Independent Skateboard Trucks - the classic trucks brand
The trucks from Independent Trucks have been among the absolute favourites of skateboarders for years. The trucks' brand, distributed by NHS Distribution, is one of the oldest in the business and always wins skaters over with skateboard trucks of the highest quality. No wonder a true cult has formed around the legendary truck company from the USA.
Learn all about Independent Trucks
Trucks from Independent - "Built to Grind" from Stage 1 to Stage 11
Independent Trucks was founded in 1978 by Fausto Vitello, Jay Shuirman, Kevin Thatcher and Rick Blackhart in Santa Cruz, California. When Independent's first truck, the Stage 1, hit the market more than 40 years ago, there were only two alternatives: Bennet Trucks, which weren't very easy to steer, or Tracker Trucks, which in turn weren't very robust.
So Independent copied the geometry of the Bennet Trucks, replaced the plastic baseplate with a more solid metal one, and created the Independent Stage 1. Since then, Independent Trucks has been instrumental in the evolution of skateboard trucks.
In the meantime, the Independent Stage 11 truck has arrived on the scene and has always adjusted its parameters such as steering behavior, stability and weight as well as developed innovations that are intended to reduce the danger of wheelbites and prevent the wear of the kingpin.
The changes in design were always made in consultation with skaters and as such, Steve Caballero and Lance Mountain were involved in the development of the Stage 5 trucks from Independent. Even renowned pro skaters still partly swear on the older trucks from Independent. Geoff Rowley remains true to the Stage 7 and Gilbert Crockett relies on the Stage 8 truck from Indy.
Independent Stage 11 Standard trucks - timeless geometry and performance
If there's a truck from Independent that deserves the name "all-rounder", then it would be the Stage 11 Standard truck. Whether street, park or bowl skating, the Stage 11 skateboard truck is suitable for any terrain.
Based on the geometry of Stage 5 to 7, the classic Indy truck's height of 55mm, with its aluminium hanger and baseplate, makes the Stage 11 truck one of the most popular skateboard trucks ever. Of course, Indy also provides you with one or the other pro model from your favourite skater.
The Independent Stage 11 truck ranges from 109 to 215 - so there is something for all skaters.
Independent Mid-truck - inverted kingpin & better steering response
The latest skateboard truck from Independent is the mid-truck. At 52mm, it's slightly lower than the standard Indy trucks. The inverted kingpin provides more clearance and less wear on grinds. The shaft nut of the inverted kingpin sits in the baseplate.
The adjustment of the steering is possible with a conventional skate tool. Also with the mid-truck, Indy offers you a wide range of sizes from 129 to 159. Check your wheel size before your purchase the new Independent mid-trucks, because they're ideal for a wheel size of 52 - 53mm. You can find out how the mid-trucks perform in everyday life in our skate test!
Independent Stage 11 Hollow trucks
The Stage 11 Hollow truck from Independent Trucks is a total of 7% lighter than the standard Stage 11 truck, but has the same height of 55mm. The hanger and the baseplate of the Stage 11 Hollow are made of aluminium. Both axle pin, as well as kingpin, are hollow in the Stage 11 Hollow and is available in the most common sizes of 129 to 169.
Independent Forged Hollow trucks
The Forged Hollow Truck is 10% lighter than the standard Stage 11 truck. The reason for this is the hollow kingpin and axle pin, as well as the forged baseplate. The height of the Independent Forged Hollow is 53.5mm and lies between the mid-trucks and the standard Indy truck height of 55mm. The Forged Hollow truck is available in sizes from 129 to 169.
Independent Forged Titanium trucks
The Forged Titanium truck from Independent is a total of 15% lighter than regular Indy trucks. An extra light titanium kingpin and the forged aluminium baseplate turn the Forged Titanium into lightweights in Independent Truck's catalogue. With a height of 53.5mm, the Forged Titanium lies exactly between Independent Mid and Independent Standard trucks. The Forged Titanium truck is available in sizes from 129 to 169.
The right Independent trucks for your setup
To help you find the right Independent trucks for your setup, we've created a table. The dimension that matters is the axle width. To make sure your Indys fit your board, we recommend an axle width of +/- 0.125″ of the deck width. Ideally, the axle width should match the deck width exactly. The complete overview of all axle widths and matching decks can be found in the following overview.
| Name/ Type | Hanger width | Axle width | Recommended deck width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 4.25″ (109mm) | 7″ (179mm) | 6.65″ – 7.15″ |
| 129 | 5″ (127mm) | 7.625″ (194mm) | 7.375″ – 7.5″ |
| 139 | 5.39″ (137mm) | 8″ (203mm) | 7.875″ bis 8.125″ |
| 144 | 5.625″ (143mm) | 8.25″ (209mm) | 8.125″ - 8.375″ |
| 149 | 5.9″ (150mm) | 8.5″ (216mm) | 8.375″ - 8.625″ |
| 159 | 6.15″ (156mm) | 8.75″ (222mm) | 8.625″ - 8.875″ |
| 169 | 6.5″ (167mm) | 9.125″ (233mm) | 9″ – 9.25″ |
| 215 | 7.36″ (184mm) | 10″ (254mm) | 9.75″ – 10.25″ |
The Independent truck heights at a glance
The axle height is important for a good interaction of trucks and wheels. Therefore, you should also pay attention to the height of your new Independent trucks when buying them. In our overview, you'll find all the Independent truck heights of each corresponding models.
| Name/ Type | Height | Height type | Recommended wheel size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid | 52mm | Mid | 52mm - 56mm |
| Forged Hollow / Forged Titanium | 53,5mm | Mid | 52mm - 56mm |
| Stage 11 Standard / Hollow | 55mm | High | 53mm - 58mm |
Spare parts for your trucks from Independent Trucks
Independent Trucks offers you everything to breathe new life into your trucks. Bushings in various degrees of hardness, mounting kits, individual axle nuts or pivot cups. With the right parts, you can make your Indys fresh again. In addition, you can buy various risers and shock pads, skate tools and skate wax from Independent Trucks in the skatedeluxe skate shop.
The Independent logo – steeped in tradition, but with an eye to the future
After more than 40 years, the Independent has replaced its former logo, which was inspired by the Iron Cross. This symbol, which was strongly associated with militarism, often met with mixed reactions and has always had a bad aftertaste for many people. Independent Trucks' roots lie in the Californian surf and skate scene of the '60s, which used politically questionable symbols to seem rebellious. However, this does not mean Indy should be associated with those symbols.
It is, therefore, all the more courageous and impressive that Independent Trucks has replaced the Iron Cross logo with a new, neutral logo after all these years despite its high recognition value and that the old one is now only used sporadically. The traditional truck brand is critically examining its history and sending a clear signal in favour of diversity and acceptance for the future.
Built to last – clothing from Independent
Independent Trucks makes an impression not only with its first-class trucks, but also with a wide range of streetwear. High-quality and durable materials make Independent clothing the perfect skatewear.
Whether it's subtle logo embroidery, either the new or the old one, you can find a wide selection of Independent T-shirts and hoodies at the skatedeluxe skate shop. For the colder days, Independent provides you with windbreakers and vests and you won't miss out on accessories either. Here you'll find caps, beanies, socks and sunglasses in the usual Independent style.
The Independent Trucks skate team
The Independent skate team is at least as broad as the trucks range. As is typical for truck brands, the Independent team is also very large and includes a number of top-class skateboarders. Whether on the street, in the pool or in the halfpipe, the Indy skate team is impressive on all terrains.p>
Currently, Spencer Hamilton, Tom Knox, Louie Lopez, Jon Dickson, Lizzie Armanto, Peter Hewitt, Jesse Lindloff, John Gardner and many more are on the road for the legendary brand from Santa Cruz, California.