Cruiser Board: Things to Know Before You Go

Although skateboarding is thought of as an extreme sport where one gets to do a lot of tricks and moves, it’s not all dangerous as it seems, so don’t let that talk you out of giving this incredible activity a try. In fact, there’s a little something for everyone regardless of age, and if you’re into making the most out of the physical activity and the health benefits it offers minus the thrill of danger, then cruising might just be the ideal solution.

To start out, you’re going to need to buy cruiser board from a trusted retailer to know what you’re getting is of quality and is created to serve you for hours and hours of fun. This includes the complete board products as much as the kits with all the bits and pieces to build your own. Before we move on to comparing the two options, discussing brands, and the pros and cons of both, let’s first clear some things up.

What is a Cruising Board?

It’s a specific type of board designed for cruising rather than speeding or doing tricks, so it’s more like a longboard rather than a regular street skateboard. With characteristics like bigger and softer wheels, directional shape, and portable size, it’s ideal for commuting and riding through the cityscapes, as much as for leisurely cruising. In this aspect, it can even compete with scooters as the perfect mode of urban transport.

What’s the Difference Between a Cruiser Board and a Longboard?

Although they share some properties, cruisers and longboards are still two different things and it’s mainly because they diverge in the sizes, tails, and what they’re good for. The cruiser skateboard options you can find at the stores are usually under 36” whereas the longboards measure more than this. In some places, you might also hear of cruisers as mini longboards which paints a picture on their main difference.

In terms of tails, the cruiser usually has a tail while the longboard doesn’t. As for the use, due to the smaller size, the cruiser boards are fit for inner city commutes and rides unlike the longboards’ high speed long-distance commutes and downhill rides. Still, as a beginner, if you’re after stability, good board responsiveness so you can practice control over the movements and master your stability on the deck, look no further than cruisers.

Once you get a hold of the sport and buy cruiser board fit for your needs, you can do the necessary practice, enjoy commutes and city rides, and gain the confidence you require to level up with skateboarding. Don’t be surprised if you even muster the strength and courage to start doing some tricks you couldn’t imagine doing in the first place. The cruiser itself could serve for this, as you’d easily find out it’s not just made for cruising but grinds and powerslides too – with the exception it requires more effort than a regular skateboard with regular wheels.

Should You Get a Complete or Custom Board?

When you first start out with the hobby, this is a question you’d certainly ask yourself when thinking of how to best invest your hard-earned money. Truth is, it depends on what it is you’re after. If you want to buy cruiser board you can ride straight from the box, then you should get a complete product.

If you want to get a design that specifically suits your riding style and needs, then what you should be after is a custom model that you get to compose by selecting each of the components. The latter also gives you more flexibility with the specific choice of deck size, flex, tail, and material, as well as the design of wheels you most prefer, however, keep in mind it takes a great deal of knowledge on how to select the pieces.

To avoid the headache the selection and shopping brings about, the best course of action would be to stick to the complete alternative. Another reason why we recommend this is the lower initial cost as opposed to the pricier separate components of the custom option. This is an economical solution especially for those riders who still aren’t sure if this specific hobby is fit for their lifestyle, and can’t tell if they’d keep up with it for long.

The great news is there are many brands on the market, amazing with their designs fit for riders of different backgrounds and skills. When you’re just starting out, you won’t regret deciding to invest in a beginner-friendly model like the Globe’s Big Blazer, or Arbor Oso with high-quality components. The Fireball cruiser is just as great with its wide deck and comfortable wheels. Once you scale up with your skills, you can look for a more nimble model in the example of LY Dinghy, or one fit for both cruising and tricks such as the Stocked Ride Shop Complete cruiser and the NANA Complete 30” Whipper Snapper.