Why Riser Pads Matter
Riser pads sit between your deck and truck baseplate. They do one simple job: create space between your wheels and deck so the wheels don't bite the board when you turn hard. But what height you choose depends entirely on your skating style, wheel size, and how aggressively you turn.
Pick the wrong riser height, and you'll either still have wheel bite or your board will feel too high and unstable. Pick the right one, and your setup carves smooth without a single scrape.
Understanding Wheel Bite
Wheel bite happens when your wheel touches the underside of the deck during a turn. It kills momentum instantly and can throw you off the board. It's not a myth — every skater with big wheels has felt it.
The tighter you turn and the larger your wheels, the more clearance you need. A street skater with 52mm wheels on a tight truck can turn sharply with no riser. A cruiser with 58mm wheels on loose trucks needs at least 1/4" of height.
Quick test: Place your board on the ground. Push the nose down firmly (not a kickflip stomp — just pressure). Check if the wheel scrapes. Do the same with the tail. If either wheel touches, you have wheel bite and need risers.
Riser Height for Street Skating
Street skating typically uses smaller wheels — 49mm to 54mm. Most street setups don't need risers at all because the wheel-to-deck distance is already large enough.
- 49–52mm wheels: Usually no risers needed. Your wheels are small enough that even tight turns won't cause bite.
- 52–54mm wheels: Depends on truck tightness. If you're riding loose and turning hard, add 1/8" (3mm) risers for safety.
If you do use risers for street skating, keep them thin. Too much height makes flip tricks harder to land because your foot sits higher on the board.
Riser Height for Cruisers
Cruiser setups are where riser pads become essential. Cruisers typically have 54mm to 60mm wheels, which are big enough to cause wheel bite with any normal turn.
- 54–56mm wheels: Use 1/8" (3mm) risers if your trucks are tight, or 1/4" (6mm) if they're loose.
- 56–58mm wheels: Use 1/4" (6mm) risers. At this size, even small turns can bite without height.
- 58mm+ wheels: Use 1/4" to 3/8" (6–10mm) risers depending on board design and truck geometry.
Cruisers ride with looser trucks than street boards, so you'll need more riser height to maintain clearance during carves and turns.
Riser Height for Longboards
Longboards come in many wheel sizes, but most run 60mm+ wheels. Combined with large, loose trucks, this means you'll always need risers.
- 60–63mm wheels: Start with 1/4" (6mm) risers. Test for wheel bite on sharp carves.
- 63–70mm wheels: Use 3/8" (10mm) risers minimum. Some riders prefer 1/2" (13mm) for aggressive carving.
- 70mm+ wheels: Use 1/2" (13mm) or more. These wheels are large enough that riser height becomes a major factor in ride feel.
Many longboarders run loose, responsive trucks. With large wheels and aggressive turning, don't underestimate your riser needs. It's safer to go slightly taller than to have wheel bite catch you mid-carve.
Riser Height for Surfskates
Surfskates blur the line between regular skateboards and unique setups. They use pumping motion to generate speed, which means tight carving turns. Wheel sizes vary, but most run 54–60mm.
For surfskates, riser height is less about preventing wheel bite and more about optimizing turn response. Many surfskaters use wedge risers (angled risers) rather than flat risers because the angle enhances turning feel.
- Flat risers: Use 1/4" (6mm) if you want more stability and less sensitivity to small turns.
- Wedge risers: Use 3–5 degree wedge angles to increase turn response without changing wheel size. This is the preferred approach for most surfskate riders.
How to Choose Your Riser Height: Step by Step
- Measure your wheel size: Check the side wall of your wheels. It should say 49mm, 54mm, 58mm, etc.
- Test for wheel bite: Place your board on the ground. Push the nose and tail down firmly and check if wheels scrape. Don't apply full body weight — just enough pressure to simulate a sharp turn.
- Account for truck tightness: Tighter trucks mean less lean angle, so less clearance needed. Loose trucks lean more, so more clearance needed.
- Pick your starting height: Use the charts above as a starting point for your wheel size and style.
- Get longer bolts: Add riser thickness to your bolt length. If you use 7/8" bolts and add a 1/4" riser, you need 1-1/8" bolts. Use our Bolt Length Calculator to get exact sizes.
- Install and test: Mount your risers and take your board out. Make some hard turns. If you still feel bite or you're hitting wheel, go taller.
Flat vs. Wedge Risers
Most risers are flat — the same thickness everywhere. They add height without changing how the truck turns. But wedge risers are angled, which tilts the truck and changes turn response.
Flat risers: Recommended for beginners and most skaters. They prevent wheel bite without changing feel.
Wedge risers: Used by surfskate and longboard riders to fine-tune turn response. A wedge angle increases turn sensitivity; it's like adding lean to your trucks without changing truck choice.
For your first setup, start with flat. You can always experiment with wedges later.
Installing Your Riser Pads
- Remove your trucks — unscrew all 8 bolts (4 per truck).
- Remove the bolts from the deck. The baseplate will lift off.
- Place the riser pad flat against the deck with holes aligned.
- Place the truck baseplate on top of the riser with holes aligned.
- Insert your new (longer) bolts through the deck, through the riser, and into the baseplate.
- Thread the locknuts onto the bolts and tighten evenly. Don't overtighten — just snug.
That's it. Your riser is installed. Go test it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong bolt length: Using bolts that are too short means your baseplate won't be flush, and you'll have a wobbly truck. Too long means bolts stick out and feel weird. Measure before you buy.
- Riser too tall: More riser height means more distance to fall, more ankle strain, and a different board feel. Go gradually. Test with 1/8" before jumping to 1/2".
- Uneven tightening: Tighten bolts in a star pattern (opposite sides). This keeps the baseplate level and prevents warping.
- Overtightening: This can crack your deck or the riser pad. Snug is enough.
- Mixing riser materials: Use PETG for durability. PLA is fine for light riders but becomes soft in heat. ABS is tough but requires a heated printer bed.
When to Upgrade Your Risers
After a few months of riding, check your risers for cracks or soft spots, especially if you ride frequently in warm weather. 3D printed risers last a long time with proper material, but they're not indestructible.
If you change your wheel size or trucks, you may need to adjust your riser height. Going from 54mm to 58mm wheels? You probably need taller risers.
Next Steps
Ready to design custom risers for your exact setup? Use RISER 3D to create risers at any height, with any hole pattern, and any custom shape you want. Or load a community design and start from there.