WEB-EXCLUSIVE Forrest Kirby Buyer's Guide Interview

Our 2007 Buyer's Guide isn't dropping for another few weeks, so chomp on this in the meantime! Forrest Kirby reveals what he REALLY rides.


NAME:
Forrest Kirby (a.k.a. 4E)

DECK TYPE/SIZE:
When I skate I usually ride my own Zoo York model, which is 7.5 inches. If I want a bigger shape, I'll ride a Donny Barley or Zoo team deck; they are like 7.75 inches.

WHEEL TYPE/SIZE:
I ride Autobahn wheels. I go for the 52 or 53 mm's. Rough ground and small wheels—you ain't goin' nowhere fast.

TRUCK TYPE/SIZE:
I've been riding Ventures for a while now. They feel the best to me. I always catch a kingpin with other trucks, so you know how we do.

BEARING TYPE:
I don't really have a sponsor for bearings. So if I am at Goodtimes Skateshop in San Antonio, I'll pick up some Swiss bearings from time to time. I hate switching my bearings though.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR SETUP IS:
I think the best part of a setup is the board. If the board sucks it's a rizzzzy, but if you have yellow wheels, don't even leave the house.

HOW MUCH CONCAVE DO YOU LIKE:
I tend to ride flat boards or mellow concave. If the concave is too steep I can't skate right.

BOARD GRAPHICS YOU'RE FEELING RIGHT NOW:
I'm feeling Zoo York graphics right now. They always have some good artists doing series of boards, and our guys at Zoo are really talented in that department. I like Girl and Chocolate graphics, Alien and Habitat, and Listen has got some hot stuff coming out now.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A SHOE IS:
The most important part of a shoe is the sole. You can't get caught slipping. I usually rock the Adio Jasper highs, or some Ed Selegos.

DO YOU MODIFY YOUR BEARINGS:
The only time I modify my bearings is when I roll through some water or South Beach grime. It's a hit or miss. Sometimes they are faster, or sometimes they are slower.

TRUCKS—LOOSE OR TIGHT:
Me personally, I ride semi-tight trucks. I feel too out of control when my trucks are too loose.

SPECIFIC GRIPTAPE TECHNIQUE:
Ritual: full grip. No lines. Just black grip. Straight up.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHANGE BOARD SHAPES:
I have had the same shape on my Zoo York pro model since I joined the team. I have some other shapes that I ride, but that is old faithful. It is actually my old shape from the Planet Earth days.

HOW LONG DOES A BOARD LAST YOU:
I like my boards to be poppy. So I'll ride a board for a week maybe. If you are filming a lot, you can go trough a board a day. It depends on how much ripping is going down.

THE BEST NEW DECK TECHNOLOGY IS:
Bonite.

THE BEST NEW WHEEL TECHNOLOGY IS:
White wheels.

IS YOUR DECK AVAILABLE TO KIDS OR IS IT MADE CUSTOM FOR YOU:
My deck is available at local shops for all the kids out there. Pick one up.

WORST DECISION YOU'VE MADE WHEN SELECTING PRODUCTS:
Shoes are important in the game of skating. You gotta pick a shoe you like. Whatever is best for your feet and works for you.

DO YOU ALTER YOUR SETUP FOR DIFFERENT TERRAIN:
I alter my kit a little at times. If I am skating ramps or out on a mission getting something done I will setup a bigger board. My setup usually works for me, or feels comfortable on any terrain.

CURRENT SKATEBOARD TREND THAT'S BUILT TO LAST:
Bamboo boards: protect ya neck!

Click the F.O.R.E. slideshow to the left!