FAQ:
We know it can be overwhelming when it comes to picking out the right skateboard, so we got you covered with the most commonly asked questions to get you started. If you don't see an answer to your question, please reach out to us and we will gladly help!
Q: HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON MY FIRST SKATEBOARD?
A: GENERALLY, A GOOD QUALITY PRE-ASSEMBLED SKATEBOARD WILL COST ROUGHLY $100. OUR PRE-ASSEMBLED SKATEBOARDS WE CARRY START AT $80.
*IN ADDITION, WE OFFER THE OPTION TO COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZE YOUR SKATEBOARD.
6 PRIMARY COMPONENTS TO A SKATEBOARD
1 – SKATEBOARD DECK
2 – TRUCKS (THE MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS THE BOARD TO TURN)
3 – WHEELS
4 – BEARINGS (GO INSIDE OF THE WHEELS AND ALLOW THE WHEELS TO SPIN)
5 – GRIP TAPE (SANDPAPER LIKE ADHESIVE THAT GOES ON TOP OF THE SKATEBOARD AND HELPS YOUR FEET STICK TO THE SKATEBOARD DECK)
7 – MOUNTING HARDWARE (HOLDS THE TRUCKS ONTO THE SKATEBOARD DECK)
THE ADVANTAGE OF CUSTOMIZING YOUR SKATEBOARD IS HAVING THE ABILITY TO SIGNIFICANTLY UPGRADE THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT, GIVING YOU FULL CREATIVE CONTROL. A HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMIZED SKATEBOARD WILL COST ROUGHLY $160-$200 DEPENDING ON COMPONENTS.
Q: WHAT MAKES A SKATEBOARD FROM UTOPIA BETTER THAN A SKATEBOARD FROM AMAZON OR WALMART?
A: SKATEBOARDS PURCHASED FROM “BIG BOX” STORES HAVE INFERIOR QUALITY COMPONENTS THAT GREATLY REDUCE THE LIFESPAN AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SKATEBOARD.
UTOPIA SKATEBOARD DECKS – HIGH QUALITY 7 PLY CANADIAN MAPLE, AVAILABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF GRAPHICS AND SIZES
THEIR SKATEBOARD DECKS – LOW QUALITY OUTSOURCED WOOD, OFTEN LESS THAN 7 PLY AND LIMITED GRAPHICS
UTOPIA TRUCKS – HIGH QUALITY CAST STEEL OR TITANIUM
THEIR TRUCKS – LOW QUALITY STEEL, ALUMINUM, OR EVEN PLASTIC
UTOPIA WHEELS – HIGH QUALITY URETHANE IN A WIDE RANGE OF HARDNESSES
THEIR WHEELS – LOW QUALITY URETHANE OR OTHER COMPOSITES GENERALLY ONLY OFFERED IN HARDER DUROMETERS (MORE DIFFICULT FOR BEGINNERS)
UTOPIA BEARINGS – STEEL OR CERAMIC 6 OR 7 BALL BEARINGS, AVAILABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF PERFORMANCE LEVELS
THEIR BEARINGS – STEEL OR OTHER METAL BEARINGS, OFTEN OF LOW QUALITY AND FEWER BALL BEARINGS THAT GREATLY REDUCE THE SPIN OF THE WHEEL
UTOPIA GRIP TAPE – HIGH QUALITY ULTRA ADHESIVE GRIP TAPE, OFFERED IN A WIDE RANGE OF SIZES AND GRAPHICS. LONG LASTING GRIT ALLOWS YOUR FEET TO STICK TO THE BOARD FOR THE ENTIRE LIFESPAN OF THE SKATEBOARD DECK
THEIR GRIP TAPE – LOW QUALITY ADHESIVE WITH MINIMUM GRIT. THIS REDUCES THE ABILITY TO HAVE YOUR FEET STICK TO THE BOARD
*WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN?
TO SUMMARIZE, SKATEBOARDS ARE A PRODUCT THAT FALL INTO THE “YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR” CATEGORY. OF COURSE, SKATEBOARDS ARE OFFERED IN A VAST RANGE OF PRICE POINTS AND QUALITIES, BUT HERE AT UTOPIA WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE SKATEBOARDS THAT ARE GOING TO PERFORM WELL AND LAST A LONG TIME. WE SELL PROFESSIONAL QUALITY COMPONENTS THAT ANY OF OUR STAFF WOULD USE THEMSELVES.
Q: CAN YOU HELP ME PICK OUT A SKATEBOARD?
A: WE RECOMMEND COMING IN-STORE FOR ASSISTANCE. OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF WILL GLADLY HELP YOU WITH ALL OF YOUR SKATEBOARD NEEDS TO MAKE THE PROCESS EASY FOR YOU!
Q: WHAT SAFTEY EQUIPMENT DO I NEED, AND HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SIZE TO PURCHASE?
A: UTOPIA OFFERS SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR ALL AGES AND SIZES. WE CARRY HELMETS (CERTIFIED, AND NON-CERTIFIED), KNEE PADS, ELBOW PADS, AND WRIST GUARDS. THESE PADS ARE ALSO OFFERED IN A KIT WHICH COMES WITH A FULL SET OF KNEE, ELBOW, AND WRIST GUARDS (THIS IS WHAT WE GENERALLY RECOMMEND FOR ENTRY LEVEL SKATEBOARDERS). HELMETS AND PADS SHOULD FIT SNUG. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO COME IN AND TRY YOUR HELMET AND PADS ON TO ENSURE A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE FIT.