Mike Sinclair, a well-known figure in the skateboarding industry for his team management roles, has recently launched his own venture, Slappy Trucks. This move marks a significant step for Sinclair, who has spent two decades working behind the scenes for major brands. The truck market is notoriously dominated by a few giants, making Sinclair’s endeavor a considerable challenge. In this article, we explore the motivations and unique aspects of Slappy Trucks, as revealed in an exclusive interview with Sinclair himself.
Why Trucks? A Pandemic Project
The decision to start a truck company, as opposed to boards or apparel, stemmed from Sinclair’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. He took the pandemic seriously, staying home for an extended period. This time allowed him to reflect on what he wanted to do next and the idea of creating his own brand was born. Although he considered boards, he felt the market was too saturated and the manufacturing process too similar between brands. Wheels also presented a challenge due to proprietary formulas. He then landed on trucks as the most difficult and intriguing area to explore. “This pandemic is probably going to last a couple of years. What’s the hardest thing I can try to do? Trucks,” Sinclair explained. It was also a choice between starting a truck company or learning Japanese, “I’m going to do the trucks,” he joked.
The Challenges of a New Truck Brand
Sinclair acknowledges the difficulty in penetrating the truck market, where established brands hold significant sway. When asked if he was discouraged from starting the business, he responded, “Just myself, many times over.” He understands the high failure rate of independent truck companies. However, he is not deterred, stating, “I’m not here to prove them wrong, I’m just here to give it my own shot.” He maintains that Slappy Trucks is a personal project, without any backing or elaborate schemes, “I promise on my life, it’s just me and nobody else is behind this.” He also noted that he doesn’t have the overhead that some companies have, as he is running the operation from his garage and works with a talented artist named Anthony Yankovic. He’s keeping expectations low, saying he plans to make a limited number of trucks and then produce more if demand rises. He stated, “this company will never go out of business. If I run out of money, we are just on pause.”
Slappy Trucks: More Than Just a Name
The name “Slappy” was chosen because it embodies the fun and playful nature of the project. When asked if the name was too on the nose, Sinclair responded, “Nah, names are tough. Slappies are all about fun and that’s what this project was to me.” He also clarified that the design of the trucks is entirely original, not simply a combination of existing designs. While he acknowledges some influences, he emphasizes the unique features he’s introduced, such as how they turn and the clearance on the kingpin. He explained, “If you hold a pair, you can see the influences in the model, but it’s a totally original truck. It’s not a copy of another truck.” He focused specifically on improving the kingpin clearance, a common issue he experienced with other brands, and how they turn. “Every truck over the years would snag and you just hear [squeaks] like it’s stuck on that kingpin.” He notes, “The trucks with inverted kingpins are crazy low, and the ones with normal kingpins have major clearance, too.”
Distribution and Initial Feedback
Slappy Trucks operates independently, outside of the major distributions. Sinclair personally reaches out to distributors and shops, aiming for a direct and personal approach. “It’s out of my garage. I’m going to the distros and asking them to sell the trucks, and when they are all out, I’ll make another batch when people want more,” he explained. He provided early pairs to figures like Steve Douglas, Ryan Hamburg, and various shops. Initial reactions, while cautious, have been positive, with some shops acknowledging the challenging time to launch a new brand, while recognizing the quality of the product. As Sinclair humorously put it, “Hey Mike. Worst time to start a brand.” I’m like, “Yeah. I know. But it’s the best time to not give a fuck.”
The Tech Behind Slappy Trucks
Sinclair is focused on the performance of his trucks, particularly the kingpin clearance and turning dynamics. He notes that, unlike some skaters, he doesn’t prefer extremely tight trucks. He jokes, “At least ride your trucks halfway loose, you know what I mean?” He also mentions sending a pair to truck expert, @fuckwithyourtrucks, for testing. Early feedback from team rider Nick Kirch has been encouraging, noting the trucks’ durability and responsiveness, “Dude, I jumped off everything I could find trying to break them and my board got run over by a full-sized truck and they still work. I can’t break them and they turn super good.” He also consulted Paul Schmitt for some scientific comparison specs.
Beyond Trucks: Other Skate Components
When asked about creating other skateboard components, Sinclair expressed an interest in creating better bearings than Bones Swiss. However, he doesn’t see himself doing that any time soon. He shared a personal anecdote about receiving inferior purple bearings, which drove him to reset and focus on his mission, “I put the purple bearings on and it fucked with me so badly, I drove back home across country. That was my tipping point.”
A Labor of Love
Mike Sinclair’s venture into the skateboard truck market with Slappy Trucks is driven by passion and a desire to create something unique. He acknowledges the challenges but is committed to the project. When asked if he had a fetish for losing money, he responded, “Our fetishes are very similar — a skate magazine and a truck company. There is no good outcome here, let’s just enjoy it while we can.”
Credits:
- Interview: Larry Lanza
- Photos: Matt Pendry, Keith Purvis, Corey Greengage, and John Evans
