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Are you torn between choosing a kicktail or a pintail Longboard? Both have their own unique qualities and benefits, making it a difficult decision for Longboard enthusiasts. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you make the right choice!
Longboarding is all about personal preference and finding the perfect board that suits your style and needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, understanding the differences between kicktail and pintail boards will ultimately guide you toward the right decision.
In this article, I’ll delve into the distinct features and advantages of kicktail and pintail Longboards, helping you determine which one is the best fit for your Longboarding journey. So, let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of Longboards!
What is a Kicktail Longboard?
A kicktail longboard is a type of longboard that has a curved edge on the back end of the board, known as the kicktail. This design allows riders to perform tricks, such as olies, which are the foundation for many Longboarding tricks.
What is a Pintail Longboard?
A pintail longboard is a type of longboard that has a pointed nose and tail. It is designed to only go in one direction: forward. This type of longboard usually has top-mount trucks and offers great stability, making it ideal for cruising and carving.
Longboard tricks: Kicktail Vs Pintail
When it comes to longboard tricks, the choice between a kicktail and a pintail can make a significant difference in your riding experience. Each board has its own strengths and limitations, so let’s dive into what makes them unique:
1. Kicktail Longboards:
- Suitable for Aggressive Freestyle Tricks: Kicktails, found on both ends of the Nahoa Longboard, allow for popping and ollieing, making it ideal for riders who want to explore aggressive freestyle tricks.
- Versatile Riding Styles: With twin kicktails, kicktail longboards like the Nahoa provide riders with the option to perform tricks in both forward and backward positions.
- Perfect for Street Skating: Kicktails are commonly found on traditional Longboards, making kicktail longboards a great choice for riders who want to mimic street Longboarding tricks.
2. Pintail Longboards:
- Dance and Freestyle: The Nalu Longboard’s pintail shape provides stability and control, making it perfect for dancing maneuvers and less aggressive freestyle tricks.
- Relaxed Cruising: Pintails offer a smooth and relaxed ride, perfect for carving and cruising at moderate speeds.
- Surf-Style Ride: The surfboard-like design of pintail longboards gives riders a surf-style cruising experience, making it a favorite choice among surfers looking for a similar feeling on land.
10 Tricks You Can Do on a Pintail Longboard:
- Cross Steps: Utilize your longboard’s length and foot space to gracefully cross-step and mix up your dance routine.
- Nose and Tail Manuals: Explore manual tricks by balancing on either the nose or tail of your pintail longboard.
- Carving: Take advantage of the pintail’s stable and mellow concave to carve smooth lines and perform stylish turns.
- Pivot Turns: Execute tight and snappy turns using the kicktail to lift the wheels and pivot around.
- Longboard Dancing: Showcase your creativity by combining footwork, spins, and slides for an impressive dance routine on your pintail.
- No Comply Tricks: Master tricks like the no comply 180 or no comply shuvit, leveraging the pintail’s kicktail for pop and control.
- Nose Riding: Use the stability of the pintail to walk up to the nose and practice nose riding, emulating the feeling of riding a surfboard.
- Grab Tricks: Grab your board mid-air while performing jumps or other aerial maneuvers for added style.
- Slides: While pintails are not typically designed for aggressive slides, they still offer enough stability for moderate slides and glides.
- Shuvits: Practice shuvit tricks by spinning the board 180 or 360 degrees while riding on your pintail longboard.
Tricks with Kicktail Longboards:
Kicktail longboards offer a unique skating experience, providing riders with the ability to perform tricks they wouldn’t be able to do on a standard Longboard. Here are some of the tricks you can do on a kicktail longboard:
- Ollies: This trick is the foundation for many other Longboarding and snowboarding tricks. Utilize the kicktail to pop your board up into the air and land on a variety of surfaces.
- Kickflips: Use the kicktail to flick your board with added power, enabling you to perform kickflips with ease.
- Board Slides: Leverage the kicktail’s shape to quickly flick and transition from ledge to ledge while performing board slides.
- 180s: Execute quick spins and 180s using the kicktail to transition from one direction to another.
- Bigspin Flips: This trick is a combination of a kickflip and a 360 spin, making it an impressive trick that requires the additional power of a kicktail longboard.
- Late Flips: The kicktail allows you to generate more power for your late flips, enabling you to perform this trick with ease and style.
- Nollie Flips: Use the extra power provided by the kicktail to pop up into a nollie flip, adding an extra level of difficulty and variation to your tricks.
Kicktail Vs Pintail Longboard – Which One is Better for You?
When deciding between a kicktail and a pintail longboard, it’s important to consider your riding style, skill level, and desired tricks. Each type of board offers unique features and advantages. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits and uses of both kicktail and pintail longboards:
Kicktail Longboards:
- Suitable for Aggressive Freestyle Tricks: Kicktails, like those found on the Nahoa Longboard, allow for popping and ollieing, making them ideal for riders who want to explore aggressive freestyle tricks.
- Versatile Riding Styles: With twin kicktails, kicktail longboards offer riders the option to perform tricks in both forward and backward positions. This flexibility allows for more creative riding styles.
- Perfect for Street Skating: Kicktails are commonly found on traditional Longboards, making kicktail longboards a great choice for riders who want to mimic street Longboarding tricks. They are ideal for maneuvering in urban environments and performing tricks like kickflips and slides.
Pintail Longboards:
- Dance and Freestyle: The pintail shape of longboards like the Nalu provides stability and control, making them perfect for dancing maneuvers and less aggressive freestyle tricks. Pintails are great for riders who enjoy fluid and graceful movements on their board.
- Relaxed Cruising: Pintails offer a smooth and relaxed ride, perfect for carving and cruising at moderate speeds. The wider deck and larger foot platform provide stability and comfort for long rides.
- Surf-Style Ride: The surfboard-like design of pintail longboards gives riders a surf-style cruising experience. This makes them a favorite choice among surfers looking for a similar feeling on land.
Ultimately, the choice between a kicktail and a pintail longboard depends on your riding preferences and goals. If you enjoy aggressive freestyle tricks and street skating, a kicktail longboard might be the best option. On the other hand, if you prefer relaxed cruising and dance-style riding, a pintail longboard would suit you better.
What is the difference between pintail longboards and kicktail longboards
The main difference between pintail and kicktail longboards is their shape. Pintails feature a narrow, pointed nose and tail with a wide center, giving it a surfboard-like appearance.
Pintail Longboards:
- Ideal for Cruising: Pintail longboards, recognizable by their flat decks and pointed noses, are perfect for relaxed cruising. They provide a smooth and comfortable ride, making them great for carving and commuting.
- Beginner-Friendly: Pintails are excellent for beginners due to their stability and ease of maneuverability. The flex in the deck helps absorb bumps and rough terrains, making it a comfortable and forgiving ride.
- Varied Lengths: Pintail longboards come in different lengths, typically ranging from 38″ to 46″. Longer boards are better suited for downhill rides, while shorter ones are more manageable for transportation purposes.
Kicktail Longboards:
- Versatile Tricks: Kicktail longboards, featuring twin kicktails at each end, are designed for riders who enjoy performing tricks. They offer the ability to pop and ollie, making them suitable for aggressive freestyle tricks and street skating.
- Creative Riding Styles: Kicktails provide the option to perform tricks in both forward and backward positions, allowing for more creativity in riding style. Their design mirrors traditional Longboards, making them perfect for riders who want to mimic street Longboarding tricks.
- Suitable for All Skill Levels: Kicktail longboards are versatile and suitable for riders of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, you can enjoy the benefits of kicktails to explore different tricks and styles.
FAQs
Pintail longboards have pointed noses and flat decks, ideal for relaxed cruising, carving, and commuting. Kicktail longboards have twin kicktails at each end, designed for tricks, freestyle riding, and mimicking street Longboarding.
Pintail longboards are great for relaxed cruising, carving, and commuting. Kicktail longboards are perfect for performing tricks, freestyle riding, and street Longboarding.
Wheel bite is when the wheels come in contact with the deck, causing the board to suddenly stop or throw the rider off balance. Pintail longboards are less prone to wheel bite due to their flat decks, while kicktail longboards may require riser pads or tighter trucks to prevent wheel bite.
Pintail longboards have flat decks and pointed noses, providing a stable and comfortable ride. Kicktail longboards have twin kicktails, which are raised sections at both ends of the deck, allowing for tricks and more dynamic riding.
Pintail longboards are more beginner-friendly due to their stability, ease of maneuverability, and forgiving ride. Kicktail longboards can also be suitable for beginners, as they offer versatility and the opportunity to learn tricks and different riding styles.
Conclusion:
Whether you prefer the kicktail or pintail, both types of longboards have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the style of riding you enjoy. So, grab your board, hit the pavement, and let your feet guide you towards the thrill and freedom that longboarding brings.
Remember, it’s not about the shape of the board, but the joy and adventure it brings to your life. Keep shredding!
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