SUMMARY
« Build your own Setup in 6 steps »
The « Setup » is the complete configuration of a skateboarding, it includes at least :
It’s important to choose your trucks based on your board’s width. If you pick a wide board, you’ll need wide trucks, and vice-versa for narrower boards.
Deck / Board / Deck
The « Deck » (Board) comes in different shapes and sizes depending on the era and skateboarding styles.
- Eras : 70,80, 90, etc….
- Styles : Street, Bowl, Vert, etc….
The deck (board) is made of wood, composed of seven to twelve thin layers of wood, dried, glued, and then compressed.
The front of the board is called the « Nose » (Nose in English) and the back of the board is called the « Tail » (Tail in English).
Street and Bowl boards have standardized shapes and dimensions.
Board size is measured by its width, expressed in inches; one inch is approximately 2.5 cm.
Street skateboarding decks have a width between 7.3″ and 8.75″.
You get it: the higher the inches, the wider the board.
To choose the right board size, you need to consider your height, weight, shoe size, and the skateboarding style you want to practice (e.g., tight or loose).
The » Grip «
The board is covered with « Grip », which is self-adhesive sandpaper.
The « Grip » acts as an anti-slip surface and is essential for performing « Tricks » (skateboarding maneuvers).
The « Grip » is usually black; that’s its base color. But in recent years, it has sported different colors and illustrations.
The » Trucks «
The « Truck » is the part of the skateboard that connects the « Deck » and the « Wheels ».
There are 2 « Trucks » on a skateboard, one at the front and one at the back, made of aluminum.
The « Trucks » allow for skateboarding flexibility; they can be tightened or loosened.
The size of the « Trucks » varies to adapt to different board sizes.
The » Wheels «
Street « Wheels » are made of polyurethane, with a diameter that can vary from 45 to 60 mm for the most common models.
Generally, small-diameter « Wheels » are preferred by street skaters because they offer more responsiveness to the skateboard by lowering the board’s center of gravity, which therefore makes quicker contact with the ground when the skater performs their trick.
Large-diameter wheels, on the other hand, offer less responsiveness but greater stability and higher riding speed, and are generally used for ramps or by skaters who love speed.
Wheel hardness also varies; they are more or less reinforced by a plastic core to improve bearing lifespan.
This hardness is indicated by a number followed by an A, corresponding to Shore hardness. Several types exist: 92A (more for street), 95A, 99A, and even 101A for the hardest (used mainly for skateparks and longboard slides).
The » Bearings «
The « Bearings » are placed in the center of the wheels, one on each side of the wheel. Street skateboarding « Bearings » are all ball bearings.
A street skateboard contains eight bearings (two per wheel).
Several quality types exist, classified according to ABEC standards ranging from 1 to 9:
- ABEC1 : entry-level bearings, less performant but solid.
- ABEC3 and ABEC5 : the most common bearings; they are solid and fast.
- ABEC7 and ABEC9 : less solid bearings, due to their high speed.
The » Hardware «
Bolts (screws and nuts) are necessary to attach the trucks to the board, 4 per truck, so 8 in total.
The classic hardware size is 2.54 cm (1 inch).
That’s it, have fun setting up your board, and have a good session!
