Stiffness
Moderator: BgSurfer
Stiffness
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
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
- markbrosnan78
- Dirty
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:39 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.
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.
[align=center]Trampa[/align]
[align=center]Allowing even fat blokes to ride since 2000...[/align]
[align=center]Allowing even fat blokes to ride since 2000...[/align]
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....
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
- Dirty
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:39 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.
[align=center]Trampa[/align]
[align=center]Allowing even fat blokes to ride since 2000...[/align]
[align=center]Allowing even fat blokes to ride since 2000...[/align]
- markbrosnan78
- Dirty
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:39 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.

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.
[align=center]Trampa[/align]
[align=center]Allowing even fat blokes to ride since 2000...[/align]
[align=center]Allowing even fat blokes to ride since 2000...[/align]
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.
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.
My site: [color="Red"]OneDayMedia[/color]
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!
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!
Nice buy! Post up some pics when it arrives 

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- markbrosnan78
- Dirty
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:39 pm
nice fricken board. I need to get me a trampa. If any of you limeys decide to come down to CR let me know.
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Russian Wives for Sale
MY DINOSAUR THEORY
Dinosaurs are from the future, they built a time machine and travelled back in time, unfortunately they miss judged the coordinates and got stuck underground.
MY DINOSAUR THEORY
Dinosaurs are from the future, they built a time machine and travelled back in time, unfortunately they miss judged the coordinates and got stuck underground.
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