Penny boards were invented about a decade ago and became an overnight hit. Right away, they started being extremely popular, mostly among young people, because of their size, colorful designs, and, of course, price. So, is it worth it to invest in a penny board? Keep reading this article to find out if you should buy one.
Why Choose A Penny Board?
The name penny board comes from the company Penny Skateboards, which was founded in 2010 in Australia. The name has quickly become synonymous with small boards that look like cruisers but are made of plastic. Nowadays, there are numerous brands that manufacture penny boards, suited for any kind of budget.
The penny boards were designed so that you can carry them around with you. That’s why they are only 22” long and 6” wide and are mainly made out of plastic. In fact, the only things that are made out of metal (aluminum – to keep them as light as possible) are the trucks. A penny board usually weighs somewhere between 3 and 4 lbs., allowing you to easily carry one in your backpack as well.
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It’s the size and weight that make the penny board an excellent means of transportation, especially in crowded locations, where you need to stop and pick your board up often enough. Think of the penny board as your everyday companion, that you can bring with you anywhere, unlike the regular skateboard that you keep at home most of the time.
Unfortunately, the small size also means that you can’t use the penny board to do tricks or go downhill at high speeds. If you want a somewhat smaller board that can also be used for tricks or even cruising you can buy a nickel board. This is a 27” board and the name comes from the 5” difference between it and the penny board.
How Much Does a Penny Board Cost?
You’re probably wondering yourself how much are penny boards these days. Well, their price has stayed pretty much the same in these last few years.
Just like with other boards, these vary in prices based on the quality of the materials used to manufacture them. The starting price of a penny is usually around 20-25 dollars, but don’t expect much from these boards. They are made out of cheap plastic and they have terrible trucks, bushings, and wheel. Still, these penny decks are durable enough for a beginner to learn how to properly use one.
A good penny will cost you anywhere from $50 to $100. Most of these will be good quality, made out of durable plastic, with poured polyurethane wheels and aluminum trucks. These are the types of penny boards that most people buy and you rarely hear someone complain about the quality.
On the other hand, if you want the best available penny decks, you’ll have to pay around $120 – $150. For this price, you will get a board with a strong wooden deck and high-quality wheels, trucks, and bearings for the smoothest possible ride.
Kryptonics Original Torpedo Complete Skateboard
If you’re looking for a great deal, you should definitely get the Kryptonics Original Torpedo Complete Skateboard. This is a penny board that you can find in almost any store, for around 30-35 dollars. And for this price, you can’t get a better board.\
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The Kryptonics Original Torpedo is a 22.5” x 6” penny board with a durable, custom-molded polypropylene deck, with a grip pattern on the front and integrated rear grip tape for stability and traction. The grid grip on the front means that you won’t scratch your hands as you do on a wooden board that has grip tape.
The wheels of the Kryptonics Original Torpedo are 62mm x 51mm and are made out of poured polyurethane. They are a bit wider than on other penny boards, which means you’ll have much more stability. The quality of the wheels isn’t all that great and you will wear them out pretty fast.
The only bad things on this board are the carbon steel ABEC-5 bearings and the polyurethane-injected bushings, but you can replace them any time. Sure, your ride will be smooth enough even with then, but with a small investment, you can transform the Kryptonics Original Torpedo from a good enough board to a great one. On the other hand, if you’re just starting out and this is your first board you won’t probably notice that it has bad the bearings and bushing are.
According to the specs, the board supports weight up to 110 lbs, but you can ride it even if you weigh 180 lbs, without worrying that it will break. If you search for the Kryptonics Original Torpedo on Youtube you’ll see videos of people who run the board over with their car and then ride it without a problem. The deck is that flexible!
In conclusion, the Kryptonics Original Torpedo is probably the best board that you can find under $40. It is mostly suited for beginners but can be used even by experienced riders after you change the bearings and bushings. Also, it has a very cool design.
As you can see, penny boards are a great investment. They are great for commuting, especially in crowded places, because it’s very easy to just stop, pick the board up, and then put it back down again. They are fun to ride, as long as you don’t try going downhill with one, and most have awesome designs and patterns. A penny board is not only cheap but virtually indestructible. You can run them over with you can and still use them afterward.
You can get a good board, like the Kryptonics Original Torpedo, for a little over $30, but if you’re just starting out, you can find cheaper options as well. One time, I found a penny board on sale at Walmart for just $3.16, and surprisingly, it turned out to be a decent board.
So, if you’re looking to buy a new board, or your first board, buy a Kryptonics Original Torpedo. It’s a great investment.
