Shortys Hardware
To connect the skateboard deck and trucks you need a bolt pack. There are different bolt packs for skateboards, cruisers & longboards. They differ in the length of the bolt and the bolt head. When buying skateboard kits you should make sure that you choose the right length of the bolts. You'll find a wide range of mounting kits from well-known brands such as Independent, Shake Junt & Antix in the skatedeluxe skate shop.
Frequently asked questions about skateboard bolts and mounting kits:
Mounting kits - bolts and nuts for your skateboard
Basically, an assembly kit consists of eight bolts and nuts each. The older generation also likes to call them "Shorty's". There are also some things to consider when choosing a mounting kit.
The most crucial consideration for making the right choice is the length of the bolts. The information is given in inches [″]. 1 inch corresponds exactly to 2.54cm. What´s more, there are screws with countersunk head and lens head, which have either a Phillips or an Allen drive.
The right bolt length for your skateboard or cruiser
The biggest difference between bolts for skateboards and longboards is the length. Longboard bolts are usually slightly longer. Lens head bolts are mainly used in longboarding. Because of its slight curvature this type of bolt is rather annoying when skating. It is best to check if your bolts have a countersunk head or a lens head before you buy them. This way you can be sure that you choose the right mounting kit.
The right bolt length for your skateboard or cruiser
The bolts for skateboards and cruisers are usually 7/8″ to 1 1/2″ long. A skateboard deck is usually about 1cm thick and the baseplate of your truck is 5-8mm. Consequently, bolts with a length of 7/8″ are sufficient. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also use 1″ bolts. This way you don't lose the nut if it gets loose.
If you ride larger wheels, it makes sense to mount riser or shock pads from time to time. This reduces the risk of annoying wheelbites. This is what you call it when the wheels touch the deck when steering or landing tricks. The thicker the pad is, the longer the bolts should be. The following table will help you choose the right bolt length for your skateboard or cruiser.
Setup | Bolt Length |
---|---|
Without Shockpads | 7/8″ – 1″ Bolts |
1/8″ Shockpads | 1″ – 1 1/8″ Bolts |
1/4″ Riserpads | 1 1/4″ Bolts |
1/2″ Riserpads | 1 1/2″ Bolts |
Choosing either Phillips or Allen is completely up to you. Tip: Many Allen mounting kits have a matching Allen key in the set! More information about skateboard bolts can be found in our Wiki.
» To the skateboard bolts WikiTip: Our skatedeluxe Premium Bolts hardware is available in pretty much any bolt type and the reusable packaging is ideal to store your odds and ends elegantly.
Find the right bolts for your new skateboard with the configurator
If you need help putting together a new skateboard, our Skateboard Configurator will do the trick. You won't have to worry about which bolt length you need or whether the individual components fit together, because our configurator checks it for you.
What is the right bolt length for my longboard or cruiser?
For longboards 1″ long bolts are usually the right choice. Again, you should choose the length of your bolts to match the height of your riser pads. If you want to ride with 1/8″ pads, you normally need a 1/8″ mounting kit. For drop-through decks we recommend 1″ - 1 1/4″ pan-head bolts so that the bolt head rests on the baseplate of the truck. The following table helps you to choose the right bolt length for your top mount longboard. More information about longboard bolts and riser pads can be found in our Longboard Wiki.
» To the Longboard Hardware WikiSetup | Bolt Length |
---|---|
ohne Shockpads | 1″ - 1 1/8″ Bolts |
1/8″ Shockpads | 1 1/8″ – 1 1/4″ Bolts |
1/4″ Riserpads | 1 1/4″ - 1 1/2″ Bolts |
1/2″ Riserpads | 1 1/2″ Bolts |
Tips for using skateboard bolts
The assembly of the skateboard bolts is very easy. You need a gripped deck, trucks, the bolt pack and tools.
This is how you connect the deck and trucks with your skateboard bolt pack:
- Put the bolts through the pre-punched holes in the deck
- Put the truck on the bolts
- Tighten the nuts by hand
- Screw all the nuts tight one after the other
- Once the bolt heads are even with the griptape on the top of the deck, they're firm enough
You can find detailed information in our skateboard assembly instructions.
Bolt packs are best attached using a skate tool. Of course it is also possible to use conventional tools. With a skate tool, however, all necessary parts are combined in one tool and this tool is especially useful when you are on the road.
Where can I find more information, help and recommendations for skateboard bolts?
In our Skateboard Wiki and Longboard Wiki you will find many more useful information. Among other things an assembly instruction with the help of which your new skateboard is mounted together in no time.