SETUP (also known as "a complete"):

A skateboard assembled by the retailer (or, if prepackaged, by the handyperson in your home) that includes the deck, trucks, wheels, bearings and grip tape.

DECK

The plank, or riding surface, of the skateboard, usually seven layers of laminated maple. The curvature across the width of the deck varies among brands. Experienced skaters can get extremely anal about the concave, as well as the degree of "kick" in the tail and nose. Kids new to the sport usually care less about shape than the company graphic on the deck's underbelly. If all goes well, it'll be scratched beyond recognition the first day out. A new deck is about $49.95, though special laminates can jack up the price. Nollies sells our (3) color shop decks for $25.00!

TRUCKS

Think about car axles - that's purpose trucks serve. They're sold individually or in pairs, separately from the hardware to attach them to the deck. Skaters can adjust the bolt in the center of the truck (referred to as a "kingpin") to make the board easier or harder to turn. Better skaters tend to develop serious brand loyalty in regards to trucks. Each truck costs about $20.00

WHEELS

They are sold in sets of four made of urethane and come in many designs and metric sizes, from 40 millimeter to 70 millimeter. Anything in the 40 to 60 millimeter range performs well for street skateboarding. A set starts at about $25.00

BEARINGS

Bearings are donuts of encased BBs that enable the wheels to turn smoothly. They're sold in packs of eight (two per wheel) and vary widely in quality and price - anywhere from $10 to $100. For a first board you will probably spend about $10.00

GRIPTAPE

Grip tape is Gritty paper that adheres to the top of the deck. Its function is to hold skaters feet to their deck. Sold separately, expect to pay $5 to $10 a sheet.

*If your kid is just starting out you'll probably want to buy a setup. A mini-board setup will give the 7 to 11 year-old novice more control than a full size board. If your kid has been skating for a while and seems to be speaking in a foreign tongue, "...sick, did you see Reynolds fakie over that gap", do yourself a favor and ask for a written wish list, because the gibberish spilling forth will make absolutely no sense.