Skateboard-lopnik

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 10/26/2014 at 17:11 • Filed to: None

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Any current or former skateboarders out there? My 9-year-old son desperately wants a skateboard, and I am open to the idea, but I know absolutely nothing about them. I don't necessarily want to get him the cheapest thing available at Target, since I believe that one should pay a bit more money for something good rather than replacing something bad later. I wonder also if a better board would be easier to learn to ride. I know there are tons of options with board size, shape, wheels, trucks, etc. So, does anybody out there in Oppoland have any advice on a first skateboard?

Haimatox > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:14

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I would help you, if I knew how to skateboard. I know how to push, turn, and stop, but that's it. Sigh.

ttyymmnn > Haimatox 10/26/2014 at 17:15

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You already know more than I do.

Haimatox > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:19

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Well to be honest I have no idea about what to choose. The deck size depends on your kid's size, the truck size depends on the deck size, and the wheels depend on many things.

Spaceball-Two > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:20

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I used to ride in the 90's. I don't know how you would set up a nine year old though. You might go to a local shop and let the rep set you up.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:22

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soft large diameter poly wheels, good trucks with fast bearings and get whatever deck is cheap, they break and there isn't much difference. trucks last forever and wheels wear out quick so start large and soft for am easy learning curve. seriously though, bearings and trucks are key

ttyymmnn > Spaceball-Two 10/26/2014 at 17:22

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I've thought of that. But I also don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on some custom setup. But yes, I will go to a shop somewhere and talk to them. There must be many here in Austin.

Spaceball-Two > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:24

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I don't think you'd have to spend that much. I think a deck can be had for about $50, trucks, bearings and wheels for maybe another $75. Don't let them charge you for grip tape. Also Independent trucks are good. I've still got my set.

Manuél Ferrari > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:25

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I can help out here. I used to skateboard a lot and still do sometimes.

For a 9 year old I think the following items are the most important for you to think about:

1. Ask him if he's more interested in boars like the one in your pic or longboards. Does he want to do tricks or cruise?

2. Once you know what he prefers then you pick the safest board possible. If it's a board for tricks then make sure the wheels aren't too small. Tiny wheels make it easier to do some tricks but they're also super sketchy because all it takes is a small rock in the road to throw your son off his board. If he wants to cruise then get him a long board but make sure it's not too fast. A super long board with very fast wheels is sketchy because you can pick up a lot of speed when doing down hill and it can be hard to slow down. If he wants a longboard then you can intentionally buy cheap (and slow) bearings and wheels so he doesn't pick up too much speed. Also if you can get him to wear a helmet and kneepads that will help keep him safer.

3. Pay attention to who he skates with. When I was young I used to skate with some crazy kids that didn't just skate for the skating itself but also to be rebels. One of them was a really bad dude and pulled his Dad's 9MM out on us one day. Don't let your son hang out with these types of skate rats. Make sure he skates with a good group of kids.

ttyymmnn > HammerheadFistpunch 10/26/2014 at 17:25

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Exactly the info I'm looking for. I imagine you can find something like this pre-fab. I don't want to go the custom route at this point. Do you have any idea what one could expect to spend on a starter board? And thanks!

Baeromez > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:30

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Get him a Powell, Mini Logo set up. Its a legitimate, real skateboard at a low price (should be around a hundred bucks for a complete) and a slightly smaller size. You absolutely DO NOT want to get him anything from walmart or Target. They are garbage. Literally unrideable pieces of trash. The trucks don't turn well, the bearings don't spin, the wheels are just cheap plastic, and the decks are made from hardware store plywood. Start here: http://www.warehouseskateboards.com/blog/index.php…

ttyymmnn > Manuél Ferrari 10/26/2014 at 17:32

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1. I don't think he has any preference at this point. He just wants a board, and I don't think he knows the difference.

2. At this point, I don't know of he wants to do tricks or cruise. I would opt for cruise, though. I'm going to let him learn to ride it first, then see where we go. He's already well aware that he will be wearing a full suite of safety gear at first, and that when he gets good, he still has to wear a helmet at all times. We don't have much in the way of hills around here, so no worry there!

3. At this point, in third grade, I don't think there are any other kids who skate. But that's some great advice. Thanks.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:34

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check the classified for a good board (you'll have to do your homework on brands) then buy a new deck and wheels. less than $100 total

ttyymmnn > Baeromez 10/26/2014 at 17:35

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Thanks so much. Great information.

Manuél Ferrari > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:37

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1. Cool. Then it's up to you to pick.

2. The cruising boards are more useful as they take less effort to use for transportation. And they're a lot more enjoyable for adults so you can get one too and go skating with him. I used to use the short boards when I was a kid but now the only board I own is a longboard. A longboard is the perfect accessory for people who like to get places fast. You can throw it in your trunk and use it when you can't find parking close to where you are going.

Since you don't have many hills you don't have to worry much about your son going too fast.

3. You're welcome. I was probably in the same grade when I started skating. I was in 5th or 6th grade when the crazy dude pulled out the gun. It was not cool at all.

Baeromez > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:38

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No problem, hope your son gets into it and has fun.

AM3R > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 17:56

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I can help. Definitely go for a quality board with good bearings, wheels, and trucks. He's 9? Probably a 7.5 sized board will be good. I skated on one of those until I was 16 (started at 7) and I had decent sized feet. Once he gets good at just riding, he'll probaby know whether or not he wants to start doing tricks or just continue cruising. Expect to pay around $150ish for a good board from a skateshop, although it may be different. Last time I bought a board was about a year ago for my nephew.

Good sites: ccs.com (good site to buy stuff from if you can't find a local shop).

theberrics.com (check it out first, they have trick tips and stuff like that).

guymandude > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 18:15

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http://www.the-house.com/skatec.html . check out the complete boards on the-house.com. most people ride an 8inch wide board and 52mm wheels. the trucks should be just as wise as the board. if your kid is small you might want to start him out on a 7 3/4 inch board with 52mm wheels. thunder or venture brand trucks are light. indy's are strong. any brand wheels are ok, bones wheels are the best. bones swiss bearings are the best. china swiss bearings are a good cheap option. buy a helmet. best advice :keep your knees bent, your more likely to hurt yourself if you don't commit to something fully. good luck. i,ve been skatboarding for 15 years.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 18:24

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Is he after a skateboarf specifically, or would a longboard work? Longboards are more suited for pushing around, easier to turn as well.

The board on the bottom is my cruiser/drifter/hillbomber board, called a Landyachtz Switchblade and the one on top is a vintage style Powell Perralta skateboard. Its for sale.

ttyymmnn > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 10/26/2014 at 18:39

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I'm not really sure what he's after, nor is he. Certainly nothing specialized. Just something to ride to school.

ttyymmnn > guymandude 10/26/2014 at 18:40

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Thanks for the info.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 18:58

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If he's after something just to ride from point A to B, a longboard is a good idea. Easier to handle, less noisy on account of softer wheels, less likely to toss the rider, more comfortable, etc ....

Sector 9 boards are a good place to start.

Baeromez > ttyymmnn 10/26/2014 at 23:27

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Good advice all around here by TheVancen, just thought I'd weigh in on the longboard vs shortboard question. I'm a longboard rider almost exclusively myself, but I learned on a shortboard when I was about 13 and only picked up a longboard (which isn't necessarily all that long) at 18 or 19. Keeping that in mind, I would definitely recommend a regular shortboard for a beginner, especially anyone under 10. While a longboard is definitely the way to go for transportation and just general riding around town, they can be a bit unwieldy for someone of small stature. Also the trucks on a longboard are generally set up to be looser (although most are adjustable). This makes it easier to turn if you know what you're doing, but has a much steeper learning curve for someone just trying to find their balance.

That being said, I've got a Landyachtz downhill bomber, a Sector 9 parking garage bomber, a Madrid cruiser/slider, a Powell slalom board, and a Zero short trick board. The Powell definitely gets the most use.

Baeromez > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 10/26/2014 at 23:29

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Dude we should definitely start a skatelopnik blog. See my above post to ttyymmnn ^.

ttyymmnn > Baeromez 10/26/2014 at 23:32

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Many thanks.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Baeromez 10/26/2014 at 23:43

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for sure man. just got some killer Otangs for my switchblade