This is another article in the series ‘The Anatomy of Skates’. I’m going to explain to you what roller skate trucks are, how they work, the different types of trucks you can add to your skates, what the different types are used for and more! I hope you enjoy this article!
What are roller skate trucks?
Roller skate trucks are the part underneath the skates which are a T shape, and which are attached to the plates underneath – as you can see above. They hold the axles and wheels. The roller skate trucks are needed for changing direction.
What type of roller skate trucks are available?
Roller skate trucks come in a variety of widths. You can get wider trucks which provide added stability or narrower trucks which provide more agility. The standard width of roller skate trucks is 2″. Wide ones would be circa 2.5″ to 3″ or wider for added stability. You can also get adjustable trucks.
What types of materials are roller skate trucks made from?
Roller skate trucks are made from aluminum or lightweight metals. The material used can have an impact on the responsiveness or speed. Generally they are constructed from aluminium to achieve a good balance between stability, durability and agility. You can buy more expensive titanium trucks for maximum strength and reduced weight.
Beginner skate trucks can often be made of nylon or fiberglass composite.
How can trucks affect your skating performance?
They can limit the turning radius, stability and potentially whether you can perform tricks/which tricks can be performed. Loose trucks are good for turning and agility whereas tighter trucks are great for going faster and more difficult tricks.
Do you need to change your trucks?
This is really a personal question for each skater. If you have been skating beginner skates for a while, and you want to take your skating to the next level for example, by learning new / more difficult tricks, you could consider changing your trucks. If you have just bought a new pair of skates but you want to fully customise them for your own style of skating and level, you may want to change your trucks.
How do roller skate trucks work?
You can steer your skates by ‘leaning’ to shift the weight on the trucks and cushions. This will turn the skate because it creates a slight angle against the ground when you lean. The default position of the trucks is straight against the skate boot and therefore if you stand up straight without leaning, they will be rolling forwards or backwards. When you lean to the side, the cushion and the looseness or tightness of the truck will allow the truck to move away from the forward/ 180 degree position underneath the boot – very slightly – just enough to carve/turn.
If you have soft or hard cushions this can also therefore have an impact. See our article here on understanding cushions:
The Anatomy of Skates – Sophia Blogs
Do we recommend any particular skate trucks?
For beginners – it is recommended you stick to the skate trucks on your beginner skates until you understand more about your level and you learn more about skating. See our article recommending beginner roller skates here:
7 Best Roller Skates for Women Beginners – Sophia Blogs
For dancing – Popular trucks for precise dancing are Powerdyne Reactor Neo/Pro Trucks. These are linked below:
For the skate park – Popular trucks for the skate park are the Sure Grip ones. You can find these linked below:
I hope you liked this article. To see more great skate reviews and skating tips, please visit:
