DLX boards now made in China

[Mbrimson88]

I'm wondering now how much they'll produce.  My impression was they did this because of having to share BBS with all the other manufacturers, but I have a feeling a lot of brands are about to take a dump.....

I think the main thing was keeping costs down, so at the retail end, boards are going up and up and up, with DLX product from BBS in Mexico, but having the boards made in China, just like Dwindle did all those years ago or other manufacturers are doing with any / all their products, they can keep the retail price down and sell more boards in the process.

The fact that the boards are good definitely helps.  At first, I was thinking "Ah no, I don't want to change or ride these new ones!" but I was surprised how good the board is that I have skated, so I just set up another one last night to see how that goes too, this one just for myself, not for everyone else to try, so I can really get a feel for it and see how it lasts.


Sure I will happily say I am very set in my ways and I prefer the concave of BBS to anything else, but now that they have the same concaves in these China made boards, I can still ride it and it works - just takes a little more getting used to as I prefer a more mellow board overall.

I haven't tried any of the usual things, like driving over them or parking on the kicks, with these China made boards, but I will with one of them at some point, just to see if it does mellow out at all, or stays stiff, or breaks / cracks or whatever.

For now though, I have enough BBS boards in rotation and a lot yet to be skated, so I am good in that regard, but I definitely wanted to check them out and just see what they were like, whether or not I could adapt to them, if they were going to be too stiff or any other thing that goes through my head.

[Mbrimson88]

Your “too much skate talk” as per your sig, is always greatly appreciated

Now I really want to try one

To add, I guess people everywhere else don't have a choice now - that's all they are going to get going forward, but given how good this first one felt, I am thinking that people in USA who might only have BBS might then have to track them down from somewhere else if they are really keen to skate one, which in itself is kind of funny, given everything usually comes from USA, or at least all DLX product comes through SF.

Maybe USA will also get them, given time, or the market could change to include both, but I really don't know.

[JimmyFive]

For those that have tried the new China DLX wood: Is there are noticeable change in weight? I.E are the decks heavier?

I've had a couple of R7 Dwindle boards and although they are hardy, long-lasting and maintain their pop they feel noticeably heavier than boards from the American woodshops. Hoping DLX have somehow found a way to incorporate the single press/epoxy glue method without resulting in a heavier board.

[Mbrimson88]

For those that have tried the new China DLX wood: Is there are noticeable change in weight? I.E are the decks heavier?

I've had a couple of R7 Dwindle boards and although they are hardy, long-lasting and maintain their pop they feel noticeably heavier than boards from the American woodshops. Hoping DLX have somehow found a way to incorporate the single press/epoxy glue method without resulting in a heavier board.

I had been skating a few regular DLX 8.75 sized boards on standard 159s and they never felt heavy to me, just a little bigger than my usual 8.38 or 8.5 sized boards on 149s, so it all worked easily enough, even an orange eagle on 169s was big but not excessively heavy feeling.

Then when I set up this new AH board, it did feel like it had more weight, so when I left the standard baseplates attached to the board and just swapped in some 159 hollow axle hangers on it instead of the standard 159s, it lightened it up enough that it felt more like my other BBS setups.  Not sure though if this was more in my head or just the board, but I haven't had them on scales or anything to check how much exactly they are.

That said, I am guessing as others have said, they are a little thicker and a little heavier, but it was not really a problem to me after a week and I guess I got more used to it on all points, not just the weight when I lifted it.

Some people might notice it a bit more, but I would say there are always the forged / hollow trucks, or even the titanium axle on forged hollow baseplates that would lighten them up considerably too.

[JimmyFive]

Ok thanks! A bit disappointing that they are a little thicker and heavier.. It seems to be the trade off with the glue they are using. Hoping they aren't as heavy as some the madness decks I have tried. I'll have to go into the shop and pick one up!

[Mbrimson88]

Ok thanks! A bit disappointing that they are a little thicker and heavier.. It seems to be the trade off with the glue they are using. Hoping they aren't as heavy as some the madness decks I have tried. I'll have to go into the shop and pick one up!

What size / shape board do you usually ride, or would be getting from the new DLX range?


I think all the bigger and shaped boards are still BBS, only the smaller boards (under 9") are from China, or at least that is what I have seen, the one exception being the AH cruiser 9.12 Misregistered eagle Genius shape or similar.

So far I have had the AH BA 8.75 and I just set up the Real Jimmy Wilkins 8.86 deck, drilled in the wheelbase on the tail to make it more like 14.62" from the 15" that it was at so it feels really comfortable now.  For that size board, which really is barely wider than the usual 8.75 and about the same now in everything else, (slightly longer tail and shorter nose plus it tapers even more than the 8.75 shape), I did also feel a bit more heft to it compared to other boards, including a normal 9" orange eagle on 169s with similar wheels, which was about the same overall.

Really it is not a huge difference, where weight was concerned, which was why I tried the hollow axles on the first DLX 8.75 I set up from the China wood drop, which then seemed to make it just right.  Forged hollow basplates would probably help a bit more too, but I prefer standard everything on my setups and can deal with the weight - not a worry to me, but more just getting used to the new board feel, being a bit stiffer than my other BBS boards.


*  I still think it could be more just the difference in the board feel too, which makes things feel a bit heavier or a bit lighter, especially with some things, not just picking up the board or holding one in each hand to try to figure out which is this or that.

[Fasttimes]

In the consumer world this happens all the time. At least DLXSF is straight forward with their product offerings. A recent post explained how he or she didn't care where it was made. I personally want to support domestic jobs if possible, but we do live in a global market. DLX didn't have to say anything. Hopefully, the sales are so high they needed more manufacturing capacity, or if they need to decrease cost they kept a line for loyal North American consumers. . .

I think that rumor might be unrealistic, it makes little sense to make less profit on "Eagle boards". Typically, in supply you go all in once supplier is approved / trusted. Lastly, DLX won't put out bad product. They are going to stand on their brands.

I sell 2 cars, both are the same price point, one costs me more money, one costs less. Why would Ford or GM tell you that? I doubt "Eagles" are differentiated, I could be wrong, but what percentage of customers even care, 10%? Why pay two invoices?

[JimmyFive]

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Ok thanks! A bit disappointing that they are a little thicker and heavier.. It seems to be the trade off with the glue they are using. Hoping they aren't as heavy as some the madness decks I have tried. I'll have to go into the shop and pick one up!

[close]

What size / shape board do you usually ride, or would be getting from the new DLX range?


I think all the bigger and shaped boards are still BBS, only the smaller boards (under 9") are from China, or at least that is what I have seen, the one exception being the AH cruiser 9.12 Misregistered eagle Genius shape or similar.

So far I have had the AH BA 8.75 and I just set up the Real Jimmy Wilkins 8.86 deck, drilled in the wheelbase on the tail to make it more like 14.62" from the 15" that it was at so it feels really comfortable now.  For that size board, which really is barely wider than the usual 8.75 and about the same now in everything else, (slightly longer tail and shorter nose plus it tapers even more than the 8.75 shape), I did also feel a bit more heft to it compared to other boards, including a normal 9" orange eagle on 169s with similar wheels, which was about the same overall.

Really it is not a huge difference, where weight was concerned, which was why I tried the hollow axles on the first DLX 8.75 I set up from the China wood drop, which then seemed to make it just right.  Forged hollow basplates would probably help a bit more too, but I prefer standard everything on my setups and can deal with the weight - not a worry to me, but more just getting used to the new board feel, being a bit stiffer than my other BBS boards.


*  I still think it could be more just the difference in the board feel too, which makes things feel a bit heavier or a bit lighter, especially with some things, not just picking up the board or holding one in each hand to try to figure out which is this or that.

'
Sorry late reply! I didn't realise that this change effects just boards under 9.0. I've bought and ride the following Anti Hero /DLX boards: The white Eagle 8.75", Orange Eagle 9.0, 9.18 Huffer shape. I was interested in that Jimmy Wilkins shape you set up (had his Creature deck). Seems the transition oriented boards might be immune from the shift and will mostly continue to be made in Mexico/

[Mbrimson88]

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Ok thanks! A bit disappointing that they are a little thicker and heavier.. It seems to be the trade off with the glue they are using. Hoping they aren't as heavy as some the madness decks I have tried. I'll have to go into the shop and pick one up!

[close]

What size / shape board do you usually ride, or would be getting from the new DLX range?


I think all the bigger and shaped boards are still BBS, only the smaller boards (under 9") are from China, or at least that is what I have seen, the one exception being the AH cruiser 9.12 Misregistered eagle Genius shape or similar.

So far I have had the AH BA 8.75 and I just set up the Real Jimmy Wilkins 8.86 deck, drilled in the wheelbase on the tail to make it more like 14.62" from the 15" that it was at so it feels really comfortable now.  For that size board, which really is barely wider than the usual 8.75 and about the same now in everything else, (slightly longer tail and shorter nose plus it tapers even more than the 8.75 shape), I did also feel a bit more heft to it compared to other boards, including a normal 9" orange eagle on 169s with similar wheels, which was about the same overall.

Really it is not a huge difference, where weight was concerned, which was why I tried the hollow axles on the first DLX 8.75 I set up from the China wood drop, which then seemed to make it just right.  Forged hollow basplates would probably help a bit more too, but I prefer standard everything on my setups and can deal with the weight - not a worry to me, but more just getting used to the new board feel, being a bit stiffer than my other BBS boards.


*  I still think it could be more just the difference in the board feel too, which makes things feel a bit heavier or a bit lighter, especially with some things, not just picking up the board or holding one in each hand to try to figure out which is this or that.

[close]

'
Sorry late reply! I didn't realise that this change effects just boards under 9.0. I've bought and ride the following Anti Hero /DLX boards: The white Eagle 8.75", Orange Eagle 9.0, 9.18 Huffer shape. I was interested in that Jimmy Wilkins shape you set up (had his Creature deck). Seems the transition oriented boards might be immune from the shift and will mostly continue to be made in Mexico/

The AH eagles are all still BBS, as are the Huffer boards, so you are all good there.

This Jimmy Wilkins shape might be different on BBS, or it might not, but the 15" wb to me just doesn't work on what seems like the same concave as the 8.75 boards when putting them both back to back.  It would be the same thing if that board only had a 14.25 wb or something similar, as the mold used best works with a 14.5 to maybe max 14.75 type wheelbase.

I would have to double check, but I think the orange eagle 9.0 with 15" wb is longer in the middle than the other boards like white eagle 8.75s with 14.62" wb, so they both work really well with the amount of flat to the associated wheelbase.  I should also check the Huffers I have in comparison too, but they, just like the Grosso 9.25 and the regular cream eagle / 8.62 shape, or even the Blue Meanie 8.75 board but they all work well with the wheelbases they have on the molds they are on.

Might be almost a little too deep in that regard, but certain wheelbases on certain boards work better, or don't work at all if too long, too short, or too offset, which I have experienced in one form or another with a number of boards in the past.


* Had a couple of sessions on the Wilkins now and it was the best decision to drill it in 3/8" and skates so well.  Not saying everyone needs to do that, but that's how it works best for me, just drilling in the tail and using it as a big stable transition / go fast board.

[Vinculus]

Long time reader and first time poster chiming in.

The new DLX China decks have started hitting stores here in Norway, and I discovered something a little disconcerting. It seems they are offering the same models/graphics from the two different woodshops alongside one another, but the MX and CN decks aren’t the same at all.

For example, the new 8.5 Real Hermann Stene Pro Oval is both available as a BBS press and China press. They are both labeled as True Fit, and the MX version is the correct 8.5x31.35 with the 13.75 WB. The CN version however is 8.5x32 with a 14.125 WB.

I don’t care where the decks are made as long as the wood is good and shapes are the same, but this was a bummer. I haven’t checked if other decks from Real, AH etc have the same weird discrepancy going on, but I can’t imagine it’s a one time thing. One more thing to neurotically research before buying a new deck when you already have a preferred mold and shape you always ride.

[Mbrimson88]

Long time reader and first time poster chiming in.

The new DLX China decks have started hitting stores here in Norway, and I discovered something a little disconcerting. It seems they are offering the same models/graphics from the two different woodshops alongside one another, but the MX and CN decks aren’t the same at all.

For example, the new 8.5 Real Hermann Stene Pro Oval is both available as a BBS press and China press. They are both labeled as True Fit, and the MX version is the correct 8.5x31.35 with the 13.75 WB. The CN version however is 8.5x32 with a 14.125 WB.

I don’t care where the decks are made as long as the wood is good and shapes are the same, but this was a bummer. I haven’t checked if other decks from Real, AH etc have the same weird discrepancy going on, but I can’t imagine it’s a one time thing. One more thing to neurotically research before buying a new deck when you already have a preferred mold and shape you always ride.

For sure!

I recall reading on here or the DLX shapes thread (page 76 actually), at the time, the woodshop in China for DLX boards didn't have the molds set up for the Tru Fit boards yet, so anything that was labelled as Tru Fit or maybe one or two other options besides the normal boards were more on a generic / other shape, still the DLX concave, but as you said, not the dimensions as listed in the catalog for that specific graphic / shape.

Re CN boards - still yet to see many more here in Australia too - seen / skated only the 8.38, the 8.75 and the 8.86 Wilkins, which are all the same dimensions as the BBS boards, but still some differences noticed, especially on the 8.38 and 8.75 as I have a lot of those in BBS boards.


Kind of funny that you have both simultaneously there though - usually places get one or the other, so I wonder if there was a choice for local shops or even for the local distributor.  The CN boards are coming straight from there, so get here a lot sooner, compared to the MX boards, which come with the rest of the DLX stock and take a while longer, but I don't mind - worth the wait for me anyway.

Are they significantly different in price between the MX and CN boards in shops you have seen?  The price difference here is pretty big.


* Edit:

DLX shapes thread, page 76 with pics and info from Lew:

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=85076.2250

[Vinculus]

Are they significantly different in price between the MX and CN boards in shops you have seen?  The price difference here is pretty big.

Zero price difference between them, both are around $120.

At least the sticker on the shrink wrap says the correct size if you are in store and have both in front of you. But hopefully the China woodshop will get the correct True Fit mold soon and it won’t be an issue anymore. I’m currently on the Grimple Stix 8.75x31.75 with the 14.25wb right now anyway, and that should be available from BBS for a while longer hopefully.

[Mbrimson88]

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Are they significantly different in price between the MX and CN boards in shops you have seen?  The price difference here is pretty big.

[close]

Zero price difference between them, both are around $120.

At least the sticker on the shrink wrap says the correct size if you are in store and have both in front of you. But hopefully the China woodshop will get the correct True Fit mold soon and it won’t be an issue anymore. I’m currently on the Grimple Stix 8.75x31.75 with the 14.25wb right now anyway, and that should be available from BBS for a while longer hopefully.

Re price - interesting!  The CN boards are more pre 2020 pro board prices but the MX boards are going up and up and up here.

I wonder if it is related to shipping / import costs, or just keeping things even.


Overall the CN board with epoxy are more on the stiff side and hold their form, where as MX are the usual BBS and are more springy / have more flex.  I am more used to the BBS wood, but others love the stiffness of the CN boards, all with the same DLX shapes and concave so at least there is a choice there now.

Those Misregistered eagles, including the 8.75 x 31.75 shape just arrived here, CN made, from an earlier catalog, but we are always a drop or three behind USA and maybe other places too.  Looked it up - USA AH Drop 2 for Spring 2024.

[nopopnostyle]

Been eyeing the latest DLX drops here in Germany. It looks like all the main hardware drops have only been coming from China this year.
There are still a couple mexican produced BBS boards coming through, but it’s only been special things like the easy rider concave or the Chris Cope special Shape.
The Chinese boards are still a little bit cheaper here, so I don’t know if it has to do with the shops and distributors only ordering what sells.


At the moment, I’m curious and want to discuss how it develops in the rest of the world.

For me personally it kind of sucks, cause my go to shape is the antihero 8.4 and there hasn’t been a new BBS one all year. Still have a couple in stock, but after the latest drops, I’m starting to get worried. I sadly might have to turn my back on deluxe because the epoxy just isn’t working for me.

At first, I thought it was a good thing to have more options and was also stoked for the people that don’t feel the difference as much that they had the opportunity to buy a cheaper deluxe board.

But if we don’t have a choice anymore, it feels a little bit discriminating in comparison to the rest of the world.


I hope this doesn’t pan out like that.

[franc]

Yeah man I'm in Switzerland and kind of in the same boat as you.

The local distributor doesn't order from DLX very often and it seems like we no longer get shaped boards since production for Europe got moved to China, which sucks. I haven't tried those Chinese boards yet but I'm shit scared of trying as I've been on BBS wood and nothing else for the last 15 years. I'll skate my wall hangers from BBS and might try one of those new ones but if it's not up to par I'll definitely email DLX about feeling discriminated as you said. It might not change much but if loads of us do it maybe it will, who knows?

[nopopnostyle]

We still get some special shaped stuff over here and it seems connected to the drops that still come from the US i.e. Spitfire, etc.
Like you mentioned, I am not sure if it’s because of deluxe not offering it to our market anymore or if the people that ordered it don’t get the difference or only care about the margin.
Or maybe the customers are to blame because they buy a lot of the Chinese boards because they are cheaper. I can imagine a lot of people not really caring about the difference as much as I do. And other people just might prefer them over the BBS ones.

I just want to make sure that I don’t care where a product is made as long as it works for me.


I tried the Chinese deluxe boards in my shape as soon as they came out. Talked myself into it after the first one and ordered five or six. Currently still have the third one set up in my extensive quiver and it behaved exactly like the two before. Just over it at this point.

To me they are just too stiff in the beginning, then have a really short good phase and then just suddenly get mushy lengthwise from one day to the next.

Feels exactly like the DSM boards of which I had a lot in the past.

I personally just get a lot more value and longer consistent feel out of the BBS ones.

To me quality, availability, and consistency were
among the main reasons why I chose to buy mainly deluxe products. But lately it’s also been a pain in the ass to get the desired stuff. I was really stoked on the new 97 formula and had to import one set of Delfino’s from Austria. Really like them and want to get a second pair but no chance at all.
After annoying a lot of shops with email requests if their Spitfires had the new sticker I finally gave up.
Same with cast hollow Ventures..

At least we got the V8’s. But this kind of tells me it’s because of people not pre-ordering shit because of sale numbers. Seems like not many people buy non-pro- edition-ventures over here and same with the old 97 Spitfire formula.
 The V8’s have Kostons name on them..

[Meathook]

Europeans about to have the biggest W for affordable boards in 2025.  I wouldn’t be surprised for a BBS DLX board to be >$100 retail in USA with upcoming Trump tariffs, probably not much better for Chinese DLX wood.

I guess I’ll be over here parking my car on South Central boards since that’s all Trump wants me to skate.

[WelcomeToHell]

Europeans about to have the biggest W for affordable boards in 2025.  I wouldn’t be surprised for a BBS DLX board to be >$100 retail in USA with upcoming Trump tariffs, probably not much better for Chinese DLX wood.

I guess I’ll be over here parking my car on South Central boards since that’s all Trump wants me to skate.

I think he's more of a Pennswood guy.

[Mbrimson88]

Yeah man I'm in Switzerland and kind of in the same boat as you.

The local distributor doesn't order from DLX very often and it seems like we no longer get shaped boards since production for Europe got moved to China, which sucks. I haven't tried those Chinese boards yet but I'm shit scared of trying as I've been on BBS wood and nothing else for the last 15 years. I'll skate my wall hangers from BBS and might try one of those new ones but if it's not up to par I'll definitely email DLX about feeling discriminated as you said. It might not change much but if loads of us do it maybe it will, who knows?

I think the first thing I would suggest is try one of the China made boards just to see what it is like.

Personally I prefer BBS wood, just for the feel and how comfortable I am on it, but others here love that China wood and I have been getting more of those boards specifically for those people.  I do have a few set up, including the one at the top of this page, which skates just fine now, but I did drive over it just to see and it felt more normal now than it did when new.  That was more just for me to see if it changed it, or if it did make it a little more springy rather than ultra stiff as it felt from new.

When I don't have the choice any more, then I think it would be a problem, but I pretty much stocked up on all my favourites so I am sorry to tell you I might have a little more longevity from my BBS stash than most.

We still get some special shaped stuff over here and it seems connected to the drops that still come from the US i.e. Spitfire, etc.
Like you mentioned, I am not sure if it’s because of deluxe not offering it to our market anymore or if the people that ordered it don’t get the difference or only care about the margin.
Or maybe the customers are to blame because they buy a lot of the Chinese boards because they are cheaper. I can imagine a lot of people not really caring about the difference as much as I do. And other people just might prefer them over the BBS ones.

I just want to make sure that I don’t care where a product is made as long as it works for me.

Shortened the quote, but I pretty much agree with everything you had said - sucks that what you want you just can't get where you are.

I am amazed at what we still have here, although things have definitely gone up in price.  At the end of the day, I don't go through gear as fast as most people, so what I am sitting on is enough, but for anyone else who has not been fortunate enough to stock up, it is going to get a little harder to find more of things you really want once everything gets squeezed for price, for supply lines to almost dry up because distribution companies are scared to bring in too much, or just can't afford it, or even worst case scenario that they just don't even have the option to bring the product in, but I really don't know the details of any given situation in each country or how things work over there, compared to here.


* At least all the 97 duro wheels will be on the new formula going forward, but if shops are still sitting on old stock, they might be less keen to get any of the newer ones in.  The Pedro wheels are the only 100% new formula I have seen here, of which I got four sets straight away, again when I had the chance, I took it, but it could be a while before the other newer formula wheels come in and even then, same packaging and look and everything else, they maybe harder to pick or come by unless you do see that "reformulated" teal sticker.

[franc]

We still get some special shaped stuff over here and it seems connected to the drops that still come from the US i.e. Spitfire, etc.
Like you mentioned, I am not sure if it’s because of deluxe not offering it to our market anymore or if the people that ordered it don’t get the difference or only care about the margin.
Or maybe the customers are to blame because they buy a lot of the Chinese boards because they are cheaper. I can imagine a lot of people not really caring about the difference as much as I do. And other people just might prefer them over the BBS ones.

I just want to make sure that I don’t care where a product is made as long as it works for me.


I tried the Chinese deluxe boards in my shape as soon as they came out. Talked myself into it after the first one and ordered five or six. Currently still have the third one set up in my extensive quiver and it behaved exactly like the two before. Just over it at this point.

To me they are just too stiff in the beginning, then have a really short good phase and then just suddenly get mushy lengthwise from one day to the next.

Feels exactly like the DSM boards of which I had a lot in the past.

I personally just get a lot more value and longer consistent feel out of the BBS ones.

To me quality, availability, and consistency were
among the main reasons why I chose to buy mainly deluxe products. But lately it’s also been a pain in the ass to get the desired stuff. I was really stoked on the new 97 formula and had to import one set of Delfino’s from Austria. Really like them and want to get a second pair but no chance at all.
After annoying a lot of shops with email requests if their Spitfires had the new sticker I finally gave up.
Same with cast hollow Ventures..

At least we got the V8’s. But this kind of tells me it’s because of people not pre-ordering shit because of sale numbers. Seems like not many people buy non-pro- edition-ventures over here and same with the old 97 Spitfire formula.
 The V8’s have Kostons name on them..

Yeah man it's quite a headache.

Thanks for your review, as bad as it is. 
I think I'm gonna skate this last Zion Cubs I have as a wall hanger or check if the distributor still has have any old boards that I'm sure were made by BBS in the shape I skate (8.4 labeled as 8.5, 31.85, 14.25).

Magenta make pretty good 8.4s that are really close to this shape but the concave is different and I prefer the BBS ones, of course...

[nopopnostyle]

You are welcome. I did a little more positive and more in depth. Review a couple pages back in this thread when they first came out.
And just to make sure it’s not a bad board after all and I don’t wanna hate on it. It just doesn’t work for me.

For me it’s special because I prefer the 8.4 antihero shape which has a straight rail and I haven’t seen that shape on any other deluxe brand. somewhat of a unicorn shape so it’s gonna be harder to get this in the future.

From what I gather you ride the 8.5 shape with the 14.25 wheelbase that tapers towards the Tail. You might be lucky because they promised that the anti-hero eagles would always stay BBS made and the 8.5 eagle is exactly that shape. I hope this promise isn’t only true for US fellows.
Also, the new easy riders that came to Germany could be interesting for you. There’s also an Eagle in 8.5 which is the same shape just a little bit flatter concave made by BBS. Maybe that’s worth a look for you. They still came through to Germany this year all the time. Maybe you can order from Sk8deluxe where you are. If you want to make sure you got the right shape just hit me up via DM. I don’t want to derail this threat too much with personal preferences.

And thanks for your insight from the other side of the world Mbrimson88. As always, pretty detailed and well put.
I too stacked up. I might be good till the end of summer, but I’m already looking for an alternative in case it stays like this. I think I ordered all the deluxe 8.4 shapes that were available in my reach. Had to send a couple older ones back because the were too warped. I even kept a couple stamped with roman ones and twos even though I usually only get the three and four stamped ones.

And maybe I’m lucky because before that shape I rode the 8.28 for a long time and antihero made an eagle with the 8.28 shape this summer. So if the stars align and they make an 8.4 Eagle next summer and the Eagles stay BBS made all over the world everything will be good.

As for the 97 spitfires, I was debating with myself to get more but I didn’t like the old 97 at all. They just felt slow and sluggish so I was hesitant to order the second pair I could’ve gotten from the Skateshop in Austria. But I think I read in the Spitfire thread that another fellow member got the second set so at least someone else got a chance to try them and maybe give us an opinion because I hesitated. They are gonna come. I just have to wait.

[Mbrimson88]

You are welcome. I did a little more positive and more in depth. Review a couple pages back in this thread when they first came out.
And just to make sure it’s not a bad board after all and I don’t wanna hate on it. It just doesn’t work for me.

For me it’s special because I prefer the 8.4 antihero shape which has a straight rail and I haven’t seen that shape on any other deluxe brand. somewhat of a unicorn shape so it’s gonna be harder to get this in the future.

This might have been the first and possibly only other time the 8.4 shape was used but as you said, they are out almost every other drop on AH, often a Grimple deck now from the last few.

Can't believe that this has been over a year now, but I think this was the first main drop to be China wood here, but I was very keen to see them, although I never saw that 8.4 anywhere and did get one of the 8.86 Wilkins decks just to see what it was like.

https://www.realskateboards.com/fall-2023/

https://www.realskateboards.com/img/2023/rs-fall23-d2-04.jpg

[Sedition]

...somewhat of a unicorn shape so it’s gonna be harder to get this in the future.

I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again. DLX makes too much stuff. Yes, it is awesome they try to make different things, But, they spread themselves too thin, and it becomes very hard to get some of non "standard" decks.

Low-Pro
True Fit
Fulls
SE Fulls
Easy Rider
8-ply
Wheel Wells
Whatever the hell this new 6-ply thing is...

That's not even accounting for some of the less standard shapes (8.28, 8.4, 8.5/14.38, etc). And don't even get me started on Spitfire shapes and hardness variants.

 

[97a]

Well, another reason to just skate blank decks and have the freedom of choice.

[franc]

If you want to make sure you got the right shape just hit me up via DM. I don’t want to derail this threat too much with personal preferences.

Yes mate I just sent you a DM.

[nopopnostyle]

This might have been the first and possibly only other time the 8.4 shape was used but as you said, they are out almost every other drop on AH, often a Grimple deck now from the last few.

Can't believe that this has been over a year now, but I think this was the first main drop to be China wood here, but I was very keen to see them, although I never saw that 8.4 anywhere and did get one of the 8.86 Wilkins decks just to see what it was like.

https://www.realskateboards.com/fall-2023/

https://www.realskateboards.com/img/2023/rs-fall23-d2-04.jpg


[/quote]

Yeah, I was double stoked when that Harry Lintell board came out in my 8.4 shape. Actually triple stoked, because I got to support someone I really like. And I thought the shape wouldn’t be anti-hero exclusive anymore. Doesn’t seem like it’s already been a year ago.


And it’s that exact real board of which I still have four left in my stack. Was the first Chinese board I skated and liked. Then I had a Chinese 8.25 doobie from anti-hero which I also liked. I must add at that time I only had those two Chinese set ups and no BBS one to compare.
 I have another Harry Lintell 8.4 set up right now. The veneer fade looks really cool, yet still the last couple sessions on it kind of ruined it for me. Didn’t feel like skating it at all anymore, then took it out on a few sessions and compared to it my other set ups side by side and never really liked it in comparison.

Right now, it just feels weird when I look at American shops and you guys can just order the board I desire.
And just imagining this will be like that for the rest of the world in the future, leaves a little bit of an unfair taste.

But I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

I’ll keep you guys posted.

[nopopnostyle]

Expand Quote

...somewhat of a unicorn shape so it’s gonna be harder to get this in the future.

[close]

I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again. DLX makes too much stuff. Yes, it is awesome they try to make different things, But, they spread themselves too thin, and it becomes very hard to get some of non "standard" decks.

Low-Pro
True Fit
Fulls
SE Fulls
Easy Rider
8-ply
Wheel Wells
Whatever the hell this new 6-ply thing is...

That's not even accounting for some of the less standard shapes (8.28, 8.4, 8.5/14.38, etc). And don't even get me started on Spitfire shapes and hardness variants.

I totally get your sentiment and actually it kind of voices really good how I feel at the moment. Especially since I’m personally affected in a bad way.

But I think it’s a double edge sword because on the other hand we get to try out a lot of things.
And this kind of drives an evolution in board shapes and other stuff.

I think I can explain it best looking at the new ventures. It offers the possibility to try out how different changes affect the feel of your set up. On the other hand it also offers fuel for the fire of madness. 


I just realized for me personally I go through different phases where I like to try new stuff and then after that I need a longer period of time where I just stick to one set up that works.

I also have like one main set up, which I don’t fuck with too much and then I have like a test set up which I just take on certain sessions.


But sometimes I think I should just stop it and start buying Baker boards so I don’t have to worry about shapes at all anymore.

[Sedition]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

...somewhat of a unicorn shape so it’s gonna be harder to get this in the future.

[close]

I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again. DLX makes too much stuff. Yes, it is awesome they try to make different things, But, they spread themselves too thin, and it becomes very hard to get some of non "standard" decks.

Low-Pro
True Fit
Fulls
SE Fulls
Easy Rider
8-ply
Wheel Wells
Whatever the hell this new 6-ply thing is...

That's not even accounting for some of the less standard shapes (8.28, 8.4, 8.5/14.38, etc). And don't even get me started on Spitfire shapes and hardness variants.

[close]

I totally get your sentiment and actually it kind of voices really good how I feel at the moment. Especially since I’m personally affected in a bad way.

But I think it’s a double edge sword because on the other hand we get to try out a lot of things.
And this kind of drives an evolution in board shapes and other stuff.

No, I totally get that. That said, I wont try any of the DLX "novelty" products until it's clear they are going to be in regular production--it sucks to find something you really like, but then have it be next to impossible to find again. 

[Mbrimson88]

.

Might have already been mentioned, but for the "rest of the world" which is anywhere outside of USA, often stock takes months to get here from DLX in SF, but with the China made boards, they get here directly from China at about the same time as the USA gets the BBS made boards in the current catalogs.

That is a big plus, so people don't see the new catalogs and then have to wait a month (or two usually) for the stock to actually arrive, or helps prevent people ordering from shops that do have it directly from USA.  That in itself is another can of worms, which I don't usually get into at all, but back to the DLX China made boards and associated products, it is an interesting one, especially when there is new stock coming out and people don't want to wait.

Here in AU we only just got the Halloween special Spitfire wheels and everything else from DLX in that drop, which came out in October in USA, so there is that for shops to be able to have not only cheaper decks than what are now very expensive BBS made boards, but also a better price too.


Just my observations with the current stock drops, which also include all the non regulation shapes now made in China, or at least that is what I am seeing, so it seems like they have caught up some from when it was only the basic shape options on the China made boards and the rest were from BBS.

Easy Rider are still BBS only, but others are all on China wood that I had not seen before.

[rikki]

Long story very short: been riding a China-made Krooked 8.25 for a while now, and I gotta say, I don't really notice any difference to BBS-made decks. The concave is a bit mellower than what I used to like in BBS decks (I or II being my favs), but otherwise, the deck feels pretty much as good as its BBS counterparts.

Some folks have complained about the stiffness of the China decks -- for me, I really haven't noticed any significant differences. Weight difference? Insignificant.

Summa summarum: for a mediocre skater, all good with DLX China decks.