Best Penny Boards

Of course, the company's decks are seldom disappointing but the trucks, wheels, and bearings can miss sometimes. Here though, they're hitting on all cylinders. Starting with the trucks, the board adopts 4-inch cast aluminum powder-coated trucks, nothing that Penny boards have not shown us before. But the wheels, the wheels are a little different. Technically speaking, they're the same 59-millimeter (2.32-inch) 83A polyurethane wheels. That said, even though they're not the smallest wheels, they're more responsive than most 59ers, they pop and flip alright, and they're no slouch acceleration-wise.

While the wheels are not necessarily that soft, they're not bad from a friction perspective, the rebound is solid, and the wheels snap back into shape with almost no delay. They're semi-conical wheels, so, again, the response is alright and the wheels will not stop you from learning and pulling off intermediate tricks, at the very least. Removing the wheels from the equation, Penny boards nowadays are usually sporting Abec 7 stainless steel bearings and this board is no exception. They're durable and long-lasting bearings that do not weigh as much as cast aluminum ones, making the board tough yet lightweight.

Long story short, the double-spray grip is huge, but not as huge as the aforementioned Waterborne tech. No, this is what this board's all about, its angle, its focal point, its nucleus, the best and biggest part. In a nutshell, what the technology is bringing to the table is these surf and rail adapters that you put between the trucks and the deck. With these adapters, you receive an improved turning radius as well as increased control.

Using cushiony urethane bushings, these adapters act almost like conventional skate trucks. The difference here is that they're also adding an important suspension degree, dampening vibrations and enhancing the board's glide so that you can generate speed from pumping. This is where the genuine surfing feel comes from, separating the board from the company's average skateboard. Working alongside the 6-inch cast aluminum trucks, the adapters also enable wide yet tight carves and sharp aggressive turns, giving the board more lean and keeping the ride buttery smooth.

Is there anything disappointing about this Penny board? Sure. Even though the model uses the same Abec 7 stainless steel bearings that most Penny skateboards are using today, these ones become pretty loud with time, maybe it is the adapters' influence, who knows. Nevertheless, Australia Blackout High-Line Surfskate is an absolute blast. As much as we enjoy Penny skateboards, riding this board is nothing like riding most Penny models and we mean it as a compliment, 100%.

Construction-wise, the board features the classic 22-inch deck with waffle non-slip coating. Supporting the deck are 3-inch cast aluminum powder-coated trucks, Abec 7 stainless steel bearings, and 59-millimeter (2.32-inch) 83A polyurethane wheels.

From where we're standing, the wheels are the best part here. Thanks to the size, they enable comfortable cruising and can keep the ride pretty smooth. With the 83A part referring to the wheels' above-average hardness, the wheels are boasting a high rebound rate, so you feel confident on the streets, tackling substantial obstacles without feeling even the tiniest bumps.

The trucks are contributing almost as much as the wheels though. They're plenty responsive, which means you can make last-millisecond corrections without losing balance. They also facilitate flipping and popping despite sitting pretty close to the board.

Could this board have used rail adapters, like the ones that the Blackout High-Line Surfskate model is using? Yeah. But we're glad this one goes the opposite way, sticking with the basics and with what's been working for ages. If you feel the same way, we can highly recommend trying the Penny Australia Classic Complete Skateboard.

Penny skateboards, even though always affordable, seldom incorporate shoddy parts, and this one fits the same mold. This becomes especially evident when you look at the Abec 7 stainless steel bearings. First, they're relentless yet resilient, so good luck wearing them out. Second, made from stainless steel, they could not care less about moisture and dust, meaning that you can hit every puddle without worrying that the bearing might start forming rust patches or corroding eventually.

The deck's nothing to scoff at too. As always, the waffle-top non-slip coating will let you ride without worrying about slipping and falling on an even surface. Made from composite materials, the deck remains flexible without deforming with time.

Concluding the review are the standard 3-inch cast aluminum trucks that adopt powder-coating to protect them from rust and corrosion 83A polyurethane wheels measuring 59 millimeters (2.31 inches), offering a pretty narrow contact patch with an excellent response.

To conclude, the Penny Australia Bright Light is loud and boisterous yet the hardware that this board comes equipped with can back up the model's loud demeanor, making quite an appealing case.

However, the upsides are also huge. To begin with, the board handles rough surfaces with ridiculous ease, absorbing vibrations and enabling a comfortable ride even on cobblestone roads. The board is excellent at building momentum and sustaining it, meaning that long-range trips take much less effort.

Needless to say, an increased deck also promotes stability and lets you ride with confidence knowing that some small bump will not be enough to throw you off. Rocks, rough roads, you name them, the board can handle them all. Sure, the board is also less responsive since the enlarged trucks increase the clearance between the wheels and the deck. But the high-tensile bolts that hold the deck let the board support as much as 260 pounds without hiccups, so even the fluffiest riders can tame this one without worrying about the longboard breaking down from the excess weight. Aside from long-distance traveling, longboards are pretty good at aiding carving and facilitating downhill riding. They're also more durable than skateboards and cruisers.