I took a few hill runs today. Really nice wind. Counted seconds between a couple of street lights on the way down going fast, then a couple of runs in the car to get the speed between them — faster than 25mph — probably but less than 30. Best guess, conservatively, is 27mph. With a stronger wind 30 – 32 is for sure possible.

Took a couple of runs on the Gravity Kalai, and it handled really well at that speed. No problems at all. Took the other other funs (total of 7) on the Comet Pagan. Both were read. Really different, but rad.

After several weeks of mostly riding my Comet FSM, a few days ago I took a few runs on the Comet Pagan. While both boards have the Comet Rocker and concave, they ride a lot differently.

First, the Pagan is about 2″ longer. More wheelbase. More stability. Not that that FSM is unstable or anything, but the Pagan is clearly designed to go faster. Also, since the Pagan isn’t bi-directional, the rocker doesn’t extend as deeply through the entire length of the board. This isn’t a bad thing. The Pagan is just made to be ridden in mostly one direction. So yeah, it is more of a speed board.

Since I’m running Randal-IIs on the Pagan, it rides a bit higher than the FSM, which I think gives it a little more turning leverage. And of course the R-IIs track the ground so well. They just hug it. The Indy Hybrids on the FSM, on the other hand, don’t have that “Randal flop” that Randal style trucks tend to have. Of course, the modified R-IIs from milehigh skates avoid the “flop” by using a better kingpin, bigger, better bushings, etc.

Right now, at lower speeds, I’m kinda partial to the FSM, but it is close. When I get a chance to break the 30mph barrier, I will be on the Pagan. When and if I get more comfy with that speed, I would go down to the FSM.

I’m really stoked about  the Retro Freeride wheels. I’ve ridden quite a few of Chaput’s wheels, and for my needs the Freeride is the best thing he has done. I’m using the 80a Lime and the 83a Lemon, and they both rule. Of course, the Pink “Powerball” is the same wheel in 78a, and it also rides great.  The wheels feel light and nimble, even though they are 72mm in diameter. Of the three duros I have, all of them are just smooth as silk on typical Dallas area concrete. They grip suprisingly well, without being impossible to slide. When I say they are “nimble”, I’m comparing them mostly to another Chaput wheel, the 66mm ABEC-11 Striker. I’ve been riding a set of those for several years now. They are fast enough, but they feel heavy to me, and kind of “clunky”. I could see them being really good on smooth asphalt, but even in that case I think the Freerides would be better.

I’m not a wheel designer, so I’m not sure what causes these kinds of differences. I’m sure the type of core in the wheel makes a difference. Width and profile too. I’m also think that the depth of the urethane from the surface of the wheel down to the core is critical. Too much and the wheel feels clunky. Too little and it rides rough. I think the Freerides get it just about right. I’m seriously thinking about buying a set of these every month I have a little extra spending money. They are great wheels, and you never know when good stuff will become unavailable.

Another note: My Freerides are all in Chaput’s “Reflex” forumula urethane. He has recently released them in the “classic” formula – one that he says is better suited to sliding and general skating (rather than racing). The wheels are sort of clear/translucent. They come in different durometers than the Reflex Freerides, so they might fill an interesting niche in the ABEC-11/Retro/Pink lineup. They aren’t any cheaper!