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How To Pick Skateboard Trucks
Skateboard trucks are an essential component that determines how your skateboard turns and maneuvers. With so many options available in the market, choosing the right trucks can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. However, with a few basic ideas, it is easy to find the best skateboard trucks that suit your riding style.
In this guide, we will break down the key elements of skateboard trucks and help you understand how they work. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right trucks based on your riding style, skill level, and preferences.
If you're a beginner and buying trucks for the first time, we recommend prioritizing the axle width of the trucks to match the width of your skateboard deck as closely as possible. This ensures that your skateboard rides smoothly and maximizes stability while riding. So, let's dive in and find the perfect skateboard trucks for you
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Parts
Skateboard trucks play a crucial role in determining how your board performs, and choosing the right ones can make all the difference in your skateboarding experience. To make an informed decision, it's important to understand the different parts that make up a skateboard truck and how they work together to make your skateboard turn. Here's a breakdown of the main parts of a skateboard truck:
Baseplate: This is the part of the truck that mounts to the deck. It houses the kingpin and pivot cup, which are both crucial to turning.
Hanger: The hanger is the T-shaped part of the truck that holds the axle and the pivot. It's the part that you'll see sticking out from the sides of your skateboard.
Axle: The axle is what passes through the hanger and extends on each end to hold the wheels and bearings. The width of the axle is an important consideration when choosing trucks.
Pivot: The pivot is a part of the hanger that extends into the pivot cup on the baseplate and provides the axis for turning. It's what allows you to make those sharp turns and carve your way around the skatepark.
Pivot Cup: The pivot cup is what holds and cushions the pivot in the baseplate. It's an important part of the turning mechanism and can be easily replaced if it wears out.
Kingpin: The kingpin is mounted on the baseplate and extends through the bushings and hanger to hold all the pieces together. It's what allows the trucks to pivot and turn.
Bushings: The bushings are replaceable urethane cushions that mount on the kingpin on both sides of the hanger to provide stability. They come in different durometers and can be swapped out to customize the feel of your trucks.
Kingpin Nut: The kingpin nut holds the trucks together and provides compression on the bushings for easy adjustability. It's important to make sure this is tightened properly to avoid any wobbling or instability.
Types of Skateboard Trucks
Selecting the right skateboard truck is a critical decision that can significantly impact your riding experience. With a variety of designs available, understanding the differences and advantages of each is key. Among the five main truck designs, including standard kingpin trucks, high trucks, low trucks, hollow trucks, and longboard trucks, each offers distinct features and benefits. By exploring these options, you can gain valuable insights that will help you choose the perfect skateboard truck to match your style, terrain, and desired performance. Whether you're seeking stability, maneuverability, lightweight construction, or specialized features, read on to discover your ideal truck design.
Skateboard Trucks (Standard Kingpin)
he most versatile skateboard truck type is the standard kingpin trucks, which can be used for various skateboarding styles. These trucks are adjustable and can be tightened or loosened to customize your board's turning abilities. Standard kingpin trucks are the best option for street skating, bowls, and skateparks.
High Trucks
High trucks are the standard type, but some skateboard truck brands also offer high and low models. High trucks offer a more responsive turn and additional wheel clearance, allowing you to use larger wheels without worrying about wheel bite. If you are a beginner, we recommend choosing high trucks because they provide more options for wheels and trucks.
Low Trucks
Low trucks are primarily utilized by technical skaters who require quick, responsive pop and a more stable center of gravity. Low trucks are only labeled as "low" if the model is available in both high and low configurations or is exclusively available in a low version.
Hollow Trucks
Many skateboard trucks are available with hollow kingpins and/or axles to reduce weight. This feature makes your board pop higher and flick faster. Lighter trucks can offer benefits to any type of skateboarding, but the choice of selecting them or not comes down to personal preference.
Longboard Trucks (Reverse Kingpin)
Reverse kingpin trucks are the best option for carving, cruising, or skating downhill at high speeds. These trucks are usually taller and wider than standard kingpin skateboard trucks but are highly customizable for many riding styles. For further information, check out our Choosing Longboard Trucks page.
Sizes
Once you have familiarized yourself with the different skateboard truck designs, the next step is to ensure that the axle width of the trucks matches the width of your skateboard deck. While it is ideal for them to align perfectly, a slight difference of less than 1/4" is generally acceptable. However, it's worth noting that some companies may have variations in how they list truck width, which can make it challenging to determine the right size. To assist you further, refer to the chart below that outlines the recommended truck sizes based on deck width. By finding the right size trucks for your specific deck width, you can achieve optimal performance and stability.
Scroll down to find the truck size that is best for your board
Skateboard Truck Size Chart
| Deck Width (in) | Suggested Truck Axle Width (in) |
|---|---|
| 7.25 - 7.625 | 7.4 |
| 7.4 - 7.875 | 7.6 |
| 7.6 - 8.0 | 7.75 / 7.8 |
| 7.75 - 8.25 | 8.0 |
| 7.875 - 8.375 | 8.125 |
| 8.0 - 8.5 | 8.25 |
| 8.25 - 8.75 | 8.4 / 8.5 |
| 8.5 - 9.25 | 8.75 |
| 8.75 - 10.0 | 9.5 |
| 9.0 - 9.75 | 9.25 |
| 9.25 - 10.0 | 9.5 |
| 9.75 + | 10.0 |
| 10.0 + | 10.5 |
Hardware & Bushings
Hardware
Skateboarding hardware refers to the screws, nuts, that attach the skateboard trucks to the deck. These small components are essential for keeping your skateboard together and ensuring that the trucks are securely attached to the deck
Some skateboard hardware brands offer different types of bolts with unique features, such as Phillips head or Allen head bolts, which require different types of tools for installation. Some bolts may also be designed to be more durable or lightweight than others.
While skateboard hardware may seem like a small and insignificant component, it plays an important role in the performance and safety of your skateboard. It's important to choose the right hardware for your skateboard and to make sure that it is properly installed.
Skateboard Bushings
Skateboard bushings are an essential component of a skateboard truck and play a critical role in how the board turns. Made of urethane, these small cushions slide onto the kingpin and rest on either side of the hanger. Bushings are responsible for providing stability and allowing skateboarders to customize the way their trucks turn.
Hard bushings are ideal for those looking for more stability in their ride. The hardness of the bushing restricts the turn of the truck, which leads to a more stable ride. This type of bushing is commonly used in situations where stability is key, such as downhill skating or cruising.
On the other hand, soft bushings provide a more responsive turn. They are perfect for those who want to make tight turns and quick movements on their board. The softness of the bushing allows for a greater range of motion, making it easier to maneuver the board. These are commonly used in situations such as street skating or skatepark riding.
It's important to note that bushings come in different shapes and sizes, and not all bushings will fit every type of skateboard truck. Additionally, the durometer or hardness of the bushing can vary, and the choice of bushing hardness should depend on your skill level, riding style, and personal preference.
Keep Learning
Still Have Questions?
If you still need more information, rest assured that we have the resources to help you out. Our customer service team is highly knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have about skateboard equipment. You can easily reach out to them by phone or message.
Additionally, if you are in Portland, Eugene, or Bend, feel free to visit one of our local shops and speak to one of our friendly and helpful retail employees. They'll be more than happy to assist you and provide any information or guidance you need. Don't hesitate to reach out to us - we're here to help!
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