Modern Truck Design and a DKLB Review of Other Planet Trucks

[Dimm]

Today, we have to face a sad truth concerning truck design :aside from the reverse kingpin, truck design has practically gone unchanged since the early days of roller-skates. Don’t let the shiny CNCed aluminum fool you; trucks today (as far as design goes) are hardly different than they were 50 years ago. This poses a significant problem: a longboard is not a roller-skate, so why are we using this design? The most common argument is that it’s “tried and true”. There is definitely some merit to this argument; however, I think this is largely an excuse for the lack of ingenuity on the part of truck manufacturers.

People that manufacture trucks seem to be afraid of change. In fact, aside from the handful of failed attempts at revolutionizing the truck industry (most dealing with springs), the majority of trucks today are made based on ancient and outdated conventions. This kind of mentality has held truck design stagnant for the past five decades.

Now, a logical question should arise in your mind. Something along the lines of: “but what’s wrong with conventional truck design?” The answer is nothing. Conventional truck design is great and conventional trucks have served us well. The trick is in the question. Rather than asking “what’s wrong with conventional truck design?” you should be asking “what’s wrong with any other truck design?”

The fact is that there are an infinite number of ways to make a lean-activated-steering-system for a skateboard. From an engineering point of view the mechanism known as a “truck” is actually quite simple. Bushings, kingpins, hangers, and baseplates are but one of a million ways to do the same job. So the question you should be asking now is: “why don’t we use other truck designs?”

The conventional truck design is not bad, don’t get me wrong. It has many good qualities and has withstood the test of time. However, the way the conventional truck design has monopolized the truck industry for the past 50 years has been destructive to advances in truck technology and serves no good to us, the skaters.

I ask you to open your mind to change. We all know that we are living in a new era of skateboarding. This sport is changing and it is very exciting to be a longboarder in the 00’s. I think now is the time to tear down some old conventions and open your arms to progress. Do not judge newly emerging products, especially if they deviate from the norm. Remember, just because we’ve been doing something a certain way for the past 50 years does not mean it’s the only way or even the right way.

Which brings me closer to my point. In the past few years it has been exciting to watch new truck prototypes emerge seemingly out of nowhere. I think this is wonderful and I strongly believe that these products should be praised and their creators supported. As consumers we have control over the market and have the power to drive the market in the direction we want. We must invest in creative products. The future lies in the ingenuity of inventors not the followers of outdated conventions. Even if the new designs are not perfect I believe we should still support them. The road to perfection is long and bumpy and the process of prototyping is expensive. Without our support many good ideas will not have the chance to cocoon into beautiful products.

If you’re planning on buying another set of CNCed precision trucks or another set of cast conventional trucks I urge you to reconsider. Try something new. Try something made by truck designers who are working on something different. You might be surprised to discover that many of these products have serious potential and that their designers are bright, educated. and often more qualified to design trucks than the big names of the industry.

By investing in creative individuals we can make sure that we don’t have to wait another 50 years for progress to happen.

Which brings me to what I want to discuss today. Even though I am flat ####### broke I have invested in a set of “Other Planet” Trucks. These trucks are designed by Mark Christensen, a retired engineer and skateboarder since the 60’s, and are currently being perfected and prototyped by Riley Hewes and David Hendry. As an engineering student, I was impressed by their design: it was built from the ground up for the purpose of longboarding and based on none of the common truck conventions. These trucks have axles but that’s about all that they have in common with normal trucks. I got my hands on them as soon as I could and here’s what I think.

Other Planet Trucks: A DKLB Review on Vimeo

There are several things I have to say about the video. First of all it was made in a rush for an unexpected deadline so I was forced to edit with a shortage of skate footage. It turned out alright though. The one major mistake that was made was the NAME OF THE DAMN TRUCKS. Haha... I filmed all the dialogue in a rush and didn't bother to double check the name of the trucks. In the video I say Other World but it's actually Other Planet... little mistake but it was embarrassing. Anyways I didn't explain some things as well as I would have liked to but it came out alright. If anyone is unclear as to some things (such as why I think the trucks are more stable than conventional trucks) don't be afraid to ask.

I also have to note that I didn't actually take these trucks faster than 50kmph. These prototypes simply were not read for that. However, once some of the bugs are worked out I think these trucks will be natural downhill trucks and I am looking forward to bombing hills with the newer prototypes!

Now, as a final note I would like to caution you. I encourage you to try something different and invest in creative products but as a consumer you must be weary. Not every product is worthy of your money and not every new design is progress. Still, I hope your next truck purchase will be an interesting one.

[SeanML]

I like it! Personally, I'd like to see independent split-axle steering... similar to steering in cars.

[guivans]

What a great post....
I fully agree with your point....we are definetly in a time of change.
Wheels technology has evolved like hell in the past years, and the same has happened with boards construction as well...apart from minor details, only trucks have kept their basic characteristics...
I also find that many designs could have been researched more deepen...for example, in a seismic truck, not use only a spring but a suspension set, just like in a car, a spring plus a "damper"??....
Have they tested it or not?Would this be to use as a rear slalom truck or donwhill one?

Apart from this, those New World trucks really seem well designed and with some thought into it...
Plus, the design of that white plastic part could really change its behaviour and provide some more diversity....
Can you update a bit more about those prototipes?

Once again, grats for the great post...
We need more stuff like this around here, and less "comments made by onlookers" kinda stuff....

[BottomShark]

Originally Posted by SeanML

I like it! Personally, I'd like to see independent split-axle steering... similar to steering in cars.

Maybe you could help them with some of your Rhinoceros skillz? and the S-Z collective could help with some machining?

[WillJ]

if they'll hold up to slappies, i'd ride some

[spoctopus]

SIIIIICK, i would really like these trucks
2 questions
1. how much are you shooting for price wise are they in the range of cast trucks? or more like precision pricing?
2. how do those o-rings hold up, thats the only thing i could see going rong, is if one of them broke

other then that, that really rad, id love to test some haha

[Aaron]

I agree with these points and I think there will be some interesting DH trucks coming along in the near future. The CNC trend is pretty boring from the design standpoint. It's kind of like CNC "makes" the truck, it might as well be a "turbo" sticker from the eighties or flaming "super chicken" from the seventies.

[sean94]

Originally Posted by spoctopus

SIIIIICK, i would really like these trucks
2 questions
1. how much are you shooting for price wise are they in the range of cast trucks? or more like precision pricing?
2. how do those o-rings hold up, thats the only thing i could see going rong, is if one of them broke

other then that, that really rad, id love to test some haha

The o-ring hold up shouldn't be a problem. I read in another thread that they are like 10 cents each and last like 4 months.

[bakersfield90]

Originally Posted by Aaron

I agree with these points and I think there will be some interesting DH trucks coming along in the near future. The CNC trend is pretty boring from the design standpoint. It's kind of like CNC "makes" the truck, it might as well be a "turbo" sticker from the eighties or flaming "super chicken" from the seventies.

Your logic fails. People only use CNC machines as tools to make trucks with superior metal and to make them more precisely.
You have obviously never ridden a set of said trucks.

Back on topic, interesting review Dimm. However, many of us do not have the funds to pay companies to test their prototypes for them. (Poor college kids.)

[deathfrog]

Looks great! Cam design will be the key. Cost? How do they compare height wise to a randal?

[xjason11x]

I just hope they aren't like $300. Who can i give credit for making these trucks? It seems pretty well thought out, when he took the truck apart and showed the cam it seemed like who ever thought this up is a freakin genius.


p.s.- for some reason I laughed my ass of when the car horn came on when you said shit

[Mercado]

Ill stick with my Indys. However those trucks remind me of a truck company from the late 90's called Jones. Check out the link

Jones Trucks on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[AJ]

Rubber and skateboarding doesnt mix, it disintegrates with road salt.

[sk8norcal]

They work nothing like the Jones trucks...

mechanically, they are a distant cousin of the Flowlab, deck tilt using a cam... (except Flowlab rides on the cam itself, stuck with only 1 single contact point per truck )

OtherPlanet have the cam sitting inside the truck/hanger..
its an interesting design, I would like to test ride it..

IMO, Dimm's post does a major disservice to this truck. Throwing out the '50 year old rollerskate design is crap' argument is just plain stupid..

Hopefully, OtherPlanet will know better than to use that argument in their marketing...

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by bakersfield90

Your logic fails. People only use CNC machines as tools to make trucks with superior metal and to make them more precisely.
You have obviously never ridden a set of said trucks.

There will be a time when I'll return the word "CNC" to its rightful place in the language but right now it means one thing...pretty trucks made from bar stock following the speed spring design (1975?). That's some ancient ideas for these times. Yes the geometries have evolved, the dimensions have too, and I'm glad for it. But from the design POV the number of fresh ideas is way disproportionate to the number of these trucks out there.

[ckpcw]

Originally Posted by Aaron

There will be a time when I'll return the word "CNC" to its rightful place in the language but right now it means one thing...pretty trucks made from bar stock following the speed spring design (1975?). That's some ancient ideas for these times. Yes the geometries have evolved, the dimensions have too, and I'm glad for it. But from the design POV the number of fresh ideas is way disproportionate to the number of these trucks out there.

I think some of this has to do with people's definition of a "skateboard." For many, the feeling of a traditional skateboard truck partly defines the skating experience. I've tried seismics, revenge, and originals, and I always seem to prefer traditional trucks, partly because I have an impression of how skating should feel. Do you consider a Carveboard a skateboard? How about a flowboard or freeboard? A ripstick?

What I'm saying is that, to many, "skateboard" means more than just a 4-wheeled platform with lean-activated steer - large design changes challenge people's assumptions about skateboards. Because of this, it is hard for new designs to become widely adopted.

That said, these trucks are cool! Almost picked up a set of Grom Biz trucks, it's cool to see innovative truck ideas.

[Chainmaillekid]

Originally Posted by sk8norcal

hopefully, OtherPlanet will know better than to use that argument in their marketing...

Oh, well don't you worry.
Our ears are open.

also,
@ Everyone asking questions about the price.
There are none availible ATM, but they've been going for $80 a truck.

However, once we get all the bugs worked out and invest in a mold, the price should go down some.

Truth is thougg, we're still making strides In the concept.
Which sounds good, bit its kinda a double edged sword.

We can't invest time in de-bugging, or money in molds when theres an update every week.

[stridey]

Interesting.

Id be worried about wear on the cam. Small amounts of wear in that area might lead to problems. Kind of looks like the way a wankel engine rotates and they were prone to wear.

Also, when you show the centre of gravity of the truck the board is flipped. I think the actual centre of gravity is different from where you think it is.

I do agree about the current number of CNC regular looking trucks for DH out there. I take the view that this will inevitably lead to innovation as people try to improve designs.

[ckpcw]

Originally Posted by stridey

Also, when you show the centre of gravity of the truck the board is flipped. I think the actual centre of gravity is different from where you think it is.

Indeed - I'd like to see the return-to-center of a suspended truck when the board is held deck-up.

[JudgeK]

Anyone seen the Czech made GOG Virage Lazer sliding baseplate truck thingy. Czech this website out. It's the top link BTW. Very nice looking functional mix it up design. App. Donald is pissed. Patent anyone.

http://mbcko.rajce.idnes.cz/truck_pr..._vyroben_v_CZ_..