The Arbor Pilsner has quickly become a favorite among mini-cruisers for its smooth ride and high-quality components. As a longboard enthusiast, I’ve explored numerous cruiser boards, and the Arbor Pilsner stands out as a top contender. This review will delve into what makes this board so exceptional, from its construction to its performance across different terrains. If you’re looking for a nimble, fun, and reliable mini-cruiser, the Arbor Pilsner might be exactly what you need.
The Arbor Pilsner is a complete mini-cruiser that offers a premium riding experience. It’s equipped with high-quality Paris trucks, smooth-rolling wheels, and a beautifully designed deck. While I cannot comment definitively on long-term durability yet, the quality construction and materials suggest that this board will last if properly maintained. Let’s break down the components, discuss the riding experience, and compare it to other cruisers, particularly the popular Landyachtz Dinghy.
Arbor Pilsner: Component Breakdown
The Arbor Pilsner is a well-thought-out board where each component complements the others. From the deck to the bearings, everything contributes to a superb ride. The first time I tested this board, I was impressed by how smoothly it glided and how responsive it felt.
Here’s a breakdown of the specs:
- Trucks: 129mm Paris street trucks, top-mounted
- Deck: 7-Ply Canadian Maple with a Premium Palisander Wood Finish
- Wheels: 61mm/78A Arbor Easyrider Bogart wheels, 36mm contact patch (may vary)
- Bearings: ABEC 5 Bearings with Spacers
- Risers: 1/8″ Hard Risers
- Grip tape: Glass Re-Grit grip tape (recycled)
In my experience, the Arbor Pilsner feels more stable and offers better performance than the Landyachtz Dinghy. The slightly wider deck, combined with better trucks and wheels, results in a superior ride. It’s a nimble cruiser that is hard to beat in its price range.
Deck
Arbor Pilsner deck bottom showcasing the wood finish
The deck of the Arbor Pilsner is both functional and visually appealing. It’s constructed from 7-ply Canadian Maple, providing a solid, stiff, and stable platform. The semi-mellow concave provides a comfortable and secure stance, allowing you to maintain balance even on less-than-perfect surfaces. The wood finish is beautiful and gives the board a natural, classic look.
It’s worth noting that Arbor updates the deck designs each year, so the specific graphics may vary. However, the overall shape and construction remain consistent, ensuring reliable performance. The semi-mellow concave allows for an aggressive stance when needed, which is useful for navigating rough patches and cracks. While beginners might find it slightly challenging at first, practice will quickly improve control.
Top view of the Arbor Pilsner deck highlighting the grip tape
I personally own the foundation version of the Pilsner, and I appreciate the design. The colors work well together, and the overall aesthetic motivates me to ride. While graphic preferences are subjective, a visually appealing board can significantly enhance your motivation to get out and ride.
Trucks
Close-up of the Arbor Pilsner trucks, showing the Paris brand
The Arbor Pilsner features 129mm Paris street trucks, a well-known and respected brand in the longboarding and cruising world. These trucks are designed to withstand heavy use and can handle various riding styles, from casual cruising to more aggressive maneuvers. While the Pilsner isn’t designed for hardcore street skating, the trucks can certainly take some punishment.
Paris trucks are renowned for their responsiveness and reliability, and they contribute significantly to the Pilsner’s overall performance. They offer excellent turning ability and allow for precise control.
Wheels
Image of the Arbor Pilsner wheels, emphasizing their color and size
The Arbor Easyrider Bogart wheels are a standout feature of this board. These 61mm wheels with a 78A durometer are incredibly smooth and ideal for cruising. I’ve tested numerous cruiser wheels, and the Bogart wheels are among the best I’ve ridden. Some riders have reported chunking issues, but I have not experienced that problem, and it is likely due to excessive grinding or abuse.
The 78A durometer ensures a soft and comfortable ride, effectively absorbing vibrations from the road. The amber color of my wheels is particularly striking, especially when riding on a sunny day. While these wheels may not offer the best grip in wet conditions, this is generally not an issue for most riders since cruisers are best enjoyed on dry surfaces.
Bearings
The bearings, while functional, are likely the least impressive component of the Arbor Pilsner. Rated as ABEC 5, they perform adequately but are not the highlight of the board. As is often the case with complete cruisers, the bearings are a component that could be upgraded for even better performance. However, the overall smooth ride of the board means the stock bearings are more than adequate for casual cruising.
Arbor Pilsner Ride Experience
The Arbor Pilsner provides a fantastic ride experience. I found the board to be responsive, nimble, and suitable for various riding conditions.
Carving
The Arbor Pilsner is excellent for carving. Its responsiveness to subtle shifts in balance allows for smooth and controlled turns. The board reacts quickly, making it easy to navigate and adjust your course. This board is agile and a joy to ride, the combination of the trucks and wheels creates a carve that feels both fluid and controlled.
I’ve tested this board in various conditions and have found it incredibly forgiving. Even when I made a mistake, it was easy to regain control and continue cruising.
Tricks
The Arbor Pilsner isn’t designed for performing tricks like ollies or kickflips. While these are technically possible, it’s not the board’s intended purpose. If you’re looking for a board to perform tricks, a traditional skateboard is a better option.
I often get questions asking if you can do tricks on this cruiser, and the simple answer is: yes, you could, but it’s not what it’s made for. It’s best to use a board for its intended purpose, so if you are looking to perform tricks, get a popsicle skateboard.
Downhill
While the Arbor Pilsner can handle some speed, it’s not a downhill board. At higher speeds, you might experience speed wobbles. This board is primarily designed for cruising and commuting, not bombing hills. It is a stable ride, but it’s best to keep it away from extreme speeds and hills.
I’m still exploring this aspect further, and will provide an update with more insights in the future.
Rough Roads
The Arbor Pilsner handles rough roads remarkably well. While you might need to push a bit harder to maintain speed, it’s not an uncomfortable ride. It can handle gravel, grass, cracks, and pebbles with ease. It can roll over most surfaces without losing stability. This board can handle a lot of varied terrains.
The board’s ability to maintain its composure on rough surfaces makes it a great option for commuting and urban exploration.
Landyachtz Dinghy vs. Arbor Pilsner
A side-by-side comparison of the Landyachtz Dinghy and Arbor Pilsner
A common question I receive is: Which is better, the Landyachtz Dinghy or the Arbor Pilsner? In my opinion, the Arbor Pilsner outperforms the Dinghy. The Pilsner offers better wheel performance and more robust trucks, making it a superior choice overall.
While Landyachtz is known for their mini-cruisers, I found that the Pilsner provides a better cruising experience. The slightly wider deck provides additional stability and the components of the Arbor are simply better. However, both are high quality boards and you will have fun on either.
The Pilsner also features a slightly different shape, with a less pointy nose and more squared-off corners at the tail, providing more foot space. The Pilsner is also a little bit wider than the Dinghy, which adds to overall stability.
Is the Arbor Pilsner Good for Beginners?
While learning to skateboard requires time and effort, the Arbor Pilsner is a great option for beginners. It’s a quality board that offers a better learning experience compared to cheaper, less reliable alternatives. The board will teach you control and balance.
Rather than struggling with a poorly made board, the Pilsner provides a stable and enjoyable experience that can make the learning process much smoother. You need patience and practice to master any skill, and cruising is no different.
I often hear from people of all ages who have picked up cruising, so it’s never too late to start. The quality of the Pilsner will encourage you to improve. Buying a cheap board will often only lead to frustration, as you will eventually have to replace it when you are ready for a more capable board.
If you are a complete beginner, you can also opt for a more beginner friendly board, like the Globe Big Blazer that was reviewed previously.
When to Buy an Arbor Pilsner
The Arbor Pilsner is an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-quality, portable, and nimble mini-cruiser. It excels in navigating small spaces, making it ideal for riding around urban areas, and cruising around campus. This board is ideal for long rides as it is smooth and efficient.
The high-quality components make it a top performer right out of the box. You won’t need to replace wheels or trucks to improve its performance. The board is also great for both shorter and longer cruises.
When Not to Buy an Arbor Pilsner
If you are on a very tight budget, the Arbor Pilsner might not be the best option for you. A more cost effective approach is to use an old board, slap some OJ wheels on it, add some riser pads and bearings to create a suitable cruiser, this may also allow for more customization. But if you are looking for an out-of-the-box solution, the Pilsner is the best you can buy.
Quality skateboards come with a cost, but that cost translates to an exceptional riding experience.
Final Verdict – 4.5 Stars
The Arbor Pilsner is an outstanding mini-cruiser that excels in its design and the quality of its components. The builders have clearly put in the time to craft a board that provides exceptional cruising experience. The bearings are the only component that could be improved, but the overall quality of the board more than makes up for this minor flaw.
The Arbor Pilsner is not designed for tricks, so if you are looking for something to perform ollies or kickflips, then look elsewhere. The board is an awesome cruiser, but not built to be trashed.
The Arbor Pilsner is a great board for cruising and transportation. You won’t regret buying it, just make sure to wear your protective gear, especially a helmet, and have fun out there. If it does not seem right for you, I recommend you check out my other cruiser reviews.
Author Ruben Vee, a seasoned skateboarder
By Ruben Vee
A long time skateboarder who loves to test gear and share his findings.
