Proper street SUP..

[Wetstuff]

I have done a longboard-Big Stick combo for about a year.  My country road is tar-n-chip so it's not smooth riding like SoCal but ..still fun.  I have had my Hobie 4'0 (48") for a long time..  and another 4'0 picked up at Surf Expo in the late 80's.

Looking for a new board was prompted by videos of a board called a HAMBOARD from Huntington Beach CA ..a really longboard at 6'6. The $600 cost of the Hamboard Classic was off putting, but the guy and his five sons had me thinking I clearly picked the wrong parents at the wrong time -  




This new board is from Meyer Boarding of Miramar Beach FL. It is 4'10 x 15" using an 11ply, 3/4" blank. It is priced at $139.  The SUP handle caught my eye of course, but it is practical because the board is 19lbs. (the Hobie is 3ply x 10" at 11lb)



I love the way they 'glass' the bottom of the board. The non-skid deck is perfect and unlike most tape allows color to show.  I got deck-only and ordered some 195mm Paris trucks to accommodate the width.  These wheels are 80mm Satori Big Buds.. but they're coming off.  In the few minutes I have had to kick the board, the wheels are a real drag.



Meyer Boarding also make a Stick.  I have had both pusher parts of the 'Big Stick' brand stick. The tomahawk shape is the current one, but I do not like it at all.  The double-wheel version had much better 'stick-tion' for me.  I break this new version loose a lot.  I suspect that this new version does not hook a back wheel as easily as the old double-wheels.  (elbow pads recommended!)

The Meyer stick uses a Lacrosse ball pusher.  It's too cold here for a decent street test to really know, but the durometer seems a little softer than the Big Stick tomahawk - perhaps offsetting what appears to be a smaller contact patch..? 



The other thing ..I expect to like.. about the Meyer stick is the knob vs. the T-handle.  For the tomahawk the T-handle is probably needed to keep it aligned to the pavement.  The knob will make sure you virtually never hit the same wear point on the push ball.  I have a feeling you want a glove for that knob if you are out very long.


Jim

[JakeSupTX]

There is a pretty comprehensive land boarding thread on siverfishlongboarding.com. Tons of different decks and stick ideas floating around there, including some really neat handmade sticks. I currently ride a Soda Factory/Clutch DZ model which is great for the stick as well as as a dog sled. I agree that the tomahawk foot on the big stick really kind of sucks, the earlier foot is much better.

I think those hamboards are pretty cool and allow for better side by side foot placement but trying to turn one is quite the undertaking.


Ride safe

[Wetstuff]

Jake,  Clutch DZ is a pretty piece!  (I had to take a look.)  I've looked at Silverfish when I wanted a review for wheels, etc.. but I am not really a performer.

   

I'm an old traditionalist that does not really use a skate as I would have five decades ago so my experienced taste dictate what I push rather than a performance envelope.

I gotta tell you tho'.. this Meyer is one fine platform.  I got to use it and the Meyer Stick this afternoon at our federal park and it reminds me of the Fanatic Allwave ...remarkably stable and capable of some sweet Giant Slalom turns.  Gio, my dog, pulled me for about 15 minutes and he can get us going at a decent clip.

I need a spacer under the front truck - even with smaller wheels I was getting 'wheel bite' when I started to get cocky.  I have had three broken wrists - no need for more.  Like you said about the Hamboard, the wide area for foot placement on this Meyer is wonderful making the board very easy to control.  (first time for 195mm trucks also, so do not know what that added..)

The Stick is excellent.  That ball at the end has 5X the traction as the Big Stick hatchet.  I do not have any fear of the stick's knob hooking the wheels on this wide deck like I do on my narrow boards.  I may cut the stick down a bit. It feels a too upright after paddling a surfSUP.  And with the extra traction, I want to up the reps and dig deeper.  Anyway.. good, cheap fun. Cheers.

Jim