Hey friend! If you read our Skate Anatomy 101 post, you already know your trucks are what let you turn and steer. The best part? You can adjust how they feel at home in about five minutes. Let's do it together.
Loose vs. Tight: What's the Difference?
- Looser trucks turn more easily with less effort. They feel agile and responsive, which is great for dance, jam, and park skating. Too loose, though, and your skates can feel wobbly or squirrelly.
- Tighter trucks feel more stable and stay straighter. They're great for beginners, speed, and rolling outdoors. Too tight, though, and turning feels like a workout.
There's no "right" setting. It's all about what feels good to you.
What You'll Need
- A skate tool (we always have one handy in our skate bag; check out our skate tools)
- Your skates
- A few minutes and a little patience
Step by Step
- Find your kingpin nut. Flip your skate over. Under each truck you'll see a nut at the bottom of the stack of cushions and retainers. That's your kingpin nut.
- Decide which way to go. Turn the nut clockwise to tighten (stiffer, more stable) or counterclockwise to loosen (easier turning). Remember: righty tighty, lefty loosey!
- Go a quarter turn at a time. Small changes make a big difference. Make one quarter turn, then stop.
- Do both trucks the same way. Adjust the front and back trucks on both skates evenly so they feel balanced. Once you're more experienced, you might like your front and back trucks set a little differently, but start even.
- Test it out. Roll around, do some gentle turns and crossovers, and see how it feels. Not quite there? Repeat with another quarter turn.
Fritzy's Safety Tips
- Don't loosen too far. The kingpin nut should always be fully threaded on, with the bolt showing through the end. If it's barely hanging on, it can work its way off while you skate. If you need more turn than that, it's time for softer cushions instead.
- Don't crank it down. Over-tightening squishes your cushions flat and can damage them.
- Check them regularly. Trucks can loosen over time, so give them a quick check before you skate.
When Adjusting Isn't Enough: Try New Cushions
If you've tightened or loosened as far as feels right and your skates still aren't there, your cushions might be the answer. Softer cushions give you more turn, and harder cushions give you more stability. They're one of the most affordable upgrades out there. Browse our cushions to find your perfect feel.
We're Here to Help
Still not sure? Stop by the shop and bring your skates or shoot us an email with a video. We're always happy to take a look and help you dial them in.
Keep rolling and practicing!
~Fritzy
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