Menu
Retrospec Longboard Review: Our Top 3 Picks [Editor’s Choice]
- By Ryan Barnes
The Retrospec longboard has been around for a really long time, but it’s still one of the most popular boards on the market. They’re complete boards that are ideal for cruising and carving through town. But what makes them different than other brands? And how do they stack up against some of the newer models? We’ll explore all these questions in this article and recommend our top 3 Retrospec longboards!
This retrospec longboard review will cover everything you need to know about longboards from one of the most popular brand. All the longboards mentioned below have been thoroughly reviewed by myself. After using it for a few weeks, here’s my review on each retrospec longboards.
But before that, let’s begin with an overview of the brand for those who want to get an essence of the brand before buying their longboard.
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Retrospec Zed Longboard Skateboard Complete Cruiser |... | 6,138 Reviews | Buy On Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Retrospec Rift Drop-Through Longboard Skateboard... | 1,383 Reviews | Buy On Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Retrospec Tidal 41-inch Drop-Down Longboard Skateboard... | 969 Reviews | Buy On Amazon |
An Overview of Retrospec Longboard
Retrospec Longboard is one of the most popular longboard brands out there. It’s known for their quality, durability and style. They mainly use bamboo in all boards which are one of the reasons why they’re so durable and light weight with a nice flex to it too (read more about this below).
Retrospec Longboards have been around since 2011 and have been creating longboards for years. The company started as a bicycle manufacturer shifting their working in the longboard industry. Throughout these years, Retrospec Longboards has been able to create a variety of longboard that will suit everyone’s needs.
The company has a small yet powerful team of innovators that makes great designs aligning with the performance of the board. The company not only makes best longboard for different styles but also keeps it very affordable so that riders can get their hands on these amazing longboards without breaking their bank.
What Makes Retrospec Longboard Different than Others?
Retrospec Longboards are made to give you the best riding experience. They offer a variety of longboard with different features and sizes. The company also offers some really cool colors for their boards such as neon green, bright blue, and even camouflage so that riders can choose whatever suits them the most.
Besides color options, Retrospec has introduced some really cool longboards with unique designs such as the great retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard Skateboard Complete Cruiser. This board not only provides a smooth ride but also features concave deck and kicktails, which add to its overall performance.
Retrospecs’ prices are very affordable so that buyers can buy these boards without breaking their bank account. Riders who want more inexpensive longboards should look no further because Retropec is made for riders who want an inexpensive yet best performing longboard they can get their hands on easily.
Our Top 3 Best Retrospec Longboard Review
1. Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard Skateboard Complete Cruiser Review
The Retrospec Zed board has been a favorite among riders since it first came out with its Cruiser and Pintail versions. Riders can enjoy the versatility of this sustainable bamboo longboard as they cruise through school or work, feeling like one of those stylish surfers you see in California!
The Zed cruiser longboard is the perfect board for skateboarding enthusiasts. Packed with a 44-inch premium quality bamboo and a 8-ply maple deck, this board has plenty of room for any size rider! With its 9.5 inch width you can have an easy ride no matter what your weight limit may be as it supports 220 lbs max!
The Board’s aluminum trucks are fitted with reverse kingpin, which is far more responsive than standard skateboard truck. The ABEC-7 bearings provide the fastest speed possible while riding this board. This board has low center of gravity that provides great stability to the rider.
The wheels on this longboard are big and wide, which is perfect for those that want to go fast. It comes with 85A polyurethane rated wheels that have been reinforced with double the thickness of rubber in order to provide maximum speed without fail.
These highly durable polyurethane wheels might take you through some noticeable disturbance when at top speeds because they’re wider than normal; but what do you expect if you want a smooth ride?
This board has a variety of different colors to choose from: Pewter Pointe, Aqua-Fishtail, and Bondi Blue. This board is assembled out of the box and ready for you to ride it straight away! However, I’d suggest you check your reverse kingpin trucks before getting on it because they might need some extra tightening.
Pros
- Durable Bamboo & Maple Construction
- Slick design with a comfortable grip
- High speed with accuracy
- 70mm PU wheels with ABEC-7 bearings
- Justified Price
Cons
- Need to tighten trucks on arrival
2. Retrospec Rift 41 inch Drop Through Longboard Skateboard Review
The Retrospec Rift Longboard looks like your typical old school board, but is made for speed. It can be used to cruise the shoreline or commute on a daily basis with ease; its design makes it perfect for carving as well as for downhill riding. [1]
The 41-inches drop-through deck is easier to push as it’s lower to the ground. This will be a good buy for both beginner and more experienced riders because they are able to balance better when on their toes, which provides them with maximum control and stability.
The 8-ply Canadian Maple deck is so durable that you can use it for any activity, from cruising the boardwalk to all day surfing. Also, its width and length makes it easy to ride on with a wide foot stance or if you’re more of an expert surfer who likes narrower boards. It’s also able carry up to 220 lbs load!
The precision ABEC 7 steel bearings on the 180mm reverse kingpin drop through aluminum trucks will make your ride smooth, sturdy, and long-lasting. These reverse kingpin trucks are the perfect choice for any boarder because of their versatility that allows riders to skate using both a standard stance or switch stance position.
Coming to the wheels, the Retrospec Rift Longboard comes with 70 x 50mm which is wider than most, meaning they can handle a higher speed better without as much risk for friction and rough rides. This board has low center of gravity that provides great stability to the rider.
These 78A PU rated wheels will last quite some time but if you’re looking to go hard into every turn these might not be your best bet since it also uses softer rubber that’s more prone to wear down over time from heavy use or riding too fast in turns.
Pros
- Strong & Durable deck
- Smooth Cruising & Carving
- High Speed
- Ideal for Beginners
- Affordable Price
Cons
- Packaging could be improved
3. Retrospec Tidal 41 inch Drop Down Longboard Skateboard Review
TThe Retrospec Tidal longboard is the ideal board for climbers who wish to descend down slopes and respond quickly. It was designed with agility as its main focus, so you’ll have more control on your turns when going downhill or racing against other boards!
It has a large and sturdy board made of Canadian Maple wood. It provides limitless foot placement options, as well as flexibility in length and width without detracting from style or stability (or safety!). The capacity to support 220 pounds makes it ideal for those who want a hard workout!
The drop-down trucks on this board are perfect for those who like to skate fast and have a lot of tricks up their sleeve. This longboard is designed with speed in mind, which means that the rider will be able to get around corners faster than they would if they were riding an above mentioned deck fitted with other style reverse kingpin trucks.
All other features of this longboard are as same as Retrospec Rift Longboard. So, you can choose any of these top Retrospec longboard for your next purchase.
Pros
- Stylist build
- Strong & Durable construction
- Highly Stable
- Ideal for experienced riders
- Great Maneuverability
Cons
- Bearings quality could be improved
Verdict: Should You Buy a Retrospec Longboard?
Now you read the Retrospec longboard review and have gone through the top 3 longboard from Retrospec, it’s time to get an answer to the most important question – should you buy a Retrospec longboard?
As per my experience with these boards, it’s a big YES! Retrospec Longboards are a great product, and they are worth every penny you spend. With great quality, features, and performance, you can never go wrong with these longboards.
Now, the question is, which one you should buy?
As per my review, Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard is the best longboard from the brand. So, you can definitely go with this board if carrying around you board is not a big deal for you as Zed is quite bulky in size.
Apart from this, if you’re a beginner looking for a strong and reliable longboard to begin with, you can go with Retrospec Rift drop-through longboard, else, go with Retrospec Tidal drop-down longboard if you’re an expert in longboarding.
At the end, the choice is ultimately yours. You can choose the one that fits your requirements and riding styles at its best. Happy Longboarding!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques 1: Are Retrospec longboards good?
Ans: In my experience as a longboarder and someone who has used this company’s boards, Retrospec is one of the best brands available. They use bamboo for their deck in addition to high-grade urethane wheels on graphite trucks which match well together for a quick ride and reduced rolling resistance.
Ques 2: Does Retrospec have good skateboards?
Ans: Retrospec has a decent range of skateboards that are suitable for all levels and make up an eclectic selection of shapes.
Skateboarders love it because the boards they offer are made with good quality materials and they’re well put together. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to skating or if you already have some experience under your belt, there’s something for everyone on this site.
Ques 3: How long are Retrospec boards?
Ans: Retrospec boards come in different size that vary from 40″ to 44″ deck. So, you can choose the length as per your requirements.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Table of Contents
You May Also Like This Blog