Friday, August 17, 2012

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.

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