PDA

View Full Version : Beginner questions


AdioBird52
05-21-2006, 05:55 AM
Many beginners have asked things like "Which side is the tail." Well, I hope that this will cut down on the threads like this by answering these questions.

Before you read this, go on and check http://www.ramprage.com/beginner/skateboard_beginners (this out.

Q: What is the ABEC rating?
A: Primarily, bearings have the rating 1, 3, 5, or 7. Sometimes, there is ABEC 9, but they are rarer. Usually, the hgher the ABEC rating, the faster the bearing will roll, not to mention the more the bearing will cost. Some bearings don't have an ABEC rating.

Which stance is right for me?
1) Kick a ball. Which ever foot you used to kick it, will most likely be your back foot, on the tail.
2) Walk up stairs. Which ever foot you took your first step with, will probably be you back foot, on the tail.
This is not always true, however. It is personal preference. Just see which feels better by trying them both out.

How do I get better, like my fav skater?
Practice. Practice. Practice. You also need dedication. Most Pro skaters skate 2+ hours everyday. Try your best not to take a day off, and keep skating!

Which brand is right for a beginner?
Deck: Get a blank if you are just starting for sure.
Wheels: Blanks.
Bearings: Cheap bearings, like bones reds.
Trucks: If you plan on grinding, get Krux, if not, buy some Ventures.
Grip: Jessup.

How do I push?
Regular: Push with right foot.
Goofy: Push with left foot.
Mongo Regular: Push with front (left) foot.
Mongo Goofy: Push with front (right) foot.
Do your best to stay away from mongo.

Do I stand goofy or regular?
For goofy, your right foot is in the front.
Regular is when your left foot is in the front.

Why do I get razortail so quickly?
You are probably dragging your tail to stop. DO NOT DO THIS. Learn to...
a) Powerslide.
b) Jump off your board.
c) Drag your foot.

What are riser pads?
They are pads that go in between the deck and the trucks. They are not needed, and many skaters do not use them. They are often used for vert.

What are the best brands?
Decks: 'Nuff said (http://www.ramprage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11703)
Wheels: Any. Rictas are the best, but cost more.
Trucks: Independent, Krux, Thunder, Venture.
Bearings: RocknRons, (http://www.californiabearing.com/skate.htm) Bones.
Grip: Jessup.

Which end is the tail?
In most cases, the tail is the smaller end. Recently, Element has made some decks that are both the same called Siamese decks. On these decks, both the nose and the tail are the same size.

Info on the deck, trucks, ect.

DECK: While choosing the deck for you, consider this stuff....
1. Concave is how the board curves. According to Webster's, Concave means curving inward. When buying a board, step on it first to see whether you olike the concave. I perfer Medium concave, but others perfer different concave.

2. The width of a board is important, and each skater perfers a different width of their deck. 7.5-7.75in is usually a street board. Anything bigger is basically for vert. Step onthe board before you buy it, and find what you like the best. I like 7.5.

Trucks: Size guide- 7.5" truck axle - 7.5" to 7.75" wide board
7.75'" truck axle - 7.75" to 8" wide board
8" truck axle - 8" to 8.25" wide board

This should also help when choosing the truck for your board-
3.0 axle - 7.1" board
3.5 axle - 7.75" board
4.5 axle - 7.25" board
4.75 axle - 7.5" board
5.0 axle - 7.75" board
5.25 axle - 8.0" board


Wheels:
Size chart-
52mm and lower is street
53-54mm is average size.
55mm and up is for vert.

The hardness is also something to look at. It is very important to find the hardness you like. 85a to 91a is for cruising. 92a to 95a is for rough surfaces. 96a to 100a is basically the choice on ramprage.

Bearings: See above^^^.


SB714's Contribution:

I learn how to ollie, now what?
first, do you really KNOW how to ollie. It doesnt mean "wow i can get one wheel off the ground" it means having control over them, being able to do them at decent speed, and lets say being able to ollie at least a curb

okay yes, but you didnt answer my question..
If you got all that, then move on to basics. Pop shoveits, 180s, nollies, etc. Go here (http://www.ramprage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8647). And always practice ollies, you dont want to loose them. Dont stress about learning these tricks, it takes time, if you cant get them, practice some other stuff, old school tricks whatever. You can find a bunch of fun stuff here (http://www.bobstricktips.com/). And dont move onto kickflips until your confortable with everything else.

I cant land a trick, should i quit?
You probably should if your going to be thinking that way. Skateboarding isnt about learning tricks and impressing people, its about having fun, tricks are just a byproduct. If you really love the sport, you will have fun even on the worst days. If you cant land a trick, find a huge hill and bomb it. Or practice your ollies.

I push Regular, but i ollie Goofy. What should i do?
I suggest you start pushing goofy while your still starting out or it wil haunt you for the rest of your skating career or wtv you want to call it.
But it feels unconfortable?
Youll get over it, imagine how unconfortable it will be once you have to push to get enough speed to ollie a stair set, and then having to do a 180 before hitting it to get to your other stance

Am i a ***** because i cant do tricks?
NO, and whoever calls you one it a retard. Dont listen to them, dont feel pressure to learn tricks, do everything at your own pace. And please never use the word yourself

How do i get sponsored?
Well if your reading this list, then you probably wont get sponsord any time soon. But its not something you should be worrying about at all. If you do get sponsored, it will usually just happen by itself, but your ultimate goal shouldnt be getting sponsored

Ive always said that blank decks are the best... but people even have to make that complicated and ask. Which blank deck should i get? So heres a guide straight from the site. You lazy bastards

Canadian Blank
Made in Canada from the finest and hardest maple in the world. Made from the same wood by the same factory that supplies a lot of major U.S. skate companies, these 7 ply decks have a medium concave that's just right for street and park skating, plus a specially concaved nose and tail for great pop, and ground tricks. Its light, and you'll love it.

(whatever)concave
These are all made the same, exept for the concave, wether its monster, or mellow or medium, they will all be made of: 100% 7-ply Canadian Maple, made in America. And the name should explain the rest

AdioBird's Experience:


Super concave: Good, solid, deck. Very steep concave, so you have to adjust, but it is pretty easy to do.
Pop: Nice. It lasts forever, and could give you some hops!

Shape: Pretty sweet. No extremely big nose shit goin' on. Just right and average.

Durabilty: This is where the deck goes wrong. It is pretty easy to snap, as my friend did by jumping on it, he only weighs 110. Don't get mad, and you'll be okay.
House special
Don't have a favorite deck? Try this one, and it will probably be it. Top quality blanks made from the best Canadian Maple. 7 ply, regular concave, pro decks equal to any graphic deck in shape and quality. You may never buy a different deck again! This deck has proven over and over again to be a favorite of skaters who rely on a sturdy deck with an awesome shape to skate their best, but don't want to pay a lot for graphics.

sturdy mold
Superior concave mold with medium contour that's been tested and perfected, and ridden by pro after pro. One of the most popular shapes for those who don't want a super steep concave but still want the stiff rigid feel of a deck that's got plenty of pop and easy to control. The contour lines of this deck make it one of the most sturdy and strongest decks out there.

Control Concave
This concave mold was designed with a smooth medium contour shape that has a steady reliable feel to help keep your skating precise. This mold has a superior lateral concave that makes the deck more durable, keeps its pop longer, and allows you to keep skating your best.

California blank
100% 7-ply Canadian Maple with a nice medium concave shape and slightly more concave in the nose and tail for a little extra pop. A very strong board that holds shape for a long time. Also the cheapest i might add. These are the best decks, Most boards made in north america are made of Canadian wood. The reason being is that the maple is much stronger then american maple, i dont know why this is but it is true.

Traditional Mold
Medium concave shape that you've grown to love. Nothing fancy about this deck, just 7 ply of pure hard rock Canadian maple pressed with super stiff laminate glue, so no annoying delams, and a more rigid responsive feel. Deck of choice for pros that know the importance of a solid deck that's easy to control and pops like crazy.

Notes:
Be cool. Skating is tough and it can be frusturating. NEVER try to break your board. My friend learned that the hard way. All breaking your board accomplishes is spending $50 on a new deck.

Most things in skating are all preference. Find what is best for you by trying it all out!

Get your ollie down first. The ollie is the basis for most tricks nowadays.

lost_and_found
05-21-2006, 09:46 AM
Nice one you've covered everything I guess :)

gmgsci
05-21-2006, 04:04 PM
I say we combine my safety thread, this thread, and skateblanks thread into the motherload-n00b-thread.

AdioBird52
05-21-2006, 04:44 PM
I say we combine my safety thread, this thread, and skateblanks thread into the motherload-n00b-thread.

Good Idea. Make it more general.

skateblank714
05-21-2006, 05:08 PM
i definitly think this is a good idea... so ill contribute to help it get stickied

smurf88
05-21-2006, 05:25 PM
You should probably type people's experiences with blankdecks boards instead of copying and pasting from the site.

Rappin Rabbi
05-21-2006, 05:29 PM
this deserves a sticky mods

skateblank714
05-21-2006, 05:29 PM
You should probably type people's experiences with blankdecks boards instead of copying and pasting from the site.
why dont you do that then.. instead of complaining about what other people write, contribute yourself

AdioBird52
05-21-2006, 07:58 PM
I can say one about one blank....

ADDED

Whitney
05-21-2006, 08:24 PM
Nice Job. This deserves a sticky.

Bakerbum211
05-21-2006, 09:47 PM
needs to be stickied

AdioBird52
05-22-2006, 01:41 AM
Thanks, I worked forever on this.

DarkRider13
05-22-2006, 03:35 AM
I think my friend said something about get someone to give you a small shove and whichever foot you support yourself with is your back foot or sumtin.

CUTE_SK8ER
05-22-2006, 03:37 AM
that is alot to write!!!!!! O_O

TrAnCe
05-22-2006, 05:45 AM
someone should definately sticky this mother

AdioBird52
05-22-2006, 11:59 PM
I think my friend said something about get someone to give you a small shove and whichever foot you support yourself with is your back foot or sumtin.

Yeah, I heard that too. It is only nessacery to try one of them though.

AdioBird52
05-24-2006, 12:07 AM
Won't let me edit, but adding a link.

http://www.ramprage.com/beginner/skateboard_beginners
ADDED

idk123
05-24-2006, 01:37 AM
Sticky this!

StevoElSupremo
05-24-2006, 04:16 AM
ya this should keep the noobies at bay for a little while, until you get the "whats the round rubbery wheelish looking thing do"

AdioBird52
05-24-2006, 10:32 PM
THAT would be one sad day.

Next, there will be questions like:
Do I stand on the graphic?

AdioBird52
06-04-2006, 03:30 AM
Adding some things that I saw a few threads about....

ADDED, SEESH!

hayward420
06-15-2006, 11:09 AM
hey dude thax for all that you helped my lil bro out hes a noob an damn he knows how too wine when he cant do things !! :-7:

360degrees
06-15-2006, 08:17 PM
Stickied, if existing Mods don't agree then don't flame me, I just believe it's a decent thread.

jack_morris
06-15-2006, 09:53 PM
good work, should cut down on allot of frequently asked questions now

AdioBird52
06-16-2006, 02:17 AM
I sure hope so. Thats what it was for.

AdioBird52
06-16-2006, 04:20 PM
ABEC is NOT a speed rating.Just trying to clear things up.Abec is some rating for machines that spins at 100mph and faster.If you are EVER buying any bearing,don't buy is because of the ABEC rating.And ALWAYS look for bearing with a plastic
retainer/cage.Its always FASTER than a bearing with a metal/steel/brass/bronze retainer/cage


No, its not ALWAYS faster, but I have never seen an Abec 3 bearing roll faster than an Abec 7.

enjoi_the_baker
06-16-2006, 04:54 PM
very nice work, looks like it took a long time too, but im sure it will be very helpful to many people

nuthead
06-16-2006, 06:12 PM
No, its not ALWAYS faster, but I have never seen an Abec 3 bearing roll faster than an Abec 7.


NOW YOU CAN READ FOR YOURSELF ABOUT THE ABEC FRAUD
(sorry for the caps)

http://www.minibearings.com.au/hobby/skate.html

14.Some friends have bought ABEC 9 bearings and they tell me that it definitely increases speed. Why do they believe this?
We are not psychologists but we can think of 3 reasons immediately. Firstly, if you had just paid several hundred dollars for a set of bearings, you too would "believe" that they were better than what you had bought previously for around $30.00 to $40.00. Secondly, and somewhat similarly, if you really believe that something will make you faster, it probably will (it's all in the mind). Thirdly, how do you seriously compare the speed at which your new ABEC 9 bearings allow you to travel against the speed that your old ABEC 1 bearings allowed you to travel several months ago when they were also new ? More likely you would be comparing against the speed at which the old ABEC 1 bearings allowed you to travel after they had worn considerably. Try this in reverse. Take out the old ABEC 9 bearings after several months and replace them with new ABEC 1 bearings and you will get a similar increase in speed.

AdioBird52
06-17-2006, 02:46 AM
5. What is the purpose of higher precision bearings?
Higher precision bearings are designed to allow high precision machinery to operate smoother and sometimes at higher speeds than a standard bearing would allow.

Sometimes roll smoother and faster.

Dookie416
06-17-2006, 03:05 AM
Which brand is right for a beginner?
Deck: Get a blank if you are just starting for sure.
Wheels: Blanks.
Bearings: Cheap bearings, like bones reds.
Trucks: If you plan on grinding, get Krux, if not, buy some Ventures.
Grip: Jessup.

all of that is personal preference. black decks arent made for beginners, you can get whatever wheels you want, i agree on the bearings, beginner or not, certain trucks arent made for grinding, and black magic is better than jessup, which happens to me my personal preference.

AdioBird52
06-17-2006, 03:18 AM
Blank decks offer a cheap way to start out, and you can find many different shapes. They aren't FOR beginners, but they are good for them.

All trucks are made for grinding, but some wear down slower/faster than others.

And I just hate Black Magic. Its grippy and all, but it comes off of the board to easily. I have friends who love it though.

nuthead
06-17-2006, 06:40 AM
5. What is the purpose of higher precision bearings?
Higher precision bearings are designed to allow high precision machinery to operate smoother and sometimes at higher speeds than a standard bearing would allow.Sometimes roll smoother and faster.


Well seems to me like a skateboard bangingin around isn't HIGH PRECISION MACHINERY.Just trying to help some people out.not trying to start a fight OK?!

AdioBird52
06-17-2006, 04:44 PM
Neither am I.

But wouldn't the same principal apply?

AdioBird52
06-18-2006, 07:23 PM
oh, ok. I get it now. I can't edit the post, though.

nuthead
06-19-2006, 01:33 AM
So let them read it the way it is.

Dookie416
06-19-2006, 02:00 AM
i feel honored to be in your signature, almighty nuthead.

mcwattersm
06-19-2006, 02:48 AM
I cleaned it up a bit, but, there wasn't enough space for more. Anyways, niice work.

AdioBird52
06-19-2006, 03:26 AM
Thanks, mcwattersm. It looks a hell of a lot better now.

R.O.W.Y.C.O.
06-30-2006, 01:56 AM
So, I've been skating for a while and I'm having trouble with kickflips. I can get the board high enough in the air, make it spin, but then usually only land one foot on it. Even when I pull my legs up high enough, my front foot still always lands on the ground before my board.

AdioBird52
06-30-2006, 02:49 AM
Kickflips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_f3de1tz5I
Considered to be the hardest basic flip trick to learn. It does take time. The one I did in the video was pretty horrible; and ed's video is probably a better example, but I thought I'd stick it up anyway.
Set up like you would for an ollie, but have your front foot at a 45 degree angle. I have mine more towards the middle, too, because it gives me more control. Then, as you pop, begin to drag your front foot up, and flick it off the heelside. And I mean flick as in, kick. Also, kick out , not down . We don't want mob kickflips; they're ugly. Then, tuck your legs up. Once you see the bolts again, stomp your feet down and roll away.



If that doesn't help, post again.

Ase35
08-08-2006, 07:09 AM
hey ppl
lil new to skating an dit seems rly hard 2 turn wat tools can i use to loosin the nuts 2 make it turn better?

gmgsci
08-08-2006, 04:45 PM
^^^Let them hang. ;)

drummersince8
08-14-2006, 01:54 AM
ive been skatin for about a month now and i can ollie a deck is that any good (and i dont mean on the wheels really ollie a deck on its side!)

AdioBird52
08-19-2006, 11:54 PM
Don't worry about it man.

etniessk8r13
09-29-2006, 11:45 PM
Does anyone here know how to do a 360?

flipper
10-23-2006, 03:11 PM
good writeup

rodneymullen123
10-24-2006, 03:02 PM
hi i need help ollieing because its gotta be the most important trick coz everything is based around it

ive been told to step down on the back and slide my front foot up. next level it out in the air...

any ideas

setup

deck:hudson
wheels:karnage
grip tape:-
Bearings:karnage
shoes:converse (black)

AdioBird52
11-23-2006, 02:38 AM
Sorry, man, I'm a bit late.

first of all, ditch the converses. They're basketball shoes.
And, read the TRICK HELP STICKIES first.

rodneymullen55
12-02-2006, 06:16 AM
my set up

deck:almost/mullen
trucks:thunders
bearings:bone reds
wheels:darkstar
grip:regular

rodneymullen123
01-05-2007, 01:01 PM
i dont wanna sound like an idiot here but what does sticky this thread actually mean cuz i dont know

rodneymullen123
01-05-2007, 01:15 PM
hey everybody in this thread search for The Skate Comp thread created by rodneymullen123 and sign up for the competition. first come first serve.

Socialbutterfly
01-19-2007, 10:00 PM
I say we combine my safety thread, this thread, and skateblanks thread into the motherload-n00b-thread.

lmao thats a gd idea

Ebone
03-07-2007, 04:58 PM
Good work,helps alot.

Spike
03-15-2007, 12:08 AM
Thnx man this helps a lot.

SkatingTillDead
04-22-2007, 01:59 PM
Good work , bro .

sk83rb0y
06-01-2007, 10:36 PM
I hav a good idea. How about instead of telling beginners what to buy, you tell the what they should NEVER buy. For example, a person should never buy Element stuff. They all suck. They should just stick to one industry this way, they can make their products as best as possible. Instead, they are trying to work on shoes, clothes, bearings, trucks, decks, hardware, wax, and even more stuff. That's pretty much the reason that their products are so bad. They are multi tasking! Another example would be Blind and World industries. Both of them are really really bad. They lose pop really fast (not that they even had much in the first place) and get razor tail quickly too. Now Shorty's is a really good brand. However, their griptape isn't so great. It can peel off the board really easily and it loses grip fast. It even destroys your shoes much faster than normal griptape. Now when it comes to shoes, never get etnies callicuts or cinchs. They suck. They absorb no shock so it hurts a lot when jumping off stuff with them.
And when it's raining out or you can't go outside, don't get discouraged or upset. Instead, get yourself stoked about skating again. This is really simple. Just watch skate videos, read skate magazines, or just go on Ramprage. However, NEVER go outside and skate while it's raining. Your board will get water-logged. That makes the board very heavy and lose its pop. It can also cause the griptape to peel. And if your outside in the rain for a while, your trucks and bearing can rust. Trust me, not the best feeling when your bombing a hill and suddenly your wheels lock up. So just keep skating, have fun, and don't worry if you can't land a trick. Either move on to another trick or just keep practicing it! NEVER quit skating because you can't land a trick!


I hope this helps.

mcwattersm
06-01-2007, 11:38 PM
I think that is horrible advice seeing as it is all personal preference.

Nor do I think we should TELL people what they can and cannot skate.

sk83rb0y
06-01-2007, 11:45 PM
I think that is horrible advice seeing as it is all personal preference.

Nor do I think we should TELL people what they can and cannot skate.

True, true. However, i was not basing what I said on personal preference. I based it on past experience. I just hate seeing people spend a ton of money on pieces of junk that's all.

ropadope14
06-27-2007, 01:35 AM
i got the followin'

deck:element mike v
bearins':swiss pigs abec 9
wheels:autobahn 55s
trucks:independent/silver:-2:

iskateboardwell
07-12-2007, 06:20 AM
I just read the part about what board size is best for street skating. If mine is 8", will it really make that much of a difference? I've read a lot of "skate what you like," but I'm wondering if the smaller size makes it easier to do tricks or something.

SKATEORDI3
09-13-2007, 07:10 PM
Wow Thanks For The Great Post. Help'd Out Alot.

domo dom dommo
02-28-2008, 11:32 AM
Hey these were really help full, I skated for 1 month when I was 10 and broke my ankle but its been 3 years, ive since surfed and I am really good at that but since winter is arriving and the sand at da reef will be washed away I gota take up skating again, Can you tell me if my setup is good for street, I love grinding and I grind on my venture trucks but I slow down faster than my friends so any advice for that thanks :-3:

sk8vogell
03-05-2008, 04:56 PM
I just read the part about what board size is best for street skating. If mine is 8", will it really make that much of a difference? I've read a lot of "skate what you like," but I'm wondering if the smaller size makes it easier to do tricks or something.

It depends, if you have larger feet like me a larger board is supposed to be easier to skate. Smaller boards are supposed to be easier to flip, while larger boards are more stable. All you can really do is try both and see which you like and stick with it.

Marduk777
04-08-2008, 03:26 AM
Great thread....lots of excellent info for beginners:)

Big Balzer
07-24-2008, 04:16 AM
what brand of decks should i get.Flip or almost

Ramp
Recently