Freebord Review

http://skateboard.about.com/od/alternativeboards/gr/FreebordReview.htm

Freebord Review
About.com Rating fourhalf out of Five
By Scott Leipprandt, for About.com


Xponent 80cm Freebord
Freebord Photo - Scott Leipprandt

The Bottom Line
A freebord is an alternative skateboard created to simulate the feel of snowboarding on pavement closely as possible. On a Freebord, you can carve as well as slide just like on a snowboard.

Pros

* You can keep control even under very high speeds because of the sliding ability and the skyhooks.

Cons

* This is the only alternative skateboard that you can also catch an edge on.

Description

* Freebords simulate snowboarding on pavement
* Perfect board for carving and sliding
* 3 deck sizes - 75cm, 80cm, and 85cm
* Ridden using skyhook bindings
* Warning - if you think catching an edge on a snowboard is easy then you probably shouldn’t be riding a freebord

Guide Review - Freebord Review
The part makes Freebord unique from all other alternative skateboards is the ability to slide. Sliding is achieved because there are 2 swiveling center castor wheels placed just inside the trucks. The castor wheels are raised slightly higher than the edge wheels so the board tips from one side to the other while riding enabling it to roll on the castor wheels so the board can slide where the rider directs it as on a snowboard.

Freebord makes 3 different sized decks, the 75cm, 80cm, and 85cm to suit everyone's body size and riding style. Freebords are usually ridden with skyhook bindings to give the rider extra carving ability while riding by allowing extra pressure to be exerted on the edges of the board. Freebords are considered 'safer' than most longboards and skateboards as the sliding of the Freebord gives the rider the ability to come to a complete stop in a matter of seconds if needed.

The one downside to the Freebord, because it is so much like a snowboard, riders can catch an edge just like on a snowboard, and pavement is less forgiving than the snow. To help against this problem, skyhooks do not cover the entire foot, allowing the rider to jump of or bail if he/she loses control. Helmets are always encouraged!