How Safe Are Those Cheap Skateboards

Although you can have fun with just about any kind of skateboard, some really cheap skateboards for sale are not as safe as other, more expensive kinds. However, you don't want skateboard declare bankruptcy over your love of skateboarding. You don't have to get the most expensive skateboard on the market in order to get a lot of safe and reasonably comfortable fun out of it.

Not All Boards Are Alike

Are all skateboards alike? Not by a long shot. Just like all cars are not alike in terms of terms of quality and safety, so are skateboards. Don't use the price tag as a the sole criteria for selecting from cheap skateboards for sale.

Take a look at the average skateboard at a discount store. It's made of soft wood, which means it's not going to last very long. The wheels are made of plastic and shatter very easily. Also, they are not as comfortable on your feet as higher quality skateboards. As a consequence, they can break when you're riding them. That's not too safe.

There Are Bargains To Be Had

Cheap has become a derogatory word in our culture, meaning low-class and of shoddy construction. But not all boards advertised as cheap skateboards for sale will be shoddy. They'll just be bargains.

Here are some things safe and durable skateboards have, no matter what their label or price:

Wheels that aren't made of plastic or rubber. Metal or urethane wheels are fine.
Wheels that spin easily, meaning the bearings are working well. Look to see if the bearings have writing on them. This writing is usually a rating by the ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Committee). Any ABEC rating is a good sign.
Stand on the skateboard (if you're familiar with them). Try leaning your body from side to side. The skateboard should bend just a little with you. It shouldn't bend like a rubber band, but it should have just a little give in it.
Look at the body (deck) of the board. It should be made of thin layers of wood pressed together. There shouldn't be any cracks.

You don't have to worry about graphics or any painted designs on a skateboard. They won't affect your safety.

Places To Check Out

Where can you go to find cheap skateboards for sale that are also safe? You can try looking in classifieds or flea markets, but you need to carefully inspect the board before you buy. Although many people swear by eBay to inexpensive boards, many others also sweat at eBay or other online auctions because you can't check the skateboard before you buy.

The best place to for the best and safest investment of your money is to an actual skateboard shop or to the over $50 section of a sporting goods store. You can also try from online specialty skateboard stores that have a customer service email or phone number. Give that email or phone number a call and see if anyone responds. If you get a helpful human being on the other end, there's your store!

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about cheap skateboards, please visit Cheap Skateboards Online for current articles and discussions.