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A skateboard is a narrow wheeled platform used for recreation and transportation. Though the exact date of invention of skateboards is unknown, it was in the 1940's and 1950's that children participated in 'soap-box derbys', where they would race soap-boxes attached to wooden planks on rollerskate wheels. During events like this, some of the soap-boxes became detached from the planks, leaving the rider with what was a skateboard.
The first skateboards were made by taking a roller skate apart and attaching it to a two-by-four. These early skateboards were often used by surfers as a substitute when the waves were low.
The skateboard has evolved a lot since the first mass produced models in the 1960s. Boards in the past were often in the shape of a surfboard, with no concave and constructed of solid wood or plastic. The wheels were usually made of a 'clay' composite or steel and the trucks (axles) were less sturdy and initially of a 'single action' design compared to today's 'double action'.
Parts
Skateboards are composed of several key elements.
Deck
The deck forms the body of the skateboard and provides a place to stand. It is covered with grip tape (silicon carbide grit on a self adhesive backing), which provides traction for the skateboarder's feet. The first decks were usually made from solid oak or ash, and hand-shaped by their owners. Shelves, drawers and table-tops were often used by the first teenage skaters to build their decks.
Most decks are constructed with a seven ply, cross-laminated layup of North American maple. Sometimes other, more exotic materials, such as fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon fiber are incorporated into deck construction, usually to lighten the board or increase its strength or rigidity.
Modern decks are 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches wide. The width of a deck depends on the personal preference of the person who uses it. Most people use 7.5-8 inch wide decks for street, and wider for vert. Skateboard decks are usually between 28 and 32.5 inches long. The longboard, a common variant of the skateboard, has a longer deck. "Old school" boards are boards made in the 1970s-80s, or a modern board that mimics that shape. 1970s variants often have little or no concave, whereas 1980s models have deeper concaves and steeper tails.
Most decks are pressed with concave in the body, i.e. the area of the board between the nose and the tail kicks. A concave is where the deck dips inward on the top side (where the skater stands), to cup the foot for more control, and to add strength by stiffening the flex.
Griptape
Skateboard griptape has evolved throughout the years. From plain black to old school designs on boards, skateboarders can customize every aspect of their board. Recently, laser cut griptape is starting to show up in shops and parks.Trucks
Attached to the deck are two metal (usually aluminum alloy) trucks, which connect to the wheels. The trucks are further composed of two parts. The top part of the truck is screwed to the deck and is called the baseplate, and beneath it is the hanger. Between the baseplate and the hanger are bushings, also rubbers or grommets, that provide the cushion mechanism for turning the skateboard. The bushings cushion the truck when it turns. The stiffer the bushings, the more stable the skateboard. The softer the bushings, the easier it is to turn. A bolt called a kingpin holds these parts together and fits inside the bushings. Thus by tightening or loosening the kingpin nut, the trucks can be adjusted for steer.
Wheels
The wheels attach to each hanger. The wheels, usually made of polyurethane, come in many different sizes and shapes to suit different types of skating. Larger sizes like 65-90 mm roll faster, and also move more easily over small cracks in pavement. Smaller sizes like 48-54 mm keep the board closer to the ground and require less force to accelerate but also make for a slower top speed. Wheels also are available in a variety of hardnesses usually measured on the durometer 'A' scale. Wheels range from the very soft (75a, made for slalom, cruising & longboarding) to the very hard (99a, made for modern skating, vert and street). As the scale stops at 100a, any wheel labeled 101a or higher are harder, but do not use the appropriate durometer scale. Some wheel manufacturers now use the 'B' or 'D' scale, which has a larger and more accurate range of hardnesses.
Bearings
A skateboard wheel uses two precision ball bearings of the type '608' (8 mm internal bore). Many skateboard bearings are graded according to the ABEC scale, which goes from 1-9, in odd numbers. It is a common misconception that higher numbers are better for skateboarding. The ABEC rating only measures tolerances which does not necessarily apply to bearings used for skateboarding. The ABEC rating does not determine how fast or how durable a bearing used for skateboarding will be.
Risers
Riser or riser pads are made of plastic and go between the truck and the board to provide additional clearance for the wheels to prevent wheel-bite (when the truck turns to a degree where the wheel will contact with the deck and stop spinning). They range in height from 1/8" to 1/2".
Shock Pads
Shock pads are usually made of rubber or neoprene, that go between the truck and the board. They absorb impact and reduce vibration, which in turn helps prevent hardware from loosening.
Mounting Hardware
Mounting hardware is a set of eight 10-32 bolts, usually a truss head, and matching self-lock nylock nuts. They're used to attach the trucks to the board.
"Obsolete" parts
Over the years, certain parts of skateboards have come and gone, becoming unpopular due to advancements in deck construction and skateboarding styles.
Rails
Narrow plastic strips that are fastened under the deck along the edges. They used to be popular among vert skaters to whom they provided additional grip during aerial tricks and 'street' skaters who found they could slide across surfaces easier with them. They also help to protect the deck's graphics.
Copers
Copers are plastic guards that covers the truck's hanger which enables it to grind easier and to prevent wear.
Lappers
A lapper is a plastic cover that is fastened to the inside of the rear truck that protects the kingpin when grinding, and prevents hang-ups by providing a smoother transition for the truck when it hits an obstacle.
Nose guard
A plastic "bumper" fastened to the nose of a skateboard to protect it from impact.
Tail guard
A tail guard is a plastic skid plate used to prevent wearing of tail, and as a means to stop the board.
See also
"Skateboard"