Skatefurther Ben

Scott from Subsonic very kindly sent me some boards to test and ive been very busy out on the trail putting them through thier paces. This page is all about the Century 38, a pumping/pushing hybrid board.

These are just my ramblings about the set ups, what works and what doesnt etc. They arn’t edited and are written on the day so they might not always make the most coherent reading.

1^stRide, Uni Car-Park

Front: Bennet 5.0 (Trimmed Blue Khiro, white Khiro-White Khiro), 80a BigZig

Rear: Tracker 129(Red Khiro’s) 80a BigZig

Loved it!!!

Took a little video, which is up on youtube. Just a raw pumping video shot from the ground so the footage is poor.

2^ndRide, Tongwynlais –Cardiff and back.

Great fun, the board handled really well, fast pump, efficient, the back end felt powerful. (This was before I road the pulse). I did manage to find some pretty serious speed at some points, so I there is defiantly a lot of the potential in the deck.

3^rdRide 01/03/09 Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

Right, this set up doesn’t quite work (as a LDP specific pumper). Its fun but the pump isn’t very efficient, perhaps more wedge at the front? There needs to be more turn at the front! But there is serious risk of wheel bite?????? I may try 2 blue Khiro’s loosely set up, there could be more power from a harder thane?? I tried a lot of different tweaks today, but nothing really worked for a efficient/effortless pumping.

However, I don’t think that was the main problem. The main issue was the rear, it was all over the place. I think maybe the rear barrel could do with being harder. I’m going to try a yellow Khiro Barrell (92a) and see how that feels. I may try de-wedging the back a little, but I don’t think it will makeas much difference as a wheel change.

I reckon that a softer wheel would make a huge difference and give a lot more grip, but with the possible decrease in speed. Scott suggested 85mm seismics, but I think they will slide more, im going to get my hands on some and see what happens. I’m not sure whether or not the larger wheels will add to the roll like they are supposed too but we shall see.

4^th Ride, 09/03/09, Tongwynlais- Cardiff and back.

85mm 79a Speed Vents at the rear

Fiddling with the set up this time, Switched from Big Zigs at the rear to 85mm 79a speed vents. This totally solved the grip problem and did actually seem to increase the roll of the board, I could get the back out but it was totally controlled. Covered 10 miles easily, despite the wind forcing me to push a bit, but that is the best thing about the century it’s a great pusher as well as a pumper. I think I might put a toe stop at the front, at the moment my foot is creeping up the front of the board and causing a pain in my left foot.

I’ve sorted out all the problems form the Birmingham ride, now i can really test the deck!

Soggy day,

Scott I take my hat off to you (Not actually wearing a hat), the 85mm larger rear wheels were a great idea.

I’ve decided to switch all my wheels to speed vents. I love the way they feel, fast yet grippy and very responsive.

5^th Ride, 11/03/09, Tongynlais-Cardiff and back

Went out with Sean, Kye and JJ (Housmates) today, all of us riding subsonic decks except sean who was on his hockey skates. Wet and slippery today, but the board was gripping fine. I’m already starting to wear the seimics in. They grip like shit to a blanket but they still slide nicely when you push them. I was even starting to get the back out on the toeside pump, which something ive been very afraid of in the past.

I set the pace at a medium speed pump which was easy to hold all the way to Cardiff and back. I’m really getting the feel for this deck now. It really is something special, so easy to throw around and just so much fun. There is a little power lost because of the shape of the deck, but it is a thousand times more fun than the pulse and i think thats all that matters on a ride below 50 miles. But like i said before its a great pusher so it could handle the longer distances.

All that said, this is a fantastic pumping set up!

My little brother testing out the century on the Bath to Bristol charity skate back in june. It got a lot of interest!!

(Sorry to whoever i stole these couple of pictures from…)