TTC's are back (though they're 3TC's now)

[Howard Gordon]

<br><b>TTC's are back.</b> Actually, they're <b>3TC's</b> now, but the identical to the original split-axle design in 101mm and 127mm widths.<br>
<img src="http://www.3dm-sport.com/images/3TC400.jpg"><br>
Glen at SolidSkate.com should be the first to have the 3TC's in stock - drop him a line, or check <a href="http://www.3dm-sport.com">www.3dm-sport.com</a>.<br>

[Wesley Tucker]

Mr. Gordon,

Since no one else is going to shout "Hurrah!" I'll do it. I was really beginning to wonder if I was going to have to consider that Swiss knock off that someone posted a few weeks ago.

I've never owned a TC truck ("T" or "3") but I've ridden several and find them more than acceptable. Over the course, though, of the past couple of years there was one issue with the truck that many people seemed to wonder about, so I'll ask you now. With the original wasn't there some "issues" with the angle of the pivot and how it related to the baseplate? I understand the TTC used a stock Tracker base and the allen-screw pivot was at just a slightly different angle. (I'm writing this from memory and might have my facts a little confused.) So I wonder if the 3TC is an exact re-issue of the TTC or does it have any engineering improvements?

Also, the previous model sold for $135. Will this also be the MSRP of the new model?

None of these are complaints, just questions. Rest assured I'll buy one or two in the Spring (after I finish paying off all my Christmas bills.)

Glad to see this marvelous device available again. As we all told you last winter, it was a mistake to ever withdraw it in the first place!

[Howard Gordon]

The MSRP will remain at $135. The trucks are identical, except that we were able to reprogram the logo engraving. The angle with Indy baseplates is still a slightly better match with the angle of the pivot, but we unfortunately couldn't source Indy baseplates without the hangers, and the RT-X baseplate is a pretty good fit. There were a number of changes to the design I would have liked to make, but the practical reality was that I have a machinist with a working CNC program for the 101mm and 127mm parts, and rather than waiting/hoping for another 6 months that we might be able to make some changes, we ran with what I know already works. Given that the existing design still works quite well, that was probably a good decision.

[John Gilmour]

Howard- I still ran the original TTC you gave me prior to LaCosta 2001 at the 2003 MB. Still my favorite rear truck for high speed tech TS. I don't see much need for change as it works well enough. If you were considering any changes here are my 2 cents.

The pivot could use a real ball shape-

Some edge champher might help protect grommets

A beefier screw in axle.

Even with the above mentioned mods- its likely I would still run mine exactly as it is today.

[Hunter Singleton]

why are these so expensive and what makes them any better than seismics or Rtx/s's

[John Gilmour]

The geometry is reduced over the RTX, which is better used as a front truck. I haven't had enough time on the metal seismics to compare.

The 3TC is a rear truck- and nowadays rear trucks are the more expensive of the two. Also the RTX is a cast truck whereas the 3TC body is machined froma solid block of metal.

[Paul Howard]

Howard, Hey! I'm stoked your making them again. I like them a LOT, better than other offsets I've used, however one thing I'm curious about is the axle alignment issue. Two of my TTC's (a 101, and a 127) seemed to have nicely aligned axles (the 101 I bought from Mike Dong - modified/realigned - unknown) and they ride like "butta" (you know- butter), the third is a 101 where the axles are out of alignment and it was noticeable when ran against the "perfect" one. The axle materials of the 101's is different between the trucks and I'm wondering were they done by different machine shops? Is the present machine shop curing this slight ill of the not true axles? I sent the "not perfect" one to MMW/Geezer but haven't ridden it yet. Anyhow, I love the ride of those things on hybrid and G/S so I'm stoked. Also for anyone who is still reading this and owns a TTC or gets the 3TC, I pulled out the pivot screw, filled the hex hole with "JB Weld" metal epoxy, let it cure COMPLETELY, put the screw into my electric drill which was clamped to my work bench then proceeded to use a metal file to round the edges off in psuedo/makeshift lathe fashion and finished it with emery cloth and it does'nt wear away pivot cup/bushings any more than other trucks now. I also have wondered if in the long-term a thicker screw would be advantageos? So far mine have held up fine but I'd rather not find out otherwise the hard way. Dang I wish the weather would clear up so I could go ride instead of entering my
overly worded entries. Thanks Howard - Happy New Year everyone- Paul Howard

[Paul Howard]

I should have mentioned in my prior entry, the one "misaligned axle" 101 TTC I've got was barely out of alignment and still gave me good rear traction , and overall I like the TTC/3TC feel a LOT!! Thanks - Paul Howard.

[Howard Gordon]

I've seen a couple of TTC's that were reported to be "out of alignment", but I haven't seen that in recent batches, and the few that came back were minor enough that we use them on our boards. I've heard that Geezer-X does a nice job with his replacement axles. We've used Grade 8 bolts all along, and the diameter is just slightly under 8mm (approx 7.93mm), so I don't know how much difference the axle change actually makes. For me, the feeling of the split axle on that big hunk of aluminium is great - much more secure than the offsets.

[W. Kilner]

So will the 3-TC still be in production now that Dan Gesmer has taken over? Just curious.