Sub 14" wheel base

[sle_epy]

Has anyone tried going below 14? I'm female, with shorter legs and I've found the smaller I've gone in all directions the better things have gone. I'm intrigued at going even slightly smaller in wheel base and I'm curious if anyone has ridden any of the Real decks that are sub 14 in wb and sub 32 inches in length? What's the noticeable difference? I skate a 7.75 x 14 x 31.75 Uma rn. Thx!

[mynameisnotjeff]

You definitely feel the difference. The rule of thumb is that the wheelbase is around the width of your shoulders. Obviously that’s not always gonna work for everyone.

But if you feel that something smaller works for you do it. If you want something wider we have the wide board small wheelbase thread.

[metchup]

Sorting by <14 on tactics shows a few choices

https://www.tactics.com/decks/ra-17431

[Mean salto]

There are 8 inch freestyle boards these days.
Can't be bothered scrolling thru anymore but this shows some smaller wheelbase on smaller width shapes

Also I guess you could just redrill a board like they did in the late 80s

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

quasi 9.0 and girl loveseat will work for you! I honestly don't mind it even though I'm tall, reminds me of all the boards I road when I was a kid!

[logjammin]

5'10" tall. Tried a 13.6" wb on a wider shaped board recently and even the wider real estate under my feet couldn't make up for the fact that that short of a wheelbase was just too close together for me. My foot placement suddenly felt and looked weird. 14" is the shortest I'll go.

[nitro89]

i know you mentioned real decks but these two could be a good shout for you as well.

https://crailtap.com/shapes/#g021

https://crailtap.com/shapes/#g045

I'm 6ft 3" and ride the go52 with a 14" wheelbase on ventures and im able to make that work with my long legs and canoe shoes but its all personal preference at the end of the day.

I can guarantee there's both people shorter than me that would hate it, as would people the same height or taller.

so basically if it feels good to you and it works the way you want it to then you have probably found your goldilocks zone. just got to dial it in now.
 
good luck 

[goodatmeth]

My girlfriend suddenly ollied waayy higher after switching from a 14.25 wb to a 13.75 wb, 7.75 palace deck. Everything became much easier for her at that point.

I usually ride wb around 14.3 but it doesn't really seem to matter to me, I can even ride her board just fine, only the width feels weird.

Loveseat/couch was unrideable for me, not because of the wheelbase but because of the fingers of flat. Imagine taking a deck with a 15" wheelbase, but drilling both sides down to end up at 13.875 or whatever it is. There's almost a full hand of flat between the bolts and the kicks

[GBLange]

or go for Skiduls board if u wanna try a 8.5" with 14” wheelbase and 31.625” length.

https://crailtap.com/shapes/#skidul

[sle_epy]

My girlfriend suddenly ollied waayy higher after switching from a 14.25 wb to a 13.75 wb, 7.75 palace deck. Everything became much easier for her at that point.

I usually ride wb around 14.3 but it doesn't really seem to matter to me, I can even ride her board just fine, only the width feels weird.

Loveseat/couch was unrideable for me, not because of the wheelbase but because of the fingers of flat. Imagine taking a deck with a 15" wheelbase, but drilling both sides down to end up at 13.875 or whatever it is. There's almost a full hand of flat between the bolts and the kicks

Almost bought that palace deck I guess I'll have to try it out. When I went from like 14.5 or 14.25 to 14 I cleaned up so many tricks and the pressure points became obvious. Pop got way better and so did my control. Changed the game for me!

[myfeetarekillingme]

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[sle_epy]

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

[caked]

great topic! I'm a 5'5" woman and I'm skating an 8.06 with 14.38 wheelbase right now. It feels like I'm losing some power/pop and have to place my front foot back farther to get a boosted ollie. I'm thinking of picking up a truefit deck this week once my local gets them in. I'm extremely curious if it will help my skating.

[sle_epy]

great topic! I'm a 5'5" woman and I'm skating an 8.06 with 14.38 wheelbase right now. It feels like I'm losing some power/pop and have to place my front foot back farther to get a boosted ollie. I'm thinking of picking up a truefit deck this week once my local gets them in. I'm extremely curious if it will help my skating.

5'-6" here, long torso short legs haha. Plz lmk how it goes, I have one more maité board to run through until I can experiment again! Switching to a 14 locked in some tricks for me undoubtedly. It also made them take less effort so I could do more of them.

[nitro89]

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

you should be fine with the thunders.

[goodatmeth]

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

I don't wanna disregard your opinion on this, I just want to respectfully say that the "effective wheelbase", meaning the influence your trucks have, is something very different than what the deck wb does. And it just bothers me because a lot of people on slap seem to think about this a bit wrong in my opinion.

The deck wheelbase influences your actual stance, how far you need to push your front foot forward in order to really pull up your ollies as an example.

The truck wb mainly changes how light/heavy the pop feels due to lengthening/shortening your nose/tail. It also (very weakly) influences how sharp your board turns.

Therefore there is no real gain in riding a short wheelbase truck as a short person. But there is with a short wheelbase deck.

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

Just fine, exactly as fine as any other truck, it's all preference. Kick length and steepness plays a much larger role in what kind of trucks are right.

Example:
Flat long kicks -> weak pop -> thunder/venture can make it snappier
Steep short kicks -> exhausting strong pop -> ace can make it easier

[brownjenkin]

I'm 5'7 with short legs and a long torso. I noticeably do my tricks with my feet closer together. Shorter wheelbases just work better for me

I've re-drilled 14.25 WB boards to bring them down to a 13.875. The riskiest thing about re-drilling though is losing the pop angle on the side you shorten. It could be for better or worse. I've only ever re-drilled short, steep tails and it's worked out nicely

I think the true fits will be a great choice. By the sounds of it they maintain the integrity of the nose/tail angles and concave, but just tighten up the WB

I don't think sub-14 is too weird at all. I've heard of many pros making requests for pretty short boards

[sle_epy]

I'm 5'7 with short legs and a long torso. I noticeably do my tricks with my feet closer together. Shorter wheelbases just work better for me

I've re-drilled 14.25 WB boards to bring them down to a 13.875. The riskiest thing about re-drilling though is losing the pop angle on the side you shorten. It could be for better or worse. I've only ever re-drilled short, steep tails and it's worked out nicely

I think the true fits will be a great choice. By the sounds of it they maintain the integrity of the nose/tail angles and concave, but just tighten up the WB

I don't think sub-14 is too weird at all. I've heard of many pros making requests for pretty short boards

I haven't landed one yet but the first thing I did on my 14 was pop a tre and the way it spun on an axis with way less effort tripped me out. Everything was sort of tightened up and it felt a lot less like I was hucking the board around so I'm def short wb for life probs.

[manysnakes]

Primitive has some decks in the ~8-8.1" range with a sub-14" wheelbase. I love their decks.

[Ok]

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

I don't wanna disregard your opinion on this, I just want to respectfully say that the "effective wheelbase", meaning the influence your trucks have, is something very different than what the deck wb does. And it just bothers me because a lot of people on slap seem to think about this a bit wrong in my opinion.

The deck wheelbase influences your actual stance, how far you need to push your front foot forward in order to really pull up your ollies as an example.

The truck wb mainly changes how light/heavy the pop feels due to lengthening/shortening your nose/tail. It also (very weakly) influences how sharp your board turns.

Therefore there is no real gain in riding a short wheelbase truck as a short person. But there is with a short wheelbase deck.

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

[close]

Just fine, exactly as fine as any other truck, it's all preference. Kick length and steepness plays a much larger role in what kind of trucks are right.

Example:
Flat long kicks -> weak pop -> thunder/venture can make it snappier
Steep short kicks -> exhausting strong pop -> ace can make it easier

I agree with a lot of this.
The effective wb thing, and matching trucks to wb numbers, did not work for me. Or, a better way would be to say that it lead me to some different conclusions: Ace, known to bring the effective wb shorter, worked best for me, on short deck wb. And I’ve skated fine, on longer wb boards, with trucks that push the effective wb out. Conclusion for me: don’t switch trucks for some numbers, doesn’t work that easily.


Anyways, fellow dachshund bodied person here, and shorter wb’s often help. I also appreciate a board that is 31.5, or less, tip to tip, and I like shorter tails. And. And. And. The more I skate, the less particular I have to be, but I’m also not ‘good’, and am certainly at a point where I’m not improving.
I’ve skate the quasi egg, was stoked on it. I skate the G021(I think?) 7.75 crail board with the short tail and like that one a lot too.
The truefits will be the first bbs board I go buy in a long time, excited to try em.

[PrairieSkater]

I have a crailtap 13.8 wb / 31.1" that's easy to flip. Compared to my daily 14.125wb / 31.75", it feels very compact. The change is very noticeable. The kicks are also mellow. That being said I get hesitant to flip or shuv it around, since one foot sometimes come up short on the nose or tail. A 32" board sounds good. Edit: oops I misread the "sub 32" part wrong.

[sle_epy]

I have a crailtap 13.8 wb / 31.1" that's easy to flip. Compared to my daily 14.125wb / 31.75", it feels very compact. The change is very noticeable. The kicks are also mellow. That being said I get hesitant to flip or shuv it around, since one foot sometimes come up short on the nose or tail. A 32" board sounds good.

Next I'd like to find a 7.75 x 31.5 x 13.5 or around there's.

[myfeetarekillingme]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

I don't wanna disregard your opinion on this, I just want to respectfully say that the "effective wheelbase", meaning the influence your trucks have, is something very different than what the deck wb does. And it just bothers me because a lot of people on slap seem to think about this a bit wrong in my opinion.

The deck wheelbase influences your actual stance, how far you need to push your front foot forward in order to really pull up your ollies as an example.

The truck wb mainly changes how light/heavy the pop feels due to lengthening/shortening your nose/tail. It also (very weakly) influences how sharp your board turns.

Therefore there is no real gain in riding a short wheelbase truck as a short person. But there is with a short wheelbase deck.

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

[close]

Just fine, exactly as fine as any other truck, it's all preference. Kick length and steepness plays a much larger role in what kind of trucks are right.

Example:
Flat long kicks -> weak pop -> thunder/venture can make it snappier
Steep short kicks -> exhausting strong pop -> ace can make it easier

[close]

I agree with a lot of this.
The effective wb thing, and matching trucks to wb numbers, did not work for me. Or, a better way would be to say that it lead me to some different conclusions: Ace, known to bring the effective wb shorter, worked best for me, on short deck wb. And I’ve skated fine, on longer wb boards, with trucks that push the effective wb out. Conclusion for me: don’t switch trucks for some numbers, doesn’t work that easily.


Anyways, fellow dachshund bodied person here, and shorter wb’s often help. I also appreciate a board that is 31.5, or less, tip to tip, and I like shorter tails. And. And. And. The more I skate, the less particular I have to be, but I’m also not ‘good’, and am certainly at a point where I’m not improving.
I’ve skate the quasi egg, was stoked on it. I skate the G021(I think?) 7.75 crail board with the short tail and like that one a lot too.
The truefits will be the first bbs board I go buy in a long time, excited to try em.

For sure, that’s why I prefaced with the comment about getting into the weeds about wheelbase. Thunder/Venture type trucks can complement a short wb deck perfectly if that is one’s preference. I definitely would not recommend switching trucks for wheelbase effect alone as going with what just feels best under your feet is the right move 100% of the time.

I guess the point I was trying to make is is if you’re on the fence about your setup in general, and you’re zeroing in on the wheelbase, it’s good to know that trucks do factor into what your final wheelbase measurement will be, and while that doesn’t affect your stance on the deck, it does affect overall pop and how flip tricks feel.

[backinaction]

Deluxe has their True Fit mold concave.   

8.06 / 13.88 (https://www.tactics.com/real/chromatic-cathedral-oval-806-true-fit-shape-skateboard-deck)
8.25 / 13.88
8.38 / 14
8.5 / 13.75

[sle_epy]

Deluxe has their True Fit mold concave.   

8.06 / 13.88 (https://www.tactics.com/real/chromatic-cathedral-oval-806-true-fit-shape-skateboard-deck)
8.25 / 13.88
8.38 / 14
8.5 / 13.75

I've always liked Real shapes, but they don't have any of the cathedral decks in anything under an 8. I wish they had more pretty graphics like that in smaller sizes. I like the buzenitz graphic on the second or third page too but it's an 8.06. Real needs to capture the women's / smaller ppls market in a color way. Those smaller oval logo decks are great sizes but yeesh everything else.

[FatGuy92]

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

I don't wanna disregard your opinion on this, I just want to respectfully say that the "effective wheelbase", meaning the influence your trucks have, is something very different than what the deck wb does. And it just bothers me because a lot of people on slap seem to think about this a bit wrong in my opinion.

The deck wheelbase influences your actual stance, how far you need to push your front foot forward in order to really pull up your ollies as an example.

The truck wb mainly changes how light/heavy the pop feels due to lengthening/shortening your nose/tail. It also (very weakly) influences how sharp your board turns.

Therefore there is no real gain in riding a short wheelbase truck as a short person. But there is with a short wheelbase deck.

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

[close]

Just fine, exactly as fine as any other truck, it's all preference. Kick length and steepness plays a much larger role in what kind of trucks are right.

Example:
Flat long kicks -> weak pop -> thunder/venture can make it snappier
Steep short kicks -> exhausting strong pop -> ace can make it easier

ive actually never heard of deck wb vs truck wb in this way before.. thanks for sharing. this makes a lot of sense to me for why certain deck and truck combos feel better than others despite the effective wb being the same.

[DirtyBurger]

I bought that Jake Johnson egg quasi a few years back and its wheelbase was 13.75" I think. It was the most horrendous thing I've ever stood on. It's still sitting in the corner and I'm still bummed because I wanted to like it, I really did.

[Ok]

I bought that Jake Johnson egg quasi a few years back and its wheelbase was 13.75" I think. It was the most horrendous thing I've ever stood on. It's still sitting in the corner and I'm still bummed because I wanted to like it, I really did.

What!? That thing was a treflip machine

[GBLange]

Expand Quote

I’m also fairly short legged and found the shorter the wheelbase the better for me, having skated as small as a 13.625” wheelbase and loved it, but I usually just get a 14” wheelbase deck. Also, if you really wanna get into the weeds you can choose to only skate the trucks that result in the tightest wheelbases like Ace classics (add just 2.75” to wheelbase). Choice of trucks can alter your wheelbase by up to 3/4” depending on what you go with so I’d say it’s as important as the deck choice if you really pay attention to wheelbase.

[close]

Oh no, I didn't need this knowledge lol how are thunders on a sub 14 wheel base

beware of the gear madness rabbit hole 🙈🙉🙊

[GBLange]

I bought that Jake Johnson egg quasi a few years back and its wheelbase was 13.75" I think. It was the most horrendous thing I've ever stood on. It's still sitting in the corner and I'm still bummed because I wanted to like it, I really did.

my 44yrs old body loves that quasi egg.