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Di Dootson and 3rd re-release of the National Skateboard Review
3.9 issue @  www.nationalskateboardreview.com featuring John O' Malley

 
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Reviews written by Wells

 The Best-Designed Skateboard I've Ever Ridden,  Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Overall rating
4.7
Durability
5.0
Construction
5.0
Ride
5.0
Appearance
4.0
Stability
4.0
Agility
5.0
I really can't say enough about how much I like this board. It's pretty much the perfect longboard for general use.

I've been skateboarding for almost 15 years and longboarding for about ten. I've owned or ridden street boards, pool boards, downhill race boards, carving boards, old-school boards, and pretty much anything else you can think of. I can say without reservation that this is the best-designed longboard I've encountered.

It's responsive in the best way possible. Right out of the box, from the first ride, it felt like an extension of my body. I don't have to think about the board or hold back at all because it does exactly what I tell it to. It's hard to put into words; but truly a pleasure to experience.

A few of my friends who don't skate have given it a try and all remarked about how unexpectedly easy it is to ride. I bought one for my brother; and he's had the same experience.

A note on what this board isn't: It's not a downhill race board. It can handle hills like a pro; but dedicated DH boards are very stiff and either very expensive or very heavy. It's not a dedicated slide board. You'll be able to Coleman and drift corners; but good slide boards don't flex enough to absorb road vibrations.
Longboard Review
How long have you ridden the board: About six months.
What is your setup like?: Independent 149s with Core baseplates
3/16" risers
72mm Fishballs (also 66mm zig zags, 65mm superballs)

Typical Session Discipline: Hills, commuting, etc.
How much did you pay?: $160 complete
Where did you purchase it?: Mile High Skates
What were the strengths of the deck.: First and foremost, the flex is nearly perfect. It absorbs road vibrations and springs out of turns; but doesn't have the saggy feel of all-wood boards or the rolling-trampoline feeling of most wood/fiberglass boards.

Second, the kicktail is perfect for rolling off curbs and doing manuals. It's not too steep or too mellow and the length is right. If you've got skills, you can use it for ollies.

The concave cradles your foot and gives you leverage without being too deep.

It's very thin and very strong, which keeps the ride height low for more stability and less leg fatigue when pushing. It's also surprisingly light.

The 4º wedged nose makes the board a little more agile and provides a nice pocket for the front foot.

What were the weaknesses?: Another inch or two of nose and some wheel-wells would be nice. Other than that, it's perfect.
Similar decks you have ridden?: Earthwing Supercharger
Would you recommend it?: Yes


 Surprisingly good.,  Sunday, 22 April 2007

Overall rating
5.0
Durability
5.0
Construction
5.0
Ride
5.0
Appearance
5.0
Stability
5.0
Agility
5.0
Look for the pintails in the paisley on the nose and tail.
Longboard Review
How long have you ridden the board: About a week
What is your setup like?: Indy 169s, Earthwing Superball 62mm Slide Wheels, 5/16" risers
Typical Session Discipline: Sliding, street
How much did you pay?: $160 complete
Where did you purchase it?: Mile High Skates
What were the strengths of the deck.: This board is great for sliding. The extra 3" (compared to a regular street/ramp deck) gives you room to really put your back knee down on coleman slides and kick that back out. The blunt ends keep your feet on, and the slightly narrower front lets you know which way is forward.The deck is also really snappy and springy, especially for such a long deck. This becomes readily apparent when you ollie it, which brings us to the next point: you can actually do tricks on this board. Most kicktail longboards are nearly impossible to ollie on. Not this one. The tails and trucks are arranged such that it feels just like a normal board, just bigger. I made it up a curb first-try.The overriding feeling of riding this board is that I feel like I'm 12 years old and riding a normal street board. The proportions are the same for a 12 year old on a street Popsicle as a fully-grown guy on the drifter. It's different, but good.
What were the weaknesses?: The concave could be slightly deeper, but that's an issue of personal preference.
Would you recommend it?: Yes


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