We try to keep the live support on as much as possible, but there are times when we are busy packing orders, and the chat is put on standby. Many of our customers are also knowledgeable about choosing longboards and other related questions, so we have added a live chat window to the right column of the blog. Come and spend some time talking with others and ask questions.

We just received word that the much anticipated Tracker Fastracks shipped on Wednesday, so we should see them on Friday. Photos will be taken and added to the site the moment we cut open the box. The 7″ hangers are set at a 50 degree angle, and use a much larger then standard bushing. Having a larger diameter bushing should create a very smooth turn and positive center springback. The backside of the hanger has ample ribbing and plenty of rib surface, thus increasing strength dramatically.

Ok, we know how hard it is to find just the right gift for the holidays, and the last thing you need, is to worry about an order arriving in time for the holidays. The calendar shows what shipping methods you could use to receive an order on or before the 25th. Please keep in mind that UPS and USPS are very busy during the last 2 weeks before Christmas, so we cannot guarantee these dates. Most orders are shipping the next business day, but to be safe, we would recommend ordering early.

We use them on every complete longboard we build, but do you know why?

Let’s start with speed washers. The castings where the steel axle and aluminum hanger meet may have flashing, so to help align and reduce friction, we use speed washers. These are typically provided by the truck manufacturer. We also offer some premium speed washers with more surface area.

Bearing Spacers are designed to match the distance of space between the 2 bearings when installed inside of wheels. When the wheels are installed, and the axle nut is snug, then your bearings will be properly spaced, thus providing optimal speed at longer lasting bearings.

A few of us at the shop, and many of our customers are a product of the 80′s. For us radicals, we are going old school. Visit the new Powell section for re-issues of the Ray Rodriguez, Skull & Snake, Cab Street, Dragon II, Vallely, and Ripper. We’re making a list of other re-issues to bring in. If you have a request, please let us know. There is also a new web address being added to the family, theoldschoolstore.com.

So we all know that longboards are made from wood, and wood is considered a renewable resource. Well who’s going to renew all of the wood we use? Beginning today, The Longboard Store will make donations to American Forests Foundation’s Global ReLeaf2 Project, and will plant a tree for every complete longboard skateboard sold. Wise Owl Stickers may also be purchased with other orders, and will plant a tree as well. Please help us reach our goal of planting 2500 trees by the end of 2008.

5 boxes of boards showed up today, and we were happy to see it was Ladera Longboards. We wanted to mix up the parts on them, so we chose Bennett Trucks on the Purple Heart, Bennett Alligator Wheels on most, and Abec11 BigZigs and the larger boards. Every board had striking graphics, and the Respect Roots deck had an incredible amount of camber with concave and a tail. We have very high hopes for this product line.