I have two friends who want to get boards(I might get one).

I've only seen a couple different brands. Any to stay away from or is one the best? Some have what look like skateboard trucks; others have what look like a simpler axle setup.

Is there one recommended board?

When first starting out; what is the hardest part about learning to ride? What is the most common wipeout on these? Is a depower kite a must?

Quote:

Originally posted by rtz Is there one recommended board? When first starting out; what is the hardest part about learning to ride? What is the most common wipeout on these? Is a depower kite a must?

1) TRAMPA!
2) learning to trust the kite and stick your feet out in front of ya.
3) ALL OF EM'!
4) nope, I fly fixed bridle only. But ,I'm not into the "big air" thing.


hope that helps.

http://trampa.mountainboard.net/ here is where to get a TRAMPA

A list of all current boards would be useless... too many to choose from. It would be much more helpful if you could provide some additional information to help narrow down the choices.


• Height
  
• Weight
  
• Type of riding you intend to do (Cruising, Tricks/FreeStyle, Big Air)
  
• Your (approximate) budget
  

Basic truck/axles styles are:
1. Skate (Most Basic)
   
2. Torsion Bionic (Ground Industries only)
   
3. Channel (Different names for different companies. Spring Bionic For Ground Industries, Matrix for MBS, Infinity/Vertigo for Trampa Boards).
   

Skate trucks are the most basic, simple and straightforward, but not always the most durable.

Torsion Bionics are beefy... more weight, they can be adjusted but it is not something that is done on the fly, and requires the cubes that control turning/lean resistance to be changed (~25 dollars a set).

Chanel trucks are the most adjustable, generally more expensive, but can be tuned using spring tension, spring position, and elastomer "eggs" which come in around 3 (depending on manufacturer) durometers/hardness levels.

Not necessarily one board.... there are perennial favorites, but budget plays a large role. Ground Industries and MBS are probably the most popular in the states. Trampa is starting to make inroads in the US, but tend to be a bit pricier, due to construction and UK import status. Flexifoil is available in the US, but tends to be a little less bang for the buck...fairly yeoman boards though.

Hardest part is probably maintaining kite position and board direction such that the tension in the lines (hence speed) is fairly constant. Stutter starts and having the kite fall out of the sky because the board is overruning it is fairly common.

In gusty conditions highsiding, you being pulled forward over the board is common.

Depower isn't a must but makes gusts easier to deal with.

Hope that helps.

ATB,
Sam

I'm 6'4", 150lbs. The other two people are about 160-170lbs and 5'11" or so. The board will initially just be used for cruising around and maybe some small air. Budget is all relative to what one has or makes. If $500 were nothing, then that would be what I'd be willing to spend on a board. But for right now; closer to $100 would be preferred. On up to $200. More if justified.

Ideally some easy to ride board that is not all squirrelly and isn't going to snap a wheel off after the first small jump or have the board break in half.

Those Trampa boards look sexy!! love that carbon fiber. Gonna have to put one of those on my Xmas list along with the Flexboardz.

You might want to sign up for the 'pass the flexboardz'. I am currently testing this board and it's a great freeride board. Just had a few more folks try it today and they love it the stability over bumpy grounds with the independent suspension. The board has camber adjustment so you can lean against the kite and still maintain a straight line.

Quote:

Originally posted by van Those Trampa boards look sexy!! love that carbon fiber. Gonna have to put one of those on my Xmas list along with the Flexboardz.

While Trampas are very Darth Vader sexy, they are not carbon fiber to the best of my knowledge.

From the TrampaBoards.com site:
"The TRAMPA™ deck is made from a re-inforced glass and plastic thermo composite, which was originally developed for light-weight millitary purposes, giving superior strength to weight ratios. It is able to with stand huge impacts or forces and flex's like most other materials can't.

It is specially formulated, and presented in a workable matter in a thread like format, just like cotton. From there, we weave the thread to our desired width, and place it onto a roll.

Polished and pre shaped alluminium moulds are used to give the material the dimensions we require.

By varying the layer quantity used, we are able to control the amount of flex and pop in the deck, allowing us to custom make the deck for the customers height weight, style, rider type and riders abillity."

ATB,
Sam