Topmount VS. Dropthru VS. Dropdeck

[threefingerflick]

i like top mounts. i feel toooo drifty on drop/drop through

[mjoshawa]

Two questions:
1. How does board length play into all of this? I imagine a shorter board would have a smaller turning radius but would be less stable than a longer board. Is this correct?

2. What style would you recommend for a beginner? I know you said each style has its benefits, but being someone who has yet to try any significant hills, it seems stability would be way more important than the other factors. Or should I just get whichever one I think looks good and practice until I'm stable/can grip or slide on it?

Edit: And thanks for all the info. I've been looking for this thread.

[chrisd]

Drop through is way way better for me. I hate the way a topmount feels and 35 feels like 15 on my super model.

[tomes]

Two questions:
1. How does board length play into all of this? I imagine a shorter board would have a smaller turning radius but would be less stable than a longer board. Is this correct?

2. What style would you recommend for a beginner? I know you said each style has its benefits, but being someone who has yet to try any significant hills, it seems stability would be way more important than the other factors. Or should I just get whichever one I think looks good and practice until I'm stable/can grip or slide on it?

Edit: And thanks for all the info. I've been looking for this thread.

Question 1 was sort of answered earlier. Stability is in the rider. If you're used to a small wheelbase, it will be stable. But as a beginner your body won't have the muscle memory or ankle strength and a longer wheelbase will probably feel more stable. For more answers to your questions, try checking out these threads: 1 (specifically post 7), 2.

[swisschez]

Drop through is way way better for me. I hate the way a topmount feels and 35 feels like 15 on my super model.

bbooooorrrrinnngggg.

give me some excitement. give me a topmount.

[untuk]

Topmount with low trucks = Grip, Slip, Stability, Agile and easy to push with!

[G Big Mac]

i prefer topmounts because ever dropped board ive tried hasnt had a big enough foot platform for me to tuck on

[chrisd]

bbooooorrrrinnngggg.

give me some excitement. give me a topmount.

but lately my hill runs have been getting too interesting like a 30 mileper hour get off into the woods.

[JackRabbit]

I had every intention of getting a topmount as my first downhill board because I've been riding topmount until now I thought I would be fine. I went and did my first downhill session today, wasn't massive, maybe 500m max of about 18-20mph. At first I was riding it on my pumping board, scary as hell. Top mount, medium flex, Tracker RTS/X with blue khiros, 78a Zigzags. Obviously this isn't the best board to downhill on, but then I tried an Evo and it blew my mind how comfortable it was. I instantly felt like I could move around more, get into a tuck and footbrake a lot better (although I was guided on footbraking coz I was doing it a bit wrong, kept throwing me off at higher speeds, but I managed to make it to the grass). Im definitely now thinking something dropped and the Evo is currently my first choice, but it's a hell of a lot heavier than I was expecting. Can anyone recommend a drop deck that's a bit lighter but a similar length as an Evo?

[Fortune]

I had every intention of getting a topmount as my first downhill board because I've been riding topmount until now I thought I would be fine. I went and did my first downhill session today, wasn't massive, maybe 500m max of about 18-20mph. At first I was riding it on my pumping board, scary as hell. Top mount, medium flex, Tracker RTS/X with blue khiros, 78a Zigzags. Obviously this isn't the best board to downhill on, but then I tried an Evo and it blew my mind how comfortable it was. I instantly felt like I could move around more, get into a tuck and footbrake a lot better (although I was guided on footbraking coz I was doing it a bit wrong, kept throwing me off at higher speeds, but I managed to make it to the grass). Im definitely now thinking something dropped and the Evo is currently my first choice, but it's a hell of a lot heavier than I was expecting. Can anyone recommend a drop deck that's a bit lighter but a similar length as an Evo?

Clutch DeezNutz is a bit lighter I think, and is pretty much better in every way.

http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...post1297659108

And pics of it:

http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...post1297659166

[kyle_vk]

heavy or not the evo is a great dh board...especially for beginners. i had an evo as my first dh board and it was great to learn on (running randal 160's w/ 35* plates)....it was amazing at speed...a little dead in the turning since it was setup towards just being stable but it got me much more comfortable/used to getting up to that 35mph mark. if anything i'd say its biggest downfall for me was that once i got my topmount i realized that the evo made me too used to being stable without a care so i had to regain a little body control while getting used to the topmount.

edit: that being said i do like my topmount now too and i haven't ridden the deez which also looks like a killer board by a stand up company

[Bookworm]

heavy or not the evo is a great dh board...especially for beginners. i had an evo as my first dh board and it was great to learn on (running randal 160's w/ 35* plates)....it was amazing at speed...a little dead in the turning since it was setup towards just being stable but it got me much more comfortable/used to getting up to that 35mph mark. if anything i'd say its biggest downfall for me was that once i got my topmount i realized that the evo made me too used to being stable without a care so i had to regain a little body control while getting used to the topmount.

that's what I love about the evo. It really is a great board to get comfortable going fast on. I pushed my speed limit to the stratosphere before I knew it. And because I've gone so fast on it it's a lot easier for me to say "it's cool I'm only doing 30, I'll be fine" on just about anything.

[elvk-]

ive been an exclusively topmount person but lately i've been falling in love with my nemmy.

gona set it up with my zealous today and see how i like it on some techy roads.

[themilkman]

ive been an exclusively topmount person but lately i've been falling in love with my nemmy.

gona set it up with my zealous today and see how i like it on some techy roads.

The nemmy is awesome for freeriding although it is a little drifty with some low precisions. IMO i'd rather have a drop deck than a topmount but that's just me.

[elvk-]

The nemmy is awesome for freeriding although it is a little drifty with some low precisions. IMO i'd rather have a drop deck than a topmount but that's just me.

yeah i see how it is pretty drifty with these low precisions, ended up just hitting some freeride spots up all day.

im deciding between adding 1/4" - 1/2" riser or picking up some slalom shape 78a race forms to resolve the drifty issue.

[Brain Smoothie]

i just feel like i can flow more with a topmount, thats what it really comes down to for me

[TylersEM2]

I was going to get a topmount. But after reading all of this information I think I am going with a DZ. I don't have any techy runs around here, so that's why I think I ould feel better on a Drop.

Setup:
Deez-nuts
42* randal's Christmas Barrels
Purple Inheats.


EDIT: Yes I know this thread Iis old. I was going to post a new thread. But thought it was a bad idea, and searched. The topmount setup I was goint to get was

Tutone Megladon
Paris 195's Christmas Barrels
Wheels.

[Fortune]

I was going to get a topmount. But after reading all of this information I think I am going with a DZ. I don't have any techy runs around here, so that's why I think I ould feel better on a Drop.

Setup:
Deez-nuts
42* randal's Christmas Barrels
Purple Inheats.


EDIT: Yes I know this thread Iis old. I was going to post a new thread. But thought it was a bad idea, and searched. The topmount setup I was goint to get was

Tutone Megladon
Paris 195's Christmas Barrels
Wheels.

I don't like Otangs. I'd get some Raceforms instead.

[italianmobsta74]

I should have never sold my Demonseed, I loved that board but I got a topmount when I sold it. I've tried out a bunch of different truck setups on my topmount and I am going to buy another Demonseed or an Evo soon. I just like how easy it is to footbrake, slide, and push on a dropped board. Plus I like the feeling when I rest my feet up against the drop, a topmount just feels weird since my feel arent up against anything.

[D0ve]

I had every intention of getting a topmount as my first downhill board because I've been riding topmount until now I thought I would be fine. I went and did my first downhill session today, wasn't massive, maybe 500m max of about 18-20mph. At first I was riding it on my pumping board, scary as hell. Top mount, medium flex, Tracker RTS/X with blue khiros, 78a Zigzags. Obviously this isn't the best board to downhill on, but then I tried an Evo and it blew my mind how comfortable it was. I instantly felt like I could move around more, get into a tuck and footbrake a lot better (although I was guided on footbraking coz I was doing it a bit wrong, kept throwing me off at higher speeds, but I managed to make it to the grass). Im definitely now thinking something dropped and the Evo is currently my first choice, but it's a hell of a lot heavier than I was expecting. Can anyone recommend a drop deck that's a bit lighter but a similar length as an Evo?

ryane nemisis. awesome for downhill and freeriding.