Choosing the Right Skateboard Truck Size: A Comprehensive Guide

Selecting the correct skateboard truck size is crucial for optimal performance and safety. The right trucks will ensure responsiveness and balance, while the wrong size can lead to issues. This guide will help you navigate the specifics of skateboard truck sizing, including width and height considerations, to ensure you get the perfect fit for your board and riding style.

The most important aspect of choosing trucks is that the width of your truck should match the width of your skateboard deck. The following table provides general guidelines:

Understanding Truck Width: A Key to Performance

Wide vs. Narrow Trucks

Wider trucks, due to their increased surface area, offer superior stability. This makes them suitable for riders who prioritize a solid and dependable feel. However, this stability comes at the cost of responsiveness. Wider trucks have a larger turning radius, which means they don’t turn as quickly as narrower trucks.

Narrow trucks, on the other hand, are lighter and more agile. The reduced weight and lower inertia make executing flip tricks easier. This makes them a favorite among skaters focused on technical maneuvers. But it’s worth noting that a highly skilled skater can perform flip tricks just as well with wider trucks, so the main difference lies in personal preference and specific needs.

Ultimately, your trucks should generally be proportional to your deck’s width. The size of your wheels also plays a role; if you choose a wider board (8.5 inches and above), you might opt for larger wheels and consequently, higher trucks.

The Impact of Trucks That Are Too Wide

While it might seem like a minor issue, trucks that are too wide can have a noticeable impact on your skating. Firstly, it can be aesthetically unpleasing for some, with the wheels potentially protruding past the board’s edge. In practice, it may lead to decreased comfort, as your feet could come into contact with the wheels, especially if you’re using large wheels. This also means you might need to push a bit wider, which can affect your balance and feel.

Another drawback of overly wide trucks is that your axles and axle nuts may experience faster wear, due to increased ground contact during tricks. Furthermore, wider trucks reduce wheel clearance, which increases the risk of wheel bite during slides and tight turns. However, some skaters prefer wider trucks for their perceived improvement in grinding and steering.

The Problems With Trucks That Are Too Narrow

Trucks that are too narrow can lead to a “carpet riding” effect, where your wheels aren’t visible when looking down at your board. This occurs when the wheels are tucked too far under the deck. While a slight mismatch may not be too problematic, trucks that are significantly too small can cause stability and control issues. To check if your trucks are too narrow, lay your board on its side. If it leans at a very noticeable angle, it’s time to consider either a new deck or a wider set of trucks.

Hanger Width vs. Axle Width

When discussing truck width, it is important to distinguish between the hanger and the axle. The axle is the rod that passes through the hanger where the wheels and bearings are attached. The hanger is the main body of the truck that houses the axle and bushings, allowing the board to turn. The overall width of the truck, and thus the one that matters most, is the axle width.

example of different skateboard trucks widths

The Role of Truck Height: High, Medium, and Low

Truck height significantly influences your board’s handling. It’s generally categorized into high, medium (mid), and low profiles, each suiting different skating styles and preferences.

High Trucks

High trucks are excellent for carving and offer a looser feel when skating. They provide more leverage for ollies, due to the increased distance between your tail and the ground. This is particularly beneficial for skaters who prioritize tricks and transitions. The added height also provides more room to pivot, making high trucks suitable for bowls, ramps, and cruising.

Pros:

• Greater turning radius and more room to pivot.
• Increased pop and tail snap for ollies.
• Ideal for transition skateboarding and taller individuals.
• More clearance for loose trucks and bigger wheels, minimizing wheel bite.

Cons:

• Reduced stability during grinds, especially on round rails.
• Slightly heavier.

Medium (Mid) Height Trucks

Medium-height trucks are considered versatile and suitable for all-around skateboarding. They are a good middle ground for street skating, parks, bowls, and ramps. They accommodate wheels in the 53 mm to 56 mm range. One of the common issues is that some brands market their trucks as mid-sized when they are as tall as other brands’ high trucks.

Low Trucks

Low trucks offer improved stability, which is especially beneficial when grinding rails. The reduced height places the board closer to the ground. This often translates to a faster board flip speed, particularly when combined with small wheels. Low trucks also have a lower center of gravity, which is said to result in quicker pop and a more responsive board.

Pros:

• Enhanced stability for rail grinds.
• Faster board flips, particularly with smaller wheels.
• Lighter weight.
• Lower center of gravity for a more responsive feel.

Cons:

• Increased risk of wheel bite when using larger wheels.
• The kingpin can protrude, potentially making contact with grinding surfaces.
• Reduced turning radius, which may not be suitable for extensive carving.

low mid high skateboard truck size chart

The Inconsistency of Truck Brands: What You Need To Know

Navigating truck sizes can be challenging due to a lack of industry-wide standards. Some brands do not publish essential details such as height and weight, adding to the confusion. It’s also common for trucks marketed as “low” by one brand to be nearly the same size as another brand’s “mid” trucks.

While brands like Independent and Thunder utilize the metric system for naming their trucks, deviations still exist. For example, a Thunder Titanium Lights 149 is actually 144mm wide. Similarly, while the Indy 169 Titanium Forged might sound like 169mm, it’s actually 166mm. These inconsistencies can be frustrating and are often a result of minor variations during manufacturing.

Most truck brands typically scale their sizes by 1/4 inch, with the smallest typically at 5.0 inches. However, some brands like Royal do not conform to the standard. Their 5.5-inch trucks can measure approximately 5.8 inches, with an 8.75-inch axle. While these discrepancies exist, they often don’t significantly affect the ride, especially for beginners.

Skateboard Truck Size Chart: Matching Brands and Sizes

Below is a table with some of the most popular brands and their respective sizes. Keep in mind that measurements are generally given in millimeters and grams.

This chart is under construction and will be updated soon with more data.

Personal Preference: The Ultimate Factor

While understanding the technical aspects of truck sizing is important, the ultimate decision often comes down to personal preference. As a beginner, focus on choosing trucks that properly fit your deck. As you gain experience, you can experiment with different heights, widths, and tightness to find what best suits your skating style.

Bushings play a significant role in your board’s responsiveness. Harder bushings are better suited for heavier or taller skaters, as they provide stability. If your bushings are too soft, it will be more difficult to maintain balance. While most high-quality trucks come with good bushings, you might need to replace them to suit your specific needs and riding style.

Ruben vee

Ruben Vee

An experienced skateboarder with over 25 years in the sport, dedicated to testing and sharing findings about skateboard gear.

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