Ever wondered if the height of your skateboard trucks affects how you skate? Skaters often argue about high vs. low trucks for better pop. Understanding truck height and its effect on pop is key for your skateboard setup.
Truck height impacts board control and stability. High trucks allow for more clearance, ideal for various terrains and strong tricks. The typical angle for skateboard trucks, about 50 to 55 degrees, ensures stability and maneuverability. Brands like Independent and Thunder offer high and low trucks, meeting different skating styles.
Key Takeaways
- High trucks offer more clearance, enhancing maneuverability and making certain tricks easier to execute.
- Understanding skateboard truck height is essential for optimizing your setup for different skateboarding styles.
- Standard truck angles help balance stability and agility, catering to various skating needs.
- Trusted brands like Independent, Thunder, and Venture provide quality options for both high and low trucks.
- Regular maintenance and customization, such as adjusting bushings and using a skate tool, are vital for peak performance.
Understanding Skateboard Trucks
Skateboard trucks are key skateboard parts to learn about. They connect the deck to the wheels, making your ride smooth. Knowing them well improves your skating a lot.
Truck heights come in three types:
- Low Trucks: 46-49 mm, best for wheel sizes of 50 mm or 51 mm.
- Mid Trucks: 50-53 mm, good for wheels from 52 mm to 56 mm.
- High Trucks: 53.5-58 mm, great for bigger wheels between 57 mm and 59 mm.
For truck tuning skateboarding, match your axle width to your deck width. See this comparison:
| Deck Width | Axle Width |
|---|---|
| 8″ | Between 7.875″ and 8.125″ |
| 8.5″ | Approximately 8.5″ (+/- 0.125″) |
Brands like Independent, Thunder, and Ace have different sizes:
- Independent 129 Low: Height 48 mm, axle width 7.625″, for decks 7.5″ – 7.75″.
- Thunder 145: Height 50 mm, axle width 7.625″, for decks 7.5″ – 7.75″.
- Ace 11 Classic: Height 41 mm, axle width 4.5″, fits decks around 7″.
Knowing truck dimensions and uses boosts performance. Low trucks are lighter, good for tricks. High trucks prevent wheel bites by offering more clearance.
The Concept of “Pop” in Skateboarding
The magic of a great skateboard ollie often comes down to “skateboarding pop”. It’s a key element for anyone trying to get better at skateboard ollie tricks and improve their skills.
“Pop” in skateboarding is all about the force you use to hit the skateboard’s tail against the ground. This makes the board go up, letting you do tricks in the air. So, getting better at this can really up your trick game.
The height of your skateboard trucks plays a big part in how your pop works. High trucks, which are about 53.5 mm to 58 mm, make room for bigger wheels and help avoid wheel bite during intense tricks. On the other hand, low trucks, around 48 mm to 53 mm, lower your center of gravity. This is great for technical skateboarding because it makes flipping tricks easier and steadier.
| Truck Model | Height (mm) | Hanger Width (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Venture 5.0 Low | 48 | 128 |
| Independent 129 Standard | 55 | 128 |
| Tensors 5.0 Low | 46 | 127 |
Getting good pop in skateboarding is more about your technique than strength. Actually, lifting your knees can double your pop more than just jumping higher can. Also, working on your ankles, hips, and spine can help you jump better, improving your pop.
To nail skateboard ollie tricks, it’s crucial to use both feet right. When you start, spread your force evenly. Then, press down harder with your back foot at the last moment. By practicing these moves and understanding how truck height affects your pop, you can master it.
High Trucks vs. Low Trucks
Choosing between high and low trucks for your skateboard setup matters a lot. High trucks are taller, between 52mm and 56mm. They fit bigger wheels well and are great for skating on ramps and bowls. Because they are higher, you don’t have to worry about wheel bite with wheels from 53mm to 58mm. High trucks make turning tighter and your ride smoother and faster. They’re also good for beginners since they go slower and are more forgiving.
However, the advantages of low trucks benefits are also worth considering. Low trucks, with a ride height of 50mm or below, offer excellent stability. Tensor’s at 46mm and Thunder’s 143 at 50mm are perfect for street skating and technical tricks. Many pro skaters prefer low trucks because they help in performing flips and grinds better. They also make it easier to spin quickly, which is key for complex tricks. For these trucks, smaller wheels, from 48mm to 53mm, work best to keep your skateboard steady and avoid wheel bite.
Deciding between high and low trucks depends on how you like to skate. High trucks are about versatility and pop, while low trucks focus on stability and technical skills. Make sure your choice matches your skateboard setup to get the best out of your skateboarding.
How Truck Height Affects Performance
Understanding how truck height affects skateboarding is key for setting up your board. Truck height changes how you maneuver, stay stable, and perform tricks. High trucks, between 53.5-60 mm, let you use bigger wheels. This is great for smooth cruising and carving. On the other hand, low trucks (46-49 mm) react faster. They are perfect for street skating that needs quick moves.
Adjusting your trucks is vital for better skateboarding. High trucks give you more pop when doing tricks, yet might feel slower. Low trucks, however, make turning and precision tricks easier. They suit grinds and flips well.
The material of your trucks matters too. Strong metals, like in the Tensor Mag Light Series, last longer. They cope well with daily skating. Keeping your trucks clean and oiled keeps them working well.
Your trucks should fit your board to stay balanced. Too narrow or too wide trucks upset your ride. Check your gear often. Replace parts as needed to keep skating smooth.
Fine-tuning your setup, like adjusting the kingpin or picking the right bushings, helps a lot. It’s all about matching your trucks and wheels for your style. This balance is crucial for smooth rides and landing tricks.
Try different setups to find what works best for you. Check out more tips and tricks on truck height at truck tuning for skateboarders.
Skate Trick Techniques with High Trucks
Learning skate tricks with high trucks can make your skating better. High trucks are taller, from 52mm to 56mm, and work best with wheels 56mm or bigger. They let you turn sharply and pivot more, helping you do tricks easily. High trucks also let you use looser settings without wheel bite, making tricks snappier but a bit less stable at fast speeds.
Understanding how high trucks change your skating is key. They spread your weight better, reducing wear on your skateboard. This makes rides smoother over rough ground and helps with different skating styles. But, whether they help you get more air is still debated. This shows how much technique and skill matter.
Here are some tips for tricks with high trucks:
- Ollie: Hit the tail fully on the ground for higher jumps, thanks to the extra clearance.
- Kickflip: The added room lets you spin more by flicking your front foot off the nose.
- Grinds: The sharp turning helps you grind better, improving control and balance.
Let’s compare high to low and mid trucks. Low trucks, under 50mm, are great for flip tricks and grinds. Mid trucks, between 50mm and 51mm, are versatile but don’t lift you as much as high trucks. Knowing the differences helps you pick what’s best for your skating style.
| Truck Height | Recommended Wheel Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Low (≤50mm) | 50mm – 53mm | Technical tricks |
| Mid (50mm – 51mm) | 53mm – 56mm | Versatile skating |
| High (52mm – 56mm) | 56mm and above | Carving and cruising |
By working on these aspects, you can tweak your techniques for the perks high trucks bring, boosting your skate skills.
Real Skaters’ Perspectives
Getting tips from pro skateboarders can greatly help those who love skateboarding. Pros like Tony Hawk, Leticia Bufoni, and Nyjah Huston have opened up in interviews about their setups. They stress how crucial it is to make choices based on your skateboarding style.
They’ve touched on how setups change between street and bowl skating. Street skaters often choose narrower boards, about 7.5 inches wide. But those who skate in bowls might go for wider boards, around 9 inches. The height of skateboard trucks also matters a lot. It affects how well you can do tricks and how stable you feel.
Low trucks work well for street skating tricks because they offer more stability. But if you’re into bowl skating, high trucks are better. They let your wheels clear the bowl’s edge easier. Wheels are another big deal. Street skaters pick smaller, harder wheels for better speed and handling. Bowl skaters need larger, softer wheels for grip.
The material of skateboard decks is key, too. They’re mostly made from seven layers of Canadian maple. This wood mix gives skaters a good mix of strength and flexibility. Plus, the layers are cross-laminated which makes the boards last longer, even under tough skating.
Skateboarding has changed a lot since the 1960s, and even more since it hit the Olympics in 2021. Tips from pro skaters have helped shape the sport. If you’re really into getting better, knowing about their preferred setups is vital. Here’s a quick look at what some of them like:
| Skater | Board Width | Truck Height | Wheel Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyjah Huston | 8.25 inches | Low | 52mm |
| Leticia Bufoni | 8 inches | Low | 53mm |
| Tony Hawk | 8.5 inches | High | 60mm |
Learning from these pros can really step up your skate game. Keep their advice in mind as you work on your technique. Choosing the right gear can make all the difference for your style of skating.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Trucks for You
Picking the right skateboard trucks depends on what you like and how you skate. Low trucks, like Tensor Trucks at 46mm and Thunder Trucks at 49mm, give you a low center of gravity. This is great for tricky moves and flips. They are steady, which street skaters really like. For low trucks, you should use wheels that are 48mm to 53mm to stop wheel bite.
High trucks, such as Independent Skateboard Stage 11 Trucks at 55mm, have their benefits. They let you use bigger wheels, which is good for going over obstacles. They’re also slower, which means less chance of wheel bite — good for new skaters. High trucks are best for skating transitions, giving better turns and more pivot space for mini ramps and bowls.
Then there are Mid trucks, like Independent Mid Skateboard Trucks at 50.5mm. They meet in the middle, offering a smooth ride. You can use them with wheels from 53mm to 56mm. Mid trucks blend stability and ease of movement, fitting many skate styles.
Choosing trucks means knowing how height affects your skating. While there’s no perfect answer, the right choice depends on how you skate, where you skate, and what you need. Whether you’re tuning your board for street tricks or want something for all types of skating, picking the right truck height makes a big difference in your skating fun.
I’m John Peterson, a passionate skater, blogger, and lifelong enthusiast. I’ve been skating for over 9 years and have gone on to write a blog dedicated to the sport of skating and its culture. Through my blog, I strive to share my knowledge and experience of the sport with all who are interested. From beginner tips, tricks, and equipment reviews to interviews and event coverage, I cover it all. So read my blog as I explore the wonderful world of skating!