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Skating has evolved a significant amount since the days of Tony Hawk and Danny Way. In fact, my first board was a cheap Nash board that my parents bought at a local toy store. At the time, I thought I had the greatest board in the world. It only had one tail, but that did the trick when I was first learning to ride. Then things started getting a bit more serious. Shops were opening with custom parts, the hard plastic wheels that I was used to were replaced with the newer wheels which were much smoother and in time Hawk pulled his first 1080. Now we are at a point where boarders aren’t just looking to pull off big tricks and perfect the half-pipe, instead, people ride to get places. Longboards are becoming increasingly popular by the day and do it yourself boards seem to be the new badge of honor in the community. While longboards are easy enough to find, the time and care that boarders put into building their own boards, makes this a hobby that has built a tight-knit community with build ideas and assistance on sites like Reddit and local parks seeing an increase in longboarders riding on what used to be jogging paths. Top Longboard Trucks Comparison Chart PictureNameWidthPriceWhere to Buy? 1. Paris V3 180mm 50° Longboard Skateboard Trucks180mm$$$$Check Price on Amazon 2. Gullwing Sidewider II Trucks9"$$$Check Price on Amazon 3. Cal 7 180mm Trucks with Wheels, Bearings and Hardware180mm$$$Check Price on Amazon 4. Paris V2 180mm Longboard Trucks and Riser Pads180mm$$$Check Price on Amazon 5. Bear Grizzly Longboard Trucks 181mm$$$$Check Price on Amazon 6. 50 180mm Longboard Trucks by Paris180mm$$$$Check Price on Amazon 7. Seismic Skate Systems G5 30 Degree Hollow / Medium Springs Raw Skateboard Trucks 180mm$$$$Check Price on Amazon 8. Yocaher Longboard Skateboard Trucks Combo Set 9.675"$$$Check Price on Amazon 9. Caliber Trucks Cal II 50 Degree RKP Longboard Trucks 184mm$$$Check Price on Amazon A little personal story here, I didn’t know the first thing about longboards when I moved into my house a few years ago. I made the rounds to meet the neighbors and became friends with a number of them. It was one night, sitting outside with my daughter that I saw a guy across the street gliding behind his dog. I couldn’t figure out what it was, it was too dark to see but I got to talk to him when he was coming back. He had built a longboard and used it to let his dog pull him around the neighborhood. I’m not sure what he purchased, but he went on and on about things I didn’t understand. Then I started doing research and talking to him more. I’m still no expert longboarder, but I know enough to be dangerous. The following list is compiled from the research I have done over the years, trucks I have tried, or talked to people about, and a general sense of some of the best trucks you can find. Whether you are a do it yourself boarder or someone that buys a board at the store, the following list will give you a good idea of what types of trucks or truck packages you should consider. This list will only include the best of what I have found and a mix of big names and lesser-known brands. There is no perfect truck out there, so be sure to read up on each one. Use the bullet points to narrow in on your interests or favorites, and then find the one that makes the most sense for your build. Unless otherwise noted, all reviewed trucks come in a pair. Best Longboard Trucks Reviews 1. Paris V3 180mm 50° Longboard Skateboard Trucks These Paris V3's top our list because of sheet quality. You can get other decent trucks for $15 less which INCLUDE hardware like wheels, risers, bearings and such. Why are these so good? Well, they utilize what Paris calls "next level manufacturing" which includes a secret alloy-forming process that utilizes techniques from casting, extrusion and forging! The engineering is very precise and deliberate with the 50° angle and the hanger’s open bushing seat combine to offer a fluid transition between deep, diving turns. Paris insists that their V3 trucks are stronger than any other cast longboard truck on the market - right down to the molecular level! For best rebound and response, Paris V3 trucks are equipped with a redesigned top conical bushing and hand-poured urethane pivot cups for a very smooth turn ability. These trucks have a real T6 heat treatment and SCM440 Alloy steel axles. The Steel kingpins are newly re-designed with SCM 435 alloy stainless steel, and the whole package comes in a variety of color options. Pros Top of the line quality using proprietary forging and casting techniques by one of the industry's top companies Open and unrestrictive hanger bushing seat and positive rake allows for ultra-smooth carving Cons Pricey! No mounting hardware is included 2. Gullwing Sidewider II Trucks (Set of two) 9-inch This set is going to be much more exciting for the advanced boarders out there. The new version of the Gullwing Sidewinder offers a new design that is sleeker and has a customized base plate. It works on standard and old-school truck mounts so you won’t need to worry about compatibility. The truck is built to feel like a snowboard or surfboard on concrete which is the whole point. These are patented trucks that have two pivot points. Those two points allow you to turn twice as sharp and fast as a standard truck. From axle tip to axle tip you will have 9 inches, but there is plenty of clearance due to the design of the truck, so you should be fine as long as your board is close to that size. The trucks use two kingpins, which makes them slightly taller than your usual trucks which will give you more carving, and that is partly why this comes it at number 2 on our list. Since the trucks offer a bit more movement they may not be a perfect choice for newer boarders. They are definitely something to graduate towards though. Your deck will also impact how much you enjoy these trucks. You may have to fiddle around with them a good bit to get them just right, but the results are perfect. The only real issue is that they are very loose when you take them out of the box, so you will need to tighten them down to get the proper feel. These aren’t the cheapest trucks out there, but you pay for quality and quality is what you get. Pros The best trucks on this list for advanced users. Patented trucks allow you to carve with a better radius than most other trucks. Higher clearance due to the double kingpin design. Cons Can be touchy when you open them. Not a good starter truck. A little less stable when not on concrete than other offerings. 3. Cal 7 180mm Trucks with Wheels, Bearings, Hardware The second kit on our list offers a competitive price but might be a better fit for more advanced users. With a 50 degree baseplate, you will have a solid turn radius and the grade 8 axles give a quality feel. The Abec bearings are solid enough for a kit, but may not be the perfect fit for your particular taste, so keep that in mind. This is a pair of trucks, and they can be used through a drop-through deck with a little work. Just remove the kingpin nut, the hanger from the baseplate, drop through the board, then reassemble from the bottom. While that may not be ideal for every user, it is not enough trouble to knock these trucks for what they do. The components include trucks, wheels, bearings, spacer, two 8mm risers and sturdy black steel hardware. Quite literally, only the deck and grip tape are NOT INCLUDED in this package. The only drawback to these kits is that the wheels are forced on you for lack of a better term. So come to grips with the particular wheels (78A Durometer PU wheels for this kit) or expect to spend a bit more. This is still a great way for someone that is just getting started but offers a slightly more advanced setup than our #1. There are no big faults with the trucks themselves, they are solid and above average, but I always advise caution when purchasing a full kit as you save a bit of money but lose out on choice. Pros A great kit for intermediate users. The trucks are well above average. Everything you need is included and the install is as easy as it gets. More than 25 colors Cons This is another kit, so you save some money but lose some choice. Requires a bit of work to install on certain boards. The wheels may be a deal-breaker for some as they aren’t the highest quality wheels out there. May need to look for other bearings if the included set isn’t your style. 4. Paris V2 180mm Longboard Trucks and Riser Pads Paris is one of the go-to names for longboard trucks. With the Paris V2 you get a superior truck without the forced kit pieces as with the previously discussed kits. The stats on these put them neck and neck with the Gullwing Sidewinder. First, the high-quality aluminum gravity molded base and screw hanger offer easy installation and replacement that will leave the trucks feeling secure. The trucks are then heated a second time to add strength and durability to the metal construction. And a 90a urethane bushing formula will help with vibration and rebound, as well as provide for easy and comfortable turns. These trucks also include a 1.5 inch black hardware plus a quarter-inch riser pad. This should give you everything you need to get started with a solid install that is durable and able to give you the movement that you want from your board. While the trucks are some of the better options out there for boarders, there are a few issues that need to be discussed before you make your choice. First up, one of the pivot joints is larger than the other which makes for a less responsive ride. Quality control is hit and miss. Some come perfectly drilled and ready to install, others have metal sticking out of the hardware. These aren’t deal-breakers as they can be returned, but you likely want to install them shortly after they arrive. While the quality control issues are not rampant, they are worth noting as more than one user has run into the problem. Pros Great trucks for the price. About as sturdy as trucks get. Bushings are extremely responsive. Cons Quality control is a minor concern. The pivot joints aren’t even which leads to a less responsive ride. 5. Bear Grizzly Longboard Trucks The bear grizzly offers an axle width of 9.75 inches and a hanger width of 181mm. Bear Grizzly’s are known for being some of the most easy-turning trucks on the market, and these are no different. The hangers are designed to be flipped so you can use these trucks for cruising or bombing. These aren’t the best trucks for newer riders as they will require a bit of experience to take full advantage of what they offer, but once you graduate to an intermediate or advanced level they would easily be worth a consideration. With that said, these trucks do have a few issues that need to be considered before dropping your hard-earned cash on them. First, hardware is not included, which is not mentioned, so be prepared to spend a little extra if you don’t have extra hardware laying around. Second, while they are known for easy turns, turning to sharp can let the truck dig into the sides of the deck a bit. The dig isn’t a deal breaker, but if it is something that bothers you keep looking for a better fit. Finally, the bushings aren’t the greatest, so depending on the type of riding you do, you may want to consider the price of new bushings as part of your purchase. Pros Some of the easiest turning trucks out there. Reversible for cruising or bombing. Solid and simple trucks. Cons No hardware is included. Bushings leave a bit to be desired. Sharp turns can dig into the board. 6. 50 180mm Longboard Trucks by Paris Paris trucks keep showing up on our list for good reason. The build is almost identical to #4 on our list minus the risers. The trucks themselves can be used as drop throughs but the shape of your board can make a difference if you’ll get wheel bite. The big points here come from the durability and the ease of adjustment. Go from bombing to freeriding quickly because of that ease. Due to the quality of the construction, you should be able to get a decent carve fairly easily. The biggest issue is that they don’t stand out. In addition, there is some concern about the bushing seat. Easily one of the most straightforward trucks on the list and they are great for that reason. The biggest drawback is they do not include bearings and the seat can be an issue. If those issues were taken care of this truck would be much higher on the list. Pros High-quality trucks with no fuss. Easy to carve. Cons Nothing makes these stand out. No bearings. Seating issues. 7. Seismic Skate Systems G5 30 Degree Hollow /Medium Springs Raw Skateboard Trucks Here's an offering that Seismic claims is the absolute best option for pumping, and that no other competitor has more energy return or better steering control. This is an upgrade from the last G4 model, and engineers have added an upgraded look, toughness and lightness. Please note that this deal is for TWO trucks (pair). The Spring Cap design makes the springs straighter as they compress and that means a larger turning range and way better steering control. They feature a 180 mm faced hangar with 30-degree baseplate in a stone finish. Seismic suggests a 45-degree truck at the front of the deck and a 30-degree truck at the tail with stiffer springs. However, this deal (2 - 30-degree trucks) is ideal on symmetrical or twin-tip freeride decks. The hanger is 7.0 inches and it has a 9.65 inch axle, and Seismic insists that this set of trucks is among the MOST versatile on the market today. Pros Best option for pumping and energy return. Remarkable steering control Good price point for what is offered. - AKA "excellent value" Cons Shouldn't be top-mounted and won't fit through standard drop-through mounting holes Components are not 100% backwards compatible. 8. Yocaher Longboard Skateboard Trucks Combo Set The Yocaher truck combo set includes 71mm wheels and 9.675” axle to axle measurements. This is a great beginner set, but it will leave a bit to be desired for the more experienced riders. Where these really shine is in the ride itself. They offer a great beginner-friendly ride that is perfect for those that are looking to bomb at high speeds. They offer all the parts you need to build them. More experienced users may have issues with extras included in this package. While it does include risers so you don’t have to cut areas for wheels when you carve, the rest of the pieces are serviceable at best. You would be wise to upgrade the bearings at the very least. On top of that, the colors of the wheels advertised are not always accurate, so if you are a designing a board with a particular color in mind, wait for them to arrive. Finally, the black finish on the trucks is prone to scratching so take extra care there. Pros Great value for beginners. Because of the speeds allowed, this is a great set to let beginners ease into longboarding. Everything is included in the package. Cons Wheels aren’t great. Bearings will need to be replaced at some point. Finish is prone to scratching. 9. Caliber Trucks Cal II 50 Degree RKP Longboard Trucks The Caliber Truck Co. comes in as the final entry on our listing due to the upgrades made over their Cal I trucks. With improved contact area with the bushing, they offer higher rebound and responsiveness. They also made the outer-step a perfect circle, or at least as perfect as a circle can get, to give a better fit for the bushings. The pivot cup has an increased surface area with the baseplate which creates a snugger fit for the pivot pin. The trucks are fantastic in almost every way, but they are a little small for drop-through mounting on certain boards. While many will enjoy the bushings that are included, you may find that they are very soft. Overall though, these are fantastic, no-frills trucks and would rate much higher on the list if they included a full package. If you just need trucks though, consider these in our top 5. Pros Very smooth trucks. No frills so you can buy the parts you want, instead of spending extra for parts you don’t. Sharp looking trucks that have very well drilled holes that are even. Cons Bushings may be a bit soft for some. May be difficult for drop-through mounting. Conclusion & Recommendation So, there you have it, our top 9 longboard trucks. While a few of the trucks could be higher on the list based on your preference, we tried to ensure that you had as much information as you needed to make the choice that is right for you. The top three trucks are probably the best fit for each type of user out there, but you may have preferences as far as brand, style, or color. For example, the Caliber trucks (number 9) are great for more experienced riders, but for newer riders the Yocaher (number 8) trucks are probably a better purchase. Also, keep in mind that the purchase you make is going to depend on what you need and what you want to spend. The SCSK8 trucks (number 1) are perfect all-around trucks for experienced and new riders alike and include all the tools you need. The Paris 50 180mm (number 6) trucks, on the other hand, are a no-frills option for those that need just trucks to replace their existing pair. It all comes down to your needs and the list is modular based on that. We went for something that would make sense for a wide audience, but as every rider has an individual bias, you may find that the list should go in a different order. Use this as a jumping-off point to research in more detail from those currently using the trucks and see what they think after significant use. Out of the box, all of these trucks are solid options after they are assembled correctly, but you may find that after time, some don’t hold up as well. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to test them at length so we can’t vouch for long-term use as much as immediate use.

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