Power Kite Forum

Is this mountain board worth the money?

jadog - 21-4-2014 at 03:57 PM

I found a guy who is selling his board for $120 ($100 plus $20 for shipping). I believe it is the MBS Comp 16. I know I'll probably have to get better bindings at some point, but he said it was only used a few times. What do you guys think?

See pictures below:






Bladerunner - 21-4-2014 at 04:14 PM

I had one. Big heavy board. It was ideal for learning. Very stable.

The bindings area bit odd but if you hold your feet in right they work well. You can adjust the ride by changing out the egg shocks.

Worth every penny ! :thumbup:

jadog - 21-4-2014 at 04:28 PM

I'm a lightweight (130#) so I was hoping for something lighter to start with. I initially thought an MBS Atom 95 would suit me better, but it doesn't have the egg shocks :(.

Bladerunner - 21-4-2014 at 08:08 PM

Atom isn't near the board this one is. It is an entry level board for light weights. This is a very good quality board for it's day. It is near bomb proof.

You wont be likely to break this one and can easily break an Atom. It would be hard to find a better board for the buck ?

Why on earth do you want lighter to start off ? Maaaaybe lighter will be an advantage after you are jumping but heavier is so much better for learning. I am about 135lb and this served as my intermediate board very well.

abkayak - 22-4-2014 at 04:53 AM

thats my best board...

B-Roc - 22-4-2014 at 06:15 AM

I actually like those post bindings. I have one board with those and use to ride with guy who had a Trampa with those too. Once you set them you never have to touch them. As far as Velcro bindings go, IMO, those are some of the simplest and best.

abkayak - 22-4-2014 at 06:22 AM

The bindings are plates and pivot some when I change direction..i have no eggs in either so its real loose even though it’s a heavy board..no real wobbles at speed either

Bladerunner - 22-4-2014 at 07:57 AM

I kept my plates tight. I could then turn my foot in the binding gripping the posts. A big advantage once I started to jump. This was the same system but without plates that was on my original board. ( MBS Blade ) So it wasn't a big transition for me.

Interesting that you ride without egg shocks at all.

Everything about this board looks like good bang for buck. Even the $20 for shipping seems like he is going to pay towards it. This is a heavy board that won't ship that cheap?

If you don't buy this post the link. Somebody should ! :thumbup:

Or should I buy this board? 2007 MBS Comp 95!

jadog - 25-4-2014 at 05:51 AM

Thanks for your input guys! To make things more complicated, I just found a second board. It's a bit more expensive, but looks like a higher end model.

2007 MBS Comp 95 - for $175 shipped. It has been lightly used for a few months on grass - no damage to board. Now I have to make a decision - which do you guys think I should go with?


Bladerunner - 25-4-2014 at 02:49 PM

The comp 95 will be just a little harder to learn on but you will never grow out of it. Lighter for sure and I think more flex? Better truck , bindings, rims etc.. If you can afford the extra $75 I would go for this one for sure. At $175 I would really question him on condition .

The difference in price is about equal to difference in quality. BOTH are extremely good deals if the 95 is in as good of shape as the 16.

jadog - 25-4-2014 at 04:27 PM

Why do you think it will be harder to learn on? Especially since I'm a lightweight, won't it be easier for me if this board is lighter as well? My dream is to learn to jump with it for sure.

My dream board would be the MBS Pro 90 (since it's the lightest of them all), or a Trampa. But I'll have to save up for that one! :lol:

B-Roc - 25-4-2014 at 04:56 PM

Its only harder in the sense that it is shorter so it creates a more narrow stance which isn't good for tall / big people. I'm 145#s 5'7" and ride on boards that are all under 95cm and love them. Stable with the right body posture and real easy to slide and jump with decent pop (though shorter boards can be stiffer since there isn't as much space between the trucks). Comp 95 has a real nice poppy deck. Great board.

ikemiester - 26-4-2014 at 07:49 AM

It would be nice if you could test them for feel and see what you like. They are both relatively bomb proof. I might want the 95 for the better components, but that's it.

Bladerunner - 26-4-2014 at 12:11 PM

When I was starting out from ZERO on ATB I struggled on my 1st 2 attempts using a friends high end GI board.

I am also a light weight. The board was a bit too loose, narrow and responsive for my lack of skills + out semi rough terrain.
I bought a big MBS Blade. Much like the Comp 16 . The larger more stable platform , trucks and slightly larger tires ( ? ) made it so much easier to deal with the board. I lost the Blade and worked out a trade for the Comp 16. So similar that I took to it right away and progressed at a respectable rate. I used it to learn my 1st jumps.

This is why I suggest it is " a bit easier " . I think somebody with board skills would not need the stability as much as I did. That said, the stable platform definitely sped up my personal learning process.

A core came up at too good a deal locally for me to pass up. Turns out I was ready for a lighter , looser board . Something you might be ready for much faster than I was ?

I could be a bit off base here but it seems the Comp 16 ( and my Blade ) is designed with actual mountain boarding as it's purpose . The added weight etc. is an advantage in stability. Turned out a good thing for an OG with no board skills.
The comp 95 is designed with kites in mind. Lighter and more nimble. Worth every penny of the extra $75 for the better components !

jadog - 28-4-2014 at 10:05 AM

@Bladerunner

That makes sense. Just because it's such a great deal, I'm going to go with the Comp 95. I'll let you all know how it turns out! Thanks again for the advice!

lunchbox - 28-4-2014 at 10:14 AM

Good choice on the Comp 95. Great board. Had mine for years...very durable. I'm 6'4", about 210lbs for reference.

Bladerunner - 28-4-2014 at 05:00 PM

Good choice. I have a feeling you will progress faster than I did. The Comp 16 might have left you wanting to move up at some point. That and the superior components made the 95 a better choice !:thumbup: You may never feel the need to upgrade now.

Both were very good deals.


ikemiester - 29-4-2014 at 05:03 PM

Great board at a great price. You'll enjoy it!