I went through two otherbrand pops when I first started skating that I was fine with at the time, but after grabbing a Powell Peralta pop I realized that the tails on these decks were extremely short and made ollies hard for me. Given that there seem to be a million tiny little variations in decks, what are your favorites and why?
Comments
Risers make a tail feel shorter, as do larger wheels and tall trucks
If you rode ML trucks or even some 48mm high ones, with 50-52mm wheels and no risers the deck would probably not feel so short
Steeper tips also feel shorter
One thing to look at is the number of fingers worth of flat space between the back truck bolts and where the curve of the tail starts to go up. Decks with less space tend to do better with Ace/Indy and decks with more do better with Thunder/Venture.
Steepness of the kicks is a big difference - and the current K20 concave Powell/Mini Logo decks have the mellowest kicks I have skated - 18 degrees. Many other decks are in the 21 degree range.
I really like the Real Ishod Twin Tail shape. Another that works for me well is the Santa Cruz 8.375 shape - even though I dislike most of the Santa Cruz/Creature graphics.
Decks: Most DLX (real, antihero, krooked) and black label have longer tails on their pops. All those brands are made by Generator and the wood is good.
Andy Anderson’s 9” deck has a large 6.75” tail, but it’s not a pop.
I don’t like the K20 decks either....too short and the kicks are too mellow.
Thunders have a smaller baseplate and their hanger sits back more than most trucks. Put Indy’s on a deck, measure from axle tip to axle tip, measure the tail from where the baseplate ends to the tip of the tail. Do the same with thunders.... the wheelbase and tail will both be longer...
okay the smaller baseplate technically extends tip length...
but as far as the feel of a longer tail goes it does little
except tail and nose slide area, blunts, drop ins, etc
but are we here talking about tip length feel as it relates to pop tricks, or tip length without imputing its effect on pop tricks
- Concave: K12
- Shape: 188
Powell Peralta seems to have 2 popsicle shapes (243 vs. 248 for 8.25”). I spend a lot of time on ramps, but am also trying to work up my street skills.
Can anyone suggest a board shape and setup? I am honestly clueless. I prefer the popsicle shape for sure, and I am pretty stuck on the Skull-and-Sword or Skull-and-Snake graphic (I seem to be programmed with Those graphics from an early age, although the Ripper or Peeking-Ripper are possible too). So, I have the *most* important part picked out, the graphics, but need help with the minor details like shape, trucks and wheels.
Also, is it possible my 5 year old wheels got “stale”? I ordered a newer board with same type (53mm 99a from TGM) but they feel softer.
As always, any help is appreciated.
@SkaterRick ok, I think I am using Super Swiss 6 now. nice to know They are not what is holding me back. I will stick with them. Thank you.
56-60mm will increase speed on ramp
but how heavy RU and what shoe size RU as 7.9 deck is small for ramp
unless you are lightweight like Daewon
wheels/bearings are the most important consideration to exceed coping
I am about 165 pounds, 10.5 shoe
I appreciate all the help. Things are getting clearer.
I'd go up to an 8.25 or 8.5 deck for the mini ramp. I skate those two sizes most and am 150 lbs, size 10.5 shoe. For wheels I have settled on 56mm as my ideal all around size, and I think harder does make it a bit easier to get the speed you need.