Posts Tagged ‘Skateboard’

Skateboarding Origins And What Makes Up A Skateboard

Skateboarding Origins And What Makes Up A Skateboard

Skateboarding has become ever so popular these days. It is no longer just for punk kids and has become a part of our culture. Skateboarding can be seen in movies, on tv, and in video games. One of the funnest video games I played when I was younger was tony hawk, a skateboarding game. And skateboarding games keep popping up too, some of them rather good.

Now, as far as how skateboarding began, there is some debate. Some say it was started by surfers that wanted to try and surf on land. Same say it was by kids who tore apart their sop box racers and rode on just the bottom part. No matter who or when it started, it is no doubt that skateboarding is here to stay. Most cities even have skate parks, which are big parks of concrete with built in ramps and half pipes. They are really fun and you can usually pick up some new moves for your skateboard just by watching some of the others skaters there.

What does a skateboard consist of? Well, skateboards have come a long way, but your basic skateboard components consist of the deck, wheels and bearing, and the trucks, which hold the wheels. The deck itself is really important and is typically made of wood. However, more and more skateboard decks are being made from plastic composites, because of its flexibility. Also, the wider deck, the better it is for doing tricks. Most street skateboards are about 7-8 inches wide while trick skateboards are up to 10 inches. You'll also see grip tape used on decks, which help keep your feet on the board.

The trucks and the wheels are the other two main components of the skateboard. Every skateboard has two trucks and these are what connect the wheels to the skateboard. Trucks are usually made of metal, typically from some sort of aluminum alloy. When the trucks are connected to the board, there is usually some sort of rubber barrier, which helps for turning and flexibility. The more stiff you make the barrier, the harder it is to turn.

When it comes to the wheels on skateboards, they are usually made from a special kind of plastic called polyurethane. They also come in different shapes and sizes, all depending of course on how you plan to use your skateboard. Because they help keep the skateboard close to the ground, smaller skateboard wheels are good for doing tricks. Skateboard wheels are also measured for how hard the polyurethane is processed. They are rated on an "A" scale. Your soft wheels will be around 70a, while the hard wheels are in the lower 100's.

www.originalskateboards.com The Custom 35 longboard from Original Skateboards carries carve focused all-around performance into the future, one buttery sweet turn at a time. The Custom 35 is compatible with Original S8 (200mm) and S10 (250mm) longboard trucks and is available in three flex patterns: Flyweight, Middlweight and Cruiserweight. Multiple longboard flex patterns allows riders to customize the board flex (along with trucks, wheels and bearings) to their particular style. Customize your own online.

Accessorizing Your Skateboard – Adding Your Personal Touch

Accessorizing Your Skateboard - Adding Your Personal Touch

Most skateboarders enjoy being part of a group of peers who have the same hobby. However, most skateboarders want to express our individuality as well. Luckily, there are plenty of accessories the avid skateboarder can choose from to customize your skateboard and make it match your own unique style. All of the different accessories can become overwhelming, so it is important to explore all of your possibilities before making changes to your skateboard.

If you are looking to quickly make your skateboard your own, the deck is a great place to start. By adding stickers, decals, stenciled pictures, or by painting your deck, you can give your skateboard a design like no other board.

Another way to personalize your skateboard is to use uniquely colored wheels instead of standard skateboard wheels. Depending on the type of appearance you want to give your board, you can match all of your accessories or mix the colors up a bit. You could even find glow-in-the-dark wheels at some specialty stores.

Adding grip tape is another great way to accessories your skateboard. Grip tape is a necessity for your board and comes in great colors such as; neon green, blue, yellow and black to name a few. Besides adding stability to your board so that you have better controls for maneuvers, it is also a great way to change the overall appearance of your board.

Logos are also a popular addition to skateboards. Most skateboarding retailers offer logo decals for the leading skateboard gear. You can also find my skateboard specialty stores online that offer logos. You could also take this idea a step further and have your own custom logo created to let everyone know who the skateboard belongs to.

You do not have to be limited to skateboard accessories either. There are many products out there that can be used to accessorize your skateboard, it just depends on how creative you want to be with your personalization. There is no right or wrong way to accessorize your skateboard. You can go as extreme or as basic as you want. It is all about portraying your individuality. Some skateboarders want to stand up for their particular sport and add stickers with wording such as, "Skateboarding Isn't A Crime", or something similar. While others prefer to be more subdued in their choice of skateboard add-ons.

No matter how you choose to accessorize your skateboard, the most important thing is to make if fun. Always be sure to purchase quality products so that you do not end up with peeling stickers or faded paint. Using quality accessories will ensure that the overall appearance of your skateboard will look great no matter how old it is.

Remember, no matter how nice your skateboard is, it won't last forever. Don't go overboard spending money on accessories that you will not be able to use on another board. Take the time to compare prices so that you always get the best deals when creating your totally unique skateboard.

enjoi skate team at menlo park

Buying a Skateboard – Tips and Hints

Buying a Skateboard - Tips and Hints

It's easy to be a little awed by all the variety of designs that are out there when you start shopping for a skateboard. The graphics can be incredible and so can the skateboards that were created by some of your favorite professional skateboarders. Don't let the appearance of the skateboard fool you though, there is more to a skateboard than how it looks. You want a skateboard that will stand the test of time, not just one that will look good for a few months then fall apart.

The way you skate should influence the kind of skateboard you buy - think about your style and what you like to do with the skateboard. Do you need a skateboard that is longer or one that is wider instead? Your physical size is also something to consider. People who are lighter can use a smaller deck while those who are heavier need to think about getting a more solid deck on their skateboard.

Do some research on the internet before you start shopping - see what others have to say about the different types of skateboards. Also, visit local skate shops and talk to some of the employees to see what they would recommend. Generally, if you are new to skating, you want to look for a board with a wider deck than more experienced skaters might have. If you are just starting out with skateboarding, buy a less expensive board until you get a feel for skating and see if you really like the sport and want to keep it up. If you decide skating isn't for you, then you won't have wasted too much money.

Don't decide on a skateboard until you have spent a lot of time thinking about the different aspects of the board and how they work for you. You need to consider if the deck size works for you and if the wheels are going to be the right size and the right type for you. You should always try out any skateboard you are thinking about buying just to see if it will do what you are going to want it to do. If a store says that don't allow this, don't buy a skateboard from them!

Online research can also be useful for finding out what others think about specific boards you are considering. Read reviews and comments about the boards you are interested in to get an idea of how happy people are with them and how long they last. Read about how long the skateboards last, especially with daily use. You want one that will last you at least 6 months, if not a year. Skateboards are not cheap, so you don't want to have to buy a new one every few months.

While skateboards can be bought online for less sometimes, you need to get a feel for the board before you buy it. This is why it is good to go to stores in your area and shop around, trying different brands and types of boards. Once you decide on one that you think will work for you, then you can consider purchasing it online. You don't want to buy a skateboard online that you never tried only to find it isn't at all what you wanted - what a waste of money. Remember to find out how much shipping will cost when buying a skateboard online because it varies from store to store.

Don't forget to find out what kind of return policy any store, especially online vendors, has before you buy a skateboard. If you have problems with the skateboard or it just isn't working for you, you should be able to return it and get all your money back as long as you do so within a reasonable time. When buying a skateboard online, make sure the company will be very flexible when it comes to returns.

There are so many different types and styles of skateboards that it can be overwhelming - not every board will work for everyone. Figure out how much you are willing to spend and check out several different skateboards in that price range before you make a final decision. You need to to try as many as possible so you can figure out what type will make you happy and make skating as fun as possible. Also, you want a skateboard that will keep you safe!
Skateboards don't have to be expensive, you can get reasonably priced ones in many styles and type. If you are looking to spend a little more, you might think about having one built specifically for you.

Factory tour through Europe's best and largest skateboard manufacturer "JART Factory" based in Irún, Spain. See how highest quality skateboards are manufactured one deck at a time (not five or ten decks at once as in most other woodshops worldwide!). This clip was origninally produced for french televison and was later dubbed in English.

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