pavedwave longboarding

Belegnole · Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 86 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin

Because they have now hit the open market, I thought I would start a topic of conversation about them. So which one of you tinkerers plans to try them? Or who already has and what do you think?

stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

I have some on order and will report back when I've tested them. I expect them to be as good as the abec ones, but hope they're more durable.

Bullwings · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 62

I'd definitely like to hear what everyone has to say about them. They're quite the rave on the Fish right now. They're also quite affordable.

I'd like to try out some Stims, but i don't think i can justify $25 for some bushings that will likely get shredded.

James, or anyone else have word on these/ have some on the way?

stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

Well, I got my Venom 78a standard bushing packs today and got to try them out in a limited way, but am pleased with their quality. They remind me of yellow Randals, but much softer. The barrel is slightly taller than a Khiro and the conical is about the same height as a bottom Randal. They don't seem to have the same rebound as the Abecs, but still are pretty good. The 78a seem considerably softer than orange Khiros, almost as soft as white Khiros. They're a bit too soft for me in tandem. I'll probably only use one on the top. I've got 81a and 85a on the way, so I'm sure I'll find a combo I'll be happy with.

stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

I received both the 81a and 85a Venoms and have found that I like using either two 81a bushings or 85a bottom/78a top. They have nice rebound either way.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Thanks for posting some great info, especially your duro impressions compared to Khiro! --that's a baseline many here can relate to.

Brad Jackman (an extremely cool cat and part of our Cascade Slalom group here) has been raving about the Venoms. I'll share whatever comes of playing with these in our winter garage sessions-- which should be starting up in about a month or so. So far I've heard nothing but good things about these...

stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

Well, I noticed that my Venoms were no longer as responsive and took off my Bennett hanger for inspection. The top edges of the bottom bushing got shaved off (cracked). This happened to my reflex bushings as well. The top Venom seems fine except for wear from the kingpin threads. It seems that Khiros last the longest on the Bennett.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Well as far as performance goes I can say nothing but good things so far. Put these in the Sk8kings LDP proto over the weekend and everyone who tried the deck was grinning.

My one mistake at first was using too small a flat washer, I think it came with a cup washer but I didn't like the looks of it, even though it might be what's "recommended" or tested... so I went with a flat, but the diameter was such that it bit into the top and chewed it a little. After I kicked my own ass, I rummaged through the bag and found a big Bennett washer, that has lips but it's big enough the bushing will never squish out that far.

Anyway the ride is awesome -- the true test of course will be how things go over the long haul, and it'll be a bit longer before knowing that.

I must say though, that I have not been running into the Bennett-eating-my-Khiro bushings issue nearly as much (hardly at all, actually) that has plagued many, and was the impetus for the Kingpin covering solution. One thing that could be really crucial to minimizing bushing destruction, is the height of whatever "filler" we're all using to put under the main bushing, the barrel, to match the height of the stock Bennett bushing. Right now with these, I'm just using two cup washers under the front bottom blue barrel Venom, to take up the gap. More to come later!

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

lets see that deck! Wink

rodgon · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 88

yeah lets see that deck homie!!!