CheeseForSteeze

I just picked up this today, Sector 9 The Pass.

s9pass.jpg

I've been interested to try the Gullwing trucks and man are they fun for just cruising around. I still think a regular single kingpin truck is the best but these are really fun.

NightRider2613

Damn, that's awesome. The graphic is sick! You'll have to let me know how the Gullwing trucks are. I am going with some good old Randall R-11's, but Gullwings seem really solid as well. Enjoy the new board!

lernr

This S9 looks the same shape as my Burleigh, and it's several years old. was it based on the sunset? can't remember. Anyway, I have given this one to my daughter now.

Currently I ride a NS Descent power flex, this thing is super fun and fast with bones swiss. Definitely not good for serious downhill, though - the stiffer S9 deck is much more stable. I also prefer to slide on the S9, in fact, I don't think I've slid the Descent once. Maybe I can get one of their stiffer decks for sliding...

CheeseForSteeze

I pushed around my neighborhood for about an hour last night just to get a feel. The stock bearings, bushings and wheels are very kush, the wheels are S9 69mm 75a durometer, so very soft. I wouldn't take this board down anything real steep. It's very fun but the feel is much different than a traditional truck with one kingpin. The deck has some moderate flex and camber to it. Edge to edge it feels somewhat vague in the center of range of motion but as you approach the edges it kind of crispens up. However, this doesn't mean you can't turn precisely, you just have to adjust to the feeling. Going ~20mph on it, it definitely feels a little hairy at first compared to a normal truck. It kind of wobbles around in the center at speed and like a reverse camber snowboard, you have to be deliberate and not lazy with your movements.

I tried a few slides and couldn't get the hang of it and got sent running off every time. It turns VERY sharp if you get it way up on edge. Overall, the board is on the shorter side of mid (35"L x 23"WB) which I think is good. It's top mount drop through so it's really low. I would definitely want to get out on some mellow hills.

For longboarder enthusiasts, you probably want to keep another board around with traditional trucks because this is quite a bit different than the traditional skateboard. But, if you mostly skate in parks and just want something to ride to class, the park or around urban areas and you want really nimble handling and a mellow cruiser, this might work well for you.

Overall, I give the Sidewinder trucks an overall positive as well as this complete. It's a fun, different ride that's a little more versatile than you might think.

lernr

Good luck sliding these wheels! (OK for park / street cruising though)

You need lots more speed and perfect unweighing technique and still difficult with them... Would help if you go on something smooth like marble and if it's wet - but then be prepared because it can be quite unpredictable. if you stay low it'll be ok

When I was getting back into sliding, just to ease into it, I got some hard regular skateboard wheels on the S9 and it was sliding like nobody's business Then I put on proper sliding longboard wheels after I had a couple of days on the regulars.

I still have the original S9 wheels - if someone wants them, pay for shipping and they are yours

CheeseForSteeze

Yes, these wheels are so soft and grippy, I don't forsee any sliding with them. Especially on this sticky, soft new asphalt. However, the grip makes them awesome for super tight turns. I haven't played around with the kingpin nut at all but I was thinking of setting up the primary pin to be a bit looser and the secondary pin to be tighter so you can cruise around with some looseness but also have some resistance to really dig into once you get get them turned.

boarderaholic

Ok. Now that you've got the board, get yourself a helmet, slide gloves and some padding. If you want to learn how to slide, you're going to fall. Guaranteed. Also, what wheels are those?

CheeseForSteeze

S9 69mm 75A Durometer. I don't plan on sliding at all or doing any downhill stuff, I bought this board specifically for cruising. I probably won't be on it that often, I prefer just riding it when my ankles and knees hurt from skating but I want to ride something.

lernr

I don't use a helmet if I am easy cruising along the beach, or even doing some easy streets and slides - but I probably should, just in case. It just feels weird, we never had helmets when we were kids... I'm old

Casual

I'm rockin the Abec 11 Classic Freerides 72mm/81a - These babies slide like Ricky Henderson! but not at the expense of grip. I have paris 180's. My Sayshun Polar carves like a snowboard more than a surfboard because its stiff and big, but its so fun. Looking forward to getting it out soon.

I wear a helmet if I'm downhilling but not just pushing around or going down gentle slopes.

ABEC 11 ABEC 11 Wheels