As there are fish in the oceans, there are as many different types of longboards. And it’s not all just fancy. There is a purpose behind every type, arrangement, and shape.
As a result, a skater who wants a longboard for a variety of uses will need to purchase a different kind of longboard for each purpose, such as carving, commuting, etc. When purchasing a longboard, the deck should be your top priority because it determines both the riding style and overall performance.
The most popular and unquestionably fastest-growing youth sport today is longboarding. Here is an overview of the various longboard designs and styles.
Table of Contents
Types of Longboards
Cruiser Longboards
There are countless options for cruiser longboards because cruising is the most common style of longboarding. Longboard cruisers are typically used for transportation or for cruising. To get to the store, a coffee shop, or to work, these longboards are excellent. Cruiser longboards are excellent longboards for beginners who want to experiment with different riding styles because they are not necessarily limited to one.
Carving Longboards
Longboard carving gives you a snowboarding or surfing feeling. Both top mount and drop-through longboards are available for carving. The wheelbase is avoided by using wheel cutouts or wheel wells. In order to enable quick turns, the majority of carving longboards have a shorter wheelbase. On a slight incline, carving can be very enjoyable.
Pintail Longboards
A pintail longboard has a pointed nose and tail. The nose and tail of pintail ducks are both larger. To provide a place to stand without getting wheel bite, the center of the board is wider. It’s easy to cruise and carve on pintail longboards.
Fishtail Longboards
With their distinctive tail cleft, which gives them their name, these are very easy to identify. The ability to make sharper turns distinguishes fishtail longboards from pintails. They perform better than cocktails as a result of their steeper radial concave.
Its low flex and sharper concave give it more heel and toe control. It is made possible to perform intensive wide carving and simple speed checks. And you have to give them credit; they have a slick, vintage surf style.
Drop through Longboards
Truck mounts on a longboard with a drop-through deck are mounted through the deck of the board. Increased stability results from lowering the board so that it is closer to the ground. Drop-through longboards are ideal for downhill longboarding because of this.
Downhill Longboards
Longboards designed for downhill use are called downhills. These skateboards are quick and stable. Because this style of truck mount is the most stable, drop-through longboards are the most popular for downhill riding.
Freeride Longboards
Downhill longboards and freeride longboards frequently share many characteristics. The best decks for freeride longboarding typically have drop-throughs because it is done at high speeds. The primary distinction between the two types of riding is that free riders engage in slides and tricks.
Kicktail Longboards
A kicktail longboard has a lip that is angled upward at the back of the board. For tricks and jumps, a kicktail enables optimal foot placement. Most kicktail longboards are on the shorter side, between 30″ to 35″. For cruising and park riding, kicktail longboards work best.
Top Mount Longboards
Any longboard with trucks mounted directly below the deck of the board is considered a top-mount longboard. Because top-mount longboards can turn more easily, the carving is much simpler. However, top mounts are typically less stable.
Bamboo Longboards
Longboards made of bamboo are light and very flexible. Because bamboo longboards are so popular with young people, it makes sense. Additionally, since they are natural, you get to make a statement. Since they are so light, carrying your board on a picnic or hike won’t be a problem.
Since bamboo longboards are so inexpensive, changing the wheels is the main drawback, but it is not a major one.
Blunt Longboards
Blunt longboards are known for their stability and durability. The Pintail’s nose and tail were simply blunted to create the blunt design. They are unsafe for riding up hills because they cannot handle sharp turns.
Larger wheels are typically used to prove stability. Using these boards, one can longboard safely. Beginners can safely learn the fundamentals of longboarding on it because it has little flex. The use of it is also more comfortable for people who are on the larger side.
Twin Longboards
The twin skateboard, a longboard variant modified for multidirectional street skating, is the traditional shape of this board type. These twin boards received their handle thanks to a design that gave the deck more width. With a curved nose and tail structure, it has an appealing design.
Professionals use it because of its high stability. It is now possible to make abrupt turns and cuts, allowing for downhill riding. The board is appropriate for performing tricks as well. Additionally, due to their greater stability, for freestyle riding.
If you intend to purchase one, make certain that the wheels are of the large, soft variety.
Cutout Longboard
With its excellent design and generous wheel clearance, the cutout longboard is advanced. Due to deep cutouts, the blueprint has a broad base and utterly narrow edges. This is how they came to be known as Cut Out longboards.
The features are quite similar to Dropdown longboards with high stability. They are widely used in downhill and freestyle driving. They can move both ways and have a wide wheel clearance. To lower the board, the trucks are drop-through.
Drop-Down Longboards
With a lower nose and deck, drop-down longboards are very stable. Pushing gets simpler, as a result, allowing for a comfortable, long ride. Drop-down longboards with cut-out shaped decks have plenty of wheel clearance.
Speed Board Longboards
These vehicles were designed specifically for zipping. The high stability that increases with speed is the other wonder. A blunt nose keeps the tip of the tail sharp. These high-performance boards have an adjustable width.
Top Mount Longboards
The trucks must be attached to the deck for top mount or Drop Through longboards. The trucks on top mount longboards are attached to the deck’s base directly. This gives the rider more freedom to make quick turns.
As a result of their height above the ground, they present a wobbling problem. Riders can install separate bushings, wheels, and trucks to jack up stability. Naturally, the process is largely trial and error.
Double Drop Longboard
Hill riders have embraced the double-drop longboard with great enthusiasm. A combination of drop-through and drop-deck longboards inspired its innovative design. These are also fast vehicles with a low center of gravity that makes controlling the speed simply.
Dancer Longboards
You read that right—dancing while riding a longboard. Rodney Mullen introduced the technique, which takes some practice to master. As your balance improves, you become more adept at freeriding or going downhill. You can get off the mark with any board, in all seriousness.
Dance longboards are considerably longer than a downhill, cruiser, or freeride board configurations when used as a serious sport. After all, you require some room for stepping. They can be easily popped up thanks to their double kicktail. A soft flex is required for a better dancing board, but not one that is too soft.
Weight is an important factor. Even though longer boards will weigh more, they still need to be easy to maneuver. Find one that is light for its length, then.
Freeride Longboards
The only survivor here is him. Although they tend to be harsh and inadequately responsive, they are still enjoyable to cruise and carve. The demanding sport of freeriding involves more speed and sliding than the other two. They are available in all imaginable forms but have smaller wheels.
Smaller wheels are required for sliding, which involves letting the wheels lose traction and sliding sideways. The urethane wheels leave behind their track “thanes,” or lines, which are referred to as. Drop-through decks are typical of freeride boards.
As a result, they are naturally more stable and stabler as they sit closer to the ground, which is ideal for sliding and momentum. For precise foot placement, they have varying concaves and cambers. The result is a further lowering of the board because some are constructed with a double drop.
Push / Commuter Longboards
The Push board is a unique breed. Commuting and distance are their only uses. They are double-dropped with a drop-through truck mount and ride extremely low for ease of pushing. The wheels are midsize with narrow trucks
What Type of Longboard Should You Choose?
Your main goal, assuming you are a complete beginner, is to learn how to longboard. To learn the fundamentals, pick a Pintail deck because it is, compared to other deck types, quite all-around and, most importantly, safe to ride.
One can branch into a chosen stream as one gains confidence in their longboarding skills.
Conclusion: Full Guide
What a succinct summary of longboards available today. The sport itself is fascinating and captures the spirit of freedom with a healthy dose of skill. It’s about time you started longboarding if you aren’t already.
No matter your age, all you need is a respectable level of fitness. Also, never overlook safety equipment. You would look really foolish by trying to be daring and then taking a spill that results in plenty of skin is lost, so always wear a helmet.
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