Beginner DH decks and trucks

[EFG]

Attention Noobs!!! This is a list of good starter DH boards and cast trucks. Never again will you need to ask if a Loaded Vanguard would be a sweet DH board!

If you're looking for a DH board look through these and decide what kind board you interested in i.e: dropped boards, then look at them and decide what you like based on sizes and other dimensions. Narrow it down to a couple of boards that you think might be good for you then use the search function to further research them!!! If you still have a question about the a board or the difference between a couple make a post. Its that easy!!!

Now go forth and be fast my NOOBS!

Good beginner DH decks <$150 US:

-Insect
---Lightning Bug Dropthru
-----Length: 40.75"
-----Width: 9.38"
-----Wheelbase: 32.75"
---Firefly Topmount
-----Length: 40"
-----Width: 9-1/8"
-----Wheelbases: 29"/30"/31"

-Sector 9
---Bombhills Topmount
-----Length: 45.8"
-----Width: 10.3"
-----Wheelbase: 33.75"
---Goddess Concave Topmount
-----Length: 45.6"
-----Width: 10"
-----Wheelbase: 28.6"
---S9 Race Topmount
-----Length: 42"/38"
-----Width: ?"
-----Wheelbase: ?"

-Comet
---Voodoo Topmount
-----Length: 38"
-----Width: 10"
-----Wheelbase: 31.25"

-Big Red X
---Chris Chaput Speedboard Dropthru
-----Length: 40"
-----Width: ?"
-----Wheelbase: ?"

-Rayne
---Hellcat Dropthru
-----Length: 41.25"
-----Width: 10"
-----Wheelbase: 32"
---Avenger Topmount
-----Length: 42"
-----Width: 10.25"
-----Wheelbase: 32"
---Demonseed Dropped 1"/Dropthru
-----Length: 44"
-----Width: 10"
-----Wheelbase: 34.5"

-Kebbek
---Smoothcut Dropthru
-----Length: 43"
-----Width: 9.5"
-----Wheelbase: 35"
---Flushcut Dropped1.19"/Dropthru
-----Length: 42"
-----Width: 9.5"
-----Wheelbase: 33.25"
---Hairpin Dropthru (recommended for those <150-160lbs)
-----Length: 40"
-----Width: 10"
-----Wheelbase: 30.8"
---Comishin Dropped 1.625"/Dropthru/Nose wedged 17.6�
-----Length: 41.25"
-----Width: 9.5"
-----Wheelbase: 34.5"
---Caften Dropped 1.625"/Nose wedged 17.6�
-----Length: 41.25"
-----Width: 9.5"
-----Wheelbase: 34.5"
---Revenger Topmount
-----Length: 43"
-----Width: 10"
-----Wheelbase: 31.75"

-Landyachtz
---Evo Dropped 2"/Nose wedged 17�/Tail dewedged 17�
-----Length: 41."
-----Width: 9.75"
-----Wheelbase: 34"
---DH Race Dropped ?"/Nose dewedged ?�/Tail dewedged ?�
-----Length: 41.5"
-----Width: 8.5"
-----Wheelbase: 35.25"
---Top Speed Topmount
-----Length: 39"
-----Width: 9.75"
-----Wheelbase: 29.25"
---Drop Speed Dropthru
-----Length: 39"
-----Width: 9.75"
-----Wheelbase: 29.25"

-Chicago Longboards
---Eleanor Dropped 1.5"/Nose wedged 5�/Tail dewedged 7�
-----Length: 41"
-----Width: 9 3/4"
-----Wheelbase: 37"
---DoubleD Dropped 1"/Dropthru/Nose wedged 5�/Tail dewedged 7�
-----Length: 41"
-----Width: 9 3/4"
-----Wheelbase: 35"
---Epipen Dropped 1"/Dropthrough.
-----Length: 41"
-----Width: 9 3/4"
-----Wheelbase: 35"

Good Beginner DH cast trucks:

-Bear
---Grizzly 52� (10mm/8mm) 184mm 57� (unflipped) 47� (flipped)
---Grizzly 40� (10mm/8mm) 184mm 45� (unflipped) 35� (flipped)

-Force
---C7 175mm 35� (unflipped) 32� (flipped)
---R7 175mm 50� (unflipped) 47� (flipped)

-Holey 175mm 50�

-Paris
---180's 180mm 50�

-Randal
---R-II 180's 180mm 50� (unflipped) 47� (flipped)
---R-I 160's 160mm 35�

-Crail
---Speed Trucks 180mm 45�

Good beginner DH wheels:

-Abec11
---Flashbacks
-----Height: 70mm
-----Width: 48mm
-----Hub Setting: SideSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 75a / 78a / 81a / 84a / 88a / 92a
-----Grip: Traction with decent slides
---Grippins
-----Height: 70mm
-----Width: 52mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 75a / 78a / 81a / 84a / 88a / 92a
-----Grip: Very high traction with ok slides especially in higher duros
---70mm ZigZags
-----Height: 70mm
-----Width: 53mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 78a
-----Grip: High traction with ok slides
---70mm ZigZags (Reflex)
-----Height: 70mm
-----Width: 53mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 77a / 80a / 83a / 86a / 89a
-----Grip: High traction with ok slides especially in higher duros
---Powerballs
-----Height: 72mm
-----Width: 45mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 78a
-----Grip: Traction with smooth slides
---BigZigs (Reflex)
-----Height: 75mm
-----Width: 53mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 77a / 80a / 83a
-----Grip: Very high traction with ok slides especially in higher duros
---76mm Flywheels
-----Height: 76mm
-----Width: 52mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 75a / 78a / 81a
-----Grip: Traction with fairly smooth slides
---Gumballs
-----Height: 76mm
-----Width: 53mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 75a / 78a / 81a / 84a / 88a
-----Grip: High traction with decent slides
---77mm Stikers
-----Height: 77mm
-----Width: 47mm
-----Hub Setting: SideSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 75a / 78a / 81a / 84a / 88a
-----Grip: Traction with buttery smooth slides
---83mm Flywheels
-----Height: 83mm
-----Width: 52mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 75a / 78a / 81a
-----Grip: Traction with fairly smooth slides

-Landyachtz
---77mm Hawgs
-----Height: 77mm
-----Width: 52mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 78a / 80a
-----Grip: High traction with decent slides

-Gravity
---Fu Manchus
-----Height: 76mm
-----Width: 45mm
-----Hub Setting: SideSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 74a / 78a / 82a
-----Grip: Traction with ? slides

-Kryptonics
---76mm Classic*
-----Height: 76mm
-----Width: ?mm
-----Hub Setting: SideSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 78a / 81a
-----Grip: Traction with buttery smooth slides
---80mm Classic*
-----Height: 80mm
-----Width: ?mm
-----Hub Setting: SideSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 81a
-----Grip: Traction with buttery smooth slides
---85mm Classic*
-----Height: 85mm
-----Width: ?mm
-----Hub Setting: Sideset
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 81a
-----Grip: Traction with buttery smooth slides
*Not to be confused with Classic K's

-Sector 9
---Goddess of Speed
-----Height: 76mm
-----Width: 47.5mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 75a / 78a
-----Grip: Traction with fairly decent slides
---Bomb Hills
-----Height: 81mm
-----Width: ?mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 75a / 80a
-----Grip: Traction with fairly decent slides
---Top Shelf
-----Height: 72mm
-----Width: 50mm
-----Hub Setting: CenterSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 75a
-----Grip: High traction with decent slides

-Seismic/3dm
---Hot Spot
-----Height: 69mm
-----Width: 51mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 76a / 80a / 83a / 84a / 86a
-----Grip: High traction with ok slides especially in higher duros
---Avalon
-----Height: 68mm
-----Width: 55mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 76a / 80a
-----Grip: Very high traction with ok slides especially in higher duros
---Avila
-----Height: 75mm
-----Width: 65mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 73a / 77a / 81a
-----Grip: Very high traction with ok slides
---77mm Speed Vent
-----Height: 77mm
-----Width: 55mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 75a / 79a / 83a
-----Grip: High traction with decent slides
---Blast Wave
-----Height: 78mm
-----Width: 50mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Round
-----Duros: 75a / 79a / 83a
-----Grip: Traction with fairly decent slides
---85mm Speed Vent
-----Height: 85mm
-----Width: 52mm
-----Hub Setting: OffSet
-----Edges: Square
-----Duros: 75a / 79a
-----Grip: High traction with decent slides


*If anyone can fill in the "?" then please post and I will edit them.
**If anyone noticed that I've left out anything major please tell me and I will add it.
***I guessed on a lot of the wheel characteristics, so if something seems wrong let me know and I'll make necessary changes.

[Metalhead8290]

WOW great list.

( i think the evo has a 17degree wedge.)

[mcgoon]

^ Yes it does....

[therooster]

Way to go, what an awesome list.

But I'm pretty sure the Comet Voodoo is 38", not 45".

[iRIGHTi]

Awesome. Thanks for putting that together.

If there were similar lists for the other disciplines, I would speculate we would see less of the, "New to longboarding, looking for..." posts, and the immediate, "try the search function," replies.

There are so many options with longboarding. For those of us just beginning, even after using the search function and asking SF members a few questions, we feel like a kid in a candy store. What do I get? Threads such as these are a good place to start.

[spikedfro10]

I say make this a Sticky!!!

And I believe that when you flip randal 1's, nothing happens to the angle.

[SteveC]

Randals don't change angle when you flip them. neither do forces.

The pivot is in line with the bushing seat. they're 50&#186;/35&#186; either way.
The castor and ride height changes. (and wheelbase, but only slightly)

I thought the evo was +15 -15, but I'm not certain so I won't open my gob too far...

[SteveC]

I'll write up Chicago and put it here.

-Chicago
---Foamie Topmount
-----Length: 40"
-----Width: 9"
-----Wheelbase: 31.5"
---Cutthroat topmount
-----Length: 41 1/2"
-----Width: 9"
-----Wheelbases: 31 1/2"
---Eleanor�Dropped 1 1/2"/Nose wedged ?�/Tail dewedged ?�
-----Length: 41"
-----Width: 9 3/4"
-----Wheelbase: 37"
---DoubleD�Dropped 1" Dropthrough.Nose wedged ?�/Tail dewedged ?�
-----Length: 41"
-----Width: 9 3/4"
-----Wheelbase: 35"
---Epipen�Dropped 1" Dropthrough.
-----Length: 41"
-----Width: 9 3/4"
-----Wheelbase: 35"

[green]

Randals don't change angle when you flip them.

Excuse me, but yes they do. Randal 180s unflipped are 55, flipped are 45. The DH hangers are the only hangers they make that dont have angle changes.

And changing the ride hight, causes that angle to change because the axle is in a different position, causing the leverage to weaken/increase.

[Metalhead8290]

steve c. :i think he did this for decks under $150 bucks. Just FYI

Green: im pretty sure it dosent change the angle. and if it does it dosent change it 10 degrees. (randal baseplates are 50* not 55*)

EFG: maybe add a list of wheels that are good for DH. that would be cool aswell.

[green]

Green: im pretty sure it dosent change the angle. and if it does it dosent change it 10 degrees. (randal baseplates are 50* not 55*)

I understand this. The basplate is 50*. The hanger adds or takes away 5*. So unflipped, its 55*, then flipped it takes 5* away from the plate making it 45*.

[SteveC]

The hanger adds caster. that's it.
The hanger still twists around the bushing center. Which is identical regardless of the hanger...

And yeah, after I started i thought of the price thing.
But I thought I'd do it anyway...

[Shimotakimas]

Im gonna combine that list with the Chicago ones and make this a sticky. Thanks.

[green]

Thats all fine and dandy when its not on a board. But when you lean on it flipped VS. unflipped, the pressure it takes to turn is changed. In turn it doesnt really matter what the pivot point angle vs. bushing seat is, it matters what the angle of the axle vs. pivot point is.

[bucksaw87]

wedging on the clb eleanor is +5 front, -7 back

i'm fairly certain that's how it is on the double-d too

[thebassman]

Im gonna combine that list with the Chicago ones and make this a sticky. Thanks.

10 dollars says noobs still make posts about what would be a good downhill board.

[SteveC]

Thats all fine and dandy when its not on a board. But when you lean on it flipped VS. unflipped, the pressure it takes to turn is changed. In turn it doesnt really matter what the pivot point angle vs. bushing seat is, it matters what the angle of the axle vs. pivot point is.

Well, there's some truth to that. But the reality is they both count.
I'd never say it doesn't change how the truck behaves, because it does.

I think that bears have thrown a cloud of doubt over this issue. Especially since the angles quoted on landyachtz website have changed since they first came out. (yes I'm sure of that)

Edit. No way am i taking that bet...

[green]

I think that bears have thrown a cloud of doubt over this issue. Especially since the angles quoted on landyachtz website have changed since they first came out. (yes I'm sure of that)

Agreed, fck those 52* baseplates.

[EFG]

• Some corrections made
• Wheels added

[SgtSparkles]

The evo is wedged 17* dewedged17* dropped 2inches