2003 Roe Skateboard Slalom Racing Decks (check here first)

[Gareth Roe]

<center><b>RoeRacing 2003!</b></center>
<center><img src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... "></center>
<center>Got Carbon?</center>

Even though Advanced Systems Plankk-R does not have or believe in carbon, we do believe in Tight Slalom. It is good to see a TS deck on the market! A couple more of those and Plankk-R will close its doors forever for its purpose will be fulfilled.

Bravo Roe!

Your wooden friends.

Just rode it in cones today. 5 foot on center....yes please.

I ran one of the Kevlar-based pre-production CrossFires on the flat at Hyde Park, following Paul Price's Thursday markings as closely as was viable (6-7ft mixed offset). At the end of the couse I put eight cones straight, five feet each apart in order to test the TS capacity of this deck.

The CrossFire was set up with the now standard RTX/S mix and light grey Cambrias (front wedged forward, back 1/4" flat).

My first impression is that the board is very stiff, especially laterally (not surprising given it's width), allowing just enough vertical flex for a snappy feel. On running the 17.5" wheelbase the board felt very alive and not dissimilar to a foam-core; it's stiffness made it feel immediate and very responsive, especially when pumping. Despite the shorter wheelbase, the Crossfire went through the longer turns easily, allowing extra confidence for the offsets because of the larger surface area in comparison to my current Roe, the Stinger GS model. Having a large platform directly over the rear truck allowed firmer pumping and afforded greater grip than I usually obtain. The rear wheels broke only rarely in mid-turn, but this was due to a combination of poor technique and flat-risered rear truck too tight. An offset truck would be overkill. The board carved through the final five foot straight cones after I'd scrubbed off speed on the wider offsets, proving that it works equally well on the tight as it does on the larger spacings.

As a mid-field Ameteur rider, the CrossFire flattered my abilities and suggested that it could be pushed a lot harder than I took it. Plenty of grip, stable with a broad platform, this TS machine covers a larger range of disciplines than its size suggested. Like it lots!

Roe Bullet review

I had Gareth make me up a Bullet with Med-Stiff Flex for my 175 lbs. It was sent to TK and we drilled it together after flexing it. The wheelbase is 19.25" inner hole to inner hole making it about 21" axel to axel. This is my first high-performance board. Before this board I was riding some plank boards I made with no flex, and an old Fluid Stinger, and a G&S Response Pro that was way to flexy for my wieght. I have mostly been riding Tracker RTS/X with either Cambrias or Avalons. So from my experience this is what I can say about the Bullet after have riden it through cones in a couple of sessions. The courses were Hyrid courses set at the Arbortem in Boston. One was set tighter with mostly 5.75' cones and the other more open with 7' cones, both pretty fast courses.

The Bullet has been extremely comfortable from the get go. I like the thinner rounded shape versus the more pointy and wider Unlimited and Pocket Pistols I have riden. I have a smaller foot so all that real estate up front you get with a wider board is too much for me. Although the wider nose makes it more possible for wheelbite which has happened to me but proper bushings and tighter trucks makes this a non issue. The flex was deemed "perfect" by TK after drilling it and I have to agree it feels good. The flex makes this board easy to pump and get up to speed on the early cones. It has a lot more snap compared to the much damper Ick Sticks I've rode. Its much easier to pump than the no-flex boards but a less direct to wheel kind of feel you get with a plank. This board definately made me a better slalomer from the start. Its true that better equipment makes you a better slalomer. I have much more confidence on this board on a tighter and faster course, I just feels quicker in my turns with more stability. The board is much more stable at higher speeds than any of my other boards but they were all shorter and thinner boards. At this point I would want to get an offset truck for the rear. This board seems to be a good set up for a Hybrid course, some tight cones, some GS cones, some offsets. It can handle it all. Having riden this board I would love to get the shorter Crossfire which is basically the same shape but 2" shorter and set it up with a smaller wheelbase for a really tight, tight course. For a bigger GS course I would look into maybe a Pocket Pistol because they seem like such big and stable boards. Overall the Bullet has made me faster and better, its been a blast to ride!!!

<center><img src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... ited03.gif" border="0">
<b>Unlimited 03 - Crossfire - Bottle Rocket</b>
260k that will entertain you for hours.
</center>

Got my Crossfire this morning RT-X front wedged,RT-S Offset back,slight wedge. Cambrias 82-86s. Oust bearings. I went through thoese 5 ft 7 inch cones like a madman. It was like butter. Amazing board very quick,turns on a dime. I highly recommend this board for tight slalom. You Da Man Gareth. Eddy Texas Outlaw.

Gareth, can you customize the flex profile to my specifications?

How much?

We have the ability to press boards that are very stiff and boards that are very soft - and almost everything in between!

We have five standard flex patterns that we can build our Performance Series boards in; soft (under 120), medium (120-160), med/stiff (160-190), stiff (190-220) and extra stiff (over 220). One of these lay-ups will most likely do the trick!

Beyond our "standard" lay-ups, we can do individually tailored lay-ups for a rider by taking out or adding in layers of wood, glass or carbon fiber to widen the flex range significantly. The possible combinations are too numerous to list. Our "plain-jane" default lay-up is the Med/Stiff and it seems to work great for riders who are looking for a very responsive, quick reacting board that is not a too soft or twisty.

Let us know your weight, what type of flex and ride characteristic you want, the model of the board you want to order and we can build a board with the lay-up that best matches your needs.

Custom flex at a stock board price!

----------

The current manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2003 RoeRacing Slalom boards are as follows:

Performance Series CrossFire - US$95.00
Performance Series Unlimited- US$95.00
Performance Series Cut-A-Way - US$95.00
Performance Series S-Camber (either shape)- US$115.00

Foam Core CrossFire - US$225.00
Foam Core Unlimted - US$225.00
Foam Core Bottle Rocket - US$225.00
Foam Core Bullett - US$225.00
Foam Core Gary Holl Models (TS, 31", 34") - US$235.00
Foam Core Hester TS - US$235.00
Foam Core Bonita - US$235.00
Foam Core Elderado - US$235.00
Foam Core Custom Shapes - US$xxx.xx (Priceless!)

All of the above listed prices are for the deck only and does not include shipping and handling or any applicable sales taxes. All of our decks come drilled and gripped.

All prices may vary slightly from one retailer to another. Look for new pricing after the first of the year.

Hope this helps!

Thanks-
Gareth
RoeRacing Slalom Skateboards

RoeRacing 2003 Performance Series Racing Boards

<center>

<b>The S-camber is here! And greatly improved, we might add.</b></center>

Originally designed by Henry Hester in the 1970's, the s-camber quickly became the shape of choice for tight slalom racers around the globe.

The camber on our boards has been perfectly modeled after one of the most successful tight slalom boards in the history of slalom skateboard racing. (Thanks Jani!) The utilization of modern construction methods, the highest quality woods and aerospace composite materials will make this board perform like no other s-camber ever has! Extremely responsive with AMAZING traction in the tight stuff!

<b><i>S-Camber PS</i></b>
Overall Length: 28"
Overall Width: 8"
Camber: "S"
Drilled Wheel Base: 18 1/2" - 19"

RoeRacing 2003 Performance Series Racing Boards
<img src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... itedPS.jpg">

<b><i>Unlimited PS</i></b>
Overall Length: 30"
Overall Width: 8 3/4"
Camber Height: 1/2"
Drilled Wheel Base: 19 1/2" - 20"

<center><b>Got Wood Yet?</b></center>

If you want the traction of an offset, PVD or Custom truck but dont want to spend the extra cash this deck is for you. The S shape was originally concieved by Henry Hester and Bob Skolberg with camber under the front foot and rocker under the rear. This combination provides insane traction with stock trackers or indys. I set mine up with a radikal up front and a wedged indy in the rear. The deck is highly manuverable and eats up offsets like they were stingers. In the 90's John Gilmour was whalluped all to hell by guys (Jani and all his boys) riding these decks. (not that this would ever happen again to John). Anyway, Gareth and Steve have resurrected the design and improved upon the original by using superior materials. S-cambers...They're not just for ts anymore.

Gareth, can you make custom shapes in the Performance Series laminates?

Sure! They cost slightly less than the foam core custom boards - see above ;-> The part that takes the most time (ie, most expensive) is making the templates that we use to shape the final board - but we can do it!

Later-
Gareth

Look for another great shape added to the Roe Organic series. So far the Crossfire is getting Rave reviews. The new Unlimited shape is going to broaden the series. Wood is Good.

TK

Having used the Unlimited shape for the past few months I can tell you that it is a very functional shape.

<center>Introducing the Gary Holl Signature Series</center>

For those of you that know I once had a board that was made for me by Robin Lloyd. He told me he could make any shape I wanted. The result was a blunt nosed board that I loved. After riding slalom for two years I made a template for Gareth to create a new updated version of this board. The result is pure perfection for tight slalom.

To view the board go to: http://homepage.mac.com/garyholl then hit the "garys sponsors" page.

<center> </center>
<center>Gary Holl models 28.25", 31" and 34"</center>

Gary really wants you to visit his own web page to find out more information.

<center><img src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... "></center>

The cool thing about the Roe is that it can be made custom for you. If you see Freudian objects in the boards, go with a Freudian shape, if you see function and don’t care about the image, design your own for your stance and style. Or combine the two.
Bullet is the optimal universal slalom shape in my opinion.

<center></center>

More pictures coming.

Dear Terence,
It doesn’t matter how ugly my board is.

First, I make everything look good.
Second, it’s the function that counts.

Vlad.

PS. You call a Roe ugly one more time, I’m telling Gareth!
PPS. When I saw this CALI 1975 track suit, I had to have it right away! If Gilmour were with me shopping I’m sure he’d approve!

We have built a lot of "custom" boards in the last 2 years. Some more "custom" than others. However, when Vlad ordered his board, he was very specific with his directions. I had to double and triple check with him to make sure it was exactly what he wanted. He knew exactly what would work for him!

The day the board was to be built, Bruce at the shop, called to ask if I had made a mistake with the templates. "They are not done, you forgot to shape the rails and that nose is perfectly round." I reassured him it was correct and that he could proceed as directed.

When I got to the shop to pick up that weeks board orders, Vlad's board was surrounded by two technicians, a representative from a Japanese helicopter company, a plumber who happened to be in the shop at the time and the local composite sales rep. No one was saying anything!

Then, yesterday when I was at the shop, I told everyone about Vlad's success on his new RoeRacing "Plank" in Mississippi and the response from the two shop technicians was.. "ya, I knew that thing would work, it just looked fast and all about winning..." (Big smile on my face!)

Vlad, Congratulations on your win - Hope the board had something to do with it!

Next up - a Custom board for the Prince of Monaco (no, I am not kidding)!

Sincerely-
Gareth
RoeRacing “CUSTOM” Slalom Skateboards

I just got a new deck I had Gareth custom-build for me, and it has exceeded all my expectations! I needed a deck for tighter courses, and I had a specific idea in mind. I asked Gareth to make something that borrowed from the front end of a Hester Nina and the back end of a FibrFlex GS Lite. The result is 28 x 9.25, looking a bit like the new Unlimited except shorter and with a little bit of a sexy curve to the back end.

I took it out two weeks ago on a tight course on a relatively flat area, and it was fast! I was running 6-footers with offsets, step-overs, diagonals, and a titty curve. The board went where i wanted it to, without even asking. It just KNEW. Last week I hit the overpass...Brady set a sort of tight-hybrid course, pretty fast, and I ran both my Hester and the new board. The new deck was shorter than I would have wanted to run a course this fast on before, but it was stable as all get out yet so much easier to make the course, particularly a really tight stinger section at the bottom. I couldn't be happier with the board Gareth made for me, my new tight/tight hybrid weapon! And most importantly, it has made me faster. You can't ask for a better result than that.

Here's a couple of shots of the new board along with my Hester:

<IMG src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... 1052377399">

<IMG src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... 1052827065">

Thanks Gareth!

<img src="http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/Board ... e_tiny.gif">
Special thanks to the entire <b>RoeRacing</b> Team who raced at the "Worlds;"
Michael Dong
Terence Kirby
John Gilmour
Gary Fluitt
Judi Oyama
Gary Holl
John Hutson


<B>...and, all the other racers who were riding our boards at the "Worlds;"</B>
Noah Heinle
Bobby Mandarino
Brian Parsons
Josh Byrd
Claude Regnier
Mark Mcree
Brent Dekyser
Stephen Daddow
Peter Verdone
Lisa Campbell
Joe Mclearan and, all the others!

GREAT JOB!!!