Author Topic: Cost of Longboarding (Read 8032 times)

aglassman · « **on:** March 18, 2014, 12:07:23 PM »

I'm looking at getting a longboard for some around town exercise/transportation. I am looking at an Arbor Axis 40''. This would run me about $185 bucks. I know Arbor makes quality products, and this would last a long time. It would also retain it's resale value better than a cheap brand if I ever decide to sell. Are there any brands that are a great value for the dollar?

One other question I have for any longboarders out there. How fast do the wheels wear out? I've been reading of people burning through a set in 6-8 hours of riding. Is this mainly for soft wheels, or people who slide a ton? I don't think I'll be sliding, mainly just cruising, and some downhill. I'd prefer to get a set of wheels that will last, but still have good grip and carve-ability.

LanceBurkhart · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:32:44 PM »

Wheels last virtually forever these days, unless you're doing power slides. Wheels are where the rubber meets the road, so allocate extra money to them. Trucks and deck matter much less, in my opinion.

somepissedoffman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:44:29 PM »

I really liked my Kracked Skulls back in the day, it was one of the cheaper ones you could get with drop-through trucks, though I think the prices have gone up.

You might have luck with http://www.silverfishlongboarding.com/ for used gear?
Agreed on the wheels ^, should last a long time if you're not sliding.

DollarBill · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2014, 08:13:20 PM »

I was new to longboarding when I bought a sector 8 J-Bay and a Kahuna Big Stick. Loved the looks of the board but I found out that the wheels would hit the board causing a stoppage (Ate shit on the first big turn). Bought some raisers to help the turning radius but since the board lacks a tail I can't do quick turns and adjustments. Plus I would like to have a tail so I can slow down on it but maybe it's because I'm somewhat of a novice. You can slow down with the stick but it takes a lot of dragging.

Nords · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2014, 09:40:41 PM »

Quote from: aglassman on March 18, 2014, 12:07:23 PM

I'm looking at getting a longboard for some around town exercise/transportation. I am looking at an Arbor Axis 40''.

Heh. I thought you were talking about a different sort of longboard...

LanceBurkhart · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2014, 08:10:41 AM »

What are the dims on that pintail? Looks fun

aglassman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2014, 02:31:49 PM »

I'm looking at the sector 9 dropper now. A bit cheaper, and a bit less flexy than the Arbor. I'll throw a few extra bucks at the wheels since as Lance stated, "That's where the rubber meets the road".

Nords · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2014, 03:38:01 PM »

Quote from: LanceBurkhart on March 19, 2014, 08:10:41 AM

What are the dims on that pintail? Looks fun

It's a weird one. 10'0", only 22" wide, 3 1/8" thick. 8" single fin. The nose has a huge rocker and it's almost impossible to pearl.

I bought off Craigslist from a desperate seller who's getting divorced. He claims he wanted a longboard that rides like a gun so that he could take it into 20 feet at Waimea Bay. He'd had it custom-shaped by Cippy Cabato (who usually doesn't make pintails) and he'd never even had it in the water. The quality of the shaping and the finish is extraordinary, and I feel nervous about dinging it just walking it through the parking lot. Cippy retired and closed his shop last year, so I guess his boards are going up in value. I paid $400, and it's probably worth $1000-$1200.

It's a challenge. On one hand it's the jumpiest longboard I've ever ridden, and I'm still scrambling around on it to keep it trimmed. OTOH it takes off like a rocket and really carves. My days of Waimea 20-footers are behind me but I've had it in 10-footers at Chun's Reef and I'll be back for 14-16 this winter. It's also a nice smooth ride in two-footers, and it starts a lot of talk story on the beach.

It's like owning a Maserati: fast, fun to drive, looks great, chick magnet. But I hardly feel mature or responsible enough to take care of it...

arebelspy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2014, 06:20:41 PM »

Quote from: LanceBurkhart on March 19, 2014, 08:10:41 AM

What are the dims on that pintail? Looks fun

I understood none of that!

Some day...

:)

aglassman · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2014, 08:25:23 AM »

Haha, I was thinking the same. I know ziltch about surfing! Always wanted to try, but living in Wisconsin kind o puts a damper on that.

arebelspy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2014, 08:32:09 AM »

Puzzling over it now the next day, dims must be "dimensions" and pintail must be the green one with the pointy nose, yes? :)

aglassman · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2014, 09:03:57 AM »

*pointy tail : pintail

aglassman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2014, 09:06:55 AM »

Although it does have a pointy nose as well, good catch!

Nords · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2014, 11:27:52 PM »

Quote from: arebelspy on March 21, 2014, 08:32:09 AM

Puzzling over it now the next day, dims must be "dimensions" and pintail must be the green one with the pointy nose, yes? :)

Yep!

I've hijacked this thread enough-- I'll start a separate post on surfboard vocabulary.

Edit: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/off-topic/surfboard-vocabulary/

Melody · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2014, 08:59:53 AM »

I use a penny, (shortboard cruiser) here they sell for about $120, I got it off gumtree (like craigslist) for $40... maybe try craigslist? For just cruising around, the wheels seem pretty much perfect after 6 months... I ride to work approx 1x per week.
If you're crusing (and not hillbombing) why a long board? I find the shortboard way easier to use...

LanceBurkhart · « **Reply #15 on:** March 26, 2014, 12:16:00 PM »

That's a good point. In my experience, regular, 30-32" decks with normal nose and kick tail shapes can be a lot more user friendly than a super long, super bendy deck.

For a cruiser, I take a regular 31-33" x 8.0" to 9.0" deck, some soft, 60-70mm wheels, LARGE RISERS (.5 inch or more) and regular independent trucks. Some good wheel options here: https://www.muirskate.com/longboard/wheels/all/cruise

Just make sure your risers are thick enough, and your trucks tight enough, so that your wheels don't touch the deck on turns. That's called wheel bite, and you'll eat shit if it happens.

Nords, thanks for the details on that board. Crazy that you've charged 20 foot waimea! Legend!

Nords · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2014, 02:51:07 PM »

Quote from: LanceBurkhart on March 26, 2014, 12:16:00 PM

Nords, thanks for the details on that board. Crazy that you've charged 20 foot waimea! Legend!

You're welcome! I'm enjoying learning a whole new vocabulary here...

. · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2014, 03:05:27 PM »

Ha! Funny I see a longboarding post on my first day on the forum. I agree with most of the sentiment here. Bigger, softer wheels will give you a much smoother ride for cruising. If you're not sliding they'll last a very long time.

As for wheel bite, you'll either need bigger risers or a shape (like a drop through) that allows for the wheels to miss the board. If you're so inclined, you can also cut out wheel wells on the bottoms to make extra room. If you've gotten wheel bite, you'll see a little rubbed out mark on the bottom of the board where the wheels stopped (the moment you realized you were about to eat shit, as they say). Take a wooden dowel, 4"-5" diameter (a little bigger than your wheels) and glue sandpaper to it. Rig up an attachment to mount it to a hand drill or drill press, and physically sand out a little pocket onto each spot under the board where the wheels would bite. Often this little 1/8" to 1/4" deep pocket is *just* enough to prevent wheel bite. I'm sure you can google the process as well. It's very easy, and feels good to buy that extra 1/4" of no-eating-shit-today insurance policy.

Next, I see you're in Wisconsin too. You said you wanted to do some downhill. Head towards Baraboo/Dells and hit me up for some great, great hills. There's a lot of locals taking up the hobby. And have fun!

Flaneur · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2014, 03:30:15 PM »

If you're looking to commute a drop deck would be a better choice as they sit lower and are easier to push & control. Arbor makes good decks. My favorite manufacturers are Rayne and Jati because they build their decks very well. Wheels last a while if you buy good ones. I like Flywheels by ABEC11; they're available in a few different sizes and they roll over just about everything. Get bearing spacers for the wheels but don't let them talk you in to buying expensive bearings.

Melody · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2014, 05:02:09 PM »

Even cheaper bearings should last a long time if cared for (i.e. cleaned out and lubed regularly). Bones China Reds are a good quality low price bearing. To get better performance you'll be looking at ceramics at 3x the price with less durability.

katie · « **Reply #20 on:** March 26, 2014, 07:10:54 PM »

I've wanted a longboard since I did a 4 month stint in San Diego with work 8 years ago. If I got one now, I would rarely use it based on where I live and what I have available. Maybe someday though... ;) Good luck deciding and have fun!

aglassman · « **Reply #21 on:** March 27, 2014, 09:40:14 AM »

I ended up buying a Sector 9 Paradiso 40", Gullwing Chargers, and some 70mm 78a Sector 9 - 9 ball wheels. Its a drop through, so no worry about wheel bite. It seemed like the best all around board for what i was looking for. I wanted something that could do it all. I have a lot of hills by my house, but also a lot of flat land for cruising.

News:

Author Topic: Cost of Longboarding (Read 8032 times)