I may not be back to my best yet, but I’ve been getting there. Okay, I’m actually pretty far from it. Leg muscles really do need a lot of work, don’t they? In the time until I’m ready to really commit to reviews by thrashing my setups, I figured I’d post some advice.
During the pandemic, more people started to throw off the shackles of societal expectations. I saw many of my friends, some in their 30’s, take up rollerblading, cycling, and, yes, skateboarding, for the first time. Women who were afraid of the more masculine connotations of these physical activities finally decided to take the plunge and try something new. For the first time since I’ve started skating, I’ve seen as many women skating as I have men.
One of the entries to skating, both for myself and many others, is commuting. I always say a skateboard is the best way to get around most cities, especially New York. No other form of fast wheeled travel is as versatile as skating. Not only can you make a setup perfect for your exact needs, but it’s also the only form of transportation that can rapidly transition mediums. Skating in the street, jumping up on the sidewalk, going into a bank, hanging out with friends, taking a Lyft or taxi, or even just hopping on the train, all is easier on a skateboard than bikes, scooters, rollerblades, One Wheels, or any other form of transportation. Skateboards are lightweight, easy to carry, and compact. They’re also fast. With experience, you’ll find you can get places as fast as you could with a bike, and, by mixing transportation mediums, like skating to and from the train, far faster than a bike or a car.
I suggest everyone should consider replacing a car or even personal transportation, like scooters and bikes, with a skateboard. And here are a few ways to do it.
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What Does a Good Commuter Look Like?
When you think of a skateboard, it likely isn’t something that would be great for commuting. Small, loud, hard wheels, two kicks, one on the tail, one on the nose, and your standard skate truck (tradition kingpin, or TKP). These are great if you’re planning on doing tricks and street skating. Ollies and grinds? Sure. But getting you to your friend’s place or a bar? Less so, well, at least less than some other options.
Instead, you want something with large, soft wheels. A wider platform for stability while pushing. Low, as low as it can go, so you don’t have to bend your front leg too much to push. You want a double drop, where the board drops down lower and the trucks are mounted through the deck. The trucks are “dropped” through and the deck is “dropped.” Double drop.
It has to be stable and nimble. You never know when you have to dodge a pothole or a car that forgot what stop signs are for. There are a few setups I really like for this. My go-to commuter right now is a Drop Cat 33. It’s short, but just long enough for me, and I’m quite tall (about 5’10”). The rocker, that is, the curve between the two trucks, keeps it low to the ground and makes your trucks more nimble. It increases the angle of the trucks. In a reverse kingpin truck (RKP), you get more stability, but they’re less nimble. That increased angle makes it more nimble. Soft 70mm wheels keep me going. The firm, stiff wood of the deck is great for sliding too, something I like to do during my commute, but you might want to wait on.
The Drop Cat is a decent beginner’s longboard. But there are others that are made specifically for commuting. The Pantheon Ember, for example, was made specifically with city streets in mind. It may actually be the best board to learn on for someone looking to commute.
Like the Drop Cat, Pantheon’s Ember is low, but it features a flat platform and flexible wood. While I don’t like sliding with it outside of small speed checks, that flexibility is perfect for rough roads. It dampens vibrations and helps keep you on the board. It’s perfect for beginners because of that. A narrow 150mm TKP truck setup keeps it nimble too, despite the long wheelbase. That long wheelbase keeps it stable though. Finally, there’s just the smallest bit of a kick tail at the back, so you can kick it up into your hand with ease when you’re at a stop light or when you’ve reached your destination. Who wants to bend over all the time anyway?
The Pantheon Ember was my choice of commuter when I was recovering from a broken wrist and couldn’t afford another fall (as, with my cast, it would have broken my arm too). It was the board I suggested to an ex when she was picking up skating for the first time for commuting. The low platform made for large wheels is incredibly fast and nimble. It’s a fantastic first board, and a perfect commuter. Pantheon also makes other decks though too, like the RKP-focused Trip, for a bit more stability and distance, or the TKP-focused and stiffer Pranayama, for the lowest ride possible.
And More…
Of course, there’s others. What you’re looking for is a deck from a reputable brand, like Landyachtz and Pantheon, sure, but also Zenit, Rayne, Sector 9, Arbor, and many others. You’re specifically looking for a double drop deck, preferable under 38 inches. This is because you still want something you can stash under a table, or carry against yourself on a train. Some great standouts include the Zenit AB Maze and, though a bit long, the Arbor Dropcruiser. Though, if I were to pick the best on the market right now for commuting, I’d say the Pantheon Ember, 33-inch Drop Cat, or Zenit AB Maze 2.0. As for setups? On the Drop Cat, you’ll want 165mm or 180mm trucks. The complete Landyachtz makes is actually quite good. The AB Maze 2.0 works with TKPs and RKPs. With the TKPs, you’ll get a lower, more nimble ride, but with the RKPs, it’ll be more stable, easier to learn on. Wheels should be at least 70mm, though I like some 85mm wheels on my Ember. It’s such a low setup, the large wheels actually are at the center of its weight, so it can balance on just them.
What About Electric?
I don’t think your first skateboard should be an electric one. Many have beginner’s modes, that let you slow down the acceleration and limit the top speed. However, I think you should be comfortable on a skateboard before you add power to it. Like learning to ride a bike before buying a motorcycle.
Some, like the UnlimitedxLoaded kit, work great with a combination of pushing and power, to extend your range. However, they’re generally impossible or very difficult to push once they run out of juice. They’re also quite heavy. You’ll have to plan out your trips with an electric longboard to make sure you have the range. Only need to go 5 miles and have a 10 mile range? Fine, as long as you can charge in between. For a commute, that can work. In fact, once we’re back to in-office work, I intend to do some electric-only skates to work. For now, I still mostly reach for a push board, and I suggest most riders do the same, at least until they’re ready to keep up with car traffic in cities on a skateboard.
How Can I Learn?
I believe the biggest reasons for cycling’s popularity in cities is twofold. First, nearly everyone learns how to ride a bike as a kid. It’s a relatively easy to learn skill without a large upfront cost, at least as a kid when you don’t mind falling so much. Secondly, it’s considered lower effort than some other conveniences. Although, seeing as I’ve skated up hills that I see cyclists walking their bikes up, I’m not entirely sure that’s universally true.
Learning skating has a bit of a steeper learning curve than cycling, but I argue it’s more rewarding. It’s easier to avoid cars, accidents, pedestrians, and you can take your transportation anywhere. So what if you’re ready to take that plunge? You’ve picked out a great beginner’s board, it’s perfect for commuting, and now you’re ready to learn. What now?
I recommend starting with my guide on how to push and stop. Take your skateboard to an empty parking lot or perhaps a road with little to no traffic, but be extra careful if you’re anywhere with cars. A flat area is best.
Start off by placing your front foot towards the front of the board. It’s the foot you would first put forward if you lost your balance and were falling forward. Depending on the setup, you’ll want to put your front foot just behind the front trucks, almost on top of them if you’re dealing with a more traditional skateboard or cruiser. Then, step on the board with your back foot, about shoulder width apart. Bend your knees a little, get comfortable. When you feel like you’ve gotten your balance right, take that back foot off the board and just touch it to the ground. Then bring it back up. Once this doesn’t feel too strange, try your first push, and then stop. Repeat this, starting and stopping, until you have a feel for doing both. Now you’re ready to try a few pushes in succession.
At first, pushing will seem scary. Cruising, simply balancing on the board while you’re in motion, may come incredibly quickly to you. To me, it was as natural as breathing. However, when I was first starting out, pushing was tricky. You’ll get used to it though. The key is to build up balance in that front foot so you can start doing long, drawn out pushes. You’ll eventually be able to keep pushing without ever putting your back foot back on the board. Balance is just a matter of muscle memory and strength. You might notice ankle pain during the beginning, but it’ll pass as your ankles get stronger. If it starts to hurt too much, take a break, consider elevating or icing them if there’s any swelling, and consider a warm bath. You’re using muscles that, unless you do a balancing sport like ice skating or rollerblading, you haven’t used much.
Go easy on yourself. It could take weeks to feel comfortable on your board. You’ll have a few small falls. Maybe a bruise or a scrape, even. That’s fine. Remember learning to ride a bike? Those injuries were a daily occurrence. Sure, you’re older now. But treat it the same. In fact, you may want to bring some rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and band-aids when you’re first starting out. Hell, when I’m skating hard or trying new things, I often have a little homemade first aid pack so I don’t have to go home just because I scraped my arm.
Practice.
Just skate. If you spend enough time doing it, soon skating will be second nature. In fact, I once hurt my leg in such a way that it was easier to skate than it was to walk! Be patient with yourself, forget the imaginary eyes of others, and just practice. You’ll get it.
