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Skateboards

Modern skateboards are all very similar in both size and construction (except for longboards). They deck is made from many thin layers of wood pressed together. Maple is the preferred wood for its flex and durability. The board is made symmetrically with a turned up ends and a slightly bowed standing surface which is usually shorter than two feet long. This allows for ollies and other kick tricks to be performed.

Skateboards have specialized trucks, or axels that connect the wheels to the board and allow for turning. They are able to pivot from side to side and aided with a small bumper to return the wheels to their straight position. The softer the bumper the faster the wheels will respond which can cause dangerous wheel wobble when traveling at high speeds. Most skaters find that a stiff bumper is better for performing tricks while a soft is good for everyday riding and carving on longboards.

Skateboards gained wide popularity because of the development of polyurethane wheels which are still used today although now there are many different sizes and hardness to choose from. Trick skaters generally have small hard wheels because they are light and easy to overcome their inertia making tricks easier. The hardness allows them to slide a little when landing. A soft wheel sticks to the ground very well and could send a slightly off skater flying off their board.

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