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The Timberwolf XtreeM is a Caster Board invented, developed and manufactured by T.J. O’Rourke & his son Nathaniel O'Rourke.
The XtreeM was designed from the outset to be a real rider’s board, not just a toy, and this is reflected in the design, materials and components.
Like any caster board, it is self-propelled - the rider can accelerate without putting a foot down.
What's different about the XtreeM -
DESIGN - especially a patent-pending 'Rock & Roll' caster design, that allows the casters to 'rock' and the board to roll in either direction [1]
MATERIALS - light weight and reactive materials (balsa, fibreglass, aluminum and Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) that make it easier to accelerate and maneuver [2]
COMPONENTS - these are high quality and individually replaceable, giving the board a custom, hand-built feel [3]
Origins of the name ‘Timberwolf XtreeM’
According to T.J. O’Rourke, “Wolf was a given because I have owned several (or should I say I’ve known several that hung out with me) and I have an affinity for them. Timber came from the fact that it [the deck] is made with Maple rather than plastic.
“So as we were messing about with a logo that was a wolf that was also a tree, we accidentally noticed that we could make a kind of hieroglyphic that spelled out the word XtreeM by making one of the wolf's jowls look like an X and the other jowl like an M. So the logo came before the name” [4]
Decks
The decks are made of 7-ply Maple, like a regular skateboard, creating a lively, responsive ride. A new, cold-pressed deck has been prototyped and is about to become commercially available [5] that should improve the durability of the deck.
The decks are covered with grip-tape, like a skateboard, with graphics printed on the tape. The graphics were designed to not reduce grip too much [6].
Torsion bar
Instead of a regular spring-loaded torsion bar, the XtreeM uses a molded bar of Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene around a rigid fiberglass spindle. This provides more durability and feedback than the conventional cylinder/spring assembly. And it's flat underneath, which is much easier to balance on a rail.
Rockers
Most caster boards are monodirectional, with casters facing forward at an angle molded into the board itself. This creates a fixed nose and tail.
On the XtreeM, however, the rider can rock, or throw, the casters from one direction to the other while riding, making the symmetrical board completely bi-directional. The ‘throw’ distance of the caster rockers has been kept short, so tricks such as varials and spins are more accessible.
Lifters
As well as being able to flip the direction of the casters while riding, you can tune the character of the board by changing the ‘lifters’ (urethane-compound shock-absorbers under the casters).
The ‘number 3’ lifters are denser shocks that keep the casters closer to their swivel axis, an effect that reduces overall top speed but makes the board bounce and spin much faster, giving it more of a ‘trick’ orientation.
The ‘number 1’ lifters, on the other hand, sweep each casters further behind the axis, which gives the board more of a ‘speed’ orientation, with more of the rider’s movement converted into linear acceleration rather than horizontal rotation. This gives appreciably better acceleration and a higher top speed. It also gives the board a more ‘drifty’ riding style, where you can accelerate by moving both decks in the same direction, a movement known as a ‘butter slide’ [7]
The 'number 2' lifters provide a compromise ride between the two extremes.
Overall, the effect of changing lifters is similar to changing gears on a bike, although as you do need to get off and use an Allen key, most Timberwolf riders tend to stay on one type most of the time.
Tricks
In general...
"What you can do on a skateboard that you can't on a casterboard?" - Grinds (skateboarding)
"What can you do on a caster that you can't on a skateboard?" - Accelerate uphill and drift [8]
Generally speaking, the Timberwolf's bidirectional casters makes for exciting transitions and spins [9], and the flat torsion bar makes it easier to balance on rails. The addition of grab-handles enable the rider to perform grab-tricks not usually possible on a casterboard. And the lightness and responsiveness of the whole package give a more exciting ride overall.
Community
Timberwolf tries to promote inclusivity and camaraderie among riders of different makes of board. As T.J.O'Rourke says,
"Liking one should not threaten the other. Let's get our y chromozones under control and not make everything a battle. If you enjoy one, do it. If you try the other and like it, do it as well. If you want to concentrate on one or the other then do so and allow others that same freedom without undue condemnation. Moreover be encouraging" [10].
As well as a presence on the 'CasterAddicts' casterboard community site http://www.casteraddicts.com/, there is also the ‘Wolf Den’ riders’ forum http://www.twxtmwolfden.com/
Competitions
Timberwolf organised the first on-site Caster Board competition in Browsville, Texas, on the 22nd August 2009. Riders of all makes of caster board were invited, and trophies were given for races, freestyle/street, and bowl riding [11].
Team riders
The ‘Wolf Pack’ team currently consists of 4 riders: Nathaniel O’Rourke, Thomas Ellwood, Brandon Pennington & Michael King [12]
References