Surfskate Truck Types Explained: Spring, Bushing, Gravity & More
Learn how the 5 surfskate truck types work — spring-based, bushing, gravity, adapter, and springless. Compare 20 systems with pivot angles, prices, and real data from 127 boards.
Quick summary
- The front truck is the single most important component of a surfskate — it defines how the board turns, carves, and pumps.
- There are five truck types: spring-based, bushing, gravity, adapter, and springless. Each produces a fundamentally different ride.
- Spring-based trucks (like YOW Meraki or Carver C7) are the most popular for surf training — they’re snappy and return to center.
- Bushing trucks (like Carver CX or Slide) are more stable and forgiving — great for beginners and all-around riding.
- Our catalog tracks 20 truck systems across 127 surfskates, so every claim in this guide is backed by real data.
Why the front truck defines your surfskate
The front truck is the single component that separates a surfskate from a regular skateboard. While a standard skateboard truck leans on a fixed kingpin, a surfskate front truck pivots freely, allowing the rider to generate speed through body movement (pumping) and carve deep turns without pushing.
Every other spec — wheelbase, deck shape, wheel size — modifies the ride. But the truck type defines it. It controls three things:
- Turn radius — how tight you can carve
- Return to center — how the board snaps back after a turn (this is what makes pumping possible)
- Stability at speed — how predictable the board feels when you’re moving fast
Two surfskates with identical decks but different trucks will feel like completely different boards. A Carver CX feels stable and controlled. A SwellTech feels loose and surfy. A YOW Meraki falls somewhere in between. The difference is entirely in the truck mechanism.
The five surfskate truck types
1. Spring-based trucks
A spring-based surfskate truck uses a metal coil spring inside the truck assembly to allow the hanger to pivot and return to center. When you lean into a turn, the spring compresses and stores energy. When you release, the spring pushes the truck back to center — creating the snappy, responsive feel that makes pumping efficient.
Why riders choose them: The spring rebound closely mimics the feeling of a wave pushing back against a surfboard. This makes spring-based trucks the top choice for surf training. The stronger the spring, the more energy it returns, which means faster pumping and more aggressive carving.
Pivot angles range from 25° to 45° — lower angles (25°) feel more stable, higher angles (45°) feel looser and more surf-like.
Systems in our catalog (8):
| Truck | Brand | Pivot angle | Boards | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meraki S5 | YOW | 30° | 23 | €€€ | Surf training, carving, pumping |
| C7 | Carver | 25° | 8 | €€€€ | Surf training, pumping, cruising |
| Thruster | Smoothstar | 35° | 7 | €€€€ | Surf training, pumping |
| SwellTech | SwellTech | 45° | 4 | €€€€ | Surf training, pumping |
| HST | Hamboards | 35° | 4 | €€€ | Surf training, land paddling |
| Thruster D | Smoothstar | 35° | 3 | €€€€ | Surf training, carving |
| Meraki S4 | YOW | 30° | 2 | €€€ | Surf training, carving |
| Thruster I | Smoothstar | 35° | 1 | €€€€ | Surf training, pumping |
52 of our 127 surfskates (41%) use spring-based trucks. They dominate the surf-trainer category.
Key differences within this group:
- SwellTech (45°) has the loosest feel — the truck rotates 360°, creating a very surf-like but unstable ride. Not for beginners.
- Smoothstar Thruster (35°) is the choice of surf coaches in Australia — aggressive pivot, strong spring return.
- YOW Meraki S5 (30°) is the most versatile — responsive enough for surf training, stable enough for cruising.
- Carver C7 (25°) is the most stable spring truck — smooth, flowy, great for longer carves.
2. Bushing trucks
A bushing-based surfskate truck uses polyurethane bushings (rubber-like cylinders) instead of a spring to allow the pivot. When you lean, the bushings compress and deform. When you release, they slowly push back to center. The return is gentler and more gradual than a spring, which makes bushing trucks more stable and predictable.
Why riders choose them: Bushing trucks are more predictable, more stable at speed, and more forgiving of mistakes. They don’t snap back as aggressively as spring trucks, which means smoother carves but less efficient pumping. They’re also significantly cheaper — most budget surfskates use bushing trucks.
Pivot angles range from 0° to 25° — generally lower than spring trucks, contributing to their stability.
Systems in our catalog (10):
| Truck | Brand | Pivot angle | Boards | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX | Carver | 25° | 26 | €€€ | All-round, cruising, bowl |
| Legasee | YOW | 0° | 9 | €€ | Cruising, commuting |
| Slide | Slide | 24° | 8 | €€ | Cruising, carving |
| Miller S2 | Miller | 20° | 6 | €€ | Cruising, carving |
| Hydroponic Gliding | Hydroponic | 20° | 6 | € | Budget cruising |
| Genesis Lean | Long Island | 22° | 6 | € | Budget carving |
| CX Mini | Carver | 25° | 2 | €€€ | Small riders |
| Globe Surf Truck | Globe | 20° | 2 | €€ | Cruising |
| Oxelo Surf Truck | Decathlon | 20° | 1 | € | Entry-level |
| Mindless Surf Truck | Mindless | 20° | 1 | € | Budget cruising |
67 of our 127 surfskates (53%) use bushing trucks. They’re the most common type overall.
Key differences within this group:
- Carver CX (25°) is the gold standard — the highest pivot angle in this category, closest to a spring-truck feel. Works in bowls, parks, and streets.
- Slide (24°) offers similar performance to the CX at a lower price. Great value for beginners.
- YOW Legasee (0°) is essentially a traditional truck with a very loose setup — designed for cruising, not surf training.
- Budget options (€): Hydroponic Gliding, Long Island Genesis Lean, Decathlon Oxelo, and Mindless are all under €130 complete. Good for trying surfskate without a big investment.
3. Gravity trucks
A gravity truck uses the rider’s body weight and lean angle — without springs or traditional bushings — to create the turning motion. There are no mechanical return-to-center forces; the board responds purely to how you shift your weight. The result is a very organic, fluid feel unlike any other truck type.
Why riders choose them: The feeling is unlike anything else. There’s no mechanical resistance — just your weight and the board. Riders who prioritize flow and a natural turning sensation over snappy performance tend to love gravity trucks.
Systems in our catalog (1):
| Truck | Brand | Pivot angle | Boards | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curfboard Gravity | Curfboard | 45° | 1 | €€€€ | Surf training, flow riding |
Gravity trucks are a niche choice — only 1 system in our catalog — but they have a dedicated following among riders who’ve tried everything else and want something different.
4. Adapter trucks
An adapter kit mounts between an existing skateboard truck and the deck, converting any standard skateboard or longboard into a surfskate. The adapter adds a pivot mechanism on top of your existing truck. Different adapters use different mechanisms (bushing, spring, or hybrid).
Why riders choose them: If you already own a skateboard or longboard you love, an adapter lets you convert it into a surfskate for €60-80 — a fraction of the cost of a new complete. It’s also a great way to experiment with surfskate feel before committing to a dedicated board.
Systems in our catalog (1):
| Truck | Brand | Boards | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterborne Surf Adapter | Waterborne | 1 | €€ | Board conversion, experimenting |
The Waterborne adapter is the most widely available option. It works on most standard decks and produces a surprisingly good surf feel for the price.
5. Springless trucks
A category for trucks that use alternative mechanisms — neither traditional bushings, springs, nor gravity alone. This could include magnetic systems, elastomer-based designs, or other experimental approaches.
Status: Currently no systems in our catalog use this type. It exists as a category for future truck innovations as the industry evolves.
Truck types at a glance
| Feature | Spring-based | Bushing | Gravity | Adapter | Springless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems in catalog | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Surfskates using it | 52 (41%) | 67 (53%) | 1 (1%) | 1 (1%) | 0 |
| Pivot angle range | 25°–45° | 0°–25° | 45° | Varies | — |
| Return to center | Fast, snappy | Gradual, smooth | Natural, organic | Moderate | — |
| Stability | Medium | High | Low | Medium | — |
| Pump efficiency | High | Medium | Medium | Medium | — |
| Price range | €€€–€€€€ | €–€€€ | €€€€ | €€ | — |
| Best for | Surf training | All-around | Flow riders | Conversion | — |
How pivot angle affects your ride
The pivot angle is the angle at which the truck hanger rotates relative to the ground. It’s the single most important number when comparing truck systems.
- 0°–20° (low): Stable, mellow turning. Good for cruising and commuting. The board feels predictable and comfortable at speed, but carving depth is limited. Examples: YOW Legasee (0°), Miller S2 (20°), Hydroponic Gliding (20°).
- 20°–30° (medium): Balanced carving and stability. The sweet spot for most riders — enough turn for satisfying carves without feeling unpredictable. Examples: Carver CX (25°), Slide (24°), YOW Meraki S5 (30°).
- 30°–45° (high): Aggressive, surf-like turning. The board responds quickly to weight shifts, enabling tight turns and realistic surf maneuvers. Less stable at speed. Examples: Smoothstar Thruster (35°), SwellTech (45°), Curfboard (45°).
Higher angle = tighter turns = more responsive = less stable. There’s no “best” angle — it depends on what you want to feel.
Compare pivot angles and all other specs in our truck comparison tool.
How to choose your truck type
By riding style
- Surf training: Spring-based trucks. The rebound mimics wave energy and allows practicing bottom turns, cutbacks, and snaps on flat ground.
- Cruising and commuting: Bushing trucks. Stable, predictable, and comfortable for longer rides.
- Bowl and park: Bushing trucks (especially CX at 25°). Stability in transitions and drops is critical.
- Pumping long distances: Spring-based trucks. The energy return from the spring makes pumping more efficient over distance.
By experience level
Beginner — start with bushing. If you’ve never ridden a surfskate, start with a bushing truck at 20°–25° pivot angle. They’re stable enough to learn on and responsive enough to grow with. You’ll develop your balance, learn to pump, and build confidence before moving to something more aggressive.
Recommended: Carver CX (25°, €€€) or Slide (24°, €€)
Intermediate — move to spring-based. Once you can pump confidently and want to feel closer to surfing, switch to a spring-based truck at 25°–30°. The YOW Meraki S5 is the most popular choice at this level — it’s responsive and fun without being too unpredictable.
Recommended: YOW Meraki S5 (30°, €€€) or Carver C7 (25°, €€€€)
Advanced — go high angle. If you want maximum surf feel and you’ve mastered pumping, go for a high-angle spring truck at 35°+. The Smoothstar Thruster is the surf coach’s choice. The SwellTech is the most extreme — true 360° rotation. These trucks reward skilled riders but will throw beginners off the board.
Recommended: Smoothstar Thruster (35°, €€€€) or SwellTech (45°, €€€€)
On a budget — bushing under €130. If you’re budget-conscious, the best value is in the € bushing range. The Hydroponic Gliding, Long Island Genesis Lean, and Decathlon Oxelo all offer a genuine surfskate experience at entry-level prices. They won’t carve as deep as a Carver or YOW, but they’ll teach you the fundamentals.
Recommended: Hydroponic Gliding (20°, €) or Long Island Genesis Lean (22°, €)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best surfskate truck for beginners?
The Carver CX is widely considered the best truck for beginners. It uses a bushing system with a 25° pivot angle, providing enough responsiveness for satisfying carves while remaining stable enough to learn on. The Slide truck system is another excellent beginner option at a lower price point.
Can I change the trucks on my surfskate?
Yes, most surfskate trucks use standard mounting patterns. You can swap a CX for a C7, or replace Slide trucks with a Meraki system. However, you’ll need to check the mounting hole spacing and may need to adjust your wheelbase. Some systems like the Waterborne adapter are specifically designed to work with any standard truck.
Are spring trucks better than bushing trucks?
Neither is objectively better — they serve different purposes. Spring trucks provide a more dynamic, surf-like ride with snappy rebound, making them ideal for surf training and pumping. Bushing trucks offer more stability and progressive turns, making them better for cruising, bowl riding, and beginners. Many experienced riders own both and choose based on the session.
What truck system is closest to actual surfing?
The SwellTech (45° pivot, 360° rotation) is widely considered the closest to surfing on land. The Smoothstar Thruster (35°) is the most used by surf coaches. The YOW Meraki (30°) offers a good balance of surf feel and usability. All spring-based trucks with 30°+ pivot angles will give you a surf-training experience.
Can I change the spring or bushings to make my truck softer or harder?
Most systems allow this. Carver sells replacement springs (soft, medium, hard) for the C7. YOW sells different spring tensions for the Meraki. For bushing trucks, you can replace the bushings with harder or softer ones from brands like Riptide or Venom. This is one of the cheapest ways to customize your ride feel.
What does pivot angle mean on a surfskate truck?
The pivot angle is the angle at which the truck hanger rotates relative to the deck, measured in degrees. A higher pivot angle (30°–45°) means the truck turns more aggressively per degree of lean, creating a more responsive but less stable ride. A lower angle (0°–25°) turns less per lean, creating a more stable but less responsive ride. Most surf-training trucks have pivot angles of 25°–35°.
How many truck systems are there for surfskates?
Our catalog tracks 20 distinct truck systems from 12 brands. These range from budget bushing systems around €80 to premium spring-loaded systems over €200. You can explore every system with detailed specs in our trucks catalog.
Explore all 20 truck systems with detailed specs, compatible surfskates, and visual comparisons in our truck catalog. Or use the surfskate comparison tool to put complete setups side by side.