pavedwave longboarding

FLEX400 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

Hi Im new to this site and I am looking for a board to buy but not sure what to buy I am looking at this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISA...6629&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT I just want it to have a play on when my son is on his scooter Ive been riding short bourds for years on ramp so its all new to me Im 6 foot and 200lb

thanks FLEX

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 415 Location: Seattle, WA

If all youre looking for is something cheap to push around while you hang out with your son, i dont see any problem with this setup. On the other hand, you get what you pay for and this is dirt cheap. Personally, i think you would have more fun picking up a slightly higher quality setup (maybe a sector nine or arbor deck, randal trucks, name brand wheels). Getting something that will perform reasonably and last for a while is probably better than picking up the cheapest one you can find. That being said, i dont know what the situation is like 'down under' or how hard it might be to get a reasonably priced quality setup.

pavedwave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 1115 Location: seattle wa usa

I agree, that deck seems adequate, but you might find a good deal on some Sector9 deck as well. The ebay ad just mentions "reverse kingpin trucks" so you could be getting some real crap there, its hard to say. But from my experience the "bulk" eBay sellers go as possibly cheap as they can on everything to get the best markup possible.

I don't know the availability in AUS but can you get your hands on some Randals, Holeys, or Crails for trucks? Visiting a longboard skate shop would be the best, where you can stand on some stuff and maybe push it a little ways first...get a feel for the quality / roll of the wheels, and the turniness of the bushings.

This guy might be a good resource for some questions and other stuff regarding what parts you can easily get from where you are-- and maybe further down the road if you decide you want a deck more "specialty" built for you: http://skateboarddownhill.com/about_us

FLEX400 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks for the reply, I went and had a look at some sector9 boards and must say they make a nice looking board can you help me out with all the different shape's whats suits what and I noticed that some had the gullwing sidwinders on and some had the reverse king pin trucks on them in your apinion whats better to get.

thanks FLEX

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 415 Location: Seattle, WA

I think the best board in the sector nine lineup is the Trylam (sometimes called T3). Its a pretty basic oblong shape but has a very nice flex for pumping. Other than that, I would look for a board between 36 and 42 inches long (do aussies use inches?) with some degree of flex. Once you spend some time on it, youll probably discover what it is you like about longboarding and then youll have a better idea of your setup needs. A board that isnt stiff as a rock and not way too flexy will give you more options than a board on the extremes of flexiness. As for trucks, im not a fan of sidewinders at all. Ive used the chargers (reverse kingpin) and theyre not terrible, fun enough for a first setup. I havent tried the gullwing conventional trucks or the alpines so i just dont know. Any wheels in the 65-75 mm range should work fine, i think most of the completes ship with 70mm 78a nineball wheels, theyre not terrible.

FLEX400 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

I was in at the local skate shop today and I like sector 9 bullet whats your thourghts on this one.

LDPanda · Joined: 21 Nov 2008 Posts: 415 Location: Seattle, WA

The bullet looks to be a drop through with a speedboard shape to it. Its low to the ground which will make it easier to push and stable. The way it comes complete (with chargers and 70mm raceforms) is pretty ideal for kicking around a bike path or whatever. Its not really ideal for pumping but it should be nice for pushing, some downhill, sliding, cruising and carving. If it looks fun to you, i say go for it. You might find you really like downhill or sliding, which it would be great for. You might also find that you want a more pumpable ride, and thats ok too. I think for a first board, its best to dive right in, then figure out what you like to do on it. Then youll get a better idea of what you want as your second board Smile

FLEX400 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks Panda its had to tell what board will be good Im just trying to do as much research as I can first ,I seen on youtube the apex 37 and they were using it for a bit of everything and thats when I seen the s9 bullet and to me they looked like a simular sort of board whats your appinion.

danjamesmick@gmail.com · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Cairns Australia

I'm in oz I used to ride old fibreglass flexy little boards up and down my parents driveway when I was a kid through to my teen years. 10-15 years later I jumped straight in and bought a roeracing mermaid because I knew I wanted to do ldp as soon as I read about it on silverfish...

I think if you were thinking seriously about giving a bit of everything a go ldp, downhill etc and were ok spending a little bit of money then maybe a g-bomb might give the ultimate flexibility.. theres a big thread on it under the setups-boards section on the forum and though I haven't tried it theres obviously a few people on this forum who could vouch for its quality... and

PRICE-WISE with our oz exchange rate on the up at the moment even after postage of up to 50-60 USD the 240USD price tag (approx 265 AUD maybe low 300's with postage) is going to be a reasonable price for a complete esp compared to the prices the stores charge for anything longboard like with dubitable quality components over here (for comparison we pay 420AUD+ for a loaded vanguard complete from somewhere like www.boardshop.com.au (500+ at some other places) whereas you could order the same board from stoked and get it here including shipping of nearly 60USD for a total of around 330AUD. www.skaterhq.com.au has a sector9 carbon spoontail 39" with gullwing charger trucks and 69mm 9ball wheels for 330AUD which I would imagine is somewhat less versatile than a g-bomb with randal 150's and orangotangs for comparison www.daddiesboardshop.com sell the s9 carbon spoontail it for 153USD ~ 170AUD)

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RE PURCHASING HERE I can't imagine that you'll get a much better deal from a store here AND unless its a proper skateboard store (not a surf and clothing store) then theres no service, help and advice advantage to purchasing there either...

SUPPORTING LOCAL? and if you wanted to support local forget supporting non-value add importers distributors and check out FSU or grombiz instead (though I've no experience with their products they seem worth a look and have similar angle adjustability though your stuck with their truck and I'm not sure if its good for LDP on the front or if any of their boards are good for ldp either)

Unless you find a great store here then ordering from the US will likely get you a better deal, better components and arrival from time of shipping is usually only 5 business days if they send USPS priority international (fairly standard shipping in my experience of getting shoes and a skateboard sent here from different US stores) IMO (if you have any experience that is contrary please let me know)

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