Skateboarding trucks at Skatestore
Trucks can make or break your setup. They determine how your board feels, how you turn, and even how your grinds sound. Here’s a clear overview of brands, heights, materials, and tips on choosing the right trucks.
Brands
- Venture: Stable and reliable. Perfect for technical flatground tricks and skaters who value control above all.
- Thunder: Light and responsive, with quick turning and solid pinch for grinds. A street skater favorite.
- Slappy: A newer brand from Mike Sinclair. Feels like a more stable Indy and great for slappy grinds.
- Independent: The OG. Durable, versatile, and loved worldwide. Stable, smooth turns, and buttery grinds. A true all-rounder for street, park, and bowl.
- Ace: “Loose trucks save lives.” Known for their insane turning radius and super smooth grinds. Playful and flowy, perfect for transition and slappies.
Truck Height
Trucks usually come in three profiles: low, mid, and high. Your choice depends on how you want your setup to feel.
- Low: Lower and more stable. Great for flip tricks and street.
- Mid: The all-round option that works for most skaters and setups.
- High: More pop and clearance for bigger wheels. Ideal for transition and bowls.
Materials and Weight
Standard trucks can feel a bit heavier. Want to save weight? Here are some options to lighten your setup:
- Hollow: Hollow axles reduce weight without losing much strength.
- Forged: Forged baseplates (instead of cast) are stronger and lighter.
- Titanium: Titanium axles are ultra-light and super durable.
How to Choose the Right Trucks
There is no single correct answer. It is all about preference. A few guidelines can help, but the most important thing is to try things out and see what feels good to you.
- Preference: Brand loyalty, pro models, or simply what you are used to riding all play a role.
- Deck Width: As a rule of thumb, pick trucks about the same width as your deck. That works for most skaters. But it is not a hard rule. Andrew Reynolds rides narrower trucks than his deck, while Grant Taylor rides wider. In the end, it is all about what feels right for you.
- Style:
- Street / Tech: Low or mid trucks, often with lighter materials.
- All-round: Mid trucks with standard strength and feel.
- Transition / Bowls: High trucks for extra stability and durability.
Tip: The ideal setup also depends on your trucks’ wheelbase and your deck’s shape and wheelbase (nose and tail). Want personalized advice? Drop by the shop with your deck width and riding style.