Tried & True - March, 2017

WORDS & PHOTOS Jake Grove

Welcome to our March, 2017 edition of Tried & True. Through this #freshestofthefresh monthly product feature, we are excited as ever to showcase some new, classic, innovative, as well as top-quality skate gear from across the industry—gear that we’ve tried ourselves and found to be true to a quality skateboarding experiences. Sit back, relax, and check out a few of our favorite skate goods for this March:

Rayne “Deelite Bromance”

The Rayne Deelite Bromance deck is a uniquely designed downhill board with near everything one could ask from a downhill inclined longboard. At 39″ long, 9.5″ wide, and with an adjustable wheelbase from 23.5″ to 26.5″, the Bromance has plenty of room for all types of riders. Rayne’s signature deep tub concave combined with the micro drop of this deck keeps riders locked in and provides plenty of reference points for ultimate board feel, while the practical kicktail lends the Bromance the ability to truly “skate everything”. Another feature that stands out with the Deelite Bromance is the unique build; made with Speed-Stiff construction featuring the Fatbottom Core and Pre-tensioned Triaxial Fiberglass, the Deelites are some of the lightest and yet strongest boards on the market.

The Bromance is an ideal board for multiple downhill and freeride applications as mentioned above, as it’s 39″ length and proportionately sized kicktail opens the doors to all around sliding, slashing, and popping. This board is built to last with its deelite construction, and we’ve found the deelite series to withstand wear, tear, and skater abuse time and time again.

We recommend hopping on the Deelite Bromance with some 180mm/10″ reverse kingpin trucks and a larger 78-83a wheel around 70-75mm for Downhill and Racing, or 65-70mm for freeride and other such pursuits.

Check out the Bromance here!

Bear “Kodiak” Trucks

The Bear Kodiak Trucks are an affordable alternative to traditional Precision downhill skateboarding trucks, and are one of the lightest non-precision trucks available. This is possible with Bear’s forged build of the Kodiak, and the precision machined axels in this truck eliminate wheel play for more stability at higher speeds. Meanwhile, an entirely re-designed bushing seat improves the overall feel, stability and responsiveness of a downhill setup, and the included 90a, 92a, and 94a tall bushings allow riders to dial in their setup right out of the box; the included 99a shim bushing also lets this truck run a standard 15mm bushing. All of this downhill goodness is tied together in a laser etched wooden Bear box just as classy as the truck itself.

We recommend using the Bear Forged Kodiaks on most any downhill and ferried setups where precision, stability, and durability are required without the high price tag of standard precisions. We’ve run kodaks under our downhill setups for a little while now, and are truly impressed by the ability to dial in these trucks to individual rider’s preference.

Check out the Kodiak Trucks here!

R.A.D. “Feathers” Wheels

The R.A.D. Feathers are an ideal freeride wheel, with a nimble shape, rounded profile, and buttery smooth urethane formula. These wheels are 63mm tall, have a 34mm contact patch, and are offered in both 82a and 84a durometers. Just like the surrounding RAD lineup, the Feather uses the superior crown core to support itself, and with its centerset placement provides even wear through its entire life.

We recommend these R.A.D Feathers for any and every ferried pursuit be it fast, flowy or anything in between. With the smaller 63mm size, we’ve tried these wheels on a wide variety of setups, and they do not dissapoint.

Check out more from R.A.D. here!

Rainskates “Black Rain” Wheels

The Black Rain wheels by Rainskates have been designed, tested, and proven to handle bowls and transition riding with speed, but provide optimal grip as well. The 60mm and 63mm options both provide a great roll speed with their 101a durometer, 39mm width, and 24mm contact patch. The machine grooved contact patch provides a greater sense of grip when first riding in less grippy surfaces such as slick concrete, masonite, and more. The double conical shape of this wheel also means that on pool coping, curbs, and other grind-able surfaces the wheel will not hookup and allows for a faster pool grind as well. This is the fastest Rainskate wheel yet, and we’re excited to have them rolling under us on our pool setups.

We’ve been putting Rainskates wheels to the test for years, ever since our good friend and old school pool shredder Brad Edwards recommended them to us, and to this day Rainskates continues making some of the best pool and transition wheels, as well as some super rad freeride shapes. Rainskates builds wheels by skaters for skaters, and although not one of the larger wheel brands out there, these wheels are top quality and built to perform.

Check out the Black Rain wheels here!

Muirskate “Beasto” Bearings

Muirskate.com is always pushing rad products under the boards of skaters far and wide, and ensures that everything they carry is both tried and true by their crew of skaters. With their custom complete longboards, Muir has included their signature Beasto Bearings for years, and continues to maintain a top quality design in these builtin bearings. The Beastos are a Abec 7 rated bearing with a built in spacer and speedring; crafted out of high quality steel and with precisely pressed in rubber seals to keep dirt out, the Beastos will outlast many bearings at an equal price point.

Scott Lembach, the man behind Muir, has redesigned these bearings several times to dial in just what aggressive downhill riding requires, and we’re stoked to see the latest versions holding our setups together and keeping them rolling fast. These bearings come at a very affordable price point for all skaters, and we recommend them for all pursuits and setups that require a bearing spacer.

Check out the Beasto Bearings here!

S1 “Lifer Full-Face” Helmet

S 1 Helmet Co Lifer Full-Face provides the same deep fitting design, feel, and unparalleled protection of the standard open-face Lifer helmet, but with all the added protection and comfort of increased full face coverage. Designed by downhill skateboarders in the local Malibu hills and across the world, his new full face downhill skateboarding helmet is certified CPSC for high impact as well as ASTM for multiple impact. Each helmet includes a clear and tinted visor, 2 thicknesses of cheek pads, 3 sets of sizing liners—so you can size up or down—a sticker sheet, and a helmet bag. The Lifer Full-Face comes in a range of sizes starting at a gromy XS all the way through to a Frankenshredder 3XL. Wanna color-coordinate your shoes, sunglasses, gloves, eyes, or ‘thane color with your helmet? Well, the new Lifer Full-Face has got you covered with the widest range of color options we’ve ever seen form a production full face helmet: Black Matte, Black Gloss, White, Grey Matte, Red Gloss, Silver Glitter, Black Glitter, Tan Gloss, Maroon Matte, Navy Matte, Purple Matte, Cyan Matte, Orange, Dark Green Matte.

We really like this new downhill skateboarding helmet and believe that the S1 Helmet Co. team has successfully combined style, confort, and safety with this new Lifer Full-Face. After putting it though it’s paced on our local hills we particularly appreciated the comfort level provided by it’s deep-set fit, the fact that the visor flips up and down easily and sits snuggly against the helmet face, thus limiting excess wind or rattle noise; and we also appreciate the fact that the ample chin/mouth coverage provided by this new full face gave us a bit more confidence on the hill. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that S1 Helmet’s rigorous dedication to skater protection has made this helmet one of the most safety-certified full-face helmets on the market. Sexy & Safe! Yes please.

Check out the S1 Lifer Full Face Helmet here!

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Thanks again for tuning in to our March, 2017 edition of Tried & True! Be sure to check back next month for another collection and fresh skate related products!