Just getting started, need some advice

[Captaincook]

Ok so I was able to ride a friends sector 9 longboard yesterday and already am hooked into longboarding!! I have been looking at different boards all day and from what I have seen the board that I want would be the Loaded Dervish. I would be mostly free-riding with some hill carving but not any crazy DH-ing (I live in Texas we don't have really big hills) and maybe do some tricks at some point. Do you think that the Loaded Dervish would be a good board with those goals in mind? I weigh 170 lbs. and am about 5'11 so I am not sure what flex I should get, also I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the massive amounts of bearings/wheels/trucks to choose from so any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.

[skater101]

The Dervish is one of the most versatile boards out there. However, I still recommend you look around for other boards. And please, I highly suggest you use the search function. It'll help you make your decision a lot quicker.

[Captaincook]

The Dervish is one of the most versatile boards out there. However, I still recommend you look around for other boards. And please, I highly suggest you use the search function. It'll help you make your decision a lot quicker.

I have been and still will use the search function, I just saw that this part of the fourm was for "Get or give friendly, patient answers to, "Which board should I get?", "How do I stop?" or "What's wedging and how do I do it?"" so i figured while i was searching for myself i could get the advice of more experienced boarders in addition to the information that I could gather myself.

[skater101]

I have been and still will use the search function, I just saw that this part of the fourm was for "Get or give friendly, patient answers to, "Which board should I get?", "How do I stop?" or "What's wedging and how do I do it?"" so i figured while i was searching for myself i could get the advice of more experienced boarders in addition to the information that I could gather myself.

Yes, I understand, but sometimes it may be difficult for experienced longboarders to choose a board that's RIGHT for you. We all have our own opinions and preferences, so it varies, a lot. Use the search function to pick up ideas. I find the Dervish the most fun board I've ever ridden (I've had it for almost 3 years now) and I've also tried out many other boards that are difficult to compare to it. Your height and weight may help a little in gathering ideas, but ultimately you're the one who wants to make the final decision. Also, it depends on the style of riding you'd like to do too. Sliding? Cruising? Carving? Downhill? Slalom? Trick? Do you want stiff or flexy? What will you be using the board for? What's your price range? What size are you looking for? There are so many questions out there that people can help you answer, and you'd be lucky to find a person who'd help you with all of it. Try to search, either on Silverfish or Google, as much as you can, then maybe narrow your question down so we can help you out some more. You're one in hundreds of people who have that question. And many people here will undoubtedly tell you to use the search function.

Do you need me to help you with anything though? =D

[Bookworm]

dervishes are fun, get a flex one and go home happy.

[Captaincook]

Yes, I understand, but sometimes it may be difficult for experienced longboarders to choose a board that's RIGHT for you. We all have our own opinions and preferences, so it varies, a lot. Use the search function to pick up ideas. I find the Dervish the most fun board I've ever ridden (I've had it for almost 3 years now) and I've also tried out many other boards that are difficult to compare to it. Your height and weight may help a little in gathering ideas, but ultimately you're the one who wants to make the final decision. Also, it depends on the style of riding you'd like to do too. Sliding? Cruising? Carving? Downhill? Slalom? Trick? Do you want stiff or flexy? What will you be using the board for? What's your price range? What size are you looking for? There are so many questions out there that people can help you answer, and you'd be lucky to find a person who'd help you with all of it. Try to search, either on Silverfish or Google, as much as you can, then maybe narrow your question down so we can help you out some more. You're one in hundreds of people who have that question. And many people here will undoubtedly tell you to use the search function.

Do you need me to help you with anything though? =D

I understand your position now lol that makes a lot of sense, thanks for pointing me in the right direction I appreciate it. I have questions but I will refrain from asking them and use the search button for a while, if I still need help I with some specific question i'll let you know.

[Samuel L Jackhurst]

If you got the money for it, get it. If not, the Landyachtz Drop Carve is a bit cheaper, supposed to be a lot like the Dervish

[Ryno21bc]

Check out the BC EEL as well, its very comparable to the Dervish. as well as these mid size boards:

Landyachts drop carve
Never summer Heist
Gravity Kalai
comet FSM
Legendary demon

[Samuel L Jackhurst]

Check out the BC EEL as well, its very comparable to the Dervish. as well as these mid size boards:

Landyachts drop carve
Never summer Heist
Gravity Kalai
comet FSM
Legendary demon

The FSM is a great board too, just depends if you want flex or not.

[GhettoNinja06]

Ok so I was able to ride a friends sector 9 longboard yesterday and already am hooked into longboarding!! I have been looking at different boards all day and from what I have seen the board that I want would be the Loaded Dervish. I would be mostly free-riding with some hill carving but not any crazy DH-ing (I live in Texas we don't have really big hills) and maybe do some tricks at some point. Do you think that the Loaded Dervish would be a good board with those goals in mind? I weigh 170 lbs. and am about 5'11 so I am not sure what flex I should get, also I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the massive amounts of bearings/wheels/trucks to choose from so any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.

No big hills in Texas?!? You know Texas is the "hill country" right? What city you in?

If you have the money that Dervish would be a great starter board. It was my first board and even after falling in love with a couple of Landyachtz, I wouldn't trade my derv for anything. It's not that great of a hill bombing board but does just about everything else amazingly.

dervishes are fun, get a flex one and go home happy.

I agree. You can't go wrong with a Dervish!
With your weight, you might want to consider a flex 2 though..flex 1s are super flexy.

[skater101]

No big hills in Texas?!? You know Texas is the "hill country" right? What city you in?

If you have the money that Dervish would be a great starter board. It was my first board and even after falling in love with a couple of Landyachtz, I wouldn't trade my derv for anything. It's not that great of a hill bombing board but does just about everything else amazingly.


I agree. You can't go wrong with a Dervish!
With your weight, you might want to consider a flex 2 though..flex 1s are super flexy.

^^^^ You got it mixed up. Flex 2s are flexier. He's 170 pounds, go with the Flex 1.

[GhettoNinja06]

^^^^ You got it mixed up. Flex 2s are flexier. He's 170 pounds, go with the Flex 1.

Haha you're right... I didn't believe you, looked at the board, and it is flex 2 haha.
to clear up the confusion:

Flex 1 = Flexy
Flex 2 = Super Flexy

[killdozer]

The Dervish is my go to board. I have a DH board but I find myself leaving it at home most times. Even when I am carving hills most times I'm under 40mph and the Dervish can handle it. I'm 145 and run an Flex 2, 09' Dervish w/ Paris 180s with Venom 85a Standards, Otang Stims and Biltins. It's an awesome setup and fuels my stoke every day. Yes there are other boards out there such as the Eel, Kalai and Drop Carve that are worth a look but the Dervish is amazing. If you can spend the extra dough you won't regret it. If not then there are great alternatives. I would suggest the Eel since Bryant and Cooper are stand up guys. I have not tried a Kalai since they are so new and no one here has one. For your weight, if you want a really carvy flexy board then go with a Flex 2. I like a lot of flex and it's a shite ton of fun on the hills. The newer Dervishes are stiffer than the older ones. Also if you use Paris 180s, they shorten the wheelbase a tad due to how the hanger rests in the base so that will stiffen it a little more still. The deck will break in a little after you ride it for a while but not sag like people have complained with the older ones. I don't do any tigerclaw moves on mine so I don't worry about it bottoming it out.

[Captaincook]

^^^^ You got it mixed up. Flex 2s are flexier. He's 170 pounds, go with the Flex 1.

sweet does anyone know a place that i could try out a flex 1 and a flex 2 in order to see what I want? I live in the DFW area