pavedwave longboarding

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

Ok, well first off-- Tony was awesome to meet up and hand off a set of these C2's over the winter break.

I'd be stoked to check these new bushings out that GromBiz Ben has talked about on Silverfish. Right now have the green+white ones, and thinking of something stiffer than these for the rear, and a slightly softer one for front.

Tried them on a couple decks so far. The 1st was really stiff, and the 2nd has flex, and they feel a bit better on this one. I'm going to try them on the Galac after tinkering with the bushings more.

A question for Ben... I'm wondering if a different bushing shape has been tried yet?

This is the idea I'd like to try, if I could get hold of a bushing about the diameter and thickness of a Radikal, and then bore-out the center hole big enough to fit over the thicker, innermost section of axle. Then put a big washer on the outside of it, which is what would create the return to center. Something like this:

Seems like some of the return would come from the axle actually putting stress against the inner hole of the bushings, but the washers would keep them from completely deforming. But I think maybe just leaving the inner piece of the "thumbnail" bushing in place, would also be needed.

In other words, this is like an extension of the thumbnail bushing that wraps all the way around the axle, with more "meat" and a oval-slotted washer to create more rebound. (theoretically...)

These things felt awesome just carving down the garage. Funniest thing was the first time I put them on, and pushed off... had one of those "oh crap I just mounted my Randals on backward" moments -- because my rear truck angle was set opposite. But instead of spending the next 15 minutes taking off, flipping around, and re-mounting a truck, all I had to do was pull the angle pin, set it right, and let it snap in again -- in just a matter of seconds everything was set right.

Also because of this feature, it's great to be able to just mount the trucks with flat risers, and use all bolts of equal length -- no tinkering with angled risers and bent bolts or angled drilling. Then just do all the angle adjusting with the pin. Diggin that!

samhell · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 66 Location: San Diego, CA USA

Well, I got to ride them on my GTCPLDP.
First impressions, they are very fun trucks...
But.. Until I get some of the softer bushings for the front
truck, I can't say they make a great LDP front truck.
But... I think they might be the ultimate rear truck for LDP.
I'm going to be slapping my trusty wedged bennett on the front.
and leaving the Grombiz on the back. I have a feeling that is going
to be absilutely incredible. For a rear, the geometry of the truck
lends itself perfectly, with the axle axis going straight through.
The front felt wierd to me when trying to pump with my normal
LDP styles.. It was quite hard to pump at low speeds, even
with the angle set to the turniest setting...
Once I was moving 10-12 mph, it did pump nicely though,
but it took a different approach, and felt completely different
than a wedged Bennett, not nearly twitchy, almost hard to initiate.
I did get up to the 20 mph range, and I will say this, these things
are basically speed wobble resistant, so to speak...
Maybe the softer bushings will change this..
But I think I'll be using them for a rear now, I really think
they could be the best thing around for an LDP rear,
they seemed to have extreme traction, and excellent
rebound.. I will be setting it up with the Bennett front this week
and doing further testing this weekend...
I'll post my results..
Very Happy

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angelo_pb · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:26 am Post subject:

So it sounds like we have to wait for the new bushings before you have a final verdict? I noticed the other grom biz trucks had tension springs flanking the sides. I wonder what those are for.

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

samhell · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 66 Location: San Diego, CA USA

I mounted a Bennett 4.3 on the front with Lemon Big Zigs (non inverted),
and the Grombiz rear with Lime Big Zigs (inverted), it gives an equal width.
The Bennett front, Grombiz rear is amazing.. Flat out amazing.
It pumps like mad, the Grombiz feels like a Radikal offset or an Airflow rear, extreme traction, just the right amount of deadness, with plenty of rebound. Even if we never get the Grombiz front to feel right for LDP, it
has earned a place for me a great, make that incredible rear truck for LDP. Once I get ahold of some of the softer bushings I will try the Grombiz
again as a front for LDP, but until then, rear only.
But I have to say, the Bennett front, Grombiz rear is a simply sublime
setup, I like the Grombiz rear more than a Tracker RTS, which is a great rear for very little cash.. And now, I can setup 2 LDP's with Grombiz rears.
Bennetts are cheap, and $150 for 2 Grombiz' is expensive, but in the long run, it's really not that bad, considering I get 2 decks worth out of it...
More testing to come...
I'd like to see what happens if you set it up like mentioned James with 2 Radikal bushings.. Maybe some Venoms would work instead since the clears are hard to come by.... Idea

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samhell · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 66 Location: San Diego, CA USA

Yeah, The Bennett/Grombiz combo is it...
When I get the softer bushings for the Grombiz,
I will be really testing it for a front.
But I have to say, I'm pretty much diehard sold
on Bennett fornts for LDP..
I'd be using my Radikal for a fornt if it wasn't so damn delicate..

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rip · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Hi,
though a few days ago, I just want to know some details of the Grombiz Special Opps:

What's the height and the weight?

Did anyone ride them over a longer time? Were there problems?
Could I use them both for front and rear?

Did I understand it right, that I only can adjust the softness / hardness via changing the elastomeres? So this would be a bit of a disadvantage, cos I cannot change immediately.

Thanks a lot in advance fot sharing your experience and opinions!

Sorry, may English is not the best, I am German.

Cheers RIP

rip · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Hi,

I plan to buy the Grom Biz Special Opps for use on my LD pumper.
Does anybody knows something about the weigh?
What are the drill patterns (new school / old school)?
How is the combo working, when both front and rear are mounted?

Do you suggest it as a pair?
Thanks for response!

samhell · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 66 Location: San Diego, CA USA

rip, the stock bushings (green) will work fine.
They are a little heavier than say a Tracker RTS,
btu they aren't so heavy that it matters much.
They aren't really that tall, I have 3/4" of riser on mine in the rear,
and it matches up perfectly with the Bennett setup (wedged)
on the front. At this point, i swear by it for a rear LDP truck, it's
a perfect match to the Bennett front.
I don't like it at all for both front and rear for LDP. for a carving setup
it's great, but it just doesn't work for a front for LDP, no matter how
I adjust it or what bushings I use.
But the combo of Bennett/Grombiz is simply amazing, I really
don't plan on using anything else onthis particular board.
I still love Tracker RTS for cheaper alternative rear as well, it's hard to beat
for the money.
If you can just buy one, or go in on a set with friend do it, or if you have
2 LDP's to set up grab a set.
Once you find the right angle adjustment for you on it, it will
be sheer bliss... I run my rear 5 degrees forward of 0 setting,
I hope this helped.
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rip · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Hi Samhell,

ok, thanks so far! Yes, it helped Smile