Looking for a new board to ride in a bowl or halfpipe. I am 6ft tall with size 11 feet and wondering what length board would be suitable for halfpipes or bowls? I am thinking 33in long 8.5in board but not sure. Been looking at the SMA blackbirds. Are they torsionally stiff boards? Also, in general, how does torsional stiffness affect riding in halfpipes and bowls?
Looking for a new board to ride in a bowl or halfpipe. I am 6ft tall with size 11 feet and wondering what length board would be suitable for halfpipes or bowls? I am thinking 33in long 8.5in board but not sure. Been looking at the SMA blackbirds. Are they torsionally stiff boards? Also, in general, how does torsional stiffness affect riding in halfpipes and bowls?
Not sure about the torsional stiffness per say, though I'd think you'd want something on the upper end of stiffness versus getting something flexy.
I'm 5'11" with size 11 feet and really like decks from 32-35 inches, and 10 inches in width. I've been riding the full-size Pool Pirate and have enjoyed that, though I'm looking now for something a slight bit narrower and shorter for tighter bowls and trannie. You can see the thread I just posted about Cold War vs. Funhouse decks...that's what I'm thinking about now...
The Pool Pirate has been fantastic for confident bowl riding, and I like it when the pool/bowl is open and easily approached.
Looking for a new board to ride in a bowl or halfpipe. I am 6ft tall with size 11 feet and wondering what length board would be suitable for halfpipes or bowls? I am thinking 33in long 8.5in board but not sure. Been looking at the SMA blackbirds. Are they torsionally stiff boards? Also, in general, how does torsional stiffness affect riding in halfpipes and bowls?
I've heard good things about Skaterbuilt, but have also heard they tend to be somewhat heavy...
I've heard good things about Skaterbuilt, but have also heard they tend to be somewhat heavy...
thanks! I have heard good things about skaterbuilt too. I am a big fan of the traditional skateboard shape, that's why I was looking into the SMA blackbirds. What is your opinion on SMA boards? Also, do you know any 8.5in low trucks? For example are indy 149s low trucks?
thanks! I have heard good things about skaterbuilt too. I am a big fan of the traditional skateboard shape, that's why I was looking into the SMA blackbirds. What is your opinion on SMA boards? Also, do you know any 8.5in low trucks? For example are indy 149s low trucks?
Indy 149's are not low.
Why would you want low trucks for bowls?
Get the Indy 149's and use smaller wheels 54-58mm
with no or 1/8" risers if you want to keep it sort of low.
Looking for a new board to ride in a bowl or halfpipe. I am 6ft tall with size 11 feet and wondering what length board would be suitable for halfpipes or bowls? I am thinking 33in long 8.5in board but not sure. Been looking at the SMA blackbirds. Are they torsionally stiff boards? Also, in general, how does torsional stiffness affect riding in halfpipes and bowls?
I've gotta tell ya, I think 8.5 is a little narrow for your size and your interest: bowls and half pipes. You're going to get a lot more stability in at least a 9.5 width board. And I'd really recommend at least 58mm wheels, as they'll have better grip in the bowl. I skate 62 mm Rainskates and really like them for speed and grip. I have standard Indy 169 trucks, and half inch risers and love the setup for bowl riding...very carvy and no wheel bite.
8.5 by 33 is great for your size, in my opinion. Flip makes two versions of The Crest, which comes in size 8.5 x 32 and 9.5 x 33 I believe, with wheelwells!
For wheels, there's a really large option. I would take anything between 54 and 62mm.
For trucks, I'd take Indy's, Trackers or Destructo's, in the same width as the deck. If you could choose between low, mid and high, take mid.
Oh and get shock absorbing risers, they make your deck last longer, which is what you would want with a beautiful pool deck =).
8.5 by 33 is great for your size, in my opinion. Flip makes two versions of The Crest, which comes in size 8.5 x 32 and 9.5 x 33 I believe, with wheelwells!
!
I have the large Flip Lance Mountain Crest and love it.
9 x 33 with a 16" WB. Indy 169's, Bones 62mm SPF's
and 5/16" risers because I ride loose trucks.
It has nice wheelwells, you can use less riser for a lower deck
I've gotta tell ya, I think 8.5 is a little narrow for your size and your interest: bowls and half pipes. You're going to get a lot more stability in at least a 9.5 width board. And I'd really recommend at least 58mm wheels, as they'll have better grip in the bowl. I skate 62 mm Rainskates and really like them for speed and grip. I have standard Indy 169 trucks, and half inch risers and love the setup for bowl riding...very carvy and no wheel bite.
You obviously don't know what you're talking about.
First off, a wheel's size has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how it grips or slides. That's all in the shape and the urethane formula. Very large park wheels are unnecessarily heavy and won't make you go any faster.
I don't know if you noticed; but it's not 1984 anymore and super-heavy 11" wide boards are no longer the preferred equipment for most transition. An 8.5 will be plenty wide, even for vert, without being super heavy. If you're skittish about your feet falling off, get a 9" and/or Edger grip.
1/2" risers are going to do two things: obviate any stability gains from a wide deck and obliterate ollie-ability. Wheelbite isn't really a problem with hard wheels on transition anyway.
You obviously don't know what you're talking about.
First off, a wheel's size has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how it grips or slides. That's all in the shape and the urethane formula. Very large park wheels are unnecessarily heavy and won't make you go any faster.
I don't know if you noticed; but it's not 1984 anymore and super-heavy 11" wide boards are no longer the preferred equipment for most transition. An 8.5 will be plenty wide, even for vert, without being super heavy. If you're skittish about your feet falling off, get a 9" and/or Edger grip.
1/2" risers are going to do two things: obviate any stability gains from a wide deck and obliterate ollie-ability. Wheelbite isn't really a problem with hard wheels on transition anyway.
I decided to get a 32" long 8.25" composite deck from SMA with traditional skateboard shape. It should go well with indy 139 low trucks and 52mm cored wheels. It should make a pretty light setup.
The old school setup suggested by poolpirate would be good for carving pools and bowls but not the best for transition skating in a park. My friend recently bought a Bennet Harada old school style board with grindking jay adam trucks and big wheels 62mm and 1/2 in risers. I tried to ride it on a mini ramp. It seemed wicked sketchy. I felt like I was miles up from the ground.
board size and torsional stiffness
