Gear madness support thread

[Ok]

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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff

[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol

[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.

[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too



lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

[close]

great clips all around but that Gino landing around 0:53... chef kiss

i also wanted to call that out.
complicated, in that Gino is the best for me, and then a few years back it seemed a bit of a trending maneuver.
this one seemed genuine

[CarcassToss]

I love the profuse amount of salad grinds

[rocklobster]

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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff

[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol

[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.

[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too



lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

Clips got me hyped, you haven't posted on Insta in a while so I forgot how good you got it!

[tzhangdox]

thanks guys. not sure how gino would feel about a sw suski shuv to stork on a skatepark flatbar ha, but ill take it

i dont do suskis/salads that much despite what it looks like here. honestly not a super pinch oriented skater usually. but the topic at hand was pinch so thats why theres a bunch of those in here lol. ventures definitely help me in this department cant deny

[someguy185]

About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.

[Ok]

About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.

from my experience: if 148s work, stick there. it’s really hard to not have these thoughts, especially when injured.
much of my ‘madness’ comes from wanting to set something up, based off of a favorite skater (for me this would mean buying an 8.5 gx, getting i think ace 55 classics, and some conical fulls, in an attempt to mimic what i think is willow’s setup).
ventures are great, for me. i don’t mind skating them on larger wb’s. i currently use 5.6 lights. i’ve tried the 5.2s on wider boards, and it wasn’t for me, at that time. i got so turned around trying different stuff, i finally just asked a buddy what they were using, put that together, liked it, and have been trying to convince myself that i will continue to like it.
grass is always, always, always greener, for me

[CarcassToss]

About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.

It's not necessary about the length, but the pop timing. For me Ventures kinda depend on tail length. I have a set on my transition setup that has a long WB, but the kicks are longer for DLX standards. I haven't ridden the 8.25 in a while as I hate that shape, but I recall it feeling like the tail was short

[moonordie]

About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle. I’ve got the 8.3 Ishod / Worrest shape.

I’ve got some time to think… Considering getting a fresh pair of trucks for the full experience. I’ve been enjoying the regular Thunder 148s on deluxe 8.25 and 8.5 with the 14.38 wheelbase. I tried some wider/lower 149 lights on the 8.5 and wasn’t feeling them at all - then when I switched down to the 148s it felt great and I really enjoyed the pinch I was getting on crooks with the hoverboard.

This got me thinking. Should I consider dropping down to an 8 inch truck for the twin? I don’t want to go lower than the thunder team, so thunder will have to be out if I do drop the width (because the 147 is lower than the 148). I’ve been keen to try Venture, everyone raves about them and Bobby does ride the 5.2.

I don’t seem to mind the longer truck/deck combined wheelbase as others do, but will the Venture wheelbase feel any longer compared to thunder?

So choice is. Stick on 148s, try venture 5.6 or potentially 5.2.

Please humour me with any thoughts.

I don't see the logic of going down to an 8" truck, just stuck with 148

[danmasontree]

Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings. 

[Sedition]

About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle...

Having been in that situation a few times, don't bother fixating on gear now. First, you will have to learn to walk normally again. I mean that literally. Then you will have to re-learn to skate. How the injury heals-up (and what condition your ankle is in afterward) may dramatically change the the gear you want/are able to ride...and you'll be faced with a whole new set of madness options. You can't take Jesus down from a cross he isn't nailed to. So, worry about what to skate when you're actually skating again.

Also, fuck 8" trucks.

[Sedition]

Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

[moonordie]

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About to skate my first twin tail… as soon as I recover from my broken ankle...

[close]

Having been in that situation a few times, don't bother fixating on gear now. First, you will have to learn to walk normally again. I mean that literally. Then you will have to re-learn to skate. How the injury heals-up (and what condition your ankle is in afterward) may dramatically change the the gear you want/are able to ride...and you'll be faced with a whole new set of madness options. You can't take Jesus down from a cross he isn't nailed to. So, worry about what to skate when your actually skating again.

Also, fuck 8" trucks.

All super valid points but specially the last one.

[someguy185]

Hell yeah thanks guys. What I needed to hear.

Also, I’m still less than a year back into skating after a 15 year break and a lot has changed with respect to gear. Definitely an element of wanting to close off some avenues before I settle somewhere. I’m going to stay on the 148s.

[rocklobster]

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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

Stick to the aftermarket Thunder bushings and medium hard for a start. Don't go down the bushing shape / brand / height madness rabbit hole.

[Ok]

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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

[close]

Stick to the aftermarket Thunder bushings and medium hard for a start. Don't go down the bushing shape / brand / height madness rabbit hole.

i’d go further, and say just buy the 100 du thunder rebuild kit.
i’ve seen this topic in the past go awry, and devolve into some name calling, and problematic talk around bodies. i’m 180, and i find a lot of bushings too loose, which makes sense, because i see many skaters that seem lighter than i. especially with thunders, i personally wouldn’t recommend a medium bushing, for someone much heavier than i.
someone is gonna chime in that they are 3 bills and running the loose truck kit so fuck me and my nonsense.
thunders are great, i like them tighter.

[IusedToSkateMore]

Skating a monster sized deck the pas few days coming off an injury. AH old yeller, 9.95 x 33.3 x16 wb. Its been a cruiser/dog sled set up with Ace 66 and some gooey softies but since i dont want to stress the leg but want to skate, have been riding it the past couple days.

What im getting to is that, as my ripe old ass is learning 360 flips, this tank is throwing them better than anything else. Spins/flips w minimal effort

Idk what the fuck is going on

[CarcassToss]

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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

Tom Asta specifically said he was on a trip and his bushings fucked up, got some Ace/Bones and it worked, so he stuck with it because he was used to it. Not sure if that means its not his preference, or just what he's into.

[Xen]

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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

[close]

Tom Asta specifically said he was on a trip and his bushings fucked up, got some Ace/Bones and it worked, so he stuck with it because he was used to it. Not sure if that means its not his preference, or just what he's into.

Yeah an ACE top as a bottom and bones soft top.

ACE top being harder and lower than stock thunders (by a lot) and and a bones soft top.

Any soft top with a hard bottom is just gross. but hey, it's Asta, he can rip on anything.

OP get yourself some thunder 100s (black rebuild kit) and hope for the best.

[dirtjers]

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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff

[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol

[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.

[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too



lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

Not relevant to the conversation but the most smoked I've ever gotten was doing a switch back 180 nosegrind on a skinny flatbar. Full on drunk dad moment and landed on my chin... never again.

[tzhangdox]

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I can tell you that I only ride conical fulls and OG classics is because they made crooks way easier for me, if classics made em easier, I’d use them 100% of the time, they look way better on ACE (sorry, I don’t have any recent street clips to show a rounded ledge.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnsmgz6Ide0/?igsh=N29zcXB0aTB1ZDh2ff

[close]

lmao i dont doubt you dude, nice crook

My preference for wheel shape with the most comfortable lock in is just different on certain obstacles, your mileage may vary. Also I ride ventures, venture hangers articulate much much less than ace, so that might be a factor

Do I really have to dig up a bunch of clips of me doing pinched grinds to prove I'm not bullshitting... but if I absolutely must then I will lol

[close]

Please do! I need some crooks inspiration. I'm absolutely dogshit at 'em but after switching from Thunders and a Classic style wheel to Aces and big Conical Fulls I feel like I'm really locked in on them comfortably for the first time. It also could definitely be a skill issue.

[close]

Lol ok went thru my camera roll and found a bunch of clips that could be considered 'pinched grinds'... basically a bunch of crook/suski/180ng/salad variations on an assortment of obstacles, on assorted trucks n wheel shapes too



lotta dinks, some of em were new learns and didn't think I'd be submitting these to the wheel shape pinch committee

But yeah, for the stuff I'm skating these days, decent ledges, less obnxiously chunked out rounded ones... I definitely prefer my non tiny classics over og classics n other square wheels for crooked grinds n stuff. Plus you get other benefits like easier to climb onto slappies and less chance of getting traintracked etc

Radials probably better but I won't find out for a while

[close]

Not relevant to the conversation but the most smoked I've ever gotten was doing a switch back 180 nosegrind on a skinny flatbar. Full on drunk dad moment and landed on my chin... never again.

Damn that sounds brutal. Haven't gotten smoked one one yet knock on wood, but its also not a trick I do as much anymore

[danmasontree]

Thanks everyone!

[ambiguousclarity]

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Having a little bushing madness. I am currently running Thunder 149 Lights with the stock bushings. 8.5 deck, 54mm spitfire classics. I am a bigger dude, pushing 250 (dad life) wondering if I should go to harder bushings to improve stability. If so, recommendations? I see Tom Asta swears by ace bushings.

[close]

Harder bushings will certainly make things more stable. Ace bushings are not standard size, and not sure how they would fit in Thunders. Thunder makes assorted after market bushing, and so does Indy...but Indy offers more shapes and hardness options.

[close]

Stick to the aftermarket Thunder bushings and medium hard for a start. Don't go down the bushing shape / brand / height madness rabbit hole.

[close]

i’d go further, and say just buy the 100 du thunder rebuild kit.
i’ve seen this topic in the past go awry, and devolve into some name calling, and problematic talk around bodies. i’m 180, and i find a lot of bushings too loose, which makes sense, because i see many skaters that seem lighter than i. especially with thunders, i personally wouldn’t recommend a medium bushing, for someone much heavier than i.
someone is gonna chime in that they are 3 bills and running the loose truck kit so fuck me and my nonsense.
thunders are great, i like them tighter.

I agree with Ok. I'm on Ventures at the moment, but usually ride Thunders and prefer them on the tighter side. In addition to what Ok said, I find Thunder bushings to be temperature sensitive so have a range of duros I use to keep the same feeling throughout the year as temperatures change. I'm 165 and was using a 94 bottom and 100 top bushings over summer in Aus. Switched to 90 bottom and 94 top bushings as winter kicked in. I've messed around with other bushings and think Thunder bushings work best. That all said, it depends on what works for each person, hence you'll likely get other suggestions. Only way to find out what works is to try stuff out.

[skatebruh]

Thank you all for the input on the wheels.

I had problems falling out of crooks with Indy 139s and Bones X99 V1 shape. No problems getting the slide provided the ledge had enough wax.

I run two setups so I think I got it figured out. It was the combination of Indys and a narrow wheel not going into pinch quick enough. (But that combination never gave me wheelbite, which was nice.)

Indy 139 + X99 V6 holds on to crooks fine.

Thunder 148 + X99 V1 holds on to crooks fine.

Indy 139 + X99 V1 falls out into noseslide too easily. (for me)

FWIW, X99 V1s were the narrowest wheel at my local shop. If that's what you want, they're great when paired with the right trucks. I had no problems with speed or rough ground despite them being narrow.

[Xen]

Thank you all for the input on the wheels.

I had problems falling out of crooks with Indy 139s and Bones X99 V1 shape. No problems getting the slide provided the ledge had enough wax.

I run two setups so I think I got it figured out. It was the combination of Indys and a narrow wheel not going into pinch quick enough. (But that combination never gave me wheelbite, which was nice.)

Indy 139 + X99 V6 holds on to crooks fine.

Thunder 148 + X99 V1 holds on to crooks fine.

Indy 139 + X99 V1 falls out into noseslide too easily. (for me)

FWIW, X99 V1s were the narrowest wheel at my local shop. If that's what you want, they're great when paired with the right trucks. I had no problems with speed or rough ground despite them being narrow.

V1s slip out the most for me (front krook especially), on any size truck; they work sure, but there are better 'pinch' wheels. V6s can hold their own (I've them in 54 so the height helps).

The King is the V5, that shape will lock you into, and better, than everything.

[Sedition]

Well, this is kind of fascinating. I've never been a Thunder fan. They don't have as much of a "fun" turn as Indys, and the base plate issue has always been a problem for me with nose/tail slides. Despite this, I wanted to try the new IKP Thunders, because, well, just because. My 148s arrived today. While at work tonight, I set them up on my deck. After work, I  went out for a real mellow cruise / slappy session (mostly just to start breaking-in bushing, and get a sense of how they turned, etc.). Then something shocking happened.

I am coming off Indy forged. My deck is near the end of it's life. I had figured within a week I'd be swapping it out for a new one. However, with Thunders on it, it suddenly felt so flat and just spent. I'm guessing this is because of the height difference between Indy and Thunder? A longer truck wheel base should make your kicks feel a bit steeper, but this seemed to have the opposite effect. I normally ride "IV" stamped decks, but after this session I was like "Give me a fresh II stamped. This is shit is soooo flat." I'll be curious to see what happens when Indys go back on this deck.

[CarcassToss]

That's weird as I've had the opposite effect. The height difference is 1.5mm and forged Indy have the same WB. If you have a fresh set of wheels that can make up some of the difference. I skated Thunders for a bit before Ventures and remember having some worn 52's on a flatter deck and it feeling kinda lifeless. I went and bought some new 54 classics and it was actually substantially better. These days if I went back to Thunder I'd stick to 53-54s personally.

You said Indy forged, which is interesting, because those always feel too light and I hate them. One would expect that Thunders would feel a bit "beefier" or in my experience do. FWIW my timing is more similar between Thunder and Venture than between Indy and either. Indy/AF1 to me feel super similar as well. If I ride a friends board with those I feel like I'm learning new again.

[Sedition]

That's weird as I've had the opposite effect. The height difference is 1.5mm and forged Indy have the same WB. If you have a fresh set of wheels that can make up some of the difference. I skated Thunders for a bit before Ventures and remember having some worn 52's on a flatter deck and it feeling kinda lifeless. I went and bought some new 54 classics and it was actually substantially better. These days if I went back to Thunder I'd stick to 53-54s personally.

You said Indy forged, which is interesting, because those always feel too light and I hate them. One would expect that Thunders would feel a bit "beefier" or in my experience do. FWIW my timing is more similar between Thunder and Venture than between Indy and either. Indy/AF1 to me feel super similar as well. If I ride a friends board with those I feel like I'm learning new again.

Of course, I may have also just realized my deck is toast, and it was just coincidence that it was same session that I set-up the Thunders.

I can't remember the Thunder wheelbase variants. I remember that Forged Indys were basically the same as one of the Thunders...was it forged or cast plate Thunder?

53mm Classics are my go-to.

And I'm opposite you on the weights! The Thunders seem lighter than my Forged Indys. The reason I like Forged Indys so much, as they right in the middle of everything--height, weight, turn, wheelbase, etc. They are good balance of all other trucks, put into one. That said, I really want to see what DLX has done with the T2 (I'd much rather be riding DLX than NHS).

[CarcassToss]

On paper I thought I'd love forged Indy so it's super weird that I dislike them.

Thunder cast and Indy forged are +3.125 on the WB.

[Frank and Fred]

Well, this is kind of fascinating. I've never been a Thunder fan. They don't have as much of a "fun" turn as Indys, and the base plate issue has always been a problem for me with nose/tail slides. Despite this, I wanted to try the new IKP Thunders, because, well, just because. My 148s arrived today. While at work tonight, I set them up on my deck. After work, I  went out for a real mellow cruise / slappy session (mostly just to start breaking-in bushing, and get a sense of how they turned, etc.). Then something shocking happened.

I am coming off Indy forged. My deck is near the end of it's life. I had figured within a week I'd be swapping it out for a new one. However, with Thunders on it, it suddenly felt so flat and just spent. I'm guessing this is because of the height difference between Indy and Thunder? A longer truck wheel base should make your kicks feel a bit steeper, but this seemed to have the opposite effect. I normally ride "IV" stamped decks, but after this session I was like "Give me a fresh II stamped. This is shit is soooo flat." I'll be curious to see what happens when Indys go back on this deck.

Strangely I have had somewhat of reverse experience. Ive' skated a few decks with Ace until they turned to mush, then put Thunders on and they felt poppier and sprightly again.... I put it down to where the axel sits in relation to the tail...

[rikki]

Speaking of Indy forged -- file this under madness: I've been a sworn Awake pal for a while now and thought I'd lost my pop and many other things on Indy and would never return from Ventureland.

Well, lo and behold, just for the fun of it, I set up Indy 149 Tits paired with a 14.38 wb 8.25 (8.38 in reality) BBS deck and after a half an hour of readjusting my shit, I'm feeling like this is the best setup in a while and my pop is springy and effortless and I'm loving the turn again and whatnot.

What's the weirdest part is that I tried 144 Indy Tits some months ago and they felt like shit. Can the 149 vs. 144 difference be so all-encompassing?

Looks like Imma keep two setups for the foreseeable future: one with Indy 149s and a longer wb deck, and another with 5.6 Ventures paired with a 8.125/8.25 / 14.25 wb deck.

At least I'll keep my neural pathways at work upon switching between the two, if nothing else.