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When it comes to longboard trucks, they should be as loose as you feel comfortable with, especially when you’re just starting out. It’s important not to compress the bushings when adjusting the trucks. As you become more comfortable with your board, you can loosen the trucks a bit more so that they feel slightly uncomfortable. This will give you more maneuverability and flexibility while riding.
Steps on Loosening Longboard Trucks
Loosening your longboard trucks can greatly improve your ride, providing you with a more fluid and relaxed feel while skateboarding. Here are simple steps on how to loosen your longboard trucks:
1. Get a wrench:
- Use an adjustable wrench or a socket wrench to loosen your trucks.
- The appropriate size for longboard trucks is a 14mm wrench.
- Alternatively, you can use pliers that are fitted for the nut and bushings.
2. Prepare your longboard:
- Place your longboard upside down on a stable surface, with the trucks on top.
- Ensure that the table or surface is not moving to avoid accidents.
3. Begin loosening the first truck:
- Use the 14mm wrench and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the axle nut.
- Continue turning until you reach the desired level of looseness.
- Avoid squeezing the bushings too much while adjusting the trucks.
4. Test the looseness of the truck:
- Tap the trucks and wheels to check if you have achieved the desired looseness.
- Avoid making it too loose, as this can result in swaying or shaking while riding.
- Aim for an appropriate level of looseness that suits your riding style.
5. Loosen the second truck:
- Repeat the same steps used to loosen the first truck for the second one.
- Strive for a balanced level of looseness between both trucks.
- Test and evaluate the trucks’ looseness to ensure they feel consistent.
6. Try your longboard:
- Stand on your longboard to see if you have achieved the desired looseness.
- If it is not loose enough, repeat the process until you reach the desired level.
- If it is too loose, you can tighten the axle nut by turning it clockwise.
By following these simple steps, you can easily adjust the tightness of your longboard trucks to enhance your ride. Experiment with different levels of looseness to find what works best for your riding style and preferences. Remember to always prioritize safety and stability while riding.
Why Do You Need to Loosen Your Longboard Trucks?
When it comes to longboarding, having the right amount of truck looseness is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable ride. Longboarding is all about achieving smooth rolling and cruising, and the trucks play a significant role in this.
Loosening your longboard trucks allows you to make smooth and wider turns. This means you can carve with ease and have greater control over your board, especially when riding downhill or in tight turns. Loose trucks also come in handy in emergency situations where quick and sharp turns are required.
On the other hand, if your trucks are too tight, you might struggle to make smooth turns and carve effectively. Tight trucks restrict board movement, making it harder to maneuver and affecting the overall ride quality.
Finding the right balance of truck tightness is essential for a safe and stable ride. It allows you to have better control over your board, enhancing your overall longboarding experience. However, it’s important not to go too loose as it can lead to speed wobbles or wheel bite.
Loose Trucks
When it comes to longboarding, the tightness of your trucks can greatly impact your riding experience. While loose trucks offer more flexibility and are beneficial for performing tricks, they may pose a challenge when riding downhill due to the potential loss of control. Therefore, finding the right level of truck tightness is crucial.
Loose trucks are advantageous for tricks as they provide the board with greater flexibility and reduce impact. This allows for smoother landings and makes it easier to perform more complicated maneuvers while maintaining control.
However, riding downhill with loose trucks can be difficult. The increased speed can make it harder to maintain control and recover from potential slips or wobbles. To ensure a safe ride, it’s important to find the right balance between loose and tight trucks.
To adjust the tightness of your trucks, you will need a screwdriver. Make sure the screws are securely fastened to prevent the wheels from falling off or breaking. Test your trucks and adjust the tightness to your comfort level. This will allow you to have better control over your longboard, enhancing your overall skating experience.
Tight Trucks
Tight trucks on a longboard have less flexibility and exert more pressure on the board, which can make certain tricks more difficult. However, they are well-suited for downhill longboarding as they provide better control and stability when shifting weight and navigating obstacles on the road.
When adjusting your trucks, it is important to find a proper balance. If the trucks are too tight, there is a possibility of the board splitting in half during specific tricks. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your trucks have sufficient room for slight movement.
For the best experience in speed and manipulation on the road, consider using a DB drop-through longboard. The drop-through design maximizes your skills, allowing you to fully utilize the benefits of tight trucks while maintaining stability and control.
Try Both
When it comes to choosing between loose or tight trucks for your longboard, the best advice is to try both options and see which one feels better for you. Some people prefer loose trucks because it offers more flexibility and a sense of freedom. On the other hand, tight trucks provide more control and stability, which can enhance your overall longboarding experience.
Longboarding can be enjoyed by anyone, especially those who love extreme sports and crave adrenaline. By trying both loose and tight trucks, you can discover which option best matches your expectations and personal preferences. Factors such as body type and weight can also influence your choice.
Ultimately, trying both loose and tight trucks will give you all the answers you need. It’s a matter of finding the balance that suits your riding style and provides the level of control and maneuverability that you desire. So don’t hesitate to experiment and find what works best for you on your longboarding journey.
How to Adjust Truck Tightness
To adjust the tightness of your longboard trucks, you will need a 9/16-inch (14mm) wrench and a smooth patch of open pavement. Start by standing on the board and shifting your weight from the heel side to the toe side. The board should tilt as you put your weight on the edges, indicating that the trucks are pivoting correctly for steering.
To adjust the tilt of the board, loosen or tighten the kingpin nuts on both trucks accordingly. Make sure the nylon strip on the nut is still in contact with the threads.
Once you start rolling, lean to turn in a direction (frontside or backside) and gradually increase your pressure to tighten the turn. You should reach a point where the board resists leaning further without contacting the wheels. Pay attention to how tight you’re able to turn and make adjustments accordingly.
When to Tighten Up
When it comes to adjusting your longboard trucks, one important factor to consider is your riding style and the speed at which you intend to ride. If you’re planning on riding at higher speeds or engaging in activities like downhill riding or vert ramp sessions, it is advisable to tighten your trucks for added stability and safety.
Tightening your trucks reduces the likelihood of experiencing speed wobbles, which can be quite dangerous. Additionally, tight trucks help prevent wheelbites, especially when landing big drops. This is essential to avoid potential slams and maintain a smooth ride.
Furthermore, if you engage in technical skateboarding and find it challenging to stay in control during flip trick setups, consider tightening your trucks. This will allow you to hang your heel off the edge of the board without the risk of veering off to the side.
When to Loosen Up
Tight trucks can hinder your skateboarding abilities. They make it harder to turn and line up on obstacles. If you find yourself needing to press down on the tail when turning, it’s time to loosen the kingpin nut.
Loosening your trucks can improve the flow of your skateboarding. It eliminates the need for tic-tacking or leaning excessively, giving your skating a more relaxed and effortless appearance. If your style feels stiff, try loosening your trucks.
Loose trucks also make it easier to land imperfectly. Professional skateboarders often land slightly off after a gap or rail, but they can still pull off the trick by applying pressure to the board and rolling it out smoothly. This move is only possible with loose trucks. Tighter trucks require near-perfect landings.
The tightness of your trucks plays a significant role in transition skating. Typically, it is recommended to tighten your trucks more when skating on taller transition walls. However, concrete skateparks have various transitions, allowing for limitless line possibilities. To find these lines, you must be able to carve, which is easier with looser trucks.
FAQs
If your longboard feels stiff, does not turn smoothly, or experience speed wobbles, your truck may be too tight. Additionally, if you hear squeaking noises while riding, it could be a sign that your trucks are too tight.
When longboard trucks are overly tightened, excessive pressure is placed on the bushings. This can cause the bushings to wear down faster and create friction, resulting in a squeaking sound.
Worn or damaged bushings can create uneven pressure distribution on the trucks, leading to increased friction and potential squeaking. It is important to regularly inspect and replace bushings when necessary to prevent these issues.
Yes, wheel bite (when the wheels rub against the deck) and loose axle nuts can also contribute to squeaking. It is important to maintain proper truck tightness, check for worn or damaged parts, and make necessary adjustments to avoid squeaking.
Absolutely! A skate tool is a versatile tool that includes a wrench for adjusting axle nuts. It is a convenient tool to have on hand for making quick adjustments to your longboard trucks.
Conclusion:
Finding the right balance for your longboard trucks is key to the ultimate riding experience. Whether you prefer a looser or tighter setup, it’s all about personal preference and finding what works best for you.
So, experiment, adjust, and fine-tune until you find that sweet spot that allows you to carve, cruise, and conquer with confidence. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, so enjoy the ride and keep shredding!
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