I was scrolling Instagram and was met with this story by BKB…
After checking their site, the greeting page states that they are going out of business. Still unsure of the reason for closing. Hopefully, more information will come out soon.
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Aw man thats a buzz kill. Those trucks they got there look nice also 
Buy up a few sets! They’re a steal!!
It is important to know that at least the 185 mm trucks have a bit of an oddball axle length. It’s longer than regular calibers, but shorter than the ~50 mm on each side that most eskate trucks have. If you want to run pulleys with bearings in the pulleys, you pretty much need their pulleys, or you could probably try to reproduce something like theirs and 3d print it. I forget how much axle space most regular skate trucks have, but the BKBs are something like 43 mm instead of the 50 mm of other skate trucks, which makes them less compatible with other DIY stuff.
I think the larger trucks are the same, but I have not had them.
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They do have at least 40t abec style pulleys on sale cheap. 40T Flywheel Pulleys | Build Kit Boards They’re narrow pulleys for 12 mm belts, though, unfortunately. I can’t find any other pulleys on their site right now.
Thinking about the 236mm ones. I wonder if they are nicer than tb215
They do have a drawing on those that shows the axel length is 43 mm on those as well, so just be aware of that. https://buildkitboards.com/cdn/shop/products/Extended-Truck-Dimensions_1024x1024.jpg?v=1658170620
It does massively limit your pulley options.
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I thought they had just a few months back said something about partnership or buyout from meepo… but I might be confusing that. I know Jared the founder had moved on from the business and it was being operated by his partner that came in later. Bummer to see them go…
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Hey Y’all,
Q here, just wanted to pop on here to say hey and how much Jared and I both appreciate the kind words around us ending production.
I’m happy to answer any questions y’all may have, but please be patient as I am running around trying to get all emails answered and orders out lol
To give yall some background and explanation:
Jared moved to focus mainly on Lectec and stayed with BKB to help with manufacturing and product design. He’ll be continuing his ventures with Lectec and trying to continue pushing the DIY spirit to a younger audience through STEM.
BKB was run a bit differently than most Esk8 companies as we were always small and owner-operated. We wanted to do everything in person ourselves for the most part, including board shipping and preparation.
We manufactured all of our larger products in bulk and essentially received all the key components for a board generations at once. We’d then work through the inventory, restocking items that went low, while continuing to improve the board design and prepare for the next generation.
Towards the end of the Type-R and Duo refresh (about 2 years ago) we started to notice a trend across the Esk8 market. You can speculate or argue whatever reason why, but Esk8 was declining with new users and losing a lot of current ones.
Noticing this, we leaned the business model out and cut all unnecessary costs. Continuing on, we had amazing times and we had slow times. All with a stressed smile on our faces. We’re living the dream, but still nervous for where things were headed.
With the recent most recent big inventory restock, we introduced RailCore. We wanted to create something completely unique, that creates opportunities outside of just a skateboard. Although it didn’t completely rock the industry or get adopted by many, I still believe in the concept. Jared and I are proud as hell that we created and sold something completely unique. We know this won’t be the end for RailCore and its conceptual powers, but for BKB it may be time.
While the RailCore inventory was selling, we didn’t have the same inspiration for a new board we had in the past. We always took what people gave us from feedback and reviews to heart, but there was no void to fill. Between that, and the industries status across the board, we felt it was a good time to step back for a bit.
We’re beyond blessed to be in a situation where we can make this decision without any external pressures. This isn’t a rent dispute, or any sort of battle, it’s just time for us to focus on our next/other projects.
With that, it also blesses us with being able to still be active on the account and site to stay connected with and support our BKB family. Which truly means the world to us.
Words can’t put into words how much everyone who’s been a part of the journey has meant to us, and we’re not leaving anyone high and dry. We’re just going back to being riders, and in Jared’s case, an educator as well 
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re: decline in esk8: I feel like adults are going to EUC’s and kids are all going for electric bikes (that look like motorcycles) which even I might have to admit look a lot cooler and are much easier and probably safer to ride (not that the kids are riding safely, but the machines are easier to handle.)
Which works out great for me since I can continue to fly under the radar, regulationally speaking.
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I totally agree!
I think this is a massive contributing factor to the recent declines we’ve seen.
Hell… I even used the rancor system to power 2 razor dirtbike builds, two pedal assist builds. Everything PEV is fun in my opinion, we just have more innovation and toys than ever
Personally, I’m not an EUC fan. I’d be lying if I said I don’t see the hype around the bikes though, I’ve got myself one that I use strictly off-road on the proper trails, but I see them all over the streets here, kids are going 60 mph without helmets!
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