Category: Skateboarding

History has been made this year. Before so much as a month had passed I, perched upon the edge of my bed pretending it was a sofa, watched and was inspired by the inauguration of the first African-American President of the United States. Only this week I sat, again in my pseudo-lounge, dry-heaving up any hope I had in the future of the UK as the BNP were elected their first ever County Council and European Parliament seats. Evidentially, as this year has shown, making history isn’t necessarily a good thing. But, on the bright side, it is always interesting.

And Real Skateboards have been making history too, of a sort. I don’t need to explain the obvious; any wood that DLX produce is something you can be proud of ruining, and have a great time doing it. This deck is no exception; it’s solid, rides like a dream and has massive pop, which makes a gorgeous noise, almost as nice as let’s say the sound of an egg hitting Nick Griffin.

But this deck also had me itching to get the paint scratched as soon as possible, see, the history being made by Real here is that the graphics are the worst things you have ever fucking seen. I cannot begin to describe the monstrosity, only by congratulating Real on their effort to bum out whoever lays eyes on it. See the picture to get what I mean.

Like I said though, good or bad, it is always interesting, and I’ve had more fun with this deck than perhaps any other, in a weird, post-post-modern, not-even-ironic way. I’ve grown to love it. I encourage you, reader, to do the same. Did I also mention their decks come with a free DVD of the team annihilating any spot they choose to shred and also comes with loads of free stickers?! I raise my mug, pretending it is a glass, and propose a toast to Real for making even more history!

‘Roll forever!’

Stanley

Bones Wheels made for Concrete put to the test.

Aaaaah Bones Wheels. The last time I had a set of Bones was back in the 80’s. A lovely set of lime green G-Bones. G Turns, sess slides, power slides and waxing the road to learn those uBer stylish backside powerslides are all coming back to me.

By now I have given away my age and lost the interest of half the readers on this site, but let’s just say that Bones have a lot to live up to from such fond memories and younger readers should probably take note of this review.

I was stoked to get my hands on a set of Bones made in this Century, but as soon as I saw them I was bummed. They look like they are made by Argos! Remember those first Darkstar wheels? Shiny plasticy things? This new “anti flatspot” technology see’s wheel companies moving away from traditional pure urethane and incorperating weird materials like silicone but all that aside, I had a new rig set up and Mile End was my end destination.

The thought of shiny, plastic wheels on that ice rink filled me with visions of swellbows so I took my old wheels just in case. To my suprise, these wheels were fantastic! They were super grippy when they had to be, even in “that corner” at the park, you know the one i’m talking about, but they don’t bite on tailslides either.

The graphics are printed using a heat press, so unfortunately they might last and the overall wheel is pour moulded which means you don’t really need to break them in. Although they are 54mm, they have a cambered sidewall so they actually feel smaller especially on the likes of rails which means it’s easier to pop out of tricks. I hit up some sketchy ledge backlips and nosebluntslides but they could not even defeat these babies. Maybe the anti flatspot formula works or maybe I was just lucky, either way I am still smiling.

I am yet to try them on street or wood but if you looking for a medium/ hard wheel for concrete, these might float your boat. Well done Mr Powell, or whever is running Bones Wheels. Twenty years later I am still stoked on your urethane!

Brendan