{"id":141402,"date":"2017-12-15T18:32:15","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T17:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.skatedeluxe.com\/blog\/?p=141402"},"modified":"2019-02-22T14:46:56","modified_gmt":"2019-02-22T13:46:56","slug":"skate-test-independent-stage-11-standard-forged-titanium-trucks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skatedeluxe.com\/blog\/en\/skate-test-independent-stage-11-standard-forged-titanium-trucks\/","title":{"rendered":"Skate Test – Independent Stage 11 Standard Forged Titanium Trucks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\tIndependent Trucks<\/a> are some of the most famous but unfortunately also some of the heaviest skateboard trucks on the market. With the Forged Titanium models<\/a>, the brand from NHS is now giving us true lightweight trucks. I did a skate test to see whether the light version can keep up with the classics.\r\n\t\t<\/strong>\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t

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The Independent Stage 11 Standard Forged Titanium truck after unboxing.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t

Weight<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\t

\r\n\t\tIt\u2019s not news to anyone that everybody wants lighter and stronger skateboard trucks. After all, the trucks make up the heaviest part of the skateboard weighing about 350 – 400g per truck. The Forged Titanium trucks are the lightest trucks in Independent\u2019s product range. This is due to the titanium axles and hollow kingpins. In combination with the forged Baseplate, those features even make the trucks a bit stronger.\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t

\u201cYou can feel the weight reduction just by picking up the setup.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t

\r\n\t\tThere are also other lightweight models from Independent<\/a>, but weighing roughly 56 Grams less per truck (on the 149 version), the Forged Titaniums are the featherweights amongst all Indys:\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t

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Model<\/th>\r\n\t\t\t\t\tWeight<\/th>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t
Standard 149<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t400 g<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t
Hollow 149<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t~368 g (7-8 % lighter)<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t
Forged Hollow 149<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t~358 g (10 % lighter)<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t\t
Forged Titanium 149<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t~344 g (14-15 % lighter)<\/td>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\r\n\t\t\t<\/tbody>\r\n\t\t<\/table>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t

\r\n\r\n\t\tSo that’s that as far as weight goes. But what about the question on everybody’s mind right now: is it worth to invest in Independent Forged Titanium trucks, or did they cut corners to cut down on the weight?\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t

Performance<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\t

\r\n\t\tOne thing is clear: since Stage 11, Independent trucks have had an excellent geometry that you can hardly complain about. Deep turns, quick response, stability, and no hang-ups are core characteristics of their trucks. Problems like broken kingpins or bushings that are squeezed out of their seats are no issue at all or merely a rarity.\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t

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The Independent Stage 11 Standard Forged Titanium truck during the first sessions.<\/small><\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t

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\r\n\t\t\t\tSpeaking of bushings – I had the feeling that Independent did something with their stock bushings. While years ago, I had the tendency to directly exchange new Indy bushings, I now liked how the 90A Bushings included performed. Of course, they took some time to break in but after a few sessions, I was used to the little guys. Nevertheless, after six months and some gaps, I swapped them out for some fresh ones.\r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t

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The Independent Stage 11 Standard Forged Titanium truck after nine months of skateboarding.<\/small><\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t

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\r\n\t\t\t\tEven my \u201cNever Change a Winning Team\u201d-sort of friends who have ridden Standard Indys for forever, were pleasantly surprised by the Forged Titaniums and their weight. You can feel the weight reduction just by picking up the setup. Whether these trucks will help you do your tricks higher or better, however, isn’t something I want to discuss here. In any case, I had the impression that even with tired legs I could skate powerfully to some extent. I guess, the titanium Indys might have something to do with that.\r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t

\r\n\t\tWhen it comes to manoeuvrability and grindability, the light version can totally keep up with the standard models. Thanks to the hanger\u2019s design there is plenty of room to grind on without impairing the kingpin or receiving early greetings from the axle.\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t

Rating: 9\/10<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t

Durability<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\t

\r\n\t\tBy now, the Forged Titanium Indys have been part of my setup for nine months and I wouldn\u2019t want to part ways with them. As you can see in the pictures, the trucks have lost quite a bit of material due to rough street curbs in that time. But it\u2019s still a long way down to the axle. If you primarily skate parks, you can probably skate these trucks forever. Accordingly, with the Forged Titanium models, you\u2019ll get incredibly light Independent trucks that are just as strong and durable as the famous standard variations.\r\n\t<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t

Rating: 10\/10<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\t

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