Wide vs Narrow Roller Skate Trucks for Park Skating | Q&As

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Q: Have you tried getting slightly longer kingpins and inverting for more adjustability of loosening? A: No, I haven't tried this technique, but because I like to switch from narrow to wide often, I don't think inverting my kingpins would work for me. Also, in terms of Bont plates, you can remove the kingpin for the Prodigy plate, but for the Tracer plate, you can not. Q: Did you have to shave your kingpins? A: To be able to grind on rails, I did need to cut down my kingpins. But I didn't need to cut my kingpins for grinding on coping as I could use my wheels to roll across the coping and deck. Q: What do I need to know about trucks, pivot cups and plates? A: To find the right wide trucks for your plate, you need to know the kingpin angle is compatible. Discotrux fit 20-deg kingpin plates, and because of the adjustable pivot pin, they need to be used with hard plastic pivot cups. A lot of the other wide trucks on the market use rubber pivot cups. Q: I am very confused about what combination of sliders + plates would work for wide trucks? A: It can be very confusing. You first need to find out the kingpin angle of your roller skate plate and then research what sliders and plates will fit. It's always best to contact the manufacturer if you are unsure. Q: Can you explain how to set up the discotrux for different plates? A: I've only ever used the Discotrux with the Bont Prodigy or Tracer plate so I'm not sure about the compatibility with other plates. But you can contact Disco on Instagram @discotech.skate or email [e-mail] Q: Which did your skates come with? And was it hard to change them? A: I have the Bont Prodigy plate and it comes with standard narrow trucks. To change them to Discotrux isn't hard but might be a little fiddley your first time. Q: Is it ok if your slide block goes lower than your trucks? A: Yes it should be ok, it just means that you will be "grinding" on your blocks rather than your trucks. Make sure you aren't damaging your slide block though. Q: Skateboard wheels on Discotrux? Have you tried? Do you like it? A: No, I haven't tried it on Discotrux, but I did try them on Penny trucks a long time ago. The wheels themselves are great because they are designed for the skatepark. Q: Did you have to make any special modifications in order to use the Discotrux? A: Since I skate on the Bont Tracer or Prodigy plate I didn't need to do any modifications to use them for sliding and grinding on coping. But for grinding on rails, I did have to cut my kingpin. Q: Plastic vs metal? A: I haven't used metal roller skate slide blocks, but I do use a metal H block on my blades, and the metal on metal feels amazing! Q: Do wide trucks negatively impact your rotations? A: The extra weight can be an issue, but because I'm not good at rotating, I prefer spinning in wide trucks for the extra stability as I tend to spin off axis. Q: Is the same space (wheel base) for the trucks in the two skates? A: For the standard Prodigy plate trucks compared to the Discotruxs, the Discotrux wheel base is a little short. I don't have them with me to measure them but I'll update later. Q: A lot of people say Discotrux fall apart easily on impact. Thoughts? A: I haven't had any issues with the Discotrux. The Discotrux is a relatively new product, and there were some issues with the early releases. But with every batch, Bont makes updates to improve them because they can't foresee everything even after testing. And you should always check your gear on the regular. If you are having any issues, please contact [e-mail] or [e-mail]

[@tabitha3242]

I'm so glad you've released a technical video about trucks. I feel like a lot of skaters don't know why or if they should use wide trucks and it results in a lot of skaters that need them never getting them and skaters that don't need them wasting their time with them. Edit: A thing I don't think was touched on is that you can lose speed with wide trucks but you can counter that loss by going for smaller and harder wheels!

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Thanks for the info. I understand harder wheels would help, but I would have thought larger wheels would be better for maintaining faster speeds, but of course smaller wheels would be better for faster starts and quicker turns. (Just using roller derby and inline as reference.)

[@Stellarainn]

This is so helpful! Im getting into rail grinds and was wondering this too! But i think i prefer narrow

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

I have the Bont grind trucks which are only 2.3" which is a great balance between narrow and wide especially since I have a small foot.

[@maracuja6172]

Such a good review of both!

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Thank you!

[@cradicalcompassion]

Thank you for sharing your insight!

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eleonorazafirova4592]

Thank you! You are amazing, just as I was wondering about on the topic, you have created another useful, straight to the point video! Love it😍

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Yay I'm glad it was helpful!

[@KatArgarate]

Thanks so much for all the answers :D

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

You're welcome!

[@yaldabaoth7075]

Consider getting smaller or harder wheels with wide trucks. I find that the bones street formula 52mm 103A wheels feel amazing with my disco trucks and bont set up. Its all about preference and goals of course, but don't limit yourself to the smallest 57mm roller skate wheels when considering to use wide trucks.

[@yaldabaoth7075]

Using wheels smaller than 57mm with wide trucks gives you the stablity you need without compromising you abliity to carve as well!!

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Thanks for the info!

[@peachville4383]

I invented this sh^t and yet many wheel manufacturers, that have never set foot in a skatepark, recommend hard wheels for quad vert and also never mention truck tightness. &%%&^$! If you're going to just roll some ramps sure, 100A+ wheels and stiff trucks will get you there. However, if you're going to get serious about carving and aerials, that's the worst possible setup. I also don't give a rats azz if my skates are cute! When I started creating quad vert aerials in 78, I ran my 98A rink wheels and was breaking trucks, bending plates, axles and jump bars daily from high impact landings....yet not a huge guy at 150 lbs. To solve this I bought 73A Gryos. The breakage stopped and landings were much softer. As for carving, I loosened my trucks till they were just hanging there so that I could turn a 90s on a dime. You can do that with an extremely soft wheel!

[@ajthefunkmonster4767]

NGL the motorbike analogy cracked me up a little 🤣

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

😂😂

[@bxdroller]

Thank you for this video, Shorty! I always like to listen to whatever you have to say 🙃 My skates have this major problem: the kingpings are too short and too long. I'll explain. When you put the slide block with the trucks altogether, there is no space AT ALL to screw the bolt. However, when I grind, neither the truck, wheels or slide block touches the rail/coping, what touches it's the bolt from the kingpin and I can't have stability. The kingpings are too short to screw completely (I got my cushions smaller using a sandpaper to unlock the space needed) and once with the sliders THEY GET IN THE WAY in my grinds. Doesn't work if I take off the sliders either. I'm hopeless. Love from Brazil 💛 (I already noticed you use some brazilian music in your videos haha)

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Oh now that doesn't sound good. What plate, wheels, slide block and trucks are you using? If you have photo or footage of your setup I can see if I can help. You can DM me on IG @shortstop.6

[@rollerskaterevival8484]

Great video. I'd be curious about your thoughts on a similar video comparing short wheels to tall wheels

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Great suggestion! I'll look into it

[@uu3903]

Nice useful technical discussion and comparison. Any experience with wide wheels like Mini Cubics? Does wheel profile make a big impact (squared vs rounded edges, a-cut vs c-cut)? Thanks

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Sorry I've never used them before. But rounded edges are better as it will cause less wheel bite when sliding.

[@peachville4383]

I created most of the quad vert tricks performed today and wide trucks take away from agility. As for claims of better 'stability', I've yet to see anyone that has a problem falling over sideways....we're not boarders! It's all hype, fashion and a good way to trip over your own wheels.

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Everyone has their own opinion. A lot of roller skaters today grind on rails, ledges and coping (similar to skateboarding) so need the wider base to lock on to obstacles. The wider the base the easier it is. Also the old school side stance skaters all seem to have wide trucks.

[@peachville4383]

@@ShortysSkateSeries "old school side stance skaters all seem to have wide trucks" Yes, however those OG guys in California skated side-stance, like crabs, making it possible to fall over sideways. lmao I'm also very very old school, created quad vert aerials in the late 70's and always hit the vert face head on ... like most skaters do today. Unless one is grinding directly forward or backwards, I still see no advantage to wider trucks. ...and don't get me started on manufacturers recommending hard wheels for parkskating ... most have never set foot in a skatepark and know 'Jack' about it.

[@06fernandis]

Hi Shorty, thanks for the video. I just broke my ankle and had surgery today so I'm trying to think of ways to feel more stable when I get back on my skates. I like to street skate, play around on curbs and do long distances. What do you think about using wide trucks for long distance skating? Are you able to get the same speed on wide trucks as narrow?

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Sorry to hear about your broken ankle. I hope you heal up fast! As for wearing wide trucks, if you are doing street skating where you are jumping on and off things then wide trucks will give you a more stable base, but for long distance (if you are just skating straight) then I wouldn't recommend them as there will be heavier and you will have less agility. Also depending on the width there could be a risk of clipping you own wheels.

[@cosmosk8s]

It’s sad when you can’t get your hands on disco trux and it’s the only easily compatible widetrucks with the tracer plate

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Yeah Discotrux is the only 20 deg wide truck on the market. But Bont will soon be coming out with a 20 deg grind truck. 🤞🏻 for a release in a couple of months.

[@saiyinyue5644]

Hi Shorty ,what you prefer to use a loose or tight trucks to do tricks?

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

For park skating I have my trucks pretty tight

[@saiyinyue5644]

Thanks for the sharing

[@klhandley]

Hey Shorty! Have you had any problems with the axles in the discotrux coming loose? I've heard of this happening to a lot of other skaters, as if it's a product design issue. Thanks so much for your feedback

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

The first version has issues with the axles unscrewing due to vibrations but we replaced them with the newest version. The newest version the axles can wiggle a little (I have 3 out of 8) but once I add the wheels and tighten the nut it's not a issue. Bont is also working on the next version to minimise the wiggle.

[@saiyinyue5644]

Hi shorty,do you know if the DISCOTRUX can use with the Chaya 20 degree plate?Thanks for your advice

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

I'm not 100% sure. They are made to fit 20 deg plates so quite possibly they will fit. You can contact Disco directly on Instagram instagram.com/discotech.skate/

[@TheAlalicious]

Per usual, your video was PERFECT for the questions they have been forming. How do you not have 9 million followers?! Just sayin, everyone I know in the skate community talks about you so I hope you know how much of an impact you have 🥰🛼

[@ShortysSkateSeries]

Thank you so much! I love hearing I have helped skaters from around the world.

[@saiyinyue5644]

I agree ,I am a beginner in skate park,since playing in skate park is not popular in HK,I learn all the knowledges and tricks from Shorty's videos