In this example, a top mounted newton tuck on a 9.8 mm thick board shares the same angle, same theoretical roll angle respond exactly as a drop through Randal clone - same pivot angle. same offset. If you did not have wheel bite with the drop through, you will not have wheel bite with the top mounted newton. If your board is thicker than
9.8mm, you will be less prone to wheel rub with the top mounted newton.
Dynamic Testing
Theories about truck geometry assumes that the truck pivots exactly about the pivot axis. The roll center (the
X-axis which the board / baseplate rotates about the hanger / wheels) is the intersection where a vertical line
above the axle meets the pivot axis. While this is useful to demonstrate the effects of things like axle offset, it
appeared that there are many other contributing variables. According to conventional truck geometry theory,
when riding a 45 degree truck, there is a 1:1 relationship between board lean and truck turning. Based on this,
if you lean 15 degrees, each truck turns the same 15 degrees. As we began to study truck dynamics and test
results proved the theories to be oversimplifications. Truck dynamics are far more complicated than we may
have been led to believe.
Fixtures
Testing on specialized fixtures proved that trucks do not pivot exactly at the pivot axis, and that there were
several other variables that affected the way a truck behaves. The largest contributor besides geometry was the
design of the bushing seat and the interaction between it and the bushings.
Filming
On-board filming confirmed that the interaction between the bushing and the hanger bushing seat causes the
hanger to shift, providing a responsive, fluid feel. We experimented with different bushing seat designs, refining
handling, eventually leading to this model.
Theories, test results and filming are useful, but rider opinion would determine which bushing that we would use. The problem was the test riders all seems to like a different set up, based on their weight truck tightness and riding style. Because of this, newton trucks are available with several bushing options. We encourage riders to order
trucks outfitted with a different bushing type than they might currently own and experiment with different set ups.
Conical Top Bushing
A lot of riders like the conical design of this standard
bushing. The narrower end of the top bushing is in theory, supposed to be less prone to “packing”, allowing the truck to swing wider. Since the end of the bushing is narrower, the rebound is lower than a barrel shaped bushing.
Barrel Top Bushing
The newton barrel bushing has been a favorite of many riders. High rebound formula and high bushing seat interaction make this a resposive combination. Available in 3 durometers.
Orangatang Nipples
Orangatang’s “Nipples” barrel bushings are gravity poured using a proprietary formula urethane. This 25.4mm (1” ) diameter, high rebound formula and bearing seat interaction make this a resposive combination. Available in 3 durometer and 4 colors.
