Smoothstar Thruster D Review: Is it Truly a "Game-Changer"?

[@alchemydance7147]

Steve, Excellent video and written review on your blog! I have been undecided for months about the SpiceSkate Okto. It was a tremendous help now that you have done in-depth reviews of both the Okto and Thruster D. I went with the Thruster D on the Filipe Toledo 32.5” based on your reviews. Also I appreciate that you travelled to San Diego for the opinion of a surfer, AceHypnotika. I also own the Thruster 1 and look forward to comparing both, plus experimenting with different decks like the Soulboardiy and WhiteTail TigerShark. I’m always in search of the perfect ride. Aloha from Maui. Keep up the great work and thank you!

[@JFKaufmann]

Fantastic review Steve, all the knowledge that you have acquired to elaborate the surfskate selector is shining through. In regards to the Thruster D, I have the impression that they followed a similar path than the Yow Meraki with their older system: less offset and a one piece truck-system. Looking forward on seeing more great content from your channel. Cheers from Spain!

[@roptional]

Thank you so much for this. This video has made me decide for both a spiceskate and the thruster. Greetings from Barcelona! You rock!❤

[@elliotboey]

Boys. BOYS. great job covering the thruster D! Gotta agree with the weirdness of the c7 and Swelltech. And gotta try getting on a smoothstar again to see how it feels, never really gave it a chance.

[@michalmularski7833]

Well Steve you just messed up my order of things as really do not want to buy another board, but Ace just planted a seed of doubt in me, especially hearing that he puts it above thruster 1 and swelly which are two favorite systems. I’m not playing to upgrade now but we will see for how long I will hold on. Great work guys 👍🏻

[@Oniverso]

Hello. Thank you for all the information and the very detailed instructions! In addition to the practical and objective contribution that Ace tells us, this is very important compared to other brands!

[@MrConfo]

Thanks Steve and Ace for this video. For me it makes a lot of sense to prefer a system that allow à wider stance. It's good for security, versatility and makes the ride closer than real surfing because you know you can eventually move a little your front foot during the ride, as we do in real surfing. I don't talk about Smoothstar i've never tried, exacly because their old system shorten too much the stance. I use CX as first, Slide as second and i did not kept Meraki clone because of too much reducing stance, even if the ride where cool. In my opinion, the pushback water Ace talks makes than considering the looser system as the pure surf trainer does not catch my experience of water surfing (longboard + sup), but i appreciate the huge work of Steve and understand his approach on this point.

[@frederickhartray9701]

You have the best surfskate reviews! Keep up the good work.

[@ciretose3000]

Great review Steve. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. One thing that I really like are the new decks. Maybe Smooth Star has seen your videos. Now almost all of their decks have a wide rectangular tail 🤩. I can't wait to pick up my new Manta Ray tomorow from the post office 😁.

[@nateross14]

Good info in this video. The old Thruster is definitely not obsolete though for certain applications, and could still be preferable for those who like to ride londer boards. I like to see and feel more board under my feet. There is a segment of Surfskaters who ride 40" and longer boards, and the original Thrusters offset is a huge benefit in this application to shorten up the wheelbase for someone wanting a long board but shorter more nimble wheelbase.

[@yvesheld]

I waited for that the whole timeeeee 💥

[@haywardbutler33]

Hey Steve, nice informative video. I hope that you and Ace will get a chance to test the new Long Island Mossel surfskate with the Lean Genesis trucks. Shane Lai just put out a nice review. I asked him if he had heard about the Mossel and before I new it, he had purchased one and had made an instructional video using it. Then I asked him about a review and shortly afterwards he came out with one. They are selling really fast here in Europe. I would like to hear Aces thoughts as a surfer as this is why I got started. Also his and your thoughts in the bowl and on transitions. This is where I do most of my riding. Thanks. Regards, Hayward

[@SurfskateLove]

Yep, that's definitely on my list. Looks fantastic.

[@djmuli]

Just got my smoothstar and absolutely love it. Such a nice ride! More surf like than my Carver. I think I’ll keep my carver for the park and smoothstar for street

[@omri3521]

What carver trucks you recommend for skatepark/bowlriding?

[@volkanakbas2880]

Very nice recap. Thank you very much for your exertion 🤙🏻

[@BigT-dp5qd]

Great video thanks. This totally helps me .

[@kaiborg1]

Just to inform. The new thruster D is stiffer & less responsive. My new 32.5 Conner O'leary is way less maneuverable than my 34 Toledo 77. I'm guessing smoothstar chose stability over maneuverability. Would love to hear other people's opinion. I REALLY wanted to like these trucks. After riding my new board daily for over a month now, i much prefer the originals. 😢

[@maxxawesome7412]

If going for smooth star thruster d, which deck would you ride? From previous videos of yours, my stance seems similar to yours. I’m 5’8” 160 lbs and stance was somewhere around 18”. The Toledo 77 looks cool but from your other videos, and with the new system allowing even shorter length, I wonder if it would be too long a deck. New to surf skates and looking for a surf trainer mostly. Thanks for all the detailed videos!

[@rickyo.1973]

Yup, I just got the 32.5 #77. Delicious to ride … although I did change the wheels for my conditions. The lager and smaller wheel set up is a little unusual for me

[@kaiyuan-wang]

May I ask the inner bolt wheel base of the 32.5 #77 deck? Thanks.

[@rickyo.1973]

@@kaiyuan-wang 17inch

[@kaiyuan-wang]

@@rickyo.1973 Thanks!

[@brandonohman8018]

You should really try a streetboard, or specifically a Dragan board, I have the Cruiser with toe hooks and the Classic freestyle model with full strap bindings. Both are super fun, I love all my surfskates: Carver CX, Smoothstar, Swelltech, Hamboard, & Waterborne adapters. But I have the most fun on my Dragan boards. They are not the best for transportation but they’re great for having fun in a small area. Fun in the house or a driveway, can even turn circles in small sidewalk square. You can lean hard into turns and not have the wheels slip out. With practice you can ride a skatepark with the freestyle model with straps and air out of vert or do slides or grinds.

[@rvdt4ever]

I have an old Manta Ray and it’s almost exclusively the only board I ride these days. I really like the looseness of the board. I have the tension spring completely open. I’m intrigued by the new Thruster D, but honestly I don’t see a way of ever using it. At 190cm, I prefer a wide stance. I use all the real estate on my Manta Ray, front foot past the axle. The new Manta Ray THD is shorter, so not going to like that. I could buy the new Dolphin THD and switch the trusters. But because the new Dolphin is also shorter, I would end up with 2 boards with very similar axle distance. Of course Smoothstar doesn’t sell the new THD separately. The mind blowing idea of picking your board and thruster separately is beyond their comprehension.

[@user-vr9sz3qu8x]

Thanks for your comment. I'm 193 cm and thinking which Manta Ray to buy: the old 35,5" or the new one 34,5"

[@rvdt4ever]

@@user-vr9sz3qu8x I have used the new THD version just for a bit, and I really like it. The owner didn’t carry a tool to loosen the tension screw, so it’s really just a quick impression. As I understand it, the recommended foot width stance on both versions is the same. Because of the Thruster design change, they were able to reduce the length, but keep the foot width the same. The axle is now closer to the turning point of the Thruster. In other words, you can place your foot closer to the turning point. I hope this makes sense. To make it even more complicated, I always ignore the recommended foot stance width and ride my board with my front foot all the way at the front of the board. For me, the new version would result in a bit smaller foot width. Because of my extreme foot stance, my board can tip over at the front easily. I wouldn’t worry about this at all. The new deck is wider, which is really nice if you have larger foot size. My feet are 28cm in length. The new version probably is a bit lighter. The ride feels really smooth. So, if my old board ever breaks down, I’ll buy the new THD version and most likely the Manta Ray version. Still not a huge fan of the deck graphics. Not sure about the wheels. The old wheels were crap. I have Orangatang wheels on all my boards. On this board, the blue Orangatang Prez wheels. Big, soft compound wheels for great grip. Not a board for longer distance and I don’t like sliding too much.

[@ferdilizardking8275]

Hey Steve thanks for this video, i really like your approach to the surfskates you really my guide through this, i just wanted to ask if we can can have a deep review of the Thruster D truck i mean if you can open that system and explain more cause is still dificult to find a video. I got one Smoothstar Toledo 32.5 Thruster D and i have opened it and lubrificated the system but i think i have a problem with the Tension Arm, if you could explain something deeper about this system id appreciate that. Thanks and keep giving us your amazing videos about the surfskates

[@timbrookes884]

Bought my Smoothstar 3 weeks before they announced the new 'D'. Can't justify getting another board straight away. Luckily I love my Smoothstar Johanne Defay

[@ollekgspd]

Solo un apunte: la parte alta con la percha del Meraki sobre la base del V4 S5 (usan el mismo muelle) permite ampliar la distancia entre ejes una pulgada y media. Saludos.

[@phil5347]

If you're an experienced surfer, riding performance shortboards, then swelltech is the only option. None of these will replace getting actual wave time.

[@J5_.-]

Great informative vids! Could you please do a review on the new Globe Zuma surfskate with slant magnesium surf skate trucks? 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I haven’t seen any vids on that yet! I’m very curious to see how you rank it and how it compares to some of your favorites…Thanks!!!

[@SurfskateLove]

I have one on the way!

[@J5_.-]

@@SurfskateLove could you please include any information regarding the slant magnesium skate truck system? No real good information on the web and wondering if it has a spring or bushing system? And, does it give good snap back performance for pumping and coming out of cutbacks and turns? Or is it primarily a cruiser? Thanks! Your the best reviewer! 🤙🏽

[@backyardbanana]

Thanks for you informative surfskate videos I just put a waterbourne on my 30inch cruiserboard....man what a work out ...very glad I watched before I tried I'm loving it ...

[@SurfskateLove]

Nice!

[@hawaisky]

hi! tell me please: truster d and C7 has same spring mechanism?

[@unaiziajimenez9569]

Muy buen análisis. Saludos desde España

[@imppao]

Great review! It seems to me that Ace is riding the 34″ Connor O'Leary THD ! Is that true? Thanks, paolo

[@SurfskateLove]

Yep!

[@roddyj7669]

Hello. Thank you for all the information and instructions you provide. Can you tell me the skate park with the bowl in this video? Is it in San Diego? I live in Del Mar and I’m looking for an easier, more open, bowl to learn and practice. The bowl in this video looks more approachable for someone my level. Thank you!!

[@SurfskateLove]

That's Len Moore park in Chula Vista.

[@Quickrex]

I’m mostly skating bowls and preferably Smoothstar over the YOW. Never liked the offset on the Original thruster but way more stable than the YOW C4 I’m 80 kgs borrowed my little boys setup, yes crazy loose. Drop in is easier on the Smooth than on the YOW too, can’t be bothered to always hold a little back on the YOW. That said I’m a Carver fanboy especially the C5 on short wheelbase 14.25, turns almost as tight as above mentioned trucks. On the C5 you can really pump and compress extend and go much faster but you get tired quicker but then again if you change the wheelbase to 17 and above then you can just keep going. Would be nice if they sold the new version truck only. One thing more, if you are thinking of taking up surfskating 🏄‍♂️ in bowls C5 CX no bad habits learning. The other system works but they tend to loose some forward momentum when going from flat to a long transition especially on your backhand. Wiggle trucks are good for repeat repeats over and over again between cones. I learned to improve my maneuvers, especially my roundhouse cutback by repetition on my Smoothstar and definitely welcome the new truck fixing the offset 👌. For flat ground training I’m on a Curfboard now and sometimes take it in the bowl. I like the riding height , but this truck system I can’t recommended for the casual user, it’s absolutely sucks in giving any returns whatsoever on flat ground, but work I think better for a pure surf trainer, just feel a bit more like surfing again coming back to not take any bad habits back to the water. The casual user I think is better off with YOW. You can buy the truck separately and buy a soulboardiy or a deck with some more useful concave and stay away from a swallow tail, it only have a functional purposes in the 💦 🌊

[@corialcorn4051]

Have you tried Qwiktruks yet Steve? It doesn't look like you could do qwiktruks very well with the thruster d, would be way too high. Can barely do it with meraki.

[@SurfskateLove]

I haven't.

[@ChusPostu]

Saludos desde España, buenos vídeos 🤙🏻🇪🇦

[@kaiyuan-wang]

That 'shark head' is really form over function and pointlessly added more weight - the thruster could have been lighter.

[@simonjaouen54]

Me, i prefer Smoothstar than yow. I love the new thruster D and I think it’s between original and yow. I find the D more stable than the old ans more player than the yow meraki. Love it !

[@michaeltarantino925]

Such a shame that they don’t sell their thrusters separately like every other major brand. Their completes are not worth the money, Smoothstar decks are by far the lowest quality in surfskates.

[@SurfskateLove]

Agreed.

[@kaiyuan-wang]

They use 5 layers of birch in their decks, which as they claimed is for enviroment concerns. On the other hand, they don't sell the trucks separately to allow people to reuse whatever decks they already own, hence more (crappy) decks are consumed, which is not enviroment friendly at all. The reason for not selling the trucks alone as they claimed is people can't get the settings right to ride as well as the completes, whereas they are no transparent about the spec of the settings of the completes except for deck length & width.

[@bfymmyfb3824]

I always enjoy watching your channel. What are your thoughts on Thruster 2 and Thruster 3? This is a question from Japan. Thank you very much.

[@SurfskateLove]

I've never tried them.

[@bfymmyfb3824]

@@SurfskateLove if you will try these. I want to see those review videos.

[@SurfskateLove]

@@bfymmyfb3824I don’t know where to find them.

[@bfymmyfb3824]

@@SurfskateLove Is that so? Maybe it's a Japanese-only product. By the way, my smoothstar is Thruster 2.

[@kaiyuan-wang]

@@bfymmyfb3824 As far as I know, the Thruster 2 has the largest range of motion among the three thruster systems, is that right? How is the spring hold up? Is it an extension spring?

[@andrecompaanjrn]

I see some of your boards has black protection at the nose. What is that?

[@SurfskateLove]

Ace put those on, not sure where he got them.

[@tonip879]

Had a Smoothstar for years now and i wonder when will they make a nice looking board.. these decks have always been butt-ugly, got a beautiful deck from Canada and now it's "Complete" lol. I love my Smoothstar

[@hawaisky]

Looking like C7 and same mehaniks