Cruiser skateboards, longboards, surfskates. The list goes on.
What the heck is a cruiser skateboard?
This is a question I often get asked from beginners. In this post, I’ll do my best to explain them clearly and concisely.
If you’re looking for a quick answer, check it below. If you want more detail, keep scrolling.
Summary
A cruiser skateboard is similar to a traditional street skateboard but takes characteristics from a longboard. It usually has traditional kingpin trucks, a deck with a kicktail/nose, and large, soft wheels. It’s exactly how it sounds – a skateboard made for cruising.
Before I get into the detailed breakdown of cruisers, you might be curious about the differences between cruisers, longboards, and skateboards. Check out this post for a simple breakdown of the differences.
The main differences are in the decks, trucks, and wheels.
Alright, let’s start by covering…
Cruiser Decks
Cruiser skateboard decks typically have a nose and kicktail, allowing for ollies/flip tricks. You can see in the above image (Landyachtz Dinghy) that there’s a low-key nose and a more aggressive kicktail. It’s not going to be as easy to do ollies/flip tricks compared to a traditional street skateboard. But, it’s still functional enough to do them.
Cruiser skateboard setups are mainly used for cruising around or commuting. Therefore, having super aggressive noses/kicktails isn’t necessary.
This isn’t always the case. Some cruisers use a street setup but swap out the wheels. An example is this Darkroom setup.
Decks Key Takeaway
The deck usually has a nose and kicktail, making it easier to do ollies/flip tricks.
Cruiser Trucks
Cruiser skateboards typically have traditional kingpin trucks (tkps). They’re closer to the ground than reverse kingpin trucks (rkps), making it easier to do ollies/flip tricks.
There are exceptions like the Loaded Ballona, which uses Paris RKP trucks. But typically you’ll find tkps on cruiser setups.
Trucks Key Takeaway
The trucks are usually traditional kingpins, easier for doing ollies/flip tricks.
Cruiser Wheels
Cruiser wheels are typically 55-70mm with a softer durometer (78aish). There are a few characteristics to consider when picking a cruiser skateboard wheel. Like, the size, durometer, lip profile, and core placement. All of these play a role in how your wheel will perform.
Wheels Key Takeaway
The wheels are larger and softer compared to traditional street setups.
One of the most common follow-up questions I get DM’d on Instagram is…
Is a cruiser skateboard good for beginners?
In my opinion, I wouldn’t recommend a cruiser skateboard for a beginner. The reason is that cruisers are usually small, making them less stable at higher speeds. The decks are also thinner and shorter compared to a cruiser longboard. It all depends on what type of riding you’re looking to do. But for most beginners, I wouldn’t recommend them.
Can you do tricks on a cruiser?
Yes, you can do ollies and flip tricks on a cruiser skateboard because most have a nose/kicktail. But, it won’t be as easy as a traditional street skateboard since their main purpose is cruising. Compared to a longboard, it will be easier to do tricks.
Bottom Line
Like anything in skateboarding, the definition of a cruiser skateboard is subjective. There are so many variations, so giving a blanket statement is tough.
If I had to describe a cruiser skateboard, I’d say it’s a crossbreed of a traditional street skateboard and longboard.
