The Complete Handbook of Skateboarding

Finally, a skateboarding book that treats the sport like what it is: a legitimate product category with real specs and real physics. I run a skate shop and have spent months cross-referencing manufacturer docs and trying to understand why customers' boards feel different. This handbook explains deck construction, truck geometry, bearing grades, and wheel selection in ways that actually connect to how my riders perform. Chapter 1 alone clarified the relationship between wheel durometer and pavement texture, and Chapter 5 saved me hours on bearing maintenance. Seriously useful.

This is a solid reference for anyone serious about skateboarding, though I wish there was more on regional differences in terrain and how that changes your setup. The technical content is accurate and well-organized, and the business chapter was eye-opening for someone considering opening a shop. My main gripe: the Chapter 2 section on downhill setups felt a bit thin compared to street and park—I wanted more detail on speed-relevant geometry. Still worth having on the shelf.

I was skeptical going in that a handbook could actually be useful for skateboarding, but this nailed it. The opening chapter explains what a skateboard fundamentally does and why each component exists—no marketing fluff, just mechanics and physics tied to real riding. Then it builds on that foundation across selection, maintenance, and business opportunity. I've recommended it to the other coaches in our program and to two people looking to start rental operations. This is how technical writing should work.

Excellent practical resource. The maintenance section is especially good, and the specifications chapter gave me a framework for understanding what I'm actually buying instead of just picking what looks cool. One small note: some of the bearing grade discussions assume a baseline of mechanical knowledge that not all beginners have—a quick glossary entry earlier would've helped me on first read. But that's a minor quibble; the rest is clear and useful.

Exactly what I needed. I was importing boards to resell and had no real way to compare what I was buying except price. After reading this handbook, especially Chapter 2 on specs and Chapter 6 on suppliers, I actually understand the product line I'm carrying and can talk to customers about why their boards perform differently. The business opportunities section is practical—retail margins, service revenue, the import/export structure. This saved me from some costly mistakes.