Pondering a new free-ride board

[Greg]

Your always welcome to try out my Slingy 136.. We'll get you a SX, Misfit, Len-10 Pro...
Give me a shout, I'm mostly at Sherman these dayz.
See you around the second island, I'm the old goon with the green helmet- hitting the kicker.
Enjoy-
L.M.G.

[jbirdmarin]

the only sport where hitting the kicker is encouraged

[knyfe]

Slingy Luncy as Ollie said. Also my first choice for unbeatable easy landings and great pop.

just go to 3rd and give very board a ride which is on the beach ( well ... ask first ;-))

You need to ride them before you buy. G

[cangumus]

Tim - I ride the Nobile 555 (137) and really like it. Its easy on the knees, eats up chop and has good overall performance. That said, you should definitely try out a bunch of boards before you buy something. I know the shack at Alameda has demo Nobiles but if you are at 3rd, you can take mine out too...(i ride a green/black 9m slingshot rev on most days). The process of finding the right board is as fun as actually finding it...so enjoy :-)

[Nor-Cal-Kite-shop]

Hi there

The new litewave spirit is also a really good board. It comes in 132, 137 and 144, people are saying great things about the bindings and the price is really competitive for such a high quality top design board, you can demo one from us nor cal surf shop if you would like to see for your self.

Its got great pop when you load it up and a nice compromise between upwind ability, rocker and flex.

Check it out here http://www.norcalsurfshop.com/Kiteboard ... e.tpl.html

Regards
Mike
Nor Cal Surf Shop
650-348-9283

[elli]

Also try the FLX. If you like the 555, you are going to like it and then some. Actually 555 and 666 originally had the same outline and rocker as the FLX. Maybe it changed over the years, but a couple of years ago they were basically expensive versions of FLX.

FLX is everything on your list, its light and strong, freestyle board that is also great in chop. Good pop, excellent landings, good grip, IMO this is a benchmark board to measure against (at least since 2006 version). For me every board I test has to answer one question: Like it more than the current FLX or not. Very simple :)

This board was so successful that at least other two boards were made in its shape, so you may find the same thing from other brands for less $.

Re Mako: you have to give it a try. Its something different, but there is a long list of people that swear by them. Chop buster and carve specialist. Its as close to a directional as a TT gets. The riding posture is the less tiring than any other TT, especially a lot less than the square flat freestyle boards. If you are one of those guys that ride until they get tired you will be a lot more time on the water with it. I actually have a couple of them. As much as I like them, the FLX sees more use recently.

[a3rd a3rd a3rd]

Definitely try the FLX. I have a 2009 135, very light, rides great, nice pop. Graphics are cool too. They also look good in photos.

[elli]

One important note on this subject

Many sponsored riders commented on this thread without stating their brand affiliation. Of course they had a long wish list for a dream board and magically only one board from their sponsored company filled it. Amazing coincidence. Especially when it happens so many times in one thread.

In other words: Take what you read here with a grain of salt, well that is an understatement.
I can tell you about FLX, underground does not have sponsored riders in this area that I know of or ever met (I can be wrong on this). By word of mouth this is one of the most popular boards in the bay area. Look at what the average non-sponsored people ride on your beach. That's the best way to tell.

[kitenaked]

Adams first post without any mention of brands was right on....

Try them all.

Anybody got a Mako up in Sherman the next weekend or two? I am curious...

[dpca10]

Tim I pm'd you