Choosing a Skateboard
There are a lot of components to pay attention to when choosing a skateboard. It’s important to pay attention to a lot of aspects when choosing a board, since all of these combine together to make a good product suitable for you. This depends on both the quality of the materials, the designs that fit your tastes and the accessories that you will end up buying. If you are fussy about matching your gear, it’s vital to choose a skateboard design that will fit the rest of your gear.
For example, you will need to pay attention to the grip tape you choose, the wheel size, the deck size, the durability of the trucks, the wood the deck is made out of etc. All of these features can get confusing, especially for a beginner skater, since there are many things to pay attention to. We decided to help out, and provide a list that can help you decide what deck, wheels and trucks you need to choose to have a quality skateboard.
It’s very important to spend some time deciding what you will be using your skateboard for, too. This will help you decide which features you will want included with your skateboard, and which features you should exclude.
How to Choose a Skateboard Deck?
Arguably, the deck is the most important part of the skateboard. After all, this is the main area of space that you will be standing on! When choosing a skateboard deck, it’s important to look at the wood it is made out of. Usually, the most commonly used wood for skateboards is Canadian Maple; bamboo and Baltic Birch plywood coming in second and third. These types of woods prove to be the most durable, which makes them perfect for withstanding all the batter and wear and tear that you will be putting them through.
Another thing to pay attention to when buying a skateboard is the shape of the board. Usually, the most common shape is the radial concave that is shaped in a ‘u’. Some boards have deeper curves than others, but this shape is definitely the most popular shape on the market today. It allows for good balance and good stability when skating, whether it be for cruising or in-air tricks.
If you are looking for a sturdy board, it’s also important to look out for boards that have 7-9 plies of layered wood. This means the amount of wood that is layered on the deck, and the more plies, the more durable the deck. However, this can also make the board heavy, so make sure to pay attention what you will be using it for!
How to Choose Trucks for a Skateboard
Choosing trucks for your skateboard is relatively easy! The most important things to consider are the width and height, since they have to match the size of your deck. First, you should determine what size deck you have, measure it, and choose suitable trucks based on the measurement you get. Generally, a 5” hanger will fit decks that are between 7.5” and 8”, and a 5.25” hanger will fit decks that measure between 8” and 8.5”.
Now, when considering the height, you will need to know what you intend to do when riding your skateboard. For example, if you want to have a sturdy board that will help you do tricks, then lower trucks should be your go-to choice. If you are looking for speeds when cruising the roads, then higher trucks are a must, since your wheels will be bigger. For beginners, we recommend to get medium sized trucks with a standard skateboard, so that you can determine what type of riding you like most. Later, you will be able to properly customize your skateboard, since you will have developed your tastes.
How to Choose a Skateboard Size?
Skateboard sizes will depend on your age, size and build. Skateboards that are between 6.5” to 7.3” are usually for kids, while skateboards between 7.5” to 9” are for adults. Anything above 7.5” is considered a longboard, or a cruising board, and is used mostly for riding around roads instead of tricks.
If you are looking for a normal skateboard, choose a board sized between 7.5” to 8”.
If you are looking for a cruising board, choose a board that is above 8.25”.
Skateboard Sizes Guide
Skateboard sizes vary, and each size is useful for a different purpose!
+ 7.5” to 8.5” skateboards are ideal for complicated tricks, riding the streets and general park use.This is the standard adult skateboard.
+ 8.5” to 8.25” skateboards are perfect for ramps, skating pools, cruising and riding around on sidewalks and roads.
+ 8.25” + skateboards are mainly used for cruising around cities, streets and pavements and are not commonly used for tricks.
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