Skateboarding is a million things to a million different people, but at the end of the day, comfort, precision and durability matter. And quite frankly, a bad setup can quickly ruin all of that. You want it to feel like yours, you know? Whether you’re a beginner or a self-proclaimed hometown hero, certain setup mistakes can hold anyone back.
From truck tightness to wheel and bushing hardness, razor tail to the shoes you skate, small details can make a huge difference. With that said, here are some of the most overlooked skateboard setup mistakes and, more importantly, how to fix them.
1. Skating the Wrong Deck Size
One of the most common setup mistakes is riding a deck that doesn’t align with your style, height, foot size—the list goes on. Most skaters either pick a deck based on the graphic (which is totally fair) or simply grab whatever is available without considering the width and length of the plank.
Here are my thoughts on that: If you’re looking to be a tech wizard, flipping in and out of ledge and manual tricks, skate a narrower board (7.75”-8.25”) for better flick and control. If you like bowls, transition (or even just a little extra stability), an 8.5″ deck—or perhaps even wider—will offer more surface area and control. Your foot size also comes into play. Bigger feet usually means a bigger board. (Tap that post below for more info!)
Related: How To Choose the Right Size Skateboard
2. Ignoring Wheel Hardness and Size
I’d say many skaters often choose certain wheels based on their favorite pro’s setup rather than their actual needs, but I won’t say most. Skateboarders are super peculiar and wheels are a major reason why. Luckily, there are plenty of options to suit all needs. Skating wheels that are too hard for rough streets or too soft for certain tricks (usually on ledges, banks or anywhere you’re sliding) can make the session a bummer.
An easy fix? Use softer wheels (78A-87A) for cruising or rough terrain and harder wheels (99A-101A) for, well, pretty much everything else. If you’re looking for versatility, 92A-97A is a solid middle ground. Have you seen those Powell Dragon wheels? Similar to your board, head to your local shop and see what they have to say! They’re there to help, after all.
Related: The Skateboard Wheel Hardness Scale Explained
3. Tightening or Loosening Your Trucks Too Much
The tightness of your trucks significantly affects pretty much everything when it comes to skateboarding—turning, stability, control, wheel bite. All skaters are different, but most beginners either tighten their trucks too much, which can make it hard to control, or leave them too loose, which makes the board feel unstable.
I’d say just adjust trucks based on your style of skating. Looser trucks help with control, if you ask me. It’s all in your weight distribution. But you could argue tighter trucks help with stability for stuff like flip tricks and manuals. Do what feels right and experiment until you find that comfy middle ground.
Related: Slappy Trucks Introduces Their Brand New Ultra Low Inverted Hollow Kingpin
4. Choosing Wrong Bushing Hardness
In case you don’t know, bushings are the small urethane pieces in your trucks that determine turning and responsiveness. If your bushings are too soft or too hard for your weight and style, it can make things feel a little uncomfortable. And a lot of the time, you wouldn’t even think about swapping your bushings because of it!
Weight plays a role in this, but it’s also just preference. Skaters should use softer bushings if you’re looking for an easier, almost mushier feeling. While heavier skaters might need harder bushings for proper stability. Medium bushings (90A-95A), on the other hand, offer a balanced feel. I say try ’em all and see what you think! The good news is, most bushings cost less than $15. Well worth the investment.
Related: 5 Ways to Customize Your Skateboard Setup
5. Ignoring Routine Bearing Maintenance
Bearings are crucial when it comes to speed and smoothness, which is why it’s sorta funny that most skaters never clean or lubricate them! Dirt and debris buildup is going to happen no matter what and can really slow you down and damage them over time.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to combat dirty bearings before buying new ones. You can clean your bearings with rubbing alcohol or bearing cleaner every few months, for one. Bones Speed Cream is a great choice! You can soak them in WD40, although people have their debates on that. And without sounding gross, sometimes a little saliva can surprisingly do the trick! Whatever the case, make sure you’re doing it. It’ll make all the difference.
Related: 7 Skateboard Bearings That Deliver Speed and Precision
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6. Using the Wrong Hardware Length
This one certainly isn’t the most important, in my opinion, but it still matters. Most skaters don’t pay attention to hardware size, which, again, is fine. But there are cases where screws that are too short won’t fully secure the trucks, and screws that are too long can stick out too far and, well, mainly just be annoying!
You wanna use 7/8” or 1” hardware for standard setups. But if you’re skating riser pads, go up to 1.25” or above (depending on pad thickness), and you’ll be looking good.
Related: Is Girl Changing The Hardware Game With These New Bolts?
7. Pretending Razor Tail Isn’t Real
You don’t need me to tell you that skating a deck too long can (and will) cause razor tail, which is when the tail becomes sharp and thin from too much use. While it might come with some pride and maybe some stories of battles in the streets, razor tail is too real and makes popping tricks way harder.
Hate to make the solution sound too simple, but if your board has severe razor tail, I’d say it’s probably time to get a new one! But if that’s not possible, don’t trip! A classic trick is just taking apart your board and using your nose as the tail. That’ll give you a few weeks for sure.
Related: 5 Common Skateboarding Injuries and How to Combat Them
8. Putting Trucks on Backwards
A classic beginner mistake! We’ve all probably been there, whether we want to admit it or not. But putting your trucks on backward is a big no-no and, honestly, makes it so you can’t even ride the board! It’ll cause your board to turn unexpectedly or feel off-balance—trust me, you’ll know.
The fix for this is pretty simple as well—just always make sure your kingpins are facing inward at each other. If you follow that one little rule, all will be well.
Related: Coming Soon: Independent Teases New Mark Gonzales Signature Stage 4 Trucks
9. Overlooking Shoe Choice
I was debating on adding this one to the list because shoes aren’t technically part of your “setup,” but the right (or wrong) shoes can make a world of difference when it comes to board feel, flick, and even random foot pain.
We’ll consider this a bonus, but yeah—wear skate-specific shoes with good grip, durability, and board feel! Cupsoles are usually bulkier and provide more impact protection, while vulcanized soles arguably offer better board feel. Don’t trip, though. We dissected the subject in the post below. Dive in!
Related: Cupsole vs. Vulcanized Skate Shoes: Which Is Right for You?
At the end of the day, a proper setup can make all the difference when it comes to your progression and, more importantly, your overall enjoyment. Avoiding these common mistakes will make sure your board is solid and ready to rip, which will give you the confidence to keep the sessions rolling! Take the time to dial it all in, find what works best for you, and shoot, that’s it. We’ll see you out there.
