Main characteristics and features of the choice of plastboards

Plastboard, or penny board, has already become popular among advanced youth, children and adult riders, having won the love of the audience with ease, compactness and ease of transportation. This type of cruiser can really replace wooden "boards" in amateur skating. With the help of a penny board, you can easily learn simple tricks or travel around the city, and if necessary just put it in a bag.

Let's consider what are the subtleties of choosing a plastboard for children and adults, which should be taken into account when changing an ordinary skateboard to a plastic one, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the popular penny boards today. A review of Union and other plastic skateboard companies, as well as useful recommendations will help you figure out the right model for skiing.

Penny Board, or Plastboard, - This is a skate made of polymer materials, designed specifically for riding on a flat, hard surface.. Very soft, class 78A, and wide wheels with a diameter of 59 mm are installed on it. They smooth out unevenness, pits, tile seams or small cracks on the asphalt. Racing bearings are installed on penny board cruisers, preferably not lower than grade 7, usually collapsible - they are easier to maintain during operation.

The tracks on the plastboards are T-shaped, made of aluminum alloy. They have a high profile, in the kit are bushings made of elastic, soft polyurethane. They provide optimal cushioning even on poor-quality road surfaces. The suspension on the plastboards is adjustable, allowing you to select the optimal ride hardness. To do this, the kingpins tighten or loosen.

Penny boards have gained great popularity because of their versatility. They are well suited for use as stunt models, convenient for both adults and children, very flexible and almost never break.

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

An ordinary skate is made of multilayer plywood, plastic has a homogeneous polymer deck. It is immediately equipped with a corrugated platform that provides maximum grip, and does not need additional influenza.

These models can be called universal and all-weather; they are not afraid of moisture, dirt, dust. Otherwise, cruisers of this type do not have significant differences with other types of skateboards.

Among the obvious advantages of plastboards are:

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

Not without flaws. Penny boards have a board length of not more than 60 cm, which makes them not very convenient for adult riders with large foot sizes. In addition, the wheels wear out faster on these skateboards.

Compiling a review of the leading manufacturers of plastboards, it is impossible not to mention the following companies.

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

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

Russian company 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 of very durable, flexible plastic. In a variety of designs, the domestic manufacturer is slightly inferior, but it has models with wheel lighting or transparent decks.

American manufacturer of miniature plastboards with a deck length of 22.5 ″. Instead of a variety of size range, the company relied on exclusive design.

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

The most budget models have Abec 5, 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 comfortably.The tracks should have an aluminum suspension - it is better to immediately dismantle steel and plastic analogues, they are not put on high-end branded products.

Is it worth it to chase the original Pennyboard - everyone decides for himself. In fact, every rider wants to have at their disposal a branded plastboard from a market leader. But if the budget does not allow, the domestic Union will show not the worst results in skiing and at the same time will cost much cheaper. Copies of branded products cost from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles, but the quality of components can be very doubtful.

See how to choose a plastboard in the next video.