OK, looking at the new board options.
Me:
Weight: 83 kg
Riding location: choppy St Kilda
Style: intermediate, toe side ok, starting jumps, trying front rolls (not successful yet...)
Kite sizes: 12m and 9m
Comments: the FLX 135 is the only in stock at this stage but no demos available so the Protoy and Tempo would have to be purchased blind. I have an older Airush Exile and love the workmanship and pads/straps.
I would appreciate if anybody can make any comments/reviews on any of these boards.
Thanks
Ric
It all depends on what you want it for.
Airush have always been a quality board and you really get a lot for your money. Underground are EASILY on par with Airush hardware and design.
I've ridden the 09 Protoy late last year when it first came out, and currently ride an 09 FLX 135 as my footstrap board.
I found the protoy to be very loose and skatey in the water, but at the same time rides very smoothly over the chop. My personal preference is for a grippy board that tracks in a straight line well so I wasn't a fan or the ride. I was however a huge fan of the quality and hardware detail. Very nice straps, very nice pads. The straps however are just straps, same kind of design as it's been for years.
The 135 FLX is my absolute favorite board to date. It's REALLY flexxy this year, so it just eats up the chop. With the quad concave and new profile fins it just holds its line beautifully no matter what you do to it. Landings are nice, take off's are nice, everything about it is just fun and easy. I've ridden it with the new hardware system about 5-8 times now and i'm very impressed. Top quality on everything, and the tightening system is fantastic. You really get the locked in feeling from the straps.
I've seen the new Tempo in person, but not ridden it. It looks similar in design to the FLX with it's quad concave and thin tips.
Given the choice i'd take the Underground over the Airush, because I like grip (and the graphics are awesome). You might be different.... See what everyone else thinks...
If you can't test the boards, then I suggest you add other brands to the equation.
I have a cardboard freeride 133 you can try although its an 08 model and might not be as good as their latest designs. Its not for sale so its not a pimp to get a buyer.
Its also worth throwing the Brunotti's into the test equation, they are normally available to test from Kite Republic in StK. Other brands I would seriously consider is the new North, Naish, Cabrinha and Slingshots. All of them have brilliant boards and most of the supporting shops should have demo boards available.
There are plenty of shops in melbourne that will let you try before buy so I don't think you should buy blindly. If not anything, this weekend should be a good opportunity to get a couple of boards out and test them.
Might also be worth chatting to one or two people on the beach while you are there. Most people are fairly receptive to someone else trying out their board.
BTW, you might want to try back rolls before front rolls, much easier.
i've ridden some of the Norths, tried the underground, and currently using a tempo- 130 which would be my pick... Great board, graphics are sick tho HATE their new lace-ups (they're REALLY bad) but with normal straps prob the best i've riden. The quad concave stuff works great and i def prefered the 130 over teh 135- I ride it with a 12 dos and get going when there isn't much wind at all (tho that might be thanks to the DOS!) It's great in the chop and you can really load it up for tricks and jumping and landing's really smooth (prob due to the concave business!), also it's an ozi board, therefore no warranty issues and Dan the 'cardboard dude' is great when it comes to altering teh board to really suit YOU- he'll give you great tips as to what to get and why...
I have the FLX 135 and I weigh 88kg; it is a great board which doesn't do too badly in waves, either!
Thanks guys.
Rhys Port, I think I saw another thread from you on the FLX 135 and I believe you weigh 75kg, I find interesting you mention you find the FLX 132 a bit small. I would think the 135 is a bit big for 75 kgs...?
Saffer, thanks for your feedback. I agree I should expand my selection although I do like the fact Tempo and UG are "local"
I can't make it this weekend but since I have next week off I might do something during the week
I thought it would be too big as well... To be honest I picked the 135 at first because I wanted a purple board.
But comparing this 135 to last years 132, I can't feel the size difference at the very top end of the board. I've ridden it super powered up on a 9m in a real 30 knots (where i'd normally be struggling) and it held up fine. Swapping between that and a 132, no difference.
and I just love the light wind performance of the bigger FLX... 
I'm a little lighter than you (~78kg) but went through a similar short list a few months back. Demo'd pretty much everything i could get my hands on as i realised that regardless of how many great reviews a board gets - it's how it rides and feels to you that matters the most.
Just to throw a spanner in the works the two boards i ended up narrowing my search down to were the Flexifoil Omega and the Nobile 666. I'm now riding (very VERY happily) an '09 Nobile 666 134x42.
I guess it all depends what you prefer in a board - chop handling and comfort, or raw outright pop, speed and performance? I tend to prefer to ride flat water so opted for the performance.
Definitely visit Kite Republic, RPS & SHQ and see what they can offer you to demo. Of course there's also the issue that we're now in the off season so its gonna be a matter of waiting for forecast wind then lining up a demo or two.
Somebody recommended the Nobile 666 134 also.
I am looking to have only one board and mostly ride choppy water. I have been riding beginner boards that are easier to ride and starting to learn tricks and jump but think my current board is not helping. I enjoy jumping so a boar with good pop is important.
Will keep my eyes open for a 666
Check this video out:
kiteforum.com/viewforum.php?f=200/video/Nobile_666_Board_2008.html
