What do risers do on a skateboard? (Explore Benefits)

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to skateboard, one essential component of that experience is understanding risers.

Skateboarding involves many complex techniques and pieces of equipment such as decks, bearings, wheels, trucks and hangers – but what are these mysterious objects called “risers”?

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider looking to understand more about skateboarding mechanics, knowing what risers do on your board can help improve your practice.

In this article we’ll break down exactly what risers are used for in the sport of skating, the sizes they come in and ultimately why they make all the difference.

What is a riser?

Skateboarding can be a lot of fun, but to take your performance to the next level you need the right gear.

That’s where risers come in. Risers are small plastic discs that are placed between the skateboard deck and the truck.

Depending on their size they create more space between the board and trucks, which results in greater clearance and less friction between parts when performing tricks.

This helps to keep your ride smoother, reduce vibration, and protect your trucks and deck from getting damaged.

Are risers necessary on a skateboard?

Risers, or otherwise known as shock pads, are not necessarily necessary on a skateboard. However, they can be incredibly helpful in certain situations. For example, risers can help prevent wheel bite when taking sharp turns.

They also make for smoother rides over rough terrains and can absorb some of the impact from bigger jumps. Furthermore, if you plan on riding more downhill or doing tricks that require sharp turns, risers may be worthwhile investments.

Risers come in various sizes and heights and are usually made from polyurethane or rubber materials. The taller the riser is, the more effective it will be in preventing wheel bite and improving overall performance while skating.

You should also be aware that adding any kind of riser to your board will change the overall width of your board by a few millimeters depending on how thick the riser is. This could affect how the board handles, so skaters should pay attention to the difference in width when adding risers to their board.

How do I install risers on my skateboard?

You know how important the right risers are. Not only do they provide an extra layer of protection between your board and the trucks, but they can also help adjust the turning radius of your board.

Installing risers is fairly easy and takes only a few steps.

Step 1: Remove Your Old Trucks from Your Board

The first step in installing new risers is to remove the existing trucks from your board.

Start by unscrewing the four bolts that attach the truck to the board itself.

It’s important to remember which side each bolt goes on—it will make reattaching them much easier later on.

Once all four bolts are removed, simply lift off the old truck and set it aside. 

Step 2: Attach New Risers and Place New Trucks On Top

Once your old trucks have been removed, it’s time to attach your new risers.

Begin by placing one riser on either side of the board and then screwing them into place with two bolts each (four total).

Make sure that each riser is securely fastened in place before moving onto the next step.

Once both risers have been attached, place your new trucks on top of them and secure each with two more screws (four total).

Again, make sure that everything is securely fastened before proceeding any further.

Step 3: Adjust Your Wheels and Ride Away

Once your new trucks have been secured in place with all eight screws, it’s time to adjust your wheels.

Start by loosening all four axles until they can move freely along their respective tracks.

Then adjust each axle so that they are lined up straight with one another—this will ensure optimal turning radius and performance when riding.

Finally, tighten down all four axles until they are secure but still able to rotate freely when needed.

Congratulations—you’ve just installed new risers on your skateboard! Now it’s time to hit the streets and ride away.

Benefits of using risers on a skateboard

Risers are plastic or rubber pieces that raise the deck of the skateboard off the ground and provide cushioning between the truck and deck. But why should you use them? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that risers offer to skaters.

Vibration Reduction 

Risers reduce vibrations from riding on rough surfaces, which can be damaging to your board over time.

This makes them ideal for long-distance riding, as they increase comfort and make it easier to maintain speed and control when riding over rough terrain.

The additional cushioning not only helps protect your board from wear and tear, but also helps absorb some of the impact when landing tricks, making it safer for your body as well.

Improved Turning Performance 

Risers also help improve turning performance by providing more leverage between the deck and truck.

This allows you to carve turns with greater precision, resulting in smoother rides and better control over your board.

They also allow for sharper turns by reducing friction between the deck and truck, allowing for quicker acceleration when changing direction.

Increased Stability  

Finally, risers can provide increased stability when riding at higher speeds thanks to their increased leverage between the deck and truck.

This helps keep your board stable even when traveling at faster speeds, reducing wobbling due to uneven surfaces or bumps in the road.

This added stability can help prevent accidents caused by instability while riding at higher speeds.

Do risers make tricks easier?

The answer to whether risers make tricks easier or not depends on the type of trick and the experience level of the rider.

For experienced riders, risers typically make it easier to learn and execute more advanced skateboarding tricks because they allow for more leverage and stability when performing tricks. This can be especially helpful when learning more difficult flip tricks as it makes it easier for riders to balance themselves.

The added width of a riser also helps with providing a greater surface area for the wheels to grip onto, giving riders better control over their board and allowing them to practice harder flip tricks without slipping or losing balance.

When it comes to less experienced skaters, risers can still provide assistance but may not make as much of an impact because they won’t have as much control and accuracy necessary in order to properly perform the trick.

However, having extra leverage and stability still provides some help which is why many beginner skaters choose to utilize them when learning new skateboard tricks.

Do risers matter?

Now, all that, if you’re a skating enthusiast, the answer to “do risers matter?” is an overwhelming yes.

Risers are small pieces of plastic or rubber that are used to raise the height between the base of your skateboard and its wheels.

By providing this cushion-like effect, risers reduce the amount of vibration caused by the hard surface below, allowing for smoother rides and comfortable landings on obstacles.

Moreover, they help keep wear and tear limited in areas where your board tends to bear down harder like when grinding a curb or railing.

With these advantages, it’s easy to see why having risers is an absolutely essential part of any serious skater’s set up.

Conclusion

From grinding down staircases to mastering difficult tricks and maneuvers, risers on a skateboard can open up a world of possibilities for skateboarders just ask any experienced rider.

Whether you’re looking to add extra stability or enhance the performance of your board, installing risers can make all the difference in your skating experience.

Not only will you be able to handle even more daring stunts with ease, but you’ll also be able to make runs smoother than ever before. When it comes to skateboarding, risers can be your best friend!

So if you’re looking to take your skills to the next level – don’t forget to consider investing in a set of risers for your skateboard. You won’t regret it.

FAQs

What are skateboard risers used for?

Skateboard risers are used to provide added stability and leverage when performing certain skateboarding tricks, prevent wheel bite on sharper turns, and help absorb some of the impact from bigger jumps.

Are risers necessary on a skateboard?

Risers are not necessarily necessary on a skateboard, but they can be beneficial in certain situations. If you plan on doing more tricks that require sharp turns or riding downhill, risers may be worthwhile investments.

How do risers affect the width of a skateboard?

Adding any type of riser to your board will change its overall width by a few millimeters, depending on how thick the riser is. So skaters must pay attention to this difference in width when adding risers to their board.