Choosing a deck that’s too small

You will get lots of people bragging about how tiny their board is and how perfect it is for Tre flips and the like.. don't listen to them. yes its true that historically smaller boards have been the go to for technical street lines and experienced riders but these days people want more girth. 

Specifically looking at beginner - intermediate riders.. a bigger board will give you more stability and balance, foot placement will matter less and it will help you get a handle on the fast edge to edge transitions that will improve your riding in no time. Sucking at a new sport is hard enough.. help yourself out by getting a bigger deck under your feet. 

Most skaters now ride:

• 8.25"
• 8.5"

You can go bigger or smaller, but this is the sweet spot for 90% of us. I'm 6ft tall, i weigh 14st and i ride an 8.5" and it feel lovely. 

Buying ultra-hard wheels immediately

Hard wheels feel rough on UK ground and as a beginner you want to get out as much as possible. Hard wheels will rattle your fillings out in no time, go for something softer to help smooth the way and give you that street surf feeling. 

The simple fact is the more enjoyable it is, the more you will do it and the better you will get. You can always make it hard for yourself later down the line. For now.. lets have fun. 

99A is usually the best balance.

Spending too much on bearings

Good standard bearings are more than enough. Of all the items in your set up to obsess over.. this ain't it. 

get some Bones Super Reds, job done. 

Overthinking setup details

Your first setup does NOT need to be perfect. I cannot overstate that enough.

your riding style will evolve and over time you will refine your setup. you may even have two or three. don't worry about what your board can do at the start, just get it built and don't forget... The important thing is:

getting out and skating.

Final Advice

A good beginner setup should feel:

• stable
• comfortable
• predictable

You don’t need the most expensive parts.

You just need:

• the right sizes
• trusted brands
• and a setup that matches how you skate.

If you’re still unsure, start with:

8.25" deck + 54mm 99A wheels

That’s the safest all-round beginner setup for most skaters.