Choosing a setup

Your setup changes how you skate. A board that's right for flip tricks on flat ground might feel twitchy in a bowl, and a wide transition setup might feel heavy on a ledge. There's no perfect setup, but there are good starting points.

Deck

• Width: the most important choice. Narrower decks are lighter and flip more easily. Wider decks feel more stable in transition and on big landings. Most skaters pick a width that matches their shoe size and style.
• Shape: most decks are "popsicle" shaped, with a nose and tail that look alike. Some decks have different nose and tail shapes.
• Concave: the curve across the deck. More concave feels more locked in; less feels flatter.

Trucks

• Match the width to your deck. Truck axles should be about as wide as your deck.
• Height: low trucks feel stable for flip tricks; high trucks allow bigger wheels.
• Bushings: the rubber pieces that let the truck turn. Softer bushings turn easier; harder ones feel more stable.

Wheels

• Size: measured in millimeters. Smaller wheels (around 50-54mm) are common for street. Bigger wheels (around 54-60mm) roll faster and smoother in parks and on rough ground.
• Hardness: measured on a durometer scale. Harder wheels slide and feel fast on smooth ground; softer wheels grip and roll over cracks.

Bearings

They let your wheels spin. Keep them clean and dry. You need eight: two per wheel.

Grip tape

The sandpaper-like top of the deck. It keeps your feet on the board. Replace it when it stops gripping.

Hardware

Bolts and nuts that hold the trucks to the deck. You need eight of each.

A worked example: a first all-round setup

Mia skates a mix of street and park. She picks:

1. A medium-width deck, in the range most skaters her size use.
2. Trucks that match the deck width.
3. Mid-size wheels, around 53-54mm, medium-hard.
4. Standard bearings and grip.

It's a balanced setup she can ollie, flip and ride ramps on. As she figures out what she skates most, she'll adjust.

Setups for different styles

• Street: many skaters go narrower decks, low or mid trucks, and smaller, harder wheels. Light and flippy for flatground, ledges and stairs.
• Park: a mid-width deck, mid trucks, and mid-size wheels. A balance between flip tricks and ramps.
• Transition (bowls, vert, mini ramps): many go wider decks, higher trucks, and bigger wheels for stability and speed.

These are tendencies, not rules. Plenty of street skaters ride wide decks, and plenty of bowl skaters ride narrow ones. Try what feels right.

Complete vs custom

• Complete: a whole board already assembled. Easier for a first board, and usually cheaper.
• Custom: you pick each part. Lets you choose exactly what you want once you know your preferences.

For a first board, a complete from a real skate shop is a solid start.

Putting it together

If you buy parts separately:

1. Grip the deck. Lay the grip tape on, press it down, trim the edges with a blade, and poke holes for the bolts.
2. Mount the trucks. Push the bolts through from the top, put the trucks on from the bottom, and tighten the nuts evenly.
3. Put the bearings in the wheels, two per wheel.
4. Put the wheels on the trucks with a washer on each side if your trucks use them, and tighten the axle nuts until the wheel spins freely without wobbling.

A skate shop can help you with this, and many will assemble it for you.

Tightness

Trucks have a kingpin nut you can tighten or loosen. Tighter trucks turn less and feel stable; looser trucks turn more easily. Start in the middle and adjust as you skate.

When to replace parts

• Deck: when it's lost its pop, cracked, or gone soft ("waterlogged" or "dead").
• Wheels: when they're flat-spotted or coned enough to roll badly.
• Bushings: when they're cracked or the trucks feel loose no matter how you tighten them.
• Grip: when your shoes slip.

Board maintenance: bearings, grip and wheels covers how to keep everything going longer.

Common mistakes

• Buying a toy board from a big store. Real skate setups come from skate shops.
• Mismatched truck width. Axles should be about as wide as the deck.
• Going too narrow or too wide because someone else does.
• Ignoring wheel size. It changes everything.

FAQ

What deck width should I get?

It depends on your size and style. Try a few at a shop.

Do I need expensive bearings?

No. Standard ones work fine.

Are soft wheels good for tricks?

Soft wheels grip and roll over rough ground, which is great for cruising. For flip tricks and slides, most skaters use harder wheels.

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