They give you the freedom to roam the streets on four small, speedy wheels with the impression that the wind is moving you and that is why we all love skateboards so much! And the sport is so addictive! It’s easy, fun and rather challenging; those skateboarding parks are really designed for the bravest ones to show off how they can master the deck. And while some of us who have been longer in this sport know some tricks, newbies may think that all skateboards are pretty much the same and getting one should take them about 5 minutes. Well, not quite.
You can choose to spend your money on a fancy board that’s simply not designed for your skills, age, height and physical endurance, or, you can take the advice from a fellow skateboarder and take the matter seriously; do your homework on the various types of skateboards and look for your best fit online – you’ll get better deals and the offer is much, much bigger. So, how should you choose the right one for you from the vast offer of skateboards? Simply put, by knowing the basics in skateboarding and by familiarizing yourself with the role of every element:
The deck and the grip
That sturdy, painted and probably very lively decorated board you see, is the deck – the main element of skateboards. Mainly, these decks are made of up to 7 layers plywood glued together. Every deck on the market has pretty much the same shape, so be very careful as the same shape does not necessarily mean the same quality. Sturdiness and good coating on top is crucial here; it will protect your board from moisture damage. There are different sizes of decks – from 19 centimetres width for kids with small feet, up to 22 centimetres. A good skateboard deck will have a layer of grip on the top. Because you’re not buying it for exhibition purposes, but for skateboarding, the grip here also has a major role – it keeps you stable on the deck while you skate and perform the complex moves you so much love.
Trucks
Among the parts in a skateboard that really affect the act of skateboarding are the trucks. These elements are mounted on the underside of the board and allow you to turn left and right when skateboarding. Pay attention when you choose trucks.
Wheels
Skater boys will know it; the sound the wheels make when you rave the streets is every skater’s ecstasy. So when I say that wheels are what you need to choose wisely, believe me. Wheels go on both ends of the trucks, and they come in various sizes. Street skating requires wheels between 49 and 54 millimetres, and skating on transitions, ramps, or in parks would go smoothly with 55-60 mm wheels.
Bearings
For the beginners, a bearing is the small round part that slots into the wheel and allows the board to roll and keep the speed. These are mainly rated by a rating system called ABEC or “Annular Bearing Engineers Committee” and the higher the rating, the better the bearings.
Bolts
We all know what bolts are; they’re the elements that keep the trucks mounted to the skateboard. They’re easy to attach and adjust and you can find them in various sizes according to the size of your trucks and wheels, and they can be coloured! So, if you’re looking for a fancy skateboard by all means, choose coloured bolts for a more stylish appearance.
