Leaping in New
new wheels
Directions.
BLOCKHEAD 102 Lincoln St. Roseville, CA 95678
SKATES
Phone 916-782-2102
A
M
PRODUCT STICHER EXPRESS
PATROL
VISION
STREET
WEAR
TRACKER
by Jake Phelps
Trucks are the heart of your
skateboard. Like the heart in your
body, they pump life into your board.
Why do I say pump? I mean turn, and
to turn is to live. A lot of skaters tend
to ride their trucks so tight that if you
stand on their board and rock to one
side, it will fall over. Turning is the
secret to good skating. If you have
to tic-tac to go around a corner you
should try loosening them up a bit.
Trucks have come a long way from
the nut and bolt action-type trucks of
yesteryear. Now you can choose from
hard, medium or soft bushings of dif-
ferent sizes and materials. Anyway
you look at it, they do the same job.
A few months ago, we reviewed the
Z-Roller Truk. The first ones were a
little bit bulky and sluggish, so the
company redesigned them and
came up with a more streamlined
product. These new models have a
metal rolling pin instead of plastic, so
they don't look much different from
"normal" trucks. The idea is great-
never hang up on a beefy grind and
grind everywhere, although you're
not really grinding, you're rolling!
These seem to be stronger than the
first ones. Z-Products has used the
same small axle nut on this newly
designed truck so that you only have
to use one tool for all the hardware.
One interesting point is that the
kingpin sticks straight up out of the
baseplate (perpendicular). This
seems to go against normal truck
theory and may be why these trucks
still seem a little sluggish for quick,
tight carves and such. They recom-
mend 14" riser pads for a lower
center of gravity. Drop a line to
Z-Products, PO Box 5397, Santa
Monica, CA 90405.
Another new truck making the
scene was sent to us by L.A. Skate
Company. These trucks look like a
quick copy of Ventures; the same
hanger design but a little beefier
base plate. The set we tried look like
the standard 160mm size. They ride
evenly and turn sharply, however the
bushings have no rebound. L.A.
Skate Trucks are made in the USA.,
which any way you look at it is better
than cheap Taiwan crap. Send a
letter for more info to LA. Skate
Company, 1122 E. Colorado Street,
Glendale, CA 91205
Also out on the market are a variety
of Rannalli trucks. The Rannallis we
tried look strong because they have
a meaty hanger ring and pivot area.
At least they didn't break while we
rode 'em. Ranallis come in many dif-
ferent colors and feature removable
kingpins and Ranalli bushings.
These trucks suffer from the same
syndrome as the L.A. SK8 truck's;
stock bushings. If a company goes
to the trouble of making trucks they
should set them up with quality
bushings. For a pair of your own con-
tact G&F Products, 1273 South
Wright Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Look into these new parts at your
local shop, and if you see someone
riding trucks you haven't seen or tried
before, ask to ride them. The worst
they can do is say no. And remember,
if you ride tight trucks, go to a hill,
loosen 'em up and enjoy the feeling
of cruising and carving. You'll be at
better skater for it.
New stuff: Jeff Hartsell, mini-Fred
Smith, Craig Johnson and John
Gibson, all from Alva. Next month:
Dogtown revisited, the new line.
Send your questions/answers
and/or new products to Product
Patrol, c/o Jake, PO Box 884570, San
Francisco, CA 94188-4570.
BILL
G&S
Lifez a Beach...
BONES
ZORLAC
Also all:
Day Schmitt
Stix
CAUL
BONED
Яни
Banco Brigade
NOSO
PASK
xv
Rescopi Kendal Joe Lopes Jeff Grosso Slasher Per Wielender Eddie Ratogul Zogs Sex Wax
Send $5 for any eight (8) stickers of your choice. Circle your choices or list on a saca-
rate sheet of paper. Be sure to include your name and address. Single sticker = $1
MAIL TO: STICKER EXPRESS, 218 Pacific (Box 68), Morro Bay, CA 93442
PRO-DESIGNED
PO 925213
HOUSTON TX 77292
1.719-987-0341
KNEE PADS
THREE GRADES AVAILABLE
FIRM GREAT FOR RAMPS 6000
MED SUPER ALL PURPOSE 7000
SOFT GOOD FOR STREET 5000
SIZES SML ADD5.00 P&H
ALLOW 3-6 WK.S MONEY ORDER
CASHIER OR CERTIFIED CHK.
(TX RESIDENTS ADD 14%)
CANADIAN RES
ADD 10.00 PHY
PD
PRO
DESIGNED
SKATE POS
PRO-DESIGN
No
STEN!
T-SHIRT.CO
STICKER 1.00