Skateboard Parts Information

Understanding the working components of the skateboard allows the skater to perform necessary repairs and modifications without the assistance of a skateboard shop. The skateboard's simple design enables even the novice skateboarder to construct the board as well as to make desirable customizations. The skateboard consists of five essential parts, including the deck, trucks, wheels, bearings and grip tape. Each element of the skateboard performs a specific function vital to its performance.

  1. Deck

    • The actual wooden component of the skateboard setup, referred to as the deck, holds the weight of the skateboarder. The standard skateboarding deck for street skating has a width of 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches with a length of 30 to 32 inches. The nose and tail of the skate deck have a concave shape that allows skaters to pop their boards into the air, performing modern-day flip tricks. The deck consists of multiple thin layers of plywood pressed together with a strong glue-like adhesive.

    Trucks

    • The two metal or aluminum pieces of the skateboard setup, called the trucks, hold the four wheels in place. The two metal trucks consist of a large pin connected to the hanger of the truck, referred to as the king pin. Two soft plastic bushings rest on the king pin and allow for turning capability. The bushings also absorb the majority of the shock as the skateboarder lands tricks performed down gaps and rails.

    Wheels

    • The wheels of the skateboard, often manufactured from polyurethane, come in varying diameters. Standard street skating wheels range from 50 to 55 mm in diameter. The wheels remain held in place by four nuts tightly fastened to the extended area of the trucks. In the current skateboard industry, wheels often come manufactured in a variety of colors, allowing skaters to customize their setups.

    Bearings

    • The ball bearings, housed inside the wheels of the skateboard, allow the wheels to roll. The standard skateboard setup consists of eight bearings, two in each wheel. Skateboard bearings come with an ABEC rating given to them by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee. The ratings, based on speed, can be a 1, 3, 5 or 7. The cheaply made Japanese bearings receive a rating of 1 while the quality Swiss bearings acquire a top rating of 7. Bearings must remain free from dirt and moisture to retain their top speed.

    Grip Tape

    • The sandpaper-like component of the skateboard deck, called the grip tape, enables the skater to have traction between his shoes and the board itself. The grit-like feel of the grip tape comes from the silicon carbide or aluminum oxide construction. A co-polymer resin adhesive, applied to the bottom of the grip tape, creates the sticky underside that allows for the grip tape's application on the top of the deck.