Longboard Buying Guide: Downhill
Downhill
Since the advent of the skateboard in the 1950s, racing has been a staple part of skateboarding culture. Bragging rights and a hunger for adrenaline have pushed downhill skateboarders to race each other down the fastest, most technical hills in the world. Over the years, innovators have found that longer decks, soft urethane wheels, and wide trucks are better suited for handling the ever-rising speeds that downhill racers manage to achieve. The longboard market has recently exploded with new companies producing components for downhill longboards. Read this guide to help you through choosing your first downhill longboard.
Choosing Your Downhill Bearings
Covered in this Section (in order of importance)
Bones Reds are inexpensive and proven to be awesome. (Add spacers!)
Bearings with integrated spacers (Tektons and Biltins) are extra sturdy.
1. Choosing an Inexpensive Bearing
Spending your precious time choosing bearings for your longboard won’t give you a better ride compared to choosing good freeride wheels with high quality urethane or a proper deck meant for freeriding. You can spend $100 on some fancy ceramics if you want, but you really don’t have to. We've come across many different bearings in our experiences, and here are some of our favorites.
Spacers
If you want to prolong the life of your bearings it’s important to install some spacers with your bearings. The bearing spacers fit between the bearings and help reduce the damaging effects that come from sliding them sideways.
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2. Choosing a Durable Bearing
There’s another bearing that’s practical and really tough. If you feel that you are going to put your bearings through the ringer on a daily basis, you may consider purchasing a bearing with an integrated spacer. These bearings require the least amount of parts and will last you a long time.
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