Seismic

Seismic: Real skate technology for over 30 years

OUR MISSION is to use the most advanced materials and technologies to radically improve the riding experience for everyone who wants to skate, however they want to do it - and at an affordable price. We want to expand the technical and stylistic possibilities of all skateboarders and make skateboards accessible to the widest possible audience as a means of transportation and expression.

Seismic Skate Systems, based in Boulder, Colorado, is one of the oldest and most respected longboard brands in the world. Since 1993, when we introduced the first high-precision truck of the modern longboard era, we have been pushing the boundaries of progressive carving technology. Seismic designs and manufactures high performance trucks, wheels, bearings, decks and accessories for carving, cruising, freeride, racing and more.

We don't play it safe. We chose the name "Seismic" because we want to keep shaking up the skateboard market with products that are two or more generations ahead. We usually struggle with designs that are difficult or even impossible to produce without new materials or new manufacturing processes.

Our slogan "driven to innovate" is no exaggeration. Since 1983, the founder of Seismic, Daniel Gesmer, has been incurably obsessed with developing the most advanced skateboard carving technologies in the world. His perfectionism follows and inspires the rest of the Seismic staff.

For us, skateboarding is an ever-evolving sport that should be based on a diverse range of high-performance equipment and the freedom to ride, race or style as you please. Call us silly, but we promote what works best, not what's easiest to sell.

Our inspiration comes from the deep experience of pure skating and the confidence that advanced technology can inspire an ever wider audience with the same open-minded enthusiasm that launched our sport and our art some 50 years ago. It's as simple as that, and we have tunnel vision on it.

Seismic Founder Daniel Gesmer

Dan was a professional flatland freestyle skater in the late 1980s who was both loved and reviled for his innovative artistic style based on pumping through his routines. Undaunted, he continued to provoke the skateboarding establishment by introducing an advanced, high-precision carving truck in 1993, years before longboarding became mainstream. He remains determined to develop breakthrough technologies to expand the performance envelope for skateboarders of all stripes.

Dan's hyperactive moral conscience compels him to take a stand against narrow-mindedness, short-sightedness, cynicism and naked greed in the skateboard industry. He doesn't mind that this could mean a smaller market share for Seismic. Dan also admits that his Yale philosophy degree is of dubious value in the skateboarding world.

Dan's writings have been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and numerous skateboarding and art magazines. He was the editor of The Legacy of Warren Bolster: Master of Skateboard Photography (Concrete Wave Editions, 2004).

The current Seismic Skate Team consists of Adrien Paynel, Maitanie Rascon, Abdil Mahdazin, Chase Hiller, Aaron Hampshire, Javier Tato, ,Emily Pross and Dre Nubine.

Wheels

Seismic reels are manufactured in the USA in the most advanced urethane reel factory in the world, run by the greatest engineer in the industry. With over 40 years of experience, "Nealo" is responsible for the vast majority of significant advances in modern urethane wheel technology. Since 2005, Seismic has worked with this leading manufacturer - more closely than any other skateboard brand - to develop and refine progressive wheel shapes, hub profiles and urethane formulas that keep pace with the ever-evolving performance demands of the many different skating disciplines. The two companies have also collaborated with a leading university engineering department on advanced wheel performance testing.

Most skateboard wheels are made from just two base chemicals to form a simple urethane concoction with limited performance characteristics. But up to nine different chemical materials, all sourced from the best international suppliers, are carefully combined in each unique, state-of-the-art Seismic formulation, always developed through extensive research and development and rigorous double-blind testing by elite skaters under carefully controlled conditions. Combined with tightly controlled processing at the factory (perfectly homogeneous mixing and precisely timed catalysis), the result is a urethane that dramatically outperforms the competition.

In the mid-1990s, Seismic produced its first wheel - a 66mm cruiser assembled with Seismic trucks on "Richter 7.1" complete wheels and featuring slalom decks handcrafted by the legendary Bob Turner on a special commission. Like the introduction of the original Seismic suspension truck in 1994, this plan was years ahead of its time.

In 2004, Seismic took over the 3DM line and began offering high performance wheels on a larger scale. The original 3DM shapes Cambria, Avalon and Avila dominated international slalom racing for years. They are still used by elite racers, cruisers and carvers around the world. Since 2005, Seismic has developed more advanced wheels under the flagship Seismic brand, including shapes that have helped win numerous world championship titles in slalom and downhill racing, and shapes that have helped set multiple speed records, including the existing Guinness World Record for downhill speed (Pete Connolly, 91.17 mph / 146.73 kph, set on September 16, 2017 at the Top Speed Challenge in Quebec, Canada).

Bearings

Developed for more than two years, Seismic Tekton™ bearings feature wide, flat contact surfaces at the ends of integrated, custom-machined half shells. The wide flanges align, self-align and self-stabilize inside your rollers, correcting errors in bearing seat flatness, bearing seat spacing, axle diameter and axle straightness.

The Tektons literally lock themselves to keep them straight like no other bearing system ever has. Your wheels roll faster with better control, while the bearings last longer and stay quieter. Other features include: Steel balls, nylon retainers, black outer housing, removable rubber-coated steel seals with imprinted graphics, and a special lubricant that contains both oil and grease.

The inner ring is stepped below the seal to prevent contamination and it is stepped between the bearing and the flange to save weight. On the side opposite the flange, the inner ring protrudes 0.5 mm and forms a thin integrated washer. No bearing spacers, axle washers or world record budgets required!

Trucks

In 1993, Seismic patented one of the most original and sophisticated technologies ever developed for skateboarding. The first of the new generation of longboard trucks was so far ahead of its time that even we had to make fun of it in our September 1994 TransWorld Skateboarding ad! But soon our spring-loaded design inspired cheap imitations in off-road skateboards and surf cross trainers.

Griptape

Noticeably sharper, harder and more grippy. The grain remains ultra-sharp and does not flake off. No smearing or flaking, even in heat or rain. The best grip in the history of grip. The PSA adhesive (pressure sensitive adhesive) on the back of Lokton is one of the best and most heat resistant on the market. 36 grit Coarse or 60 grit Medium - Just as durable as the original 36 grit version, but with finer grits for easier tread adjustment and less wear on shoes. Available in four (4) laser-cut patterns as well as Solid for maximum surface coverage. The Fishnet (new!), Honeycomb, Metal-Plate and Ninja Star hole patterns reduce weight by up to 40%, while the hole edges increase grip.

Boards

Carefully developed over years of prototyping and testing, Seismic boards offer something for everyone - from recreational cruisers, commuters and longboard freestylers to racers and fearless freeriders. The boards are made from various blends of maple, bamboo, black walnut, oak, fiberglass and carbon, all bonded with state-of-the-art epoxy resin. Most models feature unique and highly functional laser-cut patterns.

Fully assembled with components that feature the most innovative technology in their class: Seismic wheels with unmatched speed, grip and glide characteristics; Tekton bearings with world-record speed and patented self-alignment system; and Aeon axles with patented cylindrical bottom bracket for smoother, more precise turning over a wider tilt range.

Bushings

Introduction of Seismic Barrel Bushings made of DEFCON Urethane!

Revitalize your ride!... with Seismic DEFCON Bushings...Lower steering angle with more precise, fluid steering Finer control and high-energy response. Available in five (5) color-coded durometers and two (2) custom-fit heights: 0.65-inch Medium and 0.75-inch Tall. (More duros to follow in early 2023.) Seismic's ultra-high rebound DEFCON urethane has a remarkable set of unique and advanced properties - and now we've applied them to steering rubbers! Defcon is the fastest wheel formula in the history of skateboard racing - it is credited with virtually every major distance and speed world record, including the official Guinness Standup mark. (Pete Connolly, 91.17 mph / 146.73 kph - September 16, 2017, at the Top Speed Challenge in Quebec, Canada).

A big step forward in bushing development! Deeper steering angle and more precise, smoother steering with less lateral hang-up! High energy yet smooth and controlled return to center. Greater compression range compared to other bushing formulas with the same duro. Fuller roller contact (less "outside wheel lift") Smoother, more linear resistance profile - Consistent feel - Improved control.