Complete Skateboard
Tips For Bulding Your Complete Skateboard Deck
Complete Skateboard
Obviously you need one, but the question is, which one is right for you? Well, you have many options. Size should definitely be taken into consideration when making your selection.
If you skate streets or do more technical tricks, you’re going to want to look for a board in the size range of a 7.5″ to 7.87″. If you mostly skate pools and parks with heavy transitions, then you may want to consider looking for a board in the size range of 7.87″ to 8.25″. If you are 5 feet tall, and weigh 80 pounds, you are not going to want an 8″ deck. The deck will be hard to do flip tricks on.
Many manufactures have a specific concave for their deck shapes. Concave is basically the mold or the press that shapes skateboard decks. The graphic also may be an influence in your deck decision.
You need two to ride. Trucks are fairly easy to choose when it comes to size. Generally the axle width on the truck should be within 1/4″ of the deck width. Once you start selecting wheels over 56mm, you should consider purchasing high trucks. High trucks allow more clearance from the bottom of your board to the surface of the wheel.
Roll with four. Skate Warehouse sells wheels in sets so this is more or less predetermined for you. You now need to decide what brand, graphic, size and durometer is right for you.
Smaller wheels are generally for more technical and street skating, where as larger wheels will ride better when skating parks and bowls or terrain with heavier transitions. The durometer of the wheel is a numerical value allowing you to determine whether the wheel is softer or harder. Larger wheels are generally a bit softer. The core is harder, while the outside surface area is softer. Bearings don’t usually crush, but it is an option that some wheel manufacturers pass along to skateboarders.
It’s also good to point out that softer urethane generally slower than harder urethane. Cored wheels can also be lighter than a standard urethane wheel depending on the core construction.
Bearings are sold in sets of 8, 2 for each wheel. Two Bearings sit inside each wheel, and then each wheel is placed on the truck axle.
Risers are sold in pairs, but they are optional. Risers are anywhere from 1/8″ to 1/2″ thick and their function is to give you more clearance between the bottom of the board and surface of the wheel. This again helps to prevent “wheelbite”.
Hardware allows you to connect your deck to your trucks. Skate Warehouse has a large selection of sizes and brands. Skate Warehouse also recommends that you maintenance your Complete Skateboard every month., It’s good idea to purchase a Skateboard Tool and some LUBE.
You may also read How To Skateboard, Longboard, and Skateboard Deck
