The Pantheon Supersonic is a board like no other in our shop, and perhaps out there in the world!
We are stoked to offer the complete setup - a highly technical board and particular setup that enables super pumping and long distances straight out the box.
This is a board made for covering long distances. Why?
Low platform
The less your board-leg has to squat each time you push, the further you're going to go for the same effort. What's not to like about that? You can see similar with other Pantheon boards like the Trip and the Nexus, but the Supersonic looks a bit different, due to the...
Wedged truckmounts
The crazy angles at the front and back? That's where your trucks go, and they're extreme!
The front wedge is 15 degrees - add that to your truck baseplate angle to see what you've got. That'd make the 50 degree Bear Truck into 65 degrees - super turny for the amount of lean, and absolutely perfect for pumping - propelling yourself forwards by carving side to side. It's super fun, and it uses different muscles to pushing meaning that long day out on a board simply breezes by.
At the back you have two options - the rear-most being a -17 degree wedge. If you take 17 degrees off your back truck (and typically Pantheon recommends a lower degree such as a 40 or 43 on the back) you're getting way down towards 20 degrees.
That means its super stable - the back truck is just following along more how a car or lorry handles. You can push as hard as you like, even with the wobbly front truck, and you'll be solid as a rock. For pumping, you'll have pure drive from the back with no energy loss.
If you're feeling really adventurous and want the absolute maximum pumpability, you can flip your rear truck and mount it on the inner option, a 40 degree wedge...
Big wheel clearance
With a standard setup of ~50 degree trucks on the front, you can ride huge wheels without a problem. The Pantheon Karma 92mm is confirmed to go under without the need to riser at all.
Big wheels means less time spent pushing and more time spent rolling! Once they're up to speed, you can sit there effortlessly - give it an extra push or a bit of a pump now and then, and you can go all day. Amazing.
Lightweight
Bamboo cores sandwiched between fibreglass top and bottom... it's light, strong, and they've been able to adjust the flex super accurately by milling the cores down within 0.5mm.
Flex options
Pantheon recommends the following. If you are close to the upper limit of the bracket, go for a flex up unless you really want a flexy board. Beware that this can bottom out, and won't last as long as a thicker board.
Light: Up to 77kg
Medium: 68kg - 94kg
Heavy: 85kg - 108kg
Wheel options
We're locking in the trucks with the Bear 155mm 50/40 split, but there is still some choice available for wheels.
Choose between:
These will all work with no need to riser the board - bigger is possible with risers. If that's what you're looking for, get in touch and we can make it happen!
The Pantheon Supersonic really is in a class of its own - but that much you can tell just by looking at it. The joy you'll get from zooming down the cycle path effortlessly, well, you'll have to give it a go to truly understand.
Truck options
Bear vs Paris - what's in it?
Our honest take: not too much. The Bear being 40° in the back does fit perfectly with that innermost mount at the back, leaving you with a flat 0 degree back truck. A flipped Paris there actually leaves you with a -3 degree rear which could get a little funky... but is probably not the end of the world.
The Bears are 5mm wider which means 2.5mm on each side of the deck. If you're telling me you're going to notice that, I'm thinking you're telling porkies.
Bushing customisation
Either truck will benefit from tweaking the bushings. Whilst its a very cool setup out the box, it can most certainly be made even cooler - and suit your particular riding style better - with a little experimentation.
Pumping demands a lot of your trucks and bushings and the stock bushing, especially in the Paris:
- Are limited in durometer choice (coming 90a front and back as standard)
- Are slightly small for the bushing seat, meaning...
- The hanger can shift around the kingpin, introducing slop
- Slop means geometrically inconsistent turns and wheelbite
Whilst that will be barely noticeable in a regular longboard setup, the Supersonic really benefits from some sharpening up.
Seismic Defcon bushings, Orangatang Nipple bushings and Venom HPF Plug bushings are all upgrades that:
- Are available in a wide range of durometers
- Are properly sized and fill the entire bushing seat...
- Ensuring a precise turn that follows the trucks intended geometry
- And has less risk of wheelbite
As for durometer:
This will depend on your weight, riding style and truck mounting decisions. In general, something around a 10a split in durometer between the front and back will allow for great pumpability. The soft one always goes at the front.
For a Supersonic set up with no risers, on the outer-most rear mount (we send them out like this unless otherwise specified) for someone around 75-85kg, you could for example choose:
- 81A/90A - responsive yet stable
- 78A/90A - maximum turnability
- 81A/93A - extra stability whilst still turning well
Lighter and heavier riders should move up or down the scale accordingly.
A properly dialed-in setup will vastly improve your riding experience!
We are more than happy to chat over the options with you before you make your decision - a Supersonic is a big purchase. But remember, its for life, not just for Christmas.
