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The Retro FreeRide

Written by The Silverfish Crew
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Silverfish Longboarding.com is stoked to present Chris Chaput’s newest wheel, the FreeRide to you! We told you we still had some surprises to come when we said the ‘Fishballs were coming back, and this is it: they’re back, they’re now the Retro FreeRide, they’re in the lime, lemon and orange Retro urethane formulas we all know from ZigZags and they're available here for pre-release purchase! [--read all about them, but the pre-release deal is expired. 3/16/09] *The Retro FreeRide* Oh, Hell Yes! The famous Powerball shape, made truly epic by the super-limited, green 'FishBalls, is now the Retro FreeRide and comes in all three Retro Reflex urethanes! This is the world's first look at these wheels and we're stoked to work with the Mad Scientist and to tell you that Silverfish skaters can get them, now! We've gotten together with Chris Chaput for the release of the FreeRide and we've got them for you, ready to ship. No matter where you are you are getting a KILLER deal on shipping! For more details about the FreeRide wheels, what they're all about or just how to score a set or three for yourself while Silverfish and Chaput pick up your shipping costs, click through to check it out… Wham!! Three Durometers, a new look and You Can Get Them Here, First! How it all started… On dark nights in the parking garage, long walks back up the hill and fast carving sessions, the idea for a limited-edition "funhog" wheel came about. A wheel that would be a great all-arounder, but "dialed up to eleven". Chris Chaput made them for us and the result was the ‘Fishball, a solid funhog wheel, if there ever was one. We sold ‘em out in hours one day in October, 2007 and they’ve become legendary, since. If you've skated them, you know they're fast, versatile wheels in a diameter that helps them carry speed and with a contour that holds up to drifts, slides and carving. Perfect all-arounders, these wheels still generate positive stoke and weekly emails asking for more... Well, the ‘Fishballs have begotten the FreeRide. It’s the classic Powerball shape in three durometers of Chris Chaput’s Reflex urethane. You might go for the now-classic 80a versions (just like a ‘Fishball) if you really want the grippiest of these three, or leap into the lemon (83a) or orange (86a) variations that add durability and slide performance as you work your way up the citrus tree. They’re perfectly named FreeRide and perfect for Silverfish skaters across the globe that are skating it all, and doing it for the fun of it. The details on the FreeRide: * MSRP: $47.99 * Height: 72mm * Durometers: 80a, 83a, 86a Reflex * Width: 45mm * Contact Patch: 32mm * Hub: 35mm, Offset * Depth of Urethane: 18.5mm * Edges: Round/Radiused * Skate It: carving, cruising, downhill, and bigger longboards *How do they skate?* The FreeRide's not supposed to have this much traction - but it does. Yet when it comes time to throw them into a slide, they submit. They give you no lip - no idle chatter. They just drift until you're ready to hook back up, which they do as smooth as butter. Speed? Hell, yes! The 72mm size provides a great balance between "quick" and "fast". There is sweet spot in the all-around wheel category, and the FreeRide is it. *How do you get some?* Buy'em from your favorite retailer. Click an ad-banner on the 'Fish and you'll pretty much find the FreeRides anywhere. Back when you could get them "pre-release" on Silverfish, only, they were sold for MSRP of $47.99 with one-cent shipping, but now you can get them everywhere that doesn't suck. That's right: on March 17th, the FreeRides will go on sale at shops and online retailers, around the world. From there on out, the FreeRides belong to the whole wide world and you can refill on 'em from any shop with enough brains to sell you the stuff that works. Check out what skaters are saying about these wheels, in the ‘Fish forums. The lime-formula version showed up in someone’s survey for most popular freeride wheels, and it’s been voted the best wheel! We're not surprised, even though the timing had us laughing! The reviews and ride reports dating back over a year are consistent: these are just plain fast, fun wheels to longboard with! We are sad to lose the ‘FishBall name but totally stoked to be able to introduce these wheels to the community that inspired them in the first place. Silverfish, your wheels are here! Get some!
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 September 2009 )