Key Specifications
- 120mm Precision Hangars
- 50/20 Degree Baseplates
- Slalom-Inspired Geometry
- Pewter/Venom Colorway
- Sold as Complete Pairs
Every downhill skater knows the frustration: you’re carving through a technical section when suddenly your trucks lose grip, sending you into a speed wobble. Conventional wisdom says to tighten your trucks, but that just sacrifices agility for stability. The result? Either sketchy high-speed wobbles or sluggish cornering that kills your flow.
This compromise between grip and stability has plagued downhill skateboarding for years – until now. The Bear Trucks Precision Slalom Smokey 120mm redefines what’s possible with slalom-inspired geometry that delivers both razor-sharp precision and unshakable confidence at 50+ mph.
Engineering Meets Art: The Smokey Legacy Reborn
When Bear Trucks first introduced the Smokey series, they revolutionized downhill truck design. The 2020 Precision Slalom edition represents the culmination of 15 years of R&D, blending competition-proven slalom technology with the demands of modern downhill skating.
Triple-Layer Anatomy of Performance
Physical Structure: CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum hangars with precision bearings seats ensure consistent performance. The 120mm width provides optimal leverage for power slides while maintaining nimble responsiveness.
Geometric Alchemy: The secret lies in the 50/20 degree baseplate configuration. The 50° front truck delivers aggressive turn initiation, while the 20° rear maintains high-speed stability – creating what pro skaters call “the perfect steering ratio.”
Performance Mechanism: Slalom-inspired bushing seats allow for deeper lean angles without compromising recentering force. The result? Grip that feels glued to the pavement and rebound that snaps you into the next turn.
How Smokey 120mm Outperforms the Competition
| Feature | Smokey 120mm | Brand X Pro | Brand Y Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornering Grip | ★★★★★ (Slalom geometry) | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| High Speed Stability | ★★★★☆ (20° rear) | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Bushing Responsiveness | ★★★★★ (Deep seat design) | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ (Precision CNC) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
More Than Metal: The Rider Connection
What sets the Smokey apart isn’t just measurable performance – it’s how they feel. Pro rider Marcus Bandoni describes it best: “The first time I took these through a technical downhill course, it was like the trucks disappeared. Not in a scary way – in that perfect way where your body just flows with the road and the equipment becomes an extension of your instincts.”
This emotional connection creates what we call “confidence amplification” – when your gear’s performance actually improves your mental game. Knowing your trucks will hold that extra 5° of lean angle lets you push limits you wouldn’t dare attempt otherwise.
From Struggle to Flow: A Downhiller’s Journey
Initial State
Sarah, an intermediate downhill skater, struggles with inconsistent grip through technical corners. She constantly adjusts her bushings, never finding the perfect balance.
Breaking Point
During a race, her current trucks unpredictably lose traction mid-corner, causing a high-speed bail that sidelines her for weeks.
Transformation
With Smokey 120mms, Sarah gains the confidence to attack corners aggressively. Her race times drop by 12% in just two months.
Why 120mm is the Sweet Spot
The Bear Trucks Precision Slalom Smokey 120mm hits the perfect balance between downhill stability and slalom agility. Wider than traditional downhill trucks (typically 150mm+), the 120mm width offers several advantages:
- Lower rotational mass for quicker turn initiation
- Reduced wheelbite risk with modern wheel sizes
- Optimized leverage for controlled slides
- Lighter overall setup without sacrificing strength
Technical Downhill Skateboarding Gear That Delivers
For skaters searching for precision downhill skateboard trucks, slalom-inspired longboard trucks, or high-performance skateboard components, the Smokey 120mm represents a paradigm shift. Unlike traditional downhill skateboard setups that force you to choose between stability and grip, these trucks deliver both through innovative geometry honed in competitive slalom circuits.
Whether you’re bombing mountain roads or competing in downhill skateboard races, the combination of 50/20 degree baseplates and precision-machined hangars provides the best downhill skateboard trucks for technical courses where millisecond reactions determine victory.
The Verdict: Redefining Downhill Performance
The Bear Trucks Precision Slalom Smokey 120mm aren’t just another component upgrade – they’re a complete reimagining of what downhill trucks can be. By blending slalom responsiveness with downhill stability, they solve the fundamental compromise that’s limited skaters for generations.
For riders ready to experience the next evolution of downhill performance, these trucks offer more than specs – they deliver transformative confidence. As pro rider Jake Anderson puts it: “Once you ride Smokey 120mms, everything else feels like training wheels.”