pavedwave longboarding

stridey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 48

I thought you might be interested in what we are working on with the Virages.

The Front and Rear Virages have been steadily selling, some of the early rear hangers have been replaced by the V2 (stronger in the bushing seat) free of charge, and feedback has been great.

We know that many riders can't justify spending so much on trucks, and frankly the Bennett/Tracker combo works well for many. Its th esame in slalom, the Bennett front is proving especially good for tight slalom, with the Gog/Radikal/Virage/Excettsett style being well suited for hybrid to GS.

What we have developed is a new front baseplate that will be Bennett and Tracker RTx compatible. The kingpin will be Grade 8, machined to 'just the right length'. Angle and Height of the baseplate will be 'built in'. We found that integrating both and and height in the slalom and LDP virages made for excellent response. I know some peoples favorite angles will differ so we will be working hard to give a great starting point.

The baseplate will be sold seperatly so that it makes a nice upgrade for Bennett users.

The hanger will replicate the angles and dimensions of a Bennett, but with the inverted axles system we use on the Virages. One reason is that in use we have found this axles system works really well and wheels run really smoothly. Also production is easy, we already have good systems for making these axles so its best to keep parts simpler. We will put a Spherical into the hanger too. The hanger will be available oin slalom and LDP widths.

Hope thats of interest!

I should add That I REALLY enjoy working and developing these trucks, for me thats a real thrill. Just seeing someone riding them gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Its been brilliant seeing something go from sketches to real world products. (though I hate the word 'product'!)

jeppak · Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Northern Germany

Hey Stridey,

cool....I take one Cool

.

(I will send your slalom base back next days)

cheers, philipp

Alec · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject:

Wow Michael, great news.

Keep us posted on prices and details.

cappa · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 42

I'm up for these. Will the height match the rear Virages? Will you do a rear baseplate? Any pics?

egret · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 84

The kingpin clearance will still be an issue?

Bennett 6.0 hangar will not work?

I'm afraid even if the height is reduced wheelbite will require risers to get it just as high as wedged stock Bennetts. Sorry if I sound negative. I really am interested. Really.

stridey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 48

Egret, I may not have explained the baseplate properly, sorry!

I have only looked at the 6.0 Bennett in pictures and forgive me if Im wrong, but I think the baseplate is taller, but the hanger would fit any Bennett baseplate? If thats the case, Think of my baseplate in the same way, but with wedging included?

The ride height wont actually be reduced.....the idea would be that axle height would remain at the same place relative to deck that your probably running now. You would be running at the same height you are now.

So, what would be the advantages?

For people wanting just a baseplate you can mount using small bolts, maybe a soft riser, and the baseplate would replicate the 'jenga' tower of risers. You likely see some improvement in feel, just like we found when using these integrated riser style baseplates for the slalom and LDP Virages.

Youd also have a baseplate designed to use a more regular sized bottom bushing rather than the taller Bennett one. Also the standard design does allow for simple pressing of kingpins to baseplate so if your prefferred setup needed a certain sized kingpin you can replace it perhaps a little easier than a stock Bennett baseplate. Youd also have a kingpin with a smooth shaft for the maximum length, as standard rather than an aftermarket mod.

Kingpin clearance WOULD still be an issue, but we currently machine kingpins to a number of different lengths so we would ideally make it at the shortest length possible.

Using the Bennett style baseplate with the Virage style Bennett hanger would be the optimal version so you get the added benefit of 9mm speedring less axles and bearing, and precision manufacture... BUT I think offering just the baseplate and making the upgrade path reasonable gives riders more choice.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

This is all really good to see, thanks stridey. Im especially glad that youve decided to make both a hangar and baseplate and make them available separately, i was a bit confused on that point from you earlier post, but thanks for clearing that up. I have some (limited) experience with spherical bennetts and my only suggestion would be to keep the pivot as a standard ball pivot (as you have with all your other trucks) and only place a spherical in the hangar. I assume youve already done this so ill just explain why i like it that way ^_^ First, it allows you to swap out for a different hangar (like a bennet) without doing any modifications. Second, it keeps the ride from getting way too stiff, that little bit of padding in the pivot cup makes an enourmous difference. Im really looking forward to some pics and you can expect my order to be one of the first. Keep up the good work!

egret · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 84

Sounds good. Can't wait to see pics. Very Happy

stridey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 48

LDPpanda, I think you've got it...!

One reason we did a 'regular' , if machined, pivot was precisely (no pun intended!) for the reason you say. The other reasons were to try something different, differentiate our trucks from the other high end ones out there and yes, try to reduce parts cost, though the last one was the least important. That cost saving is probably negated by our need to custom machine the spherical bearing on the hanger for our unique method of getting the low hanger over a fixed kingpin. (that scallop wont be needed on the Bennett style Virage.)

Gog/Radikal/Excettsett use spherical bearings on the pivot and custom made kingpins. they obviously work very well, thats plain for everyone to see. However as my machinists can make excellent pivots that are to finer tolerences than moulded ones and because we feel that the rounded pivot in a pivot cup does give that slight shock absorbtion, especially over the kind of paving we have in the UK gives some extra properties that translate well to LDP.

I feel many kingpins break through shocks. With a spherical pivot that shock is translated quicker, but one factor may be that this shock is being sent to custom made kingpins, which while sold as being 'stronger' are perhaps more brittle. a regular Grade 8 kingpin does have a small flex to it, and of course there are failures, but I feel a regular Grade 8 is pretty good in practice. and being able to service the truck with kingpin replacements and pivot cups in 5,10, 20 years time should be easier too.

I have been wracking my brains over the low kingpin issue and will be trying a few ideas, but that a difficult one to crack,

Finally, if anyone can think of a name Id be interested...i love the way Sk8kings did the Skandal and Skennett names....any ideas.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 418 Location: Seattle, WA

http://www.ncdsa.com/24/Skateboard-Vendors-Corner.htm
http://www.slalomskateboarder.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6968

Check it out!

<--- Officially stoked.