Bearings: Bones Super Red (ABEC7 Bearings) Trucks: Calibre 10" BlackOut Trucks Wheels: Orangatang STIMULUS (70mm-42mm contact-83a) Deck: Pre-gripped with unique style and 1.25' Hardware
Construction and Flex: Epoxy and Tri-axle fiberglass sandwich a vert-lam Bamboo core, pressed into concave and convex cambers as well as nose and tail kicks. The nose and tails are reinforced with an extra layer of fiberglass for added stiffness and strength without compromising the responsiveness and energy of the central camber. DropThru cutouts are CNC milled for precision. This is the most complex board we've built to date and we hope you will appreciate the subtle beauty of the form.
Grip tape: The boards come pregripped with an aggressive black griptape designed to provide maximum coverage while allowing the board to flex naturally. This is our first foray in years into traditional grip tape (albeit grippier to match the needs of this board) and we went with this because it provides enhanced traction and control for sliding and pumping, as well as creating a serious "lock-in" on the nose and tail.
About Flex: Flex 1: Up to 122kg Flex 2: 58kg to 95kg Flex 3: 36kg to 77kg Keep in mind that a softer flex pattern will give you more control and tighter turns at slower speeds and make it easier to slide, but tends to lose stability slightly at higher speeds. Stiffer flex means more energy potential, more stability at higher speeds, and better longevity through abusive tricks and aerial landings, but will not be as forgiving and lively when cruising. The Flex 1 is considerably stiffer so as to be appropriate for heavier riders and hardpounding thrashers alike.
About the Tan Tien: Driven by progressive longboarding as explored by Loaded's riders, the Tan Tien manifests the desire to develop new tricks and engage new riding styles. From its foot-locking concave, drop-thru truck mounting and pumpable camber, to its responsive nose and tail kicks, the Tan Tien blends carve oriented longboarding with advanced trick riding. The complex contours create a super responsive board that allows for increased confidence when leaning into turns, popping tricks, and powering through slides. With the woven bamboo bottom and the funky grip design the Tan Tien is easy on the eyes. But you'll need to ride this board to truly fathom its potential.
About the Graphic: The Tan Tien is the center of gravity and the seat of the life force in yogic and East Asian thought http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dantian. For this graphic Loaded originally commissioned Polish artist Jan Kallwej to explore East Asian themes from an Eastern European perspective. The intention was to reflect a global approach to balance and the transfer of energy. The initial design was remixed by Nana Studio. After mixed reviews on the graphic Loaded decided that both versions of the design were too busy for the serenity and harmony that the board was designed to evoke. They have been exploring the functional characteristics of woven bamboo and decided to employ it here first as an aesthetic skin. Loaded designers then took the star concept from Jan's original art and centered it on the board to express the simplicity and harmony of the Tan Tien.
