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Is a 1977 Santa Cruz John Hutson Graphite Deck off the pace?
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:33 pm
by Niall Horton-Stephens
Question... I've been riding a circa 77' Santa Cruz John Hutson Graphite Deck since... 1977! Running mid tracks, Belair Wings at front, RR Henry Hesters at rear... and always been supremely happy with it.. absolutely loved it.... until disaster... the deck is now road-kill... almost snapped in half. Now I'm trying to get a hold of the same deck (have posted request under equipment wanted), but wondered, as I'm really out of touch with slalom developments in recent years, are new decks much better? Is my current running gear way off the pace? Would I really notice a difference switching my deck allegiance? Always fancied a Turner... is the character of these going to be way different to what I'm used to with the Hutson board? Your thought much appreciated (and any info. on tracking down the Santa Cruz!).
It's a wallhanger- but a goodie
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:42 pm
by John Gilmour
Likely one of todays modern decks would lead by as much as 2 seconds in a fifteen second course.
Go for a new set up- you won't believe the difference.
Re. 1977 Hutson santa Cruz deck
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:24 pm
by Niall Horton-Stephens
Thanks for the replies... coming around to the idea that maybe my board should just be pensioned off (maybe I should too)... but, as I bought my last slalom deck 26 years ago could I ask a quick bit of advice... basically what's hot now? I ALWAYS fancied a Turner deck, but if you're familiar with the old Hutson deck I had, any idea if the ride will be very different? How about a Roe deck? (A biased answer quite welcome!) Or the Pocket Pistols seem cool + so light! What's current thinking on just how much flex is best? Should I junk my mid tracks and RR Henry Hesters? Angled truck risers best? Wider truck at rear... does this really help? Sorry to ask so much, but a bit out of touch. Advice much appreciated as it's harder to get in London, UK.
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 9:00 pm
by Terry Kirby
Roe Racing Unlimited PS . Tracker RT X/ RT S combo. Avalons or Flashbacks in the 84a to 88a range. I believe Daddies board shop ships over the pond as well as Toy and Sport in Colorado. Wedge both front and rear with fat side toward the rear. TK
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 11:14 pm
by Terry Kirby
I forgot to mention Mike Stride of Octane Sports. He should have all the goods you need. TK
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:56 am
by Jani Soderhall
Niall,
Don't through away your old Tracker mids! They are the best TS trucks around. The new RTS / RTX are nice too, but not as good for the tight courses.
Keep the RR for the museum. There's plenty of good wheels out that you want to try.
As for the board: The biased answer is get a Roe S-Camber. But there are plenty of good boards available. Get one that fits the length of the board you were riding up to now (that is not so much longer).
/Jani
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 1:11 am
by John Gilmour
I'd say the wheels are responsible for some of the speed increase- but the deck can have a big effect as well. I switched decks at Da farm 2.0 and I think I went .7 sec faster and if I had put in the same effort likely 1.2 sec faster on a sub 18 sec course.
Does it feel a lot faster....hell ya!
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 12:37 am
by Michael Stride
Niall, drop me a line at
sales@octanesport.com
I'd be happy to let you ride a number of decks for you to compare and contrast. And yes, I'm in Laaaaandannnn.