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
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!
Pookers
So does the tension bar work? How’s the ride?
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.