Beginners guide to buying your First Cruiser Complete
Looking at buying a cruiser board? They’re perfect from everything from running down to the store, ripping down your local hill, commuting to work and even cruising the skatepark.
Whoever it’s for this post has been put together to answer all the frequently asked questions we get about cruiser board completes.
01
WHAT SORT OF BOARD DO I WANT?
There are so many different kinds of cruiser boards available, some seem more like a traditional skateboard and others are much longer and feature different truck configurations. We can break down cruiser boards into 5 categories; Top Mounts, Drop decks, Surf Skates, Mini Cruisers and finally Old school & Filmer Cruisers. Each category has a slightly different ride and potentially a different use – although they all share the same characteristic of rolling as smooth as butter.
01
WHAT SORT OF BOARD DO I WANT?
There are so many different kinds of cruiser boards available, some seem more like a traditional skateboard and others are much longer and feature different truck configurations. We can break down cruiser boards into 6 categories; Top Mounts, Drop Thru’s, Drop Decks & Double Drops, Surf Skates, Mini Cruisers and Filmer Cruisers. Each category has a slightly different ride and potentially a different use – although they all share the same characteristic of rolling as smooth as butter.
02
TOP MOUNT LONGBOARDS
A run of the mill ride – perfect for riders who are new to skating and looking to learn the basics. “Top-Mount” refers to the deck being mounted on top of the trucks – one the most traditional truck configurations.
Top Mounts come in a huge variety of shapes, from Pintails to downhill boards and even more. Finding your first top mount will more come down to findind the right features, some have kick tails, noses, more flex, less flex – The best way to find out what you like is to get into your local Boardstore and get your feet on ’em.
02
TOP MOUNTS
A run of the mill ride – perfect for riders who are new to skating and looking to learn the basics. “Top-Mount” refers to the deck being mounted on top of the trucks – one the most traditional truck configurations.
Top Mounts come in a huge variety of shapes, from Pintails to downhill boards and even more. Finding your first top mount will more come down to findind the right features, some have kick tails, noses, more flex, less flex – The best way to find out what you like is to get into your local Boardstore and get your feet on ’em.
03
DROP DECKS
Drop decks are designed to give you a lower centre of gravity making it easier to push and also more overall stability. Drop Decks can be broken down into three styles; Drop Thrus, where the truck is dropped through a mounting hole in the deck to allow for a lower centre of gravity but still allow for a flexy-bouncy ride. Standard Drops, where the truck is still mounted under the deck but the board features a drop within the concave that lowers the standing platform, and finally Double Drops which is the lowest of the three, offering an extremely low riding platform making this style a complete breeze to push.
03
DROP DECKS
Drop decks are designed to give you a lower centre of gravity making it easier to push and also more overall stability. Drop Decks can be broken down into three styles; Drop Thrus, where the truck is dropped through a mounting hole in the deck to allow for a lower centre of gravity but still allow for a flexy-bouncy ride. Standard Drops, where the truck is still mounted under the deck but the board features a drop within the concave that lowers the standing platform, and finally Double Drops which is the lowest of the three, offering an extremely low riding platform making this style a complete breeze to push.
04
SURF SKATES
If you’re a well-versed paddler and ocean addict this might be the perfect cruiser option for you. Surf Skate Cruiser Boards use a unique pivoting truck system that allows the board to pump, wiggle and carve – mimicking the movements of a board in the water.Surf Skate Cruiser Boards have proven to be incredible cross trainers for Surfer who can’t be in the water as much as they’d like to.
When choosing a Surf Skate the most important factor to consider is the deck size. With the truck system of Surf Skate Cruiser Boards being so agile the size of the board dictates the performance even more so than regular longboards and cruisers. Longer Surf Skate Cruiser Boards tend to have a much ‘floatier’ carve and ride whilst smaller surf skates tend to have a much ‘snappier’ carve and ride.
04
SURF SKATES
If you’re a well-versed paddler and ocean addict this might be the perfect cruiser option for you. Surf Skate Cruiser Boards use a unique pivoting truck system that allows the board to pump, wiggle and carve – mimicking the movements of a board in the water.Surf Skate Cruiser Boards have proven to be incredible cross trainers for Surfer who can’t be in the water as much as they’d like to.
When choosing a Surf Skate the most important factor to consider is the deck size. With the truck system of Surf Skate Cruiser Boards being so agile the size of the board dictates the performance even more so than regular longboards and cruisers. Longer Surf Skate Cruiser Boards tend to have a much ‘floatier’ carve and ride whilst smaller surf skates tend to have a much ‘snappier’ carve and ride.
05
MINI CRUISERS
These small compact cruiser skateboards are the perfect corner-store trekker, beer-runner or campus cruiser. Usually under 32″ in length these cruisers usually feature a kick-tail and a tight turning circle. The most important thing to take into consideration when buying a mini cruiser is comfort – make sure it’s wide enough to where your feet feel comfortable.
06
FILMER & OLD SCHOOL CRUISERS
If you’re looking for a traditional or old school skateboard feel with a butter smooth roll that can take on the roughest of paths look no further then filmer and old school cruisers.
