Ever feel like you’re staring at a wall of metal and wondering, “Which skateboard trucks are right for me?” You’re not alone! Picking your first set of trucks can feel like a puzzle with too many pieces. You want to roll smoothly, pop ollies, and feel confident on your board, but the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get confused by all the different sizes, brands, and features.
But don’t let that stop you from shredding! Understanding your trucks is a big step toward becoming a better skater. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about skateboard trucks for beginners. We’ll make it simple and easy to understand, so you can stop worrying and start riding.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to choose the perfect trucks that will help you land your first tricks and enjoy every minute on your skateboard. Get ready to upgrade your ride and boost your confidence!
Top Skateboard Trucks For Beginners Recommendations
- Skateboard Trucks and wheels Set for 7.75-8.25" decks. This starter set includes 2 skateboard trucks 139mm standard, 4 skateboard wheels 52mm, High precision ABEC-9 Skateboard bearings, Practical T-tool, 2 riser pads 2mm, and standard skateboard hardware. Build a entry-level skateboard with this set
- Durable Standard Skateboard Trucks. Made of Aluminum, durable trucks for cruising or tricks. 5inch hanger, 7.6 inch axle, with 90A hard bushing and 6 base plate holes, fits well in standard double kick concave decks
- High Precision ABEC-9 Bearings. These skateboard bearings keep rolling smooth and fast. Good alternative to expensive bearings
- All-purpose Skateboard Wheels 52mm. 99A high rebound wheels, suitable for skills or cruising around the street
- Universal Skateboard Tool. The T tool can be used to adjust kingpin, wheels, base plate bolts and trucks. A must have tool for skaters
- 【Exquisite workmanship】This skateboard hardware adopts aluminum alloy casting and die-casting process, medium carbon steel hardening treatment, and metal baking paint, which enables the scooter to withstand greater weight and pressure.
- 【Suitable for Skateboarders】This scooter and wheelset has a hardness of 95a and a rebound rate of 60%, which is very suitable for skateboard pros and beginners. The hardness is too high and it is easy to slip, so don't worry about the wheel cracking.
- 【Superior Performance】This skateboard trucks adopts 608 standard ABEC-9 skateboard bearing, the excellent bearing can rotate continuously for 30 seconds without load, giving you an unprecedented smooth feeling.
- 【Applicable Models】This skateboard trucks fits 7.5-8" skateboard decks, and the skateboard set fits all 7.5 to 8" skateboard decks.
- 【Skateboard Parts Set】 Set includes Scooter 5.0, Skateboard Wheel 52mm, Skateboard Bearing ABEC-9, Skateboard Screw 1", Skateboard Lifting Pad 2mm, Skateboard Spacer.
- INDEPENDENT STD 144mm SILVER TRUCKS SET
- SHAPE - 7.75 inch modern concave Canadian Maple deck with Black mounted Softrucks.
- USES- Helps develop balance, confidence, and muscle memory.
- LEARN - Learn new tricks, or build up your style and strength safely.
- UNDERSTAND - Understand how tricks work. Master your skills.
- SWITCH - It's awkward learning tricks in a different stance, safely learn your bag of tricks switch!
- Skateboard Parts Set for Beginners. This starter set includes 2 skateboard trucks, 4 skateboard wheels 60mm, High precision ABEC-9 Skateboard bearings, Practical T-tool, 2 riser pads 2mm, and standard skateboard hardware. Build a entry-level skateboard with this set.
- Durable Standard Skateboard Trucks. Made of Aluminum, durable trucks for cruising or tricks. 5inch hanger, 7.6 inch axle, with 90A hard bushing and 6 base plate holes, fits well in standard double kick concave decks.
- High Precision ABEC-9 Bearings. These skateboard bearings keep rolling smooth and fast. Good alternative to expensive bearings.
- High-rebound Skateboard Wheels 60mm. 83A high rebound wheels, smoothier riding experience, suitable for cruising, street skateboarding.
- Universal Skateboard Tool. The T tool can be used to adjust kingpin, wheels, base plate bolts and trucks. A must have tool for skaters.
- 【Exquisite workmanship】This skateboard truck adopts aluminum alloy casting and die-casting process, medium carbon steel hardening treatment, which enables the skateboard to withstand greater weight and pressure.
- 【Superior Performance】This skateboard trucks adopts 608 standard ABEC-9 skateboard bearing, the excellent bearing can rotate continuously for 30 seconds without load, giving you an unprecedented smooth feeling.
- 【Suitable for Skateboarders】This skateboard trucks and wheels set has a hardness of 95a and a rebound rate of 60%, which is very suitable for skateboard pros and beginners. The hardness is too high and it is easy to slip, so don't worry about the wheel cracking.
- 【Applicable Models】This skateboard trucks and wheels set fits 7.5-8" skateboard decks.
- 【Skateboard Truck Set】 Set includes Skateboard trucks 5.0, Skateboard Wheel 52mm, Skateboard tool, Skateboard Bearing ABEC-9, Skateboard Screw 1", Skateboard Lifting Pad 2mm, Skateboard Spacer.
- 🛹 Durable & Sturdy: 31.75" long×7.88" wide full size double kick concave design with 7 layers hard Canadian maple deck, withstand the impact of skateboarding and learning new tricks. The max load is up to 220 lbs, durable and sturdy.
- 🛹 Take You a Better Experience: High speed 95A PU wheels work with ABEC9 bearings and 95A High rebound PU bushing. Give you better balance control and shock absorption effect, bring you a better skateboard experience.
- 🛹 We Don't Skimp on Materials: Our skateboard made of waterproof and fastness heat transfer printing pattern design, it can keep luster long time. High density non-slip emery griptape makes you safer during skateboarding.
- 🛹 No Assembly Required: You'll receive a complete skateboard comes with 5" tough magnalium alloy truck which helps save your time and hassle of assembling. Ready to play out of the box!
- 🛹 Suitable for All Level Skaters: Our skateboard is suitable for any level skaters to enjoy outdoor entertainment time, no matter whether you're a beginner or experienced skater. Buy Now - Your Kids Are Waiting!
![[CCS] Skateboard Trucks | Professional Grade | Steel | Sizes 109mm, 129mm, 139mm, 149mm, & 169mm | Raw Silver, Black | Set of 2 | 1' Mounting Hardware Included (Raw, 139mm (Fits 8.0'-8.25' Decks))](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mUnLQDemL._SL160_._SL160_.jpg)
- SET OF 2 TRUCKS + MOUNTING HARDWARE: Two trucks are needed for a skateboard, so we conveniently sell our trucks in sets of two. We also include a set of 1" Phillips hardware for mounting the trucks to the deck.
- QUALITY STEEL BUILD: CCS skateboard trucks are built using quality steel hangers and baseplates, and also feature no-slip axles and kingpins. Sturdiness is key when it comes to trucks, and that was at the forefront of our mind's when designing these.
- TESTED BY THE EXPERTS: CCS is a skateshop that has a storied legacy dating back to 1985. At our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, we've had our skate team and shop staff put these trucks to the test, and they've held up their quality for even our most experienced skaters.
- EASY TURNING & CONTROL: We use premium high rebound bushings to allow for smoother, sharper, and more controlled turning.
- GREAT FOR ALL TYPES OF SKATING: We specifically designed our trucks to have a classic geometry, making them a versatile truck that performs well in the streets, at the skatepark, or cruising around town.
Choosing Your First Skateboard Trucks: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’re ready to hit the streets or the skatepark? Awesome! Your skateboard trucks are super important. They connect your wheels to your deck and let you steer. Picking the right ones makes a big difference, especially when you’re just starting out. Let’s break it down.
Key Features to Look For:
1. Truck Width:
This is probably the most important thing. Your truck width should match your skateboard deck width. Think of it like shoes – they need to fit just right! If your trucks are too wide, your board will feel wobbly. If they’re too narrow, it’ll be hard to turn. Most beginner decks come with trucks that fit perfectly. But if you’re buying them separately, measure your deck. Generally, the axle (the bar in the middle) should be about the same width as your deck. You’ll see numbers on trucks like 8.0, 8.25, etc. These usually refer to the axle width.
2. Truck Height:
Trucks come in different heights: low, mid, and high. Low trucks keep you closer to the ground, which is great for stability and doing tricks like manuals. Mid trucks are a good all-around choice. High trucks give you more clearance, which helps prevent “wheel bite” (when your wheels rub against the deck when you turn hard). For beginners, mid-height trucks are usually the best bet. They offer a good balance of stability and turning ability.
3. Bushings:
Bushings are the rubbery rings inside your trucks. They control how easily your trucks turn and how stable they feel. Beginners usually want bushings that aren’t too stiff or too soft. Softer bushings make turning easier, but can feel a bit wobbly. Stiffer bushings offer more stability but require more effort to turn. Many beginner trucks come with medium-durometer (hardness) bushings, which are a good starting point. You can always swap them out later if you want to change how your trucks feel.
Important Materials:
1. Aluminum:
Most skateboard trucks are made from aluminum. It’s strong and lightweight, which is exactly what you need. Different types of aluminum are used, and some are stronger than others. Higher quality trucks often use better grades of aluminum. This makes them last longer and perform better.
2. Steel:
The kingpin, which is the bolt that goes through the middle of the truck, is usually made of steel. This is for strength. The axle, where the wheels attach, is also often made of steel for durability.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality:
1. Weight:
Lighter trucks can make your board easier to pop and flip, which is good for tricks. However, super-light trucks might not be as strong. Good quality trucks find a balance between being light and being tough.
2. Durability:
You want trucks that can handle being slammed, scraped, and ridden hard. Higher-quality trucks are built to last. They use better materials and manufacturing processes. This means they won’t bend or break as easily.
3. Smooth Turning:
Good trucks allow for smooth and responsive turning. This makes skateboarding much more enjoyable. Cheap trucks can feel stiff or wobbly, making it hard to control your board.
User Experience and Use Cases:
1. Cruising:
For just riding around town or to a friend’s house, you want trucks that are stable and turn easily. Mid-height trucks with medium bushings are great for this. They offer a comfortable ride and let you steer smoothly around obstacles.
2. Street Skating:
If you want to do tricks like ollies, grinds, and flip tricks on the street, you’ll want trucks that are durable and responsive. Trucks that are the right width for your deck are essential. They help you land tricks cleanly.
3. Skatepark Skating:
At a skatepark, you’ll be doing a lot of turning, grinding, and jumping. Trucks that are strong and turn well are key. Again, matching the width to your deck is important for stability when landing jumps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What’s the most important thing to consider when buying beginner trucks?
A: Truck width is the most important. Make sure it matches your deck width so your board feels stable and easy to turn.
Q: Should I get low, mid, or high trucks as a beginner?
A: Mid-height trucks are usually the best choice for beginners. They offer a good mix of stability and turning ability.
Q: What are bushings and why do they matter?
A: Bushings are the rubber rings in your trucks. They control how easily your trucks turn and how stable they feel. Beginners usually do well with medium-hardness bushings.
Q: Are expensive trucks always better for beginners?
A: Not always. Many good quality, affordable trucks are perfect for learning. Focus on the right size and a decent brand.
Q: How do I know if my trucks are the right width?
A: The axle of your truck should be about the same width as your skateboard deck. If it’s much wider or narrower, it’s not the right fit.
Q: Can I change the bushings on my trucks later?
A: Yes! You can buy different hardnesses of bushings to customize how your trucks turn and feel.
Q: What does “durometer” mean for bushings?
A: Durometer is a measurement of hardness. Higher numbers mean harder bushings, which are more stable but harder to turn. Lower numbers mean softer bushings, which turn easier but can be wobblier.
Q: How do I take care of my skateboard trucks?
A: Keep them clean and dry. Avoid riding through puddles. Tighten any loose nuts, but don’t overtighten them.
Q: Do I need to buy trucks and wheels separately?
A: Many beginner skateboards come with trucks and wheels already attached. If you’re buying a deck separately, you’ll need to buy trucks and wheels too.
Q: What if my trucks feel too stiff to turn?
A: You might have bushings that are too hard, or your kingpin nut might be too tight. You can try loosening the kingpin nut a little or replacing the bushings with softer ones.