Setting up your first skateboard — or upgrading from a department store board — is straightforward once you understand what each component does and what specs matter for how you want to ride. Most people overthink the deck graphics and underthink the setup spec. Here's what actually matters.

Complete vs Custom Build

A complete skateboard comes fully assembled — deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, hardware, grip tape. It's the fastest and easiest way to start skating and the right choice for most beginners. A good quality complete from Globe, Santa Cruz, Girl or Anti-Hero will ride well and hold up to actual skating.

A custom build means choosing each component separately. It gives you more control over how the board rides and is worth doing once you know your preferences — which truck brand you like, which wheel hardness suits your skating, which deck shapes you prefer.

For a first board: complete. For an upgrade or a rider with specific preferences: build it.

Deck Size

Deck width is the most important spec decision. Here's a practical guide:

7.5–7.75 inch: technical street skating, smaller shoe sizes (US 7–9), younger riders
7.75–8.0 inch: general street and park, most common adult size, suits shoe sizes US 8–10
8.0–8.25 inch: all-round street and park, larger shoe sizes (US 10+)
8.25–8.5 inch and wider: transition, bowls, vert, cruising — suits riders who prefer a more stable platform

Shoe size is a reliable starting point but riding style matters too. Street and technical skaters generally prefer narrower. Transition and bowl skaters generally prefer wider.

Deck length is largely determined by width — most 8.0 decks are in the 31.5–32 inch range. Wheelbase affects how snappy or stable the board feels, but for most riders this is secondary to width.

Trucks

Truck width should match your deck width. As a guide:

7.75–8.0 deck: 139mm Independent (or equivalent)
8.0–8.5 deck: 149mm Independent
8.5+ deck: 159mm Independent

Independent is the most widely ridden truck brand for a reason — consistent quality, strong axles, good geometry. Thunder rides slightly lighter with a different turn feel. Venture is a reliable mid-range option. Ace has a strong following in transition skating.

Tightness is personal preference. Tighter trucks are more stable, looser trucks turn more easily. Most beginners benefit from slightly tighter trucks while they're learning to balance.

Wheels

Two specs: diameter (size) and durometer (hardness).

For street and skate park skating: 52–54mm diameter, 99a–101a hardness. Hard wheels are faster on smooth surfaces, better for slides and manuals, more responsive.

For cruising and rougher surfaces: 54–60mm diameter, 78a–87a hardness. Softer wheels absorb vibration and roll over cracks and rough concrete without jarring.

If you're skating mainly at a skatepark or smooth spots: hard wheels. If you're skating street on rough Australian concrete or want to cruise around: softer.

Bearings

Bearings are standard size and fit any skateboard wheel. Bones Reds are the best value option — they outperform most cheap bearings and last well when kept clean. Bronson and Bones Swiss are the step up for riders who want the best. Bearing lube extends the life of any bearing significantly — worth having on the shelf.

Griptape

Jessup is the standard — consistent grit, reliable adhesion, holds up well. Most setups come with black grip. Clear and coloured grip is available if you want to show off your deck graphic. There's no meaningful performance difference between most quality grip brands.

Shop: Decks · Complete Skateboards · Trucks · Wheels · Bearings

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