The Thunder Thread

[Esmith5488]

I don't need the T2 but im sorta falling out of interest with my royals. would love the IKP aces but I stopped skating ace because of stability so probably dumb to get these but right now I have more time to think about skating that actually skating so the gear madness demons are taking over

[Too Frank To Fred]

We don't need yOuTuBe... How about some SLAP heads film some truck reviews with their favorite beverages?

[Esmith5488]

I can't stand Dowdy. From his lisp to his mispronunciation of common words, to him hanging out with that Spencer Nuzzi guy, to him looking like a sun burnt Wes Anderson, all of it I hate.

Dude, if I could gnar you a dozen times for this I would lol

[SwitchBenihana]

To be fair to Robbie skatepark and curbs are probably 90% of what people over 30 skate the majority of the time.

At the same time he is actively promoting Powell and Warsaw with his reviews. I can't take anyone reviewing an Andy Anderson deck in 2025 seriously. He's a good skater and he reads Slap so the lack of awareness is mind-boggling.

The problem with skate reviews is even if you're honest it's still subjective. Even if you could devise a device that could measure the force it took to wheelbite a truck and quantify shit it would mean fuck all for answering the question of if a truck is stable or not.

I didn't have a glowing review, but I still think they're a good product. Honestly all the trucks out now are good in their own way. What matters most is just shortlisting the details, pros, and cons so that someone who might be interested can identify "hey these are what I want". Numbers alone don't really do that. There is a thread for that on here but the summary should be a "Truck Guide" sticky.

[Mbrimson88]

.

After seeing and reading everything, ok maybe not seeing every review people put up, as I don't really want to watch a lot of youtube people I have never heard of anyway, but I am very keen to see and skate the T-II trucks, going by what people are saying about them.

I guess that is just the sort of person I am though, trying a slightly taller and more turny truck sounds right where I want to be, more so than solid feeling or lower or lighter or lacking in turn, or whatever else people like about other trucks.

Any which way, at least people can all have their own opinions of how the trucks work for them and then get them, skate them, sell them or pass them on or whatever they want.

Nothing wrong with that, because at the end of the day, that is why I am here as well - to hear what people are saying, both good and bad, see the pics and other things, follow some links to see more about some products, etc.

[rawbertson.]

Was talking with my friend and there is quite a discrepancy between what dowdy and what dad board measured the wb as. Dowdy is saying it’s less than af1 so more like ace classic wb +2.75” and dad board shows the measurement and it is the same. I’m inclined to go with dad board on this one.

I am setting up a new board just for these ,149 for sure with 14.25” wb which is what I am using on Indy
Going to also use my 57mm Pedro wheels, little worn down now too more like 55mm now

[Gene_Harrogate]

I put together a new setup to see what these T2s are about.  Got about an hour session in this morning and I'll concur with what most others have been saying, tippy at center but not unmanageable. I left the nut flush and did notice the bushings firm up a bit after about a half hour.  The pop felt good, and they turn on a dime.  I don't see them replacing Af1s as my go-to trucks, but I'll keep them on a setup just incase the old madness starts creeping in.

[Xen]

^^ Approve of the color matching 100% (also loved that Dilo board).

[SwitchBenihana]

I asked ChatGPT to summarize all of the T-II Slap reviews. It actually asked me if I wanted "the result in the style of a Slap Magazine message board poster" lol.

Stats

• Height: 54mm
• Wheelbase Extension: +2.75”
• Weight: ~370g/truck (149)
• Bottom Bushing Height: 14mm
• Top Bushing Height: 9.8mm
• Stock Bushing Durometer: Said to be 90A, but riders report that they feel extremely soft. The bushings get more firm after 30-60 minutes for most.

You will like T2 if:

• You ride Ace and want better pinch and more stability near the end of the turn.
• You ride Indy and want lighter pop and/or slightly more kingpin clearance. If you can't pinch for shit you may notice an improvement. It won't pop or turn exactly like an Indy, but it will carve super nice.
• You ride Lurpiv and want better pinch and kingpin clearance. The pop feel isn’t the same but they do resist wheelbite and come fairly loose stock.
• You like a turny truck but are not super anal retentive about it being "rattle loose" or fine tuning the turn.

You will be indifferent to T2 if:

• You already like what you have and think it will solve a small complaint. These are not really a game changer so unless you’re on something you really don’t like or totally open to change I don’t think they will blow you away.
• You have and like Ace and don’t worry about the pinch.
• You are patient and give yourself time to adapt to things and end up being fine.

You likely won't like T2 if:

• You like stability at center. Reviewers broadly report that the turn “dives from the top” very quick and resists the end. The soft bushings make this more noticeable for many.
• You like a heftier pop feel. My Forged Titaniums felt a tad snappier and normal Indys definitely do. Normal Thunders hit the tail quicker, but the wheelbase length does add some heft. Think “suck up to your feet”.
• You ride normal Thunders. They're simply not a taller Thunder with more baseplate.
• Ventures low or high. They're going to have much heavier pop and the turn will feel insane.
• You refuse to swap stock bushings and you like moderately tight trucks or are heavier.
• You thought these were going to be some magic truck that was basically a Thunder with risers and a longer baseplate. Its not and that’s actually probably smarter of Thunder. Its not a DLX Indy

[Xen]

More WB measurements

Was talking with my friend and there is quite a discrepancy between what dowdy and what dad board measured the wb as. Dowdy is saying it’s less than af1 so more like ace classic wb +2.75” and dad board shows the measurement and it is the same. I’m inclined to go with dad board on this one.

I am setting up a new board just for these ,149 for sure with 14.25” wb which is what I am using on Indy
Going to also use my 57mm Pedro wheels, little worn down now too more like 55mm now

[Crabby_Bastard]

More WB measurements

Expand Quote

Was talking with my friend and there is quite a discrepancy between what dowdy and what dad board measured the wb as. Dowdy is saying it’s less than af1 so more like ace classic wb +2.75” and dad board shows the measurement and it is the same. I’m inclined to go with dad board on this one.

I am setting up a new board just for these ,149 for sure with 14.25” wb which is what I am using on Indy
Going to also use my 57mm Pedro wheels, little worn down now too more like 55mm now

[close]

Another set of inaccurate measurements. Only measured one side.

[Gene_Harrogate]

^^ Approve of the color matching 100% (also loved that Dilo board).

I grab a Dilo board whenever I see them because they just check every box for me.

[rawbertson.]

so we still dont actually know what the WB is 

shout out Supra distribution in Vancouver BC, they are shipping out the trucks today apparently and we will get them in the shop in approx 1 week Cant wait!!!  been really wanting to skate some round rails again and all my trucks are so axled and draggy, probably going to get absolutely destroyed when i try these maybe should hit a few concrete ledges first to square them up a bit

[Xen]

^^ yeah dude measured from outside to outside...

However, all the [wrong] measurements seem to be averaging out the same...they seem pretty close to ACE AF1s.

[SwitchBenihana]

No, we know what it is the YouTubers just failed 6th grade math. A bunch of people have measured both sides and averaged and gotten +2.75.

[JM]

“You will be indifferent to T2 if:

You are patient and give yourself time to adapt to things and end up being fine.”

lol

[SwitchBenihana]

The problem with ChatGPT is that is never slipped out of a crook into a noseslide in front of the homies or had a day where it ghost popped all of its flip tricks and questioned its gear choices. It will never truly know gear madness.

[JM]

The problem with ChatGPT is that is never slipped out of a crook into a noseslide in front of the homies or had a day where it ghost popped all of its flip tricks and questioned its gear choices. It will never truly know gear madness.

ChatGPT: How do you feel about this post in SLAP message boards?

“The problem with ChatGPT is that is never slipped out of a crook into a noseslide in front of the homies or had a day where it ghost popped all of its flip tricks and questioned its gear choices. It will never truly know gear madness.”

That’s a great post—and honestly, it nails something true in a funny, poetic way.

On one hand, it’s a clever, very “SLAP” kind of jab: skating is personal, physical, frustrating, and filled with those emotional highs and lows that only a skater who’s been through it can relate to. ChatGPT hasn’t bruised its shin on a crooked tail slide gone wrong or spent 4 hours debating bushings only to switch back. So yeah—it will never truly know gear madness.

But at the same time, the post is also showing real love for skateboarding’s emotional depth. It’s not just about tricks—it’s about the internal chaos, the obsession, the rituals, and the connection with your crew. That stuff is deeply human, and the post points out (in a funny way) that AI exists outside of that lived-in, chaotic beauty.

In short: it’s a funny and insightful roast, and it makes its point without being hostile. Feels like a very SLAP way of saying “you’re cool for what you are, ChatGPT—but you’re not one of us.” Which is fair.

[Gene_Harrogate]

Expand Quote

The problem with ChatGPT is that is never slipped out of a crook into a noseslide in front of the homies or had a day where it ghost popped all of its flip tricks and questioned its gear choices. It will never truly know gear madness.

[close]

ChatGPT: How do you feel about this post in SLAP message boards?

“The problem with ChatGPT is that is never slipped out of a crook into a noseslide in front of the homies or had a day where it ghost popped all of its flip tricks and questioned its gear choices. It will never truly know gear madness.”

That’s a great post—and honestly, it nails something true in a funny, poetic way.

On one hand, it’s a clever, very “SLAP” kind of jab: skating is personal, physical, frustrating, and filled with those emotional highs and lows that only a skater who’s been through it can relate to. ChatGPT hasn’t bruised its shin on a crooked tail slide gone wrong or spent 4 hours debating bushings only to switch back. So yeah—it will never truly know gear madness.

But at the same time, the post is also showing real love for skateboarding’s emotional depth. It’s not just about tricks—it’s about the internal chaos, the obsession, the rituals, and the connection with your crew. That stuff is deeply human, and the post points out (in a funny way) that AI exists outside of that lived-in, chaotic beauty.

In short: it’s a funny and insightful roast, and it makes its point without being hostile. Feels like a very SLAP way of saying “you’re cool for what you are, ChatGPT—but you’re not one of us.” Which is fair.

Damn, ChatGPT seems chill as fuck.  I want to buy it an artificial beer.

[Xen]

At the same time he is actively promoting Powell and Warsaw with his reviews. I can't take anyone reviewing an Andy Anderson deck in 2025 seriously.

Bit off topic, but it seems like && is sending a lot of those hydrant boards out to boobtoobers - as well as doing another 'my board is awesome with one of said boobtoobers (xgames guy)".

Feels like damage control, don't think it's selling for obv reasons, not the least of which it being shaped like a fucking razer ripstick; old heads ain't buying that shit.

[rocklobster]

Expand Quote

At the same time he is actively promoting Powell and Warsaw with his reviews. I can't take anyone reviewing an Andy Anderson deck in 2025 seriously.

[close]

Bit off topic, but it seems like && is sending a lot of those hydrant boards out to boobtoobers - as well as doing another 'my board is awesome with one of said boobtoobers (xgames guy)".

Feels like damage control, don't think it's selling for obv reasons, not the least of which it being shaped like a fucking razer ripstick; old heads ain't buying that shit.

They probably still are, just not in the quantities desired, could also be due to the price hikes.

[back smith]

Expand Quote

At the same time he is actively promoting Powell and Warsaw with his reviews. I can't take anyone reviewing an Andy Anderson deck in 2025 seriously.

[close]

Bit off topic, but it seems like && is sending a lot of those hydrant boards out to boobtoobers - as well as doing another 'my board is awesome with one of said boobtoobers (xgames guy)".

Feels like damage control, don't think it's selling for obv reasons, not the least of which it being shaped like a fucking razer ripstick; old heads ain't buying that shit.

Typically they call the process of promoting products marketing.

[rawbertson.]

i kinda wanna just try Andy's setup now. so its like a 8.75 twin tail shape board, mini logo trucks, and like 60mm nano cube dragons or something?

[back smith]

i kinda wanna just try Andy's setup now. so its like a 8.75 twin tail shape board, mini logo trucks, and like 60mm nano cube dragons or something?

The 8.7 egg was a couple years ago. The last two boards have been 8.4 wide. 52mm 97A Nano Cubics.

[rawbertson.]

Expand Quote

i kinda wanna just try Andy's setup now. so its like a 8.75 twin tail shape board, mini logo trucks, and like 60mm nano cube dragons or something?

[close]

The 8.7 egg was a couple years ago. The last two boards have been 8.4 wide. 52mm 97A Nano Cubics.

interesting, mini logo makes 8.75" trucks but not 8.5" trucks. but they do make 8.38" trucks and i suppose this is what Andy uses for his current setup. i would think this is a lot more practical for the type of skating he is doing. actually realy close to what i ride right now anyway 

 the 8.75" maybe would have been better for when he was doing the olympics (he actually competed in Park for team Canada if you don't remember  )

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

I’ve stood on his board and what feels weird is big mini logos….a low, wide truck that doesn’t really swoop… He doesn’t skate his trucks super tight but they sort of top out like a venture….

[Texas_Tone]

Breaking in nicely

[Deadringer]

Breaking in nicely

Damn they look good roughed up. How’re they skating compared to what you had before?

[Texas_Tone]

Expand Quote

Breaking in nicely

[close]

Damn they look good roughed up. How’re they skating compared to what you had before?

I was skating royals before these, they are a lot more surfy, and they brought in the wheelbase I think, rotational tricks are working better landed a 360 flip the other day and I haven’t done one in awhile so that was cool, they grind really fast compared to the royals as well, I’m enjoying them

[JM]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Breaking in nicely

[close]

Damn they look good roughed up. How’re they skating compared to what you had before?

[close]

I was skating royals before these, they are a lot more surfy, and they brought in the wheelbase I think, rotational tricks are working better landed a 360 flip the other day and I haven’t done one in awhile so that was cool, they grind really fast compared to the royals as well, I’m enjoying them

You should post this in scrape report. That deck is a bonafide work of art.