The main characteristics and features of the choice of plastboards

The plastboard, or penny board, has already become popular among advanced youth, children and adult riders, winning the love of the audience with its lightness, compactness and ease of transportation. This type of cruiser can really replace wooden planks in recreational riding. With the help of a penny board, you can easily learn simple tricks or travel around the city, and if necessary, simply place it in your bag.

Let's consider what are the subtleties of choosing a plastboard for children and adults, what should be taken into account when changing a regular skate to a plastic one, what advantages and disadvantages the popular penny boards have today. An overview of Union and other plastic skateboard companies, as well as helpful recommendations, will help you figure out the right model for riding.

Penny board, or plastboard, - this is a skate made of polymer materials, designed specifically for skating on a flat, hard surface... It is fitted with very soft, class 78A, and wide wheels with a diameter of 59 mm. They are good at smoothing out irregularities, pits, tile seams or small cracks in the asphalt. On cruisers, penny boards are fitted with racing bearings, preferably at least grade 7, usually collapsible - they are easier to maintain during operation.

Tracks on plastboards are T-shaped and made of aluminum alloy. They have a high profile, they come with bushings made of elastic, soft polyurethane. They provide optimal cushioning even on low-quality road surfaces. The suspension on plastboards is adjustable, which allows you to select the optimal rigidity. To do this, the kingpins tighten or loosen.

Penny boards have gained a lot of popularity due to their versatility. They are well suited for use as trick models, comfortable for both adults and children, very flexible and almost never break.

A plastic skateboard differs from a classic one primarily in the size of the deck - it is shorter, and for a person with a large foot it may seem unnecessarily miniature. The platform also has a reduced width for maximum maneuverability. In addition, it has a kicktail - a special "tail" on one side, giving the board a shape similar to the silhouette of a fish. The classic versions have these folds on both sides of the board.

An ordinary skate is made of plywood, the plastic one has a homogeneous polymer deck. It is immediately equipped with a grooved platform for maximum grip and does not need an additional grip.

These models can be called universal and all-weather, they are not afraid of moisture, dirt, dust. Otherwise, cruisers of this type do not differ significantly from other types of skateboards.

Among the obvious advantages of plastboards are:

• light weight and compact dimensions;
• durable plastic with a rough coating, which provides good adhesion;
• moisture resistance, ease of care;
• adaptability to performing tricks;
• original design and variety of colors;
• no risk of wheels touching the deck;
• high-speed polyurethane wheels;
• high bushing strength;
• smooth and even running;
• ease of transportation;
• no age restrictions - suitable for children, adolescents, adults;
• minimal effort in learning to ride.

Not without its drawbacks. Penny boards have a board length of no more than 60 cm, which makes them not very comfortable for older riders with large feet. In addition, these skateboards wear out the wheels faster.

Compiling an overview of the leading manufacturers of plasticboards, it is impossible not to mention the following companies.

The company that came up with plastboards. The brand was founded in 1973 in Australia, and currently produces boards with a diameter of 22 ″, 27 ″, 36 ″. Penny boards can support even the weight of the car, are very flexible and yet durable.

There are 4 product lines with different designs - plain, translucent, striped. Models are suitable for performing tricks such as ollies, sidewalk jumping. However, the products can hardly be called affordable - the price corresponds to the quality of the goods.

Russian company that has been producing plastboards since 2007. Available in 22.5 ″ and 27 ″ models, the wheels are stiffer - 83A, but with a standard diameter. Generally these are good budget boards made from very durable, flexible plastic. In a variety of designs, the domestic manufacturer is slightly inferior, but it has models with wheel illumination or transparent decks.

American manufacturer that produces miniature plastboards with a deck length of 22.5 ". Instead of a variety of size ranges, the company relied on exclusive design.

All penny boards are divided into 2 groups - by size. For children under 12 years old, a deck length of 56 cm is chosen, for adolescents and adults - 66-71 cm. The diameter of the wheels and the height of the deck on any of the models is enough for tracks and tracks, a skate park, and ordinary city riding. Cruisers with a large plastic deck - longboards, are also suitable for contemplating the landscape, leisurely walks.

The most budget models have the Abec 5, which is not the best option for intense loads on the deck. Abec 7 or Abec 9 demonstrate a much higher class, allow you to develop high speed and ride in comfort.The tracks should have an aluminum suspension - steel and plastic analogs should be swept away immediately, they are not used on high-end branded products.

Whether it's worth chasing the original Pennyboard - everyone decides for himself. In fact, every rider wants to have a branded plastic board from the market leader at his disposal. But if the budget does not allow, the domestic Union will show not the worst results in skiing and at the same time will be much cheaper. Copies of branded products cost from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles, but the quality of the components can be highly questionable.

For information on how to choose a plastboard, see the next video.