The Longboard Blog

We just uploaded a bunch of photos of the Globe Bantam on our Facebook Page.

Over at The Longboard Store, you can find many of the guys in the shop hanging out in our Live Chat system ready to answer any question you might have about longboards, trucks, wheels, or general questions about the meaning of life.

Though most people don’t ask us about the meaning of life, we do get lots of beginning longboarders asking what is the best entry-level setup to buy.  So I have asked everyone around the shop what they think is the most ideal beginner longboard.  And here are the results!

TLS 40″ Basic

One of our first recommendations we usually give for a beginning longboard setup is our own TLS 40″ Basic Complete.  The deck is constructed of laminated Baltic Birch, and has generous cut-outs to avoid wheel bite.  Wheel bite (for the true newbies out there) is the unpleasant experience of your longboard wheel hitting/sticking to the longboard deck while riding… which can result in some awesome crashes.

So the cut-outs at the front and tail of this longboard deck will help keep the wheel bite blues away.  The rest of the complete longboard build uses upgraded components like our System Longboard Hardware and  System Mudflap Risers.  The complete can be purchased with three different wheel colors, or you can upgrade to any one of our longboard wheels from our brands like Sector 9,  Tunnel or Orangatang.

To view all the components of the TLS 40″ Basic, click here.

Sector 9 Bamboo Lennox

For riders looking for a bit more steez in the deck graphics, perhaps surf/ocean influenced? Sector 9 would be a great place to look, and for beginners we think the Bamboo Lennox Complete is a great setup.

The Lennox measures in at 39.5″ which makes for a great all-around cruising longboard.  The complete comes with 70mm 75a Bamboo Ghost from Sector 9 Wheels, and like the TLS complete is rounded out with system hardware and mudflap riser to ensure a super smooth ride.

The Longboard Store is the only online store to custom-build all Sector 9 longboards to order. So if you want to change out a component for another one in our shop, you have the freedom to make the Lennox a one-of-a-kind.

Longboard Components

One final resource for all beginner longboards is our video explaining the parts that makeup a longboard. View it below to get an idea of all that goes into the ride.

We’ve just added the new hardwood series basic boards to the TLS section. They are made from solid mahogany and maple, and come in a diamond tail, fish tail, and the same shapes as our popular 35″ and 40″ basics.

Loaded has revamped the Pintail with a multifunctional board called the Fattail, and rather than attempting to describe this board for you, I will paste the info from the Loaded press release.

Features

Increased concave locks your feet in against g-forces, while the topmounted and cambered platform provides energetic performance in and out of each carve. The width of the deck has been redistributed while maintaining subtle tapering near the trucks to provide both ample leverage and awareness of foot position while powering through turns. The formerly vestigial tail has received the silicone treatment for improved functionality in both freestyle tricks and surf-style shredding. The Fattail is also equipped with a slight nose kick for manuals and shuvits.

Design

Armed with more sophisticated modeling software and improved experience in conceptualization and testing methods, we were able to fine tune the Fattail’s shape and contours to ensure more consistent flex characteristics throughout the entire length of the standing platform when using either wheelbase.  We kept the camber of the original Pintail, increased the concave and added a nominal nose kick and a full (if chunky) kick tail.

Construction

A vertically laminated bamboo core is sandwiched between fiberglass skins. The tail is reinforced with an additional layer of fiberglass (top) and carbon fiber (bottom) for added stiffness and abrasion resistance. The bottom is finished with a bamboo veneer with a die cut water droplet pattern, which is filled with transparent urethane and a “floating” graphic to give a sense of dimensionality.

Carbonized Bamboo

Since 2006 we’ve been devoted to using primarily “natural” bamboo exclusively in all our boards because natural is cleaner, right?  Wrong.  In late December 2010 we discovered that the “natural” bamboo we’ve been using actually involves a low toxicity bleaching process. The Fattail is constructed with a carbonized bamboo core (a cleaner process overall) and marks the beginning of our transition to carbonized bamboo in general for our lineup.

Graphics

The Fattail graphic is an extension of the artistic concept explored in the two graphics used on the Pintail. The first graphic was designed by Jamie Engelman in 2004 as a meditation on change and growth.  It was re-imagined more abstractly by Jan Michael Bennett in 2006 when we switched the Pintail from oak to bamboo. The current graphic was designed by Nana Studio (based on drawings by Daisuke Okamoto) and references the previous designs while expanding on the underlying concepts.

We have added 2 new TLS stickers. They will be added to orders and may be purchased from the stickers section. The first sticker is named “Good Dog”, and the second is named “Noggin”.

Most of the Never Summer Longboards are new this season, and a few have details worth mentioning. This photo shows the Never Summer 41″ Descent V2 CF with a new version of their DuraPic material, which gives the deck a matte carbon fiber texture and provides more resistance to scratching and chipping. The 41″ Heist V2 CF has the same treatment.

On behalf of our customers and everyone here at The Longboard Store, we have donated $1000 to ShelterBox. $1000 purchases a complete box which supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. We will be provided with the serial number of our box, which can then be tracked of where it is being used. I will update the blog as information is provided.

This post should help answer questions about shipping products from The longboard Store & The Skateboard Store to Canada.

These figures are subject to change with exchange rates and regulations. Taxes [GST] are generally about 5-13% [depending on the province destination] for items over CAD $20. We provide the actual value of the product on the shipping documents. We will not send products as a “gift”.

USPS states that transit times are 5-10 days [these are of course estimated times]. You will be notified by Canada Post of when the shipment arrives, and the fees owed to retrieve the package.

Sample longboard shipment to Canada:

Longboard USD $200
Shipping USD $38
Total USD $238

Estimated Conversions:

Longboard CAD $194.48
Shipping CAD $36.95
Duty [no duty thanks to NAFTA]
Tax [GST] CAD $14.59
Conversion [some credit card companies charge a rate conversion fee] CAD $5.79
Brokerage from Canada Post [USPS] CAD $5.65
Total CAD $256.76

This page will help answer questions for shipments to Australia from The Longboard Store & The Skateboard Store.

Shipment are quoted based on weight. Add products to your shopping cart to confirm a shipping quote.

Medium Flat Rate Box is $45 USD [approx. $44 AUD]. The Medium Flat Rate Box is 10″ x 8″ x 6″ [approx. 25cm x 20cm x 15cm], and will accommodate a combination of Trucks, Wheels, Hardware, etc. Add products to your shopping cart to confirm.

Longboards between 6 and 10 pounds are $70 USD [approx. $69 AUD]. Longboards need to be less than 46″ in length.

Longboards between 10 and 14 pounds are $90 USD [approx. $89 AUD]. Longboards need to be less than 46″ in length.

Import Fees: According to Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, “Generally, there is no requirement to pay duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imported goods valued at or below A$1000…”

We ship packages daily to Australia, and have not been made aware of any Import Duties.

If you have any questions, please email questions@thelongboardstore.com.

This is a copy from our 2008 holiday shopping guide:

The holiday season emails are beginning to arrive, and the most common question has been, “I want to get a longboard for my [girlfriend, husband, etc.], but I don’t know where to start”. I will do my best to provide you with a basic guide on choosing a longboard as a gift.

If the person you are shopping for is a longboard enthusiast, then it’s very likely that they may have dropped a hint on specific products or you may know the style of riding they prefer. For this guide, I will center my attention on longboards with universal capabilities, such as cruising with some speed and carving.

Longboard skateboards have become increasingly popular as a mode of transportation. People use longboards for commuting to the office, cruising to class on college campuses, and training for winter sports like snowboarding.

Length: Longboards between the length of 38″ and 47″ are preferred for longer distance riding. Longer boards tend to be more stable and track straight due to a larger turning radius. Longboards under 38″ have a shorter turning radius which make them good for shorter commutes and college campuses.

Materials: Longboards come in many different materials, such as wood, wood composites [blend of more than one material], and full composites [absence of wood]. Wood is the most familiar material, and offer a very light and stiff platform. Boards with a low amount of flex are good for cruising since a flexible board may rob you of energy from the up and down motion. Wood composite boards are usually thinner, stronger, and have added flexibility. The flexibility of these boards are great for carving, where the flex creates a spring action pumping in and out of turns. Full composite boards can be made of all fiberglass and even see-through plastics. These materials can enhance performance and visual appeal.