Since their commercial appearance in 1959, skateboards have been the passion of many young enthusiasts, and users have gravitated toward them because of their exciting yet convenient nature. The history of skateboarding shows that it has gone through phases of development. Professional skateboarders develop and try out new tricks daily, which involve high speed and skill. Sometimes because of the high speed, there can be chances of a wheel bite If the skateboard has no proper assembly.
A wheel bite is caused mostly when the skateboard has bigger wheels. It happens when these wheels rub against the skateboard’s deck, which can end in a sudden halt. This can cause the rider to fall off the skateboard immediately, which can cause serious injuries. For this purpose, risers are installed on the skateboard. P.S. Riders should always use proper safety gear like the best knee pads to ensure minimal damage in case of falling.
Risers are made of hard plastic, placed mostly between the trucks and the deck, and are used to raise the height of the skateboard to eliminate any contact between the wheels and the deck. Installing risers is an easy feat, and we have brought together a guide that can help you with this. So let’s dig into it.
Sizing of Risers
Maneuverability and pace are critical factors to consider when looking for appropriate risers for your skateboard. Risers are hard plastic pads, and they come in various designs as well. They help in performing tricks and for effective skateboard traveling.
You can choose your riser pads depending on your wheel size and hardware size for baseplates and trucks. Riser pads are readily available in the market, and the bigger the riser, the more distance between the wheels and the skateboard’s deck. They come in three different sizes, which are mentioned below.
- ⅛ inches
- ¼ inches
- ½ inches
Method to Install Risers on a Skateboard
Without risers, there is not enough room between the wheels and the deck, and taking turns is difficult. With an uncomplicated procedure, you install risers on a skateboard. We have broken it down into various steps for your better understanding, and they are mentioned as follows.
Prepare the Skateboard Deck
The first step is to make sure you can have enough holes in the deck of the board to install risers and then trucks. If you have a new grip tape installed, you can use a screwdriver to poke a few holes to measure the risers and base plate with trucks for proper assembly. This helps you accurately and smoothly follow the next steps without hassle.
Insert Bolts Through the Deck
Once you have established that the holes are precisely in place, then insert screws through these holes for both trucks. Push the screw from the upper part of the board and let it come through. You can hold the board on the upside or even from sideways to ensure that the screws do not slip out.
Align the risers
The next step is to align the risers along the screws. Place them in such a way that the extra holes are positioned outwards. If the risers do not fit, you can use a different size if required. Ensure that the riser pads are connected to the deck, leaving no extra room.
Connect the Trucks
The next step is to connect the trucks to the same bolts through which we thread the risers earlier. Once everything is smoothly in place, screw the bolts with your fingers to keep everything in place. This will not let the parts slip off, giving it an initial hold.
Screw All the Bolts Tightly
Furthermore, you need a skate tool and an Allen key to screw all the bolts tightly in place. Once everything is screwed together, inspect the risers installed and look for any adjustments required.
In case of any deformations, you can simply unscrew the bolts and repeat the process for accuracy. You can assemble the wheels afterward, and your risers are ready to use.
Conclusion
Skateboarding brings thrill and joy to many enthusiasts around the world. But higher speeds on best cruiser skateboards can sometimes even cause the wheels to drag against the deck, which can abruptly stop the board. This happens because there is not enough distance between the wheels and the deck, causing a wheel block for which we apply risers.
Make sure you get the correct size of risers while you assemble your skateboard. Push the bolts from the deck into the board and let risers pass through from the other side. Now attach trucks and screw everything tightly. This will provide you enough height to easily take turns and build pace. We hope this review helped you how to install risers on a skateboard correctly.
