Skateboarding requires the great skill of balancing your body on a piece of wood or plastic. Young people around the world love to ride skateboards on different terrains. However, a significant difference in physical look and riding experience can be entitled under skateboards and the penny board categories. Many people love to ride penny boards after learning basic skills.
Skateboard vs penny board, many people get confused when choosing the suitable categories. Numerous new skaters always think about a more thrilling experience and want to ride on a penny board. However, riding on a penny board requires a certain skill level because of its small and narrow size. After going through some interesting facts, I will be talking about the differences between a conventional skateboard and a penny board in detail. So let’s get started!
Skateboard vs Penny Board | Knowing The Differences
Skill level, riding style, and physique matter greatly while riding a skateboard. It is because many skateboards are a little heavyweight; they can’t control the penny board or a normal skateboard with ease. Similarly, some people love rolling tricks on railings and stairs, etc. they need a sharp and strong skateboard. Similarly, new skateboarders find riding on a narrower, shorter board hard.
Moreover, people who travel long distances are more likely to choose smaller skateboards, i.e., penny boards. As a result, we concluded that skill level and riding style play an essential role in choosing the right Skateboard for you. We have tried to summarize some points that make Skateboard and penny board different from each other.
Skateboards
Skateboards are usually used for almost all types of skateboards. People generally say Skateboard, they may refer to a longboard, electric board, penny board, and a standard skateboard. However, we are specifically concerned with the standard skateboards in this article. This type of Skateboard uses wood as the main component for the deck.
The shape of the Skateboard isn’t either oval or rectangular but has sharp, rounded ends. Both ends have a kicktail that allows skaters to flip and perform different tricks in the air, on the rails, etc. The length of the board in this type is measured at an average of 28-32 inches. The length of the Skateboard is ideal for any beginner skateboarder to learn the tricks with style.
Due to its design and size, most skaters worldwide prefer this style for learning and versatility adoption. All of our teammates used this style of Skateboard to learn the basics and practice different skating styles. When we see the expected budget, you can estimate between $35 and $180 for a regular skateboard. However, it depends upon the brand, used material, and quality.
Major Features of Skateboards
- Size range: 28”-32”
- Deck Material: Wood (Mostly)
- A bit heavier than the Skateboard
- Bigger trucks and wheels than the penny boards
- Kicktail ends
- Easily customizable
- A skateboard deck itself is aesthetically designed, but you can customize them, turning in your way.
- More width provides you higher stability than the penny boards
- Kicktail ends make it easy to learn board on which you can practice numerous tricks that are impossible to learn on other boards
- You can turn your skateboard deck into unique artwork. This is because wood can be customized in any way without major damage
- Bigger wheels make it a faster option with more stability
- High speed can make it a dangerous choice
- A bit heavier than the penny boards
What is the best you can get from a Skateboard?
Despite being a little bit heavy, skateboards are best for learning and performing tricks. More width of the skateboards ensures higher stability in tricks, rolling, and zigzag traveling. Additionally, regular skateboards are great for downhill skating and racing due to their higher control and supportive wheels. Moreover, the kicktail ends provide ease of performing jumping tricks and railing passes.
Penny Boards
Penny boards are smaller skateboards than regular skateboards. The size of the skateboard deck and the wheels are the major differences between them. Additionally, penny boards are comprised of plastic decks that significantly differ their weight. Moreover, unlike regular skateboards, penny boards have taper ends that add some boost to straight speed.
The name Penny was the inventor’s sister’s name, and they registered their Company by this name and started producing these types of skateboards. Their name was Tiny Skateboards, but with time, it got popular with the Company’s name “Penny .”This type of board is less wide than normal skateboards and has a straight deck.
The decks in penny boards are shorter than in regular skateboards. The length varies between 22 inches to 27.5 inches. Similarly, the wheels used in the penny boards are smaller than the regular skateboards. However, we can acknowledge a lighter board when we see the equipment collectively. Moreover, it is easy to learn how to ride a penny board than a skateboard.
Similarly, the price of these tiny boards is way less than regular skateboards. You can get a tiny skateboard for between $25 and $70; however, the board from Penny Company can cost you more than 100 bucks. The quality of the penny company is way higher than the average tiny board. Fine quality plastic deck and high-quality metals make it a supreme choice for fancy-look lovers.
Major Features of Penny boards
- Compact Size
- Size Range: 22.5” – 27.5”
- Decks are made of plastic
- Lighter than the regular skateboards
- Taper ends
- Less width
- Easily carrying even in the bags
- Softer wheels enhance the comfort a little bit
- Lightweight materials make it a portable board
- The compact size makes it possible to store it in a low-spaced place
- Supportive axle angle and taper ends make it a preferable choice for cruising
- As it is a lighter board, kids can find straight learning skating easy on the board
- Inexpensive against the other types of skateboards
- The penny skateboards don’t have a wider deck; thus, it is not a great trick option.
- People may find it difficult to stabilize themselves on the board due to the compact size.
What is the best you can get from Penny Boards?
Because of their size, penny boards are more beneficial for commuting and straight skating. The compact size allows you to carry it into your schoolbag and use it for street hovering or skateboarding on the park tracks. Suppose you have the right experience in skateboarding, then you can perform challenging tricks on these types of boards. This is due to the lighter weight and the smaller length.
Major Differences Among Both Types
Besides the performance, there are also physical differences between both types. According to our experience, the performance of the boards directly depends upon the physical design, materials, and equipment installed in them. However, we have tried to assess the difference through physical and other aspects.
Construction & Material
The major and prime differences among them are deck construction and materials. Decks in regular skateboards are mostly made with wood. Different woods are used in the construction, but considerable among them are maple and bamboo. However, both kinds of wood have different densities and perform tricks and other skateboarding aspects.
Regular skateboards are considered the product of America, and that’s why North American maple wood is a major component of deck construction. Similarly, another major wood used in deck construction is bamboo. Bamboo skateboards are lighter than maple wood, but maple wood decks are denser.
On the other hand, penny boards originated in the Australian region. The Company constructs a board deck with hard plastic. Maybe it seems new to some people, but the penny uses hard but flexible plastic to construct a skateboard deck. The flexibility in the plastic helps to take the right position back and helps in performing tricks.
Additionally, the surface of the decks in the penny boards is less smooth than the regular skateboards. Moreover, regular skateboards have polyurethane sheets applied on the surface, which makes them more durable against the penny board’s decks. It is the main reason that regular skateboard decks can be painted and maintained again.
Deck Design
Deck design is another measure where both types differ. Regular skateboards are longer than penny boards. The average length range for regular skateboards is from 28 inches to 33 inches, but the length of penny boards ranges between 22.5 inches and 27.5 inches.
Another considerable thing to notice is that regular skateboards have rectangular but turned end shapes with more width. Additionally, both ends of regular skateboards are kicktails that help you control the board and perform your style’s tricks. However, penny boards have tapered ends with an oval shape. The nose and tails are sharply curved with less width. This compact design makes it a suitable option for cruising.
Trucks
The second major difference lies between the trucks of both types. Trucks’ size and the material used in the construction are different in both types and may affect their performance. Both types of boards have metallic trucks but with a difference.
- Truck Size
Like the deck, truck size is different among the board types. Regular skateboards are slightly bigger than penny boards. They usually size around 6.2″ to 9.5 inches, providing stability and firmness while performing the tricks and downhill speed.
Similarly, penny boards have trucks the size 3 inches to 4 inches. You can expect 3 inches for a small-sized penny board and 4 inches for a board with a higher length. Some people may think that a lower size can assist them, but our experience indicates that the small size goes against them in terms of stability.
- Truck Material
Although both types have metallic trucks installed, they still have versatility. The truck structure is adopted the same in both types, but the material puts them into different matters. Regular skateboards have a versatile selection of trucks against penny boards.
Regular skateboard trucks are made with aluminum, brass, alloy, or steel. The versatility makes them different pieces in price and weight. On the other hand, Penny mostly uses cast aluminum to construct the truck. The substance makes the penny boards lighter than the alloy steel-made regular skateboards.
Wheels
Wheels are another area where both of the types differ. The major difference between them is the construction material and the size. Like the other components, regular skateboards have smaller wheels than penny boards. However, you may acknowledge more stiffness in these wheels. So, let the light put on the matter.
- Construction Material of Wheels
Although both types have similar materials in their wheels, their performance and finishing may differ. Polyurethane (a plastic material that remains firm, flexible, and protective) is the significant material used in both wheels, but penny board wheels are softer. On the other hand, regular skateboard wheels are polyurethane but have an extra rubber layer for more stability.
Size
The size of penny boards is slightly bigger than the regular skateboards. It is one of the reasons that wheels in penny boards look pushed on the outer side. The wheels are great for providing stability in performing tricks and enhancing durability amongst their other counterpart.
Similarly, the width of the wheels is also different among them. Skateboard’s wheels are around 1.8” to 2.8” wider. However, penny boards have slightly less width on the wheels. This wheel structure also creates a difference in speed and performance. We recommend the penny boards for cruising speeds.
Price Range
Like many other features, the penny boards also differ in the price range. Although price depends upon many factors, regular skateboards come at a slightly higher price than penny boards. Regular skateboards are available from $35 to $180. However, some of the skateboards can cost you further due to their great brand names or different artwork.
Similarly, penny boards have a price range that is a little bit lower than skateboards. You can obtain a good tiny skateboard from $25 to $90. However, boards from the original penny can cost you further for your favorite penny board. Penny board costs start from $100 and go accordingly.
Stability
A big performance difference among them is stability. Regular skateboards are wider than penny boards. Similarly, they have bigger trucks and a strong mechanism that helps you stabilize while performing tricks. Additionally, you enjoy higher stability in downhill riding or racing. On the other side, the narrower deck makes penny boards less stable.
FAQs
What is the most suitable board for you?
Well, it is “You” who can answer the question because you’re planning to skateboard riding. You’re riding style, and your level determines the Skateboard you need. However, as a general rule, we recommend you go for the regular Skateboard because they offer more stability and versatility than the penny boards.
However, if you are a rider who wants to enjoy lightweight and compact size skateboard riding, then we recommend you choose the penny board. Similarly, a penny board suits school-going teenagers who want to travel on a board while going to school. One more recommendation for the penny board is for riders who love cruising and speeding.
Who should get a penny board?
Due to its compact size, we recommend penny boards to teenagers or people with small feet. We got reviews of certain teenagers and were surprised that most of them wanted to enjoy a penny ride while going to school. Additionally, people who don’t know skateboard riding can also learn straight riding on the penny boards.
Penny board is a great addition for cruising in parks, streets, and flat surfaces due to its technical structure. Additionally, if you want to learn the normal tricks, we can recommend you the penny board. Moreover, their compact size makes them portable, and you can carry them wherever you want.
Who should get a regular skateboard?
Regular skateboards have more features than penny boards. These types can enhance your tricks and other advanced skills due to their supportive design. The regular skateboards have a wide, long, curved, and kicktail end design that leads you to your best performance.
We recommend regular skateboarding if you want to learn racing, downhill, and advanced techniques. People with an enhanced knowledge of skateboarding should choose a good regular skateboard. And professional skateboarders and racers also choose skateboards for their competitions, and we recommend that.
Skateboard vs penny board, which is the best?
Both the boards have pros and cons, but if you ask us for a straight pick, we recommend you choose the regular Skateboard. It is because you can learn basic and advanced tricks and riding styles. However, you should check your riding style and buy a suitable one.
Conclusion
Some people always think about the best board to ride, and they also can’t make a final selection between the Skateboard vs penny board. The answer is completely dependent upon you because you know you’re riding style better than anyone; however, if you demand a straight pick from us, then we don’t hesitate to let you choose the regular Skateboard. Good luck!