pavedwave longboarding

angelo_pb · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject: Speed Vents: ideal for LDP?

I tried my new $62 mixed set of Vents over my usual ride. They are 75a rear and 83 front in 77mm.

To me, they are very high performance wheels, but suck for LDP in that they cannot handle rough pavement typically experienced over distance. I liken them to high performance tires(tyres) v. good touring tires.

The 83a's up front are the un-hyped black ops. On smooth pavement, they totally rock. But on the rougher pavement, you start asking yourself why you paid so much for these.

I learned some things from these wheels.

1. You can't gauge the feel of a wheel by its duro rating. The Orangatang 75mm 83a are smoother and more quite than the 77mm 75a vents, though the latter grips better.

2. The huge plastic (weight/money saving) core TOTALLY changes the feel of the wheel. It's a double edge sword. I suppose it does make it more high performance, but at the cost of comfort.

I did try the 75a in back with the 83a 'tangs up front. I love this setup. I felt confident enough to really dig in. And it just seemed faster than with the tangs all the way around. But the actual vibration and comfort b/t the two was close. The Vents were mos def louder. By definition, noise = vibration so its a tough call to make. Note that the 75a do not yet have the un-hyped black ops urethane.

Anyway, they are great high performance wheels. But my short experience with LDP is not riding on ideal surfaces. I personally rate surfaces from 1-10, with 1-3 being un-skateable. These Vents work great on 7 and up. But from 4-6, it was bone-jarring and unpleasant. It made 8s feel like 6s. You get the idea.

I suspect it is the plastic core. I may try the un-hyped Black Ops Avilas some time but the 65mm width kind is kind of a deal breaker for the moment.

Bullwings · Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 62

yeah, i was using the 73mm speedvents in 80a duro. I like the way the wheel feels on smoother pavement, but when it gets a bit rougher, my leg can't take it.

My left leg (lead leg over front truck) has a titanium rod in it from a tib/fib break 2 years ago. I can't take much of the jarring and rough pavements.

I switched over to 76mm EW Superballs, and the difference was immediate. Granted, the superballs "feel" slower and take a bit more work to get started, but they maintain quite nicely. They're also super grippy, but I don't ever push the limits of my wheels' grip when doing LDP.

I'd really like to try the avilas in the new black-ops thane, but I can't justify the expense. I barely have 15-20 miles on my superballs, but now that snowboarding season is over, i can make that up.

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

I have settled into the 80a 77mm Vents all-around for good to great surfaces. If I were doing a cyber mile on a really smooth track, I'd go with 83a all around. But for rough stuff, I would agree.

For one thing I feel like 77mm is about as big as I want to go, but I've still been tempted to try the 73mm, it just seems almost too small to maintain a solid top-end speed though I could be wrong. I'm wondering why there isn't a white 77a 73mm option, which would seem the best trade-off.

Then the holistic part of my brain kicks in and reminds me that there are starving children in Africa and to stop nit-picking Very Happy

Actually, until last year with the Vents and Avilas I hadn't bought any new wheels for years -- in fact, the only "BigZigs" in the new retro thane I had were the "Gumball Zigs". It's not to say that one wheel doesn't have advantages over the other, but I think the differences are getting increasingly minute, which is a good thing.

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

I've got a mixed set, 79a and 83a.
Extremely fast and smooth..
Not as grippy as my 80a/83a Big Zigs,
but definately a faster roll...
To me, Speed Vents are one of the faster
rolling wheels I've tried.... I love them,
especially for LDP and general cruising...
_________________
San Diego Pump Society
galaclandsurfing dot com

Shaine · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 33 Location: TriCities, WA

I'd like to resurrect this thread. What about Orangatang "In Heat"
75mm front and Seismic Blast Waves 78mm rear? Also for someone doing a lot of stop & go with short distances in between would 70mm be better if not concerned with top end speeds? Also I ride on typical new asphalt streets and paths. Thanks!

Shaine · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 33 Location: TriCities, WA

I'm starting to think 70mm may be a good start since I'm pathetically out of shape and don't plan on distance any time soon. More like around the block a couple times.
1. Retro lime zags front, HotSpots Orange rear?
2. Otangs "4President" 83a front, Lime zags rear?
3. Lemon/Lime Zags?

I'm chronically unable to make decisions when I'm ready to shell out the cash; e.g. Complete Mermaid from Stoked (by the way is the stiff flex too rock for 190lbs or would it break in?)

Am I the only one that posts during graveyard shifts?

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

I'd get lime zags all around, then maybe some BigZigs or Avilas in 75mm later when you built up to wanting faster speed on extended rides.

You're totally right in thinking the 70's would be good for the stop and go. I really like the feel of them for shorter rides, quick and agile!!

Shaine · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 33 Location: TriCities, WA

Makes sense, thanks for the response Smile

stocago · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 227

I've enjoyed my 70mm grippins for LDP, but have gone back to 75-77mm because even good surfaces often have cracks/seams/debris and they just roll over that much more smoothly. Plus, it's nice to have a couple extra millimeters of kingpin clearance for a Bennett in front.

Shaine · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 33 Location: TriCities, WA

Yah, if I move up in size the Lime Zags will still come in handy. Just clicked the trigger on a Mermaid from Stoked. I love the pull down menu options, sweet idea and makes it so easy. Stiff flex, Bennett 5.0 front (OWO) Seismic green springs rear, Lime Zags all around. Can't wait to go a little further week by week and drop some weight (Love my New Castle too much Wink

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