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Tips to Customize Your Own Skateboard for a Unique Ride

Posted on by Jasper Thorn

Have you ever wondered how to customize your own skateboard? Skateboarding is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle and a form of self-expression. One of the best ways to showcase your individuality is by customizing your own skateboard. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater, personalizing your board can enhance your riding experience and reflect your unique style. Here are some tips and a step-by-step guide to help you customize your own skateboard.

Why Customize Your Own Skateboard?

Customizing your skateboard allows you to create a unique ride that reflects your personal style and preferences. It’s not just about aesthetics—customization can enhance your performance by tailoring your board to your specific needs, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skater. With a customized skateboard, you can adjust aspects like the deck size, truck tightness, and wheel hardness to suit your skating style, whether it’s street, park, or cruising.

customize your own skateboard with street art

Benefits of Skateboard Customization

  1. Personal Expression: Show off your unique style with custom graphics, colors, and designs.
  2. Improved Performance: Tailor your skateboard’s components to your specific skating needs for better control, speed, and comfort.
  3. Enhanced Durability: By choosing higher quality or more suitable parts, you can extend the lifespan of your skateboard.
  4. Comfort: Customizing your deck’s shape, size, and grip tape can provide a more comfortable ride, reducing foot fatigue.

Guidance to Customize Your Skateboard

  1. Choose Your Deck: Select a custom skateboard deck that fits your style, whether it’s street, park, or cruising. Consider the width, length, and concave shape that suit your needs.
  2. Pick Your Trucks: Match the width of your trucks to your deck. Decide on the height (low, mid, or high) based on your skating style. Adjust the tightness for your preferred turning radius.
  3. Select Your Wheels: Choose wheel size and hardness based on where you’ll be skating. Softer wheels are better for cruising and rough surfaces, while harder wheels are ideal for smooth, hard surfaces like skate parks.
  4. Upgrade Your Bearings: Invest in high-quality bearings for a smoother and faster ride. Look for ABEC ratings or branded options known for their performance.
  5. Apply Grip Tape: Customize your grip tape with colors or designs. Apply it smoothly to avoid air bubbles, and trim the edges for a clean fit.
  6. Assemble Your Board: Put everything together, starting with attaching the trucks to the deck using the hardware. Ensure all bolts are tightly secured.
  7. Fine-Tune Your Setup: Adjust the trucks’ tightness and test the board to ensure it feels right for your riding style. Make any necessary tweaks to achieve the perfect ride.
  8. Personalize Your Look: Add stickers, paint, or other decorations to make your skateboard truly yours.

Visit wipiskate to get your very own incredible custom skateboard deck.

How to Customize Your Skateboard Components

Customizing your skateboard components involves choosing the right parts and making adjustments to suit your riding style. Here’s a guide to help you through the process:

  1. Deck: Select a deck that fits your style of skating (street, park, cruising). Consider the size (width and length), shape (concave and kicktail), and material. You can also add custom graphics or paint your own skateboard design.
  2. Trucks: Choose trucks that match the width of your deck. You can adjust the tightness of the trucks to control how easily your board turns. Experiment with different bushings (the rubbery rings inside the trucks) to find the right balance between stability and maneuverability.
  3. Wheels: Decide on the size and hardness of your wheels based on your skating environment. Larger, softer wheels are great for cruising and rough surfaces, while smaller, harder wheels are better for technical tricks and smooth skate parks.
  4. Bearings: Upgrade your bearings for a smoother and faster ride. Look for high-quality bearings with a good ABEC rating or branded options known for their durability and speed.
  5. Grip Tape: Apply custom grip tape to your deck. You can choose from various colors, patterns, or even cut your own designs into the grip tape for a unique look.
  6. Hardware: Customize your hardware (the nuts and bolts) with different colors or lengths to match your aesthetic or specific needs.

leaf pattern on custom skateboard deck

What are the First Steps in Customizing Your Skateboard?

  • Choosing the Deck: Select a deck that suits your style of skating. Consider the width, length, and shape. For street skating, a narrower deck (7.5″-8.25″) is common, while wider decks (8.25″ and up) are preferred for cruising or vert skating.
  • Selecting the Trucks: Trucks should match the width of your deck. Choose between different heights (low, medium, high) based on your skating style. Low trucks are better for flip tricks, while high trucks are ideal for carving and cruising.
  • Picking the Wheels: Wheel size and hardness (durometer) are crucial. Smaller wheels (50-54mm) are suitable for street skating, while larger wheels (55mm and up) are better for transition skating. Softer wheels (78a-87a) are great for cruising, whereas harder wheels (95a-101a) are better for tricks and smooth surfaces.
  • Choosing the Bearings: Bearings come in different ABEC ratings. Higher ratings (ABEC 7-9) generally mean a smoother and faster ride. Some brands specialize in skateboard bearings that are built for durability and performance.
  • Grip Tape: Apply grip tape to the top of your deck for better traction. Cut it to fit your deck and ensure it’s applied smoothly to avoid air bubbles.
  • Hardware: Select the right hardware (bolts and nuts) to secure your trucks to the deck. Ensure the length matches your deck and truck setup.
  • Personal Touches: Add stickers, paint, or custom artwork to your deck to make it uniquely yours.

How Does Customization Enhance Your Skating Experience?

  • Improved Performance: Customizing your skateboard allows you to choose components that match your specific style of skating. Whether you prefer street, vert, or cruising, selecting the right parts enhances your performance.
  • Comfort and Control: Tailoring your skateboard to your preferences can increase comfort and control. For example, choosing the right deck width and grip tape can improve your stability and maneuverability.
  • Durability and Reliability: High-quality components can withstand the wear and tear of skating better than standard ones. Custom parts like trucks and bearings can last longer and perform more reliably.
  • Personal Expression: Customizing your skateboard is a way to express your personality and style. Whether through deck graphics, stickers, or wheel colors, your board becomes a reflection of you.
  • Enhanced Motivation: Riding a skateboard that you’ve customized can increase your motivation to skate more often. The satisfaction of riding something you’ve built to your specifications can boost your enthusiasm and enjoyment.
  • Adaptability: As your skills and preferences evolve, you can continue to customize your skateboard. This adaptability ensures that your board always meets your current needs and helps you progress in your skating journey.

Conclusion

Customize your own skateboard to make it truly yours. By picking the right deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, and grip tape, you can create a board that matches your style and improves your ride. Whether you want better performance, more comfort, or just a unique look, these tips will help you get there. Enjoy the process, have fun with the details, and make a skateboard that’s as unique as you are.

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