ISSA - International Slalom Skateboarding Association

Here is a review I just posted on ncdsa:

It kills me to write this review because I'd love to keep these wheels all to myself but I feel that I owe it to Chris Chaput to let the cat out of the bag.

I am absolutely stunned. I recently rode on some prototype gumballs 81r, 88f. These are perfect wheels. Just freaking perfect. I wouldn't change anything about them. No cutdowns necessary. Perfect height to width ratio. Perfect lip flex both inside and out.

I ran a known GS course first with my Flashbacks. I then changed out to the Gumballs/Built-ins. I was expecting the tradeoff of less grip for the tremendous speed. Nope. More grip at much higher speeds. Took me about 4 runs to get them to slide after pushing harder and harder each run.

They turned so well that I had to run a cyberslalom on them to see if they would feel "heavy" through 6' centers and a short push start. I cybered directly after doing GS (tired). I ran an 8.27 cyber on Gumballs, and this was after running GS for about 1.5 hours solo.

These are very special wheels.

I also purposely loaded the built-in bearings in a sloppy fashion to test whether or not they would really "true" themselves if they were originally miss-aligned. Cranked them down nice and tight and they spun with absolutely no resistance. This was the same for all 4 wheels. Just slid the wheels on without dicking with the spacer and without dropping speedrings and cranked them down tight. It works. Its like a Formula 1 pit stop.

Mike:

Could you post a pic of the Gumballs - can't find one anywhere, including ABEC 11 web-site.

What duro combinations would you recomend for different events (TS, Hybrid, Cyber).

Thanks

Rob

Rob,

I wouldn't recommend these as the fastest wheels for cyberslalom or tight slalom, but for hybrid and GS these will be unbeatable. I predict they will change the way we set courses and have as big an impact on slalom as the first white Avalons. They may be the inertia needed to see real tight slalom at some of the bigger races where cone rates of 4 to 6 cones per second will preclude their use by anyone.

As far as duro, I have only ridden the 81r/88f combo. I think 84r/88f will be a good starting place but you may end up going softer to a 81r/84f.

Mark my words: Gumballs will change slalom racing and how we set courses from here on out. Simply amazing wheels.

mike, how many pads do you need under the pvds to avoid wheel bite with the balls.T

Here's an image comparison with the Flashbacks.

The Flashbacks are 70mm tall, Gumballs are 76mm tall
The Flashbacks are 48mm wide, Gumballs are 53mm wide
The Flashbacks have a 43mm contact patch, Gumballs have a 49.5mm contact patch
The Flashbacks are sideset, Gumballs are offset
The Flashbacks are "barrel" shaped, Gumballs are "hourglass" shaped
The Gumballs are 28% heavier than the Flashbacks

Flashbacks slide more smoothly and predictably.
Gumballs are stickier and have a higher top end.

TK -

I don't change the riser height from Flashback to Gumball. For both I use 5/8" risers with a Roe Bullet that has subdued wheelwells. I set my PVD hardstops with about 5/16" clearance to allow for board flex and I can hammer with confidence. I can't wait to race against Avilas with the Gumball/Built-in combo.

BTW, The Gumballs will be released in 75a, 78a, 81a, 84a and 88a. Limited production 72a versions for racers only.

We're about one week away.

All this while I'm shaving NoSchools to make the quickest and fastest TS wheel.

Screw GS and SUPER FAG GS. Gimmi no Balls! Gimmi TS wheelz!

Or else!

Vlad, You already have no balls. You've opened your legs, now open your mind.

I guess I'll have to buy me some Balls. Damn Capitalists!

How about a 70mm Gumball wheel for ‘regular’ GS?

WesE wrote:How about a 70mm Gumball wheel for ‘regular’ GS?

I'll take 71 mm Gummballs please for Special Parallel GS.

has anybody used these wheels for a flat 6' slalom course? I am thinking of getting some, but i need to make sure they arent going to hold me back because i need all the help i can get! What is the best abec-11 wheel for a cyber slalom/flat slalom 6' course? Thanks!

Seth,
I'd try Flashbacks in the 92 duro.

Has anyone else been disappointed with the Gumballs?

I got four 88a, four 78a and 2 84a.
At a recent DC Outlaw Bozi Longboard race, I had 88's all around. Grip was terrific, but the course didn't require exceptionally grippy wheels. I put 83mm 78a Flywheels on just the front and knocked almost a whole second off my time.
I put the four 78's on my Bozi Mad Bomber and they didn't feel near as fast as Flywheels, Flashbacks, or 3dm Avalons. I know there are guys who use them for racing, so they can't be all that bad.

Anyone else ridden Gumballs, I'd like to hear your reviews.

Now that the Gumballs are "special deal'd" with built-in builtins, shoud we revisit this topic?

Yes, the deal is on, buy 2 sets of Gumballs, and get free Abec5 builtins.

So, are these good for anything tighter than GS or Hybrid stuff?

Q

Michael Dong said:

They may be the inertia needed to see real tight slalom at some of the bigger races where cone rates of 4 to 6 cones per second will preclude their use by anyone.

Michael, Im not understanding this statement. Why would these wheels be so good for TS? They seem quite tail for TS dont they?