If you don't know already, Rooftop Skateboards is a small "microbrew" skateboard company headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana. Rooftop was founded a few years back in Bedford by a really friendly fellow named Ryan Draper, who's done quite a bit over the years to promote skateboarding in south-central Indiana. Rooftop has been a supporter of The Solitary Life/Everything Skateboarding since day one... yet, we've somehow never gotten around to reviewing their products. Until now:
Rooftop's owner, Ryan Draper, backside in the big bowl at Bloomington's Upper Cascades Skatepark. Look at all that vert! Scary...
This is the "OG Bubble" logo deck. This one is about 8" x 32", with a 14.75" wheelbase. But they're available in a whole rainbow of sizes. The graphic is a single-color heat transfer, and the wood is american-made by a really, really reputable woodshop. In fact, it's the very same woodshop that I used to use at my old company. So, I can personally vouch for the quality of this wood on a whole lotta levels.
The shape is a pretty standard street shape, but maybe just a little bit "blunter" than others on the market right now. It's straightforward, functional, and works great for bluntslides, tailslides, noseslides, or any other trick where you need some extra landing room or leverage on the ends and edges of the nose and tail.
The concave is what I'd call "medium deep". It's a good all-around concave, with just a little bit of rocker tossed in for a lower center of gravity, better foot feel, and a little extra durability and pop. Small things make big differences on street decks, and Rooftop's got the little things nailed down pretty good.
Rooftops generally retail for around $45 (with grip) at most skateshops in Indiana, which is in-between most "branded deck" and "shop deck" prices. You can also buy them online from www.rooftopskateboarding.com, if you're somewhere outside of Indiana. Support the grass roots of skateboarding, and support small, skater-owned companies.
