What To Look For When Buying A Good Skateboard

If you are new to the world of skateboarding and want to buy a skateboard for yourself or your kids, it can be a bit overwhelming. With so many brands, sizes, colors, wheel options, and wood combinations to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, with a few tips and hints, you can easily pick the right skateboard for your needs and start enjoying this exciting sport.

As a beginner skateboarder, it may be tempting to buy the first cheap skateboard you see at a department store. However, this might not be the best idea. Cheap wheels that don't turn well or other low-quality components might break quickly, leaving you with the need to buy another skateboard sooner than you'd like. Instead, invest in a good quality skateboard from the start. You don't have to go for the most expensive option, as there are many mid-range boards that are excellent and can last for quite some time.

When looking for a skateboard, focus on finding one that has well-made wheels and trucks that can easily turn. Skateboards that fall between the $50 to $100 range are often good options for beginners. You will feel a big difference in your riding experience with a quality board compared to a cheap one.

Another factor to consider when buying a skateboard is size. The size of the skateboard should be determined by the size of the rider. If you are buying a skateboard for a child, look for a smaller board that is easier for them to control. For adult riders, a larger board will provide more stability and a better riding experience. It's also essential to consider the weight limit of the skateboard to ensure it can support the rider's weight.

In addition to size and quality, consider the type of skating you want to do. Different skateboards are designed for various types of skating, such as street skating or vert skating. Make sure to choose a board that suits the type of skating you plan to do.

Finally, don't forget about safety gear. Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are all essential items to have when skateboarding. They can help prevent injuries and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

In summary, when buying a skateboard, look for a good quality board with well-made wheels and trucks that can easily turn. Consider the size of the skateboard, the rider's weight, and the type of skating they want to do. And, of course, always wear safety gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Ok,

here is the deal...

If you're looking to buy a skateboard, it's important to have a basic understanding of its various parts. Knowing the parts can help you choose the right skateboard for your needs and make any necessary repairs or upgrades in the future. Let's take a closer look at the different components of a skateboard and how they work together. For beginners to start learning skateboarding tricks can be a challenge but that's a story for an other time.

Deck:

First thing you see is the board. The deck of a skateboard is most often made out of hard rock maple and has 5-9 plies of wood. The more plies, the heavier the board. Most boards are 7 ply and are perfect for beginners. When you are a beginner and need to choose a skateboard, it is best to buy a complete skateboard. There are many decks out there, but then you need choose all the other parts yourself (bearings, griptape, trucks and wheels) to make a complete skateboard which can be challenging. That might be too much for a beginner. Most skateboard and longboard shops have already chosen a good setup for you to make it easy. When you get to know your skateboard and their parts and want to upgrade, it is much easier to choose different wheels and trucks at that time.



Board size:

Kids can ride a skateboard that is called a "mini" skateboard.. These are generally skateboards that are 7.5" wide or less. Skateboards are mainly measured in their widths and not their length. If you are older you will most likely feel better with a wider board. Most skateboards are about 28"-32" long.



Wheel size:

54-56mm is the normal wheel size for street skateboarders. If you are only looking for a cruiser skateboard, you might want to consider 58mm or bigger wheels. The larger the wheels, the smoother you will cruise, the less likely you will feel rocks or cracks.

wheel size



Bearings:

Bearings are the small rings that go inside the wheels. This makes your wheel turn. Bearings come in Abec3, Abec5 and Abec7 and Abec9. ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers' Committee, and is the American method for rating the accuracy and tolerance. The higher an ABEC rating, the more accurate and precise the bearing is. Most skateboards have either Abec5 or Abec7 bearings.



Some equipment tips before you begin skateboarding or when you want to buy a new skateboard:

• Board: go for - 7+ ply deck
• Bearings: look for abec5 - rated
• Kids boards: go for 7.25" - 7.5" or less
• Smoother ride: choose soft and large wheels
• Board for tricks: choose harder and small wheels
• Safety: Always wear a helmet and safety gear

Choose your board wisely to get the most out of it, go shred and have fun!

Do you want to know more about choosing a skateboard or longboard, check out our skateboard buying guide or browse the rest of the store.