The Best Longboards for Beginners

Longboarding is a low-impact form of transportation that allows you to cruise down smoothly paved streets at a high rate of speed. Beginners often feel overwhelmed when purchasing their first longboard due to the abundance of choices. While the longboard comes in numerous lengths, the longboard components are offered with a variety of specializations.

  1. Deck

    • The deck is the wooden component of the longboard. Advanced riders often prefer long decks as they provide increased stability during high-speed turns and downhill maneuvers. The longboard experts at Daddies Board Shop recommend a 40-inch deck for beginners. The 40-inch deck remains ideal for mild downhill scenarios. As your skills improve, upgrade to a longboard deck that measures around 46 inches in length. This elongated deck will allow you to tackle steeper hills and downhill slalom courses.

    Trucks

    • Each longboard features two metallic trucks fastened to the underside of the deck. When choosing your first longboard setup, make sure the width of your trucks correlates to the width of the deck. Heavier trucks made from stainless steel will increase the speed of the board. Beginners should choose a pair of lightweight trucks made from forged aluminum. The kingpin allows you to adjust the tightness of the trucks. Ride your trucks at a medium tightness until you get comfortable with the basic maneuvers.

    Wheels

    • Compared to the street skateboarding wheel, the longboard wheel features a wider design and larger diameter. The biggest longboard wheels allow you to reach a high speed while compact wheels offer a quicker acceleration. Beginners should choose a set of medium sized wheels that feature a diameter of around 65 mm. The durometer, or hardness, of the longboard wheel varies. Board Mag recommends soft wheels for beginners as they provide increased grip on the road.

    Bearings

    • The Annular Bearing Engineers Committee grades longboard bearings based on the speed capabilities. According to Bones Bearings, the ABEC speed rating includes a 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. The higher the ABEC rating the faster the bearings can go. ABEC 9 bearings are often constructed of ceramic materials and allow professional downhill longboarders to reach top speeds of 30 mph or more. Beginners should choose a lower-end bearing that features a speed rating of a 3 or 5.