Caliber trucks have become a staple in the longboarding world, known for their reliability and versatility. Often one of the first brands beginners encounter, Caliber has earned a reputation for its strong marketing, prominent media presence, and a team of talented skaters spanning various disciplines, from freeriding and dancing to downhill. This review will dive deep into the features and performance of Caliber trucks, helping you determine if they’re the right choice for your longboarding needs.
Caliber V2 180mm/10inch Trucks: An In-Depth Look
Caliber 50-Degree Trucks: Ideal for Carving, Cruising, and Dancing
The 50-degree Caliber trucks are a popular choice for riders who enjoy dancing, cruising, and carving. They also serve as a great option for beginners venturing into downhill or freeride. These trucks are designed to provide a balance of stability and responsiveness, making them user-friendly for those new to longboarding.
The 50-degree baseplate angle enhances turning capabilities, while the truck’s unique geometry ensures a stable and controlled ride. The combination of a barrel bushing on the bottom and a cone bushing on top optimizes performance. The cone bushing allows for enhanced turn initiation, while the sturdier barrel bushing provides the necessary resistance for stability.
This setup enables riders to fine-tune their trucks for different purposes. You can set them up for slow, controlled turns or quick, agile maneuvers. The versatility of the 50-degree Caliber trucks is a favorite amongst longboard dancers.
Caliber trucks 180mm and 150mm
If you’re looking to purchase a set, you can find the 50-degree Caliber trucks on Amazon.com.
Caliber 44-Degree Trucks: Designed for Downhill and Freeride
The 44-degree Caliber trucks are favored by downhill and freeride enthusiasts, and many consider them to be some of the best cast trucks for beginners. The ‘special geometry’ of these trucks enhances stability, particularly at high speeds, allowing for precise steering and reliable feedback.
The 44-degree angle restricts turning to match the rider’s lean, providing a solid and predictable feel. Equipped with 89a barrel bushings and cupped washers, these trucks offer substantial resistance and stability, making them ideal for downhill riding. The cupped washers further restrict bushing movement, ensuring maximum stability.
The performance of the 44-degree Caliber trucks is evident in the fact that many professional downhill and freeride skaters on the Caliber team use them.
Caliber V2 159mm/9inch Trucks: Optimal for Dancing
The 159mm/9inch Caliber trucks feature a narrower hanger and a 50-degree baseplate. These dimensions make them particularly suitable for certain riding styles. The reduced width and higher baseplate angle make these trucks nimble and responsive.
The 159mm trucks excel at cruising, carving, and weaving through obstacles. They are an excellent option for those with a cruiser board, especially when paired with a deck that is also 9 inches wide, which allows for the best leverage and truck response. These trucks are an excellent fit for cruisers and dancers.
While not typically recommended for beginners, they provide an excellent option for those interested in cruising.
Understanding Caliber Trucks Geometry and Features
The Key to Stability: Geometry and Design
Caliber trucks are designed with a unique geometry that provides stability. This is achieved through a restrictive, stepped bushing seat and the absence of rake on the hangers. This setup creates a direct and stable steering feel.
The restrictive bushing seat keeps the bushings in place, minimizing side-to-side slop, which reduces speed wobbles and makes the truck more responsive. The lack of rake ensures that the turning is linear and directly proportional to the rider’s lean.
The design might feel slightly ‘dead’ for some riders, especially the 44-degree variant. The 50-degree trucks, however, maintain a lively feel, thanks to the cone bushing and higher baseplate angle.
For riders who prefer a more responsive and turn-friendly downhill truck, the Paris V2 Trucks are a solid alternative.
Advanced Rider Hacks: Customizing Your Caliber Setup
The restrictive bushing seat on Caliber trucks means bushings may feel harder than they are. While this can enhance stability, it can also reduce responsiveness with harder bushings. A common solution is to use a split baseplate angle setup, which allows for softer bushings and maximum lean.
While Caliber does not currently offer lower degree baseplates, their trucks are compatible with Randal baseplates. This compatibility allows riders to mix and match components to achieve their desired setup.
Caliber trucks and randal plate combo
For a symmetrical setup, 87a-89a bushings offer the best balance of turn and stability, particularly for riders around 140lbs or 70kg. If you’re looking to increase turning and lean, try switching to flat washers. This allows the truck to move more freely. Replacing the roadside washer will increase initial turning, while the boardside washer will allow for more lean.
Why Caliber Trucks Are Great for Beginners
Caliber trucks are an affordable and valuable option for beginners. They provide excellent performance and durability for the price. These trucks offer an optimal starting point for learning the ropes, and you can make further customizations as your skills progress.
While they may have limitations for advanced riders, Caliber trucks more than meet the needs of beginners. Experience is critical when learning longboarding, and these trucks are reliable and forgiving enough to help beginners build skills and confidence.
