From the time skateboarding was first introduced, in the late 1940s or early 1950s, the sport has been a popular activity in America’s counterculture.
By the 1970s, the laid-back sport had gained enough popularity to open skate parks around the country.
As skateboarding has become more and more accepted in the world, there have been many technological advances to the skateboard itself.
Today, you can find skateboards of all makes and models.
How Much Does A Skateboard Cost?
Skateboards cost anywhere from $50 – $280, with a good quality skateboard averaging $150.
Many variables go into the price of a skateboard, such as board length and construction, types of wheels, wheel size, and other additions.
It’s also possible to purchase skateboard parts and construct your own skateboard from scratch.
It’s fairly easy to build your own skateboard from separately purchased parts, customizing it to your preferences.
However, if you choose to use this method, buying individual parts may cost more than buying a complete board.
You can easily mix and match parts also, but once again, this may run up the cost of the skateboard.
There are also different types of skateboards for different kinds of skating.
Why Does The Kind Of Board Affect Cost?
Before buying a skateboard, decide what kind of boarding you want to do.
This will, in turn, determine the kind of board you’ll want to purchase and, therefore, affect the cost.
According to skateboarding pro, Tony Hawk, there are seven styles of skateboarding.
These include:
- Freestyle entails performing simple tricks on a flat surface.
- Vert skateboarding involves the act of going vertical in pools, ramps, and half-pipes.
- Park skateboarding, or skating in already made skateparks, involves performing tricks on handrails, quarter pipes, bowls, pyramids, and more.
- Street skateboarding utilizes urban landscapes’ “natural” obstacles, like stairways and stair rails.
- Downhill skateboarding is noncompetitive and uses longboards to pick up as much speed as possible.
- Cruising involves the use of longboards or cruisers to ride smoothly for long distances. No tricks are involved.
- Off-roading entails riding on uneven, rough terrain, similar to mountain biking.
What’s The Difference In Board Quality?
Skateboards consist of three main parts: the deck, the truck, and the wheels.
The average deck size is typically around 8.0” x 31.63” x 14” WB.
Depending on your body size, including weight and height, you’ll want to find a board that works with you.
To do this, it’s best to visit a local skate shop and ask a professional.
When pricing out your first board, it’s pretty simple. Cheaper boards are more prone to break quickly or even after only a couple of tricks.
When shopping to buy a new skateboard, look for board thickness. Decent boards are made with at least 7-ply maple wood or other material.
After finding a board with a solid deck, look for the quality of the wheels.
Street skateboarding wheels are typically 49 to 52 mm, while transition or vert skating wheels are usually around 54 to 60 mm.
Wheels are also measured by their durometer, which is the level of softness.
They normally range from 75a to 101a, with the lowest number being the softest.
Average street skating wheels are around 99a.
Softer wheels are used mostly for cruisers and longboards for uneven, bumpy surfaces.
Good trucks are made with alloy metal and come in a variety of sizes.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure they are less wide than your board is.
On an 8” board, most trucks are 5.”
What Are The Different Types Of Skateboards?
1. Double Kicks
Scientoy Skateboard, Beginner Skateboards, 31" x 8" Complete Pro Skateboard with Repair Kit for Kids/Boys/Girls/Youth/Adults, 9 Layer Canadian Maple Double Kick Skateboard for Outdoors
Double Kicks are the standard street skateboard and are named because they have kicks on either end of the deck for performing tricks.
They’re usually around 7.5” – 8.5” in width and 28”- 33” in length.
Though maple is the typical deck board material, other materials like bamboo or carbon fibers may be used.
Double Kicks are used mostly in skate parks, pools, ramps, and on the street.
A good Double Kick skateboard will typically cost around $60 – $150.
2. Cruisers
BELEEV Cruiser Skateboards for Beginners, 27 Inch Complete Skateboard for Kids Teens Adults, 7 Ply Canadian Maple Double Kick Deck Concave Trick Skateboard (Black)
Cruisers are a favorite among beginners, as they work kind of like a hybrid between Double Kicks and Longboards.
Cruisers are wider and longer than Double Kicks, measuring 28” – 32” long and 8.5” – 10” in width.
This gives the rider more stability in the streets, while the one back kick on the board still allows the opportunity for a few tricks.
Cruisers come in two sizes – standard and mini.
Standard cruisers are ideal for full-grown adults, while mini cruisers are recommended for riders 9 and younger.
Good Cruisers start at around $70 and can cost upwards of $280.
3. Longboards
Long Board Skateboard for Adults Teenagers Kids Ages 6-12 Adults Men Women Complete Skateboard Cruiser for Cruising Carving Free-Style and Downhill 41 Includes High-Speed Bearings & T-Tool
Longboards are used mostly for downhill riding, longer distances, or racing and typically measure 36” – 42” long and 8.5” – 10” wide.
A longboard’s roomy size and soft, wide wheels make them more comfortable to ride on flat and slightly bumpy roads, as they’re more shock absorbent than Double Kicks and Cruisers.
Longboards usually go for $90 – $150.
How Much Are Basic Beginner Skateboards?
If you’re new to skateboarding, it’s recommended that you purchase a complete, pre-made board.
It’s much easier to learn on a ready-to-go board than it is to construct one without any prior boarding knowledge.
Now that you know what to look for in a decent board, beginner adult boards cost roughly $50-$100.
This will get you a sturdy, durable board that won’t break quickly.
The Spruce named the G1 Lineform 8.0″ Complete from Globe the Best Beginner Board of 2022 for adults, which sells for $101.99.
The Alien Workshop Abduction Black Complete 7.5 was voted as the Best for Beginner Kids and costs $89.99.
Most skaters learn on street skateboards, though some people may only be interested in Cruisers or Longboards, which will cost a bit more than a standard street skateboard.
Cruisers and Longboards are easier to learn on since their size makes them more forgiving and more stable.
You can find a decent Cruiser for around $100, but they average more in the $150 – $250 price range.
A good beginner Longboard averages $100.
How Much Are Skateboarding Decks?
LOSENKA Maple Skateboard Decks Double Tail Skateboard Light Decks Free Skateboard Grip Tape 1 PCS
If you do feel inclined to build your skateboard, you can typically find the individual parts at skate shops or online.
Skateboard decks cost roughly $30 – $65 for a good standard 7-ply, regardless of size.
Individual decks are sold either blank (finished wood), branded with graphics, or as shop decks (created by local skate shops and usually branded with their store graphic).
Blank decks consist of a blank wooden board without any graphics on it.
With blank decks, you can see the natural wood finish and either leave it blank or design your own graphic for it.
You can find a good blank deck for $30 – $45.
If you’re purchasing a raw wood blank deck, you may even be able to find them cheaper.
Pro-model or branded decks are designed by professional skateboard companies and contain their graphics.
A lot of them look cool, but many skateboarders feel they’re paying for the brand and not the quality necessarily.
Branded decks are more expensive, averaging $35 – $45.
Shop Decks are typically branded with the name and graphic of the skateboard shop and usually cost somewhere between the cost of a blank deck and a pro-model deck.
They cost an average of $30 – $45 and are a great way to support your local skate shop.
How Much Are Skateboard Wheels?
FREEDARE Skateboard Wheels 52mm and Bearings, Spacers Installed 90A Wheels(Black,Pack of 4)
There are many to choose from when purchasing individual skateboarding wheels.
Once again, they come in a variety of sizes and durometers, depending on what kind of skating you plan on doing.
Generally speaking, the more expensive the wheel, the better the grip, sliding ability, and durability, due to its higher-end urethane.
Average skateboard wheels cost around $15 – $50 for a set of four.
The price variant is so wide due to the many differences in wheel type and brand.
It’s recommended that beginners start with a wheel between 53mm and 55mm, as this gives you enough speed but not too much.
They also give you a good distance off the ground, but not too high.
Good beginner wheels include Bones Wheels ATF Rough Riders Runners Skateboard Wheels that cost $41 for a set of four, the Spitfire Formula Four, which run at $40.99 – $47.00 for a set of four, and OJ Elite Nomads 95a Skateboard Wheels, which cost $34 for four.
For all-around street skating and skate park riding, recommended wheels and prices include, Spitfire Formula Four 99d Classics for $38.95, Spitfire Formula Four Conical Full 99a for $38.95, and OJ Mini Super Juice 78a for $37.95.
For Cruiser skateboards, good options include, OJ Plain Jane Keyframe 87a for $37.95, OJ Super Juice 78a for $38.95, and Ricta Chrome Clouds Blue 78a for $38.95.
How Much Are Skateboard Trucks?
[CCS] Skateboard Trucks - 109mm, 129mm, 139mm, 149mm Black/Raw (Raw, 139mm (Fits 8.0"-8.25" Decks))
Skateboard trucks consist of several different parts that can be purchased separately, but it’s highly recommended to buy complete, whole trucks when starting out.
The various parts of the truck are intricately assembled and can be difficult to figure out.
Parts to the truck include the baseplate, the hanger, the axle, the pivot, the pivot cup, the kingpin, bushings, and the kingpin nut.
In addition to individual parts, there are two types of skateboard trucks: Standard Kingpin and Reverse Kingpin (for longboards).
Standard Kingpins are versatile and can be used on most skateboards.
You can also adjust standard Kingpins depending on the tricks you want to do.
Reverse Kingpins are taller and wider, making them ideal for racing, downhill cruising, and carving.
Skateboard trucks cost anywhere from $50 to $120 for the set of two.
As with decks and wheels, truck prices vary based on brand, weight, and profile.
Most skaters want lightweight trucks so that their board will be lighter, allowing for more tricks and airtime.
However, beginners can stand to have a bit more weight before they’re ready to move to lighter trucks.
Lighter trucks are more expensive than heavier ones.
Some light trucks are even hollow and not made of solid metal, but these trucks cost much more and are only really needed by serious or professional skateboarders.
How Much Are The Other Parts?
In addition to the wheels, you’ll need to purchase bearings, which are the things that go inside the wheel to make them spin.
Bearings range anywhere from $10 – $70.
Bearings come in a variety of materials, such as ceramic and steel, which influence how well the bearings rotate against each other.
More expensive bearings will rotate easier and faster, leading to a smoother ride.
Grip Tape is another important component to building your skateboard.
It’s inexpensive, coming in at around $5 – $15 for a good roll.
Different brands make different qualities, so when shopping for grip tape, look for coarseness level, durability, and strength.
You don’t want tape that is slick, thin, flimsy or that peels easily.
You’ll also want grip tape that is water resistant, so it’ll last longer in the elements.
Depending on your type of board, you’ll want different course levels.
For example, if you’ll be longboarding, you’ll want a more course grip for a better ride, while if you’ll be skating at skate parks, you’ll probably want a less course grip, so you can do tricks easier and smoother.
Grip tape comes in a variety of colors and graphics too, making it, not only functional but decorative.
Black is traditional, but you can also get clear tape and other colors.
Good grip tape brands to look for include Mob Grip, Jessup, Spitfire, and Globe.
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you have all the hardware to complete the construction of your skateboard.
Individual parts may not include hardware when purchasing, so check on this before starting to assemble.
You’ll need nuts and bolts and probably a wrench if you do not already have one.
The hardware usually averages $2- $10 depending on what you already have.
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