Just landed my first ollie yesterday. After that day, I am absolutely addicted. And after a year of trying, it was amazing. Thanks for uplifting me during those stressful days when I lost motivation.
psychoboitrip dude when I first learned ollies I instantly started learning nollies and it couldn’t be better being the only one out of your friends to do good nollie tricks 😂
Thank you Ben for this great review and nice to see you back:) Congrats because keeping motivated sk8ing in winter (and issuing videos) with family and life to carry on sounds like the hugest challenge!! So, congrats again. Thank you for what you do and for the motivation you share with us. Be blessed with your family (and your board) in every thing for 2020!!!
That mini ramp run gave me 90's flashbacks... included nearly every trick I would see on the regular on my backyard mini ramp by our crew of locals back in that decade.
It’s maybe worth mentioning that Venture Lows and Highs should be considered almost totally different trucks. The turning is completely different and the height difference completely changes the pop.
Dude, you just keep getting better. I enjoy your reviews and they're definitely very insightful, but watching you rip and progress is definitely the icing on the cake.
Wax the bushings on thunders, they will become waaaaay looser. I believe it's because the hanger turns way more than it dips, so it grabs on the bushing making them feel way tighter. Little secret I save skaters I meet at parks with.
Wow, thanks for the hack! I like to melt a little bit of wax in the pivot cup and it also saves that hard squeking sound and makes breaking in way faster 👌
Lifelong Indy rider.. switched to the Thunder Titanium Lights last year... turning is way different... never really felt like my snaps were right with the Thunders, like maybe they were too light. Just got a set of the Venture 5.6 and I feel like I can skate again. Pop, flick, catch. Thanks for the videos, Ben! Great Channel!
The fact that u came from indy's You went too far going to thunder titanium lights shit the hollow thunders way toolight You should've just got regular thunders there already hella light
I'm riding ace at the moment ,chose those after watching one of your reviews on them. For my smaller set up I have thunders. Haven't had a pair of ventures in probably 20 years lol. I'll probably get some next time I go truck shopping
I'm actually getting back into skating, because my son is really into skating and I want to share that with him and I haven't been staying up to date with the latest innovations in trucks so this helped me out a lot.
I rode thunders exclusively when I was in my second “phase” of skating, around 2007-2009 and that was when I was at my best. So when I started skating again in 2014, I bought some thunders and I never really questioned it, I knew that getting my tricks back would be a challenge, as I had put on the pounds and got a job that wrecked my body enough. It wasn’t until I was getting comfortable on a board again that I started feeling like Thunders were not responding the way I wanted, so I switched to Indys, and basically never looked back. Kind of been on the outs with skateboarding over the past year, have skated maybe 5 times since last March. Trying to motivate myself to keep at it, to keep from going overboard I’m weight again, and I’m doing a lot more flat ground and ledge stuff than anything else these days. I might have to at least try some ventures to see if I like them.
@@bendegros Hey! last board I owned 14 years ago, I rode venture low 5.0 and for a long time before stopping. I saw your vids about the spacing, and tail flat length and kick. How do you recommend pairing thunder titanium lite 148 trucks with a 8.25 deck? Im not sure what deck characteristics better match the thunders, I was probably going to look for thunder riders and just grab their 8.25 pro model. Not even sure that's a safe play. Maybe I'm overthinking it, certainly want to get it right the first time. 7.75, 52mm, venture low 5.0 to 8.25, 148 thunder and 52-53mm. I also saw you like the Skinner wheels on your narrower thunders in a video, would you prefer a wider wheel on the 148, or still roll narrow to offset the lack of baseplate? Used to ride 51-53mm probably going to stay with that range. Any words are helpful. Cheers. I'm 6,1 185 pounds.
The new ledge session was rad. Awesome to see you pushing it hard like that. Thought you were going to sell me on Venture but in the end it just confirmed my support for Thunders.
Dear Ben, This video in particular was errily spot on to my skating history. As a kid in LA, I always bought Val Surf 7.625 decks and had Venture 5.0 lows. I think I just thought that the orange bottom veneer looked nice with the blue and white trucks. Now as an adult, I ride Thunder 147’s or 145’s with four speed rings stacked on every axle. To do this, I’ve had to flip the axle nuts so the lock-tite plastic bites the axle first thing. The 145’s move out to about 7.84” axles from 7.6”. And with wide conical fulls, they feel as stable as the 147’s with classics. Anywho, I’ve been really into Ishod Wair’s bushing trick where he uses four top thunder bushings. I think he does this so that his thunder 147’s will be loose enough in the cold due to additional room on the kingpin. What I realized from this video, was that by doing this, the Thunder axle lowers a bit to the realm of the Venture low. And the wheelbase on the Thunders is brought slightly in also to the realm of the Venture low. I like to use a 90A on top and either a 94A or 95A on bottom. The turn you get is somewhere in between a Thunder and Indy due to the new turn angle. But the height and wheelbase is right where a Venture low is explaining why I am in love with this set up. Still looking for the right deck to pair it with.
Hey Ben I just want to say thanks and congratulations for all your reviews and videos you are a nice guy and I enjoy learning more about skateboards with you…greetings from Perú 🇵🇪
I've skated a lot of different brands and iterations of trucks over the years. I skated Venture before Thunder. I always felt a bit off whenever switching brands. When I got my first set of modern Thunders, they instantly felt good. Very responsive, light, and not too squirrely. Other than Indy, I would consider them a go-to brand. All around a great truck. It was good to hear you come to the same conclusion. It seemed like it always used to be people either rode Indy or Venture, like those were the only choices. I'm glad Thunder is a modern contender in the truck market. I never really liked any of the "high" trucks.
This video really got me into your channel. Bro you totally shred!! Lol I'm 33yo so it's good to know that someday I can be just as good as you. Also, convinced me to get some Ventures and I'm totally in love with them. Thank you!
Your videos are so inspiring. I wish I could just go out there after work and skate like you do. Unfortunately, I do not live in a surf/skate community, which I think is the main reason why. Some trick tutorials would be awesome. Do you ever hit any rails? Your flat ground game is sick..
Perfect timing for this vid Ben, I have been mulling over what to get next, this coming Friday . Think I'll go with the Ventures, though I may change my mind . I certainly won't be getting indys again. Keep up the great work mate.
I went through the same thing with thunders, switched from venture a year back .. although I do kinda miss the awkward tightening of the front bolts on a venture
Every set of Ventures should come with a Silver tool and 7/8" allen hardware, it makes life so much easier. When I started skating them I had one of those cheap plastic T tools and for the longest time and I'd have to take the hangers off to unscrew the baseplate any time I moved them to a different deck or wanted to use a riser or something and then I'd always feel like I couldn't get them back to the right tightness. It was so annoying, but then someone told me about silver tools and I bought one right away, even if you don't ride ventures its the best skate tool I've ever used.
I feel it dude I'm riding venture lows on a 8.38 hockey board and the super steep kicks with the low trucks makes the board really fun and manageable for me to skate
I switched from some heavy ass Thrasher trucks, which which were not bad, but once I felt the lightness of my current Thunders, they feel so much nicer. Had the same process mostly. Took about 3 weeks to break em in properly. I did change out the bushings but I love the way these feel. Good review.
Just recently got back on the board and had some chunky thunders I didn’t like. Actually got some royals simply because I wanted some when I was younger. Nostalgia. Gotta say other than kingpin clearance I love em.
How are you still liking your trucks after they moved to entirely Chinese production? Indy and Ace, made in China. Thunder and Venture are made in the U.S and are better quality.
@@ianturnbow7011 They're still fantastic trucks! I believe the current ones I'm riding are full Chinese production but I'm not positive. I've done same baseplate swapping with other Indys (hollow/standard combo type of mixes) I bought during mid 2020. They grind well, turn well, and the stock bushings are better now than they ever have been. I've had no issues with mine and have been Indy for the last 11 years. The only gripe is that maybe the metal might grind down slightly quicker than I'm used to, but even that is hard to tell. On paper, Thunder and Venture may be "higher quality" if you are making the argument based on US vs China production, but Indys are a better all around truck than Thunder/Venture, imo. Even in their current China production. I personally feel that Indys are still higher quality than Thunder, but only slightly above Venture. Ventures and Thunders just don't last either. As for Ace, they've been far too inconsistent with their QC. I've seen good and bad trucks all over the place, so they seem good and I have a couple friends who swear by them after riding Indys. So there's that
I recently setup an 8 with venture lo 5.25 and so far I love them. I have some 147 Titaniums I like them but they are too light, I overflip and land primo really easily. The heaviness of the venture is what I like most about them I think. I think I'm going to be on low trucks for a while until I get the urge to skate a bigger board. Maybe I'll try the regular Thunder 147s and see how they do. Thanks Ben for always encouraging the truck madness!
Been skating some 6.1 ventures lately after coming off of some thunder 151s. Both trucks are excellent in their own way. Lots of stability on both, turn nice(thunder slightly sharper) and durable. I like venture a little more for slides(extended baseplate) and thunders more for grinds(less drag thanks to more meat on the hanger) but in general both a pretty equally enjoyable to me
Recently got my first set of Ventures since the 90s because they started making bigger trucks. Owned a pIr of Thunders around 2003-2004. Rode them for a month and gave them away to ride my Indys again. I actually feel like I can totally live with these 6.1 Ventures. The grind is actually the only part about Ventures that's not that good. The turn is adequate enough to be ok with even though not as good as Indy, totally doable. Kingpin clearance on the the highs with stock kingpins is better than my Indys with Grindking kingpins on them. The weight is lighter than Indy but heavy enough to not make the board feel like a toy. One 1/8 riser and they feel the same height as an Indy to me. So long story short Venture is winning me over pretty hard right now.
I found my old set of Independent trucks from around the 2000s when they were still made in the USA. Gonna stick 'em on my 7.5 deck one of these days and see how different it is compared to the newer Indys and wider boards.
I'm 31. I started skating when I was 6 until my early 20s. My first set of trucks were independents. Ground those down to nothing. Actually still have them. Switched to venture lows hollow lights. They were my favorite trucks. Also only skated mellow boards. Little tail big nose. My first real board was a toy machine. So I have this mind set on what I want. I haven't skated in years and want to start again. But I'm stuck in this rut of what I should go for. Don't wanna waste the money on something I'm going to hate. Thought I was just going to go for another toy machine and ventures again. Idk. I do enjoy watching your videos. It's definitely gave me alot to think about and also letting me know I'm probably over thinking it at the same time.
Just go buy what catches your eye, bud. Don't over think it and let yourself fall back into the flow of skating. You'll find what's perfect for you again!
very interested in seeing that video about truck tightness 🤙 u should try taking the top washer off ur ventures & swap the bottom bushing for an indy extra soft(i would switch the top too but i like those cool clear bushings) 👌 pinch heaven 👌
Thank you Ben for another informative and detailed skateboard review!! I have not seen anyone review the newest model of trackers that are modeled for more street skating like an indy, they are called the Tracker Axis would you ever consider doing a review on those one day? There is no information on them online other than from Tracker themselves I would love to see a detailed review on those!
Hi Ben, I've been watching a lot of your videos. Thanks! I'm curious if the Thunder and Venture trucks were the same price. The Venture Titanium (axle) is around 15% lighter but not so expensive. I wonder what you would think of them. On the subject of weight. It seems the lighter the board the easier the tricks, once you get used to a board. Why not go for the extreme and create a super light weight board?? 7" board, small trucks and wheels. To remove weight drill extra holes in the trucks, deck and maybe even the wheels. I just wonder if the holes will create extra wind resistance or not. The unbreakable new decks might be fun the drill holes in!
Thanks for another great truck review. Only problem with your truck reviews is that they keep making me get more trucks...and wishing I skated a tenth as good as you. Yeah, a tenth as good would be nice. Any chance Mini Logos next?
I've Been skating the independent Hollows 139s but I'm thinking of going back to Thunders for some reason I'm going to try the 148s thanks Great video 🔥🔥🔥👌😊
The LA Court House stage is 27 inches high, according to Kelly Hart in the recent 9 Club interview with Prof. Paul Schmitt. That ledge yr skating looks higher to me.
Thunder all day. To be fair I haven’t rode Indy’s in years and never tried Venture, but Thunder’s always felt the most well rounded of any truck I’ve ridden. I loved Indy grinds but they were a little heavy and the hangers always slid.
I have sets of all 3 and if I had to only stick with 1, I'd pick Thunders. Not hating on Indy or Venture since they're both solid trucks, but Thunders just feel the most comfortable to me
Hey mate can you do a video that goes over how different trucks and fingers of flat can affect the tipping point in Manuel’s. I’d love to hear your opinion on what combo can make the most stable balanced tipping point. I love how you touched on this idea and am keen to find out more. Also do you think risers can also affect Manuel’s and the tipping point. Thanks for the great content
Im riding krux right now. Got them to turn well finally. Still not as good as my indys with bones bushings.. was curious if you have skated the new venture light (lows) and if you rate them
I really enjoy the videos man. Been following for almost as long as you've been posting. I like the longer videos like this one too. I'm a ocd board seter upper🤣 always switching it up. Rocking a big set up right now. You should do a video on a BIG setup Kader style 8.8 and Indy 169 (or recently now ventures). Would be fun to see what you could do on a boat like that. ✌️
I always put my old kingpin nuts on new trucks. Then angle grinder to the rest of the kingpin. While I'm at it I put on the old bushings too. My current setup I actually only changed the hanger..haha
Recently switched from indys to thunders (staying with American made) and it also took me a few weeks to get use to. Also, I appreciate the switch front nose. Courthouse is 27”
Bro I did the same and honestly once I put my bones bushings instead of thunder stocks (which people gave good reviews so I wantted to give them a shot) and now im much more happy with them. To be fair ive been using the same bushings in my indies so they are worn in
Hey Ben, I just want to start off by saying thank you again for your product reviews. It helps a lot having your input because I can't really afford to buy everything and figure it out for myself; not until I get back to my normal job in the spring anyway. I could use some of your help with something with products you've reviewed before. I'm much larger now than when I was a young man, but I still love to skate. But because I've put on some weight I'm kinda forced to use the carbon fiber/power ply decks. No big deal, but ive been having some trouble with ghost pop. I'm riding a Santa Cruz vx right now, and I like it but the kicks are too steep for my liking. Thinking of getting a Flight deck next. I've only ever skated on Indy, Venture and Grind Kings with preference leaning toward Ventures. I have 8" Indy hollows but I don't know how they'll be with the new deck. I would really appreciate your help/input. Keeping in mind the ghost pop issue and that I like my trucks tight. Sorry for the length of this message I know your time is valuable.
@@bendegros Yeah, I saw in your review of the flight and vx decks that the nose and tail were more mellow on the flight deck; and the 247 option looks nice too for all of the scoopy tricks. I just hope it fixes my ghost pop and manual pinch problems, it feels like I'm trying to ollie 4 boards just to get my tail to tap and get on a 10" ledge for a 50/50. 😂😒😭 Almost has a similar deck out that looks promising too. Anyway, I appreciate ya brother I'll let you know how it goes.
Yes! Keep doing those squats! I like how Thunders pop but I don't like how they nose slide. I'm contemplating between Ventures and Grindkings for my next set.
