Guide to Assembling a Skateboard [2022]

For many beginners purchasing their first skateboard, they will opt for a complete board, meaning it arrives as a full setup ofSkateboard Deck, Trucks, Wheels, Bearings, Hardware and Griptape. 

As skaters continue to develop, they often wish to enhance parts of their setup or even create their own fully custom board. This useful guide will explain all the various parts of a skateboard and guide you through how to effortlessly use ourcustom skateboard builderto design the setup of your dreams.

The Components of a Skateboard:

• Deck
• Trucks
• Wheels
• Bearings
• Hardware
• Griptape

 

Deck

 

 

The Skateboard Deckis a major decision in your setup since it's the part of the board you interact with the most. There are personal choices to make when selecting a deck, influenced by your unique riding style.

The width of the board is frequently discussed first. Some skaters prefer a narrower width, with the idea that it benefits trick enthusiasts as the board is smaller and lighter for more flips. Others may favor wider boards for greater stability while riding, such as the traditionally wide pool surfing boards.

Additional factors to consider include the materials from which the board is constructed, which again boils down to personal taste and affects how the board feels and reacts underfoot.

 

Trucks

 

 

The Skateboard Trucksare equally crucial to your setup, as they determine the board's responsiveness when moving and for many skaters, the contact point when grinding. The size of the trucks is determined by the deck size to ensure a stable setup and prevent wheel bites between the deck and wheels.

Similar to decks, many skaters have personal preferences regarding the materials used for trucks, which can often influence the price, with lighter, stronger metals being more costly.

 

Wheels

 

 

The Skateboard Wheelsplay a significant role in the feedback between the ground and the skateboard. This is usually determined by the durometer or hardness of the wheel's urethane. Softer wheels mitigate feedback from rougher surfaces, while harder wheels handle smoother surfaces like wood or concrete skateparks.

 

Bearings 

 

We've discussed the importance of many other board components, but honestly, without a good set ofSkateboard Bearingsyour setup isn't going anywhere!

Many skaters have their own preferences for their favorite bearing brand and the varieties of bearings such as aluminum ball bearings, ceramic ball bearings, and more.

 

Hardware

 

 

The trucks are attached to the deck using skate hardware, and people often have strong preferences regarding whether the bolts are allen key or Philips head. Regardless of your preference, ensure you maintain your hardware by keeping the bolts properly tightened, as this can prevent splits in the wood and even the trucks from coming off entirely.

 

Griptape

 

Lastly, the final part of the setup is your griptape, ensuring optimal contact between you and the board. Many skaters have their preferences among their favorite companies regarding the level of grip they provide, how easy the grip is to apply, and ultimately the choice in designs, ranging from classic black grip to various designs and graphics to express your style and personality.

 

With all these components combined, you have a complete skateboard setup. Now, we will show you how easily you can use our custom skateboard builder to create your own.

 

Begin by visiting our Custom Skateboard Builder here.

 

The SkateHut Custom Builder is designed to make selecting your dream setup extremely user-friendly while allowing you to see how the final build will appear. First, choose your deck from a wide selection of all your favorite brands.

 

Then, pick your trucks, confident that our builder will only allow you to select sizes compatible with your chosen deck.

Next, choose your wheels, bearings, hardware, and griptape while the builder creates a visual representation of your board. Once ready to checkout, the total weight of your design and price will be clearly displayed. You can decide whether to assemble the skateboard yourself or have one of our expert builders assemble it for you and send it to you ready to ride.

If you have any questions or need further advice on which parts and options would best suit your skating style, please reach out to our friendly customer service team via phone, email, or live chat through our website.