The store smelled like fresh carpet, fabric glue, and a woodshop. I surveyed the wall of boards, eyes widening to weigh the possibilities hanging all the way to the store’s rafters. I was twelve, and I had finally convinced my mom to drive me to Redwood City to buy my first skateboard. Standing alone at the counter, I was overwhelmed by all the options I had to consider to construct my own board. Thankfully, I wasn’t left out in the cold — a helpful shop employee guided me through the process. Skateshop employees help newcomers set up their first boards every day, but if you’re in the market for your first complete, it’s helpful to know a little bit about what you’ll buy before going to the store. Let’s dive in!
Deck:
Most people think of skateboard decks first when they picture a skateboard, and for good reason: without the deck, we wouldn’t have a platform to skate on! A skateboard deck is the wooden plank that riders stand on to skate and perform tricks.
Decks come in all shapes and sizes, but most modern skateboard decks resemble a popsicle stick in their shape, and vary at a basic level according to their width. Wider decks offer more stability and surface area for skaters to ride and land on, while narrower decks provide greater maneuverability for tricks. Nowadays, most people ride boards between 8.0 to 8.5 inches wide.
Most skaters develop specific preferences for the dimensions of their decks as they improve; professional skateboarders ride decks with their own customized board shape and contours, as they’ve honed exactly what they like in the skateboard deck. For now, choose a deck that you like — you can always swap it later for another one!
Decks will typically cost between $35-$55. “Shop” decks offer the best deal: these are skateboard decks that the skateshop produces, and are typically cheaper than brand-name skateboards. Most decks are made from the same material (Canadian Maple), so don’t worry about the quality of a deck you might like — most skateboard decks originate from just a few factories!
Wheels:
Wheels come in different sizes and hardness (durometer) ratings. Skateboards go faster with larger wheels, and roll more easily over small obstacles. Every skateboarder has crashed at one time or another because of a pebble; larger wheels help keep this embarrassing moment to a minimum. However, larger wheels also hinder a skateboard’s maneuverability.
This rule also applies for soft vs. hard wheels. Softer wheels make for a faster skateboard, but sacrifice control. Most skaters ride wheels between 51mm and 54mm in diameter, with a standard (99a) durometer. Prices range between $28-$40 for a set of wheels. Roll on!
Trucks:
Trucks allow a skateboard to turn, and are the most complex components of a complete skateboard. Don’t be intimidated, however: trucks are easy to understand in the context of what they help skateboarders accomplish.
Trucks hold skateboard wheels in place, control the maneuverability of a skateboard, and are the surface that skaters use to perform “grinds” (the slides along rails and ledges that you’ve probably seen in a skateboarding magazine or video clip). Like skateboard decks and wheels, trucks come in different sizes, and skateboarders develop strong preferences for certain types of trucks over others. When it comes to equipment choice, skaters are certainly opinionated!
You’ll learn what kind of truck you prefer in time — when buying your first pair, focus on buying trucks that fit your board. A skateshop employee can help you choose the correct width. Every pair of trucks has a range of deck widths it can accommodate, so be sure that your pair allows you to ride the width of the deck that you’ve chosen. A pair of trucks will cost between $40-$60 and should last you a long time — many seasoned skaters ride their trucks until they break in half!
Bearings:
Skateboard bearings are the unsung heroes of a skateboard; unfortunately, they tend to take the brunt of most equipment-related complaints, as most skaters don’t consider them until they begin deteriorating. Bearings attach to skateboard wheels and rotate around truck axles, allowing the wheels to spin. Unlike other skateboard parts, bearings are all the same size, and vary according to the quality of the components within the bearing itself.
Most skaters would agree that their bearings are the most temperamental parts of their skateboard — bearings stop working properly if they get wet or dirty, and are difficult to maintain. As such, most bearings are relatively cheap compared to other skateboard parts. If you’re buying a set of bearings for the first time, a skateshop employee will likely direct you to a set of Bones REDS bearings: they’ve been a perennial favorite of the skateboarding community for years. Prices typically range from $10-$60, but REDS cost around $18.
Next Steps:
I hope this article helped teach the basic components of a skateboard, and what you might look for when you’re ready to buy one for yourself. Skateboarding is all about personal expression, and skateboard parts are no different — everyone develops their own unique preferences as a stylistic extension of how they ride. Don’t be afraid to experiment: get out there and see what works for you!
