Trying to revamp old skool boots...

[Lil Rev]

Hey guys, been lurking for a while. Thanks to Kathie for adding me. Great forum, the info on here about quad skates is just not available anywhere else...

I have recently picked up a pair of Bauer Turbo's (like most outdoor skaters in the UK) to start skating street and ramp again after a 10 year break... I've swapped out most stock parts (wheels, bearings, trucks and cushions) for something more suitable for outdoor skating. I have ACS430 trucks with Krypto Cruise 62's. These are fine for general skating, but I'm after something I can abuse a little more...

I'm after a skateboard truck I can use with a Variflex (I know, ugh) plate, and I'd love advice from someone who knows about skateboard wheels that will fit my setup. It seems my best option in the UK is one of the "Death" branded wheels, something around 54-55mm??

I'm not keen on the ACS651's - I snapped 2 as a kid, and I read on here the remakes aren't as strong so if I can find a mid-track truck that fits my current setup I'll be a very happy bunny...

If this isn't possible with this boot/plate, then I think I'll go with inlines to learn to grind, but I do like my Bauers (always get a few looks from the 'Scooter Crew' at my local park) and would like to 'vert' them out if feasible.

Thanks in advance, Lil Rev

[Elysarian]

Originally Posted by Lil Rev

Hey guys, been lurking for a while. Thanks to Kathie for adding me. Great forum, the info on here about quad skates is just not available anywhere else...

I have recently picked up a pair of Bauer Turbo's (like most outdoor skaters in the UK) to start skating street and ramp again after a 10 year break... I've swapped out most stock parts (wheels, bearings, trucks and cushions) for something more suitable for outdoor skating. I have ACS430 trucks with Krypto Cruise 62's. These are fine for general skating, but I'm after something I can abuse a little more...

I'm after a skateboard truck I can use with a Variflex (I know, ugh) plate, and I'd love advice from someone who knows about skateboard wheels that will fit my setup. It seems my best option in the UK is one of the "Death" branded wheels, something around 54-55mm??

I'm not keen on the ACS651's - I snapped 2 as a kid, and I read on here the remakes aren't as strong so if I can find a mid-track truck that fits my current setup I'll be a very happy bunny...

If this isn't possible with this boot/plate, then I think I'll go with inlines to learn to grind, but I do like my Bauers (always get a few looks from the 'Scooter Crew' at my local park) and would like to 'vert' them out if feasible.

Thanks in advance, Lil Rev

Any "standard" skateboard truck should fit on the Variflex as far as I'm aware (I'm the one who pointed out that the new 651's are brittle, had one break by the pivot pin just looning around the rink), might be worth looking at NOS or used 80's stuff - I seem to recall Trackers being better than ACS?

Back when I did vert we always fitted jump bars to Variflex plates after a guy snapped his on the half-pipe we used to have at the rink... But I assume you have those already?

[Lil Rev]

I don't have jump bars atm, was thinking of trying to build my own sliders though so they'll be incorporated into them...

Thanks for the reply, will start looking for mid sized trucks (I guess the size of the wheels is irrelevant with anything wider than standard)

I've broken one (ACS651) just off the pivot just skating, and I broke one on the axle skating ramps, so I'm not fussed about getting them either old or new stock...

Thanks again, lil rev

Just picked a set of Santa Cruz Bullets 58mm 95a up from ebay for £25. They should make me move a little faster than my current sponges. Just need the weather now to try them...

[HK47]

Another option, which would be stronger but only suitable for aggressive skating, would be to nab an ally Super-X plate and a set of wide trucks from rollergirl.ca, those are pretty much indestructible and no need for a jump bar so you can add a grind block in the middle if you feel the urge.

[watsits]

Super X UK based for the plate

Although I've never had the urge to put wide trucks on my Bauers I reckon I'd end up on my ar5e after keep tripping over them each to their own

[Elysarian]

Originally Posted by watsits

Super X UK based for the plate

Although I've never had the urge to put wide trucks on my Bauers I reckon I'd end up on my ar5e after keep tripping over them each to their own

I agree with HK on the Super X plates and wider trucks (plus home-made grind pad) for aggro/vert.

Wide (mid-track) trucks aren't hard to adjust to and have the advantage that you can use any skateboard wheels with them (standard width quad trucks will have binding issued with centre hub wheels in most cases).

I used to do vert back in the 80's in Bauer Turbos with 651's, jump/grind bars (home made from 1" diameter steel tube) and Variflex wheels (and Clouds) on the Wigan roller rink half pipe...

[Lil Rev]

The trucks might be a goer, but that plate's more than the skate cost me. I'd be just as well mounting the plates I get with the skateboard truck plate (like biffs)...

I was wondering if I could use spacers (maybe a wheel nut?) on my current trucks to try my skateboard wheels out, or would that not work?

[Elysarian]

Originally Posted by Lil Rev

The trucks might be a goer, but that plate's more than the skate cost me. I'd be just as well mounting the plates I get with the skateboard truck plate (like biffs)...

I was wondering if I could use spacers (maybe a wheel nut?) on my current trucks to try my skateboard wheels out, or would that not work?

looking at the pics your wheel nuts are already pretty close to the end of the aaxles... so putting a spacer behind would really depend on whether the new wheels have narrower inter-bearing spacing or not - if they don't it wouldn't work as you'd never get the nuts on properly.

[Lil Rev]

Hmm, not sure. Guess I'll have to try them when they arrive...

I've found some skateboard trucks with a 3" hangar, if I can't get the new wheels on they're my next option. Im struggling to find any cheap trucks under 7.5" (would like something around 6.5" but not acs if possible)

[HK47]

Sorry, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for

[Lil Rev]

Originally Posted by HK47

Sorry, but as with most things in life, you get what you pay for

Very true, guess I'll have to drag myself out of bed for a few Saturday shifts

[Elysarian]

I believe these are what you're looking for (that's just one pair unfortunately but other sellers seem to be selling for a similar price)...

Unfortunately in our sport you really do get what you pay for so, while those Trackers are 4 times the price of ACS 651's, they are much higher quality (plus you get the hangers too in case you want to go for a "Biff-Style" build.

[Lil Rev]

Yep, they're the ones...I'd have them tomorrow, but I'd be well in truly be in trouble with my better half

[Lil Rev]

Found some Vault 3" trucks on eBay, £22 a pair...

Not sure if centre-set skateboard wheels will fit in them though?

[Lil Rev]

Double post, delete please

[Elysarian]

Originally Posted by Lil Rev

Found some Vault 3" trucks on eBay, £22 a pair...

Not sure if centre-set skateboard wheels will fit in them though?

looking at the pics on this site I would say yes, might have to watch out for boot bite though depending on your wheel size (I get bite with narrower trucks on my RX-05's if I put 62mm wheels on there but I do run my cushions soft {SG super yellow cones, purple barrels} and loose).

Not sure if I mentioned this before but I am also running Variflex plates - at least until I can persuade the wife that I need Mg Avengers

[Lil Rev]

Not sure if I mentioned this before but I am also running Variflex plates - at least until I can persuade the wife that I need Mg Avengers

I know that feeling, I'm the same with the tracker midtracks should get my wheels today (54mm Bullets) so I'll do some playing.

[Lil Rev]

Managed to get the wheels on, just...

Will have to see if I get any bite when I get the chance to skate (damn English weather).

[Elysarian]

Originally Posted by Lil Rev

Managed to get the wheels on, just...

Will have to see if I get any bite when I get the chance to skate (damn English weather).

How far from Derby are you? - you could always try them out indoors at the rink there

[Lil Rev]

Derby's about an hour for me....

Sun's out today though, should be dry in an hour or so :P