Every longboard enthusiast should educate about all the parts of a longboard. Why? Because longboard parts names will help them throughout their journey from picking a new one. They are also upgrading their longboarding performance with a personal touch.

Most longboarders have no idea about the anatomy of a longboard. Assuming that you are on this list, you’ve come across the authentic address. Longboard parts are the decks, trucks, wheels, bearing, etc. All of these parts will be discussed in-depth in our up-to-date article.

Parts of a Longboard: Anatomy of a Longboard

This article will explain each part of a longboard that will help you select the right longboard parts for your setup.

Longboard Decks

The deck is the most significant part of the longboard. The word ‘deck’ refers to a long wooden plank where the rider can stand on and go on the ride. There are a variety of longboard deck lengths and shapes.

Usually, longboard decks are longer than skateboards. It has a more sharp turn and a larger wheel in diameter than the skateboard. Every longboard part plays a role when riding on the longboard, and the deck isn’t an exception.

Deck Construction

The longboard deck is built with different materials, from bamboo, Canadian maple, and carbon fiber construction. The deck is also possible to make from ashwood or basswood materials in recent years. However, its structure can vary from brand to brand and will have a strong influence on the riding style of the boards. Here we listed some of the most popular materials out there.

Maple: Maple is one of the most common materials for longboard decks. Usually, 8-9 ply layers of maple wood are used to make a more durable deck. This type of wood is super strong and remains reliable over time. It’s also common to have a maple-bamboo blend for flexibility and durability.

Bamboo: Bamboo longboards are the fastest-growing in popularity. It’s more flexible and lightweight than the maple. Although it’s a bit expensive, most sustainable deck materials are still today. The fiber in combination with bamboo makes the deck flexible yet strong for longboard decks.

Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber is one of the most expensive materials for a longboard deck. Its lightweight but strong materials come from carbon atoms. This material is chemical resistant, temperature tolerant, and attractive too. Carbon fiber with bamboo makes one of the best deck materials in longboard history because it will increase strength, stiffness, and stability.

Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a reinforced plastic material reliably used in surfboards, skateboards, and longboards. It’s lightweight and flexible materials, so it maintains strength and durability to the deck.

Bamboo is the lightest and flexible solution as a longboard deck material. But, the maple-bamboo mix is more memorable for flexibility and durability.

Read About Best Wood For Longboard

Deck Shape

There are different types of longboarding, and each style has the shape of a longboard deck. Below, we mention the main types of longboard decks.

• Cruiser: The shape of the cruising deck (also known as a cruiser) is simply an extended skateboard. It’s one of the most common types of longboard deck.
• Carving: Carving deck has curved upward for more flexibility and better turning ability. In addition, the carving deck has a camber profile that gives a snowboard-like surfy feeling.
• Downhill: Downhill deck is flat and directional in shape for sharp turns at speed. This deck should be stiff so that it can go fast downhill.
• Freeride: The deck for freeride has a deep concave shape with moderate stiffness for stability on speed. It’s all about trick-oriented and controlling speed when freely riding.

Deck Style

• Top Mount– Most Traditional. Less Expensive.
• Drop Through– Increase Stability. Reduce Fatigue.
• Drop Deck– Lower Gravity. Less Fatigue.
• Double Drop– Most Stable. More Expensive.

Longboard Trucks

Longboard trucks are considered the soul of the board. These longboard parts hold the wheels and bearings to the deck. Usually, it’s different from the skateboard truck, still similar in the purpose. Just like the skateboard truck, longboard trucks include axles and hangers that are connected to the kingpin. In general, there two main kingpins are available for longboard trucks. These are the-Reverse Kingpin and Standard Kingpin.

Types Of Longboard Trucks

1. Reverse Kingpin Truck.
2. Standard Kingpin Truck.

Parts Of Longboard Trucks

• Axel.
• Hanger.
• Bushings.
• Kingpin.
• Baseplate.
• Pivot Cup.
• Mounting Holes.

Longboard Wheels

Longboard wheels work as the medium between the road and the rider. These longboard parts are significant for the speed of longboarding. Popularly, longboard wheels are made with polyurethane materials. These have different sizes in diameter and hardness in the durometer from brand to brand.

Size (Diameter): The size is usually measured by the diameter when talking about the longboard wheels. The diameter of the longboard wheels will affect the performance of the longboard. The smaller wheel can quickly accelerate but is not so smooth at all. On the other hand, the larger one is suitable for a smooth and stable ride at high speed.

Hardness (Durometer): The hardness of the wheels is measured in the durometer scales. Harder wheels are controllable and faster than softer wheels. Because these wheels have less friction compared to the softer ones, on the other hand, softer wheels are less controllable than the harder ones.

Longboard Bearings

Bearings are added to the longboard wheels so that they can rotate freely. Longboard Bearing Parts:

Balls: Balls are an essential part of the bearing. There is a set of steel or ceramic balls inside the bearing.

Shields: Rubber shields protect the balls from dirt. These rubber rings are removable, so smooth and simple to clean.

Retainer: Retainer retains the balls in the right place, reduces friction, and facilitates strength. In actuality, the Nylon retainers are reliable for road speed.

Bearing Spacer: Bearing spacers work to increase longboard bearing life. These are affordable and made with aluminum or steel materials.

Bearing Material

• Steel: Steel bearing is the most popular material in the longboard market. They are highly durable as well as economical too.
• Ceramic: Ceramic bearing costs more in comparison with steel bearing. They are harder and more high-cost than their competitors.
• Titanium: Titanium bearing is not as popular as the two names-Steel and Ceramic bearing. They are corrosion-resistant and reliable for powerful performance.

Longboarders have the option to opt out of these three bearings. It depends on the pocket and preferences.

ABEC ratings: The word “ABEC” stands for “Annular Bearing Engineers’ Committee.” This is the rating system for the accuracy of the bearing.

Last Words

Longboards come in different types of decks, trucks, wheels, and bearings. Literally, all longboarders have an appetite for assimilating the anatomy of a longboard. Because every parts of a longboard play an essential role in the world of longboarding.

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