A compact cruiser is a vital addition to any skateboarder’s collection. They excel for quick errands, neighborhood cruises, and tackling local hills. While not the most versatile, they are undeniably fun, and every quiver benefits from one. Fireball recently provided their cruiser for review, and after extensive testing, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of its performance.
Specifications:
- Length: 29.5 inches
- Width: 8.5 inches
- Trucks: Paris TKP 128mm
- Wheels: Fireball Tinder Wheels 60mm, 81a
- Griptape: Mobgrip
- Bearings: Fireball Dragon Bearings
- Hardware: Fireball hardware
Fireball Cruiser Review
Disclaimer: Although Fireball provided this deck for free, this review remains impartial and critical.
Initial Expectations
This cruiser had been on my radar for a while. It seemed to meet all the criteria: the ideal length, suitable width, and high-quality components, all at a reasonable price. Honestly, it felt almost too good to be true. While I’m typically not a huge fan of small cruisers due to their discomfort, the specs of this one gave me confidence. I was eager to test it out.
High-Quality Components
Despite its premium components, this cruiser remains surprisingly affordable. It undercuts many competitors by $20 to $30, yet it uses comparable quality parts. This complete provides exceptional value for the money.
[
fireball cruiser components](A close-up of the Fireball cruiser’s high-quality components including trucks, wheels, and bearings.)
If another brand offered the same setup, it would likely cost $150 or more. It’s remarkable that Fireball can offer this quality at such an affordable price. The Paris trucks deliver smooth and consistent turning, and the Dragon bearings roll exceptionally well right out of the box. In fact, the Dragon bearings and spacer combo are the best I’ve ever used. The complete also includes high-quality Mob griptape and Fireball hardware.
Striking Aesthetics
The first thing that caught my eye was the board’s stunning design. The graphic was simple yet beautifully executed, with a striking contrast between black and white. It’s one of the best skateboard graphics I’ve seen.
[](A detailed view of the Fireball cruiser’s stylish graphic design.)Fireball collaborated with three artists to create unique graphics for each board in their lineup, and each one looks fantastic. If skateboard design is a priority for you, this board is an excellent option.
Fireball Cruiser Artist Series
Fireball Cruiser Artist Series
Deck Dimensions: The Sweet Spot
The Fireball cruiser deck feels perfectly balanced. It’s neither too long nor too wide, avoiding the common pitfall of being too narrow. Narrow decks often leave riders feeling unstable, like they’re balancing on a tightrope, which can be uncomfortable and limit ride time.
While some riders find decks like the Dinghy too narrow, thankfully Landyachtz offers the Tugboat as a wider option. However, the Fireball Cruiser hits the sweet spot at 8.5 inches, providing enough room for a comfortable ride. It’s just wide enough to be comfortable, yet compact enough to remain maneuverable.
Smooth and Fast Wheels
I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Fireball Tinder wheels. Despite their small size and hardness, they exceeded my expectations. I was initially concerned about road vibration and slow rolling, but these wheels provided a smooth and enjoyable ride.
The Fireball Tinder wheels are 60mm tall with an 81a durometer and a large fiberglass core.
[
fireball tinder wheels 60mm](A close-up of the Fireball Tinder 60mm wheels, highlighting their size and design.)
The urethane, despite being 81a, is surprisingly soft and cushiony, effectively absorbing road vibrations for a smoother ride. The large core provides stiffness and contributes to the wheel’s decent roll speed. Paired with the quick acceleration of a small wheel, these wheels felt nimble and fun to ride.
Note: A larger size might not perform as well due to reduced urethane support potentially slowing the wheel.
[
fireball tinder wheels](The Fireball Tinder wheels on the Fireball Cruiser, showcasing their smooth ride capabilities.)
These wheels are comparable to the Morgan Pro wheels by Blood Orange. They also slide smoothly and predictably, leaving thane lines. However, be cautious as they wear down relatively quickly.
Stable and Responsive Trucks
While I typically prefer reverse kingpin trucks, the Paris TKP trucks on this cruiser were a pleasant surprise. With TKP trucks, you need to apply pressure over both trucks for turning, unlike the single front truck engagement with RKP setups.
[
paris tkp trucks](The Paris TKP trucks mounted on the Fireball cruiser, showcasing their design and functionality.)
After adjusting, I found these trucks to turn smoothly with a nice lean. They were also surprisingly stable even at speed and during slides. The bushings were excellent, and I had no desire to swap them out. Overall, the Paris TKP trucks are solid and leave little to be desired, especially for cruising.
High-Performance Bearings
The Fireball Dragon bearings are among the best I’ve ever used. Their durable shields prevent dust and debris from entering, a common feature among quality bearings.
[
fireball dragon bearings](A close-up of the Fireball Dragon bearings, emphasizing their quality and design.)
What truly sets them apart are the included spacers and speed rings, ensuring a perfect fit within the Tinder wheels. This eliminates clacking and clicking, and you can fully tighten the axle nut without affecting bearing performance. This ensures the best possible performance from the setup. While the long-term durability remains to be seen, I’m confident they will continue to perform well.
No Wheelbite Issues
Despite my weight of 150 pounds (70kg), I experienced no wheelbite, thanks to the well-designed wheel wells. This might be a key selling point for potential buyers who value this feature.
Functional Kicktail
The kicktail offers a decent amount of pop, allowing for ollies, curb jumps, and obstacle maneuvers. However, it performs best on asphalt and isn’t ideal for advanced tricks. While you can ollie, it’s not the best board for trick-focused skating.
[
fireball cruiser ollie](A rider demonstrating an ollie on the Fireball cruiser, showing the kicktail’s functionality.)
Unbeatable Price
Reiterating a crucial point, this cruiser offers exceptional value. For the price, it delivers high-quality components, including excellent trucks and wheels, typically found in much pricier setups. It’s available for just over $100 at Stoked Ride Shop.
Minor Drawbacks
Limited Availability
Fireball produces only 100 of each graphic, which adds to their appeal but also means they sell out quickly. There’s a blank version available for under $100, but the graphic versions are more desirable.
Concave
The concave, while not uncomfortable, could be improved. The raised wheel wells might be a concern for riders with larger, flatter feet. Mellowing this out would enhance the overall feel of the board.
Nose Kick
The nose kick, while adding to the board’s aesthetics, isn’t very functional. Increasing the wheelbase might be a more practical design choice. However, since most will use it for cruising, this is a minor point.
Ideal Riders
This deck is perfect for anyone seeking a comfortable and compact cruiser. It’s also excellent for kids starting out who need a quality setup that won’t hinder their progress.
Not Ideal For
If you want a board primarily for tricks, this isn’t the best option. The Landyachtz ATV might be a better fit in this case.
Where to Purchase
You can purchase the Fireball cruiser at Stoked Ride Shop. This link is for the complete with the darker graphic. This link is for the deck only.
In my opinion, this is one of the best small cruisers available today, and you should get your hands on one before they sell out.
Is the Fireball Cruiser Right For You?
While I’m hesitant to call any board perfect, this one comes close. It’s an excellent option, though there are still other popular cruisers that I’m yet to try. However, anyone who chooses this board is sure to have a lot of fun.
Big thanks to Fireball for sending me this cruiser to test.
