What’s the general consensus of upgrading the bushings/ pivot cups on stage 11 hollows? Riptide all the way?
I have never had Riptide anything, although I did see them once or twice a while back and have looked at them online, but no shops around here carry them and I haven't found the need to get something for $20 that I can get for $1 and still do a great job - reference to the DLX or generic pivot cups many shops have, no packaging, simple black material, hold up well for what they are, etc.
Not doubting the feel of something like Riptide products, so for those who have got them and love them, that's great for you.
People have definitely noticed that the newer Indy trucks of any version seem to have harder pivot cups that almost make the sound of broken through pivot cups, that metal on metal sound, that I have noticed on some newer Indy trucks I have too, so although it is not the end of the world, I am aware of it and changing out the pivot cups definitely helps there.
The newer Indy bushings seem to work a whole lot better, feeling way softer, but of course if that is not to your liking, then changing them out for something else is always going to be better, eg slightly more firm 92 duro, which still turn and are comfortable to skate for me, but I have left a few boards set up with the stock everything just to see how they go. It is winter here right now, so they do feel pretty good for what I am skating anyway, a bit colder so bushings are going to feel a bit firmer and I am not skating half as much as in the summer months too.
Just to see, I would set them up stock first and feel them out, because they do feel a bit different to the older versions of the same trucks, maybe better to some, maybe not as good to others. As to modifications to the parts, I guess it comes down to how much they vary from your other trucks, Film or Ace you have on those boards?
Indy felt so good overall to me, but after a few sessions on Ace trucks, I almost felt like my usual Indy trucks were a bit sluggish on the turns, which was surprising, but I am used to both now. For some people, going to Indy from Ace is like a step down in the turn, but there are other things that make them work well overall, more so just how they power through everything else, but that is all personal preference.
I should have asked first before everything else, did you get a new set or are you setting up some older ones?