Retrospec Rift Drop-Through Longboard Skateboard Complete Canadian Maple Wood Cruiser w/Drop-Through Trucks for Commuting, Cruising, Carving & Downhill Riding

So dope

Son loved it

This is my first longboard, so I’m not an expert by any means. This board has been really good to me though. Let’s start with what is good:First, the board looks so good in person. I was hoping to pick up the ripple design, but I bought this one since it was out of stock. I’m glad I did because it looks amazing. Whatever design you get, you’ll be happy with it.This board can take quite a beating. I’ve ran it into a concrete wall a few times, I’ve rode it in the rain, I’ve scraped up the trucks, and I pop it up off the ground to pick it up. No delamination. The only wear it has is a bit on each end from popping it up, scrapes on the trucks from me running it off the sidewalk a few times, and the grip tape is a bit dirty. Still rides like a champ.It is really stable. The drop thru trucks help with the stability compared to top-mount. Just make sure to tighten the bushings a bit to fit your preferences, especially if you’re just starting out.There are a few other things to note:The bearings aren’t too bad by any means, but I did end up switching to bones reds bearings after I felt like I was comfortable on the board. The board also comes with bearing spacers, which is a plus.This board doesn’t have much flex. That’s really good if you’re looking for a sturdy board, but also depends on preference. Since I’m riding around campus with a lot of sidewalks, it might be better to have a bit more flex. I weigh 160 lbs, so I’d say this board is definitely good up to at least 220 lbs, if not more.The plastic does go under the trucks when you get it, so you’ll have to take the trucks off to get it out. This isn’t too bad though, especially if you have a skate tool. It’s a good opportunity to learn about the hardware of the board too. Just make sure not to lose the nuts and washers.This board does perform well in the rain, but if you want your grip tape to stay clean, I’d suggest only riding it in dry weather.The bushings felt a bit soft at first, so I tightened them before learning to skate. After a month and a half I felt comfortable enough to loosen them, and it’s much easier to turn and carve now. It’s basically a balance between stability and turn.I did have a few small problems with this board. If the bushings are too loose, it’s possible to get wheelbite. That’ll stop you in a hurry and might kick you right off the board. This was only a problem for me when I was beginning, and was made better when I tightened the bushings. It hasn’t been an issue for me since my balance has improved, even with loosening the bushings, and I can make pretty tight carves without worrying about it.The grip tape isn’t the most durable and can crack a bit at the edges, but I have been putting it under a lot of stress over the past month and a half and it’s still doing its job well.Overall, this seems to be a great longboard. It’s sturdy, responsive, and at a great price. I needed something to help me get around campus faster and this works well for that. it also has been a lot of fun. I’d definitely recommend this board.

Pros: Has a nice amount flexibility that doesn't get to close to the ground, which also works with the board to give smooth and sharp turns. comes with nice soft wheels that seem pretty sturdy(although I don't know how long they will last since I've only had the board for a few days), also comes with metal trucks(probably steel), which is pretty surprising for a board at this price. It has a great size for riders 12+. Younger riders may want to consider buying a smaller 33" board. The design also came out A LOT better than I expected, it blends in with the wood nicely and doesn't have any weird texture.Cons: This board has horrible bearings. Like really bad. My front set of wheels only roll for less than 4 seconds, and the back wheels roll for less than two seconds when I spinned them with my hands. You might want to consider buying a new set of bearings if you are planning on buying this board. Also makes a weird squeaking noise whenever you turn the board during a ride, although it isn't too loud so you can enjoy a cruise in somewhat silence. The deck is also pretty fragile considering it's Canadian maple(I can easily put small and shallow dents in it), but it doesn't seem likely to completely snap in half anytime soon.This longboard was pretty good considering its pros and cons. I would just buy a new set of bearings to make the longboarding experience 100 times better.

Bought this to get around my college campus, and it's been so great! Smooth cruising!

Overall: This board is stiff enough to make you feel steady on your feet and flexible enough to give you a wide range of mobility. It is the perfect balance between the two, making it great for beginners! Honestly it just feels right the moment you get on it. I am not a beginner rider and it was perfect for me, too!Deck: I doubt the deck would ever break because it feels very sturdy and well made. It is a radial concave deck, which provides comfortable foot placement. The deck has no camber (a good thing for beginner riders, and a matter of taste for advanced riders). The graphic on it is absolutely beautiful, and looks like it is a part of the wood. No complaints here!Grip Tape: I have had bad experiences with Amazon boards and their grip tape in the past. The grip on this board has not given me problems yet! I will update this part of the review as I ride the board more. Problems usually arise a month in.Trucks: The trucks are indeed metal because magnets are weakly drawn to them. They are good trucks. Nothing special, but for a $60 complete board, that is expected. If you are a beginner, MAKE SURE TO TIGHTEN THE TRUCKS. They are pretty loose right out of the box. They do squeak at first, but you just need to break them in. One complaint I do have is that the plastic packaging goes under the trucks (Almost all amazon boards are like this, though). You will need to remove the trucks to get all of the plastic out.Wheels + Bearings: The wheels are nice and grippy. They go over rocks and bumps with ease, too. The bearings are suprisingly great for a $60 Amazon board! I live in a neighborhood with extremely rough roads, and the wheels + bearings still give me lots of cruising time and a smooth ride. I can't imagine what this board must be like on nice roads. I did end up changing out the bearings simply because I wanted really, really long cruise time (this is standard procedure with Amazon boards, by the way. You should expect to be changing out the bearings on a complete longboard at a low pricepoint like this).Seriously, why haven't you added it to your cart yet?! This is the right board for you! Get it!