When you’re serious about longboarding, picking up a board off the shelf is only the beginning. Customization is where you fine-tune your setup to fit your riding style, enhance performance, and make your board a true extension of yourself.
Here are 10 great ways you can tweak your longboard for that personalized, dialed-in ride.
1. Picking a Deck: Optimal Shape and Construction
Your deck is an amaziing piece of wood or composite that’s the foundation of your ride. Seasoned riders know that the shape, flex, and material of the deck have a profound impact on performance.
For downhill and freeriding, you might opt for a top-mount deck with a stiff flex and deep concave, for maximum control and response at high speeds.
If you’re into cruising or distance pushing, a drop-through or drop-down deck with a more relaxed flex and a larger standing platform could be your go-to.
Materials like bamboo offer flex and spring for carving, while maple provides durability and stiffness for freestyle tricks. Some riders prefer composite decks for their strength-to-weight ratio and vibration damping.
2. Grip Tape Art: From Custom Cuts to Laser Etching
Beyond traction, grip tape is another opportunity to make your board truly yours. Advanced riders often go beyond the standard black sheet, they experiment with custom-cut patterns, inlays, or even laser-etched designs.
Cutting away sections of grip tape exposes the deck’s natural wood or graphic underneath, creating a unique aesthetic.
If you like to ride barefoot, or simply want more comfort, foam grip tape is an option, providing cushion while maintaining grip.
If you’re into freeride or downhill, you can double-layer certain areas for extra grip, or create channels to direct dust and debris away from your feet.
3. Pick Your Wheels – Size, Durometer, Shape
Wheels are crucial to how your board feels and performs on various terrains. For downhill riders seeking speed and grip, square-edged wheels with a large contact patch and a softer durometer (around 75A-78A) will give you maximum traction and control.
On the other hand, freeriders tend to prefer wheels with a rounded lip and a harder durometer (80A-83A) for easier slides and quicker transitions.
Distance pushers and commuters on rough roads generally opt for larger wheels for higher rooll speed, with softer duros for more cushioning and better handling of road obstacles.
The wheel’s urethane formula also plays a role, as different blends offer varied levels of rebound, slide predictability, and wear resistance.
Don’t overlook the wheel core either: a larger core increases roll speed and reduces deformation under load, which is key for high-speed stability.
4. Truck Tuning: Optimize Geometry and Bushings
Trucks are the steering system of your longboard, and fine-tuning them can dramatically change your ride. Seasoned riders often experiment with different truck geometries, e.g. reverse kingpin versus traditional kingpin, to match their riding style.
For downhill, a lower baseplate angle (42°-50°) provides more stability and less turn, while higher angles (50°-55°) are preferred for carving and freeride due to the increased turn response.
Swapping out bushings can fine-tune the feel. Double-barrel bushings give you a stable and responsive setup for downhill, while a cone/barrel combination might be more suitable for a lively, responsive feel in freeriding or carving (more below).
You can also experiment with washer configurations. Flat washers allow for more bushing compression, while cupped washers restrict bushing movement for a stiffer feel.
5. Paint and Stickers For Boosted Looks
Performance is key, but aesthetics matter too! A custom paint job can set your board apart, but it’s important to use paints that won’t add significant weight or affect the deck’s flex characteristics.
Stickers also let you quickly personalize your board. However, you need to apply them strategically to avoid disrupting the deck’s flex points. If you prefer a clean look, vinyl wraps offer a removable option that doesn’t damage the deck’s finish.
Using clear grip tape combined with a detailed paint job, you can showcase your deck’s natural beauty or custom artwork, and thus make your board truly one-of-a-kind.
6. Hardware: Weight & Durability
Hardware might seem minor, but it plays a significant role in your board’s overall performance and feel. Switching out standard steel nuts and bolts for titanium or aluminum hardware can reduce weight, albeit marginally. This can make a difference in competitive downhill racing.
If you’re into freeride or aggressive riding, using lock nuts or thread-locking compounds helps keeping your setup dialed in during intense sessions.
Some riders opt for countersunk hardware to create a flush surface on the deck and reduce the chance of catching on obstacles or your shoes during tricks.
7. Custom Bushings: Compression & Rebound
Bushings are the unsung heroes of your trucks, directly affecting your board’s responsiveness. For downhill, you might go with high-rebound bushings with a higher durometer (90A-100A) to resist compression and provide a more predictable return to center.
For a more playful ride in freeride or cruising, softer bushings (78A-87A) allow for deeper carves and sharper turns.
Dual-duro setups where you mix and match bushing hardnesses can help you reach a customized balance of stability and maneuverability.
Don’t forget to break in your bushings properly: they always feel stiffer out of the box and need some time to settle into their true characteristics.
Personalize with Lights – Visibility and Style
LED strips along the rails or under the deck add a cool visual effect during night sessions. Integrating lights into the deck’s concave or even within the wheel hubs creates a seamless look without adding much weight.
Choose waterproof and impact-resistant lights if you’re going to ride in all sorts of conditions. Proper placement is key, as added weight at the nose or tail might affect your board’s balance.
Skid Plates, Rails, Tail Guards
If you do a lot of technical sliding or tricks, skid plates on the nose and tail can reduce chipping. It also adds a bit of weight for a more grounded feel during manuals and pivots.
Some riders choose clear skid plates while others prefer colored options.
Rail guards protect the sides of your deck from damage during slides, and also add a touch of color or contrast to your setup.
Add a Handle or Storage: Handy for Commuters
If you use your board as primary transportation, adding a handle makes it easier to carry during those off-board moments. Some decks come with a pre-cut handle, but if not, you can easily install an aftermarket one.
Some riders also add under-deck storage options for small essentials (a tool, wallet, or even phone). If you do, make sure you have good placement and securing method so this won’t interfere with your ride.