A skateboard functions as a composite system, where overall performance depends on the quality and synergy of its individual parts. A good skateboard is a finely tuned machine built with durable, high-performing materials engineered for a specific purpose. Quality is determined by how well the deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings work together to provide stability, maneuverability, durability, and responsiveness. The right combination of these elements ensures the board is suitable for the rider’s intended use, whether that is street tricks, park skating, or cruising.
Evaluating Deck Construction
The deck serves as the foundation of the skateboard, and its construction directly influences the board’s pop, weight, and lifespan. High-quality decks typically use seven plies of North American, or Canadian, maple veneer. This wood is chosen for its superior density and strength-to-weight ratio, providing the resilience needed to withstand high-impact forces.
These seven sheets of veneer are stacked with alternating grain directions to maximize strength and prevent warping. A strong, often water-resistant epoxy resin adhesive is spread between each ply and fused under immense pressure. Quality manufacturers often use a single-deck press, which applies uniform pressure to each board individually. This ensures the concave shape is consistent, unlike pressing multiple decks in a stack where the shape can be compromised.
The deck’s curvature, known as the concave, and the angle of the nose and tail kicks, enhance foot control and trick execution. A deeper concave provides a locked-in feel, increasing leverage for turning and flipping the board. Steeper nose and tail kicks allow for a greater distance between the ground and the board tip when initiating tricks, translating to a more powerful “pop.” These factors are molded during pressing and determine the deck’s responsiveness.
Trucks and Ride Dynamics
Skateboard trucks are the T-shaped assemblies that mount to the deck, allowing the board to turn and facilitating grinding. They consist of a hanger, axle, baseplate, and kingpin. Material composition is key to durability and weight. Most trucks feature an aluminum alloy hanger and baseplate, while the axle is often made from high-strength steel or 4140 Chromoly steel. Premium trucks often use hollow axles and hollow kingpins to reduce weight without compromising integrity.
The kingpin is a large threaded bolt connecting the hanger to the baseplate through the bushings. Traditional kingpin designs are standard for street and park skating, offering a balance of stability and maneuverability. Proper truck sizing requires the axle length to closely match the width of the deck. This ensures the wheels align with the board’s edges for optimal stability and control.
Bushings are urethane components surrounding the kingpin that compress to facilitate turning and carving. Their performance is measured on the Durometer A scale, typically ranging between 78A (soft) and 100A (hard). Softer bushings compress easily, resulting in a looser, more responsive turn ideal for carving and lighter riders. Conversely, harder bushings resist compression, providing greater stability at high speeds and for heavier riders, which is beneficial for technical tricks. Bushing shape, such as barrel or conical, also influences the feel; barrels offer more stability.
Wheels, Bearings, and Motion
The wheels and bearings translate the rider’s input into motion, directly influencing speed, grip, and ride smoothness. Skateboard wheels are made from high-grade polyurethane, engineered to be abrasion-resistant and offer consistent rebound. The hardness, or durometer, is a primary factor in performance, measured on the A scale (78A to 101A) or sometimes the B scale for extremely hard wheels.
Softer wheels (78A to 90A) provide greater grip and shock absorption, making them ideal for cruising on rougher pavement. Harder wheels (99A to 101A) are preferred for skateparks and street skating because they roll faster on smooth surfaces and allow for easier sliding maneuvers. Wheel diameter, measured in millimeters, dictates acceleration and top speed. Smaller wheels (around 50-53mm) accelerate quickly and are lower to the ground for easier tricks, while larger wheels (60mm+) maintain momentum for speed and cruising.
Bearings are small, ring-shaped components pressed into the wheels that contain steel balls, allowing the wheels to spin freely around the axle. The ABEC rating system (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) describes a bearing’s precision, representing manufacturing tolerance, not speed. A higher ABEC number indicates tighter tolerances and greater efficiency. Speed washers are thin metal rings placed on either side of the bearing to reduce friction. Bearing spacers sit between the two bearings inside the wheel to distribute pressure when the axle nut is tightened, ensuring a consistent roll.