Satori Wheel Movement Ecothane Sustainable Wheel Formula

Posted by: Dave Berry | Jun 1, 09

The term "green" has come into fashion lately, but skateboarding is anything but "green" unless you count the color of the contents of certain individuals baggies. Think about it; skateboards are made of wood which must be harvested from forests. Trucks, hardware, and bearings must be forged from metal that is typically violently removed from the ground and then has to be smelted into a pure, workable form, and then the bearings need to be lubricated with the new evil, oil, in order to roll properly. Wheels and bushings are also made from oil. Grip tape is made from who knows what, but that adhesive can't be "green" by any means or it would probably break down the first time you go skate in the rain or when your dog pees on your deck. These observations are why I've always found it really funny when I have seen a hippie riding a skateboard, aside from their typically horrible style. Well now us skateboarders can at least try to be a little more "green" this spring through the guidance of Satori Movement.

I don't know much about this company other than they sell clothing, are into yoga, and have debuted an "eco-friendly" skateboard wheel line last April. Why is this important? Well according to their website "... Eco-wheels are made offsetting the use of petroleum oil. Satori Eco wheels feature a composition of urethane using more then 50% bio oils such as corn or soy oil which thus lessens our demand on foreign oil for skateboard products," - www.satorimovement.com. As we all have been told by various media outlets and our elected leaders, foreign oil is the Devil, but I was born in the Reagan administration when foreign oil was the genie in the lamp and A Flock of Seagulls was actually a serious band, not just a retro joke. So how am I supposed to be convinced that some soy-oil wheel is going to hold up as well, if not better than my Spitfires always do?

First of all, the Ecothane series of wheels are rated at stiff 101a, so that means they will ride hard and fast. Secondly, if you're worried about leaving soy bean or corn-flavored stains across your favorite spot (NOT your hippie girlfriend), these wheels are guaranteed against flat spots (UNLIKE your hippie girlfriend) so revert all you want . If you get a flat spot then take it up with Satori Motion, not me. If you're worried about the graphics on the wheels then you're a poseur. Graphics on wheels are supposed minimalistic at best because they chip off faster than you can say "whoa...dude...uh..." and Satori seems to understand this, at least on the Ecothane series. My only complaint on this series of wheels is that the largest size is a 55mm. I usually ride larger, but that's just my preference and I'm a strange one.

Honestly I hope this kind of thinking catches on, not just in skateboarding but in manufacturing in general. Don't be too fast to call me a hippie because I'll strap you down and blast Manowar into your skull until you go deaf while I stab you with a linoleum knife into the bottoms of your feet so you can't skate. I was not at all happy to pay $4/gallon at the pump last summer and neither were you. Remember when you couldn't buy a new deck because you had to put gas into your car to go to work? This is exactly the problem that Satori Movement is looking to address. If this kind of skateboard-related manufacturing becomes the norm and not the exception within your lifetime you owe the founders of Satori Movement an eternal debt of gratitude.

Check them out on the web at www.satorimovement.com. Make sure to check those yoga pics that they have posted, then convince your hippie girlfriend to start taking yoga. Trust me.

Shred hard,
Dave Berry

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