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March, 2024

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Longboard Recommendations

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Yeezus
Posts: 3350 - Karma: 469
I'm not really a longboarder or a skateboarder so my knowledge on this topic is quite vague.

A big pain of mine in nyc is the commuting. Bikes are cool but big, the subway is annoying sometimes, and walking just simply sucks sometimes. So with that said, I'm going to invest in a longboard.

It has to be something good for a city. I don't want it to be too long (as I would like to occasionally take it as a carryon on the plane with me). Also, I'm going to need wheels and trucks.

So if you could, recommend me a deck, trucks, & wheels.

(no price limit but don't want the best shit out there because I'm not a pro at this)
Apr 8 2013 3:11PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445

Apr 8 2013 3:14PM
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Dunnah
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 277
Don't know much about longboards but I thought I'd share this video since I love it

Apr 8 2013 3:16PM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,347

get these they are fashionable and fun, and great excersise!

Click for larger image

Apr 8 2013 5:06PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
http://dranglongboards.com/

Check these guys out. Handmade decks and they are a Utah local company. Super cool guys and you can customize the shit out of your deck. Everything from the kind/mixture of woods and how many layers you want, camber, rocker, drop decks, color, carbon fiber, etc etc.

They just make boards with their imagination and have lots of fun with longboards. Give them a call and you can even see if they have any extra decks laying around they'd be willing to give you a deal on.
Apr 8 2013 6:15PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Heres my board. Its the one with the black (carbon fiber) bottom and the Orange logo.

Ive had it for about 1 year now and its a beast. They did a cool shape on mine and put "gas pedals" on each of the corners of the board which is just a raised portion that allows you to carve into turns and slides much faster and makes for a very responsive board.

Click for larger image
Apr 8 2013 6:21PM
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Panda_with_Guns
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 1,620
well, first off, do you want a long board or a cruiser?
Apr 8 2013 6:22PM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
True dat. Everyone calls anything that isn't the standard skateboard, a longboard. If you want a genuine longboard (3+ feet) I don't know if that's the best for the city.

My friend who's going to college is getting a Pennyboard, one of those super small carvy plastic things that fit into a backpack. Sounds super convenient except that it's inconveniently small to enjoy riding.
Apr 8 2013 6:39PM
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pmw
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 829
Wow great fucking post. These look sick I might cop one. Landyachtz make a great board but I would certainly check these out
Apr 8 2013 7:29PM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1833 - Karma: 1,880
Get a cruiser. Like others have said a longboard in a city might suck, and a cruiser is more convenient. If it were me I'd just use a skateboard but if you just cruise than whatever you want.
Apr 8 2013 8:07PM
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theschneidler
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 354
I kind of want to get some kind of cruiser for transportation. I have literally no knowledge of anything to do with skateboarding so someone tell me how to learn/what to look for
Apr 8 2013 8:22PM
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Deluge
Posts: 4398 - Karma: 767
Landyachtz.
Apr 8 2013 8:24PM
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Charliesteez
Posts: 64 - Karma: 91
I don't know how much time you have but you could always make your own deck. I did it and it turned out pretty good. There are a lot of different press ideas on the interwebz.
Apr 8 2013 8:24PM
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AndyGreen
Posts: 827 - Karma: 61
I love Adam Colton. And i love that video
Apr 8 2013 8:46PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Check out Arbor boards. This is the axis. I've had it for 4 years and use it about 5 times a week in the summer and its still in great condition. for commuting you're prolly gonna want a cruiser instead of a open wheel (this is made for down hill high speeds so you dont get wheel bite) with some nice and flexy trucks. Original skateboards is another good brand with some crazy boards
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Apr 8 2013 8:47PM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1833 - Karma: 1,880
Longboards are easiest to learn on but if you start on a skateboard and get good on that, you can get on any board and instantly know what you're doing for the most part.
Apr 8 2013 8:55PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
I'm sorry but you don't know what you are talking about. WTF are flexy trucks? You can get wheel bite at any speed, and the Axis is a freeride deck at best. Plus Original boards are over priced and not of the same quality of Landyachtz, Rayne, Sayshun, Jim-z etc.

OP:

For NYC you're going to want to look a shorter board, perhaps with a kick tail to pop up/down curbs.

Landyachtz Ripple Ridge or The Trooper. Maybe the Dinghy but that's getting down to a regular skate deck size.

Click for larger image

For trucks there are multiple options that are all good. Bears, Randals, Paris, Calibers all good choices.

Wheels range depending on what you want to do. The soft end (78a) is good for cruising/gripping corners, traveling over super rough pavement but are a bit slower. 80a is all around, 82a and up are still able to grip, but will slide more easily and roll a bit faster, bit won't be as smooth on rougher pavement.

For a board like a ripple ridge or the trooper you should look a wheel size around 60-70mm. I'd go more towards a 60 or even smaller with the smaller decks.

Whatever you do, do not get a Penny. they are useless.
Apr 8 2013 9:09PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
ya you right haha. i really dont know brands or technical aspects. i went to zumiez and bought my board, it has served me well for 4 years, so i recommended it. my buddy has an original and its sick, just not for me tho
Apr 8 2013 9:15PM
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WaffleMaster
Posts: 661 - Karma: 5,565
I'd find a good short DECK you like, maybe with a kicktail for super sharp turns, then hook it up with some big fat wheels (for rollin over those nasty sidewalk cracks), and of course some hefty riser pads needed for the clearance, and some Paris trucks, which are fucking bomb, carve nicely, and are awesome colors.
Apr 8 2013 9:24PM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,669
Bustin spliff, its an awesome board. If you are completely clueless about long boarding, I would recommend either Paris, Randall, or Bear Grizzly trucks. As far as bearings go, Bone reds are the best bang for your buck. Wheels are mainly personal preference, but you will probably want some grippy wheels for commuting.

Description of the Spliff
The Spliff is the perfect compact longboard cruiser for city transportation and campus cruising. Big on agility but small on size, you can commute fast and in style and then stow your under a desk or in your locker with ease. An all-around longboard cruiser, the Spliff is engineered to be swift through carves and stable on the short hill bomb. Mutliple rear-hole pattern for adjustable trucks allow you to adjust the flex and maneuverability of your board for the optimal ride for chill longboard cruising or quick, slashing carves. Small enough to bring anywhere and faster than it's bite-size looks, the Spliff is one of our riders' favorite cruising longboards.
Click for larger image

http://www.bustinboards.com/v/bustin-longboard-custom.asp
Apr 8 2013 9:27PM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,669
skateboards are terrible for commuting. Go with a shorter longboard
Apr 8 2013 9:29PM
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
^ I too support Bustin Boards. I had their Ibach mini for a year and it was a fun little board. Excellent for getting between classes in Boston because I could easily stash it under a desk.
Apr 8 2013 9:35PM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
The axis it a good cruiser but you will have problems with that thing in the city, its too big for what you need. Haven't tried to slide it yet(stock wheels are race wheels with a square lip, not good for someone to learn how to slide on) but I just bought landyatchz mini zombie hawgs in a 82a and I'm gonna try it out. A friend of mine is gonna hook me up with a landyatchz switch if I have problems with getting grip on the sallow concave of the axis.
Apr 8 2013 9:39PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8648 - Karma: 32,706
^ was just about to recommend the spliff. I love bustin. Kinda pissed because my sportster started to crack after like a week. But whatever. My Ibach is still going strong after a year of thrashing it.
Apr 8 2013 9:41PM
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cwphoto
Posts: 2332 - Karma: 780
if you live in/ are near nyc, check out the longboard loft and bustin's flagship store. at the longboard loft, you can demo boards and all the dudes there know their stuff, so you can ask away.

personally i would recommend a bustin, as i have a sportster and love it. for city commuting, a mini maestro v2 or a spliff (like someone else mentioned) would work pretty well. but getting to ride both of them would probably help you decide. also, with the bustins, you can design your own paint job. doesn't affect riding, but all your friends will be jealous of your dope board


links
http://longboardloftnyc.com
http://www.bustinboards.com/v/bustin_spliff_longboard_details.asp
http://www.bustinboards.com/v/bustin_longboards_nyc_maestro_longboard.asp
Apr 9 2013 12:03AM
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Bachto
Posts: 400 - Karma: 954
I've heard nothing but good things about Bustin. I've ridden my friends Robot a lot and it's the best board i've ridden yet ( not saying much ). Definitely look into getting a Bustin
Apr 9 2013 12:12AM
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Fenderbender.
Posts: 2 - Karma: 18
Click for larger image
Apr 9 2013 12:13AM
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Chewy.
Posts: 4113 - Karma: 4,856
I have this exact same board. It's fucking fantastic
Apr 9 2013 11:38PM
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Z.J.H.
Posts: 842 - Karma: 1,541
So if your in the city you definitely gonna want akictail so that you dont have to stoop down and pick up you board whenever you nees to go up a curb, get on a train, cross the street, etc... the other longboards that people are posting might be great for more suburban areas, but you are really gunna want something smaller because of its shorter turning radius, and its easier to take car of. you also have to decide on trucks. they make basically two standard types of trucks. reverse kingpin and regular. regular is what you will generally see on a "skateboard" or cruzer. reverse kingpin is more for "longboards". if you area is very steep or hilly you bight want a longer more "longboardy" board(Arbor vugenhausen, cypher etc...) if there are hils but they are manegable, id say get more of a shakedown gt shakedown pocket rocket if you want. i use arbor because i know them best but other brands work.
Apr 10 2013 12:15PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
I can also get anybody 15% off of a Drang Longboards deck that I posted about earlier. Just PM me for the promo code!
Apr 10 2013 12:49PM
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Z.J.H.
Posts: 842 - Karma: 1,541
Sorry for my poor grammar before I had like 1minute to write it and I couldn't spellcheck
Apr 10 2013 5:34PM
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connecticunt
Posts: 842 - Karma: 1,525
my bustin maestro is my baby. in the summer I work at a marina and I commute there on the board and its super responsive for making sharper turns and its not that long. I would recommend it to anyone and I've rode a fair amount of longboards/cruisers and I think this one is perfect for what you want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQAhnF3kQWg
Apr 10 2013 5:45PM
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Bateman
Posts: 8590 - Karma: 8,600
Loaded boards are great, look and feek great, but they're pricey.
Apr 10 2013 5:57PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
You can get much a much better board for the money than dishing out over $200 for a Loaded board.

Get your own deck, trucks, wheels, and all that stuff and build your own board. Not only can you get a better quality deck, but you can customize it the way you want.
Apr 10 2013 6:32PM
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SwagasaurusRex
Posts: 635 - Karma: 333
This, only get a Loaded if you are Certain you want it. I have a Bhangra and love it to death. Its my perfect dancing board. I would also suggest the shorter Landyachtz Boards and I have heard Bustin makes good boards as long as you are not going to murder it with early grabs and curb impacts.
Apr 10 2013 7:55PM
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frozenskier_
Posts: 24 - Karma: 30
loaded ceviche is probably a good board for you. it is a little shorter and has a kicktail for hopping curves and stuff. only downside is its a little pricey, being a loaded board
Apr 10 2013 8:19PM
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SOSA69
Posts: 265 - Karma: 185
Don't get an Arbor board they are shit, look into an original apex 37 or maybe a loaded if money isn't a problem for you, I think my board this year is going to be a Incline Fropick, look into that one too.
Apr 10 2013 8:41PM
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conchetler
Posts: 280 - Karma: 609
im kinda in the same boat, i want something to cruise around on but not spend a ton of money on. ive looked at krown boards but heard they suck but for just riding around on i dont really care...any other recommendations on cheap boards?
Apr 10 2013 8:48PM
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Naptown
Posts: 495 - Karma: 1,722
Arbiter 36. 50 Cals. nice bearings, softer wheels 75- 83a
Apr 10 2013 8:55PM
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SOSA69
Posts: 265 - Karma: 185
^ right on the money
Apr 10 2013 8:58PM
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cwphoto
Posts: 2332 - Karma: 780
for everybody asking about cheap boards, check out churchill manufacturing. they make cheap, quality stuff.

http://churchillmfg.com

i would not recommend a penny board. my brother owns one, and i have plenty of ride time on it. i just don't enjoy how unstable it is. sure, you get used to it, but with it being so little its just so damn easy to fall off of or mess up. as a short distance campus cruiser it could work, but if you ever want to ride anything sort of long distance, or just riding with friends, you probably won't enjoy it.

if you want a small board, i would recommend a bustin cigar or spliff http://www.bustinboards.com/v/bustin_spliff_longboard_details.asp https://www.bustinboards.com/v/bustin_longboards_nyc_camber_series_longboard.asp . theyre both small (cigar is 31" or 38", and the spliff is 31")

also a landyacthz dinghy http://www.landyachtz.com/D25.cfm?PID=537 would be another smaller option.

personally, i would stay away from small boards like these. i've seen a lot of friends get a small board, and not ride it a lot. then, they ride my sportster or 47" cruiser and are strongly interested in getting a larger board to ride more. its all your choice. just ride some boards, and choose what feels best.
Apr 10 2013 9:39PM
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MEDSKI.
Posts: 561 - Karma: 640
Can't go wrong with Bustin, I have a Boombox and its awesome for everything
Apr 10 2013 9:43PM
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grapejuice3000+
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,985
"yo bro wanna come over and set up all of our longboards and we can take pictures and then like post em on facebook and ns"

"you can even bring the one that has no wheels or trucks"
Apr 10 2013 9:55PM
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grapejuice3000+
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,985
SNOWBOARDS
THATS A SNOWBOARDER ON THE GRAPHIC
GET THE FUCK OUT IDIOT
Apr 10 2013 9:56PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Actually it was at one of the ride event for the company. Whats wrong with getting some group shots to put on the facebook page?

The one without trucks is one that they gave away in a raffle and my buddy won it.

No need to be so negative
Apr 10 2013 11:17PM
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Chewy.
Posts: 4113 - Karma: 4,856
Fuck you. This is a sick board. But I just picked up a Rayne Killswitch. Best thing ever.
Apr 11 2013 12:41AM
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Soja.
Posts: 216 - Karma: 144
drop down deck, landyachtz and social are my two favorite, with drop through trucks (paris is a good brand) or you could go with standard skate trucks with some risers and o'tang wheels (make sure to get the right wheel that fits your riding style) its more about personal preference than anything though
Apr 11 2013 12:47AM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
Jesus their boards are sick. I have no idea how I haven't heard of em living in salt lake.  Usually ride landys/Raynes but I may have to switch n support this local comp. 
Apr 11 2013 12:53AM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Ya check em out their shop is in Murray and they are super cool guys. They have so many customizable features that arent even on their website. You can choose what kind of carbon fiber weave you want depending on the kind of flex you're looking for and super detailed stuff like that. They are always coming up with new kinds of board shapes and concaves and just love doing what they do!

The next board i get will be a drop Dragon from them with a little bit of rocker.
Apr 11 2013 2:59AM
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ski4fun420
Posts: 902 - Karma: 842
I would recommend trying out as many of your friends boards as possible. Purchase the setup that feels the best for you.
Apr 11 2013 7:52AM
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