newbie girl needs help picking first longboard

[jlsachs]

Hey guys! I'm looking to get my first longboard. I've never skateboarded before but I'm determined to learn I've been looking online for the last couple days trying to figure what would be the best board for me. I'm 5'3" 110 pounds if that helps at all. I'm looking for something that not enormous and that would be good on a city-like college campus. The one I'm leaning towards right now is a complete arbor fish with revenge trucks. Basically this one here http://www.boardsports.com/900139.html What do you guys think? I like what I've read about the revenge trucks, that they are more surfy. That seems like it would be fun. Any ideas on wheels or are the G2's that it comes with on the site ok? How about bearings? It comes with G2 Abec 7 Bearings. Or if I'm way off, what boards do you guys suggest?

Also I was wondering for those who don't have wheels that are hard enough to slide with, how do you stop? haha, sorry if that's a total newbie question.

Thanks

[Jark Shak]

That is looking like a good board to me. The only thing I'd say is if it's going to be more of a commuting board, you might want something a bit shorter, and maybe with a kick tail.




As far as stopping goes, you'll have to learn to footbrake. I think there are a few threads about it in here somewhere.

[Hypewriter67]

Hey guys! I'm looking to get my first longboard. I've never skateboarded before but I'm determined to learn I've been looking online for the last couple days trying to figure what would be the best board for me. I'm 5'3" 110 pounds if that helps at all. I'm looking for something that not enormous and that would be good on a city-like college campus. The one I'm leaning towards right now is a complete arbor fish with revenge trucks. Basically this one here http://www.boardsports.com/900139.html What do you guys think? I like what I've read about the revenge trucks, that they are more surfy. That seems like it would be fun. Any ideas on wheels or are the G2's that it comes with on the site ok? How about bearings? It comes with G2 Abec 7 Bearings. Or if I'm way off, what boards do you guys suggest?

Also I was wondering for those who do have wheels that are hard enough to slide with, how do you stop? haha, sorry if that's a total newbie question.

Thanks

Arbor makes amazing boards. The Koa wood is beautiful and they are really versatile decks. I would suggest the Arbor Hybrid though. The Kicktail on the Hybrid is a nice addition to any longboard... it's 38" long also, like the Arbor Fish.

You mention that the Revenge trucks are more surfy... Are you a surfer? Are you after a surf like feel? Check out the Carver Trucks. Especially the C7 front truck.

For an Arbor board and a new rider, the wheels that I would suggest are 66mm ABEC11 Zigzag Clear Red 78a Nice and soft and really grippy. You'll be the envy of all the campus longboard guys on their Sector 9s.

Let me know if this helped. Good luck and Enjoy!

PS. Here's my Fish. Loaded, that is.

http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...9&d=1175874914

[Hypewriter67]

Also I was wondering for those who don't have wheels that are hard enough to slide with, how do you stop? haha, sorry if that's a total newbie question.

Thanks [/QUOTE]

Learn to foot brake. then get some slide gloves and learn to slide.

[mksuen]

you might want something a little smaller and with a kicktail like jark said, also look into softer wheels

[jlsachs]

I'm not a surfer, but that kinda of ride experience appeals to me. Are the carver trucks better than revenge? I'd assume in that case I'd order the C7 "Trucks Only" set that they have on their website?

hehe, I'll be sure to get the abec11 zigzag red wheels then. If the fish doesn't seem like the best idea, how about the arbor bug? How does a kicktail help?

Thanks

[mksuen]

the carver trucks are more for fun, id get the revenges

kicktails allow you to pop the front wheels off the ground and pivot for faster/sharper turning

[jlsachs]

Ok, so right now I'm looking at revenge trucks and Abec11 zigzag red wheels. For decks, I'm looking at the arbors fish or bug or gravity's mini carve. I'm still leading towards the fish is one of the others clearly a better choice? If so, which one and how so? thanks guys

[bredler]

Ok, so right now I'm looking at revenge trucks and Abec11 zigzag red wheels. For decks, I'm looking at the arbors fish or bug or gravity's mini carve. I'm still leading towards the fish is one of the others clearly a better choice? If so, which one and how so? thanks guys

WHOA! Hold up. Make sure you see the Arbor in person. The board's not bad, but the "koa veneer" looks like contact paper or the fake wood on a cheap school desk. I'm not saying that it's not koa, but it doesn't look that good. I was surprised when I first saw it in person vs. online.

One aspect that people don't tend to mention about the Revenges is how stable they are if you have the confidence. There's almost no dead spot, so they don't feel tippy at all. Great trucks for sure.

I have some Zigs and they're my favorite wheels for carving/cruising. Great acceleration, great grip. GOOD GOD JUST DON'T SLIDE THEM!

My votes are with the following:
Loaded Pintail
Fibreflex 38" Pin
Fibreflex 42" Cutaway

best of luck, great to see some more chicks out on boards!

[jlsachs]

What do you guys think of the landyachtz lil thug? It seems like it would be a good board for me. Its 38.5," supposed to be a great carver, and has a kicktail. Anyone have experience with this board? Or would I be better off saving up for the loaded fish (it looks really nice)?

[Paipo Jim]

What do you guys think of the landyachtz lil thug? It seems like it would be a good board for me. Its 38.5," supposed to be a great carver, and has a kicktail. Anyone have experience with this board? Or would I be better off saving up for the loaded fish (it looks really nice)?

The lil thug would be a great board for you.

[xxguitarist]

where are you at, by the way..
probably some of us nearby that could let you try out a few boards so you could get a feel for it..

[Birdman87]

where are you at, by the way..
probably some of us nearby that could let you try out a few boards so you could get a feel for it..

Very true.
Welcome to SF, BTW

[Paipo Jim]

where are you at, by the way..
probably some of us nearby that could let you try out a few boards so you could get a feel for it..

BZZZZZT!!!! The 'fish isn't an online dating service.

[xxguitarist]

BZZZZZT!!!! The 'fish isn't an online dating service.

my girl may not skate, but just the same.. i'm not looking to replace her, thanks though

[Paipo Jim]

Very true.
Welcome to SF, BTW

BZZZZZZZT!!!

[Justin Metcalf]

Hmm...you are literally the EXACT same size as my girlfriend. I was teaching her how to ride around for a bit on my loaded pintail (flex 1) and the board seemed to fit her quite well. It doesn't have a kicktail but its a very versatile, comfortable board. Check flex though if you get one. I tend to really dig in hard with my carves and I weigh about 175 so I went with a pretty stiff board, but you might want to look at something like flex 3 or 4.

My vote goes to the pintail (if you have the cash). I have it setup with lime zigzags which are fantastic wheels. You might also want to look at Pink Powerballs...a slightly different feel but still very nice wheels. I use Randal II 150s (because I was straped for cash when I was setting it up) but I'd suggest a set of Revenge trucks if you can afford them.

P.S. Despite what people have said about not sliding zigzags...for the type of riding you will probably be doing small slides and drifts should be fine. I drift mine a fair amount and I've done a few safety slides with them and they're still in great condition. However, they are the biggest pain in the ass to slide and are not made for it/ if you do slide...odds are you will rip your zigzags to pieces.

[Hypewriter67]

What do you guys think of the landyachtz lil thug? It seems like it would be a good board for me. Its 38.5," supposed to be a great carver, and has a kicktail. Anyone have experience with this board? Or would I be better off saving up for the loaded fish (it looks really nice)?

The Loaded Fish is an awesome board, but it is not a board that I would recommend for beginners. There is too much chance of foot bite on a Loaded Fish. and that means coming down off your board hard and fast. It's a hot board allright, but it's expensive and takes some skill to ride. I shouldn't have posted that sexy picture of my fish.

http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...9&d=1175874914

That being said, if you are thinking of saving for the Loaded Fish, I would HIGHLY recommend a Flex 4 Loaded Vanguard! The Vanguard is a great board to get a love for longboarding on. Check em out! Expensive, but worth every penny.

- (no) Hype

[Birdman87]

BZZZZZZZT!!!

So, being a moderator in this forum and helping to run this site gives me no reason to welcome some body new aboard? How dare I extend courtesy...

JL, also, look in the Buy/Sell forum, or start a thread in there. As somebody who doesn't already skate, you probably would be best off getting a setup that is used and maybe dialed in a little. Also, check out the Gear reviews drop menu for more boards and shapes.

I would definitely check out the B/S/T forum, either way...

[Mile_High_Mark]

EarthWing Superglider deck
Indy 169 trucks
EarthWing 65mm Superball wheels
Mini-Logo bearings