How to upgrade my slalom setup?

**Tyco** · 11-03-2006 08:35 PM

Roe Bottlerocket, Tracker Racetrack in front and a Seismic in back, Red 66 ZigZags, No-name suck bearings.

What should I get to upgrade it a bit?

I would like to stick those Zigs on my Pigme, so I was thinking maybe an 80/83a combo of the same size Zigs. Good duro combo for my 80 pounds?

I'd also like to get rid of the Seismic rear truck because it isn't technically mine (borrowed). Definitely will be another Racetrack to replace it, but what bushings? Orange and red Indys?

The bearings are old and suckish. Biltins are good as usual, so I'll probably get those.

So the question is, what should I upgrade first, second, and third? Also, do those choices in new parts sound good?

Thanks,
Ty

**Jam** · 11-04-2006 04:00 PM

Buy wheels and get a wheel quiv going. But I would honesly just hold off on buying stuff for now and get good.

**xxguitarist** · 11-04-2006 05:59 PM

guessing you dont want to upgrade to splitfire/airflow/radikal etc trucks?

**stevie** · 11-04-2006 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Jam

Buy wheels and get a wheel quiv going. But I would honesly just hold off on buying stuff for now and get good.

I agree with the above and would add: Work on your wedging. Buy a Khiro wedge kit and mess around with different angles. Your wheels can be pretty soft given your weight. 78a/80a is good. 83a would be the hardest I'd go at your weight. Practice a lot. Skills are better than gear. When you're good enough and committed enough for the investment, go for the machined trucks like Radikal/GoG/Airflow/Splitfire/Fyre.

**Mark J** · 11-04-2006 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tyco

Roe Bottlerocket, Tracker Racetrack in front and a Seismic in back, Red 66 ZigZags, No-name suck bearings.

What should I get to upgrade it a bit?

I would like to stick those Zigs on my Pigme, so I was thinking maybe an 80/83a combo of the same size Zigs. Good duro combo for my 80 pounds?

I'd also like to get rid of the Seismic rear truck because it isn't technically mine (borrowed). Definitely will be another Racetrack to replace it, but what bushings? Orange and red Indys?

The bearings are old and suckish. Biltins are good as usual, so I'll probably get those.

So the question is, what should I upgrade first, second, and third? Also, do those choices in new parts sound good?

Thanks,
Ty

agreed. your best and cheapest bet is to practice. you've got a set up.
what do you think these guys were riding? save your money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiN84fox5lw

we couldn't beat em with radikals, fyre, splifire, cambria, zigzags, etc.

**Jam** · 11-04-2006 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by stevie

I agree with the above and would add: Work on your wedging. Buy a Khiro wedge kit and mess around with different angles. Your wheels can be pretty soft given your weight. 78a/80a is good. 83a would be the hardest I'd go at your weight. Practice a lot. Skills are better than gear. When you're good enough and committed enough for the investment, go for the machined trucks like Radikal/GoG/Airflow/Splitfire/Fyre.

Yah Yah. Wedging, Bushings, and Wheels.

One thing I have noticed with wedging (if anyone cars) is that you can easily od on wedgings.... I like 15 degree wedge on front rather than a 21 degre.... the 21 degree feels actually kinda less effective than the 15,,, so yah experiment...

As for bushings, try a lot of stuff out.... not just on a scale of hard---soft, but high rebound---low rebound...... My radikal bushings are so high rebound... so I dampen them with khiro tops........ etc and for me loose is not always good...... tight works pretty well.......etc....

I hope this helps.

**stevie** · 11-04-2006 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Mark J

... ...
what do you think these guys were riding? save your money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiN84fox5lw
we couldn't beat em with radikals, fyre, splifire, cambria, zigzags, etc.

Not to disrespect our forebears, great skaters to whom we owe a lot, but I think the top 12 racers today would smoke both of those guys.

**Crappysurfer** · 11-04-2006 09:54 PM

khiro bushings (white and blue) radikals (clear and blue) wedge kit

**bpz** · 11-04-2006 10:38 PM

I didn't bother to read any replies, so sorry if I repeat anything.

A good rear truck, something offset with precision axles will be a great benefit. Splitfire, Airflow, etc. - pick up one of those. Good wheels help, I run Zigs on all my slalom boards. Either Biltins or some Pleasure Tools with precision spacers to make sure you get as much speed as possible, without tweaking your bearings. A bushing/wedge setup that works for you is key.

That's all there really is to it.