Friday, March 16, 2012

Landyachtz bamboo drop carve

The best thing besides about the Landyachtz Drop Carve besides it's (at least in my opinion) amazing graphic is the green factor it has from the bamboo. It's a great board for anyone looking for a good carving, dancing, freeride, or commuting board. I would recommend this to anyone that doesn't plan on getting too hardcore into longboarding or is just looking for an amazing carving or commuting board.
Not only does this board have an amazing liveliness to it due to the top mounted trucks and natural flexiness of bamboo, but it also happens to be pretty damn durable. A lot of people think that because it's not wood it's going to snag like a twig beneath their feet, but really the only difference between bamboo and wood is bamboo usually isn't too great for downhill because it's naturally flexible and if it's not it will usually give a bit after a year or so of riding. But other than that it has the symmetrical shape that a lot of people have come to love and it's a bit lighter than most wood boards it's size, so again, commuting or carving, this is your go to board!

Landyachtz battleax 2012

The Landyachtz Battleax was built with an all-in-one mindset. Whether you're carving, cruising, downhilling, drifting, dancing, or whatever you may have in mind this board is capable of doing it. The battleax is also made of bamboo which if you weren't already aware is actually a weed and much more environmentally friendly then it's maple/birch/oak predecessor. Whether this is your first or twentieth board the battleax is a lovely addition to any collection.

The Battle ax has a touch of flex for easier cruising and carving. Also, it comes with drop through mounting for stability at speeds, and an easier time sliding. The battleax also has wheel cutouts that make it so you're much less likely to get wheelbite. Lastly, it has a mild concave so you're not killing your feet but you're not going to go slipping off any time soon. If there was any one board you had to get for everything the battleax would be the first thing I point you to.

Landyachtz Time Machine

The Time Machine, although I've only gotten to set foot on it a couple of times so I'm going to kind of give a "first impressions" here. First of all this boards graphic to me is pretty sweet, the 2012 version at least, with the Delorian, and dinosaurs, flying whales n' what not. But we all know a sweet graphic isn't exactly what everyone looks for, this board was designed with giving a top mount board the feeling of a dropped deck. The only way I can explain it is it's kind of shaped like a hammock, and it's comfortable like one too.

The Landyachtz Time Machine even from first sight you can tell it's a freeriding, and downhill board. With the concept of the drop for stability and top mount for control of turns how would it not be? Also it's an awesome commuting board, it's kind of big and unfortunately there's no kicktails really, but the drop makes for some really easy pushing. Also, the concave isn't super "aggressive" which can really be a pain in the foot if it's too much. Lastly, the time machine actually has some kind of flex to it so although going past 35-40mph will probably be a touch sketchy riding over cracks and rocks and whatnot will definitely be dampened as compared to riding a slab of maple. I suggest the Time Machine if you're looking to add a new commuting, freeride, or moderate downhill board to your quiver.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Landyachtz Drop Speed 2012

Okay so for those of you that already know of the Drop speed it just got it's remake this year and let me tell you, it's one beast of a board. Whether you're looking for a new board to add to your quiver or you're a little undecided on what you're looking for and need a good first board then look no further than the Landyachtz Drop Speed. The Drop speed is stable enough to take on most any hill and is still versatile enough to take through town and maneuver through urban terrain.

The drop mounted trucks make it easier to push and foot brake as well as easier to break into slides. It's made with 9 plys of super durable maple and like most landyachtz boards it's a straight up tank, and you can always add rails and guards to up the durability and life of the board. It has a symmetrical design making switch riding possible as well as a noticeable "W" concave which although some people think are useless I find nice since I have high arches on my feet and kind of acts as an arch support which makes long rides super nice, and I feel keep my feet locked in whilst sliding. I recommend the Drop speed to anyone looking for a board that can really do it all.

Landyachtz Wolf Shark

The Landyachtz Wolf Shark is an amazing downhill and freeride board for either smaller riders, or people that just prefer a smaller board, I've actually seen this board in quite a few downhill competitions as a lot of people prefer a smaller board with a top mount. The Wolf Shark is dropped to lock your feet in as well as have a high concave to make sure you don't go sliding off. Also with CnC'd wheel wells you're MUCH less likely to wheelbite with this board. The Wolf Shark comes with gas pedals as well for something that your feet can catch while sliding and save some skins on your ankles.

For an amazing freeride and Downhill board you need a good freeride/downhill setup. I recommend getting Independent trucks and getting some downhill bushings for them and tuning it for the hills or just going with bear trucks but I would still recommend getting some downhill bushings according to your weight. For Wheels anything 70mm and below will be awesome, 75's are kinda pushing it and you may bite even with the top mount and deep wells. For bearings, Bones reds are always my bearing of choice but if you have some extra cash for sure check out bones super reds and ceramics, they'll outlast the reds by far but if you're strapped on cash or aren't sure if you're really into longboarding I would just stay with the reds.

Landyachtz Tomahawk

So, looking for a freestyle board? Or maybe something you can ollie, kickflip, G-turn, manual, drop off of curbs with or just screw around with in general. Well then the Tomahawk is definitely for you. It's an amazing commuting and freeride http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifboard for people that want a jack of all trades type board, unfortunately though, the slight flex, and mild concave make it not so great for speedboarding, or any speeds past 40mph and 40 would be pushing it. The Tomahawk has a dropped platform and is symmetrical making it possible for switch riding and gives it a real "get up and go" feeling since you can just hop on either way and not worry about which side is the "nose and tail". And speaking of nose and tail, what makes this board so unique is it's actually equipped with a real nose and tail instead of just an overhang to enhance pop on tricks or give your foot something to rest on while commuting and to make it easier getting onto and off of curbs and poorly made ride-ups.

The Landyachtz Tomahawk Longboardcan be set up with Randalls and Paris's but I highly recommend bears for this board as all landyacht boards were made to go with Bears. Also, as far as wheels go anything 75mm and below will work but honestly for this board a 70mm would be just about perfect for as an all around wheel, going for a softer wheel if you're just commuting or a harder wheel if you plan on doing tricks and sliding. Also if you have some extra money throw some down on some bones reds or ceramic bearings if you really want this thing to haul...tucus.

Landyachtz Switch 42 longboard

The Landyachtz Switch 42 is a textbook newschool freeride board, drifting, and slides of all sorts will be easier than you could ever imagine, especially with the new 2012 version. with a 1.75" inch dropped deck with a top mount it makes it so you'll have more control over your slides and drifts of a top mount with the easy pushing and amazing stability of a drop mount on a standard board. The Switch has "gnar bars" or dropped hips to hold your feet in place whilst sliding, and another pocket on top of that combined with and with a heavy concave to really keep you locked in, you may as well have bindings strapped across your feet.

The Switch however isn't JUST limited to freeride it's a great commuting board and can even take on most hills but if you're going for a straight up, hardcore downhill board I would suggest looking at the Evo or the Switchblade. The only real suggestion I have outside of bear trucks for this board since I've heard rumor of Paris's wheelbiting and Randalls not fitting on some of the Landy's would be to get a wheel that's at least 70mm since it would maybe be too low to the ground, just stay around that size and you should be good though, and if you have some extra cash drop it on some bones reds, super reds, or ceramics.

Landyachtz Evo

The Evo has become one of the most well known speed boards on the market. With it bringing in more than 3 World cups, this board is really making a reputation for itself. It has 11 plys of maple making it stiff and durable as well as slightly heavier which translates into more speed. It has a wedged nose and a de-wedged tail which makes steering more predictable and easier to ride without the fear of twitchiness especially down hills. Another lovely thing about this board is it's top mounted which not only means it's more durable but will give you more control on turns and slides whether you're freeriding, downhilling, or even cruising around town. However if you're unfamiliar with top mounts they can be a bit sketchier if you're not used to them but once you get used to them you'll find you have more control than with a drop mount which I find more stable, but tend to slide out if turning too hard.

Although the Landyachtz Evo is advertised as a speedboard and is an AMAZING speedboard it can be used for commuting, freeriding, and if set up right even carving. Depending on what you're doing you may want a different setup but for the most part I would recommend getting bear trucks as most landyachtz boards were made for them, and although they're a bit more expensive they're definitely worth the price. And as for wheels, Zombey Hawgs in your choice durometer (lower if you're leaning more towards just downhill or higher if you plan on some sliding as well), are also another amenity offered by Landyachtz. As always I have to recommend any of the bones for bearings (reds being the best for the price) but a lot of people have also been picking up the sector 9's especially the ceramics, and although I haven't ridden them personally they're a favorite amongst the people getting the Evo so be sure to check those out if you have the extra cash.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Landyachtz 925 longboard

Alright, so the best thing about this board is there's almost nothing this board can't do. The downside? There are 3 different graphics to choose from and it could be a touch expensive for some. The 925 has a drop through truck mount for easier pushing and sliding, as well as more stability when taking on larger hills. It also has a W shaped concave for a bit of an arch support type feel which keeps you really locked in on slides and will help you bring back slides even if you accidently over extend. Lastly, it's multidirectional, and has "gas pedals" built in to keep you from accidently slipping out, it's still possible, but much less likely to happen with the gas pedals, saving you some skin.

The Landyachtz 925 is an awesome all around board and can be setup however you feel really, if you're newer I suggest getting randall 180mm's, some orangatang durians if you're more focused on downhill and sliding, or stimulus if you're looking for a more all around wheel, and bones reds for bearings however if you have the extra cash then I recommend picking up super reds, bones swiss, or bones swiss ceramics. However if longboarding isn't new news to you, then I suggest picking up some bears for this board as they fit perfect (Avoid Paris's for this board unless you're familiar with them as there's a rumor that they may wheelbite on this board). Also, if you're looking for more technical slides or looking for something a little less "mainstream" give Zombey Hawgs a try, they come in tons of sizes and durometers and are actually made by the same company and are amazing on this setup. I recommend the 925 to anyone looking for an amazing all around board whether you're looking for a first board or something new to add to your collection you can't go wrong with the 925.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Landyachtz!!

For those of you out there who have a Landyachtz longboards, you know that the board speaks for itself. But for those of you who have never experienced the smoothness of riding a Landyachtz board , pay close attention to this next paragraph.

Chinook 2012

The Landyachtz Company prides itself in making boards that are of the highest quality and have extreme performance. The name is really true, you feel like your riding a yacht when you cruise on a Landyachtz board. The boards are made from high quality maple and oak woods, and some have layers of carbon fiber for more flex. The boards are constructed in different formats from 6 ply’s all the way up to 11 ply’s of wood giving you the thickest and strongest board possible. They have a huge selection of boards from cruisers like the stout and wedge-flex to the the carving boards such as drop speed and time machine, to the world record holder of downhill racing the Evo! Landyachtz also make a line of high quality wheels that are second only to Orangatang, and even that is based on personal preference. The trucks they make< the bear grizzlies are one of the best trucks money can buy. I highly recommend that you click on our longboard link on the website and hit up the Landyachtz section to see all the possibilities.

Landyachtz Longboards

With so many competitors out these days, such as Loaded, Sector 9, Gravity, Soda Factory, Arbor, Comet, I could go on for days, but one brand that really stands out in this sea of seemingly endless possiblities are Landyachtz. A lot of the Landyachtz longboards are being seen in competition lately and there’s a reason why. Not only are they trying to fit in with what people are raving over, but have come out with a couple styles of their own that have been more than succesful to say the least.

Landyachtz goal is not only to create the most innovative boards on the market but to improve the durability and life of boards. Like all companies they want to make boards that slide easier, go faster, carve smoother, and just perform better overall, but with Landyachtz you can expect that. Whether you’re new to longboarding and searching for a board or you’ve been skating all of your life, looking for a cruising, downhill, freeride, whatever you board you want Landyachtz has something offer. If you’re interested in the Landyachtz line than please check out our website and leave a comment if you have any questions.

Plenty of Fish in the Sea

Some like them short, some like them tall. Some like them built for speed, others like them built for comfort. Finding that perfect longboard is a lot like finding a compatible lover. If the wrong decision is made the outcome could be detrimental. You could end up broken on the side of the road somewhere you don’t want to be, but when the right one is chosen it is magic. The harmonious interaction between the two creates an everlasting bond unlike any other. Never any need to compromise. However finding the perfect one is a long a grueling process that begins with trial and error. You must test the waters, try new things to figure out what you want or need out of a relationship with your longboard. What you choose to begin with may not be the same thing you want as you mature in your veteran riding days. So never hesitate to test new decks, you may not know what you are missing out on.


Having said that here at Norboards we are excited to receive the much anticipated 2012 line of Landyachtz Longboards. The new line will drop March 1st. Landyachtz reputation of speed and quality has certainly lived on through the release of these new decks. There are new styles as well as classics such as the switchblade and the time machine. Stay tuned and look for these new boards in the next few weeks. So think of us as a longboarding match.com there is something out there for everyone no one.

The cure for your spring-time speed needs: A 2011 Landyachtz Evo!

Hi all! Gee time does fly. The spring equinox has passed and daylight lasts longer and longer every day. This is the time of year when every skater starts to get the bug. No I’m not referring to some crazy skater’s disease, but a legitimate need to balance out the longer daylight hours with even longer skate sessions. This is an especially difficult season for longboarders (and our friends/family) as we begin to feel the need to roam as we scout out new locations in the hope that the universe will grace us with a perfect session. If this sounds like you (or that crazy dream you had last night) and the thoughts just won’t go away, you should consider adding the Landyachtz Evo to your quiver this spring.

INFO
The Evo is designed to be the ultimate race board, and it has the win/loss stats to prove it. It is the board-of-choice for three World Champions and has won more races in the last five years than any other board on the market. To understand what makes this board so special, let’s take a look at some of the design features by beginning… well… at the front. The nose is wedged to allow the front truck a higher angle (greater than the normal 40°-50° angles) to increase turning sensitivity in the front truck for better turning off the nose. This allows you to ride the front of the board (increasing stability) and gives your legs a little extra room behind you for deep tucks at higher speeds. The Evo’s tail is also designed to improve performance and handling. The tail is de-wedged to a lesser angle (less than the normal 40°-50° angles) which decreases turning sensitivity in the rear truck to create a stable tail for the rider. Combined, the effects of wedging/de-wedging create a board that’s turning characteristics are designed to handle high speed maneuvers.

In addition there are three other factors that are notable and contribute to the overall performance of the board in one way or another: Weight, Drop depth, and Footwell shape. The Evo (11 plys of Maple weighing in at about 6 lb. 9.6 oz) is a heavyweight board by anyone’s measure. However, if high school physics taught us nothing else, this is a great thing for the downhill rider. The heavier weight adds inertia to keep you rolling longer (the drawback is that it also takes a lot of strength to get up to speed on flats). Another is the Drop depth of the deck. The Evo has a very deep drop in the deck to lower the rider’s center of gravity closer to the ground. This will increase stability and handling performance during turns and prevent the rider from becoming unbalanced and ‘thrown’ off the top of the board. The last factor of note is the footwell shape. Unlike a lot of traditional boards, which use the ‘U’ shape, the Evo has the ‘W’ style footwell. This footwell style creates a flat area in the center of the board with ‘lips’ that run along the outer edges to help lock the rider’s foot in the footwell. This design also provides riders with a larger area for foot movements while decreasing turning sensitivity along the center-line of the board (which in increases stability at higher speeds).
At the end of the day the Evo should be that next ‘must-have’ board in your dreams. Designed to be a racer’s board but still accessible to the general public, the Evo will only make you want more however you ride it. Check out the Landyachtz Evo today.

SPECS
Length: 41″
Width: 10″
Nose: 1″
Tail: 1″
Wheelbase: 34″
# Plys: 11
Material: Canadian Maple

Recommended Setups:
Beginner Set-up:
Trucks- Randal 180mm
Wheels- BON 65mm
Bearings- Rush ABEC 5, Rush ABEC 7, Rush ABEC 9, S9 Greaseball ABEC 5, or Bones Reds

Intermediate Set-up:
Trucks- Randal 180mm or Paris 180mm
Wheels- Orangatang Stimulus or 4-President 70mm, Hawgs Mini Monster 70mm, Abec 11 Free-ride 72mm, or Abec 11 Zigzag 70mm
Bearings- Bones Super Reds, Bones Swiss, Bones Super Swiss 6, S9 Cosmic ABEC 7, or S9 Platinum ABEC 9

Pro Style Set-up:
Trucks- Paris 195mm, Bear Grizzly 852, or Gullwing Charger 10″
Wheels- Orangatang In-Heat or Durian 75mm, Hawgs Monster or Zombie Hawgs 76mm, Abec 11 Flywheel 75mm+, Abec 11 Gumball 76mm, or Abec 11 Bigzigs
Bearings- Bones Reds Ceramics, Bones Swiss Ceramics, or S9 Race Ceramic

Friday, March 9, 2012

Landyachtz Evo Longboard Review

The landyachtz evo longboard is perfect for tearing up hills, thrashing the park, or even just taking a a smooth cruise across town. Another great thing about the Evo is that it’s so versatile you can slap some sidewinders and make it a carver/cruiser or even put some bombers/chargers on for bombing hills, slalom, and racing. I recommend the Evo to anyone looking for a board that can do it all and then some.

The landyachtz evo is perfect with san clemente trucks and wheels however this board will only be a mere glimpse of what it could be without the right equipment. For wheels I definitely recommend sector 9′s or abec 11′s (if you have the money of course) or even orangatangs. For trucks I suggest getting gullwing chargers, or bombers because this is mainly a downhill board however if you want a good cruiser/carver, just slap some sidewinders on there. The evo also comes with abec 5 bearings that would be much better replaced with some bones reds or if you have the money some sector 9 or bones swiss ceramics.

Landyachtz spud longboard review

The Landyachtz spud longboard is almost an exact replica of the switch. The Spud has a very long wheelbase and very low center of gravity making for high speed, and stability. The spuds flush mount trucks are what give it’s low center of gravity, added stability, and snazziness (in my opinion). The spud is also cut in such a way that it’s gives a lower center of gravity as well due to it pushing the trucks further out and keeping the board lower to the ground.

The landyachtz spud is perfect with san clemente trucks and wheels however this board can’t reach it’s full potential without getting some premium equipment. For wheels I definitely recommend sector 9′s or abec 11′s (if you have the money of course) or even abec 11′s. For trucks I suggest getting gullwing chargers, or bombers really any truck without the quadruple bushing (sidewinders). The spud also comes with abec 5 bearings however it’s much better replaced with some bones reds or if you have the money some sector 9 or bones swiss ceramics.

Landyachtz Evo Longboard Gets a Makeover

Landyachtz Evo Longboard

So spring is here and yes that means it’s time for something new, and something fresh! Landyachtz has done a huge makeover to their longboard line and the evo has been of the the pupils getting the new duds. The shape itself hasn’t changed at all however the paint and graphic are new and fresh! The new graphic sports an ever popular skull which always seems to be popular among the skate crowd. It is splashed on top of an all black back ground which really sets it off and pairs up nicely with all black trucks and some cool blue wheels to make the graphic pop a little.

The landyachtz evo longboard recommended set up:

Trucks: Bear Grizzly 852′s in all black – (a side note/tip, I like to put either 1/4″ or wedge riser pad on the back truck only to give it a more aggressive downhill angle and ride…ssshhhh, don’t tell the others!)

Wheels: Landyachtz Hawgs Monster 76mm Blue 78a

Bearings: Bones Original Swiss

Landyachtz DH Race Longboard Review

The Landyachtz DH Race longboard is all it’s name implies and more. This board is perfect for downhill because of it;s insane stability, Landyachtz made this board with a super low center of gravity and steep concave which is what really makes this board what is. This board can also be set up for cruising, or carving, however you set it up though, instability will be old news. I reccomend the DH race to anyone looking for a good racing board.

The Landyachtz DH comes with san clemente trucks and wheels as well as some abec 5 bearings. For trucks, if you’re going to do downhill I recommend bombers or chargers, but if you plan on carving and cruising, go for the gullwing sidewinders. For wheels I recommend getting orangutangs, gumballs, sector 9′s, arbors, any wheel will do just fine but the best wheels out right now are the orangutangs and gumballs. As far as bearings go, Reds are still the best for the price, but if you want a truly superior bearing get some sector 9 ceramics.

Ladyachtz Evo Longboard Review

Hey everyone, I’m finally back from hitting the books and apparently we have some new longboards in. The Ladyachtz Evo longboard is an all out racing board, rumor has it that it’s won more racing competitions in the last 3 years than any other board, and has been the choice for 3 world championships. The great thing about the Evo longboard is the 2″ dropped platform that keeps you low to ground for a lower center of gravity, which will send you zipping down hills. Now, although the Evo was built with racing in mind, these boards have become a staple in today’s cruising, with its stability and speed. I recommend the Ladyachtz Evo to anyone looking for a super speedy, and extremely stable board.

Now, the Ladyachtz doesn’t get it’s speed and stability from just the deck itself, it’s some quality accessories to go with it. If you have racing in mind I definitely recommend going for some gullwing bombers or chargers, however if you want to just cruise around I suggest getting some gullwing sidewinders instead. As for wheels, sector 9 puts out a really good wheel for the price, however if you really want to tear through town or down hills I recommend getting orangatang wheels . The Ladyachtz also can’t zip through town without a good set of bearings. For bearings I recommend getting either reds, rushs, or greaseballs, but if you want a better quality for a little more money I suggest bones swiss or sector 9 ceramics.

Landyachtz Evo Best Set-Up

The evo is an amazing all around board.

The Landyachtz evo longboard was designed with racing in mind. It has the perfect shape, weight, and design and that is why this board wins more races than any other longboard. It is not just a racing board though. The evo is amazing for downhill freeriding, it offers tons of control with its drop down platform. It is super stable and carves great. The lowest performance rating for the evo is the cruise rating which to be honest with you I would give it a 10 for a cruise. It is fast and can get you where you want to go super quickly and without sketchiness.

I like to set the evo up with some 852 bear grizzly trucks for a freeriding downhill board that offers tons of stability. My favorite wheel on the evo is the orangatang durian 75mm in yellow which is a super fun wheel that allows for some good carves but can break free and allow for some super smooth slides, just like being at the water parks on a hot summer day.

Landyachtz Drop Carve Longboard Review

Landyachtz Drop Carve Longboard

The drop carves got more flex than Jean Claude Van Damm. The type of forgiving flex that makes for a smooth flowing carve like a cascading water-fall. This board is thicker than the dervish which gives it a snappier rebound and allows you to really carve down the mountain with control and aggression. The drop carve has a super mellow concave that helps lock your feet into place for extra control. It was designed to be light weight and is easy to carry around if it was to be used for a campus commuter. The drop thru design lets you loosen up the trucks a little and get squirrly.

The drop carve is made from 100% bamboo wood. The length is 39.25″ with a nice wide deck that comes in at 9.75″ wide which is perfect for 10″ or 180mm trucks and a nice fat wheel like some hawgs or orangatang in-heats. It has a 30.25″ wheelbase which creates a nice smooth carve but is short enough to get around tight corners.

I would set this board up with some grizzly 852s in black with some red hawg monster wheels and a super fast bones swiss bearing.

Landyachtz Drop Hammer Longboard Review

Landyachtz Longboards

The landyachtz drop hammer longboard skateboard is a super fun board. The drop through board is a carvers dream and the short wheelbase and low center of gravity allow it to carve like few other boards can. It turns very tight, and is super stable and responsive. The super wide foot platform allows for tons of leverage around corners and gives you plenty of room so you never feel cramped on this little mini. It is great for nice mellow hills on a blue sky day.

Specs:

100% Bamboo Wood

Length: 36″

Width: 10″

WB: 24.5″

Foot Platform: 22″

Perfromance ratings from 1 to 10

Push: 9

Crusie: 9

Carve: 8

Slide: 7

Freeride: 7

Downhill: 5


Boards on Nord Recommended Set up:

Trucks: Bear Grizzly 852s or 10″ Gullwing Charger

Wheels: Orangatang In-Heat Wheels

Bearings: Bones Reds