Skateboard Trucks
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The right skateboard trucks at Blue Tomato
At Blue Tomato, you'll find an extensive selection of skateboard trucks that are perfectly suited to every setup and riding style. Whether you've been skating for a long time or are just starting out, our experts are on hand to help you choose the perfect trucks. Dive deeper into the world of skateboard trucks and discover everything you need to know in our detailed Skateboard Buyer's Guides or at a Blue Tomato shop near you.
The importance of truck height: low, mid and high
The height of the skateboard trucks – the distance between the baseplate and the hanger – has a significant impact on the performance of your skateboard.
Low trucks
If you opt for the low version, you will be rewarded with stable landings during tricks and ease of use. You can benefit from these advantages especially in street skating. However, one problem that is anathema to every skater is known in the scene as wheelbite.
This annoying rubbing between the skateboard wheels and the deck is the result of incorrect truck settings and wheels that are too large. For this reason, you should not exceed a wheel diameter of 50 to 53 millimetres with low trucks.
Mid Trucks
If you consider yourself more of an all-rounder on the skateboard, a mid truck is the most sensible choice. These combine the advantages of the other two types, although you should still use a wheel diameter of between 53 and 56 millimetres to avoid wheelbites. Mid trucks are therefore particularly suitable for beginners.
High trucks
The counterpart to low trucks are high trucks. These offer the greatest distance between the hanger and the skateboard deck. The biggest advantage is the improved pop characteristics due to the increased standing surface. You will notice how easy it is to get your board into a steeper position. The highest ollies ever are the inevitable consequence. The risk of wheel bites is also almost completely eliminated, allowing you to ride larger wheel diameters without any problems. High trucks are less stable and therefore not necessarily suitable for beginners.
Choose the right truck width
The width of your trucks must be adjusted to your skateboard. This is crucial, as the correct alignment of the truck width with the deck width significantly affects the balance, stability and performance of your skateboard. You can find more information on this in our Skateboard Truck Buyer's Guide.
Fine-tuning with kingpin and bushings
The steering behaviour of your skateboard can be individually adjusted by making adjustments to the kingpin and bushings, even after purchase:
- Kingpin: By adjusting the kingpin screw, you can vary the hardness of the steering.
- Bushings: These steering rubbers also influence the stiffness of the steering. Changing bushings allows you to adjust the riding feel depending on your preferred skate style and conditions.
A harder setting offers more stability at high speeds, such as in the halfpipe, while a softer setting is better for street and carving situations. However, keep in mind that a setting that is too loose can lead to unstable handling at high speeds. A skate tool is ideal for quick and easy adjustments on the go – a compact tool for all adjustments to your trucks and the entire skateboard.
The best brands for skateboard trucks
Blue Tomato offers a wide selection of skateboard trucks from your favourite brands. Each brand brings its own innovations and advantages:
- Independent Trucks: Known for their durability and unique design, these trucks come with a lifetime warranty.
- Tensor Trucks: Founded by skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen, these trucks are known for their lightness and are popular among professional skaters.
Other top brands for skateboard trucks: