Whats up.
I might be late but whatever
Well I’m brazilian and found this thread while browsing so I’ve decided to jump in just to help understanding brazilian trucks market.
First things first: yeah taxing here is overwhelming and gets worse day after day. Right now a pair of American branded trucks i.e Indy or Thunders can cost up to R$700 reais (real = brazilian currency so it’s plural is Reais) which can be converted to roughly U$140.00.
By now (2021) we have 2 major brands:
Crail Trucks — hands down the most famous truck brand and arguably the best trucks around, 20+ years in the making and always sponsoring skaters and being involved to the scene. Very famous during the 90’s when almost no one could afford an Indy. I myself had a couple pairs and just ordered another one 149Hi because i’m sizing down my setup.
So yeah they have 3 heights being somewhere around (Lo 48mm) (Mid 50mm) (Hi 53mm). Their sizing numbers follow up Indys but they have a whole lot more options in sizing like 127, 129, 133, 136, 139, 142, 146, 149 and so on up to 169 I guess (no clue why so many options tho).
One can say they are like Thunders. Yeah, maybe. All I can say is that they are good enough and last enough. Many many people skate them really well and swear by them. They have a good team and marketing. They also sponsor Lincoln Ueda (famous vert ripper). A pair costs around R$250 reais (U$ 40) so you can see the huge gap in price here.
Their bushings and pivot cups are OK (Moog brand which belongs to Crail).
Check them out at
www.crailtrucks.com.br and @crailtrucks on Instagram.
Stronger Trucks — Newer brand, affordable and backed up by many brazilian (skaters)youtubers. Never rode ‘em but there’s a lot of people riding those and not complaining. However I don’t think they can be on par with Crail nor the worldwide famous brands. I’d say they’re more like a truck for beginners. Idk what they could be compared to but they look like Indy rip-offs (aesthetically).
Instagram: @strongertrucks
And ofc we have several smaller brands that comes on those shop completes and/or are owned by retired brazilian pro skaters.
I don’t know where neither Crail nor Stronger are made but I’d bet China.
Note: I was a skateshop owner then moved to the US then now I’m back so yeah I know some brands. My current setup is 159 Indys / 151 Thunders (going down to 149 Crail like I said).
Fun note: people here been riding and liking Royals A LOT.