Sizing Down

[Xen]

144s work great for 8.125/8.18" to 8.38" - running some 144s on an tapered 8.375 and it feels great.

I wouldn't use them on an 8.5...44s or 149s at that point.

As for sizing up or down, I always go half steps and get the in between sizes...e.g., sizing up form any 8? get an 8.125....up from 8.125"? get an 8.25" up from 8.25? Get an 8.3", etc. or you can just man-up and go full in

[ballintoohard]

Anyone think lows would be a good move? 139s didn’t seem to do the trick as I thought.

[Mbrimson88]

Anyone think lows would be a good move? 139s didn’t seem to do the trick as I thought.

What did you set up as a whole board?

[ballintoohard]

I have a Quasi 8.25/14.25 on 139s and an 8.125 Quasi in the closet. My other setup, which is still setup and sitting there, is a Passport 8.25/14.25 on 149s. I'd imagine using them on the 8.125 Quasi or maybe an 8-8.125 with mellow kicks since that's what I seem to prefer.

[Mbrimson88]

I have a Quasi 8.25/14.25 on 139s and an 8.125 Quasi in the closet. My other setup, which is still setup and sitting there, is a Passport 8.25/14.25 on 149s. I'd imagine using them on the 8.125 Quasi or maybe an 8-8.125 with mellow kicks since that's what I seem to prefer.

So the 149s were Indy forged hollows, you didn't have Indy 144s but had Thunder 148 (same size as Indy 144), then you bought 139s?

The 8 to 8.1 size would be good on the 139s then, but at least with a few options, you can mix things up and see what fits and what works best.

[ballintoohard]

yup forged hollows. I also owned Thunder Ti lite 148s with the forged plates and had tried them with cast plates as well. I also have 5.6 Venture in the closet. None of the locals in my area had 144s so I went with 139 forged hollows with 3 washers on the inside. I put the 139 on my Quasi 8.25 since that was already gripped, I had liked the shape in the past, and it was one variable at a time. So far it's just breaking in new trucks, but it doesn't feel much different.

Overall my pop timing just isn't ever what it was and I tend to never feel quite comfortable. My hypothesis is my "muscle memory" remembers years of lower, shorter, smaller setups. Even my Passport is 31.8 and that thing feels better than anything 32 and over I've skated and I've never gotten along with any wheelbase over 14.25

[Ok]

yup forged hollows. I also owned Thunder Ti lite 148s with the forged plates and had tried them with cast plates as well. I also have 5.6 Venture in the closet. None of the locals in my area had 144s so I went with 139 forged hollows with 3 washers on the inside. I put the 139 on my Quasi 8.25 since that was already gripped, I had liked the shape in the past, and it was one variable at a time. So far it's just breaking in new trucks, but it doesn't feel much different.

Overall my pop timing just isn't ever what it was and I tend to never feel quite comfortable. My hypothesis is my "muscle memory" remembers years of lower, shorter, smaller setups. Even my Passport is 31.8 and that thing feels better than anything 32 and over I've skated and I've never gotten along with any wheelbase over 14.25

I switch shit around all the time, so take what I say with a pile of salt, but: you will adapt and develop new muscle memory. Sticking with one setup will get you back on track.

I set different stuff up, and it’s fun and all, but it’s not about performance, it’s about entertainment. Competing with our past selves is also slippery. I was never filmed, and totally remember being a little better than I was.

Take all that as you will

[ballintoohard]

I mostly agree with you. The weird difference is that after years being back my flip tricks are still suffering and pop ain’t there despite getting almost everything else back.

[Mbrimson88]

I mostly agree with you. The weird difference is that after years being back my flip tricks are still suffering and pop ain’t there despite getting almost everything else back.

I know that old me now (45) hasn't got squat over young me in the pop and flip department.  Just little things like that I really notice now, same as falling down, it takes twice as long to get back up now as it did back then.

[Ok]

Expand Quote

I mostly agree with you. The weird difference is that after years being back my flip tricks are still suffering and pop ain’t there despite getting almost everything else back.

[close]

I know that old me now (45) hasn't got squat over young me in the pop and flip department.  Just little things like that I really notice now, same as falling down, it takes twice as long to get back up now as it did back then.

Same, pop and flip (aka skateboarding, for me, because that was all I ever cared about), isn’t nearly the same.

Skating a shorter board helps me, 31.5”, not pressed. 31.25” is great. Sticks to my feet better. But after that....I personally need to get used to the what is, I’m in my 40s and it is not the same.

Ballin: I hear you, my first comment was trying to be helpful. I’ve definitely halted personal progress by trying a bunch of different products, and also by trying to keep up with the times (ride bigger boards). Trucks bigger than 8”, boards bigger than 8.25” don’t  help me.
Anyways, best of luck! I think sizing down is the way to go, it allows me to skate longer with less pain (flatground)