Nord Boards
Posts Tagged ‘complete longboards’
Downhill Longboarding
Some people ride longboards at a leisurely pace, using them as a conveyance or simply as a means for a joyride. But personally, I enjoy a more extreme breed of longboarding. Unless I’m tearing down a hill at breakneck speeds, I simply don’t enjoy myself.
As you can imagine, downhill longboards feature a different construction than a traditional skateboard or longboard. With a specialized design for high speeds, the wobbles you may be accustomed to are a thing of the past. This allows you to go faster without the fear of losing your balance while shredding down the hill.
Qualities of an Effective Longboards
As is the case with many sports, skateboarding culture has evolved to the point where certain companies specialize in skate-specific clothing. However, in the alternative-influenced world of skateboarding, Nike and Adidas are hardly the dominant forces in apparel and footwear. Instead the market is filled with smaller niche companies that produce comfortable clothing and striking, durable longboards.
Arbor longboards provide a perfect example as they feature a flashy, stylish board made with quality hard rock maple wood. Longboard fashion is just as pronounced in the skating world as it is in any sport, but the sport takes an even larger toll on the boards. In order to perform some tricks, skaters must slide their shoe along harsh grip tape, which can create significant wear and tear over time. As a result, it’s best to select a shoe that balances fashion and function.
A Board for Every Style
Even those who have never skated a day in their lives recognize the difference between a traditional skateboard and a longboard. Whereas skateboards are more conducive to tricks, longboards make for more stable forms of midrange transportation. But did you realize that not all longboards are intended for the same purposes? Depending on a rider’s intentions, she may select a suitably sized deck, wheels, bearings and trucks to meet those needs.
Pintail models, also known as downhill longboards, are specially made for cruising – whether along flatlands or bombing down a steep hill. These boards are narrower than most, with the trucks located near the extreme ends of the deck. Lowrider boards are more appropriate for amateur riders who prefer to play it safe, pushing and carving their way around the neighborhood.
No Assembly Required
Putting together your first longboard can be a daunting task. Perhaps you’ve only ridden your friends’ boards a few times and have recently decided to take up longboarding as a form of exercise as well as a convenient mode of transportation. In other words, you aren’t especially well-versed in the skateboard lifestyle. So, where to begin?
Rather than piecing together your longboard from scratch, look into the possibility presented by a complete longboard. That way you won’t have to worry about choosing trucks, wheels, bearings and other accessories. This measure also relieves you from the responsibility of assembling all of the parts. As you improve, you might want to begin tinkering with your board’s setup – but that’s something to worry about later, after you’ve gotten the hang of things.