Longboarding: Everything You Need to Know
A longboard is a long board, typically between 33" and 60" long. Their unique shape distinguishes them from traditional skateboards. Longboards are an excellent option for cruising, carving, freeriding, downhill, and slalom, or simply for getting around quickly and comfortably. They can be made from a variety of materials. Maple is the most common; it's very sturdy and durable, remaining solid and reliable over time. Bamboo is also growing in popularity; it's slightly more flexible than maple and remarkably lightweight, making it ideal for both riding and transport.
Concave is an important factor in a longboard's performance. Manufacturers are constantly experimenting with new concave shapes to adapt to new types of riding or rider preferences. This is why they allow for more support points than a standard skateboard, providing a firm foothold on the board but also providing stability at speed or easier steering.
The longitudinal curve of the deck also plays an important role. Decks with a high center are known as cambered, while low ones are known as rockered. With a positive camber, there will be much more flex due to the higher center of gravity. Rockered decks have a low center of gravity, making them much more stable on descents and at high speeds.
There are two types of truck mounting on a longboard: top mount and drop-through. Top mount means the truck is attached directly underneath the board, making it more responsive to inputs. Drop-through means the truck's baseplate is attached to the top of the deck, resulting in a lower center of gravity for greater stability.
Although their purpose is similar, longboard trucks are extremely different from skateboard trucks because they are obviously wider to accommodate the difference in size (most are 150mm or 180mm). A longboard truck is known as a reverse kingpin because the axle is on the other side of the kingpin compared to a standard truck, allowing for a wider steering angle and greater maneuverability. They also feature softer bushings for easier maneuvering and steering. For downhill use, harder bushings are used for greater stability at high speeds.
Longboard wheels are larger than standard skateboard wheels, starting at 60mm, and ride better on rougher surfaces. This allows the rider to reach higher top speeds than smaller wheels. The durometer of longboard wheels typically ranges from 75A to 90A. The diameter and durometer of the wheel affect the way the longboard handles, but it's a matter of personal preference and riding style. Wheels with rounded edges are better for cruising and freeriding, rather than downhill riding. This allows the wheel to slide more easily, but it also has less grip and therefore less traction.
Precisely because of their characteristics, Abec 9 or 11 bearings are often mounted on longboards, which are usually fast and used for long distances. Abec 7 bearings are also used for more urban use. The Abec rating does not take into account other factors such as the quality of the bearing itself. Therefore, an Abec 9 bearing from a certain brand is not necessarily faster than an Abec 7 bearing from another brand.
If you're thinking about getting into longboarding, choosing the right longboard is essential for learning easily and safely. Drop-through or pintail models are perfect for beginners thanks to their stability and maneuverability, ideal for cruising and carving. A longboard designed for beginners allows you to quickly gain confidence, improving balance and control without sacrificing fun. Whether you're taking your first steps around town or tackling gentle slopes, a well-designed longboard will make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
YOU CAN FIND YOUR IDEAL LONGBOARD ON Caveman-shop.it!
In our online shop, you can find longboards for cruising around town, longboards for cruising, downhill, or freeride longboards for having fun at the skatepark with friends. We also offer single decks, wheels, and longboard trucks to help you create the perfect custom setup.
