Pondering a new free-ride board

[timwim1]

All-

I have been enjoying my "older" twin-tip board that I purchased new a few years back (5 years wow...). It is a 145 or something wipika board...

I am a 6 ft, svelte 185 lbs typically riding a 12 north rebel at 3rd Ave or a 15 in Alameda.

I have been enjoying a surfboard this season and could have not been happier to do so, it surly was an interesting transition from the twin-tip. But happy I did.

Anyhow, I was riding on the twin-tip again this weekend and in the 3 rd Ave chop and at speed it just is not very stable...

Thus chatted with some folks and the advice was to go soft flex with a 134 length to replace the older board. I should consider the Nobile 555 or a north X-ride for the conditions I typically ride. The goal would be to enhance my kiting experience and comfort level.

Anyhow I am intending to demo them before I fork over some hard earned cash? Any other board(s) I should consider? Note goal is for free riding and some jumping. No kickers or similar :).

Thanks for all you input,

Tim

[eag]

Tim,

If you're looking for a smooth freeride twin you definitely need to demo an OR mako. Look at the 140X40 for better jumping and all around or the 150X40 for better cruising.

Don't buy something else without at least trying one.

[mbzporvida]

:mrgreen: Check out this board by RRD very smooth with good pop :ugeek:

http://www.live2kite.com/rrd-poison-limited-p-633.html

[OliverG]

You can demo those boards mentioned, but certainly the Slingshot Lunacy should be tried too, a very nice high-perf freestyle board and STRONG too, I haven't broken mine yet! :shock:

[super_monkey]

You might also want to try a North Cesar Pro. It fits exactly your size and is overall an amazing board. I've been riding one for the past two seasons and after trying a lot of different boards I settled for that one.

[shred_da_gorge]

Definitely try the Mako, but in my experience you'll either love it or hate it. I'm similar in size and recommend the X-Ride 135 for choppy conditions. I ride a Slingshot right now that I'm pretty happy with, but it's a little heavy, and in trying a variety of boards I'll probably end up with an '09 X-Ride for next season. (The '08 is a good board but the '09 North straps are nicer).

[adamrod]

after being firmly in the "flex" camp, i recently moved to the "rocker" world and have been really really happy. Flexy boards can still beat you up in the chop and aren't very good at soft landings. I switched to a board with a bit more rocker and my knees have been so thankful.

here is what i would do if i were in your position. You probably have a number of friends who kite yes? Well, go out, kite with them, and then on the water, ask to borrow their board for a few tacks. do this with several boards. after trying 5 or 10, you'll get a very good understanding of what you like and don't like. you'll be able to compare them back to back with your board. this is much more useful than just going to a shop and demoing a board all day (what if the wind sucks that day, or the chop is particularly nasty...how do you know?). Remember, no board is perfect, so you're going to have to make some compromises. Your board choice is particularly important however, so it pays to take your time here.

I would also say that 134 is a bit small for you. I ride a 135 right now and i'm 160 lbs. I really do not understand why people insist on riding small boards. A bigger board is going to give you better upwind range and is going to be more comfortable in the chop. set up your stance a tad wider and the board won't feel very big at all. I would recommend you pick up something between a 136 and 139.

rocker, flex, width, length, pads&straps, core material, bottom contours, fin size....they all make a pretty big difference. don't settle on one board just because someone on the forum tells you it's great, or because the magazine gave it a good review....try them out, see what you like. It's important that you learn the pros&cons of the different features of a board...Even if you're pretty sure you want a flat board with a lot of flex say, you should still try riding a board with a bunch of rocker, so then you'll understand what that feels like.

In my mind, it's not about the brand or the model, it's about the specifics. Once you decide which features you like in a board (be it lots of rocker, lots of flex, small fins, a super wide board, lots of concave....) then look at the brands and see who carries something like that. Every company carries a pretty extensive board range, so all I'm saying is, try to understand where in a given board range you prefer to be, and then start looking at specific models and brands. make sense? I could give you my personal opinion about which board is best, or which features on a board are better than others, but I'd really rather you come to your own conclusions.

[Loscocco]

def give the Mako a try as its about the ultimate freeriding board. Very carvey and fun board that cuts thru chop well. It also jumps well and easy to ride.
If you want something a bit bigger you can get the Mako 150 but if you want a bit smaller and easy to travel with the 140 is the perfect twintip for all conditions

Good luck and have fun!!

[eag]

I'll second Adam's ideas on length. Unless it's a stiff wide plank, bigger boards ride better IMO. Look at a photo for a PKRA or other freestyle podium – most of the boards almost come up to the riders chins when stood up.

[zgur]

You already got some great advice. There are tons of variables in boards, and Adam captured most of those.

I would say the most critical aspect is to TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.

They all feel different.

I would add a Jaime L to your list of boards to consider. I have one for you to demo any weekend @ Sherman Island. It has a "Get Juicy" sticker on it.

Good winds, Zeev.