Enkeeo 40” Drop-Through Longboard
The Enkeeo Drop-Through will get you into the sport of longboarding at a very affordable price point.
____________________________
Pros:
Cons:
____________________________
Our Synopsis
Let’s face it. When getting into a sport that we know nothing about, it can be very difficult to discern which gear to get when there are so many options. Enkeeo has brought to the market a longboard at a price that eliminates a lot of that risk. The drop-through is a great board to learn on and get a feel for the sport.
Our Review
If price is your biggest criteria when looking to make a purchase, stop here and make your purchase. With the lowest price point on our list, the Enkeeo 40” Drop-Through Longboard takes first place in the price wars. While it does not offer as many graphic choices as some of the other boards we have reviewed, it does have three to choose from.
Style
The Enkeeo longboard comes in three graphic choices to choose from. The graphics are not very much different from each other, however. Unless one of these boards really speaks to you, check out our other reviewed boards for a bigger selection of graphics.
Carving
This longboard was built with drop-through trucks with wheel cut-outs on the board itself. While the drop-through trucks limit carving somewhat, this is mostly eliminated through the wheel cut-outs. There are complaints about wheel bite, so be sure to tighten the trucks to the appropriate tension to prevent this when making sharp turns. Looser trucks increase the possibility of getting wheel bite. Another suggestion would be to buy some risers for added wheel clearance. Given all this, we would argue this board is better suited to cruising around rather than really carving it up.
Stability
The drop-through design of this 41” Enkeeo makes your ride much more stable by being closer to the ground. For balance purposes, this board excels by having a bit stiffer board than others on our list. With a load capacity of 220 lbs, most riders will be comfortable riding this board. As always, adjust the trucks to your liking. It’s a common complaint among reviewers of all longboards, that the trucks are either too loose or too stiff. The tightness can vary because of the installers, but even if every board assembled exactly the same, every rider is different. Some riders have better balance, some are heavier and some tend towards different riding styles.
Cruisability
This is the category we put this longboard in. It’s a stable board, a little on the stiff side and long. These are the characteristics we look for in a cruiser. The stiffer ride will be more comfortable over long distances because there will be less effort required to maintain balance. One of the reasons this board by Enkeeo is a great board for beginners is its stability. Although you sacrifice some turnability, learning on this board is much easier. The length of the board in essence just gives you more room to get comfortable with your feet. With a shorter board, you just have to be more exact where you place them.
When cruising around you don’t want to constantly worry about obstructions in your path. The larger wheels will enable you to handle small rocks and cracks in the pavement. And the bearings allow for smooth rides without being too fast letting the board get away from you.
Freeride
Since this board tends more towards the beginner and casual skater, it is not as maneuverable as others. And without a kicktail it definitely does not lend itself to tricks.
Flexibility
As mentioned earlier, the board is on the stiffer side. But although it is stiffer and rated for riders up to 220 lbs, it is not recommended for rough riding. There are sacrifices to be made at this price point. Not to worry however, casual riders will be fine.
Downhill-ability
For cruising downhills, stability is always your number one concern. The Enkeeo is a stable board, however we would not suggest hitting high speeds with boards at this price point. Although we realize that most people looking at boards in this niche are not looking to bomb some colossal hills, we just like to mention it. Since the board does have a lower profile and is stable, you will do well on this board on the bunny slopes.
Value
Thinking about getting into longboarding but not sure? Just need something to get you from here and there? Don’t have a lot of cash? Just a beginner? The Enkeeo 40” Drop-Through hits all these value points. It has the lowest price on our list making it a perfect buy-in. Plus being at this price point, it won’t hurt to customize it further whether it be faster bearings as you gain experience or set of risers.
Conclusion
Enkeeo has brought an entry level longboard to the market at a price most people will not balk at. Although you will sacrifice some maneuverability, you do gain stability on this drop-through longboard which really is advisable for the beginner or casual skater. Keep in mind, it is a budget board, so don’t expect to go off jumps or take the abuse that more expensive boards will handle. It’s a great choice for kids or lighter riders. Heavier riders will be ok too if they keep to a conservative approach.
