Phat Cruize Boards, versatile and capable carvers. In this review we check out two of this local companies decks. The Double Round as well as the Big Gun Longboard, featured in the previous drop through article. Phat Cruize a re-emergent longboard company is looking to head into the foray with a capable lineup and striking hometown art.

Phat Cruize Big Gun Drop Through Review

Dimensions Width 11.5" Length 4'11" Deck Height 4" Wheelbase 44" Thickness 3/4" Construction Baltic Birch 11 ply Wheel well cutouts Tapered nose and tail Flush Mount Drop Through Setup Big Gun Dropthrough Deck Kryto Classic K / Pink Powerballs 72mm/78a Bones Reds Bones Soft Bushings Randal150

The Big Gun I initially reviewed really got me exited about this project, after working on the deck with Mark and getting the flush mount cut I went to work, painting and gripping this beast. The first run was with gumballs and they rubbed at even the slightest carve. I replaced them with the krypto wheels I do most reviews with as a comparative method of reviewing the deck alone.

The majority of the difference in this deck compare to the traditional Big Gun is the obvious height difference. This difference is extreme in the pushing and carving aspects. Pushing is simple and easy on the legs as the step down is far from drastic. Foot breaking as well is a greater asset as dropping down and holding the centerline is obviously easier as the deck height is lower. Cornering and hard carving is given a massive boost as you really feel the pavement race by you as the edge drops and you feel the deck hiss just hardly above the ground. The lowered deck height really helps to hold the line on hard carving and cornering with accidental slides feeling less likely even though on a hard carve or pump the rear easily drifts out reducing speed with a controlled minimal slide. Another difference that I noticed is that the deck lost much of it?s spine when the flush cuts were made, the ridge that is common with the phat decks is gone. I feel this is due in part to the comparative nature of the vertical grain with the cuts matching wheel well, to flush cut, to wheel well. Now the deck has a uniform feeling from rail to rail and the tensed nature of the middle deck is gone. I have yet to decide if this is good or bad, it?s just different.

As ridiculous as it seems to me to have a 4'11" drop through this deck has banished any disbeliefs just as it?s un-dropped version changed my mind about the agility of these decks in the first place. The board is fast the weight of the deck alone partnered with a descent grade and this deck flies with a reasonable amount of carves you are able to stay at a confident speed even while your eyes well up with speed tears. The lowered gravity and the over all length of the deck add to the phenomenon of feeling like you are going far slower until you have a gauge of reference to compare your speed to. At speeds cornering is a Breese and on mellow carves throwing your weight into the rails is a blast. It?s not hard at all to pop to tow wheels while executing a deep turn.

Just as a cruiser this deck is slightly limited as it?s not going to be too happy with curb drops or drastic height changes in the urban jungle. However as I stated before pushing is a breeze so long rides on smooth to mellow terrain are a pleasure as long as you don?t mind all the pushing. The weight of the deck is a bit of a bear to lug up hills and you get a serious workout if you don?t have a ride up the hill or if the elevator is out of order. As a board walker you still have just as much room to walk with still minimal amount of fear for stepping on your wheels as you will only be breaching the wheel well on the most extreme rail pushing carves. You have plenty of space to wander all over it if you wish.

Conclusion A deck this big has its drawbacks and its benefits. It?s drawback is size the benefit is the wheel wells and drop though, but in this case it?s an odd hybrid of speed and agility crammed into a huge deck. In conclusion this is currently my favorite deck to ride. It?s an image of velocity and at the same time a good time cruiser. I will happily take it down most of the hills at my disposal just as soon as I will hit the boardwalk. A long board true to the name yet unique enough to have style. As I type this I am wishing I was riding and not writing.

Dimensions Width 12.5" Length 48" Height 5" Wheelbase 33" Thickness 1/2" Construction Baltic Birch 9 ply Wheel well cutouts Blunt nose and tail Setup Double Round Deck Nine Balls 76mm 75a Red Soft Pig Cusion Bones Reds Randal150 Stock Red Bushings

This deck was set up for my brother he is far more built than I and I've been looking for a full bodied board that could handle his stature. I found it in this deck. A more classic shape than most of the phat decks this is a cigar shaped deck with a wide foot base and at 12.5? it has plenty of space for big boys feet. Unlike most reviews this one if as a complete built out for a purpose that I am sure it will meet.

The Double Round is a symmetrical shape a wide plank base that retains it shape with minimal flex. The functionality I feel is a shortish longboard for big guys. The inherent strength of the ply?s are obvious when riding the deck and the power can be felt when pumping. Unlike it?s bigger brother the DR actually propels itself quite a great deal when you pump. Much less of the loss of speed for tail drag when you pump it hard. The deck has a similar hammock feeling to the other phat decks as you can feel the tight spine that is caused by the edge softness from the wheel wells. It is very comfortable for carving and helps to put power into the pumps without robbing it of too much momentum.

As to be expected with large hubs on these wheels they are a little rougher than their duro but maintain the traction I expected them to with pumping, as well as softening the ride on harder terrain. The soft pads also help in this regards and over all I am pleased with the wheel and bearing combination as to be expected the reds provide roll. The phat cruise decks seem best fit for R150z and the wheel wells line up perfect once the deck was built up. The ride on this shorter phat deck was a little strange once I had gotten used to the Big Gun it seemed to me far higher and wider than it really was. However it is still quite a nice ride. I think due to it?s uniform shape it seemed a bit more like a plank than the Big Gun. The ride to say the least is very comfortable and roomy.

This deck allows plenty of room for board walking while still being of a reasonable size. Cruising on the boardwalk just pumping along is a joy and the deck hold it?s own on many terrains. The carving ability of this deck is great and the no worries carving allowed by the lack of wheel-bite lets you carve your heart out. Chopping up the deepest steeps like butter through a hot melon. Taking corners in the garage and whipping it around with mild drift from the wheels. A formidable board yet still small enough to lug around as a cruiser.

Conclusion A deck this size that has the capability of holding a larger rider and still acting as a serious carver with inherent pumping power is a huge benefit. I don?t see any direct drawbacks of this deck with the exception of my personal preference towards more shapely decks. In all of the tests I ran it thorough this setup was more than adequate for carving, cruising and minimal bombing as would be expected from this deck and setup. For a heavier rider looking for something with solid carve prowess this is a great choice.