Recommendation for first board (cruising and commuting)

[helmsp]

G'day,

I've been doing some intensive resarches on this forum and google for the last couple of days. Still I have no choice but to open another one of those "Me noob, me need help" thread.

A friend of mine bought a 40" Adrenalin board (at least I think thats the brand of the board) and to say the least, I got hooked.

Like with all my hobbies and passions in life, I can't just can't leave anything default and/or buy it complete. It has to be built together and the parts must be choosen properly.

Here are my goals/criteria:
1. Price: Price should stay low but I don't mind spending more money if it's really worth it. In other words: If Deck A is by 1% better than Deck B but costs the double, then its a no go.
2. Riding style: I don't want to do tricks. Just commute and cruise. I'm living in Brisbane at the moment, so in town there are some hills. But I don't mind carrying the board if it's too steep. Maybe I'll learn to carve one day?
3. I'm 6 ft. tall and around 90-92kg depending on my gym-madness.
4. Since I'm at the lowest sprout of the hobby-ladder, I'm open for anything, but aesthetics does get to me, so here's how I would love the longboard to look like:
- dropmount and/or lowered deck
- wide wheel-base/axle
- Wheel cut-out
Again, if you guys say that, for example, dropmount is absolutely nonesense for my needs then I'll cross it off my list.

Let's see what's coming.
Thank you for the time!

Cheers, Patrick

[left handed]

My friend, a Kracked Skulls Scimitar is your answer.

A Scimi was my first deck and god does she carve like a dream. She's cheap and built like a tank, and very versatile. A great beginner board for a great price.

[jsweriduk]

My friend, a Kracked Skulls Scimitar is your answer.

A Scimi was my first deck and god does she carve like a dream. She's cheap and built like a tank, and very versatile. A great beginner board for a great price.

Seconded.

You could also look at the Lush Kilima. It comes with the new Sabre trucks, which are supposed to be excellent all around trucks.

Lush Kilima

[helmsp]

Thank you for the ideas so far.
The KrackedSkulls looks quite ok since its fairly customizable still.
In the mean time I found two other boards:
LBL Pusher
Earthwing Superglider

As the KrackedSkulls, with these two boards you can choose trucks, wheels, etc yourself.
What do do you guys think.

Three other questions:
1. Which deck size make sense? From what I read 38-42" is the most common length for a commuting board merely due to transportation/carrying reasons. Since I'm a pretty big guy I don't mind carrying around a big board
2. Re wheels: Here's my understanding. Big wheels are typically better but have two disadvantages. a.) you have to push the board harder and b.) the board is higher off the ground making pushing even more tiresome. So taking the golden middle, 75mm, is a good way to go? What about the hardness?
3. Re trucks: 150 and 180 seems to be fairly popular, ergo I was thinking along the line of paris and randal with 180.

Nota bene: I live in Australia, ergo shipping cost will be higher when ordering the things off a US website. Thus, I'd be happy if all the components could be ordered off this website: http://www.boardshop.com.au

Cheers, Patrick

[METALSHARK]

No question, the Superglider rules. Get it you'll luv it.

[Fortune]

I'd go with the 42" Scimi, if you're going to get one. I heard that the 38" and 44"+ have weird flex characteristics. The longer wheelbase will be more stable, so you can hit bigger hills without worrying about wobbles. Shorter wheelbases will be more agile, but will be less stable.

Wheel size is mainly preference. If your sidewalks are decent, I'd go with 70mm, but if they have a lot of bumps and debris/gravel/etc. on them, then step up to the 75mm. Bigger wheels have a higher top speed and roll longer, smaller ones accelerate quicker and are lower to the ground.

Randal or Paris 180's seem to be the go-to truck for carving/commuter/general use boards.

For commuting and hills, I'd take the Superglider (or Supercharger, as you said you were a big guy) with Indy/Core hybrid 169's on the former, and Indy/Core hybrid 215's on the latter. The hybrid trucks you can get from Mile High Skates. If you're not ordering from there, standard Indy 169/215s will work fine. The reason I'd take the Glider/Charger is because it's stiffer than the Scimitar or M1, so if you hit a bump at higher speeds, the flex won't buck you off/destabilize you. The kick tail would also be convenient for commuting, and pulling off some 20 foot manuals for the ladies. There's a thread around here showing a guy who made his Glider a drop through, and oh baby is it low. It may be a worthwhile mod, if you're at all handy with tools.

You may also want to look at Original Skateboards. Their trucks are made for carving, and make commuting a lot of fun for me. I have the Apex 37, and it's a blast.

[loserplayer]

You may also want to look at Original Skateboards. Their trucks are made for carving, and make commuting a lot of fun for me. I have the Apex 37, and it's a blast.

and stupid tall which is bad for commuting

[xrayvzn]

Perhaps a Gravity Hypercarve. Its been a perennial favorite on Silverfish & you can look up its reviews.

[helmsp]

Re Gravity: Wow, now that's a piece of art. Really beautiful.
Re Apex: I was thinking the same thing. It doesnt have a drop-through and/or drop-deck, ergo too high.

So 42" for the KrackedSkulls Scimi seems to be the way to go. I'll write William an email concerning the flexibility and if he can paint it. I dislike the "bare cheap wood" style

Trucks and wheels will be Randal RII 180 in black and RETRO Lime BigZigs 75mm, 80a duro. With the Scimi it should do the trick I think.

Once more, thank you guys so much for the input and patience.

Cheers, P

[loserplayer]

ew glider with 169 indies and ew 66mm road rages
low and fun

[Fortune]

Re Apex: I was thinking the same thing. It doesnt have a drop-through and/or drop-deck, ergo too high.

and stupid tall which is bad for commuting

Don't suppose either of you have actually rode the Apex? It's really low for a topmount. It's 4 inches off the ground at the center of the board with 70mm wheels (just measured it), which is less than a Dervish with Paris trucks and 70mm wheels (according to this post). Like the Dervish/Scimitar, it also flexes when you step on it, making it even lower.

Only boards I've seen that are lower are stiff-ass DH decks and the modded drop-through Superglider.

[Bookworm]

landyachtz dually, crails, orangatang durians in purple or the soon-to-be-released orange thane. green sabre barrels or green/purple sabre barrels, maybe purple/pueple if you like em loose

edit: the apex is very low for a topmount. very very very low for a tomount.

[helmsp]

The Landyachtz Dually looks very very professional, hardcore and sexy!
Isn't it too much of a downhill for me though? At least that's what the website says.
If not then I'll contact Landyachtz right away. From pure aesthetics, this board is a winner.

Cheers, P



Edit: Thinking about it, the Landyachtz is a pretty stiff board. Since I'm relatively heavy and looking for something sturdy (dont need anything flexible for all those fancy tricks and dances) it should really be on my top list.


Edit 2:
Out of curiousity I just put together a EW Supercharger from this website: https://www.daddiesboardshop.com

What do you guys think about this setup?
Earthwing Supercharger Black Longboard Skateboard Complete
Assemble My Board?: Yes, please!
Grip Tape: Black Jessup - Applied
Truck Style: Randal R-II 180mm - Matte Black
Wheel Style and Durometer: Orangatang Durian Freeride 75mm 83a Purple
Bearings: DBS ABEC 7
Add Bearing Spacers?: No Bearing Spacers
Shock Pad: None
Add A Skate Tool?: None
Add Bearing Lube or Cleaning Kit?: None

Not sure about the bearings, spacers and shock pads.

[Bookworm]

The dually won't be the plushest of rides, but on 75mm orangatangs it'll roll really smoothly, a shock pad helps too (this is a thin soft riser that often comes with trucks).

my evo runs pretty smoothly on the same trucks/wheels

[loserplayer]

What do you guys think about this setup?
Earthwing Supercharger Black Longboard Skateboard Complete
Assemble My Board?: Yes, please!
Grip Tape: Black Jessup - Applied
Truck Style: Randal R-II 180mm - Matte Black
Wheel Style and Durometer: Orangatang Durian Freeride 75mm 83a Purple
Bearings: DBS ABEC 7
Add Bearing Spacers?: No Bearing Spacers
Shock Pad: None
Add A Skate Tool?: None
Add Bearing Lube or Cleaning Kit?: None

Not sure about the bearings, spacers and shock pads.

youre going to bite with wheels that big
if you want the freeride wheels get the stimulus 70mm

[helmsp]

Ok, last post from me introducing a new brand, honestly.
I've been doing intensive research on the Loaded Dervish Flex 1 and it seems to fit the bill to 100%. Plus this database here really helped me to narrow down the choice of truck and wheel too.
Seems to be a real "classic" for cruisers/commuter/carvers.
Still dont like the wood on top, ergo will have to put some tape there.

My question: Some guys are using risers on their Dervish. Do I need risers and if yes, why?

Cheers, P



Edit: What are bearing spacers for?

[Bookworm]

risers will actually lower the dervish, since it's mounted below the baseplate, the riser pushes the deck down.

that aside, most people run a 1/8" shock pad on their boards, since it doesn't change ride height much, but makes the ride a good bit smoother.

bearing spacers are very useful to have, they're little metal tubes that go over your axle, inside the wheel, between the bearings, and aligns them so they face true and spin freely.

they are highly recommended.

[Brendonia12]

+1 on the scimtar. My first board was the M1, and it's awsome. The scimitar is cool too, I've ridden it a couple times and it's great.

[helmsp]

The dually won't be the plushest of rides, but on 75mm orangatangs it'll roll really smoothly, a shock pad helps too (this is a thin soft riser that often comes with trucks).

my evo runs pretty smoothly on the same trucks/wheels

Bookworm, which risers or shock pads should I add? There seems to be a couple of Khiro heights.
Which bearing would you use? I was thinking about Biltins or Bones Red.
DBS doesnt have the Crail in their drop-down list, ergo I opted for the Randal instead.

Cheers, P

[benneb2]

If your aren't getting a KS, look towards stokedskateboards.com, im in Australia and i've bought from them/conversed with numerous staff and found them to have the best customer service and prices.