Choosing a 7.5-inch complete skateboard: deck width, truck response, and wheel durometer
The Tony Hawk SS 360 Series Complete is a 7.5-inch wide deck, which is a versatile width suitable for street skating and technical tricks. As a pre-assembled 'complete', it eliminates the complexity of component selection for beginners, but understanding its specific build—like the 360-degree swivel trucks and 52mm wheels—is key to knowing if it matches your skating style.
Key Considerations Before Buying
- Deck width (7.5 inches) is ideal for riders with smaller feet or those focused on flip tricks, offering quicker rotation than wider cruiser boards.
- The 'SS 360' truck system promises enhanced maneuverability for carving and sharp turns, a feature to test against traditional kingpin trucks.
- As a complete board, verify the bearing rating (likely ABEC 5 or 7) and wheel durometer (hardness) to ensure it suits your primary skating surface—concrete parks versus rough pavement.
What Our Analysts Recommend
Inspect the deck's 7-ply maple construction for consistent lamination without visible gaps. For completes, check that trucks are properly tightened and wheels spin freely without wobble, indicating quality assembly. The graphic should be sealed with a durable, scratch-resistant top layer, especially on the Toxic design's vibrant colours.
Skateboards Market Context
Market Overview
The UK market for complete skateboards is saturated with entry-level models, but the Tony Hawk brand carries significant heritage, often commanding a slight premium over generic completes. The 7.5-inch width category is popular for technical street skating, competing directly with brands like Enuff and Element's pre-built offerings.
Common Issues
Budget completes often suffer from 'wheel bite' (wheels contacting the deck during sharp turns) due to poor truck geometry or soft bushings, and cheap bearings that seize quickly on damp UK surfaces. Decks may delaminate if the glue quality is inferior, especially in variable British weather.
Quality Indicators
A reliable complete will specify 7-ply Canadian or American maple, branded trucks (even if proprietary like the SS 360), and branded bearings. Listen for a consistent 'hiss' from quality bearings when spinning wheels—a gritty or silent spin suggests lower-grade components.
Review Authenticity Insights
Grade A Interpretation
A Grade A authenticity score with only 8% estimated fake reviews indicates exceptionally trustworthy feedback for this category, where incentivised reviews are common. The minimal drop from 4.78 to 4.60 after adjustment suggests the high rating is organic and not artificially inflated.
Trust Recommendation
Prioritise reviews mentioning specific use over months, not just unboxing, to assess durability of the Toxic graphic and truck responsiveness. The verified purchase status of all reviews here is crucial—it confirms feedback is from actual owners, not brand affiliates.
Tips for Reading Reviews
Focus on reviews discussing the 7.5-inch deck's stability for adult riders or the SS 360 trucks' performance in wet conditions. Be wary of overly vague praise about 'awesome graphics'; seek details on graphic durability and grip tape quality after repeated ollies.
Expert Perspective
The Tony Hawk SS 360 Series Complete presents a compelling package with its 4.6 adjusted rating, suggesting strong user satisfaction. The 7.5-inch width and proprietary truck system position it as a performance-oriented complete, not just a toy. The high authenticity grade means the positive consensus around its out-of-the-box rideability and pop is credible. However, as with any complete, long-term component durability—particularly the bearings and bushing—will be the true test.
Purchase Considerations
This board is best for beginners to intermediates seeking a ready-to-ride setup for street and park skating. Consider if the 7.5-inch width suits your shoe size (typically UK 8 and below) and if the vibrant Toxic graphic justifies any potential price premium over plainer completes. The 360 trucks may require a period of adjustment if you're used to traditional setups.
Comparing Alternatives
Shoppers should compare the truck response and wheel quality with similarly priced completes from Santa Cruz or Blind, which may use different bearing standards.
