Nord Boards
Archive for May 10th, 2009
Sector 9 Luke Longboard Review
The big daddy of all the sector 9 longboards is the luke longboard. It is the largest sector 9 longboard. This thing truly is massive! It is 55-inches long which is nearly 5-foot long! It is also 11-inches wide which gives such a huge base and is the smoothest riding board I have ever been on. I don’t know what it is about this longboard but it seems to turn in such a small circumference and surprises me each time I cruise around on it. The board wasn’t made for carving but truly for sidewalk surfing. It is a great crusing longboard that can get you to your destination very quickly. The best and worst things about this board are the size. It is a good thing because it makes for a stable fast good crusing board. At the same time the large size is a draw back because it isn’t easy to lug around or store once you get to your destination. This board weighs around 15 pounds, so it is good to keep in mind that the large size can be a hassle at times.
Something that I feel makes this board able to turn the way it does is the wheel size. Most people want to throw on a huge wheel for more speed and smoother riding however I think the sector 9 luke longboard should have a smaller wheel nothing larger than 64mm in size. The smaller sized wheel lets you lean into the board and allows the board to turn really sharp. If you put a larger wheel on the board you will have to tighten your trucks and it will take away the turning ability. Gullwing missions are the best fit for this board as they have nice soft bushings that make the turns smooth. A good abec 5 bearing is also a good choice for this board.
Sector 9 Pipeline Longboard Review
The true carving longboard in the sector 9 bamboo longboard lineup is the pipeline board. This longboard is a pintail shape with a “W” concave and a slight camber that allows for a medium amount of flex. The pipeline has a 34.5-inch wheelbase which allows for smooth, flowing turns. The 100% bamboo wood deck is a great match for this board as the flex makes the carving so much more smooth and controlled. This longboard truly is a cadillac of the sector 9 longboards. The deck is super wide at 10-inches and nearly 4-foot long which creates a very stable ride that is perfect for a beginner and allows the advanced rider to be even more aggressive in and out of turns. This is a great board for any rider and is highly recommended.
The sector 9 pipeline longboard is one of the most popular for several reasons the shape and size and the highly popular bamboo wood. This longboard should be set up with a nice 70mm sized wheel to allow for smooth riding and optimal speed. If you want to take advantage of the smooth carving turns set it up with some gullwing charger trucks as they make for smooth stable carves and are made from high quality materials. An abec 5 or higher rated bearing will work just fine with this board you really don’t need to pay too much extra for a high grade bearing as the board and trucks and wheels will make for an amazing ride!
