Choosing the right skateboard for cruising is one of the most challenging decisions every pro and amateur skater battles with—and it is a decision they counter with regularly. The need to pick the perfect board to suit the desired style, skill, and distance covered is more tasking than it seems, as there are hundreds of boards that can satisfy your needs.
Aside from regular mid-distance skating, many skaters engage in long-distance skating, which is sometimes cruising and is also gaining more popularity. For amateurs new to skating, cruising is defined as a skate style where skaters ride for a more extended period of time without stopping for breaks or performing tricks in-between.
Sometimes, cruising is also regarded as short-distance skating. Those short visits to the train station, to the nearest bagel store, and between streets are also called cruising.
There is a need to choose boards with bigger widths that help in better foot balancing and stronger wheels to withstand long-distance movement for longer cruises. On the other hand, shorter cruises need shorter boards that allow for easy maneuver as they will be primarily used in tight places and pavements.
For skaters like you who are having a hard time deciding between a skateboard and a penny board for cruising, this article will discuss in detail which board serves as the perfect cruising board.
What is a Penny Board?
They are short, resistant skateboards made entirely from plastic materials and designed for short cruising. Penny boards are one of the few skateboard types with well-differentiated parts that can be bought differently rather than together (amazing, right?).
They have a width size range of 22-27inches and polyurethane wheels with sizes that range between 55.9-68.6cm that are all rated 83A.
Most modern Penny boards were invented in 2010 by an Australian-based company called PENNY. Hence, all Penny boards are owned by Ben Mackay ( so the company PENNY made penny).
What is a Skateboard?
Skateboards are known as the original skating boards that birthed the newer variations. They have skate decks made from 7 or 8 plywood and polyurethane wheels for movement.
They consist of decks that are 7-11 inches (depending on your choice of the board) that allow for the placement of the feet. Beneath the decks are trucks that connect the decks and the wheels and also contain parts like the baseplate, hanger, and kingpins designed according to different durometer scales (the durometer scale ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest).
The wheels attached to the deck through the axles come in widths 48-54mm and 55-85mm. They are usually made of polyurethane materials and are available in different hardness measured according to a scale that runs from scale A to D, with D being the hardest.
Other notable parts are the bearings kept inside the wheels to aid rotation, grip tapes to prevent slipping and provide extra support, hardware, wedges, lapper, and tail guard.
Is a Penny board better for cruising?
As aforementioned, cruising can either be short-distances or long-distances. For skaters who intend on cruising through a shorter distance, a penny board can suffice. A penny board is perfect.
Do you need a quick trip to the train station or pick up some groceries at the store? Is the road to your destination densely populated with a lot of people commuting daily? Are there more sidewalks and pavements due to the traffic? If you fit right into these descriptions, then a penny board is right for you as its features provide you with the exact comfort you need (It’s something efficient yet straightforward).
Is a Skateboard better for cruising?
Skateboards have been used for a long time for both short and long cruising. They have been designed with quality and long-lasting materials to withstand pressure for a long distance.
They are good for cruising in areas with less human movement. Compared to the penny board, the skateboard is larger in length and width, thus making riding obvious in populated places. Hence, you are more likely to obstruct someone or something while at high speed. Aside from its bigger size, it is the best for short cruising.
Skateboards are even better for long-distance cruising and are regarded as the third most patronized skateboard type only after cruiser boards and longboards.
What are the pros of using a Penny board?
The boards are shorter than the average skateboard (or else you purchased a Penny longboard with a larger width). Its small width allows it to fit appropriately into densely packed roads. You do not have to bother about hitting someone or running into a car while moving. Also, the small size allows you to be in control of the board. You can easily maneuver it into tiny places.
Its colorful skate parts allow for easy identification and spotting amongst huge crowds. This means you are less likely to be bumped into during transit and saves you money from stickers and spray painting.
What are the cons of using a Penny board?
Since penny boards are made from plastic parts, they are not suitable for long-distance skating. This means there is a high chance of your boards breaking if you ride on them for a long time without taking breaks.
The small size of the width and wheels puts it at a disadvantage as they are incapable of providing comfort or ease for the rider. The small deck width does not provide enough space for your feet placement. The small wheels and ball bearings require you to put in two the effort needed to move a regular skateboard. Riding a penny board for a long time can cause health issues, as being in an uncomfortable posture for a long time is detrimental to the human skeletal system.
What are the pros of using a skateboard?
They have decks that are wide enough for the average human feet; this means you are assured of comfort through your journey. Also, the wheels of skateboards can be as large as 85mm in diameter. Hence, your energy consumption can be halved as the larger the diameter of the wheel, the less energy consumed.
The materials of a skateboard halve the chances of its damage. Unlike the penny board’s material which is 100% plastic, the skateboard’s longevity can be guaranteed.
The skateboard allows the rider to perform tricks easily, unlike the Penny board, where stunts and skills are almost impossible.
What are the cons of using a skateboard?
They are expensive to purchase. Though they suit every skater’s needs, buying a skateboard can create a massive gap in your finances, especially when they are not budgeted for. Irrespective of the new or old brand, they are expensive (I celebrate every skateboard I buy as a win).
Unlike the small-sized nature of the penny board, the skateboard is not portable. It’sIt’s challenging to run errands with your board underneath your arm and the grocery bags on the other.
They are expensive to maintain and style. The cute and colorful nature of the penny board gives it an advantage over the skateboard. Skateboards need regular bearing changing, oiling, cleaning of the trapped dirt and debris, replacing worn-out grip tapes, and customizing. It takes double the amount of money to customize a skateboard than to customize a penny board.
It is not suitable for densely populated areas as there is a high chance of collision. The small nature of the penny board makes it convenient to be used in areas with very little space.
Which board lasts longer?
If you compare both boards’ physical appearance and material composition, the skateboard lasts longer than the penny board. The penny board is made entirely from plastic—the deck, wheels, and axles. As with every plastic material, once any form of pressure is mounted in one part or all parts of the material, there is a high chance of damage. This means individuals with bigger body mass are unable or incapable of riding for a long time.
The skateboard deck is made from 7 to 8 plywood piled up and compressed with pressure to form a single board, its axles and ball bearings are strong and metallic, and the balls are thick polyurethane materials. The combination of these entirely different yet durable materials makes the skateboard a sturdy transporting device irrespective of the rider’s size and mass.
Which board is beginner-friendly?
This condition has no clear winner as both boards’ features serve as the perfect beginner-friendly board.
The penny board is a clear definition of a beginner board. From the small wheels to the small width, the board is the training version of a skateboard. For amateur skaters in ages 0-10, the penny board can be used as a beginner skate. Although, it is unwise to use a penny board for ages above the aforementioned range. Consistent use of the penny board makes the transition into the skateboard difficult; the sizes in length and width and even the design structure differs entirely from the skateboard.
Initially, the skateboard was used as the training board right before the development of the penny board in 2010. For a seamless transition into expert skating, training with the skateboard is encouraged.
Which board allows for more movement?
The skateboard wins this round, hands down. For stunts, skills, versatility, and ease, the skateboard comfortably provides all. This statement does not dispute the features of the penny board as it has its good times, but nothing compares to the original.
Although the small size of the penny board allows for easy movement and maneuver, it cannot be compared to the ease the skateboard provides (I have used both). The penny board is unarguably lightweight. This feature makes the board attractive yet puts it at a disadvantage. For a proper stunt performance, the weight and lightweight of the board need to be equal. Light enough for easy lifting and heavy for immediate dropping and balancing, once one of these overrides the other, it negates the ease it initially presents itself to be.
Which board fairs well on rocky and hilly floors?
The skateboard retakes this round. The metallic ball bearings intertwined inside the polyurethane wheels give it an edge over the penny board. The wheels can withstand a collision with stones, sticks, and twins while moving without altering their movement. The lightweight and plastic nature of the penny board allows it to alter its initial movement whenever it comes into contact with a collision.
Also, the wider decks give the skateboard a better balance than the penny board. This size provides better balancing and tilting when going down a hilly road. The tiny width puts the penny board at a disadvantage hence, making proper balancing difficult.
The weight of the board also helps it withstand weather changes. This means you have a better chance of skating properly in a windy environment with a skateboard than with a penny board. Well, it is less likely to come out with your penny skate in a windy situation as it might end up in a whirlwind in another city.
Which board is cheaper?
Your finance determines all decisions, and the penny board seems to be more pocket-friendly than the skateboard. The more the benefits, size, uses, and style, the more the finance.
The skateboard has better features hence providing more use and benefit than the penny board. The average price of a penny board is $20, although an expensive penny longboard can go as high as $100.
The average price of a used skateboard is $50 to $70. A new board can go as high as $150 to $200. Some skateboard relics can go as high as $1000.
The comparison of both prices shows the skateboard has a higher price than the penny board.
Conclusion
Choosing a board type depends on your expertise, financial budget, and use. To others, a penny board fits into the exact description of their needs, while a skateboard can satisfy all the desires of another. Both boards have different features and use but serve the same purposes, which are skating.
