Last Updated on November 22, 2020
Our Verdict: If you already decided to get a Retrospec Longboard for yourself and don’t want to go through all the comparison part, then my recommendation would be to buy their Zed Bamboo Longboard. It is an all-round performer and is the perfect one for beginners as well as for advanced riders.
Retrospec started their journey to manufacture bicycles and went on to produce hundreds of different types of products. They entered the longboard industry to provide quality boards at an affordable price and they succeeded.
Riders all over the boards showed their love for Retrospec longboards and made them a popular brand.
Now, let’s see some of their excellent options that you can add to your shopping cart if you are planning to get a longboard for yourself.
Retrospec Longboard Skateboard
1. Retrospec Tidal Drop-Down Longboard
Key Specs
- Deck: Canadian Maple wood
- Dimensions: 41″ x 9.5”
- Wheel Diameter: 70 x 51mm
- Bushing Rating: 85A PU
This Tidal drop-down longboard from Retrospec is one to look out for. It is an amazing board for those riders who love to bomb hills and go faster. This word offers you the right combination of agility and control to do those stunts.
The length of the board is 41 inches with a symmetrical drop-through shape. The shape is the source of balance and more push power. Plus, there won’t be any risk of wheel bite when you carve.
The deck of the board is on the lower side which will ensure that you have a low center of gravity. This will secure your feet placement as well as adding some extra balance.
They used Canadian maple wood to make this board tough and durable. This means it won’t bend under pressure. The recommended weight capacity on this one is 220 lbs. So, it can carry kids, teens, and adults too.
In the load and speed management section, there are 180mm slant reverse kingpin trucks attached with it to withstand the load. They are very responsive. On the bottom side, you will get a set of 70 x 51mm wheels with an 85A PU rating. It will ensure that you can gain a lot of speed with full control over the board.
There is OS780 grip tape available on the deck surface to keep your feet intact. The grip tape is used to make the surface non-slippery so that the riders are safe out there.
Pros
- Wide deck to stand on
- Drop-down trucks are perfect for freeride skaters
- Easy to push and maneuver
- Robust build quality
- Color options available for you to choose
2. Retrospec Alameda Complete Skateboard
Key Specs
- Deck: 7-ply Canadian Maple
- Dimensions: 31” x 8”
- Wheel Diameter: 52 x 32mm
- Bushing: 95A
- Bearings: ABEC 7
- Trucks: 5.5″ (Aluminum alloy reverse kingpin)
A small and cute skateboard from Retrospec with a length of 31 inches and a width of 8 inches. For a skateboard, that dimension falls right in the standard size group. It is neither too big nor too small. You will have plenty of space to place yourself on the deck.
7 ply Canadian maple wood is used to build the deck and make it sturdy and flexible at the same time. You can use it for doing tricks and also cruise around comfortably.
The carbon steel kingpin equipped with 5.5” aluminum alloy trucks will handle anything you might throw at it. I am talking about the load and different riding styles, of course.
To allow you to gain high speed, they used chrome bearings with ABEC 7 ratings. It has rubber made covers to keep them safe from clouds of dust. The rubber covers also help to reduce the amount of friction during riding making the ride smooth and steady. The high rebound 52 x 32mm 95A PU wheels are decent too.
The low price tag is also a positive side of this board.
Pros
- Good board for beginners
- Non-slip deck surface for extra grip and safety
- Strong and durable
- Can carry a huge load
- Can be used for doing tricks
- Retrospec Quip Classic Retro Skateboard
3. Retrospec Quip Classic Retro Skateboard
Key Specs
- Deck: Plastic
- Dimensions: 22.5” x 6”
- Wheel Diameter: 60 x 45mm
- Bushing: 85A
- Bearings: ABEC 7
- Trucks: 5″
The first thing you are going to notice about this board is that it is made out of plastic. If you are not a fan of a plastic board, then you can skip this one.
But if the plastic body is not a problem for you, you can definitely check out this classic retro style skateboard from Retrospec. The Quip 22.5” skateboard will impress you with its quick response and superior performance.
The weight limit for this board is 220 lbs but I won’t recommend it for someone who weighs more than 180 lbs. It might break in the middle of the road if you do. It is a very safe choice for kids and teens though.
The width of the deck is only 6” so you can easily imagine that there isn’t too much space available on the deck. Many people use it to train their dogs.
They used ABEC 7 bearings with the 60 x 45mm 85A PU wheels to provide the speed. Those high-speed carbon bearings will ensure a smooth riding experience. To support them, there are 5” long trucks installed.
The most amazing thing about this board is that it weighs only around 3/4 lbs and is tiny enough to fit inside a backpack. The price is also very inexpensive.
Pros
- A lightweight board so easy to carry around
- It has a 70’s vibe so it’s a good option for classic retro style lovers
- Good build quality
- Great board to train dogs
Cons
- The plastic body is not as durable as woods
4. Retrospec Rift Drop-Through Longboard
Key Specs
- Deck: 8-ply Canadian Maple
- Dimensions: 41” x 9.5”
- Wheel Diameter: 52 x 32mm
- Bushing: 78A
- Bearings: ABEC 7
- Trucks: 180mm (Aluminum alloy reverse kingpin)
Rift Longboard is a retro surf style board from Retrospec with a drop-through style deck. Rift Longboard is built for speed so this board is a good option for commuting, downhill riding, cruising, etc.
The 8-ply Canadian maple made deck has a length of 41” and a width of 9.5”. So, it is safe to say that it has plenty of space on its deck for you to stand comfortably. It will also be stable enough for you to control it at ease. It has a maximum load capacity limit of 220 lbs.
They used 180 mm reverse kingpin aluminum trucks along with ABEC 7 bearings to make your ride more fun. It is equipped with a wide set of wheels. The dimensions of the wheels are 70 x 50mm so it’s safe to say that they are big.
The problem with big wheels is that they tend to create more friction than smaller wheels when going fast. The 78A PU rating for those wheels declares that they are on the softer side.
This board is easy to push because of the lower deck. That is an important feature for beginners.
Pros
- It’s a safe option for beginners
- The riding experience will be smooth
- You can gain high speed
- Sturdy build quality
Cons
- It might wobble a bit when riding
5. Retrospec Zed Bamboo Longboard
Key Specs
- Deck: 8-ply Maple wood and premium bamboo
- Dimensions: 44” x 9.5”
- Wheel Diameter: 70 x 50mm
- Bushing: 85A
- Bearings: ABEC 7
- Trucks: 7″ (Aluminum reverse kingpin)
I saved the best for last. Zed bamboo longboard is one of the best selling products from Retrospec. It took the market by storm when first introduced and is continuing to do so. It checks all the right boxes to become the best.
This one is an enormous board according to size. The length is 44 inches when the width of this board is 9.5 inches. That is a lot of space right there. To provide strength with that size, they used 8-ply maple wood and premium bamboo to build the deck of this one. It has a maximum weight limit of 220lbs.
The use of 7” long reverse kingpin trucks and high precision ABEC 7 rated bearings will ensure a decent amount of speed. The dimensions of the wheels are 70 x 50mm which is wide and big but perfectly suited to the board’s size. The hardness rating is 85A, so they are very hard.
It comes in multiple color options, so you have the flexibility to choose your preferred one.
Pros
- Best suited to beginners
- Strong and durable build quality
- You will get a stable ride due to the bigger size
- High-quality trucks
- Huge space available to stand on
Cons
- Carrying it around might be a hassle
Verdict
Retrospec is a name you can trust when it comes to skateboards or longboards. They always try to provide the best to their customer.
Now for the buying part, I recommend Zed Bamboo Longboard as it provides an all-around balanced performance. If the carrying is not a problem, then you can buy it without any hesitation.
But if you are not comfortable with the carry dilemma, then Retrospec Tidal drop-down longboard can be your best bet.
FAQ
Q: Is Retrospec Longboard good for beginners?
A: Yes. All Retrospec board offers a great value for beginners.
Q: What is the weight limit of Restrospec Longboards?
A: Retrospec has set a max weight limit of 220lbs for most of their products.