Starting skateboarding can be an exciting journey, but choosing the right setup can feel overwhelming for beginners. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide will walk you through the essential components of a beginner skateboard setup, explaining what to look for and why it matters. We’ll cover everything from deck size to wheel hardness, helping you make informed decisions and get rolling with confidence.
A solid beginner skateboard setup should typically include:
- A deck ranging from 8.0 to 8.25 inches wide
- Wheels with a diameter between 50mm and 54mm
- Wheel durometer (hardness) between 96A and 99A
- Quality skateboard trucks that match your deck’s width
- Hardware, grip tape, and a skate tool (optional but recommended)
This guide will delve into each component, explaining the factors that influence your choice and what to avoid. We’ll help you understand how to select compatible parts and narrow down your options based on your skating style and preferences. Let’s get started!
What Defines a Good Skateboard Setup?
Collection of skateboard setups for beginners, showcasing different color and brand combinations
A good skateboard is more than just a piece of wood with wheels; it’s a collection of quality parts working together for optimal performance. This means focusing on components like:
- A sturdy deck: A single-pressed maple deck from a reputable woodshop is the foundation of any good skateboard.
- Responsive trucks: Trucks that can turn smoothly, quickly return to their center position, and withstand impacts are crucial for control.
- Appropriate wheels: Wheels that offer the right balance of hardness and softness for your preferred skating surface and style are important for a smooth ride.
- Suitable bushings: Bushings that match your weight contribute to a skateboard’s turning responsiveness.
While you can find pre-built complete skateboards suitable for beginners, understanding individual parts allows for greater customization and performance.
Choosing the Right Skateboard Deck
A variety of skateboard decks displayed on a table, highlighting different colors and graphics
The skateboard deck is your platform, and choosing a quality one is essential. Focus on single-pressed decks from well-known woodshops; the brand name is secondary to the construction method. Multiple-pressed decks, made in a single mold, can suffer from inconsistencies. Here are some brands known for sourcing decks from reputable manufacturers:
- WKND
- Thank You
- Creature
- Flip
- Plan B
- Powell
- Santa Cruz
- Zoo York
If you’re new to skateboarding, an 8.0″ deck is a great starting point. This size is considered the current standard. Taller individuals might consider decks between 8.0″ and 8.5″. Narrower decks are generally better for technical street skating, while wider decks provide more stability for transition skateboarding.
| Deck Size | Truck Axle Width | Bearings | Wheel Size | Suggested Setup (Affiliate Links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0″ | 139mm | Bones Reds | 52mm – 54mm/99A | Independent 139 or Thunder 147, Bones or Spitfire Wheels, Bones bearings, and any pro 8.0″ deck + griptape |
| 8.25″ | 149mm | Bones Reds | 52mm – 54mm/99A | Independent 144 or Thunder 148, Bones or Spitfire Wheels, Bones bearings, and any pro 8.25″ deck + griptape |
| 8.5″ | 159mm | Bones Reds | 52mm – 54mm/99A | Indy 149, Thunder 149, Bones or Spitfire Wheels, Bones bearings, and any pro 8.5″ deck + griptape |
Understanding Skateboard Wheels
Choosing the right skateboard wheels depends on your skating style and the terrain you plan to ride.
For street skating, wheels between 50mm and 54mm are ideal. The hardness, measured by durometer, typically ranges from 96A to 99A. Softer 96A wheels offer more grip and a more forgiving ride on rough surfaces, while harder 99A wheels are better for smooth surfaces, like skate parks.
- Premium Wheel Brands: Bones, Spitfire
- Budget-Friendly Wheel Brands: Mini Logo, Ricta, Welcome Orbs Specter
For transition skateboarding (mini ramps, quarter pipes), go for larger and harder wheels, typically between 54mm and 58mm with a durometer between 99A and 84B.
- Recommended Brands: Bones, Spitfire
If cruising is your main goal, select larger, softer wheels (56mm to 63mm) with a durometer between 70A and 92A. Softer wheels make for a smoother ride and are less prone to catching on pebbles and cracks, also consider adding riser pads to prevent wheel bite.
- Good Brands for Cruising: Bones, OJ’s, Ricta, Powell Peralta, Cloud Ride!, Orangatang
If you’re unsure about your skating style and want a versatile wheel, Bones All-Terrain Formula (ATF) wheels are an excellent choice.
Selecting Beginner-Friendly Trucks
Trucks are a fundamental component of your skateboard, greatly impacting its handling. It’s wise to invest in quality trucks that will last for years. Avoid cheaper options that might need replacement after only a few months.
The primary consideration when choosing trucks is that they align with your deck’s width. Trucks that stick out too far or are too narrow can lead to poor performance. Brands like Independent, Thunder, Tensor, Venture, and Grind King are known for producing high-quality trucks. Cheaper options include CCS and Mini Logo, but consider their durability before purchasing.
Hardware, Grip Tape, and Essential Tools
Various sizes of skateboard hardware displayed, including different bolt head types
Don’t overlook the importance of hardware when assembling your skateboard. You will need eight 1″ Phillips or Allen bolts to secure the trucks to the deck. If you decide to add riser or shock pads, be sure to choose bolts that are an appropriate length. One-quarter inch riser pads require 1 1/4″ bolts, and one-eighth inch riser pads need 1 1/8″ bolts.
A skate tool is invaluable for maintaining your board, including tightening or loosening parts. It’s a multi-tool designed for skateboarding hardware.
Grip tape is generally provided with new boards but can also be purchased separately. If you’re uncomfortable applying grip tape, a skate shop staff member will usually be happy to help.
Matching Deck and Truck Size
The table below illustrates the ideal truck size for various deck widths. Some manufacturers measure the axle width, while others use the hanger size. Check the product description or ask customer support if you are unsure.
| Deck Width | Axle Width | Hanger Size |
|---|---|---|
| 7”-7.25” | 6.94” | 109mm |
| 7.5”-7.75” | 7.75” | 129mm |
| 8.0”-8.125” | 8.125” | 139mm |
| 8.25”-8.5” | 8.5” | 149mm |
| 8.75-9.0” | 8.91” | 159mm |
| 9.5-9.75” | 9.3” | 169mm |
Don’t stress too much over an exact match, it’s ok to go slightly wider or narrower.
A Recommended Skateboard Setup
When building your first skateboard, consider the following components:
- Deck: CCS Logo Skateboard Deck Pink 8.00″
- Grip Tape: Jessup Single Sheet Griptape
- Wheels: Spitfire Formula 4 99a Conical Full 54mm White W Blue Skate Wheels
- Trucks: INDEPENDENT Truck Company 139 Stage 11 Polished Standard Skateboard Trucks
- Bearings: Bones Bearings Reds Bearings Including Spacers & Washers
- Hardware: Independent Genuine Parts Cross Bolts Standard Phillips Skateboard Hardware (Black/Black, 7/8″)
This combination offers quality and durability, with Spitfire wheels suitable for both street and transition. Choose any reputable brand deck you like that matches the trucks.
To save money, you could swap to Mini Logo wheels, although they may flatspot faster, you can always upgrade later. Independent trucks are renowned for their durability, though Thunder trucks are another excellent option. Bones bearings offer long-lasting performance with proper maintenance.
Budget-Friendly Option: Complete Skateboards
A CCS complete skateboard in a park setting, demonstrating its usability
If purchasing individual parts is not feasible, a complete skateboard might be a more affordable choice, though complete setups often come with lower-quality wheels. An exception to this is the CCS complete skateboard.
If your budget is tight (under $80), consider a complete from a reputable source like CCS. This complete street skateboard is known for its decent components and suitability for skate parks. The 100A/53mm wheels and high-quality bearings offer good performance for beginners. The CCS trucks are also quite durable, though you may need to loosen the bushings.
This complete offers stability and dependable performance and is the best option in its price range. You can find it here on Amazon. While purchasing higher quality individual parts is ideal, this is a great alternative. Avoid cheap toy store skateboards as they will only hinder your progress.
| Deck Width (Inches) | 8.0″ – 8.49″ | 8.5″ – 8.99″ |
|---|---|---|
| CCS Trucks | 139, 144 | 149, 159 |
| Independent Trucks | 139, 144 | 149, 159 |
| Thunder Trucks | 147, 148 | 149, 151 |
| Tensor Trucks | 5.35, 5.5 | 5.75 |
| Venture Trucks | 5.2 | 5.8 |
If you decide to upgrade your wheels, consider Bones or Spitfire.
- Bones SPF for park skating.
- Bones STF for street skating.
- Bones ATF for all-around use.
Conclusion
This guide has aimed to provide a clear and comprehensive overview for beginners looking to build their first skateboard. While personal preferences will always play a role, you now have the knowledge to make well-informed decisions. Remember, most online debates regarding skateboard parts are highly subjective, so what feels best for you is what truly matters.
Don’t overthink it, just choose quality components that fit together, or seek guidance from your local skate shop. They’ll be more than happy to assist you and share their expertise. Finally, consider investing in protective gear. Falls are a part of the learning process. Knee pads and a helmet are always a good idea.
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