Sector 9

So far I have reviewed and recommended some really fantastic boards, all of which are sure to satisfy. So now it is time to talk about some that surely will not leave you satisfied. If there is any one brand of longboard that I would never recommend that anyone waste their money on it is Sector 9. Sector 9 boards just do not compare with the competition. In fact they really are not in competition with any of the boards that I have mentioned previously. No serious longboarder rides Sector 9, and for good reason, they just are not good boards. Sector 9 produces mostly carver boards, none of which perform as well as their competitor’s models. The simple fact is they don’t hold up well and won’t do what other boards will.

You won’t really get off cheaper buying a Sector 9 deck either. In fact you can usually expect to pay between 100 and 200 dollars depending on the deck you choose. The point being that you will pay a comparable amount to what you would for a better board, the Original Torpedo for example, but you will get a lower quality product.

(image from facebook.com)

Original Torpedo

Perhaps you are not looking for a speed board, but you don’t want something as exotic as a 55 inch Dancer either. If that is the case then you most likely want to go with a carver. And if it’s a carver you want then look no further than the Original Torpedo. The Torpedo is the most unique carver on the market, and by far the best option if you want a smooth riding board that also allows for some variety in your ride.

The Torpedo truly is a one of a kind carver, it has a slight concave to it which keeps your feet in position on the deck as you slice into turns and its full kick tail even gives you the option of curb hopping. Not only is the deck impressive but the Torpedo offers a unique truck set up as well which meshes with the design of the board to allow for sharper carving and a ride that is almost like being on a surfboard.

If you want a carver than the Original Torpedo is definitely the only way to go. There just aren’t any other carvers out there that can compete with it. It is also the perfect choice for those college students who just want a board to take them to and from class. The price isn’t too bad either; the whole set up from Original will run you about 170 dollars.

(image from originalskateboards.com)

Loaded Dancer

Thus far we have examined two great speed boards. But not every rider is looking for speed. If you want something that is the exact opposite of the speed boards I have discussed so far, than I recommend the Loaded Dancer. It is, as the name implies, a deck built for dancing. The deck is 55 inches in length, which provides the ideal surface for dancing. However, this board is one which requires quite a bit of experience and skill to ride. In order to perform any of the tricks that this board is built for, excellent balance and coordination are required. But if you are rider who posses those talents then this board may be for you. One important thing to note as well is that boards such as this with long, narrow decks are not intended for carving. In order to carve the rider must throw all of his weight into the turn, which will be a more difficult task for larger people, though not impossible. Overall The Loaded Dancer is a great deck and an excellent choice for riders who aren’t necessarily looking for speed, but like to put on a show.

(image from loadedboards.com)

Rayne Hellcat

The Evo may be my personal favorite, but there are many other great boards worth considering. One such board is the Rayne Hellcat. Just like the Evo, the Hellcat is built for speed. It is a dropthrough deck that maintains a low ground clearance of about one to two inches. The Hellcat offers performance similar to the Evo. It can attain high speeds while still maintaining stability. The board itself though is quite different from the Evo. The Evo is wider at the front, where as the Hellcat maintains the same width between the trucks. The Hellcat is a great choice for anyone, but if you are a heavy person than this board may be perfect for you. It is extremely stable at any speed, and since it is a dropthrough, it requires more force to carve and to slide. This is good for heavier people because it means that the board won’t come out from under you when you take a corner. The Hellcat is also available in carbon fiber for those riders looking to get a little bit more out their boards. Of course any carbon fiber isn’t going to be cheap, in this case you can look to spend around 400 dollars. However the standard Hellcat is quite affordable, in the 100 to 150 price range.

(image from raynelongboards.com)

Landyachtz Evo

Perhaps my favorite deck is the Landyachtz Evo. The Evo is a dropdown board built for speed. It has a ground clearance of about two inches, which is the perfect height for this type of board. Being lower to the ground means two things: greater speed and increased stability. Since the deck is only two inches from the ground, the rider can easily attain speeds upward of forty miles per hour without experiencing the speed wobble that would certainly occur on most other boards. The Shape of the board is another key factor in its design. The Evo is wider in the front than it is in the back. This design element is important because it allows for smooth, effortless sliding when you want it, and control when you don’t.

The one downfall I see with the Evo is its weight. According to Landyachtz, the board is about ten pounds, so it is certainly not a lightweight board. But the Evo offers the best down hill ride you could ask for, so it is definitely worth carrying the extra weight. However, if you are a serious boarder, and are willing to dig deep in your wallet in order to get a lighter deck, then for you the Evo is also available in Carbon Fiber. The Carbon Fiber model is far lighter than its 11 ply wooden counterpart. The carbon fiber model is only for experienced riders, but if you can handle it then it may be a great option for you, as it offers a dramatic increase in speed and a serious drop in weight. But as I said, you will have to pay for that reduction in weight and increase in speed. The standard wooden deck is available from anywhere between 100 and 150 dollars, depending on where you shop. However, the carbon fiber model will set you back at 600 dollars.

(image from landyachtz.com)

Introduction

The world of longboarding is one with many choices. Boards of every kind give you the option to ride any way that you please, anywhere that you please. There are dropdowns, dropthroughs, carvers, dancers and cruisers; each designed in a different way for a different purpose. With so many decks to choose from, it may be hard to determine which is right for you. Hopefully this blog will help make the decision a little easier.