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Beginner Longboard

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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
So I've been wanting to try longboarding for a few summers now, and now I'm trying to pick one out.

I'm looking for something that would work as a cruiser (I don't plan on doing DH for a while) that has a kicktail, and isn't super long, but is longer than a normal skate deck, so somewhere around 35" (But something that you can still ollie). I also want to start trying some slides so I can eventually move into some mellow DH.

I skate a few times a week, but I've never really gone longboarding (aside from a few times I've used my friend's when we're just going around town).

So what would be a good board to start with that would function as a transition from the skate park to DH, but would be more of a cruiser? I know little about skate gear in general, and even less about longboards, so any help is appreciated (and will be rewarded with some k, as always). Just looking around at a couple boards that might fit, I saw the Sector 9 Nicaragua, Sector 9 Snapper, and the Landyachtz Trooper... But I still don't know too much about them.

Thanks!
Apr 30 2012 6:40PM
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TNORTS
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 2,761
The comet ethos 37 is exactly what you are looking for. This board is great with caliber 50 trucks and yellow stims. Make sure you get bearing spacers and crank your wheels all the way down. Most of the people who complain about otangs chattering don't use bearing spacers.
Apr 30 2012 7:23PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
Landyachtz Loco 37 maybe? It's a tech slide deck but it had a skateboard shape
Apr 30 2012 7:37PM
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cbucklen
Posts: 65 - Karma: 12
the loaded fat tail seems like it would be good for what you want to do loaded boards are wicked expensive though

Apr 30 2012 7:55PM
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shred_nasty
Posts: 76 - Karma: 11
arbor makes some beginner kicktail longboards and when you get into it a little more consider the dropcarve 36 by landyachtz.
Apr 30 2012 8:14PM
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TNORTS
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 2,761
Dont get loaded or arbor. Your going to hate both after you get more into longboarding. The landyachts techslide deck is an interesting option. Also reminded me of the earthwing hightailer, which is basically a big ass skateboard.
Apr 30 2012 8:29PM
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FerrisBueller
Posts: 8280 - Karma: 5,173
Kracked Skulls dude.

Really this is the perfect type of board for you. Lifetime guarantee and customizable to fuck.

http://www.krackedskulls.com/?pg=ksebay

So cheap for such an amazing board.




Apr 30 2012 8:31PM
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FerrisBueller
Posts: 8280 - Karma: 5,173
( ^ if you wanna get something w/out kicktail and that will last you untill your ready to DH)
Apr 30 2012 8:32PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,269
The ethos is sick, although I would take a look at regular style trucks too. They're much lower and make ollies feel more normal if you're a skateboarder. And indys are probably a bit lighter too. If you're comfortable going fast and set up the bushings right they're fine for speed, despite what people say. That being said you'll probably be happy with a set of 50 cals too.

I've never ridden stims, I have ridden abec 11 78a classic freerides and 80a metro motions and would recommend both of them. Both slide excellently.
Apr 30 2012 8:33PM
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TNORTS
Posts: 2077 - Karma: 2,761
good call on the indies, wheel bite might be an issue however. Not sure because I dont know anyone whos set them up on indies. I have on friend who has his set up on calibers and another on parises. Both are great trucks for the board.
Apr 30 2012 8:44PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,269
Yeah, I mean running indies might require smaller wheels. I see many people complain about wheelbite with indies, and when you ask what wheels they have they're like 75mm or something huge and a tiny or no riser. Well no kidding.

If you do choose indies, and have a local shop that carries longboard stuff just go in and ask them if you can test for wheelbite. They'll probably let you. And everything is better with a little modification. If you're confident in your sanding skills, make the wheel wells a bit deeper if necessary. It should be entirely possible to set that board up with indies and decently large wheels though. And look up how to knock out the kingpin and replace the bushings.
Apr 30 2012 8:48PM
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pandasteeze
Posts: 382 - Karma: 38
Earthwing superglider or miniglider would be good to look into
Apr 30 2012 10:02PM
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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
Thanks for all the responses, got some good help here.

I still haven't decided on one, but I forgot to say that I'm on a relatively low budget--ideally below 200 dollars. I looked at the Ethos, and it looked great, but I can't really afford it.

Because I don't really want to spend too much, I'll also most likely be buying a board complete, instead of buying a deck and components separately...

So keep the ideas coming!
May 1 2012 9:02PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 922
I've read some good things about the comet shred series if you liked the look of the ethos. I doubt you'll find much better at $160 complete.
http://www.daddiesboardshop.com/comet-shred-35-complete-longboard.aspx
They also have the 38 in stock for the same price and you can upgrade the wheels/bearings and still keep it under $200.
May 1 2012 11:10PM
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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
So I was looking around, and saw that Ehler's makes really cheap completes... A 36" kicktail complete was 75$. I was wondering why this brand would be so cheap, anyone know much about this company?
May 2 2012 10:08PM
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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
Also got a chance to check out the Arbor Mission and Sector 9 Snapper in a shop, and they both felt pretty nice... at least I think haha. Would a swallowtail be more difficult to ollie than a normal kicktail, or does that really matter?
May 2 2012 10:48PM
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COCKTOMUS_PRIME
Posts: 385 - Karma: 22
loaded dervish or tan tien. tan tien has tails
May 2 2012 11:21PM
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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
Eh those are a little out of my price range. But thanks for the suggestion
May 2 2012 11:44PM
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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
Oh and I'm about 5'8" and around 140 lbs. Right now I'm really thinking about the Snapper and the Mission, since they're the only ones I've actually seen... still not decided though
May 3 2012 7:59PM
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owls
Posts: 62 - Karma: 13
if your looking for a transitional board that is close to a skateboard i might recommend the biscuit by holesom ( http://holesom.com/one/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=82 )
I personally have not rode on the board, although i have read good reviews and if cost is not an issue this might be a cool one to by as everthing is handmade in thier warehouse using materials such as bamboo and hemp. I myself ride a 45" gravity pintail just for cruising.
May 5 2012 12:24AM
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Stope.Neeze
Posts: 594 - Karma: 148
just tossing these out there
http://www.bustinboards.com/
if the website doesnt work look up bustin boards in google you wont regret it
May 5 2012 5:06PM
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avocado.
Posts: 262 - Karma: 247
longboard larry DK penguin. awesome for freestyle and sliding.you can cruise on pretty much every board
May 5 2012 6:02PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
comet ethos for 140
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.com/forum/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=8523&title=ethos-39-complete&cat=14

buy it.
May 5 2012 8:45PM
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j.saaaarela
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 856
Those Bustin's are looking interesting, and i'll keep my eye on that Ethos, but those others are a little pricey for what I can afford to spend right now.
May 5 2012 11:03PM
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