The Landyachtz ATV has generated a lot of buzz in the skateboarding community, and for good reason. Marketed as a versatile “trick cruiser,” this board promises to be a jack-of-all-trades. I’ve put the Landyachtz ATV to the test to see if it lives up to the hype. While it’s a decent all-around skateboard, it’s not without its drawbacks, especially for experienced riders seeking peak performance in specific disciplines. It’s a board that does a bit of everything but doesn’t truly excel in any particular area.
The Landyachtz ATV Classic Howdy is a great option for those who are:
- Just starting out and learning to ride.
- Looking for a stable board with ample foot space.
However, this board might not be the right choice if you:
- Are an experienced skateboarder.
- Primarily want to learn technical tricks.
- Believe it’s ideal for both cruising and advanced trick skating.
Landyachtz ATV skateboard
Where the Landyachtz ATV Falls Short
Let’s delve into the specifics of what I didn’t particularly appreciate about the Landyachtz ATV. It’s worth mentioning that my criticisms come from a place of experience and a desire for optimal performance.
- Lack of Carving Responsiveness: The board’s setup makes it difficult to perform deep carves. When attempting sharp turns, you’ll notice a significant loss of stability.
- Heavy and Difficult to Maneuver: Due to its weight and mellow concave, executing ollies and flip tricks requires considerably more effort. The overall heft of the deck and trucks makes the board feel sluggish and heavy, almost like riding a tank.
- Not Ideal for Technical Street Skating: This board isn’t the best for technical street tricks. While it is durable, the weight makes it difficult to perform kickflips and other technical maneuvers. One of my fellow skaters even mentioned that trying to flip the board could be risky for your ankles. While you may adapt over time, it’s definitely not a street-focused skateboard.
The Strengths of the Landyachtz ATV
Now, let’s highlight the positive aspects of the Landyachtz ATV, because it’s not all negative. There are definitely some areas where this board shines.
- High-Quality Wheels: The 60mm 78a Lil EZ Hawgs wheels are phenomenal. They provide an incredibly smooth, grippy ride, but still allow for slides on smoother surfaces. And they look amazing in white.
- Excellent Stability: This is where the board truly excels. Beginners will find it incredibly stable, making it ideal for learning the basics. The board offers a similar feel to a popsicle-shaped skateboard without the twitchiness of a street deck.
- Forgiving Ride: The soft wheels make the ride very forgiving, which is especially helpful for beginners. Small and hard street skate wheels can be very unforgiving to new skaters.
- Stable Trucks: The trucks are heavy and wide, which contribute to the board’s stability. While this might not be ideal for experienced riders seeking maneuverability, it does give beginners a feeling of control and predictability.
- Great for Filming: Its stable nature makes it an excellent board for filming purposes. It’s easy to carry around, and it performs predictably at slower speeds. The Landyachtz ATV is perfect for adult beginners looking to learn the fundamentals of skateboarding.
How the Landyachtz ATV Performs on Various Terrains
The ride experience on the Landyachtz ATV is generally smooth and comfortable. The board maintains momentum with a single push, which makes it great for filming.
The wheels are a standout feature, offering exceptional grip on a variety of surfaces. They perform exceptionally well on gritty asphalt and can even handle light off-road terrain like sand or gravel. While you may need to maintain momentum, you can navigate uneven terrain to a certain extent.
However, the Polar Bear 155mm trucks are not my favorite. They feel sluggish and heavy, and the bushings don’t always respond as expected. They add to the overall weight of the board, which isn’t ideal.
While I didn’t risk it on gnarly roads, the wheels grip well on coarse asphalt but do give away on slick surfaces during sharp turns. Deep carves feel unnatural and pushed the limits of the board’s performance.
When it comes to technical skating, this board falls short. It’s simply too heavy and sluggish to perform kickflips or ollies reliably. The risk of landing primo is higher compared to a regular setup, and it can be quite uncomfortable. This board straddles the line between a cruiser and a trick board, but doesn’t truly excel as either.
Landyachtz ATV vs. a Custom Skateboard Setup
Comparing the Landyachtz ATV to a custom setup reveals some interesting differences. I recently assembled my own cruiser/trick board using spare parts, and even though it wasn’t meticulously planned, it outperforms the ATV in several key areas. My custom board is lighter, cheaper, and better for tricks. However, the Landyachtz ATV does offer a smoother ride.
landyachtz atv vs custom setup
My custom board is quicker to accelerate, easier to flick and ollie, and performs better in skateparks and bowls. The ATV, on the other hand, maintains its speed better but requires more effort for technical maneuvers.
This illustrates why the ATV is a “master of none”. It can perform a wide range of functions, but it isn’t great at any one specific task. This is typical of complete skateboards, which are designed to appeal to a broad range of skaters. Experienced riders often find these types of boards to be disappointing.
A custom setup can be achieved for around $160-170, including:
- 8.5″ Quality maple deck (e.g., Thank You): $60
- OJ Super Juice 60mm/78a or Bones Rough Riders 60mm/80a wheels: $40
- Zealous Classics or Bronson G2 bearings: $20-25
- Paris Street trucks (149): $35
- 1/8″ risers: $5
- Hardware: $3
For less money and a little effort, you can build a setup that’s better suited to your specific needs. You’ll have a deck with better pop and a lighter setup that feels less sluggish.
A Closer Look at the Landyachtz ATV Specifications
Let’s examine the individual components of the Landyachtz ATV. Overall, it’s a decent setup, but some parts might not be suitable depending on your skating preferences.
- Wheels: The 60mm 78a Lil EZ Hawgs provide a smooth, bouncy ride but can also increase the risk of landing primo.
- Deck: The 7-ply maple deck is durable but the mellow concave might not be ideal for all skaters.
- Trucks: The heavy trucks make it difficult to pop the board.
Wheels
The 60mm 78a Lil EZ Hawgs are great for a smooth, comfortable cruise. However, they can feel quite bouncy when flipping the board, increasing the risk of landing primo. While great for cruising, they might be a bit too soft for performing tricks. There’s no perfect balance between cruising and trick performance, so some tradeoffs are necessary. I personally prefer Bones 80A rough riders because they are less bouncy than the Lil EZ Hawgs.
Deck
The deck is 8.5 inches wide, 32 inches long, and has a 14.375-inch wheelbase. It feels heavy compared to other 8.5″ decks I’ve used. The deck is high-quality and durable, and while it has decent pop and some flex, it’s somewhat stiffer than other brands. The wheel wells are a nice touch, but the mellow concave may not be appealing to aggressive or technical skaters. Beginners will likely find the shape to be just fine.
Bearings
The bearings perform well with the wheels, allowing the board to roll smoothly and for extended periods without much pushing. While bearings are often overrated, upgrading to Bronson G2s will improve acceleration, while Zealous Classics are more suitable for cruising.
Trucks
As previously mentioned, the trucks are bulky, heavy, and durable. They have a lot of material for grinding, but the bushings are quite soft and might require adjustment. The trucks are mounted on 1/8″ risers to add some wheel clearance, but I did not experience any wheel bite.
Exploring Other Landyachtz ATV Shapes
The version I reviewed is the closest to a standard skateboard setup. Other ATV boards are generally more geared towards cruising. If cruising is your main goal, you might be better off with a wider board like the Ditch Life.
Given the ATV Classic’s limitations for technical skating, you might be better off choosing a board that is optimized for cruising or building your own custom skateboard. Landyachtz offers a variety of quality cruisers and longboards, but their products aren’t generally designed for hardcore street skating. Their trucks, wheels, and decks are primarily built for cruising.
Final Thoughts on the Landyachtz ATV
I must admit, my initial impression of the Landyachtz ATV was biased due to the hype surrounding it. Having tested a lot of LY boards, I had a general idea of what to anticipate. Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised by how decent this board is, even if it’s a little expensive for what you’re actually getting. While my custom setup was expected to offer a more comfortable ride, the Landyachtz surpassed it in that aspect.
However, when it comes to technical skating, the ATV falls short. Executing kickflips and ollies takes a lot of effort, which can lead to discomfort in the joints and ankles. This contradicts the board’s marketing, which suggests it can do everything. While this may be true in theory, it would require a very skilled skater to do it consistently, but why would such a skater choose this board in the first place?
Experienced skaters typically have their preferences and stick to what they are comfortable with. If that sounds like you, the Landyachtz ATV may not be the right choice. But if you’re a beginner or someone getting back into skateboarding and want a board that can be used for cruising, ollieing curbs, and doing some slappies, the Landyachtz ATV is a solid option.
