Beginner...What Should I Get?

**sportsfan5300** · 12-24-2009 02:05 PM

I'm a beginner to longboarding, but I snowboard and I use to skateboard. I want a longboard that I can grow on. I mainly want it for campus cruising but I want to be able to pump, carve and slide.
I've been looking at some Sector 9's and some Landyachtz boards. I've been looking at the Sector 9 Carbon Trylam as well as the Sector 9 Mainland. I've also been looking at the Totem boards by Landyachtz, primarily the Bamboo.
Do you have any suggestions for boards (and set-ups) to get me what I want?
Thanks.

**BigDaddy@TactisSkates** · 12-24-2009 02:15 PM

Knee pads, elbow pads, slide gloves, break soles, a subscription to CCW, good insurance and a full face helmet...

Oh yeah... anything not made in china8)8) HELP HIM OUT GUY'S...

**killdozer** · 12-24-2009 02:34 PM

Search around the site and look in the gear review area as well. You'll pull up a healthy batch of threads to read about most popular boards and equipment. If it's your first deck just get something from a good manufacturer that you think is cool and as you skate and progress your skills you'll get a feel for what you like and or don't like. There is enough info here on this site to stain your brain so do some reading.

**Gearfire** · 12-24-2009 02:58 PM

Earthwing Superglider...

Dampening and subtle snappy flex. ~26" WB. Not too wide or too narrow. Kicktail. Get it from Miles High Skates and it'll come with a fire setup that can turn deep. Use <62mm wheels if you want it low. It's a great first board. I can't believe I'd been missing out this whole time. (just got mine a few weeks ago)

If you think you want something even lower and you have some messy streets to roll over and want some 70mm+ wheels, look into drop-throughs. Drop-downs are good too, but they are typically stiff and heavy for fast DH. Not that that's a bad thing...

**jaytoo** · 12-24-2009 03:08 PM

I think dropthrough carvers are the best for all-around skating; good to start out on, lots of room for growth, too. But that's just my opinion.

Take a look at the Kracked Skulls Scimitar, Landyatchz Drop Carve, Loaded Dervish, Gravity Kalai for examples.

Kracked Skulls is the most affordable at high build quality, IMO. If you're willing to spend more, you have a lot more options.

Don't limit yourself, though. Dropthroughs aren't for everyone, I guess.

**akimaveur** · 12-24-2009 03:43 PM

Sector 9 Carbon Trylam...
great board, no nose or tail so that makes shuvits, tiger claws, manuals, and going up carbs hard. but other than those, its awesome

**Manpeter7** · 12-24-2009 04:05 PM

I'd highly recommend the Kracked Skulls Scimitar. And it's hard to beat the price you pay.

**tomes** · 12-24-2009 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by jaytoo@gmail.com

I think dropthrough carvers are the best for all-around skating; good to start out on, lots of room for growth, too. But that's just my opinion.

Pretty much agreed. The only downside is that the nose and tail can break a lot easier than with topmounts or straight drop decks.

Landyachtz Drop Speed

The small wheelbase (30.25") keeps it agile and carvable even though it's drop-throughed. It'll also be easier to push/get to slide than topmounts and the cut outs it has allow you to run bigger wheels while keeping your trucks looser. It's also simetrical so after doing 180 slides it won't feel weird to be riding it switch (I think you'll like that coming from snowboarding) The Dropspeed is also great for DH. Pretty much it's an awesome all around board.

Landyachtz Totem

You've already been looking at this one. It'll be a better carver and garage board, and probably grip a bit more too. You might also want to check out the Stout. It's pretty much the same shape but a bit smaller.

Earthwing Wider Glider

Already suggested before, but if you haven't looked at it you should. It's got a reasonable wheelbase for hitting slopes and the kicktail is usefull for curbs and kick turning. It's got a 5° wedged nose that adds a bit of turn to the front and also acts as a bit of a footstop when pumping.

There's a whole slew of boards, but I'd start there. Also based off my experience and looking at what you want to do and what your background is. I'd go with the dropspeed. If you're worried about the fragility of the nose and tail, Bombsquad makes nose guards that can prevent or fix blown out noses.

**loug** · 12-24-2009 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by tomes

Pretty much agreed. The only downside is that the nose and tail can break a lot easier than with topmounts or straight drop decks.

Landyachtz Drop Speed

The small wheelbase (30.25") keeps it agile and carvable even though it's drop-throughed. It'll also be easier to push/get to slide than topmounts and the cut outs it has allow you to run bigger wheels while keeping your trucks looser. It's also simetrical so after doing 180 slides it won't feel weird to be riding it switch (I think you'll like that coming from snowboarding) The Dropspeed is also great for DH. Pretty much it's an awesome all around board.

Landyachtz Totem

You've already been looking at this one. It'll be a better carver and garage board, and probably grip a bit more too. You might also want to check out the Stout. It's pretty much the same shape but a bit smaller.

Earthwing Wider Glider

Already suggested before, but if you haven't looked at it you should. It's got a reasonable wheelbase for hitting slopes and the kicktail is usefull for curbs and kick turning. It's got a 5° wedged nose that adds a bit of turn to the front and also acts as a bit of a footstop when pumping.

There's a whole slew of boards, but I'd start there. Also based off my experience and looking at what you want to do and what your background is. I'd go with the dropspeed. If you're worried about the fragility of the nose and tail, Bombsquad makes nose guards that can prevent or fix blown out noses.

wrong post

**loug** · 12-24-2009 04:39 PM

get yourself a dervish with otangs and randal II's and donworryboutit, best for a noob, imho

**sportsfan5300** · 12-24-2009 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Gearfire

Earthwing Superglider...

Dampening and subtle snappy flex. ~26" WB. Not too wide or too narrow. Kicktail. Get it from Miles High Skates and it'll come with a fire setup that can turn deep. Use <62mm wheels if you want it low. It's a great first board. I can't believe I'd been missing out this whole time. (just got mine a few weeks ago)

If you think you want something even lower and you have some messy streets to roll over and want some 70mm+ wheels, look into drop-throughs. Drop-downs are good too, but they are typically stiff and heavy for fast DH. Not that that's a bad thing...

Specifically, what kind of set-up would you suggest. I'll probably get Randal or Paris, but I was wondering if I should get 150mm or 180mm?

**Bomb303** · 12-24-2009 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by sportsfan5300

Specifically, what kind of set-up would you suggest. I'll probably get Randal or Paris, but I was wondering if I should get 150mm or 180mm?

indy 169, 62-66mm wheels, 1/4" or 1/8" riser.

Ive tried paris 150 and indys on mine, indys feel much better.

**Alpha06** · 01-01-2010 04:04 PM

Yeap the superglider would basically be a total awesome deck for a beginner.

**gimemoore** · 01-01-2010 04:34 PM

I've got a nice wider glider for sale on this site. If you're interested, make an offer. It is a great deck, and perfect for dodging people.

**waterOrstreet** · 01-01-2010 04:36 PM

100_0417.jpg 100_0417.jpg

this was my first board and i still ride it.

**waterOrstreet** · 01-01-2010 04:38 PM

stupid photo manager

**1993surfer** · 01-01-2010 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Manpeter7

I'd highly recommend the Kracked Skulls Scimitar. And it's hard to beat the price you pay.

i agree 100 percent i boaught a scimitar not as a first board but i ride it all the time like every day probably more than my nicer boards. i love it. set it up with some randells and maybe some big zigs or inheats and youll love it i garentee