There are a lot of wannabe pro skateboards out there today. If you aren’t careful you may get to spend some time in the emergency when your poser skateboard puts you in the emergency room on your first ollie. Let’s face it, you can’t be working on new tricks from a hospital bed, even though you might want to try!
When you are building the perfect skateboard, there are several important things you need to take into consideration. This is not only about style, but safety issues. Everyone wants the best looking skateboard, but it’s important to buy the proper equipment for both street or vertical skatingboarding. Here is a list of things to consider when putting together your skateboard.
Quality Costs Money
Right off the bat you need to accept that a pro skateboard is going to be expensive. It’s just how it is, but of course you get what you pay for. Some pro decks can set you back a paycheck or two, but I guarantee it is money well spent. You will also want to consider paying top dollar for quality bearings, wheels and trucks. If you want a killer design, that can also set you back, but that all depends on your personal style.
Wheels
The average wheels are between 52mm and 54mm in diameter. A street skater will usually use between a 50-55mm to help with ollies and other tricks like kick flips. These shorter wheels keep the board closer to the ground to help with maneuverability when pumping out these kinds of tricks.
For vert skaters, you will want bigger wheels to help with speed. Usually these range in size from 60-65mm. For someone who does both street and vert skating, stick between 55-60mm.
The hardness of the wheels range from about 77-101 in durometer. The lower the number, the softer the wheel. For more speed you will want a harder wheel. So for example a street skater may opt for a 97 durometer while a vert skater may use a 95.
Bearings
The average size for most skateboards is 608 bearings. The ratings on most bearings range from 1-9, with 9 being the fastest bearing you can buy. However, the ratings usually don’t mean a whole lot from most manufacturers. So stick between a 3-7 rated bearing.
Decks
For street skating you usually want a deck width of about 7.5-8 inches and for vertical skating over 8 inches. You also must consider your weight when choosing the perfect deck. If you are taller and weigh more, go for a wider deck. If you are short and light, a narrow board is probably more ideal. Always try out a few decks from different companies to find the perfect one for you.
One final tip is to ask more experienced skaters for tips on what to buy and why. But again, you must go with what you are most comfortable with. Building the perfect pro skateboard should be fun and enjoyable. Take your time and always opt for quality over cheaping out.