which board, trucks, bearings, and wheels should i get? Tips, tricks, advice?

[bigfoot3254]

im looking for a longboard for probably going to and from school... and just around to friend's houses maybe to work when i get a job... for sure ill try some tricks... but thats what i have a skateboard for... so it's not my determining factor...
i have some idea as to what i want but im not sure, because things can look great on paper, and then suck in real life... like guitars... you never know what u get if u buy one online... anyways... im gonna be forced to buy this online, seeing as i wont live near any skate shops...

my board: 36 - 40 inches, preferrably no wider than 8.5", concave, with a kicktail, some sweet graphics on the bottom wouldnt be half bad... also, im planning on putting the board together myself, so im going to order the parts seperately.. cost is no problem, but the price has to still be near a reasonable 170 - 250 or less... i was looking into the never summer norad... but im not sure, and also, i have no idea how much flex the board should have...

the trucks: i've persuaded myself into getting some holey trucks, but if you know of a better truck, or a major flaw in the holeys or something, im glad to hear it

the wheels: no idea... moderately soft? i just want a smooth quick ride... i know the basic soft = smooth, and hard = fast and durable... also... wheels are expensive.... very expensive

one last question... i used to skate, and i can snowboard, and i've ridden my friend's riviera board, but only for a little while... are there any tips that i need to know to help me get started?

[bigfoot3254]

*note, i like the blunt or pintail shape... not the typical speedboard look...

[Justride18]

im looking for a longboard for probably going to and from school... and just around to friend's houses maybe to work when i get a job... for sure ill try some tricks... but thats what i have a skateboard for... so it's not my determining factor...
i have some idea as to what i want but im not sure, because things can look great on paper, and then suck in real life... like guitars... you never know what u get if u buy one online... anyways... im gonna be forced to buy this online, seeing as i wont live near any skate shops...

my board: 36 - 40 inches, preferrably no wider than 8.5", concave, with a kicktail, some sweet graphics on the bottom wouldnt be half bad... also, im planning on putting the board together myself, so im going to order the parts seperately.. cost is no problem, but the price has to still be near a reasonable 170 - 250 or less... i was looking into the never summer norad... but im not sure, and also, i have no idea how much flex the board should have...

the trucks: i've persuaded myself into getting some holey trucks, but if you know of a better truck, or a major flaw in the holeys or something, im glad to hear it

the wheels: no idea... moderately soft? i just want a smooth quick ride... i know the basic soft = smooth, and hard = fast and durable... also... wheels are expensive.... very expensive

one last question... i used to skate, and i can snowboard, and i've ridden my friend's riviera board, but only for a little while... are there any tips that i need to know to help me get started?

i dont really like the speed board look either, as for starting off you should be fine, just have a good time.

for wheels you should get like 78a theyer nice and soft for all your transportation needs

probably go with something between 40 and 47 but thats just my opinion

[BUboarder]

...my board: 36 - 40 inches, preferrably no wider than 8.5", concave, with a kicktail, some sweet graphics on the bottom wouldnt be half bad...

sounds to me like you've pretty much described the Earthwing Superglider. 38" x 8.5" with a kicktail, and really nice concave. build really well--it'll take a lickin' and keep on tickin'! this is what the current gen model looks like --> http://earthwingshop.blogspot.com/ scroll down just a little bit...it's the black one with the white/red graphic

...the wheels: no idea... moderately soft? i just want a smooth quick ride...

Earthwing's own superballs are a great combo of size and softness. i really like them. they make a new version of the 70mm 78a ones with a rad looking spoked core. to me, that's the perfect size/duro combo for a nice cruiser. plus, with the radiused edge you can learn to slide! there's a pic and info further down that same earthwing page i linked in above

and i know you don't want to buy a complete, but seriously take a look at Mark's set-up of the superglider at Mile High Skates --> Mile High Skates
he tests all his set-ups to know how well they perform before he sells them. IMO, the holeys would be pretty wide for an 8.5 inch board of this shape. that's personal preference tho, but with some 180s you might run into problems with footbite while pushing.

[bigfoot3254]

thanks for recommending the superglider... it seems like it fits my needs... it seems like a really nice board... especially for $161.... (the complete) and i think for my 1st wheels im gonna try out the 78a's... then maybe when they wear out, experiment with softer or harder depending on how they feel...

about the trucks.. the way i measured it, where the trucks attach to the board, it's 6" across... about 153mm... with 180 mm there'd be about 15 to 20mm on each side sticking out... then add the wheel... 6 or 7 cm on each side... thats not too much... about 3 1/2 inches... i think ill be fine, because when i push, i push fairly far from the board... but now you've opened my eyes to footbite while turning... though it's mainly the back truck im concerned about... though i think ill be fine... ill have to check before i buy the larger trucks...

also i think ill still but the parts seperately, even if i do buy the same parts as Mark has listed...
but that could change... seeing as it might be a bit pricier doing it my way...

would the randal R-II 150 be better than the holey 180?

[bigfoot3254]

well i've decided now on buying a complete... maybe for my next board ill build it.. right now i just dont have any experience with which trucks are the best, and what wheels to buy...

my soon to be new board (in a couple of months when i finally move back to the US...):
EW superglide 38"
paris 180mm w/ 1/2 inch risers
dano's 77mm 78a RED
DBS abec7 bearings...
all for $159

changes i should make?