Longboard Skateboards - A Faster, Smoother Ride
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Think of longboarding as surfing combined with skateboarding. They're a little bit longer and a much faster ride than most of the skateboards you see around. Read on for more info, tips and advice on riding longboards.
Would you rather be carving on concrete than trying to pull off an impossible railslide? Then why not jump on a longboard. It's a faster ride and you'll have less chance of eating pavement.
Longboards - Shape and Design
Longboard skateboards were developed by skaters who wanted to ride on pavement with the same feeling a surfer gets when riding a wave or a snowboarder gets from cruising through powder. Longboards are designed for carving on the pavement but can still be used for riding in a bowl or doing aggressive street tricks. You could still do things like ollies or railslides on a longboard, but it's not going to be as easy as it is on the shorter boards. Longboards are usually between 40 and 55 inches long, while shortboards are between 30 and 35 inches. Besides being longer, longboards also have bigger wheels which are designed to make them easier to turn sharp corners.
Longboards - How's the Ride?
Because longboards are longer and have wider wheels, they go much faster and are more stable. Longboards are great for those of you looking for an easy mode of transportation to school or your friend's place. Some longboards are designed specifically for speed or carving, while some companies have even designed longboards with graphics and shapes for girls.
Longboard Safety
Longboards are a more stable ride than a shortboard, but you still need to be careful. Always wear a helmet and watch where you ride. Because longboards are designed for speed, you can really get moving. Make sure you don't ride in busy traffic and make sure you figure out how to stop!
Longboards - How Much Moola?
You can usually find a complete longboard with wheels and trucks for between $100 and $150 US. To check out a whole range of longboard styles and sizes, head to www.gravityboard.com or www.sector9.com.
I own a longboard and it gives me exactly what I want... speed. Anyone who just wants to get around without having to do backbreaking tricks should get one. Stopping always stinks but I suggest tight trucks for downhill and loose trucks for street turns. I'm yet to bust my bum but I have had some serious close calls so be careful.
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Have you tried longboarding before? what you think about longboards.
