Buying a new skateboard can be exciting. With the virtually limitless options to choose from, the possibilities are endless. But for the very same reason, choosing one from thousands of skateboards can also be overwhelming, especially if you are still starting out. Fortunately, there are ways to trim down your search so you can head out and start cruising or doing your kickflips in no time.
Skateboard Style
When looking for a skateboard, the first thing you have to ask yourself is where you would use it. If you want to just ride it around town and not up a curb, then you should go for a cruiser board. Cruiser boards are wide and have soft wheels that are perfect for cruising. If you want to do tricks at the skate park or on a mini ramp, then you would need a more classic-shaped skateboard.
Deck Size
Next to the style, the size of the deck is one of the first things you need to consider when choosing skateboards. With the growing popularity of the sport, even this feature has many options. Most brands offer their products with a wide range of sizes, starting off with the micro, which is 6.5” to 6.75” wide, all the way to full-sized decks, which are 7.5” or wider. You can check out the size charts for reference.
Wheels
Your choice of wheels will depend on your skateboarding style. For street skating, smaller wheels that are more lightweight and responsive are better. A wheel size of 49mm to 52mm will do the job. For transition skating, bigger wheels are preferable. The larger wheels will give you a higher surface speed needed for airs or grabs. These are usually 54mm to 60mm in size.
Trucks
The trucks are the metallic parts that connect the wheels to the board. To determine the right size of your trucks, the deck size is a good reference. Make sure that the length of the axle fits the width of your deck, which means that it is not too short and does not stick out either. For example, a truck size of 149mm should go well with a board that is eight inches wide.
Deck Shape
Skateboards come in several shapes and sizes, and this can be confusing to a novice skater. The conventional board shape is a safe choice for doing basic tricks on flat surfaces. For more advanced flips, concave boards are preferred as the curve between the nose and the tail makes it easier to flip the board.
Tips on the Graphics
If the graphics on your skateboard holds special meaning to you and you want to preserve it, you are better off hanging it on a wall and getting another one for daily use. Board graphics will eventually fade away with frequent use. However, keep in mind that the more you wear out your board, the more you develop your skills.
Conclusion
If you are still confused as to what skateboard to get, do not worry too much. It will take some time and experience before you can develop enough skills to actually know which skateboard is perfect for you. Besides, skateboarding is supposed to be a fun sport. Whichever you end up choosing, it will surely give you hours of fun shredding the surface.
