It’s the new must have board. Supposedly it represents a step forward in distance board design…but havn’t we been here before? Carbon skateboards for Long distance isnt a new concept…numerous records were set on the Carbon/Kevlar RollsRolls before we realised that a return to traditional wood boards was a good idea. So when i stepped onto a Deelite for the first time you can imagine my dissapointment, when i didnt get that warm fuzzy feeling that happens when a board flexes under my weight, it felt rigid and unwelcoming.
This is what the Rayne site says about it. “The Dee-Lite boards are all built to be light and durable. We’ve made a superior board - it has 21 carbon stringers for a stiffer more reliable ride. It accelerates faster, it’s easier to push and handles like a dream.” I dont think stiffer is better.
Dont get me wrong though, if somebody gave me one i wouldnt give it back….it would be a great board for racing shorter distances on smooth roads, and i bet it is fast as hell downhill! But when it comes to skating hundreds of miles on unfamiliar roads..i’d a save myself £100 and buy the regular demonseed. That is a very good deck!
Personally, i love the feel of wood, with maybe a little carbon and Fibreglass. But the wood has to be the bit that gives the deck its personalaity.
I know the demonseed isnt full carbon but this what Rob Thompson (distance record holder) had to say about carbon boards.
“For me, full carbon decks are not suitable for long distance loaded longboard touring. I was foolish in buying into the ‘carbon is better’ idea when researching decks for my around the world journey. I splashed out and paid big bucks for a carbon/kevlar Rollsrolls deck, which I was, for the most part, very happy with”
“In my humble opinion, carbon decks are are a thing of the past. Too expensive, too uncomfortable, too much hype.”
Not everyone agrees though. There are already a couple of carbon seeds in the UK and i know the owners love them. As does Rayne rider and ultraskate record holder Paul Kent, and hes done more than a few miles on his! http://www.longtreksonskatedecks.moonfruit.com/#/gear-list/4532520176
2 responses so far ↓
Rob Thomson // Dec 10th 2009 at 7:21 pm
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the regular blog posts. I love it when a new one pops up in my blog readers.
It was great to hear about your experience with the Deelite. I managed to break the nose off my Pusher a couple of days ago, and I’m sifting through ideas for my next deck.
At the moment, I’m thinking about the three following possibilities:
Demonseed Deelite - A seemingly brilliantly built board, with supposedly some damping of vibration due to the wood?
The Pusher (next generation) - There’s some talk of this on the Skatefurther forums, and I look forward to seeing what comes up on the Longboard Larry site soon.
G|Bomb - I travel a lot, and the idea of being able to put my board in my suitcase is extremely inviting. Plus it has the pumping power, and is low…this could possibly be the way forward.
I would still hold that full carbon is not the way to go for *really* long distance touring for me. The liveliness of a wood deck is something that I really appreciate on the long, long days. You become one with the board, rather than one person and one piece of composite that is doing a job for you.
Some day I must try out a Deelite and see how it feels!
Cheers,
Rob
wafflesole // Dec 23rd 2009 at 3:49 am
i too am looking for a new pusher. similar ideas about what board to rob, though ive heard that there’s something brewing over at *cough* comet
I’ll keep you posted.
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