This can be extra tough since skateboards can be bought whole, and entirely assembled (this is called a "complete" skateboard), or you can buy all the parts you need and assemble your own skateboard exactly as you want it.
There are pros and cons for both buying a complete, and assembling your own skateboard:
Buying a complete skateboard
is usually the cheaper way to go. In buying all the parts together, you get a good deal. There's also the obvious advantage to new skaters, who don't know yet how to put a skateboard together, or who are nervous about it.The drawbacks to buying a complete, however, is that you usually don't get all of the best parts. Even if you buy a complete from a good brand, most companies are only good at making a few skateboard parts. So, you might get a good deck, and maybe some good wheels, but the trucks and bearings are just so-so. For most new skaters, this isn't really that bad of a problem, as long as your complete skateboard is of a reputable brand. Read the Top 10 Skateboard Decks list for some ideas, and if the brand you are interested in isn't there, or you want to be more unique, you can read Which Brand of Skateboard Deck should I Buy? for some more advice.
The real danger is when you get a complete skateboard that's mostly poor quality junk. There are plenty of these out there, like land mines set for unsuspecting parents and kids. Only, instead of hurting you now, they end up hurting you or your kids later. They are often sold in superstores like Walmart or some large sporting goods store. Now, not all cheaper complete skateboards are junk ... but it can be tough to tell. Read this FAQ on buying cheap skateboards for more help in deciding if a cheaper board you see in the store is OK to buy.
For some suggestions on brands of complete skateboards to buy, you can check out these two articles: Buying Complete Skateboards and Buying Beginner Skateboards for Kids. Both articles will yell at you about not buying cheap complete boards, which by now I hope I've expressed my opinion of that option clearly enough! Otherwise, they'll give you some ideas for buying complete skateboards.
Building your own Skateboard
usually costs more, and is a lot more work. You actually have to pick out each part, and buy the ones that match you, and then you have to put all the work into shoving all those parts together.However, you will get a board that matches you well, and that you built! You will love that board more, and you will probably take better care of it. Plus, there's the whole pride issue - you will be riding a skateboard that you created.
I have a great step-by-step guide to building your own skateboard called Build Your Own Pro Grade Skateboard. Great title, right?! It will guide you through the process of finding the right size of deck, the right hardness of wheels, the right everything. But, be prepared to pay more if you build your own skateboard! On the other hand though, you'll have much more valuable parts!
There is a strange balance between these two options that I want to make sure you understand. If you get a cheaper complete skateboard, you can always replace parts on it with better quality parts later on! And, if you spend a lot on your skateboard that you build yourself, remember that you are probably going to have to replace parts that you break. That's just the way skateboarding is. Decks break. That's just how they are. So, whichever way you go, complete or building your own, either way you are going to have to maintain your skateboard later. That's fine, and normal - so don't worry if you don't think your board is nice enough, and don't spend too much on parts that you'll have to replace!
