How to Choose Best Downhill Longboards: The Definitive Guide

Despite a high-risk riding, downhill longboarding is always an appealing sport to adventurous guys. Before any ride, careful preparation is a must. Regardless of the right mindset and skills, equipping yourself a good downhill longboard is essential. If you are in need of expert advice, here I’m very willing to share you some. See also:

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First off, are 5 top-rated models out there:

Top 5 Best Downhill Longboards Reviews in 2021

Atom Drop Deck Downhill Longboard

(Best Overall)

I’ll start with the most versatile option from Atom. It’s a 41” longboard setup that highlights an ultra-low deck to get you more “down to Earth” and feel the flow better. This reinvented deck design also helps to maximize stability, making it a great choice for downhill riding. Rest assured that you still enable to push and kick around campus or town while waiting for another downhill adventure without fear of wears and tears. While standing out in the stability, the Atom Drop Deck Longboard features a sick new perimeter of 9.6 inches. This is the biggest selling point out of a bunch since it optimizes every turn to the smoothest while reducing wheel-bite efficiently. You might want a stiff board for control, but speed is also worth considering. That’s why Atom is equipped with ABEC-9 bearings to help you win any downhill racing without wobbling. And with a good price, it’s a good choice for all level riders.

Magneto Bamboo Downhill Longboard

(Speed)

Magneto Bamboo Board, on the other hand, is a good choice for multiple riding styles. Constructed as a top-mount deck, it gives you more grip compared to other board types for better control in a sharp turn or while performing tricks. The most controversial feature is its bamboo deck. Differ from the majority of downhill longboard decks which are crafted from maple laminate wood, this is bamboo. While many people suppose that it would be too flexible to suit for downhill riding, from my experience, it’s stiff enough for that. Can’t deny that the board comes with a bit flex, but it’s trivial to ruin your adventures. Combined with a drop-through truck, the board surfs more smoothly because of the lower gravity center. And with an ideal 38.5” length, it’s a perfect choice for any-gender riders to ensure two solid things: Portability and Performance.

Atom Drop-Through Downhill Longboard

(Best For Beginners)

Another Atom 41” maple longboard with sick perimeter shape of 9.6” but in this case, it’s a drop-through deck with no concave. That’s why I’d like to recommend it for beginners only. Except for the deck, this comes with the same specifications as its previous sibling, like reverse kingpin trucks, 70mm urethane wheels, and 245mm axles. However, I personally feel the trucks are now a bit tighter at first and soon loosened for smoother performance in every turn. This is a common issue on most of the new boards so I won’t take it seriously. In turns, the ABEC-9 bearings work their best in optimizing fast rides when you’re downhill. Together with the wide 70mm wheels, it also allows for some cruise and carves. Such a multi-functional board!

Sector 9 Lookout Downhill Longboard

(Smooth Riding)

For any beginners who have their budget on the table, Sector 9 Lookout is excellent as a starter board for downhill riding. With extra-long deck length of 42 inches and extra-wide 74mm wheels, it brings more stability and control that you can manage the speed and board direction better, especially in every turn. While ABEC-5 bearings give an adequate speed, not too fast to out of control whereas not to slow, its 5-ply mixed bamboo-maple deck gives a good blend of stiffness and flex. Turns out, the board is not only easy to practice downhill riding, but also available on other purposes, such as cruising, carving, freeriding, or commuting. No wheel-bite. No wobbles. I love that all components of Sector 9 are sell-produced, giving a good chance to monitor quality better. So, despite a higher price, I really feel it bangs for bucks!

MINORITY Maple Downhill Longboard

(Affordable)

Ending this list with a 40” maple longboard from Minority – a well-known affordable brand for those who are in a tight budget. Compared to the other 4 models, this obviously might be a bit inferior. However, within its price range, this downhill board performs like a beast. Emphasizing with a super strong 8-ply cold-pressed hard-rock maple deck, it satisfies the very first requirement on a good downhill longboard – Stiffness. Very stiff, even as equally as the Atom Drop Deck. Regardless, it features a spacious 10” deck width and wide 37” wheelbase to deliver decent stability. You might want to change the stock trucks for better performance. In turns, its ABEC-9 bearings working with the 70x51mm 78A PU wheels give an impressively unsurpassed smooth ride. Of course, you get what you pay for. The board and other components won’t retain its good performance for such that long when it’s on other higher-end boards. But at least, it’s a steal in this low-price range. So, overall, very worth a try!

FAQs

1. How fast can a longboard go downhill?

When downhill riding, longboarding speed ranges typically between 50-70 MPH. The actual speed will be affected by some elements:

• How well the rider can brake
• Riding style
• Rider’s speed tuck
• Rider weight
• Kind of slope
• The board
• Rider’s ability to push and pump

2. What type of longboard is best for downhill?

Though people spot out different longboards for downhill, my recommendations for a wild ride down into a valley are the top-mount and the drop-through. Each will give you a specific strength. For example, while the top-mount is arguably the best of best swear, the drop-through emphasizes its phenomenal stability – a good choice for beginners.

3. Is a drop-down longboard good for beginners?

Yes, it is. As its name defines, the deck now is lowered close to the ground and sits below the trucks, leading to lower gravity center. It will give you extra stability and control when freeriding downhill

4. Can you slide on a drop through longboard?

Yes, you can. Since a drop-through deck highlights asymmetrical shape, it’s a good choice for sliding once your skills enhance.

Conclusion

Due to fast longboard market enhancement for downhill riding, more and more new products are produced to meet the deepest needs of racers. I know on the other side, it’s quite overwhelming to you – beginners. So, hopefully, this article is helpful to you. Thanks for reading!