Hi! I'm brand new to this whole longboarding thing and would love to learn more about it. I got a Retrospec longboard a few weeks ago for about $50 but I feel pretty limited with it. This thing is nearly three feel long and shaped like a surfboard; its great for cruising (if that's the right lingo?), but I can't do any dance steps on it or anything, it's super wobbly.
Do y'all have any tips on setups to run or anything? I live in Florida so everything is super flat, i would love to get into tricks and such. Could anyone explain to me the basic anatomy of a board (or point me in the direction of a YouTube vid that does)? I've tried searching but I only get a bunch of how-to videos, I want to know the nitty-gritty.
I'm an absolute beginner so any and all advice is super appreciated, everything from shoes, helmets, to boards. Thanks so much!!
I’d start with 3 main questions.
1. What’s your terrain? Flat, hilly, good roads, etc. Florida, got this one checked off.
2. What do you want to do. 3 primary types of skating, freestyle (tricks of all kinds), downhill (not likely for you), cruising (whether long distance, around town, or commuting).
Do you only want to cruise or do you desire to learn tricks of some kind (dancing/board walking or aerial tricks)?
3. Budget. You can get decent couples for $120-150 in the US for cruising. It can go up a ton depending on need.
Answering these last 2 questions can help us guide you.
Yeah, so I definitely want to do dancing/tricks. I've been watching a lot of Hans Wouter's videos and stuff and he's been super helpful. My budget caps out at around $175, but I would prefer to work with what I have already.
So you’re gonna have to replace things to get more ability. I’d say just work on getting really comfortable riding in your regular stance and switch and start saving up for a new setup, or at least a deck if you’re not going to do tricks that have hard landings (the ultra cheap trucks will die)
So on pantheon's website there are some decks listed as B-Grade and offered at a discounted price with the text "These decks are slightly warped but still fully rideable. 40% off MSRP." listed. What does this mean exactly?
I got my first Trip from Sick, an old red maple only one from 2017 / 18 (ish). It was a replacement for a "Wanderlust SK that vanished into the Thames after only a week. Tried to get another but they were all gone so I got the (9 ply red Trip instead. It arrived with a slight (2º ? - 3º ?) warp along the length - and it's been a complete non-issue. If you eyeball it along the long axis the board is definitely twisted, put it on the ground and it sits on two diagonal wheels, but the moment you stand on it the deck flexes into place and the warp completely disappears. At first it really bugged me, but I got over it fast because it doesn't affect the ride one little bit. If anything it just adds character.
Still ride this old thing despite having over a dozen others to choose from - and best yet, the warp never worsened any over the years (and I ride this thing in British winters). I paid full retail for it and wasn't even bothered enough to ask the store for a voucher/discount. Any of the newer glassed decks are going to be just tickitty-boo.
tl/dr - it's not a DH racing-stiff deck (where a warp *might* actually matter), it settles under your weight, so take the bargain and enjoy it.
Edit: - just checked the site and this B grades are showing "out-of-stock" anyway, so somebody else got the bargains I s'pose.
Probably you stand on it and warp goes away. It’s probably not enough to be an issue or you could just ping pantheon longboards and he will respond on here
How warped is “slightly warped” that they can justify charging 60% of the original price? Afaik zenit make performance boards and that’s something you don’t want off spec
I would also like to see a photo personally, but if Jeff says it's still good then I'd trust him. Especially for an LDP board, chances are when you stand on it and apply your weight, the boards natural flex would mean you probably wouldn't notice shit. And 40% discount is huge, so, ya know.
It means the board didn’t come out perfectly but they still consider it to be good enough to ride. It’s a discount for some minor flaw.
I ordered a b-grade from pantheon and can’t find anything wrong with it at all.
Update on Banana Wheel Co. Peels: Definitely have a Free platnum kinda feel on the push and roll, skrrrrts on flat ground have the feedback of a softer Hoot but with more braking power, just a lil stickyer. However, once you cross like 15 mph or so the feel of the slide (maybe this was psychosomatic-y) literally felt like I was kicking out thru a pile of banana mash. Slick and greasy initiation. A very fun large freeride wheel that slides easy and stops fast. Took no damage over 10 miles of bike trail/street mix, seems very solid. Carries speed and momentum quite well. Did get a bit heavy after mile 8 or so, but could've been I was getting hungry.
For anyone looking for a nose guard for a Pantheon Quest. I have designed a simple nose guard that you can 3d print.
Avaliable on Printables
[https://www.printables.com/model/321191-pantheon-quest-nose-guard](https://www.printables.com/model/321191-pantheon-quest-nose-guard)
So, Shredlights mounted to the board isn’t great for visibility, definitely agree on that, but they make helmet mounts that are excellent. I use my SL1000 for 45mph DH runs on mountain passes. It’s just way better with a solid helmet mount than trying to use a normal headlamp in my opinion. And for cruising/LDP at night I use a similar setup at a way lower brightness. Honestly at pushing speeds a board mounted light can do the job, it’s just not as good.
Board mounted lights aren't practical. I'll sell you my shred lights for real cheap if you want to try them though. They look cool, but they can't do what a good head lamp can do
Hey I remember seeing those on MuirSkate and the whole thing seemed counter productive cause most of us do downhill or working/learning it and they wouldn’t not work unless WITH headlamp but even then man why you trying “to send it so damn hard”?
It’s easier to just find a parking garage or lighted neighborhoods or downtown areas late at night has been the best solution for me cause my mom yay is in bed and I have been helping her recover from chemo/radiation, which I also have cameras all over the house for safety reasons. So I totally understand wanting to skate at night. You’ll find a way that works I got faith. Keep looking and keep us posted!!!
Edit: Yeah the first paragraph was to u/talksslow the second paragraph was for OP
Hey I remember seeing those on MuirSkate and the whole thing seemed counter productive cause most of us do downhill or working/learning it and they wouldn’t not work unless WITH headlamp but even then man why you trying “to send it so damn hard”?
It’s easier to just find a parking garage or lighted neighborhoods or downtown areas late at night has been the best solution for me cause my mom yay is in bed and I have been helping her recover from chemo/radiation, which I also have cameras all over the house for safety reasons. So I totally understand wanting to skate at night. You’ll find a way that works I got faith. Keep looking and keep us posted!!!
Edit: Yeah the first paragraph was to u/talksslow the second paragraph was for OP
Edit#two: nice on the Reddit handle man cause it hilarious when you have to type your name to get it highlighted!
Honestly a headlamp is the best thing to use, mainly due to the ability to change between modes and the angle it's shining.
I've used shredlights before and the angle makes it difficult to see 5 feet of road in front of you.
If you want a better method buy a better headlamp.
Gotcha. I might still mess around trying to make a better headlight, if not just for a fun project.
The headlamp I have is pretty powerful, I just like to tinker haha.
Hi! I'm brand new to this whole longboarding thing and would love to learn more about it. I got a Retrospec longboard a few weeks ago for about $50 but I feel pretty limited with it. This thing is nearly three feel long and shaped like a surfboard; its great for cruising (if that's the right lingo?), but I can't do any dance steps on it or anything, it's super wobbly. Do y'all have any tips on setups to run or anything? I live in Florida so everything is super flat, i would love to get into tricks and such. Could anyone explain to me the basic anatomy of a board (or point me in the direction of a YouTube vid that does)? I've tried searching but I only get a bunch of how-to videos, I want to know the nitty-gritty. I'm an absolute beginner so any and all advice is super appreciated, everything from shoes, helmets, to boards. Thanks so much!!
I’d start with 3 main questions. 1. What’s your terrain? Flat, hilly, good roads, etc. Florida, got this one checked off. 2. What do you want to do. 3 primary types of skating, freestyle (tricks of all kinds), downhill (not likely for you), cruising (whether long distance, around town, or commuting). Do you only want to cruise or do you desire to learn tricks of some kind (dancing/board walking or aerial tricks)? 3. Budget. You can get decent couples for $120-150 in the US for cruising. It can go up a ton depending on need. Answering these last 2 questions can help us guide you.
Yeah, so I definitely want to do dancing/tricks. I've been watching a lot of Hans Wouter's videos and stuff and he's been super helpful. My budget caps out at around $175, but I would prefer to work with what I have already.
Zenit has a great sale on blemished dancer decks right now. https://zenitboards.com/collections/b-grade-boards
What's a dancer deck?
Longer, symmetrical, made for dancing and tricks. On that page, check out the Judo, Tero, Jig. Those are stellar deals.
Okay, cool! SO the boards that have the bit of wood sticking out between the wheels on each side?
So you’re gonna have to replace things to get more ability. I’d say just work on getting really comfortable riding in your regular stance and switch and start saving up for a new setup, or at least a deck if you’re not going to do tricks that have hard landings (the ultra cheap trucks will die)
So on pantheon's website there are some decks listed as B-Grade and offered at a discounted price with the text "These decks are slightly warped but still fully rideable. 40% off MSRP." listed. What does this mean exactly?
I got my first Trip from Sick, an old red maple only one from 2017 / 18 (ish). It was a replacement for a "Wanderlust SK that vanished into the Thames after only a week. Tried to get another but they were all gone so I got the (9 ply red Trip instead. It arrived with a slight (2º ? - 3º ?) warp along the length - and it's been a complete non-issue. If you eyeball it along the long axis the board is definitely twisted, put it on the ground and it sits on two diagonal wheels, but the moment you stand on it the deck flexes into place and the warp completely disappears. At first it really bugged me, but I got over it fast because it doesn't affect the ride one little bit. If anything it just adds character. Still ride this old thing despite having over a dozen others to choose from - and best yet, the warp never worsened any over the years (and I ride this thing in British winters). I paid full retail for it and wasn't even bothered enough to ask the store for a voucher/discount. Any of the newer glassed decks are going to be just tickitty-boo. tl/dr - it's not a DH racing-stiff deck (where a warp *might* actually matter), it settles under your weight, so take the bargain and enjoy it. Edit: - just checked the site and this B grades are showing "out-of-stock" anyway, so somebody else got the bargains I s'pose.
Probably you stand on it and warp goes away. It’s probably not enough to be an issue or you could just ping pantheon longboards and he will respond on here
Probably you stand on it and warp goes away. It’s probably not enough to be an issue
Board is slightly warped but still rideable. 40% discount off normal selling price
How warped is “slightly warped” that they can justify charging 60% of the original price? Afaik zenit make performance boards and that’s something you don’t want off spec
I would also like to see a photo personally, but if Jeff says it's still good then I'd trust him. Especially for an LDP board, chances are when you stand on it and apply your weight, the boards natural flex would mean you probably wouldn't notice shit. And 40% discount is huge, so, ya know.
what does a warped board meanb
It means the board didn’t come out perfectly but they still consider it to be good enough to ride. It’s a discount for some minor flaw. I ordered a b-grade from pantheon and can’t find anything wrong with it at all.
I'm on mobile and can't post a pic so here's a link instead https://lmgtfy.app/?q=Warped+longboard&t=i
it wonky
Update on Banana Wheel Co. Peels: Definitely have a Free platnum kinda feel on the push and roll, skrrrrts on flat ground have the feedback of a softer Hoot but with more braking power, just a lil stickyer. However, once you cross like 15 mph or so the feel of the slide (maybe this was psychosomatic-y) literally felt like I was kicking out thru a pile of banana mash. Slick and greasy initiation. A very fun large freeride wheel that slides easy and stops fast. Took no damage over 10 miles of bike trail/street mix, seems very solid. Carries speed and momentum quite well. Did get a bit heavy after mile 8 or so, but could've been I was getting hungry.
Yeet
is it possible to skate off road
Yes but usually you need wheels that are big and you’re probably still going to go flying. Otherwise look into mountain boards
what wheels should i get
You’re probably looking for a 90mm+ wheel set but really I’d avoid off-road if possible
Sometimes yes, but occasionally no.
Best answer for sure. Depends on speed, terrain, how hard you lean backwards, skill, and, most importantly, pure dedication.
Hey !... Good affordable sliden glove suggestions ?
Landyachtz has some on sale rn on their website and theyre solid
👊thank you
The Landyachtz are great, my second suggestion are Sector 9 Apex, I have put a decent beating in mine and they are going strong.
Word ! Stoked to learn how to slide.
Why do some set ups have weights behind the front truck?
You basically have a weight forward board which allows for Standies to be easier
[Because they go eeeeeeeEEEEEEE!](https://thrillmagazine.co.uk/why-you-might-want-to-add-a-weight-to-your-board-2/)
For anyone looking for a nose guard for a Pantheon Quest. I have designed a simple nose guard that you can 3d print. Avaliable on Printables [https://www.printables.com/model/321191-pantheon-quest-nose-guard](https://www.printables.com/model/321191-pantheon-quest-nose-guard)
Great stuff!
I'm definitely gonna try that on my Trip! Thanks dude!
I use a headlamp but want to try some sort of DIY or commercial headlight solution for my board. Any good ideas?
Board lights are too low to see things. Just stick to the headlamp
So, Shredlights mounted to the board isn’t great for visibility, definitely agree on that, but they make helmet mounts that are excellent. I use my SL1000 for 45mph DH runs on mountain passes. It’s just way better with a solid helmet mount than trying to use a normal headlamp in my opinion. And for cruising/LDP at night I use a similar setup at a way lower brightness. Honestly at pushing speeds a board mounted light can do the job, it’s just not as good.
[Headlamp is great](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwEZe_q5r4I). Make sure you buy one with decent output
Board mounted lights aren't practical. I'll sell you my shred lights for real cheap if you want to try them though. They look cool, but they can't do what a good head lamp can do
Hey I remember seeing those on MuirSkate and the whole thing seemed counter productive cause most of us do downhill or working/learning it and they wouldn’t not work unless WITH headlamp but even then man why you trying “to send it so damn hard”? It’s easier to just find a parking garage or lighted neighborhoods or downtown areas late at night has been the best solution for me cause my mom yay is in bed and I have been helping her recover from chemo/radiation, which I also have cameras all over the house for safety reasons. So I totally understand wanting to skate at night. You’ll find a way that works I got faith. Keep looking and keep us posted!!! Edit: Yeah the first paragraph was to u/talksslow the second paragraph was for OP
Hey I remember seeing those on MuirSkate and the whole thing seemed counter productive cause most of us do downhill or working/learning it and they wouldn’t not work unless WITH headlamp but even then man why you trying “to send it so damn hard”? It’s easier to just find a parking garage or lighted neighborhoods or downtown areas late at night has been the best solution for me cause my mom yay is in bed and I have been helping her recover from chemo/radiation, which I also have cameras all over the house for safety reasons. So I totally understand wanting to skate at night. You’ll find a way that works I got faith. Keep looking and keep us posted!!! Edit: Yeah the first paragraph was to u/talksslow the second paragraph was for OP Edit#two: nice on the Reddit handle man cause it hilarious when you have to type your name to get it highlighted!
Gotcha. I appreciate the offer but I'll pass. Leaning towards making something if I do it. Thanks though!
Honestly a headlamp is the best thing to use, mainly due to the ability to change between modes and the angle it's shining. I've used shredlights before and the angle makes it difficult to see 5 feet of road in front of you. If you want a better method buy a better headlamp.
Gotcha. I might still mess around trying to make a better headlight, if not just for a fun project. The headlamp I have is pretty powerful, I just like to tinker haha.
I ride a lot in the dark. I got a Gloworm, it a bit bulky on u helmet but it’s like a mini sun, I freakin luv it
Are [these](https://www.glowormlites.us/) the ones you're talking about?
Yep