Skateboarding is the ultimate craze. Finding your hobby is one of the best parts of life. Except there are some tips that you should be on the lookout for. For example, penny boards. Skaters are not fond of penny boards. In this article, we will talk all about penny boards and why the skating world is not fond of them.
What is a Penny Skateboard?
Let’s start with what a penny skateboard is. A penny board is a type of skateboard that is plastic. Or it is also known as a short cruiser. Due to the popularity of the brand penny skateboards have become widely genericized. First created in 2010, the name penny board was named after Ben Mackey’s, the creators, sister.
Penny Boards use ABEC 7 bearings. These bearings are fast and are also of good quality. To make the wheels turn sharply, The truck hangars are 3” wide and designed for use with the Penny Board. Riders make smooth and fast turns.
How are Penny Skateboards Made?
Penny Skateboards combines a plastic deck with cruiser wheels and trucks. This combination epitomizes a penny board. Because the material is made out of plastic, Penny boards are lighter in weight but are also very strong.
Penny boards are formed of several different parts, which are manufactured separately. They can be purchased either as complete, fully assembled, or in separate parts. They are available in a variety of colors and designs. They are sold in four distinct deck sizes, 22 in (55.9 cm), 27 in (68.6 cm) (the Nickel), 32 in (81.3 cm) cruiser, and 36 in (91.4 cm) longboard.
What makes a Pennyboard so Distinguishable?
In contrast to most skateboards, penny boards have a plastic deck. Different parts of the penny board are offered in a variety of colors. Buyers can choose any color they please. And they are much lighter to carry around than most skateboards.
What are Penny Boards Good For?
Penny boards are great for numerous activities. For example, penny boards are great for riding through crowded areas. But mainly flat ground. Because of their small size, penny boards easily fit in a backpack. That’s right, you don’t have to keep your board in your school locker whenever you commute to school using your skateboard.
The boards are specifically built for cruising. These skateboard cruises very well to any destination. For those who learn to cruise and carve on a Penny Board, you will be able to acquire the skills to ride almost any other board shape comfortably. Some adjustments have to be made, however.
The Pros of Penny Boards
This is a good time to talk about all the good things about Penny boards. Most people talk all about the negatives which set people off from buying once.
- The wheels of penny boards are larger and softer than most skateboarding wheels
- Can tackle rough terrain
- Food for commuting to any destination
- Allow for Fast Speeds
- Minimal pushing
- Smooth rides
- Cheaper
Places Not to Ride on Penny Boards
Riding down steep hills is never recommended for any activity. But, nobody should ever ride down a hill on penny boards. And it is not recommended for any ride to take them out on pathways that are very rocky. While penny boards can ride through any rough terrain, it is recommended that you ride more on smooth terrain instead. It’s better momentum.
Why Do People Dislike Pennyboards?
Most people don’t like penny boards because they are short and cheap. The small size causes major problems for most riders. That feels limiting to most riders as a Penny board is cheaper and less expensive than longboards.
Not a Good Choice for ‘Larger’ Skaters
Let’s put it this way. Yes, we all grow in different shapes and sizes. The penny board is a better option for younger kids who are just starting out with learning how to skateboard. But as they grow, the board won’t be able to support their weight.
The downside of the small shape is that Penny Boards ended up really hard to use for your average size rider. Take a look at larger sized riders the next time your skateboard. When people of average size ride a Penny Board the small wheelbase is also the reason their stance generally looks awkward.
Is There Something Wrong with the Design?
Penny boards are a smaller board than most skateboards. One other reason why people think Penny boards are bad is because of the shape and design. The design focuses primarily on cost savings. Because of this, it costs riders the experience of having comfort and stability whenever they ride. Feet need to be further apart on a skateboard in order to heed better balance and stability.
Downsides of the Design
- Limited Spacing
The design of the Penny Board shapes loses a lot of wasted space in the nose of the board where skaters stand. The space between the Penny Board trucks accommodates riders of the most leverage and control. Space is more limited. This way the company can save money because of the cheap design.
Why did manufacturers include this design? The reason is due to the distance from the front and back of the skateboard dictates how much stiffness there is in order to ride on a skateboard. To attain a cheaper price, Penny boards reduce costs to decrease the space between the front truck and the back truck. The nose of the penny board is useless. It is only an aesthetic feature to improve the appearance of the board.
- The Shape
The Penny Board shape and stance resemble a Derringer 33 mini-Carving Longboard. The shape is designed to specifically take into account the fact that there is not much space. The space between the front and back truck is maxed out to give the widest stance for more control and stability.
Change of Performance
As mentioned, the penny boards reduce spacing on the board. The design alters the performance whether positively or negatively. For most skaters, it is negative because they can’t get the right motivation out of skating. Or in other words – less control.
Risk of More Injuries
Because you have less control over penny boards, it is more risk for injuries. A lot of people have encountered injuries. Thus, people have avoided buying penny boards as they think they are going to get injured.
Should Beginners Use Penny Boards?
Yes and no.
- Those who Should Learn on a Penny Board
Only for younger beginners. Adults are better off learning how to ride on a regular skateboard. Penny boards are the best option for younger beginners because it is a better option to learn all the fundamentals. Balance is the best example. You can also learn how to push, turn, and cruise around.
Because the wheelbase smaller than the normal skateboard, and the wheels are fast, Penny Board can turn faster. You can also tighten them to add stability.
Reasons Why Not to Learn on a Penny Board
Penny boards are small. While they are fast, it is not a very stable skateboard. Because of it 22’’ longboard, your feet are close together. It’s also very hard to crouch. That’s what makes learning to skateboard on a penny board more difficult.
Which Skate Board Should I Learn Tricks on?
Not a penny board, that is for sure. For people who are more advanced in the skateboarding world, you are better off learning tricks on a regular skateboard and not a penny board. The only tricks that you can learn on a penny board are learning how to push off, riding switch, turns, and carves.
It is not safe to perform tricks like leaps in the air because the material could easily break. The structure of the penny board is not so stable.
Are Penny Boards Bad?
Penny boards get a bad rep but they are not a bad board. They are meant for different people. Not all plastic boards will perform poorly. They are made of various types of plastic after all which includes a fiberglass component and carbon fiber.
Penny boards are options for people of smaller size. Learning to skateboard is tough. For minor recreational activities, penny boards are the types of boards to ride to school or downtown.
How Much Does a Penny Board Cost?
A penny board costs between $90-$119. Penny boards are not as cheap compared to other skateboards. Watch out for the price when looking for one.
Should I Try a Penny Board?
The only reason that you should try out a penny board is that you want to. Don’t listen to other people’s words. We all have our own opinions when it comes to everything in this world. We’re not holding you back from getting a penny board. Skateboarding is a fun recreational activity to get exercise and explore. Whichever board you choose, being the penny board or another brand, be sure to tell the world your opinions.
