Choosing the right board can be tricky for beginners. Longboards, skateboards, and cruisers all offer unique riding experiences. This guide will explore the key differences between these three types of boards, helping you make an informed decision based on your riding style and needs. Whether you’re looking for smooth cruising, technical tricks, or long-distance travel, understanding the nuances of each board is essential.
| Feature | Longboard | Skateboard | Cruiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Length | 35″ – 42″ | 31″ – 33″ | 22″ – 38″ |
| Deck Width | 8.5″ – 10.25″ | 7.5″ – 8.75″ | 8.0″ – 9.5″ |
| Wheel Size | 65mm – 80mm | 48mm – 58mm | 60mm – 65mm |
| Truck Size | 149mm – 215mm | 129mm – 159mm | 139mm – 169mm |
| Primary Use | Downhill, long-distance, carving, freestyle | Tricks, skateparks, street skating | Short commutes, comfortable rides |
Understanding Skateboards
A standard popsicle skateboard
The classic skateboard, often referred to as a “popsicle” shape due to its symmetrical design, is primarily designed for performing tricks and technical maneuvers. Typically, these boards have a width of 7 to 9 inches or more, and a length ranging from 30 to 32 inches. The design of a skateboard includes a distinct nose and tail, which curve upwards. This allows riders to perform ollies, kickflips, and other tricks. The concave shape of the deck also plays a vital role in responsiveness and feel. Skateboards are built for grinding, sliding, and performing aerial tricks, setting them apart from longboards and cruisers, which are designed for more distance-oriented or casual riding. While it is technically possible to use a skateboard for transportation, the small, hard wheels often make it an uncomfortable option for longer commutes. However, by switching to softer, larger wheels, a skateboard can be adapted for cruising purposes. Many skaters, in fact, customize their skateboards with softer wheels to enjoy a dual-purpose setup. If you’re in the market for a quality skateboard, exploring pre-built options from reputable brands offers a great starting point, ensuring you have durable and well-performing components without needing to assemble a board from scratch.
Exploring Cruisers
Four mini cruiser skateboards in a row
Cruiser skateboards are designed for comfortable commuting and casual rides, offering portability without sacrificing balance. Typically featuring a flat deck surface, many cruisers also include a slightly raised tail and concave, enabling riders to navigate curbs and quickly adjust their board. Cruiser boards come in diverse shapes and sizes, with even penny boards falling into this category. Generally, cruisers are lighter and taller than regular skateboards, which allows for quick acceleration, comfort, and stability. Cruisers are not optimized for downhill riding or carving as sharply as longboards. The wheels are larger than traditional skateboard wheels but smaller than longboard wheels, usually ranging from 55mm to 65mm and feature softer durometers. These softer wheels provide a smoother ride on uneven surfaces. While some classic skateboards can function as cruisers, anything wider than 8″ can serve the purpose. Wheel wells are sometimes present to counter wheel bite. It is essential to try different shapes to determine which best suits your riding preferences. Beginner riders should consider boards that prioritize balance and stability. Brands like Landyachtz, Santa Cruz and Arbor offer quality mini cruisers that are ideal for commuting, particularly around a campus or city environment.
Close up of OJ and Orangatang cruiser wheels
Diving into Longboards
A longboard
Longboards are the largest of the three board types, varying in size and shape for different purposes. They excel at long-distance travel and extreme disciplines like downhill racing. Longboards offer the smoothest ride experience, gliding over rough surfaces with ease. Despite their size, which makes them less responsive compared to cruisers and skateboards, longboards can reach and maintain high speeds. Their larger decks and wheels give a different feel to the rider. While they may not accelerate as quickly, they are better at sustaining momentum once you are up to speed. Carrying a longboard can be awkward due to its size and weight. The trucks used in longboards differ from those found on skateboards and cruisers. They are wider and feature sharper angles, providing the board with greater stability and carving ability. Reverse kingpin trucks, another key feature, allow for more maneuverability in turns.
A Pantheon Pranayama longboard
Similar to cruisers, longboards are often equipped with larger and softer wheels, usually starting at 70mm. These larger wheels help enhance the ride’s comfort, making it smoother than smaller wheels. Longboards come in various shapes, such as drop decks, which have a lower center of gravity, aiding stability and are great for beginners. Different shapes are designed for specific riding styles, such as carving, downhill, and long-distance traveling. Choosing the appropriate longboard style is essential for your particular riding needs. Though longboards are often the priciest of the three board types, they offer exceptional longevity due to the nature of their use.
The Difference in Trucks
The trucks on all types of boards share basic components: baseplates, bushings, hangars, and kingpins. However, their construction varies significantly depending on the purpose of the board. Longboard trucks are often inverted compared to those on skateboards and cruisers. This means the trucks are assembled in reverse, increasing maneuverability and allowing for more fluid carving.
Paris V3 longboard trucks
Longboard trucks are also typically wider to match the width of the deck, typically measuring between 150mm and 180mm. Another notable difference is the bushings, which are often softer on longboards for easier turning and carving. However, downhill longboards use stiffer bushings to ensure stability at high speeds. Some longboards also utilize reversed kingpins, which provide stability while reducing the ride height compared to traditional skateboard trucks. While this setup is less conducive to technical tricks, it is ideal for longboarding’s intended riding style.
Shape Variations
Illustration comparing shapes of a skateboard, longboard, and cruiser
Skateboards generally have a “popsicle” shape with angled noses and tails for performing tricks. The concave shape of the deck is also essential for technical maneuvers. While some cruisers have concave, it’s generally less pronounced than on skateboards. Cruisers may also include a tail to help with hopping curbs, or they may have a flat deck surface. Longboards typically lack angled noses and tails and are often either completely flat or feature a slight concave. Longboards come in a wide variety of shapes, such as pintails, flat-nose designs, swallowtails, and drop-through decks, each suited for different riding purposes.
Flexibility and Board Feel
Longboards offer a more flexible feel compared to skateboards and cruisers. This flexibility enhances carving and allows for larger turns while maintaining stability. Longboards glide over cracks and rough surfaces seamlessly. Skateboards, by comparison, are stiffer, which offers a more responsive ride but is less forgiving on rough terrain. This makes the experience of cruising on a skateboard less comfortable than on a longboard, often resulting in a tingling feeling in the feet after extended periods.
Size Differences
Skateboards generally range from 30 to 32 inches in length and 7 to 9 inches in width. Cruisers can range anywhere from 25 to 37 inches, though sizes can vary widely. Longboards are the longest, ranging from 33 to 59 inches and 9 to 10 inches wide.
When to Choose a Skateboard
Choose a skateboard if your focus is on performing tricks, mastering technical skills, or spending time at skateparks. The learning curve is steeper than with longboards and cruisers. However, once you master a skateboard, you’ll be able to adapt to other boards more easily. It is a great choice for those who want to do tricks, jump off curbs, and learn advanced maneuvers like ollies and kickflips. Though it might be challenging at first, the experience is rewarding for those who enjoy the adrenaline and accomplishment that comes with skateboarding.
When to Opt for a Cruiser
Cruisers are the go-to choice for easy commutes and short trips, offering great portability and maneuverability. These boards are ideal for navigating city streets, college campuses, and other tight spaces. Their maneuverability will help you avoid obstacles and pedestrians, while their compact size makes them easy to carry on public transport or store.
When a Longboard is the Right Choice
Choose a longboard when you want to travel long distances without needing to exert much effort. While not ideal for city commuting due to their limited agility, longboards excel in providing a smooth, stable ride over extended distances. Longboarding is often considered a good starting point for beginners learning to skateboard, providing a stable platform. If you find longboarding comfortable, you may decide to get a regular skateboard later.
Is One Type Superior?
There is no one type of board that’s superior. Each board is designed for its own purpose. Longboards are ideal for speed, long distances, and casual riding experiences. Some longboarders prefer extreme speeds and downhill racing, while others enjoy relaxing, leisurely rides. Cruisers bridge the gap between traditional skateboards and longboards, with features that offer a comfortable ride while still providing some trick capability. Skateboards, on the other hand, are optimized for technical maneuvers and tricks.
What These Boards Have in Common
All three types of boards are great fun and have their own subcultures and communities. Whether you are on a longboard, cruiser or skateboard, riding with friends is often better than going solo. All three board types also share similar components, with differences in construction and materials. Quality components, however, are important for durability and performance. The basic techniques are often similar, with longboarders often using different foot placements.
Final Tips
When you are ready to buy, check out your local skate shop for expert guidance. Seeing and feeling the different types of boards is an experience that is hard to replicate online. When buying online, be sure to test your board on carpet first to keep it clean and make it easier to return if needed. Be sure to wear a helmet and knee pads. You will likely fall, especially when starting out.
Ruben vee
By Ruben Vee
