ESC- Electronic Speed Controller
You cannot build a board using a Brushless motor without one of these. They work by turning the motor on and off thousands of times per second, the rate at which this varies creates a throttle curve. Braking is also created through a process called "Dynamic Breaking"
Here is how it works in principle FYI:
"During braking, the motor fields are connected across either the main traction generator and the motor armatures are connected across braking grids (rheostatic). The rolling wheels turn the motor armatures and when the motor fields are excited, the motors act as generators.
During dynamic braking, the traction motors, which are now acting as generators, are connected to the braking grids of large resistors which put a large load on the electrical circuit. When a generator circuit is loaded down with resistance, it causes the generators to resist rotation, thus slowing the train. By varying the amount of excitation in the traction motor fields and the amount of resistance imposed on the circuit by the resistor grids, the traction motors can slow the train to about 5 mph (8 km/h) for a direct current "transmission" system; for an alternating current "transmission" system, the traction motors can slow the train to nearly 0 mph (0 km/h)."
So ESC's are pretty integral to the build. If the only reason you don't want one is due to the price, there is a thread on here with one guy making a build for under $200 or you could also try the RCGroups Classifieds, us RC Hobbyists tend to go through a lot of gear!
http://www.rcgroups.com/classifieds-201/
Now Drop Through decks don't inherently give you stability, they only work if you drop mount the trucks. If you Drop Through the trucks on a normal board without a Drop-deck, then your clearance will be fine. If you Drop Through the trucks on a Dropped Deck (Like the Bustin Ibach, Rayne Demonseed, Landyachtz Switchblade etc), your ground clearance will be about an inch at best. Dropped Trucks on a Dropped Deck is best for Long Distance Pushing.
Boards and Trucks
Caliber 50s are stable up to about 30Mph, The angle of the Baseplate also plays a part in Stability at Speed (50 is best for Freeride/Carving, 45 is better for Downhill/ Speed, 38 is best for Competition Downhill--Caliber does offer CNC machined trucks with 40 degree baseplates I think, just ask Alien if they're compatible). Here is a helpful article about Boards
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.com/forum/longboarding-resources-q-a/213231-hi-kids-im-board.html
Bushings and Trucks
Another factor that determines Stability is Bushing choice; Cones, Barrels, Inverted Cones, etc. For Stability I would suggest Khiro bushings or Venoms, Double Barrels (Barrel on top and bottom of baseplate) in a dual Durometer; This Depends on your weight. Here's a good guide to bushings, the cheapest part you can change on your board that can have the most profound effect. Here is a helpful article on Bushings:
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.c...rucks-bushings/211090-hi-kids-im-bushing.html
@Torque, Mate. Those First two are Cruising/Carving/Dancing boards. The iBach is good (I have one) but is a drop deck, not a drop through as TheMadHatter wanted. No offence meant, I know you're the guru. Just gonna throw out some alternate choices of mine.
I prefer Daddies to Muirskate, just a personal pref.
http://www.daddiesboardshop.com/earthwing-supermodel-3d-drop-thru-longboard-skateboard-deck-blue-blue
http://www.daddiesboardshop.com/sector-9-gauntlet-longboard-skateboard-deck
http://www.daddiesboardshop.com/landyachtz-drop-speed-longboard-skateboard-deck-with-gas-pedals-2014
My rules for boards- Never buy Rayne pre-2009, Delams are almost guaranteed. Never buy a Jet Board, they're cheap for a reason. Never use Original Boards (They tried and failed to reinvent the truck. Their board designs are much the same). Neversummer are a great, cheap, American brand, If available and you like the style-- get the Neversummer.
You see every board making company has a different Credo; Earthwing came out of Boston and started with Tech Sliding and designed boards for New York Streets. Rayne came out of Canada with Giant Mountains and massive Freeride competitions. Sector 9 started just making Cruisers and Carving boards mostly but started the Downhill Division and just dominated with it. The Silverfish is your friend.
Sorry for the essay. Those threads are great help for newbies though.
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