how does the freebord handle in different conditions
so ive decided might (most likely) get a freebord because the way its ridden seems like it would be fun and is the style i would be into also,would be the closest thing to snowboarding in the summer, and it is my mission to learn all board disciplines before i die(probably impossible). but i have a couple of questions that i need to get answered.
1. How do they handle in the rain, as in control?
2.Does a harder duro on the wheels mean more control or edge?
3.if i decide to get different wheels for the edge do they have to be a specific diameter?
please answere some questions because i have spent the last week researching this and i want to make sure its worth the 200$ so far it looks like im getting it.
__________________
did somebody say hills?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Ignorant
All I have to do is make eye contact with a girl, and her bra unsnaps and her pants fall to her ankles.
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
I personally have longboards, a freebord and a wave board. My Dervish is clearly my favorite. There is a certain indescribable Zen to longboarding on asphalt that is tough to beat, unless you are on snow.
However, I love my freebord. It truly duplicates the slippery, floaty feel, of drifting across snow. I know there are those that claim that the real snowboard alternative are asphalt boards that hold a carve, and allow a very high lean angle. But in my mind, the utter beauty of snowboarding is continuous feeling of drifting across snow. This can be achieved speedboarding at high speeds or FBing. It takes little to no effort to slide back and forth on a FB. If you really believe snowboarding is riding a razor sharp edge back and forth, you are missing 99% of the freeriding fun .
The key is that you spend most of your time riding on the two central wheels (which are essentially roller blading wheels), which turn 360 degrees (there is a directional bias aiming the wheels forward or backward) like a shopping cart wheel. This is what give this device that halfhazard totally wacked feeling of moving, devoid of control, that you get from slipping across a slippery surface. You simply use the side wheels to control your slides.
The side wheels probably don't matter too much. But riding in the rain (which I have done) or choosing a higer duro wheel is not wise because you will not be able to STOP. Just ride the stock wheels untill they are coned down. They work just fine. If you can rub them down without flat spotting them, then you're the man. If not, you're lame (lol). Then get you some better wheels. The larger, the better (80 mm and > lasts longer than 77mm). The upgrade wheels are Slashers which I believe are 80mm and 80a duro. They most closely resemble the blue Kryptos.
In summary; get a FB, ride your FB, Love your FB. Ride it hard. Ride it well. It is a snow board powder free-ride on asphalt. Be wary in the rain. Don't chince on higher duros (to make wheels last longer) just get the Slashers, they have been engineered for the FB.
__________________
If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do.
- Warren Miller
Tomorrow may rain so I'll follow the sun.
- The Beatles
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
You can find one cheaper used, but buy it. It's hella fun. There are several options with the wheels. If you're good, you can start right away with good wheels, which are Slashers. All the pro riders use those and they last pretty long and have controlable drifts. For the center wheels you should probably get joyrides. The reason you shouldn't buy the Slashers right away is you might flatspot them. However, the stock components suck and I wear them out in a couple sessions.
I still recommned trying to pick one off craigslist or something. I got mine for 120 with Slashers and Mac o' Boys.
__________________
Would you rather eat a hotdog that costs a dollar or a dollar that tastes like a hotdog?
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
thanks guys ill use this info to help decide, normally befor i buy something more than 100$ than i give myself 2 weeks or more to research and find out if thats what i want to buy. i am only buying this for dry day riding i asked about rain because i might get the itch and want to go out. mostly i just want it so that i dont suck when the snowboarding season comes up around here (although i suck anyways). hey josh whats up lets go bombing sometime i have been doing rainslides all by myself during the break PM me, ive been here for a while but my posts got cleaned out when the fish went down i gotta show you the rain guard i made for the evo so you can test it out.
__________________
did somebody say hills?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Ignorant
All I have to do is make eye contact with a girl, and her bra unsnaps and her pants fall to her ankles.
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
For center wheels, I prefer the Mac Oh Boys. They are a bit larger (72 mm) than the Joyrides (67mm). You can get these centers for cheap as hale from The Pleasure Tool Org., inline rollerblade skate wheels, bearings and accessories. He is a class act. Sometimes, I'll break out some 76 mm softer rollerblade centers, for some hella rocker (rocker pertains to distance between the side wheels to asphalt when centered on the slightly elevated center wheels. It does not refer to a bend in the board).
The higher the duro, the better. With high speeds (and high body weight), comes heat. This can melt the centers. Generally, 88a duro and higher will not melt. 84a and 80a, increases the chances. I've got 84a duro Mac Oh Boy centers they are just fine. Of course, I'm not flying, and I don't live in Arizona or some other sweltering setting.
When you start riding, remember, stay on the center wheels, get off the side wheels, and let go!
Have fun, and don't catch a heelside downhill edge, otherwise, hello subdural hematoma city.
__________________
If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do.
- Warren Miller
Tomorrow may rain so I'll follow the sun.
- The Beatles
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
Freebords are cool. I haven't heard anyone mention the absolute need for protective gear when learning to ride a Freebord. You are going to fall, alot, and sometimes very awkwardly when you catch an edge. Unless you can already ride a snowboard, if you think you might learn to Freeboard without falling much, you are in for a painful lesson.
If you don't already have a full set, order some pads and helmet when you order the bord.
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
Once you get good at it. You can hit almost any hill 32 degrees and lower. 37 deg is the steepest road in the world i believe.
Anyways yeah its amazing to ride down steep hills with having to do hand slides. But you have to perfect your weight distribution over your edges. And get the slashers but use the stocks first.
BTW freebord is an amazing company which constantly works on better products.
Re: how does the freebord handle in different conditions
harder wheels will last longer but it will slide easier. you have more grip and stopping power with softer wheels but they chunk and wear fast. i would recomend getting a bigger center wheel because mine melted after doing a few hardcore sessions.
as for rain you would just slide more. but you will probably ruin your bearings.
if you keep the regular sized center wheel run wheels max of 70mm
__________________
i ill constantly with constants followed by vowels
how does the freebord handle in different conditions
