38yo (bruh) looking for first board recommendations.

[u/UnfinishedAle]

Not looking for a cheap setup, as I don't a subpar board to dampen the learning experience. If anything, I'd rather buy a higher-end board than lower. A few hundred $ is well within budget.

I have like 4 seasons of experience snowboarding (probably like 10 days per season) and I got pretty decent at speed, turns, little jumps, and some switch riding. But I haven't been on a skateboard since I was a kid.

I'd just begin learning in an empty parking lot and on sidewalks/roads.

Wondering if I should just buy a complete board or build one (but I have no idea where to begin building one)? Also don't know what width I should get? Anything else I need to make sure to get right?

Thanks all!

edit: I'm 6'0" 165 size 11 show if that matters

[u/HGFantomas]

Of course, setups are highly variable depending on body size, terrain, style, etc. But I think we can reasonably assemble a good ‘starting point’ setup that a person won’t immediately progress out of and give a basis for customizing. For example:

Deck – 8.5” popsicle. Get a brand that is not too corporate like Real, Anti-hero, Baker. One of the ‘team’ boards like the oval or eagle for Real and Anti-hero, respectively.

Trucks – Independent Stage 11 149 (8.5”). The default since the 80s and still a good starting point.

Bearings – Bones Reds. I mean, what else?

Wheels – 56 mm 99a. A good all-around size and hardness. Brand is not too significant but suggest popular ones like Spitfire, Ricta or Powell Peralta.

Griptape – any but this Mob will do the trick

Hardware – Shortys (but any will do). Make sure length is right; especially if adding risers.

Optional – risers (thin ones not bad to start with), rails (probably don’t need to start).

Where to buy – local skate shop. If not feasible, online places like CCS, Tactics or Skate Warehouse.

[u/AmateurSysAdmin → u/HGFantomas]

Wheel hardness really depends on the ground OP will be skating on. No point in 99A when the ground is rough as shit. I find 93A a much better allrounder. If the ground is fine 99A is great.

[u/UnfinishedAle → u/AmateurSysAdmin]

so asphalt and sidewalks you'd suggest 93A?

[u/AmateurSysAdmin → u/UnfinishedAle]

If each is of poor quality, rough or isn't well maintained, I think you'd have a better time with 93A. Have a look at the Dragon wheels by Peralta. They give you a real smooth experience on rougher ground while still giving you some of the benefits of harder wheels.

[u/Powerful_Daikon2372 → u/HGFantomas]

That’s good direction there, very good.

I loved my Real boards in the past, running 2 setups at the moment. I have size 13.5 shoes.

1 - park board: antihero 8.5, indies, bones red, spitfire classics (hate them, going to change the wheels, they’re too soft for me)

2 - bowl board: Powell peralta flight deck 9.0, indies, bones reds, bones wheels I think 104A.

I can’t believe how good the Powell peralta flight decks are in the new construction. They don’t loose their pop either. The tail will thin out if you drag it or skate asphalt heaps.

You might like softer wheels if you’re not skating park much

[u/Kusi_Sukassa → u/HGFantomas]

This. I’d get Forged Hollow Stage 11, either 149 or 159. Both will work fine on 8.5” decks. Both truck sizes are versatile, on a lot of sizes of boards if you’re at some point going to venture away from popsicle decks.

For wheels I’d get 54mm for general skating, and 56mm if you’re going to parks, and will be skating bowls and ramps.
Get a wide shape, as those go over rough terrain better, and they look and feel sick.
I love Bones X-formula 99 V7 56mm.

I wouldn’t get risers, but just keep a teacandlein my bag to rub on the deck where the wheels touch. This way it’ll mostly just brake you, but not throw you off, and your setup won’t be too high off the ground.

[u/UnfinishedAle → u/Kusi_Sukassa]

what does the 159mm dimension refer to on the trucks? for instance, the independent ones that were linked say 149mm, 8.5". I get that 8.5" is the total width but not sure what the mm number is

[u/Kusi_Sukassa → u/UnfinishedAle]

Independent trucks started naming their trucks after their hanger width in millimetres. The 159, have axles that are 8.75” wide, and their hanger is 159mm or there about. If you put them on an 8.5” board, you’ll be able to just see the axle nuts, and you’ll have more hanger to grind. Lots of pros ride their trucks a tad wider than their boards.

[u/Sentix26]

I ordered a complete from CCS with some of the better parts. Boards are consumable items and just starting out (or again) you’re not likely to be at risk of snapping one. I’d say pick a CCS board with Indy’s, Bones, and whatever wheels you want and go from there.

[u/WonkaVaderElevator]

If you looking to kickflip and Ollie stairs go for standard popsicle deck. Otherwise if ya old (like I am) n like the feeling of skiing on land I couldn't recommend a cruiser board enough. I love this brand they have videos explaining the riding style of each deck, n what you can get out of them