Penny boards: how are they different from skateboards, which ones are there and how to choose?

Penny boards quickly gained popularity among young people who prefer an active lifestyle, becoming an integral part of a certain subculture. Due to its compactness, lightness, reliability, unusual design and affordability, this type of skateboard has become for many a great alternative to the already traditional skateboard for both sports and for pleasant movement in the fresh air.

A penny board is a skateboard similar in design to a skateboard, but lighter and smaller. This device was developed in the 70s of the last century by Australian inventor Ben Mackay in order to adapt the skateboard to safe and convenient movement on the streets. Since the inventor himself was an experienced skateboarder, he set himself the task of creating, on the basis of a traditional skateboard, an affordable and reliable vehicle that meets the principles of safe movement in an urban environment and the convenience of its transportation.

He solved the problem of strength and lightness of construction by creating the Penny board Original from heavy-duty carbonate-based plastic, the composition of which is still kept secret by the company. Thanks to the increased wheels, the possibility of faster movement through the streets was realized, and by reducing the length of the board, the compactness problem was solved: it became possible to move the structure in small bags and backpacks.

The main components of this sports equipment are:

• a board with a platform for the feet of very durable plastic with bright colors or patterns;
• a suspension made of durable aluminum alloy, consisting of two components connected by bolts, where with the help of an adjusting bolt it is possible to tighten or soften the suspension;
• polyurethane wheels with a hub made of plastic or aluminum alloy with a bearing pressed into the center.

The wheels of different models are: matte, transparent and translucent. They do not create vibration and noise when moving on bumps. The bearings retain the duration of the torque, which allows less frequent repulsion for acceleration by the supporting leg.

The designs of pennies and skateboards are very similar. Many even consider the first a small copy of the second. But there are a number of significant differences both in the performance of the structures as a whole and in the individual details.

It will be incorrect to compare which performance is better - it all depends on the purpose of use. The difference in the designs is due to their functional purpose. If a skateboard is a more athletic apparatus for performing dizzying stunts, then pennies are more suitable for walking and moving. Although on compact babies, skillfully, you can perform fairly complex exercises.

The main differences between penny and skate boards are:

• Material: site production: a skateboard is made of several layers of wood, and a penny is made of high-strength plastic, respectively, the latter is much lighter;
• deck sizes: skate - 80 cm long, and pennies - 55 and 69 cm;
• wheel diameter: skateboard - 35 mm, and a penny board - 56 or 69 mm;
• deck (platform) structure: a penny has a bend (concave) only on the back, and a skate has both ends;
• the wooden surface of the skateboard has a non-slip coating that increases grip on shoes, and on penny boards, the plastic itself has a grooved structure, which makes it possible to use it even without shoes.

According to the design features, penny-boards are divided into two main types:

• Penny Original 22 ″: the diameter of the wheels is 2.2 inches (5.6 cm), the length of the board is 55–56 cm, the width is 15 cm, the weight is about 1.5 kg;
• Penny Nickel 27 ″: wheel diameter - 2.7 inches (6.9 cm), pad length - 69 cm, weight - 2.75 kg, width - 19 cm.

The design of penny boards is very diverse and is divided into the following main types:

• Complete - one-color options;
• Custom - differ in saturated colors and logos;
• Fades - devices manufactured to order;
• Holiday - colorful drawings;
• Marbles - texture in the style of stone and wood;
• Pastel - pastel shades;
• Fluorescents - a luminous version based on a reflective coating;
• Graphics - patterns and graphics, often in a folk style.

It should be noted that luminous models (Fluorescents) were created not only for aesthetic perception. Their main function is safety of movement in the dark.

Penny Board Australia is the founder of this type of longboards and from the 70s of the last century to the present has been known as a guarantor of the quality of these products, keeping secret the methods of producing high-strength plastic for boards of this category. It is considered the standard of this product, but it also keeps prices higher without worrying about competition due to the untwisted brand.

The quality and assortment comparable to Penny Board Australia include the following manufacturers:

• FishSkateBoards;
• Union;
• Hubster.

Their products are cheaper than the original ones, and spare parts for them are much easier to purchase.

A quality producer can be identified by the following criteria:

• it is possible to adjust the stiffness of the suspension by tightening the central bolts;
• the bushings are fixed by suspension limiters, saving them from damage at sharp turns;
• the presence of polyurethane wide and soft wheels with a stiffness of 78A;
• bearings - racing, not lower than the seventh class: in the original ABEC-7 are collapsible to simplify maintenance.

The most popular models for both children and adults are glowing in the dark, for example, the Fest Original series with flashing transparent wheels that change color along the way in the dark.

Penny board models vary in design and size. There are two types of board lengths: 55 and 69 cm. When choosing this device, the following should be considered:

• purpose of use;
• age, weight and foot size.

For a child from 4 years old, for girls, as well as for using a penny board for walking and as a means of transportation in the city, a 55 cm board is most suitable. If, in addition to driving on city sidewalks, there is a desire to train the vestibular apparatus and coordination of movements , learning simple tricks, it makes sense to purchase a board 69 cm long.

To perform acrobatic numbers and when used by children, it is necessary to acquire additional safety equipment: knee pads, elbow pieces, vest and helmet.

When purchasing this longboard, especially for girls and women, design performance plays an important role. In addition, if you plan to use this accessory at night, for aesthetic pleasure, convenience and safety, you need to purchase luminous versions of the product, which come with either luminous wheels or a luminous deck.

When purchasing a board, you need to pay attention to the technical specifications and the manufacturer, as well as a number of nuances.

• Wheels. Must be made of polyurethane only.
• Bearings. The name is displayed at the wheel mounting location. The highest quality ones are marked with ABEC marking (5–7 and higher): the larger the number, the faster the bearing, but at the same time it is finer in performance and, accordingly, more fragile. The best choice is ABEC-7.
• Board itself It should be tight, but with the effect of depreciation.
• Suspension. They check it as follows: if, after pressing the edge, the board does not take the initial strictly horizontal position, but falls to one side, it means that the suspension does not fulfill its functions.

The design of the penny board is thought out to the smallest detail and created for a convenient and safe pastime: when moving, the muscles practically do not get tired, while at the same time training uniformly. It helps to lose excess body weight and improves coordination, also has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Withstanding load up to 100 kg.

See how to choose a penny board and how to ride it properly in the next video.