Ahmyo Proto Available Now
by Ryan Lee

Ahmyo – Proto Wheels Review

Check out Ryan’s take on the new Ahmyo Protos!

A few months ago, I received a set of Ahmyo Protos to test ride and review. Because of the snow and blizzard-ey weather that we have up in Canada, I wasn’t able to ride them, but I had a weekend to test them out and I have some very interesting thoughts on them!

The Ahmyo Protos were released without much information about them at all- the most we knew was that it was some dark blue urethane around a generic white core. We didn’t know if it was an old urethane formula or what else it was. So it was incredibly interesting to figure out what formula it was.

Ahmyo Proto Groupies

After riding them substantially and looking at the lines they left and sharing them with other members of my community, I came to the conclusion that the Protos were in fact stone-ground, rounded off versions of Merkabas, Ahmyo’s grip and rip wheel offering. This is a commendable decision by Ahmyo as some of the best freeride wheels on the market are round-lipped versions of their most popular downhill wheels, some examples being the Orangatang Skiffs and Cult Centrifuges, which are both made of ridiculously grippy urethane formulas.

In terms of speed; the Protos are quick to get up to speed- however they do reach their cap pretty quick around 40-50 km/h and then start to slow down in terms of acceleration pretty quickly. Which isn’t that large of a problem seeing that they are stone-ground and you honestly don’t want to be taking a freeride wheel around any sweepy corners at speeds faster than that.

C/o Skateslate.com

The slide of the Protos is unique. There’s a smooth, gradual line between grip and slip, so they’re definitely wheels that you can lean back and just ease into the slide with. This is a bit unprecedented as most wheels made of a proprietary downhill wheel formula have a hard-defined line between grip and slip, but these don’t seem to have that and that results in a good, relaxed sliding experienced. In terms of grip, they’re not incredibly grippy, but they do take a good bit of speed to get going, and the inner meat of the wheel is definitely slidier than the cured outside.

All in all, the Ahmyo Protos were a glorious experience and if these ever make it to the production floor, they’ll be a worthwhile investment.

Ahmyo Protos

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Loaded Boards 2016 Tan Tien Complete
by LNV

Tan Tien – Loaded Boards

Loaded’s 2016 Tan Tien is slated to drop December 17th!

New from Loaded is the 2016 Tan Tien! A refresh of one of the most iconic decks from Loaded is welcomed as we near the close of 2016.

Blending lines between the disciplines of cruise-carve and advanced trick riding, the Tan Tien holds it’s own for riders who enjoy more than just a commute. The deck measures 39″ long x 8.75″ wide with a 27″ wheelbase. The weight of the deck ranges from 3.1 – 3.5 pounds depending on your choice of flex. Flex options range from 1-3 and accommodate riders 170-270+, 130-210+ and 80-170+ pounds respectively. The new, engineered wood bottom veneer and an updated grip design add to the aesthetic of an already eye-pleasing deck. Drop through truck mounts, kick tails, concave and camber round out the features of the Tan Tien.

Loaded drops the updated Tan Tien on December 7th. Hit the link to pick one up and enjoy the ride!

 

Loaded Boards 2016 Tan Tien
Loaded Boards 2016 Tan Tien Complete

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Fresh Joypulp
by LNV

IKO, W.I.L.D, Zeno’s Bane Updates – Joypulp

Joypulp releases a late-year update to their 2016 line.

Joypulp returns with updates to their 2016 lineup, incorporating both aesthetic and functional improvements in all the right places. These refinements illustrate new manufacturing processes, community feedback and all around passion for building great decks. Less than six months after their release, all three Joypulp decks in an already great lineup see some action: IKO, W.I.L.D. and Zeno’s Bane.

Updates to the Zeno’s Bane include a new profile that features a waist, and colored plys that accentuate the tapered construction. Designed for downhill and freeride, the taper keeps the deck rigid and light despite the smaller amount of material. An 11-ply center tapers to 7-plys at the edges, meaning no wheelbite and a full ply across the entirety of the belly. It measures 35″ L by 9.75″ W with a 29″ foot platform and a 27″ wheelbase. Features include a micro-drop with W concave, razor sharp top edges, a slightly sunken back foot contour. Graphics courtesy of Edmonton/New York based designer Steph Hsu and applied via screen printing.

Joypulp Zeno’s Bane Profile
Joypulp Zeno’s Bane Nose
Joypulp Zeno’s Bane Belly
Joypulp Zeno’s Bane Back

The IKO now features tapered construction! The light, yet rigid construction lends itself very well here because the IKO can be used as a hybrid of both downhill and push disciplines. 10 center plys taper to 6-plys at the edge in this application. It measures 37″ L by 10″ W and features a 29″ wheelbase. Features include forked drop-thru or top mounts, razor sharp top edges, and a micro-drop into W concave. The especially cool Jellyfish graphic courtesy of Edmonton Artist Chaisi Glover and applied via screen printing.

Joypulp IKO Profile
Joypulp IKO Forked Truck Mount
Joypulp IKO Back
Joypulp IKO Belly

Updates to the W.I.L.D. include a redesigned shape with a wider tail and nose and an extra ply. The extra ply adds some rigidity while the tail makes it a comfortable cruiser, both improvements making the W.I.L.D. better suited to handle a mix of disciplines. Construction features the same 10-ply center that tapers to 6-plys at the edges. It measures 33.875″ L by 9.25″ W with a 22.25″ wheelbase. Features include a large, round-lipped kicktail, W concave and razor sharp top edges. Graphics are courtesy of New York based artist Wellington Sun and applied via screen printing.

Joypulp WILD Profile
Joypulp WILD Belly
Joypulp WILD Back
Joypulp WILD Nose

Hit the link to head to Joypulp and pick up a new deck!

Want more updates on Joypulp and more? Hit subscribe! We send out updates when we review new, innovative gear.

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Longboard Envy Apparel - Shop Now

Longboard Envy Apparel - Shop Now

Ahmyo Vibez
by LNV

Vibez – Ahmyo

New Vibez from Ahmyo wheels are here to get you sideways on some new frequencies!

Ahmyo just dropped some of the most anticipated wheels of 2016. They’ve been hinting at the availability of a new freeride wheel all year and today they’re available! The new wheels are known as the Vibez and with their release Ahmyo also introduces a new urethane formula, an evolution of Trust!

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Timber Boards Tortuga
by LNV

Tortuga – Timber Boards

The new Tortuga freestyle dancer from Timber Boards is out!

Timber Boards is a Netherlands based manufacturer of longboards, by skaters, for skaters. They started in 2011 with the desire to make a board with more character than the then-available mass-produced units. Each year they have continued to push the envelope of while pursuing the idea of creating the perfect freestyle longboard.

Their recently released Tortuga upholds these ideas as a unique, hand-painted and versatile deck focused on freestyle and dancing.  It measures 45.25″ long and just shy of 9″ wide with wheelbase options from 27.7″ – 30.07″. The Tortuga is widest at the waist, slimming down near the truck mounts and then again getting wider at the tails. This gives the rider lots of options on the foot platform while also lending to the perfectly balanced flex. It’s available in three different flex options so you can choose your mix of dampening and response.

You’ll always be aware of your foot position on the standing platform thanks to the shape and concave of the Tortuga. Although mild, the concave varies depending on location on the board with nearly 1/4″ at the bolt holes, slightly more in the waist and 3/8″ at the tails. The variation keeps the tails rigid and the rider locked in. 1/4″ rocker keeps it stable while wheel wells prevent wheelbite. Construction features three pressed layers of Bamboo throughout with an additional layer in the tails. The extra layer increases durability, adds pop and slows the process of razor tail.

Timber stays true to it’s roots with hand painted details in the turtle graphic on the belly. The Turtle here is extra relevant, since Tortuga is the Spanish word for Tortoise. The details remind us that each Tortuga is unique and that Timber is staying true to the ideas it was founded on! Hit the link to check out what Timber offers and pick up a new Tortuga to rip!

Timber Tortuga Groupie
Timber Boards Tortuga
Timber Boards Tortuga Gripped

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