The most vital components of your skateboard—possibly even the mere foundation of it— are your trucks. This longest-lasting component of your board has a significant impact on how skateboarding feels and how well you will be able to perform. And surely there are a variety of skateboard trucks available, some of which are superior depending on the intended use and your level of experience. This guide however is meant to assist you in selecting the most suited trucks for your skateboarding wants and needs.
How to Select Skateboard Trucks
There are several factors to consider when looking to buy skateboard trucks online so be sure to pay attention to them on your next shopping mission. First, the width of the deck and the axles of your cars must be identical. The proper breadth is the most important criterion, although there are others as well. Second, consider where and what you wish to skateboard.
Even the pivot cups and washers might affect your skating performance. Typically, a standard truck is sufficient; however, if funds are limited, hollow trucks and titanium may be a possibility. Additionally, what type of skateboarder are you? Perhaps you enjoy many different tricks and activities and are seeking a versatile truck for your unique setup.
The Size
Before you purchase a truck, you should keep in mind that they exist in a variety of sizes and that there is no genuine brand standard. The most crucial factor is choosing the correct width for your board and trucks. All brands include their specifications in the product description, and a local skate shop will be able to assist you.
The Width
As previously said, ensure that the width of your skateboard deck fits the width of your truck axles. As long as you can stand primo (standing on your skateboard wheels and the side of your board), you’re good to go. They should not be broader than your deck, since this will impair response and cause wheel bite.
While wider trucks provide greater stability, having vehicles that are overly wide might cause a number of problems. Slightly broader is not a problem, and some skaters like wider trucks, but bear in mind the following. If your trucks are too broad for your board, you won’t be able to perform any great tricks because your board will lie at an angle on its side.
Your feet may also come into contact with the protruding wheels, although this is less of an issue for taller skateboarders. The board will be less sensitive, making flips somewhat more difficult. Nonetheless, there is no major issue; in general, just choose the appropriate width to be safe.
The Height
The height of the truck corresponds to the space between your wheel and deck. The measurement is the distance between the baseplate and the truck’s hanger. Height is a matter of personal preference, but the lower you are to the ground, the more stable you will be.
You will find the sections of low, medium, and high when you’re looking to buy skateboard trucks online although the majority of truck manufacturers only sell high and low trucks. Some brands offer high trucks that are identical to other brands’ low trucks, which might be confusing. As a novice, you shouldn’t worry about your height; you’ll discover what you want as you progress.
Low Trucks
Low trucks provide the maximum stability, but be wary of larger wheels; low skate trucks measure between 46 and 49 millimetres. Wheel diameters between 48 and 53 millimetres are often acceptable for low trucks. Beyond that, you will need riser pads, but this negates the purpose of low trucks so you may as well purchase a pair of highs. Installing large wheels on low-slung vehicles will result in wheel bite, which can be troublesome at times. It will disorient you and may lead you to fall.
You should probably choose lows if you’re more of a proficient skateboarder who likes to hit the street and parks. They permit improved grinding, flips, powerslides, and more stability at faster speeds. They are less “turny” and provide less traction than high trucks. Don’t ride them too loosely; often, low trucks necessitate a tighter setup.
Medium Trucks
Because mid-trucks are adaptable and excellent for all types of skating, they are a solid alternative for skaters who enjoy both transition and street skating. They can accommodate somewhat larger wheels than low trucks, but typically no more than 56mm. Riser pads are optional but, at that point, you might as well choose the high ones.
High Trucks
The 53.5 mm to 58 mm high trucks are ideal for skating tiny ramps, bowls, and verts. Their larger profile allows them to turn a bit better than low-profile trucks. If you enjoy riding larger wheels, you should choose high trucks. Larger wheels provide a somewhat surfer-like sensation due to their superior manoeuvrability, and they are suitable for more experienced riders who also need their skateboarding safety gear just as much. High-riding boards have a quick hookup but provide less stability at higher speeds (like bombing the hill kind of speeds).
High trucks are also superior for turning because they can rotate further due to their unique shape, which allows for additional movement. As the axle now rests further away from the deck, larger wheels, ranging from 53mm to 58mm, can be installed without a wheel bite.
Now, despite the fact that the aforementioned features are already a considerable amount to evaluate, there are still many other aspects to consider when picking your trucks. However, they require time to learn about and break-in, and the more you ride, the better you will become at selecting the components of your board.