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Boards are generally measured by width, and full size boards range from 7.5 - 9.0” and up, and are usually around 31.5-32.5” in length. “Mini” Boards are for the youngest skaters around ages 6 and under, and are around 28-30” long and 7.3-8.0 wide. A wider board provides more stability and real estate to land on, but adds extra weight and bulk. A more narrow board is easier to flip and maneuver but has less room to land. As a point of reference the most common board sizes for average adult males 5’7” - 5’11” are 8.1 and 8.25”, and for adult females 5’3 - 5’7” sizes 7.75 thru 8.0 are most common. Transition skaters that ride a lot of ramps and bowls generally lean on the wider side of things, and more technical skaters tend to prefer smaller size boards. It’s all personal preference, and the more you skate the more you’ll learn what’s best for you.
Griptape is a big sandpaper sticker that goes on the top part of the board. Generally plain black Mob, Jessup, or Black Magic are most common, but we also carry an assortment of color, clear, and graphic grip options as well.
Wheels are measured in 2 ways - the size and the hardness.
A higher durometer means a harder wheel (97-103a) slides more and is better for tricks. Lower durometer (78-87a) is softer and more suited for cruising or skating on rougher ground. Some brands like Bones STF and SPF wheels use a "B" durometer scale and are all on the harder side, and 81-84b Bones wheels are similar to 99-103a durometer.
For standard trick types of wheels, smaller is lighter and easier to maneuver whereas larger wheels are faster and can handle rough ground better. The most popular sizes for street and park skating are 52-54mm. Generally wheels 56mm or larger are better for transition and ramp skating and less technical street skating.
Cruiser wheels are wider and softer than standard wheels, and generally range from 55mm and up. A bigger wheel will go over bigger cracks more easily, but it will also raise you higher above the ground.
A Hybrid style of wheel is the size and shape of a standard trick wheel, but are softer like a cruiser wheel. These are great options for beginners looking to get comfortable on rough New England ground, or for skaters looking for an all terrain setup that feels familiar.
Bearings are what makes the wheels spin, and generally speaking you get what you pay for in terms of speed and durability. The majority of skaters land in the $18-25 range, but the lower priced options get the job done. Higher end bearings like Bones Swiss will last for years and can be brought back from the dead with minor maintenance and care. They may be out of some price ranges, but they are considerably faster and more durable than mid-range bearings.
Mark Gonzales once said “Turning is the essence of Skateboarding”, and trucks are what makes the board turn.
There are a lot of different truck brands on the market, but we focus primarily on 5 brands - Thunder, Venture, Independent, Ace, and Krux. They all have slight differences and characteristics with how they turn and grind, but all brands have devoted followers for different reasons. You literally can’t make a bad decision with any brand you choose. The standard solid aluminum models are tried and true, and price goes up with added features such as hollow lighter weight components, color treatments, or titanium axles.
Mounting hardware is available in phillips or allen head styles in the following sizes:
