I am probably too old for one of these but I was at Shore restaurant for dinner a couple weeks ago so we went into the store after eating. I saw the longboards they had and they are so cool I really kinda want one. Anybody have one? I feel like it might be one of those things I get and use a couple of times, more of a novelty.
Oh yeah and I was wondering how do you stop on one of these? Jump off and pray?
I don't have one (have a regular one - shorter symmetrical type for doing tricks) but I've rode a few and know about them.
These boards are for getting around and bombing hills at high speeds. To slow down, at lower speeds you can put a foot down (or step off and grab the board), at higher speeds you have to slide the board sideways a bit...same as any other skateboard. At really high hill-bombing speeds, you use your chest and arms as an air brake.
I was thinking it might be good to use cruising down a bike/walking trail we have here. That way I don't always have to be on my bike and give me some variety.
I have one I'm fond of. I am too old to learn how to do tricks on a skateboard, and don't feel like a tool or poser riding a longboard (maybe a bit of a hipster). Nice little mode of transport for sidewalks and trails. I don't use it that much, but I found it for stupid-cheap on CL.
I have 3! One from my college days which I made for myself to get to class, one that I made for my girlfriend (I should post pictures, came out real nice), and one that some kid must have left in my driveway, I kept it after a week. If you want a REAL nice one, albeit pricey my FBIL makes them. Check them out at makaiproject.com
Not my thing, but my best bud's dad who's building a couple guitars for me, is building some bawler, hand-made in USA E36 M3. I'll get a link....
Funny, the other day my dental hygienist--skateboarder/surfer mom--was telling me about hers. She says it's a fun way to get around, although admits that she's too light to really make it flex and turn.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CCCLongboards
I have one. I just carve big arcs in the street when the kids are out riding bikes or rollerblading. If I had anywhere to go I'd probably ride it there. It's fun.
When I think skateboard, I think, "you're going to break your ass."
In a fit of stupidity, I bought a standard skateboard last year. It was right when I was about to graduate college; perhaps I was trying to clasp onto my last threads of youth.
A week or two later, while riding around a parking lot, I made myself slightly off-balance, causing the board to shoot out from under me like a waterhosed cat. Right after hitting the concrete like a sack of potatoes, I decided that giving it away was the cheapest thing to do.
jonnyd330 wrote: I was thinking it might be good to use cruising down a bike/walking trail we have here. That way I don't always have to be on my bike and give me some variety.
I have not skated in years but used to a lot back in the "Dog Town" days of the early 80's.
One thing that I suspect that has not changed is that skateboarding is still seen as a crime.
Be sure that your intended bike tail does not prohibit skateboards.
My friend builds these for Landyachts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8b4X3I0EI0
I have an older version of his longboard, with Randall downhill trucks, ceramic bearings, and super soft Krypto wheels. I've left a lot of skin behind, more than a few times.
The longboard now hangs on the wall in my garage as a reminder that I'm old, and that sort of stuff can really hurt.
Mitchell wrote: When I think skateboard, I think, "you're going to break your ass." In a fit of stupidity, I bought a standard skateboard last year. It was right when I was about to graduate college; perhaps I was trying to clasp onto my last threads of youth. A week or two later, while riding around a parking lot, I made myself slightly off-balance, causing the board to shoot out from under me like a waterhosed cat. Right after hitting the concrete like a sack of potatoes, I decided that giving it away was the cheapest thing to do.
I feel your pain...and then I watch the WESTSIDE guys at the challenge and say (to myself) "Or maybe you're just a giant Bob Costas and need to show your already rock-bagged knees who's boss."
I was just talking with some friend about these the other day. Need to dust the old boards off.
I worked at a custom cabinet and furniture shop for about 5 1/2 years while going to school. I built and road a lot of longboards during that time. We always had scrap wood left that was perfect for longboard and cutting board glue ups.
If I can figure out how to post some pics I will.
Let try this:
poopshovel wrote:Mitchell wrote: When I think skateboard, I think, "you're going to break your ass." In a fit of stupidity, I bought a standard skateboard last year. It was right when I was about to graduate college; perhaps I was trying to clasp onto my last threads of youth. A week or two later, while riding around a parking lot, I made myself slightly off-balance, causing the board to shoot out from under me like a waterhosed cat. Right after hitting the concrete like a sack of potatoes, I decided that giving it away was the cheapest thing to do.I feel your pain...and then I watch the WESTSIDE guys at the challenge and say (to myself) "Or maybe you're just a giant Bob Costas and need to show your already rock-bagged knees who's boss."
Like enlisting in the armed forces or becoming a gymnast, some start points in life have an expiration date.
Nicely put, Mitchell.
signed blank working on some tracker and kryptonites
Skateboarding is not a crime
In reply to carczar_84:
Wow those are awesome, you built them yourself?
In reply to Karl La Follette:
There was a time when I bought an Alva, Ttackers and Kryptonites, new, with paper route money!
So now I am really intersted and crusiing CL and ebay found this one not too far away is this thing any good? I have no idea what I am looking for? Do I want big wheels? What trucks are good? I saw a Gravity board on ebay with Tracker 149mm Darts is that good?
Here is one from CL
street surfers 4' longboard skateboard - $50
Used one time! I'm too old to skate. Paid $85.00 two weeks ago. Abec 7 barrings, seven ply maple deck, clear grip tape. Huge soft wheels! Will work with someone this is listed to sell today!
I have fallen enough that I put a big crack on my backside. I'm afraid if I fall again I may break in half longways.
In reply to jonnyd330:
Yeah, I made them after hours at the shop I used to work at while going to school. It's hard to see it in the pics, but the boards all have concave profiles. I edge jointed all the pieces w/ a slight bevel, biscuit jointed them all together, and then sanded the profiles smooth. The boards are rock solid. The first few were tanks, both in weight and durability. Every one after than got lighter, but still rock solid.
We also had vacuum bags for doing laminate work, so I messed around with some laminate glue ups using 1/8" birch ply and whatever exotic laminate scraps we had laying around. Also, played with some fiberglass laminating too. These were pretty fun, I made a hot wire knife with some stainless welding wire and a car battery to cut foam vacuum forms. I need to see if I can dig up the photos from all that, not sure where I saved them.
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