11 Ways To Save Money Skateboarding

In the past couple of years, I have spent a lot of money on skateboards. I have over a dozen boards from different manufacturers. Recently I found myself whether there are ways to save money skateboarding. So I did some research and discovered the following tips to help you cut down your skateboarding costs:

Buy cheap skateboard decks

Skateboard decks are one of the biggest expenses that you incur as a skateboarder. A typical deck usually lasts for about 5 to 6 months before it needs to be replaced. This depends a lot on the level of handling that the skateboard is subjected to.

Typical skateboards from top brands are rugged and can sustain rough handling. They typically cost around $150 to get a pretty high-standard board used by pro skateboarders.

There are some boards at the mid-level price range between $40 to $80. They function quite well and can last quite long for moderate usage such as tricks and can sustain a reasonable level of rough handling.

At the low level are boards that you can get from your local skate shop. They can go for as low as $35. They are okay if you are a beginner and you just want to dip your toe into skateboarding.

Buy your skateboard gear in bulk

Skate shops usually have discounts when you buy more than one gear for your skateboard. You can end up saving $10 or more by purchasing 2 or 3 boards at a go, which is going to be more than what you will need for the entire year. Even though you will end up paying more cash upfront, the cost-saving will be significant in the long run.

Handle your boards with care

When you first start skateboarding, there are going to be many times when you will get frustrated at how often you fail to perform a trick. It is very normal for you to throw your board onto the ground, kick out your board, and so on. This happens all the time. The problem with mishandling your board is that it degrades its lifespan, costing you money to replace. The right approach would be to summon into your consciousness the internal will to stop yourself from punishing your skateboard when those feelings arise.

Choose the environment in which you skate

By carefully choosing the environment in which you ride your skateboard, you can extend the lifespan of your board. Skateboarders in the past were known for riding their boards everywhere in the streets, later on, skateparks were constructed.

Riding your skateboard on the street tends to wear your wheels faster than if you rode your skateboard in the park. Riding your skateboard under the rain or over puddles will make your skateboard wet which reduces the lubrication on your bearings and can lead to squeaky wheels.

Moisture can also cause the trucks to rust. If that happens, it will splinter and will need to be replaced.

Choose boards of appropriate size and thickness

Smaller skateboards are lightweight and are great for performing tricks. Not to mention that they are easy to carry around. The problem with light boards is that they don't have a high thickness which makes it very easy for them to snap and break after performing tricks. When choosing aboard, it is important to select a board that can sustain your weight and the type of tricks you intend to perform on it.

Tighten the screws on your trucks

Apart from skateboards, trucks are the next biggest expense for skateboarders. It is a good idea to get cheap trucks because they don't last very long and will be more expensive down the road. Some good trucks can last for years with regular maintenance, while cheap trucks could last for a couple of weeks before they fail.

You can extend the lifespan of your trucks by screwing them tight to your board. This prevents the holes from widening which will prevent borehole sink-in. On the other hand, keeping the screws loose extends the lifespan of the bushings because there isn't so much pressure on them while skateboarding. It makes sense to keep the screws reasonably tight because the bushing is way less expensive than the deck.

Keep the screws on the wheel loose

This is a tip that can save you a couple of bucks.

The threads on the end of the trucks can get worn out with time as you skate. This can lead to an added cost of rethreading your trucks.

You can prevent this by not tightening the screws on the wheel too much which leaves the threads exposed.

Do not buy cheap skateboard wheels

The wheels on your skateboard affect how good it feels riding your skateboard and how easy it is to perform tricks. Hard wheels last longer than softer wheels and are less likely to chip. There is no question that cheap wheels on your skateboard are a bad idea and will cost you more in the long run. It is best to buy the quality that you can afford. The price for wheels is flexible and depends on the brand that produces them. They typically range from $20 to $40.

Maintain your skateboard bearings

The bearings are an important part of your skateboard, they determine how smoothly the skateboard moves. It is a good idea to lubricate your bearings at least once a month to reduce friction.

Using washers to prevent contact between the bearings, hanger and the nut will help increase the speed of the skateboard and make the bearings last longer.

Pick the right pair of skateboard shoes

Skateboarding shoes are one of the biggest expenses in skateboarding. Depending on the brand, they tend to cost from around $30 to $120. Even though this is the case, there are several ways to save money on a pair of kicks.

It is always possible to get skateboarding shoes on sale or to buy a pair from one of the smaller brands. The smaller brand shoes are usually produced by the companies that make the skateboard which means that you get to support a local skateboard brand that has designed the shoe for skateboarding. Canvas shoes are usually cheaper but suede shoes last longer and are a better deal.

Maintain your skateboard shoes

Just because your skateboard shoes have some holes in them does not mean that it is completely unusable. There are several ways to extend the life of your skateboard shoes before you need to get a new pair. You will need the following

---

Rex Anthony

Rex is one of the guys behind Skateboard Authority. He has been Skateboarding for more than 10 years now. During his free time, you will find him grinding some rails at the skate park. He write articles that help you level up your skateboarding skill to give you the confidence to take on more challenges like the pros.