FSU SKATEBOARDS

 Speedboards

Downhill longboards, or speedboards, are used for riding down hills as fast as possible. These boards are usually 95–110 cm (38 – 45 inches) long and very stiff so as to improve stability. If is also very common to use these boards for "freeriding", which is basically non-competitive speedboarding that incorporates unnecessary drifting and carving purely for the enjoyment of the rider.

The trucks are attached to the ends of the board to maximize the wheelbase length . A longer distance between the front and rear wheels, known as the wheelbase, will increase stability, while a shorter wheelbase will decrease the board's turning radius. In order to lower the center of gravity, downhill longboards sometimes feature a lowered platform. The deck may be mounted below the baseplate of the trucks (drop-through configuration), or by the shape of the deck itself (dropped-deck).

Wider trucks with lower pivot angles (to increase stability at the expense of turning capability) may be used as well as axle bearings that rotate independently of wheel bearings to further increase top speed. (Note; this theory is disputed and many people believe that axle bearings are not beneficial to speed, but are beneficial in the rare case of bearing failure ) . Downhill longboarders use leather suits and streamlined helmets to protect themselves as well as reduce aerodynamic drag.

Variations of setups include:

Drop Decks are characterized by a riding platform that is lower than the mounting point of the trucks. This configuration is more stable (less susceptible to wobbling) and easier to control during a slide, but sacrifices traction and turning capabilities due to the board's lowered center of gravity and decreased leverage over the trucks.

Drop-through Decks have holes machined between the truck mounting hardware so that the baseplate can be mounted to the top of the board. This is probably the most popular method of lowering a board , and is used by many board manufacturers. Dropthrough speedboards have high stability while retaining much of the responsiveness of a topmount. They typically have better traction than drop decks but are less easily controlled in drifts.

Topmount Speedboards typically feature trucks mounted on the bottom of the board and no major bends in the wood. With no dramatic angles, this style of board is more basic than other styles and simplest to produce. Less stable than the other configurations, the higher center of gravity created by a tall riding platform increases leverage on the trucks making for an exceptionally responsive board. Topmount speedboards typically have a high level of traction but can be less predictable while drifting.

Wedged Speedboards are Drop Decks that lower the standing platform by angling the truck mounts outward, similar to when trucks are mounted on the kicktails of a shlongboard. Not only does this lower the ride height, it also increases the pivot angle of the trucks which allows them to turn more tightly.

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