Skateboard trucks are crucial components of your setup, significantly impacting your board’s performance and your overall riding experience. They’re the connection between your wheels and deck, and investing in a quality set can be the difference between landing a trick smoothly and a painful slam. This guide will help you navigate the world of skateboard trucks, providing insights into what makes a good truck, how to choose the right size, and which brands stand out.
What Makes a Great Skateboard Truck?
A good skateboard truck needs to be durable, responsive, and suited to your individual skating style. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Material and Construction: High-quality trucks are made from sturdy materials that can withstand impacts and offer long-lasting performance. Look for trucks with strong kingpins and axles that resist bending or breaking easily.
- Weight: The weight of your trucks can affect your ability to perform flip tricks. Lighter trucks can help you get more air and flip the board more easily. However, durability should always be a priority.
- Geometry and Turning: The geometry of a truck affects its turning ability. Some trucks are designed for carving and smooth turns, while others are better suited for stability and control. The right choice will depend on your riding preferences.
- Adjustability: Most trucks allow you to adjust their tightness, which affects how easily they turn. The ability to fine-tune your trucks is essential for optimizing your ride.
- Replacement Parts: Brands that offer replacement parts can extend the life of your trucks and save you money in the long run.
collection of the best skateboard trucks
Understanding Skateboard Truck Costs
Skateboard truck prices can range significantly. Here’s a basic breakdown of what you can expect at different price points:
- Entry-Level Trucks: These are the most affordable trucks, typically costing between $30 to $60 per pair. Brands like CCS and Mini Logo offer basic trucks made with less durable materials. These are suitable for beginners or those on a tight budget.
- Mid-Range Trucks: Brands like Independent, Thunder, and Venture offer trucks in this category, usually priced between $40 to $80 per pair. These trucks are a good balance of performance and durability, making them suitable for most skaters.
- High-End Trucks: Premium trucks, like those made with titanium or other high-grade materials, can cost $80 to $140 or more per pair. These trucks are designed for advanced skaters looking for top-tier performance and durability.
The Importance of Wheelbase
The wheelbase is the distance between your front and back trucks, which affects how your board handles.
- Longer Wheelbase: Provides more stability, especially at high speeds, making it suitable for downhill or cruising.
- Shorter Wheelbase: Offers a tighter turning radius, making the board more responsive for street skating and technical tricks.
- Weight Distribution: The wheelbase impacts how weight is distributed, with longer wheelbases spreading weight more evenly, and shorter wheelbases concentrating it.
- Pop and Tricks: The wheelbase can also affect how easy it is to “pop” the board for tricks like ollies.
Picking the Right Size Truck
It’s critical to match your truck’s axle width to the width of your deck. The axle is the metal rod that your wheels attach to. While a little variation is fine (e.g. 8.0″ trucks on an 8.125″ deck), it’s essential to avoid trucks that stick out too far or leave the wheels hidden beneath the deck (known as “carpet riding”).
- Narrower Trucks: Often preferred by street skaters for increased responsiveness.
- Wider Trucks: Favored by transition skaters for greater stability.
Breaking in New Skateboard Trucks
New trucks often need some time to break in. New bushings can feel stiff and may take some time before they start to turn smoothly. Avoid over-tightening your trucks, which can damage the bushings. Instead, be patient and allow them to break in naturally. Grinding also feels different when your trucks are new, but you’ll get used to it after some time. Some skaters use a metal file to speed up the process of breaking in the trucks for grinds, but this is not necessary.
If your trucks are squeaky, the pivot cups might be the culprit. Adding a little lube can help solve this issue.
Skateboard Trucks and Skate Style
The best truck for you often depends on your preferred style of skating. While many trucks can be used in all disciplines, there are some differences:
Skateboard Trucks for Street Skating
Street skaters need durable trucks that can take a lot of abuse. Look for trucks with plenty of metal on the hanger for grinding, a strong kingpin, and a smooth grinding feel. Lighter trucks are also preferred for performing flip tricks. Thunder Hollow Lights are an excellent choice for street skating, offering a great balance of durability and weight. Independent trucks are also popular for street, but they are a bit more carvy.
Skateboard Trucks for Transition Skating
Transition skaters require responsive trucks that can easily carve and turn on obstacles like bowls, ramps, and vert. Ace and Independent trucks are popular among transition skaters due to their turning ability and responsiveness. Venture trucks also provide great stability, which is ideal for mini ramps and vert.
Skateboard Trucks for Cruising and Tricks
For cruising and casual tricks, almost any skateboard truck will work fine. However, avoid trucks that don’t turn well. If you have trucks that feel stiff, replacing the bushings can make a big difference.
Recommended Skateboard Truck Brands
Here are some of the top skateboard truck brands and models:
1. Independent Trucks Stage 11 Hollow
Independent trucks Stage 11 Forged Titanium
Independent trucks are famous for their durability, and the Stage 11 Hollows are no exception. They feature a hollow design to reduce weight without sacrificing strength. These trucks are great for both street and transition skating, and they’re known for their smooth grinds and excellent turning. Independent also offers replacement parts, which is a big plus. The Stage 11 Hollows have a slightly softer feel, offering a smooth, stable grind and highly responsive turns. Independent trucks come in sizes from 6.2″ to 10″, suiting decks of various widths.
Highlights:
- Durable construction with hollow design
- Ideal for both street and transition
- Responsive turns, smooth grinds
- Available in a wide range of sizes (6.2″ to 10″ deck widths)
- “Guaranteed for Life” promise
- Replacement parts available
| Deck Width | Axle width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 6.2″ – 7.6″ | 6.9″ | 109 |
| 7.4″ – 7.8″ | 7.6″ | 129 |
| 7.8″ – 8.2″ | 8.0″ | 139 |
| 8.1″ – 8.5″ | 8.25″ | 144 |
| 8.25″ – 8.65″ | 8.5″ | 149 |
| 8.6″ – 9.0″ | 8.75″ | 159 |
| 9.2″ – 9.75″ | 9.125″ | 169 |
| 9.75″ – 10.5″ | 10″ | 215 |
2. Thunder Hollow Light II
Thunder Hollow Lights
Thunder trucks are popular with street skaters for their responsiveness, grinding ability, and long-lasting durability. The Hollow Light II are a lighter version of the standard Thunder trucks, making them ideal for performing flip tricks. While they don’t turn as sharply as Independent trucks, most skaters won’t notice the difference. Thunder provides a wide range of truck models to meet various preferences and needs. They have excellent stock bushings that break in quickly. Thunder trucks are versatile and work great for street, park, and transition skating.
Highlights:
- Responsive and durable
- Great for flip tricks and grinding
- Ideal for street, park, and transition skating
- Excellent stock bushings that break in fast
- Available in various sizes for different deck widths
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 7.4″ and under | 7.125″ | 143 |
| 7.4″ – 7.9″ | 7.62″ | 145 |
| 7.9″ – 8.125″ | 8.0″ | 147 |
| 8.125″ – 8.38″ | 8.25″ | 148 |
| 8.38″ – 8.62″ | 8.5″ | 149 |
| 8.62″ – 8.85″ | 8.7″ | 151 |
| 8.9″ and up | 9.125″ | 161 |
3. Venture Standard Trucks
Venture Trucks
Venture trucks are known for their stability, particularly when skating transition. The low models are great for street skating, while the highs perform well on bowls, mini ramps, and vert. Venture offers durable trucks at an affordable price. They’re not quite as turny as Independent, but they help maintain balance and are perfect for beginners. They are also very snappy and provide great pop. Venture trucks also come with bushings that break in very quickly, usually within 30 minutes.
Highlights:
- Very stable, great for transition
- Affordable and durable
- Good for beginners
- Snappy feel with great pop
- Bushings break in fast
- Available in various sizes (7.5″ to 8.9″ deck widths)
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5″ – 7.8″ | 7.62″ | 5.0 / High and Low |
| 8.0″ -8.1″ | 8.0″ | 5.2 / High and Low |
| 8.1″ – 8.3″ | 8.25″ | 5.6 / High and Low |
| 8.4″ – 8.6″ | 8.5″ | 5.8 |
| 8.62″ – 8.9″ | 8.75″ | 6.1 |
4. Tensor MagLight
Tensor Maglight Trucks
Tensor MagLight trucks are known for being some of the lightest trucks on the market. They’re designed by Rodney Mullen and are made from a lightweight magnesium alloy. These trucks are excellent for performing flip tricks. However, their lightweight design can affect durability, so they may not be the best choice for skaters who do a lot of hardcore street skating. The geometry of the baseplates makes grinding and slides easier. These trucks are rather low, which makes them very stable, but can be a problem with bigger wheels.
Highlights:
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Good for technical tricks and smooth grinds
- Lower profile for stability
- Less durable than other options
- Lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5″ – 7.9″ | 7.625″ | 5.0 |
| 7.8″ – 8.2″ | 8.0″ | 5.25 |
| 8.1″- 8.4″ | 8.25″ | 5.5 |
| 8.3″ – 8.7″ | 8.5″ | 5.75 |
5. Krux Trucks
Krux skateboard trucks
Krux trucks are known for their smooth grinds and are a good choice for both street and transition skating. They feature a unique design with a slightly curved hanger and shaved-off baseplates to reduce weight. The regular Krux trucks are not ideal for transition or skaters who prefer loose trucks. They also have a super thick rounded baseplate for durability. Krux trucks have a reputation for delivering smooth grinds and come in distinctive colors.
Highlights:
- Smooth grinds
- Good for street and some transition
- Lighter than Independent trucks
- Durable rounded baseplate
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 7.4″ – 7.8″ | 7.6″ | 7.6 |
| 7.8″ – 8.2″ | 8.0″ | 8.0 |
| 8.1″ – 8.4″ | 8.25″ | 8.25 |
| 8.3″ – 8.7″ | 8.5″ | 8.5 |
| 8.7″ – 9.3″ | 9.0″ | 9.0 |
krux k5 skateboard trucks
Krux K5: The Krux K5 has an updated baseplate and hanger that offer improved response, lightweight, and great performance for beginners and transition skaters.
6. Ace Trucks
Ace skateboard truck
Ace trucks are known for their carvy feel, making them well-suited for bowl skating and cruising. The bushings on Ace trucks break in quickly, and some skaters like that they don’t require much break-in time. Ace trucks are not ideal for technical grinds or skaters who like tight trucks, and they are not as stable at high speeds.
Highlights:
- Very carvy feel, good for bowls and cruising
- Bushings break in fast
- Less suitable for technical grinds
- Not ideal for high speeds
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 6.50″ and under | 6.5 “ | 00 |
| 7.00″ -7.30″ | 7.25 “ | 11 |
| 7.12″ – 7.75″ | 7.6 “ | 22/02 |
| 7.75″ – 8.12″ | 8.0 “ | 33/03 |
| 8.12″ -8.50″ | 8.35 “ | 44 |
| 8.5″ – 9.12″ | 9.0 “ | 55 |
| 9.12 – 9.62 | 9.35 “ | 66 |
7. CCS Trucks
CCS skateboard trucks
CCS trucks are an affordable option for beginners. While they may not be as durable as more expensive trucks, they are reliable for basic tricks. They can handle some abuse and turn well, making them suitable for street skating and parks. CCS trucks come with a straight hanger and axle, which is rare among cheaper trucks.
Highlights:
- Affordable and a good option for beginners
- Suitable for street and park skating
- Reliable for basic tricks
- Straight hangers and axles
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 7.5″ -8.0″ | – | 109 |
| 7.5″ -8.0″ | – | 129 |
| 8.0″ – 8.4″ | – | 139 |
| 8.5″ | – | 149 |
Understanding Skateboard Truck Parts
Here’s a quick overview of the parts that make up a skateboard truck:
- Baseplate: The flat piece that mounts to the deck.
- Hanger: The T-shaped piece that supports the axle.
- Axle: The rod that the wheels attach to.
- Bushings: Urethane rings that allow the truck to turn.
- Kingpin: The bolt that holds the truck parts together.
- Pivot Cup: A rubber piece where the hanger pivots.
- Washers: Discs that distribute pressure on the bushings.
- Nuts: Fasteners that hold the wheels and truck together.
Consider Replacing Parts Before Buying New Trucks
Before replacing the whole truck, consider whether you can replace specific parts. Brands like Independent offer replacement baseplates, including the kingpin. Also, parts from different trucks may be interchangeable, which could save you money.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best skateboard trucks is a matter of personal preference and skating style. There are many great options out there, and it’s a good idea to try out different trucks if you can. Whether you choose Thunder, Independent, Venture, or any other brand, make sure your trucks are suitable for your riding needs. With the right gear, you can commit to those tricks and enjoy your skateboarding journey.
Ruben Vee
