Building your own cruiser board is a fun and rewarding project that allows you to customise it to your specific preferences and needs. It’s a great way to get a high-quality ride that looks and feels good. However, if you’re a beginner, it might be difficult for you to find the right parts and assemble your board by yourself. For that reason, I’ve put together this simple guide that will help you build your ideal board with ease.
Gather Your Materials
Before you start building your cruiser skateboard, you should gather all the materials and tools you will need. Make sure to buy cruiser skateboards and parts from a reputable online store to get high-quality products and tools. The range of products you’ll need includes a deck, wheels, trucks, bearings, grip tape, and tools for assembly. These come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you can create your dream board that suits your riding style and skill level, while also looking good.
Choose a Deck
You should choose a deck that is the right size for your height and weight. If it’s too small or too large, it’ll be difficult to balance on. Cruiser skateboards often have a rounded, pintail shape that’s easy to manoeuvre and turns smoothly. However, there are also other shapes available, such as square-tailed or flat decks, which might suit your personal preferences and riding style better.
Another important factor to consider is the material of the deck. These boards are typically made from high-quality, durable materials such as maple wood or composite materials. These materials provide a good combination of strength and flex, which is important for smooth, comfortable cruising.
Finally, consider the style of the deck. Cruiser skateboards are available in a wide range of colours, graphics, and designs, so choose a deck that suits your personal style and taste! Look for a design that catches your eye and makes you want to ride it.
Apply Grip Tape
The next step is applying grip tape to your deck. To do this, first, clean the deck thoroughly and remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the grip tape adhering properly. Then, cut the grip tape to the right size, leaving a small amount of overlap on the edges.
Peel the backing off the tape, starting at one end and working your way slowly to the other end. Place it onto the deck, starting at one end and pressing it down firmly as you work your way to the other end. Use a scraper or credit card to smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles in the grip tape. Trim off the excess grip tape at the edges of the deck, and you’re done!
Install the Trucks
To install the trucks, first, place them on the deck and line up the mounting holes on the trucks with the holes on the deck. Then, insert the mounting hardware (you can usually find them in an online store where you buy cruiser skateboards) through the holes and use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten them securely. Be careful not to over-tighten the hardware, as this can damage the trucks or the deck.
Once you attach the trucks, you can adjust the tightness using the kingpin nut. Looser trucks will make the board easier to turn, while tighter trucks will provide more stability.
Install the Wheels
The final step is installing the wheels on your skate cruiser. To do this, you’ll first need to apply bearings to them. These are the parts that make your wheels spin. You’ll need a total of eight bearings per board (two for each wheel). Place your bearings in the wheels, making sure that they are seated properly and not crooked.
Once your bearings are in place, put the wheels on the trucks and line up the holes in the wheels with the bolts on the trucks. Then, insert the wheel bolts through the holes in the wheels and use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten them securely. Be careful not to over-tighten the wheel bolts, as this can damage the wheels or the trucks.
Once the wheels are attached, adjust the tightness of the bearings using a bearing tool. Looser bearings will make the wheels spin more easily, while tighter bearings will provide more control and stability. Adjust the bearings to your personal preference, and you’re ready to roll!
Take Your New Board for a Ride!
Once you finish setting up your skateboard cruiser, try it out to see if you need to readjust some parts. Just make sure to avoid rough or uneven surfaces, as these can be difficult to navigate on a cruiser and you could lose control or fall.
Is It Better to Build My Own Cruiser Board?
Building your own board has several advantages over buying a pre-made board:
- It allows you to customize every aspect of the board to your personal preferences. You can choose the size, shape, and materials of the deck, the type and size of the trucks and wheels, and the colour and design of the grip tape. This ensures that you get a board that perfectly suits your riding style and preferences;
- Building your own cruiser skateboard can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. It helps you learn about the different components of a skateboard and how they work together, and use your skills and creativity to create a unique, personalised board;
- Lastly, building your own board can save you money! By purchasing the individual components and assembling them yourself, you often get a better value and save money compared to buying a pre-made board.
