What kite board to buy ????????

[st00pid]

I read this website often but have never posted so lets see how much help you can be Basically i'm screwed and need a new board, I have a three year old card board which was my first board and I have scraped and dented the hell out of it then a fortnight ago hit half submerged rock in the shallows so it's as good as finished.

I ride 2008 naish cults from about 14kn to 30kn and I would like one board to cover my wind range at 90kg. What are some suggestions, there's no kite shops around me so i'll be buying based on feedback.

[Jason]

Do you ride-

• Flat water?
  Waves?
  Chop?

Do you want-

• Speed?
  Carving?
  Comfort?
  Pop?
  Big air?

[koma]

Only thing to add to the list that Jason made up is price/budget.

I was in the same situation as you towards the end of last season. The thread i posted was called 'The search for a new board', which might be of some use to you.

The summary of it all was that i ended up with a Nobile 666 and i reckon it's the ducks nuts! Only thing that came close for me was the Flexifoil Omega.

[Badatit]

I think Koma has the main criteria noted there. Budget.

you should think about the things you liked in your old board and list those. then the suggestions for boards that do similar things might start flowing.

[st00pid]

I travel a lot but most of what I ride is less than chop but a bit more than flat water. Ideally I would like something that is comfortable so I can't feel every ripple turn to vibration and something that doesn't have to much flex through the middle of the board just the tips. What do you think about the ocean rodeo zen ?

Budget I would like to keep the board below $1200 complete, if it comes with rank footpads then below $1000 so I can put some decent footpads on there like a set of liquid force.

[koma]

So you want a smooth riding board that's a bit easier on the knee's than the stiffer high performance boards?

From all the boards i tried i'd say the Nobile 555 would suit that description.

Previous years i've found the Underground FLX boards to be a bit more forgiving to the knees, but i think they've been stiffening them up in recent years. Other than that... the Naish Sol might be to your tastes if you like a bit of all round freeride.

There's heaps more that i could list for you that i've demo'd but its going to come down to personal preference.

What have you ridden in the past?

Borrowed any mates boards - what did you think of them?

One more point, there's almost always going to be a trade off between comfort and performance. I found all of the more comfortable easy riding boards to have far less pop and overall performance in them, but they were the ones i could ride all day long without getting sore knee's.

[RALKITE]

For that stable feeling in light Chop then maybe you should try another Cardboard.

The M8 boards are very nice for these conditions which helps when you are setting up for jumps.

I know the M8 boards have brilliant pads and straps and will be nice on your knees, they also fit in your budget.

The deals on Trident Boards given they are also very knee friendly but a bit livelier in the chop.

means you could get the 130 x 39 and a 140 x 42 and still scrape inside your budget.

you are picking a great time of the year to buy a board if it's 09 clearance deals you are looking for.

Consider that once you start looking at boards. Unless you are an advanced rider and know exactly what you want in a board, then for those not quite there yet they will be usually happy on any board. probably I would go for comfort which means Flex. And probably any boards mentioned so far in this thread would fit that Bill.

[st00pid]

Sorry for my ignorance I have never heard of m8 boards, I am looking for comfort but I still want performance.

[Jason]

From the limited info we have to go on I would say your a candidate for a North X-Ride.

Sweet all purpose board in 09, the 2010 model will also allow you to customise your footpads to soft, medium or hard.

[Badatit]

Sorry for my ignorance I have never heard of m8 boards, I am looking for comfort but I still want performance.

I asked the same question myself and googled.

came up with this

http://www.m8kite.com/?a=6

Then realized I had seen one or 2 around.

If anyone reading this has one, how about a report. that graphic seems to have me intrigued.

[koma]

Sorry for my ignorance I have never heard of m8 boards, I am looking for comfort but I still want performance.

I had a chance to take look at the M8 boards when EKAthump had them at a demo day last season and they look like nice well made boards. I didn't get to demo it on the water as unfortunately there was sub-8kn blowing at the time.

Older style round edge construction instead of the snowboard style construction like most manufacturers are using these days, but nothing against it as it's a solid construction technique - just it tends to not provide as much control over flex patterns as the layered snowboard style does.

What do you think about the ocean rodeo zen ?

Budget I would like to keep the board below $1200 complete, if it comes with rank footpads then below $1000 so I can put some decent footpads on there like a set of liquid force.

I haven't had a chance to play with a Zen but from what i saw of the Mako, OR's boards appear to be well finished.

For that budget i'd be highly recommending checking out the Nobile 555. If you buy it without pads you can even splash out and a get a set of Cab Sync's or Liquid Force sandal style pads and still come in under budget. Only reason i push that so enthusiastically is because i now ride a Nobile 666 with Cab Sync's and it's without a doubt the most enjoyable board i've ever ridden. 666 is a bit stiffer and more flat water oriented, where as the 555 is a little softer and more accomodating.

No i'm not on Nobile's payroll, just really REALLY like their boards.

[Mattress]

Hey I have a couple of LF boards that might suit you. The recoil is a great board and works well with bindings. The Nobile 666 is also an awesome board. I've had two of these this season (A 131x40 and a XTR for the light days).