The skateboard did not begin to take shape until the 1950s, and according to Skate Log, the earliest skateboard models actually featured a handlebar system like modern scooters. California surfers developed the skateboard as a way to stay occupied when the waves were poor. As skateboarding continued to progress, the sport broke into sub genres including longboarding and street-style.
Function
The short skateboard, also known as the street skateboard, is designed for aerial maneuvers known as tricks. Many street skateboarding tricks involve jumping down obstacles including handrails and stair sets. Longboarders utilize an elongated design of the conventional skateboard to execute surf-inspired techniques. Extreme skateboarders prefer the short skateboard because of the lightweight components and compact design. The longboard features a much heavier construction that helps you to remain stabilized while reaching top cruising speeds on downward-sloping hills.
Board
The short board and longboard have significant differences. The short skateboard commonly has a width of 7.5 to 8 inches, while the longboard is between 8 and 10 inches. According to the Transworld Skateboarding Buyer's Guide, the standard short skateboard has a length of around 32 inches and the longboard commonly ranges from 35 to 60 inches. The short skateboard features a concave-shaped front and back end. The longboard has a flat construction for decreased wind resistance.
Wheels
Both short and long skateboard wheels commonly feature a urethane construction. The size of the skateboard wheel fluctuates based on the discipline of riding. Street wheels for short skateboards often are between 50 and 55 mm. The small design of the street wheel allows it to slide across the pavement to slow the momentum of the skateboard. Longboard wheels, which measure from 60 to 70 mm, offer increased stability around hairpin turns.
Bearings
Each wheel of the skateboard houses two ball bearings. According to Bones Bearings, the Annular Bearing Engineers Committee gives skateboard bearings a speed rating. Street skateboard bearings often have an ABEC speed rating of 3, 5 or 7. Short board bearings can reach top speed with a few pushes from the rider. Longboard bearings commonly have an ABEC speed rating of 7, 9 or 11. Longboarders cruise down steep hills to increase the speed of the ball bearings.
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