Trying to decide on my 2nd board.

**FlamingTaco** · 05-26-2008 01:47 PM

So I've been riding my 46" KS M1 for about 2 months now, and I've decided to get another board. My budget is $260, and I'm looking for something around 38" or so to make it easier to carry, and for the shorter wheel base.

I want something that is more maneuverable and flexy than my M1, and I really don't care about speed above about 25. I'd like it to be slideable, pumpable, very carvy, and useable for short commutes (1-2miles or so). I like to do a little dancing as well.

I really want it to be different than my M1, so I'm probably gonna go with a top mount. I'm not completely decided on that though.

Here are the boards I've been looking at:

Rayne Vice: seems to be hard to find. Don't really know much about the flex, and I've had trouble finding much info on it.

Loaded Vanguard (flex 4): I rode one of these yesterday, and it felt really high to me. Does anyone have experience going from a drop through to a vanguard? Will I get used to the height? Besides it being so high, the flex felt good, but a little strange. With 76mm gumball wheels, it also felt very smooth.

Never Summer Norad: Looks like it has a little less flex that the vanguard, which might be a good thing. Kicktail is nice. I haven't ridden it, but it looks like it's a bit lower than the vanguard.

Landyachtz Drop Carve: Seems like another decent all around board, but might be too similar to my M1.

I'm open to other boards, these are just what I've looked at so far. I'm 5'8", 140#s btw.

EDIT: A couple of things I forgot to mention. The M1 is a bit too wide for me, so I want something a little narrower, with a little less concave (the M1's concave gets uncomfortable after a while). The vanguard's width and concave felt about right.

**Justride18** · 05-26-2008 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by FlamingTaco

So I've been riding my 46" KS M1 for about 2 months now, and I've decided to get another board. My budget is $260, and I'm looking for something around 38" or so to make it easier to carry, and for the shorter wheel base.

I want something that is more maneuverable and flexy than my M1, and I really don't care about speed above about 25. I'd like it to be slideable, pumpable, very carvy, and useable for short commutes (1-2miles or so). I like to do a little dancing as well.

I really want it to be different than my M1, so I'm probably gonna go with a top mount. I'm not completely decided on that though.

Here are the boards I've been looking at:

Rayne Vice: seems to be hard to find. Don't really know much about the flex, and I've had trouble finding much info on it.

Loaded Vanguard (flex 4): I rode one of these yesterday, and it felt really high to me. Does anyone have experience going from a drop through to a vanguard? Will I get used to the height? Besides it being so high, the flex felt good, but a little strange. With 76mm gumball wheels, it also felt very smooth.

Never Summer Norad: Looks like it has a little less flex that the vanguard, which might be a good thing. Kicktail is nice. I haven't ridden it, but it looks like it's a bit lower than the vanguard.

Landyachtz Drop Carve: Seems like another decent all around board, but might be too similar to my M1.

I'm open to other boards, these are just what I've looked at so far. I'm 5'8", 140#s btw.

EDIT: A couple of things I forgot to mention. The M1 is a bit too wide for me, so I want something a little narrower, with a little less concave (the M1's concave gets uncomfortable after a while). The vanguard's width and concave felt about right.

My friend has this Original Longboards Path 37 Complete Longboard - CPATHT01WK65B01 its really really carvy and fun, he slides the CRAP out of it lol and its pretty sweet. i ride it kind of alot (for not being my own lol) as soon as i read your specs this slammed into my mind. Enjoy

**Kilbourne** · 05-26-2008 03:11 PM

I rode the Norad in front of the shop in my town, it had a semi-stiff, kinda surfy feel. dunno how it would be for sliding, but it was my second pick for my first (and commuter) board.

**FlamingTaco** · 05-26-2008 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Kilbourne

I rode the Norad in front of the shop in my town, it had a semi-stiff, kinda surfy feel. dunno how it would be for sliding, but it was my second pick for my first (and commuter) board.

What was your first pick?

**Kilbourne** · 05-26-2008 03:31 PM

It was a tough choice between the Never Summer Norad and the Bustin Spliff. I picked the Spliff ultimately because of its lower profile (easier push), tail-less deck shape with less risk of wheel-bite, and customizable components/deck paint. Honestly, I haven't even touched it yet, so I have no idea how it rides other than what other people have told me, but it sounds darn good.

**streetheap** · 05-26-2008 03:34 PM

Mile High Skates
Mile High Skates
Both these setups are so sick, and well under your budget.
I use both for all-arounders.
$.02

**FlamingTaco** · 05-26-2008 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by streetheap

Mile High Skates
Mile High Skates
Both these setups are so sick, and well under your budget.
I use both for all-arounders.
$.02

Haha, I was just waiting for someone to post a Supercharger/glider link :P.

I've looked at those, but as far as I know they are pretty stiff. Not quite what I'm looking for. If I decide to go the stiff route though I'll buy a Superglider.

**streetheap** · 05-26-2008 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by FlamingTaco

Haha, I was just waiting for someone to post a Supercharger/glider link :P.

Just like a first pitch fastball.

**fluidworks** · 05-26-2008 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by FlamingTaco

Haha, I was just waiting for someone to post a Supercharger/glider link :P.

I've looked at those, but as far as I know they are pretty stiff. Not quite what I'm looking for. If I decide to go the stiff route though I'll buy a Superglider.

They aren't stiff. They have a pop style flex, not bouncy like a Loaded. Plus they are light, lighter than your KS.

As soon as I finished reading this topic the Superglider immediately came to mind.

**VertigoJ** · 05-26-2008 08:56 PM

I have a 46" M1 as well, and I wanted almost the exact thing you are looking for. So, I looked around, but then someone let me ride their Superglider.. and now there is one on the way to my house. It's a nice length, maneuverable.. throw some EW Superballs on there and you're set for a smooth ride. No, it's not super flexy like a Loaded, but it's nice. So definitely check it out.

**BoMbHiLlS92** · 05-26-2008 09:03 PM

Supercharger!!!

**FlamingTaco** · 05-26-2008 09:16 PM

How is the flex on the superglider compared to a never summer eclipse, or a fibreflex 44" pintail? Those are the only decks besides the vanguard, dervish, and my m1 of course that I've ridden.

EDIT: Just looked up and saw what someone said about the superglider flex. Still not quite sure what is meant by a pop style flex though.

**streetheap** · 05-26-2008 09:28 PM

pop flex=flex that is immediate and quick but shallow with high energy return

**FlamingTaco** · 05-26-2008 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by streetheap

pop flex=flex that is immediate and quick but shallow with high energy return

Ahhh gotcha. So the M1 would be... semi-pop flex then? lol. I think I get it.

I did like the flex on the vanguard, I really like actually being able to notice the flex as part of the ride instead of it just kind of being there like on the M1.

What do you all think about the NS Norad? I liked the flex on the Eclipse I tried, it was sort of slow but solid feeling. The Eclipse is way too big though, so I was looking at the Norad. How does the norad compare to the superglider?

**streetheap** · 05-26-2008 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by FlamingTaco

Ahhh gotcha. So the M1 would be... semi-pop flex then? lol. I think I get it.

I did like the flex on the vanguard, I really like actually being able to notice the flex as part of the ride instead of it just kind of being there like on the M1.

What do you all think about the NS Norad? I liked the flex on the Eclipse I tried, it was sort of slow but solid feeling. The Eclipse is way too big though, so I was looking at the Norad. How does the norad compare to the superglider?

I think the M1 would be considered medium-slow flex.

As far as EW...its the fiberglass and concave (not to mention top-notch solid construction) that give earthwings their pop, each a bit different. So light and nimble. The weight and flex of the superglider is actually what sold me on it. You would have to try really hard to find a horrid setup on either the superglider or supercharger.
Never tried an NS skateboard, so can't help you there. Though I've heard most either love them or don't care for them.
Hope I could help.

**TheRumsey** · 05-26-2008 10:29 PM

loaded fish with tracker 139s and 81a strikers
they're like $220 before shipping from stokedskateboards.com

**FlamingTaco** · 05-26-2008 11:21 PM

Ok, so I'm taking the Drop Carve out of my list and replacing it with the Superglider.

What I've found when riding my M1 around is that I enjoy carving steepish hills more than pretty much anything else I've done on my board. I also like dancing, but that's sort of secondary. With that in mind, can I get some specific pros and cons for the Vanguard, Superglider, Norad, and Vice?

I'm a little wary about buying a superglider, since it's usually recommended as a beginner board and I'm worried I will end up wanting another board really soon. I'm not sure the flex is quite what I'm looking for either, I'll have to think about that.

I liked the really solid feeling on the Never Summer board I tried, although it seems like their boards are heavier than the others I'm looking at.

The vanguard is still looking really good, but my first impression of it wasn't so great due to the height and general strangeness of it. Granted, that was with 1/4th inch risers, 76mm wheels, and busted randal stock bushings... Maybe that's why it felt so high and crazy (the bottom bushings were completely split on both trucks).

**rkd350z** · 05-27-2008 12:23 PM

Roe Racing 2007 Mermaid LDP

Start pumping not pushing!!!!!

one of the best quality board for sure. you gotta wait about a month because it's custom made board!

Really, look into it.

**FlamingTaco** · 05-27-2008 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by rkd350z

Roe Racing 2007 Mermaid LDP

Start pumping not pushing!!!!!

one of the best quality board for sure. you gotta wait about a month because it's custom made board!

Really, look into it.

Damnnnn that looks awesome... Only problem is I'm leaving for most of the summer on june 14th, so waiting a month really means waiting till the end of the summer

. I'll have money at the end of the summer anyway, so I could buy it then. Thanks for pointing that out to me though, it probably won't be what I get this time around but it looks like a serious contender for my 3rd board.

**Kilbourne** · 05-27-2008 02:49 PM

The Norad is a little heavier, I wasn't able to pump in the tiny space in front of the shop where I tried it, so I dunno about that, but it seems it might be a bit too high for long-distance pushing. Other than that, its got a nice flex and a solid shape. Armored front and tail are also a bonus, so you won't have to worry about splintering or peeling when you stand your board up or run it into anything.