Comparison SK Panther vs Tempish Metropol

The dimensions of the deck in length and width (according to the largest dimensions).

Both small and large decks have their advantages and disadvantages. So, a short and narrow deck contributes to manoeuvrability, but puts forward additional requirements for the rider's skill — it can be difficult to cope with a small "nimble" skate, especially at high speed. A long and wide board, on the contrary, is more stable, but it is difficult to make sharp manoeuvres on such a skateboard. In addition, the optimal length for each type of skate (see above) also depends on the age category of the skater: for example, classic skateboards in the adult version have boards no shorter than 600 mm, and anything less refers to children's models. The width, in turn, can be determined by the size of the foot: a person with a large size (from 44) may simply be uncomfortable on a narrow deck.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal dimensions for each type of skate and planned riding features can be found in special sources.

The material from which the skateboard deck is made.

— Maple. Maple wood is known for its strength and relative lightness, making it a popular choice for skateboard boards. The decks are made from different types of maple: American, Canadian, Chinese and Russian. More details about them are described in the relevant paragraphs.

— American maple. A durable and reliable base for a skateboard deck made from maple wood that grows in the North American region. Boards made from this material usually have a dense and hard structure, which makes them suitable for performing difficult stunts.

— Canadian maple. Due to its strength and density combined with elasticity, Canadian maple is considered the most suitable material for skateboard decks. However, such decks are not cheap.

— Chinese maple. A variety of maple, somewhat inferior to the Canadian types in terms of performance characteristics and durability, but also costs significantly less.

— Russian maple. Another relatively inexpensive analogue of Canadian maple. The features are similar to the Chinese one, but for several reasons it is used much less frequently.

— Chinese birch. A budget option, used infrequently, mainly in children's boards. It is inexpensive but does not have any special ad...vantages.

— Bamboo. Due to its properties, bamboo is primarily suitable for longboards and therefore is used primarily in this type of board (see “Type”). However, relatively few bamboo models are produced.

- Plastic. Plastic is generally considered a budget option, but this stereotype is not entirely justified. The fact is that there are many varieties of this material: for example, mini cruisers(see “Type”) use high-quality plastic, which, according to some manufacturers, can even survive being hit by a car wheel. So it is safe to say that the quality of a plastic product directly depends on its price category. Among the common features of all types of plastic, it is worth noting the absolute insensitivity to moisture and the ability to be produced in the most complex shapes and colours; the latter makes it easier to create skateboards in original designs and unusual designs.

— Composite. Decks that combine several dissimilar materials — for example, wood with a layer of fibreglass or plastic with a layer of carbon fibre. This combination allows you to combine the advantages of individual materials and compensate (at least partially) for their shortcomings. The specific composition and properties of composites may vary; here, as in the case of plastic, it makes sense to focus on the price category of the skateboard. However, most modern skateboards use high-quality composites, and such a board is most often a sign of an advanced model.

- Aluminium. Aluminium (more precisely, aluminium alloy) is characterized by high strength and durability with relatively low weight, and it also tolerates moisture without problems. On the other hand, this material is not cheap, but the spring properties are rather weak and are not suitable for jumping. Therefore, it is used mainly in rather specific types of skateboards, such as split roller surfers and skateboards (see "Type").

The number of individual layers of material that make up the deck.

Layered design is used mainly in wooden decks (see "Deck material"); plastic or aluminium usually are made in one piece. The use of several layers allows you to achieve the necessary combination of elasticity for skates with bending strength in any direction. To do this, each layer of wood is laid with fibres in a certain direction.

Theoretically, the more layers, the more directions in which the fibres of the tree are stacked, and the lower the likelihood that the load will go in the “weak”, poorly reinforced direction. In addition, it is multilayer decks that most often have additional inserts that further reinforce the structure (for example, made of carbon). On the other hand, the differences between different models depend much more on the specs of the material than on the number of layers. Therefore, when choosing, it makes sense to pay attention, not so much to this parameter as to more but more obvious specs — primarily the material of the deck and the price category of the product.

Now on the market there are decks made from such several layers: 6 layers, 7 layers, 8 layers, 9 layers, 10 layers.

Stiffness of skateboard wheels.

This parameter is denoted by a number and the letter A; the higher the number, the stiffer the material. Higher stiffness allows the wheel to maintain speed better, increase wheel life, make it easier to slide (drifting, for example) and perform jump tricks more efficiently. On the other hand, soft wheels cope with small bumps in the road better, they have better grip and manoeuvrability, and they are also less noisy. Accordingly, the choice of wheel stiffness depends primarily on what surfaces it is planned to ride.

In general, wheels up to 80A can be classified as very soft, and up to 87A — are soft; such wheels are best suited for driving on not-very smooth, worn asphalt, paving slabs with an abundance of joints, etc. Indicators 88A — 95A correspond to medium hardness, such wheels are designed mainly for high-quality "urban" surfaces like a new sidewalk. Stiff wheels are marked from 96A to 99A, they are designed primarily for skate parks and other specialized surfaces, and indicators of 100A and more correspond to professional-level options.

It is worth noting that the wheels are usually made removable, and if necessary, they can be replaced with others, harder or softer. However, one must also take into account the fact that the entire design of the skateboard is usually designed for a certain stiffness of the wheels, and significant deviations from this parameter are unde...sirable. And you should not forget about the type (see above): for example, it is hardly worth looking for especially soft wheels for a traditional stunt skateboard.

The thickness of the wheels installed on the skateboard.

The width of the wheel is, roughly speaking, the width of the track left during movement. Narrow wheels are convenient for stunts, in particular in grinds (sliding along pipes, railings, etc. directly on the suspension), but they require flat surfaces; wide, in turn, behave better on rough roads, they are more stable and cope with small bumps more efficiently. Accordingly, narrow wheels are typical mainly for stunt models designed for skate parks and other specialized locations with high-quality surfaces; wide, in turn, are better suited for longboards and "city" cruisers who often have to ride on less than perfect roads.

The wheels in modern skateboards are made removable if desired, they can be replaced with wider or narrower ones. However, it is still not recommended to deviate from the “native” width value — riding can become uncomfortable, if not dangerous.

The stiffness of the shock absorbers used in the suspension of a skateboard.

The value of this parameter is generally similar to the stiffness of the wheels (see above). For example, stiff shock absorbers keep speed better and are more comfortable when jumping, while soft shock absorbers are better suited for uneven surfaces and manoeuvres with energetic turns. In general, optimal stiffness is related to the type of skate (see above), riding style, rider skills and the features of the surface on which you plan to ride; more detailed recommendations for each specific case can be found in special sources.