Having weak components in your skateboard setup will lead to deck failures, as in the case of my cracked Blind and Santa Cruz decks. As a 190lbs skater who’s snapped 55+ decks, I’ll reveal to you the trucks, bushings, and riser pads that actually protect your deck.
Why Your Trucks Destroy Decks at 190lbs
Here’s the reality with physics applied:
- When you land crooked, trucks twist like a wrench ripping wood fibers around bolts. That tearing sound is your deck dying.
- Standard bushings collapse under 190lbs. Take a look at my old medium-strength Indy bushings.
- Skipping risers? That metal baseplate bites into your deck with every impact, thus causing splits near the bolts.
My Receipt Timeline Proves It:
Component
Bushings
Standard Failure
Indy mediums pancaked & split in 2 weeks
Upgraded Gear
Bones Hards: no deformation 6+ months
Risers
Stress cracks in 1 month
Independent: still absorbing shock 7 years
Trucks
2 years lifespan
Stage 11s: minimal damage 5+ years w/grinding
My Indy 149mm trucks lasted 5 years of daily abuse until a quarter pipe murdered them. Axles never bent.
Gear That Survived My 190lbs of War
1. Independent Stage 11 Trucks ( 144 )
Why They Prevent Truck-Area Cracks:
- Forged baseplates absorb impact. In the old days, I had Tracker plastic baseplates where the deck bolts eventually tore through.
- Kingpin weight unnoticeable without sacrificing strength.
- My Proof: only 2 pairs of trucks ever used in the last 7 years, The Indy stage 11 149mm gave way after 5 years from a few months of monumental quarter pipe sessions. No axle bends or snapped kingpin. Indy stage 11 144mm is still in use and in good condition.
2. Bones Hardcore Bushings (Hard)
Absorb Impact better:
- Provides a stable and better riding experience for a 190lbs rider without compromise.
- Prevents deck flex and less wheel bite for tighter turning and skate moves.
- My Test: Compressed old bushing vs. new Hardcore. Much less deformation.
3. Independent Riser Pads (1/8″)
Why They Protect Truck Zones:
- Absorbs vibrations that cause delamination.
- Prevents splits near bolts.
- These Modus pads look like they fought a belt sander – still saving my deck after 7 years.
4. 187 Killer Pads Pro Set
- Always remember safety pads when trying new or dangerous tricks.
5. Bearings That Won’t Explode Under 190lbs
The truth is that bearings will eventually pop when put under constant pressure from landing tricks. The set I’ve used exclusively in the last 7 years has been Bones Reds, Excellent value for money bearings where 1 set can last for years. Only when the bearings get access to mud, dirt, and grime that they eventually falter.
Bearing
Bones Reds
Failure Point 190lb
Shields pop off
Survival Proof
Survived 2 years
For the next level, these are recommended
👑 Winner: Bones Swiss Ceramics:
Buy At Amazon6. Spitfire Formula Four Conical Full (99A, 54mm+)
- Designed for weight : wider contact patch enhances stability.
- 99A hardness prevents flat spots under heavy landings.
- Lifespan Data: Lasts 2X longer than standard wheels at 220lbs+.
- These Wheels won’t chunk or cone under heavyweight impact .
The Heavy Rider Mindset: Risk Compensation Theory
I learned the hard way that trusting weak gear makes you hesitate on landings. Upgraded trucks/bushings? That’s when I finally committed to flip tricks out of my comfort zone.
Safety Rules for gear evaluation for 190lbs+ Skaters
- Listen for ticking sounds; this may be the first signs of
- truck-area stress.
2. Rotate riser pads monthly to distribute compression.
3. Rotate your wheels around in a clockwise fashion every 2 weeks – heavy riders chew through wheels like popcorn.
4. Check for any dirt or grime in the bearings before a sudden pop happens with your bearings at an unexpected time.
Build for War—Not Weight Limits
Let’s get real: at 190lbs+, your gear *is* the difference between snapped decks and stomped tricks. After cracking 55+ boards, I trust only three survivors:
Independent Stage 11 Trucks (forged baseplates > plastic junk)
Bones Hardcore Bushings (no pancaking, no splits)
Independent Risers (7 years of eating impacts, still fighting)
Add Spitfire Formula Fours (99A for flat-spot resistance) and Bones Reds (ignore the hype—they survive if you avoid mud), and you’ve got a setup that laughs at cracks. Stop blaming your weight. Start upgrading weak points. Listen for stress ticks, rotate risers monthly, and pad up to commit harder. Your deck shouldn’t be a time bomb—it should be a tank.
