PRODUCT
PATROLI
chris miller
Because manufacturers need to
keep up with the demand for new
shapes, graphics and concave
designs, most of the products we
receive are new decks. Although you
may not want to hear it, what you are
riding now may be out-dated in the
near future. Larger, more established
companies tend to be more cautious
as far as innovation and design
changes go. Also, due to their large
inventories, these companies
sometimes take old, outdated
shapes, re-cut them, apply new
graphics and re-introduce them to the
marketplace. The point of all
this: as a skater you shouldn't feel
cheated when the board you just pur-
chased comes out with redesigned
shape and new graphics a month
later. In most cases, the wood that you
paid for is the same as the new stuff
and there is no law that says you can't
redesign your old deck into a newer
updated version.
Gordon and Smith have been
making skate parts for as long as I can
remember. Their marketing team
knows what sells boards. They have
good shapes with quality construc-
tion and an excellent packaging and
promotion angle. They change their
graphics at least once a year. They
have mini boards (the future market),
and they have pro riders in three
countries (U.S.A., England and Den-
mark). So you can figure that they sell
big in those markets.
SPLASH DOWN CONTROL
The new Chris Miller models come
in two different shapes with different
graphics. One has a pointed nose
and the other has a blunt nose for
heavy impact riders and wall slams.
It seems that these decks have been
cut from the same blanks because
the measurements are the same:
30% long, 10" wide, with 3%" of
nose, 6% tail and a 15½"
wheelbase. Another new G&S deck
Chano
on
is the Nicky Guerrero. Its measur
ments are: 30%" long, 10" wide,
3" of nose, 6" of tail and a 15%
"wheelbase. These decks all have
full coverage paint jobs and rounded
edges. They also have the slight, tri-
concave tail that is now so popular.
Front wheel wells and a smooth, up-
turned nose are also featured. Nice
to see more good products from
G&S, 7081 Consolidated Way, San
Diego, CA 92121.
The new mini Sam Cunningham
from Blockhead must be made by
a different manufacturer than other
Blockhead decks because this board
is top notch. All Blockhead docks are
available in either epoxy/glass or
seven-ply stained finish. This con-
cave looks similar to the new Madrid
concave with a steep tail that kicks
up another inch or so for maximum
foot placement. Front wheel wells
and an excellent stain job make it
quite the eye catcher. The dimen-
sions are: 29% long. 9%4" wide,
3½" of nose, 6%" of tail and a 15"
wheelbase. Blockhead, 102 Lincion
St., Roseville, CA 95681.
Uncle Wiggley makes an
epoxy/glass board. Epoxy/glass is
very strong, but also gives the deck
a flexibility that wood boards don't
have. I think this deck is called
Vicky's Street, at least that's what the
graphics say. By the way, this deck
has graphics that most parents will
detest and that the under-fifteen
crowd and mass murderers might go
for. The deck has a classic "surf"
shape except that it has an extra wide
hip area to ward off the "snap syn-
drome." A pointed nose and nice
concave make it more than ridable.
Specs: 30½" long, 10" wide, 3%"
of nose, 6½" of tail and a 15"
wheelbase. If you like flexibility and
strength, Uncle Wiggley has the pro-
duct for you. UWS, 8670 Miramar
Rd., Suite M, San Diego, CA 92126.
Vision is the latest company to join
the longboard ranks with their Live
to Skate, Skate to Live deck. It's a
three-footer and a quality tool with a
standard shape and a comfortable
concave. The graphics-a mish-
mash of Sid Vicious, cops, skulls,
guitars, anarchy symbols and even
a public service message-are an
eyesore, but give it a look when you
are browsing for that new long stick.
Numbers are: 35%" long, 9%" wide,
3% of nose, 6%" of tail and a 201
"wheelbase. Vision, 1711 Whittier
Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
The only non-deck product we
received this month is a set of the
new Thunder 170mm Dominator.
A new pinched-off, spoon-like hanger
and lighter baseplates make these
trucks sleeker and stronger than
anything previous. Thunders come
with Supercush bushings and a
variety of baseplates to choose from.
The ones we got had axes and
salamanders on them. Better turn-
ing and lighter, how can you go
wrong with Thunders? The trucks of
NEW
light
7-RolleR
the gods. Thunder, PO Box 884413,
San Francisco, CA 94138.
Send products to be reviewed, lists
of products you'd like to see review-
ed and general gripes to: THRASHER
Magazine, Product Patrol, c/o Jake,
PO Box 884570, San Francisco, CA
94188-4570. We'll keep you covered.
106
Name,
Address.
NEW
7-P19
City.
State.
Zip.
Qty
SuperCush
Suspension
SKATER MARK GONZALES
Please enclose check or money order payable to: Supercush,
PO. Box 884234, S.F., CA 94188. Include $50 for shipping.
90 Durometer (Pkg. of 2)
ea. 1.75
94 Durometer (Pkg. of 2)
ea. 1.75
97 Durometer (Pkg. of 2)
ea. 1.75
N fastest bearings oiled GMN German precision Z
Z Products, PO Box 5397, Santo Morico, CR00405 (213) 476-4857
Z
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