Longboard FAQ | Buying Guide, Wheel Sizes, Trucks & Maintenance
Longboards are designed for smooth, comfortable riding and come in many different shapes for different styles of skating. Whether you're commuting, carving, bombing hills, or learning freestyle tricks, choosing the right longboard can make all the difference. Here are answers to some of the most common longboard questions.
What size longboard should I buy?
Unlike traditional skateboards, longboards are chosen primarily by riding style rather than rider height.
General guidelines include:
- 28"–34" – Mini cruisers and travel boards
- 34"–40" – Cruising, commuting, and carving
- 40"–46" – All-around longboarding and freeride
- 46"+ – Dancing, freestyle, and long-distance cruising
If you're buying your first longboard, a board between 36" and 40" is an excellent all-around starting point.
What's the difference between a longboard and a cruiser board?
While both are designed for transportation and smooth riding, they serve slightly different purposes.
Longboards
- Longer wheelbase
- Greater stability
- Better for longer rides
- Excellent for carving, downhill, dancing, and commuting
Cruiser Boards
- More compact and portable
- Easier to carry
- Better for short trips around town
- Often include a kicktail for maneuverability
If portability is your priority, choose a cruiser. If comfort and stability matter most, choose a longboard.
What's the difference between a longboard and a skateboard?
Traditional skateboards are designed primarily for tricks and skateparks.
Longboards are built for:
- Cruising
- Transportation
- Carving
- Downhill riding
- Distance skating
- Freeride
They feature longer decks, larger wheels, softer urethane, and reverse kingpin trucks for a smoother ride.
What does longboard flex mean?
Flex refers to how much the deck bends under your weight.
Stiff decks
- More responsive
- Better for downhill riding
- Preferred by heavier riders
- Greater stability at speed
Flexible decks
- Smoother ride
- Absorb road vibration
- More comfortable for cruising
- Popular for carving and dancing
The right amount of flex depends on your weight and riding style.
Are bamboo longboards better than maple?
Neither material is universally better.
Bamboo
- Lightweight
- Naturally flexible
- Excellent vibration damping
- Great for cruising and carving
Maple
- Stiffer
- More responsive
- Extremely durable
- Preferred for downhill and freeride
Many premium longboards combine bamboo and maple to take advantage of both materials.
What's the difference between top-mount and drop-through longboards?
Top-Mount
- Trucks mount underneath the deck
- More leverage when turning
- Better grip
- Preferred for downhill and freeride
Drop-Through
- Trucks mount through the deck
- Lower ride height
- Easier pushing
- Greater stability
- Excellent for commuting
Both are excellent designs—the right choice depends on how you plan to ride.
What's the difference between a top-mount and a drop deck?
Although they sound similar, they're different designs.
A top-mount deck sits entirely above the trucks.
A drop deck lowers the standing platform between the trucks while still mounting them underneath the board.
Drop decks offer lower ride height and improved stability, while top-mount boards provide greater leverage and grip during turns.
What's the difference between symmetrical and directional longboards?
Symmetrical decks
- Identical nose and tail
- Excellent for switch riding
- Popular for freeride and dancing
Directional decks
- Designed to ride primarily one direction
- Often have a longer nose or tail
- Better for downhill, carving, and cruising
Why do some longboards have kicktails?
Kicktails make a longboard much more versatile.
They allow riders to:
- Lift the front wheels over obstacles
- Pivot more easily
- Navigate curbs
- Perform manuals
- Learn basic tricks
Many commuter and cruiser longboards include a kicktail for improved maneuverability.
Can you do tricks on a longboard?
Yes.
Although longboards aren't designed for technical street tricks like kickflips, many riders enjoy:
- Manuals
- Shove-its
- Dancing
- Freestyle tricks
- Cross-steps
- Tiger claws
- Pirouettes
- No-comply variations
Some longboards are specifically designed for freestyle and dancing.
Can beginners ride downhill?
It's best to learn gradually.
Before attempting downhill riding, beginners should first become comfortable with:
- Pushing
- Foot braking
- Carving
- Basic turning
- Speed control
Start on gentle hills before progressing to steeper terrain, and always wear appropriate protective equipment.
How fast can a longboard go?
Most casual riders travel between 8 and 15 mph.
Experienced downhill riders regularly exceed 30 mph, while competitive downhill racers can reach speeds well over 50 mph on specialized equipment.
Always ride within your skill level and wear appropriate safety gear.
What's the best longboard for beginners?
Most beginners do well with:
- A stable deck between 36" and 40"
- Reverse kingpin trucks
- Soft wheels around 70mm
- Medium-flex or stiff construction
- A comfortable standing platform
Drop-through longboards are especially beginner-friendly because their lower ride height makes pushing and balancing easier.
What's the best longboard for heavier riders?
Heavier riders generally benefit from:
- Wider decks
- Stiffer construction
- Quality reverse kingpin trucks
- Harder bushings matched to rider weight
- Durable wheels with quality urethane
A properly matched setup will feel significantly more stable and responsive.
What's the best longboard for college campuses?
A commuter-focused longboard is ideal.
Look for:
- Drop-through or cruiser design
- 65–70mm soft wheels
- Reverse kingpin trucks
- Moderate deck length
- Lightweight construction
These features make navigating sidewalks and campus pathways comfortable and efficient.
Can longboards roll over cracks?
Yes—much better than standard skateboards.
The larger, softer wheels used on longboards absorb bumps and roll over small cracks, sidewalk joints, and rough pavement much more smoothly than traditional skateboard wheels.
Can I ride my longboard in the rain?
It's best to avoid riding in wet conditions.
Rain can:
- Damage bearings
- Warp wooden decks
- Reduce wheel grip
- Increase stopping distance
- Cause hardware to rust
If your board gets wet, dry it thoroughly and inspect the bearings before your next ride.
How long do longboard wheels last?
Wheel lifespan depends on:
- Riding frequency
- Road conditions
- Sliding
- Wheel formula
Many riders get several years of use from quality longboard wheels.
Rotating your wheels regularly helps promote even wear and extends their lifespan.
Do longboards need riser pads?
Not always.
Many longboards already provide plenty of wheel clearance.
However, riser pads can be helpful when:
- Installing larger wheels
- Preventing wheel bite
- Fine-tuning ride height
- Adjusting truck geometry
How often should longboard bushings be replaced?
Bushings don't have a fixed replacement schedule.
Replace them if they become:
- Cracked
- Split
- Permanently compressed
- Inconsistent during turns
- Unable to return to center
Quality bushings often last for years under normal riding conditions, especially when matched to the rider's weight.
What is pumping?
Pumping is generating forward speed by shifting your weight and carving back and forth without pushing with your foot.
A good pumping setup typically includes:
- Responsive reverse kingpin trucks
- Proper truck geometry
- Flexible deck (depending on riding style)
- Quality bushings
Many riders enjoy pumping because it allows continuous movement without constantly taking a foot off the board.
What is carving?
Carving is making smooth, flowing turns from side to side while riding.
It's one of the most enjoyable aspects of longboarding and is popular for:
- Cruising
- Surf-style riding
- Fitness
- Relaxation
- Learning board control
Most beginners start by learning to carve before progressing to slides or downhill riding.
What are reverse kingpin trucks?
Reverse kingpin (RKP) trucks are the standard truck design used on most longboards.
Compared to traditional skateboard trucks, they provide:
- Deeper turning
- Better stability
- Smoother carving
- Improved control at higher speeds
They're one of the biggest reasons longboards feel so different from standard skateboards.
What size longboard wheels should I buy?
Most longboard wheels range from 65mm to 75mm, although some specialized setups use larger wheels.
General guidelines:
- 65–70mm: Freeride, carving, cruising
- 70–75mm: Commuting and downhill
- 75mm+: Distance pushing and rough pavement
Larger wheels roll faster and handle rough roads more comfortably but require additional clearance.
What wheel hardness is best for longboarding?
Longboard wheels are generally much softer than standard skateboard wheels.
Typical durometers include:
- 75A–80A: Maximum grip and comfort
- 80A–83A: Excellent all-around choice
- 83A–86A: Faster slides and freeride performance
Softer wheels provide more grip, while harder wheels slide more easily.
What are the best wheels for sliding?
Slide wheels usually feature:
- Rounded lips
- Slightly harder urethane
- Stone-ground finish
- Predictable release characteristics
These features make slides smoother and easier to control, especially for freeride and downhill skating.
Do longboards use different bearings?
No.
Most longboards use the same standard 608-size bearings found in skateboards.
The main difference is that longboard wheels often include:
- Bearing spacers
- Speed rings
Quality bearings such as Bones Reds, Bronson G3, and Swiss bearings all work well in longboard setups.
How do I maintain my longboard?
Regular maintenance keeps your longboard rolling smoothly and safely.
We recommend:
- Cleaning bearings when needed
- Rotating wheels to promote even wear
- Checking truck hardware for tightness
- Inspecting bushings for wear
- Tightening mounting hardware
- Keeping the board clean and dry
- Avoiding prolonged exposure to rain and moisture
Routine maintenance extends the life of your components and helps your longboard perform at its best.