Retrospec Skateboards: A Beginner’s Guide

There are a number of skateboard brands and models on the market, which might be confusing to choose from. It’s tough to tell low-quality boards from high-quality ones, making it difficult to determine which skateboard is best for you.

The best approach to determine the skateboard’s quality is to look into the manufacturer. Simply conducting a little study on a firm can provide you with a wealth of information.

Retrospec is well-known for producing entry-level outdoor sports products including skateboards, cruisers, longboards, snowshoes, and bicycles.

How durable are their skateboards, and how long will they withstand regular use?

You’ll be able to decide for yourself whether Retrospec is a trustworthy company by the time you’ve completed reading this Retrospec skateboard review.

What Is Retrospec Skateboard?

Retrospec began as a bike company, and it now produces and sells every sort of sports equipment. One of the greatest features of Retrospec is that they provide high-quality goods at a cost that everyone can afford.

You can get a lot of information about a company by reading the client feedback section. Customers are generally pleased with the service since all items are designed by professionals and subjected to testing. Furthermore, Retrospec provides a 50-day return policy in case you aren’t satisfied with your purchase.

Retrospec is well regarded among skaters because of the decks’ bright and striking graphics, in addition to their high quality. Furthermore, Retrospec offers a variety of skateboard sizes and styles to cater to a wide range of clients.

Retrospec Skateboard Decks

Retrospec longboards are made of 8 layers of bamboo and their skateboards are made of 7 layers of 100% Canadian maple wood. The decks are both sturdy and lightweight. 

Retrospec Skateboards’ distinctive graphics are what distinguishes them. From elegant-vintage patterns to retro skateboards, you’ll find a wide range of design choices.

The only downside to Retrospec decks is that they only come as complete skateboards. So you can’t choose to build the skateboard from scratch unless you purchase a Retrospec complete and then purchase all of the other components from your favorite brands. Still, that is not a bad idea. Retrospec completes are fairly priced and it’s always good to have an extra set of wheels, trucks, and bearings in case something happens.

Retrospec Skateboard Wheels

The sizes of longboard wheels and conventional skateboard wheels vary. The common diameter for longboards is 70mm, with an 85A durometer (hardness). These wheels are on the bigger side, making them fast but also stable. In addition, the softer durometer provides a better grip.

On the other hand, Retrospec’s standard skateboards have smaller wheels with a diameter of 52 mm and a harder durometer of 95A. These boards are ideal for performing stunts and skating in skate parks. Smaller wheels give you more control. They can let you turn faster and they go over hills easier. A harder durometer means the wheel is harder and it will roll faster.

Retrospec wheels are constructed from high-quality materials and are quite long-lasting. This implies that they can withstand a lot of use.

Retrospec Skateboard Bearings

Bearings are the metal pieces inside your wheel, they’re responsible for making your wheels move and increase the speed. Usually, bearings are made out of either steel or ceramic.

Retrospec Skateboard bearings have an ABEC rating between 7 to 9. The skateboard bearing’s ABEC ratings are often debated on whether or not they have an impact on the overall quality of the bearings.

Bearings made of titanium or ceramic usually have a higher tolerance, which means they can roll longer and move at higher speeds without a lot of pushing. This also makes it the best skateboard for adult beginners. Better bearings will make a huge difference in your skateboard’s acceleration and top speed.

However, Retrospec bearings tend to get stuck. Cleaning and lubricating your bearings regularly is the best method to prevent this problem.

Retrospec Skateboard Trucks

All of Retrospec’s skateboards are built with high-quality hard steel trucks. These trucks can handle a lot of pressure while also providing you stability as you perform tricks.

Like most others, Retrospec uses reverse kingpin trucks on their longboards. The reverse kingpins are especially good for carving and making sharp turns which are both crucial to know if you want to longboard.

Learning more about the basics of skateboard trucks will help you learn more about your board. The more that you start to understand your board, the more you’ll know about its strengths and weaknesses.

Best Retrospec Skateboards Review

If you’re still interested in learning more about Retrospec Skateboards then a great thing to do is check out the reviews on their top products. Here are 3 of the best skateboards sold by Retrospec.

1. Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard Skateboard Complete Cruiser

If you’ve done a quick search on Retrospec Skateboards, you’ve probably seen the Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard. It’s one of Retrospec’s most popular and appealing skateboards.

Ply: 8-ply of maple and bamboo

Shape: Pintail

Weight Capacity: 220 lbs (99.8 kg)

Features:

• 44″ length, 9.5″ width
• 70mm wheels with 85A durometer
• Anti-bite technology

The Zed Bamboo is a hand-crafted kicktail board made from 8 plies of maple and bamboo wood. The type of wood gives the deck the right amount of stiffness and flexibility. The deck has a pintail shape, which is designed to increase top speed and balance.

This board measures about 44 inches long and 9.5 inches wide, which is a little larger than average. It has a total weight capacity of 220 pounds.

The wheels on the Zed Bamboo measure 70 mm in diameter and have an 85A durometer. The larger wheels give greater stability. The softer durometer ensures that you’ll maintain a firm grip as you ride. Furthermore, these wheels are designed with anti-bite technology, so they will last longer.

The best thing about this board is the strong yet lightweight reverse kingpin trucks. These trucks not only give more control on turns, but they’re also durable enough to traverse difficult terrains.

2. Retrospec Rift Drop-Through Longboard

Ply: 8-ply Canadian Maple

Shape: Drop-through

Weight Capacity: 220

Features:

• 41″ length, 9.5″ width
• 70mm wheels with a 78A durometer
• ABEC-7 skateboard bearings

If you’re seeking a longboard that can go fast, the Retrospec Rift Drop-Through Longboard is the one for you. The unusual board is constructed of high-quality 8-ply Canadian maple veneer that has been vertically laminated. This drop-through board’s lower center of gravity makes it more stable and comfortable to ride. This board, which measures 41 inches long, is ideal for commuting and cruising.

The Rift Drop-Through, like the previous model, has large 70mm polyurethane wheels. These wheels are softer (78A durometer), which provides better traction and grip. With these wheels, you can effortlessly move your board over cracks, bumps, and debris.

The 180mm slant reverse kingpin aluminum trucks allow you to make sharp turns with ease. This board is ideal for street skating due to the softness of the wheels and the trucks, which are complemented by its stability.

3. Retrospec Tidal Drop-Down Longboard

Ply: 9-ply Canadian Maple

Shape: Drop-through

Weight Capacity: 220

Features:

• 41″ length, 9.5″ width
• 70mm wheels with an 85A durometer
• ABEC-9 skateboard bearings

Finally, there’s the Retrospec Tidal Drop-Down Longboard, which is one of the more budget-friendly boards around. One of the largest benefits of this board is that it is composed of environmentally beneficial materials. The deck is made out of Canadian maple that is both long-lasting and robust. It’s also 20% lighter than other models.

This deck’s symmetrical design guarantees an even weight distribution and better push power. This board, like the previous one, has a lower center of gravity, giving you more stability.

The Tidal also boasts super responsive reverse kingpin trucks with ABEC 9 precision bearings, ensuring a smooth and stable riding experience. 

Is Retrospec A Good Skateboard Brand?

In terms of quality, Retrospec delivers the best affordable skateboard for any beginner in the sport. Retrospec skateboards are durable, high-quality, and easy to maneuver. Besides, they have some eye-catching graphics.

On the other hand, if you have been skateboarding for a while you might want to look at a different skateboard brand. Retrospec is a brand best for beginners, whether they’re learning to skateboard or longboard. More advanced riders will get more out of their ride if they try a board from one of the best skateboard brands.

Conclusion

Looking at the company is an excellent way to learn more about a product, as previously mentioned. We went through various aspects of this Retrospec skateboard review to better understand what Retrospec is. Specific components were discussed and we also looked at some of the top-rated Retrospec skateboards.

Overall, Retrospec offers excellent quality and high performance for beginners. We hope this post helped you make up your mind on whether or not to purchase a Retrospec skateboard.