Why Independent trucks are so DIFFERENT

There are a lot of differences between Independent trucks and Thunder trucks and these differences can change the way that the truck performs as you're skating them!

It is important to get the trucks that suit your skating the most and will benefit your style of skateboarding 🤓

[vancouvercarpenter]

I'm one of those people with the unpopular opinion that the trucks have actually gotten better since they moved. They had problems at Ermico too over the years. The stage 8 had a whole run of bending axles back in the early 2000"s. Broken baseplates on the stage 9. The stage 11 has suffered from the cracked hanger occasionally. I don't think it's as frequent as it was a few years ago. I think they've tightened it up since the early days of the move. Those forged plates on your beloved thunders are from China by the way.

[Matt_tenny]

Damn a 9.125 deck you ain’t riding a skateboard you are riding a surfboard with wheels 😂

[MattDahlberg]

Your local and crew are such a vibe. Love it!

[consecratedcardsofart]

I’m no pro, but I have been skating Independent Stage XI, Hollow Stage XI and Stage IV. They are all great. I’ve been comparing them with Thunders and Ace AF1. It’s no wonder I get a little overwhelmed when deciding which board to take to the park and often pack four to five in my trunk…😂😂😂 They all have a purpose and I’m feeling out the mini-fleet with various decks and wheels; so much to grow into!

[jonhollinsworth]

After 30 years of riding Indy’s I recently tried thunder lights and Ace Af1, and now returning back to Indy titanium 149. Couldn’t handle the geometry of the thunders, felt like I had to learn to skate again. The Aces felt a little better but had to switch out the bushings to the harder ones which makes the turn weird as in they just kind of turn easy and the stop turning. Got to say the Indy titanium 149s on an 8.5 or 8.38 are a great truck! Middle aged madness over! Keep up the good work, great session

[jeffli]

Just wanna point out the holes are drilled on the baseplates in different positions - nobody really points this out much, but it definitely affects the way they turn and feel compared to each other, as well as how stiff they make the tail feel.

Also, living over here in Asia, I’m pretty sure thunder at least has a factory making trucks in China. Thunders cost considerably less over here compared to Indy’s, so there’s no way imported thunders could cost less than locally made Indy’s….

You should now do a comparison with venture hi’s, I feel like they’re kinda like a combination of Indy and thunder haha

[MikkoHenrikki]

Just got myself Indy stage 4 size 151 for curiosity. Amazing turn and no wheelbite. Just one session behind, but first impression really good. I have tried thunders and aces, but always return to indys. All time favourite truck independent hollow 159.

[SuperDanimal]

I was an Indy lifer but made the switch to Thunders a few years ago as my ledge, rail and flatground improved. I pretty much only skate smooth skateparks and straight line setups, before I was focused on wallies and slappies in the streets.

[kennynewell]

Seems like you go a pretty cool squad at the park. Looked like a fun session. Cool video.

[BNGERSON]

Thunders on a 14” wheelbase feels perfect to me.

[DominiqFour]

lol kid at 4:05 is definitely getting a board for Christmas

[BLVCKSEA]

Been skating since 96' and have tried most of the major truck brands..From Ventures, Tensors, Trackers, Gullwings, Krux, Silver, Fury's, Indy, Thunders and Aces. In my first years of skating my setup was super small..7.4 board and 48mm wheels and I would mainly skate Ventures..as I progressed in skating, my setup started getting bigger, wider board, bigger wheels and wider trucks. Around 2002 was the last time I rode a pair of Ventures and switched to Thunders..7.8 board with 7.75 Thunders and 51mm wheels..fast forward to 2023 and now I ride an 8.5 board with 149mm Indy's and 54mm spitfires...now that I've tried almost very truck under the rainbow, i will only skate Indy's or Aces. Best turning without having to get Bones Bushings. Worst trucks out of the bunch are Krux Truck...but thats just my opinion.

[micksterminator]

I guess I never dealt with breaking since im still riding stage 10s from like 2008 lol. I vowed never to ride thunders again after three pairs warped around the same time

[amadousy]

I’ve had pre and post china Indys and neither have ever broken, indys and thunder are the 2 best trucks IMO. I like indys cause i don’t need risers or bushings but thunders have unparalleled control

[blaiseailey]

The only real issue with buying Chinese should be ethical, not a quality concern. If you want American goods to be cheaper, you'll buy American.

[keithreynolds]

Since I got my first part of Indy 169's Hollows a few years back I've wanted to skate nothing else. They just suit my style. I put em under decks from 8.6 all the way up to 10". I just love em. I mainly skate bowls & pools.
I have never had any issues with them. The only thing I change are the bushings. I always swap em out for Bones Hard Bushings.

[JohnArmy]

It looks like the base plate on the Indy's with the cracked axle have the cross stamp on them, which if that's the case those were made in USA. They stopped putting the stamps on the base plates when they switched to China.

[williamdefortier]

I would change the bushings to bones hard-core. Makes a big difference to your trucks

[Chill_with_nich]

Do you think that Thunder is better for grinding rails? I think Thunders is locking in better because they are a lower truck.

[peruperu-jjzs]

I just couldn’t get thunder to get as loose as I wanted without suffering from major wheel bite. Switched to Indy and never looked back