Ripstik Vs Skateboard: Everything You Need to Know

Ripstik VS Skateboard: Everything You Need to Know

Do you know what’s more agile and flexible than a skateboard? It’s a ripstik.

Yes, in a Ripstik Vs Skateboard competition, a ripstik always performs better because it has only two wheels (a skateboard usually has four).

Plus, a ripstik has more capability of maneuvering and more degree of freedom than a skateboard. However, this is not the only difference between a ripstik and a skateboard.

So, in case you’re interested to know more about the topic “skateboard vs ripstik”, I prepared an in-depth guide below for you.

As a professional skateboard enthusiast, I experimented with ripstiks for a long time and came up with some interesting data that you should take a look at.

Therefore, stay tuned to the end!

What Is A Ripstik?


A caster board or “RipStik” (trademark of Razor USA LLC) is basically a two-wheeler ride that you have to propel with your legs. Just as you do when you ride skateboards. But, you can also propel it by “wiggling” your toes and feet.

What Is A Ripstik?

Now, in terms of body construction, a ripstik does not have a “Popsicle Shaped” deck. Rather, it has a “dumbbell-shaped” deck.

Here, you will have two different slabs to place your two feet, and these two slabs will be connected in between. Plus, you’ll be able to freely twist these two slabs in independent directions.

Features of a Ripstik


As you can already guess, the features of a ripstik are massively different from other boards.

I. Two-wheelers:

A ripstik is generally a two-wheeler vehicle. However, double ripstiks can have four wheels as well. And, the thing to know about ripstiks is that their wheels are inlined in a single axis similar to the wheels of rollerblades.

II. Dumbbell shaped:

As I have already indicated above, the slabs where you’ll be placing your feet on a ripstik are somewhat dumbbell-shaped. Yes, 2 elliptical slabs are joined together by a torsion bar to form the main board of ripstiks.

Plus, the two slabs can rotate independently of each other, which is not possible on a skateboard.

III. Wheel rotation:

Each wheel of a ripstik can rotate on its axis at 360° freedom. As a result, you can easily turn in any direction at any moment when you are riding a ripstik.

IV. Self-Propulsion:

When riding a ripstik, you don’t only have the option of propelling the ride with your feet in a forwarding direction. But, you can also propel it by doing a somewhat “wiggling” motion.

That means that you have to try to twist the slabs of the ripstik in opposite directions. As a result, you’ll gain motion by alternating the pressure on the two slabs using your toes and heels.

Pros

  • A ripstik has more enhanced maneuverability than other types of riding boards
  • It does not require linear propulsion performed by pushing the ground backward
  • Ripstiks have more freedom of movement
  • It can travel forward and go sideways as well

The wheels of a ripstik can independently rotate in 360-degree rotation. Consequently, you can suddenly change direction and turn your ride at any moment.

Cons

  • Learning to ride ripstik is relatively harder
  • Due to more freedom of movement, the wheels of ripstik may wear relatively quicker

What Is A Skateboard?


Britannica.com tells us that skateboards are four-wheeled rides that have narrow boards for the rider to stand on. And, you have to propel this type of board with your legs by pushing the ground backward.

What Is A Skateboard?

Plus, the wheels of skateboards are generally connected to the board through metal trucks and axles. In terms of construction material, the decks of skateboards are generally made of maple wood or polyurethane plastic, according to Wikipedia.

Features of a Skateboard


The features of a skateboard are pretty straightforward. Here, take a look:

I. Popsicle Shaped board:

The shape of the decks is generally nearly rectangular (it has rounded corners).

II. Four wheels:

These boards have four wheels. One pair is used as front wheels, and another pair is used as rear wheels. The front and rear wheels are connected by metal trucks.

III. Propelled against the ground:

In order to propel a skateboard, you must push your leg against the ground and push the ground backward.

IV. No rotation of wheels:

The wheels of a skateboard are fixed in their position. That means that they don’t have the option to rotate at all. For this reason, this type of board goes straight all the time, and you have to flip it to take a turn.

Pros

  • Learning to ride a skateboard is straightforward
  • The wheels generally wear down much slower than ripstiks
  • They are safer for newbies
  • These can easily pull off long rides

Finally, a skateboard’s motion is always easier to figure out relative to ripstiks.

Cons

  • The freedom of movement is more restricted for skateboards
  • These boards have less maneuverability than ripstiks.

Key Differences between Ripstiks and Skateboards


A lot of factors can be common between ripstiks and skateboards. However, there are some fundamental differences between these two as well (as you already know).

Let’s Discuss The Differences And Similarities Between Ripstik VS Skateboard

01. Users

A skateboard is a suitable ride for riders of all ages. For instance, you can use a skateboard for sports activities and also for reaching your workplace/college. That’s why kids, teenagers, and adults alike use skateboards all the time.

But, ripstiks are meant for enhanced stunts and funky maneuvers. That’s why only young adults generally use ripsticks.

02. Shape

The shape of a skateboard is similar to any other four-wheeled board. It’s a near-rectangular-shaped ride that has rounded corners.

But, as I have already indicated earlier, the shape of a RipStik is similar to what you might call a “Dumbbell”.

03. Design

Skateboards can be narrow, long, wide, and short. But, a common thing between these is that they have four wheels, and the wheels are connected through metal trucks. And the deck of a skateboard is a plain board with no intricate curves on it.

On the other hand, ripstiks have two separate wheels that can rotate independently of each other. As a result, a ripstik can take a turn at any point of its travel.

Plus, the deck of a ripstik is separated into two parts. The front disc/slab is for placing a single foot, and the rear disc/slab is meant for placing the other foot.

04. Propulsion

To propel a skateboard, you must use your leg to push the ground backward. On the flip side, ripstiks have a unique design that lets them gain motion solely by “wiggling” your body.

05. Learning Curve

Learning to ride a skateboard is an easy process. Generally speaking, a rookie rider can easily master a skateboard within two to three days. So, the learning curve is pretty steep for these boards.

On the other hand, riding a ripstik is generally harder than riding other boards. Thus, it takes much longer to figure out the motion and control of a ripstik. Hence, the learning curve for ripstiks is gradual.

06. Grinding Tricks

A few common grinding tricks for skateboards include 50/50 grind, nose grind, crooked grind, hurricane grind, tailblock slide, etc.

You can do all sorts of skateboard grinds with ripstik as well. So, the grind tricks of these two rides are generally the same.

07. Jumps

You can easily do Ollie jumps with a skateboard by bending your knees and kicking the tail while you are on the ride. And the procedures for doing the jumps are just the same for a ripstik as well.

FAQs Regarding Ripstik Vs Skateboard


In addition to the discussions above, people also ask many other related questions as below:

FAQs Regarding Ripstik Vs Skateboard

Is A Ripstik Easier Than A Skateboard?

As I’ve already mentioned a few times, learning to ride a ripstiks is not easier than a skateboard. However, it’s not rocket science. So, if you have the proper guidance, it’s not hugely difficult to learn to ride a ripstik either.

Can You Ride A Ripstik At A Skatepark?

Yes, you can definitely ride a ripstik in a state park because ripstiks can easily run on solid ground. So, in any spot where skateboarding is possible, riding ripstiks is also possible.

How Fast Can A Ripstik Go?

The average speed of a ripstik is somewhere around 5 mph. However, you can even go faster than this if you know how to generate propulsion correctly.

Is A Ripstik Like Snowboarding?

Riding a ripstik is indeed somewhat similar to snowboarding. However, unlike snowboarding, you have to learn to handle the wheel rotations of the ripstiks, which is much harder to do.

How Do You Wiggle On A Ripstik?

The simple trick to do a “wiggle” is to put pressure on the front slab with one of your toes and, at the same time, put pressure on the rear slab with the heel of your other leg. And, you have to do an alternating heel-toe-heel-toe sequence with your legs in order to wiggle a ripstik.

What Is The Difference Between Ripstik And Ripster?

The main difference between a ripstik and a ripster lies in its torsion bar (it’s the bar that connects the front and rear slabs of a ripstik). For a ripstik, the torsion bar is likely to be longer. On the other hand, it’s shorter on a ripster.

Final Words


Well, that’s all there’s to it, people. Now that you know everything you need to know regarding Ripstik Vs Skateboard.

The final verdict I can give you here is that the difference between a skateboard and a ripstik lies in their maneuverability. For ripstiks, the maneuverability is more enhanced than on skateboards.

Plus, learning to ride a ripstik is generally more difficult than learning skateboarding. However, it’s more fun to ride a ripstik. So, give it all when you are attempting to learn riding ripstiks.

Best of luck to you. Peace out!

What Are The Important Factors While Purchasing the Best Longboard Bearings?

01. Size

8 mm bearings are commonly used. This size is perfect for the longboard bearing. You can choose the other sizes if they give you more comfort. But I will recommend you choose the 8mm bearing.

02. Type

You can get both the ball bearing and roller bearing around you. Most of the bearings are ball bearings. Ball bearings run faster and more smoothly than roller bearings. But ball bearings can not handle the load. In that case, the roller bearing performs well.

03. Durability

The bearing should be durable that can last a minimum of one year. You can increase its durability by cleaning regularly and running in dry places. Water and mud decrease their longevity quickly.

04. Performance

The performance of the bearings is the most important fact. If your longboard bearings are rough and run with less spin that will not satisfy you. Also, a smooth and fast bearing with noise will annoy you. So, check before buying if there is any defect in performance.

05. Precision

Precision is the exactness or correctness of the tolerance. The American manufacturers association uses ABEC to define precision. When the precision increases, the permissible range decreases. Precision is independent of bearing clearance. The higher the ABEC number, the tighter the bearing will be. Higher precision helps to move more smoothly and increase efficiency.

06. Lubrication Compatibility

Lubrication is a must before riding on your longboard. To convert your slow bearings into fast longboard bearings you have to clean them regularly and lubricate them. It will give a fast spinning movement.

07. ABEC rating

While buying bearings, you need to check whether it is ABEC-rated longboard bearings or not. ABEC rating stands for dimension. It only rates tolerances. Some ABEC classes are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. ABEC rating 9 is tighter than ABEC rating 1. The more the ABEC rating, the more the precision will be.

08. Engraved seals

Engraved seals prevent entering dust and other material inside. It also holds the lubricant inside and prevents friction. Most of the brands use rubber material for easy cleaning and to prevent the entry of water inside. While buying, check all the seals properly.

09. Price

Price is a big factor when buying anything. If you get a bearing with better quality at less price, then that will attract you the most. People mainly buy this type of bearings the most. Also, you should not follow the misconception that more expensive things mean better. Most of the famous brands are budget-friendly and careful about quality.

10. Brand reputation

While buying high-quality longboard bearings, people follow reputed brands. If the reputation is good then people do not hesitate to buy from the brand.

11. Warranty/Guarantee

If the brand provides you with a warranty or guarantee, that will be a plus point for you. You can repair the bearings if any problem arises at no cost within the given time. Also, the refund policy is beneficial for the buyers. You can change the defective set or can return the set with a full refund.

FAQs About Longboard Bearings

These are some commonly asked questions by people about the best bearings for longboards.

Is it worth it to invest in more expensive longboard bearings?

No, it is not worth it to invest in more expensive longboard bearings. More expensive is not equal to best quality. You can get a high-quality bearing within a suitable budget.

How do I know if my longboard bearings need to be replaced?

If the bearings start producing noise and are rough to run after cleaning, then you need to replace your longboard bearings. Also, the bearing will not spin if it is worn out.

What is the difference between ceramic and steel bearings for longboards?

The difference between ceramic and steel bearings for Longboards is durability. Ceramic bearings are more durable, smooth, and corrosion-resistant. At the same time, steel bearings are easily damaged by corrosive substances and are less durable than ceramic ones.

Can I lubricate my longboard bearings myself, or do I need to take them to a professional?

You can lubricate your longboard bearings yourself. )r if you have no previous experience, then you need to take them to a professional. But choose the right lubricant for the bearings.

Can I mix and match different brands of bearings on my longboard?

You should not mix and match different brands of bearings on your longboard as they are different from each other in size, shape, durability, and performance. Mixing different brands is unable to balance your movement.

Can I use the same bearings for both my longboard and my skateboard?

Yes, you can use the same bearing for both your longboard and your skateboard. The only difference appears in the case of wheel size. Otherwise, there is no difference between the bearings. But you should be careful about the dimension of the spacer.

Conclusion

Now it will be easy for you to choose the best Bearings for Longboards. You can compare the bearings and choose according to your comfort. I will recommend you choose the bearings which are performing well and have good customer service. If you still can not choose a perfect one then you can select it by brand reputation.

Also, choosing the brands which are giving warranty is the safest to pick. You can get these ten best bearings within an affordable range. Do not choose the bearings which are rated below ABEC 3. Below 3 ABEC-rated bearings have less tolerance.

About the author

This is Kyle Spinks from Butte MT, USA. A skateboarding expert and lover since 2019. skateupdates.com is my blog where I share my skateboarding life experience daily or weekly. If you're a beginner skater, I'll advise you to follow my blog daily.

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