With everything going on now, I thought I'd try to help support my locals, and some of my favorite nationally-known shops...
I thought I would set up something more tech. Currently running a 8.5 WKND on Venture 6.1's, and wanted to put together another order to do my part. And that's when I thought it'd be a good idea to DM Professor Schmitt. You know... Like a man.
Everything I thought I knew was ruined, but I still find myself questioning his suggestion. I told him I was 36, 6'3", pretty leggy, and pretty much exclusively skated ledges, manual pads, and flat ground. I also complimented his shapes and wood. I figured he probably has a flat rate for when Pro's come to him to work on their own shapes, so getting any kind of answer would be sick. His suggestion...
15", preferably on an 8.25-8.5. What in the actual fuck?
This has broken me as a person, as I've landed on 14.25 and "think" I'm happy with it. The largest I've skated was 14.5 and found scoop-y tricks difficult...
But, he's Paul Schmitt.
I'm lucky to be considered an essential worker right now. Not because of a steady paycheck, but having structure, thus preventing becoming a full blown alcoholic.
I'm thinking fuck it. It's probably not the end of the world, but it feels like the end of the world. The closest shape I landed on was the Quasi 8.625 w/ a 14.75 wheelbase. I'm rocking Ventures, and think this might be ok, but do any Slap Pals have rec's for a board with a 15" wheelbase under 8.75?
TL;DR: Trying to focus my madness on skateboarding and not obsessing over the news, which is truthful, but terrifying right now.
Damn. Great post.
Lots of really excellent responses to you already.
Just wanted to say I hear you: sometimes when shit is too hectic I just want to get one thing right: pants, board/set up, socks, fucking anything.
I also romanticize experts. I like people, and I like the notion of people having a niche, a calling, a position. One of my favorite shops I’ve ever been to is 35th ave, been there less than a handful of times, every time I got thoughtful setup/product advice.
I’ve read a smattering of the professors comments on setups and sizing....it doesn’t sound like hard science, and that’s ok. His advice truthfully reminds me of some old guy bicycle advice (very similar results in the end result of advice given, but it’s a long explanation, basically ride bigger for more comfy). Maybe he’s giving you advice based off of what he’d ride (you are both tall). There is some logic behind scaling the sizing.....and yet I learned kickflips when I was 5 ft tall on a 9”+ board, 15” wb (guessing), with 9” trucks. I think o skate best on 7.9 boards with 14” wb, and 8” trucks.
Everything I think I learn, can be disregarded, at a later date. I mostly think it’s about wb, and length, but I have ridden boards that work pretty well for my limited bag of flip tricks that have 14.75 wb (I’m 5’8”). These experiences lead me to believe there is some other factor(s): dunno what but my idea is that there is some leverage/weighting sci-voodoo that I haven’t clocked.
I’ve really tried a bunch of equipment, but frantically without reason, predictable results: I’ve got stuff, and no answers, and I’m not any closer to knowing what’s best for me, and it’s just more time wasted NOT actually being outside. Can be fun. You sound like you are looking for peace though.
I’ve tried the different trucks for different decks game and that was kinda shitty, for me.
If you can keep your existing trucks and try and longer wb board (that long wb jj shape) might be dope.
The more I skate, the less I trip on gear.
Hope it all gets easier
Topic: The Set-up Thread (Read 4846361 times)