Why Riser Height Matters
The main job of a flat riser pad is simple: add clearance between your wheels and deck. Without enough clearance, a hard lean during a turn brings the wheel into contact with the deck — wheel bite — which stops the board instantly and sends you to the ground.
But riser height also affects your setup in subtler ways: higher risers raise your center of gravity slightly, change how the truck flex translates to the deck, and require longer hardware bolts.
3mm (1/8") — The Street Standard
The 1/8" riser is the most common starting point. It adds just enough clearance to run 53–55mm wheels on most decks with a standard truck. Street and park skaters typically stay at this height or run no risers at all.
Best for:
- Wheels 52–56mm
- Street, park, technical skating
- Boards 8.0"–8.5" with low or medium trucks
- Skaters who want minimal height change
Bolt length:
Add 1/8" to your standard length. If 7/8" bolts were flush, use 1" bolts with a 3mm riser.
6mm (1/4") — The All-Around Choice
The 1/4" riser is the most versatile option. It handles most wheel and truck combinations, works for both street and cruising, and gives enough clearance for softer, larger wheels without going overboard on height.
Best for:
- Wheels 54–60mm
- Cruiser builds, all-terrain setups
- Any deck width with medium or high trucks
- Skaters who want one size that works for most setups
Bolt length:
Standard 7/8" + 1/4" riser = use 1-1/8" bolts.
10mm (3/8") — Longboard and Soft Wheel Territory
The 3/8" riser is for setups that need real clearance: large-diameter soft wheels, pumping boards, and downhill setups where the deck flexes under load. At this height you'll also notice the slight increase in center of gravity, which can actually help carving feel more natural on flexible decks.
Best for:
- Wheels 60mm+ (especially soft wheels 78A–87A)
- Longboards, cruisers, surfskate setups
- Flexible decks that compress during turns
- Downhill and freeride boards with large contact-patch wheels
Bolt length:
Standard 7/8" + 3/8" riser = use 1-1/4" bolts.
What About Wedge Risers?
Wedge risers add a slope between the deck and the truck, changing the effective lean angle. This is different from height — a wedge with equal front and rear thickness behaves like a flat riser. The wedge effect comes from having different heights at the front and rear edge of the pad.
Wedging inward (front-higher on the nose-facing edge) makes the truck turn more aggressively. Wedging outward stabilizes the truck. Surfskate and longboard setups often run a steep inward wedge on the front truck and a flatter or outward wedge on the rear.
Comparison Table
| Height | Wheel Size | Riding Style | Bolt Add-on |
|---|---|---|---|
| No riser | 49–53mm | Street, park | +0" |
| 3mm (1/8") | 52–56mm | Street, technical | +1/8" |
| 6mm (1/4") | 54–60mm | All-around, cruiser | +1/4" |
| 10mm (3/8") | 58mm+ | Longboard, soft wheels | +3/8" |
| 13mm (1/2") | 65mm+ | Downhill, big wheels | +1/2" |
FAQ
What height riser pad do I need?
For most street or park setups with wheels 52mm or smaller, no riser or 1/8" (3mm) is fine. Wheels 54–56mm typically need 1/8"–1/4" (3–6mm). Wheels 58mm+ or soft cruiser wheels usually need 1/4"–3/8" (6–10mm). Use the Wheel Bite Tool to simulate clearance for your exact setup.
Do riser pads change how trucks feel?
Flat risers only add height without changing geometry. Wedge risers (angled) change the effective lean angle of the truck — wedging inward increases turn response, wedging outward adds stability. For pure clearance with no ride-feel change, use flat risers.
What bolt length do I need with a riser?
Add riser thickness to your standard bolt length. With 7/8" bolts and a 1/4" riser you need 1-1/8" bolts. With a 1/2" riser you need 1-3/8" bolts. Use the RISER 3D Bolt Calculator to get exact sizes for your deck and riser combination.
Can I 3D print my own riser pads?
Yes. RISER 3D lets you design and export custom riser pads as STL files. Print in PETG at 100% infill for outdoor use. PLA works for test fits but softens in heat. Custom-printed risers let you dial in exact heights, angles, and custom silhouettes that aren't available in standard hardware sizes.