I've mentioned this deck in previous posts, so I wanted to use this post to talk about my new favorite skateboard set up (sorry Snake Farm, but you'll always be my first).
The Snake Farm deck is made in Mexico by PS Stix and (at the time) Snake Farm had just signed a southside Houston skater to their roster... so I felt good about supporting them. :) The trucks are industry standard Independence Trucks - Stage 11s and my wheels on that deck are Spitfires.
After a few weeks, and even trying out someone else's deck that was similar to what I was seeking, I was ready to find my next deck. A friend introduced me to Texican Skateboards and, after checked out the deck styles he had available, I was immediately on board with buying a deck from him.
Frank recommended I check out Cherries Wheels, based in Austin, as I had mentioned my desire to buy from local business. Frank uses their Big Boys wheels and had an extra set in his van in case he needs to replace them while traveling. I checked out Cherries Wheels at Southside Skateshop and was sold on the Smoke Bombs... which were only 1mm bigger than the wheels I was using on my Skate Farm.
The verdict: This set up is exceptionally fun. I truly love everything about it: the wheels have a great bite but also slide nicely when pushed. I love love love those Stage 4 trucks and really can't see myself ever wanting to go back to Stage 11s. The Stage 4s have a smooth, flowy feel to them when taking turns and hitting ramps / bowls. The Stage 11s are more aggressive on the turns. The way the 4s are built - I wonder if Independence was trying to emulate the feeling of riding on a wave. Perhaps others can explain the difference better than I. All I know is that they are smooth and flowy.
So overall, a solid set up that felt comfortable and enabled me to start learning more and more alongside my oldest son -- the only reason I started skateboarding again.
As I skated around at various parks in Texas and Oklahoma, I began to consider what I liked and didn't like about the popsicle set up.
I felt like I needed more real estate in the front for my foot and a more pronounced tail in the back to rest my other foot. While I was in traveling in the Dallas area, I stopped by Geometric Skateshop to look at various decks. The Powell Peralta Old School Ripper deck was definitely bigger, but felt too big and wide... like I was riding on a surfboard!
Then I tried out the P&P GeeGah deck and I liked the shape and feel. The nose was wider than the back while the tail had a little more space and concave to solidly plant my right foot. So, I had made up my mind......... to think about.
Texican is a one-man operation -- run by a guy named Frank Gardner. As I learned more about him and Texican, I was even more enthusiastic: He's based in Houston, his decks are made in Georgia and he drives there to pick up the blanks himself... then he shapes and paints each one at his shop in Houston. He's 100% into what he does because it's his lifelong passion. He also takes several months off each year to travel north to explore as many skateparks as possible. When I say north, I mean from Texas to Montana and North Dakota!
Plus, I like that design on the bottom.
And finally, Independent Trucks had just re-released their Stage 4 trucks - which many say have more of a smoother turning radius... like riding a surfboard. This would be ideal for the Texican as I requested wheel wells get carved into the deck to help prevent wheel bite.
The deck is also fantastic. I feel a bit more confident riding on ramps and more with the wider deck. I'm not one to do lots of tricks (for now). I mainly just want to ride with confidence and enjoy the skating experience.
So yeah, this is the deck I'm taking with me in September along with the Fuji and a desire to enjoy the outdoors.
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