The Ecolite T-Zero Bracket is a remarkably short and robust piece of equipment. According to its designer, John Fisher, the short design enhances its strength. With only one supporting arm, it was engineered to be unbreakable. The bracket was created to compete with other short, zero-degree truck brackets on the market, allowing it to hit a similar price point. When used with a long deck, the bracket helps prevent scraping while providing high top-end speed, especially when paired with stiffer bushings.
Unlike some other rear brackets, the T-Zero can deliver a very "surfy" feel when used with softer bushings, a characteristic that is particularly noticeable on shorter decks. This versatility in feel and speed, achieved by adjusting the bushings, is considered a significant advantage.
When it comes to the ride feel, the bracket offers a unique experience, particularly when customized with the right bushings. Many riders find that the pre-installed bushings, such as tall fat cones, are too stiff. However, swapping them out for softer ones, like Riptide Krank 93a barrels, can dramatically improve the experience for some riders, making the setup feel much more responsive and "surfy." This also allows the rider to initiate a pump at a lower speed. The bracket is praised for its ability to deliver a sublime ride once a substantial amount of speed is achieved.
While harder bushings require more speed, the resulting ride is considered well worth the effort.
Manufacturing and Availability
Manufacturing the bracket has posed challenges for Fisher. The first two batches were machined in Texas, but he later turned to "globally sourced" online vendors who primarily used machine shops in China. Quotes from manufacturers in the USA, Mexico, and Korea were two to three times more expensive than those from China. One non-Chinese vendor even noted that the cost of their raw materials was higher than the finished, delivered price from the Chinese vendor, a common issue attributed to industry subsidies in China.
Unfortunately, the T-Zero bracket has been discontinued, though it is still available at Thane Life Skate Shop. Additionally, John Fisher sells a T-Zero Truck that can be mounted directly under a tapered deck or a fork/drop bracket. Softer bushings are highly recommended for the T-Zero Truck, as the pre-installed ones are often too hard for some riders. Unless a rider weighs 250-300 lbs or is consistently riding at very high speeds, changing the bushings to something softer, like those from Riptide or Seismic, is likely necessary.
Overall, the T-Zero bracket is a highly regarded piece of equipment. Its performance and adaptability are considered a significant upgrade over other options, like the TTS. It’s a simple design that offers a dramatic improvement in ride quality when paired with the right bushings.
I rate it a 9/10, and I am really looking forward to what he comes up with next!!
