Seismic vs. Revenge vs. Original

[LTRS]

Okay. Now that I own all 3 types of skateboard trucks, I can finally compare them.

The Revenge are on a Surf One Classic with 70mm wheels and 1/8" riser pads.

The Seismics are on a Surf One No Ka Oi with 65mm wheels and 1/2" riser pads.

The Originals are on an Original Skateboards Torpedo 40 with 65mm wheels and 3/4" riser pads.

Not only did I ride all 3 in a skatepark over a few days, I actually took all 3 boards to a parking garage and skated all three, one after the other, switching back and forth, for about an hour. Rode one for a minute or two, a bunch of ways. Carved it. Rode switch. Got going fast. Pump carved a little. Then I'd switch decks and do the same thing. Over and over, I kept on testing them out like this, just so I could truly get the feel for all 3 trucks and note the differences.

Before I start talking about these trucks, let me note three important things.

1. The wheelbase of a deck and the weight of the rider are vital factors in determining the ease or difficulty or turning a board. Naturally a heavier rider will initiate a turn easier. Shorter wheelbases also turn sharper.
2. Note that both Seismics and Originals use springs to generate their turning resistance and to center the trucks. Both manufacturers offer various levels of spring-tension to change the performance of the trucks. Personally, I haven't seen how different springs perform. I didn't get a bunch of different springs. I just ran what was stock. For my comparisons, I'm ONLY comparing Seismic 45-degree 155mm with light-blue springs and Original S6 with black springs. These are the some of the fastest-turning and most-carveable combinations you can get with these trucks.
3. The final important note - riser pads. None of my test boards get wheelbite. However, the turning capabilities of most trucks will be significantly altered by the height of riser pads. Pay attention to the riser height. It's important.

Having noted those caveats, here are my observations...

First of all, Original trucks are in a league of their own. You can't compare them to the others. So, let's set those aside for now. Let's compare Seismics with Revenge.

Seismics and Revenge share a lot of similarities and differences.

Revenge trucks turn just about as far as Seismics. But, compared to Seismics, the Revenge trucks are harder to turn. Why? I'm not positive but, my theory is since the Revenge trucks still use a urethane bushing, the resistance increases as you lean. So, I think you can actually carve them deeper than a Seismic. However, in order to achieve that deeper carve, you have to lean a lot harder and they are pushing back against you and resisting much harder.

Seismics on the other hand, since they use springs with a decreasing tension, are VERY responsive and predictable. As you lean, the resistance remains consistent. So, unlike trucks which use urethane bushings, you don't have to "lean harder" to deepen your carve. You simply continue to lean with the same pressure and they keep dropping. Seismics offer a very foreseeable turn with a manageable and dependable lean.

The "bushings vs. springs" issue also provides another important difference - spring-based trucks don't get "stuck" in a turn. Have you ever fallen off a bushing-based skateboard after a hard lean? What happens? The board rolls away, continuing to turn in the same direction. Why? Because the urethane bushings "hold their shape" and remain squished in that direction. This is what prevents urethane bushing trucks from being responsive. They never precisely "snap back" to center and right themselves.

Seismic trucks don't suffer from that problem.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Oh, who cares? The board still turns when you lean on it. What difference does it make that it's not going in a straight line when I fall off?"

Well, you're right. It doesn't make any difference when you fall off. What DOES matter is when you are riding the board, it will never center itself properly. You have to realign the deck on your own. This is what I mean by bushing-based trucks not being responsive - they don't react to the turns properly. They never perfectly realign on their own after a hard carve.

So, think about it - this means you have to fight the trucks to press down in your maximum lean, then you have to fight them to go back in a straight line. Subtle difference, perhaps. But vital to sharp performance. Wouldn't it be cool if trucks did the opposite? What if trucks did NOT fight you in the turn and instead provided consistent resistance then snapped back and straightened out perfectly when you wanted?

That's exactly what Seismics and Originals do.

Saying all this, it may sound like I'm down on Revenge trucks. Not at all. I think Revenge are a very cool and innovative design. They look sexy as hell and have a very sleek aesthetic. The fact that you can run them with 70mm wheels on a super wide deck, without wheelwells or riser pads, and still get ZERO wheelbite is quite an impressive feat of engineering. If you are accustomed to traditional trucks, and you like the way they ride, and want something very stable that simply carves a lot deeper, Revenge are the way to go.

Although I love deep carves and Revenge Trucks do turn sharper than Seismics, they are more difficult to initiate the turn and harder to hold the carve. On flats, you may prefer Seismics, because they turn consistently easier. In skateparks, you may prefer Revenge, because they turn the same as a Seismic until you really crank down the lean, then they carve even farther. Revenge are great skatepark trucks because they are very carveable, yet very stable. (Ironic because in their own literature, they claim - "Revenge trucks are too performance oriented for traditional transition-based skateboarding" - when the truth is, they are very stable for parks.)

Now let's get to Originals.

Wow.

Originals carve like nothing else I've ever ridden. Go watch their videos. You'll see what I mean. Or watch some videos of Hamboards - that was how I first discovered Originals, in fact. I saw the Hamboards website and checked out the carves those guys were getting and I flipped out. I was like, "Huh!? I've never seen ANYTHING carve like that. How are they DOING that!?"

Original Skateboards S6 Trucks is how the Hamboard boys do it.

If there was ever a truck that you can say, "These are not for everybody." it would be Originals. I completely love my Originals. But, I can also see why some people would hate them. They change the way a skateboard rides so dramatically, it's like you're riding a snowboard or a surfboard on land. If a skater is into doing their kickflippy stuff or bombing a downhill run, you're definitely NOT gonna want something that turns like a surfboard.

Like the Seismic trucks, the Originals use a spring instead of a bushing. However, where Seismics use 2 springs set at a 45-degree angle to push against the hangar, the Originals use a single coil spring wrapped around the kingpin. It's a very weird and neat design.

Again, like Seismics, the Originals provide a very consistent lean and resistance. You don't have to "shove harder" to make the carve deepen. You just lean more and it drops. And, yes, they snap back to center perfectly everytime.

However, you should know that stock Original trucks on the black springs can actually be turned by hand - they are THAT easy to move. So, if you're not a stable skater, it's gonna take some practice. Remember, the Original S6 trucks are CARVERS. Not something for a popsicle stick street deck. Not something for a hardcore 40MPH downhill. These are for wicked-sharp skatepark carves and fun beach cruising and pedestrian-slalom.

One final note on all 3 trucks - they all perform great in a skatepark and are loads of fun. Don't bolt them to your board and immediately go down the roll-in for the 13 foot bowl though! That could be bad! Skate these suckers on flat ground for an hour or two and get used to them first.

So, let us review the performance of each...

MOST STABLE:
(Going in a straight line, which is the least wobbly and stays rolling straight the easiest?)
Revenge
Seismics
Originals

DEEPEST CARVES:
(Which is going to turn the sharpest?)
Original
Revenge
Seismics

EASIEST CARVES:
(Which is going to "fight back" against your turn the least?)
Original
Seismics
Revenge

MOST RESPONSIVE:
(Which is going to snap back to center the hardest?)
Seismics
Original
Revenge

Again, it is important to note that I am comparing Seismic 45-degree 155mm with light-blue springs and Original S6 with black springs. So, for example, an Original with white springs (which are much harder) might rank higher on MOST RESPONSIVE and offer far more resistance than the Seismic. Or, changing the Seismic springs could change their ranking on the MOST STABLE list too. Keep these things in mind.

Conclusion:
If you want deep turning, yet stable trucks, that really require some effort to turn, Revenge.
If you want smooth and predictable trucks, that turn really easy, with consistent force, Seismic.
If you want the tightest carves ever, and are willing to practice on them, Original.

Hope this little write-up has helped those of you who are thinking about these different trucks. All 3 trucks are fantastic. All 3 trucks offer different performance characteristics. Don't let anyone tell you that one "sucks" and the other one "rules" and one is "better" than another. That simply is not true. They are DIFFERENT from each other, not superior or inferior. Depending upon your style, you may enjoy riding one more than another. If you haven't tried them out, I hope you now have a slightly better understanding of what those differences are and it helps you to make a decision which ones you want to try.

Now get off the Internet and go skate!

[BirdmanMD2011]

sticky this. great thread

[pavedwave]

Great write up-- one of the only differences I find is Seismics being generally a lot more stable than Revenges anywhere over 20mph. I'm pretty sure you'd find that as well if you go through several sets of spring options.

There's also a lot of tweaking with Seismics that you don't get with Revenge. For "Adjustability" I'd rank them most flexible to least...

1. seismics (many spring options based on weight, and ability to tighten / loosen each)
2. originals (some cam + spring options, and ability to tighten / loosen)
3. revenge (other than changing bushings, not really adjustable)


Nice job on an objective / technical review!

[msm007]

Really well done review. I wish more people on the Fish would do reviews like this.

[Auburnsky1287]

Not a bad review at all. Though you failed to mention that Seismics are engineered as a pumping truck. I wouldn't go as far to say its strictly a slalom truck, (some slalom racers use a seismic in the back) but they were engineered with pumping in mind. (45/30 angles)

Then again, for insanely sketchy surf style pumping (think thruster boards) most people put a revenge in the back because it never out-turns the insanely floppy front truck. You could probably opt for an original in the front to replace the thruster.....

[tinypete]

Awesome review. If you feel like it, click the link in my sig and add it to that thread. I'm trying to get a thread full of comparisons between different products, and this seems perfect for it.
But if you don't want to, thats cool.

[pavedwave]

All 3 trucks offer different performance characteristics. Don't let anyone tell you that one "sucks" and the other one "rules" and one is "better" than another. That simply is not true. They are DIFFERENT from each other, not superior or inferior. Depending upon your style, you may enjoy riding one more than another.

I'd add to your 'style' point, that a skater's purpose / intention for the truck is the most important premise, that their entire review is based around. We often see overly subjective comments where someone's reviewing (for example) a loose surfy Original carving truck from a heavy DH bias.

[Barf]

Sweet, thanks! I've been waiting forever to see a proper comparison between these three. I ride Originals now, and I recently picked up some Revenges that I haven't had a chance to really use yet, but the Seismics are still a mystery to me. Sounds like I might like some!

[LTRS]

Thanks for all the positive response. Glad to see everyone likes it.

I was so intrigued by all 3 of these trucks. But, I never found anything that really compared them and spoke about the differences between each one. So, I rode them all and wrote what I wished someone else had written.

[tinypete]

You made me want to get Seismics.

[LTRS]

You made me want to get Seismics.

Seismics are super fun. I just got home from riding my Seismics on the bike trail. I've been working on pushing and riding switchfoot.

Funny, but my Originals are just WAY too twitchy to practice that. I can carve my Originals across vert in 8 foot bowls at the skatepark without thinking about it. But make me ride switchfoot on a flat biketrail and I'm stumbling all over the place. The Seismics are way more stable and a lot easier to practice on.

[cilibird]

Seismics are super fun. I just got home from riding my Seismics on the bike trail. I've been working on pushing and riding switchfoot.

Funny, but my Originals are just WAY too twitchy to practice that. I can carve my Originals across vert in 8 foot bowls at the skatepark without thinking about it. But make me ride switchfoot on a flat biketrail and I'm stumbling all over the place. The Seismics are way more stable and a lot easier to practice on.

hmmm, good point, i haven't thought of how hard it would be riding switch on originals . and what about doing standup slides? how do the original trucks fair in that area?

[duanelr]

Thanks for the in depth write up although I may disagree with just a few of your point It was a good read.

urethane bushings "hold their shape" and remain squished in that direction. This is what prevents urethane bushing trucks from being responsive. They never precisely "snap back" to center and right themselves.

Please excuse my harsh reaction but what a bunch of hooey! If your bearings squeak that doesn't mean all bearings are bad, Just yours. If your trucks don't return to center then fix your trucks! This is easy, with Revenge trucks, take silicone lubricant and squirt it on the bushing. In fact have you seen the wear pattern on the king pin that the bushing surrounds? That's a point of friction too; take the hangar off and lubricate the king pin! When I do this I find I need to tighten the king pin nut even more because now they feel looser. But damn what a nice feeling.

They never precisely "snap back" to center and right themselves.

No, they very much do snap back.

[Barf]

Thanks for the in depth write up although I may disagree with just a few of your point It was a good read.


Please excuse my harsh reaction but what a bunch of hooey! If your bearings squeak that doesn't mean all bearings are bad, Just yours. If your trucks don't return to center then fix your trucks! This is easy, with Revenge trucks, take silicone lubricant and squirt it on the bushing. In fact have you seen the wear pattern on the king pin that the bushing surrounds? That's a point of friction too; take the hangar off and lubricate the king pin! When I do this I find I need to tighten the king pin nut even more because now they feel looser. But damn what a nice feeling.


No, they very much do snap back.

Very interesting, thanks! I ride Originals, but I recently picked up a set of Revenges to see what they're like, since they seem to be the "other" super-carve truck that people love. They got their first workout last night, and my initial response was similar to the OP's. They carved well, but they squeaked, and felt mushy and not very snappy. I was thinking the squeaking might well have been lack of lubrication around the bushing, but for some reason it never occurred to me that lube might improve the action as well. I'll definitely try that and give 'em another go.

[Undying]

Sticky. Good work!

[FellLucifer]

alright I had one question though. I was wondering about maintenance of the Original and Seismic trucks because they use springs. Reading some reviews on silverfish about Seismic trucks, it says its a pain in the ass to take care of the trucks. Any thoughts about maintenance, oiling, etc?

[LTRS]

alright I had one question though. I was wondering about maintenance of the Original and Seismic trucks because they use springs. Reading some reviews on silverfish about Seismic trucks, it says its a pain in the ass to take care of the trucks. Any thoughts about maintenance, oiling, etc?

I haven't had any issues with the Seismic trucks. Mine have been just as maintainence-free as trucks with bushings.

Originals - I've had 2 sets come loose after riding only a few hundred feet. To prevent that from happening, I recommend adding a lockwasher and/or an e-clip to the kingpin. I talk about that more here:
Original Trucks - My Kingpin Modification

The modification costs about $0.11 and takes 60 seconds to fix. Other than that, I've had no problems with my Originals either.

[EthanOBrien]

I've been riding Seismics heavily for about 3-4 years. I think they are great carving trucks but also kind of a pain.I cracked the baseplates after a couple years on every board with seismics. Seismics are complex trucks that need to be checked/maintained often. If the trucks are not inspected/tightened the whole assembly can come loose (while you are riding). But as long as you maintain them they are fine (unlike randals when you never know when the kingpin will snap)
I think seismics are a pain to mount and configure, as well. But the ride is sweet.
I'm now trying Originals, and find them to be simpler and just as good as the seismics. I have no idea about the wear and tear on originals yet, tho.

I haven't had any issues with the Seismic trucks. Mine have been just as maintainence-free as trucks with bushings.

Originals - I've had 2 sets come loose after riding only a few hundred feet. To prevent that from happening, I recommend adding a lockwasher and/or an e-clip to the kingpin. I talk about that more here:
Original Trucks - My Kingpin Modification

The modification costs about $0.11 and takes 60 seconds to fix. Other than that, I've had no problems with my Originals either.

[SeanML]

Great review! I really want to try out revenges and seismics, but I don't know anyone who has them... =[

Perhaps include Sidewinders in this list? They certainly fit into the "super-carve" and "unusual" categories.


And a note on return-to-center: The progressive resistance of urethane bushings doesn't just mean it gets harder to turn them as you turn more, but it also gets easier to turn them as you turn less... if you follow me. The closer the trucks get to going straight, as you're coming out of the turn, the less resistance they have - I'm not sure about seismics, but something about the mechanics of Originals really just pushes you back to center, no matter how close you are. In some cases, I like the ability to make tiny adjustments to my turning - Originals can't do this as easily; it's harder to gauge just how much adjustment you're going to get.

[LTRS]

Great review!

Perhaps include Sidewinders in this list? They certainly fit into the "super-carve" and "unusual" categories.

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

I've never ridden Sidewinders, so I can't compare them to the others.