Are Cheap Skateboards OK to Buy and Ride?
Friday November 16, 2007
Shopping for a new skateboard for Christmas, or for yourself? With how popular skateboarding is, there are piles of cheaper skateboards out there. Some just look cheap, but some have trusted brand names, or even pro skateboarder endorsements. How do you tell if a cheaper skateboard that you've found at your local department store or sporting goods section is a good skateboard or not? Read Are Cheap Skateboards OK to Buy and Ride? to get some tell tale clues and things to check on the cheaper skateboard you've found, before you buy it.
Comments
Are cheap skateboards ok to buy? I personally think it is a bad mistake to buy a cheap skateboard. Some parents think all skateboards are the same so they run down to the nearest Toy Store and pick up a $15 to $20 skateboard. I see the kids on these boards at the skateboard park and most of these skateboards barely roll, have soft wood with no concave, and the trucks won’t turn very well. I try to explain to the parents that a better quality skateboard will help their kid learn faster, have more fun, and is much safer to ride. I also explain to them that they don’t need to spend $100- $150 to get a nice board, and that $50 to $60 will buy a good quality Canadian Maple complete. I also recommend that all skateboarders (especially beginner skateboarders) purchase from a local skate shop. Most small skate shops are skater owned and can give the beginner skateboarder the advice he or she needs to set up a good quality board at a reasonable price. Another good reason to buy from the local skate shop is the shop can build a custom board of your choice, have extra parts on hand if needed, and can give a beginner skater advice about boards, places to ride, and local events. So support your local skate shop, buy a good quality board, and get out there and skate.
Marc
Marc’s Board Shop