As a beginner skateboarder, you can go to a department store and buy the first cheap skateboard you see, but there is a big chance you might not enjoy it as much as you could. Wheels do not turn well, trucks are crappy. That won't be a good start.
To start off right and enjoy skateboarding from the beginning, buy a good quality board. This doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive skateboard out there, no, there is a midway. Skateboards between 50 and 100 dollars are good for beginners and will have well-made wheels and trucks and can easily turn.
Wheel size:
54-56mm is the normal wheel size for street skateboarders. If you are only looking for a cruiser skateboard you might want to consider 58mm or bigger wheels. The larger the wheels, the smoother you will cruise, the less likely you will feel rocks or cracks.
Bearings:
Bearings are the small rings that go inside the wheels. This makes your wheel turn. Bearings come in Abec3, Abec5 and Abec7 and Abec9. ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineers' Committee, and is the American method for rating the accuracy and tolerance. The higher an ABEC rating, the more accurate and precise the bearing is. Most skateboards have either Abec5 or Abec7 bearings.
Board size:
Kids can ride a skateboard that is called a "mini" skateboard. These are generally skateboards that are 7.5 "wide or less. Skateboards are mainly measured in their widths and not their length. Most skateboards are about 28" -32 "long.
Deck:
A deck of the skateboard is most often made out of hard rock maple and has 7 plies of wood. The higher the ply the heavier the board will be. 7 ply is perfect for beginners. When you are a beginner and need to choose a skateboard, it is best to buy a complete skateboard. There are many decks out there, but then you need to know what to get to make a complete skateboard: bearings, griptape, trucks and wheels. That might be too overwhelming. Many shops have already chosen a good combination (setup) for you to make it easy. When you get to know your skateboard and want to upgrade, it is much easier to choose different wheels and trucks at that time.
Some equipment tips before you begin or look for a new skateboard:
* Bearings: look for abec5 – rated
* Board: go for – 7+ ply deck
* Kids boards: go for 7.25 "- 7.5" or less
* Smoother ride: choose soft and large wheels
* Board for tricks: choose harder and small wheels
* Always wear a helmet and safety gear
Choose your board, Go shred and have fun!