Gear madness support thread

[SwitchBenihana]

Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.

[Sedition]

Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.

The 8.5/14.25/31.85 blue eagle? I def would not call those kicks “long.”

[tzhangdox]

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Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.

[close]

The 8.5/14.25/31.85 blue eagle? I def would not call those kicks “long.”

Yeah neither, they're pretty normal kicks in terms of length imo. If anything I'd really like it if they extended the kicks on that shape to make the length a true 32

I skate ventures though so that definitely influences my preference for longer mellower kicks. Throw Thunder T2s or something on and what kicks Im after definitely changes

[Mbrimson88]

I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.

Huh? Only 8.38 with a 14.5 is the DLX and it doesnt need a WB adjustment... Everyone else does a 14.25... sometimes smaller...

I like a smaller deck sometimes and that 14.5 WB is just right for me since im taller and larger than the average skater.

What sucks are the 8.5s with a fucking 14-14.25 WB... the fuck??? so strange

The DLX 8.4 shape is a pretty good one, slightly longer tail than most too, if you like that sort of thing, but yes as said, they can be harder to get from time to time.


Re the BBS wood / DLX 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 shape:

Quite a lot of companies do use the same shape, DLX, Bakerboys Dist - Baker, Deathwish, Birdhouse, DGK, Element and others, for that 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 wb, or at least they all seem to have the same shape when I had compared their boards.  Some might have changed shapes now though.

Other brands that have or had shorter 8.3 variants still on BBS wood include Limosine, Primitive, April, Element, maybe now some Bakerboys wood, just off the top of my head.  Even the Krooked Manderson board is 8.38 x 32 with 14.25 wb and is not overly squared off, even though it is quite a blunt ended shape.

It is actually becoming a more common board size, with a number of people saying the similar thing - 8.25 is a bit small and 8.5 is a bit big.

The most common 8.38 shape usually has 14.375 or so wheelbase, which is what Polar, Passport and a number of others are on, or were when I checked and had a few come through my hands.  The Generator shape is the same too, slightly shorter wheelbase than the DLX 8.38 with a longer tail.


* I skated so many DLX and other 8.38 boards in the last however many years and although I liked them at first, I found most to be a little too short for my liking in the tail, so I drilled in the trucks and experimented with different options, so then / now have been enjoying them even more, slightly shorter wb, slightly longer tail, same everything else.  That is my madness with regard to these boards anyway.

[Sedition]

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I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.

[close]

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Huh? Only 8.38 with a 14.5 is the DLX and it doesnt need a WB adjustment... Everyone else does a 14.25... sometimes smaller...

I like a smaller deck sometimes and that 14.5 WB is just right for me since im taller and larger than the average skater.

What sucks are the 8.5s with a fucking 14-14.25 WB... the fuck??? so strange

[close]

The DLX 8.4 shape is a pretty good one, slightly longer tail than most too, if you like that sort of thing, but yes as said, they can be harder to get from time to time.


Re the BBS wood / DLX 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 shape:

Quite a lot of companies do use the same shape, DLX, Bakerboys Dist - Baker, Deathwish, Birdhouse, DGK, Element and others, for that 8.38 x 32.25 with 14.5 wb, or at least they all seem to have the same shape when I had compared their boards.  Some might have changed shapes now though.

Other brands that have or had shorter 8.3 variants still on BBS wood include Limosine, Primitive, April, Element, maybe now some Bakerboys wood, just off the top of my head.  Even the Krooked Manderson board is 8.38 x 32 with 14.25 wb and is not overly squared off, even though it is quite a blunt ended shape.

It is actually becoming a more common board size, with a number of people saying the similar thing - 8.25 is a bit small and 8.5 is a bit big.

The most common 8.38 shape usually has 14.375 or so wheelbase, which is what Polar, Passport and a number of others are on, or were when I checked and had a few come through my hands.  The Generator shape is the same too, slightly shorter wheelbase than the DLX 8.38 with a longer tail.


* I skated so many DLX and other 8.38 boards in the last however many years and although I liked them at first, I found most to be a little too short for my liking in the tail, so I drilled in the trucks and experimented with different options, so then / now have been enjoying them even more, slightly shorter wb, slightly longer tail, same everything else.  That is my madness with regard to these boards anyway.

Yeah, tail on the DLX 8.38 sucks. Too round/short feeling for me.

[jums]

BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

[Sedition]

BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

I've never had a DLX or BLKLBL deck (BBS) that was not dead-on for WB. Other dimensions, well, that's a different situation.

[rikki]

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BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

[close]

I've never had a DLX or BLKLBL deck (BBS) that was not dead-on for WB. Other dimensions, well, that's a different situation.

For some reason the Polar BBS wb dims are often off as per indicated vs. reality: the 8.375 x 14.5 is actually 14.375 (with a longer tail than indicated), and the 8.25 x 14.125 is actually 14.25 (with a shorter nose than indicated).

Minimal differences, I know, but still relevant for many.

[Slave IV]

Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

[rikki]

Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.

[Slave IV]

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Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.

Yeah, I’m really liking my DSM 8.375”. I think those typically have steeper concave and kicks too. I also think I really like the stiffness of that wood. It’s part of why I really wanted a PSStix deck next to closely compare a very stiff deck vs one with a lot of flex.
In the 90s, before I knew much about who used what wood, I got one deck that I always remembered I liked more and it was because it felt a lot more solid throughout its life and I think it was an “E” deck, like Element or Enjoi. If the wood they were using back then was similar and knowing what I do now, I’m assuming it was an Enjoi with one of their epoxy constructions.

[Schinken]

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Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.

Here in europe we get Chinese zero decks only. They have high concave but mellow to flat kicks. ~19,5°
Andrew cannon has a video about those on his yt channel

[Mbrimson88]

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BBS tends to overstate their dimensions quite a bit... you think the WB is 14.375 but its 14.25 measured.. whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

[close]

I've never had a DLX or BLKLBL deck (BBS) that was not dead-on for WB. Other dimensions, well, that's a different situation.

[close]

For some reason the Polar BBS wb dims are often off as per indicated vs. reality: the 8.375 x 14.5 is actually 14.375 (with a longer tail than indicated), and the 8.25 x 14.125 is actually 14.25 (with a shorter nose than indicated).

Minimal differences, I know, but still relevant for many.

I think it comes down to the fact that some people / places measured wheelbase not from center to center but from inside edge of holes at one point, which is why people would often find they had different wheelbases to what is listed, in particular Heroin boards I seem to recall.

Polar is the reverse, said 14.5 but was actually 14.375 for some of those boards, but the earlier / older boards were 14.5 so at some point someone changed the shape but didn't tell the person printing all those stickers, so it seems.

Any which way, measuring wheelbase from the center of the bolt holes usually gives the accurate measurements for pretty much all DLX boards I have had, maybe only the newer blue eagle being a little more like 14.2 rather than 14.25 wb, as some others had pointed out, but I don't recall seeing many that were not pretty much on spec there.

As Sedition said, some of the other dimensions, especially widths, often come out differently, on the originals / BBS boards.


Similar can be said for PS Stix boards being measured with the concave, vs industry standard measured flat across the top, tip to tip.  Not a big deal, but it is funny thinking people getting into heated discussions over board dimensions.

[Mbrimson88]

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Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.

[close]

Yeah, I’m really liking my DSM 8.375”. I think those typically have steeper concave and kicks too. I also think I really like the stiffness of that wood. It’s part of why I really wanted a PSStix deck next to closely compare a very stiff deck vs one with a lot of flex.
In the 90s, before I knew much about who used what wood, I got one deck that I always remembered I liked more and it was because it felt a lot more solid throughout its life and I think it was an “E” deck, like Element or Enjoi. If the wood they were using back then was similar and knowing what I do now, I’m assuming it was an Enjoi with one of their epoxy constructions.

I seem to recall back in the hey day of Element, they were one of the stiffest and most solid boards out there, whereas DSM was having issues getting their boards to stay crispy, with them constantly sogging out and not breaking but just getting really flexed to the point where the tails would sit under the bolt line when going to pop.

Then at some point, things started to turn around and DSM wood got super stiff and solid, with PS Stix starting to get really sloppy or at the very least, started to feel a lot more soggy more quickly.

I really don't know all the whens and wheres with that timeline, but that was definitely around the start of DSM woodshop and when Element was through Giant Distribution, so early 00s, I guess.  Also quite possible looking over time lines that Giant closed before DSM came about, but PS Stix was making boards for the best skateboard brands at that time and were amazing.

[SwitchBenihana]

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Sigh, wheelbase isn't the only important length measurement.

I'm 6 foot 1 or 2 and right now I'm on a 14.2 or whatever the Navy Eagle is. The kicks are really long so the pop angle is quite mellow. If it were shorter kicks or steeper kicks then the pop angle increases and it actually becomes hefty in a weird way that throws timing off. Plenty of tall skaters skate this wheelbase. It's the most common in skateboarding because it has the widest bell curve and is a good starting point to manipulate the kicks.

I've also liked the DLX 8.38 but hate the generic Generator 8.5 with the 14.5 because it has way too long of a nose and tail for me. Mellow kicks on 14.5 with a huge nose feels terrible to me because it hits fast without much leverage which means I have to pop harder. The tail on the DLX is a hair shorter and the shorter nose make it feel shorter overall than it is and snap more powerfully.

I find that kick measurement and wheelbase are great for knowing why a deck might feel a certain way after you've skated it and are used to it, but a lot of times focusing on one leads your astray or getting too caught up in the perfect combo can be spoiled by something being too mellow or steep on the press.

[close]

The 8.5/14.25/31.85 blue eagle? I def would not call those kicks “long.”

[close]

Yeah neither, they're pretty normal kicks in terms of length imo. If anything I'd really like it if they extended the kicks on that shape to make the length a true 32

I skate ventures though so that definitely influences my preference for longer mellower kicks. Throw Thunder T2s or something on and what kicks Im after definitely changes

Ya I got things mixed up. Drinking at the airport before passing out on a work flight was useless. I think I still have an overall point about wheelbase only being one factor and not the most important. There is only so much to play with whereas kicks can increase/decrease more in length and change in angle, all of which more directly impact pop angle and timing among other things.

You're correct, the 8.5 Eagle kicks aren't that long. Probably right in the middle. It's not my favorite shape, but the pop angle vs the pointy Baker I had prior is steeper at the tail. To get to a full 32 it would have to have an over 7in nose and fairly long tail. I had the 8.4 shape with a horrible Grant Taylor graphic. That deck would be a more logical 8.38 Eagle. Make the 8.5 an 8.25 (or like their current one just pretend it is), make the 8.5 Eagle the current 8.38 olive shape. Then each deck gets slightly bigger.

But in the 14.25 realm I hated the Alien deck I had with massively long, mellow kicks, but most Baker tails feel awkwardly short. Opposite end of the spectrum, both create problems. Small reduction in nose, put that length on a Baker tail and both feel much better.

I've hated every recent DSM deck I've had although the pop lasts forever. The steep kicks with tons of space after the bolts feel strange. My 8.25 felt longer than the 8.5 Pass Port I had before. I could see this profile working well for making smaller width decks feel bigger.

[Sedition]

^ I haven’t had an 8.4 in quite some time, but if I recall, its actually same length and width as the 8.25, but with a slightly longer nose (and shorter WB).

[rikki]

Any which way, measuring wheelbase from the center of the bolt holes usually gives the accurate measurements for pretty much all DLX boards I have had, maybe only the newer blue eagle being a little more like 14.2 rather than 14.25 wb, as some others had pointed out, but I don't recall seeing many that were not pretty much on spec there.

I always measure wb from the center of the bolt holes of course. The aforementioned differences stand as they are.

[Slave IV]

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Interesting all the 8.3 deck talk. I’ve been on a similar trip with the in between sizes. Currently have an 8.375” 14.25”wb DSM that I got for cheap right before that shop disappeared. Also have a 8.125” 14.125”wb PSStix in line that I also thankfully got before those might be gone. I specifically wanted wb as close to 14” as possible and under 14.5”.

Interesting that the two new Powell decks from Zach and Dan are both in the 8.25<8.5 zone with 14 or under wb. I’ll probably try one of those next. Dan was saying in one of his latest vids that one of the reasons for his is he likes trucks to be slightly wider so it’s another interesting factor for those who like slightly narrower or wider trucks.

[close]

Just a while ago I finished skating a Zero 8.375 x 14.25 that was really great, with just the right kind of medium concave I like. Found it on sale last year, don't know how old it was and if similar shapes are still made – and if are, how to get my hands on them.

[close]

Yeah, I’m really liking my DSM 8.375”. I think those typically have steeper concave and kicks too. I also think I really like the stiffness of that wood. It’s part of why I really wanted a PSStix deck next to closely compare a very stiff deck vs one with a lot of flex.
In the 90s, before I knew much about who used what wood, I got one deck that I always remembered I liked more and it was because it felt a lot more solid throughout its life and I think it was an “E” deck, like Element or Enjoi. If the wood they were using back then was similar and knowing what I do now, I’m assuming it was an Enjoi with one of their epoxy constructions.

[close]

I seem to recall back in the hey day of Element, they were one of the stiffest and most solid boards out there, whereas DSM was having issues getting their boards to stay crispy, with them constantly sogging out and not breaking but just getting really flexed to the point where the tails would sit under the bolt line when going to pop.

Then at some point, things started to turn around and DSM wood got super stiff and solid, with PS Stix starting to get really sloppy or at the very least, started to feel a lot more soggy more quickly.

I really don't know all the whens and wheres with that timeline, but that was definitely around the start of DSM woodshop and when Element was through Giant Distribution, so early 00s, I guess.  Also quite possible looking over time lines that Giant closed before DSM came about, but PS Stix was making boards for the best skateboard brands at that time and were amazing.

That would make sense because I swore the deck I had was an Element but considered I could have remembered wrong since it was around 30 years ago. I pretty much had no clue who was doing what at that point and just got whatever deck seemed good and I could get my hands on at that time. They all seemed pretty much the same when they all went popsicles except that one “E” deck that was super solid.
Before that, with the 80s shaped decks, I mainly remember I really liked Schmitt Stix wood and I got a Vision at some point and thought that was floppy and think there was something about them using a foam core or something like that. Powell decks felt really good at first but then not so much after a while and my last shaped deck was an SMA and I loved everything about it. More concave, more nose and tail and wood seemed to last forever.
I’m still trying to really learn the differences in the current decks to see what actually works best for me. Only things I think I’ve figured out so far is I probably want under 8.5” and under 14.5” wheelbase.

[Mbrimson88]

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Any which way, measuring wheelbase from the center of the bolt holes usually gives the accurate measurements for pretty much all DLX boards I have had, maybe only the newer blue eagle being a little more like 14.2 rather than 14.25 wb, as some others had pointed out, but I don't recall seeing many that were not pretty much on spec there.

[close]

I always measure wb from the center of the bolt holes of course. The aforementioned differences stand as they are.

Yes the Polar boards are as you and I said - they are one measurement on the board and a different measurement on the sticker.

That was what you were meaning there - had to re read it just to make sure but sometimes I have to check, but any which way, I also wonder how many boards from various brands are not actually as listed.  Anyone else think of any others?

[9.18]

I enjoyed the 8.4 as well. I wish more 8.3ish decks were closer to 14.25 or slightly less. I don’t understand why so many of them are 14.5 wheelbase. Especially when a lot of companies are using 14.25 on the 8.5. Obviously there are many more options now but to have the standard wheelbase for an 8.38 be so long it doesn’t make much sense to me when the 8.5 is generally shorter.
I haven’t skated an 8.38/14.5 so maybe it’s awesome and I just haven’t experienced it yet.

New anti hero “intermodal” GT deck is 8.32x31.62x14.18(probably 14.125wb in reality)

[Mbrimson88]

...whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

That is interesting too!  Forgot to say earlier, but going back and re reading some of the messages, at least it is another one I know I can add to the list for those dimensions.

The funny thing is Toy Machine has gone to so many different woodshops recently, almost as if they just got the cheapest wood deals or whatever, but everything Toy Machine that had come out here in AU for a while had been on questionable quality wood from somewhere no one knew of, so it is good to hear they are on BBS there in USA or where ever you are.

I just don't seem to see any round here.

[Ok]

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...whoever does Toy Machine now uses that same 8.38 14.5 WB DLX shape. I got one just to see if it was similar and the shape is identical.

[close]

That is interesting too!  Forgot to say earlier, but going back and re reading some of the messages, at least it is another one I know I can add to the list for those dimensions.

The funny thing is Toy Machine has gone to so many different woodshops recently, almost as if they just got the cheapest wood deals or whatever, but everything Toy Machine that had come out here in AU for a while had been on questionable quality wood from somewhere no one knew of, so it is good to hear they are on BBS there in USA or where ever you are.

I just don't seem to see any round here.

occasionally i want a toy machine, based off of mainly dimensions. they have longer wb, 8 ish decks.
i dont like buying decks online, and the local shops don’t carry them (i dont blame the shops, brand is running off of vapors imo). shapes are too unique, in general, for me to see on a phone screen. and with toy machine not having any idea on the manufacturer makes it a no.

[swongolianbbq]

After much research and product testing over the years I'm pretty sure 53mm, 99a F4 classics are my all time favorite wheel

And after dicking around with all kinds of different trucks and sizes and stuff I can say cast Indy 149s are my jam. The hollow standards are pretty sick cause they weigh pretty much the same as a standard, non-hollow 139, so it's nothing crazy. And if there's a super crusty spot, you can slap some 56mm 97a radial fulls or G-Slides or something on there and still have room for em. At 149 the proportions are really nice too, being that 8.5" divided by 4 is 54mm.. Indy 149s just, look like indys.. idk. I've seen 149 stage 5s on 10 inch boards with wide ass wheels like cubics and stuff and it still looks right. They were there through the evolution of street skating.

 I think the real goated street truck though is venture lows. When gear kept evolving and the sizes and shapes were changing, that lower center of gravity and wider wheelbase on ventures was a step in the right direction for technical street skating. Also it's fucking sick to see someone on venture lows and 51mm wheels skate transition, as much as it's sick as fuck to see Cody Chapman, T-funk, etc hitting street spots with 56+ radial fulls and 8.5+ boards

I think the sweet spot for me is just putting small wheels on a big setup, knowing that all I have to do is swap the wheels out if I want a tank

I still think blue eagles, b16s, etc are my favorite shapes, the 8.5x14.25 wb is common enough that I can always find a board I can get used to really quick, and I can order blanks of it too

I wish I could get down on 14" and smaller wb and ventures/thunders cause I know my flippy stuff would improve but I don't want to try and get used to some whole different thing that might be harder to find

So I guess my solution to "blaming the board" when I can't get all my flip tricks is just putting smaller spitfire classics on

And if I want to get all gnarly or something I can put some big radials on

And when I switch back to the little classics my board will feel super light

I'm just gonna p90x my setup

This thread is my alcoholics anonymous

[Jort250]

I can’t prove it but I’ve always theorized that solid trucks grind better than hollow or titaniums due to the extra weight. I skated Thunder standard and titanium 148s back to back and noticed that grinds didn’t seem to lock as well with the lighter trucks

Gives and takes but I also feel like I’ve anecdotally noticed that most of the best skaters in my area run non-hollows

Very open to hear any conflicting opinions..

[Sedition]

I can’t prove it but I’ve always theorized that solid trucks grind better than hollow or titaniums due to the extra weight. I skated Thunder standard and titanium 148s back to back and noticed that grinds didn’t seem to lock as well with the lighter trucks

Gives and takes but I also feel like I’ve anecdotally noticed that most of the best skaters in my area run non-hollows

Very open to hear any conflicting opinions..

Inertia is real.

[swongolianbbq]

Foy skates solid axles

[rikki]

After messing around with various hollows and titaniums, I've mostly gone back to solid/standard trucks in both of my favorite brands, i.e. Venture and Indy. The mojo is real.

[Jort250]

Similarly, I’m can’t articulate why but also I feel like solid, non-forged, baseplates have a more solid snap

[Sedition]

Similarly, I’m can’t articulate why but also I feel like solid, non-forged, baseplates have a more solid snap

While we are talking MM here, cast plates are usually taller. Thus, providing a slightly steeper pop angle, and, well, more "snap."

[swongolianbbq]

I'm really tempted to put a dunk SB outsole on a blazer mid SB

Straight up sole swap them shits and have a cupsole blazer

I have barge cement, knowledge and tools

Gonna put a sz 8.5 dunk sole on a sz 9 blazer upper since the dunk sole is wider

Or if converse would go ahead and make more Pro Leathers I could just buy those

The moneys going to the same place anyway

I'm just wondering how hard it would be to take the sole OFF the blazers

It'll come off easy on the dunks