pavedwave longboarding

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

Dude, really I have no desire to see seismic rear trucks in your top 3 or top 10 list of great trucks. Like you said from the beginning they're your opinions. No need to feel 'defeated', feel free to state your opinion on what works.

When I posted my stuff years ago about CarverCX's, it's what worked for me at the time, and with such an oddball truck I heard endless crap from the traditional school. I didn't talk their stuff down, just talked mine up because it was working and I was flying on those things. And it's still the truck that Munson got his fastest Cyber Mile on of all time. (Incidentally, our own Stocago here just posted a 2nd place Cyber Mile of 3:42!!!!) But a lot has changed for me style-wise and gear-wise over the last half decade and most others will probably find just the same discovery when they look back a few years.

One thing I've really learned about things like the "gear" page and reactions to it...we all have a strong desire to hear what works well and why, more than the flip side.

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

Hey Panda!

I got one for you....Seeing how you have come up with this list I'm going to ask you to come up with one build. Let's call it the Panda Special..

So, pound for pound, dollar for dollar what would you choose if you were to make just one board for a beginner. Remember the most cost effective setup without knowing anything about the rider. Assume that you would be able to adjust bushings and deck flex when the rider shows up....
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LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

All right, I accept your challenge!

Im going to assume the rider has a reasonable but not extravagant budget and wants a setup that will last for quite some time but may not be the last LDP board they buy.

Roe Mermaid (appropriate flex for weight)
Bennett 4.3
Airflow 110
BigZig Limes (80a)
Venom Eliminators in the rear
Khiros in the front

Offhand i think this setup comes in just under $400 for the complete.

If you wanted to save some money, i think the best way to do that would be to replace the airflow with either an RT-S 106 (saves about $100) or a ..................... Seismic 105 stable turn (saves about $80).

A lot of people prefer the Bennett 5.0 paired with a RT-S 129 or Seismic 130 (or the same airflow 110 spaced out to 130). I suppose thats a matter of personal preference. Ive tried all three sizes of Bennetts and I like the 4.3 the best.

Another place to save some money might be the deck. I believe both the LBL and Subsonic decks could be made cheaper than the $180 that stoked is asking for the mermaid. I chose the mermaid becuase i think its flex is best for a beginner.

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

Thanks
It is always nice to see others opinions on equipment. With the rate of change in the sport the opinion can change often so I often ask what peoples favorites are now. For a beginner a reasonably priced setup can make or break getting into LDP. The Mermaid has become the most expensive deck after the stoked price hike with the Pulse coming in at $140 minus tape and the Walkabout at $140. Like you said trucks are a place where one can save a bit of cash with the VirageLDP running $325 a set of Bennet/Seismic running near $60 you can save some real cash here. That savings of $305 is enough to get all the extra parts and more to build a deck, buy safety gear and maybe dinner. While the Virage may be great there may not be enough of a difference in them and a beginners skills to warrant the cost.
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LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

I wouldnt call virages an 'entry-level' truck the same way i wouldnt call radikals an 'entry-level' slalom truck. BUT some people can afford the best of the best on their first deck and i dont see any reason they shouldnt. The only reason I put airflow on this setup rather than the virage rear is that i live in the US and its easier and faster for me to get an airflow. I wouldnt really suggest a virage front to a beginner, not only becuase of the price but becuase the dive of the bennett makes learning to pump easier than the smoother flow of the virage (imho).

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

I would agree. I was just thinking like....well, I and some others have a tendency to before being reined in. You know what's the best, I want that! When in reality the best can be very subjective. Best for you? for me?....top that off with the price difference between various bests and you have my last post....
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pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1120 Location: seattle wa usa

Another thing to factor in price- and effort-wise is what the trucks really cost when you want it set up right. This means the $18 Khiro wedge kit risers that add angle to the Bennett without adding extra height, and the extra long hardware especially for the "fat" end of the front truck. And with all these trucks remember to factor the cost of the replacement Khiro/Venom bushings. Another Bennett optional, though it looks to be increasingly required, is replacing the kingpin -- factor in some time and effort and JB-weld type solution there, until Bennett figures out how they want to fix this. Over the years I've seen the learning curve many noobs go through to set something up to ride well straight out of the box, and sometimes they'll just splurge and get what they can slap together fast to get out on the road.

One will still come out ahead financially with the Bennett, and I still love the feel of that truk, so I'm not passing any "judgement" one way or the other. Just explaining what I've experienced and another element to factor in for those getting set up the first time. The Virage is a kind of "slap it on and go" setup -- but with a little caveat, I am already planning to do a write-up (with pictures) on the extra planning that is necessary once you start doing your first tweaking and wheel changes with that truck...

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

Here is my budget friendly beginner LDP setup:

Fibreflex 44" w/ kicktail (comes w/grip) $70
Bennett 5.0 $28
Seismic 130 $32
72a Avilas from Purple Skunk $45
VXB bearings from Ebay $5
2 packs of Khiro Bushings (one white, one orange) $7
Seismic Springs $9
3" hardware $5
2 angled Khiro shock pads $4.50
1 hard angled Khiro riser $2.25
1 Khiro spacers $5
2 soft flat Khiro risers $2.5

Total $215.25

Comments:

If you live where it's hilly, you may opt in favor of a Bennett 4.3.

After a month or so of riding, you can buy a Grade 8 kingpin at your local bolt supplier for less than a dollar, and change the kingpin, to be safe.

If you are heavier, you'll opt for green Seismic springs. If you are lighter you can go with the red Seismic springs. Front truck uses the PW Bennett bushing recommendations. I recommend supergluing the bottom cone to the barrel for better rebound.

Front truck uses 2 soft Khiro wedges for 14 degrees.

Back truck uses one hard wedge for 4 degrees dewedge. Plus a soft riser or two to make the deck height match, and ensure no wheelbite up front.

I chose 3 inch hardware. You can cut it to length with a hacksaw or dremel. This is the cheapest way to go.

The soft Avilas are a good bargain, and you'll love having them. They may be a little slower over nice surfaces, but if you're a beginner you shouldn't be worried about speed yet. If you like LDP you'll end up buying lots of wheels, trust me, and you can buy some harder ones next time around. I considered 78a Bennett Gators for being a little easier to pump for a beginner, but feel the Avilas would be more useful over time if one sticks with the sport.

I like Daddiesboardshop and sk8kings. Daddies offers free shipping and both of these suppliers ship immediately, which I always appreciate.

This is my attempt to put together a cheap board, which at the same time leaves you with many quality components that you'll be able to use for a long time if you choose to upgrade your deck to a dedicated LDP.

I think that covers all the parts a beginner would need.

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

That looks like an awesome setup! thanks for putting that together with the prices, nice work. I just have a few comments.

Buying through ebay, even from a reliable seller like VXB, can be a pain. You could buy a combo bearing/wheel deal from purple skunk for $55, a few dollars more to avoid the headache of ebay.

Ive never liked the feel of two soft angled risers in the front. I know thats what sk8kings ships their completes with and i tried in on my axe and didnt like it at alll. I think the rail wedging kit is well worth the money for any level of rider.

Ive never ridden a fiberflex so i know nothing about its flex. That being said, the lbl, subsonic, and roe all have multiple flexes to choose from to customize to the rider's weight.

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

I like that advice as well Ian. I think those prices might be leaving out the cost of shipping though, or just keeping it optimistic. Very Happy

You can always save on shipping by trying to buy more stuff from one place.

You might also add another set or two of harder Khiro bushings for the rear truck, something in the red--yellow range. One thing about minimizing cost is getting a few "extras" up front that don't incur a brand new shipping cost.

The hard angled risers do make a difference even for a noob, not only for the responsiveness of having less squish, but also on the point of ride height, which can be discouraging for new guys with underdeveloped quad muscles... since I keep seeing this "extreme height" of LDP boards thing bantied about the Fish recently, I keep trying to coach people that setting up the sharply angled risers like those from the Khiro wedge kit, adds just the right angle without adding unnecessary height. So I do agree on adding the cost there and getting significant value right away. But the spirit of your list is still intact, it's not to get everything perfect out of the box, and for sure the angled wedge pads will work in a pinch.

The Fibreflex really is one of the best flexes on the high-production, low cost end boards. I've only had limited ride time on one however so I'm not exactly sure what range of weight rider it's flex would suit best, assuming a range of individual preferences as well. I think it was about a Medium on the Roe flex scale.