Silent Slides: The Secret to Deep-Sixing the Screech

Wells · 06-08-2007, 03:28 PM

I'm sure we're all familiar with that super-loud screeching noise that happens when you bust a sweet slide on hard wheels.

I'm sure your parents and neighbors are also familiar with that super-loud screeching noise when those damn kids decide to ride their weird-looking skateboards at 3 in the morning.

After seeing someone at the NYC slide comp (crappysurfer? I can't recall precisely who) sliding their board in near-silence, I was intrigued. Apparently the boy had biltins and tight axle nuts.

I thought about getting myself some biltins, but decided to try to find a DIY solution first because I'm cheap (rolling on mini logos) and biltins are hard to find. Accordingly, I whipped out my skate tool.

After making sure my wheels were properly spaced (this is really important here; word to Mark at Mile High for facing the trucks and including spacers on the EW drifter complete) and washered, I cranked my axle nuts down on the whole assembly until there was absolutely no play and went to go slide. (Note: your wheels are going to spin less when you spin them with your hand. This has no effect on how fast they roll.)

Now it slides silently and rolls quietly. 2AM slide sessions; here I come! Try it for yourself.

bpz · 06-08-2007, 03:38 PM

That would have been me. Silent wheels are indeed the ticket, 'specially the Superballs.

Biltins or precision steel spacers + faced hangers + super snug axle nuts = nirvana.

bombsies · 06-08-2007, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the heads up, I'll give this a shot

Edison · 06-08-2007, 04:28 PM

Yeah thats how I have my board setup. Its all about a tight assembly.

carver · 06-08-2007, 05:57 PM

Faced hangers???

Slim · 06-08-2007, 07:30 PM

Search, will tell all.

AGENT WD-40 · 06-08-2007, 07:42 PM

Silent slides? Sounds lame...I personally like the screechy sound, especially on locked standup slides. If people have a problem with the sound, they can tell me to my face.

Metallic Scribbler · 06-09-2007, 01:31 AM

Keep it LOUD!!

big_loaf · 06-09-2007, 02:37 AM

well i don't know if i'd call them silent by any means, but they're certainly quieter with cranked down biltins. after throwing biltins in my slide wheels, i'll never go back to "regular" bearings. i don't know if it's just me, but i swear they break and slide differently too....

plus every dB i can drop whilst sliding is great for me; some folks don't care for loud noises when they're trying to enjoy their dinner

andrew_cruise · 06-10-2007, 06:22 AM

yeah you may like having loud slides but i bet you dont like having to replace your bearings every couple sessions! spcers are KEY to not only quieter sliding but smoother unlocking and re locking in and out of slides.

also if you want to be quite as a fart at a rock concert then grab some abec 11 inverts and ride them inset(graphics facing out) i have had mine for about a month and a couple weeks. they are REALLY slippery once your in the slide tho you might feel sticky going into it.
BTW they are UNFLATSPOTABLE!!! they hardly wear and i cant seem to flatspot them!
Auger was saying he saw a lot of the BC guys riding invertz too

redundor · 06-10-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew_cruise

yeah you may like having loud slides but i bet you dont like having to replace your bearings every couple sessions! spcers are KEY to not only quieter sliding but smoother unlocking and re locking in and out of slides.

also if you want to be quite as a fart at a rock concert then grab some abec 11 inverts and ride them inset(graphics facing out) i have had mine for about a month and a couple weeks. they are REALLY slippery once your in the slide tho you might feel sticky going into it.
BTW they are UNFLATSPOTABLE!!! they hardly wear and i cant seem to flatspot them!
Auger was saying he saw a lot of the BC guys riding invertz too

yeah, I was just talking to a couple guys here last night who love their inverts, but they were very specific that they had to the park plus, not the classic formula.

Brian Holden · 08-29-2007, 02:47 PM

This idea sounds stupid on paper, but to hear someone rip standup slides with biltins in them is insane, Kyle from Chilliwack had me so confused at the paskapoo comp till he said he had biltins, I thought for a minute he had wax wheels or something.

verruckt · 08-29-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wells

After making sure my wheels were properly spaced (this is really important here; word to Mark at Mile High for facing the trucks and including spacers on the EW drifter complete) and washered, I cranked my axle nuts down on the whole assembly until there was absolutely no play and went to go slide. (Note: your wheels are going to spin less when you spin them with your hand. This has no effect on how fast they roll.)

This concept is one I've never completely understood, because every time I use the "speed washer/bearing/spacer/bearing/speed washer" sandwich and crank the axle nut down, the wheel has so much resistance turning when I spin it that I figure I screwed something up.

I always end up backing the axle nut off about 1/5 of a turn, and the wheel will then spin freely.

So you're saying, (given the correct speed washer / spacer / bearing combo), just crank it down tight, and though it definitely affects hand spin speed, it won't affect roll speed at all?

funtimes85 · 08-29-2007, 03:42 PM

Nice... I always hated how loud sliding was, can't wait to put this new info to use!

satori · 08-29-2007, 04:27 PM

verruct- try adding a speedring right next to your spacer- so hanger-speedring-bearing-speedring-spacer-bearing-speedring-nut
i think that most spacers (or wheel hubs?) aren't made to precise enough standards. if you have a wheel/spacer/bearings assembly in your hand and shake it, and the spacer is moving around like a jumping bean, es no bueno, add a speedring inside.

edit: i also head the ssg is capitalizing on some home-made lube, something about mouth bacteria that dissolves rocks. so if your wheels don't spin try that. just don't get any on your axel, it will also dissolve.

AJ · 08-29-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sofa King

That would have been me. Silent wheels are indeed the ticket, 'specially the Superballs.

Biltins or precision steel spacers + faced hangers + super snug axle nuts = nirvana.

You mean it has nothing to do with your wheels?
Where can i get them faced trucks in Canada? Damn you Mile High mark for not shipping to Canada!

mcgoon · 08-29-2007, 05:00 PM

You just need to find a facing bit that you can attach to a drill...

Crappysurfer · 08-29-2007, 05:11 PM

my wheels are silent too.....

mc99david · 08-29-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sofa King

That would have been me. Silent wheels are indeed the ticket, 'specially the Superballs.

Biltins or precision steel spacers + faced hangers + super snug axle nuts = nirvana.

sorry, a little off subject, but do you find that the softness of the superballs makes them wear a lot faster?

I've got a set of 80a prototypes that earthwing sent me and i havnt wanted to slide them too much cause i love the wheels and havnt wanted to wear them down too fast.

anyway, what are your thoughts sofa.

doctor worm · 08-29-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verruckt

This concept is one I've never completely understood, because every time I use the "speed washer/bearing/spacer/bearing/speed washer" sandwich and crank the axle nut down, the wheel has so much resistance turning when I spin it that I figure I screwed something up.

I always end up backing the axle nut off about 1/5 of a turn, and the wheel will then spin freely.

So you're saying, (given the correct speed washer / spacer / bearing combo), just crank it down tight, and though it definitely affects hand spin speed, it won't affect roll speed at all?

you do sacrifice roll speed for lack of slop. i opt for no play over rolling speed though for sliding. crank em down.