Skateboard Terms

Bushings
Bushings are rubber rings that are place into the trucks of the skateboard. On each truck there are usually two bushings. One busing is located in the middle of the truck provides the flex and springiness of the truck for turning. The other busing is smaller and sits beneath the head of the kingpin. This allows the truck to be tightened or loosened altering your skateboards turning ability.

Skateboard Deck
The skateboard deck is the actual board that your feet are placed on when you are skateboarding. Our skateboard decks are made of 7-plys of Canadian maple. On the bottom of the skateboard deck there is a graphic from the company that makes them. Skateboard decks come in a variety of lengths and sizes. (If you see a skateboard deck that you like but would like it in a different size, please e-mail us at abandonboards@aol.com.)

Griptape
Griptape is the black gritty paper on top of the skateboard deck. Griptape is applied so that one has control over their skateboard deck. Skaters can cut designs into the griptape for individuality or to tell the difference between the nose and tail of the skateboard. Griptape comes in many colors but is often black. Remember that our skateboards come with free Jessup griptape.
To view a detailed video of how to apply griptape to your skateboard, click on the 360skate.com link on our sidebar. From there scroll down and click on the Skateboard 101 link on the right sidebar and then click on Apply Grip Tape.

Hardware
Hardware is the name given to the screws and nuts that keep your skateboard together. To connect your trucks to the skateboard you will need four screws and nuts, although some skateboarders decide on just two for each truck. Skateboard hardware is basically the same except for shape and color. You can either buy hardware from a skate shop or from your local hardware store.

Risers
A risers are pads that go between your skateboard deck and each truck. Risers prevent wheel bite, (the sudden stopping of your wheel due to contact with the skateboard deck), as well as help prolong the life of your skateboard. Although skateboard risers are optional, without risers, you can sometimes get small stress cracks where the truck and skateboard meet. Some skateboarders choose not to use riser pads because the added height can make a big difference in the feel of your skateboard.

Trucks
Trucks are the metal T-shaped part on the bottom of your skateboard deck. Through these, the wheels are connected to your skateboard. Each skateboard deck requires two trucks to be able to move, (unless you are very good at manuals).
The axle of the truck is the pin that the skateboard wheels attach to.
The hangar is the central part of the truck. The hangar can sometimes be made of a softer metal for better grinding.
The kingpin is the large bolt running vertically through the truck. This connects the hangar to the base plate which is where the truck meets either the riser or the skateboard deck itself.

Bearings
The bearing is the ring that fits inside of the skateboard wheel to allow the rolling motion of the wheel on its axle. Bearings usually contain 6-8 mini spheres inside of them. These are lubricated to allow better motion. Some skateboard bearings can be taken apart for cleaning. For a complete skateboard, two bearings are needed for each wheel.