How to buy a Skateboard There is a lot more to a skateboard than a piece of wood on four wheels. This is actually a technical piece of equipment comprised of many parts which all work together for the optimum ride. Your individual style of riding, budget and terrain will dictate which type of skateboard and components are right for you. Choosing the right Skateboard The best way to choose the proper skateboard is to know what role each of the various components play. How to buy the deck (board) 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 utilise plastic for the deck. While this material is cheaper and more durable than wood, it does not offer the same responsiveness. 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). How to buy 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”. 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 affect the ease by which a skateboard turns. Click here to see SKATEBOARDS

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How to buy 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 How to determine the size of your wheels Size Description 52-55MM Good for many uses. Street, skate parks, bowls. Smaller riders. 56-60MM Good for many uses. Street, skate parks, bowls, vert ramps. Bigger riders. 60+ MM Specialty rides. Long boards, hill riding, dirt boards. 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. How to determine the durometer of your wheels Type Description 87A Cruiser riding, long boards, hill riding. Very rough surfaces. 95A Street riding, rough surfaces, smooth, fast, and durable. 97A All around street, skate park, ramp and pool. Smooth surfaces. 100A Very hard with least grip. Not good on rough or too slick surfaces. Choice of many top pros.