You’re carving hard through a bowl, feeling the flow, when suddenly—your wheels grab the deck and send you flying. Wheel bite isn’t just annoying; it’s dangerous. After testing dozens of riser pads across different setups, I’ve learned that not all risers solve this problem equally. The Shake Junt 1/8-inch risers promise protection, but do they deliver where it matters?

Key Takeaways

• Effective wheel bite prevention for most street and park setups without compromising board feel
• Durable construction that withstands repeated impact better than budget options
• Minimal ride height increase makes them ideal for technical skaters who hate change
• Limited protection for oversized wheels or extremely loose trucks
• Best value for intermediate skaters needing reliable protection without premium pricing

Quick Verdict

Best for: Street skaters running 52-56mm wheels who need reliable wheel bite protection without altering their pop feeling. Also great for beginners learning carve-heavy tricks.

Not ideal for: Vert skaters using 58mm+ wheels, riders who prefer maximum vibration damping, or anyone needing significant ride height increase.

Core strengths: Consistent performance, easy installation, balanced protection that doesn’t feel like you’ve added extra hardware.

Core weaknesses: Limited shock absorption compared to thicker pads, minimal protection for extreme setups.

Product Overview & Specifications

Shake Junt’s 1/8-inch risers sit in that sweet spot between doing nothing and over-engineering your setup. At exactly 3.2mm thick, they provide just enough clearance to prevent most wheel bite scenarios while maintaining the direct feel skaters prefer. The package includes four risers—enough for a complete setup—with standard truck mounting holes that fit both Indy and Thunder patterns without modification.

What these specs don’t tell you is how they actually perform. The 1/8-inch measurement is deliberate—it’s the minimum effective thickness for wheel bite prevention while remaining thin enough that most skaters won’t notice the height difference in their ollies. The material feels substantial without being bulky, striking a balance that cheaper risers often miss.

Real-World Performance & Feature Analysis

Design & Build Quality

The first thing you notice unboxing Shake Junt risers is their matte finish and clean molding. Unlike some budget risers that have flash lines or rough edges, these have precisely cut edges that sit flush against your deck and baseplate. The mounting holes are cleanly drilled without burrs, which matters more than you’d think—rough holes can make installation frustrating and potentially strip your hardware.

The material has a slight give when you press it between your fingers, but feels rigid once compressed between deck and truck. This is crucial because completely hard plastics can transfer more vibration, while overly soft materials compress under load and reduce effectiveness. Shake Junt found a middle ground that provides dampening without sacrificing stability.

Performance in Real Use

I tested these across three common scenarios where wheel bite typically occurs:

Street carving: With 54mm wheels and moderately loose trucks, the risers completely eliminated wheel bite during aggressive carves. The clearance was sufficient even when leaning hard into turns at speed. Where cheaper risers might compress and allow occasional contact, the Shake Junt maintained consistent spacing.

Park transitions: In bowl skating with deeper carves, the protection held up well until I switched to 58mm wheels. At that point, I experienced minor wheel contact during the most aggressive leans. This confirms that 1/8-inch risers have limits—they’re perfect for street and most park skating, but vert skaters might need thicker options.

Trick landings: During sketchy landings where the board tilts unexpectedly, the risers prevented those sudden stops that send you over the front. This is where their value really shines—preventing accidents rather than just protecting your graphic.

Ease of Use

Installation takes about five minutes per truck if you’re methodical. The process is straightforward: remove old hardware, place riser between deck and baseplate, reinsert bolts. The clean mounting holes make alignment easy, and the material doesn’t compress during tightening, so you get consistent torque across all bolts.

The only minor annoyance I encountered was needing slightly longer hardware when switching from no risers. Most skate tools include the necessary wrench sizes, but if you’re using regular wrenches, having a skate-specific tool makes the process smoother.

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Durability & Reliability

After two months of daily skating, the Shake Junt risers showed minimal wear. The material resisted compression deformation better than bargain-bin alternatives I’ve tested. Cheaper risers often develop permanent indents from the baseplate, reducing their effectiveness over time.

The vibration damping, while not the primary focus, does help reduce stress cracks around truck mounting holes. I noticed fewer hairline cracks developing compared to riding without risers, especially on impact-heavy sessions. For skaters who frequently do stair sets or gaps, this extended deck protection provides real value.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Effective wheel bite prevention for standard wheel sizes without altering board feel
• Clean installation with precise holes that don’t fight you during setup
• Durable material maintains thickness and effectiveness over months of use
• Minimal pop impact—most skaters won’t notice the slight height increase
• Stress crack reduction provides secondary benefit beyond wheel clearance

Cons:

• Limited for larger wheels—inadequate for 58mm+ setups or extremely loose trucks
• Basic vibration damping compared to purpose-built shock pads
• No color options—just basic black, which might matter to some skaters
• Requires longer hardware if switching from no risers, adding to cost

Comparison & Alternatives

Cheaper Alternative: Generic Hardware Store Risers

You can find plastic washers at hardware stores for about $3 that technically serve the same function. I’ve tested these, and while they provide basic spacing, they compress over time, have rough edges that can damage your deck, and offer zero vibration damping. The savings aren’t worth potential deck damage or inconsistent performance.

When to choose: Only if you’re in a pinch and need temporary risers until proper ones arrive.

Premium Alternative: Indy Shock Pads

Independent’s 1/4-inch shock pads cost nearly twice as much but offer significantly better vibration reduction and more wheel clearance. The trade-off is noticeable height increase that affects pop timing and requires longer hardware. They’re overkill for most street skaters but perfect for rough terrain or larger wheels.

When to choose: If you skate rough surfaces frequently, use 58mm+ wheels, or want maximum deck protection.

Shake Junt’s position: They occupy the sensible middle ground—better quality than budget options without the cost or bulk of premium shock pads.

Buying Guide / Who Should Buy

Best for beginners: New skaters learning carves and turns benefit tremendously from wheel bite prevention. The Shake Junt risers provide that safety net without complicating setup or altering board feel dramatically. At under $10, they’re inexpensive insurance against falls caused by sudden stops.

Best for professionals: Technical street skaters who need consistent performance will appreciate that these risers don’t change the board’s characteristics. The minimal height increase means your muscle memory for flip tricks doesn’t need adjustment, while still providing clearance for landed tricks that aren’t perfectly flat.

Not recommended for: Vert skaters running large wheels (58mm+) or anyone seeking significant vibration reduction. The 1/8-inch thickness simply doesn’t provide enough clearance for extreme setups, and the damping is minimal compared to dedicated shock pads. Also not ideal for skaters who never experience wheel bite—if your setup already works, don’t fix what isn’t broken.

FAQ

Do I need longer hardware with these risers?

Yes, if you’re currently riding without risers. Standard 1-inch hardware becomes borderline with 1/8-inch risers, potentially not engaging enough threads. 1.25-inch hardware provides safe engagement. If you already use risers, your existing hardware should work fine.

Will 1/8-inch risers affect my pop?

Minimally. Most skaters adapt within a single session. The height increase is subtle enough that your timing adjusts quickly. If you’re hyper-sensitive to board feel, you might notice; for everyone else, it’s virtually transparent.

How do these compare to Bones Risers?

Bones offers similar 1/8-inch risers at a slightly higher price point. The performance difference is negligible—both provide reliable protection. Shake Junt edges out on value, while Bones might have slightly better brand recognition. Choose based on availability and price rather than perceived performance differences.

Are these worth it if I rarely get wheel bite?

Probably not. Risers solve a specific problem. If you don’t experience wheel bite frequently, the minor benefits of stress crack reduction likely don’t justify the cost and installation effort. Focus on proper truck tightness and wheel size selection first.

Can I stack two sets for more height?

Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. Stacking creates potential points of failure and compression. If you need more than 1/8-inch clearance, buy purpose-made 1/4-inch risers instead of improvising with multiple layers.