Longboard Key Terms

Don't get caught short when it comes to longboard key terms

By Brenda Lee, Writer/Editor Beeline Editing Services

Longboard key terms are used to define those things unique—and not so unique—to their sport. Whether you plan to sell longboards, ride longboards or simply want to be able to talk the talk of longboard enthusiasts, it's a good idea to brief yourself on the four primary types of longboarding and some key terms that go along with the sport. Speedboarding: With the goal being speed, this type of longboard has a rigid deck for stability and generally is lower to the ground, with larger wheels and trucks. Cruising: As the name implies, the goal of cruising is a smooth, easy ride. The deck is somewhat flexible, with harder wheels. Carving: Longboards designed for carving are shorter than typical longboards and have kicktails on both the front and the back. Their wheels are small and hard. Sliding: longboards made for sliding tight and fast. They have a short wheelbase and a quick turn, with soft, wide wheels to maximize traction.

Deck

The longboard deck is the surface on which a longboarder stands. It is typically made of wood and comes in a large variety of lengths, shapes and sizes.
Try: Soul Boards offers a nice rundown on the different longboard deck types and how each one is typically used.

Trucks

Trucks are mounts for attaching the wheels to the underside of the deck. They turn in the direction of the rider's lean, acting as the board's steering mechanism. A set of trucks contains the baseplate that screws to the deck and the hanger, which holds the axle (which holds the wheels).
Try: Take a look at Skates on Haight, which categorizes trucks by speed, quick turns and other important considerations.

Complete

The term "complete" refers to a longboard that comes assembled with everything necessary to take it to the streets. You can purchase an off-the-shelf complete or create a custom complete, where you choose the trucks, bearings, wheels and other options based on your needs and/or wants.
Try: To see the elements that comprise a preassembled complete, check out the detailed description at The Longboard Store. To explore options for custom complete longboards, take a look at Daddies Board Shop.

Bearings

On a longboard, the bearings are housed inside of each wheel and spin on the truck axles. The bearings are typically made of steel, although many advanced longboarders use ceramic bearings.
Try: Silverfish Longboarding has a nice writeup on how to clean and maintain bearings for the best performance and longest life.

Wheels

The wheels are a critical part of the longboard, so it's important to have the right type for your board, your riding style and the type of terrain on which you ride. Size, width and hardness are three of the many considerations to take into account when deciding on the right longboard wheels.
Try: Learn everything you ever wanted to know about wheels for longboards in a comprehensive guide at Longboard Wheels.

Risers

Risers are small pieces of plastic placed between the longboard deck and the trucks to increase the distance between the wheels and the deck. They are typically used as pseudo shock absorbers to prevent stress cracks and to prevent the wheels from rubbing against the board during hard turns or tricks.
Try: Get a feel for what longboard risers look like, their cost and the variety available at Longboardskater.com.