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| Truck Reviews (15215 Posts)
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What the $#@! is a "truk"???
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On 6/16/2006
Chuck Gill
wrote in from
United States
(4.170.nnn.nnn)
Well I am an engineer too....aerospace to boot...and I can tell you "missile-grade aluminum" is a bulls#@! term. Sorry. Maybe the "truks" will be good, maybe not, but the snake-oil meter pinged when I saw the Bennett ad. "Brothers and sisters of the revolution"??? Okaaayyy...
Herbn....hangers, and most other cast products, will be thinner toward the edge than the center (it's called the draft angle). Helps parts come out of molds more readily.
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Bennett ads
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On 6/16/2006 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
always seemed/s like quazibulltech, i think they used to call it a356 aircraft grade aluminum, now its' missle grade, kind of the same thing huh? and guess what most top brands are made of? same stuff. Wouldn't suprize me if bennet goes to "xcaliber" or "emerico" or even gullwing,or some body who already makes trucks.Bennetts were not particularly strong back in the day, the hangers didn't break much because the bases broke so much easier. Bennetts did work pretty well though, they had big bushings, particularly the inner one is important.You can't make more room with a longer bolt, a longer bolt lets you have a bigger outer bushing, and if you're riding ramps that's bad for grind clearence. But the semi steep angle with some rake and abit of height above the bushings, there's nothing that majic about the geometry. I think anybody that's excessively complimentry about the "action" or "surfy feel" or they're "precise action" is just infactuated with the past,tring to life in it ,or just doing promo work for bennett, some people feel like they own part of the company or something ,if they like a product ,they go on a crusade to spread the good word.
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Ed Economy with Holeys
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On 6/16/2006 surf64
wrote in from
Germany
(193.7.nnn.nnn)
Yesterday I mounted a new pair of Holeys under my Ed Economy and took a short ride. I didn't like it. I had the feeling that the Holeys are overloaded with the huge momentum of the Board. The bushings are so smooth, that the board is hard to control, when you stand near the kicktail.
I had to drill new mounting holes in the board (15mm outward), because the cutouts match conventional trucks and the holeys wheelbite easy.
I now mounted my old Randals with hard red Bushings rear and soft yellow front. That feels better.
I used the new drilled holes front and the old ones rear. Problem with the outward holes rear was, that the truck would sit in the bend of the kick. I will make a matching riser later.
The holey are now under my lighter Board and perform good as well.
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Holeys have 45 Degrees
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On 6/16/2006 Surf64
wrote in from
Germany
(193.7.nnn.nnn)
I measured wrong, sorry. They have 45 Degrees not 50 like Randals.
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Mad Scientist?
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On 6/15/2006
Slob-air
wrote in from
Canada
(70.72.nnn.nnn)
herbn, scientific indeed.
Main Entry: ro·ta·tion (al)
Pronunciation: rO-'tA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 a (1) : the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center (2) : the act or an instance of rotating something b : one complete turn : the angular displacement required to return a rotating body or figure to its original orientation
kinetics
Pronunciation: k&-'ne-tiks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
1 : a branch of science that deals with the effects of forces upon the motions of material bodies or with changes in a physical or chemical system
'Nuff said?
I would think aircraft grade aluminum does not undergo the particularly severe stresses on its flight to a target, nor does it need to survive high “g” maneuvers, and it does not experience propulsion accelerations associated with the ballistic nature of a missile. Ergo, missile grade aluminum would be highly tensile, resistent to the elements it's put up against and, due to aerodynamics, crafted in a very precision manner. No?
As I understand it, which I admit is limited as I am not an engineer, missile bodies are die cast in high-strength aluminum alloys that are to protect the inner componants, such as a guidence system, against the excessive pressures and heat.
That would seem ideal for a skateboard truck, wouldn't it?
PaulW - Although Indy 215s are considered a Stage 4, there are differences in those made during each stage—the kingpin on the latest is the most obvious example.
That said, if your is pre-stage 5, then the axle is not cast in the hanger, but rather, driven into the hanger via a pre-drilled hole (the smarter way to do it?).
Look at your hanger ends, if there's a slight gap around the axle on one end of the hanger, that's the entry direction. In that case, put a couple nuts on the axle threads to protect them and use a piece of 2x4 to hammer the axle back into postion were the splines on the axle can lock in—you may also want to put a rubber protector of some kind on the axle, grab it with vice-graps and turn it slightly clockwise before giving it a final wack to seat it. This will sometimes re-seat the axle, but not always.
If there's no gap, then the truck was likely sandcasted with the axle in the mold (bad idea), in which case herbn's suggestion, I think, would be the best course of action.
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hey herbn
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On 6/15/2006 wiki
wrote in from
(70.215.nnn.nnn)
Would a super reboundy wheel rotating be what he's talking about ?
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pin location
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On 6/15/2006 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(64.12.nnn.nnn)
leverage,stresses from rider come from the baseplate connected to the center of the hanger,either through the pivot or the bushing collar. So the middle of the hanger may be a bit heavily stressed,notice reinforcment gussets on all hangers are tapered thinner towards the sides of the hanger. ON an indy hanger 215 i would probabely pin the axle about a third of the way in from the wheel. Yeah the bennett stuff sounds hoaky, "rotational kenetics" hhmmmm, sounds very scientific.
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Axles, on retainer
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On 6/15/2006
Geezer-X
wrote in from
(68.239.nnn.nnn)
Try some green or red Loctite. You'll need to remove the axle and thoroughly clean it and the bore with lacquer thinner, acetone, or BraKleen. Then smear the axle liberally with the LocTite, put a bit in the end of the bore, and push the axle in. Try not to stop on the way in. If it hangs up, you're screwed.
Or you can cross-drill throug the hanger and axle near the center and install a 3/32" roll pin.
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Smited by the truck gods.
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On 6/15/2006
PaulW
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(80.3.nnn.nnn)
24 hours after moaning about Mr Bennett's ad and his probable vaporware trucks, a 215 got a slippery axle on me. Damn. Can anyone suggest how to fix this? Can I bang the axle all the way out and glue it back in? Thanks for any suggestions.
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No Mystery
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On 6/15/2006
Slob-air
wrote in from
Canada
(70.72.nnn.nnn)
There's no mystery on Mr. B, MoFo and others remember meeting him at ASR type shows in the early days.
I interveiwed him recently for CW: his name is Ron Bennett and he's an engineer. I generally have my bulls#@! detectors on high and nothing he said set off any alarms. Dude knows his stuff.
I asked him about the new truks and he offered to overnight a set of Vector prototypes (in two sizes) to me. I had them for 48 hours before FedEx showed up to pick them up. Amazing! I've ridden Bennetts a lot through out the years for slalom and these new ones simply sizzled and seemed smoother somehow in comparison to my ancient Pros and Vectors. Can't wait for the production model.
As far as I'm concerned, he knows his s#@!.
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Missile grade aluminum?
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On 6/14/2006
Geezer-X
wrote in from
United States
(68.239.nnn.nnn)
Bennetts, like every other sandcast truck are made of 356 aluminum, I'm willing to wager.
While I'm not employed in the aerospace industry, I'm an engineer, and the parts of most rocket or jet propelled weapon delivery systems (aka missiles) that aren't made of composites, are CNC machined aluminum alloys in the 5000 or 6000 series, generally 5032 and 6061. They may use some 7 series stuff (7075) in areas which require exceptionally high strength and toughness.
Cessna light plane landing gear were made of 7075, cause' it's springy as all get out. Missiles generally only land once, so the springy part isn't a bonus.
It is some quaint 70's style skateboard sloganeering, though. Gotta give Mr. Bennett props for that.
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Who is...
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On 6/14/2006 Rags to Riches
wrote in from
United States
(64.128.nnn.nnn)
Tony Bennett?
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Mr. Bennett = ??
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On 6/14/2006
Geezer-X
wrote in from
United States
(65.127.nnn.nnn)
So, what esteemed skate historian among us, or industry insider knows the real identity of the mysterious Mr. Bennett?
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Bennetts Questions....?
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On 6/13/2006
Snowplow
wrote in from
Canada
(70.73.nnn.nnn)
Got this in my email today!!! Looks like it's the real deal!!!!
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Randal 150's
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On 6/13/2006 David Baker
wrote in from
United States
(4.242.nnn.nnn)
What is with the crooked Randals??? I took one back to the skate shop where I bought it, only to get another one that is crooked. Seems to be mostly in the base plate. Looks like the pivot hole and the king pin holes are both out... Guess I need to get them Geezerized?
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RE: GK Bushings
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On 6/13/2006 Area 51
wrote in from
Canada
(70.67.nnn.nnn)
Bones Hardcores fit in GK's, and it's a great bushing to boot. Thunder Bushings will fit too (both bushings are conical) but I'd go w/ the Bones.
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GK bushings
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On 6/13/2006
K-LEE
wrote in from
United States
(198.133.nnn.nnn)
http://socalskateshop.com/index.php?action=category&id=158
So Cal has them, medium (red) and hard (blue).
You looking for softies? Ninestar has hard and soft (black):
http://www.9star.com/browse/style/63265&brand_ID=0
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Bushings for Grind King trucks
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On 6/12/2006
Bill
wrote in from
United States
(209.78.nnn.nnn)
Anyone know where to find replacement G-K bushings?
The stock ones are too hard and the shape doesn't match
Indy or Tracker, due to the baseplate and kingpin cap.
Sure, you can shave down Indy bushings (did that) but
am looking for alternatives. G-K site is unresponsive.
Bill
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Force R7's
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On 6/11/2006 dkj
wrote in from
United States
(24.20.nnn.nnn)
Mark @ Mile High Skates has 'em in stock.
Click here for link
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force r7
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On 6/11/2006 herbn
wrote in from
United States
(152.163.nnn.nnn)
where can i see these?
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Force R7 truck review
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On 6/11/2006 dkj
wrote in from
United States
(24.20.nnn.nnn)
I've been using a set of Force 175mm R7 trucks for the past few weeks and like them a lot. These were purchased as an alternative to Randal 180's as they hace the same geometry (pivot angle and relationship of axle to kingpin) as Randals.
The Force trucks definitely have a better build quality than stock RII's. The cro-moly axles are straight, no off-center wobble on a spin test with a wheel flat side on the table like you get to at least some degree with Randals. The end of the hanger is precisely faced perpendiclarly to the axle but without an integral speed ring. Mounting holes are dead on. The only thing I didn't care for was that the outline of the Force baseplates comes in a bit towards the center around the mounting holes. That might cause extra flex when using soft risers compared to trucks with baseplates that have a fuller, more rectangular outline.
Compared to Geezerized 180's with 8mm cro-moly axles and faced hangers the Force trucks performed the same way and were maybe even a bit more consistent in feel when arcing through big carving turns on the street. When bombing they are straight and smooth just like the modified RII's. Reference board is a Rayne Pug with soft wedged front truck, Bones bottom bushings in all four spots, Oust Moc 9's, and 78 duro Grippins.
The trucks are a little pricey at $65 plus shipping but you'll have at least that much into your Randal's if you put in straight axles and face the hangers. For those longboarder carvers looking for a higher quality direct Randal replacement without weird size kingpins, odd bushing diameter, or slightly off geometry, I think the Force R7 fits the bill.
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Bennetts?
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On 6/10/2006
Jeff Kasson
wrote in from
United States
(24.31.nnn.nnn)
Any news on the Bennett trucks?
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Crails....hot!
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On 6/9/2006
Adam Daniels
wrote in from
(72.230.nnn.nnn)
I took my crails up to 50mph a few weeks ago on a few different runs. It was my first time at that speed (before that day i was only 37mph) and these trucks were very, VERY stable and predictable. First run I was feeling greedy and easily hit 45mph in a twisty turny road. Best day of downhill so far....and munnsville looks to top that!
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holeys unridden
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On 6/9/2006 Derik
wrote in from
Germany
(193.7.nnn.nnn)
I just unpacked my holeys. The geometry looks like a randal, but the truck builds up a little lower. (I measured 50 degrees for the randal, 45 degrees with a flipped hanger and 50 degrees for the holey).
The bottom bushing is taler and has a hourglass shape. Interesting is the hangers long pivot pin, that fits verry tight into the pivot cup.
The hanger will have contact with the bushing cup in verry tight turns, flipping the cup will solve this problem.
See: http://www_silverfishlongboarding_com/article.php?story=20060112131536669
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Holey trucks
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On 6/9/2006 Graham
wrote in from
United Kingdom
(80.3.nnn.nnn)
I've just swapped the randall 150s I was running for some holeys and it feels like a big improvement to me. They are perhaps not quite as turny but the turn comes in more progressively and they feel more like conventional trucks - which I like. And the build quality and finish is in a different world.
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