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Looking to start skateboarding

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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
Hello NS

Just as the thread title says...I'm looking to pick up skateboarding a little bit, as a way to pass the free time out at school, and mainly because I think it'd be fun. I've always known people that skateboarded when they were younger and I always thought it was pretty sweet, but never got into it because I thought it was really hard. The past couple of years I've watched a lot of skate videos. Now i'd like to try it, with the goal just being able to say I could do a couple shove its and kickflip and stuff.

What am I looking for? Deck wise, wheels wise, trucks wise...and any other info is appreciated. I've always known skateboarding to be a cheap sport (until you get hurt haha)... i've been looking around at decks and five boro boards look pretty nice

If it means anything i'm 130 pounds and it would be mostly around the gritty streets of Niagara Falls NY

Also I've tried longboarding...even bought a shitty longboard and didn't like it.

Thanks for serious answers

Aug 20 2012 8:52AM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Get a blank deck wheels and trunks aren't that big a deal if your just starting out just spend more then 40$ on em.
Aug 20 2012 8:55AM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
Just go to your local shop and get a board they will recommend you one to start out on.
Aug 20 2012 9:07AM
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.Jacob
Posts: 1838 - Karma: 1,160
Right, I recently did the same thing as you and asked a couple NS'ers for advice, this is what I got (fom Hotassbeatclap)

http://www.skatewarehouse.com/ ---- Best website ever for cheap skating stuff.

Get bones wheels, I've forgotten the perfect size, but I think that anything over 54mm is too big.

Make sure the wheels are also nice and hard.

Trucks--- Try and go for Krux, Good solid brand with good quality items. The trucks I have (mahollow downlows) are more than I could have wished for.

Bearings ---- Bones red's bearings are more than enough, the spin so amazingly well for the price.

Hardware ----- Doesn't matter too much, go for what looks nice.

Griptape ------ if you want grippy grip, go for "mob" griptape. If you don't want grippy grip tape, google what isn't grippy because I honestly have no idea what's best.


Deck ----- get a light deck with a good shape, low center of gravity, Don't let your choice get swayed because of the graphic, do a little research and find out what deck is best. I have a REAL Lockup deck, and it's brilliant, nice an light, poppy as anything and quite frankly, it looks amazing.

I can't really think of anything else. But ask Hotassbeatclap for any more advice, He helped me out a lot.
Aug 20 2012 9:08AM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
yeah since your at college and probably on a budget just get a mini-logo blank deck or a shop deck. Width depends on your height but i would get something between 7.5-8". and kickflips will take for ever to learn but dont give up, just keep persevering! oh yeah and skate shoes actually helped with my kickflips opposed to my beat old nike frees i was originally using because I couldnt afford shoes when i started.
Aug 20 2012 9:09AM
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Baloo
Posts: 565 - Karma: 23
if you have friends that board ask and see if they have any spare part (trucks, wheels, deck). If they do ask if you can buy them its a really cheap why to get a starter board. You can also look at sale items online, just be sure that its the right size. (I would suggest an 8in wide board). Thats how i got my first board and it didn't cost me more that 45 dollars for the whole thing. Disclaimer im on my phone so my grammar and spelling might be off a little. sorry about that.
Aug 20 2012 9:13AM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9217 - Karma: 5,399
if you're at college you might as well longboard, do actual downhill and sliding and don't just frat bro around.

if you're gonna skateboard, just get whatever cheap shit you can find. prepare to take a few months to be able to ollie, then much longer to do anything else.
Aug 20 2012 10:41AM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
I heard that checker board grip tape is cool.
Aug 20 2012 11:33AM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
wheels- spitfire or bones. both are as solid of a wheel as you can get. i personally ride 54mm wheels, but since you're starting out you may want to go smaller 50-52mm.

deck- again, since you're starting out you may want to get a smaller sized deck. 7.5 - 7.75in. is good. again, i ride an 8.25in deck but thats also because i've been skating for a while and i've grown to like my decks wide. brands to consider REAL, Toy Machine, Baker/Deathwish, Alien Workshop/Habitat, Girl/Chocolate (really, there's so many deck companies just choose one and make sure you get the right size).

trucks- since you're probably going with a 7.5 - 7.75in deck, go with independent 129 or 139's. they're the classic, solid, bombproof truck. i consider them to be the fks of the skateboarding world and i swear by them haha.

bearings- bones reds. cheap and roll well.

hardware- doesn't matter. just make sure it fits.

griptape- mob, jessup, diamond. i just get whatever is in the shop usually.

since you're just starting, you won't really have any expectations of your setup. once you get more into it then you'll learn what you like and what you don't like in terms of deck width, truck size, etc. etc. also, going into you're local skateshop and asking what a good setup would be is the best option. skaters are cool people, and they won't hate on you for wanting to learn unless they: suck themselves, mall grab, push mongo, and wish they could kickflip. have fun dude and try not to get frustrated. it took me months to get my ollie down but after that the floodgates open up and you'll have loads of fun.
Aug 20 2012 11:36AM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 833
That is terrible advice! It's more like if you're going to longboard you might as well just skateboard because it's c00ler.
Aug 20 2012 11:38AM
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blong131
Posts: 2193 - Karma: 59
let me know if you're trying to get setup like this, i have a 8" Alien Workshop still in wrapping and some used components to throw on it, i could probably get you a whole setup together or just some parts if youre interested.

as for tips, just dont get frustrated when it doesnt come easy. you literally have to do 1000 kickflips to get them clean.

and this guy makes really good trick tips:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sprocker7
Aug 20 2012 11:45AM
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Dragonite.
Posts: 1657 - Karma: 431
This. Support your local shop. They'll hook you up with something good.
Aug 20 2012 11:50AM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9217 - Karma: 5,399
it's fucking stupid to care about whats cooler. All i know is that where i am, there are no skateboarders. if thats the case for him, it's going to get pretty lonely and discouraging just trying to learn ollies and kickflips in a parking lot at school. No reason you can't longboard and skateboard. my brother does and he's a better longboarder because he skateboards, and vice versa.
Aug 20 2012 1:46PM
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