comptonasstimmy
02-16-2006, 04:18 PM
Alright from what I've found decks are all the same in many aspects, but in other aspects they are different. The most important thing to look for when buying a board is size. For your first few decks, i would suggest buying three different widths. This will give you a feel for which size you like best. The most commonly used width is probably 7.5". If you want a slightly wider board, go for a 7.63. If you are really into wide boards, get an 8". Anything over that I find to be overkill. I myself like to skate 7.5"s. If you are into thinner boards, go for it. I'm not exactly sure about the width of thinner boards, but I would imagine it is 7.3" or 7.4". Any thinner than that is overkill as well. Although the difference is only a fraction of an inch, it can make a big difference in your skating. Everyone has their own preference, and the only way to find out is by skating. (One last thought, I have found that thinner boards tend to break easier than wider ones.)
The next thing you need to know, do not worry about how heavy a board is. You cannot usually tell just by picking it up anyways. You have to skate it first, and by then it is too late to change your mind. You will get used to the weight after a few days anyways, and won't really notice it again until you switch to a lighter board and have to re-adjust.
Another thing to take into consideration...
Most blank decks are just as good quality as pro model decks. They often have just as good concave, durability, pop, ect. ect. The only difference is usually 20 bucks and a graphic. You will be able to tell if a blank is good quality by looking at it. The most important thing to focus on, again, is the size.
I wish that i could give an individual review of every type of board, but unfortunately i haven't skated every type. I can however, write my opinionated reviews of the boards that I have actually owned. Here goes...
I would also like to point out that I burn through decks faster than anybody I've ever met...90% of these boards broke on their own, not by being stomped. So if I say a board isn't durable, I don't want to scare you away from buying one. If you are fairly easy on your boards it will probably last you.
Zero - I have had four of these. They have great pop, concave, overall feel, and some cool graphics. The downside is that they chip and break very easily. My last one broke within two weeks. If you are relatively new to skating, or don't break boards easily, Zero's are great.
Element - I had a bam deck, they suck. Period. Don't buy them.
Alien Workshop - I have had three of these. They are by far my favorite boards. They have great feel to them. The pop, concave, and durability is perfect. This is the only type of board that i have actually tried to stomp and had trouble with.
Habitat - Had one of these. It was very similar to the Alien Workshops, but it broke much more easily. Still a very good board, however.
Flip - 1 of em. It was fairly good as far as pop and concave, but it broke fairly easily as well.
Shortys - I had two of these. One was a muska pro model. The other was just a plain old shortys. I rode the muska for a day and then trashed it. It was terrible. As for the other one, I rode it until it broke. It was a good all around board, although it chipped after awhile.
Shuv-It - This was basicly a blank deck with a name. It was one of my first boards, and i had it for years. Pretty solid deck.
5boro - I hated this board. I only bought it because I was at waterville skate camp, my board broke, and it was all they sold at the bike shop. It was unnaturally heavy, especially since I was just switching over from a tiny, unbelievably light enjoi. It was bulky feeling, hard to use, and overall shit. I stomped this board several weeks later.
Enjoi - I bought a thin enjoi with their "monster concave" label. I have to admit...the concave was indeed "monster". It took a little getting used to, but it was a pretty awesome board once I got used to it. It snapped rather easily though, considering it was very thin. On the plus side, there were no chips when it snapped.
Baker - I can't really post an honest review on these because the one i got was given to me used by a friend when I was in need. It had a pretty good feel, concave, pop, ect...but it broke on an inward heelflip.
Blacklabel - I actually liked this board, although it doesn't seem to have a great reputation. It had good shape, and held up fairly nicely until I decided to stomp it.
Girl - I have a girl now. I can't comment on the durability, as I've only had it for three days. It has great shape, and concave, and pop. It was a little shaky at first, and I always landed primo, but it only took a day to get used to.
Well basicly, we can conclude that width of a board is most important, I find that nearly every type of board breaks too easily, and I apparrently have no life for taking the time to type all of this. I hope this helped you choose a deck.
The next thing you need to know, do not worry about how heavy a board is. You cannot usually tell just by picking it up anyways. You have to skate it first, and by then it is too late to change your mind. You will get used to the weight after a few days anyways, and won't really notice it again until you switch to a lighter board and have to re-adjust.
Another thing to take into consideration...
Most blank decks are just as good quality as pro model decks. They often have just as good concave, durability, pop, ect. ect. The only difference is usually 20 bucks and a graphic. You will be able to tell if a blank is good quality by looking at it. The most important thing to focus on, again, is the size.
I wish that i could give an individual review of every type of board, but unfortunately i haven't skated every type. I can however, write my opinionated reviews of the boards that I have actually owned. Here goes...
I would also like to point out that I burn through decks faster than anybody I've ever met...90% of these boards broke on their own, not by being stomped. So if I say a board isn't durable, I don't want to scare you away from buying one. If you are fairly easy on your boards it will probably last you.
Zero - I have had four of these. They have great pop, concave, overall feel, and some cool graphics. The downside is that they chip and break very easily. My last one broke within two weeks. If you are relatively new to skating, or don't break boards easily, Zero's are great.
Element - I had a bam deck, they suck. Period. Don't buy them.
Alien Workshop - I have had three of these. They are by far my favorite boards. They have great feel to them. The pop, concave, and durability is perfect. This is the only type of board that i have actually tried to stomp and had trouble with.
Habitat - Had one of these. It was very similar to the Alien Workshops, but it broke much more easily. Still a very good board, however.
Flip - 1 of em. It was fairly good as far as pop and concave, but it broke fairly easily as well.
Shortys - I had two of these. One was a muska pro model. The other was just a plain old shortys. I rode the muska for a day and then trashed it. It was terrible. As for the other one, I rode it until it broke. It was a good all around board, although it chipped after awhile.
Shuv-It - This was basicly a blank deck with a name. It was one of my first boards, and i had it for years. Pretty solid deck.
5boro - I hated this board. I only bought it because I was at waterville skate camp, my board broke, and it was all they sold at the bike shop. It was unnaturally heavy, especially since I was just switching over from a tiny, unbelievably light enjoi. It was bulky feeling, hard to use, and overall shit. I stomped this board several weeks later.
Enjoi - I bought a thin enjoi with their "monster concave" label. I have to admit...the concave was indeed "monster". It took a little getting used to, but it was a pretty awesome board once I got used to it. It snapped rather easily though, considering it was very thin. On the plus side, there were no chips when it snapped.
Baker - I can't really post an honest review on these because the one i got was given to me used by a friend when I was in need. It had a pretty good feel, concave, pop, ect...but it broke on an inward heelflip.
Blacklabel - I actually liked this board, although it doesn't seem to have a great reputation. It had good shape, and held up fairly nicely until I decided to stomp it.
Girl - I have a girl now. I can't comment on the durability, as I've only had it for three days. It has great shape, and concave, and pop. It was a little shaky at first, and I always landed primo, but it only took a day to get used to.
Well basicly, we can conclude that width of a board is most important, I find that nearly every type of board breaks too easily, and I apparrently have no life for taking the time to type all of this. I hope this helped you choose a deck.