Commuting on a longboard is an excellent way to get around, offering a healthy, low-cost, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional transportation. It’s also a fantastic way to stay fit and inject some fun into your daily routine. This guide will explore how to choose the perfect commuter longboard, covering essential features to look for and those to avoid, ensuring you select a board that enhances your riding experience.
Top Cruiser Longboards to Consider
When selecting a cruiser longboard, several models stand out for their unique features and suitability for commuting.
Landyachtz Dinghy
Landyachtz Dinghy
The Landyachtz Dinghy, with its compact 28.5-inch length and 7.5-inch width, is exceptionally maneuverable and a joy to ride. Equipped with Bear TKP trucks and 63mm Hawgs wheels, it’s perfect for navigating tight spaces and short distances. The Dinghy is ideal for campus cruising and quick trips but may not be as comfortable for longer commutes due to its small size. Its portability is a significant advantage, fitting easily in lockers, under desks, and even in suitcases. It’s also an excellent option for kids due to its size. Additionally, Landyachtz offers various customization options, allowing you to find a color scheme and graphic that matches your style. It’s considered a more sustainable alternative to plastic penny boards.
Landyachtz Switch
Landyachtz Switch
The Landyachtz Switch is a drop-down longboard designed for comfortable and efficient commuting. Available in 35-inch and 40-inch deck lengths, the 35-inch version is recommended for its lighter weight and ease of carrying. It comes stock with 70mm, 82a Mini Monster Hawgs wheels and 180mm Bear 852 trucks, offering a balance of responsiveness and stability. The key feature is its drop-down deck, which enhances stability and makes pushing, footbraking, and overall riding easier, especially for beginners. While the 9-ply maple deck is stiff and can transmit some road vibrations, upgrading to taller wheels can improve ride quality. The 40-inch version offers more comfort but less maneuverability.
Sector 9 Lookout
Sector 9 Lookout
The Sector 9 Lookout features a flexy, drop-through deck designed to absorb road vibrations for a smooth and comfortable ride, similar to a car’s suspension. Its design makes it easier to push and footbrake. While it may feel slightly sluggish in turns, its comfort level makes it suitable for rougher surfaces and longer distances. The setup includes 10-inch (180mm) Gullwing Charger trucks and 74mm, 78a Sector 9 Top Shelf wheels. The tall, soft wheels further enhance its ability to handle various terrains, minimizing the impact of pebbles and cracks. The combination of the flexy deck and soft wheels results in a comfortable cruising experience.
Building Your Custom Commuter Longboard
Another option is to build your own commuter longboard. This allows for full customization and a perfect fit for your preferences.
Choosing the Right Deck
For a custom build, a drop-down deck is highly recommended. This design lowers the board, making it easier to push and footbrake. The Pantheon Ember or Trip are great flexy drop-down options. For advanced riders, consider a wider, shorter deck that offers the comfort of a wider stance while remaining portable. A standard skateboard deck can be a great option, providing the necessary width for comfort.
Selecting Trucks
For optimal turning and a smooth ride, 150mm Paris trucks are a solid choice. These are responsive and make for a fun riding experience. Alternatively, choose trucks that match the width of your deck, with 180mm Paris trucks being a good option for wider decks.
Wheels for a Smooth Ride
For a smooth ride, big wheels are key. Wheels that are 70mm or larger offer good momentum and can roll over most obstacles. Orangatang Kegel wheels are known for their great rolling speed. Alternatively, consider Orangatang Caguamas wheels, which are massive at 85mm and offer exceptional vibration absorption and the ability to roll over almost anything. Any 70mm+ wheel will provide a decent ride.
Budget-Friendly Option: Karnage Drop Down Cruiser Board
Karnage Cruiser Board
The Karnage Drop Down Cruiser board is a more budget-friendly option that still offers key features such as a drop-down deck, RKP trucks, and 70mm wheels. While it may not match the quality of higher-end boards, it’s a good starting point. The deck may not be as comfortable, and the trucks may not turn as smoothly, but these issues can be improved with some aftermarket upgrades, like new bushings and foam grip. Replacing the trucks can also greatly improve the turning performance. Upgrading components over time is a great way to learn what works best for you and can greatly improve the riding experience.
Key Features of a Great Cruiser Longboard
While personal preference plays a role in choosing a board, certain features are crucial for optimal performance.
Wheels
Big, soft wheels are essential for a smooth ride, as they easily roll over obstacles and absorb vibrations. However, wheels that are too big or too soft can feel sluggish. Opt for wheels with large cores, such as Kegels or Seismic Alphas, for a faster roll speed and weight reduction. Wheels around 70mm are generally a good choice.
Trucks, Bearings, and Grip
While trucks, bearings, and grip are important, they aren’t as crucial as wheels. Decent beginner trucks like Caliber or Paris, fine griptape, and affordable bearings are sufficient for a comfortable and functional setup.
Deck Considerations
Commuter Setup
For beginners, a longer deck is generally more stable and easier to ride. However, short cruiser decks are more portable. The key is to ensure the deck is wide enough to accommodate your foot size comfortably, typically at least 9 inches wide. Narrow boards, like the Penny, can be uncomfortable for longer periods. Drop-down cruisers are easier to push, footbrake, and offer increased stability due to their lower platform. While drop-through cruisers offer similar benefits, they may not turn as well. Top-mount cruisers, while the most responsive, are the hardest to push and footbrake on, but many find them more fun to ride. Beginners should start with drop-down boards, while more advanced riders can experiment with top mounts.
My Personal Commuter Setup
My personal setup includes a 9.5-inch pool skateboard deck with a 14-inch wheelbase, 150mm Paris trucks, and a variety of wheels. For daily commuting, I use 75mm, 74a Cult Raptures, which are wide, soft, and roll over most obstacles. I also use taller freeride wheels for occasional slides. This setup is designed to be extremely comfortable and versatile, receiving positive feedback from others who have tried it.
Which Board Will You Choose?
For beginners, the Landyachtz Switch is a great choice due to its high quality and reliable performance. For more advanced riders, building a custom board is rewarding and allows for a personalized setup. Use this guide as a starting point, but don’t hesitate to experiment and find what best suits your riding style. With the right board, commuting on a longboard can be a fun and rewarding experience.
