NOS/Used vs Reissues
Like a lot of you, I ride some really old shit. I use tons of NOS or lightly used wheels, vintage stage I-V indys, a few 40+ year old decks. Never had any problems. Only thing necessary is changing out super old bushings or blown out pivot cups for better turns and using some new bones swiss.
I’ve heard that reissue wheels by Powell or Santa Cruz use different formulas than way back which is why I stick to NOS (can anyone confirm this? I try to get as close to an old school experience as possible). Lately I’ve been told that over the years urethane changes. It hardens and becomes more brittle/chalk like. It doesn’t bounce back into shape as well and gives off a deader pop. Supposedly the core separates as well. In my experience, my old wheels haven’t failed me. They don’t chunk off, the pop and rebound is fine, I can get some squeeze outta them (I don’t go below 90a so they’re on the harder side already) and they’re a comfortable ride. I mainly do street and am able to ride through fairly rough terrain. Even lightly used wheels I got my hands on hold up when inspected/tried out. Anyone ever compare the old vs new or had any experiences with old wheels (or new wheels) giving them trouble?
Another thing is decks. A few comments here about how old decks are better made got me thinking. They say the nature of the wood changes, it gets weaker and the glue that keeps the layers together loses its strength. But I got a few vintage decks from 85-87 and they’re fine. They’re in “semi-retired” status since I don’t want to destroy them but when I bring them out for a shred, they hold up. Way back in the day when it was my only set up I put my ‘85 Slasher through so many ollie and kick flip attempts; it never failed me. Ditto my old Jim Gray Blockhead. If I could get my hands on more lightly used or NOS vintage decks for a decent price, I’d definitely be using those.
Main question is what do you guys think about this? Prefer the old stuff? Think it’s better to stick to newer materials? Are the formulas and manufacturing today inferior to back then? I personally will stick to the old stuff as much as I can. Still buy reissue decks if they’re well made and fairly era correct but if the wheels are way off from the original experience then I’m heading to eBay or one of the shops that have NOS shit.
I’ve heard that reissue wheels by Powell or Santa Cruz use different formulas than way back which is why I stick to NOS (can anyone confirm this? I try to get as close to an old school experience as possible). Lately I’ve been told that over the years urethane changes. It hardens and becomes more brittle/chalk like. It doesn’t bounce back into shape as well and gives off a deader pop. Supposedly the core separates as well. In my experience, my old wheels haven’t failed me. They don’t chunk off, the pop and rebound is fine, I can get some squeeze outta them (I don’t go below 90a so they’re on the harder side already) and they’re a comfortable ride. I mainly do street and am able to ride through fairly rough terrain. Even lightly used wheels I got my hands on hold up when inspected/tried out. Anyone ever compare the old vs new or had any experiences with old wheels (or new wheels) giving them trouble?
Another thing is decks. A few comments here about how old decks are better made got me thinking. They say the nature of the wood changes, it gets weaker and the glue that keeps the layers together loses its strength. But I got a few vintage decks from 85-87 and they’re fine. They’re in “semi-retired” status since I don’t want to destroy them but when I bring them out for a shred, they hold up. Way back in the day when it was my only set up I put my ‘85 Slasher through so many ollie and kick flip attempts; it never failed me. Ditto my old Jim Gray Blockhead. If I could get my hands on more lightly used or NOS vintage decks for a decent price, I’d definitely be using those.
Main question is what do you guys think about this? Prefer the old stuff? Think it’s better to stick to newer materials? Are the formulas and manufacturing today inferior to back then? I personally will stick to the old stuff as much as I can. Still buy reissue decks if they’re well made and fairly era correct but if the wheels are way off from the original experience then I’m heading to eBay or one of the shops that have NOS shit.
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Edit: did a search. Someone is selling NOS Rat Bones for around 500CAD. Seriously, what the fuck? These people are insane.
This ad is completely BURNED into the back of my brain. Check out the full June 1987 issue of Thrasher here...
https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/magazine/june-1987/
Post a pic of your Buzz if you can @ghostbuster !
@VatoRat Classic ad. Just screams 1987!