Growler Front Footpad Mod

Date: 20 December 2022

A quick post on how I mod my front footpad for the Growler. The main point is making the slight cutout for the tire gap, but I also show how I cut my grip tape, make the sensor layers less prone to separating at the corners, and paint my pad.

Making the Tire Gap Cutout

Because the TFL rails I’m using are slightly asymmetric (the wheel is shifted about 2mm towards the front), it’s advised by Jeff himself to grind out the front footpad slightly to make the gap even.

I’m using the improved connector cover for growler by Flowglider as my connector cover and I’m using its curve as a guide for making the cutout.

If you don’t have a spokeshave, or the obvious choice of some sort of a power grinder, I’d recommend using a hack saw to do repeated perpendicular cuts down to the marked line. Then you can pop off the small pieces with a knife and sand the curve smooth.

Printed Flowglider connector cover I'm using.

A new front footpad with the grip tape taken off and mounted on the board.

Marking the bottom of the footpad with a sharp tool along the curve of the connector cover.

Using a spokeshave to make the cutout. It's a good idea to tape the connector out of the way so that you don't damage it.

Cutting Sheet Grip Tape to Exact Shape

I’m using the DopeGrip square cut grip tape (which, by the way, is the exact same as the TFL grip tape) and cut it myself. Here’s how I do it, it’s quite easy and does give good results.

Putting a piece of paper onto the sensor. A single A4 wasn't big enough, so I've taped two pieces together. It's a bit hard to see, but I've taped the paper to the footpad on the bottom (aligning the bottom edge with the sensor), so that it won't move.

Using the old pencil tracing trick along the edge of the sensor does a quick job of giving you an accurate outline.

The template cut out and matching the sensor shape perfectly.

With the templated traced out on the back side of the grip tape, cutting the grip tape with beater scissors. Yes, they do get ruined quite fast...

Cutting Down the Sensor in the Corners

I’ve ruined my previous sensor by grinding the corners of the sensor on the asphalt when doing tricks. Eventually dirt got inbeween the layers, they separated and water got inside. RIP. I had the idea of cutting down the edges of the sonsor sort of more flat with the footpad, so that they don’t grab as much. I can’t entirely guarantee this is a good idea yet, but I’ve had it this way for a couple of months now and so far it seems to be working great (you should still keep an eye on the corners of your grip and if they get frayed and expose the sensor, replace the grip).

The sensor layers separated by repeated scraping on the asphalt.

Using a chisel to cut the edge of the sensor flat with the footpad. A sharp knife should do the job as well.

I've done the same with the corners near the screw holes, as I've had a similar issue with those.

Finishing up

Just paintin’ my footpad black here, feel free to move along :)

The footpad sanded clean of the lacquer it came with and painted with black spray paint (sprayed into a cup and applied with a brush).

Since the spray paint was quite glossy and I wanted a more matte look, I've buffed it with some scotch-brite.

The new grip tape and the pad ready to apply it. After the scotch-brite I applied some Osmo oil on the paint for further protection.