We agree; skateboarding is hard. But for most of the cases, the newbies are going to choose the wrong skateboard and fail to gain the basic skills easily. Well, we had the same experience as well. First, we were riding a board that was too narrow for the length of our feet.
Then a friend of ours recommended getting the right size. As we did not take a deeper dive into what size cruiser skateboard should I get, we then opted for something too wide. And the experience was the same as the narrow one. That is where we had enough and wanted to learn which size cruiser we should get.
From our intensive research and thorough testing, we found out that the length of the feet is not the only thing that should be considered. There are plenty of other things as well. And we are here to share everything that we learned with you. So, get yourself a soothing beverage and continue reading!
Cruiser Skateboard Decks
One thing that the newcomers must remember that the shoe size does not really dictate the size of the board. There are a couple of factors that have an emphasis on size. Before we talk about the size, let us get over the thickness first. Skinny ones are generally easier to flip. However, they are not that sturdy in nature.
On the other hand, the thicker decks will be exceptionally sturdy but will not be that easy to flip. Also, the boards that are considerably tiny are harder to control for the adults. It is like riding a toothpick. And landing tricks on it will be considerably hard. It will also take a good amount of skills to perfectly land those on the ground.
However, smaller decks generally mean that the weight is not going to be that heavy. So, it will be easier to do flicks and other hard-to-perform flipping tricks with them. Also, with these, it will be easier to get higher into the air.
On that note, skating on a smaller deck means you will have less amount of room for the feet. So, finding the center of balance can get a bit difficult. Well, we did manage to find the center of balance, but it was after hours of riding.
8 Inches Decks
One of the common sizes for the ridden boards is 8 inches. Even though it is perfect for the average adult, it will not be easier to perform different tricks. Also, as it is so common, most of the newbies that are looking to get into learning tricks get one of these. However, all they end up buying is a different board afterward.
8.5 Inches Decks
Riders that buy the 8.5 inches in the very beginning tend to stick with the board for a long amount of time. The reason behind that is that size is perfect for most adults, and it can offer the right amount of stability for performing different tricks. However, this size might not work for all of the riders.
Some of the riders might be good with the ones that are under 8.5 inches. That is why the height chart is so important.
Cruiser Skateboard Size Chart Based on Height
As we have mentioned earlier, the height chart is pretty important for choosing the right size for the cruiser skateboard. By following this chart, the chances of you ending up with the board that is perfect for you will be exceptionally high. So, let us not waste any more of your time and get right into the chart.
Height | Deck Size (Width in Inches) | Name of the size |
Less than 3 feet 4 inches or 101.6 cm | 6.5 inches to 6.75 inches | Micro |
From 3 feet 5 inches to 4 feet 4 inches or 104 cm to 132 cm | 7 inches | Mini |
From 4 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 2 inches or 134 cm to 157 cm | 7.3 inches | Small |
From 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 8 inches or 160 cm to 172 cm | 7.5 inches to 7.6 inches | Mild |
Higher than 5 feet 9 inches or higher than 170 cm | 7.7 inches or higher | Full |
From cruiser skateboard size chart, it is pretty clear that the 8 inches size that most of the riders opt for is not really the right size for them. And without factoring in height, if you opt for a smaller or larger board, the possibility of you finding it difficult to ride them will be reasonably high.
One of the things that you should consider from the chart is the name of the size. Some of the brands might not state the size in inches on the product description. Instead of that, they will name the size. So, if you see that the board is labeled as small, it is 7.5 inches or 7.6 inches.
On that note, the “full” does not usually mean that the board is 7.7 inches. All of the boards that are 7.7 inches and higher will be labeled as “full.”
See more: What Size Skateboard Do Pros Use?
Cruiser Skateboard Size Chart Based on Weight
Cruiser skateboard size chart we provided for the height, there is another chart for the weight. This chart basically states the size according to the weight capacity of the board. And in the case of the skateboard deck, the wider and the longer the deck is, the higher the weight capacity will be.
That being said, let us take a look at the weight chart, shall we?
Weight | Deck Size (Width in Inches) | Age |
35 pounds or lower | 6.5 inches to 6.75 inches | Toddler / Child |
40 pounds or lower | 7 inches | Child |
70 pounds or lower | 7.3 inches | Teenager / Child |
100 pounds or lower | 7.5 inches to 7.6 inches | Teenager |
150 pounds or lower | 7.7 inches or higher | Teenager / Adult |
Notice that we have used lower for all of the weight categories. This means the riders that are 35 pounds will be able to ride all of the boards. However, it does not mean that all of the sizes will be perfect for that rider. Likewise, the rider that is 150 pounds will only be capable of riding the boards that 7.7 inches or higher.
Another noteworthy thing for the chart is the age column. This is the thing that the brands are going to market their boards with. For example, if you notice that the label has a toddler on it, it will be for the riders that are 35 pounds or lower. And, if it has an adult label on it, it will be for riders with 150 pounds of weight or lower.
Does the Shoe Size Have Any Correlation with the Skateboard Size?
As we have mentioned before, the shoe size does not tell most of the story. The height and the weight is all that matters. However, the shoe size will surely give you an idea about the clearance you can expect on the board. So, let us have a look a the chart first.
Shoe Size For US | EU | UK | Deck Size (Width in Inches) |
Zero to 3 | 0 – 35 | 0- 2.5 | 6.5 inches to 6.75 inches |
4 to 5 | 36 to 37.5 | 3.5 to 4.5 | 7 inches |
6 to 7 | 38 to 39.3 | 5 to 6 | 7.3 inches |
7 to 8 | 39.3 to 40.5 | 6 to 7 | 7.5 inches to 7.6 inches |
9 and larger than 9 | 42 and larger | 8 and larger | 7.7 inches or higher |
The shoe size and the corresponding deck size here are something that you need to consider last. If you consider the weight and the height, you should be all good. However, we are not stating that this chart should be skipped entirely.
By considering this chart, you can ensure that you have the right amount of foot space on the deck.
Cruiser Skateboard Trucks
If you do not have a proper idea about what trucks actually are, it is basically the bridge between the wheels and the deck. This is the hardware that is on the bottom, and it holds the wheels. And choosing the right trucks is as important as choosing the right size for the deck.
That being said, to choose the right size for the trucks, first, you need to understand the main components and how their sizes, width, and profile/height can impact the overall riding style. So, without further ado, let us get into describing one by one.
The Parts
There are six parts: the baseplate, the bushings, hangers, pivot cup, axle, and the kingpin.
- Baseplate
Most of the modern trucks will have hollow aluminum hangers and baseplates. And the axles are going to be of steel. Some brands might incorporate a blend of different metals. You will see some using titanium and magnesium.
- Bushings
As the board must carve, absorb the impacts, and turn, the bushings are required. These are basically polyurethane. Some of the brands might use silicone bushings as well. Nonetheless, these are going to be the interface between the wheels and the board.
On that note, there are three types of bushings; soft, medium, and hard. Each of them has a different rating. The soft is ideal for the skaters that need the board to turn faster. And the rating on that would be less than 92a.
The medium would be for the skaters that require the board to turn fast but requires a bit of responsiveness. And the rating for this would be from 92 a and 97 a.
Lastly, the hard bushings are for the skaters that require a higher level of responsiveness. Usually, professional and street skaters opt for these. And these boards generally offer a higher amount of control.
- Kingpin
One of the most critical components of the board is the kingpin. This is basically the large bolt that connects both the hanger and the baseplate. And the primary purpose of this bolt is to work as a backbone for the truck.
Other than that, this bolt will control the pressure on both the bushing and the baseplate. It also offers the ability to loosen or tighten the overall pressure. And after tightening or loosening it, the rider can change the overall riding experience on the board.
On that note, these bolts can break pretty easily. So, if you are a hardcore skate, you might have to replace it quite often.
- Pivot Cup
You will notice a rounded plastic part that is sitting pretty on the baseplate. This plastic part is actually the pivot cup. And this cup is pretty important because when it wears down, it can make the whole truck unstable. After that, it will be reasonably difficult to balance on the board.
- Width
To determine the width of the truck, you need to consider two of the parts. One of them is the length of the hanger, and the other is the length of the axle. These two can dictate the overall width of the truck. However, there is no standard measurement for both parts.
Each of the brands will adopt a unique sizing system. But one thing that will common is that the hanger will be the largest. It is a triangular piece that is of metal. And it supports the axle. This is the part that will enable the skaters to grind on the ramps, rail, and curbs.
Now, if you are wondering what the axle is, it is basically the long pin on the hanger. And it attaches directly to the wheel. Usually, this will be measured from the bolt from the hanger to the bolt of the wheel. And the general rule is that both the ends of the axle are going to line up with the side of the board.
- Profile/Height
The truck profile, otherwise known as the height of the truck, is basically the distance from the hanger to the very bottom of the deck. And there are three types of profiles. One of them is the low trucks, which are designed to offer a higher amount of stability. This type of truck is what the technical skaters prefer.
On that note, the wheel size of the small trucks is from 50 to 53 mm. In other words, the wheels are going to be exceptionally small. That being said, the mid-level trucks are the other type, and they are an all-rounder for park and street skating. The wheel diameter of these is from 53 mm to 56 mm.
Lastly, the high trucks are the ideal pick for the skaters that are seeking to ride comfortably across the street. The wheel diameter of these is generally larger than 56 mm. Also, it makes the tasks of carving the roads easier.
The Right Flex for the Deck
When you get more experience in skateboarding and try out different boards, you will notice not all of them have the same amount of flex. Well, that is because the deck of each of them will be of different materials. Also, not all of them will have the same number of layers.
Additionally, you will notice that the riding experience will be better and comfortable on some decks and about average on some.
Flexible Boards
Well, from our experience, we found that the decks that flex the most are capable of absorbing the shock better. However, the flexible nature can impact the overall stability.
That is why if you are planning to ride at high speed, we would not recommend picking up the boards that flex substantially. It will be downright dangerous to gain a high amount of speed on top of a flexible board. So, if you plan to do some casual skating at normal speed, opt for the flexible boards.
Stiff Boards
Planning to pick up a good amount of speed? Enjoy riding the downhill terrains? Well, the stiffer boards are the ones for you! These will have a higher number of layers. Also, the material of the board will be dense. However, the ride will not be that comfortable when compared to the flexible boards.
For that reason, if you are confused about the flex, we would recommend opting for the ones that are medium in terms of flex. Those will be comfortable for cruising, while they will also be ideal for picking up a good amount of speed.
Nevertheless, as we are talking about cruiser boards here, your best bet would be to pick something that is a bit flexy. It will offer the right amount of comfort while will enable you to safely pick up some speed. Also, the deck will be able to absorb most of the impacts.
Skateboard Cruiser Wheels
There is a wide variation in terms of skateboard wheels as well. The variables play an essential role in terms of choosing the riding style.
Diameter
Among all of the variables, the one that has the biggest role to play is the diameter. And after looking through this chart, you will get to know about the correlation of the style and diameter:
Diameter | Riding Style |
49 mm to 52 mm | Technical skateboarding |
52 mm to 55 mm | All-around skateboarding |
55 mm to 60 mm | Street skateboarding |
60 mm to 65 mm | Transporation and cruising |
65 mm to 70 mm | Longboarding |
70 mm and larger | Downhill racing |
Contact Patch
Otherwise known as the riding surface, it is the surface area that the wheel is going to make contact with while being on the ground. The higher the amount of contact patch, the higher the amount of grip the rider will have on flat grounds.
Profile
Some of the riders might refer to this as shape. No matter what the riders call it, it is the design of the wheel. And yes, it has a role to play in the case of determining the riding style. Generally, the flat-sided models will enable you to lock straight into the grinds, and the ones with rounder lips will let the rider roll over coping.
Durometer
You might already know by now that the wheels of the skateboard are basically of cured polyurethane. And the hardness level of each of the cured polyurethane will not be the same. Well, there is a scale for that, which is called the Shore A Scale. The lowest number on this scale is 74a, while the highest is 104a.
That being said, the hardness level will dictate how the wheels skates across the terrains. The softer wheels will offer a tremendous amount of grip. They will also offer a good amount of cushion for the irregular and bumpy pavements. Brands will usually use these on the longboards and cruisers.
On the other hand, the hard wheels are generally slippery. And they do not offer the amount of grip. Riders that are looking to perform different types of tricks will pick the boards that have hard wheels.
Nonetheless, here is a descriptive chart of the hardness level and the style that each of the range is suitable for:
Durometer | Characteristics | Suitable Style |
78 a to 87a | Comfortable riding, fast wearing, high grip, soft, relatively slow, and non-reactive | Longboarding and downhill racing |
88a to 95a | Good grip, medium softness level, cushioned ride, slightly reactive, medium wear rate, and average speed | Transportation and cruising |
96a to 110a | Medium hardness level, offers average grip, comparatively fast, cushioned ride, relatively reactive, and medium wear level | Park and street skateboarding |
101a and higher | Hardest wheels, low grip, exceptionally fast, highly reactive, sensitive, and slow wear level | Park skating, technical, and street skating |
Different Types of Cruiser Skateboard Wheels
The wheels are one of the primary components of the skateboard. And there are basically three types of these available in the market. They are:
Park or Street Wheels
These are the lightweight wheels that most road skateboards are going to utilize. They slide pretty easily and roll reasonably fast on smooth and flat surfaces. For that reason, skates that are keen on doing tricks usually opt for this type of wheel. Usually, these are 50 mm to 60 mm. And the durometer level is from 95 to 101a.
Soft or Cruiser Wheels
The other name of these wheels is filmer wheels. These are generally bigger than the park wheels and are softer in nature as well. However, they are utilized in almost all skateboards. And the good part is that they excel on most of the surfaces. Even when the surface is not that smooth, the performance will be pretty stellar.
That being said, the diameter range of these is from 54 mm to 60 mm. And in terms of the durometer, they will be somewhere between 78 to 90a in hardness level.
Longboard Wheels
As the name suggests, these are for longboards. And these are comparatively larger than most of the other types that are available. The large nature of the wheels will generally offer a higher overall grip over the corners. Also, these are capable of rolling smoothly on irregular and rough surfaces.
Other than that, these will excel in terms of cruising, sliding, carving, and going downhill as well. And the diameter of these starts at 60 mm, and the largest one is available at 75 mm. Also, the durometer rating will be between 75 and 85.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What size cruiser board should I get?
To get the right size of cruiser board, you need to consider three things — first, your height. Second, your body weight. And finally, the size of your shoe. We have provided a chart above, which explains all of these factors elaborately.
2. Can you Ollie on a cruiser?
Most of the cruiser boards are going to come with a kicktail. And the boards that do have a kicktail will not allow you to do certain tricks. However, performing ollie on a cruise is not impossible. But it will certainly not as easy as you might have expected it to be.
3. How much does a cruiser board cost?
It would be possible to get a well-performing cruiser in the $100 range. However, for the high-end models, you might have to bump your budget a bit and bring it closer to $250.
4. Can you kickflip on a cruiser?
The wheels of the cruiser will generally be softer in nature. And the shape of the board will be a bit long and wide. For that reason, they will not be that ideal for kick flipping. You can obviously perform this trick, but it will require a lot of skills. So, if you are more into tricks, we would advise looking into a skateboard.
Conclusion
To conclude, the answer to the question of what size cruiser skateboard should I get would be to check your height, your weight, and shoe size. You should not just jump into making a purchase decision without considering all of these factors. Also, ensure that you consider the other factors, such as the wheel and the truck.
Hi, my name is Gabriel. I am completed my MBA from private university and my subject was IT (Information Technology) and also I complete my graduation form South East University and Department from CSE (Computer Science & Engineering). I am author and blogger of this website who loves to write about different topics that are related to the board sport. From beginner tips to intermediate advice, I want to offer you quality content that will help improve your skill set and make you a better rider. Thanks for checking out my site!
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