If you’ve ever wondered why half the pros in skating ride Independent, this guide clears it up. Independent Trucks, founded in 1978 by NHS (the Santa Cruz people), has been making trucks for 47 years and has become the absolute benchmark for quality and consistency. In this guide we go model by model so you can pick the one that works best for you.
Why Independent is what it is
Independent ran with a simple idea: “the best truck on the market, no fluff”. They’ve had 11 generations (hence “Stage 11”), refining geometry, alloys and bushings each time. Tony Hawk, Andrew Reynolds, Diego Najera, Jamie Foy… nearly every pro you see in magazines and videos rides Indy. It’s not marketing — it’s because they rarely fail.
The 3 main versions
Stage 11 Standard
The “old reliable” truck. Cast aluminium, standard kingpin, firm Indy bushings.
- Weight per truck: ~365 g
- Durability: 5-10 years with amateur use
- Price: €60-75 a set
- For whom: beginners, intermediates, advanced skaters who aren’t chasing the last drop of performance. Recommended for 90% of skaters.
Stage 11 Hollow
Lightened version with hollow kingpin and axle.
- Weight per truck: ~285 g (-22% vs Standard)
- Setup saving: 160 g total
- Price: €80-95 a set
- For whom: technical street skaters filming lines who want every gram. For normal use, the extra cost isn’t worth it.
Stage 11 Forged Hollow
Independent’s peak. Forged aluminium (instead of cast) + hollow axle.
- Weight per truck: ~290 g (similar to the normal Hollow but more resistant)
- Durability: extreme, practically indestructible
- Price: €90-120 a set
- For whom: pros, very heavy skaters (>90 kg), or people who want a “for life” truck.
Height: Standard, Mid or Low
Independent offers three heights for each model. Height defines how far the deck sits off the ground:
| Height | Truck lift | For which wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (53 mm) | The all-time standard | 54-58 mm wheels |
| Mid (52 mm) | -1mm vs Standard | 52-55 mm wheels |
| Low (50 mm) | -3mm | 50-52 mm wheels, street feel |
Independent sizes and which deck they fit
| Indy size | Axle width | Deck width |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | 6.90″ | 6.25–7.6″ |
| 129 | 7.60″ | 7.4–7.8″ |
| 136 / 139 | 8.00″ | 7.8–8.2″ |
| 144 | 8.25″ | 8.2–8.375″ |
| 146 | 8.375″ | 8.125–8.625″ |
| 149 | 8.50″ | 8.375–8.6″ |
| 151 | 8.625″ | 8.375–8.875″ |
| 159 | 8.75″ | 8.6–9.0″ |
| 169 | 9.125″ | 9.0–9.5″ |
| 215 | 10.00″ | 9.5–10.5″ |
To work out the exact size for your deck, use the trucks calculator.
Bushings and Indy geometry
Indys come from the factory with 90A bushings (medium-hard). Designed for a 65-85 kg skater with controlled turning.
If you weigh under 60 kg: the truck feels locked, hard to turn. Swap to 87A.
If you weigh over 85 kg: the bushings flatten fast. Swap to 92A or 94A.
If you want more carving (e.g. cruising): swap to 85-87A for wide turns.
Loose bushings cost €5-10 a set and swap in 2 minutes with an allen key. It’s the difference between a truck you love and one that makes you seasick.
Independent vs Thunder vs Venture
| Criterion | Independent | Thunder | Venture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Agility / pop | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Durability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Weight (Standard) | 365 g | 320 g | 350 g |
| Price | €60-75 | €55-70 | €50-65 |
| For what | Universal | Technical street | Middle ground |
Which Independent to buy for your profile
- Beginner: Stage 11 Standard, size to match your deck. €60-75. It’ll last years.
- Intermediate street skater: Stage 11 Standard or Hollow Mid. The Mid is slightly lower, better for flips.
- Bowl skater: Stage 11 Standard, Standard height. Maximum stability in transitions.
- Pro or very advanced: Forged Hollow Mid. The lightest and most resistant. Worth it if you skate daily.
- Big skater (>90 kg): Forged Hollow Standard. Forged aluminium takes your weight without bending.
Where next?
- Calculate your exact Indy size for your deck.
- Read the general trucks guide to understand the rest of the market.
- Combine with the wheels calculator to nail the whole setup.
Ready to buy?
If you want to skip the back-and-forth, here are two clear paths. If you'd rather fine-tune, head back to the sections above.
Conversation
Your name will be public. Your email stays private. Comments are reviewed before publishing.