When it comes to fingerboards, every component is important. Whether fingerboarding is a hobby for you or you’re planning to become a pro some day, you’ll need the right fingerboard to get started. One of the most important components on a fingerboard is the truck, which is attached to the unit itself and holds the wheels. When you get started, you have two options: buy a fingerboard already put together, or make your own.
High-Quality Counts
Trucks come in a set, and each one is attached to two wheels on one end. If you’ve ever wondered why fingerboards can be a bit pricey, there’s a simple reason for this. Just like putting together a vehicle, putting together a fingerboard requires that the process be done in the proper order and that each and every component be of high quality and be well-built. Simply put, inexpensive parts equal an inexpensive and not-very-reliable fingerboard, while a high-tech, reliable fingerboard always has well-built components.
As you improve in your fingerboarding skills, you’ll very likely want to start building your own fingerboards because it’ll allow you to choose only the best parts for the fingerboard so that you get just what you want in the end. This sounds complicated, but once you have some experience under your belt, it becomes a lot easier because you’ll already know what each component’s function is. This enables you to shop around for the best parts before building your own fingerboard.
The trucks are important because they keep the fingerboard properly balanced and allow it to work the way it’s supposed to work. Trucks come in all price ranges and materials, but even the least expensive trucks usually last a while. Before shopping for your fingerboard trucks, it’s best to do some research on the brands, and pay close attention to the materials the trucks are made out of. While trucks come in some very cool colors, this shouldn’t be your number-one consideration when shopping for this item.
If you’re wondering, below are five of the best fingerboard trucks on the market today to help get your research started.
Teak Tuning Prodigy Fingerboard Trucks with Upgraded Lock Nuts, Silver Chrome
When it comes to trucks for fingerboards, this set of two trucks is high quality and made out of solid metal with a glossy powder-coated finish to look good and last awhile. They are 32 mm wide and have a professional shape, appearance, and components that allow you to enjoy them for many years to come. Best of all, the trucks are compatible with most single- and dual-bearing wheels, so they are very versatile.
The trucks are also both assembled and tuned with standard tuning, and they come complete with all of the necessary hardware you’ll need to complete your fingerboard, including six lock nuts, eight screws, and a standard tuning tool to help you put everything together. Not only do you get a Teak Tuning sticker, but the Pro Duro 61A bubble bushings come in an attractive teal color for you to enjoy. These trucks are an improved version of basic spacer trucks and even have an upgraded shape and appearance.
Finally, the trucks have a widened hanger and, therefore, there are no spacers needed. All of the components are high quality and built to last, so you can even use your fingerboard professionally and they’ll continue to work the way they’re supposed to.
P-REP 34 mm Solid Performance Trucks (Chrome)
These trucks are a little wider than many others at 34 mm, but since fingerboards come in many different widths, you need trucks to go along with them. These single-axle fingerboard trucks come with everything you’ll need to put it together properly, including two lock nuts for the kingpins and four for the wheels. Even for beginners, it is easy to get the trucks attached to your fingerboard.
Unlike other brands, these trucks do not come pre-threaded, but most people take care of this problem by running a screw through the baseplate. They are affordable at around $10 and extremely sturdy, especially once you consider the price. In addition to chrome, the trucks also come in blue, pink, red, green, and purple, so you can easily match the trucks with the rest of the fingerboard.
You get an extra set of standard-sized Smooshie Baked bushings manufactured by Broken Knuckle Fingerboards, and they even come with the screws you need to get them attached to your deck, not to mention the tool you need to make the work simple. They are durable and can take a lot of abuse and work great with CNC wheels, and they are so well-made that they result in a nice smooth ride every time.
Teak Tuning Prodigy Fingerboard Trucks with Upgraded Lock Nuts, Gold Colorway
These gold-colored fingerboard trucks come in a set of two and sell for just under $15. They are 32 mm in width and are compatible with most single-bearing wheels. They are also professionally assembled and tuned and include all of the hardware you’ll need to attach them to the fingerboard, including six lock nuts with nylon inserts, a standard fingerboard tool, and a total of eight screws.
While they are not recommended for children under the age of 14, they are good for both beginners and more experienced fingerboarders, and they even include an attractive Teak Tuning sticker. They have an upgraded shape and appearance and require no spacers since they are made with a widened hanger. Even better, the trucks are made out of solid metal and have a beautiful gold color.
The bubble bushings come in a teal color, and the powder coating protects the trucks, although it will eventually wear off at some point. Teak Tuning is a reputable manufacturer of anything related to fingerboards, which means you can trust them to make sturdy trucks that will fit your fingerboard and help you complete the construction easily and quickly.
Teak Tuning Fingerboard Prodigy Trucks with Upgraded Tuning, Black – 34 mm
Priced at just under $16, this set of two 34 mm trucks comes in additional colors such as blue, pink, green, and silver. You get all of the hardware you need to put them together properly, including eight black screws, six upgraded lock nuts, four spaces, and your fingerboard tool. With a sleek black look and a smooth, glossy finish, these are very attractive trucks that are also functional.
One of the things you’ll like the most about these trucks is that they are compatible with all types of both single- and dual-bearing fingerboard wheels, making them very versatile. Although not recommended for children under the age of 14, the trucks are perfect for fingerboard enthusiasts of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. They also come with a free Teak Tuning sticker.
These sleek black fingerboard trucks offer upgraded tuning that provides excellent performance while still having a simple design. They are already professionally assembled and tuned and, therefore, they are ready to be attached to your fingerboard immediately. Teak Tuning has a great reputation among fingerboarding enthusiasts, and these trucks will prove to you why.
P-REP 32 mm Solid Performance Fingerboard Trucks with Lock Nuts
This set of trucks comes with everything you need, including a set of BKF Blue Baked Bushings. You can also use stock bushings, if that’s what you prefer. They are 32 mm trucks that are solid in design and therefore built to last, and they are professionally tuned and assembled so you can enjoy the very best performance once they’re attached to your fingerboard.
They come with a full set of six lock nuts for the wheels and kingpins, and included are screws, an assembly tool, and complete instructions so you can feel confident about how they’re attached. You even get some really cool stickers to attach to the trucks so that your fingerboard looks as good as it functions, and let’s face it, that’s especially important in competitions.
Best of all, the trucks are only $10 for the set and therefore very affordable. They are single-axle trucks that fit fingerboards from 31 mm to 34 mm in width, and they offer very responsive handling and control. The lock nuts even have nylon rings so that they stay in place better, making this set of trucks one of the best that P-Rep offers to its customers.
Conclusion
Trucks are just one of the components that make up a good quality fingerboard, and if you’re making your own fingerboard from scratch, this is a very important component. Metal trucks come with the screws and lock nuts you need to attach them to the fingerboard, making each set of trucks very personalized. It’s also important to find the right size when it comes to these trucks because they have to be wide enough to accommodate the fingerboard itself.
Look for good brands when shopping around for trucks for your fingerboard. Once you do a little research, these brands will become more familiar to you and you’ll know which ones are the best. If you’re interested in competition, it’s worth it to spend a little extra to get strong, well-made trucks that are built to last. You can think of the trucks as the foundation or the base of the fingerboard, and this tells you just how important they are.
