Skateboard Trucks, Wheels, and Bearings Explained

Skateboard Trucks: The Basics

Trucks are the metal axle assemblies that attach your wheels to your deck. They are arguably the most important part of your setup for how the board turns and grinds.

Truck Width

The most critical spec: match your truck axle width to your deck width. Trucks that are too narrow or too wide will make your board feel unstable and awkward.

• 7.75" axle — Pair with 7.5"–7.75" decks
• 8.0" axle — Pair with 7.75"–8.125" decks
• 8.5" axle — Pair with 8.25"–8.5" decks
• 9.0" axle — Pair with 8.5"+ decks

Truck Height: Low, Mid, or High?

• Low trucks — Lower center of gravity. Better for flip tricks. Pair with smaller wheels (50–53mm) to avoid wheelbite.
• Mid trucks — The most versatile option. Works well for street and park.
• High trucks — More clearance for bigger wheels (56mm+). Great for cruising and transition.

Key Brands

Independent, Thunder, Venture, Ace, and Slappy are all respected in the skate world. Each has a different geometry that affects how tight or loose they feel — the best way to know is to try them. Browse our full range of skateboard trucks.

Skateboard Wheels: Diameter and Hardness

Wheels are rated by two specs: diameter (in millimeters) and durometer (hardness).

Diameter

• 50–53mm — Small and light. Fast acceleration. Best for technical street skating.
• 54–56mm — The all-rounder. Works for street, parks, and most transition.
• 56–60mm — Faster top speed. Smoother over rough ground. Good for vert and cruising.
• 60mm+ — Cruiser/longboard territory. Very smooth roll, slower to accelerate.

Durometer (Hardness)

• 99a–101a (or 84b–86b) — Hard. Fast on smooth surfaces. Precise slides. Standard for street and park skating.
• 95a–98a — Slightly softer. Slightly more grip. Good for rough concrete parks.
• 78a–87a — Soft. Absorbs vibration. Ideal for rough streets, hills, and cruisers.

Most street and park skaters ride 99a–101a. If your local spots are rough, drop to 95a for a smoother ride.

Shop our skateboard wheels collection.

Skateboard Bearings: ABEC Ratings and What Actually Matters

Bearings sit inside your wheels and allow them to spin on your axles. The ABEC rating system (ABEC 3, 5, 7, 9) rates manufacturing precision — but in skateboarding, the quality of materials and lubrication matters more than the rating.

• ABEC 3/5 — Budget entry-level. Fine for beginners but won't last long.
• ABEC 7 — The most popular rating for skate bearings. A quality ABEC 7 (like Bones Reds) will outlast cheaper ABEC 9s.
• Bones Swiss / Ceramic — Premium bearings used by pros. Extremely smooth, long-lasting, and worth the investment if you skate often.

Keep your bearings clean and lightly lubed and they'll last years. Avoid skating through puddles — water is the fastest way to kill bearings.

Shop our skateboard bearings.