what should i do to make my board better?

Brian Peck · Post by **Brian Peck** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:14 pm

i'm just getting into slalom and haven't done too much riding. i originally bought this board for cruising and transportation due to its size, but since my recent interest i've been using it as my slalom board. thing is, it's currently not really set up for slalom. i'm looking for some opinions better than mine on what i should do and/or purchase to make it ride better.

Arbor Pocket Rocket deck
26" x 7.25" with a wheelbase of 17"
Randall II 150mm trucks
front truck is angled, rear one isn't
Kryptonics wheels, 65mm 82a
generic bearings, etc, etc

i figure Randall IIs aren't good slalom trucks at all, will i have to replace them altogether? my friend recommended i switch off the rear baseplate for a Randall Downhill one...would that work, along with a bushing swap on the front truck? any suggestions are appreciated, thanks guys.

Justin Pannulla · Post by **Justin Pannulla** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 10:35 pm

More narrow trucks would probably be a good idea, and ive never tried kryptonics for slalom (most people ive seen use the square-profile wheels, i think they grip better)
But hey, dont take it from me, im not that good, im sure a skilled rider will be in here soon to make a few suggestions!

(By the way, I really like that deck, its got a nice shape,and it looks very nimble.)

Brian Peck · Post by **Brian Peck** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:06 pm

yeah basically i saw this complete at the local skate shop and it was so damn pretty i just bought it. didn't realize its kind of small for my size 13 feet :-x but it cruises nice and i'm (quite obviously) trying to get it set up for some slalom. thanks for the help.

Jeff Goad · Post by **Jeff Goad** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:58 am

burn it!

Christopher Bara · Post by **Christopher Bara** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 4:10 am

yeah, i'd say that wont be a good board either Brian. The wheelbase is too short, the board isnt something your can pump, the trucks are too wide and the wheels are for carving....You'd be best to part it out on Ebay....the wheels may not pull much, but you'll get something like 35.00 for the trucks and Arbor boards bring good money....take the cash and buy yourself a nice starter board....maybe a wood pocket pistol complete of something like that

Brian Peck · Post by **Brian Peck** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 5:43 am

alright dudes, thanks for the help anyways

Wes Eastridge · Post by **Wes Eastridge** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:14 am

Yo, Brian, I think it has some potential. Get some appropriate trucks and wheels, set the rear truck back some (maybe under the kicktail, like the way it's on a Sk8kings AXE), and you'll have yourself a slalom board.

Jonathan Harms · Post by **Jonathan Harms** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:24 pm

Brian, there's some truth to both sides of the argument. Your board is not ideal for slalom as it's currently set up, but it could work OK with the right equipment. Whether you decide to upgrade some parts or to get an all-new deck may depend on how much you want to spend.

If cost is not a big deal, get yourself a new complete setup like the sk8kings Axe www.sk8kings.com or the Bahne Blackhill www.bahneskateboards.com or a Pocket Pistols E-series complete www.pocketpistolskates.com . All are good setups for a decent price.

If cost does matter or you want to just upgrade some parts to make it a better slalom rig, try to find some Avalons, Manx or ABEC11 Grippins in a low-80s durometer, and a pair of Tracker RT-X/RT-S or Indy 101 trucks. Your board is a bit on the short side, but for learning to pump, a short wheelbase is actually easier than a long one. You can always upgrade later.

One final suggestion: See if you can contact Joe Iacovelli via this forum. He lives in Connecticut too, has tons of slalom stuff and always likes to help new riders. I'd bet he might have some lightly used stuff that he'd sell you for a good price, or heck, he might even lend you something to take home and try.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:12 pm

Christopher Bara wrote:yeah, i'd say that wont be a good board either Brian. The wheelbase is too short, the board isnt something your can pump, the trucks are too wide and the wheels are for carving....You'd be best to part it out on Ebay....the wheels may not pull much, but you'll get something like 35.00 for the trucks and Arbor boards bring good money....take the cash and buy yourself a nice starter board....maybe a wood pocket pistol complete of something like that

You are kidding right? This guy's board will be the bee's knees for tight slalom. If anything the shape is a touch too wide but with size 13 feet he will be fine. Properly setup this will be one of the best TS decks out there, better than anything slalom specific. 17" wb is PPEEERRRFFFEEEECCCTTTT for TS as are the rest of the dimensions of this deck.

Brian do this...
- Get some Indy 109s or Tracker RT-X/S (106mm), wedge the front one like you have it and the rear one the same angle as the front (thin part of the wedge nose-ward).

- Get some Seismic/3dm Avalons, 80a white ones for front and back OR some Abec 11 Grippins in 81a.

- Put some clear grip tape on the top and you will be ready to rock cones 6' and under. It won't be a GS board but it will be killer for tight slalom and/or tighter hybrid courses.

Brian Peck · Post by **Brian Peck** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:24 pm

there's already grip tape on top, its hard to see, clear grip. i'll look into getting some Tracker trucks, another guy via PM suggest the RTS/X combo. i have the other wedge riser laying around, i wasn't sure which way it should go in the back, i'll be sure to do the same thing i did in the front. i'll definitely contact Joe about some wheels, i've talked to him a few times and a couple of my friends have skated with him before. thanks for all the help guys.

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