John Pauls asked:

Your skateboard is going to last much longer if you take some time to perform routine maintenance. Many people don’t take the time for it though and then the quality of their performance goes downhill. If you use your skateboard on a regular basis then doing this type of maintenance becomes even more important. Unless you are able to afford to get a new skateboard as you need one then you should make this a part of your schedule for it. The process isn’t difficult and it doesn’t take very much time either.

The grip tape on the deck is one area that you want to pay attention to. Chances are this is the one item you will need to inspect and replace the most. It doesn’t cost very much and it doesn’t take long at all for you to be able to apply fresh grip tape to the deck. At the same time though you will find that you are able to get plenty of additional benefit out of it. When you use your skateboard daily you may not realize that the effectiveness of the grip tape isn’t as powerful as it used to be. Once you change it though you will notice a huge difference.

For safety reasons you should complete routine maintenance on your skateboard on a regular basis. You don’t want the trucks or the wheels to become loose. If that occurs you will likely notice a wobble and that you don’t have as much control while on the skateboard as you once did. Ignoring those early warning signs can result in a serous accident while on your skateboard though. Take some time to check that all of these pieces of the skateboard are tight. Then you won’t have to worry about it.

Your wheels may start to wear out after plenty of use as well. When this occurs you need to get new ones. You can buy what you need from a sporting goods store or online. The cost of new wheels for a skateboard is very affordable. You can also put them on yourself in very little time. This will make a huge difference in the overall operation of your skateboard too.

The bearings of your skateboard also need some routine maintenance from time to time. You can usually tell as they will slower than normal. If there is debris in them they may make a strange noise when you ride as well. Many people try to clean their bearings without removing them from the skateboard. Yet this really doesn’t offer them the level of maintenance that they really need.

Keep in mind that you want to use clean towels to wipe them off. There are also special products you can buy to lubricate them. Don’t just reach for anything in your garage as many products including WD-40 aren’t a good match for your skateboard bearings. Make sure you get rid of all the dirt and the debris before you lubricate them though. If you don’t what you didn’t remove will not be permanently stuck to the bearings.

If you really enjoy riding your skateboard then take care of it. A bit of your time to evaluate these things and to update them when necessary will help you get the most out of the experience. A skateboard that is well maintained will last you much longer no matter what the quality of it happens to be. Taking care of your equipment is a key part of the skateboarding sport. Make sure you give it the attention it deserves.

Kansieo.com

Anna String asked:

Skateboard bearings are an essential part when it comes to skateboards and to how they ride. The better the bearings the faster they travel and the smoother they are which makes it easier to ride which in turn makes it easier for the rider.

There are many different brands of skateboard bearings to choose from, all varying in price and quality: Bones, Flip, Lucky, Reflex, Independent, Shortys, and World Industries. Bones and Swiss Bones are considered to be the best bearings you can get for your skateboard and many of the professionals use these which is mirrored in the price for them of up to £75. If you are a beginner you are better off getting a lower end priced set of bearings for under £10. Your bearings can be become damaged if you do not look after them properly and from the way you ride the skateboard and so for beginners it is better if you use ‘beginners’ bearings to accommodate your learning to skateboard and your wallet.

What are Skateboard Bearings Made Out Of?

Skateboard bearings are usually made from a few different materials. Stainless steel and chromium steel are usually the main metals the bearings are made out of, the retainer maybe nylon or stainless steel, and the ball steel or ceramic steel. Depending on your requirements skateboard bearings can be made out of rubber, metal or Teflon. All bearings have the option of coming sealed with metal protection shields or open. People buy sealed bearings because dust and dirt can get inside the bearing and cause them to not run properly and then lead to failure. The protective coating prolongs the life of the bearing and how well it rides. 

Thrust Bearings for your Skateboard – The New Age Skateboard

Carver, a famous brand of skateboards, have developed a skateboard that has the smoothest ride ever and can handle hard hitting drops that most skateboards can’t. It was actually found by mistake but they have designed a new skateboard that doesn’t use the standard ball bearing but thrust bearings. What does this mean? It means that usually when you hard hit a surface after a jump your skateboard gives way and doesn’t follow you once you have hit the surface which means you hit the floor. Thrust bearings means they can handle these hard hitting drops and go with you so you can carry on skating. Carver has been testing this skateboard for months now and the general public are eagerly awaiting its release.

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