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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: CINCINNATI on July 03, 2015, 10:43:08 AM

Title: trying to size down
Post by: CINCINNATI on July 03, 2015, 10:43:08 AM
anyone else been able to get used to a smaller board? I've been riding like 8.8-9 inch decks the last 2-3 years and recently I've been wanting to size down to like an 8.5 as that seems to be a more popular size that shops stock. I haven't skated a deck that size in quite a while. I bought a set of 159's too so I've got some trucks that will fit an 8.5 better than my 169's. I am also a size 13 in shoes so idk if it'll feel super weird. I guess I am just wondering what you're guys experiences are with downsizing
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: MYXGAMES2015 on July 03, 2015, 10:57:19 AM
I downsized from 8.62 to 8.38 recently. Didn't feel as comfortable on transition for a little while, but flip tricks were instantly so much easier.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: hsggreen on July 03, 2015, 12:02:42 PM
I'm a sz 13 also, you'll be fine on an 8.5"
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Jordick on July 03, 2015, 01:22:09 PM
basically sized down from 8.5 to 8.25-8.38ish. been skating 8.5s for over a year now, and I want to go even smaller than 8.25. I feel like maybe a smaller board with nearly flat concave would be ok to skate? idk its hard to experiment cause I don't really have a disposable income.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: 144p on July 03, 2015, 01:27:17 PM
Really it's mostly mental.
At first you'll feel terrible but if you just accept it usually you can adapt.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Noble Experiment on July 03, 2015, 01:46:16 PM
If I ever have any extra cash lying around, I wanna get a 7.75 setup; with 129s and everything, just to fuck around on and to see how well or how bad I'd do on one again. It's been years since I've ridden that size (been on 8 and above for six years now, maybe even more. Currently on an 8.5). Who knows, maybe I'll get a few tricks back that I lost and haven't had for years. There's certain tricks that just come easier on skinny boards, but there's also a lot of tricks that come easier on a wider board too. Wider just feels better to me, but it'd be cool to get a 7.75 and pretend I'm in the early 2000s again.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Hash Slinging Slasher on July 03, 2015, 01:55:37 PM
Sized down to 8.125 from 8.5 for my current board and it was weird at first but now it feels completely the same
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on July 03, 2015, 02:22:29 PM
If I ever have any extra cash lying around, I wanna get a 7.75 setup; with 129s and everything, just to fuck around on and to see how well or how bad I'd do on one again. It's been years since I've ridden that size (been on 8 and above for six years now, maybe even more. Currently on an 8.5). Who knows, maybe I'll get a few tricks back that I lost and haven't had for years. There's certain tricks that just come easier on skinny boards, but there's also a lot of tricks that come easier on a wider board too. Wider just feels better to me, but it'd be cool to get a 7.75 and pretend I'm in the early 2000s again.
8 is fine i can do all my tricks on an 8 and probably an 8.26 even but things like shuvit underflip sexchanges and old school kickflips are pretty easy on 7.75 and below since you don't really pop them.

i mean you'll obviously never do those into a grind or anything so an 8 and above is probably fine by me.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Julz on July 03, 2015, 03:06:07 PM
If I ever have any extra cash lying around, I wanna get a 7.75 setup; with 129s and everything, just to fuck around on and to see how well or how bad I'd do on one again. It's been years since I've ridden that size (been on 8 and above for six years now, maybe even more. Currently on an 8.5). Who knows, maybe I'll get a few tricks back that I lost and haven't had for years. There's certain tricks that just come easier on skinny boards, but there's also a lot of tricks that come easier on a wider board too. Wider just feels better to me, but it'd be cool to get a 7.75 and pretend I'm in the early 2000s again.

I feel the same way, I have this old ass 7.75 sk8mafia board at my parents house and last christmas while I was carpet riding it, I was able to do tricks I've never been able to do, like bigspin flips and 540 flips, it was mind blowing (i'm 5'10 - 170). It was all fun until I rolled my ankle on kickflip tough... never felt so stupid in my life hahah
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: CINCINNATI on July 03, 2015, 03:46:29 PM
thanks for all the info guys

definitely gonna get an 8.5 and see how it is
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: WantSomeSlaw on July 03, 2015, 08:37:25 PM
yee jackson, you should be fine with really anything 8 and above. If you're shop stocks more 8.5s, it'll just be more convenient for you to get used to them
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Tracer on July 03, 2015, 08:49:55 PM
Downsizing helped my tech game so much, rode an 8.5 for a long time. Staring down a 12 set is much tougher now, it was so much more stable and easy to spot. With an 8 you aim for your bolts, 8.5 you aim for your board

Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: HyenaChaser on July 05, 2015, 10:04:07 PM
Sizing down has never worked in my favor. Sizing up has always been good to me.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Gray Imp Sausage Metal on July 05, 2015, 10:06:50 PM
7.75 and I haven't changed it in years. I often wonder if I should size up to an 8 but then I'd have to buy new trucks...
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on July 06, 2015, 02:46:09 AM
7.75 and I haven't changed it in years. I often wonder if I should size up to an 8 but then I'd have to buy new trucks...
8" trucks on da 8" board for da primo flips.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Xen on July 06, 2015, 01:35:39 PM
Sizing down has never worked in my favor. Sizing up has always been good to me.

Same here - my issue is wheelbase, not board width; sadly there are not many narrow boards with longer wheelbases.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: able on July 06, 2015, 02:05:59 PM
7.75 and I haven't changed it in years. I often wonder if I should size up to an 8 but then I'd have to buy new trucks...
I was 7.75 for many many years. Then I sized up to 8-8.25 cause they were easier to find, peer pressure, or whatever. I Skated the bigger boards for 3 years till finally I was like, "fuck it" and I got a 7.75 a couple of weeks ago. Never been happier. The board is light, everything pops, flips, all that. I'm never leaving small boards again.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: art hellman on July 06, 2015, 02:45:07 PM
(http://mathforum.org/mathimages/imgUpload/ExampleGIF2.gif)
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: commander jameson on July 07, 2015, 12:37:43 AM
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Sizing down has never worked in my favor. Sizing up has always been good to me.
[close]

Same here - my issue is wheelbase, not board width; sadly there are not many narrow boards with longer wheelbases.

Expand Quote
7.75 and I haven't changed it in years. I often wonder if I should size up to an 8 but then I'd have to buy new trucks...
[close]
I was 7.75 for many many years. Then I sized up to 8-8.25 cause they were easier to find, peer pressure, or whatever. I Skated the bigger boards for 3 years till finally I was like, "fuck it" and I got a 7.75 a couple of weeks ago. Never been happier. The board is light, everything pops, flips, all that. I'm never leaving small boards again.

I've been on 7.75-7.8 for years and years, never felt need to change. Nowadays it is little bit trickier to find that size with proper wheelbase (a bit bigger then 14) but it is possible. When I found deck that I like I try to stock up.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Gray Imp Sausage Metal on July 07, 2015, 12:58:19 AM
I've been on 7.75-7.8 for years and years, never felt need to change. Nowadays it is little bit trickier to find that size with proper wheelbase (a bit bigger then 14) but it is possible. When I found deck that I like I try to stock up.

What are Magentas like in that respect? I'm not that fussy about wheelbase at all but the magenta 7.75s are a dream shape for me, might even try the 7.875 next time?

@able did you size down for trucks when you went smaller?
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: PatrickSkateman on July 07, 2015, 06:29:18 AM
Chocolate started making Chris Roberts and Justin Eldridge's shapes in 7.75 and 7.875. I'm considering working my way down from 8.38. I have a really hard time with flip tricks on anything bigger than 8.25.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Jordick on July 07, 2015, 07:41:02 AM
I would try a toy machine 7.75 or 7.625 since I would guess the low concave would be more comfortable, but I don't have the type of wallet to be spending on something I probably won't like
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Glue Reed on July 07, 2015, 06:13:56 PM
I've been having this dilemma as well.  I'm currently riding 8.62, and have been for awhile, but I wonder sometimes if a smaller set up might be a little more stable? I'm sure lighter weight wouldn't hurt either, the thing can feel like a tank sometimes.

once you get used to longer wheelbases it's really, really hard to go back down.

plus it would just be nice to try some different companies instead of anti hero over and over.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: dog boy on July 07, 2015, 11:58:38 PM
Really it's mostly mental.
At first you'll feel terrible but if you just accept it usually you can adapt.

I feel like this rings true to most things in my life
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Paul Cicero on July 08, 2015, 05:29:25 AM
I tried to size down about a year ago thinking I would become this tech / flat ground wizard and all it did was throw all my other tricks out.
If you have flips tricks already on your wider set up then stick with it.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: drunk guy on July 08, 2015, 09:14:06 AM
I have been on 8 1/8 since the big move from 7.75 almost ten years ago. I also skate the smallest board in my city.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on July 08, 2015, 02:15:40 PM
Expand Quote
Really it's mostly mental.
At first you'll feel terrible but if you just accept it usually you can adapt.
[close]

I feel like this rings true to most things in my life
but is it easier to land with your feet on a bigger board or a smaller one?
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: TehPwnzorer on July 08, 2015, 02:30:59 PM
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Really it's mostly mental.
At first you'll feel terrible but if you just accept it usually you can adapt.
[close]

I feel like this rings true to most things in my life
[close]
but is it easier to land with your feet on a bigger board or a smaller one?
To me, it's more about foot positioning above anything else when it comes to smaller vs bigger boards. I can do anything I can on whatever board man, but at the end it comes to the feel. How should I describe it? I can't have the board cover the entire foot when I'm riding straight. That's why 8.125 is as big as I go atm(Riding 149 trucks, would be riding 8s but need to cover those axles as much as I can so 8.125 it is)

If you pop, catch and land correctly it's pretty much whatever size you have. It's all about the feel. Probably why most strictly tranny dudes ride wider board... Board covering entire foot when standing straight.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on July 08, 2015, 02:41:33 PM
Quote from: TehPwnzorer  link=topic=86424.msg2352523#msg2352523 date=1436391059
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Really it's mostly mental.
At first you'll feel terrible but if you just accept it usually you can adapt.
[close]

I feel like this rings true to most things in my life
[close]
but is it easier to land with your feet on a bigger board or a smaller one?
[close]
To me, it's more about foot positioning above anything else when it comes to smaller vs bigger boards. I can do anything I can on whatever board man, but at the end it comes to the feel. How should I describe it? I can't have the board cover the entire foot when I'm riding straight. That's why 8.125 is as big as I go atm(Riding 149 trucks, would be riding 8s but need to cover those axles as much as I can so 8.125 it is)

If you pop, catch and land correctly it's pretty much whatever size you have. It's all about the feel. Probably why most strictly tranny dudes ride wider board... Board covering entire foot when standing straight.
Oh wow. Do all the ramp guys skate wide boards or just the pool/bowl guys?
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: TehPwnzorer on July 08, 2015, 02:46:57 PM
Of course not. It's all about your own style and how you feel about it. But a lot of tranny guys riding bowl/vert tend to ride wider boards. 8.38 and up. Like a lot of tech guys riding 7.75 - 8.125. Never really seen tranny dudes ride 8" except the girls(smaller feet?) Bigger guys like Chris Cole and Andrew Reynolds ride 8.5 tho.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on July 08, 2015, 03:32:46 PM
Quote from: TehPwnzorer  link=topic=86424.msg2352536#msg2352536 date=1436392017
Of course not. It's all about your own style and how you feel about it. But a lot of tranny guys riding bowl/vert tend to ride wider boards. 8.38 and up. Like a lot of tech guys riding 7.75 - 8.125. Never really seen tranny dudes ride 8" except the girls(smaller feet?) Bigger guys like Chris Cole and Andrew Reynolds ride 8.5 tho.
yeah i mean i don't crush it at tranny but i'm sorta thinking i'd like a wider board just to switch things up  but all the ~8.5+ trucks are kinda high and i didn't end up liking high trucks or big wheels so i don't know. it does seem like the board spins slower when it's wider. which i like.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: N.L. on July 08, 2015, 03:52:35 PM
Thunder 151s aren't that high. Loving a loose, low wide set up at the moment.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: TehPwnzorer on July 08, 2015, 04:49:27 PM
^ My Thunder 149IIs are 52mm(Forged baseplate[Lights, Hollows, Titaniums]) in height. 53.5 if you get the standards with cast baseplate. They're a little higher than the 147s and old 149s as long as it's 149II and 151. 147 and old 149 hanger is 1.5mm lower.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: johnes on July 09, 2015, 08:00:04 PM
I thought OP meant shoes. Shit. I had some Carroll 4's in 10.5 that were good but bb3's in 10.5 that didnt fit at all. Also had Cons kenny 1's that were 20.5 and they would kinda hurt my arches when I skated with them.  I wear size 11. I just ordered the kenny 3's in 10.5 because it was on sale. Hope it's chill.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Bliz on July 12, 2015, 09:00:06 PM
I'm a size 13, and I skate an 8.25 just fine, it's really just getting over the mental block you got.  I previously skated an 8.5 for well over a year and felt incredibly sturdy, but after riding around on an 8.38 for another year and then deciding to go back to an 8.5, I felt just fine.  If you want to stick to bigger boards, it's ultimately up to you, but I think you'll adjust just fine
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: PatrickSkateman on July 20, 2015, 07:27:34 AM
Saw a 7.9 in the shop over the weekend and grabbed it right away. Felt great standing on it. Don't think I can do 8.38 anymore.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: pussy popper,pot smoker on July 23, 2015, 02:18:32 AM
anyone else been able to get used to a smaller board? I've been riding like 8.8-9 inch decks the last 2-3 years and recently I've been wanting to size down to like an 8.5 as that seems to be a more popular size that shops stock. I haven't skated a deck that size in quite a while. I bought a set of 159's too so I've got some trucks that will fit an 8.5 better than my 169's. I am also a size 13 in shoes so idk if it'll feel super weird. I guess I am just wondering what you're guys experiences are with downsizing
i'm 6'5 size 13 and i go in between 8.25 and 8.5, it just depends on what your doing, 8.5 is better for gaps and transition, getting a 8.25-8.38 is good for getting tech, i'm going to size down again because i'm getting my flat ground/ledge game up, so what ever works best for you.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Xen on July 27, 2015, 06:51:31 PM
Sizing down you say:

www.youtube.com/watch?t=129&v=tG-L_MyJ9h0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?t=129&v=tG-L_MyJ9h0#)
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: ES92 on August 03, 2015, 11:20:43 AM
I went from skating a 8.5 deck with regular Independent's and 54 mm wheels to skating an 8.25 with Independent hollows and 50 mm wheels. Needed a day to get used to how light the set up was, but now my skating is much better.
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on August 03, 2015, 02:46:11 PM
going from 8 to 9.4 in a couple days lets see if i still have flip tricks
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Jordick on August 03, 2015, 05:34:07 PM
going from 8 to 9.4 in a couple days lets see if i still have flip tricks
Why the change? And what's the 9.4 deck?
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: Rusty_Berrings on August 03, 2015, 05:39:01 PM
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going from 8 to 9.4 in a couple days lets see if i still have flip tricks
[close]
Why the change? And what's the 9.4 deck?
I just think I'll like it. It's a self cut with a 14" wheelbase.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2us98hx.png)
Title: Re: trying to size down
Post by: BMCsteve on August 03, 2015, 07:53:41 PM
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going from 8 to 9.4 in a couple days lets see if i still have flip tricks
[close]
Why the change? And what's the 9.4 deck?
[close]
I just think I'll like it. It's a self cut with a 14" wheelbase.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/2us98hx.png)

that's awesome man! post some pics when you get done with it