Skateboards

rjstaaf · 09-17-06, 05:23

Guys,

Never been much into stakeboarding myself but, my son has an interest in skating and wants a skateboard for Xmas. I have looked at places like WalMart and local shops but, I know nothing about what is out there. I want to get him a decent board that won't make the learning process more difficult by having to fight with crappy hardware.

Any hints or suggestions you all can offer would be great.

Thanks

ptim · 09-17-06, 05:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjstaaf

Guys,

Never been much into stakeboarding myself but, my son has an interest in skating and wants a skateboard for Xmas. I have looked at places like WalMart and local shops but, I know nothing about what is out there. I want to get him a decent board that won't make the learning process more difficult by having to fight with crappy hardware.

Any hints or suggestions you all can offer would be great.

Thanks

I've had mine since I was 17, almost 30 years, I dont ride it as much as I used to, only once a year now. Only on my birthday. Skateboards have come a long way since then.

Moral of the story, get a good one and it will last.

rjstaaf · 09-17-06, 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptim

I've had mine since I was 17, almost 30 years, I dont ride it as much as I used to, only once a year now. Only on my birthday. Skateboards have come a long way since then.

Moral of the story, get a good one and it will last.

Any suggestions as to brands or places to look?

Thanks

a.k.a. Patrick · 09-17-06, 06:52

Quote:

I've had mine since I was 17, almost 30 years, I dont ride it as much as I used to, only once a year now. Only on my birthday. Skateboards have come a long way since then.

I'll buy it, seriously. We're roughly the same generation...I have been trying to buy old school boards for sometime on the web but havent had much luck......
Bob, without hesitation, shop online or run to a local skate/surf shop/ I was just looking at some retro old school boards tonight with my son at the surff shop, and am about to make a purchase again. My current stick is 41", with 52/76 wheels........But what I would give for something similiar to 31", with some OJ's or Road Ryders, or even Kryptonics, 5.75" trucks oh man I could go on and on!!!

Bob, ask him if he wants to do tricks/flips or carve/cruise.........Thats a good starting point....These are some of the best boards on the planet Bob.........

I.A.S. · 09-17-06, 07:04

go to a local skate shop and ask questions.......stay away from Wal-Mart/Target or sporting goods stores!

i used to skate from age 11-17, been outta that scene for about 5 years now so not sure what is good or big anymore but a few brands to try and find would be Earth, Independant, Birdhouse, Flip, and World Industries just to name a few....

hope this helps!

BigAl3 · 09-17-06, 07:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by I.A.S.

go to a local skate shop and ask questions.......stay away from Wal-Mart/Target or sporting goods stores!

agreed. do not waste your $$$ on anything at walmart, etc... the bearings alone in those boards will detour you away, as they don't roll worth a damn...

rjstaaf · 09-17-06, 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.k.a. Patrick

I'll buy it, seriously. We're roughly the same generation...I have been trying to buy old school boards for sometime on the web but havent had much luck......
Bob, without hesitation, shop online or run to a local skate/surf shop/ I was just looking at some retro old school boards tonight with my son at the surff shop, and am about to make a purchase again. My current stick is 41", with 52/76 wheels........But what I would give for something similiar to 31", with some OJ's or Road Ryders, or even Kryptonics, 5.75" trucks oh man I could go on and on!!!

Bob, ask him if he wants to do tricks/flips or carve/cruise.........Thats a good starting point....These are some of the best boards on the planet Bob.........

Thanks guys

Patrick that site looks great, those boards look awesome. My son wants to do tricks/flips and I think I may also get one and learn with him although I will probably lean towards the carve/cruise side

He hasn't shown a lot of interest in sports so when he mentioned this I thought it would be a great way for us to spend more time together although I have to admit skateboarding wouldn't have been something I would have picked myself

a.k.a. Patrick · 09-17-06, 08:02

Bob, heres a good site for short boards....... Theres some real good deals on Ebay also...........

martinager · 09-17-06, 08:15

right now I am imagining mid 40 year old guys on skate boards at my local skate park.. Thats awesome.

rjstaaf · 09-17-06, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.k.a. Patrick

Bob, heres a good site for short boards....... Theres some real good deals on Ebay also...........

Thanks again, there are a lot of boards to chose from there. I went from not much to chose from to an almost overwhelming variety there

I will pour over them tomorrow and maybe pick a few and get some more feedback.

Josh's experience with skating so far has been limited to Heelys but, he picked that up pretty fast so I expect he will probably pick this up faster than I will

a.k.a. Patrick · 09-17-06, 09:37

You may consider wrist and knee protection too...........At least in the beginning. I still have ummmmmm, street stuff, in my left knee area.....from over 30 yrs ago.......(Yeah, Im an O.F., old ****)

rjstaaf · 09-17-06, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.k.a. Patrick

You may consider wrist and knee protection too...........At least in the beginning. I still have ummmmmm, street stuff, in my left knee area.....

Definitely, we purchased knee, elbow and wrist protection as well as a good helmet for Josh when he started with the Heelys. I will be getting the same.