Penny Vs. Globe Bantam Vs. Stereo Vinyl Cruiser Vs. Fish Skateboards

For more discussion please check out plasticskateboarding.com/forum 

My thoughts after exactly one week of having the Globe Bamtam and much more weeks of having the 3 other boards.

From Left to Right: Penny Skateboard, Globe Bantam, Stereo Vinyl Cruiser, Fish Skateboard

The decks of the Penny, Stereo and Fish are all very similar.  The Bantams differences are pretty big in comparison.  The Globe is bigger, 6.5x23.5 vs the others 22.5x6.  It feels bigger that the difference in the number suggest to me, maybe because it tapers less towards the tail.  I have read elsewhere that the Bantam was stiff.  I do not find this to be the case.  I found the Bantam to be the most flexy, followed by the Penny and the Stereo and Fish to be the stiffest.  A factor is that the Globe has a little longer wheelbase, not by much though,  Most of the extra length on the Globe is in the nose and tail.  

The grip pattern is unique, but after riding it to the beach a few times and riding it home with wet shoes it will still need a sheet of grip tape before too long.  

I feel like the trucks are the biggest difference between these stock.  The slant trucks are pretty standard new school trucks, just narrowed to fit the board.  Much better in my opinion than the Penny or Stereo versions.  The Penny and Stereo boards did come with more appropriate bushings though.  The Slant trucks on the Bantam came with what I believe are 94a bushings.  These feel a lot stiffer than I would normally ride on a cruiser like this.  That will probably be the first thing I replace on the Bantam as I keep riding it.

The Bantams wheels I really like also .  They are a little wider, bigger, 62mm and harder, 83a than the Penny or Stereo.  I have been riding 62mm wheels on the Stereo and they might be my favorite size right now so these wheels are just about perfect.  The photos show them vs. wheels that come stock on a Stereo Vinyl cruiser.  Both good sized wheels if a little different.  The slightly harder Globes fit my preferences better though.

The bearings seem pretty good so far also, Im not sure if I will be swapping them out once I start to upgrade the Bantam.  

Hardware is standard, I was a little surprised that the Globe came with risers.  1/4"

This is the only board of the 4 with risers, the wheels are a little bigger, but with the hardness of those bushings a don't know if they are needed.  I may leave them on because I will go to much softer bushings, but I will probably try with out too for a while.

More thoughts to come as I get more time in riding the new board.

For more discussion please check out plasticskateboarding.com/forum 

Stereo Vinyl Cruiser trucks kingpin upgrade.

 

Get my things.

stock truck, new bushings, some washers, standard kingpin and nut-2"3/8"24tpi,  skate tool, JB Weld, and 17mm wrench.

 

The stock kingpins are big and weird.  Take apart truck

 

Comparison shot of the 2 kingpins.  Insert new Kingpin.

Mix up your JB Weld with something you wont need anymore.  Then dump in and beside the head of the kingpin.  You don't have to fill up the hole, just get enough on the sides so that the kingpin wont spin when you tighten it.  Try not to get very much on your hands and none on your phone.  And none on the counter.  Good luck. 

Then I put he washers, bushings and hanger on to get it lined up then a clamp to hold it straight  and leaned it against the wall until it cures.  

And then... go to sleep.

The next day, All hardened.  Tighten up the kingpin bolts with your eyes closed thinking there is no way that stuff is going to hold.  Then it holds and your trucks are done.  I have done this on shortboard trucks before and it holds up pretty well.  Little pieces might chip off but you will still be able to tighten and loosen the trucks.

For more discussion please check out plasticskateboarding.com/forum 

Fish with Stereo with Penny

I set up one of the Fish Skateboards that I got the other day with parts I had laying around.  I used the Penny trucks and bushings and Stereo wheels and bearings.  I am going to ride it for a few days and see what I think.

Stereo Vinyl Cruiser

I ordered this board because I wanted to use the Surf-Rodz Indeesz on something like a Penny board or this.  It came today, here are some pics.

Look at the size of this kingpin?!? It took a 17mm wrench to turn.  Why? Who knows but you can not replace it with a standard kingpin unless you are going to jb weld the new one in.  Sooooooo, if you take a couple boards to the park, bring an extra wrench.  Who cares though, The trucks are going to be replaced anyway.

This board looks awesome.  I expected black wheels, or transparent grey from the photos before I ordered.  I was surprised when it showed up with transparent purple.  They look perfect with the green deck.

Tiny hardware? I guess all the metal they saved on these went into the kingpin, so we are even.  Hardware needs replaced with the trucks.

Logo

And a pretty cool touch, They come with a bunch of stickers and a matching pair of sunglasses.