PRODUCT PATROL
A Complete
Disregard For
The Rear End
While the revolution of the
skateboard nose has been
quick and understandable,
its overdevelopment has
led to a complete dis-
regard for the rear end of
the plank. I think everyone
wants a kicknose, but the
major companies are over-
looking the starting point
of the revolution. They
should realize skateboards
don't need the same "foot
hook" tail that has worked
for years. The tail should
be long and even for maxi-
mum ollie pop and have
plenty of room for the foot
30 THRASHER MAGAZINE
to find a home. What I
hope to see in the future
are noses and tails that
are symmetrical in steep-
ness, length and width. As
I've said before, we are the
forefront of a new genera-
tion, so let's get with the
program, demand the best
and let them sell that old
stuff somewhere else.
Acid Rain Wheels
Toxic Skates, P.O. Box 527,
Ocean City, MD 21892
Toxic wheels, man oh man, what to
do with these lumps? This wheel
was slow, heavy and altogether bad.
It has an okay shape, but as far as
rideability and functionality go, get
out of town. These 95A/59mm
wheels are truly a waste of time. The
decks are a little better, but not
much. The Dave Crabb and Ken
Fillion models are basically the same
board. Generic concave and totally
bland shapes make these products
flea market bound. This type of stuff
is made to sell, not ride. When I see
kids who don't know any better pay-
ing top dollar for a sub-standard
product it makes me puke.
Julien Stranger
S.M.A., 4401 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA 95073
Santa Cruz makes three concaves: the Cruz Missile 2, Twin Kick and
Cruz Control. While you would think that would lead to confusion, it is
actually a great way to make boards for all types of riders. The Cruz
Missile 2 is the one that I feel the most comfortable with. The SMA Julian
Stranger is the one that I chose to best represent what I am talking about
in the opening paragraph. The Stranger is a smooth addition to the SMA
line. The concave features a mid-board dip that enables you to "sink"
your front foot into a turn and feel the increased tuming radius. The top is
32.25" long, 10.25" wide, with the standard 6.75" tail and either 5.5" or
6" of nose and a 14.5" or 14" wheelbase. (I recommend max nose
length with the 14" wheelbase.) The word on the street is that the graph-
ics are a little too much for middle America, since they are mistaking the
syringe concept as "drug related." I
think they are missing the point. It
means that skating is the drug and
his deck is the tool of choice. If
your shop doesn't carry it write to
N.H.S and look into a tool of the
stuntman's trade.
America. While most skate com-
panies stay in the sunbelt,
Minnesota is about as far as you
I can get from the glamour and
hype of, say, California. The
boys sent me a model from a
guy I have never heard of, Frank
Nova, which leads me to believe
that this guy Frank must have
some local reputation. I think
this is a little on the small side,
but it holds up commendably
well for a product from an
unknown company. The Molotov
is 32.25" long and 9.75" wide. It
features an 8-hole pattern up
front for big nose or mega nose,
and a 6.5" tail. The brochure
Molotov, P.O. Box 50003, Minne- says it costs only $40 plus ship-
apolis, MN 55405
ping, which is a hell of a deal in
Molotov is the name of a com- my book. Write to Molotov and
pany from the heartland of let 'em know I sent ya.
Frank Nova
Mario Rubalcaba
Bryce Kanights
Dogtown, P.O. Box 880787, San
Francisco, CA 94188
B.K. on Dogtown; I heard it and at
first I could not believe it. Then,
when I saw the board, I said,
"Yee haa." The guy has been
around for a long time and this
deck is truly a step into his
future. Paul Schmitt's New Deal
decreed that B.K. was "too old"
and they wanted "new" skaters.
The name B.K. will sell boards
long after the "new" kids hang
up skating and play badminton.
This deck is a sturdy, big all
around doomsday machine. It
checks in at just under 33" long
and a little over 10" wide. Add a
6" nose and a 7" tail and you got
da shit. Who says you can't
teach an old dog new tricks?
Alva Skates, 32991-F Calle Aviador, San Juan
Capistrano, CA 92675
Alva is back on track with a new
kicknose and "young guns" Mark
Hostetter and Mario Rubalcaba.
Alva, who made "The Fish" and "The
Dolphin" household names, is back
again as a company to be reckoned
with. This Mario deck is long and
thin with an excellent uni-directional
shape for all-terrain terrorizing. The
wood is hard and gives the rider a
sturdy feeling under their feets. The
Mario is here to stay. Numbers:
32.25 by 9.75", with 6.25" of nose,
a 6.5" tail and a 14.5" wheelbase.
Alva-then, now, always.
MARIO
Well, there it is, the first trip of 1991-down the aisle
for a close inspection into the ever-amazing world of
skate paraphernalia. Keep it comin'. Over and out.
Jake Phelps, c/o Thrasher, P.O. Box 884570, San
Francisco, CA 94188-4570.
-Jake Phelps
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