Ok,

Once i get my tax return i'm buying my board. budget is $400 or less.

Here are the players i am looking at.
GI Patrol 106
MBS Comp 16

Opinions are good. Also, anyone know anything about the Scrub boards? Especially the Furnace Creek Series 2?

Alright so you know my budget, give me some more ideas if you have them.

I'm leaning toward the GI board, but let's see what you all think. Oh and since i will probably be buying online, where do you recommend?

-Dusty-

Scrub i never really liked much for kites, they are a bit chunky. It's a shame you can't get trampa decks over here (english) they're made of carbon and awesome decks...

Of course, these are IMO the best boards in the world for kite landboarding...
http://www.design-extreme.co.uk/intro.htm

failing that, the comp16 is a great board but i've not tried ground industries stuff... see if you can try some out

The only ones i can try in town are the MBS ones, and i have tried them. Not bad, but i can't get the Comp 16 in town and i don't want to go with the core 8 or pay the extra for the comp 24x.

Thanks for the input.

-Dusty-

Why didn't you like the core8? i actually really like that board for kiting, nice and light weight

I kinda want channel trucks. That is the only thing i don't like about the core 8

ahh yes... if you are going for speed runs then i guess that's the best option - i'm not really so into speed so skate trucks work nicely for me

I have no problem with air, or with speed, or with both, but i do know that i like to go fast so i figure the channel trucks are the way to go. Or i could go with the Core 8 and upgrade the trucks once i am getting to the threshold.

Dunno.

I have had a Scrub Regolith for about a year and I am loving it. Very well made. Good looking style. I didn't like egg shocks it came with it (I think it is soft) so replaced them with Trampadampa medium egg shocks. Now it's perfect balance for beach ride. - Brian

I just need my money now. From what i am seeing pretty much all the ones in the same price range should be comparable.

So i was looking at weights just now.

MBS Core 8 is like 12lbs.
MBS Comp 16 is like 14lbs.
MBS 24x is like 20lbs.

GI Patrol 106 is like 14lbs.

So for the two i am really considering the weight isn't an issue.

-Dusty-

You can't go wrong with either. I've played on the core 8 and comp 16 but never kited with them. It was my intention to buy an MBS but I got a better deal on my GI board and I love that board. I'd recommend you get whatever the "local" guy is selling so you support him. The boards are different but I wouldn't say either company is superior to the other if you are spending $300 - 400 on a board.

That does make some sense.. How fast can you take a core 8 before wobbling too badly?

I am actually gonna see what it takes to become a GI dealer. We have so few stores that sell mountain boards here and none sell GI.

Just need some cash now and i can go board.. Thanks for all the advice guys.

If you have room for one more board, have you considered the Dirtsurfer? the new 16" Freestyle GP is coming out very soon at around $300, plus right now they have a free 30 day trial with free shipping. I'm not a dealer, just someone who really loves his sport (many here who met me at NABX can attest to that)

I notice you said you like to go fast, well what a coincidence, the inline board has no speed wobbles. In fact the faster you go, the more stable it becomes as gyroscopic force pulls the wheel center. I thinks it's safe to say I was probably the fastest landboarder at NABX (when the wind was up),as I was passing all of them (and quite a few buggies) and no one was passing me except for buggies and the occassional landsailor. Anyone feel free to challenge me on this.

Guys are also getting some impressive air with these things, with and without wind power.

They are uni-directional, but it's a fair trade-off to me for
-Lower rolling resistance than an ATB
-Phenomenal upwind ability
-No speed wobbles
-Contrary to how they look, are easy to learn
-Have a more effective disk brake than ATB's, standard on all models
-Look cooler to ride!
-Toeside is thrill anyways!

So if you have an open mind and used to/still do surf (many akin this to surfing) or snowboard, the dirtsurfer is worth a look.

Whatever you decide on, good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of kite/landboarding!

I do want to get a dirt surfer at some point..

So many options...

How much do you weigh Dusty?

DaVinch:Around 165lbs.

Kiteboarder2B:One quick queswtion about the dirtsurfer... Does that front wheel have resistance to turning (like a t-board) or is it free turning within it's limits?

-Dusty-

Ratindahat= no, it has a positive castor that freely moves the swingarm as you lean. In fact the positive castor is what allows the wheel to be pulled center by gyrospcopic force as your speed increases, the faster the speed, the heavier the force applied to the swing arm.

the swing arm is limited in the amount of "play" by the frame rails that enclose the swingarm.

Rat,

I don't know about the US but here in the UK the new MBS range is out in about a week. They have done a new truck called the Vector (IIRC) which uses the majority of a channel truck system but a skate suspension system (just elastomer sans shocks).

Worth noting because a) the vector truck saves weight but is more stable than a skate truck and b) because if they are coming out in the US as well an old spec Comp 16 board might be up for discount.

Also, the Scrub boards are a good budget option (though at $400 you'd be looking at some serious kit). I just got an '06 Ejector for circa £80 (about $160) because the Scrub range is about to all change too. It's a composite deck and flexes nicely with me on it (155-160lb) without feeling too weedy like the MBS core 8 that I tried.

Didn't realise that the new lines are on their way out.

Thanks for the info.

Hi
I have both the GI Patrol and the MBS 26.
The GI is my Favorite for landboarding. Fast and curvy.
The MBS is Heavy and goes straight.. Great for downhills, or going over stuff .lol
Im 240 lbs and the GI is perfect..

Check out the new Scrubs at ...

http://www.powerkites.de/modules.php?name=prod&kat=3&...

They will be in the US and available to dealers in about three weeks.

I'm gonna try and get dealer status for MBS, GI, and Dirtsurfer. there is a lack of market support in my state and i think this is one of the best places to ride.

So i just got my business license today. My business is named Zero Traction.

Still not sure what brand i am gonna go with for my personal board.

-Dusty-

I just got home from my local kite shop. I needed some new bearings and I was getting some new (softer T3s) for my GI board. Now that I'm more familiar with boards and bindings and trucks, I think if I had to do it all over again, I would have gone with an MBS.

I bought my GI because it was a better deal than the MBS at the time but after bouncing around again today on the MBSs in the store all I can say is - dang, those are sweet boards. I played on the Core 8, Comp 6 and Pro 6 and REALLY liked the Pro 6. The hubs on all the MBS boards rocked - not sure what alloy they are but they are super cool looking. The boards were all composite with super flex and the wheels seemed good enough. The bindings were definately better than the GI bindings but the trucks on the GI boards are better, IMO than the goose egg suspension on the MBS.

The MBS was nice to ride around the parking lot but I think the GI trucks are more beefy and they have less components so they are more simple.

GI deck is more stiff which would be better for bomber runs, Not sure which is stronger.

I still love my board and think GI makes a great product but if you could get MBS bindings, GI trucks and then pick your board - it would be killer. Those two companies should merge and that would be one sick board.

You can B-Roc. Trampa makes blank composite decks and you can choose your ply and have the holes drilled out (by Trampa) for whichever trucks and bindings you want.

I Have both Gi and MBS.. To me, the GI bindings are way better then the MBS, again, To Me...
I have the MBS 26, and Never liked or felt good in its bindings.
The Gi's Talon Binding - I Love em'.. lol .. so I guess its what Ya prefer..
I do wish the Gi came with 9in tires..The Gi Patrol looks little next to my Mbs 26..

*******************
sami 3m
sami 5m
blade IV 4.9m
MBS 26
GI Patrol

Are the axles the same size on the MBS and GI boards?

-Dusty-

Have you thought about the mbs comp 6? mine is great. a lot o pop with a light carbon deck. i little shorter than the 16, so not for you BIG guys. i am 165lbs and 5'10".

m

hadn't thought about the comp 6

Quote:

Originally posted by BigSiler The Gi's Talon Binding - I Love em'.. lol .. so I guess its what Ya prefer..

I have the Talons (foam not leather version) and like them but I find the rachet mechanism loosens as you ride them especially if you are riding hard. The binding bad itself also can slip and the washers on them cut right through the material. The MBS bindings seemed to hold a tighter fit and wrapped around my foot more - but that was in the store and not while riding. All-in-all though, the GI setup has worked real nice for me and I just put in some dark blue cubes and it is a totally new board now - super carvey - much better than the yellows.