Skateboarding is a fantastic sport, and learning tricks can be a lot of fun. Let me attempt to explain everything for you before we go into the specifics as I assume you came here to learn about what skateboard is best for tricks.
The ideal skateboard for tricks should have a deck width of 7.75 to 8.25 inches. Wheels must have a strong rebound and a durometer between 99A and 100A. Purchase conical-shaped wheels with a small contact patch, preferably in the 52-54mm range in diameter. Your board’s width should be matched by the trucks.
Let me start by saying that the purpose of this post is not to list and attempt to sell you a lot of skateboards. It concerns the variables that come into play when doing skateboard tricks. You must put together a skateboard yourself to achieve the finest performance. I’ll provide a couple recommendations at the end of the piece. Let’s examine what precisely qualifies a skateboard for tricks.
Wheel excellence
There are many different types of wheels, but the quality varies quite a bit as well. Polyurethane, a compound consisting of several polymers, is used to make skateboard wheels.
High-end wheels feature a virtually ideal blend that has been studied and improved over many years. The greatest wheels for stunts, for instance, are made by Bones and Spitfire, whose polyurethane mix has been refined over time.
Cheap wheels could be alluring, but poorly poured polyurethane or a combination that fails to set when shaping is a headache. Consider Mini Logo if you’re looking for less expensive wheels.
Wheels are useful for stunts for a variety of reasons. I’m going all-in and will detail the specific qualities to consider while choosing wheels. You should consider the following:
- Diameter
- Hardness
- Shape Diameter
- Bounce rate, or rebound
However, there are some exceptions; this article is about skating on the streets and in parks. Not concerning bowls and verts; these call for bigger wheels.
To convey the idea, this picture demonstrates how acceleration and speed are related. Your skateboard will be more responsive the smaller the wheels. You need smaller wheels for stunts; a suitable size to choose is 52mm. For stunts, smaller wheels are preferable for the following reasons:
- More rapid acceleration
- More receptive
- Less bulk makes flipping and popping your board simpler (technique definitely plays a bigger role here).
- Rails are easier to grind.
- There is a lot more to it than just diameter.
Let’s examine friction, hardness, forms, and rebound.
Bounce or Rebound
Harder wheels are better for skating tricks because of their low bounce rate, but being less comfortable on pavement and less accommodating when you run into obstacles.
Deformation is the term used by physicists to describe rebound or bounce. Your wheel is bent when they bounce and quickly regain their original shape.
Softer wheels take longer to return to form since they have more friction and rebound. Therefore, it will be more difficult to successfully land a trick when you try to do so on wheels with a low bounce rate.
When performing tricks on low rebound wheels, landing primo (landing on the side of your board and wheels with both feet) frequently happens. With the exception of times when you intentionally do it as part of your trick, this doesn’t always turn out nicely.
You may try this for yourself by dropping a skateboard to watch how it reacts. You may even hear the change depending on the surface. Check out this quick film I created; it’s not spectacular; it’s simply meant to make things clearer.)
Wheel Form
The shape of the wheel affects performance. Whereas’square’ wheels make complete contact, rounded wheels have reduced surface friction. Radial, conical, or classic shaped wheels are the ideal choice if you want a set of wheels that are great for tricks.
Conical and full conical shapes work well for rails and skate parks. They properly lock in, and ‘unlocking’ them is effortless and feels natural.
The traditional design is also quite good for tricks since it has less surface area and is quite sensitive. Wide wheels should be avoided since they don’t react as quickly as the aforementioned forms.
Message Patch
When riding a skateboard, a contact patch is the area that makes contact with the ground. Although it’s simple to ignore, it actually matters when performing tricks. Although it also means you have less grip, responsive wheels with a smaller contact patch are necessary.
Performance and trucks
We enter very contentious ground at this point, but I’ll try to help you through it. Thunder vs. Independent is a long-running argument. Again, personal choice is the reason for the community’s extreme division. In essence, because they endure longer, Independent are the best from an economic standpoint.
The greatest option for technical skating is likely Thunder Trucks because of their lower height. They are well-liked for their reactivity and ability to grind. Another argument is that changing bushings can improve the responsiveness of trucks.
You may make corrections in the very last moment if you are responsive. If you want the best trucks for tricks, choose Thunder, and if you want durable trucks and mostly skate transition, choose Independent.
Moving on, let’s examine which trucks work best for stunts. Trucks perform better in various situations due to a few key causes.
Low trucks are preferred by many skateboarders for technical skating. Because they are positioned closer to the board and the ground and thus have a tighter center of gravity, low trucks are typically used for tech skating. Flip techniques and popping your board become somewhat simpler as a result.
The majority of high-quality vehicles are suitable for stunts; a lot depends on your preferences. Higher trucks are more likely to be preferred over lower trucks by someone who first started to skateboard on them. This biases individuals toward a certain vehicle brand or model.
Trucks are the most crucial components of your skateboard, however there isn’t really much of a difference. Both are the best available, and riders of Thunders and Indy’s tear up the streets.
The consensus is Thunders for street, Indy’s for transition, so let’s leave it at that. Just be careful not to skimp when choosing trucks. It is preferable to reduce spending on wheels or bearings.
Hardness and Bushings
The best bushing to choose depends on your weight and is composed of polyurethane. Your trucks come with bushings, and you frequently need to break them in a little. Because they are the most responsive, Bones Harcore bushings are preferred by many street skateboarders.
Depending on your weight and preferences, anything around 92A on the durometer scale is OK. Bushing tightness and looseness affect response. On the durometer A scale, you can go higher or lower.
I advise reading this page if you want to learn everything there is to know about bushings.
Shapes and Decks
I attempt to think of a good response here, but I fail. Undoubtedly, a deck’s size and width have a significant impact. It mostly consists of “pop,” rigidity, and how decks are pushed. The majority of decks have excellent pop, but most lose it with time.
Wider decks offer greater stability while narrower decks are more responsive. Choose an 8 in the short answer. The norm for technical information is this. 7.75′′ might seem dated these days, but it’s still a great pick. When skating transition (parks, ramps, and bowls), choose an 8.25″. Make certain that the maple wood is of high quality. Even yet, some folks may be seen walking around town in 8.75s.
Single Pressed Decks
Real quality exists. You require a single-pressed deck. Cheap decks are terrible, and mildew and wood quality are also significant factors. Blanks are inexpensive, but you should be aware of how and where they were made.
Some woodworking facilities press eight decks at once, which ensures deformations. A low-quality deck is produced when many are pressed simultaneously.
Shipping is another matter. Despite the fact that a deck has seven layers of high-quality Canadian maple wood, they ship from China. What do you believe occasionally occurs when traveling? They run the possibility of coming into contact with moisture, which would result in a soggy board.
Consider a single-pressed deck, but how can you tell if it’s a knockoff or the real thing? This is what I found after some investigation, however it’s definitely out of date today. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to read because it offers some useful insight into deck quality.
Find out where it was manufactured and how the deck you like landed up at your neighborhood skate store. Ensure that the deck is a single pressed deck!
Tail and Nose
You may pop and flip your deck using the height and form of the nose and tail. The nose of a skateboard is taller and more pointed than the tail. Because it depends on your preferences, I can’t really say what is best in this situation. Before you can decide which style of nose and tail you want, you need some experience.
Concave
Your deck’s concave, which is a curve, influences how your board feels and behaves. Concaves can vary; some companies provide gentle concaves while other brands refer to them as steep. There isn’t actually a rule in this place.
If you want something more sturdy, just go with a gentle concave. When trying a trick, it’s simpler to move your feet around and settle into your preferred position.
The optimum shape would definitely be one with a deep concave if you intend to perform many flip techniques. enables you to flip your board more easily, but it is less cozy.
Budget-Friendly Recommended Setups
I advise you to go to your neighborhood skate store and ask for assistance. They are happy to assist you in making the best decisions for your budget. Ask further questions using what you’ve learned here; (generally speaking) local skate store staff members like discussing skateboarding.
‘Articles’ that mention a few boards and claim they are the best for tricks should be avoided; they are garbage. These people have never used a skateboard before.
I do have a page that I suggest that offers a couple full skateboards for a fair price. Under $100, you can purchase a decently complete skateboard. They may not truly excel at anything, but they offer the finest value.
Completes are a wonderful option for beginners, and as you advance, you may progressively improve. Visit them at this page. You may also put one together yourself; the cited article’s bottom section features a few unique arrangements.
Conclusion
Learning to skateboard takes more than a single day. Before you start to notice any effects, effort and a lot of time are required. Just be careful not to give up too soon because your equipment is subpar or you injured yourself once. Always use protection, especially while performing tasks for which you are not yet prepared.
The best piece of advise I can provide to prevent injuries is to skate at the appropriate level. There’s no need to rush; just work on your technique and keep practicing. Rushing things can only lead to failure.
Although I’m not a professional, I do have 20 years of experience. Despite having terrible ankles, my knees are still in good shape. You will never outgrow skateboarding, and you will make lifelong friends doing it.
