The Thunder Thread

[TheCrimsonShroud]

DadBoard has an interesting follow up review for the T2s.

He mentions the three step bushing break in process, which I have long believed in. (my stage 4s went exactly like this)

1) Squishy and unresponsive 2) firming up 3) settling into baseline squish with responsiveness

You can speed up this process by getting a nice Persian Rug and wiggling back and fore while you SLAP. also good for ankle strength building.

T2 back in the virtual shopping cart...

Breaking in my first set of thunders has been eye-opening. Resisted the urge to crank them down. Ate some shit. Now I have 1 thread showing and can roll 56mm wheels with no biting. My calves and ankles feel jacked. Like I now have DBZ tree trunk legs.

[moykky]

So, anyone already put T1 hangers on the T2 baseplate? Would the pals think it will work? I don't want to buy T2's if I can't change the hangers.

I haven't tried, but looking at them side by side (T2 & standard), I don't think it's a good idea. Why would you want to change the hangars? Hollow (weight)?

[TheCrimsonShroud]

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DadBoard has an interesting follow up review for the T2s.

He mentions the three step bushing break in process, which I have long believed in. (my stage 4s went exactly like this)

1) Squishy and unresponsive 2) firming up 3) settling into baseline squish with responsiveness

You can speed up this process by getting a nice Persian Rug and wiggling back and fore while you SLAP. also good for ankle strength building.

T2 back in the virtual shopping cart...

[close]

Breaking in my first set of thunders has been eye-opening. Resisted the urge to crank them down. Ate some shit. Now I have 1 thread showing and can roll 56mm wheels with no biting. My calves and ankles feel jacked. Like I now have DBZ tree trunk legs.

Haha, so I ate shit carving low on a quarter pipe today. Jinxed my damn self.

[Obijuan91]

Finally commited to a pair of thunders coming off Indy forged. Had to admit to myself I needed something slightly more stable. I liked the turn/bushings on them they’re actually good. Switched bushings to the Indy 88a conicals just because I want to keep it consistent between seasons. I live in Cali tho so idk if the bushings would be as affected as other areas. Regardless the Indy conicals feel great so far and thunders do feel like a cheat when it comes to flat ground

[FrenchSkater]

Finally commited to a pair of thunders coming off Indy forged. Had to admit to myself I needed something slightly more stable. I liked the turn/bushings on them they’re actually good. Switched bushings to the Indy 88a conicals just because I want to keep it consistent between seasons. I live in Cali tho so idk if the bushings would be as affected as other areas. Regardless the Indy conicals feel great so far and thunders do feel like a cheat when it comes to flat ground

Glad to see this review since I also bought a pair of Thunder, while my last pair was the forged hollows, which I had been used to for a long time. They were worn out, so I had to find used trucks but almost brand new, and the Thunder ones were the cheapest. And since I skate a lot on flatground, this is interesting.

Does anyone also have opinions on the best deck wheelbase for Thunder (147's) ? The Indy forged hollows had the advantage of working with everything.

[fakiefs180]

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So, anyone already put T1 hangers on the T2 baseplate? Would the pals think it will work? I don't want to buy T2's if I can't change the hangers.

[close]

I haven't tried, but looking at them side by side (T2 & standard), I don't think it's a good idea. Why would you want to change the hangars? Hollow (weight)?

It's not the hangers I am interested in changing, it's the "improved" baseplate that makes me curious. But not at the height of the T-2, more like 52mm height. I hope that makes sense for someone.

[rawbertson.]

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Finally commited to a pair of thunders coming off Indy forged. Had to admit to myself I needed something slightly more stable. I liked the turn/bushings on them they’re actually good. Switched bushings to the Indy 88a conicals just because I want to keep it consistent between seasons. I live in Cali tho so idk if the bushings would be as affected as other areas. Regardless the Indy conicals feel great so far and thunders do feel like a cheat when it comes to flat ground

[close]

Glad to see this review since I also bought a pair of Thunder, while my last pair was the forged hollows, which I had been used to for a long time. They were worn out, so I had to find used trucks but almost brand new, and the Thunder ones were the cheapest. And since I skate a lot on flatground, this is interesting.

Does anyone also have opinions on the best deck wheelbase for Thunder (147's) ? The Indy forged hollows had the advantage of working with everything.

I would say in general with the more pushed out wheelbase, you are going to want a shorter wheelbase board to make up for that. but it depends on your preference.

i am about 6' tall, so i like 14.25" wb board with Indy (3" wb pushout), 14.5" wb board with Thunder T2 / Ace Classic (2.75" wb pushout), and ~14" wb with Thunder T1 / Lurpiv / Venture / etc.

[Obijuan91]

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Finally commited to a pair of thunders coming off Indy forged. Had to admit to myself I needed something slightly more stable. I liked the turn/bushings on them they’re actually good. Switched bushings to the Indy 88a conicals just because I want to keep it consistent between seasons. I live in Cali tho so idk if the bushings would be as affected as other areas. Regardless the Indy conicals feel great so far and thunders do feel like a cheat when it comes to flat ground

[close]

Glad to see this review since I also bought a pair of Thunder, while my last pair was the forged hollows, which I had been used to for a long time. They were worn out, so I had to find used trucks but almost brand new, and the Thunder ones were the cheapest. And since I skate a lot on flatground, this is interesting.

Does anyone also have opinions on the best deck wheelbase for Thunder (147's) ? The Indy forged hollows had the advantage of working with everything.

They probably would work on everything. Sweet spot for me for the Indy forged which translates to the thunders was 14.125 tho. Turn so good feel so stable

[JM]

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I dare you to buy enough to fulfill your rainbow bushing bucket fantasies.

[close]

Oh shit. This just got serious, didn’t it.

I’ll get back with you if there are any positive developments. 
 

There have been positive developments.

[Rick Trapasso]

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I dare you to buy enough to fulfill your rainbow bushing bucket fantasies.

[close]

Oh shit. This just got serious, didn’t it.

I’ll get back with you if there are any positive developments. 
 

[close]

There have been positive developments.

Just a few thousand more to go

[JM]

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I dare you to buy enough to fulfill your rainbow bushing bucket fantasies.

[close]

Oh shit. This just got serious, didn’t it.

I’ll get back with you if there are any positive developments. 
 

[close]

There have been positive developments.

[close]

Just a few thousand more to go

Sorry, ran out of free images yesterday.

Who needs a thousand REAL bushings??

[360halfcab]

After skating the T2’s for about a month I am back on T1’s. I really enjoyed the T2’s, a lot. To me they satisfied my frustration with aces and their pop while still giving me the turn I was looking for. The pop is light and snappy, to me it’s the best popping truck that’s geared towards a tight turning radius. (I haven’t skated Slappys yet) My switch back to T1’s was more so because I’m so used to them and I really trust them under my feet. I will say there were a handful of tricks I rolled away from on the T2’s that had me thinking I probably wouldn’t have been able to land if it weren’t for the great turn and lack of wheelbite. Nonetheless I really enjoyed both versions and I am not ruling them out for the future.

I wanted to ask my T1 guys that are on the inverted kingpins, have you had the same crumbling bushing problem on the inverteds? It’s my only gripe with them, nonetheless I can deal with that frustration. Just wondered if maybe the washer was less sharp or if the bushings just held up better in the IKP’s.

[hiljentaa]

I wanted to ask my T1 guys that are on the inverted kingpins, have you had the same crumbling bushing problem on the inverteds? It’s my only gripe with them, nonetheless I can deal with that frustration. Just wondered if maybe the washer was less sharp or if the bushings just held up better in the IKP’s.

Not on the inverted versions, but I use, and swear by the smaller washers that come with Indy aftermarket Conical bushings on my Thunders.

Been skating them in all my Thunders for awhile now and have had no bushing crumbling whatsoever.

[Sedition]

Just a curiosity point: For non-T2 riders, which is more popular, Team/cast or Lights/forged?

[360halfcab]

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I wanted to ask my T1 guys that are on the inverted kingpins, have you had the same crumbling bushing problem on the inverteds? It’s my only gripe with them, nonetheless I can deal with that frustration. Just wondered if maybe the washer was less sharp or if the bushings just held up better in the IKP’s.

[close]

Not on the inverted versions, but I use, and swear by the smaller washers that come with Indy aftermarket Conical bushings on my Thunders.

Been skating them in all my Thunders for awhile now and have had no bushing crumbling whatsoever.

Thanks for this info, funny enough this confirms my suspicions that its the washer and not the bushing itself. I have even tried filing down the edges of the washers in thunders to try and remedy this. I have some aftermarket indy bushings laying around so I will be sure to dig them up for those smaller washers. Thanks a million Hiljentaa.

[FrAnKenFrEd]

Just a curiosity point: For non-T2 riders, which is more popular, Team/cast or Lights/forged?

When I skate Thunder it is always Teams. Better height and Thunders are light enough as is for me. 151/161.

But I will likely forgo Team 1s  for  T2s when I get my hands on T2 151s.

[rawbertson.]

I only ever used Team for T1s but i know tons of people who use the hollow lights. its usually more tech skaters who skate smaller boards who want the hollows and usually more 8.25+ riders using the team.

i personally find the thunders plenty light without needing to be hollow, and i do a lot of grinds so i want as much material on there as possible.

I need the extra height though cause I like riding 60mm wheels so I probably wont switch back (dont like risers)

[hiljentaa]

Just a curiosity point: For non-T2 riders, which is more popular, Team/cast or Lights/forged?

I skate the Lights, not for the weight reduction, but for the lower height.

Thanks for this info, funny enough this confirms my suspicions that its the washer and not the bushing itself. I have even tried filing down the edges of the washers in thunders to try and remedy this. I have some aftermarket indy bushings laying around so I will be sure to dig them up for those smaller washers. Thanks a million Hiljentaa.

Yeah the stock Thunder washers can have some issues, particularly with bending. I prefer Indy aftermarket washers in all my trucks. I've even gone as far as buying sets of the Indy aftermarket bushings just to use the washers...

Even if you only have a set of the Indy aftermarket barrel bushings, you can use the smaller top washer that comes with along with your stock Thunder bottom washer to avoid washer bite on your top bushing (where it always happens). Hope that helps.

Also, I always skate my bushings with the kingpin nut flush or just slightly below. Never any threads showing. That will help avoid your bushings compressing out and having more likelihood of top washer bite.

[JM]

Just a curiosity point: For non-T2 riders, which is more popular, Team/cast or Lights/forged?

T1 Team Hollow.

I found the extra height affected the pop in positive way that I’m used to coming from Indy for life.

Also, I like the heavier sound when grinding.

[texasplant]

This has probably been discussed but I can’t be bothered scrolling back - I saw confirmation today that Gerwer will have the first T2 model. “Frank Gerwer Screaming Grimple T-II”. Makes sense.

[Ok]

This has probably been discussed but I can’t be bothered scrolling back - I saw confirmation today that Gerwer will have the first T2 model. “Frank Gerwer Screaming Grimple T-II”. Makes sense.

if and when the bdk gets one, i will be forced to purchase

frank is a sweetheart, seemingly

[FrAnKenFrEd]

This has probably been discussed but I can’t be bothered scrolling back - I saw confirmation today that Gerwer will have the first T2 model. “Frank Gerwer Screaming Grimple T-II”. Makes sense.

yep. 148 and 149 and crewneck and T.

[Rick Trapasso]

Just a curiosity point: For non-T2 riders, which is more popular, Team/cast or Lights/forged?

Team/cast are definitely more popular overall. Most pro's ride standards.

There are a decent handful of tech guys that ride smaller setups who seem to ride the forged plates, but they are def in the minority overall.

[Shuh]

I ride Max Palmer loose badly, but that's just my preference would T2 be ok for it?

[Mbrimson88]

I ride Max Palmer loose badly, but that's just my preference would T2 be ok for it?

Does he still ride with no bushings, or only a bottom bushing or something?

Either way that is beside the point, but any truck can be skated with chopped down bushings, or lower top bushings, or even just with no washers in there.

T-II will definitely turn a lot more too, so you might find they are really nice with a super loose feel as they are, or remove washers or do whatever you might usually do to get them to how you like them.


* I don't usually compare specific truck brands to one another, but people have said if you like Ace, then you will most likely find the T-II quite enjoyable too, although it is still a different feel in the turn and performance.

[rawbertson.]

my t2s are getting a lot more loose now i have rode them around for a few months, especially the back bushing (as expected). i am riding my board backwards a lot now to try and even it out and mega squirrel

[Jort250]

Who has the best T2 review? Ben D’s is just reading the spec sheet, saying they’re too heavy and talking about himself, Dad Board’s series dosent say anything conclusive and I can’t make it through a Downy video

[DarkPools]

Who has the best T2 review? Ben D’s is just reading the spec sheet, saying they’re too heavy and talking about himself, Dad Board’s series dosent say anything conclusive and I can’t make it through a Downy video

Dad Board's isn't conclusive? Did you see a more recent followup video where he went back to them and gave a more fleshed out review? His is the most conclusive so far, it seems

[Ok]

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Who has the best T2 review? Ben D’s is just reading the spec sheet, saying they’re too heavy and talking about himself, Dad Board’s series dosent say anything conclusive and I can’t make it through a Downy video

[close]

Dad Board's isn't conclusive? Did you see a more recent followup video where he went back to them and gave a more fleshed out review? His is the most conclusive so far, it seems

i also felt like the reviews sucked. maybe the trucks are not great, maybe they are, the reviewers were not excellent imo


*** i actually went to the shop to buy them and an employee i’ve known forever said they were way too loose.
i am sure he came to this by skating his buddies board for ten minutes. i didn’t buy em tho, so there’s that.

[Texas_Tone]

I like mine