Propels whole unique selling point is that each wheel has independent suspension. The new truck design, although visually similar because it has springs, actually has a fixed axle - no more independent suspension.
Like, if the value prop for propel is suspension trucks, this is not it. Maybe this is more of a streetboard specific truck - not intended for eMTB?
Thats gotta be like 50mm of rake. I wonder how that feels with the spring bushing system.
From my experience hydraulic dampers on steering make a board ride fairly harsh because those dampers resist sudden compression very well so your trucks don’t work as part of your suspension anymore and bumps on the road tend to shake the board around.
I think the biggest advantage here is that springs and dampers are theoretically much better than urethane bushings as the springs will always rebound quickly keeping pressure on the hangar whereas bushings can compress and take too long to spring back because they have to be dampers too and this causes a floaty feeling where you have no centre point because the bushings haven’t sprung back yet.
Keen to try it at esk8con. Also keen to see how long those dampers last as the motorcycle steering dampers I’ve used blew up pretty quickly since they are designed for a slow steering motorbike and not a skateboard where the truck absorbs road impacts.
Some good footage and comments.
I had a chance to ride this board at ESK8con. It was very carvy but did not feel unstable at speed (keep in mind fast for me is 25mph). I wish I had been able ride it for a full day to get used to it and may some tuning adjustments. This is one of the few boards I may be interested in picking up this year.
Imagine the mess slamming into an obstacle at speed with these trucks!
That’s certainly interesting but an overengineered mess.
Sure, engineering wise it’s new, it’s fancy but I can’t help feel this is for people with very clean boards who like shiny Lambos and Ferraris and stuff like that.
The comparison to Onewheel suspension comes to mind.
Some people don’t seem to have knees.
“Added weight and hazardous parts to fall onto when you’re out in the sticks? Yes please!”
I dunno man, sounds like bullshit to me.
I know there are a lot of people here too cool for prebuilts anymore but I thought this board actually felt pretty nice at esk8con. Very smooth trucks.
Also tried it at ESK8con and now I have one on the way. The hydraulics set to about 4 up front and higher at the back allow you to still tilt fast at slower and medium speeds but felt stable at higher speed. The deck was maybe the biggest surprise of the entire experience. It’s flexy but not too flexy and I felt locked in nicely with useable real estate. I have bigger feet so was hoping it would be as wide as my friend’s Pivot, as that excessive deck width is basically perfect for my feet but this feels a bit less wide to me. ESC was smoother than expected but I will probably change out eventually regardless. The owner of Propel seemed interested in selling the trucks to DIYers and botique builders in the future.
Make a bumper for it.
It comes with one. The earlier photos in the thread didn’t show it but it’s this:
https://www.ridepropel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/3-1-600x376.png.webp
Sorry for double post but I wanted to post this image. Since it’s closer.
https://www.ridepropel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4-1-600x376.png.webp
It does protect the hydraulic dampener but it’s directly attached to the suspension arms and will transfer force to those components so not ideal. One mounted to the pivot point or the truck bolts would be better.