Category: Skateboarding Product Reviews

It really has a nice ring to it, Spit, Big and Head in the same sentence, for that reason alone these Spitfire treads are worthy of a purchase.

I burn spitties all the time because I’m a firm believer in sticking to what you know best! They’ve never let me down before and as per usual, this set is as stellar as the last, if not better. They felt a bit hard at first push, but I realized that it was almost – 4 degrees outside and even spreadable butter would be unspreadable in those conditions, what was I thinking?!

They come in at 99 duro’s and roll coreless; I prefer the organic wheel anyway and don’t find them heavy in anyway. At 52mm, they come in a perfect midrange size to help you in bowl-ing as well as ledge-ing, get it? The graphic is simple and perfect for those who don’t like an entire orchestra painted on their wheels. The best thing about these though, is the fact that they rock and they rock hard, they work for you from the get go and even though they’ll burn out eventually, they’ll never fade away!

This is certainly not the first time I’ve stepped onto a rolling parade of fire and wont be the last either, burn baby burn…

9/10

2P

Yeah, of course Koston was gonna bring out a signature truck when he was snatched up by Indy, but that’s fine by me, Koston’s amazing and so too are Independent Trucks, so I think all in all, this worked out for the best…FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED!

I’ve been trucking down this newly built Independent Low rider for a little while now, since word hit the cyber highways actually, but never got round to sorting a set for myself! Well, my old Indy’s eventually stopped trucking and gave up after nearly a year of grindage, so I headed out and got these black beauties straight away.

Truth be told, I rate Indy on every level possible, they are by far my preferred choice when it comes to trucks. The design on the low is very similar to it predecessors, with a few minor adjustments which makes it truly a very exciting set of grinders. For a start, the kingpin sits at more of angle to obviously compensate for a lower hanger, but the pivot angle remains the same and the original axle remains relative to the mounting holes to provide true wheel base and keeps the weight of the base plate which enhances tricks off the nose and tail. This from what I’ve experienced so far, is really not a problem at all and I actually find them very similar to all my old Indy’s, so that in it’s own right makes me very happy.

They’ve also rounded off the inside portion of the hanger to give the grinder a smoother and longer lasting smith or feeble grind area, now if that doesn’t impress you, then fuck off.

My favourite part though, is the light weight body of this truck, it’s rather impressive. They sport an all new light-weigh hollow body hanger that makes them 10% lighter that the lightest Indy’s on the market, that means, they are the feathers. The axle runs 129mm in length and they say that suits a 7.75 board quite nicely, but I normally rock a 7.81 – 8 inches and don’t find them to be hazardous in anyway!

Like all Independent trucks, new rubbers are always a bit of sore topic, especially if you’re going one way and your board another. I tried them once (school boy error) and then immediately stripped my old trucks and swapped the bottom bushings. This made all the difference, from then on; it’s been a smooth grind. I’ve been told before that colour coated Indy’s don’t turn as sharp as the raw/smooth ones, but I can honestly say, if you experience this kind of finicky turning problems, then you shouldn’t bother skateboarding, you belong at NASA, because the difference is unnoticeable and you’re talking plain old bulshit. FACT!

I’m not a big fan of graphics on truck, even though this only has name on it, it’s still my preferred choice to roll a naked truck, but in this case I’ll let it slide as it doesn’t affect my skating and that’s where its at!

9/10

2P

I’m normally pretty good with choosing the right type of character for me, however this one was a bit more adventurous as it’s a bit different to what I’m use to, but he who doesn’t dare will never know. If I never ate cow, I wouldn’t know what a really expensive succulent red med/rare steak tasted like and the thought of that really depresses me!

First things first, it’s a short and fat bugger, kind of like a nice fat old school fish tail in a 4 foot swell, perfect. It took me a while to work it out as the tail and nose look identical, so much so that I even asked others what they thought and the unanimous vote remained symmetrical. This, combined with the Jack of Clubs printed both ways on the bottom really plays you a bluff; I had to actually get the measuring tape out to ensure I’m not nollie-ing of my arse.It turns out; the nose is half an inch longer than the tail!

After discovering this, much to my delight, I instantly marked my griptape to know what forwards and backwards is. The width of this card is a solid 8 inches, but due to its short wheel base and clever shape, it’s surprisingly light and very very poppy indeed. Every time I jump on board it feels right and I’ve had really good time with this particular model, it’s a beaut. The concave is of medium nature, not to curvy but not flat either, it works out well as I tend to ride them that way. I like the fact that it’s a bit shorter than normal too, it a good thing in my opinion.

Graphics come and graphics go, but as far as this deck goes, it’s one of the most original, yet non original (?) graphics I’ve seen in a while. It makes you want to up the stakes instantly. The board is slightly odd in relation to my previous models, but now, I have to say, it’s got me by the balls, I fucking love it!

This was my virgin ride on a THINK deck, but if you thought my affair with this company is over, THINK again!

9/10

2P

Stairway to Hell? Stairway to Heaven is more like it…I am going to keep this really simple for those of you out there that have not yet had the insight to ride a Real board yet. BUY THIS BOARD!!!!!!!!

This has to be my favourite ride of the last two years. Super solid snappy crisp wood with a clean rounded nose and a concave that holds your feet so in place it’s stupid. This is one of those boards that make you skate like you mean it, the width gives you that little bit of extra confidence when it comes to hanging on and stomping a trick. I know 8 inches can be considered wide for some people, but it flips like a dream, never over flipping like a 7.5, which is always the case for me when I ride anything smaller.

The graphic is as current as it gets with a nod to Led Zeppelin, just in time for their reunion gig, which unless you are a forty something banker with a spare £3500 plus you could have seen these legends peel back the years and be part of this historical gig at the O2 center in London. However if I had £3500 spare I would blow all of it on 64 of these beauties and I guarantee you will find a whole lotta love.

Harrison
11/10

With winter looming and talks of snow, I headed out and hooked myself up with a descent winter warmer to help me stand strong in this far from desired cold weather that hangs around for 6 months too long.

Independent have a reputation for coming up with bad ass apparel and they seem to hit the spot time and time again when they reveal the latest additions to they’re catalogue with some heavy hitters for the likes of you lot to crave.

Fight fire with fire was never something I really put on my daily bread, but I chose to approach the dark season with a dark jacket, a phenomenon I found quite fitting for this occasion. Navarrette’s Killer Jacket on Indy fits this profile scarily and I made sure it’s my must have for these treacherous times.

After ordering the ‘baddest’ jacket on the block, my excitement 10 folded when the dog saw the rabbit and realized how desirable it actually is! The outside is 100% pure cotton woven so tightly it could probably withstand the gnarliest sand storm the Sahara desert can throw at you, it’s a tough bastard. The most enjoyable feature of the jacket is the oxblood red quilted satin lining that runs wild underneath the tough exterior and slides ever so comfortably onto your back. The zipper has the independent cross on it whilst your left breast bears a red spade that too holds an Indy cross within it’s embroidery. It also holds a nasty habit pocket on the left arm, an interior pocket for your precious belongings and a hidden stash pocket around the left cuff!

This bastard is warm and cozy and wont leave you out of pockets either, it’s a wise choice by my standards and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the finer details that makes it a pioneer in it’s field.

www.independenttrucks.com for the full story.

9/10
Live Fast Ride Fast

2P

Globe Shoes have delivered another fantastic pair of skate kicks worthy of your attention this month.

The Vagrant, designed and tested by Mark Appleyard is closer in shape to the Magnum but seem wider once you get your feet in them but once you do, they are seriously comfortable.

I used to skate past a vagrant in Kingston back in the day that smelled of wee so bad that local skaters used to call him Smellblast.
There he lay, everyday, maggot infested and causing the biggest stink known to world taste buds. But could you imagine his joy if he had access to instant grip and heel support in a lightweight shoe?

The Vagrant seems to cover all of these bases and lasted a little longer than my Magnums because overall they are built tougher all over. They come with a vulcanized rubber sole and the finish comes distressed in suede and action leather. So if the ‘fucked up’ look floats your boat then you are on an instant winner here.

Overall these rock, go get em..

www.globe.tv

Chuck Bangers

Fillmore’s Mike Carroll wheels are small at 52 mm and way narrow, totally my thing. These are ‘cores‘ and I always ride cores by choice, I’m into anything that can make a board lighter and a wheel stiffer.

These street wheels are spot on for mini ramps, I figure the smaller the wheel the more truck-to-metal you get on big 50-50’s instead of rolling along the platform on chunkier wheels, nice!. Of course new (and with new bearings), I expected these to be lightning fast and there sure were! For 52mm they’re the shit.

I’ve given them some hard slides to see what they’re really made of and they haven’t flat spotted yet but of course as with all wheels, time will tell. Definitely worth buying, see the latest Fillmore selection here.

Adie Kitachi

Winter’s are bloody hard work, it gets damp, we all get frozen and spend most of our time cold. But not any more, because Globe have teamed up for a collaboration with Pyrenex to bring you the ultimate in warmth.

Who are Pyrenex i hear you say? Well, they have over 150 years experience of delivering warm clothes and have delivered the ultimate winter jacket here hands down. I’m not kidding when i say that this jacket is THE warmest i have ever had the pleasure of wearing. It’s all thanks to the 70% down and 30% feathers that fill this jacket all over and i guess the best way to describe it is that it’s like wearing a sleeping bag into the streets and is most comfortable.

Pocketwise it has the lot including 2 inside i-pod pockets, one with a slit for your earphones to wire through, big warm front pockets that have a side option and also breast pockets that are so warm you could insert and egg and watch it boil over a small amount of time. At this point i have to tell you that this jacket is so warm that you really do not need a sweater or hoodie underneath it meaning you can walk into the freezing cold streets of the UK in a t-shirt and jacket and not feel cold. Other people i have met this winter have 3-4 layers on and are still cold. It sounds like bullshit but it’s not; once you have this on you don’t have to think about temperature whatsoever, it’s all taken care of in seconds.

The Sasquatch is also water resistant and also super light. It can be folded up into a small ball if needed once all the air has been pushed out of it, leaving you with easy options for storage if needed…genius. The hood can be taken off and the fake fur trim does the job perfectly in strong wind leaving your face nice and warm and well out of the weather.

I thought i lost this jacket at a Pendulum show and was gutted to leave the venue without it. One of my friends had taken it though and fortunately it came back to me the next day. But that night, something in me died, i was lost without it, it’s that bloody good. This is by far the winner of ‘Best Winter Jacket of the Year’, here at Crossfire so do yourself a favour, go buy one today and make like a wookie.

Go to www.globe.tv for more..

Zac Slack

I spent all my nights wishing upon a star for some snow. I closed my eyes real tight and forced the wish out into the sky. This carried on for nights and nights until one day I woke up and looked out of my window to see the entire garden covered in snow, so I ran into the garden and started building my snowman.

Everything was going brilliantly until I realized the carrot I wanted to use for his nose was out of my financial reach because the bastard thieving supermarkets are charging me triple price just because it’s organic. Of course it’s organic you mugs, it’s a VEGETABLE!

Ranting and raving in the garden, I had plenty to say to whoever would listen and carried on berating the world until my snowman was nothing more than a puddle that was soaking through my slippers. What is the importance of this introduction? Well, standing out in the bloody cold wind, I was able to withstand the sub-freezing temperatures thanks in no small part to the Matix jacket I was wearing.

Ok, so the snow might not have been real, but the temperature was and having a nice big hooded jacket with heat-trapping lining meant that I wasn’t as blue as a smurf before reaching the end of my street. The hood means the back of my head was kept warm as well as looking the part bopping down the road.

Matix have proved time and again that they know how to stitch together some banging clothes and this jacket it no exception. There’s not likely to be tropical scenes in the UK for a good few months yet, so cover yourself with this and boycott those organic carrots once and for all!

Abjekt

Make no mistake these ACE Trucks are not the most flattering I’ve seen to date, G&S ventured into the truck market during the 80’s and they pulled it off though. They’ve attracted comments ranging from “wow, Variflex“, to “they look like something from Argos“. On appearance alone they may look old school but I shit you not, they certainly perform!

This is unsurprising when you discover the company is owned by ex Indy team manager Joey Tershay, surely this guy knows what he’s doing, right? Well, if you like the original Indy stage 3 geometry, you won’t go wrong with these bad boys.

I broke these in during a mellow Bay Sixty6 mini ramp session and they took a while to get used to like any new truck. Saying that, I was riding a new complete set up with a stiff deck and rock hard, slippery wheels and we all know what’s up there! Now because ACE have lightened the hangers by reducing the size and reach of the support, the trucks look overly wide, even on a 7.6″ deck and I still need to get my head around that one.

I got to the point where I accepted these as ‘OK‘ but that’s up until I took them into a bowl. Pretty they aren’t but sweet Jesus they totally and utterly slay! If you get your kicks from by bombing frontside around bowled corners, these are going to make you very, very happy, they’ve really put a massive thrill into my bowl riding and I just can’t get enough. The grind is nothing special, even for brand new trucks. The metal seemed softer than I expected and I got my 50-50 locks worn in pretty quick. New trucks can be a real shitter ’till the locks are worn in.

Fellow Team Breakneck rider and mate of mine Tom ‘Eco’ Briggs is a true bowl addict and it shows in his riding, the guy is obsessed with killing transitions, he’s a full-on gnarler and he knows what a good set of trucks are all about. When I tried Eco on the ACE MFG, he threw down some ridiculous lines and popped out wearing a huge grin, the first thing he said was “Fucking Hell, they’re certainly lively! Take it from me, these are worth the switch, period…

ACE MFG trucks come in seven different sizes from ’00’ to ’33’ ifnd them at www.acetruckmfg.com or at their Myspace.

Adie Kitachi