Tutorial on choosing a Longboard Distance Pushing and Freeride Skateboard

Information on choosing a Longboard Skateboard for Long Distance Pushing and Freeride skateboarding.

[@patrickmetcalf3147]

My aunt recently passed do to a disease called scylroma i plan on doing a skate for scylorma ride here during the summer. I will be riding from one side of ohio to another. Thank you for this video this will help out allot!

[@michellandegent5957]

Sorry to hear that News Bro! Appreciate your comment though and will keep you and your family in my prayers... Also glad that any info on my Channel will be useful to you... I've been away from the channel recently due to my marriage last December, but things are sorting out, and I will be putting out more information in months to come. One thing that hasn't slowed down is my desire to have fun and Skateboard and Longboard every chance I get.... Keep on Rolling Bro, and I pray the best for you and your family... Sincerely Michel.

[@stephenfernald2490]

Another great video. Thanks

[@michellandegent5957]

Thanks for your comment. I will be expanding the information and tutorials soon, after I get settled, since I just returned back at home from a trip and I'm looking forward to sharing more info I've been taught and experienced over the last few months.

[@michellandegent5957]

In my opinion the steam rollers are useful for a top mount deck, especially for grip and a somewhat smooth ride. I've also seen some out of the box uses of the steam rollers at a skate park I practice it. There's this crew that uses a slightly small flex deck (like 7-8" wide and 30" long with a tight wheelbase like 14" ) They use small trucks and they rip the park surf style skate. Deck I mentioned has NO kicks. But for me the steam rollers would be for a Street Luge or someone how wants to haul DH Down Hill and the road doesn't require much sliding like Maryhill in Washington. And most would use a top mount deck or the contact patch of the steam rollers can work on most micro deck top mount decks and a few 1" drop decks due to available clearance. Hope that helps. M.

[@JaysWorld92]

I started longboarding about 3 years ago. I love it. I'm on my third one (Santa Cruz King Lion w/drop thru trucks.) It's a beast and the wheels are excellent for tough roads. Great video!

[@michellandegent5957]

Jayson Thanks for sharing what your rolling and appreciate the comment!

[@freeone1545]

Man I've been looking for something I use a pintail 18 miles aday 6 days a week for work. I've been looking for some direction to have a smoother easier faster ride thanks for the information

[@michellandegent5957]

FREE ONE Thanks for your comment, and glad you found some info useful. I’ve been testing different set ups for months now and plan on putting out clips again to share some set ups that performed really well... What I like best is modifying lame skateboards into something that’s super fun to ride. I’m into boards that carve really well on tight streets , but still have decent stability for brake checks and also pump/ gyrate speed without kicking. 9 and 10 ply Canadian maple are my decks of choice since I convert to drop thru and hog out wheel wells for clearance... Much more to share, which will be in the new videos... thanks again!

[@vclkufxxbgfdfe]

my magneto lowrider glider showed up today. its unique and seems pretty fun so far

[@vclkufxxbgfdfe]

what do you recommend for flatlanders. ive done the crazy downhills in out west and more just want fun cruising boards now

[@Robotindisguise25]

So I started longboarding in September and really want to get into sliding and freeride. I plan on getting a new board for my birthday in May, but I’m unsure of what would be good for me. Right now the two I’ve narrowed it down to are the Landyachtz Switchblade and a Loaded Tan Tien. Which would you say is going to work out better for me, and if you have another recommendation what board would you suggest looking at?

[@michellandegent5957]

Turkinator25 Your question motivated me to look at what’s out right now, and it’s really hard to nail what would work best for you. Both the decks are sorta short for me as I’m 5’10”. So unless you’ve skated lots of Park on a short 32” deck or if your a shorter skater like around 5 foot then I’d pass on both... I would choose a drop thru deck as many of the double drops will have you scrubbing your heels when you start sliding unless you stiffen the bushings.

[@michellandegent5957]

Adding to my last comment, is that I prefer decks with a mellow concave, which makes using the edges with my feet hanging over more comfortable and from the looks of things many decks are just too aggressive with their concave for me.

[@michellandegent5957]

As a guideline for a skater like myself if I was a beginner, I’d choose a strictly drop thru deck at least 9.75” wide and no more than 10”. Also a wheel base of no less than 30” and no more than 31”. When you start rolling top mount decks then 28” wheel base is great. Wheel base is measured from inside holes of truck mounts on deck. A smaller width like 9.5” is great if your just learning... Another factor is your weight and then choice of wood or composite... I like wood since sometimes I modify wheel wheels. 9 ply maple is my preferred deck build. Hope that helps some...

[@BornsBallergies]

That blue and brown Madrid board you showed that has the double drop style is sweet. Do they still make that board? Or does any company have one that’s very similar to it?

[@michellandegent5957]

BornsBallergies I checked out Madrid’s inventory and didn’t see that deck. It’s been a few years since I made that clip and have rolled hundreds of hours, including the Madrid set up, and would now say it’s more of an entry level straight line starter board.The reality is that it turns like a Pig... Slow and weak. My number one deck I learned on the most was a Bustin drop thru longboard deck. Something like 30.50” wheel base measured from inside truck mount holes.10” wide with a mellow concave. That deck was 9 ply solid maple and carved sweeeet! !

[@suntoryjim]

I'm building a skogging board out of a 41" drop-down deck (2" drop) and TKP trucks. Is there any benefit to de-wedging the back trucks if I don't anticipate going any faster than a jogger's pace?

[@michellandegent5957]

Suntoryjim With 2” of drop you might be limited to wedging as you have to consider wheel bite (when carving the wheel digs into the edge of the board). Wedging was the old school way of changing board dynamics when there were less deck shapes available and also widely used by slalom skaters. Another problem with wedging is that it will change the height of the deck to being taller or lower on one end. Your best mod for stability would be with an upgrade of bushings. I prefer Riptide Sports bushings and using the right Combination will give you either more stability or better turning, but again you need to always check for wheel bite. Stand on the edge of the deck compressing as far as it can go, and make sure wheel doesn’t tag deck. My preference is solid 9 ply Canadian Maple decks so that I can modify deck wheel wells some, until I believe strength is compromised. Hope that helps some.

[@WarrenSL]

I liked the video, keep spreading the good word. I'm thinking of making a "schlong board" out of a skate board deck and a set of trucks laying around, any advice on cutting out the deck and truck mounting?

[@michellandegent5957]

Warren SL Thanks for your comment and noticing the channel, as its fun to learn and share such an awesome affordable sport! On the Schlong board set-up I can point out a few things for you. Obviously the deck is double kick and the primary purpose will be commuting straight line on the flats (level ground). Since your probably going to put this together with extra parts laying around I'll pass on saying wider trucks will benefit stability and can reduce cutting the deck. Since I don't know the Angle of the kicks I'm just going to say look at how the board will sit after you choose your wheel size. I would definitely recommend side-set (hub on wheel has bearing on one wheel edge) hubs for your wheels as this will give you the most clearance to help eliminate wheel-bite. And picking 70mm wheels will work great. Bigger wheels will be a bigger problem with wheel-bite. Redoing trucks with harder durometer riptide bushings will also help you dial in the deck.

[@vclkufxxbgfdfe]

post your crazy boards man. i have been thinking about buying a unique skateboard. lets raise some funds!

[@michellandegent5957]

Appreciate your idea, but had to put my longboards on the back burner, with current priorities.... thanks anyway.

[@gonza2j]

Hello Michel, I recently got in to longboarding and have been trying a few set ups with trucks, wheel size, drop through and bottom mounted trucks. Also, my deck of choice to start was the Landyatchtz battle axe, Ronin trucks and the sector 9 steamroller wheels. tried the drop though mounting but I started to get wheel bite on the carve but then tried them mounted underneath the board and put a 1/8 riser and worked better with no wheel bite. My question is if you consider the Ronin's good for street cruising and carving or are they just flat out for bombing hills?

[@michellandegent5957]

Hi Jose; Thanks for noticing the video, and your main question of performance of Ronin trucks (assuming your talking about the Cast version trucks) for cruising and carving would be that they are Absolutely fine for cruising. I've run a few sets and they can work well for cruising with the right bushing set up even though they are 42.50 degree trucks I believe? I'm thinking I've had 44 degree as well a few years back but I could be wrong on that. The axle is raked so turning is better than you would expect on a slower turning truck (50 degree is standard for RKP trucks like the Ronin for all purpose longboarding). The key is truck bushings though) Obviously the Ronins shine at high speed with the stability feature. The wheelbase on your battleax is fine for these trucks to work well also. But I think your shooting yourself in the foot with the steam roller wheels as they have a 70mm contact patch (crazy wide) so I would save them for another set-up and get some side set wheels ( 70mm is fine) 75mm if you have the clearance. Side set hub will put the wheels a little farther out as well and depending on wheel-bite and height of wheels a 38-52mm contact patch is fine. As a cruiser set-up being as low to the ground is where I would want to be at. Making the board tall, just sorta kills the cruiser thing for me personally.... Hope that helps. M.

[@michellandegent5957]

But I will add that the drop-thru doesn't make your set up super low, and still gives you plenty of clearance for carving without your heals or toes dragging the streets ( beginners keep their feet almost entirely on the deck, but experience has you hanging your heals and or toes over the deck edges) unlike some Long Distance Pushing set-ups that are designed for more straight line cruising and horrible to carve for advanced Longboard rollers. Just want to emphasize that deck height can make cruising distances easy and fun, so swapping the wheels would be a priority for myself. Thanks again for your comment...

[@gonza2j]

Michel, what stiff longboard decks do you recommend for the steam rollers?

[@jacobtoomey740]

If anyone could help me out, what would be the ideal board and wheels for long distance cruising? Just getting from place A to place B most efficiently.

[@michellandegent5957]

Jacob Toomey Simple question opens up a cabinet of answers... But I’ll focus specifically to what you wrote on preference. For long distance cruising as a start up deck, I would choose a double drop deck which will help build confidence with a low deck height. Double drop; trucks thru the deck and a deck transition of an inch is good. Anything more than an inch on a double drop will have you dragging heels and toes when carving. 31” wheel base measurement from inside deck holes for trucks is great for most people 5’4”-6’ height. Deck width Nothing narrower than 9”, and 9.50 is good, 10” is for more experienced. and beginners tend to like a narrow deck for easier edge control. At least 8 ply deck. Concave of deck should also be mellow for easier stance on edges. Stay away from “W” decks and Rocker decks or decks with a Camber. Go with 76mm wheels off set. with a 78 durometer and you can still learn brake checks on hills. Paris 180mm trucks are good for starting out. And go to your local shop and tell them what your looking for. Good luck, and hope that helps

[@darealberrygarcia]

Why stay away from W decks?

[@chrismano7435]

what about the flex degree of a long distance pushing board?

[@michellandegent5957]

Chris Mano Good question and one that I can only answer from personal experience. I’m 5’10” at 190lbs and having tried numerous set ups from 9 ply to 7 ply decks with countless wheelbases, including truck widths and wheel sizes, not to mention bushing compressions, it’s hard to advice what’s best for you, especially since I don’t know the distance and or terrain you roll. So here’s some basic guidelines that I go by with flex on the terrain I roll. I prefer narrow trucks like 150-160 mm especially since they work better for some pumping/ gyrating on board. 8 ply has some give and makes for a comfortable push. Wheelbase/ inside measurement between trucks 30” and not more than 31” 5/8” lesser number makes for squirly and longer makes it turn bad. 9” wide adds to the flex progression which adds to a softer deck feel. Personally I like a bit of concave because pumping the deck on mild transitions is fun! Good luck...

[@jochemkruizinga7839]

What do you think of the 'longboard Larry pusher 2.0', is it a good long distance board?

[@michellandegent5957]

Sultanazzz Broers I checked the images out, and from what I saw, its a good deck for LDP with wheels 80mm and larger, and has a decent wheel-base 32" which doesn't restrict carving too much in the big picture, however my concern is with the transition drop not having the height I would prefer, since on the marathons I race, their have been a few times when I over-shoot the front edge and without having the transition edge going up some, you can step on the wheel. Now don't get me wrong, since many people kick/ push all day long without stepping on the front wheel when re-entering the board. And one more note, I personally don't like flex-y decks, bit others like it.

[@michellandegent5957]

Sultanazzz Broers My comment concerning the transition drop is not the middle section, as I was referring to the outside sides of the drop transition. Some decks take the sides off for wheel-bite clearance and I like the outside of the transition to be taller like the Landyachtz switch 40.,

[@alexh4273]

Beginner here I’m 5.6 160lb which complete longboard do u suggest for beginner Or a setup I’ll only be using it from point A to point B everyday

[@michellandegent5957]

AlexH42 Thanks for noticing the clip and the short answer with my experience is a deck 9-9.50” wide with a wheelbase of 30-30.50” for you. Wheelbase is the measurement from the inside bolt hole of each truck. The distance inside truck mounting holes is a standard for measuring wheelbase. For transportation I would definitely pick a drop down/ drop thru deck. Drop of 1” is fine and obviously truck base goes thru the top of deck with the hanger attached after putting base thru top of deck. Get wheels with a 78a urethane and 76mm is the best all purpose size for the double drop deck I suggested. Paris V2 trucks will be fine, as those trucks turn easily and bushings will be okay for your weight. Hope that helps. PS if you plan on ripping hills, then I would not get a drop deck, but rather just a drop thru deck and run 70mm wheels.

[@michellandegent5957]

AlexH42 I would also suggest finding a deck that’s 100% Canadian hard rock maple. Deck should be at least 8ply which is common. Having a multi layer wood deck will allow you to use a belt sander to hog on the wheel well area if you have a clearance issue which would result in getting wheel bite when carving a turn. Wheel bite is the result of the wheel locking into the deck when your carving a turn... Very bad! But with a wood deck you can easily hog out a little bit of the deck for the clearance you need when carving. Some decks with trucks and wheels will just fit right and others need some small mods. I hope to be kicking out some tutorials for performance this summer. I moved to the mountains and now have a garage shop to make the videos so much easier... Performance tips coming soon... Hope that helps

[@sooakim8871]

I have been searching for my first long board and came to some sort of a conclusion with these two boards. Between Landyachtz switchblade and 9two5, which one would be better for me as a beginner? If you have any other suggestions please let me know. I am looking for a all-around longboard (cruising, dancing, sliding, freestyle)

[@michellandegent5957]

Soo A Kim I definitely think the best choice of the two selections you gave me, would be the Landyachtz 9 two 5. The switchblade has a narrow feel to it for a longboard, unless you've been skating a popsickle for a few years ( Skate Parks). The wheel base is only 29" plus you have both the drops to deal with making the standing platform even smaller and the deck has a W concave so that can also me irritating for beginners, especially when pushing distance. The 9 two 5 might take a few more weeks to get use too, with a slightly taller ride height, but in the end, you'll be able to progress much farther on that deck after you get use to it....

[@sooakim8871]

michel Landegent Thank you! couple more questions, would I still be able to do tricks on 9 two 5? I heard it is harder with longer boards. Also I was looking at switch 35 & 40 what difference does length of the board gives? would either 35 or 40 work better than 9 two 5?

[@michellandegent5957]

Soo A Kim No worries on your question. So here's the Short of the answer; If your a beginner, a longer board is better to learn on as its more stable. Unless your like 5 feet tall, then the longer deck is better. One skateboard deck isn't going to be great for everything and since your a beginner, learning to kick/ push on the flats is where it starts, and then control carving down hills, then progress to brake checks down hills, then progress to sliding down hills. Then progress to adding speed to your sliding, which transforms you into a DH skater (Down Hill skater) and you've not even begun to learn to ride switch. So tricks can come, after you start owning basic skills

[@michellandegent5957]

Soo A Kim And then your question about switch 35 and 40; the Switch is basically an LDP deck/ Long Distance Pushing. The deck sits way to low for using the easiest wheels to learn sliding on, which would be 70mm. The difference between the two decks is that the switch 35 is better for a short person, and the 40 is better for someone like from 5' 6" and taller. If you have short legs, the switch 35 might be good, and like i responded earlier; If you have lots of time on a Skate Park deck, then riding the 35 switch would probably work. But the 40 switch is better for the majority of beginners. Seriously saying that I think the Landyachtz 9 two 5 is going to give you the most bang for your buck and you will have a deck to progress really well. If you were local and a member of the club I run SDSLRC you could contact me, and demo a bunch of decks to see what fits you for free, and I did purchase a run of decks similar to the 9 two 5 for club members and for prizes of our raffle drawings at events. Anyway hope this helps you some...

[@sooakim8871]

michel Landegent Thank you so much I decided to go with 9 two 5! I would love to join the club but unfortunately I live in the east coast... but thanks for helping me out with the boards, I was so lost with all these different types of boards to pick from

[@michaelzilio4268]

What you mean with "free ride"(?) Downhill??

[@michellandegent5957]

Rc Michael Thanks for your comment, and DH or Downhill is a longboard skater ripping down the road carrying the most speed he can negotiating the hill/ mountain he’s going down the road transition of straights and curves. Whereas Free ride down hill is a mixture of brake checks and slides with a more controlled flow of going down the road, without being on a mission to go fast as possible and or Free ride down hill can also include more advanced maneuvers of manuals/ wheelies or Ollie’s/ like a bike bunny-hop or a variation of slides like 360’s or rotating slides from switch to regular. For the most part Freeride is a long boarder or Skater being creative on how they want to enjoy the run down the hill. Hope that clarifies the answer for your question

[@MarkCranerium]

I am 55. Will I shatter like a wheat thin if I ride a longboard and take a tumble?

[@michellandegent5957]

I would like to say NOT… But your background is what counts, like have you been active? Running, Surfing, Backpacking, trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking, bmx, ball sports, etc… So if you can answer yes to any of that, you should be good! I’m 62 now and Rip MTB at the Downhill Park at Snow Summit multiple times a week… Its a lifestyle, and it’s the same with rolling Longboards… Which I still enjoy doing. Good Luck!

[@therider6926]

Hello! I'm a 35 years old beginner. I'm looking for a board to cruise around town and take nice long ride on the bike paths. I currently have a 30'' cruiser with deep concave and weel wells. it's a nice board but I have trouble Learning foot placement and rotating my front foot when transitioning from pushing to standing on it becose of said concave and wells. Braking is a bit hard too becose the board feels tall. (beginner's opinion here). I came across your video while searching for a longerboard to learn on first. After much shooping a couple of models catched my attention: sector nine striker, lookout, Dropper landyachtz switch, switchblade, drop Hammer, drop carve. What do you think would be the best?

[@michellandegent5957]

The Rider Without looking at your suggestions, my quick answer would be to find a drop thru deck, with a micro drop at the most, if you want to incorporate any drop into the deck (if your having trouble identifying where your feet are, but their are implants that you can make or buy that go under the grip tape to be a guide as well.) and having the deck to low (depending on the size wheels you run) can cause you to scrub your heels and or toes when carving or beginning to do brake checks. I can say that hands down the number one deck for me was a Bustin drop thru, with like 30.50" wheelbase (measurement from inside deck holes). Deck was 10" wide with very very mild concave, and I'm 5'10" tall 200lbs. I like All Maple 9 ply decks due to the ability to hog out wheel wells with a belt sander if I need to modify to eliminate wheel bite.

[@michellandegent5957]

And the problem with me looking at your suggestions, is that I can't see your stance on the deck to see if its either too long or short. Wheel wells can be an issue because I don't know the trucks and wheels you are using so wheel bite can be an issue. So when I give you answer after looking at the decks, I want you to be sure its only a guess on my part, because of the factors I mentioned earlier. Should add that Concave can also be deceiving from only an image view from my perspective. And then I'm not entire sure of the terrain your going to roll? Are you sticking to the flats? Lots of hills or not? What are your goals of how far you want to progress... Ultimate goals for you are? Anyway I'll look at your choices in curiosity but again... its only going to be a guess.

[@michellandegent5957]

The Rider The Sector-9 stiker if you buy it with its intended trucks is a fun little cruiser to hit the liquor store or a bike path with flat ground. The trucks I'm referring to are the Gull Wing sidewinder (dual King pins) and have a pretty good Pump action when you have a little 10-15mph speed. But sidewinders are taller than most RKP (reverse King Pin) trucks and the deck is small for any serious DH (Down Hill) stuff. The deck is also flexy which is another factor that leans towards the preference of the Skater, and not the best for heavier people (200 lb plus some.

[@michellandegent5957]

The Rider Sector-9 Lookout is a good flat ground beginner board with decent dimensions, but its Bamboo, which I personally can't stand. Too much flex and I had issues with Bamboo before with durability.

[@michellandegent5957]

The Rider Sector-9 dropper is OK for a person up to about 5' 8" or smaller. But I like the 9 ply maple. It has a micro drop, so its on the border of scrubbing your heels with 65mm wheels or smaller. But its not a bad deck compared to a lot on the market for medium sized people's...

[@Daapix]

Whitch truck are you reccomend to ldp (pushing)

[@michellandegent5957]

The truck I would choose would have to complement the type of deck I’m using and type of terrain I’m going to roll and what type of wheels I’m also planning on using? So I can give you a tip, if you let me know what type of deck you have, and wheel choice/ size and contact patch, and is the terrain all flat?

[@Daapix]

@@michellandegent5957 i have zenit az dropped deck with New dad bod orangatang wheel and ill ride on classic road i tought to buy paris truck but idk

[@michellandegent5957]

@@Daapix You can’t go wrong with Paris trucks… They perform great out of the wrapper and can be dialed in with some legit bushings from Riptide Sports! What you don’t want is trucks that bring the deck down so low, that you end up dragging your heels or toes on the road when carving/ turning, and or trucks that are too narrow giving you wheel bite when carving a turn (wheels needs clearance from deck when carving, or else they bite into deck and rider goes flying away…)

[@dieseiner]

whats the madrid deck called?

[@michellandegent5957]

Been awhile since I acquired that Madrid deck, but what I can say is that it’s the slowest carve deck ever… it perfect if you want to be low and want to generally go in a straight line.

[@dieseiner]

@@michellandegent5957 thx man. i just like the look and shape. but yeah, I guess its not the turniest deck over all.

[@swissguy101]

do you let mormons join the club ?

[@michellandegent5957]

Kenny Hempson haha. Look Bro... I'm not the religious police. People can follow whatever religion they want, as I'm a believer in the Lord and follow NO religion, however I do read my Bible and live a life trying to be Cool to people. So if your a Mormon, it's all good man! The club is open to anyone that is Chill and likes to roll....

[@NodakSavage]

That is the way to be. Not a fan of organized religion, but I do believe in God. Thanks for your videos, I've been watching them back to back during some down time at work. Appreciate it

[@michellandegent5957]

Right on Brah! My faith has been a personal journey from the age of 18 and 40 years later I'm humbled by the personal relationship God allows me to have with him, and his Son. I have absolutely NO agenda. other than in sharing the Gift that has been given to me, which is a personal relationship with God, that he asks me to tell others about, if they are interested. . I still blow it, but I try my best to accept and love others (God's love/ Patient Kind/ Not jealous/ not demanding or insistent on my wants/ etc..) who are my friends, and also do my best to Not hate those who are haters. Bottom line. I only did one thing right in my life, and that was I tried to read the Bible, throughout my life, because I read that if I seek him, then I will find him. And Faith comes from receiving the message of good news, the message of Jesus Christ! Keep on keeping on, and the day will arrive when his presence of love can change any and all confusion on who he is. It is written; May you experience the love of Christ though it is so great that you will never fully understand it, but then you will be filled with the life and power that comes from God. WORD.

[@tmahendr]

Whats the Madrid board called?

[@michellandegent5957]

I searched and could only find a version of that deck from Madrid, longboardsusa.com/products/madrid-longneck-giraffe-bamboo-37-longboard