Longboard axles

If you want to assemble your perfect longboard yourself, you should take your time, especially when choosing the axles. It's worth paying attention to detail, because once you've found the ideal axle with the right settings, it will significantly support your riding style and make longboarding even more fun. Here you can find out what to look out for when choosing axles.###

Axles: The eye for detail is important

The axle is the part of the longboard that connects the rollers (more commonly known as wheels in colloquial jargon) to the deck. It is therefore an essential and very important component.

In addition, axles can significantly determine the driving behavior of the longboard and should therefore never be underestimated. When choosing the right axle, it is important to choose carefully and weigh up what is particularly important to you when riding. 

The individual parts of the axle are:

• Hanger
• Base plate
• KingPin
• possibly Bushing

Wide axle vs. narrow axle

First of all, it is important that you adjust the hanger width of your axles to the width of the deck. As a rule of thumb you can remember: Ball bearings must always be on the outside of the deck. Since it will be hard to find axles that perfectly match the width of the deck, you should rather choose an axle that is a bit wider than too narrow. The hangers of longboard axles are usually between 150 and 180 mm wide. There are also few models that are narrower or even wider. The upper limit is 200 mm. 

To avoid wheelbites, i.e. the braking of the rollers by the deck, you can additionally equip narrow axles with so-called riser pads. When choosing the width of the hanger you have to consider the following principle:

• Narrow axles are very steerable and agile and are suitable for cruising and carving boards.
• Wide axles are more stable and therefore suitable for downhill use.
• Freeride longboards are also usually equipped with a wider axle. 

There is a suitable axle for every area of use, which helps to make your longboard the perfect means of transportation.

Reverse KingPin axle vs. Traditional KingPin axle

In the longboard sector, the Reverse KingPin axle has now become established. This is an axle on which the KingPin sits at an angle and points outward. This makes longboards much easier to steer than skateboards. The Reverse KingPin axle is responsible for the characteristic surf-like movement of the longboard.

In contrast, the Traditional KingPin axle is flatter and more sluggish than the Reverse KingPin axle and is therefore primarily used for downhill. Some retro and cruiser boards are also equipped with a Traditional KingPin axle. In general, however, the Traditional KingPin axle is more likely to be found on skateboards and is considered an exception in the longboard sector. 

Large angle vs. small angle

If you want to customize your axles even more to your riding style, it's important to also pay attention to what baseplate angle they have before you buy. A high angle of around 50° will make your longboard extra maneuverable and steerable. These axles are a popular choice for carving boards. The situation is different if the angle is smaller and is 42°. Then the axle is much more stable and the board is automatically lower. The result is a safe ride that is designed for high speeds. 

Tip: If you want to use your longboard for downhill riding, however, you should never choose two axles with a small base plate angle. It is important that you can still steer well and precisely via the front axle. We therefore recommend that you choose two axles with different angles, while the angle of the front axle should be larger than that of the rear axle.

It is also important that you adjust the axles not only to your driving style, but also to your weight. The easiest way to do this is with the so-called bushings, which are available in many different shapes and degrees of hardness. They are located under the KingPin screw and influence the driving behavior of the axles as desired:

• Conical Bushings facilitate the steering behavior.
• Flat Bush ings make your longboard more sluggish.
• Chubby Bush ings block the axle turn-in from a certain point.

Axle design - also a point that can be important for you

In addition to all the technology, of course, the eye must also be satisfied - no wonder that you can therefore choose from different axle designs. There are three classic distinctions here:

• Classic axles in black or silver
• Colored axles in blue, green, red and other colors
• Eye-catching axles with stylish patterns

In our longboard store you can find different axles from different manufacturers. Almost all brands offer axles that can also be flipped. This means that you can mount them on your deck from both directions and thus have even more leeway in determining the riding style. Within our range you will find axles from: 

• Bear
• Bolt
• Caliber
• Carver
• Globe Slant
• Gunmetal
• Independent
• Paris Truck Co,
• Upholstery
• Randal

It is important for us to give you the widest possible range of different types of axles, so you are guaranteed to find the right model for your longboard. 

In the product descriptions in our store you will find a lot of information about the axles, which will help you to find the right one for your purposes. If you still have questions, you can ask us. We are happy to help and advise.