N
Glam Monitor

Should a skateboard flex?

Author

Ava Wright

Updated on June 03, 2026

Longboards come in many shapes, concaves, and flexes. The stiffer the board, the more stable it'll be at higher speeds. A flexier board might be fun at lower speeds, but that flex will likely knock you off balance at those higher speeds, or if you're a beginner unused to flex.

How much flex should a skateboard have?

For freestyle you want a little bit of soft/medium board flex so you don't feel every jump, however to still keep control over your board when carving you don't need a super soft board as that might make your tricks and turns harder to perform.

Is a longboard supposed to flex?

Flex is certainly something to consider for your cruising longboard deck. Having a board that flexes can be a great help on those long rides. The flex on the board will absorb some of the rough terrain you may encounter as well as allow you to ride a bit lower to the ground than non-flexible counterparts.

Will my longboard snap?

If its a well built longboard. Those small thin shortboards built with 4oz glassing will snap; but a good solid 3inch LB with 2x6oz glassing is pretty strong.

Is it easier to ride a longer or shorter skateboard?

Longboards are wider, longer and have softer wheels which makes it much easier to keep your balance. Skateboards are harder to ride because of their smaller size and harder wheels.

33 related questions found

Which board is easiest to ride?

Longboards are a popular choice for beginners because they are the easiest to ride from day one. Drop through boards are even more friendly to beginners because they lower the ride height for extra stability and easier pushing. When choosing longboard size, it is important to keep your own size in mind.

Are longboards faster than skateboards?

Longboards are typically faster than skateboards due to their larger wheelbase (distance between trucks) and bigger wheels. Just how fast can you go on a longboard ? Longboarding speed typically ranges from 6 mph when cruising, to 50-65 mph when downhill riding.

Can my skateboard break?

It's a strange cycle. So, unless your kid just rides the board around, and never tries any tricks, boards will probably get broken. The average lifespan of a board depends on the skater, though. One board every few months is normal.

How does a skateboard not break?

“More of the board's downward force is perpendicular to the Earth, not the rail. So the rail is only supporting some of Maurice's weight. The steeper the rail, the less likely the board is to break.” Breaking down how a boardslide doesn't break a board.

Is skateboard good for cruising?

A cruiser board is the best type of skateboard to use for cruising short distances. Longer than a standard skateboard but shorter than a longboard, cruiser boards are easily maneuverable mid-length boards designed for cruising streets. Longboards are an excellent choice for a long, comfortable ride.

What does Flex mean in longboards?

The flex of a longboard deck is the relative amount that the board bends under your weight when you stand on it.

Does the shape of a longboard matter?

Concave is a major factor in longboard performance. Longboard manufacturers are always experimenting with new concave shapes to accommodate new types of skating. Most concave shapes allow riders more foothold than a flat skateboard, which can take sliding, drifting, and turning to the next level.

Can a longboard be flat?

If you're a longboarder stuck in an area with no slopes, don't despair, all is not lost. Flat land riding offers lots of great longboarding opportunities. The big question is, what kind of longboard should you choose for riding on flats.

What are drop through longboards?

A drop through longboard has a cutout in the deck, allowing the base-plates of the trucks to be mounted through the deck. This puts the longboard deck closer to the ground and this the lowered platform allows for greater stability at high speeds.

What can damage a skateboard?

Rusty bolts can lead to breakage, although the breakage will be a slow process, not a sudden one. Other parts of the skateboard to consider for the impact of water: Grip tape works well to give your feet traction on the board, even when wet. But grip tape can lose adhesion over time with repeated wetting and drying.

Why do skaters wear flat shoes?

The most important aspect of skate shoes is that they have flat soles which allow the skater to have better board control.

How long should a skateboard last?

On average, a skateboard can last up to 2 years, but it can even last longer if properly maintained and taken care of. Several main factors determine the service life of a typical skateboard. The quality of your skateboard says a lot about how long your skateboard will last.

How strong is a skateboard?

A well-made maple skateboard deck may hold around 220 lbs, but it is still likely to snap if you land incorrectly. Also, some of the most highly durable skateboard trucks have weight limits of 250 lbs.

How much force does it take to snap a skateboard?

From the static simulation, I know that the deck should break under the loading of 3000-4000 N. Looking at the plot below, one can say that this is happening here. Just after 4000 N the Reaction Force value starts fluctuating. This is the moment when skateboard starts breaking.

Can you Ollie on a longboard?

Can you ollie a cruiser or longboard? Yes, you can ollie or do tricks, but cruisers and longboards aren't made for tricks. Cruisers and longboards are heavy and have big soft wheels. This makes them very bouncy and unstable when you land an ollie.

Why are penny boards fast?

Longboard Trucks are Built for Hills and going Fast

Small narrow trucks use less metal, so Penny Boards use these trucks to save material and (again) make the total board less expensive. The problem is that wider trucks are more stable and allow for more control at faster speed when going downhill.

Is a Penny board faster than walking?

As you would expect, the Penny board will be faster than walking. Especially if it's mainly flat between your destinations, a Penny cruiser is capable of getting from point A to B in a similar amount of time as a bike.

What is a good beginner skateboard?

The 7 Best Beginner Skateboards of 2021

  • Real Golden Oval Outline 7.75.
  • Krooked Bigger Eyes 8.0.
  • Enjoi Half And Half FP 8.0.
  • Arbor Whiskey 7.75 Recruit.
  • Anti Hero Classic Eagle 7.75.
  • Globe Goodstock.
  • Element Nat Geo King Jungle Nyjah 8.0.

What Board should a beginner skater get?

To start with, we recommend a deck width of 7.75" or 8.0". Most full-sized complete skateboards will come in either 7.75" or 8.0" widths, this is the right size to start with, as your experience grows you'll know if you need a wider board later on.