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If you are looking to buy the best skateboard trucks, there are some factors that you should consider before making your decision. This includes the types of skateboarding you will be doing and what style of trucks will work best for you in that scenario.
The best cruiser trucks are those that offer a balance of stability and maneuverability. You want something that can handle rough terrain but is still lightweight enough to cruise around town.
There are different types of trucks, and we’ll give you a rundown of each to find what will work best for your skating style and needs, specifically cruising. Let’s get started!
How to Choose the Right Skateboard Trucks for Cruising
Choosing the right trucks for the type of skateboarding you plan on doing can be confusing.
Skateboard trucks are composed of four different parts: hangers, axles, kingpins, and bushings. These parts all affect your skateboard’s performance.
The type and size of trucks you use will directly affect your stability. It is important to choose the right skateboard trucks to avoid wheel bite, which happens when your wheels rub against your board and cause you to stop on impact during a turn or trick.
Trucks can easily be adjusted to perform tighter turns or tricks on your skateboard. For cruising, most skaters prefer looser trucks for more control and tighter turning.
You can choose softer bushings for easy turning, or hard bushings for stiff turning. For cruising, softer bushings are usually preferred.
Choosing the right skateboard trucks size
It is ideal to get trucks that are the same width as the skateboard deck if you want to maximize your stability. Generally speaking, go with trucks that are greater or less than 1/4″ of the width of the board at max.
6″-7.25″ truck axle – 6.5″ to 7.25″ skateboard decks
7.5″ truck axle – 7.25 to 7.5″ skateboard decks
7.75″ truck axle – 7.5” to 8″ skateboard decks
8.0″ truck axle – 8” to 8.5″ skateboard decks
8.5″ truck axle – 8.5” to 9″ skateboard decks
9.0″ truck axle – 9” to 10” skateboard decks
10.0″ truck axle – 10” wide and above skateboard decks
Choosing the right skateboard trucks height
The distance between the horizontal part of the truck and the skateboard deck is known as the trucks’ height. Trucks are usually classified as either low, medium, or high.
Low: Designed for small wheels, low trucks provide extra stability for certain moves, such as flip tricks.
Medium: Medium trucks are solid choices for park or street skateboarding. The average skater will be pleased with medium wheels.
High: Ideal for large wheels, high trucks are made for carving and cruising streets or rough roads and work well for a longboard or cruiser setup.
1. Independent Truck Co.
Independent Truck Co. is one of the most well-respected and popular skateboard truck manufacturers of all time. Their trucks are known for their quality, reliability, and durability. If you pay attention to their build, you will notice they are beefier than a lot of the other trucks on the market. This helps them take the beating that will be put on them when skating.
Indy’s are available in high and low versions, meaning there are Indy’s for all kinds of skaters, from cruisers to street skaters.
The Indy S11’s in particular are an excellent choice for cruising because they offer a lot of carve-ability and give room for bigger, softer cruising wheels. However, it can be hard to find S11’s. With that being said, any high Indy truck will be a great truck for cruising.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with high Indys if you’re going to be cruising over rough roads. As long as you make sure the truck is the right size for your deck and wheels, you will be good to go.
You can see the many truck options Indy has here at Amazon.
Customer Review:
These trucks are the best! They are so durable and easy to control. I would definitely recommend them to anyone, especially beginners.
2. Thunder Trucks
Thunder Trucks are up there with Independent Truck Co. as far as respect and popularity goes, and this is for a good reason. Thunder’s trucks are a bit less carvy than Indys. They are also lighter.
Thunders definitely ride differently than Indys. A large reason for this is because they have a tighter wheelbase. Some people find Thunders to be more responsive and Indys to be more stable. At the end of the day, it comes down to preference.
Thunder trucks come in different sizes. You can see a large variation of Thunder trucks here on Amazon.
3. Venture Trucks
Ventures provide a lightweight, responsive, high-quality truck for cruising.
Venture is usually mentioned in the “top 3” of skateboarding truck brands, which also includes Independent and Thunder.
Venture offers low, mid, and high trucks, so you will have exactly what you need as a cruiser offered to you by Venture; high trucks.
Although Venture trucks are lightweight, they are quite large, providing extra protection against breaking.
Venture trucks can be seen here at Amazon.
4. Avenue Trucks
Avenue Trucks are a lesser known upcoming brand that make some of the best skateboard trucks for cruising rough roads you can find.
Avenue uses suspension technology to give increased speed and absorbtion to ride easily over cracks and pebbles.
If you buy avenues, you’ll likely be the only person you know who owns them but your friends will probably be impressed by them because they are very unique and innovative.
You can see Avenue trucks at their site (Avenue Trucks).
5. [CCS] Skateboard Trucks
Of course, a beginner truck needs durability, but they also need smooth rolling and turning abilities; the good news is that none of these features are left behind with this truck.
Novices to advanced-level skateboarders will benefit from a truck that doesn’t slip and a deck with ample clearance since it must endure grinds and heavy abuse.
Regardless of your experience level, you’ll always need a truck that stays consistent in form, irrespective of the abuse it’s subjected to, and this product is a no-brainer.
6. INDEPENDENT Stage 11 Polished Standard Skateboard Trucks
Bar trucks from Independent Trucks feature flat silver hangers, baseplates and orange cushions. The design allows for optimal wheel clearance and performance. They are made from A356 T6 aluminum.
The T6 alloy aluminum and hardened steel provide long-term strength, durability, and maximum grind ability. With a baseplate compatible with both old and new school, this truck comes with the strength you need to cruse your style.
7. INDEPENDENT Standard Bar Skateboard Trucks
You can choose from six different axle widths and five different lengths. Independent Trucks also feature two kingpin angles: standard/old school or slanted/top mount. This truck withstands wear and tear and provides the rider with a better experience.
The 50° baseplate makes the truck responsive and playful, making it perfect for fluid, effortless carving and pumping. The hanger’s open, unrestricted bushing seat and positive rake make it perfect for smooth carving and pumping.
Along with a lifetime warranty and an affordable price tag, these trucks have proven themselves time and time again as the best skateboard trucks for cruising.
8. Paris V3 180mm 50° Longboard Skateboard Trucks (Set of 2)
The base plate at a 50° angle and the hanger with open bushings give a fluid transition to sharp, high-flying maneuvers. Wider hanger shoulders and reinforced base plate make for a stronger package that resists wear and tear better than conventional supports.
Paris V3 trucks are stronger than any other cast longboard truck due to a redesigned top conical bushing and hand-poured urethane pivot cups that enhance response and rebound.
Their patented soft stop design prevents bushing lock-up when driving out of turn. In addition, its elongated kingpin sleeve can provide a responsive ride for skating around town or racing downhill on steep hillsides.
9. BESIY Skateboard Trucks, Skateboard Bearings
Features include a standard baseplate that adds stability and smooth downhill skating, making it ideal if you prefer cruising on asphalt.
Not all trucks are the same, but that’s why trucks from Besiy are durable and high-performance for any skating style.
The standard baseplate offers extra stability with a hollow axle and kingpin. They are perfect for any skater and skating style and fit seamlessly when used on any board. In addition, the precision will serve flawlessly when used with ABEC-11 skateboard wheels.
It comes with hardware and tools that help you put together and make adjustments to a skateboard. The durability makes it suitable for speed and to withstand abuse.
10. Thunder Polished Hollow Lights 2 Trucks
The Thunder Truck is designed for all types of skateboarding and is incredibly durable to be used on any surface. Incredibly lightweight and durable, and are made from premium metal alloy.
The forged axle and kingpin ensure a stable ride. Clean and simple, these trucks feature a classic silver color scheme. But, for those looking for an edgy look, these offer that with a modern touch. A perfect balance between sleek and cool, these trucks can take you anywhere you want to go!
11. Gullwing Sidewinder II Longboard/Skateboard Trucks Set of 2
The longboard truck is made of a durable nylon composite with a long-lasting urethane bushing. It also has a tight turning radius to give you more maneuverability on the street or sidewalk.
Plus, these babies only weigh 3.2 oz each. Not too shabby for a set of two–add your deck, wheels and bearings to finish off your new ride!
These are my favorite skateboard trucks for cruising because they’re so lightweight and have an easy turn radius that I don’t need to break my wrists at the end of a turn!
Conclusion – What are the best skateboard trucks for rough roads and cruising?
For cruising, any of the brands in this list will do you perfectly as long as you make sure they are high and fit your deck size.
Skateboarding is about finding what suits your needs, so it might do you best to try a few different trucks out to see what you like best. Or you might fall in love with the first ones you try, you never know.
Skateboard trucks are the backbone of any skateboard. There are a lot of different brands and models, but the weight, height and width matter. A lighter truck will be easier to turn, but you sacrifice stability for maneuverability.
Larger trucks will be more stable at higher speeds, but they can be too heavy for some riders. Finding a balance between the two is key to finding the right skateboard trucks for cruising. The best part is any selection from our list is sure to be a perfect fit for your board!