For starters, drop downs are unique in that the decks sit lower at the center compared to where the trucks are mounted. This lowers your center of gravity giving you more stability at greater speeds making it great for speedboarding. Being lower to the ground has other benefits as well. For one it makes it easier to initiate slides. It also makes pushing less strenuous making the drop board efficient for long distance riding. Footbraking is also a breeze with this kind of setup.
A negative aspect of a drop down longboard is that it's definitely NOT meant for off-roading. Being closer to the ground means that you have less clearance when riding over rocks or uneven terrain. When riding on pavement, you also have to be careful with speed bumps. With a drop down you're also limited to using stiff trucks. Loosen your trucks too much and you'll be scraping your deck on the floor otherwise known as railbite. A stiff truck also means that making turns will require more effort.
There's one more thing that makes this board unique which can either be a pro or a con depending on who you talk to. Since the deck is lower than where the trucks are mounted, this produces a slight rocking affect that you don't get with other boards when making turns. This slight rocking affect is what helps initiate slides.
Pros:
- Great for speedboarding
- Great for long distance riding
- More stability at greater speeds
- Easier to initiate slides
- Easier to push compared to higher boards
- Easier to footbrake
Cons:
- Not meant for off-roading
- Requires stiff trucks
- Requires more effort to make turns
In closing, drop down longboards make great boards whether you plan to bomb hills or use it for transportation. As with any longboard, don't forget to wear proper safety equipment! If you have any questions about anything I said in this article feel free to reply below.
