If you are new to Skateboarding who is learning to skateboard or you are not a skateboarder but you want to Gift someone a brand new skateboard on their birthday. There might be a question run through your mind How to Choose a good quality Fully assembled/complete skateboard.
You might also need someone to guide you in buying that for you.
No worry!
We are here to help you choose your first skateboard.
If you are just getting started with skateboarding then keep things simple, I mean that you should not choose skateboards that are made for tricks and are less maneuverable when riding.
But if you have already made your mind that you will be street riding or vert skateboarding, then it is okay. Only if you are ready to deal with it.
If you are Planning a gift for someone I suggest you to first know his/her Interest.
Choose type of Skateboard
This is the first thing you should consider before buying a skateboard. Choosing what type of skateboard you want depend upon what type of use you are going to have with your board.
If you are just going to use the skateboard for transportation or Cruising around then you need a Longboard or Penny Board. Penny boards are smaller in size size, which can be fitted in your back-pack but it is less maneuverable as it is small in Size. Where as Long boards are Larger in Size and more Stable, but if you want to carry it to your college or any other place you may not like its huge size.
If you are buying a complete skateboard for vert skateboarding or street riding for performing tricks then you are looking for Traditional Shortboards. With these skateboards you can perform tricks easily, but it is not suitable for cruising. Because it has hard wheels that makes noise while riding and gets stroke with a very small bump or crack on the ground.
Choosing the right size
What should be the ideal size for me to get a skateboard?
Most people ask this question and they keep unanswered sometimes. Because, there is no exact answer for this.
But we have some data regarding size of skateboard according to you Height, Age, Shoe size.
Consider this Skateboard deck Sizing chart:
Remember these Sizing suggestions are only indicative. you can also ride skateboard larger or smaller than the size which is recommended in this chart. But the Deck of the board must be in good quality.
Also if you are an adult then don't ride kids skateboard, as it is fragile for your weight.
Right Board Shape
There are Various Shapes of Skateboards to choose from. A skateboard Shape is not it's design. It's Deck's Shape is depended on your riding Style- Radial, progressive, w-concave, flat-cave, asymmetric, convex etc. are shapes of skateboard that is helpful for those riders who prefer doing Tricks.
If you are a beginner, Consider buying a simple skateboard shape. You can always switch to another one once you think that you are ready for that.
Material and Quality
The material that you choose for your complete skateboard will define the quality of the board. Choosing the right material is very important. Of course, you don't want your skateboard to be broken while you try some tricks, as it may get you injured hard.
Also if the material is not good enough then you would not experience the Stability and smoothness while Cruising around.
If you don't know what materials are ideal for each skateboard part, No worry ! We will provide all information that you need to choose a good quality skateboard.
Let's go:
Inspect 'Deck' Quality & Material
Most popular and the most common material used to make a skateboard deck is Canadian Maple. Another Popular material used are Bamboo and Baltic Birch Plywood. You can go for any of these material they all are ideal materials for the deck.
The Popularity that maple wood gain is the highest among them, This is because of the stability a experience that it provides.
Plastic is an alternative material that is used these days widely to make short cruisers. Penny started making first Plastic skateboards. Fiberglass and Aluminium deck are also available that works in a similar way.
Inspect 'Truck' material & Quality
A truck is a part that connect's the wheels to the deck of the board.
The suggested materials for a truck are Stainless Steel, Aluminium or any other hard metal.
Never Buy a skateboard with a Plastic truck.
Inspect 'Wheel' material & Quality
There are not too many materials that is included while making wheels.
You should always choose Wheels made up of Polyurethane (Also PU wheels). Avoid any other type of wheels made with Rubber, Plastic or any other materials.
The larger your wheels are more speed you will gain but smaller wheels gain more acceleration than the larger one
Wheels durability is from 73a to 101a. Lower number wheels are softer but slower that are good for cruising. Larger number wheels are Harder and faster and also slide more.
Inspect 'Bearing' Material & Quality
For a good skateboarding experience you wheels should spin freely, without any grinding or wobbling.
The scale of the preciseness of the bearings is ABEC. You should always choose ABEC 7 bearings, Or ABEC 5 can also be chosen.
Always check it by spinning, Because sometimes they say it ABEC 7 bearing but it does not work like an ABEC 7 or ABEC 5 bearing.
Price Expectation
Don't ever try to buy a cheap skateboard. Never forget that you may showing of tricks on the board. Cheap Skateboards can't handles much weight and stroke.
You can go for a low price complete skateboard. Low price board that fulfil all the requirements that I've already explained to you. Don't worry if some of the parts are not as expected. You can go for it and change that part according to you need or expectation.
Never think that if it is Expensive it must be good. No, Sometimes you may get fooled.
Just set a criteria and go for that criteria or you can also take Recommendation from an expert to buy your board.
Also check: How much does a Skateboard cost?
Buy the Board
Once a Complete skateboard meets all or most of the criteria you decided by you just go for it.
You may also set a budget like more than $50, Under $100, over $100 etc. Or Go for a Reputed Brand.
If you are buying for someone else as a gift then it may be difficult for you to choose a skateboard but if you Follow all the instructions that we provided you then you may get your desired skateboard easily.
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