|
|
|
| Truck Reviews (15215 Posts)
|
| Truck |
Review |
|
eXkates
|
|
On 8/20/1998
Scott Solmonson
wrote in from
()
Had my Bahne (with the eXkates) up to oh-shit speed the other night.
Don't really know how fast I was going.
We just decided to bomb this unknown hill.
My vision was blurred, legs were numb.
I remembered the words of a certain Austrailian.
I planted my front foot and rode it out.
No speed wobbles at all- you just have to LOCK your ankles.
They are worthy...
|
|
|
|
|
Exkate +Invader
|
|
On 8/12/1998
TC
wrote in from
()
I did a mix and match on my 48" hammerhead board by putting exkates (hard bushing) on the front and Invaders (smae width as Indy 215's) on the rear. It felt more stable than an exkate only board, and more responsive than 2 invaders or indys. Only did about 30-35mph in this set-up so I can't vouch for high speed stability, but at 30, it was way cool.
|
|
|
|
|
independents Stage sevens
|
|
On 8/10/1998 jerermy Jeremy
wrote in from
()
i love these trux. They give me a very smooth ride when i am riding. They are also super strong when i am grinding. These trux havee lasted me about 3 years and i have been grinding for about 2 years. I really enjoy riding on them. I think that it is about time for me to buy neww one s because i have grinded to the axel
|
|
|
|
|
Exkate
|
|
On 8/6/1998
Dem Jones
wrote in from
()
Awwwwwwww Yeaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
They FINALLY came. 10 minutes before I was supposed to be at work. Let's just say I was VERY LATE getting there. I slapped them on my Cloud Nine and off I went. The six foot turning radius is no joke. I got the blue bushings and they work great. I'll be ordering the red bushings soon cuz I need to try these on a hill.
I got home from work at 1am, kissed the girlfriend goodnight and took my new Exkates out for a nice long ride. They do take some getting used to. My Sector has concave, so it was really easy to throw off my direction until I got used to them. After that, it was all good. Unfortunately I was born on the wrong coast and never learned to surf, but I think I just experienced something very close to it.
Thank you Jason for a damn cool product, I'm taking my board to all the skateshops in town tomorrow. Expect to see some orders coming in from Rochester NY in the very near future. (Thanks to Rich at Souled Out for showing me the light)
|
|
|
|
|
eXkate
|
|
On 8/3/1998
Scott Solmonson
wrote in from
()
Just a comment since I have now ridden eXkates with all of the different bushings.
I found the best performance by far was with the hardest (red) bushings.
They turn almost exactly the same as the softer bushings, but are a LOT more stable at speed.
So if you buy some eXkates, be sure to get the reddies.
|
|
|
|
|
Exkate
|
|
On 8/3/1998
grant fuller
wrote in from
()
now don't get me wrong, I love these trucks and won't have a word said against them. But, please don't do what i have just done. bomb a hill on the standard black bushes. I am in a real mess at the moment with one wrist out and one knee bandaged up. the black bushes are simply too sensitive for high speeds and as i didn't have time to drop to a slide i bit it hard. do NOT let this put you off if you are into speed, just get the red or blue bushes. Trust me you'll hurt a lot less than I do :)
|
|
|
|
|
KAPU TRUCKS
|
|
On 8/2/1998 Matt the maniac
wrote in from
()
Kapu's are totally awesome, but I do have a one complaint. At high speed, like 45, they just let loose, the speed wobbles start. They are so twitchy at high speeds that you can't correct it. I mean if it wasn't for the coleman I'd be on my ass right now. Kapu's are still the best at low speeds.
|
|
|
|
|
exkate torsion trucks
|
|
On 7/29/1998
J. Exby
wrote in from
()
Count me in on the exkate disciples, they certainly do
turn on a dime. I've got black (softer) bushings on my
Gravity 47" deck, and it certainly turns quick. haven't
had it at any significant speeds yet (and since I haven't
figured out the Coleman slide I may not) but what bushing is
everyone else running on? I'd think that these black bushings
may be even too soft to get some safe&significant speed with,
but perhaps I'm just not used to them yet? opinions from other
exkate trucks users please.
to email me, remove the word NOSPAM from my email address.
|
|
|
|
|
eXkates
|
|
On 7/28/1998 eggman
wrote in from
()
Hey Kiddies
Just got my eXkates yesterday.....They are killer, I can't say anything more than what has already been said. They really are sick and totally worth it. I now understand why others have posted that they will never use any other trucks again. Totally worth the money, I can hardly wait to ride them some more. Ok, just thought I would put in my two cents (that now brings me up to $1.98) Later late.
|
|
|
|
|
eXkate vs Kapu vs Seismic
|
|
On 7/28/1998 Adam
wrote in from
()
I just got a set of eXkate torsion trucks with the 86A bushings and had a chance to test them downhill riding against Kapus (80A and 90A bushings) and Seismic 146s (silver springs). First I'll say that all three trucks offer insane turning performance and responsiveness, but with some subtle differences. The two torsion designs offer extremely tight turning radiuses, but suffer somewhat from a lack of center. The Seismics provide a stable center position, but give away some turning circle to the torsion trucks.
I had previously ridden the Kapus with 80A bushings and thought they were great fun on the flats, but too responsive for downhill and Coleman sliding. When Dan came by with his quiver of Kapu-equipped decks and a new set of Kapu 90A bushings to try, we were both eager to get them on a hill. Unfortunately, I found the 90A's too hard-- the trucks had lost their hyper-sensitivity, but they had also lost their magic. Kapu should consider fine-tuning their bushing durometers (they currently offer 75, 80, and 90A).
eXkates bushing ratings are much closer together: 82, 84, and 86A. For my 200 pounds the 86As were great on hills, letting me achieve wicked carves with insanely tight turning radiuses, while also allowing enough "break" to Coleman slide at will. Hills that I could carve down in a singe lane on Seismics I could do in half a lane on the eXkates. They worked great on the flats too, but I'd like to get the 82 and 84A bushings for a real comparison. After several runs Dan and I agreed that my 48x12x3/4 12-ply Wide Load carving deck with eXkates and Kryptonic Route 70s was the best setup we had ever ridden. I also like the construction on the eXkates: heavy duty! These things look built to last. My only gripe is the new school hole pattern, which necessitated some careful re-drilling of my deck to ensure the screws would meet the eXkate's threaded baseplates.
So, after that torsion-induced high, I'll have to admit I was a bit reluctant to try my old Seismics. Would they be relegated to the parts bin? Happily, a similarly setup deck with Seismic 146s and silver springs was still a blast to ride, and while they don't give the radical turning radius of the torsions, they have a precision feel that is a joy to ride.
|
|
|
|
|
Tracker Six-Tracks
|
|
On 7/22/1998
Joe Shredmeister
wrote in from
()
Since I mentioned them in my last posting, the memories came pouring back in(flashbacks or dejaveau?). I used to ride these trucks exclusively, and they were bulletproof!!!!
Magnesium versions were also available along with "ultra-light" plastic base-plates, and copers that were positivly retained by washers mounted behind the wheels.
I am looking for 1 new truck(red anodized w/ultra-light base) to match the one in my vintage skate collection. If you know were I can get it...PLEASE let me know!!!Even better, FIND ME MAGS!!! As far as I can tell, they were all yellow w/yellow mag base plates.Oh yeah...review time!
The only drawback to the Tracker's of this time(beside occasional pivot breakage) was the ultra-light baseplates.
They had a kingpin that was cast inside the baseplate mold, so when the kingpin broke, the baseplate was garbage!!! I have a half-dozen or so to show for it!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Tracker B-2's
|
|
On 7/21/1998
Joe Shredmeister
wrote in from
()
O.K., I admit it. These trucks work. I thought Tracker was pretty much history,as far as I am concerned, when they dropped the Six-Track(anyone remember those?). But I got some B-2's on a used longboard. I never planned on actually riding them,but they were like new,so... I put black Supercush(99a) bushings and Grind King king pins on, tightened the crap out of them,...and low and behold: I dropped my first hill switchstance(barefoot too) only because they are so stable. I know,I know, you can do that with any truck(make it so tight they don't move) but these suckers still carve when you push hard enough. The only downside is they're so narrow, but, they really work!
|
|
|
|
|
eXkate
|
|
On 7/20/1998
Scott Solmonson
wrote in from
()
One more solid vote for eXkates-
At first they felt kind of twitchy.
But I soon got used to them.
At low speed, I ride them with my ankles and body english.
At high speed, I plant my ankles and just lean over.
Simalar to a snowboard, they seem stabler when you're always turning a little bit.
(Versus trying to go perfectly straight.
I may never ride any other trucks again.
(We'll see how they do at Randall speeds)
They've already saved me from injury too:
I was cruising on the sidewalk, and a Cabriolet-full of girls drove by.
My eyes followed them as they went by, and when I looked forward again, I was three feet away from a painful fencepost.
I pulled a maneuver that would not have been possible on another truck.
My eXkates saved me from pain and humiliation.
|
|
|
|
|
Exkate
|
|
On 7/5/1998
Tim Naylor
wrote in from
()
Unblelievable, is the only way I can describe Exkates. When will skaters put the rollerskate technology to rest and adopt turning systems designed for skateboarding from the ground up. I look at other longboarders tooling around on their indies, trackers, ventures, etc and think I can't belive that was me. With the new tech trucks, it's like riding a completely different kind of board. I mounted them on my 44" Powell (no cut-outs ample nose and kick) and immediately I was taking turns tighter than my Indy mounted short board. With 70mm Kryptos, I tried to get wheel bite but to no avail. It's clearly a better design than anything out there, with perhaps the exception of Seismics but the price makes them far more viable. The turning makes quick and tight carves possible at any speed. And for someone who takes between 150-200 turns a day getting around New York City a responsive truck just sin't fun but a hell of alot safer. The only drawback is that they are a bit heavy. Not a big deal for a long board, but too heavy for the shorty market which is a shame since many shortboarders become cruising converts. The design reminds the most of the Magnum truck from 1978. It's the same torsion idea pivoting on a 45 degree. My only concern is I hope skaters bust out of that conservative mode that made the Logan Earth Ski last so long. With a truck revolution onthe horizon, let's hope the gangplank pieces of driftwood that pass as decks follow suit. All Hail the New Truck!
|
|
|
|
|
Titan Trucks
|
|
On 6/22/1998 Chuck
wrote in from
()
Titans are very light and strong. I have had mine about five months and they are still doing good except for all the grind marks. I also like how they come with a groove in them for grinding. They have the same king pin set up as Grind King's with the allen head king pin. I think these trucks are awesome!
|
|
|
|
|
Tracker B-2
|
|
On 6/14/1998 Chris
wrote in from
()
I got the B-2 trucks and they rule they squeek at first but when they break in there sweet as hell baby.
Keep it rollin'
|
|
|
|
|
Randal/Seismic/Kapu
|
|
On 6/13/1998 Anthony
wrote in from
()
It is nice to finally see some innovation in the world of longboard truck design. It is exciting that riders have a choice of several valid truck configs, each with their merits. For the money, nothing can beat the randals. theyre only a few bucks more that standard nuskool and slaughter them in performance. Furthermore, at speed they will outperform any truck at any price. They are the most stable at high speed. Period. The design of the competitors has an inherent tendancy to wobble due to their extreme touchiness. The kapus were somewhat less responsive that the super touchy seismics, something some may consider a benefit. But the seismic are extremely adjustable and can easily be adapted for all sorts of riding with an allen key.
|
|
|
|
|
Tracker B-2
|
|
On 6/11/1998
Scott Abla
wrote in from
()
You don't need some 10" monster trucks to carve big so I go with these because they are strong and never come loose.
|
|
|
|
|
eXskate trucks
|
|
On 6/11/1998
marc
wrote in from
()
Well I got my hands on a pair of these babaies, and they
are super. I cannot do turns in six feet but I can do them
in about 10" circles, probably because I am still learning
how to ride them. The base plates are threaded so instalation
is a snap. They are very tall, so risers are not needed.
They have a great feel and my big fiberflex turns as well as
my little '79 fiber flex. Just for note, they are set with the
smaller hole pattern. They are a solid truck with clean finsh.
Just as a note, I have seen the kapu trucks and compared the two.
The Kapu looks like a poor copy of the exkate. the finish is of
a lower quality and the hardware and bushings are cheaper as
well.
So, I give the eXkate trucks a big thumbs up. they give my
longboard a snowbaord feel, which is exactly what I wanted.
have fun, marc
|
|
|
|
|
G-Truck Control
|
|
On 6/9/1998
Alex the Cruiser
wrote in from
()
OK, this truck is not a new innovation; It's a draining of the
Seismic truck but the best thing on the downhill sector that
can happen. It's a well-sprung truck for those riders who like
the feeling like driving on a railtrack.
Want some more infos: sbc@ch.ibm.ch
alex.andreae@gmx.net
|
|
|
|
|
Kapu Trucks
|
|
On 5/14/1998
Robert
wrote in from
()
I've been getting questions about how to get in touch with
Kapu, since their web site seems to be chronically down.
Here's their US phone number: 714/496-3132
|
|
|
|
|
E.Xkate
|
|
On 5/14/1998
Grant
wrote in from
()
I've been suning these truck for about a week and a half now and will NEVER go back to normal trucks again. The handling of these truck must be felt to be believed, they realy do turn on a dime and the spring back afer each turn. These are the perfect truck for cruising and slalom and (apparently) are great for downhilling with the stiffer rubber (which I have yet to try).
The rebound and turning on these trucks is so good that I can get up a good turn of speed just by pumping the trucks.
Do yourself a favour and get a set of these NOW, you will never be dissapointed. Contact www.exkate.com for details or look at Richards Souled Out site for an in depth review (address in the links page).
Many thanks to Jason for getting the trucks ever to me so fast (in the UK) and I will do my best to get you a distributor in the UK as they deserve success.
|
|
|
|
|
Kapu Trucks
|
|
On 4/26/1998
Robert
wrote in from
()
I've really become addicted to Kapu trucks, so I hope that the guys at D'Adv and eXkate
figure it out. I really wish that D'Adv would get their website up too. I'm still waiting
to take a look at the eXkate trucks.
I think that a lot of why I like Kapus is the style of skating I do.
See, I've never learned to do the Coleman Slide, although I feel like I really should
one of these days. My skate style is to use gravity to give me speed, and also to slow
me down by taking an uphill line. That, combined with just carving off speed in cutbacks.
What I'm focusing on as I'm picking a line down the hill are to keep my speed up while
maintaining control of the board, evaluating the surface, slope, and width of the street
ahead of me, watching for cars, and then throwing in some other stuff just for fun. I don't
do speed runs, but I do like to go what I would call fast. I used to only go as fast as I
could and still be able to jump off the board and run it out, but I've found myself exceeding
that limit occasionally and enjoying the adrenaline rush.
Because of the way I skate, I need a lot of turning ability. I've never found a truck
that gives me enough turning ability, at least until I got the Kapus. To me, more turning
ability means that I can skate steeper runs, and more narrow runs. I can also pick a more
complex line down the hill while maintaining speed and control.
When I first got Seismics they felt a bit squirrelly, but as I got used to them I appreciated
their responsiveness more. At first it felt like the board would do a lot more, and you could
lose control easier. When I first got the Kapus it felt sort of the same way, but I liked
the feel of the board much better. It felt more fluid, more controllable. After a couple of
turns I instinctively felt the need to lower my center of gravity and concentrate on balance
more. Then I began to try to find the turning limits of the board. With other trucks, even
Seismics, I'm pushing hard to make the board turn quicker. With Kapus, I'm pushing myself --
my balance and position on the board -- to make myself turn as quick as the board will. On
runs where I'm trying to push to the limits of the board I find myself a lot more tired at
the bottom.
I'm using the red bushings on my Kapus -- the softest ones -- on a 54 inch board. There
is a point where the board will get speed wobbles if I relax and let it go, but I've always
been able to grab back control and stop the wobbles. Probably on speed runs it would be a
problem, but I don't know why you'd want Kapus for speed runs. I do need to have some
resistance in the bushing, and I like it to be progressively harder as I turn more. Seismics
feel to me like they don't get progressively harder as much as I'd like.
A 4x4 and a Ferrari have totally different uses -- so do wheels, boards, and trucks. For
the way I like to skate, Kapus are great. Other people with different styles might want
different trucks, especially if they're doing speed runs. One of the great things about
this sport is that there are as many ways to approach it as there are skaters.
|
|
|
|
|
Randal vs Seismic vs Kapu
|
|
On 4/16/1998
Chris
wrote in from
()
Okay, here's my take on this.
As Dan said, the Kapu's were definitely the most radically turning of the three. At slow speeds, I could turn the 48" D'Adv board in a 7 foot diameter circle, probably tighter if I pushed it. On the same 48" board, you could easily slalom up a mild hill, at least until your legs gave out. The drawback here is that they seemed real squirrely. I wouldn't even consider getting any real speed with them--at least not with the standard black rubbers. I probably would have liked them better with the harder purple rubbers.
Like Dan, I don't want to get involved with the controversy between D'Adv and eXkate, but I do think that whoever's design it is, it has merits. Plus, if eXkate has made further design improvements, I'd like to see them.
I've only ridden Seismics a few times briefly. I found them to be a bit squirrely as well, but in this case, I think it was more that I was confusing responsiveness for squirreliness. I think in time I could learn to love these trucks. They are a good compromise between the overly turny Kapus and the more stable Randals. On of these days, I'm going to have to get some Seismics. Price is a big factor here. I'm sure that when I get used to them, they will be one of my favorites.
Finally, Randals. On the Scott Creek ride, all the trips I took down were on Randals. All of my boards had Independents tightened pretty damn tight, so I ended up borrowing boards for the ride. The Randals gave me a ride much more like what I was used to. Definitely more maneuverable, but in a stable predictable way. Now to be honest, I haven't done much downhill since I started riding seriously again last summer. So a big factor on the ride was learning to slide and getting down the hill in one piece. Had I been more comfortable on downhill, I probably would have been more adventurous with the equipment I chose. As it was, the Randals felt the best to me, having ridden virtually nothing but very traditional truck designs in the past.
A final note. When I first started skating again last summer, I was surprised at how little change there had been in skateboarding equipment. All of designs mentioned above represent a big step in the right direction. And while we're on the subject of truck design, does anybody remember Strokers from the 1970s. Here was a completely different approach to the same problem. As I remember they had two independent axels on each truck that tilted each wheel at the same angle as you turned. I'm probably not explaining this right. Maybe someone else can help here. It might be a design worthy of resurrection.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
eXkate Trucks (the original)
|
|
On 4/15/1998
Louie F.
wrote in from
()
As you can see our most recent post was thrown to the winds of internet history. We completely understand the necessity of NCDSA to retire our statement and respect it, however it is our desire to continue to educate the longboard public as to the truth regarding the new revolutionary "TRK101 eXkate torsion truck", which has been crudely cloned by "D-Adv Skateboards", this retortal has been forced fed to us by this Co.'s attorney, however be advised that we are prepared to take this fight for our rights to the full extent of the law. A copy is a copy, and the truth must be known, when our patent issues later this year, the lid will be taken off this can of worms. You will, in the near future see our patent scanned into our web site which is www.exkate.com
Stay tuned for more details, we have only begun to fight!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
