WORDS & PHOTOS Jake Grove
Welcome to our January, 2017 edition of Tried & True. This is our first collection of the new year, and we are excited to continue showcasing classic, innovative, and top quality products that we’ve tried and found to be true. Sit back, relax, and check out some of our favorite skate goods to kick off the 2017 shred-season:
Sector 9 “Louis Pilloni” Pro Board
The Louis Pilloni Pro Board by Sector 9 is a timeless top-mount design capable of handling a wide range of terrains. Coming in at 39.5″ long, 9.5″ wide, and with an adjustable 26.25 to 28.25″ wheelbase, the Pilloni provides a roomy standing platform with a stiff construction. The unique mirco-drop and rocker combination keeps feet locked in and provides plentiful board feel. The concave also steepens along the wheel wells in addition to a gradual lift towards the nose from the micro drop. With a 4 Ply maple and fiberglass hybrid construction, the new Pilloni is lighter, stiffer, and stronger.
With roots in the Daisy and Arrow models, the Pilloni has proved to be an agile, stable, and all around slashable downhill deck. From sliding, racing, and all around shredding, this board is where it’s at. We’re excited to see Louis’ pro model out on the hills, and know that this deck has been redesigned time and time again to meet the Louis Pilloni “Skate Everything” style. From winding downhill runs to standup slides and maybe even a few downhill barrier slashes on the fish, this board will skate anything in its path.
Sector 9 has been one of the bigger longboard brands since the 90’s, and continues to press all varieties of boards in their San Diego warehouse.
Check out more from Sector 9 here!
All I Need “Prosper” Deck
The Prosper deck by All I Need Skateboards is an 8.3″ street deck designed and made by skaters for skaters. The Prosper makes up one of three decks in the Thrive, Prosper, Rise series with artwork by Peter James Glenn. These decks are made in the USA with a solid 7-ply maple construction, and are built to last. The Prosper deck we have been riding comes in at 31.75″ long, and with a wheelbase of 14″, providing a roomier deck ideal for street, transition, and similar pursuits.
All I Need is a roots skater-owned company founded by professional skateboarder Anthony Shetler, and is a true example of a skater run company giving back to the scene. Check out more from All I Need here, and see our recent interview with Anthony as well here!
Rogue Cast Trucks
The Rogue Cast Trucks come in at 186mm wide and with a 48 degree baseplate angle, an ideal combination for stability and turning capability. These trucks come stock with a tall double barrel bushing setup and insert bushing that reduce unwanted slop in the hanger and lend to a more precision setup. This truck also holds a 2mm rake and a 8 hole cast baseplate. With a similar build to its precision counterpart, these casts are an affordable yet quality option for a downhill truck.
We recommend setting the 186mm casts up on a 9-10″ topmount deck with some large square-lipped wheels for maximum downhill ability, and trust these trucks for higher speed pursuits. Rogue has been around since 2013 and has worked to create a perfected downhill truck. Founded by Venom Bushing’s Zak Maytum, the rogue truck utilizes simplicity, functionality and strength. Pick up a set today and go fast!
Check out more from Rogue here!
Muirskate Team Series Wheels
Scott and the crew over at Muirskate have offered their own muir brand of wheels for years, but have recently revamped their Team Series collection with the branding of three new wheels; the Mini Markers, Markers, and Podiums. Each of the three offer a different core, size, and use. We’ll further discuss the separate sets of wheels below.
The first and smallest wheel of the Team Series is the Mini Marker; coming in with a 64mm diameter, 40mm width, and 30mm contact patch, this wheel is ideal for smaller setups with limited clearance. The rounded lip profile, centered core, and 82a durometer make this wheel perfect for all around skating from ditches to hills to streets. These wheels will fit on many cruiser and street styled boards, and therefore are a perfect option for rougher terrains.
We found the Mini Markers to be a fully capable freeride wheel in our experience, and although they do leave thane lines trailing, they are durable for their size. The supportive core keeps this wheel’s relapsed up through crustier surfaces, and lend themselves to be a perfect option for ditches and rougher pools and features. For one wheel that fits on most any board, the Mini Markers are where it’s at, hyped up to skate everything they’re put through. Pick up a set here!
Muirskate “Markers” Wheels
The second wheels in the revamped Muir Team Series is the Marker, the big brother of the Mini Marker shown above. This ferried wheel holds a 70mm diameter, 48mm width, and 38mm contact patch. The 81a durometer, centers core, and stone ground surface make it ready to slide right out of the box. This wheel also features a generous round lip that make it easier to brake traction and hold a predictable slide. The large core provides ample support for the soft white urethane, and also helps prevent uneven wear patterns.
In our experience with the full size Markers, they are best suited for moderate to high speed freeride situations, and provide an optimal slip to grip ratio giving off a predictable and smooth slide. These wheels are durable like the Mini Markers, but with the extra urethane will last longer through slides. Pick up a set here!
Muirskate “Podiums” Wheels
The third and last wheels in the Muir Team Series is the Podium race wheel. Living up to its name, the Podiums are built for speed and provide a simplistic yet proven downhill design. The 73mm diameter and 64mm width and contact patch give this wheel a faster roll speed at higher speeds, as well as the ability to cruise over rougher surfaces with ease. The 78a white urethane and supportive core centers core give the wheel more even wear and a longer life on the hills. The sharp square lip keeps this wheel in check through grip runs, but still offer a predictable slide through drifts and corners.
In our experience on the Podiums, they wan’t to go fast on the hills, but roll equally as smooth cruising, commuting, and all around shredding. The podiums are a perfectly capable race wheels, and consist of a high quality urethane formula in a perfected downhill shape. Check out the Podiums here!
Muirskate has been one of the largest longboard retailers in the world, and has been a large part of the longboard scene since their start in 2005. Scott and the crew sell only the best gear that they have personally put to the test, and these newest team series wheels are no exception. Whether on their own or as a part of a Muirskate custom complete, the team series wheels are an affordable and top quality alternative. Check out more from Muirskate here!
Flypaper Griptape
Flypaper griptape has been keeping feet stuck to boards since the early 1980’s. Flypaper was the first actual brand of griptape in the industry and yet still continues to provide high quality American-Made grip over thirty years later. The 60 Grit Silicon Carbide surface of this grip makes it ideal for all varieties of street and cruiser decks and is made to last. Slap some flypaper on your shred stick and keep it sticky. As the ads from the 80’s scream, “If your tape ain’t got flies, it ain’t the chit!”
Check out more from Flypaper here!
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Thanks again for tuning in to our January, 2017 edition of Tried & True! Be sure to check back next month for another collection and fresh skate related products!