All that rain during the last months and the fact that I don’t have a skateable garage in the neighborhood, led to an unbearable situation – not being able to do some pumping for weeks. To change this unpleasant situation I purchased a set of rain wheels. It’s a set of pink ABEC11 BigZigs modified by longbordshop.eu to reduce hydroplaning.
I tested them and they are working. But on my home spot, a parking lot with tight turns on each side, they still tend to slide out in the rear - especially in one of the turns. I have to ride carefully and can’t avoid losing some speed in the turns. So I have to give some extra effort to accelerate every 30 seconds. That can be frustrating, especially with a longer wheelbase and wind. That’s why I wasn’t completely happy when I tested the wheels on my Rayne Vandal. So I set up an old Rayne Brightside, I had lying around, as a minipumper for rainy days.
Deck: Rayne Brightside, 34" x 9.25", WB 22,5"
Trucks
- Front: Randal RII-125 50° (+12°) with Riptide APS Barrel 75a (BS), Reflex Cone 74a (RS) and Riptide Pivot Cup.
- Rear: Randal RII-125 42° (-12) with Riptide APS Chubby 80a (BS) and Riptide APS Barrel 80a (RS) and Riptide Pivot Cup.
Wheels: ABEC11 BigZigs 77a mod. by longboardshop.eu.
With a shorter board like this accelerating is much easier. In this aspect the relatively lively rear truck helps as well. This board feels like I have more control and less sliding in the rear. I’m glad I can pump on wet pavement now. It’s fun, although it’s a little slower and more exhausting. Parking-lot pumping on wet pavement is all about accelerating from slow speed. That’s why I’ll try softer bushings and maybe a different front truck someday. A Bennett might bring some more drive. But a Carver CX.4 is something, I’d love to try out too. (If only they where sold separately.)
