Skateboard Completes - Should You Buy Them?

Should You Buy "Completes"?

"Completes" are assembled skateboards and are ready to go. They are the most ideal choice for beginners who want to skip the nitty-gritty of building a skateboard from scratch. Completes have all the parts of a good skateboard.

But why choose one?

There is probably one reasonable answer here. If you don't know what type of skateboard you want to buy, completes should be your choice. Obviously, completes are for beginners who just want to buy a good skateboard correctly. But remember, a good "complete" can set you back a hefty $100 (more or less). And if you are going to gamble your money on this, you surely would want to get the best. But no matter how you put it, there is no perfect skateboard other than the one you assemble yourself.

Is a complete better than a customized skateboard?

Many pro skaters would agree that completes are just for beginners and if someone wants to do some serious skating, he or she should decide what wheels, deck, trucks and bearings to use- not the manufacturers. In other words, the skater should build his or her own skateboard according to his or her specifications. Why?

Decks vary in sizes. And the choice should depend on the rider's preference.

Bearings allow the skateboard to roll. Since there are several different types of bearings according to speed ratings, buying the right one is really an important consideration.

Wheels have a variety of colors and designs. But the most important factor to consider is the size and the degree of hardness. Diameter measures the wheel's height. Durometer is the rating used to determine the hardness or softness of the wheels. There are skateboard wheels that are specifically designed for a particular type of use: street, cruising, transition, vert, and technical. Remember all these when buying either a complete or just the wheels.     

As important as the wheels, bearings, and deck, are the trucks for the skateboard. They come in different heights, widths, and quality. All these affect the ride of the board. This is the reason why most skaters like to build their own boards buying their preferred parts.

Bottom line: Buying a complete skateboard is not bad at all. Many skateboard manufacturers produce top-quality complete boards that are suited for beginners and intermediate skaters. However, it is harder to find a complete skateboard with the specifications you need rather than buying individual parts to build your own skateboard.