By now you should have the longboard glued, cut, epoxied, drilled, and gipped. Now is the time to buy the trucks, bearings, hardware and wheels.
Bearings: This is the part that holds the wheels on to the trucks. The higher ABEC (see terminology) number, the faster and more precise they are.
High quality high price: Bones Swiss/Super Swiss $35-$45; Very nice, noiseless, smooth as heck
Medium/ high quality medium price: Bones Reds $15-$20; Still very nice, barely audible, semi-smooth
Low quality low price: any bearing on amazon $5-$10; Crappy, or fall apart, loud, bumpy, heat up FAST
To find bearings just go on amazon (beware of chinese knockoffs) or go to the Bones site- http://bonesbearings.com/
Trucks: Holds bearings and wheels on to the board; basically just axles and steering. Some turn very well, others are stiff for bombing huge hills/mountains.
High quality medium price: Gullwings (not sidewinder) $50+; great quality, Trucks for average longboarders.
High quality medium price: Gullwing sidewinders $55+; Very turny, has 2 bushings so it turns twice as sharp as regular trucks. For these risers are recommended to avoid wheelbite.
High quality medium price: any Randal's $45+; I use these and they are pretty good trucks; all purpose.
High quality high price: Original $65+; built in risers, very turnable.
Low quality low price: Garbage amazon trucks $15-$35; either fall apart or do not turn or break.
Any of these trucks are available at their maker's webpage.
Wheels: kind of self explanatory. NOT made out of plastic, made of Urethane (Hopefully)!
High quality high price: Orangatang wheels $55+; great wheels, Cruising wheels
High quality medium price: No Skoolz $35+; sliding wheels
Low quality low price: Trashy amazon wheels $5-$15; usually plastic, off center/wobbly
These wheels can be purchased at their maker's webpage
Hardware: holds the trucks tight on to the board.
Hardware can be purchased at Ace Hardware, Menard's, Home Depot, or any other hardware store.
All of the products listed above are only .0001% of all Wheels, Bearings, and Trucks out there. Go for anything that you like, but this is a good guide to get you started.
Check me up on Google Plus!
Bearings: This is the part that holds the wheels on to the trucks. The higher ABEC (see terminology) number, the faster and more precise they are.
High quality high price: Bones Swiss/Super Swiss $35-$45; Very nice, noiseless, smooth as heck
Medium/ high quality medium price: Bones Reds $15-$20; Still very nice, barely audible, semi-smooth
Low quality low price: any bearing on amazon $5-$10; Crappy, or fall apart, loud, bumpy, heat up FAST
To find bearings just go on amazon (beware of chinese knockoffs) or go to the Bones site- http://bonesbearings.com/
Trucks: Holds bearings and wheels on to the board; basically just axles and steering. Some turn very well, others are stiff for bombing huge hills/mountains.
High quality medium price: Gullwings (not sidewinder) $50+; great quality, Trucks for average longboarders.
High quality medium price: Gullwing sidewinders $55+; Very turny, has 2 bushings so it turns twice as sharp as regular trucks. For these risers are recommended to avoid wheelbite.
High quality medium price: any Randal's $45+; I use these and they are pretty good trucks; all purpose.
High quality high price: Original $65+; built in risers, very turnable.
Low quality low price: Garbage amazon trucks $15-$35; either fall apart or do not turn or break.
Any of these trucks are available at their maker's webpage.
Wheels: kind of self explanatory. NOT made out of plastic, made of Urethane (Hopefully)!
High quality high price: Orangatang wheels $55+; great wheels, Cruising wheels
High quality medium price: No Skoolz $35+; sliding wheels
Low quality low price: Trashy amazon wheels $5-$15; usually plastic, off center/wobbly
These wheels can be purchased at their maker's webpage
Hardware: holds the trucks tight on to the board.
Hardware can be purchased at Ace Hardware, Menard's, Home Depot, or any other hardware store.
All of the products listed above are only .0001% of all Wheels, Bearings, and Trucks out there. Go for anything that you like, but this is a good guide to get you started.
Check me up on Google Plus!
Hey Reed, you wrote nice post about longboard parts and their quality. One must care about this and make sure to buy the best parts to make their new Longboard Skateboard.
ReplyDeleteYes they sure do! Don't want your board coming loose when your grinding the streets!
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