About Skateboard Decks
A skateboard deck is the part of a skateboard made of wood that sits on the trucks, which are the metal axles that hold the wheels. They can be shaped in many ways for different types of skateboarding, from extra long boards to skinny trick boards. Most people decorate their decks with stickers or graphics, and companies have long been producing skate decks designed by or endorsed by professional skateboarders.
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History
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Skateboard decks started out as simple planks of plywood and then evolved. The street and ramp decks in the 1980s used to be shaped with a definite nose that was shaped like a cone, and had a fishtail that tilted upwards. The deck itself was also concave to grip the feet. Freestyle decks did not have a definite nose and tail, and both ends turned up like the street board tail. The shape of the deck was plain vanilla with straight sides. Later on, all boards took on this simple shape because it is easier to use, even on a half pipe.
Function
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A skateboard deck is designed to help a skateboarder pull off tricks. The up tilting tail and nose gives riders the ability to tilt the board up while riding, and therefore perform tricks like ollies and kick flips. The deck is also strong to absorb shocks and resist breaking.
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Identification
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A skateboard deck is made of several layers of hard wood that are heated and bent into shape with a press. These layers all have different properties; some woods have different flexibility and strength, so when you sandwich different layers together you end up with different types of boards. Some are strong, light and flexible, others are stiff, and some have different flexibility in different areas of the deck, like at the tail and nose or in the center.
Types
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The most common types of skateboard decks today are the street and ramp boards. These boards have a simple shape with straight sides and a curved nose. The tail and nose are also curved upward. Long skateboard decks are made the same way, but they do not have upturned tails. These types of skateboard decks are used with long board trucks. The skater works the deck back and forth from side to side to gain momentum.
Considerations
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When choosing a skate deck, you should first decide if you want to ride street and ramp, or if you want a long board. Then concentrate on buying a deck that is light and strong, with a flex that feels comfortable under your feet. Since most street and ramp decks are the same shape, the only other decision you need to make is which type of graphics you want. You also want to be sure the board is made of strong hardwood, and isn't too heavy.
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