Best Skateboard Setup For Transition ( Bowls, Mini Ramps )

Subscribe To This Channel: bit.ly/2ISqPTj
I've seen this question in the comment section a lot, so I figured why not make an entire video on board setups for transition skateboarding. In this video I'm talking about my current skateboard setup that I use for skating bowls, mini ramps, and pretty much everything else. Also a few tips and suggestions that you should consider when thinking about setting up a new skateboard.
Follow me on Instagram: / dowdy
#skateboarding

[@ZackDowdy]

Do you have any specific transition board setup hacks? Let me know down below!

[@ZackDowdy]

@Randy Lahey18 Loose truck saves lives, truth!

[@japrar]

Ride Indys but swap out the bushings for Bones soft bushings if you want to really surf the concrete waves. I'd been sticking to the stock bushings for ages but tried a friend's board out who had that change done and now I'm sold on it too.

[@ZackDowdy]

@@japrar Solid advise! You can even shave down the OG bushings & they are similar to bones. Totally agree, bushings are crucial to your turning style.

[@JamisonMyth]

@@japrar everyone loves bones bushings, they've done me good in the past, but I destroyed 2 sets of bones bushings within a week (previous sets had taken a few months to thrash) so I decided to try the doh doh's soft bushings and I love them even more and they've lasted me like 6 months and still in decent shape. I cant remember who (i think maybe frank gerwer or colin provost) said he changes his bushings every couple days. I probably would too if i was hooked up

[@japrar]

@@JamisonMyth Thanks for the rec - if I run into a problem with their durability, I'll keep the Doh Dohs in mind!

[@RonaldoBeatles]

One fits all. 8,5 boards with 1,49 trucks, spitfire formula 4 (54m). I’m crap at transitions... I’m crap at street... but I love skateboarding! 👊🏼

[@ZackDowdy]

Yes, you know it!

[@Jack-xy4fy]

I'm the same except with a 8'38 deck

[@RonaldoBeatles]

@@Jack-xy4fy doing it for the love 🤘🏼

[@wetl2628]

Same here but 53mm wheels. But I should go up. Losing to much 'speed'

[@randylawrence504]

One of my boards is the exact same set up, except the trucks are Ace AF 1 55's. Yeah u can skate pretty much everything on that. So sick!

[@keithreynolds6359]

I rode 159's for a long time but at 42 I skate exclusively transition. I switched up to 169's last summer and never looked back. I ride anything up to 9.5 but my last two decks have been a 8.75 Madness Sam Beckett. Love the shape. I also have a 9.25 Antihero Grosso model that I take out for special bowls. Wheels are Spitfire 58 or 60mm. Totally agree that an 8.5 deck with 159 trucks is the most versatile setup. Keep on rollin' baby!!!!

[@ZackDowdy]

Sounds like a proper setup Keith! I do love some 169's for smith grinds.

[@mattcooper1193]

Hey Keith new to skating here do you like hard wheels or soft for transition?

[@mygoldfishdrown5178]

I been rydin transition since the wheels were made from clay.

[@Jim-ip4du]

That’s a long time

[@kayarocioc.4703]

Animal Chin is that you?

[@ticket2space621]

@@kayarocioc.4703 Seen him

[@kayarocioc.4703]

@@ticket2space621 dam who knew the ledgend had youtube

[@FloirdaLaroche]

I’ve been riding since KZbin didn’t have so many damn ads.

[@---Alex]

I been reading the hole comment section during days and watched this video so many times to finally build my transition set up. I ended up with a 8,6 "welcome" popsicle shape board with 159s Indys and 56mm (26mm contact Patch, V-shape 101A) Loophole wheels. There is no turning point from this!! 🔥

[@SeanEnuks]

Really thinking about building a bowl/powl board... so much transition out here to skate, when in rome... haha

[@mrrmpr]

I think its time I put together a mini ramp board and have some fun. Thanks for the tips yo!

[@ZackDowdy]

Thank you, it's so much fun!

[@forrestrichard8133]

I’ve been skating exclusively welcome decks for the last few years. Just went up to 9 from 8.5. Also just got forged hollow 159 indies! They’re rad. And been running 54 formula four full conical spitfires for a while too. Love the set up so much. Especially since I’ve been doing almost exclusively transition recently

[@KyleAndersonSkates]

Very good points! I am one of the people tho that has a separate vert setup. For a while I was skating 8.0 for "street" because it's what I had on hand from some left over boards I had made. But recently setup an AntiHero 8.38 and put an old set of 159s on it with some 52mm wheels and I love it. still get the snappy flips but also have lots of room to land into grinds and lock into transition grinds. But my vert setup is an 8.5 with 60mm wheels, mainly have the two different setups cause of the speed difference, much tighter trucks for vert for me.

[@ZackDowdy]

That makes sense for sure! I mean, there’s no way somebody is skating a mega ramp board on the street haha. Having a setup specifically for riding big transition is dope!

[@Mk3Lew]

So currently I’m riding a Heroin Jay Green Manchester 1988 deck, 8.88 wide at its widest point, nice shape to it with a set of Thunder Team 149 trucks. Spitfire formula four classics 52mm wheels and Bronson G3 bearings. I skate a mix of transition and banks mostly, sometimes I have a play on ledges and I’m finding it pretty good. I’ve messed around with decks a bit over the last 3 years, started with a Mini Logo 8.5 popsicle deck, then had a Heroin Ditch Witch 3 8.88 shaped deck which I kept going back to because I loved the shape and the square tail but always found the deck to be a little too short. I’ve also got an Anti Hero Raney Beres therapy sesh deck which is 8.63 that’s real good as a spare right now. I tried all kinds of wheel sizes, I had 58mm mini logo A-cut wheels on the mini logo deck, then stepped down to the 54mm versions which I found suited my skating a bit more and ended up on the 52mm spitfire wheels because my local park has a lot of banks with a flat strip of metal along the top kind of like coping that’s super fun to 50-50, 5-0 and slash grind on when I’m going full speed around the park but the 54mm wheels were slightly too big for the trucks to actually touch this coping on some of the mellower banks. I’d describe my skating as smaller transitions and I guess transition based street skating. I try to emulate the kind of stuff that Dead Dave does because it’s super creative old school skating and I never really bothered to learn flip tricks or anything like that. So this current setup works really well for me doing that kind of stuff at my local parks which are smaller and more mellow.

[@HisBeverness]

I just picked up a new setup i tried to tailor for transition: 9" deck, 161 Thunders, 56mm wheels. As a tall guy I wanted a big board with a 15" wheelbase. Finding the wide trucks a little tricky to adjust to: the pivot point on grinds is really different. Digging the 56mm wheels, way faster than my old 52s. 97a so a little bit of grip but still allows for slides, etc. I always ride popsicle boards - would love to try shaped one like yours.

[@ZackDowdy]

Shapes are super fun! Setting up your board for taller/bigger feet is a huge! My friend Al rides smaller board/trucks then me and I don't get how he has all that board control haha. Your setup sounds awesome.

[@heartt8847]

I think one of the spots you made is in Ace Pelkas Creative Control part at like 3:40

[@andrewryan920]

Great video. 149s, 8.75 to 8.5 and F4 56s is my current set up. You guys have inspired me to work on my stand up f/s 5-0s. Such a scary trick for me. I also loved the last videos you have posted. The transition tutorials. B/S air was really good.

[@ZackDowdy]

Appreciate the feedback Andrew, sounds like you have a pretty similar setup to me! Stand up grinds are scary, if you can learn to bail it helps a lot.

[@gameboysleepyd4277]

Nothing more universal than a old school setup. All I ride since the reissues came back. What I grew up with and still ride. It's just hard to go back to the popsicle shapes lol and also for me personally 58mm is the smallest wheels I like riding

[@bakedbeings]

Dang, the truck wear - almost mined your way to the axel!

[@mchungleplumble]

I'm on an 8.6" welcome wicked queen, love the shape so much it's super versatile and carves like a dream. Put Ace 160s with 56mm conical full f4. It's amazing how much my confidence has increased for everything with the conical fulls!

[@Alex-gr1bg]

8.8 Welcome football shape: 14" wheelbase with ACE af1 55. Havent owned a set of spitfires but I have been loving OJs hardline (56mm) Im a shorter dude so having a short wheelbase + ace trucks feels awesome. Kinda difficult to find boards with a tighter wheelbase and width Love the vids you are kinda the reason i picked up a welcome deck, Shaped deck just feels fun idk

[@guillaumerobertmas4559]

OJ wheel 56mm 87a ?

[@aprilnoss9841]

You should review an old school skateboard

[@ZackDowdy]

I'd love that, need to hunt down a few setups.

[@liamkong7566]

@@ZackDowdy santa cruz black light reissue

[@MikkoHenrikki]

8.75 polar football shape deck, 149 indys and 52mm spitfire lock ins. Mostly skate street, but find this setup fun on mini ramps and transition. Great video and nice skating! 🔥 Good start for 2021!👍

[@ZackDowdy]

Yeah that sounds like a setup I'd love!

[@cabaiste]

Nice video, could you please send some of that sunny dry weather over to Ireland? Cheers

[@ZackDowdy]

Wishing for clear skys!

[@ras0ne]

I've been skating wider shaped boards now that I'm an old dude and just like cruising the transitions. I found my sweet spot in wheels is 54mm and I keep my decks around 9", every now and then I get froggy and ride a 10". I've been going back and fourth between Indy 169s and 159s, but mostly ride the 169s. BUT then I have my slappy board. 10"+ and 215s FTW.

[@ZackDowdy]

Sounds like we have a similar setup, slappy board sounds dope!

[@LiftNSkate]

Size 9 popsicle, 159’s with indy soft bushings, 58mm bones spf 81b, rush ceramic bearings.

[@Daniel-fo2qf]

8.5" deck, 149 indys, bones reds, normally 58 or 60 mm wheels. I prefer a softer wheel like a filmer or cruiser wheel about 80a or so as the streets are really rough around here and I like to use my board for travel or hill bombing but still allows me to skate the park thought they are a little slower

[@bobisbob9876]

Can you make a video of your skateboard art.

[@ZackDowdy]

Yes! This was actually done by my friend Alex. Next board setup I was thinking about filming some grip tape art.

[@symsdhk]

Pelka on Dowdys Spot! Super sick!

[@trevore7716]

Great video man the grip job on that board is super sick

[@ZackDowdy]

Thank you Trevor!

[@MichaelaBrooke18]

I'm on a 8.75 enjoi shaped board with 139mm krux, formula 1 tablet 51 mm, bronson bearings. I can never stay consistent with setups so my skateboarding is a crapshoot with what I will land for the next few weeks...lol keeps it spicy

[@ZackDowdy]

Keep it spicy, totally with you on that!

[@ESRohner]

Shout-out to the dude reppin' my hometown skate shop with that cap! Colfax 303!!

[@CharlesTlandschulz]

is that khruangbin i’m the background? if so that’s sick.

[@sxsha4847]

that is the coolest grip job I have ever seen

[@JamisonMyth]

theres this youtube channel called Destroyed Wood where this guy shows boards from his extensive collection, and he has some absolutely amazing boards that were owned and decorated by Gonz from the late 80s/early 90s... super beautiful stuff. check it out

[@sxsha4847]

@@JamisonMyth thanks, will do!

[@fourground4363]

5:31 like sure you have more area to grind but one thing I've really found is that the lock in really lacks the same stable feeling on larger trucks if you're use to a smaller truck.

[@aasaf574]

May I ask what shoes are you wearing? I am looking for white and gum.

[@frankiew311]

What about wheel base? I hear nothing but 15" and 16" for transition. Is it harder to ride a 14 or 14.5 wb in big transition?

[@scott8451]

I think ace pelka skate one of your spots you build in his new video part

[@HammerzandNailz]

Used to skate a common 8.5 but bein 6’3” and size 13 for da shoes. 9.1 is my go to for street and transition

[@Joecuzzi]

Would a wider wheel like a Rat bone be better for beginners sliding on coping? The Rat bones create less truck surface, would that be better for preventing pinching the coping?

[@emmanuelgutierrez8616]

Can you start explaining what transition is? I was looking trying a short board for skatepark.

[@XSProgression]

Thanks for the tips Zack and Al! I'm going to go to Spitfires my next set. Its been a very long time since I've had a set of them. Question for you guys on this topic... for skating big transition, how tight/loose do you keep your trucks? I have much super loose cause I learned it felt better for skating street and miniramp, but I notice I wobble a bit on the flat when on big transition. Whats your take on it? Am I gonna get used to it? Or is tighter better? Interested to know not just for speed wobbles, but also for locking in on coping and landing from airs?

[@ZackDowdy]

Tighter trucks will help that speed wobble for sure, something you also may want to consider is getting lower and pumping through the flat, so that your body is using that momentum vs working against it.

[@XSProgression]

@@ZackDowdy awesome thanks for the help Zack!

[@OBnice777]

im nearly 200 pounds what size deck is good for me? i like street but maybe will learn to drop in also

[@sevitaral]

all boards should support you, its preference, im 120 pounds and 5’9 but ride a whopping 9.5 shaped board hahahah

[@sevitaral]

if it helpes my freind is 235 pounds and 6foot and he rides a 8.35 board

[@charleslebourhis9641]

Welcome decks are my favourite

[@cakebabyman5090]

The best board for skateboarding whatever, is the one you have! Just skate people.

[@andrewsomebody844]

What size trucks do you ride. I have some 8,25 s and wanted to get a deck just like this but wasn't sure because it is 9,5

[@andrewsomebody844]

Doh nevermind

[@slarbiter]

Any opinion on wheel durometer? I always use soft wheels on street because I like going fast and don't slide/revert much. I'd imagine harder wheels are safer for pools but I've seen people use cruiser wheels

[@AbenteuerWildnis]

Very helpful, thank you! 👍 Greetings from Austria ✌

[@camelo1495]

Skating an 8.5 freedome or pocket pistols 8.5...ace trucks 144 seem to grind coping alot better and lock in cleaner. Bones spf wheels 56 and Swiss 6. Switching out wheels and bearings made it easier to get up. Switching trucks from indys to Ace extended grinds and gave me a lock in I needed plus they felt smoother through the turns. As for street I switched to a shorter 8.5 with indys and spitfire lock ins.

[@ZackDowdy]

A shorter board for street makes so much sense.

[@dustin6146]

Your videos are really insightful!

[@fabiotarantino5027]

Thanks for this video🔥(and more)

[@contorta960]

"more generic bearings", dudes got Bronson Raws. They're my favourite but would probably call the £2 abec 5, 7, 9's generic and the £40 Raws on the higher end all things considered.

[@romanlanzas508]

Love this channel!

[@ZackDowdy]

Ayy thank you Roman!

[@kickflip4kash100]

wait a minute... wasnt zack at like only 1k subs afew months ago? wow!

[@ZackDowdy]

Thanks for the support homie!

[@MichaelaBrooke18]

Yeah he is starting to spin

[@felixdrucker]

Old mate Zack finally getting closer towards the sub count this channel deserves - next stop: 20k

[@skidmark7915]

Rad content Zack, what wheelbase do you like?

[@woahluca8037]

Sick! Was waiting for this vid

[@marissac870]

Love your lien to tails. 🤘

[@TheBigSquidAZ]

8.5 with 159 indys 54-56mm spitfire classics mob black

[@ZackDowdy]

I totally forgot to talk about grip!

[@TheBigSquidAZ]

@@ZackDowdy I've been riding that set up for like 2yrs roughly

[@LUZ-zv6pq]

Hahaha that grip is important! I like a mellow concave and it's literally a pain in the arse when my front foot slips off..

[@JG-ke7gj]

Would 159 trucks work for a 9,7 wide board?

[@hungryveganwanderer9063]

Does the 169 truck comes with 6 hole baseplates?

[@andreabordoni2665]

What welcome model are you riding?

[@dustin6146]

Great content! Love it

[@davidwilbur114]

Hey are u in San Diego I noticed ur pacific drive stickers

[@phildeadfield1483]

Right now I'm skating a shaped 8.8 Slave deck, 169 Thunders, and 56 Spitfire Fomula 4s. @Zack Dowdy do you care about where the product is made? I like to try and buy stuff made in NA, I've moved on from Independent for that reason. Trying to figure out a good wheel that isn't made in China.

[@ZackDowdy]

Where the product is made is important to me for sure, but there's also a production integrity process I consider. That's the same reason I'll never buy a pair of Nikes ;)

[@stillxlost]

Yo if that deck is 8.25 over the trucks, could you get away with Ace 44s on it? Looks like a fun shape

[@ZackDowdy]

Yeah I believe Al rides 44s at times. You might see the axle nut.

[@Tranzformerzgetoff]

I have a 10” PowellxPeralta OG shaped scheme deck 169 Indy’s 56mm slime balls(97A) Bronson G3’s... I’m only skating transition atm so it works

[@ZackDowdy]

Proper setup!

[@haderacho3918]

I have size 13 or 14 feet and ride a 7.5. I plan on getting a bigger board, do you recommend I jump straight to 8.5 or should I get an 8.25 instead?

[@ZackDowdy]

The jump to 8.25 would be nice, not a huge change... then you can move to 8.5 if you like the stability.

[@haderacho3918]

@@ZackDowdy sweet, thanks man!

[@liamTK]

Shape looks tight! Do you know the name of the shape?

[@ZackDowdy]

I wish I did, it was a hand me down.

[@stillxlost]

If it’s a Welcome deck it’s looks like their Slappy Slap shape

[@skeater6626]

I ride a 8.5 with 159, it's really good for transition, in my opinion

[@ZackDowdy]

Yes, love that 8.5!

[@an1megraphics627]

are 53mm spitfire conical full f4 suitable for transition?

[@technolange651]

I actually like my trucks to be slightly wider than my deck so 149s on an 8.25. But I've just bought an 8.5 so I think that will be ideal for mini ramp and transition. Also board length is important for me. I don't like board that is too long or with a long wheelbase.

[@ZackDowdy]

That makes sense, it's nice to see your wheel nuts under your board.

[@coalkeller5836]

Where is that park it looks like a lot of fun

[@jwhiteswagg]

Yeah what park is this?!! I want to skate it!!

[@ZackDowdy]

City Heights in San Diego

[@coalkeller5836]

@@ZackDowdy thank you 🙏

[@datenbankblog]

Hi. What about bearing spacers? Do you use them?

[@ZackDowdy]

The ones between each bearings and inside the wheels yeah!

[@charleslebourhis9641]

Wow nice setup

[@pablou8892]

Thanks!😝

[@Jakob-zs1qu]

Wtf, why shield less bearings?

[@darkwingduck7212]

What deck is that ?

[@kevinkrutz924]

Damn I sk8 city all the time. Would of been sick to see you there rippin

[@ZackDowdy]

Hopefully next time!

[@fancyname5997]

Dope video

[@gorryman]

Formula Fours 99 seem to last longer( shrink slower ) but are harder to slide and slower than the 101s in bowls, Ace trucks loose AF

[@ZackDowdy]

Love ACE trucks

[@mattcooper1193]

Hard or soft wheels for transition skating?

[@ZackDowdy]

Depends on the spot/surface you skate most, but if I hard to pick one or other I go hard.

[@mattcooper1193]

@@ZackDowdy thanks for response! I’m mainly concrete sometimes wood ramps, but mainly concrete.

[@catipanga]

Is that a slappy slap shape deck ?

[@ZackDowdy]

Welcome deck

[@catipanga]

@@ZackDowdy I'm sorry, I meant what shape it is, because in the Welcome skateboards website, there's a shape guide, with all the different shapes. So what is the shape of the deck? 😄😊

[@jwhiteswagg]

Hey Zack what skate park is this?

[@ZackDowdy]

City Heights skatepark, it's a blast.

[@jwhiteswagg]

@@ZackDowdy thank man!! Can’t wait to check it out next time I’m down there!!

[@ThatBoyDanny1996]

8.25 is good

[@angelokefalas3750]

Another Killer Video! Check out Pelkas Thrasher video too. He's skating one of your DIY spots! Sick!!! 👊🔥🤘

[@ZackDowdy]

Thanks Angelo 🤘

[@ezrhino100]

8.7

[@stinky789]

Not gonna lie, I really want to get a big fat old school setup. Do I need it? No, probably not. Do I want it? Oh yes.

[@ZackDowdy]

I can totally relate haha! It's fun to mix it up.

[@almarinasitkinaoulton1334]

You say how 9.5 is good for transition, then in the next shot say how anything bigger than 8.5 is too big. Less bongs man!

[@jeffheyer7783]

Formula 4s are the shit

[@gragraboom7379]

hello how are is everyone

[@ezrhino100]

U can skate...

[@danielt.haver1]

Hey Zach I ride a 139 Indy hollow (I know very small) I’ve been riding them for a little over a year. The back truck is axled and the front truck is almost axled. Lately grinding coping feels a LOT slower. Is this because my trucks are “too ground down”?

[@ZackDowdy]

Sometime's that does happen, are your seeing rust in your trucks? That's the big identifier for slowing down. My trucks are on the axle but currently they're grinding better then ever.

[@danielt.haver1]

@@ZackDowdy no rust at all on my trucks.

[@josephmalave198]

What size wheels are you running?

[@ZackDowdy]

Currently riding some 58mm but they're about 55mm now haha