Longboard Skate Board Question

no age is to old to longboard. if you want a simple cruzer you could use something like a sector nine. or for a "generic" board for cheap you could use something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Natural-Complet...888?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae06875a8

if you want to go more advanced a lil you could get a "Dregs" board hope this helped a lilttle bit

 

Well I know WRV here in VB had lost skates for $100 on sale, about $50 off retial. But if you want something to cross train your surfing with then get a Carver board, something like the Taylor KNox model. ITs the closest thing you can get to rail to rail carving on a skatebaord and a great crosstrainer. Probably the best "surfing" style crosstrainer on the market. THey run about $200 though, they create realistic carving and uses the same muscles you use in surfing to carve, which builds muscle memory, which helps you react quicker and surf stronger.

If you are looking for cheap cruiser board GLOBE makes some now that are like $100. Sector 9 has some cheaper models as well for mini curisers.

 

longboard reco

i'm on my second one of these from gravity board:

http://www.gravityboard.com/pages/gstore/boards/hc3.html

the first one used to be my primary mode of transportation to work, to bars, etc. i loved the first one until it got stolen, and i promptly bought the second one and both have been great boards and well worth the somewhat steep price.

as for the "am i too old to ride a skateboard" question, i'm 35 with two kids and ride my longboard to the corner store for bagels (sometimes with a 3 yr. old kid on the nose or with the dog trotting alongside me) and around the neighborhood. sure, people look at me funny, but i always think it's because they're jealous that they are guzzling gas in their SUV(s) while i'm carving turns and acting like a kid. like my dad always said, "**** 'em if they can't take a joke."

 

could get an original skateboards pintail, which has artwork from NJ local surf artist Jay Alders. fun cruiser i have one

 

Original makes some great boards. good construction, durable, and the trucks give a real surfy feel....I have a hybrid 35 model.....I also have a 6'6" bamboo classic hamboard that I use for cross step practice, they use the original trucks as well, with 97mm wheels...

 

So if you want to have some real fun you can shape your own board. I shaped my own a few years back and it's still the bees knees. Took some 3/4 inch ply board, drew the outline of the board (swallow tail) and nose. jigsaw the thing. align the truck and SHAZAM! you have your own custom built long board. my board is SUPER long about 4'5. I'll post some shots of it tonight.

Oh AND you get to do your own graphics/ spray painting on the board. Total art project and you know you'll have a one of a kind.

 

Arbor makes some cool boards, I have a nice longboard/cruiser I got from 17th street last summer for around $170 - its smooth and fast, pretty fun to carve and play around on too. I don't think your ever too old to cruise on a longboard. I'm 26, have dreadlocks and own a business, and even my older friends and customers look at me like I'm a jackass all the time riding up to the store or just cruising around. Do what you want, when you want as long as your not intruding on someone else's rights! As long as your not waxing the steps to there porch and grinding down there handrails while urinating in there bushes, f**k em if they want to stare.

 

chose the board by the wheelbase that you want it to feel like. 34" WB feels like a 7'6" or so, the 22-24" WB feels like a 6'2" or something and 20" WB or shorter feels like a fish.

edit: the Hypercarve 47" or Larry Bertlman 33" board from gravity are probably two of the best to start on

 

Tony Hawk's 80 and still busting 900's

I'm 26 and I still ride my skateboard everyday. I don't think I will ever stop. Longboards are super fun because you can throw down some fun carves and feels (almost) like surfing - More so than snowboarding I would say... I still like busting trey's, nollies and shuv-it's though so I will always pick my 7.5x31.5 over a longboard any day!!!

 

I bought an Original Custom 35 last year, the thing carves on a dime and has significantly improved my surfing, I'm 34, but I really don't give a rat's ass what people think...find some good hills and you will have a freakin' blast!

 

Too old my a$$, I'm 43 going on 44, and I have two boards and will be getting a third.

Holesom street sweeper, paris 180, 3dm 75mm 77a, venom supercarve set up w/shr bushings.

Bustin iBach 40, Caliber 50 180mm, o-tang 75mm 86a, venom bushings and bustin 75mm 82a wheels too.

I had an Original custom 45, very unique skate ride, surfy feel. trucks require maintenance, check them out before you buy.

Check ebay too.

It's worth it to spend some $$

 

Hey ginsu, how often should the trucks be maintenanced? and how will i know when they need to be?

 

I have an original 35 and when they start to really squeek is when I take them apart to clean and lube them. Depends how often you ride though. With originals just be sure to use the tube form of lithium grease, not the spray can. Don't over tighten them either, unless you want to be breaking the wave cams. If you want a tighter ride they have different spring rates on their site.

 

Nice, Have fun with it! If anyone gives you sh!t tell them you'd rather die getting hit by a car skating then die from a heart attack cause you got fat watching football on TV!

 

offshore is right on.
I would clean mine when the grease got real dirty. Also if you don't ride it all the time then keep the cams clean or if the board is going to sit clean it before you park it, dirty grease is harder to clean and it will also hold onto contaminants like road salt which could harm the trucks. I used simple green to clean with.
The guys at original are very helpful with maintenance and any other questions you may have. They all skate so they're real.

 

Just remembered this, if you want to change the "ride" try venom bushings, they made my randal II's feel like "new" trucks. They make a super high rebound formula that's real poppy too.

Here's a guide I got from silverfish, I think that's where I got it, anyhow;

Bushings weight chart!!

50-100lbs 73-80a Duro
75-125lbs 78-82a Duro
100-145lbs 80-85a Duro
125-175lbs 80-87a Duro

145-195lbs 82-90a Duro
175-220lbs 85-93a Duro

200-250lbs 90-93a Duro
225lbs+ 90-97a Duro