Comparison WORKER Freetime vs HUDORA Torrance

The dimensions of the deck in length and width (according to the largest dimensions).

Both small and large decks have their advantages and disadvantages. So, a short and narrow deck contributes to manoeuvrability, but puts forward additional requirements for the rider's skill — it can be difficult to cope with a small "nimble" skate, especially at high speed. A long and wide board, on the contrary, is more stable, but it is difficult to make sharp manoeuvres on such a skateboard. In addition, the optimal length for each type of skate (see above) also depends on the age category of the skater: for example, classic skateboards in the adult version have boards no shorter than 600 mm, and anything less refers to children's models. The width, in turn, can be determined by the size of the foot: a person with a large size (from 44) may simply be uncomfortable on a narrow deck.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal dimensions for each type of skate and planned riding features can be found in special sources.

The material from which the skateboard deck is made.

— Maple. Maple wood is known for its strength and relative lightness, making it a popular choice for skateboard boards. The decks are made from different types of maple: American, Canadian, Chinese and Russian. More details about them are described in the relevant paragraphs.

— American maple. A durable and reliable base for a skateboard deck made from maple wood that grows in the North American region. Boards made from this material usually have a dense and hard structure, which makes them suitable for performing difficult stunts.

— Canadian maple. Due to its strength and density combined with elasticity, Canadian maple is considered the most suitable material for skateboard decks. However, such decks are not cheap.

— Chinese maple. A variety of maple, somewhat inferior to the Canadian types in terms of performance characteristics and durability, but also costs significantly less.

— Russian maple. Another relatively inexpensive analogue of Canadian maple. The features are similar to the Chinese one, but for several reasons it is used much less frequently.

— Chinese birch. A budget option, used infrequently, mainly in children's boards. It is inexpensive but does not have any special ad...vantages.

— Bamboo. Due to its properties, bamboo is primarily suitable for longboards and therefore is used primarily in this type of board (see “Type”). However, relatively few bamboo models are produced.

- Plastic. Plastic is generally considered a budget option, but this stereotype is not entirely justified. The fact is that there are many varieties of this material: for example, mini cruisers(see “Type”) use high-quality plastic, which, according to some manufacturers, can even survive being hit by a car wheel. So it is safe to say that the quality of a plastic product directly depends on its price category. Among the common features of all types of plastic, it is worth noting the absolute insensitivity to moisture and the ability to be produced in the most complex shapes and colours; the latter makes it easier to create skateboards in original designs and unusual designs.

— Composite. Decks that combine several dissimilar materials — for example, wood with a layer of fibreglass or plastic with a layer of carbon fibre. This combination allows you to combine the advantages of individual materials and compensate (at least partially) for their shortcomings. The specific composition and properties of composites may vary; here, as in the case of plastic, it makes sense to focus on the price category of the skateboard. However, most modern skateboards use high-quality composites, and such a board is most often a sign of an advanced model.

- Aluminum. Aluminium (more precisely, aluminium alloy) is characterized by high strength and durability with relatively low weight, and it also tolerates moisture without problems. On the other hand, this material is not cheap, but the spring properties are rather weak and are not suitable for jumping. Therefore, it is used mainly in rather specific types of skateboards, such as split roller surfers and skateboards (see "Type").

The material from which the skateboard suspension is made is the mechanism responsible for attaching the wheels to the deck.

— Aluminium. The most common suspension material for modern skateboards. Aluminium alloys, at a relatively low cost, are distinguished by excellent strength and corrosion resistance, they are suitable for both relatively simple skateboards and advanced professional models, and they weigh relatively little.

— Steel. Compared to popular aluminium, steel, on the one hand, costs a little less, on the other hand, it weighs more. At the same time, this material does not have any special practical advantages, and therefore is much less common.

— Plastic. Plastic is mostly characterized by low cost and ease of processing. However, for professional skateboards, in which the suspension is subjected to significant loads, this material is not suitable: popular grades of plastic are not reliable enough, and advanced high-strength varieties are expensive, so it is more justified to use plastic or steel instead. Therefore, the plastic suspension is a sign of children's models, designed for lightweight and easy riding.

— Composite. A composite is a heterogeneous composition in which several immiscible materials are combined. This term is often associated with advanced high-end models, but in the case of suspensions, the opposite is true. Composites are relatively inexpensive options and are used in low-cost models, wh...ich, moreover, are mostly intended for children and are not designed for significant loads.

Stiffness of skateboard wheels.

This parameter is denoted by a number and the letter A; the higher the number, the stiffer the material. Higher stiffness allows the wheel to maintain speed better, increase wheel life, make it easier to slide (drifting, for example) and perform jump tricks more efficiently. On the other hand, soft wheels cope with small bumps in the road better, they have better grip and manoeuvrability, and they are also less noisy. Accordingly, the choice of wheel stiffness depends primarily on what surfaces it is planned to ride.

In general, wheels up to 80A can be classified as very soft, and up to 87A — are soft; such wheels are best suited for driving on not-very smooth, worn asphalt, paving slabs with an abundance of joints, etc. Indicators 88A — 95A correspond to medium hardness, such wheels are designed mainly for high-quality "urban" surfaces like a new sidewalk. Stiff wheels are marked from 96A to 99A, they are designed primarily for skate parks and other specialized surfaces, and indicators of 100A and more correspond to professional-level options.

It is worth noting that the wheels are usually made removable, and if necessary, they can be replaced with others, harder or softer. However, one must also take into account the fact that the entire design of the skateboard is usually designed for a certain stiffness of the wheels, and significant deviations from this parameter are unde...sirable. And you should not forget about the type (see above): for example, it is hardly worth looking for especially soft wheels for a traditional stunt skateboard.

The thickness of the wheels installed on the skateboard.

The width of the wheel is, roughly speaking, the width of the track left during movement. Narrow wheels are convenient for stunts, in particular in grinds (sliding along pipes, railings, etc. directly on the suspension), but they require flat surfaces; wide, in turn, behave better on rough roads, they are more stable and cope with small bumps more efficiently. Accordingly, narrow wheels are typical mainly for stunt models designed for skate parks and other specialized locations with high-quality surfaces; wide, in turn, are better suited for longboards and "city" cruisers who often have to ride on less than perfect roads.

The wheels in modern skateboards are made removable if desired, they can be replaced with wider or narrower ones. However, it is still not recommended to deviate from the “native” width value — riding can become uncomfortable, if not dangerous.

The bearing is responsible for fastening the wheel on the axle, it is thanks to it that the wheel rotates — which means that the characteristics of the wheel rotation directly depend on the characteristics of this part. Without going into technical details, we can say that the class determines, first of all, the accuracy of manufacturing bearing parts. But higher accuracy, on the one hand, reduces friction, making the bearing (and wheel) more fast, on the other hand, it reduces the life of the part and significantly affects its cost. Accordingly, it makes sense to look for high-quality bearings primarily for professional use; and for a simple ride relatively simple options are quite suitable.

Most modern skateboards use ABEC 3, ABEC 5 and ABEC 7 class bearings, which are sufficient for most applications. The minimum class is ABEC 1, which is found mainly in low-cost and children's skateboards. But the super- precision ABEC 9 and ABEC 11 are mainly used in professional longboards, for which high speed is crucial.

Note that most skateboards allow you to replace regular wheels with others with higher-end bearings.

The maximum weight of the rider that the board is designed for, more precisely, the maximum weight that it can bear in normal use.

Under no circumstances should you exceed the recommended weight. There is a fairly high probability that the skate will not break immediately; however, a breakdown can occur at any time, and even after overload, already under the permissible weight. This is fraught with a fall and injury, not to mention the fact that such cases are not covered by the warranty. For the full use of the skateboard, it is highly desirable to have a small margin of weight — at least 10 – 15 kg. It will give an additional guarantee in case of abnormal loads (for example, hitting an obstacle) and in some specific situations — for example, if you need to carry a heavy backpack with you.

Models with a weight limit of up to 70 kg can be conditionally attributed to children, although such a skate may also be suitable for a teenager. The average is the maximum weight, which lies in the range from 70 to 100 kg — such boards are already suitable for boys and girls. A limit of more than 100 kg is typical for fairly advanced models, originally designed to be used by adults.