The best skateboards for beginners has six main components: the deck (or top of the skateboard, which is typically made of wood), wheels, trucks (which attach the wheels to the board), bearings, grip tape (which goes on top of the board), and hardware. If you wanted, you could put a skateboard together by getting each of these things from different brands or retailers. But Banahan admits that finding all the right parts to make your own can be difficult, “even for someone that’s somewhat experienced.” O’Neal Ellerbe, the founder of New York City’s Skate Everything School, agrees — which is why the pros suggest beginners stick to what’s called a pre-built complete Skateboard for Beginners, which comes with all the main components already installed, so you can just hit the pavement. “I would suggest going for a pre-built complete just so you can feel it out,” says Ellerbe. (If you’re an advanced beginner who wants some degree of flexibility, Kristen Howard, the co-owner of West Village skate shop Uncle Funkys Boards, suggests going for a customizable Good Beginner Skateboard, which lets you choose all your own components once you’ve settled on a deck.)