Long distance pushing considerations

[aftermath]

Of all products to learn about in the longboarding catalog, trucks are the most mysterious to me. I think that I've finally cut through all of the noise generated by haters and fanboys to realize the obvious: truck choice should be governed by how you're going to be riding them and what you're going to mount them on (neglecting other important factors like budget, familiarity, and raw prejudice).

Sadly, long-distance pushing doesn't seem sexy enough to attract a dedicated truck discussion or fight (or, despite my best efforts, I haven't found it). I know that Jack Smith et al. used Independent 169 trucks on their trip across America, and Dave Cornthwaite is (ab)using Holeys on his psychotic pushing adventures this year. But somebody, please tell me, is truck selection really that crucial when you're "just" pushing? If so, what are the real considerations?

[easy]

Stable enough so the board isn't flopping all over the place - little extra margin for being off center; but still "turny" enough so you can keep the board under you. Good ol', conventional trucks probably are the best compromise - and cheaper.

[aftermath]

I guess by conventional trucks you mean non-torsion trucks. There's still a lot of diversity when it comes to conventional trucks. Is there a reason to believe that wider is better, or that one among the new crop of conventional trucks is better suited for pushing?

[pyrate]

i will be in a 6.2 mile push race using crail DH trucks with 88a bushings but theres some downhill involved as well.
http://jamesgrace.blogspot.com/2006/...oard-race.html

for straight pushing or going uphill IMO tighter trucks make it easier to push when youre worn out. wide trucks and board (149 or wider)will make it a bigger target and more stable. brand of trucks isn't much of an issue i would guess.

[easy]

I guess by conventional trucks you mean non-torsion trucks. There's still a lot of diversity when it comes to conventional trucks. Is there a reason to believe that wider is better, or that one among the new crop of conventional trucks is better suited for pushing?

Board width and wheels should be your guide; whatever it takes to put the edges of the wheels as wide as the board. Both for leverage and so you won't step on them pushing. Indys, Trackers are fine - good words about the Cores and they are at a better price point.

[Rabid Skunk]

My randals seem pretty good for long distance pushing as I often go on 15-20 miles skates. Combined with an evo, low to the ground = really easy to push. On tight corners I sometimes find myself wishing I had softer bearing in the front but I use it for downhill too. Conventional trucks like trackers would also probably be good for long distances.

[mac n cheese]

i would say something low to the ground like trackers or indys. i agree with easy with the wheels being even with your deck. its not fun when your foot hits your back wheel when pushing

[tofman]

i'm from holland and we do a lot of pushing there, because the country is pretty much flat. i used to ride a board with dropthrough indy 215's, sporting 70mm kryptoracecores. this was extremely nice to push along, because the platform was pretty low.
so i guess what i'm saying is, get your standing platform near the ground and i'd suggest to have a light setup aswell.
hope that's any use to you.

[silversurfer]

Sadly, long-distance pushing doesn't seem sexy enough to attract a dedicated truck discussion or fight (or, despite my best efforts, I haven't found it).

Ok you came to the right person.
I'll get you started.

(all you gotta do is make a strong insulting remark
about a product that is loved by most or a blanket statement about a particular being the best thing EVER!! Screw you if you don't agree)

Something like Randal R2 trucks are the best truck ever made for long distance pushing. Which is true.

So there you go, have at it.

Somebody, please tell me, is truck selection really that crucial when you're "just" pushing? If so, what are the real considerations?

Yes it's crucial.
More than one truck could work, but some would be disaterous.

The real considerations are stability, turniness and on center feel.
The Randal R2 180 has the best combination of the three.

With other trucks pick any two of those considerations and forget about the third.

I'd usually soften these statements by saying that these are my opinions
and that opinions can vary.

But you seem intent on creating some controvery and stirring the pot
a bit.

I like that.

[silversurfer]

Brand of trucks wouldn't matter I guess.

It's not the brand of truck that matters,
It's the geometry, design and bushings

Randal R2 180's or Indy 215's would probably be best
for long distance pushing.

But Chris Yandall skogs with extra loose Original's or Trackers.
www.skogging.com

And the skogging forum at ncdsa
http://www.ncdsa.com/74/Chris-Yandall-on-Skogging.htm

Skogging would be the best technique for long distance pushing IMO.

Wheels and deck are important for long distance pushing as well.

[aftermath]

I appreciate that guideline about using the trucks to align the wheels with the edges of the deck. That's very intuitive.

But you seem intent on creating some controvery and stirring the pot a bit.

Me, an agitator? You're giving me way too much credit there. I am not an incendiary device. Controversy can be a wonderful thing, but I'm more interested in a productive discussion about hardware consideration for long distance pushers. After all, I can tell some new guy like myself that a dropped platform and/or drop-through platform is a first class deck choice for long distance pushing. I can even explain to him why this is true. This information is re-revealed in thread after thread after thread around here (which I think is great). However, I couldn't tell that same new guy which set of trucks to consider. Even if I did manage to pick up and relay a hearsay recommendation (e.g. "use Indy 169s") then I still wouldn't have any real way to justify the recommendation (e.g. "because Jack Smith used them to skate across the USA").

"It's not the brand of truck that matters,
It's the geometry, design and bushings

Randal R2 180's or Indy 215's would probably be best
for long distance pushing. "

Now, we're getting somewhere! I can see the value of a loose truck up front, be that from a soft bushing or otherwise. I've seen the video evidence of Chris Yandall skogging, and his setup/style is almost too exciting for me. As a musician, I appreciate straddling the wall that separates being "out of control" and "being in control", but in my eyes Chris seems to be jumping back and forth over that wall rather than actually spending any time up on it. All kidding aside, I think that it looks like a wicked ride, but prefer a tighter setup for myself.

So, I get that the R2 is a nice "compromise" truck, but why? Is it the 50 degree pivot angle, or something even "math-ier"?

[silversurfer]

So, I get that the R2 is a nice "compromise" truck, but why? Is it the 50 degree pivot angle, or something even "math-ier"?

Check out this link below for the answer to your question.

http://www.nosewheelie.com/equip/trucks/randalii.html

You're not an agitator.
Just messin' with ya.
I'm the agitator.

[jshalvorsen]

Eh... SS, you have ALOT of really great answers, but the 180's and the 215's?? For looooong distance pushing you would want something quite narrow and low. Narrow to keep the pushing foot not too far from the standing foot. Cause if it's too far out on the side it will be uncomfortable to push for a long time. And low cause it take's alot of the stress off the standing foot.

Atleast if you plan on pushing regular, not skogging..

[silversurfer]

Eh... SS, you have ALOT of really great answers, but the 180's and the 215's?? For looooong distance pushing you would want something quite narrow and low. Narrow to keep the pushing foot not too far from the standing foot. Cause if it's too far out on the side it will be uncomfortable to push for a long time. And low cause it take's alot of the stress off the standing foot.

Thanks for the first statement.
Also thanks for adding your opinion.
Which I respect.

Did you check out the link in my post above?

I like wider trucks for pushing.
Gives me more stability and is easier to push and keep straight IMO.

And flipped R2 180's and Indy 215's are among the lowest trucks for pushing.

The deck is even more important for lowness.
A nice dropped deck works well.
I like some fast 76mm wheels and good bearings.
Makes a killer pushing rig.

[jshalvorsen]

Yeah, I can see the stability advantage. But I would still go narrower than 180. Flipped 150's with a pretty stiff bushing and dropped, or drop-through would probably be my weapon of choice. With a fairly long wheelbase.

Another solution would be a board long enough to leave your feet far enough away from the rear truck, so you could have randal dh's dropped or some flipped 180's and not be anywhere close to getting your foot stuck on the wheel even with a narrow deck.

[aftermath]

silversurfer- Thank you for the link. That's high-quality information.

Besides being more affordable, what is the advantage of a 76mm wheel over bigger options? Faster? Lower to the ground?

[silversurfer]

silversurfer- Thank you for the link. That's high-quality information. Besides being more affordable, what is the advantage of a 76mm wheel over bigger options? Faster? Lower to the ground?

Your welcome.

Smaller wheels (70mm and under) = faster acceleration

Larger wheels = higher top speed

76mm best compromise between acceleration and top speed.
Optimum size for long distance flat land pushing or pumping.

Oh 78mm Nicotine Prototypes are even better, so lets call it 76mm to 78mm. Including 77mm Abec 11 Strikers.

http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...light=nicotine

[ichiban]

Yo SS, what's up man. I'm just coming back to silverfish, I was wondering if you (and other people on the fish too) can entertain some questions of mine --


What's up with alot of people switching over Crail trucks? Any advantages over Randal besides quality control (correctly placed screw mounts, straighter axles, etc)? Would they be a viable long-distance push truck?


Thinking of investing in a set. Thanks.

[jshalvorsen]

Yo SS, what's up man. I'm just coming back to silverfish, I was wondering if you (and other people on the fish too) can entertain some questions of mine --


What's up with alot of people switching over Crail trucks? Any advantages over Randal besides quality control (correctly placed screw mounts, straighter axles, etc)? Would they be a viable long-distance push truck?


Thinking of investing in a set. Thanks.

It seems like people are getting tired of the old quality control issues. And therefore get the randal "killers" Crail, Holeys and Force if they can get their hands on some. Oh, and Crails seem to be great at both carving and high speeds, so that may also be a reason.

[Partyboypowell]

Yo SS, what's up man. I'm just coming back to silverfish, I was wondering if you (and other people on the fish too) can entertain some questions of mine --


What's up with alot of people switching over Crail trucks? Any advantages over Randal besides quality control (correctly placed screw mounts, straighter axles, etc)? Would they be a viable long-distance push truck?


Thinking of investing in a set. Thanks.

Welcome back, alot has changed in the last year.