New to freestyle longboarding? It is another totally awesome sport that has swept adrenaline seekers coast to coast. It is easier than skateboarding, yet gives you that feeling of cruising sideways. It also helps improve your flexibility and stretching, allowing you to become more dynamic and move more smoothly and powerful.
If you are looking to give this skateboarding style a try, know that having the right freestyle longboard deck can make a big difference, especially if it is a good board designed for beginners. Freestyle longboard decks come in different shapes, construction, and features, and they are designed for various riding styles and abilities. Selecting a good deck will depend on your style and what you are planning do to with them. Below I've listed what you need to consider in order to get a good freestyle longboard deck to get you started.
Types of Decks
There are 3 main types of freestyle longboard decks and they all refer to the way the trucks are mounted on the board.
- Drop-through deck - the trucks are mounted through the deck and on top of the deck;
- Top-mount - the deck is mounted onto the trucks;
- Drop-down -the deck starts on top of the truck, then the board drops down and rises to the next truck.
Materials
The majority of freestyle longboard decks are made with maple or bamboo wood. Because maple is hard and solid wood, it makes a better option for riding on more rocky and unsteady areas. Bambo decks, on the other hand, is more flexible and light, hence better for control and cruising. My recommendation for beginners here is maple decks as they provide more stability for beginners, which is really important.
Wheels
The wheels on the longboard play a great role in how you move. The most important thing to consider when selecting the wheels is the durometer, which refers to the softness of the wheel. The softer the wheel, the more grip and control you will have over the ride. I recommend a 78a to 84a durometer wheels.
While reading this post may have helped you somewhat, you will actually know if a board is right for you after riding it. Ask longboarders in your commute if you can try out their boards and see if they have any recommendations for you as well.
