A wide range of sports equipment for extreme leisure lovers puts the task of choice: that preferred is a skateboard or longboard. Let's try to figure out what their main differences are, and that of them is better suitable.
History of origin
Skateboarding as a sport originated in California. In the 50s of the twentieth century, someone from the surfing lovers in prolonged periods of lack of waves occurred to ride on the board, and on land. As a result, after some experiments on strengthening wheels, a skateboard appeared on the board. Small sizes on wheels on wheels allowing to perform tricks and slide on land like ocean waves, the love of local residents decreased shortness, and then spread around the world.
At first, the skateboard was used only as a means of movement - to get to school to the beach. This did not require a special skill, followed only to keep balance.
However, to improve maneuverability and slip on long distance, the board it was necessary to lengthen. So there appeared Longboards - a type of skateboard.
Longboards are more versatile - they are quickly gaining speed and due to greater inertia smoothes the road surface defects. Therefore, it is not only suitable for perfectly smooth asphalt, but also for such roads where the usual skate loses its maneuverability.
Since 1959, skateboards began to be produced on an industrial scale, and by the mid-1960s, skates reached the top of popularity. Making skates Makaha sold over 3 years over 59 million boards. Since the beginning of the 70s, skateboards design and materials for wheels, dec and suspension began to be improved. Skateboarders-professionals appeared, journals dedicated to skateboarding were published, video production was produced - training and advertising this sport.
So that skateboarding lovers do not depend on the weather popparises, covered skate parks began to appear, the first of which was opened in 1976 in Florida. Love for Skateborads began to cover the countries of Europe - France, Germany, England. In the sporting goods market there is a wide range of skateboarding accessories - shoes, gloves, baseball caps, protection. Clothing manufacturers produce whole rules dedicated to skateboarding. So, marching the world, skateboarding from adolescent passion turned into an integer industry.
In Russia, the skates for tricks came in 1989, When at the exhibition in LenExpo in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), equipment for skateboarding was presented and demonstrated speeches of professionals.
Since the beginning of the 90s, regular competitions on skateboarding are held in Russia, more and more young people are involved in a new sport, the Russian Federation of Skateboarding, in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov and some other cities are equipped with skate parks equipped with special ramps.
Differences in design and sizes
Note that Longboards differs from a skateboard not only size, but also design.
The skateboarding board is glued from the maple in 7-9 layers, and its strength depends on the number of layers. Deck width 18-23 cm, length no more than 80 cm. The quality and weight of the board also depends on the quality of wood and manufacturing technology. The board must have enough flexibility to perform tricks.
Little skateboard wheels and a small rigid suspension do not allow long walks on it, especially on uneven asphalt.
Trying to ride on it in the city, you will feel every pebble and throw on the road. In addition, it does not develop high speed.
Skateboard board is bent up in the nose and tail parts. This is necessary to perform tricks, such as flip.
Longboards more reminds his progenitor - Surfboard , He has a long, out of a rather soft and elastic material. The composition of the material and the form is such that they allow to absorb the existence of the depleted roads, and also easier to gain speed.
Skateboard design is aimed at achieving maximum lightness. Longboards is designed in such a way as to ensure maximum comfort with long trips on any coatings. This is achieved by the length of the deck (up to 1-1.5 meters) and its structure that gives the desired elasticity, as well as the form. The deck can be very direct or have a slightly raised tail. This type of laneborad is called kickettile.
Longboat wheels are greater in diameter than a skate, they can be soft or rigid, can have both rounded edges and straight. The suspension is high and wider compared to skateboard. Longboard deck itself is also not only longer, but also wider than Skate.
Thus, The main advantages of the Longboards are the ability to develop greater speed and good maneuverability. On the laneboard descent develops 30-35 km / h, and sustainability and excellent driving quality allow even beginners to achieve success in the development of this sport. Large wheels complete with movable high suspension provide softness and comfort in motion even on a not too smooth road. In addition, Longboards are available not only for adolescents and people of sports physique, but also for lovers to ride overweight, as they can withstand up to 100-110 kg.
For those who are looking for a golden middle, the Longboland and Skateboard hybrid called the cruiser. Its suspension is tougher than Longboat, but softer skateboard pendants, allows you to make some tricks, and also facilitates turns. Therefore, this board is optimal for urban skating.
Cruises are distinguished by large wide wheels, convenient for riding on uneven road surface, allowing to develop high speed with maximum comfort. Qualitatively made cruises can withstand weight up to 150 kg. Curved tail makes a cruiser adapted to perform tricks.
Cruisers are performed from solid wood or plastic. Plastic gives the beard good flexibility, but at the same time should be very durable. Plastic cruises have their own name - plastics. In addition to running qualities, plastic boards make it possible to diversity design, as it is easy to stain in various colors and are suitable for drawing. Plastboards have a smaller weight and are well suited for children.
The low weight and sizes of cruises, especially plastic, make them most convenient in carrying - fastened to a backpack or simply in a case.
Difference in destination
The decisive moment when choosing between Skate and Long - determine which style of riding you prefer.
If you like to perform tricks, jumping, spinning in the ramp, then your choice is a skateboard.
But it is not suitable for overcoming long distances, for a pleasure ride and high-speed descents. For all these joys, you should choose Longboards. It will be comfortable to roll on asphalt roads, like the surfer in the ocean. It will provide a soft gliding and ease in maneuvering, will allow you to overcome huge distances without difficulty. However, to perform tricks is an inappropriate tool. Although Longborad lovers invent different interesting directions in riding style.
But the skateboard in its classic form with a double-sided bend of the deck is best suited for various tricks, jumps and riding in the ramp!
Longboards having a smooth long deck, sometimes slightly curved in the tail. The shape of the deck depends on the destination - for descents from the slides or trips along the level road.
The cruiser differs from sided with a one-sided bend of the deck and a slightly large size. The main purpose of the cruiser is to ride through the urban streets, however, small jumps on it can also be performed. Large wheels and not too tough suspension allow you to achieve high speed, it is easy to travel to obstacles and overcome the irregularities of the road surface.
What to choose
Determine which board is best suited to you, will help you know the knowledge of your preferences, age and weight.
Longboards good for beginners , And also if you like big speeds and slopes from the hill, if you intend to ride in rough terrain, and not on specially equipped areas.
For beginners, a cruiser as a subspecies of the longboards can also be a good choice. It is not so hard as the original option, and perfectly suitable to lovers of walks around the city. For a child, the cruiser is convenient as a means of movement to school and back, allowing to save time that does not occupy a lot of space, as well as not requiring parking.
Skateboard with its ease and jumping can be the next step of the development of skiing skills. Having mastered the cruises of uncomplicated jumps, you can choose the next board to stay in a skateboard and improve your skills, glad by the speed and other advantages of the Skate.
Thus, If you prefer tricky skating - on special sites and in the ramp, stop the selection on a skateboard; for riding on descent and long distances, as well as high-speed skiing, choose a longboard; Well, if you want to combine long comfortable skating with simple tricks, you should choose a cruiser.
What is the difference between the Longboard, Skateboard or Cruiser, you can learn from the video.