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Tight skateboard trucks demand more effort to turn, while looser trucks permit simpler turning. Since the tightness of your skateboard trucks is crucial to maintaining control and feel, this comprehensive guide is devoted to the topic. You'll discover how to alter the tightness of your skateboard trucks and the reasons for doing so.
The Process of Adjusting Skateboard Trucks
- Find the kingpin nut.
- Utilise a skate tool, an adjustable spanner, or a wrench.
- Turn clockwise for increased stability.
- Turn counterclockwise for easier manoeuvrability.
Advice: It's possible to tighten the trucks without a skate tool by using an adjustable spanner. However, a skate tool is convenient for carrying around and acts as a versatile solution, which you should seriously consider adding next time you purchase gear.
Determining When to Tighten or Loosen Your Skateboard Trucks
Consider tightening your trucks if:
- Turns result in wheel bite
- Your board becomes unsteady at high speeds
- You desire consistent pop
Consider loosening your trucks if:
- Lifting the front wheels is necessary to turn
- You prefer sharper turns or unrestricted movement
- Carving feels limited
Wheel Bite Issues
Wheel bite occurs when the deck contacts the wheels during turns, potentially making the board vanish from beneath your feet in a fraction of a second. Bam!
→ Trimming down the risk of wheel bite can be achieved by tightening the trucks.
If you wish to maintain agility without tightening the trucks, risers can also address wheel bite. However, be aware that risers will modify your setup's geometry, leading to a steeper pop angle. The steeper the pop-angle, the greater the effort required for a proper pop; those with shorter legs might find this challenging. Alternatively, you might consider changing to smaller wheels.
When High-Speed Attempts Become Unstable: “Speed Wobbles”
Speed wobbles might occur during high speeds, resulting in an overall loss of control.
→ Tightening your trucks will aid in maintaining control while travelling fast.
Consistency in Pop
Controlling loose trucks demands a greater level of skill.
→ Struggling with achieving consistent pop during tricks? Consider slightly tightening them by turning the kingpin nut clockwise.
An ageing, worn skateboard deck will naturally lose its responsiveness, and tightening your trucks won't revive its pop. If, however, you prefer rock over pop... wow!
Turning Without Raising the Front Wheels
Beginners often haven't mastered steering by leaning the deck in the intended direction. Instead, they may lift the front wheels to begin a turn. This technique is generally less smooth, inefficient, and harder to control, making it unsuitable for most scenarios.
Typically, younger skaters weigh less than seasoned, grown skateboarders, making it trickier to apply sufficient pressure to the trucks for efficient turning. Consequently, they might resort to lifting the front wheels.
→ Counterclockwise turns of the kingpin nuts for a looser feel can simplify lean-to-steer. Achieving sharper turns and unrestricted movement without raising the front wheels becomes possible.
Skateboard Truck Tightness Depends on Your Personal Preference
Adjusting skateboard trucks involves numerous elements. Increase tightness to gain control, but sacrifice agility, and vice versa. You may need to alter truck adjustments several times before discovering the suitable setting.
→ If constant tightening and loosening have not given you the perfect setup, settle on a roughly acceptable setting and concentrate on skating. You might soon find that you've become accustomed to it!
Consider Replacing Your Bushings When Pushing Limits
The bushings also play a role in the sensitivity of your skateboard trucks, available in differing hardnesses and shapes. By exchanging your bushings for another model, you might discover the ideal balance between looseness and tightness.
- Harder bushings = tighter, firmer trucks
- Softer bushings = looser, more reactive trucks
The firmness of bushings is measured on the durometer scale, similar to skateboard wheels - the tougher the rubber, the higher the durometer grading.
→ If the tightness of the kingpin nut has led to bending the washer into a concave shape or wearing into the upper bushing, opting for harder bushings can deliver the necessary stability and responsiveness.
→ Desiring a softer, smoother feeling and having already loosened the kingpin nut to its limit? Try using softer bushings.
