Longboards World

Longboard types : pulling the pieces together Now that we’ve looked in some detail at key differentiating aspects of longboard builds, let’s see how this adds up for each longboard type, that is, for each riding style. Cruiser longboard type cruiser board types will typically have a maple or bamboo directional deck with a bit of flex for  shock absorption .  They may have a drop deck for stability and easy pushing / foot braking, and possibly a drop-through mount (not so common).  They often have soft big wheels for good grip and easy rolling over cracks and bumps. A subtype of cruisers is so-called “ push boards ”, specifically designed for  long distance   transportation.  They typically feature double drop decks and midsize wheels.  They are not designed for turning, mainly for riding down the line on flat ground. More about choosing the best longboard for commuting  here . Carving longboard types Carver boards are similar to cr...

Longboard types : main characteristics Board length and wheelbase Length is the first thing you notice when you look at the longboards on display in a shop.  The longer the board, the  more stable  it will be.  Most cruising boards are between 38” and 42”.On the other hand, longer boards will be  harder to turn , whereas shorter boards can take sharper turns. Wheelbase  is the distance between the wheels, more specifically between the inner truck mounting holes.  This distance, combined with deck shape, is important because it determines how your feet will be positioned relative to the trucks (e.g. on top of the trucks or not), which affects responsiveness. A longer wheelbase also makes for a more stable board, which is why it’s often quite long on speed boards (there are many other factors at play for speed riding though, keep reading). Deck construction and flex Decks are made by pressing together multiple layers of wood, bamboo, and/or...

So you want to get into longboarding (or you’re already hooked) and you’re considering getting yourself a new longboard.  Before you do this, you need to understand the types of longboards that exist on the market so as to choose one that’s well-suited for you. At first it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options and types of longboards available. Longboard types are usually associated with riding styles, so the first question to ask yourself is, what kind of riding do you plan to do on your longboard. We’ll start with an overview of the most common longboard riding activities.  Then we’ll take a brief look at the things that make one longboard different from another.  Lastly, we’ll bring the pieces together and discuss how each characteristic is associated with each riding style.