Cruiser Skateboards

What makes a cruiser different from a standard skateboard?

Three things:

• Softer wheels. Standard skate wheels run 99a to 101a, fast on smooth ground but rattly over rough pavement. Cruiser wheels run 78a to 87a, softer urethane that rolls over rough footpaths and absorbs vibration. On an average Melbourne footpath the difference is significant. Some cruisers run larger 58 to 65mm wheels for more roll speed and obstacle clearance.
• Shape and size. Cruiser decks are usually 28 to 34 inches, shorter than a longboard but shaped for comfort, often with a pronounced kicktail for pivots or a pintail for a surfier feel. Width is usually 8.0 to 9.5 inches, stable for pushing.
• Trucks. Some run standard skate trucks for a familiar tighter turn, others run reverse-kingpin trucks for a carvier, flowing feel.

Who do cruisers suit?

Anyone who wants to ride A to B, get around campus or the city, or carve footpaths without caring about tricks. They are excellent first boards for adults who want to ride without the steep learning curve of technical street skating, and a favourite second board for skaters who want something to grab and roll without thinking. For Melbourne's mix of smooth bike paths and rough suburban footpaths, a cruiser is well suited to most of the city's rideable surface.

Can you do tricks on a cruiser?

Basic ones, yes — kick turns, manuals, small ollies. Cruisers are not built for technical street or park skating, so if you want to do both, a standard setup or a hybrid is the better choice.

Which cruiser brands do you carry?

• Globe — the Australian brand. Blazer and Big Blazer are two of the most popular boards in this category.
• Landyachtz — the Dinghy and Tugboat are among the most-copied cruiser shapes in the world. The Dinghy is the compact urban standard.
• Arbor — sustainable wood construction, with the Pilsner and Oso the standout shapes.
• Santa Cruz — the Cruzer range, strong construction and California heritage.
• Powell Peralta — classic shapes and reliable Bones Brigade-heritage construction.

Complete Longboards · Surf Skates · Landyachtz · Globe · How to Choose a Longboard or Cruiser