When we say longboard versus cruiser, we are comparing the standard longboard versus the cruiser longboard. And yes, the cruiser is a specific type of longboard, just to clear up any confusion. With that being said, these are two very different types of longboards, and they are used for different purposes. So let’s compare the standard longboard versus the cruiser to see what they’re all about.

Longboard vs. Cruiser: Side by Side

Longboards are generally bigger than skateboards; they have bigger wheels, trucks, and decks. This makes longboards more comfortable and stable to ride than standard skateboards. But what about specific types of longboards, such as the cruiser?

As the name implies, the cruiser is optimized for fairly leisurely riding. It is often a bit shorter than the longboard and a bit smaller in general. In terms of size, a cruiser looks like a standard skateboard.

Style of Riding

First off, let’s look at what riding styles these longboards are ideal for. The full-size longboard tends to be quite large, bulky, and heavy. But, on the other hand, these are ideal for riding with speed and smoothness over pretty long distances.

They can even handle country roads reasonably well and allow for greater efficiency with not much pushing required. Due to their size and weight, they generally go pretty fast and retain a good deal of momentum.

With that being said, these large boards are not ideal for congested city streets and sidewalks. They aren’t as nimble, nor are they the best for turning either.

The longer the board, the harder it is to turn. This is where a cruiser shines; it is a smaller and nimbler version of the longboard, thus making it ideal for city traveling on congested streets and sidewalks and making tight turns. A standard longboard is best for wide-open areas, whereas a cruiser can be used in tighter spaces.

Size of the Deck

As previously mentioned, full-size longboards are bigger and wider than cruisers. This is perhaps one of the biggest differences between the two – the size of the deck. A typical longboard will measure between 36 and 42 inches in length, and 8.5 inches and 10 inches wide. This is quite large and ideal for moving at high speeds with excellent stability.

On the other hand, the cruiser is generally a lot smaller than a typical longboard. The deck of a cruiser is generally no longer than 34 inches, with some being as short as 28 inches. Thus, the deck of a cruiser is always less than 8.5 inches wide. The short and relatively narrow deck allows for more maneuverability and turning ability. With that said, a cruiser is also a bit less stable than a longboard.

Shape of the Deck

Another differentiating factor between these two types of longboards is the shape. Your average longboard can come in various shapes, but most of them are either pintail or symmetrically cut out.

Most people would associate the pintail design with a typical longboard – that surfboard shape. But, of course, these are very long and wide, with the main point being speed and stability while also providing plenty of room for your feet.

Now, a cruiser may have that same surfboard shape, although it is generally less pronounced. We mentioned that a cruiser is a mix between a standard skateboard and a longboard, which is also true in shape.

When it comes to longboard shapes, the cruiser most closely resembles a standard skateboard. Cruisers also often have a kicktail at the rear, although longboards may also have this.

Deck Flexibility

Although this is not always the case, as it depends on the specific type of longboard or cruiser, longboards generally tend to be a bit more flexible than cruisers. A bit of flexibility is ideal when traveling long distances because it provides more comfort.

Flexibility also enables longboards to be better at carving and also makes things easier on the joints. In addition, it’s easier to ride on rough and bumpy terrain when a board has a bit of flex.

On the other hand, cruisers generally tend to be stiffer than typical longboards because they aren’t designed for off-road riding or rough terrain.

Cruisers are generally used for city riding, so they don’t need much shock or impact absorption. Moreover, cruisers are more often used for tricks than longboards are, and being stiff means that you get a bigger pop out of them.

The Wheels

Another difference between longboards and cruisers is that longboards generally have bigger wheels. Cruisers have wheels usually around 50 millimeters in diameter, whereas longboards have wheels up to 85 millimeters; the bigger the wheel, the faster the movement.

Cruisers generally have somewhat soft wheels, but longboards may have soft or hard wheels. Whether the wheels on a longboard are hard or soft depends on the specific purpose it is being used for.

The Truck Mount

Cruisers usually always have a top mount truck, which means that the trucks are bolted underneath the deck. As a result, cruisers are relatively high off the ground, making them a bit less stable. On the other hand, longboards may also be top mount, but many are also drop-through or even drop-in, which means they are lower to the ground and more stable at high speeds.

Conclusion

These are the significant differences between longboards and cruisers. Now that you know, you can make an informed decision between the two.

Longboarding is a great sport. You can move around in leisurely pleasure, you can bomb down hills, or you can do freestyle tricks. But, when it comes to longboards, the world is your oyster.

With that being said, just like there are different bicycles for different purposes, there are different types of longboards for various purposes.

Longboards are designed for specific purposes, and this is what this article discusses.  There are five main types of longboards, and we are going to cover them.

The Carving Longboard

One of the most challenging types of longboarding is carving. Carving most closely resembles ocean surfing. It looks very artistic and elegant, yet is also extremely hard. It’s a very technical type of longboarding.

This type of longboarding is all about curves and speed. One thing about carving is that riders can maintain high speeds without pushing much, even on flat ground. Therefore, a primary feature of a carving longboard is that they have ample wheel clearance to allow them to take turns at high speeds.

This type of longboard has a pretty decent amount of flex in the deck, allowing for energetic follow-through and impact absorption. A good length range for this type of longboard is between 32 and 42 inches. Keep in mind that carving longboards must be responsive and maneuverable.

The Downhill Longboard

As you can probably tell, this longboard is designed to bomb downhill at incredible speeds. Did you know that the fastest of longboarders can get close to 100 miles an hour? This type of longboard is all about speed and stability. Moreover, they are also high in terms of turning ability.

This longboard allows riders to maintain great speeds even when taking downhill turns. Of course, it might be somewhat difficult to turn, but after all, they’re about speed.

Some people prefer lower mounts to allow for greater stability, but more advanced riders usually prefer smaller boards with top mounting decks that are very easy to turn. However, they’re not quite as stable.

A primary feature of this longboard is that it’s generally large enough to provide you with a lot of foot space. So if you like speed and bombing down hills, this is the type to go with.

The Cruising Longboard

One of the easiest types of longboarding is known as cruising, which could be compared to a leisurely walk. This type of longboarding is all about riding on flat ground and for leisurely purposes; it’s definitely not about speed. Generally speaking, the leading choice for this type of riding is the pintail longboard.

One of the primary features of the cruising longboard is that it tends to be quite large for ample foot space, so you don’t have to worry too much about foot placement. Moreover, another feature is that it generally has a moderate to high flex, allowing for excellent impact absorption and comfort.

This type of longboard may also come with large wheels that are relatively soft. They will provide good traction on various surfaces and still allow for stability and impact absorption. Make no mistake, this type of longboard is not designed for speed or for stability at high speeds; it is all about leisure and pleasure.

The Drop Through Longboard

Suppose you want to carve at low speeds or cruise at high speeds. If so, the drop-through longboard is the board of choice. One of its primary features is that the board has a cutout in the deck, so the trucks can effectively fit on the board without causing wheel bite, which is essential for tight turns.

Moreover, because of that cutout, this longboard features a much lower deck than other types. If you are very low down to the ground, you have a low center of gravity and, therefore, excellent stability when moving at high speeds.

However, although these boards are designed for speed and stability, they still have a good bit of flexibility. So, they’re more stable than most types of longboards, but not quite as much as downhill longboards. Thus, a drop-through longboard is a great middle-ground between strength, flexibility, speed, maneuverability, and control.

Drop Down Longboards

The drop-down longboard is kind of like a drop-through on steroids. The deck of a drop-down longboard is even lower down than that of a drop-through longboard. The deck is at about the same height as the wheels with a drop-through longboard, whereas with a drop-down longboard, the deck is even lower down than the wheels.

This makes the drop-down longboard an ideal choice for moving at extremely high speeds because of its very low center of gravity. It allows you to maintain stability at high speeds while also preventing wheel bite from occurring. This is a type of longboard that is best reserved for the more advanced riders.

Conclusion

Now you know everything you need to know about the five main types of longboards. But, first, decide what kind of rider you are, as this will determine the best kind of board for you.