ASRA - Australian Skateboard Racing Association

Need some help with truck choice!!

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of looking for a new set of downhill trucks for a lowered, drop through deck.
Currently i've got a set of Randal DH 160mm trucks. I like the feel and all, just a wee bit too narrow in my opinion.

I'm looking at getting a bog-standard set, non of these flash precision trucks like you guys have hahah. Something like Tracker Fast-tracks or a set of Paris.

Can any one give me some opinions on how these truck would go on a pure DH set-up or even give me some other brands with-in a $100 a set mark.

Thanks for your time.

Peace

Tags: DH, New, Opinion, Trucks

Views: 64

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Permalink Reply by Jordan Madeley on October 8, 2009 at 21:35
I do think they had a DH set in the 180mm option not long back, if memory serves me right. I did have a choice back then but that was what i was given. They are an excellent truck though, you sure got that right... even on some of the complete longboards i do up at our shop, i chuck some randal R II on them and they only get praise from the people that purchase them.

Oliver Smith said:
Does anyone know why they make the randal Dh truck 160mm? Randals are really good trucks and because they are slightly cheaper you can afford to try a few more bushings out and/or get new baseplates.
Permalink Reply by Jordan Madeley on October 8, 2009 at 21:39
cheers mate, the randal swap is definetly a go ahead for me. It is a massive draw card for Randals to have that sort of ease to switch between different baseplate/hanger combos. Thought you'd be trying to get me on a set of your Kookies though hahahah. From what i've been reading about them, they are one of the freshest trucks out. And extremely hard to come by as well, suprised riots haven't broken out for these little beauties. When i turn pro (hahah), i'll definetly have to invest in some.

kookyfish said:
+1 on the 180s
with the right bushing combo for your waight and style you'll rock
50 up front will be needed to compensate for the loss of leverage a drop deck has

saves money and works well ..cant loose.
Permalink Reply by Nath Aveyard on October 9, 2009 at 12:50
What do you have against 160mm. Why do you think wider is better?
Permalink Reply by Olly Smith on October 9, 2009 at 13:02
Well it was just a question because most CNC and Cast dh trucks are 180+mm......

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Jacko on October 9, 2009 at 13:09
the baseplates are 35 deg, if you have that front and back thats barely any steering. however there is a lot of stability with that angle. so you put narrow hangers on the make them more nimble and boom there you have it, stable and turny with lots of lean. Also the 35deg baseplates do shorten up the wheelbase a little bit compared to other randal baseplates. so there you have it. remember these trucks were made way back when CNC trucks werent really around so it was an awesome option.

Oliver Smith said:
Does anyone know why they make the randal Dh truck 160mm? Randals are really good trucks and because they are slightly cheaper you can afford to try a few more bushings out and/or get new baseplates.
Permalink Reply by Guff on October 9, 2009 at 13:27
Have had this conversation with robtech a couple of times and he is of the opinion that increasing axle width doesn't necessarily mean your truck will be more stable. And that a narrow hanger doesn't = faster turn. I have since played around with axle widths on my slalom gear and cannot notice a difference . I do notice a difference though if i raise the centre of gravity and or wedging the truck will then turn and dive a lot harder.Randal downhills were my first downhill truck they did me for about 1 year before i succumbed to the tech wars .And i still cant skate for shit.

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Fitz on October 9, 2009 at 16:27
The thing about 160mm DH Randal hangers is the bushing seat is very small and cramped. This limits the amount of turn you can get before the bushes start to compress sideways on the hanger.
This is great for DH and stabilty and recently I've noticed that CNC truck makers are using the same method with deeper bush seats to capture the bush more. This helps do away with the need for sphericals to avoid side slop but not quite the real McCoy.

I machined the bush seat on my 160 randals so it would accept a JimZ bush, plus fitted proper ball end pivots and now it turns on a dime when loose and stable as for bombing when tightened up.

I reckon shorter axles do help create a quicker turn but not nearly as much effect as changing the kingpin angle or bush tension.
Permalink Reply by Nath Aveyard on October 9, 2009 at 20:55
I did until recently think that wider was better, but ive been riding different trucks at various sizes,160mm, 165mm, 171mm. and i dont think it makes much difference. According to Magun and Chaput truck width is all about keeping the wheels on the road when you are at a full turn, to prevent your outside wheels from lifting up.
Permalink Reply by Jordan Madeley on October 9, 2009 at 22:31
There is a good point there, realistically if it hasn't truly been proven i think it is just one of those mental edges. Having a wider truck for me personally, will give me more confidence when riding. It might sound really gammin and pussy but it will be in the back of my head that i have a wider axle and it may hold me a bit better. Just like sleeping with a teddy at night or that special blanket you have... I wouldn't know anything about that but hahaha

Nath Aveyard said:
I did until recently think that wider was better, but ive been riding different trucks at various sizes,160mm, 165mm, 171mm. and i dont think it makes much difference. According to Magun and Chaput truck width is all about keeping the wheels on the road when you are at a full turn, to prevent your outside wheels from lifting up.
Permalink Reply by Jordan Madeley on October 9, 2009 at 22:35
Short axles do have a little bit more of an advantage for turn, such as slalom trucks, and yes you're absolutely right, no where near as much as a proper bushing set-up or kingpin angle. Really it's all about what hill you're doing, how tech the course is and what you like the feel of. I definetly rather a wider truck, kingpin angles have never really occured to me, so this is another thing for me to take into account. Thanks for the input all.

Fitz said:
The thing about 160mm DH Randal hangers is the bushing seat is very small and cramped. This limits the amount of turn you can get before the bushes start to compress sideways on the hanger.
This is great for DH and stabilty and recently I've noticed that CNC truck makers are using the same method with deeper bush seats to capture the bush more. This helps do away with the need for sphericals to avoid side slop but not quite the real McCoy.

I machined the bush seat on my 160 randals so it would accept a JimZ bush, plus fitted proper ball end pivots and now it turns on a dime when loose and stable as for bombing when tightened up.

I reckon shorter axles do help create a quicker turn but not nearly as much effect as changing the kingpin angle or bush tension.
Permalink Reply by Jordan Madeley on October 9, 2009 at 22:42
Wedging definetly gives you that extra dive into a corner or carve. I usually put them on old school set ups for customers to give them that little extra for pool. Randals are my first downhill truck as well and i've only had mine for around a year. Still need to thrash them a bit but, really break them in... All this talk about CNCed trucks beats me. I really do not see how they can give an advantage. Ado at Cr8ive said there are still guys on the world curcuit winning races on Randals or Trackers, non of these new fangled super aircraft alluminium CNC trucks. If some body wishes to prove me wrong they can hahaha.

Guff said:
Have had this conversation with robtech a couple of times and he is of the opinion that increasing axle width doesn't necessarily mean your truck will be more stable. And that a narrow hanger doesn't = faster turn. I have since played around with axle widths on my slalom gear and cannot notice a difference . I do notice a difference though if i raise the centre of gravity and or wedging the truck will then turn and dive a lot harder.Randal downhills were my first downhill truck they did me for about 1 year before i succumbed to the tech wars .And i still cant skate for shit.

Premium MemberPermalink Reply by sean meaney on October 9, 2009 at 22:51
there are guys winning slalom races on trackers guys shred randal's and other cast trucks on the tour.

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