Globe Big Blazer Review – Bought & Tested + Video

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Time to review a different cruiser, this time we’re gonna have a close look at the Globe Big Blazer, ride it, and see how it performs. This one is a bit different from the other cruisers I reviewed because I personally think it’s the perfect cruiser skateboard for beginners. Why? here’s the gist of this review.

The Globe Big Blazer is the best cruiser board for beginners and heavy riders because of its dimensions, (lack of) concave, and stability. It isn’t as nimble as an Arbor or won’t give you the speed of a Comet cruiser but it’s a decent cruiser for people just getting into skateboarding/cruising.

So let’s take a closer look at the components, its design, and most importantly, how it rides!

Please note that this review contains links that earn me a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Globe Big Blazer Specifications

I can’t believe I didn’t align the bushings and hardware properly (top-left of the image), mildly infuriating! Anyway, pretty basic parts but they work well together.

I am fairly impressed with the components so far, sure they aren’t top of the line but you get a lot for the money. The board feels solid but a bit on the heavy side, mainly because it’s a bit bigger than my other cruisers and the trucks are rather heavy.

You get basic Tensor Alloy trucks which are kind of a jack of all trades master of none, but they carve just fine especially for beginners. They aren’t able to make deep carves and may feel a bit sluggish at times but it’s very easy to maintain your balance. It wasn’t meant for carving anyway, it’s a board for riding longer distances and not making sharp turns.

The bearings are okay, they do the job but nothing special, the wheels make up for that but it’s the first thing I would replace. The wheels are good enough to get you going and maintain speed for a while.

The deck is 32 inches tall and 9″ wide near the front. It sits right between a small cruiser and a longboard, a good size for heavier riders and beginners. The surface is pretty flat, the lack of concave makes it more stable but hard to get a firm grip on sharp turns. Again, it’s not meant for carving and the lack of concave makes sense in that regard.

It’s a pretty fine cruiser and I think it’s the perfect cruiser for beginners, taller skaters, and heavier riders that are looking for a cruiser on a budget.

It’s often on sale, so maybe you’re lucky, check for prices on Amazon.

I don’t know how durable the wheels are but they are holding up so far, the bearings probably could be better but the wheels make up for that.

Specs:

• Standard Tensor alloy 6″/152 mm hanger, 219 mm axle
• Slant wedge (angled) riser pads
• 7 Ply, 32″ tall and 9″ wide, Canadian Maple deck, Premium Palisander wood finish
• Globe conical-shaped wheels, 62 mm/78A wheels
• Globe ABEC 7 Bearings and Spacers
• 17.7″ wheelbase which can’t be adjusted

Test Ride Video

It’s only 32″ tall but somehow it feels huge for a skateboarder like me. I am used to popsicles which are about the same size but it feels pretty beefy. It’s rather narrow around the tail but the center and up is pretty wide. Enough about how it feels, let’s see how it rides!

It doesn’t turn as well as my other cruisers but it’s also wider and longer, still, it handles well and if you put your weight in you can still make pretty sharp turns. Once you’re up to speed it pretty much ignores pebbles and cracks, you’ll hardly notice them and won’t throw you off balance.

No problems when you run into gravel or feel like taking a shortcut through a patch of grass, sometimes that can end badly though. Just make sure you lean back a little and the ground isn’t too soft, you’ll have no issues.

It feels pretty grippy in dry conditions, the soft 78A/62mm wheels do their job though powerslides are a bit difficult. Easy to hop a few curbs though it takes a bit more effort because of it’s size and shape.

The board is rather stiff so don’t expect this to be a flexy cruiser, Just have to get used to this board I guess. Now that I tested it a bit more, I really like this board for what it is. I also noticed you get speed wobbles when you go downhill and try to correct your trajectory, mainly the back trucks.

Components

Let’s take this board apart and see what you get. This is a cruiser on a budget and corners need to be cut. I’m not a fan of the bearings and wonder if the trucks will hold when you ollie a 3-stairs, but you know that’s not what this cruiser is for.

The deck is rather stiff and lacks concave, only a slight camber which is hardly noticeable. The wheels are soft and just the right size, the huge contact patch helps you to maintain your grip and balance. It comes with wedge risers that increase in turning capabilities, and the deck’s wheels wells prevent wheel bite.

Deck

Stiff none flexy, low concave. tail enough to get into a more aggressive stance

Lovely designs, the version I have looks pretty trippy and I love the neon mushrooms! You’ll notice the graphic is special once you get a closer look, they seem top pop out and there’s actually some relief you can see and feel when you move your fingers over the board.

Okay, so the graphics are awesome but what about the shape? It comes with a kicktail and a flat pointy nose. There isn’t any concave which makes it easy to maintain your balance, great for beginners, annoying for experienced riders that want to get more out of a board.

Trucks

Globe completes often come with standard Tensor trucks, not only cruisers but also regular skateboards. I think these trucks are much better compared to the non branded trucks you often see on cheaper models but they do have flaws.

They aren’t great at carving (the wedge risers compensate for this) and sure will break when like to grind curbs. If you want better trucks I would recommend Paris V3 trucks for just carving, Indys for getting gnarly, or Paris Street trucks to get the best cruiser/trick experience.

The baseplate consists of four holes so you can’t adjust the wheelbase unless you decide to drill a few extra holes in the deck (don’t do that).

This isn’t a board for tricks, and it does what it’s supposed to, keep you on the board, and have fun cruising. Despite their sluggish feeling, it feels very stable and comfy just cruising around town. I like to ride this board when I’m not in the mood for slides, ollies, or anything and just want a relaxing ride.

Bushings

The bushings are fairly balanced, lightweights will probably have to ride it a bit longer before they break-in. They are stiff but still respond well, it just takes some time before you get the most out of them. The truck geometry and bushings work well together and snap back into a neutral position quite rapidly. This helps you to get back into position to push and increase speed.

You might need to adjust the kingpin nuts depending on your weight. Just ride it for a few hours and try to carve a lot. This will help to break-in the bushings faster. If you aren’t too heavy you could loosen the trucks just a bit to make the board turn faster.

Slant Wedge Riser Pads

Not much to tell honestly, wedge riser pads help to increase turning ability because the trucks themselves aren’t great at turning. Because this is a 32″ cruiser, angled risers make sense. Without them turning would probably take more effort.

Wheels 78A/62mm

At 78A you’re almost at the limit of soft wheels, you just can’t get much lower. The wheels are very sticky, deal well with rocks/pebbles, ignore cracks and twigs. They are 62mm which helps to ignore gravel and I had no issues riding through a patch of grass or really rough parts on the road.

Bearings

I have yet to come across a complete cruiser that offers great quality bearings and the Blazer is no exception. Don’t worry though, they are fine and will last you a long time but I usually swap the standard bearings for Bones Swiss bearings or Bronson Raws, the latter is a really good investment and I love the sound these open bearings produce.

Bottle Opener (lol)

I never realized this board came with a bottle opener and had a good laugh when I noticed. I did see something was under the board from looking at the pictures but found out what it was when it arrived. I tested it and spilled my drink over the bottom of the board, not recommended but a fun gimmick nonetheless.

When to Buy

Buy this cruiser when you’re completely new to skateboarding or longboarding and want something that isn’t too small or hard to ride. It’s very easy to control, responds a bit slower compared to smaller cruisers, and very forgiving on rough surfaces.

Heavier and taller riders will have a good time riding this board because of its width, length, and stability.

You get a really decent cruiser for a great price, sure 150 bucks may sound like a lot of money but it’s peanuts considering the quality build and the components you get. Skateboards and cruisers aren’t exactly cheap but in my opinion, this one is really well worth the money.

Landyachtz, for example, offers comparable boards for a lot more. I’d say this is the best beginner cruiser on a budget but if you want something more nimble, keep on reading.

When to Avoid

If you want a cruiser that responds fast, is easy to carry around and more aggressive, skip this board. It’s kind of sluggish compared to the other cruisers I’ve tested and doesn’t respond as quickly. This is great for beginners but not for experienced and somewhat experienced riders.

Unlike others claim (who never actually rode this board), the blazer is not for parks nor for bowl skating. Sure you can cruise around and ride over banks and some transitions but the big soft wheels will make it a frustrating experience.

I also read one review that claimed this is a good board for bowl riding, like really? No way you can ride a bowl comfortably unless you’re a pro. The lack of concave and none carvy nature of this board is just asking for trouble. You’ll also have a hard time pumping bowls because the wheels are pretty soft.

Flip tricks? Ollies? Forget about it! For one, it’s just a waste of your board and wasn’t designed for street skating. Second, it’s way too heavy and the geometry and lack of concave make it really hard to flip the deck.

Gobe Blazer XL and Globe Standard Cruisers

Globe offers three different sizes, I just review the big blazer (32″) but they also come in a smaller and bigger version. I haven’t tested these but if you’ll allow me to make an educated guess, the smaller (26.0″ x 7.25″)  will be more nimble and less stable (26″ is really really narrow) and the Blazer XL (36.25″ x 9.75“) is your typical longboard.

If 32″ is too big and 26″ too small consider the 30″ version.

Globe also offers affordable complete skateboards, not top of the line but much better than those crappy completes you’ll find on Amazon.

If you want to go for something smaller and nimble make sure to check out my review of the Arbor Pilsner or the Landyachtz Dinghy and skip the standard Blazer. For just a bit more you get the ultimate nimble cruiser.

Final Verdict

This board is okay, a great choice for beginners but experienced riders probably won’t like its sluggish feeling. If you’re totally new to the game and don’t want to take your time to learn how to ride a smaller more nimble board, you found the perfect cruiser. Heavy riders will benefit as well, it feels rather stiff and you won’t wiggle all over the place when you ride this board.

Other than that, skip it. This board is not for anyone who is coming back from a big hiatus or someone who wants to learn technical tricks. If you want the best cruiser and have the budget, this isn’t your board. If you want a stable, forgiving, and beginner-friendly cruiser, this is a very good choice.

Make sure to read about all the other boards I tested, check out my list of best cruiser skateboards.

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