GLOBE BANTAM CLEAR (Blue/Purple)

The Specs

Deck (LxW): 24” x 7” Clear Blue

Trucks: 4.25” Slant trucks

Bearings: ABEC7 Globe bearings

Bushings: 94A Black (not sure)

Wheels: 62mm 83A Globe Bantam Wheels, Clear Purple

Hardware: Phillips screws

Risers: 1/4" Clear Blue Plastic***

***I honestly never even noticed the board had risers until I started taking pictures of this. Pretty sure I answered a question a while back about putting risers on a Bantam and I obviously didn't know what the hell I was talking about. But now I know better.

The Ride

Smoothness

Globe has a patent pending S-TRAC grip that I won't even bother to describe the shape off, so just take a look at the close up picture below. Being the kind of girl who wouldn't grip her boards unless absolutely necessary, I've been perfectly fine with my Bantam... until my Vans got a little damp.

My cousin and I were coming back from the beach, and I was riding my board with Vans on. While it was a very hot day and I took off my shoes far away from the water, it may or may not have gotten a little wet after swimming. I was cruising along when my front foot did a little (or not so little) skid on the deck, and I was fortunate to have controlled the board (and myself) before I faceplanted and ate gravel. That mini heart stopping moment broke my confidence in S-TRAC (not that I trusted it much in the first place), but I am still too lazy to grip it. In the meantime, I have no plans of riding this again with wet shoes.

Lesson from this experience: if you may find yourself in the event that you'll ride this on a wet day, please add some grip to your Bantam.

The wider and longer size of the Bantam allows the rider to have a a little more foot space to work with. This also allows you to feel a little more stable with your stance, especially if you've got size 12 feet. I found it very good to ride, and the longer kick tail compared to the Banana feels so, so good. I never fully appreciated kick tails until I experienced the oompa-loompa sized kick tail of the Banana.

True story: my 50-something year old aunt wanted me to teach her to skate. She started with my Banana but always had a problem placing her back leg on the board after every push. In comes the Bantam, which she is more comfortable and confident with. Love at first ride, I tell you.

The Material

At first look, the Bantam looks so much larger than my Banana in length, width and even thickness. It's both longer and wider, but it's actually not that much thicker. The Banana only looks thinner because the edges curve, where as the Bantam is more box-y. The underside of the board is thinner in the center, but is supported by 3 lengthwise beams.

The deck is made of clinky plastic. I have no better way to describe it, but if you tap the plastic with your fingernail, it is distinctly different and obviously harder compared to the softer, fleshy plastic of the Banana. But plastic is still plastic, so your board will still flex. No worries there.

That clinky feel to it actually makes the deck feel like it's going to crack, but the material feels very strong. Just don't go smashing it around or something stupid. Also, because the plastic is different, the deck also scratches different. The Banana peels (get it. haha. so funny. badumtss) off easier, so your scratches are deeper, while the Bantam looks more like you scratched sandpaper on it. I prefer the slower destruction of the Bantam to the eroding Banana.

Slant trucks have a lifetime guarantee, believe it or not, but I don't intend to test this. The trucks are wider than even the Nickel's by a quarter of an inch, but the Nickel is way larger in deck size. The 22" Penny, closer in overall size to the Bantam, only has 3" trucks. I do believe that this lends to a more stable ride, and I have no complaints with the trucks. I might even swap it out to test on other boards.

The wheels are also 3mm larger in diameter compared to Penny wheels. Paired with the wide trucks, I'm going to assume that there's a risk of wheelbite without the quarter inch plastic risers that come with the board. I am too lazy to take off the risers and test the board, so I'm totally winging this assumption.

Verdict

The Globe Bantam's size could be good or bad, depending on the need, but I think it would be a good board for beginners. If you want the portability of a regular Penny but find it too small, grab a Globe Bantam :)

Pros: Constructed very well, feels sturdy Good for beginners More stable than the regular Penny

Cons: Bigger than most plastic boards (not by much, but still noticeable) Heavier compared to a Banana/Penny

While the little increase in size and weight could lower its portability, it's not as cumbersome to lug around for me like the Nickel. The extra size, however, gives your a more stable ride. This might give some beginners who feel wobbly on a Penny more confidence by giving them a wider deck to ride on.

I'm out of budget for boards right now since I sell stuff I don't like/need to buy new ones like this baby. I only review the boards I buy, and then I sell it if I don’t like it. So I’m not sponsored or whatever so these come out of my pocket! I'll try to post some comparison pics with the Banana when I find free time again!

Ride safe, and have fun, dear readers!