So we've recently been asked by a 19yo for a skateboard, just one of those "normal black ones for tricks and stuff" apparently. With little to no experience on any of this, what's the best one to get and where can one source such a skateboard?
Happy to hear any recommendations/suggestions too. 😁
well we were the ones asking the question as to what gift they would like and that was all we got to work with, so in a way we brought this upon ourselves 😂
Can get a few on surf stich. Possibly with a $20 off your first order as well.
Rather get a cheap one and break that doing tricks and stuff compared to spending top dollar on one.
https://www.surfstitch.com/element-section-7-75-complete-red…
Username does not really check out…
The Element complete is a good entry level setup and if they don't take to it at least it's only $100 (or $80 if first order). The deck width (in inches) for entry level should be between 7.5 and 8 inches, unless they have size 13+ shoes then you might want something slightly wider than 8inches (I used to ride 7.75-8 with size 13 shoes). Although wider boards can also feel stabler under foot for learners.
Some other alternatives;
https://www.boardstore.com.au/blind-complete-reaper-glitch-b…
https://www.boardstore.com.au/element-complete-paisel-7.75-i…
https://www.surfstitch.com/almost-rugby-resin-youth-7-375-in…
Alternatively a custom setup (trucks, bearings, wheels, deck, grip) with a current pro model board will be $250+
Excuse me. You are not a skateboarder. You are a bmxr 😂
What, like by a random 19yo? ok… Doesn't matter what you get, it will be *sigh*'ed at for being the wrong "plain/black" and "OMG, don't you watch *insert social media of choice*??"
Anyway;
Budget ($25 to skys the limit)?
Skill level (starting out to Tony Hawk)?
Height/weight (what wheels/truck bushings/deck size)?
Sick tricks or just commuting with the odd skid stop (deck shape)?
Are they/you good with a spanner (Build it yourself)?
I find with my skateboards that the trucks and wheels well outlast the boards. I tend to spend up big on the hardware and less on the platform. Only problem is, you need to at least know how to assemble them (something that can be learned on YouTube anyway). Sometimes with kids, I like to involve them in assembling their own boards, that way, they feel it is a little more personalised even if it is just blank/black.
I could recommend anything, but I don't know if there is much more value in a $500 board as there would be on a $50 one. $100 seems to be a good budget as you will get a decent mid range setup. They are pretty hard to get wrong, as they are easy to upgrade at any time. I fine that a bad experience can usually be fixed with adjustments and better wheels, bearings and bushes.
Skateboard sizes are based mainly off shoe size, with type of skating (vert or street) secondary. For reference, I have size 10/11 AU feet and feel comfortable on 8.25, 8.375/8.38 or 8.5 inch board widths - however for someone learning, I would recommend an 8.25 inch board to start with (and basically every board will be the same length).
If you don't have all the components, it's far cheaper to buy a "complete" from an Aussie online retailer (steer well clear of anything on eBay, gumtree or Amazon though- anything there will be pretty garbage from experience).
I suggest taking your 19yo to a skate shop and getting them to stand on top of a board.
If you want something entry level get a Globe "Goodstock" complete, they're fantastic. Everywhere online stocks them for similar prices, just make sure it's free shipping.
If the rider is over 95kg you definitely need to pay more for a sturdier deck though - a Globe "G2" complete or something from an American major skate label (look for anything with "pro model" for high quality decks).
Feel free to ask more questions if you need
Probably a US8 in shoe size. Sounds to me it's just like something to have a bit of fun on - "heaps of ppl at uni have one". 60 kilo rider. Not our child so we can't take them to a skate shop so to speak. (even if we did we'd probably get upsold something we understand nothing about)
lol thanks for the input guys. The one that @iNeed2Pee linked seems ok budget wise. Weight wise he's quite light, I'd say 60 kg? Skill level probably 2 out of 10 tops. Not mechanically minded.
Are certain type or size wheels/trucks easier to learn tricks on? I notice that not all of them have specs, this one recommended by @bmxr seems to have specs listed as:
FEATURES:
Style: Skateboard Complete
Colour: Multi
Construction: 7 ply Maple
Trucks: 4.75" Slant
Wheels: 51mm 92a (Medium Duro)
Bearings: Abec 5
SIZE GUIDE:
Width: 7.375"
Length: 30"
Wheelbase: 12.5"
I'd say that this width is suited more to a child or small teenager than an adult. 7.75" would be the minimum for size US8 shoes, 8.25" the maximum.
That Goodstock below would be good, otherwise this Bam Margera board at the sale price of $107.97 looks pretty decent at 8 inches.
Quality differences may not be immediately visible between two brands but I would say major brands should be reliable for truck, wheel, bearing and (most importantly) deck quality. I can vouch for Globe G2 and G1 lines being excellent, with Goodstock using slightly inferior but still great parts. I've recommended them to friends who are buying first skateboards, but Heart Supply would be good too.
@Jengel pointed to the Globe Goodstock. There are 3 variants on surfstitch, would this one be suitable for a smaller/lighter rider? the smaller/narrower one is bright red and I'm not sure if that's a "safe" colour… 😅
That black Globe one would be fine. Not a silly budget, black and plain (as requested). Decent specs (Tensor trucks are fine) and would be good for a beginner of that size.
As for "are some trucks/boards easier to learn on"… Kinda yes, kinda no.
The type of deck you want to get is the double kick kind. The ones with a concave deck design and a kick up at both ends. These types of boards are designed to do all the cool tricks. Can be used as a commuter board as well.
The majority of trucks are of the one variant that these double kick type boards have. They are simple and not to complicated. A $10 set of trucks will look like a $500 set and function very similar (obviously the $10 set will break/bend a lot easier). There are different truck designs out there, but none are going to give an edge in "learning".
What they/you are better off doing, is learning now to adjust and setup your trucks. Buy the right bushes and adjust them correctly. If just learning to ride, the standard ones might be fine, but once you start wanting to flip, kick, jump and land on them, bushes are what give you stability and spring. Bad bushes or badly adjusted bushes can hinder the learning.
Wheels are similar, but not as important as bushes. Wrong wheels would be too soft or too hard adding too much or not enough grip or failing after landing badly or a lot.
The wheels and trucks you get with a board like you outlined above will be ok for a 2 out of 10 beginner. Adjustments can be made to make it feel better, and then over time, upgraded as skill improves. YouTube is a great palce to learn how to adjust a board for best performance.
Don’t get Kmart/decathlon boards, or any cheap ones from Amazon. Get a Blind or Globe or some well known brand. Even go on Gumtree/Facebook and grab a 2nd hand one
Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated :) @pegaxs will look on YT for some set up videos. Ended up getting the black Globe board with $20 off. Thanks keeps for the advice and suggestions guys. Enjoyed learning more about skateboards, who knows I might even give it a go at some point 😁
I said that as well. I ended up buying a Tony Hawk Birdhouse skateboard that was marked down from $150 to like $59.
Impulse buy with the "I might give it a go". Still haven't tried it yet! haha.
All done on your purchase!
Tony Hawk Birdhouse
Used to rock this in thps2 👍
That's pretty much the same outcome when I bought a skateboard a month ago.
I bought the same board in Orange for ~$100 delivered via OCD Skate Shop Ebay
I'm a US size 10, 70kgs and this is about right.
Just riding on sidewalks/streets and learning basic tricks. The bushes can be bit harder for my liking.
Enjoi ! 😄
Can't this 19 year old adult research and buy his own skateboard?