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| Truck Reviews (15025 Posts)
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Trucks and Dudes and Stuff
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On 5/10/2008 Pauliwog
wrote in from
United States
(65.122.nnn.nnn)
GeezerX and Trackers - Yep, I still thoroughly enjoy the ride of my Tracker Aggro's on my park deck(17"wb, 10"wide) and the RT-X's you and Fluitt converted for me on most slalom courses, plus the Seismic 130 is still unbeatable as a rear truck for G/S for me.
McCree and Radikals - Where have you been hiding your cigar-smoking self? Are still riding any? I finally fixed the Locktite'd front kingpin and using it again on the super-tight, unbeatable in that situation.
Oops, gotta patient so I gotta go -Paul
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RT-X anomolies
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On 5/9/2008 Paul K
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(195.110.nnn.nnn)
Munnch,
when the RT-X first came out they all had a nice little label on them saying "pre-production" or prototype, can't quite remember, what i do know is that the hanger on the early models were a lot "beefier" than the later models, i too have both type, with the later ones i have nicely modded by Geezer-X to 8mm axles.
so what i suspect is you have one early and one late model....as far as i can tell the geometrty is identical.
I guess is just a matter of economics, if you can get away with putting less metal into the hangers, each one cost less to manufacture, or you get more hangers out of the same molten pot of ally
Paul K
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Trackers
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On 5/9/2008 Curt
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(91.109.nnn.nnn)
Hey Munchh,
I agree with Geezer. Just a simple day at the Tracker forge. Nothing mystical
about that. They do not hand carve them with Needle Files!
P.S. Don't I know you from some where?
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More Hmmmmmm's
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On 5/7/2008
munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(217.44.nnn.nnn)
Right heres some more, just to see if it makes any sence to anyone......
altough im a bit off you can see the difference, the second is the stamped RTX
the first is the stamped RTX, there is now real wear on either, just either side of the kingpin hole on both because i use white khiros.
It does not fit as well, and the gyometery is definately different?
Its a bit decieving with the angle of the pic, they are the same width, but still very different.
So from what you say Mr.X its just it could be just the progression of the mold, but to answer the other question, they were both bought off the shelf as pairs of RTX/RTS, just at different times and from different vendors?
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Trackers
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On 5/6/2008 Michael
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(87.114.nnn.nnn)
I have an RTS baseplate with 5 holes.
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Odd Trackers
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On 5/6/2008
Geezer-X
wrote in from
United States
(38.105.nnn.nnn)
Over the past 5 or 6 years, I've handled hundreds of Trackers, mostly RTX-RTS 106s, but also 129s and 139s as well as small and gnarly pivot mids and fuls, darts, and axis'. I noticed early on that there was a lot of variability in the configuration of the hangers, and what was cast into the recesses on the botttoms. A sand cast hanger is made in a 2 part mold which is formed over male plugs which define the bottom and top of the hangers. My theory is that the bottom box of the mold is formed over the RTS plug, then mated to a top box made on the RTS plug. Or vice-versa. I've seen hangers with tiny little recesses, and early 106 RTX hangers where the recess is so large the hanger can't be cut down. The "organic" nature of Trackers is one of the reasons I like 'em so much. I have a box full of small and gnarly pivot hangers and baseplates, some aggro plates and sixtrack hangers, a variety of early and late RTX-S stuff, and enough complete vintage smalls for my vintage setups. I even still have a the huge Tracker skatepark fence banner I stole from The Glass Wave skatepark in 1978... Back in the way back days, pre-RTX-S, slalom types became encyclopedias of Tracker parts interchange, particularly PSR and Chris "UR13" Stepanek, as well as ARAB, though he was more an Indy loyalist.
I recently needed a set of trucks for a new custom Fatboy 38" bamboo deck. I tried a bunch of stuff, and nothing was perfect, so I ended up narrowing a pair of 184 Dart hangers to 155 and making 8mm axles for them. They were assembled with RTS baseplates and cut down Tracker Stimulator bushings. They are the perfect trucks for this deck paired with a set of Abec11 Fishballz. Mmmmmm. Trackers...
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loose parts
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On 5/6/2008
mark mccree
wrote in from
United States
(71.54.nnn.nnn)
Does anyone know what "loose parts" are ?? I'm not up on alot of the new terms.
Hi Guys,
I'm sure one of you "-----ski's" knows.
As in "contrary to other CNC'd slalom trucks, (Blank)'s don't have and loose parts,"
It's fun to watch "big fish" in little ponds.
I gotta love you guys.
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RTX one-off
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On 5/3/2008 PSR
wrote in from
United States
(75.68.nnn.nnn)
It looks to me like an 'Axis' hanger, but at the width of an RTX. BUT; Axis hangers also keep the bushing seat close to the axle, so That's Unusual to say the least. They also don't have the widened flange at the bushing seat.
I'd consider the possibility of it being a 'Dart/Fulltrac' hanger that's had the pivot angle ground back to near-vertical. [BTW, Cam, I've never seen a Gnarly or Dart hanger come 'stock' without a "bent" pivot point.] So, That's Unusual as well.
The bigger question is: Does this one-off hanger actually "fit" an RTX or Indy-style baseplate? [Munnch, look at the kingpin/bushingseat/bushing/pivot for misfits/rubbing,etc.] Or is it something that got 'slapped together' that kinda works? If the latter, who put it together? If the former, Is this a factory "one off" proto that somehow got sold at retail (and are there more out there?) ??
Things that make you say "Hhhmmm?"..
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rtx
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On 5/3/2008 gavin
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(78.145.nnn.nnn)
i've got a couple of sets of rtx/rts, all of which were pre-production ones according to the little leaflet they came with. but marketing bumph asides, both the rtx do not have 'rtx' on the hanger, but the rts do.
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ODD TRUCK
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On 5/2/2008
munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(217.44.nnn.nnn)
The RTX i think, for TS that is, what you cant see is the gyometry, it is also different, the depth from front to back is also longer, so it really isnt an RTX!
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munch's trucks
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On 5/2/2008 cam
wrote in from
Australia
(220.233.nnn.nnn)
nah mate, unless its an original straight pivot fultrack.
Fultracks today all have the bent, big pivot similar to the rts.
for the record which one rode better?the stamped rtx, or the no name hanger?
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RTX or not RTX, that is the question?
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On 5/2/2008
munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(217.44.nnn.nnn)
can anyone answer this one, both these are from RTX trucks, but i always knew one rode better than the other, i only just realised they are very different, is the one without the RTX stamp a FULL Track?
A bit of a misshap on the assambly line i recon?
What you think?
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scriber on ebay
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On 4/30/2008 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(67.83.nnn.nnn)
well at least for the next 5 hrs or so,though i think you'll see it a bunch,it's got packaging and the 175 dollar starting bid sounds kind of reasonable. I'm not sure if i like the bulging spherical ball joint type of thing in the middle of that long unsupported axle,between unintentional grinds and longterm fatigue, the whole setup is probabely kind of heavy which does make a difference even if you're "only" carving. ten degree increments of adjustment are probabely enough, 60,50,40,30 maybe 20 and 70 though those are sort of extreme. I remember form seeing the vid once,the rubber wheels are used in the manuverable truck settings and can hold a real tight radius,on the going fast,slidey shots suddenly colored urithane wheels show up,so you can bet that your own results will be similar,reset trucks ,swap wheels,then swapping back,,not bad ,but getting a different board out of the trunk sounds better to me.
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pumping trucks
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On 4/27/2008
munchh
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(217.44.nnn.nnn)
Hey Glenn,
not that old rake thing again...hehe, just kidding buddy, i recon your onto something, but after seeing Mmedo get through the cones on my new pump setup, 25 1/2" WB 4.3 Bennett front 5 degree wedge 106RTS rear, i'm not sure that you need any wedge for the Bennett?
Like we were talking about yesterday, its the way it tips or dives into its gyometry, its so different.
I personally dont like it on the Gecko at 19", it feels like its 14" WB, but on a longer WB its rocks.
HC i too am into Mid-DP, i decided LDP is just something im not capable of and James sent me a CX and it fells like alot of carvy fun, but i never got it to pump any butter than my RTS/X, but i totaly understand why James has the Bennett on the front, i dont think all the Skennett type mods are even needed, with a standard 4.3 being basicaly the same width as the Skennett with spacers, if its matched with the RTS its just as good, running a Skennett at 95mm just seems crazy, but mabie its supposed to be used at a longer WB than the TS Massey decks you see them on where we skate?
The fact that you can pump the Bennett without having your foot over the truck, makes it for a much longer deck, for me anyway, i've got a single 5.0 coming now i understand how to use them.
I still hope those new 125mm RII hangers on a 35 for the rear and 60 for the front will be my next GS setup??
Custom setups Mr.Randal, its a good idea!
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Scriber trucks
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On 4/21/2008 rusty grommet
wrote in from
United States
(71.227.nnn.nnn)
Yeah they do. I'm not tech savy enough to put the pic on this post but Ben has some on the silverfish longboarding forum. Just search Scriber in the forum search and go down the thread. He's got pics of the original and the new versions coming out this summer. You can also see some on his website at grombiz.com
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sounds nice, really nice.
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On 4/21/2008 Sam of NY
wrote in from
United States
(69.125.nnn.nnn)
wow? but! do they look as sexy as they sound?
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Scriber Trucks
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On 4/20/2008 Rusty Grommet
wrote in from
United States
(71.227.nnn.nnn)
Speaking of new trucks coming out in 08. I hear Grombiz (maker of the Scriber) from AU is making a new version of their adjustable trucks. They lose the spring suspension and go back to bushings. I think alot of boarders found the originals too loose. Anyway, here's some info I found about them. Anybody ever try a Scriber?
This is from Ben at Grombiz:
What we have done with our new truck design is, look at the "tried and proven reverse kingpin designs" and work out what is it that makes them so successful. The Grom Biz truck has taken what we feel to be the key important pieces and incorporate them into our design and then adding quite a number of enhancements.
Speed Boarding:
With the Grom Biz trucks our roll centre is in the center of the axle but more importantly adjustable steering geometry. This is important as I'm sure a lot of you know, this allows you to adjust the rear truck to become a zero steering truck and neutral caster or "flopper" which means you can eliminate speed wobbles and allow steering only in the front truck. The amount of steering is of course able to be fine tuned to suit the course you are racing. The new trucks will have 5 deg adjustments for very fine tuning.
Zero Axle Roll Centre (Zero Caster Angle):
The effect of caster angle, either positive or negative, (hanger above or below centre line pivot) on the steering of a skateboard has the effect of either pulling towards or away from the line of travel. (For those of you have experienced a rear truck with incorrect caster and have it steer out from under you will understand). Under fine control at speed and cornering this can be very unsettling to the rider and having a neutral roll centre or caster places the complete steering management within the control of the rider and not the design of the truck.
This is a very complex feature of steering geometry and is often addressed by over tightening the bushings at the cost of deck steering angle and steering sensitivity. The Grom Biz truck not only separates out the function of steering pivot and steering dampening by pivoting the main axle centrally on a trunion axle and bearings to manage precision steering geometry and the bushings (70A, 80A and 90A) are there purely there to manage steering dampening.
Another feature that I will mention is the ability to adjust the bushing stiffness and steering geometry without tools. This means as you adjust steering geometry and the change in steering angle has an effect on the bushing performance you can adjust the tension to suite.
The Grom Biz truck also has adjustable axle length currently from 200mm axles to 290mm we are working on 160mm and 180mm hangers which will be able to be swapped out on the truck.
The Grom Biz truck now uses 70a 80a and 90a bushings so from a rider feel the trucks will feel very similar. However the bushing adjustment also goes one step further with the ability to ride with 2 or 4 bushings per truck so the volume of bushing material can be increased or decreased to suite styles or rider weight.
Cheers
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The fallen, but finally heard, tree...
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On 4/17/2008 David
wrote in from
United States
(69.178.nnn.nnn)
Herbn,
Thanks for the input brother. I'll just go back to laying in the forest...
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another falling tree
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On 4/17/2008 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(67.83.nnn.nnn)
I'm surprized this hasn't been mentioned, new randals, well just an r2 with enough mods to qualify as an r3 in my book. In 5 minute glance these are the changes i see; 1)fatter more grindable hanger,2)hollow areas in the hanger(axle shows) on the non grinded side of the axle,3)axle exposed in bushing area (might be a bit lower?) the gussets in the hanger look a bit thicker and repositioned,twisted more verticle,4) the ribs on either side of the bushings are beveled,5) the pivot bushing looks abit thicker it sticks out of the baseplate looks like there's more overlap with the hanger,6) the baseplate looks a bit fatter on the sides of the pivot bushing,7)the gussets on the side of the baseplate extend further up towards the bushings,8)the nut on the kingpin seems really snug and accurately fitted in the baseplate,unfortunately the pivot seems a just bit off center in the casting,it takes abit of doing to measure if it's centered to the holes,it could be,but it's probabely not alas. I was hoping the axles would be a bit closer to 8mm (like tensors)but they are not.
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time to guess
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On 4/17/2008 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(67.83.nnn.nnn)
two weeks unanswered ,uncommented on,ever feel like you're the proverbial falling tree in the middle of the woods,with no one around to hear the sound? with the economy in a bit of a slump and the first liquids are supposed to be the pricy cnc'd kind of prototypes it may be a wise judgement call to put them on the back burner. Also the longboard/slalom market is pretty small(compared to regular boards) and the people that may spend that kind of money on trucks is a smaller yet subset,right now might be considered the year of the gog, next year the free spending,well healed, topend truck buyers will be looking for for yet another top end truck.
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Liquid trucks/Mojo bushings
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On 4/2/2008 David
wrote in from
United States
(69.178.nnn.nnn)
Has anyone heard anything regarding the release of Chris Chaput's Liquid trucks with the Mojo bushings? I see the ads, I perused Abec11's website, but all I find are the words "coming soon"...and it's been months. If you're out there Chris...I'm dying man!
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carver
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On 4/1/2008 hc
wrote in from
United States
(71.132.nnn.nnn)
I have that simpler carver cx.
I guess James from paved wave have the most LDP experience.
he was using the carver cx frt, but I believe he rides a steeply wedged bennett now.
I didn't get a chance to see him do his ldp pump in person when I met him last year, but I briefly rode his setup, felt very strange for me...
I am more interested in medium distance, fastest setup for the quarter/half/full mile.
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Carver
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On 3/31/2008 Glenn
wrote in from
United States
(159.153.nnn.nnn)
I've never tried the simpler Carver truck though I have ridden the older complicated version. Felt like tick-ticking with the wheels down and very impressive from a standstill with a simple rotating style. I'm not convinced that the same is required for a slalom style pump where pulling the board side to side under you seems more important. The best long distance pumping setup i've tried (and I haven't tried much) was a '70s Indy with a 10* or so wedge at the front (so a fair amount of positive rake) and a 50* baseplated splitfire on the back of a 38" Fibreflex pintail. The only setup i've tried that can eat a mile-without-putting-my-foot-down quicker than my slalom setup.
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Bennetts and Rake and stuff
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On 3/29/2008 Paul Howard
wrote in from
United States
(65.122.nnn.nnn)
Hmm, I did try putting the bennett on a 10degree positive wedge also and it didn't make much difference in the aforementioned "stuck in 2nd gear" and other effects, it just wasn't quite as "whippy" in the front. Sometime I'll try again putting it to a shallower pos wedge yet, something similar to the 7 degrees you are using and see what happens.
I think you are correct that the pivot angle of a Bennett may be steeper than that of a Tracker RT-X, but also the axle of the Bennett is farther away(in front of, in the case of the front truck) from the pivot line and to me that is what gives it the "stuck in 2nd gear" effect. Yes, I do agree it IS a good pumping truck for sure, I like it a lot on my 36" board to crank around pumping on flat ground.
Have you tried the single action CARVER front truck (the one that heel flippers can't figure out which way to mount)? That has NEGATIVE rake because the axle is behind/inside relative to the pivot axis and you can really feel it pull you forward(more than a Radikal front or any other truck does) which is why the Long Distance Pump guys like it so much. The idea would be great for slalom but the truck is about 6" across the hanger. I suppose it could be narrowed by cutting and lathing.
Adios - Paul
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Rake and Bennetts
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On 3/28/2008 Glenn
wrote in from
United States
(159.153.nnn.nnn)
Paul, you say the RTX and Bennett setups were "exactly the same" other than the truck. Isn't it the case that the Bennet has a significantly steeper angle than the Tracker and would need to be less wedged to match the angles to specifically compare the effect of it's different rake.
Maybe the Bennet Effect and being stuck in second gear that you describe is the feel of a truck with too steep an angle. Super easy to start pumping, almost like tic-tacking with your front wheels down, but, as you say, like being stuck in second gear.
I run a Bennett (well, a skenett) with about 7* of wedge and it's my favourite slalom and pumping truck.
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