Author Topic: The Thunder Thread  (Read 414672 times)

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rawbertson.

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4200 on: January 03, 2026, 10:04:28 AM »
I like a wb closer to 14” with thunders. 14.25 would be ok but anything past that would feel shitty for me on fakie / nollie tricks.

I use a primitive board with 14.18 wb and works perfect for me with thunder t1. Tail is on the longer side like 6.75”. I am 5’11”

Rick Trapasso

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4201 on: January 03, 2026, 10:39:21 AM »
One of the easy rider shapes with a wheelbase between 14-14.25 would probably work nicely for you.


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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4202 on: January 03, 2026, 11:33:19 AM »
Long time listener, first time caller.

Has anyone skated T1 hangers on T2 baseplates?

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4203 on: January 03, 2026, 01:41:20 PM »
Long time listener, first time caller.

Has anyone skated T1 hangers on T2 baseplates?


you sick fuck

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4204 on: January 03, 2026, 01:54:12 PM »
Hello,

( I apologize if my writing is poor; I am trying my best )

I am a 40-year-old French skateboarder. I have been reading this forum for a very long time, as it contains a lot of information that is not available in France. I love the technical topics about equipment. In France, no one asks questions about equipment, and you are considered crazy if you do. So I am here to read and learn things. I also watch Ben Degros' videos.
The problem is that I don't speak English very well, and it's difficult to read all the posts using the translation.
Right now, I'm on this Thunder post because I've been using Thunders for a year and would like some advice on choosing my next board.
I currently have an 8-inch Real board (the classic oval design). Thunder Team 147 trucks. I'm not comfortable with this setup. The problem is that the board doesn't have a 14.25 wheelbase as I thought, it's 14.33. I feel like I'm leaning too far back, as if my body is sliding backwards. Another problem is the 37-degree angle (measured between the rear bolts). It's much too vertical for me. I can't even brake by rubbing the tail on the ground because it's so vertical. It's also difficult to find balance for manuals. Nothing works on this setup.

With Ben Degros' video, I understood that I need to get a board that has flat toes before the tail starts to rise. That's okay.
i'm also going to get a board with a 14.25 wheelbase to reduce the one I have at the moment, but I don't understand whether I should get a board with a small tail or a large tail. What shape/size of tail works well with Thunder?
Looking at flat fingers is one thing, but if I don't get the right tail size, I might end up in the same situation with a 37-degree angle.

I'm waiting for your advice, maybe a brand that works well with Thunder. Only 8 or 8.125.
If you want to check out the European website Skatedeluxe to help me, they list all the wheelbases, all the tail and nose sizes, everything is listed.
Hello, I like boards with a pop angle of 33 or so.

I ride ventures and look for a tail  between 6.63”-6.88 “ and with a mellow kick angles.

Some boards to look into
-Mini logo or Powell. Both have a very shallow tail angle and mellow concave. Depending on size you can get a longer tail

-primitive

-April

-alien workshop




rawbertson.

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4205 on: January 03, 2026, 01:55:53 PM »
^ great recommendation fully agree with all those

Mbrimson88

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4206 on: January 03, 2026, 08:34:12 PM »
Hello,

( I apologize if my writing is poor; I am trying my best )

I am a 40-year-old French skateboarder. I have been reading this forum for a very long time, as it contains a lot of information that is not available in France. I love the technical topics about equipment. In France, no one asks questions about equipment, and you are considered crazy if you do. So I am here to read and learn things. I also watch Ben Degros' videos.
The problem is that I don't speak English very well, and it's difficult to read all the posts using the translation.
Right now, I'm on this Thunder post because I've been using Thunders for a year and would like some advice on choosing my next board.
I currently have an 8-inch Real board (the classic oval design). Thunder Team 147 trucks. I'm not comfortable with this setup. The problem is that the board doesn't have a 14.25 wheelbase as I thought, it's 14.33. I feel like I'm leaning too far back, as if my body is sliding backwards. Another problem is the 37-degree angle (measured between the rear bolts). It's much too vertical for me. I can't even brake by rubbing the tail on the ground because it's so vertical. It's also difficult to find balance for manuals. Nothing works on this setup.

With Ben Degros' video, I understood that I need to get a board that has flat toes before the tail starts to rise. That's okay.
i'm also going to get a board with a 14.25 wheelbase to reduce the one I have at the moment, but I don't understand whether I should get a board with a small tail or a large tail. What shape/size of tail works well with Thunder?
Looking at flat fingers is one thing, but if I don't get the right tail size, I might end up in the same situation with a 37-degree angle.

I'm waiting for your advice, maybe a brand that works well with Thunder. Only 8 or 8.125.
If you want to check out the European website Skatedeluxe to help me, they list all the wheelbases, all the tail and nose sizes, everything is listed.


There is a common size / shape in the 8.125 which is 32 long, 14.25 wb and has a longer kick than average, which does work really well with a lot of different trucks, including Thunders.

The brand list is from BBS, with boards like Antihero, Real, Krooked as well as Polar, Magenta, Passport just to name a few, which I have all seen on Skatedeluxe shop site just now:


https://www.skatedeluxe.com/en/p/krooked-worrest-awesome-cycle-8-12-skateboard-deck-white_p164480

https://www.skatedeluxe.com/en/p/passport-threads-falcon-8-125-skateboard-deck-multi_p152121

https://www.skatedeluxe.com/en/p/magenta-team-big-plant-8-125-skateboard-deck-multi_p154600

https://www.skatedeluxe.com/en/p/magenta-team-big-brush-8-125-skateboard-deck-multi_p178252


* There are usually a lot of them around, as that is the shape I used to ride, but right now I can't see too many on the shop site.  It might work for you, or it might not, but at least the tail is a lot longer.

Gone since 1988.  I talk too much about skateboards.  Sorry.

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4207 on: January 08, 2026, 10:31:01 AM »
Thanks for your messages.
While waiting to change boards, I found a solution: skating with the nose instead of the tail on my Real board. It's more comfortable. I get a 35-degree angle instead of 37, so I don't feel like the board is too vertical when I pop, and I get better balance for manuals.

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4208 on: January 08, 2026, 10:38:18 AM »
I like a wb closer to 14” with thunders. 14.25 would be ok but anything past that would feel shitty for me on fakie / nollie tricks.

I use a primitive board with 14.18 wb and works perfect for me with thunder t1. Tail is on the longer side like 6.75”. I am 5’11”

One day I'll try a 14-inch wheelbase. I think I'll like it. I tried it once on a board from the 90s, but the board was only 31 inches long. It was weird, but I could still tell that I liked the wheelbase.

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4209 on: January 08, 2026, 11:49:34 AM »
Anybody have a go-to brand for short-WB Decks at 8.6-8.75 (anything under 9") width Range for T1 use?

I've been on Limo's 8.6 the last few boards. awesome people at that camp. That's near 14.5" WB and with people saying 14.25 or less as ideal T1 specs (mostly for flip trickin'!).

Aside from the Stumps series from Creature, or the Peter Hewitt shape that I recently saw, there doesn't appear to be much available short-n-wide. 

I know 8.5 are more readily available with various WB across the brands. That width, being old, and my size 12, not the formula at this time.


edt: I peeped the Short WB thread. We really only have NHS as an option?

Murge

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4210 on: January 08, 2026, 12:46:37 PM »
Anybody have a go-to brand for short-WB Decks at 8.6-8.75 (anything under 9") width Range for T1 use?

I've been on Limo's 8.6 the last few boards. awesome people at that camp. That's near 14.5" WB and with people saying 14.25 or less as ideal T1 specs (mostly for flip trickin'!).

Aside from the Stumps series from Creature, or the Peter Hewitt shape that I recently saw, there doesn't appear to be much available short-n-wide. 

I know 8.5 are more readily available with various WB across the brands. That width, being old, and my size 12, not the formula at this time.


edt: I peeped the Short WB thread. We really only have NHS as an option?

I think alien work shop , habitat and opera had an 8.75 with either 14 or 14.25

But I’m having hell finding one online now.
https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Jacuzzi_Unlimited_Ice_Font_Deck/descpage-JZIFJDK.html?from=gshop&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17615747665&gbraid=0AAAAADvp7CW2-82p9V16k2p17yvUSs7O_&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyP3KBhD9ARIsAAJLnnZfYRvvCMuAxJOIPGzT8ByslP4gHHh_45IrDnjJdbthUA6IwyrXUKgaAseWEALw_wcB
This jacuzzi says the wheel base is 13.75 idk if that’s a typo
Or what

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Sk8_Mafia_Kremer_Nope_Deck/descpage-SMWKNPDK.html?_gl=1*npyvy7*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyP3KBhD9ARIsAAJLnnZfYRvvCMuAxJOIPGzT8ByslP4gHHh_45IrDnjJdbthUA6IwyrXUKgaAseWEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADvp7CW2-82p9V16k2p17yvUSs7O_

Blank

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Skate_Warehouse_Premium_Blank_Deck/descpage-SW80SWDK.html?_gl=1*npyvy7*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyP3KBhD9ARIsAAJLnnZfYRvvCMuAxJOIPGzT8ByslP4gHHh_45IrDnjJdbthUA6IwyrXUKgaAseWEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADvp7CW2-82p9V16k2p17yvUSs7O_

« Last Edit: January 08, 2026, 12:57:34 PM by Murge »

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4211 on: January 09, 2026, 01:25:44 AM »
Expand Quote
Anybody have a go-to brand for short-WB Decks at 8.6-8.75 (anything under 9") width Range for T1 use?

I've been on Limo's 8.6 the last few boards. awesome people at that camp. That's near 14.5" WB and with people saying 14.25 or less as ideal T1 specs (mostly for flip trickin'!).

Aside from the Stumps series from Creature, or the Peter Hewitt shape that I recently saw, there doesn't appear to be much available short-n-wide. 

I know 8.5 are more readily available with various WB across the brands. That width, being old, and my size 12, not the formula at this time.


edt: I peeped the Short WB thread. We really only have NHS as an option?
[close]

I think alien work shop , habitat and opera had an 8.75 with either 14 or 14.25

But I’m having hell finding one online now.

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Jacuzzi_Unlimited_Ice_Font_Deck/descpage-JZIFJDK.html

This jacuzzi says the wheel base is 13.75 idk if that’s a typo
Or what

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Sk8_Mafia_Kremer_Nope_Deck/descpage-SMWKNPDK.html

Blank

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Skate_Warehouse_Premium_Blank_Deck/descpage-SW80SWDK.html


I think 14.25 is plenty small enough a wheelbase for making the original Thunders work, so that would open up a few more options for you, more so than going so small as 14.0 which could be very limiting all up, even though there are some boards out there that are not so common.


Yes Alien Workshop decks which are long and squared off with 14.25 wb in 8.75 are still a stock staple, or at least they are around still, just might be out of stock in some places.

The HLC boards are all 14.2 wb, even on the wider ones, as per the SW link.  People like them well enough.  Just none of the deck alone in stock right now.  Complete link for deck specs only:

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Skate_Warehouse_Premium_Blank_Complete_875/descpage-SWPR87CP.html


I also see a Toy Machine deck that could work too:

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Toy_Machine_Rowley_Heavy_Metal_Grey_Deck/descpage-TMGRHM87DK.html

8.75 x 32 with 14.25 wb


I guess even just checking some of the bigger shops that have a lot of stock, then go through the search options for shorter wheelbases and see what comes up.

There might be a few more options that could work for you.





Gone since 1988.  I talk too much about skateboards.  Sorry.

so_teal

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4212 on: January 09, 2026, 01:02:02 PM »
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
Anybody have a go-to brand for short-WB Decks at 8.6-8.75 (anything under 9") width Range for T1 use?

I've been on Limo's 8.6 the last few boards. awesome people at that camp. That's near 14.5" WB and with people saying 14.25 or less as ideal T1 specs (mostly for flip trickin'!).

Aside from the Stumps series from Creature, or the Peter Hewitt shape that I recently saw, there doesn't appear to be much available short-n-wide. 

I know 8.5 are more readily available with various WB across the brands. That width, being old, and my size 12, not the formula at this time.


edt: I peeped the Short WB thread. We really only have NHS as an option?
[close]

I think alien work shop , habitat and opera had an 8.75 with either 14 or 14.25

But I’m having hell finding one online now.

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Jacuzzi_Unlimited_Ice_Font_Deck/descpage-JZIFJDK.html

This jacuzzi says the wheel base is 13.75 idk if that’s a typo
Or what

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Sk8_Mafia_Kremer_Nope_Deck/descpage-SMWKNPDK.html

Blank

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Skate_Warehouse_Premium_Blank_Deck/descpage-SW80SWDK.html
[close]


I think 14.25 is plenty small enough a wheelbase for making the original Thunders work, so that would open up a few more options for you, more so than going so small as 14.0 which could be very limiting all up, even though there are some boards out there that are not so common.


Yes Alien Workshop decks which are long and squared off with 14.25 wb in 8.75 are still a stock staple, or at least they are around still, just might be out of stock in some places.

The HLC boards are all 14.2 wb, even on the wider ones, as per the SW link.  People like them well enough.  Just none of the deck alone in stock right now.  Complete link for deck specs only:

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Skate_Warehouse_Premium_Blank_Complete_875/descpage-SWPR87CP.html


I also see a Toy Machine deck that could work too:

https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Toy_Machine_Rowley_Heavy_Metal_Grey_Deck/descpage-TMGRHM87DK.html

8.75 x 32 with 14.25 wb


I guess even just checking some of the bigger shops that have a lot of stock, then go through the search options for shorter wheelbases and see what comes up.

There might be a few more options that could work for you.



Thanks for the great options so far.

I will look again at the Workshop Camp stuff, I always saw 14.5" or greater than that, on 8.625+ decks. Last board I took off the wall was 8.62 with 14.75"

Been a while since a Toy was underfoot. It was definitely a Watson laminate. BBS making those Dimensions now is alluring. (might be the winner)

Don't think I ever had an HLC manufactured deck. Consensus on here from non-Euro folks was seemingly "meh" but I am no high-flyin' SOB. I'd give one a shot if opportunity and price align.


kickbacktail

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4213 on: January 09, 2026, 02:08:51 PM »
Hello,

( I apologize if my writing is poor; I am trying my best )

I am a 40-year-old French skateboarder. I have been reading this forum for a very long time, as it contains a lot of information that is not available in France. I love the technical topics about equipment. In France, no one asks questions about equipment, and you are considered crazy if you do. So I am here to read and learn things. I also watch Ben Degros' videos.
The problem is that I don't speak English very well, and it's difficult to read all the posts using the translation.
Right now, I'm on this Thunder post because I've been using Thunders for a year and would like some advice on choosing my next board.
I currently have an 8-inch Real board (the classic oval design). Thunder Team 147 trucks. I'm not comfortable with this setup. The problem is that the board doesn't have a 14.25 wheelbase as I thought, it's 14.33. I feel like I'm leaning too far back, as if my body is sliding backwards. Another problem is the 37-degree angle (measured between the rear bolts). It's much too vertical for me. I can't even brake by rubbing the tail on the ground because it's so vertical. It's also difficult to find balance for manuals. Nothing works on this setup.

With Ben Degros' video, I understood that I need to get a board that has flat toes before the tail starts to rise. That's okay.
i'm also going to get a board with a 14.25 wheelbase to reduce the one I have at the moment, but I don't understand whether I should get a board with a small tail or a large tail. What shape/size of tail works well with Thunder?
Looking at flat fingers is one thing, but if I don't get the right tail size, I might end up in the same situation with a 37-degree angle.

I'm waiting for your advice, maybe a brand that works well with Thunder. Only 8 or 8.125.
If you want to check out the European website Skatedeluxe to help me, they list all the wheelbases, all the tail and nose sizes, everything is listed.

I don’t want this to come across the wrong way, because I love when people take the time to dig into their gear, but I think it’s worth taking a step back and thinking about what effects these modifications are ACTUALLY going to have. Consider that the difference between a 14.33 and 14.25 wheel base is literally 2mm. Take your board, look down at it, and imagine the trucks being 2mm closer together (ie. 1mm movement for each truck). I get that people have their preferences, but this should not be the difference between being able to skate and not being able to skate.

I would also caution against getting too deep in the gear madness at this stage. It’s nice to understand the measurements and how different components affect the feel of the board, but unless we’re talking about the ends of the spectrum it’s not really THAT different. Especially if you are just learning.

Every hobby that has gear will have people who love discussing the minutia of the different gear, but if you only read gear forums or watch gear YouTube channels it can tend to overstate the importance of some of these things in our minds. In essence I’m trying to say that feel free to seek out whatever changes you want to make to your setup obviously, but be careful about falling into the mindset that any of these factors are the reason you’re “sliding back” or having trouble braking with your tail. In my experience the time spent agonizing over dimensions is better spent just practising the thing.

Slave IV

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4214 on: January 09, 2026, 07:28:52 PM »
Fo sho!
I prefer shorter wheelbase decks and trucks but I’m also riding a 14.5wb deck on Thunders and it is fine. I can’t do much to begin with but I know the differences between that setup and my other one and can adjust pretty instantly to whichever one I’m riding. For me, it’s mostly just adjusting foot placement very slightly towards the edge of the kicks or in more.

Obijuan91

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4215 on: January 11, 2026, 10:43:09 AM »
People of Thunder who skate caste baseplates. I have a question, does your board feel soggier faster on thunders? And if not what kind of bushings are you riding ie hardness.

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4216 on: January 12, 2026, 07:54:54 AM »
I find I ghost pop a lot more if I am using a setup like that when i go fakie. feels like i have to put so much effort but then my pop is always massive when it does work. i can kinda offset this by riding smaller wheels (which i dont like doing cause its slower). Thunders are a little lower to the ground than Lurpivs though, so it feels even more noticable on those trucks than thunders. ghost town.

People of Thunder who skate caste baseplates. I have a question, does your board feel soggier faster on thunders? And if not what kind of bushings are you riding ie hardness.

t1 cast user
I find i get a lot of shittier / "soggier" snaps off the nose in general with thunders, I am just not as used to lower setups as I am higher ones so the timing feels very fast to me. My tail snaps felt pretty insane though, i was able to do some tricks I had trouble with before liek bs flips. and my regular heelflips are super good on t1s.

I was using Primitive 8.38 x 14.1 wb boards with thunder t1 cast (long nose / tail felt like it helped)
Lurpiv with 14.5" Quasi was not ideal
I have a Roger 8.5" x 14", I think they are done now so good company to get cheap ones rn maybe
I also had an Anti Hero 8.5" x 14" WB, they had a special series for this before but ANti Hero does tons of boards 8.5 x 14 wb now

https://ninetimesskateshop.com/products/antihero-misregistered-eagle-ii-deck-8-5?srsltid=AfmBOorBovhVE7_BTkKmnyUeL4F6OAhXYKowkhvO6CBknNORkVandGE2


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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4217 on: January 12, 2026, 08:36:22 AM »
Thanks for your messages.
While waiting to change boards, I found a solution: skating with the nose instead of the tail on my Real board. It's more comfortable. I get a 35-degree angle instead of 37, so I don't feel like the board is too vertical when I pop, and I get better balance for manuals.
You're on the right place man, welcome.
Sir, I'm going to politely, but firmly, ask you and your common sense to leave this establishment.

Axtonzero

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4218 on: January 13, 2026, 10:47:47 AM »
Expand Quote
Hello,

( I apologize if my writing is poor; I am trying my best )

I am a 40-year-old French skateboarder. I have been reading this forum for a very long time, as it contains a lot of information that is not available in France. I love the technical topics about equipment. In France, no one asks questions about equipment, and you are considered crazy if you do. So I am here to read and learn things. I also watch Ben Degros' videos.
The problem is that I don't speak English very well, and it's difficult to read all the posts using the translation.
Right now, I'm on this Thunder post because I've been using Thunders for a year and would like some advice on choosing my next board.
I currently have an 8-inch Real board (the classic oval design). Thunder Team 147 trucks. I'm not comfortable with this setup. The problem is that the board doesn't have a 14.25 wheelbase as I thought, it's 14.33. I feel like I'm leaning too far back, as if my body is sliding backwards. Another problem is the 37-degree angle (measured between the rear bolts). It's much too vertical for me. I can't even brake by rubbing the tail on the ground because it's so vertical. It's also difficult to find balance for manuals. Nothing works on this setup.

With Ben Degros' video, I understood that I need to get a board that has flat toes before the tail starts to rise. That's okay.
i'm also going to get a board with a 14.25 wheelbase to reduce the one I have at the moment, but I don't understand whether I should get a board with a small tail or a large tail. What shape/size of tail works well with Thunder?
Looking at flat fingers is one thing, but if I don't get the right tail size, I might end up in the same situation with a 37-degree angle.

I'm waiting for your advice, maybe a brand that works well with Thunder. Only 8 or 8.125.
If you want to check out the European website Skatedeluxe to help me, they list all the wheelbases, all the tail and nose sizes, everything is listed.
[close]

I don’t want this to come across the wrong way, because I love when people take the time to dig into their gear, but I think it’s worth taking a step back and thinking about what effects these modifications are ACTUALLY going to have. Consider that the difference between a 14.33 and 14.25 wheel base is literally 2mm. Take your board, look down at it, and imagine the trucks being 2mm closer together (ie. 1mm movement for each truck). I get that people have their preferences, but this should not be the difference between being able to skate and not being able to skate.

I would also caution against getting too deep in the gear madness at this stage. It’s nice to understand the measurements and how different components affect the feel of the board, but unless we’re talking about the ends of the spectrum it’s not really THAT different. Especially if you are just learning.

Every hobby that has gear will have people who love discussing the minutia of the different gear, but if you only read gear forums or watch gear YouTube channels it can tend to overstate the importance of some of these things in our minds. In essence I’m trying to say that feel free to seek out whatever changes you want to make to your setup obviously, but be careful about falling into the mindset that any of these factors are the reason you’re “sliding back” or having trouble braking with your tail. In my experience the time spent agonizing over dimensions is better spent just practising the thing.

That's for sure. I've been interested in skateboarding for about 30 years and this is the first year I've asked myself questions about it. Before, I didn't even know what a wheelbase was.
The wheelbase won't change much; it's mainly the problem of the board being too vertical that I want to change. Everything else—the shape of the bushings, the height of the trucks, the size of the wheels, the concave of the board—isn't very important to me. I just avoid extremes like a 32“ length, which I don't like, and wheels bigger than 53”, which I don't like. Apart from the problem of it feeling too vertical, everything else is fine.



Obijuan91

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4219 on: January 13, 2026, 04:30:42 PM »
I find I ghost pop a lot more if I am using a setup like that when i go fakie. feels like i have to put so much effort but then my pop is always massive when it does work. i can kinda offset this by riding smaller wheels (which i dont like doing cause its slower). Thunders are a little lower to the ground than Lurpivs though, so it feels even more noticable on those trucks than thunders. ghost town.

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People of Thunder who skate caste baseplates. I have a question, does your board feel soggier faster on thunders? And if not what kind of bushings are you riding ie hardness.
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t1 cast user
I find i get a lot of shittier / "soggier" snaps off the nose in general with thunders, I am just not as used to lower setups as I am higher ones so the timing feels very fast to me. My tail snaps felt pretty insane though, i was able to do some tricks I had trouble with before liek bs flips. and my regular heelflips are super good on t1s.

I was using Primitive 8.38 x 14.1 wb boards with thunder t1 cast (long nose / tail felt like it helped)
Lurpiv with 14.5" Quasi was not ideal
I have a Roger 8.5" x 14", I think they are done now so good company to get cheap ones rn maybe
I also had an Anti Hero 8.5" x 14" WB, they had a special series for this before but ANti Hero does tons of boards 8.5 x 14 wb now

https://ninetimesskateshop.com/products/antihero-misregistered-eagle-ii-deck-8-5?srsltid=AfmBOorBovhVE7_BTkKmnyUeL4F6OAhXYKowkhvO6CBknNORkVandGE2


I think the 14.12 wheelbase works best with thunders. I had mine on a board that a was to steep with the Indy forged did the thunders for a bit and they felt good then it just felt like shit complete sog then I threw the Indy’s back on and it was crispy again is why I ask the forum

Sandwich Marty

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4220 on: January 13, 2026, 05:49:32 PM »
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I find I ghost pop a lot more if I am using a setup like that when i go fakie. feels like i have to put so much effort but then my pop is always massive when it does work. i can kinda offset this by riding smaller wheels (which i dont like doing cause its slower). Thunders are a little lower to the ground than Lurpivs though, so it feels even more noticable on those trucks than thunders. ghost town.

Expand Quote
People of Thunder who skate caste baseplates. I have a question, does your board feel soggier faster on thunders? And if not what kind of bushings are you riding ie hardness.
[close]

t1 cast user
I find i get a lot of shittier / "soggier" snaps off the nose in general with thunders, I am just not as used to lower setups as I am higher ones so the timing feels very fast to me. My tail snaps felt pretty insane though, i was able to do some tricks I had trouble with before liek bs flips. and my regular heelflips are super good on t1s.

I was using Primitive 8.38 x 14.1 wb boards with thunder t1 cast (long nose / tail felt like it helped)
Lurpiv with 14.5" Quasi was not ideal
I have a Roger 8.5" x 14", I think they are done now so good company to get cheap ones rn maybe
I also had an Anti Hero 8.5" x 14" WB, they had a special series for this before but ANti Hero does tons of boards 8.5 x 14 wb now

https://ninetimesskateshop.com/products/antihero-misregistered-eagle-ii-deck-8-5?srsltid=AfmBOorBovhVE7_BTkKmnyUeL4F6OAhXYKowkhvO6CBknNORkVandGE2
[close]


I think the 14.12 wheelbase works best with thunders. I had mine on a board that a was to steep with the Indy forged did the thunders for a bit and they felt good then it just felt like shit complete sog then I threw the Indy’s back on and it was crispy again is why I ask the forum

Posts like this just further reinforce that this madness shit is 99% in our heads.

Slave IV

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4221 on: January 13, 2026, 05:54:17 PM »
Just going to chime in that I just switched from Standard Cast to T-II on a 14.5" wb deck and immediately felt the pop improve overall. So, it's always going to depend on your preference and a lot of other factors but I generally agree that standard Thunders are better for me on decks with under 14.25" wb. The deck I'm referring to is also on its last legs with razor tail/nose so in effect, similar to a deck with shorter or steeper kicks. This also reminds me that a while ago, I switched from Standard Thunders to Indys on another deck that was on its way out with 14.375-14.5" wb and had a similar change in response.

Edit based on the last couple responses, I've definitely noticed a difference as decks "sog out", or maybe it's just the kicks wearing down to razor, swapping trucks to ones that decrease the wb and maybe increase the height a bit, helps rejuvenate that pop. Which, totally makes sense and I've heard similar mentioned by others before.

Obijuan91

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4222 on: January 14, 2026, 05:02:44 PM »
Just going to chime in that I just switched from Standard Cast to T-II on a 14.5" wb deck and immediately felt the pop improve overall. So, it's always going to depend on your preference and a lot of other factors but I generally agree that standard Thunders are better for me on decks with under 14.25" wb. The deck I'm referring to is also on its last legs with razor tail/nose so in effect, similar to a deck with shorter or steeper kicks. This also reminds me that a while ago, I switched from Standard Thunders to Indys on another deck that was on its way out with 14.375-14.5" wb and had a similar change in response.

Edit based on the last couple responses, I've definitely noticed a difference as decks "sog out", or maybe it's just the kicks wearing down to razor, swapping trucks to ones that decrease the wb and maybe increase the height a bit, helps rejuvenate that pop. Which, totally makes sense and I've heard similar mentioned by others before.


The deck I had wasn’t fully sogged idk might have been the bushings since I had Indy 88as. My last attempt at trying to make thunders work I like em as a company tho

Dancing Horses

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4223 on: January 17, 2026, 11:35:49 AM »
Has anyone tried different bushings in their T2s? I’m looking to make them more stable on center and don’t mind sacrificing the turn.

Mbrimson88

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4224 on: January 17, 2026, 05:53:00 PM »
Has anyone tried different bushings in their T2s? I’m looking to make them more stable on center and don’t mind sacrificing the turn.


Yes, I have pretty much run everything in a set just to see what they were like.

You can easily put almost any other brand bushings in and they will work fine, conical or cylinder options too, but I think the key to the T-II feeling way more stable is breaking in any bushings before making a final decision, or trying broken in bushings first to get used to the trucks.

The stock combination of very soft bushings and the amount of turn they have is ridiculous, even when I set up another board with new T-II trucks just recently, it was crazy feeling for the first few sessions on stock bushings, almost like I could hardly hold them steady for anything other than just doing laps or hitting the quarters at the park, so wearing them in on a transition park is easier for me anyway.

Once worn in the stock bushings work really well, almost stiffen up more than I expected, but that could also be just getting more used to the amount of turn the T-II trucks have as well.


I have set up four sets now, two 149s and two 151s, the first of each which I carefully broke in and tested how they worked and just was feeling them out more than anything.  Then one set I cranked the stock bushings down to about three threads within the first session just to see, no issues, wound them back maybe a whole thread since then and going fine.

Another set from new, I changed everything out and tested various bushings on them just to see, including all options of the Thunder catalog, 90, 94, 95, 97 and 100s, as well as Indy bushings and other brands.  The harder bushings held the trucks very well - total opposite of standing on them for the first time.

They really are a very different truck, so for someone who is not used to how much they turn, or has only been on Venture or regular Thunder, they are very much a shock, whereas for anyone coming from loose feeling Indy or Ace, they will probably be a lot easier to get used to straight away, or might take a lot less time to get the feel for them.



Gone since 1988.  I talk too much about skateboards.  Sorry.

Texas_Tone

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4225 on: January 18, 2026, 06:12:15 AM »
Has anyone tried different bushings in their T2s? I’m looking to make them more stable on center and don’t mind sacrificing the turn.

I kept the top stock and put a barrel ace hard on the bottom for this exact reason
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Rick Trapasso

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4226 on: January 21, 2026, 06:41:23 AM »
Does anyone else hate the stickers thunder puts on their hangers?

They wouldn't be so bad if the adhesive just peeled off cleanly with the rest of the sticker, but instead they just leave behind a bunch of goop you have to clean off.


..... annoying.

hiljentaa

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4227 on: January 21, 2026, 07:44:47 AM »
Does anyone else hate the stickers thunder puts on their hangers?

They wouldn't be so bad if the adhesive just peeled off cleanly with the rest of the sticker, but instead they just leave behind a bunch of goop you have to clean off.


..... annoying.

Acetone/nail polish remover and a rag. Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer if you don't have acetone.

camel filters

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4228 on: January 21, 2026, 07:52:53 AM »
Does anyone else hate the stickers thunder puts on their hangers?

They wouldn't be so bad if the adhesive just peeled off cleanly with the rest of the sticker, but instead they just leave behind a bunch of goop you have to clean off.


..... annoying.
It's petty but I've seen multiple people irl run them with the stickers still on and I immediately trust them a little less.

Ok

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Re: The Thunder Thread
« Reply #4229 on: January 21, 2026, 08:09:22 AM »
for all of you regular (t1?) users: what is your wheel of choice?
i think i might might be able to get away with 54 classics, idk.
i think my best thunder times in recent memory was with 52 conical fulls and a cast baseplate.
definitely had less gear confusion with thunders tho: all decks fine enough, and for me i know there is a hard cap on wheels at 54