The Bear 2020 Smokies represent the latest foray into precision trucks from Bear, a company well-regarded for their high-quality longboard components. Following the success of their Gen 6 cast trucks, the question is whether the Smokies can reach similar heights in the precision category. This review will delve into the Smokies’ features, performance, and overall value for serious longboard riders.
Bear 2020 Smokies: Key Specs
Before we get into the nuances of the ride, here’s a rundown of the key specs for the Bear 2020 Smokies:
- Truck Width: 120mm
- Baseplate Angles: 50/20 degrees
- Rake: 7mm
- Bushings: 74/78a, 95/97a Venom bushings
- Slop-Stopping System: UHMW Insert
- Pivot Cup: Riptide Pivot Cup
- Cost: $400 (USD)
Additionally, the Smokies come with a ½ inch riser and an 81a bushing.
Disclaimer: While the author is sponsored by Bear, this review aims to be unbiased and fair.
Performance and Ride Experience
Are the Bear Smokies Worth It? (Summary)
In short, yes. The Bear 2020 Smokies are some of the best longboard trucks the reviewer has experienced. These precision trucks have enabled tighter cornering and contributed to an overall improvement in riding ability. While there are a couple of minor drawbacks such as the fixed truck width and the unique UHMW insert, the positive aspects significantly outweigh the negatives.
Bear 2020 Smokies
Maximizing Slalom Truck Performance
To fully utilize the Bear Smokies, it’s essential to emphasize the front truck, placing the majority of your weight forward. Using your front foot for turning is key to maximizing their potential, this approach is essential for both the 2020 Smokies and the 2020 Slalom Rogues.
Quick and Responsive Turning
The standout feature of the Smokies is their quick response to rider input. They exhibit a strong center feel, but once engaged, they articulate rapidly and turn deeply. This fast turning capability gives riders more options for choosing race lines, providing an added split second for decision-making. It also allows for adjustments to be made throughout the corner, which is particularly useful for maintaining grip and control.
With traditional trucks, committing to a specific line around a corner often means that any deviation could result in losing grip or washing out. The Smokies offer the ability to make corrections and changes throughout the turn, and offer more choices to the rider.
However, it is important to note that while the Smokies allow for more flexibility, you are still limited by your own input and skill. These trucks enable great race lines, but it is still up to the rider to utilize them to their fullest potential.
Balanced Input and Control
The Bear Smokies do not require aggressive leaning to initiate a turn. While this allows for deep articulation without “grabbing rail” in corners, it does necessitate more careful balance and input. The truck’s quick dive after being engaged could be challenging for some riders, requiring a period of adjustment. However, this can be mitigated with harder bushings or cupped washers.
Despite the reactive turning, the overall feeling is that of never being limited by the truck’s turning ability.
The Role of the UHMW Insert
One of the most unique aspects of the Bear Smokies is the use of a UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) insert instead of the more common spherical bearings or urethane. This insert provides a very specific feel, where the hanger appears to glide over the insert.
Bear smokies UHMW insert
The UHMW insert provides a solid center feel, where the truck resists sudden turns until actively engaged. Unlike a urethane insert, it does not pull the hanger back to the center, meaning the return-to-center sensation relies solely on the bushings. The lack of rebound can be a drawback, as it does not offer the same level of stability over road imperfections as urethane inserts, where the compression and pull aid in keeping the truck stable. However, this does allow for deeper turns as soon as you come off the center of the truck.
UHMW Insert Wear
The front insert does widen a bit in the initial sessions, but the feel remains consistent afterward, and the rear insert stays relatively the same. The choice of UHMW over urethane is strategic, as it is more suitable to handle a lot of movement and deform rather than break.
Experimenting with a urethane insert in the back and a UHMW insert in the front could potentially offer a blend of stability and responsiveness.
Stability at Speed
The Bear Smokies are stable at high speeds, and the reviewer has taken them up to 50mph with no issues, and feels confident pushing them even further, potentially to 70mph or higher.
However, they do transmit more road feedback than trucks with urethane inserts. Because the insert does not offer a return to center, the truck articulates more when you ride over bumps or cracks. This means that you have to rely on the bushings to bring the truck back to the center. This is not as noticeable over time as the rider gets used to them, but can be a challenge for first-time users.
Grip and Slide Performance
The Smokies, with their straight axles and a dialed-in setup, provide a strong sense of grip and contact between the wheels and the feet. The transition between sliding and gripping is smooth and predictable.
Bear smokies precision trucks anatomy
For sliding, you’ll need to keep your weight 70%+ on your front foot for optimal performance.
Ease of Use
Despite their slalom-oriented design, the Bear Smokies are not hard to ride, particularly when properly dialed in. The inclusion of a direct-feel insert is key to their natural feeling and performance.
Stand Up Slides
The solid center feel of these trucks makes them suitable for stand-up slides. However, the narrow 120mm truck width combined with freeride wheels means they may feel a bit tippy, with a narrow track.
Minor Annoyances
The following points didn’t affect the riding experience but could be considered minor inconveniences.
Height Difference
There is a 0.375-inch height difference between the front and rear trucks. This can be corrected with the included ½-inch riser or a ¼+⅛ riser combination. This height difference, a design choice which could be useful to accommodate different rider preferences for baseplate angles.
Bear 2020 Smokies height difference with 0.375 inch riser
This height difference is because of the hangers. The rear hanger has an inline axle design, which lowers the ride height of the rear truck.
Washer Contact
Cupped and normal-size flat washers can touch the sides of the front hanger, causing “washer bite” before wheelbite. This is mostly an issue with cupped washers when testing the truck while stationary, and less of an issue while riding.
Bear smokies flat washer bite
Bear smokies normal size flat washer bite
Bear smokies cupped washer hanger bite
Drawbacks
Lack of Hanger Adjustability
The main drawback is the fixed hanger width of 120mm. While the reviewer did not experience issues with the fixed width, the ability to adjust the tracking width would be a welcome addition.
Bear smokies front hanger
bear smokies rear hanger
Adjustable axles add stress to the hanger, potentially increasing the chance of failure.
Ride Height Adjustments
Raising the back of the truck by ⅛ of an inch can result in a more forgiving riding experience and a better body position, but it might result in less grip overall.
Bear 2020 smokies with 1/2inch riser
Reviewer’s Setup
The reviewer’s setup includes:
- Weight: 156lbs/71kg
- Truck baseplate angles: 50/20 degrees
- Bushings: 74/78a, 95/97a
- Washers: Normal size washer roadside front, cupped washer roadside back. No boardside washers.
- Wheelbase: 21 inches
The reviewer prefers a normal-size flat washer on the front roadside, which they feel adds support during heelside slides.
Where to Buy
The Bear 2020 Smokies are available for purchase on the Landyachtz website. Use the code “AroniSkate&Explore15” for 10% off.
Conclusion: Are They the Right Trucks for You?
The Bear 2020 Smokies are an exceptional set of precision longboard trucks that offer unique performance characteristics. While they have a few minor drawbacks like the fixed hanger width and the UHMW insert, the quick turning, responsiveness, and stability outweigh these issues. These trucks are recommended for riders looking for high-performance, race-oriented trucks. With time to adjust to the setup, the rider will appreciate the Smokies and be able to push their limits with them.
