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A FEW GENERAL POINTS ABOUT ALL-ROUND/FREERIDE BOARDS
An all-mountain board is a board that’s supposed to be good at everything, which is usually a bit difficult. Cruising and downhill are two riding styles that are, so to speak, polar opposites. But freeride, to put it simply, falls somewhere in between. It usually involves riding down small slopes. It doesn’t necessarily have to be fast, but it usually requires a good deal of technique. It’s in this type of riding that sliding most often comes into play.
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It is advantageous for the board to be symmetrical (i.e., the same in both directions). This makes it easier to be flexible on it.
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The board shouldn't be too soft in the deck itself. If you plan to use it for sliding, it might be more difficult in that case.
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The board shouldn't be too soft in the deck itself. If you plan to use it for sliding, it might be more difficult in that case.
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Choosing the right wheels for sliding is a very crucial factor. The wheel’s shape, size, hardness, and compound are some of the factors that affect how easily you can slide with your board. Many people think you should always use a harder wheel to slide easily, and while it’s true that the wheel releases more easily that way, in many cases the slide itself can be harder to control if you’re using a hard wheel. Instead, try using a smaller wheel—perhaps around 65 mm—that’s softer (76–80a). A smaller wheel requires less force to initiate a slide, which can be suitable for beginners who may not lean into the turn as much or who are riding at lower speeds. If you have a wheel with rounded outer edges, it’ll also be easier to start a slide compared to one with a flanged edge. Different types of asphalt can also make a big difference, as can the temperature of the asphalt on any given day. To be best prepared for different conditions, it’s a good idea to have 2–3 different types of slide wheels that you can switch between.
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- Hardness: A durometer reading of 74–80A is considered relatively soft. A lower durometer rating gives the wheel more grip, but it will also provide a different feel during the slide. Think of it as an eraser on the asphalt versus a harder piece of plastic.
- Diameter: The size of the wheel also makes a difference. A smaller wheel requires less force to initiate a slide. This means you can slide at a lower speed or use less force. If you’re just learning, you might not have fully mastered the technique yet, and we usually find it easier to learn the basics with a smaller wheel.
- Tread edge: The outer edges of the tire can be rounded or straight/sharp. This is referred to as the wheel’s lip. A sharp edge grips the surface more firmly and creates more traction/friction during a sharp turn compared to a rounded lip. If you want a wheel that makes it easier to initiate a slide, you should look for a rounded lip.
- The formula: Different manufacturers may use slightly different material blends. In the past, harder wheels were generally used for sliding. Now, we’d like to point out that it can often be much more comfortable to use a softer wheel because the formula has changed. Brands like Remember, for example, have a formula that wears down very easily, so in their case, it might be more comfortable to choose a softer Duro than you usually would to compensate.
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Of course, there are many other great components that are better suited for this discipline. Make sure you have good bushings, trucks, and good grip on your board so you can get the most out of it. You’ll also probably want a pair of slide gloves. Even riders who don’t put their hands down prefer to wear gloves for those moments when they have to react quickly or when the slide doesn’t go quite as planned 🙂
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