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You picked out a deck. It’s a perfect fit for body and style, but you aren’t even close to done yet. Even with a smoking deck, it won’t do much good without other parts. And with all the thought that was put into that one piece, you don’t want to put any less care into choosing everything else.
Wheels
The biggest factors to consider in choosing wheels for your board are size and hardness. A fairly average size is about 54mm. Generally speaking, the larger they are the faster they are, but bigger also means heavier; so it is really important to determine what will work best for your style of skating. As speed is imperative to transition skaters, a slightly larger size is generally recommended as the ramps tend to require the extra speed. Street skaters may tend toward those that are a bit smaller than average as some tricks are easier with boards that are more lightweight and closer to the ground. For skaters who use their board mostly for a mode of transportation, much larger wheels (up to 75mm) are recommended for speed.
As often as not, there is a tradeoff between size and hardness. The average durometer (the measurement of hardness) skaters use is right around 99a. Transition and street skaters both generally use harder wheels, usually around 95-101a. This is because the surfaces don’t require as much give. Cruisers would want something softer and more forgiving (around 78-85a) as the terrain tends to be rougher, and the softer wheels are more likely to roll over rocks and other small inconsistencies without upsetting the board’s balance.
The last consideration is one of color. While colored wheels can enhance the look of your board, the dye used can affect the integrity of the polyurethane. Clear polyurethane is often thought to last the longest because of this lack of dye, but some skaters think it has an undesirable amount of grip. In the long run, color should be the last thing you worry about as size and hardness are much more important.
Trucks
A key thing to remember when selecting trucks for your board is that while they are more stable when they are wider, they are also less responsive. Therefore it is very important to keep the width of your deck in mind as it is best to fit the truck size accordingly. Height is also a factor to consider as the higher ones can accommodate larger wheels, which should be chosen by your skating style.
Bearings
The main factor to think about when purchasing bearings is that their precision is negatively correlated to their durability. As strength is normally more important to skaters, it is better to err on the side of caution and purchase those that are a bit stronger even if they are less precise. Just be sure not to go overboard, as you could end up with something completely unresponsive. Since ABEC ratings weren’t developed for skateboards, they aren’t the best reference. However, generally speaking, most skaters use those with an ABEC rating between 3 and 5. Another factor to consider is whether or not to invest in sealed bearings. They offer a bit of protection from dirt and water, but unless you use your board primarily for cruising this protection may not necessary.
Obviously customizing your board takes a lot more thought than just grabbing the coolest deck you can find. Determining how you are going to use the board is the central point to consider when choosing the appropriate accessories. Beyond that, cost and style are truly secondary issues. We have a wide range of accessories from some of the best brands on the market. You can rest assured that designing your custom skateboard with us will result in a piece of equipment you will be proud to call your own.
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