pavedwave longboarding

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

I was bored and decided to write up my own personal gear selection advice page.
This is to help answer the “What (______) should I buy?” questions.
I’ve listed my own personal top three picks, in no particular order, as well as some basic features that are important for LDP.
The information below represents my opinion ONLY and is not intended to represent a consensus of LDP riders.
I would be happy to hear input from other experienced riders
and I reserve the right to edit this list at any time to reflect new findings and opinions.

Deck:
Top Three Picks:
Roe Mermaid
Subsonic Pulse
LBL Walkabout
Important Features:
37”-45” Long / 26”-31” Wheelbase
Some flex
Wide enough at nose

Front Truck:
Top Three Picks:
Bennett 4.3
Bennett 5.0
Virage Front
Important Features:
Narrow Hangar
Lots of turning ability
Good return to center

Rear Truck:
Top Three Picks:
Airflow 110
Tracker RT-S 129
Virage Rear
Important Features:
Very stable
Similar width to front truck
Good return to center

Wheels:
Top Three Picks:
BigZigs
Black Ops Speed Vents
Avilas
Important Features:
Grip
Rebound
Size: 70mm-80mm, Duro: 73a-83a

Bushings:
Top Three Picks:
Khiro
Venom
Abec11 Reflex
Important Features:
Softer in front
Harder in back
Snappy return to center

Some retailers that cater to LDP gear:
www.sk8kings.com
www.subsonicskateboards.com
www.stokedskateboards.com
www.longboardlarry.com
www.daddiesboardshop.com
www.milehighskates.com
www.octanesports.com

peppermint rhino · Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 57

In addition, I think the following would be a good investment:

Kihro Rail kit

Kihro Soft wedges

1.5" - 2.5" pan head screws and nylon washers.

blake · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 198 Location: Seattle

thats a great list i agree completely with all of it i just think for the wheels you should put up what A or color you should get because you dont want some one to shell out 40 for big zigs and get like Oranges or something.
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The concrete is our canvas, our wave, our playgound, our catalyst for growth. When you feel it, flow with it, live in the moment; and shred it like you'll never skate again, everytime.

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

Thanks blake, i didnt want to get too specific as gear choices depend a lot on terrain and riding preferences, but i did change the 'important features' of wheels to include the sizes and duros that seem most appropriate to LDP.

Ian the Groove Worshipper · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 79 Location: Largo, FL

I think that Seismic Stable Turn 130 deserves to be a rear truck choice. A very sticky truck, in my opinion even more so than my Airflow, at a fraction of the price. I would advise any friend of mine not to shell out any cash on an RT-S for that money will be wasted very soon thereafter when they upgrade to something that doesn't drift with all but the grippiest wheels.

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

I get what youre saying, i really do, but ....

I dont like spings, plain and simple.

Theyre expensive to replace, require adjusting on long trips, and can go horribly horribly wrong when they fall apart. Plus, figuring out the right spring 'weight' for you can be a difficult and expensive process.

For example, this weekend i had my top bushing get chewed up and disappear out of my bennett on the trail. Rather than having to walk the seven miles home, i was able to walk 1 mile to the nearest skate shop (thanks motion!) and buy a bushing and continue on my journey. Had i been using seismics (or originals or RTR or C7 or ...) i would have had a much worse trip.

I like to keep things simple, especially on long journeys. Thats why i dislike precision axles, spherical bearings, and non-bushing trucks.

Its a good point to bring up and im glad you did, but this is my list and I personally would go for for an RT-S before a seismic any day of the week.

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

Seismic rear trucks perform insanely well in terms of forward motion and performance in general. When I started riding these again (my first years were 2001--2004, then got back on them in 2008) I felt like they were literally throwing me forward down the trail.

How many Seismic springs have you actually broken? I've never busted a Seismic truck or worn down the springs -- so that's zero replacement cost. I've seen pictures of and I know their baseplates *can* break in rare occasions, which would lead to an on-the-road repair, but these breaks are easy to avoid by not mounting them on soft risers. Another good thing about Seismic is their rebound isn't affected by mud and rain, whereas rain makes bushings squish around even more -- performance differs, dare I say "suffers" under those conditions.

Since this is a list of gear for beginners, I think they shouldn't be too misled by theory over trail-tested experience with gear on which we haven't yet put in the miles. Again this is LDP not "pump a few times around the parking lot" which is why slalom guys don't always make the best LDP testers. I think the list is more effective where we keep playing positive notes on the stuff that has worked for you.

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

True enough, i havent spent much time on seismics and so my opinion is under-informed. That being said, ive listed MY TOP THREE and i have spent enough time on all three of those trucks to recommend them. As i stated in the OP, this is not intended to replace the Gear Page or to represent a consensus or majority opinion of the community here, its just my list, take it or leave it. Furthermore, if you look at the 'Important Features' that ive noted, i think you will see that seismic stable turns fit nicely into those categories.

On the issue of performance in the rain, i dont have any problems with my eliminators squishing around but i have heard seveal horror stories of debris getting stuck in the springs of seismics, like pinecones and whatnot.

Anyway, its just my observations and suggestions. If JP and Ian endorse seismics im sure they perform admirably.

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

Several horror stories eh? I want names and numbers Wink

Replace the gear page? You mean that one I haven't updated in like over a year? Personally I like this thread -- good short synopsis all in one post.

Anyway... this is all just like, your opinion man

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

Ok, im defeated. I have been looking all around but i cant find the post where someone was happy that they had finally gotten thru an entire session without having to check for debris stuck in their springs. Maybe it was here, maybe it was the 'fish, maybe it was all in my head.

Seismic > Panda

Im still not putting 'em in my top three. Theyre kinda noisy and i dont like them aesthetically, there.

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