What Are The Best Ripstiks To Buy in 2023?

Ripstiks, with their cool look and thrill-filled riding experience, has become the new talk of the town among skaters. But, people are even using it as a daily commuter instead of longboards and skateboards, especially youngsters.

However, ripstiks are still pretty confusing to many people, particularly when it comes to their difference with skateboards. That being said, the variety of ripstik manufacturers may make it difficult to pick the best ripstiks for your rides.

Ripstiks are available in many shapes and designs. So, it must meet your budget, weight limit, riding comfort, and above all, your style. We looked at all these important ripstik factors and have reviewed the 8 best caster boards following their buying guide, maintenance, tips, and tricks.

So, shall we kick off?

What Is A Ripstik?

Although ripstik, at first glance, looks much like a skateboard or longboard, it is pretty different.  For this, you need to look at ripstik construction.

A ripstik is a combination of two separate boards. These two sturdy boards are connected with a metal beam. Also, each deck has one caster connected with the wheel. So, both wheels can move independently, and it increases your riding fun.

As a rider, you need to continuously move the two decks back and forth to balance the ripstik. That’s where a ripstik is different from the standard skateboards. People use ripstiks mainly for their unique design and thrilling experience.

Also, a ripstik is referred to as J-board, vigor board, and most commonly, caster board.

The top 8 List:

Why Use Caster Board’s Ripstiks?

Ripstiks are for thrill and enjoyment. If you want an exciting riding experience as you move around your neighborhood or go to nearby supermarkets or parks, a ripstik can be an excellent option. Also, many youngsters prefer caster boards over longboard and skateboards for their unique style.

If you already love riding on a skateboard and longboard, it’s time you shift to a ripstik to elevate your riding skills and joy. The two separated decks with independent movements of the wheel also promise excellent convenience.

Many people also use it for practical purposes to exercise. Yes, as your legs go back and forth continuously, the ripstik offers brilliant exercise to your feet and muscles and helps you stay fit and confident.

The Target User Of Caster Boards

A ripstik caster board is mainly made for young people.  The targeted use of this incredible commuter is those who love the thrill and still want a convenient vehicle for neighborhood and supermarket hopping with ease.

These decks with wheels are stylish, attractive, and boozes with outstanding riding experience. Those who love skating and want to show off a few tricks out of their sleeves will love the free movement of the wheels of caster boards.

Any Disadvantages?

One obvious disadvantage of ripstiks is its balancing. You will find balancing between the two independent wheels quite tough. Also, the continuous movement of your legs back and forth needs extreme physical fitness.

Thus, initially, you will find riding a caster board the hardest. But, once you know the technique, you will love riding the ripstik.

Ripstik vs. Standard Skateboard vs. Longboard

Both longboard and skateboard come with a long and elongated deck without any separation. The ripstik, on the contrary, has two separate decks, and each has a caster connected with the wheel. Both decks connect using a metal beam.

Also, skateboards and longboards have four wheels. But a ripstik only includes two wheels, with one for each deck. The shape is mode sideways too.

The most striking difference among these three boards is self-propulsion ability. Ripstiks have self-propulsion ability. So, unlike the skateboards, you won’t have to push the deck forward. You just need to shift your weight between front toe and heel to back toe and end to help the caster board move. 

Is Ripstiks Easier Than Skateboards?

Well, learning a skateboard is easier since it needs less balancing between your feet. Skateboards feature a wider and sturdier deck. So, your learning curve on it will be a brisk task. The ripstik, on the contrary, has a pretty compact board. So, it is difficult to learn and control initially.

Nonetheless, after a few trial and error sessions, ripstik riding also becomes as easy as any longboard and skateboarding riding is. So, don’t worry if people say riding rip sticks is difficult.

Read: How to slow down a ripstik?

Review of the 08 Best Caster Boards Ripstik for Beginners

Razor ripstiks are the most prevalent in the market. However, even Razor has tons of options available, including the cheap ripstik and mini ripstik to cater to different users. The following list includes 08 top ripstik caster boards for beginner to expert riders.

Buying Guide for the Best Ripstiks to Buy

We have described 08 top-quality ripstiks for every rider with various skill levels. But you can’t buy them all and test which suits you. That’s why we have also prepared a review buyer guide to help you quickly finalize which ripstik is your go-to choice.

Deck design and construction

The key benefits of ripstik is its ability to move 360-degree without taking much space. However, it won’t be possible without a pivoting deck. Although beginners might find it hard to control, once you learn the technique, a pivoting deck will open limitless flexibilities for you.

Plus, the deck must be durable and slip-resistant. Or, it runs the risk of damage and injuries to the rider.

Wheel

The wheel will largely determine your riding comfort and how many tricks you can perform with the ripstik. So, look at the wheel diameter carefully.

Larger wheels bring stability, and so will suit kids and beginners better. If you have skateboarding skills, you can choose a smaller wheel to perform tricks. Also, look at the number of ball bearings the wheel includes. More ball bearings mean better flexibility and smoothness.

Also, these wheels are made with either urethane or PU material. For off-trails, the urethane will be a better selection.

Ripstik weight and load capacity

The weight of the board is crucial. Although heavier ripstiks are harder and stiffer, beginners will find it easy to control and stable. Advanced riders may choose lighter boards for showing tricks.

Next, you have to check the load capacity of the ripstik. Mostly, the deck accommodates up to 220lbs weight capacity. It is perfect for most adults and kids unless you are an incredibly heavyweight person. However, a few boards have a 150lbs load capacity which isn’t suitable for most adults. So, keep an eye on the weight limit.

Torsion bar

While most people look closely at the deck construction and wheel design to find which ripstik is the best, most ignore the torsion bar. It connects the two separate decks and determines the performance of your ripstik largely.

The bar may come with rubber pads or open. The rubber pads help protect the bar from dust and abrasion and so, it needs less maintenance. Finally, look at the consistency of the torsion bar. If it is inconsistent, you will find it hard to move forward and twist the ripstik. It may limit your riding smoothness and performance.

How much is a Ripstik worth?

In general, ripstiks are affordable and budget-friendly. The average cost of a standard ripstik may vary from $60 to $90. However, some cheap or mini ripstik are gettable at $40 even. So, you need not spend too much on the ripstik, and so, they are highly worthy of any investment.

However, you may need to spend around $120 for some high-end models of Razor ripstiks. But these models are mainly for professionals.

How long does it take to learn to ride a RipStik?

Learning Ripstik is fairly easy. At least, it is easier than most people consider. You can learn ripstik basics within 24 hours of practice. So, you should learn to ride a ripstik within a week or so, given that you invest 2 to 3 hours for practice.

How to Ride a Ripstik?

For beginners and kids, the first few practice sessions are going to be difficult. The rider may fall a few times from the ripstik during their practice sessions. So, riding on a smooth surface will help. Also, wear helmets along with knee and elbow guards to protect your body.

And for riding, place your non-dominant foot first and put your dominant foot on the deck. It helps in better controls. Also, make sure the nose of the ripstik is facing forward. As you place the dominant foot at the rear deck, use it to push the ripstik forward.

Tricks on a Ripstik

You can use ripstik for a few tricks. But for this, you need to be confident in your riding skill. The flip start is the most common ripstik trick, and beginners can learn it pretty quickly.

Apart from flip start, other common ripstik tricks include-

• Flip and turn start
• High caveman
• Manual ripstik tricks
• Hang 10
• Nose manual, etc.

When you try tricks on the ripstik, you must wear protective gear that meets ANSI and ASTM quality guidelines for safety.

Maintenance

Although a ripstik looks simple, it needs proper maintenance for durable performance. You need to take care of the deck, torsion bar, and the caster wheels mainly.

Especially, torsion bar maintenance is essential since it connects the two decks. You need to clean dirt and other debris from it if need be. Also, at times its paint may wear out and cause rust accumulation. So, you have to repaint it at such moments. 

For the deck, clean them off properly after rides. This way, they will remain dust-free and in good condition for a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are ripstiks adjustable?

Yes, you can adjust the ripstik wheels if you need. You have to remove the wheels and readjust them following the user manual. But it is not a recommended process.

2. What size are ripstik wheels?

The standard ripstik will feature 76mm wheels. However, some mini ripstiks will have 66-68mm wheels. The absolute large ripstik includes bigger than 76mm wheels, but it is rare.

3. What size are ripstik mini wheels?

The size of ripstik mini wheels is 66-68mm. For instance, Razor RipStik Ripster has a 66mm wheel size. Smaller wheels are more suitable for tricks.

4. Can you replace ripstik wheels?

Yes, ripstik wheels are replaceable. You need to flip over the deck and use a flathead screwdriver to remove the wheel from the caster and replace it with a new one.

5. Can you ride a ripstik backward?

Yes, you can ride a ripstik reverse or backward. You will get many useful tutorials on YouTube on how to ride ripstik backward. Follow them to learn the trick shortly.

Read: How to stop on a Ripstik?

6. When did ripstik come out?

Although a few forms of caster boards were popular in California, these weren’t the official ripstik. Razor 1^st brought the ripstik in the market in 2006. And surprisingly, it got immense popularity within a few years.

Conclusion…

Here we end our best ripstik reviews of 08 top-quality ripstiks. They are made for comfortable, safe, and fun rides and showing off a few tricks. You can pick the Classic 2-Wheel Ripstik for the beginner’s level. And if you are a fan of surfing, we recommend you getting a Razor RipStik Ripsurf that offers you an incredible surfing experience even on the roads.

Last but not least, RipStik “G” Caster Board can be a great option for those who love snow and ice boarding. Also, other models are suitable for kids, adults, and professionals. So, the choice depends on your budget and requirements mainly.