Nowadays, skateboarding is very popular not only among young people, but also among adults. Coming to us from the West, this board on wheels allows not only to skate beautifully and quickly, making a minimum of effort, but also to perform many spectacular and mind-blowing tricks that will surely attract the attention of the audience. However, this is possible only if the board is selected correctly, and its main elements are fully consistent with the operating conditions.
What are the elements of any skateboard?
The construction of a skateboard, at first glance, is quite simple and does not have complex or expensive components. There are three main components considered to be key:
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Deck – the upper part of the board, on which they stand with their feet when rolling. Depending on the type of skateboard, the deck can be of different lengths and widths, as well as a variable design and can be made of two or even three elements.
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Truck tracks. An element that is a kind of analogue of the suspension and serves to connect the deck to the wheels.
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Wheels. A rotating structural element that carries the main load during riding.
What should be the skateboard board (deck)?
The deck of any skateboard is a board of a special shape that has several different bends. So, the front part has a bend called the nose, the back, respectively, bends and is designated as the tail. The side elements are also made in a special form called concave, and their main purpose is to maneuver and control the board while riding.
Almost always, the deck is based on natural wood, and it is made according to the principle of a sandwich, which includes from 7 to 9 different layers. The deck is covered from the outside with special lamination materials that improve traction with shoes while riding, and also perform an aesthetic function. A similar coating is located at the bottom of the deck, but its function is different – it is intended for performing tricks and sliding on hard surfaces.
The geometric dimensions of classic skateboards are almost always limited to a length of 75-80 centimeters with a width of 20-25 centimeters. On sale you can also find special long boards, called longboards, designed for active riding. Their length can reach one and a half meters.
What should be the suspension (tracks)?
The tracks are a kind of transitional element from the deck to the wheels and acts as a kind of suspension that absorbs shocks and directly affects the stability of the skate while riding. Tracks are made of durable plastic or metal, and their thickness also varies. When choosing a skateboard, you should consider the operating conditions, as well as the rider's own weight. The larger the latter, the more durable and thicker the tracks installed on the skateboard should be. However, this factor also plays a negative role, making the skateboard heavier and less maneuverable. It is for this reason that the strength of the skateboard should not be overused.
What should be the wheels and bearings
When choosing a skateboard, you need to pay special attention to the material from which the wheels are made. In 99% of cases, this role will be played by polyurethane, however, the degree of its density can be quite different:
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Soft wheels (polyurethane grade 70-80A) provide high smoothness and excellent performance. The downside is the rapid wear of the wheels during active operation;
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Wheels of medium hardness (80-85A) are an excellent balance of strength characteristics, softness and smoothness;
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Rigid wheels (over 85A) – strong, reliable and durable. These wheels are installed on high-speed models, as well as on those skateboards, tracks of which provide a decent degree of shock absorption;
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Also, don't forget the importance of the size of your skateboard wheels. The general rule here is the following – the larger the wheels are installed on a particular model, the more speed it is.
Speed, rolling and other features depend not only on the wheels and their design, but also on the quality of the bearings installed in them. This parameter is designated by the ABEC marking and indicates the quality and level of specific bearing models. The cheapest and, accordingly, the lowest quality bearings are labeled ABEC3 – they are installed only in inexpensive skateboards. The most expensive and high-quality bearings belong to the ABEC9 class, they are equipped with the most expensive, professional models. For most buyers, models equipped with 5-7 class bearings are quite enough.
What else to consider when choosing a skateboard
When choosing your first skateboard, pay attention to the manufacturer. You should not save and choose deliberately budget options from unnamed Chinese manufacturers. With dubious savings, the disappointment of poor quality will befall you very soon. It is for this reason that preference should be given to proven European or American manufacturers.
Currently, there are a great many models on sale, differing not only in design, but also in the degree of readiness. For a beginner, the best option would be the so-called 'complete' – a skateboard that is fully assembled and ready for use. As the skills grow and the technique is mastered, an awareness comes of what a particular rider needs, and it is at this moment that the so-called tuning begins – the appropriate deck is selected, on which certain tracks and custom wheels are installed, serving to achieve certain goals. Fortunately, all these elements can be found on sale separately, which opens up truly endless possibilities for skateboard 'tuners'.
Having picked up a certain model, it will be useful to read user reviews about it, which can be found on the Internet. Both positive and negative comments should be taken into account.
In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a scooter and the secrets of choosing roller skates.
Skateboard selection video
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
