Dr. Soul,
I weight 350 lbs. and all the boards I see in shops are the same. If you weight over 190 lbs. you are going to break them quickly and they tend to split. What can I do to get a board that works for me?
David Smith, Florida
David,
We refer you to a good selection under the big boards. Probably the 16 laminate S&S SR-71 Blackbird is your best bet. You'll need bigger 82mm wheels and Abec 9 bearings to withstand the stress.
Dr. Soul
Dear Dr. Soul,
What's going on? What's the buzz about free complete longboards? Great idea!!
Sam, Tucson, Arizona
Dear Sam,
We have some odds and ends laying around, good quality stuff. So, instead of wholesale-ing them... we just give them away! It makes people smile. They talk to friends. It's worth a million bucks of advertising. That's it!
Dr. Soul
I'm 15 years old and love the longboard experience. I want to buy a board but I'm not sure what to buy. I'm 5'9" and weight 125 lbs. Any suggestions?
Ben, Spokane, Wa.
Ben,
I would suggest a Black Fly Modified Pin 38, Black Fly Modified Pin 47, or a S&S High Seas 40. The S&S is the best quality on the market, but Black Fly makes a quality board for $99. Also consider a fiberglass Interceptor, the best-performing board on the market.
Thanks,
Dr. Soul
Dr. Soul,
I want to buy a longboard for mostly smooth carving and cruising. Your site has loads and I don't know enough about a lot of the brands to know who's better than who. But I did come across the S&S SoftRider which you reckon to be one of the smoothest, quietest carving boards around, so I'm interest in that. However, having used a couple other longboards borrowed from friends, I know that I quite like a deck that has some flex in it so that you can push it into the turn and dig in. My concern is that the deck of the S&S is described as being hard rock maple, and I don't know if that means it's a seriously rigid piece of wood or whether it's got some flex in it. Also, I gues if it is rigid, then it'll be flat, too. Any help with this or advise on a board that migh fit if this one doesn't, is much appreciated. If it helps, I'm 6' and weight about 150 lbs. Please be nice and I promise to tell everyone your store's the bestest and nicest (LOL). Hell, I'll even put a sticker on my car, if you got one, and that's some free advertising around the hotbed of British surfing (yeh, we do have surf occasionally LOL) and skating.
Neil, R., Woolacombe, North Devon
Neil,
Hard rock maple defines a wood commonly used in longboards for its flexibility and strength. Try the S&S Redwood, made of birch and redwood. It's a softer, smoother ride and has nice camber. Thanks for your interest,
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul (or kind staff member),
I'm old (40 will be here REALLY soon), I'm BIG (6'4" 330 lbs.). They call me Big Steve. It's OK to laugh. No one dares when they meet me face to face (imagine linebacker meets prison inmate). I want to c-r-u-i-s-e alongside my kids as they ride their bikes (they're not too fast yet!). I ride on asphalt roads primarily. My neighborhood has a few nice gradual hills. Keep in mind it's Florida and the "F" in that stands for "flat". I'm lazy and I want to push and skate for a looooooooooong time. Of course, I have to look cool (when I fall). Cost isn't an object (I stayed in skool). Yes, this is a serious inquiry. What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Big Steve
Big Steve,
Try the SR-71, a 58" board of 14-layer laminate. It will support your weight with nice flex. Most boards at 7-9 layers, too weak to handle you. We would substitute the large Exkate Torsion truck and upgrade to larger wheels and Abec 9 bearings.
Dr. Soul
Dr. Soul?
I have spoken with several people in the neighborhood, all who have bought boards from you and we want to know how you have time to talk to each one of us since you appear to have so many satisfied customers?
Bill, Des Moines, IA
Dear Bill,
Lots of work and a great support staff!!
Thanks, Doc
Hey, Dr. Soul,
You have a great variety of longboards! And I hope you will be able to pick the best one that will suit me. Well, I just started longboarding yesterday and thought that it would be fun if I continue, but I was scared of riding at first but I got the hang of it. I think it would really help me get around here in my city. But my problem is that I don't pretty much know which longboard I should get. What I know is that I'd like one that can make easy turns, fast, smooth, strong, and one that can last forever. Also, I think I'd prefer a cruiser one where I can just go wherever I want. I am 5' 2" tall and 95 lbs. The price range I can afford is $100-150. Thanks!
Carla (14), California
Carla,
Without talking with you personally, I'd have to take an educated guess. The price range you list covers most boards. The Black Fly Pin 48 at $99.95 is an excellent value, or for a shorter board, the 40" Nitro Blue Max at $139.95. Call us at 1-866-SOUL-ONE (1-866-768-5663) and let's talk.
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
I purchase a Sector 9 trylam from your site. I rode it once and noticed that the after it got a bit wet that the sides were starting to separate. Why did this happen and what resource do I have. The board is only 6 months old?
John
Yonkers, NY
John,
The trylam is an attractive board. It is made of 2 man made materials and wood. They are glued together and sometimes there are errors in the adhesive process. Due to the moisture, heat and constant flex sometimes the laminates separate. We are sending you a molded fiberglass deck at no charge. A Laguna 40’ which is engineered and produced in our own plant, and you will not have this problem with a 1 piece molded board.
Dr soul
Dr Soul,
I keep hearing about the new carbon fiber boards. I can't find them in stores and apparently your company is the only one making them. I want all composite and no wood. Please tell me about these boards.
Randy Duke
St. Paul, MN
Randy,
Carbon fiber is the strongest, most durable material with the flex and rigidity needed for skateboards. It is very expensive, though. The entire fuselage of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner and most plane wings are made of this material. The molds are very expensive to make and this is why most people do not make them. Soul Boards is very pleased that we can offer the most technologically advanced boards in the industry. There is one compnay called Revolution that makes carbon fiber trick boards, but we are the only longboard manufacturer of a full 100% carbon fiber board.
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
I want to buy my 6 year old son a skateboard. What do you suggest and why?
Glenn
Newport Beach CA
Glenn,
There are many choices for you to pick from that would be great starter boards. the Black fly 38 or 48. You could also run with a 46, but it depends on his height and weight too. Please call us at 1.866.soul.one
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
My daughter has been crusing my 40" deck with 180 Randall trucks abec gumball wheels and the board has no flex with her being 90lbs. She has been doing pretty well and has been surfing for about 5 years. do you have any reccomendatins for a complete board?
thanks
Timmy
Timmy,
The laguna 40 or 46 would be great for her. they come with exkate torsion trucks and 76mm krypto wheels. That should do it!!
Dr. Soul
Hey Dr Soul,
Last year I purchased the Soul Rider carbon fiber board which I use to cruise and generally tool around town on streets and sidewalks of varying degrees of smoothness. What is the best wheel/bearing combination to use on this board if I'm looking for maximum speed AND maximum comfort on the rougher sidewalks and streets (I want the softest ride I can get)? Thanks. Jason
Jason,
The abec 11 70mm 78 a zig zag with abec 9 bearings is a great combo. You could also use a sector 9 81mm wheel but watch out for wheel bite, if you need softer the abec 11 gumball is perfect for rougher terrain.
thanks
Dr. Soul
I went to my local shop and they only had 3 sector 9 longboards. Also the components were pretty basic looking. My question is why fo you have such an extensive line and these other guys only carry a few models?
Guy Robinson
San Marcos
Guy,
Its very costly for those shops to carry alot of boards and most dealers dont want to invest that much effort into longboarding. We here at soulboards are comitted to the longevity and growth of the sport. I hear that these dealers also use cheaper trucks and wheels so they can make more money.
thanks
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
What is the meaning of the five star rating system?
Perry Mason
Charlotte
Perry,
The star rating sytem is much like how the rate hotels and resturants. Five is the best, four three and so on. These ratings are handed down to boards that have been inspected by LBMA and Powers.
thanks
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
I see your site has Abec 9 bearings. What gives?
Rolf Georgeson
Atlanta
Rolf,
Abec is the rating system for the speed and quality of the bearing. The higer number indicates a better and faster bearing.
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
I got a Sector 9 Bamboo Zen from you and it has little bitty wheels 61mm and some cheap trucks called mission. Why not put 70 or 76mm wheels and maybe randall trucks?
Bob Bechtel
New york
Bob,
We just sell them as they are made and come to us. Thats the quality level of that board. I suggest you return it and get a better quality.
thanks
Dr. Soul
Dr. Soul
What's all this about Fiberglass? I got a flexdeck and they say it is fiberglass. I don't look like a duck and I don't walk like a duck, and don't ride like a duck. It looks like a piece of plastic cut out of a big sheet. It sinks almost to the groung when I step on it.
Rich Gangon
New York
Rich,
I guess there is one born everyday. I assume that it is a piece of plastic and just has some smll bit of fiberglass in it somewhere. I woudl have to really examine it. I do know that real fiberglass boards such as the Laguna 46 Signature Edition which we sell is made in a vacuum mold with a real foam core. thanks
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
I’m a freshman in college and I’m new to this longboarding experience. I surf and skimboard, but I wasn’t sure what kind of board and what size I should get to start out. Im 6 foot 6 by the way and I weigh 215, any suggestions?
John Jr
Carolina
John,
With your surf and skim expierence you must have good balance and be a fair athlete. Either a Soul Interceptor Fiberglass or the SR71-Blackbird 60" large board. Either would be great, but the larger board60" long and 12" wide board will give you both vertical and horizontal balance.
thanks
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
Got my new Sector 9 Bamboo pintail and its a great ride. However it got a bit wet and the side is swelling up. I am concerned that it will blow out on me, and delaminate. I have only had it three months. I wonder if this is common on these Bamboo boards .
Phil
Mcnulty,
Austin
Phil,
Don't ride in the rain or get it wet is the only solution. Perhaps next time you should try a fiberglass Board. Thanks-
Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
Can you tell me where to get free shipping? I've tried UPS, FEDEX, USPS and DHL and the all tell me there is no free lunch. I have a small retail shop and want to start selling online. I see ads everywhere on the internet for free shipping.
ED
Cooper,
Bellingham
Ed,
One possible explanaton is that people Take a good quality product, but use cheaper and lower grade parts. They apply the difference to the true price and Bingo! Free shipping. Surveys have shown that "free shipping" merchants have a lower rate of customer satisfaction.
Dr. Soul
Dr. Soul,
What is the difference between FlexyDeck and Flex dex?
Bob
Howard,
Orlando
Bob,
FlexyDecks are made from true Fiberglass strands and resins and are made in vacum formed molds with real foam cores. Very similiar to todays snow and surfboards.These material and this process helps to make the most flexible boards. Flex dex boards on the other hand are sheets of plastic cut out on a C&C machine. They are very inexpensive and bend like rubber. They are not very responsive nor do they hold up against destruction. Thanks
DR. Soul
Dr Soul,
I really like your Blue Interceptor, but why are they so expensive? 199.95?
Jack
Hammond,
Kentucky
Jack,
Its simple. Cheap goods sell at a cheap price. Ours is the best quality available. It is a true fiberglass board made right here in the USA.
DR. Soul
Dr Soul,
You say your boards are better than everyone else's, and all my friends agree, but what actually makes it a better board?
Josh
Oshkosh, WI
Good question Josh,
We use only the highest quality components made 100% in the USA. We do not use price point trucks, wheels or bearings. Even our hardware and grip are top of the line. Then we sell directly to the customer, not allowing a retailer to part out our stuff for more money and replace it with cheap components.
Thanks, Dr. Soul
Dr Soul,
What exactly is fiberglass and why use it if it is so much more expensive?
Ron
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ron,
Fiberglass is very flexible. It is used in airplane wings. It lasts virtually forever,
and and extremely hard to break. It is a series of strands that are mixed with resins to form the composites. It is twice as responsive as wood, and 10 times as strong.
Thanks, Dr. Soul
on most longboards over $100. Offer good for a limited time.
