Trying to figure out what size longboard you should get? Here’s a quick guide to help you make the best decision for your riding style.
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Size
Longboards come in a variety of sizes. The size you need depends on your height and weight. If you are a beginner, it is best to get a longboard that is not too big or too small. A good size to start with is a 9.0 or 9.5.
Length
One of the most important aspects of choosing a longboard is picking the right size. Length, width, and wheelbase (the distance between the two sets of trucks) all play a role in how your board will ride. A board that’s too small will be unstable and difficult to control, while a board that’s too large will be unwieldy and slow.
As a general rule, beginners should look for boards that are between 33 and 44 inches long. If you’re on the taller side or have big feet, you may be more comfortable on a longer board. If you’re shorter or have smaller feet, a shorter board will be easier to maneuver.
Once you’ve been skating for awhile, you may want to experiment with different sizes to find what works best for you. Some skaters prefer smaller boards for tricks and carving, while others like larger boards for stability and cruising.
Width is another important factor to consider when choosing a longboard. Most boards are between 7.5 and 10 inches wide, but some brands make narrower or wider boards. Narrower boards are typically lighter and easier to maneuver, while wider boards are more stable at higher speeds. Again, it’s important to find a width that feels comfortable for you.
The wheelbase is the distance between the two sets of trucks (the metal axles that hold the wheels in place). Wheelbase affects stability — a longer wheelbase means a more stable ride, while a shorter wheelbase makes turning sharper and easier. Most longboards have wheelbases between 25 and 29 inches, but some brands offer different options.
Width
The width of your longboard deck is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a board. You want a deck that is wide enough to provide stability, but not so wide that it feels cumbersome to ride. A good rule of thumb is to choose a deck that is somewhere between 7.5 and 10 inches wide. If you are a beginner, it’s a good idea to start with a wider board, around 8.5 or 9 inches. This will give you more room to move around on the board and make it easier to balance. As you get more experienced, you can try a narrower deck for more maneuverability.
Shape
Picking the right size longboard is important. If you are new to longboarding, you might want to consider a smaller size. A smaller size will be easier to control and will be more maneuverable. A larger size will be more stable and will allow you to go faster. However, a larger size might be more difficult to control, so it is important to find the right balance.
Concave
Concave is the most important factor in the feel of your board. It’s what makes your board “grip” the road and gives you control while carving. It also gives your board strength and torsional rigidity. There are three main types of concave: radial, camber, and rocker.
Radial concave is the mellowest of the three, and is found on almost all entry-level boards and many older boards. Radial concave has a single curve that goes from the nose to the tail in a single radius. This type of concave gives you a very mellow ride, but doesn’t provide as much grip as camber or rocker does.
Camber is concave that has two curvatures; one from nose to tail, and another across the width of the deck. Camber provides more grip than radial concave, but can cause wheel bite more easily on steep turns.
Rocker is similar to camber, but with the opposite effect; it has two curvatures that make an “M” shape when viewed from the side. Rocker provides even more grip than camber does, but can also cause wheel bite more easily on steep turns. Rocker is often used in downhill longboarding because it allows for more aggressive leaning without fear of wheel bite.
Kicktail
Kicktail longboards are designed for maneuverability and tricks, and usually range from 28-38 inches long. They usually have a concave deck and a kicktail at each end. Shorter kicktails are easier to maneuver for flips and tricks, while longer kicktails offer more stability for downhill riding.
Wheels
The size of the wheels on your longboard will affect how your board rides. Smaller wheels are better for cruising and going over small cracks and pebbles, while larger wheels are better for going fast and going over larger obstacles.
Soft vs Hard Wheels
You’ve probably seen longboards with different wheel sizes advertised, and you might be wondering what size is right for you. The truth is, it depends on a few different factors. In this article, we’ll go over some of the things you should keep in mind when choosing wheel size, and we’ll give you our recommendations for the best wheel sizes for beginners.
One of the first things to consider when choosing wheel size is the type of riding you want to do. If you’re primarily interested in cruising around your neighborhood or campus, then smaller wheels in the 58-60mm range will be fine. If you’re looking to do more downhill or speed boarding, then you’ll want to go with larger wheels in the 70-75mm range. The larger wheels will give you more stability and better roll speed.
Another thing to consider is the hardness of the wheel. This is indicated by a number followed by the letter “A”; for example, 78A. The lower the number, the softer the wheel; conversely, the higher the number, the harder the wheel. Soft wheels are better for cruising because they have more grip and cushioning, which makes for a smoother ride on rougher surfaces. Harder wheels are better for downhill because they have less grip and are less likely to “thane out” (wear down unevenly). Most beginners will do fine with wheels in the 78-82A range.
Once you have an idea of what kind of riding you want to do and what hardness of wheel you need, then you can start looking at specific sizes. For cruiser boards, we recommend 58-60mm wheels; for speed boards, we recommend 70-75mm wheels. And again, most beginners will do fine with a hardness in the 78-82A range.
Of course, these are just general recommendations; ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what feels best for your riding style. experiment with different sizes and hardness levels until you find something that works for you!
Wheel Diameter
The diameter of the wheels is probably the single most important factor in deciding which size longboard to get. The diameter of the wheel will determine how fast your longboard can go and how easy it is to push. Basically, the bigger the wheel, the faster you can go. But, bigger wheels are also harder to push because they have more rotational mass. So, if you are looking for an easy to push board for commuting or cruising around campus, you will want smaller wheels. If you are looking for a board to do some downhill racing or sliding, you will want larger wheels. In general, longboards come equipped with wheels that are between 65mm and 85mm. Most manufacturers will offer a few different wheel sizes for each of their models so that you can choose the right size for your riding style.
As a rule of thumb, larger riders or those riding on rougher terrain will want larger wheels while smaller riders or those riding on smoother terrain will want smaller wheels. But, like we said before, this is just a rule of thumb and ultimately it is up to you to decide what size wheel works best for your riding style. If you are unsure about which size to get, we recommend going with a smaller wheel because it will be easier to push and still allow you to go fast enough to have a good time.
trucks
You want to make sure that the trucks you purchase will be able to handle the weight of your longboard. This is especially important if you plan on doing any tricks or jumps with your longboard. You also want to make sure that the trucks are compatible with the size of the longboard deck you purchase. The width of the trucks should be equal to or slightly wider than the width of the longboard deck.
Standard vs Reverse Kingpin
Standard vs Reverse Kingpin
The standard kingpin is the most common type of kingpin on the market. It is found on lower-end and mid-range trucks. Standard kingpins are less expensive to produce, so they are often found on budget longboard trucks. They are also easier to adjust and can be turned tighter for a more responsive ride.
Reverse kingpins are found on higher-end trucks. They are more expensive to produce, but they offer a number of benefits over standard kingpins. Reverse kingpins are more stable at high speeds and offer a smoother ride. They are also less likely to loosen over time, making them ideal for long distance riding.
Conclusion
The size and shape of your longboard will depend on what kind and style of riding you want to do. If you want to cruise around town, a smaller longboard with a kicktail might be a good choice. If you want to do more downhill or racing, a longer and wider board will give you more stability at high speeds. Experiment with different sizes and shapes until you find the one that’s right for you!
