I'm tempted by Aces but two things turn me off. 1) Made in China 2) the sizing... 44s = too narrow / 55s = too wide for my tastes... I'm sure I could make it work but shit... Thunder 151s... better get another set soon as mine are down to axle...
I feel you on #1. These days no matter what I buy I try and seek out USA made. But even Indy now only makes their standard truck hangers in USA. Every other part I'm pretty sure comes from China. I would say the same goes for most other truck companies. I know China usually means bad quality but in Ace's case, they are way better quality than USA made Indy's. When looking at a set of Indy's next to a set of Aces, you can just tell. And even after the whole bend issue, he's listened to all the feedback and redesigned it because he actually cares to make a quality truck. It's core through and through.
And I feel you on the sizing. I only skate 8.5" decks and 55's would be too wide. The 44 axle looks damn near even with an 8.5 board, it's just the hanger that's not as wide, which could be good or bad depending on how you're skating. I know people have used two washers on the inside to make everything flush, but I don't care that much. As long as it's not wider than my board, I'm good.
Thunder isn't a bad choice at all, but Ace can provide you with an even better ride with minimal to no wheelbite because they turn so damn good without having to use the extra force that usually results in the bite.