Comparison Penny Board Fish Light vs MaxCity X1

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 material from which the skateboard suspension is made is the mechanism responsible for attaching the wheels to the deck.

— Aluminium. The most common suspension material for modern skateboards. Aluminium alloys, at a relatively low cost, are distinguished by excellent strength and corrosion resistance, they are suitable for both relatively simple skateboards and advanced professional models, and they weigh relatively little.

— Steel. Compared to popular aluminium, steel, on the one hand, costs a little less, on the other hand, it weighs more. At the same time, this material does not have any special practical advantages, and therefore is much less common.

— Plastic. Plastic is mostly characterized by low cost and ease of processing. However, for professional skateboards, in which the suspension is subjected to significant loads, this material is not suitable: popular grades of plastic are not reliable enough, and advanced high-strength varieties are expensive, so it is more justified to use plastic or steel instead. Therefore, the plastic suspension is a sign of children's models, designed for lightweight and easy riding.

— Composite. A composite is a heterogeneous composition in which several immiscible materials are combined. This term is often associated with advanced high-end models, but in the case of suspensions, the opposite is true. Composites are relatively inexpensive options and are used in low-cost models, wh...ich, moreover, are mostly intended for children and are not designed for significant loads.

Stiffness of skateboard wheels.

This parameter is denoted by a number and the letter A; the higher the number, the stiffer the material. Higher stiffness allows the wheel to maintain speed better, increase wheel life, make it easier to slide (drifting, for example) and perform jump tricks more efficiently. On the other hand, soft wheels cope with small bumps in the road better, they have better grip and manoeuvrability, and they are also less noisy. Accordingly, the choice of wheel stiffness depends primarily on what surfaces it is planned to ride.

In general, wheels up to 80A can be classified as very soft, and up to 87A — are soft; such wheels are best suited for driving on not-very smooth, worn asphalt, paving slabs with an abundance of joints, etc. Indicators 88A — 95A correspond to medium hardness, such wheels are designed mainly for high-quality "urban" surfaces like a new sidewalk. Stiff wheels are marked from 96A to 99A, they are designed primarily for skate parks and other specialized surfaces, and indicators of 100A and more correspond to professional-level options.

It is worth noting that the wheels are usually made removable, and if necessary, they can be replaced with others, harder or softer. However, one must also take into account the fact that the entire design of the skateboard is usually designed for a certain stiffness of the wheels, and significant deviations from this parameter are unde...sirable. And you should not forget about the type (see above): for example, it is hardly worth looking for especially soft wheels for a traditional stunt skateboard.

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 stiffness of the shock absorbers used in the suspension of a skateboard.

The value of this parameter is generally similar to the stiffness of the wheels (see above). For example, stiff shock absorbers keep speed better and are more comfortable when jumping, while soft shock absorbers are better suited for uneven surfaces and manoeuvres with energetic turns. In general, optimal stiffness is related to the type of skate (see above), riding style, rider skills and the features of the surface on which you plan to ride; more detailed recommendations for each specific case can be found in special sources.

The presence of lighting in the wheels and/or deck of the skateboard. Such lighting, usually, is based on LEDs, and it can be powered by generators driven by the rotation of the wheels — this allows you to do without batteries (however, the type of power supply should be specified separately).

Additional lighting not only gives the board an interesting appearance but also contributes to safety at night — the skater becomes more visible to drivers and other road users. However, extra parts built into the wheels or deck will inevitably degrade performance. Therefore, this function is found mainly in mini-cruisers and rollersurfers (see "Type"), intended for children and adolescents and not designed for particularly extreme use; professional skateboards are generally not equipped with backlighting.

The maximum weight of the rider that the board is designed for, more precisely, the maximum weight that it can bear in normal use.

Under no circumstances should you exceed the recommended weight. There is a fairly high probability that the skate will not break immediately; however, a breakdown can occur at any time, and even after overload, already under the permissible weight. This is fraught with a fall and injury, not to mention the fact that such cases are not covered by the warranty. For the full use of the skateboard, it is highly desirable to have a small margin of weight — at least 10 – 15 kg. It will give an additional guarantee in case of abnormal loads (for example, hitting an obstacle) and in some specific situations — for example, if you need to carry a heavy backpack with you.

Models with a weight limit of up to 70 kg can be conditionally attributed to children, although such a skate may also be suitable for a teenager. The average is the maximum weight, which lies in the range from 70 to 100 kg — such boards are already suitable for boys and girls. A limit of more than 100 kg is typical for fairly advanced models, originally designed to be used by adults.

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.