At X-Pro you can buy skateboards called longboards. They are designed for both downhill tricks and fun riding.
HOW TO CHOOSE A SKATEBOARD?
Seeing how many skateboards are currently on the market, it may seem that choosing the right one is a mission impossible... Even when looking for advice on the Internet, you will be faced with an abundance of information that will not always help you make the right choice. Especially if you buy a skateboard from an online store.
Here we will try to provide the information needed when choosing your first skateboard in a simple, concise and as clear way as possible.
Skateboards can be divided into 3 main groups:
Longboard type (long) skateboards
Skateboard (stunt) skateboards
Surfskate skateboards
The first question that needs to be answered when choosing a skateboard is how (in what style) you want to ride
LONGBOARDS
If you plan to go for a fun ride in the city or in the park with friends, go to school, work - in other words, get from point A to point B comfortably and coolly - choose a LONGBOARD type skateboard. These boards can also be used for various tricks.
Longboard type skateboards are divided into categories according to riding style:
- CRUISING (go from point A to point B). These boards are called CRUISER. They are usually a little shorter to make it easier to carry. Length 26"-32" inches. The wheels are large and soft - for greater driving comfort. Easy to handle, comfortable to drive and transport. A great first skateboard choice for both kids and adults!
- FREESTYLE. The essence of this style is to perform as many and as difficult tricks as possible. Although tricks can be performed with all Longboard type boards, specialized Freestyle skateboards are better suited for this, as they are longer, softer, with raised ends and usually symmetrical, i.e. works equally well on both sides. If you prefer tricks when the board is turned in the air (flips), you should choose shorter boards, because it will be easier to do such tricks with them.
- FREERIDE (high speed driving with sideslip initiation). This method is suitable for more experienced people, because it is fast and the board slides sideways in turns. The boards are harder, the wheels are also harder.
- Downhill (descent at high speed from the mountain). It is an extreme discipline, similar to Freeride but requiring even greater experience and skills. Special protective equipment required (helmet, etc.)
Although LONGBOARDS are divided into categories according to riding style, and the boards come in various lengths and shapes, it is not really worth looking into it too much when choosing your first skateboard. All styles have similarities and "overlap" each other.
The point is that to start skateboarding, all types of Longboards are suitable . Simply choose the board on which you feel best (safest, most stable). In other words, it's best to try a skateboard before you buy it. You can do this in our physical Xpro and Surfwax stores in Vilnius or Kaunas. We know from experience that after trying different types of skateboards, customers quickly feel which board suits them best.
If you don't have the opportunity to come to us, but you want to buy a skateboard in our e-stores www.xpro.lt or www.surfwax.lt - no problem! Just call us at numbers on our websites and we will help you make the right choice!
SKATEBOARD
or trick skateboards or "skates" - a type of skateboard designed for riding in skateparks performing various tricks on ramps, obstacles or simply on a flat surface. It is the most technical discipline of skateboarding, requiring the most effort and skill. However, at the same time, these skateboards are also suitable for beginners, because you can simply ride them for fun, and you can learn tricks from the simplest step by step.
You can choose a trick skateboard fully assembled or assembled from parts (board, axles, wheels). We recommend that you fit the first skateboard already complete. When you gain experience and understand what style of riding you prefer, you can change only the wheels, axles or the board itself.
The first and main criterion for choosing the first "skeit" is the width of the board. In inches, it ranges from 7.25" to 8.5". It is chosen depending on the shoe size and riding style. Although this is not a very strict rule, but more a matter of getting used to it.
The optimal size for a first trick skateboard is + - 8” inches. Although if you choose a little narrower or wider, you won't really feel much difference in the beginning. We recommend 7.25-7.5" wide boards for children.
Board width.
If you ride most of the time on the street, you like tricks on a flat surface - the best width of the board will be 7.5-8". If you're going to spend most of your time in skateparks riding ramps and over obstacles, choose boards 8" and larger.
Wheels.
Their height is measured in millimeters and can be from 49 to 60 mm. When driving on the street (for tricks on a flat surface), the most suitable wheel size is 49-52mm. Smaller wheels will make it easier to perform tricks because the board will be more responsive and turn faster.
When riding on large ramps, larger wheels are better because they will give you more speed which will allow you to jump higher off the ramp and do more tricks in the air.
Another thing to consider when choosing wheels is their hardness. It is defined by numbers from 99 to 78 + -. The higher the number, the harder the wheels. Stiffer ones are more suitable for tricks where the board (casters) slip sideways, as well as more street riding. Softer - on the ramp, or where more grip control is needed. The best choice is something in the middle.
Axes.
The width of the axes must be the same as the width of the board. On new axles, their width is written in millimeters. Let's say 149mm axles are the most suitable for an 8" wide board.
Board form.
The variety of board shapes is very large, and it's really not easy to decide which board shape to choose...Some choose more curved boards (concave) because it's easier to do flip style tricks with them, others with more curved ends. However, after analyzing the opinions of many professionals and amateurs, it can be concluded that the shape of the board is more a matter of getting used to. Most of the time, the first board a skateboarder chooses (width and shape) is the one he rides until the end of his career...
SURFSKATE
From the name, you can guess that these skateboards have something to do with surfing. In fact, the technique of riding a Surfskate is very similar to the technique of surfing. Thanks to the special front axle, this skateboard can be turned to the side at a very large angle. Thanks to this, it is possible to move forward almost without resisting the foot. It is enough to resist once, and then just maintain the speed with circular movements of the body (shoulders). This allows you to travel long distances completely without resistance!
Because Surfskates are very maneuverable and the movements on them are very similar (in fact, they are almost identical!) to those of surfing, many professional and amateur surfers use these skateboards for shore training.
