Skateboard

• decks (boards)
  
  
  • Physical charateristics
  • Materials
    
    
• trucks
  
  
  • Size
  • Material
    
    
• wheels
  
  
  • Size
  • Hardness (durometer)

　The best way to choose the proper skateboard is to know what role each of the various components plays.

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decks (boards)

Physical characteristics

• Length
  
  
  • There are two general length classifications of skateboard: Traditional/Street: under 33 in; and Longboard; over 35 in
    
    
  • Traditional decks are the most common, and most versatile, while long boards are generally used for cruising only and provide the rider a very "surfy" feel
    
    
  • Length choice is a purely personal decision, although a general rule states that smaller skaters should choose shorter boards (for control)
    
    
• Width
  
  
  • Street decks range between 7.5 in and 8.25 in, although some decks are wider or narrower
    
    
  • Width choice is also a purely personal decision, although smaller skaters (especially smaller footed skaters) will find a deck under 8 in makes it easier to learn tricks
    
    
• Concave
  
  
  • Most decks (except for some longboards) have a raised nose, tail, and sides. This is called the concave.
    
    
  • The depth and overall shape of the concave has a dramatic effect on the response of the skateboard to the skater
    
    
  • The deeper the concave, the more aggressive the skater can be with their tricks
    
    
  • The shallower the concave, the more forgiving the deck is for newer skaters
    
    
• Shape
  
  
  • All of the above characteristics are commonly referred to as the deck shape
    
    
  • While each characteristic plays a role in overall deck feel, it is the combination of all these factors from which a buying decision is made

Materials

• Wood
  
  
  • The most common deck material is wood
    
    
  • Almost all wood deck skateboards are made from Canadian Maple
    
    
  • Each deck maker uses a varying number of plys (layers), usually no less than 5 and no more than 9
    
    
• Plastic
  
  
  • Some less expensive skateboards utilize plastic for the deck. While this material is cheaper and more durable than wood, it does not offer the same responsivness.
    
    
• Other materials
  
  
  • More recent materials of skateboard design include aluminum and fiberglass/carbon composites
    
    
  • These materials are being used to try to improve upon the durability of wood, while maintaining its characteristics (pop/responsiveness)

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trucks

Size

• Size is determined purely by deck width (although some skaters prefer certain truck widths)
  
  
• Most trucks range between 4.75 in and 5.5 in
  
  
• A slightly wider truck will offer a more stable landing platform and shorter turning radius, but is heavier
  
  
• Certain trucks can be found up to 7 in. This size truck is strictly used in conjunction with longboards.

Material

• Every truck is made from various versions of alloy metal (although some inexpensive skateboards use plastic)
  
  
• Increasingly, truck manufacturers are experimenting with space age metals in their alloy, like titanium
  
  
• The goal is to maintain the strength of the truck while reducing the weight
  
  
• Trucks also incorporate a bushing, which is the mechanism by which a truck turns. These bushings are available in varying degrees of hardness, which effect the ease by which a skateboard turns.

wheels

　All skateboard wheels are made from polyurethane. However, the composition and color of skateboard wheels varies greatly.

Size

• Small/Street
  
  
  • Most common skateboard wheels are between 52 mm and 60 mm
    
    
  • Smaller riders might find the small wheels to be lighter and easier to control, however, wheel size is very much a rider preference item
    
    
• Large/Longboard
  
  
  • Larger wheels (above 60 mm) are almost exclusive to longboards
    
    
  • They are very fast and usually wider than smaller wheels

Hardness

• Hard/Street
  
  
  • All street skateboard wheels are considerably hard. This hardness is rated in a measurement called durometer.
    
    
  • Any wheel over 90a is considered hard
    
    
  • The harder the wheels, the more pop a skater can get, but the harder they land
    
    
• Soft/Longboard
  
  
  • Large wheels are also usually soft wheels (less than 90a durometer)
    
    
  • The softness of these wheels creates a much smoother ride and offers more traction than a harder/smaller wheel
    
    
  • These wheels are what allow a longboard skateboard to "surf" the earth

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