It’s understandable that you’re itching to ride, but perhaps funds are a bit tight. The temptation to grab a super cheap longboard online is strong, but you’re right to be wary – will it fall apart the moment you step on it? Will it even ride well? This article aims to debunk the myths surrounding budget longboards, helping you navigate the market to find a quality option that won’t break the bank.
By the end, you’ll know which parts truly matter, which don’t, and how to make informed decisions to select the best budget-friendly longboard for your needs.
Is Buying a Cheap Longboard Okay?
The short answer is: it depends. The longer answer delves into the pros and cons. One common argument against cheap longboards is that they often come from brands that don’t support the longboarding community. These companies don’t sponsor events or contribute to the sport; they simply profit and move on.
Another argument is that many cheap longboards simply don’t ride well. While this is often true, the threshold for a decent riding experience isn’t as high as you might think. Even with a budget board, you can improve the ride by swapping out specific parts. As long as the board rolls smoothly and turns well, you can have a good time.
Humble Beginnings
Many experienced riders started on a basic, inexpensive longboard. The author himself began on a board that cost less than $50, using it for six months before upgrading. As a beginner, it served its purpose well, offering decent turning and rolling capabilities. The main drawbacks were its narrow width, which made it uncomfortable and caused foot pain after a while.
My first cheap cruiser longboard
These early experiences highlight the key factors that make a good cruiser board. This initial board laid the foundation for a love of skating and snowboarding. However, an experienced rider would find such a board inadequate due to increased sensitivity to ride quality.
Will You Sacrifice Quality?
The answer is both yes and no. Many cheap boards cut corners, resulting in a poor riding experience. However, by understanding which components contribute most to a good ride, you can identify budget-friendly boards that are likely to perform well.
Longboards under $100 often share similar components. While they may not offer the best possible experience, they can still provide a lot of fun. Furthermore, one or two aftermarket upgrades can significantly enhance the board’s overall feel.
Budget-Friendly Upgrades
New Bearings
The bearings included with cheap longboards are frequently subpar. They often don’t roll smoothly, making it difficult to push. Upgrading your bearings will substantially improve your board’s rolling efficiency. Although generally bearings don’t matter much, opting for an upgrade will definitely improve performance.
Consider the high-quality Built-in Dragon bearings by Fireball. These are highly recommended and available at Stoked Ride Shop.
New Bushings
Bushings are the suspension system of your longboard, located in the trucks. They determine the turning characteristics and responsiveness of your board. These are generally affordable and significantly improve the board’s feel. If you’re going to invest in one upgrade, bushings are the way to go.
Riptide bushings are a great option and can be found at Stoked Ride Shop. Follow their instructions for proper selection. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if needed.
What to Look for in a Budget Longboard
Large Wheels
Wheels are crucial. Even with the best deck and trucks, bad wheels will ruin the riding experience. Longboard wheels typically range from 65mm to 70mm. Some budget boards come with smaller wheels.
Small wheels don’t roll as well and pick up a lot of road vibration, making for an uncomfortable ride. Larger wheels (ideally 70mm) provide a smoother, more comfortable experience and easily roll over cracks and rough terrain.
It’s recommended to use riser pads when using 70mm wheels, to prevent wheelbite and allow for deeper turns.
Adequate Standing Platform
A narrow longboard is uncomfortable and difficult to ride, feeling like balancing on a tightrope. This is why Penny boards aren’t ideal for cruising; they can cause foot pain after just a few minutes. The ideal board allows you to stand comfortably without your toes or heels hanging off. Such boards typically measure 9-10 inches in width, though smaller boards are suitable for those with small feet.
The author’s first board was narrow and uncomfortable for longer than 5 minutes, whereas his current 9.5-inch cruiser with large wheels is much more comfortable, likening the feel to “riding a cloud.”
Manageable Size
Avoid overly long boards (40 inches or more). These are slow to turn due to a large wheelbase, heavy to push, and generally don’t offer the best riding experience. Opt for a board that is 40 inches or less to ensure easy turning, pushing, and carrying.
Best Budget Longboards Under $50 (Note: Prices may vary)
Enkeeo 40-Inch Drop-Through Longboard
This is a great option for many beginners. The 40-inch length and 9-inch width provide a stable, comfortable ride. The drop-through mounting enhances stability and makes pushing and foot braking easier due to the lower center of gravity.
Enkeeo cheap longboard review
Check out a review of the Enkeeo brand here
However, the large size may make it slow to turn for some, especially lighter riders, who might prefer top-mount boards like the SOLA below. It has Reverse Kingpin (RKP) trucks that offer smooth, consistent turns. Be mindful of potential wheelbite and consider replacing the bearings if needed. Check its current price on Amazon.com.
SOLA Top Mount Longboard – Best All-Around
The SOLA comes in at 36 inches long and 9.5 inches wide. Its design stands out with a surf-inspired style and clear griptape showcasing the bamboo finish. It features top-mounted trucks for increased maneuverability and deeper turns.
Sola longboards review
The deck also features a slightly raised tail, offering a semi-functional kicktail. It has 70mm polyurethane wheels for a smooth riding experience, easily rolling over rough terrain. This may be the best overall board on the list, though replacing the bearings for a smoother, faster ride is recommended. Check it out on Amazon.com.
Quest Rorshack Longboard
This affordable board from Quest has a classic pintail shape, measuring 9 inches at its widest point, making it suitable for those with smaller feet.
Quest longboards review
It is 34 inches long with a functional kicktail, and the construction is a mix of maple and bamboo. The top-mounted design includes sanded wheel wells to help prevent wheelbite, although heavier riders may still experience it. Its 65mm wheels don’t provide as smooth a ride as 70mm wheels, so it’s best for lighter riders and children. Heavier riders may want to consider a board like the SOLA top mount or using truck risers. Check the current price on Amazon.com.
Stoked Ride Shop BLANK Cruiser – Best Budget Board
The Stoked blank cruiser is designed to be affordable while providing a great riding experience. At just $84, this board offers high-quality components, including a hard rock maple deck (made in California), 129mm Paris TKP trucks, 60mm Fireball Tinder wheels, and Fireball Dragon bearings. The parts alone would cost more than the complete board when bought separately, making this an exceptional value. The components are actually the highest quality on this entire list.
This board is a hybrid between a cruiser and a skateboard, as its big 60mm wheels will handle rough surfaces well, and its trucks provide smooth turning. While not as comfortable as wider longboards, this is a good option for those who want to learn some tricks while also being able to cruise. This is a perfect choice if you’re seeking quality on a budget. Check it out at Stoked Ride Shop. (This is an affiliate link, and using it helps support the site at no extra cost to you. Use coupon code “downhill254” at checkout.)
SOLA Bamboo Longboard – Best Beginner Board
Another excellent offering from SOLA, this longboard is very similar to the previous SOLA board, but with a slight difference. It measures 38 inches long and 9.75 inches wide. It’s top-mounted with a drop-down design.
SOLA Bamboo drop down longboard
A drop-down deck lowers the center of gravity, making it easier to skate, push, and foot brake. This makes the board very fun for cruising and carving. It’s excellent for daily riding, making it a solid option for commuters. Check it out on Amazon.com.
ReDO San Diego Palms Longboard – Best for Kids
The ReDO features a classic pintail shape, reminiscent of the early days of longboarding, while not offering performance advantages, it is stylish and pleasant to look at. The gold/green color scheme gives it a nice aesthetic.
ReDO San Diego Palms Longboard
This longboard has TKP trucks and 65mm, 78a wheels, making it low to the ground, which in turn, facilitates pushing and cruising. Wheelbite is unlikely thanks to the large wheel wells, unless you’re a very heavy rider. This is a decent budget board that’s suitable for most budgets, costing a little over $50. Its 8-inch width makes it uncomfortable for older and bigger riders, but it’s suitable for younger riders with smaller feet. Check it out on Amazon.com.
Volador 42-inch Drop-Through Longboard – Best for Heavier Riders
Like the Enkeeo, this drop-through board is good for beginners, particularly heavier riders. It’s made with 8-ply Hardrock maple and can hold up to 250lbs without risk of breakage.
Volador 42-inch Drop-Through Longboard
The Volador is 42 inches long, 9 inches wide, and has RKP trucks and 70mm wheels, drop-through mounting and large cutouts. The drop-through design makes the board easier to push and more stable, while the cutouts eliminate wheelbite. Although it is one of the more expensive options at over $100, it might be worthwhile for heavier riders. Check it out on Amazon.com.
Retrospec Zed – Good for Older Beginner Riders
The Retrospec Zed is a cruiser with an 8-ply maple construction with a bamboo finish, making it durable for heavier riders and those wanting a solid cruiser. At 44 inches, it is on the longer side, making it slightly heavy for some.
Retrospec Zed Cruiser
This board is wide and tall, providing plenty of room for your feet. It also turns slower and smoother than smaller boards, which gives more stability. The Retrospec has RKP trucks, 70mm wheels, and risers to prevent wheelbite, while the harder 85a wheels give a slight speed advantage with negligibly more bumpiness. At around $60, the Retrospec is quite affordable. Check it out on Amazon.com.
Magneto Longboards Bamboo Drop-Through – Comfortable Ride
This board is popular among beginners for its appealing style, decent components, and affordability. The bamboo finish is very attractive to riders.
Magneto Longboards Bamboo Drop-Through
The Magneto deck flexes when you stand on it, offering a comfortable ride by dampening vibrations from the road, which makes for a super smooth cruising experience. While this flex is excellent at lower speeds, it can cause wobbles and instability at higher speeds. The board is made of bamboo and fiberglass and can hold up to 275lbs. The Magneto is a good value for the price. Check it out on Amazon.com.
Merkapa 41 Drop-Through – Good Value for Money
The Merkapa is a 41-inch drop-through longboard made with 8-ply maple construction, making it sturdy for heavier riders. It also comes with a skate tool for adjustments on the fly.
Merkapa 41 Drop-Through
This board has 70mm wheels and 7-inch knock-off Paris trucks. Although not as strong as genuine Paris trucks, they offer a similar riding experience. The Merkapa is a good, affordable option for heavy beginner riders. It only costs about $70, and can be found on Amazon.com.
Get Out There and Skate!
There’s absolutely no shame in buying a board that fits your budget, and everyone should be able to enjoy skateboarding. You don’t need a lot of money to start.
The author himself started on a cheap board and loved it. You can do the same. However, you should definitely upgrade parts when you can and start saving for a better longboard in the future.
