Street skateboarding demands a specific setup to maximize performance and enjoyment. Choosing the right components can significantly impact your ability to execute tricks and navigate urban environments. This guide will walk you through the ideal specifications for a street skateboard, helping you assemble a setup that suits your needs and riding style.
The ideal street skateboard setup generally includes:
- A deck width between 8.0″ and 8.25″ with a medium or high concave.
- Small, hard wheels ranging from 50mm to 53mm with a durometer between 99A and 100A.
- Low-profile trucks that match your deck’s width.
However, these are just guidelines, and your personal preferences may lead you to explore different options. This article will help you understand the rationale behind these recommendations, allowing you to make informed decisions when selecting your skateboard components. Let’s delve deeper into what makes an excellent street skateboarding setup.
skateboard brands decks trucks wheels
Deck Width and Concave: The Foundation of Your Street Setup
For street skating, which often involves technical tricks, a narrower deck is usually preferred. Most street skaters opt for a deck width between 8.0″ and 8.25″. This range provides a balance between responsiveness and stability.
Wider decks tend to be less agile, making them less suitable for intricate maneuvers. An 8.0″ deck offers quick flips and enhanced responsiveness, while an 8.25″ deck provides a touch more stability without sacrificing too much agility. Personal preference plays a key role here; some skaters adeptly perform technical tricks on wider boards, while others may prefer a narrower board for quicker board control.
It’s important to consider your height and weight when choosing a deck. Taller or heavier skaters might benefit from a slightly wider deck to improve stability. However, this isn’t a strict rule, and you should experiment to find what feels most comfortable for you.
The deck’s concave also influences your setup. A high concave, characterized by a curvier board, often makes technical tricks feel easier. Conversely, a mellow concave might be more suitable for beginners, offering better balance. The steeper the concave, the more challenging the board is to balance, so beginners should approach higher concaves with caution.
Wheels: Size and Hardness for Optimal Street Performance
spitfire classics
When choosing wheels for street skating, consider a size between 50mm and 53mm. Smaller wheels provide quicker acceleration and better responsiveness, essential for the fast-paced nature of street skating. Larger wheels, typically used in transition skating, make your setup less responsive, reducing control during technical tricks.
Wheel hardness is another important factor. For street skating, hard wheels are typically favored. You want to avoid soft wheels, which will bounce too much, making precise board control very difficult. Softer wheels (under 87A) are more suited to cruising.
The ideal durometer for street wheels falls between 99A and 100A. However, the type of surfaces you skate on can influence this choice. On rougher surfaces, 99A wheels might feel too hard, causing excessive vibration and discomfort. In such cases, consider slightly softer wheels, such as 97A or even 92A. It’s crucial to find a balance between performance and comfort. While some skaters prefer very soft wheels like 80A on very rough surfaces, this is generally not optimal for street skating where responsiveness and control are key.
Trucks: Height and Responsiveness for Street Skating
Thunder Truck on a skateboard
Low trucks or medium-high trucks are generally recommended for street skating. Lower trucks help keep your center of gravity closer to the ground, boosting your stability. This is especially beneficial when performing flip tricks, where more ground control can make the difference in landing them successfully.
Low trucks also provide increased responsiveness compared to high trucks. The lower profile makes it easier to execute flip tricks, at least in theory. Furthermore, when grinding on ledges or rails, the reduced fulcrum between your feet and the rail leads to improved stability, making it less likely you’ll slide off.
While there are many skaters that use higher trucks, sticking to low trucks for street is a better option overall. The type and hardness of bushings, tightness of the trucks, and the pressure you apply also affect the feel. The clearance of your kingpin is a small detail that can affect grinds. Ensure it doesn’t stick out too much, or shave it down to avoid contact with the surface, as well as turning the nut around.
Unfortunately, truck height specifications vary significantly between brands, making it difficult to make direct comparisons. Some brands’ “low” trucks might be similar to other brands’ “medium-high” trucks. Some manufacturers do not even list height specs for their trucks. Tensor is known for offering some of the lowest trucks available, such as the Mag Lite Lo’s, which measure 45.5mm in height. Other brands that produce low trucks include Venture and Thunder.
Hardware and Griptape: The Essentials
different colors skateboard hardware
When it comes to hardware, using Allen bolts is recommended, as their heads are less likely to be damaged when assembling your trucks. For setups without risers, 7/8″ or 1″ hardware is appropriate. Quality matters for hardware, and brands like Pig and Shorty’s are known for their durability.
Griptape is also essential. Any standard griptape should do the job, but make sure the sheet covers your deck. A 9″ sheet is a good starting point as it will fit most decks.
Recommended Street Setup
To help you visualize the ideal components of a street setup, here is a table with some suggestions:
| Deck size | Truck Axle Width | Bearings | Wheels Size | Suggested Setup (Affiliate Links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0″ | 139mm | Bones Reds | 52mm – 54mm | Independent 139 or Thunder 147, Bones or Spitfire Wheels, Bones bearings, and any pro 8.0″ deck you like + griptape |
| 8.25″ | 149mm | Bones Reds | 52mm – 54mm | 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 | Indy 149, Thunder 149, Bones or Spitfire Wheels, Bones bearings, and any pro 8.5″ deck + griptape |
The following table ensures that the trucks match your deck’s width:
| 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 |
To summarize a solid street setup for technical skating includes: small 52mm Spitfire wheels, a Thank You deck or any other reputable brand, griptape, Thunder or Indy trucks, 7/8″ Allen hardware, and Bones Red bearings with spacers. Always ensure your trucks are the appropriate width for your deck.
Here’s a breakdown of these specific recommendations:
- Baker Skateboards Brand Logo Red / White Skateboard Deck – 8″ x 31.5″
- Jessup Single Sheet Griptape
- Spitfire 99D OG Classic Skateboard Wheels – Set of 4 (53mm)
- Thunder Hi 147 Polished Skateboard Trucks (Set Of 2)
- Bones Bearings Reds Bearings Including Spacers
- Independent Genuine Parts Cross Bolts Standard Phillips Skateboard Hardware (Black/Black, 7/8″)
These components are available on Amazon:
- Baker Skateboards Brand Logo Red / White Skateboard Deck – 8 – $73.95
- Jessup Single Sheet Griptape – $9.95
- Spitfire 99D OG Classic Skateboard Wheels – Set of 4 (53mm) – Price not available
- Thunder Hi 147 Polished Skateboard Trucks (Set Of 2) – $49.95
- Bones Bearings Reds Bearings Including Spacers – $17.95
- Independent Genuine Parts Cross Bolts Standard Phillips Skateboard Hardware (Black/Black, 7/8″) – $7.95
What to Avoid in a Street Skateboard Setup
When setting up your skateboard for street, avoid a few common mistakes. One of the most important is using large, soft wheels, often more suitable for transition skating, as they don’t provide the responsiveness needed for street tricks.
Most street skaters also prefer deck widths around 8.25″ with a medium to high concave. Anything smaller than 8.0″ may feel too narrow for some. If you want to improve your kickflips, a steep concave is preferable, while a mellow concave may make the trick harder to execute. Decks 8.5″ and wider, though stable, can be harder to flip.
Be cautious when purchasing complete skateboards, as they often come with soft bushings that make the board overly turny, hindering balance. To correct this, tighten the kingpin nut or replace the bushings with higher durometer bushings.
The Harsh Realities of Street Skating
used Almost skateboard deck
Street skateboarding is considered one of the most demanding styles and puts you at a greater risk of injury. The impact on joints and knees is high, so it’s wise to wear protective gear, particularly when starting out.
Additionally, street skateboarding leads to faster wear and tear on your equipment, compared to transition skating. Boards are more likely to break, nose and tails chip, and you’ll probably need to replace your skateboard deck more often. Grinding on concrete also accelerates the wear on your trucks and wheels, making regular replacement necessary.
To reduce costs, consider purchasing blank decks or affordable complete skateboards. However, remember that buying blank decks does not support the skate industry. When it comes to wheels and trucks, prioritize quality, and avoid cheap, unreliable parts, as cheap trucks may fail unexpectedly, while quality wheels will last much longer. Investing in higher-quality components will save you money in the long run.
Conclusion: Prioritizing Quality and Personal Preference
This guide provides a general overview of how to set up your skateboard for street skating. As everyone’s individual preferences differ, what works well for one person may not work for another. However, one constant is that quality matters greatly.
Avoid skimping on essential parts, like wheels and trucks. Quality components considerably enhance both performance and feel. While it may require spending a little bit more upfront, you’ll ultimately save money by not having to replace them as frequently.
By understanding the nuances of each component, you can tailor your setup for optimal street skating performance. Always prioritize personal comfort and quality.
Ruben Vee
I’m an aged skateboarder and still shred responsibly. Started skateboarding 25 years ago, peaked in the 2000’s, and still ride to this day. I am a total geek when it comes to skateboard gear, love test to stuff and share my findings.
