Power Kite Forum - Questions about boards and trucks

Questions about boards and trucks

shortlineflyer - 9-6-2012 at 11:59 AM

I have been thinking about upgrading the trucks on my board (MBS Elements wood board) from skate trucks to channel trucks but im not sure if it will make anything better. I know channel trucks have the ability to be adjusted better than skate trucks do.
I think my board has a 25 degree lip.

I like wide and short radius turns and i am learning to do jumps.

What are skate trucks good for?
what are channel trucks good for?
How does the angle of the board lip affect skate trucks and channel trucks for 15, 25, and 35 degree board lips?

indigo_wolf - 9-6-2012 at 12:39 PM

Skate Trucks:

Lighter
Simpler
Less Expensive
Lower Center of Gravity (usually)

Channel Trucks

More adjustability
Generally more robust
More ground clearance (usually)

Channel trucks require more leverage to turn which is provided by decks with more tip angle. With channel trucks, more tip angle results in tighter turning radius.

Channel trucks are generally happier with tips angels of 25°+. Skate trucks are general happier on decks with tips angles of 20°-. Skate trucks can be mounted on decks (if they are drilled for them) with the sharper tip angles by placing a rubber wedge to compensate for the tip angle. Ground Industries did this with the AK 103 and Prodigy 90 boards which were drilled for both skate and Bionic trucks.

Hope that helps.

ATB,
Sam

ikemiester - 9-6-2012 at 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by indigo_wolf
Skate Trucks:

Lighter
Simpler
Less Expensive
Lower Center of Gravity (usually)

Channel Trucks

More adjustability
Generally more robust
More ground clearance (usually)

To continue off Sam, because of this, freestylers often like skate trucks: less weight to spin etc. Cruisers and speedsters like the channel trucks for their stability.

flyguy0101 - 9-6-2012 at 04:13 PM

Big boys need channel trucks

shortlineflyer - 10-6-2012 at 11:00 AM

I am thinking of getting MBS ATS Ti trucks

indigo_wolf - 10-6-2012 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shortlineflyer
I am thinking of getting MBS ATS Ti trucks

Some things to keep in mind....

Chances are very good that only the axle studs are titanium.
Depending on what trucks you are running now, it's possible (unless you are getting new hubs) that you will have to switch out all the wheel bearings to ones that have a 9.5mm ID to match the diameter of the new axles.
Keep the truck mounting bolts snug and secured with Locktite Blue or nylocks nuts. Skate mounting plates have a fairly narrow shoulder between the mounting holes and the edge of the plate. The mounting plate is generally made of a cast or sintered metal that's fairly soft. If the bolts get loose they will chew through the shoulder in very quick order.

According to Matt, the nature of this type of metal is what prompted GI to switch from metal to resin hanger cages between the Gen I and Gen II Torsion Bionic trucks.

ATB,
Sam

awindofchange - 11-6-2012 at 12:06 PM

Indigo, your depth of knowledge is inspiring and appreciated.