Skateboard wheelbase is a topic often overlooked by both beginners and experienced skaters. While it might seem like a minor detail, understanding how wheelbase affects your board’s performance can significantly enhance your ride. This guide will delve into the intricacies of skateboard wheelbase, covering everything from measurement to its impact on your skating style.
What Exactly is Skateboard Wheelbase?
A variety of skateboard decks laid out on a table, showcasing different shapes and sizes
Unlike a car’s wheelbase, which is a single measurement, the term “skateboard wheelbase” can refer to two different measurements: deck wheelbase and truck wheelbase. Understanding the difference is crucial.
Deck Wheelbase
The deck wheelbase is the distance between the inner mounting holes of your board. These are the holes closest to the center of the deck, where the trucks are mounted. It’s a measure of how far apart your trucks will be on the board, and it plays a key role in how the board feels and responds.
Truck Wheelbase
Truck wheelbase is measured the same way as a car’s wheelbase: the distance between the center of each wheel on the same side of the board. This is determined by the truck’s design, and it indirectly affects the overall wheelbase of your skateboard. Trucks from different brands like Venture, Thunder, and Independent will have slightly different truck wheelbases.
How to Measure Skateboard Wheelbase
If you’re unsure about your board’s wheelbase or want to verify the manufacturer’s specifications, it’s straightforward to measure it yourself. You’ll just need a ruler or measuring tape.
To measure deck wheelbase, simply measure the distance between the two inner mounting holes on the same side of the deck. To measure truck wheelbase, mount your trucks onto your deck and then measure the distance between the center of each axle.
You can also measure other dimensions of your skateboard, like nose and tail length, by measuring from the tip to the center of the mounting bolts nearest that tip. The average wheelbase for street decks is around 14.25 inches, but this can vary, with some reaching 14.75 inches or more, especially on larger decks.
Why Does Wheelbase Matter?
While the impact of wheelbase might be subtle for beginners, it does matter, especially as you become more experienced and seek to optimize your setup. If you’ve ever felt a significant difference between two boards of the same size, the wheelbase could be a key factor.
Even small differences in wheelbase can affect how a board feels, its responsiveness, and how much force is needed to perform tricks. For example, a board with a steeper nose and tail might have a different wheelbase compared to one with shallower angles.
The Impact of Wheelbase on Your Ride
Wheelbase plays a role in various aspects of your skating, including turning, comfort, and how you pop your board. A change in wheelbase can require adjustments to your style and technique.
Turning Radius and Stance
Wheelbase is closely linked to your turning radius. Shorter boards with tighter wheelbases are more responsive and better for sharp turns, while longer wheelbases offer more stability and smoother rides. A longer wheelbase places your trucks further apart which results in a wider stance. If you’re taller, you might prefer a longer wheelbase to provide a more comfortable and balanced feel.
In essence: shorter deck = sharper turns; longer deck = smoother ride
The Lever Phenomenon
The lever phenomenon refers to how the wheelbase influences the amount of effort required to pop your skateboard. Longer wheelbases require more force to lift the board. This makes the nose and tail feel shallower.
Shorter wheelbases, conversely, make the board feel more responsive and easier to maneuver. However, this may come with less pop. You’ll likely find that scoop-heavy tricks feel different on decks with a larger wheelbase, requiring more effort and precision. For instance, many skaters find that tricks like 360 flips and shoves can feel more difficult on trucks like Indies, which often have a longer wheelbase, compared to Ventures or Thunders.
Choosing the Right Skateboard Length
Close-up shot of skateboard decks stacked on top of each other, showing their varying colors and graphics
There isn’t one perfect length for every skateboarder. The ideal board depends on your goals and what kind of skating you want to do. If you prefer tackling big transitions and bowls, a longer and wider deck will give you more stability. For flip tricks and slides, a shorter, more nimble deck is often the better choice.
Adult skateboards typically range from 31 to 33 inches in length. However, it’s crucial to prioritize the width, especially when starting out. Width plays a more significant role in how your board feels. The length differences between boards become more noticeable when you start to switch between deck sizes.
What Size Decks Do Pros Ride?
Professional skaters use a wide variety of deck sizes, typically ranging from 7.5 inches to 8.5 inches for street skating and 8.5 inches or wider for transition riding. While there’s no definitive study on the most popular size, observing pro models can provide a good indication of preferred dimensions.
From general observation, 8.0 and 8.25 inch decks are widely popular among both casual and pro riders for street skating. Transition skaters often have multiple pro decks of different sizes. For example, Ben Raybourn, known for his ramp riding, uses both 8.3-inch and 9-inch decks, depending on the terrain and style.
Final Thoughts
Understanding skateboard wheelbase can add an extra layer of depth to your skating experience. While it might seem like a technical detail, it directly influences how your board feels, responds, and performs. If you’re looking for a more visual explanation, consider watching videos on the topic, like those from Ben Degros, which break down the complexities in an easy-to-understand way. Ultimately, experimenting with different setups is key to finding the perfect wheelbase for your skating style.
