Lots of riders fear their skateboard will not last for a long time because they know from the time they purchased it that they are going to use it roughly and ride it on very hard surfaces that will cause it to destroy. This scares lots of people and makes them think that their skateboard will only last a few months.
So, how long does a skateboard lasts? It really depends on a lot of factors, but in most cases, your skateboard would last from 5 months to 2 years. It depends on factors such as usage, the quality of your skateboard, and maintenance because while some riders manage to ruin their skateboard in just a year, some manage to keep it for 5 years and there are even those that manage to break their skateboard in 5 months.
In this guide, I will show you all the factors that determine how long a skateboard lasts and the things you need to know to extend the life of your skateboard.
So, let’s get started.
What are the factors that determine how long your skateboard last?
Like I said, the durability of your skateboard depends on lots of different factors and it is important that you know them so that you can understand how you can keep all these things in order for your skateboard to last longer. The main factors are:
- The places you ride – The surfaces you ride play a huge factor in how long your skateboard last; for example, when you ride on the road or on rough places, the wheels will destroy and wear out much faster and worse. If you try to do tricks on the road, you will crash many times and your skateboard will destroy much faster because the road’s surface is very hard, which hurts the skateboard. So, I recommend you ride only in light places and skatepark that is intended for skateboarding. I also recommend anywhere else except the road because the asphalt is really awful for the skateboard.
- Stunts – Of course, if you try to do stunts with your skateboard, you will undoubtedly hurt it more, especially when you do it on hard surfaces that can damage your skateboard. So, I encourage you to practice the stunts and tricks on light and soft surfaces such as grass or skatepark that is designed for skateboards because it won’t damage the skateboard when you land compared to hard surfaces that can cause so much damage to the board.
- Quality of the skateboard – Of course, the more quality and robust your skateboard is, the more durable it is. Also, quality skateboards are more expensive and last longer than cheap ones, so it’s important to take that into account too.
- Weather and riding conditions – When I talk about the weather and the conditions you ride, I mean riding in the rain or especially water that will ruin your skateboard or causes your skateboard to wear out. Therefore, riding in the rain is not recommended because it will significantly shorten your skateboard’s life.
- Your level of skateboard abuse – When I say skateboard abuse, I’m not talking about stunts, but I’m mostly talking about flying and sending the skateboard in the air. I know a lot of riders who try to exercise for an hour and fail, and due to their failure, they just can’t get their anger down and throw their skateboard to the ground which breaks the board or at least makes the skateboard less durable. So, control yourself. I also know how annoying it is to do one exercise for an hour without getting it, but it is important that you control yourself and be calm.
The life span of skateboard based on types of rider
Although I said the average time your skateboard can last is 2 years, that’s for an average rider. If you want to know the average life span of your skateboard, I highly recommend you identify the type of rider you are from ‘The Professional,’ ‘The Amateur,’ Or ‘The Daily Rider.’
The Pro rider
When I say Pro rider, I am referring to riders who partake in skateboard competitions, ride on skateboards for hours and work on stunts and tricks almost every day to get better. The skateboard of professional rider can last for at least a week to a few months.
Professional riders destroy their skateboards faster and I personally know many professional riders that change their skateboard every month because they do crazy stunts that cause their skateboard to destroy faster. They are also willing to pay more on skateboards. For instance, if the wheels do not get better or good for riding, they will just replace it, unlike an average rider who is always willing to settle for less good skateboards, especially if the wheel is still rolling properly.
The Amateur rider
The amateur rider is mainly a rider who does not ride every day but at least 3 to 4 times a week and goes out to ride for fun with friends in areas that are designed for skateboard riding. The amateur rider’s skateboard will last for at least 6 months to 2 years, and if you keep your skateboard well and ride only once in a while, it can last you more than two years.
The Daily Rider
The daily rider is a skateboard rider who only ride to and from work or school and I know a lot of riders who use their skateboard less and just skate to move from one place to another. These riders only go out with friends and perform stunts once in a while, unlike the amateur rider who regularly do stunts and rides with friends. For daily riders, their skateboard can last for at least 2 to 4 years depending on where you ride and how you use it.
You need to understand all the 3 types of skateboard riders and identify the category you belong to so that you can know how long your skateboard will last.
How often do you need to replace your skateboard deck and wheels?
This depends on lots of factors. Professional riders who ride for hours on a daily basis will have to replace their deck and wheels every month, while an average rider who rides several times a week will have to change their deck and wheels every 5 to 12 months.
In addition, if you rarely ride a skateboard once or twice a week, your deck and wheels will last for a very long time, even for a couple of years.
10 tips on how to make your skateboard last longer
Here are some tips on how to make your skateboard last much longer:
1. Don’t throw your skateboard
I know how annoying it is to try to do one exercise for a few hours without succeeding in it, but don’t throw your skateboard when you are annoyed because there is a 50 percent chance that the skateboard will just break or cut in half. In fact, there is a high chance that the skateboard will hit the ground with its end (tail of your skateboard) which is very sensitive and not as durable as the middle part, and will cause it to break
Though skateboarding can be very annoying sometimes, try to control yourself and do not throw the skateboard.
2. Keep your skateboard dry
This is something many riders are unaware of. Many riders don’t take into account how they store their skateboard; they just put their skateboard on a cold floor in the winter or even in the car which causes the skateboard to be hit by something. Don’t just put your skateboard somewhere because one of your family members can trample on it and break it or the skateboard can be subjected to extreme temperatures that are not good for it. So, I highly recommend that you first buy a rack for your skateboard and put it in a dry place where no one will damage it.
3. Don’t ride in the rain (during winter)
Riding in the winter will just ruin your skateboard because
when you ride in the rain, water can seep into the tree and turn into a fog
that can destroy your board. It can also cause more parts to be destroyed, like
the bearings that are very water sensitive and can rust.
If you accidentally practice in the water without paying attention, I highly
recommend that you dry your skateboard immediately with a hairdryer while if
you want to ride in the winter with your skateboard, I encourage you to take a
garbage bag with you in your bag to protect your skateboard in case it suddenly
starts to rain.
4. Don’t leave your skateboard in the car
Many riders make a very common and big mistake of consciously leaving their skateboards in the car because they think their skateboard will be much more durable when it is kept in a warm place than keeping in a cold place such as water. But when it comes to leaving your skateboard in the car, the heat will be much worse which can damage the deck’s tree of your board including the wheels and trigger because they are simply sensitive to heat.
The problem with a car is that it absorbs as much heat as possible while riding in the sun, especially if your car is black that can be worse and will damage your skateboard. Even lots of skateboards are stolen from cars, so take your skateboard with you and don’t leave it in the car.
5. Do not slip on the tail of your skateboard
Lots of riders love to slide or stop on the skateboard’s tail which not only rubs the tail over the ground but can also break the board after a few attempts. So, don’t slip on the tail of your skateboard because it can break your board since the tail is the most sensitive part of the skateboard.
6. Clean the skateboard
If you really want your skateboard to last for many years, then cleaning your skateboard is one of the most effective and useful things to keep doing over time. Doing this will make your skateboard look prettier and cleaner and will also make it more durable. Cleaning your skateboard should be done at least one in a few months.
Before I show you how to clean your skateboard, first, you need some cleaning equipment that includes a brush, absorbent paper, alcohol or cleaner, and a screwdriver.
Here are some steps you can take to clean your skateboard:
- Clean your deck – The first thing is to clean your skateboard deck. First, you need to use the screwdriver to remove any dirt, sand or mud on the deck and then brush the deck with water to effectively remove any left dirt. After cleaning the top of the deck, move to clean the bottom of the deck. It’s important to know that your deck is sensitive to water, but as long as you clean it with water in a gentle way, then there is no problem with it.
- Clean the wheels – After cleaning the deck, unplug the wheels from the skateboard and clean the wheels and bearings with a toothbrush together with some water. Then take your bearings and put them in a glass of alcohol for a few minutes until they are clean. Lastly, remove the bearings, screw them up, and shake to remove all alcohol.
- Plug in all parts – Once you’re done cleaning your skateboard, just plug all parts together and that’s all.
7. Don’t ride on surfaces containing stone, glass or sand
Riding on places with sand or glass will simply ruin your skateboard wheels, and if your skateboard falls to the ground while standing on hard surfaces, it can break significantly. So, only try to ride on surfaces that are designed to accommodate skateboard falls.
8. Know how to land well on your skateboard
It is very important that you land on your skateboard properly because if you land poorly on the deck, you can break your skateboard into half, so the most effective and safe way to land on the deck is to land with both feet on the front or on the hole screws which are usually not in the tail but somewhere in the middle, which is safer and doesn’t damage your skateboard.
9. Don’t do tricks and stunts that are not meant for your level
Most novice riders make a mistake of trying to do stunts and tricks that are not meant for their level. Doing tricks that are not meant for your level is very dangerous and will also increase your chance of breaking your skateboard into two, especially if you are a beginner rider. And as a beginner, I’m sure your skateboard is cheap and of lesser quality which means it is less durable and can’t cope with crazy and hard stunts.
Instead of trying to do tricks and stunts that are not meant for your level, start with the basic tricks and gradually move on to more difficult and complicated ones. This will keep you safer while riding and will reduce your risk of breaking your skateboard.
10. Tighten your tracks often
It is very easy to forget to tighten your tracks but make sure you do before each ride because they will last you for years and will also give you more stability and comfort while riding. Here is a tool that will make this job easy.
Summary
For any questions, you may have or opinion on the article, feel free to write us a comment, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Thanks for reading, until the next post.
