Choosing the right longboard trucks can significantly impact your riding experience. While they may seem similar at first glance, different trucks offer unique performance characteristics and levels of quality. This guide dives into the best longboard trucks for beginners, highlighting their key differences and helping you select the perfect fit for your riding style.
Top Longboard Trucks for Beginners
Paris V3 Trucks
When it comes to a lively, responsive, and surfy feel, Paris V3 trucks are the gold standard. These trucks are highly regarded for their exceptional quality and performance, making them a popular choice for various longboarding styles.
The open bushing seat design of the Paris V3 allows for fluid, surf-like turns. These trucks offer deep turns and a lively feel. They come in two main options:
- 50-degree Trucks: Ideal for cruising, carving, dancing, and freeriding, the 50-degree version provides quick and responsive turning. Check their price on Amazon.com here.
- 43-degree Trucks: These offer increased stability at higher speeds and are better suited for downhill and freeride. They lean more than they turn and have a stronger center due to the bushings used. You can check out their price on Amazon.
Paris trucks are known for their durability, backed by a lifetime warranty. This means that if you encounter any issues due to manufacturing defects, Paris will replace them for free. While their responsiveness might feel twitchy for downhill at very high speeds, they are an excellent choice for a wide range of riding styles.
Freeriding on Paris 43* TrucksCaliber V2 Trucks
Caliber V2 trucks are known for their stability and predictable lean. They feature a minimalist design, and their performance makes them a reliable choice for many riders.
The restrictive bushing seat of Caliber trucks contributes to their stability, although this can also result in a less responsive feel. However, for riders prioritizing stability, this tradeoff is often considered worthwhile. Similar to Paris, Caliber offers two angle options:
- 50-degree Trucks: Great for cruising, carving, dancing, and light freeride, these provide a solid balance of turning and stability. They have an excellent turning radius while maintaining a stable feel, making them a great choice for cruising. You can check these out on Amazon.com.
- 44-degree Trucks: These are favored for downhill and freeride, offering the stability necessary for higher-speed riding. They are often recommended to beginners because of their reliability. Check out the prices of these out on Amazon.com.
Caliber trucks also come with a lifetime warranty (though not officially advertised) against manufacturing defects. If they bend or break due to a manufacturing issue, you can get them replaced. If you find the Calibers feel too “dead,” you might prefer the more responsive feel of Paris trucks.
Bear Grizzly 845s and 852s
Hailing from Canada, Bear trucks, a subsidiary of Landyachtz Longboards, are known for their quality and performance. They offer a hybrid feel that combines elements of Paris and Caliber trucks.
bear grizzly trucks
Bear trucks balance stability with surprising maneuverability. The bushing seat provides stability, while the trucks still offer a good degree of turning capability. Bear also uses a lightweight design, reducing the truck’s weight and making it better for ollies and other tricks.
Bear trucks come in a variety of colors, including creative options like a galaxy colorway and an incandescent option. These options can help you customize your setup. The 52-degree trucks are highly recommended for cruising, carving, and dancing. Alternatively, the 45-degree ones are recommended for downhill and freeride. Click here to check them out on Amazon.com. To see the full-color range, check the 52* out on Amazon.com.
Randal Trucks
Randal trucks are recognized as the original reverse kingpin (RKP) trucks. The current model, Randal V3, offers an affordable yet reliable option.
Randal trucks don’t have the fancy features of some other brands, but they perform well. Available in 50-degree and 42-degree options, they feel similar to Paris trucks in terms of turning.
The 42-degree Randals are suitable for downhill, freeride, and even cruising. The 50-degree version is great for maneuverability and quick turns. Check out their price on Amazon.com. Click here to check their price out on Amazon.com).
Understanding Longboard Truck Types and Manufacturing
Reverse Kingpin (RKP) vs. Traditional Kingpin (TKP) Trucks
Longboard trucks primarily come in two types: Reverse Kingpin (RKP) and Traditional Kingpin (TKP). RKP trucks are most commonly found on longboards. They offer more stability and smoother turning. TKP trucks, typically found on skateboards, have a thicker hanger and provide progressive turns, making them better for tricks and grinding.
Manufacturing Processes: Cast, Forged, and Precision
The method of manufacturing also plays a significant role in a truck’s performance and durability.
- Cast Trucks: Molten metal (usually aluminum) is poured into a mold. This is the most affordable manufacturing method. All the trucks discussed above are cast. Cast trucks can sometimes have imperfections, which are generally not a concern for cruising, but may pose issues for downhill riders at high speeds.
- Forged Trucks: Forged trucks are made from a red-hot block of metal that is pounded into the truck’s shape. This process results in the strongest trucks available. These are more expensive than cast trucks but provide superior strength and longevity.
- Precision Trucks: These are machined from a solid block of aluminum using a CNC machine. Precision trucks offer the highest level of accuracy but are the most expensive and may not be as strong as forged options.
For beginners, it’s best to avoid forged and precision trucks initially, as they are generally not necessary and are more expensive.
Essential Considerations When Buying Longboard Trucks
Experience is the most valuable factor when choosing trucks. While guides and videos can provide insights, nothing beats riding the trucks yourself to determine your preferences. It’s okay to invest in a set of trucks to try them out, as the experience will help you understand what you like. Ultimately, this investment will allow you to make informed decisions in the future.
If you’re buying trucks as a gift, Paris or Caliber trucks are safe options. The 50-degree versions are great for general cruising, while the 43 or 44-degree models are better suited for downhill riding.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Trucks for You
There are many excellent truck options for beginners. Start with any of the models discussed above – they all offer great performance. For a reliable and versatile choice, the Paris V3 trucks are highly recommended. Ultimately, the best trucks for you will depend on your riding style and preferences, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
