Bamboo or Carbon?

I just recvd my new Carbon and the board is pretty stiff compared to my old boosted. I definitely felt it in my feet and ankles after a couple of miles. Does this go away over time or should I get the Bamboo instead?

 

never been on the carbon - but rode my Bamboo for hours with no pain or aches (smooth surfaces would also help)

 

On smaller harder wheels and rougher pavement I feel my feet going numb on the Carbon sooner than Bamboo. That said, I wouldn't give up the extra range of the Carbon especially with a V2 remote. If you're not already, perhaps try some larger softer wheels if it's doable for you.

 

What wheels are you riding with? The street 83mm ones will rattle you and the board to death unless its perfectly smooth. Moving up to the 97mm are a must for a plusher ride. Better with the AT setup. I'm not going back to the 83mm, wish 97mm came stock.

 

yes it was with the stock wheels.

 

Here's some pics of my 97mm ABEC clones. They ride really nice and they're cheap as long as you buy an extra set of Evolve ABEC street drives and modify/file them down to fit the wheel hubs/spokes. Was liking and riding with my 90mm clones, but the 97mm offer another level of cushion / shock absorbing feature compared to the 90mm, and twice that of the 83mm. Note that the belt covers won't fit with the 97mm clones, not sure if the ABEC Flywheels clear or not, I have a set of those to but they're on my other boards. Its actually better to run without the belt covers, they scoop pebbles and crap into your belt/gears. Then you need to take off the covers to remove the pebble. Easier to adjust the belts, ez access.

 

Thank you for the post. I def need to do something to dampen the ride. Ill give it a try.

 

I have the genuine 97mm wheels and can confirm that you can ride with the belt covers on. I haven't tried any of the clones but I can say the genuine 97mm 75a Flywheels are incredible. I've heard most of the clones are made of a really hard duro - some even said 99a. Are yours softer than the Evolve wheels? Could you link your clones for those interested?

 

All the clones I've had come in around 78a, never had anything harder than that and I went through different clones. Don't know the exact durameter on the Evolve 83mm wheels, but they are very soft. Softer than the 78a so possibly 75a or softer. You can get the clones with ABEC 7 bearings and spacers all packaged together for under $29. With the ABEC 7 bearings I sometimes get a bad bearing blowing out after a couple weeks, I then replace that with a spare and good to go. I typically run ABEC 9 bearings which I can get 16 for $3.99 and they last longer and are better, hence the 9 rating. But I'm not complaining about getting the ABEC 7 bearings for free.

Here's a couple of links on the 97mm clones via ebay:

FREE SHIPPING Black Longboard Flywheels 97mm x 52mm + ABEC 7 Bearing + Spacer | eBay

Here's the full search:
97mm longboard wheels | eBay

 

The Evolve wheels are 76a. My Flywheels are 75a - though they feel a lot softer than the Evolve wheels (maybe because of the added urethane). If the clones are actually 78a, then they are 100% worth the price - especially with the scarcity of the Abecs.

 

I measured the ABEC flywheels and the ABEC clones. None are exactly 52mm width as they advertise, the Fly's are close to 51.5mm and the Clones are close to 52.5mm, so a full 1mm difference between them and hence why the clones don't fit with the covers on. I actually prefer a wider wheel, like the Evolve 83mm. The height of the Fly's and clones are the same.

 

The width is all preference. The 12mm reduction in contact patch from the Evolve wheels to the flywheels made it so much easier to carve. I love the smaller width - its up to you if you want more grip or better carving.

 

Ge

Get the AT wheels you will never look back