Whether you already ride longboards or are planning to start doing so, it can be helpful to understand the various longboard parts. This will give you a better idea of how all the various components work together. It will also be incredibly useful when it comes time to upgrade, repair, or just maintain your longboard.
Take a closer look at the main longboard parts, from the wheels to the deck.
Trucks
If you flip over your board, you will see perhaps its most important part, the truck. The longboard truck is the set of metal bars arranged in a T that connects the wheels and the board. This is where you will find the longboard wheels as well as the bushings and bearings.
Your board features two trucks, one on the nose and one on the tail. The truck is where you will find the bushing, bushing seat, baseplate, kingpin, and axle and hanger.
Wheels
Some people who are new to longboarding are surprised to learn just how important the wheels are to your ride experience. Here are some factors that influence your ride.
Wheels Hardness
If you opt for softer wheels, you can expect a softer ride on the road along with more grip. Choose this type of wheel if you want a smooth ride or to carve.
If you opt for harder wheels, your longboard will be ready to go faster. You definitely want harder wheels if you power slide.
You can tell the wheel’s hardness based on its durometer rating, represented by “a.” Higher numbers indicate harder wheels. A popular rating is 78a.- Wheels Diameter
Wheels also come in varying diameters. You want to choose the ideal diameter based on the length of your board. If the wheels are too large, they’ll hit the board as you turn.
The following is the general guidance for wheel size based on board length:
Wheels Hardness34 inches or less – 60 to 67 mm wheels
34 to 42 inches – 68 to 72 mm wheels
40 inches or more – 70 to 75 mm wheels
- Wheels Shape
You will also notice that wheels may have straight or round edges.
Opt for a straight edge if you want extra control while carving. Go with a round edge if you prefer sliding.
Bearings
The longboard bearings are responsible for letting the wheels rotate easily. With the right bearings, you will be able to reach higher speeds, as you won’t have to put in as much effort to push forward.
Changing your wheel bearings can also deliver a smoother ride. But before you buy new ones, check out our list of the best longboard bearings.
- Cleaning the bearings
It’s also important to note that these longboard parts require regular cleaning and lubrication. If you skip those steps, dirt will degrade the bearings over time. This can increase the amount of effort you need to put in to move them forward. It can lso cause the bearings or wheels to seize up.
Deck
The deck is likely the first part of the longboard that you will see. That is because it is the largest part, the plank that you stand on when riding your longboard. These are usually made of wood.
- Basic Deck Construction
Most longboard decks are made from seven wood sheets glued together and pressed under multiple tons of pressure. Bamboo, Baltic birch, and hard maple are all popular wood types. - Longboard Vs. Skateboard Decks
If you compare the deck of a longboard to that of a skateboard, you’ll notice that longboard decks either have spaces carved out on both ends or become narrower at the ends. This difference in design is necessary, as longboards need to tilt fairly far to the side to make the sharp turns they are known for. By contrast, skateboards don’t make as tight of turns, so they don’t need this feature.
The other reason for this difference in shape is that longboard wheels tend to be wider and have larger diameters than those of skateboards. Shaping the deck like this reduces the risk of the wheels touching the board during turns.
Grip Tape
Grip tape is an optional longboard part. If you use it, you will get more traction on the deck. As the name implies, grip tape gives you more grip on the board.
Just keep in mind that if you use grip tape, you need to wear shoes. Most people prefer to wear shoes while longboarding anyway, but some people prefer to do so barefoot. If you like to longboard barefoot, opt for cork instead of grip tape to increase your traction.
Risers
Risers or riser pads are rectangular pads made of plastic that you put between the truck and deck. You use them to make your longboard higher.
A common reason to use this longboard part is to avoid wheel bite, meaning the friction that occurs when your wheel and deck connect. However, most modern longboards don’t require this, as the shape of their deck helps avoid wheel bite.
Now that you know the different longboard parts that your board has, you’ll be better prepared when choosing a new board or revamping an old one.
And don’t forget, whichever wheels, trucks or bearings you choose, don’t skip on safety and pick the right longboard protective gear that will protect keep you safe.