Skate wheel stiffness. Types of skateboard wheels Which wheels are best for a skateboard

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Many people cannot imagine their life without vivid impressions. They are fully provided by riding penny boards, the types of which are produced by the Penny Corporation a large number of. What is the difference between a penny board and a skateboard?

The first one is much smaller in size, and in addition, it does not have a curved nose or tail. And the wheels of a penny board are larger and softer. There are two types - 27 and 22 inches, which allows you to choose optimal size for each.

In recent years, young people have been fascinated by riding such penny boards, which can already be compared to real youth culture. On city streets and in parks, teenagers with colorful skateboards, invented, by the way, in Australia, are becoming more and more common.

In design, these vehicles are similar to skateboards, but they also have fundamental differences. To understand the difference between a penny board and a skateboard, it is important to understand the idea behind their creation. And it consists in making it possible to move comfortably along city streets at a decent speed.

What is a penny board?

When describing this design, first of all, they talk about a bright plastic deck, high speed and good maneuverability, excellent quality, which they managed to assemble in one design.

What types of penny boards are there?

The first group includes devices (Nickel) 27 inches, the second - Original (22 inches).

Small and lightweight, Penny Original is easy to handle, stylish, and easy to carry in your hand or backpack. Sometimes it is called the “pocket” option. But learning to ride it is not easy because you need to have excellent coordination.

For beginners who do not yet feel confident enough on this baby, another option is the Penny Nickel, which is longer and wider, which allows you to put both feet on the platform while riding. A correctly curved tail allows you to jump onto the sidewalk and perform difficult tricks. There are no weight restrictions for both options.

Video: Tricks on a penny board

The Original board is 56 centimeters long, the width of the pendant is 7.5. Nickel is longer - 60 cm, and its pendant is wider - 10 cm, i.e. it's easier to master.

Penny boards are divided into subtypes:

Boards of the same color – Complete
For women and men, the Graphics series is suitable, the boards of which have a bright color, ornament or design, the theme of which is any: Mexican motifs, camouflage, space, etc. They are produced in 22 and 27 inches.
The original penny boards (Fades) are classic colors and boards made according to customer designs. Like the previous ones, they are produced in two sizes.
Pastel penny boards (Pastel) are distinguished by soft and at the same time bright pastel shades - peach, mint, lemon. They look perfect against the blooming background of spring and sultry summer. The series offers 22" and 27" nickel penny boards.
Flourescents are incredibly stylish and bright neon boards that glow at night with neon colors. The ride in the evening is very spectacular.
Bright and multi-colored – Custom.
Marble design – Marbles.
Hawaiian and Indian motifs, vintage style- Holiday.
A classic today are transparent penny boards.

There is also a series with luminous wheels, with transparent, translucent and matte boards.

Differences between a penny board and a skateboard

From a technical point of view, a penny is the same skate, in the classical sense, with better parameters.

The difference is the deck (board), made of plastic, which is why the device is called a plastboard and a plastic skate. The board is flexible, thanks to which vibrations of uneven surfaces are almost completely damped, and durable.

The penny has polyurethane wheels and high-class bearings - ABEC 7, as well as an adjustable suspension. The wheels hold the road well, and thanks to the bearings, it’s easy to gain and maintain speed.

Accessories for penny board

flat-soled shoes with reliable grip on the board;
protective gloves and sleeves;
protection for the elbow joint and knees;
helmet and clothing that does not restrict movement.

How do you learn to ride a penny board from scratch?

Lightweight analogues of plastic skateboards have gained popularity not only among teenagers, but also among adults. Therefore, the topic of how to learn to ride a penny board in order to feel confident is very relevant.

First of all, determine the active leg performing the push-off, then:

The inactive leg is placed on the back of the deck, with the toe turned 45 degrees. The pushing leg is placed in front of it, with the toe pointing forward;
the guide leg is placed closer to the place where the bolts are fixed;
Having pushed off, they try to maintain balance with the help of their legs and arms. After this stage has been mastered, you can begin to push off with your leading foot, lightly touching the asphalt with it;
To control the structure, it is enough to learn to influence the course of movement (rotate it) with your front foot. To do this, you need to press your heel or toe on the board and tilt your body in the desired direction. The pressure created helps change the direction of movement;
You can only accelerate on a flat road where there is no traffic or pedestrians;
you need to look forward, controlling the movement of the board;
when skating in a straight line is easy, you can move on to learning turns,
why the suspension should be slightly loosened;
To make a turn, you need speed. But there is no need to accelerate too much;
To stop, you need to reduce your speed, giving yourself the opportunity to calmly get off the board. Beginners can simply jump off it. In the future, you need to learn to press the edge of the board with your heel until it touches the road. This allows you to reduce speed almost instantly. Finally, you can brake by using your lead foot to touch the surface. Only, in this case, you don’t need to push – on the contrary, you need to drag your feet.

Video: How to learn to ride a penny board

How to distinguish a fake?

Real pennies can be distinguished from fakes by the following features:

According to the material from which the deck is made. U original models This is a non-slip plastic that hardly bends when driving. A protruding pattern is visible on it;

The legs of fakes slip because the deck is made of smooth plastic, the board bends excessively.
According to the curvature of the suspension. For original models it is smooth, i.e. The board stands with all wheels on a flat surface. In addition, there is factory lubricant in places where there is suspension friction. The fakes do not have it, and not all wheels touch the surface.
Bushings. In the first case, they are soft, preventing excessive deflection and the wheels touching the deck. They are put on a bolt that is fixed to the base of the board.

The suspension itself has limiters that hold the bushings and prevent them from breaking.

The analogues have solid bushings, no limiters, and the bolt is not secured to the base of the suspension. It is difficult to turn on such models, and the deck is pressed through turns, which causes the wheels to catch.
Quality of bearings. In the original, they can be easily disassembled when dirty, cleaned and put back in place. Such manipulations do not affect the quality of their work. In fakes, the bearings cannot be disassembled, which is why the wheels rotate slowly, and when they accelerate, they quickly stop.
Wheels. In standard boards they are made of rubber, thanks to which the device rides well on rough surfaces, prolonging the service life of the bearings.

The analogues (usually Chinese) have hard (or even plastic) wheels, so uneven roads have a negative impact on the bearings and the condition of the raider, which quickly gets tired.

Video: How to distinguish a real Penny skate from a fake

At what age can children learn penny boards?

A child over 4 years old can ride such a board. The length of the children's board from 4 to 12 years is 56 cm, and the permissible weight is 40 kg. For teenagers, penny boards 66 cm long are suitable.

Price

It depends on several factors:

series and size;
manufacturer.

On average, the price of boards is in the range of 7-9 thousand rubles, but with promotions that have become regular, you can buy them for 2-3 thousand cheaper, and you will receive accessories as a gift: stickers, anti-slip coating, etc.

How to store it correctly?

Made of plastic, the boards are easy to store. The most vulnerable are the deck coating and bearings. Therefore, storage in areas with high humidity is not recommended.

About skateboards and riding them

An extreme sport, skateboarding consists of performing special board(skateboard) masterful tricks.

Skateboarding styles

There are several styles of riding a structure that gives a feeling of freedom, allowing you to describe incredible turns:

performing tricks on horizontal surface– flatland;
street skating using railings, stairs, bumpers, ceilings, etc. - street. Most skaters use it;
popular in the 80s - freestyle. Tricks are performed in one plane;
vert, which appeared in 1976, is a spectacular stunt performed on a ramp;
the successor of the verpa is the park style. It includes the same ramp tricks,
performed in skate parks created for this purpose.

Whatever style you want to master, the main thing is comfortable and high-quality equipment, the main asset of which is a skateboard.

For beginner skaters, an excellent choice would be a kit from an American manufacturer, consisting of:

decks;
shock absorbers and suspension (tracks);
bearings and wheels;
flu tape;
fastening bolts and keys.

A skateboard, unlike a penny board, is made of wood. This is usually Canadian or Chinese maple. The layers are glued together so that they do not delaminate. In some models, for better sliding along the railings, a plastic layer is glued to the bottom.

Which skateboard to choose

What types of skateboards are there? They are available in child and adult sizes, with deck widths ranging from 4.7 to 10.625 inches. A width of 8 inches is enough to start with. In the process of acquiring skills, you can decide whether this width is suitable or whether a wider (narrow) board is needed.

Second parameter- length. It does not affect the difficulty of skating, so any one will do. The optimal length is 31 inches. There are mini-skates for children.

Third parameter– bend. It is determined empirically.

Aluminum suspension (sometimes steel)– the next detail. Bearings and wheels are attached to it. It is selected based on the width of the deck. For various styles Adequate stiffness is needed, so the suspension needs to be adjusted.

There are wheels various types and rigidity. 54mm wheels are considered optimal.

Bearings- a detail on which you cannot skimp. The skateboarder’s safety and speed depend on their quality.

Griptail– a film that improves the grip of shoes and boards. Select according to personal preference - with or without a pattern.

How to skateboard correctly?

Despite the fact that in videos teaching skateboarding it looks easy, in reality it is hard and time-consuming work. To understand how to learn how to skateboard from scratch, you need to learn the method of riding a penny board described above.

Video: How to learn to skateboard

Electric two wheel skate

A skateboard on 2 wheels, as the surprisingly successful hybrid of a skateboard and a Segway is called, is intended for an active person of any age. Electric skate – perfect way movement in urban environments and at the same time the best entertainment.

These designs are overtaking in popularity Lately even everyone's favorite skateboards, being not just sports equipment, and a vehicle – universal and functional.

The main advantage of electric skateboards on two wheels over other types of individual electric transport is their low weight and size.

The device of an electric two-wheeled skate

Externally, a skateboard that rides on its own is not much different from a skateboard, but its platform is located not in the direction of movement, but across it. The rather large wheels are independently driven by separate electric motors powered by high-capacity batteries.

The control of the device is based on the principle of self-balancing, for which the gyroscope is responsible. By slightly changing your body position, you can control the electric skateboard, i.e. there is no need to push off the ground with your foot.

Each wheel of a hoverboard, as an electric skateboard is called, is powered by a motor with a power of 350 kW and has automatic balancing. The hoverboard, on wheels with a diameter of 10 inches, can move in two directions - forward and backward, and can also easily turn around and turn.

Thanks to the tube tires, the movement on it is smooth - it is not afraid of uneven roads and small holes. The speed it develops reaches 12 kilometers per hour. He can climb up to 15 degrees. It will take 2-3 hours to fully charge the lithium-ion circuit battery. This charge is enough for 20 kilometers, which is equal to the distance of a day's travel.

The device weighs 14 kilograms, its dimensions are 584x185x178 mm, and the maximum load it can withstand is 20 - 100 kilograms.

You can buy a skateboard at the lowest price at Decathlon, a specialized online store.

Previously, I often heard questions such as: “Do you have hard wheels?, How hard are they?, Why are hard wheels cooler than soft ones, because you drive quietly on soft ones?” I was really tired of all this and I decided to write an article about choosing wheels. In fact, you shouldn’t approach this as carefully as many do.

In fact, the main rule is hard wheels, but do not buy hard wheels from some "left" sporting goods stores, as they may be plastic wheels and you will not go far on them. It is best to buy wheels in special skate shops (a store that specializes only in skateboard products).

But why not soft wheels? This will become clear to you as you level up your skateboarding. When your level is high enough, you need to turn it further, which cannot be done on soft wheels. And also, when jumping from high gaps, your soft wheels can simply fall apart like several pieces of jelly.

If you look at pro skaters, you can see that they are not worried about this issue at all. They always buy any wheels from skate shops and don’t look at their hardness or softness, because they know in advance that these are good wheels.

Conclusion: Don’t worry about choosing the right wheels for a long time. Just go to a skate shop and grab whatever wheels you like!

Text: Vasilevich Alexey

A skateboard without wheels turns into an ordinary piece of wood, which is of no use. You need to be able to choose them, which directly affect the behavior of the board and the nature of future skating.

Main and most important characteristics

Wheels are not chosen at random - every snowboarder knows this. There are a number of characteristics by which you can determine the quality of a product, and those characteristics that will appear after installing the selected wheels on it.

Wheel material

Polyurethane is the main material used by skateboard wheel manufacturers. It is this material that has the highest performance characteristics, which may vary depending on the structure of the material. It is not for nothing that polyurethane is widely used in mechanical engineering. When choosing wheels for a skateboard, you need to check that they are made from polyurethane and in no case from rubber, plastic or other alternative materials. Even gel skate wheels will not be better than polyurethane ones.

Rigidity

It is with this parameter that the choice of a movable base for the board begins. The stiffness of skate wheels can be called differently - durometer or degree of endurance, but it is always designated the same way: using a number and the letter a. As the number increases, so does the rigidity. Soft wheels have a hardness rating of 50a, while the hardest wheels have a hardness rating of 90a.

Rigid brakes are typically not very good, which creates difficulties with braking. As a result of low friction, such wheels have a long service life. They are ideal for making high jumps, as long as you don't mind the hard landings and strong vibrations. To use them, you need a flat surface, because bumps and any uneven surfaces will cause a lot of shaking. With such a base, you shouldn’t expect good handling from a skateboard.

You can install wheels with moderate rigidity on the board for moving along city streets. Those who are against shaking should get shoes with anti-shock soles, which are often dome-shaped.

To conquer the ramp, it is better to install moderately soft elements. At the same time, the obedience of the skate and good grip on the smooth surface of the ramp will delight you and allow you to reach considerable heights. The wheels will not wear out quickly due to the lack of a hard surface, and the speed will already be gained quite quickly.

When faced with the difficult choice that absolute beginners face, it is worth choosing medium hardness.

Size

Next comes another, no less significant indicator, which must be taken into account. Many wheels have a diameter in the region of 52–60 mm. These figures are considered average. For smaller skaters, it is better to choose products with a smaller diameter in order to achieve good responsiveness of the skateboard to user control.

Wheels with a diameter greater than 60 mm are available for longboards or street skateboards, which are more often used for surfing. On a board with such a movable base you can move at high speed. These wheels have an elongated design, which contributes to better grip on the surface.

In general, large elements that are installed on longboards are characterized by high softness levels. Therefore, you can travel even long distances on poor road surfaces. Wheels with a small diameter are likely to have high hardness, which will allow you to perform complex tricks and practice.

Color

The effect of this parameter on the performance of a skateboard wheel is controversial. Some sources indicate that elements painted in the same color develop higher speeds than their multi-colored counterparts. From a scientific point of view, we can talk about a connection between the addition of pigment and an increase in the softness of the wheel, which entails a decrease in speed characteristics.

There is no theoretical evidence for this statement yet. If you take for comparison black specimens with the highest percentage of additives and white ones with the same characteristics, then it will be very difficult to find the difference between them. If you are convinced of the existence of such a dependence, then it is better to choose ordinary elements.

In general, pigments are added to polyurethane at the melting stage, so the impact on performance characteristics is zero.

Other characteristics

There’s no need to buy consumer goods that you won’t be able to skate with even for a season. It’s better to immediately pay attention to the products good manufacturer. All companies that offer to buy skateboard wheels are divided into two types:

the first group of manufacturers specializes exclusively in the production of wheels (Ricta, Spitfire, Autobahn, Pig Wheels, Hubba Wheels, Satori Wheels);
the second group of manufacturers produces both skateboards and a moving base for them (Black Label, Zero, Toy Machine, Element).

Good options cannot cost less than 1,500 rubles. The upper limit is more difficult to determine, since everything here depends on the brand and the innovations announced by the manufacturer.

Instances have appeared on the market with plastic cores inside. This structure allows you to reduce the weight of the product. The advantage is dubious, since the plastic insert is not reliable enough. Still, it’s better to choose the classics - wheels made of solid polyurethane inspire more confidence.

Summarize. Products must be only polyurethane and of high quality. If you have little experience in boarding, you need to choose soft wheels that brake well and do not bounce on every bump. You can safely choose the design at your own discretion without worrying about a decrease in performance characteristics.

Skateboarding is destined to be forever young and popular. Times and customs change, but shabby boards and skateparks remain in fashion. There is probably no boy in the world who would not be fascinated by the tricks of professional riders. It's a pleasure to look at them! At such moments, you want to become a super star and be able to do something similar. And in order to start climbing to the stars, you need to choose a high-quality skate, which is what this article is devoted to.

TYPES OF SKATEBOARDS

Depending on the style and terrain of skating, skates are divided into several types:

Skateboard- a classic skate, has a standardized international shape. Used for free skating and performing tricks.

Longboard— a skateboard with an extended deck up to 50" inches. Designed for high-speed descents on sloped roads. The long platform and wide wheels make you feel stable and easy to maneuver at high speed.

Cruisers- wooden and plastic boards with a narrow shortened deck. Maneuverable and compact skateboards. Have original dimensions 22" And 27" inches.

Waveboards is a two-wheeled skateboard with a completely different structure and skating technique. To get moving, you need to make wave-like movements with your legs and torso, as a result of which all muscle groups are involved.

SKATEBOARD BASICS

The deck is the basis of any skateboard; it is a board with curved ends. The front end of the deck is called the “nose”, the rear end is called the “tail”.The side folds along the deck are called "concave". These bends help you perform various tricks on a skateboard. Depending on the board, the depth of the bends varies: skaters choose the depth depending on their skating style, but there is general rule- the deeper the concave, the easier it is to perform flip tricks.

The average deck length is approximately 80 cm, the width varies from 19 to 21 cm. Wide boards make it easier to land after jumping or slide along rails, while narrow boards are better for performing flips.The main parameters for choosing the optimal board, in addition to the shape, are the deck material and the number of layers.

DECK MATERIAL

Traditionally, skateboard decks are made from multiple layers of maple. The most common breeds are and maple. The highest quality decks are made from it, as it is a very durable and hard material with a dense texture. More budget soundboards are made from this wood because it grows in a more humid climate, making it slightly less durable than Canadian maple soundboards. Manufacturers often combine two types of wood; in such decks, the inner layers are made of Chinese maple, and the top and bottom are made of Canadian. In addition to classic maple boards, there are boards using bamboo and.

NUMBER OF DECK LAYERS

A skateboard deck is made from several thin layers of wood tightly glued together. The most common decks are made of 7-layer and 9-layer veneer, but there are models with 6-layer, 8-layer and 10-layer decks. How more quantity layers, the higher the strength of the deck, but at the same time, multi-layer decks are heavier. For beginners and amateurs, 7-ply decks are best because... they have an optimal ratio of weight and strength. 9-ply decks are the choice for skaters performing complex jumps and tricks that require extra board strength.

SUSPENSION

Suspensions, also commonly called “trucks,” are a part of the skateboard that allows the board to turn. Most often, tracks are made of aluminum, but on the most budget or children's skates you can find plastic tracks. Tracks vary in size, weight and strength. The thicker the tracks, the stronger they are and the greater the load they can withstand, but at the same time they make the structure heavier. The width of the tracks must match the deck. For example, 7.5" tracks will fit a 7.5" wide deck.

WHEEL DIAMETER

The diameter of skateboard wheels varies from 48 to 60 mm; the most common and suitable for Russian roads are wheels with a diameter in the range of 52 - 56 mm. When choosing a wheel diameter, you should first determine what is more important to you: high speed and a long ride (for street skating) or a quick increase in speed (for skating in a skatepark). The diameter of the wheels affects speed, its maintenance and acceleration: the smaller the diameter of the wheels, the faster the skateboard gains speed, but also the faster it loses it. If you need a quick start from a standstill, then choose small wheels. The larger the diameter of the wheels, the higher the speed and the slower the skate stops. If you need high speed, choose a skateboard with larger diameter wheels.

WHEEL MATERIAL

The most common material for skateboard wheels is polyurethane. This is a durable and wear-resistant material that can withstand the stress of jumping or normal skating. Sometimes there are budget (children's) options with plastic wheels. Many companies make polyurethane wheels with a plastic core to reduce weight, but such wheels are inferior in strength to wheels made of solid polyurethane.

WHEEL HARDNESS

The stiffness of the skateboard wheels directly depends on the material from which the wheels are made. According to the degree of hardness, wheels are divided into soft, medium and hard. Hardness is measured on the DUROMETER scale and is indicated by a number and the letter “A”. Most often, skate wheel hardness ranges from 72 to 102A. The less rigidity, the faster the wheels lose speed, but such a skateboard is easier to control, and due to the fact that the wheels transmit less vibration, the riding process becomes more comfortable. Stiffer wheels accelerate better and maintain speed better. Also, the stiffer the wheels, the slower they wear out.If you are going to ride on a ramp, choose a skateboard with soft wheels. Hard wheels are best for park or street riding.

BEARINGS

Another important component of a skateboard is bearings. They are responsible for the maximum speed and duration of rental. The most common bearings are classes ABEC-3, ABEC-5 and ABEC-7. Much less common are ABEC-1 and ABEC-9. The higher the ABEC value, the higher the degree of bearing processing and the lower the friction force. Thus, the higher the class of bearings, the greater their speed.

ABEC-1 and ABEC-3 class bearings are most often installed on children's skateboards; they have a limitation on maximum speed and are considered safe. ABEC-5 and ABEC-7 are the most common types of bearings, they are found on amateur and semi-professional boards. The fastest and quite rare ABEC-9 bearings have the highest cost and are installed only on professional skateboards.

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So, let's start by looking at the skateboard through an x-ray in order to see all its components.

Board, deck. The soundboard has a nose, a board, and a tail. The boards vary in width, length, and number of layers. The standard is 7 layers of laminated maple veneer. The layers are glued together under pressure, they are quite light and durable. Entry-level boards have 9 layers. There are also boards made of 6 or 8 layers, depending on the company; manufacturers are chasing strength and at the same time light weight of the deck. There are also Aircraft iron boards and Lib Tech plastic boards, but they are not very common.
Nowadays they make boards with a width of 19 to 23 cm, boards approximately 19.5 cm are considered the standard. The length is from 78-84 cm. The width is usually chosen depending on the size of the foot; if you have a large foot size, then it would be better to take a board wider than the standard, and if 41- 42.5 then take the deck standard width 19.5 — 19.7.
The decks can be symmetrically bent at the ends or bent with a tail (at the back end), and a nose (bent at the nose), concave - bent at the edges of the board. It is believed that the higher the concave, the easier it is to do tricks, but this is a matter of taste!
There are boards with slick - this is a plastic layer that is located last at the bottom of the board. The slick is designed to make the board slide better on the railing. Slick decks are heavier, a little stronger and cost more than regular decks.

Grip tape is a rough coating on a board, similar to sandpaper adapted for a sticker. Skate skin differs from regular skate skin in that it has a self-adhesive layer. It is glued along the entire length of the board, from the tip of the nose to the tail. It is needed to prevent your feet from sliding on the board, and also so that you can do tricks. Without it, making an ollie is almost impossible.

Trucks are two metal parts that are attached to the underside of the deck with 8 bolts and nuts. These are mounts for connecting the wheels and the board, you also control the board with the help of suspensions, they are necessary for performing various tricks, they are made of aluminum, more expensive models come with lighter weights. The suspension consists of a platform (baseplate), central bolt (kingpin), hanger (hanger), axle (axle), bushings (gromets). Usually, rubber bands are placed between the board and the platform.
The pendants should have such a width that the wheels do not peek out from under the board, that is, the pendants should be slightly less than the width of the deck itself.

Wheels - made of polyurethane. The main criteria by which wheels are divided is the hardness (softness) coefficient. It is identified by a number indicating the hardness of the material from which it is made. The higher the coefficient, the harder the wheel, the higher the speed and the worse the grip. Rigidity on wheels is indicated by the letter A; the most rigid wheels are 101A and maintain high speed; 95A wheels are better able to overcome roughness, stones, cracks, glass, etc., their speed is lower.
Soft wheels - 75A - 95A - grip well on rough asphalt, move smoothly, and absorb vibration well. Hard wheels - 101A - designed for the highest speeds, good rebound, easy to skid - the most popular wheels for ramp and streetstyle riding. Medium wheels - 97A - a middle option between the first two.
Sizes from 45 to 60 mm.

Risers Pads are pads for suspension. They are used when the wheels touch the board when turning, they increase the distance between the wheel and the deck and thereby prevent friction of the wheels on the board.

Bearings - serve to reduce friction. A skateboard will need 8 bearings, two per wheel. Bearings greatly affect speed. They are designated according to the international ABEC system. The most common bearings are ABEC 3. There are also ABEC 5.7 - they are of course better and their rolling torque is higher, but the price is also higher.

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Many beginning skateboarders and others have encountered the problem of purchasing a skateboard. It must be said that you can purchase them assembled and disassembled. Beginners are recommended to buy ready-made skateboards. This way they can save themselves from unnecessary work. There are a considerable number of models of these products. So sometimes do right choice not so simple.

Skateboard– wooden platform (deck) on four wheels.

Longboard– a type of skateboard that has an elongated deck (up to 3 meters) and enlarged wheels. On such a board you do not feel the unevenness of the road, it develops high speed and does not require constant pushing. However, a longboard is quite heavy.

Rollersurf– combines a skateboard and roller skates. Consists of two plates connected by a torsion spring. Unlike a skateboard, it has two wheels (four-wheeled models are very rare). It is characterized by high maneuverability and is capable of developing quite high speeds. You don't need to constantly push away.

Split rollersurf- a type of rollersurf in which the decks are not connected by a torsion spring. This skateboard is not suitable for jumping, but it is good for tricks on flat surfaces.

Mountainboard– wooden platform on large inflatable wheels (up to 25 cm) and spring suspension. Designed for descent over rough terrain. Has fastenings for the athlete's legs.

Penny board- a type of skateboard that is small in size, bright design. The penny board deck is made of very durable and lightweight plastic, the suspension is made of aluminum, and the wheels are made of polyurethane (plastic or aluminum core). This youth skate model is suitable for adults. Penny boards are used for driving fast and performing various tricks.

Children's skateboard

Children's– differs from an adult in size and design, as well as a lower maximum load. Good children's skateboards are made from the same materials as adults.

When choosing a skateboard for a child, you should consider some features:

the length of the skateboard is not of fundamental importance, however, larger children (compared to their peers) should choose longer boards; The width of the skate should be 7.5-8 inches;
buy a board made in this year: the longer the board is stored, the more it deforms;
Skate wheels should not be too hard; Harder wheels give greater speed and at the same time worse grip;
the surface of the skateboard must be absolutely flat: to make sure of this, you should lift the board and look at it from the end;
Pay attention to the material of the skate: it is better to take a model made from Canadian maple.

Deca

Material

Canadian maple– the most suitable material for making a deck: durable and hard with a dense texture. Has a fairly high price.

Chinese maple- less durable material, but its price is lower.

Canadian + Chinese maple– a combination of two materials: the top and bottom layers are made of Canadian maple, the inner layer is made of Chinese maple.

Plastic– used for roller surfing. Allows you to apply a variety of design solutions.

Skin

Skin (griptape)– sandpaper that is glued to the deck of a skateboard for reliable adhesion to the athlete’s shoes. Grip tape also performs a decorative function: there are black, gray, colored skins, as well as models covered with patterns and transparent sandpaper.

Usually the skin is glued once when assembling the skateboard. If during skating you feel that the grip on the sole is not strong enough, then it is better to replace the sandpaper. It should be remembered that before gluing a new grip tape, the old skin must be torn off.

You should not buy colored grip tapes - they have much weaker grip and low abrasion resistance. Another disadvantage of colored skins is their higher price. If you want to create your own style, you can paint with high-quality acrylic markers a plain black or gray sandpaper.

Number of layers

Decks are made of veneer - layers of wood glued together.

7 layers- occurs most often. Good balance of strength and weight for general riding.

8-9 layers– characterized by increased strength. The best option for extreme driving and performing stunts. High-quality 8-9-layer skateboards are almost the same in weight as 7-layer skateboards.

Dimensions

The length and width of the deck is selected depending on the size of the person, as well as his individual preferences. Deck lengths range from 16.9 to 55 inches and widths from 4.6 to 10.625 inches.

Standard deck length is 31 inches. Children's options are shorter (miniskateboards). The width of the deck directly affects the stability and controllability of the skateboard, especially during jumps. For beginners, it is better to choose boards of medium width. The optimal width and length are selected by “trying on live”.

Wheels

Diameter and thickness

Wheel diameter depends on deck size, riding style and riding conditions. This figure ranges from 40 to 180 mm. The standard diameter for a skateboard is 54 mm, allowing you to both ride and perform tricks. Rollersurfs have 76 mm wheels.

Important: The larger the wheel diameter, the higher the rolling speed and the faster the acceleration. The lower this value, the more maneuverable the skateboard and, accordingly, the easier it is to perform tricks.

The thickness of the wheels depends on the diameter - up to 57 mm.

Rigidity

This indicator reflects the amount of resistance of the wheel under mechanical influence. Marking is carried out with a number and the letter A. Moreover, the higher the number, the greater the rigidity of the wheel.

Very soft (less than 80A) and soft wheels (80-85A) provide better traction, maneuverability and good shock absorption. The disadvantage is to a greater extent than hard ones are subject to deformation and wear. Rigid (100A) - have a long service life and better maintain speed.

Important: It is better to choose hard wheels for driving on the street, soft wheels for driving on ramps.

Bearing class

Bearing grades vary according to the American ABEC standard. The higher the manufacturing accuracy, the higher the class of the bearing. There are five classes in total (1, 3, 5, 7, 9). ABEC 3, ABEC 5 and ABEC 7 are the most common.

The strength, service life and price of the skateboard depend on the bearing class. Expensive bearings (from class 5 and above) are required primarily for sports skateboards, which are characterized by aggressive riding.

Suspension

Suspension is the frame that connects the wheels and the deck. The maneuverability of the skateboard depends on it. The suspension is adjustable (loosen or tightened) to suit a specific riding style.

Material

Aluminum- occurs most often. Optimal balance of strength and lightness.

Steel– rarely used, stronger than aluminum, but also heavier.

Plastic– used in children's skateboards. Very lightweight material and durable enough for a child's weight.

Width suspension depends on the width of the deck and varies from 1.75 to 10 inches. The wider the board, the wider the pendant.

– means the maximum permissible load on a skateboard and ranges from 20 to 120 kg. It includes both the weight of the rider himself and the load when performing tricks.

The weight of a skateboard directly affects its maneuverability. Lighter skateboards are easier and more comfortable to control. The weight of the device ranges from 1 kg to 15 kg. It should be noted that this value includes not only the weight of the board, but also the weight of the suspension with wheels. The optimal option for the standard model is 3 kg.

Electric skateboard

Electric skate (electric skateboard)– a skateboard that is driven by an electric motor and equipped with a braking system. Riding does not require any effort, which makes it possible to cover long distances without significant expenditure of physical energy. Electric transport is controlled by tilting the body (forward - movement, backward - braking).

Compared to a skateboard, the wheels of an electric skateboard have a larger diameter, which improves its maneuverability. An electric skate can reach higher speeds than a skateboard. In addition, such a device makes less noise when moving.

True, an electric skate is not suitable for performing certain complex tricks, such as sliding along the edges of architectural elements. Such transport is more expensive and heavier than a regular skateboard.

Manufacturer

The brands Santa Cruz, Blind, Element, Shorty’s are rightfully considered to be the producers of the best boards in the world. These skateboards have all the advantages: lightness, strength, original design. It should be understood that particularly light weight models will be less durable. Overall, every skateboard from these brands is absolutely worth the investment. These are the boards that iconic skateboarders with worldwide authority ride on.

The average quality segment consists of products from the Explore, Powerslide, Razor, Tempish, and Roller Derby brands. These boards are cheaper, but they have more significant disadvantages: fragility, not the best surfaces (skins).

The cheapest skates are products from Chinese and local manufacturers Kepai, Re:Action, Sprinter, Amigo Sport, MaxCity, Sports Collection. These are usually assembled boards that are sold in sports supermarkets. They may well be suitable for a beginner skateboarder who is just trying his hand at it. If you plan to engage in skateboarding, then such boards are not suitable for you: among them it is difficult to choose options that correspond to certain styles of skating, the skins deteriorate very quickly, and the wheels and bearings of the lowest quality quickly fail.

It is imperative to purchase skateboarding products in specialized stores, because this is an extreme sport, therefore, buying a low-quality Chinese skateboard can cost you your health.

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What wheel softness is right for you?

The softness marking is always indicated on the wheel (sometimes only on the packaging).

Soft wheels are great for skating outside of skateparks with their flat, smooth surfaces. Soft wheels do a great job small irregularities and obstacles, dampen strong vibrations. However, soft wheels can warp under pressure and wear out more quickly.
Hard wheels roll faster on smooth surfaces, but on rough and uneven paths they cause strong vibration, which reduces speed and makes the ride less comfortable.
Street riders choose hard wheels. They are better suited for performing most tricks than soft ones: due to their smaller size, better maneuverability, the ability to do flips, and so on.
For greater clarity, see the picture below and choose wheels of the exact softness that is most suitable for your purposes.

Measuring scale according to DUROMETERDurometer is a measure of rubber hardness. The "Shore A" scale is used to indicate the range of wheel hardness in skateboarding. The method and scale were proposed by Albert F. Shore in the 1920s. He also developed the corresponding measuring device called durometer. More details on wikipedia.

Wheels	Rigidity	Purpose
Soft	75A - 87A	Such wheels are placed on boards when they are planned to be ridden on non-ideal rough surfaces, for drifting and cruising.
	88A - 95A	These wheels are suitable for smoother surfaces such as new pavement or smooth concrete.
	96A - 99A	Wheels for smooth surfaces. These wheels are worth choosing if you prefer: street and smooth surfaces like in skate parks, ramps and pools.
Solid	100A+	Pro wheels. Very hard and fast wheels. Not suitable for rough surfaces and tiles. These wheels are not recommended for beginners because they quickly develop speed on a smooth surface.

In addition to scale A, there is also scale B, which is used by bones and some other brands. For example: Bones 84B wheels will have a stiffness of 104A, that is, the density is even higher than A. For clarity, see the picture below.

My personal experience: Softness 73A. Usually such wheels are installed on cruisers or longboards. They have a large diameter: from 60mm above, and a soft ride. Such wheels do not give a very fast start, but they maintain speed very well. Even on bad asphalt you don’t really feel any shaking, and these wheels make virtually no noise.
Do you want to become a master of sliding with different combinations of tricks? 100A/101A stiffness with wheel diameters from 51mm to 56mm is great for both street and park. But you can’t ride on bad asphalt for a long time on such wheels, and at the same time they make noise.
You can also stop at something in between. For example, take universal wheels of 54-55 mm with an average hardness of 90A-97A. It is convenient to perform tricks on such wheels and they roll well on bad asphalt.

What wheel diameter is right for you?

The most common wheel diameter: from 51mm to 56mm. Here again, there are also some peculiarities. If you need speed, go for a larger diameter. If you need a quick start from a standstill, then take a small diameter. We look at the picture below and decide what we need.

Note: the wheels should not be too large so that they do not rattle on the board. Embarrassment can occur: at speed or when performing a trick, when the wheels bite, you can fall very painfully. There should always be a small margin between the wheel and the board, always take this into account when purchasing.

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Structure

And you should start with information about the main parts of a modern skateboard:

Deca- this is the same board that the athlete stands on when riding.
Trucks- This is the suspension by which the wheels are attached to the deck. In a skateboard, the tracks also act as steering wheels, reacting to the tilt of the board.
Wheels. In skateboarding they are small in size and have high rigidity.
Bearings. The better they are, the more for a long period The wheels have rotation, and accordingly, the greater the distance the board can travel with one push.
Griptate- This is a “skin” that is glued to the outer surface of the board and prevents your feet from slipping while riding.

Features of choosing a skate

Having dealt with the basic details, you should consider how to choose a skateboard for beginners. In this case, one should rely on whole line criteria:

Deca. Before choosing a good skateboard, you need to pay attention to its deck. It is the basis of the skateboard and can be made of wood, fiberglass, plastic or aluminum. The latter option is very rare and has a high cost.

Important! The best option, according to many experts, is a soundboard made of wood, namely Canadian maple. The most common are seven-layer decks, although you can also purchase an option from 6 to 11 layers. Before choosing a skateboard for a beginner planning to master the basics of skating, you need to pay attention to seven-layer models.

How to choose the size of a skateboard? The length of modern decks is proportional to the width. That is, reduced boards retain the original proportions of their larger counterparts. The average length of decks for adults is 7.5-8 inches. The choice here directly depends on personal preferences, so it is advisable to test several options before purchasing.

Suspension. When thinking about how to choose the right skateboard, you need to pay special attention to the suspension, called tracks. Typically, these elements are made of aluminum alloy, but they can also be made of iron, painted in any color with a printed pattern.

Important! The tracks must be matched to the width of the board. To improve maneuverability, they can be narrower than a skateboard, but in no case wider. That is, after installing the wheels on the tracks, they should not protrude beyond the board.

Wheels. The material used to make them is polyurethane. They can differ not only in size, but also in hardness. Hard wheels are good for speed, less susceptible to wear, but any unevenness is felt on them. On the other hand, skateboards with soft wheels go slower but provide better comfort and handling on rough roads. Therefore, before choosing wheels for a skateboard, you need to decide on the surface on which you will ride.

Bearings. In terms of size, these spare parts fit all wheels. Each wheel requires two bearings. They differ from each other only in quality and, accordingly, speed. Skateboards are equipped with ABEC standard bearings. The higher the number following this marking, the faster the model we are talking about.

Important! Downside The medal in this case is wear resistance. More expensive and faster bearings are less resistant to poor coatings and dust. Therefore, for bad roads it is better to choose ABEC 3 and 5 models. Therefore, the features of choosing a skateboard for adults largely depend on the style and characteristics of skating.

Skin. In its structure it is nothing more than sandpaper, having a self-adhesive backing. It is sold in the form of rectangular sheets, which, after sticking to the deck, are cut along its contour.