Category / Downhill

by LNV

2016 Lineup – Free Wheel Co.

The 2016 lineup from Free Wheel Company is here with new thane and new shapes. Wheels are currently available on their site and in transit to local shops.

Free Wheel Company’s 2016 lineup introduces two new urethane formulas and four wheels. Do you want the spoiler? They’re worth a look.

The Wheels

The Dumbs V2 and the Willies feature stone-ground surfaces, center-set cores and asymmetrical lips. They are poured in the new Gold Standard formula, a translucent yellow urethane with controlled slides and flat-spot resistance in mind. The Dumbs are slightly shorter than the Willies but feature a wider contact patch. Both are 78a durometer.

The Free Ranges are poured in the Platinum Plus formula, feature a stone-ground surface, center-set core and are intended for the city commuter. Soft 78a durometer keeps you rolling and the small 60mm size means they’re nimble & popsicle friendly.

The Free Spirits are a square lipped wheel poured in the Platinum Plus formula with an emphasis on grip, durability and consistency. The thick, square lips, wide contact patch and near center set core make them well suited for freerides and drifts.

The new wheels are currently available for purchase from the Omen Longboards site and are in transit to local shops. Grab some at the link.

 

The Verdict

You already know what we’re going to say: these wheels are on fire. We love that Free Wheel Co. makes wheels for drifters and casual city riders alike and we dig that.

Have you used their wheels? Still riding them? Let us know what wheels you’ve got and tag us on Instagram! We want to see who is still riding wheels by Free Wheel Co. and share it with the longboarding community.

If want to read more reviews on decks, wheels, and more, sign up for our emails and get notified when we review new product. Can you handle dope products and free gear giveaways in your inbox?

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kebbek emma
by LNV

2016 Lineup – Kebbek Skateboards

2016 marks the 24th year Kebbek Skateboards has been in business and to celebrate they have completely redesigned their line (Check out their 25th anniversary lineup here). They launched their new decks in January at the ISPO Munich trade-show. New artistry accompanies new shapes and technology this year.

Kebbek’s Design Style

Three different series of graphics showcase Kebbek’s artistic style. The Skatehouse series by Robbie Lariviere is reminiscent of the antics you may find in a house of skaters. Together the four graphics complete a larger panorama of a skate home, all it’s occupants included.

The Outdoor Series is also by Robbie but the two graphics in this series uniquely represent the pro’s they were made for. Ben Dubreuil and Emma Daigle’s graphics each appeal to their personalities.

Pascal Herbert delivers the Bio Suit series with an animal-style familiar to the past 24 years of releases from Kebbek.

Shapes include the Top Mount 36, Twin Kix, Smooth Cut 34 & 37, Ben Dub, Emma, Amane Kishida and the Dig Deep. They feature radial drops, flush-mount, drop-through and top-mount options, multiple wheelbases and precision cut wheelwells.

Kebbeks’ new lineup for 2016 is an excellent demonstration of their skill and style. We’re particularly fond of the new Top Mount 36. Grab one of your own at link and join Kebbek on a stylish new ride.

So, have you found your next board yet? If there’s one thing for sure, Kebbek doesn’t fail on artistic flair.

By now, you know that we also reviewed their 2017 lineup. Want to know when we review more Kebbek gear? Sign up for our email list! We’ve got plenty more reviews in the pipeline and we can’t wait to share them with you.

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Caliber Trucks Hollow Standards
by LNV

Hollow Standards – Caliber Trucks

New conventional trucks from Caliber Truck Co focus on quality while reducing weight. Hollow Kingpins and hollow axles!

Caliber Trucks recently released a new traditional-kingpin truck with an emphasis on lightweight performance. The new Standard Hollow is nearly identical to their original Standard but features hollow, heat-treated axles and kingpins. The new axle and kingpins shave 35g or more of weight from each truck when compared to it’s Standard counterpart. Heat treating the axle and kingpin allows them to accomplish this without compromising on strength.

The new hollows are available individually in the following widths at the link:

  • 135MM: $23.50
  • 148MM: $23.75
  • 160MM: $24.0

They come equipped with 8-hole baseplates and 92a Blood Orange bushings just as the Standards.

 

Caliber Standard Hollow Specs 2
Caliber Trucks – Hollow Standards – Hanger & Kingpin
Caliber Trucks – Hollow Standard – Hollow Axle
Caliber Trucks – Hollow Standards – Top & Bottom
Caliber Standard Hollow Specs 1
Caliber Trucks – Hollow Standard – Side & Baseplate

About Caliber Truck Company

Caliber Trucks have made it rain quality trucks! Between their Hollow, Standard, Precision and the Caliber II, they’ve designed a collection of trucks that covers different hanger, baseplate, and weight. If you’re looking for some trucks made for speed, make sure you look at the Caliber II Forty Four.

The thing we really love? They work with Blood Orange to deliver high quality product. We love a good collab and Caliber Trucks does it right. They’ve been working together since the beginning.

Looking for reviews on the most recent longboarding gear? Sign up for our email list.

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Wall of Zenit Missile
by LNV

Rocket & Missile – Zenit Longboards

Zenit longboards is now distributing their gear across all of North America. Check out two of their excellent DH offerings.

Zenit is a high-end manufacturer of small-batch longboards based in Montreal, CA. They’ve served local demands since 2011 but this year they intend to make their superb skating equipment available all across North America.

The Missile & The Rocket Decks

Decks are built in house from composite materials around a horizontally laminated maple core. The Missile and The Rocket, two of their currently available 5 shapes, are intended to meet the needs of the downhill crowd.

Both decks are 34.5″ long and 9.75″ wide. They offer wheelbase options of 23.5 – 26″. The concave varies from 0.7″ to 1.2″ at the flares. The Rocket is available for $189.99 while The Missile can be had for $239.99.

These two decks are currently not available on their site, http://www.zenitboards.com. Until it’s updated, you can send Thomas an email at the link to place an order.

 

Zenit Side Profile
Zenit Missile Construction
Loaded Zenit Rocket
Zenit Rocket Deck
Zenit Missile Deck
Wall of Zenit Missile
Zenit Rocket Construction

More From Zenit

You probably saw our review of their 2017 releases which brought more praise from our writing team. We’ve put an epic level of details into their 2017 lineup review so make sure you read those reviews if you’re loving what Zenit is up to. We give you measurements and exclusive info on their top of the line longboards.

How’d you hear about us? Want to stay in touch? Sign up for our email list below and you’ll get two things: 1) Awesome reviews. We have new reviews coming out as fast as we can review and write them. About the best brands in longboarding–brands like Zenit. 2) Free product giveaways. We sometimes have extra products and we think we should share the goods. When we have a giveaway, you’re going to have a chance to win it!

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DB Longboards 2016 Lineup
by LNV

2016 Lineup – DB Longboards

DB’s new lineup is out and it’s a solid offering of style for 2016. Take a look at the link and grab a new deck just in time for summer.

DB Longboards recently introduced their 2016 lineup featuring new graphics, construction and shapes. It’s a healthy offering of four new shapes with styles for multiple disciplines.

CoreFlex Technology

They’ve developed a new type of construction they call The CoreFlex which was built with the perfect flex pattern in mind. The Compound incorporates this new construction by combining cambered bamboo sandwiched between layers of fiberglass and a high-density material for high performance freestyle and carving. 3 different offerings are available with various levels of flex.

Longboard Styles: DB Longboards

The Contra is a new top-mount, slightly dropped tub focused on DH and Freeride. Comes in two flavors at 35.5″ and 38.5″ lengths. The Paradigm is a drop-through at 41″ with the same interests.

The Single Speed comes in at 40.5″ and cares not about discipline. Freeride, Dance or carve, it just wants to skate.

New graphics are done in-house by DB and with good taste. The vivid reds and rich blues accompany a futuristic scene on the classic lunch tray. DB really showed up for 2016. Check out their lineup and grab one of the new decks at the link.

  • DB Longboards 2016 Contra
  • DB Longboards Paradigm 41
  • DB Longboards Blue Lunch Tray
  • DB Longboards 2016 Single Speed
  • Coreflex Compound Flex 1 DB Longboards

Our Review of DB Longboards

If you’re wondering whether they’re hot or not…well they’re hawt. We know that the loud colors are not a style for all of you but we hope you can understand why we think these longboards are flair in the best way.

We especially love the CoreFlex Compound Flex 1 you see above. That board with those wheels. Mhm. Yep. You understand us DB!

Since our initial review, DB Longboards has been working hard and putting out even more great product. Stay tuned for even more reviews from our team by signing up for our email below.

We email you when we’ve reviewed new product or have extra gear we want to give away.

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