Sure-Grip Invaders: A Freestyle Skateboarding Truck Review

[@jaciobe]

Was good seeing you skate again

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Aye, it's been a while, eh? If the weather holds out this weekend I'll get some more stuff in the bag for the coming weeks.

[@darkXwolf17-UD]

@@FreestyleTricktips your really good mate I’m actually getting back into my usual freestyle tricks (haven’t done em in a while)

[@itsfriedeggs]

glad to see you skating above all else, jaw dropping as always

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Really? That's a bit of a shocker. I felt like I was struggling to do much with trucks this solid. I'm definitely more of a roller & carver than a stationary railflipper.

[@travosk8668]

I haven't seen you skate in so long that I forgot how OP you are.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Thanks, man. I'm still feeling a little rusty after the winter/pandemic/lockdown/general nightmare that was 2020. Hopefully I'll be back up to full speed by the summer.

[@shortreed]

Great review and great follow-up tricks, comedy, and humility! Haha. Kudos!

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Humility is kinda the default position for a Brit. We don't do the OTT misplaced self-confidence our transatlantic children do. 😂

[@davidlewisjohnson4235]

Your edits are great and it's so good to see a new video from you!!!!

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Thanks. Hopefully I'll get something with a bit more skating and a bit less talking about trucks done soon.

[@davidlewisjohnson4235]

@@FreestyleTricktips I was stoked to learn about these trucks, I'd never heard of them before. Gear discussions are just as cool as trick tips. Looking forward to whatever you've got lined up!

[@jacobhughes-gartin1057]

I love how in-depth you get on the geometry and construction. These are rather tempting since I admittedly do a lot of rail flips and would really like to tighten up my spins, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for them at Decomposed. But I’m also already very happy with the Paris 108s I bought after watching your other truck review.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Yeah, the Paris trucks are fantastic. I'm a big fan. It's really good to have so many options now. When I started freestyling, you could only get Tracker or Indy in freestyle sizes. We've come a long way!

[@darkXwolf17-UD]

@@FreestyleTricktipsyup also I’m curious can i use a inverted kingpin with the sure grips? (ik you can do that with the tracker trucks)(notably the tracker full tracks/dart fulltrack)

[@FreestyleTricktips]

@@darkXwolf17-UD I've never tested it, but my gut feeling is "yes, with modification". The kingpin that comes pre-installed on these is a hex head/splined combination, and the baseplate doesn't appear to have anything to grip a hex-head. You'd probably need to do the drill-and-set-screw method for it to work properly - or use JB Weld to hold the nut in place.

[@arthurwedlock2857]

Saw you in it's a Sony, love it mate

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Hah. Forgot Jude filmed a clip of me for that. Apparently I'm not good enough for a full part. Or he's not cool enough to film freestyle. Yeah, probably the latter.

[@Arthurhairstyle]

super fun edit!

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Yeah, had a bit of fun playing around with this one. Glad you liked it.

[@MichaelErskine]

Good review: my first Trackers I used for freestyle had the cast bottom bushing cup like these (but also featured a non-replaceable kingpin that you had to drill out!). Like many KZbinrs under lockdown, you're starting to sound a bit Tom Scott-y :D

[@FreestyleTricktips]

I know I said something similar in the video, but I have no idea why more trucks don't do this. It's just the best way to get the most performance out of a bushing. Also: don't call me a KZbinr, dammit. Don't debase me like that!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Thanks for this super helpful review. The bar has been set high here. Wow. Also thanks for the lead on the Khiro tall bushings for these Sure Grip trucks. I was able to get the 153mm versions of these but the black bushings are just too soft for my portly bod.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

I had no idea they even did Invaders at that size! Where did you find them?!

[@TheReal_DeanD]

@@FreestyleTricktips thanks for taking the time out to reply. The 153mm Sure Grip Invaders I found by pure luck. I went onto StrangeHouse Skateshop looking for some Tracker Trucks and found the Invaders. Also thanks for the lead on decomposed Skateshop. I reached out to them and they got harder Duro cushions for the Invaders.

[@markusb.8163]

Those are some interesting trucks, but I think I'd just slam horribly all the time with them :D Good to see you alive and looking healthy :-)

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Yeah, I definitely couldn't use them as a "daily driver" - these are definitely one for the railflippers out there.

[@ezedjay]

Nice explanation Tony. Sick skating too - I could watch you for ever. Mad respect.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Thanks, man. That means a lot after a long year of barely skating at all!

[@Tomek666]

I have no idea how you manage to make your videos so interesting, maybe it's the way you talk idk. Your videos are just great.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

I think it's the British accent; it gives me an unfair advantage. I think it's called the "Tom Scott Effect".

[@stonedmickey7991]

Good to see you back!!! What happened to the roller bones on the kill your idols setup?

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Those things were TERRIBLE. I ended up selling them on to someone who really, really wanted them. I can't imagine why. Too skinny, too hard, and not a lot of axle coverage.

[@stonedmickey7991]

Do you have the seismic 85a on there now?

[@FreestyleTricktips]

They're the 95a Focus, aye. That's rapidly become my standard go-to wheel. The 97a works a little better for coco wheelies, but nothing handles British surfaces as well as the 95a Focus does.

[@stonedmickey7991]

@@FreestyleTricktips yes I also live in England and it’s almost impossible to skate on my 99a spitfires outside of the skatepark so it’s pretty handy that my freestyle setup has mode 95a wheels so it’s possible to do some freestyle in the streets/car parks

[@FreestyleTricktips]

I never understood that. I see so many kids here who walk to the skatepark and only skate in that small, confined space. Just get softer wheels - you'll have a much better time of it!

[@dididiihas]

I'll have to buy those!!

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Hilariously, I sold out of these overnight after the video was posted. Keep an eye on the Offset site - I'll see if I can get hold of some more.

[@bricemenaugh4828]

Keep the content coming bro! Love it as always.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Thanks man. Gonna be shooting more when I get the chance for sure.

[@kennymcdowell]

What a well made video Tony, even when I was seeing double. I got a lot from that re bushings, angles etc. Long way from me nailing roller skate trucks on to planks

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Ironic that you'd be saying that about a video about trucks from a roller skate company!

[@paolochilardi8672]

Cool video mate👍 Let me ask about your take off on the boards so when you carve and feel it hard-stiff-tight the trucks are invader 700?

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Yeah, the stiffest trucks in this video are the Sure-Grips. They were absolutely rock solid, which threw me a lot - I usually ride my trucks relatively loose by freestyle standards.

[@paolochilardi8672]

@@FreestyleTricktips cheers 🍻

[@xmqqv9209]

Nice video Tony. Just recently got into one wheel manuals n stuff, i usually skate rly tight trucks already, but i might have put them too tight recentl, and the ring between the two bushings just splitted off on one truck (they were also quite old). I started looking for some harder bushings but theyre actually harder to get than i exspected, at least over 95A. These trucks may be something for me. Also, as a single (kick) skater, it always makes me happy seeing you skate with a flat nose here and there.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

That's a common problem with running trucks too tight - that broken hangar ring. The floppier the truck is, the more you have to fight to lock it down, and the more stress it puts onto that ring. That's part of the reason you really want to find a truck with more space for bushings - it takes some of the strain away from the hangar. So yeah, maybe these are what you need! I always have 98a bushings in stock at Offset in all different sizes, so no matter what trucks you're using, I'm sure I can find some combination which will work for you.

[@darkXwolf17-UD]

Hey tony i really wanted to get the suregrip 700 trucks but they’re not available on decomposed skateboards or any other US website. Do you know any alternatives. (Besides tracker) Also if i get tracker full tracks how do i make them as tall as the suregrips?).

[@FreestyleTricktips]

If you're looking for something with a swept pivot and stable geometry, there's only four trucks that match that description: - Tracker Fultrack (hard to get hold of since Brad Dorfman took over Tracker) - 106mm Tracker Racetrack (same as the above) - 7" Gullwing Mission 1 (seemingly not in production since the pandemic started in 2020 for some reason) - These Suregrips. There's no other brand - full stop - that still makes trucks with this geometry *in any size*. As such, if you're struggling to get Suregrip Invaders (which is understandable, as they're a "special order product" from a brand that only really sells to rollerskate shops and distributors), your best bet is going to be buying them from me directly: offsetskatesupply.co.uk/product/sure-grip-invader-700-trucks/ I've actually shipped a bunch of these to the US, so I don't think you're the only person having this problem.

[@darkXwolf17-UD]

@@FreestyleTricktips shipping there’s always issues lol thnx a lot

[@Ken_McLean]

Great video keep em coming 👊🏼🔥

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Thanks, man. Hopefully there'll be more sooner rather than later.

[@scstinger5]

I’ve been skating Sure-Grip Invaders in bowls & vert and like them a lot. They turn really well with the sock bushings or medium to soft bushings. I personally can’t get any trucks to turn with Khiro 98d bushings lol! Good review and skating 🤙

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Wow, that's an odd choice for bowls. I do like the large bushing seat for bowl riding as they push you out of a carve with more force (I use Tracker Sixtracks for the same reason), but I think I'd struggle to get enough turn out of the Invaders.

[@scstinger5]

@@FreestyleTricktips I have the 900 or 153mm size Invaders with the stock bushings. Even though I was a diehard “Indy” guy back in the day, I find that I prefer the bent pivot geometry like on Trackers & Gullwing super pro’s. Kinda funny if you think about it. Didn’t Tracker design the first skateboard truck based on a Sure-Grip roller skating truck lol?

[@FreestyleTricktips]

@@scstinger5 Yeah, I went through the same path (which is hilarious considering how much I rail against Indys now). I swore by Indy for years until I finally tried some Fultracks; that swept pivot and big bushing seat is a glorious combination. I actually had a look through Tracker's book just now and read about the process of designing the Fultrack. There's actually one great prototype shown in the book with a Sure Grip baseplate, an X-Caliber hanger, and home-made axle extensions they used to figure out the optimal axle and hangar lengths! What I would give to have been involved in that process in that era. It must have been an amazing time.

[@nickhem12]

Hey man! I came across an old 30x10 sure grip intl board that has the invader 153mm/900. What is your setup? On the fence about replacing them with stage iv independent or carver cx. Need to get some new wheels and bearings at least.

[@clinttaylor1189]

Love video feel like these truck were made for me ...... my order in

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Nice one, mate. Got your order in for the bushings too, so I'll pack it all up this evening and get it down the Post Office for you tomorrow.

[@dididiihas]

Can you use a double barrel bushing setup on these? I mean, why not lol

[@FreestyleTricktips]

You got me curious enough that I went into the storeroom and broke apart a few trucks to try this out. The short answer is yes... kinda. There's enough height on the kingpin to support two barrels. There's also enough room around the kingpin to fit the second barrel without it hitting the hangar. The problem is the washer - a regular cup washer WILL hit the hangar, so you'd need a longboard-style flat washer between the second barrel and the nut. Honestly, the barrel-and-tall-cone combo is stiff enough as it is. I'm not sure sourcing a different top washer and doing a double barrel combo will actually give you any extra benefits, but hey, if you have the washers handy... give it a go!

[@joseespinoza4755]

Cuánto te costó el skate de freestyle armado

[@Mr007666]

Really good video. How tall is your KYI setup?

[@FreestyleTricktips]

With the Sure-Grips, 6mm risers, some heavily worn Seismic Focus (which are about 52mm in diameter now), I make it about 94mm or 3.75" from the ground to the top of the grip. That gives me a pretty decent 1.93:1 rail-to-width ratio.

[@Mr007666]

@@FreestyleTricktips That KYI looks good from every angle.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

It's a really great board. I should skate it more - there's a lot of tricks which just work better on it for me than on any other deck.

[@w.deanjones9208]

Do you have any in stock

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Yep, sure do: offsetskatesupply.co.uk/product/sure-grip-invader-700-trucks/ I highly recommend you grab two packs of the 98a Tall Cone bushings for those at the same time (offsetskatesupply.co.uk/product/khiro-tall-cone-combo-bushings/), as they're an absolutely perfect fit.

[@_Maxten]

3:16 i hate when the pivot cup starts slipping out like that

[@FreestyleTricktips]

I didn't even spot that until you pointed it out. It's not actually "slipping out" - it's just a chonky giant. All the Sure-Grips have pivot cups which stick out like that. A bit weird, but better than the alternative!

[@_Maxten]

@@FreestyleTricktips interesting. That must definitely add on to its non ability to turn i presume. I used to have trucks that had pivot cups like that. I razor bladed it to keep it flush just because i didnt like looking at it lol.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

It's possible, but unlikely. I don't think the pivot cups are really a firm enough material to restrict movement that much, despite the additional height. I'd have to pop one out and check the hardness with a durometer to be sure, though. On another note: how often were you looking at your pivot cups? I feel like you're doing something wrong if you can see them that often.

[@_Maxten]

@@FreestyleTricktips there was a time where i was experimenting with my bushings a lot. Like hard bottom bushing, soft top bushing, two bottom bushings, cone vs barrell, etc. So i was looking at my pivot cups a lot just out of an OCD thing setting up my trucks. I dont have this issue anymore because it was only that one set of trucks that had the pivot cups sticking out like that. I did however have some slip out on me this week. I just pushed them back down.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

How did they slip out? That seems like it should be impossible unless the space for the pivot cup is too small or too rounded.

[@johnmilone4022]

I got some 800's!

[@FreestyleTricktips]

800s? Are they slightly bigger than these?

[@johnmilone4022]

@@FreestyleTricktips the hangers are 5 in. wide. The wheels on these from what I can make out seem to read"automatic" and below that maybe "machine". Do you have any idea what they might be?

[@FreestyleTricktips]

@@johnmilone4022 I honestly have no idea! That's totally a new one on me.

[@EthanChase]

Guess who’s back back again

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Tell a friend!

[@EthanChase]

@@FreestyleTricktips haha 😂

[@andrewkmoodie]

Your beard game is as strong as my jealousy game of your beard game.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

If you've not been using Lockdown to grow your facial hair to a frankly concerning length, you've been doing Lockdown wrong.

[@andrewkmoodie]

Unfortunately it's Pac 2017 levels of pubey. The best I can hope for is a Keanu.

[@FreestyleTricktips]

As long as you don't have the dodgy Pac haircut to go along with it, it could really be worse.

[@thebrownfamilyriders]

awesome love your videos keep it up!!!!!!!!!!! 🔥 🔥🔥🔥

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Thanks. Hopefully I can get back to some sort of regular schedule in 2021.

[@FLETCHERH8SK8]

holy shit they are sold out everywhere 😢📉📉📉

[@FreestyleTricktips]

That's basically 2020 (and, apparently, 2021) in a nutshell. I'll see what I can do about bringing more into the UK via Offset (which does ship worldwide, too).

[@stephenthedude4383]

Your videos aren't showing up in my sub box for some reason

[@FreestyleTricktips]

Ah, I must have not paid my tithes to the Church of Scientology recently. Oh well.

[@stephenthedude4383]

@@FreestyleTricktips lol

[@GoG_Z_IL]

dude .