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March, 2024

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Need help choosing my first longboard. Any longboarders please help.

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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,016
I'm actually posting this in quite a few areas, as I'm looking for a good amount of opinions.

I'm 130 pounds and looking to start longboarding this summer. I'd like to spend 150 or around that. I'm mainly looking to do flat/kinda flat cruising with some hills, and major hills when I get better. Not really looking for tricks.

I've kinda narrowed it down to 3 boards. I'm not really looking for any new suggestions since they can go on forever. I kinda would just like to know which one of these would be my best option and why, etc.

Option 1: Buddy Carr 39. I really like the look of this one more than any other, so if people can vouch that this company/board is good, it may be the one I go with.
http://www.buddycarrskateboards.com/#192396/39-Longboard-Complete

Option 2: Original Malakai 40.
http://www.originalskateboards.com/longboards/malakai-40-longboard

Option 3: Gravity Carve 1.
http://www.gravityboard.com/pages/gstore/boards/c39.html

Any help would be great. Also if you could provide the trucks and wheels that would be the best with whichever one you say, that would be even better. +Karma for all replies.
Apr 12 2010 10:12PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
Well I don't hVe any of those, but I can personally reccomend you a board. Check out krackedskulla.com. They have amazing decks for the type of riding you are looking for. I have a 44' scimitar wiu abec11 wheels and Randall trucks. So cheap, such good customer service, such a fun fucking board.
Apr 12 2010 10:33PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
I only know about originals of those three. They are super turny and great for pumping and carving. However they won't be good over 20 but will be a sick board for flat land
Apr 12 2010 10:43PM
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D-Ross
Posts: 308 - Karma: 16
Just got a Never Summer Eclipse. Love it. http://www.neversummer.com/skate/eclipse.html
Apr 12 2010 10:47PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,221
1. get on silverfish
2. its hard to recommend longboards because they ride differently for people because of weight, location, etc.
3. have fun
Apr 12 2010 10:49PM
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Number_9
Posts: 429 - Karma: 8
Read my signature and join it :)

Also, out of the three, I'd probabaly go with the Gravity. That's just me though!
Apr 12 2010 10:53PM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
dont go on silverfish...terrible website with a bunch of goofs just blabbing
Apr 12 2010 10:54PM
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dirtylion27
Posts: 403 - Karma: 21
stay away from originals, and anything with gulwing trucks. go to silverfishlongboarding.com and lurk around in the general discussion and longboard reviews
Apr 12 2010 10:55PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,016
what do u mean by good over 20?
Apr 12 2010 10:56PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,016
also i am on silverfish
Apr 12 2010 10:57PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
I always recommend Original because riding an original just feels better than riding any other board. They have different trucks, that are spring loaded. This allows them to turn harder than regular trucks, but the tension of the spring makes the board want to return to center. For example, if you fall off a regular board mid-turn, the board will keep going in the same direction by itself because the bushing stays in the same spot. If you fall off an Original board mid turn the board will immediately start going straight because it needs the weight of you leaning on it to make it turn. This means for you that you can lean your body out really far into your turns like you would on a snowboard or surfboard, as opposed to having to keep your weight centered like on a regular skateboard. You turn with your whole body instead of just your legs/ankles. But don't get Original if you plan on doing hills later because you won't be able to bomb hills on it. They also are not ideal for beginners because they are kind of squirelly.

Kracked Skulls is IMO the ultimate beginner board overall for price/performance/flexability. You can do everything on it, it'll carve great, hold like a tank on steep hills (to an extent, its not for serious DH but I've been over 30mph carving hard turns on mine), its big and wide enough for dancing, and it'll slide ok too once you break in your wheels a little. Original, by comparison, will really only carve and slide, good luck dancing on one lol. Not stable enough.

If you have lots of money to blow buy a Loaded Dervish but if you are on a budget and want to spend under $200 then KS is the way to go. You won't regret it. I suggest the Schimitar (sp?) with Randals and BigZigs and standard bearings.


Apr 12 2010 11:01PM
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apcaipse
Posts: 2168 - Karma: 25
Hey, I'm wanting to get into longboarding as well, I was looking at the loaded dervish with Gullwing Charger trucks, Otangs in heat wheels, and Bones Swiss bearings. Would that be a good board? I'm really just looking to learn and advance and have a board go with me.

Any help / advice?
Apr 12 2010 11:02PM
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Dbouch
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 13
I have the original malakai 40, great board, awesome turns, but what he means is because of the original truck design, spring instead of a bushing, things tend to get a little wobbly over 20 miles per hour, but still a great board, highly recommend it.
Apr 12 2010 11:08PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,016
thanks for all the replies, keep em comin
lookin like i might go with the gravity or the buddy carr. i keep reading about the kracked skulls but i don't think i'm gonna go with that company.
Apr 12 2010 11:32PM
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TheDude
Posts: 2058 - Karma: 117

one thing to remember is that a long board lasts a long time (if you dont abuse it) so be willing to spend a little extra in the beginning\, because in the end you'll be really happy

Apr 12 2010 11:50PM
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Number_9
Posts: 429 - Karma: 8
Joint he cult in my signature for all your longboard needs :)

Also, that would be a great board, besides the gullwings. Get Randall II 180's instead. Are you looking at the Orange Otang (80a), or Purple Otang (83a) In Heats? The purple might be a little bit more advanced, since they're harder thus better for sliding. But you could probabaly handle both.

You made a good choice with a Dervish and Otangs, however.
Apr 12 2010 11:53PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Don't get Gullwing Charger trucks. Get Randals or Paris, preferably Randals. On a longboard trucks make a huge difference in how the board turns and feels, and Gullwing trucks is the reason that no one likes Sector 9 boards. Seriously just trust me on this one it'll make all the difference. Gullwings feel crappy and wobble at high speeds.
Apr 13 2010 12:13AM
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n8myton
Posts: 395 - Karma: 24
So if I want to get into longboarding, will I be disappointed if I pick up one of the longboards that rotate onto WhiskeyMilitia?
Apr 13 2010 7:43AM
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TrevorModzeleski
Posts: 156 - Karma: 87
i have a sector 9 myself but you should get a neversummer there perfect for all around cruising and cheap
Apr 13 2010 7:54AM
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MattWeiss
Posts: 1005 - Karma: 377
this is all that needs to be said, Otang in heats (83a), plus randal or paris trucks
Apr 13 2010 8:03AM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
so, usually i roll into a thread like this and rep the fuck out of kracked skullz and landyachts.

but, fuck that, buy the buddy carr board because that thing looks fucking DOPE. seriously. im about to order one myself.
Apr 13 2010 8:41AM
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