In fact, at Flexboardz, we are so focused on keeping the contact between wheels and ground to maximize the grip/control/performances of our boards that we feel a bit "useless" when the boards are jumping ...
Coming back to your market feeling (% of freestylers vs freeriders ) , I am interested i having your feedback : here in Europe, the large majority of the riders is interested in cruising/freeriding more than freestyling (for safety reasons) (eventhough hardcore riders/freeriders like you are often over represented on forum)...is it really different in the USA?

Stupid non-accessible second page glitch!!!

All better now!

I think that most people in the US, if they want to cruise, use a buggy.

i love cruisin on the board.... thats the thing that really sold me on the sport anyways, jumping is just icing on the cake... if i had to chose cruisin on my board or cruisin in my bug, the board wins most of the time

how much do those boards weigh, and what materials are used to make them? deck... wheels.... suspension (how is it suspended??... springs?) it looks like it has a lot of parts that saltwater and sand would not be friendly to

Flexboardz weight is 8kg...Material are mapple plywood (but it's not prone do delamination since it doesn't flex fully like on a mtb), aluminium and stainless steel. All material are salty water resistant!
Your question about moving parts vs salt/sand makes sense (I hear it often) but the fact is that the mechanical liaisons are simple (simple traction or simple compression) so we NEVER experience any problem with it in 4 years (on hundreds of boards)... (we even kept one set of board without rinsing it for a year + store it outside without any problem (except sand/salt in bearing))
"suspension" is provided by a compressed elastomer block in the crosspiece and also(and mainly) because the load is spreaded on the wheels so when one wheel hit an obstacle, it moves up and "clear" it without inducing wobble...no spring, jack or whatever...
it is not exactly suspension (like on a car) but it still reduce significantly the bump and allow the wheels to stick to the ground and keep the board under control...
If you look closely at the flexboardz movement (see link below), you will see that it is much simpler that it seems

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=10550&page=2#pid89424

"a compressed elastomer block". Is that similar to the cubes that Ground Industries uses in their bionic trucks?

I want to start off by saying thank you to flexboardz to come on the forum and share info with us and answer questions on their equipment. To me that says a lot about what kind of company they are and the type of customer service you can expect.

I don't have a board coming yet to try, but i think bigkid does, so we can look forward to his feedback.

Im sure its a great piece. But should be advertised as a crusier, not a freeride. Freeride involves all disiciplines. This include jumping. This is 5-6 lbs heavier then anything out there. It probably makes a bomber downhill board but as for kite freeride? Even boardercross those guys are jumping all the time.
You going to have a tuff time competing against the likes of MBS/GI/Scrub that have more all around boards. I would do some more research and see if you cant get the weight down. This may be a factor for sum when considering one of these boards. Also you bindings look like the old Velcro straps. Not very state of the art. Kinda weak for a 500+ board.
How availabe are replacement parts? Standard bearings? Do the wheels and tires cross over from other manufactures?
How well are you backed? Id hate to pay 500 for a board and you guys are gone in a few years and i cant get parts.

Oh yea link above dosent work

Edit. your kite specific board is 21lbs thats nearly 10 lbs heavier then an mbs pro 90 for kiting. The price is nearly the same, mbs has nice plushy bindings.

I want to echo what DAKITEZS said, thanks flexboardz for coming on the forum.

I have interest in this board for a couple of reasons but the main one is that it is more like a snowboard than the others. I snowboard and the transition to kiting is the next step, but that brings up other issues. Will it take over the ATB market, I don't think so but it does open another area of possibilities. Snowkiting is only around the corner and I hope to be out in the cold soon.
I have a hard time with the my old knees and trying to board across a field at breakneck speeds is just that, broken neck. This board is longer and heavier than the jump models, and I hope it will be more stable and easier on the knees. But time will tell. I have placed my order for a demo and am waiting for the delivery.

Could you imagine working out on this board at 15lbs or so, and then trying to jump with a 5lbs snowboard?

Hey guys, a couple of vids for you the first one shows some pretty good shots of the suspension carving and riding over curbs. The second is Patrick riding a Flexboardz with Ski's instead of wheels.

http://broadbandsports.com/node/25039

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Fg0GGdEwI

Kiting on a snowboard is nothing like kiting on this or any mountainboard.

Quote:

Originally posted by snobdr Kiting on a snowboard is nothing like kiting on this or any mountainboard.

I"m glad you have such insight to give us on a product you have never tried before. I'm impressed.

Hey i know nothing. Spend the 500 and find out for yourself. Wont even come close.

hi
would be interested to know if /when these will be available in the uk and if Trampa should start to worry!!

Trampa worry? Lol

Quote:

Originally posted by f0rgiv3n Quote: Originally posted by snobdr Kiting on a snowboard is nothing like kiting on this or any mountainboard. I"m glad you have such insight to give us on a product you have never tried before. I'm impressed.

I dont think snobdr was referring to how this board will ride, but instead the general skills and feel of riding a landboard versus a snowboard.

I'd be curious to see one of these boards in person, but I'm not a landboard rider. Might give it a shot this weekend, but I really like riding my buggy on the beach.. We'll see...

Sorry, it's my mistake : here is the correct link about Flexboardz cinematic : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c86J4H13Ygo

Thanks for the welcome message (I read a lot of forum but generally do not post too much to avoid "pimping" )
I also really appreciate this kind of open minded, respectful talk; it give us a chance to explain what we are good at (and also bad at = freestyling) since Flexboardz propose a different approach from others brand...
We definitely prefer to have less clients but satisfied than many disappointed one!!

This bring me to Snobr post : if freeriding means the ability to ride as freely (and efficiently) as possible with all kind of ground, wind (grip, upwind ability) or speed (no wobble), I truly believe that it will not mislead our potential clients.
In Europe, we also compete on kite boardercross races: Flexboardz riding ability largely compensate for the extra weight during jumps....

To make humor, I would say that flexboardz is a freeriding (or all-round) boards when regular mountainboards are freestyling boards

Concerning price, we decided to invest into the riding ability (our design is more costly to produce but definitely improve the ride) and less into accessory/cosmetic (deco, straps (you can ride a flexboardz without straps), flashy hubs...). Again, it's clear and clients will make their choice in accordance.

Weight issue : our 9" wheels were heavy (increased board weight by 2kg compared to 8" wheels). It won't be the case on 2010 models (around 8"kg)

To Bigkid : our first clients in Europe were Snowkiters and kitesurfers which did not like the stiff mtb ride...I am pretty sure you will appreciate it. (riding feeling is very close to a snowboard) ....

Sorry with the difference in time, I am late on the post...I will try to answer to all questions

Cool. Thanks for the information. I would be curious to get a chance to check these out.

This is where i have to disagree. On a snowboard we are obviously on snow. Theres a lot of skidding and sliding available to use. Easier to turn, easier starting , sliding 180s, landing jumps ect. Flexboardz seem to be all about grip and carving. Thats great and looks like its good at it but thats only a small part of a snowboard feel
I like the ability to set board angle, as a normal mountainboard feels akward coming from the snow, but this only works if you ride heel all the time. Kills any toeside riding.
Its a good concept, best of luck with it. Its a small market to begin with and you going after an even smaller part of it.

To Snobdr : I agree with you that part of the sliding/edging "magic" of the snowboard is lost on mountainboard or (even) Flexboardz (good reason to try to improve it )

Flexboardz is all about control : controlling your trajectory, your speed and your kite...for all this, we believe that there is a desperate need for improved grip on regular mountainboard...so we developed the Flexboardz design ...but it still slides, you only have to push harder !

Basically, on a Flexboardz, you have more control on the sliding/griping(or edging) option which make the ride more similar to snowboard (the wider deck tilting angle also participate ) .

On snowboard (as on mountainboard), you can (roughly) differentiate freestylers who want to skid, do 180, ...from freeriders/freecarvers who needs more edge(grip) to control their ride....it's impossible to satisfy both riders and Flexboardz is definitely on the freeride/freecarve side...you are probably more on the freestyle side so it will be difficult to convince you.

Quote:

I like the ability to set board angle, as a normal mountainboard feels akward coming from the snow, but this only works if you ride heel all the time. Kills any toeside riding.

It must be some kind of misunderstanding (or my english is not good enough) because Flexboardz rides toeside without problem (even more comfortably than on regular mtb because the deck can tilt a bit needing less bend on your ankles when you lean). Could you please explain it to me again?
We appreciate your concern about Flexboardz potential market and will take it into account

Maybe i misunderstood you.
On your site it says

Quote:

Its unique ability to adjust the ride angle offers a more ergonomical stance (similar to that of a kiteboard) and a maximum amount of grip,

I took this to mean you could adjust the deck to be angled yet the board still goes straight. Like edging a kiteboard. This is a good idea as long as you stay on your heel side.

You are refering to the set up below, I guess...
This is only an option when extra grip is needed : strong wind, speed runs or slippery area (we have some clay/sand beaches in france very slippery where this option is appreciated). Some riders simply prefer it (better ergonomy/position more similar to kitesurf edging) ! Boards can be adjusted this way in 5 mn...definitely not compulsory !

Other option, is to adjust the stifness (rtz) of the boards differently on each side : hard on heelside to handle extra pressure with less steering (for sliding for instance), and soft on toeside to keep maniability...but again, it's only an option among few

Answer to Maven 454 question:

Quote:

"a compressed elastomer block". Is that similar to the cubes that Ground Industries uses in their bionic trucks?

not really. elastomer block in the crosspiece absorbs the impact and provide RTZ (return to zero). Please see picture below (I hope it is clear...in case, you can get a larger format here : Flexboardz elastomer block)

i still say 'pass' one around

it would answer all of the questions about ride-ability, and feel... plus it would give you a great deal of feedback, and a ton of PR. If its a good product, it would sell a ton of 'em if it had some good riders saying good things about them... heck even crappy riders... publicity is always good when you are trying to get your name out there.

The people on this board are pretty good about treating passed items like their own... i dont have any problem telling you, that if this board is worth 500 bucks, and its built like its 500 bucks, then it will be returned to you like its still 500 bucks.

I think this thing looks cool, but its hard to drop that kind of money on a chance...

Find a tester board in one of your riders cars, pass it around, build some exicitement about it, and i bet you sell a bunch more!

Just to get an idea of how many, if a board was available to be passed around, who would want to be on the list?
I will post this question on another thread.

I agree about passing boards for testing : that is basically what we did in Europe when we launched of the first boards.
However, in order to be more efficient, we did it through powerkiting clubs or associations..Is there some club or asso you would recommend in the USA?

I am in Western Canada so it not the U.S.A or Quebec. In Vancouver cruising and ATB is not an option so my view of how many prefer freestyle is no doubt unique. Probably 100% of the board riders in Van. wish to jump?

I think your boards are very nice and would be the way to go as a cruiser. I had great success learning on a big heavy MBS Blade that probably weighed almost as much.

How do people with no previous board skills take to this style?

Quote:

Originally posted by flexboardz In fact, at Flexboardz, we are so focused on keeping the contact between wheels and ground to maximize the grip/control/performances of our boards that we feel a bit "useless" when the boards are jumping ... Coming back to your market feeling (% of freestylers vs freeriders ) , I am interested i having your feedback : here in Europe, the large majority of the riders is interested in cruising/freeriding more than freestyling (for safety reasons) (eventhough hardcore riders/freeriders like you are often over represented on forum)...is it really different in the USA?

here's your Kite club/organization...

The PKF is a pretty good mix of cruisers, jumpers, foil riders, LEI, Twinskin, kitewings...whatever.... i think this is a good place to try it out... i mean just in the US i know this board covers Georgia, to Nebraska to California and Oregon... and about everywhere in between... A lot of major kiting groups are represented on these boards... and a lot of dealers/sellers too... this would also be a good way to expose your product to some great sellers...

Plus a voice on this board is worldwide... members in about every continent... no Antarctica tho :puzzled:... Plus some big names in Kite manufacturing, and a few sponsored riders...

I'm not gonna lie, i want to ride this board... will i buy it, maybe... will i buy it on blind faith, no. Now if Carl posts a vid of this thing in action, and posts up he likes it for cruising... or Eli posts a positive review... or even a video of Kamikuza zipping around... if some of the sellers pick them up and start selling... its easier to drop the money on it if you have someone other than a manufacturer rep talking it up.

my 2 cents: This board is about the best "Kite organization" in the US to get this out there

Hey Guys, Jeff from Big Kid Kites will be taking on the Pass the Flexboardz. I'll be shipping one to him to be passed around as soon as we receive our shipment. Thanks Jeff and I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys think. Let Jeff know on the other thread and he'll put you on the list. Kip

Thanks Kip, I think I speak for most people here, can't wait to try it out.

Folowing last talk about board design, you can see a short video about Flexboardz R&D history ( and some weird prototypes )
Flexboardz R&D History Video