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PHONE: 1-714-882-3406)
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S. M. A. THE SMALLEST COMPANY, P. O. BOX 5885, SANTA MONICA, CA 04
PRODUCT
How far has skateboarding come?
From clay wheels to urethane, from
2 x 4 to ultra-light concave decks;
It's still the same art of riding a board
with wheels.
Billed as the "Step into the Next
Generation," Santa Cruz Skate-
boards have come up with the
Airtech, an alternative to wooden
boards that make up the majority of
today's market. The Airtech features
an inner core of high density foam
surrounded by a coating of epoxy
glass. It is definitely the lightest
board on the market today. The Air
tech has concave, a spoon nose and
even a fliptail, unlike the composite
foam boards of the past, i.e. "Kryp-
tonics and Sims Phase III." It's an
older idea realized in a newer shape.
The Airtech does not claim to be
indestructable and, like any board,
will wear and eventually need to be
replaced. I would not recommend it
for street thrashers since it's more
of a controlled environment board,
(.e. ramps. pools) where abuse
tends not to be so harsh. I would
also recommend rails and skid plate,
and wood screws are a definite no,
use sex bolts.
I had to use lapper bolts as mount-
ing hardware because the board is
so thick, about 1. On ramps, the
Airtech felt very comfortable and
extremely light. With no shock
absorbing flex it's easier to get higher
because less pump is absorbed by
the board. After several heavy slams
this board showed little sign of
fatigue. Where a wood board just
might have delaminated, Airtech
seemed to bounce back and ask
for more. I hope they come up with
some new ideas along this line,
because lightness has much to do
with maneuverability.
The most important facts to
remember about the Airtech are: 1)
you cannot reshape or cut down this
Airtech with Tracker Ultra Lights,
Sims Nitros and Schmitt Stix.
PATROL
board in any way, 2) you are buying
an extremely light skateboard and
there is no warranty expressed or
implied for breakage due to wear,
and lastly your mounting hardware
or t-bolts should not be tightened
with power tools. Carefully hand
tighten each bolt or they will pull
through the deck and it will be dust.
Go to your nearest shop, feel how
light it is, ask how much it costs, and
figure out what you will be riding
people at Tracker have designed
what they think will solve all of those
broken baseplate problems. When I
think of plastic plates I think of
before you make the commitment to Bennetts with the old tri-hole pattern
the next generation." Time will tell that always broke. The idea of
whether or not foam boards are here sacrificing strength for weight is
to stay. It is good to know big one's own personal opinion, but I feel
companies are experimenting in more confident with metal under-
design and manufacturing so that neath me than plastic. These trucks
we can all move forward instead of seem very stable on a ramp where
stagnating with the norm.
they could be tightened for a smooth
ride, but when I rode them in the
street I found it difficult to turn sharply
and I could feel the trucks flex. The
bushings are good and hard and last
forever, but plastic bases will always
break before aluminum. The most
important thing is to try the trucks
before you buy them.
When I thought of lightness I said
light board, light trucks, naturally
thought of Tracker Ultra Lights with
the new reinforced baseplates. The
Gymnast plent, Jeff Hedges displays the Airtach.
I
The Schmitt Stix people have a
very good reputation and they don't
let it slide with the new Schmitt Stix
M. These nowest rails from one of
the oldest rail makers in the business
have a thicker sliding surface and
an inside edge for those hairy rail
grabbing maneuvers. Something to
dig your nails into. Same size, more
rail, same price. What more could you
ask for? Look and see for yourself.
Slamming is unavoidable but
Rector has you covered. Whether it
be knee pads, elbow or whatever,
these people know how to keep you
in one piece. When you fall hands
down the first thing hurt is your wrist
and with the new Wrist Guards the
impact will not be as devastating.
These are the latest in crash gear,
with a removable hard plastic shock
absorber, three velcro straps, and a
good combo of nylon, velcro and
leather. Remember, we don't want to
slam, but what goes around comes
around, be prepared, not sorry.
Sims has one of the most
consistent product lines. With their
new ramp/pool whool, the Nitro (a
bit narrower than the 63's that were
so popular) they are definitely on the
right track. Narrower wheels are
lighter and have a smaller riding
surface which causes less friction
on the ramp/pool. The 97 durometer
is ideal for fresh masonite and
smooth concrete. Like Blurrs or
Bullets, I recommend using wider
trucks because these center-set
wheels need more space between
them. Unlike Bullets or Blurrs, the
outer radili are smooth, making on/off
coping transition easier and slides
much smoother since the edges
don't bite. Use an old axle to get the
bearings in because they are so hard.
Nice wheels, check 'em out soon.
Any mail or comments on products
write Product Patrol c/o THRASHER
MAGAZINE, PO. Box 884570, San
Francisco, CA 94188-4570,