TKP - RKP - DKP - SurfSkate - Channel - 3-Link
We specialize in making your setup perform the way it should with our premium urethanes. This article is the breakdown of the major truck types so that you can better understand why geometry matters and how your trucks are working.
The geometry of skateboard trucks determine how your board leans, turns, and reacts to your movements while riding. . Whether you are bombing down a hill, just carving on a commute, or riding an electric skateboard at +30mph, knowing your truck type is the first step to perfecting your setup.
Learn More: Geometry Explained
TKP (Traditional Kingpin)
AKA: Street Trucks, Indy Style, Conventional, Standard
Common Brands: Independent, Thunder, Venture, Ace
Mechanics: The kingpin sits vertically (mostly) behind the axle, tucked inside the hanger. The axle sits lower to the ground for grinding.
Ride Feel: TKP trucks have a distinct "divey" turn. When you lean, they turn sharply and quickly. They are agile and responsive, which is why they are the standard for street skating, park, and bowls.
RipTide: Because TKPs turn so aggressively, upgrading the Pivot Cups removes slop for a precise feel. Using our Street Series bushings can help smooth out the turn for cruisers or stiffen them up for heavier riders.
RKP (Reverse Kingpin)
AKA: Longboard Trucks
Common Brands: Paris, Caliber, Bear, Randal
Mechanics: The kingpin passes through the hanger at an angle (usually 40° to 50°) and faces outward. This geometry often creates a higher ride height compared to TKP's.
Ride Feel: RKP trucks are designed for stability and flow. They offer a "lean-to-turn" ratio that feels predictable and smooth, making them ideal for carving, commuting, and downhill racing. They are generally more stable at speed than TKPs.
RipTide: RKP trucks are responsive to bushing shapes and we have lots of shapes.
DKP (Dual Kingpin)
Common Brands: Evolve, Gullwing Sidewinder, Meepo (and many E-skates)
Primary Use: Adding Hight to E-Skates, More carve / lean than other trucks
Mechanics: A DKP truck essentially stacks two RKP hangers on top of each other, resulting in two pivot points and four bushings per truck.
The Ride: Extremely carvy. These trucks can lean very easily and offer a very fluid deep carve. However, because they have two pivot points, they can be inherently unstable at high speeds if not set up correctly.
RipTide: Our DKP Bushing Kit is our most requested upgrade for E-skate. The stock bushings are often too hard for the double-stack design. We have spent lots of time designing our kit and have figured out how to settle these trucks down to be awesome for both carving and high speed applications.
SurfSkate Trucks
Common Brands: Carver (C7/CX), YOW, Waterborne Adapters, Grasp
Mechanics: These trucks use extreme angles or a "swing-arm" to achieve a much deeper lean and turn in the front truck. This creates a very surfy feel and is great for pumping. The rear truck usually acts as a fin with less turn if you are looking for a higher max speed.
The Ride: Designed to mimic surfing on concrete. They allow you to "pump" the board to generate speed without pushing. The front end is extremely loose and snappy. SurfSkate trucks are often TKP's.
RipTide: SurfSkates rely heavily on the rebound of the bushings to snap the board back to center. High-rebound formulas (like our APS) are essential here to maintain sufficient energy during the pump. SurfSkate Bushings
Channel Trucks
Common Brands: MBS, Lacroix, Trampa
Primary Use: Mountainboards, Off-Road E-skates.
Mechanics: Instead of a traditional bushing seat, the hanger pivots on a central pin and is supported by springs or urethane on either side which are also held in with a pin.
Ride Feel: These are typically the heavy-duty offroad trucks of the skate world. They are designed to be stable on off-road terrain. They are generally less agile than skate trucks (depending on the angle) and don't lean as much but offer stability and suspension in return.
RipTide: Our Lacroix bushings have been used in many different channel trucks with adapters. Our APS formula gives a very predictable and lively feel that springs can not replicate. We are also developing bushings for Matrix 3's
3-Link Trucks
Common Brands: Stooge Race Boards (SRB)
Primary Use: High-Speed E-SK8 Racing
Mechanics: A departure from traditional steering. The hanger is supported by three mechanical links (rods) with spherical bearings rather than a kingpin and urethane pivot cup.
Ride Feel: Zero slop. Because they use mechanical links, there is no "squish" in the steering mechanism. The steering is precise, linear, and incredibly stable at speeds exceeding 40-50mph.
RipTide: While the steering is mechanical, the resistance is still controlled by urethane bushings. We work closely with manufacturers like Stooge Race Boards to provide the specific bushing shapes and durometers needed to control the lean of these high-performance machines.
