The first thing that comes to mind when looking for a new skateboard is estimating the cost. You might be unsure of the right time to build a custom skateboard or whether to buy one already assembled from your neighborhood shop depending on your skill level and budget. You can benefit from higher-quality parts when building a custom skateboard, but the costs are higher than when buying one already assembled.
So, how much does a skateboard cost?
A high-quality complete skateboard will typically cost $110, while a custom skateboard with more expensive parts will cost $180. Depending on the manufacturer and construction material of your components, these prices may increase. A cost increase of over $200 may be caused by components like hollow-forged trucks or ceramic bearings.
It doesn’t necessarily follow that options that are lighter and faster have a significant effect on your skating. In fact, I contend that the majority of novice to intermediate skaters wouldn’t distinguish between a $150 setup and a $250 setup.
As a result, you might not need to spend as much money as you had anticipated on a high-quality skateboard. Let’s break down the cost of the various parts that go into making a skateboard and give you some realistic averages to aim for when saving!
Continue reading.
Table of Contents
How Much Do Skateboard Parts Cost?
Here are the price ranges you can anticipate paying in USD after first decomposing each component of a skateboard.
Skateboard Decks: $30 – $65
One of the setup’s most crucial components is the skateboard deck. Although there are many different types of decks, 7-ply maple with a slight concave to aid in tricks is the most common type. Decks also come in a variety of lengths and widths. The width of the deck typically has no impact on cost. Brand and graphics have an impact on price instead.
At any skate shop you visit there are three main boards you’ll find:
– Pro-Model & Branded Decks
Unfortunately, despite having some of the coolest graphics, these decks are also the most expensive. Skateboard deck prices are similar to how a T-shirt with a logo costs more than one with just a solid color. Typically in the $55 – $65 range at most skate shops, you pay a premium for the brand name graphics on the board.
In contrast to blank or shop decks with more generic shapes, some brands have distinctive shapes and concave properties that make them preferable. For beginners, this is not a big deal, but as you get better at skating, you should give it a try.
– Blank Decks
Blank decks are those that are devoid of any graphics and typically have a solid color at the bottom. They usually feel average to skate on and have a more generic shape. In my experience, they are typically of the same quality to skate on as a pro-model deck, but some have worn out more quickly than more expensive decks I’ve used.
The price for a blank deck is around $35 – $45 depending on where you look. They’re a great option if you’re new to skateboarding or concerned about snapping your board.
– Shop Decks
Finally, shop decks are only offered at neighborhood skate shops in your area. These playing cards have distinctive graphics that are branded with the store where you purchase them. They’re a great way to represent your favorite skate shop and support the community while at the park. Since skate shops’ decks are less expensive while still having cool graphics, as opposed to blank decks, I frequently use them.
These decks range in price from $30 – $45 depending on which shop you buy from.
Skateboard Trucks: $50 – $120 For A Set
The next most expensive part of your setup is the skateboard trucks. Since trucks are sold separately, the prices can be a little misleading. For obvious reasons, it is necessary to purchase a set when building a skateboard. Due to the wide range of prices for trucks, which depend on the brand, weight, and profile.
A cheaper set of trucks is a great option for the majority of skaters, especially beginners. If you’re just learning to grind, you don’t need the lightest set of trucks, and a low-profile kingpin won’t be noticeable.
But if you want a board that performs better, getting hollow trucks is a huge upgrade that gives your board a more tactile feel. Since these trucks aren’t made entirely of solid metal, tricks become a little bit simpler. Just be ready to spend twice as much as a regular truck.
Skateboard Wheels: $15 – $50
If you want to have the best skateboarding experience possible, skateboard wheels are essential. The wheels you would select differ significantly from those for skating on the street if you only intend to cruise around town without performing any tricks.
In this beginner’s guide to wheel shopping, I emphasize these differences.
The brand and the materials used to make the wheels now determine the price of skateboard wheels. Some wheels have plastic centers to increase rolling speed, while others have urethane in various hardnesses for better performance. The majority of skaters only require an in-between wheel.
The wheels in this price range, in my opinion, strike the best balance between cost and toughness at $30. Cheaper wheels are less long-lasting and more likely to develop flat spots, whereas more expensive wheels have higher-quality urethane for better traction, sliding ability, and durability.
Skateboard Bearings: $10 – $70
Your wheels’ interior contains the bearings that enable them to spin. Skate bearings come in a variety of performance levels, but I’ve always found Bones Reds to be some of the best, most durable bearings for a reasonable price. Premium bearings, like the Bones Swiss Ceramic Bearings, can cost more than $150.
The degree of smoothness with which the bearing balls can rotate against the outer and inner bearing races while supporting a load distinguishes a cheap bearing from an expensive bearing. For instance, they can roll more quickly and with less friction when using ceramic bearings, and they are also better able to hold their speed when landing tricks because they can maintain their speed more easily. Top speeds are slightly more challenging to achieve with regular steel bearings because they have a little more friction.
You don’t necessarily need an extremely expensive bearing unless you’re planning to bomb hills or shred the bowl at warp speed. Choose something long-lasting and reputable instead.
Grip Tape: $5 – $15
Despite having a similar overall appearance, grip tape comes in a variety of coarseness and durability from different brands. As a general rule, the more expensive grip tape is simpler to apply because it is frequently perforated to prevent air bubbles from forming during application. It also has a water-resistant adhesive, so even if your grip tape gets wet, it won’t come off your deck.
Cheaper grip tape may skate on similarly to more expensive grip tape, but it often applies more brittlely. When applying, it can rip more easily and can deteriorate more quickly in some places.
I’ve skated with many different grip tapes over the years, and Jessup is one of my favorites. In this article on the best grip tape for skateboarding, I provide an explanation of why as well as some other excellent options.
Hardware: $2 – $5
The hardware is the least important but most important component of your setup. These are sets of fasteners for connecting your trucks to your deck. Typically, the bolts have some sort of different color due to the price difference. Almost all hardware is the same, so choose the model that appeals to you the most.
How Long Does A Skateboard Last?
Making sure everything lasts is important when you’re handing over a sizable sum of money. The problem with skateboarding is that a setup’s lifespan is greatly influenced by how frequently you skate and what you skate.
It’s safe to assume that a single setup can last up to 12 months or longer for a novice skateboarder who is still learning how to push, turn, or perform simple tricks on the board.
You can anticipate your deck to last between four and six months for intermediate skaters who are comfortable with fundamental tricks, beginning to learn grinds, and pushing their skill levels. In the future, several different decks will be able to use the more robust parts, such as the trucks, wheels, and bearings.
Last but not least, skaters who are more experienced can go through a setup in 1 to 2 months because they are putting a lot more stress on their components and are more likely to snap their decks. See more about How To Turn On A Skateboard
Ways To Choose A Good Skateboard
Choose What To Purchase
Make a decision about what you’ll buy. A full board is what you want if you want a good board for a reasonable price. You should make your own if you want a much better board for a higher price.
Remember that purchasing custom parts can result in cost savings. A Mini Logo or blank deck, cheap all-purpose wheels like Bones 100s, inexpensive bearings like Spitfire Cheapshots or Bones Reds, and any trucks you can afford should be your first purchases if you’re on a tight budget.
If this is your first skateboard, you probably don’t have the experience to know exactly what you want from it, so it’s usually a good idea to purchase a complete board.
As the first crucial choice you must make, choose between a longboard, a classic, or a street/vert board.
The price of a longboard ranges from $60 to $500. They are more stable, great for bombing hills and riding smoothly, but very difficult to perform tricks on. But you won’t be able to skate very well in a skatepark. They are great for beginners who want to learn to skate.
Classics may cost between $60 and $400. A classic, cruiser, or mini cruiser is good for cruising, and you can still perform tricks on it at the skatepark.
Costs for streets and verts range from $70 to $200. They’re the typical “skateboard”, mostly made for tricks but good for a little bit of everything depending on the wheels. A smaller board will be easier to control, turn, and perform tricks on, but a little less stable.
There are many different board shapes, but that isn’t really a crucial consideration for a beginner skateboard.
Purchase A Complete Board
Make sure you buy from a reliable supplier. You might be able to get a better deal online, but first check with your neighborhood skate shop. Spending a few dollars more helps the shop and the skateboarding scene in your area. You can frequently save money over time by building a strong relationship with a nearby skate shop. The completes are not as good as custom-made items, but you can purchase them for a much lower price and upgrade any subpar parts later.3
Buy A Custom Board
Buy The Deck
A skateboard deck’s cost should be taken into consideration. Blank decks, or decks without any bottom graphics, typically cost much less than pro decks and ride just as well. However, if you want to purchase your preferred professional skateboarder’s deck and have the necessary funds, go ahead.
Buy a quality deck. The majority of decks sold at your neighborhood department store are of poor quality and have cartoon character images on the bottom. Buy a complete skateboard from a company or visit a skate shop and ask an employee about the products if you want an entire board but are unsure of what you want. Get a 7.5 to 8.0 deck if you want to ride on the streets; if you want to ride vertical, 8.0 and up is probably best. But it all depends on what you like. The use of decks larger than 8.0 is common on the street.
Buy The Trucks
The trucks are the second most important part of a skateboard. These qualities are what you should be on the lookout for when buying a truck.
Buy The Wheels
Choose wheels based on the type of skateboard you own and your primary objectives.
Buy The Bearings
Particularly when skating on the street, bearings are critical if you want to maintain momentum without continually pushing. ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Committee) ratings are frequently used to rate them. The ABEC scale does not account for a bearing’s durability or rolling performance; rather, it only measures the precision of the bearing. The ABEC scale does not, contrary to popular belief, indicate how quickly a bearing rolls. Going above a 3 is advised because anything above a 1 is precision and will work well for skateboarding.
The Additional Skateboarding Cost
Listed below are the prices of skateboarding gear
| Skateboard Gear | Costs |
| Helmet | $35-$50 |
| Knee Pads | $40-$70 |
| Skate Tool | $5-$30 |
| Skate Park Fees | $10 average. |
| Skate Shoes | $20-$50 |
| Pants | $30-$50 |
How Can You Tell If You’re Getting A Good Deal?
Here are a few tips for finding the best price for good quality skateboard:
- Shop around. Before buying anything, check the prices at various retailers.
- Investigate online merchants. Skateboards can be purchased at steep discounts from a variety of online retailers.
- Look for sales. All year long, sales are frequently held at nearby skate shops.
- Buy used. Consider purchasing a used skateboard if you don’t care about owning the most recent and greatest model. Online and local swap meets are frequent places to find great deals on used boards.
Types Of Skateboards
Skateboards come in many different varieties and are sold in stores. It’s critical to understand what kind of skateboard works best for your riding technique. Let’s discuss
Longboards
Longboard skateboards are the perfect choice for beginner riders with deck widths between 8.5 inches to 10 inches.
Longboards are easy to control and provide plenty of stability, making them ideal for those who are just starting out. Longboards also offer a smoother ride, thanks to their larger size and softer wheels, which makes them a great option for cruising around town or bombing hills.
The average cost of a good-quality longboard is between $150 to $230.
Cruiser Board
Due to their stability and ease of use, cruiser boards are excellent for beginning riders.
The Cruiser board comes with a deck width ranging between 7″ to 9.5″ inches and has soft wheels, which makes them easy to balance and navigate.
Additionally, cruiser boards are very adaptable and can be used for exercise, commuting to work, or simply getting around town.
Old School Skateboard
Skating ramps and pools benefit greatly from these boards. It looks older and has a fishtail shape. On city streets, it works fantastically.
Mini Skateboards
Children who want to skate but might not be able to control a full-sized skateboard should use mini skateboards. They are small in size, ranging from 6.75 inches to 7.25 inches wide, which makes them easier to control. They also come in a variety of vibrant hues and appealing patterns that kids will adore.
Mini Cruiser
Mini Cruiser skateboards are typically used for cruising through cities or college campuses; they are not designed for performing tricks or going fast down hills. They are better suited for mellower surfaces because they have wider and softer wheels than standard skateboards.
Penny Board
A Penny Board is a portable, lightweight skateboard that anyone can use. They have a small deck, plastic construction, and wheels. Penny Boards are popular with beginner skateboarders because they are easy to learn on and affordable.
Must Read: Why Are Skateboards So Expensive? (Ultimate Guide)
What Are The Influencing Factors For Skateboard Prices?
The common factor that influences skateboard prices is the following:
- Skateboard Quality
- Brand of the skateboard
- the substance used to make skateboards.
- Design Of the skateboard
- Size of the skateboard
- Buying location of the skateboard
Let’s expand on it
Skateboard Quality
Price and quality go hand in hand.
Although you might be tempted to believe that the best skateboards are expensive, that isn’t always the case.
There are numerous reputable skateboard manufacturers out there, and many of them sell high-quality skateboards at competitive prices. However, some of these manufacturers also make subpar skateboards, so you should be cautious.
There are many businesses that sell high-quality, fantastic accessories for your board at reasonable prices, allowing you to upgrade or replace parts quickly and affordably if necessary.
The Brand Of The Skateboards
Both the quality and popularity of skateboard brands vary. Some manufacturers charge more but produce better boards with better materials. It’s best to research various brands before making any purchases.
The Material Used
The main element influencing a skateboard’s price is its material. The cost of the material will increase with its durability. For example, a skateboard made of maple wood is going to be more expensive than one made of plastic.
Design Of The Skateboard:
In contrast to the older designs, the new ones cost more. It’s because they have more modern technology and a better appearance. Additionally, newer designs use better components and materials than older ones, which means they can withstand greater pressures.
Size Of The Skateboard:
Different sizes of skateboards are available, and the bigger they are, the more expensive they will be. If you are purchasing a skateboard for yourself rather than your child, you must take into account its size because it affects its stability when being used by an adult.
Buying Location Of The Skateboard:
The skateboard’s price depends on where you buy it as well. Even though they have comparable quality and design, some brands become more well-known in their region and as a result, they cost more than other brands.
Exactly How Much Does It Cost To Construct A Skateboard?
There are a variety of factors that affect the price of custom skateboards. The price is affected by the size of the deck, the trucks, the wheels, and the type of wood used for the deck.
In general, it can cost between $120 and $200 to build a custom skateboard, depending on the quality of the equipment. The price of creating a custom skateboard is discussed in a blog post I wrote. A complete manual is available there.
Generally speaking, the cost of a custom skateboard will depend on the quality of the materials used. The price of your board will likely increase if you choose higher-quality woods and parts.
Similarly, if you choose a larger or more complex deck design, you can also expect to pay more.
Ultimately, the best way to get an accurate estimate for your custom skateboard is to consult with a professional builder otherwise you can read our blog post.
Pros Of Building A Skateboard
- You learn how to assemble and maintain a board
- You choose the components according to your preferences
- You save money on shipping costs if you buy everything in one place
- It’s fun!
Cons Of Building A Skateboard
- It’s more expensive than buying a ready-made board
- Some parts are harder to find than others (like wheels)
- You have to adjust the setup to your needs and preferences
Is It Less Expensive To Buy A Skateboard Or Build One?
It is already obvious which option is more affordable: building a skateboard or purchasing one.
Pre-assembled skateboards are cheaper than building one from scratch.
Though it can be exciting and rewarding, buying the parts separately and putting them together costs more money.
Pre-assembled boards are produced by experts who know what they’re doing, so dependability is assured.
So it’s recommended for beginners that if you are just starting out, it is better to buy a complete skateboard rather than building one from scratch. The majority of new skaters start out with complete skateboards.
You can upgrade your setup with higher-quality components once you can skate confidently.
How Much Should A Beginner Budget For A Skateboard?
To get started, you don’t need to invest a lot of money in a high-end skateboard.
Spending amounts are not important. It comes down to picking the appropriate board for your skill level and price range.
I believe that if you want to start out, you can spend as little as $70 on your first board.
I suggest spending at least $90 to $110 on a high-quality board once you have some skateboarding experience so that you can purchase it. If you want high quality, stay away from cheap skateboards.
What Age Is It Appropriate To Stop Skating?
As a wheelchair user, stop skating!! You and you alone are the one who decides when to stop. I began ice skating at the age of 7. In my teens, I got into racing. I began roller skating when I was in my late teens. I still compete in artistic dancing and other events at the age of 84 while roller skating. When I’m in my wheelchair is probably when I’ll give up!! I have a lot of respect for people who do things well into their senior years. Due to my knees giving out on me, I stopped playing tennis last year. I respect people who stay active as long as they are able, regardless of their age!!
Conclusion
Having said that, the first item to leave your setup in most cases is your deck. If not properly maintained, it will eventually lose pop, its tail will wear down, and it may even lose its shape. Depending on how frequently you skate, stronger components like the trucks and wheels can last skaters for several months or even years. In terms of bearings, if you really wanted to, you could own a single set of bearings for a number of years with routine cleaning and lubrication.
This guide delineates when to replace your skateboard in more detail and provides an explanation of the lifespan of various skateboard components.
With all of this in mind, you now have a clear idea of how much you can expect to pay when creating a custom skateboard online or at your preferred neighborhood skate shop. This article describing the top skateboard brands will be very helpful if you need a little extra assistance in deciding which brands to look for.
Regarding your reading, I thank you.
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