Riding an 8 want to go up to a 8.5, any advice?

[a]

I've been riding an 8 for the past 4 years and have never tried anything different, but recently I have wanted to increase just for the added stability and the confidence that comes with that. I was looking at going up to an 8.5 which i feel like is big jump to make, i was considering going for an 8.25 and then after that going to an 8.5 but that would mean i have to buy to new sets of trucks (which I don't have the money to do).

Any advice on what I should do/try?

[a]

*Two not to

[Beeker]

You can get a set of 8.25 trucks and you'll be fine on a 8.5 deck. Hell, you'll be fine with 8.0 trucks and a 8.5 deck. People make a fuss over truck sizes, but it's not a big deal, just don't worry about it. I feel the same way about deck sizes. I enjoy a 8.38 size, but I could easily switch to anything 7.75-9" and be fine in a day or two.

[a]

Okay thanks for the advice

[Brguy]

You can get a set of 8.25 trucks and you'll be fine on a 8.5 deck. Hell, you'll be fine with 8.0 trucks and a 8.5 deck. People make a fuss over truck sizes, but it's not a big deal, just don't worry about it. I feel the same way about deck sizes. I enjoy a 8.38 size, but I could easily switch to anything 7.75-9" and be fine in a day or two.

It depends, really, I can't 50-50 if the trucks are too small for the board, fucks up my sense of where I'm landing.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Buy some ACE 44s, can ride anything from 8.18 - 8.75 really

[Sundaynuggets]

I go back and forth between 8-8.75 a lot. The differences I feel come more from the rest of the set up rather than the width of the deck. Usually ride Ace 33s with 51-54mm wheels on 8-8.25 and Ace 44s with 55-61mm wheels on the 8.3-8.75.

So the bigger set ups are usually a bit heavier and end up being a bit harder to do flip tricks on, but easier to do ledge tricks and feel better for cruising around the city type skating. At least thats how it works out for me, with very limited flip and ledge tricks.

When I first started switching sizes up, each increment up felt like a big jump, but really I think it was mostly in my head and is easy to adjust to now that I switch around a lot.

[Jimmy The Saint]

I rode 8.1 for years and was very particular about my board size.  Ended up getting a larger size by accident and forced myself to ride it.  Got a Fitzgerald and ended up loving the bigger size from day one.  I was never good at flip tricks so that didn't matter and i loved the feeling of a bigger deck.  A lot of it is just in your head.  Once you start riding it and stop focusing on the increase you'll forget about it. 

[cucktard]

Save time and go right to 9

[HyenaChaser]

As long as the trucks fit, just do it. I adjusted super quick to it and loved riding 8.5 boards for years. I switched back to 8 when I had to get new trucks, and then switched to 8.25 when I had to get new ones again. I saved the trucks from my 8.5 though and now I have cruiser trucks.

[tzhangdox]

Buy some ACE 44s, can ride anything from 8.18 - 8.75 really

This is true

[formula420]

If you are getting new trucks anyways get the Hollow axles. The weight difference helped me a lot.

[Lou Strux]

Some years ago, I finally made my way up from 8” to 8.5” by way of a brief stop of a few setups in 8.25”ville. Did so mostly to have a wider selection of 14.5”(and up) WB decks to choose from, but I’m not looking back now.
Give it a try; I was sure glad I did.

[DaSk8D00D]

Try an 8.25 first on your current trucks then if that works out for you, get some 149/5.8 sized trucks for 8.25-8.5 decks moving forward.

[j....soy.....]

Id just buy 144's or an 8.25 wide truck...then you can skate 8 3/8's which feels like an 8.5 or an 8 1/8 which feels like an 8....

It gives you the most options....

[Ziad]

Whatever you'll skate for a while you'll get used to you'll feel the jump from an 8.0 to an 8.5 as awkward just the first couple sessions or so