The Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks are a hot topic in the longboarding world, and for good reason. These trucks are designed for speed and precision, allowing riders to push their limits with confidence. This in-depth review will explore everything about these trucks, from their unique design and features to how they perform on the road, and help you determine if they’re the right choice for your riding style.
Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks Review
Summary
The Rogue 2020 Slalom trucks have impressed many, earning a reputation as some of the best on the market. Their design allows for high-speed skating and pushing boundaries while maintaining a stable and confident feel. They’re not just stable; they’re maneuverable, navigating tight turns with ease. This is thanks to the asymmetrical hangers, insert bushings, and flat split angles.
While not the quickest to react initially, adapting to their feel is part of the process, and their customizability allows for fine-tuning to suit individual preferences. Overall, the Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks are a top-tier product, well-engineered and offering a highly satisfying riding experience.
Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks
What Sets Them Apart?
These trucks are purpose-built for downhill skateboarding, drawing inspiration from the original Precision Rogues. They feature a slop-stopping system but with key upgrades: more rake, an asymmetrical design, and a significant angle split between the front and rear baseplates. The goal is to optimize maneuverability and grip while maintaining stability and control.
Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks without the bushings
Riders have been clocked reaching speeds of 70mph on these trucks, yet they still maintain the agility to handle tight hairpins. They represent a shift in the market, drawing a clearer distinction between gear designed for pure downhill and gear for freeriding. Rogue has played a pivotal role in popularizing DH slalom trucks, setting the stage for other companies to follow.
Race vs freeriding longboard. Image features two longboards
“Downhill Slalom” Trucks
While they can be set up for cone maneuvering, they’re not traditional slalom trucks. Their primary focus is downhill skateboarding. Thus, “downhill slalom trucks” is a more accurate description. They are best used on stiff, narrow boards with short wheelbases, similar to true slalom setups.
Performance Review of Rogue 2020 Slalom Trucks
Stability
Rogue trucks are exceptionally stable due to the trailing link axle design and the low-angle rear baseplate. The insert bushing plays a crucial role, creating a stable center. Without rider input, the trucks naturally want to remain in a straight line. This means that the rider doesn’t have to work hard to keep the trucks going straight, allowing them to relax and enjoy the ride.
Rogue Slalom trucks hangers
Road Vibration and Imperfections
The insert bushing offers a unique experience when riding over rough surfaces. When the trucks encounter a bump, they either don’t react to it due to the deliberate input needed to articulate, or they react briefly, but the insert brings the hanger back to center. This behavior is different from standard trucks, which typically react much more to road imperfections. Rogue trucks stay stable in straight lines and planted through rough corners, inspiring confidence on diverse road conditions.
Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks rear hanger with 95a insert bushing
Turning Dynamics
Once the truck deviates from the center, a significant amount of turning ability is available almost immediately. This can cause wheelbite if you are not careful, but adapting to this turning dynamic is part of riding these trucks. The insert bushing provides support and feedback throughout the lean, fostering confidence in sudden, high-speed turns. The trucks respond directly to rider input, making them feel intuitive and controlled.
Insert bushings on Rogue Slalom Hangers. 93a insert on the front hanger and 95a on the rear hanger
However, the initial turn-in can feel slightly unresponsive. The insert’s desire to keep the hanger centered makes it difficult to initiate a quick turn. This minor drawback can be addressed with modifications such as a softer insert, a spherical insert, a harder pivot tube, or wedging. While this lack of initial reactivity may be noticeable, it doesn’t hinder the overall riding experience.
Lean and Grip
The absence of a traditional bushing seat allows for a significant lean, making wheelbite a potential issue at lower speeds. However, the trucks provide an enhanced sense of grip. The insert bushing supports the rider during the lean, resulting in a more controlled feel. The hardness of the insert bushings significantly impacts the overall grip and feel.
tuck leaning on a longboard
With harder inserts, the wheels feel grippier and require more effort to break into a slide, while softer inserts make it easier to slide. With the insert bushing, the wheels feel grippier compared to other trucks.
Insert Bushings: Functionality and Impact
The insert bushing’s primary function is to prevent slop (unintended movement) and to support the truck during leans. Harder inserts enhance grip and reduce the quickness of turning, while softer inserts allow for faster reactions but with less support.
Rogue trucks insert bushings (all durometers)
Spherical bearings can also be used in place of insert bushings. These bearings enable smooth leans, but lack rebound and support. They also offer unique performance characteristics compared to urethane inserts, offering more road feedback which is not always preferred in downhill.
spherical insert for a longboard
Experimenting with Spherical Inserts
By mixing and matching spherical and urethane inserts, riders can fine-tune their setup. For example, using a spherical insert in the front and a 95a urethane insert in the rear can provide stability while increasing the front truck’s reactivity.
Rogue slalom hangers. Front one has an insert spherical. The rear one has a urethane insert
Optimal Configurations and Setups
The most common setup involves a 106mm hanger in the front and a 116mm hanger in the back, and a harder insert in the back truck. This asymmetrical configuration is preferred for its superior performance.
rogue trucks on the rocket micro
Symmetrical setups (106/106 or 116/116) make the rear easier to slide and the front harder to turn, which may be suitable for stand-up slides but not for maximum performance. A 116mm front and 106mm rear setup may also work for those who ride off their back foot more often.
Upgrading the Pivot Tube
Switching the stock 93a pivot tube to a 97a Venom pivot tube enhances reactivity, making the trucks quicker to articulate while maintaining a smooth lean. This is a highly recommended modification.
97a pivot tube for rogue trucks
Riptide pivots, on the other hand, may make the trucks too quick and result in a less gradual turn.
95a riptide pivot for rogue trucks
Wedging
Wedging the trucks by 3 degrees (53/23) improves turn and reaction while maintaining stability. This configuration enhances responsiveness and addresses the initial sluggishness.
Rogue trucks on the comet orbiter
Riding Tips for Rogue Slalom Trucks
To maximize performance, these trucks need to be ridden fast and aggressively. The best performance is achieved near the limits. Weight should be placed primarily on the front foot, with the front toe over the corresponding wheel. Avoid setup carving, instead going into a straight line before initiating a turn. A footstop positioned halfway between the front truck bolts provides the best feel. They also perform best with a riser when flush mounting.
footstop positioning for rogue trucks
Drawbacks of Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks
While high-performing, these trucks have some drawbacks. The long kingpin and axles can catch on smaller wheels and objects. The availability of Rogue trucks is not always reliable, because they are a niche and high demand product. They also tend to have noticeable bump steer, which can cause a different sensation when encountering bumps in the road. There is also the initial turn-in that can feel sluggish, although it becomes less of an issue with time and practice. The design doesn’t leave enough space between the mounting holes and kingpin, which causes damage to the trucks when using a skate tool.
damage on the rogue baseplates
Conclusion
The Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks offer a unique and high-performing experience for riders seeking precision and speed. They are designed for aggressive riding, providing stability, control, and maneuverability. The level of customization available makes them a versatile option for serious longboarders. Despite some minor drawbacks, the Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks remain a popular choice for riders who demand the best from their gear. If you are looking for high-quality, customizable trucks that can help you push the limits of your riding, the Rogue Precision Slalom Trucks are definitely worth considering.
Specifications
- Baseplate Angles: 50/20
- Width: 106-116mm
- Rake: 8mm
- Front Truck
- Bushings: 73/78a Venom HPF bushings
- Washers: Cupped washer RS, no washer BS
- Insert Bushing: 93a Venom HPF
- Pivot: 93a grey Venom pivot tube
- Rear Truck
- Hanger: Trailing axle design w/ axles inline w/ bushing seat.
- Bushings: 95/97a Venom HPF bushings
- Washers: Cupped washer RS, no washer BS
- Insert Bushing: 93a Venom HP
- Pivot: 93a grey Venom pivot tube
- Price: $400
