Choosing the right longboard parts can be daunting for beginners, but it’s essential for a smooth and enjoyable ride. This guide will walk you through selecting each component, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance. Let’s get started and build your dream setup!
The key to a great longboard is selecting components that work well together. This includes a deck suited to your riding style, trucks that match the deck width, appropriate wheels, and quality bearings. Here’s a breakdown of the essential parts:
- Longboard Deck: Choose a deck shape and size based on your riding style (cruising, carving, downhill, etc.).
- Trucks: Select trucks that match your deck width and riding style.
- Wheels: Choose wheel size and durometer (hardness) based on your riding style and terrain.
- Bearings: Invest in high-quality bearings for smooth and fast rolling.
- Grip Tape: Essential for traction and control.
- Hardware: Bolts and nuts to assemble the board.
- Optional: Risers or shock pads, depending on your setup and preferences.
Compatibility is crucial. Ensure that your chosen deck matches your trucks, and your wheels fit the truck’s specifications. Don’t worry too much about the exact deck length and width as a beginner. Anything within a reasonable range will work well, and you will develop preferences over time.
Longboard components diagram
Once you have a grasp of the basics, you’ll better understand the type of setup that suits you. For your first longboard, it’s wise not to overspend. A budget between $150 and $250 is reasonable for quality components, or you can explore complete setups that are often more affordable.
If assembling your own setup isn’t your preference, consider pre-built boards which can offer excellent value. You can find a selection of beginner-friendly, quality pre-built boards on our recommended longboards page.
Longboard Deck Selection
The deck is the foundation of your longboard and significantly impacts your riding experience. The right shape and width depend on your preferred riding style and personal preference. Generally, wider decks provide more stability, while narrower decks offer better maneuverability.
Riding Style: Cruising, Carving, or Downhill
The type of longboard you need depends on your intended use. For leisurely cruising, a wider deck (9″ or more) with larger, softer wheels is ideal. If you’re looking to carve, a flexible deck with drop-through mounting will give you a more responsive feel. For downhill riding, stability is critical, so choose a stiff deck with a drop-down or drop-through design.
If you want to do some tricks, a popsicle or directional deck is perfect, if you prefer just cruising get a pintail or drop-through.
Deck Width: Stability vs. Maneuverability
The width of the deck affects stability and maneuverability. Wider decks offer more stability and are better for beginners, while narrower decks are more responsive and easier to turn. Consider your height and shoe size, but personal preference plays the biggest role. Generally, decks between 8.5″ and 10″ are suitable for most longboarders.
Deck Length: Turning Radius and Stability
The length of your longboard also affects its performance. Longer decks are more stable and are better for cruising and downhill riding. Shorter decks have a tighter turning radius and are better for carving and more technical tricks. A good starting point is around 36″ to 42″ but longer boards can get over 50″.
Construction Material: Maple vs. Bamboo vs. Fiberglass
Longboard decks are typically made from maple, bamboo, or fiberglass. Maple is strong and stiff, making it a good all-around choice. Bamboo is flexible and lightweight, ideal for carving and cruising. Fiberglass is durable and provides excellent torsional stiffness, great for downhill. Often these materials are combined to improve the properties of the deck.
Concave and Camber: Feel and Performance
Concave refers to the side-to-side curvature of the deck, while camber is the longitudinal curve. High concave provides more grip and control, while low concave is more comfortable. A cambered deck has an upward curve for energy return, while a rocker deck has a downward curve for stability. Many decks have a flat camber which is stable.
Deck Shape: Pintail, Drop-Through, Top-Mount
Longboards come in various shapes, each suited for different riding styles. Pintails are great for cruising and carving, drop-throughs are stable and low to the ground, and top-mounts are ideal for responsiveness and freeriding.
Graphics and Aesthetics
While graphics don’t affect performance, choosing a design you like can enhance your riding experience.
Longboard Trucks: The Steering Mechanism
Longboard trucks are essential for turning and stability. Selecting the right trucks is crucial for a satisfying ride, and it’s important to make sure they match your deck width.
Truck Width: Matching Deck Size
Truck width should match your deck width. If the trucks are too wide, it can make turning more difficult. If they are too narrow, it can cause instability. Match the trucks axle width with the deck width.
| Deck Size | Axle Width |
|---|---|
| 8.0 inch to 8.5 inch | 150 mm or 180 mm |
| 8.5 inch to 9.5 inch | 180 mm |
| 9.5 inch and up | 180 mm or wider |
Truck Height: Impact on Turning and Wheel Clearance
Truck height affects your center of gravity, turning ability, and wheel clearance. Lower trucks offer stability and are great for downhill and freeride. Higher trucks offer more turning leverage and wheel clearance, which is ideal for carving and cruising.
Truck Types: Reverse Kingpin vs. Traditional Kingpin
Longboard trucks primarily use reverse kingpin (RKP) designs. RKP trucks are more stable at high speeds and offer smooth turning, making them ideal for longboarding. Traditional kingpin (TKP) trucks, common in skateboarding, are more responsive but less stable at high speeds.
Truck Brands and Styles
Several reputable brands offer excellent longboard trucks, including Paris, Caliber, Gullwing, and Bear. Each brand has unique features and is suited to specific riding styles, so research and choose what best fits your needs.
Bushings: Tuning Your Turn
Bushings are small rubber pieces that sit on the kingpin and affect the truck’s turning responsiveness. Softer bushings make turning easier but less stable. Harder bushings offer more stability but less turning ability. The weight of the rider also dictates the hardness of the bushings.
Longboard Wheels: Rolling with Speed and Grip
Wheels greatly impact your longboarding experience, affecting speed, grip, and the overall feel of your ride.
Wheel Diameter: Speed and Acceleration
Larger wheels generally offer more speed and roll over obstacles more smoothly, while smaller wheels have quicker acceleration and are easier to control. For cruising and downhill, wheels over 70mm are common. For freestyle, smaller wheels are preferred.
Longboard wheel size and speed
- 55mm – 65mm: Good for freestyle and technical tricks.
- 65mm – 75mm: Versatile for cruising, carving, and general use.
- 75mm and up: Ideal for downhill, speed, and rough terrain.
Wheel Durometer: Hardness and Grip
Durometer measures a wheel’s hardness. Softer wheels offer more grip and are ideal for rough surfaces, while harder wheels are faster and better for sliding.
Longboard wheel durometer scale
- 75a – 80a: Very soft, maximum grip, and great for cruising rough surfaces.
- 80a – 85a: Soft, excellent for carving, and suitable for various surfaces.
- 85a – 90a: Medium hardness, a balance between grip and slide.
- 90a and up: Hard, fast, and designed for sliding.
Wheel Brands and Styles
Bones, Orangatang, ABEC 11, and Sector 9 are renowned brands known for quality longboard wheels. Each brand offers a variety of wheels in different sizes, durometers, and shapes to meet your needs.
Longboard Bearings: Smooth and Efficient Rolling
Bearings are crucial for smooth and efficient rolling. While many options are available, selecting a quality set can make a big difference in your riding experience.
ABEC Rating: What Does It Mean?
The ABEC rating system measures the precision of bearings, not their quality or suitability for longboarding. This is why high quality brands like Bones, don’t use the ABEC rating.
Brands and Types
Bones, Bronson, and Zealous are some of the best bearing brands on the market.
- Bones Reds: A good entry-level choice, durable and affordable.
- Bones Swiss: Premium bearings known for performance and longevity.
- Bronson Speed Co: High-performance bearings designed for speed and durability.
Spacers: Essential for Wheel Stability
Wheel spacers fit between the bearings, ensuring they stay aligned and reducing friction, which can extend their life. Use spacers for optimal performance.
Hardware, Grip Tape, and Riser Pads
These parts are crucial for assembly and comfort.
Hardware: Bolts and Nuts
Longboard hardware consists of bolts and nuts that secure the trucks to the deck. If you have riser pads you’ll need longer bolts.
Grip Tape: Traction and Control
Grip tape provides traction and control and is essential for safe riding. It often comes with a new deck or can be purchased separately.
Riser Pads and Shock Pads
Riser pads lift the trucks, creating more wheel clearance. Shock pads, often made of rubber, dampen vibrations and reduce stress on the deck and trucks. These are optional, but recommended if you plan on riding over rough surfaces.
Protective Gear
Safety is crucial when longboarding. Always wear a helmet and knee and elbow pads, especially when starting out.
Recommended Setups
Here are a few recommended setups for different riding styles:
Cruising Setup
- Deck: Pintail or drop-through deck, 38″-42″ long, 9″-10″ wide.
- Trucks: 180mm reverse kingpin trucks.
- Wheels: 70mm, 78a-80a durometer.
- Bearings: Bones Reds or similar.
Carving Setup
- Deck: Flexible drop-through deck, 38″-40″ long, 9″-9.5″ wide.
- Trucks: 180mm reverse kingpin trucks.
- Wheels: 65mm-70mm, 80a-83a durometer.
- Bearings: Bones Reds or similar.
Downhill Setup
- Deck: Stiff drop-down or drop-through deck, 38″-40″ long, 9.5″-10″ wide.
- Trucks: 180mm reverse kingpin trucks.
- Wheels: 70mm-75mm, 80a-83a durometer.
- Bearings: Bones Swiss or similar.
Conclusion
Selecting the right longboard parts is key to an enjoyable and safe ride. Consider your riding style, choose compatible components, and prioritize quality. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. With the right setup, you can take your longboarding to the next level.
Remember, longboarding is a journey, and it takes time to master. Be patient with yourself, practice regularly, and enjoy the ride!
