pavedwave distance skateboarding

petary791 · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject: 3DM Avila Grapey Apes 75mm 72A

I'm looking for some wheels that can really deliver when pushing. Michigan has some really really terrible roads, so these 72A wheels look promising. However, sometimes there's delicious blacktop, so would these be too soft and sluggish over it? These are going to be for commuting and a little bit of pumping.

http://www.purpleskunk.com/3dm_Av..._p/3dm-avila75mm72agrapeyapes.htm

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

I have them, and I love them. They are not as slow as I expected they'd be. They also aren't magically able to make crappy pavement feel super smooth, either. But they do make the crappier pavement feel more comfortable. If I'm going for a long distance pumping session over mixed surfaces, they are my current wheel of choice. If I go riding where I know the pavement will be good, I'll choose something harder and faster. They are a nice wheel to have in your collection, no doubt. And the price is right at Purple Skunk.

I kind of see Avilas as DIY wheels. They beg to be trimmed and molded to best fit your needs. I trimmed mine a lot up front to reduce rolling resistance and give baseplate clearance when running narrow trucks, and trimmed them a little less in the back. I had also read that the untrimmed edges of these super soft wheels make them more susceptible to chunking, so this was a precautionary measure, too.

One thing that surprised me is that I found traction of these wheels was only average, not nearly as grippy as I expected considering the duro. But if I'm going for a long distance pump, I'm not hammering for time so a little less grip or top end is well worth the trade off for for the comfort they provide. I find that they make the board feel flexier, too. It's kind of like having slower yet stronger flex, as opposed to a quick poppy flex. I think it has to do with the way they rebound at the edge of each pump.

I think you'll be happy you got these wheels. I know I am.

petary791 · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject:

Great response. I might have to get them and them trim the edges. Which leads me to my next point, how do you trim? Either way, I think I'm gonna have to get them. Do they eat up sidewalk cracks and pebbles?

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 484 Location: Seattle, WA

I use them untrimmed, i dont personally think theres any reason to trim avilas unless you plan on taking them past 25 mph on a regular basis. If youre using it for GS then sure, trim away, but the extra lip adds more cushyness at lower speeds imo. But yes, theyre a great addition to your wheel collection, trimmed or untrimmed.

petary791 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:18 am Post subject:

All this talk of "wheel collections" is making me change gears. Do you guys have more wheels than boards? How much? I had some Orangatang InHeats and Pink Powerballs laying around that I'm trying to sell off, but I kinda regret selling the Otangs. For my push race I really had to scrounge up for some big cushy wheels because I let someone in the race use my Otangs (I guess I just really wanted some money) and borrowed a buddy's set of Big Zigs. So, how many wheels do you guys have laying around at any given point?

petary791 · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

I just pulled the trigger on these. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1249 Location: seattle wa usa

angelo_pb · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:12 am Post subject:

Did you ride the grapey apes all the way to Portland, or did you change wheels when you hit the chipseal?

Does the 65mm width add more noticealbe rolling resistance then a 55ish mm wheel?
Has anyone done a before and after comparison on roll speed of a trimmed v untrimmed avilla?

petary791 · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Cross posted from SF:

I just got my Grapey Apes. I have a few analogies to describe how smooth and plush they feel, but I'll keep it PG and say that it's like a magic carpet ride. I don't wheelbite on my FSM surprisingly. I took these out on my typical Michigan college campus roads and sidewalks and I was going over freakin' pot holes like it was nothing. These are the greatest sh!t road commuting wheels I have ever used. I can't wait to put a ton of miles on these things.

That being said, Purple Skunk is the sh!t. Not only did I get a bunch of stickers, I got a personal note written on my receipt and a special edition of Marijuana Policy Monitor. Legalize it me bredrens!

Pureadrenalin · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Honolulu,Hawaii

How does the avilas compare to the s9 race formulas in 77mm/78a. By my own comparisons to otangs the s9's are a much smoother wheel over ruff terrian. Whereas the otangs vibrate or gives a shocking rebound back into your legs.

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