Comparison Razor RipSurf vs Razor Ripstik Air Pro

— Skateboard. Traditional skateboards are the most famous and common type of skateboard. Usually, decks in such models are bent upwards on both sides (front and back) and have a symmetrical shape close to the oval. This design is convenient primarily for performing jumps and other stunts. At the same time, such boards are capable of accelerating well. However, in terms of speed characteristics, they are noticeably inferior to longboards (see below), and in general, they are more likely to be designed for skateparks and are not suitable for long-distance riding — especially since a classic skate does not cope with small bumps on roads, and even a short trip on a rough surface can be uncomfortable.

— Longboard. A high-speed type of board for riding, characterized by increased stability and good acceleration ability, but not intended for performing tricks. Outwardly, longboards differ from classic skateboards in their increased length (both the board itself and the wheelbase), as well as larger and softer wheels. This ensures stability and smooth running at high speeds. Also note that longboards are more diverse in terms of board sizes and shapes, as well as wheel widths. They can have different specializations: downhill (downhill, involves a large weight of the board, a characteristic shape with narrowing around the wheels and lowered suspension), freeride (an analogue of downhill, allowing side dri...ft of the skateboard), freestyle (longboards with curved tails and noses, allowing individual elements of stunt driving), etc. The cruiser is also considered a type of longboard. However, for several reasons, such models are distinguished into a separate type (see below).

— Cruiser. Cruisers are usually called longboards, designed mainly for comfort when riding around the city. Such models are equipped with slightly wider and softer wheels than the classic longboards, in addition, they may have a curved edge (kicktail) in the back of the deck. Cruisers are also quite varied in shape, they are made in different sizes and with different suspension widths and deck shapes. Plastic deck cruisers are commonly referred to as mini cruisers (see below).

— Mini cruiser. Another popular name is "pennyboard". A specific variety of the cruisers described above differs in the material of the deck — it is made of a special plastic that combines lightness, strength and elasticity. Compared to plywood, such plastic is lighter and more durable, it better tolerates contact with moisture and daily exposure to the open sky, including in wet weather this is especially important for regular trips around the city. Mini cruisers come in two standard lengths, 22" and 27"; the smaller version is more manoeuvrable and fits even in a backpack without any problems, and the longer one is wider, more stable and easy to learn.

— Rollersurf. A board consisting of two decks(under each leg) fastened with a torsion bar; allows each deck to tilt right and left (relative to the rod) independently of the other deck. Another key difference between a rollersurfer and more traditional skateboards is the number and design of the wheels. There are only two of them, one for each platform, while each wheel has a swivel mount (caster) and can rotate 360 °. As a result, the technique of riding a rollersurfer is significantly different from the classic skateboard, and in general, such boards can seem very difficult to master — after all, the rider needs to constantly move in a special way to maintain balance. However, such riding is not much more difficult than riding a conventional two-wheeled bicycle, and the specific design allows the roller surfer to perform unusual stunts that are not possible with a traditional four-wheeled skateboard. In addition, the manoeuvrability and speed of this variety are also very decent, although some of the "classic" features (such as jumping) are still not available.

— Separate rollersurf. The original projectile is a cross between the roller surfer and roller skates described above. Like a regular rollersurf, it consists of two platforms, each of which has 360° swivel wheels. However, in this version, these platforms are not connected by anything, each of them moves separately. In addition, a separate rollersurf has 4 wheels — 2 per deck — otherwise it would be almost impossible to maintain balance. This design further expands the possibilities for performing specific stunts, and can also make it easier to get through tight spots. However, a separate rollersurf is even more demanding on the rider's skills than a regular one; therefore, this variety has not received much distribution.

— Surfboard. Surfboards are a cross between cruisers and rollersurfers (see above for both). Unlike the latter, this type of board has a one-in-piece deck, most often in the form of a "fish"; however, the wheels in a classic surfboard are not four, but only three — one in front and two in the back. And some models generally have only two wheels, like a rollersurf. Anyway, riding such a board is more difficult than a cruiser, it requires a special technique, reminiscent of surfing — hence the name.

— Electric skateboard. An electric skateboard equipped with an electric motor and a battery to power it. Such a board can ride on its own, without effort on the part of the rider; for control, a remote control is usually provided. The main disadvantage of electric skateboards, in addition to high cost, is a significant weight — from 8 kg. Because of this, this variety is only suitable for riding on a relatively flat hard surface — for rough terrain and even more so for stunt riding, an electric skateboard is not suitable.

— Skatecycle. Very original devices, according to the principles of design and movement, are similar to the rollersurfers described above but also have significant differences. The name comes from the Skatecycle, the first device of its kind. The main external feature of skatecycles is wheels — these are rings that do not have central axes (the so-called "centerless wheels"). There are two such wheels, they are connected by a rigid rod, and inside each of them, there is a deck for the foot. The fastening of each platform allows you to tilt it back and forth, and the wheels themselves can be rotated relative to the central rod. Actually, due to the “snake” movement, the skatecycle rides, while the rider does not need to push off the ground. Such models combine compactness, ride comfort and quite extensive possibilities for performing stunts.

— Balanceboard. A specific type of board is used exclusively for training and performing tricks in one place and is not intended for riding. The balance board consists of the board itself and a cylindrical roller on which this board is placed; for the roller to move only in the right directions (along the board), special guides are provided in the design. True to its name, the balance board is great for balance exercises; it can be used both as a stand-alone stunt tool and as a training tool in the off-season. In addition, there is evidence that such boards contribute to the development of stabilizing muscles, which is difficult to achieve with conventional fitness; so balance boards have found application even in sports medicine and rehabilitation programs.

The dimensions of the deck in length and width (according to the largest dimensions).

Both small and large decks have their advantages and disadvantages. So, a short and narrow deck contributes to manoeuvrability, but puts forward additional requirements for the rider's skill — it can be difficult to cope with a small "nimble" skate, especially at high speed. A long and wide board, on the contrary, is more stable, but it is difficult to make sharp manoeuvres on such a skateboard. In addition, the optimal length for each type of skate (see above) also depends on the age category of the skater: for example, classic skateboards in the adult version have boards no shorter than 600 mm, and anything less refers to children's models. The width, in turn, can be determined by the size of the foot: a person with a large size (from 44) may simply be uncomfortable on a narrow deck.

Detailed recommendations on the optimal dimensions for each type of skate and planned riding features can be found in special sources.

The diameter of the wheels installed on the skateboard.

The speed reached by the skateboard is directly proportional to the diameter of the wheels, and the acceleration is inversely proportional. In other words , larger wheels will accelerate more slowly, but to higher speeds. Accordingly, when choosing this parameter, it is first of all necessary to take into account what is more important: good speed (for this it is better to choose larger wheels) or the ability to manoeuvre (small ones are suitable for this). In addition, the large diameter makes it easier to cope with small bumps on the road.

It is also worth remembering that each type of skateboard (see above) has its requirements for the size of the wheels, due to the specifics of the application: for example, high-speed longboards have larger wheel diameters than classic stunt skateboards. Accordingly, only models of the same type can be compared with each other according to this parameter. Detailed recommendations on the optimal diameter for different types of skateboards can be found in special sources.

The wheels are usually made removable, which means that if desired, wheels of a different diameter can be installed on the skateboard. However, they should not differ greatly in size from regular ones. You should be especially careful with large wheels: it may turn out that the deck will reach them when tilted, and this is fraught with falls and injuries.

The bearing is responsible for fastening the wheel on the axle, it is thanks to it that the wheel rotates — which means that the characteristics of the wheel rotation directly depend on the characteristics of this part. Without going into technical details, we can say that the class determines, first of all, the accuracy of manufacturing bearing parts. But higher accuracy, on the one hand, reduces friction, making the bearing (and wheel) more fast, on the other hand, it reduces the life of the part and significantly affects its cost. Accordingly, it makes sense to look for high-quality bearings primarily for professional use; and for a simple ride relatively simple options are quite suitable.

Most modern skateboards use ABEC 3, ABEC 5 and ABEC 7 class bearings, which are sufficient for most applications. The minimum class is ABEC 1, which is found mainly in low-cost and children's skateboards. But the super- precision ABEC 9 and ABEC 11 are mainly used in professional longboards, for which high speed is crucial.

Note that most skateboards allow you to replace regular wheels with others with higher-end bearings.

The total weight of the skateboard.

The weight of the board, compared to the weight of the rider himself, is very small. Therefore, you should pay attention to this parameter first of all in cases where you plan to regularly carry the skate with you — in your hands, in a backpack, etc. Theoretically, it is desirable to use lighter boards to perform jumps, but in fact, the difference between the same type of models is most often not so significant as to significantly affect the effectiveness of jumps (they will rather depend on the features of the deck and suspension).

Separately, it is worth mentioning the significant weight of electric skateboards(see "Type"), due to the presence of batteries and electric motors.