Truck set-ups

[Xen]

Looks like an ace fucked a venture

No doubt.

Seriously ugly bracing/reinforcement going on...but we'll never see it when riding and nor anyone in front or behind you really.

[Mbrimson88]

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Anyone ride a Baker or similar mellow deck on Thunders? If so, how was it?

[close]

Late reply, but I have.
It works great for me. I like a deck with a mellow tail and lower trucks because I like my setup to be as responsive as possible. I like a fast pop. I like mellow concave because I typically put my front foot really far on the board for flip tricks and flick really hard, so when I skate a deck with steeper concave I over-flip things.

That reminds me of the Kyle Walker setup - the most mellow concave deck available, Thunder trucks, can still do everything he needs to do.

I also like how you explain it too.  Makes perfect sense.

[BMCsteve]

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Never noticed how bad the kingpin clearance is on 215's. If the smaller sizes use the same geo then it's probably safe to assume they will still have that long kingpin. Might as well just stick with AF1's, the clearance is definitely better than that.

[close]

I have a set of the new 215s and can confirm the kingpins ARE NOT any longer than the standard/forged hollows. Same kingpin clearance as all the stage 11s.

Can you post a pic?  my new 215s came with a kingpin that was 1/4 longer and a way taller top bushing

[Mbrimson88]

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Never noticed how bad the kingpin clearance is on 215's. If the smaller sizes use the same geo then it's probably safe to assume they will still have that long kingpin. Might as well just stick with AF1's, the clearance is definitely better than that.

[close]

I have a set of the new 215s and can confirm the kingpins ARE NOT any longer than the standard/forged hollows. Same kingpin clearance as all the stage 11s.

[close]

Can you post a pic?  my new 215s came with a kingpin that was 1/4 longer and a way taller top bushing

I am wondering if these are the new improved versions, or the previous versions.

The normal Stage 11 (USA made) with cross and everything 215s I have are the same as the other Stage 11s, but then I think there were the new ones which had a taller kingpin, like the old trucks, but people didn't like that version so they changed it again or something.

I haven't seen any new current stock, but will check next time.

Those with crosses on the baseplate or those without crosses might be the best way to identify them, but people would have to check and confirm.


This is what mine look like, which is the stock pic from most Indy 215 listings, but it still seems mine have more clearance than it looks like in this pic.






This is the latest version on NHS site, with taller top bushings:

https://nhsskatedirect.com/products/stage-4-polished-skateboard-trucks-independent






Adding this pic of the newer versions too, which is high res when opened and zoomed in on:

[manysnakes]

I don’t get why people say that truck looks weird. It looks totally fine to me. I don’t know that I’ll be buying a set but there’s nothing visually wrong with it, to my eyes.

[LebowskisRug]

The front truck appears to have Venture "wings" but on the kingpin/board side. It could just be the angle tho.

[Plan9Customs]

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Never noticed how bad the kingpin clearance is on 215's. If the smaller sizes use the same geo then it's probably safe to assume they will still have that long kingpin. Might as well just stick with AF1's, the clearance is definitely better than that.

[close]

I have a set of the new 215s and can confirm the kingpins ARE NOT any longer than the standard/forged hollows. Same kingpin clearance as all the stage 11s.

[close]

Can you post a pic?  my new 215s came with a kingpin that was 1/4 longer and a way taller top bushing

@BMCsteve ill try to swing by nieces after work since I gave her the only standard set I had(aside from the 215s) and get a comparison pic for you. I heard that the kingpin was longer on here when I ordered them so I was going to swap with the standard 149s and they were the same height(my 215s are the new stage 11 no cross) but did have a taller bushing(same size as the bottoms on standards).

[Plan9Customs]

Baseplate is a US made 149 and I know the 215 looks taller in the pic but baseplate is on the concave and I ride my trucks jiggly loose so it’s an optical illusion, the hanger is dropping to the left. If there is a difference it’s less than 1/16”.
The 215s are stage 11 geo with no cross on the baseplate.

[FuzzGNU]

Had a bit of a rough fall and got some nasty whiplash due to some Bones Soft bushings on my Indys that I couldn't get to work for me. That was the last straw and I put some Ace Low bushings on as someone in here suggested.

The turn obviously doesn't feel quite like Ace, but I'm enjoying it. 8.5 Indy Hollows with Ace Low bushings has been a good combination of getting a taste of the Ace turn, but with a lighter-weight 8.5 flush truck.

I'm shocked by how much weight the Indy Hollows take off. Didn't think I would notice the difference tbh, but its a good balance without taking off too much weight. I feel like once you get up to 8.5 boards, that weight reduction is worth it. Hopefully I can get a few flip tricks back now. Its felt like I've been flipping a boat on certain tricks between my big wheels and heavy trucks.

[FuzzGNU]

Baseplate is a US made 149 and I know the 215 looks taller in the pic but baseplate is on the concave and I ride my trucks jiggly loose so it’s an optical illusion, the hanger is dropping to the left. If there is a difference it’s less than 1/16”.
The 215s are stage 11 geo with no cross on the baseplate.

Your deck and wheel graphics compliment each other really well. What wheels are those?

[LebowskisRug]

 The hollow axle takes off as much weight as like 3 quarters. There is no way it's that noticeable. What I've found is that the forged Ti and maybe forged Hollow feel lighter because the plates and kingpins take off more weight than the axle AND they're lower so there's a lighter/quicker pop. But I really dislike those versions.

[FuzzGNU]

The hollow axle takes off as much weight as like 3 quarters. There is no way it's that noticeable. What I've found is that the forged Ti and maybe forged Hollow feel lighter because the plates and kingpins take off more weight than the axle AND they're lower so there's a lighter/quicker pop. But I really dislike those versions.

It must be a difference in the deck (and truck geometry) then, because like I said, didn't think I would notice a difference... But definitely feels sightly lighter.

[BartHarleyJarvis]

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The hollow axle takes off as much weight as like 3 quarters. There is no way it's that noticeable. What I've found is that the forged Ti and maybe forged Hollow feel lighter because the plates and kingpins take off more weight than the axle AND they're lower so there's a lighter/quicker pop. But I really dislike those versions.

[close]

It must be a difference in the deck (and truck geometry) then, because like I said, didn't think I would notice a difference... But definitely feels sightly lighter.

Even if it's a bit of a placebo, if your mind thinks it feels lighter, you'll skate like it's lighter. At least that's what I tell myself when I spend too much money on slightly lighter trucks

[intendedreceivers]

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Baseplate is a US made 149 and I know the 215 looks taller in the pic but baseplate is on the concave and I ride my trucks jiggly loose so it’s an optical illusion, the hanger is dropping to the left. If there is a difference it’s less than 1/16”.
The 215s are stage 11 geo with no cross on the baseplate.

[close]

Your deck and wheel graphics compliment each other really well. What wheels are those?

Not me, but I have a set. They look like the floral Spitfire Classics, and I’m pretty sure you can still find them around:

[Plan9Customs]

^^^ He’s correct. Went to Grass Valley and hit Goodtimes and they didn’t have any 99/53s classic so 54 florals were the closest. Colors just were a coincidence.

[stephop]

So I have thunder lows and bones soft bushings. I've skated loose trucks forever but this combo seems way loose even as tighten them.I don't skate nearly as much so my balance does sucks more but they are like drunk loose. Not sure if it's just a bad truck to bushing combo. I've never not been able to skate any truck with the bolt flush on the kingpin. These are sketch. FYI I currently run them without washers I couldn't find any.

[LebowskisRug]

Well, lets reverse what you've done here. First add maybe the top washer back, tighten to flush and see what's up. Then repeat with the bottom washer. IIRC Bones in Thunder's work fine with both washers. If they are still wacky maybe try the Indy white super soft conical bushings or look into options from Khiro or Riptide that are in the 70-80a range. You will need a conical bottom and I think the Indy conicals fit, but someone can correct me on that.

Also, you said Thunder lows- when did you buy these? Thunder only makes highs now although some of their highs can be fairly low.

[stephop]

Well, lets reverse what you've done here. First add maybe the top washer back, tighten to flush and see what's up. Then repeat with the bottom washer. IIRC Thunder's work fine with both washers. If they are still wacky maybe try the Indy white super soft conical bushings or look into options from Khiro or Riptide that are in the 70-80a range. You will need a conical bottom and I think the Indy conicals fit, but someone can correct me on that.

Also, you said Thunder lows- when did you buy these? Thunder only makes highs now although some of their highs can be fairly low.

My trucks are a few years old. I don't have any truck washers top or bottom laying around but you shouldn't need them with those bushings but I'll have to get some from my buddy I guess and see if it does anything.

[LebowskisRug]

I don't know about Thunder low, but with the highs if you do not use a bottom washer it changes the pivot cup angle and truck geometry. Most people don't use one and get by fine, but you can just use the stock top washer as the bottom and Bones washer as the top.

If you have a hardware store nearby just take your board with you and go to the bulk section, take your kingpin nut off, and just try different washers on. Truck washers are not anything special.

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

What year is it?  Are there thunder hi’s?  What happened?

[notinternetfamous]

What year is it?  Are there thunder hi’s?  What happened?

All thunders come in a standard "high" height, but are generally closer to the mid range (52mm). The only differences in height would be from forged plates, so subtract 1mm

143 - 147: 50mm
148 - 151: 52mm
161, 181: 53mm

[Banned from the room]

pic hosting

this was my first real skateboard truck. i am beyond stoked for these. these were given to me around the time my cousin passed away in 86. i had been banana boarding for 3 years at that point. im got one back when my homie mike passed away.

rip chris
rip mike
rip jake

[slapattack]

Recently have gone down the rabbit hole of truck madness this summer and now have every 8.5" truck from Thunder and Venture and ace and just sold my forged 149 indys bc I hate them as a company. Anyways I would just skate thunder 149 forged hollows if it werent for the lack of baseplate. Does anyone else struggle with super inconsistent slide tricks on thunders?

[BartHarleyJarvis]

Recently have gone down the rabbit hole of truck madness this summer and now have every 8.5" truck from Thunder and Venture and ace and just sold my forged 149 indys bc I hate them as a company. Anyways I would just skate thunder 149 forged hollows if it werent for the lack of baseplate. Does anyone else struggle with super inconsistent slide tricks on thunders?

It’s definitely an adjustment if you’re coming from indy or ace, but you get used to it really quickly. Because of the geometry, your wheels make contact before the base plate usually unless you’re running really small wheels. You have to think of it more like a powerslide or blunt slide even as opposed to a slide against baseplate

[swongolianbbq]

I was trying to find a gear swap or buy/sell/trade section on here but couldn't find it.

I have some fun truck stuff I don't want, was going to put it on eBay but figured I'd check here first

- Array sleeved washers, 2 barrel, 2 cone
- 1/8" stainless axle washers(equal to 4 stock washers, used with titanium axle nuts), four
- Ti axle nuts(thinner than regular nuts), four
- Ti kingpin nuts(thinner, can use taller top bushings)
- Ti inverted kingpins(sleeved washers sit flush with it)
- Tensor top bushings
- Stock Ace low bushings
- Stock red Venture bushings
- 3/4" bolts w/ shorty nuts(for forged baseplates on a VX or Flight), 8

I can't figure out how to post a pic, I'm on a phone.

Lmk if there's a swap thread I missed somehow

And I'm not sure if it's okay to post eBay links here

Halp

[GnarAlarm]

Recently have gone down the rabbit hole of truck madness this summer and now have every 8.5" truck from Thunder and Venture and ace and just sold my forged 149 indys bc I hate them as a company. Anyways I would just skate thunder 149 forged hollows if it werent for the lack of baseplate. Does anyone else struggle with super inconsistent slide tricks on thunders?

I've been on Thunders for years and never had problems with slide tricks, but maybe I'm just used to them.
I skated Ventures for years because I came up in the mid/late 90s, then switched to Indy's for a bit because of all the fanfare, then tried Thunder last and never looked back.
I have Indy's on my cruiser deck (that I never use). After skating Thunder for so long, when I throw down on Indy's they feel...I dunno...squirrley is the best way I can put it. Like if I'm just trying to turn a tiny bit, if I lean even the tiniest bit too far the Indy just dives in on me. I've got brand new bushings in them and they're not particularly loose.
Not sure if that's normal, may be hard to notice if you're used to it.

[Richard Skidder]

I was trying to find a gear swap or buy/sell/trade section on here but couldn't find it.

I have some fun truck stuff I don't want, was going to put it on eBay but figured I'd check here first

- Array sleeved washers, 2 barrel, 2 cone
- 1/8" stainless axle washers(equal to 4 stock washers, used with titanium axle nuts), four
- Ti axle nuts(thinner than regular nuts), four
- Ti kingpin nuts(thinner, can use taller top bushings)
- Ti inverted kingpins(sleeved washers sit flush with it)
- Tensor top bushings
- Stock Ace low bushings
- Stock red Venture bushings
- 3/4" bolts w/ shorty nuts(for forged baseplates on a VX or Flight), 8

I can't figure out how to post a pic, I'm on a phone.

Lmk if there's a swap thread I missed somehow

And I'm not sure if it's okay to post eBay links here

Halp

It’s on the home page. Events and classifieds. For photos when you go to post you should see an add image to post button. Hope this helps.

[swongolianbbq]

It’s on the home page. Events and classifieds. For photos when you go to post you should see an add image to post button. Hope this helps.

Sweet, thanks!

[Lepanto]

1#
-Thunder lights 147
-Splitfire 51mm 101d f4 Classics
-Bushings: the ones that came with  the trucks but a little bit squeezed

2#
-Thunder hollow lights 148
-Splitfire 54mm 99du f4 Classics full
-Bushings: the ones that came with the trucks but a little bit squeezed
-Raiser 1/8

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

Congratulations on being normal….