Skateboard for my 5 year old. mini?

[lendaddy]

My son turns five in two months and he wants a skateboard. He has a razor scooter and does very well on it, excellent balance and even does tricks. He is VERY tall for his age 4' and I'm wondering if we should get him one of those mini boards or get him on a standard right away.

Thanks.

[71T Targa]

My kids have both, and the standard board is MUCH easier to ride.

[stomachmonkey]

Those mini boards suck

Get a real one

[lendaddy]

Ok, so nix the mini. Thanks.

I was never a big skater so this stuff is somewhat foreign to me. Do they make full size yet lightweight boards? Would that be a good idea? Any other suggestions? Wheels?

[Rikao4]

well you could ask Dipso
for all his faults..he does know skateboards..

Rika

[jmz]

get the larger softer wheels so he can roll over stuff like little twigs and rocks.

[HardDrive]

Get him a real one. The standard boards most kids ride these days are pretty small. 'Freesytle' boards in my book. Tail at both ends, narrow. I grew on the big boards for half pipe.

Don't go cheap. A POS walmart board isn't worth it. A decent board is really not that expensive.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by jmz

get the larger softer wheels so he can roll over stuff like little twigs and rocks.

+1

Put some big gumballs on it. It will also be quieter.

[Tim Hancock]

Skateboard???? screw that.... BMX and/or a KX65. This world does not need any more Dipso types.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Skateboard???? screw that.... BMX and/or a KX65. This world does not need any more Dipso types.

lol, not to worry he also has the dirtbike and four wheeler

Thanks again guys on the suggestions! His aunt wanted to get it for him and I had to step in since I didn't want the Walmart cheapie either. I had the wife tell her that I had already got him one to avoid the issue.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by jmz

get the larger softer wheels so he can roll over stuff like little twigs and rocks.

Larger wheels? I knew they had different hardness but was unaware of actual diameter choices.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Skateboard???? screw that.... BMX and/or a KX65. This world does not need any more Dipso types.

I skate, not all of us get so stoned at 12 that by the time we get in our 30s we have no brain cells left and need the government to wipe our asses and are still at the bottom of Trickle Down as we closed in on 40

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

I skate, not all of us get so stoned at 12 that by the time we get in our 30s we have no brain cells left and need the government to wipe our asses and are still at the bottom of Trickle Down as we closed in on 40

Love the qualification there!!!

[the]

Don't get a Walmart cheapie, it's a waste of money.

If you get a full size, get one on the smaller size. 7.5 inch width max, something close to around 30 inch length. That's full size, just on the smaller.

Most teenagers and older use really hard wheels, mostly to do slide tricks. For a beginner, softer is better. It is quieter, much smoother, and the extra grip is better. Wheels are what makes the "feel" of the board. Get these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BONES-SOFTCORE-54mm-BLACK-SKATEBOARD-WHEELS_W0QQitemZ320287644994QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid =p3286.m20.l1116

Some decent wheel bearings (ebay "bones reds"), and some decent trucks.

My son started at around 5. I started him on a slightly smaller board, it was 7 inches wide by 28 inches long, made by a company called "Flip." He outgrew it pretty quickly, I don't think it was of much benefit.

This stuff is all available on eBay new for cheap.

It's best to just start out right. Most parents I know don't want to spend the $120, so they start cheap and end up spending $250 on a bunch of junk.

[M.D. Holloway]

Our Son is 9, he saved his money and custom built a board for $145 - picked the deck to the bearings. It is a great learning experience.

He strated out with a $40 board from Acadamy Sports then went from there. Make sure he gets a good skull cap and elbow pads.

[ramonesfreak]

[crustychief]

+1 for protective gear. I am in my 40's and still bomb hills on my sector 9 longboard. It has 76MM wheels but my sons ride has 81MM wheels, like a monster truck ( board).

[lendaddy]

OK guys, I went to my local place and they are pretty low on inventory being that winter is coming here soon. I want to custom build him a board online. What is a good site/store?

Thanks again.

[ramonesfreak]

i have purchased several boards - had them build to my specs- at
http://www.daddiesboardshop.com/index.aspx

and have referred several friends

very highly recommended. Dont order on-line, just call them up and talk to someone and they will be happy to walk you through the purchase in order to get you exactly what you want/need

[the]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

OK guys, I went to my local place and they are pretty low on inventory being that winter is coming here soon. I want to custom build him a board online. What is a good site/store?

Thanks again.

eBay.