Skateboard Trucks
Connecting the wheels to the deck are two t shaped metal, usually aluminum alloy, contraptions known as skate trucks. There are two trucks on every skate board and they are located at either end of the board. Each truck holds two wheels and is attached at the top to the deck of the skate board making it a whole skate board. The top of the truck is screwed into the deck, and is most commonly referred to as the baseplate, and the part connected to the wheels is referred to as the hanger. The axle for the wheels runs through the hanger. Additionally between the hanger and the baseplate are bushings and rubber grommets that provide cushion, absorb shock and allow the trucks to bend. All of these features allow the skate board to function properly while in use and even better for tricks. The stiffer the bushings the more resistant the board will be to turning as a whole, on counterpart the softer the bushings the easier it will be to turn. By tightening or loosening the bushings skaters can also make their board more flexible for movement and tricks.
Skate trucks come in array of sizes and colors as well as weights. These differences allow each skater to choose the trucks that are truly perfect for their needs. Different sizes of trucks are designed to fit different sizes of skate boards, and even different sizes of wheels. Larger decks require larger trucks and equally larger wheels require larger trucks. Larger trucks often add more weight to the board which make it harder to control and to perform tricks. Because many professional skaters use larger wheels and larger boards they use larger trucks. However to make their boards lighter they purchase trucks that are specially made to be lighter and large. Smaller trucks are very light weight, which is beneficial for performing tricks. However because they are used with smaller wheels which are mainly used for riding they need to be heavier. You can find small trucks that exceptionally heavy to keep your board grounded.
Long board skate trucks are more recent in development and are designed differently than average trucks. They are designed at an angle between 38 and 50 degrees to the deck that allows riders to have an enhanced turning and tilt ability. This allows the riders to go faster while maintaining stability, comfort and control.