Skateboard advice needed

[Moto4Fun]

Not that mine is that bad, but it's my birthday and I want a new board. As a 32 year old guy with a job and a life beyond poppin zits and chasing chicks, I have realized; skating is a cheap hobby!! I could probably buy the top of the line skate stuff and not even feel near the pop that I get when I check out of Bike Bandit!

So the questions are these:
-What brand/model deck, wheel, truck, bearing have good value?
-For riding mostly concrete parks and random skate to the store session, along with the odd mini ramp; what is a decent set up? I am not a technical skater, more of a fast/flow type skater (think Tommy Guerrero not Rodney Mullen)
-Are swiss bearings worth their price? For as long as I can remember until now Powell Swiss bearing have always been twice to 3x as expensive, and I never see anybody buying them. What's the deal?

Any advice would be great. I will certainly go to the skate shop and check out the stuff, but was hoping that someone here has been in the industry for the last 5-10 years and would know what is going on.

[bicyclemech1]

Crashing totally sucks now, but it's fun as hell. Any good deck that's 8" or a little wider is good. AntiHero makes some nice decks in larger sizes. I started with Bones Red bearings and they started "clicking" fast. Swiss have been worth the money. Having bought both now, I should have spent the money for ceramics to start with. Super durable and super fast. Slightly larger diameter wheels make good all-rounders.
Let me know when you want to session one of the parks
G.

[J_B]

Santa Monica Airlines?? Awww yeah, natas kaupus.

I'm looking for a board and will probably just get a blank and enlist the talents of our local tagger to hook it up.

[Ezekiel]

I had some swiss bearings once upon a time (in the late 80's I believe) and really, didn't think they were any better than the NMB's that were cheap. Still, as you said, you've got the money for it at this point in your life, we're not having to hold our shoes together with duct tape and shoe goo anymore, may as well splurge. Wheels, trucks, decks...it's all up to you, I don't think there's going to be a significant enough price difference between different brands of those things to make one a better value than the other, just get what speaks to you!

[Moto4Fun]

The ceramics are 100 bucks! The more I research, I find that some of the old names are still around: OJ, Bones, Venture, Independent, Powell, Santa Cruz, etc. It appears that "pro" model skateboards aren't marketed as heavily as they used to be. Plan B, World Industries, etc. have tons of models with different graphic variations but no names associated to them. Which is fine because I don't know who the solid skaters are anyway. Since Steve Cab is still around and has a Pro Model, I might just have to go with that to keep in touch with my Bones Brigade roots. I am going to head down to the boardshop right after work!

[MSFIT]

ccs.com

[dinosaur]

element deck
independent trucks (swap out for soft bushings)
redbones bearings

I always buy reds, but then again I swap out my bearings quite often. This kind of setup will last for a long time, though.

[highonF4i]

Yo, most products in reputable skate shops will be fine for your applications. Choose any double kicktail board of the standard length (7.75x31.5) you may want to choose an 8x32 because they're longer, wider and more stable in vert/park situations, but a bit harder to flip. I get blanks because they're cheaper than brand name decks with fancy graphics, but virtually the same. Most skate shops will offer their own blanks.

I only ride Independent Trucks. While a bit heavier than some others, they're extremely durable and will last forever.

Bearings, I don't feel the need to get high end swiss bearings, your typical Red "Bones" bearings will be fine unless you need to set downhill speed records.

All reputable brands of wheels will do you well, just make sure you go for a much larger wheel (I ride Powell), it will make skating ramps easier and be less susceptible to cracks/bumps etc. Unless you're going to get really technical you do not need a small wheel. Make sure you get risers between the trucks and the board if necessary to avoid wheel bite during a hard turn.

That set up will be fun in parks and for street/downhill riding, but won't be conducive to busting flip tricks/grinds/stair sets necessarily. The smaller the board/wheels the easier it will be to get technical, but you're more apt to end up on your face when you hit a pebble or something.

Or, you might be interested in getting a more old-school/vintage shape

http://www.skateone.com/store/detail/s_DCPASCSSS/c_196/

they're a lot of fun in most situations that don't necessitate a double kick tail. You sacrafice a bit of technical versatility, but they're ridiculously fun in parks/driveways/concrete birms, etc.

It's good to have one of each depending your mood :thumbup

[dinosaur]

Oh, one more thing... if you're going to ride a longboard, Sector 9 FTW.

I've owned several powell decks before and I've snapped every one in two within 3 months. Not even doing 50/50s or anything, just doing ollies off stairs. Element boards are just constructed better. :2cents

[Moto4Fun]

I have always preferred Indy trucks, but I currently have Ventures. Will probably go back to Indy's. I am thinking of going with 58-60 mm wheel. I currently have 64 mm bones that I have enjoyed, but am thinking that I will go a little smaller. My world ind. deck has lasted quite well for the 6 or 7 years I've had it, so I will just have to see what the shop has to offer. I got the $100 gift certificate for my b-day last night, so I am going shopping this afternoon!

fuggit, I am going NOW!

PS: As for the classics...I already have my old Matt Hensley built up and ready to ride any time, but with some of the re-issues out now, I might have to upgrade my old school board too!

[aram]

I never understood having kick ass bearings when trick skating.. I never had a problem going as fast as I wanted with the cheap-o abec1 or 3 bearings. I think skateboarding is like most things.. much more dependent on the operator than the equipment (that being said, I wasn't very good). I also think most decks come from the same few sources.

I would just go to a skate shop and pick out something cool that feels nice and go out and have fun. Also, make sure you have good health insurance.

[Moto4Fun]

So this what I went with:
SBI Boardshop 8 1/8" deck
Independent Rowley trucks
Bones - Ditch Tech 60mm wheels
Bones Red bearings

Put it together while watching some MX on the DVR and had the dog pull me around the neighborhood when it was finished. It is going to be a great board at the park! Not as smooth as the old set up on the street, but tha's because the old rig had 64mm Bones wheels that are fairly soft. Thanks for all the input, I am going skating!