Riding a cruiser skateboard to work, school, the mall or the burger joint nearby can be a fun way to get around and get some exercise in the meantime. Why a cruiser skateboard in particular? Well, because you’ll be riding on flat ground for the most part, and cruising decks are the best type for that kind of skating. But which boards are cruiser boards? There are a couple of things you have to consider when buying one – the length of the deck, whether the deck you want should be stiff or flexible, and whether you want the deck to feature a kicktail or not.
First and foremost, when shopping for cruiser skateboards, you need to consider the deck length. Ideally, you want a deck that’s in the 28-46inch length range. You can go for a smaller one, but if you’re a beginner, that’s not advisable. Larger decks provide a more comfortable ride, especially if you’re tall. That being said, you could look at some sizing charts online, or talk to a skateboard store employee, and they’ll probably be able to tell you the ideal board length for your size.
Next, you have to choose between a stiff and a flexible deck. A flex board can be extremely beneficial for longer rides, as it absorbs some of the rough terrains you ride across, and it allows you to ride lower, which in turn provides even more shock absorption, resulting in less stress for your knees and ankles. However, flex boards don’t feel as stable as stiff boards. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference, although there are cruiser skateboards that have a small amount of flex, just to give you a bit of leverage through turns and shock dampening effects.
Lastly, consider whether you want a board with a kicktail. Typically, cruiser skateboards don’t have a kicktail, but there are models that do. Kickboards can be useful for making turns, performing tricks and popping up and down curbs. Again, this is mostly a matter of preference. If you feel like you can put the kicktail to good use, then by all means – get a board with one. However, if you’re just planning on cruising and not performing any aggressive maneuvers, then you don’t really need it.
As you can see, a lot of it comes down to personal preference and riding style, so there’s no universally ideal cruiser that will fit everyone’s needs. You’ll have to shop around and make some decisions on your own when buying your first skateboard, then learn about what suits you and what doesn’t on the go.
