Skateboard Trucks are the metal pieces connected to the skateboard that control your turning.
- Trucks also incorperate two bushings, which are the mechanism by which a truck turns. Hard bushing are normally used if you like your trucks tight. Softer bushing are normally used if you like your trucks loose. Almost every pro truck is made out of some sort of aluminum. 99% of all street trucks made have axles measuring in at 7.62" (which in the industry are either called 5.0's or 129mm) This size is perfect for most street decks 7.5 through 8.0. This is the standard size for a Skateboard Truck.
- For Old School Decks and Longboards, try to stay between 8.5 and 9.25" wide. The wider the truck, the more stable the truck. However, the wider the truck, the slower it turns. All of our longboard trucks and old school trucks are 8.75" and pretty much in the sweet spot in length for this use.
Bottom Line: Rest assured, all of the trucks we use on our Skateboard Completes or just the Skateboard Trucks that we sell seperately are made from 7005 aluminum. Before you buy, make sure the trucks you buy are made out of a high grade aluminum and a high grade axle and king pin.
Riser Pads are pieces of plastic that fit between the skateboard trucks and deck. Risers are mainly used in less expensive skateboard complete packages you see in Kmart and or Walmart. Back in the 1980's when I first started skating, they were used because most people rode with large wheels and the trucks at that time only came in one height size. Wow, have things changed.
- First of all, you can buy trucks in different heights.
- Secondly, practically all professional street skaters do not use riser pads. Why? Read below.
- Third, they serve no purpose. They make your trucks higher from the deck when you actually want your trucks closer to the deck. It's called having a lower center of gravity and it makes flip tricks much much easier. That's one of the reasons wheels are small. Do you think Rodney Mullen rides riser pads? NO WAY.
- Another misconception is that riser pads provide shock absorption. Not True. You do not want shock absorption underneath your truck; that's a fact. The only way riser pads will give you shock absorption, is if your riser pads are soft. And, if that were the case, everytime you turn you would feel your truck move; bad news, not safe.
Bottom Line: Unless you ride a longboard or an 80's old school deck, stay away from riser pads. They do nothing for you except make flip tricks harder and your skateboard heavy. Take them off your skateboard and you will see it is much easier to flip your deck. If you see any street skatebaord complete with risers, play it safe and stay away. Chances are, it's a cheapy. We do not use risers on our street completes, "link" but they are and should be used on most longboards and old school decks.
Installation:
1. Place your deck grip side down (Top Side) on your work area. Find the mounting holes and punch holes through the grip tape with one of the bolts from your mounting hardware. Once holes have been punched through your grip tape, flip your deck over and push your mounting hardware through the holes.
2. Slide your trucks on to your mounting hardware; be sure the bushing are facing each other. Install all the truck mounting nuts on to all the truck-mounting bolts and finger tighten them. Finally, tighten the truck mounting hardware.
Links -
All Skateboards
Skateboard Completes
Skateboard Decks
Pop-Lite Decks
Skateboard Trucks And Wheels
Grip Tape, Bearings Etc.
Shoes, Clothes Etc.
Longboards And Parts |
) 
