I've just finished building a traction kite (a 3 sq m design called a Junkie, it's one of the designs supplied with foilmaker) and have been having fun flying it, but now I'd like to have something for it to pull me around on, a mountain board seems the best choice. Being that I'm skint and enjoy making things I'd like to make the board myself, I don't see the deck being too much problem as I've made a longboard (skateboard) and I reckon I could manage trucks aswell, the main sticking point seems to be the wheels, ATB wheels seem well expensive, any ideas on alternatives? Also I've had a look at the dirt-surfer and kite scooter websites, these look cool and reduce the number of wheels I need!:D Does anyone have any thoughts on these, and can you give me some details on the steering. From what I can tell it seems to be front wheel only steering, and it works by having the front wheel mounted on a castor. Is the castor sprung to centre, or is it completely free?
Any ideas or comments welcome.
Tim

try the local diy stores(home base) have them and so do many big garden centres, they have good air tyres too


atb colin.

an old snowboard and skateboard trucks... nice flex and the width gives it some stability for higher speed carving

i have been considering the same thing for quite a while, what to build, or buy. my only thoughts on the subject are, if you want speed, don't go with a mountainboard type design/setup, you'll get the wobble of death. if you want maneuverability, and easy bi-directional way riding, then buy or make a mountainboard, you will never fly fast though.