Cunningham
OLDER
BLOCKHEAD
SKATES
102 LINCOLN ST. ROSEVILLE CA 95678 916-782-2102 STICKERS INFO-
PRODUCT
Last month we called on more
manufacturers to send different pro-
ducts, and they did. As a result, this
month's Patrol features three unique
board designs as well as some often
overlooked products worthy of closer
scrutiny. First let's look at some new
boards and wheels that you should
be seeing on the shelves, soon, if you
haven't already.
PATROL
MOPIDO
more stability and easy grinding ac-
tion. I haven't ridden them long
enough to tell you how they wear-
maybe next ish. G&S, 5111 Santa Fe
St., San Diego, CA 92109.
Go into any shop around where
you live, and you'll see that a good
portion of the merchandise is
"trinkets" such as lappers, rails,
The Schmitt Stix Yardstick is the
new king of the over 30" set. Featur-
ing the famous Schmitt concave and
solid construction, this board is a
must for any skater's quiver. It has a
basic ATV shape at the nose and tail
with extended rail length just before
the back truck. The steep tail and
ample nose area make it a quality A few issues back we mentioned
board for streets, ramps or just a that experimentation with lighter than
cruise. The graphics are just what the wood materials is coming along and
name suggests-a yardstick-so you that foam boards may one day
can hold it up on the edge of the dominate the market. The G&S
ramp to see how high your airs are. Fiberlite Series is along this line. It
The measurements: obviously 36" seems to be constructed of a high
long, a little over 9.5" wide, 4" of density, close-celled, foam material
nose, 6.75" of tail and one of the with strong layers of bi-directional
longest wheel bases on the market epoxy fiberglass on either side, line. The boards look like they're
195. This is the current cream of the although there is no indication on the made by the same people that press copers, bushings and bearings. Let's
longboard crop. I'm gonna keep this card that comes with the board. Alva decks, with a stained top and talk about the new GMN German oil-
board, and I know when you see one, This board is basically the same bottom layer and natural wood inside. ed bearings available from Z Pro-
you'll crave also. Schmitt Stix, 1711 shape as the large Billy Ruff 7-ply These are top quality with a medium- ducts. Many skaters take their bear-
Whittier Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627 wood board, just under 31" long. dished mid-section to nose concave. ings for granted, running the same
9.75" wide, 3.75" of nose, 6.5" of tail However, this is not the most old set even when they get new.
and a 15.5" wheel base. The edges noticeable thing about the Mondo wheels. Do yourself a favor next time
are protected by a sturdy, 65D ure- design. What you'll notice im- you change your 'thanes. Ask the
thane rim around the entire board. mediately is the ultra steep, triangle shop geek to pull you out a set of
As stated on the warranty card, concave in the tail. It is comfortable these German oilers. They come ten
three basic rules apply: 1. No wood once you get used to it and very to a packet, wrapped in plastic and
screws, 2. Do not use power tools to responsive when you sink your feet swimming in a coat of light oil. You'll
install your components, and 3. Your into sharp turns and ollie pops. The feel the difference whether you're
Fiberlite is not indestructable and will lack of wheel wells provides extra pushing down the sidewalk or pum-
eventually have to be replaced. With strength, and the sharp Mondo ping a ramp for every inch of air.
this in mind, ask yourself the same designed logo and basic fish design Remember, wheels can only be as
question: do you opt for lightness (the make this board quite an eye catcher. good as the bearings you put in 'em.
Fiberlite weighs in at 2.5 pounds) or One noticeable point, whether good 2 Products, PO Box 5397, Santa
choose the durability of wood? It or bad, is that the tail does not come Monica, CA 90405.
comes with a 65D urethane tail saver straight off the rear mounting holes; To keep gliding smooth, Variflex
which is a must-use item. Rails are instead, it is flat for about 12" before makes bearing lubricant in a lube
highly recommended for durability the kicktail begins. The stats: just tube. It's easy to apply and it makes
and extended wear. Next question: about 29.75" long, 10.5" wide, 2.5" even the noisiest of bearings purr like
with all the plastic and protective ac- of nose, 6.25" of tail, 6.75", and a a sleeping kitten. The package
cessories, is it really that much lighter 15.25" wheel base. Check this out. claims that it lubricates, penetrates
than a bare bones 7-ply maple deck? G&S have always boasted a good and stops rust, even displaces water.
Answer: since most skaters use rails, line of wheels over the years. In the How can you go wrong? If you live
tail savers, nose protection, etc., we'd seventies there were Zonkers and where it rains a lot or ride in harsh
have to say yes, but not by much. The Rollerballs (remember those totally conditions, you should get a tube for
ride is nice with a good, responsive round balls?). The early '80's saw the your tool kit. Variflex, 9644 Lurline
feel, though it seems to twist from 50/50 colors and more recently the Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311.
nose tail more than a 7-ply wood 3-Guys pro-designed models. Now Write to Product Patrol clo Jake at
board. The packaging behind this is they're at it again. When I saw the 58 THRASHER Magazine, PO. Box
excellent and I'm sure it will sell. mm, 90A durometer Bam Bams, 1 884570, San Francisco, CA
This month's batch of decks also thought. "these will be good," and 94188-4570. Let me know what you
includes the new Mondo-designed I wasn't let down. Smooth ride, good ride, what's hot and what's not, so I
deck. Mondo is the madman who did shape and even slidability. Personal- can find out where smart shoppers
all of the airbrushing for Alva ly, I like smaller wheels for the and skaters are. Thanks again for
Skates-and now he has his own street-lower to the ground with your correspondence and feedback.
SCHMITT STIX
109