WORDS & PHOTOS Jake Grove
Welcome to our fourth online edition of Tried & True! Tried & True is a monthly collection of skate gear that we’ve tested ourselves and found to exceed our standards here at Wheelbase. We will be releasing these collections each month and including in them the newest and most innovative products we can find. So sit back, relax, and check out some more of our favorite skate goods:
Prism “Theory”
The Theory deck by Prism is a combination of a traditional topmount design with a gradual micro-drop. At 36″ long, 10″ wide, and a variable 26-27″ wheelbase, the theory gives a very nimble feel while still holding stable at high speeds. The board’s standing platform is made up of moderate Rocker and wheel flares that flow into the radial and mild w-concave. With an 8 ply maple construction that includes a fiberglass-epoxy layup, this board has minimal flex and is built to go fast.
The theory proves to be a nimble and stable downhill board, perfect for handling long and winding roads without an issue. The range of concave and platform features give a great sense of board feel through tucks, drifts, and adjusting stances, and provides a very locked in feel. We’ve found the W-concave of this board to be perfectly subtle, not enough to get in our way, yet ideal to provide a reference and slight scoop through the center of the board. We recommend setting it up with some 9.5 to 10” reverse trucks, and a 70mm downhill wheel to keep the board stable and rolling fast. The theory is the perfect downhill and freeride board in one, ready to tackle winding mountain runs, slippery slidey slopes, and everything in between.
Prism, although a relatively new company itself, is made up of designers, riders, and others involved that have a rich history in downhill skating and the know how to ride and design top quality boards. With the brand coexisting with Caliber Truck Co. and headed by Max Myers, we can’t wait to see what else they have in the works and where the crew is headed.
Check out more from Prism here!
Gullwing “Pro III” Trucks
The Gullwing Pro III Trucks are a modern take on the classic truck that put Gullwing on the map. With the 9” wide “wings” of this truck, and the notched center, the Pro III’s are perfect for locking in grinds on any wider oldschool or cruiser shape. The Pro III’s come stock with an 89a cone and barrel combo, a conventional and classic geometric design, and a recessed kingpin. These trucks are built to grind, carve, pump, and everything in between. They currently come in a variety of colors as well; White, Pink, Green, Orange, Blue, Raw, and Black.
We recommend riding the Pro III’s on wider pool and cruiser boards, and feel that the pro III’s are right at home on an oldschool retro shape. To match the ride of the vintage plastic baseplate trucks, we also recommend riding these trucks with a riser in between. We’ve found these trucks to be ideal for setups where wider standard trucks are required, and provide a nice fluid turn and lean feel.
Gullwing has been making the Pro Series of trucks since the 80’s, and continues to produce their signature winged design through the pro III’s. With these trucks in production for decades, the designs have evolved to meet modern riding, but the heart of the truck remains the same. We’ve always enjoyed a pair of Pro’s on a retro-styled pool setup, and find these trucks to provide us with everything we could ask of them.
Check out more from gullwing here!
Mini Logo “Hybrids” Wheels
The Mini Logo Hybrids are a 90a street styled wheel that combines the perfect balance of a harder wheel with a fast roll speed on a wide range of surfaces. The Hybrids come in at 58mm tall and a 90a durometer, with a 37mm contact patch. The hybrids are made up of Skate One’s SBA street formula. When fresh, the hybrids have a treaded profile and an “A-Cut” design, and also come in a 56mm size.
We found these Mini Logo wheels to be great all around for street and transition riding, and although a little slower in smooth surfaced bowls and ramps, the convenience of having a wheel suitable for all around riding outweighed the slight difference in speed. We recommend using the Hybrids on a standard skateboard where street, ditch, diy, pool, and other rough and smooth features are ridden. With a 29-31” double kick and a set of street trucks, these wheels will destroy all features in their path.
Mini logo crafts their wheels with a rich background knowledge stemming from Skate One’s Powell Peralta, Bones and These wheels, and have perfected their hybrid line to tackle a wide range of skating.
Check out more from Mini Logo Here!
Mini Logo “AWOL” Wheels
The Mini Logo AWOL wheels are the freshest part of the Militant lineup, providing a compact soft wheel for a variety of board types. The Mini Logo’s come in at 59mm tall and with a durometer of 78a, as well as a 40mm contact patch. This wheel features a moderat “A-Cut” smooth lip. Stemming from Skate-One’s years of skateboarding knowledge, this wheel builds off of the These formula and mold, and proves to be a great all around wheel.
We recommend the 59mm AWOL as a smaller sliding wheel, but find that it’s compact shape also works great on standard skateboards, mini cruisers, and other boards with limited clearance. The soft urethane formula along with the supportive core proved to maintain a faster roll speed, and we found these wheels to be a great option for ditch, pushing, and other rough-surfaced terrains. On hills, the AWOL wheels proved to hold a consistently smooth yet slippery slide, and was durable for its smaller build. For a skate everything styled setup, we found the AWOL lineup to be very useful as a compact, soft, yet fast wheel to get through all terrains, features and uses. Another feature of this wheel that we found very appealing was its price point; this wheel provides an ideal all around soft wheel for an affordable price.
As a part of the Skate One brand, Mini Logo draws from the over 40 years of industry experience and know how that Bones, Powell Peralta, and These have developed. Mini Logo is offering the AWOL cruiser wheel in a variety of colors and in a 59mm and 66mm size.
Check out more from Mini Logo Here!
Loaded “Freeride V7” Gloves
The Loaded Freeride V7 Gloves are the latest glove design from the company’s lineup. With a palm, finger and thumb puck, as well as a solid synthetic suede, Cordura, and Kevlar construction, these gloves are built to last and keep your hands safe. With three sizes of this glove, they fit snug from groms to bigger riders. The glove features reflective finger and hand panels to increase visibility, and the Coolmax design of the materials allow a breathable feel. Through everything from the pucks to the clips, Loaded perfected the design of the original slide glove, and put detail into the safety, durability, and look.
We swapped out our old tattered gloves for a fresh set of the Freeride V7 gloves, and have been impressed by the durability and comfort of these particular gloves. We recommend them for all skills of freeriding, and especially for situations where hand down sliding is involved. For beginning riders, the finger pucks are also very helpful as they prevent dragging of the finger tips and ripped gloves. Pick up a set of the Loaded gloves and feel the difference.
Loaded continually brings innovation to the downhill, freeride, and freestyle scene, and we’re hyped on another new product by them. With an attention to detail and thorough testing and reviewing in their boards, wheels, and gloves, products are top notch and built to last.
Check out more from Loaded Here!
Ojoom Slide Pucks
What’s better than opening up a tin foil wrapper to a buttery, steaming grilled cheese sandwich? Opening it up to a fresh yellow set of Ojoom Pucks, that’s what!
With their notched octagon shape and beveled edges, Ojoom pucks have been designed to be some of the longest lasting pucks around. Their self lubricating material keeps these pucks sliding in tune with the board, not grabbing the ground or slipping out with speed. At 3” tall, the pucks fit all standard slide gloves, and are the perfect upgrade to worn out stock pucks.
We’ve been riding Ojooms for downhill and freeride action for quite some time now, and have found these pucks to stand the test of time, wear, and repeated slams. They don’t stick, they don’t fall off the velcro, and they last longer than anything else we’ve found. Simply put, they let us do our thing safely and securely, and have never limited out riding, which is everything we could ask from a slide puck.
Ojoom Pucks have been around for years, and although a humble brand, they’ve provided pucks to countless riders around the world, with a high quality product that impresses all. Ojooms are made for skaters by skaters, and made to perform.
Check out more from Ojoom Pucks Here!
Rad “Drive” Bearings
The RAD Drive Bearings take an unconventional approach to the conventional built in bearing. With a full spacer built into one side of the bearing, and the other bearing with a standard design, it’s no longer a hassle to find a replacement bearing with half a spacer attached. If you lose the standard bearing, find another standard bearing. If you lose the builtin, find a standard and a spacer, and you can still use the remaining bearing.
These bearings are ABEC 7 rated and made up of black oxide steel. With a thoroughly sealed front casing, and easily accessible rear bearing casing, the Drives keep dirt out and make it easy to clean and lube. On a side note, when these bearings are first opened, they smell like a fresh pair of shoes, which can be used as an air freshener for all setups.
We’ve rolled through all terrains on these bearings, and everything is snug, secure, and precise as it should be. Fast, durable, and properly designed; we can’t ask for much more out of a bearing. The full spacer design has proven to be convenient in cases of lost or seized bearings, and is the main reason we favor these over traditional built-in bearings. With a lower price point as well, we recommend the Rad Drive bearings for all downhill, freeride setups, and anywhere else where a bearing spacer is needed.
Rad continues to make progressive and new products through their wheels and hardware line, and the riders behind the brand know how to build products that last, and live up to the Rider Approved Design standard. The Drive bearings are no exception, and solve the problem of mismatched builtin bearings.
Check out more from RAD here!
Thanks again for tuning in to this edition of Tried and True! Be sure to check back next month for another collection and some fresh products in the mix!