This was printed in Betty, May 1998

I never used to know anything about my sk8board except the deck, wheels and trucks. I mean when I first got it all I knew were the wheels. "So the wooden bit is the deck, right?" People would say to me "you need new bearings" and I wouldn't know why or what they even were, where they were or what they looked like. I'd be too scared to ask cause I felt too dumb. I didn't hang out with any skaters so I couldn't pick it up from them. I slowly figured it all out by picking up pieces of information here and there and actually dismantling my board and putting it back together, and while this was really satisfying to have worked it all out for myself, I would've really appreciated some help. So the following diagram/description is for all the girls who barely know anything about their boards and are too scared to ask (like I was: I know how you feel).
Big big thankyous go to Helen and Kath for giving me most of this information (a lot of it is their wording too).

**okay when I get my mitts on a scanner there is gonna be a super cool drawing here that I did of the trucks. Soon, I promise (I hope).**

Deck
cost = usually between $80 and $135
Your deck is the main part of a skateboard, to which your trucks are attached. Decks are made from pressed maple plywood. They vary in width and style. Choose whatever width you feel comfortable with. Basically it's to suit your foot size. You'll have more balance if you have the right width deck.

Griptape
cost = $15
This is like sandpaper and helps you stay on your board.

Wheels
cost = around $60 to $80
Different wheels suit different people. Larger softer wheels will ride smooth and fast whereas small wheels are better for doing tricks with. Basically it all comes down to personal preference.

Bearings
cost = $30 to $40
These are made from metal and make your wheels turn faster and more effectively.

Trucks
cost = approx $85
Your trucks are made up of several different parts: the baseplate, the T-bar (or hanger), the kingpin, the rubbers, riser pads and bolts.

Baseplate
This attaches the trucks to the deck. Be careful not to have it bolted too tight as it can cause cracking thru your deck.

T-bar/hanger
This is what your wheels are attached to.

Kingpin
You control how tight your trucks are thru the pressure inflicted by your kingpin upond your rubbers. The looser your trucks are, the easier it is to turn.

Rubbers
cost = $5 - $10
These make turning easier and you can get hard and soft types. Get hard for tight trucks and soft for loose trucks.

Riser pads
cost = $5 - $10
If you've got over 57mm wheels and ride loose trucks then these little ditties will stop wheel bites (when wheels rub on your deck when turning). They also give mor support for your deck, help prevent your bolts from over killing your deck and cut out vibration.

Bolts
cost = $5 - $9
Bolts attach your trucks to your deck Make sure you use new ones otherwise they become loose.

Remember that the prices of things on here are if you buy them new. If you look around you should be able to get a skateboard for way cheaper, and if you're just learning it doesn't matter if it's not really perfect cause any skateboard is good to learn on just to get the feel of things, learn to balance etc.

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