Independent VS Thunder(what's the difference)

This is a comparison between my two current favourite trucks. I discuss what I like best about each one. I also have some skating towards the end.
Disclaimer: As a Tactics Partner I will make a small commission from purchases made through these links. Thanks for the support!!!
Independent Trucks alnk.to/8EJ7pau
Thunder Trucks alnk.to/2Qw72ij

[@nickinportland]

I don’t think even the people who make these trucks have thought this much about them

[@mailnoslihp95]

Go check out radrats GrindKing episodes.The guy who started that company is doing some amazing new things with trucks

[@sliderx1897]

@Troy Patrick actually thunder and venture were originally started by independent to suck sales away from tracker!

[@joshfontanella]

This comment made me subscribe to this guy

[@eetuvierinen4134]

english teachers overthinking a boring poem

[@G3T_R3KT_XM8]

Yeah that shit gets to me too?btw i got the Thunder titanium light 3's and Independent Forged Titanium's had to have both lol.

[@aaronfaz2422]

The only man whose reviews I trust

[@dudebro7227]

fr

[@zeddrotten6098]

For real, I had some bones 100s wheels which were shit. He made a review on spitfire f4s, got them and couldn't be happier

[@cameronmackinnonYT]

Same!

[@vincentwillems6407]

Same

[@judeharmon1754]

@@zeddrotten6098bruh

[@vasectomyfail442]

glad someone is finally talking about trucks. i've been skating over 20 years and nobody knows the specifications of their trucks. but trucks are like the soul of your skateboard. trucks are a commitment. you get a new deck every month, sometimes every week, new wheels every few months.. but trucks are there for the long haul and most skaters don't even know if they're hi or low or anything

[@bendegros]

Great comment VF. I love that line" trucks are the soul of your skateboard". I agree 100%. It's amazing how a deck can feel so different depending on the truck.

[@jamesbaker1392]

I just started thinking about that too, they know the brand they ride and that's it. Hell even I never thought about it until the past year or so because I was planning on getting a new pair soon once my indys die. Had the indys for about 5 years lol, still haven't died. When I was younger I thought it was universal shape or close to it. now realizing the different angles and heights you can actually get.

[@bucketboys4797]

shut up and gimme a kiss

[@frankg5392]

I've rode nothing but indys for over 12years

[@thomasrj7390]

Vasectomy Fail ok someones a little obsessive

[@alexanderbuchter7073]

wow you applied both math and science into a legitimate every day situation it helped

[@bendegros]

I'm glad you found it useful:)

[@yahbella----23]

@@bendegros skating indys cuz of u Ben :3

[@ihavenoinbox]

It makes me so happy to see a skateboard informational video that is actually explained well with good reasoning. Generally all of the popular channels who make videos like this are so terrible at trying to explain what they actually mean, and they even say things that are completely wrong or contradict themselves. Well done.

[@griftor2345]

So glad I found this channel, literally so many explanations for things I had no idea mattered but it’s good to know

[@LimblessS]

Love your channel, best unbiased, in depth reviews. Ive been skating 10+ years and have never even considered most the stuff you talk about, very helpful.

[@melissahendrix222]

Just found you today, I started skating almost 20 years ago. Decided to get back out there after a long hiatus. I have always wanted this explained. And you did that perfectly! Looking forward to checking out more of your vids! Thanks!

[@Laflareup1017]

I like this channel a lot. This dude actually talks about skateboarding

[@gkhanjriii91-04]

Cool vid , very informative 👍 I've been skating Indy's since 1979 , 159/69s rule☝️ and they ROCK 🤘 plus they have a lifetime warranty . 54 in January and still skating Vert 💥🤘😎👍

[@hosoiarchives4858]

GENGHIS KHAN JR. III Indy for life

[@pleaserememberim9yearsold52]

@@hosoiarchives4858 quite literally 😂🤟🤘👊

[@TheLexiconDevils]

You ride Trackers with copers and a lapper

[@yoyoz333]

lifetime warranty? i doubt it. every pair of indy's i've owned have had the axles slip after 2-3 years. but i love them.

[@starsedits5141]

Not if you buy it in a French skateshop.

[@dustyryder8010]

When I first started skating 15 years ago I was all about indy trucks then switched to venture lows and I loved em. Got out of skateboarding for a couple years then got back into riding and venture lows and indys weren't working for me. So I got some thunder 147s and never wanted to think about other truck companies. Great video i know it's been out for a while but but i appreciate your knowledge and take on the true physics of skatebaording.

[@Pandorios]

Happy that I found out your channel, you surely deserves some recognition

[@DodoTheDead]

I've just found this vid and ur channel and I love the way u're explaining everything, I'll stay here long for sure!

[@kalvinreese8387]

The Scotty Kilmer of skateboarding lol awesome

[@Jobbazz]

Kalvin Reese Rev your Indy’s!

[@kalvinreese8387]

Mac Dubh Lol!

Watching this video after watching ur latest videos....Jesus u have gotten so much better and smoother in 3 years....it gives hope to me, a 42 year old man who only skated 4 times in the last 12 years!

[@jonb5310]

this is probably one of the most informative and factual skateboard videos i've ever seen. well done.

[@sarmak87]

I love how you're filming a review, and in the background is a kid finishing up skate lessons. WIth his parents picking him up.I swear the teacher glanced at you killing it, and thought. Oh shit this dude could take my job.

[@zeniax4841]

Wow i just found your channel, watched a few of your videos and you definitely earned a subscriber. Just bought thunders today with bones bushings in them and i love them already.

[@ssschtick]

That skatestop on the inside corner at UBC cracked me up... I loved the physics lesson. Great review. I will forever view trucks as paired with boards from now on.

[@oscarazaria2141]

Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@mitchyl]

What a great informative video. really solidified you as my favourite skateboarding youtuber. cheers

[@arunasrimkus1922]

After countless hours of reading reviews and watching videos I finally decided to get independents as an upgrade for a wider board. The old trucks I had were made by an european company "Iron" and the moment I stepped on the boars with indies I felt so much more control over my board! I am not sure if it was the correct width for my deck, softer bushings or the height, but something made me feel more comfortable overall. Anyway, thanks for the review!

[@damodaraomalley3974]

Finally some practical technical talk very helpful thank you

[@Pandorios]

Nice video, really in depth talk, never heard this on youtube!

[@bendegros]

Thanks Pando😀

[@princez2835]

This channel deserve more recognition

[@NoCoverCharge]

I’ve been riding Indy’s since 1984 still riding them .. just can’t change now

[@ToniLovesSkateboarding]

ive been skating for 28 years and ive never taken into consideration the distance between the bolts and the concave! this just blew my mind!! also, in my many years of skating Ive never skated indys. lol. stated with Gullwing, then Krux, tracker, Mercury and now Thunder. Im gonna check out my current setup and make some adjustments to fit my needs. its funny how i remember skating better with certain boards more than others. maybe this is the reason why. thanks for the video!

[@tedcruzforgayrights2045]

Thanks for the no filler informational skate vid Thanks for explaining the WHY

[@MrTravisCS]

It’s funny, my buddy hates Indy’s because he said they have soft pop. It’s awesome to see the physics behind his claim. Thanks for making videos that solve the true questions in skateboarding.

[@joemoose102]

I have Louie Lopez indi trucks and I love them! I can’t imagine using another type of truck.

[@johan5512]

Awesome video man, Gave me a lot of insight in getting the right truck and the science. I don't want to be a equipment rider haha but at the same time i know how important all that stuff is to suit your style of riding.

[@tjh149]

The only person to explain what to look for in trucks. Love this vid man. Easily earnt a sub and like from me

[@ericchappell8163]

Ben - you are awesome, keep up the good work!!

[@BLNKT.]

I just bought some Independent trucks for my first skateboard. Thanks for all your videos! I'm bingeing as much information as I can to get started right.

[@2girls1cupfan01]

Very informative. Excellent job.

[@not_a_frog]

Really enjoyed the video. Also, the amount of wax you put on that coping was terrifying.

[@richardjerram846]

Never new that great example how new there was so much in a skateboard

[@Skiddyskates]

Incredible video. Your videos are very informative

[@ypure3859]

noooo one does reviews as good detailed as YOU. GREAT

[@brandongullaba8858]

You’re just like me when it comes to what you like about both trucks. I found out that I have to bring my front foot back a little bit for 360 flips on thunders, and they feel soooo good.

[@sambasambasamba6931]

Omg i had the wrong combination and I couldn’t skate any more, I was so frustrated, thank you so much

[@yoyoz333]

it took me a while to realise that you were skating UBC. i used to love skating that park. so fun. Vancouver has rad skateparks.

[@josspretty8038]

That makes so much sense! Such a great review. thanks.

[@anthonyscott16]

Never considered this. Great lesson man!

[@AlexeyMikhailov88]

Thank's man!) I skating 17 year's and only now think about the different space between base and ''begin of concave''(sorry for my English))). Look's like the big space is very good for the nose slide's and tail slide's and I newer pay attention to this moment when I by a new deck.

[@chaseerickson6832]

Any time I have a skate related question it takes me right to your channel thank you Ben!

[@LOUISVILLESLUGGER32]

I never gave the space between bolt and curve of nose a single thought. I only tgought about liking size and shape of truck. I loved thunders in my hey day. Great video!!!

[@bendegros]

Thanks Gabriel.

[@benzo13]

Great job. Thanks for the info.

[@justinmorris9519]

What a video man, great job

[@getrekt9899]

I'm so gutted I discovered you the day after I finally chose indies and ordered 2 sets, one for 7.75" and one for 8.5" I'm trying to find my perfect set up. and from what you said about thunders I think I'd be very comfortable on them

[@allstopblue5717]

Yo! I literally just did the exact same thing. Ordered Indy’s yesterday, watching this video now… haha I don’t think I will notice a big difference either way. Ben is very experienced rider who seems VERY in tune with the fine details of a setup.

[@suicidaldragon3436]

I'm 89 years of age and working on tre flipping a 12 stair. I think that thunders just feel good under my feet. Might try indys just because I've heard such good things about them. Thanks for the video!

[@guyfromthatthing1017]

You’re 91 now, did you tre flip the 12 stair on Indys yet or what?

[@suicidaldragon3436]

@@guyfromthatthing1017 nah bruh.

[@spamdaman3298]

Nice vids man great work!

[@saiwilliams9467]

Lmao my dad says the caddy shack line to me and my siblings. Never thought I’d hear someone else say it. Also thanks for the video! I liked the physics lesson

[@silentslam666]

Thank you for your help!!

[@AndywayVideos]

11:00 Jon West did a front feeble in Foundations Artbars... But I guess I'll get nothing and like it!

[@lorelore7813]

Interesting review... thanks man 👍

[@vonslagle]

I had Trackers with the plastic baseplate in 85' and they broke. Then I got my first Independents and skated them down to the axle. My third trucks were the very first edition Thunder trucks in 1986. They had these evil skulls cast into the kinda thin baseplate. Cool looking but they broke. My friend Sterling told me Indy and Thunder were interchangeable. I tried it and it worked. I had Independent baseplates with Thunder hangers and they ruled! These trucks were on my street board for probably 2 years. They are super ground down and I still have them. Cool channel by the way!

[@bendegros]

Take a picture and put it on instagram if your on it or send it to me DM. I want to see those things. @ben degros

[@Nike4426]

I only ride Indy’s and if you want a great board for it with a steep tail and nose, go for a deluxe full board, like antihero, Krooked, or Real

[@lurda8826]

I thought this too, I got an Real 8,06 board, i like the board, but i skated it with 139mm indys and it feels unbalanced like shit! I cant skate it even doe i love indys, so put my thunders on and its good again. I think indy 139mm is to small and hi, the 144mm indys are perfect doe. But i skate 8 boards now so im sad i cant skate indys anymore cuz 139mm indys feels so off balance. I will try my 139mm indys again on a different board.

[@lurda8826]

Now i have analyzed this The Ben Dragos way. And the indy 139 works perfect, switched back to the indys from the thunders and my tricks feels better. It was the board who are a bit to long wheelbase for me for flip tricks.

[@danielnanez503]

@@lurda8826 you still riding indys?

[@sethnicholls7861]

Unless you're riding 149-169's AKA wider boards, don't ride Indy's. But they're the fucking best on bigger decks IMO!

[@user-hu8tw2ot3t]

Bonilla7 what about fucking awesome?

[@legalman2891]

Finally a smart guy doing a good trucks review !

[@Giesela0815]

Love your videos, hope you will get more subs in no time ;)

[@daffyduckling6958]

My 9inch board setup with 149 Thunder hollow lights is lighter than my 8inch set up with 139 Indy hollows. Both setups have 52mm wheels too.Now I realize just how heavy Indy trucks are.

[@Mylesmundle]

Ben, because of your comparison video I ordered a set of Thunder Light Hi’s, 147’s. It will be the first time switching from Indy’s in about 14 years! Current set ups: Chocolate 8.1, 139’s, STF V3 52’s.(now I know why Ollie’s were crap on this setup lol) Creature 8.3, 149’s, SPF 58’s( big bowl setup) Bronson’s in both( like them). New setup will be: Shop deck 8”(first time, pressed in Montreal, we’ll see) the new Thunders, SPF V3 52’s(favourites) with Bones Super Swiss 6(had them before, awesome). Bones bushings in all. Thanks for making these great vids, really enjoying them!

[@bendegros]

The shop deck is probably Control. Let me know if it keeps it's pop. I tried one from someone that was about a week old. Nice shape but already soggy. He is 210 pounds and skates pretty hard though so I couldn't give an accurate assessment.

[@sk8board_blues248]

Really well done video. Thanks!

[@bendegros]

Thanks Justin.

[@MichaelRelevant]

That park looks sick!

[@bendegros]

UBC park is fun. It's not my favourite but it reasonably close to me.

[@rich9192]

Great videos Ben ! I’m turning 44 soon and haven’t skated in 30 years . I’ve been experimenting also and your videos have really helped me out . Keep up the good work ! 👍👍

[@What-zb9ju]

We must be twins. 44 I'm a couple of months and haven't skated in 30yrs. I miss my Hosoi deck....

[@Dan-eq8nn]

@@What-zb9ju im 21 but i also havnt skated since 14 like you guys. Getting back on the board :)

[@What-zb9ju]

@@Dan-eq8nn keep at it my young brother 🤘

[@Dan-eq8nn]

@@What-zb9ju I will! Thanks. Hope you keep at it too 🤘

[@alecdenby1316]

Thunders are my go to trucks. I have been skating them for as long as I can remember. I have tried Indy’s for about a year and there is something about them that doesn’t fit my skating for some reason. I will always like them, but just not for skating. Great video! Keep it up man.

[@Xaquin911]

Nice review! I have been riding Indy hollows but just got the new thunder marianos. It will be interesting when I change the setup!!

[@jeff_desir]

There's a shortage of trucks and decks lately, I wanted to get the thunder lights 147, but there's only titanium indys available locally right now... I'm still debating if I should get both to see which set I like the most... I havent owned a skateboard in 15 years, and I just ordered the only steep concave deck i could find, and now you've just made me realized that i might get less or more pop depending on which trucks i run... Thanks, great info! And great channel! Cheers from Ottawa...

[@user-sw9rv7zc7i]

Very good explaining the difference between trucks even i didn't know that

[@alexmeulenbeld819]

Been skating 12 years, had a good amount of both and they both work great. For whatever reason, if I have the choice, I'll always go thunders......maybe because they tend to be lighter. Anyway, great video

[@Alexander-oz9rz]

What a great video, instant sub

[@jgriff5150]

Just started on a set of thunders after skating venture and indy for a while, and nollie heels, and most flip tricks for that matter, all of a sudden became a piece of cake.

[@chrisworthington1027]

Great informative video 👍👍

[@mephistosteiner8064]

Fantastic review!!!

[@markveon2167]

I really enjoyed this video you understand trucks and didn’t pointed out the best for both trucks I subbed and liked and am probably gonna whatch you other vids

[@punkfingerboards6283]

Wow, awesome vid! I'm in my workshop and can't hear really, but your hand gestures taught me all I need to know... Lol, jk...subscribed, gonna watch it later.

[@ef4331]

Love your review 👍

[@9svm]

i just bought myself a pair of thunder 149s after your pinchy video. so hyped to try them out this season

[@nealhansen6543]

Para Helio how are they Die u Buy hi or lo?

[@9svm]

hi sonoras with a 14.25 wheel base deck. - i had a chance to carve them up a bit and i'd have to say they ride excellent on banks and feel responsive- felt really connected to the ground. for the pop, the board is getting away on me a bit even just on ollies but this ends up making it super easy to have boned tricks. i don't have to try to pull the board up, just need to learn how high to jump now - i ride kayo mellow concave so i'm not sure how much is the truck and how much is the board

[@graff5274]

Very very good comparison man! = )

[@hUnt94]

I switched from thunder to independent and when I took the thunders off there was a huge difference between the two base plates. It was strange

[@dennismeredith6944]

I have been riding for years and have always thought about these things but never put them into practice...THANKS for this very informative video!!

[@christianespindola7165]

This video really helped, left the like.

[@dudemandude8023]

Thunders all the way!!!

[@ksrhys-]

Been really appreciating your vids the last couple weeks, hope you continue for a long time and i wish more skaters had this kind of analytical mind... but i gotta take issue with just one thing (and i hope you've learnt the error of your ways in the time since this video + I'm almost entirely a street guy too, but) have you never rock to fakie'd on coping you didnt know someone just waxed? I've folded my knee doing it, there's strong cause for not waxing coping like, ever - not just to preserve the ideals of bowl skaters. Coping is for both grinding and stalling, ledges and rails are generally for grinding. Hence, danger skyrockets on coping stalls, certainly when you're not expecting it. In fact, PSA to anyone reading this, please dont wax coping. Otherwise, keep it up and by all other data you're a legendary human and thank you and well wishes 😊🙏

[@agentd36]

Thank you professor

[@jphjphjph]

This video confirmed my Thunder standom

[@scottryan5781]

Cool video man and you got yourself a new sub! I'm a beginner at 50 but have been experimenting a lot with different decks and trucks. Even though I am new to skating I still know what I like...first I bought a complete from a friend and it was a shop deck with Thunder 149's-8.25-hated the feel of the deck but liked the trucks. Then I got a Baker 8- O.G. Mellow concave and it is too flat! Finally I found some Thunder Titaniums dirt cheap and put them on a Deathwish 8.38 and I love this set up! I did get some Indy's too-147's-changed the bushings and just couldn't get into them-even for the simple shit I am doing! I am practicing my ollies while holding onto these rails for stability and I got the board about 14 inches off the ground the other day! Cheers man!

[@bendegros]

That's awesome Scott. Both the ollie and the support for my new little channel. Thank you. Even at 50 I'm sure you have some years in you. I got fussier about my skateboards as I got older. We just start to notice more.

[@putnamehereholdmadoodle]

Good luck

[@andersborum9267]

Dude, turning 43 in may and have been casually crusing the streets on/off for the past couple of years (dropped by a skate shop and built a board + lots of talk about stair skating in the 90s). I'm thinking about getting more into skateboarding again this summer, re-learning the basic tricks like kick flips, varials, manuals etc. for some good times in the skate parks. Somehow this feels like the road to broken legs and arms :)

[@JackTheRippin]

Bit of a necro post but check out skate trainers if you're trying to get into some tricks for confidence building, just throw em over your wheels and you can practice without rolling until you get comfortable.

[@richards4086]

JackTheRippin carpet or grass also has the same effect... evenn just tightening your bolts a litle too much lol skate trainers are soooo unnescesary

[@kanescrimes4848]

This is the first time I've ever watched a "review"/tutorial video where I didn't have to correct the person or ask them about the many factors/features they've missed/didn't mention. Awesome job Ben.

[@bendegros]

Thank you! I try my best but I will probably make another one someday, a 2.0. I am always learning new things the more products I try.

[@skywalkerrougeone5060]

food for though.. I'll be playing with tweaking my set ups later lol thanks

[@BlackMarketHoney]

Great video and very interesting. The leverage part is definitely worth considering. My friend and I spotted something important relating to how trucks turn. Look at the base plate from the side and the angle between where the pivot cup sits and the king pin goes through. The relationship of these two surfaces is really important to how the truck turns. He had just bought some re issue Gullwings and they turned really strangely. We noticed that this angle didn't line up, it didn't really make a V shape. I guess there is some basic geometry rules in effect here. It's a shame because they are such cool looking trucks, but he had to go back to his old trucks. I wonder if he could switch out the base plates and keep the Gullwing hangers?🤔 Sounds like an interesting experiment.

[@daft_wizard]

I have gone back to skating thunders because I feel like there are more boards that thunders work well on and I enjoy how light they are. Heel flips are so much easier for me with thunder trucks and I don't care what people say about how well indys grind...I always have noticed I can grind faster and further on thunders, it's like the metal is a little softer. The downside to that is that they do get worn down more easily. So you will have to replace your trucks more often if you skate thunders. However, Thunder's motto is "more control" and after riding indys for a year+ and now having switched back to thunder 147 polished trucks, I can confidently say they are going to be my main trucks from here on out. I don't think you really need the hollow thunders or the titanium thunders, that's just kind of getting to be excessively light and unnecessary. I also notice I can tweak my ollie based tricks more more easily so my ollies and 180s tend to be very "snappy" (as in they have a very exaggerated teeter totter motion when you do the trick which I think looks awesome). Also I can launch my pop shuvits super high and with a great amount of power, and my front shoves, which I have always struggled with, feel a little easier with thunders. So for me, I'm going to be skating thunders from here on out. Thunder 147 Polished trucks with 52mm Spitfire Tablet wheels. That's my perfect setup at least for right now. It just works and feels comfortable...More control, as to go along with Thunder's slogan.

[@ashton35]

Started skating again a few weeks ago. I picked up Venture High 5.2's for the first time. I'm enjoying them with a 8.25 og mellow baker.. I was tempted to try thunders but wasn't feeling it in the shop.

[@jouhajohnny]

You should buy 5.6 Ventures

[@ronaldhickman9953]

You have the right idea on principal......good video

[@carlosroubert8646]

Very interesting topic

[@AlexHernandez-qy3ef]

Love the videos

[@johnprice5457]

I love this channel

[@Apa-is2jz]

the best vid ever gonna try thunder bc I have some flat boards

[@phill93]

You will became my father? Ahahahah you're son will be proud of you you're a cool man! Shout out..

[@joshforest304]

Great vid Ben. I love Physics

[@metalsk8er86]

This was very helpful