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How to buy a skateboard

 

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GardenSK8 offers a large selection of skateboards and accessories. That’s all well and good if you know what you want, but what if you’re a brand-newbie or an old school traditionalist who’s been riding the same rig forever? You might need a little help! We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the right decisions, whether you’re buying a complete board or just picking up some pieces to improve your current ride.

Buying a skateboard isn’t that hard. Other than some notable manufacturing improvements, such as faster bearings and lighter trucks, modern day skateboarding hasn’t improved much. The first thing you need to know is to NOT buy a cheap skateboard from a store that also sells groceries, automotive parts or televisions. I’m referring to skateboards with super heros on the bottom, made by companies that have mass produced their skateboards along with bowling balls, lawn furniture and little concern for the quality of their product. Rest assured, any reputable skate shop wouldn’t carry or sell with good conscience any of these brands.

When starting out most people purchase a fully assembled skateboard made up of components from a single manufacturer which is referred to as a “complete”. We often tell our customers that we are selling their kid the same skateboard that Tony Hawk rides with the exception of size. It is our belief that there is no such thing as a beginner or expert skateboard. We often see young kids starting out at our clinics who are unable to progress due to limitations of their skateboards. The quality of a skateboard regardless of ones ability should be the same.

Purchasing a skateboard “a la carte” or using components from different manufactures can achieve the desired performance and or hybrid aesthetic the customer is looking for. At some point the deck, trucks and or wheels will need to be replaced depending on the skaters size, ability and frequency of use. For example, a typical 13 year old who skates on average a few times a week will go through a deck every couple months, wheels every 6 months and trucks once a year. For this reason skate shops mostly display and sell these components separately.

  • Choosing a pre-assembled skateboard
  • Building a custom complete skateboard
  • Choosing a skateboard deck
  • Choosing skateboard trucks
  • Choosing skateboard wheels
  • Choosing skateboard bearings
  • Choosing skateboard accessories & hardware
  • If you still have questions about fit or sizing please feel free to contact the shop at 973-287-7626.

    Choosing a pre-assembled skateboard

    CHOOSING A PRE-ASSEMBLED SKATEBOARD If you’re a novice skater and you don’t want to build a custom complete board, check out our selection of pre-assembled completes. Warehouse Skateboards offers complete boards that are built from the same quality parts offered separately on our site. We do the brainwork of choosing what works well together, and …

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    Building a custom complete skateboard

    BUILDING A CUSTOM COMPLETE SKATEBOARD Set of Skateboard Trucks (two trucks) Set of Skateboard Wheels (four wheels) Set of Skateboard Bearings (2 per wheel, 8 total) Skateboard Riser Pads (optional) Mounting Skateboard Hardware Skateboard Grip Tape Purchasing a quality name brand “custom made complete” should run anywhere between $100-$175. Choosing a pre-assembled skateboard Building a …

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    Choosing a skateboard deck

    SKATEBOARD DECKS Width: The average width of a deck is 7.5″- 8.25″. Width is influenced by the size of the rider and the type of riding. Bigger riders and those doing vert typically prefer a wider deck. Street skaters usually choose a smaller deck. Choose your deck according to the width, not length. Length: The …

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    Choosing skateboard trucks

    SKATEBOARD TRUCKS The width of your truck axle should closely match the width of your deck. Truck size can be measured by the width of the hanger or the width of the axle. What size skateboard trucks do I need for my skateboard? 3.0″, 3.5″, 4.0″, 4.5″ – 6.5″ to 7.0″ deck width 7.75″ Axle …

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    Choosing skateboard wheels

    SKATEBOARD WHEELS Skateboard wheels vary in color, size and durability. The diameter and durometer of the wheel affect the way the board rides. The diameter and durometer are a matter of personal preference and skating style. Here are some general guidelines: What size skateboard wheel do I need? Diameter: Smaller wheels are slower, bigger wheels …

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    Choosing skateboard bearings

    SKATEBOARD BEARINGS What size bearings do I need for my skateboard wheels? Skateboard bearings are all the same size and will fit any wheel we sell. Bearings may not vary in size, but they do vary in quality. The more expensive ones are actually made better with better sealing, more inner ball-bearings, and higher quality …

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    Choosing accessories & hardware

    RISER PADS Do a need riser pads for my skateboard? Skateboard decks that use wheels smaller than 55mm do not typically require risers. 1/8” shock pads can help keep the hardware from vibrating loose. As the wheels get larger, there’s a greater chance for wheel bite (when the wheel will makes contact with the underside …

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