Learning about the parts can feel overwhelming if you’re new to longboarding.
In this article, we’ll take apart a longboard and discuss the purpose of each part.
Let’s start with the…
Deck
The primary function of a longboard deck is to provide a stable platform for riders to stand on and maneuver the longboard. It serves as the foundation and supports the other components, such as trucks, wheels, and bearings.
They’re usually made of 7 or 8 veneers of Canadian Maple. Some decks are made with materials like bamboo, birch, or fiberglass.
Decks come in many different shapes, depending on the riding style.
Hardware
The hardware is the bolts and nuts that hold your board together.
The standardized sizes are…
- 10-32 Bolts
- 10-32 (Baseplate Nuts)
- 5/16″- 24 (Wheel Nuts)
- 3/8″- 24 (Kingpin Nuts)
Longboard setups commonly use countersunk/button, phillips or socket head bolts.
There are several characteristics when it comes to hardware, like sizes, head types, and materials.
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Riser Pads
Riser pads are put on a setup for two reasons. The main one is to prevent wheelbite. The other is to wedge or dewedge your setup with angled riser pads. Wedging and dewedging can make your longboard more carvey or stable, depending on how you set it up.
Trucks
There are three common types of trucks that you’ll find on longboards.
- Reverse Kingpin
- Traditional Kingpin
- Double Kingpin
Most longboard setups will have reverse kingpins because their baseplate angles are lower, making them more stable at higher speeds. Some use traditional kingpins for a more nimble, carvey experience (like the Landaychtz Dipper).
Double kingpins are commonly found on carving longboard setups or electric skateboards since they sit the highest off the ground.
Bushings & Washers
Bushings are cylindrical pieces of polyurethane that sit on the kingpin, allowing your trucks to pivot. Bushing shapes and hardness will determine how your trucks feel and ride.
The metal washers sit on the bottom and top of the bushings to give them structure/ help rebound.
Wheels
Longboard wheels are made of polyurethane, a type of plastic material. Polyurethane has many characteristics similar to rubber and plastic, but unlike rubber, polyurethane has a higher rebound and hardness than plastic.
The wheels are important because they directly connect with the pavement and translate that feeling to you. They come in many different shapes and sizes. On average, they range from 65mm-85mm in size and 75a-85a durometer.
Bearings
Bearings are the metal components that sit inside the wheels and make them spin. There are two common types you’ll find…
- Street Bearings
- Built-In Bearings
It’s becoming more common for longboards to use built-in bearings these days. Built-ins are exactly how they sound – all parts are built into one piece. The spacers and speed washers.
