ASRA - Australian Skateboard Racing Association

DH: Sabre or Caliber trucks?

I'm currently riding a Landyachtz Switchblade with Bear 852s, and I'm thinking of getting some more DH oriented trucks. I've narrowed it down to three trucks: Sabre 190s, Caliber 44s and Caliber 50s. I know I'm likely to get wheel bite with any of these trucks, but I'll probably deal with it by using some risers, 70mm wheels rather than my current 76mm, and sanding some wheel wells into the board.

My questions are:

1. Regardless of board, which of these trucks is most and least likely to get wheel bite?

2. Which of these trucks would be more stable at high speed?

Correct me if I'm wrong with these thoughts/assumptions I've made:

a. Sabre trucks are fairly decent at carving but the 45* angle will give good stability. Sabre trucks bring wheelbase in a little.

b. Caliber 44s are not going to have limited carving ability, they're going to bring wheelbase in a decent amount but are going to be stable due to the lower angle.

c. Caliber 50s are going to be very sturdy and able to take some decent speed, but still will carve considerably at low speeds. Won't give as much lean and stability through turns and will be a little like my current Bear trucks.

Tags: 190, 44, 50, Caliber, Sabre, Switchblade, Trucks

Views: 2079

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James on July 19, 2011 at 12:28
Why can't you use your bears? I use them for DH and they work a treat, stock bushings and all. Since you're from Canberra I know what hills you're riding and can tell you that bears are certainly up to the job. Save your money and get something you may actually need when you start doing DH like a full face or something.

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Skittles on July 19, 2011 at 14:47

I agree, bears feel so good.  I have the caliber 44's and they the the nicest trucks I have owned and the best cast trucks I have ridden.  The bears should do you fine until you get leathers and full face though.

 

Decent bushing should have you racing Bathrust on those things!


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jack on July 19, 2011 at 16:23

Bears are fine man. 
If you are set on new trucks go calibers over sabres. Angle is up to you. 50's and 44's both feel good. 

 

Buy some new bushings (like sabres or SHR's or Blood orange) if you are still running the stock bear ones and it will feel as good as brand new trucks.

One of the cool things about sabres and calibers is that they do come with really good bushings. aha.

 

But yeah bears are fine. Calibers or sabres MAY be better (i think so) but not that much better that you would buy a set. 


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Connor Ferguson on July 19, 2011 at 16:24
I completely agree with what has been said above but if you decide to get new trucks i have had both sabres and have calibers now and calibers feel so much better
Permalink Reply by Fish Leicester on July 19, 2011 at 16:35

Ok I'll stick with bears then. I'll definitely need a bushing change, so what would be good? I like to have my trucks loose but very responsive and poppy. I don't weigh much, just below 60kg. Also, are bear 852s more stable flipped? I've tested it, and i find it sits a little lower to the ground, the wheelbase gets a little pulled in and it's harder to initiate slides, but does the actual stability increase at all?

Thanks for the advice so far guys, just chucked the truck money into a set of grippier wheels than my zombies :P


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Matthys on July 19, 2011 at 17:37

sabres come uber bent, and dont have nearly as precise axles as calibers..

calibers are boss

get the 44s if you like allroung

50s if you are gnarly and like lots of turn but not much lean.. or just want to freeride..


Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Skittles on July 19, 2011 at 19:02
i ended up putting new kingpins in my bears so i could havbe double barrel, but if you can't, then elims on the bottom
Permalink Reply by Fish Leicester on July 19, 2011 at 19:19
Are you serious? I'm running double barrel at the moment, and i have about 3 threads showing over the nut...

Skittles said:
i ended up putting new kingpins in my bears so i could havbe double barrel, but if you can't, then elims on the bottom

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Skittles on July 19, 2011 at 19:28
I don't like compressing the bushings, I tighen them till there is no play between the hanger and the bushing.  You have either tightened them right down, have some how got longer kingpins or smaller barrels.
Permalink Reply by Fish Leicester on July 19, 2011 at 19:54

No compression on my barrels guys... i have em 3 threads over the nut because otherwise there i would be able to slide the bushings up and down. 

Board-side I have one random clear barrel that came from an old board of mine, and roadside I have a stock green Bear barrel. My trucks are in no way tight.

 

EDIT: I'm thinking of going venom 85A barrels boardside, and a SHR 83A eliminator roadside on each truck. If I find em too hard, I have an assortment of softer bushings lying around anyway.

Permalink Reply by Philip and Hugh on July 19, 2011 at 20:32
sabre barrel bushings are taller and dont fit into bears properly

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by w. morph on July 19, 2011 at 20:58
my advice, get the sabers then once u have a bit more cash buy some paris hangers, wack them on and you have sarises! nice and carvey and stable!

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Search

© 2024   Created by Bugs.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service