Hello SkateHive World!
This is my first skatehive post and I just wanted to say that this looks like a badass community to be apart of! It's an honor to be invited to an awesome place like skatehive! Thanks 
I am impressed that something like this exists on Hive. I am glad to have become a member of the SkateHive community. I look at it as both a learning and teaching opportunity. To not only improve myself, but maybe, to possibly even give tips to help another member learn.
I have been skateboarding a really long time. I mostly did it in my teens but never did stop. In fact, I still own a 8.0 "Good Wood" board with a "Shy Guy" print. I only paid $30 for the board about 2 years ago. I have since made upgrades to it. Only to need a new deck again. See how that works? Which is clearly pressure cracked now and I will likely swap it out for a Baker in the future.
Man, I love Baker decks. My overall favorite board brand. A little less concave is better; which is why I prefer a Baker board. Plus, it has a different shape to the tail that is slightly wider than most. It's been awhile since I had one though. Maybe, that will change sooner, rather than later, due to my boards current condition. Only the boards worn though. That's the good part. The rest of the stuff on it is still in great shape.
I recently upgraded my wheels to Ricta Clouds. Which were whitish when I got them but are now more of a creame color. They are street wheels. Meaning better for concrete. I haven't tested them for drops or anything like that yet. But, I plan to. I have Bones Ceramics. I wished I had Bones Swiss instead. Personal preference. Just oil them badboys up and go. If you skate in a park, they are smooth as butter. The Ceramics aren't half bad. I thought they were going to be a bit worse than they are, if I am being honest about it. They require a bit more maintainance though.
As for trucks, I have a pair of red Thunders. Personally, I wanted Tensor. Not the day I built my deck. And the reason being, Zumiez, didn't carry Tensor in Billings, MT. They only carried mostly basic stuff. I need a better shop. I found one called Discontent. But, they are more of a headshop rather than a skateshop. They do carry good griptape! That's a plus! But, I want to find a better skateboard specializing shop. Discontent doesn't carry enough boards for me to choose the one I want. I want Bakers and they don't carry. I keep trying to convince him to order them. You know damn well I likely got my bong or nectars from there. lol.
I need to find somewhere to grind some rails or something. My boards barely even scratched for as bad of pressure cracks. Even though we have a park in Billings,MT, I don't have a whole lot of time away from my 5 kids. As a matter of facts, they are all passed out right now and I will have just a few more hours to rest before they will wake my up wanting breakfast.
Anyway, if you read this, thanks for stopping by! Have a great week! I hope you land that trick you have been working on landing!
What are your favorite brands of boards/parts/hardware?