Wheelbase on your trucks

[logjammin]

Buddy who I always skate with brought his lows to the park today and the standard non inverted hollow kingpin sits so low, not gonna find better clearance than these on a low truck especially. Even the hi's don't turn as crazy as I need but they still had some turn to em for sure, and not much wheelbite. For anyone that's a fan of slappies or curious about a low truck they'd be a solid option. Ace lows being turnier, but less clearance for sure. You can also hammer out the kingpin on the slappy lows and the cavity mold is shaped like a nut to fit one in there perfectly without jb weld.

[LewFarrell]

"When I started the sampling process I wanted SLAPPY to fall in the middle of all the other truck companies wheelbase designs that I had tested and tried over the years. Here is a chart to help show the plus and minus wheelbase measurements with help from the @professorschmitt Thanks to everyone for the love and support. New stuff is on the way. - Mike #SlappyTrucks #HaveFunWithUs"

There’s no way a Venture only extends the wheelbase 0.0625” over Slappy. Multiply that by 3 at least.

[TwisT]

Lot of trucks left of that guide. Does slappy not consider my Orion trucks competition? How cocky of them.

[Bongwater Mojito]

"When I started the sampling process I wanted SLAPPY to fall in the middle of all the other truck companies wheelbase designs that I had tested and tried over the years. Here is a chart to help show the plus and minus wheelbase measurements with help from the @professorschmitt Thanks to everyone for the love and support. New stuff is on the way. - Mike #SlappyTrucks #HaveFunWithUs"

Aside of the correctness of measurements, this is the marketing skateboarding would need. I hope the other truck brands pick this up and correct if needed. Affects so much to boardfeel, turning, pop feel etc. and this is the first time I see an "official" chart.

[JugeL]

Lot of trucks left of that guide. Does slappy not consider my Orion trucks competition? How cocky of them.

Not ready for that Grind King smoke

[BeachChicken]

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"When I started the sampling process I wanted SLAPPY to fall in the middle of all the other truck companies wheelbase designs that I had tested and tried over the years. Here is a chart to help show the plus and minus wheelbase measurements with help from the @professorschmitt Thanks to everyone for the love and support. New stuff is on the way. - Mike #SlappyTrucks #HaveFunWithUs"

[close]

Aside of the correctness of measurements, this is the marketing skateboarding would need. I hope the other truck brands pick this up and correct if needed. Affects so much to boardfeel, turning, pop feel etc. and this is the first time I see an "official" chart.

Officially wrong. Like, how fucking hard is this? Prof has to make everything so overcomplicated. Get a 14" wb deck, bolt trucks up, measure both sides, subtract 14. Even the most fried Slapper understands this. I'm glad Mike thought of everything but the name.

[Bongwater Mojito]

Officially wrong. Like, how fucking hard is this?

I agree it's not that difficult, but if you read this thread back a bit, not so simple for everyone. But as everything in skateboarding, this is also a handwaved marketing hokus pokus to fuzz consumers. We can start from term "wheelbase" which is clearly not wheelbase and not even the distance between baseplate center lines...

[moonordie]

That's great info, finally industry realizes that skateboarding is full of nerds.

[TwisT]

That's great info, finally industry realizes that skateboarding is full of nerds.

Slappy Trucks "Have fun with us... as introduce you to setup madness"

or maybe Slappy Trucks "Come check out this graph i made"

[moonordie]

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That's great info, finally industry realizes that skateboarding is full of nerds.

[close]

Slappy Trucks "Have fun with us... as introduce you to setup madness"

or maybe Slappy Trucks "Come check out this graph i made"

Dude, imagine if they would have come up with a pie chart. Ouff...

[Bongwater Mojito]

That's great info, finally industry realizes that skateboarding is full of nerds.

Don't know if this was sarcasm, but I still think "wheelbase" could be used as proper marketing instrument. Not necessarily a table of numbers but the meaning wrt. how board or truck skates. "Nimble turn", "quick pop", whatever common English. But no, they just list the numbers "8x32x14.25". Nerds or not, I think skateboarders are pretty sensitive when it comes to their setup. I have never seen any brand state anything like this about their products. "ChroMo 73223422 axle" is nerd, "quicker pop with Aces" is not. But then again, I'm not in brand marketing, maybe the current stuff works well enough.

[Xen]

Buddy who I always skate with brought his lows to the park today and the standard non inverted hollow kingpin sits so low, not gonna find better clearance than these on a low truck especially. Even the hi's don't turn as crazy as I need but they still had some turn to em for sure, and not much wheelbite. For anyone that's a fan of slappies or curious about a low truck they'd be a solid option. Ace lows being turnier, but less clearance for sure. You can also hammer out the kingpin on the slappy lows and the cavity mold is shaped like a nut to fit one in there perfectly without jb weld.

I wonder how much clearance you'd net with an IKP in there (specifically the [short] stock slappy one). I assume they didn't go IKP for these because of the shaft nut as the 'low' of the truck is in the baseplate (like ACE) allowing you to swap hangers at will.

[BeachChicken]

The best infographic would be an actual skateboard and there would be both a height and width bar with each truck super imposed. So people could literally see "Ok Indys are exactly here and if I switch to Ventures my wheels end up exactly here".

The Slappy graphic is confusing because it doesn't call out if the difference is per truck nor how much the total extension from the bolts is. It normalizes everything to the Slappy truck (and incorrectly measures other trucks) whereas you'd want a straight up +x" range such as Ace: 2.75", Indy: 3", Slappy: 3.125", Venture: 3.25" and then its more obvious that Slappy is in the middle and by how much.

[texasplant]

"When I started the sampling process I wanted SLAPPY to fall in the middle of all the other truck companies wheelbase designs that I had tested and tried over the years. Here is a chart to help show the plus and minus wheelbase measurements with help from the @professorschmitt Thanks to everyone for the love and support. New stuff is on the way. - Mike #SlappyTrucks #HaveFunWithUs"

Does anyone know where Indy Stage 4’s sit in this rage? Been finding it hard to find a clear answer. Can’t decide if I want to buy Stage 4 or 11 since it’s been so long since I’ve skated Indy’s.

[Mbrimson88]

Does anyone know where Indy Stage 4’s sit in this rage? Been finding it hard to find a clear answer. Can’t decide if I want to buy Stage 4 or 11 since it’s been so long since I’ve skated Indy’s.

I had thought they were pretty much the same wheelbase, but I could be wrong.

As to which option, there are pros and cons with both, even different sizes between them, (yeah minimal but still different).

If you don't mind the minimal kingpin clearance but want a little more turn, then the Stage 4 are a step ahead, especially if you like the sizes, eg 8.38, 8.6, 9.0.

The Stage 11 have better kingpin clearance, a good solid turn and generally good widths for common boards, eg 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, etc.  I still put the 169s / 9.125 on 9.0 size boards, but prefer them on 9.1 to 9.3 or even 9.8 shaped boards.

I usually don't see as many boards under 8.25 or wider than 9.8 even though I have some of each, all on Indy, but at least that is the info I would be using to assess whether or not you want Stage 4 or 11.

Personally I am very happy with the Stage 11 feel and turn and I take the kingpins down a little anyway to give a touch more clearance, but it is interesting to see and roll on the Stage 4 trucks as there are some differences.

I have had the 215s on boards as well, but overall they are a little too wide for anything for me, but I can appreciate the way they do skate, which is what the Stage 4 feel like.

[texasplant]

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Does anyone know where Indy Stage 4’s sit in this rage? Been finding it hard to find a clear answer. Can’t decide if I want to buy Stage 4 or 11 since it’s been so long since I’ve skated Indy’s.

[close]

I had thought they were pretty much the same wheelbase, but I could be wrong.

As to which option, there are pros and cons with both, even different sizes between them, (yeah minimal but still different).

If you don't mind the minimal kingpin clearance but want a little more turn, then the Stage 4 are a step ahead, especially if you like the sizes, eg 8.38, 8.6, 9.0.

The Stage 11 have better kingpin clearance, a good solid turn and generally good widths for common boards, eg 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, etc.  I still put the 169s / 9.125 on 9.0 size boards, but prefer them on 9.1 to 9.3 or even 9.8 shaped boards.

I usually don't see as many boards under 8.25 or wider than 9.8 even though I have some of each, all on Indy, but at least that is the info I would be using to assess whether or not you want Stage 4 or 11.

Personally I am very happy with the Stage 11 feel and turn and I take the kingpins down a little anyway to give a touch more clearance, but it is interesting to see and roll on the Stage 4 trucks as there are some differences.

I have had the 215s on boards as well, but overall they are a little too wide for anything for me, but I can appreciate the way they do skate, which is what the Stage 4 feel like.

I’m currently sizing down from 8.75 to 8.38 but finding my Classic 44s to be too narrow for transition and not quite heavy enough for my likings. I’ve tried 159s on it but it felt that tiny bit too wide with my big wheels so debating between 149 or 151s to add a bit of heft to my setup.

I do like where my Aces sit wheelbase wise and I was under the impression that stage 4s had a similar effect on wheelbase but I can’t find any confirmation. I am leaning towards the 151s but I spent a lot of my early years on 149s and kind of miss them for nostalgias sake.

[Mbrimson88]

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Does anyone know where Indy Stage 4’s sit in this rage? Been finding it hard to find a clear answer. Can’t decide if I want to buy Stage 4 or 11 since it’s been so long since I’ve skated Indy’s.

[close]

I had thought they were pretty much the same wheelbase, but I could be wrong.

As to which option, there are pros and cons with both, even different sizes between them, (yeah minimal but still different).

If you don't mind the minimal kingpin clearance but want a little more turn, then the Stage 4 are a step ahead, especially if you like the sizes, eg 8.38, 8.6, 9.0.

The Stage 11 have better kingpin clearance, a good solid turn and generally good widths for common boards, eg 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, etc.  I still put the 169s / 9.125 on 9.0 size boards, but prefer them on 9.1 to 9.3 or even 9.8 shaped boards.

I usually don't see as many boards under 8.25 or wider than 9.8 even though I have some of each, all on Indy, but at least that is the info I would be using to assess whether or not you want Stage 4 or 11.

Personally I am very happy with the Stage 11 feel and turn and I take the kingpins down a little anyway to give a touch more clearance, but it is interesting to see and roll on the Stage 4 trucks as there are some differences.

I have had the 215s on boards as well, but overall they are a little too wide for anything for me, but I can appreciate the way they do skate, which is what the Stage 4 feel like.

[close]

I’m currently sizing down from 8.75 to 8.38 but finding my Classic 44s to be too narrow for transition and not quite heavy enough for my likings. I’ve tried 159s on it but it felt that tiny bit too wide with my big wheels so debating between 149 or 151s to add a bit of heft to my setup.

I do like where my Aces sit wheelbase wise and I was under the impression that stage 4s had a similar effect on wheelbase but I can’t find any confirmation. I am leaning towards the 151s but I spent a lot of my early years on 149s and kind of miss them for nostalgias sake.

I most commonly now have 8.38 or 8.5 on 149s and up to three washers on the inside, then 8.62 or 8.75 with 159s one or two washers on the inside.

Washers really do help to have a bit more axle, or less in the case of the tapering DLX 8.75 boards, but the 149 to 151 difference is pretty minimal so you could go with either option there.

Maybe just down to how you want them, or which one you like the look of more, but I think you could be going towards the 151s and give them a go.

When looking for the wb options, the 215s are said to be same, so that is what I was going on.

[texasplant]

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Does anyone know where Indy Stage 4’s sit in this rage? Been finding it hard to find a clear answer. Can’t decide if I want to buy Stage 4 or 11 since it’s been so long since I’ve skated Indy’s.

[close]

I had thought they were pretty much the same wheelbase, but I could be wrong.

As to which option, there are pros and cons with both, even different sizes between them, (yeah minimal but still different).

If you don't mind the minimal kingpin clearance but want a little more turn, then the Stage 4 are a step ahead, especially if you like the sizes, eg 8.38, 8.6, 9.0.

The Stage 11 have better kingpin clearance, a good solid turn and generally good widths for common boards, eg 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, etc.  I still put the 169s / 9.125 on 9.0 size boards, but prefer them on 9.1 to 9.3 or even 9.8 shaped boards.

I usually don't see as many boards under 8.25 or wider than 9.8 even though I have some of each, all on Indy, but at least that is the info I would be using to assess whether or not you want Stage 4 or 11.

Personally I am very happy with the Stage 11 feel and turn and I take the kingpins down a little anyway to give a touch more clearance, but it is interesting to see and roll on the Stage 4 trucks as there are some differences.

I have had the 215s on boards as well, but overall they are a little too wide for anything for me, but I can appreciate the way they do skate, which is what the Stage 4 feel like.

[close]

I’m currently sizing down from 8.75 to 8.38 but finding my Classic 44s to be too narrow for transition and not quite heavy enough for my likings. I’ve tried 159s on it but it felt that tiny bit too wide with my big wheels so debating between 149 or 151s to add a bit of heft to my setup.

I do like where my Aces sit wheelbase wise and I was under the impression that stage 4s had a similar effect on wheelbase but I can’t find any confirmation. I am leaning towards the 151s but I spent a lot of my early years on 149s and kind of miss them for nostalgias sake.

[close]

I most commonly now have 8.38 or 8.5 on 149s and up to three washers on the inside, then 8.62 or 8.75 with 159s one or two washers on the inside.

Washers really do help to have a bit more axle, or less in the case of the tapering DLX 8.75 boards, but the 149 to 151 difference is pretty minimal so you could go with either option there.

Maybe just down to how you want them, or which one you like the look of more, but I think you could be going towards the 151s and give them a go.

When looking for the wb options, the 215s are said to be same, so that is what I was going on.

Yeah I’ve definitely maxed out washers on my 44s! Running 4 on the inside of each wheel so far and can barely get my axle nuts to tighten but it’s worked. I think I’m going to get 149s and try to squeeze on 3 or 4 washers per wheel. I do prefer how Stage 11s look but yeah was worried about wheelbase. I’ll try to measure them at the shop if possible.

[moonordie]

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That's great info, finally industry realizes that skateboarding is full of nerds.

[close]

Don't know if this was sarcasm, but I still think "wheelbase" could be used as proper marketing instrument. Not necessarily a table of numbers but the meaning wrt. how board or truck skates. "Nimble turn", "quick pop", whatever common English. But no, they just list the numbers "8x32x14.25". Nerds or not, I think skateboarders are pretty sensitive when it comes to their setup. I have never seen any brand state anything like this about their products. "ChroMo 73223422 axle" is nerd, "quicker pop with Aces" is not. But then again, I'm not in brand marketing, maybe the current stuff works well enough.

It wasn't

[Vintagebody]

So according to the first post Thunder standard 149 are the same as Indy forged hollow 149
Difference only being the Indy is a mill and a half taller?

I love thunders but I just get madness about thinking Indy’s are sicker or ventures are sicker lol

Is this really the case?
But I have a 8.38 eagle with 14,5 WB, and I was thinking about slapping my indy forged on to reduce it. But I guess not.

[Xen]

Independent 149 forged hollow (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

Thunder 149 team edition (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

I'm not buying it (but can't measure because I don't have either).

No one ever chimed in...still not buying it....

[Dwyck]

I feel dumb about that... isn't the hangar the same as the stds? Why would fhs have longer wheelbase from just the baseplate. Is the kingpin angle different?

[Creachteach]

I have stage 4 151, on an 8.5” polar with 14.5” wb atm.
They’re super sick. These carve different, but are weirdly enough pretty stable. And I can ride them on the stock bushings at one thread showing. The wb I haven’t measured, but I did try and line them up against brand new stage 11s, and they’re around that +2.75”. Taking away about 1/8” per truck.
But they don’t feel much shorter or less stable. As an older, used be fat when I just started, 6’ tall guy, I though I was pretty sensitive to wb changes, but these just work.

Would 215s benefit from stage 4 baseplate, kingpin and taller bushings?

[jimgrude]

I feel dumb about that... isn't the hangar the same as the stds? Why would fhs have longer wheelbase from just the baseplate. Is the kingpin angle different?

Yes, that's exactly it. As far as I know, all forged baseplates have the kingpin sit slightly differently. I've heard it's intentional, to compensate for the change in pop-feel due to the height difference. Would love to have this confirmed by someone in the industry.

[BeachChicken]

I've had both Indy Forged and Thunder and don't have measurements handy, but IIRC Thunders are a super small bit longer. Never really cared to compare the two on just dims, was just trying to try a lower Indy at the time and read on here that they were similar to Thunder. Pop nothing like the Thunder for me.

[Mbrimson88]

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Independent 149 forged hollow (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

Thunder 149 team edition (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

I'm not buying it (but can't measure because I don't have either).

[close]

No one ever chimed in...still not buying it....

I will have a look tomorrow as I have both here.

From riding boards with both I would say the Thunder definitely sit further out, as the manual point, nothing else, is lighter on Indy when I stand on a board and lift the nose or tail a little.

From doing that on the same boards, I would say Ace - Classic, then AF1, Indy Standard, Indy forged, Thunder standard, Thunder forged, Venture standard, Venture forged in that order for smallest to longest.

Didn't have other truck brands to compare at that time, even though I do have some more now, but that was purely just the feel of the board, not getting out any measuring options, just trucks on a deck on carpet floor, not even wheels.

Yeah the things I had time to do sometimes make me think I had a little too much time to mess around back when I did that.

[Xen]

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Independent 149 forged hollow (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

Thunder 149 team edition (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

I'm not buying it (but can't measure because I don't have either).

[close]

No one ever chimed in...still not buying it....

[close]

From doing that on the same boards, I would say Ace - Classic, then AF1, Indy Standard, Indy forged, Thunder standard, Thunder forged, Venture standard, Venture forged in that order for smallest to longest.

I mean, that's pretty much the slappy chart provided (Sinclair probably lurks here you know); granted he didn't delve into forged/cast territory as that would cause the average consumer to explode.

Are the venture/thunder ranges accurate? No, venture push out further...enough to decimal up the chart? Probably not and given how little it *gasp* actually matters for most people...point is he got the point across, and as a fan of the truck, I do agree about where slappys sit compared to the others: it's very neutral.

[BeachChicken]

Ventures are .125 further out than Thunder and Thunder are .125 to Indy so if he's gunna show Thunder as being wider, then it makes sense to show Venture the same increment rather than label them the same. Same distance on the same scale. He prob just relied on the Prof to tell him what to put.

[Mbrimson88]

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Independent 149 forged hollow (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

Thunder 149 team edition (8.5" axle):
+ 3.1875"

I'm not buying it (but can't measure because I don't have either).

[close]

No one ever chimed in...still not buying it....

[close]

From doing that on the same boards, I would say Ace - Classic, then AF1, Indy Standard, Indy forged, Thunder standard, Thunder forged, Venture standard, Venture forged in that order for smallest to longest.

[close]

I mean, that's pretty much the slappy chart provided (Sinclair probably lurks here you know); granted he didn't delve into forged/cast territory as that would cause the average consumer to explode.

Are the venture/thunder ranges accurate? No, venture push out further...enough to decimal up the chart? Probably not and given how little it *gasp* actually matters for most people...point is he got the point across, and as a fan of the truck, I do agree about where slappys sit compared to the others: it's very neutral.

I got busy for a bit and forgot to measure those trucks, but finally had a moment.

Not an exact science but putting deck bolts through the truck holes and lining them all up on a counter top - metal edge of glass cabinet - which appeared pretty straight, or at least gave the same results with various trucks lined up side by side, then moved around to compare.

There is so little in it between those ones as requested, regular Thunder and forged Indy, even standard Ventures too at least on the multiple sets I checked, really so little in all of them with a single mm or two between each option.

That info, re various wheelbases I would say as I had it was correct - that is to say when all lined up, eyeballing the trucks more so than taking individual measurements and then comparing on paper, so then turning everything into decimal placed inches I really don't think I could give you a figure, so much as I could see what was what.


Only other thing to note is different bushings, crushed down bottom bushings in particular do change the angle of the hanger, which in turn can change the wheelbase, but measurements going by stock product, all from new, in this case, checking both left and right hanger ends against each other and the other trucks, ended up with pretty much the same results.

[BeachChicken]

Since I am injured I checked what I have on hand. Bolted to a deck, measured both sides, divide by 2, using a tape measure that has 1/32" markings:

Indy Standard cast: 3"
Indy Forged Hollow: 3.125"
Thunder cast: 3.125"
Venture cast: 3.1875", axle is slightly bent not sure if this impacts things.
Venture forged: 3.25"