The Thunder Thread

[Xen]

I've got a set of 'old' (pre size mark on the hanger) 149 Titaniums. I ride them fairly lose with 52mm wheels. On the first deck wheel bite was anoying. But that was never an issue again after I switched to a deck with wheel wells. (Sorry that I keep bringing wheel wells up again in conncetion with Thunders, but they make a difference. And you might have the pleasure to ride a Hjalte deck with wells.)

Thunder+wheel wells (if you don't want to deal with risers) is the way; I rode many a polar w/well with thunders until they discontinued the 31.875 825 for the 32" =(

[moonordie]

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I've got a set of 'old' (pre size mark on the hanger) 149 Titaniums. I ride them fairly lose with 52mm wheels. On the first deck wheel bite was anoying. But that was never an issue again after I switched to a deck with wheel wells. (Sorry that I keep bringing wheel wells up again in conncetion with Thunders, but they make a difference. And you might have the pleasure to ride a Hjalte deck with wells.)

[close]

Thunder+wheel wells (if you don't want to deal with risers) is the way; I rode many a polar w/well with thunders until they discontinued the 31.875 825 for the 32" =(

Doing the same. Team Hollows + WKND with wheel wells

[CarcassToss]

really dumb question, but do wheel wells alter the pinch at all?

[goodatmeth]

really dumb question, but do wheel wells alter the pinch at all?

You can pinch even harder, make that hanger turn 90°

[Xen]

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really dumb question, but do wheel wells alter the pinch at all?

[close]

You can pinch even harder, make that hanger turn 90°

Throw in some small ass wheels too, even better pinch with wheel wells.

[DERBY]

any possible release day for the T2s?

[Frank and Fred]

any possible release day for the T2s?

are they even a thing yet? all we've heard is a few pros and industry types have had some prototypes.

[j....soy.....]

I think it’s been dialed back….

[Frank and Fred]

Bummer but not surprising. Would rather they take their time to get them right though.

[CarcassToss]

They've had people testing them since 2020, so if 4 years can't get it right nothing will.

[Frank and Fred]

disagree. truck molds are costly and time-consuming. also F4s took years and they were very worth the wait.

[CarcassToss]

They've had the molds for years and the test trucks have been relatively the same. My guess is they went back and forth on smaller details plus the switch from Ermico to Mexico. Maybe its scaling up the test molds and all the QA involved?

[DERBY]

thanks for the looks yall

hi dlx,

it’d be pretty cool if some folks on slap can give the T2s a test run. folks on this forum would gladly provide feedback. if you want us to keep it in private and off the forums, we can do so too.

thanks!

[Frank and Fred]

thanks for the looks yall

hi dlx,

it’d be pretty cool if some folks on slap can give the T2s a test run. folks on this forum would gladly provide feedback. if you want us to keep it in private and off the forums, we can do so too.

thanks!

Now you're talking. Get five sets out to some Pals and we will tell you what's up.

[Xen]

disagree. truck molds are costly and time-consuming. also F4s took years and they were very worth the wait.

...and 3 years for (supposedly) for spit 93s (granted it took less time because they new the target).

They've had people testing them since 2020, so if 4 years can't get it right nothing will.

Yeah, Bones took 10yrs with Dragons/x-formula - let's just rush shit to market.

Get TF outta here with that BS.

[diplodocus]

There is no rush to get the T2 out, might as well get it right instead of Lurpiving it. I don't think the demand for a T2 is even that high. I'm assuming most skaters don't even know a T2 is on the cards. Cause really, there is nothing wrong with Thunders. The only credible thing people dislike about them is the wheel contact on nose and tailslides, and that can be fixed with form.

[bad joke]

when the T2 comes out and all the sk8rs try it

it will be judgment day

[Frank and Fred]

I doubt they are even called T2s. Truth be told Thunders are probably only a stage or 2 behind Indy.

But it does seem like they will be an alternative to the current line not a new stage... so who knows....

If I was DLX dude, I'd say they should lean heavy on the Thunder of yore in terms of image and turn. Play up the history a bit but add  kingpin clearance, shave some weight. Call Terry Nails and Shrewgy. Get Chis Cook and Jeff Hartsel ads.

Give Natas a model. Heart Grenade. Pull the pin. Let's go!

[Xen]

when the T2 comes out and all the sk8rs try it

it will be judgment day

Usename checks out.

[CarcassToss]

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disagree. truck molds are costly and time-consuming. also F4s took years and they were very worth the wait.

[close]

...and 3 years for (supposedly) for spit 93s (granted it took less time because they new the target).

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They've had people testing them since 2020, so if 4 years can't get it right nothing will.

[close]

Yeah, Bones took 10yrs with Dragons/x-formula - let's just rush shit to market.

Get TF outta here with that BS.

Supposedly the photo has been internally around for longer, just testing for 4 years. The testing for the 93 Spits was less than 4 years, so I'd trust DLX knows what they're doing and can get things out quickly. According to someone at DLX they had the formula for a while before, but the market didn't seem to be there and they were able to rush protos and testing once they saw Bones/Powell succeeding. There's definitely levels of testing (internal protos -> V1 tested by employees and maybe a few team members -> V1.x tested by small group of testers... until you have team riders testing them). I don't know how long Indy Mids were tested for (not long enough apparently), AF1s supposedly had a pretty quick development cycle, and Stage IV would make sense didn't take a ton of time.

Our local shop is one of the biggest in the state/region and the owner had a test pair back in 2021. According to him they seem to be the same as the ones he has now minus the bushings and the general finish. My guess is the delay probably has to do with making a shitload of trucks so there's enough for global distribution on launch and given they switched to a new factory that's probably fairly intensive. Unfortunately he is not extremely technical. You can easily spot them in footage and videos going back to around the same time and lots of team riders have had iterations.

In other questions, I wonder if Ishod will stay on Venture now that they're going to release the 8 hole plates he's riding.

[Mbrimson88]

In other questions, I wonder if Ishod will stay on Venture now that they're going to release the 8 hole plates he's riding.

I copied this to the Venture thread too, just because I think it needs more discussion there.


https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=108614.msg4199222#msg4199222



Please tell me more...

* Imagine if you could get undrilled baseplates and then drill them out yourself at whatever position you wanted.  I got my hands on an undrilled Indy baseplate once (and still have it) but it is an interesting concept.

[Xen]

Supposedly the photo has been internally around for longer, just testing for 4 years. The testing for the 93 Spits was less than 4 years, so I'd trust DLX knows what they're doing and can get things out quickly.

They've had people testing them since 2020, so if 4 years can't get it right nothing will.

So which is it dude? Did you take all the pills today, like your supposed to?

In other questions, I wonder if Ishod will stay on Venture now that they're going to release the 8 hole plates he's riding.

Proof?

[CarcassToss]

Ah yah I see how that wording was confusing.

I personally feel 4 years seems long, but you brought up 10 for Dragons and since 93s came out with less dev time I'd assume DLX could push a truck to market faster. Either there's a slowdown from production or something else not related to the design and testing phase. That was my point- the Protos haven't changed since I first saw them and people were first testing them so it's not a matter of iterating on design. If there's still design issues it would be really odd for DLX and they'd never see the light of day so they're probably ramping everything on that side (plus Covid slowdown, factories, etc).

As for someone else that asked I dunno if T2 is the name. There were some pros from a major DLX brand in town relatively recently and only 1 had them. Didn't wanna be a douche and ask and he probably couldn't tell much, but they are notably different looking even from 10 feet away.

8 hole plates just a rumor, but lots of the DLX guys have them and my shop manager said they might be sold aftermarket soon like the Indy replacement plates. He could be wrong, but Ishod and a few others have been spotted on them according to the Venutre thread.

[Mbrimson88]

8 hole plates just a rumor, but lots of the DLX guys have them and my shop manager said they might be sold aftermarket soon like the Indy replacement plates. He could be wrong, but Ishod and a few others have been spotted on them according to the Venutre thread.

Not sure if Koston was the first / main guy to have them for quite a while now, but others had been spotted with the double drilled Venture baseplates too in the last few years.

It does help that someone like Ishod has been skating them too, so that really makes it more of a push.

* That and others (myself included) drilling out Ventures in both 1/4" and 3/8" differences just to see what they are like.  I prefer the 1/4" for what it is worth, usually just on the tail too, whereas those guys have both in to really shorten any longer wheelbases down to a very 90s street 14" or similar feel.

[Xen]

Besides a longer baseplate, which is something that could be tweaked, possibly without affecting geo, AND something that doesn't phase pros riding them (but seems to be damn near apocalyptic for forum members) what needs to be changed?

Are they losing market share or something? Are riders secretly riding other trucks because the grass is greener? Genuinely curious what the point is.

If I had to place a bet, they're trying to make the 'light/slim' version of an indy/ace feel with stability (Royal gang, we already know).

[Frank and Fred]

Besides a longer baseplate, which is something that could be tweaked, possibly without affecting geo, AND something that doesn't phase pros riding them (but seems to be damn near apocalyptic for forum members) what needs to be changed?

Are they losing market share or something? Are riders secretly riding other trucks because the grass is greener? Genuinely curious what the point is.

If I had to place a bet, they're trying to make the 'light/slim' version of an indy/ace feel with stability (Royal gang, we already know).

Seems it won't be a change but an additional model? And your last sentence is where it should go.

[Rick Trapasso]

I don't think my madness riddled, indecisive ass could handle a t2 release any time soon.

What an absolute whirlwind of emotions that would cause me.



I'm exaggerating of course, but not by much.

[CarcassToss]

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Besides a longer baseplate, which is something that could be tweaked, possibly without affecting geo, AND something that doesn't phase pros riding them (but seems to be damn near apocalyptic for forum members) what needs to be changed?

Are they losing market share or something? Are riders secretly riding other trucks because the grass is greener? Genuinely curious what the point is.

If I had to place a bet, they're trying to make the 'light/slim' version of an indy/ace feel with stability (Royal gang, we already know).

[close]

Seems it won't be a change but an additional model? And your last sentence is where it should go.

From what I gather:
-A tad taller (prob 53ish)
-Turnier, kinda like an Indy-ish but slower
-Baseplate sticks out
-Better KP clearance

If you look at normal Thunders now you can't just drill the baseplate to stick further out (like a Venture) and get it to slide as the issue is its slightly thinner AND the angle of the hanger is such that the wheels do stick out closer to the plate edge. It would also lengthen the WB a bit. So I think they kinda needed to start fresh to solve the problems.

I can't really use drawing software and I'm not any kind of Engineer so maybe I am completely wrong here. When I look at the Thunders I have from the side the kingpin seems less upright and the hanger looks more vertical. You could add 2mm of metal and get a really thick plate, but IDK how much clearance that ads for wheels.

I think what they wanted was a way to corner some of the Indy/Ace market. They probably know enough that people don't love how tall Indys are nor the brand image and Ace seem very polarizing. You're probably right that they're similar to Royals although I've never ridden them it seems like how they are described on here is right in the middle of the 2 existing DLX trucks. Basically a Royal with lower kingpin.

[Frank and Fred]

More of a 'hook' to the last half of a Thunder turn could help keep them lowish while limiting wheel bite.

I keep the hollow hanger body don't go Stage 4 or Ace on us...

[Xen]

Expand Quote

Besides a longer baseplate, which is something that could be tweaked, possibly without affecting geo, AND something that doesn't phase pros riding them (but seems to be damn near apocalyptic for forum members) what needs to be changed?

Are they losing market share or something? Are riders secretly riding other trucks because the grass is greener? Genuinely curious what the point is.

If I had to place a bet, they're trying to make the 'light/slim' version of an indy/ace feel with stability (Royal gang, we already know).

[close]

Seems it won't be a change but an additional model? And your last sentence is where it should go.

All speculation of course, even if they do keep the 'old line' it's still a change, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

ACE classics were fine, right? But they changed the truck for some reason (quality might have been the whole reason, and if you are changing foundries might as well do a revision with new molds).

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Besides a longer baseplate, which is something that could be tweaked, possibly without affecting geo, AND something that doesn't phase pros riding them (but seems to be damn near apocalyptic for forum members) what needs to be changed?

Are they losing market share or something? Are riders secretly riding other trucks because the grass is greener? Genuinely curious what the point is.

If I had to place a bet, they're trying to make the 'light/slim' version of an indy/ace feel with stability (Royal gang, we already know).

[close]

Seems it won't be a change but an additional model? And your last sentence is where it should go.

[close]

From what I gather:
-A tad taller (prob 53ish)
-Turnier, kinda like an Indy-ish but slower
-Baseplate sticks out
-Better KP clearance

Sooooo Venture cast...