Gear madness support thread

[LebowskisRug]

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.

[Mbrimson88]

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. 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.

[LebowskisRug]

88A Supercush with flat top washer unlocks a lot of turn in the end of the turn.

[Coastal Fever]

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. 

[Ok]

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

[j....soy.....]

I'm saying it's the key to my longevity........skate slow....talk lots....

[Sedition]

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.

[Kombuch-A-Holic]

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

[Ok]

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

[Frank and Fred]

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?

[j....soy.....]

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….

[Frank and Fred]

I had some Ventures... but gave them away... prob a mistake...

[LebowskisRug]

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"

[Ok]

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.

[Frank and Fred]

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.

[Ok]

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.

[zozu]

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. 

[professor pound cake]

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

[Vintagebody]

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

[OhioGuy]

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 😂

[j....soy.....]

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...

[OhioGuy]

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

[Sedition]

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

[Vintagebody]

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.

[Sedition]

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.

[LebowskisRug]

 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.

[Vintagebody]

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.

[DarkPools]

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

[Vintagebody]

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.

[MetalAnkleMan]

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