RipTide Sports came into being as we could not find the feel we were looking for in our boards when it came time to hit the streets and hills of Santa Barbara! Seven years later and we are even more committed to developing new accessories such as bearing lubrication, wheels & more bushing formulas, durometers and shapes that will improve the feel and performance of any skateboard or longboard. We are a skater-owned microbrewery-style company that produces hand-crafted urethane compounds in small batches right here in California, and we commit to all of our products being made in the U.S.A. Our products are 100% inspected at every level of the process, packaged with a sticker, use information and washers/hardware as appropriate. Everyone here skates and we deeply respect where a piece of wood and 4 wheels can take us!
APS™ Formula: Animated Polymer System
As the name implies, this compound is very lively and offers high rebound with lots of control and lean. For the same durometer, the APS will turn 10% to 15% more than the same durometer of other brands. In addition, the APS does not change much when you tighten the kingpin nut past snug. We recommend tightening to the point where it is difficult to turn the bushing in the bushing seat by hand. Use a flat washer for lower resistance and a cupped washer for higher resistance.
WFB™ Formula: World’s Fastest Bushings
This compound has a unique lubrication added that does not bond with the urethane which is why you will often see a white residue on the surface. This compound offers reduced bushing friction for fast transitions and a deeper lean than the APS. WFB will turn 15% to 20% more than the same durometer of other brands. WFB also offers lower rebound than APS and is designed for the rider that wants a very fluid response. Truly the bushing of choice for the more experienced rider that wants to control his bushings instead of the bushings controlling him or her. Like APS, the WFB compound does not change much when you tighten the kingpin nut past snug. We recommend tightening to the point where it is difficult to turn the bushing in the bushing seat by hand. Use a flat washer for lower resistance and a cupped washer for higher resistance.
KranK™ Formula: Performance Under Pressure
Our highest rebound formula to date, KranK is designed specifically to change under pressure and is controlled by the amount of clamp pressure you subject it to when tightening the King Pin nut! The effective range of control is from barely snug for the loosest feel to 2 full turns for the tightest feel. KranK will turn the same or less than the same durometer of other brands which is also a departure from APS and WFB. As for washers, flat washers work great with this compound, but for the greatest control and range of this performance feature, use cupped, precision flat or precision cupped washers.
Unfortunately, there are no products currently available at this time from RipTide Sports . Check out the rest of Warehouse Skateboard's gear from our wide range of popular skateboard brands and surfboard brands that you can have at your door ASAP!
Skateboard Decks Specs
Deck width: 7.6" and larger
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 13 years old and older
Skater height 5'3" and taller
Size 9 shoes or larger
Skateboard Completes Specs
Deck width: 7.6" and larger
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 13 years old and older
Skater height 5'3" and taller
Size 9 shoes or larger
Micro Decks Specs
Deck width: 6.75" or smaller
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 5 years old or younger
Skater height 3'4" and under
Size 3 shoes or smaller
Mini Decks Specs
Deck width: 7.0"
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 6 to 8 years old
Skater height between 3'5" & 4'4" tall
Size 4-6 shoes
Mid Decks Specs
Deck width: 7.3" - 7.6"
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 9 to 14 years old
Skater height between 4'5" & 5'2" tall
Size 7-8 shoes
Micro Completes Specs
Deck width: 6.75" or smaller
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 5 years old or younger
Skater height 3'4" and under
Size 3 shoes or smaller
Mini Completes Specs
Deck width: 7.0"
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 6 to 8 years old
Skater height between 3'5" & 4'4" tall
Size 4-6 shoes
Mid Completes Specs
Deck width: 7.3" - 7.6"
Perfect for Skaters
Ages 9 to 14 years old
Skater height between 4'5" & 5'2" tall
Size 7-8 shoes
Let Us Grip Tape Your Board Don’t feel comfortable gripping up your new board? No need to worry. Avoid uneven lines and unwanted air bubbles by letting our professionals grip your new deck for you.
Let Us Build Your Skateboard Do you want Warehouse Skateboards to Assemble your Complete Skateboard?
This service includes:
Professionally gripping the skateboard deck. Insuring no bubbles and a nice clean cut around the edge.
Pressing 8 skateboard bearings into 4 wheels. Each bearing will be seated with a professional bearing press and will include bearing spacers when necessary.
Assembly of skateboard trucks and wheels. Both truck assemblies will have wheels installed with proper speed washers and torqued to the appropriate tolerance.
Installing both truck assemblies to the gripped deck and assuring proper torque tolerance on all hardware.
An autographed Warehouse Skateboards hang tag from your builder.
Skateboard Hardware Sets
Skateboard hardware is used to connect the skateboard trucks to the skateboard deck. Skateboard hardware refers to the bolts and locknuts used when building a board. The bolts can have an Allen or Phillips head. Skateboard hardware comes in many different lengths, and often includes one different colored bolt so that the rider can mark the nose of their board.
Each skateboard hardware set includes 8 bolts and 8 locknuts needed to assemble one skateboard.
What size hardware do I need to put together my skateboard?
7/8" to 1" hardware - no riser
1" to 1 1/8" hardware - 1/8" riser
1 1/4" hardware - 1/4" riser
1 1/2" hardware - 1/2" riser
The width of your truck axle should closely match the width of your skateboard deck, usually within 1/4”.
Truck height is measured from the bottom of the truck’s baseplate to the center of the axle. In general, a mid-sized truck works well for most skateboarders, but high or low trucks may be preferred for different styles of skaters.
LO - Provides extra stability for flip tricks, designed for small wheels (50-53mm wheel size recommended).
MID - Good all-around profile for street or park (53-56mm wheel size recommended).
HIGH - Great for cruising and carving, designed for large wheels (56mm+ wheel size recommended).
The hanger is the truck's T-shaped aluminum alloy grind area. It makes direct contact with rails and curbs. The hanger holds the axle on which the wheels are mounted. Hangers weigh about 10-13 oz, with lighter ones available. The width of your truck axle should closely match the width of your skateboard deck, usually within 1/4”.
The average width of a skateboard deck is 7.5"- 8.25". Width is influenced by the size of the rider and the type of riding. Bigger riders and those skating ramps typically prefer a wider deck. Street skaters usually choose a smaller deck. Choose your skateboard deck according to the width, not length. Here are some general guidelines:
MICRO - Deck width: 6.75" or smaller - 5 years old or younger, under 3'4" tall. Size 3 shoes or smaller.
MINI - Deck width: 7.0" - 6 to 8 years old between 3'5" & 4'4" tall. Size 4-6 shoes.
MID - Deck width: 7.3" - 9 to 12 years old between 4'5" & 5'2" tall. Size 7-8 shoes.
FULL - Deck width: 7.5" or larger - for all skaters over age 13, taller than 5'3" with a shoe size of 9 or up.
7.5" to 8" Standard board for adult riders skating streets or doing more technical tricks
8.0" to 8.25" Skating pools, ramps and parks
8.25" and larger Vert, pools, cruising and just going old school
Deck type refers to the size or style (shape) of the skateboard deck. If you are a beginner, choose your deck according to the width, not the length. The width you need depends on your size, skating style and personal preference. Here are some general guidelines:
MICRO - Deck width: 6.75" or smaller - 5 years old or younger, under 3'4" tall. Size 3 shoes or smaller.
MINI - Deck width: 7.0" - 6 to 8 years old between 3'5" & 4'4" tall. Size 4-6 shoes.
MID - Deck width: 7.3" - 9 to 12 years old between 4'5" & 5'2" tall. Size 7-8 shoes.
FULL - Deck width: 7.5" or larger - for all skaters over age 13, taller than 5'3" with a shoe size of 9 or up.
Cruisers, Old School, Freestyle, Longboard and Downhill all refer to a skateboarding style and the corresponding shape.
Length is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Average board length is 28"- 32" and longboards can range 32" and larger, but length is only referred to by advanced skaters.
Wheel size or diameter - All Skateboard wheels are measured in millimeters (mm). The smaller the number, the smaller the wheel. Smaller wheels are slower; bigger wheels are faster.
50-53mm - Small slower wheels, stable for trick riding and smaller riders skating street, skate parks and bowls.
54-59mm - Average wheel size for beginners and bigger riders skating street, skate parks, bowls and vert ramps.
60mm + - Specialty riders skating longboards, old-school boards, downhill and dirt boards; made for speed and rougher surfaces.
Durometer measures the wheel’s hardness. Harder wheels are faster; softer wheels are slower but have better grip.
78a-87a - Soft wheel good for rough surfaces, longboards or street boards that need lots of grip and easier to roll over cracks and pebbles. Designed for a smooth ride cruising, longboards, hills and rough surfaces.
88a-95a - Slightly harder and faster with a little less grip, but the grip's still good. Street; rough surfaces.
96a-99a - Good speed and grip - an all-around wheel. Great for beginners skating street, skate parks, ramps and pools. Smooth surfaces.
101a + - Hardest and fastest wheel with the least grip. Ineffective on slick and rough surfaces. These are pro wheels.
83b-84b - Wheels using the B scale are extremely hard, measuring 20 points lower than the the A Scale in order to allow the scale to extend another 20 points for harder wheels.
The laws for skateboarding helmets vary from state to state. Many states require that skaters wear a helmet under a certain age, and some states like California make all skaters under 18 wear a CPSC Certified helmet at all times. CSPC skateboard helmets usually have an EPS protective liner that meets the safety standards for skateboarding. Make sure you check your state's regulations before ordering.
CPSC Certified Helmets: California requires that all skateboard helmets must meet the requirements of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code enforces these standards in California and will not allow Warehouse Skateboards to ship non-CPSC Certified helmets to California.
Most bearings are measured by an ABEC rating. The higher the ABEC rating, the more accurate and precise the bearing will be. This rating system includes grades 1,3,5,7 and 9. The closer you get to an ABEC 9 rating, the faster and less friction you will have when skateboarding.
Many companies do not use the ABEC rating scale. They brand their own specific technology.
Note: Each brands skateboard helmet size will vary; therefore, it is best to measure your head and refer to the sizing chart specific to each brand of helmet. In order to properly measure your head, follow these steps:
Wrap a soft tape measure around your forehead, just above your eyebrows and ears. Keep the tape measure level from the front to the back of your head. Your skateboard helmet should sit low on your forehead.
If you do not have a flexible tape measure, try marking a string and measuring it against a ruler.
If the helmet is a gift or you cannot measure the skater's head, measure the inside of a current helmet or hat they wear.
Within each skateboard helmet product page there are specific measurements for each skate brand. Use that information, along with your head size, to determine your correct helmet size before placing your order. This will ensure that you receive the best fit.