Anatomy Of Skateboard: A List Of 15 Skateboard Parts

Anatomy Of Skateboard: A List Of 15 Skateboard Parts Total

Ever since the start of skateboards in the 50s, the sport has seen spikes in popularity and drops. It has been an adventurous journey. Keeping honest with the statistics, skateboards are again making a comeback. This time stronger than ever.

Many people are looking to buy new skateboards, but before they do, they want to know about skateboards and their parts in depth. Some are interested in assembling a skateboard from scratch. On the other hand, others look to buy and modify each part to meet their demands.

In this article, I will give a detailed description of the skateboard’s different parts, functions, importance, etc. You will get to know the complete anatomy of skateboard.

A Brief History of Skateboards


Skateboarding started in the 50s in California. It was initially referred to as ‘sidewalk surfing’ as surfers wanted a sport during the low waves. However, it didn’t become popular until much later on. The first few skateboards were wooden with old wooden or metal wheels and weren’t suitable for every terrain.

A Brief History of Skateboards

They were cranky and hard to control. Fortunately, everything changed when skateboarding gained enough popularity for it to be commercially produced. Commercial production started as early as 1959. But the real game changer was the use of urethane wheels that allowed for greater mobility and flexibility.

Since then, the popularity of skateboards has increased and fallen.  Recently there has been a resurgence of skateboards due to social media, the Olympics, girls getting into it, etc. It’s already a multi-billion-dollar industry. However, the industry is expected to be worth $2.4 billion by 2025 (PRNewswire).

What Is A Skateboard?


Skateboards are sports equipment made of maple wood for skateboarding. However, skateboards are a general term now used to describe different types of boards. There are many, like penny skateboards, popsicle skateboards, longboards, etc. Standard skateboards range from 28 to 32 inches in size.

Popsicle skateboards are the most common, as they accounted for 50.7% of all skateboard sales revenue in 2018 (Grandviewresearch). Additionally, they are safe for general use, tricks, and flips.

What Are The Main Parts Of A Skateboard?


Skateboards consist of three primary parts:

Each of these skateboard parts is again composed of smaller parts. So why are you waiting for? Let’s check them in detail one by one.

1st part: The Deck


A deck is a wooden platform on which the skateboarders stand. These come with different artistic designs, different build materials, and different shapes. Some shapes are narrow and wide. Each board is meant for different kinds of skating.

A deck is a wooden platform on which the skateboarders stand.

Wider ones are better in terms of stability. The narrow ones are better for tricks and flips. Each deck provides its advantages and disadvantages. Decks have two parts, Bolts, and Grip Tape. They are discussed below.

1. Bolts

These are typical hex bolts that keep the deck attached to the trucks. In total, 8 bolts are used to keep the deck attached to the truck. You will find two sets of 4 holes for the 8 bolts.

2. Grip Tape

Grip tape is a sandpaper-based sheet used to cover your deck. They are attached to the deck by adhesives. Thanks to this, you will get enough friction to grip the deck. Your shoes won’t slide around your deck, and you will be safer during skateboarding.

2nd park: The Truck


Trucks are the most important and complex parts of a skateboard. They are made of steel and usually last long. Its main goal is to maintain the wheels while rolling. This allows the skateboarder to turn, get into the air, flip, etc.

Trucks are the most important and complex parts of a skateboard.

They also carry the weight of the skateboarder when standing on the deck. As they are complicated, they are also made of lots of parts. They are Axles, Baseplate, Bushings, Hanger, Kingpin, Riser, and Shock pad. Their functionalities are given below-

1. Axles

Axles link the two wheels on each truck and hold them by an axle nut. It is also known as a hanger shaft.

2. Baseplate

The baseplate is the solid base metal plate composed of 4 to 6 drilled holes for the tools to come in. It is attached to the board.

3. Bushings

Bushings are small rubber cups that pivot when the skateboarder leans right or left. The two tracks each have two bushings. They are found in between the hanger and the baseplate.

Bushings are of two types; hard ones and soft ones. Soft ones are better for easier turns and light skaters. Hard and stiff bushings are better for heavy riders.

4. Hanger

The T-shaped metal component located at the bottom of the truck is called a hanger. It takes all the damage and is the sturdiest part of a skateboard. Hangers are usually made of metal or an alloy of some kind. I suggest getting a normal hanger, but you can find more expensive alloys of the hanger, lighter and heavier ones.

5. Kingpin

A kingpin is a large bolt nut that controls the amount of pressure put on the bushing. It sticks out of the baseplate.

6. Riser

The riser is a rough plastic pad that elevates the height of the skateboard and helps avoid wheel bite. It is kept between the trucks and decks. You will notice the difference a riser makes if your skateboard doesn’t have one. However, if you get a huge riser, the skateboard will feel heavy.

7. Shock Pads

Shock pads are rubber pads. They also elevate your skateboard but not as much as the riser. However, their main goal is to provide cushion and comfort to your ride. It is one of the optional parts of a skateboard. I recommend you get them provided that you don’t have budget issues.

3rd park: The Wheels


The four circular revolving objects attached to the trucks are called wheels. Skateboard wheels are made of urethane as they are better for different terrains. They are responsible for spinning and rolling. Like decks, you will also find different kinds of wheels.

Skateboard wheels are made of urethane as they are better for different terrains.

Wheels are judged by their hardness, softness, and size. Harder wheels are better for roads, while softer wheels are better for rough terrains.

Similarly, smaller ones are better on roads as they are slow. Whereas large ones are good for speed.

Nevertheless, different wheels are better for different kinds of skateboarding. Wheels have three parts. They are Axle nuts, Bearings, and Washers. Here’s what you need to know about them;

1. Axle Nuts

Skateboard wheels come with 4 axle nuts that keep the wheel in its place. They also help the wheel be in place during rolling.

2. Bearings

Every skateboard wheel comes with two bearings. They look like rings and allow the wheels to spin easily on the axle. You will find 8 bearings with two on each of the wheels. Precision bearings are the most common bearings out there.

They mainly help absorb the heat generated by the friction of a spinning wheel.

3. Washers

You will find two small circular objects in between the hanger’s inner bearings and between the nuts on the axle. These are called washers.

FAQs Regarding Anatomy of Skateboard


It’s normal to have some questions on your mind after going through all of that information on skateboard anatomy at once. Here, I will try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions you guys might have.

Q. What are the 4 parts of a skateboard?

Answer: The main 4 parts of a skateboard are the truck, wheels, bearings, and deck.

Q. What is the most important part of a skateboard?

FAQs Regarding Anatomy of Skateboard

Answer: It’s a relative question, and the answer purely depends on your preferences. There isn’t one “most important” part of a skateboard. Nevertheless, it is said that wheels and trucks are the most important part of a wheel.

Q. How do you identify the nose and tail of a skateboard? 

Answer: The nose is the front part, and the tail is the back part of a skateboard. In most cases, the nose is long and has a steeper angle compared to the tail.

Q. What are the front and back of a skateboard?

Answer: Typically, the nose is called the front of the skateboard, while the tail is called the back of the skateboard. Most of the newer skateboards have almost identical front and back. So, it’s hard to distinguish between them at first sight. But if you look closely, you can find the differences like the steeper and longer angle.

Q. Which Way Do Trucks Go on a Skateboard?

The short answer is that they’re supposed to point inward, but the longer answer has a lot to do with how trucks work. Trucks are pieces of metal that keep the underside components of a skateboard steady, so they’re easier to control.

The truck’s t-shape allows everything to be held in place and makes it less difficult to maneuver the top of the board back and forth, so turning is less precarious.

It’s important that a truck faces inward because that means it’s more sensitive to the user’s movement and more affected by body weight.

Wrapping Up


I believe knowledge of any task presupposes the learning of the task itself. It’s important to know about the parts of different skateboards because it will allow you to purchase a good skateboard. One that will last you for a long time and leave you satisfied. I suggest acquiring as much knowledge from the above discussion as possible.

I hope you guys were able to learn about the anatomy of skateboard. Moreover, I hope you were able to implement what you learned. If you got yourself a skateboard that you are happy with, then I am pleased, and for those who didn’t, there’s always the next time.

What Are The Important Factors While Purchasing the Best Longboard Bearings?

01. Size

8 mm bearings are commonly used. This size is perfect for the longboard bearing. You can choose the other sizes if they give you more comfort. But I will recommend you choose the 8mm bearing.

02. Type

You can get both the ball bearing and roller bearing around you. Most of the bearings are ball bearings. Ball bearings run faster and more smoothly than roller bearings. But ball bearings can not handle the load. In that case, the roller bearing performs well.

03. Durability

The bearing should be durable that can last a minimum of one year. You can increase its durability by cleaning regularly and running in dry places. Water and mud decrease their longevity quickly.

04. Performance

The performance of the bearings is the most important fact. If your longboard bearings are rough and run with less spin that will not satisfy you. Also, a smooth and fast bearing with noise will annoy you. So, check before buying if there is any defect in performance.

05. Precision

Precision is the exactness or correctness of the tolerance. The American manufacturers association uses ABEC to define precision. When the precision increases, the permissible range decreases. Precision is independent of bearing clearance. The higher the ABEC number, the tighter the bearing will be. Higher precision helps to move more smoothly and increase efficiency.

06. Lubrication Compatibility

Lubrication is a must before riding on your longboard. To convert your slow bearings into fast longboard bearings you have to clean them regularly and lubricate them. It will give a fast spinning movement.

07. ABEC rating

While buying bearings, you need to check whether it is ABEC-rated longboard bearings or not. ABEC rating stands for dimension. It only rates tolerances. Some ABEC classes are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. ABEC rating 9 is tighter than ABEC rating 1. The more the ABEC rating, the more the precision will be.

08. Engraved seals

Engraved seals prevent entering dust and other material inside. It also holds the lubricant inside and prevents friction. Most of the brands use rubber material for easy cleaning and to prevent the entry of water inside. While buying, check all the seals properly.

09. Price

Price is a big factor when buying anything. If you get a bearing with better quality at less price, then that will attract you the most. People mainly buy this type of bearings the most. Also, you should not follow the misconception that more expensive things mean better. Most of the famous brands are budget-friendly and careful about quality.

10. Brand reputation

While buying high-quality longboard bearings, people follow reputed brands. If the reputation is good then people do not hesitate to buy from the brand.

11. Warranty/Guarantee

If the brand provides you with a warranty or guarantee, that will be a plus point for you. You can repair the bearings if any problem arises at no cost within the given time. Also, the refund policy is beneficial for the buyers. You can change the defective set or can return the set with a full refund.

FAQs About Longboard Bearings

These are some commonly asked questions by people about the best bearings for longboards.

Is it worth it to invest in more expensive longboard bearings?

No, it is not worth it to invest in more expensive longboard bearings. More expensive is not equal to best quality. You can get a high-quality bearing within a suitable budget.

How do I know if my longboard bearings need to be replaced?

If the bearings start producing noise and are rough to run after cleaning, then you need to replace your longboard bearings. Also, the bearing will not spin if it is worn out.

What is the difference between ceramic and steel bearings for longboards?

The difference between ceramic and steel bearings for Longboards is durability. Ceramic bearings are more durable, smooth, and corrosion-resistant. At the same time, steel bearings are easily damaged by corrosive substances and are less durable than ceramic ones.

Can I lubricate my longboard bearings myself, or do I need to take them to a professional?

You can lubricate your longboard bearings yourself. )r if you have no previous experience, then you need to take them to a professional. But choose the right lubricant for the bearings.

Can I mix and match different brands of bearings on my longboard?

You should not mix and match different brands of bearings on your longboard as they are different from each other in size, shape, durability, and performance. Mixing different brands is unable to balance your movement.

Can I use the same bearings for both my longboard and my skateboard?

Yes, you can use the same bearing for both your longboard and your skateboard. The only difference appears in the case of wheel size. Otherwise, there is no difference between the bearings. But you should be careful about the dimension of the spacer.

Conclusion

Now it will be easy for you to choose the best Bearings for Longboards. You can compare the bearings and choose according to your comfort. I will recommend you choose the bearings which are performing well and have good customer service. If you still can not choose a perfect one then you can select it by brand reputation.

Also, choosing the brands which are giving warranty is the safest to pick. You can get these ten best bearings within an affordable range. Do not choose the bearings which are rated below ABEC 3. Below 3 ABEC-rated bearings have less tolerance.

About the author

This is Kyle Spinks from Butte MT, USA. A skateboarding expert and lover since 2019. skateupdates.com is my blog where I share my skateboarding life experience daily or weekly. If you're a beginner skater, I'll advise you to follow my blog daily.

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