A Flex-trol skateboard, apparently the first one on the Interwebs, as I couldn’t find a single image of one anywhere. I’m guessing the name is combination of “flex” and “control.” Yeah I know, wild guess.
This skateboard is fitted with a tension and torque control bar. The trucks are held at a fixed distance by the bar and as result:
- Has a sharp turning radius. It takes less lean to do a turn.
- Fewer skid-outs. The control bar tends to keep all 4 wheels on the ground during maneuvers.
- Board flex is controlled. As the flex increases, the board stiffens. This eliminates any “mushy” feel.
Manufactured by the good folks at A.E. & Co out of Tarzana, Ca. I’m tempted to look it up and see if that patent ever got awarded. List of possible subtitles for this post:
It takes less lean to do a turn.
Fewer skid-outs
As the flex increases, the board stiffens?
Danimal picked this up recently at a Good Will!
4 comments
Bevilacqua
Griffin Skates has something like this.
I also found some pics of early Nash with a metal base plate running from front truck to rear.
Pookers
So does the tension bar work? How’s the ride?
Richard Saunders
Oh wow–blast from the past! That was my first board in 1975. The deck was about as flexible as a sidewalk. The manufacturer evidently did no materials testing, because the plastic used for the deck was entirely wrong. The Flex-trol bar held the trucks together to literally keep the deck from snapping when one stood on it. Ask me how I know.
Kilwag
“Ask me how I know.” – love it!