We’re stoked you’re here to delve into the world of skateboarding for modern skateboarders. As passionate skaters, we know that pushing limits and advancing your skills requires choosing the right gear in skateboarding. In this article, we’ll help you look your board to match your riding style and offer safety tips.
- Lastly, maintaining your skateboard for modern riders is critical to ensure it performs at its peak, so we have some handy maintenance tips, too. So, let’s get rolling!
Whether you’re seeking new challenges or looking for an upgrade to your current setup, our comprehensive analysis of mini-cruisers, wheels trucks, standard skateboards, and options for beginners can help turn those ambitions into reality while serving others in our vibrant skateboarding community through shared knowledge and experience.
We hope you’ll find the information you need to make an informed decision. Feel free to share your feedback, opinions, and experiences with us.
Key Takeaways
Safety is paramount for modern users when it comes to skateboarding. It’s essential to understand the ins and outs of the sport and choose modern skateboards that are suited to your skill level. Whether you’re a beginner or a more modern rider, maintaining your skateboard does wonders for its longevity. Challenge yourself with a modern skateboard fitted for your abilities.
Skateboards revolve around the deck, available in various shapes, sizes, and materials. The trucks offer stability and control, while the wheels and wheels trucks, varying in width and durometers, are suited for different terrains. A Carver skateboard is a great option for those looking for something versatile. Additionally, a mini-cruiser can provide a more compact and convenient choice. Explore these components to discover the ideal skateboard for you.
Skateboard Decks
Deck, trucks, and wheels are pivotal for skateboarders, whether you’re a beginner or a more modern rider, as complete skateboards depend heavily on the quality and precision of their components. Every segment of a complete skateboard is not just a piece of equipment but an emblem of the skater’s passion and ambition.
The skateboard deck is the foundation, providing the platform for all your moves, from basic maneuvers to complicated flip tricks. A strong and durable skateboard deck ensures you can perform with confidence. Most people prefer a good-quality 7-ply maple deck. But the deck is just the start; the wheels and all the components are pivotal for a smooth and stable ride. Wheel hardness is a factor you need to consider. Opting for soft wheels can make a difference, especially if you crave a smooth ride on varied terrains.
However, a beginner might benefit from softer wheels to ensure a more stable ride as they master the basics and select the best skateboard that suits their needs. As one becomes more experienced, the urge to have your own custom skateboard or cruiser skateboard becomes palpable, where every element, from the deck to trucks and grip tape, is handpicked.
If you take pride in customizing or maintaining your skateboard, a skate tool is indispensable for you. Whether tightening trucks, adjusting the wheels, or setting up a new deck, this tool is necessary if you want a smooth ride. It’s not just about aesthetics or personal preference; it’s about ensuring every ride, every trick, and every moment on the skateboard feels right for you.
Whether you’re assembling a complete skateboard from scratch or just looking to upgrade certain components for a more versatile skateboard, understanding the intricacies of each part will enhance your skating experience. Dive into the world of skateboarding, challenge the norms, and most importantly, enjoy every ride.
Skateboard Brands: Experienced Skaters
Dive with us into the epicenter of the modern skateboarding universe as we explore some of the most esteemed skateboard brands globally. We’re eager to share our insights, and your feedback will be invaluable.
This review highlights three trailblazing skate brands: Element, Plan B, and Zero Skateboards. Element has carved a niche in eco-conscious skateboarding, embodying a profound reverence for the environment and skate culture. Plan B stands out for its avant-garde designs that consistently challenge the status quo, while Zero Skateboards captivates enthusiasts and is known for its unique, edgy aesthetics and performance-driven gear.
Our exploration doesn’t end here. We’ll delve into intricate reviews of specific boards from these giants, touching on essential components such as materials, design, shape, grip tape, trucks, bearings, and wheels. Every piece plays a pivotal role, and selecting the perfect blend for modern skaters can elevate your experience. We aim to guide you in pinpointing the brand and skateboard that resonates with your aspirations.
As we dive deeper into the nuances of skateboard design, we’re set to scrutinize several notable skateboard models from Element, Plan B, and Zero Skateboards that are best for modern users. Our focus is on customization options and how design impacts skateboard performance.
Element Skateboards
Rooted in eco-friendly principles, Element Skateboards champions sustainability and crafts boards that beautifully meld nature and skateboarding culture.
Pros
- Environmentally-conscious skateboards for modern users
- A diverse range of skateboards for users of all skill levels
- Robust and durable skateboard builds
Cons
- Skateboards might be pricier due to sustainable materials
- Some skateboard designs may cater more to modern riding styles
Recommendations: Ideal for those who value sustainability without compromising on performance.
Plan B Skateboards
Plan B stands out with its innovative skateboard designs, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Pros
- Fresh, cutting-edge skateboards
- Great wheels on their skateboards for street and trick skating
- Offers a range of skateboard sizes and graphics
- Among the best skateboards for modern users
Cons
- Some of their skateboards might not be suitable for beginner users
- Modern skateboards may come at a premium price
Recommendations: Best suited for skateboarders exploring modern tricks and street skating.
Zero Skateboards
Known for its edgy aesthetics, Zero Skateboards is for modern skateboarders thrill-seekers, and those who push their limits.
Pros
- Striking, edgy skateboards for modern users
- Durable skateboards meant for high-performance
- Excellent pop and balance for skateboarding tricks
Cons
- Graphics might be too bold for some
- Geared more towards modern users
Recommendations: Perfect for skaters who wish to make a statement and prioritize performance.
Advanced Skateboarders
All three best brands are known for high-quality skateboard models suited for different community niches. Your choice should align with your riding style, aesthetic preferences, and values, whether sustainability or high-quality performance tricks. Whether fully assembled or customized, finding the best skateboards for you is essential for an enjoyable riding experience.
We recommend visiting a local skate shop for a hands-on feel of these boards, including checking out the mini cruiser and the wheels trucks, before purchasing. Other good options include the Magneto Cruiser or other cruisers from reliable brands like Santa Cruz, which are also a great option.
With insights into specific boards, we now move towards guiding you in choosing the perfect skateboard for your needs. Your experiences and opinions enrich our understanding, and we encourage open communication.
Skateboards Features
Diving into the skateboarding world can be a thrilling yet overwhelming experience. So, we’ve put together some key considerations to assist you on this journey.
- Size: Before anything else, determine the appropriate size for your skateboards. This includes factors like width, length, and wheelbase. The right size ensures you have better control and balance when riding.
- Deck Artwork: Personalize your ride! Choose skateboards that resonate with your personality and style, from graphic designs to logos and patterns.
- Riding Style: Whether you’re into street skateboarding, taking on the park, or the thrill of downhill, it’s crucial to pick skateboards tailored to your preferred style. There are plenty of options for the best skateboards for modern users.
When selecting a skateboard for intermediate riders, it’s essential to view a guide that breaks down the elements of a good skateboard. Skateboards are designed with various levels of concave and shape to enhance performance, which is particularly important for those who have mastered basic skills and are ready to advance. For kids who have been skateboarding for a few years, choosing a board with the right size and shape is crucial. Boards for younger skaters are typically smaller, making them easier to control and maneuver.
Additionally, the quality of the bearings and wheels should not be overlooked, as they impact both the speed and smoothness of the ride. While higher-quality bearings and well-designed wheels might increase the price, they are worth the investment for a long-lasting and complete skating experience. Always consider the deck size and shape that fits the rider’s height and shoe size for optimal control and stability.
Safety first! No matter your skill level, always prioritize safety. Equip yourself with protective gear like helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads for optimum protection. This protects you and is good for your confidence as you skate. Whether you’re a new rider or a seasoned pro, make sure to choose a board and hardware that suit your needs. Don’t forget to visit your favorite skate shop for the latest protective accessories and gear. If you prefer shopping from the comfort of your home, many stores offer limited-edition items online. Always check the rating of the products to ensure you’re getting quality. Stay safe, and enjoy creating amazing content with your skateboard!
Safety For Skateboarders
As a modern skater, it’s crucial to remember that safety isn’t just for beginners – you must be diligent about wearing protective gear and following good practices. Here at FamilyHype, we understand the importance of safety for all skill levels, so we’re dedicated to providing the best safety tips for skateboarders.
When it comes to injury prevention, practice safe skating techniques, stay in top physical condition, and make sure to wear the necessary protective gear such as helmets and pads. Investing in quality gear is key to ensuring your safety whenever you hit the streets.
Next up, let’s delve into the world of maintaining your beloved skateboard to ensure its longevity. Regularly maintaining your skateboard with the necessary cleaning and lubrication is important to keep it in optimal condition and extend its life. Additionally, make sure to check for any loose or worn-out parts, such as bearings, wheels, trucks, and grip tape.
Skateboard Maintenance
A well-maintained skateboard is pivotal for delivering optimum performance and safeguarding both the rider and the broader skateboarding community.
Skateboards, like any equipment, require regular attention and care. Here are some proactive steps for you to consider:
- Regular Cleaning: Dirt and debris can compromise the functionality of skateboards. Regularly cleaning skateboards, especially the deck, and trucks, will help prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
- Lubrication: Over time, skateboard wheels and bearings can dry, leading to friction and reduced performance. Ensure your skateboards are lubricated periodically for a smoother ride.
- Routine Checks: Periodically inspect skateboards for loose screws, nuts, or any signs of wear. Addressing these minor issues promptly can prevent more significant problems with skateboards down the line.
Maintaining your skateboard underscores your commitment to the sport and fosters a culture of responsibility and care within the community.
Conclusion
Skateboarding is a captivating blend of sport, art, and culture, and we’ve journeyed together through its many facets – from dissecting skateboard components to spotlighting iconic skateboard brands.
Every skater, be they a novice or seasoned pro, understands the importance of regular skateboard maintenance to ensure their board’s longevity, including the grip tape for a secure footing. Embrace the thrill of skateboarding and challenge your boundaries, but always ensure you ride a skateboard that suits your unique needs and skills.
Remember, skateboarding is as diverse as its enthusiasts. With skateboard components like decks, wheels, trucks, and many more all offering a range of choices for you, it’s all about discovering the combination that’s best for your skateboarding style. Whether you prefer a mini-cruiser for its agility or a standard skateboard for its versatility, there’s an option for beginners and advanced skaters alike. Dive in, explore, and find that perfect skateboard that becomes an extension of you. Safe riding!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Safety Tips For Skateboarders?
For both novices and modern users, skating safely is pivotal. Beyond just protective skate gear, it’s about understanding one’s personal preference and acknowledging limits, especially when tackling basic skateboarding tricks or complex maneuvers. It’s advised to regularly inspect your skateboard, be it a beginner skateboard, a mini-cruiser, or other boards, for signs of wear or damage. Don’t forget to wear a helmet, pads, and wrist guards, especially if you want to learn skateboard tricks.
Additionally, choosing a medium concave vs. a mellow concave skateboard for smooth surfaces is as essential as opting for a deeper one for rough surfaces. Street skaters, in particular, should be extra vigilant, picking suitable locations that align with their skills and avoiding excessively risky skateboard stunts without adequate preparation.
What Is The Normal Way For You To Handle A Skateboard?
For seasoned ones, a “regular” stance means leading with the left foot forward, and a “goofy” stance means skating with the right foot forward. However, many seasoned skateboarders are adept at riding switch, meaning they can easily transition between the two skateboarding stances. Mastery of both stances allows for more varied and complex skateboarding tricks and better adaptability in different situations. For instance, a mini-cruiser with its agile wheels truck setup is a great option for navigating tight spaces, while a carver skateboard provides fluid motion and sharp turns, enhancing the riding experience.
- How Do I Choose A Skateboard For Modern Riders?
When choosing a beginner skateboard, especially for those keen on technical tricks, consider deck material, quality components, concave shape, wheel and bearings, and truck responsiveness, which are paramount to avoid wheel bite and ensure a comfortable ride. Some common materials used for decks include birch, Canadian maple, and bamboo.
A regular skateboard setup caters to a wide range of users, but the best complete skateboards with new trucks are often those tailored to specific needs. Make sure you get a skateboard that’s suitable for your shoe size. You may prefer a narrower deck to a wider one if you have smaller feet. Look for brands with a wide deck range.
As you gain more skateboarding experience, you’ll discover your preferences for things like wheel hardness and size. Some prefer small wheels since smaller wheels gain speed more easily than bigger wheels. Whether at the skate park or cruising streets, options like the Magneto Mini Cruiser make for a solid choice worth exploring for a unique riding experience. Always remember to seek peer recommendations and test multiple boards to find the perfect match for your skills.
Can A Skateboard Warp Over Time?
Certainly! Skateboard decks for modern users require careful attention to maintenance, particularly regarding the longevity and performance of the skateboard deck. Over time, a standard skateboard can indeed warp due to exposure to moisture, extreme temperatures, and the constant impact of modern tricks. The wood in the deck may expand or contract under these conditions, affecting the overall shape and feel of the skateboard. This is especially crucial for modern skaters who are attuned to the nuances of their equipment.
Regular inspections and timely replacement of warped decks are essential to ensure that modern users can maintain optimal control and performance. Additionally, those seeking to optimize their skating experience may consider factors such as skateboard wheels, skateboard hardware, and the option of owning a pre-built complete skateboard tailored for modern skills.
How Do You Ride A Skateboard Confidently?
Riding confidently stems from mastery of skills, consistent practice, and mental preparation. Seasoned skateboarders often visualize their maneuvers beforehand and possess a strong understanding of their skateboard’s dynamics. Embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and setting incremental goals can also bolster confidence. Familiarity with various terrains and situations further enhances self-assuredness on the skateboard before you hit the skate parks.
How Does Skateboard Turning Work?
Skateboard turning is a dynamic interplay of various elements centered around the trucks, deck size, and wheel characteristics. When they shift their weight, the trucks pivot, and the bushings within them compress, facilitating the tilt and redirection of the skateboard. Adjusting the tightness of the trucks allows seasoned skaters to customize the skateboard’s responsiveness to their preferences. Understanding deck size is crucial for those who prefer pre-built complete skateboards, influencing the skateboard’s stability and turning capabilities.
Large wheels become advantageous on rougher surfaces, providing smoother performance and overcoming obstacles more effectively. Additionally, wheel size is crucial for vert ramps, where a modern skater often navigates with precision. New skaters can experience a huge difference in maneuverability and control by selecting the right skateboard with standard specifications and appropriate wheel sizes. Whether carving through turns or executing kick turns, choosing a great skateboard and the proper setup, including most bearings, significantly impacts the overall skating experience.
How Do I Keep My Own Custom Board Straight?
Focus on quality parts and components to keep your custom skateboard straight and performing well. Maintain proper foot placement, with feet shoulder-width apart for balance. Regularly check for misalignments in trucks and wheels, and use high-quality bearings for smoother performance.
Consider features like wider decks for comfortable riding and higher trucks for better maneuverability. Tailor your setup to different styles and preferences, keeping in mind size charts to accommodate both larger and smaller kids. By incorporating these elements into your skateboard, you’ll enjoy a great setup with the added benefit of a straight and stable ride, especially at higher speeds.
How Do You Skateboard Faster?
Skateboarding faster involves refining one’s push technique, optimizing skateboard components, and building leg strength. Seasoned users can employ a “power push,” using more forceful, full-bodied motions. Choosing harder wheels, maintaining clean and lubricated bearings, and ensuring an aerodynamic posture can also increase speed. Paris Street Trucks, Paris RKP Trucks, and Ace Trucks are good options. Riding downhill and drafting behind other users are techniques employed in speed-centric disciplines like downhill racing.
How Do You Control Custom Skateboard Speed?
To master custom skateboard speed, people should employ various techniques and adapt their approach based on different scenarios. Foot braking is a fundamental skill involving gradually lowering one foot to the ground to create friction and control acceleration. Carving, achieved through wide turns, serves as an effective method to dissipate speed while maintaining stability. Slide gloves provide an additional tool for hands-down slides, offering users an alternative means of slowing down.
Seasoned skateboarders adeptly adjust their stance and redistribute their weight to navigate diverse terrains and achieve their desired velocities. Understanding the ABEC scale, utilizing quality bearings, and choosing the best boards with features like a wider skateboard or utilizing a standard skateboard size chart can further enhance control and performance. Ensuring optimal grip with products like Mob Grip also contributes to a great skateboarding experience.
How Do You Push On A Skateboard Without Losing Balance?
For seasoned ones, mastering the art of pushing on their own skateboard requires a blend of core strength, precise foot placement on skateboard decks, and honed technique. Achieving a balanced push involves keeping the front foot near the skateboard’s bolts at a slight angle, establishing a stable foundation. The pushing foot’s smooth, fluid motion, combined with a quick return to the skateboard after each push, ensures both efficiency and stability.
Modern skaters understand that developing muscle memory and practicing this technique regularly leads to more powerful pushes over time. Whether cruising or performing tricks, these individuals find that a disciplined approach to foot positioning and motion is key when using standard skateboards, enhancing both control and speed.
DISCLAIMER (IMPORTANT): This information (including all text, images, audio, or other formats on FamilyHype.com) is not intended to be a substitute for informed professional advice, diagnosis, endorsement or treatment. You should not take any action or avoid taking action without consulting a qualified professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about medical conditions. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here a FamilyHype.com.