Longboards
A longboard is a similar variant to a skateboard, with the main difference being size. A typical skateboard is approximately 75 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide, with the sizes of a longboard varying greatly. The length is usually anywhere between 84 to 150 centimeters; with the width being 20-30 centimeters.
In terms of function, a longboard is different from a skateboard in many
ways, with the most prominent being general use. Longboards are most
often used for leisurely travel, whilst skateboards are designed for
tricks and jumps. The increased size of a longboard is not desirable for
most skateboarding tricks. Greater size is traded off for more
momentum, and longboards are vaguely similar to a surfboard in terms of
fluidity and the ability to drift at an angle.
Longboarding gear is similar to that of skateboarding, with the main
difference being gloves. Longboarding gloves generally have a pad called
a "puck" on them that allows the boarder to use and slide his hands
along the ground while turning and drifting, without injury.
The components of a longboard are decks, trucks, bushings, riser pads, bearings, and wheels.
A deck is what you stand on, and it is made of wood ply. It's generally
2-11mm thick, and it comes in many shapes and sizes. Shapes and sizes
depend and dictate what your board is capable of.
A truck is the metal piece that holds the wheels to your board, and it
also comes in several sizes. The width of a turn generally relies on the
width of a truck. A truck pivots, and allows a longboard to "drift," as
they so famously do.
Bushings are the seat in which your trucks sit, and the tightness of an
attached bushing dictates how fast most people ride their longboard, as
stability comes with security.
Riser pads increase the distance between the deck and wheels, as decks
have been known to bend and stop the wheel while in motion. Insert riser
pads to prevent or minimize the chances of such an event from
occurring.
Bearings allow the wheels to turn smoothly, with the smoothness of said
bearings being rated on a scale of 1-13, using only odd numbers. Bearing
are generally made of steel, titanium, or ceramics.
Wheels allow the longboard to move, and they are generally made of
urethane. Wheels come in many sizes, with taller wheels reaching higher
speeds at the expense of increased time to obtain higher speeds.
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