Smoothstar Thruster D Review: Is it Truly a 'Game-Changer'?

In this video I review the new Smoothstar Thruster D and compare it to the old Thruster 1, as well as all the top surfskate trucks.

VIDEO TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Differences Between Thruster 1 and Thruster D
04:20 Is the Thruster D Lighter than the Thruster 1?
05:31 Who and What is the Thruster D Best For?
06:04 Is the Thruster D a Game-Changer? 06:54 Thruster 1 and Thruster D Price Comparison
07:44 Review from Surfer Ace Allan

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[alchemydance]

Steve, Excellent video and written review on your blog! I have been undecided for months about the SpiceSkate Okto. It was a tremendous help now that you have done in-depth reviews of both the Okto and Thruster D.

I went with the Thruster D on the Filipe Toledo 32.5” based on your reviews. Also I appreciate that you travelled to San Diego for the opinion of a surfer, AceHypnotika.

I also own the Thruster 1 and look forward to comparing both, plus experimenting with different decks like the Soulboardiy and WhiteTail TigerShark. I’m always in search of the perfect ride. Aloha from Maui. Keep up the great work and thank you!

[JFKaufmann]

Fantastic review Steve, all the knowledge that you have acquired to elaborate the surfskate selector is shining through.
In regards to the Thruster D, I have the impression that they followed a similar path than the Yow Meraki with their older system: less offset and a one piece truck-system. Looking forward on seeing more great content from your channel.
Cheers from Spain!

[frederickhartray]

You have the best surfskate reviews! Keep up the good work.

[roptional]

Thank you so much for this. This video has made me decide for both a spiceskate and the thruster.

Greetings from Barcelona!

You rock!❤

[elliotboey]

Boys. BOYS. great job covering the thruster D! Gotta agree with the weirdness of the c7 and Swelltech. And gotta try getting on a smoothstar again to see how it feels, never really gave it a chance.

[Oniverso]

Hello. Thank you for all the information and the very detailed instructions! In addition to the practical and objective contribution that Ace tells us, this is very important compared to other brands!

[michalmularski]

Well Steve you just messed up my order of things as really do not want to buy another board, but Ace just planted a seed of doubt in me, especially hearing that he puts it above thruster 1 and swelly which are two favorite systems. I’m not playing to upgrade now but we will see for how long I will hold on.
Great work guys 👍🏻

[MrConfo]

Thanks Steve and Ace for this video. For me it makes a lot of sense to prefer a system that allow à wider stance. It's good for security, versatility and makes the ride closer than real surfing because you know you can eventually move a little your front foot during the ride, as we do in real surfing. I don't talk about Smoothstar i've never tried, exacly because their old system shorten too much the stance. I use CX as first, Slide as second and i did not kept Meraki clone because of too much reducing stance, even if the ride where cool. In my opinion, the pushback water Ace talks makes than considering the looser system as the pure surf trainer does not catch my experience of water surfing (longboard + sup), but i appreciate the huge work of Steve and understand his approach on this point.

[ciretose]

Great review Steve. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. One thing that I really like are the new decks. Maybe Smooth Star has seen your videos. Now almost all of their decks have a wide rectangular tail 🤩. I can't wait to pick up my new Manta Ray tomorow from the post office 😁.

[haywardbutler]

Hey Steve, nice informative video. I hope that you and Ace will get a chance to test the new Long Island Mossel surfskate with the Lean Genesis trucks. Shane Lai just put out a nice review. I asked him if he had heard about the Mossel and before I new it, he had purchased one and had made an instructional video using it. Then I asked him about a review and shortly afterwards he came out with one. They are selling really fast here in Europe. I would like to hear Aces thoughts as a surfer as this is why I got started. Also his and your thoughts in the bowl and on transitions. This is where I do most of my riding. Thanks.
Regards, Hayward

[volkanakbas]

Very nice recap. Thank you very much for your exertion 🤙🏻

[BigT-dpqd]

Great video thanks. This totally helps me .

[nateross]

Good info in this video. The old Thruster is definitely not obsolete though for certain applications, and could still be preferable for those who like to ride londer boards. I like to see and feel more board under my feet. There is a segment of Surfskaters who ride 40" and longer boards, and the original Thrusters offset is a huge benefit in this application to shorten up the wheelbase for someone wanting a long board but shorter more nimble wheelbase.

[maxxawesome]

If going for smooth star thruster d, which deck would you ride? From previous videos of yours, my stance seems similar to yours. I’m 5’8” 160 lbs and stance was somewhere around 18”.

The Toledo 77 looks cool but from your other videos, and with the new system allowing even shorter length, I wonder if it would be too long a deck. New to surf skates and looking for a surf trainer mostly.

Thanks for all the detailed videos!

[J_.-]

Great informative vids! Could you please do a review on the new Globe Zuma surfskate with slant magnesium surf skate trucks? 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I haven’t seen any vids on that yet! I’m very curious to see how you rank it and how it compares to some of your favorites…Thanks!!!

[brandonohman]

You should really try a streetboard, or specifically a Dragan board, I have the Cruiser with toe hooks and the Classic freestyle model with full strap bindings. Both are super fun, I love all my surfskates: Carver CX, Smoothstar, Swelltech, Hamboard, & Waterborne adapters. But I have the most fun on my Dragan boards. They are not the best for transportation but they’re great for having fun in a small area. Fun in the house or a driveway, can even turn circles in small sidewalk square. You can lean hard into turns and not have the wheels slip out. With practice you can ride a skatepark with the freestyle model with straps and air out of vert or do slides or grinds.

[rickyo.]

Yup, I just got the 32.5 #77. Delicious to ride … although I did change the wheels for my conditions. The lager and smaller wheel set up is a little unusual for me

[ferdilizardking]

Hey Steve thanks for this video, i really like your approach to the surfskates you really my guide through this, i just wanted to ask if we can can have a deep review of the Thruster D truck i mean if you can open that system and explain more cause is still dificult to find a video.
I got one Smoothstar Toledo 32.5 Thruster D and i have opened it and lubrificated the system but i think i have a problem with the Tension Arm, if you could explain something deeper about this system id appreciate that.
Thanks and keep giving us your amazing videos about the surfskates

[djmuli]

Just got my smoothstar and absolutely love it. Such a nice ride! More surf like than my Carver. I think I’ll keep my carver for the park and smoothstar for street

[imppao]

Great review! It seems to me that Ace is riding the 34″ Connor O'Leary THD ! Is that true? Thanks, paolo