My friend is in need of his first board [Detailed Thread]

[Wendler]

Hey guys. I'm currently in Argentina on vacation until July 23rd. A week or two before flying out here, I bought my first longboard and have been addicted since. Am currently dying out here being unable to skate, but am keeping in touch with friends of mine via mobile internet free text. One of them is getting his first longboard soon & was thinking about buying a random s9 board off an Industrial shop here, and I told him I'd make a thread on the 'Fish and get it done right - Ordered online more custom to his liking, and hopefully not a random s9.

I wish someone told me about s9's before I bought my board, this is it:



But it has yellow wheels like this:



It's 38" long, stiff, and has quite a lot of concave.

Personally I love everything about it, except the brand now, maybe.

We both started skating shortboards and we're used to having concave. So, he wants one with decent concave as something like a Dervish would probably be bad for him.

Here's the info:

-We're in Arizona - Very hot
-He weighs 205
-He wants decent concave
-He will be doing mainly cruising, slight carving, mainly DH
-He wants it around the same size as mine [38"] - Mainly; in his own words, "I don't want a dwarf board."
-He's looking to spend ~$150-$200 [Lower the better]

I'll probably tell him to order it off Daddie's as well - I'm sure that'll be cheaper than buying it at Industrial.

Thanks again, anything else you need to know let me know.

[shane22]

in my opinion i would stay away from s9, i would stick with brands like orginal and never summer, but there are tons of boards that fir the description just go check out daddiesboardshop and look under earthwing,never summer,arbor,flexdex those are just a few and if he see's a board he likes tell him to youtube it and see if what there doing in the video fits his riding style

[Sinister9]

in my opinion i would stay away from s9, i would stick with brands like orginal and never summer, but there are tons of boards that fir the description just go check out daddiesboardshop and look under earthwing,never summer,arbor,flexdex those are just a few and if he see's a board he likes tell him to youtube it and see if what there doing in the video fits his riding style

x2......my brother has a few s9 boards since they are his first boards and its ok but nothing compared to never summer or other brands that kill s9.

[neuros]

It sounds like your buddy wants a Clutch Blackbird. Or, the same setup in the 9-ply version that Mark also sells.
They happen to have the nicest concave, some of the best available build quality, and honestly, they will last forever (take a beating, beat a curb, curb your beat, you name it)

Also take a look at EW, Rayne, and NS... But for the price, you aren't going to beat the Clutch. It'll cruise, slide, carve, and also does very, very well as a go-fast board.
Plus the setup at MHS will get him rolling well, on a sick set of trucks and wheels, for a KILLER price.

[Wendler]

It sounds like your buddy wants a Clutch Blackbird. Or, the same setup in the 9-ply version that Mark also sells.
They happen to have the nicest concave, some of the best available build quality, and honestly, they will last forever (take a beating, beat a curb, curb your beat, you name it)

Also take a look at EW, Rayne, and NS... But for the price, you aren't going to beat the Clutch. It'll cruise, slide, carve, and also does very, very well as a go-fast board.
Plus the setup at MHS will get him rolling well, on a sick set of trucks and wheels, for a KILLER price.

Thanks, was looking for these kinds of posts. I am aware of the different types on boards, but truth be told, I haven't ridden every brand - so I need a vet's help, such as this post.

I'll ask him if he likes it, I like it too, although price is a tad high.

[Sinister9]

Thanks, was looking for these kinds of posts. I am aware of the different types on boards, but truth be told, I haven't ridden every brand - so I need a vet's help, such as this post.

I'll ask him if he likes it, I like it too, although price is a tad high.

a tad high...didnt you say 150-200? i know u said the lower the better, but thats still right in the budget you gave us on your first post

[Wendler]

a tad high...didnt you say 150-200? i know u said the lower the better, but thats still right in the budget you gave us on your first post

I said it's a tad high because he was hoping to spend around 150 rather than around 200. He can afford it, but it wouldn't be super excited to do so. I know I gave you the limit, and it's fine. I was just hoping to get something loser to 150, but please don't think that anything around 200 will be excluded, it really is up to him.

[neuros]

It's about $100 worth of rolling hardware... Trucks/Wheels/Bearings/Hardware... Makes the deck about $90 bucks. And don't tell anyone, but that's very close to wholesale... Oops, I said it. If I didn't have a very similar composite (read: lighter, fancier buildup, more $$$) board from the same manufacturer, I'd have already jumped on MHS's deal.

If you're willing to source cheaper/used hardware, the deck alone for $120 is still a steal. You can probably get Randals and wheels here on the fish in the Trading ("feed the quiver") section, but I dunno for how much less.

after browsing the web for a minute, it's one of the cheapest speedboard completes you're gonna get... Rayne/EW/Kebbek/NS run for 200-250+ for a complete minus some Never Summer models that aren't spec'd with as-nice components... The Clutch would be pricier too, but it's on sale.

Whatever your buddy ends up on, I hope he enjoys it and rides it till it dies. Or he buys more boards, because that does happen.

[Wendler]

It's about $100 worth of rolling hardware... Trucks/Wheels/Bearings/Hardware... Makes the deck about $90 bucks. And don't tell anyone, but that's very close to wholesale... Oops, I said it. If I didn't have a very similar composite (read: lighter, fancier buildup, more $$$) board from the same manufacturer, I'd have already jumped on MHS's deal.

If you're willing to source cheaper/used hardware, the deck alone for $120 is still a steal. You can probably get Randals and wheels here on the fish in the Trading ("feed the quiver") section, but I dunno for how much less.

after browsing the web for a minute, it's one of the cheapest speedboard completes you're gonna get... Rayne/EW/Kebbek/NS run for 200-250+ for a complete minus some Never Summer models that aren't spec'd with as-nice components... The Clutch would be pricier too, but it's on sale.

Whatever your buddy ends up on, I hope he enjoys it and rides it till it dies. Or he buys more boards, because that does happen.

Yea, that does sound nice. I texted him to check it out now and I'll see what he says, he may not like the deck graphic, but overall I like it as well.

[Sinister9]

I said it's a tad high because he was hoping to spend around 150 rather than around 200. He can afford it, but it wouldn't be super excited to do so. I know I gave you the limit, and it's fine. I was just hoping to get something loser to 150, but please don't think that anything around 200 will be excluded, it really is up to him.

okay...i see

[BigTreeFallHard]

We both started skating shortboards and we're used to having concave. So, he wants one with decent concave as something like a Dervish would probably be bad for him.

? the dervish is definately a concave deck, and has a flexy camber from truck to truck. just so u know.

[Jorelle]

Look into Sayshun. Their Epiphany Deck is one mad carver, and quite stable too. If you want more a speed board, look into...the Speed!

And nothing wrong with S9. They make decent decks. I'm rocking an old S9 Bamboo Pintail...now with Rocker! It's a fun cruiser. But I ward people away from them because they overprice them here.

[TheGoodlad]

Check out the sector 9 sunset. Its a lot like the board you have at the moment but its bamboo, 42" with a slightly different concave (W Concave). Its a sweet board i ride it at the moment, its good for everything and your friend would be fine at 205 on this board it would be quite reasonable flex.
Here are some pics of it.

[Sinister9]

Check out the sector 9 sunset. Its a lot like the board you have at the moment but its bamboo, 42" with a slightly different concave (W Concave). Its a sweet board i ride it at the moment, its good for everything and your friend would be fine at 205 on this board it would be quite reasonable flex.
Here are some pics of it.

this is the ONLY board id ever touch from s9. In fact I used to have it....but sold it for my new DH project im workin on

[TheFreak]

Just trying to throw out a wee bit of perspective here. It seems to me that your first purchase to get into longboarding is always the most expensive. Between buying a complete, pads, skate tool, bushings to play with, blah blah blah. Once you have that first board though, most if not all of the hardware can be moved to new boards.

I guess what I'm saying is, I wouldn't try to shave off too much money, you really do seem to get what you pay for. If it takes an extra week or two to save up and buy a nicer overall complete, that's probably not a bad thing, rather than spending money to upgrade a board after you buy it.

You might wanna check into some of the smaller builders, Roggs Widowmaker I have heard some good things about, plus it looks totally sick which doesn't hurt. $130 for the deck really isn't bad at all, it is a speed board, and at his weight it might even have just a touch of flex, though it is built to stiff.

I think my next purchase is going to be a Roggs Widowmaker, Randal RII 180s 42* baseplates, Orangatang In-Heats, Bones Reds, and more than likely some venom eliminators all around.

[Sinister9]

Just trying to throw out a wee bit of perspective here. It seems to me that your first purchase to get into longboarding is always the most expensive. Between buying a complete, pads, skate tool, bushings to play with, blah blah blah. Once you have that first board though, most if not all of the hardware can be moved to new boards.

I guess what I'm saying is, I wouldn't try to shave off too much money, you really do seem to get what you pay for. If it takes an extra week or two to save up and buy a nicer overall complete, that's probably not a bad thing, rather than spending money to upgrade a board after you buy it.

You might wanna check into some of the smaller builders, Roggs Widowmaker I have heard some good things about, plus it looks totally sick which doesn't hurt. $130 for the deck really isn't bad at all, it is a speed board, and at his weight it might even have just a touch of flex, though it is built to stiff.

I think my next purchase is going to be a Roggs Widowmaker, Randal RII 180s 42* baseplates, Orangatang In-Heats, Bones Reds, and more than likely some venom eliminators all around.

i gotta agree with this but why not just a landyachtz DH race for 8 bucks more? and first purchase is deff the most expensive for most....but not for me. My second is gunna be ridic. But im saving so itll be worth it

[TheFreak]

i gotta agree with this but why not just a landyachtz DH race for 8 bucks more? and first purchase is deff the most expensive for most....but not for me. My second is gunna be ridic. But im saving so itll be worth it

Why not pay $8 more for a landy? A couple reasons. I like the features of the Widowmaker, the insanely adjustable wheelbase for the back truck, the shape, the paint job, to support smaller builders, I have heard good things about Roggs, and I rode a Roggs Dancer that I rather liked.

My immediate wish list of boards in no particular order:

Roggs Widowmaker - DH
Roggs Rum Runner - Soft wheel sliding
XVD Croc 36" - Thrash and pool
XVD Dancr 47" custom - Dancing
Scratch's Hoodwalker - Dancing and thrash

I mean, I have a Rayne Pug, and I really really love it, but figured I'd try to spread the love to the smaller builders. And in my past experience with other hobbies, smaller builders many times have a better product. Plus there is something to be said for riding a handmade custom. I also aspire to own some MHS Indy Hybrids, Randal R11 180s to compare to my Paris 180s, different base plates. I just wanna be able to really customize my rides.

[Sinister9]

Why not pay $8 more for a landy? A couple reasons. I like the features of the Widowmaker, the insanely adjustable wheelbase for the back truck, the shape, the paint job, to support smaller builders, I have heard good things about Roggs, and I rode a Roggs Dancer that I rather liked.

My immediate wish list of boards in no particular order:

Roggs Widowmaker - DH
Roggs Rum Runner - Soft wheel sliding
XVD Croc 36" - Thrash and pool
XVD Dancr 47" custom - Dancing
Scratch's Hoodwalker - Dancing and thrash

I mean, I have a Rayne Pug, and I really really love it, but figured I'd try to spread the love to the smaller builders. And in my past experience with other hobbies, smaller builders many times have a better product. Plus there is something to be said for riding a handmade custom. I also aspire to own some MHS Indy Hybrids, Randal R11 180s to compare to my Paris 180s, different base plates. I just wanna be able to really customize my rides.

ok ill give you that for CUSTOMIZATION. But have you had a chance to ride a landy dh race? ive ridden 2 of the boards you mentioned and neither come close to the DH race in terms of stability. But you're talking about the need for customization. Those DO win in that cetegory. Im a DH rider 99% of the time so thats why im buying a landy. And btw, just because small builders in other hobbies are good doesnt mean that in longboarding. Dont get me wrong, im sure some are great but some suck...cough* cough* Big80. Ok nuff said this thread is way off topic now. But either boards with suit a beginner so its all good

[TheFreak]

ok ill give you that for CUSTOMIZATION. But have you had a chance to ride a landy dh race? ive ridden 2 of the boards you mentioned and neither come close to the DH race in terms of stability. But you're talking about the need for customization. Those DO win in that cetegory. Im a DH rider 99% of the time so thats why im buying a landy

99% of the time I am not a DH rider, but I'm looking to change that. Which two of the boards have you ridden? And the only one that I was planning on using for DH is the Widowmaker. No I have not ridden a Landy DH Race, and I'm sure it is awesome. I live in a mostly flat area, I have to drive 30 mins to get to the good hills, so I mainly just freeride. I am thinking about getting a DH board though because my regular boarding partner is going to start DHing, and I figure there is no harm in having a board for each discipline. But like I said, I really like the way the Widowmaker looks, and judging off of other boards I've ridden the concave and what not sounds like it makes sense to me.

The boards I've ridden to varying degrees are, Rayne Vice, Loaded Vanguard, Loaded Dervish, LBL Komodo, LBL Custom Komodo modified, Gravity Hypercarve, Arbor Fleetwood, Rayne Pug, Roggs Dancer.

PS We've totally jacked this guy's thread.

[Sinister9]

99% of the time I am not a DH rider, but I'm looking to change that. Which two of the boards have you ridden? And the only one that I was planning on using for DH is the Widowmaker. No I have not ridden a Landy DH Race, and I'm sure it is awesome. I live in a mostly flat area, I have to drive 30 mins to get to the good hills, so I mainly just freeride. I am thinking about getting a DH board though because my regular boarding partner is going to start DHing, and I figure there is no harm in having a board for each discipline. But like I said, I really like the way the Widowmaker looks, and judging off of other boards I've ridden the concave and what not sounds like it makes sense to me.

The boards I've ridden to varying degrees are, Rayne Vice, Loaded Vanguard, Loaded Dervish, LBL Komodo, LBL Custom Komodo modified, Gravity Hypercarve, Arbor Fleetwood, Rayne Pug, Roggs Dancer.

PS We've totally jacked this guy's thread.

aha yeah we did i edited mine below just before u posted lol....ook ur on flats gotcha....yeah landy is bomb dude and the boards i rode were the Roggs Rum Runner and Roggs Widowmaker (i used it for carving tho lol) and both were good for tht. I rarely carve but the time where i did alot i used those since my bud in auburn has them.