Archive for pavedwave longboarding distance longboarding, flatland pumping, cross-country adventuring, boardwalk cruising, and all things skateboarding and good times
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Bullwings
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What are the best shock absorbing wheels?Hey all,
I'm just wondering what everyone's experience has been for the best shock absorbing wheels? I've gone out on some decently long rides 5-10 miles at a time on decent to crappy roads. I've been noticing after my rides that my left leg hurts (i have an intermedulary titanium rod inside of it due to a major break).
I've tried to back off of riding the front of my board so much, and that has helped, even though pumping is a little bit harder.
Right now, i'm using 73mm 80a speed vents. I"m thinking of getting some 75mm 72a avilas or maybe some 76mm superballs. Any other good shock aborbing wheels out there i should consider? I don't want to go any larger than 76mm, and nothing smaller than 70mm.
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stocago
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I have the Superballs and can vouch for their plushness. They feel softer than 82a, more like 78a to 80a, but apparently measure at 81a. Other wheels that I have that dampen well are much softer: 75a Grippins and 77a BigZigs. The latter being better because of the bigger diameter. I haven't tried the limes, but I'd guess that they'd be good, too, as well as the orange 'tangs.
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pavedwave
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In my experience, those 75mm 72a Avilas are really sweet for all the nastiest conditions. I plan to put them back on for next year's STP-- there's about 10 miles of non-stop chipsealed road that almost makes me not want to do the ride anymore, but those Avilas will do the trick.
I would also think the 77mm blackOps in the softest (75a?) duro would be pretty nice, because they're even bigger, but I haven't tested that out.
Continue to hear good things about the EW Superballs.
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Bullwings
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Ok, so it's a toss up with two wheels now.
Milehighskate.com
has the Tunnel STRs for only $39.95 (better than thelongboardstore or daddiesboardshop) and also has the EW Superballs.
lots of people complain that the superballs are slow, but i'm looking more for cushioning, maintaining roll momentum, and ease of pump.
I'm thinking the superballs have two of those over the tunnels - cushion and momentum. How's the STRs at cushioning though? I know it's smaller than my current wheel (73mm speedvents), but also has a solid core and is a softer durometer.
Hanael, can you make a direct comparison for LDP? You seem to have access to all the latest wheel goodies.
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stocago
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| Bullwings wrote: | | lots of people complain that the superballs are slow |
In the past I've refused to describe them as slow, preferring to to say they're not fast. But the other day I actually was testing them out making comparisons on grip. Man, they felt slow. I've been riding mainly Vents and BZigs lately, occasionally using the S'balls as rear traction wheels with harder faster wheels in front. But when I tried them on all four corners they really did feel slow. To be fair, I had them on my secondary LDP deck that is set up with a Bennett 5.0, instead of a 6.0 that I've been using on my primary deck. That said, I did my fastest cyber mile with the S'balls in back and Orange BZigs in front, so they can't be that slow.
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pavedwave
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For me the bottom line isn't so much speed, but just how horrible are the conditions. Chipseal is nasssssty. And that's where I find the 72a Avilas to soak up the vibrations the most. I really don't think anything can beat 'em, but I would bet that the softest Speedvents (75a?) would come pretty close, not only because they're soft, but they're also a couple mm larger, and bigger does mean better shock absorption, in general.
If it's a dedicated pusher board with tons of wheel clearance, then the next best thing are the 97mm Flywheels -- they roll over everything -- and contrary to what people say about "big wheels == slow acceleration", I would ride the 97mm's across the country if I expected to push most of the way, and if I knew the conditions would be tortuous.
Man, now that it's winter, and the sessions are slowing to a trickle... I hope peeps will clock and send some cyber miles!
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stocago
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I'm fortunate to be able to choose to skate on roads and trails that have very good quality pavement. I should have stated that in my post. The Superballs would be better suited for worse than average to average roads. I've ridden my 86a Zigs on crappy pavement and it's no fun. AND slow. 
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Bullwings
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Now I'm torn between the Superballs and the Avilas again. Like James says, i'm not concerned about speed, i'm all about comfort.
My lead leg is probably more sensitive than most of yours out there. So, what I consider crappy terrain might not really be as bad for some of you.
I often find that what stops me from skating more is not that i'm tired, but that my leg hurts. It also might be due to the on set of winter (yeah, like it gets cold in SoCal... haha, but it is cooler).
Maybe i'll just have to flip a coin. Purple skunk is the only place that i'll consider buying Avilas since they have such an awesome price on a set of four. I guess i'll just have to toss a coin and mull over it some more.
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barefootboarder
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| pavedwave wrote: | | In my experience, those 75mm 72a Avilas are really sweet for all the nastiest conditions. |
James can I ask if you run yours as standard, or with trimmed edges? They're so wide, and I've been told that trimming the edges makes them a bit more stable. Or is that a load of codswallop? 
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pavedwave
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Trimming the lips off Avilas does make a difference in one thing -- traction on high speed turns. All that extra lip on fast turns makes the wheels "skitter" across the pavement in the 20-35mph range, which is why when slalom racers adopted these for GS hills, they'd shave them down.
So as far as LDP goes, I don't bother trimming them, since the speeds are almost always in the 10--20mph range instead. I rather like the look of them and think that at slower speeds the extra lip gives even a bit more cushioning effect, although THAT last little bit might be considered codswallop
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barefootboarder
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Thanks James. I've moved house recently and my new local trail is a bit rough, although nearer the beach!  - I'm pleased to know that the Avilas will be fine as I really like them.... they look like giant sweeties 
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Bullwings
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My Earth Wing 76mm Superballs came in.
First off, when i took the plastic wrap off of them, they were so sticky that they were sticking to each other. I was holding one wheel, and the other three were litterally hanging on to each other through pure stickiness.
So, for wheel comparisons. I've used three wheels so far in my LDP career - 69mm hotspots (81a up front and 78a in back) in the black ops formula, 73mm speed vents (80a) in black ops formula, and now these 76mm EW superballs.
The superballs are by far the plushiest and smoothest ride out there. I don't know exactly what rebound is, roll speed, etc. etc. is. What i do know is that these are smooth and cushy. There were a ton of rocks on one of the roads i was on, and it was spitting them out without the slightest feeling of being thrown off of the board. Rolling over the crappier asphalt felt great too, because i couldn't really feel it. Also, since they're so massive (no core like speed vents), they just roll forever.
I haven't been on the 72a avilas, but these superballs are definitely nice. They're super sticky and grippy too. I've heard rumors of them being grippier than avilas - possibly hype, i wouldn't know from personal experience. They are nice though. If people think they're slow, ah well, they're probably not riding miles and miles on crappy asphalt. Wish i could have ridden further to test the limits more, but my ass and hamstrings are super sore from snowboarding.
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northcoast
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| Bullwings wrote: | My Earth Wing 76mm Superballs came in.
First off, when i took the plastic wrap off of them, they were so sticky that they were sticking to each other. I was holding one wheel, and the other three were litterally hanging on to each other through pure stickiness.
So, for wheel comparisons. I've used three wheels so far in my LDP career - 69mm hotspots (81a up front and 78a in back) in the black ops formula, 73mm speed vents (80a) in black ops formula, and now these 76mm EW superballs.
The superballs are by far the plushiest and smoothest ride out there. I don't know exactly what rebound is, roll speed, etc. etc. is. What i do know is that these are smooth and cushy. There were a ton of rocks on one of the roads i was on, and it was spitting them out without the slightest feeling of being thrown off of the board. Rolling over the crappier asphalt felt great too, because i couldn't really feel it. Also, since they're so massive (no core like speed vents), they just roll forever.
I haven't been on the 72a avilas, but these superballs are definitely nice. They're super sticky and grippy too. I've heard rumors of them being grippier than avilas - possibly hype, i wouldn't know from personal experience. They are nice though. If people think they're slow, ah well, they're probably not riding miles and miles on crappy asphalt. Wish i could have ridden further to test the limits more, but my ass and hamstrings are super sore from snowboarding. |
care if i add a little to this?
it seemed to me like the 76mm superballs took a lot of effort to get up to good pumping speed. they held momentum well, but if you goofed up a pump once, it took a while to get that speed back. i'd definitely say they're good LDP wheels, with a little * next to it saying that it's not a good beginner wheel
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Bullwings
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^^^
I agree. It definitely is not a beginner wheel or good to learn to pump on. It holds its momentum well, but is harder to get going.
Anyway, it appears that these wheels are being discontinued... Earth Wing is replacing them with the Superballs OBombers. They are a white 76mm x 50mm wheel. It appears as if their whole line of wheels is being replaced or revamped.
I know nothing about the new wheels or if anything has really changed, but if you're dying to try these out, you better get them while they last. thelongboardstore and milehighskate no longer carries them.
you can still find them at daddiesboardshop and a few other places, but i'm pretty sure it's only while supplies last.
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model.citizen
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Tell me more about the 72a Avilas...
I've been looking for something myself that'll handle the varied conditions of roads and footpaths down here in NZ but i've always been a little worried that there will be too much trade off between speed and comfort.
I'm running 78a Tarantula STRs on my Walkabout at the moment, and they're a nice wheel, but skip all over the place when hitting any chipsealed road (which, for some reason, alot of good hills around here are).
I've got 83a 77mm Speedvents on a Rayne also, they roll over things a little more nicely but still feel nasty on the rough stuff.
Do the Avilas make a huge difference in speed at that duro?
Thanks!
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LDPanda
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I just got my 73a clear red Avilas today. Im running them on the back with bigzig 80a (limes) up front. I was riding on a mildly slippery trail (it didnt rain today but there was a lot of fog and the trail was far from dry), i couldnt make them slide even when i tried. I pushed my weight into them in the spots that looked wetter and zero slippage. Im pretty darn impressed. Admittedly, theyre straight out of the box and havent had a chance to break in, but still, darn grippy. I cant really speak to the speed factor, i didnt notice anything different but i dont time my runs. Im pretty sold on Avilas, i like the wide contact area. Next time i buy wheels ill prolly grab some avilas for the front too.
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model.citizen
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cool.
Do you hit much chipseal at all?
The main problem i've been finding on the rough stuff here (chipseal, those funny speed ripple things on footpaths) is the wobbling/chattering of the front truck when rolling over this stuff - makes the board kinda drift all over the place.
I'm thinking/hoping that something real soft will make those surfaces finally rideable.
Maybe i'll just bite the bullet and get some of the red Avilas...at least if (for some reason) they don't work well for me for LDP (ie slow) then I can slap them on another deck for slow/controlled half-boozed downhill excursions.
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LDPanda
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I dont hit much chipseal on my usual route, but i met up with james today on the trail and we went on some unfamiliar territory. It was a little rougher than im used to, but still no slippage. I cant really say about how they perform on the roughest of terrain, but if james vouches for em on the stp, id say theyre the best. As a side note, if it were me, i wouldnt run the red avilas in front, id go for whites in front and reds in the rear for nasty roads. My bet is that combo would be plenty cushy for your needs without sacrificing the kind of speed you might lose with such soft wheels in front. Sk8kings sells them in pairs and carries both duros.
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pavedwave
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yeah that was great checkin out your setup today! uber smooth.
i would definitely recommend 72a's for chipseal, and since I learned just last year they laid 10 miles of fresh new chipseal on the STP, and the RSVP had even more, I'll be mounting up the 72a's both front and back. I think that's totally wise to have the red-rear, white-front for most semi-nasty conditions (like that Kenmore section of the Burke trail) but for long, extended bouts on chipseal, I'd go softeees all around.
and from what Sheldon told me about his ride across NZ early last year, there were huge stretches of solid chipseal that were literally maddening, so I do empathize with you MC! you may be surprised how well they do hold speed even back on the smooth stuff. yet another thing to "test" on the cyber mile? 
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