Virage Slalom Trucks

**Looptail** · 08-27-2009 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by stridey

AND....News!!!!!!

Virage 'Vite'...(pronounced 'veet') The button has been pressed...Quick turning Bennett hanger compatible baseplate, sold singly, also mating to two new hanger width with the unique Virage axle system. Baseplate incorporates angle and height meaning that risers will be minimised, just like the Virage Slalom and Virage LDPs. Incorporates a spherical bearing in the hanger, and a machined conventional pivot fitting a small Khiro cup. This is designed to be a front tight slalom truck and also a front LDP truck in a wider width.

Available soon.....along with a totally unique doobery that we wont reveal until its for sale!

Excellent, Michael!
Two questions:

1. So the tall hanger is designed to mimimise risers? What if people WANT to add some wedging - Will it end up over-tall? Or steer weirdly?

2. Sounds, in principle, like an alternative choice to a certain other new European design that's currently available as "hanger only" - Will the price be similar?

Cheers.

**gavmck** · 08-27-2009 09:54 AM

Waaah I had a go on Strideys slalom board with virages last weekend!

WAAAH!!! STICK! TURN! PUUUMMPPPP!

That was pretty much the thoughts going through my head at the time, it was nuts. what was also cool is it was the most unwedged slalom setup ever. Just 2x 1/4" metal risers...

**stridey** · 08-27-2009 11:31 AM

1. So the tall hanger is designed to mimimise risers? What if people WANT to add some wedging - Will it end up over-tall? Or steer weirdly?

The hanger is pretty much the same height as a Lazer or Bennett, its the baseplate that has the extra height in it, about the same as racers add. If you want to add wedge we have 5 and 3 degree baseplates to match that have a VERY thin face to them. We realise not everyone uses the same angles, and everything is a compromise of sorts, but we aim to reduce slop as much as possible.

2. Sounds, in principle, like an alternative choice to a certain other new European design that's currently available as "hanger only" - Will the price be similar?

I think the word 'available' is not quite correct. I haven't been able to get any for two months...at least. Price...No reason why they wont be similar, in fact our truck hanger is just one piece of cnc, with two axles and a stock imperial spherical which matches imperial (US) kingpins better, snugger, added . No studs.

**stridey** · 08-27-2009 11:39 AM

If you do make a DH hanger,

The problem is there are so many good cnc dh bits out there, but I'm flattered by how many people have asked me to develop a DH truck. I hope to have something by early 2010. And I note your request on widths.

What we have learnt is that the inverted axle design really does improve wheel placement, and structural integrity seems fine as we have had no breakages of axles or hangers. The only problems have been rear hanger failure on the bushing seat on a few early trucks (everyone who had a problem has had the hanger replaced free of charge with the new thicker seat version). We also had a rear kingpin break, odd, as its been the only one and we really though the front was the area that could show wear, much like other trucks of a similar style.

**stridey** · 08-27-2009 11:48 AM

**le roublard** · 08-27-2009 11:56 AM

i'm a purchaser of the first batch of rear, what was the problem with the bushing seat?
i never had a problem, but i don't use it very often.

VGV

**stridey** · 08-27-2009 12:28 PM

I should add, neither have I had a problem, and I ride hard!!!
The problem was the bushing seat on the rear can break, but its not a catostrophic failure, so not a saftey issue...all that will happen is that the rear hanger will lean one way, and feel odd. When dismantled the break is obvious, like a shear.

If yours hasnt broken do check every now and again, but its likely it will never fail...

I have said that ANY trucks that fail within two years of purchase will have free replacement parts, specifically to allow for people that maybe dont ride often.

**Looptail** · 08-27-2009 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by stridey

I think the word 'available' is not quite correct. I haven't been able to get any for two months...at least.

Same over here, but I think a new run is due soon.

Originally Posted by stridey

stock imperial spherical which matches imperial (US) kingpins better, snugger, added . No studs.

Outside the US and UK, imperial means you can only source kingpin and axle nylocs from a skate shop, instead of any DIY store. Where would I find a replacement imperial spherical in Europe? European truck: Why not turn the tables? - It wouldn't be difficult for US skate shops to carry the occasional "non-standard" metric nut or washer? 100% metric - It's the future.

But the Vite axles and axle lock-nuts are 8mm, right?

Originally Posted by stridey

two new hanger width
Available soon.....along with a totally unique doobery that we wont reveal until its for sale!

100mm? 106mm? Extra spacers?

Unique feature: Bottle opener? (please!)

Sorry - I'm jumping on the Silverfish hype-wagon a bit here

**stridey** · 08-27-2009 02:57 PM

Where would I find a replacement imperial spherical in Europe? European truck: Why not turn the tables? - It wouldn't be difficult for US skate shops to carry the occasional "non-standard" metric nut or washer? 100% metric - It's the future

Agreed, Metric is easy, but US wont change. Fact is the UK is not fully there, we still buy wood in 6 foot x 4 , and all our tape measures have both systems marked on them.

Sourcing Imperial sphericals isnt that hard as many old British cars used them. I get mine from a specialist car part company. I use imperial so they fit the standard US grade 8 Kingpin.

One reason we use the US grade 8 kingpin is that it is readily available in the US, but THE major factor is that what we in Europe call 8.8 scale is in fact equivelent to US grade 5...really not advisable to use. I know of quite a few European stores that sell Grade 8.8, as they are cheap, but they are NOT the same as USGrade 8.

We use 8mm (well just under) to fit Metric 608 bearings better than the usual Imperial Axles that really arnt optimal at all. I used metric nuts on the axles because I can source those easily and are compatible with Kahalani, and Gog....AND I can get Left Handed nuts too. Actually I suppfose I could have used standard Imperial nuts, but I just felt that using metric ones was better, easier , as if they were imperial people might constantly lose the left handed threaded nut.

as for the secret item.....it will not be shown until its made and on the site for sale...I dont want anyone copying it!

**stridey** · 09-13-2009 11:20 AM

Ive added some video clips to help explain about the slalom and LDP Virages. Hope they are of interest. The slaes page is here: http://www.octanesport.co.uk/shop/ca...sult/?q=virage

YouTube - Octane Sport Virage truck removal

YouTube - Octane Sport virage rear truck details

YouTube - Octane Sport Virage Truck front...

YouTube - Octane Sport Virage Truck explanation

YouTube - VirageCNC 0001

**stridey** · 09-16-2009 12:40 PM

My machinist used to skate. Well actually he now does -again! He finally got a setup to ride to work. He seems happy.

**GPymp** · 10-04-2009 11:08 AM

I was killin' it at The Poage Landing Days GS hill last month. a.k.a Kentucky Fried Cone Fest 2009

Me, Bucky and my rear Virage.

**stridey** · 10-21-2009 08:49 AM

Update...now in the machine,

top two pics are pretty much the final stage of hangers (minus the spherical) and a sneak at one of the prototype composite baseplate I'm testing.Very lightweight.

**pavedwave** · 10-21-2009 09:37 AM

The VITE...

RADness!!!

**stridey** · 11-04-2009 10:31 AM

More pics of the Virage Vite (slalom front truck) , we have a few little tweaks and fettling to do (mainly cosmetic to thge baseplate to help is visually match the hanger better, and a small mod to the hanger)...hopefully ready to take orders next week.

The little 'trough' or channel for the mounting nuts works really well. And allows for a good tight setup. In practice the nut is easily held in place by a finger and doing up the bolt with just a hex key or a phillips head was super easy.

**stridey** · 11-26-2009 05:39 AM

Picking these up later..with baseplates to match. We have been playing around with the aesthetics of the new tight slalom truck. Sets are being sent stateside for testing for LDP, where angle and width may need to be changed.

**stridey** · 11-26-2009 06:10 AM

More views, there will be Virage branding on some of the faces,:

**GliderSquirrel** · 10-01-2011 05:13 PM

Hey, sorry to bump after 2 years but does anyone know if you can buy the axles separately, and also how long the axles are. Cheers

**GliderSquirrel** · 10-03-2011 02:13 AM

Bumpity bump?

**stridey** · 10-07-2011 06:14 AM

We do sell axles if you need them. The come in two lengths, one for the wider LDP version. Some people use these in the slalom versions and a 10mm spacer to give them a wider option should they need it.
contact me at sales@octanesport.com