Who knows about skateboards?

by **Cloud** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:27 am

10 yo grandboycloud has requested a skateboard for Solstice -- a "good one."

uh . . .

so the first advice I've gotten is to buy the deck and the wheels and stuff separately. Is this right? Does it have to be customized for his size/weight/skill level?

help!

by **ringqueen8** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:44 pm

tell him not to ride in wet conditions, and teach him how to clean them, or buy super cheap throwaway bearings for his wheels. and for riding on pavement hes gonna want wheels with a durometer of 80-85A, for riding on cement: 90A or higher is good. Thats all I know and I learned it from roller skates.
If you get him a good one it should last him a few years.
Go to a skateboard shop and pester the manager/someone with experience for answers. Don't ask the little punks behind the counter, unless they are well into their 20's. They'll talk like they know what their doing, but they don't even know how to clean bearings. I made that mistake and ended up teaching myself.
A good way to find out if they know what they're talking about is to look up a few technical terms that are related to skateboard parts and throw them out there, if they don't know what you're talking about, find someone else! something as simple as bearing cleaner(because they only think they need greased and not cleaned, big mistake), durometer, polyurethane bushings, etc. will throw them for a loop unless they actually know useful stuff about skateboards.
Well that turned into somewhat of a rant...sorry, but i hate people that don't know anything about what goes on where they work, especially if its in customer service.
Good Luck!! I'm sure someone here actually skateboards, not just roller skates lol

by **Cloud** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:55 pm

Thanks! that's helpful.

although he lives in Portland, so kinda hard not to skate in wet conditions. u:)

by **c300rocks** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:58 pm

My fiance has been skating for 24 years (he's 36). I can tell you he prefers 8" to 8.5" Black Label concave decks so he always knows where his feet are on the board without looking down. Independent trucks are the BEST for grinding (139mm) and the looser they are the better. It has something to do with better control at faster speeds. 53mm Spitfire wheels, 98a. I'm wanting to design a board for him for Christmas, so I'm getting an education also. Hope this helps.

by **Cloud** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:09 pm

er. what's a truck?

by **c300rocks** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:20 pm

A truck is the T shaped metal piece that attaches the wheels to the bottom of the deck.

http://www.nhsfunfactory.com/brands/ind ... /2/Trucks/

by **Cloud** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:37 pm

by **prinzalbert** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:09 am

He's ten years old...a beginner as it were. I suggest that you go to a local board shop and ask for a 'beginner board', or even Target etc. How is a youngster to understand what is good about a board if he/she hasn't experienced the 'lesser' of boardom.
Cloud...get a board that looks cool, the right size and is affordable. It will be one of the iconic events of his young life having a cool grandma getting him his first board. That alone what is whats important. Not all of the fancy expensive stuff. Going inexpensive and functional is my advice.

by **Cloud** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:50 am

This may be good advice, too--I'll have to check and see at what level he's at. I don't actually think this would be a first board; I think it's an upgrade.

by **josho** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:57 am

opinions on brands are going to vary by the person you ask.

Personally, i prefer Enjoi, Chocolate, and Zoo York decks, and destructo trucks. Independents always seemed somewhat fragile to me.

I strictly use Bones wheels, and prefer softer, larger ones - simply cause it smooths out the ride.

This is a fairly informative guide as purchasing a skateboard goes, regardless of brand - http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/info/ ... yId=222934

But I concur with prinzalbert - find a local skate shop - who will generally have a better deal, and ask them about a beginner board. many times you can buy "house decks" which aren't covered in labels and decals - and go at a much lower price while still maintaining fairly good quality. Buying something exceptionally fancy isn't going to do him any good when he breaks it. Which will happen. It always does.

Also: safety first. as cheesy as it sounds, at least a helmet and kneepads at all times. elbow pads would be exceptionally useful too. I don't care how "uncool" it sometimes looks - I still wear pads. the nice thing about kneepads and elbow pads - if it's somewhat chilly, you're wearing a sweater - so your sweater and jeans are covering the pads. Food for thought.

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