Upgrades for a smoother ride

[Cruizer]

Hi!

I've had the same board for years now, my first one, and was thinking of buying a new one, but I guess I just might upgrade the one I have. So I need some help from you guys .

I have a Sector 9 Cosmic 2 Tikehau with basic Randall R-II 150 trucks and risers and Gumballs. I used to ride with the standard S9-wheels, but tried the Gumballs to get a smoother ride. It might be a bit smoother, but riding and turning is harder (due to the higher balance point?).

I just want as smooth and chill a ride as possible, I'm not a big fan of steep hills or great speeds, I just want the utmost in comfortable concrete surfing

So what kind of bushings, risers, wheels (+more?) should I get to enjoy the summer ?

[fishermantpr]

Hi!

I've had the same board for years now, my first one, and was thinking of buying a new one, but I guess I just might upgrade the one I have. So I need some help from you guys .

I have a Sector 9 Cosmic 2 Tikehau with basic Randall R-II 150 trucks and risers and Gumballs. I used to ride with the standard S9-wheels, but tried the Gumballs to get a smoother ride. It might be a bit smoother, but riding and turning is harder (due to the higher balance point?).

I just want as smooth and chill a ride as possible, I'm not a big fan of steep hills or great speeds, I just want the utmost in comfortable concrete surfing

So what kind of bushings, risers, wheels (+more?) should I get to enjoy the summer ?

I used to ride that board. Your set up must be very high. I liked wedged indy 149s on it although I think some rts/x would be good as well. I would not go bigger that a 70 mm wheel on it, preferably 65 mm, I am really liking tunnels right now also look at gators.

[hakrsakr]

I'd grab a couple of shock pads, they're basically a soft 1/8 inch riser that makes your ride smoother. Also, the Biltin Bearings made by Abec11 made my board feel like I was skating on glass when I got onto smooth pavement. Softer wheels make for a smoother ride, and by soft I mean around 75-80a. You said you have Gumballs already, and if I'm not mistaken those come in 75,78, and 81a, so you'll be ok. Flexy decks absorb bumps in the road better than stiff ones, and your Cosmic 2 should be just fine at that. Bushings don't have much of an effect on smoothness, but while you're at it I'd get some 90a venom standard bushings, they make any carve board feel great. Hope you feel like you're on clouds this summer.

[JamieReis]

I'd grab a couple of shock pads, they're basically a soft 1/8 inch riser that makes your ride smoother. Also, the Biltin Bearings made by Abec11 made my board feel like I was skating on glass when I got onto smooth pavement. Softer wheels make for a smoother ride, and by soft I mean around 75-80a. You said you have Gumballs already, and if I'm not mistaken those come in 75,78, and 81a, so you'll be ok. Flexy decks absorb bumps in the road better than stiff ones, and your Cosmic 2 should be just fine at that. Bushings don't have much of an effect on smoothness, but while you're at it I'd get some 90a venom standard bushings, they make any carve board feel great. Hope you feel like you're on clouds this summer.

I agree with most of those ideas, but I feel like the bottom bushing makes just as much of a difference (same kind of difference,) as soft risers. If you get a really soft bottom bushing, it is going to be more forgiving, and feel smoother. Since you didn't really didn't expand too much on the idea of a smoother ride (whether you are talking smoother in terms of carving[actual truck articulation,] or making rough pavement more rideable,) I will give you some idea of what I would do:

If you have the money, change the Randal 150 hangers to Paris 180 hangers, and change the stock hard Randal pivot cup to a soft one (Khiro makes them.) I would then put Holey Bubble Gum pink 78a, or Smokies 72a hourglass bushings on it. These things are super soft and the hourglass shape of the bottom bushing makes for a super responsive smooth carve. If you want the extra couple of mm sweep, remove the bottom bushing washer, or replace it with a smaller flat washer. Lastly, I would get some InHeats 80a. Biltins are smooth bearings, but any decent new bearings will be good. That would be one smooth ride.

[origin]

do all of the above, then put shag carpet on top of your grip

[luftywaffles]

Shockpads, lower duro and cushy wheels, softer pivot cups, softer bushings, and possibly new bearings.

[dragonmyntz]

do all of the above, then put shag carpet on top of your grip

DO IT.

Shockpads, lower duro and cushy wheels, softer pivot cups, softer bushings, and possibly new bearings.

Yeah, make sure you are running the soft risers (dunno what you are using right now). Those make quite a difference.

[Qoose]

do all of the above, then put shag carpet on top of your grip

No that won't work. Pull off the griptape, get impact gel from Billy Mays, stick that to the board, and then grip that.

[Cruizer]

Hey guys and thanks for all the tips . I especially like the shag carpet idea :P

Since you didn't really didn't expand too much on the idea of a smoother ride (whether you are talking smoother in terms of carving[actual truck articulation,] or making rough pavement more rideable,)

By smoothness I think I meant both being able to enjoy rough pavement, but also carving smoothness

So here is a possible shopping list:

- Paris 180 trucks (for the hangers)
- Holey Pink 78a bushings
- Khiro soft pivot cups
- Khiro 1/8" shock pads
- Abec Biltin Bearings
- Orangatang In Heat 80a

Just one question about the wheels, since I already have 75a Gumballs that are the same diameter as the In Heats, what kind of improvement could I get with changing the wheels? Since the Gumballs are softer, shouldn't they give me a softer ride than 80a-wheels?

[hakrsakr]

No, they wouldn't. Your 75a Gumballs should be pretty much the best for smoothness. Top quality, soft urethane.

[Cruizer]

[hakrsakr]

I think that's what he was saying. Check the Silverfish classifieds or just email Paris and see if you can just buy 2 180 hangers. A lot of people like to run Randal Baseplates and Paris hangers, they seem to work well together.

[mateo]

[spork27]

If you have 75a Gumballs don't upgrade to InHeats, with their harder duro you'll actually get a rougher ride on bad pavement.