This is a deep dive into the world of high-speed longboarding, exploring the setups riders use to achieve various speeds, from a comfortable 25mph to an astonishing 90mph world record pace. If you’ve ever wondered about the gear that allows skaters to reach such incredible speeds, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll also cover how riders typically manage to stop at these speeds, because going fast is only half the equation – stopping is just as crucial.
Longboard Types for Different Speeds
10mph/16kph
This is your typical cruising speed, comfortable and relatively safe. Most skaters spend the majority of their time at this pace. You don’t need any specialized gear to go this fast; even a basic skateboard will suffice. As you approach 15mph, things start to feel more exhilarating, but it’s still manageable. This speed is perfect for carving, popping ollies, and taking tight turns without feeling too unstable.
Best Longboard for 10mph?
Any longboard, skateboard, or rolling device will work. However, a cheap board with plastic wheels and poor bearings may struggle to gain speed.
How to Stop at 10mph?
Foot braking or running off your board is usually enough. Although running off your board should be reserved for emergencies to prevent injuries.
20mph/30kph
At 20-25mph, things start to feel quite fast and a bit sketchy, especially on a cruiser board. If you plan to go this fast, please wear a helmet. Small cruisers aren’t built for speed; their trucks might start to twitch, leading to speed wobbles. A small cruiser, around 32 inches with a wheelbase under 20 inches, will likely be unstable at this speed. Larger cruisers with 25-inch wheelbases will be more stable but can still be twitchy and scary at this speed.
fireball cruiser
Best Longboard for 20mph?
Larger cruisers with wheelbases longer than 22 inches will provide more stability.
How to Stop at 20mph?
Air braking, foot braking, and carving can slow you down. Foot braking is the most reliable and safest way to stop, however make sure you have enough space to carve the speed out. You could also slide if you have the necessary skills and equipment.
30mph/50kph
This is a respectably quick speed that requires a dedicated downhill setup. If you’re hitting 30mph regularly, it’s time to invest in a proper downhill longboard. Wobbles are common at this speed, especially on setups not designed for it. Though larger cruisers can hit this speed, they won’t be very stable.
What Setups Work Well at 30mph?
A setup with aftermarket bushings that are dialed in for your weight is a must. These bushings, which are installed in your trucks, will significantly improve stability.
For instance, the author’s previous setup included:
- Deck: Lush Chopper DK
- Wheelbase: 18.4 inches
- Trucks: Paris Trucks 180mm
- Baseplate Angles: 50 degrees
- Bushings: 90a Paris stock barrels roadside, 90a Pog barrels boardside, flat washers roadside, and cupped washers boardside.
- Wheels: Cult Converter
This setup was okay but twitchy. It is recommended to get a dedicated downhill setup with appropriate parts for safety.
How to Stop at 30mph?
Air braking, foot braking, and carving are effective methods. Sliding is also common for those skilled enough. If you’re already wobbling, try to remain calm, focus your weight on the front truck, and relax. Once the wobbles stop, air brake and carve to reduce speed before foot braking. Always have a plan to stop and decrease your speed.
40mph/65kph
Now we’re in serious speed territory. At this speed, most riders have a dedicated downhill setup and wear helmets and slide gloves. Falling at 40mph is no joke, so always prioritize safety. Setups for this speed usually include stiff downhill longboards, lower angle trucks, weight-adjusted bushings, and larger downhill wheels.
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What Longboard Setups Are Good for 40mph?
Stiff longboards, with low angle trucks, bushings dialed for weight, and larger wheels are ideal. For example, a friend’s setup includes:
- Deck: Pantheon Gaia
- Wheelbase: 24.5 inches
- Trucks: Paris Savants, 165mm
- Baseplate Angles: 43 degrees
- Bushings: 87a Venom barrical board side, 87a barrel roadside, and flat washers all-around.
- Wheels: Orangatang 4Presidents or Powell Peralta snakes
This setup is designed for a 70-75kg rider, providing both decent flow and stability at 40mph.
How to Stop at 40mph?
Air braking and sliding are the way to go. Foot braking is possible, but can be unstable if you’re not using the Swiss/European foot brake.
50mph/80kph
This is daredevil speed territory. At this speed, most riders wear full-face helmets and the basic protective gear (slide gloves, helmet) to safeguard against serious injuries from falls. Setups often include stiffer bushings or split angle setups for added stability.
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What Longboards are Best for 50mph?
Riders often use split angle setups, where the front and back baseplate angles differ. This setup reduces the turning of the rear truck, increasing overall board stability and reducing the risk of speed wobbles.
For example, the author’s setup includes:
- Deck: Loaded Truncated Tesseract
- Wheelbase: 24.5 inches
- Trucks: Paris Savants, 165mm
- Baseplate Angles: 43/35 degrees
- Bushings: 85a Venom barrels in the front truck, 93a Venom barrels in the back truck, with flat washers all-around.
- Wheels: Orangatang Kegels
How to Stop at 50mph?
Air braking and sliding are the safest options. Air braking can help you reduce speed from 50mph to 30-40mph, at which point you can comfortably slide or foot brake.
The World’s Fastest Longboards and Longboarders
At the highest levels of downhill skateboarding, setups vary widely depending on personal preferences, experience, and rider quirks. Each setup is meticulously customized and tested. It’s crucial to remember that the rider’s skill is just as important as the board’s setup.
60mph/100kph
Hitting 60mph is a huge milestone that requires years of experience. Riders at this speed often use big DH wheels, full-face helmets, leathers, and precision trucks. This is a common speed for IDF race circuits. Safety precautions are essential, and closed or semi-closed roads are preferred.
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What Setups Are Best for 60mph?
Precision trucks are a key element. These trucks are CNC-machined for micro-meter precision and stability. Though they are expensive, they ensure a stable ride.
Emily Pross
Emily Pross’ setup at Killington Downhill Race (2018) was:
- Deck: Kebbek Emily Pross Mountain
- Trucks: Ronin trucks, 144mm, split rake
- Baseplate Angles: 45/25 degrees
- Bushings: 88a Ronin Factory OEM (front), 95/92a Ronin Factory OEM (back)
- Wheels: Various
- Bearings: Hondar
She now uses Rojas trucks, which utilize a proprietary geometry.
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Pearse Darcy
Pearse Darcy’s setup:
- Deck: Luca Oumuamua ft Torque BLock
- Trucks: Exile Trucks, 120mm-140mm
- Baseplate Angles: 45/20 degrees
- Bushings: 74/78a Venom hpf (front), 93/95a Venom hpf (back), APS Pivot tubes
- Wheels: Venom Magnums
- Bearings: Seismic Ceramic Tekton
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Zane Bonser
Zane Bonser’s setup:
- Deck: Landyachtz Small Blind ft Torque BLock (Landyachtz Osteon in the video)
- Trucks: Ronin trucks, 124mm-134mm, split rake
- Baseplate Angles: 45/25 degrees
- Bushings: 74a Venom barrels (front), 93/95a Venom barrels (back)
- Wheels: Venom Magnums (Cuei Killers in video)
- Bearings: Bronson G2 bearings
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Melissa Brogni
Melissa Brogni’s setup:
- Deck: Kysigni Black mamba
- Trucks: Aera k5 164mm
- Baseplate Angles: 46/42 degrees
- Bushings: Hardcore bushings
- Wheels: Powell Peralta K-rimes 82a (80a in video)
- Bearings: Bones Big Balls Precision Bearings
How to Stop at 60mph?
Most riders use air braking to reduce speed, followed by carving and then sliding.
70mph/110kph
To reach 70mph, riders need steep, high-altitude locations or specialized mountain roads. At this speed, you can feel the air resistance pushing against you.
What Setups Are Used to go 70mph?
Nick Broms
Nick Broms’ setup at the Translyvania Vulcan race:
- Deck: GMR Nick Broms Pro Tucker ft Torque block
- Wheelbase: 22 inches
- Trucks: Ronin trucks, 134mm, split rake
- Baseplate Angles: 45/25 or 35 degrees
- Bushings: 88a Ronin Factory OEM (front), 95/92a Ronin Factory OEM (back), flipped cup washer RS (back)
- Wheels: 75a Cuei Killers
- Bearings: Skape bearings
Sebastian Hertler
Sebastian Hertler’s setup:
- Deck: Root Longboards Shark
- Trucks: Gog Trucks
- Bushings: 85a Venom (front), 90/93a Venom (back), 97a Inserts
- Wheels: 74a Cult Raptures
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Zak Mills Goodwin
Zak Mills Goodwin’s setup:
- Deck: Fibretec Deck (Landyachtz Wolfshark in video)
- Trucks: Rogue Slalom trucks, 106mm
- Baseplate Angles: 50/30 degrees
- Bushings: 78a Venom barrels (front), 95/97a Venom barrels (back), 95a inserts
- Wheels: Venom Magnums
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Ian Freire
Ian Freire’s freeride setup:
- Deck: Rocket Ian Freire Pro
- Trucks: Aera Trucks, 174mm
- Baseplate Angles: 46/46
- Bushings: 85/90a Venom Bushings
- Wheels: Cuei Sliders
Ian Freire’s downhill setup: - Deck: Rocket Ian Freire Pro
- Trucks: Aera Trucks, 164mm
- Baseplate Angles: 46/30
- Bushings: 90/90a Venom (front), 93/93a Venom (back)
- Wheels: 74a Cuei Killers
Aaron Hampshire
Aaron Hampshire’s setup:
- Deck: 2012 Jati Fu (customized with carbon fiber)
- Wheelbase: 27 inches
- Trucks: Rogue Trucks 52/20
- Baseplate Angles: 50/20
- Bushings: 90/90a Venom (front), 95/97a Venom (back), 95a Inserts, Sleeved Washers
- Wheels: 80mm, 74a Seismic Alphas
- Bearings: 7ball Ceramic Seismic Tekton
aaron hampshire jati fu downhill skateboard
How to Stop at 70mph?
Stopping is similar to 60mph, but you must be more careful to avoid being blown off your board.
80mph/130kph
The speed record was stuck around 80mph for a long time. Mischo Erban set the record in 2012. In 2016, Kyle Wester reached 89mph. At these speeds, the wind can pull you out of your tuck and your board can feel very sensitive.
What Setups Are Used to Go 80mph?
Dexter Manning
Dexter Manning’s 80mph setup (2014) on Bear 852s:
- Deck: Landyachtz Canyon Arrow
- Trucks: Bear Kodiaks, 160mm
- Baseplate Angles: 50/45 degrees
- Bushings: 85a Venom (front), 90/93a Venom (back)
- Wheels: 76a 73mm Biggie Hawgs
- Bearings: Bear Spaceball bearings
Dexter Manning’s current setup:
- Deck: Landyachtz Small Blind
- Wheelbase: 21 inches
- Trucks: Bear Smokies 120mm
- Baseplate Angles: 50/20
- Bushings: 73/78a Venom (front), 95/97a Venom (back)
- Wheels: 76/85a Hawgs Cheetas
- Bearings: Bones Race Red bearings
- Grip: Hardcore grip
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Harry Clarke
Harry Clarke’s setup:
- Deck: Madrid Snitch with a torque block
- Trucks: Rogue Slalom trucks 106mm (front), 119mm (back)
- Baseplate Angles: 54/23 degrees
- Bushings: 73/78a barrels (front), 95/97a barrels (back), 95a insert
- Wheels: Venom 74a Magnums
- Bearings: Hondar 6 ball ceramics or Zealous Bearings
- Footstop: Marley Footstop
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How to Stop at 80mph?
Standing up suddenly will likely lead to a fall. Riders slowly unfold their knees and lift their shoulders gently to shed speed.
90mph/144kph
Only four longboarders in history have ever gone this fast, reaching this speed due to a favorable tailwind at the 2017 L’Ultimate Descent competition.
The World’s Fastest Longboards at 90mph
Pete Connolly
Pete Connolly’s setup:
- Deck: Lush Slayer with lead weight and custom Aero kit
- Trucks: Sabre Cold Forged Trucks, 170mm
- Baseplate Angles: 38/33 degrees
- Bushings: 97a Venom Barrel, Bones 97a Stepped Fatcone (front), 95a Venom Barrel, Bones 97a Stepped Fatcone (back)
- Bearings: Customed bearings
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](https://www.instagram.com/p/BmAslLxA8Bs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[](https://www.instagram.com/p/BmAslLxA8Bs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)[A post shared by Pete Connolly (@ukdownhill)](https://www.instagram.com/p/BmAslLxA8Bs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)
Max Capps
Max Capps’ setup:
- Deck: Maxx Capps ProtoShape Harpoon w/ aero kit
- Trucks: Ronin Trucks, 120mm (front), 105mm (back)
- Baseplate Angles: 40/12 degrees
- Bushings: Factory Bushings
- Wheels: 90mm 81a Reflex Flys
- Bearings: Ceramic Zealous Bearings
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Tim Del
Tim Del’s setup:
- Deck: GMR M80
- Trucks: Ronin Billet trucks 184mm
- Baseplate Angles: 40/20 degrees
- Bushings: Factory Bushings
- Wheels: 90mm 81a Reflex Flywheels
How to Stop at 90mph?
Sudden air braking is impossible. Riders gently come out of their tucks, gradually slowing down as the hill mellows out.
Conclusion
This article explored the various longboard setups used to achieve different speeds, from comfortable cruising to record-breaking velocities. The variety in setups highlights the importance of personal preference and rider skill in the world of downhill skateboarding. It’s exciting to see how longboard technology and rider techniques continue to evolve. The setups mentioned are not representative of all setups used to go fast and the DH skate scene is very diverse.
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