Washers

Washers. What are they? How can they improve your ride? What do I ride, and why?

My setup getting tuned to how I like it.

What are Washers?

Washers are the thin metal things, typically used between the top bushing and the Kingpin nut. They're interesting, because these little thin disks can accentuate your setup, OR, be your downfall. They can either make the board feel really fluid, or, they can tighten up the truck, making it harder to turn. So, you typically have three kinds of washers. You have a Tophat washer , a cupped washer, and a flat washer. These washers will make your trucks feel vastly different.

How can they improve your ride?

They can improve your ride in various ways. Like, for example, maybe the feeling is too loose, and you need some extra stiffness to have you rebound back into place. Or, maybe, they are too restrictive? You want to be as loose as possible, sorta free flowing! I have no idea what you would want, but I like a free flowing setup.

What do I ride, and why?

Now, I ride a tophat washer. I know what you are probably thinking, "Why would you use a Tophat washer with precision trucks, isn't that overkill? Aren't you stable enough, and not even going fast enough?". And to that I will say, yes, but it feels solid to me. It is the perfect balance between the restrictiveness of a Cupped washer, and the fluidness of a Flat washer. 

Honestly though, you could probably get away with just using a flat washer. I personally enjoy the extra "precision" feel, but that's just my personal preference. I was also doing some reading, and most people also like Flat Washers. 

But others also like cupped, so, your mileage may vary. My advice to you is to experiment with your washers, and see what you like. Washers and Bushings are a small, but insanely huge factor in how your ride will feel. Like, some people prefer using a cone and cupped washer, while the same person might also prefer to use a flat washer with a barrel. It's all user preference.

My *UPDATE* on Pumping

It's fun. 

No, really. It's so fun!!!

What made me able to pump?

The trick was the rear bushings. That, plus how tight the rear is. The rear was, in fact, way too hard for me. Gray 96a Tall FatCone Krank is extremely hard, so that's why I switched to a 93a Krank Tall Barrel. 

It's like night and day.

Let me elaborate on why I think it's an amazing upgrade. 

1. The Shape of the Bushings 

They're a tall barrel. Much more movement than a Tall FatCone, which widens as you look down on it. 

What I had before 

Versus what I have now

So as you see in the diagram, these tall barrels move more than the Tall FatCone. 

2. 93a Duro vs. 96a Duro

They are much softer in comparison to 96a. However, if I wanted to go slightly harder, these bushings will actually harden as you tighten down the bushings, thanks to the Krank Formula that these bushings are poured in! So, even if they do happen to be too loose, I could just tighten them up, and they'll be perfect!!

3. The Rebound 

It's crazy to me, how much rebound is so important to the LDP experience. It returns you to the center of the board without bucking you off. It's so cool, but the front bushings have some rebound to them as well, thanks again to the Krank Formula and the APS formula. The front is APS, but Krank is in the rear. 

For a while I was using Ronin Talls , which are good, but, the only caveat being that they had little rebound. I mean, they're a great bushing for downhill....but for LDP? No, I'm happy I have a Krank formula bushing in the rear. 

Lesson to be learned: Tweak with the bushings. Seriously this is a must. Whether you are looking for more rebound, or just something loose in general, you should consider that. 

Not only did that whole bushing ordeal help, but the front angle is a huge factor as well. Reason? I'll tell you in an upcoming post!! So stay tuned!!

10/10

Honest Review of the BB+

To clarify, I don't technically have a BB+. I do, but I also don't. What I have is a prototype, with a Poplar core, Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber and Hard Rock Maple.

But this board is great for a multitude of reasons. Number one being that it's so spacious.

My BB+ is a 29" which is 1" longer than the regular BB+'s length.

And man is it fun! I have the BB+ Platform with an ECOLITE bracket tail with 96a Tall Fatcones, Glass drop front, Poppy 55° 125mm with Riptide Bushings in the 75a Green Barrel APS, and a 70 purple APS Cone. All with 75.5mm Alpha Wheels 

I have my angle set to 59°, and with the Alpha Wheels, I feel like I can definitely pump this bad boy. 

And hey look! I can pump it! Pretty alarmingly fast, as a matter of fact. I was actually pumping it so good that I am now considering bumping up my diameter size to an 80mm.

It's also really comfortable. It has the same concave as the AZ, and a link to that article is right here. But to summarize one of the points I made, it feels like a cloud beneath my feet.

It also has a pretty good wheelbase Size, at 23.375"

So you know, it's very good for pumping!

And pump it I can!! It's got a good comfy flex to it, and man I can't recommend it enough!!

Also the graphic is pretty dope too!!

10/11

Honest Review of the Seismic Blast Waves

They're an *okay* wheel. 

This is the good

They are pretty good for slower speeds. 

This is the bad

They are only good for slower speeds. Don't get me wrong, they're a great wheel, with lots of potential. However, that potential is limited due to its size. 

When you really want to get going, they feel like they hold you back. 

So according to some, they're really sluggish when they're poured in 78.5a urethane. Which is the formula I got. Apparently they are better in 80a and 77a, but I haven't tried it. 

My overall rating of this wheel? Ehhhhhhhhh...

5/10

Pretty lackluster, they feel good when you are starting to pick up speed, but, that's where the fun starts and subsequently ends. And trust me, I really wanted this wheel to work for me, but, maybe in the future I will try a harder variation. 

LDPUMPing

Hey everyone! 

How is your weekend going??

I just got back from pumping my board.

Initial thoughts: it's fun as hell.

How was I able to pump? The secret was the rear end bushings (for me), I switched them to 92a Ronins, (previously were 96a Krank Tall Fat Cones), and boy !! The difference is like night and day!!

So it wasn't necessarily the wheels holding me back, so much as it was the bushings. 

I don't know tho, as I will have to test it out soon (maybe tomorrow night?) , but, I like it. I have so much control, and when I need to gain speed, I just give it a wiggle and I am already up to speed. 

Honest Review of the X26 Setup

The GBOMB Setup Review 

So, I got a GBOMB Setup. 

It's Super nice. 

I got the X26 Platform with an ECOLITE torsion tail with 96a Tall Fatcones, Glass drop front, Poppy 55° 125mm with Riptide Bushings in the 75a Green Barrel APS, and a 70 purple APS Cone. All with SpeedVents for Wheels, front is an 80a durometer, with the rear being 77a. I have the wheels setup with these different duros to minimize slip. 

It's a fun little board. I have my front angle at like 59° . (Poppy's 55 + 4 from adjustable angle bracket), and man I tell you what, it's a very fun board. 

My only gripe with it is that it's too short for my stance. But other than that? It's a great introductory deck to get started in the LDP world.

7/10

Honest Review of the AZ

The Honest Review of the AZ

It's a good piece of wood. I really enjoy it for four reasons mainly.

1. Comfort

It's super comfortable. With the gentle flex of the wood, plus the ample foot space to position your feet, it's like a cloud.

2. The Wedging 

This board is really cool too though because of the wedging. It has 10 degrees in the front, and -13 in the rear. What this essentially does is make it more "pumpy", with a pretty low rear to compliment it. 

3. The Construction

 It's handcrafted in Montreal, Canada, with fiberglass OVER the graphic. Which leads me to another point.

4. The Graphic

I'm a sucker for simplistic designs. That, plus the fact that it's under a layer of fiberglass, makes this board really durable. 

9/10.