If you're new to skateboarding, you may have a hard time choosing a good board. There are many things to watch out for besides price. You'll also need to consider boards, decks, trucks, and wheels when buying a ready-made skateboard, as well as one that needs to be assembled first. Once you understand the things you need to pay attention to, you can find a skateboard that is good for you.
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Method 1 of 3: Choosing a Skateboard to Purchase
Step 1. Decide what to buy
If you want to find a skateboard at an affordable price, look for a complete skateboard that is ready to use. If you have more capital, you should buy skateboard components to assemble later.
Keep in mind that sometimes chain skateboards actually save money. If you're on a tight budget, buy a Mini Logo or empty deck, cheap versatile wheels like the Bones 100s, cheap bearings like Spitfire Cheap or Bones Reds, and reasonably priced trucks
Step 2. Decide if you want a longboard, classic, or street/vert
- Longboard prices range from Rp. 840,000-Rp. 7,000,000. These skateboards are great for surfing the ramps and sliding smoothly, but they are quite hard and hard to use to do tricks. This board is suitable for beginners who are just learning to skate.
- The price of a classic board ranges from IDR 840,000-IDR 5,600,000. Classic boards, cruisers, or mini cruisers are great for gliding.
- The price of street/vert boards ranges from IDR 1,000,000-IDR 2,800,000. This is a standard “skateboard” board, designed to do tricks but quite versatile depending on the wheel chosen.
Method 2 of 3: Buying a Complete Board
Step 1. Make sure to buy from a trusted store
Skateboards sold online are usually cheaper, but it's a good idea to try them in person at the store first. This price difference can help support the skateboard shop and community. Build good relationships with skateboard shop owners for long-term benefits. This complete board is not as good as a set skateboard, but it costs less and you can upgrade important components at a later date.
- The price of a complete skateboard can range from IDR 700,000-IDR 2,800,000 (IDR).
- The price of a set skateboard can range from IDR 1,250,000-IDR 7,000,000 (IDR).
Step 2
Step 3.
| skateboard complete (from left to right) | Price in Indonesian Rupiah | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-Logo Red | Rp1.400.000 | Mini-Logo |
| Classic | Rp2,100,000 | Surf One |
| Twisted Dragon | Rp840,000 | Powell Golden Dragon |
| Sunrise Wave | Rp2,100,000 | Surf One |
| Kickflip Red | Rp840,000 | Angelboy |
| Andy Mac Fist | Rp840,000 | Andy Mac |
Method 3 of 3: Buying a Skateboard Skateboard
Buying a Deck
Step 1. Find out how much money you need to put aside to buy a skateboard deck
Empty decks (without images) are usually cheaper than pro decks and are of the same quality. However, you can buy your favorite pro surf deck if you want and have enough money.
Step 2. Purchase a quality deck
The decks in supermarkets are usually of low quality and have a cartoon character on the bottom. If you want a complete board, but don't know exactly what it looks like, buy a complete skateboard from a skateboard company or shop and consult the staff. If you're going to skate on the road, get a deck of 7.5 to 8.0, if you want to skate on vert, a deck of 8.0 or more is the best choice. However, it all depends on personal taste. Many people skate on the road with a deck above 8.0.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a board is your height and the style of skating you want to adopt. Most technical surfers (who are good at tricky flips, like Rodney Mullen) tend to like boards between 7.5 and 7.75 regardless of their height. The advantage of a thin board is that it can rotate quickly. If not, try another spectrum that is "go big" surfers (eg Jamie Thomas). Most "go big" surfers choose a size 8.0 or more. The advantage of a heavy and wide plank is its stability on the feet in the air and landing (especially for those with large feet). If you are a child, we recommend choosing a size 7, 66 or less
Step 3
Step 4.
| Deck (from left to right) | Price in Indonesian Rupiah | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| SuperLight | IDR 530,000 | Mini-Logo |
| Silver | IDR 700,000 | Powell |
| No Ka Oi Longboard | Rp1.050.000 | Surf-One |
| Hill BullDog | Rp850.000 | Powell Peralta |
| Street Issue | Rp850.000 | Powell Classic |
| Quicktail | Rp1.400.000 | Powell Peralta |
Buying a Truck
Step 1. Know that the truck is the second most important component of a skateboard
When purchasing a truck, it is best to look for one that meets the following characteristics.
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Its length does not exceed 25 cm.
Choose a Good Skateboard Step 6Bullet1 -
Width to match the deck. For example, a size 7.5 truck for a size 7.5 deck.
Choose a Good Skateboard Step 6Bullet2 - The design you like.
- Light.
- Can grind well.
- Strong material. Don't let the board split in half.
- Choose a truck that doesn't have a design or image if your budget is tight.
- Design isn't everything. Maybe your skateboard will look cool, but that doesn't mean it's good quality.
| Truck (from left to right) | Price | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Phantom II Truck Units (White) | IDR 280,000 | Phantom |
| Grind King The Low Truck (Silver) | IDR 240,000 | Grind King |
| Thunder Creepy Crawl Truck | IDR 240,000 | Thunder |
| Randal 180 | Rp350.000 | Randal |
| Tracker 184 | Rp350.000 | Tracker Trucks |
| Tracker 129 | IDR 200,000 | Tracker Trucks |
Buying Wheels
Step 1. Choose a wheel for the type of skateboard you have and the style of skating you want to do
- Longboards use large, soft wheels.
- Street boards use small, hard wheels.
- You don't have to worry about other parts brands. Get the best brand for each piece depending on your skating style.
Step 2
Step 3.
| Wheel (left to right) | Price (Rupiah) | Brand | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-3 Black | IDR 210,000 | Mini-Logo | 50 mm |
| Strobe Gold | Rp450.000 | Powell | 53 mm |
| Wave Black | IDR 400,000 | Surf-One | 65 mm |
| Mini Cubic | Rp480,000 | Powell Peralta | 64 mm |
| Ripper | Rp450.000 | Powell Classic | 56 mm |
| G-Bones Blue | Rp450.000 | Powell Peralta | 64 mm |
Buying Bearings
Step 1. Know that bearings are essential if you want to keep sliding without pushing too much, especially when skating on the road
Bearings are usually rated according to the ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Committee) scale. The ABEC scale only measures the accuracy of the bearing, and not how well this part rotates and how strong it is. Many people misinterpret the ABEC scale. A scale above 1 is accurate enough and a skateboard will work fine, but we recommend getting bearings above 3.
- The ABEC ratings for skateboard bearings are 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.
- If you keep them clean and lubricate them properly and regularly, bearings can last much longer.
- If you have enough cash, get bearings with ceramic balls instead of iron as they are more durable and don't require frequent lubrication. Ceramic balls also don't absorb as much heat as iron balls so they perform better when rubbing against each other at high speeds.
Step 2
Step 3.
| Bearing | Price in Indonesian Rupiah | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Bones Red Bearings | IDR 100,000 – IDR 250,000 | Bone Bearings |
| Bones Ceramic Bearings | IDR 700,000 – IDR 2,000,000 | Bone Bearings |
| Bones Swiss Labyrinth | Rp550.000 | Bone Bearings |
| Bones Original Swiss Bearings | IDR 500,000 – IDR 750,000 | Bone Bearings |
| Bones Super Swiss Bearings | IDR 500,000 – IDR 800,000 | Bone Bearings |
| Mini-Logo Bearings | Rp120,000 | Mini-Logo |
Tips
- Before buying a deck, take it off the shelf and stand on it to make sure it's the right length and width. Wear shoes that will be used skating so that you can feel the fit.
- Don't buy a board that just looks cool. Your skateboard should feel comfortable to wear.
- The best way to buy a new board is to go to a skateboard shop and consult with the people there. The shop staff can advise you on a good board for your skating needs. Remember that everyone has their own opinion regarding skateboard brands. One person can say brand A is the best, but another is not. Some like DGK boards, some don't. Just test the skateboard and feel the fit. You may need to double check if you want to choose very carefully.
- Some good skateboard brands include Spitfire, Ricta, Bones, and Autobahn.
- If you want to do tricks, you need a skateboard with good buckling and pop, a good truck, quality bearings, and smooth wheels. If you just want to skate, opt for a longboard.
- Some skateboard shops sell blank decks that have a good pop and last a long time. The price is also cheaper than branded boards.
- Before buy new board, make sure you will be skating often. Otherwise, you will end up wasting a lot of money on equipment that is hardly ever used.
- Purchase a rubber grip if you don't want to damage your grip tape. The price is quite expensive, approximately more than Rp. 200,000.
- If you want a nice design for an empty deck, decorate it with spray paint. Use a stencil for best results. That way, you can choose whatever design you want.
- The Grind King, Independent, Krux, Thunder, and Silvers are probably the best trucks on the market.
- Skating does not require extremely accurate axles so you don't need high ABEC numbers for bearings. Some companies, such as Bones, don't even rank their bearings. As a general rule, the price of an item reflects its quality.
- Most decks cost between IDR 700,000-IDR 1,000,000. This price difference does not reflect the quality, but the brand. Hi-tech decks usually last longer and cost more, but the basic 7-ply is of equal quality. The average price for a complete board ranges from IDR 2,000,000-IDR 2,800,000. Try to get the best board available if you are a beginner because you want a board that is durable.
Warning
- DO NOT expose the skateboard to various elements such as water or excessive heat. The skateboard will start to fall out and break.
- Wear long pants because your knees will hurt if you do the spinning trick in shorts.
- Skateboard bearings sold at retail are of the lowest quality and should come off in a few weeks. These bearings are cheap, but if you want to go pro, choose a professional quality skateboard.
- Practice at least 1 hour a day.
- Skateboarding is a dangerous sport. Especially if you're going to do crazy tricks. You should wear a helmet to prevent a concussion, and protective gear to protect your elbows and knees.
- Never abandon a trick if you can't do it.
- Skateboards purchased at the supermarket are of very poor quality and unfit for serious skaters. It's a good idea to buy your board at a skateboard shop. If not, try looking at a franchise store like Zumiez or Vans. In addition, BlackHoleBoards sells all brands of skateboards.
- Remember, don't buy cheap skateboards from supermarkets. This board is low durability and will break with just one ollie landing misplaced. Although cheap, if accumulated, the cost of buying a skateboard many times because it breaks quickly will be the same as the price of a quality skateboard. In addition, this board is also heavier and slower so it is difficult to use to do tricks.
- Skateboarding takes a lot of time and practice. Don't do extreme tricks like the Hardflip or 360 Front Flip until you've mastered the basics, namely The Ollie, Kickflip, 10 sec Manual, Boardslide and Heelflip.
- You have to be willing to put in the time and money to skateboard. You usually need to replace your skateboard every 5-6 months so make sure you can afford it.
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Remember, skateboarding doesn't last forever. Every skateboard has a lifespan, regardless of brand. The "tongue" is prone to damage if you skate a lot. Almost and Girl skateboards are usually the most durable. If you want a skateboard that lasts and have more money, choose Uber skateboards. Almost has three Uber boards signed by Mullen and the price for the deck alone is usually around IDR 1,000,000, while the price for a basic complete skateboard ranges from IDR 2,000,000-IDR 3,400,000. If you want the perfect skateboard, the capital must be big.
Uber skateboards are usually used by professionals so it's best to gain experience for at least a year. Uber skateboards are usually two boards within the other so it's much smoother that you need to balance yourself out
