The shortboard and longboard cruiser are hybrid models of the street skateboard. Both the shortboard and longboard are designed for a specific type of riding terrain. While the shortboard and longboard may appear quite different to the untrained eye, they share a multitude of features and components. Utilize the shortboard or longboard cruiser as a low-impact form of transportation.
Function
The shortboard is designed for cruising across a level terrain as well as mild hills and slopes. Many college students opt for the shortboard as it allows you to quickly ride across long distances in a short period of time. The compact design of the shortboard makes it easy to carry and it can often fit into a large backpack or satchel. The elongated longboard cruiser is designed for downhill racing as well as surf-inspired tricks such as the hang-10. Compared to the shortboard, the longboard can hit faster speeds on a downward sloping terrain.
Dimensions
One of the distinguishing characteristics of the shortboard and longbaord cruiser is the wooden deck. While both the shortboard and longboard cruiser have a width of around 8 inches, the length of the boards varies greatly. Most shortboard cruisers feature a length of around 32 inches while longboard cruisers often stretch up to 40 inches in length. When transporting their surfboard to the beach, many surfers ride longboard cruisers that have a length of around 60 inches.
Trucks
The shortboard and longboard cruiser are both equipped with a set of metallic trucks. While the dimensions of the trucks are quite similar, the materials used in the construction process are different. To ensure increased maneuverability, the shortboard cruiser features a set of lightweight trucks made from aluminum or titanium. The truck axle of shortboard cruiser is often hollowed out to decrease the overall weight. The longboard cruiser generally features a set of heavier trucks made from stainless steel. These specialized trucks help to increase your speed on a downhill terrain.
Wheels
The shortboard and longboard cruiser are outfitted with a set of wheels made from heat-molded urethane. The wheels of the shortboard cruise often have a diameter that measures in at around 58 mm. These compact wheels offer increased acceleration on a level terrain. According to Board-Mag.com, the wheels of the longboard cruiser can have a diameter as large as 90 mm. These larger wheels help to stabilize the longboard cruiser during high-speed maneuvers. Longboard wheels are often softer than shortboard wheels for better grip during hairpin turns.
Member Comments