The Sweet Spot for Pumping

The Sweet Spot for Pumping 

58° is the ideal angle.

58°. 3° higher than 55°, but 2° lower than 60°.

That is the sweet spot for pumping. Top riders set their trucks to that angle. Lena Medringal actually uses that angle on her Platypusher!! And she's a World Record Holder for Women!!

Now, my current setup has a front degree of 65°. Considering the fact that I went from 65° to 59° to then back to 65°, I have it on good authority to say, I know what I am talking about. What this also means, however, is that I can pump relatively quickly. Now, some integrated trucks have a 55° baseplate, but recently, some are even releasing in the 58° angle. Check this video out on the Scythe Crusader. 

Why did my setup have a 59°, vs. a 58°?

So, my setup has a GBOMB Glass Drop. If you don't know anything about the GBomb Glass Drop, it has an articulation range of 30. +15 wedge and -15 de wedge. Here are the specs:

"Drop: 35mm

Angle Adjust Range: 30 Degrees (+15 Wedge to -15 Dewedge)

Frame Weight: 225 grams (7.9 oz)

Material: Glass Fiber in Engineered Polymer Matrix

Color: Black

Deck Interface: Silicone Pad with Concave Compliant Recess

Truck Compatibility: Compatible with RKP and TKP trucks." -GBomb's Website 

So as you can see, the glass drop is pretty cool. But, the reason it's 59°, is because of the notches. Now, the notches are cool, because they help you see what your angle is. But, they're mainly divisible by 2.

Why do I say mainly? Well, because the last notch counts as 3, to make an even +/-15 degrees. 

Now, there are many, many, many, bracket options. Not just in the U.S. (where I am), but even in the EU market, and even China is producing some now. 

For example, from GBomb Longboards, we have the DDS. 

"The patented precision CNC DD-S (Deep Drop Stubby) Longboard bracket features infinite adjustability of truck angles from +12 (wedge) to -2 (dewedge). The light weight makes the DDS an ideal front Longboard bracket. Or, for rear applications where little or no de-wedging is needed. The curves of this bracket allow stresses to flow, and the bracket to flex for performance and comfort. The shock pad deck interface absorbs even more road noise and complies to the deck camber and concave to minimize stress at the interface. The broad shoulder design is intended to handle abuse from even heavy and aggressive riders.

This is the same Longboard bracket used by world record longboard holders. And the same bracket Adrian Oh toured on through over 20 countries and over 20,000 km.

Black and Silver color choice. GBomb Infinity Bolt Hardware included for mounting to deck and truck.

DD-S assembly includes all all hardware (as shown) for mounting the DD-S to the platform and truck to the DD-S.

Mounting pattern for the platform is 2.125" (new school).

Mounting pattern for the truck is 2.5" (old school)." -GBomb's Website 

Vs. the DDR, a rear bracket.

"The patented Precision CNC DDR (Deep Drop Regular) features infinite adjustability of Longboard truck angles from +13 (wedge) to -22 (dewedge). The light weight makes the DDR ideal as a rear bracket or a versatile front bracket. Like the DDS, the flowing curves of this bracket allow stresses to flow and bracket flex for performance and comfort. The shock pads at deck interface absorb even more road noise and comply to platform concave and camber to minimize stress. The ample wheel clearance welcomes even the largest of Longboard wheels, and the broad shoulder interface design is intended to handle abuse from heavy and aggressive Longboard riders." -GBomb's Website 

Now granted, it is a rear bracket, but I included it here because it has so much range that it COULD be a front bracket . But, next, we have the F-13 from Blackdogskates, in the EU. 

It's a 13° fixed bracket, meaning that a 45° truck mounted to it will then turn into a 58°, like I said, the sweet spot...

...In theory. But apparently, they're really funky with RKP's. TKP's though.....

From reading online, it sounds like TKP's work especially well on the bracket, not so much the RKP. But, with a 1°-3° wedge under the bracket, you could get a 11° BP, like a BHanger, and have it work. To get a total of 25°, which is another sweet spot, so to speak.

And then we have the SDF Fork. 

Now, the SDF Fork is cool, because they used to release in Gold. And apparently, they're 13°. So, it really sounds like that to get the best performance, with a fork, you would need a BP of something around 45° for RKP'S and 12° for TKP's. But the thing is, like what "BobRossLDP1 said", "The SDF has a 13-degree wedge, but there are some things to consider before buying. The fork is designed around Bennett geometry TKPs and is intended to tuck the truck in close to the deck to optimize leverage. If you’re using RKPs, it will not be a good experience, the fork is outdated, sits high, and offers poor clearance." 

But another good question "BobRossLDP1" posits is this: "I would assume it suffers from the same issues by proxy, but the owner skates them with poppies and 85mm cags, so I’m not entirely sure if clearance is actually a problem.

Why not just get a drop fork or a comp s if you’re on a budget?"

Now, here is a cool product.

This fork can work with RKP's, so, ymmv. But it's also 13°, making it ideal for 45° RKP's. 

And there are a lot of truck options as well. These are all available here, but, the only caveat is that this is an EU link, and unfortunately, not everybody can be able to get these trucks. But, clearly, you can get a lot of trucks. To make this list concise, I will only mention six trucks, using a set of characteristics to define them. 

1. The width (125mmish-143mmish MINIMUM)

2. The angle (45°ish/50°ish/55°ish/20°ish)

3. The construction (cast, forged, CNC)

1. Don't Trip Poppy (125mm, 45/55/20, CNC)

2. Exile Hydra (125mm, 45/55/20, CNC)

3. Valkyrie MK3.5 (145mm, 45/30, CNC)

4. Paris Savant (125mm, 50/43, Forged)

5. Bear Grizzly Gen 6 (130mm, 50/40/30, Cast)

6. SurfRodsz Grindsz/Hex (139mm, N/A, CNC)

7. Don't Trip BHanger (125mm, N/A, CNC)

(All of these trucks are just examples.)

Now obviously this is a very concise list. Nothing fancy or unique about this list, but I will say this: it's apparent that these trucks are common. Common, sometimes costly, but common nonetheless. 

All the trucks listed are an appropriate option within the suggested rubric, but, there are so many brands of trucks. So many different brands, styles, widths, angles, construction, rake, etc. My suggestion is to try as many truck options as you can. Each one will feel a little different. And that's the cool part, the experimentation.

My setup

But anyway, so yes, trucks, especially truck angles, can make the difference for your ride, like night and day. I think this is the coolest part about skating, which is all the different gear you can get, the stats, specs, and what have you. 

It's important to note: having it be too high of an angle could actually cause the kingpin to snap prematurely. At least for the truck I have, it's known for having issues with the kingpin. Either way, 70° is a LOT of angle, and is way too much anyway. 

Now, with all of this said, some people prefer different angles (65° or less). For going really fast, I prefer 59°, HOWEVER, I will say this: if I am going slower, I do like my angle to be something around 65°. Why? Well, because it's very pumpable at a slower speed. But when you start picking up some real speed, maybe that's when you should lower the front angle, and be more stable. For a pure performance "pusher", you know what I mean?

In all honesty though, it's user preference, and the feeling is very dependent on what kinda road/trail you are skating. But the sweet spot I found is between 58° - 65°, of course with varying speeds. But what do you think? Let me know by leaving a comment. Much love to you and your family, and Metta to your family and you!!

-Boardin Buddhist (or Brad)

Honest Review of the Seismic SpeedVents

They are a truly astounding;

outrageously good wheel!!

They are a wonderful wheel!!

Let me tell you why!

1. Their Size.

The Size is perfect. 85mm.

For reference, most Longboard Wheels are 70mm, so with the additional 15mm, these guys will plow over quite literally, anything. 

I like em because they're slightly smaller than my Abec11 ReFly wheels, but they're still insanely huge. 

2. Their Weight

They are a very light wheel. 

They measure at 8.6oz each.

3. The Core 

They feature a core, that is designed to go fast.  

From Seismic themselves:

The EC Hub, or Energy Conversion Hub. 

The 85mm by 52mm Seismic Speed Vent is molded around our proprietary Energy Conversion (EC) hub – the first tall, wide hub seen in longboarding and still second-to-none. The 85mm tire provides downhill roll speed, while the weight-saving hub adds the quickness and agility of a smaller wheel, as well as enhanced rebound. Combined with lips designed for pure grip, the Speed Vent stands in a class by itself.

4. The Graphic

It looks like a racecars wheels, and I really dig them. Plus, the color really makes them pop.

My experience:

They are VERY fast. The Speed Vents are my current go-to!!

My rating?

9/10

Keeping up with the Buddhist Philosophy

Keeping up with the Buddhist Philosophy

How does one do it? 

By constantly moving. By reading. By meditating. By being content with oneself. 

I just finished reading the Autobiography of a Yogi. It was pretty good, however, it was like reading something about Christianity near the end. But, I understand what the book was ultimately about. 

It was an introduction to Paramahansa Yogananda's life, but it was also about a man named Sri Yukteswar, who, when teaching Paramahansa, fulfilled a lot of his wishes. Sri Yukteswar was Paramahansa's guru, or, teacher. It featured writings of Yogananda's early life, early miracles. It also has a lot of, not prophecies per se. But it did have Yogananda's guru fulfill a plethora of almost magical requests.

One thing I didn't like about the book, I have to say, is that the book relied heavily on the Christian worldview; but on the other hand, I do know that often when Buddhists proclaim something about god (like, for example, that god created all things), that they're referring to god very vaguely. I wish it had more talk about Atheism in the Buddhist teachings, as opposed to literally citing Christian scriptures in some cases. It was very off-putting, to say the least for me. 

And yes, I also understand that a lot of the chapters of The Fellowship of Realization are based in the USA. I even understand that the majority of Americans are predominantly Christian. And I figured, like most would, that a lot of the readers would not even consider reading the book that had a lot of Atheist references/talking points. Because at the end of the day, most Buddhists are in fact Atheist as well.

It taught a lot about Kriya Yoga, a specific way to meditate, despite the book stating that a guru is necessary to learn about it. But like, at the same time, Kriya Yoga sounds like (to me anyway) a simple pattern of breathing whilst meditating. Meditating in general is fascinating to me anyway, because some people can do it for days, weeks, even months...

Often when talking about Buddhism, you hear about Christian/Buddhists. These people ARE very rare, but when found, they're similar to a divine force. Jesus Christ would make an excellent Buddhist. As would Mother Theresa. Ghandi, etc. 

They're good examples of outstanding people who overcame insurmountable odds. In fact, the Original Buddha meditated in a cave in India/Asia, for a couple of months. That's right, A Couple of Months.....

Overall though? I'd give the book a solid 6/10. It's not like this book is alone either, the Fellowship of Realization has several books, many authored by Yogananda. So I am neither concerned about my critical review, nor am I overtly challenged by said rating. I just think that if the book was more open to the possibility of Atheism, it would be more tolerable. 

Honest Review of the Ecolite Tail

The Ecolite T-Zero Bracket

The Ecolite T-Zero Bracket is a remarkably short and robust piece of equipment. According to its designer, John Fisher, the short design enhances its strength. With only one supporting arm, it was engineered to be unbreakable. The bracket was created to compete with other short, zero-degree truck brackets on the market, allowing it to hit a similar price point. When used with a long deck, the bracket helps prevent scraping while providing high top-end speed, especially when paired with stiffer bushings.

Unlike some other rear brackets, the T-Zero can deliver a very "surfy" feel when used with softer bushings, a characteristic that is particularly noticeable on shorter decks. This versatility in feel and speed, achieved by adjusting the bushings, is considered a significant advantage.

When it comes to the ride feel, the bracket offers a unique experience, particularly when customized with the right bushings. Many riders find that the pre-installed bushings, such as tall fat cones, are too stiff. However, swapping them out for softer ones, like Riptide Krank 93a barrels, can dramatically improve the experience for some riders, making the setup feel much more responsive and "surfy." This also allows the rider to initiate a pump at a lower speed. The bracket is praised for its ability to deliver a sublime ride once a substantial amount of speed is achieved. 

While harder bushings require more speed, the resulting ride is considered well worth the effort.

Manufacturing and Availability

Manufacturing the bracket has posed challenges for Fisher. The first two batches were machined in Texas, but he later turned to "globally sourced" online vendors who primarily used machine shops in China. Quotes from manufacturers in the USA, Mexico, and Korea were two to three times more expensive than those from China. One non-Chinese vendor even noted that the cost of their raw materials was higher than the finished, delivered price from the Chinese vendor, a common issue attributed to industry subsidies in China.

Unfortunately, the T-Zero bracket has been discontinued, though it is still available at Thane Life Skate Shop. Additionally, John Fisher sells a T-Zero Truck that can be mounted directly under a tapered deck or a fork/drop bracket. Softer bushings are highly recommended for the T-Zero Truck, as the pre-installed ones are often too hard for some riders. Unless a rider weighs 250-300 lbs or is consistently riding at very high speeds, changing the bushings to something softer, like those from Riptide or Seismic, is likely necessary.

Overall, the T-Zero bracket is a highly regarded piece of equipment. Its performance and adaptability are considered a significant upgrade over other options, like the TTS. It’s a simple design that offers a dramatic improvement in ride quality when paired with the right bushings.

I rate it a 9/10, and I am really looking forward to what he comes up with next!!

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.

Addendum: I now have (and consistently use) a regular washer. Why? Because it's loose, and I'm not going to any speeds where speed wobbles will affect me. 

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