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Guide to Cruiser Skateboards - Selecting the Ideal Board for Cruising
This guide is all about cruiser skateboards. We're committed to supplying you with all the critical information needed to choose the perfect cruiser deck - whether it’s for you, a child, or a friend wanting to share in your cruising experiences.
You can jump right to the section of interest or take a look through our range of cruiser skateboards if you’re already sure of what you desire.
Overview
Overview
Understanding Cruiser Skateboards
Cruiser boards strike a balance between typical (trick) skateboards and longboards. While cruising is possible with any skateboard, cruiser boards specialize in delivering comfortable, hassle-free, and smooth rides wherever you go. This specific design focus differentiates them; they're not intended for extensive travel, hill-bombing, or executing technical tricks at the skatepark. Their primary purpose is for cruising around.
The structure of a cruiser board, similar to all skateboards, includes a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck serves as your footrest while the trucks crucially influence your turning ability. Meanwhile, the wheels and their bearings (two per wheel) unite to give you the smoothest ride achievable. Though cruiser skateboard components are akin to those on a longboard or conventional skateboard, their size and characteristics are particularly chosen to heighten cruising proficiency.
Top Cruiser Skateboards: Tips for Selection
Leading cruiser skateboards need to deliver smooth rides across different terrains and surfaces. They should also be sleek and nimble, allowing the navigation of tight turns and the ability to effectively avoid obstacles.
Opt for cruiser boards with softer, larger wheels versus those typically found on a standard skateboard. Also, having a kick tail is fundamental, though not necessarily required at both ends, as it allows for rapid moves such as kick turns or ollies.
An ideal cruiser board is straightforward to carry, making it effortless to take onto public transport or to class with minimal logistical issues. Often used for commuting, an exemplary cruiser board will serve efficiently as a travel buddy from point A to B, and remain convenient upon reaching your anchor point.
Indeed, cruiser boards excel here: they are compact, effective, and remarkably trouble-free compared to other modes of travel.
Explore our selection for excellent cruiser options for yourself, your child, or partner:
Mini Cruiser Skateboards – Your Go-To Companion
Mini cruisers have surged in popularity in recent years. The smallest members in the family of wooden cruiser boards, these boards offer heightened convenience for those on the move by being slightly smaller versions of a regular cruiser. While not as enjoyable over longer rides, they shine in short spurts or playful driveway sessions. Note that their reduced size might become inadequate for those with larger feet and longer legs compared to standard cruisers.
Mini cruisers typically measure under 30”. Sometimes featuring a flat nose design, they allow positioning of the trucks further forward, extending the wheelbase for added stability.
If thrilled by the practicality and fun of a compact skateboard cruiser, rest assured, we stock a wide array of cruiser boards for kids and adults, where our collection can also be filtered for size to locate the smallest cruisers.
Cruiser vs Longboard – Which to Choose?
When weighing the advantages of a longboard cruiser against a designated cruiser board, consider the following:
- Cruiser boards: Easy to handle and nimble, featuring a more compact turning radius due to their shorter wheelbase, making them more transportable.
- Longboard cruisers: Simpler to steer and more stable compared to a standard cruiser setup. If faced with rougher surfaces during trips, longboard cruisers provide smoother rides. Plus, they require minimal pushing during long-distance journeys with a suitable longboard cruiser.
The table below helps you identify the advantages and disadvantages of cruiser skateboards and longboards, allowing for informed decisions based on individual needs:
| Aspect | Cruiser Skateboards | Longboards |
|---|---|---|
| Maneuverability | Highly maneuverable due to the short wheelbase | Less maneuverability due to longer wheelbase |
| Agility | Greater agility | Reduced agility |
| Stability | Lower stability | Higher stability |
| Portability | Easily transportable with public transit | Less portable, occupies more space when idle |
| Terrain Adaptability | Not suitable for rough terrains | Better at rough terrains |
| Distance Cruising | Not ideal for long distances | Perfect for extended cruising |
Feel free to dive into our Longboard Buying Guide if the appeal of longer skateboards intrigues you:
Penny Boards vs Wooden Cruiser Skateboards
Penny boards belong to the cruiser skateboard category. Their size makes them extremely easy to tag along. Although they might not ace in ease or speed, their portability is unparalleled. Moreover, they’re devoid of traditional grip tape, so they won’t scuff anything they encounter like regular grip tape does.
The benefit of a plastic deck, as featured on Penny boards, is that they can withstand getting wet without deteriorating, unlike wooden decks that soften and lose their vigour when exposed to moisture. However, the metal parts might suffer from rust, and decks could become slippery when wet. Therefore, riding a Penny skateboard in rain isn’t advisable: The upside remains that wet conditions won’t transform your deck into a soggy mess while out cruising.
Wooden cruiser skateboards generally trump Penny boards in size, providing more room for your feet. This space makes it easier to balance, while spreading your feet further apart.
When evaluating the trade-offs of Penny boards vs. wooden cruiser boards, assess whether Penny boards' extreme portability outweighs the balance, cruising, and enjoyment offered by the roomier wooden cruiser decks. It’s completely your call!
Our table below highlights the key aspects of wooden cruiser skateboards and plastic Penny boards:
| Aspect | Wooden Cruiser Skateboards | Plastic Penny Boards |
|---|---|---|
| Maneuverability | Straightforward to handle | In theory more maneuverable due to smaller size, but closer foot positioning poses control challenges |
| Stability | Greater stability | Lower stability |
| Portability | Larger than Penny but still easy to carry | Exceptionally portable, lightweight, and compact |
| Comfort and distance | Ideal for extended rides | Not as comfortable for lengthy distances |
Explore our abundant collection of eye-catching plastic cruisers and Penny boards:
Selecting Cruiser Skateboards for Novices and Kids
Cruiser boards present a fantastic choice for beginners, offering a smoother, more manageable ride across diverse surfaces due to their larger, softer wheels. While not tailored for complex tricks in a skatepark, for most novices, learning to steer and ride can be a rewarding challenge on its own. In many cases, a trick-friendly skateboard may not be necessary for beginners.
Cruiser Skateboards for Kids
Mini cruisers make fabulous introductory skateboards for youngsters. They provide a sound base for mastering the fundamentals of pushing, turning, and generally gaining board confidence with wheels beneath.
For older children with long legs, a mini cruiser's short wheelbase might be harder to control. In these situations, opting for a cruiser board approximately 30" or longer is advised.
Cruiser Skateboards for Adults
For adults, cruiser skateboards provide a broad spectrum of choices for everyday commutes and leisure rides. When selecting one, deliberating on your preference for relaxed cruising versus practicality determines whether a larger or smaller cruiser board is suitable. Additionally, assess your interest in tricks to determine if a double-kick board is preferable.
Cruiser Skateboard Decks
Cruiser skateboard decks come in diverse sizes and styles but share some common traits. They tend to be directional to some degree. Certain decks lack a nose entirely, while others mirror the design of typical street skateboard shapes. Generally, cruiser decks are broader, providing better cruising platforms. However, for flip tricks, the added width isn’t necessarily beneficial (although it shouldn’t deter you from attempting flips on your cruiser board).
Old School Skateboard Decks?
Cruiser skateboard decks, distinguished by their unique shape with a more pronounced kicktail compared to the nose, are frequently referred to as old school skateboard decks. This design undoubtedly pays tribute to the classic decks of the 1970s skateboarding era.
Today's cruiser skateboards are often quite sophisticated, featuring varied concave levels for secure foot stability while riding. Many modern cruiser boards also include wheel wells, which help mitigate wheel bites and allow for a slightly lower deck setup than would otherwise be achievable.
Another contemporary advancement in cruiser skateboard decks is the use of reinforcing materials between the standard wooden layers. Some decks incorporate fiberglass or carbon layers, enhancing the durability and strength of the deck.
Cruiser Skateboard Wheels Overview
The ideal cruiser wheels will elevate your skateboarding experience, ensuring smooth rides across various surfaces. These wheels focus on maintaining speed, rather than on quick acceleration.
Consider these crucial aspects when selecting the best cruiser skateboard wheels:
Considering Cruiser Wheel Size
When choosing cruiser wheels, larger sizes offer stability and a smoother ride across different terrains, while smaller wheels provide greater agility but may lead to sudden stops due to irregular surfaces.
- Larger wheels: Enhanced stability and smoother rides, with less manoeuvrability.
- Smaller wheels: Greater agility, but more vulnerable to surface inconsistencies.
Understanding Cruiser Wheel Hardness
For cruising, choose softer wheels to benefit from better grip and surface roughness absorption, or firmer wheels for higher speed on smooth surfaces and easier sliding. The hardness level is measured by durometer, and for cruising, staying below 90A is advised.
- Softer wheels: Offer better grip and absorb surface roughness more effectively.
- Harder wheels: Provide faster performance on smooth surfaces and facilitate easier sliding.
Exploring Cruiser Wheel Shape
The shape of the wheel affects its contact patch—the area that comes into contact with the riding surface—and influences stability and agility.
- Sharp edges: Broader contact patch for smooth, stable rides.
- Rounded or beveled edges: Smaller contact patch for more dynamic and responsive performance with improved sliding abilities.
Cruiser skateboard wheels are available in a multitude of colours and styles, ranging from classic old school wheels to contemporary options featuring LED lights in the cores.
