How to Choose the Right Longboard Skateboard

There are many different types of longboard skateboards.

There are many different types of longboard skateboards. Each type of longboard is tailored for a certain style of riding, although some types are well suited for multiple riding styles. Factors contributing to the "type" of a longboard are the board's deck, its wheels, its trucks and its bearings. The key to deciding which type of longboard--or which mix of parts for a custom board--is best for you is to assess your longboarding experience and which style of riding is best for you.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Assess your longboarding experience and ability; if you have experience with riding standard skateboards, that should also be taken into account. Consider which style of riding would best suit your preference--transportation only, cruising, tricking/dancing, slalom, downhill/speed, etc. Weighing these factors before attempting to choose a longboard will make the experience much less taxing.

2. Determine if you would like a pre-assembled board or a custom board. Pre-assembled boards are recommended for beginners. If you choose a custom board, many companies will assemble the board for you with your specified parts, or you can order the parts individually and assemble the board yourself.

3. Select the type of board that matches your riding style:

   -Transportation and cruising boards are good for beginners because they offer high maneuverability at relatively low speeds.

   -Tricking and dancing boards are your best choice if you've had a little more experience and are looking to perform tricks and "dancing" moves like cross-stepping. These boards are equipped with heavier trucks for stability and a fully griptape-covered deck to help keep you on the board.

   -Downhill and speed boards are great for a high-speed riding styles. These boards are of medium length and usually are set lower on the trucks, providing a lower center of gravity and allowing for increased balance and stability at extreme speeds.

   -Slalom boards are similar in size to the standard skateboard. These boards are great for tight carving--riding in an S-shaped pattern--because of their shorter length, tapered deck design and softer wheels.

4. Pick the individual parts if you are thinking about a custom board. The following are things to keep in mind:

   Deck--The longer the deck, the more stable but less maneuverable the board will be. Choose a wider deck if you have larger feet. Be sure to choose a deck with the right flex for your weight--usually boarding companies offer two different flexes.

   Wheels--The larger the wheel, the less obstacles will affect your riding. Softer wheels offer more grip on the pavement, as do wider wheels with larger "contact patches" and wheels with sharper, square-like edges, as opposed to rounded.

   Trucks--Softer bushings provide higher maneuverability, as do trucks with higher turning angles or "geometries."

   Bearings--Steel bearings will do if you do not plan on doing much strenuous riding, whereas ceramic bearings are more suited to high-strain riding, although considerably more expensive.

Tips & Warnings

• Always try out a board before riding it, especially if you do not have much experience with longboarding.

References

• Pickyguide: Guide to Longboad Skateboards