A skateboard is more than just a board with wheels underneath. The various models and types differ significantly in terms of durability, performance, and features. These five characteristics in particular have a major influence on a skateboard's performance:
- Board type
- Deck
- Trucks
- Wheels
- Bearings
Buying a skateboard – the different skateboard types
There are three different types of boards:
Longboards and cruisers are perfect for carving. Classic skateboards, on the other hand, are more agile than longboards or cruisers. They are therefore better suited for stunts and tricks in the skatepark or half-pipe. So-called cruiser boards are a mix between cruisers and skateboards. They are easy to steer and optimal for cruising around the city. Cruiser boards are only very limitedly suitable for stunts and tricks.
Skateboard deck
The skateboard deck is the footboard. Its quality depends heavily on the type of wood the deck is made from. Maple wood, for example, is particularly hard and durable. Besides the type of wood, the size of the deck plays an important role. If you want to buy a skateboard, you should choose the right width, which depends directly on your shoe size:
- Shoe size EU 35–40: Deck width 7.25 to 7.8”, which corresponds to about 18–20 cm
- Shoe size EU 40–45: Deck width 7.8 to 9”, which corresponds to about 20–23 cm
- Shoe size EU > 45: Deck width at least 7.8”, preferably more. This corresponds to a width of at least 20 cm.
Skateboard trucks
The axles on a skateboard are called trucks. They come in different materials and shapes. Lightweight trucks react strongly and make you agile. Hard trucks do not react as strongly. You need this rigidity for stunt skating.
Skateboard bearings
You should also pay attention to the bearings when buying a skateboard. For the street, bearings in the ABEC 3–5 range are suitable. For the park and on ramps, we recommend precision bearings of the ABEC 7–9 class. You need to break in your bearings correctly at the beginning and maintain them carefully later. Bearings are particularly sensitive to moisture and dampness.
Skateboard wheels
The fifth important component of a skateboard is the wheels. Two properties are important here:
- The size, i.e., the diameter
- The hardness
Large wheels with a diameter of 55–65 mm are faster. They are therefore particularly well-suited for ramps. Smaller wheels of 50–55 mm are not quite as fast, but are particularly agile. They are preferred primarily by street skaters.
When it comes to hardness, the rule is: the harder a wheel is, the faster it rolls. Soft wheels, on the other hand, dampen vibrations more effectively and provide more grip. You can recognize the hardness level of a wheel by a combination of a number and the letter A, e.g., 100A. The higher the number, the harder the wheels.
