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Features of a Perfect Skateboard
Without doubt, Skateboarding doesn’t need more introduction. Famous for its acceptance with youths and adults at heart, skateboarding is a sporting activity enjoyed by all; by the young and old as well as the single and married persons.
While skateboarding is an exciting sporting engagement loved for many reasons, it is not without a need for only the fitting gears. This necessitates having good knowledge about the best skateboarding brands.
Before discussing the best ten skateboarding brands, it is pertinent to check out a few features of perfect skateboards. Here are four top qualities to look out for when considering a skateboard:
Quality Bearing
There are various kinds of skateboards, and each model has multiple benefits. The customary cruiser model is extraordinary for metropolitan skating; it is easy to control and is explicitly intended for performing various stunts. Longboards are a fantastic alternative, too, with their high-level plan, which is ideal for cruising.
Skateboard Deck
Diverse skateboard decks are produced using various kinds of material. Skateboards made using maple wood are ideal since they have profoundly sturdy highlights and give a ton of help and steadiness. Another factor to consider is whether the work area is cold stuck or warm stuck. This has a significant effect as warm sticking is quicker, while complex bonding is more grounded and gives better quality.
Quality Wheel
There are two essential, exciting points regarding the nature of the wheels – the size and the hardness. Large wheels are intended to speed while skating, while more modest wheels are ideal for easygoing road skating. Moreover, wheels with hardness are exceptionally commonsense and provide a great deal of solace. Hard wheels, then again, are quicker and more demanding.
Skateboard Trucks
Skateboard trucks are produced using some metal, typically aluminum. Various trucks have various highlights; the weighty models are robust and give an undeniable degree of soundness, while the light trucks are ideal for performing different stunts.
Now that you know the features to look out for in a good skateboard, it is pertinent to state that any of the top ten skateboarding brands below is unrivaled for maximum performance in skateboarding:
Grip Tape
Smooth surfaces can be shockingly perilous. Regardless of whether you’re managing a bunch of tricky steps, a smooth and slip-prepared floor, or a not exactly grippy skateboard deck, an absence of hold can prompt falls, mishaps, and genuine wounds. Luckily, there’s a simple fix: hold tape.
Magnificently adaptable and outstandingly grippy, the grasp tape is a finished material that feels somewhat like sandpaper under your fingertips. It adds additional hold and steadiness any place it’s set. You can stick grasp tape onto your skateboard’s surface, on an especially hazardous arrangement of steps, thus considerably more.
Professional Assembly
Skateboards come in different shapes so it may very well be confounding to comprehend from the outset. After the mileage of your amateur board, you can begin several diverse deck shapes to know your inclinations better. The retro-looking ones and cruisers can come in later on for play. Yet, in the first place, a traditional board shape will get you to comprehend siphoning the bowl and essential level ground stunts.
Top 10 Skateboard Brands
Element Skateboards
Professional skateboarder Johnny Schillereff founded the brand in 1992. The company was created to help bring awareness to skateboarding. It was developed to emphasize the positives things that are derived from skateboarding. The goal is focused on its uses in nature and the environment and the interconnection of art and skateboarding. Element Skateboards brand is considered to be one of the best skateboard brands at the top.
This board is prepared to hit the tracks directly out of the container, and it accompanies pre-collected equipment, wheels, course, and grasp tape. True to form, this model has a top-quality 100% maple deck that is created utilizing the best advances to offer you an unequaled mix of usefulness and life span. The slight hollow plan makes turning a breeze, and you don’t need to be a prepared pilot to stay in complete control.
The company sells other skateboard accessories, which include shirts, books, pens, etc. The Element Skateboard has over 20 professionals on its team. They include people like Nyjah Houston, Brandon Westgate, Nick Garcia, and Mark Appleyard
Features
- The illustration of each element of the Skateboard is different from each other. They are made using varieties of colors and graphics.
- They all carry the brand name and symbol. This makes it more prominent among other brands.
- The board decks are made with driftwood seven-ply maple, which makes them light in weight.
- The boards have an added thickness (solid thrift wood veneer). This does not compromise the flexibility of the board.
- The chambers in the helium lines contain air, and these lines cover the entire deck. The use of perspective on these boards is another added detail that increases the endurance of these boards.
Pros
- The product has incredible graphics and colors. This product can be customized. This product is the best skateboard brand for beginners. It has a guarantee against all manufacturing defects. They are made with top-class materials that are highly durable and cost-price effective. They are Eco-Friendly Skateboards. The Element decks are suitable for tricks and hard riding.
Cons
- Due to the color, the wooden deck chip off after few use. Their trucks need regular replacement .
Plan B Skateboards
Plan B skateboard was founded by Professional skateboarders like Rick Howard, Mike Carroll, Rodney Mullen, Pat Duffy, and many more. It is based in Vista in California. Their boards are distributed by Syndrome distribution company. After the death of the founder, the group changed and improved the design of the deck.
Probably the best component is the 6.875″ beak and 6.25″ bottom. The more prominent nose gets stuck to your foot while doing an Ollie, and the more modest bottom is nearer to the ground for better popping and quicker reaction. This is an ideal skateboard to consider if you need to voyage at high paces or perform stunts.
Indeed, even with a 7-utilize maple deck development, this is yet a sensibly lightweight board. It gauges a simple 5.3 pounds, and it is subsequently simple to convey by hand. Regardless of whether you need a skateboard for use in the recreation center or cruising in and out of town, this is an ideal model to consider.
Features
- The deck is made of thick seven plies maple, with very large dimensions. The flexing is also reduced.
- In terms of its color, every board stands apart from others. The brand has different colors for all the boards that are being made.
- The wheels come in packs of four. They also come in a variety of sizes. The Material and Hardness are made such that they are compatible with the wheel.
- The bearings enhance the strength of these boards. The bearings are of standard quality. If they wear out after some times of usage, new bearings can be purchased .
With all of these factors, riders do not find it difficult to cruise around smoothly.
Pros
- Plan B skateboards have customized graphics,
- They are resistant to shock because of the large dimension of the boards.
- Availability of a wide varieties of wheel make it good for newbies.
- The dimensions of the deck are wide and good for professionals.
- Each buyer is allowed to customize his or her own design.
- The colors on the boards make it stand out from other brands.
- The boards have the best concave which made them gain popularity in little time.
Cons
- Customization increases the price
Zero Skateboard
Professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas founded zero skateboards. Jamie Thomas is a very popular skateboarder. The brand is represented using a skull logo. The company is based in California US. Until 2016, their boards were distributed by Dwindle distribution.
However, in 2017, they announced that the company will carry out personal distribution. In addition to Thomas, the Zero team consists of 8 other professional skateboarders namely Dane Burman, Tony Cervantes, James Brockman, Adrian Lopez, Tommy Sandoval, Kurt Hodge, Chris Wimer, and Windsor James.
Features
- The dimension of most of the boards is 8-inch wide, making it a perfect pick for all users.
- They have a mid-range concave which makes them great for street skating.
- The decks are made from seven layers of Canadian maple joined with epoxy glue.
- The illustration of each Skateboard is different from the others. The boards are made using varieties of colors and graphics.
- The wheelbase and truck are made from exceptionally flexible materials.
Pros
- The zero skateboards suit all kinds of users because of their very unique graphics. The team consists of experts who make them reliable.
- They are very flexible to use for stunts.
- Their flexibility does not compromise the quality.
- They are good for new and professional users.
- They also have a very high rating of user-friendliness.
Cons
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There exist additional charges for personalized designing.
Girl Skateboard
Girl Skateboard was founded in 1993 by professional skateboarders Rick Howard and Mike Carroll. It is a brand popular for its ‘women’s bathroom’ logo. Crailtap is the major distributor of this brand. The Girl team consists of other professional skateboarders such as Andrew Brophy, Sean Malto, Mike Mo Capaldi, Bardon Biebel, Rick McCrank, Simon Bannerot, etc. The company does not only distribute Skateboard, but they also make videos and films about skateboarding. They have a clothing division that makes customized shirts featuring the Girl logo
Features
- The decks are made of solid and resistant seven-ply maple.
- The Decks can be customized using the Girl logo or other wide varieties of graphics.
- Customers can also choose to purchase a customized deck or a complete skateboard that has the decks, bearings, trucks, and wheels
Pros
- They are preassembled and pocket-friendly.
- The deck materials make them very strong and resistant.
- The graphics and Girl logo do not wear off very easily.
Cons
- The pre-built version is not in demand. The concave is flat with softwood and a mellow tail. A lot of people do not like their graphics and the Girl logo.
Alien Workshop Skateboard
Alien workshop skateboard was founded by Neil Blender, Chris Carter, and Mike Hill in 1990. It is a US company based in Dayton Ohio. The brand’s logo is based on a combination of gas station logos and contains hidden messages.
Apart from skateboards, the company also produces Videos and films about skateboarding. Some of the videos include Time code, Mind field, Bunker Down, Photosynthesis. Some of the original team members were John Pryor, Daune Pitre, Neil Blender, Scott Conklin, Thomas Morgan, etc.
Features
- The graphics on the decks of the boards show the brand’s love for aestheticism
- Each board’s top and bottom surfaces are vertically laminated. The lamination is to enhance stability.
- They have different dimensions for the wheel and different board hardness. Users have a wide range of options to pick from in their product line.
- The decks are made of 7 layers of maple which are easy to use because of their lightweight.
- Their bearings are made from ABEC 3 one of the top quality materials for making bearings.
Pros
- They are preassembled and pocket-friendly. Newbies and professionals can find the type of board that matches their skillset without any issue. They are shock-resistant.
- The quality materials used for making the deck can withstand wear and tear for long period.
- The trucks provide stability and optimal control.
- The deck’s dimensions make balancing this board quite easy for newbies.
- Professionals can also learn and practice new skills with ease.
Cons
- The dimensions are very big which makes them have an average rating.
Creature Skateboards
Distributed by NHS, Inc., the Creature Skateboards brand was launched in 1994 by professional skateboarders Darren Navarrette, Jason Adams, Russ Pope, and Barket Barrett. The company had a rough start until it gained popularity in the mid-2000s. They are popular for using horror themes. The creature team consists of 19 other professionals aside from the founders, they include such names as Chris Russell, Al Partanen, David Gravette, and Cory Juneau.
Features
- They are made from 7-ply maple wood which makes them very strong.
- The graphics on the deck are dipped. Dipping is done to make graphics last longer.
- They are popular for using horror themes on their clothing and skateboards.
- They have very unique shapes from other brands of skateboards.
- The company offers preassembled skateboards. The preassembled Skateboard has trucks, decks, bearings, and wheels. It also consists of customizable decks and other accessories.
Pros
- The graphics last, they have great shapes and are concave.
- The pop on the board is flawless.
- The deck can bear a load of 100-120kg
Cons
- They are not durable, the ply cracks and pull apart after few months of usage.
Blind Skateboards
Mark Gonzales founded blind Skateboard in 1989. The headquarters is in California. Although founded by Gonzales, it began operation Under Steve Rocco’s company. They are famous for their Blind Video days made in 1991. The team presently consists of professional skateboarders such as Cody Mcentire, Morgan Smith, Filipe Ortiz, Kevin Romar, etc.
It is an extreme inclination of bad-to-the-bone skateboarders; however, that doesn’t mean it isn’t for novices. Maybe, the makers are continually adding to their board line as they plan to give sheets to all degrees of riders.
Features
- The decks are made of eight plies of maple and joined by epoxy resin.
- You can personalize your decks with designs of Grim Reaper logo and other catchy designs. Each board looks fascinating and exciting
- The decks are vertically laminated so that tricks can be easily and perfectly performed.
- Apart from the preassembled boards, you can also select wheels of your choice from their wide wheel range. The dimensions, color, and hardness of each vary, depending on your skillset.
- The deck and wheels are made in perfect proportion to each other.
Pros
- The features are very different and ahead of the conventional boards.
- The deck wood does not chip off easily—customized graphics.
- The deck and wheel are aligned in ways that make it possible for riders to skate quickly.
Cons
- Customization costs are higher than regular prices.
- They are not suitable for newbies.
- They are specific for hardcore riders.
Santa Cruz Skateboards
The company was founded under the name NHS, Inc. It is a California-based skateboard brand. It was started by three friends Jay Shuirman, Richard Novak, and Dough Haut. They are popularly known for their ‘Screaming Hand’ and ‘Red Dot’ logo. Other professional skaters such as Dylan Williams, Blake Johnson, Eric Dressen, and Emmanuel Guzman are also part of the Santa Cruz skateboard team.
Features
- The decks are made from 100% North American 7-ply maple.
- They are preassembled with the original decks shapes and graphics
- You can purchase a full set of cruiser boards, skateboards, and decks like those they produced in the past.
Pros
- They are unique for their legendary combination of old school graphics design.
- The boards have reinforced tails.
Cons
- The shapes are not good for beginners.
- The brand does not have customized skateboards.
Birdhouse Skateboards
Per Welinder and Tony Hawk formed the birdhouse skateboard in the year 1992. These two professional skateboarders decided to set up the skateboard company during their old days. The headquarters is in California, USA. The popularity of the two founders of the company makes it one of the fastest-selling skateboard brands.
Birdhouse was named after Hawk (his nickname). The brand gives special attention to each part of the board to enhance the usability and cruising of its board. The coordination of features like the bearing and trucks with the entire board is unlike other brands.
The decks include a tremendous assortment of fun and energized pictures. Silly figures, punk plans, and great pictures are a portion of the numerous pictures you can discover on these sheets.
The wood is made of thick seven plies maple that guarantees strength and toughness. Their sheets have a general inward that fits all riders. It likewise makes rehearsing stunts very straightforward. You have better control when riding on their sheets.
Features
- The decks are customized using Goofy images, punk designs, scenic pictures, and other fun and animated images.
- The decks are made of thick seven-plies maple, and this ensures strength and durability.
- The concaves are made of standard size, making them suitable for all users.
- Black six technology is specially used on these boards by the manufacturers. This increases the balance of the panels and makes them sturdy.
- The wheels on the skateboards are made of quality materials.
Pros
- All the parts of the skateboards are made with top-class material.
- Analysis of professionals have made it known that they are very stable, you have better control of the board while skating.
- The materials used in their construction make them flexible and durable.
- You can customize the skateboards according to your skillset. It also makes practicing tricks for beginners quite simple.
Cons
- The trucks need replacement after few months of usage.
- Even though they have lesser chances of wood chipping, the decks are heavier than the average standard boards
Almost Skateboards
Almost Skateboards brand is an American skateboard company founded in 2003 by Daewon Song and Rodney Mullen, who are professional skateboarders. The headquarters is in California, United States. The skateboards are distributed in significant quantities by Dwindle Distribution. Both left the previous companies they were working for to create their brands of Skateboard.
They sell skateboard decks, wheels, bearing equipment. They also sell apparel and other accessories. Some of their popular skateboards are Mullen ivy League, Dilo ivy League, Fall off, Spin Blur, Lewis Rasta, etc.
The team consists of Fran Molina, Rodney Mullen, Daewon Song, Mitchie Brusco, Yuri Facchini, Youness Amrani, Tyson Bowerbank, and Cooper Wilt.
Features
- The decks are made of carbon fiber constructions, 7-ply, and 8-ply. The decks are bound with resin epoxy glue to enhance their strength.
- The wheel, deck, trucks, and bearings as well as wheel accessories all come in preassembled packs. Customization is not allowed.
Pros
- Almost is a brand of Skateboard that encourages creativity, fun, and individuality.
- They have a variety of deck materials that you can select from.
Cons
- They are not good for newbies because they cannot be customized, they are preassembled.
Assembling the Skateboard
To get started, assemble the following gear and tools to build your board.
- Truck with Hardware; Each truck will require four screws and nuts to secure the deck. Eight screws, nuts, and axle washers will be needed altogether. Make sure that you have all these before you begin.
- You will need four identical wheels.
- A total of eight bearings is required. Two bearings will fit inside each wheel.
- An all-purpose skate tool.
After purchasing the separate parts of the Skateboard, you will need to put them together. Grip tape is needed to ensure that the parts are firmly placed together. Grip tape are large rectangular sheets that are bigger than the actual deck of a skateboard.
You press them firmly to remove hair bubbles, then using files, you make the edge of the deck smooth. This is when the desired shape is gotten. After this is done, remove the extra grip tape using scissors or a knife. With an awl or you carve out the hole where the truck will be placed. The eight truck holes should be exposed before the grip tape is removed. After the holes are made, the mounting bolts are placed. The truck is then fastened over the bolt using a lock nut.
A set of bearing and spacer is then placed on each of the truck axles. The wheel is then installed with the flush. Then the other set of relevance is installed on the wheel. The wheels are secured using a washer and lug nut. The Skateboard is now ready.
Conclusion