they do go really far:D

That surprised me too.

Ok fellow kite longboarders, I've come to the conclusion that I hate the apex 40 board. I have no doubt that it will be more stable for speed runs and in general is what I was expecting out of it except one thing. It kills my feet. I think the deep concave is the issue. I'm heavy and wear size 12 so that may be why the deep concave isn't agreeing with me. I might try the trucks out on my s9 board and top mount them to see how I like that for speed and stability but will ultimately be getting another board so I can leave the sidewinders on. It's probably just me being old. If anyone is looking for a deep concave drop deck let me know.

Also, for all around use, I think I prefer a shorter deck. I really like the 36" size, maybe up to 38 for the next one but not as long as the 40

Sorry that didn't work out. If you don't like that definitely do not get a board with W concave or boards with mega flared wheel wheels as those are really uncomfortable (and I wear a size 8.5 shoe).

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc

Sorry that didn't work out. If you don't like that definitely do not get a board with W concave or boards with mega flared wheel wheels as those are really uncomfortable (and I wear a size 8.5 shoe).

It's definitely me, not the board. It seems to be a popular board and it would probably grow on me if I give it a chance. Plus I have absolutely no regrets. I've swapped trucks and have the bears on the s9. I only rode around the garage but it feels great! Kind of like having a 3rd board I didn't even know I had. This is great having 2 complete set ups to toy around with. Just like kites, it's taking some time to figure out best fit for my style. And figuring out what my style is. So I count this is a win. Learning is most the fun.

Ssayre, just for kicks why not try the Sidewinder trucks on the Apex? It may feel like a totally different board with those on it.

Quote: Originally posted by Cochise Kiter

Ssayre, just for kicks why not try the Sidewinder trucks on the Apex? It may feel like a totally different board with those on it.

Don't worry, I'll be getting to that soon :D

My pivot cups and bushings are shot on the sidewinders. I've got the bushings but I'm waiting on the cups.

Also waiting on a set of wheels.

Have you got an idea of what deck you're going to get as a replacement?

I'd be curious to know what kind of wheels and trucks you're going to use as well (or are you going to use the existing trucks)?

I think the goal of this board was to slide and carve or slide and speed?

I just recently bought a Sector 9 Revolver complete. Very grippy and turns really tight. It's a pintail which I'm not quite sure a lot of people like, but so far it seems to be working for what I want (i.e. practice down the line surfing and bottom and top turns with a skateboard and kite).

Next board for me is going to be about 40-42" and a little carvey but is stable at speed as well.

Might have to reach out to B-Roc on deck, tracks and wheel recommendations...

I don't know yet. I may keep it and test it for its intended purpose which I have not done yet. I need the right wind direction to take it down a long road. Insoles or better shoes will probably go a long way. as far as trucks and wheels, I'm still learning and asking b-roc. I might pick up another craigslist find to try out another completely different set up if one comes along. As long as I'm not in a hurry, I can find complete set ups for between 50-75 that are $250 new so it's hard to resist. The good news is they go cheap in my area. The bad news is when/if I sell, they will go cheap and take forever to sell most likely.

Quote: Originally posted by lunchbox

Have you got an idea of what deck you're going to get as a replacement? I'd be curious to know what kind of wheels and trucks you're going to use as well (or are you going to use the existing trucks)? I think the goal of this board was to slide and carve or slide and speed? I just recently bought a Sector 9 Revolver complete. Very grippy and turns really tight. It's a pintail which I'm not quite sure a lot of people like, but so far it seems to be working for what I want (i.e. practice down the line surfing and bottom and top turns with a skateboard and kite). Next board for me is going to be about 40-42" and a little carvey but is stable at speed as well. Might have to reach out to B-Roc on deck, tracks and wheel recommendations...

I just checked out your revolver online. It has exactly the same wheel base as mine and the overall length is only a 1 3/4" longer. The width is the same as well. Concave looks similar.

Mine is a drop through where yours is top mount, but other than that, I'm guessing the ride will be exactly the same. Great board. It's like it was designed for kiting. You can turn aggressively when needed to buffer a gust or keep line tension in a lull. I will top mount the sidewinders when I put them back on to try it out. Not having drop through when kiting doesn't matter because we don't have to push.

Busted landing an ollie



New Board. It's a sickness at this point



Comparison



Lunchbox, not trying to hijack your thread but just figured this was a good spot for board talk since this thread has pictures of boards.

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome!

Quote:

New Board. It's a sickness at this point

Awesome....I'm not alone!
Speaking of boards, I'm in the process of researching another board as we speak. Great thing about the skateboard thing is...it's quite a bit cheaper than kites

Quote:

Lunchbox, not trying to hijack your thread but just figured this was a good spot for board talk since this thread has pictures of boards.

I agree...and I always look forward to reading your posts...so hijack away

@ssayre - great looking board. Should be loads of fun. That's mind kind of shape. More foot platform = more comfort for old men who aren't hucking themselves off every stairwell or down every rail.

Yep, Mad Max. Thanks for pointing that out Cochise, I knew I had seen that image somewhere but couldn't place it.

Long story short, I ran into a guy a few days ago that I used to work with and learned he had opened a skateboard shop. Short boards only, no longboards. He had this board complete and set up in his shop so I went off his judgement for set up and didn't research any of the components.

For those that are curious, the deck is Shipyard brand 32.5" long x 9" wide. 15" wheelbase measured from inside truck mounting holes (not axle to axle). Trucks are Silver M Class, wheels are 60mm OJ II 78a. I will be getting a separate set of hard wheels for ramp use. These will be for street. I have no experience with any of these brands of products but I will say it feels really great just skating around.

It will be interesting to see how kiting goes with it. I think it will work well but I would guess it will be a very different experience with a much shorter wheel base, smaller wheels and more of a skateboard foot position.

Suppose to be good wind today. If I can escape work, i'll test out the new board with kite. I'm hoping my short board skills haven't completely escaped me and I won't end up on my face. I did notice I have to be more mindful of rocks and and bumps with the 60mm wheels versus the 70mm.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

. I did notice I have to be more mindful of rocks and and bumps with the 60mm wheels versus the 70mm.

True that :o:flaming:

Quote:

I did notice I have to be more mindful of rocks and and bumps with the 60mm wheels

Good way to practice your ollies while kiting...:P

BTW, I just ordered another board yesterday. Still carvey but should be a little more stable at speed. Might practice going down some pretty mellow hills as well. - Sector 9 Lookout. It's got 74MM wheels so going over little rocks shouldn't be a problem.

Curious to see how that board works for you...

Quote: Originally posted by lunchbox

Quote: I did notice I have to be more mindful of rocks and and bumps with the 60mm wheels Good way to practice your ollies while kiting...:P BTW, I just ordered another board yesterday. Still carvey but should be a little more stable at speed. Might practice going down some pretty mellow hills as well. - Sector 9 Lookout. It's got 74MM wheels so going over little rocks shouldn't be a problem. Curious to see how that board works for you...

Standard RKP trucks on the lookout I assume?

I'm bummed I broke the s9. I had no business trying to ollie on it. Probably would have lasted forever if I left well enough alone and kept the sidewinders on it for a carving set up.

I did do some ollies on the short board last night. Much more appropriate board for that type of behavior

Tried the short board at lunch today (with kite). Sucked. It worked and it is fun, BUT not nearly as fun as a longboard IMO. Between the short wheel base and the narrow trucks, it just is not the right tool for the job.

That's OK, because I bought it to try and get back into ramp / park use, but it would have been a bonus if I liked it for kite use.

Quote:

Tried the short board at lunch today (with kite). Sucked. It worked and it is fun, BUT not nearly as fun as a longboard IMO. Between the short wheel base and the narrow trucks, it just is not the right tool for the job.

Oh well...at least you gave it a try and got a session in during lunch. I'm really missing my Spring and Summer days where I can do some kiting during my lunch hour. It's such a great way to relax and forget about things for a little while!

Quote:

Standard RKP trucks on the lookout I assume?

Yep! It came with the Gullwing Charger I trucks. I was thinking about just buying the board by itself and then putting some other trucks and wheels on, but some of the prices on the 'completes' are just too hard to resist. Just for kicks, I might also pick up some Butterballs and practice some frontside tail slides on the kite but I'm gonna work up to that. Need to learn how to walk before I can run...that asphalt is sure a lot harder than water :P

I used the short board on a mini ramp today. Took the soft wheels off and bought some bones 58mm 84b. That's equivelant to a 104a duro (I think). It was awesome!! So its intended purpose worked out great. B-roc rides carver cx trucks and 65mm wheels for pool riding. I did a little more research on the carver trucks and they look awesome. Check them out on their website if you haven't. Basically rkp on the front and tkp on the back. That may be the answer to bridge the gap for a short board used with kite. They are on the list of must haves. They look like a blast.

Quote:

I did a little more research on the carver trucks and they look awesome

I bought a Carver board a few weeks ago. The Taylor Knox model. Man, that board is seriously fun!

I bought it for the days when there's no surf and to perfect my form (for surfing). I got to say, it does a really good job of imitating the whole carving and down the line wave riding feel.
After work I'll just take the board out for a little spin and in about 20 mins I'm drenched in sweat...such a good workout!
I got the C7 trucks up front and I think the CX in back.

If you have a chance definitely pick one up...I wouldn't use it for streetkiting however...kinda squirrely.

Before I bought it I read about people pumping up slight inclines and not having to put their foot down. Well, the first time I tried it, I was not able to. I was kinda bummed and thought, damn, what were those people talking about. But then after a few sessions, I found my rhythm and now I can go up some slight inclines as well. Pretty good feeling.

Glad to hear you found a 'home' for the board!

Sounds like good exorcise. That's what I need. My board is similar in size and wheel base so I would get trucks only and try that. Both the c7 and cx kits come with the c2 as the rear less carvy rear truck.

Benett vector truck in front looks like another option. Don't know how it compares performance wise but it is very inexpensive.

Quote:

Sounds like good exorcise. That's what I need. My board is similar in size and wheel base so I would get trucks only and try that. Both the c7 and cx kits come with the c2 as the rear less carvy rear truck. Benett vector truck in front looks like another option. Don't know how it compares performance wise but it is very inexpensive.

Good exercise indeed...it's my excuse to eat more donuts :D
Yep...you're right...C2 on back.
I've read good things about the Benett Vectors and Trackers in the back. Definitely worth a try...those Carver trucks are expensive!

BTW, I went to my spot in Oxnard to do some streetkiting on Sunday as my normal spot at Zuma was too packed with cars and there was no wind. I guess mid to high 70 temps at the beach with sunny skies in February was enough to get everyone and their Mom to take a little drive to the beach. I have actually never seen it that crowded even during summer!
Anyways I digress...
While I was waiting for the wind to pick up I took out my Revolver for a little spin. To my surprise I was able to pump it and not have to put my foot down once. It's a different feel than the C7 truck but possible none the less. I was pretty shocked...I didn't think I would be able to make it work especially with the stock bushings!

Quote: Originally posted by lunchbox

Quote: Sounds like good exorcise. That's what I need. My board is similar in size and wheel base so I would get trucks only and try that. Both the c7 and cx kits come with the c2 as the rear less carvy rear truck. Benett vector truck in front looks like another option. Don't know how it compares performance wise but it is very inexpensive. Good exercise indeed...it's my excuse to eat more donuts :D Yep...you're right...C2 on back. I've read good things about the Benett Vectors and Trackers in the back. Definitely worth a try...those Carver trucks are expensive! BTW, I went to my spot in Oxnard to do some streetkiting on Sunday as my normal spot at Zuma was too packed with cars and there was no wind. I guess mid to high 70 temps at the beach with sunny skies in February was enough to get everyone and their Mom to take a little drive to the beach. I have actually never seen it that crowded even during summer! Anyways I digress... While I was waiting for the wind to pick up I took out my Revolver for a little spin. To my surprise I was able to pump it and not have to put my foot down once. It's a different feel than the C7 truck but possible none the less. I was pretty shocked...I didn't think I would be able to make it work especially with the stock bushings!

Not sure how I missed this but that's cool about the revolver. I've tried to pump with my sidewinders and i can feel a really good power stroke initially but it tends to send me completely sideways instead of forward since they turn so good and then I have to push again. I'll have to give it another try.

I've been hitting the trail at the park this weekend with nothing but my short shipyard deck and pushing. It's been great fun and I have been getting more and more into skating than kiting. No wind necessary. I rode for at least a few miles and had the tunes on and got some good exorcise.

It's almost as if I'm a normal person using the designated paths for exorcise except I'm on a skateboard and have yet to see anyone over 19 on one on the paved trails. This is getting scary.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

I have been getting more and more into skating than kiting. No wind necessary.

Me too for the past year or more. I miss kiting but skating is so much easier to arrange for and way more predictable. I want to go kiting but its harder to find time and every time I do the wind or the tides are wrong.

In case anyone is confused what time it is. It's time to get my streetkite on!!!

windy as heck today. new board came in the mail today. I'm done working.

stood on the new s9 mini lookout and it feels incredible under foot. Mild concave, nice flex being bamboo, charger trucks have an excellent turn radius. better than I expected. (of course this is based off of a ride in my living room) I'm outta here :D

Unfortunately the wind was uncooperative. Huge variance in base wind and gusts. But my first impressions of the board are good. Very carvy feel to it. Not sure how stable it will be at speed yet.

Got a chance to use the randy 1.5 single keel npw today and the mini lookout. Very fun when conditions are right. Today the wind was teasing me a little but still had a good time.

Another video made at Tempelhof. Or what I like to call kite skating heaven.