HST 2.0 Progressive Surf Training System
Reinventing Surf Training Skateboard Trucks...Again
In 2017 Hamboards introduced our patented Hamboards Surf Training (HST) truck. The heavy-duty spring-loaded truck was unlike any surfskate swivel truck. It stood alone in its ability to be more stable while standing on the deck and allow for deep gouging rail-to-rail carving.
In 2022, on the 10th anniversary of the company, we launched the HST 2.0, not just a truck, but a uniquely designed fully adjustable truck system that greatly expands the capabilities of the original HST truck. The HST 2.0 System allows you to interchange three different baseplate pivot axis angles, three different hanger widths (axles) and two different springs. This gives you the opportunity to customize your ride without having to buy an entire truck set or even a whole truck.
Our signature Hamboards ride is accomplished with the 40° pivot axis angle and 200mm hanger in the front and rear, and we continue to believe this is the best combination to simulate surfing on land. However, now we can offer options for riders who don’t want their trucks to feel so fluid.
We started the development of the HST 2.0 System to create a progressive surf training system, but we ended up creating the foundation for new boards, like we have never made before.
Best of all, our new components are backward compatible with our original HST trucks so you can customize your existing ride piece by piece.
HST Trucks are different
Most skateboard trucks have flexible bushings which allow them to flex and rotate. Our patented HST Trucks use stiff springs and solid wave cams. This means our trucks have smooth consistent rotations. The springs give stability and allow the wheels to glide through road imperfections like an off road vehicle. They also give just enough of a snappy return to center and truly feel like surfing.
Rotation and Lean
Our patented HST Trucks are designed to simulate a surfboard on water. Do not expect them to feel like other skateboard trucks. They are so responsive that some people call them loose.
Our trucks rotate up to 20° in both directions and lean up to 30°. This movement is much greater than most other skateboard trucks.
When you turn on HST Trucks, you feel like you are riding on an airplane wing in a banked turn. You get the sense that you are riding on the edge of your board, much like it feels to ride on a snowboard or a surfboard.
Why 3 Baseplates?
Each baseplate has a different pivot axis angle, 0°, 20°, or 40°. The greater the pivot axis angle, the more turn you get from the truck.
We recommend always using a 40° baseplate on the front, and never have the rear pivot axis angle greater than the front.
A 40°/40° configuration (front/back) steers equally from the front and back and is how most of our boards are set-up.
A 40°/20° configuration steers half as much from that back as the front and makes you feel more connected to the back. The rider can move farther back on the board to control steering. This really helps with board walking, but it also increases the boards turning radius.
A 40°/0° configuration only steers from the front. The back does not steer, but it does freely lean. This set-up is very stable from the rear but the boards turning radius is twice what you would experience with the 40°/40°.
Same Lean, Different Rotation
You can see that our three baseplates provide the same amount of lean. You can also see that the 0° baseplate does not rotate at all. The 20° baseplate rotates about 10° in each direction and the 40° baseplate rotates about 20° in each direction .
Why 3 Hanger Widths?
Narrow hangers are more stable. Wider hangers are more responsive because they need less force to make the board lean.
With most skateboard trucks, you tighten or loosen the kingpin to change the feel. The mechanical advantage derived by the HST design creates forces too strong to be managed by the kingpin.
Most of our boards will ship with 200mm hangers in the front and rear. To make an HST truck more stable you must replace the hanger with a shorter one.
With three hanger widths you can customize the feel of your trucks to match your skill and comfort level.
