Volador 42-Inch Freeride Longboard
Quick Summary:
The board itself is made out of hard Maple and it is laminated.
The variety of different graphics available for sale offers you some choice in your stylings.
If you do end up getting this board and want to change things up later then start by upgrading your wheels after a few months of hard riding.
The stock wheels are great but they wear out first.
Best Longboard Under 100 Dollars
Whether you are enjoying the sun on the West Coast or looking for a way to get out more during a Midwestern summer, longboarding could be just the type of hobby for you. Longboarding is a physical sport that is reminiscent of skateboarding in style though it is very different in functionality. Today we are going to walk you through how to pick out the best longboard under 100 dollars and about our favorite longboard on the market.
Choosing the Right Longboard.
When it comes right down to it you are going to have to put a bit of work into choosing your longboard. Longboards, like skateboards, are unique and they can vary from model to model. Each subtle difference can completely change the way that you ride. We’re going to walk you through purchasing the right board by starting simple. What kind of riding will you be doing?
Different Longboard Styles of Riding
Freeride
Freeriding means that you are going to be longboarding on hills where your speed will be above average. You’ll want a board that can deal with sliding, sharp turns, and hopping curbs if it comes to it. This is an advanced style of riding and new longboarders should probably skip it.
Downhill
This is as simple as it sounds. Downhill longboarding is an extreme way to ride, depending on the hill that you are working with. For this style of longboarding, you will stay crouched and tucked in tight. You’ll want a board with strong wheels, tight controls, and a flexible deck body.
Cruising
This is our favorite type of longboarding because it is the most relaxed and stylistically open. Cruising, or carving, has you moving down gentle streets while fueling your ride by kicking with your foot. This is the easiest way to ride and the most accessible way to get into the hobby.
Freestyle
Simultaneously the simplest and most difficult way to ride. When you ride freestyle you are focused on mostly technical skills: slides, flips, and other such board tricks.
Different Longboard Deck Types
Now that you know the different types of riding styles let us take a brief look at the different types of bodies you will be looking through as you shop.
Top Mount
This is the traditional type of board that you will see while you are shopping. The deck is located just above the trucks, where the wheels are mounted, and your center of gravity is slightly higher up on the board. These are more nimble and flexible boards.
Drop Through
Drop Through decks have the trucks mounted straight through your board. This lowers the deck height, slims down the board, and creatures more stability as you ride. If you are looking for a more casual board — this is your choice.
Drop Deck
This odd-looking deck has your feet located just below your trucks. You’ll have a ton more stability and that makes it great for those risky downhill rides.
Characteristics of your Board.
The last bit of knowledge you need to have before purchasing your first board is concerning your board’s flexibility. Your longboard will be rated in several different potential ways and you’ll want to know which rating your longboard has.
Soft Flex
A soft flex longboard has high shock absorption levels which makes it great for doing tricks but the board lacks stability at higher speeds. You’ll want to keep this style in check unless you plan on cruising or freestyle riding.
Medium Flex
A stable high-speed board, medium flexibility longboards give you that extra oomph when you are getting up to speed or trying to carve your way through some sharp turns.
Stiff Flex
Finally, we have the stiff flex longboard which is perfect for bombing hills. This board style maximizes stability at high speeds while minimizing its ‘give’ to the bumpy pavement.
The Best Longboard on the Market.
Alright, you’ve learned enough about longboards to be at least moderately comfortable when making your first purchase. We’ve taught you about longboard decks and riding styles and now we are going to offer you our favorite longboard on the market: the Volador 42in Freeride Longboard. What brought us to selecting this longboard? Well, we’re glad that you asked.
The Volador 42in Freeride Longboard is a drop-through deck which helps to give you a more stable ride as you board around. Drop Through boards are also much easier to slow down when you do decide to brake and they make for quick acceleration on kickoffs. To keep it short, the Volador Freeride Longboard will keep your ride going.
When it comes to finding quality in your longboard under 100 dollars, you also have to pay attention to the smaller components as well. The Volador longboard features aluminum die-cast trucks with custom Volador 70mm wheels. Having high-quality components gives you the confidence to hit the hills or go for the big tricks. You need to know that you have stability at your feet and that is what is offered here.
The board itself is made out of hard Maple and it is laminated. The variety of different graphics available for sale offer you some choice in your stylings. If you do end up getting this board and want to change things up later then start by upgrading your wheels after a few months of hard riding. The stock wheels are great but they wear out first. The Volador Freeride is still the best longboard under 100 bucks.
