People who ride skateboards know that they're more than just a piece of wood with some wheels attached to it. Every aspect of skateboard design, from the deck materials to the wheels, is created with control and flexibility in mind. Steering a skateboard may be a simple matter of shifting your body weight, but making the system work requires some complex engineering.
Hit the Deck
The deck is the part that you stand on, and you want a good mix of flexibility and durability. Skateboard decks are generally made from seven-ply, cross-laminated wood, sometimes mixed with plastic layers to increase strength or enhance appearance. Plastic decks are also available. They're cheaper and more durable, but they don't offer the same control as a wood deck. Plastic decks are fine for beginners, but advanced skateboarders won't be seen with them.
Decks vary in length and size. Most are between 7.5 and 8 inches wide and 31 to 32.5 inches long. The smaller and lighter the deck of a board, the easier it is to control and perform tricks. Larger, heavier decks are more stable.
There are two main length classifications for skateboards: traditional and street skateboards (under 33 inches) and long-board skateboards (over 35 inches). Long boards are seldom used for tricks; they're much better for cruising around town.
The tips and tails of decks are rounded, and most decks have tips and tails that are bent upward, giving the entire deck a concave shape that's flat in the center. The bends at the tip and tail are used for tricks. A deep concave shape allows more aggressive tricks. A shallow concave shape offers more room for the feet, ideal for beginners and cruisers.
The underside of some decks is decorated with elaborate stickers or painted designs. This gives the board some personality but has no effect on performance. A more important feature is grip tape on the top surface of the deck, which provides traction between the board and the skater's shoes. Complete skateboards will often have grip tape applied, while new decks usually require you to do it yourself.
There's no right or wrong way to apply grip tape; some applications just look nicer than others. Be sure to have grip tape that extends at least a third of the way to the center of the board from each end. The more surface that's covered with grip tape, the more places you have to put your feet.
Wheel Types
Choose polyurethane wheels. Rubber wheels rip apart on rough surfaces, but they can be used on wood half pipes. Plastic wheels don't grip the ground and they're far less durable than polyurethane.
The hardness of wheels is measured on the Durometer A scale for soft plastics. Wheels range from very soft (75a) to very hard (99a, which is the top of the scale). Some composite wheels are measured on the B or D scales, which indicates a generally harder material. As wheels get harder, the board gets faster, but you'll also feel more shocks from rough terrain and landings.
Wheels are measured in millimeters, and the wheel size needs to match the deck size. Smaller boards need smaller, lighter wheels. Larger wheels (65mm to 90mm) roll faster and pass cracks with more ease. Smaller wheels (48mm to 54mm) pull the board close to the ground, accelerate easier and give the user a lower center of gravity. Most street and professional skaters prefer smaller wheels because they make it easier to perform tricks. These skaters also prefer hard wheels because softer wheels can't handle the impact of hard landings.
Bearings and Trucks
Trucks are metal mounts that connect the wheels to the deck. The parts of a truck include the baseplate, kingpin, bushes, hangar and axle. The best trucks are made from metal alloy. Plastic trucks won't last as long and are more likely to crack during a hard landing.
The wheels of a skateboard are mounted to the truck or axle with ball bearings. Normally made of steel, the bearings of a skateboard allow the wheels to turn. Normally, the bearings will have an ABEC rating from ABEC1 to ABEC7, which measures their tolerance. The lower the rating, the slower the wheels will turn.
Extras
A riser increases the space between the deck's underside and the outer rim of the wheel. Generally made from plastic, they range from ?″ to ½″. This prevents wheel bite (when the deck touches the wheels, halts movement and causes a fall). Risers can also prevent against pressure cracks in the deck. A shock pad has a similar function as the riser but is different in make: generally, it's made from a cushion-like material and helps to absorb shock upon landing.
Rails are narrow strips of plastic fastened lengthwise beneath the deck's edges. Rails make it easier to slide the deck down handrails and give you something to grab when you're flipping the board or going airborne.
Lappers are plastic covers on the rear truck that protect the kingpin from grinding when you're sliding down a rail on the trucks rather than the deck. Lappers also prevent hang-ups because they give a smoother transition for the truck when it's hit with an obstacle.
Nose and tip guards are plastic bumpers that protect the front and rear edges of the deck from damage. They're a good idea for street skaters who frequently perform tricks on concrete and cement surfaces.
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