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Reviews written by Skinart Anybody want my Randals? , Sunday, 08 April 2007
Khiro Reds have a lower duro than Randal yellows and I found those to be very squirelly for me. But these trucks are fantastic out of the box. If anything, I found the stock bushing to be a little firm. These trucks will get me into trouble because they feel so good and I feel so good riding them--it makes me want to ride harder. Equipment Reviews How long have you ridden them?: About a weekendWhat Setup are you running them on?: Currently setup on my 38" Vanguard, stock red Khiro bushings, Ladyachtz bearings, currently with 77mm Landhawgs. Will probably trade the wheels out for Lemon ZigZagz. Dunno...this setup feels really good--once I got past the wheel height. Typical Discepline?: Cruising, carving How much did you pay for them?: $73 and change (came with bearings and spacers) Where did you buy them?: Mile High Skates What are their weaknesses?: $20 more than Randals. Lack of breadth to aftermarket support. Only two choices of manufacturer for new bearings and very limited options on where to buy them. Same for spacers or replacement speedwashers. MHM can't reface them... It was the weak aftermarket bearing and spacer support that cause me to give them a 3 for ease of maintainence. What are their strengths?: Mine don't squeak. I didn't realize how annoying squeaky trucks were till I rode some that didn't squeak.They are very confidence inspiring trucks to look at. It's like someone gave Randals a steroid cocktail and made them work out 12 hours a day.The ride is incredibly smooth. My Vanguard now seems to flow over stuff. They are very responsive, and can turn ridiculously deep. What similar equipment have you ridden?: Randal 180s Would you recommend them?: Yes If you aren't familiar with these...you should fix, Thursday, 29 March 2007
Equipment Reviews How long have you ridden them?: About 3 monthsWhat Setup are you running them on?: I have them on my Vanguard. R2 180s, Lemon ZigZags Typical Discepline?: Carving and cruising naturally. How much did you pay for them?: $12 Where did you buy them?: Amazon What are their weaknesses?: Only shielded on one side. Scary fast at first for a beginner. No hardware included--so no new speed rings or spacers in this set. Judging by the literature included in the box, it is possible for you to accidently remove the retaining ring sending little balls all over the place. What are their strengths?: Fast, smooth rolling, hold speed well. Very inexpensive. You can do much worse with bearings that cost a lot more. While they will require more frequent maintainence--especially if you ride wet roads--they are simple to maintain. Rubber shields are easier to deal with than C-clips and are less prone to 'vanishing'. Comes with instructions and a web address to see the instructions in larger print--also directs you to instructions on how to reassembly your bearings by hand if you accidentally completely dissassemble them. What similar equipment have you ridden?: Sawblade 'Abec 7', two sets of Abec 5 steel shielded bearings of unknown origin. Would you recommend them?: Yes Less than impressed, Thursday, 29 March 2007
Some of this may be from the questionable Exkate Turbo wheels (I think they are a little deformed) and some of it from the bearings not being matched. Still tweaking. But thus far it hasn't been a very fun board--so this may be reflected in the review. Replacement bushings are about 4 times as much as for other more conventional trucks. Bushings are one piece so you can't make a combo set-up. While these trucks might have a sweet spot for you, if it isn't the stock configuration, you will probably spend enough to buy another set of trucks trying to find it. Equipment Reviews How long have you ridden them?: A few months off an on...mostly off...What Setup are you running them on?: I have a 57" plank I will pretend is a blank due to shame. A mixed bag of bearings, about half are Sawblade "Abec 7" (doubt it) and the rest are generic Abec 5's Typical Discepline?: Just cruising How much did you pay for them?: Came with the board. Where did you buy them?: That would be the shame... What are their weaknesses?: Ugly. Not just unattractive. They look bad. Expensive to replace the bushing. I also am not a huge fan of the way they attach. The baseplate has threaded holes, but they don't go all the way through. The mounting hardware screws directly into the baseplate and if you bottom out...get a riser. If you don't...well I hope you measured well. Also, this means you don't get the benefit of nylocking your hardware on--and need a screwdriver to be sure you aren't coming loose.The kingpin attachment...well, the head isn't exposed. It's in a flipped position like your Randal kingpin should be. BUT it's an 8mm kingpin. So like the Grizzly, you only need one socket. But unlike the Grizzly...I don't think this is a good thing.Honestly, I was expecting something a bit turnier--but it is a 57" board... What are their strengths?: My bushing is pretty stiff. Feels about like a R2 180 with red bushings--maybe a little stiffer. Has about the same level of progression and rebound. When you're on your board, the uglyness isn't as bothersome.Making a 57" board turn in a way that reminds you of Randals on a 41" board (Not as good as, but kinda reminds you of) isn't a bad thing.Use the same nut for the kingpin as the axles. What similar equipment have you ridden?: Similar feel to R2's with the stiffest Randal bushing. Would you recommend them?: No You probably already know if you want one..., Wednesday, 28 March 2007
I would almost recommend it as a first board--on the principle that a premium board makes for a premium experience. That is why I bought it to replace my first board that I never bothered to ride. It worked, I love riding it and wish I did so more often. However, there are good boards with a less premium price tag. I was fortunate in that I happened to be just the right sort of person for a miscut board so I got a premium board for an entry level price. Longboard Review How long have you ridden the board: About 3 monthsWhat is your setup like?: 38" flex2, R2 180s with Red Bushings.Bones Reds, Lemon ZigZags Typical Session Discipline: Cruising, carving How much did you pay?: A little over 200 shipped Where did you purchase it?: From Loaded What were the strengths of the deck.: Flexy, fun board. Turns very smooth and tight. Light whenyou need to lug it around. Crisp clean appearance. Attracts attention--but not too much attention. Confidence inspiring strength--can flex to the ground and spring back. No concern about breaking it.A board with 'personality'. Hard to explain, but this lovely just want's you to ride. What were the weaknesses?: I find that my stance is widening a bit, so sometimes my back foot ends up over the wheels. Grip is just a bit weaker than I would prefer--but cleaning it might help.So light that if it gets away from you it tends to rocket away and skip and bounce--which can lead to falling over laughing.Doesn't fit in a gym locker...:(Flex is a very polarizing feature. You will either love this board or you will despise it. Similar decks you have ridden?: Nothing quite like it. Would you recommend it?: Yes Buy this. , Wednesday, 28 March 2007
It is a very nice board for much less than the cost of a stock S9, much less and upgraded one. Will not be outgrown. However, it isn't shipped in a manner that beginners will be comfortable with. This makes a really nice gift board for someone who wants a longboard. Also, because of it's rather lackluster graphics and plain finish, it inspires creativity. Longboard Review How long have you ridden the board: About 3 monthsWhat is your setup like?: Stock complete:R2's 180mm stock yellow bushingABEC 5 bearingsABEC11 Flashbacks Typical Session Discipline: Just cruising around How much did you pay?: 120ish shipped Where did you purchase it?: www.krackedskulls.com What were the strengths of the deck.: Drop-thru, very low ride/push height, zero wheelbite, zero railbite. Comfortable concave, slight camber, acres of footroom.You can crank this thing all the way over without scraping anything. A fun ride and won't wear you out for long distance pushing.Is holding up to my largesse being on it...A fun board really. What were the weaknesses?: Complete doesn't come assembled--which might turn off those who aren't comfortable with putting on their own hardware. Not the most attractive logo. Doesn't come gripped--the surface has a slightly grippy feel to it, but not enough grip for me.First couple of rides there was some rubbing of the hanger on the board, but that is self-correcting. Holes at one end were noticeably crooked, but not enough to complain about. Putting in the kingpin in the 'flipped' position is very difficult--but it can be done. It would be easier to do if you have a dremel or a file and cut a small channel through the riser--but this isn't absolutely needed.A bit large for pedestrian slalom, but very nice for cruising with moderate ped traffic. Would you recommend it?: Yes << Start < Prev 1 Next > End >> Results 1 - 5 of 5
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