking away and researching on something completely for fun instead of my main board where I want it to do exact what I need

Probably just gonna use GMN bearings for all of em. SKF was also around in '78, and they even made a rubber-shielded bearing. Bones swiss in '86 still had metal shields. NMB would work for the '91 too.

Anyways here's what I got

'78
• Alva '78 8.5" with stock grip
• Stainless steel, slotted, truss head 1.5" bolts
• 1/2" riser pads
• Either the 4.5" power pivot tail skid, or two of the circular 3" ones side-by-side. Flip makes reproductions under the name Gold Cup.
• Indy 109 hangers on stage 4 baseplates & stage 4 bushings. Might do double red cylinders and flat top washers, gotta cut down some barrels to use as the tops. Might put thicker axle nuts and wider washers on if they fit.
• Sims snakes 66mm, 95a
• GMN bearings

'86
• Powell 10"
• Pizza tape (madrid thumbcutter or powell hardcore)
• Black, phillips, truss head 1.5" bolts
• 3/8" cell block repros by Lil jawns
• Nose bone repro by Lil jawns
• Powell rib bones and tail bone
• Indy stage 4 166
• Powell rat bones, 60mm, 90a
• GMN bearings

'89-91
• Reissue World, New Deal, etc board
• Jessup
• Black, phillips, truss head 1.25" bolts
• 1/4" bed pans repro by Lil jawns
• Rib bones, or no rails
• Indy stage 11 159, black. If I can find some stage 5, 6, or 7 hangers I'll use those, especially the anodized ones.
• Spitfire OG classics 58mm, or Tablets 55mm
• GMN bearings


It's not even cruiser madness

Retro madness

Lol



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on April 21, 2026, 06:13:52 AM
At a recent contest in my area I noticed that most people were on big wide wheels. I would say worn in 56mm. I’m considering stepping it up from 54 conical to 56 conical wide. Most of my best skating has been on 54s. Really want to try 56 again but I’m not really sure. I’m into getting my flat ground back. These guys had no problem flipping their boards on these bigger, wider wheels. Like I said though, they were all pretty worn in. Is it like trucks where they feel better once they get to a certain wear point? I want to change out wheels less often but not sure if I’m ready to commit to more awkward sessions at the moment.
Wheel madness has returned.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 21, 2026, 06:32:58 AM
That's just a trend, there is no advantage if you do normal skating of any kind and do not skate crust. It doesn't make any flips, grinds, slides, or basic transition skating any better unless you like a really hefty pop and a ton of drag while sliding. I will say it feels kinda fun for skating curbs you can just mash onto anything.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on April 21, 2026, 12:38:05 PM
I think my madness is less madness and more consumer therapy. I love skateboards and love buying skate gear but my pile is stupidly big  (for me, no judging anyone else) at this point. I had to prematurely get get new tires for my car today so do I really need to try a DBX deck to satisfy my curiosity and make me feel good for an hour or two? No. No I do not.

Now if they release a DBX Huffer, I could be fucked....
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 21, 2026, 12:47:22 PM
I think my madness is less madness and more consumer therapy. I love skateboards and love buying skate gear but my pile is stupidly big  (for me, no judging anyone else) at this point. I had to prematurely get get new tires for my car today so do I really need to try a DBX deck to satisfy my curiosity and make me feel good for an hour or two? No. No I do not.

Now if they release a DBX Huffer, I could be fucked....

Buying new car tires to ensure safety and performance: 🫩
Buying new skate wheels you don’t need: 😍
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on April 21, 2026, 12:48:36 PM
Yeah. Car tires really don't get me excited...

But a twin tail Bobby Worrest 8.75" sure as hell does.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 21, 2026, 02:11:11 PM
Unless your car tires are fucked or you have a special application most people won't notice shit from a tire change in normal conditions. Change your gear and you can at least immediately feel it. Far cheaper. I've got friends that have gone down the supplement rabbit hole and time and time again the 100's/1000's that they have spent is a placebo whereas gear differences are usually very real. Maybe placebo on impact on abilities but that is a different convo.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on April 21, 2026, 07:58:32 PM
The other day I bought a new set of Thunders as my current trucks are likely going to hit axle in the next couple months. Weirdly enough with all the truck options out there, I didn’t think this one too hard as I just grabbed the solid IKPs in the same size (8”) that I’m currently using. Not sure if anyone relates but with all the new options out there that I can’t keep up with (Slappy, Ace, Tensor, Lurpiv) out there I feel like some part of my madness has been cured ha and I’ve just gone back to my baseline that works

Back to the madness though, I’m happy with my Bones STF V3s but I could jump ship to that X Formula if they ever make those in a slim..
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rocklobster on April 22, 2026, 06:24:04 AM
I think my madness is less madness and more consumer therapy. I love skateboards and love buying skate gear but my pile is stupidly big  (for me, no judging anyone else) at this point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42GaHU4txpc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 22, 2026, 08:19:30 AM
The other day I bought a new set of Thunders as my current trucks are likely going to hit axle in the next couple months. Weirdly enough with all the truck options out there, I didn’t think this one too hard as I just grabbed the solid IKPs in the same size (8”) that I’m currently using. Not sure if anyone relates but with all the new options out there that I can’t keep up with (Slappy, Ace, Tensor, Lurpiv) out there I feel like some part of my madness has been cured ha and I’ve just gone back to my baseline that works

Back to the madness though, I’m happy with my Bones STF V3s but I could jump ship to that X Formula if they ever make those in a slim..

Even if you could try all of those how do you think any of them will solve every possible problem you know? It's not possible and easier to default to what you're used to and have accepted the shortcomings of.

I feel in skateboarding people want really hard to dislike certain products and brands like Indy and I wasn't psyched on them for a while so I sampled the field. All of the options were really fun, but just didn't end up being better overall. I've realized I like a more turn oriented truck so an Indy, AF1, or T2 over a Thunder T1 or Venture. I've always hated forged variants and while Royals were pretty damn nice for what they are I didn't feel those or Slappy were really distinct enough and the riding experience was kinda forgettable.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on April 22, 2026, 09:54:12 AM
I feel in skateboarding people want really hard to dislike certain products and brands like Indy and I wasn't psyched on them for a while so I sampled the field. All of the options were really fun, but just didn't end up being better overall. I've realized I like a more turn oriented truck so an Indy, AF1, or T2 over a Thunder T1 or Venture. I've always hated forged variants and while Royals were pretty damn nice for what they are I didn't feel those or Slappy were really distinct enough and the riding experience was kinda forgettable.

Same. When I went back to Thunder I felt more stable & my flip tricks got like 20% more consistent, which is nice, but I was giving up so much freedom of movement for an aspect of skating that doesn’t even really interest me much anymore. Being able to move freely on my board and swerve around quickly makes me feel more alive than landing any technical trick ever will.

Plus I know I’m gonna get comfortable on any truck and be able to do the same tricks if I just stay on them longer than a couple of months, so why not pick the ones that feel the most fun to just ride around on? 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on April 22, 2026, 01:51:53 PM
Buncha Daniel Gesmers around here and I like it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 23, 2026, 12:02:23 PM
Madness has been at bay for the longest time in a while

Could this be the end

Been real pleased with my setup

Indy 144 standard + spitfire F4 classic 53/54mm

Board can be whatever as long as it's not long as fuck, I can get used to it the same way I get used to shoes

But that truck and wheel combo, the weight, the way it flips and grinds and turns and slides and stuff, that's like the soul of it for sure

The standards feel better for me on rough ground, absorbing road vibration, and for grinds. and I think the weight makes it flip more in a way I like, I like more feedback catching tricks without having to wear paper thin shoes, being able to throw my board into stuff and know it's gonna keep going and not get as knocked around. Sounds better on grinds too.

F4 classic 53s are just my favorite wheel ever, and I got the 93a joints in 54mm for crusty streets and that's been working out great.

Gotta have the shields popped and I gotta swap in an all-black bones top bushing for the stock Indy tops and that's really it as far as fucking with it

All black grip, all black Allen bolts for sure

Sticker on the nose

I wish I could send this board through time to my 18 year old self





Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 23, 2026, 04:44:09 PM

I wish I could send this board through time to my 18 year old self



This!!!

I often wonder if I would have even really known the difference back then, or been able to skate better (or worse) on one of my very specific setups I have these days.

It was well over thirty years ago and I was skating random sub 8" boards mostly from the blank bin at the local shop or second hand team rider boards, lightly used team rider trucks from guys I know in the local area, whatever other stuff I could get my hands on at the time, etc.

Things might have been a lot more simple back then too, but any which way, not really knowing too much about gear might have been pretty good, considering how deep I am in now.

All that said, I know what works, what might work and what just doesn't feel so good, so I don't think I have it half as bad as some others I skate with too, who are very much still trying to find that ideal setup or are going crazy when their gear doesn't quite match their expectations.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 23, 2026, 06:31:58 PM
Expand Quote

I wish I could send this board through time to my 18 year old self

[close]


This!!!

I often wonder if I would have even really known the difference back then, or been able to skate better (or worse) on one of my very specific setups I have these days.

It was well over thirty years ago and I was skating random sub 8" boards mostly from the blank bin at the local shop or second hand team rider boards, lightly used team rider trucks from guys I know in the local area, whatever other stuff I could get my hands on at the time, etc.

Things might have been a lot more simple back then too, but any which way, not really knowing too much about gear might have been pretty good, considering how deep I am in now.

All that said, I know what works, what might work and what just doesn't feel so good, so I don't think I have it half as bad as some others I skate with too, who are very much still trying to find that ideal setup or are going crazy when their gear doesn't quite match their expectations.

It's crazy right?

I had no idea what wheelbase was, I think that was fuckin me up the most - I didn't know why I skated real good on some boards, and other boards were such a chore to flip.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 24, 2026, 04:29:49 AM
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 24, 2026, 07:05:34 AM
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it

I went from back to back 54 classics for a long time, to trying a bunch of shit. 54, 56, and 58 radials, 54 conical fulls, 56 conicals, 54 bigheads, 54 OG classics, 52, 56, 58, and 60 classics....

And I'm back to 54 classics. Really I'm all about 53 classics but they're pretty much the same wheel as the 54. The 53s are *perfect* though


Tho my shit did look dope with 149s and 58 radials & 56 classics

(https://i.ibb.co/8gkqY2Zk/IMG-20250702-093124957-HDR-2.jpg)(https://i.ibb.co/hRYp6T4b/IMG-20250812-140027646-HDR-2.jpg)

And I should mention that no matter how "cured" I think I am

There's a worm that lives in my brain that wants venture lows

Historically the terrain has not been super smooth around me though, Montana, Michigan, Alaska...

And the venture worm wants smaller than 53s


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Jort250 on April 24, 2026, 03:36:26 PM
Expand Quote
The other day I bought a new set of Thunders as my current trucks are likely going to hit axle in the next couple months. Weirdly enough with all the truck options out there, I didn’t think this one too hard as I just grabbed the solid IKPs in the same size (8”) that I’m currently using. Not sure if anyone relates but with all the new options out there that I can’t keep up with (Slappy, Ace, Tensor, Lurpiv) out there I feel like some part of my madness has been cured ha and I’ve just gone back to my baseline that works

Back to the madness though, I’m happy with my Bones STF V3s but I could jump ship to that X Formula if they ever make those in a slim..
[close]

Even if you could try all of those how do you think any of them will solve every possible problem you know? It's not possible and easier to default to what you're used to and have accepted the shortcomings of.

I feel in skateboarding people want really hard to dislike certain products and brands like Indy and I wasn't psyched on them for a while so I sampled the field. All of the options were really fun, but just didn't end up being better overall. I've realized I like a more turn oriented truck so an Indy, AF1, or T2 over a Thunder T1 or Venture. I've always hated forged variants and while Royals were pretty damn nice for what they are I didn't feel those or Slappy were really distinct enough and the riding experience was kinda forgettable.

Yeah that’s where I’m at right now. IMO Indy trucks tend to be more fun/balanced at 8.25 and up so those are out and Ventures aren’t really my thing so it essentially becomes one choice (Thunder 147 solids) by default. Things might be different if I was aiming for more out of my skating right now but I’m comfortable with my current bag of tricks and am not going for any longest grind records or entering SKATE contests etc. That being said, I’ll have a bad day in a few weeks and probably be right back here saying whatever I’m riding isn’t my thing and be asking for recommendations

Expand Quote
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
[close]

And I should mention that no matter how "cured" I think I am

There's a worm that lives in my brain that wants venture lows

Historically the terrain has not been super smooth around me though, Montana, Michigan, Alaska...

And the venture worm wants smaller than 53s

What does it about the Venture Lows for you? I’m on those right now. I don’t hate but I don’t love them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on April 27, 2026, 01:18:50 PM
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it

FINISH HIM
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 27, 2026, 05:27:54 PM
Expand Quote
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
[close]

And I should mention that no matter how "cured" I think I am

There's a worm that lives in my brain that wants venture lows

Historically the terrain has not been super smooth around me though, Montana, Michigan, Alaska...

And the venture worm wants smaller than 53s


What does it about the Venture Lows for you? I’m on those right now. I don’t hate but I don’t love them.


I wonder how many people might go through this if they don't have the brand or the product to skate, but then if they do finally get something, will it live up to expectations or maybe not be quite as good as they might have thought it was going to be.

This might be the madness in a nutshell, so I guess we are in the right thread, but to bring it down on the specific truck, Venture lows are a finely tuned tech truck, very low, very long wheelbase in the forged option, still fairly normal feeling in the regular cast option, but absolutely smaller wheels and often a little tighter / firmer feeling for bushings to make things work well.

I have a few sets on boards for people to try and even did a DIY V8 option on one set just to make them work on a smaller board with normal wheelbase, that they just didn't seem to work on for me - DLX 8.06 shape - which now works great with cast Venture lows and 50 mm wheels, but that is just one example.

Maybe more so for something to skate on nice smooth surfaces, definitely not crusty rough ground, but at our indoor park, with ledges, manny pad and flat bars, that board works very well.


Coming from taller trucks that I need to turn a lot more, it is almost the other end of the scale, but worth setting one up if you have the time and money to do so.  If it is too low, some people do put risers on their Venture low trucks too, which one guy said works for him depending on the board or the wheels he has on it, eg newer 54 mm wheels, adds risers, then as they wear down to 52 or so, he takes the risers off, but that could be a whole different version of madness...

I guess I just like having a number of setups for people to jump on and see how they work, so it is interesting to experiment with them in that regard.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 27, 2026, 06:10:36 PM
They were my first trucks I ever had, they stabilize a smaller deck, best crook pinch, etc
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Chalupa on April 27, 2026, 06:34:53 PM
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
I settled on an 8.25” with 148 T-II, and 56mm Radials, but am still deciding on grip and bearings. It’s between Pepper XG and Galaxy G5. For bearings, I’m still trying to decide between Swiss 6, Quantum Isotopes, and SKF, but I’m also considering buying SKF ceramics.

The madness is going to come back when I wear down the Radials and can’t get another set, but I’ll worry about it then. My flatground has gotten noticeably better since switching from Radial Full. I wonder why they have regular Radials in 93 every drop while there is only one or two releases of the 99 per year.

Madness costs a lot of money. I sold a bunch of decks and trucks at a fraction of what I paid for and gave away the rest. Even though I pissed away hundreds of dollars, I’m just glad that I won’t be taking three popsicle setups with me every time I go skate to try to figure out what I like best.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on April 27, 2026, 07:27:38 PM
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it

Probably will. I’m partial to 53s, but the classic shape is definitely the best all around wheel(imo).
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 27, 2026, 08:30:39 PM
It’s between Pepper XG and Galaxy G5. For bearings, I’m still trying to decide between Swiss 6, Quantum Isotopes, and SKF, but I’m also considering buying SKF ceramics.

I think about XG vs G5 too.

I feel like the XG works better with thicker shoes that have less board feel

I've been settled on swiss six for a long time, they're the shit

And pepper definitely seems like the best quality grip out

Expand Quote
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
[close]

Probably will. I’m partial to 53s, but the classic shape is definitely the best all around wheel(imo).

I feel exactly the same way

I'm keeping it 53 or 54 classics fo lifeeee
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on April 27, 2026, 09:55:09 PM
Just skated for like 4 and a half hours. Setup feels good, but I decided to remove the bones top bushing bcuz it was causing my kingpin nuts to back out. So im back to the stock indy bushings for the top and bottom with 2 threads showing.

Other than that im confident that ive finally have my setup sorted out. But ive been getting these thoughts to make a 90's style setup with an egg and tiny wheels. Idk why, im a zoomer and have never lived through that era. lol.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 27, 2026, 10:51:58 PM
Just skated for like 4 and a half hours. Setup feels good, but I decided to remove the bones top bushing bcuz it was causing my kingpin nuts to back out. So im back to the stock indy bushings for the top and bottom with 2 threads showing.

Other than that im confident that ive finally have my setup sorted out. But ive been getting these thoughts to make a 90's style setup with an egg and tiny wheels. Idk why, im a zoomer and have never lived through that era. lol.

I'm about to build one, all I have so far is the wheels though (43mm spitfires)

I did notice my kingpin nuts backing out a little when I ran them looser, I'm probably just gonna put some loctite on there. If I run them a half turn tighter they weren't backing out at all but I had to loosen them up after watching the jkwon Jerry footage again hahah

I definitely feel like I shouldn't mess with my setup anymore, and my madness should be concentrated on building period correct boards from different eras that I missed.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on April 27, 2026, 11:30:49 PM


Expand Quote

Probably will. I’m partial to 53s, but the classic shape is definitely the best all around wheel(imo).

[close]


I feel exactly the same way

I'm keeping it 53 or 54 classics fo lifeeee

This is the correct answer for wheels. Hard stop.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 28, 2026, 04:20:04 AM
Expand Quote
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
[close]

FINISH HIM
(https://i.imgur.com/5b8FLIX.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oLqFmPX.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 28, 2026, 06:51:09 AM
Expand Quote
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
[close]
I settled on an 8.25” with 148 T-II, and 56mm Radials, but am still deciding on grip and bearings. It’s between Pepper XG and Galaxy G5. For bearings, I’m still trying to decide between Swiss 6, Quantum Isotopes, and SKF, but I’m also considering buying SKF ceramics.

The madness is going to come back when I wear down the Radials and can’t get another set, but I’ll worry about it then. My flatground has gotten noticeably better since switching from Radial Full. I wonder why they have regular Radials in 93 every drop while there is only one or two releases of the 99 per year.

Madness costs a lot of money. I sold a bunch of decks and trucks at a fraction of what I paid for and gave away the rest. Even though I pissed away hundreds of dollars, I’m just glad that I won’t be taking three popsicle setups with me every time I go skate to try to figure out what I like best.

They constantly have radials they're just always in a generic graphic whereas some of the other shapes get more rider specific graphics. I used to only ride Radials for no real reason just had a set 8-9 years ago and stuck with em. Switched to Classics for a bit and those were great but they wear really fast the first 2mm so I always need them bigger than I want to ride for the first 4-6 weeks.

I thought I'd hate Conical Fulls but I'm actually really digging them. IMO wheels and bearings can't be a big enough difference to be first tier madness they're more just what kind of frosting do you want on your cake of insanity.

As for Pepper G5 on normal decks, XG on DBX so it wears into G5 and you don't need to re-grip. Speaking of DBX getting one has really helped my madness because I'm stuck with it long enough to stop caring about other stuff since I paid out the ass for it. Eventually it just becomes "my board" for better or worse. I hope more brands do em so I can support smaller companies more. Shit I'd buy a DBX shop deck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 28, 2026, 08:03:14 AM
I broke my DBX boards pretty quick

But then again I was trying to re-learn and learn new flip tricks and landing shitty

I've got two of the 8.3" x 14" wb twin tail powell flight decks right now and I'm really digging those, except for that I gotta blank off the corny graphic, but I like blanks anyway. BBS blanks or like, baker/antihero pretty much

I should probably put XG on the flights cause them sumbitches gonna last a long time and XG helps with random slippery basketball shoes
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 28, 2026, 12:36:31 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 28, 2026, 01:25:33 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm

Wowza
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on April 28, 2026, 06:24:21 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm

Wowza


Yeah they sure are a wide wheel.

Radial Full 54 x 38 is even wider than I am used to or comfortable with on smaller / normal boards in 8.38 to 8.5 - the old Classic Full in 56 that I used to ride on those boards were still not quite that wide, but I have a liking for wider wheels on wider boards, so that shape works well for me on the 8.75 and 9.0 sized boards with comparable trucks.  To me it still allows the truck some nice grind room, without having the truck too wide, if that makes sense.

My common setups these days:

8.25 with 148 / 144 on worn down 53 Conical Full to 53 / 54 mm Classics
8.38 with 149s on worn down 54 Conical Full to 55 mm Classics
8.5 with 149s on worn down 56 to 58 mm Classics
8.75 with 151 / 159s on 54 Radial Full wheels
9.0 with 169s on 56 to 58 Radial Full wheels

Most of those wheels have been rounded off a bit more too, just to have a slightly wider and rounder edge, which I prefer.

I have a number of other experimental setups with different shapes, sizes, etc but they are more just for shop test rides than anything else.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on April 28, 2026, 06:30:39 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm

Interested in hearing your thoughts on flip tricks after switching. I know what I noticed going in between classics and coni fulls.
Pretty sure you’ll notice the same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 29, 2026, 12:06:09 AM
Expand Quote
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm
[close]

Interested in hearing your thoughts on flip tricks after switching. I know what I noticed going in between classics and coni fulls.
Pretty sure you’ll notice the same.
Skating today after work, I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: codswallop on April 29, 2026, 07:37:50 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Got a heavy madness episode which it finally got reduced only to wheels.
Everything else is perfectly sorted out.
I have the feeling that some 54mm classics will end it
[close]

FINISH HIM
[close]
(https://i.imgur.com/5b8FLIX.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oLqFmPX.gif)

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on April 30, 2026, 04:55:29 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm
[close]

Interested in hearing your thoughts on flip tricks after switching. I know what I noticed going in between classics and coni fulls.
Pretty sure you’ll notice the same.
[close]
Skating today after work, I'll keep you posted.
Overall everything feels better and more natural. I struggled to land the first kickflip tho but that's probably I had the genius idea to skate a 14.5 WB board. Also board being 31.65 probably didn't help either.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: pops on April 30, 2026, 07:51:23 AM
Not really a madness thing (maybe) but decided to pick the Horse Pill deck. Not sure what to expect but Ive been skating Heroin 10 eggs lately and really like em but they very expensive nowadays. Horse Pill is slightly shorter in length and wheelbase in comparison. I skate Thunders T1 161s. Maybe it's madness afterall because Im stressing the dimensions of my board a lot.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 30, 2026, 08:00:18 AM
I am in a bushing rabbit hole

Looking for a stable, i ride tight, with a snappy return to center.

Slappy, Thunder (tops only), Mini Logo, Ace Hards, mixing matching, issue is I am not writing anything down....I have no idea what I am skating any more...LOL
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on April 30, 2026, 09:25:07 AM
I feel if you need a convoluted bushing setup to make a truck work it's not your truck. Maybe swap in harder ones designed for the truck or something but some of the insane tweaking is essentially to change the way the truck fundamentally behaves.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 30, 2026, 09:53:24 AM
I feel if you need a convoluted bushing setup to make a truck work it's not your truck. Maybe swap in harder ones designed for the truck or something but some of the insane tweaking is essentially to change the way the truck fundamentally behaves.

I am not disagreeing with you at all, LOL
might be part of why it is Madness, but it is what it is.

For the record, I love everything about my T2s, but I cannot ride a double cone set up, I do not have the balance or skill for it, but they are the first truck over 50mm tall that I can get a consistent pop on after being away for over 2 decades.

I know most of this is lack of skill, lack of balance, but I am trying to work myself to a less locked down truck, but it will take some time.

But again, I do not disagree with you at all
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: logjammin on April 30, 2026, 10:07:24 AM
I'd say get some bones hard bushings and just use either the bottoms or the tops in combination with something else. for example, ace medium bottoms with bones hard tops will keep it turny yet stable and really stop the turn before wheelbite. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 30, 2026, 10:39:23 AM
What I've been doing with indys has been working good

Stock bottom bushings, or like on my friends board, black 94a Indy bushings, with a bones hardcore 96a top bushing, keeping all the stock Indy washers

If I had to set some up for supa tight it'd be yellow 96a bottom bushing, bones 96a top.

Still trippin that according to comments on indys Instagram, Jaeb runs 96a bottom bushings and 78a roadside

If I recall correctly, the thunder bottom bushings are taller than Indy and the top bushings are lower... Putting a bones top in, nut flush on thunders would feel more like if 1-2 threads were showing with the stock bushings cause the bones ones are a lil taller. Finding a barrel bushing that matches the height of the thunder bushings would be good for stability

Idk, I'm insane but the bones hard top bushings pretty much quelled all bushing madness, I can start skating down stuff immediately with no issues if I add the bones tops. I don't use the bottom ones at all
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 30, 2026, 10:52:55 AM
What I've been doing with indys has been working good

Stock bottom bushings, or like on my friends board, black 94a Indy bushings, with a bones hardcore 96a top bushing, keeping all the stock Indy washers

If I had to set some up for supa tight it'd be yellow 96a bottom bushing, bones 96a top.

Still trippin that according to comments on indys Instagram, Jaeb runs 96a bottom bushings and 78a roadside

If I recall correctly, the thunder bottom bushings are taller than Indy and the top bushings are lower... Putting a bones top in, nut flush on thunders would feel more like if 1-2 threads were showing with the stock bushings cause the bones ones are a lil taller. Finding a barrel bushing that matches the height of the thunder bushings would be good for stability

Idk, I'm insane but the bones hard top bushings pretty much quelled all bushing madness, I can start skating down stuff immediately with no issues if I add the bones tops. I don't use the bottom ones at all

My current setup, I think, is a slappy 95 bottom and a Mini Logo 94 top.
Have not had enouff time to evaluate it yet.

I have tried all the Thunder bushing up to 100, I am real uncomfortable with the "twitch" I was getting as I bent to do a trick.

My main 2 desires are stability when I crouch, and a strong snap to center.

I am trying to set up looser and looser as time goes by, but my ankle strength and center of gravity are not what they used to be
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 30, 2026, 11:05:49 AM
Expand Quote
What I've been doing with indys has been working good

Stock bottom bushings, or like on my friends board, black 94a Indy bushings, with a bones hardcore 96a top bushing, keeping all the stock Indy washers

If I had to set some up for supa tight it'd be yellow 96a bottom bushing, bones 96a top.

Still trippin that according to comments on indys Instagram, Jaeb runs 96a bottom bushings and 78a roadside

If I recall correctly, the thunder bottom bushings are taller than Indy and the top bushings are lower... Putting a bones top in, nut flush on thunders would feel more like if 1-2 threads were showing with the stock bushings cause the bones ones are a lil taller. Finding a barrel bushing that matches the height of the thunder bushings would be good for stability

Idk, I'm insane but the bones hard top bushings pretty much quelled all bushing madness, I can start skating down stuff immediately with no issues if I add the bones tops. I don't use the bottom ones at all
[close]

My current setup, I think, is a slappy 95 bottom and a Mini Logo 94 top.
Have not had enouff time to evaluate it yet.

I have tried all the Thunder bushing up to 100, I am real uncomfortable with the "twitch" I was getting as I bent to do a trick.

My main 2 desires are stability when I crouch, and a strong snap to center.

I am trying to set up looser and looser as time goes by, but my ankle strength and center of gravity are not what they used to be

In my opinion nothing has a better return to center than the bones hards. I just don't run the bottom bushings cause I don't like the look, they blow out, and they can change the geometry of the truck

For stability on center a barrel bushing will definitely work better than the conical thunder ones
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 30, 2026, 11:18:54 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What I've been doing with indys has been working good

Stock bottom bushings, or like on my friends board, black 94a Indy bushings, with a bones hardcore 96a top bushing, keeping all the stock Indy washers

If I had to set some up for supa tight it'd be yellow 96a bottom bushing, bones 96a top.

Still trippin that according to comments on indys Instagram, Jaeb runs 96a bottom bushings and 78a roadside

If I recall correctly, the thunder bottom bushings are taller than Indy and the top bushings are lower... Putting a bones top in, nut flush on thunders would feel more like if 1-2 threads were showing with the stock bushings cause the bones ones are a lil taller. Finding a barrel bushing that matches the height of the thunder bushings would be good for stability

Idk, I'm insane but the bones hard top bushings pretty much quelled all bushing madness, I can start skating down stuff immediately with no issues if I add the bones tops. I don't use the bottom ones at all
[close]

My current setup, I think, is a slappy 95 bottom and a Mini Logo 94 top.
Have not had enouff time to evaluate it yet.

I have tried all the Thunder bushing up to 100, I am real uncomfortable with the "twitch" I was getting as I bent to do a trick.

My main 2 desires are stability when I crouch, and a strong snap to center.

I am trying to set up looser and looser as time goes by, but my ankle strength and center of gravity are not what they used to be
[close]

In my opinion nothing has a better return to center than the bones hards. I just don't run the bottom bushings cause I don't like the look, they blow out, and they can change the geometry of the truck

For stability on center a barrel bushing will definitely work better than the conical thunder ones

This has been my experience.  I will get some Hardcore next time I am at the local, with the hardness options, Hard seems like the best fit for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: foodsafedye on April 30, 2026, 11:22:26 AM
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 30, 2026, 11:23:29 AM
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?

For me Bottom=Boardside
           Top = Roadside
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 30, 2026, 11:29:41 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
What I've been doing with indys has been working good

Stock bottom bushings, or like on my friends board, black 94a Indy bushings, with a bones hardcore 96a top bushing, keeping all the stock Indy washers

If I had to set some up for supa tight it'd be yellow 96a bottom bushing, bones 96a top.

Still trippin that according to comments on indys Instagram, Jaeb runs 96a bottom bushings and 78a roadside

If I recall correctly, the thunder bottom bushings are taller than Indy and the top bushings are lower... Putting a bones top in, nut flush on thunders would feel more like if 1-2 threads were showing with the stock bushings cause the bones ones are a lil taller. Finding a barrel bushing that matches the height of the thunder bushings would be good for stability

Idk, I'm insane but the bones hard top bushings pretty much quelled all bushing madness, I can start skating down stuff immediately with no issues if I add the bones tops. I don't use the bottom ones at all
[close]

My current setup, I think, is a slappy 95 bottom and a Mini Logo 94 top.
Have not had enouff time to evaluate it yet.

I have tried all the Thunder bushing up to 100, I am real uncomfortable with the "twitch" I was getting as I bent to do a trick.

My main 2 desires are stability when I crouch, and a strong snap to center.

I am trying to set up looser and looser as time goes by, but my ankle strength and center of gravity are not what they used to be
[close]

In my opinion nothing has a better return to center than the bones hards. I just don't run the bottom bushings cause I don't like the look, they blow out, and they can change the geometry of the truck

For stability on center a barrel bushing will definitely work better than the conical thunder ones
[close]

This has been my experience.  I will get some Hardcore next time I am at the local, with the hardness options, Hard seems like the best fit for me

I'm curious about the riptide "KranK" formula, as most bushing formulas pretty much feel the same even if you crank em a bunch, then the bushing explodes anyway... But the Kranks are advertised as being very adjustable with actually feeling harder the more you tighten them, and they come in Indy height and ace/thunder height, might be worth looking into. Combined with a bones 96a on top that might be the ticket.

I'm 145lbs and skate stock Indy bottom bushings, bones hard tops, all the stock Indy washers, nut-flush, and I can still turn on them as much as I want, but the stability and return to center is there.


In other news, gear madness reminds me of when I had backpacking gear madness

I'd modify and sew stuff, buy things, put it all on my LighterPack page, yada yada, then go on a trip and take notes about what could be more efficient

So I went to the skatepark yesterday and my only thoughts are that spitfire 93a can be kinda sticky on rails, but then again that flat bar has been covered with snow and rain for months. It was nice having the 99s already on hangers, swapped wheels so quickly that way

Expand Quote
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?
[close]

For me Bottom=Boardside
           Top = Roadside

Yep, same.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: foodsafedye on April 30, 2026, 11:43:51 AM
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 30, 2026, 12:20:54 PM
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?

The general consensus is softer bottom/boardside, harder top/roadside

Kinda like aces stock bushings (86a bottom, 91a top)

When you're standing on your board, all the pressure is going into your bottom bushing and pivot cup. A barrel/cylinder bushing will be more supportive here and a conical will be more twitchy/responsive

The top bushing being harder can help with stability on center and returning to center quicker

Looser or lower trucks are always gonna be easier to pinch, and harder bushings are gonna take away from that a bit

Look at Foys setup, 54mm wheels on thunders(52mm high truck) with stock bushings. Absolute pinch machine
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on April 30, 2026, 02:05:00 PM
Expand Quote
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?
[close]

The general consensus is softer bottom/boardside, harder top/roadside

Kinda like aces stock bushings (86a bottom, 91a top)



When you're standing on your board, all the pressure is going into your bottom bushing and pivot cup. A barrel/cylinder bushing will be more supportive here and a conical will be more twitchy/responsive

The top bushing being harder can help with stability on center and returning to center quicker

Looser or lower trucks are always gonna be easier to pinch, and harder bushings are gonna take away from that a bit

Look at Foys setup, 54mm wheels on thunders(52mm high truck) with stock bushings. Absolute pinch machine

I have always thought it was the other way around, hard bottom (board side) and softer top (roadside)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on April 30, 2026, 02:09:35 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?
[close]

The general consensus is softer bottom/boardside, harder top/roadside

Kinda like aces stock bushings (86a bottom, 91a top)



When you're standing on your board, all the pressure is going into your bottom bushing and pivot cup. A barrel/cylinder bushing will be more supportive here and a conical will be more twitchy/responsive

The top bushing being harder can help with stability on center and returning to center quicker

Looser or lower trucks are always gonna be easier to pinch, and harder bushings are gonna take away from that a bit

Look at Foys setup, 54mm wheels on thunders(52mm high truck) with stock bushings. Absolute pinch machine
[close]

I have always thought it was the other way around, hard bottom (board side) and softer top (roadside)

That’s quicker turn initiation but less turn
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on April 30, 2026, 02:13:14 PM
Spanky used to run 94a bottom and 91a top Ace bushings in his af1s, but the last several clips and photos I've seen for quite some time have been bones mediums top+bottom

I recall spanky saying he likes his trucks mushy feeling

According to Indy, Jaeb rides 96a bottom, 78a top which seems wild to me

(https://i.ibb.co/SX6Vd5jj/Screenshot-20260430-133233-314.png)

I wonder if it's a bones one on top and since it's white, and Indy wants to sell bushings, they say it's one of theirs. Which are 78a hahah

-

I like a dry, snappy sounding board that doesn't need to be broken in and my bushings have some spring/pressure to em, but I still like to turn and pinch crooks and shit. I feel like if I weren't 37 I wouldn't care as much. I absolutely love the way stock bushings feel and turn, but they're too mushy for me for flip tricks sometimes. Not so bad on skinnier boards, where more of my foot is across the board for kickflips so I can still steer and keep the board straight... Aimu/Jeremy Wray kickflips vs. like, Nyjah kickflips on the other end. Mine are currently somewhere in between and having a truck that stays stable on center but still carves when I want it to is ideal. My favorite for this has been AF1 55s with 94a/94a Ace hard bushings. The geo of the truck still lets it dive, and the hard bushings keep it straight and snappy. Trouble is, I like shorter boards, mellow kicks, and I just plain skate better on indys.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 01, 2026, 05:33:54 AM
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?


I wouldn't say it is a dumb question, as a good number of people have this mixed up over the years, some very specifically claiming the reverse, but when truck brands discuss the top conical bushing and the bottom cylinder bushing, it is very easy to understand.

As others have said, also as per something like this diagram, which I just found online when I was looking, it makes it easier to see and avoids confusion:


https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp


(https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 01, 2026, 05:52:46 AM
Expand Quote
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?
[close]


I wouldn't say it is a dumb question, as a good number of people have this mixed up over the years, some very specifically claiming the reverse, but when truck brands discuss the top conical bushing and the bottom cylinder bushing, it is very easy to understand.

As others have said, also as per something like this diagram, which I just found online when I was looking, it makes it easier to see and avoids confusion:


https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp


(https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp)

@Mbrimson88 - amazing answer to this question!

Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?
[close]

The general consensus is softer bottom/boardside, harder top/roadside

Kinda like aces stock bushings (86a bottom, 91a top)



When you're standing on your board, all the pressure is going into your bottom bushing and pivot cup. A barrel/cylinder bushing will be more supportive here and a conical will be more twitchy/responsive

The top bushing being harder can help with stability on center and returning to center quicker

Looser or lower trucks are always gonna be easier to pinch, and harder bushings are gonna take away from that a bit

Look at Foys setup, 54mm wheels on thunders(52mm high truck) with stock bushings. Absolute pinch machine
[close]

I have always thought it was the other way around, hard bottom (board side) and softer top (roadside)

@Obijuan91

You have no idea the rabbit hole I went down last night! LOL
I have a lot of things to test and try now!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 01, 2026, 03:32:07 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?
[close]


I wouldn't say it is a dumb question, as a good number of people have this mixed up over the years, some very specifically claiming the reverse, but when truck brands discuss the top conical bushing and the bottom cylinder bushing, it is very easy to understand.

As others have said, also as per something like this diagram, which I just found online when I was looking, it makes it easier to see and avoids confusion:


https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp


(https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp)

@Mbrimson88 - amazing answer to this question!

[close]
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?
[close]

The general consensus is softer bottom/boardside, harder top/roadside

Kinda like aces stock bushings (86a bottom, 91a top)



When you're standing on your board, all the pressure is going into your bottom bushing and pivot cup. A barrel/cylinder bushing will be more supportive here and a conical will be more twitchy/responsive

The top bushing being harder can help with stability on center and returning to center quicker

Looser or lower trucks are always gonna be easier to pinch, and harder bushings are gonna take away from that a bit

Look at Foys setup, 54mm wheels on thunders(52mm high truck) with stock bushings. Absolute pinch machine
[close]

I have always thought it was the other way around, hard bottom (board side) and softer top (roadside)
[close]

@Obijuan91

You have no idea the rabbit hole I went down last night! LOL
I have a lot of things to test and try now!

I mean literally almost anything’s possible once your deep enough in the rabbit hole long as you have the right combination lol. It’s all geometry at the end of the day
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on May 01, 2026, 05:51:53 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
(https://i.imgur.com/coh6VFz.jpeg)
Since I'm switching to classics 54mm I thought it was a good idea to show them setup side by side with radial full 54mm
[close]

Interested in hearing your thoughts on flip tricks after switching. I know what I noticed going in between classics and coni fulls.
Pretty sure you’ll notice the same.
[close]
Skating today after work, I'll keep you posted.
[close]
Overall everything feels better and more natural. I struggled to land the first kickflip tho but that's probably I had the genius idea to skate a 14.5 WB board. Also board being 31.65 probably didn't help either.

Hopefully it was just getting used to the deck. My experience with classics and flips is they spin way easier and faster so you don’t have to flick near as hard as a more squared shape.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 01, 2026, 08:44:20 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
This might be a dumb question, but when you guys talk about bushings do you mean bottom when the board is flipped upside down or bottom when the board is wheels down?
[close]


I wouldn't say it is a dumb question, as a good number of people have this mixed up over the years, some very specifically claiming the reverse, but when truck brands discuss the top conical bushing and the bottom cylinder bushing, it is very easy to understand.

As others have said, also as per something like this diagram, which I just found online when I was looking, it makes it easier to see and avoids confusion:


https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp


(https://cms.skateboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kcdc-truck-anatomy-1.webp)

@Mbrimson88 - amazing answer to this question!

[close]
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
My friend gave me some old Bones Hardcore bushings and it would be nice for wheelbite, but I also like being able to turn a lot and the easier to hold pinch I get with looser trucks. Would it make more sense to go with soft bottom hard top or hard bottom soft top (for less wheelbite but still a loose turn)?
[close]

The general consensus is softer bottom/boardside, harder top/roadside

Kinda like aces stock bushings (86a bottom, 91a top)



When you're standing on your board, all the pressure is going into your bottom bushing and pivot cup. A barrel/cylinder bushing will be more supportive here and a conical will be more twitchy/responsive

The top bushing being harder can help with stability on center and returning to center quicker

Looser or lower trucks are always gonna be easier to pinch, and harder bushings are gonna take away from that a bit

Look at Foys setup, 54mm wheels on thunders(52mm high truck) with stock bushings. Absolute pinch machine
[close]

I have always thought it was the other way around, hard bottom (board side) and softer top (roadside)
[close]

@Obijuan91

You have no idea the rabbit hole I went down last night! LOL
I have a lot of things to test and try now!
[close]

I mean literally almost anything’s possible once your deep enough in the rabbit hole long as you have the right combination lol. It’s all geometry at the end of the day

Gonna try out this madness
About 10 sets of bushings from my local and Sunday should be fun
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Paco Supreme on May 02, 2026, 12:24:47 AM
I don’t need Classic Fulls, I’m happy with my radials.

I don’t need Classic Fulls, I’m happy with my radials.

I don’t need Classic Fulls, I’m happy with my radials.

:o
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on May 02, 2026, 10:29:09 AM
(https://i.ibb.co/twy80BnN/IMG-0118.jpg)
(https://media.tenor.com/AA7MO5darloAAAAM/whistle-homer.gif)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moonordie on May 02, 2026, 10:42:49 AM
I don’t need Classic Fulls, I’m happy with my radials.

I don’t need Classic Fulls, I’m happy with my radials.

I don’t need Classic Fulls, I’m happy with my radials.

:o
Stay strong brother.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jamesmocapaldi on May 10, 2026, 09:19:15 PM
Plus I know I’m gonna get comfortable on any truck and be able to do the same tricks if I just stay on them longer than a couple of months, so why not pick the ones that feel the most fun to just ride around on?

This logic, plus seeing lots of pals say they skate better on Indy’s always makes me think I should just switch back to Indy or Ace. But I’m enjoying my board and seeing myself progress just fine on thunders. Stay away from me, madness! My wallet and I don’t need it!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 11, 2026, 03:52:04 AM
Pretty much madness free for ~75 days

Woop woop

There were a lot of thoughts

But I just don't seem to care as much anymore

I did try 139s one day a while back so I guess it's not consecutively "sober"

Was fun but I liked 144s better

If my bones hard top bushings end up blowing out(they haven't yet) I'll just put some yellow indy top bushings

But so far so good. No dice with the mediums. Those started to blow out the first couple days

The main shit that made the biggest difference was swapping just the top bushing for a bones one on new trucks for an instantly broken in and snappy feel, and switching back to standards from hollows. Never again w/ the hollows and I'm 37

In other news I used to thrift a lot and hoard clothes of all different kinds and sizes

Been slowly pecking away at it over the years

Tried a capsule wardrobe in 2018-2019

Lately I've just been wearing vintage stuff and Carhartt and dickies

Cut dickies out

So now it's just Carhartt stuff and my collection of souvenir/destination stuff from places I've been

And of course homemade/cottage ultralight bullshit for backpacking, Patagonia for ice climbing, skiing, rock climbing, and filson for when I wanna be old school as fuck. The UL backpacking gear stays in the garage with that stuff, and my hockey skates/rock shoes/ice boots/ski boots/etc. just sold my old Melanzana from 2017 for over $200. Hilarious. I just bring polartec alpha hoodie anymore

I only get filson or Patagonia stuff if it's not cotton or goose down. So just like, nylon, polyester, acrylic, wool, waxed canvas.

The Carhartt area is where I can have fun with it, switch up my gear crisis situation and get the clip type shit, have the right outfit for how I feel that day. Collecting vintage t shirts for the memories of the places I've been, and the fun prints/embroidery

And two Uniqlo outfits, one formal/FBI agent looking shit and the other more like some like, khakis and loafers type shit. Only those two outfits for that shit. Fuck.

So where I'm at now is like

Carhartt
Patagonia
Filson

And if I have to do some fancy bullshit, I'm not buying some brooks brothers or something so I got the airsense wool-like navy Uniqlo suit. Shit was cheap. I need to take in the sleeves 1" on the suit jacket. But it's cool that you can tell them your inseam and they'll do that for you. So like 50 bucks for some dress pants, in a weird size: 31"x28.5" -

 the short wheelbase of pants
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on May 14, 2026, 08:47:39 AM
Idk why ya’ll got in my head and I’ve been switching everything up haha
First it was the wheels, goin from 48mm to 58mm rf
Then i started paying attention to wheelbase and shapes
Went down a quarter inch to 14.25
Almost put the V8s on but thankfully got too lazy n never tried it
My buddy had some 8.25 thunders he was fighting madness not to put on n sum dude left a Mike Carroll Hello Kitty board w bronze hardware at the park so i put it together with my 58s just curious to see how bad the wheelbite would be and just how I would skate thunders in general.
 When i was a grom i skated thunders for like my first 4 years (after my Bam Destructos ofc) so i was curious how they would feel. I also randomly started liking how ugly n generic they look haha reminds me of a tech deck
But I’ve been skating really good with this set up, granted while the dimensions are the same the Girl board seems more of an old school shape with mellow kicks n a older popsicle shape idk i’m not well versed on this shit tbh
But I haven’t even had a real session on this set up yet (been sick or super tired or sore or all the above) and i feel like everything has been the same between set ups? My ollies do feel alot better though… which has translated to grinds better

Skated my cruiser for a couple weeks while I was hurt and honestly with 8.75 truck,deck n super juices i could still kick flip and heelflip pretty good with consistency and even hit some tres, same on the homies 9.25 cruiser

Idk overall it seems all more or less like the same shit and like someone else on here said if foos were doing this shit in the early 90s late 80s with them big ass fish tailed boards we’ll be alright with whatever

In the same breath, while i worry about some of ya’ll mentally it’s been fun trying random shit and other folks set ups (sorry Bob George, if that’s hard to read) and discovering I can make due with whatever; ya’ll did help me branch out and try new things and put together a couple set ups that i really like and enjoy more than my old trusty one so thanks ya’lll I appreciate alot of the information and insights I’ve came thru on here and I wish ya’ll the best and hope your next session fun as hell
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on May 14, 2026, 09:41:50 AM
Idk why ya’ll got in my head and I’ve been switching everything up haha
First it was the wheels, goin from 48mm to 58mm rf
Then i started paying attention to wheelbase and shapes
Went down a quarter inch to 14.25
Almost put the V8s on but thankfully got too lazy n never tried it
My buddy had some 8.25 thunders he was fighting madness not to put on n sum dude left a Mike Carroll Hello Kitty board w bronze hardware at the park so i put it together with my 58s just curious to see how bad the wheelbite would be and just how I would skate thunders in general.
 When i was a grom i skated thunders for like my first 4 years (after my Bam Destructos ofc) so i was curious how they would feel. I also randomly started liking how ugly n generic they look haha reminds me of a tech deck
But I’ve been skating really good with this set up, granted while the dimensions are the same the Girl board seems more of an old school shape with mellow kicks n a older popsicle shape idk i’m not well versed on this shit tbh
But I haven’t even had a real session on this set up yet (been sick or super tired or sore or all the above) and i feel like everything has been the same between set ups? My ollies do feel alot better though… which has translated to grinds better

Skated my cruiser for a couple weeks while I was hurt and honestly with 8.75 truck,deck n super juices i could still kick flip and heelflip pretty good with consistency and even hit some tres, same on the homies 9.25 cruiser

Idk overall it seems all more or less like the same shit and like someone else on here said if foos were doing this shit in the early 90s late 80s with them big ass fish tailed boards we’ll be alright with whatever

In the same breath, while i worry about some of ya’ll mentally it’s been fun trying random shit and other folks set ups (sorry Bob George, if that’s hard to read) and discovering I can make due with whatever; ya’ll did help me branch out and try new things and put together a couple set ups that i really like and enjoy more than my old trusty one so thanks ya’lll I appreciate alot of the information and insights I’ve came thru on here and I wish ya’ll the best and hope your next session fun as hell

It starts like this. You see someone changing their setup all the time and don’t understand wtf they’re doing. You try it because you’re not like that & just want to see what would happen. Hey, it kinda works! But in your head you can still ride whatever, it’s no big deal. Then one night you’re laying in bed and a thought strikes you “what if I put those ventures on that one board? Just to see how it skates” and then a month later you’re 26 YouTube videos deep after missing a few tricks at the skatepark and it has to be the wheelbase on this deck, you could shorten it with Indy’s. NHS has a sale. But the thunders really do make your pop a little better, they just lack that turn, maybe slappies could do both? You don’t have any IKP trucks anyways, may as well order some. You deserve it, you have the money now that you didn’t as a kid. Just order both and maybe start a quiver. It’s not madness, it’s just figuring out what works. Until….
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 14, 2026, 11:17:13 AM
Pretty much madness free for ~75 days

Woop woop

There were a lot of thoughts

But I just don't seem to care as much anymore

I did try 139s one day a while back so I guess it's not consecutively "sober"

Was fun but I liked 144s better

If my bones hard top bushings end up blowing out(they haven't yet) I'll just put some yellow indy top bushings

But so far so good. No dice with the mediums. Those started to blow out the first couple days

The main shit that made the biggest difference was swapping just the top bushing for a bones one on new trucks for an instantly broken in and snappy feel, and switching back to standards from hollows. Never again w/ the hollows and I'm 37

In other news I used to thrift a lot and hoard clothes of all different kinds and sizes

Been slowly pecking away at it over the years

Tried a capsule wardrobe in 2018-2019

Lately I've just been wearing vintage stuff and Carhartt and dickies

Cut dickies out

So now it's just Carhartt stuff and my collection of souvenir/destination stuff from places I've been

And of course homemade/cottage ultralight bullshit for backpacking, Patagonia for ice climbing, skiing, rock climbing, and filson for when I wanna be old school as fuck. The UL backpacking gear stays in the garage with that stuff, and my hockey skates/rock shoes/ice boots/ski boots/etc. just sold my old Melanzana from 2017 for over $200. Hilarious. I just bring polartec alpha hoodie anymore

I only get filson or Patagonia stuff if it's not cotton or goose down. So just like, nylon, polyester, acrylic, wool, waxed canvas.

The Carhartt area is where I can have fun with it, switch up my gear crisis situation and get the clip type shit, have the right outfit for how I feel that day. Collecting vintage t shirts for the memories of the places I've been, and the fun prints/embroidery

And two Uniqlo outfits, one formal/FBI agent looking shit and the other more like some like, khakis and loafers type shit. Only those two outfits for that shit. Fuck.

So where I'm at now is like

Carhartt
Patagonia
Filson

And if I have to do some fancy bullshit, I'm not buying some brooks brothers or something so I got the airsense wool-like navy Uniqlo suit. Shit was cheap. I need to take in the sleeves 1" on the suit jacket. But it's cool that you can tell them your inseam and they'll do that for you. So like 50 bucks for some dress pants, in a weird size: 31"x28.5" -

 the short wheelbase of pants
This was quite a journey to read. It reminds me of when my weed dealer used to tell me that he didn't have addiction problems while he cleaned one of his many bongs and had just gotten done with his elaborate "pre blunt smoking, but need to be baseline high for life" morning ritual.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 14, 2026, 03:45:18 PM
Hahahha

Yeah I should just be quarantined

Only allowed to post in this thread
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on May 14, 2026, 05:57:49 PM
I shall never skate a 14” wb again. Too small
Also sub 32” added to the small feeling
Not enough nose and tail
Could hardly get off the ground
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on May 14, 2026, 06:29:56 PM
I shall never skate a 14” wb again. Too small
Also sub 32” added to the small feeling
Not enough nose and tail
Could hardly get off the ground

That’s me with 14.5

Never again. Even with AF1’s it just throws me way off
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: bluedohdohs on May 14, 2026, 07:44:56 PM
Expand Quote
Idk why ya’ll got in my head and I’ve been switching everything up haha
First it was the wheels, goin from 48mm to 58mm rf
Then i started paying attention to wheelbase and shapes
Went down a quarter inch to 14.25
Almost put the V8s on but thankfully got too lazy n never tried it
My buddy had some 8.25 thunders he was fighting madness not to put on n sum dude left a Mike Carroll Hello Kitty board w bronze hardware at the park so i put it together with my 58s just curious to see how bad the wheelbite would be and just how I would skate thunders in general.
 When i was a grom i skated thunders for like my first 4 years (after my Bam Destructos ofc) so i was curious how they would feel. I also randomly started liking how ugly n generic they look haha reminds me of a tech deck
But I’ve been skating really good with this set up, granted while the dimensions are the same the Girl board seems more of an old school shape with mellow kicks n a older popsicle shape idk i’m not well versed on this shit tbh
But I haven’t even had a real session on this set up yet (been sick or super tired or sore or all the above) and i feel like everything has been the same between set ups? My ollies do feel alot better though… which has translated to grinds better

Skated my cruiser for a couple weeks while I was hurt and honestly with 8.75 truck,deck n super juices i could still kick flip and heelflip pretty good with consistency and even hit some tres, same on the homies 9.25 cruiser

Idk overall it seems all more or less like the same shit and like someone else on here said if foos were doing this shit in the early 90s late 80s with them big ass fish tailed boards we’ll be alright with whatever

In the same breath, while i worry about some of ya’ll mentally it’s been fun trying random shit and other folks set ups (sorry Bob George, if that’s hard to read) and discovering I can make due with whatever; ya’ll did help me branch out and try new things and put together a couple set ups that i really like and enjoy more than my old trusty one so thanks ya’lll I appreciate alot of the information and insights I’ve came thru on here and I wish ya’ll the best and hope your next session fun as hell
[close]

It starts like this. You see someone changing their setup all the time and don’t understand wtf they’re doing. You try it because you’re not like that & just want to see what would happen. Hey, it kinda works! But in your head you can still ride whatever, it’s no big deal. Then one night you’re laying in bed and a thought strikes you “what if I put those ventures on that one board? Just to see how it skates” and then a month later you’re 26 YouTube videos deep after missing a few tricks at the skatepark and it has to be the wheelbase on this deck, you could shorten it with Indy’s. NHS has a sale. But the thunders really do make your pop a little better, they just lack that turn, maybe slappies could do both? You don’t have any IKP trucks anyways, may as well order some. You deserve it, you have the money now that you didn’t as a kid. Just order both and maybe start a quiver. It’s not madness, it’s just figuring out what works. Until….


Fuck i hope not hahaha i’m gonna give it 2-3 good sessions with this set up and then switch trucks/decks & after a few sessions I’ll decide…. Idk i think ventures look the best but i’ve been feeling dialed in with the thunders and that’s just been skating on E
We’ll see i guess I’ve skated all the main trucks anyways
Although my buddy really wants me to try his royals haha
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 14, 2026, 08:42:27 PM
I shall never skate a 14” wb again. Too small
Also sub 32” added to the small feeling
Not enough nose and tail
Could hardly get off the ground

if it an 8.3, with crazy steep kicks, it is my ideal deck, with either T2 or AF1s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on May 14, 2026, 09:24:14 PM
I shall never skate a 14” wb again. Too small
Also sub 32” added to the small feeling
Not enough nose and tail
Could hardly get off the ground

Same boat here! They flip and rotate uncontrollably like a tech deck to me. Pop is sometimes good, sometimes sluggish. It's a shame because i used to love the 8.5 blue eagle AH, but now it feels difficult to control because it's so "small " feeling to me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 15, 2026, 05:34:38 PM
 New madness thought process


Keep everything in a quarter inch/6mm zone, at least on your "main" setup(if you have multiple) for consistency

So, for me...
37 years old
145+ lbs
5'9"
Sz 9 shoe

That looks like:
14" - 14.25" wheelbase
8.25" - 8.5" trucks
51 - 56mm wheels

I think I can get away with having like, a setup with 8.5" trucks and bigger wheels when I'm feeling strong, and a setup with like, 14" wheelbase, 51mm wheels and 8.25" trucks when I'm sore, tired, trying to learn new techy stuff, and the difference won't be enough to matter.

After A to B-ing a buncha shit, I can definitely say I can adjust to pretty much everything. My actual fitness, diet, confidence, whether I have health insurance or not, all play a much bigger part than the equipment itself

That and my foray into narrower/tighter trucks made more "exploratory" skating harder to do. And considering I was never a flip-in/flip-out beast, it makes sense to have a slightly wider, wiggly-er board. It works good for all the weird, outta pocket shit I like.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on May 16, 2026, 04:27:51 AM
Just read through the whole thread from start to end. What a ride! Took a few days of laying in the bed resting my leg. I had an ACL surgery a week ago so I can’t skate for a good while (9-12 months).

I have a long history of madness, the intensity of which has varied a lot throughout the years. Never have I been fully healed from it once it started. Historically being injured has been something that has flared up the madness. It’s easy to buy stuff you don’t need when you’re injured. Trying to stay stoked on skating when you can’t skate.

When I broke my leg 9 years ago I went into full blown madness for quite some years. I’m not even sure if I had the madness before that at all. I tried all the trucks, board widths and wheelbases, wheel sizes and shapes, grip tapes, bushings, shoes and shoe sizes. At one point I had 8 different setups and I remember going to the session regularly with at least 4 different setups. Insane.

At some point I came to the conclusion that I can’t have more than one setup if I want to actually enjoy skateboarding. I disassembled all but one setup and sold & donated all the stuff I knew I don’t want to skate anymore. Kept some as spares. That has not changed now in over 5 years. I do have three different cruisers though, but those are relatively madness free and not really changing much. A big one, a tiny one and a rain cruiser.

In 2022 I made a table of my setups updating every time I make any gear change. I put the reasoning there as well. I did this because I had forgotten what I had tested earlier and made the same mistakes a few times. That is mad in itself but has also helped me to see that I am mad and should always check the table first before making changes. I have now narrowed my setup down to the following:

Even though I’ve had my setup mostly figure out for a good while now, I’ve strayed from it, mainly because I have decks I’ve bought during madness that I’ve kept for some reason when getting rid of other madness related purchases. I guess I’ve kept them because I’ve thought they’re worth considering shortly and if I don’t like them, I can pass them along to someone. I’ve skated an 8.38”, even an 8.3 Ishod Twin and an 8.25” DLX Full. Polar 8.5” with 14.375” wheelbase, Polar 9.0”. Disliked most of them and got rid of the quick. I’ve even gone above 9”, especially with shaped decks. Wheelbase has gone up to 15.5” with the Antihero Grosso shape. That thing was great in the pool but just way too much otherwise. Stepped down to a 9” Hockey popsicle with 15” wheelbase. That was a mistake. Should have stayed with the 8.625” Magenta instead of trying these out. The 9.0” popsicle with 15” wb was surprisingly difficult to turn, even compared to the 9.25”, 15.5” Grosso shape. I was trying to find new lines in the pool to get some more speed. Went too fast and the line didn’t work out like I thought it would with the more difficult to control setup. Something happened and my back foot got off the board, bent my knee 30° sideways and snapped my ACL. All because of stupid madness and unwillingness to get rid of stuff without giving it a proper enough test.

Being injured, I started getting the madness. Started thinking about Lurpivs and changing the kingpin to a Slappy Ultra Low Inverted and then changing my boards to 14.375” wheelbase Polars. This way I could support European companies and give less money to US based companies because I’m not cool with what is going on there politically at the moment. Anyway, this thread saved me. Reading this, I came to the conclusion that I have what I need for the next 5 years probably and I don’t need to buy new stuff until I’ve ran out of the shit I have. I want to get more consistent and learn new shit instead of chasing some dream setup. I’m close enough as it is. Possible marginal gains are not worth the waste of time it takes to test out stuff and decide that it’s not for me or that it is slightly better. I’m not young anymore. I’d rather just skate, have a good time and maybe learn a new thing or two.

Being on Slap has a tendency to increase my madness. That’s why I’ve been mostly away for quite a few years now. Madness brought me back but this thread has grounded me. This thread has been very therapeutic. There was a really good post about how all this madness and tinkering could be about having a small part of your life as something you’re fully in control of instead of being the helpless human in this world with all sorts of horrible shit going on that you can’t do anything about really. That really got me thinking. Good stuff. Anyway, I put looking at new gear on hold, at least for now, and went through what I have. Gonna get rid of the shit I know I’m not gonna use. I want these to go to someone who really appreciates it. If I find a place or an organization here in Finland, I could even buy stuff to make good completes out of these. I make enough money to be able to do that. Spread the love, take care of the community, do it for the culture. I gotta figure this out. I don’t want to drop the shit in the park, like I’ve done before because some fat middle aged hoarder is gonna take it anyway. This stuff needs to go to someone who could not skate otherwise.

Given all of this, I did just start thinking about setting up a wide curb skating setup when I get back. I've got 3 decks where the width over the trucks is around 9.5". Could get Ace AF1 Inverted 77s to pair with those. Could be something easy to get back with and have as a fuck around setup. Something I could use to learn new tricks with. But let's see. There's no rush. I might go ask the local if they can get the trucks in. My local shop is not doing well, so this could be a way to support them a bit as well. So yeah. I'm not fully cured. That's for sure.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on May 16, 2026, 05:06:14 AM
Someone here speculated some pages back on how much lighter well worn trucks are compared to new ones and hollow versions. Well, I have a kitchen scale, new Ace AF1s, various ground down ones and also new hollows. All are 66s (9” wide). Unfortunately I do not have the hollowed hangers that come in the inverted trucks.

Standard new: 412g
Hollow new: 385g
Standard ground down to axle: 392g / 396g
Standard ground the fuck down: 380g

So, with the AF1 66s you need to grind down to axle and then a whole bunch more to match the weight of the hollows. There’s still life left on the hanger if the ones ground the fuck down but the kingpin nut is a wedge that won’t stay on. Would have to continue with new baseplates and not grind anymore or switch to inverted baseplates.

Speaking of which, I got all the AF1 baseplates here except the lows. Weighed them all on their own just to see the differences.
Standard: 146g
Hollow: 140g
Inverted: 127g

Not much of a difference between the standard and hollow. Only 6g. I guess the axle gives the bigger difference, at least on 66s, 21g in this case. But the inverted baseplates are quite a bit lighter.

From those numbers you could calculate that a hollow AF1 is 6g + 2.333…g/inch lighter than a standard truck. Dunno what anyone would do with that info, but there it is. 😊

Just as a note, these measurements are done on a random Soehnle kitchen scale from only one truck/baseplate from each apart from having two ground down standards. So the accuracy might not be 100% but at least this gives you an idea on how these things go.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on May 16, 2026, 11:06:12 AM
@Roisto i can contribute a bit to your madness. It makes sense to me that you like AF1s based on the skating and decks you use. I would recommend you try T-IIs if you haven’t yet. They will be similar but add some stability that you want and probably feel better on those decks you say are too steep.

As for shoes, it makes sense you had to size down for snowboard boots. I always size down 1/2 for snowboard boots because they really need to be snug and even though they feel tight at first, the liner molds and packs out to feel perfect once you start using them. But just to go further, if you haven’t tried barefoot shoes, try some for other activities like hiking or just walking around and then proceed to most likely be mad for someone to make a decent barefoot style skate shoe.

As for the weights you posted, I’m curious if those baseplate weights include bushings and hardware or not? I did some of these measurements myself using some actual parts and estimation based on reverse engineering published weights and came up with AF1 baseplates to be 105.5 g for standard and 95 g for hollow. Both without any hardware or bushings (which weigh 29.2 g). Either way, the numbers seem close if you measured with the hardware/bushings.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on May 16, 2026, 11:20:27 AM
Let's see about T2s when they release the inverted kingpin version with apparently the same tech as Ace. Before that I don't care to even consider them even if the kingpin clearance in them as apparently pretty good. I haven't had decks that I've felt are too steep for me, on the contrary. I think Aces benefit from steep and short kicks. I went to longer wb boards after breaking my leg on a mini ramp with a 14" wb board before I even really knew that this was a specification that varied in decks. Definitely felt cramped on that board. Aces I got after breaking my leg also to help me control my board easier because I didn't have the strength anymore to muscle Indys with Bones hards to make them turn the way I liked. After that I tried everything else at some point and always came back to Aces with stock bushings with nut approximately flush.

From 808s to barefoot shoes. No thanks. That's the most extreme jump you could make. I see their point in certain applications but overall I don't really think I will get much benefit from them.

The weights I posted for the trucks & baseplates was with all the standard bushings, washers and nuts.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slave IV on May 16, 2026, 12:24:21 PM
Let's see about T2s when they release the inverted kingpin version with apparently the same tech as Ace. Before that I don't care to even consider them even if the kingpin clearance in them as apparently pretty good. I haven't had decks that I've felt are too steep for me, on the contrary. I think Aces benefit from steep and short kicks. I went to longer wb boards after breaking my leg on a mini ramp with a 14" wb board before I even really knew that this was a specification that varied in decks. Definitely felt cramped on that board. Aces I got after breaking my leg also to help me control my board easier because I didn't have the strength anymore to muscle Indys with Bones hards to make them turn the way I liked. After that I tried everything else at some point and always came back to Aces with stock bushings with nut approximately flush.

From 808s to barefoot shoes. No thanks. That's the most extreme jump you could make. I see their point in certain applications but overall I don't really think I will get much benefit from them.

The weights I posted for the trucks & baseplates was with all the standard bushings, washers and nuts.
Oh, I misread the part where you said, “Unfortunately I discovered that the one I got is some steep mold” and took that out of the context where you were saying you wanted more like that, not that it was unfortunate that it was steep. Regardless, T-II will work in a similar way to AF1 with the nice turn and shorter wheelbase but are more stable on center and don’t wheelbite as much and have better pinch and are lighter. So in many ways, the same as AF1 but better. I personally skate AF1 currently but would easily be just as happy on my T-II if they were the right size for my deck.

For shoes, I currently still skate 480s and used to be all about more tech and most cushioning possible to protect my feet but realized that is what has ruined my feet over the years. Wearing barefoot shoes for the past 10 years or so has completely solved all the foot issues and pain I used to have. The only reason I’m skating 480s now is because there are no good barefoot skate shoes and my feet are at the point where I’m ok with wearing regular shoes just to skate since that is such a small percentage of the time overall. As soon as there is a viable option of barefoot shoes that have the right padding around the top for flicks and ankle protection, I’m in but until then, I’m fine with settling for regular skate shoes for now.

Thanks again for sharing the weights. I think part of the variance might be from used bushings and hardware I weighed that was probably a bit worn away.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 16, 2026, 01:28:17 PM
I like the " two cruisers and a rain board" thing

Moving toward that myself

A '78 retro board, '86 retro board, then just a regular board I can skate in the rain with 56mm G-Slides and pizza tape, and wheel wells

I'm not as interested in building late 80s/early 90s setups anymore cause they're just too similar to the boards I skate now

If I'm running 149s, I can just ride a funky ~9" shaped deck and some squarish shaped 55 or 56mm wheels and be cool with that

I think it'd be fun to see how Indy 149 forged + 55mm spitfire classics pinch crooks

Home base still 53mm classics, 149 standards, blue eagle or baker 8.475

I like the 144s a lot, but as I get into better physical shape this spring, after being cooped up all winter, 'm getting stronger and now starting to prefer 149s again.

The 144s/52mm wheels did seem to help learn some new flatground flip tricks though

I feel like I want to try forged plates with a standard, solid 149 hanger

Just to get a little lower for maybe a perceived edge with front bigspins and crooks, two tricks I originally learned on thunder 149s
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on May 16, 2026, 01:59:18 PM
At this point and after reading the last couple of posts im starting to think that its fine to have a quiver.

On my "serious" setup I swapped out my indy forged hollow 139s for standard thunder 147s. I did swap back to the bones top bushing setup on the indys but I felt like the trucks were too high for me to get a consistent pop. I also skated the ventures again but the hanger broke for reasons that I am not proud of. Other than that everything is still the same. I try to keep that setup within certain size ranges from 7.75-8" wide and a WB no longer than 14.25", and I keep the wheels between 51-53mm.

But recently I started skating bowls, like actual bowls and not mellow/mini bowls with a deep end of 6 feet. So I went back to skating a bigger setup that I had put together back in February. Its a Polar shaped deck (8.6 at widest point) with ace 55s and 55mm classics. It also doubles as a curb/slappy board which is nice.

Right now the only gear preference that I have found is that I like wheels that are round and skinny like the spitfire classic and bones v3 slims. My preferences for deck size and truck brand are still up in the air.

As much as it would be cool to create a setup that combines the two I have a feeling that ill get the downsides of both without any of their benefits individually.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tuesday on May 16, 2026, 10:50:00 PM
[...]
Historically being injured has been something that has flared up the madness. It’s easy to buy stuff you don’t need when you’re injured. Trying to stay stoked on skating when you can’t skate.
[...]

I can relate to this. Especially, if you are in a situation where you know that recovery will take long months. Turning to gear and new setups during this time is like a setting a goal to look forward to -the light at the end of the tunnel. It's the manifestation of hope. 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 17, 2026, 06:48:12 AM
I think I might have this settled now, but we will see, might depend on what the Doc says about my mencusis tear.

Decks 8.38 x 31.75 +/-, 14 WB
T2/AF1
54mm X99 wheels
Mini Logo Med / Bones HC stack
Fireball Buit bearings

This is the basis of my set-ups, and I seem to skate well on them

I do want to thank @swongolianbbq for the bushing advice!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 17, 2026, 12:53:57 PM
I think I might have this settled now, but we will see, might depend on what the Doc says about my mencusis tear.

Decks 8.38 x 31.75 +/-, 14 WB
T2/AF1
54mm X99 wheels
Mini Logo Med / Bones HC stack
Fireball Buit bearings

This is the basis of my set-ups, and I seem to skate well on them

I do want to thank @swongolianbbq for the bushing advice!

what deck has that?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 17, 2026, 01:27:41 PM
Expand Quote
I think I might have this settled now, but we will see, might depend on what the Doc says about my mencusis tear.

Decks 8.38 x 31.75 +/-, 14 WB
T2/AF1
54mm X99 wheels
Mini Logo Med / Bones HC stack
Fireball Buit bearings

This is the basis of my set-ups, and I seem to skate well on them

I do want to thank @swongolianbbq for the bushing advice!
[close]

what deck has that?

(https://i.ibb.co/60CNmrWv/IMG-2419.jpg) (https://ibb.co/60CNmrWv)(https://i.ibb.co/5WTRrLn0/IMG-2420.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5WTRrLn0)

The O shape is my current board and I know it is a 14.25
Waiting on the Q sample to arrive
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Roisto on May 18, 2026, 12:55:07 AM
I usually ride 8.5-8.75” with 14.625-14.75” wheelbases with Ace AF1s with stock bushings. Shorter feels cramped for me with slappies, transition & general skating. However I rarely skate flat. I don’t have any flip tricks. They seem like a chore with the long decks.

Would there be any point in setting up a 8.5” with 14.25” wheelbase with Ace hard bushings to get my tech game dialed? I’d like to learn new tricks and get the old ones back.

I am 43, size 10 shoe, 180lbs, 6’1”, proportionally sized upper/lower body.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 18, 2026, 06:21:09 AM


Would there be any point in setting up a 8.5” with 14.25” wheelbase with Ace hard bushings to get my tech game dialed? I’d like to learn new tricks and get the old ones back.

I am 43, size 10 shoe, 180lbs, 6’1”, proportionally sized upper/lower body.

Using AF1s that would put your effective WB at about 17.08 inch (17 1/16) plus or minus a bit either way, IIRC.
I am not a fan of Ace bushings, they seem dead/slow to me I like a more rebound focused set up.

Yesterday, as it so happens, I was on a 14.25 with AF1s Mini Logo Hard boardslide, Bones HC Hard roadside, and it was very lively. Other than it having a bit faster reaction to smaller inputs than I am used to it was pretty fun to ride, but I know how to do are ollies and curb-slides...LOL
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: surfjunior on May 18, 2026, 10:55:17 AM
I usually ride 8.5-8.75” with 14.625-14.75” wheelbases with Ace AF1s with stock bushings. Shorter feels cramped for me with slappies, transition & general skating. However I rarely skate flat. I don’t have any flip tricks. They seem like a chore with the long decks.

Would there be any point in setting up a 8.5” with 14.25” wheelbase with Ace hard bushings to get my tech game dialed? I’d like to learn new tricks and get the old ones back.

I am 43, size 10 shoe, 180lbs, 6’1”, proportionally sized upper/lower body.

I think that setup should work, maybe try to find an 8.3 so that it can flip easier

Ace hard bushings are nice, however from my experience they dont really make the truck more stable. I found that bones hard bushings are great if you want a tighter truck. But if you still want some turny trucks then the ace hards will be a good fit.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 18, 2026, 11:30:11 AM
I usually ride 8.5-8.75” with 14.625-14.75” wheelbases with Ace AF1s with stock bushings. Shorter feels cramped for me with slappies, transition & general skating. However I rarely skate flat. I don’t have any flip tricks. They seem like a chore with the long decks.

Would there be any point in setting up a 8.5” with 14.25” wheelbase with Ace hard bushings to get my tech game dialed? I’d like to learn new tricks and get the old ones back.

I am 43, size 10 shoe, 180lbs, 6’1”, proportionally sized upper/lower body.

i’m 5 years older, 5” shorter, 10 pounds heavier, same shoe. so take this with all of the salt im trying to cut out of my intake.
for me, i cannot flip shit with aces, and rarely on a longer board. i think the length of the board is what really fucks with me. 14.75” wb is really long.
aces, for me, only really worked with 14-14.25” wb, and tall ass wheels.

i’ve had setups with long wb’s that i could kickflip and treflip: huffer, sky lib tech, brophy girl board. it was more trying to see if i could do it. im obviously way shorter than you are, but even tall ass tech pros aren’t skating boards that long, from what i’ve seen. there is some voodoo magic, meaning some setups have the correct angles and turn over and almost gain momentum, because of the size/length/heft. cool when it happens, but i couldn’t call it, and mostly it seemed like an accident when the shit worked out.

when you could do those tricks, what was your setup like?
i ask because sometimes that is helpful, and might provide a baseline tidbit of info that works out on a larger setup. for instance, people from my era often skated 7.75s, on 7.62 trucks. so an 8.125, on 8 trucks, is the same/similar ratio. or, for me, i really liked the tail shape on the girl 7.75. it just seems normal to me, but it’s weirdly small in this era, and i get bugged out skating a tiny board. G053 has a similar tail, and that ends up being alright for me, despite being 8.5w 14.44wb 32l. so yeah. i don’t think i’m being helpful here.
smaller wheels help me, a lot a lot, with flip tricks. above 52….it can work, but shit needs to be goldilocks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on May 18, 2026, 11:41:18 AM
I think its case by case.

Im 6ft5 size 13 feet, 200 pounds. Skate mostly ledges, flat, flatbars, curbs. Very little transition.

8.25-8.5, 14.25-14.5, ideally not under 32 but a little bit is fine. Currently on Thunders, but have skated all the big four over the years. Ventures the most by a considerable margin, then indys and thunders, then aces.

Going bigger than 8.5 just makes it feel like I'm standing on a boat, and going longer than 14.5 makes me not want to flip my board at all. Personally I feel that unless you're doing something really gnarly, you really don't need that much board, at a certain point more skateboard starts becoming more of a hinderance rather than a benefit
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 18, 2026, 02:47:59 PM
Over the winter, learning new flatground stuff in the garage, the Indy 144s were looking real good

Now it's summer and I'm in better shape and basically immediately went back to 149s hahah

Now even the 14" wheelbase is starting to feel small when I get squirrely landing fakie or switch down stairs

It is cool how, whether it's just mental or what, running everything slightly smaller when I'm tired, outta shape, or skating flat in my garage, seemed to make a difference

But as soon as I was able to go faster and bigger I went back to my same old shit

A smaller setup might feel better when I'm not feeling strong

But when I'm in good shape I can blast kickflips on shaped 9"+ boards with 58mm conical fulls and shit like that

I'll still dink around with different shit

I think the shape of the hanger and wheels is pretty important

So sticking to what's most familiar (149s + 53/54mm wheels) should help

I think the ideal truck would be like, Indy wheelbase, 8.38" axle, 53mm high with 53mm wheels

So as close as I can get to that would be any kind of 149s(not mids though lol) and 53 or 54 spitfire classics

I think 144s might work better with forged plates, proportionately, but at that point they're too light for me

Crazy how they didn't feel too tippy until I started going fast and jumping off stuff

55mm is pretty tall for an 8.25" truck

Isn't beneficial for crooks
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 20, 2026, 12:09:33 PM
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: moykky on May 20, 2026, 12:52:27 PM
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???

...if the trucks have the same effect on wheelbase, and the trucks plus wheels weight the same   ;D
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 20, 2026, 02:39:41 PM
Expand Quote
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
[close]

...if the trucks have the same effect on wheelbase, and the trucks plus wheels weight the same   ;D

Hmmmm
Mentally debating if it’s worth doing risers
Or if better off with a bigger with with all them benefits of running things over easier and keeping speed plus added pop. Downside would be wheelbite tho…. Hmmmmm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 20, 2026, 05:10:07 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
[close]

...if the trucks have the same effect on wheelbase, and the trucks plus wheels weight the same   ;D
[close]

Hmmmm
Mentally debating if it’s worth doing risers
Or if better off with a bigger with with all them benefits of running things over easier and keeping speed plus added pop. Downside would be wheelbite tho…. Hmmmmm


One of the things I would often say to people asking about risers is that I can always make a low truck taller but I can't make a tall truck lower.

I can never make my 55 mm tall Indy standards lower, but at least I can ride bigger wheels and have less worry there, so that has been my go to for the most part for as long as Stage XI has been out, usually on 56 mm wheels from new, although in more recent times I have been riding smaller wheels and smaller obstacles, not skating half as much bowl or bigger ramp anymore.  The forged baseplate option is good if anyone does want lower with the same hanger and everything else though.

For Thunder 52 mm and Venture 53 mm (or lower on forged baseplates), I can very easily add whatever under the truck as needed, usually options of 1 or 2 mm risers cut from rubber sheeting, even just bike tubes cut up, which can then make the best height adjustment for me, cause going for 1/8" which is 3 mm is often too much.  A single mm can make such a difference, but all it takes is a little adjusting and seeing what can feel good for each setup.  Those setups usually have between 50 and 54 mm wheels, which all works fairly well for a lower truck on what could be called a slightly more "tech" type setup.

I have also found that cutting wheel wells is an easier go to rather than adding more height to a truck, whereas before I could easily put in 1/4" risers for 60 mm wheels on cruisers or bigger boards.


Keeping most setups a little lower has meant things just feel better so I can easily understand why some people say they will never use risers at all, but I think I operate best on trucks with between 54 and 55 mm in height, front wheel wells and a little more turny front truck, for an all rounder.

Going up 2 mm in wheel size will give you 1 mm more height overall, as the axle height is at the wheel center, so it is going to always be 1 mm above the axle, which does not add to the height and 1 mm below, which does add to the height of a setup, if that makes sense.


Anyway, it is usually no problem to try risers and see what works best, sometimes even just making your own from whatever you have around, but some shops will have pretty much every size, not just the basic 1/8", or 1/4" height.

I find too that I can get 1 mm under my Shortys 7/8" bolts with low nuts without any problems, or 2 mm rubber sheet under any 1" bolts as well.  Some 1/8" risers and thicker baseplates make even normal 1" bolts hard to get done up nicely without pulling the bolt head too far into the deck.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 20, 2026, 06:53:53 PM
Ok kids, I need some gear help.

With DLX decks, I normally ride an “IV” stamp, Indy Forged Hollows (53.5mm tall), and 53mm wheels.

I just ended up with a “I” stamped deck, and I really do not like steep(er) kicks. In the past I’ve either just dealt with it, or on a few occasions, I’ve even tried the “park-the-car-on-it” thing, with less-than-ideal results (flatter, mushed-out kicks, yet now disproportionate concave across the middle). 

What I have never done before, is try to mitigate the effect/feel of steeper kicks with equipment changes (e.g. truck wheelbase/height and wheel size). So, out of more curiosity than anything else, I am going to try with this deck.

My thoughts are to (a) make the board lower than I normally ride, (b) shorten the truck wheelbase, or (c) some combination of both.
 
A lower board will get a quicker snap (e.g. less ghost pop). Shorter truck wheelbase will decrease the pop-angle when the kicks hit (e.g. basic physics of a lever and fulcrum), thus also getting a "flatter," quicker snap.*

I ride my trucks tad more toward the tighter side (blue 92a Indy bushings), so I was thinking forged-plate Thunders and smaller wheels (lower) before going to Ace (shorter wheelbase).

Has anyone else had an experience fucking around with their set-up in this manner? Advice? @Mbrimson88 I feel like you would have a lot of knowledge in this area.


*What I actually hate the most about steeper kicks how my feet feel more “locked-in” to the deck, and I know changing-up trucks/wheels will have ZERO impact on that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 20, 2026, 06:57:07 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
[close]

...if the trucks have the same effect on wheelbase, and the trucks plus wheels weight the same   ;D
[close]

Hmmmm
Mentally debating if it’s worth doing risers
Or if better off with a bigger with with all them benefits of running things over easier and keeping speed plus added pop. Downside would be wheelbite tho…. Hmmmmm
[close]


One of the things I would often say to people asking about risers is that I can always make a low truck taller but I can't make a tall truck lower.

I can never make my 55 mm tall Indy standards lower, but at least I can ride bigger wheels and have less worry there, so that has been my go to for the most part for as long as Stage XI has been out, usually on 56 mm wheels from new, although in more recent times I have been riding smaller wheels and smaller obstacles, not skating half as much bowl or bigger ramp anymore.  The forged baseplate option is good if anyone does want lower with the same hanger and everything else though.

For Thunder 52 mm and Venture 53 mm (or lower on forged baseplates), I can very easily add whatever under the truck as needed, usually options of 1 or 2 mm risers cut from rubber sheeting, even just bike tubes cut up, which can then make the best height adjustment for me, cause going for 1/8" which is 3 mm is often too much.  A single mm can make such a difference, but all it takes is a little adjusting and seeing what can feel good for each setup.  Those setups usually have between 50 and 54 mm wheels, which all works fairly well for a lower truck on what could be called a slightly more "tech" type setup.

I have also found that cutting wheel wells is an easier go to rather than adding more height to a truck, whereas before I could easily put in 1/4" risers for 60 mm wheels on cruisers or bigger boards.


Keeping most setups a little lower has meant things just feel better so I can easily understand why some people say they will never use risers at all, but I think I operate best on trucks with between 54 and 55 mm in height, front wheel wells and a little more turny front truck, for an all rounder.

Going up 2 mm in wheel size will give you 1 mm more height overall, as the axle height is at the wheel center, so it is going to always be 1 mm above the axle, which does not add to the height and 1 mm below, which does add to the height of a setup, if that makes sense.


Anyway, it is usually no problem to try risers and see what works best, sometimes even just making your own from whatever you have around, but some shops will have pretty much every size, not just the basic 1/8", or 1/4" height.

I find too that I can get 1 mm under my Shortys 7/8" bolts with low nuts without any problems, or 2 mm rubber sheet under any 1" bolts as well.  Some 1/8" risers and thicker baseplates make even normal 1" bolts hard to get done up nicely without pulling the bolt head too far into the deck.

I was running the slappy 1mm riser and I like it on a 52’mm truck but recently decided fuck it ima ride these mid trucks the way god intended too. Currently got 52’mm wheels on it and if math serves me right that’s 26’mm height added on to 52’mm makes it 78 where ass 26’mm added on to 55mm equals 81mm total height. The 56 mm wheels would be 28mm which would put total height at a whopping 80! Ok I’m done yanking yalls chain I’ve just been bored and mathings numbers lately, cuz as skaters do mm even matter?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 20, 2026, 06:59:59 PM
Ok kids, I need some gear help.

With DLX decks, I normally ride an “IV” stamp, Indy Forged Hollows (53.5mm tall), and 53mm wheels.

I just ended up with a “I” stamped deck, and I really do not like steep(er) kicks. In the past I’ve either just dealt with it, or on a few occasions, I’ve even tried the “park-the-car-on-it” thing, with less-than-ideal results (flatter, mushed-out kicks, yet now disproportionate concave across the middle). 

What I have never done before, is try to mitigate the effect/feel of steeper kicks with equipment changes (e.g. truck wheelbase/height and wheel size). So, out of more curiosity than anything else, I am going to try with this deck.

My thoughts are to (a) make the board lower than I normally ride, (b) shorten the truck wheelbase, or (c) some combination of both.
 
A lower board will get a quicker snap (e.g. less ghost pop). Shorter truck wheelbase will decrease the pop-angle when the kicks hit (e.g. basic physics of a lever and fulcrum), thus also getting a "flatter," quicker snap.*

I ride my trucks tad more toward the tighter side (blue 92a Indy bushings), so I was thinking forged-plate Thunders and smaller wheels (lower) before going to Ace (shorter wheelbase).

Has anyone else had an experience fucking around with their set-up in this manner? Advice? @Mbrimson88 I feel like you would have a lot of knowledge in this area.


*What I actually hate the most about steeper kicks how my feet feel more “locked-in” to the deck, and I know changing-up trucks/wheels will have ZERO impact on that.

Broooooh
The 1s are a fucking beast to tame. I had one and I don’t want to say I hated it butttt when it finally mellowed out I loved the hell out of it. It felt alright with mid trucks, was the reason I got 52’mm wheels to be honest too. Honestly just gotta ride it out and wear it in from my experience tho, I had it on Indy forged hollows too. I rode it on cast thunders for a bit but I can never stay on thunders for too long usually

Ohhh do lots of nose/tail slides/stalls to flex out the nose tail too. Help the break in process
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 20, 2026, 09:38:26 PM
Ok kids, I need some gear help.

With DLX decks, I normally ride an “IV” stamp, Indy Forged Hollows (53.5mm tall), and 53mm wheels.

I just ended up with a “I” stamped deck, and I really do not like steep(er) kicks. In the past I’ve either just dealt with it, or on a few occasions, I’ve even tried the “park-the-car-on-it” thing, with less-than-ideal results (flatter, mushed-out kicks, yet now disproportionate concave across the middle). 

What I have never done before, is try to mitigate the effect/feel of steeper kicks with equipment changes (e.g. truck wheelbase/height and wheel size). So, out of more curiosity than anything else, I am going to try with this deck.

My thoughts are to (a) make the board lower than I normally ride, (b) shorten the truck wheelbase, or (c) some combination of both.
 
A lower board will get a quicker snap (e.g. less ghost pop). Shorter truck wheelbase will decrease the pop-angle when the kicks hit (e.g. basic physics of a lever and fulcrum), thus also getting a "flatter," quicker snap.*

I ride my trucks tad more toward the tighter side (blue 92a Indy bushings), so I was thinking forged-plate Thunders and smaller wheels (lower) before going to Ace (shorter wheelbase).

Has anyone else had an experience fucking around with their set-up in this manner? Advice? @Mbrimson88 I feel like you would have a lot of knowledge in this area.


*What I actually hate the most about steeper kicks how my feet feel more “locked-in” to the deck, and I know changing-up trucks/wheels will have ZERO impact on that.



Is it the usual 8.25 with 14.38 wb or something else?


Yes as Obijuan91 said, the I stamp are often pretty difficult to get my head (and feet) around too, so if it is not still new in shrink or able to be returned or swapped for anything else, this is what I have done:

1. Tried not to mess with the deck itself but had shorter wheelbase trucks on it, which has helped with a couple of boards in the past, but one was just too steep no matter what.  Even tried my DIY "V8" or other drilled in Indy / Ventures and although they lightened the pop considerably, it was still too steep of an angle for my liking.  Ace will do this too, as will Thunder T-II trucks, both of which take a bit to get used to coming from regular Indy, but both work really well on any board that feels a bit too long in the wheelbase or is a bit too steep from the start.

2. If nothing else has worked in trying different trucks or bringing the wheelbase in, then I go to the old flatten the board option.  One thing I have noticed is there is a significant difference in end result when I have driven only on to the ends of the kicks before the bolts area, not over the whole board to try to flatten out the kicks, which did work way better than parking on it or driving over it pausing on the bolts area, which caused the whole board to feel "flexed out" more often than not, or made a new board feel like an old board that was ready to swap out.

3. Then with regards to the grip on the deck, specifically the middle rails between the bolts, took the edges back a bit more than I usually would which made the side to side concave feel way less steep and evened out the whole board nicely.  I have done this with a file, a rasp and even with a grinder, maybe the grinder being the best as it was on a very worn down disc and maybe just took the deck down a bit too without cutting into the wood so much as it just took the upper outside edge off which made the board feel way more mellow across it.

4. If nothing else works, put it away or list it for sale somewhere to pass on to someone, anyone, who likes steeper boards, because there are people out there who will only ride a I stamp and good for them, but I had one guy who I found like that and was able to swap a few boards with every now and then, so we both benefited from the deal - he got the steeper boards and I got the mellow boards.  Sometimes that might be easier said than done, but you never know if you never ask / offer.


* I could probably make a half dozen posts about all that, with multiple pics and a wall of text for each, but I have been trying to NOT go too over the top with everything, even though it has been raining for half a week here, so I have had a bit more time to do things online than I might have otherwise had in the last few days.




Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 20, 2026, 09:47:19 PM
Expand Quote
Ok kids, I need some gear help.

With DLX decks, I normally ride an “IV” stamp, Indy Forged Hollows (53.5mm tall), and 53mm wheels.

I just ended up with a “I” stamped deck, and I really do not like steep(er) kicks. In the past I’ve either just dealt with it, or on a few occasions, I’ve even tried the “park-the-car-on-it” thing, with less-than-ideal results (flatter, mushed-out kicks, yet now disproportionate concave across the middle). 

What I have never done before, is try to mitigate the effect/feel of steeper kicks with equipment changes (e.g. truck wheelbase/height and wheel size). So, out of more curiosity than anything else, I am going to try with this deck.

My thoughts are to (a) make the board lower than I normally ride, (b) shorten the truck wheelbase, or (c) some combination of both.
 
A lower board will get a quicker snap (e.g. less ghost pop). Shorter truck wheelbase will decrease the pop-angle when the kicks hit (e.g. basic physics of a lever and fulcrum), thus also getting a "flatter," quicker snap.*

I ride my trucks tad more toward the tighter side (blue 92a Indy bushings), so I was thinking forged-plate Thunders and smaller wheels (lower) before going to Ace (shorter wheelbase).

Has anyone else had an experience fucking around with their set-up in this manner? Advice? @Mbrimson88 I feel like you would have a lot of knowledge in this area.


*What I actually hate the most about steeper kicks how my feet feel more “locked-in” to the deck, and I know changing-up trucks/wheels will have ZERO impact on that.
[close]



Is it the usual 8.25 with 14.38 wb or something else?


Yes as Obijuan91 said, the I stamp are often pretty difficult to get my head (and feet) around too, so if it is not still new in shrink or able to be returned or swapped for anything else, this is what I have done:

1. Tried not to mess with the deck itself but had shorter wheelbase trucks on it, which has helped with a couple of boards in the past, but one was just too steep no matter what.  Even tried my DIY "V8" or other drilled in Indy / Ventures and although they lightened the pop considerably, it was still too steep of an angle for my liking.  Ace will do this too, as will Thunder T-II trucks, both of which take a bit to get used to coming from regular Indy, but both work really well on any board that feels a bit too long in the wheelbase or is a bit too steep from the start.

2. If nothing else has worked in trying different trucks or bringing the wheelbase in, then I go to the old flatten the board option.  One thing I have noticed is there is a significant difference in end result when I have driven only on to the ends of the kicks before the bolts area, not over the whole board to try to flatten out the kicks, which did work way better than parking on it or driving over it pausing on the bolts area, which caused the whole board to feel "flexed out" more often than not, or made a new board feel like an old board that was ready to swap out.

3. Then with regards to the grip on the deck, specifically the middle rails between the bolts, took the edges back a bit more than I usually would which made the side to side concave feel way less steep and evened out the whole board nicely.  I have done this with a file, a rasp and even with a grinder, maybe the grinder being the best as it was on a very worn down disc and maybe just took the deck down a bit too without cutting into the wood so much as it just took the upper outside edge off which made the board feel way more mellow across it.

4. If nothing else works, put it away or list it for sale somewhere to pass on to someone, anyone, who likes steeper boards, because there are people out there who will only ride a I stamp and good for them, but I had one guy who I found like that and was able to swap a few boards with every now and then, so we both benefited from the deal - he got the steeper boards and I got the mellow boards.  Sometimes that might be easier said than done, but you never know if you never ask / offer.


* I could probably make a half dozen posts about all that, with multiple pics and a wall of text for each, but I have been trying to NOT go too over the top with everything, even though it has been raining for half a week here, so I have had a bit more time to do things online than I might have otherwise had in the last few days.


Yeah, the standard 8.25/14.38.

I had ruled T-2 out as an option because (a) I had them before, did not like them, and (b) they are taller than Ace, and I want to be going down in height, not up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 20, 2026, 11:04:28 PM


Yeah, the standard 8.25/14.38.

I had ruled T-2 out as an option because (a) I had them before, did not like them, and (b) they are taller than Ace, and I want to be going down in height, not up.


I get it, but I did not find that lower equals better.

Eg I didn't suggest any Thunder option because the wheelbase is pushed out, even on a lower truck, it still makes it harder to skate, compared to Indy on a more mellow board.

Some people do like that feeling, low and heavy pop, which I can understand, which can work in some situations, but the main thing was bringing in the wheelbase, more than anything else.

If you did already have some Thunders on hand, I guess it wouldn't be so hard to even just put them on the board and stand on it and see.  I have done that with a number of boards, even without grip, just lightly doing up the bolts, I can still feel if the board is going to work or not.


Have you had Ace before?  I don't recall, but Ace are very similar to T-II trucks in that they bring the wheelbase in and they turn a whole lot more than any other truck.

Funny thing is lining up axles, Ace and T-II are so very close in axle height as well as position, at least on the sets I have in both Classic and AF1 trucks.  That is regardless of what any spec sheets say about measurements.

* I haven't seen or skated any Ace low trucks, but if you did want a very low tech setup, that could work, now I think about it.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: tzhangdox on May 21, 2026, 12:20:28 AM
I would really try to fuck with it as little as possible, try not to change the trucks. Just go smaller wheels if possible.

In 2024 I was riding the same shape pretty consistently, but would sometimes get hit with some variance in concave/steepness. I had two sets of wheels that I would go in between, some newer ones in the 54-55ish range and some worn 52s that I'd throw on if I set up a steeper one.

Definitely helped a bit, but to be honest I dont think it was thaaaat necessary in my case since the variance was pretty small, was more just bored, had to tinker with something since I was at peace with my board shape, trucks, and shoes. So all thats left to fry out over was wheel shape/size, which to me is much less consequential than boards/trucks/shoes.

In your case I'd just put some 51s on and see if that helps a little. Changing trucks is probably going to open a whole can of worms that you probably want to avoid.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 21, 2026, 04:25:37 AM
Expand Quote


Yeah, the standard 8.25/14.38.

I had ruled T-2 out as an option because (a) I had them before, did not like them, and (b) they are taller than Ace, and I want to be going down in height, not up.
[close]


I get it, but I did not find that lower equals better.

Eg I didn't suggest any Thunder option because the wheelbase is pushed out, even on a lower truck, it still makes it harder to skate, compared to Indy on a more mellow board.

Some people do like that feeling, low and heavy pop, which I can understand, which can work in some situations, but the main thing was bringing in the wheelbase, more than anything else.

If you did already have some Thunders on hand, I guess it wouldn't be so hard to even just put them on the board and stand on it and see.  I have done that with a number of boards, even without grip, just lightly doing up the bolts, I can still feel if the board is going to work or not.


Have you had Ace before?  I don't recall, but Ace are very similar to T-II trucks in that they bring the wheelbase in and they turn a whole lot more than any other truck.

Funny thing is lining up axles, Ace and T-II are so very close in axle height as well as position, at least on the sets I have in both Classic and AF1 trucks.  That is regardless of what any spec sheets say about measurements.

* I haven't seen or skated any Ace low trucks, but if you did want a very low tech setup, that could work, now I think about it.

I have a set of Team thunders kicking around that I never use (because they are Thunders). I am going to set this thing up with my Indys....skate it for a bit, and then throw the Thunders and some other 53mm Spits I have that are worn down a bit. If that seems to be any improvement, then I'll consider going even lower with forged thunder plates.

If not, I'll start looking for Ace (or maybe, maybe T-2). Ive had Ace before...quite awhile ago, was not a fan. With Ace (or T-2), I'm certainly going to be adding some harder bushing.

This thing isn't even my main set-up anymore these days, so I'm not stressing it too hard, which is nice. This is more like a causal back-burner experiment.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ChriSL on May 21, 2026, 11:15:50 AM
Expand Quote
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
[close]
A riser has a different impact on pop angle than a bigger wheel. Imagine the point in time the tail hits the ground. Since the board rotates around the axle, the riser tilts while the wheel doesnt.
Bigger wheel increases the pop angle more, while a riser makes your effective tail longer and therefore has less pop angle increase. Hope you get what I mean.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Richard Skidder on May 21, 2026, 11:24:28 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote


Yeah, the standard 8.25/14.38.

I had ruled T-2 out as an option because (a) I had them before, did not like them, and (b) they are taller than Ace, and I want to be going down in height, not up.
[close]


I get it, but I did not find that lower equals better.

Eg I didn't suggest any Thunder option because the wheelbase is pushed out, even on a lower truck, it still makes it harder to skate, compared to Indy on a more mellow board.

Some people do like that feeling, low and heavy pop, which I can understand, which can work in some situations, but the main thing was bringing in the wheelbase, more than anything else.

If you did already have some Thunders on hand, I guess it wouldn't be so hard to even just put them on the board and stand on it and see.  I have done that with a number of boards, even without grip, just lightly doing up the bolts, I can still feel if the board is going to work or not.


Have you had Ace before?  I don't recall, but Ace are very similar to T-II trucks in that they bring the wheelbase in and they turn a whole lot more than any other truck.

Funny thing is lining up axles, Ace and T-II are so very close in axle height as well as position, at least on the sets I have in both Classic and AF1 trucks.  That is regardless of what any spec sheets say about measurements.

* I haven't seen or skated any Ace low trucks, but if you did want a very low tech setup, that could work, now I think about it.
[close]

I have a set of Team thunders kicking around that I never use (because they are Thunders). I am going to set this thing up with my Indys....skate it for a bit, and then throw the Thunders and some other 53mm Spits I have that are worn down a bit. If that seems to be any improvement, then I'll consider going even lower with forged thunder plates.

If not, I'll start looking for Ace (or maybe, maybe T-2). Ive had Ace before...quite awhile ago, was not a fan. With Ace (or T-2), I'm certainly going to be adding some harder bushing.

This thing isn't even my main set-up anymore these days, so I'm not stressing it too hard, which is nice. This is more like a causal back-burner experiment.

Instead of changing out any of those components have you considered using a pair of shoes that feel a little thicker in the soles for your liking? It would mellow out the feel a bit until the shape flattens out some from flat ground and slappy treatment. Some heavy footed board slides could help too. Especially on a concrete parking block. Is there a spot you want to hit that could benefit from extra pop advantage?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: ChriSL on May 21, 2026, 11:25:44 AM
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
A riser has a different impact on pop angle than a bigger wheel. Imagine the point in time the tail hits the ground. Since the board rotates around the axle, the riser tilts while the wheel doesnt.
Bigger wheel increases the pop angle more, while a riser makes your effective tail longer and therefore has less pop angle increase. Hope you get what I mean.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 21, 2026, 01:58:45 PM
Expand Quote
Food for thought. 55mm tall trucks on 52’mm wheels is the same as 52’mm mid trucks on 56 mm wheels for pop feel  ???
[close]
A riser has a different impact on pop angle than a bigger wheel. Imagine the point in time the tail hits the ground. Since the board rotates around the axle, the riser tilts while the wheel doesnt.
Bigger wheel increases the pop angle more, while a riser makes your effective tail longer and therefore has less pop angle increase. Hope you get what I mean.

Yesss, that actually makes sense. If I’m not mistaken the risers is in a set stable pop where as the wheel is always variable
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 21, 2026, 07:39:59 PM

Instead of changing out any of those components have you considered using a pair of shoes...


I don't fuck around with shoes. I ride the same Vans over and over. Hard stop. Not opening that gate to hell by trying something different. :)
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 22, 2026, 06:32:28 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote


Yeah, the standard 8.25/14.38.

I had ruled T-2 out as an option because (a) I had them before, did not like them, and (b) they are taller than Ace, and I want to be going down in height, not up.
[close]


I get it, but I did not find that lower equals better.

Eg I didn't suggest any Thunder option because the wheelbase is pushed out, even on a lower truck, it still makes it harder to skate, compared to Indy on a more mellow board.

Some people do like that feeling, low and heavy pop, which I can understand, which can work in some situations, but the main thing was bringing in the wheelbase, more than anything else.

If you did already have some Thunders on hand, I guess it wouldn't be so hard to even just put them on the board and stand on it and see.  I have done that with a number of boards, even without grip, just lightly doing up the bolts, I can still feel if the board is going to work or not.


Have you had Ace before?  I don't recall, but Ace are very similar to T-II trucks in that they bring the wheelbase in and they turn a whole lot more than any other truck.

Funny thing is lining up axles, Ace and T-II are so very close in axle height as well as position, at least on the sets I have in both Classic and AF1 trucks.  That is regardless of what any spec sheets say about measurements.

* I haven't seen or skated any Ace low trucks, but if you did want a very low tech setup, that could work, now I think about it.
[close]

I have a set of Team thunders kicking around that I never use (because they are Thunders). I am going to set this thing up with my Indys....skate it for a bit, and then throw the Thunders and some other 53mm Spits I have that are worn down a bit. If that seems to be any improvement, then I'll consider going even lower with forged thunder plates.

If not, I'll start looking for Ace (or maybe, maybe T-2). Ive had Ace before...quite awhile ago, was not a fan. With Ace (or T-2), I'm certainly going to be adding some harder bushing.

This thing isn't even my main set-up anymore these days, so I'm not stressing it too hard, which is nice. This is more like a causal back-burner experiment.

I gotta say changing your trucks for a single deck is the least good option here and sure to be annoying. Use smaller wheels or just skate around the limitations. I got a super steep I a few decks ago like this and made the same mistake putting my AF1 on vs the normal Indy's I ride and it was just not all that enjoyable. I put the Indy's back on and just didn't do a ton of stuff on the nose, which forced me to focus on what was still good and work on that for a few weeks. Even pretty worn wheels didn't make it great, but it was workable.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 22, 2026, 07:41:57 AM


I have a set of Team thunders kicking around that I never use (because they are Thunders). I am going to set this thing up with my Indys....skate it for a bit, and then throw the Thunders and some other 53mm Spits I have that are worn down a bit. If that seems to be any improvement, then I'll consider going even lower with forged thunder plates.

If not, I'll start looking for Ace (or maybe, maybe T-2). Ive had Ace before...quite awhile ago, was not a fan. With Ace (or T-2), I'm certainly going to be adding some harder bushing.

This thing isn't even my main set-up anymore these days, so I'm not stressing it too hard, which is nice. This is more like a causal back-burner experiment.


Nice!

OK so today I got out a I stamp board of the 8.38 size I usually ride that I had set up before, (but taken off as it was just too steep) and tried all options on it, as well as an old 8.25 well used from someone else that was always way too steep for anything I would have skated.

Both these boards still felt too steep with any and every truck combination on it, even the V8 / double drilled in trucks, which were stupidly light in the pop but the tail angle was right up there so it was quite uncomfortable.

I put on some super low old Thunder low trucks too, just to see with tiny wheels, which just made the boards feel too low and weird.


Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails, so my best bet would have been to find someone who did like steeper boards and ask when their birthday was, or wait til Christmas...

What I did find was that driving up onto the kick (tail) of the 8.38 without going right up to bolts really helped just take the edge off without making the tail feel all kinds of soggy and did not flex out the board at all, which is the most common problem driving over the whole boards, from doing that in the past.

It was pretty much put the board under the car, drive up onto it just a bit, get out and take this pic, get back in and drive back off it, not going over the whole thing.  Could do the nose too if needed, but I don't have a problem with steep noses, just steep tails.

This pic makes it look pretty flat and wrecked, but it came back really well so I have had a good session on the board this afternoon and it is pretty much just like a IV stamp now in the tail, after putting it up on a few other boards I have to compare.


(https://i.ibb.co/Fb9XThpg/Car-tyre-deck-back-kick-only.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Z63SDf9W)


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 22, 2026, 07:59:23 AM

Both these boards still felt too steep with any and every truck combination on it...

Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails...



I feel like years ago I may have tried different trucks/wheels to mitigate steep kicks...and failed, and have since forgotten about it. Some how I just feel like I've done this before. If it had worked, I wouldn't still be stressing about steeps kicks to this day, but I am, so...

Something in my gut says the same thing as you, "Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails."

As to the car thing, I have absolutely gotten the kicks to feel more IV-ish before. But as I mentioned above, the problem I then have is "IV" kicks and "I" center concave, and that feels super weird to me (it's basically the opposite of an "easy rider" lol!).

But like I said, the 8.25 isn't even my main ride anymore, so this project is more of my own curiosity into "what impact does different gear make (on steep kicks)" than anything else.

I've also since ruled out Ace unless I can could find an absurd sale---didn't quite realize just how much those trucks cost, and I'm not willing to drop that kind of $$$ for a roll-of-the dice, weird side-show of mine.

Off to the park shortly, and my first experiment with all this. Will report back later.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rawbertson. on May 22, 2026, 08:12:23 AM
i am the opposite. i have been riding seemingly really flat decks for the past while, and i just started riding this HLC made Roger Twin with super deep side concave and i am absolutely loving it. it feels like shit on your feet when you ride around, but it flips really well, which is what i seemingly need the most help with  ;D. the kicks i want to say are on the steeper side as well but i honestly have no idea. ill have to try to check against another board. 

i am splitting hairs on wheelbase right now... i am currnetly on 14.0, coming from .5, and then previously .25. they all felt fine with the right trucks, but i think through the madness I have realized i am actually not a massive fan of 14.5". still felt hard to pop off the nose sometimes even with t2s. i honestly cant say 1 was better than the other, and i cant pick a single truck i prefer either.

i kinda found anything 58+ has abit of "break in" period for me. i want to say 56mm radial full 99a is just perfect for me after going through extreme wheel madness. had 51,52, 54,55, 56, 57, and 60mm x2 of just about every spitfire shape and duro possible :o  this is over the course of maybe 3-4 years. anytihng smaller feels too slow, and anything bigger can feel cumbersome on flip tricks and a bit wheel bitey(and i dont like risers or hot rods). i like the wide shape but its not for everyone.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: scab on May 22, 2026, 09:50:18 AM
(it's basically the opposite of an "easy rider" lol!).

Funnily enough I've been thinking about a reverse easy rider lately. I like mellowish kicks, but also deep concave. That's a pretty hard to find. I might have to try this whole car thing. For science madness.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on May 23, 2026, 01:25:07 AM
Personally,  i don't mind  a steep-ish tail, as I can find a way to adjust my technique to pop and it will mellow out in time anyways.

Steep noses (FA or I stamp DLX decks, among others) are often annoying for me because Nollie/Switch takes more effort than Reg/Fakie pop tricks

My ideal (in DLX numerals) would probably be a II tail and a III-IV nose for kick steepness on most BBS 8.5/8.38 deck shapes out there


If you have steeper kicks do you want smaller wheels or bigger wheels to make it feel more "normal"?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Texas_Tone on May 23, 2026, 05:22:51 AM
Personally,  i don't mind  a steep-ish tail, as I can find a way to adjust my technique to pop and it will mellow out in time anyways.

Steep noses (FA or I stamp DLX decks, among others) are often annoying for me because Nollie/Switch takes more effort than Reg/Fakie pop tricks

My ideal (in DLX numerals) would probably be a II tail and a III-IV nose for kick steepness on most BBS 8.5/8.38 deck shapes out there


If you have steeper kicks do you want smaller wheels or bigger wheels to make it feel more "normal"?

I been riding those EX7 decks the last couple setups, I enjoy the steep kicks of those, but still mellow side to side, I ride a 53mm classic so I guess on the smaller side as far as wheels go
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 23, 2026, 12:32:50 PM
It's funny to think that these days 53 is small and 52 is for tech lords only. I remember getting 52's growing up and being pissed that my shit was too big.

I don't mind a steep nose if it's not short. IIRC some of those old PS Stix noses were actually not that long just super full. I had a steeper Manderson deck once and I was really worried about hating it but the nose was long and wide enough it was pretty acceptable.

The worst deck I've had in recent memory was a steeper DSM I think it was Jacuzzi and the nose was fairly short and there was tons of space after the bolts. I felt my foot had to be in just the perfect spot and I had to pop as hard as possible to get minimal height.

The worst for me is too flat and long of a nose I feel that I never lock into things well and slides are really slow.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on May 23, 2026, 01:49:42 PM
Expand Quote

Both these boards still felt too steep with any and every truck combination on it...

Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails...

[close]


I feel like years ago I may have tried different trucks/wheels to mitigate steep kicks...and failed, and have since forgotten about it. Some how I just feel like I've done this before. If it had worked, I wouldn't still be stressing about steeps kicks to this day, but I am, so...

Something in my gut says the same thing as you, "Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails."

As to the car thing, I have absolutely gotten the kicks to feel more IV-ish before. But as I mentioned above, the problem I then have is "IV" kicks and "I" center concave, and that feels super weird to me (it's basically the opposite of an "easy rider" lol!).

But like I said, the 8.25 isn't even my main ride anymore, so this project is more of my own curiosity into "what impact does different gear make (on steep kicks)" than anything else.

I've also since ruled out Ace unless I can could find an absurd sale---didn't quite realize just how much those trucks cost, and I'm not willing to drop that kind of $$$ for a roll-of-the dice, weird side-show of mine.

Off to the park shortly, and my first experiment with all this. Will report back later.

303 has a 20% sale so Ace af1 hollows(only priced the 60s since that’s what I’ll need) for $67 now, so it’s pretty comparable to Indy f/h price if you do want to take a gamble.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 23, 2026, 02:09:38 PM
It's funny to think that these days 53 is small and 52 is for tech lords only. I remember getting 52's growing up and being pissed that my shit was too big.

Right? I was looking for 53s at the local skate shop last summer and some kid was like 53?! That's sooo small!!

I pretty much put it like this, for proportions. Obviously you can use whatever on whatever but I like the way these combos look and feel

Using spitfire classics as the reference

~7.625" trucks - 48/50mm wheels
~8" trucks - 51/52mm wheels
~8.375" trucks - 53/54mm wheels
~8.75" trucks - 55/56mm wheels
~9.125" trucks - 58/60mm wheels
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 24, 2026, 08:08:13 AM
Expand Quote
It's funny to think that these days 53 is small and 52 is for tech lords only. I remember getting 52's growing up and being pissed that my shit was too big.
[close]

Right? I was looking for 53s at the local skate shop last summer and some kid was like 53?! That's sooo small!!

I pretty much put it like this, for proportions. Obviously you can use whatever on whatever but I like the way these combos look and feel

Using spitfire classics as the reference

~7.625" trucks - 48/50mm wheels
~8" trucks - 51/52mm wheels
~8.375" trucks - 53/54mm wheels
~8.75" trucks - 55/56mm wheels
~9.125" trucks - 58/60mm wheels

It's weird, 53mm is on the smaller side, but 53mm and 54mm are like the two main sizes Spitfire always makes in their assorted drops....so I assume they are still among the most popular???
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 24, 2026, 08:17:22 AM
Expand Quote

Both these boards still felt too steep with any and every truck combination on it...

Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails...

[close]


I feel like years ago I may have tried different trucks/wheels to mitigate steep kicks...and failed, and have since forgotten about it. Some how I just feel like I've done this before. If it had worked, I wouldn't still be stressing about steeps kicks to this day, but I am, so...

Something in my gut says the same thing as you, "Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails."

As to the car thing, I have absolutely gotten the kicks to feel more IV-ish before. But as I mentioned above, the problem I then have is "IV" kicks and "I" center concave, and that feels super weird to me (it's basically the opposite of an "easy rider" lol!).

But like I said, the 8.25 isn't even my main ride anymore, so this project is more of my own curiosity into "what impact does different gear make (on steep kicks)" than anything else.

I've also since ruled out Ace unless I can could find an absurd sale---didn't quite realize just how much those trucks cost, and I'm not willing to drop that kind of $$$ for a roll-of-the dice, weird side-show of mine.

Off to the park shortly, and my first experiment with all this. Will report back later.


Following-up on this...

I def liked the (Team/cast) Thunders on it more than my Indys (because it was lower). That said, I couldn't imagine dropping further down to the height of forged-plate Thunders.

It also occurred to me that mIndys might be an option, too? They are lower and with a shorter WB than Thunders, but not as squirrel as Ace? Those seem to be on sale everywhere (because they suck). Maybe I'll grab a set at some point.

In the short term, it seems like Thunders will make this thing a bit more manageable. No ideal. But manageable.

 
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 24, 2026, 09:25:44 AM
Why not just used Forged Indy?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 24, 2026, 09:37:59 AM
Why not just used Forged Indy?

That's what I normally skate /  ones I already mentioned.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Hqjdncm on May 24, 2026, 10:39:59 AM
I think its case by case.

Im 6ft5 size 13 feet, 200 pounds. Skate mostly ledges, flat, flatbars, curbs. Very little transition.

8.25-8.5, 14.25-14.5, ideally not under 32 but a little bit is fine. Currently on Thunders, but have skated all the big four over the years. Ventures the most by a considerable margin, then indys and thunders, then aces.

Going bigger than 8.5 just makes it feel like I'm standing on a boat, and going longer than 14.5 makes me not want to flip my board at all. Personally I feel that unless you're doing something really gnarly, you really don't need that much board, at a certain point more skateboard starts becoming more of a hinderance rather than a benefit

Late reply but I’m pretty much the same height weight as u but my shoe size is 1 full size down (1.5 in Lrab and cons) but coming from skating a lot of transition and having a big board phase for it, 8.75 and a 14.5+ wb is definitely more comfortable for me. I can still do flip tricks even tho they might look like shit and take more effort, but for sitting on grinds and going fast as hell it’s definitely more comfortable. Granted I haven’t skated an 8.5 in a minute, I don’t think I need to. But I agree it’s case by case. But for what the guy was asking an 8.5 with a 14.25-14.5 sounds ideal to try and get some flip tricks back. Keeping the board with consistent but trying variable wb helps keep things a little easier to get used to but getting some help with certain rotational stuff
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on May 24, 2026, 12:54:56 PM
Why not just used Forged Indy?

The Toyota Corolla of skate trucks. Idk why I sleep on them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: PolarJames on May 24, 2026, 05:44:30 PM
Was trying to work out why my ollies aren't as good as before. Might be way overthinking it but I'm sure my ollies were better when I had Accel OGs rather than my current vans. Going to go back to the OGs for sure. Those in combination with thunders and the Sour 8.38 shape is the end of my gear madness hopefully.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 24, 2026, 08:36:15 PM
Expand Quote
Why not just used Forged Indy?
[close]

The Toyota Corolla of skate trucks. Idk why I sleep on them.

I've finally come around to forged 149s

Though I love the feel of standards the most, especially riding on rough ground and grinding chunkier stuff

But the height/width/weight/wheelbase ratio on forged hollow indy 149s is pretty great
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 24, 2026, 09:17:26 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Why not just used Forged Indy?
[close]

The Toyota Corolla of skate trucks. Idk why I sleep on them.
[close]

I've finally come around to forged 149s

Though I love the feel of standards the most, especially riding on rough ground and grinding chunkier stuff

But the height/width/weight/wheelbase ratio on forged hollow indy 149s is pretty great


i used to think i didn’t like forged baseplates. i think i didn’t like hollow axles. something about the sound/vibration. idk.
indy 149s, on a narrower/shorter board, say 8.2 ish, less than 32….i want it. i’m not gonna, because i rarely skate, but there was one short lived setup for me 10 plus years ago: 149s, carlos young 8.5 magenta guest board that i recall being short, and it was super fun. i think i had a bad day with some regular kickflips and then gave it to a buddy.
back on track. bobby worrest’s setup from the alisports video. looks ideal
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: rikki on May 24, 2026, 10:51:52 PM
I just recently slapped on 144 forged Indys after a long while.

Once again, I was reminded of the fact that they are not for me. I just can't get the required oomph out of them.

I should give away all my trucks apart from Ventures in order to not make the same mistake again and again for the umpteenth time.

Homo sapiens, a slow learner.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 24, 2026, 10:54:26 PM
I just recently slapped on XXX after a long while.

Once again, I was reminded of the fact that they are not for me. I just can't get the required XXX out of them.

I should give away all my XXX apart from YYY in order to not make the same mistake again and again for the umpteenth time.

Homo sapiens, a slow learner.


I feel this.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: logjammin on May 24, 2026, 11:29:08 PM
anyone else think hollow kingpins drag worse on grinds?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 25, 2026, 04:00:37 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote

Both these boards still felt too steep with any and every truck combination on it...

Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails...

[close]


I feel like years ago I may have tried different trucks/wheels to mitigate steep kicks...and failed, and have since forgotten about it. Some how I just feel like I've done this before. If it had worked, I wouldn't still be stressing about steeps kicks to this day, but I am, so...

Something in my gut says the same thing as you, "Any which way, I can't ride steep kicks / steep tails."

As to the car thing, I have absolutely gotten the kicks to feel more IV-ish before. But as I mentioned above, the problem I then have is "IV" kicks and "I" center concave, and that feels super weird to me (it's basically the opposite of an "easy rider" lol!).

But like I said, the 8.25 isn't even my main ride anymore, so this project is more of my own curiosity into "what impact does different gear make (on steep kicks)" than anything else.

I've also since ruled out Ace unless I can could find an absurd sale---didn't quite realize just how much those trucks cost, and I'm not willing to drop that kind of $$$ for a roll-of-the dice, weird side-show of mine.

Off to the park shortly, and my first experiment with all this. Will report back later.
[close]


Following-up on this...

I def liked the (Team/cast) Thunders on it more than my Indys (because it was lower). That said, I couldn't imagine dropping further down to the height of forged-plate Thunders.

It also occurred to me that mIndys might be an option, too? They are lower and with a shorter WB than Thunders, but not as squirrel as Ace? Those seem to be on sale everywhere (because they suck). Maybe I'll grab a set at some point.

In the short term, it seems like Thunders will make this thing a bit more manageable. No ideal. But manageable.


I feel like over time I did actually get used to boards with a bit more concave, because I skated my lightly used 8.5 Black Label setup on my ramp just before and it didn't feel overly steep, even though when I first got it, it was way too much, compared to other boards I had set up.

Maybe with a bit more rolling around on it, you might actually get a bit more used to it, as well as it mellowing out a bit over time, but as with anything, it is sometimes a bit more or less not quite what you would have chosen to ride, so it might always be bugging you in the back of your mind, if something slips out, or your foot stays on when you try to bail, dammit that board was too steep, etc.

Not to make you think the thing is cursed, but I know quite often even some of my normal boards do feel a bit funny when I first set them up but a nicely broken in board is just so perfect when I get back on it, so I really do appreciate some of my worn in but not worn out skate hardgoods, shoes, etc.


* This is the madness thread, so I guess it was not too much to have those thoughts in here.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 25, 2026, 04:17:00 AM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Why not just used Forged Indy?
[close]

The Toyota Corolla of skate trucks. Idk why I sleep on them.
[close]

I've finally come around to forged 149s

Though I love the feel of standards the most, especially riding on rough ground and grinding chunkier stuff

But the height/width/weight/wheelbase ratio on forged hollow indy 149s is pretty great


anyone else think hollow kingpins drag worse on grinds?


This is a known thing with hollow kingpins.

Some people don't care, others don't mind, but I have never really been so keen on any trucks with hollow kingpins when I get that stick or drag and feel the kingpin connect with coping, especially on my own half pipe where it takes bites out of the coping.

For this I prefer just the regular baseplates with solid kingpins, but on a few setups, especially the forged hollow Indy variants on some boards I have setup, I have taken the top of the hollow kingpin down a bit more than I usually might, just to ensure there is no possible way it will hit on smith grinds or feebles, so if anything does touch it will be the nut only.


Venture have just come out with the polished V forged, which have the forged baseplate with solid kingpin.  I got a set of them just recently and feel like they will work well.  Pretty good for that combination, even if some people might think it is unwanted, but I guess Venture have often been ahead of the game in some of their things.


I do recall the first set of Indy forged baseplate trucks had solid kingpins too, when they came out, just at the end of Stage 10, before they changed up to Stage 11 trucks, back in 2011 or so.  Then when Stage 11 came out, they all had hollow kingpins on the forged baseplates, as do most other truck brands.



Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 25, 2026, 04:53:15 AM
Of all the things I have changed truck width has been the on constant. I ride whatever size is designated for an 8.5 deck.

I mainly ride 8.3 now. Wheels I have locked in @54mm. But I am still working through hardness and formulas. Started at 95 now up to 99

Bushing were my biggest or deepest rabbit hole. Got my Thunders sorted, now to sort the AF1
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 25, 2026, 12:13:15 PM
Expand Quote
Why not just used Forged Indy?
[close]

That's what I normally skate /  ones I already mentioned.

Can't keep all the setups in here straight, but historically I've always found Thunders to feel not all that different to forged Indy in terms of pop feel, but the other details definitely are.

I just recently slapped on 144 forged Indys after a long while.

Once again, I was reminded of the fact that they are not for me. I just can't get the required oomph out of them.

I should give away all my trucks apart from Ventures in order to not make the same mistake again and again for the umpteenth time.

Homo sapiens, a slow learner.

I love Indy's, but actually really dislike any forged version. Once I learned to stop caring about heights and wheelbase matching I realized I like 0 forged plate iterations of any trucks. To me an Indy and Venture cast both require a bit more force to pop, but Indy suck up nicer, don't air foot, and are more enjoyable for me. As much as I want the 2020 hype to still be in my bones I just don't skate as well on Venture all around and they're way too limiting in board selection for me. It was nice on a few grinds, but losing Nollie flips and hating them on banks made me realize I was gaining very little for how much I gave up.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 25, 2026, 01:57:54 PM
 I never liked forged 144s, they felt too light/flipped too fast

Once I got in better condition and started skating bigger and fast this year after the winter, I felt like the cast standard 144s were kinda tall and still flipped a little too fast

I wonder if can replace the kingpins for solid ones on the forged Indy plates

Or if I should pick up some forged inverted plates

I bet I would hate that though, not being able to see exactly how tight they are hahah. Or having to do any kinda extra work to get the truck right. Fuk dat.

A forged Indy standard would be clutch

I'ma just go for it, the kingpins are a little grabby at first

Prolly gonna just use these forged hollow 149s all summer, they feel good

I used to just wallie right up the middle of this granite boulder in front of the bar I worked at in Yellowstone park

That would break in the hollow kingpins real quick! Get em super nice

I gotta go find a rock to wallie on these before I try to smith the metal skatepark ledge

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on May 25, 2026, 02:34:36 PM
I never liked forged 144s, they felt too light/flipped too fast

Once I got in better condition and started skating bigger and fast this year after the winter, I felt like the cast standard 144s were kinda tall and still flipped a little too fast

I wonder if can replace the kingpins for solid ones on the forged Indy plates

Or if I should pick up some forged inverted plates

I bet I would hate that though, not being able to see exactly how tight they are hahah. Or having to do any kinda extra work to get the truck right. Fuk dat.

A forged Indy standard would be clutch

I'ma just go for it, the kingpins are a little grabby at first

Prolly gonna just use these forged hollow 149s all summer, they feel good

I used to just wallie right up the middle of this granite boulder in front of the bar I worked at in Yellowstone park

That would break in the hollow kingpins real quick! Get em super nice

I gotta go find a rock to wallie on these before I try to smith the metal skatepark ledge

I had the forged standard 139 a while back when they were on sale before I stoped skating I loved em. When I came back into skating I couldn’t find a truck that felt good to because the weight of it made it feel good to me. I had the same issues with the 144 forged where I liked em but something about it was meh
The solution of course is 149s tho
149 royals with 1’mm to make the forged Indy height
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 25, 2026, 03:10:48 PM
Standard/cast 8.25" thunders at 52mm, 52.3mm high or whatever are a nice, proportionate truck, get that super good pinch with 53/54mm wheels

The pinch on thunder 149s is even better

Curious about cast 8.5" venture highs @ 53mm or so high, never had those.

I've tried these

Venture low standard 5.0, 5.2
Thunder low standard 145, 147
Thunder high standard 149, many sets
Indy stage 7 136, 146
Indy stage 8 136, 146
Indy stage 10 standard 139
Indy stage 11 standard 139, 144, 149, 159, 169
Indy stage 11 hollow standard 149, 159
Indy stage 11 hollow forged 144, 149
Indy stage 11 forged titanium 144, 149, 159
Ace AF1 standard 55
Ace AF1 hollow 55

I think like a 53mm high, 8.38" axle, ~360g truck with a wheelbase like indys sounds best on paper, to work with the widest range of decks

So right now forged hollow indy 149s are what I'm gonna stick with


The coolest and best feeling trucks are always gonna be standards regardless of brand

Standard venture high 6.1 are probably the best hill bomb trucks

I'm just getting old and trying to find a good balance of feel, pinch, turn, stability, etc

Seems I'm willing to sacrifice some tasty grind feel for a wee bit more pinch

If I were a beast I'd just skate 56mm wheels and standard 159s

I wonder if putting standard 149 hangers on forged baseplates is even gonna make a noticeable difference
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Ok on May 25, 2026, 03:36:08 PM
i like solid axles with forged baseplates.

thunder 149s, just regular teams, are nice.
i am skating solid axle forged baseplate 148s lately. as close to a madness free truck, for me. sorta work with whatever board and whatever wheels.

my mad thoughts still go almost exactly like this: ‘oh shit that dylan jaeb shape looks weird as fuck. i hate indy’s. i’d probably hate that….’
and now i want it.
or ‘oh shit, griffin posted with ventures on his board….hes beast tho, shit would never work for me….’
and then just bargaining with myself.
so dumb.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 25, 2026, 06:13:54 PM
i like solid axles with forged baseplates.

thunder 149s, just regular teams, are nice.
i am skating solid axle forged baseplate 148s lately. as close to a madness free truck, for me. sorta work with whatever board and whatever wheels.

my mad thoughts still go almost exactly like this: ‘oh shit that dylan jaeb shape looks weird as fuck. i hate indy’s. i’d probably hate that….’
and now i want it.
or ‘oh shit, griffin posted with ventures on his board….hes beast tho, shit would never work for me….’
and then just bargaining with myself.
so dumb.

Yeah I definitely get that shit.

I'll watch somebody who is just super dialed as a skater(and could get along with literally whatever equipment-see Aimu kickflipping Franky's board) and determine in my primitive dopamine-addicted raccoon gambler brain that somehow, if I had that setup, I could do that shit too.

Funny how my love for K-grinds has pretty much cancelled out all my perceived setup improvements over the winter

I'm like, yeah dude, a bones top bushing in standard 144s, 14" wb.. that's my shit

Now I'm like, naw. My shit needs to be low, wide, and loose so I can fuckin crook with ease

My shit is pretty standard now aside from the futuristic trucks

14.125 to 14.375 wb, 8.25 to 8.5 boards, pretty much just whatever
Indy forged hollow 149s, stock bushings
Swiss six, shields popped for the sound
54mm, 99a F4 classics

Now that I'm a little stronger I can balance on the stock bushings and get pop for flip tricks better

But man popping a bones hard just in the top was a game changer for a while there

Crazy how I switched to thunder when stage 9 came out, I prolly shoulda just stuck with it until the forged came out

I broke so many pivots on my thunders and the bushings were made out of bouncy balls or something, always crumbled and I've ran my shit nut-flush or only a turn tighter since day one
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 26, 2026, 06:54:34 AM
Some good discussion going here.

Standard vs. Hollow kingpins: Yeah, this one is actually the only real madness thorn-in-my-side these days. I’ve basically skated only Indy Forged Hollows since they came out.* Somewhere along the line, I became aware of the difference between standard and hollow kingpins on grinds. I noticed it the most when skating min ramps. Sometimes my board would just dead-stop on a given grind. I also started noticing these really weird gouges on/in the coping. I realized the two were related, and it was the kingpin (usually have about .5 to 1 thread showing). I had tried skating cast plates several times, but I really hated the (always) added height of cast vs. the (occasional) kingpin catch of forged.

About 6-9 months ago, for some reason I decided to give standard Indys a try again. I really liked the way they just plowed through grinds (added weight, I assume). It was like once the boat got moving, it wasn’t stopping, and its trajectory was set. Also, none of this twitchy, flapping in the breeze stuff if my ollie, kickflip, pop-shuv, etc. isn't absolutely perfect. Hell, even the ones that are perfect fee very precarious to me…as if board could just drift away at moments notice. Standards/cast just felt so much more there. I also noticed that ledges started to seem a bit lower to me with standard/cast. Not sure if this was because my board was taller (making my feet a tad closer to the top of a ledge), or because of added pop because of increased pop angle, but it seemed real.

The trade off, of course, is height and weight. With standards, I was certainly getting more ghost pop at times, and my board seemed really clunky for other things. I’ve now been back on forged hollows for a while, with a 1mm riser (which I am sure is more of a mental factor than an actual one). But I am missing that there feeling, and the plow-through grinds, of Standards. I might try them again soon. 

A forged plate with standard kingpin would be sweet.

I also tried the cast inverted kingpin plates for a while. They sounded very different to me, and once the self-loosening started to kick-in, I was just like, “I am not dealing with this.”


*I’ve said this many times before, but I think Indy Forged Hollows are hands-down the best all-around / all-purpose truck ever made. Why? Because they are right in the middle of the road on everything. Turn better than Venture/Thunder, but not as squirrel as Ace. Pinch better than Ace, but not as good as Thunder. Not as tall as cast Indys, not as low as Thunders/Ace. Not the lightest truck, not the heaviest. Wheelbase and kingpin clearance is right in the middle, too. They may not excel in one specific area (e.g. Thunders with pinch), but they work great in every single area. No other truck comes close to that, at least to me. Oh, and, best after-market bushing options--FAR better than any other mfg.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 26, 2026, 07:22:17 AM
Some good discussion going here.

Standard vs. Hollow kingpins: Yeah, this one is actually the only real madness thorn-in-my-side these days. I’ve basically skated only Indy Forged Hollows since they came out.* Somewhere along the line, I became aware of the difference between standard and hollow kingpins on grinds. I noticed it the most when skating min ramps. Sometimes my board would just dead-stop on a given grind. I also started noticing these really weird gouges on/in the coping. I realized the two were related, and it was the kingpin (usually have about .5 to 1 thread showing). I had tried skating cast plates several times, but I really hated the (always) added height of cast vs. the (occasional) kingpin catch of forged.

About 6-9 months ago, for some reason I decided to give standard Indys a try again. I really liked the way they just plowed through grinds (added weight, I assume). It was like once the boat got moving, it wasn’t stopping, and its trajectory was set. Also, none of this twitchy, flapping in the breeze stuff if my ollie, kickflip, pop-shuv, etc. isn't absolutely perfect. Hell, even the ones that are perfect fee very precarious to me…as if board could just drift away at moments notice. Standards/cast just felt so much more there. I also noticed that ledges started to seem a bit lower to me with standard/cast. Not sure if this was because my board was taller (making my feet a tad closer to the top of a ledge), or because of added pop because of increased pop angle, but it seemed real.

The trade off, of course, is height and weight. With standards, I was certainly getting more ghost pop at times, and my board seemed really clunky for other things. I’ve now been back on forged hollows for a while, with a 1mm riser (which I am sure is more of a mental factor than an actual one). But I am missing that there feeling, and the plow-through grinds, of Standards. I might try them again soon. 

A forged plate with standard kingpin would be sweet.

I also tried the cast inverted kingpin plates for a while. They sounded very different to me, and once the self-loosening started to kick-in, I was just like, “I am not dealing with this.”


*I’ve said this many times before, but I think Indy Forged Hollows are hands-down the best all-around / all-purpose truck ever made. Why? Because they are right in the middle of the road on everything. Turn better than Venture/Thunder, but not as squirrel as Ace. Pinch better than Ace, but not as good as Thunder. Not as tall as cast Indys, not as low as Thunders/Ace. Not the lightest truck, not the heaviest. Wheelbase and kingpin clearance is right in the middle, too. They may not excel in one specific area (e.g. Thunders with pinch), but they work great in every single area. No other truck comes close to that, at least to me. Oh, and, best after-market bushing options--FAR better than any other mfg.   

The list of pros is massive and the cons is small and much less significant. I've tried the same forged and riser combo and it's just not the same. After a month back on standards I completely forgot about the weight. If you can source Ti hangers that could be a good compromise.

Also with hollow KP I always use stock bushings to expose more threads and just angle grind the 1.5-2 showing. It still grinds harder, but sits lower.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 26, 2026, 07:34:51 AM

The list of pros is massive and the cons is small and much less significant. I've tried the same forged and riser combo and it's just not the same. After a month back on standards I completely forgot about the weight. If you can source Ti hangers that could be a good compromise.


Funny you mention that. I do have some Ti hangers, and I've never tried them on cast plates, and that's what I was thinking about trying...was just worried about losing the "plow through grind" feeling. I'll certainly try it, though.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 27, 2026, 07:57:22 PM
Expand Quote

The list of pros is massive and the cons is small and much less significant. I've tried the same forged and riser combo and it's just not the same. After a month back on standards I completely forgot about the weight. If you can source Ti hangers that could be a good compromise.

[close]

Funny you mention that. I do have some Ti hangers, and I've never tried them on cast plates, and that's what I was thinking about trying...was just worried about losing the "plow through grind" feeling. I'll certainly try it, though.



I feel like the grind feel is the same, as it is the hanger metal, not the axle, so much, but in saying that, a set of ti axles made a couple of bigger boards feel just that little bit lighter to be a bit more manageable too.

Should have said I put them on regular cast baseplates, because that forged baseplate with ti axle was way too light for what I wanted, or maybe just the forged baseplates were a little low on a bigger board, with bigger wheels.


Any which way, doing the mix and match meant that a couple of setups worked better than I thought:

8.25 DLX with forged baseplates and regular worn down 149 hangers with mashed axles, one washer on the inside of smaller wheels, which all worked nicely.

8.5 DLX long (14.75 wb) back truck baseplate drilled in so now 14.5 wb, regular cast baseplates, ti 149 hangers, 56 mm Radials as a mini big ramp board, with a good heft to it, but not overly heavy now.


I think a few other people have experimented with ti axles too, but at some point around 2020 the ti axles had a lot of issues, so quite a few people have said they will never touch Indy ti axles again.  Understandable, but at least they will easily replace any that snapped via the warranty process.

People have done the same with Thunder and Venture ti axles too - swapped in regular baseplates to "even out the weight" and they have worked well, but I guess that is a different story entirely.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 27, 2026, 10:19:27 PM

Any which way, doing the mix and match meant that a couple of setups worked better than I thought:

8.25 DLX with forged baseplates and regular worn down 149 hangers with mashed axles, one washer on the inside of smaller wheels, which all worked nicely.


Yeah, you and I have batted this concept around before. I am firm believer in "deck ratios." A 7.75" set-up with cast Indys and 56mm wheels is going to feel a lot taller than 10" set-up with the same cast Indys and 56mm wheels, even if the two are exactly the exact same height, and IMHO, the reason is ratios.

To this end, yes, cast Indys are too tall for 8.25's (at least for me), and 149 Forged Hollows work great on the deck. My 8.75 black label has little more wiggly room. Since my previous post, I put cast plates back on it (with hollow hangers...will try the Ti in a bit). It feels nice, but I didn't get to go full tilt, because I am pretty sure I bruised or fractured a rib last week...ON A CURB* so I am only doing super mellow skating / cruising right now. Might be a bit before I am "normal" again.

*Was doing a bunch of b/s 180 to fakie 50-50, and then fakie ollie out. Went for a longer one, ollied too much, landed with all wheels on top, board then slid/shot out, I went parallel to the curb, and came down directly on edge of curbs with my rib cage. Wasn't cute.   
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 28, 2026, 09:33:26 AM
The ratio thing sorta makes sense, but personally I've skated that same DLX shape for close to a decade and always hate how forged plates feel on it. 144 and 149 are fine, the extra 1.5mm and weight just makes it feel slightly more stable as it's a smaller deck for me.

Regarding plowing through grinds I think that's mostly the height. I do a ton of smiths and even IKP Thunders felt harder to push despite having great clearance. I think the rear of the board being taller helps create leverage to push through. Could be mental since most of the time I'm on forged I'm thinking "why is this better than cast just because Ben D likes it, cast is somehow fine for most of the best tech skaters on earth..." which biases my openness to something different.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 28, 2026, 11:06:41 AM
Theoretical ratio of axle width ÷ 4 = truck height:

7.625" - 48.4mm
7.75" --- 49.2mm
8" -------- 50.8mm
8.25" --- 52.3mm
8.375" - 53.1mm
8.5" ----- 53.9mm
8.625" - 54.7mm
8.75" --- 55.5mm
9" -------- 57.1mm
9.125" - 57.9mm

Truck heights according to the truck brands themselves:

Venture Low forged ---------------- 47mm
Venture Low --------------------------- 48mm
Thunder 145, 147 forged -------- 49mm
Thunder 145, 147 -------------------- 50mm
Thunder 148, 149, 151 forged - 51mm
Thunder 148, 149, 151 ------------ 52mm
Venture High forged ---------------- 52mm
Venture High --------------------------- 53mm
Ace AF1, Ace Classic -------------- 53mm
Independent Stg 11 Forged ---- 53.5
Lurpiv -------------------------------------- 55mm
Independent Stg 11 ----------------- 55mm
Independent Stg 4 ------------------- 55mm
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on May 28, 2026, 11:37:51 AM
I use the height to width ratio more as a minimum. I learned the hard way in the early 2000s that 58/ 60mm wheels aren't that fun on an 8.25". But Small wheels can be really fun on wider decks. Lil smokies on a Huffer for instance.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 28, 2026, 11:39:16 AM
I use the height to width ratio more as a minimum. I learned the hard way in the early 2000s that 58/ 60mm wheels aren't that fun on an 8.25". But Small wheels can be really fun on wider decks. Lil smokies on a Huffer for instance.

Yup, this is what I found too.

56mm wheels on 139s? I can't get down.

51mm wheels on 159s? Super fun

Man there were so many dudes at school with CCS setups when I was a kid that were like, Indy 126s, with risers(!), and 56mm bigheads on a 7.5"
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DarkPools on May 29, 2026, 12:28:12 AM
Proportions are important. At least to me, and I generally followed the concept since starting 20 years ago

As my shoes sized up from 8 (US) around 12yo up to 12-13 now, my gear did, too! Decks starting from 7.5  and landing on 8.5 in 2011-12.

 It just makes sense to have the proportions/ratio in place, BUT some of the best to do it have wheels or trucks or decks wider or smaller than what they should be riding. I'll never NOT trip out on US 13 shoes on an 8" or smaller deck, but dudes rock it!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 29, 2026, 03:33:21 AM
.

(https://i.ibb.co/8tzkLnR/DLX-8-5-Troll-Complete-Setup.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GNsm4f1)


Trying something a little different but same, but decided to do a full new complete, with mix and match options because there are quite a few of this 8.5 shape in recent drops and I like the look of full stains with minimal graphics.


DLX 8.5 with 14.38 wb
Indy cast baseplates with ti axle 149 hangers
Spitfire 54 mm Bighead / Classic Full wheels


I posted this in the setup thread, but have come here, mainly as it is a bit of madness as well, going into this complete.

The deck is a new China made DLX board and it just feels so very stiff and a touch heavy, so after trying a number of different options for trucks tried on it last night, I settled on another mix and match of regular cast baseplates (that a friend had filled in and I redrilled closer to where T-II baseplates sit) to bring in the wheelbase and put ti axle 149s to lighten up the whole weight of the board.  Without scales to check, it feels closer to my other BBS completes with Standard Indy trucks and same other parts.  I like longer tails, so at least this change means everything works without having to redrill the deck.

The wheels are the recent 54 mm Bighead (Classic Full) shape, but they just look and feel slightly small on this board right now, so with the last few posts about proportions, I would usually run wider wheels, if not bigger overall, at least a bit wider so they sit closer to the edge of the board.  Right now these are sitting in a bit, with three washers on the inside, but they just might need to swap out for something else, although I didn't try different wheels on it before.

Because I am not riding half as much bigger stuff, I am running smaller wheels than I might have previously, where 56 mm Classic Full wheels would have been my go to on something like this, but I might still try some anyway.


Between the stiffness, the weight, the wheels and then even the fact that it is a brand new complete, I almost don't want to skate it, so left it at home today while having my usual Friday session at a local skatepark on an old favourite, but we will see.  I might come to terms with it, or could even let others have a roll on it and see what they think of it, before I really feel like I can be comfortable on it.

On paper, everything is perfect, but I can't help but think "What have I done?" and "Do I really want to skate this?"

Might get out for a roll on the weekend, otherwise it might be mid next week before this even comes out to play.



* Who just got one of these decks recently??  I am sure I saw one, but can't find it...


** @JM from DLX shapes thread - got one of these too!

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=85076.msg4503750#msg4503750

That darker stain is so good on yours.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 29, 2026, 07:42:20 AM
I am slowly transitioning from madness to stability.

Have a deck shape/size that works well, but also have one more shape/size inbound to test.
Trucks down to two - Thunder T2 / Ace AF1
Wheels - Bones X99
Bearings - Fireball Supply Built
Grip - was set on Pepper, but with some of my shoes my foot is too locked in, going to try Jessup/Jessup Ultra - (low key been liking some FKD)

Bushings have been my deepest dive recently but have them sorted for the T2 (Mini Logo Med boardside / Bones Hardcore Hard Roadside)
Working fine tuning the the Ace, the combo above works, but I still get a squirrelly when I squat at speed
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 29, 2026, 12:05:28 PM
Curious about trying thunders again, because since I stopped riding them, they updated the 149s (in 2014) and now they have 148s as well

Was having trouble deciding between 148 or 149

I think the true middle is 8.375

So on 149s, especially riding smaller boards, I just run one axle washer inside, 2 outside to keep the nut flush, or just one outside with quite a bit of play, and I own axle rethreaders

Was messing around with my Indy 149s and 144s

Y'all already know this but I never actually sat down and measured anything

But running 3 axle washers inside, zero outside, on an 8.25" truck spreads it out almost exactly 1/8". And also protects the nut as much as possible.

So it makes me think, with extra washers, that every truck really is two trucks depending on how you set them up. Ace classic 44s inspired a lot of this too. That and an old interview with Bill Pepper(I think) where he talked about using extra axle washers inside on 8" trucks

Ishod does 3 inside, 0 outside

Anybody know of any problems with the thunder 148s?

The Indy 144s are great on paper but that pivot stem being too pointy is a bummer. Didn't like the feel with Ace pivot cups either. I like the hard Indy ones fo sho

Indy 149s are just a little too beefy for me anymore and 144s didn't solve it, so I'm thinking some standard/cast thunder 148s with the extra washers could be the ticket. I used to skate the old thunder 149s, never tried the 149 II. I like 14" wb boards but they're not great for me with forged indys. They work with the cast indys, but then my crook pinch goes out the window.

For now it's forged Indy 149s with standard hangers, one washer inside each wheel like normal on 14.25. it's what I'm used to, but I've been looking to make things a pinch easier

Gonna try forged plates, 144 solid hangers, with 3 washers inside today. I already tried that combo with 1 washer inside and didn't like it, so I don't think Indy has what I'm looking for.

The old thunder 149s were too low and I would break the pivots so I'm curious about people's experiences with current thunders, especially 148s

I keep going around in circles with different indys cause I like the feel but now that I've come around the circle entirely back to what I was on before, I think it's time to go back to thunder

I wonder if running 3 washers inside the wheel increases the chance of the axle bending
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 29, 2026, 01:56:19 PM

Anybody know of any problems with the thunder 148s?


Yes, they are Thunders. :)  (I kid)

Pretty sure @Mbrimson88 has done a lot with washers. I was running three on the inside with Indy 144s and DLX 8.25 for a bit, but eventually just went to 149s, because 149s just have a much better feeling turn to me than 144s.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 29, 2026, 04:49:59 PM
Expand Quote

Anybody know of any problems with the thunder 148s?

[close]

Yes, they are Thunders. :)  (I kid)

Pretty sure @Mbrimson88 has done a lot with washers. I was running three on the inside with Indy 144s and DLX 8.25 for a bit, but eventually just went to 149s, because 149s just have a much better feeling turn to me than 144s.


Ha yeah, had a lot of the 8.25 trucks come through my hands, witih many coming back too after they were traded back in, so I have been playing around with them on various 8.25 or similar setups.

Current Thunder 148 are the same 52 mm tall as 149 size Thunders on cast plates 52 mm tall (lower on forged) which may or may not be to some people's liking.  They are way better in height and overall performance than the old 149ers which were super low and "different" from back in the day.

I prefer to have my Thunders on 2 mm DIY rubber pads just to get the regular height I prefer, often with wheel wells, as I get way more wheelbite on Thunders than I want, but others skate them exactly as is, no risers, normal wheels, maybe tighter than mine, but they do work and I could see them feeling a bit more normal on a shorter wheelbase than a longer one.  Some boards I don't have risers on though, just to make them work better on flatter setups.

A current board I have I drilled in both ends on a steep 8.38 so took the wheelbase down from 14.5 to about 14.2 and the 149 Thunders skate great on it - was on that board again yesterday, but compared to Indy, I have to bring the Thunders in more because the axle sits out further, so all up the axles are in a very similar position when I put my boards side by side.

I will usually put more washers on the inside of anything just to bring them out more, so the 148s are no exception there - easily go three washers inside, just the nut on the outside and they sit well on most setups, 148 on 8.25s and 149s on 8.38s, or even 151s on 8.75 boards too.

Bushings can blow out sooner than other brands, but at least they have easy to get replacements as needed.


As to any problems, no the trucks work fine, no issues with pivot point or geometry or anything else.

That's my take on them.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on May 29, 2026, 05:04:51 PM
Cool, thanks man as always

Leaning toward 148s with 3 washers on the inside vs. 149s with 1 washer inside the wheel. 52mm seems just a bit too short for a 149, but they might feel great, I don't know yet.

They'd be going on BBS 8.25" x 14" wb blanks and whatever other BBS decks 8.25 to 8.5 that have a 14" wb, and up to 14.38" max if I can't find anything shorter. The lower height helps balance out the extended truck wheelbase on thunders here I think.

Basically trying to scale back my setup from 8.5 x 14.25 on Indy 149s, to 8.25 x 14 on thunders. Always 53 or 54mm wheels. Looking for a lower board with better pinch.

Edit: after trying an extra axle washer per wheel again, I remember why I stopped. I think I'd rather just set it up like normal with a decent amount of rattle. I got a rethreader, it's all good
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slugboi22 on May 30, 2026, 06:36:37 PM
reposting this from a separate  thread (with some more info) but i figured it fit here as well:

I am tempted to get some T2s after my lurpivs. I want a bit more stability and i feel like the slightly lower height may help with that. I know they are a relatively carvy truck (i rode ace af1s forever) and i figured i would try to offset that by using hard bushings. would indy aftermarkets fit or do i just go get new thunder bushings? do i just totally go nuts and go for venture v8s with aftermarket bushings? for reference im 200+ and skate mostly transition, curbs, and small ledges + i want to learn my flip tricks. currently, my lurpiv trucks have indy super hards in them. They are decent trucks but i am wanting a bit more grind clearance and stability.  I’d appreciate any guidance!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on May 30, 2026, 10:30:09 PM
reposting this from a separate  thread (with some more info) but i figured it fit here as well:

I am tempted to get some T2s after my lurpivs. I want a bit more stability and i feel like the slightly lower height may help with that. I know they are a relatively carvy truck (i rode ace af1s forever) and i figured i would try to offset that by using hard bushings. would indy aftermarkets fit or do i just go get new thunder bushings? do i just totally go nuts and go for venture v8s with aftermarket bushings? for reference im 200+ and skate mostly transition, curbs, and small ledges + i want to learn my flip tricks. currently, my lurpiv trucks have indy super hards in them. They are decent trucks but i am wanting a bit more grind clearance and stability.  I’d appreciate any guidance!

I moved over to T2 after riding a ton of different trucks, I switched mainly for the shorter wheelbase and was worried that a 54mm truck was going to hurt my issue with "ghost" pop, or straight missing the ground when I was trying to Ollie, for this reason I was on Slappy Lows, Mini-Logo, or anything with a +/- 50mm axel height.

Turned out to not be an issue with he T2s, most consistant pop since I started back.  Now, those effing bushings, no way in hell I could ride them, even at 100a, I have always wanted, but I can/could never ride a double cone set up.  I setteled on a Mini Logo Med (94a) board-side and a Bones Hardcore Hard roadside, works very well for me, as I want a set that return to center pretty snappy.  This was after a long deep dive into bushings. 

As a sidenote for my Ace, I had to run a Ace Extra Hard board-side, with a Bones Hardcore Hard
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on May 31, 2026, 01:12:50 AM
reposting this from a separate  thread (with some more info) but i figured it fit here as well:

I am tempted to get some T2s after my lurpivs. I want a bit more stability and i feel like the slightly lower height may help with that. I know they are a relatively carvy truck (i rode ace af1s forever) and i figured i would try to offset that by using hard bushings. would indy aftermarkets fit or do i just go get new thunder bushings? do i just totally go nuts and go for venture v8s with aftermarket bushings? for reference im 200+ and skate mostly transition, curbs, and small ledges + i want to learn my flip tricks. currently, my lurpiv trucks have indy super hards in them. They are decent trucks but i am wanting a bit more grind clearance and stability.  I’d appreciate any guidance!


If you are looking for more stability T-2 are possibly the worst place to look. Not only are they super "loose," but they also have super tight wheelbase, making them very "responsive." IMHO, if you are looking for stability, look for something with a longer wheelbase (deck or trucks)...but personally, I wouldn't even consider T-2.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 31, 2026, 01:48:58 AM
reposting this from a separate  thread (with some more info) but i figured it fit here as well:

I am tempted to get some T2s after my lurpivs. I want a bit more stability and i feel like the slightly lower height may help with that. I know they are a relatively carvy truck (i rode ace af1s forever) and i figured i would try to offset that by using hard bushings. would indy aftermarkets fit or do i just go get new thunder bushings? do i just totally go nuts and go for venture v8s with aftermarket bushings? for reference im 200+ and skate mostly transition, curbs, and small ledges + i want to learn my flip tricks. currently, my lurpiv trucks have indy super hards in them. They are decent trucks but i am wanting a bit more grind clearance and stability.  I’d appreciate any guidance!


I guess this could go a number of different ways.

You had Ace AF1 trucks, so you would be quite familiar with the shorter wheelbase and the increased turn aspects of the trucks like T-II which are fairly similar in that regard.  Some people might say very similar, but there are a number of different reviews saying this and that.  I like them for what they are, but yes the stock bushings in them from day one made the trucks very difficult to manage and any other bushings will still take a bit to get used to, either to break in or just to put in used bushings and figure out how you want them to work.

Most other bushings will fit into the T-II trucks, as I have tried and checked so that is not a worry either.


On the other hand, Venture trucks have the least amount of natural turn, even the V8 trucks with the loose bushing kit tend to feel wobbly without having much easy turn to them.  Ventures can be made to turn a whole lot more with modified bushing configurations (taller bottoms with lower tops), but overall if you do prefer tighter trucks, Venture might actually work pretty well for you with any standard bushing upgrades.

Just like the Thunder T-II, most general bushing brands fit easily enough too.


You could just as easily transfer those current Indy bushings to either of those two truck options and have them work just fine.  Tried it before, just to see and any Indy bushings fit.


* T-II with hard bushings actually end up very stable, almost too tight and stable for most people, as we tried some well worn in Thunder black 100s in them as part of the bushing tests.  The red 97s were also very stable, the blue 95s not quite so much and could still turn enough, but the softer 90s really opened up the turn ability on them.  This is why I keep some well worn bushings of every duro from Thunder, Indy and a few other options for people to test.  No point putting brand new bushings into trucks to test as they will not give any reasonable performance options until they break in.

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slugboi22 on May 31, 2026, 07:58:51 AM
Thank you all for the replies.  I will definitely consider all of your guys’ response/experiences with T2s when it finally comes time to pick up some trucks (I still have time on this set of lurps). cheers!
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on May 31, 2026, 09:29:11 AM
I wouldn't go T2. Honestly I'd go Indy. Same height as Lurpiv, slightly tighter wheelbase, and you're already using Indy bushings which are plug and play. I like my AF1 but would not recommend them to someone your weight and I don't care what anyone says even with hard bushings they do wheelbite more than Indy's.

I liked my T2, but not interested in another pair which says a lot. They're good, but I just liked them and never loved them.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Purplefrosty on May 31, 2026, 09:50:48 AM
Tried some dude’s setup at the skatepark with trackers and now I want a set.was on Indy forever,switched to ace and now trackers feel great? Do I possibly like anything?
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on May 31, 2026, 05:54:59 PM

If you are looking for more stability T-2 are possibly the worst place to look. Not only are they super "loose," but they also have super tight wheelbase, making them very "responsive." IMHO, if you are looking for stability, look for something with a longer wheelbase (deck or trucks)...but personally, I wouldn't even consider T-2.

I wouldn't go T2. Honestly I'd go Indy. Same height as Lurpiv, slightly tighter wheelbase, and you're already using Indy bushings which are plug and play. I like my AF1 but would not recommend them to someone your weight and I don't care what anyone says even with hard bushings they do wheelbite more than Indy's.

I liked my T2, but not interested in another pair which says a lot. They're good, but I just liked them and never loved them.


The funny thing is I don't disagree with either of you, also being mainly on Indy trucks and just enjoying them for what they are and how they perform, or any of the many variants that Indy has to offer - just set up some ti axle Indy 149s and still yet to really give them a good go, but the board feels very easy with them on it right now, maybe more so because of the bushings I changed in as well, but that's another story.

I guess it is just one of those things, with a good number of options available, different trucks and how they perform can vary greatly depending on what you are familiar with, what bushings you have on hand, what board you are putting them on or a few other important factors which can either give a very positive result, or a very negative one too.

This is the madness thread after all, so it wouldn't be as simple if everyone just agreed with whatever was going on.


I would never say anyone should ride this brand and not that brand - you guys can make up your own minds there - but it is interesting to hear how other people have had different experiences with some products too.  Some people might find something amazing, someone else indifferent, or someone else completely off the other end and never want to touch said product again.

That is all part of the fun we have here, on any given day.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on June 01, 2026, 07:28:00 AM
I like my AF1 but would not recommend them to someone your weight and I don't care what anyone says even with hard bushings they do wheelbite more than Indy's.
.

I know what you're saying but AF1 aren't weight restricted. :o  Too many factors. You could get wider ones, use risers, and the right truck to deck ratio (not to mention wheel size) can offset wheel bite and stability concerns.

I'm also a 200lbs and love them. Stable in deep bowls at speed but responsive in the streets. I do use the hards and keep the KP nut  flush. 1/8" risers. Work way better for me than Indy these days.

Ace in general just read my mind and take my old, large body where it wants to go, man...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Slugboi22 on June 01, 2026, 07:38:36 AM
Expand Quote
I like my AF1 but would not recommend them to someone your weight and I don't care what anyone says even with hard bushings they do wheelbite more than Indy's.
.
[close]

I know what you're saying but AF1 aren't weight restricted. :o  Too many factors. You could get wider ones, use risers, and the right truck to deck ratio (not to mention wheel size) can offset wheel bite and stability concerns.

I'm also a 200lbs and love them. Stable in deep bowls at speed but responsive in the streets. I do use the hards and keep the KP nut  flush. 1/8" risers. Work way better for me than Indy these days.

Ace in general just read my mind and take my old, large body where it wants to go, man...
yeah honestly i had a great time on AF1s regardless of my weight. I’m a taller, wider guy so, for me, i just accepted that wheel bite is inevitable regardless of truck height or other factors. it honestly doesn’t concern me all that much. with Af1s being available (with hard bushings) and with brim’s insights into the T2s and bushings swaps, i really don’t have much of a reason to go get indys…
edit: grammar
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on June 01, 2026, 10:01:01 AM
"No reason to get Indy's" I thought the same for years until I went back. I still really enjoy Ace, but they make just about anything where I pop my board harder. The slightly lighter pop is cool, but the snap of an Indy can't be matched by them. I could ride a riser to get the height, but have worse pinch and like, why am I doctoring something to get it to ride like what I like? No one cares what trucks I ride but me.

With that said what feels good feels good. I'll never say a setup is wrong. The Huffer rides an Ace with risers and shit if that gets him feeling good I'm all for it even if it's not exactly what I'd want.

Wheelbase is inevitable sure. I skate 8.5" wide trucks which does make things more stable, but even with hards the wheelbite is worse and if I land off center I'm doing a u turn vs a slight surf out.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on June 01, 2026, 11:23:26 AM
Yep, its amazing how personal it all is.

I could totally go back to Indys and even adjust to both models of Thunders with a bit of time.

I always say the best trucks are the ones you are currently riding and they will only get better until you break 'em.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 01, 2026, 04:05:08 PM
.

When people often have less than pleasant experiences with certain brands of truck, I can almost always put it down to the bushings, more than anything else.

Some people will often try a truck and because the bushings are not broken in or not the correct duro for how they skate, they can easily be put off that brand for a while, if not for life.

Sure there are the different wheelbase or axle positions depending on the truck brands, which can also contribute to things, but if the bushings are not right, then nothing is going to feel good about the truck.

More often than not, slightly firmer bushings will make things easier, compared to softer bushings that make everything harder for most people, but just putting in the time to do a few laps and roll around on them is the main thing, not putting them on a board and then expecting to be able to do everything you usually would on your regular, old or normal setup.

That's what I will often say to anyone who is curious about different truck brands, as well as having at least one of everything set up for people to try as well.


The other part of that, which is not so important, but can still be a very valid point, is also matching the trucks to the deck which for me has worked great.

I have to put Ace or the Thunder T-II trucks on longer wheelbase boards (14.5" and up), but I also have to put regular Thunders on shorter wheelbase boards (about 14"), Venture trucks definitely on shorter wheelbases, or in V8 position on much longer wheelbase boards for them to work "as usual" for me.

Trying Ace or T-II on a 14" wheelbase was crazy for me, but for smaller or shorter people, I can see this working well too.

Indy and Slappy have always worked fairly well on 14.25 to 14.38, but I have Indy on the DLX 8.62 which has 14.75 wb as well, which has a longer tail so things add up on that setup.


* Probably started with a thought and went into a wall of text (once again) but it is funny when trying out a lot of different options, how well some work, but also how off some others feel too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: SwitchBenihana on June 01, 2026, 04:51:59 PM
I ride AF1 hard bushings in mine. In Indy's I run stock or maybe blues sometimes. It's not a bushing issue, it's the way the entire geometry turns. Bushings help alleviate wheelbite but can't change that.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on June 01, 2026, 05:40:02 PM
On that bushing note, I love my royals but the stock bushings are hella soft krux 92a are a nice middle ground but I gotta tighten them down a bit to get em to feel good. Soooo I finally gave in and experimented on em with the 92a top and 94a hard on the bottom and I was pleasantly surprised. For real tho a bushing can make or break a truck
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on June 02, 2026, 07:22:46 AM
Pretty sure I got the bushings sorted for both the T2 and AF1

T2 Bones Hardcore Hard over Mini Logo Med
AF1 Bones Hardcore Hard over Ace Extra Hard (will be moving this to a Slappy 100 / like the rebound better)

So as soon as my new Board shape gets here I will know if I am done with all this madness
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jamesmocapaldi on June 02, 2026, 09:24:23 AM
I've been tripping on 8.25 vs 8.5 trucks lately. And I've been wanting to try both:
a) a truck that's surfier again
b) a truck that has a good IKP system

Been riding thunders, teetering between the two sizes. Been on 8.5" (hotrod with 8.25" boards, but it fluctuates sometimes. Main thing is staying hotrod or even-stevens, never magic carpet). Tried my old 8.25" hangers that were "dead" and have negative kp clearance. After a month, I began to like how they look. Doesn't help that conceptually, I attribute easier flipping to even-stevens setups being more flippy than hot rod setups. Sick of the lack of clearance though.

But when I shop for new trucks (Ace inverted, slappy ultra low inverted, indy + ace or slappy baseplates), I can't decide which size to get.

I snagged a deal on ebay for some indy 149s (always liked how 149s felt vs 144s anyways) since it was cheap and included some wheels I wanted to try, but prior to this and in general, how do you decide which size to get in things? I've never tried AF1 44s, only 55s. Liked them fine. Was able to try both indy sizes and actually noticed a difference and liked the bigger size. Tried both sizes of thunders and it's a toss up. Tried both in venture, actually think I leaned toward the smaller size.

Secondly, to my comment about baseplates and IKPs:
I've heard enough times that indy IKPs loosen over time so I'm just not gonna go there. So, what's better?

OptionResultRoadblock
Slappy Ultra Low (plates only)Slightly wider wheelbase, cheaper (~$40), replaceable kingpin nut.Requires a frankentruck setup.
Ace AF1 Inverted (plates only)Slightly tighter wheelbase, slightly lower height, more expensive ($56+), shaft-nut design.Requires a frankentruck setup; higher cost for baseplates only.
Slappy Original Inverted Trucks (whole set)Similar to Slappy Ultra Low, but with slightly worse clearance, older baseplate design (nut spins freely), includes extra hangers.Older inverted design; potentially less desirable baseplate than Ultra Low.
Inverted Thunder Trucks (whole set)Skip the surfy-truck curiosity, stay on geometry I'm used to and honestly loving.What size should I buy?
Ace AF1 Inverted (Complete Set)$80–100, includes extra hangers, hollow construction, avoids a frankentruck setup.Highest cost option
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: The Huffer on June 02, 2026, 11:28:32 AM
AF1 inverted have been very good to me so. Spendy for sure but very light (by Ace standards) and moving forward you can just replace the hangers... and might actually end up saving money long term... that's my logic...
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 02, 2026, 01:42:23 PM

I've been tripping on 8.25 vs 8.5 trucks lately. And I've been wanting to try both:



Well, that was a timely post. I was literally on the way to the park to mess around with 144s / 149s on my 8.25 when I saw this post on my phone.

Two quick background things.  (1) I currently have a fractured rib, so I am taking things VERY mellow on the board for the moment. (2) For those playing the home game, my 8.75 LBL is still unquestionably my main set-up. However, I still mess around with my 8.25 on occasions.

When the 8.25 DLX was my main set-up, I rode it with 144s (149s prior to 144s coming out). Over time, and with age, it started to seem too small. I moved up to a bigger board. But I still kept the 8.25 around. I eventually put 149s back on it, because I thought that would make it feel a little less squirrel, and 149s just have a better feeling turn. However, I hated the slight of hod rod factor of 149s, but 144s just seem too damn small for me these days.

I've been off the 8.25 for quite awhile, and for some reason today I just wanted to go fuck around with 144 vs. 149 (prolly because I can't really go full-tilt right now / injury...so this just seemed like a good mellow-skate project to mess around with). After dicking around for awhile, a light went on when I heard @Mbrimson88 in my head..."three washers!"

I stuck three washers on the inside on the 144s. No 149 hot rod-ing. I was happy. A slightly more stable turn. I was happy. A tad more grind room. I was happy. Board not feeling quite as tight-rope. I was happy. Most likely nothing more than Placebo Effect than substantive difference, but either way, I was happy. 149 vs. 144...Game over.

I gave the 149s hangers to some kid, skated around for another 30 min enjoying my set-up, and stopped before I tweaked my rib out even more. All and all, great session.       

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 02, 2026, 05:02:47 PM

I've been tripping on 8.25 vs 8.5 trucks lately. And I've been wanting to try both:



I stuck three washers on the inside on the 144s. No 149 hot rod-ing. I was happy. A slightly more stable turn. I was happy. A tad more grind room. I was happy. Board not feeling quite as tight-rope. I was happy. Most likely nothing more than Placebo Effect than substantive difference, but either way, I was happy. 149 vs. 144...Game over.
 


Ha yeah, the washer game can really be a winner sometimes.

On a total madness run, because DLX 8.25 are wider than 8.25, so I almost needed a 146 mm hanger (which I do have as well in old Indy stock) but just with current products, I used Indy 144, Thunder 148 and Venture 5.6 hangers, added a couple more washers and then put on some machined down axle nuts, which were a lot thinner, so I could get the wheels to sit out that little bit more again.  Machining nuts - axle or kingpin - is something I have been testing for a bit, but if I go too hard or long, it burns out the nyloc so is not so good, but it does work, taking them down a couple of mm, everything still fits on fine, I can get a lower profile kingpin, or make trucks / wheels sit better to the edge of a deck without having nuts sticking out.

Feels just right for not having a truck too wide for the deck and still getting slightly wider wheels to work well enough that I have decent hanger room and not showing the nuts or the inside washers.


Anyway, back to a normal setup, not something it takes hours to get just right, with quite narrow wheels and only one very thin washer on the inside of well worn 149s, things did match up fairly well too, as the axle ends were almost worn down too much, but I think in general the 8.25 trucks on 8.25 boards will match way better, added three washers on the inside only, just the nut on the outside and medium width wheels, everything should fit fairly well.


As to inverted kingpins, anything with nyloc can come loose, so Indy, Thunder, Slappy will at some point all come loose if the kingpin is put in and taken out too many times.  If you are the sort of person to change out bushings or adjust things every other day or week, then any of those options might not be so good.  Loctite has been said to help with this - still haven't needed to use the bottle I got for my inverted kingpins, because once things are set up, I don't really change bushings or adjust anything for the life of the truck.

Ace has a different technology, so that should prevent things from loosening on their own, but they do also have other issues, but maybe for some people, anything can and will break, more so than for everyone else.  As has been said, you can also buy just hangers so if you are not sure, get a set of trucks and then get some hangers to swap in or out as needed too.


I have regular Thunder inverted trucks on the go right now too, just to mess around with them and they sure do give enough clearance and work fine in both 148 and 149 sizes.

Some people have said the Indy 144 just feel too tall on cast baseplates, so although you could get a set of Indy inverted kingpin baseplates and swap them in on the 149 hangers you have, you might not really need to.

Last thing to add, the Krux inverted kingpin set - just inverted kingpins, nuts, washers and tool - could also be a good option to use on the Thunder trucks if the baseplate has the hex head shape in it.  Pretty much all cast Thunder baseplates since maybe 2020 have had that, no forged baseplates though, so I have been testing that out too - just hammer out the regular kingpin, easy and quick to put in the Krux inverted kingpin and can change the nut out if or when needed.

Some other brands of truck will need a lot more work to use an aftermarket inverted kingpin kit, eg Indy have a round hole in the baseplate, so you need to JB weld or something to get it to stay in there, so buying an Indy inverted baseplate kit might be easier.  It is the same inverted kingpin as the Krux kit, so if that didn't work, you could just use those kingpins on a Thunder setup anyway.

Lots of options really, but maybe more than anything just figure out which size hanger works best and go with that.  Anything you already have will be a lot easier to test and play with, more so than buying a whole lot more stuff.



* If you get Thunder inverted, get the 148s.  They work great on 8.25 boards and balance things out nicely.  Your comments about them made that easier, just need kingpin clearance on worn down ones, which the inverted option does give, so they will last longer too.


Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jamesmocapaldi on June 02, 2026, 07:24:40 PM
An interesting finding— I tried banging out the kingpin and inverting it myself on the thunders as it does have the hex shaped bottom area and the nut didn’t fit. /: this deterred me from buying some inverted kingpins to try in my baseplates.

But in the vein of trying to stay consistent and avoid madness, I think you might be right on the 148 inverted thunders. I have spare 149 hangers to switch between so I don’t have to pick between them until they die. So choosing a size on my future set of not-thunders is a future me problem this way  ;D

I guess once the Indy’s I impulsively got come in, I can mess with surfy trucks in isolation and add the experience to my notes for the future (if surfy and IKP become preferred simultaneously, I’ll just have to figure out what size to pick on the next purchase—maybe my preference in thunder sizing will lend a decision-making hand then).

Anecdote: truly agreed, 144 Indy’s feel too tall and tippy, even on forged plates to me. But 149s were chill on any plate height in my experience. So weird. So maybe for surfy and tall trucks, for me, it feels better when the trucks are wider? Dunno. But does that logic apply to ace and Slappy too? lol dang it all.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: swongolianbbq on June 02, 2026, 08:13:09 PM
Yeah same pretty much

Indy 144s felt too tall for their width, love Indy 149s though.

Gonna try thunder 148s.

Might put some tablets/conical fulls/OG classics on to see how they pinch.

Always ran classic shape wheels with the 149s cause they helped make it easier to flip, but maybe with the smaller trucks it would work out for me
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sedition on June 02, 2026, 08:25:12 PM
I am also one of the 144s-with-cast-feels-too-tall people. I’ve got forged with mine.

Unrelated…I •finally• stood on a DBX deck. It was pleasantly…mellow. I may switch over those if I can’t get a IV stamp DLX in person…would eliminate the chance / horror of ending up with a steeper stamp if I had to order one.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Obijuan91 on June 02, 2026, 09:11:24 PM
I think I finally realized that for 8.25 52’mm is the perfect height someone had said it before but I ran forged Indy and that was my shit for a while. finally settled on thunders 148, love em on conicals 53’mm wheels. Not so much on 52’mm wheels tho. I also learned that I don’t think I like 149s at 52’mm height. My royals feel better when I add the 1 mm riser. But I got em sitting on a 8.5 with mini logo 2mm riser currently for when I want a nice surfy turn cruising around the block. I guess what I’m saying is when I finally get past the limited turn thunders really are the best 8.25 truck.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on June 02, 2026, 09:27:26 PM
Been skating AF1’s for a few months pretty consistently now but had a shitty session the other day so I threw the forged hollows on just to see what would happen. Skated really well on them tonight so the madness is back. They’re similar feeling trucks so it boils down to the minutia, but it almost feels like it’s a placebo because I was expecting the Indy’s to be a little more stable.  Idk though. On AF1’s pop shoves especially feel like a gamble, on Indy’s they felt solid every time. Same with setting up for ledge tricks. I may just have to setup two boards and have a vs match between the two trucks.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: GashBandicoot on June 02, 2026, 10:45:03 PM
On a set of 144 standards that I'm determined to totally finish off and really liking them after a year and some change on cast venture hi's. Went up to 56 classics recently and the two work very well together. I do agree the 149 is the more versatile choice between the two and will opt for those in the future. The taller truck feels good and works well for me. I've been working on learning crooks but figure I'd struggle regardless of specs lol. They're good despite the pivot nub being too narrow and the "tippyness" of the height to width. Rocking stock bushings, flat top washer, and riptide cups and don't see any reason to change that for the life of the truck. Might put in the blue 92a bushings for summer now that temps are getting into the 100s here. Next up on the shelf are 5.6 v hollows, wish I hadn't pigeonholed myself into ~8.25 decks. After that I'll probably check out team thunder 149s since I've never had them before.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Plan9Customs on June 02, 2026, 10:57:17 PM
Been skating AF1’s for a few months pretty consistently now but had a shitty session the other day so I threw the forged hollows on just to see what would happen. Skated really well on them tonight so the madness is back. They’re similar feeling trucks so it boils down to the minutia, but it almost feels like it’s a placebo because I was expecting the Indy’s to be a little more stable.  Idk though. On AF1’s pop shoves especially feel like a gamble, on Indy’s they felt solid every time. Same with setting up for ledge tricks. I may just have to setup two boards and have a vs match between the two trucks.

How’s the grind compare on those 2? Getting ready to go the opposite of what you did.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Sandwich Marty on June 02, 2026, 11:46:07 PM
Expand Quote
Been skating AF1’s for a few months pretty consistently now but had a shitty session the other day so I threw the forged hollows on just to see what would happen. Skated really well on them tonight so the madness is back. They’re similar feeling trucks so it boils down to the minutia, but it almost feels like it’s a placebo because I was expecting the Indy’s to be a little more stable.  Idk though. On AF1’s pop shoves especially feel like a gamble, on Indy’s they felt solid every time. Same with setting up for ledge tricks. I may just have to setup two boards and have a vs match between the two trucks.
[close]

How’s the grind compare on those 2? Getting ready to go the opposite of what you did.

Aces feel softer to me. It’s noticeable more on metal edged skatepark ledges. I find I stick more on them, but it’s not a huge issue and is probably more due to bad form on my part.
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: DNTRODDEN on June 03, 2026, 05:44:05 AM
I tried to post this yesterday, but I got the "Human Verification" and it deleted the post.

I ride 1 size truck, and that is whatever size 149, 55, 8.5, whatever, that is designed for an 8.5 deck.
I ride them on 8.25, 8.3, and 8.5s but I have definitely settled on 8.3 as my desired deck width. I ride pretty wide wheels as well, and don't care if the wheel is tucked or extended past the deck edge.  I will say that my wheels have moved on from Spitfire Radial fulls, and Bones V7s to a more "normal" V6 shape
Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: Mbrimson88 on June 03, 2026, 08:26:26 AM
I tried to post this yesterday, but I got the "Human Verification" and it deleted the post.

I ride 1 size truck, and that is whatever size 149, 55, 8.5, whatever, that is designed for an 8.5 deck.
I ride them on 8.25, 8.3, and 8.5s but I have definitely settled on 8.3 as my desired deck width. I ride pretty wide wheels as well, and don't care if the wheel is tucked or extended past the deck edge.  I will say that my wheels have moved on from Spitfire Radial fulls, and Bones V7s to a more "normal" V6 shape


If the verification thing happens again, just hit back twice, or at least back to the message you just typed (which is still here for me when that happens) then hit post again.  No need to retype everything.

That has been coming up a bit more lately and I was starting to wonder, but that seems like the easiest option.




...wish I hadn't pigeonholed myself into ~8.25 decks. After that I'll probably check out team thunder 149s since I've never had them before.

Quite a few people ride 8.25 trucks on 8.38 or similar size boards with no issues.  Just an option anyway, but I often find myself just wanting wider trucks on wider decks, but even just putting three washers on the inside of each wheel, just the nut on the outside can also bring the wheels out just enough for 8.25 trucks to work on some wider boards too, not quite 8.5 as that was a bit of a stretch, but some people like it like that.



An interesting finding— I tried banging out the kingpin and inverting it myself on the thunders as it does have the hex shaped bottom area and the nut didn’t fit. 



I noticed a few of my Thunder baseplates were a little off center when I took out the kingpins - hammered out maybe half a dozen or more sets now - so with that slight imperfection, I had to machine the kingpin nut a bit on some, but then I ended up just drilling out the bit of baseplate that didn't sit right, which worked better than anything else.

If it is minimal, even just scraping the kingpin nut on some rough concrete to wear down one side or corner point a bit might help it fit too, but a basic battery drill I have with a small metal drill bit angled into the corner of the baseplate and just drilling a touch, not very deep, was able to take off the bit that was preventing the kingpin nut from sitting nicely down in there.

Some baseplate bottoms were so snug the kingpin nut almost stayed wedged in there, but I didn't want the kingpin to sit on an angle or crooked from the nut not being 100% right in there, so this worked the best for me.

This was my adventure with Thunder inverted kingpins:


https://www.instagram.com/mbrimson88/p/DQJjoTQE4nN/


https://www.instagram.com/p/DQJjoTQE4nN/?img_index=1

Title: Re: Gear madness support thread
Post by: jamesmocapaldi on June 03, 2026, 09:20:24 AM
Kingpins weren't off-center in my case, just the hex area was too narrow for a nut to fit. Stupid luck that I'd have a set that can't be easily inverted without pulling out an angle grinder. I just went back to a healthier set of hangers (even though they're 1/4" wider). I figure if I get some inverted thunders, I can put the old 148 hangers on the new plates and try to kill them then. I just don't have much concrete (curbs/ledges) to skate so axle isn't a good measure of doneness for me.

Am I remembering correctly that someone here said T2 inverted would have a click-lock system like Ace? I wonder if they'll update T1 with the same system.