Gear madness support thread

[Mbrimson88]

Then I'm the Dustin Dollin of gear madness. I don't have a problem, I'm just having fun. I could easily stop trying different stuff every other session. I just don't want to.

Ha yeah that is it for sure.

I have what I regularly ride and know what works, but now I feel like I want to try these other things, just to see how they compare.  Maybe it is just me being a "special case" and I like killing myself in that way, but overall, I find it very interesting using different gear and seeing what works, what doesn't work, how I could make things work for me, vs how others I skate with make things work (or don't work) for them.

All up I don't need to change anything but it keeps it a little more interesting and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

[Sedition]

…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.

[moonordie]

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…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

[close]

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.

Somebody has to take the bullet for all of you guys.

[rikki]

Not unexpectedly, my honeymoon with the Baker b16 paired with Indy cast 149s has not survived without running into some insecurity issues. Admittedly unsurprisingly my pop consistency (which isn't world class anyway) has been dwindling. I hate it when I have to make an expedition of searching for my back foot position. The georaphical area seems vast all of a sudden and there be monsters.

While the b16 setup wasn't looking, I secretly put my trusty old Venture cast 5.6 + DLX 8.25 complete back together and most f*cking definitely will be sipping from that bottle soon to see if the grass on the other side was indeed merely projected as being greener.

[Sedition]

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…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

[close]

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.

[close]

Somebody has to take the bullet for all of you guys.

Oh, I absolutely include myself in that.

[rocklobster]

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…and now at least I get a feel for what other stuff is like so when people ask, I can actually have a fairly good reply with experience, not just parrot what someone else has said online about something, the way I have heard other shop guys do in the past at some places.

[close]

This. This is unquestionably the biggest “benefit” of gear madness, at least for me.

The people in this thread have a lot of hands-on knowledge about how various hardware components perform, and that’s good info have when others are asking questions.

[close]

Somebody has to take the bullet for all of you guys.

Gotta justify my shopping addiction / gear madness somehow.

I agree what @Mbrimson88 mentioned - being able to share 1st hand experience of the gear you're riding is invaluable, 2x if you're running a shop and can give an honest assessment of gear.

[moonordie]

After a heavy madness relapse:
- Board we're good. 8.25 and between 31.75 and 32. WB ideally 8.25. No more HLC ever again. I should stick with BBS
- Trucks: Back to Indy, good. Once they're done I'll skate again the hollow Lurpivs I skate before and then Indy again. 55mm tall is what it works for me.
- Wheels: I had a fucking parade of shapes and duros. Currently I find that 93 53mm classics are really comfy for me for now. Once they're done probably I'll skate CF. Never again a wheel that's not 53mm.
- Shoes: 933 checked all my boxes.

So far so good (finally).

[TheCrimsonShroud]

Not unexpectedly, my honeymoon with the Baker b16 paired with Indy cast 149s has not survived without running into some insecurity issues. Admittedly unsurprisingly my pop consistency (which isn't world class anyway) has been dwindling. I hate it when I have to make an expedition of searching for my back foot position. The georaphical area seems vast all of a sudden and there be monsters.

While the b16 setup wasn't looking, I secretly put my trusty old Venture cast 5.6 + DLX 8.25 complete back together and most f*cking definitely will be sipping from that bottle soon to see if the grass on the other side was indeed merely projected as being greener.

Every time I go back to Indy there’s a honeymoon period where the tight turn has me distracted. Then I realize my pop is like half as consistent and 30% lower and I crawl home to Mama Venture.

[Mbrimson88]

Got myself another 8.6.  The "new" 8.6 shape with the shorter 14.25 wheelbase. When on top of the 14.6 wb version I can see it's the exact same shape just shorter.

Interesting thing is, I  didn't need much time to adjust or disliked it instantly (happened to many times) so I think sometimes wheelbase doesn't matter. It seems like kicks/concave shouldn't be ignored

I had meant to reply to this the other day, but thought I would let you have at least a week to skate the shorter board and see if it still worked or if something just didn't add up for you.

Finding a few other longer wheelbase boards I can use the drilled in trucks on so I can have a medium wheelbase and a little bit longer tail, I am trying another DLX 8.5 soon to see how this new shape works.

Working with board concave you are used to, eg for you Creature / NHS and for me DLX / BBS is the main thing to make things start out right.

[FrenchSkater]

just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

[back smith]

just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

Thunder

[fakiefs180]

Thanks for all the insights pals. After reading all the responses, I decided to just get some 53mm 99a Classics. If they wear down a bit, they are similar to my old 52mm Conicals. Can't wait to get a session in soon.

[FrenchSkater]

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just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

[close]

Thunder

I need more details, please! I'd like to point out that I'm quite short (5'7"), and I'm really looking for the option that would be best for my height!

[TheCrimsonShroud]

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just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

[close]

Thunder

[close]

I need more details, please! I'd like to point out that I'm quite short (5'7"), and I'm really looking for the option that would be best for my height!

It’s really all relative. I’m 5’8” and can’t stand 8” boards or tiny WB.

Your thunders are lower by 3.5mm and about 12g heavier. They also push the WB out a bit more than Indy. I would honestly try both if possible, but personally I’d go with thunders between the two with that deck.

[Sedition]

just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

Only you can answer that question. Trucks are totally subjective.

[back smith]

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just bouger a deck from my local shop. The deck is 31.8" long with a 14.25 wheelbase, and it's an 8.0. It has a concave that's a bit more than medium, but not quite high. What do you think would be the best trucks for it : Thunder 147 Standards or indys forged Hollows 139? I sometimes switch between the two, although I’ve skated Indys a lot more. I’m wondering, considering the length and wheelbase, which ones would be better.

[close]

Thunder

[close]

I need more details, please! I'd like to point out that I'm quite short (5'7"), and I'm really looking for the option that would be best for my height!

Thunders will even out the short wheelbase. Indys (or at least Ace) feel weird to me on 14.25, turns like a slalom board.

Compared to the average 13-year-old skater you are a fully grown man. Your height won't be an issue for any reasonable board.

[rikki]

I'm 5'9 and I prefer cast Ventures on a 14.38 wb. I've got longish legs, maybe, but still, it's the feeling. I gotta have that oomph. And yeah, ultimately I had to find it out by myself.

[Schinken]

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Got myself another 8.6.  The "new" 8.6 shape with the shorter 14.25 wheelbase. When on top of the 14.6 wb version I can see it's the exact same shape just shorter.

Interesting thing is, I  didn't need much time to adjust or disliked it instantly (happened to many times) so I think sometimes wheelbase doesn't matter. It seems like kicks/concave shouldn't be ignored

[close]

I had meant to reply to this the other day, but thought I would let you have at least a week to skate the shorter board and see if it still worked or if something just didn't add up for you.

Finding a few other longer wheelbase boards I can use the drilled in trucks on so I can have a medium wheelbase and a little bit longer tail, I am trying another DLX 8.5 soon to see how this new shape works.

Working with board concave you are used to, eg for you Creature / NHS and for me DLX / BBS is the main thing to make things start out right.

Still liking that deck. Sometimes I end up too far on the nose so it seems like I'm used to the longer version. Both versions have their pros and cons. Most important thing to me is the pop feel / steep nose to catch my foot.

I got myself the 8.62 doobie deck out of curiosity as well. It's flatter and I have to admit I do not like it that much. Doesn't work well for me on thunders. I could get used to it but it's not my preference.

Only thing that is annoying is my creature board got warped. Probably due to the high temperatures and me leaving it in my car. I've never had a resin pressed board warp. Maybe it has been to fresh (normally i get older stock but i liked the graphics)

[JM]

I need help. I have perfectly fine 52mm x99’s V1 shape worn down to 51mm… and they’re nice and seasoned with dirt and grime so they have some skirrrrt to them instead of that silence when new.

I’m getting itchy looking at new 53mm wheels in a V5 shape.

I don’t NEED them… just want them…

Nothing wrong with the wheels I have at home. They skate great.

But I do need help…

[rocklobster]

I need help. I have perfectly fine 52mm x99’s V1 shape worn down to 51mm… and they’re nice and seasoned with dirt and grime so they have some skirrrrt to them instead of that silence when new.

I’m getting itchy looking at new 53mm wheels in a V5 shape.

I don’t NEED them… just want them…

Nothing wrong with the wheels I have at home. They skate great.

But I do need help…

Do you want to help this flailing economy or not?!?

[JM]

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I need help. I have perfectly fine 52mm x99’s V1 shape worn down to 51mm… and they’re nice and seasoned with dirt and grime so they have some skirrrrt to them instead of that silence when new.

I’m getting itchy looking at new 53mm wheels in a V5 shape.

I don’t NEED them… just want them…

Nothing wrong with the wheels I have at home. They skate great.

But I do need help…

[close]

Do you want to help this flailing economy or not?!?

Ha!

Well… my local(s) don’t have the specific that I’m looking for right now, so maybe it’s just a sign to wait until they do. 

[Obijuan91]

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I was very ok madness wise until somebody posted something like "madness free for x days" and from my here it started for me in the most hardcore way.
So...
On this board (great shape btw) I had: Tensor Mag Lights, Indy hollows and now AF1 (all in their 8.5 variant)
Hated the mag lights because I felt I had no control even while pushing so I went back to Indy and it's ok but obvsly the "what if" popped up so why not try again Ace? I'll be able to skate them tomorrow or Wednesday and then I'll decide between Ace Or Indy finally.

[close]

I agree, great shape, I have the variant without wheel wells. To mix it up a bit, why not try AF1 60s? I feel like the 14.38 wb and 8.75 axles provide nice stability without being too hefty for my taste. Obviously then wheels need to be thin unless you like hot rod.

[close]

This one is 8.25 x 14.125. Not really interested in getting trucks wider than 8.5

Indy Forged hollows on that one.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Not really madness per se more like an old lesson re-learned over and over....

Anyway, was having some lackluster sessions on a deck that was clearly past its sell by date. no pop, razor tail and chipped nose. but i refused to surrender it. occasionally, i still have that teenage mentality where a board should be ridden until its unrideable. but now i can afford boards and have a little stack in my basement... i should just give the old boards to  kids sooner... but no... i had some romantic ideal of riding a mangled piece of wood into oblivion...

anyway, i finally got rid of the soggy sack of shit and laced up a freshie yesterday and low and behold it was like my legs were 20 years younger and i did my best  kick flip in months...

moral of the story... trees are cool but skateboarding is better... 

seriously though.... old men... hand down those boards while they still have a little sprack...

[back smith]

Not really madness per se more like an old lesson re-learned over and over....

Anyway, was having some lackluster sessions on a deck that was clearly past its sell by date. no pop, razor tail and chipped nose. but i refused to surrender it. occasionally, i still have that teenage mentality where a board should be ridden until its unrideable. but now i can afford boards and have a little stack in my basement... i should just give the old boards to  kids sooner... but no... i had some romantic ideal of riding a mangled piece of wood into oblivion...

anyway, i finally got rid of the soggy sack of shit and laced up a freshie yesterday and low and behold it was like my legs were 20 years younger and i did my best  kick flip in months...

moral of the story... trees are cool but skateboarding is better... 

seriously though.... old men... hand down those boards while they still have a little sprack...

Well ok I'll set up a new board seeing as how it's raining and that's a good rainy day activity but I dunno about all that. All the time I see dudes going hard and high on some ancient worn out deck with seemingly no hinderance. And any deck left at the park will either be focused by scooter kids or picked up by some middle aged hoarder who it's more of a problem for so the charitable aspect is also questionable. But hey will be nice to be on a crisp board.

[Too Frank To Fred]

For sure. For most of my skateboarding years, I'd keep a deck until it was in 2 pieces. But I am old and suck and can't get a soggy razored board off the ground in quite the same way, so they end up at a program for young people who don't have many resources... I presume you ride your boards to the bitter end? That's rad. I wish I could. Like VA.

Also, never seen a scooter kid focus a skateboard... where the hell do you live? And no old man collector is picking up my used boards...

Point of the story, its often not gear madness for me... its me riding boards long after I can personally effectively use them.. and believe me.. I still try... I still feel like a bit of a looser for sending a deck off into the sunset on this dying planet.

[back smith]

For sure. For most of my skateboarding years, I'd keep a deck until it was in 2 pieces. But I am old and suck and can't get a soggy razored board off the ground in quite the same way, so they end up at a program for young people who don't have many resources... I presume you ride your boards to the bitter end? That's rad. I wish I could. Like VA.

Also, never seen a scooter kid focus a skateboard... where the hell do you live? And no old man collector is picking up my used boards...

Point of the story, its often not gear madness for me... its me riding boards long after I can personally effectively use them.. and believe me.. I still try... I still feel like a bit of a looser for sending a deck off into the sunset on this dying planet.

Well I use scooter kids in the old man sense of the term. Many of them are legally adults..

Every time I've seen someone get a deck it's been a middle aged man but my viewpoint may be skewed from hanging out with mainly middle aged men. But good news I figured out how to optimize the process and will just keep the old deck in my personal collection.

[Mule]

Does anyone happen to know what truck is closest to a tensor mag light low in terms of height and wheelbase?
After years of trying to find the perfect set up, a friend recommended I try tensors and promised that I’d like them and gosh dang it was he right. Mag light lows with a riser pad ended up being the perfect goldilocks set up for me, but with tensor now out of business I feel like I either have to try to buy up all the dead stock I can or try my best to find something similar

[Allen.]

I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now

[Sedition]

I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now

Most important dimension on a deck.

[rikki]

I promised myself I’d never get to this point but I think I’m a wheelbase guy now

Ain't personal evolution great? Wb is a tool. Knowing how and when to apply one's own personal wb preference actually makes life easier, provided it might initially feel like it's just contributing to the madness.