Wasn’t the idea I’d the stage 4 to pander to those truck buyers who incessantly want something they can’t have? (Can’t think of where I might find these type of people) Like the Venture cast hollows? They look good on a shaped/cruiser build and turn well from the few times I’ve tried them.
My 215's have been surprising me for being such a wide truck, equipped with ace medium bushings they turn as if I'm on some Ace 44's or something. The geometry is definitely stage 4. And I think they released those 100% to respond to losing to Ace. They turn even better, actually. It was definitely a fuck you, and I think they even did some subtle jabs at ace in their IG story when it was nearing release. Could just be reading into it but truck wars are real.
Yes, mainly for the nostalgia as well as the "need more turn" people.
More than a few people were cutting down the 215 hangers and making them into other shorter sizes, so I think that combined with the anti Ace sentiment they showed tipped them over the edge, hence the other market with various Stage 4 reissues, complete with their own sizes too, as they didn't want to compete with their own current trucks but make something a little different, but still relative in size to current boards.
I guess when there are sour grapes among some industry heads, then there will be break away brands and versions of the original that get done up, but compared to something like the Indy Mid truck, the Stage 4 reissues seem to hit the mark for most people who have them, even if some people cut down the kingpins just to make them work more for what they want.
The taller bottom bushing is the main thing that makes them turn more, as it changes the geometry just enough - amazing what 1 extra mm in the bottom bushing can do with some trucks, when I have tried various things in the interest of experimentation and seeing what happens. Lower bottom bushings return them to a more current Stage 11 feel, although not exactly the same.