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Tighter trucks necessitate more effort for turns, while looser trucks offer easier turning. Recognising the crucial role of truck tightness in your skateboard’s control and feel, we have crafted this comprehensive guide on the topic. Here, you will discover methods for adjusting your skateboard trucks' tightness and the reasons for doing so.
Guidelines for Adjusting Skateboard Trucks
- Identify the kingpin nut’s position.
- Make use of a skate tool, adjustable wrench, or spanner.
- Turn clockwise to increase stability.
- Turn counterclockwise for simpler turning.
Tip: An adjustable wrench can substitute a skate tool for tightening trucks. However, a skate tool is compact and serves multiple functions, making it worth considering as an add-on for your gear purchase.
Timing for Adjusting the Tightness of Your Skateboard Trucks
Consider tightening your trucks if:
- You encounter wheel bite during turns
- Your skateboard wobbles at higher velocities
- You desire more reliable pop
Consider loosening your trucks if:
- Lifting the front wheels is necessary for turning
- You seek sharper turns or greater mobility
- Carving seems constrained
Understanding Wheel Bite
Wheel bite occurs when the deck comes into contact with the wheels while turning, causing the board to vanish suddenly from beneath your feet.
→ Tightening your trucks can minimise wheel bite risk.
If maintaining agility is preferred over tightening trucks, risers might mitigate wheel bite. Be aware, though, that risers alter your setup’s geometry, resulting in a steeper pop angle. This requires more effort for proper pop, and those with shorter legs might find it increasingly challenging. Opting for smaller wheels is another consideration.
Managing Speed Wobbles at High Velocities
Speed wobbles can occur at greater speeds, potentially resulting in a complete loss of control.
→ Tightening your trucks will assist in maintaining control during high-speed rides.
Consistency in Pop
Controlling loose trucks demands greater skill.
→ If achieving consistent pop in tricks is challenging, slightly rotating the kingpin nut clockwise could be beneficial to increase tightness.
A worn-out skateboard deck naturally feels less lively, and tighter trucks won’t revive its pop. And if rock appeals more than pop... well!
Steering Without Raising the Front Wheels
Many novices have not yet mastered steering by leaning the deck in the desired direction. They often resort to lifting the front wheels for turning, which proves to be less smooth, inefficient, and unwieldy, thus impractical in many scenarios.
Younger skaters, typically lighter than seasoned skateboarders, might struggle to exert enough pressure on the trucks for effective turning, leading to the front wheel lifting method.
→ Loosening the kingpin nuts by turning counterclockwise can facilitate easier lean-to-steer, enabling sharper turns and more freedom of movement without lifting the front wheels.
Personalisation of Skateboard Truck Tightness
Truck adjustment involves numerous variables, with tighter settings granting control at the expense of agility, and vice versa. Experimenting by adjusting the tightness multiple times might be required to discover the ideal balance.
→ If extensive tightening and loosening have not yielded a satisfactory setting, consider choosing one that feels reasonably comfortable and concentrate on skating. You might naturally adapt to it sooner than you think!
Replacing Bushings When Pushing Boundaries
The responsiveness of your skateboard trucks is affected by the bushings. With various hardness levels and shapes available, changing bushings can aid in achieving an optimal balance between tightness and looseness.
- Firmer bushings = tighter and more rigid trucks
- Softer bushings = looser and more receptive trucks
The durometer scale measures bushing hardness, akin to skateboard wheels – a higher durometer rating indicates firmer rubber.
→ If excessive tightening of the kingpin nut leads to the washer bending or wearing into the top bushing, opting for firmer bushings can add desired stability and responsiveness.
→ For a gentler, smoother ride, if the kingpin nut is already as loose as possible, consider softer bushings.
