Skateboarding is a popular sport that has historically evolved from an obscure leisure activity into a well-known competitive sport. Competing in skateboarding requires a high-quality skateboard, the ability to control one’s body movements, and the capacity to maintain balance. When it comes to the types of skateboards they ride, skaters have a variety of options, and each part of the skateboard serves a specific purpose.
Skateboard Trucks
A skateboard truck, to put it simply, is a part that connects the skateboard deck and wheels via the front and back axle assemblies on the part. The truck is the most important part of the skateboard, but also the most difficult to master. The skateboarder’s weight is supported by the truck as he stands on the deck of the board. The main objective of the truck is to keep the wheels from rolling along the ground. Affixed to the skateboard deck are the trucks. It ties the deck, the bearings, and the wheels together in skateboards.
Nine parts are typically found on a skateboard truck:
- Base plate,
- Kingpin,
- Bottom bushing,
- Axle,
- Speed rings,
- Axle nuts,
- Top bushing,
- Top washer, and
- Kingpin nut
The best skateboard trucks must be the same width as the skateboard. Skateboarders should make sure that the trucks of the skateboards that they buy are smaller than the deck. If not, the center of gravity will shift to the skateboard deck’s edge.
Skateboard Bearings
Bearings of skateboards are small, circular metal disks that fit in between the wheels and connect the wheels to the axle. Wheels are able to spin thanks to the placement of the discs’ inner and outer edges inside the balls. In a skateboard wheel, there are two bearings. Skateboarders have the option of using spacers to fill the gap that exists between them in the event that it becomes necessary. This tiny metal cylinder prevents the bearings from being yanked into the center of the wheels and destroyed when the axle nut is tightened. In addition, the bearings are parallel to one another when spacers are used. Additionally, spacers are crucial when using soft skateboard wheels.
Skateboard Decks
A skateboard deck is essentially a flat board on which skaters will place their legs in order to slide. The best skate decks are typically made of seven to nine layers of laminated, molded birch or maple wood. The most common board shapes are longboards, cruisers, shortboards, and old-school boards, and each is used for a particular style of skating. Skateboarders will consider the concave when discussing skateboard decks. The three types of concaves on the decks of skateboards are:
- High concave,
- Low concave, and
- Mid concave.
Skateboard Wheels
Skateboard wheels are the most important parts of any skateboard. The parts that make a skateboard spin are its wheels. Without them, you would not have a skateboard at all. These wheels are what provide you with the traction and control over the skateboard that you need. There is a plethora of variants available for purchase when it comes to skateboard wheels. Some wheels for skateboards are designed for street use, while others are meant for park and vert skating.
Polyurethane, which is graded based on size and hardness, is the main material used to make skateboard wheels. The wheels you select will affect the board’s acceleration, turning, and riding characteristics.
On a scale from 1 to 100, the Durometer A Scale is used to gauge the degree of hardness of this component. If you want to skate like a street skater, choose a wheel that is stronger, quicker, and still has a grip between 88A and 95A. When choosing a wheel for skating on the road, in parks, upstairs, and in swimming pools, try to strike a balance between speed and grip.
Conclusion
Skateboard trucks, wheels, bearings, decks, hardware, grip tape, and riser pads are all basic parts of every skateboard design. The main components and their parts are equally crucial to the skateboard’s performance because if one goes missing, the entire skateboard would perform differently. To ensure that every part functions appropriately, maintenance must be performed on it. The lifespan of the components on your skateboards will undoubtedly be increased by proper maintenance.