Don’t you just hate it when a wheel bite sets in, disrupts your momentum and jolts you off your deck? Skateboard risers are exactly what you need to stop the dreaded wheel bite on its tracks and more.
So, what do risers do on a skateboard? They give you added clearance between your wheels and deck, efficiently absorb impact when landing tricks, and reduce the possibility of wheel bite.
Although often overlooked and underrated, skateboard riser pads raise your skateboard to elevate your riding experience! Check out this guide to learn more.
Table of Contents
What are Skateboard Risers
If you are a skateboarding newbie, you have probably never heard of risers before. Skateboard riser pads are small inserts usually made of tough plastic that are installed between the base of your trucks and your deck. Skateboard risers essentially increase the clearance between your skateboard and the ground.
While most skateboard risers are constructed with hard plastic, polyurethane risers offer better flexibility and shock absorption.
Why Do I Need Skateboard Risers
Have you ever had a nasty wipeout? This happens when your wheels come in contact with the underside of your skateboard causing you to come to an abrupt and unexpected stop. Even worse, this can hurl you forward and jolt you right off your skateboard.
Aside from reducing the possibility of wheel bites and wipeouts, the added clearance riser pads also provide unmatched protection as you lean into turns and pivot when you have loose trucks installed. Also, because the distance between your deck’s tail and the ground is higher, this will give the tricks you pull off greater pop!
When landing tricks on your skateboard, the force you create can result in stress and pressure cracks, making skateboard risers necessary for efficient impact absorption.
What’s more, if you struggle with your skateboard hardware coming loose due to vibrations and movements associated with riding, your risers will help keep them intact.
Other Important Factors To Consider
Sizing
Skateboard risers come in three sizes: an eighth of an inch, a quarter-inch, and half an inch.
It’s important to make sure that your riser pads are compatible with your hardware. If your hardware measures seven-eighths of an inch, you will need at least an inch, considering the size of the smallest skateboard riser pad, and one and a half inches if you are planning to install half-inch risers.
What’s the difference between standard risers and angled riser pads?
Standard risers are shaped like a rectangle. However basic, standard risers increase the height of your deck and dramatically reduce the shock you feel when you land on your feet. If you own a shortboard, standard skateboard risers are the way to go because they are specially designed for vert, park, or street skateboarding.
On the other hand, angled riser pads are shaped like wedges and efficiently position your trucks at a fixed angle.
Commonly installed on longboards and cruisers, angled riser pads increase your turning capabilities depending on how you have them arranged on your skateboard. If you’re in the mood for an action-packed ride, play around by combining standard risers in the mix!
Why skateboard risers are worth a shot
Installing risers on a skateboard is one of the most cost-effective ways you can transform the way your trucks and wheels perform for the better. Aside from warding off wheel bite, it’s hard to beat how risers can protect you from the perils of the sport, and your deck from cracking under stress and pressure.
If you ride a longboard with large wheels installed, skateboard risers are non-negotiable. Bear in mind that as your wheels’ size increases, so should your deck’s overall height.
To achieve the clearance and support you’re after, try experimenting with risers from different brands. After all, they’re inexpensive, widely available, and come in a bevy of colors and designs you will surely enjoy!
Still in a rut? Check out this video to help you decide whether you should install skateboard risers or not:
Conclusion
Kicking wheel-bite to the curb and reinventing the way your skateboard rides have never been this exciting! Here are the answers to one of the most trivial questions in the skateboarding industry: what do risers do on a skateboard?
- Provides clearance between your deck and the ground
- Absorbs impact to protect your deck from cracking
- Stops wheel-bite dead on its tracks
- Steps up your pop game when pulling off tricks
If you’re stoked about this guide, don’t forget to share it with other riders looking to improve their setup too!
Do you use skateboard risers? Why or why not? Feel free to let us know by sounding off below.
I am Michael, and I have been enjoying this fun sport for seven years. And nothing is better than having a community to share our passion for those thrilling tricks. I am ready to tell you all I know about skateboarding, showing you how to choose a good board and trick to start and how the practice goes. Stay tuned!