Are carbon fiber boards really better?

[pj sofine]

My 2011 136 cf ltd and later the 140 have been the first boards that I haven't broke.I'm 220 lbs and they ride nice for me.Are they better,no idea.Still look back at the ug flx's,they rode smooth.!

[plummet]

Here you go Plummet,


not necessarily a 'carbon' boards are stronger at all. Today I did have Underground Crypt in my hands 132/40, heavy as.

I would always, and I mean always reach for a lighter board in my quiver.

Btw, Axis ltd is pricey too...

All other aspects being equal the carbon board short be lighter or stiffer.

But you are right there are so many other factors involved that carbon alone does not mean lightest or strongest. But it is lighter, stiffer and stronger when done right. Theres a reason why most extremely high performance craft use carbon, America's cup yachts, formula one cars, all high end racing mountain bikes and road bikes. etc. They don't make these things out of fiberglass anymore because of the superior qualities of carbon.

[TheJoe]

No not really. The good part about them is the stiffness but the cost is so much higher. Weight is not an issue for me but a board that has too much flex between the feet is.

[FLandOBX]

Related topic: Why aren't kiteboard builders working with material other than wood, carbon, & fiberglass? Maybe they are, and I just don't know about it?

In the bicycle industry, titanium frames have positive features like carbon fiber (good flex, lightweight) and, in addition, are more durable (last forever, won't rust) and, while expensive, don't cost much more than carbon frames. Shaping titanium would be difficult, I guess, but aren't there other materials that board builders could be using? Are there any out-of-the-box thinkers, imaginative pioneers, in the board business?

[downunder]

^
Why? Guys, guys, you are totally not the Planet friendly.

Carbon, epoxy at.al have the top carbon footprint in manufacturing. So every time this is discussed is basically about "I don't care since will not live that long anyway and everyone else is doing it!" - however, most of you have kids. Not one, many. And I don't.

So I am asking a question: WHY? Why would anyone need a carbon board? At the end, we are using Wind as an engine. Not a diesel or petrol. We condemn petrol smell on the water.
Yet, somehow we admire the top carbon footprint boards...Bikes, whatever. There is almost NO carbon recycling at all atm. How is that with aluminium, metal and wood?

If this is a progress in everything, and carbon footprint is not addressed, God help us (since carbon is now in Aerospace and car industry, and...)

[plummet]

Related topic: Why aren't kiteboard builders working with material other than wood, carbon, & fiberglass? Maybe they are, and I just don't know about it?

In the bicycle industry, titanium frames have positive features like carbon fiber (good flex, lightweight) and, in addition, are more durable (last forever, won't rust) and, while expensive, don't cost much more than carbon frames. Shaping titanium would be difficult, I guess, but aren't there other materials that board builders could be using? Are there any out-of-the-box thinkers, imaginative pioneers, in the board business?

Cabrinha are using basalt on some of there TT's. That's pretty cool!

[harppa]

Had a chat with pretty experienced rider (has a promodel) and he said carbon doesnt bend as much as class and in hes use he would snap the board if it would be carbon. This board is full on powered wakestyle board.

[rynhardt]

Related topic: Why aren't kiteboard builders working with material other than wood, carbon, & fiberglass? Maybe they are, and I just don't know about it?

In the bicycle industry, titanium frames have positive features like carbon fiber (good flex, lightweight) and, in addition, are more durable (last forever, won't rust) and, while expensive, don't cost much more than carbon frames. Shaping titanium would be difficult, I guess, but aren't there other materials that board builders could be using? Are there any out-of-the-box thinkers, imaginative pioneers, in the board business?

You could build a board out of almost anything, but it needs certain qualities to be usable. Like, it must float. It can't be too thick. Or too heavy. Some flex is nice, but not too much. It needs to last at least season or two. And look nice.
And then there is the construction process, which needs to be as simple as possible, deliver consistent results and be as cheap as possible.

That all reduces your options to where we are now, i.e.
core: wood or foam (honeycomb is an option but expensive and difficult to work with) - the core typically provides the flotation.
reinforcement: glass or carbon (or basalt)
rails: ABS or PU
resin: epoxy or polyester
graphics: PBT/ABS/TPU topsheet, UHMWPE base
inserts: 316 ss or brass

I do build boards with other materials as well. My transparent boards are polycarbonate sheet with carbon composite beams.

[FLandOBX]

I do build boards with other materials as well. My transparent boards are polycarbonate sheet with carbon composite beams.

Rynhardt, I pulled up the forum thread with photos/video of your boards (transparent board - 2014). Sweet boards. Apologies to the OP for steering away from carbon question, but here's the link for those that haven't seen it.

http://kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=2383993

[dracop]

Related topic: Why aren't kiteboard builders working with material other than wood, carbon, & fiberglass? Maybe they are, and I just don't know about it?

In the bicycle industry, titanium frames have positive features like carbon fiber (good flex, lightweight) and, in addition, are more durable (last forever, won't rust) and, while expensive, don't cost much more than carbon frames. Shaping titanium would be difficult, I guess, but aren't there other materials that board builders could be using? Are there any out-of-the-box thinkers, imaginative pioneers, in the board business?

Cabrinha are using basalt on some of there TT's. That's pretty cool!

Naish is also using basalt. I dunno, I like my stiff carbon Core Choice 2 better than Basalt boards. It will flex eventually and it returns energy. Basalt is like stone...literally and figuratively.