You've selected your deck – now it's time to choose your trucks!
A truck consists of five main components, each serving a distinct purpose. Skateboard trucks are the section of the skateboard located between the wheels and the deck. They influence the ride height, the smoothness of the board's turns, and contribute significantly to the overall weight of the complete setup.
Components of a truck
- Baseplate:The baseplate is the sturdy metal flat plate that connects to the board. These generally come in a standard size to fit the bolt holes on a deck, though various brands offer different baseplate designs aiming for stronger and lighter versions.
- Kingpin: The kingpin is the bolt that joins the bushings and the hanger to the baseplate. The bushings are placed over the kingpin, with the hanger loop positioned between the two bushings. This assembly is secured by a nut on top of the kingpin, which can be adjusted for a looser or tighter turn, based on the rider’s preference. Some brands provide kingpins of different sizes, as varying heights might affect more complex grind tricks.
- Bushings:Bushings are the two rubber components that fit over the kingpin. They are interchangeable – similar to wheels, bushings have durometers based on their hardness or softness. Some riders prefer softer bushings for smoother, easier turns, while others choose harder bushings for a stiffer, more rigid feel. Bushings are included with trucks, but you can explore our selection of individual bearings sets here.
- Hanger: The hanger is the largest component of the truck. It serves to protect the axle and is the part used for grinding. Hangers and axles are available in various lengths, as the total length of the truck should match or closely align with the width of the board.
- Axle: The simplest component of the truck – the axle extends from both sides of the hanger and is where the wheels are mounted!
Trucks are available in various heights – some are taller, offering a higher ride height than others. This significantly influences the overall feel of the board and aids different styles of skating.
- Low: Low trucks provide a lower center of gravity, offering a more stable ride and making flip tricks somewhat easier. They're ideal for technical skating, involving more flip tricks and ledge grinding. If using low trucks, it's best to select a smaller diameter wheel to prevent wheelbite.
- Standard:Standard trucks fall in the middle range and are typically not labeled as ‘High’ or ‘Low’. They offer a balanced experience and are a great choice if you're new to skating or enjoy various skating activities.
- High: Using high trucks facilitates easier turning and allows for larger wheels, which create a faster, smoother ride. However, the increased height lowers the center of gravity and makes it harder to balance the board. These are more suitable for transition skating.
Deck to Truck width guide:
Ensuring that the board width you ride is similar to the width of your trucks is crucial. The widths don't need to be an exact match, but a significant mismatch can make skating difficult and lead to wheelbite, causing you to lose balance easily.
|
Board Width: |
Truck Width or Name: |
|
7.5” – 7.8” |
5.0”, 129, 145 |
|
7.8” – 8.2” |
5.25”, 139, 147 |
|
8.25” – 8.75” |
5.5”, 5.8”, 147 |
|
8.75” – 9” |
5.75”, 159 |
Different companies provide various qualities in trucks. The ideal truck is both strong and lightweight, though choosing a lighter truck compromises strength, while opting for a stronger truck means using a heavier one. Brands employ different materials and shapes to construct trucks and reduce weight in different areas, with the latest advancement in truck technology being hollow axles and kingpins.
Independent are generally recognized for producing the most robust truck, while brands like Theeve or Tensor provide the lightest options. Each brand's trucks offer unique characteristics and experiences, so even if a truck is the lightest or most durable, it might not suit your needs! Trucks are the priciest component of a setup and are designed to last several years, so if you can, it's advisable to test out a variety of brands. Trying out friends' boards with different trucks at the skate park is likely the best approach to this!
Explore the complete selection of skateboard trucks at SkateHut !