Help/Questions Regarding the Bamboo GT

Hello to all fellow Evolvers, I am new to the Bamboo GT 2 in 1 and it's also my first time trying this interest. I've gotten my bamboo GT last week and yesterday is the only time where I tried the board for almost 2 hours. I've read and try researching some reviews regarding about speed wobbles and also tend to adjust the trucks to what I feel is comfortable in ECO mode. I am also in the AT wheels.

The questions I want to ask is that what is

1) the difference between ABEC 11 flywheels 97mm 75a and 78a.
I know it's regarding about softer and harder but I am thinking of getting the 75a but mostly out of stock and I am only left with 78a choice.

2) anyone ever tried the GT series with the 80mm Orangatan Kegels wheels 80a or 83a wheels. What are the pros and cons. (I like the colors)

3) I know we are using the double trucks which have one nearer to the wheel and one nearer to the deck. I only tighten the one near the wheel for both front and rear but for rear I tighten it more. For the ones near the deck, I can't tighten it due to the evolve tool can't reach it. Is it okay? What are the ones near the deck for and what are the ones near the wheels for when tightening and loosening.

4) a shop owner actually recommended me to change the ABEC 9 bearings to the Bones Ceramic bearings (white box), he told me it is actually much better, smoother and also last longer. Can I use it when I am using the street wheels or the AT wheels setup?
(I do not know if we can change any of the components including the speed bearings, so I do not dare to buy anything that is not in Evolve Shop)

I would hope to get some answers for my silly questions. Sorry for the inconvience caused as I am a beginner and I really wanna learn this and take it as a hobby/interest.

 

1) the difference between ABEC 11 flywheels 97mm 75a and 78a. I know it's regarding about softer and harder but I am thinking of getting the 75a but mostly out of stock and I am only left with 78a choice.

• Softer means just that. Will wear a bit quicker, not much. Will be more cushioned/bouncy. 75s can be found and likely the better choice if you can find them. If not, on a Bamboo 78 should be fine. The 75's probably make a bigger difference on the more stiff Carbon.

2) anyone ever tried the GT series with the 80mm Orangatan Kegels wheels 80a or 83a wheels. What are the pros and cons. (I like the colors)

• Not sure what your asking here. What are.yoy wanting compared?

3) I know we are using the double trucks which have one nearer to the wheel and one nearer to the deck. I only tighten the one near the wheel for both front and rear but for rear I tighten it more. For the ones near the deck, I can't tighten it due to the evolve tool can't reach it. Is it okay? What are the ones near the deck for and what are the ones near the wheels for when tightening and loosening.

• They mostly function like a normal truck in relation to bushings. It seems some people recommend tightening the bushings closest to the board more than those closest to the wheels for a more traditional feel and high stability. It seems running the rear truck more stiff than the front one can also add to stability while retaining some turning ability. There's plenty of information out there to be had. I recommend searching this out and then simply trying the various recommended setups until you find one that works for you.

4) a shop owner actually recommended me to change the ABEC 9 bearings to the Bones Ceramic bearings (white box), he told me it is actually much better, smoother and also last longer. Can I use it when I am using the street wheels or the AT wheels setup?
(I do not know if we can change any of the components including the speed bearings, so I do not dare to buy anything that is not in Evolve Shop)

• Any skate bearing may be used, but there is a nonstandard drive gear bearing that I haven't seen in ceramic, so if there is any benefit to ceramic it's likely not worth the price premium. Evolve sells their own ceramics BTW. I think the convenience if bearings with built in speed rings and spacers is worth it. I like Zelous brand for the apparent value ratio.

 

Tighten up your bushings/trucks while learning, or you can get some harder bushings, any skate shop will be able to help you out, and don't bother with expensive bearings or ceramics.

 

For the Orangatan Kegels 80mm. What I'm asking is does it feels good on the board when we cruise and carve.

Also I wanna hear what you all prefer. ABEC Flywheels 97mm or the Orangatan Kegels 80mm.

As for bearings wise, I think I will just stay with the Evolve Bearings because I don't really see people upgrading the bearings.

 

it is really just the size you want to look for, abec or kegels are the same it is just the drive gear thats different, the wheels are pretty much the same ride feel. Stock 83mm wheels are great, though some have had a bad batch and found cracking.

I have been using the 97mm abecs, and they are very nice, much larger than stock, but they allow you to roll over pretty much anything, and if you get the 75a's they are nice and soft. Just shop around, as they are very pricy through Evolve's site,

 

I have the 97s & AT wheels. The 97s are nice "street" wheels, but here in SoCal the roads & sidewalks are generally ****, so the ATs will literally let you roll over almost anything, except a large rodent at 22 mph at night - don't ask how I know...

 

I put on the 90mm wheels and like how the profile looks on the board. The 97's look super big since the deck sits low, I like the look of the 83's and how well it corners on the street, but rough pavement can rattle your feet apart. Let alone if you hit any imperfection, the 83's are just the right size to lock up or get hung up on things like lips. I can cross rail road tracks with 97's, I won't even attempt with the 83's. The 90's are a nice trade off since its in the middle of the 83/97 wheels. Will roll over some good imperfections. Also the top speed is perfect at a steady 24mph.

 

Wow! You're brave to cross RR tracks on 97s.... I hit a few tracks on the 7" ATs that were a bit sketchy..

 

They're fine as long as you hit them at an angle, then pop your weigh up some while the wheels cross over. Just don't every cross tracks if your wheels are wet or its just rained where the road is damp. How do I know The board will cross up like you hit an ice-patch. All was graceful and good. Was use to always hitting it in the dry conditions pretty ast but found out they have no mercy when wet.