just started the sport. flying a crossfire2 5meter. want to get a deck. thinking why not splurge and get a top of the line. if any one has any reviews of the ak that would be great. incedently i seem to be the only guy flying a kite in tasmania. go figure

you should try and find one first before you sell yourself on one. Gi has been out of stock on them for months. So you will have to find a store that has one sitting around still.

They're too heavy to be practical for landboarding, methinks. Unless you don't plan on leaving the ground much.

If you're willing to spend that much money on a board... by all means, get a Trampa. They are literally the best decks you can buy. And they aren't extremely expensive, either.

Trampa 15 deg short deck, 12 ply, titanium skate trucks, camlock bindings, hypa rims, grab handle... that'd be my dream machine. I'd probably chop it up some, too.

I love GI gear. I have a Flight 93 and a Prodigy 90 both with Bionics. I jump with them and I go fast with them. Their trucks are awesome and you can dial in the amount of flex / carve with the right cube. They are going through a bit of a reorg at the moment so quantities and stock is going to be limited until they get things sorted out.

from what I hear we have another 2 - 3 months and GI should be back in action

Quote:

Originally posted by DAKITEZ from what I hear we have another 2 - 3 months and GI should be back in action

Good to hear... on so many levels.

ATB,
Sam

I really like mine. Yeah they are build for downhill but they are also rugged. I'm 200# so a few extra pounds won't be killing me, and I'm a dangler so I don't need to take it off my feet. Not sure if I can even reach down there :D

Doing some quick comparisons:

Top of the line Trampa Holly Pro w/titanium, complete
Cost: $883.39 usd. (MSRP)
Weight: 16.09 lbs.* Max recommended rider weight: 210 lbs. (taken from trampaboards.com)
* 16.09 lbs for 17ply, strongest deck made - 210 lbs max weight
* 15.85 lbs for 16ply, mid deck - 168 lbs max weight
* 15.61 lbs for 15ply, light deck - 154 lbs max weight
Trampa.com stated specs


Top of the line Ground Industries Akoni Kama Pro w/bomberlite and titanium, complete
Cost: $649.00 usd. (MSRP)
Weight: 14.9 lbs. Max recommended weight: 250 lbs. (from groundindustries.com & tech sheet)
GI Website & specs

Compare mid grade boards:
Trampa Titanium Skate, complete
Cost: $504.91 usd (MSRP)
Weight: 13.63 lbs. (17 ply) Max recommended weight: 238 lbs **not sure why this 17 ply deck can carry more weight than the holly pro 17 ply...but thats what they state (from trampaboards.com)

Ground Industries Flight Light Titanium Skate:
Cost: $425.00 usd (MSRP)
Weight: 11.9 lbs. Max recommended weight: 235 lbs. (from groundindustries.com & tech sheet)

So, not sure where the figures came from that shows GI boards as ..."Way Too Heavy to be practical for land boarding ..(or jumping)" but that is not my findings and it surely doesn't show this on the manufacturers stated specs. But if you prefer to buy a board that costs appx. 25% more, weighs more and needs to be "chopped up" to fit your needs then go for it.

I do deal with GI boards and I am in no way saying that Trampa does not make a quality product. I just wanted to state the facts as some seem to be mislead on what they actually are. Both of these boards are quality boards and the top of the line, but I have many riders here who will vouch that the GI boards make absolutely awesome landboards and are not only very practical, but the board of choice for them....and they get more air than I dare to.

Just my two cents...

very tough board, board is fine . solid make.

i could probably jump over your house with it..think its a few #'s lighter than my 106 for sure.

For reference, the Patrol 106 was spec'ed at 14.9 lbs.... same as the AK (but the AK is about 4 inches longer)

ATB,
Sam

longer ...really. pro board longer wow i would not have thought that.

when at nabx the dutch had these Trampa custom with skate trucks and they where ultra light . my 106 was huge and heavy. truly shocked how light they where and under 10lbs if i had to guess.

flight lite 93 , the platform is higher with foot positions closer. not that big guy friendly.
but freestyle friendly for sure

since its the same weight may only could clear the garage.

they all seem $$$

i have AK 103 with skate trucks its lighter that 106!

Not sure if the AK is more of a "pro level" kite board or moutain board. Not sure if Akoni Kama even flies kites.

Jump to about 1:10 in the video. He is riding a Conflict in this footage, but the AK board would have probably provided more "seat room".



There's a lot of footage around where he spends a hellacious amount of time low on the deck and the extra length probably facilitates that.

ATB,
Sam

same show less gravity. my ak 103, vegas bazooka . i'm such a child.

FLY GI !

I was mostly taking length into consideration... rotations in mind...

Also, Trampa does a lot of custom stuff. They will for sure make a Holy Pro design deck for you in a lot lower ply than they have listed online. Plus, you can bone down a stock deck to 10 cm width and not worry about it breaking.

I love GI and I ride a GI board, but my point is just that if you're willing to spend top dollar on a board, get a Trampa and customize it the way you'd like. It can be shorter, lighter, and cheaper than the Holy Pro complete listed on the website, and still be just as strong. Plus you can order any kind of trucks you want (provided that it fits the tip angle of your deck), shape it the way you want, pimp it the way you want...

That's what I'd do if I had the money. They're masters of carbon-fiber weave. It's strong, light, durable, water proof, shapable, and won't fall apart on you.

According to the specs on their site, the decks are losing an average of 28 lbs of weight capacity for every layer of carbon left off. Even if they lost 1/2 that amount, that would put the maximum recommended weight capacity of a 10 layer board at around 84 lbs.

***Average of 14lbs capacity loss per layer, 15 ply weight capacity at 154lbs. 14 x 5 (layers) =70 lbs. 154 lbs - 70lbs = 84 lbs capacity.

Again, this weight capacity would be estimating half of the average capacity loss as per their website specs.

For a person weighing in at less than 100lbs, this may be reasonable. Even the 15 ply only has a weight capacity of 154 lbs. which limits many of the riders I know, myself included. What is troubling is that even the 15 ply deck (the lightest listed deck they show) still weighs more than the GI Akoni Pro with a weight capacity of 250 lbs.

To add to that, they are shedding an average of .22 lbs per layer. So this would put a 10 ply board weighing in at 14.51 lbs (estimated)
** .22lbs per layer, 15 ply weight at 15.61 lbs .22 lbs x 5 = 1.10lbs. 15.61 - 1.10 lbs = 14.51 lbs.
** The Akoni Pro complete stock from the factory weighs 14.90 lbs.

I also can't seem to get my mind wrapped around a 10cm width deck..... this makes no sense to me at all. That would be like standing on a 2x4 (10cm = 3.93 inches). There would be no way my size 12 shoe would even work on that. I doubt I could even get it to edge or turn.

The GI Flight Lite, weighing in at 11.0 lbs. has a deck area that even my clod-hopper foot can fit on without having my heels and toes dangling off the edges, and it can handle more weight than the 15 ply Trampa board which weighs almost 4 pounds more.

I seriously do not mean to be augmentative. I also don't want to come of as attacking anyone or sound as if I am solely defending GI. To be honest, I have been doing a ton of research on the Trampa boards to see if it is a board that I would like to carry and sell in our shop. So far though, I can't see any real advantages over the GI boards other than they look nice and are new to the market. Personally, all the numbers and specs that I have seen so far suggest Trampa's to be a heavier board with less capability than the GI boards but are much more expensive. It really doesn't seem that good of a deal for me or my customers.

Can you give me some insight as to why you would want a 4" deck, and what advantages the Trampa has over the other boards on the market? I would like to carry this board, but need to have much more info from the people who are actually using them and/or have rode them.

Right now I can only go from my personal experience and from what the manufacturer states on their specs.

the foot area is left wide. my toes and heels hang too.

the trampa stuff i;ve hopped on was cut down! seemed fragile ultra light stuff everything tires, wheel, truck. they have resilient pop . which after cutting lessens.

the size and weight is easily cut to almost half. i have no idea how long it would last?

an uncut board is fat kinda lil bomber thing.

the custom "blanks" trampa has can be cut , far beyond wood lam. , and thats the feature.
easy handling for board off stuff. and it doesn't take much more wind or kite to jack extra 3-5lbs., right ?
sexy carbon blank is gonna cost you !

Phree is right. All specs aside, the majority of the Peter Lynn landboarding team rides Trampa as well, and they chop the hell out of them! I don't think many of them weigh less than 154 pounds and ride a stock deck, either. The carbon fiber construction can take tons of abuse, and the strength is displaced evenly throughout; there are virtually no weak areas, and no risk of losing structural integrity (unless you seriously make it into a toothpick, of course). You can indeed cut them down to a width of 4 inches between the bindings, and you can drill massive holes where your feet go as well to further reduce weight. Trampa has fantastic customer service. They also produce some of the lightest trucks on the market, and the very best bindings to boot. When you buy a Trampa you have it for life.

I've only had the pleasure of riding one once, and I loved it so much that I am almost convinced that most other boards are obsolete. The ride was smooth, the pop was ridiculous, and although it was cut down quite a bit, it refused to bottom out.

the battle continues;
hard going here in tas. can get an ak for $650 us from canada, or a holy pro custom from the uk for $770 us. thats inc postage and about $200 cheaper than in oz. WTF. thanks for your input gentlemen . about a month of before i decide whats up. gotta say im drawn to the trampa. real pretty and same weight as the ak.

Click yourself over to the pimped board thread over on kitecrowd, one wander through there is a full education on the possibilities of landboard customization.

I don't spend much time over there, but once or twice a year I click though and drool....

If you are considering a good strong light board go with a trampa. By all means use different truck and binding systems if you want. But it's hard to beat the trampa decks. The holy pro deck is built differently then the other trampa decks. Te camber is the big deal for me. Go with the basic kite deck like I did. You get get a ply thickness built around your weight. Also something that is awesome is that they can be cut down to save weight as well. Very customizable. It's one thing to compare specs but like Dino said it's a different story when you actually ride on them. GI boards are great and I actually love their talon bindings but trampa decks will blow your mind.

There's a reason that most of the top guys in Europe ride trampa decks.......they work well without breaking or having issues. The only other decks the top riders use are the kite pro that MBS produces. Quality and performance speaks for itself.

Trampa also does ZERO advertising unlike other companies. They are BS free, and strictly word of mouth. That's saying something about a product, especially when you consider each deck is hand made personally for you by the owner for you in his tiny garage in the uk.

Keep this in mind, you will remember quality long after the price is forgotten. Just watch the videos that are out there. The push kiting guys use MBS pro kite decks, and the ozone, PL, and flysurfer guys are using trampas. Remember that video of yannick going huge on the new HQ matrixx...........he was using a trampa. Ask anybody who's seen or used a trampa, they will tell you about the quality.

OK, let's rewind

Quote:

just started the sport. flying a crossfire2 5meter. want to get a deck.

I'd personally start cheap... Learn on something you can trash then get a nice board. Lower end MBS or GI

Lower end MBS. If you wanted to go GI, you'd either have to buy pre-owned or wait for a new shipment. As far as I know, most dealers on here are out of Ground Industries inventory.

The MBS Comp 90 is sweeeeet.

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump There's a reason that most of the top guys in Europe ride trampa decks.......

Top end riders ride and fly what their sponsors tell them to ride and fly. As a result, wannabe top fliers fly and ride what they see the best riding. Not saying you or anyone is a wannabe. But don't for a moment think all are riding or flying the gear they think is "the best". I'd ride / fly whatever gear was given to me free or at an aggressive discount. Top riders do too.

Quote:

Originally posted by arkay OK, let's rewind Quote: just started the sport. flying a crossfire2 5meter. want to get a deck. I'd personally start cheap... Learn on something you can trash then get a nice board. Lower end MBS or GI

So true arkay... if you're new, you don't need a top of the line deck, who know's if you're going to want to be doing rotations, grabs and whatnot. I'm still doing fine on a sooped up MBS core 90. Also, I really think the Pro 90 shoulld be included a bit more in this conversation. It's 100 less than the GI and has just as good of performance.

Kite sponsors don't tell you what kind of board to ride :D They ride Trampa because it's the best nobody told Adam he has to ride Trampa. Pretty sure Peter Lynn didn't tell any of the other riders that either. Why would your sponsor make you ride a sub-par board?

MBS has a fairly large pre-owned seller base, and I think you would have a lot of fun on a Core or Comp 90. They make a very nice product, especially considering the market they have to fulfill.

Quote:

Originally posted by Seanny Kite sponsors don't tell you what kind of board to ride :D They ride Trampa because it's the best

You think the guys flying the ozone kites with "Trampa" screen printed on the back of the kite, out of their own pocket, paid to have "Trampa" printed on their kites?

These guys may have liked Trampa or PL or Ozone or whatever and began flying / using that gear for whatever reason, but they stick with it because they are sponsored to stick with it.

This is not just my opinion. It has been posted on various kite forums by sponsored, formerly sponsored or approached to be sponsored riders.

I'm not picking a fight with you. I don't care what people ride as long as they come home with a smile on their face. However, once you are sponsored you are not allowed to fly / ride / promote other gear.

Again, this is not simply my opinion but my rewording of previously posted information by various riders.

Of course you can't use other gear when you're sponsored :D But you can't ride a Peter Lynn landboard and fly a Trampa kite!

Adam is a great friend of mine, a mentor to me in so much more than kiting, and a professional rider for both Peter Lynn and Trampa -- When he tells me that the big time pros ride Trampa because they love it, I believe it, 100% but to each his own.

Sorry to digress :P

I think that the point B-Roc is trying to make is that there is an element in sponsorship that can be a little decieving. It's not unusual for a rider, no matter what the sport, to utilize equipment that may not be what they would normally pick if they were not sponsored.

This does not mean that the equipment isn't good.

But, it may not be what the rider would choose if it were up to them. Part of being sponsored is making sacrifices to keep your sponsors happy. As a result you make due with what your sponsor supplies or with what they request you ride because they made a sweetheart deal with another manufacturer.

To believe that sponsors don't tell thier riders what to ride is naive. I know U.S. Ski Team members who have lost sponsorships and shots at the Olympics over equipment choices that were counter to thier sponsor's wishes. But the choices were made for personal perfomance or safety reasons. That's how high level professional sponsorships can go sometimes.

If Adam was given the ultimatum to quit riding Trampa because PL wants him to ride somthing else he'd have to make a descision as to which sponsor he'd be willing to lose. And after, you Sean personally would know nothing about this ultimatum, would you still ride what Adam is riding or stick with what up to that point was known to you as the end all best product? My guess is you would go where Adam goes.

That's how sponsorship works.

"Pro Level" in my expirience are PAID sponsorships. Not just equipment, and expenses but BEING ON THE ACTUAL PAYROLL of the manufacturer. I'm a Peter Lynn sponsored kiter, I'm at the top level of my chosen discipline (speed) but I wouldn't introduce myself to someone as a "Pro Snowkiter". Peter Lynn is my only contractual sponsor. I have other companies that supply me with gear that are my "Supporters". They supply me with the gear because I'm going to use it, use it well and promote it. But I am not bound by contract to use thier stuff.

I think people throw the term "Pro" around a little too easily these days. Anyway enough about this sponsorship nonsense.

C Allen, I agree with Arkay. There's no reason to go nuts and blow a wad of cash on something until you get a skill set down and decide you really like it. Go with something that has a lot of good feedback as a starter board and go from there.

Unless you have knack for picking up stuff fast. Then I say go freakin nuts!:wee:

I understand what B-Roc is saying. I didn't mean to be confrontational. The only point I was trying to make is, pertaining to Peter Lynn, as far as I know they don't tell their landboarders what board to ride. They ride what they want because... they like it. I've been on a Trampa before, and I really like it too. I've heard absolutely nothing but good things about them from good, reliable people. I've also used a new GI board and my full time board is a GI Flight 93. Based on personal preference, I like the Trampa. If Adam was forced to switch boards and I didn't even know, I'd still want a Trampa. The only thing is, don't spend all the money on it unless you know for sure you're going to stick with it, because the board will last you for years.