Parts of the skateboard: skateboard deck Skateboard Deck The skateboard deck is divided into nose and tail. The wheelbase is determined by the distance between the back and front wheels. The nose is always in the front and usually bigger. All accessories are usually mutually compatible; this means that each and every deck may be assembled on any axle and each wheel may be assembled on any axle. But don't forget: the individual combinations should also make sense! Most decks are made of Canadian mountain maple, since this wood is indeed heavier, however more stable due to its slow growth. The wood is laminated in seven layers. The order looks like this: 2 x longways, 1 x across, 1 x longways in the middle, 1 x across and 2 x longways. The reason for this complicated layering: so that the heavy strain is placed longways instead of across the deck; the cross layers provide additional stability. Not just the quality but also the thickness of the deck varies according to manufacturer. The prices also varies accordingly. Thin decks are lighter, however break faster. Thick lamination lasts longer and as such is recommended. But beware: any deck can break if used improperly! The most common manufacturing error is defective gluing of the laminated layers. This is easy to recognize when two layers have come apart quite smoothly, without one of the layers leaving splinters on the other (in most case this is guaranteed or warranted). Errors in the material are rather infrequent, an example being a knot in the wood, also a guarantee or warranty case. The seepage of water into the laminate can be recognized by the porosity of the wood and its subsequent breakage (however not usually warranted or guaranteed). Some decks have an additional thin synthetic layer uunderneath(slick decks), which allow for better sliding and make the design longer-lasting. These decks are a bit heavier and do not flex so well, however are more resistant. They are usually about 10 Euros more than normal wood decks. The size of decks is measured in inches (1 inch = 1 unit of measure = 2.54 cm). As a rule of thumb two factors are important for deciding on the size of the deck: 1. The size of the skateboarders body and feet 2. How the board is going to be used. The rule applies here: if you do a lot of tricky stunts and turn the board often, in other words flip tricks, then you need a shorter and thinner board. For bigger people and for halfpipe riding you need a longer and wider board. The following are some guidelines: For the width: 7 3/8 - 8 inches = a thin board 8 - 8 3/8 inches = a medium board 8 ½ inches = a big board For the length: 29 2/8 - 30 4/8 inches = a mini (for smaller skaters and lots of flips) 30 6/8 - 32 1/8 inches = midsize board 32 2/8 - 36 inches = a long board + 36 inches = an even longer board Last update:  05-23-2008 Submitted by Ramprage

+  Gripping Your Skateboard
+  Cleaning Your Skateboard Bearings
+  Parts of the skateboard: skateboard...
+  Parts of the skateboard: skateboard...
+  Parts of the skateboard: skateboard...
+  Parts of the skateboard: skateboard...

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