Power Kite Forum

ATB

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 06:24 AM

Hey guys, ran across a Ground Industries AK 103. The guy wants 150 bucks for it. Says its like new and hardly ever been used.

They sell new for 200.00 at Dicks Sporting Goods.

Now I've not put much thought in boarding. The field is a hill and wind direction makes one travel up and down the short width instead of the longer length. So the buggy don't get to go.

But a board might be of some use there.

Would a Sporting Goods store board be worth trying? or will it just be junk?

indigo_wolf - 21-3-2010 at 06:31 AM

The AK 103 is a Ground Industries board. The same folks that make the Akona Kami, Conflict, Flight Light, etc.

Maple Deck, 9" width, the bindings sit far enough apart to allow a comfortable board stance, even if you are not petite.... at that price, it is probably running skate trucks, but the board is drilled for Bionics if you decided you ever want to go that route.

It is NOT a chain store rebranded deck. DicS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s just happens to carry some GI (and even HillBilly :o ) products

This is Kent's (A Wind of Change) Product page for the 103.

ATB,
Sam

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 08:50 AM

Thanks wolf.

erratic winds - 21-3-2010 at 09:00 AM

Worth purchasing at that price. But, me being me, I'd haggle another 25 off.

When I got my GI prodigy, I was worried about the skate-style trucks and thought I would have to upgrade to the bionics, but so far the skate ones have been just fine.

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 09:47 AM

Now there's a conflict 106 local, skate trucks with carry bag but (no bindings) for 200.00.

Just enough to confuse somebody who knows not what to do.

indigo_wolf - 21-3-2010 at 01:26 PM

If both are close enough to take a gander at in person, go ahead and take a look at the Conflict.... in prior years, it used to be their top board.

Get whichever board tugs at your heart strings without tugging too hard on your purse strings.

Don't worry about the bindings, if you decide to go with the Conflict, I can get you sorted for bindings.

ATB,
Sam

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 02:06 PM

the bindings don't look cheap. I'd be looking at close to 300 real quick to get the Conflict going.

The wind of change site shows AK103bionic for 268. ready to go.

I can't see ether board till later this week. bummer....

indigo_wolf - 21-3-2010 at 04:01 PM

I wasn't going to charge you anything for the bindings. Have a set of Roots Freestyle Pro Bindings, I can send your way if you went with the Conflict.



They are pretty much somewhere between NIB and Mint.

Entirely your call either way.

Looks like you have the two local GI boards to select from.

Kent has both the AK 103 Bionic or Skate. Dino still has the AK 103 upgraded with Prodigy bits.

If anything, it looks like you have a wealth of choices.

ATB,
Sam

BigMikesKites - 21-3-2010 at 04:18 PM

I've got a GI Patrol that I rode down the driveway a few times, then I saw a buddy break his wrist with his board and really haven't had the desire to even try boarding now. I got it because it easily handles my large frame. Got the cool bag for it too.

So far it is just a pretty demo piece to show people what a board is, but I might be talked out of it with the bag.

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 04:55 PM

Ok Lets break it down.

AK103 for 150. skate trucks, used
Conflict for 200. skate trucks, used with (wolf) bindings
AK103 with bionic for 268, new
Angus may still have left, Flight 93, bionic, 278, new, seen on website.
GI Patrol, bionic, no price yet.

What to do.

PHREERIDER - 21-3-2010 at 05:32 PM

the akon 103, flat not too much pop and spring there, very wide deck has a concave center on the center line of deck. for a light rider it would be a good start.

GI patrol bionic best of the lot, though the conflict is a hi performance lighter deck. GI patrol is the choice

ROOTS ! just dropped the talons for fresh ROOTS the weekend! nothing like back up !

03201417.jpg - 48kB

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 05:53 PM

Thanks Phreerider.

I talked with BigMike, the GI Patrol is just out of reach. Tho very nice.

The Flight 93 w/ bionic's or Conflict w/ skate trucks seems to be the choice now.

Hardrock - 22-3-2010 at 06:34 PM

Hey guys, if you feel a tremor in a few days, no worries it's just me on a GI Flight 93. LOL, or should I say falling off of.

Thanks for all the discussion and especially (indigo wolf) for offering up a set of bindings. Can't find the words except that was way over the top.

Angus had a sweet deal so I got a new board.

Talk about being confused tho, too many choices.

I'll probably be bruised on all four corners but can't wait to try it.

Thanks again.

indigo_wolf - 22-3-2010 at 06:57 PM

Glad you found a dance partner. Coming from just over the border, it should be to you right quick. :thumbup: Nothing like waiting on kit. :sniff:

ATB,
Sam

Hardrock - 24-3-2010 at 05:55 PM

GI Board came today.
Already had my first body slam. I was riding it down a hill in the back yard then into gravel a few inches thick. There I would slow down and stop.

Well I hit a really thick spot and away I went. LOL Just rolled in the air and landed on the back of my shoulder, no harm done at all.

I sent GI an email to let them know it came with ROOTS Velcro bindings like wolf shows in the pic in this thread.

The board is advertised with the Talon ratchet type bindings.
Think they will replace them?

BigMikesKites - 24-3-2010 at 06:27 PM

Quote:

Already had my first body slam. I was riding it down a hill in the back yard then into gravel a few inches thick. There I would slow down and stop.


LOL. This is why I'm afraid of my board. So it sits here gathering dust.

Hardrock - 24-3-2010 at 06:37 PM

Man, its different than a skate board. I'd shoot down a hill on a skate board and not think twice but having your feet in bindings put a bit of fear in me.

I liked it tho. It was fast even in the grass. Guess that surprised me. Stiff to turn but I'll get the hang of it on a longer run.

I had a long run with a kite on skate board once. But it was on hard dirt. Get going good and find a rock, then its over. LOL

indigo_wolf - 24-3-2010 at 07:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by HardRock
I sent GI an email to let them know it came with ROOTS Velcro bindings like wolf shows in the pic in this thread.

The board is advertised with the Talon ratchet type bindings.
Think they will replace them?


DANGER: Pure Speculation & Personal Observations Ahead

The standard Flight 93 did indeed come with:



There are a fair number of non-standard Skunkworks GI built boards out there where they seemed to be experimenting/tinkering. This is above and beyond the Special Editions like the Backyard Blue or Roller Girl Decks.

GI has a really good track record of supporting their dealers, making things right, and just general menschish behaviour...in some cases it is well out of the spotlight and their customers will never know about it.

Communication by phone seems to work better than email.

FWIW: You can slow down your board by dropping the tire pressure which will increase the rolling resistance. Even 5-10 lbs makes a big difference.

ATB,
Sam

Hardrock - 25-3-2010 at 01:19 PM

Thanks wolf, I sent the email and called today. First I was going to go over there and swap them. I got home and had an email stating they was sending Talons out to me.

I had to call back to be sure the guy I talked to did tell the other not to send them because I was coming by to trade them.

Anyway, he is sending them out. I was supposed to send the others back un used. So I asked to purchase them, and did.

Great guys to do business with. The board is like the one in your pic. except bindings.

Thanks

indigo_wolf - 25-3-2010 at 01:44 PM

Yeah... if they were going to do a swap, I would have expected the "unused" clause.

However, there's nothing wrong with having spares on hand when Mr. Murphy comes a callin'

Glad you're sorted.

Yes, GI is cool to deal with :thumbup:

ATB,
Sam

P.S. Very envious that they (GI) are in your backyard. :P