Polar Shapes

[munchbox]

dane 1 is shorter than all the other big polars. 9+/32ish/14.25 shapes never truly clicked with me, always felt like riding worse versions of my popsicle with similar dims. big football shapes will be my last try in that size range before i give up completely.

9.75/31.375/14.125 paired with my 36" inseam legs has been working a dream. flick cant be missed with the short nose, it takes purpose to overflip, wide landing surface goes without saying. if it had a steeper tail it would be the perfect shape for me.

not much more to be said other than try them out and see what works. 1991/92 seem pretty similar outside of shape and wb, dane 1 is the most different of them all.

[ballintoohard]

Bought a Polar 8.25 yesterday, once again the label is not accurate. It says 8.25x31.785, 14.125 WB, 7.25 nose, 6.75 tail. The width is right, length is 31.9, WB is 14.25, nose is 7.06, tail is 6.625.

Oddly the 8 that I got is true to the label. I know that how you measure matters, so for the 8 and 8.38 I used the method that got the label dimensions (tape flat against the plys) although the 8.38 WB is still listed wrong.

[Ok]

Bought a Polar 8.25 yesterday, once again the label is not accurate. It says 8.25x31.785, 14.125 WB, 7.25 nose, 6.75 tail. The width is right, length is 31.9, WB is 14.25, nose is 7.06, tail is 6.625.

Oddly the 8 that I got is true to the label. I know that how you measure matters, so for the 8 and 8.38 I used the method that got the label dimensions (tape flat against the plys) although the 8.38 WB is still listed wrong.

Different company, but I bought a board recently that I was all hyped on because the listed measurements are/were 31.1 in length, more like 32. That’s what I get for chasing unicorns. Was looking for that wide flat short. Oh well, I shouldn’t be so particular (my specificity doesn’t result in competence).

I now have the above board and another deck to get thru before I can order a polar. Shop that I buy from has all of them in, couldn’t decide between 91, 92, dane1, or the 9” popsicle (been watching to much villewester) so I got none of em.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Are the dimensions correct on the p9: I.e. does it have a 14.5 wheelbase, or is it 14.375?

[jakeumms]

Are the dimensions correct on the p9: I.e. does it have a 14.5 wheelbase, or is it 14.375?

I'd love to know that too. Also considering just redrilling to 14.12 with a six hole baseplate.

Coincidentally, I just realized last night that the 8.25 Polar I bought in October that I just set up is 8.125 wide. No big deal really but this is the third BBS deck I've gotten since the pandemic started that hasn't been the listed dimensions.

[puddy]

Are the dimensions correct on the p9: I.e. does it have a 14.5 wheelbase, or is it 14.375?

I'm on my third P9 this year. I just measured them and they're all 14.5. They're about 8 3/8 across at the middle of the back truck and about 8 1/2 at the front.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Are the dimensions correct on the p9: I.e. does it have a 14.5 wheelbase, or is it 14.375?

[close]

I'd love to know that too. Also considering just redrilling to 14.12 with a six hole baseplate.

Coincidentally, I just realized last night that the 8.25 Polar I bought in October that I just set up is 8.125 wide. No big deal really but this is the third BBS deck I've gotten since the pandemic started that hasn't been the listed dimensions.

Special Shape: P9
8.625" (Widest Point) x 32.25"
Wheelbase: 14.5"
Nose: 7.125"
Tail: 6.5"

Do you bring both ends in on longer boards or just one?  I am looking at that tail thinking that could come in a bit more but then how much does it change the feel of it? 

Indy 6 hole baseplates* can give you another 3/8 of an inch so it would be 6.875 on the tail but I guess you already know and do that too?

Edit: * When re drilling the back truck to make a shorter wheelbase, just in case that wasn't clear.

[Croquet temper]

Even their normal popsicle shape decks are fucking excellent. I just got the Dane Brady memory palace at 8.125 and it feels like what I fondly remember of early 2000’s Black Label.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Expand Quote

Are the dimensions correct on the p9: I.e. does it have a 14.5 wheelbase, or is it 14.375?

[close]

I'm on my third P9 this year. I just measured them and they're all 14.5. They're about 8 3/8 across at the middle of the back truck and about 8 1/2 at the front.

cheers, thanks for that! 14.5 is stretching it for me, although Shin’s surf shape @ 14.375 doesn’t feel too longboardy.

[jamersonbass]

Even their normal popsicle shape decks are fucking excellent. I just got the Dane Brady memory palace at 8.125 and it feels like what I fondly remember of early 2000’s Black Label.

What was it about early oughts Label wood?  I was probably 17 or 18 and went through a couple that seemed like they would last so much longer than other decks at the time.

[jakeumms]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Are the dimensions correct on the p9: I.e. does it have a 14.5 wheelbase, or is it 14.375?

[close]

I'd love to know that too. Also considering just redrilling to 14.12 with a six hole baseplate.

Coincidentally, I just realized last night that the 8.25 Polar I bought in October that I just set up is 8.125 wide. No big deal really but this is the third BBS deck I've gotten since the pandemic started that hasn't been the listed dimensions.

[close]

Special Shape: P9
8.625" (Widest Point) x 32.25"
Wheelbase: 14.5"
Nose: 7.125"
Tail: 6.5"

Do you bring both ends in on longer boards or just one?  I am looking at that tail thinking that could come in a bit more but then how much does it change the feel of it? 

Indy 6 hole baseplates* can give you another 3/8 of an inch so it would be 6.875 on the tail but I guess you already know and do that too?

Edit: * When re drilling the back truck to make a shorter wheelbase, just in case that wasn't clear.

I got what you were saying about bringing in the back truck. You were the person who pointed out that you could use the 6 hole plates to redrill and so that's what got me thinking. I haven't done it yet though. I love the P9 and the 1991 but I feel like 14.5 is pushing it for my shortish legs. I'm probably gonna try it on the P9 and see how I like it. Frankly I would be scared to start drilling in the back what with the fingers of flat stuff.

[ballintoohard]

Even their normal popsicle shape decks are fucking excellent. I just got the Dane Brady memory palace at 8.125 and it feels like what I fondly remember of early 2000’s Black Label.

I swear whatever extra they pay BBS really matters. They always last twice as long as anything other than Pass~Port. Even the paint takes longer to slide off. They seem harder to chip too and their shapes are super dependable and solid. They do enough of each in every drop that you can always get one from a dope rider or a dope team graphic

[Ok]

Expand Quote

Even their normal popsicle shape decks are fucking excellent. I just got the Dane Brady memory palace at 8.125 and it feels like what I fondly remember of early 2000’s Black Label.

[close]

I swear whatever extra they pay BBS really matters. They always last twice as long as anything other than Pass~Port. Even the paint takes longer to slide off. They seem harder to chip too and their shapes are super dependable and solid. They do enough of each in every drop that you can always get one from a dope rider or a dope team graphic

Yeah I dunno why I quit riding their stuff, probably me being lame and just tired of the ubiquity of Polar for awhile there. The boards, especially in the early going with the dope graphics, were just super good, well balanced shapes, and like you both mentioned, very nice quality.
If I had to stick to one company, their range of shapes would have it covered (they have a sick 7.875, and then all the way up to their 90’s shapes and 9” popsicle).

[ballintoohard]

For me the nice part is dependability and overlap with other brands I like. I could ride Polar 8, Polar 8.125, Polar 8.25, same in Pass~Port, the Anti Hero Eagle 8.125, DLX Full SE 8.25, and my favorite shop deck.

[Mbrimson88]

I got what you were saying about bringing in the back truck. You were the person who pointed out that you could use the 6 hole plates to redrill and so that's what got me thinking. I haven't done it yet though. I love the P9 and the 1991 but I feel like 14.5 is pushing it for my shortish legs. I'm probably gonna try it on the P9 and see how I like it. Frankly I would be scared to start drilling in the back what with the fingers of flat stuff.

The best thing is without drilling anything, just attach the truck with the two deck bolts through the last holes and stand on it to see if that would work.  That will tell you right there if it is a go or not.  If not, then have the tail in the normal holes and drill the front down.  You can always cut or grind the nose down a bit more, or live like it is 93 and have a 7.5 inch nose.

That is if you have already bought it.  If you haven't then at least it is not a board that is going to give you grief now you know the wheelbase.

Options all round.

[Ok]

Any recommendations on trucks with the 1992 shape?

[YungJugg]

Ace 55

[Ok]

Ace 55

Perfect thanks!

[RichardBarkley]

Does anyone ever get shape anxiety?

I'd seriously be lost if they ever stopped making the P9. It's so perfect for me.

If I had money id buy a load now. Alas I don't.

[FrozenIndustries]

Does anyone ever get shape anxiety?

I'd seriously be lost if they ever stopped making the P9. It's so perfect for me.

If I had money id buy a load now. Alas I don't.

Yes, I stopped skating shaped boards for this exact reason. Worrying about them becoming scarce (they did) made me way too precious. Also having a stack doesn't help.

Shaped boards aren't good for people with attachment issues.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Does anyone ever get shape anxiety?

I'd seriously be lost if they ever stopped making the P9. It's so perfect for me.

If I had money id buy a load now. Alas I don't.

[close]

Yes, I stopped skating shaped boards for this exact reason. Worrying about them becoming scarce (they did) made me way too precious. Also having a stack doesn't help.

Shaped boards aren't good for people with attachment issues.

Yeah totally!!!

But I can't see Polar going out of business any time soon, or dropping the various lines of shapes from their catalog either.  From what I have seen around and definitely read on here, this is the most stable of brands with shapes and beats the pants of other brands who were known for the shaped boards like Welcome.

[kenjiro]

Just got my first polar board. shin astro boy in 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase. first time using 14.5 so this should be interesting

[RichardBarkley]

Just got my first polar board. shin astro boy in 8.5 with a 14.5 wheelbase. first time using 14.5 so this should be interesting

I was paranoid as hell changing wb after reading all the nonsense on here.

If anything I find 14.25 and up works better for flip tricks.

[jamersonbass]

Just ordered the Halberg ACAB Surf shape.  The ground is covered in snow here in MI, but I couldn't sleep on the graphic and throwing Hjalte some royalties.  Curious to see if my 44's or Indy 149's work better for it.

[YungJugg]

Just ordered the Halberg ACAB Surf shape.  The ground is covered in snow here in MI, but I couldn't sleep on the graphic and throwing Hjalte some royalties.  Curious to see if my 44's or Indy 149's work better for it.

I run my surf with 149s and love it, but my moneys on 44s. Pretty sure that shape, down to the wheel well placements, was made with 44s in mind.

[jay_nev]

I feel like a lot of the polars were made with ace in mind, no?

[YungJugg]

Pretty much, majority of the team rides them.  But now that I think about it, doesn’t Hjalte ride Indys? Would be cool if each riders surf shape had their wheel well placement align with their preferred truck.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Run it on 44s, best combo!

[jamersonbass]

Run it on 44s, best combo!

I will definitely start there.  Thanks!

[bigdave]

Just got the 9" KELZ and 9" Shin Memory Palace decks delivered.
Have some new Ace 55s and I am gonna swap out some 52s I have for 54s. Not sure which brand yet. I like to support small/local brands when I can. Maybe SML since theyre literally here.