Longboard Wheels Like Shredding The Wave

Ever since kids nailed roller skate wheels to wooden boards to make scooters, not much had changed until the early to mid 1960's when skateboarding began a new trend. Today, we have a variety of skateboard wheels, and longboard wheels depending on your style and type of ride you want.

As a trendy new toy for kids, skateboarding popularity began around 1955. These boards were basically just a painted wooden board of no specific species of wood with four thin steel wheels; two in the front and two in the back screwed on with two small frames. They were stiff and had a rough ride which resulted in little or no traction. So, you could pretty much only travel in a forward motion with a very small turning radius. Depending on the type of ride you want, now we have choices in size and hardness for traction on street boards, and choices in longboard wheels for distance and coasting.

Soon after metal wheels, came clay wheels which were the pinnacle of this 'stone age technology'. These were wider than the steel wheels, but also had a rough ride, as they were still made from a hard substance and had open bearings exposed to the the elements causing them to wear out faster. These hard wheels couldn't roll over sand, grit or pebbles so, if you came into contact with any of this debris on the road - watch out! A fall would inevitably be in store for you!

Then in the early 70's, East Coast surfer, Frank Naysworthy, came up with the idea of using the newly popular urethane, a product made from oil that had started gaining popularity and was being used for many products. The use of this product in a skateboard wheel made softer wheels that could grip (as in climbing walls) and had a more even ride that made turning smoother, with the added extra benefit of making even the hardest turns not only possible, but much easier. This invention along with his company, Cadillac Wheels, renewed an even bigger interest in skateboarding. However, because of the simple open bearings used, the sand and grit from road debris would again wear them out quickly. Not until the use of precision sealed bearings did wheels get a better, smoother and longer-lasting ride. Since the innovations of using these sealed bearings, wheels have not changed much today, except for the hardness, shape and size depending on what type of skating a rider chooses to do.

Because skateboarding was really an extension of surfing, today you can get the same ride on longboard wheels. When riding on a longboard, the ride is like shredding the waves, coasting and turning like you're on a longboard surfboard. It's an awesome feel, especially when there are no waves at the beach - this is the next best thing.

With longboard wheels mounted on your longboard, you can twist and turn and coast like riding the waves.

Understanding Lowrider Longboards Finding The Right Longboard For You

Longboards are essentially skateboards but are wider and longer, used for transportation purposes and for slalom, exhibition, and competitive riding. Typically, a longboard is made up of a deck, a set of wheels, bearings, and trucks in varying sizes depending on the kind of riding to be done. They may also be made from synthetic materials like carbon fiber and fiberglass or natural woods like maple or birch.

Kinds of longboards to choose from

Pintail longboards are best for general transportation, flatland cruising, and downhill bombing. They are very narrow skateboards at just about nine inches in width and extending up to 48 inches in length. Along with trucks installed at the farther ends of each side, they also have semi-slanted riser pads, allowing the rider to make deeper turns. However, because of this, beginners might find that pintail longboards may be difficult to maneuver. Lowrider longboards, on the other hand, are best meant for street riding. With decks made from durable laminated wood, lowrider longboards also have low profiles ideal for pushing and carving. Lowrider longboards also have trucks installed nearly at the tips to achieve better control and stability.

Choosing longboards: some tips

If you're more of a recreational rider, go for decks made from natural wood. They are inexpensive yet strong enough to handle the beating that accompanies general transportation. If you're more of a competitive rider, look for decks made from synthetic materials for more durability, since competitive riding is more punishing than recreational riding.

Longboards with stiff bushing is ideal for downhill bombing or adventure riding since they offer stability at high speeds. Softer bushing offers more control so they're more suited for general transportation.

General recreational riding calls for steel ball bearings, while downhill skating benefits from ceramic ball bearings because they lessen thermal resistance and friction. Ceramic ball bearings, though, are more expensive.

How To Get Into Longboarding

The size of your own wheels plays a purpose around how your longboard operates on top of that. Smaller longboard ones may hasten quickly, but you won't be capable of maintain a high pace for lengthy period. With larger wheels it might take a bit longer to generate up speed, but it is realistic to travel at a DSL web cable for longer. This means that deciding on using your longboard for transportation, you might desire to go with larger wheels. Keep in mind that will with large wheels you want to put risers on your own personal skateboard so that the added wheels don't hit the deck.

Picking wheels for longboard skateboards is merely as important as some other a part of your set up. Your wheels will determine the way fast your longboard will go and also how smooth your ride are going to be. Assess what you anticipate in your longboard for before buying added wheels.

Getting longboard wheels that would be the appropriate hardness to your skateboarding style is essential. Longboard wheels (as effectively as inline skate wheels and other materials) are measured inside durometers. The particular lower the durometer rating, the particular smoother the material. This implies that a longboard wheel with a durometer rating of 78a are going to be softer than those which has a rating of 99a. Smoother added wheels move more slowly than trickier wheels, but additionally, they provide a smoother journey by gripping the particular surface better. Soft wheels absorb the terrain and small obstacles which you come across more easily. Tender wheels are perfect for the and carving. Should you be looking to go fast on your longboard or plan on slipping, you should consider harder added wheels.

How To Get Into Longboarding

You may have noticed that longboarding has become increasingly popular and has grown from an obscure past time for teenagers in California to a fully fledged sport for adults! In fact there are a number of pro riders who make a living from longboaring and there is no reason why you shouldn't have a go and enjoy the sport.

Longboarding is similar to skateboarding, the most obvious difference being the size of the board. Skateboards are smaller and great for tricks and flip whereas longboards are primarily designed for cruising and slalom racing. If you are new to longboarding you may decide to purchase a complete longboard, if your budget permits it is always advisable to avoid cheaper boards and spend a little more so as not to compromise your longboarding experience. There are a variety of designs available from manufacturers including Sector 9 and Loaded.

It is also important to remember that you won't become the next 'Tony Hawk' overnight, that comes with hard work and plenty of practice but do be prepared for a number of 'bails' or falls. Ensure that your budget includes the purchase of, at the very least, a helmet and gloves and if possible, knee and elbow pads, they may not look that cool but you'll be pleased to have them on as concrete is not a very forgiving surface!

So what can you expect from longboarding? As well as cruising and slalom it is also possible, with practice, to boardwalk. This type of board 'dancing' is usually only possible on boards over 40 inches in length and can involve 'cross stepping' (moving the feet, in front of, or behind the other up and down the deck) and the 'shanker' (turning 180 degrees with your foot on the nose so that the tail of the board pops up then returning to normal stance).

Longboard Skateboard Wheels Explained

As any skater would know, skateboard wheels are attached as a pair at the bottom of skateboards, held and mounted in place by specialized axles which are also known as trucks.

The longboard wheels or even those used by skateboards are normally made from polyurethane, which is a very hard type of rubber. These wheels also range in size between 48 to 100 millimeters. Other than size, the wheels are also available in different hardness and is measured by a durometer A scale.

The softest wheels used are at about 75a while the hardest one are at 99a. There were instances that I've seen some wheels having ratings of 101a and above but this would be inappropriate since the durometer A scale maximum measurement is up to 100.

Last but not least, longboard wheels and skateboard wheels are available depending on the skaters styled and preference of skating. For example, street style skaters would use the smallest wheel sizes of between 48 to 55 millimeters. Vert skaters who prefer using their jumping on ramps typically use sizes between 55 to 65 millimeters.

Slalom skaters would prefer using bigger wheels than vert wheels at 60 to 75 millimeters, which allows for constant maximum speeds at a longer period of time. Longboard wheels meanwhile are made typically for transport and cruising. The common sizes used for longboarding range from 65 to 100 millimeters and they provide better stability and comfortable rides.

For beginners just starting to skate, the best choice of wheels would be the softest you can get your hands on to provide grip and from there you can gradually increase the hardness as you advance in skill level.

Longboard Wheel Guide Understanding Your Longboard

If you've got yourself a longboard, then you must be one of many enthusiasts who take to the streets to cruise for a ride. But this activity is not always about having fun. You also need to ensure that your longboard is properly taken care of to make sure that you've always got a ride when you need one. Need to change your longboard wheels? Here's a longboard wheel guide you can use.

The basics

Longboard wheels are designed for use in cruising and transport, ranging in size but available between 65 to 100 millimeters. Since they are bigger than other skateboard wheels, they are more stable and provide the user with a more comfortable ride. Because solid polyurethane combined with their size would make the wheels thick and heavy, hard plastic cores are usually used instead.

The issue of hardness and softness: a longboard wheel guide

Longboard wheels, as well as other skateboard wheels, can come in varying degrees of hardness, measured using the durometer A scale. The softest kind of wheels are rated at 75a, while the hardest are there on top with ratings of 99a. For those beyond the durometer A scale, it might be better to rely on the B or D scales, which have more accuracy and cover a wider range of hardness types.

Choosing your wheel: a quick tip

Wheel size is not just about finding something that fits your skateboard. Rather, you also need to factor in your own body size. The smaller you are, then the smaller your wheels will be. As for a longboard wheel guide, bigger folk actually have the advantage of using longboards since the wheels needed by a longboard are bigger, with sizes between 65 to 100 millimeters. This means that there won't be much need to go looking for the right wheels when you're big person using a longboard.

My loaded Dervish-Getting Some New Wheels

I have to admit that I love my Loaded Dervish longboard just the way it came, but this "sliding machine," may get even better come February 2nd.

What Happens February 2nd?

Well, Orangatang is scheduled to release its newest wheel design "the Balut." From all the chatter online, it sounds like Orangatang went out of their way to design a wheel specifically for maximizing the slide aspect in DH longboarding. It was not their goal to merely tweak on a Fat Free, or the Durian or one of their already successful wheels, but to develop a totally new and unique wheel. Up until now, the focus on downhill free-riding has been for a wheel optimized for traction while negotiating high-speed curves, with minor emphasis on the slide, for speed reduction. Orangatang, however, sees a need for wheels that can provide longer drifts, quicker rotations while MINIMIZING speed loss. That is nearly opposite to current DH wheel design emphasis.

Slip Sliding Design

So how do you reverse the wheel properties for application in a world of drifting? Well, it starts with the rounded edge shape, that sits on a core slightly wider than the wheel itself. Then you lighten up the whole thing by eliminating massive amounts of urethane between the edges of the core and the seats of the bearings to increase flexibility when rotating and flipping. After a year of testing, this narrow shape design, proved ideally suited for incredible long standup slides, but urethane formulations currently in use were unable to withstand the drifting abuse.

The Magic Thane

So finally, after a year of waiting, Orangatang, found a material to meet the abuse of drifting, durable and resilient to flat spots, which they described as the "Euphorethane formula."

Extended Reliability

Rotation, rotation, rotation, the three things that can extend the life of you wheels. Most boarders know this, but high-speed drifters, live by them.

Ten Tips Concerning Wheel Ware

1. "To maximize wheel life exchange the position of the most worn with the least worn wheel, then switch the others."

2. "Uphill wheels want to cone and downhill wheels tend to reverse cone."

3. "Expect the front wheels to wear faster than the rear wheels, when using a center stance with weight over front wheel."

4. "If using a kicktail, or a rear stance in general, expect the rear wheels to ware faster"

5. "If you conventionally stand in one direction, right foot forward or left foot forward, rotate your wheels diagonally."

6. "When your stance is mixed (either foot forward), then rotate wheel with one on the same truck."

7. "A symmetrical center-set shapes generally designed to flip each wheel to reduce coning."

8. "While rotating wheels check for coning and flip those showing the signs."

9. "Remember if you are heel-side slide your heel-side wheels will experience coning, while your toe-side wheels will be the one reverse coning. "

10. "Finally, periodically flip all wheels when it seems appropriate. "

Things You Shouldn't Do While Longboarding

1. Don't jump up and down on the board while you're moving. As a matter of fact, don't jump up and down on the board at all. Sure, it's springy and trampoline-like, but it just won't be the same when it snaps into two pieces.

2. Don't ride backwards. It's fun at first; but you'll start to pick up some speed and then things will be terrifying. Especially if you're going down a hill that's next to a cliff and there aren't any guard rails. Woo. Hoo.

3. Don't whip out your phone and start texting. One second you're telling your friend what a good time you're having, and the next second you're picking broken pieces of wood out of your body and trying to get your front teeth out of the tree you ran into.

4. While we're on the subject of phones, it's a good idea to not take your phone with you. Leave it in your car; if you fall, then your phone is likely to get broken. Well, maybe you should bring your phone just in case you have an accident. OK, so bringing your phone is optional.

5. Don't tailgate a car, bus, or anything else that has brakes. These vehicles can stop, but you can't. There's a good chance that you'll run into whoever you decide to tailgate if they stop, and it will probably hurt. This rule also means don't go skitchin'

6. Don't ride in front of anything with 4 wheels, either. Just because they have brakes doesn't mean they're going to be used. Your helmet probably won't keep your head from getting crushed, either. Think of that ad where the watermelon gets broken because it didn't wear a helmet.

7. Don't ride when it's wet! Longboarding is lots of fun, but slick pavement is not. Wait at least a day after rain has fallen to skate. If you feel dangerous you can go for it, but I warned you.

8. Don't skate without pads, unless you're just doing some light skating. Anything hardcore needs at least a helmet and some knee pads. Knee pads are great because they transfer sliding energy to the plastic shields instead of your skin.

9. Wear proper shoes! Anything with laces. Don't bomb a hill in your loafers, and definitely don't get on a longboard without shoes. That's just asking to get yourself hurt!

10. Don't skate if you don't feel like it! Longboarding is supposed to be fun. If you feel like it's a chore to hop on your board and go skate, then you're doing it wrong.

Yea. That's about it. Go skate now.

Worlds Longest Longboard Skateboard

Thanks to "Nervous Ned" on Silverfish I found someone who would actually road an 100 INCH beast. Ned said that it was in 2005 at the New Jersey Fatboy Garage Fest. So it's no longer an 88 INCH record, we are up to 100 now.

A guy called George won the "longest board" contest by riding a homemade 100 inch board (carving, board walking, sliding, and racing), and i think he actually came in third place in the downhill race somehow. it was amazing watching him drifting 90 degree corners around the garage. he won pie that day.

Im sure this kid looks no older then 17, decent effort for the board! Congrats George!

After writing this post I found the official "Longest Longboard Skateboard World Record.

After the two previous Longboard Skateboard World Records I talked about were impressive and I thought they would not get any longer. But no! Here is the official longest longboard ever built!
Longboard

Ever thought you had seen some longboards that are just to long? Well check out this one! It would sure make things interesting if you wanted to turn sharply on it. But would be the king of board walking kings!

Introducing the worlds Largest Longboard "Texas Rolling Thunder" - 80″A massive solid wood juggernaut - 80″ Long with dual tandem trucks Titanium bearings. Rock steady on downhill rolls. Comes complete with custom soul kryptonic wheels.

I tried hunting the "World's Shortest Shortboard" but it seems no one has taken that title yet. I wonder how short it can get, you would probably end up looking like you just had rollerskates on. World's Longest Longboard wins!

- If any one has a video of a mentally long longboard or a stupidly short shortboard, send them in here!

Complete Longboards Who Are They For?

Complete longboards are convenient, you can get one over the counter at your local skate shop and in just a few minutes you're cruising along enjoying the ride.

Another reason for getting a complete longboard is that you can usually get a good deal since you're getting the complete package. Most skate stores will carry a variety of completes, ranging from mini boards to huge boards like the Bustin Cigar. Ask the store clerk if you can test ride one so you can get the feel of the board, more of the time they'll let you take it for a short test ride.

A few things to consider before buying new complete longboards:

What kind of riding will you be doing? Each longboard is tailored to a different style of riding. Cruising, riding bowls, commuting, bombing hills or dancing?

Loaded carries a range of complete longboards ranging from the cool ceviche cruiser board to the wicked Loaded Dervish that is ready to take on anything with a vengeance. The awesome thing about the Loaded boards is that they are all made of bamboo, so they're really strong and super responsive.

Another popular brand is Sector 9 which is probably the most widely know complete longboard brand with nearly every type of board imaginable plus they always have the gnarliest graphics which make for an extra sweet ride.

If you're looking to get a good deal on a board and appreciate the convenience of having a board ready to ride out of the shop then complete longboards are for you.

What is a Longboard?

There are two kinds of longboards, one is a longer style surfboard and the other is like a skateboard but longer. This article will focus specifically on the skateboard type. A longboard is similar to a skateboard in many ways, but has some significant differences. A longboard is made for cruising and not as much for the flip tricks etc done in regular skateboarding, Be it as a means of transportation or as a form of entertainment most longboards are longer and wider than a typical skateboard and often times have very different shapes than a skateboard designed mostly to help with carving (like on a surfboard or snowboard).

Their original background comes from surfers putting trucks or roller skates on the bottom of waterskis, surfboards, etc to help them practice and keep them riding when there were no waves to surf. There are many reasons to get a longboard, whatever your reason is for getting one, exercise, transportation or just having fun, they are a great investment. For a relatively cheap price you can pick one up online in the convenient form of a complete longboard and without any more effort than opening a box you are ready to go.

So why get a longboard? To get started, because they are a great way to get some exercise. Longboarding is a very fun and relaxing way of getting some good cardio exercise and getting your blood pumping (and if you are looking at one for your kids or grandkids, you don't even have to tell them that it's good exercise!).

They are also a great way of relaxing, try riding one just to unwind, especially down your local bike trail or through a nice park. Longboards are also a very cheap and fairly quick form of transportation and are very environment friendly, not to mention how good you'll look to all your friends as your ride your new longboard around. I will often ride my longboard to the store for a quick shopping run rather than riding if the store isn't too far away. Longboarding is also a great way to relieve stress, leave behind the daily grind and just get outside and enjoy the fresh air for a minute, I frequently will go and ride my board out in the parking lot at work on a break if I need a chance to get out and unwind for a few minutes. Riding a longboard is also a great way to learn and / or improve your balance.

The biggest reason to get a longboard is just to go out and have some fun! There is nothing like feeling the wind in your hair, your board under your feet and a nice hill to keep you and your longboard in motion. It is a great way to help your friends try something new, go on a date or just fill up some free time in a very satisfying way. That being said, you have nothing more left than to get yourself a longboard and start riding.

Insider Tips For Buying Longboard Bearings

Longboard skateboards are unique and require their own set of accessories than your standard skateboard does. It is important to distinguish the difference between the various trucks, decks and wheels required for these kind of boards before buying one. If you aren't familiar with the parts and accessories you need, you could end up wasting a lot of money.

One of the most important parts of any longboard is the bearings. These parts go inside the actual wheels and help control the speed at which the wheels turn. A good set of bearings can be the difference between a fast, smooth board, and a clunky, slow board.

This is why it is important to educate yourself about the various types of bearings available for your longboard and the types you should be using for maximum performance.

Most longboard bearings come in either ceramic or steel. A ceramic bearing will have a set of ceramic balls encased inside the bearing. They are almost always used by all pro skateboarders due to their reliable performance standards. The ceramic bearings are rust resistant and more resistant to friction, which basically means they can take more of a beating than steel bearings. They are also lighter than the steel bearings.

The steel bearings are of course made out of steel and are generally cheaper than ceramic bearings. Steel bearings are susceptible to rust and in many cases the rust will prevent them from spinning at all, which will then make them completely worthless.

When you visit your local skateboard shop, don't be afraid to ask the employees for their recommendations. Keep in mind that the better the bearing quality, the higher the price. The final decision will come down to how much you skate and how aggressively. If you just do a lot of cruising, then paying top dollar for the bearings probably isn't a good idea. However, if you do a lot of trick skating, then it is probably worth investing in a high quality bearing.

As a final thought I can't recommend ceramic bearings highly enough. Many consider the extra cost a small amount to pay for their remarkable performance and durability. In the end, you will probably go through lower quality bearing much faster than the ceramic ones, and spend just as much as you would have on one set of ceramic bearings.

A Look Into Different Kinds Of Longboards

A longboard is just like a skateboard, only longer. It is mostly used for transportation and for downhill racing among others because its form allows the user to easily maneuver through sharp street turns. Its longer and wider base offers more stability so riding it is relatively safer and, in most cases, more comfortable as compared to a shortboard.

Because longboards tend to be on the heavier side, they are unsuitable for performing tricks that are typical of skateboards. Many beginners also find it difficult to ride them at high speeds when going downhill. But on the upside, because of their weight, they also have allow for a more fluid motion through increased momentum.

There are many different kinds of longboards available these days. Your choice is mostly dependent on your intended use. If you're new at longboarding, it's only normal to feel overwhelmed by the variety of decks that you can choose from.

• Transportation - Those that are used for commuting or for transportation are the most common among the different kinds of longboards. These boards are 100-130 cm long and they don't have a short nose as is typical with other skateboards. They are more flexible and are known to offer a more comfortable ride. This type of longboard is also usually shaped like surfboards with trucks that are designed to allow the user to navigate through narrow turns.

• Slalom - these longboards are mostly used for racing and navigating through small cones. They are 63-89 cm in length and are made of carbon fiber and other high tech materials. Shorter varieties are used for tighter courses while the longer ones are for faster and steeper courses.

• Downhill - among the different types of longboards, this one is the most suitable for riding downhill at high speeds. This type is 95-110 cm long and has trucks that are attached to its ends. It can also come with a lowered platform.

Why to Read Longboard Reviews

Choosing or picking a brand new longboard, for most longboarding starters, may be a scary and unfamiliar task. However, this is of extreme importance simply because of the fact that a newbie's first board is always of utmost importance, and carries great weight to a longboarding rookie's virgin experience of longboarding, and the entire sport as whole.

Longboarding is an supremely rewarding and enriching extreme sport and most of the time can energize even the clumsiest beginner with a life-changing experience. There is nothing more exciting than racing downhill off a quiet hilltop on a cool night, with the wind in your hair and adrenaline in your veins from the breakneck pace & speed. Such an amazing sport only deserves to be enjoyed with the best equipment, and nothing else.

Therefore, a great method of finding opinions for longboarding is to be regularly updated by reading longboard reviews. Many longboard reviews have relevant and up-to-date information about different boards - the plethora of sizes and technical details. Also, importantly, many boards are optimized specifically such that they are made most fitting for certain longboarding activities, such as, but not limited to: hillbombing, downhill riding, cruising, carving, slaloming and freeriding. There are so many possible activities with regards to longboarding that questions such as these will ultimately emerge when choosing a longboard: What kind of board should you get? What wheelbase is good for cruising? What length is suitable for carving? What flex allows you to hillbomb with ease? To simply avoid the confusion from such troubles, simply read some longboard reviews; they are a great resource for a board choice.

Longboard reviews can also offer valuable second-hand opinion on aboard you might have wanted to pick. Maybe someone has found that a certain longboard you would have bought isn't great for carving, like you would want it to be. Thus, reading longboard reviews might save you from a purchase you might regret.

Longboarding is such an awe-inspiring experience that it would be extremely unfortune if someone was to be put off by the sport just because they ended up with a sub-par board. Ipso facto, one should always try to pick a good, reliable board instead of getting hung up over the potentially high price-tag - this is simply because a reliable board can be around for ages to come and help you fall in love with longboarding. Since the entire sport of longboarding itself will revolve around your longboard, there is no excuse to skimp and buy a cheaper board - you will definitely suffer in the long run if you purchase a sub-par board. In the worst case scenario, the board could be dangerous and may get you injured, so buyer beware! Therefore, there is quite simply no better way to deciding on a longboard than to just read longboard reviews.

This applies to every other consumer product decision you make: just imagine that reading longboard reviews would be a smart, time-saving way to make a product choice. Except, for this particular case, this decision may very well evolve into a full fledged passion, so why take the risk? You should be acquainted with a number of longboard reviews before deciding on your first longboard.

Guide to shopping for longboards - Different types of longboards

A longboard is a longer version of a skateboard. It is mostly used for downhill racing, cruising, and transportation. There are different types of longboards according to the intended use. If you're looking to shop for one, it would serve your best interests to be familiar with these types to help you make the right purchase decisions.

Types

There are generally two different types of longboards: the pintail and lowrider varieties. Pintail longboards are great for general transportation, flatland cruising and for downhill bombing. This type of longboard is quite narrow at around nine inches in width but is 48 inches long. The trucks are installed on its opposite ends. A pintail longboard also has semi-slanted riser pads so you can make deeper turns in narrow streets. If you're new at longboarding, you might find it a challenge to maneuver this type of longboard.

On the other hand, there is the lowrider longboard. This type is a suitable choice for street riding. It comes in decks that are made from durable wood laminate. It also has low profiles that are great for pushing and carving. The trucks of a lowrider longboard are placed at the tips to provide the user more control and stability when riding.

Buying guidelines

Regardless of which one of the different types of longboards you prefer, you need to consider the deck material when purchasing your longboard. Recreational riders, for instance, should opt for longboards made from natural wood because these are relatively more affordable but durable enough to handle general transport. Competitive or exhibition riders, however, have to go for those that are made of fiberglass or carbon fiber. These varieties are more durable so they can handle jumps, high speeds and other abuses. They are more expensive than the wooden longboards, though, so you want to opt for these longboards only once you have decided that longboarding is definitely for you.

Longboarding a skateboard alternative for adults

Many people look for a new hobby to pursue when they start having more free time in their lives. Unfortunately, most people over the age of 30 limit themselves to certain hobbies that seem appropriate for their age. Granted, there are many hobbies that are only pursued by a certain demographic, but in some case it's okay to defy the status quo. Skateboarding has long been associated with the young and rebellious, so many adults don't even entertain the idea of picking it up as a hobby, when it's actually a great form of exercise and transportation among other things. Fortunately, the longboard gives the older crowd a socially acceptable way to break into skateboarding.

The difference between the image of skateboarding and longboarding generally comes from a difference in intention. While riding a longboard is essentially skateboarding on a different type of board, the physical alterations in the board are there to make travelling easier. Many people use longboards not only for fun and exercise, but also to save on gas. On the other hand, the modern day skateboard is built to withstand grinds, jumps, and tricks, but is not ideal for a 5-10 mile ride. Furthermore, longboards are built to be more stable, so there's less of a learning curve compared to skateboards. the design of the board also allows the rider to cruise for longer periods of time and more comfortably due to softer wheels.

Due to a different intention than skateboarding, the longboard attracts people with a different attitude that is more in line with mature thinking. Wearing helmets and other safe practices are actually encouraged, not frowned upon. Since many longboarders aren't doing anythign more than just getting across town, they tend to be more respectful because they don't have anything to prove. There is more of a sharing vibe instead of a territorial one because there are endless miles of asphalt to ride on. Some longboarders like to go on long, fast rides with their buddies for fun, so the group aspect of skateboarding is also present. This is definitely an activity you can do with your friends and family, should you decide to pursue it.

Longboarders generally tend to get less hassle from the police and other people out in public. It helps that longboarders have the image of a more respectful crowd, but this might also be due to physical differences in the board. Skateboards have harder and shorter wheels, which tend to cause damage to property. Many shopping centers do not allow skateboards on the premises, and traffic laws usually do not permit skateboards to be on the streets at all. Doing this could risk getting your board confiscated by the police, but longboarders seem to have fewer problems with this.

Many longboarders hold some disdain for skateboarding because it is so commonly associated with teenagers who act disrespectfully and destroy public property. While this is only a stereotype, it's an image that is sometimes hard to get away from. Using a different type of board actually allows some people to differentiate themselves from this image, not only to their friends and family, but also to cops and pedestrians. This makes it possible for adults who are afraid of being too old for skateboarding to break into a similar hobby with fewer constraints.

Learning how to longboard Vs Learning how to skateboard

While skateboarding is largely more popular than longboarding, they each have their own merits. If you don't know how to do either, you should know that both are a lot of fun, but it's slightly easier to learn how to ride a longboard. While longboarding has not become so popular that it has become a full-blown sport like skateboarding, there are people who make a living by longboarding and getting sponsored. At its essence, the longboard is really just a variation of the skateboard, but it's different in the sense that just about anyone can learn how to longboard much faster than they could learn how to skateboard. The bad news is that it can take quite a while before you are longboarding at the same level as the pros, but this is the same as most pursuits. It will require hard work, but here are some great tips to get you started.

It takes time to figure out which foot goes in front and which foot goes in back. First of all, it really makes no difference if you're right-handed or left-handed. You'll have to know which leg is your dominant leg, but that should be easy to figure out. The best way to do this is to think about the way you approach things. Which leg do you always use to kick something like a ball? With which foot do you usually start walking up a staircase? If you begin to lose your balance, which leg do you use to save your balance with? The side you always use in those situations is the side that goes to the back of the longboard. It really has to do with your dominant leg and nothing to do with the direction you want to face.

Start with an inexpensive but very durable longboard. High quality, beautiful longboards can be outrageously expensive. They're so expensive you'll probably just want to hang it on a wall and look at it! This is why you need to start with a beginner's board. They have strong wheels and are thicker. These boards will be able to take the pounding and abuse the beginner longboarder will give it. Ask your local skate shop to point out the more newbie friendly longboards.

Next, you should know that stopping the board is a bit more involved than starting is. To practice, it's probably easiest to drag one foot to slow down and eventually stop. You can also try taking small steps to lose speed, kind of like the opposite of the push-off. This is a lot like stepping in the reverse direction of your travel.

This isn't great for your feet, but it should do the trick. When you get better at this, you can stop yourself quite smoothly by dragging the tail-end of the board, but you do want to avoid tail-grinding if you're going a bit fast. With practice, you'll begin to take note of differences in the stances of other longboarders. You'll just need to practice and in time you'll discover what you like best. It's important to make an effort to work on the basics. You'll make excellent progress before you know it, and then you may realize just how comfortable you really are on a longboard.

Cheapest Longboard Providers

Introduction

Longboarding is one of the coolest sports of the latest decade. However the sport isn't very affordable.

Longboard prices can vary from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars for a professional longboard. The longboard sport is much more expensive than the skateboard industry because the huge demand for longboards and the relative low amount of longboard suppliers. Also longboards are often made of more expensive material such as bamboo. This makes the sport expensive for students and other people who can't spend too much money. The purpose of this article therefore is to give an indication of the cheapest longboard suppliers around.

Extreme Sports Trader

This is a British website that is a sort of Craigslist for extreme sports. You can find a great variety of longboards here for cheap prices. The only disadvantage is that the longboards provided are mainly from the United Kingdom, so shipping costs to the United States will be higher.

eBay

eBay is a good resource for cheap longboards. Especially the British, German and Spanish versions of eBay are recommended. The supply is big and you can immediately see which suppliers are credible and which ones are to be avoided. You are furthermore protected by eBay's buyer rules. This is a highly recommended place to start searching for beginners.

Skateboard Express

This is great Australian outlet for longboards. The longboards here are directly shipped from the factory to the customer. You don't have to pay here for marketing and shelf space. The service is good too. However the shipping costs is a bit high, but even then this shop is much cheaper than all normal stores.

Forums

Another good option is specialized longboard forums. The longboards found here are with distance the cheapest. However you have to be careful, you never know for sure if the seller is credible. Therefore it is advised to only buy from authoritative people on the forum like admins or moderators.

Conclusion

There is no best option to buy longboards. However each option has its pros and cons. EBay is highly recommended for beginners, while forums should only be used by more experienced long boarders. The Skateboard Express is the cheapest provider of brand new longboards. Extreme sports trader is only recommended for British people, although it does no harm for foreigners to look here for a second hand longboard for sale. All in all you can't go wrong with all of these options.

Gravity Longboard Reviews

For many years, I've seen and read Gravity Longboards reviews singing different praises and good feedback about Gravity. Established around the mid 90s, Gravity has been a legendary and one of the oldest manufacturers of longboards in the market. Many Gravity Longboards reviews have claimed this and that about the company and I think it's fair enough - for I have never seen longboards with such quality as Gravity. Although in all honesty, as a cruiser for 3 years now, I do expand my options to other brands and therefore, I have other boards from other companies as well. However, functionality and sturdiness wise, Gravity boards are always on the top of my list.

As I began getting more interested with skateboarding, I came to the conclusion that not all boards actually run the same even if they look alike and shapes alike. Somehow, they don't really feel alike, if you know what I'm saying. My first Gravity longboard is a Hypercarve given by my older sister and I have to say, the quality blew me away. Before I receive my Hypercarve, I already have a few months of knowledge and training about skateboarding and possess at least 5 skateboards from other brands. Frankly, I would not say Hypercarve was the best board I had - maybe just a lot better than 2 of my top boards- but it was instantly in my favorite list just one day after I've ridden it.

About 3 months later, Gravity Longboards reviews and forum began raging about the latest Kalai Drop Carve. I was perplexed of how people around American got crazy over the Kalai drop so out of curiosity I decided I'd like to get one too! I purchased it online and around a week of riding, Kalai was instantly my top favorite.

The batches of the newest Gravity boards produced were also not something you could miss and not regret it, particularly if you're a fan of downhill and sliding. Gravity Longboards reviews have claimed 2 things of why Gravity has remained as one of the most reputable longboard brands in the industry - Downhill and Sliding. For many American longboards, this is no longer an unknown fact. Gravity is a famous producer of the best downhill and sliding boards. However, there are another 2 things that I like about Gravity - speed and sturdiness. My first Hypercarve has not been used for ages, but every time I use it, it still runs like the first time. Unlike many cheap boards, most Gravity boards are designed to match a speed of 40mph and more, which is why they are my absolute favorite.

Guide to Buying a Longboard

You will want to think about the type of longboarding you're going to be doing before you just go out and buy a longboard. If you want to go downhill as fast as possible, you'll need a high tech board, like something from sector nine or loaded longboards. If you just want to cruise the streets and do things at low speeds, then most any other board will work just fine.

You may just want to go out and buy a longboard that's already setup for you. This is called a complete longboard. The best advice that this guide can give you if you take the route of buying a complete longboard is this: don't waste your money on a cheap board. Your experience will be infinitely better if you spend a good chunk of money on a good longboard. If you'd rather put a deck together, you will need to buy all the parts. We'll explain wheels first.

Longboard wheels vary in size and hardness. Longboard wheels are typically very soft. Softer wheels grip the road more easily and give the rider a smoother riding experience. Softer wheels also work better when a person slides - they act more like a brake than harder wheels do. This is at the cost of the wheels, though. Softer wheels tend to not last as long as harder ones.

You will also need a longboard deck. The only company that really makes these is loaded longboards. Fortunately, loaded longboards are great decks. You can also buy a loaded complete, but some people like to put their own together. Be sure to read about the different types of flex that loaded longboards offer, as it will affect your riding experience.

The last thing to pick is a good set of trucks. There are different sets of trucks out there and the best way to find out which ones work well for you is to try them. Most stores should have the trucks you're looking at setup on another board and should be happy to let you try them out. If you can't test them, though, just make sure that you buy yourself some wide trucks. They can always be replaced later.

That's about it for putting together a longboard. You'll find as you go through everything that the best way to piece a skateboard together is to go to a shop and look at all the components. Find parts that suit you and your riding style, then put everything together. You shouldn't be too disappointed if you've taken the time to find quality parts.

Sector 9 Longboards

If you're looking for flexibility, functionality and a competitive price range in longboards, you're probably looking for Sector 9 Longboards. If you haven't known about this brand yet (although this I truthfully doubt), Sector 9 Longboards is one of the big longboards manufacturer in the US and has been in business quite longer than most of its competition. Perhaps a lot of skateboarders in America have been fascinated with skateboarding through Sector 9 Longboards as well. Figuratively, S9 has directly or indirectly invited a lot of newbies to try and get into the skateboarding sports. It's most fascinating to know that even those who are no longer using S9 will tell you that at some part of their lives, they've actually used S9, especially during their newbie years. In fact, a lot of skateboarders in American were "born" from Sector 9 Longboards.

Sector 9 Longboards are best for amateurs because it's not exactly built for speed. Therefore, there's a lot of space for you to learn without worrying about going too quick. They are so far, the best practicing boards. That is the reason why newbies love S9s.

Stability is where S9 is best known for. Since there are a lot of skateboarders who are still having problems with balance, especially when doing complex tricks, this is where S9 longboards come in. This is also another reason why it's the best beginner boards - its sturdy and stiff, perfect for amateurs who have not yet practiced their balance. We have to admit that there are 2 things we probably had problems with during our newbie years - balance and speed. Unless you're like some skateboard prodigy, you may have shortcomings in these certain areas while still beginning.

Learning on more complex and larger boards may be too much for a beginner, not to mention the increased chance of getting into accidents. At first, skateboarding can be quite hard and dangerous but that's the reason why you're learning it - because you're up for the challenge. Therefore, you need a good supporting board and a good supporting board will most likely come from Sector 9 Longboards.

Despite it's lack of adequate speed, a lot of professionals still like riding with S9 longboards mainly because this company produces some of the sturdiest longboards, perfect for keepsake and leisure rides in the future. My first S9 longboard is the BH deck and although I've changed some of its components and added some innovative experiments on my own, I was thrilled to find out I can still use it after 3 years of dormancy. Also, if you haven't known, S9 also have good concave decks. Maybe some of them may not be too exaggerated and sophisticated in designs but they seriously ride stiff! Perfect for downhill!

Reasons to Get an Apex 37 Longboard

With the Apex 37 longboard, you have a choice in how the board is made. You can choose the weight of the board, the bearings in the wheels, even boards with Forged Carbon technology. The Apex 37 longboard is also customized to suit your specific height and weight. The Apex 37 longboard started with sustainably harvested hard maple and draws strength from advanced composite technologies. And the quad-axel composite layers keep the deck light but still incredibly strong.

The Apex 37 longboard uses what is known as CNC routing to drop Original trucks straight onto the deck, giving the board a profile lower than most other drop-through mounts. It also offers more pop and more power for the rider to enjoy. As the world of skateboarding has evolved, the necessary parts have evolved with it.

There are many more important components to an Apex 37 longboard. The trucks, the wheels, the bearings, and the hardware to keep your trucks on your board all help improve your ride.

Wheels are vitally important to the way you ride around; the wheels are the connection from the road to the board. Having a good wheel is the foundation to having a smooth ride. Different materials are used to achieve the same end-a smooth ride-but in different ways because material, size, and thickness are all adapted for different terrains.

Bearings that lay inside the wheels play a huge part in the smoothness and speed of the ride. If you're being chased down the street by a dog, you'll be happy you got new bearings, because the bearings dictate the board's ability to move easily and quickly. The bearings on your Apex 37 longboard should be changed based on condition-if your ride stops being so smooth and easy, change or clean the bearings.

Another important part of the Apex 37 longboard is the deck. The actual deck of the longboard is the part that you stand on. This part is vital, for obvious reasons. Without a proper deck for your board, you pose a safety risk to yourself or whoever else may ride it. Not only that, but all of the parts that make up an Apex 37 longboard have to work in sync for the board to do its job correctly.

Trucks are the turning mechanism on the board and are attached to the wheels that allow them to spin. Without trucks, your Apex 37 longboard may look cool, but you won't be able to ride it. Trucks come in a variety of sizes to fit whatever size wheel you are using on your longboard.

Bushings are a part of the truck. Usually made of polyurethane, they are commonly shaped like barrels or cones. Bushings are the simplest part of a truck to change.

The Apex 37 longboard could come with any type of wheel, truck, bearing, etc., but it will only work properly and to its fullest potential if all of the parts work together as they're designed to. Ensuring your safety and the fun of your ride will require careful attention to each of these parts, and the assembly of the board itself.

Best Longboard Shops

Introduction

One of the greatest trends of 2011 is longboarding. Longboarding is some sort of variation on the regular skateboarding. However, there are a few differences. First of all the deck of a longboard is a bit larger. Moreover, the longboard is easier to learn and master than the skateboard. Therefore, the longboard is especially loved by adults. Lastly, the longboard can also be used for other disciplines like downhill racing or just for transport in the city. It has to be noted that longboards are quite expensive. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to point out the cheapest and best providers of longboard gear.

Price Causes

First of all, let's explain why longboards are so expensive. First of all, the demand for longboards is really huge. However, there is a lack of specialized longboard stores, especially outside the United States. Second, longboards are typically made of more expensive material, such as bamboo. Finally, some part of the price is just pure marketing. Some longboard manufacturers promote their model with aggressive advertising to make the general public perceive it as the best or hippest longboard. The longboard will sell no matter how high the price.

Web shops

It is recommended to consult a web shop for a good new longboard. These longboard shops are often way cheaper than the normal brick and mortar stores. If you are looking for a particular model, I highly recommend thelongboardstore.com. They have a huge supply, and if you cannot find your favorite longboard here, you will probably find it nowhere! Another good web shop is daddiesboardshop.com. They are very passionate about this sport, and I think this is the best place for advice. For both newbies and experts daddiesboardshop.com is an excellent place to shop. They will consult you with the purchase of your first longboard, but will also help you tweak your gear to gain a better performance. The last web shop I like to discuss is theskateboardexpress.com. This is a very no-nonsense shop that directly ships their boards from the factory to your home. In this way you do not have to pay for things like shelf space, marketing or other non-board related things.

Second Hand 
Good old eBay is still one of the best places to look for second-hand longboard. Especially the German and Spanish versions of eBay have a great supply of high quality longboards. The British website Extreme Sports Trader is a sort of Craigslist for extreme sports. You can also find some great deals here. Lastly, you could also check out specialized longboard forums. Experienced users are often selling longboards here, because they want an even better or hipper longboard. These longboards are often in great condition. However, you have to be careful on these types of forums, because you do not know who you can trust. Therefore, it is recommended to only buy from people with authority, such as admins, moderators, or people with a big post history.

Classification of Longboards

A longboard is similar to a skateboard with the only major difference that it is slightly longer than the skateboard. It is mostly used for general transportation and for downhill racing as it allows the rider to easily move through steep and twisted turns. A longboard has a longer and wider base and thus it offers more control to the rider and is relative more comfortable and safer as compared to a skateboard.

Different kinds of longboards are available in the market these days. You should make a choice considering the kind of use you are going to have. However, if you are new to the sport you must take proper care of your safety and wear proper helmets and other safety gears. A skateboard helmet works fine with longboarding. Helmets such as the Protec helmets, Bern helmets and SixSixOne helmets are among the most popular brands used by professional players. Given below is a classification of different types of longboards:

Transportation: One of the most common uses of longboard is for transportation or for commuting. The boards used for this purpose are usually 100-130 cm in length and like other skateboards they do not have a short nose. This type of boards are usually similar to surfboards in shape and are designed to offer a flexible and more comfortable ride to the user as he/she navigate through narrow turns.

Slalom: It is a variety of longboard that is mostly used for racing or for navigating through tiny corners. They are usually made using carbon fiber and other high tech materials. Their length may vary from 63-89 cm. The shorter boards are used for tighter courses while the longer boards are used for steeper courses.

Downhill Racing: This is one of the most popular uses of longboards. The board is specially designed for riding downhill at high speeds. The average length of a downhill racing board varies from 95-110 cm. They have trucks attached to their ends and often come with a lowered platform. They usually come with a stronger and flexible base to offer more control to the rider as he slide downhill at high speeds.

You should select the right size and type of longboard depending upon the purpose for which you are going to use it. Also, don't forget to purchase proper accessories and suitable longboard or skateboard helmets to ensure your safety while you enjoy the speed and thrill of longboarding.

Finding a Longboard That Fits Your Lifestyle

Longboards are skateboards that boast a wider and longer body. They are commonly used for competitive riding, transportation, slalom, and exhibition purposes. All types of longboards consist of wheels, deck, trucks, and bearings that vary in size, which can be determined by the type of riding that you are planning to do with them. Longboards can be made of materials like carbon fiber, maple or birch wood, and synthetic fiberglass.

For cruising

If you like cruising, you can benefit from the pintail types of longboards. They are generally suitable for cruising on flatlands and can be used as means for downhill bombing and transportation. Pintail longboards are characterized by their narrow appearance. They are around 9 inches in width and 48 inches in length. Their trucks are located on the ends of both sides and they have riser pads that are semi-slanted to accommodate deeper turns.

For street riding

Amateurs may have a hard time maneuvering pintails. But if you like street riding, you can opt for a lowrider longboard with decks that have wood laminate that is durable and a low profile that is appropriate for pushing and carving. The trucks of lowriders are located near the tips for better stability and control.

Buying tips for longboards

Consider your purpose for riding when choosing between these types of longboards. Recreational riders can benefit from those that are made from natural wood for durability while exhibition or competitive riders can opt for carbon fiber or fiberglass that can handle jumps, blows, and fast speeds. Downhill bombing or adventure riders can benefit from stiffer bushing for stability while soft bushing can provide control for general transport.

Beginners can benefit from board lengths ranging from 40 to 55 inches while shorter ones offer efficiency for downhill or street skating. Steel ball bearings are suitable for recreational use while ceramic ones provide thermal resistance and less friction for downhill use. You may also want to have a longboard customized for your intended use especially if you like competing.

How To Slide Your Longboard

If you are planning on learning to slide, the first thing you should do is throw on a helmet and some protective gear. There is a high probability you will be spending some time on the asphalt during this process. So slide at your own risk. Even if you don't know how to slide yet, don't be afraid to invest in some gloves. I have found that most common long boarding injuries can be avoided, if you know there are large plastic pucks on your palms, making them impervious to pavement.

Once you've got your pads and board all prepped and ready to go. Head out to a parking lot or somewhere relatively flat to practice speed checking. A speed check is a very small slide, where (for starters) your back two wheels let go of the pavement and do a very small slide. It's called a speed check because this move is sometimes used to burn speed (but mostly it just looks sick). Learning to speed check can be somewhat awkward. So here's a list of the basic motions you will be performing.

1. Start on a flat area and give the board 2 or 3 good pushes

2. Lean forward, putting most of your weight over your front foot

3. Open your shoulders, between a 45 and 90 degree angle from the board. The wider you open your shoulders the larger your speed check, or drift will be. Also keep in mind that the longer you leave your shoulders open, the longer the slide will continue.

4. Use your back foot and leg to swiftly force the back end of the board outward. Heel side is generally the most comfortable way to learn to slide. But it's all about whatever feels best.

5. Close your shoulders and even your weight back out

Keep in mind that part 3, and 4 should be happening simultaneously. (Or very close to at the same time) Your first few speed checks should be pretty minimal, really focus on taking a lot of weight off your back foot, until the slide has begun. The less weight on the back of your board, the easier it will be to force the back two wheels out.

If you have never slid on the wheels you are currently riding, your slides will be fairly choppy for a while. Speed checking is also a great way to break in wheels. Once you have rounded edges on your wheels, you know your wheels are broken in. And it may be time to do a quick rotation.

Once you've got the speed check on lock. Start incorporating it into carves for style points if you'd like. Now, you're ready for the full slide

At this point in your longboarding career, gloves are a must if you plan on learning to use drifts and slides down hill. Slides are a great way to control your speed, and widen the range of hills you're able to ride as you progress.

To start sliding using your hands, you will need a small hill, and it helps if your wheels somewhat broken in. Treat your slide a lot like your speed check. Put almost all of your weight over your front foot, some riders even lay their back foot down sideways. Doing this not only looks stylish, but really forces you to keep weight off the foot and only use it to help push and guide the board around. Most people generally start with their back hand grabbing the middle of the deck and their front hand down on the pavement. This is a great first slide to learn. All it takes is commitment. Once you can turn your shoulders the full 180 degrees, your board will follow.

Don't be afraid to put some weight on your sliding hand. The more weight on your board the more the slide will slow you down. Causing more friction between the wheels the concrete, making the slide more difficult. Two handed slides are generally easier once you get a feel for them. Because more weight is on your hands. And because with both hands on the ground, your shoulders are committed no matter what. But whatever slide you choose to learn first, practice is the key.

Some wheels slide a lot smoother and easier than others. Some decks are a lot more prone to sliding and free riding. But keep in mind that all boards can slide. It is true that some setups are more difficult to learn on than others. But with some motivation and dedication, any board can slide. Good luck!

Choosing a Longboard by Body Type

One of the best ways to choose which longboard is best for you is by factoring in your body type...i.e your height and weight. One brand that this is extremely easy to do with is Loaded Longboards. They offer multiple flex and length options for a lot of their boards. Choosing the correct deck for your height and weight also gives you the best reaction from the board.. If you choose the right flex and length you will be able to get the correct responsiveness and high energy potential that the board was made to produce. Unfortunately you see some people buy boards just for a graphic or they were talked into it by an inexperienced rider...but if you take the time to do some research and talk to people at your local shop you will find out that buying the best longboard for you can make your whole riding experience ten times better. You see by getting a board that fits your body type you basically have a board that has been crafted for you. This then translates into better performance through flex, response,and energy potential.

Here is some points to keep in mind.

1. The number one thing you will want to do is find out which companies offer different lengths and flexes. This one act will cut your time in half when it comes to choosing a longboard. You will not be wasting your time on decks that just won't work with your body type. Once you decide which brands offer you a varied selection start looking at which decks within that brand offer the flex and length for you. You see not every brand and board within a brand is made in multiple flexes and lengths. I know it sounds a little too much. You just wanted to go out and buy the coolest looking longboard...I get it. You know what? You can. I did it and so did a ton of other people that's part of learning. Trial and error. I'm just giving you some suggestions to get the best longboard for yourself. You could say I'm just trying to cut down on your trial and error time.

2. Once you have your list of decks that you have researched its time to start looking around for some reviews. See what other people are saying about those particular decks. See if they last long or if they get beat up way too fast. See if they razor tail super quickly or not. Make sure that the gripe tape lasts. All these things add up to help you take the guess work out buying the best board for you. That will last! So know you have a list of boards and brands. You have looked at the reviews online to see which boards are constructed better and which ones aren't. Now its time to take the huge leap of purchasing the board.

3. Here we go! The big day of choosing YOUR longboard. So yo have gone over your body type and chosen the best fit for that. You have read the reviews and narrowed down your choice even more. Now what? Well if you have a local shop in town head over there with your list and check out the boards first hand. Step on them, hold them, check out the shape and graphics to make sure you truly like one of them. From that point it's a gut feeling...you'll know which deck is the right one for you. It you don't have a local shop...that's sucks. However you are not out of luck. One of the beauties of the time we live in is that you can pretty much buy anything you ever wanted online. Longboards are no exception. Those sites you found the reviews on usually will have list of trustworthy shops on them or you can always check someone like amazon who is super trustworthy. It's up to you just make sure wherever you buy it from they have friendly return/exchange policy in case your first deck isn't the right one you can easily exchange it without hassle.

There you go...three tips on buying the best longboard for you. It is now time for you to get to work and choose that board. The faster you are the faster you'll be out thrashin with the rest of us. So get to it and we'll see you at the local spots

Selecting a Longboard Deck

Longboard skateboards differ from shortboard skateboards for obvious reasons - shortboards measure about 24"-32" while longboards measure usually longer than that. However, other skateboard professionals would argue and say that longboard skateboards actually differ from shortboards not only by its sizes, but mostly with its components. Since longboards are designed to go further and faster, these skateboards have been produced with larger wheels. Depending on the brand of your longboard, it may also have a different combination or set of components compared to classic shortboards.

The term longboards and skateboards are now used interchangeably while the same goes for miniboards and shortboards. Choosing between shortboard skateboards or longboards skateboards can be quite hard, specially if you're a newbie. Most female longboarders prefer shortboards due to a variety of reasons. The opposite applies to men, who prefer longboards skateboards due to several reasons as well.

When choosing which longboards skateboards to choose from, it may help if you based it on certain characteristics which are shown below:

Concave. Concave boards are those that are slightly shaped like a letter "U" when you look at it on eye level. Depending on the type of cruising you want to do with your longboard, it could be concave or flat. However, more and more boarders now prefer the use of concave boards to flats. It's because generally concave boards keeps your feet on the board and gives you a better "grip" especially when doing downhill, slides and other complex tricks. It's rare not to see concave boards in a board shop. Most brands of skateboards in America also produce concave boards so it will not be that hard for you to find one. Having said that, you may now think more about the other characteristics of skateboards.

Deck. When it comes to decks, you may want to choose between recommended brands like Earthwing, Cosmic and Sector 9. Because most decks can now be purchased alone, you may be able to choose a variety of decks from the 3 brands mentioned which is, in all honesty, great because from personal experience, these brands are not much useful in other components. Their decks, however, are topnotch!

Flexibility. If you want to pump around town real good and do lots of tricks with less effort, you better go for boards which are most flexible. Boards I recommend are Loaded Dervish, Kalai Carve and Vanguard. However, if you're a boarder who prefers riding downhill, you may need a stiffer board. Excellent stiff boards are S9 Bomb Hills and Landyachtz Evo.

A List of the Most Important Longboard Protective Gear

A slightly different version of skateboarding, longboarding has become one of the most popular adventure sports over recent few years. Its popularity can be understood from the fact that there is nearly a 25% increase in the number of longboarding players annually. However, with all the fun and excitement of this extreme sport, we cannot ignore the risks involved with it. It is a dangerous sport involving a serious risk of accidents and crashes. Therefore, it is important to take your safety quite seriously while learning and practicing this sport.

You can make adequate use of longboard protective gears in order to protect yourself from injuries during the sport. Many people refrain from using protective accessories as they feel that it might cause a hindrance in their normal movement. However, many leading protection brands are now manufacturing high quality protective gears that are completely flexible. These protective accessories allow an unrestricted motion without causing any distraction or discomfort to the player. These accessories act as a shield and protect you from serious injuries.

You may prefer being fashionable, but fashion never comes before safety. Moreover, nowadays you can easily find trendy protection accessories, with which fashion never takes a back seat.

In order to protect yourself during the dangers of downhill longboarding, you need to wear appropriate protection accessories, such as:

• Helmet: A helmet is a conventional yet the most important longboard protective gear. Not only in longboarding, but the helmet is used in almost all the adventure sports. You should ensure that the helmet you choose for yourself fits you well and includes the side straps and pads. Fasten your helmet for a snug fit to ensure proper safety as well.

• Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards: All these pads are important to ensure that the injury prone areas are safe. They also provide support to knees to withstand all the pressure during the sport.

• Glasses: For a clear and unhindered vision, it is important to wear a pair of sport glasses. While selecting your glasses, you should make sure that the glasses are compatible with your helmet.

• Shoes: High quality shoes are important to offer you a firm grip on your board. The shoes must be lightweight, breathable, and must not slip. Ensure that the shoe laces are strong enough so that they don't break while strained.

Once you are equipped with these necessary longboard protective gears, you are ready to go. Don't forget to spend some time examining various longboards and selecting the one that suits your style and skill level in the best possible manner.