WORDS & PHOTOS Jake Grove
Welcome to our April, 2017 edition of Tried & True. Through this new monthly product feature we are excited as ever to showcase some new, classic, innovative, as well as top-quality skate gear from across the industry—gear that we’ve tried ourselves and found to be true to quality skateboarding fun. Sit back, relax, and check out a few of our favorite skate goods this April:
GGI “Fly and Glide” 8-Wheeler
The 8 Wheeler “Fly and Glide” by GGI skates is a board that stands out from anything we’ve ever ridden, and we are excited to kick off this April collection with it! Although not commonly seen, 8-wheeler’s have been around few and far between since the late 70’s, and GGI has built up their own unique 8-wheeler with specific features that make it stand out.
Handcrafted out of Watson Laminates in Southern California, this board by GGI features three mounting points for trucks at each end of the board; this provides endless combinations of truck placement, and allows for dual mini-trucks, single central-mounted wider trucks, or options in between such as dual trucks in the front and a single in the back, and so on. This board truly offers unlimited options for ultimate shralping, and creates a completely new skate feel. Pressed with a slight concave that compliments the board’s 12” width and 32.5” size, along with moderate doublekicks and rocker, these boards are screenprinted neon orange, and made by skaters for skaters.
GGI has not only precisely engineered this deck from scratch to a skater’s needs, but has collaboratively developed an 85mm axis truck with Tracker to custom fit the 8-wheeler, and they have also created the 61mm GGI “Microdots” to fully complete the setup. We recommend running the 8-wheeler as loose as possible with these components mentioned above, but as Chris at GGI has suggested, this board is great for experimenting with wider trucks, split trucks, and anything imaginable in between. This 8-wheeler GGI is a wild ride indeed and although it takes some getting used to, and does not ride quite like anything you’ve probably ever skated, once you get the hang of it it’s super fun to shred in bowls, pools, cruising, and all around ripping. 1,000,000,001% fun times!
For a unique and one of a kind board that performs, look no further than the GGI 8-wheeler! Check out more from them here.
Predator “DH6-X” Helmet
The new limited-edition “DH6-X” full face helmet by Predator is dropping next week (MAY 1st!) and we had the privilege of receiving one here at Wheelbase to test out for ourselves. STOKED! After receiving this new helmet, we took note of all the new upgrades and changes from it’s predecessor—the standard DH6—which has been the the go-to downhill skateboarding full face of many top pro riders over the years. That being said, the new DH6-X does in fact pack a heavy arsenal of new updates, upgrades, additions, and features. First off, this new helmet comes in a matte black carbon fiber chassis, and not only looks amazing, but we’re pretty sure it’s the lightest production full face on the market. Regardless of the fact that the DH6-X is extremely light in weight it is built with optimum safety in mind and is certified CE 1078 bike/skate as well as CPSC bike/skate. Although based on the original DH6 model, we are told that this new limited edition X model has been completely redesigned with many rapid prototypes and rider and customer feedback. The updates and changes to this new DH6-X helmet are in fact very clear overall with more chassis coverage around lower part of chin guard, more coverage at lower-center area at back of helmet where spine meets your skull, rear oriented ear slots for added ventilation, an optically correct spherical visor, a redesigned, smooth, precise, and tight fitting visor interface, the lift tab of the visor has also been moved forward as well so that there’s less torquing of the visor when opening and closing, the visor bolt assembly is also low profile to reduce hook up with concrete, the DH6-X has added the additional feature of an EPS foam liner with a red colored inset polycarbonate edging for added wear and tear and style, and there’s probably more details we’re missing—but we just received the helmet a couple days ago so bear with us.
We’ve been wearing Predator’s helmets for years now, so we were hyped to check out this new limited edition DH6-X upgrade. After giving this helmet a go over the past couple of days, here’s what we liked about it so far: We clearly noticed and appreciated the overall increased coverage of protection of the chassis of the helmet throughout, as it provided a sense of increased safety and protection. The fit of the new helmet was great with multiple fitting/sizing options included. As mentioned, this new helmet is light as a feather with it’s matte carbon construction! The new visor provides a super clear and totally undistorted view from any angle. The stong visor mechanism locks the visor in any position securely and feels much more sturdy and needs no tools to adjust. The styling of the new DH6-X looks great with even more of a classic motorcycle helmet look, and we like that! BRAAP! We also noticed less noise and wind inside the helmet (with visor down) as compares to the older DH6 at high speeds. We appreciated the increased ventilation of the new ear slots as well as the no fog visor. We also liked the red polycarbonate edging as it provided 11 extra style-points. He he! Lastly, the fact that the new DH6-X is a very limited edition helmet this year stokes us out too because we feel special knowing that we have a truly unique and well built full face helmet from a brand with a long tradition of quality and style in downhill skateboarding.
Anyway, the “DH6-X” by Predator is coming very soon. Peep details here!
“Polar Bear” Trucks
The “Polar Bear” Truck by Bear is an all around shreddable standard-kingpin truck, featuring a variety of hanger widths from 105mm to 180mm, and has been engineered and updated to provide a durable, precise, and agile truck. With a lower profile baseplate featuring eight mounting holes for all setups, as well as strategically added material around high impact areas such as the pivot cup and kingpin for extra strength. Additionally, the hanger of these trucks has also been designed to provide superior strength and ride with its gussets along the underside of the hanger and shaped around the bushings so that washers and hangers do not rub. The Polar Bear’s come with a leany 90a bushing combo stock, and are ready to roll in all conditions.
We recommend the whole lineup of Polar Bear’s for everything from mini cruiser, to street and pool boards, and especially for all around “skate everything” setups. With their strong yet light build, variety of sizes, and unique construction, the Polar Bear’s provide everything you could want from a standard truck.
Check out more from Bear Here!
187 Killer Pads “Pro Knees”
The “Pro Kneepads” by 187 Killer Pads provide some of the best protection around for bowls, pools, vert, and we’ve even seem them save ass on hills. Built with V-22 Dual Density foam , a lock-in hard cap design, and ballistic nylon with industrial weight stitching, these pads remain many professional’s, as well as our personal preference for high-impact skating. These pad’s light weight and breathable interior lining, seamless interior finish, three panel construction, and open back design provide a pad thats equally as comfortable to skate in; these pads provide ultimate protection without a loss of comfort. We’ve put these 187’s to the test with countless slams throughout our time, and they do not disappoint. Ready to take on everything from Vert-Kneeslides to bowl slams, the pro knees are stylish, durable, and stand the test of time like the rest of the 187 lineup.
187 Pads is based out of Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, and with a solid standing of skater’s behind the brand, makes their products top quality and to meet the modern skater’s needs. 187 also makes custom pads hand stitched in the back of house, and continues to keep the skater owned and operated dream alive.
Check out more from 187 here!
Ouray Spark Pucks
The “Leaf and Arrowhead” Spark Pucks by Ouray Skateboards is yet another of our favorite innovative skate products, with an attention to detail and quality built to last. These pucks are built with a CNC machine graphic, heavy duty velcro backings, and hold five ferrocerium rods for maximum sparking. The CNC color filled graphic means that these pucks while maintain their look and design even as they are worn on asphalt, and the spark rods are inserted fully through the puck, allowing these pucks to remain fresh and usable through to the velcro. The 3.14″ Diameter and .5″ thickness allow the Ouray’s to fit nearly all slide gloves on the market, and provide an innovative and quality upgrade to stock slide pucks.
In our experience slashing, sliding, and all around downhill riding on the Ouray Spark Pucks, we have found them to be extremely durable, precisely fitting, smooth, and light up the road through every corner the puck slashes the ground. Our has crafted a quality product with the intention to create something durable and innovative by skaters and for skaters.
Check out more from Ouray here!
Sector 9 “Ceramic” Bearings
The Black Ball Ceramic Bearings by Sector 9 are a durable and free-spinning ceramic bearing, built to withstand the toughest skate conditions while maintaining high-speeds. The 7-ball Black Silicon Nitride Ceramic bearing balls are harder and lighter than their steel counterparts, and are not only waterproof and corrosion resistant, but provide a bearing with less friction and longer life, ideal for higher speed skating in all pursuits. The idea behind the ceramic material is that Ceramic does not break down in the same manner as steel, and therefore eliminates steel debris that can lead to bearing breakdown. The ceramic bearings keep the steel-races clean as well, as their extra hard properties continually crush debris and “polish” the races through continued use.
For one of the fastest and frictionless bearings available, at an affordable price for ceramics, the Sector 9 Black Ball Ceramics are the way to go.
Check out more from Sector 9 here!
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Thanks again for tuning in to our April, 2017 edition of Tried & True! Be sure to check back next month for another collection and fresh skate related products!