Going fast on a longboard is an incredibly exhilarating experience that every rider should have the chance to enjoy. However, as speeds increase, the dreaded speed wobbles can quickly turn a fun ride into a dangerous situation, potentially leading to serious injuries. This article will guide you through the steps you can take to set up your longboard for maximum stability, allowing you to confidently reach higher speeds safely.
Understanding Your Longboard Trucks for Stability
To effectively enhance your longboard’s stability, it’s crucial to understand how the trucks work. The trucks are the key component that connects the wheels to the deck, and they play a critical role in how stable your ride is at high speeds. A poorly set up truck can cause wobbles, especially when speed increases.
Longboard trucks consist of three primary parts:
- The Hanger: This is the part where the wheels attach. It includes the hanger itself, the truck axle, and axle nuts.
Longboard truck hanger - The Baseplate: The hanger is connected to the baseplate, which controls how the truck turns and leans. The baseplate includes a pivot cup, a kingpin, and space for the bushings.
Longboard truck baseplate - The Bushings: These act as the suspension system for your longboard. They influence the truck’s turn, looseness, and smoothness. Bushings are also the easiest component to modify if you’re looking to improve stability.
Longboard truck bushings
It’s important to note that not all trucks are the same. There are two main types: Traditional Kingpin (TKP) trucks, typically found on skateboards, and Reverse Kingpin (RKP) trucks, which are standard on most longboards. These trucks are designed for different purposes and perform differently.
Longboard Trucks: TKP vs RKP
While TKP and RKP trucks might seem similar at first, their design and functionality vary greatly.
Traditional Kingpin (TKP) Trucks
TKP trucks are designed for skateboard tricks and skatepark use. They have key features like:
- A thick hanger for grinds on coping and rails
- A shorter kingpin that’s tucked away
- A robust hanger to endure impacts from tricks
- A progressive turn that is ideal for tight turns in skateparks and bowls.
Traditional Kingpin Skateboard Truck
TKP trucks, like Independent skateboard trucks, are generally not the best choice for high-speed riding due to their progressive turn, which can cause instability and wobbles. However, they can be modified to improve stability.
Reverse Kingpin (RKP) Trucks
RKP trucks are designed for longboarding, built for stability and smooth carving at higher speeds. Key features of RKP trucks include:
- A linear lean-to-turn ratio, ensuring the trucks turn only as much as you lean
- More control and stability at higher speeds
- Increased customization options with bushings, pivots, and washers
Reverse Kingpin Longboard Truck
RKP trucks are the ideal choice for high-speed longboarding and are highly customizable for different riding styles.
Optimizing TKP Trucks for Stability
If you’re using a skateboard with TKP trucks, there are a few ways to increase stability.
Tightening the Kingpin Nut
A simple and quick way to add stability to your TKP trucks is to tighten the kingpin nut. This compresses the bushings, making the trucks feel stiffer. Although this might work in a pinch, it’s not a sustainable, long-term solution. Over-tightening can damage your bushings, reduce their lifespan, and make it harder to recover from wobbles.
Upgrading Bushings for Improved Stability
The best way to improve TKP truck stability is by replacing the stock bushings with aftermarket options that are tailored to your weight and riding style. There are different styles and shapes of bushings available, so let’s explore your options.
Common Bushing Types in TKP Trucks
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Cone Bushings: Typically used in the top or roadside position, cone bushings allow for maximum turning at lower speeds due to the smaller amount of urethane.
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Barrel Bushings: Usually used on the bottom or boardside, barrel bushings help support your weight and limit truck lean, making them perfect for stability and control at higher speeds.
Bushing Properties: Hardness and Urethane
- Harder Bushings: Using harder bushings will require more force to compress them, thus reducing lean and turn. This creates a more stable ride but may reduce control if they are too stiff.
- More Urethane: Bushings with more urethane will compress more and lean less, resulting in more stability at higher speeds but at the cost of flow and turn at lower speeds.
Recommended Bushing Combinations for TKP Stability
For best results with TKP trucks, use a double-barrel combination, with barrel bushings on both the roadside and boardside. This setup offers better control over lean and turn. While this setup will reduce turning at slow speeds, it’s a worthwhile trade-off for increased stability. Brands like Riptide offer high-quality aftermarket bushings for enhanced stability.
- Riptide Street Krank Bushings: For riders under 150lbs, a 90a durometer is recommended. Riders lighter than 120lbs should opt for an 85-90a range.
- Riptide Krank Bushings: If you weigh over 170lbs, try 93a bushings for increased stability.
Although these changes will enhance TKP truck stability, they are still not ideal for speeds over 30mph. If you are an adrenaline junkie wanting to go much faster, you’ll need to switch to RKP trucks for increased stability at high speeds.
Maximizing RKP Truck Stability
RKP trucks are the go-to choice for high-speed longboarding. Like TKP trucks, RKP truck stability is highly influenced by the bushings you choose.
Tightening the Kingpin Nut on RKP Trucks
While tightening the kingpin nut on RKP trucks will increase stability, it will also put excessive stress on the bushings and significantly impact your truck’s performance.
Damaged Longboard BushingsIt’s generally better to replace the bushings to enhance stability, rather than simply tightening the kingpin.
Bushing Types for RKP Trucks
RKP trucks offer a wide variety of bushings, including:
- Cone bushings
- Barrel bushings
- Stepped barrel bushings
- Double stepped barrel bushings
- Eliminators
The Eliminator offers the most urethane and thus the most stability, while the cone is the smallest and offers the least. It’s important to select the right combination of bushings for your riding style.
Recommended Aftermarket Bushings for RKP Trucks
For an optimal mix of lean, turn, and stability with RKP trucks:
- Barrel/Stepped Barrel Combo: Use a barrel bushing on top and a stepped bushing on the bottom. This combo ensures good turning, while preventing excessive leaning.
- Venom Bushings: If you weigh about 150lbs, try the 87a barrel bushing with 87a freeride (step barrel) bushings. For 180lbs, use the same setup in 90a, and for 100lbs, use 85a bushings.
Venom Downhill Bushing Set
For a balanced setup, use barrel bushings on both sides. If your priority is maximum stability, go with Eliminator bushings all around. Remember to adjust the durometer based on your weight.
Split Angle Trucks: Advanced Technique
For advanced riders seeking maximum stability at extreme speeds, consider using split angle trucks. This setup has a higher angle in the front truck compared to the back, with most of the turning coming from the front truck.
Split Angle Longboard TrucksThis reduces the likelihood of wobbles and is used by downhill skaters hitting 70mph. Split angle trucks are achieved using CNC trucks like Bear Kodiaks with lower angle baseplates, or using plastic wedges to adjust the truck angle. Note: This technique requires more technical know-how and may require harder bushings in the back.
The Importance of Skill and Experience
While the right setup will help you achieve stability, skill is paramount. No setup will allow you to go fast if you don’t have sufficient skill. Skill is developed through practice and experience. The more you skate, the more you’ll develop the muscle memory needed to control your longboard at high speeds.
Finding the Right Method for You
Remember to take a gradual approach to high-speed riding. Start at a slower speed, and gradually increase as you feel more comfortable. If you begin to feel unstable, slow down and practice at that speed until you are confident, before pushing your limits further.
