Stiffness

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:40 pm

Hi,

I am trying to find some sort of guide to explain MBS deck stiffness.

I have been looking at various boards and they all seem to have numbers to suggest a stiffness level, but no where can I find the index!

Can anyone help me, I going slowly mad.

Thanks

WSG7 · Post by **WSG7** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 2:54 pm

the stiffer the deck the less likely it is to bottom out.

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:05 pm

Hi, that's what I thought!

I'm confused with the numbers though, I've seen lots of 5's, 2's and 3's.

Can you shed any light on these numbers?

Thanks

markbrosnan78 · Post by **markbrosnan78** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:06 pm

I don't think the MBS scale relates to anything. I tried to find out more about rider weights when I first got a board and the only company that would commit to anything was Trampa. They now ask you for rider weight to help guide you towards the right board.

It's the same with longboard flex. A small minority of companies put an associated weight to a flex but "stiffness" is a relative term.

It's probably going to be down to personal preference. Best bet is to either try some out in a store if you can find one or go to a centre and try some different flex/length combos and just remember centre boards are used and probably a little more flex able than a new board.

The Trampa guide is pretty good. I know a few riders who use less ply boards than recommended but that's usually for kiting freestyle where they require more pop and appreciate the life of the deck may be slightly reduced as a consequence.

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:06 pm

So is 5 the stiffest going down to 1 which has the most flex or vies versa?.??.

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:12 pm

Ok thanks mark, I have an example of what I mean here, I should of started with it really.

Overall Weight: 14.8lbs / 6.7kg
Overall Length: 45″ / 114.4cm
Axle to Axle Length: 37.2″ / 94.4cm
Deck Length: 37.4″ / 95cm
Deck Construction: Reverse Cap Composite (RCC)
Deck Stiffness: 5
Deck Tip Angle: 30 degrees
Truck Width: 15.5″ / 39.4cm
Axle O.D.: 12mm
Bearings: 12×20mm

I'm still very new at all this so I'm getting all the info to help me make a decision....

markbrosnan78 · Post by **markbrosnan78** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:21 pm

Spooky1 wrote:So is 5 the stiffest going down to 1 which has the most flex or vies versa?.??.

No idea I'm afraid. I'm a Trampa man. You could always email them. What type of riding are you planning to do? A good general rule is longer and stiffer for downhill and shorter and flexible for freestyle.

You're a medium/average sized rider so even a flexible board is unlikely to bottom out too badly. You can always stiffen up a board a bit by going for harder bushings/springs. It won't effect the board flex but it will help with speed wobbles on a flexy board but it will take more effort to turn.

If its you're first board why not look at something a bit cheaper like a Scrub until you are settled upon a style and type of board you prefer. Don't go for the cheapy cheap versions though as they'll hamper your learning.

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:35 pm

I'm actually planning on strapping a couple of electric motors to the rear wheels, I already have a cheap Kheo air but I need something that is going to be robust and long term, hence why I'm looking at deck stiffness on mbs and of course your trampa!

markbrosnan78 · Post by **markbrosnan78** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:37 pm

Now that will generate some interest on here.

Long and stiff then as you'll need to support the weight of the motors depending on where you'll mount them and the batteries.

You best get your plans out as there will now be lots of questions.

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 6:02 pm

i would say stiffer decks for freestyle and softer decks for freeride and such where you want the board to flex a bit to deal with bumps, whereas a stiff deck provides nice pop for jumping, the same as a skateboard.

If you mainly plan on motorising your board, i would suggest a trampa as you can drill holes in them and whatnot without fear of delamination. id probably suggest their stiffest if u want to motorize as you probably dont want all that jumping about too much and weight isnt such an issue as you wont be carrying it up hill.

as for the mbs stiffness, i think i saw an index once and 5 is stiffest, such as pro95/100 and 1 is flexiest, probably a core board.

ade_mcc · Post by **ade_mcc** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:33 am

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 2:42 am

Brilliant! Thanks ade!

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 3:40 am

Thanks to all those friendly members who have contributed on this thread and helped me make a decision.

I have taken some of your advise and managed to pick up a 35d L Trampa board 17 ply with superstar wheels and vertigo trucks and ratchet bindings.

This should be the ideal board for my electric build, I'm very happy and can't wait to get started!

Thanks again!

Brennig · Post by **Brennig** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:49 am

Nice buy! Post up some pics when it arrives

Spooky1 · Post by **Spooky1** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:12 am

Thought I'd add a coupla photos of the new board, its coming along well and it will be completely reversible when I get fed up with broken bones.
[ATTACH]1285[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]1282[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]1283[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]1284[/ATTACH]

markbrosnan78 · Post by **markbrosnan78** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:10 am

Have you already got a motor and all the rest worked out? It will be interesting to see it when its finished.

Post by **McCarver** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:14 am

nice fricken board. I need to get me a trampa. If any of you limeys decide to come down to CR let me know.

Brennig · Post by **Brennig** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:25 am

Just beautiful :')

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:26 am

hubba! looks great

WSG7 · Post by **WSG7** » Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:48 am

Just out of interest how much did you pick this up for?

Surfing Dirt Mountainboard Forum

Stiffness

Stiffness

Who is online